Norwegian study decries effects of sugar on teenagers; US study says multivitamins help.

Norwegian study decries effects of sugar on teenagers; US study says multivitamins help.

(December 31, 2008, Canton, GA). The opening line of a McGuire Sisters’ pop hit of the 1950’s went like this: “Sugar in the morning, sugar in the evening, sugar at suppertime… ” According to researchers at the University of Oslo in Norway, far too many teenagers today are taking that advice literally, and the long-term effects on their physical and mental health are just beginning to be uncovered.

The Norwegian researchers examined the eating habits –including intake of soft drinks with sugar – of 5,000 teenagers. The participants in the study – all ages 15 & 16 – were then given a questionnaire designed to gauge their mental well-being. The researchers found a strong correlation between soft drink consumption and mental health problems. This association remained significant after adjustment for social, behavioral, and food-related disorders.

““The study revealed that hyperactivity and distress were more prevalent in teenagers who consumed an inordinate amount of sugar-based drinks – with those who drank four or more soft drinks a day displaying increased symptoms,” said Dr. Mike Headlee, a chiropractor whose family wellness practice is located in Canton.


“These findings emphasize the need for young people to limit their consumption of sugar – especially the sugar-loaded soft drinks that so many teens crave,” added Headlee whose standard course of care includes nutritional planning.

Not all the news is bad for today’s teens.

The University of Minneapolis School of Public Health studied 2,761 high school seniors to explore the correlation between multi-vitamin supplement use and lifestyle decisions. The study – published in the December 2006 edition of The Journal of the American Diabetic Association – established that teenagers who take multi-vitamin supplements are more likely to exhibit a healthier attitude toward life including a greater willingness to exercise and eat more nutritious foods.

“Vitamins are not magic pills. But, it was clearly evident in the study that vitamin users were more likely to be involved in school and extra-curricular sports, they watched less television per day, and they were less likely to be smokers or to be overweight,” noted Headlee.

“This is not rocket science. If you want to lead a healthier life – both physically and mentally – the equation is simple. Be fit. Eat right. Think well. It’s a credo that applies to people of all ages and walks of life,” concluded Headlee.

Are You Living Well With Cancer?

For people dealing with cancer, living well might mean living longer. After asking 3,700 people with late stage cancer to rate their quality of life on a scale of 0 to 10, Mayo Clinic researchers determined that those with as score of 5 or higher lived 7.5 months longer than people with a poor quality of life.

One of the best ways to improve quality of life is through stress reduction. "We don't have an anti stress pill," says Moshe Frenkel, M.D., medical director of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's Integrative Medicine Program, "but research shows that mind-body techniques can relieve stress and support the immune system, which is especially helpful for patients with cancer." What's more, many practices can ease cancer-specific problems: Yoga, for instance, may promote sleep, and acupuncture can ease pain and nausea.

Childhood Obesity Can Be Deadly

Harvard study finds that overweight kids risk premature death.

(December 29, 2008, Canton, GA). Overweight children most often become overweight adults. Sure, there are those who seek guidance or find inspiration and commit themselves to a healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, those success stories are few and far between. The majority of obese children leave adolescence for an adult life already ripe with health concerns. And, according to a study by Harvard’s School of Public Health, those lives often end prematurely.

The Harvard study – published by the Annals of Internal Medicine – evaluated the health habits and medical records of more than 100,000 women who had provided data through the Nurses’ Health Study (an ongoing federally financed study on women’s health issues) since 1989. Researchers found that those women who were overweight or obese at age 18, had a far greater risk of dying from cancer or heart disease before reaching middle age.

“Today, one-third of U.S. children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight,” said Dr. Mike Headlee when contacted about the study. “And, the Harvard research confirms that childhood obesity is a death sentence, “ added Headlee, whose chiropractic office are located in Canton, GA.

“The physical and emotional strain on an overweight child is compounded by the


type of behavior uncovered in this study. The obese youth were found less likely
to exercise and more likely to have smoked and consumed alcohol. Let me be the master of the obvious, this is a recipe for a shorter life,“ continued Headlee.

While the Harvard study did not establish whether permanent weight loss after age 18 decreases the risk of dying prematurely, Dr. Headlee urged parents and children to address their health regimen.

“Change the way you live, and you can alter the life path you currently travel,” noted Headlee. “I preach to my patients that chiropractic care is part of a maintenance program that includes proper diet, exercise and a healthy mental outlook. There is a reason that clichés become clichés. Treat your body like a temple, and that temple will stand for a long time,” he concluded.

Editor’s Note:
Those seeking additional information regarding this study may contact Dr. Mike Headlee directly at 206 Sawtooth Ct, Canton, GA, 30114, telephone (770) 720-6813.

Can Your iPod Give Relief for High Blood Pressure?

Tuning in to mellow music could bring your blood pressure down, suggests a study from the University of Florence in Italy. For a half hour daily, 28 people on medication for mild hypertension listened to classical, Celtic, or Indian music and performed abdominal breathing exercises. After four weeks, they showed a significant drop in systolic pressure. A control group showed no significant changes.

Doing breathing exercises and listening to mellow music help slow down your sympathetic nervous system, resulting in lower blood pressure, explains Stephen Devries, M.D., preventive cardiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. If you can't carve out a half hour each day, Devries recommends taking 10 minutes whenever you get the chance. So before bed, on your lunch break, or on the train, he says, "pop in your earbuds, call up a play list of soothing songs, and practice breathing techniques."

Brain Food?

An antioxidant in celery and green peppers might shield against memory loss, a recent University of Illinois study finds. Called luteolin, the compound squelched brain-cell inflammation in areas of the brain involved in memory formation in a series of preliminary tests. Since the study's authors have yet to test the antioxidant's effects on humans, National Institute on Aging neurobiologist Andrew Monjan, Ph.D., says there's no reason to load up on luteolin just yet. For now, Monjan advises enhancing brain health by sticking to a Mediterranean-style diet, linked to reduced Alzheimer's risk in past research.

Holy Mackerel!

Research identifies fatty fish oil’s many health benefits.


(December 26, 2008, Canton, GA). It’s no fish story that those who include seafood as a staple in their diet benefit from the ingestion of high levels of omega-3 fatty acids — known to reduce the risks for heart-related diseases, age-related cognitive decline, abnormal brain development and functioning, even obesity and mood disorders. Now, new studies have shown that it is the oil from fatty fish (salmon, herring, sardines and mackerel) that may offer the most health benefits.

During the course of a 10-year study conducted in Sweden, it was established that the consumption of fatty fish oils might inhibit a commonly found receptor for kidney cancers in women, the Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), which triggers more than 80% of kidney cancers. Consistent long-term intake of fatty fish oil reduced the RCC risk by up to 74% in the Swedish women tracked for the report. At the same time, the intake of fatty fish oils triggered an increase in the level of serum vitamin D in these women. Low levels of vitamin D are believed to trigger the development and progression of RCC.

“You might say that fatty fish oil is phat!” said a smiling Dr. Mike Headlee when contacted about the study. “Even lean fish — although to a lesser extent — provide similar health benefits,” the doctor continued. Headlee, whose chiropractic office is located in Canton, GA, follows developments in chiropractic science closely.



“Consuming fish oil or eating raw, baked or broiled fish — not fried — can also
protect your heart’s electrical system by decreasing the risk of fatal heart-rhythm disorders,“ noted Headlee. “Omega-3 fats have been found to benefit a healthy heart rhythm,” he added.

In addition, according to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, fish oil consumption by the elderly prevented a decline in heart rate variability that was caused by same-day exposure to indoor airborne pollutants (which can trigger arrhythmia and sudden death.)

This study also found that a diet including fish at least once a week has other significant health benefits for the elderly. These finds included a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well as a 10% slower rate of annual age-related cognitive decline (and a 13% slower rate decline when fish was consumed more than once a week). In addition, seafood and by products decreased incidences of strokes because high levels of omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA or docosahexaenoic acid) are crucial for normal brain functioning.

There’s even more to this school of thought.

“ Several epidemiological studies find a correlation between omega-3 fatty acids intake and mood disorders like depression — which are affected by an omega-3 fatty acids deficit. In addition, people suffering from coronary artery disease may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids as well since there is an established link between the disease and depression,” stated Headlee.


“An increased omega-3 intake, even through supplementation, may have therapeutic benefits,” he declared.

Fishing for compliments about a reduce waistline?

A study conducted by the University of South Australia noted that daily omega-3 fatty acids intake — when combined with exercise — can aid in weight loss because fatty acids increase blood flow to the muscles during exercise and thereby assist in fat burning.

“The studies are overwhelming. Will people change their dietary habits due to the promise this research shows? It’s certainly food for thought,” concluded Doe.


Editor’s Note:
Those seeking additional information regarding this study may contact Dr. Mike Headlee directly at 206 Sawtooth Ct, Canton, GA, 30114, telephone (770) 720-6813.

Reference Material:
Alicja Wolk, Susanna C. Larsson, Jan-Erik Johansson, and Peter Ekman: Long-term Fatty Fish Consumption and Renal Cell Carcinoma Incidence in Women, JAMA, September 20, 2006, Vol. 296, No. 11

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, July 12, 2006.

Fish Oil Prevents Potentially Deadly Heart Rate Variability, Science Daily, December 2005.


Fish Consumption May Be Linked to Reduced Cognitive Decline, Medscape, Oct. 11, 2005.

Gordon Parker, Neville A. Gibson, Heather Brotchie, Gabriella Heruc, Anne-Marie Rees and Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic: Omega-3-Fatty Acids and Mood Disorders, The American Journal of Psychiatry, June 2006.

Reuters, Australian Study Finds Fish Oil Helps Weight Loss, July 28, 2006.

(Edited and re-written by Tekla Szymanski)

Get a Dose of D

According to research, most Americans lack sufficient vitamin D, and that's a problem. "Not getting enough D is linked with chronic diseases such as cancer," says Eastwood. The body creates vitamin D from sunlight. But since few of us live near the equator or spend much time in the sun, at least without lots of sunscreen or protective clothing, we don't get enough of this crucial vitamin. Eastwood recommends supplementing with 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily.

Natural Solutions 2008