Health

By Nancy Clanton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health Pecans are high in healthy fatty acids and fiber, both of which have been linked to lower cholesterol Your elevated cholesterol levels might be driving you nuts, so it’s only right that a nut — specifically, the pecan — can help lower them. A new study by researchers at the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences reports the tree nut can dramatically improve your cholesterol. Researchers reported participants who ate pecans experienced a 5% drop in total cholesterol and a 6-9% drop in LDL. For context, they compared their…

By Michael Clayton, Mayo Clinic News Network Troy Warren for CNT #Health ‘The more languages you know, the less your risk of dementia. And music happens to be a language’ Music soothes, energizes and inspires. It also fortifies pathways in your brain that neurologists say can lead to a better understanding of cognition and dementia. To help better understand how music strengthens the brain, Dr. Bernard Bendok, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, explains how music strikes a chord with researchers in this Mayo Clinic Minute. “One of the higher functions that a human brain can…

By Andrea Clement, for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health More large systems incorporating functional medicine as part of their care models Functional medicine is a unique health care model that is growing in popularity among clinicians nationwide as demand increases among the patient population, particularly among people coping with chronic illness. According to the Institute for Functional Medicine, the model “is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness… (requiring) a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors, and (then leveraging…

By Laurel Kelly, Mayo Clinic News Network Troy Warren for CNT #Health Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms can differ between teens and adults With many teens heading back to school, peer pressure and academic expectations are once again a reality. These added pressures can cause ups and downs during what can be an already tumultuous time of life. For some teens, though, the lows are more than just temporary feelings. They’re symptoms of depression. Teen depression is a serious mental health problem. It affects how teenagers think, feel and behave, and it can cause emotional, functional…

By Barton Goldsmith, Tribune News Service Troy Warren for CNT #Health Friends are more than just people you know, work with or hang out with at a party Being a good friend is sometimes challenging, but so worth it, because everyone’s needs get met some way and somehow. The following qualities are the ones we all wish for in a true friendship. If you have found someone who brings them to your relationship, you both deserve a lifetime of mutual support and great times. Fidelity:  Friends are loyal to each other and have each other’s back. They don’t say unkind things…

By Cynthia Weiss, Mayo Clinic News Network Troy Warren for CNT #Health Swimming offers benefits for both the body and mind Swimming is often touted as a great workout for all ages, offering benefits not only for the body, but also for the mind. As a form of exercise, swimming keeps your heart rate up and builds muscle strength. It also can be a great form of stress relief. “Swimming is a wonderful sport. I definitely recommend swimming for people of all ages,” said Dr. Matthew Crowe, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert who spent many hours in…