It's Like Playing Musical Chairs, Only with a Blog

Be prepared.  I'm going to change the focus of this blog once again.  I know you're all wondering what the deal is, and to be frank, I don't know.  I've never had this much trouble getting started on something and sticking with it.  Don't have this problem with my other blogs. 

But I hate to just abandon the poor thing.  So stay tuned.  Just think of it as a multiple personality blog disorder, and I'm still searching for the cure. 

Teens Plus TV Equal Depression?

A new University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study has concluded that teens who spend long hours in front of the television face a higher risk of depression than their more active counterparts.  Even more alarming, the effects seem to persist.  As much as seven years later, many of the teens were still showing signs of depression.  The same association was also shown with other electronic media. 

Researchers speculate that teens who watch a lot of television may internalize a lot of what they see, leading to feelings of hopelessness and depression. They also may neglect social or athletic activities that might provide more positive experiences. 

More studies need to be done, but parents should definitely make an attempt to limit the time their adolescents spend in front of the tube.  To read more about the study, see Teen TV Time Tied to Adult Depression.

Coffee Drinking Linked to Reduced Dementia

A new study suggests that lifelong coffee drinkers may have a reduced risk of developing late-in-life dementia. Scientists followed a large group of middle-aged men and women for an average of 21 years, and found that people who reported drinking 3 to 5 cups a day were 65% less likely to have developed dementia, compared to people who regularly drank 2 cups or less per day.

Why would drinking coffee reduce the risk of dementia? Previous studies have linked its consumption with a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which is a risk factor for dementia. In addition, studies in animals have demonstrated that coffee reduces the formation of amyloid plaque in the brain. As a bonus, it may have an antioxidant effect in the bloodstream, reducing risk factors for dementia also.

So enjoy your coffee! It might just help to keep your brain functioning longer.

Can Heartburn Medications Diminish Plavix Effectiveness?

The FDA announced today that it is reviewing the benefits of the blood-thinner Plavix, which is the world's second-best selling drug. It is used by millions of people to reduce the likelihood of a heart attack or a stroke, but federal health officials feel it may be less effective in certain patients.

The FDA is investigating the possibility that certain heartburn medications may diminish the the drug's effectiveness. They are also looking into the possibility that people with certain genetic backgrounds may not actually benefit from the use of Plavix. In both of these cases, the patient may not be able to metabolize the drug, thereby making it ineffective.

According to the FDA, patients should continue taking the prescribed medication, but physicians should be cautious when prescribing heartburn drugs to patients who are currently taking Plavix. For more information, read FDA Reviews Benefits of Plavix in Certain Patients by Matthew Perrone.

Live in the Blue Zones For A Longer, Happier Life

What exactly are the Blue Zones?  They're the areas around the world that have the highest number of centenarians (people who live to be 100 or older).  And studies show that these people have certain things in common.  They live life with purpose, are close to their families, and have a positive outlook.  Most important though: they eat local food, and they eat green.  

Will you live to be 100?  Go to BlueZones.com and take the Vitality Compass test.  You'll be asked a series of questions regarding your lifestyle, then given your true biological age and life expectancy, should nothing change.  I won't tell you what mine was.  But let's just say I need to make some serious changes.  Check it out and let me know how you fare.