What’s New?
This is where you’ll find health information and news flashes from Quebec, Canada, and around the world.
New guidelines from osteoporosis canada
New guidelines from Osteoporosis Canada recommend daily intake of 400 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D for adults under 50 who do not suffer from osteoporosis or problems that interfere with absorption of this vitamin. For adults over 50, a supplement of between 800 and 2,000 IU is recommended.
Seniors in better health
Contrary to certain common ideas about seniors’ well-being, a study has revealed that our elders are in good physical shape and in better health than their forebears.
Hormones influence the brain
Researchers have observed reactions to emotional stimuli in women with a regular menstrual cycle and have found that there is greater brain activity during the late follicular phase (just before an egg is released).
Heart attack may cause insomnia
The effects of a heart attack are not limited to the heart. Quebec researchers have shown that a heart attack can also affect the brain by destroying neurons in the brain stem. This may lead to insomnia, particularly during REM (i.e., dreaming) sleep.
Index-finger length and prostate cancer
British researchers have found that men whose index finger is longer than their ring finger are at lower risk for prostate cancer.
Omega-3 fats: Good for your eyes
A team of researchers at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont in Montreal recently found that omega-3 fatty acids can slow the progress of certain eye problems, including retinopathy. This disease of the retina is found mainly among people with diabetes.
Moderate exercise for memory
Simply taking a daily walk can help the memory of adults over 55 years old. Moderate, regular aerobic exercise not only improves memory but prevents memory loss among seniors.
Taking the birth-control pill doesn’t cause weight gain
Like many previous studies, a new American study has shown that there is no scientific proof of a relationship between taking the birth-control pill and gaining weight. The study, conducted on rhesus monkeys, which have a reproductive system almost identical to humans’, proves that women shouldn’t be worried on this account.
No more than two hours a day at a screen
To get healthier, children (5 to 11 years old) and teenagers (12 to 17 years old) should not spend more than two hours a day at a screen (TV or computer) for recreation. They should also avoid spending long periods sitting, and they should get outside. These recommendations come from the new Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for these age groups – the first such guidelines in the world.
