Lifestyle « Weekly Gravy

Parts of the United States that raised the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21 have seen significant reductions in cigarette smoking among young adults. Compared to other regions, those with tobacco-21 laws had a 39% decline in regular smoking among 18- to 20-year-olds who had previously experimented with cigarettes, a new study found. In that age group, the reduction was even larger (50%) among those whose close friends smoked at age 16, according to the study published recently in the journal Addiction. “This research indicates that a ‘social multiplier’ effect may amplify the impact of tobacco-21 laws,” said lead author Abigail Friedman, an assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Conn. “As peer smoking is a critical predictor of youth smoking, this study suggests that tobacco-21 laws may help reduce smoking among those most susceptible to tobacco use,” she said in a Society for the Study of Addiction news release. “This result supports raising the age of sale to 21 as a means to reduce young adult smoking and improve public health.” As of June, 16 states and more than 400 localities had adopted tobacco-21 laws. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on youth and tobacco.

New research is untangling the complex relationship between symptoms of depression and losses in memory and thinking that often emerge together with Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, the new data suggests that “depression symptoms themselves may be among the early changes in the preclinical stages of dementia syndromes,” explained study lead author Dr. Jennifer Gatchel. She works in the division of geriatric psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In the study, researchers examined brain scans and other data gathered over seven years from 276 older adults enrolled in the Harvard Aging Brain Study. All of the participants were still living independently in the community at the beginning of the study and were considered healthy. However, the analysis revealed a significant link between worsening depression symptoms and mental decline over two to seven years, and both of these trends seemed to be linked to a buildup of amyloid protein in brain tissue. The slow accumulation of amyloid has long been known as a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. “Our research found that even modest levels of brain amyloid deposition can impact the relationship between depression symptoms and cognitive [thinking] abilities,” Gatchel said in a hospital news release. The new insight that depression symptoms might be part of the Alzheimer’s process could further research into the prevention or treatment of the illness, she added. It “raises the possibility… read on >

Thinking of picking up an electric fan to help keep you cool and protect your health during the next heat wave? You might want to think again. Electric fans might make you feel cooler, but they can actually increase your risk of becoming heat sick and even dying from a heat stroke, the evidence shows. Electric fans could contribute to a potentially dangerous increase in a person’s core heat if outdoor temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit, a recent Cochrane evidence review says. “The fan actually will be blowing air that is hotter than our body at us,” said co-author Mike Clarke, director of the Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit at Queen’s University Belfast. It’s like switching on an electric oven’s convection fan to speed up the cooking process, the researchers said. Meanwhile, another new study found that electric fans are particularly dangerous during very hot and dry conditions, but can help lower core temperatures and heart strain in hot, humid weather. That study appears in the Aug. 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Electric fans are seen as a cheap way to help people cope with the several days of high temperatures that make up a heat wave, researchers for the Cochrane review said. Global warming means heat waves will become more frequent, and they can have terrible health consequences. As many as… read on >

In the quest for more plant-based protein sources, yellow peas have been getting a lot of good press. And the number of packaged foods enhanced with this “pea protein” has tripled in the last few years. But dried split peas, whether yellow or green in color, were an excellent food choice long before they achieved their overnight superstar status. A mere quarter-cup, measured dry (uncooked), will yield 11 to 12 grams of protein, 13 to 16 grams of fiber and just 180 calories. Tip: Read labels on bags of dried peas since these counts vary slightly. Peas are common legumes or “pulses.” While not a complete protein, like meat or chicken, peas have important amino acids including isoleucine, leucine and valine, needed for building muscle. Keep in mind that foods with just the pea protein extract are missing yellow peas’ fiber, B vitamins and a wide variety of essential minerals and phytochemicals. So rather than paying up for products with added pea protein, especially if it’s the only healthy ingredient in the box, consider adding whole split peas to your diet with meals you make at home. Dried peas are perfect for do-ahead meals. Take a few minutes to cook up a batch, and then use them in recipes throughout the week. They form the base of many Indian dishes and hearty soups. They can… read on >

Pile those vegetables and fruits high when you sit down to eat, and your heart will thank you. A diet rich in plant-based foods translated into fewer heart problems in a new study. For the study, the researchers analyzed data collected from more than 10,000 middle-aged U.S. adults who were followed from 1987 through 2016. None had heart disease at the start of that period. The participants’ eating habits were analyzed and their eating patterns were grouped according to the proportion of plant-based foods they ate versus the proportion of animal-based foods. Compared to those who ate mostly animal-based foods, those who ate mostly plant-based foods had a: 16% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other heart problems; a 32% lower risk of death from heart disease; and a 25% lower risk of death from any cause during the study period. The study was published online Aug. 7 in the Journal of the American Heart Association. “While you don’t have to give up foods derived from animals completely, our study does suggest that eating a larger proportion of plant-based foods and a smaller proportion of animal-based foods may help reduce your risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other type of cardiovascular disease,” said researcher Casey Rebholz. She’s an assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,… read on >

So-called “conversion therapy” can trigger depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts and attempts, and it should be banished in the United States, medical experts say in a new report. Conversion therapy is used in an attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, most typically to turn someone who is gay into a “straight” person. Electroshock therapy, chemical drugs, hormone administrations and surgery are among the methods that have been used in conversion therapy, noted a team of experts reporting Aug. 8 in the New England Journal of Medicine. While the use of such extreme methods has declined, other types of conversion therapy can still harm U.S. children, teens and adults, according to the report. Only 18 U.S. states have banned conversion therapy for people younger than 18, and no states have banned conversion therapy for adults. “As a result of the lack of regulation on these ‘therapies,’ many adults and children continue to be defrauded, harmed and traumatized in the U.S. every day,” said report lead author Dr. Carl Streed, Jr. He is a primary care physician at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. “In addition to the health problems associated with conversion therapies, these practices also carry serious economic burdens for LGBTQ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning] people… read on >

Video games carry labels with an age-related rating, typically based on the level of violence, strong language and sexual content. But that’s not the only guideline to consider. An industry group called the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) sets the ratings. Look closely at the video game box or information on a game app and you’ll also find “content descriptors.” There are 30 in all. These are more specific details about what led to the game’s rating — from the amount of blood and gore, to sex, to substances like alcohol and drugs. Also look for mention of “interactive elements.” These are additional game features, such as a player’s ability to interact with other players, and purchase goods and services through the game or app. You should consider interactive elements and content descriptors as carefully as age appropriateness when deciding if a game is right for your child. The content descriptors, in particular, give you an idea of what your child will see during the game. Sampling of Content Descriptors: Alcohol reference Drug reference Intense violence Nudity Real gambling Sexual violence Tobacco use According to studies done in the United States and in the United Kingdom, one of the most under-reported content descriptors is smoking. In one survey, researchers found that only 8% of games that featured smoking carried the tobacco descriptor. The U.S. Surgeon… read on >

As kids head back to school, it’s important for parents to keep potential asthma and allergy challenges in mind. “In the fall, allergists see an increase in kids’ visits for allergies and asthma because of a combination of factors,” said Dr. Todd Mahr, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “And hospitals see what’s known as the ‘September Spike’ because kids who have been off asthma controller medications for the summer start experiencing flare-ups in the fall.” As a new school year begins, kids are exposed to allergens in the classroom, on playing fields and in the cafeteria that many probably haven’t run into all summer, he said in an ACAAI news release. On top of that, it’s ragweed season — a terrible time of year for kids who are allergic. Mahr suggests parents meet with their child’s allergist this month to create an allergy action plan. Parents should also try to identify potential asthma and allergy triggers that their children may encounter at school. These may include chemical compounds from new carpeting, pollen drifting into classrooms through open windows, or mold in bathrooms. Parents should discuss potential triggers with teachers and school administrators to help ease symptoms. Children with asthma or allergies should still be able to play any sport as long as they follow their allergist’s advice, according to… read on >

A small electric “tickle” to the ear may affect the body’s nervous system, and British researchers claim this can promote overall well-being and may potentially slow down some effects of aging. The tickle treatment is called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS). The procedure involves placing custom-made clips containing electrodes on the part of your ear called the tragus; that’s the small, pointed tip above your ear lobe. A small electrical current is delivered through the clips to affect the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is part of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for body functions you don’t think about, like blood pressure, temperature and heart rhythm. The study authors suggest that the device may help balance the autonomic system. “We saw that just two weeks of daily tVNS helped to re-balance the levels of activity in the two branches of the autonomic nervous system,” said Susan Deuchars, one of the study’s authors. She’s director of research in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leeds in England. “These branches normally work in balance to allow healthy levels of activity. As we age — and also in certain clinical conditions — this balance changes so that the sympathetic branch predominates and this can be detrimental for health. tVNS daily seems to redress the balance of this activity towards that associated with healthy… read on >

Parents of budding teens can breathe a little easier: A new study says adolescent “sexting” is not an epidemic. On the other hand, it’s not disappearing, either, despite campaigns to curb it. “Sexting is perceived as an epidemic because the news highlights extreme cases that involve tragic outcomes, and because it goes against standards of morality and decency that are historically entrenched,” said study author Sameer Hinduja, a professor of criminology at Florida Atlantic University. But most teens have never sent or received a sex text, the new study found. It focused on about 5,600 students in American middle and high schools, ages 12 to 17. Of those, about 14% had ever sent a sexually or explicit image or had received one. For this study, researchers defined sexting as the exchange of nude or semi-nude photos or videos via text or private messaging on social media. Other researchers have included sexually suggestive or explicit texts. Hinduja said his team didn’t include those, because they can’t lead to sextortion, child pornography charges or related fallout. About 11% of the students said they had sent a sext to a boyfriend or girlfriend — and about 64% did so when asked to, the study found. But only 43% complied with a request from someone who was not a current romantic partner. Boys were much more likely to have… read on >