“The spirit of envy can destroy;
it can never build.”
~ Margaret Thatcher
Health Alert: Microplastic Exposure May Contribute to Alzheimer’s.
According to a recent animal study, exposure to polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics at levels higher than those observed in humans produced Alzheimer-like symptoms in mice carrying the APOE4 gene—a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease—after just three weeks. Notably, the researchers observed sex-specific differences similar to those seen in human patients: male mice were less cautious and more impulsive when exploring new environments, while females had greater difficulty remembering objects they had seen before. The findings suggest that environmental toxins may heighten vulnerability in individuals with genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases.
Environmental Research Communications, August 2025
Diet: Fruit and Veggies Benefit Brain Health.
A systematic review of 38 studies found that individuals who eat more fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment compared with those who consume less produce.
Nutrición Hospitalaria, September 2025
Exercise: Active Lifestyle Linked to Lower Risk of Some Cancers.
An analysis of data from more than 140,000 middle-aged and older adults found that compared with their inactive peers, men with the highest levels of physical activity had a lower risk of colon cancer, while physically active women had a lower risk of bladder and endometrial cancers.
Journal of Epidemiology, October 2025
Chiropractic: Risk Factors for Low Back Pain.
A study comparing the demographics, lifestyle, posture, and health behaviors of 64 low back pain patients and 64 age-matched controls found that frequent bending or twisting, obesity, and less than six hours of sleep per night were each linked to a higher risk of low back pain. The researchers also found that a higher body mass index was associated with an increased likelihood of low back pain becoming a chronic condition.
Mymensingh Medical Journal, July 2025
Mental Attitude: Heading Soccer Ball Linked to Poorer Brain Health.
Brain imaging of 352 amateur soccer players and 77 athletes from sports without head impacts revealed that frequent heading of the ball was linked to microstructural changes in the orbitofrontal region—an area involved in memory and thinking—and to lower scores on cognitive tests. The findings add to growing evidence that repetitive heading in soccer may have harmful effects on brain health.
Neurology, September 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Detecting Which Kids May Be at Highest Risk for Respiratory Disorders.
Mayo Clinic researchers report that young children with recurrent wheezing, allergic conditions, or a family history of asthma are at increased risk for pneumonia, influenza, and asthma-related hospital visits. The findings may help healthcare providers identify children at highest risk for severe asthma flare-ups and respiratory infections early on, allowing for preventive care that could improve long-term outcomes.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, September 2025
