“Time is what we want most,
but what we use worst.”
~ William Penn
Health Alert: Has Life Expectancy Plateaued?
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research report that people born in high-income countries between 1900 and 1938 experienced unprecedented gains in life expectancy, driven largely by reductions in infant and maternal mortality and improvements in sanitation, medicine, and food safety. In contrast, progress since then has been more gradual, leading some experts to suggest that life expectancy in affluent nations may be approaching a plateau—around 76 years for men and 81 years for women in the United States, for example.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, September 2025
Diet: Eat More Fruit!
Carotenoids are antioxidant compounds that give yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables their color. An analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that higher serum carotenoid levels were associated with a 31% lower risk of premature death and a 47% lower risk of cancer mortality over a 19-year follow-up period.
British Journal of Nutrition, October 2025
Exercise: Fast Walking Linked to Lower Cancer Risk.
Using data from two long-term cohort studies, researchers report that a faster walking pace is associated with a 13–45% lower risk of developing cancer. The findings suggest that walking speed may serve as a simple, real-world indicator of metabolic and cardiovascular fitness—factors that can enhance immune function and make it less likely for cancerous cells to take hold.
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, April 2025
Chiropractic: Hip Problems May Play a Role in Disabling Low Back Pain.
In a study of 79 patients receiving treatment for severe hip disorders, researchers found that many who also had disabling low back pain experienced significant improvements in back pain and function after treatment. The findings highlight how dysfunction in one part of the body can contribute to musculoskeletal problems in neighboring regions.
Hip International, June 2025
Mental Attitude: Brain Stimulation May Help Alleviate Depression.
High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a noninvasive brain-stimulation technique that delivers low-intensity electrical currents through multiple small scalp electrodes to precisely modulate neural activity in targeted cortical regions. Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles report that this technology helped 40% of patients with moderate-to-severe depression achieve remission within twelve days with benefits manifesting within the first six days. It’s hoped with further testing and refinement that HD-tDCS could have a role in managing depression and other mood disorders.
JAMA Network Open, September 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Smokeless Tobacco Dramatically Increases Oral Cancer Risk.
New research indicates that chewing or sucking on tobacco products can increase the risk of oral cancer by as much as 800%, and that individuals who also smoke face roughly double that risk. The findings reinforce that smokeless tobacco is far from a harmless habit.
Tobacco Use Insights, October 2025
