It’s no surprise that when parents read to their kids, it helps them succeed in school. [Read more…]
When Parents Read to Kids, Everyone Wins
April 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment
What’s the Best Way to Treat Mental Health Problems in Kids?
April 24, 2018 By Leave a Comment
No one knows for sure, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 13 and 20 percent of youth ages 3 to 17 experience a mental health problem each year. This includes diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorders and Tourette syndrome. [Read more…]
What Do We Really Know About Mindfulness?
April 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The concept of mindfulness is in the media constantly. We’ve written about it several times on the Evidence-based Living blog. Many people see meditation as a magic bullet that can reduce pain, relieve depression, and sharpen our focus. [Read more…]
The Evidence on Melatonin for Insomnia
March 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
If you have ever experienced insomnia, you know the agony of trying to fall asleep when your body simply will not cooperate. It is a common problem; an estimated 10 percent of people living in Western society are diagnosed with a significant sleep disorder and another 25 percent experience problems most days with sleeping or feeling tired during the day. [Read more…]
Do Firearm Laws Reduce Gun-Related Deaths?
March 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The school shooting in Parkland, Fla. last month re-ignited the national dialogue on gun control.
Since the shooting, President Donald Trump has held a meeting with legislators on gun control, and Florida lawmakers passed a new law that raises the minimum age to purchase guns from 18 to 21, creates a waiting period for gun buyers, bans bump stocks, and other measures. Last week, students across the country staged school walkouts to honor the 17 victims and ask legislators to enact gun control laws. [Read more…]
Are Nutrition Labels an Effective Weapon Against Obesity?
March 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Millions of Americans make goals to lose weight every year. Diet books, weight-loss apps, and meal supplements abound. But research shows changing our environments may have a more significant influence on our food choices, and ultimately our health. [Read more…]
Boost Your Health With a Pet
March 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The saying “a dog is a man’s best friend” originated hundreds of years ago, but its sentiment continues today. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. households own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association, with dogs and cats being the most popular. [Read more…]
New Evidence Finds Vitamins Are Often Unnecessary
February 20, 2018 By 1 Comment
Americans spend more than $36 billion a year on vitamins and nutritional supplements – all in the hopes for leading healthier lives. More than half of Americans take at least one vitamin a day, and millions take more than that. But do vitamins actually improve your health? [Read more…]
What Happens Children Care for Sick Loved Ones
February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Taking care of a loved one who is sick is never easy. But for children and adolescents, caring for a family member with a chronic illness can be especially taxing. [Read more…]
Meditation Does Not Make You a Better Person
February 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Many people think of meditation as a magic bullet that can improve our health, sharpen our focus, and make us better people overall.
But in reality, the evidence on meditation is mixed. According to reviews by the Cochrane Collaboration, there is little evidence that mindfulness can help improve health problems such as fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, and neck pain. There are some credible data that demonstrate meditation can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease. And research on brain function shows that meditation can reduce feelings of pain. [Read more…]
New Evidence Links Sugary Drinks and Obesity
February 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
You have, no doubt, heard the statistics about obesity in the U.S: Nearly forty percent of adults and nineteen percent of youth are obese, the highest rate the country has ever seen, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics. We hear all sorts of reasons why people gain weight such as too many sugary drinks, not enough physical activity, and a lack of access to healthy foods. [Read more…]
How The Flu Spreads
February 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
It’s shaping up to be one of the worst flu seasons in recent history, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which tracks the flu virus nationally. (This interactive map provides a visual of this year’s outbreak.) So far this season, 20 children have died from the flu, according to the CDC. [Read more…]
