The benefits of soil bacteria, part II. The same naturally occurring soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae that was mentioned a few posts ago is back in the news. This time, it looks as if it is linked to memory and behavior. Mice feed the bacteria were able to navigate a maze from memory almost twice as fast as mice that were not feed the bacteria. These effects were temporary, and decreased three weeks after the bacteria was removed from the mice's diet.
These results suggest two things:
1) Go somewhere outside where you can get your hands dirty (e.g. garden, park) to benefit your memory
2) Do it often
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100524143416.htm
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
6 Winnable Battles, At what cost
CDC Director DR. Thomas Frieden announced today that the CDC will be focusing on 6 "winnable" health conditions: smoking, AIDS, obesity/nutrition, teen pregnancy, auto injuries, and health care infections.
http://www.cdc.gov/about/winnablebattles.htm
While these conditions are certainly important in changing the health landscape of our country, this list is surprisingly narrow in scope. It appears on first glance that this list was devised on the basis of cost-benefit analysis for short-term game. A "low hanging fruit/best bang for your buck" approach.
While such an approach will undoubtedly save lives and reduce healthcare expenditures, it leaves many people in the healthcare system, on both the patient side and the clinical side, without much support or assistance. Where is the concern for children with autism? Or the growing baby-boomers with Alzheimers? What about cancer patients, or those exposed to environmental pollutants? What about any number of other diseases and conditions? What is going to happen to all of them?
http://www.cdc.gov/about/winnablebattles.htm
While these conditions are certainly important in changing the health landscape of our country, this list is surprisingly narrow in scope. It appears on first glance that this list was devised on the basis of cost-benefit analysis for short-term game. A "low hanging fruit/best bang for your buck" approach.
While such an approach will undoubtedly save lives and reduce healthcare expenditures, it leaves many people in the healthcare system, on both the patient side and the clinical side, without much support or assistance. Where is the concern for children with autism? Or the growing baby-boomers with Alzheimers? What about cancer patients, or those exposed to environmental pollutants? What about any number of other diseases and conditions? What is going to happen to all of them?
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