Sometimes small things can have a big impact on our health. And we may not even realize that we're doing our brains and bodies good at the moment. This week's health news proves that staying strong and healthy isn't all about taking vitamins. For example, continuing to play music as you age has been shown to significantly improve brain health, including important memory functions. Although running has fallen out of favor when compared to strength training and walking, runners can also be happy to know that there are legitimate weight management reasons to keep hitting the trails and treadmills.
Unfortunately, it's not all good news. This week's health headlines also suggest cutting back on your lip balm habit. Here's what you need to know:
music may help the brain
It's never too late to make your rock star dreams come true. And now you have an even better reason to pick up an instrument after retirement age. Playing an instrument, singing, and having overall musical skills may contribute to improved brain health in older adults, according to a study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
The UK-based study focused on 1,107 participants over the age of 40, with an average age of 68, and found that those who said they had played an instrument, especially the keyboard, had a higher overall It was found that their brain function was excellent. Musical abilities also boost working memory, which is important for older adults who may have memory problems.
This study recommends incorporating music activities as part of public health interventions for healthy aging and reducing the risk of dementia. Have you always wanted to take music lessons? Think of it as an investment in your brain health.
Running helps prevent weight gain
Strength training may be all the rage right now, but running still has its benefits when it comes to weight management. A recent study from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland found that continuous running can help prevent weight and fat gain. According to this study, runners maintain lower fat mass levels than similarly active people, such as those who participate in strength-based sports.
The researchers noted that the key is not to replace strength training with running, but to combine it for optimal health. Strength training helps build muscle mass. This is important for your overall health, including maintaining bone health as you age. If you want to apply this strategy to your life, aim for the Department of Health and Human Services' recommendations of strength training at least two days a week and 150 minutes of moderate (or 75 minutes of vigorous) aerobic exercise. This includes jogging and running.
Switching to multi-dose vaccination may be beneficial
Right arm? Left arm? Let's do both, says a new study from Oregon Health & Science University. The study found that alternating doses of multiple-dose vaccines, such as those for COVID-19, can increase immune responses by up to four times. This means that the vaccine can protect you better than if you were given a single vaccine.
The study included 947 people who received a second dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with the second dose given in the same arm or the opposite arm. The study found that individuals who received the injections in both arms had a significantly increased antibody response that lasted more than a year and had enhanced immunity against both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron variant. The cause of this phenomenon is unclear and requires further research, but one theory is that injecting it into each arm activates new immune responses in different lymph nodes, which could lead to improved memory formation.
What's the best way to maintain your immune system when it comes to vaccines? Whether it's COVID-19, the flu, or whatever your doctor recommends, go out and get vaccinated. .
Keep your skin healthy by cooling it on your lip balm
For years, people have been told that using lip balm is addictive. Is that actually the case? It's not perfect, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't kick your insane balm habit.
Experts tell Yahoo Life that while lip balm may not be physically addictive, some people get so attached to it that their use becomes a compulsive habit. This can worsen the condition of your lips. According to Dr. Jennifer Gordon, a dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas, signs of using too much lip balm include maceration of the lips (skin breakdown), excessive The skin is dry, peeling, burning, and pimples appear around the skin. Medicated lip balms, scented balms, or colored cans can dry out your lips and irritate your skin.
You might think that a lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) is a good thing, but there's a reason you shouldn't apply too much of it. “Balms that contain SPF can be less moisturizing,” Gordon told Yahoo Life. “It's good to protect your lips at all times, but consider this if you're not going to be outdoors and will be applying it multiple times each day.”
