Coffee – How Many Cups?

To Your Health
October, 2022 (Vol. 16, Issue 10)

By Editorial Staff

For many readers, the simple answer may be, “As many cups as it takes to wake up and make it through the day!” But in this case, we’re referring to the amount of coffee that increases longevity relative to drinking less.

After all, coffee isn’t just a wake-up beverage; it also contains multiple compounds (nearly 100 biologically active components, in fact) that promote health. That’s why research suggests drinking coffee can lower risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other significant health issues.

As you might imagine, reducing your risk of suffering a significant health issue increases your longevity – your ability to live a longer (presumably healthier) life. A new study quantifies the ideal number of cups of coffee to accomplish that, and we won’t drag out the answer any further: it’s two to three cups a day. Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology determined that compared to not drinking coffee, drinking 2-3 cups daily resulted in a longer lifespan, including a reduced risk of heart disease.

                                  coffee - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark

The study divided nearly 450,000 adults ages 40-69 into six groups based on self-reported daily coffee intake: none, less than one cup, one cup, 2-3 cups, 4-5 cups, and more than five cups. Drinking 2-3 cups per day was associated with the greatest benefit compared to drinking none, with all types of coffee (decaffeinated, ground, instant) reducing death from any cause (although drinking ground coffee yielded the biggest benefit).

Good for the Bones

To Your Health
October, 2022 (Vol. 16, Issue 10)

By Editorial Staff

Bone health is important at any age, but particularly when we’re older. Fragile, brittle bones can lead to fractures that reduce mobility and independence, and in some cases (i.e., the hip) can prove fatal. Fortunately, it appears the seeds of bone health can be planted when we’re younger, especially if we participate in certain types of physical activities.

If your child bikes, jogs or swims, that’s great for their overall health (and does benefit their bones to some degree), but the bone benefit is significantly greater if they participate in “multi-directional” activities. Findings come from a study involving female college cross-country runners with a history of either unidirectional sports participation (cross-country running, recreational running / jogging, swimming and/or cycling only) or a history of any of the above plus training and/or competing in soccer or basketball.

kids playing soccer - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark

Participation in multi-directional sports when younger appeared to strengthen bones (particularly the shin bone and bones in the feet) relative to unidirectional activity participation, putting women at lesser risk of bone stress injuries, including stress fractures, as collegiate runners.

The takeaway from this study, which appears in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, is clear: early participation in physical activities that require you to move in multiple directions benefits bone health! Your doctor can tell you more about exercise and nutritional factors that influence bone health throughout your lifetime.

What Your Chiropractor Knows – That Your Medical Doctor Doesn’t

To Your Health
October, 2022 (Vol. 16, Issue 10)

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h)

An interesting study recently published in The Spine Journal examined what is important to patients as they seek care for their low back pain.1 The study included 419 patients who were surveyed, with each asked to rate (from 0 to 4) the importance of: “improvement in level of pain, improvement in ability to perform daily tasks, explanation of what is causing your problem, thorough physical examination, diagnostic testing, medication, physical therapy, surgery.” The investigators also surveyed 198 medical physicians, asking them to rate what they thought would be most important to their patients.

What Patients Want

In descending order, the top three most important items for patients are:

1. Improvement in level of pain (3.48)

2. Improvement in ability to perform daily tasks (3.31)

3. Explanation of what is causing their problem (3.27)

And at the bottom of the list in terms of what patients consider important:

7. Medication

8. Surgery

A Disturbing Disparity

low back pain - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark

In comparing the ratings of the patient responses with those of the medical physicians, the investigators found statistically significant differences between the two. Specifically, physicians “underestimated the importance of an explanation of what is causing the problem” and overestimated the importance of diagnostic tests, medications and surgery.

What Chiropractors Know Better Than Anyone

Knowing the cause and addressing it clearly matters to patients, much more than even a physical examination or diagnostic testing. This is why chiropractic continues to be appreciated and trusted by chiropractic patients.

The fact that back pain patients considered medications and surgery to be least important also points to their expectation and desire to see their condition cared for and resolved without the potential harm that many times accompanies drugs and surgery. This also underscores the importance of the chiropractic philosophy from the patient’s perspective.

What is likely a surprise for medical doctors is their patients’ lower regard for diagnostic testing. While this is certainly important from a pathology standpoint, it suggests many patients believe they know the problem(s) and that additional diagnostic tests do not play as prominent a role as MDs might expect.

At the end of the day, the majority of back pain patients want pain relief, improved function and a clear understanding of the cause of their back pain. They’re not interested in surgery or medication, and are likely suspect of their potential side effects. These patients want what chiropractic offers.

Reference

  1. Smuck M, Barrette K, Martinez-Ith A, et al. What does the patient with back pain want? A comparison of patient preferences and physician assumptions. Spine J, 2022 Feb;22(2):207-213.

Donald Petersen Jr. is the president and publisher of MPA Media, which produces To Your Health and a variety of other media resources on natural health and wellness, including trade publications for the chiropractic and acupuncture professions.