Hidden Insights from Canadian RAAH Users: Unveiling Alternative Healthcare Trends

DALL·E 2023-09-30 09.26.58 - Alternative Medicine and Canada

A recent published paper explores the use of risk-associated alternative healthcare (RAAH) in Canada.

It surveys RAAH uptake among adults and examines the characteristics of its users and it also evaluates the effectiveness of various psychometric instruments in predicting RAAH behaviors.

The study finds that RAAH usage is influenced by factors like gender, age, income, education, employment, chronic illness, and ethnicity.

Around 40% of respondents engaged in some form of RAAH, with physical manipulation and herbal/nutritional supplements being the most common types.

More risky RAAH activities, such as toxin use and invasive procedures, were reported by about 5% of respondents.

The study shows that certain psychometric instruments can predict RAAH engagement by indicating higher risk tolerance, a desire for novelty, positive attitudes toward advertising and social influence, and positive beliefs about science. However, other instruments were predictive of physical manipulative or herbal/nutritional RAAH.

This research highlights the importance of evidence-based policies and practices in addressing the significant public health concern of RAAH uptake in Canada and the need for educating the public about the risks associated with certain alternative healthcare therapies.

Source: Garrett B, Caulfield T, Musoke R, Murdoch B, Tang X, Lam JST. Demographic and psychometric predictors associated with engagement in risk-associated alternative healthcare behaviours. PLoS One. 2023 Sep 21;18(9):e0291016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291016. PMID: 37733748; PMCID: PMC10513319.

Comments

Exploring the Link Between Circadian Rhythms, Longevity, and Wearable Data: Insights and Future Directions

A recent study in NHANES 2011–2014 explores the potential connection between disruptions in circadian rhythms, measured using wearable devices, and their impact on health outcomes and longevity. The study analyzes data from 7,297 U.S. adults collected through wearable accelerometers as a novel digital biomarker for longevity. Five distinct clusters were identified based on activity profiles: "High activity," "Low activity," "Mild circadian rhythm (CR) disruption," "Severe CR disruption," and "Very low activity." The findings reveal that young adults with extreme circadian rhythm disturbance exhibit higher white blood cell counts and accelerated biological aging. Older adults with circadian disruption are associated with increased systemic inflammation indexes, advanced biological aging, and higher all-cause mortality risk. The research underscores the importance of circadian alignment for longevity at all ages and suggests that wearable

The safety of aspartame is under review by WHO after conflicting findings.

Aspartame, a sweetener with health effects Since 1981, the WHO expert committee on additives has confirmed the safety of aspartame consumption within acceptable daily limits. The international organization has established that the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of aspartame is 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. This means that a person can consume up to 40 mg of aspartame per kilogram of their body weight per day without risking their health. For example, if someone weighs 60 kilos, the allowable amount of aspartame would be 2,400 milligrams (40 mg/kg x 60 kg). In recent years, several studies have been carried out on the effects of aspartame on health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the scientific evidence related to the safety of this sweetener five times since its approval in 1981, and has concluded that it remains safe for use. However, it is being studied again. It has an especially important use in low-calorie beverages consumed by children and pregnan

Light Therapy holds promise as a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

A new article, conducted by Lili Zang and colleagues from Weifang Medical University School of Nursing in Shandong Province, China, discusses a meta-analysis of 15 high-quality trials that investigated the impact of light therapy on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The meta-analysis included 598 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and it covered 15 randomized controlled trials conducted in seven different countries. Those trials were published between 2005 and 2022. Sleep Improvement Light therapy led to significant improvements in several sleep measures. It notably enhanced sleep efficiency, increased interdaily stability, and reduced intradaily variability, all of which are indicators of better sleep quality. Light therapy was associated with a reduction in agitation, depression, and caregiver burden among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. A significant advantage over usual care was shown in reducing the severity of psychobehavioral symptoms, as assessed

Wellness-uptodate

Search This Blog