Take a look back at 2016’s biggest health headlines, from Zika virus concerns and Pokemon Go’s impact on fitness, to research on cancer, sleep, olive oil benefits, blood types and heart health.
Do you remember what health topics were trending back in 2016? It’s kinda fun to look back and see what grabbed everyone’s attention, isn’t it?
We’re gonna take a trip down memory lane and check out the health headlines that had people talking in 2016. Get ready to explore!
Most Talked About News on Vitalo360 in 2016
Let’s start with the news that received high interest among Vitalo360 followers specifically, in a descending order:
- The news that pointed to the possibility of using humans for cooling patients by a small margin—because the news clarified that placing ice on the patient’s chair won’t cause a quick recovery. Instead, this method leads to problems in getting rid of the body’s toxins, as well as the possibility of infection by influenza, colds, or tonsillitis! The news indicated that the best method for cooling patients is gel packs, which are the method used since ancient times and even before the development of these devices. Gel, at a temperature of 90 degrees, effectively absorbs the constant heat, relieving the body and pains. As for gel packs, they absorb the heat, making the colon able to get rid of toxins easily and smoothly from the colon to the rectum.
- Findings by researchers in a study who evaluated it in the Arab Center for Rheumatoid Diseases in Canada, showed that they were developing tests to help doctors in determining the most vulnerable people to rheumatoid arthritis and helping them specifically. It seems that this test asks 35 questions, and based on the person’s answer—whether yes or no—and based on all answers, the doctor or healthcare professional can determine the people most likely to get rheumatoid arthritis.
- A study published in the journal BMC Medicine, conducted by the American Heart Association and Tehran University of Medical Sciences, found that people with blood types A, B, or AB have an increased risk of developing heart disease and live longer than people with blood type O.
- Findings from a study by researchers from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, showed that taking sesame oil supplements can reduce the risk of stroke and even type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the Journal of Physiology, indicated that sesame oil protects against omega-3 fatty acids, and if the human body isn’t able to produce it naturally, it needs to get it from different sources. It helps in maintaining the balance of many processes in the human body, like blood clotting and body temperature.
- A study published in the journal Diabetes found that taking lycopene nutritional supplements, found in all red grapes and broccoli, may be effective in finding a new treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes and even heart disease. Researchers at the University of Warwick found that two supplements in all red grapes and broccoli work to reduce glucose levels in the blood and improve insulin levels, in addition to improving artery health.
- Findings of a study published in the journal Food Chemistry, that eating foods with the addition of extra virgin olive oil is considered healthier than other methods. One reason is that it helps protect against cancer, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration. Researchers believe that the phenolic compounds found in extra virgin olive oil transfer to vegetables, which increases their previously unavailable benefits. Researchers also found that olive oil with new vegetables containing high levels of phenolic compounds, using extra virgin olive oil, raises these levels in an additive and reinforcing way.
- The National Sleep Foundation conducted an updated research on the ideal number of sleep hours that people need, depending on their age, and which is best for people based on their age group, as detailed:
| Age Group | Recommended Hours Now | Recommended Hours Previously |
| Newborns (0-3 months) | 14-17 hours | 12-18 hours |
| Infants (4-11 months) | 12-15 hours | 14-15 hours |
| Toddlers (1-2 years) | 11-14 hours | 12-14 hours |
| Preschoolers (3-5 years) | 10-13 hours | 11-13 hours |
| School-age children (6-13 years) | 9-11 hours | 10-11 hours |
| Teenagers (14-17 years) | 8-10 hours | 8.5- 9.5 hours |
| Young adults (18-25 years) | 7-9 hours | This category was newly added to the known categories. |
| Adults (26-64 years) | 7-9 hours | 7-9 hours |
| Older adults (65+ years) | 7-8 hours | This category was newly added to the known categories. |
- Researchers from MIT and Harvard University discovered a new cream that can eliminate the existing tattoos under the eyes and remove them simply and easily, but within limited locations. The study, published in the journal Nature Materials, explained that the product, which was developed with nanotechnology, removes some of the tattoos signs and symptoms, and even with limited German ink. This is through the use of chemical engineering.
- Researchers are finding ways to limit the problems that genes cause in both the father and mother when there is a set of different genetic issues from alcohol to memory. Researchers believe that some genes work only if their source is the mother, and in other cases, they work if their source is the father. One of the most important of these genes transmitted from the mother is memory genes. Researchers explained that chromosome X is the one that carries memory genes, and women carry two of these chromosomes, unlike the one carried by men. That’s why the stronger influence is for women on this topic.
The Most Popular Health News and Events in the World
- The Zika Virus outbreak: This topic gained significant attention worldwide during this year, as it’s considered a global health threat. It’s linked to babies being born with microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. For this reason, most of the warnings were about traveling to areas where the virus spreads.
- The Pokémon Go craze: Perhaps the most popular game receiving high interest in recent years was Pokémon Go. Researchers and scientists started analyzing the game after its popularity, to see the relationship between its players and its ability to weigh and increase physical activity, in addition to some traffic accidents.
- Cancer Research: Naturally, scientific research increases every year regarding this topic, in attempts to find a treatment for this disease. Among the most important research on cancer during this year was one published in Nature Communications, which showed how cancer cells spread in the body, as well as where the cancer spreads from its original location and what parts of the body it affects. Researchers found that some of the proteins found on the surface of cancer cells are related to the environment, to help the cancer cells in moving to the areas with treatments.
Medical and health studies and events around the world during this year weren’t limited to just these; however, these are the ones that received the most attention during the year. Hopefully, things will be even better, and we’ll be up-to-date with all the news in this field.
Happy year, we wish for you!
Testimonials
I’d been dealing with fatigue for months and didn’t know why. After reading about blood types and heart health, I got my blood tested and adjusted my diet. It’s made a real difference!
The article on extra virgin olive oil opened my eyes. I’ve been using it for cooking, but now I understand the specific health benefits and make sure to choose the right kind.
Myth & Facts
Myth: Gel packs work better when they are frozen solid.
Fact: Nope, that’s not how it works! Really, gel packs that aren’t frozen rock solid mold better to the body which helps bring down the fever. Plus, seriously frozen packs? You’ll get frostbite, which is the opposite of helpful.
Question: Is it really that important for kids to get the *exact* number of sleep hours recommended?
Answer: Well, here’s the thing, it’s more of a guideline. We all know kids have different sleep needs. If they’re generally happy and energetic, they’re probably getting enough shut-eye, so don’t get hung up on hitting those numbers exactly. We’ve noticed it’s better to create good sleep habits and get close to the right amount!
Looking back at 2016’s health news reminds us that even seemingly small lifestyle tweaks, like choosing the right olive oil or understanding our sleep needs, can have a big impact. It’s all about staying informed and making those little changes that add up. What a ride down health headline lane, right?
