Fitness Factoids: Volume #48
Replacing Fructo
se with Glucose Doesn’t Improve Health
Consumption of refined carbohydrates and excess sugars such as high-fructose corn syrup have been finger printed as the primary culprits in the American obesity epidemic. Past research has linked high fructose consumption to an increased likelihood of diabetes along with an increased likelihood for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition commonly associated with obesity. However, new research conducted by St. Michael’s Hospital that was published in the latest edition of the journal Current Opinion in Lipidology has found that when calories and portion sizes are the same, fructose does not cause any more metabolic harm than glucose. Researchers found that when calories remain the same, but fructose is replaced by glucose in the diet, there appear to be no benefits to simply exchanging one sugar for another. Although researchers note that fructose did increase triglycerides in the blood more than glucose following meals, there was no difference in the level of insulin production leading them to believe that it is the consumption of excess sugar in any form that should be avoided.
Antioxidants
May Speed Development of Lung Cancer
Antioxidants are powerful weapons in the body’s war against oxidation that help to neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals. A free radical is a negatively charged cell looking to bump into a normally charged cell and steal an electron in order to regain a positive charge. Once an electron is stolen from a cell the DNA and cellular membranes can become damaged, potentially causing irregular cell division due to the damaged genetic code. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by providing them with electrons. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have found that antioxidant supplementation actually speeds the development of lung cancer by turning off a gene known as p53 that slows tumor progression. For the study researchers split mice with lung cancer into two groups. Group one received the antioxidants vitamin E and acetlycysteine, while group two received no additional antioxidants. Researchers found that the antioxidant group had three times as many tumors, and died twice as fast as the control group that received no treatment. Researchers note that although they know that antioxidants do not cause lung cancer, those with lung cancer may want to avoid unnecessary antioxidant supplementation.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272041.php
Probiotics A
id in Weight Loss for Women
Scientific evidence continues to mount in support of the theory that having a healthy gut is an absolutely critical component of maintaining good health. Recent research has found that the bacteria of normal weight individuals varies greatly from that of obese individuals, and when bacteria from a normal weight individual is given those who are obese they begin to show sustainable weight loss. According to a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition women who are given probiotics are able to lose weight and maintain sustained weight loss even after usage has stopped. For the study 125 overweight men and women were given either a probiotic supplement or a placebo for twelve weeks. At the conclusion of the study women that had received the probiotics lost twice as much weight as the placebo group and continued to show weight loss over a twelve week maintenance period after supplementation was discontinued. The probiotics made no difference in men. This leads researchers to believe that using probiotics to alter gut bacteria is an effective tool for weight management in women.
Exercise May S
eed Recovery from Post-Concussion Syndrome
You don’t have to be a sports fan to be aware of the amount of controversy surrounding concussions and sub-concussive blows that have dominated headlines recently. As litigation continues in the landmark case between the NFL and hundreds of current and former players regarding their claim that the NFL masked information pertaining to the true nature that multiple concussions can have on the brain one thing is for certain, this generation of research is paving the way for a complicated issue we’re just beginning to understand. One of the side effects of concussions is what’s known as post-concussion syndrome, a condition in which side effects resulting from the concussion can linger for weeks-months post injury. Research conducted by Canisius College in Buffalo, New York has resulted in a new treatment that doctor’s claim can reduce the recovery time for those suffering from post-concussion syndrome. The traditional prescribed treatment has been for athletes to rest as much as possible in order to facilitate recovery. However, the new protocol by researchers at the university has found that a modifiable moderate exercise program of 10-15 minutes per day actually allows athletes to regain balance of the brains auto-regulation mechanism much faster. Researchers are careful to note that the new treatment is effective in reducing the healing time for those suffering from post-concussion syndrome, but the exercise protocol is not a cure, and response varies for individuals.
High Ome
a-3 Intake Reduces Brain Shrinkage with Aging
The prominent effects of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA in particular, have been well documented. New research published in the journal Neurology has found that omega-3 supplementation has the ability to help fight brain shrinkage associated with aging. The study tracked 1,111 participants between the ages of 65-80 who were a part of the Women’s Health Initiative. Blood samples were taken and analyzed for fatty acid content following registration of each participant. After a median of eight years participants were reexamined to evaluate the associations between blood levels of fatty acids and brain volume. Researchers found that having the highest levels of EPA and DHA were associated larger brain volume, while lower concentrations of EPA and DHA were associated with brain shrinkage and a decline in cognitive function. The new evidence suggests that maintaining adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acid consumption as we age is critical to maintaining not just overall health, but cognitive health as well.
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