Fitness Factoids: Volume 50
Exercise Redu
ces Stoke Risk in Women
According to a new study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2014, moderate exercise has the ability to reduce the risk of stroke in women. For the study researchers tracked 133,479 women who were a part of the California Teachers study. Prior to beginning the study researchers asked women how frequently they engaged in regular exercise. Those who reportedly engaged in moderate levels of regular exercise were shown to have a 20% reduction in stroke risk according to the data. Typically postmenopausal women who are on HRT therapy using non-bioidenctical hormones have a 30% increased risk for suffering from stroke. However, engaging in regular moderate levels of exercise such as power walking, resistance training, or recreational tennis appear to have the ability to mitigate the increased risk of stroke.
http://www.nutritionnews.com/health/women/moderate-exercise-cuts-womans-stroke-risk/
Vitamin C May Reduce Risk of Stroke
Vitamin C has be
en said to be the Swiss Army Knife of vitamins in the body. Its potent antioxidant effects have been well documented, and has even been used in mega doses of over 40g daily by orthomolecular practioners in variations of cancer therapies. New information being released by Pontchaillou University Hospital in Rennes, France has found that vitamin C may have the ability to siginificantly reduce the risk of suffering from hemmoraghic stroke. Hemmoraghic stroke is the result of weakend blood vessels in the brain rupturing and causing blood to leak into the brain, a condition that is usually fatal. The team of researcher studied 65 patients who suffered hemmorghic stroke and 65 healthy patients, taking blood samples from each to analyze vitamin C levels. Researchers found that those with the highest vitamin C levels did not suffer from stroke, while those with the lowest vitamin C levels that would be considered clinically deficient were the most likely to suffer stroke. Researchers believe that the findings indicate that vitamin C’s ability to help regulate blood pressure is the primary reason for the new findings and note that the role of dietary intervention might play a much more critical role in risk management of stroke than previously thought.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272741.php
Exercise Imp
roves Mitochondrial Function in the Heart
The ability of resistance training and aerobic exercise to help improve fitness, insulin sensitivity and overall health have been studied extensively for decades. One of the primary benefits of exercise, especially for those who are obese or overweight, is the ability to help strengthen heart muscles and improve cardiovascular function. Although scientists knew exercise improved cardiac function, exactly how it worked wasn’t quite clear. A new study published in the Journal of Proteome Research has found the moderate exercise done long term improves the function of mitochondrial cells in the heart muscle. Researchers found that laboratory mice that exercised on a treadmill for 54 weeks had elevated levels of the proteins RAF and p38. According to the team of researchers exercise appears to be a trigger for production of these two proteins that have been found to have “beneficial cardiovascular effects of lifelong exercise training.”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140212112749.htm
Playing Tetris Reduces Food
Cravings
All gamers can finally rejoice because according to a new study published in the journal Appetite, playing Tetris appears to have the ability to reduce food cravings according to researchers at Plymouth University. For the study researchers split individuals who self-identified as “cravers” into two groups. The researchers deliberately tried to induce cravings in both groups using items such as chocolate. After being split into groups; the first group of cravers played Tetris while the second group waited for a computer program to load that never finished loading. The group that played Tetris self-reported a 24% reduction in cravings as opposed to the group who did not play. Researchers believe cravings were reduced because visual stimulation distracts areas of the brain associated with food cravings. It appears science has finally found the answer to the obesity epidemic – more sedentary activity.
http://news.discovery.com/human/psychology/playing-testris-stops-food-cravings-1402181.htm
Paxil Linked to Breast Cancer
Anti-depressa
nt drugs, also known as SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), are among the second most commonly issued prescription drug in the United States behind statin medications used to treat high cholesterol. SSRI’s have been shown to exert a mild estrogenic effect in users – a condition that could lead to the development of breast cancer in women. To date nearly 25% of women between ages 40-50 are taking an SSRI. According to researchers at the City of Hope in Durante, California who analyzed 446 clinical trials of drugs that currently in circulation Paxil appears to have a particular ability to disrupt endocrine function in women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer. This information confirms the findings of a previous study that found breast cancer patients taking Paxil or another SSRI were more likely to die from the disease than those who did not. It may be wise for women with breast cancer, or at risk for developing breast cancer, to consult with their doctor if they are currently taking an SSRI.
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
