Fitness Factoids: Volume 63
Chronic P
ain May Have a Genetic Link
Just when you thought you’d finally recovered from all of the issues handed down to you by your parents, science has come along once again to prove that you can’t escape your genetics. Millions of people worldwide suffer from chronic pain that’s attributed to a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to inflammatory bowel diseases. Although environmental factors play a significant role in the development of these conditions, scientists believe that some people can have a genetic predisposition to chronic pain that might make it unavoidable despite your best efforts. Researchers from Kings College of London examined 8,000 sets of identical and fraternal twins to determine the role that family genetics plays in the development of diseases that cause chronic pain. They found that identical twins, who share identical DNA as opposed to fraternal twins who do not, tend to suffer from similar ailments even if they are exposed to different environmental stimulus. Researchers believe that genetics may be responsible for nearly two-thirds of the likelihood that someone will develop a form of a chronic pain according to a recent study published in the journal Pain. Although the results point to genetics playing a key factor in the development of disease, researchers determined that more information is needed before they’re able to more precisely determine how influential genetics may be. Until then, do what comes naturally and blame your parents for dealing you a poor genetic hand.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27482574
Less Pain Equals Longer Lifespan in Mice
Being stricken with chronic pain can lead to a
dangerous state of chronic inflammation in the body. Numerous studies have linked high levels of systemic inflammation to a myriad of health problems that speed the aging process and decrease lifespan. A recent study published in the online edition of the journal Cell has found that blocking pain receptors in mice leads to an increased lifespan and a better quality of life during old age in mice. Researchers discovered that by blocking a pain receptor identified as TRPV1 they were able to inhibit pain signals in mice and extend lifespan by 12% in male subjects, and by 16% in female test subjects. In addition to extending lifespan mice with the TRPV1 mutation utilized oxygen more efficiently allowing for increased activity and managed blood glucose more effectively as well. Scientists are now searching for ways to utilize the properties of TRPV1 in humans to determine if the same effects can be safely carried over.
Melatonin May Help Strengthen Bones
Melatonin
is a hormone produced by the body that plays a critical role in the regulation of our circadian rhythms and managing our sleep/wake cycles as well. Shift workers often suffer from a variety of conditions that effect cognitive and physical performance due to the disruption of circadian rhythms and irregular production of substances like melatonin that are crucial for biological repair. A new study conducted by McGill University has discovered that melatonin supplementation appears to increase bone strength in elderly rats. For the study researchers gave two groups of elderly rats either supplemental melatonin or nothing for ten weeks. At the conclusion of the study researchers found that the group that received the supplemental melatonin displayed greater bone strength and density as opposed to the control group. Researchers attribute the results to increased osteoblast activity which increases the rate of bone repair. Researchers now plan to see if the results are able to be replicated in humans.
Moderate Intensity Exercise May Aid Mobility As We Age
The old adage “use it or lose it”
appears to have a bit of truthiness to it when it comes to dealing with declining mobility as we age. It’s been said that resistance training and accruing lean muscle function as metabolic currency as we age. The more we acquire during our youth, the better our quality of life appears to be as we age. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association engaging in a moderate intensity exercise program can help reduce age related mobility decline. For the study researchers took 8,000 elderly men and women between the ages of 70-89 and had them engage in either an exercise program or exercise educational courses. They found that the group that had engaged in the exercise program had approximately 30% of participants suffer major loss of mobility while the educational group had 36% of individuals suffer a major loss of mobility, 20% of which resulted death due to injury complication. Doctors believe that the results show that major medical intervention can be avoided for a number of individuals by simply engaging in regular moderate intensity exercise.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/277302.php
Laughter May Reduce Age Related Memory Loss
It’s no secret th
at memory loss occurs with age due to a number of contributing factors. Mountains of data have found correlations between slowing the process of age related memory loss using diet, exercise, and various nutritional supplements, but it appears that laughter may actually be a powerful tool to help us hold onto those fleeting memories as we age. Researchers at Loma Lima University in California split elderly participants into three groups. Groups one and two were asked to watch a “humorous video” before completing a memory and cognition test, while group three served as the control and did not watch the video before testing. Cortisol levels were measured both before and after participating in the experiment and researchers found that the groups that watched the video showed significantly lower cortisol levels and subsequently scored better during testing. It’s been shown that high cortisol levels can impair neuronal function in the brain, but this is the first study to show that laughter has the ability to reduce cortisol levels and improve cognitive function. So, if you’ve been debating about making the transition from bodybuilding into standup comedy, now may be the time to relentlessly assault your semi-senile grandparents with new material before stepping onstage.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276042.php
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