Exercise 
Quality is More Important than Exercise Duration
At some point in time we’ve all heard our parents utter the phrase “There’s no point in doing things unless you’re going to do them right.” Apparently this mantra rings true when it comes to exercise as well according to a new study conducted by Skidmore University that was published in The Journal of Applied Physiology. Exercises scientists conducted a study in which they took 57 unhealthy individuals who did little to no exercise and were classified as obese or overweight and split into three groups at random. Group one received 60 grams of whey protein daily but remained sedentary. Group two received whey protein and engaged in resistance training, and group three received whey protein and engaged in resistance training, sprint intervals, endurance exercise, and yoga. At the conclusion of the study researchers found that although all groups lost weight, the group that engaged in the multifaceted approach lost the most weight and showed the greatest improvements in fat loss and blood glucose regulation. Although the study does show that resistance training alone may not be the best approach to exercise, it should be noted that there were no other lifestyle modification factors tracked and the sheer volume of increased activity is enough to cause significant changes in overweight untrained individuals.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140530154109.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Ffitness+%28Fitness+News+--+ScienceDaily%29
EGCG Helps Fi
ght Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer is in part characterized by irregular cell growth, and although many forms of cancer are successfully treatable if caught in the early stages, pancreatic cancer is notoriously deadly and has been responsible for claiming the lives of millions including former Apple CEO Steve Jobs in 2011. A new study published in the journal Metabolomics is report that EGCG, the well-known component of green tea, has shown the ability to impact the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute discovered that EGCG suppresses the expression of an enzyme identified as LDHA, which is known to play a significant role in cancer cell metabolism. Researchers believe this study is significant because although EGCG has been previously shown to have anti-cancer properties, this is the first time anyone has been able to identify the mechanism of action as to exactly how EGCG works. They believe that this could lead to using EGCG as a preventative medicine, instead of a treatment, in the future for patients with early stages or at high risk of developing cancer.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277583.php
High Lev
els of Testosterone in Amniotic Fluid Linked to Autism
The shocking rise in the cases of diagnosed autism spectrum disorder over the past few decades have led numerous studies from scientists around the globe seeking to discover a genetic or environmental link to explain the dramatic rise in occurrences. Although it isn’t uncommon for girls to develop autism, it isn’t nearly as common, and recent numbers indicate that up to 1 out of 42 boys will be diagnosed with some form of autism spectrum disorder. New research conducted by scientists at The University of Cambridge has identified a link between high detectable levels of testosterone in amniotic fluid and the development of autism in boys. Samples of amniotic fluid were collected and stored from the mothers of 300 boys during pregnancy for later study. Out of those 300 boys, 128 went on to develop some form of autism. Researchers studied the samples of amniotic fluid to determine if there were any similarities to establish a link. They found that each of the 128 boys had high levels of testosterone in their amniotic fluid, and believe that unusually high levels of sex hormones at developing stages impacts gene expression. Although the findings shed light on more of the potential causes for autism, researchers are still unsure how to proceed in developing preventative measures to reduce the incidence of new cases.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27662080
Attractivene
ss Changes by Season
If you’re in the habit of sweating it out on the stepmill for long dreadful hours at the crack of dawn because you're trying to get your summertime sexy body ready for beach season, you may want to reconsider your approach. A study has revealed that variations in men’s hormone levels by season influence how attractive they find the opposite sex to be. For the study researchers tracked 114 men over the course of five seasons and asked them to assess attractiveness by viewing pictures of women with different hip-to-waist ratio’s, photos of breasts, and photos of women with “average” looking faces. Each photo was given a particular score, and total scores were calculated based on selection following each season. The results revealed that men found women most attractive during the winter, not the summer, as most would commonly assume. Researchers categorized their findings as falling into the “contrast effect”. They believe that men find women more attractive in the winter due to the lack of visual stimulus as a result of heavy winter clothing. Seeing more skin exposed during spring and summer months essentially desensitizes men’s sense of attractiveness according to researchers.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18773730
Eating Nuts Linked to Longer Life
Although rates of obesity continue to climb, interest in exercise, health, and nutrition are on the rise as well. The Paleo movement has helped draw attention to the dangers of processed carbohydrates and excess sugars while simultaneously fighting the decades old myth that dietary fats are detrimental to our health. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that people who consume nuts daily have a 20% reduced risk of all-cause mortality. The study tracked 119,000 participants over a thirty year period and discovered that eating nuts daily reduced the risk of dying from heart disease by 29%, cancer by 11%, and all-cause mortality by a stunning 20%. Tree nuts contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids which are known to help reduce inflammation, aid in blood glucose regulation, and improve LDL cholesterol numbers as well. Researchers are quick to note that although the findings to point to a correlation, numerous other dietary and lifestyle factors play a role in maintaining overall health. However, it should be noted that replacing refined carbohydrates and excess sugars with healthy fats from nuts and nut butters can provide a myriad of benefits for your health and physique.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/behindtheheadlines/news/2013-11-21-nut-eaters-may-have-a-longer-life-expectancy/
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