Fitness Factoids: Volume 31
Marijuana May Turn Off Genes Linke
d To Skin Cancer
As the support for the legalization of marijuana continues to grow, so too does the evidence that there may be a number of medicinal uses that we have yet to discover. The latest news, which was published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, has found that marijuana may have the ability to deactivate genes that are known to cause skin cancer and other diseases. One of the defining characteristics of skin cancer is the uncontrollable growth of skin cells. However, chemicals produced my marijuana known as cannabinoids have shown the ability to switch shut down the unwanted DNA activity. Authors of the study also noted that in addition to shutting off genes linked to skin cancer, marijuana may also have the ability to affect other types of cancer along with diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Concerns Over Mer
cury Levels in Fish Unfounded
For a number of years health experts have purported that frequently eating fish will lead to high levels of mercury in the blood. According to a new study released by Environmental Health Perspectives, those claims may be unfounded. In the study researchers tested 103 food and drink items consumed by 4,484 women during pregnancy. According to researchers, those dietary items accounted for only 17% of the mercury levels that were present in the blood. Researchers found that fish only contributed to 7% of the mercury, and other more common items such as herbal tea contributed significant amounts of mercury.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130930211701.htm
Elite Power Athletes Hav
e a Genetic Advantage
A new study has finally put science behind something we’ve known for a long time; elite power athletes are a different breed than the rest of us. According to new research published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, elite power athletes such as powerlifters, sprinters, and jumpers have a unique genetic variation – a rare variation of a gene known as AGT. In the study three groups of people were tested; 100 elite power athletes, 123 elite endurance athletes, and 344 non-athletes served as a control. The team found that 55.5% of elite power athletes had the unique genetic mutation in comparison to the endurance athletes who were three times less likely to have the same genetic variation.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130925112343.htm
Omega-3’s Don’t Prevent Co
gnitive Decline
The benefits of supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids are seemingly innumerable. However, new evidence suggests that despite the myriad of health benefits associated with omega-3 supplementation, preventing cognitive decline is not one of them. A team of researchers from The University of Iowa conducted a study with 2,157 women between ages 65-80 who were also part of the Women’s Health Initiative on hormone replacement. Prior to beginning the study blood was drawn from each participant to measure omega-3 levels. All participants were required to take an annual test assessing thinking and memory skills over a period of six years. The results of the testing showed no difference in cognitive function between those with high omega-3 levels and those with whole omega-3 levels.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266549.php
Walking Reduces Breast Cancer
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A new study published in the journal Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention shows that women who engaged in at an hour of vigorous exercise per day had a 25% lower risk for breast cancer than those who did little or no exercise. Researchers found that body type and hormonal differences had no impact on the results, and encourage women to get at least 2.5 hours weekly of physical activity.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/266900.php
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
