Fitness Factoids: Volume 44
High Ma
ernal Vitamin D Levels Boost Strength in Babies
The popularity of vitamin D supplementation has exploded in recent years due to the seemingly endless array of benefits that have become associated with it. According to new research published in the journal Endocrine Research children of mothers with high vitamin D levels during pregnancy have been linked to having better muscular development. Researchers at the University of Southampton studied 678 children to test the effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy. During the 34th week of the pregnancy blood samples were taken from the mothers to assess serum vitamin D levels. Those samples were then compared to the grip strength that was measured in their children at age four. Researchers found that the expecting mothers who had the highest vitamin D levels during pregnancy had children with the strongest grip, and researchers speculate that the increased muscular strength will carry over into adulthood and could possibly help cope with muscle loss associated with aging.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25549055
Ancient Chinese Herb Relieves Chronic Pain
Although the art of Eastern medicine has been practiced for centuries, it’s often dismissed as useless by doctors educated in traditional Western practices. However, new research published in the journal Current Biology may cause doctors to pause before dismissing non-traditional treatment. Researchers at the University of California Davis have discovered that the roots of the Corydalis herb, a plant commonly used in Chinese medicine, has the ability to relieve low-level chronic pain without addictive side effects. Researchers discovered the compound during an ongoing project known as herbalome in which they set out to identify the active components of traditional Chinese medicine. The active component of Corydalis root has been identified as DHCB, and it appears to have the ability to relieve pain without notable side effects. Researchers now hope to discover more hidden gems as they continue to decode the mystery behind ancient Chinese medicine.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982213014942
Fructose
Does Not Increase Triglycerides
Dr. Scott Connelly once called fructose the ultimate F word in nutrition due to its deleterious effects on our health. Fructose, and high fructose corn-syrup in particular, have been considered prime suspects for causing the obesity explosion we’ve seen in America over the course of the last few decades. However, new research that was published in the journal Atherosclerosis claims that fructose does not increase triglycerides in the blood after meals. Researchers at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center of St. Michael’s Hospital conducted a meta-analysis of existing studies to determine if there was a direct link between fructose consumption and elevation of triglycerides. According to the data researchers claim that “Fructose does not behave differently than other refined carbohydrates.” Although fructose may not increase triglycerides directly it does spike blood sugar and elevated blood glucose levels increase cardiovascular risk factors.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131230101549.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fnutrition+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News+--+Nutrition%29
Vitamin E Helps Fight Alzheimer’s
Vitamin E may be one of the most contentiously discussed supplements f
or health. While some believe vitamin E to be a powerful weapon in combating oxidation and disease, others contend that high dose vitamin E supplementation may be lethal. According to new research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association vitamin E supplementation has the ability to delay functional decline from Alzheimer’s disease. For the study researchers split 613 patients into three groups. Group one received pharmaceutical drugs used to combat Alzheimer’s, group two received 2,000 IU/day of vitamin E, and group three received a combination of vitamin E and a placebo. The results found that group two, those that had received the high dose vitamin E therapy, showed a 19% reduction in functional decline – which researchers estimate to be about a 6.2 month delay in progression of the disease. Researchers now believe that vitamin E could be a critical, cost effective weapon in helping to delay the progression of Alzheimer’s.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270708.php
Testoste
rone Increases Muscle Mass in Elderly Mice
As the anti-aging movement continues to gain momentum interest in how to increase lifespan and improve our quality of life as we age have become popular topics of conversation in the anti-aging community. One of the problems we suffer as a result of aging is a condition known as sarcopenia, or muscle wasting. Testosterone replacement therapy has been proven to be an effective tool in reversing age related muscle wasting in middle age men. However, the effects of TRT on elderly men have yet to be thoroughly studied. A new study conducted by the Boston Medical Center has found that TRT therapy works to reverse age related muscle wasting in mouse models. The researchers gave testosterone to aged mice and found that they showed increases in satellite cell proliferation, and an increase in muscle size of the anterior tibialis muscle. Researchers postulate that issuing TRT to elderly men may have the same effects and could possibly provide a means of increasing longevity and quality of life.
http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=21802&Section=AGING
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