Let me keep this short but sweet. Back in May we talked about how drinkers of diet soda often gain more weight than those who drink regular soda. It seems that artificial sweeteners may slow the metabolism. New data from the Nurses’ Health Study indicate another serious issue with artificial sweeteners: “Individuals who consume a diet high in sodium or artificially sweetened drinks are more likely to experience a decline in kidney function….” A podcast interview with the researchers was posted yesterday and is available for a limited time.

“Better living through chemistry” is not a strategy for eating healthy.

Long touted as a great way to get your mellow, Transcendental Meditation has been looked at by medical researchers for years. Are there physical effects that follow the purported mental and spiritual benefits of mantra meditation?

Since first appearing in the West in the mid-twentieth century, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi‘s teachings of transcendental meditation have been the focus of much scientific research. Until now, there has been little to show clear and long term benefits to this type of meditation.

Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin today announced findings that are remarkable. It appears after a nine year study that people with known disease have fewer heart attacks and strokes if they meditate.

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A new study by researchers at UCLA finds that baby boomers are not entering their 60s as healthy as the generation before them. in fact they are as much as 70% more likely to have trouble with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as walking from room to room and doing basic household chores. African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans had higher rates of disability. The lead researcher is very blunt about what she considers to be the primary contributing factor to this unhealthy trend:

“The newer cohorts of people in their 60s have many more people who are overweight and obese,” said UCLA’s Teresa Seeman, lead author of the study. “Those people are at much higher risk for disability.”

No matter what the “fit but fat” crowd claims, study after study continues to show that obesity is a risk factor for a variety of debilitating ailments. Obesity is having a negative impact on the ability of the baby boom to enjoy their coming golden years. Weight control is a key part of any long term strategy to Age Against the Machine.

Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy (and some research) into natural cures and alternative medicine. While some traditional remedies have made the jump into traditional medicine — moldy bread poultices have long since been replaced by antibiotics — most have not. Why? Because sadly, most alternative medicine works only because we want it to work: it’s called the placebo effect.

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Anyone who has ever watched late night TV or wandered the lesser known channels of their cable or satellite TV system has seen them. Countless infomercials touting the latest snazzy machine that promises ripped abs in only minutes a day, many without ever having to perform a traditional abdominal exercise. Amazing.

Fitness videos abound as well, from dance ab programs to promises of easy yoga. All of these have the same promise: shredded abs. Too good to be true? You bet. Read the rest of this entry »