The last couple of weeks has seen a couple studies that take a long look at brain function relative to health and habits. Most specifically the studies look at weight and diet. The results of both really aren’t surprising to those of us that follow the literature but they bear repeating, especially for those looking to age against the machine.
Archive for August, 2009
Two sides of the cognition coin
On August - 31 - 2009Comments Off on Two sides of the cognition coin
How to Fail at Exercise
On August - 28 - 2009Comments Off on How to Fail at Exercise
Recently, we discussed that picking too intense a workout regimen can lead to bad things. We weren’t kidding. So we were both amused and saddened by this tale of a group that decided to take the bull by the horns and work out together. While this account is clearly tongue-in-cheek, it’s an object lesson in what happens when people start an exercise regimen that is beyond their current abilities.
Sugar Sugar
On August - 26 - 2009Comments Off on Sugar Sugar
The American Heart Association has caught up with what most diet and fitness experts have known for a long time. Americans in general consume too much added sugars, and it is not good for us! This extra sugar is empty calories, and it contributes to obesity, high blood pressure, and other heart disease risk factors. Moreover, when we consume lots of sugary foods and beverages, we aren’t ingesting things that are good for us, like fruits and vegetables.
In Search Of: A Fun Workout
On August - 24 - 2009Comments Off on In Search Of: A Fun Workout
When it comes to regular exercise, there are really three kinds of people: people who love it, people who don’t love it, and people who just plain don’t do it.
Yes, Exercise Reduces Cancer Risk
On August - 21 - 20091 COMMENT
The New York Times is reporting on multiple studies today which indicate that vigorous exercise is associated with reduced cancer risk. Unlike the Time’s headline, there is no question about it. First, this study from the British Medical Journal says that “mean intensity of leisure-time physical activity is inversely associated with the risk of premature death from cancer in men.” In other words, people who had a rigorous exercise level were less likely to die of cancer. However, that study did only involve 2560 men. By contrast, this study from the British Journal of Cancer took into account 52 studies of various sizes. The verdict remains the same: “an inverse association between physical activity and colon cancer in both men and women,” or a workout a day is likely to keep cancer away.