A cup of cocoa may help promote brain function as people
age, according to researchers at the annual meeting of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science. Flavanols,
an antioxidant found in cocoa beans, can increase blood
flow to the brain. This discovery raises the prospect of
using this antioxidant in the treatment of dementia, which
is characterized by a decrease in blood flow to the brain.
- Source CNN
Researchers at Northwestern University found that children
who did not get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight
than those who got more. The study tracked more than 2,000
children for five years and determined that one extra hour
of sleep cut the likelihood of being overweight. Children
ages 3 to 8 decreased from 36 percent to 30 and children
ages 8 to 13 decreased their likelihood from 34 to 30 percent.
- Source Reuters
A recent study of 3,700 female naval recruits has found
that active women who take more than the recommended doses
of calcium and vitamin D supplements over an eight-week
period had fewer stress fractures than those given placebos.
One in five female military recruits may suffer a stress
fracture which forms when the bone does not have time to
heal after rigorous activity.
- Source Associated Press
Can’t find the right words to wish a loved one encouragement
and good wishes? Hallmark has released a 176 - card collection
called “Journeys” that focuses on events the company believes
has never been tackled by the greeting card industry. The
cards touch on events such as depression, cancer and eating
disorders and offers encouraging words such as “When the
world gets heavy, remember, I’m here to help carry it with
you.” The cards are available at all Hallmark Gold Crown
Stores. |
A survey done by the University of Colorado at Denver found
that fewer than 40 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes
exercise. A previous study noted that almost 75 percent
of diabetics were advised to exercise. Diabetics face numerous
potential complications without exercise including high
blood pressure and nerve damage.
- Source IHRSA
Older individuals who have been physically active over a
long period of time have better balance than those who lead
more sedentary lives according to French researchers. Those
who begin exercising post-retirement also retain good balance,
where as those who exercised in the past do not retain balance
control as well.
- Source Reuters
Health The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says that
people with an average risk for colon cancer should not
take aspirin or ibuprofen to prevent the disease. Taking
more than 300 milligrams per day of these medications increases
the risk of bleeding, stroke and kidney failure.
- Source Associated
Press Calling all nudists! A fitness club in The Netherlands
has opened its doors for “Naked Sunday.” Approximately a
dozen men showed up to take part in the invitation to work
out nude. The naked men were outnumbered by the media –
coming from as far away as Australia – who came to watch
the nudists exercise. Interestingly enough, no women joined
in the naked workout festivities.
- Source Associated Press
A study done by scientists at the Pennington Biomedical
Research Center in Louisiana discovered that those who eat
less food are more efficient at converting it into energy.
The study followed 36 overweight people for six months and
learned that dieting with or without exercise helped promote
a more efficient conversion of energy.
- Source Bloomberg News
The International Narcotics Control Board has concluded
that Brazilians are the worst abusers of diet pills in the
world. The nation is also the biggest producer of two potentially
dangerous diet drugs. Brazilians consume 40 percent more
diet pills than in the United States. Other nations with
a high consumption of diet pills include Argentina, South
Korea, the United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
- Source Yahoo News |