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Cancer and Exercise. Physical activity is linked to lower rates of breast and colon cancer deaths. Exercise helps moderate insulin levels, reduce inflammation and possibly improve the immune response. Even though direct effects of physical activity on cancer are not definitely proven, given that physical activity is generally safe, improves quality of life for cancer…
Read MoreObesity Projections! At current projections, 42% of the US population will be obese by 2030, with 11% categorized as severely obese. Severe obesity is defined as a body mass index over 40 or roughly 100 pounds overweight. $550 billion could be saved in the next 20 years just by keeping obesity rates at the current…
Read MoreSleep Tight? Children with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), despite little indication of short sleep from traditional measurements, were more likely to experience problems with learning, attention/hyperactivity and conduct than children without EDS. Obesity, symptoms of inattention, depression, anxiety, and asthma have been found to contribute to EDS. Penn State, May 2012
Read MoreCommutes Risk Health. Individuals with the longest commutes are least likely to report frequently engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise, and most likely to show risk factors for poorer cardiovascular and metabolic health. Commuting more than 10 miles to work is linked with high blood pressure. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, June 2012
Read MoreInteresting Anatomy. Every organ, tissue and cell in your body requires a two-way information connection with your brain, via the nervous system. How important is your nervous system? It is the only system/organ encased in solid bone, as your skull houses your brain and your vertebra encapsulate your spinal cord. Gray’s Anatomy
Read MoreProtein and Diabetes. Diabetes risk increases with higher intake of total protein and animal protein. For every 5% of calories consumed from protein instead of carbohydrate or fat, the risk of developing diabetes increased 30%. Increased animal protein intake coincided with increased intakes of saturated fat, cholesterol, and heme iron, and with increased body mass…
Read MoreGood Reasons. Exercise improves respiratory muscle strength, improves muscle endurance, reduces your risk of having a stroke, and helps you burn excess calories. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Read MoreI’ll Have Another. There is good evidence that moderate alcohol consumption protects against heart disease, but when all of the chronic disease risks are balanced against each other, the optimal consumption level is much lower than many people believe. Researchers analyzed the link between alcohol consumption and 11 chronic diseases (five cancers, coronary heart disease,…
Read MoreEating Together? Family dinners are associated with lower incidences of teen depression, substance use, and delinquency. Family meals may afford a regular and positive context for parents to connect with kids emotionally, to monitor their social and academic activities, and to convey values and expectations. Journal of Marriage and Family, June 2012
Read MoreIncreasing Fiber. Only 1% of adolescents consumed the recommended daily intake of fiber, 28 grams for females and 38 grams for males. On average, they consumed only one-third of the recommendation. Those who don’t eat enough fiber tend to have bigger bellies and higher levels of inflammatory factors in their blood, both major risk factors…
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