I read a very interesting study that was performed by the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management at Southern Cross University in Australia. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=5&hid=15&sid=49b29fd6-a6d5-4366-9746-9576917459cc%40sessionmgr3
The experiment was focusing on the effect of obesity on posture and the hip joint. Considering the hip joint is involved in numerous constant activities, it’s been said being obese puts great stress on the hips resulting in decreased range of motion as well as a person’s posture. Not only does the hip joint bear a person’s body weight, but the interfering adipose tissue (fat tissue) of an obese person prevents the joint’s range of motion. ROM of the hip is always affected by tight tissues, so this make sense because of all the compacted adipose tissue restricting the hip to move and function properly.
The test consisted of a control group of ten obese women and ten normal weight women doing two different exercises of seated and standing flexion while being monitored to see the difference between joint motions. Although the seated position trials didn’t show much contrast in ROM between the obese and normal weight group, the standing flexion trials were significantly different. The obese group’s posture of the hip joint was extremely flexed proving one’s BMI and posture have a major relationship. Also being that the pelvis is associated with transition components between the back and lower extremities, it plays a role along with the spine in forward flexion in minimizing the space between the pelvis and thoracic cage. Again, considering there is such excess adipose tissue in a person of obese status, the tissue barricades the components of forward flexion which leads to angular displacement and surplus of flexion on the hip resulting in posture change and decreased ROM. Obesity all together puts a large amount of stress on the hip joint and all of its functions, after bearing an overload of body weight, the hip’s are unable to function properly.
Although I found this study interesting, I didn't find it shocking; being obese is in no way healthy for your body at all. There's millions of negative effects being overweight has on one's body, this is just one more to add.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Does Taking Vitamins Actually Benefit Our Health?
I take a multi vitamin every day along with a separate C & E vitamin, and come to find out, I do it for no reason! Supposedly and according to research, supplement vitamins C & E don't do anything to prevent cancer or heart disease. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27752936/
I know it's unfortunate for everyone who thought they were doing their body good, but experiments oppose it. Howard Sesso of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston performed an 8 year long experiment; a group of doctors took vitamin C and E supplements whereas the other group just took placebos, the results were as expected. The doctors that took the supplement had no more or less of a risk for getting cancer or heart disease as the doctors who took the placebo. It sounds crazy but its true, other tests were performed to prove that getting these vitamins for a healthy and balanced diet, did decrease the risk of getting cancer and heart disease.
Although I found this article really interesting, I think I'm going to continue taking my multi vitamins. I know they're proved to not affect the risk of cancer, but they don't cause any harm to the body either. Unless you don't take an excess of vitamins, I still personally feel they do more good for our health than bad.
I know it's unfortunate for everyone who thought they were doing their body good, but experiments oppose it. Howard Sesso of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston performed an 8 year long experiment; a group of doctors took vitamin C and E supplements whereas the other group just took placebos, the results were as expected. The doctors that took the supplement had no more or less of a risk for getting cancer or heart disease as the doctors who took the placebo. It sounds crazy but its true, other tests were performed to prove that getting these vitamins for a healthy and balanced diet, did decrease the risk of getting cancer and heart disease.
Although I found this article really interesting, I think I'm going to continue taking my multi vitamins. I know they're proved to not affect the risk of cancer, but they don't cause any harm to the body either. Unless you don't take an excess of vitamins, I still personally feel they do more good for our health than bad.
Take More Naps!
"Not only do we need to remember to sleep, but most certainly we sleep to remember," is the newly researched line we need to keep in consideration says neuroscientist from City University of New York, Dr. William Fishbein. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27893642/
The studies have shown that not only does the amount of sleep a person gets each night affect health, but so does the quality. Getting woken up throughout the night supposedly negatively affects our memory. In detail, the sleep before REM sleep (or even a power nap) gets our brains working more efficiently and creatively.
In one experiment, a group of English speaking college students were shown a list of Chinese words, then half the group took a power nap (they were being monitored to make sure they didn't fall into REM sleep) and the other half stayed awake. When the napping half were woken up, both groups were put to a memory test based on the Chinese words they had previously learned. Come to find out, the half that took the nap seemed to have a much better memory as opposed to going without any brief sleeping period.
As stated before, not only does napping improve memory, but disturbing sleep decreases memory. Another study to prove this was a test on rats performed by Dr. Dennis McGinty of the University of California, Los Angeles. McGinity hooked a group of rats up on brain monitors for 2 weeks and had them all sleep as they normally would. However, using these monitors, he had made it so half of the rats were frequently disturbed and woken up. After the trial period was over, he let all the rats sleep as much as they wanted for the next 2 weeks. The results proved the following resting period after the disturbances didn't help. McGinity put both groups to the test; he set up an escape hole in each of their cages, the group who had slept normally and peacefully throughout each night found the route by using certain cues, whereas the rats that had been disturbed, couldn't find the hole and couldn't seem to use obvious cues that lead the way to the hole.
Personally, I never ever take naps, I've always felt like I couldn't or shouldn't fall asleep during the day and have more important things to do. I was proved wrong, now I'm going to try to find time to wind down and fall asleep in the middle of the day. I can't make excuses either because it was also proved that napping for even 12 minutes has the same positive affect! so take a nap :)
The studies have shown that not only does the amount of sleep a person gets each night affect health, but so does the quality. Getting woken up throughout the night supposedly negatively affects our memory. In detail, the sleep before REM sleep (or even a power nap) gets our brains working more efficiently and creatively.
In one experiment, a group of English speaking college students were shown a list of Chinese words, then half the group took a power nap (they were being monitored to make sure they didn't fall into REM sleep) and the other half stayed awake. When the napping half were woken up, both groups were put to a memory test based on the Chinese words they had previously learned. Come to find out, the half that took the nap seemed to have a much better memory as opposed to going without any brief sleeping period.
As stated before, not only does napping improve memory, but disturbing sleep decreases memory. Another study to prove this was a test on rats performed by Dr. Dennis McGinty of the University of California, Los Angeles. McGinity hooked a group of rats up on brain monitors for 2 weeks and had them all sleep as they normally would. However, using these monitors, he had made it so half of the rats were frequently disturbed and woken up. After the trial period was over, he let all the rats sleep as much as they wanted for the next 2 weeks. The results proved the following resting period after the disturbances didn't help. McGinity put both groups to the test; he set up an escape hole in each of their cages, the group who had slept normally and peacefully throughout each night found the route by using certain cues, whereas the rats that had been disturbed, couldn't find the hole and couldn't seem to use obvious cues that lead the way to the hole.
Personally, I never ever take naps, I've always felt like I couldn't or shouldn't fall asleep during the day and have more important things to do. I was proved wrong, now I'm going to try to find time to wind down and fall asleep in the middle of the day. I can't make excuses either because it was also proved that napping for even 12 minutes has the same positive affect! so take a nap :)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Are Women More Prone to Getting Cavities than Men?
Although I don't have any cavities yet, I found it strange to learn that my gender is more likely to get cavities than males according to an article I read: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27200689/. Unfortunately, although keeping up with proper dental care helps, women's hormones play a pretty large and unavoidable role in the condition of our teeth.
For the most part, anthropology research shows that when societies changed from hunter gathering to agriculture it caused a negative spin on nutrition and health, including dental health. This was supposedly because people stopped obtaining an array of essential dietary nutrients, and became dependant on fewer crops. Anthropologists researched that women's poor dental health also had to do with culture aspects and "women's roles" such as cooking, that usually comes along with the occasional bite here and there.
Although these views made sense and aren't wrong, there's more to it. John Lukacs, an anthropologist at the University of Oregon decided to take a bigger look and did a lot of researching on why there was such a dramatic increase in cavities as societies became agricultural. He presented clinical evidence of how the biological factors of higher pregnancy rates in agricultural societies affects dental health.
The evidence concluded that the high estrogen levels in pregnant women have negative side effects on the condition of our teeth. For example, when a women is pregnant they generate less saliva than usual, and the little saliva that is produced can't fight to its potential against acidic bacteria that cause our teeth to deteriorate. Eating more often and bigger amounts when a women is pregnant also causes more of an "acid challenge for teeth" since more food and bacteria is being put in their mouth. Also due to hormonal changes in a pregnancy, women have cravings for more high energy, high sugar foods which we all know are more likely to cause cavities.
Although this is unfortunate news, considering the hormone factor of women is inevitable and isn't going to change, all we can do is be sure to always maintain proper dental hygiene. This way we can prevent all problems with our teeth or we'll at least have fewer problems than if we failed to sustain essential dental upkeep. To find out exactly how to take appropriate care of your teeth go to: http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/hygiene/.
For the most part, anthropology research shows that when societies changed from hunter gathering to agriculture it caused a negative spin on nutrition and health, including dental health. This was supposedly because people stopped obtaining an array of essential dietary nutrients, and became dependant on fewer crops. Anthropologists researched that women's poor dental health also had to do with culture aspects and "women's roles" such as cooking, that usually comes along with the occasional bite here and there.
Although these views made sense and aren't wrong, there's more to it. John Lukacs, an anthropologist at the University of Oregon decided to take a bigger look and did a lot of researching on why there was such a dramatic increase in cavities as societies became agricultural. He presented clinical evidence of how the biological factors of higher pregnancy rates in agricultural societies affects dental health.
The evidence concluded that the high estrogen levels in pregnant women have negative side effects on the condition of our teeth. For example, when a women is pregnant they generate less saliva than usual, and the little saliva that is produced can't fight to its potential against acidic bacteria that cause our teeth to deteriorate. Eating more often and bigger amounts when a women is pregnant also causes more of an "acid challenge for teeth" since more food and bacteria is being put in their mouth. Also due to hormonal changes in a pregnancy, women have cravings for more high energy, high sugar foods which we all know are more likely to cause cavities.
Although this is unfortunate news, considering the hormone factor of women is inevitable and isn't going to change, all we can do is be sure to always maintain proper dental hygiene. This way we can prevent all problems with our teeth or we'll at least have fewer problems than if we failed to sustain essential dental upkeep. To find out exactly how to take appropriate care of your teeth go to: http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/hygiene/.
Music we Love and it's Health Benefits
For me, good music has always had the ability to put me in a good mood, but it put me in an even better mood to learn that listening to music I love has huge health benefits. In an article I read, an experiment was performed and proved that listening to enjoyable music helps our heart. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27666479/
This study was performed by Dr. Michael Miller the director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. In the experiment, Miller performed ultrasound tests which showed blood vessel function on ten men and women for an hour while they listened to music. In the first half hour each person individually listened to their favorite music, and in the other half hour they listened to music that they didn't find enjoyable and made them anxious.
The results showed on average that while everyone was listening to their favorite music, their blood vessel diameter increased 26 percent. However, while listening to the music they didn't like, their blood vessels constricted or got smaller by about 6 percent. Although the choice of music for most of the people who participated in this experiment, was country, Miller explained the style doesn't matter, its just what satisfies each person individually.
What this all means is that when blood vessels expand, blood can flow more freely and smoothly which prevents blood clots that cause huge problems such as strokes and heart attacks. Although medications have this same effect, other activities do as well; mostly exercise.
Miller said, "We are not saying to stop your statin or not to exercise but to add this to an overall program of heart health."He discovered the whole idea after finding out that laughter does the same thing. So basically, do what you makes you happy and laugh a lot. :)
This study was performed by Dr. Michael Miller the director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. In the experiment, Miller performed ultrasound tests which showed blood vessel function on ten men and women for an hour while they listened to music. In the first half hour each person individually listened to their favorite music, and in the other half hour they listened to music that they didn't find enjoyable and made them anxious.
The results showed on average that while everyone was listening to their favorite music, their blood vessel diameter increased 26 percent. However, while listening to the music they didn't like, their blood vessels constricted or got smaller by about 6 percent. Although the choice of music for most of the people who participated in this experiment, was country, Miller explained the style doesn't matter, its just what satisfies each person individually.
What this all means is that when blood vessels expand, blood can flow more freely and smoothly which prevents blood clots that cause huge problems such as strokes and heart attacks. Although medications have this same effect, other activities do as well; mostly exercise.
Miller said, "We are not saying to stop your statin or not to exercise but to add this to an overall program of heart health."He discovered the whole idea after finding out that laughter does the same thing. So basically, do what you makes you happy and laugh a lot. :)
Monday, October 13, 2008
More Side Affects of Drinking
When I first started looking at posts to comment on I came across quite a few about drinking, considering we are in college I feel it's a perfect topic that most of us can relate to. I always enjoy reading articles and different studies that show moderate drinking can benefit our health, but unfortunately I came across one that changed my mind.
As we grow, our brain volume decreases naturally at about 2% per decade and that's disregarding any damage or harm that may have been done. In relation to alcohol effects, studies performed by Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, basically blatantly recorded that consumption of alcohol causes our brains to shrink more than normal. Although that wasn't too much of a surprising let down, all the supposed benefits of drinking were proved false, no matter the amount of alcohol consumed, it causes the brain to shrink. To find out more about this particular study you can look up the October issue of Archives of Neurology.
In recent studies, moderation in alcohol has shown to eliminate cardiovascular disease and also helps humans function cognitively, but the most recent study performed by Wellesley College, proved the benefits to be false. http://health.msn.com/health-topics/addiction/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100217998 This experiment consisted of classifying men and women according to the amount they drink; abstainers, former drinkers, low drinkers (1-7 a week), moderate drinkers (8-14 a week), or high consumers of alcohol (more than 14 drinks a week). The study showed absolutely zero benefits of alcohol drinking in any category and as they experimenters guessed, the more a person drank the more their brain volume was decreased.
Although I drink occasionally and probably won't ever completely stop, I learn something new everyday and after reading this article and learning more side affects of alcohol, I'll definitely think before drinking another glass of wine.
As we grow, our brain volume decreases naturally at about 2% per decade and that's disregarding any damage or harm that may have been done. In relation to alcohol effects, studies performed by Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, basically blatantly recorded that consumption of alcohol causes our brains to shrink more than normal. Although that wasn't too much of a surprising let down, all the supposed benefits of drinking were proved false, no matter the amount of alcohol consumed, it causes the brain to shrink. To find out more about this particular study you can look up the October issue of Archives of Neurology.
In recent studies, moderation in alcohol has shown to eliminate cardiovascular disease and also helps humans function cognitively, but the most recent study performed by Wellesley College, proved the benefits to be false. http://health.msn.com/health-topics/addiction/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100217998 This experiment consisted of classifying men and women according to the amount they drink; abstainers, former drinkers, low drinkers (1-7 a week), moderate drinkers (8-14 a week), or high consumers of alcohol (more than 14 drinks a week). The study showed absolutely zero benefits of alcohol drinking in any category and as they experimenters guessed, the more a person drank the more their brain volume was decreased.
Although I drink occasionally and probably won't ever completely stop, I learn something new everyday and after reading this article and learning more side affects of alcohol, I'll definitely think before drinking another glass of wine.
Why Does Overeating Cause So Many Illnesses?
It happens to all of us doesn't it? Sometimes we eat too much, too little, or the wrong things but what we eat and how much may affect us more than we know. Obviously eating too much leads to obesity, but why? A recent study done at the University of Wisconsin showed that excessive eating affects the brain to the point where it can't function properly. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26995427/
The study was performed in mice in quest to find out why obesity causes the body to swell to the point of illness such as diabetes or heart disease. Through experimenting, they found that from feeding these mice excessive calorie and fat filled foods, it caused their brains to send out immune cells to attack intruders that really weren't present. Specifically it was a compound called IKKbeta/NK-kappaB, something the immune system uses if needed. This compound is also located in the hypothalamus (a part of the brain that controls metabolism and energy) but usually remains inactive. However, after the mice were fed this specific high fat diet, abnormal and uncommon active levels of the same compound were found in this part of the brain. Due to the active levels, the body ignored any signals from a hormone called leptin which helps regulate appetite and transform food to energy. All in all, eating too much causes our body to ignore the "I'm full" signals and allows our body to keep taking in food.
After the study was done, they concluded that "hypothalamic IKKb/NF-kB" could be the explanation for all diseases caused by overeating. Although the group who performed the study doesn't know why the compound would be in the brain and immune system, they assume it evolved years ago in primitive animals. All we know now is that its a pathway to "overnutriton." Removing this gene sounds like a good idea but cannot be done as of now.
I found this research to be very interesting considering I always say "I never get full, I could eat everything," and next time I find myself eating more than I should, I'll tell myself its just my brain playing tricks on me.
The study was performed in mice in quest to find out why obesity causes the body to swell to the point of illness such as diabetes or heart disease. Through experimenting, they found that from feeding these mice excessive calorie and fat filled foods, it caused their brains to send out immune cells to attack intruders that really weren't present. Specifically it was a compound called IKKbeta/NK-kappaB, something the immune system uses if needed. This compound is also located in the hypothalamus (a part of the brain that controls metabolism and energy) but usually remains inactive. However, after the mice were fed this specific high fat diet, abnormal and uncommon active levels of the same compound were found in this part of the brain. Due to the active levels, the body ignored any signals from a hormone called leptin which helps regulate appetite and transform food to energy. All in all, eating too much causes our body to ignore the "I'm full" signals and allows our body to keep taking in food.
After the study was done, they concluded that "hypothalamic IKKb/NF-kB" could be the explanation for all diseases caused by overeating. Although the group who performed the study doesn't know why the compound would be in the brain and immune system, they assume it evolved years ago in primitive animals. All we know now is that its a pathway to "overnutriton." Removing this gene sounds like a good idea but cannot be done as of now.
I found this research to be very interesting considering I always say "I never get full, I could eat everything," and next time I find myself eating more than I should, I'll tell myself its just my brain playing tricks on me.
Monday, October 6, 2008
How to Improve Strength and Endurance
I like to exercise regularly, however, I usually stick to the same routine; fourty five minutes doing cardio and around a half hour doing strength training, but is that good? After doing some research on it, I realized I wasn't improving my strength and enurance, I was maintaining it. I've never been the type of person whose been into sprints or short interval training but apparently if I want to continue improving the shape I'm in, I should. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8407349/
The whole point of the article was to prove that practicing short interval training is more effective in improving one's strength and endurance as opposed to a normal hour a day routine. I read up on a study that was performed on two groups of people; one group practiced intense sprint interval training for around 30 minutes each session and did this 3 times a week. The other group went on doing there usual 5 hour a week exercises. The results proved the theory correct, the grop who practiced the short interval training improved there endurance by 50% and also improved their ability to use oxygen. The group who did their normal routine showed no change. If you want to improve your fitness, you want to use all your muscle fibers which froms tears in the fibers that allow you to continue improving. On the other hand, doing slow and long training, you only use some of your muscle fibers which gives you little to no improvement, just consistency.
Although, the short intervals are a good method to make improvements in strength or endurance, it's also a lot more difficult. Proving this study further, coaches for teams such as football always have their team participate in regular sprints to up their physical strength and endurance, whereas people who like to maintain their physical fitness level have a usual slow and longer routine to stay seady and constant. Depending on the force put upon the muscle fibers determines whether or not there will be a change. The more intense the force, the more deterioration in the fibers which is a good thing if it results in improvment, as long as you don't overdo it.
The whole point of the article was to prove that practicing short interval training is more effective in improving one's strength and endurance as opposed to a normal hour a day routine. I read up on a study that was performed on two groups of people; one group practiced intense sprint interval training for around 30 minutes each session and did this 3 times a week. The other group went on doing there usual 5 hour a week exercises. The results proved the theory correct, the grop who practiced the short interval training improved there endurance by 50% and also improved their ability to use oxygen. The group who did their normal routine showed no change. If you want to improve your fitness, you want to use all your muscle fibers which froms tears in the fibers that allow you to continue improving. On the other hand, doing slow and long training, you only use some of your muscle fibers which gives you little to no improvement, just consistency.
Although, the short intervals are a good method to make improvements in strength or endurance, it's also a lot more difficult. Proving this study further, coaches for teams such as football always have their team participate in regular sprints to up their physical strength and endurance, whereas people who like to maintain their physical fitness level have a usual slow and longer routine to stay seady and constant. Depending on the force put upon the muscle fibers determines whether or not there will be a change. The more intense the force, the more deterioration in the fibers which is a good thing if it results in improvment, as long as you don't overdo it.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
caffeine intoxication
Being a college student, I feel like I'm always drinking caffeine whether its soda, coffee, tea, or energy drinks. I've especially been a big fan of almost every type of sugar free energy drink for a while now. Although I've heard they're bad for me, I keep drinking them considering they have a list of viatmins they contain (especially vitamin B which turns food into energy). So what's the truth? According the the recent research I've done, a can of soda has around 35 milligrams caffeine in it where as an energy drink has 13 times that amount per can, which as you can conclude, means energy drinks consist of excessive amounts of caffeine.
In the LA times, The Drug and Alcohol Dependence tries to warn people of the possibility of caffeine intoxification, "The caffeine content of energy drinks varies over a 10-fold range, with some containing the equivalent of 14 cans of Coca-Cola, yet the caffeine amounts are unlabeled and few include warnings about potential health risks of caffeine intoxication," said one of the study's authors, Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions."
Caffeine intoxication is an actual medical syndrome and is marked with serious side effects such as anxiety, nervousness, rapid heart beat, etc. In extreme cases, it can cause death. To see more side effects go to: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600. Besides mood side effects, caffeine can also do some severe damage to your insides such as severe inflammation and bleeding in the intestines. http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-inpractice1-2008sep01,0,2172072.story
Besides the caffeine factor, manufacturers of energy drinks are being held responsible for drug abuse among teens and young adults. Considering some of the name brands are related to drugs such as "Cocaine" or "Blow" it pursuades people to want more of that feeling and intensity and may look to those drugs for that feeling. Aside from the name, these "peformance enhancing" drinks are used to mix with alcohol to form a drink that is said to be very dangerous in many aspects including heart health.
Now what do you think of energy drinks? I know I'll definatley limit my intake of caffeine all together.
In the LA times, The Drug and Alcohol Dependence tries to warn people of the possibility of caffeine intoxification, "The caffeine content of energy drinks varies over a 10-fold range, with some containing the equivalent of 14 cans of Coca-Cola, yet the caffeine amounts are unlabeled and few include warnings about potential health risks of caffeine intoxication," said one of the study's authors, Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions."
Caffeine intoxication is an actual medical syndrome and is marked with serious side effects such as anxiety, nervousness, rapid heart beat, etc. In extreme cases, it can cause death. To see more side effects go to: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600. Besides mood side effects, caffeine can also do some severe damage to your insides such as severe inflammation and bleeding in the intestines. http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-inpractice1-2008sep01,0,2172072.story
Besides the caffeine factor, manufacturers of energy drinks are being held responsible for drug abuse among teens and young adults. Considering some of the name brands are related to drugs such as "Cocaine" or "Blow" it pursuades people to want more of that feeling and intensity and may look to those drugs for that feeling. Aside from the name, these "peformance enhancing" drinks are used to mix with alcohol to form a drink that is said to be very dangerous in many aspects including heart health.
Now what do you think of energy drinks? I know I'll definatley limit my intake of caffeine all together.
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