August 15th, 2011 — 9:58am
It's well known that exercise can help people shed weight and feel healthier overall, but new research conducted at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reveals that physical activity may help stave off cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease.
In a mouse model, a team of scientists observed that exercising rodents had a higher level of an immune messenger known as interleukin-6 in their brains. The protein protected the mice's brains from a chemical meant to induce inflammation and damage in the rodents' brain regions that control learning and memory.
Authors of the study said their findings may lead to important developments in the prevention of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
"The study on the role of exercise as a therapeutic intervention will undoubtedly get a workout in the years to come. Perhaps the greatest challenge with this line of research will not be more discoveries of compelling evidence of the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of exercise, but instead, getting humans to exercise voluntarily and regularly," said researcher Ruth Barrientos.
Author, philosopher and trailblazer Ilchi Lee believes that staying healthy with the seasons involves addressing three aspects of a being: the mental, physical and spiritual. Results of this study suggest that the mind and body are inextricably linked, and that poor health in one may result in a decline in the other.
Mind body spirit fitness entails taking care of the whole self. It means eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise, engaging in meditation, reading, studying and keeping in touch with the Earth. Additionally, people should attempt to eliminate negative thoughts in their minds in favor of more positive ideas in an effort to become enlightened.
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August 12th, 2011 — 10:09am
Many individuals add cinnamon, herbs and pepper to their meals in order to make them taste better, but new research indicates that the contents of your spice cupboard may also be heart healthy.
In a study, a team of scientists at Penn State found that adding certain antioxidant-rich herbs and spices to a meal may reduce the negative effects of fat in the body.
"Normally, when you eat a high-fat meal, you end up with high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood," said lead author Sheila West. "If this happens too frequently, or if triglyceride levels are raised too much, your risk of heart disease is increased. We found that adding spices to a high-fat meal reduced triglyceride response by about 30 percent, compared to a similar meal with no spices added."
In order to test the effects that the flavorings had on blood fat levels, researchers fed one group of volunteers a meal of chicken curry, herb bread and a cinnamon biscuit. Another subset of participants was given similar food, but without spices. Researchers used rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, garlic powder and paprika in the spiced meals.
Aside from the healthy effects that the flavorful additions had on triglyceride levels, they also appeared to cause a 13 percent increase in antioxidant activity in the blood and a 20 percent decrease in insulin response.
Results of this study suggest that staying healthy with nutrition may be as easy as adding a dash of spice to your food. Such inspirational tips for living can make a big difference in a person's efforts toward fulfillment, especially dieting success.
Comment » | Staying Healthy
August 9th, 2011 — 11:15am
Psychiatry professor Aaron Beck has a rather uplifting view on life, and has taken his positivity to new lengths by studying the effects of cognitive therapy on individuals with serious mental disorders, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
By the way, Beck is 90 and he told the news source that he has no immediate plans for slowing down.
Beck said that staying healthy at work is a matter of doing what you love. For him, it's psychiatry and helping individuals achieve mental well-being in a non-pharmaceutical way. His current project involves testing the effects of cognitive therapy on schizophrenics.
Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that how we feel is inextricably linked to our outlook on life. The news source noted that individuals who are depressed often look at themselves, the world and the future in a negative light.
Beck was inspired to perform the research based on his own sunny disposition.
"I'm very fortunate. I was born with happy genes. I go under the assumption that every day the sun will come out and life will go on. One of the reasons I don't struggle is that I try to keep things in perspective. I don't get as ruffled as I might because I ask myself: Is it fatal? Is it the end of the world? Will I be permanently disabled?" Beck said, quoted by the news source.
The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists has reported that cognitive therapy is an ongoing treatment that requires the patient to take personal responsibility for their care. The group said that achieving mind body spirit fitness may require an individual to do some homework, using the positive techniques they learned during therapy and practicing them at home.
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August 4th, 2011 — 9:41am
Many Americans have jobs where they sit at a desk for eight to 10 hours daily, only to spend 30 minutes at the gym before heading home to spend the rest of the evening in front of the television. These people might think they are meeting their daily exercise requirements, but they would be wrong.
University of Missouri researchers recently found that 25 percent of U.S. residents are sedentary, and three-quarters are exercising, but not enough to prevent chronic disease.
"If people can add some regular movement into their routines throughout the day, they will feel better and be less susceptible to health problems. In the long term, they may not see big changes in the mirror, but they will prevent further weight gain," said researcher John Thyfault.
The authors of the study said that it is recommended that individuals take 10,000 steps each day. If that seems overwhelming, think of it as taking 500 to 1,000 steps each hour. This may be attained by taking short breaks at work to walk around the block or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator.
Other tips for staying healthy include avoiding excess fat, sugar, salt and substances like alcohol and tobacco. Enhancing your mind body spirit alignment can also be achieved by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Author, philosopher and flutist Ilchi Lee says that optimal health is the key to success in life. Additionally, mental, physical and spiritual wellness are all interconnected, meaning that a deficit in one can lead to an imbalance in the other.
In addition to staying active and limiting the intake of harmful substances, individuals may want to consider techniques like meditation and yoga to help strengthen their minds.
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August 2nd, 2011 — 9:10am
In a study involving patients with serious heart conditions, University of Michigan Medical School researchers found that just four days at a retreat wherein they were taught inspirational tips for living resulted in a 50 percent reduction in anxiety.
At the spiritual retreat, visitors engaged in meditation, guided imagery, therapeutic music-playing, journal writing and outdoor activities.
"These types of interventions may be of particular interest to patients who do not want to take antidepressants for the depression symptoms that often accompany coronary heart disease and heart attack," said lead author Sara Warber, M.D.
Individuals in the study were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome, which results in chest pain and heart attack. Often, this can lead these patients with feelings of hopelessness, but the researchers found that a spiritual retreat helped them to regain happiness and feelings of well-being.
The retreat focused on teachings that love, beauty, harmony, unity and peace are attainable through a connection with nature and positive interactions with fellow human beings. Additionally, the attendees were taught nutrition, physical exercise and stress management.
Not only did the four-day intervention have positive results, but authors said that they lasted for several months afterward.
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes that enhancing your mind body spirit connection is key in achieving a good sense of well-being. Additionally, the trailblazer recommends retreats to Sedona, Arizona, a place where the spiritually gifted and enlightened gather to spread their teachings and goals toward a better society.
Results of this study suggest that happiness and wellness could be a matter of making the trip to spend some time in nature, where humanity all began.
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