Don’t Ignore the Mental Battle with Cancer

A recent series of studies have found that cancer patients are 3-6 times more likely to be depressed but 75% aren't getting treatment for it. Depression can threaten a patient’s life if it sabotages their will to live and persevere through treatment. Researchers found that a nurse-led solution that integrated antidepressant drugs, physical activity and…

Don’t Ignore the Mental Battle with Cancer

A recent series of studies have found that cancer patients are 3-6 times more likely to be depressed but 75% aren't getting treatment for it. Depression can threaten a patient’s life if it sabotage’s their will to live and persevere through treatment. Researchers found that a nurse-led solution that integrated antidepressant drugs, physical activity and…

Fit Kids May Be Faster…at Reading

They're not sure why, but researchers have found that fit kids have stronger language skills. Researchers measured brain activity for aerobically fit and unfit children while reading both normal and jumbled sentences. The fit kids performed better on both sentences. While they can't prove fitness directly causes improved cognitive performance, it appears fit kids' brains…

Inactivity Tops Women’s Cardiovascular Risk

A study of 32,154 women found physical inactivity had the greatest impact on lifetime risk of heart disease after age 30 when compared to excess weight, high blood pressure, and smoking. For those under the age of 30, smoking was the biggest contributor to heart disease. The authors estimated 2000 lives could be saved every year…

Physical Activity Keeps Kids Fit

Physical education has declined dramatically in most elementary schools. Researchers found that a 9-month, after school exercise program for 8 and 9 year old elementary school children improved their physical fitness and helped them control their weight. The control group showed no improvements. This program provided moderate to vigorous physical activity 5 times per week. PositiveTip: Provide your…

Docs Should Check Up on Exercise Habits

Does your physician ask you about your personal exercise program as often as taking your blood pressure? The American Heart Association is strongly making that recommendation. A scientific statement from the organization says checking exercise habits should be as routine as measuring blood pressure. Expect this check-up will include questions about how often, how long, how…

How Much Did You Walk Today?

A recent multi-national survey has found that 1 in 4 people have no idea how much they've walked in a day. Of those who tracked their walking, 50% were below the recommended 30 minutes a day. Even 15 minutes of moderate exercise (brisk walking) can improve your life expectancy. Positive Tip: Download an app, buy…

Drugs or Exercise: Which is More Effective?

Modern medical research may not detect the most effective therapy for some diseases. Researchers analyzed data from 300 studies to see if exercise interventions were as effective as drugs. They found there was no significant difference between the two treatments for mortality from coronary heart disease or prediabetes. Exercise beat drugs hands down in stroke…

Eat Well, Exercise, & Stop Smoking–Still Great Advice!

French researchers followed 4000 seniors for almost 7 years. Each participant was disability-free at baseline. After adjusting for potential confounders, the following factors were found to contribute to excess disability risk: low physical activity 72% smoking 26% low fruit and vegetable intake 24% The results were similar when those who developed disabilities in the first 4 years…

3 Key Risks for Old-age Disability

A 12 year study of 4000 seniors found that three unhealthy habits increase the risk of disability later in life. French researchers tracked seniors’ disability from 2001-2012 finding physical inactivity, poor diet and smoking each increase the risk of disability. In addition, the risk of disability increased progressively as unhealthy behaviors clustered. Seniors with ALL three risk factors were…