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Volume 1, Issue 9
Weight loss can reverse the negative health effects of obesity
"Couch Potato" lifestyle associated with high rates of diabetes
Regular exercise improves balance in seniors
Exercise improves erectile dysfunction
Exercise versus dieting both take off the pounds!
Weight loss can reverse the negative health effects of obesity
Obesity is associated with a wide variety of health conditions and chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. A new study indicates that people who are obese can reverse early heart and blood vessel dysfunction by adopting a healthy lifestyle and losing weight.
The study followed 106 obese men and women for a period of eight weeks. They were split into two groups, one that exercised and reduced their caloric intake and another that just exercised. While the group that just exercised did improve their peak oxygen uptake, the group that both dieted and exercised significantly improved their blood vessel function and fitness and as well as their ventricular function.
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"Couch Potato" lifestyle associated with high rates of diabetes
In today's modern world it's easy to become a couch potato. Life can revolve around the TV, computer, and video games. But researchers at the University of Colorado have uncovered new evidence to help motivate people to get up off the couch and start exercising: people who are physically active are less likely to have type 2 diabetes.
The study evaluated the exercise habits of 23,000 Americans, and found that while 58 percent of non-diabetics were physically active, only 39 percent of diabetics exercised regularly. In addition, among those who did not have diabetes but had risk factors for it, the research indicated that the more the risk factors individuals had for the disease, the less likely the people were to be active.
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Regular exercise improves balance in seniors
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, nearly one third of seniors experience a fall, making it the most common cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among people 65 years and older. New research indicates that leading an active lifestyle can prevent and reduce falls later on in life!
Researchers found that seniors who have been active throughout their lives, and remain so as they age, have better balance compared with those who are less active. In addition, active individuals had balance test scores similar to those of inactive people 10 to 15 years younger.
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Regular exercise improves balance in seniors
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, nearly one third of seniors experience a fall, making it the most common cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among people 65 years and older. New research indicates that leading an active lifestyle can prevent and reduce falls later on in life!
Researchers found that seniors who have been active throughout their lives, and remain so as they age, have better balance compared with those who are less active. In addition, active individuals had balance test scores similar to those of inactive people 10 to 15 years younger.
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Exercise improves erectile dysfunction
An estimated 18 million men in the United States are affected by erectile dysfunction. Though age increases ones risk for the condition, new research published in the American Journal of Medicine indicates that erectile dysfunction is also directly associated with both cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The study followed 2,100 men with erectile dysfunction and found that 90 percent of all participants had at least one risk factor for heart disease. This said, it is not surprising that the researchers also found that participants who were physically inactive and had high rates of sedentary behavior were much more likely to have erectile dysfunction compared with men who were physically active.
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Sources
1Wong CY, Byrne NM, O'Moore-Sullivan T, Hills AP, Prins JB, Marwick TH. (2006). Effect of weight loss due to lifestyle intervention on subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction in obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m2). American Journal of Cardiology, 98, 1593-8.
2Morrato EH, Hill JO, Wyatt HR, Ghushchyan V, Sullivan PW. (2007). Physical activity in U.S. Adults with diabetes and at risk for developing diabetes, 2003. Diabetes Care, 30, 203-9.
3Buatois S, Gauchard GC, Aubry C, Benetos A, Perrin P. (2007). Current physical activity improves balance control during sensory conflicting conditions in older adults. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 28, 53-8.
4 Selvin E, Burnett AL, Platz EA. (2007). Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the US. American Journal of Medicine, 120, 151-7.
5 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2007.
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