Keeping an active lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing an eye disease that is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) gradually destroys the central vision of the eye. It is linked to aging but scientists in the United States have found that physical activity such as walking and climbing stairs has a protective effect against it.
Exercise helped to reduce the odds of suffering from "wet," or exudative, AMD -- a form of the condition in which new blood vessels grow behind the eye causing bleeding and scarring which leads to distorted vision and impaired sight.
The effects were still noticed after taking of other risk factors such as weight, blood pressure and smoking.
"Engaging in an active lifestyle or walking more ... reduced the risk of developing exudative AMD over 15 years by 70 percent and 30 percent, respectively," Michael Knudtson, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, said in a report in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Knudtson and his team studied the impact of exercise on 4,000 men and women in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin over 15 years. The volunteers were aged between 43 and 86 when the study started in 1988-1990.
They were questioned about how much exercise they did and assessed every five years. About 25 percent had an active lifestyle and nearly the same number climbed more than six flights of stairs each day.
The researchers said they could not rule out other factors but added that the report "provides evidence that a modifiable behavior, regular physical activity, such as walking, may have a protective effect for incident AMD."
Friday, December 15, 2006
Milk thistle may help diabetics
A herbal therapy that has been used for thousands of years may help to control blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Milk thistle, a flowering herb, is a popular complementary therapy. It is also called silymarin, which is a mixture of the herb's active components, used to treat liver problems such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and gallbladder problems.
Researchers in Iran have also found the remedy could benefit diabetes sufferers.
"We don't know the exact mechanism of action for this effect, but this work shows that silymarin could play an important role in treating type 2 diabetes," said Fallah Huseini, who works for the Institute of Medicinal Plants in Teheran.
Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to being overweight or obese, is an increasing health problem worldwide. Most of the 194 million people who suffer from it have type 2 diabetes, which is caused by an inability to regulate the glucose, or sugar in the body properly.
Huseini compared the effects of daily supplements of silymarin, which contains a number of active constituents called flavolignans which help protect the liver from poisoning, against a placebo in 51 diabetics. The findings are reported in the journal Phytotherapy Research.
Half the patients received 200 milligrams of silymarin three times a day for four months or the dummy pill along with conventional treatments. At the end of the study, people in the herbal group had reductions in blood glucose levels compared to their earlier levels.
"The results are very encouraging, and we now need to do further large multi-centre studies," Huseini added in a statement.
The charity Diabetes UK said some substances appear to have an effect on lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes but they are not a cure and should not replace traditional therapies.
"Studies have shown that the best method of controlling glucose levels is through a combination of regular physical activity, a healthy diet and the relevant prescribed medication," a Diabetes UK spokesperson said.
"This study is very small and still in its early stages, therefore we would not recommend using milk thistle or any other supplement for people with diabetes."
Diabetes, which is a chronic illness, also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney damage and nerve disorders that can lead to foot ulceration and amputations.
The World Health Organization expects the number of people suffering from diabetes to rise to 300 million by 2025.
Milk thistle, a flowering herb, is a popular complementary therapy. It is also called silymarin, which is a mixture of the herb's active components, used to treat liver problems such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and gallbladder problems.
Researchers in Iran have also found the remedy could benefit diabetes sufferers.
"We don't know the exact mechanism of action for this effect, but this work shows that silymarin could play an important role in treating type 2 diabetes," said Fallah Huseini, who works for the Institute of Medicinal Plants in Teheran.
Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to being overweight or obese, is an increasing health problem worldwide. Most of the 194 million people who suffer from it have type 2 diabetes, which is caused by an inability to regulate the glucose, or sugar in the body properly.
Huseini compared the effects of daily supplements of silymarin, which contains a number of active constituents called flavolignans which help protect the liver from poisoning, against a placebo in 51 diabetics. The findings are reported in the journal Phytotherapy Research.
Half the patients received 200 milligrams of silymarin three times a day for four months or the dummy pill along with conventional treatments. At the end of the study, people in the herbal group had reductions in blood glucose levels compared to their earlier levels.
"The results are very encouraging, and we now need to do further large multi-centre studies," Huseini added in a statement.
The charity Diabetes UK said some substances appear to have an effect on lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes but they are not a cure and should not replace traditional therapies.
"Studies have shown that the best method of controlling glucose levels is through a combination of regular physical activity, a healthy diet and the relevant prescribed medication," a Diabetes UK spokesperson said.
"This study is very small and still in its early stages, therefore we would not recommend using milk thistle or any other supplement for people with diabetes."
Diabetes, which is a chronic illness, also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney damage and nerve disorders that can lead to foot ulceration and amputations.
The World Health Organization expects the number of people suffering from diabetes to rise to 300 million by 2025.
Exercise Prevent Colds
In the first randomized clinical trial to investigate the impact of moderate physical activity on the common cold, researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that post-menopausal women who worked out regularly had about half the risk of colds as those who did not exercise.
"There has always been this anecdotal evidence, and some small studies, suggesting that with moderate exercise you can improve your immunity," said Cornelia Ulrich, lead author of the study published in the American Journal of Medicine.
"Our study ... is the first time that a rigorous trial showed that the number of colds can be affected by exercise," she said in an interview.
The study involved 115 overweight, post-menopausal women who had not been exercising before the trial.
The group was divided in two, with half the women assigned to undertake a moderate exercise program of 45 minutes a day, five days a week. The other half were told to take part in once-weekly, 45-minute stretching sessions.
The exercisers were told to do moderate physical activity such as walking on a treadmill, cycling on a stationary bicycle or rapid walking outside.
Over the course of a year, the women filled out questionnaires every three months to report the number of times they had allergies, colds or other problems.
The study found that over 12 months, the risk of colds decreased modestly in exercisers and increased modestly in the group of stretchers.
The researchers found that the ability of moderate exercise to ward off colds seemed to increase over time. In the last three months of the study, the group of women who were only stretching were three times as likely to catch a cold as those who were exercising regularly.
The study did not reach any conclusions about the benefit of stretching but said that regular cardiovascular exercise was most beneficial.
"With regards to preventing colds, it seems you really have to stick with exercise long term," Ulrich said.
The results were seen as important in understanding the health benefits of exercise, Ulrich said.
"It may apply also to other age groups, it may apply to men," she said. "In the past, immune studies have been quite consistent among men and women. I wouldn't expect that to be different."
"There has always been this anecdotal evidence, and some small studies, suggesting that with moderate exercise you can improve your immunity," said Cornelia Ulrich, lead author of the study published in the American Journal of Medicine.
"Our study ... is the first time that a rigorous trial showed that the number of colds can be affected by exercise," she said in an interview.
The study involved 115 overweight, post-menopausal women who had not been exercising before the trial.
The group was divided in two, with half the women assigned to undertake a moderate exercise program of 45 minutes a day, five days a week. The other half were told to take part in once-weekly, 45-minute stretching sessions.
The exercisers were told to do moderate physical activity such as walking on a treadmill, cycling on a stationary bicycle or rapid walking outside.
Over the course of a year, the women filled out questionnaires every three months to report the number of times they had allergies, colds or other problems.
The study found that over 12 months, the risk of colds decreased modestly in exercisers and increased modestly in the group of stretchers.
The researchers found that the ability of moderate exercise to ward off colds seemed to increase over time. In the last three months of the study, the group of women who were only stretching were three times as likely to catch a cold as those who were exercising regularly.
The study did not reach any conclusions about the benefit of stretching but said that regular cardiovascular exercise was most beneficial.
"With regards to preventing colds, it seems you really have to stick with exercise long term," Ulrich said.
The results were seen as important in understanding the health benefits of exercise, Ulrich said.
"It may apply also to other age groups, it may apply to men," she said. "In the past, immune studies have been quite consistent among men and women. I wouldn't expect that to be different."
Friday, December 01, 2006
Water for health
Unknown to many, water does more than just quench thirst. It's mother nature's own prescription for life and health. Eight glasses of water a day can do wonders for your body.
Our skin needs water for elasticity. Dehydration can leave skin looking dry and dull, drink lots of water. Water helps rid the body of toxins and rehydrates the skin to promote a healthier complexion.
Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.
When you suddenly feel tired or drowsy in the middle of the day, you could be dehydrated.Mild dehydration is one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue.Drinking water throughout the day ang during exercise will keep you feeling vibrant ang energized.
Here'sa simple cure for constipation-drink lots of water.Water is necessary for proper digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals.Water adds fluid to the colon ang bulk to the stools,making bowel movement softer and easier to pass.
Water is nature's most important detoxifier.It helps clean our bodies by helping dilute ang eliminate accumulated toxins through our kidneys and through sweating.
Can't concentrate? You might need a glass of water.Dehydration causes poor blood circulation, which leads to slower brain function.As a result, you feel more tired and you have difficulty concentrating.
Did you know that dehydration causes eye bags? Here's why: Lack of water makes the eye sink, while under-eye circles are caused by thin skin being bruised as fluid drains away. Drinking 2 glasses of water in the morning will help prevent eye bags.
Studies show that water helps lubricated and cushion joints and muscles. Drinking water before, during, and after exercise xcan also help reduce muscle cramping ang premature fatigue.
By increasing your water consumption, you can help lower the chances of your arteries hardening, high blood pressure and cholesterol-the leading causes of heart attack.
Studies show that chronic unintentional dehydration may cause arthritis, heartburn, migraine and many other body pains. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day could prevent body pain.
Our skin needs water for elasticity. Dehydration can leave skin looking dry and dull, drink lots of water. Water helps rid the body of toxins and rehydrates the skin to promote a healthier complexion.
Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.
When you suddenly feel tired or drowsy in the middle of the day, you could be dehydrated.Mild dehydration is one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue.Drinking water throughout the day ang during exercise will keep you feeling vibrant ang energized.
Here'sa simple cure for constipation-drink lots of water.Water is necessary for proper digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals.Water adds fluid to the colon ang bulk to the stools,making bowel movement softer and easier to pass.
Water is nature's most important detoxifier.It helps clean our bodies by helping dilute ang eliminate accumulated toxins through our kidneys and through sweating.
Can't concentrate? You might need a glass of water.Dehydration causes poor blood circulation, which leads to slower brain function.As a result, you feel more tired and you have difficulty concentrating.
Did you know that dehydration causes eye bags? Here's why: Lack of water makes the eye sink, while under-eye circles are caused by thin skin being bruised as fluid drains away. Drinking 2 glasses of water in the morning will help prevent eye bags.
Studies show that water helps lubricated and cushion joints and muscles. Drinking water before, during, and after exercise xcan also help reduce muscle cramping ang premature fatigue.
By increasing your water consumption, you can help lower the chances of your arteries hardening, high blood pressure and cholesterol-the leading causes of heart attack.
Studies show that chronic unintentional dehydration may cause arthritis, heartburn, migraine and many other body pains. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day could prevent body pain.
Exercise can reduce cancer treatment side effects
An estimated 1.3 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed last year, according to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Most of those cases required treatment that produced side effects such as weight gain or loss, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. University of Missouri-Columbia researchers have found that exercise can benefit some cancer patients who undergo treatment, combating the chronic disease by helping them cope with the side effects.
Vicki Conn, associate dean of research and professor of nursing, and a team of researchers from MU's Sinclair School of Nursing examined the effects of exercise on cancer-treatment patients. They found that exercise reduced side effects associated with cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. Specifically, the research showed that exercise does benefit the physical functions of patients currently or recently being treated for cancer.
"Improvement in physical function, such as the ability to climb a flight of stairs or walk a certain distance, is an important outcome because it greatly impacts patients with jobs and children," Conn said. "Exercise can reduce recovery time and help patients feel better as they deal with the side effects ofcancer treatment."
The research also demonstrated that exercise benefits patient body composition, or percentage of body fat, and eases symptoms other than fatigue, such as pain, nausea and vomiting. In addition, the scientists detected modest improvements in quality of life, mood and level of fatigue after exercise.
"All patients should speak with their doctors before implementing any exercise regimen with cancer treatment," Conn said. "Many patients over the age of 50 have other chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, which must be taken into consideration."
The study was published in the July issue of Supportive Care in Cancer. Conn's research is one component of the Sinclair School of Nursing research on chronic illness, an effort funded by a National Institutes of Health $800,000 grant. Conn recommends that future studies on exercise intervention and cancer treatment use a standardized exercise program to produce comparable results.
Vicki Conn, associate dean of research and professor of nursing, and a team of researchers from MU's Sinclair School of Nursing examined the effects of exercise on cancer-treatment patients. They found that exercise reduced side effects associated with cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. Specifically, the research showed that exercise does benefit the physical functions of patients currently or recently being treated for cancer.
"Improvement in physical function, such as the ability to climb a flight of stairs or walk a certain distance, is an important outcome because it greatly impacts patients with jobs and children," Conn said. "Exercise can reduce recovery time and help patients feel better as they deal with the side effects ofcancer treatment."
The research also demonstrated that exercise benefits patient body composition, or percentage of body fat, and eases symptoms other than fatigue, such as pain, nausea and vomiting. In addition, the scientists detected modest improvements in quality of life, mood and level of fatigue after exercise.
"All patients should speak with their doctors before implementing any exercise regimen with cancer treatment," Conn said. "Many patients over the age of 50 have other chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, which must be taken into consideration."
The study was published in the July issue of Supportive Care in Cancer. Conn's research is one component of the Sinclair School of Nursing research on chronic illness, an effort funded by a National Institutes of Health $800,000 grant. Conn recommends that future studies on exercise intervention and cancer treatment use a standardized exercise program to produce comparable results.
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