Search Results for: blog midlife fitness level may predict future heart health

Physical Activity Reduces Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s

After just writing about the importance of seeing fitness as something that encompasses body, mind and spirit, I wasn’t surprised to read about research just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, which indicate that regular exercise may help prevent cognitive problems.  Specifically it’s found that those who remain physically fit during the mid-life years were almost 40% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s or dementia. Previous research has found that regular exercise can prevent a host of other health problems, such as arthritis, certain types of cancer and stroke. It’s also been found that an individual’s level of health during … Continue reading →

Negative Consequences of Yo-Yo Dieting

Most of us know that yo-yo dieting (losing weight, gaining weight, losing again, gaining again) isn’t good for your health.  Studies in the past have suggested that it could lead to gallbladder disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure. It may also have a negative psychological impact, such as leading to depression.  It can actually decrease your motivation and make you feel that weight loss will never happen. According to new research by Wake Forest University, in postmenopausal women yo-yo dieting may actually increase the risk of developing heart disease.  One of the things that can happen is that although blood … Continue reading →

Overweight and Healthy?

In the past I have blogged about how health isn’t strictly based on body size. In fact, you can be skinny and unhealthy. Now a new study says that not everyone who is overweight is at risk of developing health problems. In other words, you can be carrying around extra pounds and still be healthy. The term being given to these people is “metabolically healthy.” This means they don’t have high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes or a resistance to insulin. So their risk of death is no greater than another person at a healthy weight. For whatever reason, unexplainable … Continue reading →

How Much Do You Value Your Life?

How much value do you place on your life? I was reading an article in the “Huffington Post” the other day where it was reported that by the year 2030, there will be 42% of Americans who are obese. Think about that…nearly half of the population in this nation will be at risk of developing serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. And that’s not even taking into consideration those who don’t quite fall into the obese category, such as the overweight. After I read this article the first thought that crossed my mind was, “Do we really … Continue reading →

Men Exercise More Than Women

I recently read in an article that the recommended guidelines of getting in at least 30 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least four to five times a week is more likely to happen with men. Yes women, men are apparently doing better at meeting fitness guidelines. The importance of exercise cannot be understated. It can prevent more than just putting on extra weight. It can ward off serious health problems. One of the biggest concerns in this country is a condition called metabolic syndrome. It usually strikes individuals who are obese. It is a set … Continue reading →

Midlife Fitness Level May Predict Future Heart Health

What if there was a way to predict what your future heart health might look like? Well there just may be and it’s done by measuring your fitness level mid-life, starting in your 40’s. Two studies were done…one by the Cooper Institute in Dallas and another by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. The results of both indicated that potential heart problems could be predicted by determining your level of fitness. We already know that certain risk factors can also indicate whether or not you are more likely to have future heart problems, such as smoking and obesity. But … Continue reading →