Its called the “Vitality Project” and for the town of Albert Lea, Minnesota, it has become more than just a weight-loss program. The endeavor was spearheaded by adventurer and travel writer Dan Buettner and sponsored by the AARP and United Health Foundation. It set out change the community and to make it a healthier place
Scientists are saying body mass index (BMI) is consistently linked to length and quality of sleep, opening a potential avenue of research into using sleep regulation to maintain a healthy body weight. Researchers, who were part of the Integrative Cardiac Health Project at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, analyzed the sleep, activity and energy expenditures
Researchers believe angiotensin 1-7, a hormone naturally produced by the body that has cardiovascular benefits, may also act to improve metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is associated with excess body fat in the midsection, high blood pressure, sugar and lipids levels. If untreated, it may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Israeli scientists
People who use herbal supplements that include a chemical found in licorice may heighten the risk of organ rejection following transplants, say Taiwanese researchers. A chemical in licorice, glycyrrhizin, is used in supplements as it may decrease the effects of stomach ulcers and liver disease, but it also decreases the absorption of an anti-rejection drug
As the economic crisis persists, so stress and depression levels grow, but ever more people are turning to alternative therapies to relieve their symptoms or to simply find escape. This has led to an explosion of popularity of mind/body techniques such as breathing exercises, physical exercise, yoga, tai chi, hypnosis or meditation as well as
One of the best defenses against poor health during cold and flu season may be a healthy and well-balanced diet. A report on ABC News suggests that there are certain herbs and spices that may offer a particular boost to the bodys immune system as it fights off illness. For example, oregano has been linked
DHEA supplementation in combination with vitamin D and calcium may increase bone density in older women, according to new research. DHEA is a naturally occurring steroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland, gonads and brain, whose low levels have been linked to lower bone density. Scientists from Saint Louis University and Washington University divided women
While HIV is currently incurable, scientists at the University of Michigan Medical Center reported that a molecule found in bananas may one day be used to slow or even halt the disease’s progress. The proteins in question are called lectins, according to research published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. In clinical tests, they performed
An ingredient found in the natural supplement green tea may help treat brain diseases such as Alzheimers, Huntingtons and Parkinsons. According to a study published in Natural Chemical Biology, mixing EGCG, a green tea ingredient, with the chemical DAPH-12 may help destroy amyloidsproteins that can lead to brain diseases. Some feel this study is significant
For centuries, red yeast rice has been taken by millions of individuals as a natural dietary supplement, although more recent there has been a protracted legal battle over whether to call this form of yeast a drug or a supplement, the Mayo Clinic reports. In either case, the extract taken from this variety of yeast