Health News

Eating poorly and neglecting activity has always been known to cause certain health problems as well as increase your susceptibility to them. In a recent literature review published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal), the link between this neglect leading to obesity and cancer is actually stronger than professionals once thought.

The journal covers a group of over 200 cases that focused on the links between cancer indices and mortality. From these, it showed that an increased BMI had an extremely strong link to the development of esophageal, pancreatic, colorectal, and other forms of cancer. In fact, over half of all cancer in these 200 meta-analyses were linked with a higher BMI. The researchers went a step further and discovered that there may also be a relationship between waist circumference and postmenopausal breast cancer. [Kyrgiou M, Kalliala I, Markozannes G, et al. Adiposity and cancer at major anatomical sites: umbrella review of the literature. BMJ.]

While this may sound super scary and reads like anyone that is even slightly overweight is at a much higher risk of cancer, this is not exactly true. The research shows a link between the two but did not dive into exactly how obese each person was or what their other medical conditions were outside of their weight. To really keep this monkey off of our backs, especially as we continue to age, making sure we correctly handle that issue is a smart move. Obesity can also lead to other things and while cancer is certainly the worst of the bunch, diabetes and a lack of any real energy and push can be just as life-threatening.

Luckily, there is a semi-challenging way to prevent this and that is with proper regular workouts to help balance things out. Regular exercise has been proven to combat obesity and improve health overall on an internal level. Especially if you push yourself to always sweat every workout which will, in turn, increase your cardio activity, begin to burn fat, and also adjust your cholesterol levels accordingly. I would never say working out 3 – 4 times a week is an easy habit to develop but that’s why there are personal trainers waiting to help us with their own techniques to make each workout exciting and engaging. Until next time, think healthy, be healthy!

This is one of those stories that caught my attention and was reported by none other than NBC News. The reason I’ve decided to include it here, however, is simply because of its general knowledge that just about any health enthusiast can benefit from. The story ran similar to many diet fads by mentioning how it was a brand new thing however, we’ve known the benefits of a diet similar to this for years now. The Mediterranean diet they are referring to is your basic fruits, vegetables, olive oil, beans and grains that everyone consumed throughout their lives. However, in the study conducted, a thousand of older citizens showed a reduced loss in brain volume as those that strayed from the diet during the lives.

To quote Dr. David Knopman who was featured in the video:

“Reduced loss in the people who adhered to the med diet would in general be expected to protect them from developing dimentia.”

While eating right and keeping a fixed diet is commonplace nowadays, hearing scientific proof of a diet actually effective brain function is very interesting. In addition to these dietary additions, we also know that fish and omega3 fatty acids play a key role in keeping your mind running as sharply as they can be. What they didn’t mention about the diet, however, is how it keeps all the things necessary for your body to operate right there with you. Your body needs good healthy fats, fiber, and good cholesterol which every item mentioned on the list is rich in. Especially the vegetables and grains!

This “expose” was definitely informative but for anyone on the path to healthy living, you can expect to receive these benefits and more as you continue down the road of proper fitness and nutrition. To see more of the NBC news story, check out this link here!

Until next time, think healthy, be healthy!

For anyone who is diagnosed with or know someone who has diabetes, we all understand that the age old insulin shots are not only painful but can be rather cumbersome in a public place. However, due to its necessity and quick penetration of the blood stream, we have continued to use this method for decades. That may all change as inhalable insulin has finally been developed and may change how both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is taken care of.

Afrezza, one of the forerunners for inhalable diabetes, reduces the amount of injections needed to take daily. Instead of taken dozens of injections of short acting insulin, a breath of Afrezza gives long lasting relief for both type-1 and type-2. While this is only for patients that do not suffer from respiratory issues, the ability to take away from the high requirements of healthy living should be a welcome comfort for any patient that requires insulin daily.

According to Dr. Manessis (a doctor who works with diabetic patients daily):

“What made it possible is a unique combination of molecules that micro-encapsulate the fragile insulin. This protects it until it gets deep into the lungs where it dissolves and released into the bloodstream. It also acts faster so there is an extent of its usage. There is also less risk of too low blood sugar level.”

While this isn’t an absolute cure for the disease, it should definitely prove useful to the nearly 29 million people in the US alone who have diabetes. If nothing else, for the people like myself that wince at the thought of a needle in the arm daily, inhalable insulin will offer a smart and effective alternative.

That’s it for today’s news and until next time, think healthy, be healthy.