Most of us spend a large portion of our day sitting in office or at home. There is a price we have to pay for prolonged sitting – a detrimental cardio-metabolic health. This includes increasing risk for a group of preventable chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. A large […]
This study examined whether progressive overload via increasing weight or increasing repetitions elicited similar muscular adaptations. Progressive overload is the continual increase of workload over time throughout a training regimen, which is necessary to stimulate ongoing muscular adaptation and is traditionally accomplished through increases in load (weight). This study investigated using continual increases in repetitions as compared to weight […]
Money is important but is it everything? Does money buy happiness? These questions come up frequently but what are the answers? A daily survey in 2010 of 1,000 US residents conducted by the Gallup Organization showed that emotional well-being improved with raising income but this relationship diminished and plateau with further increasing of income beyond a […]
During periods of stress, many of us forgo exercising and indulge in unhealthy eating. This study provides insight into how physical acitivty can lead to stress reduction and enhance positive feelings if we are able to include exercise into our daily schedule during difficult times. The effect of physical activity lasts for hours after the […]
This review article clearly highlights the importance of healthy lifestyle choices on mental health. Whole plant based diet and daily exercise have remarkable effects on our mood. In many studies, the effect has been described as equivalent to taking antidepressant medications. In addition, good sleep, daily gratitude, positive thoughts about the future, and being of […]
The beneficial effects of yoga, meditation and mind-body health were demonstrated in this study. 38 participants took part in a 3-month yoga and meditation retreat. Various measurements were obtained pre and post retreat. Significant increase in the plasma BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) level was found post retreat. BDNF promotes development, survival, and plasticity of […]
Research suggests that chronic stress interferes with the complicated neurological and hormonal system that regulates sleep.
It’s never too late to start undoing the damage caused by a poor diet.
A recently published study compared the effects walking in different environments has on the brain. Study participants were randomly assigned to go on a 60-minute walk in a natural or urban environment, and questionnaires and fMRI scans were administered before and after the walk. fMRI scans were used to measure the activation of different brain […]
The authors of this study found that lifestyle is more important than age in determining the risk of dementia. People with no risk factors for dementia (like smoking or diabetes) have similar brain health to people who are 10 to 20 years younger than them! By: Michael Fredericson, MD, Lifestyle Medicine Program Director Journal Reference: […]