By Maya Shetty By now, we have all heard that exercise is good for us. But why is this? And if it’s so beneficial, why is it so hard to get up and do it? Nearly 80% of US adults are not meeting The Center for Disease Control(CDC) exercise guidelines, which call for a minimum […]
This small proof-of-concept study found something for further exploration: the high dietary fiber vs low dietary fiber interaction with different prebiotic supplements. The study found that the supplements only affected those who weren’t taking in dietary fiber, thus taking prebiotic supplements may be ineffective if you already consume the recommended amounts of dietary fiber. The […]
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 […]
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 […]
This article is a fantastic summary of the work on creatine and dispelling myths. Creatine is one of the approved, safe, and effective aids for older adults. In this population, creatine supplementation can be beneficial for improving healthspan and muscle preservation. Some key findings of this article show: Creatine loading is not necessary, but it […]