PROTIME-FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

  Brain Uses Myelin as Emergency Fuel During Marathon Running A groundbreaking study has revealed that our brains have a previously unknown backup energy system: myelin, the protective coating around neurons, can serve as an emergency fuel source during intense physical activity like marathon running. Researchers from the University of the Basque Country made this surprising discovery by studying the brains of marathon runners before and after their races. After running 26 miles, athletes showed reduced myelin levels in 12 specific brain regions responsible for movement control, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. Even more fascinating was that these changes completely reversed themselves within two months. Think of myelin like the insulation around electrical wires in your home. It usually helps neurons transmit signals efficiently, but this research shows it has a second job as an emergency energy reserve. When runners deplete their primary energy sources—carbohydrates ...

  A Hundred Years of Transformation: U.S. Health in 1925 Life in 1925 was shorter, more complex, and far more precarious than today. The average American could expect to live just 47 years - a stark reminder of how far we've come in medical science. Parents lived with a constant fear that haunts few American families today: the very real possibility of losing a child in infancy. The shadow of the 1918 influenza pandemic still loomed large, having claimed lives at a staggering rate of 916 per 100,000 people. Unlike today's battles with heart disease and cancer, our great-grandparents faced an entirely different set of threats. Infectious diseases were the silent killers of their time. Typhoid fever swept through communities. Tuberculosis earned its grim nickname "the white plague." Pneumonia struck fear into parents' hearts, while diarrheal diseases and childhood illnesses like diphtheria and scarlet fever regularly turned family life upside down. The 1920s, though...

  BRAIN GPS IMPAIRED BY UNHEALTHY FOOD Ever gotten lost in a new neighborhood? Your diet might be partly to blame. In a fascinating breakthrough study, researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered something that might make you think twice about that next donut: the foods we eat could affect how well we navigate our world. And we're not just talking about the obvious stuff, like weight gain or heart health – we're talking about your brain's actual ability to remember where things are. Led by Dr. Dominic Tran, the research team tested this idea in a way that sounds more like a video game than a scientific study. They had 55 young adults, all university students between 18 and 38, try to find treasure in a virtual maze. Think of it as Pokémon Go meets science. Here's where it gets interesting: the participants who regularly loaded up on sugary snacks and fatty foods had more difficulty remembering where they'd found the treasure. It wasn't that they coul...

  Meat vs. Plants: The Great Protein Showdown A new study from the University of Illinois dropped a truth bomb with the CrossFit crowd and vegan warriors scratching their heads: Your muscles couldn't care less whether your protein comes from a cow or a legume. Let that sink in for a second. We've had this weird protein civil war going on for what feels like forever. On one side, you've got the meat-heads (pun intended) clutching their whey protein like it's liquid gold. Conversely, you've preached the gospel in and lentils. Both sides have been convinced they're right. Professor Nicholas Burd and his team decided to settle this once and for all. They tackled the big questions that keep fitness influencers up at night: Does the source of protein matter? Should you be eating it like clockwork throughout the day? And do you need to consume your body weight in protein powder? Short answer? No. Here's what they did: They rounded up 40 gym-goers and split them int...

  ART MAY BE THE PRESCRIPTION FOR BETTER HEALTH Looking at art isn't just about culture and aesthetics anymore—it might actually make your life better. That's according to groundbreaking research from Trinity College Dublin, which found that simply standing in front of a painting can boost your mental wellbeing, whether you're in a sterile hospital hallway or a world-class gallery. Think about the last time you stood before Van Gogh's swirling "Starry Night" or felt the raw emotion of Munch's "The Scream." Those moments weren't just culturally enriching but good for your mental health. And here's what's impressive: you don't need to be an art expert or even particularly "artsy" to reap the benefits. A team of researchers from Vienna, Dublin, and Berlin dug through decades of studies, examining how nearly 7,000 people responded to art. What they found challenges everything we thought we knew about art's societal role....

  Reasons For Snoring (And Effective Solutions to Stop It) If you snore, you're not alone. Millions of people have this issue, and it's more than just an annoying habit that drives your partner crazy. It can wreck your sleep quality and possibly your relationship, too. But here's the good news: science has found some solid ways to shut down the nighttime noise. Train Those Throat Muscles Remember how people tell you to hit the gym? Well, your throat needs a workout, too. It's called myofunctional therapy (try saying that three times fast), and it works. Think of it as CrossFit for your mouth—pushing your tongue up, making weird vowel sounds, and doing lip exercises. It sounds silly, but studies show it helps. Get Some Gear There's a mandibular advancement device—a fancy mouthguard holding your jaw forward while you sleep. It keeps your airway open, and many snorers swear by it. Change Up Your Life (Just a Bit) Some simple tweaks can make a huge difference: Drop a fe...