PROTIME-FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Diets high in protein, particularly plant protein, linked to lower risk of death Findings support recommendations to increase consumption of plant proteins Date:  July 22, 2020 Source: BMJ Summary:  Diets high in protein, particularly plant protein, are associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, finds an analysis of the latest evidence. Diets high in protein, particularly plant protein, are associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, finds an analysis of the latest evidence published by  The BMJ  today. The researchers say these findings "support current dietary recommendations to increase consumption of plant proteins in the general population." Diets high in protein, particularly protein from plants such as legumes (peas, beans, and lentils), whole grains and nuts, have been linked to lower risks of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, while regular consumption of red meat and high intake of animal proteins have been linked to severa...

It’s a Superpower’: How Walking Makes Us Healthier, Happier and Brainier Neuroscientist Shane O’Mara believes that plenty of regular walking unlocks the cognitive powers of the brain like nothing else. He explains why you should exchange your gym kit for a pair of comfy shoes and get strolling. Amy Fleming Taking a stroll with Shane O’Mara is a risky endeavour. The neuroscientist is so passionate about walking, and our collective right to go for walks, that he is determined not to let the slightest unfortunate aspect of urban design break his stride. So much so, that he has a habit of darting across busy roads as the lights change. “One of life’s great horrors, as you’re walking, is waiting for permission to cross the street,” he tells me when we are forced to stop for traffic – a rude interruption when, as he says, “the experience of synchrony when walking together is one of life’s great pleasures”. He knows this not only through personal experience, but from cold, hard data – walk...

CARBS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL   Whether you’re in a grocery store, a restaurant or just watching the commercials on TV during your favorite show, you are bombarded with ads and special menus singing the praises of the virtues of the low carb diet. This low carb craze has virtually swept the western world and has dieters everywhere seeking out low carb this and low carb that with many reporting weight loss as a result.   This is great news, right? Finally, an easy diet plan makes you lose weight and you can eat lots of food as long as they have almost no carbs in them. Is the idea of eating a low carb diet for weight loss really a good idea or are there any side effects that may come with these diets that adversely affect our health?   Consider this, many people want something for nothing and this way of thinking also applies to those looking to lose weight but unfortunately there is no miracle substitute to good sound nutritional practices. Our society is one th...

Advocacy works! Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act By Jonathan Cheng This week marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In 1990, the ADA made clear that public transit must be fully accessible to persons with disabilities.  The SFMTA continues its commitment to developing a more comprehensive accessible transportation network including improving accessible bus, rail and paratransit services. As we reflect on thirty years of the ADA creating a more accessible transportation system, we also recognize there are many opportunities that lie ahead. The ADA clearly mandated that both transit service accessibility and paratransit were an obligation of all transit agencies in the nation and moved the needle forward in terms of accountability. However, Muni’s commitment to providing access for seniors and persons with disabilities accessibility predates the ADA. Muni started to purchase buses with wheelcha...

The best material for homemade face masks may be a combination of two fabrics In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear masks in public. Because N95 and surgical masks are scarce and should be reserved for health care workers, many people are making their own coverings. Now, researchers report in  ACS Nano  that a combination of cotton with natural silk or chiffon can effectively filter out aerosol particles -- if the fit is good. SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is thought to spread mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or breathes. These droplets form in a wide range of sizes, but the tiniest ones, called aerosols, can easily slip through the openings between certain cloth fibers, leading some people to question whether cloth masks can actually help prevent disease. Therefore, Supratik Guha at the University of Chicago and colleagues...

A fasting diet could boost breast cancer therapy A USC-led team of scientists has found that a fasting-mimicking diet combined with hormone therapy has the potential to help treat breast cancer, according to newly published animal studies and small clinical trials in humans. In studies on mice and in two small breast cancer clinical trials, researchers at USC and the IFOM Cancer Institute in Milan -- in collaboration with the University of Genova -- found that the fasting-mimicking diet reduces blood insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and leptin. In mice, these effects appear to increase the power of the cancer hormone drugs tamoxifen and fulvestrant and delay any resistance to them. The results from 36 women treated with hormone therapy and a fasting-mimicking diet are promising, but researchers say it is still too early to determine whether the effects will be confirmed in large-scale clinical trials. The research was published in the journal  Nature . "Our new study ...

Increased blood sugar levels may decrease the benefits of aerobic exercise Date:  July 20, 2020 Source:  Joslin Diabetes Center Summary:  Some benefits of aerobic exercise may be dampened by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia. These diminished gains are seen in mouse models and humans with chronic hyperglycemia that is in the 'prediabetes' range.  Share: FULL STORY Every doctor recommends regular aerobic exercise since greater aerobic fitness is important for achieving better overall health. But Joslin Diabetes Center scientists now have discovered that some benefits of aerobic exercise may be dampened by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, a condition is known as hyperglycemia. These diminished gains are seen in mouse models and humans with chronic hyperglycemia that is in the "prediabetes" range, says Sarah Lessard, Ph.D., a Joslin assistant investigator in the section of Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research and senio...