PROTIME-FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

  STRESS TESTS REVEAL MORE THAN CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH         The treadmill exercise test with electrocardiogram (ECG), also known as an exercise stress test, is one of the most familiar tests in medicine. While exercise testing typically focuses on diagnosing coronary artery disease, a recent study from the Mayo Clinic finds that exercise test abnormalities, such as low functional aerobic capacity, predicted non-cardiovascular causes of death, such as cancer and cardiovascular-related deaths. These new findings are published in  Mayo Clinic Proceedings . The exercise stress test is noninvasive, readily available, and provides important diagnostic information. In addition to the ECG, the test produces data on functional aerobic capacity, heart rate recovery, and chronotropic index, the standardized measure of heart rate during exercise that reflects age, resting heart rate, and fitness. "In our exercise testing cohort, non-cardiovascular deaths were more frequently observed than c

  BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS ACCURATE IN MEASURING BODY COMPOSITION TO A POINT       Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a method used for estimating body composition. This method estimates body composition based on the degree of current flow in the body, allowing noninvasive and rapid measurement, and is used in home-use body composition monitors and other devices. However, existing estimation methods might not be sufficient for accurately assessing skeletal muscle mass in athletes and active men, whose muscle quality and composition differ from those of the general adult population. In this study, researchers from the University of Tsukuba evaluated the validity of bioelectrical impedance for estimating skeletal muscle mass, specifically in athletes and active men. Results revealed a strong correlation between lean muscle mass and bioelectrical impedance indices, confirming that bioelectrical impedance is helpful for this purpose. In addition, bioelectrical impedance is effecti

  ASTHMA EXACERBATED BY COOKING AND CANDLE FUMES A cozy set table, a nice steak in the pan, and romantic candlelight may sound like the start of a lovely evening. However, a new study from the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University suggests you should be cautious about inhaling too much of the cozy atmosphere. Karin Rosenkilde Laursen, a postdoc at the department and co-author of the study, says: "Our study shows that indoor air pollution caused by fumes from cooking and burning candles can lead to adverse health effects such as irritation and inflammation in young individuals with mild asthma. Among other things, we've found indications of DNA damage and signs of inflammation in the blood." When we turn on the oven, place a pan on the hob, or light candles, ultrafine particles and gases are produced, which we then inhale. Previous studies have shown that these particles and gases can harm health. What sets this study apart is that the researchers have focused o

  LUNG TUMOR GROWTH STIMULATED BY ANTIOXIDANTS         Vitamin C and other antioxidants stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in lung cancer tumors, a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in  The Journal of Clinical Investigation  shows .  The discovery corroborates the idea that dietary supplements containing antioxidants can accelerate tumor growth and metastasis. "We've found that antioxidants activate a mechanism that causes cancer tumors to form new blood vessels, which is surprising since it was previously thought that antioxidants have a protective effect," says study leader Martin Bergö, professor at the Department of Biosciences and Nutrition and vice president of Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. "The new blood vessels nourish the tumors and can help them grow and spread." Antioxidants neutralize free oxygen radicals, which can damage the body and are commonly found in dietary supplements. However, overly high doses can be harmful. &quo

  MENOPAUSE STUDY REVEALS LACK OF RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENTS        Although about half of people go through menopause, less than 15% receive adequate treatment for their symptoms. Treatment options for people experiencing irritating or severe menopause symptoms are often under-researched, and some have questionable efficacy or cause harmful side effects. In a comprehensive review published in the journal  Cell , a team of menopause experts summarizes what we know about menopause, calls for more research into the timeline and treatment of menopause, and encourages individualized, holistic treatment that addresses menopausal symptoms and other systemic changes happening in the body. "The road to menopause is not difficult for all, but for some, symptoms may be severe or even disabling and disruptive to work and family," write the authors, who are based in Australia, Italy, and the United States. "Recognition that menopause, for most women, is a nat

  RESISTANT STARCH SUPPLEMENTS REDUCE TRIGLYCERIDES IN PEOPLE WITH FATTY LIVER DISEASE Resistant starch is a nondigestible fiber that ferments in the large intestine, and its consumption has been shown to positively affect metabolism in animal studies. A 4-month randomized controlled trial in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) indicates that daily intake of resistant starch can alter gut bacteria composition and lower liver triglycerides and liver enzymes associated with liver injury and inflammation. This research appeared in the journal  Cell Metabolism. NAFLD, caused by a buildup of fat in the liver, affects about 30% of the population worldwide. It can lead to severe liver diseases and contribute to other conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Currently, there is no approved medicine available to treat NAFLD. Doctors usually recommend dietary changes and exercise to alleviate the conditions. "We think it would be very meaningful if w

  EXTREME DIETS NEGATIVELY IMPACT HEALTH ACCORDING TO THE LATEST RESEARCH         A new study, published in  The Journal of Nutrition,  suggests that extreme dietary habits involving carbohydrates and fats affect life expectancy. Researchers from Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan led by Dr. Takashi Tamura found that a low carbohydrate intake in men and a high carbohydrate intake in women are associated with a higher risk of all-cause and cancer-related mortality and that women with higher fat intake may have a lower risk of all-cause mortality. Their findings suggest that people should pursue a balanced diet rather than heavily restricting their carbohydrate or fat intake. While low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets are becoming popular as a way to promote weight loss and improve blood glucose levels, their long-term effects on life expectancy are less clear. Interestingly, recent studies conducted in Western countries suggest that extreme dietary habits for carbohydr