PROTIME-FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

 SUGAR SUBSTITUTE MAY HARM THE BRAIN A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder is raising concerns about erythritol, a sugar substitute found in products ranging from low-carb ice cream to “sugar-free” sodas. Once marketed as a safe choice for people with obesity and diabetes, erythritol may pose unexpected dangers to brain health—even in small amounts. Researchers discovered that exposing brain blood vessel cells to levels of erythritol similar to those found in a typical sugar-free beverage resulted in several harmful changes. The treated cells produced less nitric oxide, a compound that helps keep blood vessels relaxed and open. At the same time, they made more endothelin-1, a protein that tightens blood vessels. When researchers introduced a substance that would usually trigger a clot, cells exposed to erythritol were less able to produce t-PA, a natural enzyme that helps break down clots. The cells also generated more reactive oxygen species—free radicals that can da...

  SHARK ENCOUNTERS:  A SURVIVAL GUIDE Swimming in the ocean carries a slight chance of running into a shark, but you can make that risk even smaller—and boost your odds of getting out safely if you ever do see one. Most shark attacks happen close to shore, and they’re almost always unprovoked. People swimming alone, far from the beach, or in areas where sharks are known to feed or travel are more at risk. The same goes for anyone swimming at dawn or dusk, when sharks are more active, or those with open wounds—sharks can smell blood from a surprisingly long distance (apps.dtic.mil). To stack the odds in your favor, stay close to shore—less than 82 feet is a good rule. Skip swimming at dawn, dusk, or night, since those are prime shark feeding times. Leave the shiny jewelry and neon swimsuits at home; flashy colors and glinting metal can look like fish scales to a shark. Steer clear of areas where people are fishing, as bait and fish scraps can attract sharks. And if you’re bleed...

 RIP CURRENTS: STAYING SAFE IN THE OCEAN Rip currents—sometimes called riptides—are among the most dangerous threats at the beach. But knowing how to spot them, avoid them, and survive if you’re caught can make all the difference. Here’s what the science says, and what you need to know before you hit the water. How to Avoid Rip Currents Your best defense is to swim at a beach with lifeguards and stick between the safety flags. These flagged zones are checked for hazards, and lifeguards are on hand in case of an emergency (Bradstreet & Brander, 2014). Keep an eye out for signs of rip currents: water that looks darker or deeper than the areas around it, spots where waves aren’t breaking, or any visible stream of water heading away from the shore. These are classic signals of a rip current (Leatherman, 2012). A lot of drowning incidents happen simply because people don’t realize the danger or can’t spot a rip current. That’s why paying attention to posted warnings and learning wha...

 MUSCLE LOSS AND AGING: CAUSES, IMPACT, AND SOLUTIONS As we age, our muscles naturally atrophy—a process known as sarcopenia. This isn’t just about aging; it’s a complex interplay of factors that begins to work against our muscles as early as our thirties, with the pace accelerating after we reach 60. The main culprits? As we age, we typically move less, our bodies produce less growth hormone and testosterone, and low-level inflammation tends to persist in the background. On top of that, our cells aren’t as good at making new muscle proteins, our mitochondria (the energy centers of our cells) don’t work as well, and we start to lose motor neurons, all of which make it even harder to maintain or rebuild muscle mass (Physiological Reviews; Revista Ciencias de la Salud; The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). But muscle loss isn’t just about feeling a little weaker. Sarcopenia makes it harder to get around, raises the risk of falls and broken bones, and often forces old...

  EMOTIONAL EATING: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS Emotional eating occurs when individuals turn to food in response to stress or negative emotions, rather than genuine physical hunger. The reasons behind it are complex and multifaceted, intertwined with psychology, biology, and even childhood experiences. For some, emotional eating traces back to early family patterns, like when a caregiver offered cookies instead of comfort after a tough day. Others might have a genetic tendency or notice their cravings spike with hormonal changes (Springer; Springer). Addressing emotional eating means tackling these root causes directly. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) stands out as one of the most effective tools we have. CBT teaches individuals to recognize the thought patterns and habits that trigger emotional eating and replace them with healthier responses. Research indicates that CBT can help individuals manage their emotions related to food, although it tends to be more effective ...

  WALNUTS HELP LOWER LDL         Eating about ½ cup of walnuts every day for two years modestly lowered levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly referred to as "bad cholesterol." It reduced the  total number of LDL particles and small LDL particles in healthy, older adults, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal, Circulation. Healthy older adults who consumed a handful of walnuts (approximately ½ cup) daily for two years modestly reduced their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Consuming walnuts daily also reduced the number of LDL particles, a predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. Walnuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), which have been shown to benefit cardiovascular health. "Prior studies have shown that nuts in general, and walnuts in particular, are associated with lower rates of heart disease and stroke. One of the reasons is...

  CHRONIC PAIN: UTRASOUND MAY BE A  TREATMENT :         Pain is a necessary biological signal, but various conditions can cause these signals to become distorted. For people with chronic pain, the root is often faulty signals emerging deep within the brain, giving false alarms about a wound that has since healed, a limb that has since been amputated, or other intricate, hard-to-explain scenarios. Patients with this kind of life-altering pain are constantly looking for new treatment options; now, a new device from the University of Utah may represent a practical, long-sought solution. Researchers at the university's John and Marcia Price College of Engineering and Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine have published promising findings about an experimental therapy that has relieved many participants after a single treatment session. They are now recruiting participants for a final round of trials. Diadem, a new biomedical device at the core of this research,...