Working out offers a lot of health benefits, and the risks are astonishingly small, according to a new study from the United Kingdom. “This work demonstrates that engaging in fitness activities is overwhelmingly a safe and beneficial pursuit,” said study co-author Dr. Sean Williams, a researcher at the University of Bath Center for Health and… read on > read on >
All Do It Herself:
Even a Little Physical Activity Can Offset a Day Spent Sitting
Even a little exercise can counter the harms of sitting all day, a new study suggests. Prolonged sitting raises your odds for an early death, but just 20 to 25 minutes of physical activity a day may offset that risk, researchers found. “If people, for any reason, are sedentary for most of the day, small… read on > read on >
7,500 Daily Steps Before Surgery and Complication Risks Plummet
Getting a certain number of steps each day can help people improve their fitness, but new research shows it also can pay off in the operating room. The odds of complications within 90 days after hospital discharge were reduced by half if a patient was getting more than 7,500 steps a day before their procedure,… read on > read on >
Heated Yoga Might Be a Natural Antidepressant
Heated yoga classes can help some people with depression feel a lot better within a couple months — even if they practice just once a week, a small clinical trial suggests. The study, of 65 people with moderate-to-severe depression, found that those randomly assigned to heated yoga classes saw a greater symptom improvement over eight… read on > read on >
Best Foot Forward: Tips to Keeping Feet Healthy
Most people spend a lot of time on their feet, so it’s a good idea to take care of them. With proper care, you can minimize the stress your feet take on when holding you up and getting you around, an expert says. “Common problems that people face include hammertoes, blisters, plantar fasciitis and bunions.… read on > read on >
Seniors, 18 Holes of Golf Might Make You Smarter
Want to do something to protect your thinking skills as you age? Swing that golf club or go for a walk. A new study found that walking about 3.7 miles or playing 18 holes of golf improved cognitive function. Nordic walking, a type of full-body walking using poles, showed the same benefit. “These findings underscore… read on > read on >
Renters May Age Faster Than Homeowners, Study Finds
Renting a home, rather than owning it outright, may speed up the body’s aging process, a new study suggests. Researchers found that when compared with people who owned their home outright (no mortgage), those who rented showed signs of faster “biological aging” — which meant their body cells and tissues were a bit “older.” On… read on > read on >
Wegovy, Ozempic Help Folks Lose Weight, But How?
As many doctors and patients hail the advent of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy as the perfect fix for obesity, some experts are urging caution. The drugs are not well-tolerated by everyone struggling with obesity. For some folks, the weight piles back on as soon as the medication stops. There are also financial and… read on > read on >
Running vs. Meds: Which Works Best to Beat Depression?
Exercise has been dubbed “nature’s antidepressant” by doctors for years, and now a new study confirms the notion. The finding follows a four-month look at the impact that running had on anxiety and depression when compared to a common antidepressant. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work by boosting levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that’s a… read on > read on >
Could Living Football Players Be Overdiagnosed for CTE?
Former pro football players with symptoms of depression or anxiety are far more likely to receive an unverifiable diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) than players without those mental health conditions, a new study reports. Players with depression are 9.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with CTE, while players with both depression and anxiety… read on > read on >