Category Archives: Health Issues

New Study Suggests “Heavy but Healthy” is a Myth for Heart Health

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A new study has examined the relationship between weight, physical activity, and cardiovascular health.

According to this new research regular exercise cannot offset negative effects of excess body weight on heart health. Giving pause to the idea that one can be heavy and completely healthy.

The study was published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology.

This new study contradicts previous studies which found that physical activity could help counter the effects of extra body weight on the heart. The study stated that being heavy but healthy equates approximately to being thin and unhealthy when it comes to the cardiovascular system.

The author of the study worries that recent prioritization of physical activity overweight loss is a dangerous road for many patients to go down. They believe their data shows that the opposite is true.

The study examined over fifty thousand Spanish adults and found that physical activity was important for everyone to maintain cardiovascular health but that weight is still a factor.

Two New CDC Studies Link Group Exercise to Covid Outbreaks

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Two new studies suggests that wearing masks and taking other safety precautions are vital to stopping Covid-19 from spreading while engaged in indoor group exercise published by the CDC.

These two recent studies linked outbreaks of Covid-19 from this summer to indoor group exercise facilities in Honolulu and Chicago. In the study from Chicago an staggering 60% of patrons who attended fitness classes at certain facility from August 24-September 1tested positive for Covid-19. Another 7% of patrons reported Covid related symptoms during this time period.

Some precautions were in place at this facility, like temperature checks and symptom screen on entry. However, removal of masks was allowed during exercise according to the CDC report.

In the Honolulu incident 21 cases of Covid-19 were linked to a fitness instructor who tested positive for Covid-19 on July 1. Approximately two days before feeling related symptoms the fitness instructor held a yoga class for 27 people while wearing a mask. No cases were reported among these participants.

However, a few hours before the instructor felt the onset of symptoms, they led a stationary cycling class with 10 students. None of them wore masks. All of these participants later tested positive. This group included another instructor who was linked to additional cases.

The first report suggested that increased breathing during exercise in an enclosed space increases virus transmission. The CDC suggested gyms need to decrease class sizes and require physical distancing. However, the CDC still recommends mask wearing even with physical distancing to reduce virus transmission.

 

 

Fusion Health and Vitality Supplement Recall

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The FDA has posted a recall notice for two dietary supplements. Fusion Health and Vitality LLC reported that all of its 2020 Core Essential Nutrients and Immune Boost Sublingual Vitamin D3 are subject to recall for different reasons.

Fusion Health and Vitality’s Core Essential Nutrients supplement, according to the company, contains an unapproved food additive called hordenine HCl. Hordenine HCl, as per the recall notice, might be unsafe when taken by mouth. It may have stimulant like side effects like rapid heart rate or high blood pressure.

Fusion Health and Vitality’s Immune Boost Sublingual Vitamin D3 is being recalled due to a labeling mistake. According to the recall the Immune Boost Sublingual Vitamin D3 supplement’s labels were found to have statements which caused them to not be approved by the FDA. No adverse reactions are known due to this issue.

“Fusion Health and Vitality is notifying its customers by email and is arranging for return of all recalled products,” the company said. “Consumers that have product which is being recalled should stop using it and return it to Fusion Health and Vitality for destruction.”

 

New Study Concludes Vegans at High Risk for Bone Fractures

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According to the findings in a new study people who don’t eat meat, vegans in particular might be at a higher risk for bone fractures.

The research was done at the University of Oxford. It found that meatless eaters and vegans in particular were at a higher risk overall for fractures but also some specific fractures, like hip fractures.

Researchers came to this conclusion by studying almost 55,000 people around the age of 50. They were studied over four years in 1993-2001. They were put into four groups: meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans.

The researchers found that vegetarians where at +9% risk for any kind of fracture when compare to meat eaters and vegans were at a shocking +43% risk.

When it came to hip fractures vegans had a 2.3 times higher risk for hip fractures when compare to meat eaters. Vegetarians and fish eaters were only at about +25% risk of a hip fracture.

Researchers adjusted for calcium and protein intake but even then all non-meat eaters were still at increased risk for fractures even though the risk factor did go down slightly after the adjustment.

 

4 Easy Ways to Help Increase Serotonin Levels

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Serotonin is a neurotransmitter or hormone that maintains mood and well-being. It helps regulate appetite, sleep, learning, memory and cognition.

Sounds like something we could all use more of, doesn’t it? You aren’t wrong. Low serotonin levels are linked to depression.

What can you do to increase your serotonin levels?

For one, you can exercise regularly. Anything you enjoy will do. From simply taking walks, to yoga, cycling or weight training. 30 minutes three times a week is a recommended minimum to see results for increased serotonin.

Second, a better diet can. Serotonin is created by the body from tryptophan which comes only from one’s diet. The body cannot produce it. Some common, high-tryptophan foods are: eggs, sa

Getting more light is a third thing you can do to help. You’ve probably heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is a type of seasonal depression caused primarily by lack of light. If you can’t make it out in the day time there are many sun lamps on the market. 20-30 minutes of from 2 feet away, not looking at the light directly, should help increase serotonin levels.

A fourth thing to try is getting a massage. Massages decrease cortisol, the alarm hormone (that causes the fight or flight response). Unreleased cortisol can cause anxiety by keeping you on “high alert” and increase your heart rate. Massages will lower cortisol and increase serotonin.