Myths about exercise

Saw this posted on someone's FB page. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who actually believe this pseudo-logic about exercise and staying healthy.

Here's my take on each of these points....do you agree or disagree?

1. Postman - Exercise DOES have a protective effect against other risk factors, but it doesn't make you immortal if you still do the negative behaviors. Many studies show that exercise has a definite protective effect.

2. That's because that's the way a whale was CREATED to be and function! We don't live in an ocean and dive down to great depths, so we're designed differently.

3. Sin is the author of death, not exercise. A sedentary, obese rabbit lives a lot shorter life.

4. We aren't designed like turtles so if we did the same, we would fall apart.

Bottomline: We humans were DESIGNED and CREATED to be active! If you don't use it, you lose it. Plain and simple. Don't believe the junk that's on the Internet and don't compare ourselves to animals because we aren't like them!

Foods that fight inflammation

3-21-13: I tell my patients that I keep seeing articles and studies on inflammation...and here's another one I just read today! Researchers talk about the inflammation process, and what foods can help to reduce inflammation in the body. You can read about the study here: http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/the-foods-that-can-help-fight-inflammation-an-update-from-uab/information/

Eating healthy less expensive!

3-21-13: Found this interesting study that studied low-income families using a food bank for part of their food supply and taught them how to cook and eat on a healthy, Mediterranean diet. The follow-up results showed that they reduced their weekly food bill and reliance on the food bank!

Read more about this study here: http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/plant-based-mediterranean-diet-has-financial-benefits-says-new-study/nutrition-mediterranean-diet/

As a side benefit (though not studied), they lost weight as well! Now that's a win-win situation. ;-)

Sugar takes another hit from AHA

3-21-13: Liquid death...before you drink that next sugary drink, check out this latest report by the American Heart Assoc.:

"180,000 deaths worldwide may be associated with sugary drinks"

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/aha-1dw031413.php

And here's the AHA's recommendation on how much added sugar one should consume: 9 teaspoons (150 kcals) for men; 6 (100 kcals) for women. 

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Sugars-and-Carbohydrates_UCM_303296_Article.jsp

Loma Linda Community Hike April 7

Come join a hike organized by the Loma Linda Parks & Historical Society! Great way to learn more about the trails above Hulda Crooks park.

Where: Hulda Crooks Park
When: April 7, 8:00 AM
Who: Anyone who loves to hike!
Cost: Free!

Hope to see you there!

Newest exercise class: Harlem Shake!

3-13-13: One of the most renowned PA Evangelists, Dr. Toni Yancey (UCLA), posted this video clip and I loved it! Was thinking of something similar. If you don't know about the Harlem Shake craze, search for it on Youtube and you'll be amazed. Fortunately, this is a more kosher version...kudos to Dr. Toni for getting this posted!

PA Recommendations: How are we doing?

3-7-13: The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in partnership with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, is happy to announce the release of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth [PDF - 2.2 MB].

The recommendations came out in 2008, and this is the first report showing how we are doing. You can check it out and more at the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans website.