ED and your heart

Erectile Dysfunction is a predictor of mortality and cardiovascular disease. The study was published yesterday in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. 1549 cardiovascular patients underwent a double-blind in 13 countries, they reported 16.2% of ED patients died from cardiovascular problems, suffered heart attacks or strokes, or were hospitalized for heart failure. Only 10.3% of men with no or mild ED had similar outcomes.

ED is closely associated with conditions that occur in atherosclerosis and vascular problems, such as plaque buildup, which often precedes heart attacks and strokes.
photo credit: Nevada Tumbleweed

Reebok Zigtech

The cat is finally out of the bag, all these naked viral videos by Chad Ochoinco / Chuck Liddle and DaxShepard are  actually Reebok Zigtech commercials.

So what is the concept behind ZigTech? It is actually developed by former NASA engineer - a wavy foam platform that transfers energy from the heel area towards the forefoot as pressure is applied through footstrike. The idea to reduce fatique so you can last longer on a run.

Lets push all the marketing lingo aside and hear what an exercise physiologist has to say.

Exercise--Timing Is Everything

People who exercise outdoors could have impaired lung function due to pollution. A report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine stated that even young, healthy non-smokers that exercise outdoors are at risk for poor lung functioning. Impaired lung function can occur even when ozone pollution is at levels that are considered safe according to the clean-air laws. There are many kinds of pollutants: ozone, particulates, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and lead. Dr. Dennis Ownby, chief of allergy-immunology at the Medical College of Georgia says that it’s difficult to separate how each of these pollutants negatively impact the human body, because they all cause lung damage, heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and kill protective cells in the body. Constant exposure to pollutants eventually wears the body down and it loses its ability to fight back and protect the body. People who already have heart or lung problems are especially susceptible to polluted air. The cities that were the most polluted with ozone were:
• Washington, D.C.
• Richmond, VA
• Chattanooga, TN
• Charlotte, NC
Don’t use this as an excuse not to exercise, though. Ozone levels peak between 2 and 7 p.m., so schedule your outdoor activities, including exercise at the beginning and end of the day.
photo credit: bogenfreund

Good Karma for a Yoga Mat

If you have a used yoga mat you need to get rid of, don’t trash it -- recycle it! The Bolder Mat Company in Colorado will refurbish it and donate to a yoga-inspired charity. The mat will be used to teach at-risk populations about the benefits of yoga. Not only will you make someone else’s life better, you will receive a $5 coupon for a new yoga mat or accessory from The Bolder Mat Company. The process is simple:
1. Pack your mat including your personal information so they can send you a coupon.
2. Ship your mat to The Bolder Mat Company.
3. Donate and receive your coupon!
There is no limit to how many mats you can donate. Yoga studios can contact them to receive a bulk discount if they are recycling more than five mats.
www.theboldermatcompany.com
photo credit:adria.richards

Pets With Benefits

Pets are lots of fun, but did you know they also provide health benefits? Pets can increase your opportunities for exercise and socialization. They can also lower your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels, not to mention keeping you company and reducing loneliness. Having a pet can even increase survival rates among those who have had a heart attack. Pets can help you deal with stress, sometimes even better than a friend or spouse. Having a pet isn’t for everyone—they’re a lot of responsibility, but for most people the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. For more information on how pets can positively impact your health visit: http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/a/petsandstress.htm
photo credit: OakleyOriginals

Break-dancers risk

I am sure it comes to no suprise that break-dancers are at risk to injury with spinning on their heads and throwing their bodys' into different positions.  But a German study done recently confirmed and outlined what injuries they are more prone to.  In interviews with 144 professional and amateur break-dancers, researchers found that injuries to the spine, knee, wrist, shoulder and ankle were common, especially among professionals.  Also 70 percent said they'd suffered from overuse injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tenosynovitis( inflammation of the sheath that surrounds a tendon).  The study also found that the breakdancers didn't take nearly enough time to heal.  For more specifics check out website.  photo credit: JaeYong, BAE

What is a VO2 Max test?

This is one test that I have performed numerous times. The participant hop on a treadmill, stationary bike or ergometer  giving their maximum effort while wearing a mask that captures every breath. The machine analyzing the amount of oxygen consume, to determine the participant's heart health and how well their body process oxygen. If your score is under 18 ml/kg/min, talk to your doctor  and trainer bout increasing the intensity of your workouts. The cost of a VO2 Max test is around  $110 to $160. You can do the test at a physical therapy, rehab, or cardiopulmonary centers. unfortunately insurance providers will not cover it.

Understanding Body Odor

Sweating is a normal function that helps the body maintain a normal temperature and excrete impurities out of the body.  There are two types of glands apocrine: which are located in the armpits, face, scalp, and parts of the trunk.  Then there are eccrine glands which are distributed throughout the body and give off a quart or more of perspiration through out the day (all the more reason to make sure you are getting plenty of fluids even if you are not exercising that day).

Typically the the eccrine excretion has no smell in contrast to the apocrine excretion which has a distinctive odor when broken down by the bacteria that live on the skin.

External factors that can effect body odor include: alcohol, garlic, onions.  Some people develop a defect in their ability to properly use a substance called trimethylamine which is found in foods high choline such as eggs, fish, liver and legumes.  When this takes place the skin will have a fishy odor after such foods are eaten.  Eliminating them from the diet will solve the smelly problem.

Some studies indicate that an increase in the intake of zinc and magnesium can help eliminate unpleasant odors. Good food sources for magnesium include: brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, seseme seeds, pine nuts, cashews, soybeans, hazelnuts, walnuts, and shreaded wheat.  Good sources of zinc include: wheat germ, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, cashews, seseme seeds, pecans, nori seaweed, and all bran. 
photo credit: dominikgolenia

Video Health Tip Ep4 - Exercise & Antidepressants

YzFIT Ep4 - Exercise & Antidepressants from YzFIT on Vimeo.

The Race Challenge: Swim, Bike, Run

Whether you are trying to shed a few pounds, trying to branch out to a different routine or just trying to keep yourself motivated a race may be a great tool to do that with.  No I am not suggesting you training for an Iron Man although if that’s on your list best of luck to you.  But sometimes picking out a race date whether it is a triathlon, a run or a cycling adventure having a set race schedule may help with consistency.  I have done a few races and have found the environment to be a very enjoyable one.  There are people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels encouraging each other to finish the race strong.  I have found that there are good and bad race days.  My last triathlon I ended up with two flat tires in pouring rain.  If something could go wrong that race it did.  With shoes sopping wet at mile 22 of the bike ride I decided I had had enough.  Sure I was irritated I didn’t finish the race (but the thought of the blisters I knew I would get from a 6mile run in wet shoes was the deal breaker for me), but it wasn’t just about the race it was about the training.  Those months leading up to the race I had faithfully been swimming, biking, and running.  Maybe a race is what you need to challenge yourself. What do you think? I would love to hear your race experiences!
photo credit: thomas_sly

BioFreeze and Sore Muscles

This past week I have really kicked up my workout to another level.  And ofcourse I was sore from lactic acid build up and even more so from small micro tares that are normal in the breaking down and then rebuilding of muscle.  BioFreeze has been my buddy this week.  While usually I just try to increase the amount of stretching I do, this was a great topical pain reliever that offered me some short term relief.  Basicly it allowed me to concentrate on other things than my sore muscles.  BioFreeze is basiclly a more intense version of Icy Hot(if you have sensitive skin you may want to try just a little bit on one section of your skin to make sure you wont react to it).  It is a little sticky and you will have that lovely menthol smell for a little while but over all its a really nice product.  I just order the small individual packets while maybe not as environmentally friendly as getting it in a bottle it is so convinent for in you purse, pocket, or desk at work.

Exercise Improves Mood Upto 12 Hours

A study done by University of Vermont shows exercise can improve mood up to 12 hours.  We live in such a fast paced world taking time to exercise is important for more than just physical health but also for mental health.  Just 20 minutes at a modern intensity may make the day more pleasurable for you and those around you.  More.. photo credit: joaquinuy

Stress, Take it Down a Notch

It seems like the more "time saving" devices we come up with the more we try to cram into our day.  Stress is very similar to pulling on a rubber band, adventually its gonna snap and its gonna hurt.  However sometimes its just taking some time for ourselves and creating some solid mechanisms to cope that protect us from that "snap" of stress.  Exercise can be a key in keeping cortisol a stress hormone in the body down, so that is certainly a powerful method but some times we need more.  Maybe we need to start viewing that Bubble bath not as much as a luxury but as a necessity to our mental and emotional health.  What healthy methods do you use to cope with stress? 
photo credit: A*Kang

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Years ago I had the privilege of working with a lady who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, it was an interesting experience because everything I taught her before she would not remember it 20 minutes later.

According to the latest studies, if you exercise early in life, there is a reduced risk of dementia late in life. People who exercise regularly in middle age are one-third as likely to get Alzheimer’s disease in their 70s as those who did not exercise. Even people who begin exercising in their 60s have their risk reduced by half!

I don't know about you, but after working with Alzheimer's patients, I want to do everything I can to avoid that. Remember: Heredity loads the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger.

Do you have a family member that suffers from Alzheimer's disease? What have you done to cope with living with an Alzheimer's family member? Share us your tips in the comment area.
photo credit: secretlondon123

How to avoid overheating

When I was in college, the dorm that I used to live in had a sauna in the basement. Being the young men that I was, I totally ignore the sign that said "no exercise" and started doing push ups. After a good 20 minutes, I came out with a towel around waist and before I know it, I passed out. When I finally regain conscience, I was lying naked on the floor, I had absolutely no idea how long was out for, but thank goodness no one saw me (or is it the other way round?)

So don't be a knuckle head and ignore signs, they are there for a reason. Here are some tips to avoid overheating:

• For every 15 minutes you exercise, drink at least 8 oz. of water.


• Cover your head. Wear a loose, billed hat and pour water over your head periodically.


• Listen to your body. The first stages of heat stress are muscle cramps, nausea, headaches, goose bumps on the upper body and unsteady footing. Stop exercising if you experience any of these symptoms.

Do you have other tips? Share them in the comments area. photo credit: abbamouse

Recent news attributes nations weight gain to excess food, not lack of exercise

Recently in a paper presented at the European Congress on Obesity, researchers attributed weight gain in America solely to the increase of calorie consumption and not lack of exercise. Article While this study clearly shows that we are consuming too many calories I really hope it doesn't dissuade individuals wanting to lose weight from also starting a good exercise program.  Consistent exercise has been shown to be a key in disease prevention and longevity.  So what do you think about the study?