Author: Sean Wells
Dietary intake of the red wine polyphenol resveratrol is known to promote cardiovascular health in the general population—this is the source of the so-called French Paradox. When it comes to the other half of the health equation—regular exercise—it appears that this extract might also provide some assistance. According to a recent animal trial, resveratrol may help boost exercise performance by improving strength, endurance and fatty acid metabolism.
For the study, two groups of male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to either a standard diet or one supplemented with resveratrol, while simultaneously undergoing a treadmill-based exercise program, conducted five days a week, for a period of 12 weeks. The exercise regimen was progressive, beginning with 10 minuts and incrementally increasing to 20 over the course of the study.
The research team found that the compound improved exercise performance, heart function and muscular strength, all in addition to promoting positive changes in dietary metabolism. Specifically, overall improvement in the resveratrol-supplemented group on exercise performance averaged 21 percent higher over the course of the study, as compared to the control group.
Researchers reported that this supplementation also improved several parameters related to cardiovascular performance. Left ventricular ejection force—meaning more powerful heart muscle contractions and increased blood flow—was observed to increase by 10 percent in the experimental group as compared to the control group. In addition, an increase in fatty acid oxidation—the optimization of fatty acid metabolism as a fuel source for exercise—displayed a noticeable, statistically significant increase.
In regard to the study, researchers had this to say: “Based on these findings, we conclude that resveratrol is an ergogenic aid that improves exercise training via changes in skeletal muscle function and cardiac performance, but also improves energy metabolism.”
As an additional clarification, they summarized the results by comparing the effects of resveratrol to actually embarking on an exercise program; in terms of observed biomarkers, the results were very similar.
“We were excitied when we saw that resveratrol showed results similar to what you would see from extensive endurance exercise training.”
The next project for this research group will involve resveratrol in a human-based, therapeutic application, examining its effects on diabetics who have experienced heart failure, and for whom such endurance training, though potentially beneficial, is not feasible from a safety standpoint. The 10-week study will attempt to reinvigorate heart function in this group through resveratrol supplementation, thereby restoring an enhanced degree of health and quality of life.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Which Supplements are Right for You?
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Monday, July 2, 2012
Diet vs. Exercise: A Verdict is Reached
Author: Sean Wells
A recurring question in the realm of health, nutrition and weight loss is whether it is diet or exercise that is primarily responsible for progress. It now appears that the question has been resolved—and the answer is “yes”. A team of researchers has reported that a combination of diet and exercise yielded marked improvement in physical function and weight loss as compared with either approach performed on its own.
In a one-year randomized controlled trial, researchers examined 107 adults over the age of 65—all were classified as obese according to BMI measurement. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (no behavioral changes), diet-only, exercise-only and combined diet-exercise.
Results were judged by a number of factors, including any improvements made in a modified version of the Physical Performance Test, measurements of body composition, assessments of frailty and reports on quality of life. Collectively, accumulated data demonstrated that blood pressure, waist circumference, abdominal fat, serum triglycerides and C-reactive protein were seen to improve in both the diet and the diet-exercise groups.
Researchers also found that body weight was reduced by 10% in the diet group and by 9% in the diet-exercise group; this is a possible indication that some degree of muscular growth had occurred in the group that was both dieting and exercising. There was no change in bodyweight reported in the control group, who made no changes in lifestyle—needless to say, an expected result.
Researchers summarized the more relevant findings as follows: “Diet-induced weight loss with or without exercise, but not exercise training alone, improves insulin sensitivity and multiple other cardiometabolic risk factors simultaneously in obese older adults. However, the combination of these interventions is associated with an even greater improvement in insulin sensitivity.”
Interestingly, there was no measureable decrease in the exercise-only group regarding body weight either. While this lends some support to the widely-held belief that a poor diet cannot be “out-exercised”, it is important to remember that the diet-exercise group still experienced the greatest overall benefits, indicating that physical exercise makes an excellent addition to a proper diet.
A recurring question in the realm of health, nutrition and weight loss is whether it is diet or exercise that is primarily responsible for progress. It now appears that the question has been resolved—and the answer is “yes”. A team of researchers has reported that a combination of diet and exercise yielded marked improvement in physical function and weight loss as compared with either approach performed on its own.
In a one-year randomized controlled trial, researchers examined 107 adults over the age of 65—all were classified as obese according to BMI measurement. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (no behavioral changes), diet-only, exercise-only and combined diet-exercise.
Results were judged by a number of factors, including any improvements made in a modified version of the Physical Performance Test, measurements of body composition, assessments of frailty and reports on quality of life. Collectively, accumulated data demonstrated that blood pressure, waist circumference, abdominal fat, serum triglycerides and C-reactive protein were seen to improve in both the diet and the diet-exercise groups.
Researchers also found that body weight was reduced by 10% in the diet group and by 9% in the diet-exercise group; this is a possible indication that some degree of muscular growth had occurred in the group that was both dieting and exercising. There was no change in bodyweight reported in the control group, who made no changes in lifestyle—needless to say, an expected result.
Researchers summarized the more relevant findings as follows: “Diet-induced weight loss with or without exercise, but not exercise training alone, improves insulin sensitivity and multiple other cardiometabolic risk factors simultaneously in obese older adults. However, the combination of these interventions is associated with an even greater improvement in insulin sensitivity.”
Interestingly, there was no measureable decrease in the exercise-only group regarding body weight either. While this lends some support to the widely-held belief that a poor diet cannot be “out-exercised”, it is important to remember that the diet-exercise group still experienced the greatest overall benefits, indicating that physical exercise makes an excellent addition to a proper diet.
Friday, June 29, 2012
How To Avoid Getting Burned This Summer
Author: willllamas
Everyone needs Vitamin D from the sun. However during these hot summer months, we often fall victim to a little too much. Now, there’s an alternative to lathering yourself in sun lotion every time you step outside. Supplementation of astaxanthin, resveratrol and omega-3 fatty acids can protect your skin internally from the sun.
Sunburn occurs when UV rays from the sun burn skin tissue, causing the skin cells to die. This often causes noticeable discomfort, and skin to turn a reddish color. This is a hint that it’s actually a type of inflammation, and sunburn can be a very serious condition. The greatest danger is that sunburn is the leading cause of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Becoming sunburned on a routine basis causes an individuals risk for melanoma to increase dramatically, potentially even doubling after four or more serious sunburns.
Effectively reducing your risk of harmful sunburn can actually start with the nutrients that enter your body. Research suggests that taking these nutrients can help stop sunburn before it strikes.
1) Astaxanthin
The super-antioxidant astaxanthin is naturally found in algae and animals that eat the algae. In concentrated form, it can also be found in various supplements. As an antioxidant it has been primarily been used to promote a healthy cardiovascular system. However, recent research has suggested that astaxanthin helps protect the skin from UV rays, helping to potentially prevent sunburn.
2) Resveratrol
Recently resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, has received a lot of publicity for supporting healthy hearts as well as alleviating certain symptoms related to cancer. This study also suggests that when resveratrol is absorbed into skin cells, it helps them block UV rays.
3) Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
A diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to combat the inflammatory response of skin after it’s been exposed to the sun for too long. This can limit the harmful effects of sunburn as well as reduce the risk of melanoma. Omega-3 acid is found naturally in fish, but supplementation may be suggested, to ensure that both proper quantity and quality is received.
These nutrients have all shown to be effective in combatting UV rays. Try out these suggestions and let us know if you’ve noticed a decrease in sunburn frequency and intensity.
Everyone needs Vitamin D from the sun. However during these hot summer months, we often fall victim to a little too much. Now, there’s an alternative to lathering yourself in sun lotion every time you step outside. Supplementation of astaxanthin, resveratrol and omega-3 fatty acids can protect your skin internally from the sun.
Sunburn occurs when UV rays from the sun burn skin tissue, causing the skin cells to die. This often causes noticeable discomfort, and skin to turn a reddish color. This is a hint that it’s actually a type of inflammation, and sunburn can be a very serious condition. The greatest danger is that sunburn is the leading cause of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Becoming sunburned on a routine basis causes an individuals risk for melanoma to increase dramatically, potentially even doubling after four or more serious sunburns.
Effectively reducing your risk of harmful sunburn can actually start with the nutrients that enter your body. Research suggests that taking these nutrients can help stop sunburn before it strikes.
1) Astaxanthin
The super-antioxidant astaxanthin is naturally found in algae and animals that eat the algae. In concentrated form, it can also be found in various supplements. As an antioxidant it has been primarily been used to promote a healthy cardiovascular system. However, recent research has suggested that astaxanthin helps protect the skin from UV rays, helping to potentially prevent sunburn.
2) Resveratrol
Recently resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, has received a lot of publicity for supporting healthy hearts as well as alleviating certain symptoms related to cancer. This study also suggests that when resveratrol is absorbed into skin cells, it helps them block UV rays.
3) Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
A diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to combat the inflammatory response of skin after it’s been exposed to the sun for too long. This can limit the harmful effects of sunburn as well as reduce the risk of melanoma. Omega-3 acid is found naturally in fish, but supplementation may be suggested, to ensure that both proper quantity and quality is received.
These nutrients have all shown to be effective in combatting UV rays. Try out these suggestions and let us know if you’ve noticed a decrease in sunburn frequency and intensity.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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