High Sugar Diet Can Kerb Learning

A study of rats by the University of California found that too much sugar can prevent learning, while omega-3 is thought to boost it. Two groups of rats were fed drinking water laced with a sugar solution. One group was also given flaxseed oil, which contains omega-3, the fatty acid that is found in oily fish. The rats were all given standard rat food to eat for five days before consuming the sugared water. Twice a day the rats were placed in a maze, fitted with markers to help them remember their route. After 6 weeks of testing and feeding them the solution, the study concluded that the rats that were given the flaxseed, navigated the maze much quicker than those that did not receive the omega-3 fatty acids. The rats that were on the sugar solution had a reduced ability to think clearly and to recall the route that they'd learned 6 weeks earlier. They also started to display insulin resistance, which was the most likely cause of their memory loss. This is because insulin helps to regulate how brain cells use and store sugar for the energy that is needed to process thoughts and emotions. So if you want to think more clearly, rather than grabbing an energy drink grab yourself a tuna sandwich or some susi instead!

Benefits of wearing a sports bra during exerise

Up to 72% of women who exercise report breast discomfort while exercising, which can be caused by too much movement and skin chaffing, both of which can reduce performance. Research carried out has reported that 44% of women train in an ordinary bra rather than a dedicated sports bra. In a survey, 85% of women who wore a sports bra said it helped to improve their enjoyment of exercise. With the average 36C sized breast weighing in at 300 grams, uncontrolled movement caused by training in an ordinary bra may not only cause discomfort during exercise but could be damaging the fagile breast tissue, which over time can cause sag. Research has shown training in a sports bra helps to reduce breast movement by up to 38%. Sports bras are often made with performance enhancing materials such as breathable fabric that allows the skin to breath properly while exercising. This allows air to circulate to cool the body down and take sweat away from the skin to reduce rubbing. Often the material and fastenings are made stronger and are more durable than an ordinary bra. So if you are training regularly or are thinking of doing so soon, than investing in a sport bra could be a wise decision and help improve your sports performance.

I Love My 'Real Job.'

Today I was doing my rounds around the gym, chatting to the various members who have come early this fine Sunday morning to burn off a few calories before the food and drink binge which is the Christmas celebrations. I was chatting to one of my client's whose complaining that he works long hours and spends most of the working day chained to his desk. While I was advising him that he could try getting up from his desk and walking to a work mate's desk, rather than sending an e-mail and taking a walk after lunch rather than eating at his desk and other helpful tips, he asked me, 'and what do you do for a real job?' I replied that I considered what I do as a real job and a very rewarding one at that, as there are not many professions that can make a huge difference to people's health, quality of life, general wellbeing, the pretential to extend somebody's life and saving the NHS money in preventing or reducing the risks of diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and obesity. There seems to be an attitude in this country that leisure is seen as just a hobby and you should only do it if you can afford it or have the time, rather than consider exercise as an important part of life that should be included somewhere in peoples busy lives. A lot of other countries consider exercise as an important part of life and wouldn't dream of it as just an 'add on.' We will continue to have an obesity problem in this country unless we shake off this attitude and consider exercise and being active in general as a must, rather than merely a hobby.

Royal College of Physicians Report on Exercise

The Royal College of Physicians recently published a report that outlined several recommendations to ensure exercise and physical activity is a routine part of prevention and management of chronic conditions. The report called for a development of a medically driven national strategy to use exercise in the prevention and treatment of disease, the recommendation of training medical students in how exercise can be used as a preventive measure against diseases and the regulation of exercise therapists who treat patients. I see this as a big step forward which will benefit the patients as well as the fitness industry. Working as a exercise on referral instructor I am starting to see a lot more clients whose GP have sent them to me to help reduce their blood pressure or cholesterol levels naturally, rather than giving them pills to take. Doctors are slowly coming round to the thinking that in some cases, exercise can be a truely beneficial alternative to medicine, which can make a huge difference to the health and well-being of their patients and this report can only help to encourage more GPs to do the same.

Six ways to stay healthy this Christmas

Oh no it's Christmas! All those mince pies, Christmas cake, party food and booze, not a good time for our waistlines. However it doesn't have to be as bad as you may think. There are plenty of healthy things you can do over this period to counter balance the not so good. Below are six of the best ways to keep yourself healthier this year. 1) Fill up your fruit bowl:- Studies show that only 30% of U.K adults eat the recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day. Clementines are in season now and are packed full with essential nutrients including vitamin C, that can boost your immune system and help reduce the chances of getting a cold. So fill up your bowl with these and other fruits in season such as , pears, apples and cranberries. 2)Eat some nuts:- Walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts and almonds are all a great source of calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth. The British Heart Foundation recommends we eat a handful a day and there's evidence that they can even reduce cholesterol. Just ensure they are the unsalted variety. 3) Get Dancing:- With the success of 'Strictly' there's never been a better time to go dancing. Ballroom, disco or salsa it doesn't matter what it is as long as you move that body. Depending on intensity and your weight you can burn over 400 calories dancing. If you're dancing you consume less booze and party food as well. Now the party season is here, why not take advantage and burn some extra calories on the dance floor. 4)Tuck into that Turkey:- Turkey is a great low fat source of protein, which helps build and repair muscle. Use leftovers to make a healthy and tasty dish like turkey stew or curry. 5)Eat your sprounts:- These little vegetables are a good source of vitamins A and C, folic acid and fibre. Also believed to protect the body against colon cancer. 6)Stay active:- During the slump between Christmas and New Year's Day, why don't you keep active and go for a walk, jog or a bike ride to burn off some of that Chrismas dinner, rather then sitting in front of the t.v. and going through yet another box of chocolates.

Fitness is more important than losing weight

Interesting medical research has revealed that being physically fit could have more an impact on health than managing your weight. A study of 15,000 men showed that maintaining or increasing fitness levels was associated with lower risks of dying, even if their body weight increased or remained static. Researchers also found that increased levels of activity, over a period of 6 years was associated with a 19% lower risk of heart and circulatory disease. Of course it's always healthier to stay within your ideal weight boundaries suggested by The Body Mass Index (BMI) and stay under 25. Cancer Research UK says that around 40% of cancers that occur in patients each year are due to a poor lifestyle such as lack of exercise, bad food choices and smoking. In other words these can be avoided if a more healthier lifestyle is followed. Further evidence suggests that exercise plays a major role in recovering from cancer. Figures from Macmillan Cancer Support indicate that those recovering from breast and prostate cancer can reduce their mortality risk by 30-40% if they perform 150 minutes of physical activity each week, compared to those doing fewer than 60 minutes each week. Macmillan claims that there needs to be a cultural shift so that people see physical activity as "an integral part of their lives, not just an optional add on."

UK children are missing out on outdoor play

A study conducted by Savlon and Play England found that children prefer to play outside rather then do indoor activities, such as playing computer games when given the choice. Playing at a beach or river scored the most with 88%, playing in the park 79%, riding a bike 77% and ball games 76%. The study which involved 2,000 respondents also found that 1 in 5 children have never played in fields and farmland and 1 in 6 have never played in woods or forests, this compares to nearly 60% of adults who played there every week when they were children. Also 60% of parents would prefer their children to play outside more but prevented them doing so due to safety concerns. Also due to safety fears 1 in 4 parents would prefer their children to play on the computer than climb a tree and 1 in 5 prefer computer games instead of playing in fields and farmland. With 1 in 3 children now either overweight or obese in this country it's ironic that keeping our children indoors thinking that we're keeping them safe maybe doing them more harm than good. Inactivity and high fat/sugar foods such as crisps, fizzy drinks and sweets are turning our children into a nation of fatties. If we carry on as we are 9 out of 10 children may grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies which will put them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer later on in life. Surely a more healthy balance could be struck in order that children can fulfill their natural curiosity and love of adventure in playing outside and taking some controlled risks but within safe and secure boundaries that will suit parents.