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Fitness Factoids: Volume 55

 

Fitnessfac

 

Calcium Linked to Reduced Colorectal Cancer Risk

Although the beth (2)nefits of supplemental calcium have been previously called into question due to concerns about the efficiency of absorption, a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer may refute those claims. A meta-analysis conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health has found that there may be a correlation between calcium intake and reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers analyzed twenty studies that included a total of 1,415,597 participants, 12,305 of which were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. According to the data researchers found that with each 300mg daily increase of calcium there was a 9% decrease in the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The authors found that those who consumed 1,000mg of calcium daily on average had an 18% reduced risk of acquiring the disease, while those whose intake was 1,750mg daily had an astounding 26% reduction in developmental occurrences. Adding calcium to your daily supplement regimen may be cost effective to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2014/0325_Meta-analysis-links-greater-calcium-intake-to-lower-colorectal-cancer-risk.htm?utm_source=eNewsletter_EZX400E&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Article&utm_content=Button&utm_campaign=2014Wk12-1

 

Fried Foods Interact With Obesity Genes

Although the health risks of consuming fried foods along with other foods high in trans fats and hydrogenated oils have been well documented, the obesity epidemic continues to rage on and excessive fried food conth0S21DWD7sumption continues to be problematic for overweight and obese individuals. New research conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health has found that there may be a genetic link between fried food consumption and obesity. Researchers issued questionnaires to assess fried food consumption of over 37,000 individuals and scored each participant on a scale of 0-32 based on genetic variants. After adjusting for height, body weight, BMI, physical activity level, and other lifestyle factors they analyzed data collected to determine how fried food impacted body weight and body composition. What they found was that individuals who fell into the top third of the categories assigned for genetic risk were twice as likely to gain excess body fat from fried consumption as those who fell into the lower third. The researchers said “This work provides formal proof of interaction between a combined genetic risk score and environment in obesity”. This new evidence seems to support the theory that genetics and epigenetics play a critical role in determining body composition, and that there are numerous factors that determine an individuals metabolism that have yet to be fully understood.

http://www.bmj.com/press-releases/2014/03/18/fried-foods-may-interact-genes-influence-body-weight-say-experts

 

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Lowers Heart Attack Risk in Women

Consuming athZQ4P305Gdequate amounts of fruits and vegetables early in life decreases risk of heart attacks in middle aged women according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s recent conference. Researchers released information that was part of a twenty year study known as the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study that began tracking 2,508 men and women in 1985. At the start of the study researchers had participants fill out questionnaires to report their current diets which included fruit and vegetable consumption. At the twenty year mark researchers measured the coronary artery calcification of patients to gain a clear understanding of atherosclerotic build ups. After controlling various lifestyle factors researchers concluded that the women who had consumed the highest amounts of fruits and vegetables in the beginning of the study, nearly ten servings per day, were 40% less likely to have develop plaque build ups than women who ate the least amount of fruits and vegetables each day (3 servings or less). These same associations were not seen in men. Although researchers have been able to identify the positive correlation between fruit and vegetable consumption and heart disease, they are still unsure as to how it directly impacts heart health. 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/274788.php

 

Genetics Play a Role in Carbohydrate Metabolism

New researchthUNIB2TW5 published in the journal Nature Genetics indicates that there may be a strong link between genetics, carbohydrate metabolism, and obesity. Research conducted by the Imperial College London has discovered that a gene known as AMY1, which is involved in production of the enzyme salivary amylase, appears to have a direct correlation to obesity. Researchers found that the more copies an individual has of the AMY1 gene appear to determine how efficiently they digest starch, and that individuals with fewer copies of the gene have a greater risk of obesity. They found that obese individuals may have four or less copies of the gene, and that for every additional copy of the amylase gene there appears to be a 20% reduction in the chances for becoming obese. The researchers confirmed these findings with an international study that tested individuals from France, the UK, and Singapore. They found consistently that those who had the four or less copies of the gene were far more likely to develop obesity regardless of their country of origin. Researchers hope that this new information will help lead to genetic therapies for treatment of obesity in the future. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140330151318.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fnutrition+%28Nutrition+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

 

Stronger Kids Have Lower Risk for Diabetes

Buying that baby barbell set you’ve been checkinth4R2I7US7g out on Amazon may not be such a bad idea after all. A new study released by the journal Pediatrics has found that greater muscle strength in adolescents reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke with aging. The study took a look at seventeen Michigan schools from 2005-2008. Students were asked to use a standard hand grip strength assessment in addition to having their cardiorespiratory levels, and BMI measured. The results of the study showed that kids who had the greatest strength to body mass ratios had significantly reduced risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. The strongest children had lower BMI, smaller waist circumference, and higher fitness levels – all of which lower risk factors for development of metabolic syndrome. Lead researcher Mark Peterson said "The stronger you are relative to your body mass, the healthier you are". The new information presented may help the Deadlifts from Diapers movement gain some momentum. 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/274774.php

 

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