Fitness Factoids:Volume 42
Scientis
ts Develop Anti-Aging Pill
As the anti-aging movement has continued to garner mainstream interest science has responded by increasing the amount of research dedicated to finding ways to extend our lifespan and increase our quality of life as we age. According to a new study published in the journal Cell, a team of researchers at the University of Wales have developed a pill that has shown the ability to reverse the aging process in mouse models. The researchers discovered a coenzyme identified as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) that has the ability to reverse decreased mitochondrial performance. The mitochondria is known as the powerhouse of the cell, and is responsible for generating ATP which cells use for energy. As we age mitochondria become less efficient and stop interacting with genes, but researchers discovered NAD+ reversed this process in mice. Human trials for the new drug are now slated to begin in 2014 and, for the first time, science may be on the verge of giving father time a run for his money.
http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/anti-aging-formula-slated-begin-human-trials
Tomatoes May Lower Breast 
Cancer Risk
According to new research published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism eating a diet rich in tomatoes may have the ability to decrease the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Researchers examined the effects of both soy and tomato rich diets in 70 women over a period of ten weeks. They found that lycopene, which is a phytochemical found in primarily in tomatoes, has the ability to increase adiponectin levels. Adiponectin is a hormone that plays a critical role in blood sugar regulation, and researchers found that the group that consumed tomatoes and ate as little as 25mg of lycopene daily had a 9% increase in adiponectin levels.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131218133543.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fnutrition+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Health+%26+Medicine+News+--+Nutrition%29
Fiber Rich Diets
Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
The importance of dietary fiber has gained momentum recently as we've seen the mainstream begin to embrace paleo diets as means of optimizing health. New research conducted by The Food Science Center at the University of Leeds in Australia lends more support to the case for increased intake of dietary fiber. According to a meta-analysis that analyzed nutrition data from England, The United States, Australia, Europe, and Japan eating a diet rich in dietary fiber will decrease multiple risk factors for development of heart disease. The study found that for every seven grams of fiber consumed there was a clinically significant decrease in risk factors for stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. In addition to helping to provide a healthy heart, eating diets high in fiber rich fruits and vegetables helps to promote an akaline enviroment within the body.
http://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/dieting-to-increase-fiber-health-news-194/boosting-fiber-may-reduce-your-heart-disease-risk-683150.html
Zinc Lowers Weight and Triglycerides
Although the evidence to support zinc's ability to increase testosterone has been refuted, a new study conducted by Tabriz University of Medical Science in Iran has found that zinc supplementation may have the ability to help obese individuals lose weight and lower levels of triglycerides. In the study sixty men between the ages of 18-45 were placed on either 30mg of zinc gluconate or a placebo for thirty days. Researchers measured weight, waist circumference, BMI, fasting glucose, and blood lipids at the start and conclusion of the study. Researchers found that the group who recieved the zinc supplementation had reductions in levels of triglycerides, LDL cholesterol particles, increased insulin sensitivity, and weight reductions leading researchers to believe that short term zinc supplementation can be an powerful weapon in the fight against obesity.
http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2013/1217_Zinc-supplements-lower-weight-and-triglycerides-in-obese-men-and-women.htm?utm_source=eNewsletter_000&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Article&utm_content=Button&utm_campaign=2013Wk51-2
Exercise During Middle Age Helps Maintain Muscle During Aging
The ability of exercise to improve our current health has been well documented. However, new research conducted by Tokyo University has found that exercising during middle age helps preserve muscle and strength as we grow old. One of the conditions asscoiated with aging is a disease known as sarcopenia that results in a loss of muscle mass which can ultimately degrade the body's ability to function normally. According to the data, men who exercise during middle age have a 13.8% lower risk for developing sarcopenia. It's been said that muscle is a form of metabolic currency, and this study shows that depositing muscle in our body's 401k is a very wise choice of investment.
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