Meditation, Exercise May Help With The Flu

According to researchers those who involve themselves in regular meditation or exercise regularly have fewer colds and flus than those who participate in neither.

The study involved 149 participants.

In a randomized trail they were split into three groups:

1-Those who participated in mindless meditation

2-Those who had regular moderate-intensity exercise

3-A control group that did neither.

Group 1 had 257 days of the cold or flu
Group 2 had 241 days
The control group had 453 days.

The study ran from September 2009 to May 2010.

Read about the report in the spec.com.
TheSpec - Meditation, exercise may help limit cold, flu, study...

Both meditation and regular exercise are effective in controlling blood pressure and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

It is not surprising that they have a positive effect on the immune system.

The Elderly Not affected by Intensity of Aerobics

Aerobics and moderate intensity aerobics are recommened for overall health and vitality and to prevent non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and strokes.

More vigorous aerobics exercise may be necessary for those who need to lose weight and keep it off.

Researchers wanted to evaluate the different intensities of aerobic exercise on the elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

According to the result of study the intensity of aerobics had no effect on the participants.

The randomized study involved 48 patients in residential homes for the elderly.

They were placed in one of three groups:
1-Performed aerobics exercise at 40% heart rate reserve
2-Performed aerobic exercise at 60% heart rate reserve
3-Performed recreational activities.

Their functional ability and cognitive level were assessed:
1-Before the intervention
2-At the end the study (3 months)
3-Three months later

On completion of the study, all patients in the aerobic training improved marginally.

There were no differences regarding cognitive level and functional ability among those in the aerobic training program and those who performed recreational activites.

The study was published in the Clinical Rehabilitation in May, 2012

Taking Care of The Family's Heart Health

You can be an advocate for the family's healthy heart by taking certain actions at home.

Each year cardiovascular diseases take the lives of 17 million people, with 80% of these deaths occuring in low and middle income countries. 7.3 percent of these are due to heart disease and 6.3 % due to strokes.
Cardiovascular disease is a major non-communicable disease and the # 1 cause of deaths globally. Fortunatley most of these deaths cna be prevented.

Cardiovascular diseases are:

• Strokes



• Coronary heart disease



• Congenital heart disease



• Peripheral artery disease



• Rheumatic heart disease

It is important that the global efforts to fight heart disease do not rest on policy makers and world leaders only, but on individual homes and families.

This year the them for World Heart Day was: 'One World.One Home. One Heart.'

The World Heart Federation and The World Health Organization (WHO) are challenging us all to take charge of our family's heart health and become our home's advocate for healthy living.


We have one heart and not two, if the heart is bad it leaves us without a good one. Fortunately most of the deaths by heart attacks can be prevented by:
1-Preventing cardiovascular disease
2-Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack

Prevention
Heart disease can be prevented by eliminating the risk factors that cause cardiovascular disease. Awareness of these risk factors and their impact on heart health is a major step in preventing heart attacks.

The majority of deaths can be prevented by healthy eating, regular exercise and no smoking. These lifestyle habits are the key actions in preventing heart attacks.

This year for World Heart Day we are raising awareness of the actions that families can take at home to prevent premature deaths due to heart disease.

These are some of the actions:
*Ban smoking from home
* Stock your home with healthy food for health eating.
Click Here for a guide to healthy eating and shopping.

*Limit the amount of time spent sitting for leisure- Less than two hours of watching TV

*Increase physical activity- Go cycling, hiking or on walking trips
* Walk or bicycle instead of using the car whenever possible
Click Here for easy ways to keep physically active

*Have your blood pressure, glucose levels and cholesterol checked by a health professional

*Assess your weight health using the body mass index (BMI)
Click Here to start

If your body mass index is over 25, plan to lose 5-10% of body, this applies to each member of the family.
Click Here To start

The Warning Signs
Over 70% of heart emergencies occur in the home with another family member present.
Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack can save the life of a family member.

The warning signs are:

• Chest discomfort


• Discomfort or pain spreading to one or both arms, the back, the neck, jaw or stomach


• Shortness of breath without discomfort


• Shortness of breath with discomfort


• Cold sweats


• Nausea or vomiting


• Unexplained weakness

If you suspect a person is having a heart attack, call for emergency help immediately.

8 Ways to Stick to Your Diet While Friends Indulge - On Fitness (usnews.com)

8 Ways to Stick to Your Diet While Friends Indulge - On Fitness (usnews.com)

10 Signs You're Exercising Too Much - On Fitness (usnews.com)

Here they are a list of the 10 signs, then click the link to for details of each.

1. Decreased performance
2. Disinterest in exercise
3. Mood changes
4. Delayed recovery time
5. Elevated resting heart rate
6. Fatigue
7. Insomnia
8. Diminished appetite
9. Fat gain
10. Weakened immune system

\10 Signs You're Exercising Too Much - On Fitness (usnews.com)