 Researchers studied the relationship among fitness, adiposity, and mortality in older adults. Continue reading Which is more important: fitness or fatness?
Category Archives: Exercise
CAM benefits in cancer patients
Dr. Brent Bauer (photo) who practices in the Division of General Internal Medicine and is Director of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic was interviewed as part of their ongoing series of podcasts.
Here are the highpoints. Continue reading CAM benefits in cancer patients
Warming up before playing soccer
 A comprehensive warm-up program designed to reduce the risk of injuries in female youth football (aka soccer) reduced some injuries but not others. Continue reading Warming up before playing soccer
Modest exercise is good for chronic pain
The main problem is motivating people to stick with the program. Continue reading Modest exercise is good for chronic pain
Physical activity guidelines for Americans
And anyone else who’s interested.
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provides science-based guidance to improve health through appropriate physical activity.
You can download the book for free here. Continue reading Physical activity guidelines for Americans
Inability to prevent back pain when lifting heavy objects
Common recommendations to prevent back pain have no benefit, according to this review of the medical literature. Continue reading Inability to prevent back pain when lifting heavy objects
Recommendations from Harvard for bone health
The Harvard Women’s Health Watch has published recommendations to lower the risk of fractures due to osteoporosis.
I supplemented their recommendations with references. Continue reading Recommendations from Harvard for bone health
World osteoporosis day
Yes, yes, yes, it was October 20th, and I missed it.
But here’s a summary of CAM research on osteoporosis reported in 2008. Continue reading World osteoporosis day
“American paradox.” Or, how I stopped dieting and lost weight
“Some scientists believe that in our quest to lose weight, we are not eating enough fat, or at least not the right kind of fat. What’s missing from our diet,” according to a NewsTarget.com article, “is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is found in red meat, lamb, and dairy products.
Now, a reanalysis of the literature supports this point of view. Continue reading “American paradox.” Or, how I stopped dieting and lost weight
CAM and diabetes: A round up of studies from 2008
November is diabetes month at the CAM Report.
Here’s what we covered so far this year. Continue reading CAM and diabetes: A round up of studies from 2008
CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies
The World Health Organization has predicted a 39% rise in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes by 2030. And an article in The Lancet indicates this might be an underestimation.
Since November is Diabetes Month, here’s a round-up of CAM options for people with diabetes from 2006 through March 2007.
Continue reading CAM and diabetes: An update of recent studies
Acupuncture for pelvic girdle pain in pregnant women
Pelvic girdle pain affects many activities of daily living such as housekeeping, walking, working, and sexual life.
Pregnant women who received acupuncture experienced “some improvement” compared to non-penetrating sham acupuncture in this study from the Sahlgrenska Academy, East Hospital in Goteborg, Sweden. Continue reading Acupuncture for pelvic girdle pain in pregnant women
CAM and the chronic fatigue syndrome
Medscape has published a review.
Here’s a summary of CAM options. Continue reading CAM and the chronic fatigue syndrome
Importance of rest in your exercise routine
 This study compared the effect of rest intervals on isokinetic knee exercise in physically active younger and older women.
Isokinetic exercises use an apparatus that provides “variable resistance” (photo). Regardless of the effort exerted, movement occurs at a constant speed. This technique is used to improve muscular strength and endurance, especially after injury. Continue reading Importance of rest in your exercise routine
Calcium, vitamin D, and physical activity in the elderly
 The Women’s Health Initiative reported reduced bone loss with treatment.
But do healthier bones mean older women will become more active? Continue reading Calcium, vitamin D, and physical activity in the elderly
A stepwise approach to fibromyalgia therapy
Dr. Don Goldenberg from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts has a video and print slide program on Medscape that reviews evidence-based treatments for fibromyalgia.
The emphasis is on drugs, but more interesting is his support for a combined drug/CAM approach to treatment. Continue reading A stepwise approach to fibromyalgia therapy
Status of CAM to treat the frailty syndrome
There’s a need, but no well-documented evidence.
Researchers from the Miami VA Medical Center in Florida have complied a detailed review. Continue reading Status of CAM to treat the frailty syndrome
Behavioral and exercise therapies for fibromyalgia
This review finds limited evidence of benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy and exercise training programs. Continue reading Behavioral and exercise therapies for fibromyalgia
Effect of ephedra and caffeine on resistance-trained athletes
 The International Olympic Committee no longer bans caffeine and ephedrine-related alkaloids.
So, what’s their effect on muscular strength and anaerobic power? Continue reading Effect of ephedra and caffeine on resistance-trained athletes
Acupuncture effective for fibromyalgia?
In this study, the addition of acupuncture to usual treatments for fibromyalgia helped control pain and improve quality of life. Continue reading Acupuncture effective for fibromyalgia?