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Interesting new research on walking

We walk without thinking about it. But it turns out, walking helps our bodies in several interesting ways that may surprise you. There is a constant, complex dance of molecules in our body. Rushing to and fro. Some are doing good, others not so much. And it turns out, walking plays a huge role. Research has even been done on walking and its impacts on breast cancer in the form of the estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer which is seen in about two thirds of all cases. Basically, estrogen circulate in the bloodstream causes breast cell tissues to grow and divide and this is normal. Sometimes mutations occur and it’s not a big deal. Sometimes it is. A mutation could for example, occur that causes those tissues to settle in the lungs, heart or brain. This is called metastasis with the result being stage IV breast cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society predicted

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Fitness

Busting 8 myths about nutrition & exercise

When it comes to creating a healthy lifestyle, we often don’t make the progress we’d like because we’re operating under erroneous assumptions. Here, Warren Honeycutt shines a light on eight common myths about nutrition and fitness. Fitness and weight loss When it comes to losing weight and getting fit, do you find yourself unable to make progress despite your best efforts? If so, you’re not alone in your frustration—and it may not be entirely your fault. According to Warren Honeycutt, fitness and nutrition expert, marketers in the nutrition and fitness industries are very good at obscuring inconvenient facts that might keep consumers from buying their products. And beyond that, he says, misinformation about what’s healthy and what’s not often masquerades as “common knowledge” and “common sense.” “If you want to move the needle on your fitness, you have to separate fact from fiction, once and for all,” says Honeycutt, author

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Mind

Train your brain like an Olympian

Jean François Ménard’s new book teaches us how to have an Olympian mentality at work. You’re training some of the country’s elite athletes. Within that inner circle, there is a technical coach, a strength and conditioning coach to train their body, a physical therapist, chiropractor, nutritionist, and a mental-performance coach. Being a part of that inner circle is a huge responsibility considering that when an athlete reaches an elite level, what separates the winners from the rest of the field isn’t their physical preparation but how well they build that brain muscle strength and call upon it when their performance hits a curve. Like any coach in this arena, you’ve put in the work and navigated your way successfully at various international competitions – World Cups, Pan American Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. Each event is getting you closer to the holy grail – the Olympics. For the first time in

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Health

Aging, brain health and omega-3

We know omega-3 oils can help with inflammation and joint health. Research suggests it may also help our brains as we age. As we age, omega-3 can play a key role in joint and muscle health, but it can also help with brain cognition and diseases such as dementia and Alzheimers. Since 2005, research has been increasing and we’re understanding more of the benefits it may bring. While more studies are needed, those that have been done indicate increased amounts of omega-3 can help reduce inflammation in the brain, which can lead to depression and dementia as we age.  Other research is pointing to omega-3 playing a role in helping children with ADHD as well as adult sufferers in combination with their medications. We note that omega-3 does not cure or offer an alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals, it is a supplementary treatment that can be included in ongoing care of

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Fitness

How about exercise ”snacks”?

We often have this notion that exercising has to be at a set time and place everyday. We go to the gym or run at a set time. For some, that can be very helpful and useful, but you can also do exercise snacks. Recent research has shown that short bursts of activity can have the same effect over time on our health. It may also be of benefit to those with some exercise restrictions as we age. Says Dr. Martin Gibala, a kinesiology professor at McMaster University in Ontario “The big picture it’s just about activity, and there are lot’s of ways to build it into your day.” The federal government guidelines on weekly physical activity is at about 150 minutes total that includes some aerobic activity as well as bone and muscle strengthening exercises at least two times a week. And most of these activities can be done

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Fitness

Scientists: Swimming Fights Ageing

Swimming can be relaxing, especially in a lake or the ocean on a hut summer day. Turns out, it does a lot to boost your brain. But scientists are still figuring out why. Scientists have figured out that aerobic exercise like yoga, running, cycling and swimming can reduce the effects of ageing significantly and help younger people with immune system strength and fighting dementia in later years. Now, new research is finding that swimming may be the best anti-ageing exercise of them all. In their research they’ve shown that regular swimming can improve memory, cognitive function, immune system response and even one’s mood. There’s evidence too that swimming may help repair stress damage and build new neural connections in the brain. Why is Swimming so Good For the Brain? Scientists haven’t figured out the whole answer to this mystery yet, but they’re finding more and more evidence that it does

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Health

Tips for good prostate health

As men age, the risk of prostate cancer and other issues such as BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.) So keeping an eye on your prostate health is a good idea. The good news is, coffee and tea are still on the agenda! There are tow keys to good prostate health; diet and activity. And both benefit in more ways than just prostate health. They’re good for heart and brain health as well. Tips for prostate health It’s all about a balanced diet, which help overall health anyway. Leafy and green veggies are very good. Especially broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus and of course, salads with leafy greens such as kale and spinach. But avoid charred meats as there is believed to be a link between them and a risk of cancer. Reducing your consumption of red meat is important as well. Enjoy more plant-based meals every week. Keep up on fruits as

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Health

4 myths about supplements

When it comes to supplements, the sheer number of options on the market can get overwhelming. With that abundance also comes plenty of confusion and misconceptions about their effects and use. Here are four common supplement myths you may find yourself falling prey to, debunked. Supplement Myths MYTH NO. 1: “I can get all nutrients from food; I don’t need supplements.” For the most part, this “myth” is true. A healthy diet is one that provides lots of fresh, wholesome ingredients including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, meats, whole eggs and poultry. A varied diet will provide all the essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and phytonutrients you need to fuel your metabolism and your muscles. However, if your diet is lacking, you miss meals, you have bad eating habits, or you exercise to the extreme, your diet might not be delivering. Taking a multivitamin or greens supplement can help

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