Is sunshine good for you? Well, the answers are yes and no. However, a recent study says that morning sunshine can actually make you lose weight.

Sunshine and Its Benefits

The greatest benefit of sunshine exposure is that it could boost vitamin D supply of the body. In fact, most cases of vitamin D deficiency are from lack of exposure to the outdoor sun exposure. A lot of genes which control almost every tissue in the body are thought to be regulated by the active form of vitamin D. This form of vitamin D is also involved in calcium metabolism, immune system functioning and neuromuscular functioning.

Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin from a photosynthetic reaction triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation. The active form of vitamin D is absorbed by the cells of the intestine where it enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption by controlling the entry of calcium and its exit in the bones to regulate calcium metabolism. Vitamin D functions to maintain serum calcium and phosphorus levels within normal ranges so that these minerals can support metabolic functions, bone mineralization and neuromuscular transmission.

When there is no exposure to morning sunshine, there would be a poor formation of bones. In children, this causes rickets, a medical condition wherein there is stunted growth and various skeletal abnormalities including bowed legs. Vitamin D from sunshine can also greatly impact bone growth in adults. Vitamin D in adults should be adequate to prevent decreases in bone mineral density and falls in older people. Osteoporosis can result in older men and women with decreased sun exposure. The painful bone disease osteomalacia can also result.

Sunshine also has benefits on various illnesses. It may benefit people with tuberculosis. In some studies, it was found out that sun exposure was shown to improve cutaneous TB and pulmonary TB as well. Sun exposure boosted immunity to these diseases more than good nutrition and ultraviolet light. Also, some studies have found out that high vitamin D levels from sunshine reduce the risk of active TB.

In other studies, phototherapy and exposure to sunlight was found to treat not only TB but also diseases such as diabetes, chronic ulcers, gangrene, rheumatic disorders, gout and wounds. Furthermore, there are recent findings that while excessive sun exposure could lead to malignant melanoma, high sun exposure can also lead to increased survival rates in patients with early-stage melanoma. The said findings also showed that most melanomas occured on the least sun-exposed areas of the body, and occupational exposure to sunlight actually reduced melanoma risk.

There are also other reports which say that low levels of vitamin D can lead to diseases other than cancer. There are also other experts who claim that high vitamin D levels from sunlight exposure can decrease the risk for multiple slcerosis. Diabetes is also said to be prevented with adequate exposure to sunlight. Metabolic syndrome may also be prevented; this is important since metabolic syndrome increases one's risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin D levels are said to decrease blood concentration levels and insulin resistance. People with cardiovascular diseases are also found to be highly deficient in vitamin D. Experts actually say that exposure to sunshine may actually be cardioprotective.

Weight Loss and Morning Sunshine

A recent study from Northwestern Medicine has found out that timing, intensity and duration of your light exposure during the day is linked to weight. In this study, researchers have found out that daily exposure to even moderately bright light in the morning can bring about a significantly lower BMI as compared to those who had light exposure later in the day. The researchers commented that this finding was independent of physical activity, caloric intake, sleep, age or season. Thus if you want to lose weight, you should aim to get more bright light between 8AM and noontime.

If you want to know more about sunshine and Vitamin D, feel free to browse our other articles on this site.

Unknowingly to many of us zinc is an important mineral in the body. A recent study has found out that zinc can inhibit the key enzyme implicated in triggering apoptosis or cell death.

What is Zinc?

Zinc is a dietary mineral which is important in our daily metabolism. This mineral is often used as a cofactor by a number of important enzymes. There are about 300 zinc-dependent enzymes in the body. When deficient, zinc can have various health implications. It can bring about various benefits in immunity, skin health, reproduction and vision.

The ability to get zinc in our diets to fill our important needs in the body is a challenging one. It is said that there is no such food that can serve as an excellent source of this mineral. Your body needs about 11 milligrams of zinc everyday and it can be obtained from various food sources. Zinc is often paired with copper for transport and metabolism.

Zinc plays various roles in our health. First of all, this mineral boosts immune function. A diet low in zinc can bring about reduction of optimal immune support in times of stress or illnesses. These reductions in immune function may revert back quickly when zinc is restored into normal levels in the body. People who are prone to have reduced immunity caused by zinc deficiency are those who are older.

Zinc also has beneficial effects on skin health. Researchers say that it can reduce acne symptoms in young people. They noted that there was deterioration of skin health within 12 days of consuming a low zinc diet every day. Zinc deficiency can bring about skin problems such as fungal infections, skin rashes, and canker sores. Thus for healthy skin, one must consume adequate levels of zinc-rich foods every day.

Zinc also supports sensory organ functions. It is said that low zinc levels can bring about loss in taste sensations and loss of appetite. The deterioration in sensory organ functioning is more severe than the immune system changes that have been reported previously. This can bring about weight loss and deterioration of immunity in people. Zinc can also boost good vision. It often works with vitamin A to send nervous impulses to the brain. Vision loss results from declining zinc levels in the retina, the part of the eye involved in light perception.

Zinc can also have beneficial effects on male reproductive health. Zinc deficiency can impair sperm motility and can decrease sperm counts. Sperm quality and quantity is often affected, even with brief periods of zinc deficiency. There is also reduced fertility in women who have zinc deficiency.

In short, adequate levels of zinc can prevent illnesses such as common colds, acne, Down syndrome, canker sores, liver disease, ulcers, diabetes, depression, macular degeneration and infertility.

So, where can we obtain zinc? Oysters are rich in zinc and will produce about 8-9 milligrams of zinc per ounce. Other shellfish are also rich in zinc as well as animal-derived foods. Red meat and poultry can contribute zinc to the diet. Zinc is present in dairy, gras-fed beef, scallops, grass-fed lambs, whole grains, nuts, seeds. Good sources of zinc may also include foods such as Shiitake mushrooms, spinach, and pumpkin seeds.

Zinc and Cell Death

A recent study shows how zinc�an essential trace element of human metabolism, interacts with the enzyme caspase-3, which is central to apoptosis or cell death. The findings of this study are published in the journal Angewandte�Chemie’s�International Edition. In this study, researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University were able to show how zinc inhibits the activity of caspases�which are important drug targets for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. This finding may help other researchers design therapeutic agents that target zinc-caspase�interaction to specifically control the activity of caspases, and hence, apoptosis.

You can read more about zinc and other minerals when you browse our other articles on this site.

Can chocolate prevent obesity and diabetes? Yes it is possible. A new study has shown that components in chocolate can prevent one from gaining weight and from increasing blood sugar levels in the body.

Chocolate

We like to eat chocolate every now and then but do we really know what chocolate is? Chocolate is a processed sweetened food from the Theobroma cacao tree. Cocoa products such as chocolates�are rich sources of flavanol�antioxidants. These products may also contain alkaloids such as theobromine, phenethylamine and caffeine. These substances may have certain physiological effects on the human body and may be linked to serotonin levels in the brain. It is said by some studies that chocolate when eaten in moderation can lower blood pressure and can support cardiovascular health. Other effects are reduced risks of cancer, heart disease and coughing. It can also improve vascular function, energy metabolism and reduced platelet clumping.

Chocolate may have various potential health effects. Eating chocolates can relieve headaches by enhancing the expression of MKP�in the trigeminal ganglion, lowering the level of CGRP�and other inflammatory chemicals possibly involved in mechanisms of migraines. Chocolate contains antioxidants such as phenols that may bring about arterial health and inhibit lipid peroxidation. There may be reduction of blood pressure after chocolate consumption. Cocoa polyphenols in chocolate can also bring about an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol. In some studies it was found out that moderate chocolate consumption can reduce the risk of death in heart attack survivors. Strokes and blood vessel blockages may also be decreased with moderate chocolate consumption.

Chocolate may also serve as an aphrodisiac. The aphrodisiac effects are from the simple sensual pleasure of its consumption and its psychoactive effects brought about by its component methylxanthine, an active biological substance that competes with competes with adenosine, a presynaptic inhibitor modulator, and blocks its receptor. The blockage brings about arousal while decreasing blood pressure and improving insulin sensitivity.

Weight gain may also result from excessive consumption of dark chocolate. This may be beneficial in underweight individuals. Chocolate contains a lot of substances which have various health effects on the body such as anandamide, arginine, caffeine, present in smaller amounts, methylated xanthines (theobromine, caffeine & theophylline), oxalic acid, phenethylamine, phenylalanine, phytates, sugar, tannin, theobromine, theophylline, tryptophan and tyramine. Chocolate is said to the richest flavanol food source. Because of these, some scientists claim that chocolate can help fight off weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

Chocolate, Obesity and Diabetes

A recent study has shown that one particular type of antioxidant in cocoa prevented laboratory mice from gaining excess weight and lowered their blood sugar levels. The results of this study were published in the ACS’ Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. The study fed groups of mice with different diets. Some mice were fed with high fat diets while some mice were fed with low fat�diets. The researchers found out that adding a set of compounds to food known as oligomeric�procyanidins�(PCs) can keep the weight of mice down and can improve their glucose tolerance which could be beneficial in type 2 diabetes. It is said that oligomeric�PCS are said to possess the greatest antiobesity�and antidiabetic�bioactivities�of the flavanols in cocoa, particularly at the low doses employed for this study.

Because of this, scientists recommend the moderate consumption of chocolates. For diabetics it is best to choose a low-fat type of chocolate such as dark chocolate so that its benefits can be enjoyed.

You can read more about chocolate and good nutrition on our other articles on this site.

Iron is an important mineral that is present in the blood, the muscles, organ tissues and other parts of the body. Lately, a study has found out that iron can improve exercise performance in women.

What Is Iron?

Iron is an essential mineral in the body that can be derived from the food that we eat. Iron may be naturally present in foods such as fruits and vegetables or it may be available in supplement form. Iron is often incorporated in hemoglobin, the red pigment in blood that is responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. It also composes myoglobin, a protein that also provides oxygen to the muscles. Iron has essential functions in growth, metabolism, development, cellular function and the production of muscles, connective tissues and hormones.

Iron is available in food in two forms: heme and nonheme. Non-heme iron is often found in plants and foods which are iron-fortified while meat, poultry and fish may contain both heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is formed when iron combines with protoporphyrin IX; this type of iron is commonly found in food.

Iron is present in haemoglobin at concentrations of 3 to 4 grams. Most of the iron�in the body is stored as ferritin�or hemosiderin in the bone marrow, liver and spleen. It is also present in muscle tissue as myoglobin. Iron may be lost through menstrual periods, feces, urine or the gastrointestinal tract.

The richest sources of iron include seafood and lean meat. Non-heme iron may be present in beans, nuts, grains and vegetables. Iron may also come from bread, cereals, and grain products. Breast milk may contain some amounts of iron for babies however these amounts are not often adequate to meet the needs of the growing child aged more than 6 months.

Iron is often mixed with other vitamins and minerals such as ascorbic acid in foods such as meat, poultry and fish. While these foods can enhance iron absorption, foods such as grains, beans and polyphenols in cereals and legumes can in fact inhibit iron absorption. Foods with calcium can also reduce the effect of iron on the body and its bioavailability to the tissues. Iron is also available in dietary supplements such as multivitamin or multimineral�preparations. These preparations may contain ferrous and ferric salts such as ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate and ferric citrate. However, doses of supplemental iron greater than 45 milligrams per day can cause gastrointestinal upset such as constipation and nausea. These iron supplements are widely used by children, pregnant women and lactating women. Calcium supplements should not be given along with iron supplements as the former may inhibit the absorption of the latter.

Children, teenage girls, pregnant women and premenopausal women are at risk of having iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is often associated with poor diet, blood loss and malabsorption. There are several stages that a person may pass through when he or she has iron deficiency. Initially, there may be decreased serum ferritin�concentrations or abnormal erythropoisesis. Then, the haemoglobin and hematocrit�levels may decrease and microcytic�and hypochromic anemia may develop.

Iron and Exercise Performance in Women

A recent study has shown that women who take iron supplements often have improved exercise performance. This study, done by researchers from the University of Melbourne, was a systematic review and analysis of the effect of iron supplementation to the exercise performance of women in child-bearing years. The study gathered data from previous studies that have shown how iron has benefits on exercise performance. This is the first study to demonstrate that iron may have beneficial effects on exercise. The authors remarked that the findings of this study may be used to guide nutritionists in supplementing the diet of athletes, especially women athletes.

To read more about iron and exercise, feel free to read our other articles on this site.

Are you a bit overweight or obese? You better be not, especially if you have family member which have suffered from colon cancers. A recent study has shown that obesity can predispose one to have colon cancer.

What is Obesity?

Obesity�is a state wherein a person is more than overweight and has a high amount of fat in the body. The body mass index is one way of telling whether a person is obese or not. The body mass index can be obtained by dividing your weight on kilograms with your height in meters squared. A person whose BMI fall between 25 and 29 is overweight while a person whose BMI is 30 or above is considered obese. Another measure of obesity is waist circumference. Waist circumference that reaches 94 cm or more in men and 80 cm or more in women is indicative of obesity.

Being obese predisposes one to a multitude of medical problems. An obese person has an increased risk of life-threatening diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancers such as breast cancer or colon cancer and stroke. Depression and other mental health problems may also result.

More and more children are now becoming more obese nowadays and experts blame it on media advertising and poor food choices. Pregnant women who are obese may also become at risk for complications which may be life-threatening both to her and to the baby. Obesity should be treated when present to prevent further weight gain. Weight loss should be done through controlling the intake of calories and through exercise. Lost weight should not be regained in the long run and general health should improve while obesity related complications are reduced.

So what causes obesity? Obesity�often results from aces to cheaper yet high-caloric food portions. These foods are full of empty calories and do not contain a complete set of essential nutrients. Sedentary lifestyles such as office work, television watching and computer-working and gaming can also result to obesity. Transportation makes people drive a lot or commute rather than walk for even a short distance. Medical problems may also result to obesity such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Obesity may be managed by a dietician or a physician. The physician may use medications to aid weight loss however not all people are suited to weight loss medications. Your physician should advise it for your use. Psychological treatment may also be given to change unhealthy eating patterns and behaviour.

Weight loss surgery should be the last resort for obese people. It is often used to treat obese patients with life-threatening complications. These methods include gastric band or gastric bypass surgeries. Treatment of obesity should be done as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening complications. Even moderate weight loss can bring about important health benefits.

Obesity and Colon Cancer

A recent study has found out that obesity can cause changes in the colon that can later on lead to colorectal cancer. This study was done in mice by researchers from the National Institutes of Health.� The findings recommend that calorie control and frequent exercise should be coupled with colon cancer prevention, since colon cancer is one of the most common life-threatening cancers nowadays. The results of this study will be printed on the April 1 edition of the journal Cell Metabolism.

In this study, the researchers fed a group of mice with a diet containing 60% of calories coming from lard. The first group of mice contained a human version of a gene called NAG-1, which has been shown to protect against colon cancer in other rodent studies. The second group lacked the NAG-1 gene. The mice with the NAG-1 gene did not gain weight after eating high fat diet. The second group of mice also exhibited molecular signals that could lead to colon cancer. Thus it is assumed that a high fat diet along with obesity can lead to colon cancers.

You can read more about obesity when you browse our other articles on this site.

Who doesn't like a massage session? All across the centuries, people have realized the benefits of massage therapy on health. Lately, studies have proven that massage therapy has beneficial effects on the circulation.

What is Massage Therapy?

massage

Massage therapy�is the process of manipulating deep and superficial muscle layers along with connective tissues so as to bring about healing, promote relaxation, enhance function, improve reflexes, eliminate hyperexitability as well other benefits. Some people have turned to massage as a recreational activity while others found it to be a healing practice. Massaging involves the use of pressure applied to various body parts either manually or by the use of devices or aids. Massage may be applied to joints, muscles, skin, tendons, connective tissue, ligaments, nerve points or various organ systems. It can be applied using the hands, the feet, the fingers and through mechanical aids.

Professionally, a massage is usually done with the patient lying down on a flat massage table, sitting down on a massage chair, or lying down on a mat. A bed or the floor may be used in some settings. The client may be fully or partially clothed or unclothed.

There are many types of massages.�Accupressure�is a type of massage from ancient Chinese times which was derived from acupuncture. It involves the use of acupressure�points where physical pressure is applied by the massager�using the hand, the elbow or various mechanical devices. Another type of massage is aquatic bodywork in which movement stretching, massage and joint manipulation are performed in warm water pools. Variations of aquatic bodyworks�include Watsu, Water Dance, Jahara�technique, Healing Dance, Aquatic Craniosacral�Therapy, Aquatic Myofascial Release Therapy, etc.

Anma is another type of massage in which there is kneading of muscles and deep tissue work. It is a type of traditional Japanese massage. Another type of massage, Balinese massage, involves the acts of kneading, stroking, skin folding and other techniques. The aim of this massage is to make the client relax as well as to improve blood and oxygen flow. Hot stones may be used in this type of massage.

Barefoot massage is a type of compressive deep tissue massage that uses deep tissue massage, myofascial�release, trigger point therapy, transverse friction, compression, tension, shear, proprioceptive�neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), stretching, as well as parasympathetic response. It involves the use of the foot to massage the client. Another type of massage is Bowen therapy, which involves the use of a rolling movement on the muscles, joints and ligaments. It aims to improve circulation and lymphatic flow.

Breema�massage is a type of massage done while the person is fully clothed while employing stretches and rhythmical movements. Champissage�massage, on the other hand, focuses on the neck, the head and the face to balance the chakras. Other types of massage include craniosacral�therapy (massage to the face, the skull and the spine), Esalen�massage (joint exercises), foot massage, hilot�massage (from the Philippines), pediatric massage (massage for children), Kum Nye (Tibetan massage), Lomi�Lomi�(Hawaiian massage), and medical massage. Medical massage is a type of massage used in the medical field that claims to help treat and prevent various illnesses. Examples of medical massage include decongestive�therapy used for lymphedema, pain massage, and carotid sinus massage for heart problems.

Still other forms of massage include metamorphic technique (a type of foot, hand and head massage), myofascial�release massage, shiatsu and many others.

Massage, Circulation and Muscle Soreness

A recent study from researchers of the University of Illinois at Chicago found out that massage therapy may improve blood flow and relieve muscle soreness after exercise. This study, published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, was also able to show that massage is able to improve vascular function in people who have not exercised. All in all, the researchers were able to deduce that massage can benefit people with all forms of physical activity. Thus the researchers have concluded that massage may have various benefits in exercise and injuries.

You can read more about massage and exercise when you read our other articles in this site.

All of us can get depressed every now and then, yet there are people who get depressed at a pathological level. Thus it is important to let the public know the risks associated with this mental condition so that they can take means on how to prevent it.

Depression

Depression is more than a feeling of sadness. It is a feeling that one is lifeless, empty and apathetic; it may also cause a person to feel anger, aggressive and restless. Whatever its accompanying symptoms may be, depression is way different from normal sadness. It may often interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, eat, have fun and other daily activities. These people may experience helpless, hopeless, and worthless and can find no relief.

If you are depressed, there are several signs and symptoms that you have to watch out for. Depression may bring about insomnia (lack of sleep) or hypersomnia (sleepy all the time), difficulty in concentration, hopelessness, helplessness, difficulty in controlling negative thoughts, loss of appetite, uncontrollable appetite, irritability, short temper, aggressiveness, alcohol abuse, reckless behaviour, and thoughts of suicide. Depression symptoms may vary from person to person, however the most common symptoms include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, weight changes and appetite changes, sleep changes, anger, irritability, loss of energy, self-loathing,� strong feeling of worthlessness or guilt, reckless behaviour, concentration problems, and an increase in physical symptoms such as unexplained headaches, back pain, aching muscles and stomach pain. Depression is also a major contributor for suicide. Warning signs that a depressed person may soon commit suicide include talking about killing or harming one's self, expressing feelings of hopelessness, talking about death or dying, having death wishes, getting affairs in order, or a sudden and unexplained change in mood from depressed to being happy or calm.

Experts say that there are three types of depression: major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. Major depression is characterized by the inability of the person to experience pleasure and enjoy life. There may be moderate or severe symptoms. These symptoms may last for about six months. Dysthymia, on the other hand, is a type of long-term�low-grade depression characterized by brief periods of normal mood and periods of mild or moderate depression. The symptoms may not be as severe as that of major depression, however, they can last for a long time. The other type of depression is bipolar disorder, wherein a persiin undergoes a series of cyclic mood changes. There may be episodes of depression that alternate with episodes of mania. It can be accompanied by impulsive behaviour, rapid speech, hyperactivity, little or no sleep, and impulsive behaviour. A manic or depressive episode may last for several weeks.

Not all people are prone to develop depression, only those with risk factors do so. Risk factors include loneliness, lack of social support, recent stress, family history of depression, financial problems, marital or relationship problems, childhood abuse or trauma, alcohol or drug abuse, unemployment or underemployment, and health problems or chronic pain.

Depression is treated by a combination of social support, lifestyle changes, professional help and emotional skills building. The person should learn how to cultivate supportive relationships, get regular exercise and adequate sleep, eat healthy food, manage stress, practice relaxation techniques, and change negative thoughts. If not, the sufferer may experience consequences that may affect health and well-being.

Depression and Heart Failure

If you think mental health problems cannot bring about health problems, you may be wrong. A latest study shows that moderate to severe depression�may increase the risk of heart failure by 40%. This was according to a study presented at the EuroHeartCare 2014 which utilized data from about 63,000 Norwegians. The researchers found out that there is a dose response relationship between depressive symptoms and the risk of developing heart failure. That means that the more depressed a person feels, the more he or she is at risk.

You can read more about depression in our other articles here.

Aerobic Exercise

Experts have continuously talked about the benefits of exercise but do you actually realize how aerobic exercise could actually benefit you? A recent study has shown that regular aerobic exercise can improve memory of older women.

What is Aerobic Exercise?

Aerobic exercise is a type of exercise that conditions the heart and the blood vessels. This type of exercise utilizes oxygen the most through breathing; this makes muscles burn more fuel and makes them easier to move. Aerobic exercise has several health benefits. It improves cardiovascular functioning, decreases heart disease risk, lowers blood pressure, increases HDL or good cholesterol, controls blood glucose levels well, helps maintain ideal weight, improves the function of the lungs, and decreases resting heart rate that also lowers blood pressure and prevents heart complications.

Before you perform exercise, you should talk first to your doctor about whether exercise is proper for you. You may have limitations that may not enable you to exercise well. If you suffer from hypertension, diabetes, lung problems, arthritis, heart disease and other health conditions, you should seek your doctor's opinion first before you embark on any physical activity. If you suddenly develop symptoms such as joint pains, confusion, jaw pain, shoulder pain, chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty of breathing and other problems while exercising, you should stop exercising and contact your doctor.

Examples of low-impact aerobic exercise include swimming, cycling, walking, roaming, and using exercise machines. Examples of high-impact aerobic exercises include jumping rope, running and other high impact exercises. Guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise for about 5 to 7 days per week which can be broken down into periods consisting of 10 minutes each. These exercises can reduce the risk for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol and other medical problems. These exercises assure you to burn a lot of calories to keep yourself fit and trim for life.

As you exercise with moderate to high intensity, your heart rate also increases. The heart rate often varies from one person to another in terms of fitness level, environment, genetic makeup, and tolerance of the individual to exercise. Your doctor should determine your exercise ranges based on your fitness level. If you are taking blood pressure medications and medications for heart disease, you should consult your doctor first before exercising. Your heart rate should determine your exercise intensity.

Before exercising, it is necessary to warm up. Warming up before exercise involves stretching and increases in pace and exercise intensity. This allows increased blood flow within the body and decreases the likelihood of acquiring joint or muscle injuries. This warm-up session should last for about 5 to 10 minutes. After exercise, a cooling down session should be started which should have the same time as that of the warm-up session. The pace should gradually decrease during the cool-down session and there should be stretching exercises.

After the warming-up session, exercise should gradually progress based on individual exercise tolerance. This can be done by increasing speed, increasing resistance and increasing duration.

Exercise and the Brain

A recent study has shown that regular aerobic exercise is able to boost the size of the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory and learning, among older women. The results of this study were published in the recent edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In this study, the researchers studied the impact of exercise on hippocampal volume of 86 women aged 70 to 80 years old. The results showed that hippocampal total volume was significantly larger in older women who had regular aerobic exercise than those who only did muscle toning and balance exercises.

You can read more about exercise and memory in our other articles on this site.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a condition wherein there is attack on the nerve cells causing nerve damage.� The exact etiology is unknown, however a recent study shows that this could be due to an error in protein formation.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotropic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder in which there is damage to nerve cells or neurons that control voluntary muscles of the body. This medical condition belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron disorders which are characterized by the damage and death of neurons.

For us to understand what happens in ALS,�let us first recall what motor neuron cells are. Motor neurons are nerve cells that are located in the central nervous system such as the brain, the spinal cord and the brainstem. These cells function as control units which branch out to other parts of the nervous system and the voluntary muscles of the body. What happens in ALS is that the upper motor neurons, that is the motor neurons in the brain, and the lower motor neurons or the neurons found in the spinal cord degenerate or even die, thus failing to send signals to the muscles. What happens is that these muscles weaken and waste away. These muscles may eve twitch or have fasciculations. The brain loses control over voluntary movement as a result.

This further causes weakness and disabilities found in ALS. The voluntary muscles are affected and the body is unable to move arms, legs and other parts of the body. ALS can also affect the muscles of the diaphragm and the chest wall, causing limitation in breathing without ventilator support. Eventually, this can cause deaths due to respiratory failure which may occur within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. A few patients afflicted with this disorder survive and live for another 10 or more years. Aside from physical disorders, the disease may also affect cognitive function and give rise to problems with memory and decision-making and depression. Though ALS doesn't affect intelligence and senses, some people may need help in their daily activities as their disease progresses.

Not all people can get ALS, those who have risk factors are more likely to acquire the disease. People who are more likely to acquire this condition include those are aged between 40 to 60 years of age, males, and those who have a family history of the disease. Experts say that ALS is due to a genetic defect in the enzyme superoxide dismutase�1 (SOD1) which further leads to motor neuron death. The symptoms of ALS may be vague but may include muscle cramping, twitching, muscle stiffness, muscle weakness, slurred speech and difficulty in chewing or swallowing. The body part affected is dependent on where the muscles of the body are damaged first. Symptoms may initially affect one leg and may affect gait, balance and coordination. If the muscles of the arm are affected, there may be difficulty in the performance of simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt, writing or turning a key in the lock. There may also be speech problems.

After the initial symptoms, muscle weakness and atrophy may spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses. There may be problems with movement, swallowing, speaking and other problems. Upper motor neuron symptoms include stiffness and tightness of muscles and hypperreflexia. Abnormal reflexes such as the Babinski may be present. Lower motor neuron symptoms, on the other hand, include muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, muscle cramps and muscle twitching.

The Origin of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

A new study has shown that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis�may be caused by an error in protein formation. The study, done by researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison, researchers have pointed out to proteins that build a transport structure inside the motor neurons. This structure, called the neurofilament, can move chemicals and cellular subunits to the far ends of the nerve cell. In ALS, there are tangles in the nerve's projections due to protein deformities that block the passage of signals in the nerve fibers and cause the malfunctioning and death of the neurons.

You can read more about ALS if you browse our other articles on this site.