HOW TO KEEP WEIGHT HEALTHY
The U.S. government has issued tips promoting healthy weight, including gradual -- not rapid -- changes in dietary habits. The Department of Veterans Affairs notes nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight, more than three in 10 are obese and obesity is implicated in 300,000 deaths each year. A study by the VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention found among women receiving care at VA medical centers in 2000, 68 percent were overweight and 37 percent were obese. The figures for men were 73 percent and 33 percent, respectively. For permanent weight loss, the VA experts recommend: set realistic goals, such as losing 10 percent of your body weight; eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and cut back on high-fat, high-calorie foods; don't skip meals or starve; be more active; eat slowly; and, eat smaller amounts.
WEIGHT TRAINING MAY BENEFIT MS PATIENTS
Lifting weights may help improve muscle strength and quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis, a University of Florida study finds. "This is the first published report using a conventional weight-training program for patients with MS," says lead study author Lesley White, professor of applied physiology and kinesiology. "We designed an exercise program to develop muscle strength because MS causes muscle weakness and fatigue, which contribute to a declining cycle of fitness, loss of mobility and decreased quality of life." The study, published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis, shows after eight weeks of supervised resistance training on conventional gym equipment, eight MS patients had stronger muscles, walked better and reported less fatigue and disability.
WEB SITE INFORMS ON CHOLESTEROL
For those with questions about cholesterol, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., has launched an online Cholesterol Center. Go to mayoclinic.com and click on "cholesterol" under Health Centers to read articles, watch videos, learn about new medications and take interactive quizzes about the heart implications of your diet and lifestyle. By exercising regularly, eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet and shedding excess weight, you can cut your cholesterol level down to size, says Dr. Gerald Gau, professor of medicine, director of the Cardiovascular Health Clinic and specialty medical editor of the online center. Beginning at age 20, you should have a blood test at least every five years to learn about your risk for heart disease and stroke, he advises.
CREAM MAY EASE JOINT PAIN
Celadrin cream may help ease joint pain, a University of Connecticut study shows. Researchers say with two major prescription pain relievers linked to heart trouble, joint pain sufferers are in need of an alternative. Research indicates Celadrin may promote healthy joint function, restore mobility, reduce inflammation and relieve muscle stiffness caused by injuries by enhancing and lubricating cell membranes and restoring fluids that cushion bones and joints, the study authors say in the Journal of Rheumatology. The study participants using the cream moved faster, with decreased joint inflammation and increased range of motion but without side effects, says investigator William Kraemer.
(Editors: For more information about WEIGHT, contact Adrien Creecy-Starks at (202) 530-9361 or [email protected]. For MS, Carolyn Gramling at (352) 392-0186 or [email protected]. For CHOLESTEROL, call (507) 284-2511. For JOINT, Sarah Clark at (612) 798-7260 or [email protected])
