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A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health that followed 3,000 men reveals a link between intelligence and midlife physical performance. Previous research suggests the better our physical performance in middle age, the more likely we are to retain our independence and cope with everyday activities in old age, such as carrying our shopping and getting dressed. Researchers who study this area usually employ a number of tests - such as handgrip strength, balance, chair rises, jumping height (a measure of leg strength), and back strength - when measuring physical performance. For … [Read more...] about Intelligence linked to physical performance in middle age, study shows

Read enough health studies and you come to realize darn near every theory has one study proving one thing and another study proving the exact opposite. It's a cold, confusing world out there, and though science tries to make sense of it all, absolute truths and facts are hard to come by. That doesn't mean science is going to give up, though. Consider the case of butter. For the past however many years, we've been drilled to think butter is bad. Butter is a saturated fat and heaps of research have found that saturated fats lead to heart disease. Plus, the molecules of saturated fats are packed … [Read more...] about Is butter back? The truth about this favorite fat

Most people begin a new fitness program with great intentions and lots of motivation--only to find both waning within a few weeks. The realities of work, school, social and family demands overwhelm the desire to get fit, and exercise gets puts on the back burner. Before you start your next fitness kick, use these 6 strategies to make sure you don't use "being busy" as an excuse to not get moving. Excuse #1: I'm too tired to exercise when I get home from work or school. If you typically crash on the couch after a long day (and can't seem to get back up again), there are several potential … [Read more...] about How to Overcome Any Excuse Not to Exercise

Refined carbohydrates — such as those found in white bread, white rice and sodas — may harm more than the waistlines of older women. New research shows that eating too much of these highly processed foods might also raise their risk of depression. Luckily, the opposite also appears to be true: The analysis also found that those who ate lots of whole grains, vegetables, fruits and dietary fiber appeared to see their risk for depression drop. The study involved more than 70,000 women aged 50 to 79. The findings, the investigators said, only show an association between “refined” carbs and … [Read more...] about The Surprising Link Between Carbs and Depression

High profile events like the Olympics bring the hope that witnessing and celebrating dedicated athletes at the top of their game, will inspire young people to take up sport and physical activities that help them develop confidence, lead more satisfying lives, and not least, secure long-term health by reducing their risk for developing chronic illness like diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. But unfortunately, if they don't take appropriate measures, young athletes can instead, end up in pain, on a different path to poor health, due to avoidable sport injury. James R. … [Read more...] about Young Athletes: Injuries And Prevention

Victory was sweet for the U.S. Women's World Cup team 5-2 victory this month -- but it's a safe bet that the vanquished team from Japan was reaching for actual sweets after the stunning upset. Research by Cornell food scientists reveals how a person's emotional state -- particularly in the competitive, wide world of sports -- affects the perception of taste. In particular, people in negative emotional states tend to crave sweets more than those in a positive frame of mind. "We determined how emotions arising from the outcome of college hockey games influenced the perception of sweet, salty, … [Read more...] about Is defeat sweeter than victory? Researchers reveal the science behind emotional eating

  WASHINGTON — Health insurance companies around the country are seeking rate increases of 20 percent to 40 percent or more, saying their new customers under the Affordable Care Act turned out to be sicker than expected. Federal officials say they are determined to see that the requests are scaled back. Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans — market leaders in many states — are seeking rate increases that average 23 percent in Illinois, 25 percent in North Carolina, 31 percent in Oklahoma, 36 percent in Tennessee and 54 percent in Minnesota, according to documents posted online by the federal … [Read more...] about Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases for 2016

  A study of more than 67,000 women suggests that those who are obese and postmenopausal may face significantly higher odds for breast cancer compared with slimmer women. The risk for breast cancer among the most obese women in the study was up to 58 percent higher than for normal-weight women. In this study, the researchers said the most obese women had a body mass index (a measure of body fat) of 35 or higher. A woman who is 5-foot-7 and weighs 225 pounds would fall into that category. "Obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer that is modifiable, making a healthy weight very … [Read more...] about Obese Postmenopausal Women May Face Higher Risk for Breast Cancer