Deep breathing can improve fitness

Here's some good news for practitioners of yoga and qigong. New research suggests that simple breathing techniques can lower respiration rates and help cardiac patients to maintain healthy blood oxygen levels and become more physically fit.

A team of Italian physicians compared blood oxygen levels in cardiac patients and normal subjects during both spontaneous breathing and periods of controlled breathing. In one study, 15 cardiac patients were assigned to one of two experimental groups. One of the groups learned yoga breathing techniques. Those patients continued practicing yoga at home for an hour a day. After a month, the patients practicing the breathing technique breathed more slowly, had higher levels of blood oxygen, and performed better on exercise tests.

Acupuncture May Lessen Depression Symptoms

New research suggests that the ancient Chinese remedy of acupuncture may help alleviate symptoms of depression. A research team at the University of Arizona studied 38 depressed women. Some of the women received acupuncture while the rest received no treatment.

Patients who received acupuncture specifically designed for depression had a remission rate double that of patients who received "placebo" acupuncture. Those who received the "real" acupuncture also reported relief at a "much higher" rate than the women who had received no acupuncture at all.

Exercise, weight loss lower blood pressure

Here's a puzzling finding based on a blood pressure study conducted at the University of Michigan. The study found that middle-aged, overweight men who took up either aerobic exercise or lost weight through dieting were able to lower their blood pressure. But doing both (exercising and losing weight by dieting) did not appear to bring blood pressure down any further.

According to the study, it appears that combining aerobic exercise training and weight loss does not reduce blood pressure any more than the two interventions do independently. However, the combination of aerobic exercise and weight loss does result in improved glucose metabolism. This may be important in deterring hypertension. So there are still good reasons to both exercise and eat right.

Stress and diabetes

Diabetics are taught to control their glucose levels by manipulating their diets, exercise routines and insulin intake. Experts now believe that diabetics should also learn how to deal with stress as a way to improve management of their disease.

Scientists studied the psychological and social factors effecting the regulation of blood sugar among diabetics. They found that biological factors interact with psychosocial factors in affecting control of blood sugar. This suggests that diabetics should do more than monitor their diets, exercise and insulin intake. They should also attend to their psychological well-being. Reducing stress may be helpful in bringing those blood sugar levels under control.

High fruit and vegetable intake reduces stroke risk

Ischemic strokes occur when fatty deposits or blood clots block the arteries that feed the brain. New research suggests that eating fruits and vegetables can help ward off this most common form of stroke.

Boston researchers found that people who eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day are less likely to suffer from ischemic stroke than those who eat fewer than three servings a day. They also found that for each increase in the number of servings of fruits and vegetables a day, the risk of ischemic stroke drops by a combined average of 6% in both men and women. However, no further reduction in stroke risk occurs beyond six servings. Some of the most beneficial vegetables are broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts.

Back to the basics for healthy living

The five basic food groups are making a comeback! Some of America's top health organizations have banded together to endorse a common -sense eating plan based on the tried-and-true food pyramid. It seems common sense eating is, after all, the best way to combat disease --and lose weight in the process.

Recently, the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee joined three other major health organizations to endorse a single eating plan. This plan is designed to help combat the "four big killers": heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. By developing a uniform set of dietary guidelines, these health organizations hope to clear up the confusion that keeps so many from exercising healthy eating habits.