Healthy research bites-videos
Plant Nutrients for Brain Function From an extensive review of the literature, researchers from Spain highlight 4 plant nutrients with important effects on brain function: Ginkgo bilobafor perceptual and motor function. Bacopa monnierifor language, learning, and memory. Ashwagandha for anxiety and social-related cognition. Caffeine for attention and executive function. Of course, the doses will depend […]
Strength Training & Bone Density Bone mineral density is a subject of concern as we age, and researchers from Brazil are showing us how to prevent its decline. They took a group of post-menopausal women and had them lift weights 3 times per week for 24 weeks. One interesting note about the training was that
Cola and Sperm Production It’s been well-studied how sperm count has been declining steadily throughout the years, and researchers from Denmark are showing us how important eating habits are, specifically the consumption of cola beverages. In their research, they found that the higher the cola consumption, the lower the sperm concentration and the lower the
Exercise’s Impact on the Immune System We have been told that exercising can negatively affect the immune system, but researchers from Bath University want us to change that way of thinking. In their research, they show that short-term exercise can help the body fight pathogens through the action of the lymphocytes, and long-term exercise can
DHA & Folic Acid in the Brain In a randomized controlled trial, researchers from China tested the effects of the use of Folic Acid, DHA, which is one of the components of fish oil, or a combination of both in cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment. The results showed that both supplements generated
Weightlifting for Strong Bones: Harvard’s Insights Some time ago, I spoke about the cross-talk between muscles and bones, and Harvard is reminding us how important strength training is for bone health. In a document that sums up the research on the subject, the author explains that every time we lift weights, we put good stress
Walnuts and Brain Health Benefits Recently I spoke about the benefits of walnuts for cardiovascular health, and researchers from New York are showing us that they are also good for brain health. In a review of the literature, the researchers found that diets where walnuts were consumed daily, can: Improve cognitive function, memory, and verbal
Gym Progress Strategies: Reps vs. Load In my classes, I teach ways of progressing in the gym, and researchers from the US compared 2 of them. Increasing load or increasing reps during 8 weeks. Interestingly enough, having subjects that were experienced lifters, both protocols produced significant changes in strength and hypertrophy. From all the variables
Walnuts and Cardiovascular Health We know that walnuts are good for the brain, and researchers from Spain and the USA are showing us that they can also help with cardiovascular health. For two years, with more than 600 elderly participants, one group totally stayed away from walnuts, while the other group consumed 15% of
Cold Water Immersion and Recovery We’re getting more and more questions about the use of cold-water immersion right after training, and researchers from Russia and China are giving us a partial answer. In a meta-analysis where the water temperatures were between 5˚ C – 15˚ C, researchers measured subjective and objective indicators: Subjects reported a