Increasing Physical Fitness During Middle-Age Fights Chronis Diseases Longer

A fascinating look at the benefits of increased physical fitness during our middle-age years: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/the-benefits-of-middle-age-fitness/?src=me&ref=general.

Firefighters at Increased Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death

A report on the health risks firefighters face as a result of the nature of their job, based on research done here at POTENTRx: Firefighter Press Release: Cardiac Risk

Low-Carb, High Protein Diets

QUESTION:
Are there health benefits associated with diets such as the Paleo Diet?

ANSWER:
The Paleo Diet, along with several others, emphasizes decreased carbohydrate consumption in exchange for an increased protein intake. This method claims to promote cardiovascular health and weight loss, as well as to reduce the risk for metabolic syndromes, including Type 2 diabetes. By restricting carbohydrate intake, particularly simple, processed sugars, glucose sensitivity increases and insulin resistance decreases. Furthermore, boosting protein intake promotes a prolonged feeling of satiety,

The Risks of Sitting

QUESTION:
I've heard that standing more can actually provide health benefits. Is this true? And why?

ANSWER:
Sedentary lifestyles are known to increase one’s risk for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Typically, these lifestyles maintain very low levels of physical activity, which ultimately lead to weight increases and a lowered insulin sensitivity. While an ideal change to a sedentary lifestyle is increasing physical activity, not every one is able to become physically active in the same way or to the same degree. Therefore, it is crucial to find

Aerobic Exercise and HDL Cholesterol

QUESTION:
I’ve read that aerobic exercise will raise the HDL level. I exercised aerobically at least 30 minutes daily, most days of the week for a year and my HDL (30) didn’t budge. I have a very low total cholesterol (130) , LDL and triglycerides. With no other cardiac risk factors, do I need to be concerned about my low HDL?

ANSWER:
When assessing risk based on cholesterol, it is important to look at HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels. The American College of Sports Medicine, (ACSM), considers HDL levels below 35, LDL levels greater than 130, and total cholesterol greater than 200 to be concerning in regards to increased risk for coronary artery disease. Your HDL of 30 in concerning in light of these standards, while both your LDL and total cholesterol levels are highly ideal. Taken into consideration with your lack

Reversing Risk Factors

QUESTION:
My doctor says that losing some weight and exercising more will reduce or possibly even reverse some of the risk factors I have. There’s so many ways to exercise! How do I best spend my time to get these benefits?

ANSWER:
Being overweight and small amounts of physical activity can add up to big problems over the years. Research has shown increased occurrences of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include, but aren’t limited to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, increased risk for developing type two diabetes, coronary artery disease, and other preventable diseases. Prolonged regular lower intensity cardiovascular exercise has been shown to be the best option for most people to reduce cholesterol,

Low Intensity Exercise

QUESTION:
Some people tell me low intensity exercise burns more fat, but others say high intensity does? What burns more fat calories? What should I do?

ANSWER:
This is a tricky question that we get asked quite often, and to keep things short the best answer would be they both do! The truth is that the rate of fat burning differs during exercise and after exercise for these training modes. Research has shown that low intensity exercise burns more fat calories during exercise, and high intensity exercise burns more fat after training. Deciding which method is best for you depends on what your goals are, and what you are willing to commit to doing with your

3D Analysis

QUESTION:
I have had bad knee pain for over 6 months. I have been going to a physical therapist but the rehab exercises don’t seem to be helping. Are there any alternatives for what I am already doing?

ANSWER:
There is an alternative!. A 3-dimensional analysis gives us the ability to look at many different parts of the body and how they are interacting together from as narrow of a spectrum or as broad of a spectrum as we need. 3-dimensional analysis can be done using any mode of movement or exercise desired (running, walking, cycling, rowing, etc.) and allow us to look at those movements from any angle necessary. Incorporated into the analysis can be other tools such as force plates for ground reaction

Barefoot Running

QUESTION:
Everyone keeps talking about barefoot running. I have heard opinions on both sides of the argument that make sense to me. Should I start barefoot running?

ANSWER:
Barefoot running is a very hot topic right now in the world of running. Before anyone decides to make a drastic change such as going from a basic running shoe to barefoot or “minimalist” running shoe, there are many factors that need to be considered before making that decision. The first, and probably most important aspect to factor in, is the biomechanics surrounding your foot. Everyone’s foot falls somewhere on the spectrum between high arches (pes cavus), and flat feet (pes planus). Depending

What are triglycerides?

QUESTION:
What are triglycerides? My doctor says mine are elevated and that I am at risk for heart disease and diabetes? Can you explain that? What can I do about that?

ANSWER:
Triglycerides are a product of how we metabolize our food. Triglycerides can be used as fuel for our bodies needs or stored in fat cells.   High triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease especially in women,  High triglyceride levels are most often found in overweight men and women who have an increased waist measurement (>35” in women or >40” in men). These people are considered pre-diabetic as the high triglyceride levels and the central fat tissue