I know you must be thinking “what does happiness have to do with fitness and health?” According to the World Health Organization, health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.” Thus, our overall health depends on how we feel on a daily basis. Unfortunately, our hectic lifestyles can sometimes get in the way of our well-being.
Can You Be Skinny But Fat?
The answer is definitely yes. Just because you may appear to be within your normal weight range, it doesn’t mean that you are in your best shape. Curiously, most people who were born thin believe that they won the “genetic lottery.” This means that they can eat whatever they want and slouch on the couch for hours, and still get away with it. Well, if that’s your case, I have bad news for you. First of all, thinness doesn’t guarantee good health or greater longevity. In addition, recent research has pointed out that many thin individuals may have a high percentage of body fat. These individuals are considered metabolically obese despite their normal weight. I must remind you that carrying excessive body fat has been associated with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, gall bladder disease, and cirrhosis of the liver, among others. Unfortunately, it seems that “normal weight obesity” is more common among women.
Preventing Knee Injuries
The knee is one of the most injured regions of the body. Women are more prone to knee injuries than men, especially when practicing high-impact sports that involve cutting and jumping. The reason is still unclear, but researchers believe that women tend to have knee motions that make them more susceptible to injuries. Recent studies have found that there is a difference in the way sensory information is processed by the nervous system in men and women, which could explain the differences in injury rates.
Phytochemicals: A Healthy Bonus
You are probably thinking: “What the heck are phytochemicals?” Even if you are not connecting the dots right now, I’m sure you’ve heard of them before. Many articles have been written recently emphasizing the potential benefits of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are a relatively new class of nutrients. Technically, phytochemicals are not considered nutrients per se, because they don’t provide energy or building blocks to the body. They aren’t considered essential either. However, these substances are believed to have health-protective properties. Recent research suggests that these compounds can perform fundamental protective roles, reducing the risk of developing many diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
From Disordered Eating to Eating Disorders
Eating is an instinctive behavior that is easily affected by one’s psychological, social, and cultural environment. I would say that it is hard to find someone nowadays who eats with the sole purpose of nourishing the body. Yes, we still eat to fuel ourselves, but we also eat to celebrate special occasions or when we are feeling the blues, for instance. Another example of how external factors can influence our eating behaviors is the current “diet mentality.” The constant exposure to society’s stereotype of the “ideal body” creates the illusion that thinness will bring happiness, love, and success. In the name of “health,” many people end up engaging in unhealthy eating practices. Unfortunately, this social pressure may ultimately lead to pathological weight-control measures, fear of becoming fat, and distorted body image.
What Is Binge Drinking and How May It Harm You?
Binge drinking is defined as having more than four alcoholic drinks (for women) or five alcoholic drinks (for men) in one sitting. Even though it may sound strange to most people, it is a common behavior among college students. You probably had at least one episode of binge drinking in your lifetime: a bachelorette celebration, a college party or a “girls’ night out.” I’m sure you still remember how bad you felt the day after. Headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, dry mouth, and irritability are a few symptoms of a hangover. Besides causing serious temporary impairments, consuming large amounts of alcohol at once may also lead to alcohol abuse and addiction in the long run.
Diabetes Unveiled
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects 8.3% of Americans[1]. It is a serious disease that if left untreated, can cause cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, and death. Diabetes is more prevalent in certain populations such as Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans.
Taking Care of Your Feet and Ankles – Part II
In the last article, we discussed how muscle imbalances may cause ankle and foot misalignments. These misalignments can then produce erroneous biomechanics which may result in injuries. When muscles are activated through abnormal patterns, they may lead to inflammation and tenderness in body tissues such as fasciae, tendons, and muscles, which results in painful conditions and joint instability. Many people know what I’m talking about. Foot and ankle impairments such as plantar fasciitis[1], Achilles’ tendinopathy[2], shin splints[3], and ankle sprains are usually associated with lack of flexibility of the ankle and hyperpronation of the foot (flat foot), conditions caused by local muscle imbalances.
Taking Care of Your Feet and Ankles – Part I
Have you been giving your feet any attention lately? If you are like most people, you probably don’t even notice them unless you need a pedicure. Even though this region is usually neglected by many people, our feet are very important structures and deserve some TLC.
Understanding High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition in which blood pressure is chronically elevated. Blood pressure is defined as the force exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels. During a heartbeat, the heart muscle contracts, expelling blood into the arteries. The pressure against the arteries’ walls at this point is known as systolic pressure. When the heart is relaxed, the blood pressure is usually lower and is known as diastolic pressure. For adults, blood pressure is considered normal when systolic pressure is lower than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure is lower than 80 mmHg.