This helped reduce the severity of flu symptoms, and even lowered the risk of contracting a bad cold or flu infection.

Writing in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, scientists believe the benefits of moderate exercise bolster the part of the immune system that defends against viral attack.

However, exhausting workouts may make people more susceptible to flu infection.

In the study, mice regularly scampering on a treadmill for over 3 months developed less-severe symptoms when infected with the flu virus.

Also, when compared to couch potato mice, active mice had lower levels of inflammatory substances in their lungs, after being infected with the flu.

Given the current Swine Flu hysteria, experts insist this is another reason to incorporate regular exercise into your routine.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: Easy Bingo

After all, healthy employees take fewer sick days, and fewer sick days saves money.

So it’s a good thing a new study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, shows workplace exercise programs do their job, and improve employees’ health.

A review of previous studies, involving 38,000 people, revealed on-the-job exercise initiatives lead to healthy changes in activity level, cholesterol, body size, work attendance, and job stress.

And surprise-surprise, the most effective exercise programs were also the most convenient, like those with a gym on site, and ones that allowed employees to work out during the day, instead of having to come in early or stay late.

But exercising at work doesn’t have to be as involved as weights and treadmills. Tai Chi is becoming a popular activity, and is easy to at or away from your cubicle.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: North Shore Brain Training

Appearing in the British Journal of Psychiatry, a new study has discovered a link between fatty and processed food, and depression.

Results showed people eating diets packed with processed food had a 58% higher risk of becoming depressed.

Conversely, individuals consuming healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, and fish, plus exercising, and not smoking, had 24% less risk.

Researchers credit antioxidants for fruits and vegetables depression-preventing effects, previous studies associate antioxidants with a decreased risk of depression.

And fish works because it is rich in healthy fats, like omega-3s, which promote brain health.

It’s hard to go wrong with fruits and vegetables, but nowadays, most fish comes with a high degree of mercury contamination, so, and for you vegans out there, foods like walnuts and flaxseed are also good sources of omega-3s.

For fish eaters, here’s a guide to help you choose low contamination fish: Environmental Defense Food Seafood Selector.

Via the AFP.

Image credit: Dunbar Systems Inc.

Results of a new study, published in the Archives of Surgery, show among the 856 participants, 1.3% died 30 days following their surgery, 2.1% after 90 days, and 3.4% within a year.

Health problems, like heart disease and diabetes, made these percentages worse.

Participants included men and women with an average age of 54, and average body-mass index (BMI) of 48.7. A BMI above 40 is considered morbid obesity, or “super obese.”

Researchers say the high rate of mortality may be due to super obese individuals’ size. The extra abdominal fat, and folds of skin, creates additional complications, like wound issues and blood clotting.

So experts insist doctors consult with patients about all the potential dangers of weight-loss surgery, especially those with existing chronic health problems.

Other risks of bariatric surgery include: bloating and diarrhea, infections, hernia and leaks near the surgical site, and pneumonia.

Via HealthDay News.

Image credit: The Classroom

In a new study, experts found people, who drank more water, also consume more fiber, avoid sugar, and eat less junk food.

But hang on! Water is not a magic potion. Plenty of people enjoy a tall glass of water with their fried chicken and bacon strips.

Of the 12,000 people studied, individuals drinking more water ate less calorie-dense foods. Stuff like fruits and vegetables are low-calorie.

Scientists say eating fewer calorie-dense foods is a marker of a healthy diet.

But don’t run out and buy a bota bag just yet, researchers insist you should let your thirst dictate how much you drink.

So the “belief” that you should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day isn’t true.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: ehow.com

And its not just shrimp, other shellfish, like crabs and mussels, raise risk too.

But the problem is not the shellfish itself. Instead its how shrimp, mussels, and crab are often cooked and served.

In a British study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, experts say shellfish is most often prepared with butter and mayonnaise or fried with oil, which increases cholesterol, adding to diabetes risk.

But regular fish may help lower risk. When assessing the 21,984 study participants’ weekly consumption of shellfish and non-shellfish, like cod, mackerel, tuna, and sole, only 725 people developed type-2 diabetes.

So researchers recommend further research into the diabetes-shellfish link, but urge the public to consume non-shellfish regularly.

Just be careful, nowadays most species of fish are contaminated with mercury and other pollutants, so choose carefully.

Here’s a great guide for picking the safest fish: Environmental Defense Fund Seafood Selector.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska

That’s the school lunch most of us know, and that’s not going to cut it anymore.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) says meals need more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less salt. Plus more skim and low-fat milk.

An IOM committee was formed to make recommendations to the government to help revise current school lunch programs.

Ultimately the IOM’s suggestions will be made into regulations, and schools will be required to adhere to them or risk not getting reimbursed for school meals.

The IOM’s major recommendations include reducing sodium in school lunches to 740 milligrams, today’s average is 1,600 milligrams; meals must contain one cup of fruit and three-quarters to one whole cup of vegetables; half of all breads and pasta should be whole grain; milk should only be skim or 1%; and meat limited to only two ounces.

But money is a major issue. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains cost more than potato flakes, churros, and cheese burgers under heat lamps.

Via HealthDay News.

Image credit: USA Today

No surprise here, but experts estimate 80% of people worldwide don’t meet the recommended servings of vegetables each day.

And it’s probably going to get worse as McDonald’s, Double Stuff Oreos, Cool Ranch Doritos, and Pop-Tarts spread across the globe

After two studies, researchers claim drinking V8 helped participants meet the suggested 4 servings of vegetables per day.

A 12 week study revealed adults ages 40 to 65, drinking at least two cups of vegetable juice met the daily vegetable recommendations, plus the participants of the study were borderline hypertensive, and V8 helped lower their blood pressure.

In another study, also 12 weeks, overweight people who drank one to two servings of low sodium V8 shed an average of four pounds. Non-juice drinkers only lost one pound.

Scientists call this a “big win in promoting good health,” and it’s a obviously a huge win for V8 too. Funny how things work out!

But I guess vegetable juice can’t hurt. If you can’t eat your vegetables, drink them, all of them. Don’t throw out the pulp, i.e. fiber. Choke it down if you have too.

Via EurekAlert!

Image credit: ViewPoints.com