Your grip and heart disease; reversing bone loss; food safety

Posted on July 31, 2015 by bob in NewsUCanUse

Exercise May Reverse Age-Related Bone Loss in Middle-aged Men

Men gradually lose bone mass as they age, which puts them at risk for developing osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones weak and prone to breakage. U. of Missouri researchers have found certain types of weight-lifting and jumping exercises, when completed for at least six months, improve bone density in active, healthy, middle-aged men with low bone mass. These exercises may help prevent osteoporosis by facilitating bone growth, according to the study published in Bone.

The researchers found the bone mass of the whole body and lumbar spine significantly increased after six months of completing the weight-lifting or jumping programs, and this increase was maintained at 12 months. Hip-bone density only increased among those who completed the weight-lifting program.

Researches noted the study results do not indicate that all kinds of weight lifting will help improve bone mass; rather, targeted exercises made the training programs effective.

— University of Missouri-Columbia, Science Daily, www.sciencedaily.com/releases

DNA Sun Damage Documented

Scientists have documented for the first time the DNA damage that can occur to skin across the full range of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This could provide an invaluable tool for sun-protection and the manufacturers of sunscreen. Scientists at Newcastle University, U.K., tested human skin cell lines for ultra-violent damage to both the upper layer (dermis) and lower layer (epidermis) of skin..

Our skin ages due to the constant exposure to sunlight, as ultraviolet radiation comprising UVA and UVB rays from the sun penetrates cells and increases the number of damaging free radicals. Over time, this can lead to the accumulation of DNA damage which speed up aging and destroy the skin’s supportive fibers, collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles. Studies strongly suggest this damage may also initiate and exacerbate the development of skin cancers. — Science Daily, www.sciencedaily.com/releases

Food Safety When the Power Goes Out

Tornadoes and hurricanes represent the most severe forms of severe weather, but thunderstorms can also knock out electricity. To keep food safe during powers outages, Bob Gravani, PhD, CFS, a Professor of Food Science at Cornell University,  offers these:

1. Have an appliance thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer. The refrigerator should be at or below 40° Fahrenheit, and the freezer at or below 0° Fahrenheit;

2. Freeze containers of water and gel packs ahead of time and pack coolers with refrigerated foods;

3. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A refrigerator should maintain its cold temperature for about four hours without power. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours, but only 24 hours if it’s half full;

4. When in doubt, throw it out. If at any point food is above 40° Fahrenheit for two hours or more, throw it away;

5. Never taste food, or depend on appearance or odor, to determine if food is safe;

6. Frozen food that has ice crystals can be refrozen or cooked, but better to toss it out if you’re unsure. Eating food not kept at the proper temperature may cause illness even if it is thoroughly cooked;

7. Keep a three-day supply of nonperishable food that doesn’t need refrigeration or cooking;

8. Stock up on bottled water.

Hand-Grip Test Could Predict Heart Disease Risk

Researchers at McMaster University in Canada found that there may be a connection between hand-grip strength and someone’s heart health. Researchers studied nearly 140,000 adults ages 35 to 70 to test their grip-strength and monitor their general health for four years.

For every 11-pound decrease in grip strength, the researchers found a 17 percent increased risk of cardiovascular death, a 7 percent increased risk in heart attack, and a 9 percent increased risk of stroke.

Researchers noted that the hand grip test is cheap, easy and out-performs some traditional methods for predicting one’s risk of death by cardiovascular disease. While it was not clear whether strength training specifically improves cardiovascular health or just improves overall health, researchers recommend regular exercise, including strength training, for adults.

Falls May Signal Larger Health Issues

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that the number of older adults in the U.S. who die from fall-related injuries has nearly doubled since 2000. The CDC found that about 30 in every 100,000 older adults died following a fall in the year 2000. By the year 2013, about 57 in every 100,000 older adults died following a fall, nearly a 50 percent increase. Falls are often a triggering event that signal larger health issues. The study highlights the importance of coordinated fall-prevention efforts, such as home assessments and balance exercises.