TheWellnessLiving Health Tips

Regular exercise and consumption of caffeine protect the body from the destructive effects of ultraviolet (UVA) and therefore may be associated with the prevention of skin cancer, according to a new study by Rutgers  University (New Jersey), whose results are published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.”

According to this research, caffeine and exercise collaborate in the destruction of precancerous cells whose DNA has been damaged by UVA, causing self-destruction. “If apoptosis takes place in cells damaged by the sun, it will slow down the progression of cancer through them,” explained one of the authors of the study, Dr. Allan Conney.

The investigation was conducted with hairless mice that were exposed to ultraviolet radiation lamps that generated that damage DNA from the cells of their skin. In turn, four groups were established, one that drank water caffeine, another who exercised running on a wheel, a third group did both, while a fourth and final group did not carry out any of these behaviors. Rodents caffeine drinkers showed about a 95% increase in apoptosis induced by UVA, which exercised showed an increase of 120%, while those who made both approached an increase of 400%.

Sports drinks have become very pospular as an easy source of nutrients and energy for people engaging in highly demanding physical activity such as running, biking or swimming. However, many are not comfortable with the available products and prefer other, more natural choices. Here is a recipe for an easy to make, healthy and delicious beverage, equally good for a quick energy source before starting or to replenish your body after a long training day.

Ingredients:

• Water – 2 cups
• Lemon tea bag (with or without caffeine) – 1
• Honey or sugar cane syrup – 2 tsps
• Salt – 1/8 tsp
• Orange juice – 4 tsps

Preparation:

Boil 16 ounces of water and steep the lemon tea bag. Add then the honey (or sugar), salt and let cool down. Combine with orange juice and chill.

The nutrition facts: Each 8-ounce serving contains approximately 60 calories, less than 1 g of protein, 15 g of carbohydrates, 130 mg of sodium and less than 1 g of fat.

UK’s NHS Information Centre for health and social care informed that prescribed anti obesity drugs reached more than a million a year. This represents an annual cost of £47.5 million. Officials said that the number of prescriptions surpassed for more than eight times the level nine years ago. Most prescriptions are written for two drugs, orlistat (Xenical) and sibutramine (Reductil).

The two drugs work very differently. Sibutramine functions by altering chemical messages that control feelings such as hunger or desire to eat, whereas orlistat reduces absorption of ingested fat.

The NHS also informed that about one fifth of men and nearly one in four women are now at very high risk of developing health problems caused or stimulated by overweight.

Exercise and healthy diet

One of the problems is that many people recur to taking a pill to solve their weight problems instead of focusing on earlier stages of the process. Anti-obesity drugs can help manage weight problems but it is best if they are left as the last resort. Doctors recommend a healthy diet and regular physical activity to manage weight. This way it is possible to reduce serious conditions linked to obesity such as diabetes and heart disease in a more efficient way.