THIS has also been associated with increased risks of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, depression, and early death in earlier studies. But this is the first human study to link it with cancer.
Researchers still have a long way to go as they cannot yet prove a cause and effect relationship. But there is a "very solid association".
What is it? (hint: it's tough to know because you could sleep right through it.)
Sleep Apnea, the silent killer. Press release here.
Common causes of sleep apnea are:
- Excess weight
- Neck circumference - greater than 17 inches
- High blood pressure
- A narrowed airway
- Being male
- Being older - 2-3x more often in adults older than 65
- Family history
- Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers
- Smoking
- Prolonged sitting
I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, if there is a panacea, it's exercise.
I can argue that if you were to lose weight alone you'd fix a slue of (potential) problems. And losing weight, of course, starts with diet and exercise. But know that by just getting more muscularly stronger and more aerobically fit helps regulate your metabolism and body rhythms. There's a lot to be said for getting hungry when you're suppose to and getting tired when you're supposed to. Eating your first meal at 2pm is not normal, nor is getting tired and falling asleep at 2am. Even if you do wake up at noon.
Get better sleep, get fit, and stay healthy.
In other (bad) health news...
2/3 of obese teens and 1/2 of overweight teens already have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
Teens! And heart disease! Can you believe that?
So much for the story of a normal 40 year old dying of a heart attack. It won't be long before a 20 year old dies from a heart attack.
We MUST get childhood obesity under control. Our friend Jean Huelsing is a champion in this arena and has been working hard at it for years. If you have a teen that is overweight or obese or know of one, I'd encourage you to look Jean up. Her program is top notch.
Age is just a number...
I've made a case against your age, or being "old", preventing you from accomplishing your fitness goals. Japanese mountaineer, Tamae Watanabe, blew that argument out of the water. She's a 73 year old climber and just set a world record May 19 by becoming the oldest woman to scale Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. She broke her own record set when she was 62.
So there you go. Your age can't keep you from reaching the top of the world!
FYI - my previous argument that Tamae shattered was Dara Torres competing in her 5th Olympics in Beijing at age 41. She's 45 now and going for her 6th in London!!! Let those two be inspiration for you this summer!
To your health,
Tim Chudy
