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Another Plastic Health Risk — Erectile Dysfunction
While there have been previous studies, linking bisphenol A (BPA), found in hard plastics, to health problems, including precancerous tumors, prostate cancer, and brain damage, a new study, conducted in China, substantiates its claims with results in humans. In one of the first studies of its kind to be conducted on humans, researchers are finding that much of what they've previously seen in animal studies holds true — men exposed to significant amounts of BPA are at greater risk of sexual health problems.
The study compared the levels of sexual dysfunction in two groups of male factory workers — one group, which was exposed to high levels of BPA, while the other was not.
E-Patients Explore Online Communities
Researching your health problems online can be a great way to educate yourself — or scare yourself silly. A whopping 97 percent of Fit readers 'fess up to doing some Internet sleuthing before heading to the doc. There's even a word for us: e-patients.
Who Knew? Texting's Tied to Neck Pain
Turns out excessive texting can get you more than a hefty phone bill. Though it's the preferred choice of easy communication for young adults and teens, a new study reveals that texting can actually increase upper body pain in the neck and shoulders.
Though this is only a preliminary study, the research shows that the same neck and shoulder discomfort seen in working adults is now being seen in college students between the ages of 18 and 21, specifically males.
Best Buy No Longer Just Selling Couch-Potato Electronics
When I hear my husband is headed to Best Buy, I get a bit nervous. My fears my be slightly allayed by the fact that select outlets of this electronics mecca will be selling my favorite fitness accessory that features a computer chip: heart rate monitors. Forty stores in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas will be selling HRMs as well as pedometers and gear for swimming, yoga, and Pilates enthusiasts.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to High Blood Pressure
No matter how much the Corn Refiners Association tries to convince us that high-fructose corn syrup is healthy, I'm not buying it. Now I have another reason to avoid it: new findings have linked high-fructose corn syrup to high blood pressure, aka hypertension.
In the past 20 years alone, Americans have increased fructose intake by 30 percent, and that increase tracks closely to the rise in obesity.
Another Reason to Eat Carbs: Boost Your Mood
The majority of Fit readers call themselves carb queens, and Winter can make those carbohydrate cravings even more intense. But have no fear: scientists are finding even more reasons not to avoid this essential food group.
A recent study of more than 100 obese and overweight adults in Australia found that dieting put people in a better mood; a drop in pounds led to increased satisfaction.
With Teen Obesity, Inactivity Is Only Part of the Problem
I panic every time I see another "exercise doesn't work!" story — until I read between the lines and learn once again that exercise is a good thing. On the heels of its conversation-starting cover story on the exercise "myth," Time is tackling a new study of teen obesity that claims inactivity is only partly to blame for heavier kids.
It's True! We Really Do Crave Fatty Foods When We're Stressed
If your chocolate cravings are any indication, you may have already suspected that high-fat foods are a woman's go-to snack when stressed. Now there's evidence to confirm your suspicions — UCSF recently conducted a study to examine the relationship between eating habits and chronic stress.
Researchers surveyed 600 overweight or obese women regarding their diet and stress.
Morning Exercisers Burn More Calories
Whether you're a fan of daylight saving or not most of us have to live with that fact that it gets darker much earlier. That means if you used to sweat it out after work, you may have to rearrange your schedule and make time for it before your nine-to-fiver. Not too motivated to set your alarm early?
Diet Soda May Be Damaging Your Kidneys
A while back we learned that soda, both diet and regular, was bad for the heart, and now it looks like more organs are at risk: the kidneys. This time it's diet sodas, or more specifically, the artificial sweeteners, that seem to be the culprit. A study published recently of over 3,500 women found that those who drank two or more diet sodas daily had decreased liver function by about 30 percent.
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