WOMEN AND WELLNESS ARTICLE SUMMARIES

To the surprise of absolutely no one, a new study finds that women who are overweight or obese can reduce their risk of heart disease by exercising more. These results, the researchers conclude, “highlight the importance of counseling all women to participate in increasing amounts of regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the risk of heart disease.”

Keeping muscles strong as we age is important for maintaining independence and preventing falls. But older women have a harder time than men replacing muscle that's lost naturally as they age, say U.S. and British researchers in the journal Public Library of Science One. Because of this, the findings suggest, older women need to be sure they eat plenty of protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish, chicken and lean red meat and to do resistance training to keep their muscles strong.

The research is in: exercising your mind is just as important as exercising your body. A number of brain fitness programs have come onto the market to help individuals stay sharp. Genworth Financial brings you Vigorous Mind, one of the leading organizations in this rapidly-evolving category, to save you 10 percent on My Vigorous Mind, a web-based brain wellness suite.

If you’re not taking a calcium supplement, you may be missing out on a critical tool in the fight against osteoporosis. An analysis of 17 research studies involving more than 52,000 people proves it. For those over 50, calcium supplementation may cut the overall risk of bone fractures by as much as 24 percent and slow bone loss by 54 percent.

All couples fight. But two recent studies have shown that fighting between spouses–both how they fight and how often they fight–may have a profound impact on their health.

Anyone who has gone through cancer treatment knows it takes its toll on the entire family. A new study confirms the emotional impact cancer can have on the patient’s spouse.

With more young mothers now in the workforce, more grandparents are stepping up to help care for their grandchildren. Past research has suggested that such caregiving can exact a toll on grandma’s or grandpa’s overall health. But a new study of almost 13,000 grandparents shows otherwise.

Up to now, ovarian cancer has been called a “silent killer” because symptoms were thought to occur only when the cancer had progressed too far to effectively treat. But that thinking changed recently. Three health organizations have identified a set of symptoms that may indicate early-stage ovarian cancer. They are urging women who have these symptoms for more than a few weeks to see their doctors.

You’re irritable, anxious or tense. You can’t seem to concentrate on anything. You’re sad, you’re angry, you’re exhausted—in fact, you’re all these things within the span of five minutes. There are a number of health issues that could be causing your emotional distress. One of them is menopause.

Most women believe that cancer is their number-one health concern. But few are aware that their next greatest risk is heart disease.

In 1997, the American Heart Association (AHA) conducted a nationwide poll of American women's attitudes toward the major threats to their health and their knowledge of heart disease and stroke. At that time, to the AHA's way of thinking, the results were disappointing. Cancer, believed 61 percent of the women surveyed, was the greatest threat to their long-term health. Only 7 percent of respondents were aware that cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the leading killer of both men and women in the United States.

With so much focus on our weight, our diet, and our exercise habits, it's easy to forget about something like our breast health. That's why National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was created. It takes place every October, and its goal is to encourage women to take advantage of breast cancer screenings. That means now is a great time to learn how to protect yourself from breast cancer.

Every five years, the experts at the American Cancer Society (ACS) take a long, hard look at their cancer screening guidelines. The ACS examines all the latest research, treatment options, and technological developments that have come on the scene over the past five years. Then it decides if the guidelines in place need updating.

Memory loss is normal as we grow older. But research suggests that post-menopausal women can slow this memory loss by using estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).

Ask most women what their biggest health risk is, and you’ll likely hear breast cancer or ovarian cancer. What you won’t hear is the correct answer: heart disease. Yes, heart disease kills more women than breast and ovarian cancer combined.

There's been great success at spreading the word about the importance of mammograms. So most women know that regular mammograms, though not perfect, are the best method available to detect breast cancer early. Early detection allows more treatment options and a better chance to beat the disease.

When it comes to heart disease and cancer, we understand that prevention needs to start early and stay the course. In recent years, it's become clear that osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease, needs lifelong attention too.

Here's what you already know: Osteoporosis, or porous bone, causes loss of bone tissue. As bones grow more fragile, they are more prone to fractures.

Studies have shown that low-dose aspirin reduces the risk of a first heart attack in men, but there have been few such studies in women. Until now. Researchers have found—surprisingly—that although aspirin does not appear to help prevent heart attacks in women, it does help prevent stroke.

You don't smoke, you keep your weight down, and you exercise regularly. Is there anything else you can do to lower your risk of having a stroke? How about ordering up a couple of slices of whole-wheat toast?

The guidelines came out a full four years ago, yet many people still haven't taken them to heart. So they are worth repeating. The American Heart Association (AHA) (http://www.americanheart.org) says, in no uncertain terms, "Healthy people should eat omega-3 fatty acids from fish and plant sources to protect their hearts."

Want to live longer? Start exercising. Think you're too old? Think again. Even if you've been sedentary for some time, it's never too late to start an exercise program to increase your longevity.

Building the strong bones needed to prevent osteoporosis is a lifelong project. A good, calcium-rich diet, regular weight-bearing exercise, and not smoking will help you achieve peak bone density.

To HRT or not to HRT? That question comes under increased scrutiny in light of recent research suggesting that people with low bone mineral density (BMD) are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help fight bone loss, but has been linked to other serious health complications.

There are many things in life you can't run from, but it appears that you can run from cancer. If running isn't your thing, you can bike, swim, walk or try some other form of exercise. The fact is that physical activity is a great way to lower your risk of many types of cancer.

Taking a daily calcium supplement has become a good habit adopted by many women serious about staving off osteoporosis. New research suggests that the supplement may provide double-barreled protection.

First, the bad news. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the nation's number one killer of men and women. About 950,000 people die from this disease every year.

Maintaining healthy bones is not just a concern for the elderly. And it's not just for women. Men and younger women are also at risk for the bone-weakening disease called osteoporosis. Everyone needs to work harder at getting the proper amount of calcium necessary to build and strengthen healthy bones.

In 2003, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released the most potent data yet linking cancer with excess body weight. Research data from a 16-year-long study found beyond doubt that weight reduction could save many thousands of lives a year.

Over the years we've come to realize that there's much an individual can do to lower the risk of developing heart disease. It's not that hard to understand how staying in shape keeps the cardiovascular mechanism pumping along. Exercise keeps the heart muscle strong and, along with diet, helps keep the arteries clear. But cancer? Cancer seems more mysterious and less controllable. We can stay away from cigarettes and avoid toxins in the environment, but can we really protect ourselves with lifestyle changes? Yes.  

If you are interested in protecting your heart, you should get interested in omega-3. That's the advice of the American Heart Association, which has come out more strongly than ever in favor of the fatty acids found in fish.

The cornerstone of good health care is the yearly checkup. Your doctor knows that the best way to prevent or successfully treat any health problem is to catch it early. When doctors get an early crack at even the most serious diseases, they are much more likely to be able to treat them successfully.

Every year about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 460,000 of those are fatal. Age is a primary risk factor. The odds of getting heart disease go up in men older than 45 and in women older than 55.

When it comes to heart disease and cancer, we understand that prevention needs to start early and stay the course. In recent years, it's become clear that osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease, needs lifelong attention too.

“Aspirin conclusively reduces the risk of a first heart attack by 32 percent.”

The flu is no fun for anyone, but it can be downright dangerous, even fatal, for some. Complications from the flu—pneumonia, bronchitis, and dehydration—send 100,000 people to the hospital and result in nearly 20,000 deaths each year. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk for potentially life-threatening complications.

Almost half of all women with cancer use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in treating their disease, says a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Another large study of CAM use in cancer patients found that 69 percent had used at least one CAM therapy as part of their cancer treatment. While some CAM treatments may help cancer patients, others could be making things worse.

Stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, is the third leading killer in the United States. You can reduce your risks of a stroke by following these ten simple guidelines.

The flu is such a common ailment—perhaps two in 10 Americans get the flu each year—many people take it lightly. Too lightly, if you ask medical experts. That's why, every fall, the word goes out to encourage people to get a flu shot. The following facts should tell you why.

Most Americans get plenty of vitamin B-12 in their diets. Unfortunately, as we age, the vitamin is less easily absorbed. As a result, older adults frequently have low levels of B-12.

It doesn't get any clearer than this: "Drinking alcohol can cause cancer. The more a person consumes alcohol, the higher his or her risk of getting some kinds of cancer."

Here's a riddle for you: When is a broken bone not a broken bone? 

Heart disease, the number-one killer of men and women in this country, can take many forms. A heart attack is the most dramatic result of heart disease, but equally dangerous is a subtler condition called congestive heart failure (CHF).

For too many people, colorectal cancer is difficult to talk about. That silence is quietly killing about 57,000 people every year. Colorectal cancer, in fact, is the second leading cancer killer in the United States after lung cancer. With a bit more open discussion, most of these deaths could be prevented with early, timely screening.

If you watch television long enough, sooner or later you'll see an ad featuring something like this: A group of young, strong, and attractive men and women are working out on some strange-looking piece of exercise equipment. Their bodies are toned and trim. An announcer says it only takes five minutes a day on this machine to get the abs/legs/bottom/whatever of your dreams.  

Proper eating habits are important to everyone. But older Americans have specific issues to watch.

After your first, you don't want a second. It's time to get aggressive about controlling all your risk factors

Despite great advances in our understanding of heart health, heart disease is still a leading cause of death in the United States. Doctors continue to remind us that being smart about blood pressure and working to prevent heart attacks are always wise paths to follow. Take care of your heart, and it will keep you active for years to come.

Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of a wide variety of diseases, from diabetes to cancer. Of particular interest to many Americans—especially women—is the link between exercise and osteoporosis

Americans care. Last year, more than 22 million adults, young and old, looked after the needs of family and friends with chronic illnesses. Most of these caregivers were women who, along with their jobs and their caregiving, shouldered the requirements of managing a family.

It's long been known that a half-hour of daily exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Now we can add stroke to that list. A new study finds that moderate exercise lowers a woman's risk of stroke by as much as 30 percent.

Over the past few years, research has found that eating a diet rich in grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy oils such as olive oil, nuts, fish, and moderate amounts of wine—the so-called Mediterranean diet—may be the healthiest eating plan on the planet. The latest large-scale study out of Europe confirms that it even helps the elderly live longer.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, one of the best things you can do to improve your prognosis is lose weight. A recent study in the American Heart Journal finds that obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is associated with a poor outlook for patients with established cardiovascular disease.

The facts about heart disease are as clear as can be. It is the second leading cause of death in the United States. And it doesn’t have to be, because, in most cases, it can be prevented.

It probably comes as no surprise to you that you can’t eat like you did when you were younger. And the simple truth is, you shouldn’t. The secret to a long and healthy life is, in part, dietary adaptation.

Most women know that calcium plays a crucial role in building strong bones and preventing osteoporosis. What they may not realize, though, is that calcium needs an important partner: vitamin D.

Yes, you're older. And yes, as you age, your health care concerns change. However, most issues don’t just go away.