Tag Archives: Health

Last week Gallup released a study about obesity in the U.S. They also ranked each of the 50 states from least obese to most obese.

For the second year in a row Colorado had the lowest obesity rate.  The study also examined levels of high blood pressure and diabetes, and found that, like last year, these lists look similar to the list of the most obese states, with both obesity and chronic disease clustered among Southern and Midwestern states.

Curious to see how your home state ranks?  Here is the list of most and least obese states.

Are you struggling to get yourself to the gym and remain active?  Last week a new study reported in The Daily News linked weight loss with an increase in testosterone and sex drive for middle-aged men.

The study found that men who incorporated two-and-a-half hours of exercise a week into their lives, as well as eating healthier food, saw dramatic results in the course of a year. There was a 15% increase in testosterone levels and a 46% decrease in instances of hypogonadism, a condition characterized by low testosterone levels that can be linked to low sex drive and erectile dysfunction, according to Mayo Clinic.

Recently I’ve seen several studies regarding potential health benefits of coffee; despite all the bad press that caffeine gets.  Just last week I read about studies that claim coffee may lower the risk of heart failure.

Not one of these studies point out the reasons I like to drink coffee; first it definitely helps me wake up in the morning; second it suppresses my appetite in the afternoon; and lastly it keeps me warm when I’m cold which is nearly always.

Do you love coffee? Who cares what all those scientists are saying.  What “benefits” do you derive from that delicious cup of java?

File this post under “Gross and Disgusting”. Wesley Warren Jr. suffers from a bizarre medical condition that has resulted in excessive watery fluid collecting around his testicles (Eeewww!!!)

Wesley denies he has turned down the chance to have surgery because he likes the notoriety.  The surgery does carry significant risk that his penis and testicles could have to be completely removed if surgeons couldn’t stop the bleeding (again Eeewww!!!)

Whatever the real reason, I can’t help but feel badly for this man walking around with a 100lbs scrotum.  Ick… Can’t stop reading? You can check out the full story on Huffington Post.

Huffington Post had an interesting although not surprising article last week that points to a recent study which show an optimistic outlook may keep you healthy. Specifically, it says “positive psychological well-being, which includes things like happiness, life satisfaction and especially optimism may help  protect against heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular problems“.

The  study had a number of findings some of which I thought interesting.  For example, people who are happier and more optimistic are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors like better eating habits, engaging in physical activity and getting a good night’s rest.

With so many things beyond our control when it comes to our health, I think its great to know that having an optimistic outlook may also be good medicine.  Just to play it safe, in addition to asking everyone to try and remain more optimistic, I’d like to prescribe 2-3 minutes each day of a good belly laugh.  I’ll do my best in future posts to help give your laugh lines a work out.

NPR reported yesterday that a new study from the University of California San Diego has found people who eat chocolate several times a week are actually leaner than people who don’t.  This may be the best news I’ve heard in a very long time. I love chocolate (esp dark chocolate with coffee), and I look for any excuse to consume it guilt free.

According to the article some specific polyphenols found in cocoa help inhibit an enzyme called pancreatic lipase that is responsible for digesting dietary fat.  I’m not sure what any of that means but the message I’ve taken is that consuming chocolate (in moderation) should be enjoyed minus the pangs of guilt.

Do you love chocolate or are you simply intrigued?  You can read or watch the full story on NPR here.