Can You Touch Your Toes?

🗞️ New Study!!

The main finding was that having more flexibility between the ages of 46 and 65 lowered the odds of death over the next decade plus.

We’re talking about physical flexibility here (although I would guess that mental flexibility helps too!).

More than 3100 men and women were evaluated with the “Flexindex,” which measures flexibility in multiple joints throughout the body. They were then followed from about 1994 until 2022.

▪️ Men with the least flexibility were nearly twice as likely to die over the follow-up period than men with high flexibility

▪️ Women with the least flexibility were almost 5x more likely to die than those with high flexibility

(PMID 39165228)

These same researchers previously found that the ability to rise from a seated position on the floor and the ability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds are also predictors of longevity.

Want to work on your flexibility?

Check out a yoga class or take a break anytime from sitting to do some gentle stretching!

REFERENCE:

Araújo CGS, de Souza E Silva CG, Kunutsor SK, et al. Reduced Body Flexibility Is Associated With Poor Survival in Middle-Aged Men and Women: A Prospective Cohort Study. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2024;34(8):e14708. [link]

Yoga May Reduce Menopause Discomforts (New Study)

🧘‍♀️ A new study showed yoga helped with:

✔️ psychological health

✔️ physical concerns

✔️ urogenital issues

This was a randomized controlled trial in women between the ages of 40 and 60. Compared to no intervention, practicing yoga significantly reduced self-reported concerns in all of those areas listed.

(PMID 38709129)

Because of declining hormones at menopause, exercise becomes more important than ever to support bone health, weight, mood, sleep, and more.

If you’re looking to freshen up your exercise routine, think about getting a mix of:

1️⃣ Strength training (free weights, weight machines, resistance bands, squats, push-ups, etc.)

2️⃣ High-intensity interval training (HIIT involves short bursts if intense exercise)

3️⃣ Aerobic exercise (walking, running, biking, etc.)

4️⃣ Balance & flexibility training (yoga, tai chi, pilates)

What’s your favorite way to move?

Let me know in the comments 👇

#yogaforhormones #healthnews #hormonehealth #hormonebalance #elementsnatmed

Study Shows Brain-Boosting Effect of Exercise

Plus there’s more 👇👇

Here are some highlights from this recent study by the University of Queensland:

▪️ Healthy 65-85 year old volunteers were put on one of 3 exercise programs for 6 months (low intensity, medium intensity, or high intensity).

▪️ After 6 months, only those on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) showed improvements in the hippocampus (a brain area related to learning and memory).

▪️ The HIIT group also showed improvements in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cortisol levels.

▪️ The improvements seen in the HIIT group lasted 5 years, even if the exercise didn’t continue.

The HIIT program involved 4 cycles of running on a treadmill near maximum exertion.

Does this inspire you?

Nutrients Missing from Low-Carb Diets?

💥 🗞️ New Study!!

When compared with diets not restricting carbohydrates, low-carb diets may lead to nutrient depletions—especially of some B vitamins and magnesium.

This recent study found that some of the nutrient requirements not being met by low-carb diets included thiamine (vitamin B1), iron, calcium, magnesium, and selenium.

Red blood cell levels of thiamine were lower and low levels of magnesium were more common in people following a low-carb diet.

This is not medical advice.

This is just something to be aware of if you have chosen to follow a low-carb diet.

It is always best to make dietary changes under the guidance of a practitioner who understands nutrition, metabolism, and supplementation.

This is our specialty.

🌱 Get started at our practice through the link in our bio!

REFERENCE:
Churuangsuk C, Catchpole A, Talwar D, et al. Low thiamine status in adults following low-carbohydrate / ketogenic diets: a cross-sectional comparative study of micronutrient intake and status. Eur J Nutr. Published online July 5, 2024. [link]

Risks of Nighttime Light (NEW STUDY)

💥 Just published in the Lancet:

Based on data from 85,000 participants in the UK Biobank tracked for 8 YEARS, this is the largest study to date to link diabetes risk to light exposure at night.

Sources of nighttime light included lamps, streetlights, and digital screens.

Participants in the top 10% of light exposure between 12:30am and 6am were 1.5 times more likely to develop diabetes than those in the dark.

Why would this be?

Light at night can disrupt the circadian rhythm, which regulates hunger cues, insulin release, and sugar metabolism around the clock.

Some ways I advise my patients to support a healthy circadian rhythm:

☀️ Sunlight on the face in the morning

☕ Keep caffeine to the first half of the day

🥣 Eat on a regular schedule

🌙 Wind-down routine at night

Sometimes simple habits make the biggest difference!

↗️ Share to your stories or your feed to spread the word!

Windred DP, Burns, AC, Rutter MK, et al. Personal light exposure patterns and incidence of type 2 diabetes: analysis of 13 million hours of light sensor data and 670,000 person-years of prospective observation. The Lancet. 2024. [link]