EDMONTON, Oct. 25, 2009 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) --

Just three months of physical activity reaps heart health benefits for older adults with type 2 diabetes by improving the elasticity in their arteries - reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, Dr. Kenneth Madden told the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

Dr. Madden studied adults between the ages of 65 to 83 with controlled Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol to see how increased activity might affect stiffness of the arteries.

"The theory is that aerobic activity makes your arteries less stiff and makes artery walls more elastic," says Dr. Madden, a geriatric specialist at the University of British Columbia.

An improvement was seen in the elasticity of the arteries of the group that performed the activity compared to those who didn't exercise. "There was an impressive drop in arterial stiffness after just three months of exercise. In that time we saw a 15 to 20 per cent reduction."

The subjects were divided into two groups to either receive three months of vigorous physical activity (one hour, three times per week) or to get no aerobic exercise at all. Subjects were classified as sedentary at the beginning of the study but gradually increased their fitness levels until they were working at 70 per cent of their maximum heart rate, using treadmills and cycling machines. They were supervised by a certified exercise trainer.

Dr. Beth Abramson, spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, stresses the importance of lifestyle factors on heart health, especially with our aging population. "Almost everyone can benefit from active living," she says. "The Foundation recommends that, like adults of any age, older adults - with the consent of their physicians - need 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week."

Dr. Madden says that the exercise requirements may be viewed as controversial because of the age of the participants but the exercise level was safe and well tolerated. "There seems to be a knee-jerk reluctance to getting these older adults to exercise yet we used a vigorous level of activity and didn't have any trouble keeping participants in our study. They enjoyed the activity," Dr. Madden says. "People always underestimate what older adults can do."

Dr. Madden notes that realistically, seniors need someone to help them get started. "We need to learn how to do it effectively and how to do it safely," he says. "It could mean visiting your family doctor to find out about provincially funded programs, or joining programs for seniors that are offered at many local community centres."

Dr. Abramson recommends that seniors choose activities they enjoy, such as walking, gardening, golfing, dancing, or joining a yoga or tai chi class. If weather is a barrier, she suggests climbing stairs at home, joining a mall-walking group, or strolling the halls of their apartment building or retirement residence.

In his next project, Dr. Madden wants to find out if there is a less expensive but equally effective way to reduce the stiffness of arteries in older adults. "Our first step was to prove that it was at all possible for older adults to have reduced narrowing in their arteries due to exercise," he says. "Now we want to find out just how rigorous the levels of activity need to be to demonstrate the same results. The next step is to try studying a home-based walking program using pedometers. This is something easy for doctors to prescribe and cheap and easy for participants."

The HeartWalk Workout, a special activity program developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to help people with cardiovascular problems get regular, healthy physical activity is available online at heartandstroke.ca. It helps people slowly build up exercise tolerance until they can walk at least 30 minutes, five times a week.

Statements and conclusions of study authors are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect Foundation or CCS policy or position. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society make no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.

SOURCE: HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF CANADA

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
10-09-09

Oct. 7--Most people know that there are many benefits to maintaining a healthy diet. Longer lives, disease prevention and an ideal weight are all results of eating healthy.
But how can you know which foods to buy -- let alone which foods to eat? Now it may be easier than ever to decide.
Color is the key. If you know what you want to prevent or improve, there is probably a color associated with what you need.
Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals which are packed with vitamins and minerals. They can protect against things like the effects of aging, cancer and heart disease said Heather Boline, a registered dietitian at Freeman Health System.
Fruits and vegetables are categorized by color. These categories can help alert the healthy consumer of what benefits the fruit or vegetable has in store.
These color categories include red, blue/purple, yellow/orange, white and green.
Those in the white category, such as bananas, garlic, onions and potatoes, help with heart health, lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of some cancers. Cantaloupes, mangoes and sweet potatoes are all part of the yellow/orange category and help with the eye and heart health. Green grapes, kiwis, broccoli and spinach also help with vision and reducing the risk of cancer.
"Blueberries have the phytochemical anthocyanin which helps reduce age effects," said Boline.
If you are still unsure of how much of all these fruit and vegetables you need, there is a Web site that can figure it for you.
The site, created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can be found at www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov. The site considers your age, gender and activity level to measure how many cups of "fruits and veggies" you need in a day.
The CDC also recognizes the significance of the colors of fruits and vegetables.
"To get a healthy variety, think color. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients," according to the CDC site.
To make the benefits of fruits and vegetables more available -- and more appetizing -- there are lots of things you can do, said Boline.
"Try to buy different kinds of fruits and vegetables. Buy juices that are 100 percent juice, not juices with high-fructose corn syrup," she said. "Try to keep fruit on your counter at home or on your desk at work. You're more likely to eat it that way."
Boline also suggests keeping some vegetables cut up in your fridge.
"You're more likely to eat them if (the vegetables) are already ready to eat," said Boline.
There are also some treats you can make if a carrot just won't satisfy your sweet tooth. Smoothies, she said, are easy to make and a good way to get children to eat more fruit.
Boline also suggested low-fat, plain yogurt and adding your own fruit, such as frozen blueberries.
"The fact that the CDC is promoting 'More Matters' says a lot about disease prevention," said Boline.
"Fruits and Veggies -- More Matters" is an initiative by the CDC and the Produce for Better Health Foundation to promote an increase in fruits and vegetables in everyone's diet.
"Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers," according to the CDC.

Bobs are uber-trendy right now and a classic look. But they can be versatile (see Katie Holmes' bob hairstyle here) and there are many types of bobs out there to choose from.

I particularly love this jaw-length bob shown off at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in May, 2008. It's my favorite of Katie Holmes's bobs.