There could be an added bonus to keeping your cardiovascular health on track — a heart-healthy lifestyle can also prevent type 2 diabetes, researchers say. And it’s better to prevent type 2 diabetes than to have to treat it, the Ohio State University researchers added. “Healthy people need to work to stay healthy. Follow the guidelines. Don’t proceed to high blood sugar and then worry about stopping diabetes,” said study leader Dr. Joshua Joseph, an endocrinologist at the university’s Wexner Medical Center, in Columbus, Ohio. For the study, the researchers assessed diabetes among more than 7,700 participants in a stroke study. The investigators used the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Simple 7” factors to measure heart health. That well-known tool assesses physical activity, diet, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose) and tobacco use. Participants who were in the recommended ranges for at least four of the seven heart health factors had a 70 percent lower risk of developing diabetes over 10 years, according to the report. “What’s interesting is when we compared people who had normal blood glucose and those who already had impaired blood glucose,” Joseph said. “Those in normal levels who attained four or more guideline factors had an 80 percent lower risk of developing diabetes. Those who were already diabetic or prediabetic and met four of the factors had no change in…  read on >

If you’ve vowed to be more active this year, be sure you have proper athletic shoes, a doctor suggests. “The right shoe is important for a runner as much as a good tennis racket is important for a tennis player,” said Dr. Ronald Lepow. He is an assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston. You don’t have to spend hundreds to get good athletic shoes, but you do need shoes that match your level and type of activity, Lepow added. For example, a training flat provides more protection and is a good choice for weekenders or those doing moderate exercise. Running shoes have added support and cushioning, and are good on tracks and for races. Training shoes tend to be more flexible, permit a wide range of movement, and are good to wear in the gym, according to Lepow. He said that athletic shoes should be a half size or full size larger than your regular shoe size. There should be a thumb nail’s distance between the end of your big toe and the end of the shoe, which can be checked when you’re standing with the shoes on and laced up. Wearing the wrong type of shoe can lead to injury, pain and discomfort after exercise. Back or hip pain, shin splints or cramps could be…  read on >

Take a stand for a longer life. Researchers say even a few extra minutes off the sofa each day can add years to your life span. “If you have a job or lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting, you can lower your risk of early death by moving more often, for as long as you want and as your ability allows — whether that means taking an hour-long high-intensity spin class or choosing lower-intensity activities, like walking,” said study lead author Keith Diaz. He’s assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University in New York City. The new study involved nearly 8,000 American adults, aged 45 and older. Each wore physical activity monitors for at least four days as part of research conducted between 2009 and 2013. The investigators then tracked deaths among the participants until 2017. The results: People who replaced just 30 minutes of sitting per day with low-intensity physical activity lowered their risk of an early death by 17 percent, according to the study published online Jan. 14 in the American Journal of Epidemiology. More intense exercise reaped even bigger rewards, the researchers said. For example, swapping a half-hour per day of sitting for moderate-to-vigorous exercise cut the risk of early death by 35 percent. And even just a minute or two of added physical activity was beneficial, the findings showed.…  read on >

A state-of-the-art home gym might not just be beyond the scope of your budget, it also might be beyond the scope of available space. But don’t rule out this convenient fitness option so fast. According to the American Council on Exercise, if you can clear a 6-foot by 6-foot area for working out, you can outfit a home gym with the basics for under $100. Plus, these space-conscious items can be stored in a closet or under the bed when not in use. Just don’t forget that they’re there once you buy them! Start with a good mat for floor work, like yoga, Pilates, ab exercises and push-ups. The price typically depends on the thickness you choose, and thickness depends on what you’re using it for. Next is at least one stability ball for doing a variety of exercises, including balance work and crunches. Choose one made for your weight and height. When you’re sitting on it, your thighs should be parallel with the floor. Stretchy resistance bands are great for strength training when you don’t want a full set of weights. On their own, they weigh nothing and take up less space than a pair of socks. You might buy them in various tensions to match up with the different strengths of various muscle groups. There are also circular bands that go around your…  read on >

We know that the amount of sitting Americans do is now considered a health threat. Researchers estimate that the average adult spends more than 8 hours a day being sedentary, and it’s not just all that time spent in front of the TV. If you have a desk job and get home too exhausted to do more than plop on the sofa, that number can double. The combination of too much sitting and too little exercise can set the stage for obesity and chronic conditions. It may also lead to premature death, according to research published in The Lancet, and other journals. The problem is that even if you meet the recommendation of a 30-minute workout every day, that may not be enough to counteract all the sitting. The study suggests that it’s better to get in 60 or more minutes of activity daily. But that doesn’t mean you have to double the length of your workouts. In fact, it’s better to reach the additional goal with small chunks of movement throughout the workday, as well as during evening hours. As the American College of Sports Medicine puts it, “interrupt” your sitting time with movement. Of course, you can’t run to the gym every couple of hours when you’re at an office, but here are four ideas you can do at work: Use a standing…  read on >