Metabolic equivalent

MET. A metabolic equivalent is a term for measuring energy expenditure of an individual performing a task. One MET is an individual’s energy expenditure when completely at rest. Household activities like vacuuming require about 3.5 METs. Moderate activities like yard work equals 4.5 to 5 METs, and sports like basketball, touch football and tennis equal 7 to 8 METs.
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Wine

Wine. Consumed in moderation, wine has antioxidants that can benefit your health. The health benefits include reduced risk of heart disease, increased good cholesterol, reduced bad cholesterol, reduced blood pressure, and improved vascular system. The healthful antioxidants in wine come from the skin of the grapes.
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OnHealth

OnHealth. Consumer Reports OnHealth is a monthly newsletter about your health. OnHealth provides facts and recommendations on nutrition and weight loss, prescription, drugs, disease prevention, and pain relief. OnHealth is a source for scientific research translated into simple, do-able, how-to advice that makes good health easy. Learn more at ConsumerReports.org/oh
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Free weights

Free weights versus weight machines. Do free weights give you a better workout than machine or cable weights? Free weights generally challenge an overall muscle group more intensely than machine weights. For the purpose of weight loss, muscle toning and overall fitness, however, both free weights and weight machines will serve an adequate purpose.
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Venus and Mars

Venus and Mars. The male sex hormone is testosterone. The female sex hormone is estrogen. Testosterone tends to increase aggressive and competitive behavior in men, increases their levels of harmful cholesterol, and raise their risk of getting heart disease or stroke. On the other hand, estrogen lowers harmful cholesterol, raises "good" cholesterol, and reduces the risk of heart disease or stroke.
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Running

Running. A common myth about running is that treadmill running puts less stress on your knees and joints than running on asphalt or pavement. It is the force of your body's weight on your joints that causes the stress, which is the same weather on treadmill or road surface. The best way to reduce impact is to vary workouts with elliptical machines, stationary bikes, treadmill and road running.
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Cross crunches

Cross crunches. This crunch exercise works the abs. Start by lying down, hands folded behind your head, knees up by your chest with your legs crossed at the ankles. Use your abs to bring your head forward and try to touch your knees, hold for two seconds, and return to the initial position. Start with ten repetitions and work up as desired.
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Brain fitness

Brain fitness. The same advice we follow for physical fitness applies to brain fitness. Just as daily physical exercises strengthen certain muscle groups, mental exercises will strengthen and enhance cognitive functions. According to Monique Le Poncin's book "Brain Fitness" people can use several mental exercises to strengthen perceptive, visuospatial, structuralization, logic and verbal abilities.
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Annual checkup

Annual checkup. The annual checkup is the most common reason for doctor visits, according to a CDC study published in the New York Times. Yet based on several studies, the Department of Health and Human Services has found little support for many of the tests included in annual checkups. Many doctors say they perform routine checkups out of habit and that they help establish patient trust.
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Human Growth Hormone

HGH. Human Growth Hormone is a naturally occurring substance produced from the pituitary gland that plays a key role in the active function of body, brain and sex organs. HGH levels decrease as we age and is correlated with signs of aging, such as weight gain, sagging muscles, wrinkled skin and flagging memory. HGH supplements have been shown to diminish many of these age-related conditions.
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Healthy support

Healthy support. Researchers believe people looking to lose weight or become healthier need stronger social support networks that promote healthy eating and exercise habits. In a recent Harris Interactive poll of 2,500 adults, nearly three-quarters agreed that support is important, however only three to four out of ten said immediate family members encourage them to eat better and exercise.
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Prevention

Prevention. Ben Franklin made famous the phrase "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." There are three basic questions regarding you and prevention. Do you know your cholesterol levels and blood pressure? Do certain diseases or conditions run in your family? Are your personal habits putting your health at risk?
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LDLHDL.info

LDLHDL.info. This website is an excellent resource about how to understand and manage cholesterol conditions. The website name is a combination of the two common cholesterol types: LDL and HDL. The site presents unbiased, up-to-date and professionally reviewed information on nutrients, dietary supplements, functional foods and drugs.
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Obesity gene

Obesity gene. Researchers have identified the role of a gene which may explain why some people overeat and become obese. The gene GAD2 is one of the first to be touted as a candidate "gene for obesity". GAD2 has an appetite stimulating role. One form of this gene has been found to be strongly associated with obese people.
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Anti-aging

Anti-aging. Our bodies are made up of billions of cells, each with the ability to replicate itself when it dies. Cells are constantly dying and regenerating. The quality of the new cells is dependent on the quality of the nutritional values they draw from to be born. An anti-aging diet can help supply the proper nutrition to make new cells stronger than their predecessors.
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Never too late

Never too late. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk for heart disease and premature death. According to recent studies, middle-aged adults who began eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising at least 2.5 hours a week, keeping weight down, and not smoking, decreased their risk of heart disease by 35% and risk of death by 40% in the four years after they started.
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Light

Light. Many food and beverage products are sold as the "light" version of their regular offering. The Food and Drug Administration officially defines the term "light" as a food serving with one-third fewer calories or half the fat of the original food serving.
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Seat belts

Seat belts. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in the United States for people between the ages of 4 and 34. Statistics show that seat belt use adds to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. About 82% of Americans wear seat belts.
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Floss and brush

Floss and brush. Periodontitis is a class of diseases affecting the tissues that support the teeth. A recent New York Times article suggests that periodontal disease may also precipitate health problems elsewhere in the body. Heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia and premature births have all been connected to the infection caused by periodontitis. Prevent periodontitis with daily brushing and flossing.
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A pound a week

A pound a week. The American Cancer Society says in order to lose a pound a week you need to create a daily deficit of 500 calories. One way to do this is to consume 250 less calories per day by cutting out a 20 ounce bottle of soda, and burn an extra 250 calories with a daily 2.5 mile walk.
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Vegan

Vegan. Vegans consume only plant products. They exclude all forms of animal products from their diet, including meat, fish and poultry, eggs, dairy, gelatin, whey, refined sugar, and honey. Vegan motivations are religious, cultural, ethical, environmental, social, health and personal concerns.
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Trans fat

Trans fat. Trans fat is a product of hydrogen and vegetable oil. The hydrogenation process increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods. Trans fat is found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods and breads. Research shows that consumption of trans fat raises cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease.
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Fit TV

Fit TV. Discovery Communication's Fit TV channel was launched in 2003 and is available nationally on cable and satellite systems. Fit TV is dedicated to 24/7 fitness and wellness programming. The health and fitness television network aims to be a leading force in entertaining health and fitness programming.
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Vitamin C

Vitamin C. Nobel prize winner Dr. Szent-Gyorgyi first discovered Vitamin C in 1928. Also known as Ascorbic acid, Vitamin C plays an important role in collagen formation and is a vital antioxidant, which help repair our bodies. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries and tomatoes.
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Hydration

Hydration. The human body requires fluids on a daily basis in order to function in a healthy manor. Healthy bodies require a minimum of about four 8 ounce glasses of water on a daily basis. Most active persons require two to three times the basic amount of water.
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Kid cuisine

Kid cuisine. The editors at Family Fun magazine suggest the following tips for getting your kids to eat healthier foods. Replace items such as soda or processed snacks. Upgrade one ingredient of your child's favorite food with a healthier alternative. Don't give up: experts say children need to experience a new food 7 to 12 times before they accept it.
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Iron

Iron. Iron is an essential mineral the body needs in order to survive. Iron is used to create red blood cells which deliver oxygen through the blood to all parts of the body. Lack of iron makes the body feel weak and tired. Too much iron may interfere with blood circulation and increase risk of heart disease.
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Bike-to-Work

Bike-to-Work. National Bike-to-Work Week and National Bike-to-Work Day are both held during the month of May. These workplace events are designed to get drivers to try commuting by bicycle, for better health, money savings, and a cleaner environment. Unlike most countries, the vast majority of bikes sold in the U.S. are used for recreation rather than transportation.
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Plato

Health and fitness quote. "Health is a consummation of a love affair of all the organs of the body." - Plato.
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May fruits and vegetables

May. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables provide more nutrients and more flavor than canned or stored fruits and vegetables, and usually cost less as well. Try adding one or more of the following fruits or vegetables that are ripe and at their natural peak during the month of May: peas, salad greens, strawberries, vidalia onions.
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