‘Heart healthy’ diet, exercise ‘protects against cognitive decline’

September 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Teenagers' social class determines their attitudes to diet and weight, according to new research This is the first study to show how everyday practices and perceptions of different social classes contribute to variation in the diet, weight, and health of teenagers. "It is evident that children are moulded according to their parents' expectations about behaviour," said Dr.

September 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Don't feel like having the energy to go for a run after a rough day at the office? Well, then blame it on your limited willpower, says a new study. Scientists say that if you use your willpower to do one task, it depletes you of the willpower to do an entirely different task.

September 25th, 2009 TORONTO - Have you ever sat down to work on a crossword puzzle only to find that you don't have the energy to exercise later? Or have you come home from a rough day at office with no zest for a bout of jogging? A new study reveals that if you use your willpower to do one task, it depletes you of the willpower to do an entirely different task. "Cognitive tasks, as well as emotional tasks such as regulating your emotions, can deplete your self-regulatory capacity to exercise," says study lead author Kathleen Martin Ginis, associate professor of kinesiology at McMaster University.

September 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists go on to find answers to different questions by merging creativity with model based studies, according to a research. Dr. Nancy J. Nersessian has studied the cognitive processes that underlie scientific creativity by observing scientists at work in their laboratories.

August 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - While low-carbohydrate/high-protein diets have been known to help individuals to lose weight rapidly, researchers have now found that such diets may lead to atherosclerosis and impaired blood vessel growth. Led by a scientific team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the study has shown that mice placed on a 12-week low carbohydrate/high-protein diet had a significant increase in atherosclerosi- a buildup of plaque in the heart's arteries and a leading cause of heart attack and stroke.

August 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Athletes should think twice before consuming a high-fat diet, suggest a new research by Oxford University. A team found rats on fatty diets saw a reduction in physical stamina and declining mental performance after just nine days.

July 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Want your kids to do well academically? Well, in that case, just make sure they eat a healthy breakfast and lunch, says a team of researchers. According to scientists, good nutrition improves mental and behavioural performance.

July 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine has shown that severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with lower cognitive function in older adults. COPD is caused by noxious particles or gas, most commonly from smoking, which trigger an abnormal inflammatory response in the lung.

July 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Just like humans, cockroaches too can get fat on an unhealthy diet, says a British researcher. Patricia Moore, of the University of Exeter, came to this conclusion after studying how female cockroaches change their mating behaviour in response to their diet, specifically what they eat when they are young, as part of a decade's worth of research.

June 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Elderly people who exercise at least once a week, have at least a high school education and a ninth grade literacy level, are not smokers and are more socially active are more likely to maintain their cognitive skills through their 70s and 80s, according to a study. Alexandra Fiocco, PhD, of the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues followed 2,500 people age 70 to 79 for eight years, testing their cognitive skills several times over the years.

April 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Adding some walnuts to an otherwise healthy diet may help older people improve memory and behavioural skills, according to an animal model study. Walnuts contain polyphenols and other anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids.

April 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scarlett Johansson has denied going on a punishing exercise regime and strict diet to shed pounds for her role as the 'Black Widow' in the forthcoming Iron Man sequel. In a blog posted on the website Huffington Post, the actress clarified speculation about her recent weight loss.

March 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Most Americans consume more than double the amount of their daily recommended salt intake, says a new study. A study by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention shows that more than two out of three adults are in population groups that should consume no more than 1,500 mg per day of sodium.

January 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs, found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, are beneficial as part of a heart-healthy diet, according to an American Heart Association (AHA) advisory. Ideally one should aim for at least five to 10 percent of energy (calories) from omega-6 PUFAs, and will derive most benefit when they replace saturated or trans fats in the diet.

January 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - High-school kids glued to TV sets most of the time are likely to develop bad eating habits five years later, according to a study. Daheia Barr-Anderson worked with University of Minnesota researchers to investigate the link between TV and diet.