Osteoporosis
New weighty syndrome links obesity to bone and muscle loss
US scientists have identified a new syndrome called “osteosarcopenic obesity” that links the deterioration of bone density and muscle mass with obesity.
“It used to be the thinking that the heavier you were the better your bones would be because the bones were supporting more weight,” explains Prof Jasminka Ilich-Ernst. “But, that’s only true to a certain extent.” Continue reading
Move over spinach, green tomatoes take the limelight for muscle growth
A natural compound found in green tomatoes stimulates muscle growth, improves muscle strength and endurance and protects against muscle wasting, says research in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
The team involved previously found a compound in apple peel is a muscle-boosting agent. Now they say that tomatidine – the compound in green tomatoes – is even more potent for building muscle and protecting against muscle atrophy (wasting that is caused by ageing, which predisposes people to falls and fractures).
“Muscle atrophy causes many problems for people, their families, and the health care system in general,” says Dr Christopher Adams, who is involved in the work. Continue reading
Rising global impact of low bone mineral density revealed in new study
A growing number of health problems are occurring around the word because of low bone mineral density, highlights an international study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
The contribution of low bone mineral density to the total global healthcare burden has almost doubled in 20 years, from 0.12% percent to 0.21%. And about one-third of fall-related deaths worldwide, over the last 20 years, were because of low bone mineral density. Continue reading
Is laughter the best medicine? Cartoons could help people cope with chronic conditions
Cartoons could be a beneficial way of educating patients and empowering them to cope better with long term conditions, says research published in Health Services Research.
“Humour is frequently and naturally used by people with chronic illnesses to help them adjust and understand what is happening to them,” explains Associate Professor Dr Anne Kennedy, who led the study. “Our study has shown that cartoons could provide clarity to patients and be a way to engage with them. It is an untapped resource and could be a potential approach to support self-management.” Continue reading
Exercise when young makes bones stronger for life
Bone is a living tissue that gets stronger in response to the forces associated with exercise. Exercise has the greatest benefit on bone strength during growth; but until now whether the benefits of exercise during youth persist with ageing, was largely unknown.
A series of studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences looked at differences between the throwing and non-throwing arms of baseball players at different stages of their career and compared them to non-baseball players. Continue reading
