Picture
The American Journal of Cardiology recently published a study that examined vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D supplementation in relation to subject health indices.

The researchers profiled the vitamin D levels of 10,899 subjects over a 5 year period; the mean age of the study group was 58 +/-15 years, 71% were women, and the average BMI was 30.

The key results of interest were:
  • 29.7% of subjects were in the normal vitamin D range.
  •  70.3% of subjects were vitamin D deficient.
  •  Several cardiovascular related diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes were strongly corelated with the vitamin D deficient group.

The researchers concluded that vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death while vitamin D supplementation was significantly associated with better mortality, specifically in patients with documented deficiency.

The study results and conclusions certainly raise a valid case for everyone to be taking a vitamin D supplement or at the very least, particularly in the 40+ year age group, discussing supplementation with their doctor.

 
 
The Northern Express - all the latest rugby league news from the North.
 
 
Picture
A recent study published in the Journal of Hypertension examined whether conventional rectangular cuffs resulted in the same blood pressure (BP)readings as conical cuffs.

The study looked specifically at patients with large arms i.e. circumferences of 37.5-42.5cm.

Of the 220 subjects measured 15% were hypertensive or had clinically high BP when assessed with the rectangular cuff but were normotensive when assessed with the conical cuff.

The 'standard' issues regarding the general reliability of BP measures aside, the study conclusion that large rectangular cuffs may overestimate BP is interesting and worth keeping in mind if/when BP is being taken by different 'practitioners' in different settings e.g. doctor or GP vs. gym vs. staff health or wellness checks.

 
 
 
 
If you're a sports fan or an out and out league'ie then NZRL In Touch will give
you the skinny on what's been happening in the great game over March and April.
 
 
Picture
If this weekends weather turns out anything like it has this afternoon then there will be absolutely no excuse to get outdoors for a walk, ride, jog, or play and in doing so beat everyone else who remains 'on the couch'.
 
Enjoy . . . .

 
 
. . . to Sonya, our newest Crew member.

Even though she's from Auckland she's a good sort so don't hesitate to say hi next time you're in the Club!
 
 
That's right; not just any old garden variety diet drops but homeopathic ones.

When I saw these drops on a Daily Deal sites email alert my interest (read cynical astonishment) was piqued to the degree that I had to know more.

Apparently the drops can help one to "maintain health and metabolism AND lose weight".

What's more, with a dose of just 2ml per day the drops will "maintain muscle mass" and help to "loose only fat" and because they are "physicians grade" quality when "used correctly can provide incredible results."

On linking to the product distributors website it of course became evident that the drops were one component of ("an essential component" mind) a "diet plan"; and the crux of the "diet plan" - a calorie restricted diet.

The calorie restricted diet was where things really got interesting (and disturbing) because the amount of calories that someone was limited to on this eating 'plan' was 500!

And there it was, the truth; the drops are not the critical component of the claimed "amazing results" rather the extreme diet that the drops 'support'.

Anyone would loose weight on what can only be described as, at best, an unrealistic and largely anacheivble 'plan' and at worst a potentially dangerous regime.

I'm no dietician but the recomended safe minimum daily calorie intake for women is approximately 3.5 times that of the regime behind these drops (~1800cal) and approximately 4 times that for men (~2000cal).

This discovery has perturbed me to the extent that I am going to look into this product further with a view to at the very least making a formal complaint around the spurious claims and potentially dangerous nature of the 'plan' - watch this space!

  
 
 
Picture
A couple of weeks ago we linked to clip showing amputee footballers making the most of what they do have rather than wallowing in self pity and mourning what they don't have.

This story from The Mail is another fantastic example of resilience and perseverance and how success can be achieved no matter what our 'situation'.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2091069/Woman-born-hands-official-Olympics-masseuse--giving-soothing-rubdowns-FEET.html?ITO=1490

 
 
Picture
The NZ Herald recently cited a study that has shown that men with an inflated view of their own brilliance may be so 
plagued by worry they put their health at risk.

The study found that narcissism, or self-love, is on the rise in men and is causing them to suffer stress-related illnesses like high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease. 

If the study findings are correct then I guess humble and grounded ugly guys like me have little, compared to those handsome blokes, to worry about!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10780791&ref=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews