According to a recently published Cochrane Review of the
subject, listening
to music can
reduce anxiety and pain in
cancer patients and help improve mood and quality of life.

The results of 30 trials involving nearly 2000 cancer patients who underwent music therapy interventions as part of their treatment were reviewed to assess the
effects of music therapy on mood.

Of the 30 trials, 17 involved a medical professional playing pre-recorded music for the patient, referred to as “music medicine,” and 13 trials involved “music therapy” in which trained music therapists  actively engaged the patient in a personally-tailored music and therapy
experience, which may have included listening to live
music or playing an instrument.

Patients who received music interventions reported less anxiety, better mood and less pain during cancer-related procedures.

While more research is required, these finding certainly indicate that music therapy may be a useful complementary treatment in people with cancer.

 http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab006911.html

A study published in the Journals of the American Heart Foundation randomised patients with stable coronary heart disease to take omega-3 fatty acids at 1g/day OR a placebo in addition to their regular medications (aspirin and clopidogrel).
 
After 1 month the patients taking fish oils had signs of beneficial anti-clotting effects over and above those attributed to aspirin or clopidogrel.

The study authors conclude that the omega-3 supplement looks to work in a different way to the drugs and so appear to give additional benefits that may further help prevent clots in these types of heart disease patients.

While the study size was relatively small, thus highlighting a need for further investigation, the key finding for people with stable medically managed coronary heart disease is that it could still be worth taking omega-3 fatty acids at a dose of 1g per day to reduce the risk of future clots.

If you do fall into the above coronary disease category and are considering supplementing with fish oil be sure to discuss this first with your doctor.

 http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/31/7/1696.abstract?sid=64490f0e-70e7-43b5-aa27-67b1d30dc2f1

I bet the next time this guy gets in an eel beauty bath he wears undies!
http://health.msn.co.nz/blog.aspx?blogentryid=904987&showcomments=true

A recent Australian Fitness Network article cites a study by The Duke
University Medical Center that compared the
effectiveness of aerobic
exercise, resistance training, or a combination of the two activities, on losing visceral or abdominal fat weight.

The researchers found that aerobic exercise burned 67 per cent more calories than
resistance training; ‘Resistance training is great for improving strength and increasing lean body mass’ lead author and exercise physiologist Cris Slentz said; ‘But if you are overweight and you want to lose belly fat, aerobic
exercise is the better choice because it burns more calories.’

The Duke findings echo a number of anecdotal reports, including our experiences here at Fitness Plus, that show that aerobic exercise should be the preferential modality if weight loss is desired.

Resistance training certainly has a place in a balanced exercise program however aerobic activity certainly seems to provide the best 'bang' for the weight loss 'buck'.

Hopefully it will not take too long for these machines to find their way to our shores - an opportunity for an enterprising kiwi entrepreneur?

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/food_coach&id=8319712&rss=rss-kabc-article-8319712