Posts by: Zero to Hero Fitness

Want to stay smart as you age? Here's one way to prevent it: Have more vitamin D. A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that a higher-than-average consumption of vitamin D in the diets of middle-age rats helped them retain more of their memory--allowing them to complete tasks better. The study was led by researchers from the University of Kentucky. "This process is like restocking shelves in grocery stores," says Nada Porter,…
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Want to lose weight? One nutritionist says paying attention to your bowel movements could help. Author Brenda Watson, who recently penned The Skinny Gut Diet, says that increasing the amount of a certain bacteria in your gut--one that coincidentally makes you "regular"--may also help you lose more weight, though the reasons why aren't clear. Now, she wants anyone dealing with obesity to try her diet. "Fiber isn't just good for bulking up stool, it's also the primary source of food…
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According to recent estimates, Alzheimer's disease is expected to triple 2050, with no cure in sight. New research reported in Stem Cell Research & Therapy reveals a new treatment may be on the horizon, however--and it's found in your favorite curry. Led by Dr. Adele Rueger, a researcher from the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine in Julich, Germany, researchers say turmeric, a common spice used in curries, helps rebuild the brain, reversing the effects of Alzheimer's disease. "While several substances…
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For most people, eating a traditional Western diet can cause innumerable health problems. For Asian Americans, however, the damage occurs at a more accelerated rate, putting them at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. New research from the Joslin Diabetes Center says there's a way to reverse that, however. According to researchers, Asian Americans at risk of type 2 diabetes who switched to a rigid Asian diet were less likely to have insulin resistance, a big risk factor for…
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For most people, a larger waistline means they're getting out of shape. To doctors, however, they know that this often indicates a higher risk of metabolic syndrome--a group of risk factors that can put people at a higher risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Until now, researchers weren't sure how to reduce certain risk factors of this syndrome. According to new research published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, people who consumed between 2 to 4…
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It's true: Losing weight is hard. However, new research published in the journal Health Affairs reveals there may be an easier way to make the journey easier--by using social networking programs. An analysis done by researchers from Imperial College London says that those who use social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, end up losing more weight because they receive more support in their journey--something that motivates them to keep up with their healthy eating habits. Those who did…
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Want to sleep better? If you're overweight, here's a new way to snooze faster--go on a diet. New research reported by the American Heart Association reveals that obese people who went on a low calorie diet were less likely to suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that often leads to restless, poor-quality sleep. Though not as well known insomnia, sleep apnea can have devastating effects on a person's sleep schedule, preventing people from breathing normally during a normal late-night snooze.…
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To some people, it sounds absurd: Noshing on high-protein cuts of beef, chicken, and veal as a way to lose weight. However, doing so now isn't just a great way to get a slimmer waistline, according to a new Boston University Study. Now it could actually reduce your risk of high blood pressure--a risk factor that could increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. The evidence, now published in the American Journal of Hypertension, shows that people who consumed around…
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