COFFEE HELPS PREVENT CARDIAC A-FIB
Just one cup of joe is associated with reduced occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common form of abnormal heartbeat that causes your heart to race and can lead to blood clots, stroke, or heart failure.
That’s the finding of the DECAF (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?) study published Nov. 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which aimed to answer how coffee affects those with irregular heartbeats. Full article HERE.
HOW TO WALK FOR EXERCISE
If you’re short on time and can’t regularly make it to the gym, walking is a great way to squeeze in some movement.
Finding ways to get some steps in can make a big difference to your health. It might feel a little on the nose that the more you walk, the better. Many fitness experts are trying to promote it with 10,000-step fitness trackers. But the good news is, you don’t need to hit 10,000 steps to get your heart pumping and get real results. A new study suggests it’s how you walk that matters. Full study HERE.
PLAYING A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT FORESTALLS NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE
Numerous recent studies have concluded that it’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of playing a musical instrument. It increases neuro connections in the brain, with lifestyle quality benefits of better memory, better attention, and improved mood.
You can gain the same benefits from other musical activities that protect and develop the brain and support neuroplasticity at any age. These include singing in a choir, dancing, and listening to music while walking or exercising. Learn more HERE.
VIBRATION PLATES – WHY WE BOUGHT ONE
As aging, health conscious, holistic physicians, we’re always on the lookout for new ways to build strength, improve circulation, increase flexibility, and reduce stress, both for ourselves and our patients.
With our packed schedules, going to a gym simply doesn’t work. It’s not just the time at the gym, it’s navigating the traffic, the noise, and the crowds.
As a more efficient, enjoyable exercise option we’ve acquired several devices that enable us to exercise in the comfort of our home.
Here’s what Chat GPT tells us about the benefits of a vibration platform:
- Muscle Strength & Tone. Several studies show improved leg strength and power from working out on a vibration platform, especially in older adults and those unable to perform high-impact exercise.
Example: A 2022 Sports Medicine meta-analysis found vibration training increases lower-limb strength comparably to moderate resistance training in sedentary adults. - Bone Density. Some evidence points to increased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women or people with osteoporosis, due to mechanical loading and muscle-pull on bone.
- Balance & Coordination. Especially beneficial for seniors or neurologic rehab (e.g., Parkinson’s disease) are the benefits to improved postural stability and proprioception.
- Circulation & Lymphatic Drainage. Enhanced blood and lymph flow can reduce mild swelling, stiffness, and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
- Metabolic & Hormonal Effects. May transiently raise growth hormone and testosterone levels and improve insulin sensitivity — al though these effects are modest and short-term.
With this information, Dr. Marcel spent several hours researching vibration platforms by reading reviews and comparing technical data. Although the platforms can cost from less than $100 to several thousand, the cheaper ones have limited movement patterns, and the expensive ones are dramatically over-hyped and overpriced. We purchased an excellent mid-priced model that is at or near the top of most reviews, the Lifepro Rumblex 4D Vibration Plate. Follow THIS LINK to the Lifepro site. (I believe a small discount might be given when the link is used.)
It’s important to note that a vibration platform is a complement to other exercise activities. People with pacemakers, acute herniated discs, recent surgeries, deep-vein thrombosis, or pregnancy should consult a doctor before use.
The Lifepro device comes with excellent directions and program suggestions. You can find an excellent review of the Lifepro Rumblex 4D HERE.
Drs. Connie and Marcel Hernandez