Special Series: Health Care Breakthroughs of 2008
Last year was quite the roller coaster of a year. Even if your personal life was a bit of a snooze-fest, there was enough happening with the rest of the world to keep things interesting. We elected a new President, the country’s finances came crashing down around us, the auto companies took a swim and the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series. Jaw-dropping things weren’t just occurring in the stock and housing markets-they were happening in medicine and health as well. From ravings about running to BDNF, read on to find out what healthy happenings occurred in this past year.
A Healthy Thyroid Equals a Happy Human
If your thyroid is out of whack, it can throw the rest of your body into a tailspin as well. You may only associate thyroid problems with people who are obese, but people at a healthy weight can have their thyroid act up as well. Some thyroid problems can be treated with medicine, but if you are experiencing thyroid issues stemming from lifestyle stimuli (i.e. pollution, what you are eating, emotional stress…) then you may have some work ahead of you.
In 2008, various studies showed that even a moderately sloth-esque thyroid system was directly related to increased mortality, fatal heart disease, disturbed heart rhythms, elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, lack of coordination, risk of breast cancer, mood problems, glaucoma, and Alzheimer’s risk. If you’re sitting there scratching your head wondering why this little butterfly gland in the throat can cause so many headaches, it might help to think of the thyroid as a tempo setter for your metabolism. If the pace is set high, you’ll maintain a high metabolism. If it’s slow and downtrodden, here come the problems. Bottom line? Do everything possible from regular visits to the doctor to eating right and exercising, and you can keep your thyroid running strong.
Make a Run for It
If you’re the type who thinks running might be more torture than a great form of exercise, you’re not alone. I speak as someone who has grown up an athlete (soccer, softball and horseback riding to name a few), but I have always loathed running. I don’t know if it’s my recent love and then giving up of cycling for the winter or just a whole new attitude, but suddenly running is my new favorite thing. Toss in a great running buddy and our dog and you’ve got the recipe for what 2008 has shown to be the best activity that gives you the most returns for your hard work.
Running is the best form of exercise to boost levels of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, which I’ll touch on in a minute), it lowers your blood pressure and makes your heart happy. A study that has been in progress for 20-years showed that those who started running over the age of 50 reduced their risk of premature death by half. You can also count on statistics like strong joints, fewer cancer deaths, less heart disease and a better immune system. And if you’re wondering how I started running during a winter in Michigan, I highly recommend looking into Yaktrax, They’re a lifesaver for plowing through snow and ice. So those of you living in cold climates, no excuses on avoiding the running – you’re caught.
Next week we’ll take a closer look at some of the other top health breakthroughs of 2008 and you’ll find out what to look forward to in 2009. Stay tuned!
photo credit: sergis blog
Tags: 2008, health breakthroughs, health news, medical discoveries, medical tips
