Q: Too much sodium in your diet is bad. Can you have too little sodium in your diet? What are the side effects? A: A low blood sodium level is called Hyponatremia. Common reasons for Hyponatremia: Excess water in the body which dilutes the normal sodium concentration From consuming large amounts of water during strenuous [...]
Research increasingly suggests and supports that strength training is a significant component of a comprehensive fitness program. When appropriately prescribed and supervised, strength training has many favorable effects on overall health. Here is a list of ten reasons why strength training should be included in your fitness program. Fitness first can develop a customized exercise [...]
How do you spend a typical 24-hour day? How many hours do you spend sleeping or sitting? How many hours during a typical day do you spend being physically active? Now think of how many hours you spend being active and think more specifically about what type of activity you are doing. The World Health [...]
Q: Are some vegetables healthier when they are cooked vs. when they are raw? A: Depending on the vegetable and cooking method, cooked vegetables can result in enhanced nutritional benefits that are not found in the raw state. Benefits of cooked vegetables Cooking vegetables breaks down fibrous cell walls which makes it easier to absorb [...]
Q: It is 2017! People are setting fitness/health resolutions and the new fitness/health trends are all the rage. Below is a list of things to focus on when setting goals and some fitness/health trends to ignore. A: When setting goals: Focus on activity goals: Most people set weight goals: “I want to lose 15 lbs.” Instead [...]
Q: There is pressure to have our elementary age children specialize (focus) on a single sport. Is there research on this topic? A: Over the last 25 years, specializing in a single sport at a young age has become more and more common. The reasons for specializing vary but the most common reason cited is [...]
Q: Can you consume too much protein? Is it dangerous? A: According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, on average, Americans consume between one-and-a-half to two times more protein than the daily recommended intake established by the World Health Organization. It is also common for athletes and bodybuilders to believe a higher [...]
Q: During the hot days of summer, is spending too much time in air conditioned buildings bad for your health? A: Numerous institutions and scholars list air conditioning as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. They are widely used in westernized countries and global use is growing rapidly, but is it bad [...]
Q: How do “blood thinners” reduce blood viscosity? A: Blood Thinners have no impact on the viscosity (thickness) of blood. Instead, blood thinners prevent the blood from clotting or existing clots from getting larger. They do not dissolve existing clots. Blood thinners fall into two categories: anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Anticoagulants, such as heparin, lengthen the time [...]
Q: What causes my lungs to have a burning sensation during exercise? A: At some point in our lives, we all have experienced a burning sensation in our lungs or airway while we were exercising. What causes this feeling? Fitness level/activity intensity - If you are new to exercise, coming off a layoff, or increasing [...]