Posted by: Jen Boland in brain function on
Sep 02, 2010
Last week I wrote about how exercise can prevent Alzheimer’s disease. This week, I’m going to look at how different types and intensity of physical activity can actually improve brain function and creativity.
As many of you know, I am an avid cyclist. I have been a dedicated road warrior and triathlete for the past ten years. Looking for a change of pace from the road, I took up mountain biking because I can get an intense workout in just 60 to 90 minutes. In contrast, on the road bike I feel like I am only warming up with a ride of that same duration.
Posted by: Jen Boland in diabetes, brain function on
Aug 28, 2010
Type I diabetes also known as juvenile diabetes is where the body does not make insulin and therefore cannot convert sugar to energy. Type I diabetes is a genetic disorder, it cannot be prevented, but it can be effectively managed.
Type II diabetes formally known as Diabetes Mellitus and the most common form of diabetes is where either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin that is produced. Type II diabetes can lead to complications such as blindness, nerve damage, heart disease and stroke. Considered a lifestyle disease, over 90% of the occurrence of Type II diabetes can prevented as it is heavily linked to the nation’s obesity epidemic.
I had the opportunity to meet with Don McGrath author of 50 Athletes Over 50 – Teach Us to Live a Strong, Healthy Life. Throughout his 50 interviews with these older athletes he found several themes that repeated themselves over and over again. Most notably was a “pure joy of moving their bodies,” and from this idea the concept of adult play was born.
Many non-exercisers think of
