Six-Pack Mentality

We’ve said it before: A dog is a great exercise buddy.  And now scientists have proved it.  Researchers at the University of Victoria found that People who own dogs walk almost as those who don’t have dogs.  Credit the dog owners’ sense of responsibility and obligation, says study author Ryan Rhodes, Ph.D. One other key reason: Pets are pushy.  Doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago discovered that when it comes to exercise, dogs are “consistent initiators.”  So adopting a pooch is like hiring a full-time trainer.

The Gall of That Flab

If your belly keeps making a comeback, you may be gaining more than a few pounds: University of Kentucky researchers recently found that men who yo-yo diet are 76 percent more likely to develop gallstones than those who maintain a consistent weight.  In fact, the more frequent and severe your body-weight swings, the greater your risk.  The scientist aren’t sure why weight cycling causes gallstone formation but note that it was specifically related to fluctuating fat levels.

Disease-Proof Your Heart and Mind

To drastically reduce your risk of future health problems, you need 3.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily, according to scientists at the National Institutes of Health.  The researchers made this determination when they calculated that 40 percent of mortality from heart disease and 95 percent of depression could be attributed to deficiencies in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the omega-3 fatty acids primarily found in seafood.  These healthy fats reduce the inflammation associated with heart disease and may also cultivate the production of serotonin and dopamine, “feel-good” neurotransmitters that can relieve and prevent depression, says study author Joseph Hibbeln, M.D.  The easiest way to meet your quota: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (Nordic naturals.com) which contains 1.1 grams of EPA and DHA (combined) per soft gel. 

The Miracle Mineral?

Magnesium could help you live longer. In an 18-year study, French researchers determined that men with the highest blood levels of the mineral have a 40 percent lower risk of early death than those with the lowest levels.  The researchers think this could be because low magnesium levels are associated with greater inflammation, which is linked to heart disease and cancer.   The kicker?  Fifty-six percent of the population doesn’t consume an adequate amount of the mineral.  To boost your intake, snack on roasted pumpkin seeds, which contain 150 milligrams of magnesium per ounce—about half the amount you need daily.