Exercise as an Antioxidant

By Craig Ballantyne

When people talk about antioxidant-packed foods, they almost always think of vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli and berries. However, researchers from the University of Virginia have shown that exercise can have a similar protective effect.

In the study, 49 older adults (aged 60-72) performed a 6-month resistance training program. Some of the subjects were overweight, and some were normal weight. At the end of the program, researchers noted that exercise reduced levels of harmful free radicals and homocysteine in both groups. Since homocysteine and free radicals have been associated with cardiovascular disease, the resistance training appeared to act as a protective factor against heart disease.

It's easy to do resistance training at home. You can begin with bodyweight exercises or you can use resistance bands, dumbbells, or even kettlebells. Stick to multi-muscle movements like squats, rows, and presses, and you'll get the maximum benefits in the minimum amount of time.

It's Fun to Know: The 10-Gallon Hat

Any cowboy can tell you that the so-called 10-gallon hat actually holds only about three-quarters of a gallon of liquid. So where did the name come from? It turns out it's a bit of linguistic misunderstanding. Mexican cowboys ("vaqueros") wore braided bands around their hats, as many as 10. The Spanish word for braid? Galon, which American cowboys misinterpreted as "gallon" when introducing the hat style to the United States.

(Source: That's a Fact Jack and The Straight Dope)

Word to the Wise: Nolens Volens

"Nolens volens" (NOH-lenz VOH-lenz) - from the Latin - means "whether unwilling or willing."

Example (as used by the Daily Telegraph): "Events have put NATO in a position where it is the policeman of Europe and beyond, nolens volens."

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2276, 02-12-08], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.

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