Hello again to everyone! This entry’s focus is on Alzheimer’s Disease, a dreadful illness that plagues our elderly without relief. However, the ICAA has provided an article / study exhibiting the effects of 2 factors on Alzheimer’s: a Mediterranean diet and socialization. These 2 factors seem to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s. Whoever would have thought that such natural means of healing could be used to treat such a dreadful illness? It seems as though we must look at such factors while treating illnesses, rather than relying solely on medication treatment. At any rate, click on the reference link below to access the full article:

“Alzheimer’s risk lowered by Mediterranean diet and socialization”
ICAA Research Review April 2006, Volume 6, No. 16
http://www.icaa.cc/Newsletters2006/ICAAResearchReview_6_16.htm

Hello again to all my faithful readers! This week I want to provide a bit of insight into the ICAA’s most recent Functional U, in which you will find many pointers on active living through exercise. Even though the focus is on people over 50, many of us below 50 can gain something from this reading as well. I would say that the most provocative section is on page 20, and is entitled “Choose to be Active.” This offers clientele the option of using 4 different types of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. As you can see, these 4 types reference different physical areas of which you improve by engaging within the exercise regimen. To find details about all 4 types and much more, click on the reference link below:

Client Handout - “Choose to be Active,” p.20
ICAA Functional U Vol 5. Issue 5 September October 2007
http://www.icaa.cc/FunctionalU/2007newsletters/FunctionalU_SeptOct2007.pdf

I found another ICAA article which discusses the serious issue of treating depression. This article discusses the coalition of an exercise regimen with an antidepressant medication. The article presents startling evidence that exercise plays a large role in a person’s recovery from clinical depression. In fact, a group of 202 individuals who suffered from depression were administered the above-stated treatment regimen. 41% displayed few symptoms after a 4 month period of treatment. This is amazing! Click below on the reference to read the entire article:

“Exercise relieves major depression”
ICAA Research Review October 2007, Volume 7, No. 35
http://www.icaa.cc/Newsletters2007/ICAAResearchReview_7_35.htm