The May issue just arrived with a few wonderful articles. The first is “Experts recommend low-dose aspirin to prevent stroke in women”. It is important to know that there are gender differences in aspirin use. The Women’s Health Study which is comprised of almost 40,000 healthy women studied over a 10 year period showed that use of low dose aspirin didn’t reduce the risk of a first heart attack in women but it did reduce the risk of stroke. The average age of this group was 54.6. It did reduce the risk in women 65 and older.
The last paragraph is very important. It talks about checking with your clinician about using aspirin since it is not without risk. It goes on to say “while drugs are useful, lifestyle provides a firmer foundation for health(bold italics are mine). In one recent study, “women who didn’t smoke, were active (or had a non-sedentary job) ate plenty of fruits and vegetables and drank alcohol in moderation cut their risk for heart attack and stroke by more than half compared with women who had none of these behaviors.”
The second article “The Health Benefits of Tai Chi” also has some wonderful information. This ancient practice originally a martial art improves muscle strength, balance, flexibility and can be done by people of all ages whose conditioning and health may be less than perfect.
Muscle strength: a 2006 Stanford study reported benefits of Tai Chi in a group of 39 men and women average age 66 with below average fitness and at least one cardiovacular risk factor. After 12 weeks of three classes each week, they showed improved upper and lower body strength.
In a Japanese study, 113 older adults were divided into 3 groups; Tai Chi, Brisk walking and strength training The Tai Chi group increased more than 30% in lower body strength and 25% in arm strength. That is almost as much as the strength training group and more than the brisk walking group.
It has also been found useful in improving the mood, pain levels and function of peole with arthritis, the quality of life of breast cancer patients, risk factors for heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, Parkinson’s Disease, sleep problems, and stroke.
This issue is available by subscription at www.health.harvard.edu
