Bodybuilding

A Functional Bodybuilding Coach Shares 3 Tips for Working Out in a New Gym – Men’s Health

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In a new video on his YouTube channel, former CrossFit Games competitor and functional bodybuilding coach Marcus Filly shares his best advice for getting the best results out of your workout when you’re in a new and unfamiliar gym, so you don’t have to compromise on your gains while traveling. The first thing he does is walk a lap to assess what gym equipment is available and where, so he can make a plan for how to arrange his workout, with major key considerations:

Firstly, what are the movement patterns you want to train in this workout? Depending on whether you’re focusing on push, pull, squat, hinge, or core will determine which part of the gym you want to use, i.e. the squat rack, the bench etc.

Secondly, what are the key sections of your training? These can be as simple as warmup, strength, and conditioning.

Third, try to identify any equipment limitations or potential obstacles, like being in a busy gym where equipment might be taken up quickly.

“I’m going to think about which lift I really want to prioritize,” says Filly. “There are often 2 to 3 lifts that make up the most intensive portion of a functional bodybuilding session… I want to be sure to hit them with full effort and focus, so it’s worth waiting for equipment to open up in order to hit these properly.”

In this instance, as he wants to spend the workout focusing on heavy lunges and rows, Filly programs a warmup which activates the hips and shoulders. “I have two options here, I can grab a couple pieces of equipment and head to a corner of the gym, or I can mix these in between my warmup sets for my main lifts, so I stay efficient while using the station that I want. Because no-one likes a bench hog.”

In his main workout, Filly supersets his back rack lunges with rows in an EMOM (every minute on the minute) format, for the sake of speed and efficiency. When it comes to conditioning, Filly recommends seeking out a cardio tool like a bike or rower, ideally situated next to dumbbells or kettlebells, so you can combine weights and cardio for what he calls a “functional pump.”

COVID-19

Chairs’ Statement on the COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) Ministerial – United States Department of State – Department of State

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The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Bangladesh, Botswana, and Spain on the occasion of the COVID-19 Group Action Plan (GAP) Ministerial.

Begin Text

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on all countries, with more than 6.5 million dead worldwide, disrupting the health and well-being of billions, ravaging the global economy and local livelihoods, and threatening peace and stability.  Since the “COVID-19 Prioritized Global Action Plan for Enhanced Engagement (GAP)” was established in early 2022, GAP participants have supported enormous progress combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, globally and locally.  Working with international partners and national governments, they have helped increase vaccination rates in less prosperous countries from low double digits to more than fifty percent, provided last mile support for over 100 countries needing assistance moving safe and effective life-saving vaccines to their most at-risk populations, established regional hubs for mRNA vaccine development and vaccine and medical supply production, and are rolling out pilot treatment programs around the world.

Recognizing that more remains to be done around the world, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as represented by United States Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Bangladesh Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, MP, Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Lemogang Kwape, and Spain Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares Bueno, on September 23, convened a COVID-19 Global Action Plan Ministerial.  Foreign Ministers from Jamaica, Japan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand participated, as well as the World Health Organization Director General, the acting head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and policy leaders from twenty-one other countries and organizations.  Ministers and leaders of the countries and organizations involved in the GAP discussed the state of the global response to COVID-19, and the role of foreign ministries to enhance political will and coordination.  They underscored the importance of enhanced coordination among GAP partners to fill remaining gaps in the pandemic response, and build better health security to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health threats.  Amb. Thomas-Greenfield on behalf of Secretary Blinken called on GAP partners to maintain our focus to ensure everyone, everywhere is safe, even as other global issues demand our time.  Foreign Minister Momen said that immunization against COVID-19 should be declared a “global public good” and vaccines should be distributed without discrimination.  Foreign Minister Kwape stated that our priority is to preserve lives by investing in effective preparedness and readiness, including access to accelerated COVID-19 vaccination programs and responsive case management to ensure economic and social resilience post pandemic.  Foreign Minister Albares noted that strengthening global health with comprehensive and connected strategies is the best vaccine we can offer as policymakers to our citizens.

Turning Vaccines into Vaccinations

GAP ministers welcomed the progress made in ensuring the global availability of vaccines, but noted the need for continued focus on translating vaccines into vaccinations.  Today, more than 60 percent of the global population on average has been fully vaccinated, saving tens of millions of lives. GAP participants have delivered nearly a billion doses of safe and effective vaccines free of charge to more than 140 countries globally.  In just the last few months, GAP participants have also provided well over US$10 billion in assistance to enhance countries’ capacities to vaccinate and treat.

Ministers expressed concern, however, that the response has not been equitable around the world, and populations in many countries still lack access to safe and effective vaccines.  They reiterated the critical importance of maintaining and increasing political will to efficiently and equitably deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines including boosters where and when they are needed, and reaffirmed a special focus on reaching populations at highest risk of hospitalization and death and health workers.  They applauded the work of the GAP partners and the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership (Co-VDP) to coordinate vaccine deployment.  Ministers affirmed the importance of supporting targeted and tailored national campaigns to increase vaccine uptake, and of re-assessing national and local targets based on country contexts, demographics, and other critical health priorities.  They supported programs which seek to accelerate the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among youths, who constitute for example more than 60 percent of African population.  Ministers called on all countries to facilitate access to vaccinations by vulnerable and marginalized populations including those living in humanitarian contexts and hard-to-reach areas.  Efforts should include mitigating logistical barriers that may disproportionately impact these populations, and facilitating safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.  Ministers noted the potential value in integrating COVID-19 vaccines into national vaccine and immunization programs, to protect high-risk populations while simultaneously promoting routine immunization coverage.

Enabling Medical Supply Chains

Ministers celebrated the success of governments and the private sector in developing and producing vaccines to vaccinate the world’s population.  They noted with concern the inequities between and within countries in timely access to COVID-19 medical and other pandemic response products, notably vaccines, oxygen supplies, personal protective equipment, diagnostics and therapeutics that prevailed during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This also included disruptions to global medical supply chains caused by surges in demand for medical products and related inputs needed for the COVID-19 response, despite the best efforts of international organizations, private companies, and ad hoc groupings.  The Ministers acknowledged the value of regional medical supply platforms to the COVID-19 response.  Participants in this Line of Effort decided to establish an implementation group to determine an appropriate mechanism to facilitate supply chains during pandemics, including establishment of a global clearinghouse for COVID-19 medical and other pandemic response products and services and to coordinate with supply chain mechanisms.

Ministers supported the regional diversification of sustainable manufacturing capacities for vaccines and related products and improved cold chain capacity to enhance standing and surge capabilities.  They discussed considerations including financial sustainability, research and development efforts, regulatory frameworks, voluntary transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms, trade policies, and other critical factors.

Addressing Information Gaps

Ministers challenged all actors to address information challenges that preclude the best health outcomes in the COVID-19 pandemic.  Participants noted the critical importance of identifying common topics and sources of mis- and disinformation, coordinating to rapidly address information gaps by promoting credible information, and developing and sharing best practices to prevent the spread of mis- and disinformation, in accordance with national laws and principles.  Ministers welcomed the June 2022 Global Event on Vaccine Demand, hosted by UNICEF, Canada, and Ethiopia, which exchanged best practices on increasing vaccine confidence and uptake, and called on the participants to develop strong action plans for implementation and to build trust.  Participants condemned all efforts to spread disinformation about vaccines.  Participants welcomed the upcoming Disinformation Roundtable, to be hosted by Canada in Fall 2022, to exchange information and ideas on the impact of and effective solutions to disinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

Investing In and Protecting Health and Care Workers

Ministers applauded the actions of health and care workers throughout the pandemic, and called for more support for workers’ overall health and well-being, integrating a gender approach.  All participants noted the importance of safeguarding, equipping, and building capacities health workforce, including the public health, primary care, and emergency workforce.  Participants called for all health and care workers to have priority access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments, as well as other locally needed health tools.  They welcomed the WHO’s Roadmap for Public Health and Emergency Workforce, and the opportunity to align activities and investments with the Roadmap to build national capacity for essential public health functions.  Participants confirmed the need to facilitate training and technical assistance to equip health workers in communication, service delivery and surveillance.  Ministers noted reports of increased stress, anxiety, and depression among health and care workers and the need for governments and employers to support health and care workers’ mental health and wellbeing.

Improving Access to Non-Vaccine Interventions

Ministers noted that the pandemic has reached an inflection point, and proper use of medical tools, expertise, and leadership can turn COVID-19 from a global emergency into a manageable illness.  Ministers noted the need to promote and facilitate equitable distribution of safe and effective diagnostics and treatments, including oral antivirals, and medical oxygen, through regulatory efficiencies, market shaping, global access programs, public-private partnerships, sustainable financing, and other interventions. Participants welcomed the report of the ACT-A Facilitation Council Therapeutics and Diagnostics Working Group.  Ministers discussed the need for technological and financial support to some lower income countries.  GAP Ministers will continue sharing experiences and to identifying opportunities to collaborate on effective test-to-treat strategies and its integration into primary health care and public health functions.  Participants also called for continued support for other essential medical interventions, including oxygen.

Building Better Global Health Security Architecture

Ministers acknowledged the urgent need to strengthen the global health security architecture to prevent, detect, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 and future pandemic threats, including strengthening the WHO, regional health agencies, and national public health institutes, improving finance and health coordination, as well as strengthening health systems towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC).  Leaders affirmed that improvements to strengthen the global health security architecture should be inclusive, equitable, effective, transparent, and efficient.

Participants aimed to identify concrete recommendations and next steps for COVID-19 response and for future pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR).  Participants affirmed that the outcome of the independent evaluation of the Access to COVID Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) should help inform the coordination of the acute phase of COVID-19, and the integration of COVID-19 response into health systems.  They recognized the critical role of nonstate actors in the discussions and design of relevant platforms and approaches, including but not limited to regional institutions, academia, civil society organizations, corporations, and philanthropic foundations.  As part of creating a sustainable investment plan for the future, participants reinforced the need for continuing discussions to gather additional support for the Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response as a complementary mechanism in the global health financing architecture.  In order to strengthen the global health security architecture, including the role of the WHO, participants welcomed the ongoing Member State discussions on the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHRs) and the intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Participants underscored that the GAP grouping had provided a valuable forum to coordinate the pandemic response and promote solutions that require political leadership.  Participants supported developing a consensus position on an approach to ensure commitment, action, and accountability at the highest political levels going forward, and identify the appropriate mechanisms to respond more effectively and efficiently to future global health security threats.  Participants will reconvene to evaluate progress and determine the future of the GAP.

Participating Countries and Organizations

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Morocco, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, World Health Organization (WHO)

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Anxiety

Why a recommendation to screen adults for anxiety is a double-edged sword – Medical Marketing and Media

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23
Sep

For the first time, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended this week that all adults under age 65 should be screened for anxiety. The panel’s advisory couldn’t have come at a better time — or a worse one. 

Consider the recent rise in anxiety cases. During the pandemic, the percentage of adults reporting symptoms of either anxiety disorder or depression peaked at more than 40%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

While that rate has since come down, the roughly 30% of adults who still report these symptoms is far in excess of its pre-pandemic level of around 11%. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) reports that the share of adults with anxiety disorders is even higher, at 19%. That makes it the most prevalent mental illness in the country. 

The data underscore the need for more mental health care, and the federal task force’s recommendation could spur demand for it. But the system that provides that care is already strained, to say the least. 

Millions of people currently live in areas that have come to be known as mental health care deserts because they lack access to trained professionals. And in the years ahead, the country is expected to suffer from a shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other counselors and therapists.

The imbalance threatens to diminish the ultimate impact of the task force recommendation. 

“I do think that screening is a good idea, with a caveat of, ‘What are we going to do once we screen?’” said Dr. Luana Marques, associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and clinical psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Not only is the number of mental health professionals insufficient to handle the current load. It doesn’t correlate with future requirements, either, especially as demand rises among ethnic and minority patients. The American Psychological Association, for instance, projected its workforce will see a 30% increase in demand for services from the Hispanic community and an 11% increase from the Black/African American community between 2015 and 2030.

All of this is making mental health pros like Marques, well, anxious.

“My fear is what providers will do once they screen somebody as positive, given that we don’t have enough mental health providers as it is,” she explained.

The task force, an independent group of medical experts from the fields of primary and preventative care, recommended anxiety screening for adults 19 and older who do not have a diagnosed mental health disorder. (The group said there isn’t enough evidence to expand screening to those 65 or older.) 

Anxiety comes in many forms. The task force referenced generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety. All forms are characterized by excessive fear or worry.

The experts advised that depression screening for all adults should continue, including those who are pregnant and postpartum. Indeed, many primary care physicians already incorporate a screen for depression. Within the Mass General Brigham system, medical clinics do it at the annual checkup, Marques said, and some are adding an anxiety screen.

Marques, a past president of the ADAA, believes that any enhancement in screening should be accompanied by standardized referrals. That would give patients a pathway to a social worker or other provider trained to handle anxiety. 

“Without some additional training, it becomes challenging, because we have a crisis in mental health in terms of the number of providers,” Marques noted.

It was thought that those shortages were more pronounced during the pandemic. The lockdown triggered problems such as panic disorder, anxiety and depression. Internet and social media use spiked, adding to the psychological toll. It’s been shown that adults who use apps like Snapchat, Facebook and TikTok have a higher likelihood of emotional challenges. 

The recent shift toward telemedicine for mental health services seemed to relieve some of the access issues. There have been other bright spots, too: The share of adults who sought treatment for mental health grew during the pandemic, to nearly 22% in 2021, up from about 19% in 2019, according to the CDC. Adults under the age of 45 led the charge, and better access to treatment was cited as one reason for the jump.

Still, the existing psychiatric workforce met only 28.1% of the need for mental health professionals last year. Making up the shortfall would require an additional 6,559 psychiatrists, the Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration estimated.

Those needs aren’t fading along with the pandemic. According to the draft recommendations, the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders in the U.S. sits at 26% for men and 40% for women. 

Meanwhile, the gap between need and access is wider among minority populations, who were disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This threatens to put an additional burden on community clinics, which are currently unable to serve the majority of their patients and where there’s generally fewer resources to hire more people. 

Training more psychiatrists is one answer. But the number of residency slots is a rate-limiting factor and the government projects that the number of adult psychiatrists will actually decrease by 20% over the next eight years. Efforts are underway to try to turn out more.

Supporting and training PCPs, who are first to treat most mental health  patients, is also crucial. Marques cited a collaboration with her primary care colleagues which, since 2013, has resulted in several patients coming to her for treatment. 

PCPs across the country are becoming more aware of the need to screen. “They are feeling a lot more pressure to screen for mental health because the level of stress, anxiety and depression is on the rise and people are sharing their concerns with their PCP more often,” Marques explained.

While PCPs don’t use the same questions for early recognition and diagnosis. Marques said the existing validated tools are adequate for catching generalized anxiety in the primary care setting.

“I don’t think we need new measures,” she continued. “The best thing is for systems to add those measures to annual evaluations for patients so no one is missed.”

Marques also suggested that the medical marketing industry find ways to partner with healthcare systems to increase awareness and minimize the burden on PCPs.

Meanwhile, access remains the biggest issue in mental health care, and the panel’s recommendations could widen the existing chasm. After a public comment period closes October 17, the prospect of the recommendations for anxiety screening becoming standard of care is a very real one. 

In the absence of a mechanism for better addressing this serious mental health issue, many people who are identified are likely to go without care.

COVID-19

Cambridge Public Health Department Recommends Flu Vaccines and COVID-19 Boosters, Releases Fall Vaccine Clinic Schedule – the City of Cambridge

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As we head into cooler weather, it’s time to think about flu and COVID-19 risks. Flu season will soon be upon us. Spending more time indoors means that there’s more opportunity for COVID-19 to spread. To protect against these two threats, the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) strongly recommends that residents get an annual flu vaccine AND stay up-to-date on COVID vaccinations and boosters.

The CDC recommends that all people age 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu vaccination, with rare exceptions. Different flu vaccines are approved for people of different ages. Everyone should get a flu vaccine that is appropriate for their age. The Cambridge Public Health Department’s clinics will offer regular flu vaccine, flu nasal spray, and high-dose flu vaccine.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. People age 5 and older should receive boosters. Updated bivalent boosters, which offer protection against multiple COVID variants, are currently recommended for everyone age 12 and older.

Flu shots and COVID vaccines and boosters are widely available at local pharmacies and many doctors’ offices. CPHD is also offering several community vaccination clinics in locations across Cambridge to make it even more convenient for residents to protect themselves against serious illness this winter. These CPHD clinics will begin in October and offer flu and COVID vaccines and boosters for residents age 6 months and older.

To view the CPHD vaccine clinic schedule and learn more about flu and COVID-19 vaccination, visit the CPHD website.

Make an appointment for a flu and/or COVID vaccine here. Residents can check both the flu and COVID options to register for two vaccines at the same time.

Healthy lifestyle

Need some motivation to start a healthy lifestyle? Here are 25 benefits – PhillyVoice.com

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On the heels of back-to-back reports showing that the health of U.S. men compares poorly to those in other affluent countries, and that American women are now living almost 6 years longer than men, clearly it’s the time to restate the case for healthy behavior, and to do so in a powerful way.

If there is one thing I’ve learned in my journey as a men’s health advocate, it’s that message framing carries equal weight to the message itself. If I can’t capture your attention quickly and describe healthy behavior in a way that brings strong meaning to you – that conveys a personal return on investment – then I’ve lost my opportunity.

Longstanding misconceptions that positive living is all about drudgery, pain and negative images dominates our culture – despite the glorification of fitness and health. As I’ve reminded you over the years, barely 3% of Americans (men and women) lead healthy lifestyles and, upwards of 70% are obese or overweight.

That’s why I’ve been ranting since the publication of these recent studies and asking, will the fate of men ever change?

A strong case for healthy living

I believe that there is indeed a very strong case to be made for a healthy lifestyle – if presented in the right way. A case built on the vast benefits derived from just a little attention to your daily habits. Outcomes that are intensely personal and meaningful in the core of your soul. Dividends that are well worth your investment.

In presenting this case, I draw on the evidence of scientists and medical experts shared in my columns over past two years. By consolidating these individual vignettes into a comprehensive list of benefits, my goal is to “super-size” (pun intended) the cause for healthy practices, increasing the potential to create the value proposition you need to trigger action and sustain your commitment.

At the center of the case, the value proposition I keep referencing, are the activities enabled by better health: quality time with children and grandchildren, encore careers, travel and whatever else you aspire to do that requires physical capacity – essentially, everything in life.

These are what I call social motivators. The factors that create your “why,” your purpose, your meaning. With a clear focus on your social aspirations, you’ve got the platform to sustain your habits and get you through the ups and downs that everyone encounters.

The experts on benefits

Before I jump to my list of reasons to live healthy, let’s review a few high-level points from the experts to reinforce the fact that my list is grounded in science.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. The benefits of exercise include brain health, a reduction in disease risk, weight management, stronger bones and muscles, and an increased ability to perform everyday functions.

Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health concluded that healthy habits can make a big difference in your life. They studied the impact of health habits on life expectancy and found that both men and women who met a 5-point criteria for good habits lived impressively longer lives than those did not: 14 years for women and 12 years for men. The report notes that people who met none of the 5 criteria were far more likely to die prematurely from cancer or cardiovascular disease.

The Mayo Clinic provides a great practical example, suggesting that a daily, brisk walk can help prevent or manage heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Finally, the Cleveland Clinic reminds us that the benefits of working out extend to both your body and your mind.

My top 25 list

So, with the experts on record documenting the science behind these outcomes, here are my top 25 benefits of a healthy lifestyle. When looked at in this very direct and consolidated fashion, I think it makes a compelling case. Now, this is totally old school, but feel free to print this list and post it somewhere prominent so that when you’re ready to shut the alarm and roll over, you may get a peek at them and muster up the drive to get up and start moving. Here you go.

1. Longer life
2. Better sleep
3. More energy
4. Reduced pain
5. Natural testosterone
6. Natural immunity
7. Reduced risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes
8. Improved cardiovascular health/reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
9. Save money
10. Better mood, more happiness, less depression
11. Reduced anxiety
12. Improved mental functioning
13. Fewer headaches
14. Less gastrointestinal problems
15. Lower blood pressure
16. Lower levels of inflammation
17. Lower risk of vision loss
18. Weight loss
19. Improved sex life
20. Better skin
21. Fewer respiratory infections
22. Better oral health
23. Stronger muscles and bones
24. Delay in the onset of disability
25. Prevention of falls and hip fractures 

Inspired? This is just the tip of the iceberg. Remember, if you can get your spouse or significant other to join you, not only will you increase your chances to maintain your habits, but you’ll lay the groundwork for a closer and improved relationship – which in-turn, serves as the best source of motivation to keep up the healthy habits. Do you see how this reinforcing circular dynamo works?

Once you get in this rhythm, there’s no telling what you can achieve and how good you’ll feel. And, most importantly, you’ll have a better shot at keeping up with an active social calendar (the kids, grandkids, spouse and the like) which is ultimately, what life’s all about. A pretty good dividend for about 2 and 1/2 hours a week and just a little bit of discipline.

In my next column, I’ll rundown the details on the full scope of healthy behaviors. Yes, diet and exercise are at the heart, but you’ll be pleased to know that there is a lot more you can do to contribute to your health and well-being. Until then, I hope this list makes the case and convinces you to start a new journey. The benefits are ample. Give it a shot.

Louis Bezich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Cooper University Health Care, is author of “Crack The Code: 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment in Men Over 50.” Read more from Louis on his website.

Healthy lifestyle

Healthy Lifestyle Can Prevent Diabetes Risk among Susceptible Women – Bel Marra Health

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Young fit woman eating healthy salad after workout. Fitness and healthy lifestyle concept.Women who maintain a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even if they’re genetically susceptible to the disease. Recent research has shown that diet, physical activity, and weight control can all play a role in preventing diabetes, even among those with a family history of the condition. By taking simple steps to stay healthy, women can lower their risk of developing this serious health problem.

A new study published in The BMJ found that pregnant women with a history of diabetes can still reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Five key lifestyle factors were shown to help reduce the risk, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a high-quality diet, getting regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking.

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It is widely known that keeping a healthy lifestyle can help to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, less is known about the effect these lifestyle factors have on high-risk women with a history of diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or if obesity status or genetic risk of type 2 diabetes influences this association.

To fill in the research gaps, this study aimed to evaluate the associations of the five risk factors to the risk of diabetes. Researchers also assessed whether these relationships changed according to obesity status or genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

Researchers found that participants who had optimal levels of all five modifiable factors had more than a 90% lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes than those who did not. Each additional modifiable factor was associated with an
incrementally lower risk of type 2 diabetes. For example, women with one, two, three, four, and five optimal levels of modifiable factors compared with none had a 6%, 39%, 68%, 85%, and 92% lower risk. These associations were seen even among women who were overweight or obese or had a higher genetic risk of type 2 diabetes.

As this study shows, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be reduced through diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors. As more research becomes available, doctors will be better equipped to help their patients who are more at risk for diabetes to lower their risk.

Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar

Healthy Blood Sugar Support is an excellent addition to lifestyle factors that can help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This unique formula helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels using a number of ingredients that have been shown in clinical studies.

The health benefits of this unique formula include supporting blood sugar metabolism and promoting healthy cholesterol and glucose levels already within the normal range. Healthy Blood Sugar Support can also help to reduce excessive hunger or increased appetite, fatigue, and blood glucose spikes after meals.

Anxiety

5 Fascinating Myths About Anxiety, Debunked – Prevention Magazine

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Though more than 40 million people in the U.S. have anxiety disorder, it’s still a condition that’s easily misunderstood. That may be because, as the National Alliance on Mental Illness points out, most people experience anxiety from time to time. Life is stressful, and it’s normal to get anxious about a big event or when there’s a lot going on. But anxiety disorder is complex, and understanding what it’s all about can ensure more people get help. These are five common myths—and the truth about what’s really going on with anxiety.

Myth #1: Anxiety is all in your head

The truth: Anxiety causes very real physical, if often silent, responses that may include shaking, chest pain, heart palpitations, nausea, and light-headedness, says Karen Surowiec, Psy.D., a psychologist with the Manhattan Psychology Group. That’s because fears and worries cause the body’s fight-or-flight response to kick in, releasing hormones that make your muscles tense and your heartbeat and breath quicken. The brain and the gut share a connection too, which is why feeling nervous can upset your stomach and an upset stomach can make you feel nervous. One study found that 44% of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) had anxiety compared with just 8% without IBS. All of which means that even if the fears you have aren’t likely to come true, they could be causing a very real physical reaction.

Myth #2: Anxiety is simply worrying too much

The truth: Worry is a part of anxiety, but it’s not the whole ball game. Regular worries tend to be tied to specific, realistic fears—losing a job, your child being bullied, missing a flight. Anxiety, meanwhile, may not be based on rational fears and creates extreme emotional distress that can be felt in your body. Some anxiety is good, but when it gets in the way of everyday functioning, it may be diagnosed as a disorder, says Aaron Telnes, a psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Sometimes the fear is not specific—or it continues even after what you were worried about is over. For example, it’s common to be nervous before a review with your boss, but fixating after the fact on something you said or on the outcome can be debilitating and may involve a sense of doom, hyperventilating, sweating, and trouble concentrating or sleeping. If anxiety has been interfering with how well you function at school, work, or home for weeks or months, it’s time to seek out therapy, Telnes says.

Myth #3: You should avoid situations that make you anxious

The truth: Though it’s a natural reaction, avoidance may make your anxiety worse, says anxiety expert Haley Neidich, L.C.S.W. “Anxiety will insist on being felt,” she says, and hiding from it can have secondary effects. Not speaking up in relationships, procrastinating, and avoiding social interactions or bills all have serious consequences,” she says. In fact, a common treatment for anxiety is the opposite of avoidance: exposure therapy. This works by helping people approach their fears in a safe environment, says Telnes—and, by doing so, learn that they can handle them. Sometimes the exposure is gradual, using virtual reality in the safety of a therapist’s office (for example, taking a simulated flight to overcome a fear of flying) or out in the “real” world. Also part of it is learning ways to cope, such as acknowledging anxiety: “Saying to yourself, ‘Yup, I’m anxious; I feel it in my chest; I feel like I’m losing it’ sounds simple, but it can reduce your symptoms immediately, and it puts you in a place of problem-solving rather than denying reality,” Neidich says.

Myth #4: Social anxiety is the same as shyness

The truth: Shyness is more of a personality trait, whereas social anxiety is a disorder—and while shyness can be uncomfortable, social anxiety disorder (SAD) can be debilitating. With shyness, you might find it tough to talk to people you don’t know or to be the center of attention. When you have SAD, you fear being watched, judged, or humiliated and may dread or avoid social situations for months. It’s easy to see how SAD can make it hard to function: Someone with SAD may worry that a cashier will ask them a question they can’t answer and thus avoid food shopping altogether, for example. And while nervousness related to shyness can cause physical symptoms—sweaty palms, jittery hands—people with SAD may have additional heightened fear responses such as body stiffness and feeling their minds “go blank,” according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Fortunately, research shows that people with SAD who are treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can have a recovery rate of nearly 70%.

Myth #5: You can just snap out of it

The truth: Just as someone can’t “snap out of” cancer or diabetes, the same is true for anxiety. “That mentality is rooted in mental health stigma and denialism of mental health disorders as real medical issues,” says Neidich. While it is sometimes healthy to temporarily set anxious feelings aside to get through a challenging situation, denying or suppressing anxiety isn’t a long-term plan—doing so can result in outcomes such as substance abuse, chronic health conditions, dysfunctional relationships, and insomnia, she says. “If you want to feel better, you’re going to have to acknowledge your anxiety, feel your feelings, and learn coping mechanisms,” adds Neidich. Those can include stress-reduction techniques such as exercise; journaling; relaxation exercises like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga; and CBT, which can help you challenge your reactions and fears and find healthier, more positive ways to address them, she says.

Bodybuilding

2022 Arnold Classic UK Bodybuilding Show Preview – BarBend

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Birmingham, England will play host for the 2022 Arnold Classic UK bodybuilding show as a part of the Arnold Sports Festival UK weekend on Sept. 23-25, 2022. The IFBB Pro League portion of the weekend is being promoted by 2 Bros Pros, and it will include nine divisions. Among those will be the Men’s Open, and the lineup for that division is below in alphabetical order.

2022 Arnold Classic UK Roster

Check out a breakdown of potential podium finishers below, as well as rosters for the other divisions competing at this show.

[Related: How Derek Lunsford Is Training Legs for the 2022 Men’s Open Olympia]

Favorites to Watch

The anticipated matchup for this show is 2022 Texas Pro winner Andrew Jacked and 2020 British Grand Prix winner James Hollingshead. Hollingshead is a home country favorite, but he has yet to qualify for the 2022 Olympia, and qualification will be offered to the winner of this contest. Hollingshead finished 13th in the 2021 Olympia.

Jacked is qualified already, but he wants to join Nathan De Asha on the list of Arnold Classic UK winners. This will be a new challenge for Jacked because it will be an opportunity to stand next to a 2021 Olympia competitor as well as one of the European mass monsters. 

The X-factor for this show could be Marc Hector, who has had a growing fanbase on social media because of his massive upper body. He will be making his first appearance since finishing third to Hollingshead at the 2020 British Grand Prix show. Hollingshead had the better lower body, but Hector has claimed to have made serious improvements throughout his entire physique. 

Someone else to watch is Jamie Christian-Johal, who finished fourth at the 2022 Yamamoto Nutrition Pro earlier in September. His target was this to win in the UK from the start, and coach Milos Sarcev has been working to bring him in as lean as possible without making his muscles look flat. The 6’5” bodybuilder is expected to weigh over 290 pounds. 

Other Divisions

The winners of all divisions will move on to the Olympia, while the second through fifth place finishers will earn Tier 2 points in the Olympia Qualification System. Those points will be distributed as shown below.

  • Second – Eight points
  • Third – Seven points
  • Fourth – Six points
  • Fifth – Five points

Like the Arnold Classic USA, this competition was invite-only, and competitors had to apply. There are two former Olympia champions in this show. 2008 Olympia 202 winner David Henry and three-time Bikini Olympia champ Ashley Kaltwasser will grace the stage in this show.

The final rosters for the remaining divisions are listed below as they are on the IFBB Pro League website. 

212 Bodybuilding

  • Radoslav Angelov
  • Jamal Changezi
  • Pasquale D’Angelo
  • Jamie Do Rego
  • David Henry
  • Ching-Chieh Lin
  • Naser Mohamed
  • Julian Lee Ramdhari
  • Samir Troudi
  • Ahmed Wardany
  • Dean White

Classic Physique

  • Jose Maria Mete Bueriberi
  • Kuba Cielen
  • Shane Cullen
  • Michael Daboul
  • Kiraly Laszlo
  • Peter Molnar
  • Marco Ruz
  • Wesley Vissers
  • Giuseppe Zagarella
  • Craig Morton
  • Niall Darwin

Men’s Physique

  • Jeffrey Darko
  • Shannon Davis
  • Youcef Djoudi
  • Ashley Edelman
  • Xiolong Hong
  • Ryan John-Baptiste
  • Andrea Miggiano
  • Elton Mota
  • Kennedy Maciel Santos Muniz
  • Balint Nemeth
  • Tyler Smith
  • Omar Suleiman
  • Randy Osei Tutu
  • Dawid Wachelka
  • Emile Walker
  • Ali Bilal

Men’s Wheelchair

  • Gabriele Andriulli
  • Anand Arnold
  • Antoni Khadraoui
  • Karol Milewski

Women’s Physique

  • Ilaria Armeni
  • Tanya Chartrand
  • Lenka Ferencukova
  • Julia Glazycheva
  • Modesta Halby
  • Jeanette Johansson
  • Sophie Leo
  • Jodi Lyons
  • Lisa McLean
  • Barbara Menage
  • Anne-Lorraine Mohn
  • Alida Opre
  • Karley Pearce

Fitness

  • Jasmine Abercrombie
  • Corinne Elizabeth Bean
  • Michelle Fredua-Mensah
  • Kamara Graham
  • Terra Plum

Figure

  • Arya Bahar
  • Roberta Coletti das Chagas
  • Veronica Gallego
  • Scarlet Hollands
  • Gabriela Linhartova
  • Stella Miliani
  • Lola Montez
  • Corrie Morales
  • Paula Ranta
  • Megan Sylvester-Cielen
  • Jennifer Zienert

Bikini

  • Demi Wing Kan Chow
  • Lucy Edwards
  • Ivanna Escandar
  • Eli Fernandez
  • Stine Hansen
  • Adrianna Kaczmarek
  • Ashley Kaltwasser
  • Nittaya Kongthun
  • Jourdanne Lee
  • Patricia Lloyd
  • Ottavia Mazza
  • Cristobalina Pajares
  • Francesca Stoico
  • Allison Testu
  • Jade Kelsie Wolfenden

Featured Image: @arnoldsportsuk on Instagram 

Anxiety

Why You Should Get an Anxiety Disorder Test – AARP

Posted on by admin
22
Sep

If you’re under 65, your next check-up could include a new screening — one for anxiety.  

A panel of medical experts is, for the first time, recommending that adults under the age of 65 get screened annually by their primary care physician for the increasingly common mental health condition, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Doing so can help identify an anxiety disorder early on so people can be connected to care, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force member Lori Pbert said in a statement about the group’s draft recommendation, posted Sept. 20. The public has until Oct. 17 to comment on the proposed guidelines before they are finalized.

“This is, I think, sorely needed and sorely overdue,” says Robert Hudak, M.D., a psychiatrist at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Psychiatric Hospital.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the United States. Over 15 percent of adults reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earlier federal data shows roughly 20 percent of U.S. adults have an anxiety disorder. And the pandemic has only aggravated the issue, sending cases soaring above these estimates, both in the U.S. and abroad, studies show.

“I really think the COVID pandemic shined a light on the impact that daily stress and anxiety can cause on people,” says Lauren Gerlach, a geriatric psychiatrist and assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School.

One CDC report found that between August 2020 and February 2021, the percentage of adults with recent symptoms of an anxiety or a depressive disorder increased from 36.4 percent to 41.5 percent.

The numbers have declined some since the height of the pandemic, says Gail Saltz, M.D., a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College and a psychoanalyst at the New York Psychoanalytic Institute in New York City. But there are still plenty of lingering stressors that can impact anxiety levels, like loss of a loved one from COVID-19 or economic hardships, she says.

Despite its prevalence, anxiety is often unrecognized in primary care settings, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says, and few providers screen for it. But checking for warning signs in patients who aren’t exhibiting clear symptoms could “substantially increase the likelihood that patients receive treatment in a timely manner, potentially saving years of suffering,” the USPSTF says.  

If left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to a number of other health issues. For example, individuals may have trouble functioning normally at home, at work, or in their relationships, Saltz points out. “And leaving that go for long periods of time obviously has real ramifications for a person’s ability to stay engaged in their family, with friends, with work, career development, all of that,” she says.

Untreated anxiety can also lead to clinical depression and can have an impact on everything from blood pressure to peptic ulcer disease to chronic pain disorders. What’s more, it can cause high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, to circulate in the body. “And we know that chronic high levels of circulating cortisol have damaging effects on the body and the brain,” Saltz says. (Overexposure to cortisol can increase a person’s risk for heart disease and memory and concentration problems, according to the Mayo Clinic.)