Whole Grains Lower Stroke Risk in Women

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital found that just one more whole grain serving a day that women eat lessens the likelihood of their having a stroke. The research involved a study of 75,521 women participating in Harvard University's Nurses Health Study. Between 1984 and 1996, 352 strokes occurred among the women. The researchers found that the women who ate the equivalent of two or three slices of whole grain bread daily had a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of having an ischemic stroke (the most common type) than women who ate the equivalent of less than half a slice of whole grain bread daily. So replace those refined products with whole grain to benefit from its rewards. This includes whole grain products such as whole wheat bread, whole grain cereal, popcorn, wheat germ, oatmeal, bulgur and couscous.

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Question of the Week

Question: 
I just want to say thanks for all your help and tips. I started out at 5'10" 233 lbs with a 40" waist. Now just a little over 70 days later I'm still 5'10" but 214 lbs and a 36" waist and looking better everyday. Even if I didn't use one of your tips just reading the info helps keep my mind in check. Thanks.

Here's my question. I talked to a few personal trainers and they say you don't really need to do more than 20 to 25 Ab Crunches a set and to do 4 sets. While a few body building books I've read say that the abs, like the biceps, are one of the hardest muscle groups to tone and build, therefore do 50 or more and 5 to 6 sets every day you work out. What's really the best or is there a best? 

Answer: 
While much depends upon individual goals and physical conditioning, the personal trainers are correct in saying that four sets of 20 to 25 ab crunches are sufficient to nicely tone abs. Remember that most body building books are aimed at the professional bodybuilders who want to build massive bulk and ripped muscles. The extra crunches and sets would make sense for a hyper-intensive workout where the end result is ideally, washboard abs. 

Abs are not so difficult to tone and build as it is to keep the layers of fat off so that the muscles can be defined. If your goal is to have tightly toned abs, be consistent with ab crunches but no need to overdo. Also, watch your weight so you can actually see the fruits of your labor.

Check our Health & Fitness Home Page for more health tips on exercise and weight loss and just plain healthy living. Let us know how you're doing. Good luck.

The HFT Staff

NOTE: If you would like to see your question featured here, please submit to: questions@health-fitness-tips.com

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