African-related stories
Heart health, dementia linked
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Do you know there's a link between a variety of heart conditions and the risk for dementia? Most people don't.
A survey of more than 2,000 people nationwide, most of them African-American, shows most people don't know about this connection. Specifically, one-third of African-Americans surveyed reported having high blood pressure and one in five said they had high cholesterol. More than half of these folks recognized that these factors put them at risk for heart attack or stroke but only eight percent knew their conditions put them at risk for dementia, a general term for brain disease that causes confusion and memory problems. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia.
Since African-Americans are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, and dementia, says a spokesperson for the American Stroke Association, they need to take action now to ward off these diseases. The key? The same key used to prevent all sorts of health problems: A healthful, low-fat diet and regular exercise.
A survey of more than 2,000 people nationwide, most of them African-American, shows most people don't know about this connection. Specifically, one-third of African-Americans surveyed reported having high blood pressure and one in five said they had high cholesterol. More than half of these folks recognized that these factors put them at risk for heart attack or stroke but only eight percent knew their conditions put them at risk for dementia, a general term for brain disease that causes confusion and memory problems. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia.
Since African-Americans are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, and dementia, says a spokesperson for the American Stroke Association, they need to take action now to ward off these diseases. The key? The same key used to prevent all sorts of health problems: A healthful, low-fat diet and regular exercise.
Fit Factor: All I want to do is dance dance dance
What do you think of dancing? Me? I think I fall perfectly in to the 'two left feet' category of dancers. I have a good sense of rhythm but lack and body coordination to move to the music in a way that doesn't resemble a frog in a blender. And I'm clumsy. Really clumsy. But nonetheless, I love it. I love letting the rhythm, take control of my body and I love letting go. Luckily, I'm not easily embarrassed because I would probably never show my face on the dance floor again.
Okay, enough about my (lack of) dancing skills. Dancing is the latest craze in fitness routines, don't you think? And why not? It's a great way to sculpt your body and if you incorporate some sort of cardio action to it, it's a great way to burn calories too.
Okay, enough about my (lack of) dancing skills. Dancing is the latest craze in fitness routines, don't you think? And why not? It's a great way to sculpt your body and if you incorporate some sort of cardio action to it, it's a great way to burn calories too.
Fit Factor: Get a Brazilian ... workout, that is--Capoeira!
Do you know what Capoeira is? Chances are you've seen it without knowing it, in movies like Meet the Fockers and Oceans Twelve. It's an activity with African and Brazilian roots that combines martial arts-style moves with dance techniques. Sounds pretty harmless and fun, right? When the practice was originally developed by Africans enslaved in South America, Capoeira was used to teach people deadly fighting techniques. However, in the days of slavery, slaves weren't permitted by their masters to teach or learn deadly fighting techniques so these moves were 'hidden' within what seemed like a harmless dance. Today, though, things aren't quit so serious: Capoeira is a way of getting active, becoming fit and enjoying the benefits of group exercise.
