Love the rich, flavourful, fresh cuisine of Greece and Italy? Eat up! Not only is the Mediterranean diet effective and recommended by medical professionals, but a recent study shows that it protects against all major chronic diseases, according to this article from the Daily Mail.

That's a pretty bold claim, but it seems to be legit. Researchers in the UK analyzed data from 12 different studies worldwide that took place over time periods of up to 18 years and found that those who followed a Mediterranean diet closely had a significantly longer lifespan and a lower risk of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and heart disease.

The Mediterranean diet is high in nuts, fish, whole grains, healthy fats, fresh fruits and veggies and even red wine in moderation. To find out how you can incorporate it into your diet, click here.

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Chronic pain is something that millions of people deal with every day of their lives. According to this article, over 30 billion dollars were spent on sore necks and backs alone in 2005. But often times doctor visits and pills don't do the trick. It can be like taking a medication lottery for pain, hoping that the next prescription will bring relief.

But what if someone could enroll in a four week "boot camp" that trains the body to mitigate the chronic pain caused by his or her body's system going haywire? It doesn't cure the pain, but it allows for the person to address its unrelenting nature and helps them combat the ever-present discomfort.

Patients of this boot camp are taught to move and exercise in ways that address biological, psychological and social elements of chronic pain. They're also seen by professionals to guide them: a physician, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a biofeedback therapist, a clinical psychologist and a movement specialist all lend their expertise. One women who partook in the program was able to take her first ballet class in over a year thanks to the regimen. It may be pricey, but some people may be willing to foot the bill if it means less pain!

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The word 'stress' have a lot of negative connotations -- It conjures images of a frazzled harridan chain-smoking, working late into the night and snapping at every simple request. But the truth is, stress plays an important role in our lives. It triggers our 'fight or flight' responses, which are ultimately lifesaving. Moreover, sort-term stress triggers the release of adrenaline, which help energize us. Ever known someone who says they thrive on stressful situations? This is the kind of stress they're talking about.

But there's a whole 'nother type of stress, namely the chronic type. That's the brand of stress that keeps you up at night, makes you anxious, wears you out and ultimately has a negative impact on your health. Chronic, overwhelming stress is the kind of stress that always sits in the back of your mind, and with your stress response system always turned on, your immune system and overall health (both physical and emotional) are taxed.

Worried about bad stress? Check out these handy tips.

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz! My 12-year-old daughter has started getting into fitness, all on her own motivation. She's always been on the thin side, and is certainly a healthy weight...and a fairly healthy eater. She said she wants to work out to build muscle and put on a few pounds (certainly not what you usually hear from girls at that age group). I want to support her, but I also want to be sure she is doing things in a healthy age-appropriate way.

She lives with her dad and we live in different states, which certainly makes matters more complicated. If she lived with me we could figure out ways to exercise together. Her dad and his girlfriend are both overweight with unhealthy habits. Any suggestions on how to get started? And is there anything she shouldn't be doing yet or things I should look out for? Thanks, Judy

Hello Miss Judy. You ask a great question and are smart to be both excited and leery of the situation. A child of 12 eager to pursue true fitness is an absolute gift. It is also a perfect point for that child's parent to stop and evaluate the situation, to make sure it's addressed correctly.

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Swimming with dolphins seems like it would be a really fun experience. If I were on a tropical vacation, for instance, you can bet that's one of the first things I would do. But as far as medical treatment via these aquatic animals is concerned, two Emory researchers say it's just a dangerous money trap.

DAT, or dolphin-assisted therapy, is a way for chronic patients of mental and physical disabilities to get outside the realm of typical treatment. Proponents say dolphins help the healing potential of these individuals. But those against the therapeutic interactions say it's a lose-lose situation for both the dolphins and the patients.

For one, there's no evidence that suggests long-term benefits to swimming with dolphins. Sure, they're social creatures with great intelligence -- but that doesn't make them a doctor. Another reason picks at the fact that it is such a novel experience. Costing upwards of a thousand dollars or more for these private sessions, critics say it may just be an expensive sales pitch. The danger they talk about stems from the claim that children could be put in tanks with 400-pound animals caught in the wild with potential trauma. In all practicality, they don't know for sure if anything comes from swimming with the dolphins. But if it puts a smile on a child's face who would otherwise never get the opportunity, then it should be worth all the costs!

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More good news about dark chocolate, this time for those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

It seems dark chocolate, which contains a high cocoa content and no milk, can alleviate CFS symptoms like no other chocolate can. And this makes it a tried and true prescription for patients of this condition who are urged to consume moderate amounts of the dark stuff.

Researchers believe it's the polyphenols found in large quantities in dark chocolate that do the trick because they affect levels of serotonin in the brain. The chocolate doesn't seem to affect weight gain, though. Participants didn't put on any pounds during dark chocolate pilot studies.

I don't know about you but for those plagued by profound fatigue, this seems like one great recipe for relief!

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Do you pound your fists on the desk or wall at work and take frequent breaks to 'get away' from bosses and co-workers while at work? These signs of chronic stress (among many others) can cause a doubling of heart attack risk in those that have a history of heart/coronary events.

A new study released this week found that recurrent heart attacks can be the result of frequent, unrelenting stress and the risk doubles in those with a previous heart event.

It adds to previous studies and bodies of evidence that suggest high stress levels cause heart attacks, but this study goes one further and concludes that repeating heart problems can be a result as well, especially in those with a history of heart issues. It's time to find stress reduction techniques if you fall into this category.

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More Americans are now seeing rates of higher chronic illnesses compared to Europeans, and obesity is a big factor in the profusion of all these chronics illnesses, says a new study.

Jonathon mentioned a few days ago that obesity spending is pushing health care spending in the U.S. way past most European countries, and if chronic (long-term) illnesses continue growing, that divide will only grow larger in the future.

And we wonder who may be to blame for the rising costs of health care in the U.S. Democrats? Nah. Republicans? Doubtful. Obese citizens? There you have it.

We have the power to prevent this madness, yet all that fast and processed food full of useless 'nutrition' is pushing millions of us over the edge. That is, to the tune of $100 to $150 billion in health-care spending each year due to heart disease and diabetes.

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Toss those hot dogs, bacon, and cured meats you're planning to devour -- because they could just take your breath away.

According to an analysis published recently in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, people who munch on these meaty items have an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD, the umbrella term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the fourth leading cause of death in America and is primarily caused by smoking. Still, diet plays a role and while studies don't conclusively link eating habits with COPD, there does seem to be an association. Specifically, those who ate 14 or more servings of cured meat per month increased their odds of developing this condition by 80 percent.

I don't know about you, but 80 percent seems pretty significant to me. This, along with the fact that cured meats contain large amounts of nitrates -- linked to lung damage in animals -- is enough for me to steer clear of these iffy meats for the rest of time.

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If you suffer from chronic pain, news of the Fentanyl patch may seem like a Godsend. Its users choose it over pills for a variety of reasons including the fact that, with proper instruction, it's relatively simple to use, offers a long-lasting dose and, if used right, has few side effects. Unfortunately though, for those not taught to use it correctly or who ignore the rules of use, one side effect may be death.

Despite warnings in the US & Canada to use and dispose of the powerful patch with extreme care, a number of patients have overdosed on the medication. Some have been prescribed the patch for the wrong reason (it should only be used by those suffering from chronic, long-term pain and isn't appropriate for post-operative pain control), some have accidentally put on more than one patch at a time and others have exposed themselves to extreme heat in a bath, with a heating pad or in the sunshine -- all of these things can cause an overdose.

Many doctors stress that the Fentayl patch is a very effective tool for controlling chronic pain but stress that patients must be properly educated on how to use the medication, and must be responsible and ensure they follow the rules. So if you think the patch may be for you, make sure you discuss the pros and cons with your physician and follow their advice and instructions.

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Anyone who has ever had trouble sleeping knows how upsetting, irritating and frustrating it can be to lie awake watching your alarm clock tick closer and closer to the time you'll have to get up for school or work feeling exhausted, grumpy and unhappy. For some, sleeplessness is a chronic problem while for others it can be brought on by a number of issues including stress and other lifestyle factors.

On the occasions I've had trouble sleeping, I've resorted to over-the-counter, low-dose sleeping pills that were recommended by my doctor. As my own sleepless nights are fairly rare, and the pills were recommended by my family physician, I don't worry too much about taking them. If I needed the tablets on a regular basis though, I may be more inclined to try a herbal sleeping pill made with non-addictive, all-natural ingredients.

But then I read this article about how a number of over-the-counter herbal sleeping pills being sold in Canada (my homeland) contained potentially-addictive drugs, which weren't listed on the label. According to the piece, some people who took the pills experienced weeks of sleeplessness followed by depression after discontinuing use. A pretty scary thought for those believing that herbal pills are better for them than those with sleep-inducing drugs.

I think the most important thing to learn from this is that if you're having a chronic sleep problem, it is worthwhile to consult your physician about the best options available to you. That, and to make sure that you're aware of what kinds of ingredients are in any pill that you consume on a regular basis.

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome hasn't gotten a lot in the way of respect over the years from the medical community, with patients complaining of being tired all the time (along with other symptoms) often being told to buck up and even sometimes teased that they may have "shirkers syndrome."

But that is all finally changing, as the CDC recently released research that links the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to genetic mutations and abnormalities, and have launched a $6 million dollar campaign to raise awareness about the disorder. CFS is about more than just feeling tired, and many other symptoms like memory loss and and muscle or joint pain often go along with it. Hopefully as we all learn more those who suffer from this debilitating condition can get serious help and real relief.

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So it seems many people have just given up completely on the idea of getting enough sleep every night, and have resigned themselves to being tired all the time. And some of those people get a false sense of "getting used to it" when they start to feel less tired and think they've adjusted. But the truth is that not only are these people losing out on sleep, but they're losing the ability to catch up on sleep as well. When only deprived of sleep for one night at at time the body is "extra tired" the following day and sleeps longer or deeper to make up the difference. But when the body is deprived of sleep on a regular and chronic basis it loses the ability to trigger a "make up session" and won't necessarily feel any more tired than normal -- even though the body technically needs more sleep. The body generally suffers all the same negative side-effects of sleep deprivation, only without the warning signs.

So if you think you've "adjusted" to only a few hours of sleep you are probably fooling yourself -- for the best health we all need 7-8 hours a night!

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We all get tension headaches from time to time, but do you really know how and why they happen?

Generally tension headaches are caused when the muscles of your neck, shoulders, and back become tense and tight -- but what causes your muscles get so wound up? Usually it's the strain of poor posture, or sometimes it's a trauma or injury like a car accident. Dealing with the occasional tension headache is unfortunately a part of life, but making sure they don't become a chronic problem is something well worth your while. The switch from 'once in awhile' to 'chronic issue' basically happens when a person continues on a regular basis to do whatever it is that's causing the headaches in the first place, like hunching over your desk at work everyday. Over time this can wreak havoc on your body and your muscles, compiling and getting worse as time goes by. And nobody wants that!

So stand up straight, try to control stress levels in your life, and take care of yourself before you're dealing with more than just an occasional headache.

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For many unfortunate souls out there pain is a major factor in their life on a regular basis. Whether it's an achy joint from an old injury or arthritis, migraine headaches, back pain, or even something like neuralgia, pain has the ability to sideline you from your physical activities and affect in your life in major ways.

Managing pain becomes an even greater issue than being just about your personal comfort when it starts interfering with the already difficult task of living a healthy active lifestyle. There are enough bumps in the road and challenges along the way to fitness without adding chronic pain in as a major player -- especially if you're just trying to get started!

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