What We Can Learn From the Death of Tim Russert

By Dena Rifkin, MD

Like most people, I read about the sudden death of Tim Russert with sadness. Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death is, unfortunately, still a common event among people with undiagnosed or diagnosed heart disease. In fact, it is very common indeed: 310,000 people a year die this way in the U.S. What’s more, it’s a tough problem to study or treat. How do you treat something that happens out of the blue, far from a hospital, away from medical care? And what’s the point of even worrying about something that is seemingly random and unstoppable? Read More

5 Things to Stop Worrying About Right Now

"Health" magazine busts the biggest health myths out there
by Ross Weale

Stress doesn't really turn your hair gray, it's OK to read in dim light, and three other other myths busted by Health magazine contributor Dr. Roshini Raj on the Today show on April 7.

DR. ROSHINI RAJ

Roshini Raj, MD, a Health magazine contributor and part of the magazine's Health Expert Network, is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine with degrees from the New York University School of Medicine and Harvard University. Currently Dr. Raj is an attending physician at NYU Medical Center's Tisch Hospital in New York City. She also serves as an assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine, and she has a special interest in women's health and cancer screening. She has also published several research articles on colon-cancer screening.

Dr. Raj has discussed health topics on numerous television outlets, including NBC's Today show, ABC's Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, and Discovery Health. She has been quoted in publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Men's Health, Women's Health, and Fitness on the state of health care and other health news of the day. Dr. Raj is often called upon to explain and demystify complicated health topics.

'Easy Does It' Eases Holiday Stress

(HealthDay News) -- It's supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but don't tell that to the patients who mob the offices of San Diego cardiologist Dr. Mimi Guarneri between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Some complain of what doctors call "holiday heart" -- skipped beats, high blood pressure and angina due to stress or overindulgence. Others feel physically and emotionally overwhelmed, distracted by thoughts of difficult relatives or missing loved ones.

Guarneri, medical director of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, has different advice for her patients, depending on their situations. But she's always sure to emphasize one theme: relaxation.

"The one thing is do is to take time out, take a deep breath, connect your mind with your body by simple breathing," she said. "And remember to not sweat the small stuff."

Easier said than done, of course. But when it comes to crippling holiday stress, specialists say the simplest pieces of advice are also the best.

Dr. Redford Williams, director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Duke University in Durham, N.C., advises people to be reasonable with their expectations from the season, and to anticipate trouble -- ranging from long lines at stores and airports, to bouts of sadness when images of absent loved ones come to mind.

By readying yourself for these moments, "they won't come as a shock when you realize, 'I'm getting ready to honk my horn or get steamed over this person who just pulled in front of me.' If you can do that, you can probably head off some of it," Williams explained.

He said it's not clear how many people get the blues around the holidays, but it's probably not uncommon. "It's perfectly normal to get a little bit depressed or a little sad during the holidays at one point or another," Williams said.

However, it may not be as bad as some might assume. In recent years, American researchers have looked at local statistics and debunked the long-held assumption that suicide rates shoot up around the holidays.

Not every episode of Christmastime depression is minor, however. If you find yourself early in the new year having trouble with sleeping or eating -- doing either one too much or too little -- it's possible that you've fallen into a clinical depression.

If that might be the case, "You should seek some professional evaluation and possibly treatment," Williams said.

In other cases, a little self-help can be key. "In the grand scheme of life, we say, 'Don't sweat the small stuff,'" Guarneri said. "We have to realize that a lot of stress is what we put on ourselves, not what other people are putting on us."

If you're alone and feeling isolated, she said, "get out and do service work, which brings joy to people." And, if you have the opposite problem -- too much to do and too many people to worry about pleasing -- learn to do less. "None of this is worth dying for," she said.

More information
Learn more about holiday stress from the American Psychological Association.

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Why Are Kids Entering Puberty Before They Enter School?

A report was presented at the annual Pediatric Academic Society meeting describing how a preschool-age girl and her kindergarten-age brother began growing pubic hair.

This was not an isolated case; in 2004, there was similar cluster of five children, and previous clusters in outbreaks occurring along the lines of disease epidemics or environmental poisonings.

In 1979, there was an outbreak of breast enlargement among hundreds of Italian schoolchildren, most likely caused by estrogen contamination of beef and poultry.

Most commonly, these outbreaks traced to accidental drug exposures. But some physicians worry that children are at higher risk of early puberty due to the increasing availability of classes of drugs, cosmetics and environmental contaminants called endocrine disruptors.

In the case of the two children described in the report, their testosterone level was nealy100 times the normal amount. The cause was traced to a concentrated testosterone skin cream being used by their father. The children absorbed the testosterone through normal skin contact with their father.

Sex hormones like testosterone are particularly potent because they are easily absorbed through the skin and resist degradation. Other known triggers of early puberty have included a shampoo that contained estrogen and placental extract, shampoos containing lavender and tea tree oils, and industrial pollutants.

New York Times October 17, 2006

Chilling out in Chiang Mai

Published on May 15, 2004
The Northern capital boasts a wealth of spas, all geared to treating stressed minds and abused bodiesChiang Mai spas are a modern take on an old concept, where modern seekers of good health, fitness and beauty immerse themselves in hot tubs much as how the ancients did.

The oldest known spa dates back 5,000 years to Merino, Italy and it’s believed that Egyptians used mineral baths for therapeutic practices during the same era. Most early spas were located near natural hot springs, but in 600 BC water in rustic cauldrons was heated by sizzling hot stones.Later, the Greeks discovered hydrotherapy for ailments such as jaundice and rheumatism, and more than 2,000 years ago the Romans introduced hot water to fun and decadence.

The Roman thermae was an elaborate technology of aqueduct systems carrying mineral waters throughout complex private chambers, steam rooms and public baths. In an effort to outdo their predecessors, each emperor would increase the size and extravagance of their spa, with the Diocletian capable of holding 6,000 bathers.The thermae or spa has since spread to resorts around the world offering sport, refreshment and therapeutic facilities. But they vanished with the fall of the Roman Empire and, apart from a brief revival during the Middle Ages, the concept was lost until its modern resurrection.Today’s spas have been updated to treat the stressed minds and abused bodies of modern humans. “It’s mainly a matter of education,” says Chitra Klanprayoon, co-owner of Chiang Mai’s Ban Sabai Spa Village.“

Greater knowledge of oneself might bring on a need to change, shed a few kilos, detoxify the body, relax the mind, and that’s where the modern spa comes in. We can provide a mixture of holistic and contemporary treatment, with some wellness spas seeking medical evaluations by physicians before giving prescriptions and advice on treatment,” adds fellow co-owner Matthias Froelich.Chiang Mai has a perfect environment for rejuvenation, with Lanna culture being a vital ingredient. Lanna – meaning “Land of One Million Rice Fields” – holds with traditions of tranquillity, politeness and living with nature and forms a philosophical base for spas in northern Thailand.

Natural surroundings, such as the mountainous landscape, hot springs, herbs and organic products also play a large part in this ideal setting for disease prevention, recuperation, comfort for the terminally ill or simply a place where one can be pampered.In the past eight years, many spas have developed in the Chiang Mai area, and 20 of them belong to the Thai Lanna Spa Association, of which Chitra Klanprayoon is president.“This organisation is essential,” she says.

“The word spa is being used for a greater variety of services these days and the public must be assured of what association members have to offer. Our spas can guarantee high quality and effective therapy from qualified doctors and staff, and we must not be confused with night-time entertainment places.”The association proudly took part in the first World Congress of Holistic Medicine, held in Chiang Mai last month. Supported by the World Health Organisation, Thai Ministry of Public Health, the event was seen as a major step toward the region’s endeavour to become a regional centre for medical and therapeutic care.

Apart from 50 presentation booths, lecturers and delegates attended from more than 20 different counties.The gathering also revealed the remarkable diversity of spas, and how many spas succeed by concentrating on specific therapies and themes.The Ban Sabai Spa Village, for example, specialises in detoxification courses for colon irrigation, life management, dietary advice, weight loss and fasting. Set in lush tropical gardens a few minutes from downtown Chiang Mai, guests are invited to drown their troubles in the swimming pool or salt flotation tank.

There is a range of single remedies and mixed therapy packages to tone up the body and evaporate stress including steam baths and assorted massages. Aromatherapy can help to achieve meditation and the beauty conscious can treat themselves to a manicure, pedicure and body wax. Prices range from Bt450 for a single therapy to Bt5,500 for the six-hour Jasmine Spa Package.Day visitors are welcome and for guests staying over, luxurious Lanna style villas are available at Bt4,800 per night. Each one contains a whirlpool, steam room, sauna and outdoor bathroom with aromatic plants. Standard rooms in similar design are Bt2,700.Ban Sabai Spa Village is an ideal place to improve your mental and physical condition or simply be thoroughly spoiled.For seekers of spiritual enlightenment, there’s the Tao Garden Health Spa, beautifully situated in a mountainous area 30 kilometres north of Chiang Mai

.Paths wind their way though more than 30 hectares of shrub lands shrouded by trees and lead to the Immortal and Lao Tzu’s Meditation Halls, and the Ba Shen Memorial Hall for Tai Chi, Tao Yin and Chi Nei Tsang activities. A swimming pool and gym are nearby.The body cleansing programmes here follow a Taoist or Chinese regimen supported by modern medicine and the spa is especially pleased with its Karsai Nei Tsang genital massage for both sexes. This manipulation of the sexual organs may help alleviate impotency, frequent and difficult urination, painful menstruation and intercourse, and low libido.

Chi Nei Tsang is a stomach massage, but one designed to soothe both body and mind. Stress and worry move from the brain to create physical obstructions in the tummy. This therapy not only clears out toxins and smoothes knotted intestines, but also provides spiritual well-being.Sitting in the Dark Room is a departure from the physical. Totally devoid of light or sound, this method of detachment, meditation and discovery of one’s inner self is endured by some for as long as three weeks, while others might start screaming shortly after the light goes out.Individual spa treatments start at Bt300, and there are inexpensive beauty preparations. One- to seven-day packages range from Bt1,900 to Bt32,300, without accommodation, which is priced from Bt3,200 to Bt5,300 and includes use of facilities.Some spa goers prefer vigorous sport to blissful tranquillity, and that’s where the Northern Heritage Resort & Spa comes in.

Located 25 kilometres east of Chiang Mai Airport and surrounded by forested mountains, one can jump out of the jacuzzi and straight onto the first tee of the challenging Chiang Mai – Lamphun Golf Club. And if 18 holes on this magnificent championship course aren’t enough there’s cycling, trekking, pool, snooker, tennis and karaoke.Five spa pavilions – spread around the swimming pool – are waiting to rejuvenate worn out bikers, adventurers and foot sloggers with a large selection of therapies. The athlete’s rejuvenation course costs Bt6,200 and a sport massage is Bt2,500.For those who might have overdone things, an in-house medical centre is linked to Chiang Mai Ram Hospital.Back in the spa, one can experience the benefits of soaking in Dead Sea minerals for Bt8,000. Or how about a bath in red wine for Bt7,400? There are many packages, and prices can be found on the resort’s website. Luxury rooms and suites in a hotel environment go from Bt3,500 to Bt10,500 per night and log cabins cost up to Bt12,000. There are special rates for long term guests.

The Chiangmai Oasis Spa has adopted the Roman concept of unadulterated pleasure. After negotiating the stepping stones in the fish pond and soaking up the warm greeting at reception, it’s easy to forget that you’re bang in the middle of town.Escape the rigours of modern living. Slip out of the office to a haven of fragrant flowers and fountains and into a relaxing steam room. Or watch your troubles float away in the bubbles from the bath. The Oasis is a place to be pampered by therapists trained to take care of your every need.

At the two villas you’ll find steam rooms, private gardens, and alfresco showers and jacuzzis. Once settled into this perfect setting, there is an exciting menu of treatments to ponder.This day spa provides many individual therapies and six packages, and the proprietors are particularly proud of their Tibetan style “hands on” foot massage.

Massages range from Bt550 to Bt2,500 and most of the scrubs, wraps, facials and hydrotherapy cost less than Bt1,000. Packages start at Bt1,900. Or lash out Bt5,400 for a fully gratifying four hour Oasis Experience.So for the body pampering, health conscious, sporty and decadent – when in Chiang Mai, do as the Romans did.
Bob Kimmins

The Nation

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Is It Dangerous to Combine Supplements and Drugs?

Is It Dangerous to Combine Supplements and Drugs? Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I'm curious about interactions between herbs and drugs. Are there many that we should worry about? -- Nicole S.

A: For the most part, I think warnings about interactions between herbs and drugs are overstated. For example, a few years ago the American Society of Anesthesiologists warned that certain herbs and supplements could pose a hazard to patients undergoing surgery.

The group claimed that several herbs have anti-blood-clotting activity and conceivably could interfere with clotting during and after surgery. St. John's wort was also singled out in 2003 as an agent that could diminish the effectiveness of certain drugs because of its effect on enzyme systems involved in drug metabolism. (Many pharmaceutical drugs have the same effect.)

In general, I think you're pretty safe taking most supplements, but you certainly should tell your doctor about anything you're taking regularly, particularly if you're also taking either prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Here's a quick rundown of some commonly used supplements and drugs that could interact to your detriment:

St. John's wort: May affect metabolism of antidepressants; HIV protease inhibitors used to treat HIV/AIDS; digoxin, a heart medication; theophylline, used to treat asthma; cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant; chemotherapy; birth control pills (it may reduce their effectiveness); the blood pressure and heart disease medications nifedipine and diltiazem; Coumadin, a blood-thinner; and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for HIV/AIDS treatment.

Co-enzyme Q10, dong quai, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, vitamin E and St. John's wort: May increase the risk of bleeding if you're taking prescription anticoagulants such as Coumadin.

Echinacea: May increase levels of HIV protease inhibitors used to treat HIV/AIDS, calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure, and anti-anxiety drugs.

Capsicum (red pepper, cayenne pepper): May increase the absorption and effect of ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney disease; theophylline (for asthma); sedatives; and antidepressants.

Garlic: May decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs and HIV protease inhibitors. It also may reduce the need for insulin among diabetics (by lowering blood sugar).
Ginkgo: May increase the amount of antidepressant drugs in your blood; may cause seizures when combined with anti-psychotic drugs.

Ginseng: Can cause headache, trembling and manic behavior when combined with the antidepressant Nardil; may interfere with the action of the heart medication digoxin; may reduce blood sugar levels in people with Type II diabetes, thus affecting the need for insulin or other medication for diabetes.
Andrew Weil, MD

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An Antioxidant Update?

An Antioxidant Update?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I just bought some supplements and the clerk at the health food store told me I needed to take 6,000 mg of vitamin C per day. That sounds like an awful lot. What do you recommend? -- Barbara B.

A: I used to recommend taking 2,000 to 6,000 mg of vitamin C daily (divided into three doses). However, I changed my recommendation in 1999 to 200 mg daily after examining two well-designed studies showing that lower levels of vitamin C more than saturate the body's tissues, and thus are sufficient to protect against cancer, heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
One of the studies that influenced my decision was a review of clinical trials published in the April 21, 1999, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It concluded that 200 mg a day is the maximum amount of vitamin C that human cells can absorb, making higher doses a waste. The second study came from the Linus Pauling Institute (Pauling himself took 18,000 mg of vitamin C per day) and was published in the June 1999 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It identified a similar dose, 120 to 200 mg, as the optimal amount for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, cataracts and other chronic conditions.

I wouldn't worry if you've been taking higher doses. Vitamin C is water soluble and anything not used by the body quickly passes out. In fact, I still recommend higher dosages - up to 1,000 mg a day if you are coming down with a cold.

The rest of my antioxidant recommendations are as follows:
Vitamin E: 400 IUs of mixed natural tocopherols (or 80 mg of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols) a day. Since vitamin E is fat soluble, it must be taken with food to be absorbed. Also, choose natural forms of vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol with mixed tocopherols, or better yet, mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols) instead of the synthetic form (dl-alpha-tocopherol).
Selenium: 200 micrograms a day of a yeast-bound form. Selenium is a trace mineral with antioxidant and anticancer properties.

Selenium and vitamin E facilitate each other's absorption, so take them together. Doses of selenium above 400 micrograms a day may not be healthy.

Mixed carotenes: 10, 000 - 15,000 IUs a day of beta carotene with other carotenoids, such as alpha carotene, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Make sure the mix gives you lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes that helps prevent prostate cancer, and lutein, which protects against cataracts and macular degeneration.
Andrew Weil, MD

Are Organic Foods Unsafe?

Are Organic Foods Unsafe?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: A relative of mine who is an oncologist recently told me that organic foods harbor a highly carcinogenic fungus. He said that exposure to pesticides is less of a risk and that in fact the pesticides and other chemicals take care of the fungus. I am confused. Can you help? -- Harriet

A: With all due respect to your relative, this is a bogus argument against organic foods. True, there are carcinogenic fungi, but they don't develop on fruits and vegetables.

One of the most troublesome fungal carcinogens found in foods is aflatoxin, produced by certain strains of the molds Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus that grow on peanuts stored in warm, humid silos. Peanuts aren't the only problem sources; aflatoxin has been found in pecans, pistachios and walnuts, as well as milk, grains, soybeans and spices.

Aflatoxin is a potent carcinogen, known to cause liver cancer in laboratory animals and may contribute to the incidence of liver cancer in Africa where peanuts are a dietary staple. Aflatoxin occurs in both organic and conventionally grown foods.

I'm not telling you about aflatoxin to worry you, but to point out what foods are most likely to harbor carcinogens from fungi. (The United States government routinely tests crops for aflatoxin and doesn't permit them to be used here for human or animal food if they contain levels over 20 parts per billion.)

Over the years, there have been a number of assaults on organic foods. In 2000, the ABC News program 20/20 carried a report in which experts stated that consumers should be more concerned about bacteria on organic produce than about pesticide residues on conventionally produced fruits and vegetables.

However, the report conceded that bacteria can also be found on conventional produce and that both types of fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before eating.

Oncologists sometimes worry that the immune-suppressive effects of chemotherapy leave cancer patients more vulnerable to infections, including food-borne ones. Food-borne infections from produce are rare and are just as likely from conventional produce as organic.

Although we don't yet have many studies demonstrating the differences between organic and conventionally grown foods, proving that one is better than the other, there is evidence of pesticide residues in 71 to 90 percent of conventionally produced foods compared to 13 to 23 percent of organically grown foods. Pesticides are definitely not good for you.

To guard against bacteria (and remove pesticides), carefully wash and rinse berries, green beans, and other fruits and vegetables that you can't peel and remove the outer leaves of leafy vegetables. Unfortunately, water alone won't do the trick - use a drop or two of dish detergent in a small tub of water and rinse thoroughly after washing. You should also check the lists of the most and least contaminated crops provided by the Environmental Working Group (http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php).

Andrew Weil, MD


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A Funny-Looking Tongue?

A Funny-Looking Tongue?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: We adopted a 15-month-girl from China who was only fed formula. She is now 21-months, and she has a geographic tongue. What can we do for this condition? -- Maureen A: Geographic tongue (also known as benign migratory glossitis) is a condition in which the tongue has a map-like appearance due to irregular smooth patches that have lost the tiny, finger-like projections that characterize the surface of a normal tongue. The patches may be red, can change location from day to day and, in some cases, can be sore. Although it can be uncomfortable, geographic tongue is not a serious disorder. Some people worry that it is a sign of oral cancer. It definitely is not.

Unfortunately, we don't know the cause of this problem. In some cases, it may be due to an allergy, and it seems to occur more often in people with psoriasis - in one study, 10 percent of psoriasis patients were affected compared to about 2.5 percent of people without psoriasis. Some cases seem to be triggered by irritation from hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or tobacco, and some may occur in response to stress. There is no specific treatment for geographic tongue. It tends to go away on its own, usually within a month, but may come back periodically. Different areas of the tongue may be affected at different times.

I wouldn't worry about your daughter's geographic tongue. Chances are it will disappear as her nutritional status improves or, if it is stress related, as she becomes more settled and comfortable in her new surroundings. Conventional treatment, if necessary, is topical prednisone, but I would first try DGL powder, a much less toxic licorice derivative.
Andrew Weil, MD

Fighting the Need to Nap?

Fighting the Need to Nap?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I'm 59 and am now working at home. I've developed the habit of taking brief naps in the afternoon. I would never do this at the office. And while I feel better after napping, I worry that it isn't a good thing to do. Your thoughts? -- Peter A: I happen to be a big fan of napping. Like you, I used to worry about the need to nap and fight off the impulse when I had work to do, but I've since learned that people who nap generally enjoy better mental health and mental efficiency than people who don't nap. They also sleep better at night. Now, if I feel the need to nap and have the opportunity, I just take one and usually wake up after 10 or 20 minutes feeling refreshed.
Napping is healthy because it allows us to rest, something we rarely get a chance to do in today's increasingly hectic working world. Wherever we go, we're bombarded with information. Television monitors appear to be everywhere making it difficult to tune out and allow yourself some moments of rest, or just to distance yourself briefly from your surroundings and responsibilities.
All our labor-saving devices have actually reduced - not enhanced - our opportunities for leisure and rest. Even on vacation, many people can't get away from email or escape the ringing of their cell phones. We're missing out on a lot by not taking time to step away from all the chatter and clatter of modern life.
In my new book, Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being, I recommend making a habit of taking an afternoon nap for 10 to 20 minutes, preferably lying down in a darkened room. Finding the opportunity to rest is important too. Try to fit some rest into your day - carve out some time to be passive, without stimulation, doing nothing. It'll do you good.
Andrew Weil, MD
Last Reviewed: October 2005

Is Meat from Cloned Animals Safe?

Is Meat from Cloned Animals Safe? Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: What's the story on cloned meat? I heard that it was safe and that we don't have to worry about it. -- Jon A: First of all, no meat or dairy products from cloned animals are on the market in the United States, so you don't have to worry about it for the time being. You may have heard about a recent study that compared meat and milk from cloned cows to meat and milk from animals that were the products of normal reproduction. The study, published in the April 12, 2005 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found essentially no differences.
Cloning utilizes the DNA of a single parent and is meant to produce an animal that is identical to the parent. For this study, researchers from Japan and the University of Connecticut cloned a prized Japanese black breeding bull of a type known for superior meat. The comparison cattle were produced by inseminating cows with semen from the son of the Japanese bull. The dairy cow clones were from a Connecticut Holstein cow that produced a lot of milk.
The researchers looked at more than 100 components of beef and found that the only significant difference was that the meat from the clones had a slightly higher fat marbling content than the meat from the comparison cattle. After analyzing the protein, fat, lactose, and solids in the milk, they found no significant differences between the milk from the cloned cows vs. the controls.
The FDA will look at these findings when it reviews research on food from cloned animals; it is supposed to release its own evaluation of the safety of cloned food soon.
Proponents of cloning claim that it will result in better quality meat - more cattle will be produced from prize steers - and better milk production. But last year a report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded that current methods for testing the safety of cloned meat and milk aren't good enough to determine the potential health risks. The NAS report also said the testing methods couldn't determine what factors, such as DNA or the presence of certain amino acids, are relevant for predicting the impact on human health.
I think we are a long way from seeing cloned animal products in our supermarkets.
Andrew Weil, MD
Last Reviewed: August 2005

All Work and No Exercise Makes Americans Overweight and Unhealthy

Americans aren't necessarily lazy. They are among the hardest workers in the world. But when it comes to shutting down the computer and turning on the treadmill, unfortunately, most won't break a sweat.

Although the U.S. government recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (brisk walking) five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise (running, aerobics) three days a week, less than half of adults age 18 or older met that criteria, according to a 2003 report by the CDC.

What's worse, nearly one-fifth of those respondents had not exercised at a moderate or vigorous level for at least 10 minutes per week. This is scary considering their increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.

So what's keeping these potatoes on the couch? Some health experts worry an attitude of indifference keeps people inactive. One CDC expert blamed lack of knowledge about the importance of physical activity.

As you well know, I have a different view about exercise than most. I encourage my patients to gradually increase the amount of time they are exercising until they reach anywhere from 60-90 minutes a day. Initially, the frequency is daily. This is the proper treatment dosage until they normalize their weight or insulin levels. Once normalized, they'll only need to exercise three to four times a week.

And, in addition to the health benefits, it may even make the work-happy a little smarter too.
MSNBC December 1, 2005
Yahoo News December 1, 2005