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Ask an Expert
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
My goal next year is to improve my overall health. Can you tell me if I should focus more on lowering my weight (as I'm a few pounds heavier than I should be), or concentrate more on exercising?
That is an excellent question. A study in the AHA journal Circulation, by Dr. Duck-Chul Lee from South Carolina, addressed this question. The title says it all: "Physical Fitness Trumps Body Weight in Reducing ... continue reading about My goal next year is to improve my overall health. Can you tell me if I should focus more on lowering my weight (as I'm a few pounds heavier than I should be), or concentrate more on exercising?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I have severe Achilles tendinitis and can't even go on long walks for exercise. What workouts would you recommend while I recover? It's been weeks since I've broken a good sweat.
Achilles tendonitis is a tough condition to treat since many aerobic activities can aggravate the condition and one of the treatment strategies is to avoid these activities.Aerobic conditioning is incredibly va... continue reading about I have severe Achilles tendinitis and can't even go on long walks for exercise. What workouts would you recommend while I recover? It's been weeks since I've broken a good sweat.
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?
It is wise to be concerned about dietary supplements, since they are not regulated by the FDA. This then allows manufacturers of these products to make claims that are not well founded in medical science or stu... continue reading about I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?
Francine A. Yep, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
There are a ton of antimicrobial clothing and footwear options available right now. Is it good for my body to be encased in something that is antimicrobial? I've read a lot about a healthy microbiome.
Say "no thanks" and save your money. Common antibacterial agents like silver, triclosan, and trichlorocarban are found in germ- and odor-killing clothes and shoes. Researchers with the Swedish Chemical Agency f... continue reading about There are a ton of antimicrobial clothing and footwear options available right now. Is it good for my body to be encased in something that is antimicrobial? I've read a lot about a healthy microbiome.
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
You should try to do both types of exercise. Both have benefits. Aerobic exercise is helpful to improve circulation and to burn calories and, if done long enough, to also help burn fat stores. When you do resis... continue reading about Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Don't give up! As many women approach menopause they find themselves experiencing unexplained weight gain, especially around the waist and hip areas, despite their best efforts to watch what they eat and to inc... continue reading about I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
James D. Kelly, M.D.
SPMF San Francisco HMO Network
I've been diagnosed with impingement in both of my shoulders. I don't want surgery, but I need a workout routine that does not rely on shoulders/pushups, as I can't support my body weight that way without having significant pain. Any suggestions?
I suggest you get treatment for your impingement. Impingement is a fairly simple thing to treat, and most patients recover well and are able to resume activities like push-ups. If you have had treatment but did... continue reading about I've been diagnosed with impingement in both of my shoulders. I don't want surgery, but I need a workout routine that does not rely on shoulders/pushups, as I can't support my body weight that way without having significant pain. Any suggestions?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?
It is excellent that you are active. In fact, a New England Journal study showed that people who are active actually do better in terms of their arthritis versus people who are not active. This is counter to wh... continue reading about I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm 54, eat well and exercise five times per week. Yet my BMI is 27, which translates as obese. Is a BMI of 27 really that indicative of my overall health?
First of all, congratulations on getting all of that wonderful exercise! Exercise is so good for your physical AND mental health. Don't go calling yourself obese just yet. Technically, a BMI of 27 classifies yo... continue reading about I'm 54, eat well and exercise five times per week. Yet my BMI is 27, which translates as obese. Is a BMI of 27 really that indicative of my overall health?
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