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| Stretching is good for artery health - study says |
| Melissa Healy/LA Times |
| 10/14/2009 |
| Want to know whether your arteries have begun to stiffen, putting you at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease? Bend over. That is, sit down against a wall, with your legs on the floor in front of you, and try to touch your toes. In fact, reach beyond them if your yoga, Pilates or daily stretching routine make it possible. For people older than 40 — even if they're a little overweight — a new study shows that trunk flexibility may be a good indicator of arterial flexibility. Conversely, the study found, stiffness at the midsection seems to reflect arteries that have begun to lose their elasticity as well. The study, published recently in the American Journal of Physiology, helps unpack the ingredients that make for a heart-healthy person. Although regular exercisers have been found to have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, researchers have been in the dark about what part of exercise contributes most to that effect. The Japanese study suggests that the key may be the flexibility that is a benefit of regular exercise. To view complete article go to: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13564570?source=email |
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