Green Tea and Tai Chi Improve Bone Health and Decrease Inflammation

A researcher at the Laura W. Bush Institute of Women's Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Dr. Chwan-Li Shen, counts herself among those who believe that green tea has health benefits that include improving bone strength. In her most recent research, Shen studied whether green tea and tai chi might have a synergistic effect on bone strength. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 171 postmenopausal women who had weak bones but who did not yet have osteoporosis.

The study participants were divided into 4 groups and received one of the following: placebo and no tai chi, green tea polyphenols (500 mg/day) and no tai chi, placebo plus tai chi (3 times/week), or green tea polyphenols and tai chi. Results from the 6-month study revealed that green tea, at a level that was equal to about 4-6 cups of steeped green tea daily, and tai chi independently improved markers of bone health at 3 and 6 months, respectively. There was a similar effect found for muscle strength at 6 months. Mental and emotional health improved among tai chi participants as well

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Women still don't recognize heart attack symptoms

The government launched a new campaign today aimed at educating women about the signs of heart disease and the risks.
It happens once every minute in the U.S.: A women suffers a heart attack.
It's the number one killer among women, but according to a recent survey, when it comes to recognizing the signs of heart disease and dialing 9-1-1, women will only call if it's happening to someone else.
"Women typically are superwomen. They're for everyone but they are very unlikely to take care of themselves," said Dr. Roquell Wyche of Washington Hospital Center.
The Department of Health and Human Services has launched a new campaign called, "Make the call, don't miss a beat," to educate women on the symptoms and the risks.
Sixty percent of Caucasian women surveyed were aware heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, compared to 45 percent of African American women.
"African American women have more risk factors and poor outcomes and are less likely to know their risk factors and symptoms, " said Dr. Wyche.
Cardiologist Maria Mountis of The Cleveland Clinic points out that the signs in women tend to be different.
"The symptoms can be much more subdued. They can be anything from shortness of breath, nausea, they can have some palpitations, they can have pain that goes into their jaw or back," said Mountis.