Why does muscle matter?

(From Nutrition Action Healthletter, Sept 2006)

Muscle is the absolute center-piece for being healthy, vital, and independent as we grow older. It keeps us strong and mobile. It tugs on bone to help bone stay strong. And it burns more calories than fat burns. Muscle and lean body mass are the metabolic engine in your body. So more muscle means your metabolic rate goes up, which make it easier to stay trim. Muscle is also where most of our blood sugar, or glucose, goes. When you eat food, glucose goes into the bloodstream and most of it gets deposited in the muscle as stored glycogen.

Check out the video fitness tip of the week from Williamsburg's Iron-Bound Gym. This is an easy exercise and a great example of a way to work the outer thighs using an exercise ball.

Contributed by Mary Griffith

Happy New Year, and welcome to blustery January! How are we going to stay warm and healthy? And beat the doldrums of winter? Well, I propose some wine and chocolate to fill that prescription!

Did you know that both wine and chocolate are both considered healthy for your heart? I know that everyone becomes a little more health and weight conscious this time of year, but we need to get our hearts healthy for February, right? Both chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, and red wine have several properties that are good for our heart. Of course, I am not a doctor, but I have read many articles that confirm this fact and would just remind you that anything can be alright in moderation. Specifically the flavonoids and antioxidants may help the body protect itself against aging, heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.