According to new research, sit-ups aren't enough to get great abs. Great abs also need a diet full of fiber, fruits, vegetables and plenty of protein. Fiber limits bloating, carbohydrates increase energy and protein builds muscles. Eating enough protein also helps keeps weight down because increased muscle increases the resting metabolic rate, which burns more calories. Other new research shows that stress triggers the hormone cortisol, which increases appetite and promotes fat deposits around abs. This is the fat associated with heart disease, diabetes and cancer. This is information not to be taken lying down - even to do sit-ups.
According to the president of the Texas Back Institute, sit-ups/crunches are bad for backs. The actual crunch part of crunches puts an unhealthy strain on the weakest part of the back. The section with the most nerves is at the back of the spine and there are only so many bends in spinal disks before they become painfully herniated. The best exercises for flat stomachs and healthy backs are exercises that keep the spine straight - like push-ups or lying on your back and doing slow leg drops. In fact, just backing away from sit-ups is good exercise.
According to orthopedic specialists, they are seeing an increase in cases of cubital tunnel syndrome - also known as cell phone elbow. Cell phone users who bend their elbows too tightly for too long can damage the ulnar nerve. This nerve extends under the funny bone and controls the smaller fingers. When cell phone users talk a long time, the blood supply to that nerve is cut, causing tingling in the ring and little finger. It can also cause weakness in the hand that can affect everything from opening a jar to writing legibly. Obviously, cell phone elbow is a call for common sense.
According to doctors at the University of Ioannia in Greece, drinking several liters of cola-containing soft drinks daily can cause chronic potassium depletion, leading to muscle weakness. The doctors identified 6 reports of cola-induced potassium deficiency since 1994. The quantities of cola consumed ranged from 2-9 liters daily, muscle complaints ranged from mild weakness to paralysis and all patients had abnormally low potassium levels. Although the patients fully recovered after they stopped drinking cola and had potassium supplementation, supposedly tens of millions of people worldwide drink 2-3 liters of cola daily - and it takes more than muscle to overpower caffeine addiction.
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