Tai Chi, the ancient soft style martial art that consists of slow and graceful movements, is practiced around the world for its health benefits. It is said to improve balance and to increase health and longevity. It is favored because of its low-impact approach to exercise.

Among its many other benefits, including an increased sense of well-being in those who practice it, Tai Chi may reduce tension headaches. In a UCLA study, participants in a 15 week Tai Chi program reported reduced headache pain.

Stress is a leading cause of tension headaches. According to researchers, Tai Chi’s emphasis on relaxation, breathing and coordination may counter stress.

The study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.

And then there are the stories that just lead you to the conclusion that there are people with too much time on their hands.

Researchers at the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation in Wisconsin have concluded that obesity rates increase in cities where the newspapers publish high-calorie dessert recipes.

Assuming that some percentage of the readers of any particular newspaper like to bake and that of those, a percentage may try the recipe for that luscious fat and calorie-ridden dessert, we must then calculate how many people that baker is likely to serve this treat to. Six? Seven? Eight at most, I should think. Assume then that this dessert is a big hit and friends and family insist that the baker must prepare this treat again, thus it begins to show up at company parties and family functions and holidays. That would be how often, three or four times a year? Does something you eat four times a year make you obese?

The report notes that the news media play an important role in providing nutrition information, but with respect to recipes, “this information is seldom studied.”

Maybe there’s a good reason for that.

2007 may be the year of vindication for fat people.

First a study at UCLA declares that diets don’t work and what is worse, are actually harmful to your health.

Now scientists announce they have discovered a “fat” gene which explains why two people leading similar lifestyles could have disparate amounts of weight. Talk to any overweight person and they will tell you they know of thin people who eat as much or more than they do and yet stay thin. Society has always chalked this up to overweight meaning lazy, but now the evidence says that is not the case.

The scientists discovered the gene, known as FTO and say the influence on the gene in weight depends on whether a person has one or two copies of the FTO gene variant. FTO is known to play a role in the hypothalamus which regulates appetite.

16% of the population have two copies of the high-risk gene, and weigh nearly 7 pounds more than those without it. Those with only one copy were found to weigh about 2.6 pounds more than those who did not have the gene variant at all.

Research into the gene variant and its effects may lead scientists one day to discover better treatments and methods for dealing with obesity.

For overweight people everywhere, it may relieve some of the guilt to know that what is in their jeans, may be in their genes.

A Common Variant in the FTO Gene Is Associated with Body Mass Index and Predisposes to Childhood and Adult Obesity

80 to 85% of menopausal women experience hot flashes, night sweats, irritability and anxiety. Each year about 1.5 million women reach menopause. That’s 1.2 to 1.275 million unhappy, flashing, irritable women every year. Since menopause symptoms can go on for several years, these women can reach numbers high enough to qualify for a minority group status.

But help may be as simple as regular exercise, and it doesn’t have to be heavy-duty aerobic classes or powerlifting. In a study of 164 sedentary menopausal women who did no additional exercise for four months, but began either a walking program or a yoga program, the symptoms of menopause reportedly decreased and the women reported generally better health and mood.

The bottom line is that physical activity can lessen symptoms and increase quality of life for millions of women who suffer from the symptoms of menopause.

Walking, Yoga May Enhance Quality of Life During Menopause