10 Weird Health Clues

I came across this article a couple of weeks ago. These are just some fun things that you can look at. The 10 weird health clues are some interesting facts about your body that scientist studies have connected to health issues.

- People who's index finger is shorter than the ring finger are more prone to osteoarthritis in the knees.

Prevent it: Strengthen the muscles surrounding your knees. While sitting, straighten each leg parallel to the floor 10 times; hold each rep for 5 to 10 seconds.

- Women who are taller than 5 foot 2 inches are less likely to live to their 100th birthday.

Prevent it: Take a page from the habits of California's Seventh-day Adventists, who have one of the highest concentrations of centenarians: Quit smoking, and cut back on alcohol and eating meat.

- Stocky legs may indicate liver problems. Legs between 20 - 29 inches have higher enzymes that may cause liver issues.

Prevent it: Avoid exposure to toxins your liver has to process, which will keep it healthier, longer. Wear a mask and gloves while cleaning or working with any type of harsh chemical. Limit alcohol intake to one 5-ounce glass of wine or 12-ounce bottle of beer daily.

- Older adults who couldn't identify the scent of bananas, lemons, cinnamon, or other items were five times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease within 4 years.

Prevent it: Take fish oil supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids can boost your brain's resistance to MPTP, a toxic compound responsible for Parkinson's.

- If your are span is less than 60 inches you are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. To find your arm span, stand with our arms straight parallel to the floor. Then have someone measure from finger tip to finger tip.

Prevent it: It has been proven by scientific study that those who challenge their brain are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer's. Find a crossword puzzle or sodoku. I just try to put together web site code everyday.

- Wrinkle in one or two of your ear lobs may indicate heart issues.

Prevent it: Keep your heart healthy in other ways: Slim down, and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.

- Adults who have larger abdomens in their 40s are up to 3.6 times as likely to develop dementia in their 70s, even if they weren't overweight, according to a 2008 study published in the journal Neurology. One possible reason for the link is that compared with subcutaneous fat (the noticeable fat that lies just below the skin), visceral fat (the dangerous fat that surrounds the organs) secretes more of the inflammatory hormones that are associated with cognitive decline.

Prevent it: Eat a portion-controlled "Mediterranean-style diet." Research shows that the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in foods such as olives, nuts, seeds, avocado, and dark chocolate prevent the accumulation.

- A D cup may also spell diabetes: Women who wore a bra size D or larger at age 20 were 1.5 times more likely to develop type 2 than those who wore an A or smaller, even after researchers adjusted for obesity, diet, smoking, and family history, in a 10-year study.

Prevent it: Incorporate high-intensity intervals into your exercise routine. In one study, adults who did six 30-second sprints on an exercise bike (resting 4 minutes in between) improved their body's ability to metabolize blood sugar by nearly 25% after six sessions — enough to lower their risk of diabetes.

- Though it sounds counterintuitive, a 2009 French study in the journal Stroke found that women with small calves (13 inches or less around) tended to develop more carotid plaques, a known risk factor for stroke. The subcutaneous fat in larger calves may pull fatty acids from the bloodstream and store them where they are less of a risk factor, say researchers.

Prevent it: No need to bulk up your gams, but sip green tea to stay heart healthy. In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank five or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying of heart disease and stroke.

- Do you know what your blood type is? Well, people with type A, B, or AB were 44% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those with type O.

Prevent it: Take a vitamin D supplement. Adults who consumed 300 IU or more daily reduced their pancreatic cancer risk up to 44%, compared with those who consumed less than 150 IU daily in a 2006 study. Fortified low-fat dairy and fish like salmon are the best ways to get D from food.

So far I am doing everything I need to do to prevent my issues according to my body shape. How about you? Well, I need to increase the intensity of my exercise routine, but at least I am exercising.