It's one of medicine's mantras: If you have high blood pressure, taking steps to lower it will have a dramatic impact on your risk of stroke, heart disease and more. But 70 percent of people with high blood pressure still aren't doing a good enough job controlling it, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

In experiments in mice, exercise appears to reverse the decline in the production of brain stem cells usually seen with aging, Taiwanese researchers report. This remarkable restoration of the brain's ability to stave off aging appears to be due to exercise's ability to restore a neurochemical that is essential for the production of new brain cells.

Doing aquarobics during pregnancy reduces the amount of pain-killing medication requested by women during labor, according to a Brazilian study that included 71 expectant mothers. Half the women were assigned to attend three 50-minute sessions a week of aquarobics during their pregnancy, while the other half acted as a control group.

Traditional risk factors, such as obesity, are just as useful, studies find. Testing for 18 different gene variations associated with type 2 diabetes was no better at predicting a person's risk for the blood sugar disease than a doctor's assessment, researchers report.

They improved ability to live and function when enrolled in tailored interventions. Home-based programs to get elderly cancer survivors to eat better and exercise more may help them improve their ability to live and function, a new study says.

Combined, they produce more potent anti-disease effect in postmenopausal women, study says. Scientists believe they have found out why diet and exercise affect a women's chance of breast cancer after she's past menopause, a new study says.

Risk factors study found little link between drinking and malignancies. How you live affects your chances of developing cancer after age 65, new research finds.

Proper activity can help prevent a relapse If you have chronic back pain, it can periodically put you out of commission and onto the couch. Once you're feeling better, exercise can help prevent another bout with an aching back.

Trees, parks get inner city kids moving, study finds. Greener neighborhoods, with lots of trees, help inner city kids keep excess pounds at bay, according to a U.S. study.

It's smart for athletes, not so smart for average gym-goer, studies show. Elite athletes are advised to "fill the tank" with an energy bar or sports drink soon after a workout.

Only 12 servings out of hundreds had nutrients that didn't contain it, researchers say. New research suggests that many fast-food meals begin with a single ingredient: corn. Researchers uncovered signs of corn in food items from Wendy's, McDonald's and Burger King.

But too much abdominal fat poses a bigger threat, study finds. Whether you're shaped like an apple or a pear, if you're overweight, you have a higher risk of dying than someone of normal weight, a new European study says.

How activity can help you feel better Arthritis is a rheumatic disease that affects the body's joints and connective tissues. Exercise is a relatively easy way to help control its symptoms.

Exercise, medications prove worth against the condition, doctors say. Researchers are reporting new ways to use exercise and medications to manage and improve the lives of people with heart failure, a condition that affects more than 5 million Americans.

Keeping physically active may help to tackle health threats, study says. Despite their large body size, former professional football players aren't at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study that looked at 201 retired NFL players.

Italian study shows that gains with shorter intervention programs aren't sustained. Heart attack survivors can significantly reduce their risk of non-fatal coronary recurrence by participating in an intensive, long-term prevention program, according to an Italian study that included 3,240 patients.

Finding explained high levels of uric acid in dog breed. A gene mutation that causes the high levels of uric acid that lead to bladder stones in Dalmatians has been identified by U.S. researchers, who said the finding may provide clues about kidney stones in humans.

The supplements can help prevent stress fractures, experts say. Calcium and vitamin D supplements may do more than strengthen bones in older women. These vital nutrients may also help younger, active women reduce their risk of stress fractures.

In study, people put lost pounds back on regardless of the amount of fat they ate. If you've just lost weight and are trying to keep it off, don't rely on diet alone to keep those unwanted pounds at bay. It may not be enough, no matter what kind of "maintenance" diet you follow, researchers say.

MK-677 brought extra muscle mass, but long-term effects on vitality unclear, scientists say. An experimental drug can restore the amounts of muscle-linked growth hormone in seniors to youthful levels, a new study shows.

Occasional drink, decent income also key to happy old age, study finds. Then have a positive outlook, keep stress low, don't smoke, but have a drink now and then. Oh, also make at least $30,000 a year and have no chronic health issues.

It doubles the chances of having a heavy baby, study finds. The more weight a woman gains during pregnancy, the more likely she is to have a large baby, posing health risks to both mother and child, a new study finds.

But benefits only apply to normal-weight women, study says. Vigorous activity can reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 30 percent in normal-weight women, according to an 11-year U.S. study of 32,269 postmenopausal women.

Study shows help with diet, tobacco use boosted employees' overall fitness. Workplace environmental interventions designed to reduce employee obesity led to modest health improvements, including weight management, decreased tobacco use and lower blood pressure, say Emory University researchers.

The obesity epidemic is fueling the type 2 disease epidemic, officials say.  The rate of new cases of type 2 diabetes has nearly doubled in the United States in the last decade, with most new cases appearing in southern states, federal officials reported Thursday.

People newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis face twice the risk of a heart attack, and those who do suffer a heart attack tend to have more heart-related complications, new research says. It seems that a condition called diastolic dysfunction, which causes the lower chambers of the heart to become stiff, is the culprit. Diastolic dysfunction impairs the ability of the ventricles to fill with blood and can lead to heart failure, the researchers said.

Study finds tart powder reduced inflammation, cholesterol and belly fat  New research ties eating tart cherries to lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation and cutting one's body weight and fat -- all major risk factors for heart disease.

Study says pegloticase viable treatment for those who've run out of options. The drug pegloticase (Puricase) may help gout patients who've had no luck with other treatments, according to researchers who studied 212 patients who'd run out of treatment options.

Some experts say the risks of losing and regaining weight may be overstated. For some frequent dieters, weight loss is a vicious cycle. They're gung-ho in the beginning, and the pounds melt away, but not for long. Once they stray from their diet, all the weight that was lost makes a comeback.

Attacks are also less severe among people who are active, researchers say. Recovering from a stroke is easier if you were physically active before the attack, a new Danish study finds.

Sugary fare led to leptin resistance in rats that boosted obesity risk, study says. Consuming too much fructose -- a sugar found in foods ranging from cookies to candies and soda -- can block the appetite-controlling hormone leptin from doing its job and increase the risk of obesity, a University of Florida study of rats suggests.

Physicist says most baseball players reach the base faster that way. As base runners weigh whether to slide head first or feet first during Wednesday's first game of the World Series, they might want to talk to a physicist instead of a coach.

Mouse study suggests resveratrol impedes fatty buildup in the organ, which is linked to cirrhosis. The accumulation of fat in the liver caused by chronic alcohol consumption might be prevented by consuming the red wine ingredient resveratrol, a new study in mice suggests.

But regular exercise may condition cells to respond more efficiently, study says. Being fat increases the level of inflammatory activity in the body, while being physically fit decreases it, according to a new U.S. study.

Review of studies shows workouts that leave a person breathless boost brain tissue volume. Regular exercise can reverse age-related brain decline, according to a U.S. cognitive neuroscientist.

Exercise reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety in adults, too, study says. In adolescents, physical inactivity is associated with emotional and behavioral problems, suggests a Finnish study of more than 7,000 teenagers who took part in a survey that assessed their levels of physical activity and mental and emotional health.

Transition from flip-flops, sandals to traditional shoes may be culprit, specialists say. With the transition from summer to fall, doctors note an increase in bunions among their female patients, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

But tailored programs could ease fears, overcome self consciousness, study suggests. Obese women report that several mental barriers keep them from exercising to lose weight, according to a new study.

U.S. government suggests weekly workouts can work. In an effort to help harried Americans fit exercise into their hectic lives, new government guidelines released this week recommend slightly more than two hours of physical activity a week to stay fit.

Getting out of bed sooner helped quality of life after discharge, study finds. The best medicine for intensive care unit (ICU) patients may be getting them out of bed and moving as soon as they're able, a new report says.

Study with lab animals might one day lead to new weight control approach in people. A fatty acid found in olive oil and other heart-healthy monounsaturated fats wards off hunger pangs, a new study suggests.

Heavy men with high output of the hormone had quadruple the death risk, study found. Men who are overweight and who have high insulin levels when they are diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to die from the disease, research shows.

Girls who read story with subtle message about health realized some benefits, study says. Could a novel with an embedded message about good health help overweight girls develop the motivation to lose a few pounds? New research suggests that it just might, but the results weren't dramatic.

Trying to get back in the game too soon can undo benefits of surgery, study says.  Despite the desire to return to athletic activity after hip or knee replacement, patients tend to reduce their activity following their surgery, researchers say.

Most effective programs include techniques to improve diet, exercise habits, study says. Behavioral management weight loss programs can help obese school-age children and teens lose weight or prevent further weight gain, according to a new report.

More fat on arms, legs tied to more inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, study says How fat and muscle are distributed throughout the body is one of the factors that contribute to limited mobility of people rheumatoid arthritis, a new study finds.

Using free weights, isometric exercise tied to overall increase in physical activity levels. Resistance training improves muscle strength and physical functioning while decreasing pain in many people with knee osteoarthritis, a new report says.

Restricted eaters gained too much or too little, study finds. Women with a history of dieting or other practices that restrict their eating habits may be more vulnerable to gaining too much or too little weight during pregnancy, a new study finds.

Finding could lead to new treatments, experts say. The finding could help identify people at risk for the arthritic illness, long before symptoms start. One of the genes studied had already been associated with gout, but identifying all three genes could help develop new treatments.

Taking more active role in their health helps patients stave off decline, study finds. Adding occupational therapy to a structured exercise program increases physical activity for most people who have hip and knee osteoarthritis, say researchers.

To prevent pulling this muscle The hamstring is a muscle that runs along the back of the thigh. Pulling this muscle can be quite painful. A simple stretch can help prevent a pulled hamstring if done before and after exercise, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Sprains, fractures, turf toe most common injuries, but warm-ups, proper gear cut risks.  People who play football and other fall sports are at increased risk for lower extremity injuries and need to take precautions to protect themselves, says the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

Study cites benefits for type 2 patients seeking to avoid cardiovascular problems. In people with type 2 diabetes, regular aerobic exercise and weightlifting may reduce levels of fat in the liver by as much as 40 percent, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.

 The vast majority of people at risk of stroke because the main artery to the brain is partially blocked but have no symptoms are better off if they don't have surgery to restore blood flow, a new study contends.

Resitance training in 60s, 70s wards off loss that weakens posture, balance, study says. Strength training can help people build muscle mass to assist in the fight against the debilitating effects of old age until they reach 80, a new study says.

Help keep blood glucose under control Exercise is a challenge for many people, but there are even more potential pitfalls for diabetics. The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions to help diabetics who exercise

Gradual weight loss over 6 months showed no apparent harm, study finds. Overweight adults who eat a low-calorie diet that includes proper nutrition can lose weight and fat without experiencing significant bone loss, a new study says.

Whether it's raking leaves or climbing ladders for repairs, work safe. As you go about your autumn yard and housework, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent injuries, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Mouse study uncovers new class of hormones that could reverse obesity-related disease. Scientists believe they have discovered a new class of hormones in mice, one of which may help stop or reverse obesity-related conditions such as insulin resistance and fatty liver, a new study says.

Intestinal liner leads to significant drops in blood sugar levels, researcher says, Early trials of a new implantable, and removable, intestinal liner have shown promise as a noninvasive means to promote blood sugar control and weight loss.

Good living can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer, study shows. Women who don't smoke, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthful diet, and get regular physical exercise significantly reduce their risk of dying from any cause, and particularly from heart disease and cancer, Harvard University researchers report.

Adjustments to diet, exercise increased telomerase levels 29%, cut 'bad' cholesterol. Major lifestyle changes can help improve levels of an enzyme called telomerase that controls cell aging, say California researchers.

Study finds change in med use, improper stomach pouch size are likely causes. People with diabetes and those with larger stomach pouches are less likely than others to have good weight loss after gastric bypass surgery, according to University of California, San Francisco, researchers.

Concussion most common danger, expert says, so head, face gear should take priority. Children who play school sports need to wear proper safety gear to reduce their risk of injuries, emphasizes the director of sports medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Study finds only limited gains from no-sale policies. Banning soft drinks in elementary schools may not make a huge difference in kids' overall consumption of the beverages, a new study suggests.

Suggestions to limit how much you eat Although most people realize when they've had enough and should stop eating, it's still often difficult to maintain portion control.

How to make sure it does Making sure that your shoes fit properly can significantly reduce your risk of foot problems. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions when trying on and buying shoes

Effect of mutation blunted in people with above-average activity scores, study finds. Physical activity may reduce the risk of obesity in people with a genetic mutation that predisposes them to high body-mass index (BMI), says a U.S. study.

Most hurt by other children wielding club while playing away from course, study says. Although rare, golf-related eye injures in children can be devastating, says a U.S. study.

Same mechanism that controls one affects the other, study finds. The more an athlete sweats, the lower the risk of exercise-induced asthma, a new study suggests.

Looking at joint movements alone, people could spot males vs. females, study found. A masculine walking motion is perceived by observers as coming toward them, while a feminine walk seems to be heading the other way, according to an Australian study.

Pegloticase normalized uric acid levels within 6 hours for participants in phase II trial. An experimental gout drug called pegloticase lowered levels of uric acid in the blood to target levels within a few hours in most patients.

Moderate weekly activity showed benefits even a year after routine was stopped, study says. The study, focused on 138 people age 50 and older at increased risk for dementia, found that a home-based physical activity program led to modest improvements in cognitive function in adults with memory difficulties.

They burn many more calories and have higher heart rates, researchers say Children love playing video games, and playing active versions of these games may help stop children from becoming obese, University of Hong Kong researchers report.

Mouse study shows genetic link to signals telling body when it's full, safe to mate. A new study has found a "master switch" in the brain of mice that helps control both body weight and fertility.

Function improved even after conventional therapy, study found.  Working out on a treadmill improves brain function and fitness for people who have survived a stroke and gone through the usual rehabilitation program, a new study found.

Study finds reaction, brake response times were better than they had been before procedure. The ability to brake suddenly while driving is fully returned six weeks following bunion surgery, researchers say.

More likely to make insulin-resistant proteins, study says. Fat cells in obese people are "sick" compared to those in lean people, a new study shows.

Catastrophic damage blamed on gymnastic-type stunts now common in routines, study says. Over the past 25 years, cheerleading accounted for two-thirds of all catastrophic sports injuries experienced by high school and college females in the United States, a much higher proportion than previously thought, a new report says.

Stimulation of brown globules helps burn calories, hints of new ways to treat obesity. A protein that induces bone growth also helps promote development of "good" brown fat that helps burn calories and plays a role in fighting obesity, says researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

At least 20% of adults are obese in every state except Colorado. The obesity epidemic in America has gotten worse -- not better -- in the last year, despite public service campaigns warning about the health risks posed by carrying too much weight, a new report found.

Seizures could boost the danger in tubs, pools, experts say. Having epilepsy might put you at a significantly higher risk for death by drowning, a new report says.

Fast food access, alcohol and study load contribute to poor dietary choices, expert says. Irresponsible eating, lack of exercise and alcohol consumption are among the factors that contribute to the Freshman 15, which refers to the extra pounds packed on by many new college students, according to a Duke University expert.

Research suggests that exercise can benefit the brain as well as the body. Memory loss and confusion often provide the first clues to the onset of dementia. But recent research suggests that physical -- not mental -- impairment may be an earlier harbinger of trouble.

Beijing Olympics focuses attention on health problems outside the lungs, researchers say. Air pollution has short-term and long-term toxic effects on the heart and blood vessels, causing increased hospitalization for cardiac illness, and even cause death, a new report says.

Whether sighted or blind, Olympic competitors displayed innate responses to winning, losing.  study of blind athletes shows that the proud victory stance of a gold medalist and the slumped posture of a non-medalist are innate and biological, rather than learned responses to success and failure.

Exercisers live longer and with fewer disabilities, study finds. It may, in fact, be possible to outrun death -- and even the creeping ravages of time -- at least for a while. Research spanning two decades has found that older runners live longer and suffer fewer disabilities than healthy non-runners.

Living a healthy lifestyle can cut your risk of stroke by about 80 percent, new research suggests. Women who pursued healthy habits -- not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and drinking moderate amounts of alcohol -- had a 79 percent reduced risk of any stroke, and an 81 percent decreased risk of ischemic stroke.

Not all overweight in metabolic danger, but waist size a factor even in the normal-weight. Some obese people don't seem to be at increased risk for heart disease, while some normal-weight people have a number of heart disease risk factors, according to two studies.

Research with a brain chemical might lead to drug treatments for humans. The findings could one day lead to possible drug treatments for obesity in people. Researchers have developed a strain of mice resistant to diet-induced obesity.

Higher adiponectin levels may indicate underlying disease, study finds. A protein produced by fat cells may play a pivotal role in increasing an older American's risk for a heart attack even if they are losing weight, a new report says.

Globules around organ more dangerous than thick waist or high body mass, study suggests. Having excess fat around your heart may be more dangerous than a high body mass index (BMI) or a thick waist in terms of your heart attack risk, according to new research.

And it does so without weakening muscles, study finds. Short-duration stretching before exercise temporarily improves range of joint motion and doesn't weaken muscles, says new research that fuels the debate about whether stretching before exercise reduces muscle strength and performance.

It builds a statistical model based on what is, in fact, a very unhurried world, study says. If you are not experienced at dodging flying or speeding objects, your best bet may be to just get out of the way, a new study says.

But not all doctors informing patients of this simple preventive approach, study says. Physical activity can reduce the risk of colon cancer, but few American adults are aware of this, a new study shows.

Heart association seeks policy, social changes that boost healthier eating, exercise. Reducing the high rate of obesity in the United States requires a comprehensive, population-based strategy, says a new American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement.

Reports tells how many carbs and calories are in 26 best-selling alcoholic beverages. A punishing run in the summer sun deserves an ice cold beer, right?

Nutrition Facts panel makes it tough to make healthy choices, study shows. Are 3 or 4 grams of trans fats in a serving of baked or fried food bad for you, or can you stop worrying?

Trainers' group warns summer's temperatures can also bring severe injury. As the mercury continues to rise, people of all ages should take precautions to ward off heat-related illness while exercising, playing or taking part in any kind of physical activity outside.

Going barefoot is one of the simple pleasures of summer, but some who doff their shoes and socks suffer injuries such as cuts and puncture wounds. In some cases, those injuries develop infections that require surgery. If you do go barefoot, check out these safety tips from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Access to defibrillators and knowing how to use them could reduce deaths, experts say. Just one in 10 U.S. student-athletes who suffer sudden cardiac arrest survives, a new study found.

Using golf carts as an alternative means of transportation is becoming common in some parts of the United States, but it is also leading to an increasing number of injuries, say researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Injury Sciences.

Canada's TELEHEALTH program improved conditions for patients in rural and remote areas. A program that uses video conferencing, the Internet and other technologies to provide pulmonary rehabilitation helps improve the condition of chronic lung disease patients in rural and remote areas, according to a Canadian study.