LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Fitness |
by Rick Moore |
I Give You This Hand
I found some really interesting articles to read. Many or even all of them could affect you in one way or another. Now, you know I'm not one to talk, and you didn't hear it from me, but did you know the real reason why the straight population won't let us marry? Well, studies have shown that marriage can be good for your health. No kidding! They want us to be miserable. We all know that marriage can be the most enduring and complicated of human relationships. Just ask those who have been in long term relationships. That can be an accomplishment in itself. But marriage can reap numerous health benefits. Its effect on our physical and emotional well-being can last our entire lifetime. There is much evidence that shows that married people tend to live longer and healthier than singles. One study showed that happily married women have less blockage in their aortas, and that happily married couples are less likely to suffer from heart disease. Need more evidence? Well, it's been studied and shown that people in a happy marriage also have less acute and chronic illness, their immune systems function better, they have fewer fatal accidents (how did they get those facts and figures?) they are less susceptible to alcohol abuse, many have lower rates of depression, schizophrenia (do notdo too!), and even lower rates of suicide. Studies also show that partners are more willing to help each other. They encourage better health habits. Encourage does not mean nagging. By good health habits, I mean by reminding them to get regular health check-ups and discouraging bad habits like smoking and alcohol. Those of us in long term relationships more or less already know that it is a very rewarding, healthy, happy experience. The Bush administration is only trying to save the sanctity of marriage. They don't want to turn marriage into a "joke." Don't worry 'bout that. One of the rights fearless leadersRush Limbaughhas announced that he is divorcing his wife of ten years. Limbaugh's publicist released a statement that they mutually decided to end their marriage and have separated pending an amicable resolution. Well, that's fine and dandy but it also goes on to say that this is the third marriage for Rush and also the third for his soon-to-be ex-wife. At least they get a fourth try. Talk about your sanctity of marriage-Sheesh! And in more health news, we have an article that I found quite eye-opening. It seems that a study published just last summer, claimed that frequent masturbation in your twenties protects against prostrate cancer. I knew that, really I did. Do we doubt this study? Are we so sure? Do we have to keep doing it again and again and again to get the correct figures? Well, according to new research published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), this is serious stuff. And they back up the previous study and expand on it, too. Well, it turns out that ejaculation, whether from regular sex, masturbation, or even nocturnal emissionis a cancer fighter right on through your thirties and forties. And it can lower your cancer risk by as much as 33 percent. Wowraise your hand to that one! The researchers even give you a magic number to shoot for. Each month, they say you should um, you know, um, ejaculate at least 21 times. Now, that's your goal, gentlemen. Now lets see, that's sex four times a week, with 5 solo sessions during the monthyep that's 21. Now they didn't say what would happen to you if you tried to double your "sessions." OK, guys, now what are we waiting for? You now have bragging rights! And now to get to something a lot more serious. Gentlemen, this is for all of you. In a study that raised more questions than answers, researchers have discovered a major problem in the PSA test. The PSA is the standard blood test for prostate cancer. The test measures the blood levels of protein released by the prostate. Doctors assumed that a reading of 4 ng/ml of blood meant that the patient was cancer free. Not so. According to a new study that was recently done, it was found that men that had that 4 reading were not out of danger. An estimated 15% of those men with that reading had actually had cancer. Yikes! And it also stated that 15% of those men with that same 4% reading also had "high grade" tumors. Double yikes! Now, you would think that news of this would start a stampede to the doctor's office, but it hasn't happened yet. Doctors are cautious. Although more biopsies will lead to early diagnosis, most prostate cancers grow so slowly that it's hard to say whether early detection is worth it or not. Hey, did you know that Dame Edna was the president of Friends of the Prostate? Seems she lost her hubby to the dreaded prostate cancer years back. Ah, she is a beacon of light in a dark filled tunnel. Take care of that prostate guys. It's the only one you've got. See you at the beach. Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates. Visit him at www.ricksfitness.net or call 302-684-0316. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 14, No. 7 June 18, 2004. |