Need to be thin

http://www2.healthtalk.com/go/rheumatoid-arthritis/news/body-fat-muscle-distribution-linked-to-ra-disability/1412?utm_source=HTNL

Body Fat, Muscle Distribution Linked to RA Disability

THURSDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- 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.

However, since one's body composition can be altered, there is hope to reduce the amount of disability and improve the quality of life of these patients.

The study, led by researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was published in the October issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

The results, based on analysis of almost 200 people with rheumatoid arthritis, found that those with increasing amounts of fat and decreasing amounts of lean mass (skeletal muscle) on the arms and legs had the most increasing disability linked with the highly inflammatory disease of the joints.
The authors theorized that increasing fat may affect the normal range of motion of the arms and legs or that the fat may biochemically interfere with muscular function, but they said the most likely reason is that the fat may be infiltrating the muscles, reducing muscle quality.

"Interestingly, in studies of the general population, increasing fat mass has also been more strongly linked to worsening functional capacity than decreasing lean mass, suggesting that efforts to improve physical function require a focus on fat reduction with at least as much emphasis, if not more, than increasing lean mass," the authors wrote.

"In the absence of interventional trials, these findings suggest that practitioners should encourage muscle strengthening and fat loss in their patients with RA as a method of reducing disability," they concluded.
More information

The Arthritis Foundation has more about rheumatoid arthritis.

Posting from PCRM Action Alert

Dear family and friends,

I am posting this alert from www.pcrm.org:

DO YOU OR ANY OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, OR PATIENTS EAT GRILLED CHICKEN OR HOT DOGS?THESE ARE FOODS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF CANCER, AND BIG BUSINESS WILL DO ANYTHING TO CONCEAL THAT FACT.

PCRM plans to file two law suits protecting consumers from fraudulent business practices where consumers are not warned about the increased risk of cancer from eating grilled chicken or hot dogs.

One suit will be against national restaurant chains (McDonald’s, Burger King, etc.) for failing to alert consumers about the presence of a known carcinogen (PhIP) in their grilled chicken products.

PCRM will also file a lawsuit against manufacturers and large-scale sellers of hot dogs and other processed meats for failing to alert consumers about the increased risk of cancer due to consumption of processed meats. A comprehensive report released late last year by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund concludes that processed meat increases one’s risk of colorectal cancer, on average, by 21 percent for every 50 grams consumed daily. (A 50-gram serving is approximately the size of a typical hot dog.)
In order to bring these suits, we need your help. We need people who bought and consumed grilled chicken products from a national restaurant chain, but did not know about PhIP. We also need people who purchased and consumed hot dogs, without knowing about the cancer risk from processed meats.

These lawsuits will raise public awareness about the unseen, unhealthful properties of processed meats and grilled chicken. The primary relief sought in these lawsuits is warnings to consumers.
If you or someone you know is interested in helping, please contact PCRM at rbernstein@pcrm.org or 202-686-2210, ext. 314.

Thank you so much for your help,

Love

Maru Angarita
My blog is http://www.maruangaritavegan.blogstop.com

Why Veganism?

Many people ask me why am I a vegan. There are many reasons why I am convinced that my life style is the best way to carry on compassionate living. The following video is one way to explain:

http://www.chooseveg.com/

It is important to know where the food, and ingredients used to make certain meals come from.

Love

Maru Angarita
My blog is: www.maruangaritavegan.blogspot.com