Research
               Heart health: Physical fitness may have an anti-inflammatory effect that protects against heart attacks, according to a report in the current Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

        A recent study compared the level of physical fitness in 135 women in three ethnic groups to their levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker that indicates inflammation.

        Elevated CRP is associated with a two- to five-fold increased risk for heart attack. The researchers found lower levels of CRP among the most fit white and American Indian women. No such strong correlation was found among African-American women.

        People with elevated CRP should exercise regularly, says Dr. Michael J. LaMonte, author of the report and director of exercise testing and research at the Fitness Institute at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.

        “Our data really support the current public health recommendation that a physically active and fit lifestyle is conducive to overall good health and, in particular, to cardiovascular health,” he says. “We are not talking about a marathon runner's level of fitness. We are talking about being active on a regular basis, and a good benchmark is being able to walk a mile and a half in about 30 or 35 minutes.”

        Researchers found that African-American women, women who were less fit and women whose waists measured more than 35 inches had the highest CRP levels.

        But because of the small number of women involved in the study, results must be considered preliminary, Dr. LaMonte says.

Calendar

        Benefit walk: Registration is open for the Striding for Fall Prevention walk Sept. 28 at the Hamilton County Park District's Frances Recre Acres in Sharonville. Proceeds will benefit the Hamilton County Falls Task Force's education, prevention and evaluation efforts. Registration is $15. Information: 946-7807.

Shelf help
        How to: 101 Weight Loss Tips for Preventing and Controlling Diabetes (Contemporary Books; $14.95) by Anne Daly, Linda Delahanty and Judith Wylie-Rosett focuses on the ins and outs of weight control, meal planning and eating out for health prevention. It's the latest in a series of self-care books from the American Diabetes Association.

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