Staying Healthy Archive

Q. What is better for my heart—a fast run on the treadmill for 10 minutes or 30 minutes of light cycling on a machine?

A. The benefit of exercise on heart health depends on the dose; in other words, the more the better. So, my answer to your question is "Why not do both?" Exercise of virtually any kind prevents heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Don't rush into it, but don't wait longer than you need to.

More than 700,000 Americans will have one or both knee joints replaced this year, usually because of damage from wear-and-tear arthritis. Age itself is no barrier, and about half of total knee replacements go to people 65 and older. Replacing a joint damaged by osteoarthritis helps men stay active and independent.

Whole grains, including brown rice, are part of a healthy diet. However, health advocates have raised concerns about the tiny amount of arsenic that rice plants absorb from the soil. Also, a handful of studies have linked rice consumption to cardiovascular disease, although the evidence is preliminary and inconsistent. But now rice eaters can rest a little easier, thanks to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.