scholarly journals Revealing the Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Beneficial Effects of Tai Chi: A Neuroimaging Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (02) ◽  
pp. 231-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus P. Yu ◽  
Bjorn T. Tam ◽  
Christopher W. Lai ◽  
Doris S. Yu ◽  
Jean Woo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Brain Morphology ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Regional Activity ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Functional Homogeneity ◽  
Scale Network

Tai Chi Chuan (TCC), a traditional Chinese martial art, is well-documented to result in beneficial consequences in physical and mental health. TCC is regarded as a mind-body exercise that is comprised of physical exercise and meditation. Favorable effects of TCC on body balance, gait, bone mineral density, metabolic parameters, anxiety, depression, cognitive function, and sleep have been previously reported. However, the underlying mechanisms explaining the effects of TCC remain largely unclear. Recently, advances in neuroimaging technology have offered new investigative opportunities to reveal the effects of TCC on anatomical morphologies and neurological activities in different regions of the brain. These neuroimaging findings have provided new clues for revealing the mechanisms behind the observed effects of TCC. In this review paper, we discussed the possible effects of TCC-induced modulation of brain morphology, functional homogeneity and connectivity, regional activity and macro-scale network activity on health. Moreover, we identified possible links between the alterations in brain and beneficial effects of TCC, such as improved motor functions, pain perception, metabolic profile, cognitive functions, mental health and sleep quality. This paper aimed to stimulate further mechanistic neuroimaging studies in TCC and its effects on brain morphology, functional homogeneity and connectivity, regional activity and macro-scale network activity, which ultimately lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of TCC on human health.

Effects of Exercise on Mental Health

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Olex ◽  
Krista Olex
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Large Body ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Mind And Body ◽  
Mood And Cognition

While the beneficial effects of exercise on the body are well established, there is now substantial evidence that physical activity has significant benefits on brain function and mental health as well. Physical activity including aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, yoga, and Tai Chi can influence mental health through numerous mechanisms on multiple levels, ranging from the microscopic to the level of human connection. A large body of clinical data suggests that exercise has beneficial effects on mood and cognition. While the evidence is strongest for the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive dysfunction and depression, there is promising data in the use of aerobic exercise in other populations with mental illness as well as for the use of the other types of movement for mental health. Clinicians should be aware of physical activity as a powerful tool in their clinical toolbox with the potential for tremendous benefit on mind and body.

scholarly journals Do Public Pensions Improve Mental Wellbeing? Evidence from the New Rural Society Pension Insurance Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2391
Author(s):  
Fang Wang ◽  
Haitao Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Society ◽  
Rural Elderly ◽  
Public Pensions ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Pension Insurance ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pension Income ◽  
The Impact

The causal effect of public pensions on the mental wellbeing of the elderly in lower and middle-income countries deserves further investigation. This paper first constructed a theoretical framework for the impact of New Rural Society Pension Insurance pensions in China on the mental wellbeing of the rural elderly, and described potential channels through which pension income may affect mental wellbeing. We then used the fixed effect model and the instrument variable approach to estimate the casual effects of pension income on the mental wellbeing of the rural elderly. The results reveal that pension income improves mental wellbeing by relieving depression of the rural elderly; however, the beneficial effects of pension income are very limited. Pension income has no beneficial effects on the mental health of the rural elderly in the east region, whereas it slightly relieves depression of those in the middle and west regions. We also found that pension income produces small improvements in the mental health of older females, elderly persons living independently, and those with relatively poor economic conditions.

scholarly journals Pre-exposure and Post-exposure new prophylactic treatments against COVID-19 in healthcare workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 260-267
Author(s):  
Bachir Benarba ◽  
Adel Gouri
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Nutritional Intervention ◽  
B Vitamins ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 or novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection pandemic continues to spread. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Wuhan (China), healthcare workers have been infected and are considered at high risk of contamination. Moreover, in addition to the physical effects of COVID-19, the pandemic results in important mental health issues among healthcare workers such as anxiety, stress, depression, and further nervous or mental disorders. Despite the increasing number of clinical trials aiming to develop vaccines or test antiviral molecules, till now no efficient anti- SARS-CoV-2 drugs have been validated. The COVID-19 pandemic led us to call for an urgent nutritional intervention model that should be established to prevent and/or reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers. In the present paper, we suggest a safe nutritional supplementation of Mg-Zn- B vitamins (B1, B6, B9, and B12) in healthcare workers as pre-exposure and post-exposure new prophylactic treatments. Furthermore, the paper reports the scientific arguments and the possible mechanisms by which the Mg-Zn- B vitamins supplementation may exert its beneficial effects in the healthcare workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Mg-Zn- B vitamins supplementation would enhance the immune response against SARS-CoV2, prevent inflammatory processes and oxidative stress, fight or alleviate the COVID-19-related mental health issues, or even reduce the replication. Each element of the supplementation possesses important and promising effects contributing to the possible efficiency of the suggested Mg-Zn- B vitamins supplementation in healthcare workers. Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Supplementation, Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamins B.

UCP-mediated energy depletion in skeletal muscle increases glucose transport despite lipid accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (3) ◽  
pp. E347-E353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Ho Han ◽  
Lorraine A. Nolte ◽  
Jeong-Sun Ju ◽  
Trey Coleman ◽  
John O. Holloszy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Glucose Transport ◽  
Lipid Accumulation ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
High Level

To address the potential role of lipotoxicity and mitochondrial function in insulin resistance, we studied mice with high-level expression of uncoupling protein-1 in skeletal muscle (UCP-H mice). Body weight, body length, and bone mineral density were decreased in UCP-H mice compared with wild-type littermates. Forelimb grip strength and muscle mass were strikingly decreased, whereas muscle triglyceride content was increased fivefold in UCP-H mice. Electron microscopy demonstrated lipid accumulation and large mitochondria with abnormal architecture in UCP-H skeletal muscle. ATP content and key mitochondrial proteins were decreased in UCP-H muscle. Despite mitochondrial dysfunction and increased intramyocellular fat, fasting serum glucose was 22% lower and insulin-stimulated glucose transport 80% higher in UCP-H animals. These beneficial effects on glucose metabolism were associated with increased AMP kinase and hexokinase activities, as well as elevated levels of GLUT4 and myocyte enhancer factor-2 proteins A and D in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that UCP-H mice have a mitochondrial myopathy due to depleted energy stores sufficient to compromise growth and impair muscle function. Enhanced skeletal muscle glucose transport in this setting suggests that excess intramyocellular lipid and mitochondrial dysfunction are not sufficient to cause insulin resistance in mice.

scholarly journals A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tai Chi for Tension Headaches

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan B. Abbott ◽  
Ka-Kit Hui ◽  
Ron D. Hays ◽  
Ming-Dong Li ◽  
Timothy Pan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Tension Type Headaches ◽  
Headache Impact

This study examined whether a traditional low-impact mind–body exercise, Tai Chi, affects health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and headache impact in an adult population suffering from tension-type headaches. Forty-seven participants were randomly assigned to either a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi instruction or a wait-list control group. HRQOL (SF-36v2) and headache status (HIT-6™) were obtained at baseline and at 5, 10 and 15 weeks post-baseline during the intervention period. Statistically significant (P< 0.05) improvements in favor of the intervention were present for the HIT score and the SF-36 pain, energy/fatigue, social functioning, emotional well-being and mental health summary scores. A 15 week intervention of Tai Chi practice was effective in reducing headache impact and also effective in improving perceptions of some aspects of physical and mental health.

Anhuienoside C Ameliorates Osteoclast Differentiation in Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis by Regulating RANKL/Wnt Signaling Pathways

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-55
Author(s):  
Bo Sun ◽  
Tian Su ◽  
Zhibin Meng ◽  
Songjie Tang
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Wnt Pathway ◽  
Osteoclast Differentiation ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Procollagen Type ◽  
Proinflammatory Mediators ◽  
Mediators Of Inflammation ◽  
Dose Dependent

Postmenopausal and ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis is the most common bone disorder. While pharmacotherapy has been valuable in the management of osteoporosis, it has been associated with undesired side effects. Plant bioactives with minimal side effects have been seen as adjunct to classical therapy. Herein, we have evaluated the protective effect of anhuienoside C (AC) in a rat model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. The treatment of osteoporotic rats with AC caused dose-dependent favorable changes in biochemical markers of bone formation and metabolism (osteocalcin, C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen, and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide), enhanced bone mineral density, and decrease in proinflammatory mediators of inflammation and RANKL/Wnt pathway proteins. Furthermore, histopathologic changes in the tibia support beneficial effects of AC. In conclusion, our result reveals that treatment with AC shows beneficial effect against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by regulating the RANKL/Wnt pathway.

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