HEY SAM: My doctor recently told me that I’m at risk for high blood pressure and placed me on blood pressure medication. What’s the best way to augment my workout routine in this situation?

A: People who participated in a regular yoga program experienced a natural drop in blood pressure, according to new research from the Washington University School of Medicine. The study, published in HIV Medicine, followed 60 HIV-positive adults over the course of a supervised, 20 week yoga program. Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced more in the yoga group than in the control group, despite no greater reduction in body weight, fat, or overall quality of life.The best part? T4 levels were not adversely affected.

Practicing yoga is an intelligent idea for other reasons, too. (more…)

I was recently diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. I still have feeling in my fingers, but I’ve lost most of the feeling in my toes. Do you have any advice on ways I can manage this condition through exercise or supplementation?
—Lee, Cheyenne, WY

Peripheral neuropathy causes pain (sometimes described as tingling or burning) and numbness in the hands and feet. While HIV is one cause of the condition, it’s certainly not the only one. Diabetes and cancer treatments (such as radiation or chemotherapy) are also common causes. Sometimes the condition improves with treatment of the underlying cause, sometimes it doesn’t. (more…)

Courtesy of LA Times

Modern evangelist Marianne Williamson was one of the presenters at  LA Times Magazine’s “Conversations on Health & Wellness” at Terranea Resort. The conference was a nice break from my mind, which has been mired in thoughts about mom’s cancer. I was glad to see that Marianne was one of the speakers, since her book, A Return to Love, influenced our coming back together. Whether you’re well or ill, her remarks are worth a listen:

I spent many weeks this year with my family in Utah, shuttling back and forth to the hospital, where mom received chemotherapy. One morning, she was excited to tell me that there was a 1 mile jog/walk trail around the hospital. So while mom received her treatment, I went running. I came back sweaty, but I could tell she was proud of me for doing it.

Sooner or later, we all experience hardship, but nobody feels like exercising when faced with stressful life circumstances, such as the death of a parent.

During times of stress, I now believe it’s important to exercise more — not less. Exercise works about as well as antidepressants to lift your mood. My doctor calls it our “natural morphine.”

I know my mom wants me to take excellent care of myself.  So I’ve started running again and am making more healthful food choices. As HER mother (my 79-year-old grandmother) says: “Food is my medicine.”  You don’t have to break the bank to make healthy choices, just be smart about it.

It might be hard to get started—that’s inertia. There’s no way around it. So, put on some shoes and shorts, grab your iPod, and just do it.

It will get easier once you start, I promise.

Welcome to my blog. I have almost 500 entries, mostly on health & fitness (lunges). Some are about my relationships (love) and are few about human rights (peace). I live and work in Hollywood, and every so often I’ll dive into something totally different like confronting Mormons or interviewing a celebrity. To make your time productive, I’m compiling a few “top 10″ lists, organized by reader popularity. If you like the blog, feel free to hire me as your trainer or follow me on Twitter: “peacelovelunges”

Top 10 Posts Ever

1. 5.2 Temblor Rattles Viatape, Canadian Remains Missing, Food Supply Impacted
2. El Coyote Owner Expresses Regret Over Prop. 8 Contribution, While Boycott Looms
3. A Rough Chapter for Michael Brandon
4. Last Chance to Ask Mark Dalton Anything
5. Boycott of “El Coyote” is Shortsighted
6. At 40, Cowboy is Untoppable
7. Confessions of a Coffee Junkie, and a Practical Way to Quit
8. It’s a Setback — Not a Defeat
9. Pete Kuzak
10. What if Barbie Were a Real Woman?
11. Is “No-Xplode” Help or Hype?

Top 10: Exercise & Health

1. Why Do I Vomit in the Gym?
2. Getting Off Antidepressants: My Exit Strategy
3. Is No-Xplode Help or Hype?
4. Locker Room Confessions
5. Should I Use Steroids?
6. How to Get Bigger Without Using Steroids
7. How to Get Rid of Hickeys
8. What’s the Best Heart Beat Range for Losing Weight?
9. How Mark Wahlberg,Val Kilmer and the Tao Turned Me Into a “Stud”
10. How to Get Ripped

List in progress.

Don't try this at home, kids.

I recently started working with a trainer. I’ve always had trouble putting on muscle mass (called “scrawny” in high school).  My trainer told me that doctors sometimes prescribe testosterone for people with HIV. Do you think this is something I should consider? Would it help me put size on faster? —Rob, Pasadena, Calif.

Most people know that testosterone (like growth hormone) is an androgen that your body produces, so you need to see a doctor to determine if your natural levels are in keeping with a “normal” medical reference range.  This is really the first question you should be answering, i.e., “are my natural levels of testosterone too low?”

It may also be worth kicking around some questions developed by St. Louis University to screen for androgen hormone deficiency. You can answer the questionnaire here

If your natural levels fall below the normal reference range, you should weigh your options. There are many new delivery methods available—from patches, gels and creams to injections—so be sure to have a robust discussion with your provider.

Incidentally, there are other many hormones which can be screened by your doctor, including thyroid hormone, growth hormone, and free/total testosterone. These levels could also be checked and taken into account before making a decision.

I’d do everything you can to enhance your natural levels of testosterone. Make sure that you are eating a balanced diet, taking a multivitamin, getting enough sleep, and avoiding excessive caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. While it’s true that supraphysiological levels of testosterone and growth hormone will increase lean body mass, reduce fat, and improve well being—the long-term effects are largely unknown.

Also, ask your trainer to customize your workout. For instance, there’s some evidence that “multiple joint” exercises, (such as the bench press and squat) may play a role in higher levels of post-workout testosterone in the people who do them.