InHealth: Toast to your health, garden season and fitness fun

Good News, Bad News
Researchers at Oregon State University have found a flavonoid called xanthohumol can produce dramatic improvement in symptoms related to metabolic syndrome, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Xanthohumol helped reduce bad cholesterol, insulin levels and markers of inflammation in mice that were deliberately fed a rich, unhealthy diet.

"This is the first time we've seen one compound with the potential to address so many health problems. These were very dramatic improvements." lead researcher Cristobal Miranda comments. So where does one find this compound? Amazingly enough, right there in your beer.

Unfortunately, you would have to drink 3,500 pints a day to achieve the therapeutic level of xanthohumol used in the research. But researchers believe the compound could be easily and inexpensively obtained for use as a supplement, if it is found to be safe and effective in humans.

Read more here. 

It’s Grow Time
With trees fairly exploding into bloom this week, and the 10-day forecast looking pretty decent...is it time to get your garden growing? The region’s last official frost date is May 15, so jump the gun at your own risk. Learn about how to make “gardener’s gold” — compost — at the Hillyard Library on Saturday April 23, from 2-3:30 pm with Master Composter Ryan Herring.
While you’re there, you may want to check out some seeds from the seed library. In return for making your garden grow, the library asks that you collect some seeds from any heirloom plants at the end of the growing season, and return them to replenish the library’s collection.

Did you know 45 minutes of gardening may burn the same number of calories as 30 minutes of aerobics? Find out more about the health benefits of gardening here. 

Experience Fitness and Fun
Fitness games, work out fashion shows, and expert advice from Jaazz salon’s Sonna Brado on hair and beauty for active women (question number one: how to fix helmet hair?) are all on tap for the Providence Health and Fitness Experience this weekend at the Spokane Convention Center. There will be free health screenings, fitness competitions, retail offerings of active and outdoor gear, and even a “Vine & Stein” pavilion where you can sample 40 different wines or craft beers. Admission is $7, hours Friday 4pm-8 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 10 am-3 pm.