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Outdoor runners tend to dread the days of cooler weather and the inevitable turn to the indoor running track that is the treadmill. But, new studies and fitness experts say treadmill classes can increase running efficiency and provide entertainment and glamor to indoor running activities.

Many assume diabetics are given advice based solely on their condition, but a recent study from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes suggests that the general population could also benefit from following the same set of guidelines.

Older women who refrain from smoking and engage in regular physical activity may have a substantially lower risk of developing disabilities later in life than peers with less-healthy habits.

A recent study done by The Scripps Research Institute discovered a brain-to-body circuit signal that may enable humans to lose weight despite how much food they are consuming. The study was done in roundworms, and was activated by combined signals from neurotransmitters of serotonin and adrenaline. “Boosting serotonin signaling has been seen as a viable strategy for weight loss in people, but our results hint that boosting serotonin plus adrenaline should produce more potent effects – and there is already some evidence that’s the case,” TSRI Assistant Professor Suprya Srinivasan advised. Serotonin signals can be increased or decreased artificially by the use of antidepressants, but this increase or decrease can affect appetite as well as mood. When serotonin levels were increased via drugs, and combined with an adrenaline increase as the result of heightened physical activity, this circuit became active and increased weight-loss, though no diet changes were noted. Scientists in the study were trying to recreate the effects using drugs only, and while this may be effective, there are always side effects with use of any prescription medication. While in the future there may be a way to boost both serotonin and adrenaline levels simultaneously without side effects, in the short term, exercise boosts both chemicals naturally in the brain. And though at the beginning of a weight-loss program it may seem slow going, overtime more activity leads to more nutritional awareness, and eventually weight-loss for those who remained focused and follow the recommended guidelines for both exercise and nutrition.

Exercise improves the body’s health in numerous ways. Reduction in weight, improved cognitive ability, better overall mental well-being, and many other things are side effects of an active lifestyle. But how much activity does it take to increase a person’s longevity? A new study published by The Lancet suggests that as little as 15 minutes per day of brisk walking or other activity can add up to three years to a person’s life.

A study published in a medical journal hosted by the American Academy of Neurology suggested men who engaged in vigorous physical activity as young adults reduced their risk of developing epilepsy later in life. Epilepsy is a disease of the brain that can cause repeated seizures, which inhibits a person’s capability to function in daily life.

Scientists from Harvard Medical School recently published a report linking a specific protein development of nerve cells required for learning and memory. What’s more, this protein is naturally produced by the body during exercise, confirming a direct correlation between physical activity and a boost in mental and cognitive function.

A new study released by the Baylor College of Medicine compared dieters engaged in Weight Watchers or other weight-loss support programs with those who were going through the process alone. The results showed that those engaged in support groups shed more overall weight, and kept it off longer, than those engaged in solo support.

Numerous studies offer evidence that those who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick with a fitness routine, and find that they are more positive and productive with other daily activities as well. But developing this habit takes time and planning, which can be an additional struggle some find too much to take on. But if shifting a daily routine to include morning exercise sounds appealing, below are some suggestions to prepare for this habitual shift in daily life.

America as a whole is a nation addicted to sugars. Found in everything from candies to cereal, and soda to high-fructose corn syrup filled drinks, these simple sugars contribute greatly to the rising obesity epidemic. But with our increasingly busy lifestyles, and lack of exercise, the body craves these types of sugars for energy to perform simple functions. How can this habitual craving for simple, unhealthy starches be changed into something healthier? Below are some natural suggestions for curing a sweet tooth.