Health Highlights: Nov. 3, 2008

Nov. 4 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Short Bursts of Exercise Seen as Effective asEndurance Activities

Multiple short bursts of exercise may be as beneficial as enduranceactivities such as jogging or cycling, suggests a study by researchers atthe University of Glamorgan in Wales.

"Six 30-second sprints three times a week can have the same health and weight-loss benefits as jogging or cycling for up to 45 minutes several times a week," said study co-author Professor Julien Baker, BBC News reported.

And people may be more likely to exercise using a program that featuressprints because it's more practical in terms of time, Baker noted.

"For children who are overweight or obese, it may be better to put themon an intermittent program of high-intensity exercise for a short period,"he said, BBC News reported.

"This type of activity may also be used as a defense for cardiovasculardisease, and research carried out in the laboratory has shown significantreductions in post-exercise blood pressure," Baker added. "These findingsindicate that intermittent exercise may provide similar benefits asprolonged moderate exercise in the treatment for hypertension."

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Too Much High-Fat Dairy and Eggs Increase Heart Risk

People who consume plenty of high-fat dairy products and eggs are more likely to suffer heart failure than those who eat a diet high in wholegrains, according to a 13-year study by U.S. researchers.

They followed 14,153 white and black adults, ages 45 to 64, in fourcommunities and looked at their intake of seven food categories: wholegrains; fruits/vegetables; fish; nuts; red meat; egg; and high-fat dairy,United Press International reported.

During the study period, there were 1,140 hospitalizations for heartfailure among the participants. After the researchers adjusted for variablessuch as lifestyle factors, demographics, existing high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, they concluded that the risk of heart failure was lower among those with greater whole grain intake than those who consumed more eggs and high-fat dairy products.