Shout Hallelujah for Healthy Lungs?

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Did You

Say Shoes?

Reprobates beware.

If you haven't put a shine to those shoes, donned your best go-to-meeting clothes and, well, actually gone to a meeting, there may be more at risk than your eternal soul. You may want to drop to your knees and pray for a fresh set of lungs - it appears yours may be at risk.

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that elder churchgoers had healthier lungs than those who did not attend. The study followed over 1,100 active men and women in their 70's for just over 4.5 years. The researchers assessed the ability of participants to expel air from their lungs using a standard measure. Lung function naturally declines with age and serves as an important barometer of overall health in the elderly.

While possibly not miraculous, the results were certainly striking. Those participants attending a church, synagogue or mosque at least once each week exhibited far stronger lung function. The non-attendees, in fact, showed a decline that was double that of the churchgoers.

...You know what to do. Shine those shoes, don those duds and join the jubilee. Raise those hands and shout "Hallelujah!" It's good for the soul - and the lungs.

To read more, see CNN's article Religious observance may keep older people healthy.