Fit Friday: Reducing prostate cancer death risk, diet's role in asthma, workout clothes

This year you've convinced yourself you're going to eat better, get healthier and all that. Here's why you should stick to that.

Adding to the evidence about nutrition and fitness benefits, one study found that men with prostate cancer who exercised more reduced their risk of dying from the disease. Also, people who eat healthier have less risk of asthma and allergies, according to a review of existing research.

Plus, toning shoes have threaded the path to toning workout clothes, but there's some skepticism.

Exercise reduces prostate cancer deaths

Men who have prostate cancer benefit greatly by having just three hours of vigorous exercise a week, according to a study released this week.

WebMD reports how cancer patients who ran, biked, walked or did outdoor chores had 61% lower risk of prostate cancer deaths compared with men who exercised less than an hour a week.

The study conducted by researchers from Harvard School of Public Health and the University of California-San Francisco examined the records of 2,705 men over 18 years.

Companies roll out workout threads

Happy New Year. Now, lose weight. And spend money.

Not only have NutriSystem, Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers revamped their programs. Now sporting apparel makers Fila and Reebok are hawking workout clothes that purport to tone you and make you move more efficiently, according to the New York Times.

The Lycra gear is advertised to “achieve amazing in half the time” by adding resistance and enhancing blood circulation. It follows on the heels of toning shoes that promise to tighten and tuck jiggly behinds.

The Chart: Do these shoes make my butt look smaller?

Wearing such clothes may produce a placebo effect, physical therapist Sonja Mains told CBS New York. “I haven’t seen any research that actually makes the muscle work harder when there’s just restrictive or tight clothing around it,” she said.

Could diet affect allergies and asthma

Your diet could affect risk of allergies or asthma, according to preliminary research from the United Kingdom.

Reuters Health reports that British researchers reviewed 62 recent studies that looked at diet and risk of allergy and asthma.

Zinc, vitamins A, D, and E, fruits and vegetables, appeared to have some protective benefits. In the review, several studies suggested that people with healthier diets had lower risks of asthma. Pregnant women who consumed vitamin D and E were also less likely to give birth to children who had signs of asthma.