Brown fat cells burn fat, and while fat cells store it. We have some of each kind. If we could create more brown fat cells it would help control obesity. European researchers took genetically engineered mice that expressed high levels of COX-2 and discovered they weighed 20% less than the normal mice. Both types ate the same amount, and had the same weight of bone and muscle. If they were given the popular anti-inflamatory Celebrex, they gained weight, since the medicine blocks COX-2.
PositiveTip: Maybe this is a good reason to avoid taking Celebrex. Rather than wait for a pharmacological solution in the future, start now to eat less and exercise more.
Chocolate has been getting a lot of good press lately.
A study of 931 adults seems to rain on the idea that "chocolate improves mood". This University of California-San Diego research has found that people who are depressed are more likely to eat chocolate, and the more depressed they are, the more chocolate they eat. The authors say they cannot yet determine which direction the cause-and-effect arrow is pointing.
PositiveTip: Chocolate may be a rich source of some antioxidants, but it also is very high in sugar and fat. Medicinal consumption should wait until more evidence is available.
A small study followed 69 children with chronic constipation through a 12-week trial of four phases (three weeks per phase).
Constipation resolved within 5 days in 27 children in phase 2 (when cow's milk was removed). It returned in phase 3 (when cow's milk was reintroduced), and disappeared again in phase 4 (when cow's milk was removed the second time). No other dietary changes were made.
Although small and not blinded, the fact that constipation returned when cow's milk was reintroduced is compelling.
PositiveTip: The simple intervention of removing dairy milk is certainly worth a try if your child suffers from chronic constipation.
Medicine is supposed to be a self-regulating profession where substandard practices are rectified internally.
But a survey of US physicians reveals this is not always so. Of almost 1900 physicians surveyed, only 64% agreed that they should report all instances of impairment or incompetence. Only one-third of those who had direct knowledge of a problem colleague in the past 3 years had reported it.
Evidence is strong that statins benefit those with known cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, they are frequently prescribed for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in those without CVD but with a high risk for it. European investigators combined results for 65,000 high-risk only patients and found no significant improvement in risk.
PositiveTip: True primary prevention of heart disease should focus on the benefits of lifestyle modification, not a drug-based approach.
We know that brisk walking helps to control weight. Now a 16 year follow-up of 28,414 healthy women found that bicycling as well as brisk walking resulted in less weight gain. Slow walking showed very little benefit to weight gain.
PositiveTip: If you don't care for brisk walking, hop on the bicycle and pedal away to banish those extra pounds!
Could it really be related? Midlife obesity has long been associated with increased risk of dementia, although the how the relationship works has been poorly understood.
Researchers examined possible associations between cerebral brain volume and obesity in 733 middle age community adults. They found a significant association between visceral (abdominal) fat and low total brain volume. The authors suggest that inflammation resulting from fat cells may negatively impact brain tissue.
A number of studies have shown that sleep-deprived children and adults are more likely to gain excess weight. Finnish researchers followed 7322 men and women age 60 and over for seven years. After adjusting for confounding factors, they found that 1/3 of women who experienced frequent sleep problems gained at least 11 pounds.
PositiveTip: To make consistently wise choices, we need regular and consistent rest and sleep.
Because carbohydrates tend to raise blood-sugar levels, many tend to think that a low-carb diet should help prevent diabetes.
But Harvard Researchers analyzed 20 years of data on 41,410 men and found that low-carb intake actually increases the risk of type-2 diabetes by 12%. Red and processed meats seemed to be the biggest culprit, because vegetable protein did not change the risk level.
PositiveTip: A dietary pattern low in animal products and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and some nuts is a healthy way of preventing disease.
Vitamin E is back in the spotlight, following dashed hopes that supplementing with this nutrient would result in many health benefits.
A new prospective Dutch study has found that those who consumed the most dietary Vitamin E at the beginning of the study experienced 25% less dementia and Alzheimer's Disease during almost 10 years of follow-up. Dietary sources of Vitamin E were primarily were primarily vegetable oils, margarine, butter and mayonnaise.
PositiveTip: A dietary pattern that includes healthy oils may substantially reduce your risk of dementia later in life.
The material in this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any illness, metabolic disorder, disease or health problem. Always consult your physician or health care provider before beginning any nutrition or exercise program. Use of the programs, advice, and information contained in this website is at the sole choice and risk of the reader.