Resveratrol has been one of the more promising compounds to come out of anti-aging research in recent years. One news item this week suggests that its anti-inflammatory properties could “be used to treat potentially deadly inflammatory disease, such as appendicitis, peritonitis, and systemic sepsis.” Wow, that’s one heck of a claim. Harvard scientist David Sinclair, the man whose research discovered the anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol, thinks a lot of the claims are over-stated.
Archive for July, 2009
Self-Starvation is Not a Weight Loss Plan
On July - 29 - 20091 COMMENT
It seems like an obvious idea: if the idea is to eat fewer calories than I use, then not eating at all should help me lose lots of weight! The truth is that self-starvation will never make you slim and healthy. It isn’t just that such “diets” are unsustainable and unrealistic, most people radically underestimate the calories they eat (and overestimate their activity level) on such a plan. But most importantly, such a plan sabotages the metabolism! Your body is smarter than you are; if you aren’t eating despite the fact that you are hungry, it must be because no food is available, so your body will conserve calories to “save you” from the “famine.”
If you want a longer explanation, go ahead and read Chalene Johnson’s blog post, “Why Crash Diets, Starvation and Stress are making you fat!”
Weight Loss Could Even Cut Health Care Costs
On July - 27 - 2009Comments Off on Weight Loss Could Even Cut Health Care Costs
As the national debate rages about how best to change healthcare funding to serve the greatest number of people with the greatest benefit, the public health journal Health Affairs has published a study that examines the costs of healthcare related to obesity. For those that familiar with the health effects of obesity, the results are no surprise. What follows is a little wonky but interesting.
Skip the Margarine, Enjoy the Fish
On July - 24 - 2009Comments Off on Skip the Margarine, Enjoy the Fish
A new study following the dietary habits of over 200,000 people suggests that diets high in a specific type of polyunsaturated fat called linoleic acid may have much higher incidence of a painful disease called ulcerative colitis. While red meat contains some linoleic acid, you will also find it in many margarines and cooking oils including safflower, hemp, sunflower, corn, wheat germ, cottonseed, soybean, walnut, and sesame oil. EMaxHealth points out “Given that many foods, especially fast foods, are fried in such oils, it can be easy for individuals to consume high levels of linoleic acid.”
Fewer Americans Living Healthy Lifestyles
On July - 20 - 2009Comments Off on Fewer Americans Living Healthy Lifestyles
The American Journal of Medicine reports that compared to 18 years ago, fewer American adults are engaging in 5 key things known to promote long and healthy lives: eating enough fruits and vegetables; exercising regularly; maintaining a healthy body weight; moderate alcohol consumption; and not smoking. Interestingly enough, Forbes managed to report the complete opposite of the findings demonstrating why it’s often useful to be skeptical of media coverage of medical studies.
Not engaging in healthy lifestyles is a sure fire way to age with the machine, not against it.