Fas times at inflammation high
For the biology nerds in the group, here’s some interesting work on how obesity functions as an inflammatory state. The basic premise, as I’ve indicated in previous posts, is that a “critical mass” (if you will) of adipose tissue produces a particular hormonal environment, because fat tissue is hormonally active. A cellular receptor known as Fas or CD95 is an important player here…
Exercise: It’s like Oil of Olay for your cells
People who run everyday do it to keep their hearts strong, spirits up and waistlines trim, but how many could guess that sweating it out on the treadmill may actually fight aging? Research indicates people who exercise are biologically younger. A new study in the journal Circulation shows that vigorous exercise may be inducing a natural anti-aging effect that goes right down to our DNA.
Hormones in concert
The Scientist has a fascinating overview of some of the hormonal mechanisms behind appetite and obesity.
“Upon intensifying insulin treatment, most diabetes patients gained weight and many grew frustrated with the unpredictable glucose swings and constant insulin dose adjustments. Likewise, the vast majority of patients in our obesity clinic saw a relentless regain of their body weight. In the clinical setting, it was not uncommon for doctors to advise their patients to try harder and be more disciplined. After all, with adequate willpower and meticulous tracking of blood sugars and ingested calories, there had to be a way to do better. From a scientific perspective, however, it was quite evident that the root of the problem was far more complex.”
I <3 endocrinology, if only because it speaks to the elegant, frustratingly mysterious complexity of nature. The human body is an intriguingly self-regulating set of systems that work in delicate harmonies. Even if you aren't partial to pharmacological treatments, this is an interesting read for biochem nerds who like to know the major players.
Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in Division 1 Collegiate Football Players
This is an interesting study that follows on the recent discussion of the “40% average body fat” post.
I mentioned heavyweight football players as examples of folks who are very fit, but risk experiencing health difficulties nevertheless. A recent study explores this…
A for effort, F for execution
Speaking of 40% body fat, one college is attempting — in probably the most ham-fisted way possible, no pun intended — to address the problem of obesity. Not surprisingly, people aren’t very thrilled about it… [clicky for more]
When you may not wish to be “normal”
Brad Pilon‘s published some recent data, drawn from a 2009 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, on the average body fat % of the general population.
Now, usually we say “Oh, average for a woman is around 21-25%” or some similar number.
Actually, the US female average is… wait for it…
Shaky man in the gym 2: Keep on shakin’
Shaky man keeps on kicking Parkinson’s disease in the nards.
Shaky man in the gym
Some time ago I received an email titled, “Shaky man Down Under.” It was from Neil, an Australian man with Parkinson’s disease who had taken up weight training as part of his therapy. Since I suffer from the delusion that everyone who can move should do resistance training, and since I was also working with a client suffering from a related disorder, I encouraged him to keep it up. He leaped into his training with renewed enthusiasm. Every now and again, Neil sends me progress reports.
Rant 54 December 2009: Haven’t been there/done that, have an opinion anyway
For those of you living south of 60 degrees latitude (or not in Churchill, Manitoba), polar bears may look cute and friendly, like in the Coke commercials, but they most certainly are not. They are generally grumpy, hungry creatures who think people are basically upright cocktail weenies. If you think bears are cuddly pets, you’re probably the kind of person who would own a face-eating chimp. Why armchair quarterbacks suck, and why difficulty brings growth.
Did Cookie Monster Have Mother Issues?
Check out an awesome interview I did with psychotherapist Erin Byron on the psychology of eating. Erin’s spent more than a decade working with clients who have many types of issues. As part of this therapeutic work, she sees clients who either come to her for help with disordered eating or find that their eating is affected by other problems in their lives.
According to Erin, many of us view eating and food as we view other relationships in our life. And whether you’re an elite athlete or a working mom, one important key to healthy eating is figuring out just what kind of relationship you have with your food.
