In The News

Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges of the 21st century. Affecting more than 500 million people worldwide, obesity costs at least $200 billion each year in the United States alone, and contributes to potentially fatal disorders such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer

In a study published by MIT researchers and scientists from Harvard Medical School in August 2015 in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found they could manipulate and reverse a genetic pathway that leads to obesity in mice and humans.

The research triggered a genetic expression which could potentially help people to lose weight and may help find treatment for other diseases with a genetic link.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150819211106.htm

Daily Health Tip

Most of us find weight loss and exercise a challenge. Our lives are hectic and sometimes feel out of control. Researchers are now telling us that even exercising for 30 minutes a day may just not be enough. Did you know that the benefits you experience from exercising once a day can be eliminated by sitting behind a desk for 8 hours?

The media has coined this the “Sitting Disease.”  However, while there are negative physical effects from sitting for 8 hours, there are very few things you have to do in order to remove the negative effect and experience some real changes in your health and weight loss efforts.

Today, in “Make Changes” you’ll discover some of the minor things you can do each day that will reap big results.

Making Changes

If your job keeps you behind a desk then you’ll want to make a few small changes to what you’re doing each day. However, if you are more active at work, don’t forget the time you spend behind the wheel of your car, watching television or playing video games at home.

1. Don’t sit for longer than 30 minutes without getting up.

2. Set a timer on your computer or your watch for 30 minutes.

3. Get up to stretch for 3-5 minutes, go to the water cooler, the bathroom or do a bit of calisthenics at your desk.

4. Stand and walk while you’re on the phone.

5. Talk with your boss about using an exercise ball instead of a chair at your desk. This helps you to use your abdominal muscles to stabilize your body while working.

6. Take the stairs when you can and not the elevator.

Making these very small changes will increase the benefits you get from any other exercise you do during the day and remove the excuse of not having the time to go to the gym. Include a 30 minute walk after dinner and you have all the factors needed to reap the benefits of reducing your risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and weight gain.

Have a wonderful day!

Your Healthy Life America Team