1. Two weeks of inactivity can lead to “metabolic derangement”
A new study published in Diabetologia studied several markers of health in a group of 45 men and women who were asked to abruptly decrease their level of daily physical activity for just two weeks. At the end of the 14 days, the scientists found increases in blood sugar, reduced insulin sensitivity, worse cholesterol profiles, decreased muscle mass and increased abdominal fat. (NYT)
2. Changing your thought patterns proven to be as effective as medication for insomnia
“Insomnia is miserable to live with and increases the risk of physical health problems, mood disorders, accidents, poorer quality of life, and it reduces occupational performance.” A new study published in the journal Behavior Change, revealed that mindfulness therapies and cognitive behavior therapy were effective at changing participant’s unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs about sleep and improving insomnia. (PsyPost)
3. This is the only thing “paleo” about the paleo diet
Skeptics are speaking out against the modern day paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet. History has shown that ancient cultures ate vastly differently depending on what region fo the world they were in, what season it was and what their genetics were designed to handle. The common theories that paleo is one type of diet or that modern day “paleo” foods are the same as they were in the caveman days are just not true. The only thing truly paleo about the paleo diet is the avoidance of processed and packaged foods. (NYT)
4. Crickets… Yes, crickets may be beneficial for gut health
A new study out of the University of Wisconsin-Madision found that consuming crickets increased beneficial bacteria in the gut such as Bifidobacterium animalis and decreased in an inflammatory protein in the blood, “which has been linked to other measures of well-being, like depression and cancer.” (ScienceDaily)
5. Higher waist-to-hip ratio linked to increased cognitive decline
A new study out of Dublin found a link between higher waist-to-hip ratio – more belly fat – and cognitive decline. This study may be a significant discovery since the prevalence of dementia is predicted to increase from 24.3 million in 2001 to 81.1 million by 2040. (ScienceDaily)
6. Overhydration just as life-threatening as dehydration
Many young athletes, including football players and wrestlers have died from hyponatremia – a medical condition caused by overhydrating and depleting blood salt levels. Many of the symptoms of this condition mimic those of dehydration which can lead to further complications when being treated. The popular beliefs that you should drink water until your “urine is clear” and that when you feel thirsty it’s “too late,” are being challenged by many hydration experts. They conclude that the best approach is to make water available to young athletes and encourage then to drink when they are thirsty. (PopSci)
