It’s true: sleep is vital for a healthy metabolism. In a jolting study that really grabbed my attention, scientists found that a single night of sleep loss impaired metabolism on par with eating a high-fat diet for six months! We know from past studies that both poor sleep and high-fat diets can impair the action […]
Here are 10 simple ways to boost the nutrition of your favorite dishes and meals with great- tasting extras in less than 10 seconds. 1. Add 1-2 TBS of toasted wheat germ or shelled hemp seeds (hemp kernels) to your morning cereal, oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies. Both have a slightly sweet, yet nutty flavor and are […]
For adults, especially those over the age of forty, resistance physical activity is essential to maintain health. Resistance physical activities include lifting weights, yoga, and using bands. Benefits are numerous and include maintaining metabolism (preventing weight gain), reducing cardiovascular risk, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, maintaining strength and functionality, increasing bone density and […]
When it comes to eating, when we consume our calories may turn out to be a pivotal determinant of health and body weight. Mounting science now supports the idea that eating over a longer period during the 24 hour day, particularly into the later evening hours, is decidedly more fattening and metabolically disruptive than restricting food intake to an […]
In an intriguing scientific twist that really grabbed my attention, scientists have uncovered new insight on how the “type of calories” we eat – in this case protein vs. carbs – can have totally different effects on special brain cells involved in wakefulness and metabolism. Housed in our brains are specialized neurons called orexin cells. […]
Savory, yet sweet, naturally low in calories, yet filling–sweet potatoes are brimming with life-giving power. This delicious “healthy” starch comes naturally loaded with vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium, but is most prized for its off-the-charts beta-carotene content. One medium sweet potato provides over 200% of our daily requirement for this key nutrient! Because of […]
Evidence is quickly mounting that when you eat and the timing of your meals may be as important as what and how much you eat. In a fascinating new laboratory study, scientists found that lab rats that consumed high fat food over a restricted period of 8 hours a day gained significantly less weight and […]
Improving your weight control may be as easy as getting enough shut-eye. Prior studies have shown a consistent link between sleep loss and increased hunger, and in a new study, scientists have identified specific changes in the brain that explain this relationship. The investigators had already shown in a previous study that a single night […]
I am wildly enthusiastic about eating nuts because the science behind this delectable food group is simply glorious. And just when I thought it could not get any better, scientists have uncovered yet another reason to be nuts about nuts. Because past studies had indicated that nuts provide protection against metabolic syndrome (MetS), scientists sought […]
If you want to burn more calories after a meal and experience reduced hunger, add a liberal dash or two of red pepper. Past studies have shown that capsaicin, the component in chili peppers that provides its hot kick, can mitigate hunger and boost metabolism. A hot-off-the-press new clinical trial confirmed these findings and found […]
Here are some quick highlights from a number of cool, new studies on the weight loss front: High intensity aerobic exercise is effective for reshaping body contour. (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Oct 08). If you want to “spot” reduce your waistline, high intensity workouts appear to do the trick. Spinning has definitely […]
