Depression
Caused by Food in Post-Menopausal Women The body needs carbohydrates in order to function properly however, according to a recent study from Columbia University Medical Center, increased intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar may lead to an increased risk of new-onset depression in post-menopausal women. Refined foods trigger hormonal reactions that may lower the body’s blood sugar and may result in exacerbating mood changes, fatigue and other symptoms of depression.
Think Before You Drink! Insulin Resistance Reversed in Teens if Treated by Age 13! For Teens who are Insulin Resistant and at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, interventions have proven successful to turn things around if targeted between ages 9-13. Physical activity levels had the most significant impact on metabolic markers (glucose, Insulin, cholesterol, blood pressure) when Insulin Resistance peaks at ages 12-13. However, with progressing age, up to the age of 16, the benefits declined. The study conducted by Metcalf et al. (2015) from the University of Exeter concluded that it is therefore important to provide interventions for children and teens, as early as possible to ensure the best possible health outcomes.
How sweet it is to have an icy cold, bubbling soft drink and how it easily goes down one gulp at a time! It might be sweet in the moment but just like anything, too much of a good thing catches up with you and turns nasty. The regular consumption of sweet sugary drinks increases the risk of having Type 2 Diabetes. An analyses conducted by the MRC Epidemiology Unit of the University of Cambridge, found that there was an associated link between Type 2 Diabetes and consumption of sugar sweetened drinks, independent of Obesity. The research team also concluded that substituting sugar sweetened drinks with artificially sweetened drinks or fruit juice is unlikely to be the best strategy in reducing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes: water or other unsweetened beverages are better options to reduce the risk. So next time, think before you drink!
Time to Weigh In:
Nutrition Vs Exercise to Lose Weight
Trying to lose weight but feel like you are constantly thinking about food, weight and eating? Do you feel like you need to starve yourself and exercise to the point of exhaustion to try and lose weight? At the end of the day you find yourself disappointed with the results as your weight just doesn’t seem to be budging as fast as you want it to? You may be focusing on the wrong things. Research has found that by focusing on weight and exercise, not health and good nutrition improvement, results are not achieved. The study by McCann et al. (2015) presented in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal found that the key to weight loss wasn’t exercise but overall nutrients. When participants were provided with improved vitamin and mineral nutrition, not only did they lose weight but all of their biomarkers for health improved – HDL, LDL, Insulin, Glucose, blood pressure etc. Could your diet be the reason why your weight and health are not as good as they need to be? Doing hours of exercise may be outweighed by lacking the appropriate vitamin and mineral nutrition needed for optimal overall health. Spring Issue | iSelf Magazine
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