Does "Metabolically Healthy Obesity" Exist?

Obesity is strongly associated with metabolic alterations and negative health outcomes including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer (1, 2, 3, 4).  Excess body fat is one of the primary causes of preventable health problems and mortality in the United States and many other affluent nations, ranking in importance with cigarette smoking and physical inactivity.  Obesity is thought to contribute to disease via the metabolic disturbances it causes, including excess glucose and lipids in the circulation, dysregulated hormone activity including insulin and leptin, and inflammatory effects.  This immediately raises two questions:

1. Does metabolically healthy obesity exist?
2. If so, are metabolically healthy obese people at an elevated risk of disease and death?

Does metabolically healthy obesity exist?

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Loving Leftovers

I know I've mentioned this a bunch of times already, but I am really having fun with my Spiral Slicer. As a result, I've been noodling up a bunch of zucchini each week and then mixing and matching them with Italian, Asian, and other miscellaneous types of sauces with various veggies and proteins. I have yet to get bored! 

Between all the noodling and my other cooking exploits, my fridge has been quite stocked lately. I've taken to using these BPA-free, freezer-safe containers in addition to my regular Rubbermaid Set (although, if I were to buy these again now, I'd go with the glass version). I keep a little Sharpie and these awesome Post-it Label Pads in a drawer in the kitchen so I can easily mark the food and date on each container. This cuts way down on the mystery food phenomenon in which the food just sits there and I'm never sure if it's still good. There's something about these bright cheery labels identifying the contents that makes me actually eat pretty much everything before it goes bad. It takes just an extra few seconds to mark the container and it's working like a charm. 

At the risk of looking like a crazy person, here is a shot of my fridge from a little while ago. It's almost empty now, due to having gobbled these contents! 

Statins deplete levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10

This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association 2002 Feb 6;287

(5):598-605

 

Study title and authors:

Effects of diet and simvastatin on serum lipids, insulin, and antioxidants in hypercholesterolemic men: a randomized controlled trial.

Jula A, Marniemi J, Huupponen R, Virtanen A, Rastas M, Rönnemaa T.

Research and Development Centre of the Social Insurance Institution, Peltolantie 3, FIN-20720 Turku, Finland. antti.jula@kela.memonet.fi

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11829698

This study investigated the effects of statins on men with cholesterol levels of at least 232 mg/dL (6.0 mmol/L). The study included 120 men, aged 35 to 64 years, who were randomly allocated to a habitual diet, or dietary treatment group, and each of these groups was further randomised to receive simvastatin or placebo, each for 12 weeks.

The study found:
(a) The alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 16.2%.
(b) The beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 19.5%.
(c) The ubiquinol-10 (ubiquinol-10 is the active form of coenzyme Q10) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 22%.
(d) The insulin levels of men taking simvastatin increased by 13.2%. (High insulin levels are associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, cancer and polycystic ovarian syndrome).

High saturated fat consumption associated with a 36% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer

This study was published in the Annals of Epidemiology 2013 Sep;23(9):571-5

 

Study title and authors:

Dietary fat intake and risk of pancreatic cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

Arem H, Mayne ST, Sampson J, Risch H, Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ.

Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA. aremhe2@mail.nih.gov

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23890797

This study investigated the association of dietary fat and the risk of pancreatic cancer. The study included 111,416 participants, aged 55 to 74 years, who were followed for 8.4 years.

The study found:
(a) Those who consumed the most dietary fat had a 30% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who consumed the least dietary fat.
(b) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 36% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.

Tips and solution to prevent low blood pressure

Unfit body. Image: runneracademy.com

Many health articles discuss about high blood pressure (hypertension), as well as ordinary people talk more about the hypertension rather than low blood pressure (hypotension), but equally dangerous to our health.

Normal adult blood pressure is in the range of 120/90 mm / hg. While the elderly ranged from 130/90 - 140/90 mm / hg. It is said to lower blood pressure in the range -20/-10 mm / hg under its normal size. The measure applies to both adults and the elderly.

Blood pressure is influenced by the ability of blood vessels to pump blood to all parts of body.  And some diseases, such as beriberi and anemia, causing the blood vessels are not strong enough to perform its functions. The next result the supply of oxygen to the brain becomes not smooth or not normal.

Low blood pressure can be acute. If the condition is acute then it must be treated with care. People can be weak, shortness of breath, and even fainting. If less precise-handling is endangering patients. At this stage the patient should consume low blood pressure medications that can help restore blood pressure. The patient will usually be given infusions and given certain drugs that correspond to the current condition.

Low blood pressure symptoms. Image: tfahealth.com

While the chronic stage, i.e. when the symptoms had lasted for years, the best way to handle it is to find the main cause. Do not allow the completion of handling the factors triggering the occurrence of complications. Do not consider trivial symptoms. The lack of oxygen in body tissues can cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys.

Actually every person may experience low blood pressure, regardless of age. But women are more likely to suffer from this problem. This is because women experience menstrual cycle and childbirth. Besides triggered by a disease, low blood pressure can also happen due to fatigue, lack of exercise and pregnancy. When the body's lack of movement, the blood vessels become weak, blood pumping power is also reduced. While during menstruation, blood is removed cannot be replaced immediately, as well as contain.

Decreased blood pressure is not caused by a particular disease can be overcome fairly easily. To overcome low blood pressure due to fatigue, most simple way is to consume plenty of water. Lack of fluids will keep the blood becomes thick. Exercise can help overcome low blood pressure. And low blood pressure due to some other cause, the blood booster supplements are also useful.

Here are tips to overcome low blood pressure:

If suddenly you have symptoms of low blood pressure, immediately sit down and rest a while. Find a place that is quite roomy making it easier for you to breathe. Drink warm water, it would be better if you drink a sweet tooth.
   1. Make a habit of eating a balanced nutritious diet. Too much junk food will make you deficient essential substances needed by the body.
   2. Avoid fatty foods. For diabetics (people with diabetes), adjust the amount of calories in the sugar content low.
   3. Increase consumption of vegetables. Vegetables contain iron that can help the formation of hemoglobin.
   4. Fruits and some types of traditional herbs are also well taken by people with low blood pressure.
   5. Exercise regularly, but do not overdo it. For ions replace lost body after exercise or other activity, drink a mixture of sugar water and salt.
   6. Drink two liters of mineral water per day. Adjust the activities undertaken. Compare the amount of water released by the body, either through sweat or urine.

If you feel sluggish, less fit, immediately to check your blood pressure, who knows you are exposed to low blood pressure. Perform immediate action so that you get fit and healthy, so you are free from the problem of low blood pressure. Do not underestimate the symptoms of stress may experience hypotension as well as the dangers of high blood pressure sufferers.

Meet your doctor immediately so that you receive the proper treatment or medication for you, so that you are healthy and happy life.

 

Fighting Weight: Your 6 Step Plan To Staying At Your Optimal Weight For Peak Performance

1) Eat Early

I'm not suggesting you get up at 5 am like we do at the temple but make sure that you eat a good breakfast within an hour of waking. A study from the University of Texas showed that the fewer calories people ate early in the day, the more total calories they ate during the day as a whole. Try to eat at least 25% of your calories for breakfast.

2) Eat Before Exercise

Eating before you exercise with enhance your martial arts training and increase fat burning. Research has shown that the body burns more calories during exercise after a meal. If it's a big meal then allow four hours, if it's a small meal allow two hours, if you're training early in the morning then make sure you eat a smoothie like the one I make in Urban Warrior. Ensure it contains nuts and seeds and more vegetables than fruit. 

3) Eat After Exercise

There is a two hour window after exercise when it's best to eat food. During this time the body burns calories faster as the metabolism is still working faster. Eating a meal that contains protein, carbohydrate and water helps the body to recover, replenishes the martial artist's glycogen stores and maximizes muscle to fat ratio. 

4) Eat Mindfully

At the Shaolin Temple we eat in silence so we can meditate on our food. Try doing this in McDonalds and I think you will be put off your food. Eating mindfully helps us to really tune into our body therefore aiding our desire to eat healthy foods. It helps us to eat slowly which means there's more time for us to feel full. Research has shown that mindful eating leads to eating less.

5) Eat Healthy

Not all calories are the same. Eat lean protein, fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy oils and snack on nuts. Pizza is high calories with very little nutritional benefit. Nuts are high in calories and high in nutritional benefit. Try to eat food that is as close to nature as possible and stay away from processed foods. I'm not a fan of energy drinks or protein shakes. I never heard of these things till I came to the UK. While I know some of my students like to use them I don't believe they are necessary. Best to get all your nutrients from natural food. 

 6) Eat Less

If you've got into very bad eating habits, my advice is don't change them. Just start training in both Kung Fu and Qigong. These martial arts change your body holistically from the inside out and you'll be surprised to find that your body craves healthy food without you having to push yourself, you'll also find that you naturally eat just as much as you need. Remember, if you don't eat well then you can't train well.

Click here for more information on The Shaolin Warrior graded path

Join Healthy World Cafe for First Friday!

Take a break from the cold and warm up with Healthy World Cafe for First Friday! 

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user Kona Gallagher)

Stop in and enjoy a bowl of beef and corn chowder with coleslaw as we "pop up" at Heidelberg UCC. We'll be serving our fresh-made, locally-sourced soup from 6 p.m. until sold out during Heidelberg's HeidelBean Coffee House, held at 47 W. Philadelphia St. across from Central Market. 

Come in for Heidelberg's open mike set and stick around for a cup of locally sourced soup. Of course, our menu is always based on what's available from our farmer friends, so stay tuned for updates!
At Healthy World Cafe, we always feature our "eat what you want, pay how you can" philosophy. The ability to pay should never be a barrier to accessing delicious, unprocessed, healthy food.

If you'd like to volunteer to prep or serve for our First Friday "pop-up," we'd love the help! Volunteers can sign up through VolunteerSpot.

Because of the holidays, we will NOT be open for lunch in December. But did you know? You can donate to Healthy World Cafe at any time online. You can also make a tax deductible donation by check -- just write "Healthy World Cafe fund" in the memo line, and mail your contribution to:

Philanthropic Endeavors Foundation Inc.
2251 Friesian Road, York, PA 17406 

You will receive a tax receipt by return mail. 

Thank you for your support!