Shun the Chair; Juvenon Health Journal Reports on Latest Scientific Findings Linking Sedentary Lifestyle to Obesity
Incline Village, NV (PRWEB) September 23, 2013 -- Scientific findings featured in the Juvenon Health Journal indicate that the best way to manage weight may not include daily gym visits.
Mayo Clinic researchers studied the ramifications of a sedentary lifestyle and concluded that people should shun the chair whenever possible, the Juvenon Health Journal, September 2013 reports.
Central to the research is NEAT – an acronym for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis – a term coined by Dr. James Levine, a Mayo Clinic obesity researcher.
“This research underscores an irrefutable truth; human beings are designed to move,” the Juvenon Health Journal article states. “Think of your idle body as a computer. When you are busy tapping away on the keyboard, your internal hard drive is humming along. But when you stop movement, your ‘computer’ goes into power-conservation mode.”
Conversely, consistent activity throughout the day triggers one’s metabolism to work more effectively. Levine and his fellow researchers found that one is idle for an hour or more, blood sugar and blood fats elevate.
Compelling data indicates that an hour at the gym does not make up for 12 hours sitting idle. Dr. Levine’s 2006 study on NEAT actually used motion-sensing underwear to track every step and fidget of 20 non-exercisers (half were obese, half were not). The journal reports that all of the participants were self-proclaimed couch potatoes who didn’t engage in any type of formal exercise before or during the test.
After 10 days, researchers found that obese subjects were seated an average of 164 minutes longer each day than the lean subjects. Both groups spent about the same time lying down. Additionally, total body movement was negatively linked with fat mass.
“That is to say, if obese participants had the same basic time sitting, standing and lying as the lean participants, they would have burned an extra 269 to 477 calories a day … or about one cheeseburger,” the journal reports.
The researchers then posed another question: Do obese people sit more and move less just because they are obese? To explore the idea, they recruited seven of the original 10 obese subjects to participate in a supervised week weight loss program. Meanwhile, nine of the original 10 lean people, plus one more lean volunteer, underwent a supervised weight gain program. After two months, the obese subjects lost an average of 17.6 pounds and the lean subjects gained an average of 8.8.
Then they went back to the scientific drawing board for some activity monitoring. Interestingly, the results stayed about the same with both groups maintaining the same amount of daily movement as before.
“Researchers surmised that some people inherently move less and perform less NEAT each day than others,” Juvenon Health Journal reports, adding that these results may help people to understand that even a few extra steps a day can be valuable.
The journal went on to report on Levine’s 2012 trial that further explored the link between sedentariness and obesity. Their hypothesis was that a treadmill desk could up employees’ daily NEAT. The results were positive, providing a variety of health benefits including weight loss.
Whether it’s an office treadmill or just walking around during a business call, the idea is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle at all costs.
“Being active turns on the genes that control fats in blood,” the journal explains. “Additionally, you can double or even triple your metabolic rate by talking or emailing while you are walking around. Simply standing can increase your metabolic rate, as well.”
For more ways to up one’s NEAT tally, log on to the online Juvenon Health Journal. In the coming months, the Juvenon Health Journal will feature research designed to help readers stay informed and healthy. By offering effective, all natural supplements and health news, Juvenon provides an essential arsenal to battle aging enemies.
Ann Lindemann, [email protected], 775-833-0821, [email protected]
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