Cardiologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that sedentary behaviors may lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels. New evidence suggests that two hours of sedentary behavior can be just as harmful as 20 minutes of exercise is beneficial. The study, published in today's online edition of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, examined the association between fitness levels, daily exercise, and sedentary behavior, based on data from 2,223 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Sedentary behavior involves low levels of energy expenditure activities such as … [Read more...] about Sitting too much, not just lack of exercise, is detrimental to cardiovascular health
Weighty issue: Stress and high-fat meals combine to slow metabolism in women
A new study in women suggests that experiencing one or more stressful events the day before eating a single high-fat meal can slow the body's metabolism, potentially contributing to weight gain. Researchers questioned study participants about the previous day's stressors before giving them a meal consisting of 930 calories and 60 grams of fat. The scientists then measured their metabolic rate -- how long it took the women to burn calories and fat -- and took measures of blood sugar, triglycerides, insulin and the stress hormone cortisol. On average, the women in the study who … [Read more...] about Weighty issue: Stress and high-fat meals combine to slow metabolism in women
New study reveals how cholesterol promotes cancer
The deleterious effects of high cholesterol - particularly LDL, the "bad" kind - are well known and include heart disease, stroke and atherosclerosis. But in a new study, researchers have discovered how cholesterol activates a cellular signaling pathway linked to cancer. The researchers, led by Prof. Wonhwa Cho, professor of chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago, publish their findings in Nature Communications. Previous studies have connected cholesterol to certain cancers. For example, Medical News Today recently reported on a study that linked high cholesterol to … [Read more...] about New study reveals how cholesterol promotes cancer
Organic and non-organic foods are compositionally different, says new study
A new analysis appears to refuel the debate about the nutritional value of organic versus conventional foods, by finding that organic crops and crop-based foods contain up to 69% more of certain antioxidants, are four times less likely to contain pesticide residue, and have significantly lower levels of the toxic heavy metal cadmium. Led by Newcastle University in the UK, the international team of experts reports its findings in the British Journal of Nutrition. In what is thought to be the largest study of its kind, the researchers describe how they pooled and analyzed data from 343 studies … [Read more...] about Organic and non-organic foods are compositionally different, says new study