Archive for April, 2010

DNA does not make overweight inevitable, new study shows

(HealthDay News) — Does carrying a gene tied to obesity doom a teenager to becoming obese? Not if that teen stays physically active, a new study shows.

Among genes related to obesity, mutations in the so-called fat mass-and-obesity-associated gene (FTO) appear to be particularly important. In fact, each copy of a mutation in this gene has been tied to an average jump in weight of about 3.3 pounds, the researchers say.

However, an hour of physical activity a day largely negated the gene’s effect, the new study found.

“These findings have important public health implications, and indicate that meeting the physical activity recommendations may offset the genetic predisposition to obesity associated with the FTO [gene variant] in adolescents,” said lead researcher Jonatan R. Ruiz, a scientist in physical activity and fitness epidemiology at the Karolinska Institute in Huddinge, Sweden.

The report is published in the April issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

For the study, Ruiz’s team collected data on 752 teens who took part in the Healthy Lifestyles in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study, which was conducted in 10 European countries between October 2006 and December 2007.

Among these teens, 37 percent did not have FTO mutations, 47 percent had one copy and 16 percent had two copies. Copies of the mutation were linked with higher body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measure of weight divided by height. Statistically, a BMI of 25 is considered the threshold for overweight while a BMI of 30 is the threshold for obesity.

Copies of the gene mutation were also linked with a higher percentage of body fat and a larger waist.

For teens who got at least an hour of physical activity each day, the effect of the obesity-linked gene mutation on weight was much smaller, Ruiz said.

For each copy of the mutated gene, those who exercised had an average BMI that was only 0.17 points higher than teens with no mutations. In comparison, teens who did not exercise for at least 60 minutes daily had a BMI that was 0.65 points higher for each copy of the gene, compared to those with no mutations.

Exercise also helped trim back gene-linked increases in body fat mass and waist circumference, the study found.

Ruiz’ advice to teens worried about excessive weight gain? “Be active. Try to do at least 60 minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity every day — like playing sports,” he said.

Samantha Heller, a Connecticut-based dietitian, nutritionist and exercise physiologist, commented that, “since few of us will ever get our genes tested, the take-home message from this study is that children and adolescents need to be physically active and eat a healthy diet.”

While we are stuck with our genetic makeup, our lifestyles can either magnify or minimize many genetic tendencies, Heller said.

“If a person has a gene predisposing them to obesity yet they eat healthfully, exercise regularly and adopt other healthy lifestyle behaviors, they are stacking the deck [in their favor] in maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding chronic diseases,” she said.

However, too many youngsters are losing touch with the fundamental joy of engaging in physical activities, Heller added.

“Whether it is a formal team sport or playing tag, playing catch or riding bicycles, the human body is designed to move,” she said.

When this natural instinct is muted by spending hours playing computer games, watching TV or sitting around, so too is the body’s innate ability to stay healthy, Heller said.

“The cycle of weight gain, sedentary lifestyle and poor diet can be tough to break free from, but it is absolutely doable if the whole family is committed to and takes part in the process of reinventing their lifestyle to a healthier one. The rewards are tremendous,” she said.

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

More information

For more on childhood obesity, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
SOURCES: Jonatan R. Ruiz, Ph.D., scientist in physical activity and fitness epidemiology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden; Samantha Heller, M.S., R.D., dietitian, nutritionist and exercise physiologist, Fairfield, Conn.; April 2010, Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine

But trans fats could increase it, researchers say

The following article is just one of the many reasons we so strongly suggest that each and every women be supplementing their daily diet with OmegaPlex!

(HealthDay News) — Women who consume high levels of trans fats have a 48 percent increased risk of endometriosis, while those who eat diets rich in omega-3 oils are 22 percent less likely to develop the condition, a new study finds.

In endometriosis, pieces of the womb lining (endometrium) are found outside of the womb. Some women experience no symptoms, but many suffer severe pain. The condition, which can lead to infertility, affects about 10 percent of women. Treatments include pain medication, hormone drugs or surgery.

In this study, researchers analyzed dietary and other data from almost 71,000 women enrolled in the U.S. Nurses Health Study. Over 12 years of follow-up, 1,199 participants were diagnosed with endometriosis. The researchers said their results suggest that diet may be an important factor in the development of the condition.

The study is published March 24 in the journal Human Reproduction.

“Millions of women worldwide suffer from endometriosis. Many women have been searching for something they can actually do for themselves, or their daughters, to reduce the risk of developing the disease, and these findings suggest that dietary changes may be something they can do,” study leader Dr. Stacey Missmer, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, said in a news release.

“The results need to be confirmed by further research, but this study gives us a strong indication that we’re on the right track in identifying food rich in omega-3 oils as protective for endometriosis and trans fats as detrimental,” she said.

Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to reduced heart disease risk, are found mostly in oily fish. Trans fats, which increase heart disease risk, are used in thousands of processed foods.

More information

The National Women’s Health Information Center has more about endometriosis.
– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: Human Reproduction, news release, March 23, 2010

Burn More Fat Than Ever Before With Rob’s Tips

By Rob Poulos, Fat Loss & Fitness Expert & Creator of ‘Fat Burning Furnace’

Do you want to know how to triple your results from your resistance training? Why wouldn’t you?

Properly conducted resistance training can give you startling fat loss results, along with muscle and strength gains.  On top of that, when using the techniques I describe in the Fat Burning Furnace eBook, you’ll also receive “top drawer” cardiovascular health benefits.  And all from 2-3  workouts each week lasting just 15-20 minutes on average.

But, you’ve got to do them right, not like the average resistance trainer is taught these days.  Walk into any fitness center or gym and you’ll see at least half if not more of the exercisers performing their workouts in a less than optimal way…and that’s being kind. continue