How Much is Too Much? Findings on Sleep, Meals, Exercise
Your “body clock” – Key to Losing Weight and Avoiding Diabetes?
Your “body clock” – Key to Losing Weight and Avoiding Diabetes?Scientists have known for a long time that when we eat, sleep and exercise can be just as important as the quality of those activities. Now, a study from Texas A&M University has found that it is especially important to avoid staying up late at night and eating at odd times throughout the day. The study was performed on mice, but the researchers think it might show how poor sleeping patterns raises inflammation and insulin resistance in humans. Both of these issues can lead to obesity and diabetes. More studies are needed to know for sure.
Are 6 Small Meals a Day Less Healthy Than 2 Big Ones?
If you have diabetes, you know that a healthy meal plan is very important in helping you control your weight and blood glucose levels. If you eat well and exercise, but still have trouble keeping your levels on target, a small study out of the Czech Republic might be interesting for you and your healthcare team. It found that eating the same number of calories each day in two big meals, instead of 6 little ones, helped people with diabetes lose more weight. More long-term studies are needed to confirm these results, and to see if this could also help people who are overweight but do not have diabetes.
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Too Much Exercise Might Be Bad For Heart Health
Healthcare providers believe that people who have heart disease should be physically active most days of the week – just like people without heart problems. But two recent studies published in the journal Heart show that too much intense exercise might raise your risk of death if you have heart disease. This is especially true for people who are over 60. As one of the researchers notes, however, you shouldn’t worry too much. The current guidelines for heart health say that moderate exercise is best. If you do enjoy intense activities, try to keep it to less than one hour each week.
Even Short Walks Help People With Kidney Disease
It’s no secret that physical activity can help lower your risk for serious diseases. Now, research published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology has found that even very short walks – less than 30 minutes a week – helped people with kidney disease live longer and reduce their need for dialysis or kidney transplants. And, the more walking they did, the better their health!
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