Health Archives

5 Myths About Obesity: Debunked by Science

What is the main cause of obesity? Is obesity a disease or simply a result of eating an excess amount of calories? According to Jason Fung, the “calories in, calories out” theory fails to capture the full picture of obesity. Excess calories play a part, but they aren’t the root cause of obesity. More specifically, this theory fails to appreciate that obesity is a hormonal disease, rather than a problem of willpower or bad eating habits. In his book Obesity Code, Fung lays out five mistaken premises that hamper the current model of obesity. Here are five myths about obesity

3 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Do you need self-improvement tips? Are you wondering how to maintain a healthy lifestyle? In Make Time, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky give guidelines about how to make realistic changes to your level of activity and the kind of food you eat. By doing this, you can live a healthier lifestyle where you can stay focused and energized. Keep reading to learn the secret to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

How to Find Balance Between Work and Life

How hard should you work? What does it mean to work hard but smart? Is work-life balance achievable? In Barking Up the Wrong Tree, peak performance expert Eric Barker discusses the importance of hard work and persistence. He does, however, believe that there’s such a thing as working too hard. He argues that a truly successful life involves pursuing joy, reaching your goals, connecting with others, and making an impact, and he offers tips on how to build a schedule so that you can achieve this healthy balance. Keep reading for Barker’s ideas on finding balance between work and life.

Is Obesity a Choice or a Disease? Doctor Explains

Why shouldn’t we blame obese patients for being dangerously overweight? Is obesity a choice or a disease? To answer this question, we must first understand the root cause of obesity. If obesity is caused solely by eating too much, then we could indeed attribute it to personal choice. However, the prevailing view of obesity as a problem of uncontrolled eating is simplistic and limited. Ultimately, obesity is a hormonal disorder. Here’s why obesity is a disease rather than a problem of self-control.

Sleep and the Brain: Why You Shouldn’t Skimp on Your Zzzs

What happens in your brain when you sleep? Conversely, what happens in your brain when you don’t sleep? Chronic inadequate sleep leads to a higher risk of many health issues, including dementia and cognitive decline. Extensive research on the effects of sleep shows that sleep is more than just the body’s chance to relax: It’s a vital phase of neural activity and regeneration. Here’s a look at sleep and the brain.

Does Meat Make You Fat? Scientists Can’t Agree

Does meat make you fat? How does eating meat contribute to weight gain? When it comes to meat’s fattening potential, there seems to be a division of opinion, even amongst scientists. Some say that meat (especially, lean meat such as chicken breast) is great for weight loss because it contains no carbs. Others say that eating meat is associated with weight gain. Here’s what Dr. Jason Fung says on the matter.

The Fat Storage Hormone: How Insulin Functions

What is the main function of the hormone insulin? What happens when your insulin stops functioning properly? Insulin is a hormone, a molecule that transmits “messages” within your body. Its function is to deliver glucose to cells to use for energy and take the excess glucose to the liver. Learn about the role of insulin in the body and what happens when it stops working as intended.

How Did the “Calories in, Calories Out” Myth Come About?

When did calorie counting come about? Do calories matter when it comes to weight loss? Calorie-counting as a method for monitoring weight loss has been around since the early 1900s. In the 1950s, early studies concluded that weight gain was the result of excess calories. Given this, researchers believed that dietary fat—a high-calorie food—causes weight gain. Here’s how the “calories in, calories out” myth came about and why it’s wrong.

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez: Overview

What is Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez about? What should you take away from the book? In Invisible Women, Caroline Criado Perez explains that most humans operate on a male-as-default mindset. This mindset leads to and is reinforced by a gender data gap—a lack of information about the female experience—that ultimately harms women’s health, safety, and economic standing. Keep reading for a brief overview of Invisible Women.

Female Crash-Test Dummies Can Make Women Safer

Why don’t car companies use female crash-test dummies? Why are women more likely to be injured in car crashes? In Invisible Women, Caroline Criado Perez says that the lack of female crash-test dummies used by car companies is affecting women’s safety. She attests that cars aren’t designed to protect women’s bodies—only men’s. Check out why female dummies should be used in regulatory car crash tests.