Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Walk for health, Walk for your life today!

The unremitting barrage of advertising of different gadgets of obesity treatment especially over television and print media includes mainly Gymnasiums and different exercise machines which has set the stage for a mass anxiety neurosis and pseudo beliefs and misconceptions. Scientifically , obese person is not advised to walk on treadmill or walker , or for that matter do any exercise in Gymnasiums . After every 14 kilograms of excess weight (than your normal weight ) , heart works double the times . In that scenario , any exercise ( barring walk ) will increase the activates of the heart , 3 or 4 times depending upon your level of activity . Hence , the chances of landing into heart problems are increased many fold .Again , after every 15 kilograms of excess weight (than your normal weight ) , the chances of Knee problem doubles . So the osteoarthritis of knee is a dreaded complication , awaiting you with passing years . Whatever exercises , in gymnasiums or outdoors , started new for weight loss , is inviting complications .
What best exercise you can do is WALK , WALK AND AGAIN WALK , AND KEEP HEALTH ( OF COURSE FOR WEIGHT LOSS , DIET HAS TO BE CHECKED ).
Described as a silent killer by the WHO, obesity is fast turning into an epidemic, especially in urban India. More than 15 per cent of the adult population, with its incorrect eating habits and sedentary lifestyle, is a victim of this disease.
Latest research shows that apart from increased risk of diabetes, High BP and Depression, obesity also affects your muscle functioning adversely and brings about functional and mobility limitations with passing years .
Deal with this menace squarely. Let’s help each other be fit and healthy .
Fight inactivity. Give yourself the gift of good health…

Sunday, October 14, 2007

HOW SWEETS MAKE YOU FAT

Eating fat makes you fat ( and also gives you heart disease ) , but , how about sugars . Many people do not realize is that even eating excess sugar can make you fat. Here's how.
Sugar is a prime energy source for the body. Sugar molecules are constantly traveling to each cell to provide energy. Within each cell is a tiny furnace, called the mitochondria. The sugar or glucose molecules enter the furnace and are burned as energy for the cell. This energy- conversion process creates carbon molecules that are building blocks for both cholesterol and saturated fatty acids. When you eat more sugar than your body needs for energy, excess carbon molecules are produced. If carbon is produced faster than it can be converted by the body into carbon dioxide, water, and energy, the excess saturated fatty acids and cholesterol are then deposited as fat or carried in the bloodstream as cholesterol. The body does this because the excess carbon molecules would otherwise be toxic to its metabolic processes.

However, while the body can turn excess sugar into fat, it can't turn fat back into sugars. It must burn off the excess fat as fuel through exercise.

Another side to the sugar-becoming-fat story is the survival mechanism of the body operates on the feast or famine principle. When you feast on excess high-carbohydrate foods, the body stores these excess calories as fat as a way of storing energy in case of famine.

Myth - low fat is healthier for your heart and reduces your weight . TRUE . But , Overeating any food , whether it’s fats or carbohydrates , will put fat on the body . “ Low – fat “ snacks and fast foods tend to be loaded with carbohydrates and junk sugars . Without the fat to fill up on , it’s easier to overdose on carbohydrates. If you eat more carbohydrate than the body can burn , the excess carbohydrate will not only be deposited as fat , but also raise the level of triglycerides in the bloodstream , which in itself increases the risk of heart disease and stroke .

A low – fat diet can lead to a lean body only if it’s part of an overall low – calorie diet .