Scientific Wellness Blog

Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 09

Your unconscious mind is supersizing you

Did you know that within a few decades dinner plate size has increased by almost 40%, the availability of larger serving sizes has increased 10-fold and that the volume of serving sizes in restaurants can differ in calories as much as 250%? Portion distortion, the tendency to overeat due to underestimating food serving size, has a strong influence on food intake and has been implicated as a major factor in the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity [1-2].

Posted on Fri, 24 Jul 09

Infectobesity: don't catch it

Infectobesity sounds like an unlikely cause of weight gain but increasing evidence suggests that infectious organisms such as viruses and bacteria may contribute to the development of overweight and obesity [1]. Person-to-person contact has been linked to the spread of obesity through social networks [2] and a candidate infectious organism may be closer to you than you think.

Posted on Tue, 21 Jul 09

Walk away from cellular ageing

Decline in the function and number of mitochondria, the energy producing component of your cells, has been associated with fatigue, disease and unhealthy ageing [1]. Modest physical activity reverses mitochondrial decline and can actually increases their number.

Posted on Sat, 18 Jul 09

Does diet soda pack on the pounds?

Diet drinks lead to weight gain, at least that is what the results from a large scale study suggests. Paradoxically an analysis of 6,814 people�s diets discovered that compared to those who never consume diet soda those who do have a much higher risk of a dangerously large waist line [1]. It was also found that diet soda drinkers had a significantly higher risk of poor blood sugar control, a risk factor for diabetes.

Posted on Thu, 16 Jul 09

Diet induced depression and anxiety

Feeling depressed or anxious? You are not alone. More than 1 in 4 people will suffer from serious anxiety and almost 1 in 5 from major depression. With anxiety and depression so common it is important to be reminded that food can affect mood and may offer a safer alternative to medication [1-3].

Posted on Thu, 16 Jul 09

Slow aging by reducing your dietary AGE

Hidden toxic substances in our diet may lead to accelerated aging. Substances known as advanced glycation end products (AGE) are present at high concentrations in processed foods, particularly foods that are exposed to unusually high heat such as in industrial ovens or deep frying [1]. Research suggests that the level of AGE in our food may accelerate physiological aging and lead to disease development.