Metabolism

Exercise: A New Link Between Gut Bacteria and Heart Health

Much previous research has been devoted to the myriad of health benefits provided by the microbes that thrive in our bellies. These microbes form a colony within the body known as a microbiome, which consists of trillions of microbes that flourish in the nose, esophagus, mouth and in the gastrointestinal tract. These microbes actually help us by assisting the body’s immune response, helping to encourage the use of vitamins and nutrients and even helping to power the brain. In fact, we’re only beginning to unravel the many ways in which these microbes help our bodies function.

These beneficial microbes all function differently, depending on their location in the body, and their performance may even vary from person to person. From genetics to environmental factors, there are many reasons that these microbes will function differently between individuals. While a microbiome may not react exactly the same in every person, we do know that this community of microbes works to prevent the conditions that cause atherosclerosis.

When an individual develops atherosclerosis, plaque and other foreign substances accumulate in the arteries, inhibiting blood flow. The decreased blood flow is the root cause of many heart conditions, including heart attacks. However, a diverse microbiome can promote the growth of healthy bacteria that aid blood flow, while also interfering with the production of the harmful bacteria that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. Now, new research sheds light on exactly how gut bacteria and heart health are related and which may also explain why diet and exercise are so important to our overall health.

New Research Explores the Link Between Gut Bacteria and Heart Health

A recent study, conducted at the Department of Kinesiology at the San Francisco State University in California, took earlier research on gut bacteria and heart health a step further. The findings were published for the first time in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Ryan Durk and his team wanted to see how physical fitness and gut bacteria were related, so they studied 20 men and 17 women. Looking at how physical fitness affected cardiovascular health, the team subjected the test group to regular treadmill workouts. Additionally, they took measurements of each individual’s body fat, using a “Bod Pod” device. The machine uses air displacement plethysmography to compare fat mass to lean muscle mass in an individual.

Other factors that helped Durk’s team obtain their findings consisted of food diaries and stool samples from each participant. The stool samples were especially helpful in determining gut health, because the ratio of firmicutes to bacteroides is considered a reliable method of measurement. Typically, an imbalance between these two types of bacteria indicates obesity, irritable bowel syndrome and other medical conditions relating to gastrointestinal health.

When comparing all of the factors, the researchers discovered that those with a more active level of cardiovascular fitness also had higher firmicute to bacteroide ratios. The higher levels of firmicute were found to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria from the gut to other parts of the body. Mr. Durk added that the lining of the intestine was strengthened by the increased firmicutes, which helped to prevent the occurrence of leaky gut syndrome.

Two More Ways a Healthy Gut Improves Heart Health

Aside from the new connection linking exercise to gut health and heart health, a healthy balance of microflora in the digestive tract has been shown to support a healthy cardiovascular system in other ways.

Arterial Health

The European Heart Journal published the findings of a collaborative study conducted between the University of Nottingham and King’s College London. They found that poorer diversity in gut bacteria in women caused more prominent hardening of the arteries. In addition to finding that gut bacteria diversity plays a part in heart health, the research team also found that changing one’s diet can significantly alter that balance. While the researchers caution against concluding that lower gut bacteria causes cardiovascular disease, they did affirm that there is an association between the two factors.

Some Gut Bacteria Increase the Risks of Heart Attack and Stroke

The relationship between gut bacteria and heart health isn’t always a positive one. Some bacteria in the stomach actually increase the risk of having a stroke or a heart attack, according to Dr. Elizabeth Klodas. In addition to her work as a cardiologist, Dr. Klodas is the editor-in-chief of CardioSmart.org, which is a patient educational periodical published by the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Klodas posits that some gut bacteria convert the choline in red meat and eggs into trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). The compound has been linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), which can cause vascular events to occur. She points out that TMAO is responsible for a higher likelihood of blood clots forming in the arteries. When this does occur, experiencing a heart attack or stroke is the most probable outcome.
In supporting her statements, Dr. Klodas referred to a study of more than 2,000 patients. She said, even after other risk factors had been calculated, the higher TMAO counts still presented an increased risk of ACVD and blood clotting. She added that those with higher TMAO counts were four times more likely to die from a vascular event within the next five years.

When examining the way gut bacteria interact with the rest of the body, we begin to understand why the foods we eat are so important. By eating healthier natural foods, we can give our digestive system the tools it needs to strengthen the rest of the body. We’ve always known that eating right makes us healthier, but now we’re beginning to understand why it’s so beneficial to our bodies.

New Study Suggests Capsaicin Fights Obesity

Jul 25 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

A new study has led researchers at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy to develop a new treatment for eliminating obesity in mice. The main ingredient in the new treatment is capsaicin, which is the compound that gives chili peppers their spiciness. When ingested, capsaicin has a positive effect on the peripheral nervous system, which is that part of the nervous system found outside of the brain and spinal cord. It has been known that capsaicin can help relieve minor pain, and previous research has focused on the effects of capsaicin on symptoms of neuropathic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

New research evaluating the benefits of capsaicin looked at how obesity was affected by the compound. The team, led by Dr. Baskaran Thyagarajan, found that a drug derived from capsaicin, which was designed to release the compound into the bloodstream gradually over a 24-hour period, shows promise for fighting obesity in lab mice. After testing the new drug, which is called metabocin, on mice with successful results, the research team presented their findings at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior yearly meeting. Their premise for developing metabocin is that capsaicin can activate TRPV1 receptors, which are most commonly found in fat cells. The researchers believed that activating those receptors could cause adipocytes, the white fat cells in the body, to actually burn calories instead of storing them as excess fat.

Following this discovery, Dr. Thyagarajan and his team continued their research to uncover any adverse side effects that might be caused by long-term use of the drug. While they couldn’t find any negative side effects, the researchers did note that the cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the mice were considerably improved. Additionally, the mice had better insulin response times and fewer symptoms of fatty liver disease. The researchers continued to observe the mice for eight months of regular use of the drug and, while adverse side effects were not noted, they did continue to lose weight throughout the period of the study. Dr. Thyagarajan says the research suggests that metabocin is both safe and effective, adding that the mice were able to tolerate the drug well.

Dr. Thyagarajan did caution people not to take this research as a sign that they should begin eating more chili peppers. He points out that chili peppers can have an unsettling effect on the digestive system and may make some people feel sick. Metabocin contains capsaicin extract, allowing individuals to benefit from its effects in a more easily digested form. The research team hopes to begin clinical trials on humans in the near future.

Study Claims Capsaicin May Benefit Breast Cancer

Looking at research on the breast cancer front, researchers have found that there are various types of the disease and that each one responds differently to treatment. One type that doesn’t respond well to most treatments is termed “triple-negative” breast cancer. Studies into capsaicin have discovered that the chili pepper compound may hold the key to treating this type of cancer more effectively. Triple-negative breast cancer gets its name from the fact that it tests negative for epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in addition to testing negative for progesterone and estrogen.

In treating triple-negative breast cancer, the only intervention that has been found to have any effect at all is chemotherapy. Recent research into the effects of capsaicin on triple-negative breast cancer conducted at the Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany suggest there may soon be an alternative. Dr. Hanns Hatt and Dr. Lea Weber led the team, which included representatives from various facilities throughout Germany, including those from the Herz-Jesu-Krankenhaus hospital in Dernbach, the Centre of Genomics in Cologne, and Augusta clinics throughout Bochum.

The scientists discovered that one of the effects the compound has on TRPV1 receptors is to initiate cancer cell death. It can also prevent the growth of some types of cancer, including pancreatic and colon cancer. It does this through the olfactory senses, which are activated by the spicy nature of chili peppers. When a chili pepper is ingested, smell molecules lining the nose are activated, which, in turn, caused the activation of TRPV1 receptors. Once the TRPV1 receptors were activated, cancer cells began to gradually die off. The researchers also observed that tumor cells were killed off in larger quantities and that they were not able to move throughout the body as efficiently. The scientists believe this effect may reduce the likelihood of the cells metastasizing.

While increasing the amount of chili peppers one eats is not necessarily going to work to fight triple-negative breast cancer, the Ruhr University study indicates that concentrated doses in medicinal form may be more beneficial. The key to developing an effective medication is in finding a drug that can activate the TRPV1 receptors without causing harmful side effects in humans. While capsaicin needs to be studied further for its benefits, this compound may offer better alternatives to existing treatments for both obesity and breast cancer in the future.

Weight Loss: Brain Structure Could Predict Dieting Success or Failure

Jul 23 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

People who give in to their cravings are often seen as lacking willpower, with the inability to easily tame impulses commonly viewed as a character flaw, but this line of thinking assumes we all have the same ability to exercise self-control, and according to new research, that may not be the case. The results of a new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience, show that the grey matter volume in two particular brain regions serves as a predictor as to whether a person will reach for more a healthy or more unwholesome choice, suggesting that our self-control is strongly tied to genetics.

The Neuroeconomics of Diet: “Brain Scans and Dietary Plans”

According to models in the growing field of neuroeconomics, which studies the underlying brain functions behind the decision-making process, how we choose the food we eat depends on two mechanisms. First, we value the food item based on attributes like healthfulness and taste. Then, we choose the food with the highest overall value after we consider the importance or weight of each attribute. In order to investigate whether brain structure could predict whether a person would make a healthier choice during this process, researchers examined the dietary choices and brain imaging data of participants during the decision-making process over the course of four experiments.

Throughout the study, researchers observed the brain images and decision-making of a total of 123 participants, 45 men and 78 women. In the first three experiments, the participants were placed inside of an fMRI scanner and shown pictures of food items ranging from items such as Brussels sprouts to cookies. They were asked how much they wanted each food, with answers ranging from a strong yes to a strong no, and told to make their choice based on either what their usual preference would be, by focusing on the palatability of the food or by considering its healthfulness.

In the fourth experiment, the researchers did not supply any specific decision-making criteria. The participants were instructed to either choose to “indulge” or “distance” themselves from the food based on their taste-based cravings or to simply choose as they normally would. The participants were asked to choose the price point they would pay to eat the food at the end of the experiment, with amounts ranging from $0.00 to $2.50. The outcomes of the fourth trial were used to confirm the other experiments.

Participants fasted for four hours before the trials began. Before starting, they were informed that at the end of the study, they would be able to eat one of the items from the study, which would be chosen at random from all the foods rated. If by chance the randomly selected item was one that the participant had rated as not wanting, then they would not receive it. At the end of the study, the participants even paid the self-chosen prices for the food they received.

Throughout the trials, grey matter volume in two particular brain regions could serve as a predictor for self-control. The results of their study show for the first time that differences in the neuroanatomy of these regions can influence a person’s ability to make wise eating choices.

Researchers Find Brain Structure May Predict Dieting Success or Failure

The team analyzed the participants’ brain imaging data along with their food choices and found that the grey matter volume in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) could predict each participant’s ability to focus on health and not think about taste when told to do so. Those with denser grey matter volume in these two regions displayed more dietary self-control and were more likely to make the healthier choice.

According to the authors of the study, there is some debate among neuroscientists regarding which of these regions is the one that is primarily responsible for self-control. Widely linked to cognition, memory and emotional regulation, many experts believe that the dlPFC only actually comes in to play when attempts to resist impulses are successful. Generally, the vmPFC region is thought to be more heavily involved in decision-making and the process of valuation.

“Pinning down how the two regions interact to influence self-control was outside the scope of our study. It is a matter for future researchers to investigate. However, my personal theory, based on past research findings using functional rather than structural brain imaging techniques, is that the vmPFC is involved in the integration of various attributes such as healthiness and tastiness into a holistic value signal, and the dlPFC implements the self-control,” said Hilke Plassmann, INSEAD Chaired Professor of Decision Neuroscience and co-author of the study.

Neuroplasticity: Neurofeedback Therapies for Obesity and Eating Disorders

While we may have a genetic predisposition to make certain choices, the authors note that the structure of the brain can be changed based on use and other circumstances. According to the authors, grey matter is “like a muscle that can be developed with exercise.”

“Our findings do not imply that there are biologically predetermined limits on people’s self-control. The structure of brain regions can change based on use as well as a host of other circumstances, an adaptive capacity known as ‘neuroplasticity’,” said Plassmann.

The researchers believe that neurofeedback exercise techniques could be used as a potential therapy for those looking to improve eating habits. “In the future, we may be able to come up with brain-based interventions, so that you can change the grey matter density in these regions,” says Plassmann.

Furthermore, the team’s research could be a first step in better assessing and treating eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and binge eating, which are linked to dysfunctional self-control. The team’s findings could also serve as a potential method for diagnosing at-risk patients.

“It is not always very clear how to assess these disorders. The field of psychiatry is currently searching for more biological markers in addition to their existing methods. A certain pattern of brain structure could potentially be one of those markers,” said Plassmann.

Study co-author Liane Schmidt adds, “we can also use this to characterize people who might be at risk for eating disorders. Diagnosing cases of obesity, for example, is usually straightforward. But structural brain scans could potentially help to prevent obesity by identifying overweight people whose underdeveloped self-control puts them at risk of becoming obese later in life.”

Belly Fat and Vitamin D Levels Linked

May 24 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Thanks to increased research attention in recent years, we are beginning to form a better understanding of how vitamin D — an essential nutrient long associated with bone health — impacts not only our musculoskeletal system but also other critical aspects of our health. Naturally produced by our skin when exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is also present in food sources like cod liver oil, beef liver, eggs, certain oily fish such as mackerel, herring, tuna and in fortified products such as milk and cereal. Certain supplements also provide vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital to our body’s ability to absorb calcium and also directly impacts blood pressure levels, brain function, lung function, immunity and even mood regulation.

Vitamin D Deficiency: A Widely Overlooked Epidemic

By the Institute of Medicine’s standards, over a quarter of the U.S. suffers from either low or inadequate levels of vitamin D. What’s more, many experts believe that recommended levels of vitamin D should be two to three times higher than those recommended by the IOM — which would make more than 95 percent of the U.S. population either deficient or at risk of deficiency. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Previous research has suggested that there may exist a link between vitamin D deficiency and obesity.

A global epidemic, obesity contributes to the death of some 2.8 million people worldwide each year. In the United States alone, more than 78 million adults are considered obese. That means that over one-third of adults in the United States are at risk for easily preventable but potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. A proven link between obesity and vitamin D levels could very well have wide-reaching implications for a vast majority of the population.

Researchers Discover Significant Link Between Belly Fat and Vitamin D

A group of researchers from the Netherland’s VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center sought to better understand the link between obesity and vitamin D levels by observing the types and locations of fat that were associated.

Led by Rachida Rafiq, the team examined data from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, focusing specifically on the adipose (fat) tissues of participants in relation to their vitamin D levels. In particular, the researchers examined the participants’ total body fat, subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (belly fat), visceral adipose tissue (fat surrounding the organs) as well as their hepatic (liver) fats. The data were adjusted accordingly for potentially influential variables such as alcohol levels, chronic disease and physical activity and the results then examined.

The researchers found that in women, both total body fat and belly fat were linked with lower vitamin D levels, with the abdominal fat having a significantly greater impact. In men, abdominal fat and liver fat were found to hold higher associations with lower vitamin D levels. In every single case, however, it was obvious that the higher the amount of abdominal fat, the less vitamin D was detected, suggesting that those with larger bellies are more likely to experience a vitamin D deficiency and are therefore also at a greater risk of health complications that accompany lowered vitamin D levels.

According to Rafiq, “Although we did not measure vitamin D deficiency in our study, the strong relationship between increasing amounts of abdominal fat and lower levels of vitamin D suggests that individuals with larger waistlines are at a greater risk of developing deficiency, and should consider having their vitamin D levels checked.”

Understanding the Link Between Vitamin D Levels and Fat Tissue

While the direction or cause of this association is not yet understood, these findings provide a point of focus for future studies. The team hopes to further investigate the association between belly fat and vitamin D so they may shed more light on whether exactly a lack of vitamin D predisposes individuals to gain weight or if increased fat causes a decrease in vitamin D levels.

“Due to the observational nature of this study, we cannot draw a conclusion on the direction or cause of the association between obesity and vitamin D levels. However, this strong association may point to a possible role for vitamin D in abdominal fat storage and function,” Rafiq said.

Meal Sizing Tips for Health and Weight Loss

Apr 10 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Breakfast is often regarded as the most important meal of the day. As famed nutritionist Adelle Davis said, “breakfast gets the day’s work done.” New research on meal size and weight loss gives credence to this conventional wisdom by showing that eating a larger, high-energy breakfast aids weight loss and blood glucose control when compared to having our largest meals at the end of the day or eating smaller, more frequent meals.

After conducting a previous study that highlighted the fact that front-loading the day’s calories affects weight loss and blood sugar levels in non-diabetic individuals, researchers from Tel Aviv University set out to determine whether the same effects would be seen in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Their findings, presented in March at the ENDO 2018 conference, echo previous research and confirm that meal size and schedule positively affect glucose balance and weight regulation in obese patients with Type 2 diabetes.

The Effects of Meal Size and Scheduling on Metabolism

We’re all aware of how important a healthy diet is to maintaining weight, but more and more, the research suggests that when we eat may be more important than what or how much we consume. Data released by the American Heart Association shows that eating patterns have greatly shifted away from the traditional three-a-day approach in a change that is ultimately detrimental to our health. Evolving lifestyles and erratic schedules have left most of us eating around the clock.

According to the lead study author, Daniela Jakubowicz, M.D., professor of medicine at Tel Aviv University, “the hour of the day, when you eat and how frequently you eat, is more important than what you eat and how many calories you eat.” This is because of how our body’s metabolism shifts and changes throughout the day. “A slice of bread consumed at breakfast leads to a lower glucose response and is less fattening than an identical slice of bread consumed in the evening,” Dr. Jakubowicz explained.

Because our internal clocks are so responsive to food supply or restriction, meal timing has serious implications on the development of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Meal Timing Affects Weight Loss Efforts

The team studied a group of 29 obese men and women with an average age of 69 who had Type 2 diabetes and received insulin treatments. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two different diets that consisted of an equal number of calories but scheduled meals at different intervals of the day. The first diet group (Bdiet) ate three meals a day that consisted of a large breakfast, a medium-sized lunch and a smaller dinner. The second diet group (6Mdiet) ate a traditional diabetic diet that consisted of six small meals and three snacks spaced evenly throughout the day.

After three months, patient data was analyzed. According to the data, the oft-touted advice to eat less, more often just may be false. Researchers found that overall, the Bdiet group lost an average of 11 pounds, while the 6Mdiet group actually gained around three pounds. Mean glucose levels dropped for the Bdiet group, but not the 6Mdiet group.

Meal Frequency Modulates Blood Glucose Levels

The Bdiet group needed considerably less insulin throughout the day, while the 6Mdiet group found they needed to increase their insulin usage. Reported feelings of hunger and cravings were decreased among the Bdiet participants but conversely increased in the 6Mdiet group.

The researchers noted a significant reduction in overall glycemia in as little as 14 days of following the Bdiet, suggesting that meal timing itself has a fast-acting beneficial effect on glucose balance. “This study shows that, in obese insulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients, a diet with three meals per day, consisting of a big breakfast, average lunch and small dinner, had many rapid and positive effects compared to the traditional diet with six small meals evenly distributed throughout the day: better weight loss, less hunger and better diabetes control while using less insulin,” Dr. Jakubowicz said.

When You Eat May Be the Key to Optimal Health

The team’s efforts are related to other findings on the critical effects of meal timing. An earlier study on prolonged delayed eating found that skipping breakfast or having the first meal of the day after noon caused weight gain, slowed metabolism, and produced an increase in cholesterol and insulin levels in participants. Both studies agree on the fact that all things considered equal, those who eat earlier in the day fare better health.

Researchers believe that matching our meals to our body clocks could be an easy dietary adjustment with great therapeutic advantage. “A diet with adequate meal timing and frequency has a pivotal role in glucose control and weight loss,” Dr. Jakubowicz said.

Weight Loss Efforts Are Contagious, Says New Study

Mar 30 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

While it may not be entirely fair to blame an expanding waistline on our partners, there is growing evidence suggesting that our lifestyle choices have a domino effect on those who we share our lives with. With this in mind, a group of researchers asked themselves, “are weight loss efforts contagious in couples outside of highly-structured clinical settings?” The results of their study, recently published in the medical journal Obesity, add further supporting evidence to the idea that our diets have a ripple effect on those closest to us.

According to the lead author of the study, Professor Amy Gorin of the University of Connecticut, “how we change our eating and exercise habits can affect others in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side, spouses might emulate their partner’s behaviors and join them in counting calories, weighing themselves more often, and eating lower-fat foods.”

Study Finds Weight Loss Efforts Contagious in Couples

Mounting evidence points to the fact that our weight may be tied to the people we surround ourselves with, but much of this supporting research was conducted within highly clinical settings or is based upon second-hand self-reporting. Seeking to conduct a more controlled trial in a real-world setting, researchers from the University of Connecticut, in partnership with Weight Watchers International, recently set out to study the viral nature of dieting among couples.

130 couples were divided into two groups and studied for six months. In the first group, one partner from each couple joined a weight loss program with access to counseling and online tools. In the second group, one partner from each couple was given a handout that contained advice about healthy diet, exercise, and weight management strategies. The aim of the study was to examine whether an individual’s participation in a weight management program had a ripple effect on untreated spouses.

Researchers found that the partners from each group who were not participating in a weight loss program or who had not been given weight management literature lost weight alongside their significant others. It was discovered that the partners lost weight at about the same rate despite which of the two groups they fell into. These findings remained consistent throughout the study. Also noted was that their weight loss was interdependent upon their significant other, meaning that if the direct participant was struggling with their weight loss goals, the partner of that participant was also affected.

Numerous studies have found weight within couples to be highly interdependent, and the team’s findings seem to echo those of previous studies. The results may help to shed light on related research regarding weight as a social contagion that suggests these effects may even be as far-reaching as our surrounding communities.

Helpful Tips For Maintaining a Healthy Weight

The viral nature of both our good and bad habits means that our journey to health is not a solo one but one shared by our loved ones and our community. Our individual choices have the power to be far-reaching, therefore, we should be mindful of the domino effect those choices have. Here are a few changes you can make to your lifestyle to promote healthier lives for you and your family.

Be Mindful of Your Eating Habits

Instead of blindly counting calories or following the latest fad diet, take steps to actually learn about nutrition and understand why the things on your plate matter. Pay attention that you’re getting proper portions of the right foods. Fruits and vegetables should always make up the majority of your plate, but a well-rounded diet will also include adequate amounts of complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats.

The science has shown that antioxidants and omega fatty acids play an important role combating fatigue, supporting adrenal function, and repairing the effects of stress on the body, so, be sure to include plenty of antioxidant- and omega-rich foods into your diet. It may also be helpful to supplement a healthy diet and exercise with a natural supplement that supports healthy metabolism.

Be Mindful of When You Eat As Well

According to research, when we eat is as important as what we eat. Our body’s internal circadian rhythms directly influence hormonal secretions and metabolic processes such as appetite, digestion, blood glucose levels, and the metabolism of fat. Evidence suggests that eating more calories later in the day is associated with obesity and points to the notion that there is an optimal ratio of evening-to-morning caloric intake.

Keep Stress Under Control

Many scientists agree that the obesity epidemic in America is largely related to stress and stress-caused overeating. Stress directly impacts our body’s hormonal levels. It’s well-known that hormones such as cortisol and insulin boost the desire for high-fat, highly-sugared or salted foods. Meditation and aromatherapy using essential oils such as bergamot and frankincense are proven methods of reducing anxiety and stress while incorporating adaptogenic herbs into the diet has been shown to repair and prevent the effects of stress upon the body.

Make Sure You’re Properly Hydrated and Well-Rested

It may seem like common sense advice, but it’s all too easy to underestimate the importance of proper amounts of water and sleep to one’s health. The vast majority of the body’s regeneration is done at night while asleep, making adequate sleep critical to metabolic function. Likewise, hydration is just as crucial. The body is comprised mostly of water and every single cell uses water to maintain proper function. Drinking water regularly throughout the day is known to increase metabolism. In fact, upping your water intake to eight glasses a day could possibly help burn up to 20,000 calories per year alone.