Could the overweight pandemic come to an end? Scientists at the University of Virginia identified 17 genes that can cause or prevent being overweight.

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According to a study published in the journal PLOS Genetics , the researchers used nematode worms of the species ' Caenorhabditis elegans' who share 70% of their genes with humans.

The analysis found that there are 14 genes that cause obesity versus 3 that help fight it. Ironically, when scientists blocked the activity of genes that prevented weight gain, the worms lived longer.

Several genetic combinations that people with obesity usually have have already been identified, it has not yet been demonstrated how genes act in the development of the disease as such.

"We hope that our approach and the new genes we have discovered will accelerate the development of treatments to reduce the burden of obesity," said Eyleen O'Rourke , one of the study authors who noted that good obesity therapy "is needed with urgency "to relieve both patients and health systems.

According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the countries with the highest rates of obesity among their population are the United States (38.2%), Mexico (32.4%) and New Zealand (30.7%).

Originally posted here:
Scientists find the genes necessary for weight loss in worms - Entrepreneur

In addition to the rise of medicinal marijuana usage, another cannabis product has been gaining popularity among natural remedy seekers looking to fly under the THC radar. That product is cannabidiol (CBD).

CBD is an active compound in the Cannabis sativa plant. It differs from THC mainly in that it doesnt produce the infamous psychoactive effects of marijuana. But the fact that CBD causes no high doesnt mean it has no medicinal value.

Folks use CBD as a remedy for sleep problems, chronic pain and inflammation, stress, anxiety, and depression. And some have even turned to CBD to help with weight loss. While the jury is still out on how adding CBD to your daily routine influences weight loss, some evidence supports its use.

So, which CBD products could be most beneficial for weight loss, what should you look for, and how do you find them? Lets answer those questions for you right here and now.

Our selected goodies come from a group of more than 200 CBD products, including oils, creams, and gummies. We scored each product using four main criteria:

We also considered these factors:

The items on this list were among the highest-ranking based on our scoring guide. They provide a well-rounded view of CBD products on the market and the spectrum of benefits they offer.

Heres a closer look at our fave CBD product choices for peeps looking to add CBD to their weight loss routine.

This is an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile product. Its ingredients include full-spectrum hemp extract and organic virgin hemp seed oil derived from organic, safe, and regulated hemp grown in the Rocky Mountains. Its free of harsh chemicals, is a concentrated source of CBD, and contains CBC, CBG, and CBN cannabinoids.

This hemp CBD oil checks all the boxes and scored exceptionally well during our selection process. Its organic, ethically sourced and marketed, and third-party lab tested, and the customer service ranks among the highest in the industry.

How it could help with weight loss: Customers recommend the product for various ailments, and they rave about the speed of delivery. Additionally, because people find that it helps with sleep and pain management, it could contribute to weight loss goals.

Some reviewers ding this product for its unpleasant taste, but you can easily cover that up by adding it to a flavored drink.

All in all, this hemp CBD oil provides the best bang for your buck while checking all the business and ethical boxes too.

If youre new to the world of CBD, this oil is a great place to start. With a delicious flavor, low potency, an unbeatable price, and undetectable levels of THC, it offers all the potential benefits of CBD oil while being easy on your wallet.

This product is third-party lab tested for pesticides, mycotoxins, microbiology, heavy metals, and residual solvents.

Customers rave about the taste, and one review mentions an almost instant feeling of calm. The low potency allows consumers to ease into a CBD routine and adjust slowly to the effects, and the low cost makes it relatively risk-free.

How it could help with weight loss: This product is sugar-free, so it wouldnt be counterproductive if cutting sugar is part of your weight loss approach.

When it comes to oils, the Classic CBD Oil by Bluebird Botanicals reigns supreme. For the price, its potency and quality make it an excellent choice. The ingredients full-spectrum hemp extract and cold-pressed organic virgin hemp seed oil are wholly natural and ethically sourced.

Every Bluebird Botanicals product is third-party lab accredited and contains an entourage of natural components intended to make your consumer experience as positive as possible. Maybe thats why it scored among the highest in our rankings.

This CBD oil maintains a 5-star review average. Reviewers swear by the product for improving sleep, anxiety, and depression, as well as for natural pain relief.

How it could help with weight loss: Weight loss could be a byproduct of improved sleep, less pain, and reduced depression and anxiety. Although some consumers report an unpleasant taste, this product comes highly recommended for its vast array of potential benefits.

Cornbread makes CBD Lotion Skin Formula from its trademark flower-only hemp extract, combined with organic lemongrass, eucalyptus, and rosemary to enhance the aroma and relieve dry skin. The product is also USDA Certified Organic and provides complete cannabis compound support as a full-spectrum lotion.

We placed this CBD lotion in the top 10 percent of products reviewed. It scored max points in almost all categories. The certificates of analysis (COAs) are readily available on Cornbreads user-friendly website, and the Kentucky-based company is super transparent about all of its ingredients and manufacturing processes.

Customer reviews for this product are stellar. Most consumers use this CBD lotion for joint and muscle aches or chronic pain. However, some report using it for migraine pain and as a sleep aid.

How it could help with weight loss: This product may aid muscle recovery after exercise as part of a weight loss program.

Some people prefer to take CBD as gummies or capsules. If this is the route youre taking, look no further than Hawaiian Choice Fruit Jellies. Each jelly contains one 25-mg serving of hemp CBD, and theyre flavored naturally with Hawaiian passion fruit, pineapple, and turmeric. Bonus: Theyre vegan, so even those avoiding animal products can partake.

One of the best qualities of this company is that it sources all ingredients locally and sustainably, and its products are lab-tested for total transparency. Hawaiian Choice is also involved with a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to young people with disabilities.

How it could help with weight loss: These jellies may provide stress relief and muscle relaxation. Stress can often lead to overeating or slowing of metabolism, either of which can be detrimental to weight loss efforts. The muscle relaxation effect may also benefit consumers who are physically active and exercise regularly.

Plant Peoples Soothe+ Balm is an all-purpose salve that relieves aching muscles and joints. Its a full-spectrum product, which means it may provide the entourage effect of active cannabis compounds. Plus, it includes active botanicals like peppermint and camphor that promote healthy circulation to stiff or achy areas of the body.

This brand has excellent customer support. Additionally, the Plant People website provides resources and a wealth of information to guide consumers to the product that will be most beneficial for them. This level of education and transparency is valuable when shopping for suitable cannabis products.

How it could help with weight loss: Plant People markets the balm for muscle soreness, mobility issues, athletic sprains and bruises, and circulation concerns. Customer reviews highlight the products ability to relieve pain and swelling, and many mention that it allows them to be more active in their exercise programs, which may aid weight loss.

The Mind + Body drops by Plant People are a terrific choice for consumers looking for both mental and physical balance.

These drops contain full-spectrum hemp extract that spotlights ingredients like CBD, CBG, CBL, and three different terpenes. Combining these specific compounds may promote healthy internal and external responses to stress and support for inflammation, circulation, cognition and creativity, adrenal rejuvenation, and brain function.

Plant People maintains an excellent reputation in the medicinal cannabis industry by upholding standards of transparency; high quality, all-natural ingredients; and customer support.

The Mind + Body drops are one of the brands most popular products because they may address a wide variety of ailments. Consumers report feelings of clarity and calmness, improved sleep, and increased comfort in social situations after using this product.

How it could help with weight loss: This product may address some of the psychological barriers to weight loss, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, thereby allowing your mind and body to work together toward weight loss goals.

NuLeaf also makes a CBD capsule formulated to support sleep and relaxation. The capsule is a softgel made from a whole plant extract and may provide the benefits of a full-spectrum entourage effect. All the ingredients are plant-based.

The company upholds high quality standards and transparency through third-party lab testing. At any time, you can look up your specific items batch and obtain the lab results. NuLeaf also has a unique method of CO2 extraction that produces a more naturally potent product without any chemical solvents.

How it could help with weight loss: The customer reviews for these CBD capsules mention that they help improve sleep quality, relieve pain, and reduce appetite. Lack of sleep is often detrimental to weight loss and is linked to obesity, so getting better sleep may contribute to weight loss.

While many of the products listed here are full-spectrum, this oil may be the best full-spectrum choice. It has the highest potency per serving of all items on the list, plus 5 to 10 mg of additional cannabinoids. Absolute Nature makes the full-spectrum oil from minimally processed, all-natural Colorado-grown hemp.

This product earned a top score thanks to its status as USDA Certified Organic, cGMP certified, and 100% natural. In addition, its potency and natural whole-plant composition may provide safe and quick results for consumers.

From growing to harvesting to bottling to consumption, the manufacturer adheres to the highest industry standards to provide you with a top product.

How it could help with weight loss: The customer reviews mention various benefits, including chronic pain relief, improved sleep, improved mental clarity, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased energy. These effects may assist with weight loss.

If you prefer a broad-spectrum CBD product, this tincture is a high quality choice. It contains no THC, and the CBD comes from organic broad-spectrum hemp extract that works alongside organic olive oil and peppermint essential oil.

Joy Organics products are USDA Certified Organic and provide the whole gamut of product information, including third-party lab testing and analysis. In addition, the website is user-friendly, allowing consumers to obtain vital information to help them choose the best cannabis product for them.

Most reviews of this tincture focus on overall wellness. Many customers report specific benefits, but most report using the product for general mind and body health with bonuses of pain and sleep management.

How it could help with weight loss: This product seems to support consumers in living an active, healthy lifestyle, which bodes well for those hoping to lose weight.

Youve already done some of the work to narrow down your search by deciding to try CBD to aid in your weight loss journey.

The following considerations will help you make a safe, informed choice on the CBD product thats right for you.

Any CBD product worth its salt will have a COA from a third party that essentially verifies that the product is what it claims to be.

The COA is a scientific document that vouches for the products quality, potency, and levels of CBD and other cannabis compounds and indicates any possible contamination that may have occurred in production.

If a CBD product or manufacturer does not provide a COA, dont use it.

There are three types of CBD products: isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum.

Isolate productss contain only the CBD compound. Broad-spectrum products contain CBD, CBC, CBN, and terpenes from the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum products contain these compounds, but they also have trace amounts of THC.

Broad-spectrum and full-spectrum products may offer the entourage effect, meaning that they contain compounds that work together. Therefore, full-spectrum products may provide the most benefits because they have the most active agents. Thats the theory, anyway.

Potency is another consideration. All CBD products should list the potency in milligrams per serving on the bottle. As with any new product, its best to start with a low potency and increase it as you adjust to its effects.

Lastly, theres a plethora of CBD products available, such as topical creams and lotions, oils and tinctures, gummies and fruit jellies, and vapors. Choose according to your preference and what works best for you.

Some CBD products contain other ingredients such as chemical additives or flavorings, but part of the allure of CBD products is that theyre all-natural. As such, products with chemical additives seem counterintuitive.

However, flavored oils and gummies are popular among those who dont like the taste of CBD by itself. But of course you can always check the COA to make sure these flavorings are natural.

Essential oils are another type of ingredient often added to CBD products. These contribute to taste and aroma or are used to dilute the concentration of CBD in an oil or cream. Although theyre typically natural and safe, always read the ingredient list to make sure you dont have any allergies to them.

Continued here:
Best CBD Products for Weight Loss: Uses and Considerations - Greatist

Problems that arose at a Connecticut weight-loss camp before it closed in July included missing campers and falsified documents, newly released investigative records indicate.

After weeks of investigations, a witness list 34 people deep, and pages upon pages of interviews and inspection notes, a fuller picture of the goings-on at Camp Shane informed by state documents obtained by Hearst Connecticut through a Freedom of Information Act request is taking shape.

The state document release included an investigation narrative, interview summaries, a case summary, a license surrender affidavit, and the Notice of Proposed Licensure Action and Statement of Charges sent to camp owner David Ettenberg.

The weight-loss camp located at the South Kent School abruptly shuttered on July 13, and surrendered its 11-day-old license on Aug. 23, at which point the Office of Early Childhood and Department of Children and Families terminated their joint investigation. The investigation was announced in July after the camp closed its doors, but the OEC officially launched its investigation on July 8.

Since Ettenberg legally surrendered the license prior to the completion of the state investigation, violations that would be substantiated were not formally presented to the owner, the investigation summary explained.

In the affidavit surrendering his license, Ettenberg denies all charges set forth, but agreed that if he tried to reinstate or obtain a new license from the agency in the future, it would mean that the allegations would be deemed true.

Ettenberg has not responded to multiple requests for comment since mid-July when he said he shut camp down due to staffing issues.

The allegations in the records also include:

A camper sleeping on a common area couch.

Campers walking around unsupervised at night and in lightning storms, and who were encouraged to work out until they vomited.

Counselors leaving campers unsupervised to hang out and party in the lounge.

A counselor who yelled at and threatened to fight a camper.

Falsified medication administration training documents presented to the state.

Inappropriate comments of a sexual nature by a male camper toward a female camper.

Multiple reports of campers being bullied.

And the day before camp officially shut down, an 8-year-old girl suffered a serious head injury at camp. Her parents were leaving to pick her up when they got the phone call.

The OEC investigation summary states that multiple families, many from out of state, reported trying to contact the camp about concerns with their child and not receiving any response via email, text or phone for extended periods of time.

The most continuously reported investigation concerns, which were repeated throughout interviews with parents, campers, and a counselor, were lack of proper medical oversight and mishandling of medication.

In the final summary, the camp licensing specialist summed up her medical concerns: Serious medical needs of the campers were not met when the operator failed to provide anyone trained to provide the necessary medications, failed to prepare the staff for emergency situations, and failed to seek medical assistance from trained professionals in a timely manner. Lack of supervision and untrained/uninformed staff led to campers being injured and not properly cared for.

Earlier in the report, the investigation revealed that multiple campers had reported experiencing injuries, including sprains, knee injuries, smashed toes, and serious sunburn.

Campers were not allowed to seek medical attention for up to a week in some instances. Other campers were told if they left camp to seek medical assistance, they could not return due to COVID-19 restrictions, the documents read.

Despite multiple requests from the state, the operator of the camp never located a medically trained individual to administer medications, according to the documents. Additionally, the camp presented the state with falsified medication administration training documents, allegedly signed by a doctor who ran a training in 2019. The physician whose name was presented on the training certificate said that the signature on the certificate is not his, the report states.

The doctor, whose name is redacted, provided the OEC with samples of his signature.

The certificate submitted by Camp Shane indicates a full training for oral, topical, inhaled and injectable medications as well as auto-inject medication. The signature is found to NOT be the signature of the physician, the documents said.

Former camp director and girls head counselor Jennifer DAmbrosio, who goes by Bella, quit her job on June 29 because she was concerned about camp administration and the safety and well-being of campers, she said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media.

DAmbrosio was also interviewed at least two times by the OEC. Her name has been redacted in the report, labeled as first director, but her identification was independently confirmed by Hearst Connecticut Media.

DAmbrosio said she was hired two days before arriving at the camp, claiming the camp was in disorder when she arrived and that there was no paperwork ready for opening.

The summary of the conversation between the investigator and DAmbrosio included concerns about not having appropriate staff, no guidance counselor, no paperwork about medical problems, no paperwork to the nutritionist regarding allergies and food restrictions, no certified medical staff on site, and no trained person for the behavior therapy program.

The fact that there was no medical person on campus, no information for counselors about the serious medical conditions of some of the campers and that there was a lot of medication concerns contributed to [redacted] deciding to leave the camp, the summary states.

The OEC interview summary included a physician whose name was redacted from documents, along with parts of the summary of his interview.

The doctor told the OEC, according to the documents, that he had been asked to serve as camp doctor 10 days before the start of camp but declined due to the fact that he had a family vacation scheduled. He assumed the camp had found another physician. This was not the case.

The doctor agreed to help out until a replacement was found.

After an initial visit to the camp on June 30, the doctor reported having immediate concerns about the way medications were being administered.

The doctor also said that he recommended that the camp close on more than one occasion to due to lack of safety.

The new state investigation documents also show repeated instances of camper discomfort, at times the result of alleged comments of a sexual nature made by male campers towards female campers, and at others a result of bullying and a counselors alleged prior arrest that a camper found online.

One violation description reads: operator took pictures of campers during Zumba class without their consent causing them to feel uncomfortable and ill at ease.

When Ettenberg was asked about this, he explained that he took pictures of a lot of the activities on the camp for the purpose of posting on an advertising website, the interview summary reads.

In interviews with an OEC employee, a male counselor whose name has been redacted said that a female camper informed him that a male camper had made her feel uncomfortable when he made sexual remarks about her.

Another male counselor who was hired to do Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) despite not being trained in the technique prior to camp reported that he had a conversation with a female camper who told him that an older boy (who left the camp prior to [REDACTED] arriving at camp) tried to force her to have sex.

Further details were not revealed to the CBT counselor, but he told investigators that he felt he should report what he was told. The counselor estimated that the female camper was around 15 or 16 years old.

Issues persisted through the camps official shut-down on July 13. Parents were alerted of the camp's closure via email at 7:51 a.m. on July 11. The email, obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media, said the children had to leave by the following Tuesday.

In interviews, parents said they tried to figure out how to get their kids home safely with little notice booking expensive flights, calling relatives nearby or driving to the camp themselves.

On the day the camp closed, according to the investigation documents, one parent drove onto campus and picked up not only her own child, but another child as well without being asked for any identification. The records also indicate that another parent picked up her child earlier on June 30 and did not have to sign the child out or show any identification.

Camper Stellan Petto, 14, said in an interview that his general experience at camp, which included getting the wrong dosage of his essential hormone medication, definitely left me with some trauma.

Now at home with his mother in North Carolina, Stellan has entered his freshman year of high school. With some distance from his camp experience, he said hes feeling better.

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Missing campers, falsified documents and other issues revealed in CT weight-loss camp investigation - Danbury News Times

Rebel Wilson put her new fit figure on display in a plunging black dress for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Vanity Fair party in Hollywood.

The Pitch Perfect star stunned in a sequined blazer-style dress that she paired with black kitten heels as she walked the red carpet. She even went so far as to show off her cleavage with the dress deep neckline.

Wilson has been showing off her 65-pound weight loss in swimsuits and skintight dresses in recent months because of the pride shes taken in her year of health, which she began in order to have a better chance at getting pregnant.

It first startedwhen I was looking into fertility stuffand the doctor was like, Well, youd have a much better chance if you were healthier.

Wilson, 41, was initially offended at her doctors comments because she thought she was pretty healthy at her former weight. But she ultimately pushed any offense she felt to the side because she really wanted a family.

Thats kind of what started it, that if I lost some excess weight that it would give me a better chance for freezing eggs and having the eggs be a better quality, she said. It wasnt even really myself, it was more thinking of a future mini-me, really.

The Hustle actress initiallybegan losing weight in 2020. She shared updates throughout her fitness journey, and in October of that year, she revealed that shewas only six pounds away from her goal.

A month later she finallyhit her goal weightbyswitching up her exercise routineandeating healthier.

Link:
Rebel Wilson shows off weight loss in plunging black dress on red carpet - Page Six

Jamie Oliver, 46, is a TV chef who has been through a weight loss transformation in recent years. But how did the chef manage to drop two stone?

But apart from cutting down on his meat intake, the chef focused on eating healthy.

When he opted for healthier foods and started cooking healthier meals, the chef saw an instant transformation.

"I lost 12 kilos quite quickly and I didn't do it through not eating.

"I ate a lot, more than I was used to, Jamie explained.

DON'T MISS

However, his secret was swapping large servings of meat for more vegetables.

Jamie also shared his favourite snack to stay in shape: nuts.

They make you half as likely to have a heart attack. Feed them to your kids as well, he recommended.

Jamie also decided to make other lifestyle changes, such as cutting back on booze and getting more sleep.

"Your average Brit drinks booze. Im not telling you what to do, but my rhythm now is only to drink at the weekend.

Its about a consciousness and knowing youre doing something and being more mindful.

Jamie also shared one food which helped him speed up weight loss: seaweed.

"I thought seaweed was hippy, globetrotting stuff but our ancestors ate seaweed. It has got a load of iodine and is the most nutritious vegetable in the world," he explained

The celebrity chef decided to slim down after realising how unhealthy his life was.

"I realised I hadnt spent much time looking after myself.

I went back to school and started studying nutrition, started travelling to parts of the world to where people live the longest lives and started looking at their lifestyles.

"That was the journey and its been amazing, he explained on Loose Women.

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Jamie Oliver weight loss: The chef lost 2st by cutting down on 1 thing 'It's been amazing' - Express

Green tea and weight loss  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

Green tea has been tossed around by various health experts with varying claims. Sometimes, green tea is touted as a remedy for weight loss that works, at others it is that bluff you must not fall for. What is the truth about green tea?

A study published in March 2019 by the Ohio State University claimed that Green tea cut obesity and a number of inflammatory biomarkers linked with poor health in a new study, as published in Science Daily.

For the study, an intensive experiment was carried out:

Learnings from the mice and green tea study:

The benefits seen in the new study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, appear to stem from improved gut health, including more beneficial microbes in the intestines of the mice and less permeability in the intestinal wall -- a condition typically called "leaky gut" in people.

"This study provides evidence that green tea encourages the growth of good gut bacteria, and that leads to a series of benefits that significantly lower the risk of obesity," said Richard Bruno, the study's lead author and a professor of human nutrition at The Ohio State University.

Does Green Tea reduce the chances of obesity?

For eight weeks, half of the animals ate a high-fat diet designed to lead to obesity and half were fed a regular diet. In each of those groups, half ate green tea extract mixed in with their food. Then the researchers measured body and fat tissue weight, insulin resistance and other factors.

The mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with green tea gained about 20 per cent less weight and had lower insulin resistance than mice fed an otherwise identical diet without tea.

Those mice also had less inflammation within fat tissue and the intestine. Furthermore, the green tea appeared to protect against the movement of endotoxin, the toxic bacterial component, out of their guts and into the bloodstream.

Plus, the researchers found evidence of stronger -- less "leaky" -- guts in these mice.

The researchers also found that the green tea appeared to contribute to a healthier microbial community in the guts of the mice fed a high-fat diet.

Bruno is currently working on a human study that will explore the effects of green tea on the leaky gut in people with metabolic syndrome -- a condition that predisposes people to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

For now, he said, it's too soon to extrapolate the findings in animals to people.

Green Tea: How and how much should one drink?

One cannot start consuming green tea like water, warn experts. Ohio Universitys experts caution that -- should the benefits prove true in humans -- green tea supplements would not be an obvious substitute for drinking the beverage over the course of a day, because of how the body metabolizes the catechins in the tea.

"Consuming a little throughout the course of a day with food -- like the mice did in this study -- might be better," Bruno said.

Another study by Penn University:

An earlier study published by the Penn State University on April 02, 2014, had shown that Mice on a high-fat diet that consumed decaffeinated green tea extract and exercised regularly experienced sharp reductions in final body weight and significant improvements in health, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, who suggest that similar results could be realized by people.

Obesity and Diabetes (Blood Sugar) markers in Mice:

After 16 weeks, high-fat-fed mice that exercised regularly and ingested green tea extract showed an average body mass reduction of 27.1 per cent and an average abdominal fat mass reduction of 36.6 per cent.

The mice that ingested the green-tea-extract-and-exercise regimen also experienced a 17 per cent reduction in fasting blood glucose level, a 65 per cent decrease in plasma insulin level and a reduction in the insulin resistance of 65 per cent -- all substantial improvements related to diabetic health.

Mice that consumed green tea extract but did not exercise or those that exercised but were not given green tea extract experienced less significant changes in weight and health measurements, noted lead researcher Joshua Lambert, associate professor of food science.

But Professor Lambert has made no claims of having proof yet that one can say with certainty that combining green tea drinking and exercise may well help people -- like mice -- lose weight. He says research is yet to be done with humans, and until then there is no way to be certain.

"It looks promising for people, but somebody will have to do this experiment with people to definitively show that green tea and exercise together have a beneficial effect in humans," he said.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

Link:
How and when to have green tea to lose weight: Study shows best time and what else to do - Times Now

For the new study, which was published in August in Current Biology, some of the scientists involved in the initiative set out to see what happens to our metabolisms when we move. They pulled data for 1,754 adults that included their doubly labeled water results, as well as measures of their body compositions and basal energy expenditure, which is how many calories they burn simply by being alive, even if they otherwise are inactive. Subtracting basal numbers from total energy expenditure gave the researchers an approximation of peoples energy expenditure from exercise and other movement, such as standing, walking and general fidgeting.

Then, using statistical models, the researchers could tally whether calories burned during activity increased peoples daily energy expenditure as expected that is, whether people burn commensurately more total daily calories when they move more. But, the researchers found, they did not tend to burn more calories. In fact, most people seemed to be burning only about 72 percent as many additional calories, on average, as would be expected, given their activity levels.

People appear to be energy compensating for additional calories burned through activity by at least a quarter, said Lewis Halsey, a professor of life and health sciences at the University of Roehampton in London and one of the lead authors of the new study.

Unexpectedly, the researchers also found that energy compensation levels increased among people with relatively high levels of body fat. They tended to compensate for 50 percent or more of the calories they burned by being active.

It is important to point out that the study did not look at peoples food intake. It concentrated solely on energy outlay and how our bodies seem able to offset some of the calories burned during exercise by reducing biological activity elsewhere in the body. Just how we unconsciously orchestrate this feat, though, and which internal systems could be most affected remain unclear, Dr. Halsey said. He and his colleagues speculate that immune system operations, which require considerable energy, may get dialed down somewhat. Or we could unknowingly fidget less or otherwise grow more sedentary, over all, on days we exercise. Perhaps, too, some of the inner workings of our cells may slow, reducing our bodies overall energy expenditure.

But the new science of exercise and calorie compensation is not completely discouraging. Even people whose bodies compensate for 50 percent or more of the calories they expend during physical activity will burn more calories per day than if they remain still, Dr. Halsey pointed out. A more intractable problem with using exercise for weight loss, he continued, is that exercise realistically burns few calories, period. To drop pounds, we also will have to eat less.

Half a cookie or half a can of cola after a half-hour walk, and you will have taken in more calories than you burned, he said, however much or little you compensate.

Read more:
Why Exercise Alone Isn't Enough to Lose Weight - The New York Times