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Frequent
Dieting May Decrease Immunity
According to research reported in the June 2004 issue of the Journal of
the American Dietetic Association, frequent intentional weight loss
(yo-yo dieting) may have long-term effects on immune function.
Natural Killer (NK) cells
are a major factor of the immune system.
The
study found that women who reported losing more than ten pounds had
lower NK cytotoxicity than those who had not.
Weight stability (more than five years) was associated with higher NK
cytotoxicity.
This means that yo-yo dieting or frequent intentional weight loss can
be harmful to the body's immune system and can have detrimental effects
on your total health.
Inactivity
Leads to Obesity
An article in the October 1998 issue of the Journal of the American
Dietetic Association, discussed the two major lifestyle-related
epidemics faced by Americans. The epidemics of obesity
and inactivity and how these epidemics are interconnected.
There is a strong correlation between inactivity and obesity.
Increasing activity has a positive effect on metabolism and muscle
mass. Increased activity also seems to offer many health benefits even
if no weight
is lost.
Weight loss maintenance has been strongly associated with regular
physical activity. Physical activity that burns 1,500 to 2,000 kcal per
week are suggested as the requirement to keep weight off. Good
nutrition and regular activity have been shown to be the most effective
combination for weight loss and weight maintenance.
Heart
Function Improves With Weight Loss
The American Journal of Cardiology, December 2006, reported a new study
showing that some early heart and blood vessel problems can be reversed
by losing weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
The study also found that although exercise, without weight loss, does
improve peak oxygen uptake or cardiorespiratiory fitness, exercise
alone is not sufficient to improve cardiovascular function. Exercise
alone will improve the function of your lungs and circulartory system,
but weight loss is required to reap the benefits of heart health.
The participants in the study who lost weight, lost an average of 4.5%
of their body weight (~9 pounds for a 200 pound individual). The study
indicated that the more weight participants lost, the more blood vessel
function and fitness improved.
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