Sleep and Weight Loss

Did you ever think that the more you sleep, or stick to a particular pattern, the less you will eat?! I sure didn’t!!

New research by Dr. Scott Isacc, indicates that people who sleep two-thirds of their usual amount (five hours instead of eight, for example) eat an average of 549 EXTRA calories the following day. THAT’S A LOT!!

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Experts believe that getting too few Z’ a night can actually upset the balance of appetite regulating hormones. Specifically, “resistance to leptin-a hormone that regulates body weight – increases, which levels of ghrelin, a hormone that signals to your brain that you are hungry, also increase,” says Dr. Isaacs, author of Hormonal Balance: How to Lose Weight By Understanding Your Hormones and Metabolism. (Side note: I highly recommend the book! It is soo informative and fully of incredible scientific research that makes sense to everyone!..I posted the link below if you are interested in purchasing it. It is written by a doctor too, so it has more credibility!!!)

Great Weight Loss Plan Book

This just shows how your body is willing to work WITH you when it is used to a particular pattern. Indeed, according to Dr. Isaacs, just a “small change in your sleep schedule can make a big difference in your health.” Not to mention your ability to BURN MORE CALORIES.

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Gut Bacteria Prevents Obesity

Breaking news from North America’s most prestigious scientific journal called Nature regarding obesity. Scientists have discovered that gut microbes play a significant role in obesity! In fact, scientist found that the “good flora” (flora is science word for bacteria) in obese individuals intestines actually played a role in their weight gain. Have no fear though, this can be reversed 🙂

gut bacteria and obesity

What are gut/intestinal bacteria?

Well, they are the kind of bacteria that help you stay healthy and build up strong immunity (i.e. help fight off the flu and come to your aid when you feel worn down or a bug coming on). The ever-so-popular yogurt, Activa actually contains good flora bacteria called acidophillis and bifidobacteria. If you don’t like Activa, you can always take acidophillis or bifidobacteria as a supplement. It can be found at your local health food or grocery store, such as Natures Emporium (refer to main banner link above). Note: I provided a link to the one I take everyday below – you can buy it on Amazon in five seconds – super easy and great deal!

How Was Gut Bacteria Linked To Obesity? Prove It!

Scientists from a research group at Washington University in Missouri took gut bacteria from four sets of human twins (one twin being obese and the other thin), and put the bacteria into mice bred to be germ-free. Interestingly, the mice that were given bacteria from an obese twin quickly gained weight, even though all the mice ate about the same amount of food.

What Happens When You Intermingle the Lean Mice with the Obese Mice?

Answer: The Mice All Became LEAN!

One interesting result found was when the scientists intermingled the obese and lean mice, they all became LEAN. At first, they knew the mice would exchange microbes and were just genuinely interested to find out what would happen. Surprisingly, the obese mice who were originally injected with “obese human gut bacteria” started to become thin like their neighbouring lean mice in the cage.

Apparently, the gut-bacteria in “lean mice/people” is much more diverse and is able to colonize a lot better than the less-diverse bacteria found in the guy of obese people. Thus arose the question as to “why isn’t there a lean epidemic in America??” The answer came down to diet.

Gut Bacteria Work In Your Favour To Keep You Slim When Presented With The Right Diet

If you want your bodies “good gut flora/bacteria” to work in your favour  (i.e. colonies to be very diverse) and ultimately KEEP YOU SLIM, you have to present them with the most optimal environment. These bacteria will do there job correctly IF you don’t put too much crap in your body. Scientist found they responded best in terms of keeping weight off and working for your body overall when you eat a diet low in saturated fat.

When the mice were fed a diet low in saturated fat and high in fruit and vegetables, the transfer of gut microbes from mice with the lean type to those with the obese type still occurred. Hence, a human that ate along the same lines would still have their gut bacteria working IN THEIR FAVOUR to keep them slim.

On the contrary, when the mice were given a high-fat, low-vegetable diet this did not happen, and mice with the obese-type bacteria gained weight. “There’s an intricate relationship between our diet and how our gut bugs work,” says Gordon. “You have to have the right ingredients.”

Conclusion: Gut Bacteria Keeps You SLIM and Stops Working When You Eat High Saturated Fatty Foods

Moral of the story is to make sure to get lots of good bacteria and don’t eat foods high in saturated fat. Hence, eat lots of yogurt or take probiotics (i.e  acidophillus and bifidobacteria supplements) as they can play a role in both maintaining your weight and shedding those unwanted pounds.

Reference

Nature. Bacteria From Lean Cage-Mates Help Mice Stay Slim. Brian Owens. (09-05-13). Available: http://www.nature.com/news/bacteria-from-lean-cage-mates-help-mice-stay-slim-1.13693