Fitness Factoids: Volume #54
Sodium Speeds Cellular Aging in Overweight People
It’s well-known th
at conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and type-2 diabetes are associated with chronic inflammation and decreased lifespan. However, new research presented at the American Heart Association’s meeting in San Francisco reveals that high sodium intake may speed cellular aging in overweight individuals. The study, which was conducted by Georgia Regents University, tracked 766 teenagers that were split into groups according to their sodium intake. Researchers found that overweight or obese teens that regularly consumed 10g or more of salt daily had shortened telomere length compared normal weight individuals that consumed similar amounts of salt. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Under normal circumstances telomeres shorten each time a cell divides. However, this new study indicates that sodium accelerates the speed at which telomeres shorten during normal cell division – a process that had not previously been discovered.
New Artificial Sweetener May Help Control Insulin
It appears that the agave plant - the plant responsible for producing tequila and agave sweeteners – may be able to help regulate blood sugar as well. According to new research presented by the A
merican Chemical Society the new artificial sweetener derived from natural non-digestible sugars in the plant have the ability to act similar to dietary fiber and not raise blood sugar. The agavins in the plant reduce insulin levels and elevate a hormone known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which slows the stomach from emptying. Researchers believe the new natural sweetener may be better than traditional artificial sweeteners that have been known to cause gastric distress and headaches in some.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140316152951.htm
Sleep Loss May Cause Brain Damage
Inadequate sleep over prolonged periods may cause permanent brain damage according to new research published in the Journal 
of Neuroscience. Researchers at The University of Pennsylvania have identified brain damaged due to long term sleep deprivation in a recent mouse model study. Researchers subjected mice to an irregular sleep schedule similar to that of s shift worker to find out how lack of sleep affected alertness and cognitive function. The team found that the mice lost as much as 25% of the neurons in a region of the brain identified as the locus coeruleus. Researchers found that prolonged sleep deprivation shut down the normal neuroprotective mechanisms in the brain, and that cells begin dying at an accelerated rate after just a few days of inadequate rest. Researchers note that the previous notion that periods of prolonged rest could make up for missed sleep appear to be untrue, and that there appear to be serious irreversible consequences for long bouts of irregular sleep.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/19/health/sleep-loss-brain-damage/index.html
Muscle Type Impacts Metabolism
The type of muscle we have may play a much more critical role in metabolism than previously thought according the new information presented by the American Physiological Society. People who have 
a tendency to be naturally lean or naturally thin may remain this way due to “poor fuel economy” in their muscles. Researchers compared female rats with a genetic tendency to stay lean with rats that have a genetic tendency to toward being obese to determine the physiological effect that muscle had on body composition. Although both groups were similar in body weight and showed similar energy expenditure while at rest, researchers discovered that during physical activity the group of naturally lean rats burned more calories while performing the same amount of exercise as the obese rats. Researchers now plan to use the results of their findings to alter treatment methods for obesity.
http://www.the-aps.org/mm/hp/Audiences/Public-Press/For-the-Press/releases/2014/5.html
Vitamin D Levels Associated with Cancer Survival Rates
The flow of information that reinforces the importance that adequate vitamin D levels have on our health continues to pour in. A new study reported by the European Journal of Cancer has found that serum vitamin D levels appear to impact survival rates of breast and colorectal cancers. The meta-analysis collected data from five studies 
that contained 4,413 breast cancer patients and 2,330 colorectal cancer patients. After analyzing the data researchers found that individuals with the highest vitamin D levels had a 38% reduced risk of death from any cause, 42% reduced risk of dying from breast cancer, and a 35% reduction in rate of death from colorectal cancer. It’s been estimated that as many as 87% of Americans could be vitamin D deficient. There may not be a single more cost effective tool for improving multiple aspects of our health than vitamin D, and those who are looking to improve their health and physique should look to begin supplementing the widely available, cost effective vitamin.
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