It's well accepted that reduced physical activity and fast food are linked to obesity. But the evidence that these are the main causes of obesity is largely circumstantial. To stimulate debate, experts suggest 10 other possible causes of obesity, outlined in the International Journal of Obesity.
1. Sleep debt. Getting too little sleep can increase body weight. Today, many get less shut-eye than ever.
2. Pollution. Hormones control body weight. And many of today's pollutants affect our hormones.
3. Air conditioning. You have to burn calories if your environment is too hot or too cold for comfort. But more people than ever live and work in temperature-controlled homes and offices.
4. Decreased smoking. Smoking reduces weight. People smoke much less than they used to.
5. Medicine. Many different drugs including contraceptives, steroid hormones, diabetes drugs, some antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs can cause weight gain. Use of these drugs is on the upswing.
6. Population age, ethnicity. Middle-aged people and Hispanic-Americans tend to be more obese than young European-Americans. Americans are getting older and more Hispanic.
7. Older moms. There's some evidence that the older a woman is when she gives birth, the higher her child's risk of obesity. Women are giving birth at older and older ages.
8. Ancestors' environment. Some influences may go back two generations. Environmental changes that made a grandparent obese may "through a fetally driven positive feedback loop" visit obesity on the grandchildren.
9. Obesity is linked to fertility. There's some evidence obese people are more fertile than lean ones. If obesity has a genetic component, the percentage of obese people in the population should increase.
10. Unions of obese spouses. Obese women tend to marry obese men, and if obesity has a genetic component, there will be still more obese people in the next generation.
These other contributing factors deserve more attention and study. Even
more explanations include: a fat-inducing virus; increases in childhood
depression; less consumption of dairy products; and hormones used in
agriculture. What do you think can be attributed to the epidemic?
The truth is, juicing benefits everyone.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to drop weight and slim down, or you want
to boost your immune system so you can fight off diseases, juicing is your fast-pass to a healthier and happier you.
You see, juicing introduces your system to a wide variety of vitamins and antioxidants, while reinforcing your immune system with the important nutrients it needs to fight disease.
In reality, few people ever get the vitamins and nutrients they need each day. However, with juicing, you’re able to send a quick and plentiful supply of important nutrients to your body without the need to digest all that fiber.
It’s also one of the
easiest ways to digest 2-3 pounds of vegetables in one day! Yes, even if you hate vegetables.
Juicing also increases your energy levels so you can get more done each day,
while providing your body with important antioxidants that neutralizes free
radicals in your body that will leave you feeling focused with a clear mind.
So, what exactly is juicing?
Quite simply, juicing is drinking your food. Rather than forcing your
body to digest solids, you are giving it a break by fueling your system with a generous
supply of nutrients that are easily (and quickly) absorbed into your
bloodstream.
Many people begin to see
the transformation quickly. In fact, here are just a few examples of what
juicing can do for you:
- · Major
boost in energy
- · Clear,
glowing skin
- · Quick
weight loss
- · Improved
sleep quality
- · Boost
in mental clarity and focus
- · Soft,
shiny hair and nails
- · Improved
digestion
It can also eliminate migraines and help you reduce joint paint.
So, have you read enough? Are you ready to enter the world of juicing with our
top recipes that will help you look and feel better than ever before?
