40% ladies. That is the mysterious difference between the damage done to sitting men (sitting bull) and women who sit. Too long, too much. We have kinda suspected this for a long time, but now comes these rather startling results from the lab that indicate, once again, that it is worse than we thought. Here are three takes on the latest news on the effects of sitting too much.
Womens Health
Health Mad
CNN
So why is the bad news 40% worse for women? Even the scientists admit they don't know, but the evidence, in the from of test data suggests that it is. Take a close look and read a little between the lines. Interesting to me were two points,
1) That even vigorous exercise on a daily basis was not enough to overcome the damage done through daily doses of caboose parking. All this time we thought we had the cure, or at least the antidote.
2) The quickness with which the body begins to break down when parked. Cholesterol begins to coagulate, heart rate slows, plaque begins to form. Worse, we lose core strength, flexibility and blood flow as we sit, stare and survey.
As you know, for the month of July I have been doing two a day 5K runs, this because of my work schedule and because I wanted to test the metabolism theory of keeping the motor warm and ready. I liked the results, until now. Just when you thought you had it figured out.....
More change is necessary. I sit at my desk a lot. In the past I have used the CompuTrainer while reviewing video and during long renders. With the results of this latest news, I think I will dial that up a touch, keep the two a days, and schedule some yoga, core work and stretching between. We used to call this cross-training, now I suppose it's cross-working.
That should keep me going for a while longer. But that 40% scares me a little. I don't want to be the last man standing unless there's some cute gals around to play with.
So let's move it ladies. Lot's at stake.
Pix from yesterdays visit to the Winslow Marina. Rock sculpture, expensive sailboats and canoeists all in one shot. No sitting.
5 comments:
I am thinking about using something like this for my home office:
http://www.treadmill-desk.com/
I notice that my phone calls tend to go well when I stand during the call.
Do you take vitamin B12 supplements? From Men's Health:
The size of your brain—like your height, blood type, and eye color—is non-negotiable. And unlike what they say about a guy with small feet, size has no effect on functionality—you can still be a genius if you have a “small” brain.
That said, you want to keep as much of your noggin as possible. About 2 percent of brain volume is lost every 10 years as we age, but recent studies show behaviors including excessive drinking, untreated depression, and a vegetarian diet, which lacks B12 vitamins primarily found in meat, dairy, and fish, can accelerate the rate at which gray matter is lost.
And while brain shrinkage doesn't guarantee dunce-like mentality, it's linked to decreased motor function, memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
It's no surprise that heavy drinking and a poor diet harm the brain, but the toxic effects of sadness might be a little more surprising.
According to a study published in Archives of General Psychiatry, tissue loss in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex seems to be associated with those who report severe depression but don't seek treatment.
“The brain damage continues over time and gets worse if left untreated,” says Kathleen Erwin, Ph.D., a psychiatrist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas, Calif. “The longer patients stay depressed, the more brain volume they lose.”
But the good news: This study found antidepressants and talk therapy protect patients from permanent brain damage.
“If you have medical reasons for depression, managing those early is important so you don't pick up long-term effects,” says Bill Likosky, M.D, a neurologist in Seattle. “Depression carries with it certain liabilities, one of which is decreased abilities to think, [sometimes] even after it's passed.”
Keep your brain healthy and intact: If you show signs of depression—sleep disruption, low energy, appetite changes, or a low mood—talk to your family doctor. If you consume more than 14 alcoholic drinks a week, protect your mind by cutting back—and remember, one glass of wine is heart-healthy and provides anti-aging effects. And if you're a vegetarian, be smart and take vitamin B supplements.
Do you take vitamin B12 supplements? From Men's Health:
The size of your brain—like your height, blood type, and eye color—is non-negotiable. And unlike what they say about a guy with small feet, size has no effect on functionality—you can still be a genius if you have a “small” brain.
That said, you want to keep as much of your noggin as possible. About 2 percent of brain volume is lost every 10 years as we age, but recent studies show behaviors including excessive drinking, untreated depression, and a vegetarian diet, which lacks B12 vitamins primarily found in meat, dairy, and fish, can accelerate the rate at which gray matter is lost.
And while brain shrinkage doesn't guarantee dunce-like mentality, it's linked to decreased motor function, memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
It's no surprise that heavy drinking and a poor diet harm the brain, but the toxic effects of sadness might be a little more surprising.
According to a study published in Archives of General Psychiatry, tissue loss in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex seems to be associated with those who report severe depression but don't seek treatment.
“The brain damage continues over time and gets worse if left untreated,” says Kathleen Erwin, Ph.D., a psychiatrist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas, Calif. “The longer patients stay depressed, the more brain volume they lose.”
But the good news: This study found antidepressants and talk therapy protect patients from permanent brain damage.
“If you have medical reasons for depression, managing those early is important so you don't pick up long-term effects,” says Bill Likosky, M.D, a neurologist in Seattle. “Depression carries with it certain liabilities, one of which is decreased abilities to think, [sometimes] even after it's passed.”
Keep your brain healthy and intact: If you show signs of depression—sleep disruption, low energy, appetite changes, or a low mood—talk to your family doctor. If you consume more than 14 alcoholic drinks a week, protect your mind by cutting back—and remember, one glass of wine is heart-healthy and provides anti-aging effects. And if you're a vegetarian, be smart and take vitamin B supplements.
I pace when on the cell, yesterday I got in what felt like 10 miles. Not sold on that treadmill thingy. Took supps inc B-complex for three years while in heavy IM training. Very subtle results (and expensive pee). The protein powder of which I take 9 grams daily has essential amino acids, but no B. Thanks for the link, I will revisit the situation. Food for thought, as they say.
I am getting a stand-up desk as I sit a lot and do think it is bad.
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