PETER'S PRINCIPLES - Dec. 25 - 31, 2006
Natalie from Northville heard chewing gum could help her lose weight -- is this true
?
Yes Natalie, it is true! How? It's simple. A study found chewing gum can actually help you stay away from sweets! It can also curb those hunger pains you tend to get a couple hours after a meal.
Researchers followed a group of men and women. They found when the participants chewed gum they ate 36 fewer calories from their snack choices. Doesn't sound like much? That adds up to 252 calories a week! The study also found the afternoon hunger level among these men and women was significantly lower when they chewed gum.
And remember sugarless gum is best -- not only does it have fewer calories -- it's better for your teeth!
Carol from White Lake emails saying she exercises, but a friend told her she needed to weight train as well. Is this true?
Carol, you friend is right -- weight training is key to a healthy life.
In fact, a new study found long-term weight training may help a woman's bone and metabolic health by increasing production of the growth hormone.
This particular hormone plays an important role in bone and muscle development in women. Researchers found the growth hormone helps fight tissue breakdown, can improve metabolic function and fight off stress fractures as well as build muscle.
And it didn't take much. Just 3 to 12 repetitions of moderate to heavy strength or resistance training three times a week.
Marcia from Highland is concerned about her daughter's weight. She asks if there's a diet plan she should put her on.
Well Marcia, a diet may actually be the wrong thing for your daughter. Sounds funny, right? Not really.
A new study found dieting may actually backfire and cause obese children to start thinking about weight loss all the time. Researchers found this unhealthy thinking caused binge eating. Binge eating means the child is overeating with a feeling of being out of control.
But that doesn't mean let your obese child eat whatever they want. The best thing to do is put your child on regular, balanced meals. Limit snacking and get out and exercise!
Ray from Romulus says he's only 55 but feels he's starting to develop Alzheimer's. Is there anything he can do?
Yes Ray, there is. Keep your brain fit!
A new study followed more than 10,000 men and women -- all of them twins. They found the twins who worked and kept their brain active lowered their risk of Alzheimer's disease by 22 percent!
The twins at a lower risk of the disease held jobs involving complex interaction with people, such as teaching, managing or negotiating. Researchers also found compiling, organizing or analyzing information is also helpful.
If your job doesn't include any of these, try doing crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles -- anything to keep your brain active.
Ben from Hamtramck says he's having a hard time getting up off the couch and out on a walk. Is there anything that can help
Well Ben, this advice comes with a lot of responsibility. Get a dog!
Yes, you heard right. Numerous studies found having a dog encourages people to get more exercise -- which helps them lose weight! Briskly walking just one mile burns nearly as many calories as running a mile at a moderate pace. That means the average person will burn about 300 calories an hour! But walking is also good for your heart! Studies found walking as little as an hour a week -- at any pace -- reduces the risk of coronary artery disease.
So whether you have a dog or not -- get out and walk! You'll feel the difference.
Do you have a question you've been working on? Send me an email!
