Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Why is carbohydrate cut off from a weight loss diet?


Why is carbohydrate cut off from a weight loss diet? | Healthbiztips
Why is carbohydrate cut off from a weight loss diet? | Healthbiztips
photo credit: Eiliv-Sonas Aceron @eilivaceron @unsplash

Why is carbohydrate cut off from a weight loss diet? | Healthbiztips

So, you're questioning why we limit the very thing that made you chubby in the first place. That's a very good inquiry.

You probably want to shed off some extra weight. If so, you may be thinking of a balance between a proper diet and a regular exercise regimen. You're desire to get fit and fab is so strong but then, there's this 4 delicious donuts which you didn't bother to eliminate before starting your diet commitment. Now, you're probably telling yourself that something is wrong with the donuts because you find yourself eating them.

The power of cravings can ruin your diet
The power of cravings can ruin your diet
photo credit: Marc Schäfer @marcschaefer @unsplash

When the topic of dieting to loose weight is tackled, carbohydrate is usually evicted. You probably heard how some people severely cut or completely abstain from rice, pasta, bread, and other carbohydrate rich source during dieting. You're probably wondering what makes this essential macronutrient so bad?

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | Healthbiztips | Health blog

Carbohydrates are the top culprit of food cravings.

Sugar can be very addicting and rewarding to a person. In fact, studies reveal that sugar can be as addicting as illicit drugs and alcohol. Our brain responds to our intake of sugar by releasing dopamine, a hormone which makes us feel euphoric.

Sugar addiction is not simple matter. A research reveals that sugar can be more addictive than cocaine.

Let me tell you, if you're gonna set a goal to loose weight and have to battle cravings with discipline, then, might as well limit those things that can induce addiction in the first place.

Carbohydrate per gram, pumps your body with 4 calories. When your calorie consumption exceeds your calorie consumption, it can show up on your weight.

Cookies, pasta, cakes, pies, potatoes, soda, rice, baked goods, and candies are rich in carbohydrates.

Popular diet to loose weight limits carbohydrate intake

An very good example of a diet that has gained popularity as an effective way to loose weight by limiting carbohydrate and sugar in the diet is called ketogenic diet in which an individual consumes more protein and fats to enhance the body's ability to burn fat cells.

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Is coco sugar better than white and brown sugar?

Is coco sugar a healthy alternative? | Healthbiztips


Coco sugar is more expensive than brown and white sugar. Are you wondering what makes it so special? Does it really live up to it's price tag or is it's acclaimed health benefits or is it just a marketing strategy.

Is coco sugar a healthy alternative? | Healthbiztips
Is coco sugar better than white and brown sugar? | Healthbiztips
photo credit: Annie Spratt @anniespratt @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Coco sugar (also known as palm sugar) reputedly contains higher amounts of nutrients compared to typical sugar. In fact, since brown sugar and white sugar contains empty calories, they are no match when compared to coco sugar's nutritional value.

Coco sugar is made from the sap of the coconut paml as opposed to white and brown sugar which comes from sugar cane.

However, the nutritional value a person gets from just a single serving of coco sugar is not enough to be significant. You have to consume a large quantity of coco sugar to obtain a significant amount of nutrients, but since coco sugar contains almost the same amount of calories with typical sugar, it is not desirable.

White sugar and brown sugar have no nutritional value.

Another awesome thing about coco sugar is it has low glycemic index which makes it appealing for people afflicted with diabetes because it's consumption won't spike blood sugar as fast as conventional sugar will.

Coco sugar contains fiber.
When you use coco sugar as a sweetener, you're also taking in inulin, a type of soluble fiber.

Inulin has many health benefits. It supports good digestion, promotes the growth of good gut bacteria, relieves constipation, and helps manage diabetes.

I was very disappointing to know that 1 tsp coco sugar contains just a trace amount of inulin which makes it insignificant. According to research, an intake of 30 gram inulin is necessary to gain considerable health benefits.


Why switch to coco sugar?

We've bought coco sugar and gave it a taste test. When it comes to satiety, coco sugar has a great advantage over brown and white sugar. I dare say because my milk tea tastes better with coco sugar.

Coco sugar looks decent enough if you're after that smooth and none overpowering sweetness, but at a considerably higher price.


Is coco sugar a healthy and guilt-free alternative to white and brown sugar?

You may be hoping for a "yes" but you see, it doesn't work that way.

It is a fact that coco sugar has substantial nutrient and fiber content. But, you see, coconut sugar still contains calories.

1 teaspoon of coconut sugar pumps your system with 15 calories. 1 teaspoon white sugar gives you 16 calories. On the other hand, 1 teaspoon brown sugar delivers approximately 17 calories.

If you're looking for a healthier sweetener and coco sugar is within your budget, then it's okay to buy it. However, do remember that it's still a sugar.

I'd like to point out that the nutrient and inulin content of coco sugar also varies by manufacturer.

How much calories do you burn while sleeping?

How much calories do you burn when you sleep? | Healthbiztips


You may not achieve your weight loss goal by dozing on your supposed gym workout, but hey! You're still burning calories while you're sleeping!

How much calories do you burn when you sleep? | Healthbiztips
How much calories do you burn while sleeping? | Healthbiztips
photo credit: gian d @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

How much, you'd ask? Well, that depends on several factors such as your weight, number of hours of sleep, and body temperature.

The heavier you are, the more calories you burn while sleeping.

The greater the number of hours you spend sleeping soundly, the more calories you burn. But, don't over do it and sleep more than the recommended period as this can backfire on your health.

The higher your body temperature while sleeping, the more calories you burn.


What's your weight in pounds?

With every pounds, you burn about .42 calories every hour while resting.

So, if you weight about 45.4 kg which is equivalent to 100 lbs, then you are burning 42 calories per hour. In a sound 8 hours of sleep, you're burning a total of 336 calories.

I'd say that's not bad. In fact, that's more than what a naive person would guess.

Why do we have so much energy expenditure while we are sleeping?
While you are sleeping, several mechanisms in your body becomes more active like cell and tissue repair. Your brain, which constitutes about 20% of your body's daily calorie expenditure, remains active while you are sleeping.

If you want to lose weight, I highly recommend, you get enough sleep.


Let's compare the calorie you burn when walking so you don't have any good excuse to sleep the entire day.
When you walk, you burn about about 1 to 2 calories per pound each hour. Of course, the amount of calories you burn still depends on factors such as your weight, how fast you walk, temperature, etc. It doesn't take a genius to realize that when you engage in physical activity, you burn more calories than when you are sleeping.

So when you weigh about 45.4 kg or 100 lbs, you burn about 100 to 200 calories every single hour you walk.


Now, walking for an entire 1 to 3 hours may sound too tough for a lazy person or let alone to a normal chair-ridden person. Sad to say, there's no alternative to the health benefits you get when you become physically active.

If you want to lose weight faster, then engaging in physical activity is the key. For example, a 120 lb person burns roughly 100 calories in just 10 minutes of running.


If you're spending the right amount of time sleeping, then you're doing yourself a huge favor. Sleep is more than just a treat, it's an vital predictor of good health which sadly some people, especially the working class, don't get enough. But, don't forget the benefits of physical activity if you'd like to shed off your extra weight.

Is chia seeds effective to loss weight?

How effective is chia seeds in terms of lossing weight? | Healthbiztips


Chia seeds' effectiveness for weight loss lies in it's high fiber and protein content.

2 tablespoon (equivalent to 1oz) chia seeds boasts a whoopin 9.8 g fiber and 4.69 g protein.

Is chia seeds effective to loss weight? | Healthbiztips
Is chia seeds effective to loss weight? | Healthbiztips
photo credit: Kaffee Meister @kaffeemeister @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Chia seeds' fiber content is so incredibly high that just 2 tbsp of it meets a third of your daily fiber needs.

Fiber is good for digestion. It absorbs water and fat which fills up space in your gut, making you feel full and satisfied.

Protein in the diet reduces cravings so you don't end up ruining your weight loss commitment.


How much calories does chia seeds contain?


Chia seeds contains high amount of calories. Every 2 tbsp contains approximately 150 calories.

It is a known fact that in order to lose weight, your calorie expenditure must exceed your caloric intake.

Even so, chia seeds' exceptional fiber, mineral, antioxidant, and protein content can not be set aside.

The trick to successfully lose weight with chia seeds is to use this superfood as a replacement for calorie-rich foods and beverages such as soft drink and milk tea.

So, instead of drinking your regular dose of carbonated beverage and coffee shake, switch it to lemon water with chia seeds.

In place of chocolate chip cookies for snack, why not opt for a chia seed bread?

Instead of milk shake, why not make a blueberry with chia seeds smoothie instead.

Our food choices greatly determines if our weight loss effort will succeed or not.


Chia seeds' potential for weight loss lies in it's amazing health benefits, however, do realize that chia seed in itself is not an all-in one solution. Note that a weight loss attempt is usually futile without the combination of diet, exercise, determination, and motivation.

Blueberry Chia Jam Recipe | Healthbiztips
Blueberry Chia Jam Recipe
Quick & Easy Chia Seeds and Water Recipe | Healthbiztips
Quick & Easy Chia Seeds and Water Recipe

Monday, May 6, 2019

Is Tea an effective Weight Loss drink?

Tea for Weight Loss - Healthbiztips

When it comes to weight loss drinks, tea is among the healthy beverages that stands out. Drinking tea boosts the body's metabolism, hastens fat burning, lowers bad cholesterol, and prevents premature aging.

This traditional Chinese beverage has spread from Asia across the world with it's miraculous health benefits.

Tea for Weight Loss - Healthbiztips
Tea for Weight Loss - Healthbiztips
photo credit: Alisher Sharip @aligrapher @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Many people don't know that green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea are all derived from the same plant called Camellia sinensis.


Let's find out how tea got it's reputation as the "weight loss drink"


1. Tea is a healthy drink.

It goes without saying that tea is a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols, flavonoid, and catechins which not only aids in fat burning and weight loss, it also has many health benefits. Among it's notable health benefits are it's ability to prevent signs of premature aging, reduce bad cholesterol in the blood, boost metabolism to speed up weight loss, and, prevent the development of cancer.


2. Green tea is the queen of weight loss drinks.

Among the tea that's made from Camellia sinensi, green tea stands out among people wanting to lose weight. Green tea contains the highest percentage of antioxidant because it has undergone the least oxidation so it retained most of it's nutrients and potent components.

Green tea, particularly those that are least oxidized, are green in color. If you come across green tea that are dark or golden in color, that means those have undergone more oxidation.


3. Boosts metabolism and hastens fat burning.

Tea contains caffeine, a chemical stimulant that speeds up the process at which fat and calories are burned by the body. Studies shows that drinking tea helps reduce bad cholesterol.

All-natural tea is a great substitute to sugary and carbonated drinks that are notoriously high in calories. Sugar is addicting but tea is calming and refreshing.


4. Inhibits fat absorption

Tea contains catechins which reduces the gut absorb of lipids from the foods we eat. This amazing property of tea when it comes to fat absorption is one of the main reason it is effective as a weight loss drink.

Studies reveal that green tea's most potent catechin is EGCG when it comes to inhibiting the absorption of lipid from the intestines.


5. How should you drink your tea to help you lose weight?

If you want to reap the most benefit our of a cup of tea to help you on your weight loss journey, then, you should consume your tea with no added sugar or milk.

Bubble tea or milk tea is gaining popularity especially to the working class. However, indulging on this type of tea drink is not a healthy option and can actually make you fat, as each serving can pump your system with an outrageous amount of calories.

So, if you want to lose weight, you'd better drink your tea plain. I suggest you drink your tea warm to improve your circulation and facilitate good digestion.

Never drink tea in an empty stomach if you want to lose weight. You should always drink it with a meal. The reason behind this is if you drink tea in an empty stomach, then this will stimulate the release of gastric acid which can lead to stomachache. It can mimic hunger fangs so may end up eating more.

Also, tea contains caffeine which can irritate your stomach lining and lead to ulceration if you tend to drink it on an empty stomach.

If you can't bear the astringency of tea, skip sugar and creamer. Instead of calorie loaded sweetener, why not try natural healthy adds-on like lemon, calamondin, or mint leaves.


6. When is the best time to drink tea to lose weight?

You may be wondering when is the best time to drink tea to lose weight.

I recommend you drink tea early in the morning to boosts your metabolism which will enable you to burn more calories as you go about your day.

Drinking tea everyday is generally safe and healthy.

Drinking 2-3 cups of tea is good for your overall health.


7. How to make a tea?

Green tea is a refreshing drink that's very easy to make.

There is a wide selection of green tea brand in the market to choose from. You can opt for a tea bag, dried tea leaves, matcha, or fresh Camellia sinensis leaves.

To make tea drink, simply put the recommended amount of fresh or dried tea leaves or 1 bag of tea in a cup of water, then pour in hot water.

Let it brew for 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy!


8. How to make tea and lemon weight loss drink?

Adding lemon to your cup of tea boosts it's weight loss property since lemon lowers blood sugar and cholesterol.

Lemon's sour taste counteracts tea's astringency so it becomes more palatable to people who are not used to the natural taste of tea.

Simply make a cup of hot tea then squeeze in your desired amount of fresh lemon juice to add zing and flavor.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Health Benefits of Chia Seed

Health Benefits of Chia Seed - Healthbiztips


Chia seed belongs to the mint family. It's color can vary from white, brown, to grey. Packed in these small seeds are amazing health benefits and nutritional value.


Health Benefits of Chia Seed - Healthbiztips
Health Benefits of Chia Seed - Healthbiztips
photo credit: Yakynina Anastasia @notsahara @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

According to the USDA, 1 oz or 2 tbsp chia seed is packed with:
  • 138 kcal calories
  • 4.69 g protein
  • 8.71 g fats
  • 11.94 g carbohydrate
  • 9.8 g fiber
  • 179 mg calcium
  • 2.19 mg iron
  • 95 mg magnesium
  • 244 mg phosphorus
  • 115 mg potassium
  • 5 mg sodium
  • 1.30 mg zinc
  • 6.7 g polyunsaturated fatty acids


Chia seed has a long history dating back to the ancient Mexican civilization of Maya and Aztec. This superfood has traditionally been used by warriors during ancient times to maintain their stamina since it contains a lot of health benefits.

In fact, chia is derived from the Mayan word for strength.

Let's look into what makes this superfood worth your attention.
Health benefits of chia seed:


1. Weight loss

Chia seed is a popular vegan weight loss superfood, however, did you know that this seed is considered high in calories. 2 tbsp chia seed fuels you with 138 kcal.

It's weight loss property lies in it's fiber content. The same 2 tbsp chia seed gives you a whooping 9.8 gram fiber which is about a third or your daily fiber requirement. That's an enormous amount of fiber packed in just 1 oz serving.


2. Fiber

Chia seed has a stunning fiber content, which is important for your gut health by reducing the risk of gastrointestinal problems like colon cancer and constipation.


3. Makes you feel full

Chia seed absorbs water which enables it expand in size by forming a thick gel-like coating. This can take up a considerable amount of space in your stomach which can make you feel full for a longer period of time.

This is the same reason why consuming too much dry whole chia seed without adequate fluid intake is not good.



4. Protein

Chia seed is packed with 4.69 g protein per 2 tbsp. A high protein diet aids weight loss by reducing appetite and preventing food cravings.

5. Blood thinner

Chia seed is a natural blood thinner. It can prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in the body which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, it is not ideal to be taken by people who are concurrently taking blood thinning medication, have bleeding disorder, or will surgery because it can cause excessive bleeding.


6. Omega-3 fatty acid

Chia seed is high in omega-3 fatty acid which has a lot of health benefits to your cardiovascular system.


7. Calcium

Chia seed is a rich plant-based source of calcium. Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the human body, is responsible for keeping your teeth and bones healthy.

In every ounce of chia seed, you get 179 mg calcium which is 18% of your daily calcium needs.


8. Phosphorus

2 tbsp of chia seed provides you with 27% of your daily phosphorus needs. Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in a human body that's responsible for keeping bones and teeth strong and healthy.



9. Magnesium

Chia seed is a rich source of magnesium, with 2 tablespoon providing about 24% of your daily magnesium needs.

Adequate intake of magnesium from the diet is vital to lower risk of hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.


10. Antioxidant

Chia seed is a rich source of antioxidant that helps the body repair itself and prevent early sign of premature aging. Antioxidants also help the body to maintain healthy skin and hair.




11. Gluten free

Chia seed is gluten free, which means that people afflicted with  conditions which makes them intolerant to gluten like celiac disese can enjoy it's goodness.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

How High-protein diet Boosts Weight loss

How High-protein diet Boosts Weight loss - Healthbiztips


High-protein diet offers a lot of advantages to speed up weight loss. Switching to this type of diet curbs the appetite which prevents cravings. It also boosts the body's metabolism so more calories is burned.

How High-protein diet Boosts Weight loss - Healthbiztips
How High-protein diet Boosts Weight loss - Healthbiztips
photo credit: @aloragriffiths Alora Griffiths @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

A protein-rich meal takes longer to be emptied by the stomach so you feel full at a longer time, which in turn, prevents you from overeating.

A high-protein diet lowers the hunger hormone "ghrelin" in the body which consequently decreases your appetite and cravings.

Protein is of the three macronutrients our body needs as a source of calories and energy. Unlike the other two macronutrients, carbohydrate and fats, your body burns more calories in order to digest protein.


What is a high-protein diet?

In a high-protein diet, you are getting over 15% of your body's total caloric need from protein.


Related blog posts:

High protein snacks - Healthbiztips
10 High protein snacks - Healthbiztips

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

10 High protein snacks - Healthbiztips

High protein snacks


Eating a high protein snack helps you loose weight by decreasing your appetite and craving. Protein snacks boosts your metabolism so you burn more calories throughout the day.

Since protein is the building of our muscles and organs, it actually aids in building muscle mass.

High protein snacks - Healthbiztips
High protein snacks - Healthbiztips
photo credit: @olamishchenko OLA Mishchenko @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

If you want to curb your cravings for sweets, why not try some of these healthy and nutritious high protein snacks.


1. Ezekiel Bread
1 slice of sprouted whole grain ezekiel bread gives you 4 g protein.

Ezekiel bread is high in protein and fiber but low in carbohydrates. This type of bread doesn't have added sugar.

It's a good choice of bread for people who don't want to gain weight. Aside from that, it actually has more nutrient content than your typical whole grain bread.

Top it up with tomato, cucumber, and herbs to make a nutrient-rich and appetizing snack.


2. Greek yogurt
100g of greek yogurt gives you 10g of protein

Greek yogurt is a healthy and nutritious high protein snack that has lower sugar content than your typical yogurt.

Greek yogurt contains good bacteria "probiotics" which is good for your digestive system.

You can top it up with your favorite fruit like banana, blueberry. and strawberry for a healthier enjoyable snack.


3. Pistachio
1/2 cup pistachio gives you 12.5g protein.

Pistachio is rich in protein, healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E. It's a tree nut  that belongs to the cashew family.

Daily consumption of pistachio can lower bad cholester (LDH) and increase good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, thus decreasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Pistachio is a superfood that's both tasty and healthy.


4. Almond
1'2 cup whole almond gives you 15g protein.

Rich in Vitamin E, magnesium, fiber, healthy fats, and protein, almond is a delicious snack that's a great alternative to junk foods.

Magnesium deficiency is strongly linked to high blood pressure. Diet is an important source of magnesium so make sure you choose healthy foods which provides you with your daily requirement for magnesium like almond.


5. Cashew
1 oz. cashew gives you 5g protein.

Cashew is a kidney-shaped nut that belongs to the family Anacardiaceae to which pistachio and mango belongs.

Studies reveal that cashew contains antioxidants which is beneficial among people inflicted with cancer.


6. Walnut
1/2 cup walnut gives you 7.5g protein.

Switching to a walnut snack delivers you Vitamin E, Omega-3, polyphenols which helps decrease inflammation in your body and reduces your risk of developing cancer.

Snacking on walnut decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease because it is high in polyphenol and polyunsaturated fat.


7. Peanut
1/2 cup peanut gives you 19 gram protein

Studies shows that peanut is a rich source of p-coumaric acid which reduces the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Furthermore, it's also contains high amount of  resveratrol which decreases the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Now, if you're gonna choose a snack, you're doing yourself a huge favor when you choose a superfood.

Not only does a high protein snack aids you in loosing extra pounds, you're also getting a lot of health benefits.


8. Quinoa
1 cup quinoa contains 8g protein.

Although quinoa is seen as a cereal, it is actually a seed. It's a gluten-free meal so individuals who have gluten intolerance can eat it.

Quinoa is one of few vegan foods that contains all 9 essential amino acid.  It is rich in fiber, magnesium, manganese, folate and phosphorus.


9. Oats
1 cup of cooked oatmeal gives you 6g protein

Oats is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It contains beta-glucan which helps lower bad cholesterol and prevents sudden spike in blood sugar level.

Aside from being a good source of dietary protein which decreases your appetite, oat's beta-glucan content also delays the emptying of your stomach which consequently makes you fee full.


10. Milk
1 cup milk contains 8g protein

Milk is a good substitute to soda and sugary drinks. It's high in protein, but low in added sugar.

Moreover, it is a rich source of calcium which makes strong bones and teeth.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Green coffee bean extract for Weight loss

Green coffee bean extract for Weight loss

Green coffee bean extract for Weight loss


Green coffee bean extract has gained popularity as a weight loss supplement.

It's key content is chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol which aids in weight loss by lessening the absorption of carbohydrate and impeding the formation of new fat cells.

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Green coffee beans is simply coffee beans that is not roasted, hence, it retained it's green color. Like regular coffee beans, green coffee bean extract also contains caffeine that boosts the body's metabolism which enables the body to burn more calories


Depending on the variety of a coffee bean, roasting it can either decrease or increase it's amount of polyphenol content.

Green coffee bean extract is a rich source of antioxidants in the form of polyphenols which prevents DNA damage and gene mutations.


Studies in mice revealed that even decaffeinated green coffee bean extract exerts weight loss, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic property. Taking green bean extract reduces visceral fat thickness, reduces lipid in the blood, and enhances insulin sensitivity.


Resources:

Priftis, Alexandros et al. “Comparison of antioxidant activity between green and roasted coffee beans using molecular methods” Molecular medicine reports vol. 12,5 (2015): 7293-302.

Song, Su Jin et al. “Decaffeinated green coffee bean extract attenuates diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2014 (2014): 718379.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Inadequate Sleep boosts Appetite

Loosing few hours of precious sleep each night can leave you with more than an eye bug and a sleepy day. Lack of enough sleep can literally add up several pounds to your weighing scale. The connection between inadequate sleep and obesity is so strong that we can no longer take this fact for granted.


Inadequate Sleep boosts Appetite
Inadequate Sleep boosts Appetite...here's the science behind it


@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Not having enough sleep messes up with the body's hormones and metabolism.

Scientific studies show that inadequate sleep decreases leptin hormone and increases ghrelin hormone in the body leading to an increase in appetite, which can consequently, lead to an inevitable weight gain.


The role of leptin and ghrelin

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells whose purpose is to suppress appetite and increase metabolism. However, even when obese people have high leptin levels, their body has become immune to it's effect.

Moreover, leptin promotes inflammation, an important precursor in the development of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory bowel disorder.

Ghrelin is a hormone produced by the stomach whose role is to increase appetite and make you feel hungry.


Don't underestimate appetite's critical role in weight gain. The role of leptin and ghrelin in appetite control is recognized in the use of ghrelin-suppresing drug to curb one's appetite to loose weight.

A study shows that individuals who sleep less than 7 hours each night consequently eat more when they are awake.


How long is an adequate sleep?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the number of hours of sleep considered adequate for a person varies by age group:

  • Teenagers (14-17 years old) should get around 8-10 hours of sleep each night.
  • Young adult (18-25 years old) should get around 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
  • Adults (26-64 years old) should get around 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
  • Older adults (65 years old and above) should get around 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

There are people who want to desperately loose weight only to be defeated by their good appetite and poor self control. Compounding the problem is the presence of stress which can inevitably add more pounds to the scale.

At some point, an overweight person will want to shed off those extra pounds, but the harsh reality is it's easier to gain fats rather than to loose them. You certainly can't loose all those nasty pounds overnight...well, unless you undergo liposuction. Many people give up on loosing weight because they loose motivation owing to the fact that the weight loss journey is both hard and long.

It may seem futile at first, but habit builds a strong foundation. Why not start off your weight loss initiative with an adequate good night's sleep.


Resources:

Markwald, Rachel R et al. “Impact of insufficient sleep on total daily energy expenditure, food intake, and weight gain” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 110,14 (2013): 5695-700.

Prinz P (2004) Sleep, appetite, and obesity—What is the link? PLoS Med 1(3): e61.

National Sleep Foundation. How Much Sleep Do We Really Need? https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need