Long, low intensity exercise more beneficial than
short, intense workouts
When
the amount of calories burned is the same, standing and walking for longer
stretches could actually be better than high intensity exercise in improving
cholesterol and preventing diabetes, researchers suggest.
Hans
Savelberg and colleagues from Maastricht University, Netherlands recruited
eighteen normal-weight 19 to 24-year-old participants for their study and asked
them to follow three regimes.
In
the first, participants were instructed to sit for 14 hours each day and not
indulge in any form of exercise; the second regime required participants to sit
for 13 hours each day and exercise vigorously for 1 hour; and in the third,
participants substituted six hours of sitting with four of walking and two
hours standing.
After
each regime, the researchers tracked each participant''s insulin sensitivity
and blood lipid levels, both of which can help identify metabolic conditions
like diabetes and obesity.
The
authors found that overall, when participants followed the strictly sedentary
regimen they burned over the course of the day than in the other two routines,
which were roughly the same. Cholesterol and lipid levels improved slightly
when participants exercised vigorously for an hour each day, but improved
significantly when participants were active for longer periods at low intensity
According
to the study, being active simply by standing or walking for long periods of
time significantly improved insulin levels compared to both a strictly
sedentary lifestyle, and one in which participants were largely sedentary
except for an hour of exercise each day.
The
study concludes that when energy expenditure is equivalent, longer durations of
low-intensity exercise may offer more benefits than shorter periods of intense
activity.
The
study was recently published in the open access journal PLOS ONE.
22.02.2013
Your handbag is full of
germs
Your
handbag not only stores your essential items, but also loads of germs
Hazard 1: Water bottles
Carrying a
water bottle may seem to be sensible, but constantly drinking from a plastic
bottle is not good for your health. Experts say unsafe chemicals like
phthalates, present in the plastic, can mix with the water over time. And this
can lead to hormone imbalances and fertility problems. The longer you use a
plastic bottle, the more the concentration of harmful chemicals that gets
seeped into the water.
Solution: Use a metal or glass bottle instead. While stainless steel or aluminium bottles will minimise the possibility of breakage, you can wrap glass bottles in a protective plastic or silicone bag.
Hazard 2: Your makeup
An average
woman carries at least three to eight pieces of makeup in her handbag. And if one
glance at your handbag reveals tons of lipgloss, mascaras, blushers,
foundations, etc - it is time you sat down and discarded all the expired
products. Makeup that is past its expiry date harbours bacteria. Mascaras,
especially, should be used very carefully because they can harbour bacteria.
The bacteria multiply in the dark, warm and moist environment of the mascara
tube. Using this mascara can then lead to eye infections.
Solution: Throw out your mascara every six months and other products once they are past their expiry date. Keep your makeup brushes clean by washing them regularly and avoid sharing makeup.
Hazard 3: Used tissues and handkerchiefs
How many times
have you kept a used tissue or a hanky in your handbag, only to tell yourself
that you will soon discard it? Studies say the viruses that cause the common cold and cough can survive for a
long time on these tissues. And each time you put your hand inside your bag,
you inadvertantly spread germs.
Solution: After using a tissue, throw it out. If you keep a packet of tissues or wet wipes in your handbag, make sure it is sealed. As an added measure, wash your hands often and use a hand sanitiser.
Hazard 4: Cellphone
Studies say
that our cellphones carry a host of bacteria. One study found that one out of
every six phones were contaminated with faecal matter. Cellphones,
unfortunately, travel with us wherever we go - all the while collecting
harmful bacteria.
Solution: Keep your cellphone in a cover
or a pouch and clean it with a soft cloth once a week.
A study revealed that handbags can carry thousands of bacteria that cause colds, coughs and even tummy upset.
A study revealed that handbags can carry thousands of bacteria that cause colds, coughs and even tummy upset.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
22.02.2013
Only through
dedicated work does a man fulfill himself
William
S. Carlson
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