Broccoli Bites Quiche  

Source

Thinking of buying someone a puppy for Christmas? Great idea! A new study led by researchers at Michigan State University shows that people who owned and walked their dogs, were 34 percent more likely to meet federal benchmarks on physical activity.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends that American adults perform at least two hours and thirty minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. The recommendations for to achieve additional and more extensive health benefits, include aerobic physical activity of up to five hours of moderate intensity exercise each week. Currently, fewer than half of all Americans meet recommended levels of leisure-time physical activity!

The researchers used data from the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, an annual health survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Michigan Department of Community Health and determined that not only did owning and walking a dog impact the amount of walking a person does; people who walked their dogs, generally walked about an hour longer per week than people who owned dogs but did not walk them. It was also found that dog walkers were more active overall.

Bottom Line: While getting a dog, and walking her, will likely make you a more active person you can still be active without picking up a pooch. Take a look at the physical activity guidelines above; are you walking or moving at least two and a half hours every week? If not, then let's get moving! Only you can drag yourself up off the couch! You will be glad you did. 

Source: Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2011; 8 (3): 436-444

There is new research from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine that links excess body fat with poor oral health. While this study is small, the results are surprising.

In this study, 31 obese people (average body mass index (BMI) of 39 ) all with gum disease, underwent nonsurgical periodontal treatments of scaling/root planing and oral hygiene instructions for home care. Additionally, half of these participants also had gastric bypass surgery and abdominal fat cell removal. While both groups showed improvement, the gastric bypass surgery group did even better on the measures for periodontal attachment, bleeding, probing depths and plaque levels.

Although more research needs to be done, the researchers hypothesize that the drop in blood glucose seen in many gastric bypass surgery patients may mean healthier teeth and gums. Another hypothesis is that the appetite-controlling hormone leptin, which also drops in patients who have had gastric bypass surgery, may also be leading to less overall inflammation in these patients. Inflammation that continues to brew in the body can have harmful effects over time, and inflammation from gum disease can erode bone and cause tooth loss. It can also cause breaks in the gums where harmful oral bacteria can enter the blood stream. So less inflammation overall can result in a healthier mouth.

Bottom Line: We've known for a long time that maintaining a healthful BMI can reduce one's risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Now, there is evidence that having a healthy weight and having fewer fat cells may also mean a healthier mouth and better smile.

Source: Response to Periodontal Therapy in Subjects Who Had Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery and Obese Counterparts: A Pilot Study. Journal of Periodontology, 2011; 1 DOI:10.1902/jop.2011.110230

Ever wonder if your metabolism is keeping you from reaching your weight goals? Let a Sensible Nutrition RD measure YOUR metabolism and tell you the truth! Call 781-741-5483 or send an email to nutritionist@sensiblenutrition.com to schedule your appointment.  

About Sensible Nutrition

Sensible Nutrition is a consulting firm established in 1994 that provides nutrition and fitness services to individuals, universities, corporate wellness programs and nonprofit groups. SN's client list includes The United States Coast Guard, Blue Cross Blue Shield, EMC, Putnam Investments, Corcoran Jennison, Harvard Business School, Boston Ballet and Children's Hospital. For more information about our corporate wellness services, please check us out at www.wellnessworkdays.com.

SN services: One-to-one counseling, fitness counseling and training, group lectures, metabolism measures and more! Let the Sensible Nutrition staff develop a nutrition program to help you finally reach your health and weight goals! Gift Certificates are available!

Debra Wein, MS, RD, LDN, SN President and Co-Founder writes a regular nutrition column for the National Strength and Conditioning Association's  Performance Training Journal, has been quoted in Family Circle, Muscle & Fitness, Shape, Self, Men's Health, Allure and Prevention and has appeared on Fox 25, Channel 56, Channel 5, New England Cable News and several radio stations.

Contact us at www.sensiblenutrition.com or 781-741-5483.