The Power of Virtual Reality: Your Avatar Can Influence Your Health and Weight

'The "I" one thinks of as "myself" is inextricably attached to one's bodily location. Internet-based interactive games and social media outlets have become intertwined with the physical realities of millions of people around the world. When an individual strongly identifies with the cyber representation of themselves, known as an avatar, the electronic doppelganger can influence that person's health, weight and appearance, according to a University of Missouri researcher's study.'


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Fast food is good for your waistline" - Really?

'Could fast food actually be good for your waistline? According to a writer from U.S. News Health, fast food may be the right choice if you're looking to slim down and cut calories. The article, titled "Why Fast Food Could Be Good for Your Waistline", describes a made-up scenario where a woman named Sharon made the wrong decision by avoiding McDonald's in an attempt to be healthy. What the author seems to not realize, however, is that fast food is loaded with destructive chemicals and ingredients, and is feeding the continuously increasing rates of various health conditions. So, what could possibly make fast food good weight loss aid?'


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Chemicals in Household Items are 'Causing Huge Increase in Cancer, Obesity and Falling Fertility'

'Chemicals found in household products may be causing significant increases in cancers, diabetes, obesity and falling fertility, the European Environment Agency has warned.


Among the everyday items containing endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which affect the hormone system, are food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The chemicals, which can leach out into food and be absorbed by the body, are also causing an increased number of neurological development problems in both humans and animals, it is claimed.'

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Black Pepper May Be All You Need To Block The Formation of New Fat Cells

'Who on earth doesn't want to block the formation of new fat? Maybe Sumo wrestlers, eating champions or even some football players, but for the majority of us, we don't want more fat. If something natural can block the formation of new fat cells, even better. A new study published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, explains how black pepper can reduce fat levels in the bloodstream.


The study provides a long-sought explanation for the beneficial fat-fighting effects of black pepper. The research pinpoints piperine -- the pungent-tasting substance that gives black pepper its characteristic taste, concluding that piperine can also block the formation of new fat cells.'


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How to Lose Weight Without Dieting

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Plus Size Bodies, What Is Wrong With Them Anyway?

© www.plumodelmag.com

'In the January 2012 issue of PLUS Model Magazine, plus-size model Katya Zharkova is featured in an explosive editorial where thought provoking statistics and statements are revealed. *Check out all the images here* - Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less. - Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between size 12 and 18. 

Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modeling industry continues to be questioned. The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction. - Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia.' 


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Environmental Chemicals, Soy, and Sleep Disruption Contributes to Weight Gain

 

'Recently, scientists in Japan found that low levels of certain compounds, such as bisphenol A - BPA for short, (the building block of plastics, including that in baby bottles), had surprising effects on fibroblast cells. These cells typically help form connective tissue, muscle, ligaments, bones, etc. Exposure to BPA and other chemical compounds caused the cells to turn into adipocytes (AKA - fat cells). The chemicals also stimulated the growth of existing fat cells. 

Another study performed in 2006 by scientist, Bruce Blumberg of the University of California reported similar results using different chemicals. In 2006 he fed pregnant mice tributyltin, a disinfectant and fungicide used in marine paints, plastics production, and other products, which enters the food chain in seafood and drinking water. "The offspring were born with more fat already stored, more fat cells, and became 5 to 20 percent fatter by adulthood."'

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There is no single cause of (or treatment for) obesity

'One of the most hotly debated subjects over the past few years has
been the cause of the obesity epidemic, and along with that, the best
strategy for weight loss.





Some folks (Atkins, Taubes, Eades, etc.) believe that carbohydrates
are to blame. Others (Ornish, Campbell, Esselstyn, Fuhrman, etc.)
believe that fat is the problem. More recently, researchers like Seth Roberts and Stephan Guyenet and clinicians like Dr. Sharma
have raised awareness of another hypothesis, called the food reward
theory, which holds that the consumption of highly palatable foods leads
to overeating and weight gain. And Paul Jaminet and others have argued
that micronutrient deficiencies, toxins and infections may play a significant role in the obesity epidemic.




Here’s what I think: the most accurate answer to “why do people get
fat?” and “what’s the most effective weight loss strategy?” is: “it depends.” '



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Fault Lines - Fast food, fat profits: Obesity in America

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