Mirror Lights: Healthy lifestyle can boost metabolic health even without weight loss: Study
metabolic health
People can improve their health through dietary and lifestyle changes even if they do not lose weight, according to an international study.The research, conducted by the universities of Ben-Gurion (Israel), Harvard (US), and Leipzig (Germany), focused on individuals described as 'weight loss resistant' -- those who adopt healthy habits but struggle to shed pounds, Xinhua news agency reported.'We have been conditioned to equate weight loss with health, and weight loss-resistant individuals are often labeled as failures,' said lead author Anat Yaskolka Meir, postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard Chan School.'Our findings reframe how we define clinical success. People who do not lose weight can improve their metabolism and reduce their long-term risk for disease. That's a message of hope, not failure,' Meir added.Published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the study challenges the long-standing belief that weight loss is the primary sign of a successful diet. Researchers found that even participants who did not lose weight showed measurable improvements in key health indicators.The study tracked 761 adults between 18 to 24 months. All participants followed lifestyle changes without taking supplements or medications and were assigned to healthy diets.Participants also received free gym access and exercise guidance. By the end of the trial, approximately one-third of the participants had not lost weight, despite closely following the programme.However, they showed improvements in, including higher levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol, lower levels of leptin (a hormone primarily produced by fat cells), and reductions in abdominal fat, confirmed through MRI scans.Researchers also identified 12 genetic markers that may influence whether a person is likely to lose weight through lifestyle changes, an insight that could help personalise future diet plans. The findings suggest that healthy eating and exercise can provide significant health benefits even without weight loss, including reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, the researchers said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
13 hours ago
- India Today
Why Maths feels so hard? Science has the answer
Ravi still remembers that day in fifth grade. The teacher handed back the math test, and there it was, a big red circle around his answer, marked wrong. His classmates giggled, and the teacher sighed, "You just don't get it, do you?"From that moment on, Ravi decided: math is not for later, he still freezes up when he has to calculate a tip or help his daughter with her homework. Sound familiar? If you've ever felt your stomach turn at the sight of a math problem, you're not alone."The moment I see numbers in a word problem, my brain just shuts down," says Sneha, a Class 10 student in Delhi. "Even if I know the method, I panic and mess it up."advertisementIT'S NOT JUST YOU, IT'S YOUR BRAIN Believe it or not, the fear of math is real- and it's got a name: math anxiety. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that people with math anxiety experience activity in the same part of the brain that processes physical pain, just by thinking about doing Stanford University study using MRI scans showed that math-anxious children had hyperactive fear centers (amygdala) and underactive reasoning centers (prefrontal cortex). This means their brain goes into a state of panic."I used to think my students were just lazy or not trying hard enough," admits Mr. Ghosh, a middle school math teacher in Kolkata. "But once I learned about math anxiety, I realised they're not lazy-they're scared."BUT WHERE DOES THIS FEAR BEGIN?1. Bad early experiencesMany people trace their fear back to school-timed tests, confusing instructions, or being humiliated for mistakes."I was once told to stand outside the class because I couldn't recite the 7 times table," recalls Ramesh, now 32."That memory still haunts me."advertisement2. The "I'm not a math person" mythA global education survey (PISA 2012) found that students who believed "math talent is something you're born with" performed significantly worse than those who believed effort matters."Everyone around me said things like 'our family isn't good at math'-so I just accepted it," says Priya, a college student from Bengaluru."It was like a family curse."3. Teacher troubleA study from the University of Chicago revealed that female teachers with math anxiety often pass it on to their female students, leading to lower performance and confidence."As a teacher, I try to hide my own fear of numbers. But kids pick up on it," says Mrs. Saini, a primary school teacher in Jaipur. "Now I work on my own confidence first, so I can help build theirs."WHAT DOES THE DATA SAY? Why It Matters?Math fear doesn't just affect report cards-it shapes lives."I avoided engineering even though I loved physics-just because I was scared of calculus," says Amrit, now studying literature. It affects career paths, job readiness, and basic confidence in managing money, bills, or taxes. Over time, math anxiety can snowball into missed opportunities and lifelong NEWS: YOU CAN BEAT ITStart small: Use real-life math-like cooking, shopping, or your mindset: Mistakes are not failure-they're part of tools: Apps, games, and online tutors can help build support: A patient teacher or mentor can help rebuild used to cry during math class. Now I help my younger brother with his homework," says Kavya, a student who overcame math anxiety with the help of a supportive isn't a monster hiding under the bed. It's a skill-one that anyone can build with time, patience, and the right support. So the next time numbers make you nervous, remember: it's not you, it's your wiring-and science says you can rewire it.
Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Economic Times
A boy kept fainting during baths. Hyderabad doctor reveals this rare disease is found in many parts of south India
Dr Sudhir Kumar recently shared how a 12-year-old patient of his fainted while taking a bath during winters. In rural India, where winters are marked by foggy mornings and the warmth of steaming baths, a seemingly harmless routine turned life-altering for a young boy. What started as dizziness during hot water baths spiralled into sudden blackouts, stiffened limbs, and fainting episodes that baffled his family. It wasn't until years later that a diagnosis finally put their fears to rest, revealing a rare condition that few know even exists: Hot Water Epilepsy. Twelve-year-old Sai Teja (name changed), a bright and cheerful student from a small town in Andhra Pradesh, had spent three winters haunted by mysterious spells that followed his morning bath. A lover of cricket and top of his class, Sai's vibrant personality stood in sharp contrast to the strange episodes that unfolded only when hot water touched his head. Initially brushed off as fainting spells or cold-weather reactions, his condition grew more concerning when he collapsed in the bathroom, injuring himself. Local doctors provided vague explanations, suggesting cooler baths or dismissing the incidents altogether. But it wasn't until his worried parents took him to a neurologist in Hyderabad that things began to make sense. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, who treated the case and later shared the experience on X (formerly Twitter), conducted a thorough examination. While the MRI scan came back normal, the EEG revealed abnormal brain activity. The answer was clear: Sai was suffering from Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE), a rare form of reflex epilepsy primarily seen in young boys from South India, especially Andhra Pradesh. — hyderabaddoctor (@hyderabaddoctor) Unlike typical epilepsy, HWE is triggered not by random brain activity but by a very specific stimulus—hot water poured over the head. Once diagnosed, the condition is manageable. Sai was prescribed anti-seizure medication, and his family was advised on practical changes: use lukewarm water for baths, avoid pouring hot water on the head, and steer clear of steam-heavy these changes in place, Sai has remained seizure-free for over two years. His confidence has returned, and he's back to thriving now, prepping for a school quiz championship and living life to the fullest.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
A boy kept fainting during baths. Hyderabad doctor reveals this rare disease is found in many parts of south India
Sai Teja, a twelve-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, suffered mysterious spells after hot water baths. Doctors initially dismissed his condition. Eventually, a neurologist in Hyderabad diagnosed him with Hot Water Epilepsy. This rare condition is triggered by hot water poured over the head. Sai is now seizure-free with medication and lifestyle changes. He is thriving and preparing for a school quiz. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In rural India, where winters are marked by foggy mornings and the warmth of steaming baths, a seemingly harmless routine turned life-altering for a young boy. What started as dizziness during hot water baths spiralled into sudden blackouts, stiffened limbs, and fainting episodes that baffled his family. It wasn't until years later that a diagnosis finally put their fears to rest, revealing a rare condition that few know even exists: Hot Water Epilepsy Twelve-year-old Sai Teja (name changed), a bright and cheerful student from a small town in Andhra Pradesh , had spent three winters haunted by mysterious spells that followed his morning bath. A lover of cricket and top of his class, Sai's vibrant personality stood in sharp contrast to the strange episodes that unfolded only when hot water touched his brushed off as fainting spells or cold-weather reactions, his condition grew more concerning when he collapsed in the bathroom, injuring himself. Local doctors provided vague explanations, suggesting cooler baths or dismissing the incidents altogether. But it wasn't until his worried parents took him to a neurologist in Hyderabad that things began to make Sudhir Kumar , who treated the case and later shared the experience on X (formerly Twitter), conducted a thorough examination. While the MRI scan came back normal, the EEG revealed abnormal brain activity. The answer was clear: Sai was suffering from Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE), a rare form of reflex epilepsy primarily seen in young boys from South India, especially Andhra typical epilepsy, HWE is triggered not by random brain activity but by a very specific stimulus—hot water poured over the head. Once diagnosed, the condition is manageable. Sai was prescribed anti-seizure medication, and his family was advised on practical changes: use lukewarm water for baths, avoid pouring hot water on the head, and steer clear of steam-heavy these changes in place, Sai has remained seizure-free for over two years. His confidence has returned, and he's back to thriving now, prepping for a school quiz championship and living life to the fullest.
