Latest news with #GilesYeo
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Nutritionist says detox diets can work but she does not like them
Nutritionist Shefalee Loth and Professor Giles Yeo discussed the issue of detox diets on the Which? podcast Detox diets often claim to be quick fixes and promise easy weight loss by expelling "toxins" from your body. They claim to do this by eliminating entire food groups from your diet or adding in 'detoxifying' products. Despite the potential for serious deficiencies and problems, these diets do appear to deliver on their promise of temporary weight loss - but two experts have given reasons why they do not recommend them. Nutritionist Shefalee Loth spoke on the Which? podcast, and began by admitting: "By cutting them out, ultimately you're reducing your calorie intake so you lose weight." The reason detox diets aid in weight loss has nothing to do with the food groups you're "detoxing" from or by "flushing" toxins out of your body. In fact, it doesn't actually accomplish that. Shefalee said: "The idea is that our body is full of toxins. So we have to reduce those toxins that we're putting in but actually our bodies have inbuilt detoxification systems. Our heart, our lungs, our kidneys, our livers do that for us." Detox diets often concentrate on eliminating entire food groups, typically dairy, complex carbs and gluten. The nutritionist, who confessed she is entirely against detox diets, emphasised: "(These) things that aren't inherently bad for you, unless your coeliac or something like that. They demonise foods that shouldn't be demonised. "Dairy is a really important source of calcium so when people are cutting out all dairy products there's a real risk they're going to end up with calcium deficiency. These food groups provide really important nutrients in our diet." Cambridge University geneticist, Professor Giles Yeo, also spoke on the podcast, pointing out a specific scenario where detoxing can be beneficial. However, it has nothing to do with altering your diet, but rather your vices. He clarified: "The word detox comes from drinking too much alcohol or drug overuse. You detox by stopping said items. "We shouldn't be excluding whole food by all means do dry January, cut down on your alcohol, that is detoxing. "Everything else is (removed by) your liver or your kidneys. If that's not working you need a hospital." Regarding foods and beverages that purport to accelerate your detox process, he said: "There is no way to eat something to speed up the detoxing, which is what a lot of the juicing things say is that it speeds up the detox. Nothing you can actually eat will detox you faster."
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Labrador owners can blame their dog's genetics for overeating
New research has found that Labradors and humans share a gene variant that causes overeating. The study, released during World Obesity Day, identified the DENND1B gene variant as a common factor in obesity for both species. The research, led by scientists from the University of Cambridge, focused on British Labrador retrievers and found multiple genes associated with canine obesity. The same genes were also linked to human obesity. READ: The study revealed that the DENND1B gene variant caused approximately 8 per cent more body fat in Labradors with this variant. This gene is also implicated in severe childhood obesity in some people. Professor Giles Yeo, one of the study's lead authors and chair of scientific advisory board, said: "About 40-60 per cent of pet dogs are overweight or obese, predisposing them to a range of health problems. "Dogs are exposed to similar environmental risk factors for obesity as humans; most have limited exercise and easy access to food. "The inheritance of obesity in dogs is complex and, until now, its genetic basis was poorly understood." READ: The study found that the DENND1B gene has a previously unrecognised role in regulating MC4R signalling, a key regulator of body weight. Professor Yeo said: "Perhaps it's not surprising that we found the same gene has a similar effect in dogs and humans. "Canine DENND1B is very similar to the human gene. "Studying the dogs meant we had reason to focus on this particular gene, which has led to a big advance in understanding how our own brain controls our eating behaviour and energy use." READ: The study also found that the risk of traits such as hunger created by our genes can be mitigated. Strict control of diet and exercise was found to be influential in preventing obesity in dogs with a high risk. Similarly, people at high genetic risk of developing obesity will not necessarily become obese if they follow a strict diet and exercise regime. Jaie Genadt, CEO of health and wellness specialists said: "It's highly significant that this paper concludes that a genetic trait such as hunger, caused by our genes, can be mitigated. "Our commitment is to improving health by turning such cutting-edge research into practical, empowering solutions that make a difference in the lives of our customers." READ: is currently building on the latest obesity research to create a new personalised weight loss treatment plan for humans. The plan will combine behavioural science, wearables, AI technology and the latest in pharmacology and supplements to develop individual weight loss programmes and other healthcare treatments. For more information on how technology can help you learn more about how your food and lifestyle impacts your health, visit their website.
