By pH health
care professionals
More and more
research is pointing toward an unsuspected silent killer … your chair!
You’ve probably
heard the news about studies linking
prolonged sitting and
inactivity with obesity, diabetes and heart disease -- but a new study from
South Korea published in the Journal of Hepatology says there’s
also evidence that all that sitting may be increasing your risk for liver
disease.
Researchers
found that prolonged sitting and decreased physical activity were independently
associated with increased incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Study participants who sat for 10 or more hours a day had a greater risk for
developing NAFLD than those who spent less than five hours a day sitting. And
those who were physically active were less likely to develop NAFLD than those
who were inactive.
SO WHAT IS GOING
ON HERE?
Many of us spend
our days sitting thanks to long commute times, desk jobs and a seemingly
never-ending selection of TV shows to watch, stream and download.
Unfortunately, more sitting means less moving. That sedentary lifestyle comes
with more snacking and an unhealthy diet, research
shows, and a host of other health problems including higher BMI, body fat
content, insulin resistance and higher circulatory lipids – “all of which
influence liver lipid content,” according to Michael Trennell, professor of
metabolism and lifestyle medicine at Newcastle University, in an editorial accompanying the
study.
“The message is
clear, our chairs are slowly but surely killing us,” Trennell wrote.
HOW CAN YOU BE
PROACTIVE?
- Reverse the curse of the chair! What’s the opposite of a
sedentary lifestyle? An active one! Research shows exercise can
improve liver lipids. And although there may not be a specific
recommendation for exercise as it relates to NAFLD, a good place to start
would be following the general guidelines for 150 minutes of moderate
exercise per week or 10,000 steps a day (for most people). If you have a
specific medical condition or health concerns, or you are a senior citizen, you may want to talk to
a qualified health care professional before starting up
a new exercise regimen. Bored with
exercising? Try something new!
- Take a small step in the right
direction. Doing a little is better than nothing at all. Even doing light
activity instead of sitting may help reduce your risk for NAFLD, lead study author Dr.
Seungho Ryu says.
- Take breaks from sitting. Current research doesn’t
really say exactly how much sitting is “too much,” Trennell commented in
the editorial. “We just know that it is better to sit less than to sit
more.” So, can you set a timer and remind yourself to walk, stand or
stretch throughout your work day? Are there other
activities you could try after work instead of watching television?
- Test, don’t guess. According to the American Liver Foundation, fatty liver disease
affects up to 25 percent of Americans, and often, there are no obvious symptoms.
Be proactive and come talk to the pH health care
professionals about what type of test would be best for you.
Enjoy Your
Healthy Life!
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