The Nutrient: Cold exposure, Water needs, Happiness

Research

A new study explains how cold exposure burns fat to produce heat in the human body. Participants agreed to lay on a "water-perfused cooling mattresses" for 120 minutes(!) with the water temperature just above shivering degrees. Researchers measured their blood lipids five different times during the experiment and found that cold exposure gradually increased circulating free fatty acids, and decreased total triacylglycerols (TAGs) at 30 min. In other words, being exposed to cold, but not so cold you're shivering, can burn body fat and lower the fat in blood that's associated with heart disease. No pill necessary.

News

Stop counting cups. There’s an ocean of difference in our water needs

The study, published today in the journal Science, measured the water turnover of more than 5,600 people from 26 countries, ages ranging from 8 days to 96 years old, and found daily averages on a range between 1 liter per day and 6 liters per day.

I talk to all my patients about how much water they drink and I've noticed a wide range in what people think is necessary. This research found that between 4-25 cups per day was enough for most people, which suggests experimenting is key. Where do you land?

Article

Happiness study reveals a critical difference between two types of people

"Happy people tend to overreport an improvement in their well-being, while unhappy people tend to exaggerate a worsening sense of well-being."

Willing yourself to be happy will usually have the opposite effect. This articles is a reminder that your interpretation of your life is more important to your happiness than your actual surroundings.

Words of the week

"I would say lack of purpose. A lot of what has been mentioned here (depression, suicide, disaffection, etc.) most likely stems from feeling unnecessary. Or least it is one contributing factor."
– Cerberus– on a Reddit Post about the biggest problem affecting the most men today

Take care,

Dr. Rondo