Burn Baby Burn!

Individuals with higher metabolisms may unfortunately have a higher mortality risk according to the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2011;96 {6}, E972). Out of 652 “healthy” Pima Indian volunteers (none of which had diabetes), 508 were tested for 24-hour energy expenditure, 384 were tested for resting metabolic rate and 240 were tested for both. During the study time frame (11.1 years) 27 of the subjects died from natural causes. 

On deeper examination of the data a link was found between higher 24-hour energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate. The authors of the study concluded that “higher metabolic rates predict early natural mortality. Therefore, an elevated energy turnover may accelerate ageing in humans.

Mind Over Matter

The University of Pittsburg recently carried out a study on people who have strong emotional reactions to stress. Easily stressed individuals are on the whole more susceptible to inflammatory diseases (including heart disease) if they suffer from stress on a frequent basis. Therefore, don’t allow yourself to stress over relatively minor challenges as it will make you vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.

According to the ‘Archives of Internal Medicine’ heart patients with a positive outlook were 30% more likely to survive over the following 15 years since treatment. It shows the client’s attitude to their condition has a huge impact on the patient’s return to health and over the long term and ultimately their survival. Having positive expectations of recovery may be due to better coping strategies that are employed by an optimistic mindset. The tension and stress caused by negative thinking may in fact shorten lives. So be positive and you may just live longer.