Issue 6: The science of weight loss

Trying to get rid of pesky pounds? You're not alone. According to the CDC, roughly half of the US adult population attempts to slim down each year. And anyone who has tried to lose weight knows that it's not easy. Need a little inspiration? Here are our favorite reads on the science of weight loss.

We used to think of weight loss as calories in vs. calories out. As it turns out, it's far more complicated than that. Weight is an intricate interplay between genetics, nutrition, sleep, stress levels, physical activity, age, ethnicity, medications, and more. 

Want to trim down? Eating a diet rich in plants, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep and taming stress, provide a firm foundation for shedding pounds. Beyond that, there's plenty of room for personalization. Healthy, sustainable weight loss can look very different for different people, but rarely involves magic pills, excessive restriction, or wacky diets.  

Now that we've set the record straight, here are our top finds on managing your weight safely. Happy reading!

1. How to lose weight without killing sports performance.

Slashing calories may seem like a good idea but not if it compromises hard-earned muscle. Registered Dietitian, Elle Penner, offers 7 tips for shedding pounds without losing muscle

2. 'Fasting with food' explained.

ProLon's fast-mimicking diet has become a popular tool for accelerating weight loss and rebooting metabolism - but does it work? Elo founders, Ari and Tapio, gave it a shot (twice!). 

3. A case for the numberless scale.

Shapa's revolutionary scale uses a color-coding system instead of a number to provide feedback about weight. Are traditional scales a thing of the past? 

4. Gaining weight? Stress might be the reason.

More than 50% of US adults have reported unwanted weight gain during the pandemic and stress might be the culprit. Find out why rising stress hormones leave us craving junk food

5. New study finds weight loss supplements don't work.

A systematic review of 121 trials found that kidney bean was the only supplement to produce significant weight loss and the impact was modest.

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Disclaimer: The text, images, videos, and other media on this page are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to treat, diagnose or replace personalized medical care.