Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. While you may want to celebrate with your friends and family, you should think twice before you stuff yourself like a turkey. Overeating has been linked with metabolic disorders including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Read further to learn about some of the effects of overeating, and the research at SBP aimed to find new ways to treat metabolic disorders.
- Although people think the average weight gain over the holidays is five pounds, it’s in fact only one pound. But most people don’t lose that pound after the holidays, and that probably contributes to our increasing body weight as we age.
- For patients with type 2 diabetes, eating during the winter holidays can lead to a substantial increase in your average blood sugar. The effects might not be reversed in the summer and autumn months, so be mindful of your food intake.
- Research has shown a link between a brain hormone called glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and overeating. GLP-1 is supposed to let our brains know when we are full. Deficiencies in the hormone may the cause us to consume more food than we need.
- The risk of a heart attack jumps four times in the two hours after a large meal. Eating in excess causes the stomach and intestines to work harder, challenging the heart.
- According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American may consume more than 4,500 calories during a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Although the rule of thumb is that there are 3,500 calories in a pound, new research suggests you have to burn 7,000 calories for each pound of fat you want to get rid of.
To learn more about what SBP is doing to treat metabolic conditions, see these stories.
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