There is a Better Method for Determining Body Fat
You have likely heard the term countless times: Body Mass Index or BMI for short. It’s how medical and fitness professionals have measured a person’s body fat percentage in order to determine how “healthy” someone is. Your BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight ratios. A football player who is as stocky and muscular as he is tall would measure overweight despite having a lower body fat percentage than someone who is “too” thin.
We now know that there are many other factors that determine how healthy someone is. Studies have shown that weight is not a measurement of health. There are other studies confirm that fitness levels are a better determination of the risk of health problems. The more active you are, the better health you are in.
A Single Drop of Blood Now Proves Obesity and Health Risks
A new study shows that there is a better way of determining a person’s risk of becoming obese and unhealthy. The same study can also predict health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and kidney issues. This study is able to analyse metabolites in a blood plasma sample. Most of the people analysed in this study proved results that were as expected. Obese people usually had an unhealthy metabolism, but one in five people did not fit the classic “unhealthy and obese” profile. Some of the people who were obese carried a healthy metabolite profile, while some people in the study who classified as normal weight had an unhealthy metabolic profile.
All the participants in the study who had an unhealthy metabolic profile had increased risk of heart disease by 200-400%. Building a healthy metabolic profile seems to be imperative in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Many factors, including genetics, can affect your metabolism but increasing your activity levels everyday is a proven way to help improve your metabolic rate overall. Building muscle mass also helps as you will burn more calories (increased metabolic rate) with more muscles on your body.
Get Motivated to Live a Healthier Life
You lead a busy lifestyle and are probably juggling a full-time job, children, and maybe even a social life? It is hard to find time to get “healthy” and it’s known that being active fuels our body to create fat fighting and disease fighting cells. Many wish there was an easier way to getting “healthy”. There are pharmaceutical companies who claim to have created the magic pill that will make you look and feel amazing. A magic weight loss pill does not exist and even surgically removing fat from your body will not make you healthier – but feeling better about yourself can be the ultimate boost to get active and fit.
For more information on procedures that may give you that much needed boost, you can contact us here for consultations or call us at 1300-138-797 to get in touch with our team of professionals for further information.
Can Your Blood Predict Your Risk of Obesity?
The measurement of obesity and poor health has often been associated with a person’s body mass index: their weight to square height ratio. The problem with this method, however, is that certain members of the population may be considered overweight, despite having a low percentage of body fat.
A recent research study suggests that your blood may be a better indicator of predicting your risk of obesity1. The study by Kings College, London, found that measuring metabolites (compounds involved in metabolism) can predict the risk of obesity with 80-90% accuracy. Additionally, taking a blood sample can predict common health issues linked to obesity, such as heart disease and diabetes.
The problem with body mass index and obesity?
Despite body mass index being the most widely used indicator of obesity, there are several limitations of this method. A research study of almost 4300 patients found that those who were underweight had worse survival rates after surgery than slightly obese or overweight patients2. Furthermore, the study noted that body mass index may not correspond with proportional changes in muscle mass or body fat.
Obesity doesn’t necessarily have a correlation with specific health problems, such as heart disease. While body mass index can help health professionals to give advice on diet and lifestyle changes, especially for those who are classed as obese by their BMI, there are people with a low BMI who have an increased level of internal fat.
While there is some evidence to suggest why people differ in body mass index, genetics only accounts than less than 2% of this difference.
Determining your health with metabolites
In the blood study by Kings College, almost 2000 British twins were analysed over an average of thirteen years. These findings were then replicated in 427 American subjects. Of the 49 metabolites closely examined, obesity was predicted in over 50% of cases. The research found that around one in five subjects were misclassified in terms of their mBMI (BMI score and healthy or unhealthy metabolism).
Subjects with a normal BMI but unhealthy metabolism have a 50% increased risk of becoming obese within the next ten years, as well as a 200 to 400% greater risk of heart disease.
The metabolites studied were not linked to obesity genes, providing the assumption that genes cannot detect the effect of metabolism.
For the researchers, the metabolites in our blood may have a part in disease triggers, and with a third of metabolites associated with gut microbes, determining health by a body mass index score is a defective process.
To reduce both body weight and internal fat, diet and exercise play a major part. Both these factors can be difficult to maintain, which is why fat reduction procedures such as liposuction can help. Related: See our article on fat removal surgery options.
Sources
- https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(18)30630-2
- https://academic.oup.com/bja/article/116/3/319/2566140
Low-Carb Diet Most Effective For Shrinking Fat Cells, Study Finds
When it comes to weight loss there is a big debate over which is more effective: a low-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat diet. Promotors of each camp will say one is better than the other, and then there is research that suggests over the long term both the low-carb and low-fat diets yield the same body fat loss results.
But when it comes to metabolic health, the size of the fat cells seems to be a much stronger predictor of insulin resistance (an issue that leads to type 2 diabetes) than obesity.
A new study has found a low-carb diet is more effective at reducing the size of fat cells and improving insulin resistance when compared to the low-fat diet. This result is surprising given the weight loss amongst the obese participants was exactly the same.
Fat-cells size shrinks and circulating insulin levels reduce with a low-carb diet
At the most recent World Congress on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, Dr Tracey McLaughlin explained that fat-cell size has a significant impact on our health.
Professor of medicine, endocrinology, gerontology and metabolism at Stanford University, Dr McLaughlin revealed this latest research shows the importance of looking beyond body weight.
“You can lose weight, but if you’re having a lot of carbs and your insulin is sky high, maybe your fat cells aren’t shrinking as much,” said Dr McLaughlin.
Smaller fat cells = improved metabolic health
These results steam from digging deeper into the randomised controlled trial, DIETFITS, which compared low-fat and low-carb diets consisting of the same number of calories to study the weight loss effects.
The two diets focused on whole foods eliminating sugar, refined grains and processed foods.
The results, published in 2018, found that the weight loss figure was the same.
However, when Dr McLaughlin and her team biopsied the fat cells of the study’s 40 overweight participants and tracked their insulin levels, the results of the two diets differed significantly.
After 6 months of dieting:
- The low-carb participants had a reduction in fat cell size and significantly lower circulating insulin levels, below 50 µU/mL;
- The low-fat group had no change in fat-cell size and significantly higher circulating insulin levels, peaking above 350 µU/mL.
“It’s pretty clear that when you have a lot of smaller fat cells, your metabolic health is tremendously improved,” said Dr McLaughlin.
A ketogenic diet may be a good choice for type 2 diabetes treatment
“Fat-cell size appears to be an even stronger predictor of insulin resistance than obesity,” said Dr McLaughlin. “[In the study] the more weight you lost, the more insulin action improved, but the more your fat-cell size shrank, the more your insulin action improved.”
While it was noted the study is in its preliminary days, Dr Sarah Hallberg, of Virta Health, also shared research to support the use of a very low-carb diet (ketogenic style) for its health benefits.
Dr Hallberg spoke at the conference about the keto diet and its use to improve blood sugar control, reverse diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risks scores for heart disease.
In particular, Dr Hallberg noted that 91% of participants had reduced or eliminated their insulin use, with 55% in remission from their diabetes in just two years.
“You have a patient who has tried everything, and they are injecting hundreds of units a day of insulin, and you can make a difference like this in the first couple of weeks”, she said.
These study findings suggest weight loss and metabolic health may not just be about eating fewer calories. Following a low-carb diet consisting of whole foods and healthy fats may be what’s required to shrink your fat cells, manage weight gain and improve your overall health.
Want to Feel 25 Years Old Again? Exercise Might Be The Key
A new study has found those who engage in regular exercise have muscles that look like those of a 25-year-olds and respond quickly to the effects of inflammation.
Regular physical activity now may keep our muscles young as you age
It’s no secret we’re in the industry that helps people rejuvenate their face and body whether that’s through Dermal Fillers, Anti-wrinkle Injections or Liposuction with added skin tightening.
We’re also big promotors of diet and regular exercise to not just maintain cosmetic surgery results, but for the overall health benefits. From mental health, heart disease protection, weight loss – physical activity offers a whole host of health benefits.
If you’re looking to hold onto your youth a little longer, this recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology is worth listening to.
The study has found regular exercise during adulthood may protect your muscle mass against cellular damage and age-related loss. Physical activity may also exert an anti-inflammatory effect, claim the authors of the study.
The study consisted of three groups:
- 21 elderly active men
- 10 male runners and cyclists in their early 20s
- 10 elderly sedentary, healthy men
The men’s thighs were measured as a muscle mass marker and blood and muscle tissue samples were taken in order to understand not only muscle strength or composition but it’s response to inflammation.
Inflammation is a normal reaction to stress or injury. When you endure strenuous exercise, be it resistance training or aerobic exercise, inflammation occurs to help repair and strengthen tissue.
It’s persisting inflammation that negatively affects our health. In fact, many health professionals would argue in the majority of chronic health conditions, inflammation is present driving or sustaining the issues. In the case of muscle health, inflammation may prevent them from growing larger and stronger even after physical activity.
Muscle mass correlated with age and lifestyle
It was immediately obvious from this data, the muscle mass reflected the age and the lifestyles of the participants. The youngest, active men had the largest thigh circumference, while the elderly sedentary men had the smallest. Those elderly men that engaged in regular physical activity had a muscle mass in between.
Life long exercise improved the inflammatory response
It has already been well established physically fit people tend to exhibit lower levels of inflammation than inactive people. But what hasn’t yet been determined is what happens to the inflammatory response active people of old age compared to those who have participated in minimal-to-no physical activity in their daily life.
To answer this question, the participants were asked to complete a short single session of lower-body weight training on a knee extension machine. This form of resistance training was chosen as none of the male participants lift weights in their daily life, so their muscles would experience unfamiliar stress regardless of their age and lifestyle habits.
A few hours after the strength training session, their bloods were taken and the men’s muscles were biopsied. The tissues were also analysed for inflammatory cells and gene markers.
The researchers found that the inflammatory response differed in the men of all three subject groups:
- The young athletes showed the least amount of inflammation in both blood and muscle at the beginning and throughout the resistance training. After exercise, their inflammatory markers increased briefly but so did the anti-inflammatory signals at the same time.
- The elderly active men had slightly higher inflammatory levels and their anti-inflammatory reaction was a bit lower.
- The sedentary elderly men’s inflammatory markers spiked significantly higher with minimal cellular signs of resolving in the short-term.
Starting regular exercise early in life may help keep your muscles young
Although the study was small and the duration short, the research shows that starting regular training when you’re young may be key to keeping aging muscles healthy even when faced with inflammation.
The results also suggest a daily life of inactivity sets the muscles up to overreact to strain and struggle to recover from inflammation. This is likely to lead to fewer muscular gains when the individual does engage in exercise, even if that is targeted strength training.
Professor of exercise science at Ball State University in Muncie who oversaw the study says this information shouldn’t deter middle-aged and older individuals from engaging in regular training. “Even if inflammation gets in the way a bit at first, your muscles will respond and grow,” he tells the New York Times.
So if you want to look and feel young, reduce the risk of injury and look after your overall health, getting active as early in life as possible might be a key part of the puzzle.
The Biggest Health and Wellness Trends for 2020
This year’s health and wellness trends included infrared saunas, cult HIIT classes, tasty smoothies and vegan diets. We saw a big push towards self-care, mental health and workplace wellness. But what has the wellness industry got in store for us in 2020?
Google research and social media trends suggest there is plenty happening in the health and wellness space from virtual fitness and apps to DNA testing and CBD products. Here, we break it down to the top trends you can expect next year.
1. Virtual wellness
A growing trend to help people squeeze health and wellness activities into their busy schedules is virtual wellness programs.
Virtual wellness incorporates personalised fitness classes to allow people to train in the comfort of their own home at any time of the day. You can even enlist the help of a personal trainer online.
But it doesn’t stop at just exercise, you can find virtual wellness programs for goal setting, customised health plans, personal data tracking and nutrition support. This wellness trend is big in the United States including New York and California, particularly amongst millennials and is tipped to be just as popular in Australia next year.
2. Breathing apps
As we run on the corporate treadmills to success and juggle a neverending job list our stress and anxiety levels have risen. A big mental health trend we saw in 2019 was the rise in popularity of meditation apps designed to calm the mind and encourage relaxation.
Now the interest has turned to smartphone apps designed to teach people breathing methods to calm physical and emotional stress. Apps like Prana Breath, Breathe2Relax and Breathing Zone can help calm you in a matter of minutes.
3. Keto diet
We’ve seen countless diet trends rise and fall in 2019, but one seems set to continue to grow in 2020.
The keto diet, formerly known as the Ketogenic diet, is based on a very low carbohydrate and high fat program. By sending the body into ketosis, it encourages you to burn fat as fuel resulting in weight loss and improved metabolic health.
Many people on a keto diet have found they sleep better, have consistent energy and fewer blood sugar crashes. Keto has also been found beneficial for those with diabetes, Alzheimer’s, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It’s the wide range of beneficial changes to the body that’s made the keto diet a growing trend in the wellness industry.
4. CBD beauty products
The international beauty and wellness industries have seen a huge rise in sales of CBD (cannabidiol) products from skincare and muscle rubs to anti-inflammatory energy bars. Both big premium brands and boutique companies are jumping on the CBD train as more countries legalise the ingredient. You may even soon be lining up at your local cafe to receive a takeaway coffee infused with CBD oil!
It’s largely the anti-inflammatory properties cannabinoid, the natural active substance derived from hemp or cannabis plant, that has drawn attention from consumers. There is growing research to suggest CBD may be beneficial in treating anxiety, depression, sleep issues, migraines, joint pain and chronic skin conditions such as acne.
5. Meditation classes
No longer are meditation classes reserved for the alternative wellness or hippy realm. Meditation classes are becoming mainstream with many gyms, yoga studios and wellness centres offering them as a standalone class.
These classes are marketed as workouts for the soul and put mental health and wellbeing at the forefront over sweaty, high-intensity sessions. Studios prioritising soulful workouts in 2020 are also expected to extend their wellness programs to include offerings such as ayurvedic massage, breathing classes and floatation tanks.
6. Hybrid yoga classes
Move over goat yoga, hybrid yoga is set to be a new trend in 2020 as more health and wellness fanatics want to maximise their workouts.
Hybrid yoga, an import from the United States, combines two different exercises to increase the workout benefits. While it may not be an approved version of yoga by traditional yogis, the rise in popularity tells us hybrid yoga is attracting a whole new audience.
HIIT Yoga, Yoga Attack, Corepower Yoga are just some of the classes offered by start-ups and long term leaders of the wellness and fitness industry. And soon to hit the Australian market is ROGA – a combination of running and yoga.
7. DNA & Microbiome testing
Advances in technology have to lead to more accessible, innovative and affordable testing including that of our DNA and microbiome. This is paving the way for biohacking wellness trends as more consumer’s want to understand the complex relationships between our genes, bacteria, health, nutrition and lifestyle habits.
This year, we’ve started to see these testing products become more available in Australia, yet in the UK they are taking it one step further with dedicated biohacking clinics popping up everywhere. We’re expecting this wellness trend to become mainstream here in Australia offering individuals customised diet, exercise, supplement and lifestyle based on their individual health markers.
You May Want to Rethink Your Calorie Counting Methods
Results of a recent study found our calorie counting methods may be all wrong. Instead of counting the number of calories we consume in a day, setting a limit of calories per meal may help with weight loss.
Researchers from Warwick Business School found dieters who set a calorie content limit for each of their meals ended up eating less than the people who limited the number of calories over the entire day.
The study of counting calories, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, asked people to work out their own budget.
Counting calories per meal may better support dieting efforts
Two groups of 50 participants were shown pictures of food that came with a suggestive amount of calories on each plate.
They were also provided with an idea daily calorie intake based on gender and age and were asked to work out their own calorie budget.
- The first group worked out their daily calorie allowance per meal and per snack. On average, they set an overall calorie intake of 1,528 per day.
- The second group thought about what they may eat throughout the day. On average, they set an overall calorie budget of 2,011 per day.
Dr Mialoeli Jia, associate professor at Warwick Business School and study’s lead author, explained those participants who set a daily calorie budget considered cutting their calories from meals like dinner and snacks, where they thought they’d have larger portion sizes and most likely to overeat. But in doing so, they didn’t think about the other meals they consumed.
“Those who budgeted on a meal-by-meal approach cut the calories in all the meals they ate, which drove down their daily allowance,” Assoc Prof Jia said. This meant they ate fewer calories which may help achieve their weight loss goals.
Meal timing is key to an effective weight loss diet
Despite the results of participants consuming fewer calories, meal timing may be what is required for long-term weight control.
Dr Alexandra Johnstone, a professor at the Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen, explained there is research to support reversing your daily calorie intake can encourage weight loss and may be better for weight management.
Skipping breakfast, for example, is linked to a 55% higher risk of becoming overweight or obese. Whereas, those who consume a high proportion of total daily calories in the morning, are likely to be of a lower body mass index (BMI).
This may also be associated with the fact most people are more active during the day and are likely to burn a higher number of total calories as your energy expenditure is higher.
With this in mind, an effective weight loss approach may be to consume your carbs at breakfast and adopt a low-carb way of eating for the rest of their day.
Intermittent fasting, a popular healthy eating approach for nutritionist, also considers meal timing.
Read about the benefits of intermittent fasting from weight loss to anti-aging here.
Research has found eating dinner in the afternoon and fasting for the remainder of the evening can help improve a person’s ability to switch from burning carbs for energy to burning body fat which can overtime help stimulate weight loss and achieve a healthy weight.
One thing to consider when counting calories or meal timing is that it’s not just the number you need to watch out for. The type of food you’re eating is also crucial in weight loss and overall health and well-being.
A meal plan that is nutrient-dense containing the macronutrients protein and fat, as well as micronutrients found in fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains and other whole foods, should be the focus. Keeping your intake of refined carbs and processed foods that are void of nutrients yet high in calories will also be critical for weight loss.
A low-protein or low-fat diet contains fewer calories, even if it’s predominately based on leafy greens, won’t be satiating or satisfying. You’ll have no energy for physical activity and feel deprived, over time this typically leads to overeating and snacking behaviours and weight gain.
Key takeaways:
- Consider the calorie content of your individual meals and snacks
- Consume your higher-energy foods in the morning or before physical activity
- Assess the nutrient-density of your meals to ensure they’re balanced, keep you energised and fuller for longer.
Reduced Lipid Turnover Could Be Why People Gain Weight As They Age
Have you noticed your waistline is increasing as you get older? Perhaps weight loss doesn’t come as easily now as it did when you were younger.
The truth is, even if you adopt a healthy diet and engage in regular physical activity it’s much harder to prevent weight gain as we age. Now, a new study out of Sweden may have discovered the reasons for the increase in body weight.
Published in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers suggest “lipid turnover rate” decreases with ageing. This is the rate at which lipid or fatty acids in fat cells is removed and store.
The reduction of “lipid turnover” makes it easier to gain body fat, even if we’re eating the same amount of calories and our doing the same amount of exercise.
Previous studies have found an excess in body fat is linked with a decrease in the removal of fatty acids. But is the rate constant over a life span or does it change during weight gain or weight loss?
Over an average period of 13 years, fat cells were analysed in 54 male and female participants. Regardless of whether the participants experienced weight loss or gained a few extra kilos during the study period, there was a decrease in the lipid turnover rate in their fat tissue.
According to the study, those participants who didn’t compensate for this change by eating fewer calories gained an average of 20% more weight.
Weight-loss surgery may help increase lipid turnover
Interestingly, the study also analysed lipid turnover in 41 women who had undergone weight loss bariatric surgery to ascertain how the rate affected their ability to keep the weight off long term.
The new research found only in the women who had a low lipid turnover rate pre-surgery were able to increase their lipid turnover after their weight-loss surgery and maintain their reduced body weight.
Substantial weight loss doesn’t appear to be driven by changes in the fatty acid removal, but instead by the rate of lipid uptake in the fat tissue.
Professor at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and one of the study’s main authors, Peter Arner, said this new research could give a greater understanding in why people gain weight and new ways to treat the obesity crisis.
“The results indicate for the first time that processes in our fat tissue regulate changes in body weight during ageing in a way that is independent of other factors”, he said.
How do you increase the lipid turnover rate?
Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom and there are ways to speed up your lipid turnover.
Previous studies looking into lipid turnover in relation to weight gain has found one way to increase the rate in the fat tissue is to exercise more.
“Understanding lipid dynamics and what regulates the size of the fat mass in humans has never been more relevant”, said co-author and senior researcher at Karolinska Institutet, Kirsty Spalding.
“Obesity and obesity-related diseases have become a global problem”, she added.
According to an earlier study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, people who engage in regular physical activity tend to be of good metabolic health and have high metabolic flexibility.
In obese patients, exercise has the beneficial effect of reducing intramuscular lipids which could be linked to the improved lipid turnover.
These findings show the speed of lipid turnover is an important factor in the long-term changes in body weight and long-term results of weight-loss surgery.
Simply put, if you want to prevent weight gain as you age, it’s time to get moving.
What Does Your Face Shape Say About Your Health?
Health problems including those associated with blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and body fat could show up in your face shape, according to new research.
Your face shape may provide an insight into your health
It’s well known that how your face looks including the jawline, cheekbone structure and facial skin quality contribute to attractiveness. Dating apps like Tinder are largely based on the theory that you’ll swipe right thanks to an attraction to the person’s facial appearance.
But is face shape simply about personal taste or does it indicate more about the individual? Are you swiping right because you’re drawn to a person’s good health as much as you are their facial features?
A recent study led by Macquarie University in Sydney has found the shape of your face could provide an insight into your health. A person’s BMI, percentage of body fat and even blood pressure reading may be revealed in subtle facial appearance cues. And, we’re subconsciously picking up on these cues.
Beauty (and health) in the eye of the beholder
The study involved a computer that was trained to recognise the three health indicators (BMI, body mass and blood pressure) in a subject’s face using 138 delineated landmark points.
In study 1, the faces of 272 Asian, African and Caucasian individuals maintaining a neutral expression were photographed.
In study 2, 26 Caucasian participants manipulated their face using a slider app to make their face look as healthy as possible.
“We found that the participants altered the faces to look lower in fat, have a lower BMI and, to a lesser extent, a lower blood pressure in order to make them look healthier,” explained Dr Ian Stephen, study author and Macquarie University psychology researcher.
Interestingly, the change in people’s faces didn’t have to be dramatic for participants to identify their health status. A face with a higher body fat percentage, for example, was only subtly different from that of someone with a higher BMI, yet the participants were able to point out the differences.
The results of the study suggest that the shape of your face varies with aspects of your physiological health and can be used to identify healthy and unhealthy individuals.
“There’s always been this ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ idea which essentially says that what we find attractive is just arbitrary and there is nothing inherent about an attractive person,” says Dr Stephen.
Simply put, you may not be swiping left just because you’re not attracted to the prospective date. You may be subconsciously swiping past someone who carries health risks for obesity, heart disease or low BMI.
This is not the first study to look at a person’s face shape in relation to attractiveness.
A previous study by the University of Toronto found facial cues including expressions allow people to determine whether you’re rich or poor.
Using feedback from over 1,000 female clients, London facial cosmetic surgeon Julian De Silva, has created the “world’s most desirable face” based on facial contours, curves, angles and proportions.
The health of facial skin has also been identified as an attractive physical trait that positively influences another person’s perception of an individual’s health.
“Evolutionary theory has chipped in on that and essentially says that attractiveness is essentially a mechanism for recognising healthy, fertile, appropriate mates and also healthy friends and allies, because there are obvious advantages to being friends with or mating with people who are healthy,” explains Dr Stephen.
Are You Looking After Your Butt?
A typical self-care routine includes cleansers, toners, moisturisers, serums and masks. Now, beauty brands have shifted their focus to butt skincare.
If you want to be kind to your rear end, you’ll find sheet masks and scrubs, serums and oils and creams to nourish, tone and firm your booty.
And we’re loving it!
Not only do we think it’s a great way to enhance your new booty post a Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, but our rear ends also benefit from a little extra self-care.
The thriving skincare industry
Butt cheeks can suffer from pimples and dry skin just as your face would. Your derriere’s complexion can also appear dull and show signs of ageing just as the skin on the rest of your body.
A little scrubbing and moisturising may just be what’s needed to return the glow to the delicate skin of your butt cheeks. But if you need a little more TLC, dermatologists and aestheticians are now offering buttock facials which can include dermabrasion or a chemical peel depending on your needs. You can even find butt cupping services and high-frequency device treatments designed to kill bacterial infections and reduce inflammation.
According to NPD Group’s market research, the rise in popularity of butt-specific skincare is due to the growth of the beauty product market, which in 2018 become a $5.6 billion industry.
There is also a trend for skin-care companies to produce “clean” products that imply they don’t contain harmful ingredients in their range.
“If you think about the bigger trends in beauty and why skincare as a whole is growing so fast, it’s because of clean brands,” Larissa Jensen, an analyst at NPD Group tells the New York Times.
Beauty routines targeting our whole body
The addition of butt-specific skincare products is also a result of more consumers targeting their entire body in their beauty routines.
Global director JWT Intelligence, a research firm, Emma Chiu says the boom is what they referring to as “inclusive wellness”.
“We’re seeing that we’re embracing every part of our body, and this includes the more intimate parts of our body.”
The thriving wellness trends, body positivity and popularity of more shapely behinds are driving entrepreneurial brands and start-ups to expand their range into the butt care market.
Ms Chiu says she’s loving how these brands are approaching butt-specific products taking a cheeky, humorous angle. “When you’re speaking about intimate skincare you don’t want to be too serious”, she says.
Take Bawdy Beauty’s Squeeze It! Butt Sheet Mask which is accompanied with the tagline “My Butt Looks Better Than Your Face”. Or, perhaps Lush Cosmetic’s Rump Bottom Rub designed to help soothe sore muscles after a butt workout or long run.
Let’s face it. If you are investing in cosmetic surgery to enhance your body shape, taking care of it post-surgery with a healthy diet, exercise and self-care will only see you enjoy your new figure for longer. And that includes your behind too.
New Research: Personalised Diets Using Blood Tests
Have you ever wondered why you can’t lose weight on a fad diet but your friend can? Maybe you ditched the carbs or tried a trending nutrition plan but instead of weight loss, you experienced weight gain.
Your weight-loss woes may be answered with a simple blood test.
“Personalised nutrition” is an approach many nutritionists take with an increasing number of practitioners turning to DNA testing to tailor their diets specifically for the individual.
The general premise is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to diet plans and exercise programs. Genes, microbiome, lifestyle habits, occupations and environments differ greatly from one person to the next. Health experts say, so should their diet and exercise routines.
New research from King’s College in London and Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States demonstrates the current dietary guidelines and food pyramid nutrition advice provided by dietitians is far too simplistic. The results suggest a personalised nutrition model is more likely to yield better long-term overall health outcomes.
More than 1,000 people (mostly twins) participated in the recent study that measured how makers in blood samples such as sugar, insulin and fat change after eating a specific diet. Data on physical activity, sleep, hunger and gut microbiome was also collected.
The test results found there was a wide variation in blood responses to the same meals regardless of whether they contained carbs or fat.
Some participants, for example, experienced rapid and prolonged increases in their blood sugar and insulin levels. Both of which are associated with weight gain and type 2 diabetes.
The results of other participants showed an increased risk of developing heart disease based on their high and lingering fat biomarkers after a meal.
According to King’s College, the variations in test results can only be partly explained by the participant’s genes as even the identical twins who share the same genetic make-up and family history and experience the same environment had different responses to identical foods.
Personalised nutrition: the latest approach to encourage weight loss
For many nutritionists, personalised nutrition is the way forward to not only to assist weight loss but to improve overall health.
Clinical nutritionist Sarah Appleford says this is not a novel approach.
“Designing an individually-tailored nutrition plan that takes into account the client’s blood test results, microbiome makeup, medical history, family history and lifestyle is at the core of our practice”, she says.
“There is no one diet that’s right for everyone. Of course, there are standard dietary and lifestyle changes we can make to improve our overall health, like stay hydrated and move regularly. However, if you want to work on specific goals and achieve sustained results you have to look more closely at the individual facets of that person.”
Some researchers, however, warn against personalised nutrition and the gaps in the evidence.
“Scientists working in this area have expressed concerns about over-promising, individually as well as through institutional guidelines and statements,” states Jose M Ordovas, co-author of the review ‘Personalised Nutrition and Health published in the British Medical Journal.
The researchers’ state “much research is needed” for personalised nutrition to gain scientific credibility, especially when it comes to using genetic testing to inform a specific diet.
“Regardless of the scientific evidence, if you’re not seeing the results and not improving your health you need to make a shift. That might include stepping away from the standardised government guidelines and taking a personalised approach to your own health,” says Sarah.