Sitting is the New Smoking? What Nonsense…
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 10, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
It’s become the new rallying cry for so-called health “experts” everywhere.
Sitting is the new smoking.
They’ll tell you that there’s all this “research” now proving that sitting will destroy your health and shave years off your life.
And while I’m a big fan of exercise and moving around, there’s something about this research you’re not being told.
It’s junk science… and you’ll never believe the mega-corporation that’s REALLY behind it.
Maybe you saw all the recent headlines about a study claiming that sitting can be dangerous to your health.
I normally love studies like this… but this one is bull.
Why?
Well, the first reason is the company that sponsored the research: The Coca-Cola Corporation.
Strange, right? Why would Big Soda sponsor a study like this?
Because nutritional research is finally catching on that the sugar in soda is deadly poison.
So companies like Coca-Cola are trying to change the conversation away from what we eat to our daily activities.
And it works — almost every news outlet wrote about the so-called “Sitting Study.”
I could probably overlook the fact that the study was sponsored by Coca-Cola if it weren’t for another problem: the study is junk science.
Why? Because the study didn’t actually measure sitting.
The study used accelerometers and watched people’s activity levels for a week. Sounds like that would measure sitting, but it doesn’t.
What they ended up measuring is inactivity: which could be sitting, laying down, standing still, or even light movement.
To make matters worse, some people admitted to not putting the accelerometers on every day. Others only wore them for a few days.
There were so many problems with the study that the study authors wrote:
[The multiple problems with this study] render these finding inconclusive. Thus, caution is warranted when interpreting these results.
I wish the news outlets would read enough of the study to discover those words (they were near the end of the paper).
Don’t get me wrong — sitting and not exercising is bad for you.
An excellent study, called The London Bus Driver Study, found that sitting (as a driver) was much worse than moving around (as a ticket-taker) for long-term health.
There are plenty of other good studies that show exercise to have many health benefits including a stronger brain, better heart, and better blood sugar control.
But don’t let Coca-Cola convince you that sitting in the only cause of illness. If you have to sit a lot for work or for a volunteer activity, just make sure you get up and move every half an hour or so.
You’ll be just fine… trust me.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life
Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...
Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?
I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...
“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health
You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...
Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age
“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...
Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?
We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...
Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED
Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...
The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints
Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...
Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss
Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...
Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer
I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...
Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk
It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...