Metabolism, Thermogenesis, and Brown Adipose Tissue

Can Cold Exposure Help You Burn More Calories?

Yes. This meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials found that acute cold exposure increases energy expenditure by an average of 188 calories per day. Cold also activates brown adipose tissue (brown fat), which burns calories to generate heat.

Researchers from Jilin University in China analyzed studies on cold exposure and metabolism. They found that even brief cold exposure at temperatures of 16-19°C significantly increased both energy burning and brown fat activity in healthy adults. This has important implications for fighting obesity.

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Antidepressant Weight Gain: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It

Why Do Antidepressants Cause Weight Gain and How Can It Be Prevented?

A comprehensive review published in Archives of Clinical and Biomedical Research reveals that antidepressants cause weight gain in 55-65% of patients through multiple biological mechanisms including altered neurotransmitter signaling, metabolic changes, and appetite regulation disruption. This adverse effect contributes to treatment discontinuation, depression relapse, and worsened metabolic health outcomes, including increased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes, making understanding and mitigation strategies crucial for long-term treatment success.

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One Week of Sleep Restriction Reduces Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Men

Can Just One Week of Poor Sleep Affect Your Blood Sugar Control?

Yes, and the speed is alarming. This controlled study found that restricting healthy men to just 4 hours of sleep per night for one week reduced their insulin sensitivity by 40% compared to normal sleep. Even more concerning, this dramatic metabolic change occurred in previously healthy individuals with no diabetes risk factors, demonstrating how quickly sleep loss can disrupt glucose regulation and push the body toward insulin resistance.

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Short Sleep and Poor Diet: A Double Hit for Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Do Short Sleep and Poor Diet Together Increase Diabetes Risk?

Yes, and the combination creates a powerful one-two punch for metabolic dysfunction. This study found that adults with habitual short sleep duration who also had poor dietary patterns faced dramatically higher risks of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with either risk factor alone. The interaction between insufficient sleep and poor nutrition appears to compound diabetes risk through overlapping metabolic pathways that disrupt glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity.

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Why Your Metabolism May Matter More Than Your Weight for Cancer Risk

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

This review highlights a major shift in how we understand cancer risk. It’s not just about weight—it’s about what your metabolism is doing behind the scenes. Even people who appear thin can have metabolic problems that increase their risk of getting cancer. If you’re metabolically unhealthy—whether or not you’re overweight—you may be at higher risk for cancers like colorectal, breast (postmenopausal), pancreatic, and bladder cancer. The good news? Lifestyle changes like exercise, better sleep, and time-restricted eating can make a big difference.

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