Earlier this month scientists at the University of Edinburgh reported that a protein, invadolysin, which they discovered a few years ago, might be involved in how we store fat in our bodies. When it is disabled, fat storage is impaired. So that line of research looks promising.

Other research from the University of Missouri shows that sitting down makes you fat and that standing can help with keeping your weight down. Obvious?

Well, the research shows that lipase, an enzyme which absorbs into our muscles the fat which is circulating in the blood stream (which comes from digestion), operates when you are standing or moving, but almost shuts down when you are seated. So when you are sitting, the fat goes into storage, rather than to the muscles where it can be used. Worse, it can stay in the blood vessels and can clog the arteries.

So stand or move about whenever possible, actively trying to reduce chair time.

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