Women who repeatedly lose weight only to put it back on again could be damaging their immune systems, according to a study.
Docs in the U.S. questioned 114 women who were overweight but were otherwise healthy.
They found that those who said they had a history of so-called "yo-you" dieting had weaker immune systems.
Writing in Journal of the American Dietetic Association, they urged women against yo-yo dieting.
Doctors from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle took blood samples from each of the women who took part in the study.
They measured levels of the natural killer cells. These white blood cells are the backbone of the immune system, helping to kill viruses and protect against cancer.
The doctors found that women who had been the same weight over several years had higher levels of these cells. Those who had gone on yo-yo diets had much lower levels.
For instance, those who reported losing weight more than five times had about a third fewer natural killer cells.
The docs said further research was necessary to confirm these finding.
However, the general conclusion was that yo-yo dieting was bad for health.
'There's clear evidence that weight loss is beneficial for your health," said Cornelia Ulrich, a research assistant at the centre.
'What we're concerned about is this pattern of weight cycling where women go up and down'.
It would seem that medical opinion is that sensible healthy eating combined with an increase in physical activity is really the perfect recipe for success and long term health.
LINDA PRESTON
LINDA PRESTON IS A QUALIFIED HERBALIST WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN MEDICINE IN GENERAL & ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES. FURTHER EXICTING MEDICAL STORIES, BREAK-THROUGHS,ETC CAN BE FOUND AT HER MEDICAL BLOGSPOT http://medicalnewsguide.blogspot.com
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