HEALTH NOW
Fast track
Fasting may help reduce fat in an interesting area. A study published in the journal Metabolism found that when overweight mice were put on an alternate-day fasting regime for five weeks, they developed hardly any fat in their pancreas, compared to mice who were allowed to eat as much as they liked. The findings may be important, as mice that were prone to developing diabetes tended to have increased fat cells in the pancreas, meaning that excess pancreatic fat may contribute to insulin resistance and diabetes down the line.
WORK IT OUT
Unemployment can do a number on our mental health, but how much paid work is needed to bring about positive effects? A single eight-hour day, says new research. The study, published in the journal , looked at data from more than 71,100 people over a period of nine years. They found that working up to eight hours of paid work per week boosted the mental wellbeing of those who were leaving unemployment, while a standard work week of 37 to
