Standing desks have become a popular alternative for office workers looking to break up long hours of sitting. However, a study led by the University of Sydney raises concerns about their effectiveness in improving heart health. The research, which involved more than 80,000 adults in the UK, suggests that standing for extended periods may not reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke as previously thought. Instead, it might increase the chances of developing circulatory problems such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis. The findings suggest that regular movement throughout the day is essential for maintaining overall health.

Standing Desks and Heart Health

The research showed that being on your feet for more than two hours a day did not lead to improvements in heart health. In fact, for every additional 30 minutes spent standing beyond this threshold, the risk of circulatory diseases increased by 11%. This challenges the assumption that simply standing for long periods can combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Dr Matthew Ahmadi from the University of Sydney’s faculty of medicine and health stressed that neither sitting nor standing for extended periods is beneficial. He recommended incorporating regular movement, such as walking, to minimise health risks.

Importance of Regular Movement

Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, the director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub at the University of Sydney, advised that people should focus on incorporating movement into their daily routine rather than relying solely on standing. Activities like taking regular breaks, walking during meetings, and using stairs can be much more effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The findings highlight the importance of staying active, especially for individuals who sit for long hours.

Expert Insight on Circulatory Health

Emily McGrath, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, supported the research’s conclusion. She emphasised that avoiding prolonged inactivity, whether sitting or standing, is key to reducing circulatory health risks.

 

Scientists on Friday revealed that a cholesterol regulator can become a surprising player in mental health research, helping treat depression and anxiety. 

Called LXRβ, the nuclear receptor is known for its role in cholesterol metabolism and inflammation. It is now emerging as a crucial player in neuroscience and psychiatry.

In a review, published in the journal Brain Medicine, researchers Dr Xiaoyu Song and Professor Jan-Ake Gustafsson from the University of Houston and Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) shed light on the therapeutic potential of liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) in treating depression and anxiety.

This comprehensive analysis marks a significant step forward in understanding the molecular underpinnings of mental health disorders and potentially revolutionizing their treatment.

“Our analysis reveals that the receptor plays a pivotal role in preventing central nervous system disease in experimental rodent models,” said Dr Song. If these observations translate to humans, it could emerge as a novel therapeutic target for treating neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety.

According to the findings, the receptor’s deficiency in female mice leads to anxiety-like behaviour and impaired behavioural responses.

The activation of the regulator in the amygdala exerts anxiolytic effects by rebalancing excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, it added.

Its signalling also regulates neurogenesis and enhances cognitive function, which may have implications for treating depression.

The review also explores its role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting potential connections between cholesterol metabolism, brain development, and ASD symptoms.

Professor Gustafsson said the connection between the receptor, traditionally associated with metabolic functions, and complex psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety, underscores the interconnectedness of biological systems.

It challenges us to think more holistically about mental health and its underlying molecular mechanisms, the professor added.

While the findings are promising, the authors caution that additional basic research and clinical trials are necessary to determine whether novel drugs targeting the receptor can be effectively utilised in treating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.