Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition 3165: Is Sitting Really the New Smoking by Dr. Jenny Brockis on The Hidden Risks of a Sedentary Life
Oct 25, 2025
Dr. Jenny Brockis dives into the alarming effects of prolonged sitting, comparing it to smoking in terms of health risks. She reveals that uninterrupted sitting can lead to heart disease, obesity, and other serious conditions. With statistics showing people may sit more than they sleep, she emphasizes the importance of movement. Simple strategies, like short breaks for stretching or walking, can improve focus and cognitive function. Brockis also discusses the limitations of exercise in countering the harms of a sedentary lifestyle.
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Author's Personal Backache Realization
- Dr. Jenny noticed backache and tight muscles after moving from clinical work to a sedentary author role.
- That personal change made her realize increased sitting was the cause of her symptoms.
Sitting Length Trumps Occasional Exercise
- Prolonged sitting, not sitting itself, reduces cognitive blood flow and harms the prefrontal cortex.
- Long sitting also negates benefits of a 30-minute aerobic workout if you remain sedentary afterwards.
Sitting Harms Body And Brain
- Prolonged sitting links to higher risks of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, bowel cancer, and lower fat-burning enzymes.
- It also reduces cognitive performance and can make us 'fatter, sicker, and dumber' per the episode.