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In what has been dubbed "The Great Crawl of China", in August 2010 commuters in Beijing accumulated along a 74.5-mile-long stretch of road for a preposterous 11 days straight. No mere rush-hour delay, the absurdity of this pile-up-one of the worst in recorded history-suggests that multiple factors were to blame.

Just as fewer cars and properly functioning traffic signals keep the expressways clear and communal road rage (mostly) in check, the same principles can be applied to keeping our metabolism running smoothly.

In a Cell Perspectives paper published in December, Deborah Muoio, PhD, a Duke University researcher investigating the impact of diet and exercise on metabolic health, explains how overeating can be detrimental to our health by contributing to cellular traffic jams-and ultimately to obesity and metabolic disease.

Serving as the engines that transform nutrients into an energy currency the body can use, mitochondria's job is to burn carbon intermediates that come primarily from two different types of fuel: fatty acids and carbohydrates in the form of glucose.

In normal physiology, mitochondria switch between alternate fuel sources throughout the day. Fuel choice depends on physiological cues such as if you've just polished off that plate of leftover holiday cookies, or if you are unfalteringly upholding your New Year's resolution by hitting the gym.

During a fasting state the body preferentially burns fatty acids, which serves two purposes. First, it saves glucose from being depleted to dangerous levels, defending the body against low blood sugar. Second, because the brain is picky and heavily reliant on glucose, the other organs selflessly burn fatty acids instead, in effort to keep the mind sharp. By contrast, after eating, mitochondria switch to burning glucose as a preemptive strike to stave off high blood sugar.

Mitochondria directing carbon traffic from fatty acids and glucose in this stop-and-go fashion is an example of how the body works to support steady blood sugar levels. Maintaining blood sugar levels in this way has evolved as a consequence of our ancestor's hunter-gatherer lifestyle to cope with dramatic fluctuations in energy supply and demand during periods of feast or famine. But then came mammoth fast food portions, donuts the size of small children, and literal tubs of movie theater popcorn. And, in consequence, overeating.

The problem is this: while the cellular mechanisms regulating energy metabolism have not changed much over the past several centuries, our environment is vastly different. Chowing down on that Big Mac and supersize portion of fries is bound to make mitochondria go berserk. They don't know what to do with all the extra energy that they are now being force-fed.

With overeating-especially foods that are high in both fat and carbs-fatty acids and glucose are simultaneously trying to navigate the metabolic pathways. Rather than cooperating with the mitochondrial signals, these molecules clog pathways and antagonize one another, essentially throwing curse words and insulting gestures out the proverbial window, much like drivers during the infamous Beijing gridlock of 2010.

"When people eat too much and too often, there is more carbon traffic on the metabolic highways," Muoio says. "When there are more carbon molecules, they can collide and cause damage to the cells."

Chronic congestion in mitochondria leads to a state of metabolic confusion. This is akin to a malfunctioning traffic light flashing yellow-hindering the flow of traffic and pushing cells into a state of metabolic gridlock.

Around 15 years ago, the lab of David Kelley, MD, then at the University of Pittsburgh, had a hunch that what really matters for metabolic health might be the cell's ability to select the right fuel for the right physiological setting (i.e. fasting or feeding, exercise or not). They found that in individuals who where obese or had type II diabetes, their mitochondria had lost the capacity to make this decision. In other words, mitochondria were unable to efficiently direct traffic. This is known as metabolic inflexibility and it has been linked with numerous ailments such as obesity, heart disease, and disorders of the liver and ovaries.

"Previous to this, most of the dialogue was centered on glucose uptake, but our work was telling us that there was a range of metabolic responses that we needed to focus on. We started to look at diseased states in more holistic ways," Kelley says.

Although Kelley's work provided the foundation, he asserts that researchers like Muoio have built upon his work in very elegant-and beneficial-ways.

Studies by Muoio and colleagues have shown that there are things that you can do to help your over-taxed cells return to an unobstructed state. She recommends grazing-eating smaller, more frequent meals-to keep metabolism running smoothly. In addition, an active lifestyle can have impressive benefits that extend beyond weight management.

"Exercise can unclog roadways by increasing the demand for the excess fuel we consume. Through exercise, the carbon molecules are burned at a much higher rate, so they aren't colliding with one another," Muoio says. "The cells are then better poised to cope with a new load of incoming carbon fuels."

Although following these guidelines won't prevent 11-day traffic jams from occurring along Beijing highways or on your daily commute, they will help to improve traffic flow at the cellular level, providing extra incentive for upholding a New Year's resolution to eat less and move more.

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How Overeating May Contribute to a Metabolic "Traffic Jam"

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In what has been dubbed "The Great Crawl of China", in August 2010 commuters in Beijing accumulated along a 74.5-mile-long stretch of road for a preposterous 11 days straight. No mere rush-hour delay, the absurdity of this pile-up-one of the worst in recorded history-suggests that multiple factors were to blame.

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Finding your way around an island on a bike is not always naturally intuitive, even though you'll find Hilton Head Island-with its 60 miles of public pathways and connections to at least 50 more miles-is quite easy to navigate.

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Explore the silky sands and turquoise surf of the Caribbean's finest beaches.

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Kids Swimming Lessons in Braintree | Swim Programs in Braintree

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At Goldfish Swim School, we're committed to offering a one-of-a-kind experience for both kids and parents. When you enroll in our swimming lessons in Braintree, you can look forward to watching your child have fun and learn in our shiver-free pool from the comfort of our air-conditioned viewing gallery.

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airport

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Food

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You cut calories, fit in time at the gym, and never eat after 8 p.m. So why is it that you still can't deflate that spare tire hanging around your tummy? Consider this: your body might be fighting against your weight loss efforts because you're eating too many inflammatory foods that cause chronic inflammation.

You can think of chronic inflammation as your home security system. Before you leave your house every morning and when you're ready to settle in for the night, you push some buttons and turn the alarm on. In doing so, you're securing your home and protecting yourself from invaders.

Your body's inflammation response works in a similar fashion. Your immune system is the home security system and inflammation is the alarm. An alarm-or inflammation-is triggered whenever the system detects an invader. In your body's case, that invader can be anything from a bruised knee to an allergic reaction to pollen. In a functioning system, your immune system will eventually disarm the alarm.

That's not the case with chronic, low-grade inflammation. You see, on top of sporadic inflammatory culprits, such as injuries or illnesses, there's a more insidious perpetrator that's likely triggering your alarm every day: food.

In a functioning system, your immune system eventually disarms the alarm. That's not the case with chronic, low-grade inflammation. And there's an insidious perpetrator that's triggering your alarm every day: food.

Research shows that a significant contributor to chronic inflammation comes from what we eat, and you'll soon find that many of the following inflammatory foods have a place in your diet. When you eat them daily, you'll constantly be turning on your body's alarm system. Because your immune system alarm is never disarmed, over time, this incessant inflammatory response can lead to weight gain, drowsiness, skin problems, digestive issues, and a host of diseases, from diabetes to obesity to cancer.

If your weight-loss efforts have plateaued before you've reached your body goals, make sure you've kicked these pesky foods to the curb. (We found over 40 examples of these foods that cause inflammation!) And once you do, start healing your body with these 30 Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Weight Loss!

RELATED VIDEO: This Is the Reason You're Not Losing Weight

Common Culprits: Soda, snack bars, candy, baked sweets, coffee drinks

Bet you could've guessed this one. According to a review in the Journal of Endocrinology, when we eat too much glucose-containing sugar, the excess glucose our body can't process quickly enough can increase levels of pro-inflammatory messengers called cytokines. And that's not all. Sugar also suppresses the effectiveness of our white blood cells' germ-killing ability, weakening our immune system and making us more susceptible to infectious diseases. A simple swap is subbing out harmful high-glycemic foods (which spike and crash blood sugar) for low-GI alternatives, like whole grains and foods with healthy fats, protein, and fiber. A study in the Journal of Nutrition discovered that on an equal calorie diet, overweight participants who ate a low-GI diet reduced levels of the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein whereas participants on a high GI diet did not. Sugar isn't only added to obvious products like candy bars and sodas. It's also lurking in these 16 Surprising Foods With Added Sugar.

Common Culprits: Mayonnaise, salad dressings, barbecue sauce, crackers, bread, potato chips

Once we became aware of the artery-clogging ill effects of trans fats, manufacturers switched to injecting their products with or frying their foods in vegetable oils such as soy, corn, sunflower, safflower, or palm oil-which wasn't much better. That's because these vegetable oils have a high concentration of the inflammatory fat, omega-6, and are low in the anti-inflammatory fat, omega-3. In fact, Americans are eating so many vegetable-oil-laden products that the average person has an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of around 20:1 when it should be 1:1.

Common Culprits: Fried foods like french fries, fried chicken, fish sticks, chicken tenders, onion rings

Another issue with these vegetable-oil-fried and processed foods is that they contain high levels of inflammatory advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These are compounds that form when products are cooked at high temperatures, pasteurized, dried, smoked, fried, or grilled. Researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that when people cut out processed and fried foods that have high levels of AGEs, markers of inflammation in their body diminished.

Common Culprits: Pizza, white bread, crackers, pasta, pretzels, flour tortillas, breakfast cereals, bagels

Refined wheat flours have been stripped of their slow-digesting fiber and nutrients, which means your body breaks them down very quickly. The more quickly your body digests glucose-containing foods, like these carbs, the faster your blood sugar levels can spike. This also spikes your insulin levels-a compound associated with a pro-inflammatory response. A Journal of Nutrition study found that a diet high in refined grains showed a greater concentration of the inflammatory marker, PAI-1, in the blood. On the other hand, a diet rich in whole grains resulted in a lower concentration of the same marker as well as one of the most well-known inflammatory biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP).

Common Culprits: Milk, soft cheeses, yogurt, butter

While a moderate intake of yogurt can actually help decrease inflammation with its gut-healing probiotics, dairy is also a source of inflammation-inducing saturated fats. On top of that, studies have connected full-fat dairy with disrupting our gut microbiome, actually decreasing levels of our good gut bacteria which are key players in reducing inflammation. And lastly, dairy is a common allergen-30 to 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, according to the FDA. Either way, any type of allergen can trigger inflammatory reactions through the release of histamines. If you feel particularly bloated after a few blocks of cheese, consider cutting dairy from your diet.

P.S. Don't worry about not getting enough calcium if you cut out dairy: A 2014 study published in the British Medical Journal found that high milk intake resulted in higher bone fracture incidences in women. Instead of relying on animal products, you can include more calcium-rich foods that aren't dairy in your daily diet.

Common Culprits: No-sugar-added products, no-calorie "diet" soft drinks

A 2014 study published in found that artificial sweetener consumption in both mice and humans enhances the risk of glucose intolerance by altering our gut microbiome. Researchers also found an increase in bad gut bacteria that have previously been associated with type 2 diabetes. When our bodies can't metabolize glucose properly, it can lead to a greater release of inflammatory cytokines, as is the case with sugar and refined carbs. On top of that, artificial sweeteners disrupt the composition of our gut microbiota by decreasing levels of the good bacteria Bacteroides, which are known to help release anti-inflammatory compounds.

Common Culprits: Breakfast cereals, processed foods containing fruit, candy, ice cream

"Artificial" means that the product is notnaturally found in nature. And that means your body usually doesn't have a way to process it. Ingredients like artificial coloring-which are made from petroleum (oil)-have been linked to host of health issues, from disrupting hormone function to causing hyperactivity in children, to tumor production in animal studies. And a meta-analysis in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that our immune system attempts to defend the body from these synthetic colorants, which activates the inflammatory cascade. Another study by researchers at Georgia State University found that additives like emulsifying agents used to thicken foods can disrupt the bacterial makeup of the gut, leading to inflammation and weight gain in animals. The evidence in humans is sparse, but your best bet would still be to steer clear of these ingredients and stick to their natural counterparts.

RELATED: Your guide to the anti-inflammatory diet that heals your gut, slows the signs of aging, and helps you lose weight.

Common Culprits: Burgers, pizza, candy, chips

We may have just absolved saturated fats of their connection to heart disease, but that doesn't mean they're out of the woods just yet. That's because multiple studies have connected saturated fats with triggering white adipose tissue (fat tissue) inflammation. This white tissue is the type of fat that stores energy, rather than burns energy like brown fat cells do. And as your fat cells get bigger with greater intakes of saturated fats, they actually release pro-inflammatory agents that promote systemic inflammation, according to a review in the journal Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy.

Common Culprits: Beef, chicken, pork

Because cattle, chicken, and pigs didn't evolve on a grain-fed diet, many producers have to load up their animals with antibiotics. These drugs not only keep the animals from getting diseases in cramped feedlots or getting sick from their unnatural diet, but they also help them (and us) gain weight faster. Altogether, this means we're eating meats that are higher in inflammatory saturated fats, have greater levels of inflammatory omega-6s from the corn and soy diet, and our body thinks it's in a constant state of attack due to ingesting leftover levels of antibiotics and hormones. Even worse, when we grill meat at high temperatures, it creates inflammatory carcinogens. Besides limiting red meat consumption to less than three times a week, make sure you pick up lean cuts of grass-fed beef for your protein. This healthy source provides more healthy saturated and trans fats as well as inflammation-fighting omega-3s. And you can also add a bit of lemon juice to your meats: the acid acts as an antioxidant, protecting you from the harmful carcinogens producing during grilling.

Common Culprits: Bacon, hot dogs, bologna, sausage, jerky

Processed meats are the worst of both worlds. They're typically made from red meats high in saturated fats and they contain high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), inflammatory compounds that are created when these processed meats are dried, smoked, pasteurized, and cooked at high temperatures. Not to mention the fact that these "mystery meats" are injected with preservatives, colorings, and artificial flavorings that also register as foreign attackers to our immune system.

Common Culprits: Store-bought bread made from refined, white flour

Many of the breads on the market can go from flour and yeast to baked bread in just a few hours. But this shortening of the period of fermentation causes a decrease in the amount of starch and gluten the yeast typically can pre-digest for us. Without the assistance in digestion, it can be harder for our bodies to digest the bread's gluten, causing inflammation in the lining of your intestines. Experts believe this could be one reason for the rise in gluten sensitivity among Americans. Another theory is that modern strains of wheat contain a super starch known as amylopectin A, which has been shown to have inflammatory effects. Either way, store-bought breads should be a pass if you've been struggling to lose weight. We are, however, giving bakery-made sourdough the green light. Sourdough bread is one of the surprising fermented foods that provide healthy probiotics to help heal your gut -key in helping to reduce inflammation!

Common Culprits: Beer, wine, and liquors

While some research has shown a drink a day can actually lower levels of the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP), too much alcohol actually has the opposite effect. That's because the process of breaking down alcohol generates toxic byproducts that can damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body's immune system. On the other hand, drinking in moderation can pose some benefits. The flavonoids and antioxidants found in wine-as well as the probiotics in beer-might actually contribute an anti-inflammatory effect, according to a study published in the journal . We can't say it enough, "Everything in moderation!"

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Common Culprits: Deep-fried restaurant meals; baked goods like doughnuts, cookies, and muffins

Because manmade partially hydrogenated oils, also known as trans fats, do not occur naturally in foods, our body doesn't possess an adequate mechanism to break them down. And when our body senses an unknown, foreign object, it can stimulate an inflammatory response. According to the Mayo Clinic, these trans fats can cause inflammation by damaging the cells in the lining of blood vessels. And a study in the the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global initiative that will American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who ate foods high in trans fat also had higher levels of markers of systemic inflammation, like interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Thankfully, eliminate artificial trans fats by 2023.

Common Culprits: You know...

Even if you don't know how to pronounce it, you should know what phthalates (thāl-ates) are. That's because many of us are unknowingly eating this class of endocrine-disrupting chemical toxins. Similar to BPA, phthalates are used in plastic food and beverage packaging-and they're not staying there. An Environmental Health Perspectives study made headlines for its finding that people who often ate fast food had dose-dependent higher levels of phthalate metabolites than infrequent eaters. And there's more bad news for all-day-breakfast lovers. A separate study published in Environmental Science & Technology found phthalates to be associated with the CRP marker of inflammation while another study in Environmental Health connected higher exposure to phthalates with metabolic syndrome, a disease also commonly associated with increased levels of inflammation. Lowering inflammation is only one of the things that happen to your body when you give up fast food!

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You cut calories, fit in time at the gym, and never eat after 8 p.m. So why is it that you still can't deflate that spare tire hanging around your tummy? Consider this: your body might be fighting against your weight loss efforts because you're eating too many inflammatory foods that cause chronic inflammation.

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Truth be told, who wouldn't love to be all green-savvy and cruise around in an environmental-friendly electric car if you could afford it and spare the time to recharge? But then, there is also the fear of running out of power in the middle of a junction, or worse, in the middle of nowhere. Yet, we all agree that electric cars are a great invention. The city of Gumi in South Korea now put all excuses aside and took public transportation to the next level by enabling public buses to run on electric power. What's new? They do not have to stop to re-"fuel" - not once.

The KAIST Graduate School for Green Transportation, who aim to make green transport Korea's new growth engine, has developed Online Electric Vehicle (OLEV) buses that can recharge their batteries while being in use. The technology, ranked in Time Magazine's Top 50 inventions in 2010, basically works like charging mats for smartphones that use electromagnetic induction - simply on a much larger scale. Magnetic charge plates, one embedded in the roadway, one inside the bus, make the current flow and are only "switched on" when they come close to each other.

With a gap of 17 cm between magnet plate to magnet plate there is up to an 85% maximum power transmission efficiency rate that can transfer 20kHz and 100 kW (136 horsepower). The magnet plates under the road take up only 5-15% of the actual road, meaning that roads need not to be completely teared apart to implement the new technology but only small fractions of it. The batteries themselves are only a third of the size of a regular electric car battery so less energy is overall needed.

Gumi is already using this new technology in trams at the Seoul Grand Park amusement park and in shuttle buses on the school campus. In August, Gumi continued their OLEV trial phase with two public buses that actively ran between Gumi train station and the In-Dong district, which covered a distance of 24 km. They continuously want to extend the fleet with implementing ten more public buses by 2015.

Although the OLEV project is the first functioning example of electric vehicles on the move other inductive charging projects have also been successful, such as in Torino, Italy or in Utrecht, Netherlands. Dong-Ho Cho, leader of the team at KAIST says "this is certainly a turning point for OLEV to become more commercialized and widely accepted for mass transportation." It simply makes sense to equip public buses that take the same roads day by day, always stop-and-go, with a self-sustainable technology.

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Electric Public Bus Recharges On The Move

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Truth be told, who wouldn't love to be all green-savvy and cruise around in an environmental-friendly electric car if you could afford it and spare the time to recharge? But then, there is also the fear of running out of power in the middle of a junction, or worse, in the middle of nowhere.

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Why Do We Turn Cell Phones Off On Airplanes? | NCTA - The Internet & Television Association

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Have you ever wondered why you have to turn your cell phone off during flights? Here's the 'logic' behind it. It's just one of the seemingly irrational procedures that the modern-day flyer is forced to accept.

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