What is real hunger?

 Articles, Weight Loss  1 Response »
Nov 132011
 

In order to identify hunger, you must first understand what it is. This is not as easy as it seems. Many of you may never have let yourself experience true hunger, only a feeling of discomfort. Not knowing exactly what it was, you may have been eating past hunger for such a long time you can no longer differentiate between hunger and the feeling of anxiety, stress, boredom, or any number of other emotional or circumstantial stimuli. You haven’t allowed yourself to go without eating for a long enough period of time to have felt true hunger; you may not have experienced it since childhood.

Each of us is born with an innate sense of hunger. When you were a baby and felt this sensation, you cried. Your mother or caregiver pacified you with a bottle or breast, and when you were no longer hungry, you pushed the food away. Before you could speak, you made yourself understood.

As a toddler beginning to eat baby food, you were still in control of your food consumption. Your mother might have thought you had to finish everything she served, but you had other ideas. You might have clenched your little baby teeth and not permitted one extra spoonful of anything to enter your mouth.  She might have pushed your chubby little cheeks together trying to force you to open your mouth, but you would not. If she did manage to insert some food, you spit it out, sometimes on your bib, sometimes on mom. The message was clear. “No more food, Mommy.”

As she persevered, you finally learned to please your mother by finishing everything on your plate. You may have been told that if you ate your vegetables, your reward would be dessert. You were bribed with a lollipop if you’d stop crying. You learned to eat all your food because it gave pleasure to others. It didn’t seem to matter anymore whether you were hungry or not. You were taught to ignore your feelings of hunger and satiation just to please someone else. And you learned well.

Years later, you’re still keeping a friend company by sharing a meal when you’re not hungry, or accepting an alcoholic beverage just to be part of the crowd, or to please a hostess.

The dictionary describes hunger as “the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by need of food.” Some people become irritable, shaky, or disoriented if they are not fed at their usual mealtime. Others experience hunger as feeling lightheaded, empty, low, headachy, or hollow. At times a growling stomach prompts an eating episode. Some eat when they get depressed. Others lose their appetite when they get depressed. External stimuli are abundant, as are emotional and physical ones, yet few of these are hunger, just some other strain on your nervous system.

Human beings have a built-in fight or flight mechanism that helps them to survive. When your ancestors roamed the earth and encountered a tiger who had leaped out of the bushes, they would mobilize themselves to either fight the tiger or flee from it. Years later, you still face the tigers. A death in the family, loss of a job, or an illness may certainly have the bite of a tiger. Your pulse quickens, your mouth feels dry, your palms sweat and you revert to old behavior and try to quell the anxiety by putting something into your mouth. You also may be reacting to the fluctuations of daily life – a waiter being inept, traffic inching along, a line at the bank – that cause you to eat a box of cookies or ask for a second helping of food. You might be misidentifying a minor travail as a tiger when it is only a baby cub.

Have you had the experience of thinking you were hungry at noontime only to become absorbed in a project or in a book, and have several hours pass before you think about food again? True hunger cannot wait a few hours. It demands to be fed. You were not hungry at noon but were responding to a time of day stimulus, another reason you’ve given yourself to eat. If you distract yourself with some other activity, the urge usually passes within a few minutes. Try to differentiate between your hungers and your urges.

Food need not fill you up in order for you to feel satisfied. A few bites of foods you don’t usually eat can be very satisfying while baskets of bread, mugs of coffee, or liter bottles of diet soda might leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied.

It is not okay to eat when you are physically or emotionally uncomfortable. Eat when you’re hungry. Stop eating when you are no longer hungry, not when you are full or there is nothing remaining on your plate. As your clothes get looser, you’ll start to enjoy leaving food on your plate. It is a process that takes time to achieve. Remember:

· Volume of non-nutritious food merely stuffs and bloats but does not satisfy real hunger.

· Variety and texture along with nutrition satiates hunger.

About the Author

This article is an excerpt from the book Conquer Your Food Addiction authored by Caryl Ehrlich. Visit her at http://www.ConquerFood.com to know more about weight loss and keep it off without diet, deprivation, props, or pills. Contact her at Caryl@ConquerFood.com or call 212-986-7155.

 

Caryl Ehrlich

Mindful Eating

 Articles, Weight Loss  No Responses »
Nov 132011
 

To experience optimal satisfaction and enjoyment from food without overeating, choose to eat “mindfully.” Mindful eating will make it possible for you to experience the difference between physical satisfaction and fullness so you will feel satisfied with smaller quantities of food. Just as important, learning to savor your food simply makes eating more pleasurable. Practice giving food and eating your full attention by using these strategies:

.Hunger is the best seasoning. Learn to listen to your body’s cues to know when to eat. Eating is most pleasurable when it is done to satisfy hunger.

.Don’t wait until you’re famished. One of the keys to conscious eating is to keep your body adequately fed to avoid becoming overly hungry which increases the chance that you will overeat.

.Choose food that will satisfy both your body and your mind. This is contrary to most of the usual diet rules so it may be challenging at first.

.Set the table in a pleasant manner. Creating a pleasant ambience adds to the enjoyment of eating and to your level of satisfaction.

.Eat without distractions. If you eat while you are distracted by watching television, driving, or talking on the telephone, you cannot give your food or your body’s signals your full attention Consequently, you may feel full after eating, but not satisfied.

.Eat when you are sitting down. Choose one or two particular areas at home and at work that are only used for eating and eat only there. For example, do not eat while standing over the sink, peering into the refrigerator, or sitting in bed.

.Appreciate the occasion. Appreciate the atmosphere, the company, or simply the fact that you are giving yourself the opportunity to sit down and enjoy your meal.

.Take a few breaths and center yourself before you begin eating. This will help you slow down and prepare to experience your meal.

.Appreciate the aroma and the appearance of your food. Notice the colors, textures, and smells of the food and imagine what it will taste like.

.Decide which food looks the most appetizing and start eating that food first. If you save the best until last, you may want to eat it even if you are full.

.Savor the aromas and tastes of your food as you eat it. Put your fork down between bites and be conscious of all the different sensations you are experiencing.

.If you notice that you are not enjoying what you chose, choose something else if possible. Eating food you do not enjoy will leave you feeling dissatisfied.

.Pause in the middle of eating for at least two full minutes. Estimate how much more food it will take to fill you to comfortable satiety.

.Push your plate forward or get up from the table as soon as you feel satisfied. The desire to keep eating will pass quickly. Keep in mind that you’ll eat again when you are hungry.

.When you finish eating notice how you feel. If you overate, don’t punish yourself. Instead, be aware of the physical and/or emotional discomfort that often accompanies being overly full and create a plan to decrease the likelihood that you will overeat next time.

By choosing to eat mindfully and experience the most pleasure from your eating, managing your weight will become easier and more enjoyable. Once you have experienced the increased pleasure from eating mindfully, you may be motivated to become more mindful during other activities too. Living “in the moment” and becoming more aware can increase your enjoyment and effectiveness in everything you do!

About the Author

Michelle May, M.D. is a practicing Board Certified Family Physician with expertise in the cognitive-behavioral aspects of weight management. She is the author of Am I Hungry? What To Do When Diets Don’t Work in collaboration with a Registered Dietitian and Psychologist. Visit her website www.AmIHungry.com for free health information, or sign up for fun and interactive workshops to help you achieve your health and weight loss goals.

 

Michelle May M.D.

Living a healthy lifestyle

 Articles, Weight Loss  4 Responses »
Nov 132011
 

People are obsessed with dieting and weight loss! Don’t believe me? Just tune-in to any source of advertising…you’re instantly bombarded with the latest diet schemes and “Hollywood” food fads.

Here in America, we have built a thriving industry trying to control our weight and treat the consequences of over-indulgence. The cost of weight loss and obesity related health care treatments is staggering…Americans alone spend around $114 billion every year! And even with all this interest in losing weight, we continue to pack on the pounds like never before…

– A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese…up about eight percent from earlier estimates.

– Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or almost nine million are overweight…triple the rate in 1980!

– Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese.

For Americans, modern life may be getting TOO easy. Our cushy lifestyle means we expend less energy and consequently need fewer calories to sustain our normal body weight.

Think about it for a moment…

Entertainment no longer requires energy expenditure. In fact, it’s usually quite the opposite. We now entertain ourselves in the comfort of our own home while watching TV and munching on our favorite snack. Whether it’s television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we are moving less and burning fewer calories. Common activities that were once a part of our normal routine have disappeared…activities like climbing stairs, pushing a lawn mower or walking to get somewhere.

And please do not misunderstand me…I appreciate comfortable living just as much as the next person. But, here is the problem…

With all of our modern day conveniences and “cushy” style of living we have not adjusted our caloric intake to compensate for our decreased caloric expenditure. We consume more calorie rich and nutrient deficient foods than ever before. Consider a few of the following examples comparing what we eat “today” vs the 1970’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):

– We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of them are refined grains (white bread, etc.). Grain consumption has jumped 45 percent since the 1970’s, from 138 pounds of grains per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat flour is consumed as whole wheat.

– Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but only because French fries and potato chips are included as vegetables. Potato products account for almost a third of our “produce” choices.

– We’re drinking less milk, but we’ve more than doubled our cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source of saturated fat in our diets.

– We’ve cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so that overall, we’re eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did back in the 1970’s.

– We’re drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than milk, compared to the 1970’s, when milk consumption was twice that of pop.

– We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has increased 32 percent.

– Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. People are consuming roughly twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies. In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11 percent of the average person’s calories. Now, this number has ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as much as 20 percent for American teenagers!

Unfortunately, it would seem that the days of wholesome and nutritious family dinners are being replaced by fast food and eating on-the-run. We have gradually come to accept that it’s “OK” to sacrifice healthy foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving portions equate to better value.

It’s time recognize that we are consuming too many calories and time to start doing something about it! Each of us can decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits WILL become a normal part of our life!

We can begin by exploring our values, thoughts and habits… slowly and deliberately weed-out the unhealthy habits and activities and start living a more productive and rewarding life. And remember, it has taken a long time to develop bad habits, so be patient as you work toward your goal!

About the Author

For more information go to: http://www.ampleadvice.com

 

Low Carbs – The role of Insulin

 Articles, Weight Loss  No Responses »
Nov 132011
 

There are three basic units the body uses for energy:

1. Fats

2. Proteins

3. Carbohydrates

All three can be converted to blood glucose. However, while fats and proteins are converted slowly, carbohydrates are converted quickly causing quick spikes in the body’s blood sugar levels. These spikes in blood sugar levels cause the pancreas to create and release insulin until the blood sugar level returns to normal.

Meanwhile, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that lowers our blood’s glucose levels is released into the blood as soon as the body detects that blood sugar levels have risen above its optimal level.

Insulin is a very efficient hormone that runs the body’s fuel storage systems. If there is excess sugar or fat in the blood insulin will signal the body to store it in the body’s fat cells. Insulin also tells these cells not to release their stored fat, making that fat unavailable for use by the body as energy.

Since this stored fat cannot be released for use as energy, insulin very effectively prevents weight loss. The higher the body’s insulin levels, the more effectively it prevents fat cells from releasing their stores, and the harder it becomes to lose weight. According to many authorities, over the long term, high insulin levels can lead to insulin resistance and cause serious health problems like the ones listed below:

1. Raised insulin levels and insulin resistance

2. Lower metabolism leading to weight gain

3. An increase in fatty tissue and reduction in muscle tissue

4. Accelerated aging

5. Increased food allergies and intolerances

6. Overworked immune system

7. Increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer

Carbohydrates, especially simple carbs like sugar and starch, are quickly turned into sucrose by the body entering the blood stream quicker thereby causing the release of large amounts of insulin. The fewer carbs are eaten, the less insulin is produced by the body, and the fewer calories are stored as fat. Less fat storage equals less weight gain and fewer carbs eaten equals less insulin in the blood and the body using its fat stores for fuel.

The premise behind every low-carb diet plan is that a body that produces less insulin burns more fat than a body that produces lots of insulin. Some plans encourage a period of extremely low carbohydrate intake so that the body will enter a state of ketosis and more quickly burn fat stores – These are usually called induction periods.

About the Author

Beverley Brooke, Editor of Health & Finesse – Free health, diet and fitness articles and weekly newsletter
http://www.healthandfinesse.com

 

Beverley Brooke

 

CLA – weight loss wonder

 Articles, Weight Loss  1 Response »
Nov 132011
 

Trade name “Tonalin” – CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is found in primarily meat and dairy products, and is also derived from safflower oil. CLA has gained a lot of attention in the past few years, due to its safe and effective use as a weight-loss product.  CLA not only helps with weight loss, but converts excess fat into lean muscle mass.

There have been numerous studies showing that CLA is being used for other health benefits besides weight loss, but the main reason of its popularity seems to be focused on the reduction of body fat. CLA increase lean muscle mass which helps slim the body; because the more muscle mass, the more the body uses up calories, thereby speeding up the fat-burning process. Some of the studies have shown that people taking this supplement lost a significant amount of weight without changing their diet. CLA interferes with a substance in the body called “lipoprotein lipase” which stores fat in the body. By interfering with this substance, the body uses stored fat and turns it into energy.

Not only does this remarkable supplement help burn fat, but it seems to interfere with the growth of tumors and cancer. It has a great cancer-fighting potential. It has also been shown to be effective against breast cancer. Some of the other health benefits of using CLA, are for an enhanced immune system, as well as for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection. Another interesting point is that CLA seems to have the ability to prevent the build-up of cholesterol deposits in the arteries.

Diabetics may also benefit from CLA, because of its ability to normalize impaired glucose tolerance in people who are non-insulin dependant; thus playing an important part for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. Studies are still being conducted at many universities to explore other aspects of using CLA.

Suggested use of this supplement should be 1 capsule with each meal. Although this supplement has no known side effects, caution should be used if you suffer from gallbladder problems, liver disease, or if you have a problem with fat digestion. Make sure you are getting pure CLA (Tonalin). CLA can be found in health food stores.

About the Author

Patricia is a Nutrition Consultant in the Los Angeles area, and has written articles on herbs, nutrition and alternative healing methods for over ten years. Many of her articles are featured in several publications.

Patricia Valle

Macronutrients and the importance of vitamin supplements

 Articles, Weight Loss  1 Response »
Nov 132011
 

Most healthy eaters are familiar with the three macronutrients that garner the most media attention within the diet world: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Indeed, some highly regarded eating programs, such as the Isometric Diet®, are designed to deliver an optimal balance of these three macronutrients.

Yet what is often overlooked in a nutrition vocabulary dominated by talk of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, is the plain fact that vitamin supplements play a critical role in an overall healthy eating program. It is a neglect that, ironically, derives from scientific misunderstanding.

Until recently, the scientific community firmly maintained that vitamin supplements were unnecessary and potentially even dangerous. This claim was based on a position that the body’s vitamin needs could be met through diet, and that vitamin supplements are largely created from synthetic, low quality ingredients.

However, evidence to the contrary has emerged; or to put things more accurately, the scientific community is finally accepting a new view. Clinical studies clearly show that high quality vitamin supplements can be produced from all natural sources, and that taking them can prevent serious health ailments such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and even cancer [i].

It has also been accepted that vitamin supplements help the body effectively regulate how energy is utilized. In this sense, they ensure that the energy delivered by macronutrients – in the form of calories – is directed properly to promote growth and development [ii].

However, despite the scientifically proven importance of vitamin supplements, some key concerns have been raised. Specifically, the nutrition community has raised questions with respect to the potential toxicity of supplements that contain “fat-soluble” vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are not easily and swiftly eliminated by the body. Instead, they are stored in organs and tissues. Over time, there can be a build-up of fat-soluble vitamins [iii], which can lead to adverse health effects such as nausea, diarrhea, unhealthy weight loss, bone density loss, and digestive tract disorders [iv].

Fortunately, to avoid this potential damage, there are vitamin and nutritional supplement products on the market that offer water-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins travel smoothly through the body and the excess is excreted through the kidneys. As such, there is little to no risk of toxic build up [v].

At the same time, these water-soluble vitamin and nutritional supplements can be derived from all-natural sources. This is important to note, because, synthetic vitamins can only replicate a fraction of the beneficial nutrients found in natural sources. As such, the holistic positive impact that can only come from several nutrients working together cannot be reproduced synthetically [vi].

These scientific acknowledgements of the value of vitamin supplements — and the accessibility of water-soluble, all-natural products — bode well for the average consumer, and especially well for dieters.

Some diets irresponsibly advise dieters to take diuretic pills that create weight loss through water loss. As a consequence to this short-term strategy, dieters often become dangerously deficient in water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Biotin, and Folic Acid.

However, some well-designed nutritional supplements provide anywhere from 50% to 100% of these essential vitamins. As such, dieters who are currently subscribing to an unhealthy water-loss diet can responsibly transition to these products, and replenish their depleted water-soluble vitamin stock.

Similarly, dieters who are fortunate enough to have avoided these potentially dangerous diet pill/diuretic diets can wisely integrate these nutritional supplements into their current eating regimen.

Indeed, the scientific community, for all of the contributions it has made to diet and nutrition, has been unusually slow in accepting the fact that vitamin supplements are an essential part of healthy eating. Yet the consensus of this fact is now fairly widespread, as is the understanding that water-soluble and all-natural products simply outclass fat-soluble and synthetic products in terms of safety and efficacy.

It may have taken a decade or so too long to reach this “vitamin awareness”, but now that it is here, it is reason for both dieters and non-dieters to celebrate a future of healthier and smarter eating.

ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

Copyright – Protica Research – http://www.protica.com

REFERENCES

[i] Source: “Dietary Insurance: A Daily Multivitamin”. Harvard School of Public Health.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins.html

[ii] Source: “Vitamins and Minerals”. McKinley Health Center.
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/vitaminmineral.html

[iii] Source: “Toxicity of Vitamins”. Medicinal Foods News.
http://www.medicinalfoodnews.com/vol04/issue3/toxicity.htm

[iv] Source: “Fat-Soluble Vitamins”. Colorado State University.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09315.html

[v] Source: “Vitamins”. WebMD.
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/stv5441.asp

[vi] Source: “Natural Vitamins or Synthetic?”. Olga Timbol.
http://www.chiff.com/a/natural-vitamin.htm

About the Author

ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

 

Protica Research

Weight loss surgery – benefits and risks

 Articles, Weight Loss  No Responses »
Nov 132011
 

You may be considering weight loss surgery if you are overweight or obese. For many people, surgical weight reduction is one of the only viable ways to lose a significant amount of weight and enjoy better health. However, it’s important to realize that this is a very serious undertaking. You should definitely spend time researching the topic and, if possible, talking with people who have already had a weight reduction procedure performed. Understanding the benefits and risks involved with weight loss surgery is absolutely vital to making an informed decision. To help you get started, here is a brief guide…

Benefits:

* Fast Weight Loss: Obviously this is the biggest benefit of weight loss surgery. Immediately following the surgery most people begin to lose weight quickly. This rapid weight loss usually continues for at least a year and a half, leading to a very significant reduction in body weight. It’s important to note however that many people begin to regain weight within 2 years, especially if they have not made any healthy lifestyle/diet changes!

* Improvement of Obesity-Related Health Conditions: For many people, the improvement in their overall health, following weight loss surgery, is just as important as the weight loss itself. And for good reason: people who have suffered from debilitating obesity-related conditions (such as diabetes) for years often experience tremendous improvements within a short period of time.

Risk and Side-Effects:

* Death: A small percentage of weight loss surgery patients die during the operation or from complications in the days and weeks following the surgery.

* Post-surgery complications: Some patients must have follow-up procedures to correct complications, which can include infections and hernias.

* Nutritional deficiencies: Some types of weight loss surgeries reduce the body’s ability to absorb important vitamins and minerals. Many patients must take diet supplements on a daily basis or risk developing anemia, osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, etc.

* Gallstones: More than a third of gastric surgery patients develop gallstones due to the rapid weight loss that occurs in the months following a weight reduction procedure.

* Side-effects: Some of the most common side-effects experienced by weight loss surgery patients include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, excessive sweating, increased gas, and dizziness.

As you can see, weight loss surgery carries some huge benefits along with some very significant risks. If you are severely obese, it is definitely an option for reducing your body weight and improving – or even eliminating – many of your obesity-related health conditions. Just understand the risk and be prepared to make some relatively extensive lifestyle changes after the procedure. If you are not severely obese you should definitely consider diet and exercise options before you think about weight loss surgery.

About the Author

Jay Romano is a writer for LesserTummy.com. Get more up-to-date and useful information about weight loss surgery at http://www.lessertummy.com.

 

Jay Romano

Weight loss surgery

 Articles, Weight Loss  No Responses »
Nov 132011
 

Weight loss surgery as a last resort can successfully help severely overweight or obese people lose excess weight. There are several different types of weight loss surgeries to choose from. Consult your health care provider to discuss whether or not you make a good candidate for weight loss surgery, and which procedure would work best for you.
Natural methods always work the best.

How Does Weight Loss Surgery Work?
There are two basic types of weight loss surgery that are currently used for weight reduction. Restrictive procedures work by decreasing food intake. Malabsorptive procedures, on the other hand, alter digestion, and cause food to be poorly digested and incompletely absorbed so that it is eliminated in the stool.

Restrictive Procedures:
Restrictive weight loss surgery works by altering the size of the stomach, to reduce the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. It does not, however, interfere with the normal absorption or digestion of food. A restrictive weight loss surgery involves the creation of a small stomach pouch in the upper portion of the stomach. The capacity of this pouch is about one half to one ounce. The pouch then connects to the rest of the stomach through an outlet known as a stoma. The reduced stomach capacity allows the patient to feel fuller with less food, and by decreasing overall food intake, the patient can achieve sustained weight loss. The success of this weight loss surgery ultimately depends upon the ability of the patient to alter his or her eating habits. After surgery, it is likely that the patient will only be able to consume a maximum of one half cup full of food at each sitting. Compliance with these requirements is necessary to avoid stretching the pouch and defeating the purpose of the surgery.
.Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: This is restrictive weight loss surgery in which the upper stomach near the esophagus is stapled vertically for about 2-1/2 inches to create a smaller stomach pouch. . The outlet or stoma that connects to the rest of the stomach is restricted by a band or ring that slows the emptying of the food and allows the patient to feel fuller with less food consumption. After 10 years, studies show that patients can maintain at least fifty percent of targeted excess weight loss.
.Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: This restrictive weight loss surgery, also called stomach banding, utilizes a band to divide the stomach into two portions. The band is placed around the upper most part of the stomach, dividing the stomach into a small upper portion and a larger lower portion. Because food is regulated, most patients feel full faster. Food digestion occurs through the normal digestive process. . This surgery can be reversed as the band can easily be removed from the stomach. As with other weight loss surgeries, the success of this procedure is dependant on the compliance of the patient with a restricted diet and the development of an exercise regime.
Malabsorptive Procedures:
Weight loss surgeries that alter the digestive process are referred to as malabsorptive procedures. There are several different types of malabsorptive weight loss surgery. Some of these techniques involve a bypass of the small intestine, thereby limiting the absorption of calories. Malabsorptive weight loss surgery reduces the amount of intestine that comes in contact with food so that the body absorbs fewer calories.
.Biliopancreatic Diversion: The goal of this surgery is to restrict the amount of food consumed and alter the normal digestive processes. It also involves the creation of a stomach pouch, but it is a larger pouch than one created in a restrictive weight loss surgery. Biliopancreatic diversion alters the anatomy of the small intestine to divert the bile and pancreatic juices so they meet the ingested food closer to the middle or the end of the small intestine. . Patients report a greater degree of satisfaction with this procedure than with restrictive weight loss surgery, because they are able to eat larger meals. And this surgery provides the greatest amount of malabsorption, it also allows for the greatest amount of weight loss. But as with restrictive weight loss surgery, long-term success is dependent upon the patients ability to adhere to a dietary, supplement, exercise and behavioral regimen.
Combined Procedures
Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y is a recently developed procedure that utilizes the principles of both restrictive and malabsorptive weight loss surgeries. According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the United States. This procedure involves the creation of a small stomach pouch with the remainder of the stomach completely stapled shut and divided from the pouch. The outlet from the pouch than empties directly into the lower portion of the jejunum, thus bypassing calorie absorption. By adding malabsorption to a restrictive weight loss procedure, food is delayed in mixing with bile and pancreatic juices that aid in the absorption of nutrients. The result is an early sense of fullness, combined with a sense of satisfaction that reduces the desire to eat.
Taking the product SlimirexT can also help you manage your weight.

For more information on weight loss go to http://www.weightlossobesity.com.

About the Author

Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.

 

Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN

Weight loss supplements

 Articles, Weight Loss  No Responses »
Nov 132011
 

Drugs stores and health food shops have shelves that are overflowing with weight loss supplements that claim to burn body fat, block fat absorption, inhibit carbohydrate metabolism, boost energy, suppress the appetite, flush out excess water weight, and control dietary cravings. But do these products really work as they promise? And is there any danger to giving them a try? Read on to learn more about weight loss supplements.

Weight Loss Supplements
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, a clearinghouse for information on natural brand-name products, lists more than fifty weight loss supplements and 125 proprietary weight loss products. According to a recent survey reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately seven percent of Americans use over the counter weight loss supplements. And of those who do use these products, almost thirty percent of them are young, overweight women.

Weight Loss Supplements–The Risks
Some weight loss supplements help to control the appetite, but they may have serious side effects. Other can become habit forming, and still others do nothing at all. Here’s a look at the risks associated with common weight loss supplements.

Stomach Fillers: Weight loss supplements that contain bulking agents such as fiber-based products, are known as stomach fillers. These products absorb liquid and swell in the stomach, reducing the appetite. Guar gum is a common ingredient used as a stomach filler, however this ingredient can cause obstructions in the intestines, the stomach, or the esophagus. Avoid any dietary supplement that contains guar gum.

Appetite Suppressants: Some weight loss supplements are appetite suppressants, and they may contain amphetamine derivatives that are highly addictive. They also lose efficacy when used over long periods, so dieters are forced to take more and more pills to achieve results. Appetite suppressants that contain amphetmine derivatives are a high-risk method of weight loss. Some products however contained researched clinically studied mild suppressants and can be used safely such as SlimirexT.

Ephedra, also known as ma huang, is another popular appetite suppressant ingredient found in many weight loss supplements. However, in some cases ephedra can cause heart palpitations, heart attacks, and stroke. The Food and drug Administration urges caution for anyone who is considering a weight loss supplement that contains ephedra. People who have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart trouble, neurological disorders, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism should not use ephedra. And completely avoid any product that contains both ephedra and caffeine. The Food and Drug Administration considers these two ingredients to be a “deadly combination.”

Weight Loss Supplements—Federal Regulations
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has had some success in suing the marketers of weight loss supplements that claim to burn or absorb fat. Several state attorney generals have also been involved in legal action against weight loss supplement manufacturers. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned over one hundred ingredients that were once commonly found in over the counter weight loss supplements. These banned ingredients include alcohol, caffeine, dextrose, and guar gum. But many federal and state regulations can do little more than work to prevent the really dangerous weight loss supplements off of the market. Unfortunately, under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, manufacturers of dietary supplements are not required to provide evidence that their products are safe or even effective. The burden rests on the FDA to prove that a product is either unsafe or ineffective.

Weight Loss Supplements–Should You Try Them?
If you decide incorporate a weight loss supplement into your weight loss program, be sure to read all of the literature associated with the product. Carefully assess the claims and risks and understand the directions for use. And use common sense; some weight loss supplements require that you follow a very restricted low-calorie diet and exercise several times a week for full effectiveness. But these steps are likely to guarantee weight loss on their own, without the need of a weight loss supplement.

Still, there are some medical professionals that do not see harm in taking weight loss supplements that are made of safe, all-natural ingredients like Slimirex. Natural fiber supplements may be another good choice. These products may or may not leave you feeling fuller longer. But they will be effective at stimulating the digestive system, keeping waste and nutrients moving through the system, and improving regularity.

Taking the product SlimirexT can help you manage your weight. For more information on weight loss go to http://www.weightlossobesity.com or http://www.slimirex.com

About the Author

Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.

 

Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN

Quick weight loss secrets

 Articles, Weight Loss  1 Response »
Nov 132011
 

The Secrets have been in our family recipes, some even date back as far as 3000 BC. For years our Ancient ancestors have been using natural herbs and spices to heal and cure, even to take the weight off. For example: The Ancient Mayans used cayenne pepper which has been studied to increase the rate of metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Some Additional research also indicates that cayenne increases production of epinephrine and nor epinephrine which together decrease appetite.

The Chinese have used ginger root for years for all sorts of things like cleansing the colon, reduce spasms and cramps, stimulate water retention, earache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, stimulate circulation, and of course to aid the metabolism.

HCA (Hydroxycitric Acid), a natural appetite suppressant found in the rind of a small tropical fruit, Garcinia cambogia has been used as a condiment in Thai and Indian cuisine for years.

Bromelain which is found in pineapple is very useful in helping with the digestion of fat producing enzymes that help curve the appetite that has been used by the Hawaiians and Tahitians for many generations for medicine purposes.

The powerful health and healing qualities of natural Apple Cider Vinegar have been known and used since 3,000 B.C… Cider vinegar is a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. The List goes on.
Now just imagine what kind of results one could have if you combined all this past history into one capsule. Our ancestors have been using simple natural methods to cure all forms of ailments for years. To think how much time and money has been put into this industry to find the quickest easiest way to lose the fat, and all we had to do was unlock the secrets of the past.

About the Author

I am not a Doctor or a Scientist or a Nutritionist or any thing close to all of these things. What I am though is someone who loves his body and everything that goes in it. And believes that there is a cure for everything and it is just lying around. So let’s grab it and use it.
For more info on what I am talking about go to

http://www.Sleep-It-Off.com

 

Lance Walker

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