Does DHA Help Stop Obesity?

Posted on August 21, 2011 by admin

We’ve all seen those commercials stressing the importance of incorporating certain fatty acids into our diet, especially Omega-3′s, also known as docosahexaenoic acid or DHA.

Studies have shown that fatty acids help lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and certain cancers. Researchers of late have taken the next step and are currently experimenting to see if this supplement can also help in the battle against childhood and adult obesity.

Recognized Health Benefits of DHA

Years ago, researchers discovered that a regular diet that contained a moderate amount of fatty acids derived from eating fish regularly augmented the body’s metabolism and made it easier for it to convert stored fat into energy, reducing the overall level of body fat.

These fish-based fatty acids, collectively known as Omega-3 and Omega-6, were originally detected within indigenous people who had made fish a basic staple of their everyday diet. It was found that it might be the key as to why people on that type of diet were able to regularly keep their body fat to a minimum, even with only moderate exercise.

Scientists also recognized a significant improvement in cholesterol levels, cognitive reasoning and flexibility in older patients taking the supplement. From there, it was hypothesized that DHA significantly reduced the risk of certain cancers associated with the liver and heart, as well as reducing plaque buildup in the arteries, protecting the heart from future cardiovascular damage.

The Current Study

The current testing being done is centered around the theory that if introducing DHA into the diets of children and adults is beneficial in helping reduce obesity later in life by affecting metabolism.

The study, as outlined in published reports in various journals on nutrition and is focused upon the effects of DHA on cell growth, particularly fat cells, cell death, its ability to differentiate between fat cells and other types of cells and how quickly it can be made to break down the fat in cultured cells.

Tests on mice in the past showed that the Omega-3 nutrient significantly reduced the amount of body fat in the mice but at a much smaller rate than would normally be ingested by humans. This is why the tests being done now on an in-vitro cell level are so important. Not only will it accurately predict its total effect but will also give the researchers an idea of the proper amount that will need to be ingested to have its full effect.

 

 

 

 

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Sugar Substitutes Cause You To Gain More Weight

Posted on August 15, 2011 by admin

If you do any research on healthy diets, one of the first pieces of advice you will be given is to cut sugar out of your daily intake. Sugars are not always easily broken down by our metabolism and often end up stored in fat cells. Some diets advise you to use sugar substitutes to avoid cravings.

But do sugar substitutes cause more harm than good?

The Body and the Mind are Not So Easily Fooled

The practice of used sugar substitutes originally resulted from studies on lab animals. The animal’s diets were supplemented first with foods containing sugar and compared to those who were given extra food sweetened with sugar substitutes, such as saccharin, which contain no measurable calories. The results were surprising and probably not what they were hoping for. The rats that were given yogurt flavored with only natural glucose actually ate less than the rats that had been given yogurt containing artificial sweeteners. The higher calories contained in the glucose were apparently more satisfying and without them, the rats ate more to make up for the lack of it.

Experts may say that it is easy to trick the mind and body into thinking that it is full by eating more fiber or by filling up on water before eating but when it comes to sweets, there seems to be an intuitive link between the level of actual calories taken in and the part of the brain that controls the appetite. The chemical triggers in sugary foods have somehow programmed a saturation level of sorts into the brain’s response that must be achieved before the body is satisfied it has eaten enough.

- As it has been shown with the rats, until that level is reached, the brain tells them to keep eating sugary foods until it is satisfied, no matter how many extra calories it takes.

What Does This Mean for Humans?

Nutritionists are often very quick to dismiss studies done on animals and dieting, simply because there is no proof that it would have the same effect on the average human and for a rat to consume the same amount as a human would be lethal no matter what. However, there have been human studies made in the past that support the findings made with the lab rats.

Studies done in 2005 at the University of Texas proved that for every can of diet soda, containing common sugar substitutes, which were consumed by the control group, it actually increased their risk of weight gain by at least 40%. The physical response patterns found in animals do have their correlation in humans, making them increase their eating in order to satisfy their particular caloric intake. So does this mean that sugar should be put back into our diets to cut down on weight gain?

Final Word on Sugar

By no means should this research be interpreted as permission to put raw sugars back into your daily diet. Consuming too much sugar leads to some very severe medical conditions including diabetes and heart disease, so it is still within your best interest to eliminate as much sugar as you can from your diet. Counting calories is one thing but you have to take into account what form the calories you are eliminating take, especially when it comes to sugar.

Judging by the rats’ reactions, keeping the number of sugar substitutes to a minimum sounds like a better plan, along with drinking plenty of water and adding fruits and vegetables that provide a healthy amount of natural glucose instead. This keeps those receptors in the brain happy without increasing the calories or sugar levels coming into the body.

 

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Does Calcium Help You Lose Weight?

Posted on August 10, 2011 by admin

There has never been any doubt about the value of calcium in the diet. Calcium helps to strengthen bones and teeth, hinders the progress of osteoporosis and in recent studies has been shown to be a successful agent in preventing colon cancer. More recently, in studies conducted with women in their middle years, there is exciting evidence that healthy diets high in calcium might actually prevent obesity by slowing down the amount of weight gained over time.

Calcium and Middle-Age Weight Gain

These studies, carried out originally at the University of Tennessee on rats, and then with control groups at Creighton University in Nebraska, have produced some remarkable results that fly in the face of the accepted norms when it comes to the amount of dairy products used in a healthy diet and the benefits of the calcium derived from them.

Statistics indicate that once women reach middle age, they typically gain from ¼ to ½ a pound a year, in spite of dieting. These studies have shown that the control group, which consumed a higher level of dairy products over a year’s time, successfully reduced that weight gain to zero but that success comes with a catch. In order for this diet to work, there has to be a drop in the overall calorie consumption in the diet or you will just be adding the extra calories in dairy products to your regular calorie intake.

The Difference Calcium Makes

Calcium has been proven to increase the body’s core temperature just enough to boost your body’s metabolism, making it burn more fat for energy. The studies done on mice and rats showed that those who did not get calcium supplements added to their diet only lost around 8% of their body fat through diet and exercise. Those who were given calcium supplements, with the same calorie restrictive diet and daily exercise, actually lost more than 40% of their body fat overall.

One of the human studies done involved putting patients that had already been classified as obese on a low-calorie diet and then splitting them into three distinct groups: diet high in dairy products, diet low in dairy with calcium supplements and one group whose diet was low-calorie and low-calcium. At the end of six months, everyone involved had lost a significant amount of weight but those who were given the high dairy diet lost on average, five pounds more than the others.

The Simple Truth

Nutritionists and cardiologists are still resisting these findings, citing that diets that are dairy-rich can still cause issues with cholesterol, leading to serious issues later on. Whole fat milk was proven to fill up subjects, reducing their cravings while on a high carbohydrate diet, the one most often recommended by experts but it may add too many calories.

A simple solution that will still amp up your metabolism is to add three servings a day of either fat-free or low-fat dairy products, such skim milk or yogurt. This helps enhance calcium levels and boosts weight loss without increasing the fat.

 

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Can Weight Loss Cure Type 2 Diabetes?

Posted on August 4, 2011 by admin

Diabetes is a medical condition that is metabolic in nature and involves blood sugar levels. There are three main types: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational, which occurs during pregnancy. While you can have a genetic tendency for diabetes, the condition is often triggered by excessive weight gain later in life. Unfortunately, as yet, there is no cure for diabetes of any type but a significant weight loss can help you manage the condition better.

How Does Gaining Weight Trigger the Development of Diabetes?

Your body produces a hormone called insulin which is used to process blood sugar into energy for your body. When you become overweight, you can throw the production of insulin out of whack by creating more fat cells and another hormone known as adipokines, which retard the efficiency of the insulin in processing the blood sugar.

This will cause you to develop an insulin resistance and your blood sugar levels will increase if you continue a high sugar diet. The higher levels of blood sugar can trigger other serious medical conditions that can affect your liver, kidneys and even your heart if left untreated for too long. The best way to reduce your resistance to insulin and return your levels to a more tolerable level is to lose weight through a reasonable diet regimen.

Diabetes Can Make Dieting a Serious Matter

Because Type 2 diabetes is so closely tied to your blood sugar levels and the food you eat that supports it, it is imperative that you be very careful when making changes to your diet. You should work closely with your doctor or a nutritionist on what should be included in any weight loss plan so that it does not cause any drastic changes to your body.

Everything you eat as a Type 2 diabetic can affect your blood sugar levels. Too little protein can cause blood sugar to drop dramatically, as can skipping meals altogether. You have to maintain a proper amount of proteins, carbs and fats so that your blood sugar levels remain constant, while allowing the insulin to do its job and begin processing the blood sugar as it should. Exercise should be an important part as well, as it will help boost your metabolism, keep your calorie burn on an even keel and help the insulin convert the blood sugar into energy as it should be. It will also improve the levels of cholesterol in your blood, and in return, help maintain your heart.

What is a Good Type 2 Diabetes Diet for Weight Loss?

According to the American Diabetes Association, the proper calorie reduction for Type 2 diabetes sufferers is around 500 calories a day. It is imperative that you maintain a healthy balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well, and your goal should be a daily diet that contains:

* 50 to 55 percent carbohydrates

* 30% fats

* 10 to 15 percent proteins

The most important part of a Type 2 diabetic weight loss plan is the types of carbohydrates you include in your diet. Carbohydrates are broken down during digestion into sugars, which can affect your blood sugar levels adversely if you eat too many of the wrong kind. Complex carbohydrates, like those found in whole grains and vegetables are best, because they break down more slowly and will not raise your blood sugar levels as much.

 

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Can Leptin Help You Lose Weight?

Posted on July 29, 2011 by admin

Leptin is a hormone that exists in every one of us that controls appetite. It literally tells the brain when it has taken in enough food to supply energy and when we should stop eating. Recent discoveries however, have alerted physicians that it is possible for someone to be leptin-deficient, meaning little or no hunger hormones present and that the lack of this common hormone can lead to some terrible consequences for the body.

What a Lack of Leptin Can Mean

Several cousins from the same family in Turkey were recently discovered to be completely lacking the hormone leptin through a rare genetic quirk. Without that hormone being produced in their bodies, their brains went into full out survival mode and acted as if they were actually starving. These men never knew when they were full, resulting in them having inexorable appetites. Each of them weighed well over 300 pounds.

To combat this, the men were flown from Turkey to the University of California to undergo clinical trials involving leptin hormones. While there, they received daily injections of the hormone, while their bodies were closely monitored to record the effect of introducing leptin to a body that could not produce its own. They were not put on any diet restrictions, just the hormone injections. The results were amazing. They began to slowly lose weight and it is predicted that over the course of a year, they should lose what may be half of the weight they had put on over the last few years, bringing them down to a healthy weight at last.

Does This Mean that Leptin Can Be Used to Foster Weight Loss?

In this instance, Leptin injections and the results it achieved were admittedly made possible because these three men were incapable of producing this hormone on their own. Without it, they gained weight at a rapid pace. Replacing it immediately caused the weight to drop. Another discovery made during these trials showed that the leptin hormone had a secondary effect on the body that many were previously unaware of: it actually stimulates physical activity once it had reached a particular level in their systems. With the proper level of leptin in their bodies, they exercised more and were generally more active than they had been previously.

However, the complete absence of leptin in the body is extremely rare and what is not completely known at the moment is what leptin hormone injections could do for other patients who are morbidly obese or even slightly overweight despite producing leptin in the body. There is no hard and fast evidence as yet on the effect of having too much leptin in the body.

Clinical trials are continuing to discover links between leptin levels in the body and obesity and whether an increased level of that hormone would promote weight loss without any adverse effects. So far, it is looking positive and it is hoped that in the future doctors will be able to ramp up weight loss through hormone injections of leptin or perhaps develop a more powerful version of it synthetically.

 

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What Is The Dukan Diet?

Posted on July 23, 2011 by admin

Our obsession with diets has led to a million dollar industry developing and it seems like every time you turn around, there is a new one that has caught the fancy of the country. The current leader is called The Dukan Diet and we will examine how it works and what nutrition experts have to say about it.

The Dukan Diet Explained

The Dukan Diet originated in France, reportedly helping millions of French citizens lose weight. It gained popularity in America after celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Giselle Bundchen raved about how it helped them to lose the weight they gained from their pregnancies. The diet, created by Pierre Dukan, more than a decade ago, has four phases and is essentially a high protein, low calorie plan. You do not count calories, nor do you weigh portions on this diet and you can pretty much eat what you want, within the guidelines set down by the French physician.

- The first phase promotes rapid weight loss with a protein only diet plan.

- The second phase allows the body to adapt to the diet, by adding in up to 28 starch free vegetables a day in unlimited amounts.

- Phase three allows for unlimited proteins and vegetables, along with limited amounts of fruit and dairy.

- Phase 4 is supposed to stabilize the metabolism and provides for a weight maintenance diet to keep the pounds off. If all of this sounds familiar, it should, because it is very nearly alike to the original Atkins diet system that became popular in the eighties.

Phase 1

Referred to in The Dukan Diet as the attack phase, it begins to pare off the pounds by limiting your daily intake to only portions of lean protein such as fish and chicken, in unlimited amounts, as long as you include one and a half tablespoons of oat bran and 1 ½ liter of water every day. You do have a range of seventy plus protein sources to choose from including eggs, fish, chicken and soy, so there is a wide variety in there.

Phase 2

According to the diet, this is the cruising phase, as your body continues to lose weight while adapting to the new dietary limitations. To help this along, you will now be adding unlimited amounts of non-starchy vegetables every other day to the core diet of unlimited lean protein and oat bran. The addition of the vegetables reportedly keeps your metabolism rolling along and burning fat, while reducing those pesky cravings that may pop up.

Phase 3

This phase is known in The Dukan Diet as the consolidation phase, where you add more variety but continue with what will be your lifetime commitment to the core diet of lean protein to keep the weight loss going. In this phase your menu will be expanded with unlimited protein, now including less lean types such as pork and lamb and vegetables, with one piece of low sugar fruit, two slices of whole grain breads and one portion of hard cheese a day. Also, this phase allows for celebratory meals to cut down on cheating, which can include up to two servings of starchy foods, plus whatever else you want to eat, as long as it does not extend past two meals per week.

Phase 4

This is the maintenance phase of the Dukan Diet, referred to as stabilization in the book. You can now eat anything you like, within reason, as long as one day a week is devoted to the same plan as phase 1: all lean protein, three tablespoons of oat bran and plenty of water. Dr. Dukan also advises that you keep your exercise regimen up, at least twenty minutes a day, with plenty of walking activities.

The problem that most experts in nutrition and weight loss have with The Dukan Diet is that it cuts calories too drastically and does not include the required nutrients the body needs for good health and maintenance. There is a definite lack of carbohydrates on the diet, which accounts for the weight loss but even including vitamin supplements while on this diet will not provide the nutrients your body needs to survive. Experts also say that the rapid weight loss can lead to serious medical conditions later on, like gallstones and may even lead to a loss of muscle mass once the fat is gone.

 

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Can Weight Gain Cause High Blood Pressure?

Posted on July 20, 2011 by admin

Weight gain can trigger many types of health problems. It can lead to you developing diabetes, high cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis, damages your heart and increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, too much weight gain can also lead to you developing hypertension or high blood pressure.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is caused by either by genetics or by being overweight or a combination of both. Being overweight will hasten the development of high blood pressure because the more mass your body has, the harder your heart has to work to pump blood throughout it. Blood pressure is determined by how much blood your heart pumps out with every beat, the resistance within the arteries and the amount of force needed to pump that blood throughout the body. The slightest blockage can elevate your blood pressure and increase the risk that you will have a heart attack or stroke.

How is Weight Gain Linked to High Blood Pressure?

Being overweight can cause you to develop diabetes and high cholesterol levels, both of which can contribute to developing high blood pressure. With diabetes, your body develops a resistance to the insulin it produces naturally and does not process it as it should for energy. Instead, it keeps producing the hormone until it reaches such a level that it is sent directly to the bloodstream instead of being stored in cells for later use.

Insulin builds up in the blood and begins to stick to the walls of your arteries, destroying the walls that it comes in contact with. The scar tissue resulting from this destruction is called plaque. The plaque collects other debris from the blood as it passes through and adheres to the site of the damage. That other debris, which includes dead cell material and fatty molecules created from having too high a level of bad cholesterol, keeps on accumulating and eventually block offs the artery, elevating the amount of pressure needed to pump the blood through. In this way, weight gain triggers the series of events leading to blocked arteries and elevated blood pressure.

Can it be Reversed?

Leaving high blood pressure untreated for too long can lead to damage being done to your heart, chiefly because it has to work so hard to get that blood through the arteries and the less oxygen it receives from the blood that gets back through to it. Without enough oxygen to repair cells, the heart cannot heal and will eventually fail.

The first step to lowering your blood pressure is to get your cholesterol levels and diabetes under control. The best way to do this, other than medication, is to begin a healthier regimen of diet and exercise to help you lose the excess weight. Just losing 10 to 15 pounds will lower your blood sugar, improve your cholesterol levels, ease the stress on your heart and reduce your overall blood pressure to healthier levels.

 

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How to Lose Belly Fat

Posted on May 11, 2011 by admin

Belly fat is well known for being difficult to remove… Exercises like “sit-ups or crunches” do NOT get rid of the underlying fat in this area, they only build muscle beneath it. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as “spot treatment” for weight loss in the stomach are. Meaning, that specifically targeting an area such as the stomach with exercise, will not cause you to lose weight in this only in this area.

- The best treatment to lose weight in the stomach area is a combination diet and exercise program.

Diets to Lose Belly Fat

Much of abdominal fat is called visceral fat, a type of fat pocket that can be metabolized easily. So if you begin a diet and exercise program, this area will tend to decrease in size much more quickly than other areas.

Atkins – the Atkins diet is very effective at reducing fat in all areas of the body. A diet that is low in sugars and carbohydrates, may shift the body from burning glucose for fuel, into burning its own fat reserves. This process is called “ketosis”. There may be other added health benefits as a patient undergoes this metabolic change. This includes:

1) Reduction of Insulin Resistance

2) Increased Energy

3) Reduction in Sugar Cravings

The Zone Diet – this program suggests that users should eat a balanced ratio of fats, carbs, and proteins. This ratio is 40% carbohydrates, 30% fats, and 30% protein. This diet has been proven to be an effective weight loss regimen. This diet was made popular by Dr. Barry Spears who believes that this diet can trigger the body to release an inflammatory substances called “eicosanoids”. In addition to contributing to weight loss, Dr. SPears believes that it is beneficial for reducing inflammation and keeping the heart healthy.


The South Beach Diet – This diet works by reducing insulin resistance in the body. By understanding what foods are likely to trigger insulin spikes in the bloodstream, hunger will be reduced and weight loss will follow. High glycemic index foods, not only contribute to weight gain, they may also contribute to diabetes, risks of heart disease, and higher cholesterol.

Exercises to Reduce Fat Around The Stomach

The best exercises to help reduce levels of fat around the stomach area are running, swimming, and bike riding. Any type of aerobic exercise will help you lose weight in your stomach and body. Once you have reduced fat levels in the stomach area, exercises that build muscle can help your abdominal muscle become more defined. These exercise would include:

1) Sit-ups

2) Crunches

3) The Plank – many people aren’t familiar with this exercise, but it is one of the most effective for abdominals. It focuses on your abs and stabilizer muscles.

Health Issues Linked to Excess Belly Fat

Belly fat traditionally becomes a problem when people reach the age of 35 and above when production of hormones for fat regulation start to decrease. However, with today’s prevailing diet and sedentary lifestyles, many of us start having these problems earlier than they should. Excess fat around the abdomen is linked to increased risk in:

1) Diabetes

2) Heart Disease

3) Stroke

4) Sleep Apnea

5) Diabetes

It was also shown that with proper exercise to get rid of excess weight in this area, the incidence of these illnesses reduced. Some researchers have shown that the development of weight in the stomach area, was a sign of insulin resistance. Proper diet and higher activity levels, allowed the body to recover and metabolize sugar properly.

It takes a lot of determination, self-discipline and control to lose the fat. The good news is: it is belly fat is one of the first fat areas to go when weight loss starts. Much of abdominal fat is called visceral fat, a type of fat pocket that can be metabolized easily.
Here are two very important factors in getting rid of fat in this area:

1. The Right Diet

Diet is crucial if you want to lose fat around the stomach and midsection. Keep away from junk foods and take out the 5 C’s: cola, candy, chips, cookies and cake. Eat foods that contain only the good kinds of fat (i.e. nuts, olive oil, and fish oil) and make sure to eat only in moderate amounts. Take more foods rich in fiber like vegetables and fruits, and go for jello or yogurt for healthy desert.

2. Exercise

The right kind of food alone will not be enough if you want to decrease belly fat. You must supplement a healthy diet with regular exercise. Start by slow and easy workouts that perfectly fit your schedule and lifestyle. Go for regular cardio exercises like jogging, and when ready, combine a healthy diet with more intensive workouts for faster and long term weight loss.

When you have reached your goals and trimmed down that belly fat, make sure that and avoid your old, unhealthy habits – or else, that unwanted fat may just come right back.

 

 

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Losing Baby Weight: here are some tips

Posted on May 11, 2011 by admin

If you have just given birth or are about to, there are many changes going on in your body. Apart from taking care of a new baby, many mothers have one thing in mind after pregnancy: losing baby weight and getting their pre-pregnancy body back.

So, how do you exactly do this? Here are some tips to help you lose that baby weight quickly.

1. Exercise

It is practically impossible to lose fat without doing some form of exercise. You can start by doing regular walks (it can be great for your mental health), then pick up the pace once you have gotten used to it.

Exercise will not only remove baby fat, but will help you get back to your old self emotionally. After pregnancy, hormones are circulating at high levels, exercise is a great way to get back to your old self.

2. Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is not only great for your new baby, but most mothers have found that it is great for them, too. Studies suggest that mothers who breastfeed find themselves back in their pre-pregnancy bodies faster than those who don’t.

3. Cut down on sugar

Sugar, deserts and treats will give you an energy boost after dealing with all those sleepless nights. But, sugary foods will not help you get back into shape. Your post baby body, still has the ability to easily put on more weight. Cut down on those high sugar foods and you will see results.

4. Eat healthy

Eating healthy is one of the most important factors in weight loss. Make sure to load your body with lots of fiber, vegetables and fruits to reduce your increased appetite. Also take in healthy protein sources like soy, fish and chicken, and cut down on unhealthy, fatty foods.

Remember though that getting rid of baby fat should only be second in priority after your and your baby’s health. Do not pressure yourself into trimming down fast because, with the challenges ahead of you, in time the baby fat will go away. Of course, the sooner you start your way back to health, the easier it will be to get rid of baby fat and resume into a more comfortable weight.

 

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Can Stress Lead to Weight Gain?

Posted on May 11, 2011 by admin

We have all heard of how stress can wear us down, but is weight gain another one of its unwanted consequences? Can stress lead to weight gain? Unfortunately, many doctors now believe that the answer to this question is YES.

There are in fact, more than one way that stress can contribute to gaining weight. One of the primary reasons (and this is backed by scientific studies), is related to the hormone cortisol, which the body releases in large amounts during stressful times and situations.

The effects of stress on a person’s weight can usually only be observed if is chronic. The occasional stressor will usually not have much of an effect, but high levels of cortisol release can cause problems.

Here are four ways by which increased production of cortisol can affect your weight:

1. Cravings – Increased production of cortisol can be linked to cravings and increased appetite. Stressed individuals seem to crave more salty, sugary and fatty foods in general, which are less healthy and will likely cause weight gain. Doctors believe that fatty food can provide a release of “feel good” neurotransmitters in the brain. So, by eating foods that are bad for us, we are trying to feel better emotionally and get relief from a stressful situation.

2. Decreased metabolism – The stress hormone can slow down metabolism, which cause calories to be stored as fat instead of burned as energy.

3. Storage of fat - Chronic stress can also alter the body’s ability to break down fats, which leads to its build up (i.e. love handles and other noticeable fat).

Aside from the cortisol and weight gain connection, stress can cause to weight gain due to other factors.

A stressed individual, for instance, tends to eat more than normal. For example, when you would take a break from your paperwork or studying, many people head straight for the fridge looking for junk food to munch on. Furthermore, stress and being busy makes people opt for fast food and allot less time for physical activities and exercise.

Yes, stress can lead to weight gain in more ways than one. But stress can only weigh you down if you allow it.

 

 

 

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