Medicine, weight loss, diets etc

Healthy Diet May Cut Colorectal Cancer Risk

2010-06-19T06:25:00.001-07:00

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and fish may reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study.

Although previous studies have produced conflicting findings about the effectiveness of such a diet, the new research found a benefit.

"We found that eating a largely plant-based diet with higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and low-fat dairy in women and fish in men was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer," says Paige Miller, PhD, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University.

Eating in this healthful way reduced the risk of colon cancer by 65% in women and by 62% in men, she says. "Why fish was a part of the protective dietary pattern only in men and low-fat diary only in women is not known at this time," Miller tells WebMD.

The study is published in the Journal of Nutrition.

About 147,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in 2009 in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society.
Diet and Colorectal Cancer: The Study

Miller and her team evaluated the diets of 431 men and women with colorectal cancer and the diets of 726 healthy men and women who didn't have colon cancer.

They categorized the participants into a fruits-and-vegetables diet pattern and a meat-potatoes-refined grains pattern. In men, a third pattern -- a diet rich in alcohol and sweetened beverages -- was found.

They also looked at how well participants followed the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid recommendations, which suggest a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

In addition to finding the reduced risk of colorectal cancer for people eating the diet heavy in fruits and vegetables -- 62% reduced risk for men and 65% for women -- Miller found that the more closely men and women adhered to the Dietary Guidelines, the lower the cancer risk.

Men and women with higher adherence to the guidelines had a lower risk of colorectal cancer, reducing it by 44% (men) and 56% (women).

Miller's advice? "Rather than focusing on a single food, nutrient, or other dietary component, focus on eating an overall plant-based diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oil," she says.

The diet pattern associated with higher cancer risk in her study included greater intakes of red and processed meat, poultry, fried and white potatoes, high-fat dairy, sweets, salty snacks, butter, mayonnaise, gravy, pizza, and refined grains.
Diet and Colorectal Cancer: Second Opinion

"This is more data that a low-fat, low-meat, high-fiber diet is protective," says Donald David, MD, chief of the division of gastroenterology at the City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, Calif., who reviewed the study for WebMD. "More work needs to be done to find out which particular foods are protective."

"I think the take-home message for now is, adopting a diet [that is] good for us anyway is going to protect us from colon cancer to some extent."

Experts speculate that a diet emphasizing fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains moves waste through the colon more quickly, giving harmful substances less time to damage cells there.

David calls the overall up to 65% reduction in colon cancer risk found in the new study "fairly significant protection."

Diet, he says, is just one factor that affects risk for colon cancer, of course. A history of bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis increases the risk of colorectal cancer, as does family history of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

Smoking, being very overweight, and excess alcohol use have also been linked to a higher colorectal cancer risk.

More informations: http://www.medicinenet.com/

New Drug for Advanced Prostate Cancer

2010-06-19T02:31:00.000-07:00

A new treatment for advanced prostate cancer that hasn't responded to other treatments has been approved by the FDA.

Called Jevtana (cabazitaxel), the chemotherapy drug is used in combination with the steroid prednisone and has been found to lengthen survival by nearly 2 and 1/2 months in men who have run out of treatment options.

The drug, made by Sanofi-aventis, got priority review under an FDA program which offers an expedited six-month review for drugs that could offer major advances in treatment or provide an effective treatment when no other adequate one exists.

The approval is for use in advanced, hormone-refractory prostate cancer which has worsened despite treatment with a regimen including the drug docetaxel.

An estimated 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2009 in the U.S., according to American Cancer Society, with an estimated 27,300 deaths.

The Jevtana approval is based on a study involving 755 patients who had previously received the docetaxel regimen. Researchers compared the overall survival in those on Jevtana plus prednisone with those who got another chemo drug, mitoxantrone, with prednisone.

Those on the Jevtana regimen had a median overall survival of 15.1 months (half lived longer, half less) or about a year and three months, compared to 12.7 months, about a year, on the comparison regimen.

The new treatment is not without side effects. Among them are a decline in white blood cells, anemia, low platelet counts, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, infections, and kidney failure.

Even so, the differences in survival were significant, according to the researchers.

"This is truly a significant announcement for the prostate cancer community, addressing an unmet medical need," says Oliver Sartor, MD, the principal investigator for the study in North America and a professor at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, in a statement. Sartor is a consultant and investigator for Sanofi-aventis and some other pharmaceutical companies.

More informations: http://www.medicinenet.com/

Gene Mutation Offers Clues to Tamoxifen-Blood Clot Link

2010-06-19T02:10:00.000-07:00

Researchers have identified a gene mutation that increases the risk of blood clots in women taking the anti-cancer drug tamoxifen after surgery for early-stage breast cancer.

Tamoxifen is widely used for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, but previous studies have shown that it increases the risk of blood clots, according to background information in a news release about the new study.

The study included 412 women, median age 64, who received tamoxifen as "adjuvant" treatment for stage I, II or IIIA breast cancer. In cancer therapy, an adjuvant treatment is one used after surgery to improve the outcome of patients at high risk of recurrence. The women were treated between January 1999 and April 2005, and blood clots developed in 141 of the women.

Patients who developed a blood clot while taking tamoxifen were nearly five times more likely to have a genetic mutation called factor V Leiden than those who didn't develop a blood clot, according to the report published online June 16 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

"These data may prove useful to women who must decide between tamoxifen and an effective . . . alternate adjuvant therapy for breast cancer" that essentially doesn't cause the blood to clot, wrote Dr. Judy E. Garber, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and colleagues, in the news release from the journal's publisher.

Alternatives, she said, might include aromatase inhibitors for postmenopausal women and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs or oophorectomy -- the surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries -- for premenopausal women.

More informations: http://www.medicinenet.com/

Tips for Fast Cooking

2007-01-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

A few simple measures can dramatically cut down on time you spend in the kitchen preparing meals. Try some of the following fast cooking tips:

Focus on simple recipes rather than elaborate techniques that usually result in more dishes and extra cleanup.
Consider what else you can do to speed your meal along after you have started the noodles boiling, the rice cooking or the meat browning.
Use quick flavor enhances, such as low-sodium broth's and sauces, herb vinegar's, hot pepper sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and nuts for fast-cooking flavor.

CAFMDRM2TUPQ More informations: http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/

How To Power Up Your Weight Loss

2007-01-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

Although many people just can’t get their head around it, weight training is one of the best ways to speed up your metabolism. Muscle burns more calories because it is active tissue that creates energy, unlike fat which is just sitting there! Don’t be afraid of adding a little muscle mass, it will do you good.

Cut back on your carbs, especially sugar carbs and carbs from junk food. Taking in too many carbohydrates is one of the big culprits in fat storage. Anyone who reduces the amount of carbs they eat will see an increase in fat loss. You should keep carbs around one gram per pound of LEAN body weight per day and make sure they come from good carb sources not junk food.

Spread your meals out over six per day instead of three. Doing this will allow your body to assimilate your food better and will also keep you from eating too much at one sitting. Your body can really only utilize about 30 grams of protein per sitting at most for example. The other benefit is that it keeps you feeling full so that you don’t give in to hunger pangs.

The next hint is to eat more protein. Protein maintains lean body mass or muscle so it only makes sense that eating more protein will help you to lose fat. Muscle mass burns more calories which is a good thing. Your body needs protein to build and maintain the muscle mass.

Cut back on saturated fats because they are the ones that are the big problem in contributing to poor health and obesity which can lead to diabetes. Not all fats are bad. Some are good and some are bad. Essential Fatty Acids are just that, essential. Stay away from too much unsaturated fat.

How many times have you heard it? Drink more water! Water is crucial to the proper functioning of our bodies. It helps the body to create blood, keeps our joints lubricated, and is essential to many other functions. We can go for many weeks without food, but without water you will die in a matter of days. That should tell you how crucial water is. Drink at least a gallon a day, just spread it out so that by the end of the day you have taken in at least a gallon.

Another thing you will want to do is to make sure that you have good and reliable coaching and information. Don’t try to go it alone, this is where many people fail.

Weight Watchers

2007-01-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

Weight Watchers is a diet program which combines weight loss and exercise ideas. As a membership incentive system it offers special foods, cookbooks and exercise plans for a fee. Weight Watchers points are awarded for success and the dieter has the support of Weight Watchers groups around the world and chapter members from his or her local group.

The advantages are that one can lose weight with others, having the support of others who are fighting the same battles. Weight Watcher products are readily available, and there are hundreds of web sites for support.

This particular plan requires an initial investment for membership and can involve the purchase of specific food products. If the idea of support in a group atmosphere is for you, this could be your plan. You can expect the best results when you are motivated and at ease with a program.

Tips

1.- Make a weight-loss plan and post it somewhere you'll see it everyday.

2.- Try to eat vegetable salads instead of greasy foods.

3.- Try cutting back slowly on large food portions.

4.- Water is the perfect drink, drink at least 1 liter of water every day. Water is essential to all bodily functions and has no calories.

5.- Try to think positive and bee happy.

6.- Concentrate on your goals.

7.- Don't eat one big meal with a lot of calories.

8.- Steam, broil or bake your foods!

9.- Eat and chew slowly. Chew every bite 20 times and you will be much more satisfied.

10.-Learn to stop eating before you feel full. (It takes 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain that it is full!)

11.- Make charts with your weight loss and eating behavior.

12.- Each day you stay on your diet brings you closer to your weight goal.

13.- Order from the light menus now offered at many restaurants, or purchase low-calorie or reduced-fat products at the grocery store.

14.-Remember also low fat foods may not actually be good for you, they can still be high in fat or calories based on the serving size.

Exercise

The key to any successful exercise program is finding an activity that you can easily work into your schedule. If you hate the thought of putting on a leotard and going to an aerobics class, try a different approach. Start small and work your way into an activity that you really enjoy. Walk in place at home or get out and do a few laps around your local mall or neighborhood. Ride an exercise bike or use a treadmill while you watch your favorite sitcom.

If this is your first experience, start slowly, 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times a week, building up to 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Daily exercise, with healthy eating choices, will help you achieve and maintain your desired weight.

Most importantly, look for roadblocks to success. Too tired to exercise 30 minutes after work? Try breaking up your workout into two 15-minute periods. Research shows that short periods of exercise are just as effective as long stretches. Have a backup plan for outdoor activities. If it is too cold for your walk, dance through your house to your favorite CD.

Diet Pills Researched by The Weight Loss Institute

2007-01-05T06:10:00.000-08:00

The effectiveness of diet pills has been intensively studied by many international organisations and research institutes. Unfortunately this research has never been published in a suitable way to help the patient compare the different diet pills and weight loss products available on the market.

It has therefore been very difficult for patients to conduct their own research on the effectiveness, safety and quality of the many diet pills available on the quickly changing market. The Weight Loss Institute has conducted extensive research on a large number of different diet pills. Below we are publishing an overview based on the results of this research. As expected by the institute's research team, a large number of diet pills that have been researched have proven to be ineffective or even have serious side effects. On the other hand, our research team has identified a number of diet pills that offer the consumer very good value for money in combination with no or few side effects.

Xerisan ASA

Price: 88.00 USD

According to the Institute's initial research, "Xerisan ASA" is one of the most promising new diet pills available on the US market. One of the main ingredients in Xerisan, Phaseolus Vulgaris, has in recent studies been shown to act as an effective blocker of the alpha-amylase enzyme, which is an enzyme required for the metabolism of carbohydrates. The Institute considers this one of the main reasons for the remarkable early test results of Xerisan. Although Xerisan has just been launched on the US market in January 2006 the effects of some of the ingredients have already been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The Weight Loss Institute considers this product to have a significant potential without adverse effects, and recommends Xerisan ASA without restrictions. Ephedra Free.
More information

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
No serious side effects have been reported.

Solidax ADX

Price: 78.00 USD

Solidax is ephedra free and based on Synephrine, Picolinate and Pyrovate to control appetite and to increase the metabolic rate and calorie consumption. Our research has documented that Solidax is effective in assisting patients to lose weight. The effect of the active ingredients used in Solidax has been proven in controlled laboratory weight loss studies, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Ephedra Free.
More information

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
No serious side effects have been reported.

Phentermine

Price: 99.00 USD

Phentermine is a prescription based diet pill that effectively works as an appetite suppressant. Few people know that there are many different qualities of Phentermine available on the market today. Unfortunately several online pharmacies sell Phentermine of poor quality and low effectiveness without informing their customers of this fact. The Weight Loss Institute is not supporting this approach and is only cooperating with pharmacies selling the highest quality available.
More information about Phentermine diet pills

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
Serious side effects have been reported.

Kava - Herbal

Price: 59.00 USD

The Kava-Herbal diet pill is a product based on Kava Kava herbs. Products based on Kava Kava have caused severe liver damage to several patients, and some cases have been fatal. Canada and other countries banned Kava-Kava in 2002. The FDA has published numerous warnings concerning this substance.
More information

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
Serious side effects have been reported.

Fat Absorber TDSL

Price: 49.00 USD

Fat Absorber TDSL is particularly suitable for people that are on a high-fat/low carbohydrate diet, such as The Atkins diet. Fat Absorber TDSL is based on Amylase, Atractylodes, Chitosan and Magnesium Sterate to bind fatty acids, which are the primary components of dietary fats. Ephedra Free.
More information

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
No serious side effects have been reported.

Xenical

Price: 139.00 USD

Xenical is a weight loss medication based on Orlistat, which acts as a lipase inhibitor by letting part of the fat consumed pass through the intestine without being absorbed. Xenical has proven to be effective and especially suitable for patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, as it is not affecting the patients metabolic rate.
More information about Xenical diet pills

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
Serious side effects have been reported.

Bontril

Price: 79.00 USD

Bontril is a prescription based diet pill that works as an appetite suppressant. Appetite suppressants are not a substitute for proper diet. If any weight is lost using this type of medication, our research shows that it is often regained after the patient has stopped taking the medication.
More information about Bontril diet pills

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
Serious side effects have been reported.

Meridia

Price: 95.00 USD

Meridia is an appetite suppressant used along with diet, exercise, and behavior therapy for the short-term management of obesity.
More information about Meridia diet pills

Weight Loss Institute

Rating:
Value:
Tolerance:

Side effects:
Serious side effects have been reported.

For many years now the Weight Loss Institute with it’s research and recommendations has accompanied numerous patients, guiding men and women out of the frustration-trap of repeatedly trying to lose weight. The combination of the best diet pill with a well chosen weight loss program for each individual patient has proven to be a powerful method to a sustainable healthy weight.

Diet Watch - Online Weight Loss Program

2006-12-28T06:22:00.000-08:00

DietWatch.com was one of the first weight loss programs to provide a complete Internet-only weight loss program. They appeared in about 1999 backed by dietitian Jennifer May.

The DietWatch Eating Plans There are 4 diet options:

Balanced - A balanced eating plan for general weight loss.
Reduced Carb - not to be confused with low carb diets such as Atkins - here the carbs are set at 40%.
Low Cholesterol - this diet plan will keep saturated fats to a minimum.
Vegetarian - a lacto-ovo diet plan (includes eggs and milk)

You can choose to lose weight or maintain weight. Their free diet profile will take your information and come up with a daily calorie level (even including vitamins and other micro-nutrients).

Emotional Eating Addressed
In May 2005 DietWatch.com have introduced an superb 8 week course called "Mastering Food". This is an on-line interactive program that gets to the root of your eating problems. You will learn how to listen to your body, how to manage hunger, prevent binges, and many other things.

An Excellent Program
DietWatch provides all the features and tools you would come to expect in a subscription-based weight loss program. Personalized meal plans, a comprehensive diet planner and log, fitness and exercise workouts, shopping lists, message boards, and a great community.

The calorie levels, and nutrient mix appear to be very sensible and well thought out. From our own profile, the nutrient ratios for the balanced plan appeared to be around 50% carb, 20% protein, and 30% fat - which is an excellent balance between the current low-fat vs low-carb debate.

This program seems to be immune to the proliferation of diet fads and extremes, and appears to take the best of current nutrition research to come up with their plans.

Go to the DietWatch program

Isn't DietWatch just like eDiets?
DietWatch has a similar 'style' (and price - about $3 per week) to the online weight loss giant eDiets. But there are some differences here:

- They stick to a few dietary options and do them well. Whilst eDiets host numerous different diet plans and techniques, making the whole experience a bit overwhelming. More choice can be a strength and a weakness.

- eDiets has an enormous subscription base, and consequently has some of the best message boards / forums you can find. In comparison DietWatch does not offer the same level of community - their message boards are small.

- eDiets will bombard you with full color ads and popups - everything from dating, to snack foods, to pills, to tampons. DietWatch is refreshingly ad-free and clean.

- They seem to concentrate on doing diet and nutrition well, whilst eDiets appear to campaign and advertise heavily (both by email and on their web site).

- They will not send you any unwanted email after completing their free profile... unlike eDiets.

- They offer one of the biggest nutritional databases in the industry, allowing you to easily make changes to your meal plans.

Is It Good?

We wholeheartedly recommend this program. (Hint - if subscribing for a full year - the price works out to be a huge 58% cheaper).

Best Weight Loss Programs

2006-12-28T06:18:00.002-08:00

1. DietWatch - Nutritionally sound and extremely customizable, DietWatch is an excellent program.

Using DietWatch is straight-forward, and they have now introduced a 12 week emotional eating course. Highly Recommended.
Suitable if you: Aren't interested in all the different 'fad' diets and diet books, and want a diet that is more than just meal plans.

2. Sonoma Diet - A new mediterranean diet that brings balance, good food and wine, and a gourmet feeling back into cooking for weight loss. See sample recipes.

Suitable if you: Want a balanced diet that has few restrictions.
Not suitable if you: don't like cooking.

3. Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle - Extremely popular with men, this program addresses the three core principles of fat loss: nutrition, cardio, and weight training.

Suitable if you: Want to gain a little muscle mass while losing fat...
Not suitable if you: aren't motivated.

4. Weight Watchers - Continues to provide people with the support structure they need to achieve weight loss.

Suitable if you: Are looking for something with a proven track record.
Not suitable if you: aren't prepared to spend a little extra.

5. Diet.com - Personality-Based Diet
A unique on-line program combining nutritional and behavioral approaches.

Suitable if you: Realize that weight loss is more than a diet plan, and you need support in managing your eating.

6. eDiets - eDiets score well due the true personalization of diet plans. Rather than just offering substitutes, it is possible make significant customizations to the plans.

"The web's most popular diet-and-exercise program... a blend of personal chef, trainer... and mother figure " - Time Magazine.

Suitable if you: Want to truly personalize your plan.

Medifast Diet

2006-12-28T06:18:00.001-08:00

Medifast is a fast weight loss plan using meal replacements AND real food. The program has been prescribed by doctors for many years (particularly for obese people). The program can be purchased online (ships to US and Canada) - with substantial discounts.

NOTE: Medifast are currently running a special discount that includes 1 full weeks free meals. This offer is for a set time only.

Medifast 5 and 1 Plan

This 5 and 1 plan is made up of 5 meal replacements per day - generally shakes, but there are also bars, soups, oatmeal, and puddings (see below). One meal per day is a "lean and green" meal - a small portion of lean meat (see below), and up to 2 cups of salad or vegetables. This is an excellent addition to the daily routine and makes the diet a whole lot more do-able.

You eat every 2-3 hours, and must drink a minimum of 64oz of fluid (water) per day. Other drinks can be consumed in addition to this. The 5 and 1 plan is a vast improvement on some of their previous programs.

How Fast Is the Weight Loss?

Weight loss is rapid - from 2-5 pounds per week. The Medifast 5 and 1 plan is technically not a VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet), as the caloric levels are above 800 kcal/per day. However calorie levels are still low (depending on your current weight, height, and size).

Foods To Eat To Lose Weight

2006-12-27T07:15:00.000-08:00

There often is a phase in our lives when we try to put on some healthy weight by eating right and combining this with a proper exercise regimen and fitness training, in the hope that it could make a world of difference in the way we look and feel. The despairing aspect of the attempt surfaces usually when we tend to do only the eating part of it and neglect the vital work outs that are necessary to put the extra calories that have been ingested to good use. The unfortunate end result is the rather shapeless entity that we cringe looking at in the mirror - something even uglier than what we are used to seeing!

There hence arises the need to adopt measures to reduce weight gain by curbing appetite. The most important of these is to drink large amounts of water, and this can be done at just any time of the day. It plays an important role in filling up the stomach and tricking the brain into believing that it may not require as much food to get satiated after all! Over and above this, water takes on the dirty job of flushing out waste products and toxins that are generated within the body as part of routine functioning.

Certain food stuffs that have been found to be extremely helpful in suppressing hunger also have a low calorie count, which implies that these do not do too much harm even if they are consumed. These are leafy vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, spinach etc. which are almost calorie free and most importantly add vital roughage to your diet; roughage is necessary for healthy bowel movement. Gorging on an apple is another great way to fight hunger pangs because its bulky fiber content fills up the stomach and instantly turns off your appetite control hormones. This way it prevents you from overeating and also contains vitamins and minerals and vital plant nutrients as well as large amounts of folic acid. Another good idea is munching on an entire jar of pickles – this won’t give you more than 50 calories roughly, and yet they can be very satisfying and take up a considerable amount of space in your stomach, again turning off your cravings. You can also try concoctions of fruit and vegetables that appeal to the taste buds with the help of low starch gums and soy protein.

One of the supplementary methods that have been found to be effective in controlling weight is to consume fiber tablets to give a feeling of fullness. These often contain apple pectin fiber, oat bran fiber and other natural fibers, and must be taken before you begin eating and gulped with lots of water; without adequate water, these pills can block the digestive tract. Topping this off by eating low caloric density foods and beverages will further suppress your appetite and cause the brain to believe that the hunger has been taken care of. It is even more effective if combined with physical exercise.

New Trend In Holiday Gift Giving...The Gift of Weight Loss

2006-12-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

Turn on the news today and you’ll see hoards of people crowding shopping malls and electronic stores. They stand in line for hours to purchase a Christmas gift that will long be forgotten two months after it is received. What you won’t see however is soon to be one of the biggest trends this holiday season. Diet plans like South Beach, Medifast or many others are anticipating that December will be the single largest month of the year.

Why this new shift toward pre-purchased diet plans as a gift?

The answer can be found in the growing number of Americans who are concerned about their health and weight. From the restaurants to the fast food outlets, consumers are demanding healthier food. With basic plastic surgery costing anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000, companies like Medifast.com provided a simple solution for individuals looking to begin their new year with an extreme weight loss makeover.

A promise so good...it can't be resisted.

One diet program promises to help you lose up to 20 pounds in one month without shopping, cooking or counting. These programs provide foods are nutritionally balanced, clinically proven, and delivered to your door. Compared to a $7,500 tummy tuck, these plans look very attractive to consumers as holiday gifts.

In a recent survey of married women, one of the top items on their wish for the New Year was that their husbands would eat healthier foods and work out with them. Trends indicate that not only are individuals purchasing diet plans for themselves but more and more couples are joining one another on a quest to loose weight. To these individuals, giving each other the gift of weight loss is truly priceless.

They Don't Make Them That Big

2006-12-27T07:12:00.001-08:00

Ran into a lawyer friend the other day. Hadn't seen Jill for months. She had been packing on the pounds the last time I saw her. Crazy schedule. Client lunches. Client dinners. Late nights at the office. "Who has time to even think about planning a meal."

When you get a little older priorities and schedules change. You don't find the time for the gym on Saturday morning. Friends move. Tennis a few times a week gets replaced with something less physical. You're busier than ever, and before you know it a little bigger around the middle than ever too.

Jill was looking good when I saw her. I asked her about it. She said her moment came last Winter when she was looking through catalogues for outdoorsy outfits she was going to need for a Spring vacation trip. "They didn't list the size I needed in the catalogue, so I called them." The salesperson sounded young. Probably skinny with a bad complexion too. The answer: "Hey, they don't make them that big" was Jill's wake-up call.

"I couldn't get my arm through the phone line, so I knew I had to change something." There are personal trainers. Books. Diets. The information is out there but "I just didn't have the time for a lifestyle changing course."

Jill said she went with a meal replacement program. "I don't count calories. I don't shop the outer aisles, and I don't cook." "Everything is delivered and it's right there when I need it."

Jill's logic is inescapable. Practical too. A ten year study by George Blackburn, M.D., an expert in nutrition and metabolism at Harvard medical school compared two groups of people in the aptly named town of Pound, Wisconsin. The Harvard team gave one group meal replacements that they stayed on until they reached their desired weight level, and then went back to from time to time to maintain. The comparison group simply "followed the eating habits of their community," says Dr. Blackburn--which, in Wisconsin, was likely to include lots of cheese and bratwurst.

A decade later, the people using meal replacements for weight control had maintained a 7-pound weight loss, on average. Big deal, right? Well, yes, when you consider that their home town counterparts gained 25 pounds, on average, during that same 10-year stretch.

Depending on your needs and your budget there are a couple different ways to go with a meal replacement program. You can pick-up meal replacement drinks and shakes at your local grocery store. You buy these liquid meal replacements in six or ten packs and use them to replace one or two regular meals per day. Assuming a normal three meal day, that still leaves at least one regular meal to plan and prepare.

The next level, and the one that seems to work the best for most people because it is the easiest, is to go with a professionally prepared replacement meal program. The best part of these programs, Medifast being the most prominent, is that you don't have to do anything other than take delivery. Their prepared meals include shakes, but you get some solid food too like bars, soups, oatmeal, chili, and puddings.

You are not guessing about your nutritional intake either. The pros serve up low-calorie, nutrient-balanced, vitamin fortified meals that are medically supervised and are being used by millions of other people.

Professional meal replacement is the way to go if you want to lose weight now without the hassle of calorie counting and aisle shopping. Like Jill, you can worry about the "big" lifestyle changing stuff later.

Most Common Plastic Surgery Traps

2006-12-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

Cosmetic plastic surgery has become a routine procedure over the past few years, but before you book an appointment, you should first make sure that you are aware of some of the common traps patients encounter.

1. Poor recommendations. If you are planning to consult a past patient of a plastic surgeon to determine if you would also like to use them, be sure to consult those who have had good experiences. Patients who have had bad outcomes tend to place blame on the surgeon, even if the procedure was performed well, and even though they are informed going in that complications are always possible.

2. Becoming addicted to plastic surgery. Some people become addicted to cosmetic plastic surgery once they have had their first procedure. It is important to realize that frequent plastic surgery procedures can lead to irreversible damage to regular body structure. Though this disorder is known as being limited to the wealthy, many people will take out substantial loans from the bank in order to pay for their addiction.

3. Having a procedure for the wrong reasons. People who have extreme self esteem issues should not have cosmetic plastic surgery done. Altering ones appearance will not automatically solve personal image problems. Many plastic surgeons choose not to go ahead with procedures on patients who are depressed or have other mental health problems, until those problems have been cured first.

If any of the above mentioned things seem familiar to you, perhaps you should reassess your approach to the surgery. Are you getting the most accurate information about the surgeons available to you? Can you see yourself having multiple procedures if the first one is successful? Are you having the procedure for you, or for someone else?

Life Insurance - How Much Do You Need ?

2006-12-27T07:07:00.001-08:00

Insurance is the means that an individual or a family can use in order to help them prepare against the emergencies of life. Life insurance is the form of this preparation that helps in the worst emergency – the death of a loved one. This could be for anyone in the family, or for the main breadwinner. Because so many things can happen to people, mostly unexpected, we want to be ready in the event that it does happen - but hope, too, that it never does.

This article will show you how to determine just how much life insurance you should have in order to be prepared in the best way possible.When determining just how much coverage you should have, here are some things that you definitely want to take into consideration.Your Yearly ExpensesIn the event that the main earnings winner should pass away, the goal of a life insurance policy is to sustain the family at its present level of living for a while. This means you need to calculate exactly what it costs for the family to live at the present level for one year. In order to help you calculate according to the rising cost of inflation, you should add a percentage increase for each year - possibly as much as 8%.

Educating The Children To this figure, you need to add just how much it will cost to put each child all the way through college. Of course, this may be a little hard to do, since college costs are rapidly raising. You should add, however, a percentage increase for each year until they graduate. A suggested amount would be 1 or 2% increase of the current tuition per year before college and during.Current DebtsAll of your current debts should also be added to the total amount of life insurance coverage. By adding this amount, it would enable the family to continue its current level of life - debt free.

If there is any mortgage balance still owed, credit card debt, your own education bills, and any other bills should all be added into the calculation.Funeral CostsThe costs of funerals these days have become a lot more expensive than they used to be, along with everything else. Funerals are now an average of about $6,500. Just to be safe, though, you need to add another $4-$5,000 so no debts are left after the funeral.InheritanceIn your absence, it would be a good idea to leave your children a little extra to get them started and secure in life, if you are able. Calculate how much you want each of them tohave, and then add that amount to the total.Finally, in your calculations, you may want to add a couple of other things - depending on your situation.

If you have parents that may need nursing home care before long, or a divorce situation that you have to include, or you may even want to add a donation to either a religious organization or to a charity. It all depends largely on what you can afford. You will not want to buy hastily, without having a rather good understanding of life insurance, and make sure that you do a cost comparison, too.

What is Acne Complex?

2006-12-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

All over the world so much research has been done to curb acne because it makes beautiful faces ugly and full of black prominent spots. Very many researches have been conducted and a few have tasted success. One of them is Acne Complex.

Before getting into the details of Acne Complex, we need to know more about acne.

Acne is a skin disorder that usually happens when a person is in the teens. During that particular period of life, in both male and female bodies, Androgen, a male sex hormone, increases. This increase of Androgen does not necessarily happen in everybodys body. But in whosever’s body this increase happens, it causes overproduction of sebum and keratin. This results in clogged pores of the skin and infection. This is called acne. In the case of acne the hormones can create acne beyond teenage years. Especially among women this trend is seen.

Dr. Murad’s Acne Complex says that 3 simple steps, 2 times a day can reduce and clear your skin in 4 weeks. Seeing the popularity of Acne Complex one can understand that Acne Complex is certainly effective.

In the Acne Complex kit there are 3 items. A Clarifying Cleanser, an Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel and a Skin Perfecting Lotion. The direction of use is given in the Acne Complex kit. Otherwise you can learn it on the website of Acne Complex. You can even order Acne Complex from their website too.

Kenny Rogers' Plastic Surgery

2006-12-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

So who does not know Kenny Rogers? The man who made poker one of the most well known old west games with his soulful “The Gambler” song in the early 1980’s. He has long been a staple of the country music scene even though he seems to be a bit behind the times when it comes to the pop music that now passes for country. This is nothing that surprises many as Rogers has been linked to a good many stars with his duets and such. Of course there is the matter that he has had several wives. He has many times confessed that he is incredibly hard to live with and can be a bad husband at times. So many people are now asking how he managed to get the new youthful look. Once he was the rugged looking type that made the songs he sang about the old west and such have some credibility but now that has all changed. There has been some Kenny Rogers’ plastic surgery going on and that is no surprise to anyone in the scene.

Early in his career Rogers was often times teased about his weight. While he has never been what you would call fat, he has been heavy and sometimes looked a bit bloated. For this he enlisted some help to make himself more on the cutting edge of the new stars that were appearing. He managed to get his weight under control and that meant a lot of work but it has worked for him well. Then to add insult to injury he was becoming a bit old looking. The many lines around his eyes showed the signs of his lifestyle which sometimes mirrored the men in his songs. His constant on the go theme of life had finally caught up with him and there was little that he himself could do about it. The damage had been done and Kenny Rogers’ plastic surgery seemed to be the only answer.

Kenny Rogers’ plastic surgery seemed to be a disaster from the start. He went in to have some of the aging look taken care of and ended up looking horrible. This is one of the more sore spots for Rogers as he tells a good many reporters that this is not the way that he intended to look but that is what he got. He knows all to well that the skin around his eyes is pulled too tight and that his face looks like it may rip open. Even though his new wife tells him that he looks great, he knows better and is enlisting the help of a team of plastic surgeons to undo what has been done already.

Viagra for Women: Is It Around?

2006-12-26T11:56:00.000-08:00

Impotence is a much-talked-about issue today and men are not ashamed of discussing their sexuality using medical terms like erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction etc. Nevertheless, another fact remains ignored or overshadowed, sexual dysfunction in women is more common than impotence in men. Most women suffer from inability in getting aroused and difficulty in attaining orgasm. Viagra is there to treat man in there erectile dysfunction, but woman sexual problems are never considered.

May be because of the fact that female sexual dysfunction do not actually eliminate the possibility of sexual activities within the couple while male sexual dysfunction end all the possibilities of having sex. But good sex is not a one-man-play; it involves the pleasure of both the male and the female. If a man is not able to arouse his partner in spite of putting his best efforts, do you think any one of the couple is going to enjoy the love-making? Of course not!

The day is not far, when women will come up and speak their heart out and demand a medicine to combat female sexual dysfunction. After all this is the age of “women liberation” I do sometimes really wonder why the feminists have not yet addressed the issue of female sexual dysfunction. Women do have the right to have sex and get ultimate enjoyment! Those, who already are thinking like me, I have news for you! The researchers in Centre for Sexological Research in the University of Catania found that woman with sexual dysfunction can actually benefit from Viagra. They were found to have satisfactory sex after taking Viagra! Pfizer's is skeptical about the findings though, but they have admitted that Viagra is well-tolerated by women but does not demonstrate any significant improvement in arousal.

Recently, Palatin Technologies created Bremolanotide, which is an inhaler that is said to improve the level of sexual desire in women as well as in men and enhance orgasm. Today, I heard about Aroma Patch that is said to improve women’s libido by targeting the brain’s smell receptors with aroma molecules that mimic dopamine, the body’s natural ‘feel-good’ hormone. Women wear a transparent patch containing our scientifically formulated aroma. This was reported by Liz Paul, president of CST Medical and recipient of the British Female Inventor of the Year Award for 2003. Sounds similar with Bremolanotide, eh!! These aromatic drugs are yet to prove themselves.

Whatever is the situation today, a day will come soon when we will be welcoming an “anti-sexual dysfunction” drug particularly for women and as men are saying today “Never say die!” after getting charged by Viagra, women of all age, defying the menopausal boundaries, will also cry “Never say die!” out of pleasure. I do not have any idea who will introduce the sexuality drug for women in the market and let the world go gaga about it, as Pfizer did 6 years back, but I really am very much confident about the strong possibility of the upcoming Viagra for women. Let those women taste the ultimate pleasure of sexual life who were deprived of that ecstatic feeling due to sexual dysfunction. It's coming babe!

Medifast Diet

2006-12-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

Medifast is a highly effective meal replacement diet, which has been satisfying customers for over 25 years. Medifast has been recommended by over 15,000 physicians and has been clinically proven at Johns Hopkins. Medifast is a growing company in the weight loss market. In 2006, Medifast will spend over $15 million on national advertising to continue creating widespread brand awareness. Medifast is offering customers a FREE week of product with the purchase of a 4-week supply. Customers also receive Free Shipping with the purchase of a month’s supply.

What is Medifast Weight Loss? Medifast is a meal replacement program that helps most people lose weight faster than traditional food-based diet plans. Medifast products come in individual packets that you mix with water to create a "shake" similar to an instant breakfast drink. Medifast is available in a wide variety of flavors as well as several alternate choices including protein bars, creamy soups, chili, oatmeal and hot cocoa. You Can Lose Weight!

How does Medifast work? The clinically proven results of Medifast are based on the use of a defined formula diet. The program was carefully designed to create a gap between the calories you take in and the amount your body needs. Each nutritionally balanced meal replacement is formulated with a proven combination of carbohydrates and protein to allow you to successfully lose weight without losing muscle.

How fast do you lose? Women average 2 to 4 pounds a week, men slightly faster (up to five pounds a week or more). Medifast low calorie diets require medical monitoring to minimize the potential for health risks.

Overview of various diets

2006-12-26T11:53:00.000-08:00

Low Carbohydrate Diets: Ketosis occurs, and this presents the same problems as fasting. Once glycogen stores are spent (which happens quickly with athletes and those who exercise regularly), glucose must be made from protein sources, and there is greater wear on the kidneys as a result. Even on a high protein diet, some protein will be taken from body tissues in order to produce enough energy for the nervous system and regular activity. The onset of ketosis is an indication that this process has begun and it is not a positive aspect, regardless of what pro-high-fat authorities indicate.

Great weight loss on a low-carb diet is evident because of the fact that carbs hold water in the muscles at a ratio of 1:3. As carb intake decreases then so, too, does water retention. Much water flushes as a result of lack of glycogen to hold water molecules. Moreover, by increasing protein intake, excess nitrogen flushes with even more water since the kidneys use water to dilute the concentration of nitrogen. Once leaving a low-carb diet and the muscles refill with glycogen, fluid concentrations increase and the dieter regains some of the weight.

Low calorie diets of 400-600 kcalories that consist primarily of protein have the same problems as fasting and low-carbohydrate diets: proteins are used for energy and weight loss comes largely from water. Low-cal diets must be supervised properly by a medical professional and only as a last resort for those who cannot seem to lose weight by other methods. However, even those individuals tend to regain most of their weight back once they return to a balanced diet.

Beverly Hills Diet – a diet consisting of grapefruit, eggs, rice, and kelp; it is deficient in minerals and vitamins.

Cambridge Diet – a very low kcalorie (300-600 kcal/day); protein/carb mixture with mineral imbalances; the dieter is close to fasting.

Complete Scarsdale Diet – this diet is unbalanced nutritionally; some days are calorically restricted; the dieter alters portions of carbohydrate, protein, and fat; the diet consists of low carbs (20-50 g/day), and high fat and protein; the diet has a high meat (saturated fat and cholesterol) content.

Dr. Atkin’s Diet Revolution – this diet is unbalanced nutritionally; some days are calorically restricted; the dieter alters portions of carbohydrate, protein, and fat; carbs are very low (20-50 g/day), whereas fat and protein are high; there is high meat (saturated fat and cholesterol) consumption.

Dr. Linn’s Last Chance Diet – this diet has a very low kcalorie intake (300-600 kcal/day); it consists of a protein/carb mixture with a mineral imbalance; the dieter is close to fasting.

Dr. Reuben’s The Save Your Life Diet – this is a calorically dilute diet consisting of high fiber (30-35g/day); the diet is low in fat and animal products; there is poor absorption of minerals because of too much high fiber.

"Fake" Mayo Diet – this diet consists of grapefruits, eggs, rice, and kelp; it is deficient in minerals and vitamins.

F-Plan Diet – this is a calorically dilute diet consisting of high fiber (30-35g/day); it is low in fat and animal products; there is poor absorption of minerals because of too much fiber.

LA Costa Spa Diet – this diet promotes weight loss of 1-1_ lbs/day; there are various plans of 800, 1000, and 1200 kcal/day composed of 25% protein, 30% fat (mostly polyunsaturates), and 45% carbohydrate; the diets includes the four food groups.

Medifast Diet – this diet is balanced nutritionally, but provides only 900 kcal/day; use of liquid formulas makes this diet monotonous and expensive.

Nutrimed Diet/Medifast Diet – this is a nutritionally balanced diet, but it supplies only 900 kcal/day; the use of liquid formulas makes this diet monotonous and expensive.

Optifast Diet – this diet is nutritionally balanced, but supplies only 900 kcal/day; use of liquid formulas makes this diet monotonous and expensive.

Pritikin Permanent Weight-Loss Diet – this is a nutritionally unbalanced diet; some days are calorically restricted; the dieter alters portions of carbohydrate, protein, and fat; the diet consists of high protein (100 g/day); unless the foods properly chosen, it may be low in vitamin B12.

Prudent Diet – this is a balanced, low kcalorie (2400 kcal/day) diet for men; it is low in cholesterol and saturated fats; a maximum of 20-35% calories are derived from fat with an emphasis on protein, carbohydrates, and salt; there is ample consumption of fish and shellfish, and saturated fats are substituted with polyunsaturated fats.

Quick Weight Loss Diet – this diet is unbalanced nutritionally; some days are calorically restricted; the dieter alters portions of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, although there is low carbs (20-50 g/day), and high fat and protein; there is high meat consumption (saturated fat and cholesterol) with this diet.

San Francisco Diet – this diet begins at 500 kcal/day, consisting of two meals per day of one fruit, one vegetable, one slice of bread, and two meat exchanges; the second week limits carbohydrates, with most food coming from the meat group and with some eggs and cheese, and a few vegetables; week three includes fruit; in week four there is an increase in vegetables; week five the dieter add fat-containing foods (e.g., nuts, avocados); week six includes milk; week seven includes pastas and bread, where the diet is maintained at about 1300 kcal/day; this diet avoids the issue of saturated fats and cholesterol.

Slendernow Diet – this diet is unbalanced nutritionally; some days are calorically restricted; the dieter alters portions of carbohydrate, protein, and fat; the protein is generally high (100 g/day); unless foods are properly chosen, there may be a deficiency in vitamin B12.

Weight-Watchers Diet – this diet is balanced nutritionally, at about 1000-1200 kcal; use of high nutrient-dense foods are consumed; economic and palatable food makes it one of the most successful diets with no real health risks.

Wine Diet – this diet is about 1200 kcal/day, containing 28 menus together with a glass of dry table wine at dinner; besides the medicinal components of wine, it is believed that individuals reduce portion sizes when wine is consumed with a meal; the diet is low in cholesterol and saturated fats; there is a focus on fish, poultry, and veal with moderate amounts of red meat.

Yogurt Diet – this diet consists of two versions, being 900-1000 kcal/day, and 1200-1500 kcal/day; plain low-fat yogurt is the main dairy dish, consumed at breakfast, lunch, and as a bedtime snack; the diet is high in protein, and it is low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and refined carbohydrates

The Dangers Of Low Carb Diets That They Don't Tell You About

2006-12-26T11:51:00.002-08:00

The diet fad that began in the 1970’s preaches against carbohydrates and tells us that carbs are bad. The fact is there are good carbs and bad carbs.

Beginning nearly thirty years ago, Dr. Atkins espoused the doctrine that a high protein diet was the best for everyone. He stated that carbohydrates were the cause of people being obese and having weight control problems. Many scientists and doctors labeled him a quack until recently when it was determined there was some validity to his arguments and that a high protein low carbohydrate diet could help you lose weight.

The problem with the style of diet that most Atkin’s followers eat is that they include very high fat items like steaks, bacon, butter, cheese and other items that are loaded with unhealthy saturated fat.

The reason that the Atkin’s program works for many people is that it gives you a feeling of fullness. It is the constant feeling of being hungry that causes many people to fail in their diets. Another thing with the low carbohydrates is that they help you avoid the big ups and downs in blood sugar.

The big issue with the high protein and low carb is that there is no long term evidence to support the theory nor to show whether there are long term detriments to following such a diet. Short term studies have supported the use of these programs for a short period of time but the weight loss attained seems to be mostly from reduced caloric intake. This same thing can be accomplished with a balanced diet reducing calories.

Besides the fact that the efficiency of these low carb diets in maintaining long term weight loss is questionable the other issue is that they may cause you long term health problems. Because these diets are high on red meats, cheese and other saturated fats and low in vitamins and minerals they may increase the chances that you may get heart disease and certain types of cancer such as colon cancer. In women these high protein diets can even cause osteoporosis because of the leaching of calcium from the bones to deal with the acids that come from the body working to deal with trying to digest large amounts of protein.

You should keep you protein consumption in moderate amounts of about 4 grams per ten pounds of body weight. Try to get the majority of this from vegetable proteins instead of animal sources. Also eat balanced carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables.

The Three Day Diet - How Does It Work?

2006-12-26T11:51:00.001-08:00

The come in several numbers and in different thoughts. The three day diet. It is dieters favorite term, their perfect option before a big event (i.e; dance, wedding, special event) and it is the “easy” way out of the usual standard of hard core dieting and punishing exercise. The free three day diet is great for the heart and will have you eating food from fish to Kaiser to tuna and mayo.

Cleveland’s Three Day Clinic is widely held as the best in the business of losing weight quickly and their ties with the American Heart Association gives the program the credibility and the reference that they have. Their three day diet plan includes plenty of omega three fatty acids (similar to those found in several types of fish) and the diet is often referred to as the Army-3 day diet and the Navy Diet. Menus for this specific weight loss plan can be found free of charge on a variety of websites and each offers a different spin on the diet.

However, obtaining a copy of the free three day diet may not be in your best interests, as many people have come to realize. It has been stated that the association’s three day diet has led to only temporary weight loss (otherwise known as water weight) which occurs mostly due to a severe cutback in carbohydrates. People who have been on the diet consistently have a similar complaint that their weight has a “yo-yo” effect of jumping from lower weights to higher in just a matter of days.

The day diet, as it is also known, has it’s supporters as well as its negative viewers. The people shielding positive light say that the free three day diets help you when you are in desperate need of losing weight before that big date or special anniversary. These people are not consistent dieters but occasional users of the diet plan. I need a copy of the three day diet myself! The clinic three day diets are sprinkled throughout the country in major cities (check your local listings) and great for learning more about this great diet “secret!”

Is Fasting A Good Way To Lose Weight?

2006-12-26T11:50:00.001-08:00

When people think of fasting many people think of someone like Ghandi who fasted for weeks at a time to attain enlightenment or as a form of non violent protest against an oppressive government. The truth of the matter is that fasting can be used by any of us on a limited and occasional basis both for cleansing and rapid weight loss.

If you want to make a change in your current diet, feel a need to cleanse your body, or you just want to jump start your weight loss program fasting can be a good way to go. The great thing about fasting is that you see results immediately. I am on the 8th day of a fast at the moment and have lost over twenty pounds!

Fasting is a great way to help your body to cleanse itself and should be done occasionally for that purpose alone. It will remove any bloating you may have, make your waist look smaller almost instantly, and will clear up your skin. This is one of the first things I noticed with fasting; my skin became much clearer in just the first three or four days.

I am not recommending fasting as a weight loss program in itself but more as a transitional step to lead into a more long term healthy weight loss and maintenance regimen. If you have been eating tons of junk food, heavy meats, and the like you will have toxins as well as excessive waste built up in your system. Cleansing your system first will give you much better results.

Let’s look at the mechanics of fasting. When we are talking about fasting, I am not saying go without anything at all. You must take in fluids. Your body will die in a few days without enough fluids even though it can survive for many weeks with no food, depending of course on how much body fat you currently have. Try to stick with water and natural fruit juices. Some people try to go on water alone but this can usually only be handled for a couple of days, plus the fruit juice will help with the cleansing process.

If you learn to use fasting properly and become dedicated with it you will also be able to have more discipline when you return to a regular diet and it will be easier for you to turn down foods that you know aren’t good for you. One of the benefits of this fast I am currently on is that it will prepare my body for the raw diet and am starting. I guess I should really say raw lifestyle since I intend to eat that way from now on.

Fasting is definitely something everyone should do at least once or twice per year to cleanse your body from all the built up toxins and help keep you healthy.

6 Negative Effects Of Eating Fast Food

2006-12-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

1. Fast food has a very high energy density. About 65 percent higher than a typical diet and twice as high as recommended healthy diets which makes us eat more than we otherwise would. Energy density refers to the amount of calories an item of food contains in relation to its weight. Foods with a high energy density confuse the brain's control systems for appetite, which are based solely on portion size.

2. British researchers from the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Center and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have determined that repeated eating at McDonald's or KFC or Burger King, people are more likely to gain weight and become obese. This is because fast food not only contains many more calories than traditional food, but also is more likely to undermine normal appetite control systems.

3. By eating a Big Mac and fries, the body consumes almost twice as many calories as you would if you ate the same weight of pasta and salad. Fast Food restaurants feed the obesity epidemic by getting people to eat many more calories than they need through persistent advertising.

4. McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King menu items using nutritional data from the fast food restaurants' Web sites, found that when we eat high energy density foods, we don't reduce the portion size so we get a lot more calories than we need. Our current society possesses a weak innate ability to recognize foods with a high energy density. Food intake is assessed by the size of the portion, yet a fast food meal contains many more calories than a similar sized portion of a healthy meal. The conclusion is we are all being fooled into eating too much food.

5. People get fat eating regular portion sizes, but since the food has a high energy density, people gain weight. In evolutionary terms, the human appetite was designed for low energy density foods. In other parts of the world where these foods are still the dietary staples, obesity is virtually non existent. Our bodies were never designed to cope with the high energy dense foods consumed in the West. That is a major reason why fast food in contributing to the major rise in obesity.

6. Another fact is that fast food may speed up people's risk of clogged arteries that can lead to heart attacks. Researchers at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in San Francisco have demonstrated that a certain type of fat, called oxidized fat, can accelerate the buildup of plaque in arteries. And many types of fast food such as hamburgers, pizza and French fries are loaded with oxidized fat. The conclusion is fast food meals are high in saturated fat and low quality carbohydrates, white bread and lots of soda. Our bodies require fiber and more healthful types of fats. Fast food represents a dietary pattern that is the opposite of what is recommended for a healthy body.

5 Daily Steps to Effective Weight Loss

2006-12-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS THE MEDIFAST PROGRAM?

Medifast is physician supervised program available with unlimited counseling and regular physical exams.

This program can work for anyone if you need to loose 10 to 100+ pounds! It is packed with vitamins, minerals and has a main ingredient of the 'super-health-food' soy.

I feel that it is especially helpful for those that have developed a disorder with food or are obese.

PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS?

You always hear that MEDIFAST will inevitably cause you to gain your weight back. This is true for ANY weight loss program. Let's stick to reality here. If we do not remain steadfast and committed in taking care of our bodies then yes of course the weight will come back. Only with exercise, education about nutrition and a love of life can we stay at a healthy weight. Medifast does work for those who decide to work with it.

A DAY IN THE LIFE..

Let me give you and example about a regular day on the program Meals should be 3-4 hours apart.

8:00am - I have awakened from sleep, revived and ready for a new day. I am ready for breakfast. Oatmeal sound great...especially Apple and Cinnamon. The oatmeal is best mixed with 3/4 cup of water (if you like it thick use 1/2) and needs no sprucing up but I add a packet of Splenda and a little vanilla extract for that 'gooey' texture I like!

12:00 - I have a bowl of vegan chili with MediFast multigrain crackers (mixed with 1 cup water and heated for 2 minutes let set hot!!!) with bits of fresh onion and celery mixed in not to mention a dash of garlic powder and paprika. The chili really does not need these extras but it is okay to add them if it is desired.

3:00 - I grab a delicious peanut butter protein bar gives me a boost and makes me feel like I'm cheating!

6:00 - I decide to have a small 'meal' for dinner (you can eat the MediFast products only or have 1 meal a day within guidelines). I have grilled turkey breast with a couple of cups of lettuce, a few onions, fat-free honey Dijon dressing, and another packet of crackers.

9:00 - I have my last meal for the day. A favorite treat of mine. Canfield's Chocolate Fudge soda mixed with a packet of Mocha Chocolate MediFast, a packet of Splenda, and a dash of chocolate extract (this was frozen made earlier in the day). It tastes so good...like chocolate ice milk! Yum.

THE RUN-DOWN

Basically to wrap things up in summary... You can have 5 supplements a day and one meal. You can also have two fast soups, that do not count as a supplement (beef, chicken, tomato) and up to 2 packets of crackers. The shakes (two different chocolates, vanilla, strawberry and orange), oatmeal, chili, creamy soups and candy bars (peanut butter, chocolate devine, mint chocolate, berry, lemon and oatmeal) are counted as supplements. You can add small amounts of veggies, extracts and spices to any of the soups (Chicken Noodle, Creamy Tomato, Chicken and Broccoli) and chili. You can also have any non-caloric drink as much as you want but need to get in at least 64 oz. of water a day. Coffee (milk can be used!) is allowed but limited to three cups a day . For dinners, 3-4 oz. of lean meats (chicken, turkey, beef, pork, fish, shrimp) are allowed with or in lettuce greens (a couple of stuffed cups of lettuce allowed) with a few veggies in the salad and 2 tablespoons of low-fat or fat-free dressing. A cup or two of other cooked or raw veggies (green beans, broccoli, etc.) can substitute a salad.

Once you get into the swing of things, find out which foods you like best, and develop a schedule...things go pretty smoothly. The first three days of adjustment may have minor side-effects such as headaches, fatigue, and grumpiness but those first three days are worth any mild discomfort considering how helpful and how far you can go in healing the body and mind of obesity with this program.

By following similar steps like the above any person can effectivly lose weight with Medifast.