Monthly Archives: April 2011

Medical Weight Loss

Medical Weight Loss

The human body naturally stores fat cells for warmth and fuel. Factors such as diet, nutrition, physical fitness, genetic make-up, and stress can influence how readily a body maintains or increases its fat layers, and where the fat is stored. Understanding how the body accumulates fat plays a large role in the success or failure of medical weight loss.

Belly Fat
Most fat accrual starts in the abdominal area and can migrate to higher on the torso and lower around the hips and thighs. The abdominal area is the center point because of where and why the body starts holding onto the foods eaten—the small intestine, not the stomach.

The omentum is the layer of fat in front of the small intestine. Since the small intestine is where food is absorbed into the body, that’s also where fat storage begins. The stomach begins breaking foods down for digesting, but it’s the small intestine that absorbs the nutrients and fat.

The omentum stores the body’s emergency fat supply for high-demand times, such as famine and stressful periods. Because it is the body’s first stop for fuel reserves, it also has first priority in fat storage. Receptors in the omentum activate and cause food cravings, even if the person does not feel physically hungry.

Fiber
Early daily intakes of high amounts of fiber can cause food to slow progression through the small intestine, allowing for well-rounded nutrients to be absorbed, and the slowed digestion can cause feelings of fullness longer.

Genetics
No two bodies are exactly alike, but body structure tendencies run along common lines.

Men tend to store excess fat initially around their stomachs; women tend to store extra fat first in their hips and thighs. Knowing which is probable according to gender can help spot and prevent fat build-up.

Fighting Obesity
Prevention is always the easiest method, but when the pounds and inches add up anyway, exercise, medical intervention, and diet modification helps eliminate those unwanted extra bulges.

Fad diets can harm a dieter’s health. Before beginning a weight loss regime, seek medical consultation and advice. A licensed medical personnel can oversee a safe, healthy weight loss program that ensures proper nutrition, moderate exercise when possible and close supervision for side effects and medical improvements.

Prescription drugs can help stem appetites, but often require close medical supervision: Undiagnosed and untreated side effects can be deadly.

Medical weight loss programs encompass proper nutrition, medical supervision, support during weight loss and health monitoring. If drugs are prescribed, their effectiveness and effects are closely monitored.

REFERENCES:
Mehmet Oz, M.D., and Michael Roizen, M.D, 2007,”Forget about Your Stomach,” Esquire, available: https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/a2829/stomach0507/. [accessed: 042711]

“Diet Pills and Prescription Weight Loss Drugs: How They Work,” Reviewed by Judi Goldstone on Sept. 19, 2009; available: . [Accessed: 042711]

 

Author: Dawn Robinson, Award Winning Freelance Journalist, www.blogese.com

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B12 Vitamin Injections and Benefits

Vitamin B12 injections have been out there for quite a while, and are actually the most common and widely known and accepted method of treating patients who experience the symptoms of a B12 deficiency. These vitamin B12 injections benefits actually have their place, especially for people who have difficulties absorbing this vitamin, which is usually caused by a malfunctioning of the intrinsic factor, the part in our stomach that is responsible for transferring the B12 into our blood stream.

Vitamin B12 benefits are as following:

  • B12 helps replicating our body’s DNA.
  • Creation of Myelin, a substance that protects our nerve cells. It’s a fatty substance that is vital for our day to day functioning.
  • Tissue growth and red blood cells formation.
  • Energizing our body and boosting our metabolism. You have probably heard all that hype regarding “vitamin B12 injections as a weight loss solution”. Well, that’s why.
  • Lowering our body levels of Homo cysteine, an amino acid which have been linked with a far greater risk of developing cancer, strokes, and other modern western ailments.

Worthy of mentioning, you can get the benefits of B12 out of any vitamin B12 food or supplement out there, be it a sub lingual tablet, an injection, or a simple fish meal. Checking for a deficiency is also easy. All you have to do is go to your local doctor and ask for a simple vitamin blood test. You will probably get the results within a few days.

You can get this vitamin naturally from a variety of foods, but you will find the biggest amount of B12 per gram in clams. They are an amazing source of vitamin B12, but like any other animal food, have their disadvantages. Solution? nutritional yeast. My personal recommended supplement is red star vegetarian support formula. It is a proven and tested source of the active form of B12, which is important if you want it to absorb effectively.

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Black or Green Tea? Which one is for you?

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Have you been drinking hot tea all your life with all its different flavors and variations but do not even know the differences between all these teas? Truth is, there are a great number of brands and varieties available in the marketplace these days, consumers are most likely confused on what particular type of tea is best for them. Such teas come in varied forms like herbal, scented and flavored.

Basically, black tea is the most common type of tea that you can avail. It is very popular in the South East Asian region such as China, Thailand and Japan. About 70% of Camellia senensis plants are grown to produce black tea. When the leaves are old enough, they undergo a method which is called oxidization or in layman’s term, fermentation. The entire procedure results into a cloudy brown beverage that has a strong aroma with a bitter taste.

On the other hand, Green Tea is popular for people who are looking for a healthier option. Thing is, “green” teas are also made from the same plant that produces the black variation. However, they differ mainly in the processes that they undergo. Green teas are not oxidized which means that they remain fresh and are not left to rot for a long span of time. They are only dried and then steamed to keep the beneficial chemicals intact. This is the reason why they taste like leaves or grass when you take a sip.

Both teas, black and green, are proven to contain polyphenol and other types of anti-oxidants that help fight off cancer-causing toxins. Clinical studies done by experts in UK have shown that consumers of brewed green tea have a lessened chance of becoming diabetic later in life. Having said this, more and more people are opting green over black tea. Aside from the taste is way much better, the general health of the drinker is also significantly improved.

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Losing Weight by Controlling Calories

People who would like to lose weight will have to understand exactly how calories are connected to the process of weight loss or weight gain. Some people actually have the mistaken view that what matters is the type of food people eat.

What those people do not realize is that it is not really the type of food or the class of food that counts. What counts is the number of calories in any kind of food substance.

This is because if a particular meal or dish contains, say, 600 calories, it would not really matter whether the calories in question come from beef or butter. Whichever people look at it, 600 calories is still 600 calories.

For people to lose weight successfully, they need to cut down on the quantity of food they eat. Large meals are likely to contain more calories than small meals.

Therefore, people who eat smaller meals would definitely take in fewer calories than those who eat large meals.

Apart from the size of the meals, the quality of the meal also matters. In this context, quality means food that is nourishing and healthy. As a rule, people need to eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Things like soft drinks, beers and sugar-containing foods should be avoided. The best option in terms of drinks is simply water. Water cleanse the system and can also make people eat less.

Apart from watching one’s diet, exercise plays a very important role in the process of losing weight and keeping one’s weight down. The beauty of exercise is that it speeds up the process of metabolism and helps to burn calories. This keeps the weight down and leads to better all-round health. Again, exercise needs to be regular for best results. You also need to enjoy the exercise that you are doing. The aero pilates machine and ab crunchers can be done from the comfort of your own home. Such machines help you to enjoy the benefits of exercise and keep the weight down.

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Cleansing Remedies for the Colon

The modern market has hundreds of prescriptions and medications for colon cleansing. Simple kitchen ingredients are the easiest way to clean out your digestive system since they are just as effective. There are many different foods that are great for cleansing the bloodstream and cleaning the body from toxins and wastes, but not all of them work properly. Listed below is some helpful ingredients.

Juice

Juice will help wastes to flush from your body quickly. Drinking plenty of juice is also one of the most efficient ways to lose weight fast. Juice is full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that will strengthen the immune system and make it more effective for fighting off illnesses. Fruits and juices are often used in cleansing diets because they contain minimal calories and maximum nutrients.

Fiber Foods

Eating high fiber foods is an essential part of any detoxing diet. Fiber will help to absorb harmful toxins and get rid of them before they can cause any damage. Fiber is also very good for you body and can prevent numerous diseases and health complications. There are many foods that have high levels of fiber, but make sure to eat them in unprocessed form. Whole wheat carb sources are an excellent way to get fiber into your body, but fruit is the best method for how to detox your body to lose weight since it has minimal calories.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a rather uncommon vegetable. However, it is very healthy and contains numerous benefits for detoxing. Rhubarb is a perfect remedy for aiding constipation and clearing the digestive system. This root has a rather unique taste, but you will get used to it with time. Rhubarb may not be found at your local grocery store, so consider shopping for it at an organic shop or a large food supermarket. Consuming this root fresh will be the most beneficial, but you can also use the dried version.

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Guide to Developing a Diet for Hyperactive Children

One of the most effective ways of treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children is by adhering to a diet for hyperactive children. According to specialists, this diet is the second line of treatment for ADHD next to medicine. Healthy nutrition for hyperactive kids can improve concentration and focus and eliminate behavioral problems without having to resort to the use of drugs.

It is necessary for parents to pay attention to the food their kids are eating both at home and at school. Children who suffer from ADHD are easily affected by the type of food they consume. Most of the symptoms of this condition are related directly to the food and beverages consumed by kids. Food allergies are known to upset ADHD children and cause hyperactivity. As such, a menu for hyperactive children must be developed to effectively counteract the symptoms of such conditions.

There has always been a connection between diet and hyperactivity. Sugary treats are especially cited for triggering ADHD among children. Such foods not only trigger hyperactivity, they also make symptoms more difficult to manage. Unfortunately, some parents are ill advised on the most suitable diet for their children with ADHD. Some are completely unaware that a meal plan for hyperactive children is necessary to manage the condition.

Lack of a suitable diet coupled with poor parenting skills for ADHD children can worsen the problem. Nutritionists have established special diets for ADHD children. Serving recommended portions of the particular food can lessen the hospital visits and eliminate the need for medication.

The best choice of food for hyperactive children may entail the following:

The use of organic products that excludes foodstuff grown with the application of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Organic foodstuff is wholesome and does not contain chemical compounds which may cause allergic reactions in the child suffering from ADHD.

The child must take sufficient beverages especially water. The brain is composed of almost 90 percent water and it is crucial to replenish the body whenever possible.

The diet should also include raw fruits and vegetables.

The diet must be composed mostly of home cooked meals. Experiment with different recipes so that they do not get bored with the same dishes.

Hyperactive kids with low appetite and poor eating habits should be given multivitamins and protein supplements.

A diet for hyperactive children must include foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. This includes flax seed, fish and fish oils that are beneficial for the growth and development of the brain tissue and nerves.

There are some natural or herbal supplements that have been found to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD.

Suitable meals for hyperactive kids must avoid processed foods, snacks and sugary treats and dairy products. Basically, any food that has extra sugar and calories must be avoided at all costs. ADHD symptoms are closely related to intake of such foods. Children must be egged on and praised for eating healthy foods. The best way to do this is by adopting healthy foods for the whole family. Kids can find it challenging to avoid some types of food, but with support and encouragement from the rest of the family, they will enjoy eating healthy and get better with time.

About the Author: Haliyma Barrow has worked as a staff writer for a student newspaper at Indiana University of Pennsylvania starting from 2004. Beyond campus setting, Haliyma has contributed articles on various child health issues such as chronic coughs and toddler constipation.

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