Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Eat Less, Lose Weight

Nutrition Alert
By: Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.

It doesn't matter whether you eat high-carbs, low-fat, high-protein, or moderate net-carbs, people lose weight because they eat less and cut calories, state researchers at Harvard School of of Public Health who studied a variety of diets and how they affect weight loss. More than 800 overweight adults were randomly assigned to one of four diets varying in the amount of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. the diets consisted of similar foods and met the recommendations for heart health. After six months, dieters had lost an average of 13 pounds or about 7% of their initial body weight. Most began to regain the weight after one year. By two years, weight loss was similar in those who followed a diet with 15% protein, 25% protein, 20% fat, or 40% fat (~7.26 pound loss in each). Those people following a 65% carbohydrate diet lost about 6.4 pounds, and those on a 35% carbohydrate diet lost about 7.5 pounds each. Satiety, hunger, satisfaction with the diet, and attendance at group meetings were similar for all diets (attendance was strongly associated with the greatest success at weight loss). Weight loss from all diets improved risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. In short, no one diet was better than another for long-term weight loss. What was critical to success was to eat a heart-healthy diet and cut back on the quantity of food.

To help control quantity of food, add 1 or 2 ThinStick packets to your meal or liquid. Drink ThinStick Shake for breakfast as a meal replacement drink.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Make the switch today



American's would be far better off if they switched from chips to nuts as their favorite snack item. From walnuts, cashews, and almonds to macadamia, pistachios, and peanuts, nuts can help with weight loss and lower disease risk, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

BOOST YOUR MOOD:
1. Their phytochemical and antioxidant ORAC scores are high, too.
2. Raise metabolic rate by up to 11%
3. Regulate blood sugar


-Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
Metabolic Maintenance Nutrition Alert

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Symptom Checker!


I found a neat tool on WebMD! If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, go to the website below, click on the part of your body that hurts and answer a few questions about what you are feeling. A list of symptoms will appear and you will find information about each. Of course it is recommended that you always see your physician but before you do, check out what you may have.

http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm

Monday, July 27, 2009

Inflammation Common Factor in Obesity and Disease



Click for the chart to appear larger



Nutrition Alert
By: Elizabeth Somer


To investigate the link between obesity, chronic inflammation, and disease, researchers at the University of California, Irvine measured inflammatory markers(such as C-reactive protein) in the blood and compared those values to weight and disease risk. Results showed that signs of inflammation doubled for each increase in body weight (as measured by BMI. People with high blood pressure and/or diabetes also had the highest markers for inflammation. The researchers conclude that there is a direct correlation between increasing overweight, the presence of obesity related diseased, and inflammation.

BMI (Body Mass Index) chart:

Underweight: BMI <18.5
Normal: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9
Obese:
Class I 30 to 34.9 Moderate
Class II 35 to 39.9 Severe
Class III >= 40.0 Very Severe

By Waist Circumference
Optimal: 35 inches or less (men)
32.5 inches or less (women)
Health Risk: 40 inches or more (men)
35 inches or more (women)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Get up and get going!


We have been told over and over to exercise regularly yet a small percentage of adults in America listen to this advise. Is it simply because we are too lazy, busy, or don't understand the importance? If you are too busy...set a certain time for every day! You will concentrate better at work, if you're in school, your study time will be worth while and if you're a parent you'll be happier towards your children. Many think they must have a gym membership to exercise, which is simply not true. There are many creative and fun ways to exercise! If you find a form of exercise that you enjoy, you are more likely to stick with it Always remember the "moderation rule". Almost everything in your life should be in moderation. Too much exercise, T.V. , food at one meal, ect. is not a healthy lifestyle. Stay healthy and you'll be happy!

IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE:
1. Helps prevent diseases
2. Strong metabolism = strong immune system
3. Regulates amount of insulin(Fat-making hormone) realeased into the bloodstream
4. Help control sleep apnea, moodiness, stress, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, ect.
5. Improves Stamina
6. Develops muscles, bones, and ligaments
7. Posture is improved
8. Weight control
9. Stretching improves flexibility- circulates lubricants in the joints
10. You feel happier overall

FRUGAL IDEAS FOR EXERCISE:
1. Walking
2. Running
3. Heavy cans for weights
4. Swimming in free public pools
5. Do stair steps in the house
6. Deep clean the house
7. Yard work (mow the lawn, pull weeds)
8. Wash your car by hand
9. Play sports outside with friends or your kids
10. Jump rope
11. Turn up the tunes and dance in the family room
12. Chair dips, push-ups, crunches, lunges, squats

GET UP AND GET GOING!!

A short but great article:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobic-exercise/EP00002