Lose It For Ever – Dave Elger

The End of Overeating-Order info here. “Highly palatable” foods — those containing fat, sugar and salt — stimulate the brain to release dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with the pleasure center, he found. In time, the brain gets wired so that dopamine pathways light up at the mere suggestion of the food, such as driving past a fast-food restaurant, and the urge to eat the food grows insistent. Once the food is eaten, the brain releases opioids, which bring emotional relief. Together, dopamine and opioids create a pathway that can activate every time a person is reminded about the particular food. This happens regardless of whether the person is hungry. -David Kessler, former head of the FDA, Washington Post article This is a must read!

Weight Loss News, Weight Loss Science Kessler, overeat

Only 8% of today’s patients engage in all five healthy behaviors — maintaining a healthy weight, eating fruits and vegetables, drinking alcohol in moderation, exercising, and not smoking — compared with 15% in 1988, Dana E. King, M.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina, and colleagues reported online in the American Journal of Medicine. -Commercial Fitness Today

MY COMMENT: Not very good news- here is the breakdown.

The researchers found that over the last 18 years, the percentage of adults ages 40 to 74 with a BMI greater than 30 has increased from 28% to 36% (P<0.05).

And moderate alcohol use has increased from 40% to 51% (P<0.05

medpagetoday

Research healthy behaviors

Dieting and restricting food causes short-term weight loss rarely lasting more than six months before it plateaus, followed by inexorable regain

Weight loss doesn’t succeed long term because, whether we want to admit it or not (and most weight loss specialists don’t) – it seems that we each do have a set point or settling point.

Read these articles at healthyweightnetwork.

The truth is, people do lose weight, and the ones who succeed generally do not do so after just 1 or 2 attempts.

Weight Loss News, Weight Loss Science weight loss

It must have seemed an easy way to get rich quick. Founder Heidi “Kimmer” Diaz set up a website and charged members a fee to access the Kimkins diet, boasting they could lose up to 5 percent of their body weight in 10 days. “Better than gastric bypass,” there was “no faster diet,” and in fact she herself had lost 198# in 11 months. Stunning “after” photos were displayed. In June 2007 Women’s World ran it as a cover story, and that month alone PayPal records show the Kimkins site took in over $1.2 million. Then users began complaining of chest pains, hair loss, heart palpitations, irritability and menstrual irregularities. This was not surprising since Kimkins is essentially a starvation diet, down to 500 calories per day and deficient in many nutrients (appallingly, laxatives are advised to replace missing fiber). In a lawsuit, 11 former members are uncovering a vast record of Diez’s alleged fraud. They found that the stunning “after” photos, including one of Kimmer herself, had been lifted from a Russian mail order bride site. According to a deposition reported by Los Angeles TV station KTLA, Diaz admitted using fake pictures, fake stories and fake IDs, and a judge has allowed the litigants to freeze some of her assets. -healthyweightnetwork

MY COMMENT: I am speechless.

Diets, Weight Loss Gimmicks Kimkins Diet

Drinking too much cola can increase the risk of a muscle problem called hypokalemia, experts warn. -HealthDay

MY COMMENT: According to the article, “In people with hypokalemia, a drop in blood potassium levels results in problems with vital muscle functions. Symptoms can range from mild weakness to serious paralysis. ” Osteoporosis is another serious health consequence linked to soda, not to mention the impact of excessive caffeine and sugar. Colas are also very acidic, and I’m not sure anybody really understands the potential harm presented there.

Health Risks cola, hypokalemia, low potassium

Our vision is to raise the level of health and well-being on a global scale, by increasing the number of people who exercise regularly. -wexer.com

Not a bad idea- If you are looking for some direction on how to exercise, this is a free service.

Exercise Exercise, wexer

Consumption of skim milk, in comparison with a fruit drink, leads to increased perceptions of satiety and to decreased energy intake at a subsequent meal.
american j of clinical nutrition

Research appetite, fruit drink, skim milk

The thyroid, a gland found in the neck (just below the adam’s apple on men), produces hormones responsible for regulating metabolism. According to wikipedia, about 3% of the population suffers from an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism.

The following is a list of early symptoms (from endocrineweb.com):
Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can’t tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido

The good news that once diagnosed, most cases of hypothyroidism are treatable (medicinenet.com).

Medical Conditions hypothyroidism

Go to webmd.com for a review of portion sizes for various types of foods.

1.5 oz cheese = 3 dice
1 apple= 1 baseball (not a softball)
3 oz meat= deck of cards
1 bagel= 1 can of tuna
1 slice bread= cassette tape
1/2 cup rice= lightbulb

Weight Loss Tips portion size

Unfortunately, and contrary to what some believe, weight gain CAN occur in some people that eat right and exercise. MedicineNet.com offers a nice slide presentation addressing the following possible causes.

1. Lack of sleep
2. Stress
3. Antidepressants
4. Corticosteroids (anti-inflammatories)
5. Other medications
6. Hypothyroidism
7. Menopause
8. Cushing’s Syndrome
9. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
10. Smoking Cessation

Research, Weight Loss Science weight gain