New Canine Obesity Drug Launched!

The FDA in the USA approved a drug on 5th January 2007 that claims to be a useful weapon in the fight against canine obesity. Slentrol (dirlotapide), manufactured by Pfizer, is aimed at dogs that are clinically obese rather than those that are just slightly overweight. Could your dog be a candidate for this new drug? Here we look at what Slentrol is and how it works.

Indications

Slentrol Oral Solution is indicated for the management of canine obesity. With canine obesity on the increase globally, many veterinarians see it as the most important health issue facing pets today. Though the approval of this drug has been welcomed by the veterinary community, they are also stressing that it must be used together with an appropriate weight loss diet and exercise program to be effective. It is not a cure for obesity, once the dog stops taking the medication, the obesity will return unless lifestyle changes are enforced.

Presentation

Slentrol is a solution formulated at a concentration of 5 mg/ml of dirlotapide for oral administration to dogs. It can be administered directly into the dogs mouth or on a small amount of food, with a meal or at a different time of the day.

Slentrol is available in 20, 50 and 150 ml bottles.

Slentrol should be stored in its original container at room temperature, 15 to 30 degrees centigrade.

How it works

Dirlotapide is a selective microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor that blocks the assembly and release of lipoprotein particles into the bloodstream (via the lymphatic system).

The exact mechanism for producing weight loss is not completely understood, according to the FDA, but seems to result from reduced fat absorption and sending a feeling to the dogs brain of being full.
If used correctly, Slentrol helps to achieve weight loss of at least 2.8% body weight per month.

Dosage

Slentrol is given dosed in 2 phases:
1) Weight loss phase
2) Weight management phase

Weight loss phase

The initial dosage of Slentrol is 0.01 ml/kg (0.0045 ml/lb) body weight, administered once daily orally for the first 14 days.

After the first 14 days of treatment, the dose should be doubled to 0.02 ml/kg (0.009 ml/lb) body weight, administered once daily for the next 14 days.
In subsequent months of therapy, the recommended dose varies for each individual dog and the dose volume must be specifically calculated each month, based on percent of weight lost during the previous month of therapy.

Dogs should be weighed monthly on accurate weighing scales at your veterinary clinic and the dose volume adjusted every month, as necessary, to maintain a target percent weight loss of at least 0.7% per week.

Weight management phase

A 3 month weight management phase is recommended to successfully maintain the weight loss achieved. During the weight management phase, the veterinarian and the pet owner should together establish the optimal level of food intake and physical exercise required.

When Slentrol is discontinued, the daily amount of food offered and physical activity should be continued as established during the weight management phase. Reverting to previous food intake or exercise levels at this point can contribute to a regain of some or all of the weight loss that has been achieved.

What if my dog is not losing any weight despite after 1 month of therapy?

The dose volume (number of ml administered each day) should be increased by 100%, resulting in an increase of the dose volume to 2 times the dose administered during the previous month. Only perform a 100% dose increase once during treatment after day 14.

What if my dog is still not losing weight after increasing the dose?

If additional dose increases are necessary in the following months, the dose volume should be increased by 50%, resulting in an increase of the dose volume to
1.5 times the dose administered the previous month of dosing.

The dose should not exceed a maximum daily dose of 0.2 mL/kg (0.09 mL/lb), based on the dogs current body weight, during any part of treatment.

Precautions

Prior to starting treatment with Slentrol, all dogs should undergo a thorough history and physical examination by a veterinarian. This should include laboratory tests to screen for underlying conditions that can cause weight gain, such as Cushings syndrome and hypothyroidism.

The safety of Slentrol use in dogs has not been evaluated beyond 1 year.

Safety in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been established.

Slentrol has not been evaluated in dogs less than 1 year of age.

Slentrol is not recommended for dogs receiving long term corticosteroid therapy or dogs with liver disease.

Slentrol must not be used in cats due to the risk of causing hepatic lipidosis in obese cats.

Slentrol causes serious adverse reactions in humans such as abdominal distention, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, headache, nausea and vomiting. Keep well out of reach of children.

Adverse Effects

Vomiting / Diarrhea.

Almost 1 in 4 of dogs placed on Slentrol therapy experience occasional episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. In most cases these episodes lasted for one or two days before clearing up. Vomiting occurs most often during the first month of treatment or within a week of a dose increase. If vomiting is severe or lasts longer than 2 days, consult your veterinarian and have your dog examined.

Inappetance

Of course this is the aim of the therapy to an extent, but if during therapy a dogs food consumption is excessively reduced for several consecutive days, stop giving Slentrol until the appetite returns (usually 1-2 days) and then resume dosing at the same volume as before.

Lethargy

Further information for the pet owner

Achieving your weight loss target for your pet requires a great deal of motivation. It is important to maintain an active and on-going line of communication with your veterinarian for the duration of therapy, until the medication has been discontinued and beyond. Above all else, veterinary weighing scales are likely to be far more accurate than your average human bathroom scales, and it is important to get your measurements correct so you can chart your progress and adjust the dose as necessary.

Remember that successful long-term weight management requires changes that extend beyond the period of drug therapy. To maintain the weight lost when treated with Slentrol, the adjustments in dietary management as well as exercise that were begun as part of the overall weight loss program must be continued by the owner after drug therapy is discontinued. The appetite suppression caused by Slentrol only lasts for 1 to 2 days after stopping treatment, so unless food is limited the dog will gain weight again.

Obesity And A Poor Diet Can Be Harmful In More Ways Than One

Obesity has been actively argued as being derived from poor diet and then others state it is mostly caused by genetics and a persons DNA can make them much more likely to have obesity. Regardless which school of thought you choose to believe in, obesity will cause undue stress on the body everywhere from the circulatory system to the skeletal system. If left unchecked, obesity will cause weakness, breakdown, cardiac arrest and death.

Obesity is defined as an unhealthy increase in body weight. This increase in body weight can be due to stress, poor eating habits, lack in activity or fitness, etc. This extra body weight places added stress to the heart and circulatory system as it must not only work to feed and fuel more cells, but it must also work harder as the body is pushed harder to carry this additional weight.

Depending on how obese one is can really multiply this cardiovascular stress. According to a recent Oprah show obesity is defined as more than 35 inches at the waste for men and 30 for women. If you are over this measurement at your waste you are at greater risk of developing COPD, heart disease, cholesterol driven coronary blockages, even kidney and renal failure.

On a recent show on TLC they showed the short life of a 750 pound morbidly obese man named John Keitz. The hour long episode chronicled the last few years of his life and the toll that morbid obesity can take on ones body. He lived to be 39 years old and died from an infection that grew out of his body and its weakened condition after years of this uncontrolled morbid obesity. His body had basically given up.

He did, however embark on a rehabilitation program after having been bed ridden for 7 years, which showed good intentions and was a good start. Its just the stress and damage caused by being morbidly obese for so long had already greatly weakened his body and it was just a matter of time. How can this happen? How does one become obese or morbidly obese? Is it by personal choice and eating habits or is it solely genetic?

Is it their fault or is it genetics. It is probably a combination of the two as there are some people that are naturally obese and there are those that are naturally skinny or even anorexic. Regardless, diet and exercise (especially aerobic exercise) does play a major role. John Dietz loved fried chicken, potato chips and junk food. He continued to eat these items even after starting his rehabilitation program at the nursing home or facility he was taken to.

Its hard to say that if he had replaced that with health food that he would not have been obese, but he probably would have been less obese and even mobile. His extreme weight caused his legs to literally unbuckle or give out. People with lesser cases of obesity may not have their legs giving out, but they will have similar health problems developing from the extra weight. Skeletal problems like bad hips, deformed and malformed bones, bad joints, necessary hip and knee replacements, and other injuries associated with obesity, along with heart and even breathing difficulties and problems.

There are several things that work for treating obesity, but it is basically a change of lifestyle that is needed to make a permanent change to a healthier body. Yes, diet does play a major role. A healthy diet consisting of the major food groups and high in protein and low in carbohydrates like the South Beach Diet is very helpful in weight loss. The South Beach Diet is a realistic diet and can be achieved. Do not pay attention to unrealistic diet ads like lose 20 pounds in one week. This is impossible and if it were it would be a crash diet and very unhealthy or even risky (just like morbid obesity, crash diets can also cause serious health problems).

For a good idea of what it takes to lose weight for all kinds of people and all kinds of body shapes and ages watch the TV show The Greatest Loser. It shows two groups of B rated stars trying to see which can lose more weight and features a workout guru, psychologist and renowned doctor. There are people of all sorts and sizes on this show and one is bound to be similar in stature and composition to you. You can learn a lot about dieting, fitness, and even trials, tribulations and hardships they go through.

Why Obesity In Your Pet Is Just As Dangerous As It Is For You

The issue of human obesity is the focus of many people thanks to all of the media campaigns and advertisements that constantly warn of the dangers of being overweight. Obesity can lead to diabetes, heart attacks and a myriad of other problems. A healthy diet and regular exercise will combat the problem and bring a person's risk of disease down appreciably.

The same principle applies to pets. It may seem cute to see an overweight cat waddle by or a pudgy dog breathing hard just when it walks into a room. Their obesity is just as dangerous to them as it is to humans. Dogs and cats can both get diabetes and heart disease so it's important to make sure that they eat a healthy diet and receive plenty of exercise.

One of the causes for animals to become overweight is due to them being fed table food along with their regular pet food. It's hard to say no to an animal that approaches you with big pleading eyes, begging for some of your steak or pizza and it may seem harmless to give them some just so that they won't look so sad. Another mistake that people make in this regard is to scoop up the leftovers after a meal and give them to the animal. This can easily contribute not only to the pet's obesity but other health problems as well.

Pet food contains all of the nutrients that an animal needs but human food does not and can also cause digestive problems with an animal. Some people think its ok to give their dogs lots of bones but these bones can chip off and stick in the intestines of the dogs, especially hollow bones such as chicken bones.

Lack of exercise is another problem for pets especially if they are inside pets. Animals that have a yard to run around in are able to get lots of exercise as they explore their territory. Inside pets don't have this privilege but that can be remedied by taking them for long walks and allowing them to run around in a park that allows animals to be unleashed.

Cats are exceptionally lazy creatures that prefer a good nap to actually getting exercise. This is especially true for inside cats. However, you can provide your cat with exercise by buying one of the many toys that are designed with cat exercise in mind.

Many of these toys have a string with a fake mouse or a feather attached to it. You can dangle it in front of the cat to get its attention and they will invariably start to swipe at it with their paws. Drag it around the floor and they will give chase as though it were a real animal. Do this regularly and soon your cat will be the slim and healthy animal it was meant to be.

How to Conquer Obesity through Balanced Choices

Excess fat storage in the body is the result of consuming a greater quantity of acid and toxic calories than the body can properly metabolize and eliminate. When this occurs, the body has no alternative but to store the toxins, along with the excess calories, as fat.

People who have a different genetic makeup, and who eat basically the same diet but do not have a weight problem, tend to burn the excess calories and store the toxins in their organs.

Obese people have a greater risk of becoming ill or of dying from most diseases. They are more apt to become injured or have accidents.

Fat storage around the mid-section, or abdominal obesity, is associated with a high risk of coronary artery disease, which can include high blood pressure, adult onset diabetes, and high levels of fats in the blood.

An overweight problem can be due to eating too many calories, liver congestion, glandular malfunction, and the fluid that the body retains to dilute toxins. The most offending foods are trans fats and sugars. People who eat as little as others but seem to gain weight in spite of this are often deficient in the digestive enzyme lipase, and the food-form minerals chromium, zinc, and selenium.

Lipase is required by the body to digest fat in order to utilize it as energy. Chromium is required for insulin to work efficiently in controlling hunger, regulating energy production, and utilizing fat. The secretion of healthy bile is essential for dissolving and eliminating fat.

In addition to the physical contributors of an overweight problem, there is usually an emotional component that needs to be addressed to achieve a permanent return to the body's ideal weight. "Within every big person is a big emotional issue begging for attention and resolution."

Weight problems are corrected by detoxifying the body through cleansing the colon and liver, and changing to a healthy lifestyle. The body must be made less acid. The best foods that help to do this are fresh vegetable juices made from carrots, celery, spinach, beets, parsley, and a little ginger.

A healthy lifestyle includes adequate regular exercise to activate the lymph system and help burn stored calories, as well as a diet that supplies all the required nutrients and live enzymes. Supplements to clean the colon, plus enzymes and complete protein products are very helpful.

An overweight body is actually starving for wholesome alkaline nutrition. A person with an acidic body cannot lose weight and keep it off. It doesn't matter what diet is tried, the results will only be temporary unless acid/alkaline balance is restored.

How To Avoid The Fast Food Overload That's Creating The Obesity Epidemic

Your family is not alone if most of your meals consist of pizza, burgers, and chicken purchased at fast food chains. You can't drive down a street without seeing a fast food place, and it's that convenience they rely on. With our fast-paced lives, it is easy to make a stop at a drive-thru window, as opposed to going home at the end of the day and making a meal. With this mindset, it's no wonder that obesity is a huge problem facing a great deal of families these days, as fast food is usually full of fat and salt, not to mention lacking in vitamins and minerals.

There are many alternatives, however, which are much healthier and are still as convenient as going through a drive-thru window at your favorite fast food restaurant. More and more food companies are making ready to eat meals, or at least ready to heat meals, which are much healthier and provide more variety than relying on that burger place down the road when you're short on time. Check out your grocer's freezer section, and make sure to go down the prepared food aisle. By making one trip to the grocery store, rather than several trips to the local fast food establishment, you can save money on gas as well. Your budget and your family, and perhaps your waistline, will thank you for choosing this route.

Sometimes, though, there really is no choice but to eat out. Thankfully, restaurants are attempting to provide more healthful choices besides the standard burger and French fries. It is not uncommon to have a choice of a side salad, baked potato, or even baked potato chips to replace your fries. They also offer full-size salads, which are definitely more healthful, as long as you don't go overboard on the toppings! If you're tired of burgers, you could always try the grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, or deli style sandwiches, which are often lower in fat. But it's still a good idea to limit your fast food meals to special treats, as nothing really replaces the nutrition of a home cooked meal.

By choosing to prepare a home cooked meal for your family, not only will you be doing something to stem the obesity epidemic in this country, you will also be getting to spend valuable time with them. Think of how much more fun it is to sit around a table and talk about your day, rather than standing in line or waiting in your car at a fast food place. By being more proactive in your approach to meals, you will be able to provide more healthful choices, and possibly get in some valuable together time you might miss out on. It's really a win-win situation all around, so it can't hurt to stop by your local grocer and see what they have to offer.

Understanding Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity begins in the home. Many parents today want to lay blame on television, McDonalds and game systems for their children being overweight and many to the point of obesity. However, you cannot blame the television, a fast food restaurant, or Sony for your child being overweight. The only person you can really blame is yourself.

You must learn what can be done to prevent obesity and start making changes in the way you eat at home and the amount of time you and your children sit on the couch.

What type of eating environment do you have at home? Do you allow your child to sit in front of the television or his game system with a big bag of potato chips and a 2-liter bottle of soda? If so, then you are watching your child develop unhealthy eating habits that can cause obesity.

How many times do you take your child to fast food restaurants? Your kids cannot drive themselves to McDonalds and order a Big Mac. If you have the desire to have a healthy child, then you must first show them how to eat healthy by eating healthy yourself. Plan healthy meals; only allow food, snacks, and drinks at the table, not in front of TV or in their rooms. If you confine the areas, they can eat to the dining room table or kitchen table the desire to snack on junk food will be pretty much eliminated since they cannot munch out while watching cartoons. If you allow foods other areas of the house, then be specific about what types of food they eat in front of the TV.
As examples:
Chocolate is a no no, it can stain the couch and carpet
Ice cream is a no no, it can also stain
Potato chips is a no no, they crumble and make a mess on the furniture and floor
No drinks except water in carpeted areas
Types of food they can enjoy:
Carrots will not stain or leave a mess
Yogurt
Apples
Bananas
Peanuts

See what I mean, if they are not allowed to eat certain foods in front of the TV or while playing games they will soon be eating healthier snacks or at least not eating junk food.

This will only work, if you and your spouse do not eat in front of the TV except for the items you place on the Okay foods for TV watching.

Only eat at fast food restaurants once or twice per month. If you have to work outside the home and you do not have time to prepare healthy meals. Cook more than one meal on your day off and freeze it. Then you will not have to order pizza or run out to McDonalds

Obesity And A Poor Diet Can Hurt In More Ways Than One

Obesity has been actively argued as being derived from poor diet and then others state it is mostly caused by genetics and a persons DNA will make them more likely to have obesity. Regardless which school of thought you choose to believe in, obesity causes undue stress on the body from the circulatory system to the skeletal system. If left unchecked, obesity will cause weakness, breakdown, cardiac arrest and death.

Obesity is an unhealthy increase in body weight. This body weight places added stress to the heart and circulatory system as it must not only work to feed and fuel more cells, but it must also work harder as the body is pushed harder to carry this additional weight. Depending on how obese one is can really multiply this cardiovascular stress.

On a recent show on TLC they showed the short life of an 750 pound man John Keitz. The episode chronicled the last few years of his life and the toll that morbid obesity can take on ones body. He lived to be 39 years old and died from an infection. His body had basically given up. He did, however embark on a rehabilitation program after having been bed ridden for 7 years. Its just the stress and damage caused by being obese for so long had already weakened his body. How can this happen? How does one become obese or morbidly obese?

Is it their fault or is it genetics. It is probably a combination of the two as there are some people that are naturally obese and there are those that are naturally skinny or even anorexic. Regardless, diet does play a role. John Dietz loved fried chicken, potato chips and junk food. Its hard to say that if he had replaced that with health food that he would not have been obese, but he probably would have been less obese and even mobile.

His extreme weight caused his legs to literally unbuckle or give out. People with lesser cases of obesity may not have their legs giving out, but they will have similar problems developing from the extra weight. Skeletal problems like bad hips, deformed and malformed bones, bad joints, necessary hip and knee replacements, and other injuries associated with obesity.

There are several things that work for treating obesity, but it is basically a change of lifestyle that is needed to make a permanent change to a healthier body. Yes, diet does play a major role. A healthy diet consisting of the major food groups and high in protein and low in carbohydrates like the South Beach Diet is very helpful in weight loss. The South Beach Diet is a realistic diet and can be achieved.

Do not pay attention to unrealistic diet ads like lose 20 pounds in one week. This is impossible and if it were it would be a crash diet and very unhealthy or even risky. For a good idea of what it takes to lose weight for all kinds of people and all kinds of body shapes and ages watch the TV show The Greatest Loser. It shows two groups of B rated stars trying to see which can lose more weight and features a workout guru, psychologist and renowned doctor. You can learn a lot about dieting, fitness, and even trials, tribulations and hardships they go through.

Along with a diet like the South Beach Diet, proper exercise is the key. Lack of exercise is not only a constituent of obesity, but just plain unhealthy. Exercise helps everything from weight loss to mental health. It is key to remember that a physician should be seen prior to starting any new diet or physical activity.

For one that does not ordinarily exercise it is best to start slow with walks and other low impact exercise like slow jogging, These are aerobic exercises and will build up the bodies cardiovascular system, increase metabolism, and add to the effectiveness of any weight loss diet.

After ones fitness has been built up gradually, running is a great weight loss activity and there is not anything better. There are all kinds of infomercials on TV about everything from cardio boxing to dance aerobics, etc. These do work and can have great results, but require a lot of motivation to do it every day in front of a TV. Most people that purchase these programs have good intentions, but these intentions become like New Years resolutions and are quickly put off or forgotten.

Running is better as you can constantly change your scenery and explore new roads, parks, terrain, etc. It is even better if you can find some running buddies. Join a local running club. There are thousands of running groups and they are in almost every city. One of the biggest helps to losing weight is to have some friends in the same boat as you. What better way than to run it off than with a local running club?

Conquer Obesity With Determination Today

Obesity is a big problem facing the United States today that some has considered it an epidemic. Approximately, over 58 million Americans today are said to be suffering from obesity - 26 million of these are men, and 32 million of these are women.

Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. So a person who is overweight is not necessarily obese if that person's body mass comes not only from fat, but muscles or bone mass.

Some medical experts have assessed that one way to find out if a person is obese is to determine if that person contains more than a certain percentage of body fat. Men who exceed 25 percent body fat are considered to fall into this category. While in women, those who possess body fat that exceeds 30 percent are also considered to have this condition.

It is extremely difficult to measure body fat accurately. Perhaps the best way to get an accurate result is to measure a person underwater, although this can only be done in a professional environment with the supervision of medical experts.

Causes of obesity

Many factors lead to obesity, one of which is genetics. Obese parents are likely to have children who will develop obesity.

Those who are extremely inactive, and live a sedentary lifestyle are also at risk of developing obesity. This is because when the calories that have been consumed are not burned into energy, they turn into stored fat.

An unhealthy diet is one of the leading causes of obesity. A diet rich in foods high in fat, carbohydrates, and sugar is extremely harmful to a person's health. Regularly having foods like donuts, pastries, burgers, fries, and pizza, not to mention snacks that contain a high amount of sugar, are all contributing factors to a person developing obesity.

The problem with obesity

The problem with obesity is that people who are suffering from this condition are at a high risk of developing various illnesses consequently. Almost 70 percent of individuals who have some form of cardiovascular disease attribute this condition to obesity. Also, those who are obese are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure as a result of this condition. Twenty-six percent of individuals who suffer from obesity also suffer from high blood pressure.

Cure for obesity

There are no over-the-counter pills that can make obesity go away overnight. Fortunately, some things can be done to control obesity. Switching to a healthier diet will go a long way in combating obesity.

Those who are suffering from obesity might want to hire the services of a nutritionist. A nutritionist will help guide obese people to a healthier eating plan. They would also be able to devise a dietary plan that will help such obese individuals lose fat, while maintaining their good health through the introduction of properly balanced meals that are high in nutrients but low in fat!

Exercising is good for the body. It promotes good health, and will help individuals lose weight. Increasing one's activity will go a long way in combating obesity. Taking a stroll in the park or around the neighborhood is a good alternative to going to the gyms, for those who have an aversion to gyms.

For those who can't squeeze exercising into their busy schedule - parking their car some distance away from where they have to go will also allow them an opportunity to walk and have some physical activity for the day.

Making some conscious effort to make some lifestyle changes will go a long way in battling obesity. Individuals who suffer from this condition have to dedicate themselves to a healthier lifestyle and eating plan, in order to attain better health.

Controversial Research: Embryonic Stem Cells and Obesity Vaccines

In the field of biomedical research, people are often excited when the results of their research are controversial. It evoked limited attention when Cell, a scientific journal in the US, recently reported that some Japanese scientists at Kyoto University claimed that four genes or factors transformed mouse cells to act like ESCs (Embryonic Stem Cells). In contrast, a lot of excitement was created recently when the US, Massachusetts-based, Advanced Cell Research (ATC), claimed in a paper published in Nature that it had created ESCs without destroying the embryos, as this would seem to remove the principal objection to stem-cell research. It has just been revealed that contrary to previous claims the team did in fact destroy the embryos according to two "clarifications" issued by the journal Nature. This latest controversy comes only months after the blog-based takedown and public trial of South Korean ESC researcher Hwang Woo Suk.

The supporters of ESCs believe that cells from embryos would be used to treat degenerative diseases and injuries of human beings in the future. However, this research has become controversial, since the early-stage embryo is damaged during the process of development. Patrick Goodenough (http://www.CNSNews.com) says that it might be possible to generate ESCs through non-embryonic methods, as shown by the Japanese professors, including, Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi. Australasian Bioethics Information, a bioethics clearinghouse, said that making an adult cell revert into ESC would be "one of the great dreams of regenerative medicine." The agency added that, "If this (Japanese) success can be replicated with human cells, it might indeed transform America's stem cell politics."

When The Results of the Research Are Controversial: US and Stem Cell Research

One of the biggest controversies in medical research in the 21st century is whether the human embryos need to be destroyed for creating cells that would be used to cure degenerative disorders and certain diseases. The US government allots limited budget to stem cell research. The US President George W Bush recently vetoed a bill which would have brought more investment into ESC research. There are serious critics within the US Congress of ESC research. According to www.swissinfo.org, Pascale Steck of the Basel Appeal against Genetic Technology, an organization opposing stem cell research, says that people are wondering where these researchers would get the embryos for research purposes and who would decide the usage of the resulting stem cells. Patrick Goodenough says that many people who are opposed to ESC research believe that more funds and attention should be given to research that use adult stem cells that involves non-controversial sources including bone marrow, umbilical chords and lining of the nose.

When The Results of the Research Are Controversial: Vaccines for Obesity

Recently a team of Californian researchers mentioned in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) that they have developed a vaccine to combat obesity and weight gain. However, Dr William Colmers, A Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Alberta is not convinced by the Californian researchers. Colmers, while cautious about the finding of this controversial research, believes that there must be some potential dangers attached with it.

When the results of the research are controversial, it draws people's attention. This can lead temptations to exaggerate claims, and finally the field itself, like ESC research, becoming controversial. But controversial results can lead to even more new developments as researchers strive to resolve the controversy with new solutions.

Obesity And Pain Feed Off Of Each Other

Obesity has become one of the most prevalent medical conditions affecting the US population. The American Obesity Association reports that over 60% of the adult population can be classified as obese. Besides the risks for medical conditions such as high blood pressure, colon cancer and coronary heart disease, back pain is another area that has greatly impacted those who suffer from obesity. The medical conditions that result in back pain that are the most common risks are degenerative disc disease, disc rupture or herniation, and spondylolisthesis or slippage of the lower back. Other risks for obese back pain sufferers are spinal stenosis, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

The spine carries the body's weight and disperses the weight that we encounter during our daily activities and rest periods. When we carry excess weight due to obesity, the spine absorbs the additional burden. This can lead to damage or structurally compromise the ability of the spine to do its job. Our lower back is the most sensitive to the effects of an overweight condition. The muscles in the lumbar spine region that support the back, thighs and pelvis can become weak and inflexible due to inadequate amounts of exercise and lessened mobility that frequently occur with obesity. With weakened muscles, the possibility of curvature of the spine increases dramatically in the lower back region. The result is poor posture and additional pain, as well as further affecting whatever medical condition the person is experiencing.

A sedentary lifestyle combined with an unbalanced diet can diminish the strength or density of our bones, leading to osteoporosis. The risk of fractures occurs when the actual design of the spinal column has been endangered by the weakened density of the bone structure. Fractures of the vertebrae are not a pleasant experience causing excruciating pain.

Osteoarthritis can be a result of excessive body weight causing a disproportionate amount of pressure and stress on the facet joints in the spine. Unhealthy posture may result in neck and back pain. The spine requires good posture and appropriate physical activity to provide the needed support to keep the spine healthy.

When you are obese, exercising is very difficult. It takes time to get to a level of activity that allows you breath well and not tire as quickly. If you are already experiencing back pain or other pains, exercising is even more difficult because of the very fact that you are exercising. Your body, muscles and joints are not accustomed to the activity and it is readily apparent in the additional pain that you experience. As much as the pain is too much to bear while beginning to exercise, the long term result of not exercising will be more pain that will only become more intense. Start slowly with gentle exercises that stimulate healing by allowing nutrients to flow to the spine. Every little bit of activity that the muscles and joints experience will condition them and strengthen them, so that it becomes easier and less painful over time.

When you add a healthy diet to your exercise program, you are providing additional assistance to your body to help it heal itself. Appropriate vitamins and nutrients are essential to better health. Balance is important, so consult with your doctor or other health care provider to ensure that you get the best results.

Obesity and pain feed off of each other. Once the pain starts, activity decreases so as to not aggravate the pain. The lessened activity results in a more sedentary lifestyle which promotes weight increase. As weight increases, more medical problems occur, bringing with it more pain. Experiencing more pain encourages less activity... It spirals out of control and simply does not stop - unless you take action by exercising and eating healthy.

The Epidemic of Obesity

One of the most serious problems dieticians have to encounter is that of obesity. According to the American Obesity Association (AOA), social structure, general and regional trends, socioeconomic transitions, as well as modernization and urbanization are the primary causes that led to the recent increase in obesity rates. The prevalence of overweight people is reported worldwide, both in developing and developed countries. Recent changes in consumption, culture, economic development and lifestyle have increased the problem of obesity, both in children and adults. Thus, it is of vital importance for people all around the globe to understand the risks associated with being obese and direct their efforts in reducing this alarming trend that is spreading.

The USA obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions and the numbers are socking. As recent statistical data indicate, 58 million people are overweight, 40 million obese and 3 million morbidly obese. These numbers are further supported by the fact that 8 out of 10 people over 25 years of age are overweight. Moreover, 78 percent of Americans do not meet the basic activity level recommendations. Even more alarming are the results that indicate a 76 percent increase since 1990 in Type II diabetes in adults belonging to the 30 to 40 age group.

Consequently, a variety of diseases and health problems appear to be directly related to the obesity trend monitored. As the scientific reports land on the physicians' desks, it is reported that 80 percent of Type II diabetes has to do with the increased levels of obesity in adults, 70 percent of cardiovascular disease is caused by poor eating habits, 42 percent of breast and colon cancers diagnosed belongs to obese individuals, 26 percent of high blood pressure is caused by the excess weight a person carries and 30 percent of gall bladder surgery is performed on a person that suffers from serious obesity problems. Moreover, obesity is also a risk factor in higher rates of certain types of cancer as well as fatty liver disease, vascular disorders, thrombosis, obstructive sleep apnea, musculoskeletal problems and gastro-esophageal reflux. Abdominal obesity is particularly associated with insulin resistance syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

If the numbers above have alarmed you enough to go and weigh out yourself, try to remember that suffering from obesity should not be something you should be ashamed of. You need support and guidance to change your eating and exercise habits, but most importantly you need to maintain your motivation. Eating smaller quantities is not enough. You have to eat right and keep yourself alert of the severe consequences related with poor nutrition and low exercise levels.

Why Is Obesity A Danger To The Heart?

We only have to look at a Titian painting to recognize that at one point in the history of Western culture, fat was considered beautiful. Before the 20th Century, corpulence was touted as a sign of wealth and luxury, largely because most people were barely surviving on a meager existence.

Ironically, now in our era of affluence and plenty, we have to contend with the health and economic problems of obesity. We have a population in North America that is more than 55% overweight. More than 20% of those overweight are considered obese, a situation which proves to be an economic burden on our Health Care system because of the coronary risk factors associated with obesity. In 2004, total national health expenditure in the USA was $1.9 Trillion or $6,280 per person.

Why is obesity a risk factor for heart disease?

Among obese individuals, triglyceride levels are unusually high, while HDL levels tend to be low; both of these situations are risk factors for heart disease. A recent study involving tissues collected from autopsies of 3000 men (15-34 years old) who had died of external causes (not heart related) identified an association between obesity and coronary atherosclerosis.

Abdominal fat which characterizes obese individuals is also an area of concern. A study of 1300 Finnish men (42-60 years old) suggests that abdominal fat is an independent and major risk factor for coronary events. Several reasons have been suggested for this: a) stomach fat is continually released into the bloodstream in the form of artery-clogging fatty acids; b) abdominal fat also releases compounds that facilitate risk factors such as atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and inflammation; c) abdominal fat initiates biochemical events that lead to insulin resistance, a precursor of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Obesity is often a precursor to metabolic syndrome, a dangerous health situation that is manifested through a cluster of symptoms--excess body fat, insulin resistance, low HDL cholesterol, high triglyceride levels and high blood pressure--all risk factors for coronary events. People with metabolic syndrome release immune system messengers called "cytokines" into their bloodstream. Cytokines lead to a communication breakdown between body cells and insulin which leads to excessive insulin production by the pancreas, creating a situation that is a literal "time bomb" for heart disease. In addition, this excessive insulin production can raise fibrinogen concentrations in the bloodstream, thus allowing blood to clot more easily, a situation that is a direct risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

Because of their size, obese individuals are more often than not sedentary in lifestyle. Inactivity in and of itself is also a coronary risk factor. Data from more than 88,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study shows that a lean sedentary woman had 1.48 greater risks for coronary heart disease than a slightly heavier but physically active woman.

However, the same study also showed that obesity alone is a risk factor, in fact, an even greater risk factor than inactivity because coronary disease risk was highest for women who exercised the least and had the greatest waist-to-hip ratio. The conclusion that obesity itself is a risk factor is also supported by a study of 5881 overweight and obese individuals which showed that being overweight increased the risk of heart disease by 34%, while being obese increased the risk to 104%.

What can we do to help someone we know who is obese or dangerously overweight?

Acknowledgement of the problem is the first step. Very often, individuals are in a state of denial about the seriousness of their weight situation. A visit to the doctor or a healthcare professional who deals with the morbidly obese is essential. So are visits to a nutritionist, fitness consultant and body work therapist. Only then can the individual be presented with options viable and necessary for his or her situation.

In severe cases of obesity, surgery would be part of the solution. Lifestyle changes that include exercise and healthy eating are more than essential. Just as critical are bodywork therapies that can uncover some of the real issues behind addictive eating. Learning to read body cues of hunger, depression, stress is equally important for re-mapping a new life and a whole new cartography of food and consciousness, body and mind.

In Titian's day, the corpulent body was an idealized figure on canvass, essentially exiled to the realm of the fantastic or the realm of the unjust in a society where hunger was the norm. In our days, the corpulent body has its own tale to tell: a Quasimodo that is both the scourge and product of a culture addicted to perfection.

How To Stop Your Child From Falling Victim To The Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Everywhere we look in the world these days; it is evident that Childhood obesity has become a very serious epidemic. The risks of childhood illnesses, such as diabetes are on the rise. This is because numerous children are now classified as obese; this means that more instances of childhood illness will continue to occur. In this day and age, more so than any other time throughout our history, children are unhealthy. It is not necessary that a child should have to face childhood obesity. In fact, we can help in the prevention of childhood obesity by following the steps listed below.

The first thing that should be done in prevention of childhood obesity is teaching children to learn how to eat healthier. The eating habit a child has begins when they are born. Breastfeeding has been proven to be far healthier for an infant than formula. In fact, numerous studies have shown that breastfed babies have less of a chance of suffering from childhood obesity, than babies that were fed formula. It is important that as parents we learn to distinguish between hungry cries and other types of cries. One thing, we as parents do, is feed a baby each time it cries, this is how the obesity cycle begins.

Once the obesity cycle has begun, it is extremely hard to break that cycle. As a child grows, it is important that you teach them about eating when their hungry and eating when they are bored or because the food is good. This teaching should start when they enter preschool and will be an essential effort to preventing childhood obesity. Furthermore, even though you may not think so, snacks are a big part of introducing a healthy diet to your child. However, you should only provide healthy snacks for your child, try to steer them away from cookies, chips, and candies.

Lastly, in preventing childhood obesity, it is important that your child learn what they can about nutritious food. This means you should be including whole grains, vegetables, and fruits within their daily diet. Remember the food pyramid you learned about in school? Well this will help you now in determining how many servings of each group your child should be getting daily.

While diet is a big part of battling childhood obesity, so is exercise and activities. Keeping your child away from the television for several hours a day and participating in activities is another component in the prevention of childhood obesity.

Myths About Obesity Like to Control You

"Weight loss and obesity are big business. Here are some factors that can make you rich if you happen to start a business related to weight management. Two thirds of America is overweight. Out of that, 50% are obese. 300.000 premature deaths are caused by obesity. Obesity is the fastest growing epidemic in the world. The world is hurling towards obesity at galactic speeds. Only 50 years back obesity was hardly heard of. Nearly 45% of the world population is obese or overweight in 2004."

Alright, these are hard facts, which cannot be denied. But just to give you some mental food to chew upon. Isn't it rather strange to live in a world, where the problems of one group are to the delight of another, because "big business" opportunities are emerging?

There is nothing wrong with helping other people to overcome their problems and get paid for that honourable effort. But, is the effort honourable just because we seem to help or is there something else implied? We have to look at the motivation behind the actions. Does the expert want to help, because he feels pity for his fellow man or is this merely a source of income?

This has far reaching consequences, of which these two seem to be of utmost importance.

1. If the motivation is business, the expert will not really be interested in healing the client, because that will harm his business.

2. If the motivation is business, he wants the client to stay dependent on him and his means (remedies, methods etc.)

The inevitable consequences of this are: The expert will favour a type of research that brings about medicines, drugs, devices and treatment methods, which will...

a. ...relieve the symptoms of the client by psychic and physical manipulation.

b. ...lead to a permanent dependency on the supply of this means.

It is a myth that there can be objective research, when there is economical interest. That is self evident. It is a myth that through "healthy competition" in the free market people will get the best products. Or, put in another way, they may be best, but simply for the wallet of the producers and distributors.

Most people are not in the slightest aware, how they are cheated. All problems, from obesity to whatever you can name, today are simply seen as factors of economy. I do not deny that there are honourable experts, whose only aim is to help their clients. They usually know that the financial aspect is taken care of automatically, if the motivation is pure and without ambiguity. I am talking about the mainstream here.

"Obesity increases a person's risk for gallstone formation, high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as cancers of the breast, endometrium, colon, kidney, and oesophagus. These are some of the reasons why world health officials are putting more money into obesity research and making sure that they get the information that they need to provide us with new ways to battle the new worldwide epidemic that is evolving. Obesity research is crucial in telling us what the root causes of obesity are and how we can tackle it."

This is just another myth. Believe it or not, the problem has been solved long time ago and the root cause is known to anyone with some real knowledge. But they will simply suppress it to be able to go on researching on and on and on...

And, by now you should have figured out why! Yes, you're right!

People will donate their last money for such honourable causes as battling obesity or other diseases. "World health officials" will get a big share of the heavy tax burden put on people just to feed it to some big companies in the name of research. Of course they won't be losers. Anyway, they should do whatever they like. It is their responsibility and they will destine the future of their lives accordingly. Cheaters will be cheated, as like attracts like.

But you, dear friend, you have to wake up to your own intelligence and power. I shall give you a hint to the root of every problem: Wrong decisions on your part. Learn to correct them, and you'll start to get better immediately. Find a person, which you have trust in. Pray for guidance. You will be helped, whatever your problem is.

Do you really think that you can overcome obesity or any disease or problem by simply taking some pills or talking to a person, who is mainly interested in his own business? Listen to this:

"Current and past medical research has shown us that obesity isn't entirely due to unhealthy living; it is also influenced by our DNA. People who have had members of their family that have suffered from being overweight or obese will be at a high risk level of suffering the same problems and therefore need to take extra steps to help prevent that from happening."

I'll ask you just one question: Who makes up your DNA?

Chance?

So, let's fix it, the scientist thinks, lets do some genetic research and manipulate it.

I'll tell you, what your DNA is: It simply is the physical expression of your thinking, feeling and willing. And that you can change for the better, if you want. And if you need some support on the physical plane: There are hundreds and thousands of natural medicines, which will do a much better job than pharmaceutical poison.

"Delphine Eberle's work (Diabetes, Aug, 2004), with the sterol regulatory element binding protein transcription factor, found that the two isoforms are linked to the 'plasma leptin concentrations in American obese families.' His group hypothesized, '...genetic variations of the SREB-1 gene could be associated with obesity and obesity-related metabolic traits such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia.' Interestingly, SREB-1 gene polymorphisms were found among obese cohorts when compared to nonobese cohorts. This means they are on to something and possibly not far from marking the SREB-1 gene as a clear link to obesity (1)."

See, "his group 'hypothesized' that something 'could be'". This is science. "Maybe, could be, perhaps..."

All they want to say is that it is not you, who is in charge, it is the SREB-1 gene. It controls you, and now we will figure out to control it back.

This is simply nonsense. Are you a machine or a person endowed with free will? Decide for yourself. This decision will determine your life more than anything else. This IS the root. Better crank up your own brain and think, than just get your mind controlled. It is actually much easier than you think. Just find your inner power, and the scales will fall from your eyes.

Fighting Obesity

Since the early 1980s, the Body Mass Index (BMI) has been advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and health professionals as a tool for indicating if a person is underweight, healthy, overweight obese.

Be aware that frame size, water retention, ethnicity,age, bone and muscle density can distort a persons BMI. For instance a healthy bodybuilder could have a BMI above 30 (ranked obese), due to muscle mass!

Calculating your BMI
1. Measure height in metres and multiply the figure by itself.
2. Measure weight in kilograms and then divide weight by height.
Example: You are 1.65m tall and weight 89kg
1. 1.65x1.65 = 2.72
2. Your BMI would be 89 divided by 2.72 = 32.72

This result shows that you fall into the very overweight category and therefore you should consider the benefits of a Herbalife ShapeWorks Programme.
BMI Thresholds
Male
Underweight: 20
Ideal: 20 to 25
Overweight: 25 to 30
Obese: 30 to 40
Morbid obesity: 40
Female
Underweight: 18
Ideal: 18 to 25
Overweight: 25 to 30
Obese: 30 to 40
Morbid obesity: 40

A recent study was made that found obesity appears to lessen life expectancy, especially among young adults. The researchers compared Body-Mass Index (BMI) to longevity and found a correlation between premature death and higher BMIs.

For example, a 20-year-old white male, 5 foot ten inches in height, weighing 288 pounds with a BMI greater than 40 was estimated to lose 13 years of his life as a result of obesity. While this study referenced extreme levels of obesity, there are still millions of overweight people with a life expectancy rate that is three to five years less than their healthy-weight counterparts.

It is therefore vital that obesity is targeted at an early age to enable people to lead a healthy and productive life. Not only will this be of obvious benefit to them, it will also relieve the pressure on the health care system, which has seen its resources stretched to the limit in dealing with this growing problem.Number of obese people set to increase.Obesity is on the rise due to unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits.

By 2010 over 10 per cent of the European population aged 15 and over will be obese* It is estimated that obesity will overtake smoking as the biggest cause of heart disease. Obesity can also cause strokes and diabetes which puts a strain on global healthcare systems and health costs.

People are leading unhealthy lives; skipping breakfast, eating junk food and lack of exercise have all contributed to the rise of obesity. The number of overweight people in the world has now topped one billion.

Over the next few years, it is vital that the message gets across about health and nutrition, so that people will lead healthier lives. It must be emphasised to the people the importance of healthy eating habits.

Obesity is a Risk to Your Health

Obesity is a disease that can lead to various serious problems. Many studies have shown that the prevalent rates of obesity have increased dramatically in the present decade and are expected to double if it is not controlled. Following in it’s wake are diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and even some forms of cancer.

Obesity is defined as being 20 percent or more above one’s desirable weight range. It is a medical condition that refers mainly to storage of excess body fat. The human body naturally stores fat tissue under the skin and around organs and joints. Fat is critical for good health because it is a source of energy when the body lacks natural energy necessary to sustain life processes, and it provides insulation and protection for internal organs. But the accumulation of too much fat in the body is associated with a variety of health problems.

Causes
A calorie is the unit used to measure the energy value of food and the energy used by the body to maintain normal functions. When the calories from food intake equal the calories of energy the body uses, weight remains constant. But when more calories are eaten than the body needs, the body stores those additional calories as fat, causing subsequent weight gain. One pound (1 lb) of fat represents about 3,500 excess calories.

Obesity is partially determined by a person’s genetic makeup. If a child inherited the excessive body fat cells of his obese parents, more likely, he will tend to eat more than his body needs; thus, making him an obese too. Copying poor eating habits of parents also affects a child’s body weight.

Lifestyles also play a key role in the triggering obesity. Eating big servings of food at restaurants and fast foods more frequently than nutritious home-cooked foods could help adding more calories and fats rather than limiting them. Devoting less time for exercise and other physical activities do not control weight gain. And doing untiring recreational activities such as browsing the internet, video games, movies, and television, plus using laborsaving devices of the modern living, such as personal computers, telephones, and remote controls, promote an inactive lifestyle.

Effects and Possible Complications
Obesity increases the risk of developing disease. Possible complications include:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Gallbladder disease
• Breathing problems
• Bloating and stomach upsets
• Varicose veins
• Severe psychological problems

In fact, according to some studies, almost 70 percent of heart disease cases in the United States are linked to excess body fat, and obese people are more than twice as likely to develop high blood pressure. Obese women are at nearly twice the risk for developing breast cancer, and all obese people have an estimated 42 percent higher chance of developing colon cancer. Almost 80 percent of patients with Type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are obese. The risk of medical complications, particularly heart disease, increases when body fat is distributed around the waist, especially in the abdomen. This type of upper body fat distribution is more common in men than in women.

The social and psychological problems experienced by obese people are also challenging. Discrimination for “fat” people is most likely to occur in educational institutions, employment, and social relationships. Other psychological effects include stress, nervous tension, boredom, frustration, lack of friends, depression, inferiority complex, and poor self-esteem.

Obesity Can be Overcome

In a world where slim, slender, and sexy are the standards of the society, obesity has no place. From television programs, commercials, and product advertisements to magazine features, billboards, and internet pop-ups, you won't be able to find men unpacked with biceps, triceps, and abdominal muscles nor women with vital statistics other than 36-24-36.

How strange society can be! It dictates what is wrong and what is right, what is proper and what is not that if you feel you don't belong to the "in" crowd, how sad and low can you be? People judge other people with no reasonable bases making the discriminated ones feel left out and unwanted. As sensitive people who belong to such unfriendly societies, we get affected by cold treatments and pathetic stares. But we can't let anybody make us feel inferior to them anytime. We were all created equal. Thus, we deserve to be feeling what they are feeling, to be doing what they are doing, and to be living how they are living in this strange world.

But reality check: how can we feel, do, and live the way other people do if there really is something that hinders us?

I used to be fat myself when I was young. Somehow, I felt inferior and caused me to envy a lot of people. I started wondering, why can't my crush notice me? Or why can't I join popularity contests? Is it really because of my physical attributes, particularly my body weight and figure? It's sad to see that my slim friends and classmates got to have whatever they like while I couldn't.

Indeed, it was because I was fat, and they are not. Even though the effects of my disorder was purely psychological and didn't bring any other biological problems, still it was unhappy and unhealthy.

As time passed by, I realized that I don't want to be left out. Instead, I want to be noticed and recognized. I want to feel happy, healthy, and satisfied. Thus, I made an effort to lose weight and get rid of excess fats in my body. Thankfully, with an ounce of willingness, a cup of patience, and a spoon of determination, I was able to achieve what once was only a dream. Such comments like "You look slimmer," or "Have you lost weight? Tell me your secret," was really music to my ears.

I have traveled the path of overweight and unhappiness in a single journey; it wasn't really a smooth ride - a trip not worth remembering. But, on the other hand, without that experience, I wouldn't have been in my position now -happy and contented, the real richness in the world. Thus, if I can do it, so can you. I don't want any other people to feel what I felt before - unwanted, alone, and taken for granted. Or worse, might even suffer from complications and other illnesses. Being fat, overweight, or obese is unhealthy, both in the mind and in the body. We know it. We've been there, right? Now, come with me to a journey where we can change not only our body size, weight, and figure, but our lives as well. There's nothing more wonderful than being able to do what you want to do or to go where you'd like you go. That is real happiness and contentment. And like me, you too can achieve it.

In a world where slim, slender, and sexy are the standards of the society, obesity has to go. So, let's go terminate it!

A Cause of Diabetes? ... Obesity

We all see the "daily" news reports that obesity related illnesses that are a growing killer in the world today. The death totals for obesity related diseases have increased by more than thirty percent in the last decade. Obesity contributes to heart disease, strokes, and diabetes and don't forget they contribute to a whole host of ailments including arthritis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) recently reported in a new study that self-reported diabetes has soared in the past six years. They also state that obesity is the main cause for this dramatic increase. Those groups more at risk are the older populations, poorly educated, and minorities. Minorities are predisposed than white Caucasians to develop diabetes. This first study was done on a regional basis; the new study involved the entire nation. The reports were alarming, and the CDC are concerned there will be even bigger problems in the future.

The Surgeon General states that the number of obese or overweight adults in this country is fifty percent more than it was just a decade ago. Children and young adults are increasingly being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which is mainly known as adult-onset diabetes, and even high blood pressure is a problem with 24 percent of the population in children.

Also studies show that one third of the children born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes and this also leads to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney problems, and undermines the brains to work correctly.

Researchers have found that obesity also disrupts the metabolism of insulin in the body. They found that excess weight at the waistlines lead to increased risk for developing diabetes and even cancer.

An interesting fact states that those adults who ate fast food at least twice a week and gained ten pounds were more likely to develop diabetes. Fast foods are not considered part of a healthy eating pattern, even though some fast-food franchises have been introducing fruits, salads, and bottled water for healthier choices.

We now know that adult only needs to lose from five to seven percent of their body fat to reduce the risk for diabetes and heart disease. That means that a 200-pound person would only need to lose a little as ten pounds to see benefits.

A moderate change in lifestyle will not only help reduce the risk of developing diabetes but also will benefit your health in many other ways. Exercise also benefits circulation problems, heart problems, osteoporosis, and many other health concerns. Moderate walking, and mild stretching routines are a good way to begin a healthy exercise program. It's important to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise program. They will be able to guide you in starting out and give helpful ways to begin.

Studies have shown that increasing your exercise level, working up to 30 minutes a day, or having some form of moderate activity will bring good results. Even slowly walking, instead of the brisk walk recommended will give you many benefits.

Mild exercises for strength or yoga routines are good ways to begin an exercise program. Try parking your car farther out in the parking lot when you go shopping. This adds a few extra steps and if you do it consistently the steps will mount up.

You may want to try marching in place during television commercials.

Education is the key to preventing overweight and obese children and adults. Many of us do not understand the connection between calorie intakes, good and bad carbohydrates, and the ratio of proteins and fats in their diet. Simply understanding what happens to the food your body consumes will help us stay healthy. Seeing the results of obesity and obesity related diseases are a good way to help us decide to start living a healthier lifestyle. Regular exercise and healthy eating will go a long way towards lowering the risk of an obesity related disease such as diabetes.

As adults, we need to take the lead in our families towards controlling this epidemic of obesity related diseases. We have the ability to oversee what are children eat, look at labels before we buy a product at the store, and make healthy meals and snacks for our families.

Obesity can be a Major Factor in Causing Back Pain

A person is considered to be obese when the amount of fat tissue throughout their body is beyond the usual levels based upon height, age and weight. The American Obesity Association (AOA) states that 64.5% of adult Americans, which is around 127 million people, can be described as being overweight or obese. It not only affects adults across the U.S., but is now becoming a trend among today's youth.

When a person is obese, they will experience a multitude of problems, many of which affect their overall health. There will be many variables within their physique that will suffer from being overweight. Poor circulation throughout the body, weak legs, as well as back pain, are some of the things that could happen when someone is obese.

When someone is obese, they may feel discomfort in their back and may exhibit some of the symptoms that are associated with:

1) Osteoporosis: The density and strength of your bones are weakened. A person is more at a risk for fracture when they have osteoporosis. Vertebral fractures tend to be painful, often disabling a person. When you are diagnosed with this condition, you probably have lost 25-30% bone density.

2) Osteoarthritis: A form of arthritis, usually seen in older individuals. This condition means that the cartilage of the joints have suffered chronic degeneration.

3) Rheumatoid Arthritis: A person suffers from stiffness and inflammation of the joints. They will also experience weakness, loss of mobility, as well as deformity.

4) Degenerative Disc Disease

5) Spinal Stenosis: Means that the lumbar spinal column has narrowing, which produces pressure on the nerve roots. This also can result in sciatica.

6) Spondylolosthesis: There is slippage in the lower back disc.

7) Sciatica: A person has pain along the sciatic nerve. This is usually caused by a herniated disk of the lumbar region of the spine.

To better understand the affects of obesity on back problems, you should know that the spine is meant to carry a person's body weight. It also distributes the loads during rest and activity. If a person has excess body weight, the spine then has to deal with this extra burden, causing some structural compromise and damage, as well as injury.

The most affected part of the back that is usually apparent, is the lower back, also known as the lumbar spine. If a person is not exercising, then they will suffer from poor flexibility and weak muscles in the back area. Sometimes the curve of the lower back can curve, weakening other areas of the body.

When you are interested in improving or avoiding back pain, there are a few exercises that you may want to consider. It is suggested that you work out the back at least five minutes per day to avoid injury and to ease back. They can be found below:

Curl-Up
1) Lie flat on your back with one knee flexed.
2) Raise your head and shoulders off the floor.
3) Alternate the bent leg midway through each set of repetitions.
4) Pause and then return to the starting position.

Side Bridge
1) Lie on your right side, bending your knees.
2) Raise your upper body using your right arm to hold you up.
3) Use the torso to lift the hips, being careful not to let the top hip rotate forward.
4) Make sure to bend your elbow directly beneath your shoulder.
5) Place your left hand on your hip.
6) Hold this position for 10 to 15 minutes.
7) Repeat on the opposite side.

Birddog
1) Get on all fours.
2) Extend one leg and the opposite arm so that they are parallel to the floor.
3) Hold this position for seven to eight seconds.
4) Repeat with the opposite arm and leg.

Herbs For Obesity

Obesity is one of the major health concerns that plague America today. Approximately two-thirds of American adults are considered overweight; while one in three are seriously overweight or obese.

Obesity is defined as having an abnormal amount of body fat; being 20 to 30 percent over the ideal weight for age, sex and height.

Aside from being a major cosmetic concern, obesity is a great risk factor for serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney troubles, prostate enlargement, female infertility, uterine fibroids, pregnancy disorders, gallstones, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancer. Excessive body weight also puts great stress on joints increasing the chances of arthritis.

How many calories do you burn?

Everyone's metabolism (the rate at which the body burns calories) is different and is influenced by many factors, including genetics. Regularly eating even a few more calories than your body needs can lead to weight gain. By consuming only 100 extra calories a day, for example, you'll gain a pound in approximately a month (a pound of body fat equals 3,500 calories). Some experts think a sedentary lifestyle influences weight gain even more than eating too many calories. Exercise burns calories and builds muscle. And the more muscle mass you have, the greater number of calories your body burns at rest.

Aside from aggressive dieting and exercising, some herbal products may aid in raising metabolism or suppressing the appetite. But at the same time, you should also be wary of their side effects. Always check with your health care provider first.

Herbs & Effects:

Aloe Vera, improves digestion and cleans the digestive tract

Astralgus, increases energy and improves nutrient absorption

Bee pollen, stimulates metabolism and quickly satisfy craving for sweets

Bladderwrack, contains iodine which helps enhance thyroid function

Brewer's yeast, reduces various cravings for food and drink

Cayenne, reduces hunger after meals and increases calorie burning by the body

Chitosan, slows the absorption of fat in the intestine

Chromium, helps the body use fat for energy and builds muscles

Dandelion, flushes out kidneys, boosts metabolism, and offsets cravings for sweets

Ephedra, also known as ma huang, suppresses appetite

Fennel, suppresses appetite and removes mucus and fat from the intestinal tract

Garcinia cambogia, quells hunger pangs

Green tea, increases energy expenditure and enhances the ability of the body to burn fat

Guaraná, contains caffeine which curbs appetite, increases metabolic rates and has a mild diuretic effect

Guggul, lowers cholesterol and promotes weight control

Kelp, boosts metabolism

Licorice, sustains regulated blood sugar level and reduces cravings for sweets

Malabar tamarind, helps prevents the production of fat and suppresses appetite

Siberian ginseng, stabilizes blood sugar and reduces cravings for sweets

Yohimbine, raises metabolic rates, reduces appetite and increases fat burning

These herbs are not recommended to replace regular diet. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key.

Obesity--Are you at Risk and How Will it Affect Your Health

Obesity is on the rise worldwide. Approximately 1.2 billion people are overweight and of these 300 million are considered obese. In the United States alone, more than half of all adults are overweight and about 20% of these people are obese. Of children 6 years and older, 15% of them are obese. This number has tripled since the 1970s. In the United States, at least 300,000 people die each year from complications attributed to obesity. Women are at a higher risk for obesity than men and blacks and Hispanics also fall into a higher risk group than other ethnic groups, in the United States.

Obesity has negative affects on both your body and your mind. It puts extra stress on your whole body and wears down your joints. It is hard to keep up with friends, you may not fit in chairs and it is difficult to participate in activities. Obesity is the cause of breathing problems, such as; sleep apnea and asthma. Prolonged obesity may lead to knee and hip replacement surgery.

Mentally, being overweight will drain your confidence and self-esteem. There has been a great deal of research done on how overweight people are treated by society. No matter how great your personality is, society does not treat an obese person the same as they treat a person of normal weight. This treatment can be very damaging to children and adolescents. Overweight people are one of the most discriminated against groups of people in society today.

Obesity can have some very negative affects on your health. Adolescents are starting to experience health problems that used to be seen only in adults, such as; type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease and bladder disorders. Women may also experience problems with their reproductive system. Obese people are at higher risk for colon and breast cancer, stroke, heart disease and death.

People who are overweight are at a greater risk for depression. These feeling of inadequacy can cause a person to eat to relieve the emotional pain. This overeating can lead to a feeling of sadness that can lead to more eating. This endless cycle can be very difficult to break, not to mention the affect that it can have on your children and how they view the use of food. Obesity is an epidemic in this country and is considered one of the top reasons for preventable death in the United States.

Obesity--What is it and What Causes it?

Do not be confused about being overweight and being obese. Being overweight is weighing above what is medically considered your ideal weight. Being obese is having a large amount of exess weight and body fat. Obese people are extremelly overweight and at high risk for serious medical problems. Obesity can cause diabetes, high blood, heart problems, breathing difficulties and can decrease your life span.

Body mass index or BMI is a measurement used to determine if a person is considered medically obese. BMI is a figure based on your weight and your height. Once your BMI has been determined, it will be compared to other people with the same gender and age. If your BMI is greater than 95% of the other people in that category, you are considered to be overweight. An obese person is considered to be extremely overweight. Very muscular people will be the exception to this rule because their excess weight is muscle and not fat.

Weight gain is caused when a person does not burn off as many calories as they consume. These extra calories will be stored in the body as fat. Obesity does not happen quickly. Usually, an obese person has been consuming an excessive amount of calories for several years.

Genetics plays a large part in how our bodies metabolize food. Families can be predisposed to obesity. Also, the way a person is raised (being expected to eat everything on your plate) will have an affect on how you view eating and food. These factors considered, it is hard to determine if obesity is nature or nurture. I suspect in most cases it is a combination of the two. A very small percentage of people are overweight due to medical reasons.

One the biggest contributors to obesity is emotional eating. Eating because you are bored, upset, stressed out, nervous or sad will only lead to feelings of shame causing you to repeat the whole cycle.

Another leading cause of obesity is not enough movement. With the evolution of the "screen age" people are less active. People are more likely to drive than they are to walk. With today's lifestyle being much faster paced than in decades past, people are more likely to opt for convenience foods and fast foods than they are to take the time to cook a nutritious meal. These are all factors that can be overcome, but it will not happen overnight and it will not happen without some consistent hard work.

Obesity and the Cola Connection

If you are addicted to cola drinks that you are probably addicted to sugar. Sugar as you may or may not know is considered to be an empty calorie. It provides tons of calories with no nutritional value and numerous studies have proven a link between obesity and cola drinkers in the United States.
In fact if you drink a cola a day you are also setting yourself up to develop a nice case of Type 2 Diabetes as the high fructose corn syrup in each eight ounce serving contains a whopping 14 tablespoons of sugar.

Let's take the most popular soft drink in the world, Coca Cola, as a nutritional example.

One eight ounce serving of Coca Cola Classic contains 140 calories, most of it from high fructose corn syrup and caffeine.
That caffeine helps speed that sugar to your intestines and pancreas causing blood sugar spikes and crashes. These sugar crashes cause a craving for more cola, which provides yet another quick fix to get a sugar high.
This is why so many people who drink colas often drink several a day. They are addicted to the sugar in the beverage. Many overweight individuals don't like to admit it but they consume way more cola a day than just eight ounces.
Many drink at least three to four servings a day. Four servings adds an additional 560 calories to your diet a day.

Are you any better off drinking Diet Coca Cola?
If you look at the ingredients on a can of Diet Coke you will see that aspartame has been added to the mix as a sugar free substitute.
However this is absolutely worthless considering that the second highest ingredient in Diet Coke is still that high fructose corn syrup which speeds glucose to the pancreas and brain.
This is why it is also easy to get addicted to the mood fix you get from drinking diet coke.

No matter what brand of cola you are drinking most have three ingredients that are harmful to human health.

1. Sweeteners. Sugar in soft drinks (including non-cola drinks) increases weight gain and also the incidence of dental cavities. Non-caloric sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame can also have undesirable side-effects such as headaches, mouth ulcers and gas.

2. Caffeine. This poor man's "upper" is added specifically to cola drinks. It is a diuretic and can elevate blood pressure. It has been suggested that caffeine is linked to heart attacks, strokes and the development of rheumatoid arthritis. If you are already on a stimulant weight loss supplement you could be asking for trouble.

3. Phosphoric acid. This acid is typically only used in cola drinks, which
are very acidic (low pH) compared to other soft drinks. This can increase
the rate of enamel loss from teeth. Phosphates in general cause decalcification of bone tissue, accelerating the process of osteoporosis.

Obviously if you care about your health and you want to lose weight then one of your first steps should be to stop drinking cola drinks.
It is estimated that you can lose 15 pounds a month simply by cutting all sugary, carbonated drinks from your diet!

Understanding The Risks Of Obesity Surgery

Older people who have undergone a certain type of procedure known as the duodenal switch have an increased number of complications following bariatric surgery, according to a study in the March issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

But there is an ever increasing number of bariatric surgeries being performed to induce weight loss which keeps rising dramatically. These procedures are technically demanding and performed on patients whose obesity and related conditions may put them at risk for complications after surgery. Therefore, it is important to understand risk factors that may influence risk, including body mass index (BMI), age, other illnesses and choice of procedure, the authors write.

Robert W. O'Rourke, M.D., and colleagues at the Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, reviewed data from 452 patients (372 women and 80 men, average age 44 years) undergoing inpatient bariatric procedures at the university between 2000 and 2003. The patients received either gastric bypass surgery, which involves sectioning off a small portion of the stomach into a pouch that connects directly to the small intestine, or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, a less commonly used procedure in which surgeons remove part of stomach but leave a slightly larger pouch and then also perform an intestinal bypass-like procedure by attaching the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) to the lower part of the small intestine. Researchers examined several variables, including patients' age, BMI (calculated by dividing their weights by the square of their heights), gender, surgeon experience, other illnesses, type of procedure and whether they underwent open or laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery.

Participants lost an average of 54 percent of their excess weight in the year following surgery.

During the study, which followed patients for an average of 419 days

1.) four (.9 percent) died
2.) 10 percent had major complications
3.) 13 percent had minor complications
4.) Patients who were age 60 years or older were more likely to develop complications than younger patients, a risk that appeared to increase with each additional year.

The duodenal switch procedure was also associated with more complications than gastric bypass surgery. BMI, sex, diabetes, surgical approach (open vs. laparoscopic) and surgeon experience did not appear to be associated with increased risk for complications.

Given the amount of risks for the patient the surgeons should warn older adults and those considering duodenal switch procedures of the risks involved. "While some investigators have suggested a specific age limit as an absolute contraindication to bariatric surgery, we do not employ such limits for our patients," they write. "We nevertheless approach older patients with caution, especially in light of recent data that suggest that the benefits of bariatric surgery with respect to longevity may wane in older patients."

Obesity in Children

Obesity has long been a problem among many Americans. This disease can damage many aspects of a person's life. It can cause many more physical problems including heart disease and diabetes. It can also cause sufferers emotional strain and a negative self image. In recent years, Americans have been watching their children struggle with the same problems. And they aren't the only ones. Problems with childhood obesity are being dealt with in many areas of the world.

According to the Centers for Disease control and prevention, sixteen percent of American children between the ages of six and nineteen are overweight or obese. That adds up to over nine million children who struggle with the many challenges of dealing with obesity.

While the number of American children struggling with obesity is overwhelming, the really staggering aspect of it is how this number is increasing. The number of children who are overweight or obese has refused to decrease or even stay constant. It rises at a downright scary level every year.

Children who are overweight as children are very likely to stay overweight as adults. This means dealing with the same problems for their whole lives. This is all the more reason for adults to take a stand and do something about our children's health. But first, we must understand why are children are having so many problems with obesity.

There are many reasons that a child may struggle with their weight. The first reason is diet. So many times, adults let children eat what they want. Their young, they should enjoy their lives, they say. But children are more likely to enjoy their lives when they are healthy with restrictions than when they are unhealthy and may do what they want.

It is sometimes hard to decide what foods are good for children. There are many prevailing theories, but a good guideline to follow is to simply think sensible. Low sugar, low fat, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats are usually good ideas. However, we all know that most children aren't going to like that spinach you deem healthy, so you may have to be a little creative when it comes to supper recipes. If you would like a little help coming up with nutritious and healthy meals, there are many sites online that you can visit.

If you need more help, you may think about contacting a professional nutritionist. He or she will be able to help you in constructing a practical diet plan tailored to your child's specific needs.

Of course, poor diet is not the only reason that so many children are struggling with their weight. Lack of exercise is another reason. Television and video games are often self-consuming, even to many adults. So the time spent with these activities should be monitored and limited to make way for physical activities.

Genetics and environment also play a role in the causation for childhood obesity. People all want their children to be healthy, but sometimes they are simply born with the lower hand. Many factors can't be helped. However, one way to curb weight problems in children is to set a good example for them. Don't eat what they can't, and don't watch TV more than they can. Be good to your body, and they are more likely to be good to theirs