The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is increasing very rapidly. "Overweight" is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) from 25.0 to 29.9 whereas a BMI of 30 or above is defined as "obese." According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 56% of the population was overweight during the reporting period from 1988 through 1994, and 23% was obese. During the period from 1999 through 2002, these percentages had increased to 65% and 30%, respectively.
So obesity has clearly reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., and the healthcare costs associated with it now rival those attributable to smoking. These costs were estimated to be $92.6 billion in 2002--9.1% of all health care costs--and they continue to escalate rapidly. Comparable costs associated with smoking were estimated to be between 6.5% and 14.4% in 2002. The Centers for Disease Control have announced that obesity could become the nation's leading cause of preventable deaths by 2005. According to a recent estimate, obesity accounts for approximately 280,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
This epidemic is not confined to adults but tragically is afflicting children as well. Childhood obesity increased from 5 percent in 1964 to 13 percent in 1994. Today, it is estimated to be about 20 percent--and rising.
Diseases for which obesity is a significant risk factor include: Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cancer, gallstones, gout, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, pulmonary problems, reproductive problems in women, and depression.
In this era of skyrocketing healthcare costs, it's urgently clear, then, that more effective methods are needed for preventing and reversing this very major contributor to our escalating healthcare crisis.
The above data are especially astounding in the face of the fact that Americans are spending in excess of $50 billion annually on diet products. In view of the ongoing epidemic summarized above, this investment has obviously been highly unsuccessful. As has been pointed out in one study, for example, the price per pound lost in one well-known weight loss program amounts to $180!
Not only is there overwhelming evidence that diets don't work in the long run, but of even more concern is the strong evidence that they can actually contribute to further weight gain and decline in health. There is recent evidence, for example, that yo-yo dieting weakens the immune system by as much as 30%.
A search of the research literature on weight loss strongly supports the general conclusion that key lifestyle and dietary changes are absolutely necessary to long-term success. Here is a fairly comprehensive listing of these essential changes:
1. Eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits.
2. Boost protein intake to build and preserve lean muscle tissue.
3. Use fiber-rich foods, which are more filling and promote health.
4. Boost calcium and other minerals to help shed unwanted fat.
5. Increase intake of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids by eating fish, flax, and nuts.
6. Eat only minimal amounts of "junk" carbs, containing sugar and white flour.
7. Greatly reduce--or eliminate--saturated and trans fats that are loaded with harmful fatty acids.
8. Reduce or eliminate alcohol.
9. Reduce the amount of food eaten gradually to avoid the adverse effects of sudden dieting.
10. Eat frequent, small snacks, instead of large meals, to maximize calories burned for energy.
11. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast to avoid difficulty in controlling appetite later in the day.
12. Be sure to exercise for a half-hour, at least 3 times a week.
13. Gradually boost exercise frequency and intensity for even greater effects.
14. Practice stress reduction to reduce the over-production of cortisol, which promotes weight gain.
15. Expose yourself to the sun for at least 15 minutes each day and get adequate sleep.
16. Incorporate all of these changes into your lifestyle and maintain them persistently.
Some people, however, in spite of making these changes and maintaining them rigorously still experience limited success in losing excess weight and keeping it off.
Lucy Beale, a nationally-known author and weight loss consultant for nearly twenty years, addressed this issue in her recent newsletter:
"For years, I've watched some of my clients do seemingly everything 'right' to lose weight--eating 0-5, eating low-glycemic foods, exercise--and yet they don't lose pounds or inches. This situation is frustrating for me and certainly for them. I've been 'wishing and hoping' to find a fat-loss product that I could whole-heartedly recommend.
"When I couldn't find any viable products to recommend, I spoke with several alternative health practitioners about developing a natural weight-loss product that was: A) safe; B) effective; C) non-addictive; D) worked for most people; and E) provided long-term health benefits. But nothing ever came of our efforts. . .
"Then, in September 2004, a friend told me about the Nexagen Fat-Loss Patch. I've done my homework on the patch and my research indicates the patch is safe, effective, and health promoting. I was so excited that I asked some of my clients to try it out. They loved it. They were eating less, found it easier to eat 0-5, had fewer cravings, felt better emotionally, and even wanted to exercise. They lost inches and weight. Many were able to reduce the dosage of medications they were taking for such health conditions as asthma, allergies, high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders. People who wear the patch for at least 3-6 months are experiencing satisfying results. . ."
The Fat Loss Patch that Lucy is referring to here is a unique new approach to assisting weight loss and maintenance. Unlike the vast majority of previous diet products containing ephedra, synephrine, or other harmful stimulants, this patent-pending transdermal patch employs Forslean, a patented derivative from an Asian herb, Coleus forskohlii, which has been used for centuries to treat cardiovascular disorders and other health problems. Recent research has now shown that it is also effective in burning fat, while preserving lean muscle, and in curbing food cravings. It also has the added health benefits of supporting thyroid functioning and and helping to reduce blood pressure.
Its mechanism of action in promoting fat burning in the body is also unlike that of all previous thermogenic, or fat-burning, products. The main active ingredient in Forslean activates a very important enzyme, Adenylate cyclase which is involved in the production of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP). This "second messenger," as it is called in the research literature, is indispensable to many important body functions. One of these is to help maintain a healthy body composition by burning fat while preserving lean body mass.
Combined with the dietary and lifestyle changes summarized above, the Fat Loss Patch is finally making it possible for nearly anyone to attain--and maintain--a healthy body weight.
You can learn more about this revolutionary new product by going to the URL below.
George Shears
218-482-5287
gshears@hcctel.net
gshears@hcctel.net
(NOTE TO EDITORS: This article may be edited for publication in your newsletter or on your website but must include the title of the guide and a live link.)
apartment cleaning near Highland Park ..Weight Loss Red Flag GuideDespite claims to the contrary, there... Read More
A "normal-tummy" looks at the food pyramid from the bottom... Read More
A common question among weight loss professionals...If fad diets don't... Read More
Studies show that most Americans are fifteen percent fatter today... Read More
Not everyone can handle hot food. But who said cayenne... Read More
One of the most important things you can do for... Read More
Maybe your doctor suggested it. Maybe your favorite outfit doesn't... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
Dieting doesn't have to be a chore. Actually, you can... Read More
It comes as a surprise to many consumers that the... Read More
Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More
Weight loss surgery is fast becoming a very popular way... Read More
A 'diet' is always seen as a temporary measure. An... Read More
With weight loss comes a lot of dedication and change... Read More
Dieters are often told ? drink water. Drink a minimum... Read More
All of us that have had a love-hate relationship with... Read More
Changing habits is one of the most difficult challanges we... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More
Control that sweet tooth. Remember that sweet things generally mean... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Is a weight loss workout routine right for you? Answer... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
Digestion is a chemical process. Our body combines different types... Read More
Have you ever just felt like you were doing everything... Read More
cleaning lady near Arlington Heights ..Twenty years ago, I did not expect to accomplish what... Read More
Think for a moment about the highest mountain you ever... Read More
Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what... Read More
There's more to gastric bypass than surgery and rapid massive... Read More
A calorie is the unit used to measure the energy... Read More
"I've put on 40 pounds in one year!" "It doesn't... Read More
Atkins diet was unknown 35 years ago. Though it seems... Read More
According to the BMI chart, if you are overweight, you... Read More
New Years Resolutions do not work because you are really... Read More
Tip 1) DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AFTER EACH SNACKThis... Read More
While low-fat dieters and non-dieters may want to avoid chicken... Read More
To begin this article I must start with it's conclusion.The... Read More
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require... Read More
Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure... Read More
Dieting presents many complications if you are not fully committed... Read More
"I'd love to lose weight, but I don't have the... Read More
Have you ever decided to take a trip somewhere relatively... Read More
Food cravings are crafty -- they appear from nowhere and... Read More
I do not smoke, never have, and admit to being... Read More
I am a Registered Dietitian who has spent over 10,000... Read More
It is common for new WLS patients to ask, "How... Read More
Many people are under the impression that gastric bypass surgery... Read More
1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More
Diet Pills are the fastest growing segment of the dietary... Read More
Ok... If you are reading this is because you do... Read More
Weight Loss |