Ways to solve our growing weight problems | Letters

The government must do everything in its power to combat obesity (Supermarkets must stop discounting unhealthy foods to tackle childhood obesity, say MPs, 27 March). Obesity is a public health disaster inextricably enmeshed with cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, gout, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, gallstones, cancers, osteoarthritis, breathing problems, dental decay and gum disease. The obesity statistics are staggering. The Lancet reported this year that around 700,000 new cancers caused by overweight are predicted by 2035 and that the number of those afflicted with diabetes in the UK alone has topped 4 million. The costs to the NHS are projected to reach £9.7bn by 2050.

Obesity is a vivid example of the link between general and oral health. Sugar is the main culprit in the unabated increase in obesity and dental decay. A holistic, comprehensive and sustainable approach is needed that transcends medicine and dentistry, challenging the avoidable consequences of modern lifestyles.
Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London

• People in this country are consuming too many calories, many of them from sugar, which is contributing to unacceptably high levels of obesity. The government has published sugar reduction guidelines for certain types of food to bring overall sugar levels down, while still allowing people to enjoy their favourite foods. This is an important step and must form part of a broader range of initiatives to help individuals and families towards better diets and healthier lifestyles. To play their part, responsible food and drink manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, cafes and takeaways will adapt recipes and take action to encourage consumers towards low- and no-sugar options. In some foods, portion-size reductions will be necessary. Producers will keep consumer tastes and preferences at the heart of this work.

Health charities and professional bodies will support this ambitious agenda by providing clear advice, backed by robust science, and helping to combat often confused messaging around nutrition and health. As well as pushing for full and continuing industry engagement, these groups can also help to create an environment where recognition is given to companies’ efforts, challenges and achievements. This will encourage the sustained industry engagement that is needed.
Ian Wright
Food and Drink Federation
Tam Fry
National Obesity Forum

• The Commons health select committee has released a report admonishing the government’s plans to fight obesity, claiming that proposed measures do not go far enough to tackle the crisis. The committee argues that ministers had ignored recommendations from health bodies to regulate price promotions of unhealthy food and drinks aimed at children. Research from Oliver Wyman shows that 81% of UK shoppers have noticed that sugary products are more often on promotion in their supermarket than healthy options – and 60% of consumers say it is their supermarket’s responsibility to help them be healthier.

Rather than waiting for the regulatory hammer to fall, supermarkets in the UK should redefine themselves as health and wellbeing brands, by simplifying choices and building customer loyalty through healthy living programmes. By showing customers how their activity and shopping habits feed into their health outcomes and helping them make informed decisions and trade-offs, supermarkets can influence habits in a way that is positive for their business while also delivering health benefits.
Duncan Brewer
Oliver Wyman Consulting

• New NHS statistics show that one in four adults are inactive and levels of obesity have more than tripled since the 1990s (One in four adults take less than 30 minutes of exercise every week, 31 March). An easy solution to our sedentary lifestyle is getting more people walking their short, everyday journeys and yet the report shows that one in four adults aren’t even walking for half an hour a week. Getting off the bus a stop earlier, going for a lunchtime walk or choosing to park further away and walk the rest of the way are all easy ways to get moving more and can make a big difference to our health and happiness.

The report also shows that more than a third of children are overweight by the time they leave primary school. Creating safe walking routes and encouraging more children to walk to school will help the whole family get more active and ensure children develop healthy habits for life. This is vital if we’re going to protect the future of our health service. It’s Living Streets’ National Walking Month in May and we’re encouraging people to fit 20 minutes of walking into their day. We know from people who took part last year that it’s an achievable way to get active and stay healthy.
Jenni Wiggle
Living Streets

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Ways to solve our growing weight problems | Letters

This Juice Promotes Weight Loss, Regulates Thyroid, and Fights Inflammation

This Juice Promotes Weight Loss, Regulates Thyroid, and Fights Inflammation

Womb cancer risk grows with extra waist weight, study suggests

Women who have a higher waist to hip ratio could have an increased risk of womb cancer, a study suggests.

Researchers writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that for every increase of 0.1 units in the ratio between waist and hip, the risk of developing the disease increased by 21%.

Experts from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), which part-funded the study, said the results showed a strong relationship between cancer and carrying extra weight around the waist.

The waist to hip ratio is worked out by dividing waist circumference by hip measurement. For example, a person with a 28-inch (71cm) waist and 40-inch (102cm) hips would have a ratio of 0.7.

A woman with a ratio of 0.7 which then increased to 0.8 would have a 21% greater risk of developing womb cancer, the study suggests. For the person in the example above, this would be the equivalent of an increase from a 28-inch (71cm) waist to a 32-inch (81cm) waist, with the hip measurement remaining the same. Another 0.1 increase would raise that risk even further.

A ratio above 0.85 for women or 0.90 for men is a sign of obesity.

The WCRF estimates that about 25,000 cancer cases could be prevented every year in the UK if people were a healthy weight.

Prof Konstantinos Tsilidis, from Imperial College London, said: “These results demonstrate how important it is for women to make sure they maintain a healthy weight in order to reduce their cancer risk.”

Dr Panagiota Mitrou, director of research funding at the WCRF, said: “We know that extra weight around the waist increases the risk of a range of health conditions, such as diabetes, but this important study is helping us shine a light on how body fat around the waist could affect cancer risk.

“It is incredibly important that people are aware of the dangers of excess body fat, particularly around their waist. After not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight is the best thing people can do to help prevent cancer.”

The study also found associations between waist to hip ratio and bowel and pancreatic cancer, although these were not as strong.

Womb cancer risk grows with extra waist weight, study suggests

Benefits of Aloe Vera for Weight Loss

Aloe Vera is a wonder medicinal plant that has a range of therapeutic benefits. The sticky transparent pulp of the aloe Vera plant is commercially available in the form of gel, latex or juice. The aloe vera pulp is almost 99% water and the remaining 1% includes more than 75 nutrients that contribute to various health benefits. In this article, we would discuss about the benefits of aloe vera for weight loss.

Various therapeutic benefits of Aloe vera

• External application- Soothes burns, wounds and various dermatological issues like dry skin, psoriasis, eczema and rashes.


• Oral consumption- Relieves bowel inflammation, constipation, promotes digestion and act as a weight loss remedy.

What it contains

• Vitamins- Vitamins A, B complex, C, E and folic acid


• Minerals- Sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese and chromium. These body enzymes use these minerals for optimum body functioning.


• Amino acids- Human body needs 20 amino acids out of which 8 are essential ones. Your body can’t synthesize these essential amino acids and you need to rely on external dietary sources to add them. Aloe vera can provide 7 out of these 8 essential acids and overall, it provides 18 out of 20 amino acids.


• Enzymes- Enzymes play a vital role in maintaining optimum gut flora (gut bacteria balance) for healthy digestive health and to curb inflammation.


• Polyphenols- Polyphenols are naturally occurring chemicals in aloe vera having pharmacological actions. Beta-sitosterol, flavonoids and saponins- to name a few. These have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Aloe Vera for weight loss

In general, obesity is a lifestyle disorder. In today’s hectic lifestyle, obesity has become a new normal. With every passing day, more and more people are known to succumb to the same and complain of being overweight. Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress and anxiety- all these factors are responsible for this global epidemic.

Let us discuss how aloe vera is going to help combat obesity and maintain healthy body weight:

• Cleansing of the digestive tract- Aloe vera is gelatinous in nature. In the digestive tract, it would absorb water to turn into a bulky gel. This bulky gel would move downward binding various toxins- undigested food, bad microbes, cholesterol, trans fats, saturated fats- along to make your digestive tract clean and toxins free.


• Suppresses the appetite- The gelatinous bulky gel of aloe Vera would provide the feeling of fullness to make sure that you don’t overeat.


• Aloe vera is a mild laxative- Consumption of aloe vera on a regular basis is known to act as a laxative. It relieves constipation and ensure smooth bowel movements to detoxify and hasten the digestion process as a whole.


• Improves digestion- Aloe vera is a prebiotic- it acts as food for the probiotics (healthy bacteria) in your gut for growth and development. These probiotics are essential for proper breakdown of complex foods such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats for their smooth processing.


• Speed up the body metabolism- Aloe Vera accelerates the body metabolism by increasing the energy expenditure rate. It implies a higher calorie burning rate and less accumulation of body fats. Additionally, consumption of aloe vera stimulates the collagen production in human body. Collagen is a kind of protein that aids the muscles growth and build up by boosting the boost metabolism. It ensures that the lower intestine does not store food in it for a longer period.


• Reduces inflammation- Chronic cellular inflammation makes a person obese and aloe vera relieves inflammation. Hence, aloe vera does possess anti-obesity activity.


• Maintains the blood sugar levels- A spike in blood sugar level can make you eat a lot of snacks and calorie filled processed foods to worsen obesity symptoms. Aloe vera reduces such tendencies by normalizing the blood sugar level.


• Low-calorie dietary supplement- Aloe vera is low in calorie and rich in vital nutrients. Hence, it makes a perfect dietary supplement to be included in your weight loss regimen so that you can shed a few pounds without compromising on nutrients intake.

How to consume Aloe Vera for Weight Loss

Oral consumption of aloe vera includes drinking aloe vera juice (aloe vera pulp mixed with water) alone or with other additives depending upon the taste and convenience. Here are certain aloe vera recipes that you can consume first thing in the morning- before breakfast- to derive maximum benefit out of it.

Concoction 1: Aloe Vera with Fruit Juice: Cut the aloe vera leaf into 2 parts and scoop out the aloe gel inside. Mix it with the fruit juice of your choice for a nutritious and fresh concoction.

Concoction 2: Plain Aloe Vera Juice: Ensure you clean the aloe vera leaf thoroughly before peeling off the skin. Mix with water and blend it well to make the plain aloe juice. You can sieve it through to ensure that there are no lumps in it. Store it in the refrigerator, so that you can consume it daily. To get maximum benefit out of it drink this concoction in the morning and before meals.

Concoction 3: Aloe vera juice and lemon: Clean the aloe vera leaf before cutting it lengthwise. Take freshly squeezed lemon juice and add the aloe gel, water and sugar in it and stir for 3 minutes.

Concoction 4: Aloe Vera and honey: You can do the same concoction as the one mentioned above only replace the sugar with honey. Honey is not only nutritious but also takes more energy to digest which in turn aids in weight loss.

Concoction 5: Aloe Vera and Kale: Make a healthy and fresh smoothie with aloe vera pulp and kale. For flavor, you can add plums, ginger, salt and any fruit pf your choice. Make this in the morning in large quantity and keep on sipping them all day long.

Concoction 6: Aloe Vera and coconut smoothie: Take aloe vera pulp, coconut milk, any fresh berry, mango, pure coconut oil, maple syrup and basil for this smoothie. You can add coconut flakes and flax seeds to make it crunchy and flavored. Blend them all into a smooth paste and keep drinking them all day long.

Precautionary measures and useful tips

• While you derive maximum benefit from the fresh aloe vera plant, one can also consume aloe vera capsules after meals to aid weight loss.


• For best results, ensure that you combine aloe vera consumption with regular exercise and workout. Do a mix and match of cardio, muscle building, toning and so on to get the desired result.


• Compliment aloe vera intake with a high fiber, low sugar and low calorie diet to enhance the anti-obesity effect.


• Take small doses of aloe vera initially to ensure that you are not allergic to it.


• After consumption of aloe vera if you see any rash or allergy discontinue at the earliest and consult a physician.


• Do consult your physician before consuming aloe vera if you suffer from any chronic disease.


• The same rule is applied in case of pregnant women and nursing ladies.


• In greed of faster weight loss results, do not take large doses of aloe vera as that may lead to diarrhea, dehydration and stomach cramp.


• Ideal dose of aloe vera is 2- 8 ounce everyday for a period of 3-4 months. Start with least quantity and gradually increase as per your comfort.


• Compliment intake of aloe vera with at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day.

Use of aloe vera for weight loss is a safe and promising idea when coupled with a healthy diet and positive lifestyle. Not only weight loss, but, regular consumption of this healing plant food would improve your overall well being and fitness.

Author Bio

This blog post is submitted by Ashish Agarwal. Check the blog- Health Melody to know about yoga mudra for body detox and weight loss.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/117/1/220

Benefits of Aloe Vera for Weight Loss

Weight gain over adult life linked to greater digestive cancer risk, says study

People who are overweight in their 20s and then become obese later in life may be three times more likely to develop oesophageal or stomach cancer, according to new research.

The research from the United States, published in the British Journal of Cancer, suggests that putting on weight over the years can be a particularly strong risk factor for two cancers that have very poor survival rates. Only a quarter (26%) of those diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus or cancer of the upper stomach survive for five years.

Researchers from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, in the US, studied data from about 400,000 people to work out whether weight gain was linked to these two cancers of the digestive system which have been rapidly increasing in recent years.

They found a strong link to being overweight at the age of 20, which increased the risk of these cancers by between 62% and 76%, compared to people of a healthy weight. They also found that people who gained more than three stone – 20 kilos – were twice as likely to develop oesophageal cancer as those whose weight remained fairly stable.

The strongest links were found among those who reported being overweight in their twenties and then progressed to obesity in later life. Participants in this group had a three times increased risk of developing either stomach or oesophageal cancer.

“This study highlights how weight gain over the course of our lives can increase the risk of developing these two cancer types, both of which have extremely poor survival [rates],” said the study leader Dr Jessica Petrick.

“Carrying excess weight can trigger long-term reflux problems and heartburn that can lead to cancer. It can also change the levels of sex hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, cause levels of insulin to rise, and lead to inflammation, all of which are factors that have been associated with increased cancer risk.”

About 5,600 people are diagnosed with one of the two cancers every year in the UK. They are rarer than other cancers which are linked to obesity, such as bowel, breast and liver cancer, but as with pancreatic cancer which is also linked to weight, the low survival rate makes it important for people to know how they can help reduce their risk, say experts.

The study “further highlights the importance of keeping a healthy weight throughout life to reduce the risk of developing these cancers. Small steps like taking the stairs more often, keeping an eye on portion sizes and switching to sugar-free drinks are simple things we can all do to help keep a healthy weight,” said Sarah Williams, health information manager at Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

After smoking, being overweight or obese is the biggest single preventable cause of cancer, says CRUK. It is partly responsible for 18,100 cancer cases every year.

The researchers asked the participants to remember how much they weighed at the age of 20 and 50, as well as their weight when they joined the study – which is a possible weakness, they say, although it has been shown that people tend to report their past weight accurately. They then factored in their height to calculate their body mass index – a measure of how overweight a person is – and how it changed over time.

They say it is not yet clear why obesity is linked to these two digestive cancers, but it is possible that excess weight may increase the pressure on the abdominal organs, promoting gastroesophageal reflux disease which is a risk factor for oesophageal cancer.

Weight gain over adult life linked to greater digestive cancer risk, says study

Study Links Noodles to Weight Gain, Inflammation, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s

Study Links Noodles to Weight Gain, Inflammation, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s

Study Shows That A Vegan Diet For Weight Loss Is Best

The mainstream media like to remind us that eating all that sugar will lead to weight gain and if you need to achieve weight loss you need to minimize your consumption of carbohydrates (including fruits).

Well, many people on a vegan diet, including a high fruit vegan diet, have found the exact opposite to be true.

A study from the University of South Carolina supports the fact that a vegan diet for weight loss is best, if compared to many other diets.

A Vegan Diet For Weight Loss Is Best

There was a study published in The International Journal of Applied and Basic Nutritional Sciences (1), and they compared the amount of weight lost by people on various diets.

Participants who took part in this 6-month study were eating 5 different diets, including:

• Omnivore diet, which includes all animal products


• Semi-vegetarian diet with occasional meat intake


• Vegetarian diet, which excludes meat, poultry and fish, but includes dairy


• Pesco-vegetarian diet, which excludes meat, but includes seafood


• Vegan diet, which excludes all animal products

At the end of the six months, they concluded that a vegan diet for weight loss worked best.

Those people who were eating the vegan diet lost more weight than the other groups by an average of 4.3%, or 16.5 pounds in weight. 

Weight loss results on a vegan diet started appearing after 2 months of them following it.

The study found that weight release was not the only positive for those participants in the vegan group.

They also showed the biggest amount of decrease in their fat levels at the two and six month checks, had improved macro nutrients more than the other diets and also lower BMIs.

Eating a whole foods vegan diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables has many advantages, including:

• Hydration is imperative for achieving optimal health. On a high fruit raw vegan diet you will be eating plant foods that are high in water content and so will aid your body to stay hydrated and lead to greatly improved digestion, elimination and speedy health restoration.


• Nutrition is a much overlooked part of the modern western diet where empty calories abound, but with a high fruit raw vegan diet that is packed full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, including those hugely important antioxidants, you know you are giving your body the best chance of reaching optimal health.


• Natural detoxification — this way of eating allows your body to detox itself of stored toxins and remain in tip-top and lean shape every day of the year.


• Natural weight release — whole food vegan diet that is high in raw foods is naturally lower calorie per bite than most other foods that you will find available.

In short, if you want to achieve natural weight loss, along with optimal health and well-being, then you cannot choose a better option than eating a vegan and high raw diet.

About the author: Yulia Tarbath is a Certified Nutritionist at Rawsomehealthy, author, parent and international speaker with nearly 8 years of experience on a raw foods, vegan lifestyle. Together with her husband, Paul Tarbath, they are authorities on living a balanced, nutritionally sufficient vegan lifestyle. Through their videos, blogs, coaching and online programs, they are supporting both women and men around the world in cleansing and healing their bodies naturally, as well as achieving the shape and health of their dreams. Get started today by signing up to their FREE 5-day raw food menu plan. 

Sources: 

1. http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007%2814%2900423-7/abstract


2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150630121807.htm


3. Huang, R-H. et al. Vegetarian Diets and Weight Reduction: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of General Internal Medicine, June 2015 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-015-3390-7

Study Shows That A Vegan Diet For Weight Loss Is Best

Study dispels myth of links between poverty and weight

Call it the “Benefits Street effect” – the popularity of widely held preconceptions about unemployed people. And one of the most prevalent is that jobless people are more likely to be overweight than those in work.

While television documentaries and newspapers can help perpetuate this belief, academic studies also reinforce it. A series of studies have suggested that employers are biased against larger candidates when hiring staff. As a result, slimmer people tend to be employed first, leaving the overweight in the pool of the unemployed for longer.

But a study in the journal Preventive Medicine produces evidence that unemployed people are far more likely to be significantly underweight than the average person. The study’s authors, Dr Amanda Hughes and Professor Meena Kumari from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, believe their findings provide a corrective to popular misconceptions about unemployed people and should alert health professionals to the heightened mortality risks that come from being underweight.

Hughes explained that she first became suspicious of a link between weight and unemployment when volunteering at a food bank. She observed that there were more people coming in who were painfully thin than were clearly overweight.

“There were people who had not eaten that day or the day before, or who had walked for two hours to get there, because paying for a return bus journey was out of the question,” she said. This set her thinking: had researchers become so concerned with obesity that they were ignoring the big picture?

“In public health there’s a really quite consistent and replicated finding that obesity is more common among more disadvantaged groups,” Hughes said. “It’s such a well replicated finding that, even in public health, there has always been this assumption that if unemployment affects body weight it will be in the direction of increasing it.”

We now have quantitative evidence that many unemployed people are not eating enough in simple caloric terms

Dr Amanda Hughes

But Hughes’s work suggests the picture is far more complex: that there is a “U-shaped” association between unemployment and body weight, with jobseekers tending to be more susceptible to being obese or underweight than those in work.

Using the Understanding Society database, a nationally representative survey of more than 40,000 UK households, Hughes looked at the BMI (body mass index) of 10,737 working-age adults between 2010 and 2012, a time when the effects of the recession were being keenly felt and substantial changes were being made to the benefits system.

Of those who were in employment, were full-time parents or in full-time education, 0.7% had a BMI below 18.5 and were therefore classed as underweight. But for those who were unemployed, the proportion shot up to almost 4%.

When factors such as education, gender and smoking were taken into account, it was revealed that the unemployed were still four times more likely to be classed as underweight than those who were not classed as unemployed.

Furthermore, just under 29% of those unemployed were classed as overweight compared with almost 40% of those in work or full-time education.

The study found that unemployed people were more likely to be obese, but only if they were non-smokers. Hughes suggested that this might be because some people on severely restricted budgets chose to prioritise their spending on tobacco rather than food.

“Together, these results point to a complex picture in which jobseekers, depending on the complexities of individual lives, are at increased risk of being either underweight or obese, each with their own associated health risks,” Hughes said.

“We now have quantitative evidence that many unemployed people are not eating enough in simple caloric terms. These results make an important contribution to research trying to explain the increased risk of chronic illness and mortality for unemployed people. They suggest that, at least in contemporary Britain, being underweight may contribute to this much more than previously realised.”

Study dispels myth of links between poverty and weight

Boiled Eggs For Weight Loss and Health

Boiled eggs are considered a key component of many diets and have multiple health benefits. Eggs contain all important elements such as protein, fats, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, selenium and there is a material unfamiliar to many, a choline, which is necessary for the development of the brain and improves memory.

Eggs are one of the foods that are widely used for weight loss. Recent studies indicated that people who eat an egg a day lose more weight compared to those who do not eat eggs, taking into account that the eggs must be boiled.

In addition to that, we find that bariatric doctors advise their patients to add boiled eggs to their diet and for several reasons, and are as follows:

• Boiled eggs have very low ratios of calories.


• Contains protein and calcium which is one of the most important components to maintaining bone strength.


• Eggs increase the feeling of satiety and thereby decrease the intake of certain foods which can help reduce weight.


• Rich in protein, which is beneficial in terms of muscle building.

Other Health Benefits Of Boiled Eggs:

Strengthening the bones:

Eggs contain vitamin D, which is one of the most prominent types of vitamins that help to strengthen the muscles. In addition to calcium which helps protect bones and muscles against the fragility, especially in women as they are more subjected to it than men.

Activates the brain:

Boiled eggs contain a substance called ‘choline’ that acts as a moderator for infections that affect the brain and cause Alzheimer’s disease. Choline most found in egg yolk.

Also read:

10 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Eat Eggs

How To Lose Weight With The Egg Diet

Pregnancy:

It is necessary that pregnant mothers need to maintain a complete diet during pregnancy and boiled eggs provide nutritional components to help the fetus grow and protect it from possible birth defects.

Cancer:

Eggs contain a proportion of antioxidants that protect the body from the malignant growth of cells in addition to promoting healthy skin.

Vision:

Important vitamins found in eggs contribute to improving vision, in addition to a substance called ‘lutein’ that acts as a protection for the retina.

Note:

Fried eggs are not preferred to lose weight, as they can do the opposite. Instead, eat boiled eggs to get rid of excess weight and provide your body with healthy nutrients that increase strength and vitality.

References:

1. https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2014/08/23/two-eggs-in-the-morning-can-help-you-lose-weight/


2. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/eggs-nutrition.aspx


3. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283659.php

Boiled Eggs For Weight Loss and Health

Use These Essential Oils to Speed Up Metabolism and Lose Weight

Use These Essential Oils to Speed Up Metabolism and Lose Weight

Drink This Juice Reset Your Thyroid, Fight Inflammation, and Lose Weight

Drink This Juice Reset Your Thyroid, Fight Inflammation, and Lose Weight

Eat Without Gaining Weight – 35 Zero Calorie Foods to Keep You Slim

You don’t want to gain weight, so you are sensitive to know will your foods make you fat. But there are some foods you can eat without worrying, as they will not make you fat.

Yes, there are some foods you can include in your diet, and no you will not need to count their calories. They take more energy to digest and absorb into the system than the energy in themselves. It means that these foods have less calories than the calories you need to process them.

They are negative calorie foods, or zero calorie foods.

Health experts provided the definition for the foods with super low calories:

• Free foods – 25 calories or less per reasonable serving


• Almost free foods – 25-60 calories per reasonable serving

Here is a list of zero-calorie foods you can eat without worrying gain weight

1. Apples


2. Turnips


3. Onion


4. Broccoli


5. Cabbage


6. Fennel


7. Asparagus


8. Beetroot


9. Kale


10. Leek


11. Lemon


12. Garlic


13. Celery


14. Cauliflower


15. Apricots


16. Carrots


17. Cranberries


18. Orange


19. Peppers


20. Cress


21. Cucumber


22. Grapefruit


23. Lettuce


24. Mushroom


25. Zucchini


26. Brussels sprouts


27. Watermelon


28. Green beans


29. Pineapple


30. Plum


31. Raspberries


32. Spinach


33. Strawberries


34. Swede


35. Tomatoes

Now you know all of the ingredients above are super low in calories so you may want to know how to prepare them to maintain their nutrients best.

7 Best Herbs for Weight Loss

3 Healthy&Simple Ways to Prepare The Amazing Zero-Calorie Foods

Colorful Veggies Salad

You can make a great salad with the any of these vegetables you like. Below is one of my favorite recipes: Mix tomatoes, carrots, red bell pepper and leafy vegetables, pour in some olive oil and unprocessed salt, add black pepper to taste. This salad provides plenty of necessary nutrients, lows in calories and also improves
digestion.

Grilling

Simple enough, but so many people love! Spinach, zucchini, asparagus or any other vegetables listed above grilled with a light coating of extra virgin olive oil make a tasty and nutritional dish.

Steaming

One of the best ways to cook leafy vegetables for retaining all the nutrients. You can steam any green leafy vegetables listed above and add Himalayan salt or other unprocessed salt.

Sources: bembu.com , lifehack.org, blogs.naturalnews.com

RELATED READING:

3 Cooking Rules for Maintaining Nutritional Value in Vegetables

Plant These 10 Perennial Fruits and Vegetables for Years of Delicious Harvests

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Eat Without Gaining Weight – 35 Zero Calorie Foods to Keep You Slim

Women’s Health and Weight Loss: Lose Weight to Fight Osteoporosis

1. Exercise and Bones

It is a well-known fact that exercise and weight loss make you both look and feel better. Another bit of common knowledge is that to lose weight, control your diet, and exercise regularly gives you a healthier heart.

In addition to the previously mentioned benefits of proper diet and exercise are several other very specific health benefits of having a regular exercise and weight loss program.

One additional health benefits of exercise and weight loss activities is guarding against osteoporosis, the disease that makes the bones weak and brittle with age (1).

Weight-bearing activities like walking, elliptical machine, and jogging, have been shown to strengthen the skeletal system and lower the risk of the development of this very debilitating disease.

The primary reason for this is that exercises that force the body to bear weight make the bones denser over time as opposed to a sedentary lifestyle, in which the bones get weaker and more brittle due to a lack of force placed against them.

In women, the low estrogen levels that often accompany menopause and/or very sporadic menstruation make the problem even worse as the bones lose a lot of their mineral content and weaken accordingly.

In addition, such activities that many take part in to either lose weight or maintain an already healthy body composition have also been shown to aid in preventing further development of the disease for those who have already been diagnosed and have received clearance from their doctor.

2. Calcium and bones

So, in addition to exercise and hormonal factors, a woman’s diet is extremely important in guarding off this very debilitating condition.

One of the reason why we do not recommend most traditional diet plans and programs is because the over-restrictive eating guidelines often eliminate or seriously limit the consumption of some very necessary vitamins and minerals that keep the body healthy and strong.

The most important time to get an appropriate amount of calcium is between the ages of 14 and 24, when peak bone mass is obtained.  Then after that bone continues to develop until about age 35 to 40, at which time the bone mass that a woman has will strongly determine how much at risk she may be for bone fractures in her later years.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that women intake 1,000 mg (1g) of calcium daily, and then increase their daily dosage to 1,500 mg (1.5g) post menopause (2).

Sadly, only an estimated 25% of women in any age group consume the recommended daily amount of calcium to guard against osteoporosis. And when they go on diets and weight loss programs, they tend to consume even less. The best sources of easily assimilated calcium are raw milk and bone broth.

3. Iron and Bones

Finally, one of the biggest weaknesses of the traditional commercial diet is the lack of iron that exists in its stringent and often excessively limited eating guidelines (3). In order to lose weight, many unsuspecting women get bamboozled into taking part in weight loss programs that cut out many of the nutrients that they need. Iron is one of the primary casualties of such diets and weight loss plans.

The plot thickens for women in particular due to the fact that their bodies regularly lose iron during menstruation.  Therefore, eating a low-calorie, low-iron diet in an effort to lose weight only makes the problem more severe.

It is generally suggested that women supplement their diets with an iron supplement such as either Ferrofood or Iron-Fe Max from Standard Process. This is particularly important during periods of heavy exercise and training that are typical aspects of any weight loss program or general effort to lose weight even when a special program is not in use.

One thing to be on guard for, however, is excessive iron supplementation by iron-deficient (non-anemic) women.   There is a disorder known as hemosiderosis which results from large deposits of iron made in the liver that causes a glitch in the proper metabolism of the iron itself. Avoiding prolonged large doses will eliminate the risk of this particular disorder. Supervision by a trained and experienced holistic doctor is recommended.

Below are a few recommendations from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) that will help you to make sure you get the adequate amount of iron intake in your daily diet, whether on a program to lose weight or not:

Eat foods with a high vitamin C content with all meals. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron. (examples: salsa; chili peppers; oranges)

Include dark meat chick and/or turkey in the training diet. Both of these are rich in iron.

Vegetable proteins such as split pea soup or chili beans with lean meat help the iron in those meats to properly absorb

1. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone/Bone_Health/Exercise/default.asp


2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/


3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425147/

Women’s Health and Weight Loss: Lose Weight to Fight Osteoporosis

Potato Diet. Should you Try it for Weight Loss?

The All Potato Diet: Should you Try it for Weight Loss

By Karen Brennan, NC, MSW, BCHN®, Herbalist

It seems like with another new year upon us, people make resolutions to lose weight.  Part of that resolution, it seems, is to go on some crazy diet. This is one of them and I was asked by someone who had just started the diet what I thought of an all potato diet.  Here are my thoughts.

What is the Potato Diet?

The potato diet is a mono diet in which you eat only potatoes.  Most people will try it for a month and others have touted to lose weight by following the potato diet for up to a year.

Should you Try it?

  I don’t recommend any diet that has you eat just one food. I also don’t recommend most cleanses, juice fasts and detox diets either. (hint: first you need to learn how to eat healthy)

 Here are Some Reasons why you Should Avoid the Potato Diet

• Difficult to maintain and sustain. This is a bland and boring diet. How long can you go eating only potatoes?  At some point, for most people, one is going to give in and eat other foods.  When this happens, the odds are that you won’t be making the healthiest food choices.


• Low in Protein. For men, this type of diet is too low protein. For many women, this diet is also too low in protein.  Eating 5 potatoes per day is only going to give you around 20 grams of protein.  The average sedentary male needs 60 grams or more per day and the average sedentary female needs around 45 grams per day or more. Trying to meet your protein needs via potatoes, well let’s just say that ends up being a lot of potatoes and a lot of calories.  So, while you may lose weight eating only potatoes, how much muscle mass are you going to lose as well?


• Nutrient deficient: Eat only one type of food for any length of time and you are bound to have some vitamin and mineral deficiencies. To obtain the needed macro and micro nutrients necessary, you need to eat a balance of proteins, carbs and fats along with a plenty of vegetables that contain phytonutrients.  We need fat for healthy brain function so unless you are putting grass fed butter on that potato, you may lose weight but you may end up with mood issues, brain fog and forgetfulness.  Is it worth it?


• Crash dieting: How many calories are you consuming on a potato diet? If your calories count is too low, your body will then go into starvation mode and to hold on to its fat mass your metabolic rate will slow down. That means weight loss will slow down and may eventually come to a halt.


• Not Sustainable: What happens when you go back to eating real food? Now you transition from a mono, low calorie diet and switch back to your old ways of eating:  Your metabolic rate has slowed down so now when you eat you will gain what was lost at a more rapid pace


• Potatoes are a GMO crop: Unless you are only eating organic potatoes, not only is this diet nutrient deficient but now you are filling your body up with toxins. Glyphosate has been shown to disrupt the gut microbiome.  A healthy gut microbiome has been associated with maintaining a healthy weight while disrupted gut health has been associated with obesity.


• What was your diet/health like prior to the potato diet? The odds are if you are trying such a drastic crash diet, your diet prior to this was not good either.  Most overweight people are calorie sufficient but nutrient deficient.  Now you go on a very restrictive diet which only compounds the problem further.  Most people have other health issues in addition to the added weight, such as insomnia, fatigue, mood issues. Consuming a nutrient deficient diet such as this will not help these additional issues.


• What did the diet teach you? If you eat a potato diet and then go back to eating processed, sugary, starchy foods as the main component of your diet, what have you learned about eating healthy as a way of life? Nothing!  Instead get the education you need to change your habits to lose weight gradually on a diet that you can sustain.

 

Benefits to Eating Potatoes

Potatoes are a great addition to your diet, they just shouldn’t be the only part of your diet.  Potatoes contain B6, potassium, copper, vitamin C, manganese, fiber, B3 and pantothenic acid.  They contain phytonutrients and have antioxidant activity.  They also contain blood pressure lowering compounds.  So, add them into your diet (just not in the fried form please) but keep it balanced!

What to do Instead to Lose Weight

Instead get the help of someone who can evaluate your current eating patterns (food journal) and your health issues.  Gradual weight loss is best with a plan that leaves you feeling full, satisfied and one that is doable and sustainable for you. That is why most diet plans and diet books don’t work; because they aren’t individualized to meet not only your personal health needs but considers lifestyle factors as well.

While we can live on a low carb diet but we cannot live on a diet that is void of protein and fat. Side effects will occur. Therefore, a balanced diet is best.  Start your day with protein and fats, and increase the number of carbs throughout the day so that your dinner contains most your carbs.  This can look like a green protein smoothie for breakfast, a large salad for lunch with added protein and homemade salad dressing, snacks of handful of nuts or nut butter with fruit, then dinner of a protein source such as wild caught salmon (good source of fats too) with a side of vegetables and sweet potatoes.

Sources

http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/08/mono-diet-potato-diet-penn-jillette.html

http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/05/weight-loss-metabolism-slows-down-hunger-increases.html

http://fortune.com/2016/01/14/genetically-modified-potatoes/

http://drpompa.com/additional-resources/health-tips/the-dangers-of-glyphosate-an-interview-with-dr-stephanie-seneff

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-gut-bacteria-help-make-us-fat-and-thin/

https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48

http://www.howmuchprotein.com/foods/potato/

http://time.com/4374959/protein-health-benefits-nutrition/

If you are sick and tired of feeling sick, tired, fatigued, depressed, anxious and more and have given up hope then Karen’s simple, effective, individualized and sustainable approach may be what you need.

Karen Brennan, MSW, CNC, Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition® and herbalist, is the author of Tru Foods Depression Free Nutrition Guide; How Food Supplements and herbs can be used to lift your mood and owner of Tru Foods Nutrition Services, LLC.

For more information visit  www.trufoodsnutrition.com

Get her Food Swap Guide here to get started on your health journey today! Want more information, then like her fb page here

As a nutrition professional, Karen does not treat, cure nor diagnose. This information is for educational purposes only.

Potato Diet. Should you Try it for Weight Loss?

No evidence sugar-free soft drinks aid weight loss – study

Soft drinks made with artificial sweeteners, such as diet colas, do not help people lose weight and may be as big a part of the obesity problem as the full-sugar versions, academics have said.

A paper by researchers at Imperial College London and two universities in Brazil contends that artificially sweetened beverages, often called diet drinks, are just as big a problem as those containing sugar. There is no evidence they help people lose weight, they say, possibly because people assume they can eat more because their drinks are low in sugar.

The report says the combined factors of what goes into artificially sweetened drinks, how they are consumed, and their environmental impact mean that “far from helping to solve the global obesity crisis [they are] a potential risk factor for highly prevalent chronic diseases”.

Sugar-sweetened drinks, including sports beverages, have been identified as one of the major causes of obesity. Many countries, including Mexico and France, have introduced sugar taxes to try to reduce consumption, and the UK plans to do so next year.

Many manufacturers are looking to boost sales of drinks containing artificial sweeteners in order to escape the levy. Such products already account for 25% of the global soft drinks market.

Prof Christopher Millett, senior investigator at Imperial’s School of Public Health, said: “A common perception, which may be influenced by industry marketing, is that because ‘diet’ drinks have no sugar they must be healthier and aid weight loss when used as a substitute for full-sugar versions. However, we found no solid evidence to support this.”

The paper, published in the journal PLoS Medicine, is a commentary on the research done so far into artificially sweetened beverages promoted as healthier alternatives and the impact on weight.

It says the evidence does not suggest they help with weight loss, although they probably do not cause people to put on weight. Some studies show no weight loss; others show a small loss, but those studies were not always well done and were often funded by the soft drinks industry, the authors say.

Maria Carolina Borges, the first author of the study, from the Federal University of Pelotas, in Brazil, said: “The lack of solid evidence on the health effects of ASBs [artificially sweetened beverages] and the potential influence of bias from industry-funded studies should be taken seriously when discussing whether ASBs are adequate alternatives to SSBs [sugar-sweetened beverages].”

The paper argues that “given their negligible nutritional benefits and potential detrimental health impacts”, the environmental impact of manufacturing artificially sweetened drinks should be taken into account. It takes 150-300 litres of water to make one litre of drink, it says, and there is considerable solid waste and cumulative chemical pollution.

Prof Carlos Monteiro, a co-author, from the University of São Paulo, said: “Taxes and regulation on SSBs and not ASBs will ultimately promote the consumption of diet drinks rather than plain water, the desirable source of hydration for everyone.”

The British Soft Drinks Association dismissed the paper. Its director general, Gavin Partington, said: “Contrary to the claims made in this article, scientific research shows that low-calorie sweeteners, such as those found in diet drinks, help consumers manage their weight as part of a calorie-controlled diet.

“At a time when we are trying to encourage people to reduce their overall calorie intake it is extremely unhelpful that products that contain no sugar, let alone calories, are demonised without evidence.”

He added: “It’s worth bearing in mind that the UK soft drinks sector is the only category in which sugar is consistently falling year on year – over 17% since 2012.”

Global beverage companies have been investing in soft drinks, flavoured water, juices and ready-to-drink tea and coffee containing artificial sweeteners in response to the obesity crisis and the outcry over sugar. The World Health Organisation has said sugar should not be more than 10% of people’s energy intake, and preferably lower than 5%.

On Tuesday the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s announced a 13% cut in the sugar content of its own-brand cereals.

The government has asked food manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their products by 5% by the end of this year. Sainsbury’s said it had also removed all illustrated characters from its cereal boxes as part of a commitment to responsible marketing to children.

No evidence sugar-free soft drinks aid weight loss – study

Keep lit: how to lose weight without giving up alcohol | Dean Burnett

Alcohol. Fun, isn’t it, for various reasons. The Christmas holidays are a period of particularly heavy drinking for many of the UK population, so much so that January often feels like one long national hangover. This often combines with the sense of “starting afresh” and the ritual of New Year’s Resolutions and results in a period of abstention. In recent years, it’s become fashionable to swear off alcohol for the whole of January, often (but not always) as part of an overall effort to improve general fitness and lose weight.

But, is this necessary? Or is it possible to have your pint and down it, and lose weight while carrying on indulging in the booze?

On paper, it looks like a big ask. It’s easy to see why people find giving up drinking a bit of a challenge. It has pleasurable effects, it aids social interaction, in the UK at least it’s often expected that you’ll drink at social occasions, and if you’re a regular drinker then you’re brain and body will likely have adapted to expect a regular intake.

But all this comes at a cost to the body. Alcohol is second only to fats in terms of the amount of energy per mass it contains. In plain English, alcohol delivers about 7 calories per gram consumed (fat delivers closer to 9 calories per gram). And that’s just the pure alcohol, the ethanol, in your drink. The stuff around it (the beer, the stout, the cocktail ingredients, the mixers) add substantially more. What’s more, these are “empty” calories. The point of drinking is to get the intoxicating effect, not to nourish the body in some way, so physiologically we’re just pouring pointless calories down our throat.

However, scientific analysis offers some way to potentially “game the system”, and not just lose weight while continuing to drink, but use the effects of alcohol to increase your chances of getting in shape! Here are a few suggestions.

If you stir kale into your shots, it counts as a superfood. Probably. Photograph: Courtesy of Juice Crawl

Pub runs

One of the problems with drinking from a weight-gain perspective is that, as well as pointless calories, it also involves very little physical movement. Sitting down and talking for hours isn’t exactly good cardio. You need to engage in a lot more physical movement if you want to burn off those calories.

So, if you really do fancy a drink, don’t stroll to the local, jog there. In fact, don’t go to your local, pick a pub on the other side of town and jog there instead. Or pick several pubs and sprint from one to the next each time you finish a drink, more of a pub sprint than a pub crawl. This has the added bonus of, at the end of the night, if you arrive at the last pub red-faced, struggling to speak or walk, you’ll fit right in.

You might look at this and decide it’s not worth it just for a drink so opt to stay in. If so, fine. That’s good for your health too. So really, you can’t lose here.

Indulge in impulsivity

One thing alcohol is known to do is make people more impulsive. The complex interaction between alcohol and our brains and genes means our higher-reasoning areas and those that supress impulsivity are often hampered by drink, resulting in us doing and saying things we’d normally shy away from.

You can exploit this effect to improve your health by signing up for fitness classes, marathons, Tough Mudder runs, and things like that. You may have consumed a lot of empty calories but thanks to drink you’re now going to burn those off, and then some.

Obviously, once you sober up, you could just change your mind. It’s harder than you think though, as our brains are reluctant to go back on a decision once it’s made. This is especially true if you made the decision in front of people, who will now think worse of you if you go back on it.

When you wake with a pounding head saying “What the hell did I agree to last night?”, it may well have been good for you in the long run.

Interesting fact – people often look the same after a heavy workout session as they do after a heavy drinking session Photograph: ronstik/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Embrace the anger

One other unpleasant effect of alcohol, which ties in with greater impulsivity, is an increase in irritability and anger. There are many neuropsychological explanations for this; an inability to correctly work out people’s intentions from their behaviour, a drop in ability to plan actions and predict consequences, releasing pre-existing stresses and issues that you usually supress, and so on.

One consequence of increased anger is an increase in “approach” motivation. The brain seems to have two separate motivations systems, approach and avoidance. Things we want to deal with, we’re motivated to approach. Things we are wary or scared of, we’re motivated to avoid. Anger increases the power of the approach system, meaning we “get stuck in” where we otherwise wouldn’t.

So, if you’re drunkenly tempted to pick a fight with the biggest bruiser in the room, go ahead. The realisation of what you’ve done will soon get through your alcohol-infused brain, triggering an adrenaline-rush fight-or-flight response. You’ll have no choice but to get moving to stay ahead of the enraged beast, burning many calories as he chases you with a pool cue.

Blank the workout

Alcohol, at the right doses, can and does disrupt the ability to form new memories. So, if you have a gym session or exercise routine planned, you could dry quickly getting so drunk beforehand your brain can’t form new memories, but you can still complete your workout before passing out from intoxication. When you eventually wake up, you should have no memory of exercising, so will think you still need to do it. Voila; you get to drink and actually double the exercise you partake in.

It’s a delicate balancing act though, to get the timing and intake just right to hit that narrow window of usefulness. So practice is needed, which may well render the whole thing pointless.

Wine is made from grapes. Grapes are a fruit. Fruit is good for you. So, therefore…

I’ll be honest, I’m really reaching here. Photograph: Thorben Maier / Alamy Stock Phot/Alamy Stock Photo

Try moderation

You may think all these suggestions fall into the category of “terrible” or maybe even “downright hazardous to health, life and liberty”. And you’d be right.

Truth is, alcohol isn’t ever really going to be helpful if you’re trying to lose weight and get in shape. That’s just not how our bodies work. But that doesn’t mean you have to cut it out entirely. Each to their own, and many people just cut down and/or increase their physical activity, or some combination of the two. You need to find what works for you.

Of course, this involves navigating the onslaught of “expert” advice and trendy “diets” we are bombarded with at this time of year. It’s enough to drive you to drink.

Dean Burnett ‘s book The Idiot Brain isavailable now in the UK,USA,Canadaand many other countries.

He is appearing at Dry Humour, an alcohol-free comedy night on Friday the 13^th in Cardiff, in aide of Alcohol Concern.

Keep lit: how to lose weight without giving up alcohol | Dean Burnett

How to Lose Weight Fast Using a Treadmill

The treadmill is one of the best tool developed so far by the mankind. A lot of people in this world has a habit to go out for jogging either in the morning or in the evening to keep themselves fit all the time. Even the doctors refer their patients to go out regularly for a walk. It is said that if you can jog or run for an hour or so everyday, you will never face an sort of health disorders in your life.

It also helps to lose weight and keep the body well toned. While the majority of people tends to go out everyday for jogging, not many people are able to take some time out of their busy schedule to do so. Owing to this fact, the treadmills were brought into the markets. This product enables everyone and anyone to walk or jog at their home. Ever since this product is available for common people, a lot of them have experienced positive changes in their life.

Buying a Treadmill

So, if you think that your daily work is not letting you jog or even walk, then it is probably the best time for you to get a treadmill for yourself. All you need to do is find yourself a best treadmill out of all, and you can practice all that you want at your home. However, while buying a treadmill, you will need to consider lots of things.

Since it is the only device which can help you to lose weight fast and in an easy way hence you will need to get the high quality product for yourself. There are several numbers of cheap brands which are easily available in the markets. You should try and avoid such brands. If you can consult a physician, he or she might have proper treadmill buying guide for you. Or else you can simply search for it online.

Loosing Weight with the help of treadmill

Buying a treadmill is the first and foremost task which you will need to do. Once you get yourself a proper high-quality product then you can start with your aim of loosing weight. Here are some steps which you can follow to achieve such dreams of yours:

• Simply start with walking. Most people jump start with running at high speed as soon as they bring a treadmill home. You will need to control your emotions and let muscle and body parts get habituated to the machine.


• Then there are the flat treadmill and inclined treadmill workout which you can practice, which are considered good for losing weight. Once get to know about the functionality of the machine, you can try out these forms.


• You can also jog on a treadmill if you set the speed to 1 mile per hour or 2 miles per hour. It is up to you, what exercise you are interested in. No matter what, you will need to practice for at 20 to 30 minutes to see effective results.

If you can maintain a regular practice on the tread, you are liable to experience a weight loss within first few weeks. All you need is a good quality treadmill and specific set of workouts to practice.

How to Lose Weight Fast Using a Treadmill

Thyroid Dysfunctions & The Obesity Epidemic: Is Your Weight Loss Canary Suffering?

There’s no doubt that thyroid disease is on the rise. Now the question is why?

The reason your weight loss attempts might not be working is because your weight loss canary might be suffering…let me explain.

From the research, I have reviewed and the patients I have seen over the last 10 years, it’s clear to me that the thyroid gland is your body’s own yellow canary. It’s sensitive to many different influences—your diet, your lifestyle, and the world around you. And all these influences can affect how well your thyroid functions.

Remember how miners used to detect toxic methane gas and carbon monoxide? They sent bright yellow canaries into the mines. Canaries are highly sensitive to these gasses—so much so that they die when exposed to them. Their deaths served as a warning system for miners so they do not enter and become exposed to poisonous air.

So, it’s not surprising that as we eat more toxic foods and are increasingly exposed to pollution, petrochemical and industrial wastes, and heavy metals that thyroid problems have also skyrocketed. In fact, more than 20 percent of women and 10 percent of men in the United States have thyroid dysfunctions—and half of them don’t even know it (1, 2)!

But exactly how does your environment affect your thyroid?

We now have substantial research to demonstrate that environmental chemicals have a direct impact on the thyroid gland. It’s clear that PCBs and other industrial petrochemical toxins can lower thyroid function, as well as other pollutants such as chlorine, fluoride, and bromide.

Since the thyroid produces hormones that manage your metabolism, anything that affects your thyroid will ultimately affect your metabolism. In fact, there’s evidence that toxins boost the excretion of thyroid hormones, leaving you with less of this hormone to control your metabolism—and a decreased ability to burn fat.

The truth is, your thyroid plays a huge role in weight control, and in determining your metabolic rate.

The question is not if, but how much is today’s obesity epidemic linked to the harmful effects of environmental toxins on metabolism.

I’ve seen so many patients struggle with their weight, only to have the pounds melt off when we addressed their thyroid problems.

True, not everyone’s weight problems are caused by thyroid dysfunction—but if you’re overweight, you should consider the connection. That’s why the best medical doctors always check their patients’ thyroid functions and will consider all the possible causes of subtle thyroid imbalance, including toxins, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.

Now let’s talk about some of those other factors.

For example, food allergies, like sensitivities to gluten and other foods, also negatively affect thyroid function—and are frequently undiagnosed. Likewise, deficiencies in nutrients important to good thyroid function—like selenium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids. and iodine and tyrosine—can also trigger thyroid problems.

With all these factors that can affect your thyroid, it’s clear that we need a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. Many doctors can miss the subtle signs of thyroid problems, and conventional medicine often treats low thyroid function with inadequate, one-size-fits-all drugs like Synthroid.

However, thyroid dysfunction requires a more personalized, integrative approach—one that you can help control by becoming an active partner in your care. First, keep an eye out for the symptoms of a low thyroid function, including (3):

• fatigue


• sluggishness


• trouble getting up in the morning


• depression


• dry skin


• dry hair


• constipation


• fluid retention


• menstrual problems and PMS


• hair loss


• cracked or chipping fingernails


• low sex drive


• weight gain


• muscle aches


• cramps

Yes, a lot of those symptoms are common and vague—which is one reason why thyroid dysfunction often goes undetected. But if you notice any of these signs, bring them to your doctor’s attention, and ask him or her to test your thyroid function.

If you are diagnosed with low thyroid function, the following steps recommended:

1. Eliminate the causes of thyroid problems, like toxins, food allergies, and nutritional deficiencies.


2. Exercise


3. Eat foods that provide nutritional support to your thyroid—and avoid those that don’t.


4. Use supplements that protect your thyroid, such as vitamins A and D, selenium, zinc and fish oil.


5. Work with your doctor to choose the right thyroid proto

Remember, thyroid hormone is the master metabolism hormone. If your thyroid is out of balance, your metabolism is out of balance, too.

Do you have a dysfunctional thyroid?

Know that the problem can be fixed. By following the program here you can get your thyroid working properly, keep your weight under control and start feeling better today.
1. The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering with Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease – August 30, 2016 Dr. Joshua J. Redd
2. Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? when My Lab Tests Are Normal: a Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism, 1st Edition, Dr. Datis Kharrazian
3. http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20723100,00.html

Thyroid Dysfunctions & The Obesity Epidemic: Is Your Weight Loss Canary Suffering?

NHS patients told to lose weight and quit smoking or face operation delays

Obese people and smokers will be asked to lose weight and give up cigarettes or face delays to routine operations after a health authority’s proposals were approved by NHS England.

Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 will be asked to lose weight or face a 12-month delay for elective surgery while smokers will be asked to quit for two months or face a six-month postponement, the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced.

The North Yorkshire CCG ruled out a “blanket” ban and said each patient would be dealt with on a “case-by-case basis” when the plan comes into force in January.

The CCG said: “Smokers and obese patients that need routine surgery, but do not wish to access the support services or fail to meet the criteria will not be denied their operation, but it could mean they have to wait longer than they otherwise would have done.”

Dr Shaun O’Connell, the CCG clinical lead who is also a local GP, said the plans would give patients the “best possible health outcomes in the long term” while helping to protect finances.

O’Connell said: “There is no ban and no blanket policy … decisions about what is in the best interests of their health, will be made on a case-by-case basis.”

The CCG, which serves a population of more than 351,000 in areas including York, Selby and Tadcaster, said there would be exclusions from the plan, which will probably include emergency and bariatric surgery and operations on patients under 18.

This year, NHS England intervened in the policy after the Royal College of Surgeons raised concerns that the proposals went against clinical guidance and made smokers and overweight patients soft targets for financial savings.

But the public body has now approved the plan.

An NHS England spokeswoman said: “Vale of York CCG has made clear its commitment to supporting patients to achieve better health and clinical outcomes by referring them to an established weight loss or stopping smoking programme, where appropriate.

“However, every patient’s case will be considered in the light of their own particular circumstances and on the basis of clinical need.”

NHS patients told to lose weight and quit smoking or face operation delays

Why Can’t I Lose Weight?

Asking yourself ‘Why can’t I lose weight?’ is actually one of the best things you can do for yourself. It says you know that what you’re currently doing isn’t working for you.

You’re at the place where you’re ready to look at alternatives – try something different to get a result you want.

So why can’t you lose weight? Here are 3 possible reasons you may not be losing weight…

#1) Medical Reasons

Now this is not the same as saying you’re genetically programmed to be overweight. That is hogwash. In fact, scientists estimate that even if you do have a genetic propensity to gain weight, your genes only account for 15 – 25% of your current weight. Thus, forget the genetics excuse.

But there are medical reasons that some people can’t lose weight. Low thyroid, adrenal exhaustion, insulin resistance and other medical conditions can make losing weight near to impossible.

There’s nothing more frustrating that trying to lose weight, doing all the right things and not losing an inch – all because of a medical condition. Get the medical condition cleared up first and then address the weight (in fact, the weight may just go down on it’s own once you get the medical condition addressed).

#2) Emotional Eating

I recently read an article where a nutritionist estimated that 75% of overeating was due to emotions. 75%! Can you imagine what would happen if you learned to eliminate emotional eating and cut out all those calories? What a weight loss impact! The weight would be falling off.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, emotional eating is on the rise. Most people today are feeling the pressure of an increasingly hectic lifestyle. We hardly have time to tie our shoes, never mind deal with our emotions.

Because of this, our emotions get stuffed down and ignored until finally they explode and we’re face-down in a bowl of Rocky-Road ice cream with extra chocolate sauce.

Here’s the bottom line: you are human and you have emotions. Your emotional needs are important and need to be addressed properly with love. You need emotional nurturing and proper emotional care.

If that means you take a 5-minute break every few hours at work to regain your emotional balance, do it. If that means you need to unwind by doing a mall walk and window shopping after work – don’t let anything stop you.

Learn to nurture your emotional health and you’ll nip emotional eating in the bud – and start losing weight FAST.

#3) Mismatched Weight Loss Plan

There are many different ways to lose weight and dozens of weight loss programs to choose from. Some plans emphasize a change in diet, others emphasize a change in exercise, others focus on the inner reasons for overeating.

Every person is different and will lose weight in their own unique way. If what you’re doing now isn’t currently working, it may be a simple case of personality-plan mismatch.

Maybe instead of a diet-focused weight loss plan, you would feel better with a fitness-focused weight loss plan or a psychological weight loss plan. There are lots of plans to choose from and you deserve to take your time and find one that fits your personality and lifestyle best.

If you think this is the case, take some time to review different diet or weight loss plans. Find one that you can get excited about, one that makes sense to you and that fits your belief system and personality. That’s when you’ll make real weight loss progress!

So, those are 3 possible reasons for your weight loss plateau. You don’t have to stay stuck in a weight loss rut. You don’t have to keep asking yourself the frustrating question: Why Can’t I Lose Weight?’ Keep believing in yourself and in your dreams. Don’t give up and you will get there!

Why Can’t I Lose Weight?