October, 2007

Have you ever wondered how all those late night infomercials that reinvent new ways of selling the same thing keep getting airtime? They wouldn’t if people weren’t buying what they were selling. Now the data is here to prove it.

The Federal Trade Commission released a survey that proved P.T. Barnum right. But maybe it was more than one fool born every day. More than 30 million adults in the U.S. – about 13 percent of the adult population – were victims of fraud during the year of the study.

Hucksters fooled the most people with, you guessed it, fraudulent weight loss products. An estimated 4.8 million U.S. consumers were victimized.

There are so many roads that lead to the same weight loss destination. But according to a review of dozens of clinical trials, the best path to shedding pounds is the old-fashioned way of calorie-cutting and exercising.

In an analysis of 80 weight-loss studies, researchers found that approaches focusing on trimming calories – with or without exercise – were most effective at keeping the pounds off over four years.

On average, participants shed 11 to 19 pounds, then typically gained a little bit back over time.

The study, reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, stated that diet and exercise can work over the long haul if people stick to it and have realistic expectations. But, according to the researchers, people need to be prepared for weight loss to taper off after six months.

“Although there is some regain of weight, weight loss can be maintained,” write the researchers, led by Marion J. Franz, a registered dietitian and health consultant with Minneapolis-based Nutrition Concepts by Franz Inc.

Weight-loss medication also seemed to help somewhat in keeping the weight off over the longer-term.

Residence of the South are very familiar with the boiled peanut. They’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out that it looks like it may be a healthier snack than raw peanuts.

Unsurprisingly, the news comes from food scientists from Alabama A&M University, where they compared raw and boiled peanuts. In the study they examined an extract from each and found that the boiled ones were higher in antioxidants. Antioxidants are thought to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.

Proteins, which are made up of amino acids, are the building blocks for your body. Protein helps children grow and helps build and maintain muscle mass in adults.

If you want to build muscle, a substantial level of protein intake is important. Ladies often wrongly worry that they will bulk up and lose their feminine look. Not true. Plus, avoiding weight training makes losing unwanted pounds more difficult, because even moderate toning will up your metabolism 24 hours a day (muscle burns more calories).

With the help of eDiets.com’s Chief Fitness Pro Raphael Calzadilla, I’ve put together seven high protein sources that will ensure you get your daily dose in a healthy manner:

1. Egg whites – They may not be as tasty as the whole egg, but they are an efficient protein source.

“Egg whites are an excellent source of protein, because the protein is instantly absorbed by your body,” says Raphael. “They also have no fat and no cholesterol.”

2. Whole egg – For years, fear of the cholesterol in egg yolk has made people shy away from this wonderful source of protein. But in moderation, you have nothing to worry about.

Even though the yolk is high in cholesterol, it is also higher in protein than the egg whites. One of the best sources of protein is the yolk in the egg. A Harvard study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed eating an egg a day did not raise the risk of heart disease.

3. Steak – Beef… it’s what’s for dinner… and it’s what’s for muscles if you want more of them. And not just protein, but creatine and iron and iron as well.

4. Chicken – Prefer something a little leaner? Chicken is a mainstay in bodybuilder’s diets. Lean cuts of chicken breast have 28 grams of protein, no carbs and only 2 grams of fat.

5. Tuna – Have you ever seen those dedicated gym rats eating tuna right out of the can? It may seem a little crude, but tuna is a hit for muscle gain, and the convenience outweighs the “lack of decorum.” Higher consumption of fish is associated with a reduced risk of some types of stroke among middle-aged women, according to an article in the January 17 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

6. Cottage cheese – Guys, don’t let your egos get in the way. This may be a staple of women’s diets, but there’s nothing wimpy about eating this high-protein food.

“Protein in cottage cheese is of extremely high quality and contains all of the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) in the amounts proportional to the body’s needs,” says Raphael.

7. Salmon – If you get sick of tuna, but still want to get your protein from the sea, salmon is a great alternative. Postpone your appointment with St. Peter at the Pearly Gates by consuming this omega-3-rich fish.

The NY Times health blog has a great article on 5 Easy ways of going organic.

“The key is to be strategic in your organic purchases. Opting for organic produce, for instance, doesn’t necessarily have a big impact, depending on what you eat.”

Check out the full post over at the Ny Times Health Blog