Author Archives: Carol

Weight Loss Surgery Coverage Push

More obese Americans may be given the opportunity to have their weight loss surgery covered by insurance if device manufacturers have their way. Allergan Inc., makers of the LapBand gastric banding device, has been the most vocal in their efforts to give obese patients access to this life-altering surgery. Being able to have this surgery covered by insurance will give patients the tools they need to fight a host of life-threatening illnesses brought on by their obesity. Allergan proposes that allowing more people access to insurance coverage will save billions of dollars in healthcare costs for both the government and employers.

The Dilemma

Critics argue that bariatric surgery has high rates of complications which can reach into the thousands and that the surgery doesn’t change the underlying behavior.

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Posted on January 25, 2024 by Carol

Swimming Lowers Blood Pressure in Older Adults

A recently published study of 43 older men and women shows that swimming a few times a week lowered their systolic blood pressure. On average, systolic readings—the “top” number in a blood pressure reading—were 131 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Three months later, it was 122 mm Hg.

Normal blood pressure is defined as an average reading no higher than 120/80 mm Hg. Readings of 140/90 or higher are considered high blood pressure, and anything in between is considered “pre-hypertension.”

Swimming is often promoted as a good way for older adults to exercise. It also offers them the ability to work their body without harsh impact to their skeletal system.

When the body is submerged in water it automatically becomes lighter. Depending on how much of the body is submerged, the amount of weight the body bears can be reduced by as much as 90 percent.

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Posted on January 25, 2024 by Carol

The Skinny Rules by Bob Harper Comes out in May

Bob Harper, world renowned fitness trainer and one of the stars of NBC’s The Biggest Loser is reaching beyond his focus on fitness to share diet and nutrition tips with as many readers as possible.

Hi new book, The Skinny Rules, comes out in May and aims to show you exactly how to shed those unwanted pounds, whether its two or two hundred.

Harper says that while on the show, “I’ve been given a really big platform to reach as many people as I can. And I take that very seriously.” Now he’s putting his vast knowledge of nutrition to use in the book by breaking down what he knows into twenty simple, nonnegotiable principles.

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Posted on January 24, 2024 by Carol

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with these Healthy Recipes

Happy Year of the Dragon! It’s time to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Everyone loves a celebration and what would any celebration be without good food?

Although the holiday falls on a different date each year (this year it’s Jan. 23) the celebration only starts there, but continues for another fifteen days. That gives you more time to enjoy some of the delicious recipes that symbolize prosperity, luck, wealth or good fortune for the coming year.

Chinese culture is all about symbolism and the dishes served for New Years reflect the culture. Noodles represent a long life, but be sure not to cut or break them as you prepare, serve and eat them. A whole chicken represents family unity, a whole fish—surplus, tangerines are used for wealth and oranges for good luck. Steer clear of squid as it symbolizes getting fired in the upcoming year.

Check out these healthy versions of Chinese New Year dishes.

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Posted on January 24, 2024 by Carol

Heidi Klum Diet and Fitness Secrets

We’re all saddened by the recent announcement that Heidi Klum is separating from her husband Seal, but we have to admit that she looks awesome. After 4 kids and 7 years of marriage, Klum can still rock the runway along with her many spokes model gigs anytime with her slamming figure. How does she do it? We did some digging to find out how she keeps her body in tip-top shape, even after several pregnancies.

Post Pregnancy Shape up

To get her figure back in just a couple months after giving birth, Klum used The Ultimate New York Body Plan, designed by personal trainer David Kirsch. This diet is strict and not for the faint of heart, but it works.

During the first two weeks, all foods that cause bloating are eliminated; this includes dairy, fruit and refined carbohydrates (carbs). After two weeks, fat-free dairy can be added back into the diet, but refined carbs are restricted throughout the diet timeline. Carbs with a low glycemic index such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains are allowed in small amounts. Alcohol, bread and starchy carbs are prohibited.

Proteins are a major ingredient. Good sources are lean meats, lentils and eggs. Klum often starts her day with a protein shake and then follows with an egg white and vegetable omelet a couple hours later. Nuts are allowed as a snack between meals.

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Posted on January 23, 2024 by Carol

Sears Leads Fitness Equipment Sales

Dishwashers, power tools and fitness equipment at Sears? Sure! You may know them as the place for appliances, but now Sears has established themselves as the nation’s largest fitness retailer.

“Whether just starting a new workout routine or a longtime ftness enthusiast, customers want a complete solution,” said Hugo Malan, SVP and president, Fitness, Sporting Goods and Toys at Sears Holdings. “Sears sells more fitness equipment than anyone else and we believe in continually improving our offering, so we have built an online fitness community and developed new destinations that attract customers both in-store and online.”

Sears is continuing an initiative they began in 2024 to help consumers achieve their fitness goals by creating their “Fitness Flagship” store-within-a-store. Now in over 35 sites, the 6000 sq. ft. specialty stores feature polished hardwood floors, tall mirrors, expanded equipment layouts and resemble a modern, high end gym. The staff is trained on both fitness products and fitness trends.

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Posted on January 18, 2024 by Carol

Processed Meat Linked to Pancreatic Cancer, Study Shows

Leave it up to science to give you one more reason to make healthier food choices. A new study published in the British Journal of Cancer shows a link between eating processed meat with increased risk for pancreatic cancer.

Data from 11 trials and over 6,000 pancreatic cancer patients was analyzed and researchers concluded the following:

Eating 50 grams of processed meat daily – the equivalent of one sausage and two pieces of bacon—raised a person’s risk by 19 percent
Eating an extra 100 grams increased the risk by 38 percent

Pancreatic cancer is ranked as the fourth most common cause of cancer death across the globe. It’s extremely hard to diagnose and when it is discovered, the patient is usually in the late stages. Survival rates are poor, 95 percent of its victims die within five years of diagnosis.

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Posted on January 16, 2024 by Carol

Splenda Study Finds the Sweetener Alters Gut Microflora

In a recent study performed by Duke University on the artificial sweetener Splenda, research suggests that the sweetener causes adverse reactions to intestinal functions in rats.

Over a 12 week period, rats were given approved doses of Splenda, which is comprised of the high-potency artificial sweetener sucralose. Their fecal samples were collected weekly and tested for any changes. Test results showed several adverse reactions including:

the amount of good bacteria in the intestines was reduced
the pH level in the intestines increased
the sweetener interfered with the absorption of certain medications

The study went on to show that Splenda alters the gut microflora. This is significant because “gut microorganisms refer to beneficial bacteria that live (are alive!) in the intestines,” says our resident registered dietitian Mary Hartley, RD, MPH.

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Posted on January 13, 2024 by Carol

Stars Who Love Their Bodies

Superstar singers face loads of pressure when it comes to their image, weight and overall appearance. How much confidence does it take to say publicly that you are “OK” with your size, no matter what it may be? These superstars defend the body they have now and their right to be happy with their image.

Christina Aguilera

Superstar Christina Aguilera admits that she is happy in her own skin and goes on to say that as long as her boyfriend is happy with her body and she is happy with her body, that’s all that matters. The rest is just noise that she blocks out.

UK Singer Adel

One of the most popular artists right now, Adel, says that she doesn’t really care what other people think about her weight or the way she looks. She’s happy the way she is. She also said that she’s seen other people obsess over wanting to be thinner and how it wears them down. She doesn’t want that in her life.

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Posted on January 13, 2024 by Carol

Losing Weight with Diabetes Isn’t a Hopeless Case

No matter how heavy you are, if you have diabetes, losing weight will help you in your fight to control it. Experts say that losing even 10 or 15 pounds can bring about health benefits such as:

Lowered blood sugar
Reduced blood pressure
Improved cholesterol levels
Less stress on your hips, knees and ankles

But the issue isn’t losing the weight, it’s maintaining the weight loss in order to sustain the health benefits.

One diabetic expert, Richard Kahn, PhD, who was the chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association for nearly 25 years, is denouncing some weight loss programs as being ineffective in reducing the incidence of Diabetes and helping the patient to keep the weight from coming back. He outlined his theories in his paper that was published in the January edition of Health Affairs. Kahn stated that even though patients in one study lost 4% to 6% of their body weight, they regained 40% by the time the study ended three years later. He goes on the say that “one of the issues that prevents people from keeping the weight off is cheap, widely available, delicious food that we eat again and again.”

Listening to Kahn, one would conclude that it may be hopeless to even attempt weight loss because, in the end, you will just gain it all back and have to start over.

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Posted on January 11, 2024 by Carol

Mitt Romney’s Diet — Is Mitt Fit Enough to be President?

These days presidential candidates have to deal with a lot. There’s the stress of campaigning and with that comes a lot of baby kissing, hand shaking and endless smiling. Then, there are the never-ending debates as well as the stress-filled wait of getting the vote totals so that they can decide whether or not to move forward. Now that Mitt Romney has secured his spot as the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination with his latest win in the New Hampshire Republican Primary, the pressure is really on. That includes keeping his diet intact to keep him healthy enough to continue in the race.

But is Mitt Romney fit enough to be president? Can he keep his diet balanced enough to sustain his run for the presidency?

We did some checking to see how he has fared thus far and the answers may surprise you.

Presidential candidates are subject to their surroundings. They’re always “ON,” meaning they have to come in contact with and show support for their supporters. This means that food is always around, we are a nation of celebrators and more often than not, food is a part of the celebration. The campaign trail is no different. During his campaign stops between Iowa and New Hampshire, Romney’s team scheduled a series of food-based events; Coffee with Mitt (coffee is actually banned by his Mormon religion), Pizza with Mitt and Spaghetti with Mitt. Then there is the stop he made at the Iowa State Fair where he could be seen downing a corn dog, a hot dog and a pork chop on a stick. Not exactly the lunch of champions.

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Posted on January 11, 2024 by Carol

Author Archives: Carol

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