Can Obese Physicians Help People Live a Healthier Life?

Patients treated by obese physicians don't always properly follow their doctor's advice concerning losing weight. Obesity advice given by overweight physicians does not carry the same effect with patients as similar advice given by fit physicians, according to Jo Marie Reilly of White Memorial Hospital in California.

Patients go to physicians for professional advice, however they also look to physicians as role models. From this standpoint, it is difficult for overweight physicians to give credible medical advice regarding weight loss if they don't seem to take care of their own weight problems and health.

Obese physicians are less likely to diagnose obesity and provide obesity counseling for their patients according to a study of physicians' health habits and counseling practices. These doctors do not necessarily classify themselves as obese, said Brian W McCrindle in "Do as I say, not as I do. The new epidemic of childhood obesity".

Physicians who are not overweight can deal with their patients more aggressively and avoid coexistences with other diseases or conditions. An obese physician may sometimes be in denial regarding his own obesity, and so she may overlook obesity in her own patients.

If the hospital staff do not live themselves healthier lifestyles patients get the message that being overweight is a healthy lifestyle, according to Reilly. That is because sometimes patients may see the medical personnel as role models. Hospital staff should be encouraged to live healthier lifestyles, and should also include healthy foods in their vending machines or lunch rooms, said Reilly.

Physicians who are not self-aware of their obesity and do not challenge themselves to make healthy lifestyle changes are losing the battle against obesity, said Reilly.

(c) Project Weight Loss 2007. All rights reserved.

Improve Body Torque

Did you know that just living in today's world can create health risk? Our bodies are powered through our metabolism, which is the process of life-sustaining biochemical reactions that occur in our cells every day.

In a perfect world, we take in enough high quality food and nutrients to provide essential fuel for metabolic activity. Ideally, we eliminate wastes created through metabolism as part of a balanced system.

However, in today's fast-paced world, our bodies are challenged to remove the waste and toxins from our cells fast enough to maintain robust health and vitality!

When out of metabolic balance, we suffer from a condition known as metabolic stress and, for some of us, a more serious condition known as metabolic syndrome.

Why is metabolic stress a concern?

"metabolic stress includes all the potential breakdowns in our metabolic activity, and creates dysfunctions that "impact the heart and cholesterol levels, weight gain and loss, blood sugar levels, glucose and insulin regulation, energy level, mood, and focus, Metabolic stress, causes actual damage to our cells and tissues."

Do you have metabolic stress?

Likely. Do you have any of these symptoms?

• Inability to concentrate or focus mentally

• Moodiness, irritability

• Lethargy, lack of physical stamina

• Difficulty keeping weight down or losing weight

• High levels of cholesterol or blood pressure

• Glucose and insulin imbalance

• Irregular bowel movements

• Sleeplessness

It may be difficult to function satisfactorily every day with metabolic stress. It may be impossible to live a vibrant and robust life! Left unattended, metabolic stress can lead to a more severe imbalance, and serious health risk, called metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, obesity and macular degeneration.

What is metabolic syndrome?

"…Based on the guidelines from the 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III), any three of the following traits in the same individual meet the criteria for the metabolic syndrome:

1. Abdominal obesity a waist circumference over 102 cm (40 in) in men and over 88 cm (35 inches) in women

2. Serum triglycerides 150 mg/dl or above

3. HDL cholesterol 40mg/dl or lower in men and 50mg/dl or lower in women

4. Blood pressure of 130/85 or more

5. Fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dl or above (Some groups say 100mg/dl)"

"Metabolic syndrome is quite common" reports WebMD. "More than 50 million Americans have Metabolic Syndrome… Metabolic Syndrome affects more than 40% of people over 60 years of age." BioNovix, Inc.
A New Effective Remedy

Scientists have been studying the effects of a powerful antioxidant called xanthohumol [zantho hu'mol] and its beneficial effects on metabolic stress and metabolic syndrome

After extensive research, testing and development, BioNovix, Inc. scientists have created a bioavailable formulation of xanthohumol has been patented in MeridiumXN. "MeridiumXN is the first and only health product that makes xanthohumol available in a form that we can metabolize." Scientists have learned that MeridiumXN:

• Supports cell health to fight oxidative stress

• Promotes heart health

• Regulates fat metabolism and storage (helps control weight)

• Eliminates toxins from the body

• Has more powerful free radical protection than green tea or red wine, citrus fruits or soy foods

• Modulates cholesterol and triglyceride levels

• Accelerates weight loss and helps keep weight off

• Helps maintain healthy eye cornea and retina

• Helps maintain healthy glucose and insulin levels

• Protects against viruses, bacteria, and fungi

• Acts as an energy enhancer

• Modulates the hormone responsible for a sense of well-being

• Improves skin tone and color

• Helps fight poor sleep and insomnia

• Restores, protects, and vitalizes your health

Consumers report these effects:

• Moderate reduction in appetite and improved weight loss

• Deeper, more sound sleep

• Better, sustained energy throughout the day

• Clearer thinking, better focus

• Improved vision and eye health

• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol

• An overall sense of "well being" and happiness

Don't you want to get the best performance possible from your body?

Supplement Scams for Weight Loss

Diet pills are a joke. There are no weight loss supplements out there that help you lose weight, burn fat, or tone your body.

Recently, my #1 client hit me with an email asking, "What do you think of a supplement called _____?" (Name removed to protect the useless!)

Now _____ is a popular "fat burner", but let me tell you, I don't think too much of it (or any fat burner product, for that matter).

Almost every fat burner on the market is a glorified caffeine pill. And there really isn't one product on the market with a well-done, scientific study supporting it's use.

As I told my client, "You know the secrets, bro: Hard work, done consistently, and proper nutrition. That's all it takes to get the body you want" (which he has too, going from 210 and 20% body fat to 175 and single-digit body fat, all while reaching his top fitness level ever).

Back to supplements...I'm not convinced that there is one ingredient out there that will have a significant impact on your fat loss. Whether it's caffeine, calcium, pyruvate, chitosan, forskolin, HCA, or even my beloved Green Tea and fish oils, I don't think you'll lose any extra fat if you use these products (although Green Tea, calcium and fish oils can have a significant impact on better health).

So it's time to expose another myth - the myth that a supplement or ingredient can help you burn more calories and fat and help you achieve the body of your dreams. This is just not going to happen.

Buyer beware, I say. Or buyer be prepared, that's even better. Get to know the truth about these products and whether or not they will do what they say, or just burn a hole in your wallet.

And I guarantee that no one is losing body fat because of caffeine pills. No way.

Let me leave you with this. If you want to really boost your metabolism, do it with the following three steps:

1) Eat several small, protein-based, fiber-rich meals per day.

2) Use a Strength Training programs (using free weights or even bodyweight) to get lean and boost your calorie burning for up to 36 hours after your workout.

Whether you are looking for fat loss, muscle building, or bodyweight workouts with no equipment, the strength and interval workouts have been specially prepared for you through years of experience and research. And the workouts are done fast! According to client Treva Lee, "training only 45 minutes 3 times a week, can't be beat...thanks!"

3) Harness the metabolism-boosting properties of interval training, and kick traditional cardio to the curb.

So eat right and exercise with intensity. And save money by NOT buying diet pills.

Boost Your Metabolism - Eat Small Meals, Eat Often

It's important to be aware of your metabolism when you're trying to lose weight, and to "boost" it if you can. With a higher metabolism, your body will work more efficiently. You'll have more energy, and you will lose weight naturally, as your body burns your fat cells.

Metabolism is the rate at which your body converts fuel (the food you eat) into energy. When you're overweight, your metabolism slows down. This is because an overweight body is composed of more fat cells than muscle cells, and fat cells need only one eighth the amount of fuel that muscle cells require.

Eat More, And Eat More Often And Beware Of Plateaus

One of the easiest ways to boost your metabolism when you're losing weight is to ensure that you're eating enough. Small, frequent meals at regular intervals keep your metabolism burning throughout the day and even while you're sleeping. There's a danger of plateaus, however.

If you've been on diets, you're aware of the plateau effect. When you're in a plateau, it can last for weeks: you stay on your diet, you're definitely not eating more - in fact you can be eating less - and yet your body doesn't lose a single ounce over weeks. It stays at the same weight.

A plateau occurs when your metabolism is converting the food you eat into energy, and muscle. Although it seems as if you're not losing weight, your metabolism can be converting fuel into muscle, without you being aware of it.

This is a good thing - muscles use more fuel (food) than fat cells, so gaining muscle is great, even though no weight loss is showing on the scales.

The danger of plateaus is that you will start to eat less, hoping to kickstart your body into weight loss. However, what happens is that your body goes into starvation mode, slowing your metabolism.

Eat - And Lose Weight Because You Boost Your Metabolism

This means that you must EAT - even though you don't seem to be losing weight. Eating more, and more often, ensures that your metabolism keeps doing its job. The fact that you're eating is boosting your metabolism: your body must convert the fuel into energy, and it boosts your metabolism when you do this.

So ensure that you have several small meals right throughout the day, with some protein at each meal. This will keep your metabolism high, and not only will you lose weight, but you'll look and feel great too.

Healthy Tips For Quick Weight Loss

There are many tips out there for someone looking to find some quick weight loss tricks. There are advertisements everywhere for diet pills, and the latest in fad diets. However, you must understand that they each have their potential dangers. The diet pills are highly addictive and, other than potential weight loss, do your body no good. The fad diets are often promoted as the next medical weight loss miracle. Well, overused or abused, this miracle can result in damaging your overall health.

One of the easiest and fastest diet tricks is right under your nose. Water! Simply by drinking a couple of glasses of water before meals you can significantly reduce your appetite. Water acts as a filler thereby reducing your hunger, as well as reducing the capacity of your stomach. Try doing this before meals and it won't be long before you see your weight drop. In the mood for a snack? Have a glass of water instead, and watch the urge (probably, carbohydrate craving) go away. Drinking water also comes with the side benefit of helping to flush your kidneys. This healthy diet tip is enhanced if the water is cold, and can result in the burning of an additional sixty calories per day.

This next tip is essentially also right under your nose. You hear it all the time; eat smaller meals more often. It has been proven over and over again that eating smaller meals five or six times a day will result in your feeling fuller, and eating less. These smaller, more frequent meals will also go a long way to eliminating the urge to snack. Still can't resist a snack? Try a pickle; it's only one calorie and makes a great low cal snack. Eating this way is very helpful to someone who desires quick weight loss because it allows for the controlling of their caloric intake.

Another healthy tip to add to your overall diet plan is the drinking of at least five cups of green tea daily. Studies have shown that the antioxidant catechins found in green tea will aid in the fat burning process of your body. This is a simple step that will help you to burn off an additional eight calories per day. This is just about equal to skipping one can of soda at one meal each day. Not much? Maybe not on the surface, but over an extended period, say a year, you will save around three thousand calories.

There is no magic solution to slimming down, but the use of common sense to eat carefully, and an honest effort to get some regular exercise will prove to be the real keys to weight control and keeping fit. If you are looking to develop your own quick weight loss program, try implementing some of the above tips.

Copyright ©2007 Carl DiNello

The Role Of Disabled Stairlifts For The Physically Challenged

For most of us, the simple act of climbing our stairs is one we take for granted. But for those who are physically disabled, managing the stairs can be more than difficult – it can be impossible. Luckily, for those are physically challenged, yet still need to tackle the stairs, there are disabled stairlifts that allow users to ascend and descend the stairs in their home with ease and comfort.

Disabled stairlifts encompass a swivel chair in which the user can sit comfortably at the base or the top of the stairs. The chair moves along a track that is installed into the wall along the stairs. To move the chair along the track the user simply pushes a button to begin operation. There are generally two different types of disabled stairlifts – electric and battery operated; both have their advantages. An electric stairlift does not require the user to charge batteries or purchase pricey new batteries when needed. Battery operated stairlifts will operate even in the event of a power outage.

There are companies who specialize in outfitting homes with disabled stairlifts. They will come to your home, take measurements, and help you choose the stairlift system that best works for your needs. They will then professionally install the tracks into the wall above the stairs and teach you how to use the system. Using companies such as these allows you to have someone to call should you have any questions or are in need of a repair.

No matter what kind you choose, disabled stairlifts can completely revolutionize the life a person who has become incapacitated due to illness, disease, injury, or age. They can provide a measure of independence that was not previously there and open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Maintaining Ideal Body Weight to Manage High Blood Pressure

Ideal Body Weight is the body weight someone can be deemed to have without carrying excess body fat. It is the weight of one's heart, liver, kidneys and other organs, bones, blood, skin and all essential parts of the body, plus a minimal amount of body fat.
Being the correct body weight is essential in managing high blood pressure without the use of medication, because there is a clear link between one carrying excess body fat and the propensity of developing high blood pressure.

Doctors and health authorities determine Ideal Body Weight from patient's height measurement via the universally used Body Mass Index (BMI).
Useful formulae derived from BMI for determining one's ideal body weight are as follows:

In Pounds and Inches:
Ideal Weight in Pounds = 24 x Height in inches x Height in inches divide by 703

In Metric Units:
Ideal Weight in Kilograms = 24 x Height in Metres x Height in Metres

So, for someone who is say, 5ft. 10in. (or 70 inches) tall, their ideal body weight in pounds would be calculated like this:

Ideal Weight in Pounds = 24 x 70 x 70 divided by 703 = 167Ib.

Once one's Ideal Body Weight has been determined, one should endeavour to keep one's weight there or at the very least within a few pounds of it. By doing so the rewards to one's well being is awesome, for it removes a major health risk not just for high blood pressure, but also heart disease, strokes, and musculoskeletal disorders to mention a few.

Ideal Body Weight maintenance essentially depends on a main principle, it is making a conscious decision to, and then actually feeding one's Ideal Body Weight and not the weight one may be today, unless of course one is at Ideal Body Weight. By adhering to this principle, any excess body weight one may have will gradually fall away.
Other factors effecting ideal weight maintenance are one's gender, how physically active one is and ensuring that the amount of dietary fat consumed is at a prudent level.

A human being uses up energy from digested food even if apparently nothing is being done. Energy is needed to run the cardiovascular system; the digestive system and all other base bodily functions constituting basal metabolism that are overseen by the subconscious mind. In addition, food energy (measured in calories) is required to cater for any physically activity one may undertake such as walking, going up and down stairs, or lifting things.

Someone who say, partakes in 30 - 40 minute sessions of aerobic type exercises 3 or 4 times per week, and has a physical exertion aspect to their job could be regarded as moderately active and requires extra calories to support this activity.
Someone's lifestyle is regarded as sedentary when he/she does little or no regular aerobic type exercise and perhaps has an office based job where little or no physical exertion is the order of the day. Such a person requires the least amount of daily calories per pound of Ideal Body Weight and is most likely to have body weight related high blood pressure problems.

If one is very active and for instance partakes in aerobic type exercises, like jogging, continuous swimming, or playing tennis for 40 - 60 minutes or more daily, then one requires higher amounts of calories, depending on the level of activity. People in this category are unlikely to have weight related high blood pressure problems assuming of course their dietary intake is of the correct quality and quantity.

So how does this translate into calorific requirements?

Well, from the conventions of expert nutritionists, the average moderately active man requires 15 calories per pound of Ideal Body Weight, and a sedentary life styled man requires 12 calories per pound of Ideal Body Weight.
For women the requirements are 12 and 10 calories per pound of Idea Bodyl Weight for a moderately active and sedentary life styled person respectively.
There is one other nutritional fact required, that is, 1 gram of consumed dietary fat yields 9 calories.

The Daily Calories and fat intake calculations are now very simple:

Daily Calories = (Ideal Weight in lbs) x Calories required per Ib of Ideal Weight

Daily Fat Calories = Daily Calories x 0.25

Fat Intake (in grams) = (Daily Fat Calories) divided by 9

So for our moderately active man (whose ideal weight we calculated above) of 167 Ib. the calculations simply go like this:

Daily Calories = 167 x 15 = 2505 Calories

Daily Fat Calories = 2505 x 0.25 = 626 Calories

Fat Intake (in grams) = 626 divided by 9 = 69 grams

So with these daily calories and fat intakes known, one has good dietary targets (with respect to high blood pressure and Ideal Body Weight maintenance) to aim at even if they are missed a bit on occasions. One must get used to reading the nutritional content on labels as shopping is done or finding them in published or online tables of nutrition.

One such database can be freely downloaded from http://www.kelpiesoft.com

It is surprising how quickly a feel for the nutritional content figures is developed and eventually one will not need to consult charts and tables every time something to bite into comes along.

Controlling one's calorific intake does not necessarily mean a totally restrictive diet. Generally a diet high in fruits and vegetables but low in animal fat and processed foods is a good basis to work from because fresh fruit and vegetables are relatively low in calories and fat. However, it is OK to have "the occassional treat" which may be high in calories, as long as the total calories and fat intakes for that day are not compromised.

Just be patient with as the new dietary habit develops a little at a time, in the knowledge that freedom from anti-hypertension medication is a step closer.