A couple of PharmDs from Ohio have published a review of 16 weight loss supplements (and 1 drug) used to help shed excess girth.
I’ll give just the bottom line on each supplement here. Continue reading Popular weight loss supplements reviewed
Category Archives: Obesity
Complementing dieting with counseling
The authors of this study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing in Pennsylvania tell us that the type of diet is important.
But there’s more to discuss here than just dieting. Continue reading Complementing dieting with counseling
Do weight loss claims = disease claims?
In April, GlaxoSmithKline filed a citizen’s petition with the FDA asking the agency to treat weight loss claims for dietary supplements as disease claims.
This doesn’t sit well with the supplements industry, but is the right thing to do? Continue reading Do weight loss claims = disease claims?
Getting “enough” exercise
It’s the eternal argument: How do we get the benefits while minimizing the risks?
For those of us in middle age, I think this article at USNews.com by Helen Hobson brings reason to the debate. Continue reading Getting “enough” exercise
Fewer calories or more exercise: Which is best for weight loss?
A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that dieting alone is as effective at reducing weigh and fat as a combination of diet and exercise — as long as the calories consumed and burned are equal.
There was one important difference, however.
Here are the details.
Continue reading Fewer calories or more exercise: Which is best for weight loss?
Risk factors for regaining weight after weight loss
Maybe if we knew the risks for weight regain after weight loss we could avoid the latter.
Well, here they are. Continue reading Risk factors for regaining weight after weight loss
The potential of green tea extract as a fat burner
Known as Polyphenon E, green tea extract is made from decaffeinated green tea, and contains catechins (antioxidants). It’s approved by the FDA to treat genital warts and is being studied to treat prostate cancer.
In healthy people, might it be used to help burn fat? Continue reading The potential of green tea extract as a fat burner
We’re losing the war on obesity. Does it matter?
Dr. Linda Bacon is nutrition researcher at the University of California, Davis, and nutrition professor at the City College of San Francisco. In a Medscape editorial she makes some surprising statements about the relationship between obesity and health.
Challenge your assumptions.
Continue reading We’re losing the war on obesity. Does it matter?
A ten-year perspective: The influence of nutrition on prostate cancer
Ten years ago, the late Dr. William Fair, a surgeon at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and CAM advocate wrote, “epidemiologic and laboratory evidence increasingly demonstrate that nutritional factors, especially reduced fat intake, soy proteins, vitamin E derivatives, and selenium, may have a protective effect against prostate cancer.”
Now, Steffen Theobald, a nutritional consultant and manager at the Scientific Association for the Improvement of Patient Competence in Germany updates the role of nutrition in the development, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.
Continue reading A ten-year perspective: The influence of nutrition on prostate cancer
Trying to make cookies and potato chips healthier
Researchers are studying the potential of snacks as vehicles to deliver more eicosapentaenoic acid, (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in snacks. Continue reading Trying to make cookies and potato chips healthier
Seizures associated with guarana in energy drinks
Recently, 4 patients experienced seizures multiple times following heavy consumption of energy drinks. The authors proposed that energy drinks rich in caffeine, taurine, and guarana seed extract could have provoked these seizures.
Here’s what we know about guarana thanks to researchers from the University of Florida at Gainesville and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) in Amazonas, Brazil. Continue reading Seizures associated with guarana in energy drinks
ConsumerLab reports on resveratrol
The potential benefits of this natural substance found in red wine have been reported in mice — countering the unhealthy effects of a high-calorie diet.
That’s not sufficient reason to take it as a supplement, but for those who do, here’s what you should know. Continue reading ConsumerLab reports on resveratrol
Chewing gum to reduce caloric intake
NewsWise reports that research presented during the 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting of The Obesity Society, supports the role of chewing gum as an easy, practical tool for weight management. Continue reading Chewing gum to reduce caloric intake
Innovation in portion control to treat obesity
On a recent trip to Paris I was told that the reason there are no fat Parisian women is because they understand portion control in their diet. Restaurants in France serve smaller portions. Nobody complains because … well … they’re in Paris, after all.
Here’s a typical American approach to portion control, from Dr. Mary Ellen Camire and Megan Blackmore writing in the latest edition of Food Technology magazine.
Continue reading Innovation in portion control to treat obesity
Good news on ephedra-free weight loss products
They don’t contain ephedra.
This might seem intuitive, but with supplements you can’t be sure until you test.
Continue reading Good news on ephedra-free weight loss products
Soft drinks reportedly not a cause of obesity in children
The article abstract is jargon-riddled, but an article in BeverageDaily.com “translates” the results into English. Continue reading Soft drinks reportedly not a cause of obesity in children
Electroacupuncture to treat obesity
There are few clinical studies showing the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss.
Here’s one that does. Continue reading Electroacupuncture to treat obesity
Low use of CAM for weight reduction
Other than dietary supplements, the use of CAM for weight loss is relatively low, according to researchers at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
How low? Continue reading Low use of CAM for weight reduction
Weight loss study uses the Internet
This is for residents of San Diego County in California. Continue reading Weight loss study uses the Internet
Warning labels on your clothes
Does this come under the heading of complementary or alternative medicine?
According to Professor Mike Lean (yes, that’s really his name), clothes for fat children should come with information about where they can get advice to help them lose weight.
12/15/06 23:21 JR