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“Cures” Are Often More Hype than Help

— By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

Whether browsing the Internet, surfing through 500 channels, or flipping through your favorite magazine (or tabloid), you’ll find them everywhere: weight loss supplements that offer quick and easy solutions to shedding unwanted pounds. Simply pop a pill, put on a patch, or tone up with the touch of a cream. Do these “cures” work, or are they more hype than help?

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular weight loss products, their claims, their risks…and why they’re NOT such a great idea.

Weight Loss Supplements

• Bitter Orange, Citrus Aurantium, and Sour Orange:
  These products are concentrated extracts from the orange peel. They are often used in “ephedra-free” products, claiming that they increase metabolism, but tests involving people haven’t even been conducted! They contain the stimulant synephrine, which can cause hypertension and cardiovascular toxicity. Orange supplements can also interact with medication. Their risks are even greater when used with other stimulant-containing ingredients such as caffeine and decongestants. Individuals with heart disease, hypertension, and glaucoma should avoid these at all costs.
• Chromium(Examples: Puritan’s Pride Chromium Picolinate, Vitamin World Naturally Inspired Yeast Free Chromium Picolinate, Nutrilite Trim Advantage):
  Claims that chromium increases weight loss and improves body composition have only been backed by one study, while all other studies failed to find any supporting evidence. There are two types of chromium: Trivalent (which the body requires and is considered safe in doses of 200 micrograms or less daily) and Hexavalent (which may cause stomach upsets, ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver diseases, and death). Hexavalent chromium can be toxic and shouldn’t be used in supplements, but some do contain this dangerous form!

• Lecithin, Guar Gum, Psyllium Hulls, Chickweed, and Chitosan (Examples: Chito-Trim, Exercise in a Bottle, Fat Blocker—Chitosan Complex, Fat Grabbers, Fat Trapper, Fat Trapper Plus, Metabo Fat Blocker, Miracletab, Now Chitosan with Chromium):

These products claim to help break down fat so that it can be absorbed, emulsified, trapped, and eliminated by the body. There is currently no competent and reliable scientific research to support such claims.

Starch Blockers

• White Bean Extract, White Kidney Bean Extract, Green Tea Extract, Chlorogenic Acid from Coffee, Banaba Extract, Phaseolus Vulgaris, Natural Bean Extract (Examples: Carb Blocker Triple Action, CarboGetic, Carbo Grabbers, Carb Shuttle, CarboVal, Extreme Carb Blocker, Maximum Strength Phase 2 Carb Blocker, Now Phase 2 Carb Blocker, Starch Blocker Plus, UltraCarb, Xenadrine CarboCurb):
  These products claim to prevent the digestion and neutralization of sugar and carbohydrates, therefore reducing the calories available to the body. The undigested carbohydrates are carried to the intestine for elimination. These claims lack scientific research and are false and misleading.

Stress, Craving, and Appetite ControllersHoodia Gordonii: For years the South African San bush people have used the succulent plant, Hoodia gordonii, to stave off hunger during long hunts.  A few preliminary and unpublished research studies indicate that there may be some type of appetite-suppressing mechanism from a molecule in Hoodia called P57. This molecule supposedly affects the hypothalamus of the brain to reduce appetite. Now this plant from the Kalahari Desert is being imported and made into Hoodia pills, tablets and capsules to supposedly help with hunger control for those trying to lose weight. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims regarding appetite control and weight loss. For now, more evidence is needed to determine if Hoodia is effective for any clinical condition.   Beyond that, there is plenty of fake Hoodia on the market.   News reports suggest that some Hoodia products don’t even contain any actual Hoodia.

 

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES

You made it through the winter.

And now you are moving along through spring.

You may be busting your butt at the gym along with a TON of other people.

You are curling your dumbbells when the person next to you suddenly sneezes, releasing possibly dangerous bacteria.

Uh-oh, now you remember another reason why you DISLIKE New Year’s.

Not only are you in the middle of Summer prep time, but you are also in the middle of cold and flu season.

You think to yourself that this is no time to get sick.

But it may be too late.

You feel the familiar scratchy feeling in your throat, or your nose just got stuffier.

So you run to your doctor to stop your cold…DEAD.

You ask for some antibiotics.

But you may have made a very poor choice…

Antibiotic Use

During cold and flu season, it may seem like doctors are very quick to prescribe antibiotics.

And you may jump at the opportunity even if you have the common cold (which usually is a virus).

Thinking that antibiotics may help (which more than likely they won’t) to cure your cold before it explodes into something bigger.

But the problem is this: antibiotics DESTROY bacteria, NOT viruses.

Don’t get me wrong, antibiotics may have saved us from some very terrible diseases.

Diseases that killed thousands, if not MILLIONS, of people!

So if you are suffering a severe bacterial infection or a life threatening situation calling for antibiotics, then you NEED them.

But for your common cold or flu, the use of antibiotics may be the WORST thing you want to do.

Especially if you want to LOSE FAT,

Wait…what’s that, antibiotics may lead to WEIGHT GAIN?

Let me explain…

Inside Your Body

Inside each and every one of us lives certain “good” bacteria.

And these friendly bacteria may help your immune system.

This may keep you healthy from other invading “bad” bacteria.

Plus, these “good guys” may regulate certain hormones responsible for weight loss or gain.

They may help DIGEST FAT, breaking it down into smaller absorbable nutrients.

But how exactly do antibiotics lead to weight gain?

Imagine you are a farmer.

And you want to sell your meat to the local grocery store.

But you are in competition with the next farmer over, who have MUCH LARGER and FULLER cows than you do.

So you start your cattle on antibiotics.

After a few weeks, you notice an increase in the weight of your cows, leading to BIGGER and MEATIER cows.

This happens almost every day, all across the country.

The antibiotics used in livestock may destroy healthy bacteria, which may result in bigger and fatter cows.

Plus, the meat you end up with is FATTIER instead of leaner.

So the meat you eat is fattier and possibly full of hormones and ANTIBIOTICS.

So if that happens in cows, do you think it might translate in humans?

My guess is you might be right!

Antibiotics and Weight Gain

Your fat tissue releases hormones which may regulate your energy status.

One hormone communicates with your brain, letting it know your energy needs have been met.

But the other hormone also talks to your brain.

It tells your brain when your energy is low and you need to EAT.

This may increase Ghrelin secretion, which then tells your brain that you need to EAT MORE.

And this may reduce your concentration of Leptin, or your body may become resistant  to Leptin and its signaling.

This may cause you to overeat and possibly storing it as fat.

Your intestines also have certain receptor sites which bind to the tails of those bacteria.

This may stimulate metabolism of certain nutrients.

And this may increase your blood sugar.

Then, your pancreas secretes insulin to shuttle that sugar into your muscles to be used for energy.

The problem is: When there is an unhealthy gut environment (too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria), there may be an increase in inflammation.

So then your body sends a response to deal with the inflammation.

As a review, when your cells become inflamed, they may be more resistant to certain powerful hormones resulting in reduced cell signaling.

And this is especially true with insulin.

When your body becomes resistant to insulin, your chances of developing metabolic syndrome increases.

Metabolic syndrome may be associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and
increased risk for developing diabetes or heart disease.

By altering your gut bacteria, you may alter your body’s ability to control inflammation and your sensitivity to insulin.

But it does not stop there…

A study conducted on mice deficient in TLR5, which is a protein located on your intestinal wall, produced some AMAZING results.

These genetically altered mice exhibited classic signs of metabolic syndrome.

They showed insulin resistance and inflammation.

And they exhibited altered gut microflora.

When the gut microflora were transferred to mice lacking an immune system (that way the mice would not fight off the bacteria), the researchers noticed the mice ate more.

This resulted in increased body weight gain and eventually led to metabolic syndrome.

Good Germs,  Bad Germs.

Antibiotics are powerful drugs which may rid your body of good and bad bacteria.

By altering your gut microflora, your appetite may increase.

This increase may raise your chances of weight gain, especially FAT GAIN.

Farmers have used antibiotics for many years to increase the size to make fatter and bigger cows with more meat.

This use of antibiotics may also destroy a certain bacteria which may be on the brink of extinction.

This bacteria may aid in digestion, and without this bacteria, ghrelin secretion may INCREASE possibly increasing your appetite.

Hope is not lost though!

There may be a chance to replace your good bacteria after using antibiotics.

Probiotics are products that may contain healthy bacteria.

And these bacteria may help your normal gut bacteria flourish, possibly protecting your body from harmful bacteria.

So, next time someone sneezes by your side, reach for a tissue and wash your hands.

This may prevent you from having to use bacteria-killing antibiotics.

Your health and the health of the millions of tiny good bacteria may depend on it.

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES

It lays there, motionless and lifeless.

It beckons you, though, every morning to step on it.

It lies to you…

Every day, you faithfully step on it and turn your head, taking in a deep, soothing breath.

Then you look…

You may be surprised or HORRIFIED by what you see.

Your SCALE lies to you constantly.

It NEVER seems to change.

Maybe a pound or two, but for some reason it ALWAYS COMES BACK.

It mocks you and your weight loss attempts.

But now you have the power to FIGHT BACK.

You may know the scale as your WORST enemy.

Let me explain…

The Battle With Your Scale

If the scenario above rings a bell, then you may have experienced weight loss or weight gain success or failure.

The scale may be the WORST measure of your health and fitness.

Granted it does provide numbers, and sometimes those numbers drop.

But what it does not tell you is HOW FAT you are.

Weight may fluctuate every day or every minute of every day.

But remember, a scale measures EVERYTHING in your body.

From your FAT to your bones and everything in between!

The scale may give you accurate readings of EVERYTHING going on inside of you.

But it makes you frustrated.

You get mad…

You may even SCREAM at the top of your lungs, “you worthless, f#%$@ scale.”

Today, you need a NEW alternative.

A new way to measure success and a new way to make yourself FEEL GOOD!

These tips may take you on the road to happiness…

Weight Loss Trick #1: Throw It Out The Window

That’s right folks, step one is to throw your scale out the window.

Stepping on the scale may be your breaking point to weight loss success or failure.

When you focus solely on numbers, you may find yourself frustrated when the pin does not move.

Or if the pin moves…IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!

The scale is nothing more than a way to weigh everything inside of you.

It doesn’t determine how much FAT you have, compared to your lean mass.

It may determine how much WEIGHT you lose, but does nothing to determine how much FAT you have lost.

Losing the LBs is important, but the more important number might be how much FAT is covering your metabolism-boosting lean muscle.

Weight Loss Trick #2: Find Out Your Bodyfat

Not for a suit or a pretty new dress (but that may come later).

You should get your body fat tested.

By finding out how much fat mass you have, compared to lean muscle, may be a better judge as to where your weight loss stands.

More fat may mean an increased risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or more.

And higher fat levels may indicate that you may have more visceral fat.

As a review, visceral fat surrounds your organs

And may be EXTREMELY harmful to your health!

Increased levels of visceral fat may increase your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

So you now have your numbers.

What do you do with them now?

Now it’s time to implement your exercise and dietary changes.

Weight Loss Trick #3: Include More Protein, Fiber, And Fruits And Vegetables Into Your Diet

Protein may provide the building blocks you need to SUCCEED.

Protein provides amino acids that may increase lean mass on your body.

Heard the myth muscle turns INTO fat?

It is not true (to set the record straight).

When your diet sucks and you may be lacking calories, then your body starts to USE your muscle as a source for energy.

Your body thinks you are starving!

And starvation may cause your body to keep your FAT stores, since they may possess a greater amount of STORED energy.

This may cause your METABOLISM-BOOSTING lean muscle to suffer.

Increasing protein may increase your lean mass, possibly BOOSTING your metabolism – even WHILE WATCHING TV.

That’s right, the more muscle you have may INCREASE your resting metabolic rate.

And this may lead to WEIGHT LOSS – especially burning your unwanted FAT STORES.

More circulating amino acids may build more lean mass (in combination with a solid strength training workout) and it may actually suppress your appetite!

This may lead to fewer calories eaten, BOOSTING your energy levels and your metabolism.

And speaking of muscle…

Weight Loss Tip #4: Exercise For Weight Loss (excluding boring old cardio)

There is a new method of exercising, which is GIVING TREMENDOUS RESULTS!

And it is very simple.

But first, if you do not exercise the best advice is to START.

One of the most effective ways to burn extra calories and fat may not be by using a treadmill, bike, or the stepper.

Intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise may be your answer to strip away YEARS OF UNWANTED BELLY FLAB.

But it does not happen overnight.

You have to work at it!

Movements which target the whole body but done back-to-back with very little rest time in between exercises, may boost metabolism-boosting muscle.

This may boost heart rate, jumpstart muscle building, and DESTROY YOUR FAT CELLS.

The best part: you may still be burning calories – for days on end.

And this may lead to greater weight loss and a slim, sexier you!

Weight Loss Tip #5: Stimulate Your “Good” Hormones To Work CORRECTLY

Your fat cells release hormones every day.

And they are powerful hormones which may control your appetite and determine your need for more energy (energy = food).

But due to the way you eat or how much/what you eat, your cells may become inflamed.

And if they are inflamed, then chances are they may now be dysfunctional.

And that spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E for your weight loss.

Inflammation may prevent your cells from responding to certain hormones and others that cause you to eat more.

And this may lead to weight gain.

But there may be way(s) to stop this from occurring.

You may need to change your diet and add in superfoods, which may slow inflammation and possibly return your fat cells to normal.

Superfoods may contain TONS of antioxidants which like to eat up free radicals.

Free radicals are dastardly little molecules which roam around
and may cause inflammation and DAMAGE

But you need to eat A LOT of fruits and vegetables in order to get the same ORAC value as Krill oil or a Greens supplement.

But hope is not lost.

Increasing your fruits and veggies may give you enough antioxidants to possibly reduce the damage caused by free radicals.

Arm Yourself

Your fat is not the enemy.

But your scale may be!

Including these five tips into your weight loss arsenal may spell success or failure for burning your spare tire.

Remember, a scale gives you a measurement of EVERYTHING inside you.

And those numbers may fluctuate from day-to-day or even from morning to night.

Changing your eating habits to increase protein, fruits and veggies, and fiber may increase your FAT CELLS’ ability to regulate POWERFUL hormones responsible for weight loss.

You now may have the perfect weapon against weight loss.

You may be arming yourself with the BEST possible list to burn stubborn belly fat and BOOST your metabolism like you have never seen before!