Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

He who eats until he is sick must fast until he is well, is an English proverb. And Ben Franklin hit the nail on the head with: To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals. Fasting has been around for millennia, but lately theres been focus on intermittent fasting -- not eating for 12-16 hours daily -- as a way to lose weight and upgrade your metabolic profile.

So, is IF effective? The latest study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, says its not a help for weight loss. Thats caused a lot of confusion. But this studys IF participants could eat any unhealthy thing they wanted from noon to 8 p.m. for 12 weeks. And that fasting group didnt take in any fewer calories than the studys other group, who were allowed three meals a day and snacks whenever they wanted. When the researchers compared results, they concluded IF doesnt make you metabolically healthier or help you lose more weight than eating around the clock.

Time-restricted eating, but pigging out the rest of the time on foods that prematurely age you, is never a good idea. Weight loss and metabolic improvements depend on how you fuel your body. You want it to be plant-based, high-fiber, with lean proteins and omega-3-rich fish (dont reduce your overall protein intake). If you eat that and add IF, youll more easily reduce your calorie intake, lose weight, improve metabolic markers such as blood sugar levels, and reduce lousy LDL cholesterol levels. Nothing iffy about that!

Tattoos are no sweat -- literally

Recently, a schoolteacher in France lost his teaching job after parents complained their kids were scared of him. The reason? The 35-year-old man has every inch of his body (even his tongue) covered in tattoos. Hed spent at least 460 hours getting inked.

Tattoo enthusiasts may not be aware that such extreme decorations pose health risks, but they do -- from allergic reactions to cancer caused by the black ink and heart disease and heart failure caused by the cadmium in red ink.

Now researchers have identified a new hazard: The ink can keep sweat glands from functioning, leading to chronic skin irritation, heat cramps and heatstroke. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology evaluated the amount of perspiration generated by people with tattoos. It turns out that when the body sends a message to sweat glands under inked skin to Sweat, baby, sweat, the glands just dont. In short, tattooing functionally damages secretion mechanisms, say the researchers.

So, before getting a tattoo, consider the risks and take precautions.

-- Infection? Theres no way to tell if the ink is safe (some, says the Food and Drug Administration, is better suited to painting cars), and bacteria and other pathogenic materials can end up in ink. If the shop doesnt seem clean or the tattoos are deeply discounted, leave immediately.

-- Check that the practitioner is using PPE, and needles and ink from sealed containers.

-- Avoid blanketing large areas of the body with ink. Less is more.

-- Do research before making your epidermis a canvas.

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Intermittent fasting: Get the real scoop, not misleading headlines - Pampa News

Trying to lose weight can feel challenging, but the thought of shedding 25 plus kgs? Impossible, youre probably thinking. Maybe youve switched up your exercise routine but just arent seeing the results that you want, even though youre working really hard to slim down. So, what gives?

Anyone whos attempted to lose weight knows that good nutrition matters a lot when it comes to weight loss, just as much as exercising. Even a calorie-torching fitness plan needs to go hand-in-hand with healthy eating, or you may not reach your goals.

And if you thought that a healthy diet means bland, unappetising diet foods, think again. The truth is you can eat a ton of tasty foods that nourish your body, speed up your metabolism, and help you steer clear of cravings so you can finally lose weight.

To prove it, we asked seven women whove lost 25kgs or more to share their go-to healthy meals, and the results were surprisingly appetisingeven bacon and chocolate make cameos! Here are the exact plans that helped these women find long-term success:

Jodi, 44, had struggled with her weight due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance. But after a nutritionist helped her devise a low-carb, high-protein eating plan, she lost 32kg and is now training for a half marathon. Its important to find a nutritionist who understands your health issues and supports your needs, she says.

A typical days meals:

Breakfast: a protein bar with 20 grams of protein or more, plus a banana on workout days

Lunch: tuna salad with a side salad of mixed greens and tomatoes with aged balsamic vinegar

Snack: cucumber slices with a tablespoon of hummus

Dinner: salmon or crockpot chicken with a side of spinach or avocado

Dessert: kid-sized cup of frozen yoghurt

Motivated by a warning from her husbands doctor, Jennifer, 41, and her hubby overhauled their eating habits together. We went from a diet of processed foods, fast food, and dining out two or three times a week to a whole-food, plant-based diet, she says. We went all-in from day one, and the weight started melting off. To date, shes lost 36kg and now works as an online health and fitness coach.

A typical days meals:

Breakfast: rolled oats with almond milk, peanut butter, and pure maple syrup

Post-workout snack: green smoothie with spinach and frozen fruit

Lunch: Kale salad with hummus and rice vinegar, topped with fresh cucumbers, red peppers, and chickpeas or lentils

Afternoon snack: apples with peanut butter

Dinner: a Pad-Thai inspired dish using spaghetti squash instead of pasta

After-dinner snack: a piece of fruit

Petrina, 43, started the Atkins diet because her sister was interested in the plan. She asked me to do it with her for support, she says. Petrina eventually modified her diet for more balance and has lost a total of 45kg. She says the key has been taking it one day at a time. Too many people devote too much focus to the end game.

A typical days meals:

Breakfast: a healthy cheese Danishmade by mixing egg with cream cheese, liquid Splenda, and a dash of cinnamonalong with bacon or sausage

Lunch: salad with full-fat blue cheese dressing, bacon bits, and diced chicken

Dinner: steak with steamed broccoli and butter

Snack: homemade sugar-free peanut butter cup (made with baking chocolate, butter, liquid Splenda, and peanut butter)

The approach of a milestone birthday motivated Whitney, 29, to get serious about her eating habits. I had been overweight my whole life, and I was determined not to go into my 30s fat! she says. By following a low-carb, high-protein dietwith some extra carbs added in on workout daysshes lost 30kg so far.

A typical days meals:

Breakfast: fruit smoothie with some spinach or kale and a scoop of protein

Snack: granola bar

Lunch: jerk chicken with homemade cauliflower rice

Dinner: baked chicken with broccoli and brown rice

Snack: cup of peanuts or cashews

Erica, 32, found that a little patience goes a long way. Shelost 27kg over the course of two years by cutting out fast food, sugar, and liquid calories like soft drink and alcohol. The weight came off slowly, but its stayed off, she says. I went from being obese, binge drinking, and chain-smoking to a three-time marathoner, yoga instructor, and online personal trainer.

A typical days meals:

Breakfast: zucchini oatmeal

Snack: fresh fruit

Lunch: homemade burrito bowl

Snack: a scoop of peanut butter

Dinner: protein smoothie made with a frozen banana, a cup of spinach, chocolate whey powder, almond milk, ice, and a touch of honey

Anne, 56, tried a few tactics before finding what worked best for her. She started by weighing foods and counting calories: That was great for helping me readjust my ideas of portion size, but impractical for a daily lifestyle, she says. Last year she went on an elimination diet to identify food intolerances. Now she follows a mostly Paleo plan of lean proteins, healthy fats, and fresh produce, and shes lost a total of 36kg.

A typical days meals:

Pre-workout breakfast: coffee and a banana or two dates covered in coconut

Post-workout breakfast: coffee, a bowl of fruit, and two poached eggs

Lunch: an apple with two tablespoons of almond butter and a few sticks of celery

Snack: a stalk of bok choy and a carrot

Dinner: Cobb salad with a few tweaks (turkey instead of ham and bacon; hold the cheese and croutons; oil and vinegar on the side)

Snack: cucumber slices or pickles

Christian, 30, says she stopped using food as a reward and started thinking of it as fuel for her goals. I live with the philosophy that weight loss sparks greatness in all areas of life, she says. Though she was scared to look at a scale before starting her weight loss journey, she estimates shes lost around 32kg by tracking calories and journaling her eating habits.

A typical days meals:

Breakfast: salmon and potato hash

Snack: pineapple dairy-free yoghurt

Lunch: burrito with ground turkey, black beans, and bell peppers

Snack: tuna packet

Dinner: steak with broccoli

This article originally appears in Australian Womens Health

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7 women reveal exactly what they ate to lose 25+ Kilos - 7NEWS.com.au

Each day, we learn more about how to lose belly fat efficiently through research and while many people believe in the positive effects of diets such as the keto diet and intermittent fasting, evidence suggest that in the long run, people will put the weight back on that they lost initially.

When we try to lose weight, we work against our bodies, which likes to hang on to fat reserves as it expects bad times to come. "Human preferences for energy-dense sweet and high-fat foods may have evolved for reasons of survival", as this 2010 paper on Human Perceptions and Preferences for Fat-Rich Foods suggest. Our bodies are happy to reserve some fat because it knows that at some point, it will have to use it to keep us alive. So in theory, more fat reserves equals to an increased chance of survival.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the issues is that we live in a world where energy-dense food is abundant so there is no need for us to store fat. We can buy avocados and watermelons all year around and we also have access to a variety of supplements. As well as that, we also created an environment around us that preserves energy: we live in warm houses, move less and so on.

The Health Survey for England 2017estimates that "28.7% of adults in England are obese and a further 35.6% are overweight but not obese".Despite all this, a good chunk of the population is still not obese. If we would crave all the food in the world all the time, surely everyone would become fat in no time? There must be other forces at play than just sheer will that regulates how much we weight.

One theory is that your body has a 'set point' or 'settling point': a bodyweight it likes to keep and return to most of the time. According to a research paper titled Set points, settling points and some alternative models: theoretical options to understand how genes and environments combine to regulate body adiposity, published in 2011, "the set point model...suggests that there is an active feedback mechanism linking adipose tissue (stored energy) to intake and expenditure via a set point, presumably encoded in the brain" while "the settling point model is based on the idea that there is passive feedback between the size of the body stores and aspects of expenditure."

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Both theories suggests that our bodies have a preferred weight it likes to keep whether we like it or not. This would explain why we pile the weight back on once we are finished with the latest 4-week diet-fad. The theory also implies that once we stopped forcing our bodies to do something it really doesn't like doing (i.e. getting rid of fat storages), it will return to point it thinks will serve your survival the best.

Bad news is, this system can not only be flawed but also abused by people. For example, our bodies can suffer from leptin-resistance, leptin being a hormone often referred to as the 'starvation hormone'. A study called Leptin resistance: underlying mechanisms and diagnosis suggests that "a decrease in tissue sensitivity to leptin leads to the development of obesity and metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia".

Bad diet can also influence these theoretical set points, especially strict calorie restrictive diets. When we force our bodies to lose weight through starvation, it tends to reduce our energy expenditures as a response. After we return to our usual diet, the body will happily restock the fat it lost and does it even quicker since it already reduced its energy expenditure by lowering resting basal metabolic (BMR) rate, as explained in this research paper titled Reduced Metabolic Rate after Caloric RestrictionCan We Agree on How to Normalize the Data?

(Image credit: The Protein Works)

This could also explain why people put on more weight when they return to the normal food intake levels after low calorie diets. Since the body lowers its BMR, eating the same amount of food you used to eat will result in an even greater calorie surplus and therefore quicker fat reserve replenishment.

An article called Does Metabolism Matter in Weight Loss? and published by the Harvard Medical School mentions that "our bodies are also programmed to sense a lack of food as starvation. In response, our BMR slows down, which means fewer calories burned over time. That's one reason why losing weight is often difficult."

The more often and longer you go on extreme calorie restricted diets, the more likely you will damage your metabolic-system and sustain the 'losing weight-putting more back on cycle'.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Is it pointless to diet? Of course not. Normal BMI is associated with better health prospects in general, so it is worth losing some weight if at all possible. But how?

One solution might be to keep a somewhat calorie restricted diet all the while boosting metabolic rates. Metabolism can be boosted just by walking a bit more and including certain food items in your diet.

This might be more challenging to some than others leptin-resistance can be at play in some cases but in non-extreme cases, it is more than achievable to drop some weight through the combination of moderate exercising and a balanced diet. Resistance training is also said to help keeping the weight off, as noted in a paper aptly titled Resistance Training Conserves Fatfree Mass and Resting Energy Expenditure Following Weight Loss.

An important thing to keep in mind is time, as in letting your body adjust to changes. Your body is extremely adaptable but also slightly pessimistic, so it can change quickly in response to negative stimuli such as a lack of food, but reacts slower to positive ones as it expects that lack of food to happen again in future...

A gentle decrease in calorie intake and moderate increase in exercise levels can help put the body on a more sustainable and healthy bodyweight trajectory in the long run.

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Weight loss: can your 'settling point' prevent you from losing weight in the long term? - T3

Whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 50, shedding extra weight is tough. If you've tried before and fell short of your goal, it can be hard to stay motivated.

But you don't necessarily need to lose a ton of weight to experience health benefits, says Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center.

In fact, research shows losing as little as 5% of your body weight can improve your health in many ways. Here are 10 proven health benefits of weight loss and tips for how to lose weight safely.

Losing weight improves insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes, says Preeti Pusalkar, a certified clinical nutritionist with Hudson Medical Center, a primary care provider in New York City.

Excess body fat leads to an increase in adipose tissue, which causes inflammation and interferes with the function of insulin the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Weight loss reduces adipose tissue, which allows the body to manage blood sugar more effectively. Plus, you don't have to lose that much weight to see results. Research has found that just a 5% reduction in body weight improved blood sugar levels in adults.

Losing weight can also improve heart health by reducing pressure on arteries, meaning the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood through the body. The result is lower blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels the "bad" kind of cholesterol that can increase your risk of heart disease, Pusalkar says.

And it doesn't matter if you lose weight through diet and exercise or weight-loss surgery like metabolic surgery you'll reap benefits regardless, according to a large 2020 study.

Researchers examined the effects of weight loss surgery on obese patients who either had weight loss surgery or who lost weight through lifestyle changes. The risk of heart disease for the surgical group decreased after a 5% to 10% loss of body weight while the nonsurgical group saw a decrease after losing about 20% of body weight.

Excess weight can increase blood pressure, and therefore your risk of stroke. This is because high blood pressure puts a strain on your blood vessels, making them stiffer and more likely to cause blood to clot.

"Losing weight helps improve the efficiency of the heart due to less constricted blood vessels," Pusalkar says.

Overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea a disorder characterized by disrupted breathing while sleeping. Excess weight can increase fat deposits in your neck, which can obstruct your airways.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, losing weight likely won't entirely cure the condition. However, losing just 10% to 15% of your body weight can improve sleep quality and reduce the severity of sleep apnea in moderately obese patients, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Losing weight alleviates pressure on knees and joints, which can improve mobility, Pusalkar says. A large 2012 study of obese adults with type 2 diabetes found as little as a 1% drop in weight cut mobility limitations, such as difficulty walking or climbing stairs, by more than 7%.

While there is no direct correlation between weight loss and self-esteem, some studies show that weight loss can improve mood and self-confidence.

A 2014 review examined 36 studies to determine the psychological benefits of weight loss. Researchers found consistent improvements in body image, self-worth, and general well-being among subjects who lost weight.

Excess weight can cause joints to become stressed, damaged, and inflamed but losing weight can help.

A 2018 study examined obese adults with arthritis pain in their knees. Researchers found that losing 10% to 20% of body weight resulted in less pain and improved joint function than losing just 5% of body weight, which did not show any significant joint pain benefits.

The reason likely has to do with how quickly joints wear down when under additional stress from excess weight. "As the smooth surface at the ends of bones, or cartilage, becomes damaged and worn, you feel pain and stiffness in the joint," Pulsalkar says.

Because weight loss can improve sleep, you might also feel more energized during the day, Pulsalkar says. Excess weight also means your body has to work harder to move. Therefore, shedding some pounds means you use less energy to move. It also improves respiratory function, which can also make you feel more energized.

While research on the correlation between excess weight and sex drive is still emerging, weight gain has been shown to increase sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in your blood. This can lower free testosterone levels and decrease your libido, Pulsalkar says.

According to the American Cancer Society, excess body weight is thought to be the cause of about 11% of cancers in women and about 5% of cancers in men. Obesity increases your risk of developing several different cancers, including:

The exact link between excess weight and cancer is still unknown, but researchers believe inflammation due to visceral fat the fat surrounding vital organs is to blame. Losing weight could lower your risk of developing these cancers.

Some people may need to lose significantly more weight to experience some of these benefits, Ali says. But for the most part, losing as little as 5% of your body weight can lead to many health benefits, like improved heart health and decreased risk of diabetes. But, before starting any weight loss program, it's important to talk with your doctor about the right plan and goals for you.

Link:
10 benefits of losing weight: How a 5-10% loss can improve your health - Insider - INSIDER

My name is Stephanie Niknam (@wwchefsteph), and I am 24. Im from Hudson Valley, New York, and I am a teacher. To hit reset after grad school, I joined Weight Watchers (now WW) and got hooked on running with the Nike Run Club app, and I've lost 89 pounds.

I used to feel out of control with my eating. I would think I was doing all of the right things with my diet, but I wasnt seeing long-term results. I kept gaining and losing the same five pounds over and over.

I got caught up in following short-term, quick-fix diets for years. But eventually I finally felt ready to make a concrete change once I finished grad school in May 2019. I felt like I was beginning a new chapter of my life and wanted to make it a healthy one. I decided to start WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) in May 2019.

The points system and the WW app are what convinced me to join, since calorie counting always seemed so overwhelming to me. When people ask me what kind of diet WW is, I tell them it is how you choose to experience it. The program is extremely adaptable and individualized to fit your lifestyle and eating habits. As long as you honestly track your food and stay in your healthy eating points zone, you will be successful.

I love the barcode feature in the WW app that allows you to scan anything with a barcode, and it will tell you the points value. The restaurant feature also gives points values for a lot of major chain restaurants, which is so helpful. Even when I go to a local restaurant, I just choose to track my meal as a similar one from a chain. I love the ease and adaptability of WW. It just fits my lifestyle every day. Its the reason why I have been able to follow the program successfully for over a year now.

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I was doing great! By June 2019 I was already down about 15 to 20 pounds. But the funny thing is that working out in that way wasnt sustainable for me long term. I couldnt keep up with the constant exercising in my daily lifestyle without feeling starving after, and going overboard on food as a result.

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Around July 2019, I took a pause from all major exercise and just walked every once in a while. I narrowed my focus on my diet. And I continued to lose weight! It wasnt until July 2020, when I was down 70 pounds, that I decided to focus on exercise again. I finally felt in control of my eating enough to not pig out immediately after a workout.

I started running with the Nike Run Club app with *no* running experience. Seriously none. I struggled. But the guided audio coaching helped me a ton, and now I can run without stopping for four-mile trail runs. I definitely recommend the app.

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These three changes made the biggest difference in my weight loss results.

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WW

Ive learned that my self-worth comes from withinnot from the scale. I frequently remind myself to not be so tough on myself. Again, losing weight does not increase your value as a person.

My entire habits have changed from over a year ago. But that doesnt happen over night. Changes are gradual, and consistency is what will help sustain those healthy habits. Taking the time to invest in my health and myself is what has increased my confidence. I never expected to lose such a high amount of weight. As cheesy as it sounds, it has taught me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

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With Weight Watchers And The Nike Running App, I Finally Broke Out Of My Weight-Loss Rut - Women's Health

Posted by Jean Buzby, USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison in Food and Nutrition Health and Safety

Oct 29, 2020

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is USDAs chief scientific in-house research agency. More than 2,000 scientists at 90 research centers in the U.S. and abroad work to investigate solutions to agricultural challenges from farm to table. What are USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists doing to help reduce food loss and waste? This interview features insights from Gene Lester, ARS, National Program Leader for Product Quality and New Uses, and Biorefining/Bioproducts.

Buzby: The USDA Economic Research Service estimated that in 2010, 31 percent of the 430 billion pounds of food available for consumption at the retail and consumer levels went uneaten. USDA has identified innovation as a major driver to reduce, recover, and recycle food loss and waste. Gene, how is ARS innovation helping reduce food loss and waste?

Lester: USDAs Agricultural Research Service supports innovation by conducting, often in collaboration with industry and academic partners, research on new technologies to reduce spoilage of fresh foods and develop new products from food processing by-products and wasted materials. Innovation can turn these byproducts and wasted materials into valuable new products so they dont ultimately end up in landfills. In other cases, ARS innovations prevent food loss and waste from ever occurring (e.g., harvesting and packaging technologies that reduce damage to fresh foods). This research is primarily conducted within ARSs National Program on Product Quality and New Uses.

Buzby: Why is innovation so important?

Lester: Innovation can help stimulate job growth and economic development by turning food waste into an economic opportunity. It can help make the reduction, recovery, and recycling of food waste more economically viable for businesses, organizations, and households either by making such actions possible or cheaper to implement.

Buzby: When thinking about the entire farm-to-table food supply chain, where do ARS innovations help reduce food loss and waste?

Lester: Actually, we help reduce food loss and waste all along the entire food supply chain. One example of an ARS innovation for farm use is an automated in-field apple sorting system that separates low-quality from high-quality fruit at harvest, which increases harvesting efficiency and reduces food loss. This system can sort 11 or more apples per second with 100 percent sorting accuracy, superior grading repeatability, and no bruising damage. At the other end of the food supply chain, ARS scientists designed a new clamshell container for fresh-fruit storage that maintains optimum humidity and prevents fruit weight loss in storage. This new container is particularly good at maintaining firmness of sweet cherries and the freshness of litchis, strawberries, blueberries, bayberries, apricots, loquats, and cherry tomatoes.

Buzby: Gene, what is an example of an ARS innovation in the middle of the supply chain that reduces food loss and waste?

Lester: Well, storage scald in apples is a chilling injury that turns apple peels brown and contributes to food loss. ARS scientists found that this problem can be prevented by either a hot water pre-storage treatment or by exposing apples to low oxygen, high carbon dioxide storage atmospheres within seven days after harvest. These nonchemical control measures can provide a consistent, proven approach to reduce losses for both conventional and organic apple producers, distributers, and retailers.

Buzby: I have heard that ARS also develops hardier plants that reduce food loss and waste. Is that right?

Lester: Yes, as one example, ARS researchers in Beltsville, Maryland, released and patented Keepsake, a mid-season strawberry that produces fewer rotted or degraded fruits in the field or after refrigerated storage. The fruit are very sweet with outstanding flavor and are firm and tough enough for commercial handling. Several U.S. and Canadian nurseries now grow and sell Keepsake strawberries, and nursery and grower demand exceeds supply. ARS also applied for a patent for a second strawberry cultivar with outstanding shelf life -- this one will be called Cordial because the flavor is friendly and never tart. Additionally, ARS scientists have identified five Romaine lettuce varieties that both brown less quickly after fresh-cut processing and are slower to deteriorate postharvest.

Buzby: Does ARS provide business support to get new products and innovations to market?

Lester: ARS offers innovation research awards up to $25,000 to our scientists and their commercial collaborator(s) who have food loss and waste innovations ready to upscale for commercialization. In one recent funded project, ARS partnered with California Olive Ranch corporation to investigate the commercial value in olive waste materials. As a result, the team developed a pit-free olive pomace (i.e., a by-product of pressing olives for oil) that was stable in that it does not break down, degrade or change when exposed to oxygensomething which previously did not exist on the market. This innovation can be used as an ingredient to improve food products, such as by adding dietary fiber, polyphenols (to promote health and fight disease) and pectin (a setting agent). Learn more about how ARS technologies can support business innovations.

Buzby: What other ARS funding opportunities are available?

Lester: A separate USDA agency funds research and development grants to help small businesses develop agricultural innovations. Private sector businesses can find more information at USDAs Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, managed by USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Buzby: Why is ARS research an important complement to private-sector research?

Lester: Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact. The vast majority of companies that want to address food loss and waste do not have the facilities to conduct research to generate new products. For example, a microbrewer collaborated with our ARS scientists at the Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California and they were able to develop and market a new food bar from spent brewers grain. ARS has many examples where it served as an incubator for product development with the private-sector and reduced food loss and waste.

Buzby: As a final question, is there any new research underway that is particularly promising for reducing food loss and waste?

Lester: There are several but Ill mention three. First, ARS researchers worked with a private company and found that applying liquid sodium permanganate to sugarcane during storage prevented sugar loss better than other currently used products (e.g., bleach, biocide). This treatment system could increase annual revenues for the Louisiana sugar industry by an estimated net of 1.64 percent or $44.4 million. Second, ARS scientists used a thermal process (200-300 degrees Celsius under limited oxygen) to produce a residue from almond shells (i.e., an abundant by-product of almond production) that when mixed with recycled plastic improves the plastics heat stability and stiffness. This innovation can eliminate the use of expensive petroleum-based virgin plastic or other filler additives such as minerals, glass fibers, and clays. Third, ARS researchers developed a new ultraviolet (UV)-B light treatment for leftover mushroom stems. The stems are dried and powdered to create a colorless, tasteless ingredient high in vitamin D that can be applied as a film-coating to fruit bars and fresh-cut melons to help preserve quality, safety, and increase shelf-life. Numerous commercial companies currently use this process and sell mushroom powders as a healthy source of vitamin D.

Buzby: ARS certainly is at the forefront of food loss and waste innovations. Thanks so much, Gene, for your time.

For further reading:

USDA blogs on the topic of food wasteARS Product Quality and New Uses ProgramARS report: 150 Years of Research at the United States Department of Agriculture (PDF, 3.6 MB)

This blog series highlights the work of innovators in the food loss and waste world as part of the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative, a collaborative effort among USDA, EPA, and FDA and private-sector partners to affirm their shared commitment to work towards the national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030.

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ARS Research Innovates to Reduce Food Loss and Waste: An Interview with Gene Lester - USDA.gov

Could your body type be affecting your progress in the gym? (Picture: Getty Images)

Have you ever followed the exact same training regime or diet as a friend but ended up with completely different results? It could be down to your different body types.

A body type, or somatotype, is the concept that our bodies can be classified into three categories based on build: endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph.

The idea was created by American psychologist Dr WH Sheldon in the 1940s and, while some of his work has been debunked (he theorised incorrectly that people with certain body types tended to exhibit specific personality traits), somatotypes are still broadly used by the fitness industry today to say whether you are fat, muscular, or tall and thin.

Lots of PTs put their clients on the exact same exercise regime and diet, even though they have different body types and fitness goals, says female fitness expert, Rachael Attard who trains according to somatotypes.

I have found that body-type distinction gives you a good starting point for adjusting your workout and diet if youre not seeing results.

For example, if youre an endomorph (typically curvier and with shorter limbs) and your goal is to lean down your thighs, you will most likely not achieve that result with sprinting and heavy lifting.

Whereas for an ectomorph (naturally leaner with longer limbs), that approach would give great results.

A body type is not a life sentence and your somatotype can change depending on an array of things such as environmental and social influences, genetic variations, geographic locations, and the personal decisions you make.

Studies suggest that while your genes may determine up to 80 per cent of your weight and body type (your physiology), environment and personal choice still play a significant role, adds Rachael.

However, dont be confused by the apple, pear and hourglass terms you commonly hear to describe a womans figure. Normally, these are references to visual appearance, says Rachael.

Some women fall into a mix of two or more body types, ie a 65 per cent mesomorphs and 35 per cent endomorphs would classify a woman with an hourglass figure (which maintains the slim waist of a mesomorph but has more curves).

All bodies are not created equal, so diets and training sessions shouldnt be either. Identifying your somatotype could help determine the success of your goals, so Rachael explains the best ways to train and eat for each.

Generally short, round and curvy with larger midsection and hips. You are predisposed to store fat, but you also gain muscle fast and have good strength and endurance.

You tend to be bottom heavy so up your reps and use lower weights. Combine low-intensity cardio sessions with at least 2-3 moderate-high intensity ones.

Running at a steady pace and on a flat surface will work best for your body type. Try to do as much power walking as you can at least five times per week for 45 minutes per walk. It helps reduce fat on your legs and burns more calories than you think.

Thanks to a slower metabolism, you should stick to a low-carb diet. Make sure most of your carbs come from fruit and vegetables and skip starchy carbs like pasta, bread and rice.

Healthy fats will keep you feeling fuller for longer think lean meats, oily fish, nuts, seeds and avocado. No diet should be restrictive, but if you must have treats, keep them healthy, like protein balls.

20-25% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 45-50% fat

Naturally muscular with broad shoulders, solid torso and a narrow waist. You can lose and gain weight quickly, but see results quickly, too.

You tend to be more athletic and gain muscle easily so choose your weights carefully. Focus on HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) to burn calories and build muscle simultaneously and incorporate this 1-2 times a week.

Also include regular steady pace cardio sessions. High-intensity cardio, such as running on a flat surface and at a steady pace, works best for fat loss. To really challenge yourself, make one of your cardio days high intensity.

You do best with a balanced macronutrient ratio so try and have all three in your meals and snacks.

You tend to gain weight quickly if you eat too many high sugar foods so stick with the 80:20 rule. If your fat loss is being stubborn, try a low carb/high protein diet for four weeks, then switch it back to balanced macros.

30-35% carbohydrates, 35-40% protein, 30% fat

Usually tall and slim with long, thin muscles and limbs. You look athletic and have a good metabolism. You generally find it difficult to gain weight or muscle and are naturally low in body fat.

Up your strength training (ideally three times a week) to build muscle mass (lower reps at a higher weight) and include longer rest periods so you dont elevate calorie burn.

Cardio is optional, (unless you love it of course) or if youre trying to get rid of excess fat. Aim for one rest day per week or an active recovery day (that might involve some light walking or stretching).

Your body will gain muscle and strength very slowly so do not be disheartened if you dont notice improvements straight away.

You are the only body type that thrives on carbohydrates and does not gain weight, so embrace a high-carb diet.

Avoid sugar and focus on healthy carbs such as fruit, brown rice, whole grain pasta, quinoa and veggies. High levels of protein are good for muscle growth plus good fats will help you recover you recover from workouts faster.

40-50% carbohydrates, 30-35% protein, 20-25% fat

Not sure what type you are? Rachael has created a free online quiz to help women figure out where they fit.

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MORE: Plus-size dance instructor fights to make bigger bodies more visible in the world of fitness

MORE: Socialising helps improve our brain health, study says

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Gym not working? Here's how to train according to your body type - Metro.co.uk

The carnivore diet is not for the weak of heart. Dubbed the no-carb diet, those who follow it eat only meat and occasionally eggs and dairy and, anecdotal evidence suggests lose weight. Where other diets have failed, could a meal plan that skips all fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, or grains really be the answer? If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. In this case, experts point to the risk of health issues such as heart disease and gastric cancer as reason enough to maybe just eat a bit healthier?

The carnivore diet was born of the controversial (read, overly simplistic and evolutionarily preposterous) idea that humans evolved to eat meat so thats what we should be eating now. Anecdotal reports say the diet reverses stubborn diseases and conditions that no treatment has. The two biggest benefits proponents claim are to autoimmune disorder management and weight loss. The evidence of these claims is thin as paper.

To date, no scientific research has analyzed the health effects of the carnivore diet, and the person who is arguably most famous for promoting it doesnt really bear the credentials to buck the lack of research. Former orthopedic surgeon Shawn Baker brought attention to carnivory with his 2019 book The Carnivore Diet. Bakers medical license was revoked in 2017 by the New Mexico Medical Board due to concerns about his competency.

In the short-term, a carnivore diet probably wont hurt anyone. But its a fad diet, Liz Weinandy, a dietician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Everyday Health. Some critics are harsher. This diet is absolutely ridiculous, specialist dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine told Insider. Long term it could have some pretty serious health implications, not to mention a poorly functioning immune system leaving you more susceptible to catching coughs and colds.

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The carnivore diet is in some ways a more extreme version of the low-carb keto and paleo diets. People who attempt it have usually tried one of the other two in the past and didnt find the results they were looking for. Although there is no one way to follow the carnivore diet, some practitioners recommend eating fatty meats and other high-fat animal products. Eating high-fat foods, in contrast to protein-heavy foods, is more likely to lead to ketosis the process of burning fat for fuel instead of carbs, which can lead to rapid weight loss in the short term.

Eating foods high in fat can also make a person feel full. Feeling satiated from consuming these food items can help reduce your caloric intake, as you wont feel as hungry, likely leading to weight loss, Hollie Zammit, a clinical dietitian at Orlando Health, told U.S. News. It can also be harder to snack on an all-meat diet. Though youre used to popping chips in your mouth as you watch TV, youre probably unlikely to do the same with pieces of chicken breast.

One other explanation for carnivores weight loss has nothing to do with eating meat. Instead, it has to do what you dont eat: pastries and sodas and sugars. Cutting out these foods can help with weight management or weight loss. (But you can also cut them out of your life without eliminating foods that come from the ground.) Because there have been no studies on the carnivore diet, its impossible to say for sure why or even if it causes weight loss.

Besides lost pounds, other short-term effects are a lot less pretty. In the days or weeks after making the switch, some people report diarrhea. Comedian Joe Rogan tried the diet and although he lost 12 pounds, he had explosive diarrhea for weeks. And although weight loss is one of the biggest draws of the diet, some people who attempted it have reported rapid weight gain and bloatingamong other issues such as bad body odor, acne, and an upset stomach.

Following the carnivore diet for a prolonged long time could lead to a score of health issues. Its massively devoid in nutrients, carbs, and fiber which will most likely leave you feeling lacking in energy, Ludlam-Raine said. Fiber isnt found in animal products, and a lack of it could lead to constipation and upset in the gut microbiome. Avoiding fruits and vegetables can also mean missing out on key nutrients and vitamins, although supplements can help to make up for what carnivores lack in their diet. Plus, fruits and veggies are simply good for you. Eating plant-based foods is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, Alzheimers, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic health conditions, according to Healthline.

Although the carnivore diet doesnt provide enough of some nutrients, it provides far too many of others. Carnivores are at a high risk of overloading with saturated fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Processed meats, such as bacon, salami, and ham, have high levels of sodium. Eating lots of salt raises the risk of health dangers such as kidney disease and high blood pressure. Eating processed meats is also associated with increased rates of some cancers.

Theres also the oft-overlooked fact that the carnivore diet is extremely boring. The idea of bacon and steak all day every day may be appealing at first, but it gets old and can also trigger unhealthy feelings towards food. Following any restrictive diet can often lead to loneliness and social isolation. It can build distrust with yourself, disconnecting the relationship you have with your body and food, Zammit said. All this can affect your quality of life in a negative way, especially if following long term.

Talk to a dietitian or other health professional if youre considering the carnivore diet or any extreme diet. Although one way of eating may be healthful for some people, it can be harmful to others. People with kidney disease and a history of disordered eating, for example, should not try the carnivore diet. And if youre in it for the weight loss, remember that not all forms of weight loss are healthy and being healthy is more important than being thin.

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The Carnivore Diet Can Lead to Weight Loss, But There's a Catch - Fatherly

In severely obese patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI), metabolic surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) was associated with a lower risk of heart attack and new onset heart failure, according to study results published in Circulation.

Not only are obese individuals nearly 6 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D), severe obesity now puts those with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at a high risk of death. With the increasing prevalence of obesity there is an expected increase in obese patients with T2D and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the authors wrote.

Using large, well-established Swedish nationwide registries, the researchers investigated the association between metabolic surgery and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with MI and obesity (body mass index [BMI] >35).

A total of 509 patients who had undergone metabolic surgery between 2007 and 2018 after MI were included in the observational matched cohort study. Data were gleaned from the Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies, or SWEDEHEART, registry and the nationwide Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. Participants were matched 1:1 based on sex, age, year of MI, and BMI to a control with MI from SWEDEHEART who did not undergo metabolic surgery.

Four hundred and sixty-five patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass while 44 had sleeve gastrectomy. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up time was 4.6 (2.7-7.1). Analyses revealed no significant differences regarding stroke (0.91 [0.38-2.20]) or new-onset atrial fibrillation (0.56 [0.31-1.01]) between the 2 groups.

However, the researchers found:

Compared with controls matched for age, sex, BMI, and year of MI, patients undergoing metabolic surgery had less than half the long-term risk of the composite of all-cause death, MI, or stroke, all-cause death alone, and MI alone, the authors wrote.

Metabolic surgeries are rarely used in patients after they've had an MI due to concerns the beneficial effects will not outweigh the risks of perioperative complications and long-term adverse effects. In the current study, the rate of serious complications post surgery was similar to that in patients without previous MI.

Overall, our data indicate that metabolic surgery may be an important secondary prevention strategy in the growing population of severely obese individuals with established coronary artery disease. The results also suggest the benefit of metabolic surgery on MACE is not caused by a greater weight loss alone, but also by cardiometabolic effects of the surgery.

Lack of data on socioeconomic status and the observational nature of the study mark limitations, and the findings ought to be confirmed in a randomized, controlled trial.

Reference:

Nslund E, Stenberg E, Hofmann R, et al. Association of metabolic surgery with major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with previous myocardial infarction and severe obesity. Circulation. Published online October 26, 2020. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.048585

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Weight Reduction Surgery Associated With Reduced Risk of Second Heart Attack in Obese Patients - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

Weight loss isn't easy on your own. But with a little help from your friends or more probably your partner, since most friends are just not that into you losing weight and keeping it off can be made easier.

No, it doesn't involve having lots of very vigorous sex although that will also help you burn calories and generally feel better, so don't let us stop you. But if you have a significant other or close friend who's happy to assist in your weight loss journey, recent research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2020 states that, "weight loss is most successful... when partners join in the effort to diet.

It's all about mutual support and healthy eating. Cos that's what friends are for.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This research was actually carried out on heart attack survivors, so the desired outcome was more serious than just wanting to still wear your old jeans. A total of 824 patients were randomly assigned to either the 'intervention group', which included lifestyle programmes on top of usual care, or the 'control group': people who received the usual care alone. People in the intervention group 411 people in total were referred to up to three lifestyle programmes for weight reduction, physical activity, and smoking cessation depending on their needs and preferences.

Partners of patients who were in the intervention group could attend programmes for free and nurses encouraged them to participate too, so there was a bit of social pressure on partners to take part. Nearly half (48%) of partners participated in the lifestyle interventions, although it is worth mentioning that 'partner participation' was defined as attending these programmes at least once.

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The results speak for themselves: "compared to those without a partner, patients with a participating partner were more than twice as likely (odds ratio 2.45) to improve in at least one of the three areas (weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation) within a year." Of the three groups, the most significant results were observed in the 'weight loss' sub-group: "patients with a participating partner were most successful in reducing weight compared to patients without a partner (odds ratio 2.71)."

Study author Ms. Lotte Verweij said, Couples often have comparable lifestyles and changing habits is difficult when only one person is making the effort. Practical issues come into play, such as grocery shopping, but also psychological challenges, where a supportive partner may help maintain motivation.

The main takeaway here is to consider the social aspect of dieting as well as the biological one. Going on a special diet often means people will eat different foods at different times, all of which can affect others around them. A supportive partner and social environment could result in a smoother transition to healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

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There's a way to make weight loss easier and it involves your partner (no, it's not sex) - T3