Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

San Francisco-based digital health startup Virta Health is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and personalized care treatment plans to reverse type 2 diabetes, the company stated last week in an announcement.

Virta Health is a new company founded by a team of physicians, scientists, and technologists trained at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. The companys debut comes on the heels of a new peer-reviewed study in JMIR Diabetes that demonstrates Virta was successful in reversing type 2 diabetes in half of its clinical trial patients and eliminating or reducing insulin in 87 percent of patients in just 10 weeks.

Specifically, Virta Health is an online specialty medical clinic that has the goal to reverse type 2 diabetes safely and sustainably, without medications or surgeryshifting the focus from diabetes management to reversal. Virta helps lower hemoglobin A1C while reducing or eliminating medications in an online setting with continuous, remote care delivered by a dedicated physician and health coach.

Until now, the only clinically proven way to reverse diabetes was bariatric surgery. For the first time, people with type 2 diabetes have an alternative to surgery, which is risky, costly and not covered for most people, and also to ongoing management with medications like insulin, Sami Inkinen, co-founder and CEO of Virta Health, said in a statement. Our mission is to reverse diabetes in 100 million people by 2025. Its an ambitious goal, but were motivated every day by the lives weve already changed.

Virta is backed by $37 million in funding from some major investors, including: Venrock, Allen & Company, Ev Williams Obvious Ventures, Redmile Group, and PayPal and Affirm founder Max Levchins Scifi VC.

Drawing on decades of research, including that of its founders and advisors, Virta is driving two major innovations. First, officials attest that Virtas science takes a highly individualized approach to carbohydrate intake and nutritional ketosis (when a body burns fat as its primary fuel source instead of glucose). And second, Virtas technology platform and artificial intelligence enable continuous, remote care and ongoing personalization of each patients care plan, delivered online by Virta physicians and health coaches.

Taken together, these innovations enable Virta to deliver the type of high-engagement, personalized care required to reverse type 2 diabetes safely and sustainably at scale. The clinic does this by providing physician supervision, a dedicated health coach, app and biomarker tracking tools, a community of peers, and a personalized nutrition and care plan, officials note.

Virta has shown that diabetes can be controlled in many patients without the need for medication or surgery. If we can get this treatment to more and more Americans, we can have a huge impact on their lives and reduce one of the most significant drivers of healthcare cost growth, said Robert Ratner, M.D., former chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association.

Results published in the above-mentioned study from a Virta clinical trial run in partnership with Indiana University Health Arnett showed that within 10 weeks, 56 percent of patients lowered their blood glucose to a non-diabetic range (as measured by A1c below 6.5 percent), and 87 percent reduced or completely eliminated insulin. Moreover, Virta patients experienced 7.2 percent weight loss on average, with 71 percent of participants achieving the clinically significant threshold of 5 percent. More than 90 percent of initial patients completed their individualized care plan.

These early results indicate that when delivered with continuous online support, a highly individualized care plan focused on carbohydrate intake and nutritional ketosis can be very effective in improving glycemic control and weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes while decreasing or eliminating diabetes medication use, said Sarah Hallberg, medical director at Virta Health, and report co-author.

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Digital Health Startup Leverages IT with Eyes on Reversing Type 2 Diabetes - Healthcare Informatics

Sport360 has come up with a simple three-step plan that you can follow and help improve your fitness goals.

Weve tried to keep things as basic as possible so you can incorporate the following key points into your daily lives.

Share with us your thoughts by commenting below, using#360fans on Twitteror getting in touchvia Facebook.

Heres our three top tips:

CUT BACK ON SUGAR

This is by far and away the most important food group to try and reduce.

Sugar is obviously high in calories and increases sugar in your blood.

Therefore, cutting out chocolates, sweets and sugary energy drinks can make a huge difference to your overall weight.

Making a food chart is a good way to keep on top of what youre eating and a good rule of thumb is, if you cut down on snacking in-between meals, your sugar levels will tend to decrease as a result.

In place of sugar, try to stem the flow of hunger with fresh fruit like a banana or apple.

UNDERTAKE CARDIO EXERCISE: WALKING, RUNNING AND GYM WORK

You dont need to turn into a fitness addict overnight but its no secret that regular exercise, whatever the activity, will help you burn up a sweat, increase your heart rate and start feeling more trim.

Exercising, particularly cardio activity, boosts both your cardiovascular and muscle strength.

It will also help lower your blood pressure, and combined with a more balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein and fibre, can quickly make you feel stronger.

DONT EAT TOO LATE

Sometimes, with a busy working week and lots going on, your routine and eating pattern may suffer as a result.

But, if possible, try and avoid eating late.

Consuming food well into the evening, especially after 9pm, gives your body little time to digest it and as a result keeps your body on high alert when it should be winding down to sleep.

Eating late sometimes means blood pressure can rise when you are sleep because food releases more hormones.

Typically, if you dont eat before bed, blood pressure can dip by up to 10 per cent which is of course a good thing.

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Three simple ways to lose weight - Sport360

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - March 13, 2017) - As summer approaches, getting the perfect 'summer body' is a priority for many dieters. This is easier said than done, however, as nearly 70% of Americans are obese or overweight, largely due to unhealthy diets and inactive lifestyles. In addition, following a starvation-based diet to achieve a 'summer body' is extremely dangerous. The best option dieters can follow is consulting a doctor or nutritionist to understand their nutritional needs and create a step-by-step plan to achieve their weight loss goals by summer.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a healthy eating plan involves consuming nutrients that benefit the body without exceeding daily calorie intake goals. A healthy eating plan reduces risk for health issues related to excessive weight gain and involves:

A healthy eating plan involves reducing portion sizes and facilitating weight loss through calorie reduction and enhanced physical activity. The general rule is that: if someone exerts more energy than they take in, they will most likely lose weight. So, for instance, if someone wants to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week, they should reduce their daily intake of food by 500 to 750 calories. Counting calories can be very challenging to maintain, however, which is why a customized diet plan can be extremely helpful. To maximize effectiveness and safety, seeks of the 'summer body' should also consult a doctor or certified medical professional before adopting a new diet plan.

Diet Doc, a nationally recognized weight loss center, offers weight loss and diet consulting to all patients, regardless of their dietary needs or history. With a safe, doctor-supervised diet plan and guidance for life, Diet Doc patients gain the following benefits within the very first month:

With a team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and motivational coaches, Diet Doc products help individuals lose weight fast and keep it off. For patients who struggle with portion control or emotional eating, Diet Doc offers solutions like Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), a powerful appetite suppressant that helps counter food addiction and emotional eating. Medical weight loss solutions like LDN have been shown to be effective when supervised by a health professional and customized to an individual's dietary needs, according to Diet Doc's resident medical expert Dr. Rao. More than 90% of Diet Doc patients lose 20 or more pounds every month and maintain weight loss with an easy-to-follow, doctor-prescribed diet.

With Diet Doc, patients can not only achieve the perfect 'summer body' but also maintain it. Patients can get started immediately, with materials shipped directly to their home or office. They can also maintain weight loss in the long-term through weekly consultations, customized diet plans, motivational coaches and a powerful prescription program. With Diet Doc, the doctor is only a short phone call away and a fully dedicated team of qualified professionals is available 6 days per week to answer questions, address concerns and support patients.

Getting started with Diet Doc is very simple and affordable. New patients can easily visit https://www.dietdoc.com to quickly complete a health questionnaire and schedule an immediate, free online consultation.

About the Company:

Diet Doc Weight Loss is the nation's leader in medical, weight loss offering a full line of prescription medication, doctor, nurse and nutritional coaching support. For over a decade, Diet Doc has produced a sophisticated, doctor designed weight loss program that addresses each individual specific health need to promote fast, safe and long term weight loss.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DietDocMedical

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DietDocMedicalWeightLoss/

LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/company/diet-doc-weight-loss?trk=biz-brand-tree-co-logo

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Diet Doc Patients Achieve Perfect Summer Body With Healthy Eating And Doctor-Supervised Weight Loss - Marketwired (press release)

Mama June Shannons trainer has tough love for his reality star client.

In an exclusive PEOPLE Now clip from Mama June: From Hot To Not, Shannon and her trainer, Kenya Crooks, take a break on park swings to reevaluate her slim down goals and whether she is losing weight for herself andnot just revenge.

The reason why Im pushing you so hard is I know you can do better. Question: Why are you doing this? Crooks starts.

June confesses, Im trying to lose weight for Sugar Bears wedding because my ex is getting married. Im trying to rebrand myself as like the skinnier Mama June.

Crooks is skeptical and says Junes reasons dont have to do with her.

RELATED VIDEO: Mama June: From Not To Hot See Her Dramatic Weight Loss

At some point you have to make a conscientious decision to start putting yourself first, he urges.

Though June insists she wants to be the hottest thing at this wedding, she worries if she can reach her goal dress a size 4, down from her size 18! And Crookshas no doubts June can flaunt her new self and goal dress at the wedding, sealing it with the power of the pinky.

From Coinage:Wedding Etiquette Isnt Hard, But Just in Case, Here Are Eight Tips

Can we both agree that were together? he says, to which June says, Yeah!

Mama June: From Not to HotairsFridays at 10p.m. ET on WEtv.

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Here's the Real Reason Mama June Went from a Size 18 to a Shocking Size 4 - PEOPLE.com

Every week, I receive several emails and messages from people wanting to know how to be successful at losing weight. The thing is that weight loss success is not the result of doing one thing. It's also not something that will happen in one day you have to be consistent and stick with it especially when it gets tough.Fact of the matter is it can be pretty darn hard and it's something I still struggle with especially since my hysterectomy which is why I try to look at the big picture.

If you are looking for a quick fix, you will not find it in this article.I've walked that walk many times looking for the magic weight loss potion. Personally I have tried just about every quick fix gimmick on the market at one time or another.Sure I would be able to lose some weight but as soon as I stopped doing whatever it was that I was doing, I would gain back the weight I lost PLUS more. Also it's kind of scary when I think back to some of the weight loss products I've tried.

The best way to be successful in ANY thing you want to achieve in life is by first being 100 percent committed to the process and staying on track no matter how hard it may be. And I promise you it will be hard. Secondly, find someone who is already successful at what you want to do and ask for their help. Most of us can do something for one day, maybe one week or possibly for one month. After that it gets harder to stay on track even when you can see the finish line in your future. Having that successful person in your corner will help you push through those difficult times.

Where should you start if you want to lose weight the healthy way? By following the K.I.S.S. method. Keep It Simple Silly. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

When trying to lose weight, your diet is more important than exercise.Think of food as fuel for your body.You would not put water in your car as fuel because your car is not designed to run on water. You need gasoline for fuel for your car. The same goes for your body. Choose whole foods over processed foods and your body will perform as it is designed to do.

Calculate how many calories your body needs to maintain your current weight.It's important to know where to start and this is your starting point.You actually may NOT be consuming enough calories. What happens is your body holds on to what you are eating because it does not know when it will receive fuel again.

If you're hungry eat. Choose whole foods and skip the processed empty calories of soda, chips or even "healthy" bars.

Start your day by drinking a glass of water. Why?Your body is coming off a food and water fast while you were sleeping.That glass of water will hydrate your body and get things moving.

To lose weight you need to consume fewer calories than you are using each day but not to the point that you are starving your body.Taking a sensible approach to weight loss will help you stay on track and reach your goals.

To your health,

Denise

Denise Sanger is a certified fitness instructor, FXP Hoop instructor, licensed Zumba, STRONG by Zumba instructor, teaches morning classes at and co-founder of Family Fitness Outreach Center with Becky Skipper. Their goal is a healthier Suwannee County. Denise may be reached at DeniseSanger.com,386/292-6105ordenisesanger@gmail.com

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Healthy Living: Want to know the key to weight loss success? - Branford News

It is very motivating to see the scale reflect weight loss when you are trying to drop some pounds. But the scale can deceive and is not truly a good measure of what could be occurring. The reality is that for effective weight loss to occur you need to reduce your caloric intake with a sensible diet and increase your caloric output through exercise.

The exercise aspect helps you retain lean muscle mass a factor that is crucial in optimizing your lean body mass /fat ratio. A better measure of this type of weight loss (fat loss rather than muscle loss) is the body fat composition test, using calipers or impedance or immersion techniques.

In the hands of a skilled and practiced trainer, the calipers are very accurate and can give a good picture of where the weight loss is originating.

During normal weight loss, it is generally expected that the ratio of fat-to-muscle loss is three to one, meaning that for every pound of fat that you lose, you will lose a pound of muscle.

However, this is a problem since muscle is important in the regulation of resting energy metabolism and the primary site of glucose uptake which helps ward off diabetes.

The amount of energy needed by the body to fulfill its metabolic requirements is called the resting energy expenditure and the requirement is strongly correlated to the amount of lean muscle mass that you possess.

Most experts place that figure around 60 to 70 percent of your total energy expenditure.

Muscle tissue is primarily composed of protein and are responsible for nearly every cellular task in the body. Proteins form hormones, enzymes and body tissue especially muscle.

Although exercising during a fat loss program will help your body retain muscle, the dietary components of what you eat on your weight loss program is also important in order to protect the protein stores on and in your body.

The American requirements for protein consumption generally are accepted as between .8 to .9 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. For those who work out or for those who are wishing to lose fat but not muscle, the consumption of protein at a slightly higher than recommended level has a number of advantages.

Some of these advantages include a greater thermogenic effect (fat burning effect) and greater satiety effect (you feel full longer), and a greater potential for fat loss. The level suggested to effect these changes is around 1.4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.

Most researchers agree that taking the protein intake to 25 to 35 percent of the dietary energy level that is having 25 to 35 percent of your calories come from protein can offset muscle loss, promote greater fat loss and increased muscle size. This is in comparison to some authorities that state that the diet should be only 20 percent protein based.

Roughly, consuming approximately 20 to 30 grams of protein each meal will promote better fat loss and substantiate lean muscle mass retention.

Protein pacing is a method of eating small, frequent, lean protein-packed meals that can result in better fat loss, better athletic performance and better overall health including more balanced sugar metabolism.

Dr. Arciero (Journal of Nutritional Metabolism, 2015) stated that protein pacing should lead one to consume approximately 1.4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Athletes who train hard may consider even more going to as much as two grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. The protein should be spread out into four to six meals per day, with each meal consisting of 20 to 30 grams of protein.

His work also indicates that those individuals who used whey protein and spaced their intake throughout the day were those who lost more body fat, lost more abdominal body fat and retained their lean body mass.

Dr. Arcieros study showed that it was not the total calories consumed that caused this effect but rather the spacing and consuming of high quality whey protein throughout the day.

Using tools such as the BMI (simply as ratio of your weight to your height) or simply the scale to measure your weight loss doesnt really give you a clear picture of your fat loss. I encourage you to eat cleaner and lean-based protein, workout to enhance your muscle and use sensible tools to chart your progress.

Dr. Jane Riley, Ed.D., is a certified personal fitness trainer, certified nutritional adviser, and certified behavior change specialist. She can be reached at janerileyfitness@gmail.com, 212-8119 cell/text and http://www.janerileyfitness.com

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Let's make it fat loss not weight loss - Thegardenisland.com

OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) will offer a free weight-loss program this spring to help people lose 5 percent of their body weight. Total Wellness classes are an interactive weight-loss program that meets once a week to prevent diabetes and heart disease.

The program runs for eight weeks, and participants learn how to make healthy choices, find time to be more physically active, change unhealthy behaviors, lose weight and feel stronger.

Sign-up is open now for the spring sessions that begin in April and are offered at eight locations around the Oklahoma City metro. Please complete the Total Wellness website form. Attendees will receive a confirmation email from OCCHD prior to the start of class. For more information, call 405-425-4422 or email totalwellness@occhd.org.

Please call Ken Johnson, OCCHD Media Relations Coordinator, at (405) 425-4315 to schedule an interview with a Total Wellness subject matter expert.

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Health department enrolling for free weight-loss classes - Edmond Sun

By Sola Ogundipe

Obesity means having far too much body fat. Its about much more than your clothing size or how you look. It can seriously affect your health. Your whole body feels it, from your joints to your heart, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other systems. The extra fat cells produce inflammation and various hormones, which boosts your odds of chronic medical conditions.

Obesity describes someone who is very overweight with a high degree of body fat. Being a little overweight may not cause many noticeable problems, but once you are carrying a few extra kilograms, you may develop symptoms that affect your daily life.

Are you obese?

Obesity is beyond being simply overweight. Its very common more than 1 in 5 adults are obese. If youre one of them, you can work to lose weight. Although its not easy, dropping some of those extra kilos maybe fewer than you think starts to turn things around for you.

Body Mass Index

The most widely used method to assess a persons weight is the body mass index (BMI), which is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared.

For adults, experts usually define obesity based on body mass index. If your BMI is between 25 and 29, you would be considered overweight; if between 30 and 40, you would be considered obese and if over 40, you would be considered very obese.

What your BMI says

If two people weigh the same amount but one is taller than the other, the taller person will have a lower BMI. To find your body mass index, plug your height and weight into a BMI calculator.

If your BMI is: Below 18.5 you are underweight. If it is 18.5-24.9 youre normal; 25-29.9 is overweight and 30 or higher is obese. If youre obese, your doctor might talk about the categories of obesity:

Obesity level l: BMI of 30-34.9

Obesity level ll: BMI of 35-39.9

Obesity level lll: BMI of 40 or higher (morbid) obesity

Problems with BMI

Body mass index doesnt tell the whole story about your body, though. Your BMI doesnt show whether your weight is fat or muscle. If youre a super-fit athlete, your muscle might put you in the overweight or obese range. Or, if youre elderly and have lost muscle mass over the years, your BMI could be normal, but youre not in as good shape as you think. The formula also doesnt show where your fat is located on your body. And it doesnt consider differences among ethnic groups.

As obese children also tend to be obese in later life, it is important for parents to set the right example for their children from an early age. If you are overweight or obese, visit your doctor to find out if you are at increased risk of health problems, and how you can safely lose weight.

Underlying causes for obesity

*certain medicine or a medical condition that causes weight gain,

*your lifestyle particularly your diet and how much physical activity you do, and also whether you smoke, and how much alcohol you drink

*how you feel about being overweight for example, if you are feeling depressed about it or how motivated you are to lose weight

*family history of obesity and other health conditions, such as diabetes

As well as calculating your BMI, your doctor may also perform tests including measuring your blood pressure, the distance around your waist, as well as glucose (sugar) and lipid (fat) levels in your blood.

Obesity vs overweight

Being obese is different from being overweight. Obesity is an important condition which causes significant morbidity and mortality through increased rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease, amongst other conditions. It can also cause sleep disturbances and lead to reduced fertility rates.

Obesity and pain

There now appears to be a strong link between obesity and pain. Studies show that obese people are much more likely to feel light to intense pain in many parts of the body. Scientists do not understand exactly how or why obesity causes pain, but it is clear that weight loss can help reduce pain and improve quality of life for obese patients.

Check your Waist Size

Another useful method is to measure around your waist. Men whose waist measurement is 40 inches or 94 cm or more and women whose waist measurment is 35 inches or 80 cm or more are more likely to develop obesity-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

If your waist is more than 35 inches around and youre a woman, or if its more than 40 inches and youre a man, you might have too much belly fat. Carrying extra fat around your stomach is unhealthy, no matter what your BMI is.

The Edmonton Scale

There are five stages:

Stage 0: You dont have any health problems related to your weight.

Stage 1: Any weight-related health problems are mild (such as borderline high blood pressure or occasional aches and pains).

Stage 2: You have an obesity-related chronic disease, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or osteoarthritis, and you have moderate problems doing daily activities or feeling well.

Stage 3: Youve had serious weight-related problems, such as a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or other conditions.

Stage 4: This is the most severe level of weight-related chronic health conditions, which are extreme and life-threatening..

What obesity does to your body

The risks go up and up as BMI increases. Obesity puts extra stress on your bones, joints, and organs, making them work harder than they should. Too much body fat raises your blood pressure and cholesterol, and makes heart disease and stroke more likely. It also worsens conditions like osteoarthritis, back pain, asthma, and sleep apnea.

Too much fat causes inflammation that can damage cells. Obesity is also linked to several types of cancers. It can also make your body respond less well to insulin, which controls your blood sugar. Over time, that can lead to type 2 diabetes.

The weight makes it harder to be active, too. Carrying around extra pounds takes extra energy, so it can be difficult for obese people to exercise.

What helps

If youve tried to lose weight before, you know its much easier said than done. Its not just about willpower, and the solutions go way beyond counting calories, fat grams, or carbs. What you eat and how active you are affects your whole day. Youll need to makeover the habits that go into your meals, snacks, and activities.

Thats a huge commitment. Take it one small step at a time. You can build on successes. Dont try to do too much, too soon. If you often eat for emotional reasons, youll need to find other ways to handle the feelings that usually make you eat. Consider talking with a counselor. She can help you make those shifts in how you think, and how you relate to food and to your body.

Meanwhile, your body might resist your weight-loss efforts. If someone does lose 20 or 30 pounds, their metabolism goes down and they start to burn fewer calories. Our bodies are designed to regain weight, so its much easier to prevent obesity than to treat it.

Making changes

Before you start to make changes, write down everything you eat and drink for a few days. This can help you decide what you need to change about your diet.

Most people, at any weight, need to eat more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. They also need to cut out junk food and sugary drinks.

Being active is also key. Any kind of movement helps, and you dont have to go to a gym. Ask your doctor whats OK for you to do. A certified personal trainer can help you plan a workout that fits your needs.

If you find that you need more help than diet and exercise, talk with your doctor. Certain prescription drugs are approved for weight loss. They curb your appetite or prevent your body from absorbing fat. Youll still need to watch what you eat and be active.

Weight loss surgery can help people lose large amounts of weight. But its not right for everyone, and it does have risks. You wont be able to eat like you used to, you might need to take vitamins to meet your nutritional needs, and youll need to work on diet and exercise to keep up the results.

Keep your perspective

If it all seems like too much to take on, or if your past tries to lose weight make you wonder if it will ever happen for you, take a moment to challenge those thoughts. Its not about being a certain size. Its about small steps that add up to better health over time. If you lose as little as 5-10 per cent of your weight, it starts to make a positive difference. Focus on what is possible for you and what you can commit to, even if its just for right now. You can make the decision again tomorrow and build your way to where you want to be, day by day.

The post OBESITY: Be healthy, not heavy appeared first on Vanguard News.

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OBESITY: Be healthy, not heavy - Nigeria Today

The health of a British mum locked up in an Iranian prison on secret charges is rapidly deteriorating as she suffers dramatic weight and hair loss and is left "virtually unable to walk", her family have said.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 38, a British-Iranian citizen, was detained as she was trying to return to Britain with her daughter Gabriella after visiting family in Iran last April.

Since then she has been held as a political prisoner and sentenced to five years behind bars for charges which have not been made public.

The charity worker was accused of plotting to topple the Iranian regime and an appeal made to lower her sentence was rejected in January.

Now Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes sister-in-law Rebecca Jones, who lives in Cardiff, said that while her brother Richards wife was no longer being kept in high security, she was starting to suffer physically.

Evin Prison, where she is held, is known for its severe conditions and its impact on prisoners health.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is said to have suffered dangerous weight loss, hair loss and has become virtually unable to walk.

GP Mrs Jones said: Nazanin is still in Evin Prison. Shes now in a political wing, so she is no longer isolated and is with other prisoners so she is starting to make friends.

Physically, her health is deteriorating. She now has problems with her left shoulder, neck and left arm.

She had a visit from a neurologist who wanted her to go to hospital but every prison has rejected that, though negotiations are ongoing.

She now has more regular visits from Gabriella with her mum and dad and she gets occasional calls to Richard once or twice a month.

Richard Ratcliffe has not seen his wife or daughter since before they left for Iran, with Gabriella in the care of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes parents who live in Tehran.

Mrs Jones said: Shes still very desperate to come out as soon as possible. Shes having a lot of panic attacks, anxiety and restless nights which are affecting her physical health as well. In many ways things have got better for her but I think it has hit home that her release might not be imminent any time soon.

Of course she has been in prison with women who havent been released for seven or eight years.

Back in the UK, Mr Ratcliffe, of Hampstead, north-west London, has been in contact with the UK Government to petition them to put pressure on Iranian regime to release his wife.

Mrs Jones said: I think the longer this goes on the more frustrating it is for Richard.

The whole family are bewildered why nobody high up in the Government hasnt asked for her release. When you go back and talk to the Government and nothing much has changed, its disheartening really.

There are good days and bad days. Richard tries to be upbeat but when hes in his flat on his own he can get quite low.

Mrs Jones will be holding an event in Cardiff city centre next Sunday to celebrate Nowruz, the traditional Iranian festival of spring, considered the start of the new year among Iranians.

It is hoped more than 100 people will attend the event, with local Amnesty groups supporting it.

Readings will be performed, including a letter from Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. After this, 30 hyacinths will be planted in the market garden next to St John the Baptist Church, to symbolise Nowruz.

Mrs Jones said: Were doing this to mark Nowruz which is why Nazanin went out to Iran in the first place and to show her we are still thinking of her.

When we have events like this, its uplifting to get support from people and it helps Nazanin and her family.

A spokesman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: We are deeply concerned that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes sentence has been confirmed following an unsuccessful appeal while Iran continues to refuse the UK consular access to her.

The UKs Minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood, has spoken to his Iranian opposite number to express our concerns.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have both previously raised this case with their counterparts.

We have been supporting Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes family since we were first made aware of her arrest.

Mr Ellwood has met her husband in London and her family in Tehran to assure them that we will continue to do all we can for her.

We are continuing to press the Iranians for consular access and for due process to be followed, and are ready to help get her daughter back safely to the UK if requested.

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British mum held prisoner in Iran is 'virtually unable to walk' as she suffers severe weight and hair loss - Mirror.co.uk

But there are simple ways to trick the brain into following a new diet regime that are simple to do and proven to have a positive effect.

Forget counting calories or weighing out strict portions - the secret to success in healthy eating requires more unusual methods.

Professor Charles Spence and chef Josef Youssef shared what they believe to be the most effect methods for sticking to healthy eating goals with the Guardian.

Top of their list was tricking the brain into believing you are more full than you are.

The latest research shows that the weight of cutlery and crockery has a significant effect on our appreciation for meals we eat

Professor Charles Spence and chef Josef Youssef

They explained: Research shows that using smaller crockery tends to trick our brains into believing we are eating more.

If you put two identical portions of food on a big plate and a small plate, the portion on the bigger plate will look smaller, and vice versa: our brains cant help but be fooled by this effect, even when we know they are the same.

We also know that serving food in a bowl instead of on a plate can give the food a greater sense of volume and depth, yet again tricking our brains into thinking there is more there than is actually the case.

The latest research shows that the weight of cutlery and crockery has a significant effect on our appreciation for meals we eat; with heavier plates and knives and forks offering greater levels of satiety.

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Paleo, Durkin & Atkins, the most popular diets explained

As well as changing what you serve your food in, you should make it more difficult to actually eat your meal.

Not by hiding food from yourself - but by changing how you actually eat it.

Prof. Spence and chef Youssef said: Try using creative ways to enjoy interacting with your food, such as using Japanese soup spoons to eat your soup, or chopsticks for other foods anything, in fact, that stops you from simply shovelling food into your mouth.

Next, serious dieters have to ditch the TV. Research has shown people will eat up to 30 per cent more food when they are eating while distracted.

The experts advised: TV, messaging and checking social media are surefire ways to ensure youre not focused on the food you are eating; youll appreciate it less, which inevitably results in both a reduced sense of satiety and overeating.

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Finally, they advised eating with all your senses. Explaining why this is important, the duo said: At the core of what we do is the idea of helping people to be truly mindful of the dishes that they are presented with.

At home this can be as simple as taking a moment before eating to sniff your food and really appreciate the aromas. (Many researchers believe that up to 90 per cent of what we perceive as flavour comes from our sense of smell.)

Holding a warm bowl in your hand also helps, as does chewing properly and exhaling as you chew this stimulates the olfactory receptors and further enhances the flavour of food.

Finally, focus on the texture. Its interesting to note that we consume fewer calories when eating apples than we do with apple puree, and fewer calories with apple puree than apple juice because we get more sensation information from the puree than the juice, more still from the actual apple. In other words, our brains use the amount of sensation we receive from texture as one of the cues to tell us when to stop eating.

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Weight loss TRICK will make sure your healthy eating plan works EVERY time - Express.co.uk