Introduction

Do you need to lose weight? Have you been thinking about trying a weight-loss program? Diets and programs that promise to help you lose weight are advertised everywherethrough magazines and newspapers, radio, TV, and websites. Are these programs safe? Will they work for you?

This fact sheet provides tips on how to identify a weight-loss program that may help you lose weight safely and keep the weight off over time. It also suggests ways to talk to your health care provider about your weight. He or she may be able to help you control your weight by making changes to your eating and physical activity habits. If these changes are not enough, you may want to consider a weight-loss program or other types of treatment.

Talking to your health care provider about your weight is an important first step. Doctors do not always address issues such as healthy eating, physical activity, and weight control during general office visits. It is important for you to bring up these issues to get the help you need. Even if you feel uneasy talking about your weight with your doctor, remember that he or she is there to help you improve your health.

Prepare for the visit:

Talk to your doctor about safe and effective ways to control your weight. (See below for sample questions.)

He or she can review any medical problems that you have and any drugs that you take to help you set goals for controlling your weight. Make sure you understand what your doctor is saying. Ask questions if you do not understand something.

You may want to ask your doctor to recommend a weight-loss program or specialist. If you do start a weight-loss program, discuss your choice of program with your doctor, especially if you have any health problems.

About your weight

About ways to lose weight

Successful, long-term weight control must focus on your overall health, not just on what you eat. Changing your lifestyle is not easy, but adopting healthy habits may help you manage your weight in the long run.

Effective weight-loss programs include ways to keep the weight off for good. These programs promote healthy behaviors that help you lose weight and that you can stick with every day.

Safe and effective weight-loss programs should include

Some weight-loss programs may use very low-calorie diets (up to 800 calories per day) to promote rapid weight loss among people who have a lot of excess weight. This type of diet requires close medical supervision through frequent office visits and medical tests. For more guidance on this type of diet, read the WIN fact sheet Very Low-calorie Diets.

Many weight-loss programs are now being offered onlineeither fully or partly. Not much is known about how well these programs work. However, experts suggest that online weight-loss programs should provide the following:

Whether the program is online or in person, you should get as much background as you can before deciding to join.

Professionals working for weight-loss programs should be able to answer questions about the program's features, safety, costs, and results. The following are sample questions you may want to ask.

In choosing a weight-loss program, watch out for these false claims:

Other warning signs include

For more background on false claims used by some weight-loss programs and products, see the items from the Federal Trade Commission listed in the For More Information section.

For more tips on how to choose a safe and effective weight-loss program, see the Federal Trade Commission items listed in the Resources section.

If a weight-loss program is not a good option for you, ask your health care provider about other types of treatment. Prescription drugs, combined with lifestyle changes, may help some people lose weight. For some people who have obesity, bariatric surgery on the stomach and/or intestines may be an option. See the Resources section for more information on bariatric surgery.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports a broad range of basic and clinical obesity research. More information about obesity research is available at http://www.obesityresearch.nih.gov

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Find out if clinical trials are right for you.

Clinical trials that are currently open and are recruiting can be viewed at http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

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Choosing a Safe & Successful Weight-loss Program | NIDDK

Daniel Cormier has been public and self-effacing about his issues cutting weight in the past. For his next fight, there will be an added wrinkle.

When Cormier defends his UFC light heavyweight title against Jon Jones in the UFC 214 main event on July 29 in Anaheim, Calif., it will be the first UFC show taking place under new weight-cutting rules approved by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC). Last month, CSAC passed a 10-point plan in an effort to combat extreme weight cutting and severe dehydration in MMA.

I have to be careful, Cormier told MMA Fighting in a phone interview Thursday.

Perhaps the most significant part of the 10-point plan is licensing by weight class. The doctors who conduct physicals for fighters will have more influence than ever before. Previously, the only thing a doctor would determine in the licensing process is whether or not a fighter is fit to compete in the cage. Now for fighters in California, the doctor will be asked on the form whether the fighter will be able to get down to the requested weight class in a healthy, safe manner.

There is even a chart on the new CSAC medical forms that shows doctors what the weight classes in MMA are and what weight is 10 percent above those. Earlier this year, the CSAC medical advisory committee settled on anything more than a 10-percent loss in weight being a red flag.

Cormier will have to weigh-in July 28 for the title fight at 205 pounds on the dot. Ten percent above that is 225.5 pounds. So Cormiers plan, he said, is to start his diet early and get down to 225 in time for the physical, which will be conducted about a month out of the bout.

And thats not necessarily a negative, the champ said.

It will actually be better for me, because Ill get down in weight earlier, Cormier said. Thats the way I used to do it when I first moved down to 205.

Cormier, 38, missed out on the Olympics in 2008 due to kidney failure brought on by extreme weight cutting. He was trying to reach 211.5 pounds for the Games and now he needs to get even lower for every one of his UFC fights at 205.

DC had weight issues prior to his title defense against Anthony Johnson at UFC 210. He missed weight on his first attempt, only to make 205 less than three minutes later while grabbing onto a towel.

Cormier said he was holding the towel to further protect his private parts from being captured on camera, but many believe he was using it to re-distribute his weight to come in lighter. Johnson filed an appeal saying that very thing that has since been denied by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) and the commission has since changed its weigh-in policies so that fighters cannot be touching anything but the scale.

Whatever actually happened that day, there was no doubt that Cormier had a hard time losing the weight. He admitted as much a few days later on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.

This was the hardest one by far, said Cormier, who beat Johnson by second-round submission. I think the beginning of my 205-pound career was easier because I was fighting so often. Like, if you remember, I fought Patrick Cummins, then I fought Dan Henderson, then I fought (Jon) Jones and I fought (Alexander) Gustafsson, Rumble. They were all within the first year-and-a-half. So every three or four months, I was fighting; whereas now, after Gustafsson, it was like nine months (until UFC 200), and then this time again it was like eight months. So its just a lot of time between fights. Just, I need to be a little more active, so that my weight doesnt get as high, and also my body gets used to the weight cut again.

Cormier (19-1) does agree that rules about weight cutting should be welcomed, to some degree. Fighters should not have to struggle and put themselves at risk leading up to competition just so they can fight. Cormier said fighters always say once they step on the scale that the hard part is done.

But DC understands when fighters react poorly to government intervention in things like cutting weight some athletes are doing it the wrong way, but many are doing it safely, he said. And most people who are in the discussions about these rules have never actually experienced a weight cut in their lives, with the exception of CSAC executive officer Andy Foster, a longtime former fighter.

Fighters dont want to be told what they and they cant do by people who have never done it before, Cormier said. If [Foster] was a fighter and hes cut weight before, then hes actually qualified to speak on it.

If done the right way with fighters getting a say in the matter, Cormier said hed be in favor of cleaning up that part of MMA.

I think there will be changes that happen, eventually, he said. Its not a bad thing.

Originally posted here:
Daniel Cormier on new CSAC weight rules: 'I have to be careful' - MMA Fighting

A NEW technique can lead to dramatic weight loss in just four months, research suggests.

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Weight loss experts have revealed that a bizarre swallowable balloon could benefit millions of people tackling obesity.

A study found that obese people lost a whopping 2st 6lbs on average over a 16-week period.

The device, which makes people feel full, could even be used as an alternative to drastic weight-loss surgery.

The Elipse Balloon is fitted inside a capsule which can be easily swallowed with a drink of water and itdisintegrates and is safely excreted by the body after four months.

If you are looking to lose that belly fat, try these simple easy to follow tips that will help you on the road

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Eat every three hours - Passing on breakfast will send your body into starvation mode, meaning your body starts to store everything youve eaten as fat, and youre midsection is the first to suffer the consequences

ALLURION.COM

In the new study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Porto, Portugal, the balloon was given to 42 obese people (29 men and 13 women).

They had an average age of 46, a body mass index (BMI) of 39 and typically weighed just over 17st.

After four months, participants lost more than 14% of their total body weight (around a third of their excess weight).

The balloon, which costs around 3,400, is available in several countries around the world and privately in the UK. The NHS is investigating similar methods.

Lead study author Dr Roberta Ienca, from the University of Rome, said: "The reaction of patients is incredible.

They are very happy about the results they were able to achieve.

The reaction of patients is incredible

"During my daily phone contacts with my patients, they shared with me their pictures and the amount of weight they lost."

She said people were "very satisfied" with the results.

But the researchers also made sure to work with the patients to change their eating habits long-term.

Take a look at these exceptional body transformations.

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Elora Harre, 23 has lost eight stone

Professor Jason Halford, treasurer of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, from the University of Liverpool, said the device helped people manage their appetite and modify their food intake.

He said: In that context, it could be a solution for people who don't want to go for full bariatric (weight-loss) surgery.

"With bariatric surgery, there are potential complications, it's a very permanent change in your life and it's not easily reversible.

"People are looking for alternatives."

Professor Jason said the balloon could also be used as an alternative to anti-obesity drugs and may even be useful for people who have found that drugs dont work.

"I think if studies are there and it's cost-effective I think it should be considered (on the NHS)," he added.

But Dr Simon Cork, from Imperial College London, warned that patients were likely to regain weight once the balloon was removed.

"Nevertheless, gastric balloons are still useful for some patients and the introduction of a device which doesn't require surgery to implant is a positive step forward," he said.

Original post:
Scientists reveal how you can lose 2.5st in four months without diet or exercise - Daily Star

But whether you've considered juicing, fasting or cleansing in an effort to lose weight or improve your well-being, you're probably aware that drastically cutting out foods is not effective as a long-term lifestyle approach to healthy eating.

In fact, strict detoxing can cause issues including fatigue, dizziness and low blood sugar.

But there is one kind of sustainable detox that is worthwhile, according to some experts. Reducing sugar in your diet can help you drop pounds, improve your health and even give you more radiant skin.

"Sugar makes you fat, ugly and old," said Brooke Alpert, a registered dietitian and co-author of "The Sugar Detox: Lose the Sugar, Lose the Weight -- Look and Feel Great." "What we've discovered in the last couple of years is that sugar is keeping us overweight. It's also a leading cause of heart disease; it negatively affects skin, and it leads to premature aging."

Here's more bad news: We can't stop consuming sugar. "People have a real dependency -- a real addiction to sugar," Alpert said. "We have sugar, we feel good from it, we get (the feeling of) an upper, and then we crash and need to reach for more."

One of the biggest concerns is the amount of added sugars in our diets, which are often hidden in foods. Although ice cream cake is an obvious source of sugar, other foods that may not even taste sweet -- such as salad dressings, tomato sauces and breads -- can be loaded with the white stuff.

"People don't realize that seemingly healthy foods are loaded with sugar -- and so we're basically eating sugar all day long, from morning till night," Alpert said.

The good news is that even if you're not a true sugar "addict," by eliminating sugar from your diet, you can quickly lose unwanted pounds, feel better and have a more radiant appearance.

"There is no one person who wouldn't benefit by eliminating added sugars from their diets," Lustig said.

But going cold turkey is what works best, at least in the beginning.

"Early on in my practice, when I would notice that people had real addiction to sugar, we'd start trying to wean them of sugar or limit their intake or eat in moderation ... but the word 'moderation' is so clichd and not effective," Alpert said. "It was just ineffective to ask people to eat less of something when they're struggling with this bad habit. You wouldn't ask an alcoholic to just drink two beers.

"What was so successful in getting my clients to kick their sugar habit was to go cold turkey. When they would go cold turkey, I wasn't their favorite person -- but the number one positive effect was that it recalibrated their palate," she said. "They could now taste natural sugars in fruits, vegetables and dairy that they used to be so dulled to."

So for the first three days on a sugar detox, Alpert recommends no added sugars -- but also no fruits, no starchy vegetables (such as corn, peas, sweet potatoes and butternut squash), no dairy, no grains and no alcohol. "You're basically eating protein, vegetables and healthy fats."

For example, breakfast can include three eggs, any style; lunch can include up to 6 ounces of poultry, fish or tofu and a green salad, and dinner is basically a larger version of lunch, though steamed vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach can be eaten in place of salad. Snacks include an ounce of nuts and sliced peppers with hummus. Beverages include water, unsweetened tea and black coffee.

Though they don't contribute calories, artificial sweeteners are not allowed on the plan, either. "These little pretty colored packets pack such a punch of sweetness, and that's how our palates get dulled and immune and less reactive to what sweetness really is," Alpert said.

Consuming artificial sweeteners causes "you not only (to) store more fat," Lustig explained, "you also end up overeating later on to compensate for the increased energy storage."

Once the first three days of the sugar detox are completed, you can add an apple.

"By the fourth day, an apple tastes like candy," Alpert said. "The onions are sweet! Almonds are sweet! Once you take sugar away from your diet cold turkey, your palate recalibrates, and you start tasting natural sugars again."

Starting with day four, you can add one apple and one dairy food each day. Dairy, such as yogurt or cheese, should be full-fat and unsweetened. "Fat, fiber and protein slow the absorption of sugar, so taking out fat from dairy will make you absorb sugar faster," Alpert said.

You can also add some higher-sugar vegetables such as carrots and snow peas, as well as a daily serving of high-fiber crackers. Three glasses of red wine in that first week can be added, too.

During week two, you can add a serving of antioxidant-rich berries and an extra serving of dairy. You can also add back starchy vegetables such as yams and winter squash.

For week three, you can add grains such as barley, quinoa and oatmeal, and even some more fruit including grapes and clementines. You can also have another glass of red wine during the week and an ounce of dark chocolate each day.

"Week three should be quite livable," Alpert said.

Week four is the home stretch, when you can enjoy two starches per day, including bread and rice, in addition to high-fiber crackers. Wine goes up to five glasses per week.

"You can have a sandwich in week four, which just makes things easier," Alpert said. "I want people living. Week four is the way to do it."

Week four defines the maintenance part of the plan -- though intentional indulgences are allowed, such as ice cream or a piece of cake at a birthday party. "Because the addictive behavior is gone, having ice cream once or twice will not send you back to square one," Alpert said. Additionally, no fruit is off-limits once you've completed the 31 days.

"The whole purpose is to give people control and ownership and a place for these foods in our life," Alpert said.

Detoxing from sugar can help you lose weight quickly. "We had over 80 testers from all over the country, and they lost anywhere between 5 to 20 pounds during the 31 days, depending on their weight or sugar addiction," Alpert said. "Many also noticed that a lot of the weight was lost from their midsection. Belts got looser!"

Participants also reported brighter eyes, clearer skin and fewer dark circles. They also had more energy and fewer mood swings.

"I have lost approximately 40 pounds following the sugar detox," said Diane, who preferred not to share her last name. She has been on the plan for approximately two years.

"I thought I was educated on weight loss, but like many, I was miseducated, and by reducing fat, I was really just adding sugar. With the elimination of sugar, including artificial sweeteners, it is incredible how sweet foods tastes."

Diane added back some healthy fats into her diet, which keeps her feeling satisfied. And her sugar cravings disappeared. "This is probably the longest I have remained on a plan, and I don't feel like this will change. It just feels natural and normal."

There are challenges and medical considerations before starting, though. Since the first few days of a sugar detox can be challenging, it's important to pick three days during which your schedule will be supportive.

"Depending on how intense your addiction is, you can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as brain fog, crankiness and fatigue," Alpert said. Lustig found that the children in his study experienced anxiety and irritability during the first five days of eliminating sugar and caffeine, though it eventually subsided.

"If you feel bad, stop and have a piece of fruit. But if you can push through and stay well-hydrated, you can really break your cycle of sugar addiction," Alpert said.

It's important to note that the plan may not be appropriate for diabetics, extreme athletes or anyone taking medication to control blood sugar. It is also not recommended for pregnant women.

Finally, before starting a sugar detox, enlist the help of friends and/or family members for support. "You need people around you to help you be successful," Lustig said. "The whole family has to do it together."

Lisa Drayer is a nutritionist, author and health journalist.

See the article here:
One-month sugar detox: A nutritionist explains how and why - CNN

Brittney L Jackson , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 2:46 p.m. CT June 9, 2017

People walk to the Lift Wellness on the Jackson Walk in Jackson, Tenn.(Photo: MEGAN SMITH/The Jackson Sun)Buy Photo

The LIFT Wellness Center is offering a new weight management program created by HMR Weight Management Services.

HMR is a highly-structured diet and lifestyle program. For the second year in a row, HMR was named No. 1 Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet in the 2017 Best Diets rankings by U.S. News and World Report, according to a press release issued by the LIFT Wellness Center.

We decided to offer the HMR Program at LIFT Wellness Center because HMR has years of experience helping thousands of individuals lose weight and keep it off, Director at LIFT Wellness Center Miki Martin said in the release.The program works because it is based on clinical research, lifestyle change and putting the patient first.

HMR focuses on three aspects of weight-loss and weight maintenance: how to make healthy food choices, how to eat more fruits and vegetables and how to increase physical activity, the release notes.

Participants in the program will not only see their weight drop, but most likely will also see a decrease in the amount of medications they have to take for high blood pressure, diabetes or other health issues, Program Manager Betty Kay Williams said in an interview on Friday.

Really more than anything, its a lifestyle change, Williams said.

There will be two free information sessions about HMR at LIFT Wellness Center at 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

HMRs highly structured diet and lifestyle change program is designed to help people lose weight quickly while learning the skills they need to keep it off, LIFT Weight Management and HMR Program Medical Director Dr. Joel Levien said in the release. Fast weight loss without lifestyle change isnt sustainable. Through the HMR Program at LIFT Wellness Center, people learn realistic ways to incorporate new healthy behaviors into their everyday lives.

Even though HMR is a group program, it is still individualized. A nurse and nurse practitioner are on staff to help customize specific wellness plans for each person, Williams said.

To register for either information session, call (731-425) 6820 or email HMRLiftCenter@wth.org.

Reach Brittney Jackson at bljackson@gannett.com or 731-425-9643.

Read or Share this story: http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/life/2017/06/09/new-weight-management-program-offered-lift/384191001/

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New weight management program offered at the LIFT - Jackson Sun

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A study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, revealed that drinking ice cold water can help you lose weight.

According to the research, drinking a pint of ice cold water after every meal is enough to raise your metabolism by 30 per cent after 30 to 40 minutes.

Sipping very cold water means your body has to work harder to cope with the chilly influx.

In men, fats mainly field the increase in metabolic rate, and in women, carbohydrates were mainly used as the energy source.

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Sipping very cold water means your body has to work harder to cope with the chilly influx.

Warming an 8oz glass of ice-cold water to body temperature burns around seven calories.

So drink 10 chilly glasses a day for a week, and youll burn an extra 490 calories in a week.

This means, over the course of a year, you could lose more than seven pounds.

Holly Willoughby was pictured at the Glamour Awards earlier this week with a slim figure.

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Holly Willoughby looks slim in floral print dress at the Glamour Awards

The stunning This Morning presenter has never spoken about her weight loss but has discussed why she wont reveal her diet and fitness regime.

This Morning star, Holly Willoughby, 36, has been changing shape in the last six months.

But while the mother-of-three will never discuss her diet and weight loss tips because she has interviewed so many people affected by eating disorders.

Speaking to Prima Magazine: I dont want to encourage eating disorders. I try not to focus too much on my appearance. As long as Im being healthy, thats good enough for me.

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Im quite active and I try not to let the way I look be the main focus because its not the important thing.

"I actually avoid talking about my diet and exercise regime because I have interviewed so many people affected by eating disorders.

"I know that some people in chat rooms can really fixate on other people's diets."

More recently Holly spoke out about her role on Celebrity Juice and how it differs to what she does on This Morning.

See the original post:
Weight loss: Drinking a pint of THIS after dinner helps burn fat - Express.co.uk

Is there no limit to what people will do to avoid proper diet and exercise? A diet whose roots date back to the early 1950s and that has seen a recent resurgence, uses the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) also known as the pregnancy hormone to suppress appetite.

The diet was originally developed by British endocrinologistDr. A.T.W. Simeons who was using hCG to treat low testosterone levels in boys. During treatment, he noticed that the boys were losing weight, and especially belly fat, which led him to conclude that the hypothalamus gland (which is responsible for the production of hormones) contributed to the regulation of fat.

WATCH BELOW: Gluten-free diet warning

Over the course of a decade, Simeons experimented with different foods and amounts of the hormone to fine-tune the hCG diet, which when followed precisely, led to men and women losing weight much faster than through diet and exercise alone.

But doctors today point out that theres one key factor driving this weight loss: the diet only allows for a consumption of 500 daily calories.

The essence of the diet is that youre only eating 500 calories a day, said Dr. Tom Hannam, director of Hannam Fertility Centre. Its wildly insufficient.

Hannam explains that hCG is made by the placenta when a woman gets pregnant. Its purpose is to stimulate the ovaries to get them to keep making progesterone, which thickens the endometrial lining so that she can hold on to her pregnancy. By the time she makes it to eight weeks of gestation, the placenta makes its own progesterone and hCG is no longer needed. Coincidentally, the diet only lasts eight weeks.

READ MORE: TLC diet is good for lowering bad cholesterol, not weight loss

Looking at the time frame, then, its obvious that hCG is crucial in the beginning stages of a pregnancy, which is the same time that many women experience nausea and vomiting.

And that, saidDr. Shafiq Qaadri, author of The Testosterone Factor, could be one of the reasons behind taking hCG for weight loss.

This characteristic of pregnancy thats largely driven by this hormone nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite is what health practitioners are trying to capture so that their patients will lose interest in food, he said. The dose will vary so as not to induce full-blown [symptoms], but that changes from day to day.

The other point of hCG could be to offer muscle protection, much in the way that any anabolic hormone might, he says. Due to the severe restrictions of the diet (patients eat two daily meals consisting of a lean protein, a vegetable, a piece of fruit and a bread product, like one breadstick or slice of Melba toast), the first thing people are bound to lose is muscle mass.

That may be okay when you look at yourself or see the number on the scale, but its bad for the body, Qaadri said. Youre basically eating yourself. And depending on how fast you drop the weight, it can lead to other metabolic issues.

But not all doctors see the point of the hCG. Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist and author of The Obesity Code, says that the hormone is little more than a placebo.

READ MORE: Kim Kardashian faces backlash for saying the flu is an amazing diet

Theres no evidence that it does anything aside from offer a placebo effect, he said. If you give people a shot of salt water and tell them it will suppress their hunger, in a high percentage of those people, it actually will. By that rationale, you can inject anything in them [and tell them it will aid in weight loss], and it will.

In a study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, researchers asserted that even after more than half a century of studies, no scientific body has concluded that hCG has any effect on weight loss. This particular study looked at some preparations of the drug and found some alarming correlations.

The study we performed was to look at the components of some pharmaceutical grade preparations which are often not pure hCG, said Dr. Stephen Butler, lead author of the study. From our extensive earlier work we know that some of these impurities are associated with aggressive cancer.

Butler concludes:From the global peer-reviewed published literature, there is no evidence to suggest how hCG could promote any kind of weight loss.

Qaadri stresses that only a doctor can prescribe hCG and it comes in the form of an injectable. Any homeopathic preparations of it are fraudulent.

The other thing to consider about hCG, Hannam points out, is that in the right dosage, it can elicit a really good feeling in the body. After all, there are women who love being pregnant.

The point of hCG is to create a response in the ovaries to make hormones, and most of us feel great when we get a hormone boost. Your energy and your libido go up, and you feel pretty awesome. In this case, it would probably improve your mood and take your mind off your hunger [from following such a restrictive diet.]

In an interview with CTV News, a spokesperson from Health Canada explained the agencys stance on using hCG for weight loss.

When used to treat a condition for which it is not indicated, such as weight loss, [hCG] could cause serious side-effects. In women this could include painful cysts occurring as the result of over-stimulation of the ovaries.

READ MORE: Heres why the Mediterranean diet could preserve your brains health

Hannam says that hCG isnt routinely used to stimulate egg growth in the ovaries, so hyperstimulation wouldnt be a common side effect. But there is one that could make it an undesirable option for women:an increased risk of pregnancy.

This hormone stimulates the ovaries, and the thing with doing that is that you could increase your number of eggs and risk getting pregnant, Hannam said.

While there are no definitive studies on what long-term hCG use will do to the body, he says the diet overall isnt built for health.

Its an extreme diet, he said. Only eating 500 calories a day and taking a steroid that is untested for this indication is an extreme choice on top of another extreme choice. Its not sustainable and therefore not medically advisable.

2017Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

View original post here:
People are taking pregnancy drugs to lose weight: Is it safe? - Globalnews.ca

WOMEN are resorting to ridiculous measures in order to lose weight.

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Anyone whos tried to lose weight has probably gone to a semi-drastic measure.

While diet and exercise are the tried and tested method, juice cleanses that promise 5st weight loss can often be tempting.

However, some women have taken these measures to a new level.

Reports have revealed women are injecting themselves with a pregnancy hormone in order to lose weight fast.

The chemical, called human chorionic gonadotropin, is certainly not a recommended weight loss technique and we urge you not to try this at home.

The pregnancy hormone is supposed to support weight loss of up to 30lb per month.

HCG doesnt have any approval for weight loss and we strongly recommend against it, Professor Bu Beng Yeap from the Endocrine Society of Australia said.

The chemical is mainly being sold online and these would most likely contain homoeopathic quantities.

Amazingly, these reality TV stars have lost more than 40st between them... all thanks to healthy eating and exercise

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Scarlett Moffatt shows off her weight loss

The weight loss plan that comes with the chemical bought online advises dieters to eat just 500 calories per day for the initial few weeks.

Nutritionists advise if a woman is looking to lose weight she should aim to eat between 1,200 and 1,500 calories a day and then 2,000 calories to maintain her weight.

Eating just 500 calories a day is a quarter of a womans recommended daily intake, so people who do this will lose weight whether or not they are injecting themselves with the hormone.

Jade Larue West tried the diet and called it a terrible experience: It did not take me long to realise this diet was a terrible mistake.

Not only did it fail provide me with lasting results, but it also left me in a worse state than when I started. And the entire time I was on the diet, I was unhappy.

If you do want to lose weight, a healthy diet and exercise three times a week is the way to go instead of injecting yourself with unknown chemicals.

The Daily Star Online have approached a medical professional for comment.

Originally posted here:
Women are doing this drastic thing to lose weight DON'T try this at home - Daily Star

QUESTION: What are your best tips for long lasting weight loss?

ANSWER: First and foremost, avoid the extreme diets. Extreme diets in combination with unrealistic exercise routines may help you drop a boat-load of weight fast, but in 80 percent of individuals the weight will be back with a vengeance within 4-12 months.

I am a huge fan of clean eating. Clean eating requires eating food that does not have an ingredient list. A large percentage should be plant based. Dairy and grains should be minimized unless you are vegetarian.

Increasing protein will facilitate fat loss and of course, eliminating sugar and sugar substitutes will keep weight off permanently. Remember, alcohol is sugar. The more you avoid, the more you lose. Make sure you include these calories if you chose to imbibe.

Although I was not ever a fan, calorie counting seems to hold most people accountable and educate them as well. My favorite App is myfitnesspal.com. This is free and easy to use from your phone. It uses your height, weight and activity level to calculate your minimum and maximum caloric intake. I love this app. It breaks down calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates.

My favorite supplement when it comes to burning fat is EGCg (Green tea extract). This in combination with the above advice should have you down 6-12 pounds in three to four weeks. Look for 400-500mg and take one daily between breakfast and lunch.

Drinking water (at least 60 ounces per day) will benefit everyone.

Fasting. No, not for days at a time, but rather, 12-14 hrs per day. For example, if you eat dinner at seven, do not eat breakfast until at least seven in the morning or better yet, nine. This includes any calorie containing beverages. Water is allowed. This promotes fat burning as your body will look for that first. Fasting is proving to be a very valuable tool when it comes to weight loss and overall health.

Muscle dictates metabolism. The more muscle you have the faster your metabolism becomes and therefore weight loss becomes easier. Working with weights and core strengthening modalities (Yoga, Pilates) will serve you much more that cardio alone.

QUESTION: My hands peel, crack and are very painful. What can I do to remedy the situation?

ANSWER: This is a very common condition that seems to flare up during the winter months for many individuals. Hydrocortisone creams rarely provide relief and many skin creams actually burn.

Coconut oil is a great remedy that should be used 2-3 times per day but the real cause in many of the individuals who suffer is a gluten sensitivity. I would say that in 80 percent of my patients, this is the aggravating factor. You do not have to have Celiacs disease to be gluten sensitive and routine testing will not detect or benefit you. The best way to prove it to yourself is to do a bit of research as to all the items that contain gluten and avoid them exclusively (no cheating) for about two weeks. This should dramatically improve the condition of your hands.

QUESTION: I suffer from daily back pain. It is exhausting and I know that taking Motrin or Aleve around the clock is not good for me. What else can I do?

ANSWER: The majority of people who suffer from chronic back pain are often 20 to 40 pounds overweight. It is truly remarkable what losing weight does for chronic back and joint pain.

Taking narcotics rarely benefits an individual for more than a day or so. Ultimately it causes constipation that makes the pain even worse. This is a vicious cycle and addiction easily becomes an issue.

Most individuals are constipated and do not even know it. Consider a few days of a stool softener to clean yourself out and see if that doesnt make a dramatic difference. A constipated colon places pressure along the spine and pelvic region. Many of my patients are relieved of their back pain when the colon remains free flowing.

Magnesium will not only help with muscle pain, it helps to prevent constipation as well as muscle cramping. Dosing varies depending on the type of magnesium.

Exercise (especially stretching) will help improve muscle flexibility. Massage is another modality that will help eliminate back pain. People who receive messages on a regular basis suffer far less neck and back pain than those that do not.

Severe back pain is something that needs to be addressed by your doctor or chiropractor.

Natural Health columnist Cathi Stack, an RN and Naturopathic Doctor from Youngstown, answers readers health questions. Email her at cathi626@gmail.com.

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NATURAL HEALTH: Best tips for long-lasting weight loss - Niagara Gazette