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Local type 2 diabetics see added benefits of weight loss surgery

Posted: April 30, 2012 at 9:10 pm

By ANIKA CLARK

April 30, 2012 12:00 AM

Just days after new studies pointed to weight loss surgery's effect on diabetes, Fairhaven resident Kenneth Souza had an operation that would change his life.

In the month since having gastric bypass surgery, "I've felt better than I have in maybe two or three years," said Souza, 46, who figures he's dropped 5 to 6 pounds a week. "I have a lot more energy. I can breathe easier."

He has also seen another major perk. More than a decade after he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, "I have insulin sitting in my fridge, but I haven't touched it since the surgery," he said.

The National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011 estimated that 8.3 percent of the United States population had diabetes in 2010, and it was the seventh leading cause of death. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, occurring when the body fails to make enough insulin or the cells ignore the hormone, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Two articles published in March by The New England Journal of Medicine highlighted how different types of weight loss surgery can improve this illness.

Research by the Cleveland Clinic studied the effects of gastric bypass surgery and an operation called sleeve gastrectomy on Type 2 diabetes. The first procedure makes the stomach smaller, while also limiting how many calories can be absorbed through the bypass of most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of part of the stomach, leaving only a banana-shaped "sleeve."

The Cleveland Clinic study involved 150 obese, diabetic patients. A total of 50 of them had gastric bypass and medical therapy, such as medication, lifestyle counseling and weight management. Another 50 had a sleeve gastrectomy and medical therapy and 50 had medical therapy alone.

Along with losing more weight and requiring less medication for blood pressure and cholesterol, surgical patients "were significantly more successful at controlling their diabetes, compared to those who simply took medications," said lead investigator Dr. Philip Schauer in a prepared statement.

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Local type 2 diabetics see added benefits of weight loss surgery

Women struggle with weight, the pressure to be thin

Posted: April 30, 2012 at 9:10 pm

From high school to homemaker and through childhood to career, women across all ages and cultural boundaries are struggling with the same thing: trying to lose weight. While weight issues affect both men and women, in recent years it has been women who are at the center of the weight loss frenzy.Inch-Aweigh.com says that the average American woman is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds while the average American model is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 117 pounds. The fitness website also says that most fashion models are thinner than 98 percent of American women.

While the motivation may be driven by either health or appearance, in recent years the definition of beauty has become synonymous with the definition of skinny, says Dustie Thomas, a young woman who says she has struggled with her weight all of her life.

"The media is the reason that weight has become such a big issue," says Thomas, 23, assistant manager at Subway in Athens, Tenn. "If you turn on the television all you see are tiny little women showing off their money, power and celebrity. Of course every woman wants to be gorgeously thin because the media shows us that that's what it takes to make it. If you want to be somebody you've got to be skinny."

Women will go to great lengths to lose weight says Kasey Blankenship, 19, a sophomore at Radford University in Virginia. "Society has set a standard that women think they have to follow to be beautiful. If that means surgery or starving yourself, if women want it, they do whatever it takes to achieve that perfect body. I am guilty myself of looking at someone and wishing that I was like her or was her size."

Although celebrities are at the direct center of the thin craze, even they are struggling to keep up with society's expectations says Blankenship. In March of this year, The Oprah Winfrey Show featured actress Valerie Bertinelli who has lost 47 pounds in the last two years while doing the Jenny Craig program.

Bertinelli spoke to Oprah about her lifelong obsession with fluctuating weight.

"I have obsessed about my weight in some sort of way all of my life," she says. "I used to write in my journal what I weighed every day."

Identifying with Bertinelli's weight struggles, Amanda Carroll from Decatur, Tenn., sees her weight as a battle that she has been fighting all of her life.

"I've been chubby since about first grade, says Carroll, 27. "It was after I started high school that I began to pack on the pounds. I figured it was the lack of exercise and unhealthy school lunches."

Emotions played a bit part in Carroll's weight struggles she says. "During my freshmen year in high school, I slimmed down to 145 pounds. However, I gained over 75 pounds from age 16 to 18 after a bad breakup. Looking back, I think it was emotional eating and a defense mechanism to make sure I didn't get close to anyone else."

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Women struggle with weight, the pressure to be thin

HOUSE CALL: Weight-loss surgery can help eliminate diabetes

Posted: April 30, 2012 at 9:10 pm

For many people suffering from diabetes mellitus (type II), morbid obesity is the major underlying cause.

According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 90 percent of people newly diagnosed with diabetes are overweight. Obesity is the disease; diabetes is the symptom of the disease. As with any other disease, it is almost always better to treat the primary disease rather than just the symptom.

Science has long proven that losing weight can improve type II diabetes. There is increasing evidence that bariatric surgery will significantly improve type II diabetes in most patients, and in many cases, will reverse it.

In March 2011, the International Diabetes Federation, which represents more than 200 diabetes groups across the globe, called for weight-loss surgery to be considered a treatment for type II diabetes in certain patients with a body mass index (BMI) as low as 30.

Currently the National Institutes of Health guidelines recommend bariatric surgery for patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Gastric banding is now recommended by the FDA as a potential treatment for people with BMIs between 30 and 40 if they have obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. Other weight-loss surgeries are only recommended for people with diabetes whose BMI is greater than 35.

Weight-loss surgery works by restricting food intake and, in some procedures, by limiting the absorption of food in the small intestine. As more weight is lost, blood glucose levels continue to improve. In addition, weight-loss surgery typically improves blood sugar levels immediately following surgery, through a mechanism that scientists are still trying to understand.

A study from Duke University Medical Center and Columbia University compared patients who had gastric bypass surgery to those who lost the same amount of weight by dieting. They found that the surgery patients had lower levels of amino acids that have been linked to insulin resistance, with blood sugar levels improving almost immediately after surgery. One month after surgery, the majority of gastric bypass patients were off all diabetes drugs.

Of course, all surgery is not without risks. However, in most cases it has been proven that the benefits of weight-loss surgery in diabetic patients outweigh those risks. Being morbidly obese with type II diabetes, if left untreated, can lead to death. Studies have shown that these patients are less likely to die prematurely than those who did not undergo weight-loss surgery. Regardless of your decision, its important to meet with your physician to determine the right plan for you.

In addition to improving diabetes and potentially eliminating the need for insulin, many patients experience improvement in other underlying conditions, such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis, asthma, depression, heartburn and acid reflux, infertility, and more. Studies also show that bariatric surgery patients are more likely to keep the weight off, which of course means living a healthier, longer life.

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HOUSE CALL: Weight-loss surgery can help eliminate diabetes

Glen Carbon Chiropractor Dr. Morningstar Announces Healthwise Weight Loss Program

Posted: April 30, 2012 at 9:10 pm

GLEN CARBON, Ill., April 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Morningstar Spinal Correction Center announced that the practice offers the Healthwise weight loss program. This program is dedicated to helping participants lose weight and successfully maintain their weight loss through nutritional counseling and lifestyle changes. According to chiropractor Dr. Andrew L. Morningstar, the practice can help patients of all shapes and sizes successfully lose weight, whether a patient needs assistance losing a few pounds or more than 100.

Glen Carbon chiropractor Dr. Andrew L. Morningstar announced that his practice, Morningstar Spinal Correction Center, offers the Healthwise weight loss program and has success with patients on the program. This program is part of the practice's commitment to whole body health through weight loss and healthy living.

"We take a proactive approach to whole body health," said Dr. Morningstar. "Helping our patients lose weight and maintain this weight loss is important to optimizing their overall health. We are excited to offer the Healthwise weight loss program to accelerate our patient's journey to better health."

The Healthwise weight loss program combines nutritional and lifestyle counseling to help patients recognize unhealthy habits and correct this behavior. Dr. Morningstar emphasized that the program is not a "fad diet" but a roadmap to a better, healthier future.

"When we feed our body the right balance of nutrients and supplements, our body can truly thrive," said Dr. Morningstar. "This helps our organs to operate efficiently, improving our overall well being while reducing the risk for low-grade illnesses and fatigue. A healthy weight ensures that patients can enjoy an active lifestyle, without excess weight that can strain the musculoskeletal system and crowd internal organs."

The Healthwise program includes meal plans, protein supplements, entrees and beverages. A wide range of Healthwise products are available, including items suitable for different dietary needs, such as gluten-free and lactose-free meals.

According to Dr. Morningstar, these high-quality, nutritious meals are designed to help patients kick-start their weight loss. The practice also offers the Healthwise starter pack to help patients begin the transition to a healthier lifestyle. With Dr. Morningstar's nutritional counseling, patients learn to modify their diets to support long-term weight loss.

In addition to the Healthwise weight loss program, the practice also provides comprehensive wellness services and chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Morningstar says that these adjustments can help restore alignment to the musculoskeletal system, strengthening the spine, improving posture, and reducing headache and back pain.

Dr. Morningstar has been helping patients naturally manage pain and optimize overall health since 1998. He follows a "whole body" approach to pain management, injury treatment and weight loss, addressing both the symptoms and underlying cause for health problems. He is committed to enhancing his patients' overall well being through chiropractic adjustments, hands-on physiotherapy, and rehabilitation programs. Morningstar Spinal Correction Center has three wellness center locations in Glen Carbon, Manchester and Cahokia.

Prospective patients can learn more about the Healthwise program at http://morningstar-wellness.com.

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Glen Carbon Chiropractor Dr. Morningstar Announces Healthwise Weight Loss Program

Berries May Delay Memory Decline

Posted: April 28, 2012 at 9:13 am

Study findings will sound sweet to American population confronting more cases of Alzheimers Elizabeth Landau, CNN April 28, 2012 (CNN) -- As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer's disease continues to rise, researchers are investigating various ways that people can prevent memory decline through nutrients in foods we might eat often anyway.

So far, nothing has been proven to work for sure, but there's no harm in eating healthy foods.

The latest target of interest is berries. A study of more than 16,000 women over age 70 suggests there is a connection between berries and memory problems. Specifically, women who ate the most berries per week were likely to have up to a 2.5-year advantage in terms of when they showed signs of memory decline.

There's no reason think that results would be different in men, said the study's lead author, Elizabeth Devore, researcher at the Channing Laboratory at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

But note that this study, published in Annals of Neurology, received funding from the California Strawberry Commission - a potential conflict of interest. The data analysis, writing and results were done completely independently of this sponsor, however, Devore said, and did not have anything to do with the concept of the study.

Participants were asked about food consumption every four years since 1980, and their memory was tested every two years between 1995 and 2001. Researchers found that the women who ate at least 1/2 cup of blueberries per week, or two 1/2 cups of strawberries, showed the greatest benefits.

"I'd recommend that both men and women eat more berries," Devore said.

Here's how berries might help: mitochrondria are energy generators of brain cells, and have been thought to also produce substances toxic to the brain that lead to Alzheimer's disease. These toxic compounds are called "free radicals," which damage brain cells and impair cellular processing. Berries are rich in flavonoids, which can act as antioxidants, interacting with free radicals before they cause damage.

But read the results of the new study with caution, says Dr. William Hu, assistant professor of neurology at Emory University School of Medicine. The study authors did not control the diets of the participants - the information about berry intake is based on their own recollections.

And it's hard to directly translate the effect of berries on cognitive decline when other lifestyle factors may also contribute to prevention. The berries themselves may have only a modest role to play.

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Berries May Delay Memory Decline

Diet Doc Weight Loss Solutions Fights Fatigue by Adding Vitamin B12 to their hCG Formula

Posted: April 28, 2012 at 9:12 am

Diet Docs hCG formula is enhanced with vitamin B12, also known as the energy vitamin. Their program combines a well-balanced diet that emphasizes vegetable, protein and essential supplements in their diet plan.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 24, 2012

Diet Docs hCG formula is enhanced with vitamin B12, also known as the energy vitamin. Their program combines a well-balanced diet that emphasizes vegetable, protein and essential supplements in their diet plan.

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG), known to aid in quick weight loss, is a hormone found in pregnant women in their first trimester. It was originally used and approved by the FDA to treat infertility by inducing ovulation in women and stimulate production of testosterone in men. In the 1950s, Dr. Simeons found in his weight loss trial that the use of daily injections of the hormone suppressed his patients appetite enough for them to take in only 500 calories a day. Thus, a new diet was born appropriately named the Simeons protocol.

Diet Doc has since updated this highly controversial diet with more realistic elements like a well-balanced diet with double the calorie intake of the original Simeons Protocol. Theyve even enhanced their formula with vitamin B12, an essential vitamin known for many benefits such as encouraging the healthy production of red blood cells to converting carbohydrates into energy. Statistics suggest that as much as 40% of people in the USA are B12 deficient.1

Recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 as suggested by the Food and Nutrition Board2

Diet Docs version of the hCG Diet has proven to be successful with real-life testimonials written on their current website hcgtreatments.com. Men and women of various ages who have lost anywhere from 15 to over 100 pounds submitted their hCG

1. Gubb, Andrew. "B12 Deficiency." andrewgubb.com. 10 November 2010. http:// http://www.andrewgubb.com/b12-deficiency/

2. Diet experience to encourage others who want a quick and seemingly effective weight loss solution.

With the success of their program, Diet Doc is now offering a line of products from weight loss shakes and bars to pre-made hCG meals. Their growing company is in the running to become one of the top contenders in the ever-growing weight-loss market and they seem to have found their needed niche.

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Diet Doc Weight Loss Solutions Fights Fatigue by Adding Vitamin B12 to their hCG Formula

Eased postal reforms, Diet pay cuts passed

Posted: April 28, 2012 at 9:12 am

The Diet passed a bill Friday to amend the Postal Privatization Law and water down the postal reforms championed in the early 2000s by then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and a bill to trim national lawmakers' salaries for two years.

The two bills were approved by the Upper House with help from the main opposition forces the conservative Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, which jointly submitted the bills with the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.

The enactment of the bills represents a legislative victory for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, but his main priority the social security and tax reform package remains in danger because the opposition camp is refusing to join the talks until May. The Diet will close in June.

The postal privatization amendment is aimed at selling the government's two-thirds stake in Japan Post Holdings to fund Tohoku's recovery from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The stake is currently estimated to be worth more than 6 trillion.

But the amendment scraps the deadline for the selloff, allowing the government to keep its hooks in the financial services juggernaut for an indefinite period. The original law required the government to sell off all its Japan Post Bank and Japan Post Insurance holdings by 2017, but the amendment merely states that the shares are to be sold "as early as possible."

The shares might have been sold sooner, but the DPJ froze the deadline for the sale in 2009 upon taking power for the first time ever.

The legislation will reorganize the Japan Post Group into a four-company system instead of five by merging Japan Post Service Co. with Japan Post Network Co.

When the bill cleared the Lower House on April 12, three LDP politicians, including Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former Prime Minister Koizumi, voted against it, although their party collectively approved the revision.

The party usually punishes dissenting members, but the LDP's vice president only issued them warnings to prevent divisions from forming within the party.

Meanwhile, the pay cut bill will reduce Diet members' pay by about 13 percent for two years, bringing their salaries to 18.3 million from 21 million.

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Eased postal reforms, Diet pay cuts passed

Serena changes diet to support Venus

Posted: April 28, 2012 at 9:12 am

UpdatedApr 27, 2012 10:05 AM ET

Serena Williams says altering her diet in support of big sister Venus hasn't been much of a hardship.

Serena said she's cut down on eating chicken and fish and is eating more raw foods like Venus, who adopted the change to help her body cope with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain. But while the new diet has been a big change for Venus, it's not been that big a deal for Serena, she says.

''I've always been a better eater than her, even though I'm a lot, lot thicker,'' she said, laughing during a recent phone interview.

Serena said since she lives with Venus, she is mindful to eat foods that won't tempt her.

''I don't want her to come home and see a piece of chicken and be like, `Oh, I want it,' and she can't have it. It would be like a stumbling block for her,'' she added.

Both Serena and Venus have been back on the tennis court recently after dealing with health issues. Serena had ankle injuries this year and last year made her return after missing nearly a year because of several health concerns, including cuts on her feet from glass at a restaurant and clots in her lungs.

''I'm looking forward to playing, and just playing and being healthy; I haven't really been healthy in a few years, and I'm just really looking forward to having a chance to play,'' she said. ''I think right now I am at 100 percent ... I'm really looking forward to continuing this and continuing to be healthy.''

Besides her excitement for upcoming Grand Slams and the Olympics, Serena said she's also still focused on her side ventures, which include an upcoming appearance on the TV show ''Drop Dead Diva,'' her nails (she's a licensed manicurist and has a nail polish line), her clothing company, Aneres (she said it's relaunching online next year) and business school, just to name a few.

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Serena changes diet to support Venus

Serena makes diet change to support Venus

Posted: April 28, 2012 at 9:12 am

Updated: April 27, 2012, 10:33 AM ET

NEW YORK -- Serena Williams says altering her diet in support of her big sister Venus hasn't been much of a hardship.

Serena said she's cut down on eating chicken and fish and is eating more raw foods, as does Venus, who adopted the change to help her body cope with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain.

Although the new diet has been a big change for Venus, Serena said it hasn't been that big a deal for her.

"I've always been a better eater than her, even though I'm a lot, lot thicker," she said, laughing during a recent phone interview.

Serena said since she lives with Venus, she is mindful to eat foods that won't tempt her sister.

"I don't want her to come home and see a piece of chicken and be like, 'Oh, I want it,' and she can't have it. It would be like a stumbling block for her," she added.

Both Serena and Venus have been back on the tennis court recently after dealing with health issues.

"I'm looking forward to playing, and just playing and being healthy; I haven't really been healthy in a few years, and I'm just really looking forward to having a chance to play," she said. "I think right now I am at 100 percent ... I'm really looking forward to continuing this and continuing to be healthy."

Besides her excitement for upcoming Grand Slams and the Olympics, Serena said she's also still focused on her side ventures, which include an upcoming appearance on the TV show "Drop Dead Diva;" her nails (she's a licensed manicurist and has a nail polish line); her clothing company, Aneres (she said it's relaunching online next year); and business school, just to name a few.

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Serena makes diet change to support Venus

New Service Provides Individualized, Targeted Weight Loss Plans

Posted: April 28, 2012 at 9:12 am

ORLANDO, Fla., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Dr. Edward J. Gross, M.D., a leading plastic surgeon in Central Florida, has launched a new service that provides individualized, targeted weight loss programs. The comprehensive plans provided by Primera Slim Spa are effective tools for all goals and body types because they are customized depending upon each individual's unique needs.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120427/CG96759)

Weight loss is an issue that faces the entire country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese." The obesity epidemic continues to rise. In Florida in 2003, less than 19% of the population was considered obese. By 2010, that number had jumped to 26.6%.

Obesity is linked to such fatal conditions and diseases as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancers. Also according to the CDC, in 2008 alone, $147 billion dollars in medical expenses were attributed to obesity related conditions.

One does not have to be considered "morbidly obese" in order to be at risk for these conditions. Indeed, an individual can appear to be at a healthy weight yet still be at risk if they hold a large amount of visceral fat in the midsection. According to the Mayo Clinic, visceral fat has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes.

Naturally, not everyone who wishes to lose a few pounds is in a condition that is cause for concern. Though there are many people who need to lose weight in order to live healthier, fuller lives, there are also those who wish to lose weight or tone their bodies in order to feel and look more attractive, which can lead to a much higher level of self esteem and overall happiness.

The good news is that Primera Slim Spa is designed to help those who desire to shed a few pounds for the best possible appearance as well as those who are at risk for obesity related diseases. Primera Slim Spa is not a cookie-cutter plan for weight loss. So many well-meaning programs use one approach and one plan to fit a variety of body types and lifestyles. Primera Slim Spa patients are given customized nutritional guidelines, customized exercise plans, and individual care regarding supplements, medications, and counseling.

All Primera Slim Spa patients receive one-on-one care by highly trained professionals. They are given a complete blood test to determine the best course of treatment and are provided with medications of the utmost quality in a state-of-the-art facility.

Primera Slim Spa is supervised by Dr. Edward Gross, a published and highly respected physician who has been named as a leader in his field.

For more information about Primera Slim Spa, please visit http://www.primeraslimspa.com.

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New Service Provides Individualized, Targeted Weight Loss Plans


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