Archive for the ‘Weight Loss Surgery’ Category
Think about it: everything that you eat is part of your diet by the mere definition of the word. But, in reality, when people are talking about diet food, they mean certain types of products that line the shelves of every grocery store in the country- usually with huge labels that proclaim them to be “fat-free” or “sugar-free” or any number of variations on those terms.
The problem with these foods is simple: the human brain recognizes the word ‘free’ as a very positive thing, a green light to eat these foods at will without worry of their health repercussions. After all, free is free, right? In most cases, that is patently false; fat-free, sugar-free, and the other terms do not mean calorie-free, but even when the food is calorie-free, there might still be problems with it and they all start with the way that the human body and the mind work.
An Example: Diet Sodas and How They May Cause Weight Gain
It was discovered that beverages contributed to weight gain and that many, many people drink more of their calories than they get from solid food. Huge beverages, especially sugar-laden soft drinks are largely to blame for the increasing number of people who are overweight. Sodas are filled not only with sugar but caffeine and some also contain phosphates, which can contribute to the development of osteoporosis over time. Instead of suggesting that people limit the amount of sodas that they consume or making healthier beverage choices, diet sodas were created- but they did not solve the problem at all.
Think of it this way: Dave, feeling a little sluggish at his desk starts craving a little jolt of energy and a little sugar to get him going. He goes to the vending machine and gets a cola drink and goes back to work. He does this four or five times a day and pretty soon, Dave has gained quite a bit of weight. The average can of cola has more than a single serving in it, with the calorie count listed as 160-180 per serving, not for the whole can. A serving is equal to eight ounces, so that additional four ounces is worth 80-90 more calories for each can. A 20 ounce bottle of soda will equal two and a half servings of cola and can be worth 250 calories (or more). Chug down three or four bottles of those a day and you are getting 1,000 calories from liquids alone. The average adult needs between 1400-2200 calories a day and does not live on soda alone, so the problem becomes very clear, very fast.
So, Dave, who has gained weight from his soda addiction, switches to diet soda. As one of the most popular and biggest selling diet foods, it has to work, right? Not exactly and the problem is not with the lack of calories but with the way that the body sees and processes it. Used to the sugary rush of the regular sodas, the body expects to find sugar in heavy doses after the diet drink is consumed. Instead, it is confused and starts craving the sugar that it was promised and did not get. Instead of helping to lose weight, the diet soda can instead be contributing to weight gain and it is the same with other types of diet foods as well. Low fat cookies still have calories and to make up for the lack of fat; they may have higher sugar content or harmful chemicals that can cause the body to stop processing foods correctly. The body needs fat, but it needs the healthy kind in the right amount. It is the same with carbohydrates and protein as well.
Diet Food Should Mean Healthy, Natural Foods as Much as Possible
Too many people rely on processed foods, even the ones that are labeled as diet foods, for their nutrition. The more processed a food is before you eat it, the less work your body will have to do to break it down and the more likely it will be stored by the body as fat. A glass of orange juice is nutritious in small amounts, but eating the orange gives you fiber, vitamins and fewer calories. You also have to work to get to that orange, peeling and segmenting it, chewing to break the fruit down before you actually swallow it. With the juice it is nothing more than open a container, pour, drink and done. The more work you have to do to break down foods, the better.
In a perfect world, everyone would eat the right foods for their body’s health and in the right amounts. They would cook these foods in their own kitchen using only healthy cooking methods such as baking, roasting, and broiling. They would steam vegetables and scrub and then eat whole fruits. There would be no need for diet food at all because all foods would be part of a healthy diet. However, that is not the case. There are far too many people who do not have the time to cook or to even eat a whole meal. While many of these people will simply grab a burger from a fast food place, others will look to another aspect of the diet food industry: the meal replacement and supplement products.
Choosing a Good Meal Replacement or Supplement Product
For a meal replacement product to be healthy, it has to have the right nutrients and provide enough calories for the average adult. There are meal replacements and supplements that are marketed specifically for children. There are a number of products on the market that qualify, however there are some that may have too much added sugar or fat to be beneficial for weight loss.
Fruitasia, a product from Protica, can be used as either a meal replacement or as a supplement and has a number of health benefits. First, it is 100% fruit and vegetable and provides three full servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit in each small serving. For less than three ounces, Fruitasia also provides 5 grams of dietary fiber, proven to aid in weight loss and to be beneficial to colon health. Fruitasia is cholesterol-free, preservative-free and 100% all natural. Unlike a number of other meal replacements, it is also lactose and egg free as well as yeast, wheat and gluten free. There are so many people who have not been able to choose a meal replacement because of food allergies or intolerances, so Fruitasia may be the answer they were looking for.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for diabetic patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
There are approximately 26 million people in the United States living with chronic kidney disease today and millions more who are at risk of developing it. This is a dangerous and serious disease that should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to prevent a rapid progression. It works by reducing, and eventually eliminating, the ability of the kidneys to filter waste products from the bloodstream. In time, the kidneys fail entirely, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Factors that create a higher risk of chronic kidney disease include diabetes, hypertension and family history. Groups of people who have a higher incidence of kidney disease include those of African-American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander or Native American descent.
The medical community has divided chronic kidney disease into several stages to better determine its progression in a patient. The early stage does not require any drastic lifestyle changes, though there will certainly be a need for a change in diet and lifestyle, as well as visits to a physician. The latter stages require more and more restrictions, like a limit on the amount of protein that the patient can eat every day. These stages will require the help of a nutritionist to plan a suitable diet.
Protein is a component that is necessary for life and everyone needs some in their diet. Restricting it can be dangerous if done improperly. The stages of the disease that require a lowered protein intake also create a difficulty in maintaining weight as the body starts craving food sources that will give it the protein it needs.
When protein is consumed, the body turns it into its component amino acids, which are in turn transformed into new amino acids, hormones and enzymes which regulate processes like sleep, ovulation and digestion. Whatever is left is waste that is filtered through the kidneys. These are tiny organs, about four inches long in length and one pound apiece, but they are also powerful, able to filter about 18 gallons of blood per hour. All-in-all, the kidneys filter about 60 percent of the fluid in the entire body.
Damaged or diseased kidneys cannot filter the waste produced by protein breakdown. The progress of this disease is rated in stages related to the glomerular filtration rate, which is how much blood the kidney is able to filter. At stage I, the GFR is still at an acceptable level, but a physician can tell something is wrong by the abnormal amount of protein to be found in the urine. Dialysis is not required until stage V.
Once the disease progresses to stage V, the patient will have to submit to dialysis treatments for life unless a kidney transplant is received. Even then, the patient is not always strong enough to undergo surgery. Sometimes, due to other complications or medical conditions, the patient may never be ready for a transplant. The GFR for the fifth stage of chronic kidney disease is generally less than fifteen, which means that the kidneys are functioning at ten percent of capacity or less.
The Dietary Needs of a Stage V Patient
Stages I through IV need a reduced protein intake. At first, the reduction is not a big change, especially in the first three stages. Stage IV sees a more significant restriction, down to about 10% from the usual 14-18% that most people take in from their diets. The usual diet of a vegan is only about 10-12% protein, so it’s definitely possible to do it and still remain healthy. Still, it is important to consult a physician before restricting protein on your own to avoid possible complications or malnourishment.
Stage V is outright renal failure, which means that the protein restriction is gone. Dialysis will become a regular part of the patient’s life and good nutrition will become even more important. Additional amounts of protein will be needed to keep the body strong. Some things, like sodium, potassium and phosphorous, may end up being restricted. The intake of fluids may also have to be reduced. The type of dialysis being used may also limit the diet of the patient as a whole.
Dialysis is a process that uses a machine to filter waste from the bloodstream, taking the place of the kidneys. It is a complicated process which usually takes several hours and has to be utilized at least three times a week.
It is important that the patient has enough calories to maintain their health and keep the muscles in shape. Protein is the lynchpin of that effort, coming from sources high in essential amino acids, like meat, eggs and certain sources of dairy. There are some high-protein foods that don’t do as well because they do not contain all of the necessary amino acids. These foods include nuts, beans and nut butters.
A dietician will most likely advise eating more meat and eggs, especially the latter, as eggs are considered by many to be the perfect protein. Protein supplements could very well be a part of the diet as well. You will need to get about 25% of your daily requirement of protein from each meal.
There will still be food restrictions because some high-protein foods are also high in phosphorous. These include foods like bran cereals, organ meats, sardines, chocolate, cola drinks, dried beans and brown rice. Watch for extremely itchy skin – this is an early sign of phosphorous buildup in the bloodstream.
Protein Supplements as an Extra Source of Protein
As someone suffering end stage renal failure, you will need about double the normal amount of protein, but will face exhaustion, nausea and lack of appetite, which makes it difficult to get nutrients. A protein supplement could be of great use. They come in several forms and have enough variety to appeal to everyone.
Protein Powders: These come in four kinds: rice, soy, egg and whey. The powder made from whey boosts the immune system and helps your muscles to stay in shape. Since it is derived from milk, some may not be able to take it, however.
Protein Shakes: You can find protein shakes in many varieties, including those especially made for diabetics.
Protein Supplement Shots: These have a smaller serving size than a shake but the same amount of protein and some other nutrients as well. Profect, from Protica, is 2.9 fluid ounces and only 100 calories but contains 25 grams of protein. It has no fats or carbohydrates but a number of additional vital vitamins.
Protein Snacks: Protein bars and puddings are another source of protein. Avoid the ones with additional sugar, as sugar can sometimes be detrimental to your immune system.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein liquid for immunodeficiency patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
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Everyone knows the guy (or gal) that sees an infomercial or a movie or even just see something at a garage sale and suddenly have a new pursuit, a new aspiration. One year, they were going to be a tennis star to rival Pete Sampras or Venus Williams. Two weeks later they showed up at the office with their arm in a sling and tack a notice on the bulletin board selling off their gently used tennis gear. The following year, it was hockey and they bought the skates, stick and pads with visions of being as graceful as former Pittsburgh Penguin, Mario Lemieux on the ice. Instead, it was like watching a penguin try to achieve flight and the bulletin hit the board a few days later. This time it is strength training because of all of the benefits that it will provide to them.
Strength training is very beneficial in a number of ways, however, there are some things that the beginner should know, not only about the sport and their own fitness level but about the proper nutrition and hydration needs as well.
Strength Training Benefits
Lifting weights has a number of very good benefits for both men and women. It is a myth that women will bulk up automatically if they start lifting weights- they are not genetically predisposed to excessive muscle gain and can only achieve it through very careful diet and very long, hard hours in the gym. Lifting a twenty pound dumbbell every couple of days is not going to bulk you up. It will however, give you sculpted, leant muscles with sexy definition. Other benefits include:
- Protection from osteoporosis. Women who lift weights are less likely to break a bone due to bone loss and can slow down the progression of the disease.
- Increased metabolism. Muscle burns more energy simply by existing. The more muscle you have in comparison to fat, the more energy you will burn. This increase continues for up to 24 hours after a workout, so revving up your muscles now will get the fires burning for the whole day. To maintain a pound of muscle, the body must use between 40 and 120 calories per day. To maintain a pound of fat, 1 to 3 calories per day (Source: Roizen, MD and Oz, MD, 2006)
- Strength training is more efficient at burning fat than cardiovascular exercise.
- Exercise of any kind can help decrease depression
- Exercise can also help increase and improve blood flow and improve cardiovascular health.
Rookie Mistakes
It is not unusual to get so excited about something that you forget to keep the basics in mind. While it is great that you have that level of enthusiasm, it is also important to note that there are some risks involved with strength training that could impact your health and safety. There are also some nutritional considerations to keep in mind when you start as well as changes that will need to be made as you progress and achieve old goals and set new ones.
These things should be kept in mind:
- A doctor’s advice
- The right equipment
- The right form
- Protein needs and how they change
- Recovery after a workout
- Supplements and timing
Why Consult a Doctor Before Strength Training
If you have not been active for a long time it is important to have an idea about your general health condition before beginning any kind of exercise routine. For instance, if you strength train and you feel a pull or tightening in the chest you may dismiss it as too heavy a weight or incorrect form rather than a possible heart related condition. It is also important that your doctor run ordinary blood screening tests on you so that you know whether or not you are facing certain health conditions which could change the diet plan that you will devise for your training. For instance, some kidney diseases could mean that you will need to restrict some of your protein intake.
The Right Equipment
Whether you choose to buy a weight machine or a set of free weights to use at your own home, it is important to consider the pros and cons of what you are buying. If you opt for a machine, you should know how it works safely and know whether you will have to put it together yourself and if you will be capable of doing so. If you buy a used machine make sure that all of the cables or other mechanisms are in good condition before working out.
If you are buying free weights make sure that you do not get carried away- you only need three sets of weights to start out with- a light set, a medium set and a heavy set based on your current level of exercise (As you progress you can upgrade). The heavy set should be heavy enough that you are fatigued at the tenth rep while still maintaining proper form. If you cannot get to number ten, the weight is too heavy at this point and you should drop down by five pounds.
The Right Form
The need to use proper form and technique when lifting weights is important not only so that you can build the muscles that you are hoping to but also so that you do not injure yourself in the process of doing so. Improper form accounts for the majority of the injuries in new athletes – not only for strength training but for other sports as well. If you do not know the correct technique, get a book, a video or go to a gym and get a personal training session.
Protein Needs and How They Change
A new athlete is spurring dormant muscles into action as well as building new ones so the initial protein intake will be fairly high. This new period is a time of rapid growth as well as inefficient protein synthesis. The muscles, sitting there unused for so long have basically forgotten how to use protein for energy consumption- so they do so poorly. This rapid growth coupled with the inefficient protein synthesis pushes the need for protein higher for the new athlete, however as growth starts to stabilize and the muscles start becoming better adapted to their new role the protein need will plateau.
For the experienced or highly trained athlete, protein synthesis is much more efficient- to a point. The muscles use about six grams of protein at a time and it is best if there is repeated supplementation with three to six ounces of protein for forty eight hours after the workout, this promotes the best muscle growth. The aim should be to combine protein with carbohydrates (about 35 grams of protein to 6 grams of protein), this combination may work for explosive growth because the muscle can use the carbs for energy and the protein for growth. (Source: weight lifting exercise.com)
Supplementation and Timing
Using a protein supplement right after a workout can help both the new and the experienced weight lifter to recover. The muscles continue to work even after that last rep has been completed- they will be building and repairing. If you do not replenish the protein stores, they will continue burning it until there is nothing left- they will then be forced to burn their own tissues for energy, destroying your lean muscle mass.
Whey protein is one of the most common supplement types and is good for preserving lean muscle mass. Profect, from Protica is also a good supplement resource, providing 25 grams of protein per 100 calorie serving.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright