Archive for the ‘Weight Loss Surgery’ Category
Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, a virus or fungi and leads to an infection in either one or both of the lungs. In the United States, Approximately three million people will develop pneumonia each year, with about a half million having to be admitted to a hospital for treatment. Five percent of those who contract pneumonia die from it, making the illness the sixth principal cause of death in the United States (Source: Schiffman). In this article, we look at how nutrition, protein and a well-balanced diet can help in preventing pneumonia infections.
Pneumonia may at first look like a cold which may seem to get progressively worse with symptoms that can include high fever (it may rise as high as 104 degrees). Additional symptoms include shaking chills and a productive cough (sputum is produced with each cough and may be discolored or occasionally streaked with blood). Pain in the chest may develop if the outer area of the lungs (called the pleura) is affected; this pain may be sharp and will be worse during deep breaths, however, the pain is not always present. In some cases, pneumonia can be slower to develop and in other cases there may not be a lot of coughing at all, especially if the infection is away from the larger airways. Children, babies and the elderly may not show any particular signs or symptoms of pneumonia.
Some pneumonia is diagnosed only after an examination by a doctor reveals crackling sounds or coarse breathing in the chest. There may also be breathlessness, wheezing or the breathing sounds may be diminished in certain parts of the chest. A chest x-ray is the definitive way to diagnose the pneumonia, however sputum samples, blood tests and bronchoscopies can typically be ordered as well. The sputum samples can determine what the exact cause of the pneumonia is and determine the course of medical treatment. The blood work can help to determine how serious the infection is and may also provide a clue as to whether it is caused by a virus, bacteria or fungi.
In addition to medication, there are some treatments that may also need to be done. Pleural effusion is the collection of fluid in the pleural space which must be removed by the insertion of a needle into the chest in what is called a thoracentesis. In serious cases, this fluid may need to be removed through a surgical procedure.
Generally speaking, most often the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia is streptococcus pneumonia, which causes a sudden onset of symptoms including shaking, chills, fever and rusty colored sputum. This infection can spread to the blood and does so in 20-30% of cases, with 20-30% of those cases resulting in death.
There are two vaccines that can be used to prevent pneumococcal disease and is recommended for all children under the age of two and certain children between two and four who have additional medical risks to consider. It is also recommended that adults who are high risk for this illness, including the elderly, diabetics, those who have kidney or lung disease, chronic heart, smokers, alcoholics, and those who have had their spleen removed, receive the vaccine.
Antibiotics may be used for bacterial pneumonia, however, it is important that the cultures be completed to be sure that it is bacterial in nature. Another type of pneumonia that will respond to antibiotics is often seen in those who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or alcoholism.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacterium which results in a very slowly developing infection with symptoms that include chills, fever, muscle aches, a rash and diarrhea. This bacterium is commonly found in the summer and fall months and is usually referred to as atypical pneumonia.
There are other conditions that are technically pneumonia variants, including Legionnaire’s Disease and others. Legionnaire’s disease is often caused by water supplies that are contaminated and can be potentially fatal if it is not accurately diagnosed and treated. Pneumonia is only a part of the overall condition, which also includes high fever, diarrhea, slow heart rate, vomiting, nausea and chest pain. This is more typical in smokers, older men and people with decreased immune function.
It is important to keep in mind that pneumonia that is caused by a virus will not respond to any kind of antibiotics. The body’s own immune system typically will fight off the infection on its own, however, it is important that the condition be monitored so that a secondary infection does not develop and worsen the illness.
Fungal infections that lead to pneumonia are very rare in the United States and each have specific types of medications and treatments that are used to eliminate them.
Consideration must be made not only for the type of organism that is causing the pneumonia but where it was contracted before medication can be prescribed. In recent years, several strains of infections have become resistant to the medications that were formerly used to treat them. Of these, methicillin resistant Staph aureus, or MRSA, is the most commonly known. It may be necessary for people with this type of infection to be placed in contact isolation, especially in a hospital or long-term care setting. It is also important to monitor anyone who is coming in or out of your room if you are in a hospital, not only for MRSA but for another of the super bugs called C.difficile. A recent study found that one in five nurse’s uniforms had C.diff on them, as did handrails, waiting room tabletops and other hard surfaces (Source: Farquhar 2010).
It is important then to make sure that you are doing everything that you can to stay healthy, especially during the cold and flu season or for those who are at high risk for infection. Those who are in weakened health, including those who are being treated for autoimmune conditions, using chemotherapy for cancer or other conditions, have chronic diseases, smoke or come in regular contact with those who may have pneumonia, should have the vaccine as directed. Healthcare workers are especially encouraged to have this vaccine.
In addition to getting the vaccine, there are other things that can be done to protect yourself from the pneumonia infections, such as eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, getting enough rest each night and exercising at least thirty minutes every day. It is also important to make sure that you are managing the sources of stress in your life.
Part of a well-balanced and healthy diet can be protein supplements, especially those that you can stash in a gym bag on your way to exercise.
Making a protein supplement your between-meal snack can be a great way to not only ensure that you are getting enough protein (which is vital to a strong immune system) but that you are not starving yourself between each meal. Profect is not only convenient because of its unique packaging, but is also a beneficial part of a healthy diet. Each serving has 25 grams of protein, 100 calories and 100% RDA of vitamin C, with zero carbs and zero fats. Profect is also available in a number of flavors and strengths as well. There is an all-natural version of this protein supplement as well, called Proasis.
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 bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
If you are extremely overweight and have decided to consider bariatric surgery as a weight loss option, there are a number of things that you need to consider, including the changes you are going to have to make in your current eating habits. For one thing, you will not be able to eat as much, so you will need to eat small portions of healthy foods that are high in protein. Or you could use protein supplements, both in your meals and as meal replacements.
Any surgery, but especially bariatric surgery, is extremely hard on the body, and following this type of surgery, you are going to need plenty of protein, not only for muscle growth and recovery but to provide you with energy. If you are planning to incorporate high-protein foods into your low-calorie diet, make sure that you eat your foods in a specific order, with the proteins being eaten first.
The majority of healthy adults require between 50 and 75 grams of protein daily. Bariatric surgery patients require even more, as much as 100 grams daily. In order to get the protein that you need following bariatric surgery but not add calories, you should consider using protein supplements.
Types of Protein Supplements
There are many types of protein supplements available, so you need to do your research to make sure that you are using the one that is right for you. Sit down and talk with your physician or dietician to create the best meal plan that includes protein supplements. He or she will be able to help you decide which ones will work best with your weight loss plan. Types of protein supplements include whey, soy, rice, egg, and casein.
Whey – This is what is known as a complete protein because it contains all eight essential amino acids and all 14 non-essential amino acids. This is an easy-to-digest protein, with effects that begin taking place almost immediately. Whey is a milk derivative, a byproduct from the cheese-making process, so it is not the best choice for people who are lactose intolerant or have allergies to milk products.
Casein – This is another milk derivative and is what whey comes from. Casein takes longer to digest than whey, usually up to seven or eight hours, and its effects are longer lasting. Many people recommend that you combine whey and casein to get the best results. This is a product that some lactose intolerant people can use, but it is not recommended for people with milk allergies.
Soy – Soy protein is another complete protein, and because it is vegetable-based, it is great for vegetarians, lactose intolerant people and people with allergies to milk and milk products. This is an ideal protein for people on low calorie, low carbohydrate, high protein diets, because it is gluten-free and is low in fat and carbohydrates. If you are using soy and find that you are experiencing digestive troubles, which has been reported by some, you should switch to a different protein supplement.
Rice – This is also a protein supplement that is good for people who are lactose intolerant or are vegetarians. Also, it is great for people with allergies because it is hypoallergenic. Rice protein is often used for specialized diets following bariatric surgery because it contains no cholesterol or saturated fats. And using rice protein will not cause a rise in blood glucose levels because it is low on the glycemic index.
Egg – Way before protein supplements were invented, people were using eggs to add protein to their diets. Egg protein contains all eight essential amino acids, and you will find many protein powders and other supplements that are made from egg proteins. This is not an option for people with egg or poultry allergies.
Protein Supplements as Meal Replacements
There are many ways that you can use protein supplements as meal replacements. There are a number of delicious protein-packed snacks available on the market today as well as meal replacement protein bars, which are also loaded with vitamins and other nutrients that your body needs.
Another way to use protein supplements to replace meals is to use them to make delicious shakes, smoothies and slushies. By combining protein powder, which is available in many great flavors that include chocolate, vanilla, berry, and fruit punch, with other healthy ingredients, such as juice, berries, fruit, milk, and yogurt you can create a tasty meal replacement that will give you all of the nutrients that you would get from a full meal. And you are getting far fewer calories, as well as less cholesterol and fewer carbohydrates. Both milk and yogurt are also high in protein, so a drink with these ingredients will pack an even bigger protein punch.
Also available are liquid protein supplements that are already pre-mixed, so they are ready-to-drink and portable. These are available in many flavors. Because many liquid protein supplements are milk-based, people with milk allergies and those who are lactose intolerant should read the ingredients carefully. Make sure that you are getting a liquid protein that is made from other sources, such as soy, rice, or eggs.
Adding Protein Supplements to Your Meals
Following bariatric surgery, you need to make sure that your meals are low calorie and high in protein. In addition to eating healthy, high protein foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and milk products, you can add protein supplements to your meals to increase your protein intake. Not only will this additional protein provide energy and help with muscle recovery, it will also help you to feel fuller quickly, eliminating the need for high-calorie snacking.
Protein powders are a great way to add protein to your meals. There are many flavored proteins, which can be used in some meals, but the unflavored ones are usually preferred for this purpose. Protein powders can be added to just about any recipe without compromising the texture or flavor. Add a scoop or two to a glass of skimmed milk or to a bowl of soup or any other dish you can think of.
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 bullets for dialysis patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Alicia just found out that she is pregnant with her first child. She is glad that she stopped smoking a few years back. She knows that studies have shown that smoking during pregnancy may influence whether or not a woman’s child will be a smoker. (Source: Science Daily 2006) She is also glad that she was never much of a drinker. She is worried about her diet and the fact that she is already overweight. She knows what all of the studies say about obesity and pregnancy, including:
- A high-fat diet during pregnancy may play a role in leading to an early onset of puberty and may also play a major role in subsequent adulthood obesity.
- Junk food during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding may play a major role in the child’s weight in adulthood.
- Mothers may be passing on a defective gene that can lead to diabetes in the child later in life.
In addition to trying to get to and stay at a normal weight throughout life, it is vitally important during the childbearing years for the health of the mother and the unborn child. Overweight and obese mothers may be putting their child at an increased risk of developing health issues that include obesity for themselves, higher levels of cholesterol and blood sugar. The effects are worse for girl babies than for boys. A study that was conducted in London showed that rats that were fed a diet high in fats, sugar, and salt during their pregnancies had offspring that showed a distinct preference to junk food and were much more likely to overeat than their peers whose mothers were not fed this type of diet.
The study further showed that even after the rats were weaned from the junk food diets, their bodies’ metabolized foods differently and the effects of the foods were still seen. In the study, male offspring of the junk food-fed mothers had high levels of insulin but normal levels of glucose, while females had high levels of blood glucose but normal levels of insulin and were fatter than the males. The girl rats had higher levels of leptin than the males. Leptin is a hormone which is related to the appetite; females are more susceptible to the effects of leptin than males.
Males, on the other hand, are more sensitive to the effects of insulin. Both females and males can become resistant to leptin or insulin respectively, which in turn leads to an increased risk of overeating, weight gain and the associated weight gain. (Source Science Daily: 2008)
Pregnancy is not a time for dieting, however, even if the mother is overweight. Making sure that there are enough nutrients in the diet is important for a number of reasons. Overall, caloric intake must be increased by around 500 calories to support the growing fetus, however, in an overweight mother that amount might be reduced and in an underweight mother it might be increased. Protein intake should be increased, with a minimum of 60 grams (more with twins) required for both physical growth and cellular development of the baby, the placenta, the amniotic sac, and the increasing maternal tissues.
Protein is also vital during pregnancy because the blood volume is increased by 50%, and protein is used to make new blood cells and circulating proteins. During lactation, the protein intake should remain elevated by 20 grams over the average dietary amount. Protein is most important during the second and third trimester, when the baby grows the fastest. (Source: Medio Consult Nutrition Services)
Women of childbearing age need nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, at increased levels over other age groups. During pregnancy, the women need additional nutrients. Women need: 1000 mg of calcium, 18 mg of iron, 25 grams of fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids. (Source: Tsang, 2007)
Best Sources of Protein for Pregnancy
There are two sources of protein, animal products and plant products. While animal protein is complete, meaning that it has all of the eight essential amino acids that the body needs, most animal sources also have higher calorie counts as well as higher saturated fat amounts. Plant proteins are not complete, meaning that they lack one or more of these essential amino acids, but typically are lower in calories and saturated fats. Plant proteins also tend to be higher in dietary fiber than animal proteins, making them even more beneficial.
There are good and bad sources for both plant and animal proteins. The best animal proteins, especially for pregnancy, include salmon and other cold water fishes which supply lean protein as well as Omega-three fatty acids. Pregnant women should discuss fish with their doctors, especially certain fish that may be dangerously high in mercury.
Turkey, especially roasted, skinless turkey breast, is high in protein, low in calories, and saturated fat and can be used in a number of recipes as a substitute for fattier meats. Steer clear of dark meat turkey which has a higher fat count. Using ground turkey in place of other ground meats in recipes can be a good idea, however, make sure that you are reading the label carefully. Some brands use the whole turkey, including dark meat and skin, and can be nearly as high in fat as lean beef. Your ground turkey should be breast meat (without the skin) only. If you cannot find it, then grind your own.
Other good animal protein sources include low fat dairy, especially hard cheeses, yogurts, and milk, which have other benefits including calcium and vitamin D. Yogurt also has beneficial live cultures that promote the good bacteria that should live in the intestinal tract. If these good bacteria are thrown out of balance for any reason, the woman can develop infections, including in the urinary tract, a common occurrence in pregnancy.
Good plant-based proteins include soy and soy products (miso, tempeh, and tofu), soy being the only complete plant-based protein, as well as beans, grains, and rice. Nuts and seeds are also good plant-based proteins. Each of the plant-based proteins lacks one or more amino acids and should be eaten in combinations that make up for this lack.
Protein supplements like Profect and Proasis, from Protica, are also good choices for the pregnant woman. Another benefit of a small protein shot is during early pregnancy when it can help to deal with morning sickness. Profect and Proasis (the first all-natural protein supplement) are small, easy-to-consume supplements that have 25 grams of protein per 100 calorie serving. There are a number of refreshing, fruit-based flavors, and both Profect and Proasis come in a number of different strengths as well. They are more convenient to take along and can be stashed in a bedside table so that there is no need to try to mix a protein shake while feeling queasy in the early morning. In fact, if she keeps a supplement by her bedside, a pregnant woman can consume it before even getting up for the day.
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 weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright