Medical Facts...and Fiction

The goal of this section is to define the problem, the epidemic of obesity in this country in adults and in children. Data in this section are designed for the health care professions as well as for the public, with relevant references. In this regard, we will not re-invent the wheel, but will access all useful sources already published...invoking the "Fair Use Doctrine" for this educational effort when actual citations are not given. Of course, with over 50 years of clinical experience represented among the professional complement of this family enterprise, in addition to the experience of guest contributors, we will often express our own insights and opinions.

GS

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Various Topics for December 7, 2008

December 7, 2008

  • It's certainly an imperfect world out there, ready to zap us all in our efforts to follow a proper diet and wight control.  For decades, trying to obtain caloric information at the point of purchase has been nearly impossible.  Any fast-food restaurant that posts caloric and fat content in readily available locations before you make your purchase should be supported.  The others should be avoided as dengerous to your health.  And yes, even any schools or hospitals that still push sodas, candies and other junk food on their premises should be publicly shamed into submission. 
  • Medical reports continue to support the position that low carbohydrate and Mediterranean diets do a much better job with regard to weight reduction and loss maintenance than low fat diets to. 
  • It has also been clearly established that regular aerobic exercise, the more the better, is vital to any program of weight loss and loss maintenance.  In addition, working through the brain's increased production of endorphins (like opium), it will make you feel better and look forward to your exercise within 10-14 days.  "Try it. You'll like it." 
  • The maintenance of weight loss has been found to require regular reinforcement by a third party with whom you have direct and regular contact for motivation.  Internet contacts won't do...but phone contacts can help.  So, get a partner for this: spouse, friend, physician....
  • Alcohol is a poison to the brain, the heart and the liver.  And "binge drinking' may be particularly bad for producing arteriosclerosis.  So, there are better ways to get your anti-oxidants, including blueberries, black grapes, and walnuts. 
  • Obesity in childhood should be dealt with aggressively...but carefully and with the regular advice of your pediatrician.  The stakes are very high for obese childhood throughout their lives. 
  • You should know that you can get a fatty liver, leading to liver scarring and death, without alcohol intake.  Obesity can do that by itself.  That's the bad news.  The good news is that...even if you have become "morbidly obese", with a Body Mass Index of 40 or more, bariatric surgery can reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver.  In this regard, the "Roux-en Y" procedure is still the gold standard.
  • Remember the old advice to avoid intake of eggs...and the newer advice that 2-4 eggs per week is OK?  Well, be careful: it has been found that an egg a day raises the risk of getting Diabetes Mellitis...and the connection begins at one egg per week. 
  • And despite everything, Obesity in the U.S. continues to grow.  This is a life-style choice that will cause much misery, morbidity, death and vast health care expenses in the coming decades.  Do you want to experience it yourself, or just watch it from the sidelines?  Your choice.

    • GS


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