The weight loss drug Orlistat (Xenical or Alli) never enabled significant weight loss and always caused nasty side effects. But, once again, the dieter is blamed for weight loss failure…this time blamed for “thinking” the drug will not work.

 

The weight loss drug is Orlistat.  You may know it as Xenical or Alli. It has been available by prescription since 1999 and over the counter since 2007.  A dieter is to take the medication at meals that contain fat.  The drug blocks the absorption of fat and allows it to pass undigested through the intestines.  The fat, grease, oil passes through the intestines…and out your back end….Side effects include steatorrhea (oily loose stools), excessive gas/flatulence, fecal incontinence, as well as frequent and urgent bowel movements.  Yep.  The average weight loss taking Alli is 3-5 pounds/YEAR.

Weight loss is supposed to occur from not absorbing the fat calories and from behavioral modification.  Embarrassing stool “leaks” and major gas should teach a dieter to eat less fat…or else.

With that said, I’m embarrassed to report Dr. Hollywood and Dr. Ogden’s (University of Surrey) research presented in Liverpool this week.

The doctors interviewed 10 women who gained weight while taking the drug Orlistat for 18 months.  Although the women attributed their failure to lose weight to the mechanics of the drug and talked about other weight loss methods that did not work for them, the doctors had a very interesting “take” on their comments. 

Dr. Hollywood interpreted their weight gain as a “self fulfilling belief” that they would not lose weight. and went on to say that “unless we get the psychology right and change people’s beliefs about themselves, their eating and the way the drug works, this medication is often going to produce disappointing results.

So…the dieter is blamed for not losing weight while taking Orlistat…and in fact gaining weight.  It’s not the failure of the medication, it’s consumer failure. 

Truth be known, the reason people don't lose appreciable weight while taking Orlistat is that the drug DOES work...it does cause malabsorption of ingested fat.  Yes, the drug does what it is supposed to do, and dietary fat intake will cause nasty anal leakage of fat as well as gas and oily stools.  The modus operandi of the drug is two fold...malabsorb fat and cause behavioral modification.  In an effort to stop the embarrassment of leaking fat...people are supposed to eat less fat.  They should eat less fat and the fat they do consume should be malabsorbed.  Messy...but it should work for weight loss, right?  WRONG. 

Here’s where the doctors Hollywood and Ogden got it wrong….

The problem with Alli or Xenical is that they target fat intake.  The reality is that for over 60% of the population, weight issues are not caused by fat intake...they are caused by excess carbohydrate intake.  Over 60% of the population has the genes for metabolic syndrome with its characteristic over-release of the fat- gain hormone insulin in response to eating carbohydrate foods.

If the millions of people with insulin imbalance (I call this Metabolism B) dutifully pop their Orlistat...and avoid obvious high fat foods to avoid nasty anal fat leakage and gas, they will still consume carbohydrates.  Even healthy carbohydrates like whole grain breads, fresh fruit, legumes, fat free yogurt and milk cause blood sugar to rise and insulin to release.  Over 60% of the population becomes "fat" from over-processing carbohydrate due to an imbalance of the hormone insulin.

The medicine Orlistat can’t help this situation... this medicine will never solve the underlying  problem. 

We need to recognize "Metabolism B"(aka  metabolic syndrome).  Spread the word that most overweight people have insulin imbalance.   They WILL lose weight, keep it off, have energy, cut medication needs for blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and maintain excellent health following a lifestyle that matches their metabolic needs.

The lifestyle program written expressly for the millions with insulin imbalance (Metabolism B) is in The Metabolism Miracle.  Read more at www.themetabolismmiracle.com.

 

http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/those-unpleasant-orlistat-side-effects-are-not-the-drugs-fault-they-are-your-fault/health-care-ethics/

 

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The Biggest Natural Disaster in US History is Upon Us. Save Yourself and Your Loved Ones.

Enough with the costly research studies that provide shocking headlines such as this one:  “2 out of 3 very obese kids already have Heart Disease Risk Factors.”

Study after study confirms that the majority of Americans (from our children through our elders) have become the fattest, sickest people in the history of time.  We “require” the most prescription medications as our health care costs have skyrocketed into the trillions of dollars/year.  We are fueling trillion dollar businesses…with our declining health and ultimately paying with our lives.


We don’t need more studies to point this out.  We get it.

What we need is for our government, medical associations,  universities, medical community,  and our children’s schools….to educate the population and focus attention on a health issue that over 60% of Americans have…along with the diet and activity program that can start solving our weight and weight related health epidemics….starting TODAY.


This is a fact:  The majority of those who become overweight, obese,  those who go on to a diagnosis of pre diabetes or type 2 diabetes, who have nutrition-related cardiovascular disease ….all these people…have a quiet underlying metabolic problem that most are not aware of.

They don’t realize that the diet recommendations that are agreed upon by the government, medical associations, schools, food manufacturers to promote weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent diabetes is the very diet prescription that PROMOTES WEIGHT GAIN, OBESITY, AND DIABETES.


The name of this underlying metabolic condition is “metabolic syndrome.”  It has also been called Syndrome X.  I call it “Metabolism B.”  Why Met B?  To make it simple.  It’s that easy to distinguish if a person has what has been known as normal metabolism (Met A) or is suffering from lack of knowledge regarding another “type” of metabolism (Met B).  It’s that simple.  Really, it is.

A person has Met A or Met B.  About 40% of people have Met A.  About 60% of people have the genetic predisposition to Met B. Met B is progressive.  And Met B is the type of metabolism that, if uncontrolled, leads to overweight, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, triglycerides, hypertension, and some cancers  (including breast cancer).

Uncontrolled Met B is fueling the epidemics of obesity and diabetes, has cranked up the US’s dependence on pharmaceuticals/prescriptions, and is leading our country into staggering medical debt.


There is a solution for the millions of people with metabolic syndrome.  The solution does not require medication.  It requires 3 things:  Knowledge of the problem, factual information about how to control  the problem, and making good lifestyle choices while leading a “liveable” lifestyle that matches this metabolism.

Metabolic syndrome (Met B)  is genetic and progressive. A child is born with the genes for metabolic syndrome, and then the "stressors" of life...inactivity, stress, and  high carb intake push the button and the child progresses to have midline fat deposits, overweight/obesity, high cholesterol , hypertension, and even type 2 diabetes as a child. His/her parents are most likely living with the same metabolic disturbance.


Unfortunately, the medical community (in the 1960's) decided to treat metabolic syndrome with a low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol diet.  I’m not even going to ponder why this avenue was chosen, but I do know that we were "told" by the medical establishment that our cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar were the result of excess calories, excess saturated fat, excess cholesterol,  and inactivity.

Food companies went into high gear concocting low calorie, low fat everything: low fat mayonnaise, ice cream, salad dressings,  sugar free candy, cookies, cakes, low calorie frozen foods,  fat free potato chips.  A  food pyramid was designed to focus on low calorie, low fat carbohydrate foods like grains, fruit, non fat milk, juice, cereal, yogurt, breads, legumes…. (all carbohydrate foods at the base of that pyramid).

After the the high profile promotion of the low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol diet as the way to prevent overweight, heart disease, and diabetes…. the epidemics of obesity and diabetes took off!


Truth be known, this low fat, low calorie diet is about 50-55% carbohydrate (sometimes more).   For the millions with Met B, this style diet is a recipe for disaster.  Why?  The root underlying metabolic flaw for those with the genes for metabolic syndrome is INSULIN IMBALANCE and a  diet of  low fat, low calorie carbohydrate foods  flips the switch on metabolic syndrome’s root problem….insulin over-release, insulin imbalance, and insulin resistance.

Think about it….the low fat, low cholesterol, low calorie diet is really a HIGH CARB DIET.  The majority of people who will struggle with weight and weight related health issues cannot tolerate a high carbohydrate diet.  It will force them to over release the fat gain hormone insulin release making them fatter on their body and in their blood.  The longer they remain on a low fat, high carb diet, the fatter and sicker they will get.  In other words, the harder they try “to lose weight and get healthy”…the sicker they become….the more medication they will require…the more doctors visits (specialists, too) will be needed!


There is a ready and available solution to this disaster.  Obesity and weight (insulin)related health issues triggered by obesity is our greatest “natural disaster.”  It is very easy to determine if a person has Metabolism A (they can maintain health and wellness on the traditional low fat, low cholesterol, low calorie diet) or Metabolism B (they can attain and maintain health and wellness on a program designed for their special metabolic needs).  The answer is found in routine labwork.  It’s not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact if you have Met A or Met B.

For the 60% of the population suffering from overweight, obesity, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, diabetes, the solution is available today


I have spent over 15 years researching, developing, designing, and writing  and releasing the health and wellness program that will turn around the epidemics of obesity and diabetes.  I personally worked with over 6000 patients and have the data to prove that its success.  The program has been available to the public since April, 2009.  It has been reviewed by Harvard’s Nutrition Committee and the New England Journal of Medicine.  It is now followed around the world and is licensed in 7 languages.  It works.

I am saddened that the AMA, ADA, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is not strongly recommending the core lifestyle program behind The Metabolism Miracle and now The Diabetes Miracle.  They know that it works.


 If research money for finding the answer to the obesity/diabetes epidemics  should go anywhere, it should go into a large scale study that will prove that this program is the answer we’ve been looking for so that we can provide this information to the US and the world.

For those who  don’t want to wait for the government, medical institutions, universities, etc.  to decide to share this information (it will significantly reduce the need for medications and health care dollars)….you can start improving your health today.

The results will be objective…. In black and white.  The program will predict the target range of fat pounds lost every 8 weeks, the inches lost that will match the fat pounds lost.  You will see major marked improvement in your blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides,  and vitamin D. Your energy will skyrocket.  Your medication requirements will dramatically decrease.   All this will become evident within 8 weeks…and the program keeps on working.

When you reach your desired weight, are on as little medication as possible, have normal lab work, and love the way you look and feel, there is a maintenance “way of life” that keeps you there.


The cost?  The cost of a paperback book…under 11 dollars… The Metabolism Miracle by Diane Kress, RD CDE  (also on Kindle or in hardcover)    http://www.amazon.com/The-Metabolism-Miracle-Control-Permanently/dp/0738213861/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Need support?  For 20 cents/day there is a support site where I personally answer your questions , there are videos, recipes, tips, Forums, 24/7 chat with other Met B’s, and the best support you have ever seen for a lifestyle.  Miracle-Ville.com  is the place where those following the Metabolism Miracle lifestyle can meet for support, information, and one on one help.  20 cents/day.    www.miracle-ville.com.


We can do this on our own.  We don’t have to wait to be spoon fed the information twenty five years from now when the government and medical associations agree that the Metabolism Miracle is the answer. By that time, hundreds of millions more will die and suffer from the ramifications of uncontrolled metabolic syndrome.

Let’s make history now.

Another Dr. Oz “Magic Pill”….Green Coffee Bean Extract

Another Dr. Oz Show topic makes “The Whistle Blog.”   What is he promoting now?  Well, not surprisingly, another dietary supplement.  This time the “miracle pill” and “magic pill”  (he used these two adjectives to describe the supplement)  is GREEN COFFEE EXTRACT.  Let’s talk reality about this “amazing discovery.”


Green coffee beans are coffee beans before they are roasted. Once roasted, they turn the characteristic brown color of coffee.  Green coffee beans are a very good source of chlorogenic acid.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is one of the most abundant polyphenols and antioxidants in the human diet.  Major food sources include coffee, blueberries, grapes, apples, sunflower seeds, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, Chinese parsley, eggplant.

Although it is present in many commonly consumed foods, it is considered a poorly absorbed dietary polyphenol.

On Dr. Oz’s program promoting green coffee bean extract, he spoke of the “staggering study” that showed proof of CGA’s miracle weight loss ability.

The “Staggering Study”:

****The study was funded by Applied Food Sciences, which makes the green coffee antioxidant supplement.

The findings were presented at “The American Chemical Society” in San Diego?????

Number of participants in the “staggering study?”   16

Length of the study? 12 weeks

Did  the study represent adults of all ages?  The participants were 22-46 years of age

Location of the study? Although the study is presented as being conducted by the University of Scranton, the study was actually conducted in India.  The study was led by Joe Vinson, professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa.

Quote from Joe Vinson, professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, “We don’t think it’s the caffeine in it.”

What was the weight status of study participants….”they were obese.”  “They did not change their diet during the course of the study...  average 2400 calories/day. They WERE physically active burning over 400 calories/day with exercise”.*  

***Please note that 2400 calories/day with a 400 calorie exercise burn is not a typical intake for an obese adult. A 2400 calorie dietary intake with 400 calories of exercise burn is typically a weight loss diet for an obese adult.”

Another Vinson quote: Vinson can’t say for sure why the coffee bean extract seems to help weight loss.  He suspects “one explanation is the unroasted beans’ chlorogenic acid.”

The Whistle Conclusion:

There does not appear to be any strong evidence that taking green coffee bean extract.   Dr. Oz’s guest recommends 800mg twice a day (nice income for Applied Food Sciences, the company who funded this study).  I’ve read that caution should be used in consuming green coffee bean extracts as they may contain high levels of caffeine as well.

I’ve also read some information about a 2006 study in which green coffee bean extract in a very low dose (140 mg) administered to hypertensive subjects resulted in a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, without any observed side effects.  Dr. Oz’s guest presenter recommended 1600mg/day.

When the dust settles and all is said and done, green coffee extract may be a great antioxidant like the antioxidants in many other fruits and vegetables.  Does there appear to be any reason to start using it regularly at this point?  No.  Was this a staggering study?  No.  Is green coffee extract a “miracle pill” or “magic pill” (Dr. Oz quotes).  No 

Study Results: Erectile Dysfunction Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency.

http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/ed-linked-to-vitamin-d/vitamin-deficiency/vitamin-d/

Yes, there IS a link between ED and Vitamin D deficiency….but the underlying cause of both conditions is most likely rooted in a hormonal imbalance.  Balance this hormone, and improve ED and Vitamin D!


You can read about the study at the link I provided….but let’s put this situation in chronological order so it will make sense to you.  Having erectile dysfunction is devastating to many men and their partners,  finding out they are also deficient in Vitamin D, probably not so much.  But it is so important that men with ED understand what is most likely happening behind the scenes in their bodies that has resulted in their ED, low Vitamin D, hypertension, high cholesterol, belly fat, and blood sugar impairment.  All these conditions, and more, are related to the imbalance of one hormone.  Balance that hormone, and overall health improves…quickly.


The treatment for this cause of ED/Vitamin D deficiency is not in popping Viagra or a vitamin D supplement.  These pills “medicate” the problem…Viagra may enable an erection and vitamin D supplements will improve Vitamin D status…but neither TREATS the underlying cause of the problem. 


The imbalanced hormone in millions of men who struggle with weight is the fat gain hormone INSULIN.  When insulin levels are out of balance,  blood sugar roller- coasters and gradually damages blood vessels and nerve endings.   Insulin and vacillating blood sugar not only leads to ED and Vitamin D deficiency but also contributes to hypertension, high cholesterol, belly fat, and impaired blood sugar.  Problems with memory, focus, concentration, libido, irritability are also perpetuated.  So much depends on normal insulin and normal blood sugar.  

Normal insulin release and resultant normal blood sugar 24/7  is what protects Vitamin D levels, vascular health, and proper “firing” of nerve endings.  Taking an extra Vitamin D supplement is needed if you are deficient in Vitamin D, but the reason your Vitamin D was low in the first place as well as the underlying reason for your ED can be in  your metabolism….and there is an excellent chance if you are a man with ED, you have uncontrolled Metabolism B….also known as metabolic syndrome….


This is the way it is:

Insulin imbalance is at the root of  Met B /metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome (with its progressive increases in belly fat/visceral fat, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and blood sugar) is genetic and its progression is linked to stressors like physical inactivity, a high carbohydrate diet, stress (emotional/physical), illness/surgery, certain blood sugar altering medications (like prednisone, cortisone, certain anti-depressants, certain beta blockers). 


Over 55% of men who struggle with weight have the genetic predisposition to metabolic syndrome…they are riding on the Metabolism B train. If proper diet and lifestyle changes are not made, in time, millions WILL end up with hypertension, midline adiposity, ED, overweight/obesity, hyperlipidemia, pre diabetes or type 2 diabetes and low levels of Vitamin D.


As metabolic syndrome causes inflammation, nerve irritation, and vascular damage…it is no surprise that men with low levels of vitamin D are prone to ED and vice versa. 


There you have it


The medication bill in the US for this insulin related metabolic mess is in the trillions…medications for ED,  blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes, depression, GERD, PCOS, osteopenia, osteoporosis, cancers of the breast, prostate, colon, pancreas, ovarian, and skin, ADD/ADHD, and Alzheimer’s disease are all medications necessary as long as metabolic syndrome and insulin imbalance/resistance is not contained.


Ironically, there is a very inexpensive solution to this problem and it has existed for all to use since April, 2009. The research/development/trials/data collection/fine tuning had preceded the publication of the program by 13 years and to date data has been collected on over 6000 patients. It is now licensed for publication in 7 languages and has a world-wide following. The Metabolism Miracle became a New York Times Bestseller and was the #1 diet book in the UK in 2010. Haven’t heard of it? Not surprising as our medical community is very tight lipped about this scientifically based and medically sound lifestyle program.


Despite The Metabolism Miracle and The Diabetes Miracle’s tremendous objective success in long term weight loss, decreases in body fat, decreases and/or elimination of medications, improved health- based on labwork, decreased inflammation, improved nerve functioning, weight loss, fat loss, and improved quality of life based on subjective data collection….The AMA, ADA, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have not yet studied this program. Harvard’s Nutrition Committee and the New England Journal of Medicine asked for book copies, but failed to comment.


It’s time to do a large scale research study comparing the core program in The Metabolism Miracle/The Diabetes Miracle to any other diet/lifestyle program. When the results are released, (and the results will prove that this program is the missing link to ending the obesity/diabetes epidemics), it will change the way obesity, diabetes, and weight related health issues are treated.


If you are a male with ED, a woman whose partner has ED, or a person who identifies with the other health conditions tied to uncontrolled Metabolism B,  get familiar with The Metabolism Miracle.  It can change your life.  http://www.themetabolismmiracle.com/

The Skinny on Liposuction: Is surgically vacuuming away unwanted fat cells the fast and final answer to finally losing unwanted body fat?

Catherine is a very attractive woman.  She arrived for her appointment with her shiny blonde hair in a chic chignon; she wore a black turtleneck top, figure flattering slacks, and black suede pumps.  Her “look” showed she paid attention to detail in her understated yet well chosen accessories and smart use of make-up.  Catherine was a woman whose appearance mattered very much to her, and it showed.

For a moment, my mind returned to the labwork that was spread out on the desk between us.  I remember seeing her elevated glucose, high total and LDL cholesterol, and I knew she took medication for blood pressure.  I didn’t expect to see a woman with a figure like this to match those labs.  Quite frankly, I expected my 68 year old female patient to be overweight, a little out of shape, and in need of a weight loss program, STAT. 

She sat down and looked in my eyes.  “I know you must be wondering why I’m here.”  (I own a private practice in medical nutrition therapy specializing in weight loss, metabolic syndrome, pre diabetes and type 2 diabetes). “ My friends can’t believe I’m seeking help from a dietitian…I mean look at me, right?”

I remember thinking….you do look great, but your labs absolutely need improvement…..so  I let her continue.  What Catherine did next shocked me.  She stood up, unzipped her slacks, let them drop to the floor.  She lifted her top and showed me that under her “Spanx” camisole….on her upper back…was a roll of fat.  She faced me and next pointed to a distinct roll of fat…way up under her breasts, and a much more pronounced roll at  the top of her thighs.  It was honestly very weird to look at….very unnatural deposits of fat in very unusual places.    It was hidden under her spandex…. but it WAS there….and quite noticeable.

Thankfully, I already knew that Catherine’s  lab work proved she had Metabolism B.  Millions of people have Met B and are over-producers of insulin (a fat gain hormone).  Those with Met B typically have progressive issues with fatigue, focus/concentration, midline fat stores, mild depression, irritability, carb craving as well as progressively increasing glucose, lipids, and blood pressure.  Catherine had the labs and many of the symptoms but did not “appear” to have the body to match those labs…until she showed me what was going on underneath. 

Her eyes  began to tear up as she spoke.  “I’ve had several procedures in recent years to banish this fat.  I resorted to surgery only after the fasts, cleanses, starvation diets, liquid diets, medically supervised diets, WW, Jenny Craig failed me.  I exercised daily, had a personal trainer…did all I could do….but nothing got rid of the belly fat, the muffin top.”  “  In desperation, I decided to have liposuction. The surgeon suggested I try to lose the belly fat before the surgery, but it was impossible.  I was thrilled when the surgery was over….he had removed pounds of fat from my tummy and muffin top…my major problem areas”

In the case of liposuction, fat cells are “sucked” out of the body….think of a small vacuum tube inserted through small laparoscopic incisions removing fat cells as the surgeon directs its placement.  Fat cells are removed from the area of the liposuction.  Interesting thing about fat cells….when they are removed, they don’t grow back and replace themselves.  Once they are removed, they are removed.  That almost sounds too good to be true, right?  Catherine couldn’t diet or exercise away the fat, but she could have it removed once and for all.  Sounds promising right?

Not so fast….While  it’s true that fat cells don’t increase in number or replace themselves if they are removed.  But…it’s also true that fat cells will increase in size when we gain weight and decrease in size when we lose weight.  Catherine mistakenly thought her liposuction effectively removed the bane of her existence…the roll of fat round her middle. Gone gone and gone.

Well, no no and no.  As time progressed, Catherine began to notice the area directly above and directly below the area that had undergone lipo suction was getting larger.  At first she thought it was a figment of her imagination, but over time…it was obvious.

Time passed, Catherine returned to the plastic surgeon who recommended a little “clean up.”  When Catherine returned home after her second liposuction, she assumed she had finally won the battle of the bulge.  Unfortunately, the story did not end there.  As time passed, the scenario repeated itself.   After one more lipo AND a tummy tuck……Catherine was now in my office.  A 68 year old woman with an odd roll of fat directly under her breasts, on her upper back, and on her upper thighs.

Here’s the important message about liposuction and fat regain.  Millions of people have Metabolism B.  Met B is a hormonal imbalance of the fat gain hormone, insulin.  Insulin attaches itself to receptors on fat cells so they can store blood sugar.  I know that Catherine has Met B from her medical history: high glucose, high LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure as well as low HDL cholesterol, low Vitamin D.  She makes excess insulin that makes her fatter around the middle.  When fat cells are removed, the excess insulin moves on to other fat cells and opens them for storage.  So….as fast as her fat cells were removed, her insulin found another place to connect!

The issue wasn’t in removing fat cells, it was and always will be in controlling her insulin! 

I taught Catherine a diet program that works directly on balancing her insulinHer fat stores began to shrink in size and her glucose, lipids, blood pressure , and Vitamin D normalized.  When I next saw her (8 weeks later) she still looked F A B U L O U S …as always….but she was also on the road to losing her “problem” fat and regaining her health and well-being.

Sometimes the answer IS too good to be true…..in this case…..the answer is in a change in diet/lifestyle to match a particular type of metabolism.  Try this before you begin a series of ineffective liposuctions.

Read more on Metabolism B at : www.themetabolismmiracle.com.