Researchers Test Health Effects of the South Beach Diet

As the obesity epidemic continues to spiral out of control in the United States and around the world, millions of men, women, and young people are looking for safe and effective ways to shed excess pounds. Fueled by dieters? desperation, the weight loss industry has ballooned into a multi-billion dollar per year behemoth. It seems like a new fad diet or weight loss system is introduced every time you turn around

When it was first introduced, the South Beach Diet was unfairly lumped in with more extreme low-carb regimens, such as the Atkins diet. However, although the South Beach Diet shares some basic principles with the low-carb philosophy, it represents a much more balanced ? and medically sound ? approach to weight loss.

In fact, the underlying components of the South Beach Diet aren?t new at all. They bear a striking resemblance to the Mediterranean diet, a traditional way of eating that researchers say help accounts for the very low rates of disease and obesity in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.

The growing acceptance of this approach to weight loss has prompted many researchers to reassess the South Beach Diet in recent years. This week, we?ll take a look at a few recent studies that have scrutinized the health and safety of this approach. 

Researchers Single Out the South Beach Diet as a Good Choice for Weight Loss

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Connecticut sought to test the efficacy of the South Beach Diet as compared to standard low-fat diet approaches. In the study, the researchers assigned overweight men and women to two groups. Each group was directed to follow either a low-carb or a low-fat diet for a period of 50 days. After the initial period, all of the participants switched diets. This dual study design allowed the scientists the ability to carefully compare all aspects of both approaches.

Virtually all of the dieters lost more body fat on the low-carb regimen than the low-fat diet. The low-carb approach ? which approximated the guidelines of the South Beach Diet ? was found to be especially effective for men. However, both men and women on the low-carb regimen lost substantial body fat in the upper body area.

The preliminary results of the study also seemed to indicate that the low-carb diet approach was more effective in reducing and reversing several of the cardiac risk factors associated with obesity.

South Beach Diet Identified as Best for Heart Health

Although many dieters seek out new eating plans as a way to shed excess pounds, their doctors are often equally ? if not more -- concerned about a diet?s impact the health risks associated with obesity. While low-carb diets have long been proven to be effective as weight loss tools, concerns linger about their overall effect on health.

According to the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the South Beach Diet succeeds on both of these measures. It is low-carb enough to help dieters achieve steady weight loss, but it also avoids the risks associated with more extreme regimens.

Based on extensive analysis of several popular plans, the South Beach Diet was found to be one of the most effective ways to not only lose weight, but reduce the risk of obesity-related heart problems. In fact, this diet was shown to be more effective than even the government?s low-fat Food Pyramid at promoting weight loss and heart health.

Study Finds Wide-Ranging Health Benefits with South Beach-Like Diet

In addition to its effectiveness as a weight loss tool and heart-health booster, researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York found that the Mediterranean diet from which the South Beach approach draws its principal components had a number of other positive side effects, as well.

Among the most significant health benefits that were identified, it was found that this way of eating substantially reduced the risk of Alzheimer?s disease and also lengthened average life spans in the population that was studied. Preliminary results also indicated that the diet may also improve cognitive and neurological function throughout the lifespan, particularly for elderly men and women.

If you?re interested in the health and weight loss benefits of the South Beach Diet, talk to your doctor or a licensed nutritionist for a complete explanation. Please come back next week for more late-breaking weight loss news.

Researchers Explore New Horizons in Weight Loss Surgery

The world is facing a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions. Millions of overweight and obese men, women, and children are suffering as a result of less-than-healthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. Scores of debilitating diseases and health conditions are worsened by the stress that excess weight can place on the body.

Although the health risks associated with obesity are now well-known, for many people, the prospect of shedding excess pounds can feel like an uphill battle. Often, the challenge of carrying out a complete makeover one?s eating habits and lifestyle can be overwhelming.

As a result of this conundrum, surgical procedures designed to help people lose weight have skyrocketed in popularity over the last several decades. Once rare, these procedures are now performed over 200,000 times each year in the United States alone. Although results vary depending on the patient and the procedure, a significant number of the individuals who undergo weight loss surgery experience health improvements as a result.

Still, the rising popularity of weight loss surgery has also attracted some controversy. One frequently cited concern is the relatively high risk of problems and complications that have been linked to traditional weight loss surgery techniques.

To help overcome this dilemma, some researchers have begun focusing on developing new weight loss surgery procedures that are safer and carry fewer risks of complication. This week, we?ll review the results of several recent studies that have described and assessed new weight loss surgery techniques.

Researchers Create Non-Invasive Approach to Secondary Weight Loss Surgery

In an effort to reduce the relatively high risks of morbidity and even mortality that have been linked to traditional methods of weight loss surgery, researchers are working to develop new techniques that bear less potential for complications. A new technique devised by researchers at the Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, New York may represent the leading edge in this type of work ? the team?s weight loss-inducing procedure is completely non-invasive.

There?s just one catch: the new technique, known as StomaphyX, is only effective on patients who have previously undergone traditional gastric bypass surgery. In some cases, patients who have already had surgery for weight loss continue to gain weight when, over a period of time, their surgically-shrunken pouches begin to return to normal size. When this occurs, surgeons can use StomaphyX to help resize the pouch and limit stomach capacity.

In the preliminary study, the new technique was used successfully to resize the gastric pouches of five patients. At press time, no negative effects had been observed. While more research will be needed to definitely determine the safety of the procedure, it may well prove to be a significantly safer alternative to a second or third round of invasive gastric bypass surgery.

Ulcer Treatment Procedure May Provide Safer Alternative to Gastric Bypass Surgery

A minimally-invasive procedure that has been used to treat ulcers for decades is now being considered as a way to help patients lose weight without incurring the high risks of complications associated with gastric bypass surgery.

The procedure involves the removal of part of the tissue known the vagus nerve in the esophagus. In preliminary testing, this has been shown to result in safe, rapid weight loss with few or no side effects. The first study showed that overweight patients were able to lose an average of 18.4 percent of their excess body weight in the first six months after the procedure was performed.

Although the procedure has been used as an ulcer treatment for many years, it was not considered as a viable weight loss procedure until recently, when the public health threat associated with growing rates of obesity and overweight began to be more widespread. The results of the study assessing the promise of this procedure as a tool for weight management were presented in a session at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Mesh May Help Prevent Hernias for Gastric Bypass Patients

Post-surgery hernias are one of the most common ? and potentially dangerous ? complications faced by patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery. However, the results of a new study conducted by researchers at the Department of General and Transplant Surgery at Barlicki Hospital in Lodz, Poland suggest that the strategic use of mesh may help circumvent this problem.

In a study that compared 34 patients in whom surgical mesh was used to close incisions with 36 in whom standard sutures were used, the patients whose wounds were closed with mesh clearly benefited. While eight of the patients with standard sutures developed hernias, none of the patients in the mesh group followed suit. More testing will be needed before the procedure is widely accepted as common practice in the field, but this new technique may significantly increase the overall safety of gastric bypass surgery.

If you?re considering gastric bypass surgery, consult with a specialist to determine if one of these less-invasive procedures may be right for you. Don?t forget to check back each week for more of the weight loss research news you need to succeed!

Scientists Assess Risks and Benefits of Medifast Diet

In theory, weight loss is supposed to be easy. If you eat less food and expend more energy through exercise, most experts say, the resulting calorie deficit should result in gradual weight loss.

That?s what they say, anyway. In truth, though, it?s not always that easy. For millions of men and women, dieting is an uphill battle. Anyone who has found themselves locked in a weight loss struggle can understand the appeal of taking drastic measures to succeed.

There are hundreds of quick weight loss methods out there, many of which have been deemed unsafe for long-term use. However, there are a select few virtually fail-proof ?extreme? diets that have been tested and approved by credible physicians and researchers.

One of the most well-known of these diets is the Medifast plan. This primarily liquid diet uses a strict low-carb, low-fat formula to induce a benign form of ketosis, the state that is also used to achieve rapid results in many popular low-carb diets. However, the use of the physician-supplied liquid protein shakes as the main source of nutrients offers dieters a stricter measure of control over their food intake.

For the dieters who are able to summon up the willpower to stick to the strict rules of the Medifast plan, the weight loss results are often quick and dramatic. However, despite the high success rate of the Medifast diet, the long-term maintenance success of dieters is often less than stellar.

Although the Medifast plan remains controversial, ongoing research efforts are being undertaken to further confirm the safety and efficacy of the diet. This week, we?ll take a look at several recent studies, advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons - the different aspects of the Medifast plan.

Johns Hopkins Researchers Confirm the Effectiveness of Medifast

Researchers at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins School of Medicine developed a study designed to test the safety and efficacy of the Medifast diet plan. In the study, a population of significantly overweight men and women were placed on the Medifast diet under the careful observation of the research staff.

At the conclusion of the study period, virtually all of the participants had lost substantial amounts of weight. Among male subjects, the average weight loss was 67 pounds, while the female participants lost an average of 47 pounds. In addition, most of the study participants enjoyed a dramatic decline in obesity-related health problems and symptoms.

Researchers Find Medifast to be a Helpful Tool for Patients with Type II Diabetes

Adult-onset diabetes is a common health problem faced by overweight and obese men and women. By losing weight, Type II diabetics can often reduce their need for medication and significantly improve their overall health and quality of life. However, successful weight loss is often particularly challenging for diabetics.

One recent study conducted the safety and effectiveness of Medifast as a tool for helping Type II diabetics lose weight. In the study, a population of diabetics was divided into two groups, one of which followed the Medifast plan and the other of which followed the standard ADA-recommended diet for diabetics.

Over the course of 34 weeks, the Medifast group experienced much greater weight loss success than their counterparts in the ADA diet group. The patients following the Medifast diet lost twice as much weight and were twice as likely to stick with the program as were their counterparts in the standard food diet. In addition, the Medifast group was able to decrease their use of diabetes medication by nearly 25%, a phenomenon that was not observed in the ADA-diet group.

Supervised Diet Plans Often Have Little Long-Term Success, Scientists Say

Although some dieters respond well to the highly regimented structure of the Medifast diets, some researchers question the long-term effectiveness of these types of plans. One study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania compared the short- and long-term effectiveness of ten different commercial, medically-supervised weight-loss systems, including Medifast.

The research found that these plans were often successful for short-term weight loss, but that participants often encountered difficulty keeping the weight off for extended periods of time after the conclusion of the diet. It was also found that the financial costs of these plans can add up quickly.

If you?re considering using the Medifast diet, talk to your physician to find out if this is the right weight loss approach for you. Please check back each week for more of the diet news you need!

Portion Control and Dieting: A Successful Weight Loss Combination

Dieters are often concerned about the ingredients in foods they eat, menus and diet plans. But a very important part of weight loss that is often overlooked is portion control. Portion control is not difficult to learn and is easy to maintain, yet the impact achieved can be tremendous to your weight loss goals. If learned properly, portion control can make a big difference in the overall success of a weight loss plan.

By utilizing portion control, you can lose weight and still enjoy your favorite foods. The plan is simple: decrease your portion sizes by half. If you are used to eating an entire foot-long sandwich at Subway, cut the portion in half and instead order a six inch sandwich. After eating the sandwich, wait a few minutes and you may learn that you are now full after eating only half of what you usually eat.

If you are eating at a restaurant and portion control is not an option, ask for a to-go box. Most restaurants will be happy to provide a to-go box, even offering to prepare the box for you. The following day you can enjoy your leftovers for lunch and as a side benefit, you will have cut the expense of your meal in half.

Some restaurants offer lunch size portions of their special dishes. Don't be afraid to ask if you can purchase the lunch sized portion during dinner hours.

Portion Control Tips

• Eat slowly and enjoy each bite. If you are racing through a meal, you will have a tendency to over eat.
• Pay attention to how often you eat. You might be surprised at the frequency.
• Be mindful of eating. Monitor your choices. Do not eat standing up, but instead sit at a table and make it a meal.
• Snacking is a dieter's downfall. Keep snacking to a minimum.
• If you are still hungry after eating your smaller portion meal, try drinking a glass of water. It could curb your hunger and make you feel full.

Benefits of Portion Control

Portion control allows you to eat your favorite foods, but in smaller quantities. This minimizes the chance of feeling deprived. The smaller portions lead to natural weight loss and condition your body and metabolism through the reduced portions. More frequent feedings might be necessary, but by keeping the portions under control, your weight loss efforts could be more successful.

By keeping a portion control schedule, you can eat smaller portions of the food you love, enjoy meals more frequently, and never be hungry. If you are looking for a long-term weight loss solution, portion control may be the answer you are looking for.

Many Dieters Turn to Botox for Beauty Boost

Millions of men and women are actively trying to shed excess pounds at any given time. Although many of these dieters are motivated by health concerns, it's probably fair to say that a large majority are also seeking the improved self-confidence that comes with feeling better and looking better.

As anyone who has battled the scale knows well, the process of weight loss can be a long, hard struggle. It can be tempting to hold off on self-care while you're fighting excess pounds -- in fact, some dieters use the prospect of a future beauty binge as a goal to work towards.

However, the latest research indicates that this approach -- although well-intentioned -- may be misguided. Instead, scientists say, it pays to pour your time and resources into maintaining your outward appearance while you lose weight, rather than waiting until you've crossed the finish line. This is due to the fact that neglecting your appearance can result in low self-esteem. Across the board, successful dieters often have higher reported levels of self-confidence than their counterparts who throw in the towel.

One increasingly popular method of boosting self-confidence is turning to the age-erasing power of the cosmetic treatment known as Botox. Small injections of Botox are used to smooth muscles and skin, significantly reducing many common signs of aging.

The popularity of Botox has skyrocketed in recent years, and scientists are starting to pay attention to the once-controversial drug. This week, we'll take a look at a trio of recent studies that assessed the benefits of Botox.

Study Points to a Safer, More Effective Form of Botox Treatment

Despite the widespread use of Botox as a cosmetic treatment, safety concerns remain an issue. Since its release, Botox has remained at the center of a heated controversy. Many scientists have expressed their concern over the long-term safety of the drug, which is based on the same toxin that causes botulism, a potentially fatal disease.

However, the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California suggest that a new formulation of the popular treatment could allay many of these safety concerns. The researchers have indicated that smaller, more concentrated doses of Botox may be able to significantly increase the safety of the cosmetic treatment.

By pairing the traditional Botox treatment with a newly synthesized molecule, Scripps scientists have effectively "supercharged" the treatment, allowing much smaller doses to produce even more visible cosmetic changes. The smaller doses may eliminate the possibility that the body rejects the Botox compound by mounting an immune system response.

In addition, the scientists add that by minimizing the amount of Botox in each dose, the average price of the treatment may decline. However, further testing -- and FDA approval -- are still needed before the new formulation is released to the public.

Botox Can Improve Healing, Reduce Facial Scarring

Although the cosmetic treatment is used primarily as an anti-aging agent, a recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Buffalo's Department of Otolaryngology suggests that it could also be used to improve healing after facial surgery. In addition, the research suggests that Botox treatment may reduce and even reverse some types of facial scarring.

The new formulation of the popular treatment has been submitted for further testing before being considered for FDA approval. Although this research focused solely on facial healing and scarring, the scientists suspect that it may prove to be similarly effective when used on other parts of the body.

Botox May Have Many Non-Cosmetic Benefits, Study Shows

Although Botox came to prominence as a cosmetic treatment, a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Leicester indicates that the anti-aging agent may have other medical applications, as well.

Specifically, the research explored the use of Botox as a possible treatment for bladder problems. Because Botox works by producing stiffness in muscles, researchers have suggested that it may be beneficial for patients who suffer from overactive bladders, a condition that is often associated with a specific type of muscle spasms.

The ongoing study has shown promising results in the preliminary round, according to the researchers leading the investigation. However, further randomized trials to test the treatment's safety and efficacy in human populations will be necessary before the drug can be submitted for final approval.

If you're considering Botox -- whether for cosmetic reasons or other medical applications -- your doctor can help you decide if this treatment is right for you. Please be sure to check back each week to get more of the research news you need to succeed in your journey toward better health.

Researchers Assess Risks, Complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Perhaps no single other medical advance holds as much promise for turning back the tide of the obesity epidemic than gastric bypass surgery. Over the last several years, thousands of obese men and women have turned to this surgical procedure as a means of regaining control over their weight and health. However, despite the fact that gastric bypass surgery is clearly an effective means of losing weight, the safety of the surgery remains in doubt.

In the procedure, surgical changes are made that reduce the size of the stomach and disconnect part of the small intestine. As a result, the capacity of the stomach is significantly decreased, and the patient is forced to implement radical changes in their eating habits. Post-surgery weight losses of more than 100 pounds are not uncommon.

Still, scientists remain split over whether gastric bypass surgery represents a safe alternative to traditional approaches to weight loss, such as diets and exercise. Over the last few years, many conflicting reports on possible complications of gastric bypass surgery have led to further confusion.

This week, we'll dive into the controversy surrounding gastric bypass surgery with a review of several recent studies that have sought to assess the safety and success of the procedure.

Some Gastric Bypass Patients Suffer from Malnutrition, Study Shows

Part of the standard procedure for gastric bypass surgery results in a "rerouting" of the patient's digestive system. Stomach capacity is decreased, and part of the small intestine is closed off, resulting in the "bypass" that lends the procedure its name.

However, concerns are now surfacing that this bypass procedure may be limiting the ability of patients who undergo the procedure to absorb essential nutrients.

Scientists from the Washington Hospital Center recently presented data at a conference indicating that post-surgical bacteria growth in the small intestines could block the body's ability to process, digest, and absorb vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the food that has been consumed. The chief concerned mentioned by the scientists was the possibility of calcium deficiencies, caused when alterations in the patient's intestinal bacteria disrupted nutrient absorption.

The team reported that this risk could be averted by adapting surgical techniques. The scientists also called for more standardization in the procedures that are used when performing gastric bypass surgeries.

Extremely Obese Patients May Be at Greater Risk for Complications after Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to help morbidly obese individuals lose weight and improve their overall health. However, according to the results of a recent study, patients who weigh more than 450 pounds may be at particular risk for post-surgery complications and problems.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Medicine, found that post-surgery complications often went undiagnosed in extremely obese patients, increasing their seriousness and impact. In part, it was found that standard diagnostic and imaging equipment is often ineffective for use on extremely obese individuals. Physicians who used standard equipment to perform post-surgery check-ups on extremely obese patients often missed signs of potential problems.

The researchers urged the use of appropriate equipment in order to improve post-surgery care for extremely obese patients. They also cautioned that extremely obese individuals who may be considering gastric bypass surgery should take these additional risks under advisement.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Could Increase Risk for Brain Disorders, Research Shows

A study conducted by scientists at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences indicates that gastric bypass surgery patients may be at higher risk for a number of neurological symptoms and disorders, including confusion, audio and visual hallucinations, optic neuropathy, weakness, pain, and loss of sensation in the legs and feet, among others.

Although the exact source of these neurological symptoms remains unclear, the scientists theorized that they could be the result of key vitamin deficiencies that result after gastric bypass surgery. All of the patients who experienced troubling neurological symptoms also had nutritional abnormalities, including low levels of copper, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium in their bloodstream.

The doctors urged a focus on the post-surgery nutrition of gastric bypass surgery patients. They also urged educational efforts to inform patients to keep aware of neurological symptoms.

If you or a loved one is considering gastric bypass surgery, talk to your doctor to find out if this procedure is the right option. Please check back each week for more breaking diet and weight loss research news.