Is Milk Nutritional?

By consuming a small amount of low fat or skim milk daily, a level of protection is launched against a host of health problems, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers break ground by reporting that adults who had at minimum one serving of low fat or other milk products daily had a thirty-seven percent smaller chance of insufficient kidney function linked to heart disease in comparison to individuals who drank none.

Soy Instead of Cow's Milk?

Cow's milk is often used as the benchmark for most existing nutritional recommendations. Conversely, non-dairy milk emerged later and, on many occasions, is fortified with additional nutritional vitamins and minerals that were produced later in an effort to escalate their nutritional value so that they are similar to the nutritional value of cow's milk. And without fortified vitamin and mineral add-ons, soy is below the nourishment that cow's milk delivers. Although lacking the default nutrients cow's milk provides in nature, soy milk does contain almost identical group of nutrients. Vegans, which is a dietary practice in which an individual omits animal products from their diet, need to be sure that they include a source of vitamin B12 in their menu or as a supplement because otherwise without cow's milk, a vegan could have difficulty getting a sufficient level of vitamin B12 in their diet, which can be harmful.

Nutritional Benefits of Soy Milk

There are great nutritional and health benefits of soy milk. Soy provides a well-balanced nutritional equilibrium. Soy delivers balanced nutrition through high-quality protein and carbohydrates and is also low in fat with no cholesterol with the added benefit of being low in saturated fat. With soy milk and many other soy foods packing so many health benefits, researchers say that cultivating soybeans could well be an increasingly popular use of land to combat food shortages.

Cow's Milk May Reduce Chances of Heart Disease

Single-handedly, cow's milk is a rich, health-giving food. Skim and low fat do not consist of high fat content and is believed to be extremely nutritious. A recent international study indicated that by drinking low fat or skim everyday, people may lower their chance of developing heart disease.

To determine the chance of developing heart disease, researchers from multiple universities in the United States and Norway calculated the kidney function of more than five thousand individuals who are within the age range of forty-five to eighty-four years old. They tracked consumption habits and tested albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) ? a grade that when extra low, according to the American Heart Association, can determine poor kidney function and an exceedingly high chance for cardiovascular disease. The researchers discovered that the people who regularly consumed this low-fat drink had improved kidney function as suggested by their low ACR rate. Study members who regularly drank at the minimum one glass of low fat daily had a shockingly high rate of thirty-seven percent fewer kidney function disorders.

A Link with Ovarian Cancer?

A recent conglomerate study of twenty-one individual analyses explored the possible connection between ovarian cancer and the ingestion of these products and discovered some support for the theory that high consumption of cow's milk is associated with a higher cancer risk. The results of this conglomerate, which were released in the August 2005 entry for the International Journal of Cancer, suggested that support was stronger in studies involving large groups of people.

By studying a group of patients who had ovarian cancer and comparing them with a group of patients who did not have the cancer, it was theorized that whole milk in one's diet was associated with a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. The study, however, did not offer any support for the possibility of lactose in the initial advancement of ovarian cancer.

The study also found a thirteen percent higher chance of cancer risk with a daily intake of ten grams of lactose, which is approximately one glass. Moreover, it was found that yogurt consumption was associated with a non-significant chance of increased cancer risk, while cheese was not found to increase the risk of this type of cancer.

Soy More Healthy than Cow's?

Soy was recommended by health care advocates as a natural alternative to drinking cow's milk. Unfortunately, however, advancements have developed which show the negative environmental impact of soybean farming as well as the alarming recognition that many soybeans that are grown today are more often than not from varieties that are genetically modified. And many soy products that are on the market today have been sweetened so as to improve taste, which means that they are no longer nutritionally better than cow's milk.

A leading medical researcher, Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, did extensive research on digestive associated issues. Dr. Dean stated that soy has a high level of phytic acid, which has the likelihood of blocking the digestion of grains, which are a necessary originator of minerals. Furthermore, soy has trypsin inhibitors which interfere with the digestion of protein. Toss in the fact that the body does not absorb vitamin B12 in soy, which could result in a dangerous condition for vegans who use soy as a means of obtaining their vitamin B12. The one exception to this is soy products which were fermented.

What Alternatives are There?

There are many good sources for these nutrients, such as rice or almond milk which do not involve the serious health issues that may be possibly associated with cow's milk or soy milk.

Get a Professional Opinion

If you are concerned about the nutritional elements within your diet, it is highly recommended that you consult with a licensed dietician or professional health care provider.

For further reading:

• http://www.newslocale.org/health/hnews/drinking_toned_milk_may_reduce_risk_of_heart_disease_200806292454.html
• http://www.milksucks.com/index2.asp

Gaining Popularity - The Big Breakfast Diet

By eating a large breakfast of 600 calories that is rich in carbohydrates and protein, dieters are capable of losing more weight and maintain the diet to bring about long-lasting results. According to a newly released study conducted by the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond findings indicate that a quantity of dieters who ate a 600 calorie hearty meal in the morning, while following in the day ate well-rounded meals that consist of 640 calories dropped an average of twenty-one percent more pounds over a range of four months. The diet allows participants to ingest 22 grams of fat, 58 grams of carbohydrates, and 47 grams of protein totaling 1,240 calories for the whole day.

Most of the general public do not pause when starting a popular dietary regimen. But consistency is demanding. And the notion behind the "Big Breakfast" diet is that by consuming a greater than average menu immediately upon waking up, there is a smaller possibility to impromptu eat.

Big Breakfast Diet Helps Dieters Lose Weight

If skipping breakfast is one of your weight-loss strategies, you need to reconsider your strategy. Nutritionists have always stated that breakfast is essential for physical and mental health, and this recent research shows that by eating in the a.m., one can indeed shed pounds. A 1992 study at Vanderbilt University found that women who changed their diet to include breakfast lost 28% more weight over a 12-week period than women who skipped their morning dish. Also, a full 78% of the 3,000 people enrolled in the National Weight Loss Registry, an ongoing tally of adults who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for more than a year, paint the picture of themselves as breakfast eaters.

How is the Big Breakfast Diet Different Than Low Carbohydrate Diets?

"Big Breakfast" diet is breaking ground in the battle to drop pounds. The American Dietetic Association spokesperson, Joan Salge Blake, RD, stated the findings embrace "perfect sense". The dissimilarity between ordinary dieting with a low-carbohydrate food choices is that subsequently the dieters on the "Big Breakfast" arrangement progressively lost weight meanwhile low-carbohydrate dieters began to re-increase the pounds that they had earlier dropped.

The new program is not typical by any means. Omitting breakfast is an epidemic weight-loss strategy, yet it has been shown that skipping breakfast is not a sound prescription to start the day. Breakfast is absolute for eliminating cloudy-minds and keeps an individual feeling sharp and ready to start the day. Plus this new trial shows that by eating a hearty meal first thing in the morning, individuals can indeed drop pounds.

What is The Big Deal About the Big Breakfast Plan?

According to the results of a analysis conducted at Vanderbilt University, among the women who had earlier skipped their early morning meal then changed their routine to include breakfast, twenty-eight percent more weight was lost. The issue was investigated by scientists who studied these women for a twelve week time frame. Also, beyond seventy percent of the participants enrolled in the trial kept the weight off for more than twelve months.

This new approach to dieting was spearheaded by Dr. Jakubowicz of Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been suggesting the "Big Breakfast" diet and began presenting its benefits well beyond 15 years ago. The results of this diet are only now getting national attention. Dr. Jakubowicz recommends that traditional low-carb diet boosts appetite and slows metabolism down, so women on this diet may lose weight for a while and then increasingly gain weight again.

The Big Breakfast Plan Helps to Combat Obesity

A discussion with 96 obese women, who are physically passive, showed that big breakfast diet is really more productive that mere low-carb diets.

Those on the "Big Breakfast Diet" perceive smaller hunger sensations prior lunch and all day," says Daniela Jakubowicz, MD, an endocrinologist in Caracas, Venezuela, and a clinical professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, who led the study. She is presenting her findings this week at ENDO 08, the 90th yearly assembly of The Endocrine Society in San Francisco.

A Simple Way to Lose Weight

"Big Breakfast" diet is an incredibly simple way to lose weight. Dr. Jakubowicz expressed that a customary low-carbohydrate diet increases appetite and reduced metabolism, which means that women on a low-carbohydrate diet may initially lose weight, but later gain the weight back. Indeed, a study conducted on obese women who are infrequently exercise exhibit that big breakfast diet is more effective that low-carbohydrate diets.

A well-rounded breakfast consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy such as skim milk or low-fat cheeses, and protein such as an omelet or hard-boiled eggs, low-fat meats or fish, or peanut butter. And by eating a hearty breakfast at home, it reduces the probability of eating fast-food on the road later as your hunger becomes more of a nuisance.

For further reading:

• http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,368462,00.html
• http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20080617/big-breakfast-diet-helps-shed-pounds?src=rss_facs

Vegan Diets and the Dangers That Can Evolve Through Improper Planning

For many dieters, a vegetarian diet has helped to maintain a healthy weight by eliminating meat in the diet. Others partake a vegetarian lifestyle for moral reasons and dieting has nothing to do with their decision to eliminate meats from their diet. Regardless of the reason, studies show that by the year 2005, there were roughly twenty-five million vegetarians in the United States.

A vegetarian diet can be a very healthy way of life, but taken a step further some people have undertaken a more extreme diet called a "vegan diet" which contains no food of animal origin at all. Generally a vegan diet consists of a mixture of fruit and vegetables, whole grain cereals, pulses, and nuts.

Because vitamin B12 is found in most animal products, meat, fish, eggs, and butter, people who follow a vegan diet need to plan accordingly to ensure they are getting enough in their diet. Vitamin B12 is a crucial part of a balanced and healthy diet. It helps with brain function and provides energy.

Vegan Diet Dangers

Scientists reveal that adhering to a strict vegan diet can lead to a dangerous side-effect called vitamin B12 deficiency. The most crucial function of vitamin B12 is the formation of red blood cells within the body and the upkeep of a healthy nervous system. With proper planning, vegan diets may not lack the needed B12 nutrients, but researchers warn that without forethought, a vegan diet participant may suffer from insufficient B12 vitamins. In fact, the threat is so sever that if a baby is deprived of nutrients that have B12 vitamins, they can suffer from retarded growth, rickets and even nerve damage. A study conducted by Swedish participants revealed that of people seventy-five years and older, more than half of the elderly who were diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's type dementia also had low levels of vitamin B12.

The Need for Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is needed for cell division and blood formation. Neither plants nor animals make vitamin B12. Bacteria are responsible for the production of vitamin B12. Animals receive their vitamin B12 from eating foods that consist of vitamin B12 nutrients, and then the animal in-turn becomes a source of vitamin B12. Plant foods do not contain vitamin B12, except when they are tainted by microorganisms or have vitamin B12 incorporated into them.

Vitamin B12 is Composed of What?

Vitamin B12 is a chemically complex vitamin. The foundation of vitamin B12 consists of corrin ring, which is the core of the mineral. Vitamin B12 cannot be manufactured without bacteria, which has a precise balance of enzymes required for its production.

Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

There are numerous symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency which can signal to us that a person is afflicted with this dangerous ailment. They include constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia and fatigue.

Vitamin B12 Supplements That Are Often Used in Vegan Diets

Scientists recommend that people who follow a vegan diet may need to find healthy alternatives for eggs and dairy products in order to be sure that their menu includes enough B12 vitamins. The following suggestions are listed as healthy alternatives. These items may be used when planning a meal or cooking.

As an alternative to cow's milk, researchers recommend soy milk, rice milk or almond milk. As an alternative to cooking with butter, one can instead use olive oil, vegetable broth, wine or fat-free cooking spray. Cheese alternatives are easily found in the form of soy cheese or nutritional yeast flakes. Eggs, which are an important source of vitamin B12, can be replaced with commercial egg alternatives which is a product made of potato starch. Tofu and flaxseed are additional egg alternatives that are a healthy replacement. Most of these items can be found in the health food section of major grocery stores.

What About Vitamin Supplements?

Nearly 30,000 dietary supplements that are sold and marketed today have not undergone the extensive scientific testing which is needed to confirm their safety and efficiency. Vegans are recommended to ensure their diet includes foods fortified with vitamin B12 by eating healthy, natural alternatives, rather than taking a vitamin supplement alone. A wide variety of B12 fortified foods are available.

What Can I Do?

Any diet plan should be well planned with the assistance of a licensed dietary professional. There are many unregulated dietary professionals who are well trained, however, for the purpose of vegan diet planning, it is recommended that you consult with a professionally-regulated dietician who is educated by the American Dietetic Association. A consultation with a professionally-trained dietician who knows the dangers of vitamin deficiency is a great starting point. The goal is to prevent B12 deficiency in your vegan diet so that, if are committed to a vegan diet, you can maintain your diet goals without damaging your health.

Visit the EasyDietCenter again soon for more helpful tips and articles regarding diet and health choices.

Exploring Possible Reasons for Unexplained Weight Gain

Most people that experience unexplained weight gain attribute it to their age. And sadly, many people just accept it as fate. The good news is that there are reasons for unexplained weight gain. This article will explain some possibilities for this phenomena.

Hypothyroidism Weight Gain

Hypothyroidism weight gain is caused by an under producing thyroid gland. This condition afflicts millions of people every year. It is a result of a decrease in the production of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) being produced by the thyroid gland. The pituitary regulates the endocrine function of the thyroid. The thyroid regulates the metabolism which helps to control weight. Without TSH in inadequate amounts, weight gain can occur. Often hypothyroidism weight gain is overlooked or attributed to some other underlying disorder.

Although hypothyroidism is easy to treat, losing the weight is sometimes difficult. The symptoms of gaining weight are often very subtle. As a result, physicians do not look to the thyroid first as the cause of weight gain. Sometimes the weight gain is so slow and beyond realization that people take stringent steps to lose weight all the while not knowing the weight gain is because they have a thyroid problem (which is easily treated).

Menopause in Women

Another reason for unexplained weight gain is menopause in women. As a women approaches menopause, the body's hormone levels decline, thus causing many changes to occur. As estrogen levels decline, a women's body will naturally look for other places from where to get the needed estrogen. Unfortunately, fat cells are capable of producing estrogen, which results in the body working harder to convert calories to fat.

In addition to the declining levels of estrogen, the body's testosterone levels are also declining. Testosterone is the steroid hormone that stimulates the conversion of calories to lean muscle mass. As such, with lower testosterone levels people lose muscle mass. Since muscle burns far more calories than does fat, the body is no longer capable of burning calories as efficiently as once before.

Food Allergies

Another dilemma that can result in the unexplained weight gain is a food allergy. Many people don't consider the fact that not all food allergies result in rashes or difficulty breathing. One indication of a food allergy can be a rapid weight gain. In this case, it can be helpful to determine what foods were recently introduced into the diet. You can remove one at a time to help determine the culprit and then avoid that food completely.

Prescription Medications

Some prescription medications can also be the culprit. Many young women are aware of the fact that several types of birth control pills can cause quick weight gain. If this does occur, the woman can inquire about a different brand or type of pill when speaking to a professional health care provider. Some of the low dose pills that assimilate a woman's menstrual cycle are not as likely to result in increased body weight. In fact, some may even result in weight loss.

There are several ways that antidepressants can cause weight gain. For example, antidepressants can slow down a person's metabolism. By reducing the caloric intake or by beginning a consistent but reasonable exercise program, the metabolism can be jump-started again. Antidepressants can cause hormonal fluctuation that increase the appetite. Some antidepressants can cause the individual to be more tranquil which can result in a more sedentary lifestyle. Antidepressants can give rise to mood swings that make it difficult for an individual to stick to a consistent schedule. Some antidepressants (especially Celexa and Amytripyline) appear to cause uninitiated food cravings. Side effects such as dizziness and low blood pressure can have a person feeling as though they are living "minute too minute"which makes it hard pressed to plan and stick to a disciplined exercise schedule. It is important to note, however, that individuals currently taking antidepressants should never alter their medication schedule without first speaking to their physician.

Unexpected weight gain can increase the difficulties linked to psychiatric and seizure disorders by further aggravating mood instability and low self-esteem.

Lose Inches at the Waistline

The most effective means at which to lose weight are the most obvious - lower caloric intake and a adhere to a consistent exercise program. To lower caloric intake, one can easily do this by reducing or eliminate alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol does nothing but add inches to a person's waistline. Exercise programs are easy to adhere to if a club or gym is located nearby. Aerobics classes for beginners are the best way to get started. Having a professional on-hand is helpful.

What can I do if I have experienced unexplained weight gain?

The first and most important thing anyone who has experienced unexplained weight gain is to visit a health care professional. It is important to have a list of the questions available. Take these notes to the appointment. Many people complain that when they get to the doctor's office they forget the questions or concerns they had prior to the appointment.

Tips For a Healthy Lifestyle

Exercise, eat a healthy, balanced menu and lead a healthy lifestyle. A combination of awareness of your body, health diet, and a consistent but reasonable work-out routine can do wonders for health and state of mind.

Scientists Explore Lap Band Options - Advantages Over Gastric Bypass

Pros and Cons of the Lap Band

As the public health costs of the obesity epidemic have spiraled ever higher in the United States and other industrialized nations, scientists have been searching for treatments that could help millions of overweight men, women, and children achieve shed excess pounds in a safe, steady, and predictable manner. Everything from new diets to over-the-counter weight loss treatments have been developed in recent years, but nothing has yet been able to significantly reduce the problem on a large scale.

However, if any one procedure can be said to be universally effective as a weight loss tool, bariatric surgery would be it. Although procedures like gastric bypass surgery almost always help the patients who undergo them lose weight, safety concerns and frequent complications remain problematic.

Because of the dire health impacts of obesity, scientists around the world have focused their attention on the task of devising weight loss procedures that are both effective and safe. One of the most popular alternatives that is gaining wider acceptance in the research community is the less-invasive procedure known as ?gastric banding? or ?lap banding.?

This week, we?ll survey several recent studies, explore the pros and cons of the lap band as an alternative to gastric bypass surgery.

Lap Band More Effective Than Low-Calorie Diet

Men and women who were an average of 50 pounds overweight lost more weight after gastric banding than they did on a low-calorie diet. The results of a recent study conducted by scientists at Monash University Medical School in Melbourne, Australia bolstered growing praise for the gastric banding alternative to gastric bypass surgery.

In the study, a sample of 80 overweight men and women were split into two groups. One group was instructed to follow a very strict 500-calorie diet, while the other group underwent gastric banding.

In the first six months, the rate of weight loss between the two groups was roughly equal. But after two years, it was found that the patients in the low-calorie group had regained all of the weight they initially lost. In contrast, the gastric band patients had lost an average of 87% of their excess weight and, for the most part, kept it off. The gastric band group also reported a much higher quality of life than their counterparts in the low-calorie diet group.

Very Obese Patients Fare Better With Lap Band, Study Shows

In a study that compared gastric bypass surgery with lap banding, it was found that morbidly obese individuals typically have much better outcomes with lap banding.

Although the very obese are most in need of weight loss help, many in this group suffer complications in the aftermath of gastric bypass surgery at a disproportionate rate when compared to less-obese patients. Scientists at a commercial bariatric surgery center in Portland, Oregon recently took up the challenge of making weight loss procedures safer for the very obese with a study that compared the long-term outcomes of lap bands and gastric bypass surgery.

According to the results of the study, the lap band procedure was safer for morbidly obese patients in the long-term. Because the procedure is less invasive, there are far fewer complication risks during and after the surgery, an important consideration for morbidly obese individuals.

Although gastric bypass patients lost more weight in the first four years after surgery, the results for 5-year weight loss were statistically similar. This, paired with the drastic reduction of complications associated with the lap band procedure, makes this alternative a viable option for the very obese.

Lap Band Surgery Safe for Overweight Adolescents

Although the trend of obese teenagers seeking out gastric bypass surgery has skyrocketed in recent years, many researchers have expressed concern about the safety of this procedure for younger patients. However, the results of a recent study conducted by scientists at the NYU Medical Center indicates that lap banding procedures have very favorable safety and efficacy ratings among this age group.

Among a group of obese 13- to 17-year-olds, the lap band procedure was equally effective in spurring weight loss. In addition, these patients experienced far fewer complications than did their counterparts who underwent gastric bypass surgery. The scientists concluded that this procedure may be preferable for overweight adolescents.

If you?re considering weight loss surgery, make sure that you consult with a qualified medical professional to help make the right decision. Please check back here each week for more of the research news you need to succeed in your journey to better health!