Forget the Chips and Dip; This Is One Weird Super Bowl Diet
By Katherine Hobson
Posted: February 5, 2010
A one-size-fits-all approach to diet isn't likely to work since we all have our individual quirks, both biological and behavioral, that make us thrive on one eating pattern rather than another. Dwight Freeney, a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, is an extreme example of the quest to pinpoint the exact formula for his body. (His team will face the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl on Sunday.) As described by Sports Illustrated this week, his diet for the days prior to the playoff game against the New York Jets consisted of nothing besides beef and pinto beans.
How did he come up with such a bizarre-seeming plan? Through a protocol created by a licensed nutrition counselor, Sari Mellman, and implemented with the help of her son, Leon, a chiropractor who acts as Freeney's "food coach." Through the protocol, called Sari Mellman's Dietary Progression, Freeney's blood is regularly analyzed to see "what foods create an organ and tissue inflammation response," and the diet is tweaked accordingly, says Leon. There's more to it than just blood analysis—clients, who pay up to the $5,995 the website quotes for the most complete version of the program, get a binder full of educational and customized information—but if the details sound vague, that's because for nonclients, they are. The protocol is proprietary.
I asked Leon Mellman how this system is any better than the typical advice about a healthful diet: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and focus on whole grains, legumes, lean sources of protein, and "good" fats like olive oil. (And keep calories in balance—i.e., don't eat too much.) He said, quoting his mother, that the conventional rules of nutrition don't always apply. "When you eat broccoli and I eat broccoli, it affects our system differently."
That's probably true, thanks to those aforementioned quirks. Our genes, physiology, and even gut bacteria differ. And of course, it's clear that some people tolerate certain foods less well than others—hence lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and food allergies. And we are equipped, for the most part, to pinpoint those problems. With food allergies, for example, the important guide is a history of a reaction, usually immediate or within an hour of ingestion, to a certain food, says Jeffrey Factor, an allergy and immunology specialist and associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Medical School. A skin test is the best and fastest way to diagnose a food allergy. Sometimes blood tests are used, but only to detect the presence of an antibody called IgE, says Factor. Other tests, including looking for another antibody called IgG, cytotoxic tests, and hair analysis, are not helpful, he says. The term "food sensitivity" refers not to allergies but to nonallergenic mechanisms that still seem to produce a bad reaction to a certain food (some people get extremely jumpy after one cup of coffee, for example, or get headaches from MSG).
But scientifically predicting the diet that will make you feel or perform better is different. When I wrote last year about diets that claim to make weight loss more likely because they're keyed to a person's individual makeup, scientists told me that while the field of nutritional genomics is promising, there aren't genetic or other tests on the market that can prescribe the best diet with any certainty. (For now, trial and error is still the way to go.) Does the Mellmans' protocol represent an advance in this field? It's impossible to know, since Leon Mellman says neither he nor his mother has published any research into its effectiveness in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Testimonials—and Leon Mellman E-mailed me some glowing ones—are no match for hard data. If Dwight Freeney performs and feels at his best in the Super Bowl, however, that will probably be enough data for him.
source US news
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Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Friday
Obesity in American Children
It is no secret that obesity is a huge problem in America and that is children as well as adults. One of the biggest defenses against this killer is knowledge. The experts say that an obese person will live 20 years less than a person that has a healthy weight. So, knowing the most common causes of obesity is going to help you eliminate it in children.
Genetics does play a part in being overweight. It is not uncommon to see obese adults with overweight children. Overweight children should be checked by a physician to ensure that there is not a medical reason that they are overweight and then they can begin to make healthy changes in their lifestyle.
Environment is partially to blame for children being overweight. Most schools do not serve the most nutritious meals and many of them have cut back on physical education requirements. Although this is beginning to change, the process is slow. Packing your child a nutritious lunch at least 3 days a week will go a long way in eliminating the foods that lead to obesity.
Diet is a big factor in being overweight. We eat fast food much more than we used to and it is no secret that many of these foods are loaded with fat and calories. Fast food may be convenient, but unless you make healthy choices you are setting yourself up to gain weight if you eat a fast food restaurant very often.
Lack of physical activity is a huge contributing factor to our children being overweight. In recent years, children have spent more time in front of the screen (TV, computer, video games). They do not spend the time playing outside, riding bikes or any number of other physical activities that used to be enjoyed by children.
In 95% of all childhood obesity cases, changing the way we live will change the weight and the health of our children. Small changes can go along way in improving the health of a child. If you have an overweight child or relative, make it a priority to make the necessary changes to help them live a healthier life.
source ezien articles
more health information this links
if you want to overcome the problem of obesity, visit this link
Genetics does play a part in being overweight. It is not uncommon to see obese adults with overweight children. Overweight children should be checked by a physician to ensure that there is not a medical reason that they are overweight and then they can begin to make healthy changes in their lifestyle.
Environment is partially to blame for children being overweight. Most schools do not serve the most nutritious meals and many of them have cut back on physical education requirements. Although this is beginning to change, the process is slow. Packing your child a nutritious lunch at least 3 days a week will go a long way in eliminating the foods that lead to obesity.
Diet is a big factor in being overweight. We eat fast food much more than we used to and it is no secret that many of these foods are loaded with fat and calories. Fast food may be convenient, but unless you make healthy choices you are setting yourself up to gain weight if you eat a fast food restaurant very often.
Lack of physical activity is a huge contributing factor to our children being overweight. In recent years, children have spent more time in front of the screen (TV, computer, video games). They do not spend the time playing outside, riding bikes or any number of other physical activities that used to be enjoyed by children.
In 95% of all childhood obesity cases, changing the way we live will change the weight and the health of our children. Small changes can go along way in improving the health of a child. If you have an overweight child or relative, make it a priority to make the necessary changes to help them live a healthier life.
source ezien articles
more health information this links
if you want to overcome the problem of obesity, visit this link
Obesity survival paradox
Obesity survival paradox
Although the negative health consequences of obesity in the general population are well supported by the available evidence, health outcomes in certain subgroups seem to be improved at an increased BMI, a phenomenon known as the obesity survival paradox. The paradox was first described in 1999 in overweight and obese people undergoing hemodialysis, and has subsequently been found in those with heart failure and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
In people with heart failure, those with a BMI between 30.0–34.9 had lower mortality than those with a normal weight. This has been attributed to the fact that people often lose weight as they become progressively more ill. Similar findings have been made in other types of heart disease. People with class I obesity and heart disease do not have greater rates of further heart problems than people of normal weight who also have heart disease. In people with greater degrees of obesity, however, risk of further events is increased. Even after cardiac bypass surgery, no increase in mortality is seen in the overweight and obese. One study found that the improved survival could be explained by the more aggressive treatment obese people receive after a cardiac event. Another found that if one takes into account chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in those with PAD the benefit of obesity no longer exists.
if you want to overcome the problem of obesity, visit this link
The Basics of Children's Health
If you are a parent you knew that you have to do everything in your power to secure the well-being of your baby. Your only priority is your children's health. And in protecting your children from harm and illnesses, here are a few good things that you can do.
1. Serve your children a healthy, balanced diet.
Yes, your children love junk food and you keep on arguing with them that it is bad for their health. However, arguing doesn't solve the problem. Let them eat junk food every now and then, but ensure your children's health by serving them a healthy, balanced diet. Remember to always include fruits and vegetables in their meals. One orange and one green vegetable a day are going to keep your children in an excellent condition.
2. Limit your children's intake of processed foods.
There are a lot of foods in the market that contain preservatives. These chemicals are unhealthy and may cause health problems to your children. You have to always check on the salt, sugar and additive contents of the food you are buying.
3. Let them eat breakfast.
To eliminate the risk of obesity, your children should always eat the most important meal of the day - breakfast. If your children do not eat breakfast, they may develop sugar problems such as diabetes and even acquire high levels of cholesterol.
4. Convince your children to exercise.
Whether it is roaming around the house or joining a swimming event, exercising is best for your children's health. Regular exercise can boost your children's immune system to fight off infections and diseases. It also makes their bones healthier and keeps them off of obesity.
5. Serve as a good example.
Your child will not be convinced to eat a healthy diet if you are not following your own rules. Make sure that what you eat is healthful for you to be able to serve as your children's role model in safeguarding their health.
Source: EzineArticles
1. Serve your children a healthy, balanced diet.
Yes, your children love junk food and you keep on arguing with them that it is bad for their health. However, arguing doesn't solve the problem. Let them eat junk food every now and then, but ensure your children's health by serving them a healthy, balanced diet. Remember to always include fruits and vegetables in their meals. One orange and one green vegetable a day are going to keep your children in an excellent condition.
2. Limit your children's intake of processed foods.
There are a lot of foods in the market that contain preservatives. These chemicals are unhealthy and may cause health problems to your children. You have to always check on the salt, sugar and additive contents of the food you are buying.
3. Let them eat breakfast.
To eliminate the risk of obesity, your children should always eat the most important meal of the day - breakfast. If your children do not eat breakfast, they may develop sugar problems such as diabetes and even acquire high levels of cholesterol.
4. Convince your children to exercise.
Whether it is roaming around the house or joining a swimming event, exercising is best for your children's health. Regular exercise can boost your children's immune system to fight off infections and diseases. It also makes their bones healthier and keeps them off of obesity.
5. Serve as a good example.
Your child will not be convinced to eat a healthy diet if you are not following your own rules. Make sure that what you eat is healthful for you to be able to serve as your children's role model in safeguarding their health.
Source: EzineArticles
