Diet and Weight Loss

Natural Products Expo West 2011 Part One

March 16, 2011 Written by JP

Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday I walked the floor of the Anaheim Convention Center along with over 58,000 other members of the natural health community. I had my comfy Sanuk walking shoes on and a mission at hand: to survey the current trends in the natural food sector with a critical but fair eye. Some of what I saw left me hopeful, so that’s what I’ll focus on today. In my next installment on the Natural Products Expo West, I’ll discuss some of the more troublesome aspects of this colossal trade show.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Nutritional Supplements, Product Reviews | 12 Comments & Updates

Body Fat News You Can Use

March 9, 2011 Written by JP

Body fat. Can’t live with it, can’t live without it. Too much body fat is a well established risk factor for the majority of leading causes of disease, disability and mortality in the modern world. But you do need a certain amount of adipose tissue to buffer the effects of toxins, protect your internal organs from physical damage, provide a stored energy source and stay warm when the weather turns cold. The key is to maintain a reasonable percentage of body fat. A recent publication in the journal Obesity offers up a new way to estimate your body fat percentage that may be more accurate than calculating your body mass index or BMI.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Exercise, Nutrition | 22 Comments & Updates

Breakfast Controversy

February 23, 2011 Written by JP

Every so often a news story is promoted that questions fundamental beliefs about good nutrition. I used the word “promoted” purposefully. If there’s a health related press release that is likely to be controversial or sensational, it generally moves to the front of the line for consideration. Take for example the recent publicity surrounding a study that supposedly found that eating a “big breakfast” increases daily caloric intake rather than lowering it. Previous inquiries have reported that starting the day off with a hearty breakfast is probably one of the best ways to ensure better subsequent food selection and a healthier weight. So the fact that one study refutes this widely held opinion can be big news.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 13 Comments & Updates

Questioning The Grapefruit Diet

February 11, 2011 Written by JP

In “Black Swan”, the Academy Award nominated film, there’s a scene where a ballet dancer, played by Natalie Portman, sits in front of a half grapefruit for breakfast. That grapefruit is a reminder of how dietary trends tend to stick around in one incarnation or another. In the 1970’s, The Grapefruit Diet was one of the most popular weight loss programs around. Some forty years later, you can still find articles, books and even nutritional supplements that feature grapefruit as some sort of weight loss wonder worker. Today’s column examines the actual research behind the weight loss claims involving this citrus fruit. Read more »


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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 1 Comment

Inner Outer Beauty

January 14, 2011 Written by JP

The world would be a much different place if our external appearance reflected the content of our character. In such a scenario, some prized beauties of the past and present would lose their luster. Likewise, the covers of glossy magazines and important newspapers would feature unassuming figures who truly make the world a better place. For better or worse, that’s an alternate reality that I don’t think will ever come about. However, there is a way to enhance outward beauty by changing what you put on your dinner plate.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Diet and Weight Loss, Nutrition | 12 Comments & Updates

Low Carbohydrate Renaissance

December 29, 2010 Written by JP

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year came in the form of an article that my wife sent me via e-mail. The piece, “A Reversal on Carbs”, was written by Marnia Jameson and appeared in December 20th online edition of the Los Angeles Times. It features the voices of many of the leading nutritional scientists the world over. The general thrust of the publication is best summarized by Dr. Walter Willet, the chairman of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. He emphatically states that, “If Americans could eliminate sugary beverages, potatoes, white bread, pasta, white rice and sugar snacks, we would wipe out almost all of the problems we have with weight and diabetes and other metabolic diseases”. I would’ve added a few additional foods to that list, but otherwise I agree wholeheartedly. (1) Read more »


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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 44 Comments & Updates

Best Of Sarcopenia

December 24, 2010 Written by JP

Physical strength isn’t just a characteristic of athleticism and youth. Rather, it’s something we rely on in order to live the type of lifestyle we choose. It’s not imperative that we look like bodybuilders on Muscle Beach or bikini models in a sports magazine. But, we all hope to have enough power in our muscles to take walks in the park, shop at a sprawling super market and to play catch with our grandchildren. Unfortunately, maintaining lean body mass as we age is not a given. For many, it requires actively railing against the course that nature has plotted.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Exercise, Nutrition | 36 Comments & Updates

Best Of Snacking Confusion

December 20, 2010 Written by JP

Does snacking assist with weight loss or encourage weight gain? At first glance the answer may seem obvious. Many people come to the conclusion that adding a snack or two to your daily schedule surely increases caloric intake and, thereby, contributes to extra pounds. Well, that’s one theory. Another theory is that snacking between meals can help balance blood sugar and stave off overeating in subsequent meals. So which of these competing hypotheses is correct? I’ll give you my two cents on this debate in today’s Healthy Monday tip.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 5 Comments & Updates

Yogurt Shopping

December 16, 2010 Written by JP

The yogurt section in health food stores and super markets isn’t what it used to be. Today there are more varieties of cultured dairy products than ever, without even touching on the multiplicity of flavors available. These days, you can buy yogurts made of cow’s milk, goat’s milk, rice or soy. There is also a wide array of additives or functional ingredients to consider. The options range from soy-based phytosterols which help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol to probiotics which support a healthy immune system. However, with greater access to alternatives comes the responsibility of the consumer to discern which products are legitimate and which are just gimmicks.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 11 Comments & Updates

Dr. Barry Sears Interview Part Two

December 1, 2010 Written by JP

Today I’m proud to present the conclusion of my interview with Dr. Barry Sears. After I posted the initial segment of the Q&A, I received some comments and emails inquiring about my opinion of the data and theories that Dr. Sears presented. I’m always happy to offer my perspective even when it differs from the views of my guests. I firmly believe that agreement is less important than an open and respectful exchange of ideas. That’s precisely the type of environment I hope to foster here. The one constant that I can promise you is that I’ll only present information from experts that I think have something valuable to share. By all accounts, Dr. Sears has contributed a great deal of insight and research to what’s currently known about the role that hormones and inflammation play in diabetes, obesity and beyond. You and I may not decide to adopt every recommendation he makes. But I for one will seriously consider what he has to say and incorporate his suggestions when they seem applicable to my goals.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Interviews, Nutrition | No Comments;

Dr. Barry Sears Interview Part One

November 24, 2010 Written by JP

Dr. Barry Sears is the highly acclaimed author and creator of The Zone Diet. If you were at all tuned in to the world of health and nutrition in the mid-to-late 90’s you’ve almost certainly heard about and/or experimented with his unique dietary recommendations that calls for a specific ratio of carbohydrates, fat and protein. Since then, Dr. Sears has gone on to research and report on novel ways to address disease and obesity by countering “silent inflammation”. His bestselling books, The Anti-Aging Zone, The Omega Rx Zone and Toxic Fat, all reflect the latest medical findings and practical ways for the average person to modify health risks via natural means. Recently, Dr. Sears took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some of my questions. This is part one of my two-part interview with Dr. Barry Sears.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Interviews, Nutrition | 6 Comments & Updates

Light Therapy for Eating Disorders

November 20, 2010 Written by JP

Fall is now officially upon us and the days are becoming shorter with hours of light now replaced with greater stretches of darkness. For some, this change of seasons is a time to rejoice. Many find beauty in the coral, crimson and golden colors adorning trees and relief from the sweltering heat of summer. However, others experience the crisp temperatures and dimmer lighting in a profoundly unsettling way. A form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a very real phenomenon associated with a relative lack of sunshine. Other mental health conditions such as eating disorders can also be adversely affected by sparse bright light.
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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Diet and Weight Loss, Mental Health | 14 Comments & Updates

Black Garlic and Late Night Snacking

November 18, 2010 Written by JP

It’s been an interesting week on Twitter. As always, I discovered a broad array of health information that expanded my knowledge base. Today’s blog highlights three of the numerous interesting tweets. The first item is inspired by Dr. William Yates. He takes on the important topic of stroke-related depression. Next, a visit with Dr. Jonny Bowden and one his colleagues, Colette Heimowitz, M.Sc, to review some timely advice about how to minimize nighttime snacking. Finally, Dr. Andrew Weil explains the differences and similarities between black and fresh garlic.
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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink, Heart Health | 10 Comments & Updates