Don't Be Fooled

Most weight loss products don't work, and many bring unwelcome side effects. Here's what researchers have found.

Hoodia  Unilever withdrew it's $27 million investment in Hoodia in 2008, and now that the clinical trials have been published, we know why. Of the 42 women between the ages of 18 to 50 in the trial lost no more weight than the women who took a placebo. Worse yet, the Hoodia takers reported 5 or more times the number of side effects that include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and gas. Blood pressure also rose 5 to 16 points in two weeks.

Lipozene  In two published studies, dieters who maintained a steady calorie intake of 1200 calories a day and exercised regularly, lost 3 - 4 pounds over those who took a placebo. Participants who did not change diet or lifestyle lost no weight. So much for the "no change in lifestyle needed" claim. The ingredient in Lipozene is a soluble dietary fiber that swells in the digestive tract and gives a feeling of fullness. It may help with dieting and weight loss if you are cutting calories. However, because it swells so much, it can cause choking or block the throat, esophagus or intestines unless it is taken with at least 8 oz. of water, and never take it before going to bed.

Acai  For over 5 years, the fraudulent claims of easy weight loss have shamelessly sailed the internet. As of yet, no studies have proven that acai berry pills do anything to help with weight, muscle, or fat.

African Mango  Rich in soluble fiber, it works no different for weight loss as any other high fiber diet. As for pills containing the extract, no studies funded by anyone other than the investors have surfaced.

Green Tea Extract  Overall, the studies show that those who used product lost one pound more than those taking a placebo. Caffeine could be the ingredient taking the credit for that one. The concentrated form of EGCG (the antioxidant in green tea) may be responsible for 34 cases of liver damage, according to the U. S. Pharmacopeia.

~American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010

~Drug Safety, 2008

Purple Potato Eaters

Lose weight and lower blood pressure with this Korean folk remedy - purple potatoes! The researchers suggest that purple potatoes are an effective agent to reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease in people with high blood pressure -- without weight gain. The purple vegetable has many of the same healthful plant pigments as purple fruits. It's rich in antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which may reduce chronic inflammation linked with heart disease and stroke. Pigmented potatoes also have high amounts of chlorogenic acid, a substance shown in animal studies to reduce elevated blood pressure.
People in the studies did not gain weight when they added two servings a day to their usual calorie intake. It is safe to reason that if the potatoes replaced a typical serving of starch, that weight loss would occur.
Microwaving the purple spuds and eating them with their skins on is one of the best ways to get the most antioxidants and plant pigments from them. The variety Purple Majesty perform beautifully in the kitchen, mashing, baking, roasting and microwaving to perfection, and make spectacular chips and crisps. They'll make a great "goulish" Halloween party snack! Potatoes in general are a good source of vit. C and potassium, and the skins add more fiber to your diet.

~ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2012

When The Terms "Enriched" or "Fortified" Are On The Label

Both terms mean that nutrients have been added to make the food more nutritious. Enriched means nutrients that were lost during food processing have been added back. An example is adding back certain vitamins lost in processing wheat to make white flour. Fortified means vitamins or minerals have been added to a food that weren't originally in the food. An example is adding vitamin D to milk, or calcium to orange juice.
~Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Boost Your Metabolism With Breakfast

It's the most important meal of the day, so don't skip it. Make it quick or make it to go with a few simple ideas:

• Top a toaster waffle with almond butter and a slice of fruit, or low fat yogurt.
• Add your favorite whole grain cereal to yogurt to add crunch.
• Make instant oatmeal with skim milk instead of water. Add berries, nuts, or raisins.
• Cook hard boiled eggs ahead and store them for a quick breakfast with your favorite bagel or English muffin. Or slice them and fill a pita - add shredded cheese.
  
• Top a bagel or English muffin with a slice of breakfast ham and low fat Swiss cheese. Ham is a very lean and nutritious cut of meat - a better option than bacon or sausage.
• Make your own low fat, no added sugar, smoothie with skim milk, strawberries, and bananas.
• Spread peanut butter on a flour tortilla and add a whole banana, roll it up!

You'll find you have so much more energy, and you won't be so tempted by the vending machine or doughnut drive-through.

Nutrition For Autism

Autism is a complex developmental and neurological condition that typically appears during the first three years of life. It affects brain function, particularly in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Approximately one in every 150 American children has autism or a similar disorder. The number of children being diagnosed with autism is growing at a rate of 10 percent to 17 percent per year.
People and children with Autism have special dietary needs, and many have various food sensitivities. New studies show that gluten (wheat protein) and casein (milk protein) bind to opioid-receptors in the brain, and can have a potent effect on behavior (like heroin or morphine), causing problems including sleepiness, giddiness, inattention/”zoning out”, and aggressive and self-abusive behavior. Like opioids, they can be highly addictive, and a lack of them can cause severe behaviors. Tests are available to show food sensitivities. If you are considering a Gluten Free, Casein Free diet, talk with your health-care team, including a registered dietitian. There can be side effects and potential nutrient shortfalls when a GFCG diet is self-prescribed.
Several studies have demonstrated that children with autism have substantial oxidative stress, suggesting either a low level of key antioxidants or an increased need for them.
There are over 20 studies of vitamin B6 with Magnesium for autism, including 12 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, making it one of most studied treatments for autism. Almost all of these studies found that 45-50% of children and adults with autism benefited from high-dose supplementation of vitamin B6 with magnesium. Vitamin B6 is required for over 100 enzymatic reactions, including the production of major neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, and others) and glutathione (needed for detoxification). Magnesium is used to prevent the possibility of hyperactivity, which can occur if the vitamin B6 is taken by itself. Studies show that Vit. C also has positive effects, as it helps with protein metabolism, and sufficient levels of iron should be monitored as well. Low levels of essential fatty acids are associated with a wide range of psychological disorders, including depression, post-partum depression, bipolar (manic/depression) and Rett’s syndrome (similar to autism). Most importantly, two published studies have found that children with autism have lower levels of omega –3 fatty acids than the general population.
Supplementation may be necessary, as typical Autism behavior can affect eating habits and food choices. It is still best to encourage healthy, vitamin-rich foods to ensure the proper balance of nutrients. Only a customized diet plan with your health care provider should be considered. Medical Nutrition Therapy for the treatment of any illness or disorder is regulated by law and limited to professional nutrition practices. To find a Registered Dietitian in your area, go to Find a Dietitian

~Mayo Clinic, 2011
~eatright.org