Know the limitations of weight loss drugs

Have you ever used prescription drugs for weight loss or considered asking your primary care provider to write you a prescription for medication to help you lose weight?

If you have, you're not alone. Between 1996 and 1998 it is estimated that 4.5 million U.S. adults were prescribed a weight loss drug to promote weight loss.

For those of you who have joined the ranks of the millions of fellow Americans using prescription meds for weight loss, and more importantly for the group who are considering taking pills to reduce your waist line, I ask you to consider the following information.

First, it is important to know who should be using drugs for weight loss; there are some basic criteria that need to be met before you are considered to receive a prescription. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) should be at or above 30. This number drops to 27 if you have a co-morbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or sleep apnea.

An example would involve a person who is 5-foot, 5-inches tall: a BMI of 30 means this person would need to weigh 180 pounds, or if they have any of the above health problems a BMI of 27 represents 162 pounds. For people who do not meet these criteria, the risks of taking a drug for weight loss often outweigh the benefits.

Second, there has yet to be found a magic bullet that works for everyone. Keeping that in mind, it is important to know that anything used to achieve weight loss is simply a tool. Pills, diets and sports equipment only work if you understand what you're doing and use them properly. And once you stop using them, unless you have learned to change your behavior toward food, they stop working. This is the primary reason people regain weight after they finish their diet regimen.

Third, consider the benefits verses the risks of taking a drug for weight loss. While some weight loss drugs simply suppress the appetite, others interfere with nutrient absorption and brain chemicals to aid in weight loss. Take the time to research all aspects of a drug before you consider taking it. Asking about the long-term effects, common side-effects and knowing how long the drug can be safely taken will help you make an informed decision.

Finally, don't just rely on a weight loss drug to produce long-term weight loss all by itself. Incorporating a lifetime goal of healthy eating and exercise is the only way to ensure weight loss success.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Read More!

6 Tips to Boost Mood and Metabolism

What you eat can have an effect on your mood and metabolism. Learn what food you should eat to boost your energy and spirits.

By making a few simple adjustments to your diet, you can elevate your mood and boost your metabolism. The benefits are huge: Maintaining a good mood will help you stick to a healthy diet, be more productive, and increase your self-esteem. Metabolism is the process your body uses to break down food. “Ensuring your metabolism is working most effectively will help you feel your best and energized to get the most out of life,” explains Nicole Berkowitz, RD, a nutrition consultant in Toronto, Canada.

Here are six simple tips to help you optimize your diet to boost mood and metabolism.

1. Resist Skipping Meals

Skipping or missing a meal can cause a dip in your blood sugar, leading to crankiness and lethargy. Maintain your blood sugar levels, and your energy, by eating small amounts of food throughout the day. You might even prefer eating six smaller meals rather than three large ones.

2. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can also make you feel sluggish and lethargic. Be sure to drink throughout the day, and don’t rely on thirst alone to remind you to have another glass of water. The average person needs about eight glasses of water, and that may be hard to drink without reminders.

3. Think Moderation, Especially for Low-Nutrient Foods

Avoid a lot of caffeine, refined carbohydrates (sugar), alcohol, salt, and other food additives. Any of these, especially in large amounts, can decrease your metabolic efficiency. “Eating large quantities of carbohydrates tend to cause an energy rush and then a big crash; this can lead to crankiness and fatigue," says Heidi McIndoo, MS, RD, a nutrition consultant in Roslindale, Mass. Excess salt can disrupt your fluid balance, changing your daily water needs, not to mention increasing health risks like high blood pressure.

4. Strive for Balance in the Food You Eat

Properly combine protei, carbohydrates, and fat to achieve a balanced energy intake. In general, a healthy diet includes a mix of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and some protein, but each person has individual needs based on age, sex, physical activity level, body size, and stress factors. To find out the best foods for you, consult a nutritionist who can help you determine the right balance.

5. Get a Boost From “Good Mood” Food

While research about the mood- and metabolism-boosting qualities of certain foods is mixed, foods high in the amino acid tryptophan can increase serotonin levels in the brain, contributing to feelings of optimism and calm. Add some bananas, avocados, dried apricots, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for some extra tryptophan. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fats help elevate mood and reduce anxiety and depression. Look for omega-3-rich fish, like salmon and mackerel; walnuts and pumpkin seeds are also sources of these healthy fatty acids.

6. Keep a Food Diary

Some foods can have the opposite effect of tryptophan and instead trigger negative changes in mood and cause irritability or headaches. If you think a particular food might be affecting your mood, start a food diary. Record all the foods you eat each day and how you feel before and after every meal. After two weeks, review your entries to see if any foods line up with specific moods, either good or bad.

In addition to following a healthy diet, regular exercise will keep your body working most effectively and will augment both your mood and metabolism. The key message here is balance. A variety of healthy foods with a dose of exercise will help you maintain your energy, speed up your metabolism, and boost your mood.

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Acai Berry & Weight Loss

Acai Berry and Weight Loss. When I first heard about the health properties available in acai berry I was initially a bit sceptical. I have tried a few organic supplements in the past and had experienced only minimal weight loss results.

However after reading through Pure Acai Berry’s accreditations, trials and other customer success stories, I decided to give it a try.

3 months on I have lost over 2 stone and feel incredible.

Andrea Lewis case study

Working as a temp for an administrative firm, my hours were often unsociable. Getting home at 7.30pm to 8pm every night, I simply wasn’t motivated enough to cook, so most of the time I would simply shove a ready meal into the oven and settle in the front of the TV.

In a year I had put on 3 stone, and felt awful. I was constantly tired, and found myself struggling to concentrate at work. That was when I first started to try weight loss supplements. Yet after wasting over £100 on 3 different dietary pills and losing only 3lbs, I was nearly at breaking point.

Despite doing everything they said: eating more fruit and vegetables, reducing my carbohydrate intake and exercising more, nothing really changed.

Luckily, I heard about Pure Acai Berry from my friend Michelle at work. After taking these supplements for a week she had lost 4lbs, had noticed a significant improvement in her complexion and felt more energetic.

I did a little research and was really impressed with what Pure Acai Berry had to offer, so I gave it a try. The results were incredible. Every week I lost on average 3-5lbs and the difference it made to me as a whole was instant.

I have always had a problem with ache, but after trying Pure Acai Berry for 2 weeks I noticed a significant difference in my appearance. My complexion was smoother, I felt healthier and to be honest I felt completely re-energised. Going to the swimming baths was no longer a problem, if anything I was eager to go.

One of the best elements to acai was its freedom from side effects. It was refreshing to be able to take this supplement and I know that I could safely go to work without having to worry about any embarrassing accidents.

It has been 3 months now and my weight loss is still going strong. In fact, after visiting my GP he told me my cholesterols levels had returned to normal, which was great news for me as in April I was at the point of being put on medication.

I have still got over a stone to go, but with acai berry I am confident that I can reach my target weight loss. It is certainly a supplement I would recommend to friends.

For more information about Pure Acai Berry, visit www.pureacaiberry.com Read More!