Weight Loss Treatments

Obesity in UK - Continues

2009-03-30T02:27:00.000-07:00

Most experts are already quite convinced that obesity in UK could be a result of awry genes. Researchers have discovered that variations in the FTO gene can increase the risk of becoming obese. Almost half the population carries a copy of the variant gene and to add steam to this issue is the fact that people with this variant gene on an average weigh 1.6 kilograms heavier than those who don't have the variant; in fact, 16% of the population also carries two copies of the variant and those people are 3kgs heavier on an average. In addition, variant carriers were at an increased risk for diabetes.

Scientists have now discovered that the FTO gene codes for an enzyme that can directly proceed to work on the DNA and modify it – so much so that it can control the turning on and off of other genes. Highly expressed in the hypothalamus, the FTO controls hunger and satiety and there levels are highly influenced by feeding and fasting.

In addition, an individual can be genetically predisposed to weight gain and now it seems that infections could also hold the key; AD-36 infections can actually make the fat cells to multiply. Studies have shown that AD-36 infections in chicken, mice, and monkeys can be cause for huge weight gains in animals without increasing food intake. Studies in humans also reveal that about 33% of obese adults had contracted AD-36 at some point in their lives, as compared to 11% of lean men and women. In fact, such is the AD-36 action that it continues to aid weight gain long after the infection is cured.

Obesity in UK

2009-03-28T02:27:00.000-07:00

Scientific research suggests that obesity in UK is growing at an alarming pace. In fact, the figures for obesity in UK are slated to overtake the US figures so that UK becomes the most obese nation in the world. Obesity in UK is the single biggest health issue that is threatening both the short and long-term health of obese adults.

Obesity in UK already results in 9,000 premature deaths per year and costs the NHS around £1billion in treatments of related health issues. Therefore an adequate understanding of obesity could have far reaching implications in future treatment of obesity as well as in treatment of adult onset diabetes.

Obesity Causes - Continue

2009-03-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

Illness is also known to result in weight gain and obesity. Perhaps the best known illness which most often leads to obesity is hypothyroidism. Prominent among many obesity causes, hypothyroidism itself normally produces only mild weight gain. But, when it combines with the right environmental conditions, it quickly leads to a substantial increase in weight.

The other culprit is medication which can also be a major cause for weight gain. With drugs, weight gain is significant and rapid but the way in which they lead to weight gain varies. In fact, in some medications it is also very difficult to detect a reason for weight gain. Some medications like corticosteroids increase appetite while medicines classified as beta-adrenoceptor blockers reduce metabolic rate.

Certain diets and dieting can also cause obesity because some foods produce unusually high levels of blood sugar immediately after eating. This causes the weight to shoot up. Dieting, on the other hand, may cause sustained weight loss but the minute it is stopped, pounds begin to pile on.

Specific eating disorders like binge eating disorder also causes obesity. Bulimia nervosa, a psychiatric disorder, is a condition in which eating cannot be controlled and interspersing binge eating with normal eating habit can cause the weight to increase.

These are just a few of the obesity causes, wherein, most individuals have little or no control over their situation.

Obesity Causes

2009-03-24T02:19:00.000-07:00

It is generally believed that there is no excuse for putting on excessive weight because this is only possible when one eats too much and doesn’t do enough exercise. Overeating and reduced physical activity can certainly be major obesity causes, but if you think these are the only obesity causes, you need to think again.

It is now widely agreed that there are a whole range of obesity causes. It is believed that obesity can now be linked to a genetic factor which most definitely pre-disposes an individual to obesity. Some genes that control appetite and metabolism are thought to lead to obesity when they combine with certain environmental conditions.

In addition, a variety of genetic disorders can also result in obesity. A good example for this would be the ‘Prader-Willi syndrome’ which was first detected in 1956 and named after Andrea Prader and Heinrich Willi. This genetic disorder – one of the obesity causes – can be primarily noticed in people who have an insatiable appetite and therefore accumulate excessive fat, particularly in the central region of the body.

Obesity - Continues

2009-03-22T02:12:00.000-07:00

Two prescription drugs have been approved for obesity treatment to achieve long-term weight loss. Both these drugs work in diverse ways and are meant to supplement — not replace — a healthy diet and regular exercise. The obesity treatment drugs are:

• Sibutramine (Reductil), an appetite suppressant, changes your brain chemistry making you feel full more quickly.
• Orlistat (Xenical), a fat blocker, prevents the absorption of fat in the intestines.

Appropriate, obesity treatment in the form of weight-loss surgery can result in a dramatic improvement in both weight and health. However, surgery is not a miracle procedure. The success of this obesity treatment depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits.

• Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, may be an option for those who have tried but cannot lose the excess weight and as a result face major health problems. This obesity treatment changes the anatomy of the digestive system thereby limiting the amount of food one can eat and digest.
• During Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, also known as gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch with the help of a stapler device, which is connected to the distal small intestine, the upper part of which is then reattached in a Y-shaped configuration; food and liquid flow directly from the pouch into the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach. Weight loss is achieved by restricting the amount of food and reducing the amount of calories absorbed.

Obesity

2009-03-20T02:11:00.000-07:00

Being overweight or obesity both fall into weight ranges that are generally considered unhealthy for a given height, with an increased likelihood of developing certain health problems. The BMI (body mass index) uses weight and height ranges to calculate the overweight or obesity ranges. BMI, for most people, correlates with the amount of body fat they have. Therefore:

• An adult with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
• An adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Therefore, the goal of any obesity treatment is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Even a certain percentage of weight loss may vastly improve your health. Gradual weight loss is considered to be safe and easy to sustain. Healthy weight is mostly achieved through dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavior modification. But, in case this does not work, you may have visit the doctor for obesity treatment to supplement these efforts. Dietary changes and exercise are also essential to any obesity treatment efforts as are:

• Setting realistic goals
• Avoiding food triggers
• Keeping a record

Reductil - Continues 2

2009-03-18T02:10:00.000-07:00

Reductil, like most other prescription medications, may interfere with other medications. Therefore, it is essential that you tell our doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines, before starting the Reductil treatment. In addition, check with the doctor before taking any new medicines. This will ensure that the combination is safe for you.

In some people the potential side effects of Reductil may be too serious to risk taking the drug without the supervision of a doctor. In case, you decide to take Reductil diet pills without a prescription, you must thoroughly research the contraindications of Reductil with other medications. However, we would recommend that Reductil diet pills must always be taken with a prescription only so that you are constantly monitored by a medical professional.

Reductil - Continues

2009-03-17T02:10:00.000-07:00

Reductil diet pills are approved as weight loss medication for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, and for people with a BMI of 27 plus with obesity related risk factors like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It is generally prescribed for people in these categories who find it difficult to realize and sustain wait loss using conventional weight loss programmes alone like diet and exercise.

Although, Reductil diet pills are proven to be safe, it may yet cause some side effects in certain people. Sibutramine side effects include nausea, upset stomach, dry mouth, increased heart rate, dizziness, headache, increased blood pressure, depression, and joint and muscle pain. All serious side effects must be reported to the doctor immediately

Reductil

2009-03-16T02:09:00.000-07:00

Reductil is a prescription medication that is used in the treatment of obesity and in over weight people. Sibutramine, the active ingredient in Reductil diet pills, is an appetite suppressant that works on the brain to make you believe that you are full. It is an approved prescription medication and has been clinically proven to cause weight loss.

All diet pills, including Reductil are used as a last resort for weight loss and must always be used adjunct to a healthy diet and exercise routine to be fully effective. Majorly used in obese and overweight people, Sibutramine is specifically for those who need to lose at least 30 pounds. Reductil diet pills cannot be used as a quick fix treatment and you have to give yourself from about six months to a year before you notice any beneficial results. This will also depend on the extent of your contribution in the form of a diet and exercise regimen.

Xenical - Continues 2

2009-03-15T02:09:00.000-07:00

Early in the treatment it is common to experience loose, oily stools with increased flatulence (wind) with discharge. In fact, increased bowel movements are actually a sign that Xenical is working perfectly to block the excess fat in the diet. Xenical is the only diet pill that allows you to consume fewer calories and lose weight.

The following dosing regimen is generally recommended:

• Begin by taking one 120mg Xenical capsule with dinner where meals contain low to medium fat content
• Observe changes in bowel movements
• Once you become comfortable with the changed bowel habits, increase the fat content in the diet and take Xenical with lunch and dinner
• Most doctors recommend taking Xenical diet pills with lunch and dinner only

Xenical - Continues

2009-03-14T02:08:00.000-07:00

Xenical diet pills are extremely well regarded by most medical professionals because it has the ability to block 33% fats in the diet in a safe manner, thus promoting definite weight loss. Furthermore, clinical trials conducted on Xenical diet pills have revealed that as part of a healthy diet plan, it can help reduce two times more weight than without it.
In addition, Orlistat diet pills also help improve some obesity-related risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Therefore, blocking the absorption of fats in the diet makes Xenical one of the most effective diet pills available.

Like all prescription medication, Xenical diet pills too has its share of side effects which normally subside with continued use of these diet pills.

Xenical

2009-03-13T02:07:00.000-07:00

Xenical Orlistat, an oral prescription weight loss medication, has been formulated to target fat absorption in the digestive system rather than merely suppressing one’s appetite. It is the only prescription "fat blocker" weight loss pill.

Xenical works diversely from other diet pills. It uses the fat blocking mode of action that works in the gastrointestinal tract. In fact, Orlistat acts directly on enzymes, called ‘lipases’, so that 33% of the fat in the diet is not broken down and therefore not absorbed into the bloodstream.

Xenical interferes with the pancreatic lipases and forms covalent bonds with the enzyme in the stomach and the small intestine. This action renders the enzyme inactive so that it is no longer available to break down dietary fat into an absorbable state. Thus, allowing 33% of the dietary fat to pass out through the gastrointestinal tract unaltered.

Diet Pills - Continue 2

2009-03-12T02:06:00.000-07:00

Although, the herbal diet pills make tall claims like suppressing appetite, burning fat, boosting metabolism and blocking carbohydrates but these claims cannot be cross-checked because the herbal weight loss treatment market is running without any regulatory norms. Before stepping in, you need to be fully aware of the pitfalls involved.

Prescription weight loss treatment, including other treatments can all be bought online. Buying prescription weight loss treatment medication online is perfectly legal. However, a personal assessment will go a long way in deciding the right weight loss treatment for you.

Diet Pills - Continue

2009-03-11T02:05:00.000-07:00

However, there is no guarantee that prescription diet pills will help all obese and overweight people all of the time. The weight loss treatment medicines must always be taken in combination with proper diet and exercise for them to be effective. Prescription diet pills are only prescribed to people with a minimum BMI of 27. Requiring a prescription before being dispensed, means that there active ingredients are much more powerful and have been approved for use by the appropriate regulatory body.

Over-the-counter weight loss treatment may not always involve a tried and tested drug. Furthermore, the companies producing these drugs are under no liability to mention the contents of the drug on the packaging. Therefore, before you start with this weight loss treatment, it is essential that you read the label carefully so that you are fully aware of the listed side effects and ingredients. It is best to take all weight loss medications in their recommended doses. Part of an unregulated market, over-the-counter diet pills most often come with unfounded claims and are most often too good to be true.

Diet Pills

2009-03-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

Diet pills are not proven to perform miracle weight loss on their own. Simply popping diet pills without added energy expenditure and diet control will just not work. Diet pills will only work in an environment where conventional weight loss is included.

There are prescriptions, over-the-counter and herbal diet pills on the market. With so much variety, it is best to make an informed choice so that your health is not affected.

Prescription diet pills are by far the most safe and effective weight loss treatment, because:

• Their active ingredients are clearly classified and are far more effective
• Their ingredients have been tested by the regulatory bodies, like the NHS
• They have a fixed criterion according to which they are prescribed
• They are never dispensed without a prescription

Facts & figures on obesity

2009-02-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

Obesity is one the major health challenges worldwide and has become an epidemic over the last decades. Europe has the highest number of overweight and obese people in the world. The number of obese people has in fact tripled over the last 20 years in the Europe, according to the WHO. Today, over 130 million people are obese in Europe; approximately 10%-20% of men and 15%-25% of women. In addition, 400 million people are overweight in Europe. Obesity does not only affect adults, but also children and adolescents. It is the most common health disorder amongst young people in Europe. Today, about 20% of children in Europe are overweight, and a third of these are obese. Obese children are more likely to remain obese as adults. The number of obese and overweight people is expected to increase in the future. According to the WHO, there will be about 150 million obese adults and 15 million obese children and adolescents in the European WHO region in 2010.

Lifestyle choices

Lifestyle choices are an important factor in influencing your weight. Eating more calories than you need may be down to poor food choices - for example, eating high fat, processed, or fast food - rather than filling up on fruit, vegetables and unrefined carbohydrates, such as wholemeal bread and brown rice. Alcohol also contains a lot of calories, and heavy drinkers are often overweight.

Bad eating habits also tend to run in families - rather than inheriting a slow metabolism, the habits learned from your parents can be an important factor. Childhood obesity is a strong indicator of weight-related health problems in later life, showing that learned unhealthy lifestyle choices continue into adulthood.

Weight Loss Stories

2009-02-12T05:04:00.000-08:00

Thomas Oswald from the Czech Republic: gastric banding helped him to loose 70 kilos

Basically, I was imprisoned at home because I weighed 70 kilos more than I weigh now. I could only walk very short distances and I got tired very quickly. I couldn't participate in social activities. I was living a kind of partial life, prior to the operation. I couldn't go out, that was the first thing, and the second thing was my inability to live a normal life, because the pain in my back and in my knees was so bad that I was unable to move. Click here to see the whole story of Thomas Oswald.

Anne-Marie from the Netherlands: "Gastric banding has truly saved my life"

"About ten years ago I started gaining weight. During my puberty my weight increased rapidly. When I was 14 I started following different diets and taking pills. All these measures initially made me lose weight, but shortly after I gained even more weight.

This made me feel depressed, moreover because I did not know what was wrong with me. I experienced one anger attack after the other until I decided, back in 2001, to visit my physician. I weighed 123 kg. He confronted me with my obesity and suggested the possibility of gastric banding. Two years later, on 3 July 2003 I had my operation. In the weeks immediately following the operation I started losing weight. As I was losing weight, I felt more active, took up sports and went cycling with my children.

Before my operation, I weighed 123 kg, now I weigh 68 kg. 55 kg makes a world of difference. I can do household chores on my own, I feel like no mountain is too high, my no longer feel depressed and I look so much better. Gastric banding has truly saved my life."

Sources: www.healthfirsteurope.org

Women Weight Loss

2009-02-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, men and women are actually quite different. Apart from the obvious differentiators, women have a number of barriers towards maintaining a healthy weight that men have probably never considered.

The biggest problem facing women dieters is lack of time.

* Unlike men, women have to look perfect.
* In addition, they are typically responsible for home (washing and cleaning), family (nursing, caring for, cooking for) and pets (feeding, cleaning up after).
* In addition, they need to look after the mind, body and ego of the creature from Mars to whom they are married.
* Finally, guess who cares for the elderly parents and in-laws? That's right, the woman. Who, incidentally may also have a full-time or part-time job!