Obesity is wide spread!

The western world, and in particular the United Kingdom and USA, has become obese because our diets are too high in sugar and refined carbohydrates and according to recent scientific reviews this is a much bigger driver of weight gain than fat consumption. You see it's not fat that's driving the obesity epidemic, it's sugar, refined carbohydrates and starchy foods. Limiting these in our diet, choosing instead unrefined 'low-Glycaemic Load (GL)' foods, can aid and sustain weight loss.

The scientific evidence on popular weight-loss diets concluded that: "Overweight or obese people lost more weight on a low-Glycaemic Load (GL) diet and had more improvement in lipid profiles than those receiving conventional diets".

The GL of a meal is further lowered by eating protein and fat with carbohydrate. Try eating an apple on its own when you're hungry, or an apple with a few almonds or pumpkin seeds. Which makes you feel more satisfied?

There are also many supplements that can help and taking a good vitamin/mineral supplement is the best choice to loose weight.

Also, have you ever thought about a weight management program? Have a look at this presentation and contact me for more info:

-> Click HERE to start the presentation <-

Yours

Jessica

Effectiveness of a soy-based diet (compared with a traditional low-calorie diet) on weight loss and lipid levels in overweight adults

The effects of a soy-based low-calorie diet on weight control, body composition and blood lipid profiles (compared with a traditional low-calorie diet) were recently studied. In this study the soy-based low-calorie group consumed soy protein as the only protein source, and the traditional low-calorie group consumed two-thirds animal protein and the rest plant protein. Both diets contained approximately 1200 calories and were maintained for 8 weeks.

Body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference decreased significantly in both groups, due to constrain of calorific intake. The decrease in body fat percentage in the soy group was greater than that in the traditional group. Serum total cholesterol concentrations decreased in the soy-based group and were significantly different from measurements in the traditional diet group.

Based on these results we can say that soy-based low-calorie diets can significantly decrease serum total cholesterol and have a greater effect on reducing body fat percentage than traditional low-calorie diets. Nutrition 2007 Jul-Aug;23(7-8):551-6.

For this reasons, I believe that a soy-based weight management program can be the healthiest way of loosing weight and maintain it in the long-term. Have a look at this presentation on a very healthy soy-based weight management program called RESET:

-> Click HERE to start the presentation <-

'Til next time
Jessica

Love your liver and live longer

Did you know that among the common causes of premature death (cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer) comes liver failure? In the UK liver failure accounts for over 4,000 deaths a year - that's more than road traffic accidents - and costs the English NHS £1.7 billion a year. In the US obesity, the first most preventable cause of premature death, has become a major driver of what's called: "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease".

The Liver is very important for health since:

• it breaks down and eliminate toxins, and excess hormones: therefore when its function is compromised toxins remain in the system causing problems such as inflammation, infections, food allergies and sensitivities. Also, all kinds of hormonal imbalances can occur from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) to acne.
  
• it balances blood sugar levels: when our blood sugar levels are high (for example, just after consuming sugary foods and drinks), the hormone insulin triggers the liver to store the excess sugar as glycogen. When blood sugar levels fall the liver releases the glycogen to be broken down into glucose. If the liver fails to do this the result is: chronic fatigue, sugar cravings, weight gain and, ultimately, diabetes.
  
• it produces bile: this is a vital substance that helps digestion by breaking down fat and removing excess cholesterol. Without it cholesterol levels rise and many digestive disorders can result, including bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, food allergies and malabsorption of nutrients, especially the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
  
• it stores nutrients: your liver stores many essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, copper, vitamins A, B12, D, E and K.

What causes problems your liver?

• Alcohol consumption;
• Being overweight and/or diabetic: these promote and are in part caused by insulin resistance, which means you cannot keep your blood sugar levels even. Therefore, since sugar cannot get into the cells as it should blood sugar levels remain dangerously high. The excess sugar is then converted into fat, mainly in the liver;
• Viral hepatitis: This infection damages the liver directly;
• Drugs: as little as 10 paracetamols can kill you!
• Gut problems: there's a direct link between gut health and liver health.

How can you keep your liver healthy?

• Don't have more than one unit of alcohol a day (eg small glass of wine), and preferably not every day;
• Drink plenty of water;
• Eats lots of antioxidant rich fruit and vegetables;
• Eats onions, garlic and eggs - high in sulphur which is vital for liver function;
• Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates;
• Give yourself an annual Detox.

I hope this has helped some of you in explaining why nutrition and supplementation is so important to health. For any questions write to me and remember to check these high quality nutrition products out at: www.nutritionals4health.usana.com. In particular the "Hepasil" is specifically indicated to protect your liver.

Yours

Jessica