weightcontrolblog.com

Coastal Center for Obesity provided an informative seminar and support group recently for patients that have undergone Bariatric surgery and all those who wanted to learn more about the benefits and challenges of weight loss surgery, as well as the options now available to them. While obesity is a threat among all social classes and populations, Latinos are disproportionately affected by obesity and its complications including diabetes, hypertension, vascular disease, sleep apnea and depression. This support group has been created to help and educate the Hispanic community about this serious problem and was held in Spanish, though English-speaking participants are welcome.

Bariatric Surgery is an increasingly popular weight-loss alternative for morbidly obese people who face serious health risks associated with their weight. Recent data indicates that 50 percent of Americans are overweight and 6-10 million are more then 100 pounds overweight.

For more information, visit coastalobesity.com

View blog reactions

The Johns Hopkins Prostate Bulletin Winter issue 2007-2008 reports on the latest study showing how being overweight can affect your PSA levels, rendering the standard PSA test protocols for diagnosing prostate cancer inaccurate.

The extra blood volume produced in the obese may so dilute levels of a tell-tale protein produced by the prostate gland that the popular PSA test may be SIGNIFICANTLY LESS EFFECTIVE for diagnosing prostate cancer in men carrying extra pounds.

The predictive value of the PSA test depends on accurate readings of a protein, (P)rostate (S)pecific (A)ntigen continually produced by the prostate. When the prostate is enlarged - due to cancer or other disorders - the concentration of PSA in the bloodstream can increase, signaling the possible presence of cancer.

Physicians thus commonly regard increased PSA values as a first marker to diagnose prostate cancer, to be followed by other diagnostic tests such as physical exams and a transrectal ultrasound.

Complicating the diagnosis of prostate cancer further, the researchers note, is the fact that both physical exams and imaging studies of the prostate are more difficult in obese men.

Although recent studies have shown that PSA concentrations can be lower than expected in obese men with prostate cancer, the current research was designed to determine which of two dueling hypotheses explained this, notes Alan Partin, M.D., chief of the Department of Urology at Johns Hopkins' Brady Urological Institute.

One idea was based on the possibility that obese men make less PSA because they tend to have less testosterone, the sex hormone that prompts PSA production.

The other theory attributed the phenomenon to the increased amount of blood volume that obese men produce to support their size, which has the effect of thinning out the concentration of PSA.

For more information, visit johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

View blog reactions

'From Belly Fat to Belly Flat', just released in January '08, has been a consistent best seller in bookstores and on-line from the first week it hit the market. Formerly frustrated and fat women and men are embracing Dr. Randolph's groundbreaking 3 Step Belly Flat Plan and, finally, getting results. Then they are telling their friends.

"Diet and exercise are not enough. Every month my practice sees hundreds of women and men who have tried every fad diet on the market only to fail each and every time. The sad fact is that all these people think that they are doing something wrong when in fact they are not. They are just missing the key piece of the puzzle that will solve their weight gain/weight loss dilemma for life," says 'From Belly Fat to Belly Flat' author, C.W. Randolph, M.D., one of the nation's leading medical experts on natural hormone replacement. "If you are a woman over 30 or a man over 40 and have that extra bulge around the middle that you just can't lose, most likely, you are suffering from a shift in hormone production at the cellular level. If your hormones are out of balance, you won't be able to lose those extra pounds no matter how few calories you consume or how much you exercise. Our best selling book explains how to safely re-balance your hormones and achieve the weight loss results — as well as the flat tummy - you have always wanted."

For more information, visit hormonewell.com

View blog reactions

Overweight children and adults are at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and even heart problems, that's why author and childhood obesity expert Grandma Bev Grey recommends steps to take as a family to encourage weight loss in her article, "5 Easy Ways to Help Your Family Lose Weight in 2008" which is available for download.

According to Grandma Bev, dieting isn't necessary for families' struggling with their weight. Some of Grey's easy recommendations include staying hydrated with water instead of beverages loaded with sugar and fat such as juice, soda and beer.

Grey also sites the television as one of the vices that many families give in to causing them to miss out on opportunities to engage in physical activity. When you limit your screen time, Grey believes you have more time to get moving.

For more information, visit grandmashealthykidsclub.com

View blog reactions