On this page we bring you interesting articles about weight loss, nutrition and wellbeing from around the world. The opinions expressed are not those of our doctors and we accept no responsibility for their accuracy.

Do You Suffer from Syndrome X? 

Do you have difficulty losing weight and find that invariably, it ends up around your waist? Is there a history of diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure in your family? Do you have Polycystic ovaries? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then you may have Metabolic Syndrome, otherwise known as Syndrome X.

Syndrome X is a disorder that is thought to affect up to one in four people and the underlying cause is insulin resistance. You may already have heard of insulin – it is the hormone that is produced by the pancreas and it helps to regulate your blood sugar.

With Syndrome X, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin and so the pancreas has to make more and more of it to keep blood sugar in check. This abnormally high level of insulin, however, is bad news because it stops you from losing weight and keeps fat firmly around your stomach. It can also give you high blood pressure, raise the levels of "bad" fats in your blood at the same time as lowering the levels of "good" fats and eventually when you run out of insulin, diabetes. All of this puts you at greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 

And the answer: improve your diet, be more physically active and lose weight. Losing as little as 5% of your body weight can substantially reduce your risk of Syndrome X so make an appointment to see one of our doctors. They can assess your risk by taking a few quick measurements and put in place a personal programme to help you reverse it. Make that decision today.

Graham Rowan
Practice Director
Richmond Diet Clinic
www.RichmondDietClinic.com 


 Title: Do Low Carbohydrate Diets Lead to Weight Loss Success?

Author: Marsha J. Hudnall, MS, RD, CD

Article:
So your neighbor, office mate, best friend, whoever just lost 10
pounds in only two weeks following the latest in high protein
low carbohydrate diets. And now you're thinking you should give
it a go -- have even started the search for high protein low
carbohydrate recipes?

True, high protein low carb diets seem to be leading many people
to weight loss success. Trouble is, they seemed to do it 30
years ago, too. They were the rage in the early 70s, and look
where many of us are today: growing fatter with each decade.

The bottom line: Diets -- low carb diets or not -- simply don't
work for the vast majority of people. If that doesn't convince
you, look at some of the reasons why high protein low
carbohydrate diets seem to create weight loss success stories --
but really don't.

"I'm not hungry when I eat high protein low carb diets."

Many people say they feel more satisfied eating low carbohydrate
diets. And indeed, studies show protein is the most satiating
nutrient. Proteins and fat (which is usually in high protein low
carbohydrate foods) cause your body to release cholecystokinin,
a hormone that contributes to the feeling of fullness. Some
protein in meals and even snacks may help us feel more satisfied
and go longer between eating. But the key word is "some." We
don't need an excess of protein, or low carb diets, to get these
effects. By just eating balanced meals that contain
grain/starchy foods, protein foods, vegetables and/or fruits and
some fat, most people can achieve the same satiety. One other
important note is that hunger control with low carbohydrate
diets is often the result of ketosis (when your body burns fat
for fuel.) Ketosis is very unhealthy, causing nausea, headaches,
fatigue, even coma.

"Results are results - I saw successful weight loss, didn't I?"

Many people do lose weight on high protein low carb diets.
Instead of fat, however, they're initially losing more water
than anything else -- and it quickly returns once off low carb
diets. They seem to see successful weight loss, too, because low
carb diets restrict many foods, resulting in eating less than
usual.

The big question is: Is it really successful weight loss if it
doesn't stay off? For most people, if weight loss is achieved
quickly and with a restrictive method such as a diet that does
not allow for individual likes and dislikes, then the lost
pounds will return, along with discouragement, defeat and even
more pounds than before. What's more, high protein low carb
diets may also increase risk for health problems such as
osteoporosis, cancer, even heart disease. A healthy intake of
whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables -- often on the "avoid"
list in high protein low carb diets - appears to help reduce
this risk, and is the mainstay of a sensible plan to achieve
weight loss success.

Create your own weight loss success story.

Despite what you hear about high protein low carb diets, there's
little evidence that weight loss success is truly (permanently)
achieved. What's more, disordered eating behaviors are usually
reinforced by high protein low carb diets, adding to the
struggles that low carbohydrate diets and other diets are
supposed to solve. Stop dieting now and start living a healthy
lifestyle that truly leaves you feeling good!

About the author:
©2004 Green Mountain at Fox Run, Ludlow, Vermont. Marsha J.
Hudnall, MS, RD is director of health communications - senior
nutritionist. For over 32 years, Green Mountain has developed
and refined a life-changing program exclusively for women
seeking permanent strategies for healthy weight
loss.(http://www.fitwoman.com/weightlossprogram.htm). To learn
more about Green Mountain at Fox Run, visit:
http://www.fitwoman.com