There are two types of allergic reactions to food.

1. Classic Allergy

Allergies to foods are acute and the symptom onset is sometimes instantaneous. A classic food allergy causes an abnormal response to a food by your immune system and may cause itching, redness, swelling, hives, difficulty breathing and in severe cases anaphylaxis or shock.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction – the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. The whole body is affected, often within minutes of exposure to the allergen. Causes of anaphylaxis also include insect stings, chemicals and drugs, but on rare occasions there may be no obvious trigger.  If you have a classic food allergy it is wise to visit a specialist for testing and get advice on precautions.

Classic food allergies are rare. Most adverse reactions to foods are caused by intolerances, reactions to food additives, genetic modifications or foods laden with pesticides.

2. Food Intolerance

The reaction to food intolerances are much more common and can take place between one hour and a few days after eating. Sensitivity to a food impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from that food.  So, long-term food intolerance could lead to nutritional deficiencies.  Deficiencies can lead to disease and metabolic imbalances.

How can I tell I have food intolerance?

One non-scientific way might be whether you crave a particular food that you eat frequently. Once a food reaction exists, the food becomes mildly addictive and you may feel a strong craving.  Often when we are allergic to a food, the body can react by storing calories instead of using them for energy.

Some common symptoms of food intolerances are:

• Indigestion
• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Water retention
• Fatigue

Other symptoms include:

• Aching joints and muscles
• Abdominal pain
• Acne
• Addictions
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Blood sugar problems
• Colitis
• Constant cravings
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Flushes
• Headaches
• Hives
• Indigestion
• IBS
• Itching
• Menstrual issues
• Heart palpitations
• Sinus conditions

It is not wise to conclude that because your symptom is listed, that food intolerance is the only source of the problem.  I recommend you consult a physician to be certain. This list is merely to show some of the conditions that can be related to food reactions.

Why does the body react to a certain food?

Our bodies are protected from viruses, bacteria, and other micro- organisms by our immune system. Sometimes our immune systems over react to substances in or on our food. The immune system will produce antibodies, which help protect us from a perceived threat. There are a number of different antibodies but the one, which causes an allergic reaction, is called immunoglobulin E or IgE.

IgE antibodies are normally produced in response to infections caused by disease. Some people make IgE in reaction to other things like pollen, giving rise to hay fever, and to some foods like peanuts, giving rise to food allergies. When someone who has an allergy eats an allergenic food the IgE attaches to the food, setting off an allergic reaction. The IgE triggers the release of histamine, which causes the changes we see in our bodies as symptoms, like hives, sniffles itching, swelling and redness.

It is not fully understood why some foods can cause allergies and others do not, but one theory is that some proteins in foods mimic very closely those present in viruses, bacteria or pesticides. In many people their immune system is not able to distinguish the food protein from the virus, bacteria or chemical.

Food allergies and intolerances impact an estimated 80-90% of the population; costing billions in treatments for weight gain, lost income due to missing work and absenteeism from school.  Identifying and avoiding the foods you react to can help you reach a desired weight faster and elevate your level of health.

How can I identify offending foods?

Food intolerances can be determined by how you react to a meal.   When you have strong cravings for a particular food there is a good chance you are reactive to that food.  You can confirm this by finding that you feel better after avoiding that food for a couple of weeks.  The leading food intolerance categories are:

Dairy intolerance: 75%

Three in 4 people are sensitive to dairy products. These products include ice cream, milk, yogurt, butter and cheese. All these products can be substituted with non-dairy products made from soy, rice or other grains or nuts.

Fructose intolerance: 35%

One in 3 people are sensitive to fructose, which is the main sugar used in soft drinks and sweetened beverages.

Yeast intolerance: 33%

One in 3 people have sensitivity to yeast, which is found in most baked goods such as cake and bread. Non-yeast or un-leavened products are available.

Gluten Intolerances: 15%

One in 7 people are sensitive to gluten, which is found in all wheat and rye products such as bread, pasta, cookies and crackers.  Substitute products can be made of rice, oats, and other grains.

• Other foods that most often cause reactions are:
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Fis
• Shellfish
• Cane sugar
• Corn products
• Coffee
• Potatoe
• Lettuce
• Tree nuts: Walnuts, Almonds, Brazil nuts,   Pecans

Hopefully, this list will not scare away from eating all of these foods. Most of us are fine with these foods. However, it is a good idea to pay attention to how your body reacts when you consume these foods.

Under Active Thyroid

Is your thyroid keeping you fat?

The thyroid is the gland primarily responsible for regulating your metabolism.  An under- active thyroid does not produce sufficient hormones to stimulate your metabolism to operate at peak efficiently.

An under active thyroid (hypothyroidism) can effect a persons metabolism and their ability to take off weight.

How can you tell if you have an under-active thyroid. Here are some of the most common symptoms of an under active thyroid.

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight gain in the butt and abdomen
• Increased difficulty losing weight
• Coarse, dry hair
• Dry, rough pale skin
• Hair loss
• Cold intolerance
• Muscle cramps
• Constipation
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Decreased libido

We can take some simple nutritional steps to help the thyroid operate more efficiently.

Here are some common foods that will help to improve the thyroid function.

• Kelp (sea vegetable)
• Beets
• Radish
• Parsley
• Potatoes
• Fish
• Oatmeal
• Bananas

Here are some other steps to improve thyroid function.

• Iodine supplementation- the thyroid uses iodine to produce the hormones which stimulate the metabolism.  The safest iodine supplement would be kelp.
• Exercise- a regular exercise program will help improve your thyroid function.

Hear are some common foods that impair the function of the thyroid.

• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Sweet potatoes
• Maize
• Lima beans
• Soy beans
• Millet

If you have an under active thyroid you should eat less of these foods.

We live a confused modern day existence filled with an array of distractions that have led us far away from having a healthy relationship with food.  Few of us have an intimate understanding of food. We hardly appreciate the fact that we will never be closer to anything than that which we put inside ourselves.

We use food as a means to an end that is more often than not filled with dissatisfaction.  As a result, it has become common to overindulge and then hope to be saved by a miracle “diet.” Over half of all Americans have pursued a diet in search of the perfect weight, but less than 5% ever experience a magical result. The one’s that do lose weight sadly put it right back on because there is no “diet” that one can stay on forever. As soon as they return to their old eating habits, the weight goes right back on.

Dieting is a relatively new phenomenon.  It is a product of a society driven by clever marketing scams, junk science and fool hardy participants that are willing to pay the price.  A few nationally recognized diet programs are resistant to the idea of “fads,” but not to lining their pockets pound-by-pound.

We are so accepting of fad diets that it is hard to believe there was ever a time when the “D” word was not on the best-seller list.  The word “diet” actually means “food that is customarily eaten,” but we usually refer to them as a plan designed to solve our “fat” problem.

There have been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of diet plans throughout history.  Until recently, however, there has been little information available on the relationship between food and managing a healthy weight.

We generally believe that all foods are the same, and so long as we eat something, everything will be all right.  People eat what they can get, what they can afford, or what they can grow or catch.  And, for the most part, unless we are amongst the well to do, we pretty much eat the same thing all the time.

For thousands of years, the majority of mankind struggled to get enough to eat, but as soon as there was more than enough, people started to gain weight.  Then, as now, food eaten in excess of that needed for immediate energy, growth, or tissue repair is stored as fat for later use.

In the earlier part of this century, diets were hit or miss. There have been kings that have tried liquid alcohol diets, preachers that have promoted graham cracker diets and doctors that have prescribed no-pastry diets.  Health gurus have suggested mineral oil plans and politicians that have promoted chewing as the missing key to losing weight.

A brief overview of diets offers us an unusual perspective on the industry.  Initially, it seemed as though diets developed to assist individuals in their quest to regain health. Then, as the availability of food increased and more people became over-indulgent, a market developed.  At some point, diets went from help offered to assist others in the quest for wholeness to the opportunity to make a considerable profit.

Weight-loss programs have always been promoted as the only cure for “obesity,” although they rarely produce long-lasting or permanent results.  According to existing medical research, fewer than five percent of all fad dieters succeed in permanently losing a significant amount of weight as they rarely maintain that weight over a five-year period.

Ninety percent of all fad dieters regain some or all of the weight they originally lost and at least one-third re-gain more.  In recent years, an increasing body of researchers have substantiated the diet failure rate and acknowledged genetic, physiological and psychological factors in the determination of body size.

According to Market data Enterprises, the annual revenue for the diet industry is over $50 billion dollars a year. This figure included money spent on diet centers and programs, group and individual weight-loss plans, diet camps, prepackaged foods; over-the-counter and prescription diet drugs; weight-loss books and magazines; and visits to physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and other health professionals specializing in weight loss.

The diet industry’s marketing strategy is based on the creation and perpetuation of fear, biases, and stereotypes.  Fat people are portrayed as unhealthy, unattractive, asexual, weak-willed, lazy, and gluttonous.  A thin figure is equated with virtue, health, and success.  The lack of success in losing weight is usually blamed on a lack of will power or moral values.

Heavier people are made to feel guilty and blame themselves for the failures of weight-loss programs, and to expect and accept rejection, mistreatment, and discrimination. These messages lower a fat person’s self-esteem and foster discontent, self-doubt, and self-hatred, especially during the weight gaining state of “yo-yo” cycles.

People of all sizes are misled about the severity of the health risks associated with being fat and are told that being thin is the only way to good health, and that only dieting can make people fit.  Health problems associated with “obesity,” such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and high cholesterol, are often CAUSED BY the dieting process. Recent studies indicate that repeated “yo-yo” dieting actually reduces one’s life span rather than increasing longevity.

Currently, there are very few controls or regulations to inform and protect the consumer.  Weight loss “success” is only vaguely defined using short-term results, and weight loss “failure” is always blamed on the consumer, and health risks are not disclosed. The few regulations that do exist are rarely, or at most, loosely enforced.  As a result, finding reliable information about the most popular diets has not been readily available, until now!

For the first time, in the history of United States, over 60% of all Americans are overweight.  Childhood obesity is on the rise and the average age for a heart attack is getting younger.  It is not unreasonable to diagnose heart disease in teenagers.

Obesity is the most common condition found to accompany the top ten diseases that people suffer in the industrialized world and there are more brilliant scientist than ever working on finding a cure, but for some strange reason the government is not concerned with funding studies related to education.

Out of curiosity, a colleague of mine asked 100 different government-certified nutritionists, for their opinion on diets for weight loss and he was shocked when the group gave a hundred different answers.

A few years ago, there was a televised debate. It was a battle of the “Diet Gurus,” so to speak.  It featured authors like the late Dr. Atkins (Atkins diet), Dean Ornish, MD (low fat diet) and Barry Sears (the zone diet). The panel could not come to an agreement on even a few diet recommendations.  At one point, they were even screaming and yelling at each other and resorted to calling each other frauds.

Meanwhile, the diet industry continues to grow almost as fast as the national obesity rate.  How is it possible that these diets can claim success even though the national obesity rate is at an all time high? Are these diets based on any scientific research? Are marketing teams using isolated testimonials to dazzle the public with a diet’s reputed success?

Ask yourself these two questions:

Have you ever eaten something, such as a bowl of ice cream, a piece of cheese, or an orange, and felt more hungry afterward than before?

Do you have urges for a particular food and find it hard to satisfy your craving unless you eat that particular food?

If the answer is “yes” to either of these questions, then you have a food allergy. If you are also fat, then chances are your food allergy are contributing to making you fat.

Food sensitivities may cause allergic people to crave those foods to which they are allergic. Just as a drug addict suffers withdrawal symptoms when the drug is withdrawn, allergic people experience discomfort when they lose access to a particular food.

Obese people can testify to the overwhelming power of food allergy addiction. Compulsive eaters crave and continue to eat those allergenic foods to which they are addicted day after day. The obese person has no idea that his daily food cravings or eating habits are based on a physiological need to stop withdrawal symptoms caused by food allergy addiction.

Food sensitivity exerts its most profound effect on the limbic portion of the brain. This section of the brain houses the control centers for body temperature, sexuality, blood pressure, sleep, hunger and thirst.   Neurophysiologic analysis speculates that frequent contact with allergenic foods triggers a rise in the brain opioid, enkephalin.  Enkephalin is a highly active narcotic produced by the body.

In allergy-addiction, there are three principle stages: the first stage is characterized by an acute allergic reaction to a toxic substance. Recall the first time that you, or someone whom you know, smoked a cigarette.  Most frequently, the individual will find the smoke distasteful and may even have clinical symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and dizziness.

After smoking becomes a habit, the symptoms are no longer noticeable. Your body gets used to the smoke and the symptoms are no longer obvious  (but masked). The masking can be considered an adaptation by the body to tolerate the poison with which it comes in frequent contact.  Even though there are overt symptoms, the adaptation to this obvious toxin takes its toll in terms of chronic physical stress.

During this period, the adaptation is so strong that you become dependent on cigarettes, or in other words, “hooked.” You must smoke at regular intervals to avoid withdrawal symptoms. When you try to quit, your body craves the cigarettes: you are addicted in the truest sense of the word, and you will experience the addictive aspect of the “allergy-addiction syndrome.”

Food reactions cause us to crave the foods we react to, similar to an alcoholic that craves alcohol.  People with food reactions fear the loss of a food, because they fear the withdrawal of the thing that creates the sensation.  We are more addicted to the sensation created by opioid in our own bodies, than by the food itself.

Appetite and metabolism are controlled by blood chemistry, which is adversely affected when a reactive food is consumed. Food sensitivities also cause cravings for sweets and starches.

Food allergies and intolerances cause us to overeat, leading to weight gain.

Water Retention

Water retention refers to the bloating and swelling that occurs from consuming an allergenic food.  This swelling appears to be fat, but it is usually water that your body naturally holds onto due to inflammation and congestion. Water retention is especially common among allergic individuals and is an important contributing factor to feeling fat. The removal of an offending food will often result in water loss of 10-15 lbs pounds in a sometimes a few days.

By identifying the particular food or foods that are causing our reactions and eliminating them we can help ourselves two fold.  We can loose ten to fifteen pounds of water weight and also reduce the cravings and the urges to overeat.

Food reactions are fairly common and can be permanent or temporary. People who are reactive to certain foods when they are young may remain reactive to them for most of their lives. Other sensitivities to certain foods may last only a short time. It may be wise to take a break from a reactive food. Often, it is eating the same food for too long a period of time that causes the reaction and it is usually a signal that we need to give the body a break.

While it is estimated that only a small portion of the US population has a severe allergy to a food, there may be as many as 80-90% of the population with some form of intolerance to foods.

Overview:

This plan asserts that most people suffer from insulin imbalances that cause them to gain weight.  According to Sears, consumption of protein, carbohydrate and fat in exact proportions corrects this imbalance and, thus, excess weight drops off.  Average caloric intake ranges from 1,000 to 1,700 calories per day.

Advantages:

The plan recommends lean protein sources, minimizing consumption of saturated fat.  The typical American diet is not far from the 40/30/30 ratio of carbohydrate/protein/fat.

The substantially reduced caloric intake is the main key in the weight loss plan.

Disadvantages:

Carbohydrates such as processed grains, pasta, starchy vegetables and bread are not prohibited and serving sizes are minute (1/4 c. cooked pasta, 1/8 c. baked beans, one-square-inch of corn bread). Choices, combinations and portions can be odd and unappetizing. For example, a snack choice includes two hard-boiled egg whites, half an apple and three almonds.

According to Sears, the main theories for the diet’s success are that eicosanoid (a hormone) levels increase and insulin must be moved into a zone.  Sears bases his whole diet theory on these hormones, yet he has never measured eicosanoid levels in people on his diet.

Gerald Raven of Stanford University says, “I find it hard to swallow that anyone could really believe eicosanoids are the key to all health and disease” (Tufts University Diet & Nutrition Newsletter, May 1996).

William Evans, Ph.D, director of the Physiological Research Center at Penn State University says, “There are not any studies that I’m familiar with that suggest that this hormone is dangerous. Anyone who tries to sell a diet as the key to stemming off ‘bad’ eicosanoids is capitalizing on an unfounded idea.”

Long-Term Success:

Because the diet is based on very low calories and strict combinations of protein, carbohydrate and fat at every meal, long-term success would be very challenging. Not to mention the fact that everyone has differences in hormone physiology.

Although there are hundreds of dietary supplements, most of them use the same herbs or compounds in different combinations that supposedly burn fat, block fat, block “carbs” and suppress appetite.  Despite the hype, there is really nothing new about these dietary supplements.  They work for us when we make the effort to work with ourselves.  Losing weight is not only about pill popping.

Often times, when one ingredient is banned such as the stimulant ephedra, the diet pill manufacturers find another stimulant like synpherine (bitter orange) to take its place.  Most supplement formulas are put together with very little scientific research to back up the dramatic claims.

A lot of the theories behind formulas are questionable.  Many diet pills are either stimulants or appetite suppressants. When we reduce food intake, our metabolism slows down to compensate for fewer available calories.  As a result, any weight lost that is achieved by this method is almost always regained when we return to the same food choices that caused the problem.

This does not mean that all supplements are totally ineffective; a few have been helpful in assisting in short-term weight loss.  However, none of these pills works perfectly and none have proven effective for obesity or for long-term weight loss without making dietary changes.  The pills don’t address the issue of maintaining a healthy weight.  In addition, some herbal diet pills can have risky side effects.

According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, “roughly one in seven U.S. adults have used nonprescription dietary weight loss supplements.”

Women aged 18-34 had the highest reported use of nonprescription dietary weight loss supplements.  Ephedra, chromium, and/or bitter orange were the key ingredients in the most commonly used weight loss supplements, the study showed. (1)

(1) SOURCES: Blanck, H. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, March 2007; vol 107: pp 41-447. FDA: “Sales of Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids (Ephedra) Prohibited.”  Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang was banned in 2004 after the FDA determined that it presented an unnecessary risk to the public.

If you find yourself getting sucked into buying the newest weight loss pill because of the amazing claims and testimonials take the time to at least familiarize yourself with the ingredients on the back of the bottle.  Most of the pills contain nothing new, just different labels, although a few show some promise.

Lets take a look at some of the ingredients in the most popular diet supplements on the market.  We will evaluate the ingredients action, effectiveness and possible side effects.

DHEA (3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-dehydroeplandrosterone)

DHEA is the most abundant hormone in the human body and will eventually turn into testosterone and estrogen.

Action:

DHEA activates enzymes in the liver that increase the rate at which fat is burned.  It also increases the rate of your body’s metabolism without over stimulation.

Effectiveness:

DHEA is very effective in weight loss especially when combined with exercise and nutrition.  Double blind placebo controlled studies, the gold stand of research, determined that those taking 3-Acetyl-7-OxoDehydroepiandrosterone lost 1 to 3 times more weight than diet and exercise alone. (1)

1. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone in Health Over Weight Adults. Curr Ther Res  2000;61(7435-44)

2. The Effect of 7-Keto(tm) Naturalean ™ on Weight Loss: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial. Curr Ther Res 2002;63(4):263-272.

Another two double blind-placebo controlled studies determined that the majority of weight loss with 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo Dehydro-epiandrosterone is from fat.  (2) (3)

2. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Thermogenic and Body Composition Effects of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone (7-Keto(tm)) Clinical Study Final Report, Humanetics Archives.

3. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone in Health Over Weight Adults. Curr Ther Res 2000;61(7):435-442.

A third study seemed to show that it could promote weight loss without the use of stimulants  (4)

4. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone in Health Over Weight Adults. Curr Ther Res 2000;61(7):435-442.

Side effects:

None noted, proven safe when used as directed (5)

5. Safety and pharmacokinetic study with escalating doses of 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone in health male volunteers. Clin Invest Med 2000;23(5):300-310

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone in Health Over Weight Adults. Curr Ther Res 2000;61(7):435-442. Humanetics Affidavit, Humanetics Archives.

Chromium Picolinate

Chromium picolinate is a combination of the element chromium and picolinic acid.  The picolinic acid aids in the absorption of the chromium that is useful in controlling blood sugar levels.

Action:

Stimulates the body’s ability to burn sugar and fats.

Effectiveness:

A 1995 study examines the effectiveness of chromium picolinate as a fat-reduction aid in an obese subject population and found no effect as a weight loss supplement (1)

1. Trent, L.K, & Theiding-Cancel, D.  (1995).  Effects of chromium picolinate on body composition.  Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 35(4), 273-280.

Side effects:

None noted.

Synephrine (Bitter Orange)

A stimulant, also know as bitter orange, is derived from the plant citrus aurantium.  It is often used as a substitute for the now banned ephedra.

Action:

It suppresses appetite and increases metabolism

Effectiveness:

Bitter orange has not been found effective for weight loss. In one of the most recent studies of bitter orange for weight loss, study participants actually gained weight while taking bitter orange.2

2. Greenway, F., de Jonge-Levitan, L., Martin, C., Roberts, A., Grundy, I., & Parker, C. (2006). Dietary herbal supplements with phenylephrine for weight loss. Journal of Medicinal Food.

Side effects:

Increased risk of high blood pressure and heart arrhythmia, bitter orange may also interact with a number of prescription drugs.

Ephedra – Ephedrine

Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang, is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hay fever, common cold and asthma. The FDA banned the sale of ephedra-containing supplements in 2004 although it is still available in some products.

Action:

Increases metabolism

Effectiveness:

Causes short-term weight loss.

Side effects:

Nervousness, dizziness, trembling, headache, insomnia, profuse perspiration, dehydration, itchy scalp and skin, vomiting, stroke, heart attack, seizures or death.

Green Tea

Green tea is a popular herbal tea from Asia.

Action:

Increases metabolism

Effectiveness:

A recent study validates green tea’s effectiveness.  A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 81, No. 1, 122-129, January 2005), indicated that the ingestion of a tea rich in catechins (catechins are a major component of green tea extract) leads to both a lowering of body fat and of cholesterol levels.

Side effects:

In excess it can cause insomnia

Guarana

Guarana is a stimulant made from the ground up seeds of a South American shrub. It contains the active ingredient caffeine at about two and a half times the quantity found in coffee beans.

Action:

It is an appetite suppressant and increases metabolism.

Effectiveness:

It has been shown to be effective in the short-term with no long-term studies available.  A study in June 2001 showed an average of 11.2 pounds of weight loss in a group taking a mixture of yerba mate, guaran† and damiana, compared to an average 1 pound loss in a group that did not receive the supplement over a 45 day period.3

3. Anderson, T and Foght, J (2001). “Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients” J Hum Nutr Diet 14 (3): 243.

Side effects:

Because guarana is high in caffeine, it may cause anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations and heart arrhythmia.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HcGH)

HcGH is the acronym for Human chorionic Growth Hormone. It is a protein compound, produced in the pituitary gland.  Real HcGh must be extracted from human cadavers. The products on the market are man-made synthetic HcGH. It is available in injections, sprays and pills.

Action:

It increases metabolism.

Effectiveness:

Results are mixed at best with a small amount of weight loss.

Side Effects:

With injectable HcGh, side effects such as headaches, stiff joints, and even diabetes have been reported.  The cumulative clinical experience of HcGH in healthy adults is limited. While HcGH may minimally effect body composition, there is little evidence to suggest that it reverses aging or improves other clinically relevant conditions. There is sufficient evidence to that Hgh can cause considerable harm in the healthy people.4 Finally, HcGH has been produced by certain cancers found in the human body.

4. Liu, H., et al. (2006). “the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly, a systematic review” Endocrine Society meeting: P3-770

Hoodia

Hoodia is a South African plant with P57 as the active ingredient.

Action:

It is an appetite suppressant.

Effectiveness:

It is undetermined, but appears to reduce appetite, but not real hunger and possibly reduces cravings.

Side effects:

None noted.

Yerba Mate

Yerba MatÇ is an herb used for tea cultivated in South America.  For centuries yerba mate’ has been consumed as a traditional tonic and natural stimulant beverage.

Action:

It is an appetite suppressant and boosts metabolism

Effectiveness:

One study found that a combination of Yerba MatÇ, Guarana, and Damiana (YGD) could be used for gastric emptying and subsequent weight loss.  It concluded that the herbal preparation significantly delayed gastric emptying, reduced the time for perceived gastric fullness and induced significant weight loss over 45 days in overweight patients. 5

5. Andersen T, Fogh J.  “Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients.” J Hum Nutr Diet. 2001 Jun;14(3):243-50

Side effects:

It can have the effects of a mild stimulant.

As you can see, some of these supplements do fulfill their claims.  However, most of them have proven ineffective for more than short-term weight loss and need to be used with a program that encourages dietary changes and exercise.

We keep looking for a magic pill, but the real results are dependant upon making the changes that will change your life and subsequently your weight.  Even when we convince ourselves to take the pills we are still faced with “the” essential problem:

We love food and we love to eat!

Ultimately, the answer will always point us back toward making the most careful decision that makes common sense.

Overview:

This best seller claims that dieters can lose all the weight they want by eating “forbidden foods.” Dr. Atkins charges that processed carbohydrates and insulin, not excess calories, is the only thing responsible for obesity in the United States.

Advantages:

User’s seem to gravitate to the plan’s simplicity. By eliminating carbohydrates and sugar from the diet, a significant number of calories are also eliminated.

Disadvantages:

The downside to the plan is the reliance on protein. High-protein diets put the body in a state of ketosis, causing headaches, bad breath, nausea and carbohydrate cravings due to depleted glycogen stores. The plan is too high in saturated fat and too low in fruits, whole grains, calcium and fiber.

Long-Term Success:

Information from the National Weight Control Registry indicates that high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are not maintained for life. This low-carb, high-protein plan consists of 1,200 and 1,800 calories. This limited calorie range can result in weight loss, but the dieter eventually rebounds when carbohydrates are reintroduced into the diet.

Incidentally, Atkins was called to testify before the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs in 1973, because of charges against the diet from the American Medical Association.

Dr. Atkins died at the age of 72 at 258 lbs. with a history of heart disease.  According to the Wall Street Journal, “Before his death, he had suffered a heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension,”(1)

*(1)http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/02/10/atkins.widow.ap/index.html

The Individual Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer and Achieving Your Ideal Weight

Peter J. D’Adamo, N.D.

Overview:

D’Amano, a naturopath, claims that an individual’s blood type should determine what foods to eat and which ones to avoid. He asserts that when a particular blood type consumes “off-limit” foods, the effect is akin to a transfusion of mismatched blood. His theory attempts to tie the evolution of man to changing blood types and diets. Recommended caloric intake varies widely from day to day.

Advantages:

The diet emphasizes lean sources of protein in addition to recommending several servings of fruits and vegetables for all dieters.

Disadvantages:

Current scientific research does not support D’Amano’s claim that blood type determines an individual’s response to certain foods. Further, most critics of this diet cite the lack of a relationship between blood type and disease as well as the false assumptions made about the diet of early man.

One criticism of D’Adamo’s hypotheses and recommendations claims that he provided inadequate evidence. For example, his first book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, published in 1997, contains only a single reference.

Another criticism is that even though D’Adamo claims there are many ABO specific lectins in foods, this does not agree with what is found in the scientific literature.  In research done by separate and independent groups of biochemists, on lectins in different foods and their reactions with ABO blood type, it was shown that there were no differences in how lectins react with human ABO blood type.

Long-Term Success:

Recommended menus include unusual and hard-to-find foods, and hopefully everyone in your family has the same blood type or meal preparation could prove challenging over the long term.

Jenny Craig, Inc. is one of the largest weight management service companies in the world. Jennie’s diet is about pre-packaged foods and portion-controlled weight loss.

Advantages:

Jenny Craig allows you to visit with a counselor. Large variety of prepackaged meals.  Jenny is more flexible on meal choices.

Disadvantages:

Jennie Craig allows you to visit with a counselor – although you may not know how qualified they are in nutrition.  Jenny Craig charges a membership fee (which requires signing a contract). As with all of the prepackaged food programs, usually food fatigue causes the client to leave the program.  Jenny Craig is low-calorie, junk food. Jenny makes no distinction between good “carbs” and bad “carbs.” The food again is not that healthy, only low calorie.

Long- term success:

No magic here.  You eat fewer calories with these prepackaged meals and then you lose weight.  The transition back to normal food can be a challenge.  Long-term success will be difficult without being a lifetime member and that means another monthly bill.

Overview:

This is currently one of the best-selling diet books.  The book claims you can lose up to a staggering 13 lbs in just two weeks, it suggests you can also expect to lose most of that weight from your stomach. The diet focuses on the consumption of lean meats, proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Eliminates simple “carbs” such as pasta and bread and restricts the consumption of calories.

Advantages:

Makes the healthy distinction between good “carbs” and bad “carbs.” Due to the restrictive nature of the calorie consumption weight loss is inevitable.

Disadvantages:

Serious calorie restriction occurs in the first two weeks and with less than the daily-recommended consumption of five servings of fruits and vegetables.  Good luck having a bowl movement. It recommends harmful foods as aspartame, conventional pasteurized dairy products, and trans fats and largely ignores the contamination problem with fish.

Long- term success:

Most people will find the program successful to some extent if they can get through the first two weeks.  But the weight will not stay off if you decide to allow dessert back into your diet.