Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and colleagues present new findings that may overturn the major objection to regular chocolate consumption: that it makes people fat. The study, showing that adults who eat chocolate on a regular basis are actually thinner that those who don’t, will be published online in the Archives of Internal Medicine on March 26.

The authors dared to hypothesize that modest, regular chocolate consumption might be calorie-neutral –in other words, that the metabolic benefits of eating modest amounts of chocolate might lead to reduced fat deposition per calorie and approximately offset the added calories (thus rendering frequent, though modest, chocolate consumption neutral with regard to weight). To assess this hypothesis, the researchers examined dietary and other information provided by approximately 1000 adult men and women from San Diego, for whom weight and height had been measured.

The UC San Diego findings were even more favorable than the researchers conjectured. They found that adults who ate chocolate on more days a week were actually thinner – i.e. had a lower body mass index – than those who ate chocolate less often. The size of the effect was modest but the effect was “significant” –larger than could be explained by chance. This was despite the fact that those who ate chocolate more often did not eat fewer calories (they ate more), nor did they exercise more. Indeed, no differences in behaviors were identified that might explain the finding as a difference in calories taken in versus calories expended.

“Our findings appear to add to a body of information suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight,” said Golomb. “In the case of chocolate, this is good news –both for those who have a regular chocolate habit, and those who may wish to start one.”

I know of someone who used this type product, HCG for weight loss.  A rather astute person.  And no, it was not me.   She used common sense and it helped her lose weight.  Is it good for everyone?  Probably not.  But should you be allowed to decide for yourself?  It is amazing how so many ‘approved’ drugs harm  people, but that seems to be ok.

Here is the press release. and below.

FDA, FTC act to remove “homeopathic” HCG weight loss products from the market

Joint action is first step in halting sale of the products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today issued seven Warning Letters to companies marketing over-the counter (OTC) HCG products that are labeled as “homeopathic” for weight loss.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the human placenta and found in the urine of pregnant women. HCG is FDA-approved as an injectable prescription drug for the treatment of some cases of female infertility and other medical conditions.

The letters warn the companies that they are violating federal law by selling drugs that have not been approved, and by making unsupported claims for the substances. There are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss.

The joint action is the first step in keeping the unproven and potentially unsafe products from being marketed online and in retail outlets as oral drops, pellets, and sprays.

The labeling for the “homeopathic” HCG products states that each product should be taken in conjunction with a very low calorie diet. There is no substantial evidence HCG increases weight loss beyond that resulting from the recommended caloric restriction.  Consumers on a very low calorie diet are at increased risk for side effects including gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalance, and heart arrhythmias.

“These HCG products marketed over-the-counter are unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous even if taken as directed,” said Ilisa Bernstein, acting director of the Office of Compliance in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “And a very low calorie diet should only be used under proper medical supervision.”

“Deceptive advertising about weight loss products is one of the most prevalent types of fraud,” said David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Any advertiser who makes health claims about a product is required by federal law to back them up with competent and reliable scientific evidence, so consumers have the accurate information they need to make good decisions.”

According to the Warning Letters, the companies have 15 days to notify the FDA of the steps they have taken to correct the violations cited. Failure to do so may result in legal action, including seizure and injunction, or criminal prosecution.
Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events (side effects) that may be related to the use of these products to MedWatch, the FDA’s voluntary reporting program, by calling 800-FDA-1088, or electronically at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm¹.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

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Leptin
The fatty tissue in our body serve necessary functions. One of which is to secrete hormones that regulate our appetite and metabolism. Leptin is an important adipose derived hormone. Leptin is critical in controlling the appetite. Leptin resistance is a factor in obesity. According to a published study by the University of Florida a link between overconsumption of high fructose corn syrup exerts a dampening effect on the bodies ability to respond to the important communication this substance provides within the body.

UF researchers found that rats became resistant to leptin after being fed a diet high in fructose for six months. Although there were no visible signs this change was occurring, the fructose-fed rats gained considerably more weight than rats that never ate fructose when both groups were switched to a high-fat diet.

Typically, leptin resistance develops with obesity, but this study showed that high dietary fructose causes a “silent” leptin resistance, Shapiro said. It develops undetected, but when the high-fat diet is introduced it causes greater than expected obesity.

Tips for Healthy Eating
1. If buying packaged food, read the labels and avoid products that contain high fructose corn syrup.
2. Avoid eating in between meals.
3. Eating whole foods provide a steady release of energy so that cravings are reduced.
4. Eat only when hungry.
5. Avoid eating after 6pm – 7pm.
6. Shop around for exercise dvd’s you enjoy so you can make exercise a regular habit.

full article here

by – Catherine Carter www.continuumwellness.org
We live in a go, go world. Constant busyness can lead to increased stress, and stress has been identified as a root cause of many illnesses. What to do? An ancient method is to undertake a fast. Fasting has been used to build health for thousands of years. Fasting helps the body to detox. Fasting is also a useful tool to assist one in tuning in to their inner wisdom.

The body is helped by periodically fasting. A fast, or cleanse helps the body to rest. Springtime is a legendary time to fast. The power of springtime is evident all around us. Flowers burst forth, trees full of lush, leafy growth beautify the landscape and grass erupts to the surface. One can smell life, bursting forth all around, in the air. This same energy is flowing in your veins. You can take advantage of this powerful energy by going on a short fast. For optimum timing have your detox coincide with the spring equinox.

It is important to eat clean, healthy, organic foods, fruits and juices while fasting. Eliminate meat, seafood and caffeine. Focus on fresh squeezed juices, fresh vegetables, salads with simple lemon juice dressing, fruit and herbal tea. Eat peacefully. Chew your foods thoroughly.

If you have never fasted before following are some simple, easy fasting, easy detox diets to help you get started.

Eat once a day this allows the body to enjoy a brief rest. A twenty- four hour fast will help you to detach from constant thoughts of eating. Select a day when you can be at home to rest as needed. Fasting is more than not eating it is also a rest from incessant mental chatter and constant doing. Use this time for restoration.

Skip lunch this allows you to eat two meals a day, breakfast and dinner. This is a good way to reduce the amount of food eaten, especially if you find that you eat often. This will help you acclimate your body and mind so that you can fast for longer periods.

Eat every other day which allows you to eat two to three meals and to fast on the next day.

Fast one day a week this might be on the weekend when you can rest or a day where you know you can work quietly.

Three day fast or longer gives the body enough time to begin detoxing. There are a number of approaches to doing a three day or longer fast. A water fast is not recommended for most people. Simply extend your one day fast to three days. Eliminate salt and sugar from the diet, have salad, drink herbal tea (e.g. peppermint). You might find it helpful to eat a raw food diet for your three day fast.

As the body does eliminate stored waste when one fasts’ (detoxes) it is beneficial to go slowly, so that one doesn’t have headaches etc. Avoid fasting if you have a chronic health condition or if your body has been weakened in any way.

Here’s to your best health.

If you’ve fasted before and would like to share your experience, please do. And, if you like this article, please Digg it.

Yet another study is confirming that adolescents who skip breakfast have a higher risk of being overweight.

“There’s a pretty significant inverse association between how frequently kids report eating breakfast and how much weight they gain over time, and we took into account other dietary factors and physical activity,” said Mark Pereira, co-author of the study, published in the March issue of Pediatrics.

“It’s interesting to note that the kids who eat breakfast on a daily basis overall have a much better diet and are more physically active,” Pereira said.

Added Dr. Peter Richel, chief of pediatrics at Northern Westchester Hospital Center in Mount Kisco, N.Y.: “Grandma and Mom are right. When we skip breakfast, especially in the teenage years, then kids tend to snack and graze.”

More than one-third of teens aged 12 to 19 are now overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. And over the past two decades, the proportion of children who are overweight has doubled; among teens, the proportion has tripled, according to background information with the study.

An estimated 12 percent to 34 percent of children and adolescents skip breakfast on a regular basis, a number that increases with age. Previous studies have linked breakfast skipping with a greater tendency to gain weight.

More than 2,000 adolescents were followed for five years. Participants completed detailed surveys on their eating patterns and also provided information on their height, weight, body-mass index and physical activity.

The more often a person ate breakfast, the less likely he or she was to be overweight or obese.

“This really shows that we have the potential to improve energy balance and weight control with healthy breakfast consumption. We’re not talking pop-tarts.”