It is easy to see that for those of us with more than a few extra pounds, losing weight is likely to help us stay young. We just have to look around you at the seniors that we know and see how the slimmer ones are more active, healthy and young-seeming. Of course this is a generalization and individual people can get sick no matter what they weigh, but the risks of many serious diseases are greatly reduced if a person is within the ideal weight range.

So what is the best way to lose weight and retain or regain your youthful vigor?

First, be careful not to lose weight too fast. Fast weight loss can make you look drawn and leave your skin loose in the short term, giving the appearance of more wrinkles. This will pass but at first, it can have the opposite effect of what you intended. So aim for slow and steady weight loss.

Losing one pound a week is a good target for the first 10-15 pounds, then 2 pounds every 3 weeks. This may not sound much, especially if you have a lot to lose, but if you lose weight this way you will be much more likely to keep it off. You will be adapting your lifestyle and eating habits instead of ‘keeping to a diet’. This is a much healthier way to lose weight. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking to make a change and lose some weight? I have reviewed the top diet on the internet and you can go and read over 200 comments people have made about why this diet has worked well for them, as well as some of the problems.

Tags: arthritis, food, osteoporosis

The main causes of osteoporosis are reduced production of the hormones estrogen (in women) and testosterone (in men) as we grow older. It is most common in women after the menopause. However it can also appear in older men and in younger people, usually as a result of hormone deficiencies, sometimes due to calcium deficiency or certain medications.

Osteoporosis is a condition defined as low bone mineral density – in other words, weak bones. Weak bones are likely to break more easily and the classic case is a senior lady who frequently falls and breaks wrists, hips and other bones. The risk of these fractures occurring is increased of course if the person easily loses their balance. This is associated with certain diseases but also happens much more often in elderly people. Poor eyesight also results in more frequent falls.

Broken wrists can make independent living difficult, especially as it is quite common to break both in the same fall. Fractures of major bones like the pelvis are more serious and often require surgery. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: calcium deficiency, dairy products, osteoporosis, surgery, Vitamin D

Investing in a special exercise trampoline leaves you feeling bright, active, totally happy and ready for more. And that is not an exaggeration. Thousands and thousands of people are using trampolines of all sizes, not just for fun filled days for the kids but as a serious fitness regime.

Trainers recommend it because it protects your joints, improves coordination and keeps you fit.

But the best part about this particular workout is that it is fun! Trampolining is a fantastic, safe way to exercise. Not only can you fit it around your physical abilities and needs, trampolining is flexible in terms of time and space. You can do it at home indoors (mini trampoline!) or in the garden.

All manner of people use it as a way to keep fit, from older people who need aerobic exercise that has less impact on their joints, right through to sportsmen and women, athletes and boxers who need extremely effective exercise. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: bone disease, cycling, mood-enhancing chemicals, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, osteoporosis

Mens Health has a great article on the nutrients and eating skills necessary to lose fat. I usually hate the slant of these articles because I thing the target them at 18 year old kids getting ready to go to the bar but thats just my attitude. The article is great and I am going to paraphrase the points here as I think there is some knowledge I can add and the article was a little wordy.

1. To lose weight, you must cut calories
The low-fat/low-carbohydrate debate comes down to this: You still have to eat fewer calories than you burn if you want to lose weight. Every study I looked at shows this. The perfect weight-loss diet is the one you can live with, whether you cut fat, carbs, or some combination.

2. Take Whey protein
A daily shake made with two scoops of whey protein, fruit (fresh or frozen berries or a banana), and water or crushed ice will decrease hunger. You can buy whey protein at any grocery store nowadays, this is the best option for protein enhancement in your diet.

3. Meat kills fat
Protein takes the most calories to assimilate and digest, followed by carbohydrates, followed by fat. Animal proteins increase thermogenesis more than vegetable proteins, so the best calorie-burning foods are lean meats. Build your dinner around lean chicken, beef, or pork. That way, you’re burning the most calories through digestion at the end of the day, when your metabolism is slower. This is one of the big reasons that I think people are too concerned about their fat intake but at the same time do not eat enough protein.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: colon cancer, consistent energy supply, dairy products, diabetes, fish-oil supplements, food, heart attacks, heart disease, inflammation, MDlabs.com., oil, osteoporosis, potato chips

MSNBC has this article about losing weight as you get older. Thought it would be great info for people that are struggling these days.

While time may adorn you with new lines on your face, a new color hair (gray) and a new waistline, the passing decades are not to blame for all of the changes in your body. Your eating habits, your attitude and your approach to everyday experiences also play key roles.

As we age, our bodies lose muscle and gain fat. Our nutritional needs change, as well. But you don’t necessarily feel these changes on a daily basis. Metabolism gradually slows each decade after age 20, so it’s not as if you suddenly wake up 10 pounds heavier. It creeps up slowly. Fortunately, you do have some control over your changing body and slowing metabolism. Some strategies to help you avoid a midlife diet crisis: Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: American Dietetic Association, At, bone bank, Bonnie Taub-Dix, Columbia, Columbia University Medical Center, crippling disease, D, flushing, food sources, low-or non-fat dairy products, New York City, One, osteoporosis, physician, spokesperson, Vitamin D

If you thought that the only function an exercise serves is that of helping you lose weight, you are terribly wrong. Everyone should do exercises, whether they are overweight, underweight or of normal weight. Your body weight has something to do with the speed and type of your exercises, but you should be working out nonetheless.

You see, besides helping you maintain a slim and sexy body, workouts come with several other bigger benefits. Studies have pointed out time and again that people who workout regularly are less likely to suffer from heart-related diseases or die a premature death than those who don’t; the same researchers say that women who workout regularly are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis and other body-weakening diseases than others.

Now the million dollar question is: if exercises are so important then why do people shy away from it? There are many reasons behind the ‘unpopularity’ of exercises. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: athlete, Lethargy, nutritionist, obesity, osteoporosis, USD

Brisk walking, jogging and weight training are the most effective forms of exercise to improve bone and muscle strength, Australian experts say on World Osteoporosis Day.

It is estimated that one in two women and one in three men over the age of 60 in Australia will suffer a fracture related to osteoporosis – the loss of bone tissue – research from the University of Melbourne shows.

However, regular exercise can reduce that fracture risk by up to 50 per cent. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Australia, Federal Minister, guide co-author, head, Judy Stenmark, Justine Elliott, Maria Fiatarone Singh, osteoporosis, Osteoporosis Australia, University of Melbourne

You have tried eating like a baby in the name of ‘dieting’, spent hours in your local gym in the name of ‘workouts’, wasted hundreds of dollars on weight loss pills and supplements, and have even gone to the extent of procuring those attractive but useless exercise gadgets that claim to burn your fat effortlessly; yet, you are unable to lose a single pound of fat.

If this is you then weight loss surgery is the only way to go. While there are many types of weight loss surgeries available out there, most people seem to go for the gastric bypass. The gastric bypass surgery, even though it helps you lose weight, is risky. In this article I will tell you about the complications you can possibly encounter after undergoing the surgery.

Celebrities and Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass has always been more or less popular, but it was made even more popular with celebrities such as Al Roker and Carnie Wilson going for it and losing weight successfully with its help. Now it is your turn to try it out.

It is a known fact that the key to successful weight loss lies in reducing your food intake. If you eat less than your normal diet, you would get rid of the extra pounds. However, it is easier said than done. Try as you might, you would never be able to reduce your food intake to the desired level because the constant hunger pangs won’t let you do so.

The only solution available to you is that of reducing the size of your stomach so that you don’t feel hungry even after reducing your food intake drastically. This is exactly what the gastric bypass surgery does for you, and this is the reason why it is so popular among the masses and celebrities alike.

Gastric Bypass Risks

Now let’s talk about the possible risks associated with the surgery. While weight gain can trigger a host of diseases such as heart strokes, kidney problems, digestion problems, sleep apnea, cancer, gout, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, psychological problems, etc., weight loss achieved through gastric bypass can also cripple you.

Known complications associated with gastric bypass surgery are stones in gall bladder (or gallstones), anemia, hair loss or thinning of hair, osteoporosis, blood clotting, infections, ulcers, stomach stenosis, incisional hernia, and even possible death.

Your decision on Gastric Bypass

Now the ball is in your court. You have to take the decision about whether to go for the gastric bypass or not. Weigh the risks of obesity with those of the gastric bypass surgery, and then take the decision. You may also want to consult with your doctor or a health specialist, preferably someone specializing in bariatric surgery.

If you ask me though, I would suggest that you try losing weight with diet and exercise once again. Lots of people have lost weight this way, so there is no reason why you cannot. Both of them are not only risk-free, you would also gain a lot of extra weight loss benefits that are not available to those losing weight through gastric bypass. In short, you should consider gastric bypass only as your last resort.

Tags: Al Roker, anemia, Asthma, bariatric surgery, cancer, Carnie Wilson, diabetes, food intake, gallstones, Gastric bypass, Gastric Bypass Gastric bypass, gastric bypass surgery, gout, health specialist, high blood pressure, hypertension, Incisional hernia, obesity, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, strokes, surgery, weight loss surgeries, weight loss surgery

Vitamins during pregnancy are very important.

If you have ever attempted to go on any kind of diet that involved reading the information on the nutritional labels of your food you are all too familiar with the fact that those little words and symbols can start to look like Greek after a while. If you’re not a doctor or a nutritionist you probably have no idea of what Vitamin B or Folic Acid are, much less why they’re important. The first step to conquering pregnancy nutrition is understanding what you’re eating, how much you should eat, why you’re eating it and how it’s going to help your baby.

A quick note. In the following section you are going to see several mentions made about the negative consequences of overdosing on specific vitamins. You must understand that this overdose very rarely occurs because of the foods you eat. More often it is because mothers have chosen to consume extra supplements in an attempt to “help” their baby or they have forgotten to tell their physician about other vitamins and supplements they take on a regular basis.

Be sure when you go in for your prenatal appointments that your physician knows exactly what vitamins, medications and supplements (including herbal) you take, regardless of how insignificant you may believe them to be. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: anemia, anencephaly, B12 deficiency, B6, beriberi, birth defects, bread products, C, calcium deficiency, center for disease control, cough, dairy products, encephalocele, energy, folic acid, Folic Acid deficiency, food, high blood pressure, morning sickness, neural tube defects, nutritionist, osteoporosis, pernicious anemia, physician, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy nutrition, pregnancy vitamins, pregnant women, Riboflavin deficiency, spina bifida, vegetable oil, vitamin a, Vitamin A deficiency, vitamin a during pregnancy, Vitamin D, Vitamin D deficiency, vitamins and supplements

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become brittle and weak, is responsible for about 70% of the hip fractures in Canada, leading to considerable disability. Healthy lifestyle choices begun at an early age combined with proper screening, early detection, and appropriate treatment can offset bone loss and prevent or delay serious complications.

Throughout our lives our bodies go through a process of breaking down old bone material and replacing it with new bone. In our early years, we make more bone than we lose until we reach our lifetime maximum bone mass. For a woman that can happen in her teen years. For men, it’s a little later. At that point, the process reaches a balance and the amount of bone made is about the same as the amount of bone lost. As we age, we begin to lose bone faster than we make it.

One in four Canadian women and one in eight men over the age of 50 will lose so much of their bone mass that their bones will become fragile and break easily. In severe cases, a simple hug can be enough to break a bone. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: anti inflammatory drugs, bone density, bone loss, Canada, celiac disease, cluttering, crohn s disease, Crohn's disease, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, healthy lifestyle, hip fracture, Hormone replacement therapy, HRT, hyperthyroidism, Hypogonadism, lifestyle choices, Osteopenia, osteoporosis, Osteoporosis Society, Osteoporosis Society of Canada, osteoporosis treatment, pain, Primary hyperparathyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy, ultrasound, Vitamin D, x-ray