FitSugar

Oprah Gained Weight - Are You Surprised?

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:45:31 -0800

Oprah has always been very open about her battles with her weight. In 1990 she hit her heaviest at 237, but Bob Greene came to her rescue with The Best Life Diet, and she dropped to 160 by 2006. By 2007, she was fit and healthy and even ran a marathon. This year, she went vegan for a 21-day cleanse.

In the latest issue of O magazine, however, Oprah talks about gaining weight, admitting that she hit the "dreaded 2-0-0." For her height and weight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that puts Oprah in the obese category, since her BMI is 31.8. She's concerned that the extra weight puts her at risk for health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Since she has issues with her thyroid, she had a fear of working out, and she said, "I was so frustrated I started eating whatever I wanted - and that's never good." She also said, "I'm embarrassed. I can't believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, 'How did I let this happen again?'"

As Oprah is always looking to better herself, she's planning to get back in shape in 2009 with her upcoming Best Life Week series beginning Jan. 5.

Personal Trainer for Kids, A Good Idea?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

A recent report from Newsweek points to a trend in parents hiring personal trainers for their kids. Some parents do it to help with weight loss, others to give their kid a leg up in sports or simply because they want to instill in their child a love of physical activity, but regardless of the reason, I am curious how you guys feel about it. So do you think it's a good idea for parents to hire a personal trainer for their kids?

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Many Probiotics Short on Bacteria

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:09 -0800

With claims that they improve digestion, bolster immunity, and fight acne, it's no wonder that probiotic supplements are big business. Newsweek reports that sales of these supplements have more than quadrupled in the last 10 years. I will admit, I'm a fan these friendly bacteria found in yogurt and miso, but it's the quality of the supplements that's raising eyebrows.

Many popular probiotic supplements were tested by Consumer Lab, an independent agency that monitors vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements not regularly tested by the government. The lab's findings are a bit startling. Some of the products contain as little as 13 percent of the amount of "viable bacteria" claimed on the products' labels, although most products do contain one billion organisms - the amount needed to register some health benefits.

When it comes to misleading marketing with these supplements, much of the problem stems from the fact that the term probiotics has no legal definition and can be used loosely by manufactures. Of the supplements tested, ConsumerLab ranked Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus, and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus as having the highest quality. You can buy a full review from Consumer Lab for $12.

Is America's Antifat Rhetoric Out of Hand?

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:18 -0700

Being obese is unhealthy for many reasons - most recently, we learned it could lead to brain degeneration - but does that mean we should demonize overweight people?

A recent story on Newsweek.com questions whether this antifat rhetoric is totally out of control. From the "real" sized model featured in Glamour to outrage over President Obama's nomination of a heavyset woman, Regina M. Benjamin, as surgeon general, the story posits:

Virtually any news article about weight that is posted online garners a slew of comments from readers expressing disgust that people let their weight get so out of control.

As fashionistas like Anna Wintour say the media focuses too much on anorexia, Newsweek sites an endless parade of pundits who openly express a fat bias. Many of the haters seem to believe that overweight people should do something about their condition, but who's to say they aren't? Why don't we have more compassion for people who are trying to change?

Not to mention that some research suggests that it's possible to be both overweight and fit, and many of our country's unhealthy habits are the result of widespread cultural and dietary changes that go far beyond individual lifestyle choices.

Do you think the antifat criticism in this country has gotten out of hand in our culture? Or do you think it's a necessary step toward changing our habits?

Is Your Swine Flu Fear Growing?

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:00:41 -0700

All Summer long, swine flu has made it into the headlines on a weekly, if not a daily, basis. This flu was quickly declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, not because of the number of deaths due to this strain of the virus, but because it spread worldwide with speed.

A blogger over at Newsweek wants to add a little perspective to the media coverage of H1N1. Here is some history: In 1967, the last pandemic, caused by the Hong Kong flu, killed 700,000 people. For comparison, in the US so far 447 have died from the swine flu. This round of swine flu virus is similar to a typical flu season, but even a typical flu season comes with fatalities. However, most flu deaths occur because of complications, mostly pneumonia, or due to an underlying chronic condition - diabetes being one.

See how seasonal flu deaths compare to heart disease when you read more.

Another comparison from Newsweek: seasonal flu is responsible for one in 5000 deaths, while heart disease is responsible for one in 50 deaths per year. But you don't contract heart disease on the subway, which increases the fear factor that accompanies H1N1. That and the fact that this flu targets younger, healthier people.

As schools consider plans for closure should the need arise, and as flu vaccines are manufactured, I think we best approach the season with clear heads and clean hands. Hand washing is still considered the best defense against the flu. I say stock up on hand sanitizer now to avoid the rush when flu season hits. Is your fear level about swine flu growing?

DrSugar Answers: Could Soy Cause Acne Outbreaks?

DrSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:24:16 -0800

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

I am struggling with acne and have been for a while; topical options just don't seem to cut it, and I'm not sure how I feel about antibiotics. Anyway, I eat a lot of soy products and recently have noticed that my acne gets worse during periods when I eat more of them. I've been doing my own research, but the opinions on the web are conflicting. Is there a link between soy and acne?
-Suspicious of Soy

No one likes to deal with blemishes. If you're curious what the doctor has to say about this matter, read more.

When I first received your inquiry, I was not sure about the relationship, so I did an extensive online search of medical databases, including the biggest, PubMed. The search for "soy and acne" returned no relevant papers or articles. Next I went to a reputable online source of medical information called Emedicine and again came up empty-handed. The next place I turned was Google. The search for soy and acne led me to a number of forums, message boards, and health-related websites/blogs. Similar to your experience, I found these sources contain conflicting information. There are quite a few reports of people eliminating soy from their diets and noticing an improvement in their acne. However, there are also a number of websites that actually promote increasing dietary soy to improve acne.

The short answer to your question is no. There is no evidence of a direct link between acne and soy. However, everyone's body is different, and some people may have improved acne by eliminating soy. The only way to know for sure is to try a week or two without soy and see if it helps. Most health professionals, including dermatologists, actually do not believe that there is a strong relationship between food and acne. This is because most old wives' tales about the relationship between acne and foods, such as chocolate, have never been validated by scientific studies. However, this Newsweek article reports a possible link between highly refined carbs (such as bread and pasta) and acne. More well-established causes of acne include bacteria, hormones, stress, and inflammation. Wikipedia actually has a surprisingly good review of the causes of acne and the issues surrounding the relationship between food and acne.

If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Will Calorie Counts on Chain Menus Curb Obesity?

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800

Eating too many meals out can make our pants fit a bit more snugly, even when we're choosing what seem to be the healthiest menu items. Cities like New York and Philadelphia have mandated that chain restaurants print nutritional information on menu boards to increase awareness in terms of what we are feeding our bodies. Now Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made California the first to implement these efforts statewide.

According to Newsweek, there's a plan to reintroduce legislation in the next Congress that would require chains across the country to print nutritional information. Do you think the presence of calorie and fat content would motivate people to make smarter decisions, or would Americans continue to dine on the unhealthy food that contributes to obesity?

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5 Things About Massage

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Often times massages can seem like the ultimate splurge, but in the end it's just as good for you as it feels.

Newsweek recently outlined a few things about massage that you may not have known, and here are five highlights:

It provides all over pain relief. Massage creates chemical changes that reduce pain and stress throughout the body. One way it does this is by reducing a brain chemical called substance P that is related to pain.
It may boost immunity. Several studies have found dramatic decreases in cortisol, which is produced when you are stressed. Cortisol kills cells important for immunity, so when massage reduces your stress levels and the cortisol in your body, it may help you avoid getting a cold or another illness while under stress.

There are more surprising discoveries about massage so read more.

Massage reduces hypertension. This may be because it stimulates pressure receptors that prompt action from the vagus nerve, one of the nerves that regulates blood pressure, as well as other functions.
Any technique does the trick. There's little evidence to support one kind of massage over another, says Tiffany Field, a professor of pediatrics. The key is pressure firm enough to make a temporary indentation in the skin.
You can massage yourself. Although you don't have to massage the part of the body that hurts to relieve pain, targeting that area does tend to help more.

So why not book yourself an appointment for a massage? I know I am going to, especially since cold and flu season is on the horizon.

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The Real Price of Obesity

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Obesity is not only bad for your health, but it could be doing a number on your wallet too. Newsweek recently outlined the the top five costs associated with obesity and it's interesting to see what more than a third of our country's population could be spending (or losing) money on. I've outlined some highlights in the following slideshow.
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View Slideshow ›

Unhealthiest Cocktails of Summer

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Summer is a time to let loose, but don't let too loose says Newsweek. When the mercury rises, so do the calories in some of our favorite alcoholic beverages. Here are the top six cocktails that'll do a number on your diet:

Margarita. If you use a sugar-saturated Margarita mix, add tequila or Triple Sec, and then pour the drink into a salt-rimmed glass, the result could set you back 850 calories, Jackie Warner, a fitness trainer and the star of the Bravo network's Work Out says.
Mudslide. A 12-ounce frozen mudslide-made with vodka, Kahlua liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream, and vanilla ice cream - tastes like an alcoholic milkshake and is just about as unhealthy. It has 820 calories and 27.2 grams of fat.
Piña Colada. If you like piña coladas, watch out: the rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut drink can contain up to 650 calories.

There's three more so read more.

Mint Julep. You don't need a straw hat or a horserace to drink a mint julep. But the concoction of bourbon and mint-and-sugar syrup might set your diet back. One glass contains about 472 calories.
Mojito. The classic mojito - a mixture of lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, rum, and soda - will run you about 242 calories.
Daiquiri. A frozen strawberry daiquiri, made from strawberry schnapps, rum, lime juice, sugar, and strawberries contains about 220 calories.

As fun as they are, especially a mudslide - yum! - I think I'll be sticking to my occasional glass of wine. What about you?

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