FitSugar

What's the Deal with: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

The Mayo Clinic reports that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects one in ten Americans. That's a lot of people! It predominantly affects women who experience their first signs of the syndrome in their early 20s. But what is IBS exactly?

IBS, also know as spastic colon, is considered a functional disorder meaning the normal function is disrupted and in this case it is (you guessed it) the bowels, even though the intestines appear fine. The intestines normally contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm, but with IBS, the contractions may be longer and stronger than normal, and thereby cause pain. This inability of the intestines to contract rhythmically interferes with digestion causing nausea, diarrhea and constipation not to mention abdominal pain.

It is not clear what causes IBS, but it doesn't trigger inflammation or other changes in the bowel, and doesn't increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Some studies do suggest that intolerance to certain foods may increase symptoms. The major culprits seem to be wheat, dairy, coffee, potatoes, corn and onions.

Lifestyle changes seem the best approach to managing the symptoms: eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and reducing stress. Increasing fiber intake and even taking fiber supplements can help.

To read more about IBS, check out the Mayo Clinic's article on the syndrome.

What Is the Deal with: Chromium Supplements

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:45:00 -0700

I wrote last week that Coke and Pepsi will soon release their health and energy sodas...oops I mean beverages. Pepsi is adding, among other things, the mineral chromium to their Tava drink. This prompted me to do a little research on this space age sounding mineral.

Trivalent chromium is required in trace amounts for sugar metabolism in humans. For this reason, it has been suggested that the supplement known as chromium picolinate may control blood sugar levels, and therefore help prevent Type 2 diabetes. In fact, there doesn't seem to be much scientific evidence to support this claim.

In the U.S. the dietary guide lines for chromium are fairly low, 35 micrograms for adult male and 25 micrograms for adult females. Interstingly enough,they were lowered from 50-200 micrograms when the supplement chromium picolinate generated chromosomal damage in hamster cells. So look for mircrograms of chromium in foods. Raw onions, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce are naturally high in the mineral.

What is the Deal With: Folate

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:15:00 -0800

I just learned something new and I thought I should share it with you: folate and folic acid are the same thing. Well not exactly the same thing. Although they are both forms of a water soluble B vitamin, folate naturally occurs in food and folic acid is its synthetic form found in supplements and added to fortified foods.

Folate and folic acid not only prevent anemia during pregnancy, they also help to produce and maintain new cells. These two reason are why it is essential to take folic acid before and during pregnancy. So if you are planning on becoming a mama soon, make sure you're getting your daily value (DV) of this vitamin, which is 500 micrograms if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. For all other adults the recommended DV is 400 micrograms.

Aside from pregnancy, folate is an important nutrient since it is needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells. It also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer. The "C" word usually catches people's attention, so now I want you to know what to eat for your DV of folate.

Foods naturally high in folate are: leafy green vegetables like spinach and turnip greens (don't toss the greens when cooking with turnips you can sauté them with garlic just like spinach), citrus fruits and juices, as well as dried beans and peas. Since 1998, folic acid has been added to "enriched" grain products like breads and cereals. Many fortified cereals contain 100% of your daily folate needs. Ahhhh...another reason to read those labels.

What's the Deal With Kerri Walsh's Shoulder Tape?

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Watching Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor kick some sand-covered butt has been a highlight of the Summer Olympics so far, and I'd love to see this dynamic duo go home with the gold. Meanwhile, I've been puzzling over the multicolored tape that Walsh has been wearing on her shoulder; sometimes it's black, sometimes it's blue, but clearly it's there for a reason.

I did a little research and discovered that this stuff is called Kinesio Tex Tape, and it's being used by a number of Olympians this year.

The therapeutic tape can be used for many different purposes, compressing muscles while allowing athletes to move freely. It helps relieve pain and also supports muscle and joint stability and performance. There are a number of different ways to apply it and use it, so you should do some research and/or talk to a professional before using Kinesio tape.

If you want to follow in Walsh's footsteps, you can buy a 2” x 16.4' roll of Kinesio Tex Gold Tape for $15. Better yet, until Aug. 31, you can get a deal: When you buy three or more rolls, you get one free - though the website warns that orders may be delayed due to increased demand from the Olympics!

If you've ever tried this stuff, I'd love to hear what you thought, so tell me below.

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What's the Deal With Hypnotherapy?

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Let's face it: It's not easy to lose weight, or quit smoking, or get your stress under control. But if you've ever struggled with any of these health concerns, you know that the best solution is simply the one that works for you! So, why not give hypnotherapy a try?

We've heard that Lily Allen used it for weight loss, and I know several other people who have lost weight through hypnosis. Though it may sound a little new age-y, the method really makes a lot of sense, since it gets to the root of your self-control.

When used for health-related matters like dieting and smoking cessation, hypnosis is usually referred to as suggestion therapy. The therapist uses guided relaxation to put the subject into a sort of trance wherein she is susceptible to suggestion. Far from mind control, the trancelike state simply makes you more responsive to ideas - like the fact that you can live without cigarettes or a second piece of pie- that you might normally reject. To hear more about it, read more.

When you are in a hypnotized state, you will likely feel comfortable and relaxed but not really awake, almost as if you are dreaming. The hypnotherapist then makes suggestions in line with your treatment. If you are trying to lose weight, she might tell you that you should always stop eating when you are full. If you are trying to kick the smoking habit, the therapist could suggest that you think cigarettes taste yucky.

Hypnotherapy can be used to treat addiction, as well as anxiety, phobias, insomnia, and depression. The technique is often used in tandem with standard psychotherapy or, in the case of smoking, along with other cessation programs. Regardless of whether you're using it to lose weight or tackle another problem, make sure you're working with a licensed professional.

Have you tried hypnotherapy, or do you know anyone who has? If so, tell me about it below.

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What's the Deal With That Asparagus Aroma?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I love asparagus, and it's incredibly good for you - full of vitamin K, plus A and C and folate. But if you've ever eaten a lot of it, you might have noticed a rather odd side effect. There's really no delicate way to say this, so I'll just come right out with it: Eating asparagus can make your pee smell funny.

It doesn't happen to everyone, but if it happens to you, don't worry: The effect is totally harmless. The odor is merely a byproduct of digesting the veggie. According to WebMD, a compound called mercaptan, present in the green stalks, causes the ammonia- or sulfur-like smell to be released.

It is estimated that 40 to 50 percent of people experience this effect from asparagus; it's all a matter of genetics. If you've never noticed it, you may be immune, or you may simply be unable to smell it. The odor could appear the next day or in a matter of minutes. But aside from the obvious unpleasantness, the aroma of asparagus is nothing to be concerned about. Now aren't you glad we had this little chat?

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What's the Deal With: Barley Malt

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Many health food companies try to avoid adding refined sugar to their products, so they use natural sugar substitutes instead. Stevia, brown rice syrup, evaporated cane juice, and agave nectar are a few examples, but I have also seen barley malt in lists of ingredients. It's often used in cereals, granola bars, mixes, sauces, and baked goods.

Barley malt is made from sprouted barley. It's thick, dark, and has a mellow malt flavor. It's a favorite of health food companies because it's considered a slow-digesting sweetener. It also has half the sweetness of refined sugar, so it's great to use in your own kitchen and to make breads, sauces, veggie dishes, and, of course, home-brewed beer. To see how it compares to sugar read more.

When substituting barley malt for refined white or brown sugar, use 1 1/3 cups of barley malt for 1 cup of sugar, and reduce the liquid in the recipe by about 1/4 cup. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of barley malt used in your baked goods to make them less dense.

Honestly though, both sugar and barley malt are high on the glycemic index, meaning they enter and leave your bloodstream quickly, so they're not exactly healthy for you. Even though barley malt is made from a grain, it's still a sweetener and it affects your body in the same way as sugar. Keep this in mind when thinking about this and other sugar substitutes.

Fit's Tips: Since this sweetener is derived from barley, people with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity should avoid it.

	1 tbsp White Sugar	1 tbsp Barley Malt
Calories	46	60
Total Fat	0g	0g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg
Sodium	0mg	0mg
Carbs	12g	14g
Fiber	0g	0g
Sugar	12g	8g
Protein	0g	1g
Potassium	0mg	65mg

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What's the Deal With Slim Shots?

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0700

I've received many questions about Slim Shots lately so I thought I'd address the topic. Slim Shots are little vanilla-flavored oil filled (each dose contains oat and palm oil) shots to be taken at breakfast that claim to trigger the body’s natural appetite control mechanism, which is supposed to satisfy shot slingers for longer periods of time. Being satisfied longer ideally means that you would then eat less during the day and lose weight. The shots come in little dairy creamer-looking packages, and you take one or two shots a day, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise program - of course.

Slim Shots, while not my cup of tea, do not seem horrible to me (it's no Pink Patch, that's for sure). The site does not promise outrageous results and there are even some clinical studies to back the product up. It's not approved by the FDA and the other downside is that the shots are not cheap. A one month's supply is $40. While I'm still not 100 percent on how the product works (the explanation is a little vague), I do know that you could basically get the same benefits from foods with other good fats likes avocados and nuts. Me, I'd rather top my salad with avocado than slurp down a shot of oil on the side.

Have you ever tried Slim Shots? Share your experience below.

What's the Deal with Spikeball?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

I noticed a new game recently while at the beach, called Spikeball. I've never seen it before so I decided to do a little research.

Basically, Spikeball is a lot like volleyball except instead of hitting the ball over the net, you hit it onto a circular net/trampoline to volley the ball to your opponents. The game is a two-on-two match, and like volleyball you and your teammate have up to three volleys between you to return the ball on the net. The biggest (and coolest) difference is that with volleyball you must stay on your side of the net. With Spikeball once the ball has been served off the net, you can run wherever you want - there are no sides.

Not only does it make for a really fun beach (or Fourth of July barbecue) game, you'll end up running all over the place trying to get the ball, which means you're bound to burn a ton of calories. The game will run you around $50 and it's a guaranteed good time. I just ordered my set - fingers crossed it gets here by this weekend!

What's the Deal with Body Wraps?

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Wrap it up, and watch the pounds melt off. If only it were that easy.

With claims that body wraps push fat cells together and allow your body to change into a slimmer shape, many folks are turning towards such treatments in search of losing a few unwanted pounds instead of hitting the gym. Experts, such as Dr. Erica Brownfield, associate professor of medicine at Emory, warn us to use caution when opting for a pricey body wrap. Want to know why? Then read more.

CNN reports that:

"[Body wrap providers] claims say they are squeezing the fat cells closer together," Brownfield says," but I think it's very important for people to realize that they're not losing fat cells. Those fat cells, once you decompress them and take those wraps off, they're going to go back to their usual shape and size."

Brownfield is also concerned that, in some cases, these wraps could be a health hazard. "Actually, depending on which wrap you use they can be harmful, they can dehydrate the body," she says, which can be dangerous for some people. She also cautions people to make sure they know what type of minerals and solutions are being used in the procedure. Allergic reactions are one concern, but also any type of open wound, contagious disease or rash might make a body wrap a bad idea.

And finally, if you have any medical concerns, talk to a doctor before deciding if wrapping up is your best bet for shaping up.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: there is no magic bullet. If body wraps were it, I'd have been first in line. Have you ever tried body wraps for weight loss? Did you think it worked?

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