July 13, 2012 - A new study offers good news for women having difficulties maintaining their weight or suffering from excessive hot flashes:

Low-Fat, Plant-Filled Diet Reduces Weight and Symptoms of Menopause

Enjoy a Low Fat, Plant-Based DietWomen who were encouraged to eat a low-fat diet with more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains were more likely to lose weight and reduce hot flashes and night sweats, according a new study in the journal Menopause. Researchers analyzed 17,473 postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification trial and put them either in a group supported to make specific dietary changes or a control group that received minimal nutrition information and no group support. Although weight loss was not a stated goal for either group, women who adopted the low-fat diet were three times as likely to lose weight, compared with the control group, while women in the control group were twice as likely to gain weight. Women who lost weight were more likely to eliminate hot flashes and night sweats, compared with women who maintained their weight. These improvements were strongest among those who made the dietary changes.

Kroenke CH, Caan BJ, Stefanick ML, et al. Effects of a dietary intervention and weight change on vasomotor symptoms in the Women’s Health Initiative. Menopause. In press.

We found this published on the web site of PCRM

San Francisco leads the charge discouraging unhealthy food sales to children through FREE TOY enticements.

City officials apparently believe that the toys encourage unhealthy food choices.  Of course McDonald's is crying 'foul'.  Apparently, desperate times call for desperate measures!  Childhood obesity is fast becoming a raging epidemic taking kids 'to obesity and beyond'.

This is not a done deal yet. The final vote is next week and a lot can happen in a week.  The mayor has promised to veto the bill.  But, the 8-3 vote apparently overturns the mayors ability to veto. This should be interesting!

We are eager to see somebody do an analysis of the requirements the meals must meet in order to be allowed to give away a toy!

Read the San Francisco Chronicle Article on the fast food toy give-away ban

A new study published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine demonstrates that the best prescription for chronic insomnia may not be a prescription at all but rather aerobic exercise.  Want to improve your mood? Try exercise!  Exercise improves sleep quality. Improved sleep quality improves overall energy levels. Improved overall energy levels makes for a happier, healthier more productive life.  You get the picture!

Since insomnia increases with age, so should exercising. Of course eating nutrition dense, low calorie whole plant based foods will also help tremendously (although that was not included in the study).

We sometimes tell people that a simple three pronged approach to truly SEE in life is to:

Sleep: Get enough on a regular schedule
Eat: Whole foods, plant based
Exercise: Daily!

And, for a completely well rounded approach we change SEE to SEED and add Devotion. (spiritual life)

But, we digress from the study somewhat.  If you are interested to read more about the study you can start at an article on WebMD;  Exercise Helps You Sleep.  In fact, while you are there you might also be interested to read their article 9 Good Reasons To Get More ZZZs.

Sweet dreams!

Recent studies show lower life expectancies for men who are obese at age 20.  In fact they are twice as likely to die young.  This is certainly not what most of us aspire to do with our lives!  Unfortunately more than two-thirds of U.S. Adults aged 20 or older are obese.  This is a trend that shows no sign of reversing.  The study has left people asking the question; Why are people who are obese at age 20 dying sooner?  The good news is that people CAN do better if they are willing to change their lifestyle.  This trend CAN be reversed!

In lieu of the obesity epidemic and other related diseases, and in the interest of optimal health for all, Dr. Carney likes to challenge her patients to Try the Leafy Green Challenge for 2 weeks:

• Eat no animal products for 2 weeks.
• Eat a salad daily with either Spinach or Romaine instead of Iceberg Lettuce.
• At another meal each day, eat one of the following: Kale, Collard Greens, Beet Greens, Turnip Greens, Mustard Greens, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, or Cauliflower.  They don't have to be raw.
• Legumes, such as Beans, Lentils, and Peas, should form the basis for your protein calories.
• Eat beans for breakfast, so you won't feel as hungry on the plant-based diet.
• You need to eat legumes  for at least 7 meals out of 21 meals per week.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of WATER each day before 5 PM.

The amazing things is that the majority of people who faithfully do the Leafy Green Challenge for two weeks see improvements in their health that they never dreamed possible.  And, if they take the Leafy Green Challenge for life they CAN reverse the obesity and disease trend crippling the health of our nation!

Click to see WebMD article "Obesity at Age 20 Linked to Early Death"

A new study published in the July 12 issue of Pediatrics suggests children be screened for cholesterol since children with high levels of cholesterol have a higher risk of having type 2 diabetes and heart attacks!  Keep in mind that we are talking about children here; Fifth graders! 

It is stated that such children need medical attention including treatment with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs!

Children being subjected to the ravages of debilitating diseases at such a tender age is mind-numbing.  Tragically many parents seem oblivious to the relationship between fats in the diet and accumulating fat on the bodies of their children that in turn plug their vascular systems and lead to disease.

In the 1990s when the original guidelines were formulated it was thought that 25% of kids would meet the criteria for screening.  Now in 2010 it has been found that 71.4% of kids met the screening criteria.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could take some of these at-risk children, and their at-risk parents, and put them on a plant based high fiber, high nutrition, highly delicious, highly energizing diet to demonstrate how quickly these deplorable conditions might be reversed;  Maybe it is time for Live-In Lifestyle Centers for children as well as for their parents!

For those of you wondering how to lower Cholesterol, here is a hint; Although vegetables, fruits, and grains don't have any cholesterol, the following foods from animals do:

• egg yolks
• meat
• poultry
• seafood
• dairy products (including milk, cheese, and ice cream)

The best answer, which is NOT spoken about in the article, seems to be to eat entirely from plant based foods and abstain from eating cholesterol containing animal products.

Click to see WebMD article "Study Suggests Screening Kids for Cholesterol"

The Corn Refiners Association is none to happy with a recently released study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (click to read the abstract) indicating that foods and beverages with high amounts of fructose from added sugar may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.  That in turn contributes to heart attack and stroke.

They are unhappy because 'Sugar' was not also indicted to the same degree!  In support of their view, George Bakris, MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension and a professor of medicine and the director of the Hypertension Center at the University of Chicago, told WebMD “It is not the fructose itself, it is all sugars that are deleterious. “Sugar is the bad guy and lack of exercise is the bad guy when it comes to causing obesity and hypertension. It is not any one thing. Don’t gain weight and your blood pressure won’t go up.”

Click Here to Read the article on WebMD

Click to Read About.com article comparing HFCS to white sugar

The bottom line.  If you want sweets choose fruits that offer nutrients and fiber with their sugars!

A new report “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010” just released shows a deeply downwardly spiraling national catastrophe on the horizon. Obesity rates increased in 28 states in just this past year. The number one obese state, where 33.8% of Adults Are Obese, is Mississippi which also happens be the state with the least consumption of fruits and vegetables per person. Can you say cause and effect?

We have our work cut out for us because the South is where the epidemic is hardest hitting:

• 10 of the 11 states with the highest rates of obesity are in the South.
• 10 of the 11 states with the highest rates of diabetes are in the South
• The 10 states with the highest rates of hypertension are also in the South

Some of the many statistics:

• 38 states have adult obesity rates above 25%.
  (No state had an obesity rate above 20% in 1991.)
• 12% of high school students are obese and 15.8% are overweight.

Sadly lack of education, poverty, minority ethnicity and obesity appear to hang out together!

There are some good articles to be read online and you can also download the 122 page report. 

Click to see WebMD article "Obesity Rate Swells in 28 States"

Click to Download the actual Report from HealthyAmericans.org

Click to watch a short news story on YouTube. Watching the kids eating is heart-breaking!

A new study shows that Diabetes doubles the risk of developing serious blood vessel diseases and life-threatening events such as strokes and heart attacks.  This is no surprise but it is good to see it brought out in print and through studies.

One caveat: The leaders in this study received funding from the pharmaceutical industry.  The most common way to control diabetes is through the use of pharmaceutical medications.

The study does not touch on the fact that a plant based diet and regular exercise can help prevent disease and hence dependence on those medications.  The inter-connectedness of these various diseases has been shown once again!

Click to see WebMD article "Diabetes Doubles Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke"

Click to See Results of Google Query for "Diabetes Doubles Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke"

A combined panel from the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society make the following observation: People with diabetes are at increased risk of certain cancers.  They then ask the important question: why?  Unfortunately their conclusion: We aren't sure!

Sure or not about the "why" there is one thing they are sure of (it is good to have absolutes in this world) which is this: Lifestyle changes that prevent or reverse diabetes will certainly cut cancer risk.  Their advice:  "Eat a healthy, varied, predominantly plant-based diet, be physically active every day, and maintain a healthy body weight."  We would suggest striking the word 'Predominantly' in the interest of optimal health.

Click to see WebMD article "Why Does Diabetes Raise Cancer Risk?"

Click to See Results of Google Query for "Why Does Diabetes Raise Cancer Risk?"

Increasing Vegetables and Exercise is Recommended as well as Reducing Salt and Fat. Sugar is also targeted!  We are in need of some real lifestyle changes in America which is the only reasonable solution to the obesity crisis.

From WebMD: June 15, 2010 -- By encouraging Americans to slash their salt intake, eat a plant-based diet, and increase physical activity, the newly proposed 2010 Dietary Guidelines take aim at the obesity epidemic.

Click to see WebMD article "Proposed Dietary Guidelines Take Aim at Obesity"

Click to See Results of Google Query for "Proposed Dietary Guidelines Take Aim at Obesity"

Experts stated on May 20, 2010 that replacing white rice with brown rice and wholemeal bread could cut the risk of diabetes by a third.  Many articles on the web state: "White rice 'raises diabetes risk', say US experts."

Click to see BBC News article White rice 'raises diabetes risk', say US experts

Click to See Results of Google Query for "White rice 'raises diabetes risk'"

New Guidelines Released June 9, 2010, Call for Physical Activity Before, During, and After Treatment: "Though cancer patients have long been told to take it easy, they can -- and should -- be as physically active as possible before and during treatment, according to new guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)."

Click to see WebMD article Exercise Recommended for Cancer Patients: Guidelines

Click to See Results of Google Query for "Exercise Recommended for Cancer Patients"