Dr. Deb

Well I got a girl named Boney Maroni
& She’s as Skinny as a Stick of Macaroni!

Hard to believe but that was the song that my Dad sang to me when I was a child. That quickly changed with puberty and estrogen transformed my body from straight to curvy then quite round. Common wisdom at the time was starvation diets from the Scarsdale to fasting liquid protein. Those helped me to lose weight quickly, only to pack it back on plus more until I ballooned to over 200 lbs.

We’ve learned a lot about healthy ways to lose weight but our society has abandoned many healthy habits that kept us thin to begin with. More than 30% of children in the United States are now overweight or obese.

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These days it seems that everyone needs something to suck on. Our children wander with a sippy cup or pacifier in mouth while their parents always have a latte or diet coke in hand. Yes, sucking and chewing does increase endorphins, perhaps as effectively as Prozac, but there are many down sides to the constant flow of chemicals on our teeth and into our bodies.

Many people are afraid the dentist will find cavities but now dental erosion is one of the most common chronic dental diseases in children and prevalent in many adults. The acidic chemicals in juices and pop can permanently dissolve tooth enamel. Most parents haven’t even heard of dental erosion. (more…)

Most of us have received an email or seen an advertisement endorsing the Dr Oz or Oprah diet using acai  (ah-sigh-ee) or resveratrol.  When I see their faces I so want to believe that there is a magic juice to make me thinner, younger looking and more energetic. Now if it was that easy, it would be on my shelf already. I still want to believe.

Is there such thing as an Oprah or Dr. Oz diet or secret weapon?

No, Both Dr Oz an Oprah are pursuing legal action against the companies that use their name and likeness to dupe people into ordering products that they do not specifically endorse. See Oprah

The companies seem to primarily originate in China and will often try to get your credit card so they can charge you on a monthly basis. Even if it says “free trial” and just pay for shipping. Don’t do it! It is all a scam to get your credit card and they will continue to charge your card monthly.

What about other juices sold in the United States by individuals or in stores?

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Last week a study reported that Probiotics Cut Belly Fat After Pregnancy. Is this a dream come true or wishful thinking?  Well, the evidence is not overwhelming ..but there is little downside to possbily less of the  fat-side.

What is a probiotic?
Probiotics are often referred to  “good bacteria” that are tiny living organisms that reside in many places in the body but most often we think of in the gut or vaginal flora. This good bacteria protects or benefits our body.

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“Natural” does not mean safe. Billions of dollars are spent every year on supplements that do not have to be proven safe or effective. Hydroxycut has been added to the list of Herbalife and others to be dangerous and even deadly.

The FDA has recommended that consumers stop using Hydroxycut  since it has received 23 reports of liver problems in people who used Hydroxycut, some of whom needed liver transplants, and one death has been reported.  There are several other serious problems that some Hydroxycut users have had, including seizures; rhabdomyolysis. (A type of muscle damage that can lead to other dangerous problems, such as kidney failure), and cardiovascular problems, ranging in severity from irregular heartbeat to a heart attack.
What are they symptoms of these liver problems?
Symptoms of serious liver disease include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine. Liver disease can also have nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, unusual tiredness, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.
What in Hydroxycut is causing the problem?

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