Popular Obesity Surgery Worse Than They Thought

Study believed to be the first to track long-term effects
of laparoscopic gastric band surgery finds problems.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height, and provides a reasonable indicator of body "fatness" and weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2009, only Colorado and the District of Columbia had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.

 

Thirty-three states had prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; nine of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%."

Obviously, obesity is a big problem, but what if a...

 

Treatment Is Worse Than
The "Disease"?

 

This may be the case, according to a study on the long term effects of laparoscopic gastric band surgery.

Researchers of the study, published in the Archives of Surgery, said, "The bands eroded in almost one in three patients. Sixty percent had undergone additional surgery, including 17 percent who went on to have gastric bypass."

A related article in The New York Times added: The results "are worse than we expected," said Dr. Jacques Himpens of the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery and St. Pierre University Hospital in Brussels, lead author of the new study. Dr. Himpens advised those considering gastric band surgery not to "nourish exaggerated expectations," adding that "anyone who has had the procedure should see a care provider on a regular basis and be vigilant about signs of infection or band erosion."

A Better Solution?

Once again, research has shown there are almost always unwanted side effects to every drug or surgery.

So, the question becomes - is the potential benefit worth that negative side effect?

But, an even smarter question is - is there an all-natural alternative that does not come with the same inherent risks of drugs and surgery?

In this case, the answer for many people is... YES!

For many people, obesity and weight problems can be accomplished by PERMANENT lifestyle changes.

In other words, finding what foods work for your body chemistry, eating those foods... and... exercising correctly... FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

This may seem like a daunting task, but the alternative is chilling. As research shows, quick fixes tend to lead to more problems.

Nothing in life worth having comes without a price. To achieve real health, the price is putting in the effort to eat right, exercise, reduce stress and keep your muscles working properly.

Tip of the Month

What's Better For Pain, Morphine or Medication?
And Why It's So Important For You To Know The Answer.

Mind over matter. Some believe in it. Some don't. Is it really possible for you to control the inner workings of your body through thought? Well, now there is a growing body of scientific research helping to answer this question. For example, a recent study in the Journal of Neuroscience pitted morphine against medication to see which one is better for pain relief.

The Results Were Shocking.

In the study, 15 volunteers were taught the focused attention meditation technique. This technique teaches students to let go of distracting thoughts by focusing on their breathing. In this case, the volunteers attended four 20-minute classes. Then, the volunteers were subjected to pain (a patch heated to 120 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 minutes and 55 seconds. This "pain" was administered before and after meditation, and the volunteers recorded their level of discomfort. After the training sessions, the volunteers reported a 40% reduction in pain intensity and a 57% drop in pain unpleasantness. According to the researchers, Morphine typically reduces pain ratings by 25%. MRI scans also showed changes in brain activity before and after meditation in the areas that control pain. Here's a somewhat complex quote from the researchers, "Together, these data indicate that medication engages multiple brain mechanisms that alter the construction of the subjectively available pain experience from afferent information." In other words...

Medication Seemed To Actually Affect The Brain In
A Way That Could Reduce A Person's Sensitivity To Pain!

Even though this is very impressive, this study has a small number of volunteers, only 15, so no definitive conclusion can be drawn. But, there is mounting evidence that what you believe can control the inner workings of your body. For example, in last month's issue of this newsletter, research was presented that showed anti-depressant medication was not much better than placebos. In fact, placebos were shown to improve symptoms 82 percent as much as the real pill. According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International: "However, if experts and antidepressant manufacturers are aware of this, the general public certainly isn't... Millions of people every year feel better, simply because they believe they'll feel better." It is no longer a question "if" your thoughts change your body chemistry... but to what extent... and... what is the best way to maximize it? The implications of this are far reaching for both health and for living the successful, happy and fulfilled life you've always wanted. It seems self-help pioneers who said things like, "thought become things" and "we become our dominant thoughts" were WAY ahead of their time.

Clearly, we must be very careful what thoughts we allow to take root in our subconscious mind. This starts with what we read, watch on television, hear on the radio, and the people who surround us. All these years, we were afraid of the germs carried by someone but maybe the words you hear from that mouth are worse than the germs it coughs up.

Remember, we're always here to help your body heal

and maintain the health you deserve.

Did You Know?

Plants have been used for centuries as medicines - now genetically modified plants can produce plastic. Biotechnologists managed this by inserting 4 genes from plastic-producing bacteria into varieties of oilseed rape and cress. Conventional plastics are made from oil and do not degrade easily, but the plant plastic is biodegradable. However, it is expensive, costing five times more than pertoleum-derived plastic.

By the way, the word plastic comes from the Greek plastikos, meaning"to form" or "to shape".

Money doesn't grow ontrees but one day, perhaps credit cards will!

About the genetic engineering... Actually, man has been "genetically modifying" everything from food to dogs for many centuries, but in the past his only tool has been selective breeding. There are a variety of ways scientists can now modify plants and animals with genetic engineering techniques.

In the meantime, take good care of your real plants. Clean them often, speak to them, and play them some nice music- there is a lot of research showing melodic or classical stimulates plants to grow healthier.

Did You Know?

Tea is a great food for health!

• Tea, without sugar or honey, only has two calories per cup.





• Steeping tea for three to five minutes produces the most antioxidants.





• Milk in your tea doesn't reduce the tea's health benefits.





• The maximum amount of antioxidants contained in tea comes from brewing loose leaves or from tea bags. (Tea in powders or bottles has little or no helpful antioxidants!)





• Tea in products applied to the skin has little or no health enhancing properties.





• Teas, especially white and green teas, can help with the following: Stimulate mental clarity, reduce the risk of certain cancers, reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood sugar levels, help prevent viral infections, help prevent bad breath, and help prevent tooth decay.





• Also, because the water used in tea is boiled, this makes tea safer to drink than tap water.

Tip of the Month

Dietary Changes May Help ADHD.

Also: Consumption Of This Is Linked To Depression.

You are what you eat. This is not just a catchy saying - it is the absolute truth. Yet, most people ignore this "truth" and suffer from preventable diseases, aches and pains. Most seem to think it is easier to eat junk and take a pill later. There is always a miracle medicine to save you, isn't there? The truth of the matter is...

No, There Isn't.

It is abundantly clear and becoming clearer each and every day that taking medication is no substitute for eating right, exercising and practicing proper maintenance care. Clearly, having your teeth pulled and replacing them with dental implants is no replacement for brushing and flossing your teeth and going to the dentist for routine check-ups. Eating fat, sugar and processed foods for 40 years and then thinking a drug or surgery is going to save you is even more foolish. Here is some research on what you and your children eat that you find very interesting.

Study #1: What You Eat and ADHD

A recent study found putting children with ADHA on a restrictive diet to eliminate possible, unknown food allergies decreased hyperactivity for 64 percent of kids. In the study, 41 kids completed the elimination diet and 32 saw decreased symptoms. Here's a really important part: When certain foods thought to be "triggers" for each child were reintroduced, most of the children relapsed. The elimination diet, which lasted 5 weeks, consisted predominantly of rice, white meat and some vegetables. Among 50 kids given a "control" diet that was just a standard, healthy diet for children, significant changes were not noted. Due to the results, lead author of the study and a psychiatrist at the Nijmegan Medical Centre, Jan Buitelaar, recommended the elimination diet become part of the standard of care for children with ADHD.

Here's An Important Note About This Study

Many doctors frown upon the elimination diet, not because of its results, but because it is "difficult". Because it is perceived to be hard and many won't do it, it is tossed aside for an easier approach. Of course, it is "easier" to take medications, but is the easiest approach usually the best?

Study #2: Eating This Increases Depression Risk

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola's health blog, "Consumption of trans fats can increase your risk of depression, according to new research. However, healthier fats may actually reduce your risk." Participants in the study with the highest level of trans fat consumption had up to a 48% increase in the risk of depression.

Study #3: Report Says Energy Drinks Unhealthy

According to a new report published in the Journal of Pediatrics, popular energy drinks may be harmful to children's health. These risks are amplified if the child has diabetes, ADHD or a heart condition. The report also stated that 30-50% of children consume these drinks and they do not substantially increase performance of energy levels. Sales of products such as Red Bull, Full Throttle, Monster Energy and Rockstar are expected to reach about $9 billion in the U.S. this year, with children and young adults under 25 providing most of the revenue. Because these drinks are considered supplements, they are not regulated by the FDA.

Remember, we're always here to help your body heal and maintain the health you deserve.

How 55-80 Year Olds Increased The Size Of Their Brains!

Scientific Study Shows How You Can Stay Mentally Sharp As You Age

How would you like to have a bigger, more powerful brain?

Sadly, the hippocampus, a part of the brain key to memory and sepcial navigation, is known to shrink as we age.

This shrinkage starts in late adulthood and is responsible for memory loss and impairment.


Now, There is New Hope


According to the Los Angeles Times, a new study published by the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed, "a program of aerobic exercise, over the course of a year, can increase the size of the hippocampus... in adults ages 55-80."

In the study, 120 people from ages 55-80 who did not exercise previously were split into 2 groups; 60 were put into an aerobic exercise program that consisted of walking around a track . days a week for 40 minutes per session; and the other 60 did a program consisting of stretching and weights.

Results: According to the Los Angeles Times article, "The group doing aerobic exercise had increases in hippocampus volume: up 2.12% in the left hippocampus, and 1.97% in the right hippocampus. The stretching group, on the other hand, had decreased hippocampus volume: down 1.40% on the left and 1.43% on the right."

What's important to note is the article said it is never too late to start and it suggested that some very simple exercise programs may be a cost-effective way to treat a widespread health problem, without the side effects of medication.

Scientists Warn: Television Watching and Computer Game Playing "Damages The Heart"

Research Reveals: How Many Hours It Takes

To DOUBLE Your Risk Of Major Cardiac Problems...

No Matter How Much Exercise You Do!!!

Are you sitting down? If you aren't, please find a seat because when you read this, you might get a little weak in the knees.

Here is why...

According to The Telegraph, a new study published int he Journal of the American College of Cardiology found, "The risk of heart disease and premature death from any cause doubled for those spending more than four hours a day glued to a screen, it was claimed. Metabolic factors and inflammation may be partly to blame, the report said.

Research revealed those who devote more than four hours watching television, surfing the web, or playing computer games are more than twice as likely to have major cardiac problems."

Here's The Really Shocking Part

The study found there was a 48% increased risk of all-cause mortality and an approximate 125% increase in the risk of cardiovascular events in those spending more than four hours in front of a screen.

"The risks were irrespective of factors

such as smoking, hypertension, BMI,

social class, and even exercise."

In other words, from the results of this study, the negative effect of watching television and being on a computer may not be lessened by exercise.

Like most health issues, more research is always needed for definitive answers... but limiting television and computer time may not only make you more productive... it might save your life.