Posts Tagged ‘weight loss’

It’s already been well-established that increasing dietary fiber has all kinds of benefits for you; lower cholesterol, lower risk of disease, better elimination and detoxification and even better weight management. And it’s also pretty well-established that most people don’t get enough dietary fiber in the first place. So it’s always been easy to make a case for fiber supplements, since they’re so inexpensive, safe and easy-to-use.

But there are different types of fiber, and they have different effects and benefits. So you want to make sure you’re using the right kind of fiber supplement for your situation. If you’re using or considering using fiber for weight management, there’s new information that points to a crucial difference between the type of fiber and whether it promotes weight loss or weight gain.

Here we go again. The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine recently published a comparison study of weight-loss diets that seems sure to shake up the Conventional Wisdom of weight loss one more time. Many of the major news services covered this report since its conclusions upend the popularly-held belief in a high-protein (or practically any other type of weight-loss) diet. Instead, the putatively surprising finding of this study was that it didn’t matter whether protein, carbs or fats were high or low; long-term weight loss success came down to simply calories-in versus calories out. That is to say, manipulating protein fat and carb levels didn’t matter, what mattered was reducing overall calorie intake. So what does this mean to the millions of people trying to lose weight? Is it time to rethink the high-protein low-carb approach?

Reducing calorie consumption is a proven way to lose weight, but people aren’t always disciplined enough to maintain a reduced calorie diet on their own. That accounts for some of the success and popularity of gastric bypass and gastric band surgeries, both of which reduce the quantity of calories absorbed.  But since both procedures carry […]

Let’s take another look at the concept of appetite suppression and appetite suppressant supplements. They’ve both been around a long time. But is that a good strategy for everyone trying to lose weight, or just certain people? And do any of the products work?

Dear AllStarHealth.com,

Two friends and I are trying to win an office bet by losing 10 lbs each before 3 other coworkers do. We heard lecithin is really good for weight loss because it breaks up fat or fat cells. We want to order some if there’s anything to that. Is there?

Denise F.

Dear Denise,

Lecithin is a terrific natural superfood, almost like several supplements in one since it supplies a mixture of nutritious fats and certain B vitamins. Lecithin is used by the body in a few different ways, but most people use lecithin supplements specifically for cholesterol-support or brain-boosting. So, what about lecithin and weight loss?

Dear AllStarHealth,

I need advice, please. I am trying to lose about 25 lbs. I do cardio 3 days a week and weights 3 days week. My friend was saying Casein protein was better than Whey protein powder for losing weight. When I went and read up on it, everyone seems to say whey is better because it absorbs faster. Is that true and does it make a difference which one I use?

Thanks,

Lisa Connors,

Springfield, MO

Dear Lisa,

It’s true that whey absorbs faster than casein protein, that’s the gist of it, but it’s not necessarily better for that reason. In fact, while people used to just use one type of protein powder, it’s very common now to see people using 2 or even 3 types to take advantage of the dfferences. They’re just more popular now than ever.

In general, whey is used anytime you want a fast-absorbing protein, not necessarily one that’s going to fill you up for a long time or sustain growth while you sleep. So for most people, whey is best for good for a breakfast shake, a preworkout shake, or post-workout shake.

Dear AllStarHealth,

One thing I’m still confused about with protein shakes is whether they are going to make you slimmer or bulkier?

A study just published in the International Journal of Obesity is helping to clarify the mechanism behind the previously-documented association between calcium intake and obesity.

So many factors can make or break a weight loss program. When programs succeed, credit is usually given to factors like diet, willpower, supplements, and proper exercise. When programs fail, that’s also where the blame usually falls. Those factors are important, but what’s perhaps more important is something that doesn’t get discussed as often; the psychology of successful weight loss. And there’s much more to that than simply willpower.

The stress herb that lowers cholesterol, another body blow for fructose, and a big sigh of relief for popcorn lovers. Here’s a roundup of the latest nutrition research.