Friday 31 January 2014

comfort eater..







Photo: Oh boy! now that rings a bell.....


As your BMI increases, so do your health care costs

fork.jpg
Even if you're at a healthy weight, the cost of health care will increase as your waistline does, according to new research from Duke Medicine.
And if you're obese, these expenses may even double, the study found. The researchers reported that the costs associated with medical care and prescriptions increases gradually with each unit increase in body mass index (BMI). The trend was noticeable above a BMI of about 19, which is the lower range of a healthy BMI.
"Our findings suggest that excess fat is detrimental at any level," study author Truls Østbye, M.D., Ph.D., said in a news release.

Men pay more

The researchers measured costs associated with doctor's visits and medications, observing that, not surprisingly, rates of obesity-related diseases like heart disease and hypertension also grew with increases in BMI. A dozen or so other disease categories also were associated with rising BMI rates.
Men, the study found, experience a bigger financial burden when their BMIs increase. And the average annual health care costs for a person with a BMI of 19 was $2,368, which grew to $4,880 for a person with a BMI of 45 or higher.
"The fact that we see the combined costs of pharmacy and medical more than double for people with BMIs of 45 compared with those of 19 suggests that interventions on weight are warranted," said Marissa Stroo, a co-investigator on the study.

Workplace solutions

Because employers are shouldering much of the financial burden for unhealthy employees, the study suggests the workplace is an ideal setting for structuring exercise or weight-loss programs. The Affordable Care Act, the researchers hope, will help companies take advantage of incentives offered for promoting employee wellness.
"Employers should be interested in these findings because, directly or indirectly, they end up paying for a large portion of these health care costs," Østbye said.
Source: Duke Medicine
Image courtesy of m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


HERBALIFE: HAIR & BODY CARE ALOE FOR UR FAMILY-
*250ml Aloe Strengthening Shampoo-
*250ml Aloe Strengthening Conditioner-
*200ml Aloe Soothing Gel -
*200ml Aloe Hand & Body Wash-
*200ml Aloe Everyday Soothing Hand & Body Lotion-
*Aloe Bath & Body Bar/Soap-
Aloe is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, healing,cooling properties, rich in vitamins and mineral. Herbalife Aloe Products are clinically proven to all day hydration. Aloe Hair Shampoo & Conditioner leaves hair 10times stronger in just one use/reduces breakage by 90%.
Did U Know ? Herbalife Aloe Products are Sulphate & Paraben free & Family Friendly.
abdullahshaik@ymail.com
☎ Sakz Shaik 0312084108/9/ 0765271432/ Pin:26519473/
www.weightrescue.co.za
Buy Herbalife products here. Online shop with secure checkout and fast shipping.
weightrescue.co.za
Herbalife Instant Herbal Beverage (Amazing Fatburning +Energy Tea)
Ur 'GYM' in a Bottle!
The more you drink it, the more you shrink!!
** Burns bad stubborn fat in all the right places
* Assists with cm loss
* Speeds up ur metabolism
* 1cup of Tea burns 80-100 calories whilst sitting
* Instant energy in minutes
* keeps u moving/bursting wid energy
* Suppress appetite
* Great for gym workouts
* Only safe green tea dat regulates
* Tones d body
* Removes toxins/waste
* Removes excess water
* Flattens tummy
* Keeps u moving/bursting wid energy
100% Safe! 100% Herbal!
Any1 can drink it! Dis product has an excellent track record!
I LOST 99.8kg in less than 2yrs!
Get Sakz tips on d Tea
Attend :
* Sakz FREEEE fitness Classes!
* Free Weighin/Motivation Class
@ 58 Juniper Rd, Behind Overport City @Gazzette Building!
Book Now!
------------------------------
Herbalife Independant Distributor
☎ Sakz Shaik: 0312084108/9(w)/ 0765271432/ Pin: 26519473

Comfort and Joy – Comfort Foods to Brighten Moods

By Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D.

Comfort and Joy - Comfort Foods to Brighten Moods
Craving comfort? Those foods you choose to lift your spirits are likely the same ones you've found comforting all your life. Comfort foods – those traditional, simple and familiar dishes– remind us of the comforts of home.
Mashed potatoes, meatloaf, soups or macaroni and cheese aren't fussy or foreign – instead, they are simple, satisfying and easy to prepare. The cravings we get for them may stretch all the way back to childhood. If these foods made us feel better when we were under the weather, we establish food-mood connections that can stay with us for a lifetime.
Aside from being relatively easy to prepare, comfort foods are usually easy to eat, too. Foods that are warm, smooth and creamy are comforting – and even better if they can be eaten with a spoon which feels good in the mouth. It's not likely that salads, for example, are at the top of anyone's comfort food list - the crunchy lettuce leaves delivered on the spiky tines of a fork are no match for chocolate pudding taken from the smooth bowl of a spoon.
When it comes to comfort foods, men and men are like Mars and Venus. While a few women find the act of preparing comfort foods to be soothing in itself, most women don't find much comfort in foods that require too much preparation. Foods that are ready-to-eat, yet meet the criteria for familiar and simple - like ice cream, chocolate or other sweets - are the comfort choices most sought after by women.
Men, on the other hand, prefer comfort foods that are more savory – like sandwiches and pizza (although ice cream ranks pretty high on their list, too). For them, foods that require preparation are more comforting – men say that these foods remind them of being doted upon by a loved one.
Many comfort foods can take a big bite out of your calorie budget. If you turn to them often enough, it might make sense to think of ways to lighten them up a bit. As long as the general flavor and texture of the original food aren't altered too much, it is possible that foods can be comforting and reasonably healthy at the same time.
For ice cream and pudding lovers, light versions of these foods are widely available, and flavored yogurts with a drizzle of chocolate syrup might be a suitable replacement. Pie lovers might warm up some chunky applesauce in the microwave, topped with a crumbled graham cracker and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Boxed macaroni and cheese can be lightened by reducing the amount of butter or prepared cheese sauce called for, or by stirring in a can of seasoned stewed tomatoes.
Increasing the volume of food with low-calorie items might work too. Top that frozen pizza with some pre-chopped peppers or onions before you bake, or pile the sandwich high with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for a satisfying crunch.
In the end, though, it may be that only specific foods will do. For some, not any "chicken noodle soup" will do – only a particular brand, or mom's homemade version is truly comforting. The strong associations we have with these familiar foods may be too hard to break or change.
But if we can find ways to make these foods a little healthier, wouldn't that be a comfort?
Susan Bowerman is a consultant to Herbalife.

Low Thyroid Tiredness - From Dr Tony

29 April 2010 at 05:32
Low Thyroid Tiredness
Excess tiredness or fatigue is the most frequent complaint that doctors hear from their patients. An under active thyroid (Hypothyroidism) is a very common though often unrecognized cause of a lack of energy. In the United States alone there are over thirteen million people who are not aware that their thyroid is underactive.

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped organ located at the front of the neck, on both sides of the voice box or larynx. It produces thyroid hormones that serve many important functions including the control of our body temperature, metabolism and energy production.

The common symptoms of low thyroid function include: low energy, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, hair loss, brittle nails, depression, irritability, poor memory and intolerance to cold. Uncorrected hypothyroidism can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, high blood cholesterol, osteoporosis, infertility, anaemia and recurrent infections.

ARE YOU AT RISK?
Females are seven times more likely to have this problem than men and although it can occur at any age, women are especially at risk just after having a baby, at the time of the menopause and over the age of 65. Conventional medicine tends to depend heavily on the results of blood tests to diagnose low thyroid function although experts agree that blood tests alone are often misleading. A careful evaluation including a detailed questioning and examination of the patient is necessary as many cases may go undiagnosed. The blood tests will then assist in confirming the doctor’s suspicion.

CHECK YOUR THYROID
A simple at home test of your resting body temperature called a Barnes Test can be most useful. Your body temperature reflects your metabolic rate, which in turn is influenced by thyroid hormones. Since activity raises your body temperature, this test is done while you're lying in bed, before getting up in the morning. Low basal body temperatures (a positive Barnes Test) strongly suggest but do not prove hypothyroidism. If your temperature is low and you have symptoms of an under active thyroid, discuss the matter with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment.

A HOLISTIC ANSWER

A BALANCED DIET is most essential. Ensure optimal intake of iodine, zinc, vitamins C, E and B complex vitamins.. Ensure good levels of protein while minimizing simple carbohydrates in the diet. Supplementing with a program called ‘the Cellular Nutritional Program’ is very useful. It contains additional nutrients like kelp, cayenne and Kreb cycle factors which improve the metabolism. Herbs like green tea, Guarana and ginseng are useful in combating the tiredness of a low thyroid

IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT. Individuals with immune dysfunction would benefit from supplementing with high dosages of anti-oxidants like vitamins A, C, E, selenium, the herbs schizandra, rosemary, pycnogenol, garlic and ginger, Large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids will help heal any inflammation of the thyroid gland.

STRESS MANAGEMENT. Thyroid disorders are often triggered off by stress and learning to handle stress in a healthy way is most beneficial. Relaxation techniques may be usefully applied.

EXERCISE increases the metabolism and has many other beneficial effects. Some yoga postures like the shoulder stand are particularly helpful as they stimulate, massage and increase the blood flow to the thyroid.

MEDICATION is the standard medical answer to hypothyroidism and a variety of synthetic drugs are used to give the body more of the lacking thyroid hormone. These are often necessary and very helpful. However many holistic physicians, prefer natural thyroid hormone replacement instead. These are also prescription medicines but are made from desiccated animal thyroid glands. You may wish to discuss this option with your doctor.

These issues and many more are addressed in my new book "An Ounce of Prevention - Especially for Women". Available this summer.

Contact www.debtrahern.com for help.