New Study Suggests That Belly Fat Is Worse Than Obesity For Your Heart Health Posted by Staff (08/28/2012 @ 11:43 pm)  Free Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhoto.net
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is generally used to assess overall fitness, however, a new study has found that weight concentrated around the middle can be more harmful than obesity itself. The waist to hip ratio is proving to be a better predictor of heart disease and other illness than BMI alone. Participants were divided into six groups based on which of the three BMI groups they fell into, and whether they had a normal or high waist-to-hip ratio. Men whose waist measurement was 90 percent or more of their hip measurement were considered to have a high hip-to-waist ratio. The same was true of women; those with waists that were 85 percent of their hip size were classified as having a high hip-to-waist ratio. Participants with normal BMI but a high waist-to-hip ratio had the risk of dying of cardiovascular disease, and the highest risk of dying from any causes among the six groups. The risk of cardiovascular death was 2.75 times higher, and the risk of death from any cause was 2.08 times higher among normal-weight people with “central obesity,” compared with normal-weight people who had a normal waist-to-hip ratio. “The high risk of death may be related to a higher visceral fat accumulation in this group, which is associated with insulin resistance and other risk factors,” said study researcher Dr. Karine Sahakyan, also of Mayo Clinic.
Men can be highly susceptible to accumulating belly fat and inactivity, poor diet and stress contribute to visceral fat. Keeping your abs toned and your middle “whittled” is the best way to avoid disease and keep your heart strong. Posted in: Abs, Cholesterol, Cholesterol levels, Diabetes, Diets, General fitness, Heart disease, Medical Issues for Men, Men's Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Obesity, Testosterone, Weight Loss Tags: belly fat, BMI, body mass index, cortisol, Heart disease, reducing belly fat, reducing cortisol
Three Health Issues Every Man Should Discuss With His Doctor Posted by Staff (07/27/2012 @ 11:29 pm)  Free image courtesy of Fredigitaldownloads.net
Most men are squeamish about discussing their concerns about testosterone, erectile disfunction or trouble urinating, however these embarrassing topics could shed light on deeper more serious health issues like heart disease, cancer or hormone imbalance. Since most visits to the doctor last less than 20 minutes, getting warmed up can take some effort. Be armed with a list of questions and concerns to get the most out of your time with your physician. Posted in: Cancer, Cholesterol, Cholesterol levels, Diabetes, Hair loss, Heart disease, Hormone replacement, Medical Issues for Men, Men's Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Obesity, Prostate health, Sexual Health, Testosterone, Weight Loss Tags: doctorvisits, Erectile disfunction, men's health, prostate health, Testosterone
Calorie disclosure labels at restaraunts don’t change eating habits. Posted by Mike Furci (07/09/2011 @ 9:51 am) Many cities and counties around the country have imposed regulations that require restaurants to post the calories of all their meals. Big brother’s reason for the legislation? Once consumers saw the ramifications, i.e., number of calories, of their dietary choices, they would opt for a healthier one. However, not surprisingly, the evidence is indicating that mandatory labeling is having no effect on consumer choices. “There is a great concern among many of the people who study calorie labeling that the policy has moved way beyond the science and that it would be beneficial to slow down,” said George Loewenstein, a behavioral economist at Carnegie Mellon University who studies calorie labeling. In a recent editorial in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, he asked: “Given the lack of evidence that calorie posting reduces calorie intake, why is the enthusiasm for the policy so pervasive?” “In New York, the first big city to adopt menu labeling, NYU researchers studied the eating choices of low-income fast-food diners, focusing on those who saw the labels. “Even those who indicated that the calorie information influenced their food choices did not actually purchase fewer calories,” the study says.” The Washington Post If human beings always based decisions on whether something they were doing was unhealthy, we wouldn’t have so many doing drugs, becoming obese or smoking. The fact is, most people disregard obvious information, even if it’s unhealthy, when it’s in-congruent with what they want. Posted in: Cholesterol levels, Diets, Food preparation, Foods products, Heart disease, Medical Issues for Men, Nutrition, Obesity, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci Tags: fast food restaurants, Headlines, restaurant, restaurant.com, the washington post, the washington post online, Unhealthy Restaurants
Is Taking Fiber Supplements Risky? Posted by Staff (06/03/2011 @ 6:57 pm) 
If you’re healthy, taking a daily fiber supplement isn’t risky. Fiber supplements are only dangerous if you are on medication or if you have intestinal problems. Some doctors also believe that fiber supplements can be harmful if you have diabetes. Fiber supplements can aggravate intestinal conditions, they can decrease the absorption of medications, and according to some doctors, they can reduce blood sugar levels. For healthy individuals, however, a daily fiber supplement has a number of benefits. It is estimated that only 5 percent of Americans get enough fiber in their diets. Although fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and legumes are the best sources of fiber, in some cases, access to these foods is limited. Food deserts are a reality and thanks a shaky economy, many families just can’t afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. In these cases, an inexpensive alternative such as fiber supplements may be the only option. According to the Mayo Clinic, a daily fiber supplement can help normalize bowel function, maintain bowel integrity and health, lower blood cholesterol levels, help control blood sugar levels, and aid in weight loss. Some studies show that fiber may also help prevent colorectal cancer. If you don’t think you’re getting enough fiber through healthy foods, consider taking a supplement. Before you choose a supplement, it is important to understand the different types of fiber. Fiber is commonly classified into two categories: those that don’t dissolve in water (insoluble fiber) and those that do (soluble fiber). Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk, so it can be of benefit to those who struggle with constipation or irregular stools. Whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, and many vegetables are good sources of insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium.

When purchasing a fiber supplement, be sure to read the labels to make sure you’re taking the right kind for your individual needs. The three types of supplements are psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil. Psyllium bulks up the stool by breaking down in the gut. Here, it becomes a food source for the bodies beneficial “good bacteria.” This process makes the stool easier to pass. Psyllium can be taken every day. Brand names include Metamucil, Fiberall, Hydrocil, Konsyl, Perdiem, and Serutan. Methylcellulose is made from plants and it is non-fermentable. This type of fiber creates a softer stool. Brand names include Citrucel, Citrucel Clear Mix, Citrucel Food Pack, Citrucel Lax, and Citrucel SF. This type of fiber can be taken every day. Polycarbophil is also plant-based and it absorbs water in the intestinal tract. This helps create a bulkier and softer stool. Brand names include Equalactin, Fiber Lax, FiberCon, Fiberlax, Fibernorm, Konsyl Fiber, Perdiem Fiber Caplet, Mitrolan, Fiber Laxative, Fibertab, Polycarb, and Fiberall Tablets. This type of fiber is usually used to treat IBS, constipation, and diverticulosis. If used long-term, it may cause bloating. For more information about fiber, visit MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Good Fats and the Bad Fats Facts! Posted by Staff (04/07/2011 @ 10:29 pm) 
Does fat make us Fat? Everyday in the news is some information about the fat. We all need it, we all eat it. What are the facts? Here’s a simple guide to fats, the good, the bad and the ugly. First realize that fats are a necessary part of any diet. We need fats to make hormones, build and repair tissues, and for energy. Gram per gram, fat provides about more than twice the energy of carbohydrates (9 calories per gram vs 4 calories per gram for carbs). Fats also help us absorb certain vitamins and satiates our appetite more than carbs or protein. But there really are good fats and bad fats and the Cliff notes version of this column is this — if a fat is solid or semi-solid at room temperature, you should avoid it. Most dietary fats fall in to three categories: Saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and mono unsaturated fats.
Posted in: Cholesterol, Cholesterol levels, Diets, Heart disease, Nutrition, Obesity, Weight Loss Tags: Bad fat, Butter, Carbohydrates, Diets, Good fat, High protein diet, Hormones, meat, Oils, Olive oil, polyunsaturated fats, Protein, Saturated fat, Unsaturated fat, vitamins
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