Alternative Health Author Dr. Van Loan
One third of the U.S. residents are considered obese. Obesity death rates, from all causes, compared to normal weight, is two and a half times greater…according to Harvard research. Obesity propels many degenerative diseases. Toxins accumulate in the fat beds and fats shorten your life by disruption of your body chemistry.
What is the measure of obesity? The standard used to classify obesity is the BMI. This is the Body Mass Index. A healthy BMI is classified as a BMI of 20 to 24.9. Obesity is classified as a BMI of 30 to 34.9. (“Overweight” is in between.)
While ethnicity, like heavy bones and or more muscle can affect your classification, the BMI is considered the best standard. Some value is placed on the measurement of fat rolls on the arms, hips and belly.
“Genetics” is sometimes cited by obese subjects. It is used as an alibi that allows people to excuse themselves for a weight problem. It is true that over 20 genes are related to fat accumulation and obesity. More recent research has discovered them.
Unfortunately genetics as the culprit was disarmed by good research at Harvard. It is an established fact that those with obesity genes gain fat easier but this is trumped by diet and lifestyle. Fat gain can be overcome by a healthy diet and exercise.
What are considered risk factors in obesity? There are five risk factors that reduce obesity.
- A prudent healthy diet… This means a good, balanced diet that does not overload with sugar, saturated fats or red meats. It must contain raw fresh vegetables, and whole grains for carbohydrates. The consumption of raw vegetables is especially important because they are low in calories and powerful immune builders. Raw vegetables supply enzymes and good phytonutrients otherwise destroyed in processing. An adequate supply of needed vitamins and minerals is important. This usually means adding proven supplements. It also means reduction of toxins found in food and water.
- Regular exercise… A study followed by the fitness research for astronauts discovered a 13 year extension of life with 5 days a week of 30 minutes or more good exercise. A qualifier was no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day and no smoking.
- Weight management… This means limiting excess intake of fats and carbohydrates, especially sugar which overloads you with calories and turns into fat.
- Moderate alcohol intake… No more than 2 glasses of wine or servings of alcohol should be consumed each day.
- No smoking… Smoking is very toxic and disruptive to your body chemistry. It is especially a high risk factor in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.
How reliable is the research on obesity? Harvard University School of Public Health has conducted comprehensive and well respected research on health for the past 25 years. The subjects of data gathering are health professionals…medical doctors, dentists, optometrists, medical researchers, osteopaths and nurses. The studies are comprehensive and well conducted questionnaires and blood tests.
There are two comprehensive studies, the Nurses’ Health Study (NSI) and the Health Professional Follow up Study (HPFS). The total base of subjects involved in the obesity study was 1.46 million men and women.
As a subject of this study I can testify to the comprehensiveness of it. For example: The dietary consumption involved a questionnaire asking such details as: do you have toast for breakfast? If so, how many pieces, what kind of bread and the spread?…butter or margarine, jelly? How much jelly? This is only a fraction of the information sought in the questionnaire. Additionally, some subjects were asked to provide blood samples, taken at medical labs. Exercise and life style factors were queried. Ethnicity, age and gender were a consideration. Any conceivable factors that might influence the outcome of the study were considered.
The majority of diabetes 2 victims (one in five persons with diabetes in USA) usually have a problem with weight gain, especially in the belly. It is caused by inadequate metabolism of glucose. The glucose (from sugar) can provide only a small amount of energy, the rest is converted into triglyceride fatty acids. These turn into fat that is stored in the fat beds, especially the abdomen area. Unfortunately many people do not even realize they are diabetic. In spite of their best efforts they only gain weight.
If you want comprehensive information on diabetes you can obtain a copy of my “Reversing Diabetes” at Amazon’s kindle book store. Here is a direct link to that book. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LDMQ58
Denis Van Loan D.D.S.
