Most people who are overweight have a genuine desire to shed pounds; however, beginning the process of weight loss can be intimidating. Working out can initially be difficult for some who carry excess weight, and switching from old eating habits to leaner meal plans is often very time consuming. Fortunately, Dr. Thomas Clark, director of the Center for Metabolic Health (CMH), has developed a program specifically for those wishing to start down the path toward long-term weight loss.

Dr. Clark’s “Jump Start” Program is designed to help you lose 8 to 25 pounds in just two weeks. This quick and safe weight loss will prepare and motivate you to proceed to a more in-depth health and fitness plan. Exercise is more manageable with the extra weight gone, and the “Jump Start” diet is a convenient way to introduce your body to better nutrition. 

The “Jump Start” diet consists of Weight and Inches shakes, great tasting meal replacement shakes that are taken daily. These shakes supply your body with casein protein, which breaks down slowly and leaves you full, reducing temptation toward snacking. Because the shakes are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, they help your body lose weight while preserving muscle. This plan is also helpful for those wishing to break through a weight loss plateau, detoxify their bodies or undergo an elimination diet to sort out food allergies.

When you order the “Jump Start” program, you receive the “Jump Start” diet plan, two weeks of weight replacement shakes, a CMH journal to track your progress and Dr. Clark’s “The Basics” of Your Optimal Eating Plan chapter from “CMH Weight Management University.” You can also order the Enhanced “Jump Start” Program, which includes all of the above plus complete multi-vitamin, essential fatty-acid, activated B-complex and magnesium/potassium supplements. To order or to learn more please visit cmhva.com today.

Diabetes is on the rise. The Centers for Disease control in the US predicts that an American born in 2000 has a one in three chance of becoming diabetic.

The food you eat plays a crucial role in your health. Certain foods can even help in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. In diabetes, the cells of the body cannot get the sugar they need. Glucose, a simple sugar, is the body’s main fuel. It is present in the blood even if you don’t eat any sugary foods, because the foods we eat are broken down into glucose. A hormone called insulin signals the body’s cells to let glucose in. In people with diabetes, glucose cannot get into the cells where it is needed.

People with type 1 diabetes do not have enough insulin to signal the cells to let in glucose, so it builds up in the blood stream. People with type 2 diabetes or who are at high risk for diabetes are said to be insulin resistant, meaning that while there is enough insulin present, the cells aren’t paying very close attention to the signal. Being above one’s healthy weight and choosing a fatty diet increase the likelihood of insulin resistance. Both types of diabetes are reaching epidemic proportions: An average American born in 2000 has a one in three chance of developing diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Low-fat, fiber-rich diets built from legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and fruits help individuals avoid diabetes and control blood sugar levels. Such diets can also prevent complications in people who already have diabetes.

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There’s no question about it: If you’re overweight and have type 2 diabetes, dropping pounds lowers your blood sugar, improves your health, and helps you feel better

But before you start a diabetes weight loss plan, it’s important to work closely with your doctor or diabetes educator – because while you’re dieting, your blood sugar, insulin, and medications need special attention.

Make no mistake — you’re on the right path. “No matter how heavy you are, you will significantly lower your blood sugar if you lose some weight,” says Cathy Nonas, MS, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and a professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

A National Institutes of Health study found that a combination of diet and exercise cuts the risk of developing diabetes by 58%. The study involved people who were overweight (average body mass index of 34) and who had high — but not yet diabetic — blood sugar levels.

“We know it’s true — that if someone with diabetes loses 5% to 10% of their weight, they will significantly reduce their blood sugar,” Nonas tells WebMD.

“We see it all the time: people can get off their insulin and their medication,” she says. “It’s wonderful. It shows you how interwoven obesity and diabetes are.”

Even losing 10 or 15 pounds has health benefits, says the American Diabetes Association. It can:

• Lower blood sugar
• Reduce blood pressure
• Improve cholesterol levels
• Lighten the stress on hips, knees, ankles, and feet

Plus, you’ll probably have more energy, get around easier, and breathe easier.

Copyright © 2010; By Jeanie Lerche Davis, WebMD Feature.  Click here to read the full story.

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Preventing Diabetes

Approximately 90-95% of people with diabetes have what we refer to as type 2 or adult onset diabetes.   However, because weight is the strongest risk factor, we are seeing diabetes in a lot more young people as a result of an increasing overweight young population.  A hormone called insulin is unable to do its job well and as a result, excess sugar is left in the bloodstream.  Unless blood sugar levels are brought under control we are more susceptible to strokes, heart attacks, blindness, kidney failure and amputations.  There are many people who are pre-diabetic which means that they have blood sugar levels that are not normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic.  After a 12-hour fast blood sugar levels in the normal range should be below 100 mg/dl.  So, how do we keep our blood sugar levels in the normal range?  I’m going to go over a number of factors that were investigated by the Center of Science in the Public Interest.  Firstly:

• Exercise

An hour a day of brisk walking can reduce the risk of diabetes by 34%.  It helps to have a high activity level but any movement is better than none.

• Sleep

A study was presented at a recent American Heart Association conference that stated sleeping less than six hours each night made you four and a half times more likely to develop pre-diabetes.

• Drink alcohol

No, it isn’t an excuse to start drinking, however, in one study among 20,000 male physicians, those that had 2-4 drinks a week had a 25% lower risk of diabetes, those that had 5-6 drinks a week had a 33% lower risk and those that had at least 1 drink a day, had a 43% lower risk.  It seems that a moderate consumption of alcohol could definitely be beneficial.  Moderate consumption would be 1-2 drinks a day for men and 1 for women.

• Coffee

Evidence seems to be showing that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee reduces the risk of diabetes.  In one study of 88,000 nurses, those who drank 1 cup a day reduced their risk by 13%, those who drank 2-3 cups a day reduced their risk by 42% and those who drank at least 4 cups a day reduced their risk by 47%.  Drinking tea didn’t make any difference.  It goes without saying that replacing soft drinks and even perhaps fruit juices, with water will reduce calories and sugar and therefore, decrease the risk of diabetes.

• Fats

A Nurses’ Health Study tracked more than 84,000 women over 14 years and found that 30% of them that reported consuming more trans fats had a higher risk for diabetes.  Those that reported consuming the most polyunsaturated fats had a 25% lower risk.

• Carbohydrates

Evidence seems to suggest that refined high glycemic carbohydrates increase the risk of diabetes where as low glycemic whole grains that are high in fiber, have a lower risk.  This is partly because whole grains have nutrients such as magnesium and chromium that appear to improve insulin resistance.

• Meat and Iron

In a study of 70,000 women, those that ate about one serving of red meat each day had a 22% higher risk of diabetes than those who ate about one serving weekly.  It is thought that this may be a result of heme iron found in animal foods.  A study of 35,000 women found that those who consumed the most heme iron had a higher risk of diabetes than those who consumed the least.

• And finally Vitamin D

Many studies have shown that people with higher blood levels of Vitamin D are less likely to have diabetes.  Part of the reason could be because vitamin D is stored in body fat, which means that if you have more fat, more vitamin D is stored and less is available to circulate.

Get additional information on how lifestyle management can help you.

For those working towards their weight loss goals, it is important to remember that many factors can contribute to your success. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while pursuing a leaner and healthier body:

• Eat foods with less calories, cholesterol, trans fat and saturated fat, but do not to exclude proper nutrition from your meals including proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats.  If you’re unsure about proper diet for weight loss, come and check out CMH Weight Management University.

• Eat small, regular meals each day.  Do not skip meals as this can lead to binging on large portions later on.

• Include a 30-minute cardiovascular exercise session as part of your day five days each week.  Regular exercise works with a healthy diet to burns calories and helps to keep lost pounds from returning.

• Be mindful of other lifestyle issues that can affect weight loss.  These include stress levels, sleep patterns and any health conditions you may be experiencing.  Check with your doctor before starting any weight loss program.