| Is Poor Digestion Making You Fat?
New research is showing that a slow or sluggish digestive system can cause you to have problems losing weight, feel easily tired, have feelings of depression, and cause indigestion and irregular bowel movements. (PRWeb) January 15, 2007 -- The recently released "Zymelite" enzyme diet claims that your digestive system is key to healthy weight loss. Despite the unending list of diets and diet products out right now, it seems like current research is lending validity to the enzyme push. But can people really lose weight with an enzyme pill instead of following the standard diets?
With a sea of options for dieters, it seems like every website and magazine has a different take on the safest way to lose excess pounds. With glycemic index diets, high protein diets, all veggies diets, pills, teas and no real authority that can definitely answer the question "which one works?" What's even harder to gauge is whether or not they are realistic enough that you can stick to it for the long term.
Tips for that troublesome middle
That cheese- and sauce-laden pizza sitting in the office lunchroom looks splendid. Too bad you can't even look at it without getting heartburn. However tempting, you pass up the fried chicken, too. We've all struggled with the difficult choice between satisfying our taste buds and preventing a long night of digestive discomfort. The stomach and digestive system are hard to ignore. Whether there's bloating and pain because of something you ate or emotional distress because of width, your belly demands attention. "Having a fit and attractive core -- waistline, tummy -- helps us to feel confident and good about ourselves," said Rayna McInturf, co-owner of Hoopnotica Inc. in Marina del Rey, Calif., which offers Hoopdance classes. "Having a strong core helps us maintain good posture and helps prevent back pain and injury." Heather Villarreal, clinical dietitian at Saddleback Memorial Center in Laguna Hills, Calif., said that carrying weight around the abdomen increases the risk of developing diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
How to manage reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common digestive disorders. It is a condition where stomach acid refluxes upward into the esophagus. Usually, the acid in your stomach is retained by a muscular valve at the end of the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter. The LES is supposed to remain closed, except when swallowing. If it opens at other times, stomach acid can flow upward (reflux) into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Typical symptoms include an uncomfortable feeling of burning, warmth, heat or pain just behind the breastbone, which is commonly referred to as heartburn. Other symptoms can include nausea, increased belching, regurgitation of food and even chronic cough. Occasional heartburn does not necessarily mean you have reflux disease. In GERD, the symptoms last longer and occur more often.
Doctor wants to help patients save money
As a physician, I want to offer my perspective on the "sticker shock" problem in the pharmacy. I am very conscious of the fact that my patients may not be able to afford medications I prescribe. Almost all medications have alternatives, and I wish I knew which would be cheapest when I am writing the prescription. Patients with drug coverage could save a lot of time and money if they brought the list of drugs covered by their insurance to every doctor visit. I also want to know how much patients pay for drugs. I wish they would call the office if the prescription is too expensive! Most of the time, I'd be able to identify a cheaper alternative to prescribe. We appreciate your thoughtful approach. A recent study showed that many doctors don't discuss the cost of prescriptions with their patients (American Journal of Managed Care, November 2006).
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