Showing posts with label controlling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label controlling. Show all posts
Watermelon Can Improve Heart Health While Controlling Weight Gain
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
According to research from Purdue University and University of Kentucky, mice that were given a diet which included watermelon juice received considerable benefits when compared to the control group.
The experts suggest, in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, that citrulline, a compound found in watermelon, was responsible for the mices lower cholesterol, weight, and arterial plaque.
This study coincides with prior research, also by the University of Kentucky, which found that watermelon consumption caused a reduction in atherosclerosis in animals.
Since other research has demonstrated that consuming this type of fruit can lower blood pressure, explained Shubin Saha, co-author and a Purdue Extension vegetable specialist, they were interested to examine what it could do in this research.
"We didnt see a lowering of blood pressure, but these other changes are promising," Shubin Saha added.
The scientists divided mice into two groups for their investigation, both were given diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol. One group drank water that consisted of 2% watermelon juice, while the other mice drank the exact amount of water mixed with a solution that matched the carbohydrate content of the fruit juice.
Results showed that nearly 50% less LDL cholesterol, or the "bad" cholesterol, was found in the animals who drank the watermelon juice, who also gained 30% less weight than the control group.
A 50% decrease in plaque in the arteries, as well as high citrulline levels, were found in the experimental group.
"We know that watermelon is good for health because it contains citrulline," revealed Sibu Saha, a professor of surgery at the University of Kentucky. "We dont know yet at what molecular level its working, and thats the next step."
The team hopes to discover a secondary market for watermelons in nutraceuticals, which are food or food components that provide health and medical benefits, such as preventing and treating certain diseases.
Approximately 20% of watermelon crop goes to waste each year, according to Shubin Saha. It may be because buyers think the fruit does not look appealing or because some farmers do not think it is worth spending that much money on harvesting it, as prices drop during the peak of watermelon season.
Shubin Saha explained:
"We could use the wasted melons that cant go to market for extracting beneficial compounds. Growers are putting energy into these crops, so if we can do something to help them market their additional product, that would be a benefit to the industry and consumers."
Controlling Blood Sugar to Prevent Diabetes
Friday, February 14, 2014
(Article first published as Blood Sugar Control is Key to Prevent Diabetes and Chronic Disease on Technorati.)
Humans did not evolve to metabolize the large amount of carbohydrate calories consumed by the most health conscious individuals today. High levels of blood glucose are a significant underlying factor that leads to the development and proliferation of many age-related diseases.
Normal blood sugar levels have been continually revised downward over the past several decades as it`s determined that current levels cause cellular damage. Presently a fasting reading over 126 mg/dl repeated twice is considered cause for a diagnosis of diabetes.
Excess blood sugar triggers a cascade of potentially deadly processes that contribute to diabetes, hardening of the coronary arteries and neuropathic complications. High glucose levels from dietary sugar and excess carbohydrate consumption provokes the release of chemical cytokines that promote arterial wall inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Eventually the pancreas is no longer able to secrete enough insulin, and the insulin that is produced is no longer able to efficiently escort sugar to the cells and muscles.
Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and dementia are all accelerated by slowly increasing fasting and post meal blood sugar levels that cause needless suffering and death for millions of unsuspecting people each year. Taking the necessary dietary and nutritional steps today can prevent the current explosion of new diabetes cases in the future and lengthen natural lifespan.
Redefining Healthy Blood Sugar Readings
A reading of 110 mg/dl or above is classified as impaired by the American Diabetes Association. Information published in the journal Diabetes Care indicates that a fasting blood glucose level above the range of 70 – 85 mg/dl dramatically increases the risk of developing heart disease and death from a heart attack. The researchers conclude “fasting blood glucose values in the upper normal range appears to be an important independent predictor of cardiovascular death in nondiabetic apparently healthy men.”
Excess Sugar Damages Vessel Walls, Leads to Insulin Resistance
Naturally Lowering Blood Sugar with Diet
Nutrients such as cinnamon and vinegar taken before eating can help lower post meal blood sugar spikes and can compliment proper diet. The most dependable way to naturally cut blood sugar levels is to dramatically lower calories from carbohydrate sources at each meal. Totally eliminate all processed and ined carb foods including bread, pasta, corn and rice.
Depending on carbohydrate sensitivity, some individuals may also need to limit fruits and starchy vegetables as well. The results of a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition shows that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats such as the Mediterranean diet improves post meal blood glucose levels and moderates healthy insulin response.
High Protein, Low Carbohydrate Breakfast Regulates Blood Sugar
The result of research published in the journal Diabetes Care demonstrates the importance of including protein as part of a low carbohydrate breakfast. Participants were given a high protein food shortly before eating a low carb breakfast. Post meal blood sugar readings were 40% lower than the same meal eaten without the protein source in advance. This underscores the importance of combining proteins and monounsaturated fat sources with each meal to slow down the release of potentially damaging sugar surges.
The best way to protect yourself from out of control blood sugar spikes is to monitor your blood glucose at 1 and 2 hour intervals after eating. Avoid any reading above 140 mg/dl as tissue damage has been observed with sustained levels above this threshold. Research provides extensive evidence that controlling fasting and post meal blood sugar results in lower disease risk and lengthened lifespan.
Controlling Leptin and Ghrelin Essential to Permanent Weight Loss
Thursday, January 16, 2014
(Article first published as Controlling Lifestyle and Hormones is Key to Successful Weight Loss on Technorati.)
The human body is very complex, having evolved over generations to respond to signals delivered from our environment, lifestyle and diet. We have developed a finely tuned hormonal balance system which regulates many critical functions throughout our body, including how we store or burn body fat for energy. The food we eat and our particular life habits have a significant effect on our ability to lose weight and keep it off permanently.
Appetite Hormones in Control of Fat Metabolism
The appetite controlling hormones, leptin and ghrelin provide a powerful signal to the brain which determines whether calories and fat are converted to triglycerides for storage or used as a source of energy. The two hormones are tightly connected as they continually communicate based on our food choices, meal timing and degree of insulin resistance.
Leptin and Ghrelin Affect Weight Regain
The results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism show that the levels of leptin and ghrelin before beginning a new diet may predetermine your ability to sustain weight loss. Specifically, increased levels of leptin and lower concentrations of ghrelin before dieting correlated with weight loss which could not be maintained by study participants.
Making Changes That Affect Permanent Weight Loss
Since leptin and ghrelin were discovered by researchers over the last 10 to 20 years, so much remains to be learned about these potent appetite and fat metabolizing hormones. While research continues at breakneck speed to understand how the pair functions at the cellular level, scientists learned early on that popping a leptin or ghrelin pill had no effect on weight loss or altering concentrations of the hormones in the blood. The only way to make these hormones work in your favor is to make the following dietary and lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle Change 1: No Food after 7 PM
Food digestion requires large amounts of energy and resources from your body. When you eat late at night, this process takes precedence over other important maintenance functions which normally occur overnight. Further, your body burns fat as you sleep, which is hampered when you go to bed with a full stomach.
Lifestyle Change 2: Eat 5 Small Meals Every Day
We have evolved as hunter-gatherers at a time when food was scarce and small meals were eaten as they were available. Today we tend to eat 3 large meals each day which overloads our cellular capacity to effectively process and utilize the excess calories. Target 5 smaller meals of 300 to 400 calories each depending on your activity level with no between meal snacking. Each meal should be nutritionally balanced including choices from all food groups.
Lifestyle Change 3: Eat Breakfast with a High Quality Protein Source
You’ve heard it before – start your morning every day with breakfast. This is good advice, as food stimulates your metabolism and increases your calorie consumption for the remainder of the day. Even more important, include a good protein source such as chicken, turkey, nuts, seeds, whey, or peanut butter. Avoid traditional breakfast cereals, breads and processed breakfast foods as these will break down quickly leaving you more apt to snack.
Lifestyle Change 4: No Sugar or Refined Carbs
Refined junk food carbs and sugar destroy your metabolism, as blood sugar and insulin levels rise and fall rapidly which also affects your appetite hormones. Carbohydrates from vegetable and other natural sources have the opposite effect as the high fiber content prevents metabolic disaster. Refined carbs also tempt you to snack between meals which is a sure fire method to pack on the pounds.
We are creatures of habit, and many will find it difficult to make even the smallest changes to their diet or the timing of meals. We’re driven by a genetic engine which is programmed to function optimally on a naturally low sugar and carbohydrate diet eaten at staggered intervals. While our body does adapt and allow for some variability, our permanent weight loss goals can only be met by controlling our appetite hormones, leptin and ghrelin.
Appetite Hormones in Control of Fat Metabolism
Leptin and Ghrelin Affect Weight Regain
The results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism show that the levels of leptin and ghrelin before beginning a new diet may predetermine your ability to sustain weight loss. Specifically, increased levels of leptin and lower concentrations of ghrelin before dieting correlated with weight loss which could not be maintained by study participants.
Making Changes That Affect Permanent Weight Loss
Since leptin and ghrelin were discovered by researchers over the last 10 to 20 years, so much remains to be learned about these potent appetite and fat metabolizing hormones. While research continues at breakneck speed to understand how the pair functions at the cellular level, scientists learned early on that popping a leptin or ghrelin pill had no effect on weight loss or altering concentrations of the hormones in the blood. The only way to make these hormones work in your favor is to make the following dietary and lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle Change 1: No Food after 7 PM
Food digestion requires large amounts of energy and resources from your body. When you eat late at night, this process takes precedence over other important maintenance functions which normally occur overnight. Further, your body burns fat as you sleep, which is hampered when you go to bed with a full stomach.
Lifestyle Change 2: Eat 5 Small Meals Every Day
Lifestyle Change 3: Eat Breakfast with a High Quality Protein Source
You’ve heard it before – start your morning every day with breakfast. This is good advice, as food stimulates your metabolism and increases your calorie consumption for the remainder of the day. Even more important, include a good protein source such as chicken, turkey, nuts, seeds, whey, or peanut butter. Avoid traditional breakfast cereals, breads and processed breakfast foods as these will break down quickly leaving you more apt to snack.
Lifestyle Change 4: No Sugar or Refined Carbs
Refined junk food carbs and sugar destroy your metabolism, as blood sugar and insulin levels rise and fall rapidly which also affects your appetite hormones. Carbohydrates from vegetable and other natural sources have the opposite effect as the high fiber content prevents metabolic disaster. Refined carbs also tempt you to snack between meals which is a sure fire method to pack on the pounds.
We are creatures of habit, and many will find it difficult to make even the smallest changes to their diet or the timing of meals. We’re driven by a genetic engine which is programmed to function optimally on a naturally low sugar and carbohydrate diet eaten at staggered intervals. While our body does adapt and allow for some variability, our permanent weight loss goals can only be met by controlling our appetite hormones, leptin and ghrelin.
Controlling Health Care Costs Different Countries Same Levers
Monday, December 23, 2013
 |
| The levers that control health care costs |
Sophisticated Disease Management Care Blog readers know better. "Deny" stories are mostly anecdotal and that kind of misbehavior is largely prohibited.
If insurers want to save money, there are far smarter ways to do it. The same is true for government sponsored insurance.
After reading this Health Affairs article, the DMCB discovered that Canada, France Germany and England are using those smarter ways.
And so is the United States government.
Hows that you ask?
While health care costs in other developed countries are lower than the United States, the contrarian DMCB has pointed out that todays costs are not all that important. A far more ominous trend is the rate of growth, a.k.a. "trend." Year-after-year increases in health costs that outstrip GDP are far more threatening to governments fiscal health, especially when budgets are being strained by other priorities, like combating terrorism, keeping tax-dodging French movie stars from moving to Belgium and helping Mr. Bieber retrieve his pet monkey from Germany.
So what are Canada, France, Germany and England doing to control health care costs? According to the DMCBs read of Mark Stabile and colleagues article, they are using three strategies:
1. Budget shifting: This involves individual beneficiary cost-sharing, as well as cost-shifting to private insurers and/or local governments. Ottawa, Paris, Berlin and London are also eliminating coverage of "low-value" services, devices or drugs. Yet, since backing away from universal coverage is out of the question, the central governments are also providing funding that protects low income individuals from otherwise unaffordable out-of-pocket costs. While theyre at it, coverage for "high value" services such as hospice, immunizations, dementia care (Germany) and hypertension care (France) is being expanded.
2. Budget setting: While England and France use national caps (that are flexible and subject to adjustments), all four countries have a growing reliance on regional or local price fixing as well as capitated payment arrangements. Pay-for-performance is being substituted for otherwise routine budget increases and consumers are being given their their own fixed personal spending accounts. This helps limit the likelihood of future budget increases.
3. Direct controls of health care supply: examples of this include cutting the number of hospital beds, eliminating coverage of certain drugs, increasing the number of primary care providers, using health technology assessment and relying on practice guidelines.
If this sounds familiar, it should. As the DMCB noted here, the Feds are reducing Medicares risk exposure by asking individual beneficiaries, providers and State governments to take on a greater share of health care costs. Theyre also imposing budget controls by capitating providers with bundled payment and risk contracting arrangements. Last, but not least, theyre controlling the supply of health care services by, for example, increasing payments to incent the adoption of electronic records and increase the pool of primary care providers.
It turns out rising health care costs are a global problem with the same set of policy options.
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