Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers is committed to helping you increase your knowledge on the essentials of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy life style.

As a member, you have access to hundreds of articles concerning various aspects of good health and nutrition. You can learn about foods and how to cook meals to minimize fat and unwanted calories. You can also learn about taking care of your body through proper exercising that is productive for your body as well as just plain fun. And you can also learn some preventative measures for disease.

Following is a sampling of what being a part of Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers can provide. Here are a few articles that are both interesting and thought provoking. Also in this section are a set of useful links, a glossary of terms, frequently asked questions, and information about body composition and body mass index.

Remember, the more knowledge you acquire, the easier the path to a happier and healthier you!

Does A Lower Fat Diet Mean A Lower Fat You?  -  (Article 1)
Yes, according to a three-month study done at the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

The researchers put 27 middle-aged or older men and women with high LDL cholesterol (the bad guy) on a low fat diet (15% calories from fat).

For the first five weeks on the diet, participants were given enough low-fat food to keep their weight stable. They were not permitted to gain or lose weight. The most common complaint from the participants was that there was too much food and that it was difficult to finish meals.

For the next 12 weeks, participants were allowed to eat as much low-fat food as they wanted with no restrictions. The average weight loss during this time was eight pounds.

The low-fat diet was based on grains, vegetables, fruits and complex carbohydrates. Interestingly, participants were not given simple sugars, like fat-free cookies and cakes on a regular basis, but only as a treat about once every three days.

The research showed that introducing simple sugars into a low fat diet as an occasional treat will not destroy a diet. However, if treats are used on a daily basis, any weight loss program will not be as effective. Simple sugars pack in more calories, increase overall caloric content and in general have a tendency to make a person more hungry

Obesity a Disease  -  (Article 2)
Obesity is now considered a disease - not a moral failing. According to a new report from the Institute of Medicine, "obesity is a heterogeneous disease in which genetic, environmental, psychological, and other factors are involved. It occurs when energy intake exceeds the amount of energy expended over time. Only in a small minority of cases is obesity caused by such illnesses as hypothyroidism or the result of taking medications, such as steroids, that can cause weight gain."

Public health concerns about this disease relate to its link to numerous other diseases that can lead to premature illness or death. The report notes that overweight individuals who lose even relatively small amounts of weight are likely to:

• lower their blood pressure (and thereby the risk of heart attack and stroke)
• reduce abnormally high levels of blood glucose (associated with diabetes)
• bring blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (associated with cardiovascular disease) down to more desirable levels
• reduce sleep apnea, or irregular breathing during sleep
• decrease the risk of osteoarthritis of the weight bearing joints
• decrease depression
• increase self-esteem

Fiber, Fiber, Fiber!  -  (Article 3)
Fiber refers to complex carbohydrates that your body cannot digest or absorb into your bloodstream. Fiber is not used as energy like other types of carbohydrates, but instead is excreted. Fiber is a very healthy component of some foods and deserves much attention for its health benefits.

Fiber may help prevent certain types of cancer, for diabetics soluble fibers help to control blood sugar levels and fiber may help lower total blood cholesterol. Fiber can also help in weight loss. With the added bulk, fiber can help you feel full longer, making it less probable that you will nibble soon after eating a meal.

Fiber consists of soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fibers include pectin, fruits, oats and barley. Soluble fiber helps control blood cholesterol levels. Insoluble fibers create the tough texture found in such foods as wheat bran, whole grains (contain soluble and insoluble), and vegetables. Insoluble fibers promote regularity and help prevent constipation.

Foods loaded with fiber are usually packed with additional nutrition such as; complex carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Most high fiber foods are low in fat and cholesterol too!

The American Heart Association recommends a total dietary intake of 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. The Nutrition Facts Panel on packaged foods lists the exact amount of fiber in foods. Words on the package may give you a quick description as you walk through the grocery store:

• High fiber - 5 grams or more per serving
• Good source of fiber - 2.5 to 4.9 grams per serving
• More or added fiber - At least 2.5 grams more (compared with a standard serving size of the traditional food) per serving

Physicians Weight Loss Center's Fiber Capsules contain excellent sources of fiber including psyllium which is high in soluble fiber. The fiber capsules are easy to use and require no mixing or measuring. Clients take up to four capsules daily at different times throughout the day, each with an eight-ounce glass of water.

Less Doesn't Mean More  -  (Article 4)
If you really want to drop those unwanted pounds, starving yourself is definitely not the best course of action. Research is showing that by skimping on your food intake too much, you can actually defeat your purpose. When your body doesn't receive an adequate number of calories, especially in the form of carbohydrates, it resorts to converting the protein in your muscles to fuel. Protein is the tissue in your body that burns the most calories; therefore, you are actually depleting the number of calories your body will burn. In addition, because this tissue is so important to the body, it will be quickly replaced when you start eating normally.

When you're selecting a weight-loss plan, consider the following:

• Choose a diet plan that will not only help you lose the weight, but will also teach you how to keep it off. The more times you have to diet, the slower your metabolism seems to become, and the more difficult it is to lose weight.
• Eat a sufficient amount of food and eat at frequent intervals, so you aren't tempted to binge.
• Combine you're dieting efforts with an exercise program. Several studies have shown that this is the most effective way to lose unwanted pounds and keep them off.
• Set periodic goals and be sure they are realistic. If you haven't cheated on your diet, and still can't reach your weekly goal, it may be because it's not attainable. Time to reevaluate.
• Make sure you are eating the right types of calories. Does your diet feature a sensible balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, while still being conducive to good weight loss?

  The next time you decide to lose weight, take a close look at your diet and make sure it's going to meet all of your needs for successful weight loss.
  
  
  To access our archive of over 400 articles, click here to become a member.