The Cause and Effect of Obesity

The over simplified view of the cause and effect of obesity would be over-eating combined with lack of exercise. Both are justifiably implicated. We are all responsible for the volume of food we eat, and portion reduction is a starting point for any dietary change. It requires little more effort than saying no when offered the "large" or "max" option.

However, there are far more sinister reasons for nations getting fat. If it were just a case of over indulgence we would not be looking at the huge rise in the obesity levels within the US and many other societies.

So what's in your food?

Do you read...and understand the label?

Saturated fat, hydrogenated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat...are they good or bad?

These are questions you should know the answers to if you are going to take responsibility for your own welfare. Many countries have introduced food-labeling regulations, which now provide more detailed ingredients lists, but these are still often confusing and unclear.

Education is the answer to the problem. The big question is how do you educate an entire population and who is going to pay? Who would fund such a nationwide advertising campaign? Until governments take the initiative by introducing dietary advise as part of the school curriculum we are going to see the rates of obesity continue to increase year on year.

We can take it as read that over abundance and lack of clear education are the primary causes of obesity, for where abundance does not prevail, there is little sign of obesity. In fact where the western world is seeing increased food related morbidity, the third world continues to suffer deprivation and malnutrition.

Obesity is not a hidden problem, but society fails to tackle it head on. Fashion shops for the larger person continue to flourish and fashions change to accommodate the fuller figure. Unfortunately size is not the only issue, as obesity gives rise to or even masks many other health related illnesses such as:

· Heart disease and high blood pressure
· Diabetes type 2 (adult onset)
· Renal failure
· Colon Cancer
· Strokes

The above list and many other physical and physiological problems are clearly related to obesity.

The starting point for beating your own and your family's weight problems is to accept that the problem exists. If you decide to bury your head in the sand and fail to take decisive action, no one can help you. If you are ready to seek the help and advice, read and act upon what you have read.

Seeking out a nutritionist is a great route to take. They can offer clear advice on the lifestyle changes you need to make to get back on track and fight the cause and effect of obesity

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Weight Loss and Healthy Chocolate

When I talk to people about the weight control benefits of chocolate, the first thing I often hear is, "Are you crazy? You CAN'T lose weight with chocolate!" Before I did all my research on chocolate I might have agreed with them. With the right type of chocolate - unprocessed, dark cocoa - anyone can definitely can lose weight, keep it off and even improve other areas of their health.

Dozens of academic studies have concluded that cocoa and dark chocolate-based foods can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve insulin sensitivity and other diabetic symptoms, relieve inflammation, fight depression, increase energy, improve breathing and even decrease your appetite.

Various studies suggest that dieting in general actually leads to INCREASED WEIGHT gain and other health problems over the long run.

I've listed only a few of the benefits of dark, unprocessed chocolate, given by Dr. Stephen Warren, M. D. from his research:

1. Dark Chocolate is loaded with key neurotransmitters like tryptophan, serotonin and dopamine. Often, eating is an emotional experience associated with depression or boredom. Unfortunately the more you eat, the more depressed you become. These nutrient chemicals in cocoa can lower the risk of depression, as well as suppress one's appetite and block the pathway that leads to food cravings. Additionally, phenylethylamine (PEA) improves mood, which in turn decreases food cravings. Food addiction is like drug addiction; consequently, cocoa can minimize food cravings and addictions by delivering the right chemicals.

2. Fiber in cocoa is linked to decreased weight. Fiber helps block some fat absorption as well as a feeling of fullness.

3. Cocoa's flavonoid content can relieve inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with low leptin levels, which increases appetite. In addition, cortisol levels increase with elevated inflammatory chemicals that start to break down muscles, deposit fat in cells and fuel the appetite.

4. Cocoa also contains anandamide, often called the "bliss chemical," because of its involvement in the generation of motivation and pleasure. Like PEA, it greatly influences mood.

5. Cocoa's various vitamins and minerals provide essential nutrients that boost energy levels and aid in recovery from exercise.

6. Research shows that dark chocolate and cocoa-based foods help stabilize blood sugar levels. They also increase insulin sensitivity and proper glucose metabolism, meaning if the sugar in your blood is being utilized properly, it doesn't convert into fat.

7. Numerous studies show that dark chocolate can improve heart health. A recent Dutch study found that elderly men who regularly consumed chocolate had less cardiovascular-related and overall deaths than their non-chocolate counterparts.

8. Though it may seem a contradiction, consumption of dark chocolate can decrease your desire to eat more sweets, which in turn lowers your overall appetite. An added benefit is that energy and blood sugar levels are improved with less snacking and fewer sweets.

9. Some researchers suggest that bacteria in your stomach may play a role in obesity. For centuries, cocoa has been used as an antibacterial agent.

10. Chocolate is a histamine blocker, helping decrease stomach acid and possibly improving digestion.

11. Theobromine, found in abundance in cocoa, is associated with weight loss and increased energy.

12. Studies show that individuals who consume dark chocolate and cocoa-based foods tend to lose weight and have increased energy.

Not All Chocolate is Healthy

It's important to note that, when it comes to conferring weight loss benefits, dark chocolate reigns supreme. To benefit from antioxidant properties and cocoa's polyphenols, stick with products that are 60 percent cocoa and avoid alkalinization or Dutch process chocolate.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, eating dark chocolate can actually help us achieve our weight loss goals.

(Always consult with your physician when starting a new weight loss program. Information contained herein is not to be taken as medical advice. No therapeutic or medical claims are either implied or made.)


About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: healthy chocolate
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Can Diet Sodas Cause you to Gain Weight?

Recently there has been a lot of talk about a study that found that people who drank at least 1 diet soda a day were more likely to gain weight and suffer Metabolic Syndrome.

I know that there is a lot of conflicting information about weight loss. But if you want to lose weight and decrease stomach fat, keep reading this article.

There are 2 major points I want to make about obesity in the American society. In my opinion...

#1 The overconsumption of sugar is wreaking havoc on our metabolisms.

#2 The overconsumption of chemicals is wreaking havoc on our metabolisms.

For some people switching to diet sodas from regular sodas helps them to lose weight because of the decrease in sugar and calorie consumption. But, for others the chemicals and artificial sweeteners in diet sodas negatively impact the body's metabolism.

There is evidence that suggests that artificial sweeteners are toxic to the body, and this can negatively affect your metabolism. Artificial sweeteners have received the lion's share of attention, but artificial sweeteners may be the lesser of two evils in the assault on our metabolisms and our waistlines.

Sodas have another drawback besides sugar or artificial sweeteners. And that drawback is... Phosphoric Acid.

Phosphoric acid is a sneaky ingredient in sodas that slows down our metabolisms, but no one is talking about it. Phosphoric acid is a chemical used to acidify foods and beverages, and it also provides a tangy taste.

Here's the problem... when you consume acid and chemicals, your body becomes more acidic. When your body becomes more acidic all of your cells function less efficiently and your metabolism slows down.

Your body has a certain pH level. pH refers to potential hydrogen and ranges from 0-14. 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most basic (or alkaline). 7 is neutral and around 7.4 is optimal for the blood.

Many weight loss plans (like the book The Ultimate pH Solution by Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM) focus on correcting pH balance by making your body less acidic, and my take is that the consumption of acid is potentially another reason consuming diet sodas is linked with the development of Metabolic Syndrome and weight gain.

Phosphoric acid is an irritant to your digestive system and it will slow down your metabolism and negatively affect cell function.

The artificial sweeteners may not be the ring leader in the assault on our metabolisms. Our digestive system is always being bombarded with irritants, such as sugar, chemicals, and preservatives, and constantly adding acid to your digestive system will likely decrease your body's ability to burn fat and keep you healthy.

In a perfect world we would not consume any food or drinks with chemicals or preservatives, but we don't live in a perfect world.

So if you are trying to lose stomach fat or lose weight, I recommend that you do your best to avoid chemicals when you can, and try to drink clean filtered or distilled water as often as possible.

About the Author

Dr. Charles A. Inniss, Jr. is a Physical Therapist and Personal Trainer who has devoted his career to fitness and wellness. He is an author and motivational speaker, and his mission is to educate and inspire people to be proactive about their health and wellness oriented.

For Fitness and Exercise Tips visit his website at http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com