It’s Not OK to Be Overweight

Our perception of obesity has changed dramatically, and the social stigma of being overweight or obese has lessened. In recent years, dozens of books, movies, and celebrities have all celebrated the acceptance of being larger or overweight. Fuller-fit, relaxed-fit, and expandable waistbands have all become standard in the fitting room. Even our perception of a little extra weight has changed. For some reason, there seems to be a growing acceptance that being overweight or obese is not a detriment to one’s health. This is a total falsehood. Our society is in the midst of one of the most serious epidemics of all time. The standard American diet emphasizes more meats and refined foods and all at the expense of raw, unrefined vegetables This is responsible for obesity being totally out of control.

Another major factor is the fast food outlet explosion. Americans spent over $20 billion on fast food last year. Soft drink sales have skyrocketed and the average teenager now consumes 65 gallons of colas a year. In many every fast food restraints you can now get double the calories of a meal for a little more than a buck.

There is no one answer or magic bullet that will solve the problem. Pharmaceutical firms continue to scramble to find a “cure” for obesity. Thousands of books on weight loss are published yearly. Every month we learn about some new appetite suppressing miracle. Vitamin supplement manufacturers have combined dozens of vitamins, minerals, herbs, or animal extracts to help increase metabolism, promote hGH (human growth hormone) production, block fat absorption, suppress appetite, etc., all in an effort to promote fat loss. But until the underlying problems are addressed, all of these efforts will result only in frustration, and the average consumer will undoubtedly lose far more of his hard-earned money than fat.

Eating for longevity

Nutritionists have long recommended minimizing the consumption of caffeine, sugar, fat and salt as well as eating at least five servings a day of fresh fruits and vegetables. That’s very good advice but some foods are especially conducive to longevity and a healther life

• Soy foods. Soybeans are rich in antioxidants. These compounds neutralize free radicals, substances that accelerate aging by causing cellular damage. One antioxidant in soy, genistein, has been shown to prevent cancer. It also blocks the formation of fatty deposits along artery walls. The formation of these fatty deposits, known as atherosclerosis, is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Suggested Intake: 50 to 75 milligrams (mg) of soy protein per day. That’s equal to one cup of soy milk or three servings of tofu.

Making a few simple vegetable and fruit additions to your diet could add years to your life and aid greatly in weight control. It be much simpler or less expensive. Add a helping of steamed kale as a vegetable, and substitute sweet potatoes for white. Add a nice serving of blueberries or other fruit for dessert, and you’ve made the change. One of the best long-term solutions to the weight issue is a diet that emphasizes eating more low-glycemic foods, as opposed to high-glycemic foods. (The glycemic index is a rating system that compares the way various foods influence blood sugar levels. The scale runs from 0 to 100, with pure sugar, or glucose, rated at 100. The closer to 100 a food is rated, the more it affects blood sugar levels.) When you consume lower-glycemic foods, blood sugar levels remain more stable and your pancreas isn’t required to release as much insulin. This is a proven, safe, and effective way to lessen cravings so you can lose weight or maintain the proper weight and stay healthy at the same time.

Odor with an Attitude

Sulfur has strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Winemakers use it to selectively rid wines of certain bacteria, and at the turn of the 20th century, mothers used a little sulfur and molasses each spring as the standard tonic. It was also used as a laxative and as a remedy for a long list of health problems.

• Garlic. In addition to boosting immune function and lowering levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, garlic helps prevent cancer and acts as an antibiotic. It’s even a mild anticoagulant, so it helps reduce the risk for stroke and heart attack.
Suggested Intake: Two or three cloves or a teaspoon of garlic powder or four 300-mg garlic capsules three times a day.
• Onions. Red and yellow varieties contain quercetin, an antioxidant that deactivates carcinogens and prevents blood clots. It also boosts levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering levels of both LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.
Suggested Intake: One medium-sized red or yellow onion per day.