What are the best teas for health?
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Some teas and herbal infusions have long been appreciated for their alleged health benefits, but what does research have to say?
"Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage," writes 19th-century Japanese scholar Okakura Kakuzo in his infamous publication The Book of Tea. In it, he speaks at length about the history of tea and the philosophy of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Kakuzo was correct: modern research about the history of tea-drinking in the world confirms that this beverage was originally consumed less for pleasure or as a mindfulness aid, calling for the drinker to take slow sips and be in the moment. Instead, as shown by Prof. Victor Henry Mair — from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia — in The True History of Tea, early in its history, the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) became popular for its medicinal properties. The tea plant's main varieties — Camellia sinensis sinensis and Camellia sinensis assamica — are responsible for most of the tea brews that we are accustomed to: black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong tea. There are many other types of teas and infusions using various other plants, such as Aspalathus linearis, which is better known as "rooibos" or "redbush." In this Spotlight, we'll give you an overview of the top five teas that can benefit your health. 1. Green teaA favorite with tea drinkers everywhere, green tea has been praised for its medicinal properties for years. Some recent studies have now confirmed some of these benefits, suggesting that green tea may protect various aspects of our health.
Green tea can increase cognitive functioning.
To begin with, this beverage has been found to enhance cognitive functioning, with one study connecting it to better working memory, the type of we use on a day-to-day basis. Researchers from the University Hospital of Basel in Switzerland found that healthy people who agreed to consume a soft drink containing 27.5 grams of green tea extract exhibited more intense activity in brain areas linked to working memory. Therefore, participants who had ingested the green tea extract had better connectivity between the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain, which are two regions involved in aspects of learning, memory processes, and decision-making. The health benefits brought about by green tea have been linked with their content of polyphenols, which are micronutrients with antioxidant properties. As antioxidants, these substances can protect against the action of free radicals, which induce the type of cellular damage consistent with aging. A 2017 study that was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society found that one such polyphenol found in green tea — called epigallocatechin gallate — may lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by interacting with the "building blocks" that form beta-amyloid plaques. A buildup of these plaques in the brain is typical of this condition and impairs brain cell signaling. Epigallocatechin gallate, this study suggests, could stop beta-amyloid from forming into plaques, potentially helping to keep Alzheimer's at bay. This same green tea polyphenol has also been said to slow down the growth of tumor cells of certain types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer. Research that was led by the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute in California has shown that epigallocatechin gallate can disrupt the metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells, thereby impairing their growth. 2. Jasmine teaWhat we refer to as "jasmine tea" is a type of beverage that usually has green tea at its base, to which jasmine flowers are added for an enriched aroma.
Jasmine tea is an important component of the diet of one of the longest-living populations in the world.
But the benefits of jasmine tea aren't solely due to the antioxidant effects of the tea plant, since jasmine blooms also bring their own medicinal properties to the mix. In the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, authors Héctor García and Francesc Miralles note that the inhabitants of a healthy, long-lived community in the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan are avid drinkers of Sanpin-cha, a special blend of green tea and jasmine. "Okinawans drink more Sanpin-cha — a mix of green tea and jasmine flowers — than any other kind of tea," they write, suggesting that this blend may play a role in keeping the inhabitants of Okinawa healthy and mentally agile well into old age. This may be because, like the tea plant, jasmine flowers contain antioxidants — which may protect cells from age-related damage. Jasmine itself has been linked with improved physical well-being and is said to reduce the impact of stress. That is why some researchers have experimented with compounds derived from this plant in the search of better therapies. For instance, Prof. Eliezer Flescher — from Tel Aviv University in Israel — noticed that methyl jasmonate, which is a compound obtained from jasmonic acid, found in the jasmine plant, induces the death of cervical cancer cells. And, if you happen to enjoy drinking jasmine tea simply because you love the way it smells, there's actually a good reason for that. Research that was published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology explained that the smell of jasmine tea is soothing, able to calm nerves, and able to help regulate mood. 3. Rooibos teaAnother type of tea with antioxidant properties is rooibos, or "redbush tea," which is prepared from the Aspalathus linearis plant native to South Africa.
Rooibos tea may protect liver health.
Research has suggested that the antioxidant effects of rooibos are similar to, if not quite as strong as, those of green tea. A recent study on the rat model has suggested that the antioxidants in rooibos tea may protect the liver from oxidative stress, helping to render this organ more resilient to induced damage. The researchers who conducted the study noted that their findings suggest that rooibos tea or rooibos-derived dietary supplements may offer a useful health boost.
Moreover, rooibos has also been cited as helpful in lowering blood pressure and relaxing tense muscles, suggesting that the active ingredient in this instance might be one of the flavonoids (pigments) that it contains: chrysoeriol. Unlike green or black tea, rooibos does not contain any caffeine, so it won't have the same stimulating effects. This makes it safe to drink well into the evening. 4. Hibiscus teaThose of you who enjoy the refreshing taste of a more sour brew may also be familiar with herbal infusions of hibiscus, a plant whose flowers can be used not just to make invigorating beverages, but also to give a subtle "punch" to salads, or as an elegant garnish for sophisticated dishes.
Hibiscus tea is an antioxidant and may bring cardiovascular benefits.
The most commonly used variety is Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as the "roselle." For the tea — or, more correctly "tisane" (herbal tea) — its calyces are typically used, although other parts of the plant, such as the leaves, seeds, and roots, are safe for consumption. Studies have suggested that extracts from the hibiscus calyx and hibiscus leaves have antioxidant and antitumoral effects. Therefore, they may protect against the aging action of free radicals at a cellular level, as well as fight certain types of leukemia cells. Hibiscus tea has also been tied to cardiovascular benefits, helping to regulate systolic and diastolic blood pressure — that is, blood pressure during and in-between heart beats, respectively. Though not so commonly used to brew tea, hibiscus leaves have also been linked repeatedly to a wide array of health benefits. Thus, the polyphenols in hibiscus leaves may help to induce tumor cell death in skin cancer, according to a 2015 study. Another study from the same year also argued that hibiscus leaf extracts could inhibit the action of prostate cancer cells. 5. Lemon verbena teaAnother herbal tea whose medicinal properties are getting increasingly recognized is that made out of lemon verbena, scientifically dubbed Aloysia citrodora.
Infusions with lemon verbena are said to help with weight management.
It is the citrus-flavored cousin of a better-known plant that has been used in herbal infusions for years: verbena, or vervain (Verbena officinalis). Infusions made with lemon verbena are great for those who, like me, prefer a subtler citrusy aroma in their hot drinks, rather than the strong, lemony flavor of commonly commercialized citrus tea blends. The first time that I came upon this plant sold as a tisane herb was in a local organic shop that was selling it as "weight loss tea." In fact, studies have shown that the polyphenols in this plant can decrease the formation of fatty acids, marking its potential use in the treatment of obesity-related health issues. Researchers have also suggested that lemon verbena extracts may help to lower inflammatory markers' levels in the blood of some people with multiple sclerosis. "Results demonstrate that supplementation with lemon verbena extracts may affect the cytokine [inflammation markers] profile depending on the clinical subtype," the study authors conclude. Having a cup of your tea — or tisane — of choice may be a pleasant way to carve out some self-indulgence time and stimulate your bodily and mental well-being in a subtle way. But always keep in mind that, as the saying goes, "one swallow does not a summer make," and the most potent health benefits are best reaped by leading a healthful, wholesome lifestyle. We picked linked items based on the quality of products, and list the pros and cons of each to help you determine which will work best for you. We partner with some of the companies that sell these products, which means Healthline UK and our partners may receive a portion of revenues if you make a purchase using a link(s) above. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://ift.tt/O45xlc March 16, 2018 at 11:34AM
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Demi Lovato Slams 'Diet Culture' and Tells Fans They're 'Beautiful No Matter What Anyone Says'3/14/2018
Demi Lovato Slams 'Diet Culture' and Tells Fans They're 'Beautiful No Matter What Anyone Says'
http://ift.tt/2paDUyg Demi Lovato wants her fans to know that they’re “beautiful,” regardless of what society tells them. The singer, 25, tweeted a body-positive message to her fans while slamming modern culture’s obsession with dieting. “It’s so frustrating and sad how strong the #dietculture in our society is,” Lovato wrote. “It’s constantly telling us we’re not thin enough no matter what.” In reality, she added, “You are beautiful no matter what anyone says.” Lovato also retweeted a post from Eating Disorder Hope about the correlation between orthorexia and perfectionism. Lovato, who has a history of eating disorders, said in January that she has “given up dieting” and the “chronic stress” of worrying about every single thing she eats. “I stopped dieting and have gained a little weight so it’s been a struggle, but at the same time, I’m happier because I’m not restricting myself from certain foods and I’m no longer food shaming myself,” Lovato told PEOPLE. And she emphasized that being healthy is more important than trying to lose weight. “As someone recovering from a food disorder, it’s something that I want to put out there that you don’t have to diet in order to be happy,” Lovato said. “I don’t think I’ve heard that message out there in the public and of course, it’s important to be healthy and everything in moderation is fine.” Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://ift.tt/2zvXHy6 March 14, 2018 at 01:43PM
How brown fat could lead to better weight loss drugs
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Researchers study brown fat in search of better weight management therapies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than a third of adults in the United States live with obesity. It is a metabolic condition and top risk factor for a range of diseases, from diabetes to cancer. A 2017 report indicated that we are in the midst of an obesity pandemic, with rates on the rise worldwide and the U.S. ranking first in this worrying trend. For these reasons, scientists are constantly looking to come up with healthful lifestyle strategies that will help people to maintain a desirable weight. At the same time, researchers continue to investigate the biological mechanisms behind weight loss and gain in an effort to devise more effective drugs for treating obesity. Researchers from the Salk Institute of Biological Studies in La Jolla, CA, are now looking to brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, to find more effective ways of addressing obesity. Senior investigator Ronald Evans and his colleagues are trying to understand exactly what gives brown tissue its distinct charcteristics. This insight, the team argues, may help them to come up with effective drugs that will act on excess white adipose tissue. The results of their study have now been published in the journal Cell Reports. One gene may hold the keySpecifically, the scientists wanted to learn more about the thermogenic characteristics of brown fat — that is, how it responds to environmental temperature and metabolic factors in order to produce heat. Previous studies had already shown that some types of brown adipose tissue were "activated" to turn calories into heat when the body was exposed to lower surrounding temperatures. "We were interested in what maintains brown fat, even when we're not exposed to cold all the time," explains first study author Maryam Ahmadian. The researchers worked with mice, zooming in on a gene that is very active in brown fat cells: estrogen-related receptor gamma. What they found was that this gene is always expressed in brown fat cells, independently of whether or not the body is exposed to cold ambient temperatures. At the same time, they discovered that this gene is never expressed in white fat cells. When studying mice in which the estrogen-related receptor gamma gene had been switched off so that it could not be expressed in brown fat cells, Evans and team noted that brown adipose tissue began to resemble white adipose tissue in its molecular structure and mechanisms. In their paper, the researchers refer to this effect as the "whitening of brown adipose tissue." Findings may lead to better therapiesAnother outcome related to the "whitening" of brown fat in these genetically engineered mice was that none of them were able to handle cold temperatures, whereas around 80 percent of normal mice can adjust to such environmental changes. At the same time, when it came to the metabolism of the animals — or how much weight they put on — Evans and team did not find any significant differences between the regular mice and their genetically engineered counterparts. Put together, these findings suggest that the expression of the estrogen-related receptor gamma gene allows brown fat to remain "brown" and respond adequately to cold temperatures.
Another aspect of the researchers' experiments was informed by the fact that the estrogen-related receptor gamma gene encodes a protein that accesses cells' nuclei and influences the expression of other genes. Additional experiments revealed that estrogen-related receptor gamma targets a number of genes — such as Ucp1, Coxa1, and Pparα — that have been linked to brown fat mechanisms and obesity, but never before to this protein. The team writes that further studies should investigate what effects activating the estrogen-related receptor gamma gene in white fat cells would have. They hope that this move might make white fat cells behave similarly to brown fat cells, making this a viable strategy for therapies targeting obesity and diabetes. Moreover, they point out that it is important to make sure that estrogen-related receptor gamma has the same roles in humans' brown adipose tissue as it does in that of mice. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://ift.tt/O45xlc March 14, 2018 at 11:58AM
Keto vs. Atkins: Which Is the Better Low-Carb Diet?
http://ift.tt/2FEcMhh If the premise behind the ketogenic diet—a low-carb, high-fat, moderate-protein plan—sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Curious folks around the Internet have been asking: What’s the difference between the keto diet and the Atkins diet? At their most basic, they're both low-carb diets. But they're not exactly the same. The biggest difference between the keto diet and the Atkins plan might be their origin stories, says dietitian and educator Claudia T. Felty, PhD, RD. “Atkins was designed for weight loss, and keto was designed, it its strictest form, for seizure prevention.” (Really! It was a tool in the treatment of epilepsy, and has only recently been adopted as a slim-down strategy.) RELATED: 7 Keto-Friendly Recipes People Are Loving on Pinterest When you crunch the numbers for the two diets, things shake out a little differently too. People on the keto diet usually get 2% to 5% of their daily calories from carbs; while Atkins followers are typically getting around 10% of their calories from carbs (at least at first). Both diets use this ultra-low carb approach to trigger ketosis, a state in which the body burns fat for fuel instead of stored carbs, leading, in theory, to weight loss. On the keto diet, people usually get somewhere between 75% and 90% of their daily calories from fat, and the remaining 6% to 20% of their calories from protein. In the Atkins plan, fat makes up closer to 60% of daily calories, with protein accounting for closer to 30%, according to the U.S. News and World Report annual diet rankings. (The site ranked Akins 36th and out of 40 on its list, while keto placed 39th.) That helps explain why people think of Atkins as the "all bacon, all the time" plan, while keto is considered the "avocado-a-day" diet. RELATED: Kourtney Kardashian Says She Did the Keto Diet to Help With a ‘Metal Detox’—Does That Work? Another difference: The Atkins approach to carbs changes over time. “Atkins has what’s known as the ‘induction phase,’ which is the first phase of the diet. It allows 20 grams of net carbs—total carbs minus fiber. As the diet progresses, the carb amount allowed goes up," Felty explains. "Keto counts all carbs—not just the net—and the amount tends to be much lower long-term than that of Atkins.” Adding in more good-for-you carbs as you reach, and then maintain your goal weight brings you out of ketosis. And that might be a good thing: Staying in ketosis too long can lead to ketoacidosis, which is when excess ketones–a byproduct of fat metabolism–build up in the blood. Left untreated, ketoacidosis can be fatal. When it comes to losing weight, both plans can help you shed pounds, especially at first. Low-carb diets are often successful weight-loss plans in the short-term as you shed water weight. But the results might not last: In its reviews of the two diets, U.S. News and World Report pointed to longer-term studies that haven't found much difference between low-carb diets and low-fat diets. There simply hasn't been enough research to determine if lasting weight-loss success on a low-carb plan is due to cutting carbs, or simply cutting calories. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter If you're considering going keto or trying Atkins, keep in mind that low-carb diets aren't always easy to follow. After all, who wouldn't miss potatoes? “I suggest modifying the diet to allow more carbs–especially the ones you know you can’t live without,” Health contributing nutrition editor Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, wrote in a pervious article. “In my experience, moderation is generally the key to shedding pounds for good, optimizing health, and living a balanced, enjoyable life.” Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://ift.tt/2zvXHy6 March 13, 2018 at 03:39PM
Too much TV may raise men's colorectal cancer risk
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Researchers suggest that more than 4 hours of TV daily could increase men's colorectal cancer risk.
Researchers found that men who watched TV for more than 4 hours per day were likelier to develop colorectal cancer over 6 years when compared with those who spent less time in front of the TV. But it's not all doom and gloom; the study also found that men could lower their risk of colon cancer by increasing their physical activity levels. Lead researcher Dr. Neil Murphy, of the International Agency for Research on Cancer in France, and colleagues recently reported their results in the British Journal of Cancer. A wealth of research has pinpointed sedentary behavior as a major cause of health problems, and watching TV is one such behavior. A recent study reported by Medical News Today, for example, revealed that watching too much TV could increase the risk of potentially fatal blood clots, while other research found that it may harm sleep quality. Now, researchers claim that binge-watching TV could raise the risk of colorectal cancer — for men, at least. Colorectal cancer and sedentary behaviorColorectal cancer, or bowel cancer, is cancer that begins in the colon or rectum. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there will be 97,220 new cases of colon cancer and 43,030 new cases of rectal cancer diagnosed in the United States this year. Lack of physical activity is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer, so it will come as no surprise that watching TV for hours at a time might contribute to the disease. "Previous research suggests that watching TV may be associated with other behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, and snacking more, and we know that these things can increase the risk of bowel cancer," says Dr. Murphy. "Being sedentary is also associated with weight gain and greater body fat," he adds. "Excess body fat may influence the blood levels of hormones and other chemicals which affect the way our cells grow, and can increase bowel cancer risk." Colorectal cancer risk increased in menDr. Murphy and colleagues came to their findings by analyzing data from UK Biobank, which is a health database of around 500,000 men and women who are based in the United Kingdom. The team gathered information on how many hours each subject spent engaging in sedentary activities, such as watching TV and using a computer, per day. The researchers also monitored how many of them developed colorectal cancer over 6 years of follow-up. A total of 2,391 colorectal cancer cases were identified. Compared with men who watched TV for up to 1 hour each day, those who watched TV for at least 4 hours per day were found to have a 35 percent greater risk of colorectal cancer. The team found no link between time spent watching TV and the risk of colorectal cancer in women. Exercise reduced colon cancer riskInterestingly, computer use was not associated with increased colorectal cancer risk in men. Prof. Linda Bauld, who is a cancer prevention expert at Cancer Research UK, suggests that this may be down to the content that men are exposed to with TV viewing. "There is evidence," she explains, "that greater exposure to TV junk food adverts increases the likelihood of eating more, which will also increase your chances of becoming overweight." On a more positive note, the researchers also found that men who engaged in higher levels of physical activity had a 23 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer, compared with men who had low physical activity levels. Quite simply, this suggests that some men should seriously consider swapping time in front of the TV for time at the gym. However, Prof. Bauld notes that the research raises some important questions, such as: why does watching TV for prolonged periods seem to raise colorectal cancer risk in men but not women? "The study didn't look at this directly, but it could be because men might smoke, drink, and eat more unhealthily than women while watching TV," Prof. Bauld speculates. "What we do know," she goes on, "is that keeping a healthy weight, cutting back on alcohol, being physically active, and eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables are known to cut your risk of bowel cancer." Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://ift.tt/O45xlc March 9, 2018 at 12:48PM
7 Inspiring Things Celebrities Have Said About Why They Don’t Diet
http://ift.tt/2p36z7k Keto, Whole30, Paleo—with so many diet buzzwords out there, it’s difficult to keep track of them all. But here's a better idea: Instead of getting caught up in calorie or carb counting, take inspiration from the celebrities who have sworn off the whole diet-deprivation thing. These ladies focus on nourishing themselves with nutritious food—and plenty of it. Here's exactly why you'll never catch Jennifer Lawrence, Jameela Jamil, and five other stars trying to shed pounds on a diet. Jennifer Lawrence“I can’t work on a diet,” the Red Sparrow star told Vanity Fair in this month's issue, when asked about her stance on dieting and exercising in preparation for a film. “I’m hungry. I’m standing on my feet. I need more energy.” Jameela Jamil“We aren’t supposed to all look the same,” The Good Place star wrote in an article for HuffPost UK in February, which called for women to stop judging themselves by how much they weigh. “And nothing good ever comes of self hatred. It will never further you. It will always hold you back.” Adele"I would only lose weight if it affected my health or sex life, which it doesn't,” the 15-time Grammy winner told The Guardian in 2007 after facing criticism from YouTube commenters. January Jones"I have never dieted," the actress told Allure in 2011. "I just listen to whatever my body craves. I don't deny myself anything." Kristen Bell"I was like, 'I have a baby. Do you know how awesome that is? It's so radical! Why on earth am I going to be so concerned with my pants size?'" the actress told E! News, shortly after giving birth to daughter Lincoln, who is now 4. Chrissy Teigen“I'm going to start my own Chrissy diet that's like Paleo plus cheese. Plus late Saturday night drive-through,” the model and cookbook author told Elle in 2015. Ashley Graham“I know that I look good and, more importantly, I feel good so why am I dieting? I now know what works for me,” the model and body positivity advocate said in an interview with ABC News in 2015. Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://ift.tt/2zvXHy6 March 8, 2018 at 05:19PM
Anxiety: Does waist size have anything to do with it?
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New research investigates the link between waist measurements and the risk of anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are now the "most common" mental condition among adults in the United States, confirm the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety as men, and they are also more likely to overeat due to stress. Moreover, anxiety has also been associated with the advent of cardiometabolic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. A new study from Latin America that focused on postmenopausal women now suggests that the risk of developing a form of anxiety later in life may have something to do with the size of a woman's waistline. The researchers, who hail from many institutions across Latin American countries — including Peru, Chile, and Ecuador — found correlations between women's waist-to-height ratio and her chance of being diagnosed with anxiety. The paper — whose first author is Dr. Karen Arroyo, from the School of Medicine at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima, Peru — that reports the researchers' findings has been published in the journal Menopause. Waist-to-height ratio and risk of anxietyDr. Arroyo and her colleagues worked with 5,580 women with a mean age of 49.7 years. Of these participants, 58 percent were postmenopausal, and 61.3 percent said that they lived with anxiety. The scientists examined data related to women's weight and height to determine whether or not there was any association between waist size and the risk of developing anxiety. According to the researchers, this is the first time that waist-to-height ratio, specifically, has been examined to uncover a link with anxiety disorders. The waist-to-height ratio has previously been looked to as an indicator of cardiometabolic risk — which, as aforementioned, has been tied to mood disorders including anxiety. The waist-to-height ratio is determined by dividing waist circumference measurements by height measurements, and a woman is typically obese if her waist size equals more than half her height measurements. In the current study, Dr. Arroyo and colleagues divided the participants into three groups — lower, middle, and upper tertile — based on their calculated waist-to-height ratios. To begin with, the team found that the women in the middle and upper tertiles were at significantly higher risk of having anxiety than their peers in the lower tertile. However, after adjusting for relevant factors, they saw that only the women in the uppermost tertile were more likely to exhibit telling signs of anxiety. In short, the larger a woman's waistline, the more likely she is to experience anxiety. Better care for womenPrevious studies haveshown that postmenopausal women are more likely to have anxiety and that their quality of life is sometimes severely affected by it, and some research suggested an overlap between the physiological effects of menopause, such as hot flashes, and symptoms of anxiety. Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton — who is the executive director of the North American Menopause Society — explains that this study's findings may help to improve the health guidelines offered to women at later stages in life. "Hormone changes," she explains, "may be involved in the development of both anxiety and abdominal obesity because of their roles in the brain as well as in fat distribution."
Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://ift.tt/O45xlc March 7, 2018 at 11:48AM
This Woman Lost 150 Lbs. Only to Be Bullied Online and Regain Weight — 'I Got Death Threats'
http://ift.tt/2oT21AH In 2015, weight loss Instagrammer Stephanie Seabrook went viral for writing on her stomach the cruel comments she used to hear about her weight. She then had skin removal surgery and initially got thousands of comments of support, but a few weeks later, people starting accusing her of photoshopping her pictures. “At first I tried to just shrug it off, and not think about it, but it started to get progressively worse and more frequent,” Seabrook, 30, tells PEOPLE of the cyberbullying. She discovered that a girl she met through Instagram was actually photoshopping her pictures and posting them all over to drive the hateful comments. “I got death threats, and people said I should go kill myself because I’m pathetic,” Seabrook says. “They thought that I was a liar and a fraud when I was just trying to be loved and accepted like anyone else.” Stuck in “this emotional state of not being able to deal with” their comments, Seabrook started regaining the 150 lbs. she had lost. “I was getting really depressed, and I couldn’t admit to everyone that I was gaining weight because I felt that I had a duty to be there for these people who said they could relate to me,” she says. “I didn’t want to disappoint them.” Unsure of where to go from there, Seabrook did start photoshopping her own pictures, thinking it would stop her followers from leaving. Instead, “it made everything ten times worse.” She decided to completely shut down her Instagram account, and reached out for help from a therapist, family and friends. Though the entire experience was difficult, Seabrook says she’s in a much better place now and appreciates what she went through. “It made me a much stronger individual and a much stronger woman,” she says. “In hindsight, it made me comfortable with who I am and regardless of what people think of me, what really matters is what I think of myself.” And on Inauguration Day 2017, after about nine months away, Seabrook reactivated her account with a full-length photo and an honest post about what happened and how she regained 100 lbs. “I said that this is where I am, this is who I am, and you can either accept it or not,” she says. “I’ve been trying to promote self-worth and self-love, and realizing that even if someone is gaining weight it has nothing to do with fitness and health, it has everything to do with what’s going on in their lives, and sometimes that’s okay.” Seabrook is working on losing weight — she’s lost about 40 lbs. so far — but it’s purely for her health and the hope of having a baby with her husband. She says that being honest about her experience and admitting her mistakes on Instagram has changed her life. “Opening up in Instagram helped me open up in real life. Having the strength to do that in front of thousands of people I don’t know has given me the strength to do that with the people I do know,” she says. “There’s a sense of freedom and peace when you can show the world who you are without fear of being ridiculed. I’m comfortable with myself.” Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://ift.tt/2zvXHy6 March 6, 2018 at 12:11PM 842-Lb. Man Dies of a Heart Attack While Readying for Weight Loss Surgery on My 600-Lb. Life3/2/2018
842-Lb. Man Dies of a Heart Attack While Readying for Weight Loss Surgery on My 600-Lb. Life
http://ift.tt/2FLDQfr Robert Buchel, an 842-lb. man who had hoped to undergo life-saving weight loss surgery with the help of TLC’s My 600-Lb. Life, has died of a heart attack at the age of 41. Buchel, 41, was the subject of Wednesday night’s episode of the reality show, and had successfully lost nearly 200 lbs. after moving with his fiancé, Kathryn Lemanski, from New Jersey to Houston. But his addiction to painkillers derailed surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan’s efforts to help, and Buchel passed away on Nov. 15, 2017. In a statement to PEOPLE, TLC said they were “deeply saddened” by his loss. They added: “We are grateful to his family who were gracious enough to let us continue to share his brave story with our viewers. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.” Lemanski wrote on Facebook that Buchel struggled knowing that his life wasn’t going the way he had hoped. “Rob suffered from never realizing how good a man he was and always felt inadequate and a failure,” she wrote two days after his death. “Thank you to all of you for validating my love for him. I knew what kind of soul he had but could never convince him of how truly special he was. A person like him should never have to die this way and certainly not this young and most definitely not when his life was about to begin.” Lemanski added that Buchel was becoming optimistic for his future after losing weight in the hospital. “Rob had a hard life, and in the last two months he finally had hope for the life he always wanted,” she said. A friend of Lemanski’s created a GoFundMe page to raise money for Buchel’s medical bills and funeral costs, and to help her move back to New Jersey. “Kathryn incurred a crushing debt, between medical bills and moving expenses, only to have to pack up, turn around and move back,” they wrote. “Kathryn is one of the most selfless and giving individuals one could ever meet, she is well deserving of any help that can be offered.” Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://ift.tt/2zvXHy6 March 2, 2018 at 10:25AM
Exactly How 5 Real Women Lost the Last 10 Pounds
http://ift.tt/2FK49mf Hey, we think you look gorgeous just as you are. But we totally understand feeling a little blah when you’re carrying a little bit more weight than you'd like. Just ask these five women: They’ve been there—lost that. These are the subtle tweaks (getting honest about portions, actually eating dessert) that helped them achieve their happy weight even when a few extra pounds were hanging tough. As for you? Experts agree that these changes can get your body burning again too. Move more outside of the gymWhen Sarah Grant hit a plateau before reaching her goal weight, the working mom of two zeroed in on the long periods she spent parked at her desk. “Even though I was working out outside of the office and eating healthy, it didn’t make up for the hours a day I spent sedentary,” says Grant, 41, the chief financial officer for a South Florida restaurant group. She made a simple vow to walk more, all day, every day. “It’s an easy, free activity that you can do anywhere,” Grant points out. In addition to weight training in the morning, she added in a walk on her lunch hour and an after-dinner stroll with her son and daughter. “There is a point at which eating less isn’t the best option,” Grant says. “This gave me the ability to avoid having to continually slash calories to lose weight.” She’s on to something: The more energy you have moving through your system, the better your metabolism functions, says Holly Wyatt, MD, head of the metabolism and obesity clinic at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. “Adding mini movement blocks to your day sporadically will help you burn more energy than you’re consuming,” Dr. Wyatt says. Try picking a coffee joint that's about a 15-minute walk away from your home or office and take a walking break any days that you can; walking for 30 minutes (15 in each direction) at a quick pace burns around 150 calories. RELATED: These Are the Best Walking Workouts, According to Fitness Experts Don’t make any foods off limitsLong days of meal sampling at events and restaurants made it all too easy for food blogger Dara Pollak to hold on to an extra five to 10 pounds. “I could be tasting four to five different decadent dishes at a single restaurant,” explains Pollak, 33, the creator of The Skinny Pig blog. To balance the “bad” meals, she would skip breakfast. “I went to events starving and would end up overeating, and then feeling food guilt.” Pollak has changed her mind-set so that she doesn’t consider any foods restricted, and instead taste-tests just a few bites of everything. “I eat slowly and mindfully and savor a few bites I take of, say, the french fries I’m sampling,” she says. And she eats a hearty breakfast of overnight oats daily. “It curbs my hunger, and even though I might still crave the yummy foods in front of me, I can eat them with more control and joy.” Chris Mohr, RD, an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and co-owner of Mohr Results, agrees that telling yourself you can’t have a certain treat sets you up to binge later on. “Then all you can think about is that forbidden fruit,” he says. So next time your friend suggests splitting dessert, go for it. When you give yourself permission to indulge in moderation, you may realize you crave only a bite or two, or none at all. RELATED: How to Stop Beating Yourself Up About What You Eat Clean up your weekendsHeather Muir Maffei, Health’s beauty director, wanted to lose a bit of weight and get toned up before her wedding two years ago. One key lifestyle adjustment that helped her knock off the last 10—and keep it off? Not loosening up too much when the weekend hits. On Saturdays, Muir Maffei and her husband, Dave Maffei, have an “eat whatever we want” meal for dinner—“even if that means Five Guys followed by doughnuts,” says Muir Maffei, 33. “It gives us something to look forward to, yet when we’re done, we feel like eating well again.” They also hike, run, or walk their dogs, plus do a Saturday morning weigh-in together. “It keeps me accountable,” Muir Maffei says. And this weekend ritual assists in setting the tone for the workweek: “We love eating whole-wheat protein pancakes for breakfast, so Dave preps the batter on Sunday, and we use it for the week ahead.” All of this is to say, the weekends really count. Data shows that most people do have a weight cycle that involves losing a bit on weekdays only to gain it back over the weekend. One study found that adults ages 19 to 50 consume an extra 115 calories on each weekend day, as well as more fat and alcohol, than on Monday through Thursday. With this in mind, take a move from Heather’s playbook and limit your all-out eating to one meal—instead of two full days of going off your plan. Be meticulous about portion sizesAllison Constantino, 69, eats healthy and is super active, but she notices her weight creep up if she gets lax about the sizes of her meals and snacks (even when they’re healthy). “I can run circles around many people my age, but I can’t deny the fact that I’m older and I don’t burn calories the way I used to,” she says. “If I overeat even a little bit the calories seem to hang onto me.” Constantino now reads nutrition labels more than ever; she also uses a food scale and measuring cups. “I will look at a label for a healthy bag of nuts, and I will see that 10 pieces is a serving and put them in a bowl or baggy,” she explains. “Without measuring it out, I can easily do damage and gain weight, even those it’s a healthy snack.” Misjudging portions is a common weight-loss speedbump, says Mohr. But if cups and scales sound too tedious, he recommends pre-portioned dishes (think summer and those BBQ divided plates!) from time to time to reorient yourself with accurate meal portions. Or, use your hands: One handful of carbohydrate, two handfuls of veggies and/or fruit, and one palm-sized piece of protein is a no-fuss way to balance your meal. As for snacks? Shop for single-serving packs or think “golf-ball size” when pouring from a family-size bag. RELATED: 8 Tips for Controlling Portion Sizes Start lifting weightsWhen Anna Laura Sommer began grad school, she found it tough to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “I carried an extra layer of ‘fluff’ around my midsection,” says the 27-year-old, who is now a fitness and health coach in Philadelphia. “I was never overweight, per se, but I knew I didn’t feel my best.” She started lifting weights as a form of stress relief (“I called it my beast-mode time and took it all out on the weights”), but in about a month she noticed the fluff melt away and muscle begin to show. “I was seeing so much more change in my body from shorter strength sessions compared with long cardio workouts,” she says. There’s science behind her results: “In general, the more lean muscle mass you carry, the faster your resting metabolism is—and you don’t build muscle by only focusing on cardio,” explains Michelle Lovitt, an exercise physiologist based in Los Angeles. So head for those dumbbells at the gym, or add body-weight exercises to your routine. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter How much does 10 lbs. really matter?Carrying a few extra pounds actually isn’t the biggest deal (as long as 10 doesn’t turn into 20, and so on!). “If a woman is a normal weight and puts on a few pounds, and her BMI is still in a healthy zone, those 10 pounds probably don’t have a huge impact on her risk factors for things like diabetes and metabolic syndrome,” Dr. Wyatt notes. So ask why you want to slim down: Do you just feel better and more confident when your jeans are less snug? Do you feel stronger and more energized during workouts? “If losing a little weight achieves that for you, that’s great,” she says. Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://ift.tt/2zvXHy6 March 2, 2018 at 08:55AM |
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