Mind Your Body TV Episode 7 with Peter Vash, M. D.
Obesity is a chronic neurochemical disease. At the recent 29th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Obesity Society in Orlando, Fla., attendees “weighed in” on the troubling obesity epidemic: Approximately one-third of U. S. adults are obese, including a fair share of boomers. You can bet nearly all want to know how to lose weight.
Los Angeles-based Peter Vash, MD, was there. He’s an internist and endocrinologist specializing in weight management and weight loss issues. Dr. Vash is also executive medical director of Lindora Clinics for medically supervised weight control and is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA.
Control emotions to lose weight
An obese person may develop cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, arthritis and certain cancers, all of which clearly reduce quality of life, if not shorten it, he says. “Obese cells release inflammatory hormones—doctors believe almost every disease is caused or affected by inflammation.”Successful, long-term weight control occurs from a safe, rational, medical perspective that acknowledges the influences of environment and culture, he says. “Additionally, the easy accessibility, of readily available, low cost, highly palatable, calorie- laden foods which are relentlessly advertised and promoted in food-related commercials make effective weight management even more difficult.”
Partners: A believer in teamwork, he tells his patients, including boomers: “If you work with me, you’ll have the hope that we can turn this around. You will have a sense of control.” If other sound weight programs have failed, why not see a doctor?
A matter of fat
He says that for baby boomers battling pounds, “there may be some relationship between menopause, hormones and weight.” Plus, some boomers reduce physical activity, may consume more alcohol and snacks while also experiencing a small but progressive decline in thyroid metabolic function.
“Diet pills” so yesterday: Prescribed and monitored medications may still play a role in a successful weight loss program, he says. Phentermine and Tenuate (diethylpropion) are used for a short time to decrease appetite and caloric intake. alli® blocks absorption of about 25% of fat in foods eaten. Dr. Vash says stand by, for new weight loss medications are in the works by pharmaceutical companies Vivus and Arena.
Finally, no one pays to be on Mind Your Body, but when I’m aware of a credible product, I’ll share, and this one seems to fill a niche. Sotari® has a strong mail-order following. It’s a fruity, zero-calorie beverage. Dr. Vash says it helps to control sugar cravings, so if you drink one of these instead of two sodas, you’re saving 300+ calories and also putting one more fence between you and diabetes.
Oh, and “yes, you can” lose weight. I believe in you, so you believe in you, too.
If you’re looking for new ways to put physical activity in your life, try watching these quick Mind Your Body TV videos on ChiWalking, ChiRunning and Nordic Walking. I know you’ll like one of these activities–let me know here, and leave a comment?
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(Photo courtesy: © sherrie smith | Dreamstime.com)