Can Acupuncture Help Weight Loss? (press release)

Successful long term weight loss is incredibly difficult for most people to achieve. Many people have tried diets that may cause some weight loss and then they gain back the weight they lost plus some additional pounds.

This is why more and more, people are turning to acupuncture weight loss treatments to try to handle their weight problem once and for all.

Acupuncture is a practice that is more than 5,000 years old, significantly older than Western medicinal therapies and practices.

Acupuncture weight loss treatment involves what most people think of when they think about acupuncture. Inserting hair-thin needles into particular spots on the skin that are believed to help the body function properly.

Boost Your Metabolism With Mini-Meals

Spreading your calories throughout the day may help you stick to your diet and keep off the weight.

"This time I am going to stick to my diet," you tell yourself. You make every effort to follow a healthful eating plan, but in a moment of weakness, hunger strikes and you find yourself indulging in a feeding frenzy.

Is there any way to break this vicious cycle and lose weight for good? It might be time to consider not only looking at what you eat, but also when you eat.

Skip Meals Now, Overeat Later

If you are trying to lose weight, you probably know the importance of keeping an eye on the number of calories you're consuming. But you may not know that how many calories you eat at each sitting can make a difference in your weight-loss efforts, too.

Oily fish found to help reverse obesity and promote healthy body weight

(NaturalNews) New Australian research has shown that consuming fish oil high in omega-3 fatty acids and exercising moderately can result in significant weight loss.

A team of researchers from the University of South Australia studied 68 obese and overweight people who were at risk of cardiovascular disease and showed signs of metabolic syndrome, which often results in diabetes. The subjects were split into four groups: The first consumed fish oil and walked or ran for 45 minutes, three times a week; the second only consumed fish oil and did not exercise; the third consumed sunflower oil, which does not contain omega-3s, and exercised; and the fourth group only consumed sunflower oil and did not exercise.

Burning Calories at the Gym

"Calories burned" readings on gym equipment are only estimates, but they provide a pretty good measure, depending on how honest you are with your information.

You finish your workout on the treadmill and the machine reads 300 calories. But how do you know if that number is truly accurate? Experts say there's a good chance it's not.

Burning Calories at the Gym: Crunching the Numbers

At the end of your workout, most cardio machines provide you with the number of calories you burned. Keep in mind though that this reading is an estimate — and often an overestimate — and should not be taken as gospel. "If you see that you expended 300 calories for a workout, there is probably about a 10 percent margin of error," says Pete McCall, MS, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. "The number you see on the treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical machine, stair climber, etc., is just an estimate, but it is a relatively accurate estimate. It is based on what is called metabolic equivalents, or METs, which refers to how much oxygen your body uses."

Researchers develop anti-obesity vaccine as consumers hope for "magic bullet" weight loss miracle

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California have developed a vaccine that fights obesity in lab rats by tricking the immune system into targeting an obesity-related hormone.

The vaccine targets a hormone called ghrelin, which is responsible for preserving stores of body fat by decreasing expenditure of energy and reducing fat breakdown. Ghrelin acts as the body's protection against starvation by regulating appetite and metabolism depending on levels of food intake.

The researchers' vaccine tricks the body's immune system into attacking and destroying ghrelin -- much as it would attack bacteria -- by making the immune system believe ghrelin is a foreign body, thus preventing the hormone from reaching the brain, where its message to slow metabolism and store fat would prevent easy weight loss.

The Truth About Zero-Calorie Food

You can't net a negative calorie balance by eating "zero-calorie" foods. But don't rule them out, either. Here's why.

Are there foods so low in calories that it takes as many (or more) calories to digest them as they contain? That is the myth behind diets that claim weight loss through "zero-calorie" or "negative-calorie" foods.

It would certainly make dieting easier if we could munch on calorie-free foods all day. But other than water and diet beverages, there is unfortunately no such thing as a zero-calorie or negative-calorie food, according to Kimberly Lummus, MS, RD, Texas Dietetic Association media representative and public relations coordinator for the Austin Dietetic Association in Austin, Texas.

Burning Calories With Everyday Activities

Watch TV or mow the lawn? The difference in calories burned is staggering.

If the thought of working up a sweat on the treadmill at the gym to burn calories doesn't appeal to you, you'll be happy to know that you can burn plenty of calories just by doing everyday activities.

"Research shows that people who are physically active during the day can burn an extra 300 calories per day," says Pete McCall, MS, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. "Over 12 days, that can add up to an extra pound of weight loss," he says.

The 411 on Calories

Find out how many calories you need to keep your body fueled and fit.

If you're interested in nutrition or weight loss, you no doubt pay a lot of attention to calories. But do you know what exactly calories are, and how many you really need?

Calories: The Good, the Bad, and the Empty

There is really no such thing as "good" or "bad" calories. "Your body processes each calorie the same," says Kimberly Lummus, MS, RD, Texas Dietetic Association media representative and public relations coordinator for the Austin Dietetic Association in Austin, Texas. But Lummus adds that some foods are far more nutritious than others. "We strive to make our calories the most nutrient-dense that we can, meaning that we are packing in a lot of nutrition for a very small amount of calories. You are optimizing your calorie budget, so to speak."

Weight Loss Improves Bladder Control in Women with Prediabetes (press release)

Losing a modest amount of weight through dietary changes and increased physical activity reduces the occurrence of urinary incontinence (UI) in women with prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. This finding comes from a new study, published in the February issue of Diabetes Care, of women who participated in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a landmark clinical study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Launched in 1995, the DPP’s main results were announced in 2001 and reported in 2002, losing 5 to 7 percent of weight through diet and a consistent increase in physical activity (e.g., walking 5 days a week 30 minutes a day) reduced the onset of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. Treatment with metformin lowered the chances of developing diabetes by 31 percent.

Exercise works better than cutting calories when trying to lose weight

(NaturalNews) Exercising is a more effective way to lose weight than cutting calories alone, according to a new study recently published in the online edition of the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Researchers from St. Louis University's Doisy College of Health Sciences recruited 34 people between the ages of 50 and 60, who were either overweight or toward the high end of normal weight. The participants were split into two groups -- the first group of 18 was put on a diet, while the second group of 16 exercised.

The dieting group reduced their total calorie intake by 16 percent per day for the first three months of the study. For the final nine months, the dieters reduced their caloric intake by 20 percent.

Higher activity levels mean lower risk of breast cancer, safer weight loss, say researchers

(NaturalNews) A report from the Mayo Clinic College revealed that a study begun 2003 found those with the highest physical activity levels had a 14 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who got low levels of exercise. The study looked at more than 36,000 women aged 55 to 69.

The connection between exercise and reduced body fat is not 100 percent clear at this time, as the major source of estrogen in post-menopausal women may also be playing a role, according to the study.

The report also stated "Further studies are needed to confirm these novel findings, and to evaluate similar relationships among premenopausal women … if found to be causally related to breast cancer, physical activity would have a substantial public health effect on the prevention of this disease, along with its other positive health benefits."

Potato protein extract may be new leader in weight loss and appetite control

(NaturalNews) The average American will consume 130 pounds of potatoes and potato products in a year. Fifty percent of our national potato crop production is shipped directly to companies that manufacture french-fries, potato chips, and other less healthy potato-based treats. But a recently developed protein extract may present a new, healthier, alternative to traditional weight loss medications.

The protein, potato proteinase inhibitor 2 (PI2), developed by Kemin Health is derived from white potatoes, and is one of the main ingredients in the weight loss supplement, Slendesta.

A recent study, conducted at Iowa State University, has shown that when an individual ingests PI2, the release of a cholecystokinin, a peptide that simulates the feeling of fullness, is stimulated.

Had weight loss surgery? Take your vitamins to prevent dangerous nutritional deficiencies

A rare but serious complication arising from weight loss surgery can be easily prevented by taking vitamin supplements after the operation, according to a study published in the journal "Neurology." The brain condition, known as a Wernicke encephalopathy, is caused by a deficiency of thiamine (also known as vitamin B-1).

What you need to know - Conventional View

• Wernicke encephalopathy is a potentially permanent disorder with symptoms including vomiting, confusion, lack of coordination, and visual changes such as rapid, involuntary eye movement.

"Miracle" weight loss drug Alli delivers more than you bargained for (diapers optional)

When people ask, "What can I do to lose weight?" what they're really asking is, "What can I do to lose weight that doesn't require exercise or giving up all the junk foods I eat?" When it comes to weight loss, consumers are looking for a magic bullet -- a miracle pill that eliminates the responsibility of having to actually make adult decisions about their own health. GlaxoSmithKline has delivered the pot-of-weight-loss-gold at the end of the rainbow in the form of an over-the-counter drug called, "Alli."

Alli is bound to be a huge market success. Consumers are rushing to buy the latest fad drug in a desperate attempt to lose weight without having to give up their Krispy Kreme donuts or -- God forbid -- engage in physical exercise that might actually cause them to sweat (there is a great fear of exertion in America today). But while Alli will no doubt be a huge commercial success, it will prove to be an utter weight loss failure. Even in clinical trials, the drug only produced a few pounds of weight loss per year. You could lose more by walking five minutes a day, or drinking half a can of soda less than what you do now. As a serious weight loss aid, Alli falls short. Very short.

How To Lose 12 Pounds In A Month

A simple weight loss plan, with recipes, healthy snacks, and expert tips, to help you burn fat fast in 30 days.

A slimmer you

From Health magazine Diets? They’re often unhealthy hunger-fests. For you instead: a satisfying meal plan that slims you with seriously energizing and nutritious eats.

Start by following the key strategies, along with our week-long, 1,300-calorie-a-day kickstart. Then go to Health.com/yes-you-can for bonus snack recipes for the next 21 days—you’ll get an extra one each day.

When you add in exercise (at least four weekly 45-minute moderate-to-intense cardio sessions), you can knock off up to 12 pounds in 30 days!

Get-slim golden rules

1. Grab fresh, in-season eats whenever possible. You’ll get the most nutrients for your buck, and these picks will energize you and keep your metabolism humming, says Jackie Newgent, RD.

The Top Fat-Burning Foods

Certain foods have a very high thermogenic effect, so you literally burn calories as you chew.

Boost your metabolism

It’s true: Certain foods have a very high thermogenic effect, so you literally scorch calories as you chew. Other eats contain nutrients and compounds that stoke your metabolic fire. Feed your metabolism with these.

Whole grains

Your body burns twice as many calories breaking down whole foods (especially those rich in fiber such as oatmeal and brown rice) than processed foods.

Best Superfoods for Weight Loss

Superfoods build bones, prevent chronic diseases, improve your eyesight, and even keep your mind sharp. But did you know new evidence suggests these foods can also help you get—and stay—slim?

Slimming superfoods

by Sarah KleinSo-called superfoods are nutritional powerhouses that help build bones, prevent chronic diseases, improve your eyesight, and even keep your mind sharp. But did you know new evidence suggests these foods can also help you get—and stay—slim? 

Read on for the top superfoods for weight loss, and how to pack them into your daily diet!

Black beans

A cup of black beans packs a whopping 15 grams of satisfying protein and doesn't contain any of the saturated fat found in other protein sources, like red meat. 

Best Weight Loss Advice You've Never Heard

9 "Oh, wow!" strategies to help you shed those pounds.

You’re ready to lose some weight. But you're tired of listening to all that stale, tried-and-true weight loss advice, like eating more vegetables, limiting portions, and exercising more.

Maybe what you need is a fresh idea or two. So WebMD asked diet experts to come up with some lesser-known diet tips that could make the most jaded dieter drop that cookie and vow, "Oh wow! I'll try that today."

Here are nine diet tips you may not have not heard yet. Some involve different ways to eat, or adding certain foods to your diet. Others involve learning new behaviors or strategies to help you stay on track.

The 3 Best Baked Goods for Weight Loss

Like many people, Gina Homolka started gaining weight in her twenties—even though she felt like she was eating the same things she always had been. Joining Weight Watchers helped, but she still struggled to find healthy foods that she actually enjoyed eating. "Sure, there were plenty of so-called 'diet' recipes out there, but many of them used processed foods or they tated, well, diet-y," she says.

Maple–Raisin Bread Pudding

I've always found bread pudding pretty hard to resist, especially when it's still warm from the oven and topped with a touch of whipped cream. But how do you make a dessert that’s based on bread and eggs a little better or you? I swapped the white bread for whole wheat French bread, swapped the cream for fat-free milk, and cut back on the eggs. To sweeten it, I like to go natural, using pure maple syrup and raisins instead of refined sugar. But most important, I keep portions in check by baking them in individual ramekins so I don't "accidentally" have more than my share.

10 Best Slimming Foods

Looking for a miracle diet food? It's time to call off the search — there's no such thing. "If you take in more calories than you expend, you gain weight," says David Katz, M.D., of the Yale Prevention Research Center in Derby, Connecticut. "It's simple biology, and no milkshake or mackerel can save you from that fate."

But before you throw in the towel, there are certain foods that promote satiety (the feeling of fullness that comes after a meal) more than others. While they're not miracle foods, they can help you eat less over the course of the day. "When you're looking for foods that are going to keep you fuller for longer, look for ones high in fiber, healthy fats and protein, or with a high water content," says Barbara Rolls, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at Penn State University and author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan. "The additional benefit is that a lot of these foods are also really good for you and packed with important nutrients, vitamins and minerals."