weight management

Help with Weight Loss

helpweight-01.jpg

In a recent issue of The Medical Letter Vol. 63(1624), the authors review the product Plenity, a novel approach to aiding weight loss.  Plenity is the only FDA-approved weight-loss drug indicated for overweight but not obese patients, regardless of other preexisting health issues.

Plenity is an oral superabsorbent formulation of cellulose (fiber) and citric acid that forms a space-occupying gel in the stomach. It should be taken 20-30 minutes before lunch and dinner.  This gel can occupy up to 25% of the volume of an average stomach, mixing with food and providing a sense of fullness.  The gel is then digested and broken down in the colon.  

In a controlled trial, Plenity was superior to placebo in achieving weight loss.  Adverse effects reported in this trial were common, occurring in about 40% of patients, but were not severe.  As expected for a drug that remains in the GI tract, the most common side effects were diarrhea, abdominal distention, infrequent bowel movements, flatulence, abdominal pain, and constipation.  In most cases, these adverse effects were mild and resolved within 2 weeks.  No serious adverse effects have been reported.

For now, Plenity is only available via a telehealth visit on the company’s website (click here).  Later this year it will be available by mail-order pharmacy.

Simple Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

healthy holidays - fruit ornaments.jpg

By Janet Tiberian, MA, MPH, CHES via MDVIP Living Well Blog

Your holiday lifestyle is probably different than your usual routine. Maybe you consume more calories—a lot more if you’re like most people. Or maybe you stress over juggling social, work and family commitments. Or maybe the shopping, decorating and gift wrapping is enough to push you over the edge. Holiday stress can turn the “most wonderful” time of the year into the “least healthful.”

But you can help minimize weight gain and lower your chances of getting sick by following these tips:

PREVENT HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN

Americans gain between one and two pounds during the holidays. While that doesn’t sound like much, the real problem is that most people only shed half the weight they gain. If you’re doing the math—that’s a weight gain of 5 to 10 pounds over five years.

Here are some helpful hints to keep those pounds off:

  • Keep your appetite under control while attending parties. Eat a light snack before arriving and drink plenty of water during an event. It'll help keep your appetite in check and portions under control.

  • Be mindful of cocktail snacks. Keep track of the hors d’oeuvres and handfuls of nuts you eat. Mindless noshing equals extra calories.

  • Be buffet savvy. Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables while skipping dishes with sauces, dressings, dips and marinades can help curb your fat intake.

  • Be strategic about desserts. Fruit salad is nearly always the best choice if you’re watching calories. But if you want to indulge in your favorite dessert, choose a smaller portion. This will help you control calories without feeling deprived.

  • Watch what you drink. Pouring a glass of club soda or sparkling water instead of an adult beverage or egg nog can help save hundreds of calories.

  • Stay physically active. If holiday activities interfere with your regular exercise routine, click here to learn how to turn your holiday shopping trip into a workout.

KEEP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM STRONG

A number of holiday season variables can weaken your immune system, raising your risk of catching a cold or the flu. The following tips to help you strengthen your immune system:

  • Get plenty of sleep, between seven and eight hours each night.

  • Wash your hands regularly.

Add Health Related Items to Your Holiday Wish List

You can continue the healthy holiday spirit all year long by asking for health and wellness related gifts. Try these ideas:

  • If you like to cook, ask for gadgets that can you prepare healthy homemade meals.

  • If you struggle to fall asleep, ask for a sound therapy machine.

  • Want to eat more plant-based foods? Ask for a membership to a fruit or vegetable of the month club.

  • If you want to exercise more, ask for gift cards to fitness classes.

  • Have limited strength and/or mobility? Ask for jar openers or grabbers or other tools that can help around the house.

My MDVIP Practice

My MDVIP-affiliated practice provides personalized health care in a welcoming setting.  I help patients to reach their maximum health potential through a comprehensive annual wellness program and customized wellness plan focused on key elements of health.  Unhurried same day or next day appointments are available.

The annual wellness program is comprised of advanced screenings and tests to assess the following areas:

• Heart health
• Sleep
• Weight management
• Diabetes
• Vision
• Emotional wellbeing
• Respiratory health
• Hearing
• Sexual health
• Bone health
• Nutrition & Fitness

Whether you are managing a chronic illness, have a family history of disease or consider yourself the picture of health, being well and feeling your best are always worthwhile goals.  This is what the MDVIP Wellness Program is all about—identifying and addressing your unique needs so you can focus on living your best life. 

THE TRUTH ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS

People want to eat what they want when they want it but think they can work it off with some exercise.

It’s a numbers game.

The truth, the uncomfortable truth, is that calorie restriction is the only practical way to lose weight.  The average adult needs 1800-2000 calories to maintain their weight.  Each 3500-calorie deficit can produce one pound of weight loss. One hour’s exercise burns 175 calories (cooking), 220 calories (bowling), 300 calories (push mowing) and 500 calories (high impact aerobics), while one cookie in many restaurants can amount to more than 400 calories and a scoop of ice cream 140-200 calories.  You really are what you eat.