CNC Fall Promotion:  SUCCESS!

However, there are so many untold stories.  As an incentive for you to share your success with others, and to reward you for a job well done, we are making YOU the following offer:

From October 1^st, 2007, until December 31^st, 2007, instead of a $20 gift certificate for your time, we are offering a gift certificate of $1 per pound lost, up to $100.

Yes, you read that correctly:  For your completed submission with your comments, before and after picture, we will give you a gift certificate of $1 per pound lost, up to $100^**.  Have you lost 50 pounds?  That’s a $50 gift certificate!  75 pounds?  100 pounds?

Reward yourself for your success, and use your success to motivate others.  Stop waiting and take advantage of this offer!  Submission forms are available at the front office, or on-line at www.clinicalnutritioncenter.com.

 Thank you!

Sincerely,

Dr. Lazarus, and the Staff at CNC

Job Injuries Related to Excess Weight

Researchers at Duke University analyzed the records of 11,728 Duke University employees who received health risk appraisals between 1997 and 2004.  They found that obese employees had twice the workman’s comp claims, 7 times higher medical costs, and 13 times more missed days of work.  Arch Intern Med. 2007; 167:766-663.

FDA Panel Rejects Rimonabant for Treating Obesity

The FDA advisory panel voted unanimously 14 to 0 against recommending rimonabant (also known as Accomplia) citing inadequate safety data, concerned with complaints of anxiety, depression, aggression, and risk of suicide.  The makers of rimonabant will continue to work with the FDA to address these concerns.

Are YOU a Binge Eater?

Binge eating disorder is defined as recurrent episodes of binge eating on at least 2 days per week for 6 months, without other features of bulimia nervosa (such as vomiting or using laxatives).  Current thinking on binge eating disorder is based on the presence of negative emotional states.  It seems that the binge episodes can temporarily help with mood, which the reinforces the binge eating cycle.  Moments later, however, the mood often reverts to a depressed state.

The best treatment is therapy with an individual trained in this type of problem (including Mickey Berry at CNC).  Other treatment options include medical treatment for depression.  Improving the depressed mood will often help with the binge eating (Dr. Lazarus and Heather Thomas are available to help with this).  Finally, being on a structured with or without appetite suppressant medications can be helpful.  Many patients benefit from a combination, such as therapy and antidepressant medication, or therapy, a structured meal plan, and appetite suppressant medication.

If you are having trouble with binge eating disorder, get the help you need from somebody trained to help.

Think Globally, Eat Locally

What’s all the scuttlebutt about eating locally? Have you seen the sign at Whole Foods, “Be Loyal, Buy Local!” and the “Colorado Proud” stickers on locally grown produce?   This topic affects us at the most basic level:  the nutrition that supports our bodies and the planet that is our home.  Did you know that it takes 435 calories of fossil fuel to ship a single strawberry from California to New York?  The Strawberry only gives us 5 calories of energy!  The book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver contains this fact:  Each food item in a typical U.S. meal has traveled an average of 1500 miles.  If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oils every week!  That sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it.  

What about organic food versus local food?  They both have the same vitamins and minerals, but foods grown organically have more Phytochemicals.  These are the plant’s defense systems against bugs and disease.  These same chemicals are strong anticarcinogens in humans.  According to the most recent scientific studies, 9 servings (yes, you read that correctly!) of fruits and vegetables a day are one of our best defenses against cancers.  Coincidentally, they are also full of fiber and water, and are very low in calories!  Organic treatment of soils also builds rather than deplete the soil, important for keeping our farmlands producing well and staying viable. Given the choice between locally, conventionally grown food or organic food from thousands of miles away, however, consider buying the locally grown food.  The whole planet will benefit, and small family farmers tend to use fewer pesticides and fossil fuel based fertilizers.

To find your local farmers’ market, go to: http://www.localharvest.org/ , or www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets.   Did you know that Colorado ranks fourth in sunflower production in the U.S., and that we produce nearly 2 millions pounds of honey a year?  There are 30,500 family farms in Colorado!  When we buy locally, the food is fresher and more nutritious.  Your purchase increases our local economy more than three times more than buying food from further away.  There will be farmers’ markets open until October in the Denver area.  Enjoy the cornucopia of great, healthy foods available from our local family farms!

Good bye trans fat, hello Palm Oil

Responding to the FDA’s order to disclose the amount of unhealthy trans fats on food labels, food companies are racing to get rid of trans fats in their products.  There are now, for example, “trans-fat-free” Oreos, Fritos, and Cocoa Puffs.  While on the surface this sounds good, unfortunately, many companies are replacing trans fats with palm and other high saturated fat oils that are almost as heart-damaging as trans fats.  Yes trans fats are the worst kind of fat, but palm oil is a horrible alternative.  Coconut oil is also being substituted, and contrary to many opinions, is extremely high in saturated fat.  So, what can you as a consumer do about this?  Well, don’t just buy a product because it is labeled “trans-fat free.”  Look at the fat that the product does contain, and discuss your food decisions with your dietitian.  Don’t just substitute one horrible kind of fat for another.  Remember, our Exchange Program was re-written in 2006 to reflect an emphasis on healthy vs unhealthy fats.

Ideas taken from The Oiling Of America: Bye Bye Trans Fat, Hello Palm Oil!
by Jeff Novick, MS, RD, LD, LN, with permission

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