Dr. Art Mollen, Special for The Republic | azcentral.com Published 7:00 a.m. MT Sept. 5, 2017

Fitness: Many medications are helpful and work by blocking hunger pangs in the appetite center of the brain, but diet and exercise must be included

Dr. Art Mollen(Photo: Richard Buchbinder)

There are medications that can help you lose an average of 5 percentto 15 percentof your body weight, improving blood sugar and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Body mass index should ideally be in the range of 18 to 25 for most people. Unfortunately only about 1 percentof patients for whom medications are indicated actually receive a prescription to lose weight. Although, short-term medications may be useful in some cases, there are others approved for long-term use.

For many decades, the most common one has been Phentermine, which suppresses appetite. It is a controlled substance and is approved only for short-term use.

Another is Orlistat, a medication that simply reduces the absorption one-third of the fat you consume. This can be problematic for some because it affects fat-soluble vitamin absorption, such as A, D and E. It is available over-the-counter in a lower dosage called ALLI.

Qsymia is a combination of Phentermine and Topamaxthatworks quite well. Studies have suggested that an average weight loss of up to 15 percentof body weight can be achieved. However, if at least a 3 percentweight loss is not achieved the medication should be discontinued.

Another medication is called Belviq, it works on the receptors in the appetite center of the brain. It averages 8 percentbody weight loss. It also has to be evaluated at 12 weeks to determine whether or not you can continue taking it.

Another medication, Contrave, combines wellbutrin, a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, with naltrexone, a drug used for addiction. It is a particularly useful option for patients who also need to stop smoking.

The final medication is called Saxenda, and it works differently. It is an injectable and is similar to medications used for controlling blood sugar. Seven percent of body weight is the average amount lost.

Many of these medications are helpful and work by blocking hunger pangs in the appetite center of the brain.

However, regardless of which medication you try, behavior medication, including exercise and diet, must be part of your long-term solution in order to be successful.

One final caveat: Dont take over the counter natural weight loss vitamins and supplements, which often exaggerate their claims and may cause side effects.

Dr. Art Mollen is an osteopathic family physician and a health, fitness and preventive medicine expert. Reach him at 480-656-0016 or askdrartmollen@gmail.com.

More from Dr. Art Mollen:

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Which vitamins really work?

Is medication necessary for children with ADHD?

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Dr. Art Mollen: Can a medication actually help with obesity? - AZCentral.com

All year round, Adam Carriker is taking the pulse of Husker Nation. In the "Carriker Chronicles" video series, he breaks down the latest NU news, upcoming opponents, player updates and recruiting information, and he offers his insight into the X's and O's and more.

In Wednesday's episode, Carriker shares his post-NFL weight loss story, gives his workout plan and diet for successful weight lossand more.

Want more Chronicles? Follow Carriker on Twitter and Facebook and sign up to get an email whenever a new show is posted.

When Adam Carriker talks, you'll want to listen. Get every episode of the "Carriker Chronicles" in your inbox.

Here's the transcript from today's show:

"Welcome to the Carriker Chronicles, the peoples show and today is Workout Wednesday and I wanna tell you about how I put on 100 pounds and then, I lost 100 pounds. So from the time I graduated high school, 13 years later from when I was done playing in Nebraska and in the NFL. 13 years later, I gradually went from 220 to 320 from lifting in the weight room, Husker power and playing in the NFL, playing 3-4 defensive end and nose guard in the NFL as well. I just gradually got bigger and stronger and stronger as the game and my job required me to do.

Now, when I retired, I decided I didnt want to be 320 anymore. Just wasnt healthy for life, been through a lot of aches and pains in football, just what it is. And so I decided I wanted to take about six months and lose that 100 pounds. So what I did is I got a diet. I got a workout regimen cause this is unlike anything Ive ever done in my entire life. I mean one week ago you fine folks at home watching me bench 550 pounds. I like to bench press refrigerators, and I like to squat mobile homes. Thats what I like to do. Ive never liked cardio. Ive never liked anything over five reps. I hate taking I like taking a lot of rest in between my sets. Thats just how you lift heavy. Thats how Ive always liked to train. Thats just me. This is completely different.

To lose weight, you wanna do high reps, starting 20 reps, to 10 reps, to 15. Anything below 10, you dont really wanna go below that if you are trying to lose weight. Anywhere from 10 to 20 reps. You want low rest. You want at the most 90 seconds in between your rests and your sets, or 30 seconds, which is a lot of what I did a lot of the time and I would super set. So Id do a set of bench, Id go do a set of pull-ups. Id wait 30 seconds. Well, that was foreign to me, but thats what I did. I did a whole lot of cardio. I did six days a week of cardio. I did upper body twice a week, lower body twice a week, and then twice a week Id do cardio with core. So for you fine folks at home, I would suggest four to six days a week, and I would suggest lifting and cardio and core involved in those. And Ill just tell you a little bit about what I did. So for me, Mondays and Thursdays was upper body and cardio. Tuesday and Fridays was lower body and cardio.

Im looking at my old workout right now that I used to have, and Wednesday was cardio and then it was core. And Im gonna put this whole entire workout in the transcript for you fine folks at home to see, so I dont have to detail it all out on the show. So you can check it out at your leisure at your own depth in the transcript. Thats my workout. Thats the gist of some of the things you wanna take from the workout aspect of it.

With the cardio, I would suggest mixing it up. I mean theres stair climber. Theres elliptical. Theres treadmill. You can do plyo box jumps. You can play basketball, make sure its an intense game. You can run outside. Theres all sorts of different things you can do. Mix up that cardio so that you dont get bored and intervals. While youre doing your cardio, intervals is the best way to lose weight. So run hard for 90 seconds, rest. Run hard for a minute, rest. Run hard for 30 seconds, rest. Thats kind of how you want your intervals to be, anywhere from 30 seconds to 90 seconds.

Now, as far as the diet, which is important, probably more important than anything else. Even if you arent able to work out because theres something bothering you physically, just follow the diet aspect of this, which I also have right here. My same diet. Im gonna put that up on the transcript as well and you can check it out at your own leisure and depth as you want to do so in the future, or immediately following the show would absolutely be the best. But, the things is the diet is more important than anything because what you put into your body, its like fuel in a race car. You put and Ive done this before, Ive put kerosene in my car one time by accident. Its like putting kerosene in a race car instead of premium leaded gas or unleaded gas or whatever the best gas is, Im not much of a mechanic.

But as far as the diet goes, that was foreign to me as well because Ive never done drugs, Ive been drunk once in my life and Ill just confess right now. It was at my Washington State recruiting visit and my dad was there. I was hungover the next day, sick as a dog and we managed to fool them. Dad if youre watching this, Im sure you know by now. I think I told you years later. But anyways, my vice was food. I would go into Burger King, Hey, Adam. How you doing? I would go into Taco Bell. Adam, do you want your regular? Like to me everyone had a vice. Food cant be the worst thing in the world, so that was my vice. So for me, Id never eaten like this before in my entire life either. It was a great challenge and something Id never ever done in my entire life.

Now, Im just gonna briefly cover the diet aspect of this. You want your breakfast to be your biggest meal of the day because you need your energy, you need to have some healthy carbs, some healthy sugars so you have a little pep in your step for the entire day, so youre not dragging. And also, as the day goes along, your body digests what you ate in the morning. If you have a big supper, it stillit wont be as digested, so the scale isnt gonna like you as much. So as the day goes along, you want to eat less and less and less.

So my breakfast was the biggest meal of the day, Id have a green smoothie. Thered usually be a couple fruits in there, a banana, blueberries, goji berries, raspberries, some of the super fruits. Id put a serving of greens in there whether it be kale, spinach, power greens, something of that nature. A little bit of protein powder, it helps give it a little thickness, a little flavor to it as well. The other thing that I would put in there was some nuts. You know whether it be almonds, Brazil nuts, or walnuts. Those things are really good. Thatd be my green smoothie, and I would either have some scrambled eggs, or Id have, and Im not gonna lie to you this was not the best tasting thing under Gods hot sun, but I would have those little packets of grilled chicken breasts. I would take it out and I would just eat it. Its not very many calories, and its 42 grams of protein. Bam, just like that. Not the best tasting thing in the world, so you can do scrambled eggs instead. And for those healthy carbs have some whole grain toast or possibly some oatmeal.

And after Id go workout, what I just talked about a little bit, Id have a post-workout shake. You know, three scoops of protein, maybe some keratin, some glutamine, put a couple of scoops of some of the greens powder mix that Id had discovered that I really like really well called Green Greens X, free plug right there for you. You owe me fine, fine company of, of nutritional supplements you. But thats what Id have afterwards also with fish oil supplement Id take a tablespoon of it. Give you a little extra energy. Help you recover as well. And you can read the rest of whats in this diet that I ate, but gradually as the day went along, I ate a little bit less and less. You want more in the morning for energy and gradually your body digests and you wanna eat less throughout the day.

Now the main thing you wanna do is you wanna eat protein four to five times a day. That helps your body recover. You also want to eat greens four to five times a day. That helps your body heal from these workout and from what youre putting your body through at the moment to try to lose this weight. And when you have just straight protein and greens those are called fire meals because that is exactly what you need and its nothing more. So youre still supplying your body nutrients. Yet, youre giving it the minimum amount that it needs, so thats how you can lose the weight.

And the things you need to keep track of, keep track of calories, carbs and your sugars. Those are the three things to keep track of the most, and if youre gonna get some supplements, which I highly advise, a multivitamin, a digestine, and as I previously mentioned before fish oil, glutamine, and some keratin as well.

And on Sundays you do get a cheat meal ladies and gentlemen. For me, that was my sanity. Id start planning that thing on Monday. Where I was gonna go, what I was gonna do, what I was gonna eat. Dont obsess about it. It just gave me something to look forward to and helped me personally keep my sanity. And I could enjoy it every single Sunday.

But now, one of the biggest things Ive found was that this was a six month process for me, and about two months in, I lost a ton of weight, and I took an unload week. I chilled for a week because I want, I dont want it to be a diet. Dont go on a diet. Do not go on a diet. Take The Biggest Loser. More often than not, the winner from that show will, way more often than not if you go back and do your research, the winner from that show from each season that they had now weighs more or as much or more than before they lost all that weight. Diets dont last because you go mentally crazy, and sometimes they can alter your metabolism and make things way worse.

So, I wanted a lifestyle change. So, I mentally enjoyed working out and eating like I had never done in my entire life. For me, it was a brand new challenge, and I was excited about it. I enjoyed it.

After unload week, my biggest concern was putting on weight during that week, and I did not. But, I just had a hard time coming back. In fact, I was posting every Wednesday, working out. It was weight loss Wednesday at the time. People were following me, and I quit posting about it because I decided I needed to take a little bit more of a break. Now, just cause your tired. Just cause its hard. Just cause youre hungry dont give in. Dont beno, no, no, no. Keep going, but if you feel yourself starting to go crazy and coo-coo, that ladies and gentlemen, thats when you gotta make a lifestyle change and not just go for a fad diet.

Now, so, I took a little bit more time off, and when I came back, I was a little bit more rejuvenated. It still wasnt easy because it is challenging. But gradually over the rest of that time because I lost a lot of weight upfront, decided to chill out so I wouldnt drive myself crazy and then, over the last couple of months, over those six months, the remainder of that time, I lost the rest of the weight gradually, so that I would not go crazy and put it back on.

Now, its all based on what, how you feel. If you feel like youre good, keep pushing on. Four days a week. Six days a week. Six months. A year. Whatever you can do to last long term.

There was a guy, who was in the army, who hit me up. Sir, Adam, how do I lose weight? I sent him exactly what is on these papers, which will be in the transcript. He just hit me up about a couple months ago and he just hit me up about two weeks ago, about six weeks later and said, 'Ive lost 51 pounds. Thank you, sir.' Congratulations to you sir because you have done the work.

Now, full disclosure, I weight 260 pounds today. 220, 320, to 220. Why am I 260? Ill be brutally honest with you, when I got to 240, I looked in the mirror, and I didnt want to lose anymore. I was getting too skinny, but I wanted to reach my goal. As soon as I got to 220, I got right back to 240, and gradually over the last few months Ive discovered, so that I can enjoy food, lift the way I want, 260s where I am. Largest arms on the D-line baby. Check out the Carriker Chronicles. omaha.com, my Facebook and Twitter, easiest way to access the show. Sign up for the email notifications, have it right at your finger tips. That was your Workout Wednesday with tip of the week. Youre welcome."

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Carriker Chronicles: Adam's weight loss story, workout plan and diet for weight loss - Omaha World-Herald

Most vegans are happy to list the reasons why a plant-based diet is superior. Going strictly animal-free can reduce ones carbon footprint, cut the risk for cancer and chronic diseases, prevent animal cruelty and provide an excuse to make a really great dessert.

But one thing thats probably not on your average vegans list is that this restrictive diet improves the quality of ones poopat least according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). This week, the animal rights organization issued a call for more healthy vegans to consider becoming stool super donors (i.e., providing specimens on a regular basis) to serve the growing demand since fecal microbiotoa transplant is now considered the gold standard for treating recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections and other potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal illnesses. In this experimental medical procedure, stool from a healthy person is transplanted to the gut of an ailing patient either in encapsulated pill form or through a colonoscopy.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that 81 percent of patients with C. difficile who underwent transplantation made a full recovery from their illness. Research since has shown the cure rate after follow-up transplants may be evenhigher, as much as 90 percent.

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The problem, however, is that good poop is actually pretty hard to find, and stool banks such as OpenBiome and Advancing Bio are quite possibly even more choosy than your average blood bank. PETA suggests that relying on fruits and vegetables as a main source of sustenance leads to a more diverse micriobiome, the complex ecosystem of bacteria freeloading inside your gut and nearly every part of your body. Manyor if one is lucky, mostare beneficial to health. Some of these microbes are even necessary for normal human functioning.

More and more research suggests that people with greater microbiome diversity tend to be healthier. Scientists have identified a link between certain gut bacteria profiles and just about every chronic medical condition, from ulcerative colitis and autism to common allergies, depression and certain cancers. More research needs to be conducted, which is another reasonwhy people withhealthy microbiomes are in high demand.

Vegan kitchens save 100 animals a year, and nowvegan bathrooms can be used to save some of our fellow human beings, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a press statement. PETA is betting the farm that after meat-eaters experience the health and mood benefits of vegan stool, theyll go vegan themselves.

Fecal transplantation isnt yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, because it has been shown to be so effective for C. difficile, the FDA allows physicians to use it under their enforcement discretion guidelines for patients with C. difficile infections who do not respond to standard therapies. This essentially means the FDA wont go after doctors who performs a fecal transplant once they have their patients consent. Last year, the FDA moved to tighten regulations by limiting the procedure only to large hospitals.

Zain Kassam, chief medical officer of OpenBiome, is a little skeptical of PETAs recommendation. Diet certainly has something to do with the quality of ones stool, but its not the primary deciding factor when hes determining if their poop warrants super-donor status. Whether youre a 34-year old vegan lawyer who loves lentils or a 22-year old college student who craves a good hamburgerOpenBiome welcomes all healthy donors in the fight against C. difficile, he tells Newsweek.

OpenBiome, sometimes called the Red Cross of poop, recruits and screens stool donors, and then it filters and freezes the raw material for clinicians to use. A large list of factors go into deciding who is qualified to be a super donor, and Kassam says the research is ongoing to gain more insight about the medicinal magic of human waste.

For the treatment of C. difficile, our studies and others suggest that all healthy donors are super donors, he says. For other diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, preliminary research suggests there may be certain donors that seem to work best. But, the jury is still out on what makes one donor work and another not.

In 2015, he conducted a study that proved just how hard it is to find suitable donors. Out of a pool of 459 people, only 27 actually passed clinical assessments and were permitted to submit stool samples for more extensive analysis. A study Kassam conducted the following year examined the diets of OpenBiome donors and compared it with the average diet of almost 5,000 Americans. The people at PETA will probably be disappointed to learn their findings: Beyond a small increase in fiber, the diet of OpenBiome stool donors is largely the same as the average American.

Continued here:
PETA Wants Vegans to Donate Their Poop to Improve Life-Saving Medical Treatment - Newsweek

Doctor, the patient refuses to be weighed," sniffed the nurse.

Refuse is such a strong word. I just need a little more time. Like six months.

Heading to the doctors office for a physical the week after vacation. How did I make such a mistake? Now my permanent record was going to reflect every extra pound. Every ice cream cone, every margarita, every (gasp!) lobster roll was about to show up on that scale. I may as well have just plastered those tacos directly to my hips.

I knew what was coming. The doctor would shake her head and think to herself, Have we been living underneath the tables of the all you can eat buffet again? That feel-good phrase Love the body youre in wasnt pulling its own weight at the moment.

Panic set in. It was time to make a run for it. Wrapped tightly in the paper gown, I grabbed my clothes and slipped out the door of the exam room. After a few stares from the other passengers in the elevator and a quick change in lobby bathroom I and my extra pounds escaped to the parking lot.

Whew. Close call. Then sitting in the car embarrassment flooded in. How could I face the doctor again? Now my permanent record would read even worse, Patient disappeared due to fear of scales poundage unknown.

A grown, semi-mature person should be able to look the scales straight in the numbers and declare, This is me. Its not perfect, but Im working on it. Other folks can just live with it. Yes, a mature, self-confident, assured person would say that. What about the millions of the rest of us?

Back at home, it was time to Google Help for the hopelessly worried about weight. I scrolled down the screen past 147 diets I've already attempted. Its like playing whack-a-mole with carbs, sugars and proteins.

There was one new diet entry on the computer. The Worriers Diet.

This could be the answer! Try and find a middle-aged woman with six children, one mortgage, two dogs and a cat who doesnt worry.

The premise behind the Worriers Diet is simple. While general anxiety doesnt count, a specific worry burns 14 calories or more an hour. For example:

Worrying that your daughter does not have a good time on her date tonight 14 calories.

Worrying that your daughter has too good a time on her date tonight 140 calories.

Worrying that your bank account doesnt balance 14 calories.

Worrying that your bank account does balance well below zero 1,440 calories.

Worrying that your boss will ask you to work late 14 calories.

Worrying your boss wont ask you to work because youre laid off 14,440 calories.

Worrying that your spouse/partner is unhappy 14 calories.

Worrying that your spouse/partner is way too happy 144,400 calories.

This could finally be the diet for many of us. I plan to be thin by next Thursday.

Lynne Taylor divides her time between the mountains and the coast. You many reach her at drmom29223@gmail.com, or just yell loudly like her children do.

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Lynne Taylor Column: Post vacation pound woes - South Strand news

Adding encapsulated active dried yeast to the diets of grain-fed cattle may improve intestinal digestion of nutrients, say researchers.

An international team of researchers from Canada, China and the UK examined the use of encapsulated and non-encapsulated dried yeast in the diets of beef cattle. The team published its work in the journal of Animal Feed Science and Technology.

The objective of this study was to determine whether feeding ruminally protected active dried yeast (ADY) exhibits post-ruminal activity in comparison with feeding non-protected ADY assessed by measuring feed intake, ruminal pH and fermentation, and site and extent of feed digestion in finishing heifers, the researchers said.

The authors said they found feed intake and ruminal digestibility were not altered by the feed additives. However, post-ruminal digestion of organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NFD) was improved when encapsulated yeast or both non-encapsulated and encapsulated yeasts were added to the diet.

The improved digestibility of OM in the intestine appeared to primarily result from the improvement of NDF digestion, they said.These results indicate the potential post-ruminal activity of ADY, and benefits to feeding protected yeast on improving intestinal digestibility of nutrients.

Adding an antimicrobial as a feed additive to promote growth in high-producing cattle has been a common practice in North America feedlot operations, said the researchers. Monensin is an ionophore often used for that reason.

However, feeding of antibiotics has been scrutinized owing to the concerns around increasing antimicrobial resistance, they said. Finding an inexpensive alternative to antibiotics that maintains end-product quality is of interest.

Probiotics are living microorganisms, often yeast or bacteria, that are considered safe to use in feed. Probiotic yeasts are increasingly fed to ruminants to boost animal health and production efficiency.

Previous research in that area regarding beef cattle production is limited compared to the amount done examining dairy cows, said the researchers. There is now overwhelming evidence that including probiotic yeasts in dairy cow diets can improve milk production and feed efficiency, they added.

Responses attributed to yeast are usually related to stimulation of cellulolytic and lactate-utilizing bacteria in the rumen that help stabilize ruminal pH, they said. However, the use of probiotic yeasts to improve beef production has been variable, possibly due to the diet composition, strain of yeast or yeast viability.

Most work with probiotic yeasts has examined rumen fermentation and areas including stabilizing rumen pH, encouraging growth of lactate-using bacteria, collecting oxygen from ingested feed, improving fiber digestion or promoting growth of ruminal protozoa, they said. Other benefits from adding yeast have also been noted.

Little is known about the influence the live yeast may offer post-rumen, they said. There also is a dearth of research looking at ways to protect live yeast through the rumen so it can reach the lower gut of ruminants, they added.

In the study, five cannulated heifers were given one of five diets for a period of 21 days before rotating to another of the trial diets, said the researchers. There was a one week adaptation period between each diet.

The diets included a control diet with no ADY or antibiotics; a diet (ANT) with 300 mg monensin and 110mg tylosin/d; a diet (ADY) with 1.5g active dry yeast/d; a feed (EDY) with added encapsulated active dried yeast at 3.5g/d (1.5g ADY and 2g capsule); and a mixed diet (MDY) with 1.5g ADY and 3.5g EDY/d.

ADY was encapsulated using a barley hordein and glutelin from barley grain, they said. Stability of the encapsulated yeast in the rumen was assessed during in vitro examinations.

Cattle received a total mixed ration including barley silage, corn dried distillers grain with solubles, dry rolled barley grain and a vitamin and mineral supplement, said the researchers.

Feed offered and refused were recoded daily, and samples of TMR were collected weekly, they said. Body weights were noted on the first and last day of each diet period, rumen contents were collected on days 19 and 20 and omasal samples were taken on the last four days of each feeding rotation.

Feed intake was established, flows to omasum, nutrient digestibility in the rumen and intestine were determined and microbial nitrogen was recorded, they said. Ruminal pH was checked for days 13-17 of each feeding period.

Dry matter intake was not altered by any of the diets, said the researchers. Ruminal pH, concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA), and NH3-N (ammonia) levels were similar for all the diets.

Similarly, no diet altered the flow of organic matter or starch in the omasum were found, they said. Flow of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was highest with ANT but reduced when EDY was added to the diet.

Molar proportion of acetate and the ratio of acetate to propionate were larger when yeast was added to the diet rather than antibiotics, they said. OM digestion in the rumen tested to be lower when the EDY or MDY diet was fed, but no change in ruminal digestibility of starch or NDF was noted.

However, post-ruminal digestion of OM was found to improve for EDY and MDY diets compared to control and ANT, they said. Digestibility of both NDF and OM in the total digestive tract also improved with EDY or MDY diets.

These results demonstrate the post-ruminal activity of ADY and indicate the potential of feeding protected yeast to ruminants to increase intestinal digestibility of nutrients, the researchers said.

No alteration in the flow of nitrogen to the omasum or microbial protein synthesis was found, they said. But digestibility of N for the total digestive tract improved with dietary inclusion of EDY or MDY.

Supplementation of ADY or MDY tended to have greater gene copy numbers of R. flavefaciens compared with ANT, they said. Total protozoa counts were greater in the rumen of heifers supplemented with ADY or MDY compared with control or ANT.

Source: Animal Feed Science and Technology

Title: Comparison of non-encapsulated and encapsulated active dried yeast on ruminal pH and fermentation, and site and extent of feed digestion in beef heifers fed high-grain diets

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.04.001

Authors: P. Jiao, L. Wei, N. Walker, F. Liu, L. Chen, K. Beauchemin, W. Yang

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Protected yeasts may offer digestion boost to grain fed beef cattle - FeedNavigator.com

Ketogenic diets promote long life and preserve memory, according to two independent studies conducted in mice.

One study on the high-fat, low-carb diets was led by scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato. The other came from UC Davis. Both appeared Tuesday in the journal Cell Metabolism.

The UC Davis study found that aged mice fed a ketogenic diet better preserved their motor function, memory, and muscle mass. The diet was calorie-limited to prevent obesity. Go to j.mp/ketoucd for the study.

The Buck Institute study found that a cyclic ketogenic diet, alternated weekly with a non-ketogenic control diet, worked best in promoting longevity, health and memory, while avoiding obesity. Go to j.mp/buckketo for the study.

UC Davis

Survival of mice, in days, on a control, a ketogenic and low-carb diet.

Survival of mice, in days, on a control, a ketogenic and low-carb diet. (UC Davis)

"The results surprised me a little," said Jon Ramsey, one of the UC Davis study authors, in a statement.

"We expected some differences, but I was impressed by the magnitude we observed a 13 percent increase in median life span for the mice on a high-fat vs high-carb diet, Ramsey said. In humans, that would be seven to 10 years. But equally important, those mice retained quality of health in later life."

The studies also confirmed earlier mouse research that found the diets produce genetic changes resembling those in fasting.

Ketogenic diets were originally developed nearly a century ago to manage epilepsy. These diets resemble the Atkins diet, but are stricter in limiting carbohydrates.

In recent years, ketogenic diets have found favor with people trying to lose weight and improve health. They challenge the widespread belief that eating fat makes one fat and produces heart disease. Instead, most of the harm is attributed to carbohydrate consumption.

Ketogenic diets are very controversial in the medical community. Those thinking of starting on such a diet are advised to talk it over first with a medical professional.

A number of organizations such as the American Heart Association say saturated fats are consumed to excess in Western diets.

However, a considerable body of research challenges this view. In particular, studies have found that:

Ketogenic diets stimulate production of ketone bodies, fatty acids which the body can use as fuel instead of carbohydrates. Theres evidence that some of these ketone bodies are beneficial in disease.

A ketogenic diet in mice was found to reverse diabetic kidney disease, according to a study published in 2011 in the journal PLoS One. The protective effect may have been caused by the ketone 3-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (3-OHB), the study said. The ketone is known to reduce response to glucose.

Some ketogenic dieters aim to increase the beneficial effects of ketones by consuming substances that the liver directly converts into ketones. These include butter and coconut oil, along with medium-chain triglycerides.

For further reading

Drug could give infirm, disabled benefit of exercise

Ketogenic diet safe and effective for some with rare and severest form of epilepsy

Reversal of Diabetic Nephropathy by a Ketogenic Diet

Barrow researchers successfully destroy brain tumor cells

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020

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Keto diets extend life, health, memory, two studies in mice find - The ... - The San Diego Union-Tribune

What really matters about diet and climate, both as independent priorities and at their vital intersection, is not the wild conspiracy theories and whiplash-inducing headlines that bedevil both topics routinely- but what we choose to do daily about each.Climate and diet responses, independent and overlapping, are actionable by each of us, every day.

To inform such action, then, I propose the application of this very brief (two questions, to be exact) Q&A:

Q1) If, despite the application of genuine, hard-earned expertise; volumes of relevant evidence; and substantial if not overwhelming global consensus among actual experts in both cases - we still manage to be UNsure that the prevailing views are right about either diet and health, or global warming and our implication in it- then how can we possibly be sure- based on relative lack of expertise, evidence, and consensus- that they are wrong?

A1) Well, theres this.

Q2) Given the possibility of error (for all of us except these folks) in either direction about climate and/or diet, which way would you rather be wrong?

P.S. for those interested, heres a deep dive into why the most recent round of everything we thought we knew about nutrition is wrong is pure nonsense; and heres a perspective on why we keep going around and around that same circle, getting nowhere.

Senior Medical Advisor, Verywell.com

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Diet And Climate: A VERY Short Q&A - HuffPost

Los Angeles Lakers second year small forward Brandon Ingram struggled in his rookie season. Ingram picked things up after the All-Star break, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team. The Lakers are hoping that he can carry that momentum over into his sophomore campaign and backed him this offseason.

After a rough rookie season, it would not surprise anyone if the Lakers got a little impatient with Ingram. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft finished the season with a well below average 8.5 Player Efficiency Rating and -0.3 win share.

Despite the poor rookie season, the Lakers have confidence in Ingram. They rebuffed any calls from opposing teamsthat included Ingram in trade talks, and the calls were plentiful. Los Angeles wanted no part of including Ingram in trade packages, putting their faith in him. Now, it is time for Ingram to prove them right in putting faith in him.

This offseason Ingram has already been working on his jump shotand has been praised for his improvements. Ingram showcased that jump shot in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Ingram played in only one game because of precaution, but he dominated that game. Ingram poured in 26 points against the Los Angeles Clippers and looked like the best player on the court. The injury was disappointing, but it didnt slow Ingram down.

Ingram has worked hard this summer. He discussed some of his workout plans, as he is in the gym every day. He said he has a different mentality this offseason; hopefully, that translates to the court come the regular season.

In addition to the work Ingram is putting in on the court, he is working on himself off the court. Ingram has revamped his whole diet as well. He revealed what has changed in his eating habits with BiPro USA.

Im eating healthier, getting more vegetables. Ive been picking and choosing more, not eating as much junk food, Ingram said. Ive been getting my nutrition up and drinking more BiPro protein shakes every day as well.

In the article, it was mentioned that Ingram has cut down on junk food such as sweets and fried food. Instead, heenjoys eggs, fruit, potatoes, grilled meat and BiPro shakes.

Here is an example of what Ingram eats in a day.

Breakfast:Omelet with a side of bacon. I also love waffles or French toast when Im craving something sweet.

Pre-workout:BiPro protein shake.

Post-workout:Another BiPro protein shake. Protein rebuilds muscle, so I always have a BiPro Protein Water or smoothie after working out.

Lunch:Sandwich with brown rice and a side salad.

Snack:Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Peanut butter and jelly is a great snack before a game. I like extra grape jelly on mine.

Dinner:Steak, mashed potatoes and spinach. I like grilled chicken a lot, too. Its a great protein source on top of BiPro.

It is good that Ingram is on an eating plan. Taking one look at him it is evident that he needs to add some bulk to his body to handle the rigors of an NBA season. Eating junk food will help him gain weight, but it wouldnt be good weight gain. By cleaning up his eating habits, Ingram can still gain the necessary weight. However, it will be beneficial to his body more than junk food would be.

Changing your diet is not something that is easy to do, especially when you are a 20-year old kid with the world in your hands. Ingramdedicating himself to cleaning up his diet and working hard in the offseason has to make the Lakers comfortable about investing their future in him.

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Los Angeles Lakers Brandon Ingram has revamped diet - Lake Show Life

Instead of creating its own edibles, tinctures, topicals and vaporizer cartridges, the Bronnor Corporation makes them for other companies that don't have manufacturing facilities in the state.All of that deal-making has resulted in quite the fantasy factory up at 4809 Colorado Boulevard, which is evident the second you set foot inside the lobby.It's hard to pick just one item to focus on; this place manufactures an assortment of creations that could either take you to the moon or get you ready to knock out a full day of work and then cross off a list of errands afterward.

I was lucky enough to visit the factory recently when photographer Scott Lentz captured the smorgasbord of pot-infused products that are churned out each day. Between products from Bullet Concentrates, Medamints, Myaderm THC and Zoots, you could create an entire cannabis regimen and that's exactly what I did for two days. What else was I supposed to do with a goodie bag, give it away? Here's my fantasy diet:

Morning: I started the day with a ZootBlast, a shot of yerba mate infused with thirty milligrams of THC. The shot, apply named "Carpe Diem," kicked in about an hour after I drank it, pulsating my heart for about five minutes before my body settled down. The burst of energy gave me a can-do vigor that I usually don't have at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and the edibles high allowed me to harness that energy into productivity rather than the aimless wandering I've been known to do after too much caffeine. While I wouldn't recommend taking the entire shot before work or if you have a low tolerance, splitting it in half makes for a helluva micro-dose.

Zoots Carpe Diem shots come in ten- and thirty-milligram doses.

Scott Lentz

Afternoon: BulletConcentrates isBronnor's partner for distillate vaporizer products, which have become all the rage among the hash-pen crowd. Creating a reliable vaporizer cartridge has proved challenging for even the well-established concentrate brands, however; Bullet's take on the cartridge is a little less discreet because of its clear casing and unique mouthpiece, but the quality and consistency are solid. While I'm not a huge fan of reintroducing terpenes into concentrates for vaporizing (the flavor is rarely authentic) which Bullet does for its strain-specific products the flavor enhancement is kept to a minimum.

My afternoon delight from Bullet came in the form of a Green Crack cartridge. The flavor was mild, though it could be much more present if the battery temperature were turned down. The potency was intense, however. Users have a tendency to underestimate hash pens when they first hit them, and a distillate is even more dangerous. Start small, or you'll be hacking out a lung in public.

Evening: After already consuming enough THC to put Jimi Hendrix to bed for a day, I didn't need much to calm down, so I popped a few indica Medamints. The THC-infused mints come in five-milligram doses, making them easy to regulate. My Medamints flavor was infused with myrcene, a terpene found in cannabis and other plants like hops and mangoes, so choosing mango berry as the flavor makes sense but that doesn't mean it'll taste good. The flavor was bitter, hash-y and would be tough on the tastebuds if you wanted to eat more than one or two at a time.

The effects checked out, though. Fifteen milligrams was more than enough to gently relax me to sleep without getting me too stoned, and they kicked in within an hour. The other Medamints indica flavor, vanilla mint with chamomile, might be more up my alley.

If oil is black gold, what does that make this? Amber gold?

Scott Lentz

Day Two

Morning: Zoots makes much more than energy shots, with a lineup of cookies, candies and infused drink enhancers to get you through the day. Dessert for breakfast is a perfectly nostalgic way to enjoy the final mornings of summer, so I nibbled on some caramel espresso brownies infused with ten milligrams of THC (five milligrams each), though I couldn't taste it. Although smaller-dosed edibles aren't the best for high tolerances, the lack of hash oil or infused butter creates a much more authentic taste without the earthy overtones.

Still craving sweets, I washed down my brownies with a glass of strawberry-orange-banana juice enhanced with a few Zoot Drops. The mandarin-lime-flavored liquid drink enhancer, which measures five milligrams of THC per capful, added a sharp citrus tartness to my morning glass, readying me for the day in a way that Tropicana or even Folgers could never accomplish. The concentration of THC in each small drop makes it an easy shot of cannabinoids for those looking for a quick hit, but Zoot Drops are much easier to enjoy mixed in a drink or cocktail. Think of it like Mio, Kool-Aid or any other concentrated liquid for drinks but with a definite twist.

Afternoon: Bullet cartridges had proved themselves potent and reliable on my first Bronnor diet day (and many days thereafter), but I was much more interested to see how the disposable pen worked. Unlike cartridges, disposable pens have been consistent from the beginning consistently bad. Known for short lives, terrible inhalation and dying if too long unused, disposable hash pens are usually found in the clearance bin. However, new advancement in vaporization and packaging technology has made disposable pens worth another look.

While EvoLab has beaten Bullet to the punch in releasing a quality, reliable disposable pen, the Bullet disposable distillate vaporizer is one of the best I've come across. Bullet's new method of packaging, which Bronnor keeps close to the vest, has enabled enough air flow for even the heaviest dabbers to get a strong buzz. And, oddly enough, I think my Sour Tangie disposable tasted better than the cartridge, which could mean I was vaping the cartridges at too high a temperature at three-plus volts.

Myaderm THC cream on display at the Bronnor facility.

Scott Lentz

Evening: Already a little aloof from one hit too many from the disposable pen, I wasn't in the mood for any more psychoactiveeffects. But some high-CBD cream was just what the Stoner ordered for a stiff shoulder and neck. Myaderm THC, a transdermal cream infused with cannabinoids, is the house topical specialist at Bronnor. With each squeeze, or "pump," of the Myaderm bottle, you should get about five milligrams of THC and two milligrams of CBD. While two pumps wasn't as fast or numbing as Icy Hot or Bengay, the Myaderm did provide a soothing effect, as though someone was gently massaging my painful areas with a warm towel.

As a spry, barely-out-of-shape person in his twenties, I don't need daily doses of Myaderm as much as I do Bronnor's recreational products, so I gave it to my girlfriend, who has chronic elbow pain. She reported less burning pain than usual after two days of application in the morning, and got through her much-dreaded day of moving into a new home with minimal discomfort. My next move might be giving it to my stubborn dad, who has a hurting back that's more stubborn than he is, without telling him what's really inside.

Continued here:
A Fantasy Diet from the Bronnor Corporation's Pot-Infused Factory - Westword

Chieftain File Photo

A wolf researcher says that an incremental approach to culling wolves from Oregons Harl Butte Pack will likely fail if the wolves have become habituated to eating cattle.

Some wolves may have become habituated to eating cattle. Northeast Oregon cattle ranchers have called for two entire packs to be killed, saying the states incremental approach wont deter voracious wolves.

Tracks indicated a 500-pound calf churned 150 feet up a slope, leaving blood splattered on four logs, before going down in a pile of Meacham Pack wolves. There wasnt much left when a ranch hand found the carcass Aug. 19, perhaps two or three days after the attack.

Most of the calf had been devoured, except the vertebrae with ribs, pelvis and tail still attached. The calfs lower jaw and contents of its rumen were nearby.

It was the packs fourth confirmed attack within a week, all on livestock grazing on a 4,000-acre private forested pasture in the Sheep Creek area of Umatilla County. The producer asked ODFW to take lethal control against the Meacham Pack as allowed under Phase 3 of Oregons wolf management program.

The rancher wanted them all dead. The wildlife agency authorized killing two of them, an incremental approach it had taken earlier in August with Wallowa Countys Harl Butte Pack, which had attacked livestock eight times since July 2016.

In that case, ODFW quickly shot two adult Harl Butte wolves, then a third and fourth in the days that followed as it appeared the pack was still going after calves.

The Oregon Cattlemens Association argued that ODFWs approach was a waste of time. Even with four dead, the Harl Butte Pack consisted of six adults and three growing pups a 33-pound pup was unintentionally trapped, then released unharmed, as ODFW pursued the adults.

The Meacham Pack, meanwhile, had seven members at the end of 2016 and added at least four pups this past spring. As Wallowa County rancher Todd Nash put it, big dogs eat a lot of meat.

The apparent spike in livestock attacks in August raised questions. ODFW said Oregons unusually warm and dry summer even Portland went 57 days without rain caused deer and elk to move to higher ground. With their natural prey more scarce, wolves then turned to attacking cattle, went the explanation.

But as Northeast Oregon research scientist Jim Akenson pointed out, deer and elk go to higher ground every summer. Thats not new, although conditions were more severe this year.

Instead, Akenson believes the packs may be habituated to eating cattle. For that reason, he said, ODFWs incremental response killing two adults at a time and monitoring the effect on pack behavior probably wont work. Once the pack members flip that switch in terms of prey selection, it is tough to deter them, he said.

Theyre habituated to easy pickings, Akenson said. Plucking out a couple individuals is probably not going to change that behavior.

Akenson is conservation director for the Oregon Hunters Association. His wife, Holly Akenson, is a wildlife biologist and member of the ODFW Commission, which is expected to revise and adopt the states wolf management plan this year.

The Akensons live in Enterprise and have extensive wildlife and wilderness experience in the Pacific Northwest.

ODFW does not characterize the wolves as habituated to livestock.

Spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy noted that only one confirmed calf kill was attributed to the Harl Butte Pack in a months time, meaning the wolves are clearly relying on native prey (deer and elk) as their primary food source.

John Stephenson, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist based in Southwest Oregon, said larger packs tend to go after livestock.

Theres a relationship between pack size and increased incidents of depredation, he said.

Location is another factor. He said the Harl Butte Pack operates where several herds graze on a mix of public and private land. All of its attacks over the past year were within nine miles of each other, according to ODFW.

The Imnaha Pack formerly prowled the territory and was known for attacking livestock. ODFW shot four Imnaha Pack wolves in April 2016 after repeated attacks on calves and sheep.

Dennehy, the ODFW spokeswoman, agreed deer and elk move to higher elevation in late summer and fall. The Harl Butte Pack has not followed them to higher ground, but remains in a more limited geographic area than the predecessor Imnaha Pack used.

This may be due to another pack or group of wolves using territory at higher elevation, she said in an email. Meanwhile, all of the Meacham Packs attacks in August took place on the same private pasture.

As of Aug. 30, none of the Meacham Pack had been killed.

Conservation groups oppose killing wolves and have asked, without success, for Gov. Kate Brown to intervene in ODFWs decisions. The groups, including Oregon Wild, believe ODFW should not be taking lethal action until Oregons outdated wolf management plan is reviewed and revised. The ODFW Commission is expected to take action on the plan this year.

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Scientist: Wolves 'habituated' to eating cattle never change their diet - Wallowa County Cheiftain