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New weight-loss therapy offered in Colorado FOX31 Denver It does really help people make those behavior changes so that they can have long term weight loss success. Sullivan said this procedure is different from the liquid-filled balloons because there is no surgery or downtime required. There are three ...

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New weight-loss therapy offered in Colorado - FOX31 Denver

Overweight and obese people who shed a lot of excess pounds may have less damage in their knee joints than their counterparts who dont lose weight, a recent study suggests.

While previous research has linked obesity to an increased risk of joint disease and cartilage damage in the knees, the current study underscores how weight loss may help minimize this risk.

Researchers followed 640 obese and overweight patients for four years. By the end of the study, participants who lost more than 10 percent of their weight were 66 percent less likely than people who didnt lose any weight to show progression in the deterioration of their knee joint cartilage.

People who shed 5 percent to 10 percent of their weight were also less likely to have progression in knee joint damage, but the difference wasnt big enough to rule out the possibility that it was due to chance.

Our study shows that a lifestyle intervention such as weight loss can slow the process of knee joint degeneration in patients at risk for and with osteoarthritis and therefore may slow the worsening of symptoms such as pain and disability, said lead study author Dr. Alexandra Gersing of the University of California, San Francisco.

The more weight loss the patients achieved, the greater the benefits were, even if they remained obese after losing weight, Gersing said by email.

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the United States, affecting more than half of people 75 and older, researchers note in the journal Radiology. Compared with people at normal weight, obese women are nearly four times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis, while obese men have five times the risk.

At the start of the study, participants were 63 years old, on average, and typically very overweight or obese. Most of them had either minimal or moderate damage to the knee joint, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams.

Four years later, roughly half of the participants were at about the same weight as when they started. Another 238 people lost between 5 percent and 10 percent of their weight and 82 participants lost more than 10 percent of their weight.

Not only did the researchers find that weight loss slowed cartilage degeneration, they also saw changes in the menisci, crescent-shaped pads that protect and cushion the joint.

The study wasnt a controlled experiment designed to prove that weight loss prevents knee joint damage or osteoarthritis.

Limitations of the study include the lack of data on weight-loss methods participants used, which may have influenced what happened with their knee joints, the authors note.

Even so, the study offers fresh evidence of how weight loss may benefit the knee joints, said Dr. Leena Sharma, director of the Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center in Rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

This study uniquely gets at the benefits of weight loss on specific tissue abnormalities in knee osteoarthritis and convincingly demonstrates the benefit of weight loss on the course of this common condition, Sharma, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email.

It should also encourage patients to consider the benefits of even a little bit of weight loss, said Dr. Kent Kwoh, director of the University of Arizona Arthritis Center in Tucson.

Losing weight can help overweight and obese patients protect their knees and keep their arthritis from getting worse, Kwoh, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email. At this point in time, joint damage cannot be reversed; we can only keep it from getting worse.

SOURCE: bit.ly/2pH28Bb Radiology, online May 2, 2017.

WASHINGTON U.S. health officials on Wednesday warned that tests made by Meridian Bioscience Inc may underestimate lead levels in blood drawn from veins, sending the manufacturer's stock down 9 percent.

FRANKFURT, Germany German drugmaker Bayer won the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's priority review status for an experimental drug for a difficult to treat type of blood cancer, bolstering its development pipeline.

Pivotal trial results for Merck & Co Inc's immunotherapy drug Keytruda show that it lengthened survival by three months, or nearly 40 percent, for patients with advanced bladder cancer who had stopped responding to chemotherapy.

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Weight loss tied to lower risk of knee joint degeneration - Reuters

The Trump administration took a small step toward restoring freedom to school lunches, and, as usual, the blowback is ferocious.

The Department of Agriculture said schools dont have to cut salt in meals any further, can serve fewer whole grains,and can bring back lowfat chocolate and strawberry milk.

For this, former first lady Michelle Obama, appearing at a healthy-eating conference, seethed that moms across America should think about why someone is OK with your kids eating crap.

But schools across America are throwing away massive quantities of food that kids just wont eat. The Los Angeles Unified School District tosses out 600 tons of organic wasteuneaten foodevery week. So much milk was poured down the drain that it caused problems at the citys water-treatment plant. Now the wasted milk is poured into trash bags and sent to landfills.

The U.S. government has been publishing dietary guidelines to help Americans eat healthier and lose weight since 1980. Guess how well that has worked out.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control says the prevalence of overweight and obesity changed little between the early 1960s and 1980, but by the time the government did its 1988-1994 survey, it found substantial increases in overweight and obesity among adults. The results for children followed the same trend.

The CDC says before 1980, between 10 and 15 percent of American adults were overweight. But the U.S. governments latest dietary guidelines publication admits, for more than 25 years, more than half of the adult population has been overweight or obese.

Maybe we can conclude, at this point, that the government should stop helping us decide what to eat.

The latest news to rock the world of nanny-state guidelines is new research showing that high levels of salt may be related to weight loss.

Dont try this at home, but studies of Russian cosmonauts, designed to simulate long periods of isolation in space, discovered that the men burned more calories when their diets included more salt. Follow-up studies found that when mice were fed more salt, they had to eat 25 percent more food to maintain the same weight.

You can look it up in the Journal of Clinical Investigation under the title, High salt intake reprioritizes osmolyte and energy metabolism for body fluid conservation, or you can read the story in the New York Times, which is considerably easier to follow. People do what camels do, the paper paraphrased, A camel traveling through the desert that has no water to drink gets water instead by breaking down the fat in its hump.

But in the U.S. governments dietary guidelines, both salt and camel-hump fat are very much discouraged.

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The 1980 guidelines advised everyone to eat lean, low-fat foods. Carbohydrates have an advantage over fats, the government said, Carbohydrates contain less than half the number of calories per ounce than fats.

We can ask whether this turned out to be good advice. But the more important question is, why do we need the governments dietary guidelines at all?

For people who think we need government guidance for everything, thats heresy.

But think about it.

Why cant school district officials be responsible for menu decisions for the students? Theyre accountable to parents and voters, and to state officials. Why should anyone in Washington overrule them?

Compare that simple freedom to the current system of mandates and wisdom passed down from the nations capital to the school lunchroom, where kids are now told that they must take food they dont want to eat, because otherwise the district wont get the federal money for the meal.

A lot of healthy food is going into the trash cans, and they will grow up to be big and strong dumpsters.

Its time to retire the governments dietary guidelines for adults, too. Even the booklets are gaining weight. The current guidelines run 144 pages, up from 11 pages back in 1980. Theyll never fit into their old jeans at this rate.

Governments tend to bloat whatever they touch. Then they enforce their mandates by taking your money in taxes and deciding how much of it you may have back for the things you need, based on your level of cooperation with government guidelines.

This is what were teaching children in school when we tell them the government requires them to take food they dont want, or the school wont be paid.

Be proud that theyre throwing it in the trash. Freedom may yet survive.

Susan Shelley is a columnist for the Southern California News Group. Reach her at Susan@SusanShelley.com.

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New research says salt helps with weight loss, but government causes bloat: Susan Shelley - LA Daily News

Popular weight-loss surgery puts patients at high risk for alcohol problems Science Daily One in five patients who undergo one of the most popular weight-loss surgical procedures is likely to develop problems with alcohol, with symptoms sometimes not appearing until years after their surgery, according to one of the largest, longest-running ... and more »

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Popular weight-loss surgery puts patients at high risk for alcohol problems - Science Daily

By Fernando Ramirez, Chron.com / Houston Chronicle

Photos of weight loss

Florida teacher Amber Barham recently lost 100 pounds through diet and exercise after a doctor advised her to have a weight reduction surgery.

Click through to see Instagram photos ofAmber Barham's weight-loss.

Source:Ambers_journey

Photos of weight loss

Florida teacher Amber Barham recently lost 100 pounds through diet and exercise after a doctor advised her to have a weight reduction surgery.

Click through to see Instagram photos

If you only exercise sporadically and eat healthy once in awhile, don't kid yourself into thinking that is enough. Unless you are born with great genes, you will need to put in consistent time and effort towards your goals. That means a few resistance workouts per week and of course some extra cardio!

If you only exercise sporadically and eat healthy once in awhile, don't kid yourself into thinking that is enough. Unless you are born with great genes, you will need to put

Remember that weight and fat are two different things. If you are approaching the scale and basing the number on total fat loss, you will be discouraged. As you workout more, and increase your muscle mass, you will also be increasing overall weight, as muscle is heavier than fat. It is so much heavier but only takes up 1/4 of the space. You could therefore weigh the same, but appear much smaller. Also remember, the more muscle you have, the more potential you have to burn fat, leading to accelerated results.

Remember that weight and fat are two different things. If you are approaching the scale and basing the number on total fat loss, you will be discouraged. As you workout more, and

Sometimes our body tricks us into thinking that we are going above and beyond, and then justifies breaking our regime for a few days of rest, or eating something we know we haven't totally earned. It is very important to of course allow for rest, and the occasional indulgence, but only when truly earned. If you always take days off from exercise, and cheat on your meals, you will never see the results you want. Your body remembers even if you don't.

Sometimes our body tricks us into thinking that we are going above and beyond, and then justifies breaking our regime for a few days of rest, or eating

Your body is a machine, and a smart one at that. If you only do the same thing over and over, it learns, and develops muscle memory for the movements. Over time, your body will adapt, and no longer be challenged. It is important to constantly switch things up, to confuse your muscles, and keep them guessing. This means stretching, resistance workouts and cardio. NOT just one or the other.

Your body is a machine, and a smart one at that. If you only do the same thing over and over, it learns, and develops muscle memory for the movements.

Studies have shown that doing a juice cleanse is not the answer to sustained weight loss. While in the beginning you will see pounds melt away, you are losing mostly water and carb weight, that will return, and you are also putting your body into a state of aggressive shock. It is best to avoid "quick fixes" and stick to a method that is consistent eating and exercise.

Studies have shown that doing a juice cleanse is not the answer to sustained weight loss. While in the beginning you will see pounds melt away, you are losing mostly water and

Not eating breakfast almost guarantees that you will make up for the missed calories later on in the day, or that you will not consume the necessary calories you need to power through your day efficiently. This can actually have an adverse affect on your metabolism, slowing it down, and potentially adding to weight gain. Instead of skipping breakfast, try to add something filled with protein first thing, like an egg on avocado, and toast, or a protein filled smoothie.

Not eating breakfast almost guarantees that you will make up for the missed calories later on in the day, or that you will not consume the necessary calories you need to

By only using cardio as your workout, you are not setting your body up for success. You need stronger muscles to help increase your fat burning potential, and amp up the number of calories you burn each day. Start to incorporate weight training in order to get a nice toned, and lean body.

By only using cardio as your workout, you are not setting your body up for success. You need stronger muscles to help increase your fat burning potential, and amp up the

Using heavier weights with fewer reps (10-15) is better than lighter with more reps (20+) when you are trying to build up muscle and tone. It is important to challenge your muscles constantly, yet safely, in order to continue building lean muscle that will burn away fat! Stick with 10-15 reps and make sure its challenging!

Using heavier weights with fewer reps (10-15) is better than lighter with more reps (20+) when you are trying to build up muscle and tone. It is important

Studies have shown having a small snack before a workout that is protein based, can improve performance and burn more calories throughout your session and for the rest of the day! Try incorporating this today!

Studies have shown having a small snack before a workout that is protein based, can improve performance and burn more calories throughout your

People who join fitness groups are proven to be more successful at their fitness goals. Why? Because you are being held accountable by another person. Also, it's more fun! Find a buddy to hit the gym with, or even just for a jog.

People who join fitness groups are proven to be more successful at their fitness goals. Why? Because you are being held accountable by another person. Also, it's more fun!

Learn to understand weight is more than just a number! The more you fixate on a number you want to be at, the more daunting it may become. Especially as you are adding muscle, you may gain some weight as muscle is heavier than fat. It is also important to manage anxiety levels, and use stress management to help promote additional weight loss!

Learn to understand weight is more than just a number! The more you fixate on a number you want to be at, the more daunting it may become. Especially as

Studies have shown that people who drink diet drinks, end up consuming just as many daily calories as people who incorporate sugar in their diet. Many of the chemicals found in diet drinks can also be responsible for bloating, and even weight gain. It is best to avoid them altogether, and stick to things like seltzer water or home made sweet drinks such as herbal iced tea or fruit infused water.

Studies have shown that people who drink diet drinks, end up consuming just as many daily calories as people who incorporate sugar in their diet. Many of the chemicals found

This can actually lead to fat gain over time, plus you will have much less energy for your workouts! Your body needs carbohydrates in order to fuel it throughout the day. It is important though, to eat carbs that your body can easily use! Things like whole grain bread, brown rice, and quinoa are great options. Eat in moderation of course!

This can actually lead to fat gain over time, plus you will have much less energy for your workouts! Your body needs carbohydrates in order to fuel it throughout

Teacher documents amazing weight-loss journey through Instagram

Florida mom Amber Barham was advised by her doctor to have gastric bypass surgery to help with her weight problem.

Instead, the 25-year-old teacher chose diet and exercise and lost 100 pounds over 18 months.

Barham documented her progress on Instagramwith updates on how she was exercising and what she was eating.

RELATIONSHIP GOALS:Couple to wed after losing nearly 600 pounds together

At the start of her journey, Barham weighed 275 pounds and was struggling with a thyroid condition that made it difficult to lose weight.

"I think my thyroid condition was used as a crutch in some ways, and it made me believe I was just always going to be overweight," Barham told the Daily Mail.

When a doctor put Barham on blood pressure medicine and suggested she have a gastric bypass a surgery that makes a patient's stomach smaller she decided enough was enough.

TURNED DOWN: Houston woman says Tilted Kilt didn't hire her as bartender due to her weight

"This made me believe that he thought I wasn't capable of losing the weight, so I proved him wrong," Barham said.

Now,Barham is pushing past the 100-pound marker and plans to drop below 175 pounds this week.

Click through above to see photos ofBarham's weight-loss.

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Teacher documents amazing weight-loss journey through Instagram - Chron.com

PEOPLE.com

How Single Mom Tanisha Washington Lost More than 100 Lbs. with a Low Carb Diet PEOPLE.com At that point I realized that the weight wasn't going to come off on its own, and I really needed to educate myself on how to lose the weight properly, she says. Learn more about Tanisha and the five other women who lost 100 lbs. in the latest issue ...

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How Single Mom Tanisha Washington Lost More than 100 Lbs. with a Low Carb Diet - PEOPLE.com

Heavy seniors who want to lose pounds safely shouldn't skip the weight machines or the treadmill, new research suggests.

Experts have worried about recommending weight loss to older, obese people because it speeds up bone and muscle loss, increasing the danger of falls and broken bones. Losing weight plus aerobic activity and strength training improved their health more than dieting plus either type of exercise alone.

The results suggest a combination of exercises is the safest approach, and may have big implications for helping people continue to live independently as they age. Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program for people 65 and older, now covers behavioral therapy for weight loss and some plans offer gym memberships.

"It is the worst of both worlds, being fat and frail," said Dr. Dennis T. Villareal of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who led the study under a grant from the National Institute on Aging.

More than a third of Americans ages 65 and older are obese. Obesity can make the elderly vulnerable to medical problems, but losing weight can worsen frailty by hastening muscle and bone loss.

The study, published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine, involved 141 older obese people who were randomly assigned to a diet-and-exercise program. They scored in the frail range on a standard test used with seniors.

One group did aerobics such as treadmill walking. Another did strength training with weight machines. A third group did aerobics and strength training. All exercised three times a week.

A control group didn't diet or exercise and only attended monthly nutrition classes.

After six months, all the groups except the do-nothing group had lost weight, about 19 pounds on average.

The combination and aerobics-only groups built their ability to use oxygen most efficiently, which can increase endurance. The combination and strength-only groups preserved the most lean mass and bone.

The health differences showed up in follow-up testing where participants did a series of nine tasks including picking up a penny, standing up from a chair and climbing stairs.

Most improved was the combination group with a 21 percent average increase in scores compared to 14 percent improvement in the aerobics-only and strength-only groups.

"It's never too late to change lifelong unhealthy habits," Villareal said.

Minor injuries such as knee pain and shoulder pain among the exercisers were not enough to outweigh the benefits, he said.

The study excluded people with severe heart disease and other serious health problems, so the results apply only to people well enough to start an exercise program.

"You get more bang for your buck with doing both types of training, especially when it comes to improving frailty scores," said Dr. Lawrence Appel of Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in the study.

Follow AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson on Twitter: @CarlaKJohnson

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'Fat and frail' seniors benefit from right exercise combo - ABC News

Physical Fitness means being well rounded and competent in all areas of fitness. That's why SPARC bases overall physical fitness on 4 Pillars. Last week, we told you about Pillar 1,Strength. Pillar 2,Body Composition,means having an appropriate amount of fat tissue, bone density, and muscle mass. Body composition affects all other aspects of physical fitness. While the affects may be subtle, they can make a huge difference in your longevity and quality of life.

There are 3 elements of body compostition to consider.

There are few resources for obtaining a total snapshot of your body composition. Conventional means such as skin calipers do not provide necessary information, such as bone density metrics and measurements of the potentially dangerous fat tissue around organs. The gold standard of body composition testing is through a DEXA Scan which uses low level xrays to give regional and overall measurements of fat tissue, bone density, and lean mass.If you are interested in receiving a DEXA Scan, please contact SPARC to schedule an appointment in our Performance Lab.

We are constantly told to lose weight and exercise, but we are rarely advised how to improve our body composition as a whole. Pursuing healthy levels of fat tissue, bone density, and muscle mass simultaneously will improve your overall health without the tradeoff of seeking one aspect of health at the cost of the others. SPARC's 4 Pillars of Health will guide your comprehensive approach, so be sure to continue visiting our posts weekly as we outline each Pillar.

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Why Body Composition is Important for Your Health - Online Athens (blog)