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Talk to explore brain-diet connection – The Salem News

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:42 pm

MANCHESTER You may have heard about eating heart healthy, but have you ever heard about eating brain healthy? The foods we eat affect our brains just as much as our hearts, and according to some specialists, its something we should be paying attention to.

The evidence is mounting that no matter what age you are, elementary school or even living into your 90s, the way we live our lives impacts our body and our brains every single day, saidCC Donelan.

Donelan isdirector of education atthe Brain Health and Wellness Center in Acton, which offers educational programs, consulting and coaching to individuals, families, and organizations in how to improve and care for the human brain. She will be speaking at the Manchester Community Center at a free event on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. asthe second in a series of workshops that deal with memory loss.

The studies she will be presenting look at how lifestyle choices influence thinking and memory skills and how simple changes can prevent slow cognitive decline and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimers disease.

Were all concerned about our brains these days, Donelan said. What we chose to eat and activities we chose do impact us.

Donelan first learned about the program after her father was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease in 2010, and it changed the way she lives her life. At the time I was taking care of my three children, buying fresh foods almost every day, thinking that was the key. Ive learned so much and my pantry has changed, Donelan said.

Im using mostly whole grains now. Nothing refined, she said. She also uses a lot more spices. This program highlights the incredible benefits of spices, she said.She is also supplementing animal proteins with plant foods in her diet.

You should really eat fish at least three times a week. It doesnt have to be wild-caught salmon top of the line you can get wonderful canned salmon that is very affordable, she said. Sardines are also heart- and brain-healthy, she said.

The big change is to cut refined sugar. The whole effort is to reduce sugar over all, she said. You dont have to give up desserts completely; she offered dark chocolate as a healthy alternative.

People should be aware of how much sugar they consume daily, according to Donelan. In many studies it is directly found to impact your brain, thinking, memory, and shrinks you hippocampus, Donelan said. The hippocampus,the center of emotion, memory, and the autonomic nervous system in the brain, seems to bewhere Alzheimers disease begins. It also impacts your heart and overall body functioning.

Its not a diet, its a lifestyle, Donelan said. Its about coming back more in line with how we should be eating.

Becoming more aware of how food and lifestyle choices effect your brain can result in more energy, clearer thinking, and can help fight against cold and flu, she said.

I never really thought too much about what I eat affecting my brain until my dad was diagnosed and a whole new world opened up, Donelan said.

Mary Markos may be contacted at 978-675-2708 or mmarkos@gloucestertimes.com

If you go

What: How to eat brain healthy, a talk withCC Donelan of theBrain Health and Wellness Center in Acton.

When:Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

Where:Manchester Community Center, 40 Beach St.

How much: Free.

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Talk to explore brain-diet connection - The Salem News

5 diet busters that will keep you fat – ABC17News.com

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:42 pm

With obesity rates soaring, many people are looking for ways to drop a few pounds.

Medical experts generally recommend against trying fad diets that promise to lose a lot of weight in a short period of time. Rather, they suggest that you change your eating habits and make a healthy diet a mainstay in your life.

The most important way of introducing a healthier diet into your life is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and to be aware of the nutritional content of the food that you choose. And of course coupling exercise with eating better is sure to get the pounds off.

But no matter which way you choose to shed the fat, there are five seemingly innocent foods that can ruin your plans to have a slender, sleeker physique.

No. 5: 100-calorie snack packs

There are numerous 100-calorie cookies, crackers, bars and snacks to grab in the grocery store.

For many people, the snacks appear to be a good choice -- after all, the packages boldly and clearly say, "100 Calories." So many people think, "Wow, a tasty treat with minimal calories."

But while tossing the already prepared snacks in your grocery cart may help you control calories, the snacks may not necessarily be the best choice for nutritional intake.

In fact, preparing more nutritious snacks in small plastic bags is a better idea. A few healthier snacks would include almonds, celery or carrots. Grabbing any fruit would also be a good choice.

But if the 100-calorie pack of Oreo cookies continues to attract you, be sure not to make it a daily thing. And while eating proportioned and prepackaged snacks may derail your diet plans, so can drinking soda ...

No. 4: Soda

Don't even think about grabbing a soda -- diet or not -- if you want your weight loss plans to be successful.

Soda is one of those things that only provide empty calories. This means that there is no nutritional value of drinking a soda, so why even reach for one?

Instead drink plenty of water. Water makes up about 70 percent of your body weight. Water is also the most important nutrient for the body.

If it's tough for you to drink water, try dumping a flavored pack of Crystal Light, Wyler's or Special K into a bottle or glass of water to make it more of a healthy flavored drink.

If you don't have any on hand, add a slice of lemon. Not only will the lemon add a little flavor, it will help you burn about 70 more calories. It will also help flush toxins out the body.

No. 3: Salad dressing

Whenever someone tries to lose weight, salads are usually first on the list.

While salads are good for dieting -- well, actually, they are great -- be careful about the salad dressing you pick and how much you use. Be sure to measure it.

Don't just grab the bottle and begin pouring, because chances are that you will pour on too much. Use a tablespoon to spread the dressing and only use two tablespoons.

If this doesn't sound like enough, try putting your dressing in a separate container and dip sparingly. While cream-based dressings, such as ranch or blue cheese, may be more appealing, find a vinaigrette that is tasty.

And if you really want to be creative, whip up your very own dressing using olive oil and a low-fat recipe.

While salads may be part of your new health regiment when you set out to lose weight, be sure to watch your sodium intake ...

No. 2: Sodium

A lot of people do not realize that sodium or salt intake will decrease the chances of shedding pounds.

As you drop items in your cart at the grocery store, be sure to pay attention to the sodium on the nutritional value content label. If you really want your weight loss tactics to be effective, reduce your sodium intake to about 1,000 milligrams.

Sodium is a necessary nutrient, but too much of it will cause you to retain water.

Another way to avoid higher levels of sodium is to avoid processed foods, which are typically loaded with sodium. Also avoid salted nuts, chips and snacks. Instead of using seasoning salts that contain massive amounts of sodium, use herbs, peppers and vegetables to season your food.

But even if you decrease the amount of sodium, don't go crazy with smoothies ...

No. 1: Smoothies

There's a huge craze going on right now and it may just be packing on the pounds and you don't even know it. Smoothies can be healthy and tasty, but if not made with the correct ingredients can pack on the pounds.

When making or buying a smoothie be sure that it isn't made with some sort of pre-made concoction that will add calories. The best smoothies are made with fresh or frozen fruit, low-fat milk and yogurt.

If you use any additive such as fat burner or protein, pay close attention to the nutritional value. Be sure to check out the sugar grams so that your smoothie is truly a healthy addition to your diet.

And be sure to get a nutritional content chart when ordering from smoothie bars and fast-food restaurants to be sure that the smoothie is a good choice. You also may want to consider getting the smallest size because of course it would have the fewest calories.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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5 diet busters that will keep you fat - ABC17News.com

Do You Need to Go Low FODMAP With Your Diet? – Organic Authority

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:42 pm

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Struggling with bloating, gas, and digestive stress despite eating a crazy healthy (apples, garlic, and mangoes, for example) diet? Certain carbohydrates, known as FODMAPs, may be to blame for those (unsexy) digestive woes. Following a different plan, the low FODMAP diet, may be able to kick digestive issues aside.

First thing first: what is a FODMAP?

FODMAP is an acronym referring to Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols.

These carbohydrates are made up of small chain sugars and an array of fibers that can be difficult to digest due to their osmotic properties, in whichthey pull water into the small intestine.

High FODMAP carbohydrates are also known as prebiotics, food for the friendly bacteria in the gut. These carbs are easily fermented (eaten by bacteria) in the small intestine, producing methane and hydrogen gases as a result.

As a result of these two processes, a host of digestive issues can arise. Many of the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), abdominal bloating and distension, excess gas, constipation, diarrhea, and even abdominal pain can occur with consumption of high FODMAP foods.

Following a low FODMAP diet, and removing high FODMAP foods, can help to alleviate and combat these digestive issues, simply by modifying the types of foods consumed regularly.

FODMAP foods are made up of oligosaccharides (fructans and galactans), disaccharides (lactose), monosaccharides (fructose), and polyols (sugar alcohols).

Many foods do not contain these types of carbohydrates, however, and are naturally low FODMAP diet foods. These include some of your (probable) favorites: spinach, berries, and tomatoes, for example phew.

High FODMAP foods: asparagus, artichokes, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, garlic, legumes and pulses, sugar snap peas, beetroot, cabbage, apples, pears, mango, figs, watermelon, peaches, plums, dairy products, rye, barley, wheat, cashews, pistachios, honey, agave, high fructose corn syrup, dried fruits like raisins and dates, chicory root extract, and sugar alcohol additives.

Low FODMAP foods: Arugula, bean sprouts, green beans, butternut squash, bok choy, bell pepper, carrot, fresh herbs, parsnip, kale, ginger root, eggplant, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, watercress, zucchini, berries, banana, orange, mandarin, grapes, melon, lemon, limes, rhubarb, papaya, pineapple, almond milk, hemp milk, lactose free dairy products, pure maple syrup, palm sugar, millet, oats, rice, quinoa, gluten-free bread, and low-lactose cheeses.

Individuals struggling with symptoms of IBS, digestive upset, bloating, and gas could benefit from following a low FODMAP diet.

Of course, always talk to a registered dietician, nutritionist, or medical practitioner to discuss FODMAP foods, IBS, and any other questions you may have before embarking on a new diet or food plan.

The FODMAP diet has mostly been studied and shown successful in managing symptoms of IBS. According to a 2016 study published in Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, up to 86 percent of patients with IBS find improvement in overall gastrointestinal symptoms as well as individual symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and flatulence following the diet.

A 2014 study found that individuals with IBS had lower gastrointestinal symptoms while on a low FODMAP diet, compared to the subjects regular diet. The study also found that issues of bloating, abdominal pain, and gas were significantly reduced while on the low FODMAP diet.

Following a low FODMAP diet can be simple and manageable with some preparation and homework. Read ingredient lists to find sneaky sources of high FODMAP foods (like HFCS, garlic, and chicory root extract) and print out lists of low and high FODMAP foods. There are also phone apps (like the Monash University Low FODMAP Diet app) that deliver the information straight to your phone.

Related On Organic AuthorityDo You Need An Elimination Diet?What Foods Give You Gas? Find Out With A Cool New Gadget (and 7 Possible Culprits)3 Ways to Tell Lactose Intolerance Symptoms from a Dairy Allergy

Kate is a Nutritionist with a Master's of Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and the blogger and photographer of Vegukate. Kate believes in nourishing the whole body with real, vibrant foods that feed the mind, body, soul, gut, and every single little cell. Her philosophy is simple when it comes to food and nourishment: cut the processed junk, listen to your body, eat by the seasons, eat plates and bowls filled with color, stress less, and enjoy every single bite. When she's not cooking in her too tiny Portland kitchen, Kate can be found perusing farmer's markets, doing barre classes, hiking, reading, and exploring.

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Do You Need to Go Low FODMAP With Your Diet? - Organic Authority

Tamar Braxton Celebrates Vince Herbert’s Weight Loss Journey – Eurweb.com

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm

*Tamar Braxton and her husband Vince Herbert have been making press rounds and addressing rumors about his infidelity and his weight loss.

Herbert has slimmed down quite a bit in the last year losing nearly 100 pounds, going from over 300 down to 230 pounds, following weight loss surgery.

The music producer has revealed that not only has he changed his diet completely, but hes also managed to get his health in check following major medical issues due to being obese. Herbert is proud that he can now buy clothes off of the rack.

I can go into Neiman Marcus and buy a pair of jeans, Herbert said while on The Wendy Williams show recently.

READ RELATED STORY: Get Out Star Daniel Kaluuya Breaks Down Americas (And Britains) Racism Problem

His wife also admits to PEOPLE that Vinces weight loss journey has been quite a big transformation for the both of them.

I like a little thickems. I like the oohoo! Braxton said, making the signature Pillsbury Doughboy noise. I like that. Im very happy only because hes much healthier and I want him around forever, but, you know, I like a little meat on my mans bones.

Herberts weight loss was necessary due to consistent complications with his health.

He had gastric bypass surgery to lose weight, a source told Daily Mail. His size has caused him to have numerous health challenges.

Braxton also shared with PEOPLE the role she played in her hubbys weight-loss journey.

I had to be very supportive of him, she said, he had a couple of surgeries not like really cosmetic surgeries, but like medical surgeries to help him to lose weight because he had medical problems due to the weight.

As Madame Noire notes, when asked if she felt like she was in a relationship with a totally different person, Braxton could only laugh and say: I do! Lots of energy.

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Tamar Braxton Celebrates Vince Herbert's Weight Loss Journey - Eurweb.com

Elle Macpherson’s Trainer Shares 5 Tips on How to Lose 10 Pounds in Two Weeks – NewBeauty Magazine (blog)

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm

At 52, Elle Macpherson doesnt look like shes giving up her famous nickname anytime soon. The supermodel, nicknamed The Body by Time Magazine in 1989 is still turning heads with an age-defying physique. As reported on by Now to Love, her former personal trainer James Duigan reveals some simple tips to jumpstart your weight-loss efforts and get your best bodynow.

You May Also Like: Halle Berry is the Latest 50-Year-Old to Flaunt Her Fierce Bikini Body

According to Duigan, its totally possible to lose up to 10 pounds in just two weeks with a combination of diet, exercise and some hard and fast rules designed to take your weight loss to the next level. He emphasizes that the amount of weight loss to be expected should take into account your starting weight and how much you have to lose in the first place.

In his two week diet plan, the celebrity trainer and author of Clean & Lean recommends women have a daily caloric intake of about 1,3001,650 calories, depending on your starting weight. In addition to a low-calorie diet, he recommends following these easy-to-incorporate rules:

Of course clean eating, small portions and exercise are the keys to his Clean & Lean philosophy, but these easy-to-follow rules can help you stay focused and on track in these months leading up to summer.

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Elle Macpherson's Trainer Shares 5 Tips on How to Lose 10 Pounds in Two Weeks - NewBeauty Magazine (blog)

Can lawn care lead to weight loss? – CT Post

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm

Photo: Contributed / Contributed

Can lawn care lead to weight loss?

Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, will host a free talk about getting active through lawn care at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 29.

Learn the secrets of professionals use to keep lawns green and healthy. Experienced horticulturalist Francine Vallillo will present All about Lawns, providing tips on selecting the right seed mix, knowing when to fertilize and how to mow properly. The talk will identify types of insects, diseases and weeds and how to prevent and control them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. yard work is a moderate-intensity level activity, of which the CDC recommends two and a half hours each week to help prevent chronic health conditions.

This series is part of Griffin Hospitals Healthy U program, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve a spot, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.

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Can lawn care lead to weight loss? - CT Post

Personalized Nutrition Weight Loss Plans Based On Your DNA – PSFK (subscription)

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm

SNPitty claims that the reason for the lack of success in weight loss lies in the differences in our genetic materials

The obesity pandemic is taking its toll in the US, despite the efforts from the $20 billion weight-loss industry. San Francisco-based startup SNPitty claims that the reason for the lack of success lies in the differences in our genetic materials, rendering the one-size-fits-all diets useless. Taking its basis in nutrigenetics, the science that identifies how genetic variations affect individual responses to nutrients, the company wants to deliver personalized meals that take into account your DNA right to your very doorstep.

Even though humans are 99.5% genetically identical, the 0.5% may have significant repercussions when it comes to losing those extra pounds, as they can influence your metabolism or how you respond to exercise. SNPitty aims to leverage those differences to set you on the path for success by using a three-stage approach to weight loss: DNA-testing, personalized prepackaged meal replacements and coaching.

First, a clients genetic profile is assessed using an in-home saliva kit. The information is further supplemented with a psychologist-designed questionnaire in order to get a full picture of individuals food and lifestyle preferences. Based on the results, the company creates personalized prepackaged breakfast and lunch meal replacements such as shakes and bars, and sends recipes for home cooked dishes. The third stage involves app-based coaching as a gamified way to reduce unhealthy food cravings and community support.

The product is currently in Beta. Those interested in testing the program can sign up to volunteer on the companys website.

SNPitty

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Personalized Nutrition Weight Loss Plans Based On Your DNA - PSFK (subscription)

How this man shed 374 pounds, more than half his body weight – Today.com

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm

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When Sal Paradiso was a senior in high school, his father died of a heart attack at age 42. The teen, who had always been the heaviest student in his class, comforted himself with food and steadily gained weight.

By the time he was in his early 30s, he weighed about 700 pounds. As he struggled to stand in the shower, get out of bed or cook food without getting winded, he thought life shouldnt be so difficult.

I wasnt getting any younger and I realized I had to make a drastic change or I would end up like my father, Paradiso, 35, of Land O' Lakes, Florida, told TODAY.

RELATED: 3 steps helped this woman lose more than half her body weight in 3 years

In February 2014, he visited a doctor for a consultation for weight-loss surgery. He was so heavy that the office scale couldnt register his weight. The doctor and nutritionist put him on a strict low-carb, high-protein diet, noting he had to shed weight before surgery.

As someone who was eating upwards of 10,000 calories a day prior to it, it has been a monumental change and it is what worked for me, he said.

At his heaviest weight, Sal Paradiso estimates he weighed about 700 pounds. He's unsure because he could not find a scale that could register his weight.

RELATED: Combined, this couple lost 298 pounds in a year

While he dropped pounds right away, he wasnt sure how much he lost initially because he didnt know what his starting weight was. Then he started dropping seven or eight pounds a week. Because he weighed so much, exercise was difficult.

Early on, I really couldnt work out. When you are that big, it is hard to move around. Fortunately for me, my family has a swimming pool, he said.

Paradiso swims laps he must do low-impact exercise because his years of being extremely obese ruined his knees.

As he slimmed down, he added free weights to his routine and also started riding an exercise bike.

Over two years, he lost 254 pounds and underwent surgery in the summer of 2016, which helped him lose another 120 pounds.

In total, he lost 374 pounds. The tremendous weight loss means he has excess skin hanging from his 6-foot frame about 65 to 80 pounds worth of it and Paradiso is trying to raise money for skin removal procedures.

These surgeries can be expensive, according to Dr. Jeffrey Gusenoff, a plastic surgeon and co-director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's BodyChangers, a lifestyle and support program for people who are trying to lose weight or have lost weight. On average, each surgery costs between $4,000 to $6,000, plus extra costs for anesthesia and a hospital stay.

"(Insurance companies) often will cover the abdominal skin removal, but insurance companies often require that the patient proves medical necessity by having persistent rashes that require either prescription creams or oral antibiotics to treat rashes under the skin folds," explained Gusenoff. "This extra skin must also hang low enough to block the genital region or thighs. Arms, thighs, breasts, buttocks and other areas are often not covered and are considered cosmetic."

Paradiso's excess skin causes him physical pain it chafes and he gets sores and infections and it makes him feel insecure at times.

You are making all this progress, he said. But your shell resembles someone you no longer are.

At 32, Paradiso realized if he didn't lose weight, he might end up like his father, who died of a heart attack at age 42.

RELATED: Weight-loss success: 7 steps this woman took to lose half her size

Yet, Paradiso wants others to feel inspired by his story.

Change is possible. I speak as someone who was 700 pounds, he said. "Im a pretty happy guy and I am a lot happier today than I was three years ago."

Here is his advice to others hoping to lose weight.

Friends and family supported Paradiso as he worked to lose weight. Hearing encouraging words motivated him on days when it felt too hard.

Since losing 374 pounds, Paradiso has been able to enjoy a more active life.

My friends and family continue to push me every day, he said. If you can surround yourself with a decent enough support system you can overcome 10 or 15 years of beating yourself to the ground by putting on so much weight.

Paradiso wanted to weigh between 200 to 225 pounds, a loss of 475 to 500 pounds, and more than half his starting weight (though about 65-85 of it is skin, which cannot be lessened no matter how intense the dieting and exercise).

Thinking of losing so much weight seemed insurmountable.

Looking at it in smaller pictures it is possible to conquer the mountain, he said.

Looking at pictures of his father encouraged Paradiso when he struggled.

He is a constant reminder of why I do this, he said.

After losing 374 pounds, Sal Paradiso has about 80 pounds of excess skin that needs to be removed.

For more inspirational stories, check out our My Weight-Loss Journey page! And if you'd like to support Sal Paradiso in his efforts to raise money for skin removal surgeries, please visit his Go Fund Me page.

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How this man shed 374 pounds, more than half his body weight - Today.com

Eman Lost 120 Kilos After Surgery But She Is Suffering From Failure In Heart And Frequent Epileptic Fits – Indiatimes.com

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:40 pm

It seemed like that 36 -year-old Eman, who weighed 500 kg, got another life after she underwent a bariatric surgery at a Mumbai Hospital. Though she is on her way to recovery but it could be a slow a process. Doctors are just not monitoring her kilos but also her poorly functioning lungs that have triggered a right-side heart failure as well as the multiple spells of epileptic fits she suffers every day.

mangalam

An update that her doctors at Saifee Hospital in south Mumbai posted online on Saturday afternoon said, "We are happy to inform you that her post-op recovery is going fairly well." She is 358kg now, appreciably lower than the 498kg that she weighed when she touched down in Mumbai on February 11.

"She lost 120kg in less than a month, but that was mainly the fluids," said Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, who heads the retinue of doctors working to 'save eman'.

Many health challenges still remain, said her doctors. "The initial weight loss allowed us to operate safely and successfully. The battle is won, but the war is yet to be won. There is a long way to go before we can say Eman Ahmed is finally out of the woods," said Dr Lakdawala. He, in fact, said that the 90-minute surgery in which he cut her stomach down to a sleeve-shaped bag on March 7 was the "smallest part" of the treatment. "Even deciding her antibiotic dose is a long exercise, involving many doctors. We have to take care that one doctor's prescription isn't counter-productive to another's treatment," he added. "It is a tightrope walk on a daily basis. She is about 30% better than she was."

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Almost every organ seems to have suffered due to her morbidly obese frame that spanned five feet when she first flew into India: The multiple seizures reveal a neurological or brain-related problem; the fluid accumulation in her chest shows how much her chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) has affected her lung's function; the right side of her heart fails to function normally as is the case with many patients with COPD; and protein still leaks into her urine indicating overworked kidneys.

During her March 7 operation, doctors found her abdomen was filled with fluid, a possible sign of liver failure.A doctor from Chennai was rushed to do a biopsy of the liver but it turned out to be congestive hepatopathy, a liver disorder that usually accompanies heart failure.

With inputs from TNN

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Eman Lost 120 Kilos After Surgery But She Is Suffering From Failure In Heart And Frequent Epileptic Fits - Indiatimes.com

Clinical trial: Florida Hospital explores weight gain and breast cancer recurrence – Daytona Beach News-Journal

Posted: March 20, 2017 at 7:40 pm

By Eleanore OsborneCorrespondent

You have cancer."

Hearing those words once is devastating. Is there anything you can do to prevent hearing them a second or third time?

Many studies have focused on factors affecting cancer recurrence, and now a national clinical trial is underway to determine whether losing weight changes the risk of cancer recurrence in women who have been diagnosed with early breast cancer. Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center has opened a National Cancer Institute clinical trial to address this question.

The Breast Cancer Weight Loss study (BWEL) will enroll more than 3,000 patients with breast cancer in the United States and Canada, said Lindsay Cashio, the hospitals assistant director of communications. The results of this study will help researchers understand if losing weight after breast cancer diagnosis helps to decrease the risk of breast cancer recurrence. It is very exciting, as it is the first large, national, randomized trial examining this issue.

The trial has two parts. One for those on the trial itself, the other for those in a health education control group, about half in each. Admission to the clinic trial is limited to stage II and stage III breast cancer patients who are within one year of their initial diagnosis, older than 18, with a BMI of 27 or greater and other criteria.

For those women who are not eligible for the trial, a Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Cancer Institute registered dietitian will run a six-week series of classes called Weight Loss for Breast Cancer Survivors.

Judy King, 75, Ormond Beach, is attending the classes, which she heard about while volunteering at the cancer center. In 2002, King had a mastectomy on one breast, and in 2011, a recurrence on the same side, affecting her lymph nodes.

After five years, you think you are home clear, she said, but studies show that recurrence can happen at any time. Kings recurrence was discovered by her masseuse, who told her: I dont like the feel of this. You need to have this checked.

Dr. Eric Harris said weight gain after breast cancer treatment is common. Harris, partnering with the hospital and the trial, is a hematologist/oncologist, said stress, anxiety and supportive care drugs, such as steroids and hormonal anti-estrogen treatments, can cause increased appetite and weight gain. Patients can feel pretty beat-up following treatment.

In secondary prevention, doctors address diet and exercise, estrogen, smoking and keys to a healthy lifestyle.

For the first time, with this trial, we can count the data, Harris said. This is an exciting opportunity for patients of stage 2 and 3. It adds more data to our collective resources, to see if weight changes outcomes basically, we are chiseling away at secondary prevention.

Weight and fat cells are integral to the study, since fat cells make estrogen and estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers develop and grow.

Nutrition classes

In 2002, patient Judy King had attended nutrition classes and decided to lose 20 pounds. After her 2011 treatment, she started taking Aromasin, a pill that blocks estrogen from getting into her cells, and complained to her doctor that she couldnt keep her weight off because of it. He called it the fat pill, but said it was helping to keep her alive. Thats when King learned about the nutrition classes. I knew a lot from before, but thought, maybe I could pick up some more hints on what to do from the dietician. She has been really helpful.

That would be Jennifer Robinson, registered dietitian, who is leading the six-week classes for those who arent eligible for the BWEL trial. The Weight Loss for Breast Cancer Survivors class series are free and open to all breast cancer survivors in the community. All classes are at 1 p.m. at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Centers Cancer Institute conference room. Classes so far have covered general nutrition, supermarket shopping, and dining out. Remaining classes this session are:

Classes will start over at a time to be announced, and will possibly include locations in West Volusia or Flagler County.

The classes offer motivation and camaraderie, said Robinson, an opportunity to be in a room with women who have been trying to practice healthful eating. The BWAL is amazing, but we dont want those women to feel let down. Okay, you didnt qualify for the study, but we are offing this as an option.

The sessions are free and open to all breast cancer survivors in the community, regardless of when their diagnosis was or whether they had treatment at Florida Hospital.

About Recurrence

Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, a breast oncologist in the Susan F. Smith Center for Womens Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, said this by phone: We are trying to study the effects of different strategies to lower the risk of breast cancer recurring, and a way for women to help themselves and hopefully have fewer problems from their breast cancer. Ligibel is the lead investigator of the BWEL trial.

This is even more important to those who have undergone breast cancer treatment because it is common for people to gain weight during and after breast cancer treatment, especially if theyre treated with chemotherapy, steroids, and/or hormonal therapy. If breast cancer treatment puts you into menopause, youre more likely to gain weight too.

Judy King has these tips: Eat a variety of vegetables. Watch out for trans-fats. Control portion size. Drink enough water. When you eat out, have a plan. King, a science teacher in New Hampshire before retirement, added: Walking is so important. Youve got to get up and move your body. The enemy is the front door.

On the brighter side: a recurrence of breast cancer is not hopeless. Many treatment options are available and new medicines are being tested every day.

Nutrition and physical activity, said Robinson, are definitely things women can do for themselves.

To learn more about the trial or classes, call Sandy Allten, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Cancer Institute, clinical research nurse, at 386-231-4023.

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Clinical trial: Florida Hospital explores weight gain and breast cancer recurrence - Daytona Beach News-Journal


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