Yo-yo dieting might actually make people healthy, despite the huge amounts of criticism directed towards them, according to an expert.

Repeated crash diets might be best compared to going to the dentist, according to US biostatisticianDavid Allison. In the same way, the extreme slimming method ensures that people get healthier even if they gradually move away from that again.

Dr Allison found that in tests on mice, repeated diets didn't seem to do much harm. In fact, those that went on yo-yo diets actually lived longer than those who stayed obese.

In keeping with that, Dr Allison said that the technique might actually serve a useful way for many people to keep fit.

Dr Allison, from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, said: "If you go the dentist for your six month evaluation, they find there's some plaque around your teeth and scrape it off, and then they give you a toothbrush and piece of string and send you out and say keep up the good work.

"And six months later, guess what, the plaque is back on. Just like weight loss. Nobody says dentistry is a failure. They say that's okay."

Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, he added: "We think it's probably not a bad idea to lose weight even if you are going to gain it back and redo it every few years."

Around two in three British adults have body mass indexes (BMIs) that classify them as overweight or obese. Excess weight increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and some cancers.

Leading nutritionist Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health at Oxford University pointed out that it was better to try losing weight than to do nothing.

She said: "I agree with the notion that losing weight is generally worthwhile, even if you put the weight back on again.

"We have good evidence from long-term follow up studies after controlled intervention studies in humans that there is a benefit."

But Professor Tim Spector, from King's College, London, author of The Diet Myth, spoke out strongly against yo-yo dieting.

He said: "Data in humans shows that yo-yo dieting makes you gain weight long-term. In our twin study of 5,000 twins, the yo-yo dieter was usually heavier long-term than the identical twin who didn't diet."

A recent Israeli study in mice had linked yo-yo dieting to a massive change in gut microbe population that permanently altered energy regulation, said Prof Spector.

The bugs caused obesity when transplanted into other mice.

"So the evidence for me shows crash calorie restriction dieting is to be avoided at all costs," said Prof Spector.

Scientists at the meeting also warned that obesity can be socially contagious, so that mingling with people who are putting on weight increases the risk of following their example.

Conversely, spending time in the gym with a friend encouraged more healthy behaviour.

Dr Allison said: "One way people have thought about manipulating these social networks is through intervention programmes ... So you and your buddy come in and get the treatment together."

Additional reporting by Press Association

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Yo-yo dieting might actually be good for people even if they end up gaining weight back, expert says - The Independent

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Social media plea brings in oodles of special KD noodles for autistic BC boy - Vancouver Sun

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ THE MAX Challenge, one of the nations fastest growing fitness concepts, is excited to announce the opening of a new location. THE MAX Challenge of East Brunswick has relocated to a standalone facility and is accepting registrations for its exciting 10 Week Challenge.

A comprehensive 10-week body and mind renewal program, The MAX Challenge combines a structured workout regimen with an easy-to-follow nutritional guide to help achieve and sustain optimal health and fitness. The program promotes a slow and systematic approach toward attaining physical success by educating members on the impact a balanced nutritional diet and positive mental attitude have on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

All participants are provided with a certified MAX Instructor who is present at all times to ensure that members execute each exercise safely and efficiently. Additionally, instructors alternate exercise routines daily to avoid monotony and to ensure that members remain fully engaged, and most importantly, enjoy the time they spend reaching the peak of their physical abilities.

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Our goal is to make our members not only healthier people, but happier people, stated Mikki Curcio, Owner of THE MAX Challenge of East Brunswick. We are elated to open our new store, and look forward to this expansion which will allow us to change even more lives with our unique body renewal system.

To learn more about THE MAX Challenge, or to become a franchisee, please visit http://www.themaxchallenge.com.

About The MAX Challenge

The MAX Challenge is a 10-week body renewal system designed to help members make fast and lasting changes to their health, appearance, and fitness levels. The MAX Challenge members achieve great results by receiving a combination of nutritional counseling, fitness classes, and motivation provided by trained MAX Challenge instructors. There are over 50 MAX Challenge locations throughout New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Georgia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Florida as well as many additional units in the opening stage.

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THE MAX Challenge of East Brunswick Announces Grand Opening of Standalone Center - TAPinto.net

istock/GlobalStockSure, you know you should cut down on the salt if you have high blood pressure and bad LDL cholesterol, but its tough to know what a healthy, low-sodium diet should look like. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was designed to help lower blood pressure and LDL, not weight loss.

The DASH diet is simple and doesnt require calorie-counting or overly restricting food choices. The general guidelines include:

On average, a person following the DASH diet will drop systolic blood pressure (the upper number in a reading) by about 10mmHg, says Nieca Goldberg, MD, cardiologist and medical director of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Womens Health at NYU Langone Medical Center. Thats really quite dramatic, she says. In comparison, dieting for weight loss gives just a 3mmHg reduction, says Dr. Goldberg.

If you follow the DASH diet, cut sodium down to 1,500 mg a day, and exercise, you could even lower blood pressure up to a whopping 25mmHg, says Martha Gulati, MD, cardiologist at The University of Arizona and editor-in-chief of cardiosmart.org. There are very few medications, even in the highest doses, that reduce blood pressure that much, she says. By changing your lifestyle, you might be able to cut down on the number of medications you needor even stop taking them entirely, says Dr. Gulati.

Even if you know you should cut down on salt, you might not realize how bad the problem is. The average American eats 3,400 mg of salt a day, says Dr. Goldberg. Thats entirely too much, she says. By focusing on fresh foods instead of processed ones, the DASH diet minimizes salt without sacrificing flavor.

One of the main factors driving the DASH diets success is its emphasis on produce. Fruits and veggies are packed with important nutrients, and the potassium, magnesium, and calcium can actually counteract sodiums blood pressure-raising effects, says Dr. Gulati. Eat a rainbow diet, she says. The more colors are in it, the more vitamins and minerals youre probably getting, and youre also getting more fiber. Stick with fresh produce when you can. Cannedand sometimes even frozenvegetables can be sneaky sources of sodium, so read the label first. If you are opening a can of veggies or beans, she recommends rinsing the contents under cold water to wash away some of the extra sodium.

Whole grains also contain beneficial potassium, magnesium and calcium, and could help keep you satisfied on the produce-heavy DASH diet. But remember: Not all grains are created equal. Simple carbohydrates, like white rice, pasta, and processed cereals, dont have much nutritional value because their natural fiber and nutrients are removed during processing. Youre looking for more complex carbohydrates, says Dr. Gulati. They take longer for the body to digest, and lower cholesterol, and are more filling than a simple carbohydrate. Look for labels that say 100 percent whole grain or 100 percent whole wheat, she says.

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The DASH diet calls for low-fat and fat-free dairy, which are chock-full of calcium to lower blood pressure. Just be mindful that some products replace the fat with other unhealthy additives. You have to read the food labels because things like cottage cheese and some low-fat cheese are higher in salt, says Dr. Goldberg.

Six or fewer ounces of lean meat, poultry, and fish a day might not sound like a lot, but that should be plenty of protein to power you through the day. Contrary to what people think, you dont need a large amount of protein if youre not an extreme athlete, says Dr. Gulati. Six ounces isnt going to take up half your plateit will be a small portion of your plate. By cutting down on meat, youll reduce your intake of bad saturated fat, which could raise your cholesterol if you eat too much, says Dr. Goldberg. Swap for fish, though, and youll get a rich source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids instead. Cut the skin off poultry, and grill or bake fish instead of frying to keep your protein sources healthy, says Dr. Goldberg.

The DASH diet is easy to follow when youre cooking for yourself, says Dr. Gulati, but eating out can throw you off. Restaurant food is notoriously salty and fatty, but some simple modifications can make your meal healthier. Premade soups and sauces are hard to adjust, but request that the chef doesnt add any additional salt or cook your dish in butter, she says. Add spices and herbs if you crave more flavor. Subbing balsamic vinegar and olive oil for premade dressings, and saying no to the bread basket are other easy ways to cut down sodium. You have more control in restaurants than you realize, says Dr. Gulati. Youre paying for ityou should ask for it to be done the way you want it.

MORE: 8 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Dont Eat Enough Fruits and Veggies

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Stick to This Diet to Lower Blood Pressureand Finally Get Off Medication - Reader's Digest