Acupuncture is a system of healing closely linked to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where needles are inserted into specific points in the body to trigger a physiological response. The theory behind weight loss with acupuncture is that a course of treatment sessions will help suppress the appetite and increase the metabolism thereby stimulating the body to burn more calories while eating less.
Losing weight is no easy task. It takes months, if not years, of sensible eating and daily physical activity. Some weight loss products may help with moderately increasing your metabolism, giving you more energy to workout for longer or assist your body in passing out water. Overall the effectiveness of these products are limited and should only be used as an adjunct to a medical weight loss program.
Continue reading
The Tony Ferguson Weight Loss Program is a weight management program developed by an Australian pharmacist. It uses a combination of meal replacements, nutritional supplements and a healthy eating plan to assist with weight loss. Despite reports of the the Tony Ferguson Weight Loss Program being the next weight loss miracle, it is essentially a low calorie, low GI (glycaemic index), high protein diet with the usual mix of vitamins and supplements.
The growing epidemic of obese children is as much a disease as any other medical condition. This is a global phenomenon and South Africa is experiencing the same problem with overweight and obese children as other developing countries. The recent rise in childhood obesity can be attributed to more South Africans now living an urban lifestyle – high calorie and fatty foods combined with a sedentary lifestyle.
Before the age of 4 years, some children may be ‘plump’ and this does not concern many parents. This is sometimes referred to as baby fat but the reality is that an obese toddler is already a sign of a potential problem.
Continue reading
Jejuno-ileal bypass (JIB) surgery is a procedure developed in the 1950′s for weight loss by reducing the length of the small intestine. JIB differs from gastric bypass which reduces the size of the stomach so that the patient feels ‘fuller’ with smaller meals and therefore eats less. These procedures are known as bariatric surgery or commonly as weight loss surgery. Jejuno-ileal bypass surgery has been shown to be effective in the treatment and management of obesity however the complications associated with this procedure has led to it being banned in many developed countries.
All too often when we decide to address our weight issues by consulting with a doctor, we are told to “eat healthy and exercise”. The reality is that obesity is a growing problem in South Africa and while it may seem like common sense to know how to “eat healthy”, many of us are quite ignorant when it comes to personal nutrition. Eating healthy does not necessarily mean that you will lose weight. Limiting your portion size will also not guarantee weight loss and while exercise is essential, eating the right foods is an important consideration when structuring your weight management plan.
Continue reading
