Women find it harder to suppress their hunger and hence have difficulty LOSING WEIGHT, according to new research that may help explain their higher obesity rates.

US researchers quizzed 13 men and women about their favourite foods - which ranged from pizza to cinnamon buns and chocolate cake - and they were then asked to fast overnight.

The next day the hungry test subjects underwent brain scans while being presented with their favourite foods.

They also used a technique called cognitive inhibition, which they had been taught, in a bid to suppress thoughts of hunger and eating.

While both men and women said the technique decreased their hunger, the scans showed only the men’s brain activity actually decreased.

“Even though the women said they were less hungry when trying to inhibit their response to the food, their brains were still firing away in the regions that control the drive to eat,” says Gene-Jack Wang of Brookhaven National Laboratory.

“There is something going on in the female … the signal is so much different.”
This could explain why women do not find it easy to lose weight. There are no easy one-off solutions like fad diets, best diet pills and liposuction to weight loss. Having said that, there are simple and scientific approaches to fast, easy weight loss. However, one still needs to be disciplined and take a holistic approach to Weight Loss.

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A report on “Booming Global Obesity Drug Market”, Research and Markets states that the prevalence of obesity is increasing globally at alarming rates. Obesity drugs market has shown a radical growth in recent times but in contrast, the market for weight loss drugs has failed to match this growth. By 2012, it’s expected that more than two billion people will be overweight and 600 million will be obese, representing immense opportunities for both the markets.

The market for weight loss drugs is characterized by numerous failures. A number of drugs have failed to get approval, some have been recalled, and those that have entered the market either suffer from serious side effects or have just failed to give the desired weight loss results consumers expected from them. Refusal of healthcare authorities to grant reimbursement to these drugs has also impeded the growth.

One of the most recent examples can be taken from Sanofi’s Acomplia; the drug was hailed as multibillion blockbuster before it was launched. But Acomplia, like most of its predecessors, failed to have a sufficient benefit to risk ratio and was taken off the market just two and a half years after its launch.

The future of the obesity drugs market, however, may not be so gloomy. This is because the market has high unmet demand, and any drug that manages to provide a high benefit to risk ratio can easily achieve blockbuster status. Moreover, despite some of its recent failures, the obesity drugs pipeline is rich and a large number of drugs are in phase-III and late phase-II trials. If some of these drugs manage to reach the market and posses a strong efficacy and safety profile, they can quickly become billion-dollar blockbusters.

Country-wise, the US is presently the biggest market for weight loss drugs with around 68% of its population either overweight or obese. The US is followed by the UK and other European countries. In future, emerging economies such as China, Russia, India and Brazil are also expected to become a huge market for weight loss products. With China’s obesity and overweight levels touching 665-670 million in 2015, the country will emerge as the most potential weight loss market.

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If your overweight, you may be experiencing back pain.

Traditional medical wisdom has long stated that the firmer the mattress, the better it’s for back pain sufferers.

Now, a Spanish scientific study- published in the prestigious British medical journal The Lancet on November 2003 - strongly suggests that traditional wisdom is wrong.

The study, conducted by Francisco Kovacs of Kovacs Foundation in Palma de Mallorca, has analyzed 313 people with cronic non-specific low back pain, that sleeped on mattresses with different levels of firmness.

After 90 days, the results showed that the medium-firm mattresses outscored the firmer ones by a significant margin, a definitive response and a definitive debunking of traditional wisdom.

But, more important, the study also showed that sleeping on a new mattress, whether it’s very firm or medium-firm, rather than an old one, was associated with more frequent discontinuation of drug treatment and relevant improvement in pain and disability. So, we have the scientific support that replacing an old mattress with a new one can improve back pain.

These results have been recently confirmed by a new, groundbreaking study “Subjective Rating of Perceived Back Pain, Stiffness and Sleep Quality Following Introduction of Medium-Firm Bedding System,” published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (Winter 2006), authored by Bert Jacobson, EdD, Tia Wallace, MS, and Hugh Gemmell, DC, EdD of Oklahoma State University.

The study shows the critical link between mattress quality and sleep quality, as well as the importance of regular mattress replacement. In fact a new mattress, compared to a 5-7 years old ones, improves sleep quality by 62% and sleep comfort by 70.8%, plus reduced back pain by 55.3% and back stiffness by 50.7% over a four week period. The study has also found that lower back pain was much more prominent for people who sleep on cheaper beds and older beds.

So please, don’t let anyone tell you that sleeping through the night is a luxury: a good night’s sleep is essential to great health! Here are some number.

Recent statistics say 70 millions Americans are affected by sleep problems and the latest scientific researches suggest that our life could depend on sleeping well. Even minor sleep deficits rocket your production of stress hormones. Sleeping less than 6 hours can raise the risk of numerous health problems. Some examples?

An healthy night’s sleep can help your body: manage stress and maintain healthy blood sugar, because sleep deficits increase the levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, and this can have a negative impact on healthy blood sugar levels too; stay at a healthy weight because some studies show that adults who sleep the least appear to be the most likely to gain weight, because sleep deprivation increases levels of two critical hormones involved in regulating food intake - ghrelin and leptin - and this may lead to overeating and weight gain.

Now, we’ve scientific proofs that a new, high quality mattress leads to a good night’s sleep and this leads to an healthier and more productive life. The mattress should be one of the most important investment we ever make…don’t sleep on it!

Oliverio Abitrante - Materassi Sogni d’oro - http://www.materassisognidoro.it

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For many type 2 diabetics their diet has the double duty of not only controlling their blood sugar levels but also losing weight, which is an important step in reducing the risk factors for complications presented by this disease. The diabetic weight loss diet is an important part of keeping glucose levels in check by striking a balance between the carbohydrates, fats, and protein eaten at each meal.

Choosing healthy food is one of the most important parts of anyone’s diet, but for the diabetic it can literally be the difference between life and death. Without proper blood sugar control the list of complications suffered by those with diabetes is quite scary. It is also important to remember that while some people can control their diabetes with diet and exercise, others who are at higher risk may also need to make food choices based on the medications they are currently taking.

For many diabetics trying to figure out the exact amount of carbohydrates they can eat can be a little frustrating. In the past everyone followed the same general guidelines but in recent years that thinking has changed. Diet plans for diabetic are now individualized and are based on each person’s ability to tolerate and maintain good blood sugar control. One thing that helps individuals keep good glucose maintenance is the ability to measure blood sugar levels with personal portable blood glucose monitors that are quick and easy to use. The ultimate goal of a type 2 diabetic diet is to provide the necessary calories and nutrients needed while keeping blood glucose levels in the normal range and allowing the diabetic to lose weight.

The good news is a diabetic diet because of it very nature easily allows those who follow it the ability to lose the weight that can cause so many health problems and may be a contributor to their diabetes. The diet is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars while emphasizing leafy green vegetables, fruits in moderation because of their high sugar and starch content, and whole grains high in fiber. Protein from lean sources is also important, particularly those that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as can be found in certain fish like salmon. A good starting point for anyone with diabetes is the diabetic food pyramid that can be found of the American Diabetes Association website.

Type 2 diabetes is becoming a rapidly increasing epidemic with the current obesity problem that is affecting nearly every region of the world. Because of this being able to control blood glucose levels along with effective weight loss and control is vitally important for anyone who must follow a diabetic weight loss diet.

For more information about a diabetic weight loss diet please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here
 

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Just about anyplace you go, you can see expanding waistlines. Stand in front of a mirror and ask yourself if you need to lose some weight? There is no question that losing weight can be difficult. It is much easier to eat whatever you want and not worry about getting exercise. After all, it’s no big deal. It is only a couple of pounds. Many of us feel that way, but read on to learn a few more things that go along with being overweight. Obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States, and with the spread of Western culture it is fast becoming a global problem. It is estimated that over 300 million people are overweight, worldwide; and that number is rising. The good news is there are ways to take the weight off, and start to reduce the world’s waistline.
Being overweight is not just unattractive; it is also hazardous to your health. Awareness of these health issues can help in understanding why it is important to maintain a healthy weight. After all, if you know what being overweight can do to your health, then you have more reasons to maintain an ideal weight

Here are nine major diseases, and one irreversible condition, that are caused or exacerbated by being overweight:

1. Diabetes

2. Stroke

3. Complications in pregnancy

4. Arthritis

5. Fatty liver disease

6. Hypertension (high blood pressure)

7. Heart disease

8. Gout

9. Cancer

10. DEATH

There are many other conditions which are related to obesity, but this list makes the point. Death is a big one. Nobody wants to die and be remembered for being fat. The reality is it takes just as much work to eat garbage as it does to eat healthy. Yet, so many people have conditioned themselves to think eating garbage is more enjoyable. Compare the enjoyment of eating a bag of potato chips to suffering anything on the list above, and you will feel your mindset changing.

The above list focuses on physical conditions, but losing weight has positive psychological effects, as well. Self-esteem and self-image go hand in hand. You will notice positive changes in how you (and others) think about yourself.

Losing weight goes a long way in aiding the prevention and control of these diseases. Apart from quitting smoking, losing weight is the best thing you can do to improve your overall health. This article is not designed to scare you, but rather to make you aware of some of the other concerns associated with being overweight. Knowing this could be the motivation you need to start towards your ideal weight.

About the Author
Michael Oksa is the co-author of “121 Tips To Help You Lose Weight And Keep It Off”. He believes in helping people achieve their weight loss goals and provides these tips free of charge at www.how-to-diet.net

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