Everyone wants to know if you really get full on Full Bar.  Since Full Bar just hit the shelves I thought I would fill you in on the simple science behind the “Be Full, Live Full” philosophy of this brand.  Full Bar was created by a leading surgeon who wanted to offer an alternative to weight loss surgery.  His believes if you are already feeling full when you sit down for your meal, you will eat less and lose weight. 

(more…)

A recent  study challenged some of the concepts behind the diet-and-obesity link and suggests that meal-size  - more than total calorie intake or feeding frequency - is a key factor in the development of obesity.  (more…)

Whole fruits and vegetables are the best sources of insoluble fiber.

It’s already been well-established that increasing dietary fiber has all kinds of benefits for you; lower cholesterol, lower risk of disease, better elimination and detoxification and even better weight management. And it’s also pretty well-established  that most people don’t get enough dietary fiber in the first place.  So it’s always been easy to make a case for fiber supplements, since they’re so inexpensive, safe and easy-to-use.

But there are different types of fiber, and they  have different effects and benefits. So you want to make sure you’re using the right kind of fiber supplement for your situation. If you’re using or considering using fiber for weight management,  there’s new information that points to a crucial difference between the type of fiber and whether it promotes weight loss or weight gain. It’s good food-for-thought for anyone trying to lean up and looking for safe, effective and non-stimulant options.

(more…)

Is it really just a matter of calories-in calories-out? Depends on what your goals are.

Here we go again. The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine recently published a comparison study of weight-loss diets that seems sure to shake up the Conventional Wisdom of weight loss one more time.  Many of the major news services covered this report since its conclusions upend the popularly-held belief in a high-protein (or practically any other type of weight-loss) diet.  Instead, the putatively surprising finding of this study was that it didn’t matter whether protein, carbs or fats were high or low; long-term weight loss success came down to simply calories-in versus calories out.   That is to say, manipulating protein fat and carb levels didn’t matter, what mattered was reducing overall calorie intake.  So what does this mean to the millions of people trying to lose weight? Is it time to rethink the high-protein low-carb approach? (more…)

The EndoBarrier lines the intestine preventing absorption of food calories.

Reducing calorie consumption is a proven way to lose weight, but people aren’t always disciplined enough to maintain a reduced calorie diet on their own. That accounts for some of the success and popularity of gastric bypass and gastric band surgeries, both of which reduce the quantity of calories absorbed.  But since both procedures carry considerable risks, there’s been strong interest in developing effective alternatives that are less dangerous to the patient.

Makers of a new device called the EndoBarrier say that’s just what they’ve accomplished.  (more…)

Some people need to avoid stimulants......

Dear AllStarHealth.com

I’m a 55 y.o. woman on (hypertension drug) for my high blood pressure and need to lose about 25-30 pounds. I joined a gym last November and am exercising as much as I can, I’m trying to eat right, too but it’s so hard to lose weight at my age.  I sure could use some help. I can’t have any caffeine or stimulants, so most of the diet pills are off-limits. What are my best options in terms of supplements I ‘can’ use?

Thanks for any help,

Freida J.

Ohiopyle, PA

Dear Freida,

There are a few types of supplements that might help.  Keep in mind that (more…)

Appetite suppressants can help you feel satisfied with less food. But, please, eat something.

Let’s take another look at the concept of appetite suppression and appetite suppressant supplements. They’ve both been around a long time. But is that a good strategy for everyone trying to lose weight, or just certain people? And do any of the products work?

(more…)

Egg yolks, soybeans and brains: 3 delicious sources of dietary lecithin

Dear AllStarHealth.com,

Two friends and I are trying to win an office bet by losing 10 lbs each before 3 other coworkers do. At our meeting last night, Sheila said she had read or heard lecithin is really good for weight loss, something about it breaks up fat or fat cells?  I hadn’t heard of it before, but I’d like to order some today if there’s anything to that. Is there?

Thanks

Denise F.

Culver City, CA (more…)

Speed is over-rated!

Dear AllStarHealth,

I need advice, please. I am trying to lose about 25 lbs. I do cardio 3 days a week and weights 3 days week.  My friend and I pooled our AllStarHealth order to save on shipping and since he got some Casein Protein, I ordered some too. He was saying it was better than Whey protein powder, but I forgot why.  So when I went and read up on it, from what I have read everyone seems to say whey is better because it absorbs faster.   Is that true and does it make a difference which one I use?

Thanks,

Lisa Connors,

Springfield, MO

Whereas people used to just use one type of protein powder, it’s very common now to see people using 2 or 3 types and buying different flavors of one type. They’re just more popular now than ever and people can take advantage of the different types.

It’s true that whey absorbs faster than casein protein, that’s the gist of it,  but (more…)

What have you heard about protein shakes?

Dear AllStarHealth,

One thing I’m still confused about with protein shakes is whether they are going to make you slimmer or bulkier?

Thanks,

Shireen (more…)