Effects of Weight Cycling - AKA Yo-Yo Diets - ThinnerTimes

Peckkale · 08-03-2004, 10:34 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 1, 2004

CONTACT:
Kristen Woodward
(206) 667-5095
kwoodwar@fhcrc.org
Yo-Yo Dieting May Have a Long-Term Negative Effect on Immune Function, According to Fred Hutchinson Study

SEATTLE — Yo-yo dieting, in which a person repeatedly loses and regains weight, may have a lasting negative impact on immune function, according to new findings by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Conversely, maintaining the same weight over time appears to have a positive effect on the immune system, report Cornelia Ulrich, Ph.D., and colleagues in the June issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Ulrich and colleagues at Fred Hutchinson and the University of Washington found that long-term immune function decreases in proportion to how many times a woman reportedly intentionally loses weight. They also found that immune function — as measured by natural-killer-cell activity — was higher among women who had been fairly weight stable over several years.

"To our knowledge, this is the first study to show potential long-term effects of yo-yo dieting on health," said Ulrich, senior author of the paper and an assistant member of Fred Hutchinson's Public Health Sciences Division.

For the study, the researchers interviewed 114 overweight but otherwise healthy sedentary, postmenopausal women about their weight-loss history during the past 20 years. Participants had to be weight-stable for at least three months before joining the study, which was funded by the National Cancer Institute.

"While one weight-loss episode of 10 pounds or more in the previous 20 years was not associated with current natural-killer-cell activity, more frequent weight loss episodes were associated with significantly decreased natural-killer-cell activity," said Ulrich, also a research assistant professor in epidemiology at the UW School of Public Health and Community Medicine. "Those who reported losing weight more than five times had about a third lower natural-killer-cell function."

In contrast, women who maintained the same weight for five or more years had 40 percent greater natural-killer-cell activity as compared to those whose weight had remained stable for fewer than two years.

Natural-killer cells, or NK cells, are a vital part of the immune system. In addition to killing viruses, they have been shown to kill cancer cells in laboratory tests. Depressed NK activity has been associated with increased cancer incidence as well as an increased susceptibility to colds and infections.

Tests to measure this marker of immune function are costly, and so very few studies have been conducted to measure the impact of weight loss on the immune system. Consequently, little has been known about possible negative health consequences of weight fluctuation.

While the findings are intriguing, they are preliminary, Ulrich cautioned. One limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reporting of weight-loss history. Another limitation is the study's cross-sectional design; the analysis was based on blood samples collected from study participants at a single point in time, representing an isolated snapshot of biological activity.

"Following people over time would give us a stronger understanding of how weight cycling impacts long-term immune function," Ulrich said. "If the results of our cross-sectional study could be confirmed in an ongoing longitudinal study, the public-health impact could be substantial for the estimated 50 percent of American women who are currently dieting or recently have attempted to lose weight, often without long-term success."

If long-term studies replicate these results, what are the implications for the millions of Americans who constantly battle the bulge? Would it be safer to carry around a few extra pounds rather than risk the health effects of yo-yo dieting?

"There are indisputable health benefits to reducing body weight among those who are overweight and obese. Our concern is really the pattern of weight cycling or yo-yo dieting that many Americans go through," Ulrich said.

Study co-author Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D., a Fred Hutchinson epidemiologist and internist who studies the impact of weight loss and exercise on cancer prevention, echoed Ulrich's sentiments. "The overwhelming evidence is that weight loss among the overweight or obese improves various aspects of health such as risk for diabetes, coronary disease and perhaps cancer," she said. "Therefore, it is still recommended that overweight and obese people try to lose weight but preferably avoid weight regain."

Ulrich and colleagues suggest that people who want to lose weight and keep it off take a sensible approach that combines positive dietary changes with regular exercise.

"A sensible diet is one that works for the individual," McTiernan said. "General guidelines would include consuming an abundant array of non-starchy vegetables and fruits, moderate amounts of lean protein and dairy products, moderate amounts of legumes and whole grains, and few or no refined carbohydrates and saturated fats," she said. "A diet high in vegetables, for example, helps reduce calories while providing most vitamins and minerals."

When it comes to exercise for weight loss and maintenance, 60 minutes of daily aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, is optimal, but any amount is better than none, said McTiernan, a member of Fred Hutchinson's Public Health Sciences Division.

In addition to helping lose weight and keep it off, exercise helps boost immune function in the process of shedding pounds, Ulrich said.

"Previous studies have shown that exercise appears to blunt the negative effects of weight loss on immune function," she said. "Because exercise in combination with dietary change can be effective for promoting weight loss and maintenance, it can help prevent weight cycling and potentially lessen any detrimental effects of weight loss on the immune system."

Note for Media: Postmenopausal women who would like information about participating in future Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center nutrition or exercise studies related to cancer prevention may call (206) 667-6444.
Tips for Losing Weight — and Keeping it Off

Dieters who struggle with the question of how much they can eat and still lose weight might think of calories as money and body weight as a bank account, suggests University of Washington Medical Center clinical nutritionist Erin Shade, M.S., R.D., the first author of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study on yo-yo dieting and immune function published in the June 1 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

"Simply add to the bank account (body-weight account) by the number of calories consumed and subtract by the number of calories burned during exercise and activity. If the average calorie balance is negative, the result is weight loss. If it's positive, the result is weight gain," said Shade, who participated in the research while a graduate student in Fred Hutchinson's Cancer Prevention Research Program.

"Any amount of exercise greater than what you are doing currently will help toward weight loss if your calorie intake remains stable, but if you decrease calories and increase exercise, you'll lose faster," she said.

"For a myriad of health reasons it makes sense to get plenty of moderate, aerobic exercise and eat a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and low-fat dairy products with a reasonable amount of protein and beneficial (non-saturated) fats," she said, "but for pure weight loss, it's mostly about total calories consumed."

Shade offers the following tips for losing weight and keeping it off:

* Eat only when hungry.
* When eating at home, take smaller portions than usual; go back for more if you are still hungry.
* When eating out, ask for a to-go box at the beginning of the meal and put half of the food in the box before you start eating.
* If you decide to splurge on a donut or pastry, throw half of it away before you start eating. "What's more important — half a donut or your health?" Shade said.
* When snacking, don't eat from a large container (a big bowl of popcorn or a large bag of chips, for example). Instead, remove the amount you will eat and put the container away before you start.
* Eat at home. Studies show that meals consumed at home are usually lower in calories than restaurant meals.
* Don't eat in front of the television. Studies show that people eat larger amounts and less-nutritious foods in front of the tube.
* Eat smaller but more-frequent meals to avoid becoming ravenous between meals, which can lead to eating too much too fast.
* Include at least one non-starchy fruit or vegetable serving in every meal or snack.
* Choose whole grains over refined grains (whole-grain bread versus white bread, for example) because whole grains are more nutritious and satisfying.
* Avoid beverages with empty calories such as soft drinks and "juice drinks," which are mostly sugar.
* Avoid "fancy" blended, sweetened coffee drinks and instead choose a latte with nonfat or low-fat milk.
* Get plenty of sleep. Studies indicate that sleep loss increases the levels hormones such as cortisol, growth hormone and insulin, which can promote fat storage.

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The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home of two Nobel Prize laureates, is an independent, nonprofit research institution dedicated to the development and advancement of biomedical technology to eliminate cancer and other potentially fatal diseases. Fred Hutchinson receives more funding from the National Institutes of Health than any other independent U.S. research center. Recognized internationally for its pioneering work in bone-marrow transplantation, the center's four scientific divisions collaborate to form a unique environment for conducting basic and applied science. Fred Hutchinson, in collaboration with its clinical and research partners, the University of Washington Academic Medical Center and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Pacific Northwest and is one of 38 nationwide. For more information, visit the center's Web site at www.fhcrc.org.

Advancing Knowledge, Saving Lives

bridgetgirl · 08-03-2004, 10:41 AM

Thanks for sharing. We can benefit from these tips, tool or no tool!

Peckkale · 08-03-2004, 10:44 AM

Weight Cycling
What is Weight Cycling?

* Weight cycling is the repeated loss and regain of body weight. When weight cycling is the result of dieting, it is often called "yo-yo" dieting.
* Weight cycling can range from small weight losses and gains (5-10 lbs. per cycle) to large changes in weight (50 lbs. or more per cycle).

Weight Cycling - Health Risks

Some research links weight cycling with certain health risks. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and gallbladder disease. To avoid potential risks, most experts recommend that obese adults adopt healthy eating and regular physical activity habits to achieve and maintain a healthier weight for life. Non-obese adults should try to maintain their weight through healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Weight Cycling - Future Weight Loss No More Difficult

A person who repeatedly loses and gains weight should not have more trouble trying to reach and maintain a healthy weight than a person attempting to lose weight for the first time.

Most studies show that weight cycling does not affect one’s metabolic rate - the rate at which the body burns fuel (food) for energy.

Based on these findings, weight cycling should not affect the success of future weight-loss efforts.
Weight Cycling & Exercise

Metabolism does, however, slow down as a person ages. In addition, older people are often less physically active than when they were younger. Regardless of your age, making regular physical activity as well as healthy eating habits a part of your life will aid weight loss and improve health overall.
Weight Cycling - Fat-Muscle-Ratio

Weight cycling has not been proven to increase the amount of fat tissue in people who lose and regain weight. Researchers have found that after a weight cycle, those who return to their original weights have the same amount of fat and lean tissue (muscle) as they did prior to weight cycling. People who exercise during a weight cycle may actually gain muscle.
Weight Cycling - Intra-Abdominal Fat

Some people are concerned that weight cycling can put more fat around their abdominal (stomach) area. People who tend to carry excess fat in the stomach area (apple-shaped), instead of in the hips, thighs, and buttocks (pear-shaped), are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Studies have not found, however, that after a weight cycle, people have more fat around their stomachs than they did before weight cycling.
Weight Cycling - Mental Effects

Losing and regaining weight may have a negative psychological effect if you let yourself become discouraged or depressed. Weight cycling should not be a reason to “feel like a failure.” Instead it is a reason to re-focus on making long-term changes in your diet and level of physical activity to help you keep off the pounds you lose.
Weight Cycling Health Risks vs. Obesity Health Risks

It is not known for certain whether weight cycling causes health problems. The diseases associated with being obese, however, are well known. These include:

High blood pressure - Heart disease - Stroke - Type 2 diabetes - Certain types of cancer - Arthritis and Gallbladder disease.
Weight-Related Risk Factors - How to Reduce

Not every adult who is overweight or obese has the same risk for disease. Whether you are a man or woman, the amount and location of your fat, and your family history of disease all play a role in determining your disease risk. Experts agree, however, that even a modest weight loss of 10 percent of body weight over a period of six months or more can improve the health of an adult who is overweight or obese.
Weight Cycling - Conclusions

Further research on the effects of weight cycling is needed.

* In the meantime, if you are obese or are overweight and suffer from weight-related health problems, try to improve your health by achieving a modest weight loss. Although weight cycling may have some effect on disease risk, the serious health problems resulting from obesity are clearly understood. If you need to lose weight, you should be ready to commit to lifelong changes in your eating and physical activity behaviors.
* If you are not obese or overweight with weight-related health problems, maintain your weight. Focus on adopting healthful eating habits and enjoying regular physical activity to manage weight and promote health for life.

Weight Cycling - Counter Opinion

Some experts consider that weight-cycling does lead to increased fat-muscle ratio (i.e. a greater proportion of body fat) and greater difficulty in losing weight. Even so, as stated, when balanced against the known health risks of obesity, weight-cycling may be a risk worth taking.

Sources include: The Weight-control Information Network (WIN). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH).

http://www.weight-loss-i.com/weight-cycling.htm

Peckkale · 08-03-2004, 10:54 AM

Weight Related Risk Factors
BMI, Body Fat Percentage and Waist Circumference

By checking your Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage and Waist Circumference or Waist-Hip Ratio, or by comparing your body weight with the Healthy Weight Chart, you can quickly see whether you are underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. You may decide to lose weight as a result of these factors.
Health Care Professionals Study Weight Related Risk Factors

When physicians or other health care professionals assess your weight, then as well as BMI and other measurements, they also look for the presence of other weight-related risk factors. The more of these risk factors you have, the more you are likely to benefit from weight loss if you are overweight or obese.
Weight Related Risk Factors

The types of weight-related risk factors that professionals look for, include:

* A personal or family history of heart disease
* A Family history of weight-related health problems
* Age - Male older than 45 years; or a postmenopausal female
* Evidence of high blood pressure
* Evidence of abnormal blood fats (high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides)
* Evidence of high blood sugar
* Evidence of Respiratory problems
* Evidence of Arthritis in Hips or knees
* Lifestyle risks, like: smoking, lack of exercise, poor eating habits

Metabolic Syndrome - Syndrome X

Called Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X, this comprises a clustering of 5 overweight-related symptoms that combine to boost the risk of cardiovascular disease. The weight-related symptoms are:

* Intra-abdominal (central fat) obesity
* Insulin resistance
* Impaired glucose tolerance
* High blood pressure
* Poor blood lipid (fats) profile.

People with two or more of these weight-related symptoms may be classified as having 'Syndrome X'.
Weight Related Risk Factors - Recommended Weight Strategy

* If you are normal weight without risk factors, you're doing fine!
* If you are high-normal with some of the above risk factors, consider losing 5-10 percent of your present body weight to reduce these risk factors.
* If you are overweight (or obese) with some of the above risk factors, take action now! See your doctor and ask him to advise you about your weight loss options.

Peckkale · 08-03-2004, 10:57 AM

Is Fast Weight Loss a Risk Factor for Gallstones?

Yes. Too rapid weight loss increases the risk of developing gallstones. People who lose a large amount of weight quickly are at greater risk than those who lose weight more slowly. Quick weight loss may also cause silent gallstones to become symptomatic.

Studies have shown that people who lose more than 3 pounds per week may have a greater risk of developing gallstones than those who lose weight at slower rates.

Peckkale · 08-03-2004, 11:00 AM

Appetite, Hunger and Weight

To be able to control your food intake and maintain a healthy weight, you need to understand why you feel the need to eat.

Appetite & Food Intake

Experts believe that basically, three factors regulate food intake including:

* The hunger center located in the hypothalamus section of the brain.
* The appetite, located in the brain stem.
* The satiety center, which is neurologically connected to the hunger center and the appetite.

Appetite Factors

Experts believe that appetite is influenced by the brain stem, which is independent of the hypothalamus. The hunger center stimulates an individual to eat while the satiety center extinguishes the need for food. The appetite also stimulates a person to eat. Appetite is often referred to in the same sense as hunger. It includes and is influenced by time of day, smell, and sight of food.
Appetite is Learned

However, appetite relates to the desire for specific types of food and eating experiences, instead of food in general. Appetite helps select the quality and balance of food as learned by an individual in his or her environment.
Appetite and Hunger Center

The hunger center is responsible for the long term, metabolic, regulation of food intake over weeks and months. The hunger center maintains normal quantities of nutrient stores and controls physiological hunger. The hunger center is influenced by the following factors:

* When glucose concentration in the blood is lowered, hunger develops which increases feeding activity until the glucose concentration stimulates the satiety center to eliminate the hunger.
* When amino acids concentration in the blood decreases, hunger increases, although this effect is not as powerful as the need for glucose.
* When the quantity of fatty molecules in the body increases, physiological hunger decreases.
* When exposed to cold weather there is a tendency to eat more as cold temperature interaction in the hypothalamus increases the metabolic rate and provides fat for insulation to correct for the cold state.

Hunger vs. Appetite

* Hunger is a craving for food associated with a number of objective sensations including hunger pains or a tightness or "gnawing" feeling in the stomach, general tenseness, and restlessness.
* Appetite, in contrast to hunger, is the short-term, environmental regulation of feeding from hour to hour over the course of a day. The appetite is concerned with the immediate effects of eating factors including salivating, tasting, chewing, swallowing, and the condition of the stomach and intestines.

Appetite & Eating Control - Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Nerves

When you overeat and overstretch the abdominal cavity, nerves in the upper gastrointestinal tract signal to stop eating. This is particularly important in bringing a halt to a heavy meal and explains why drinking water before a meal or why having soup with a meal can reduce total calories consumed. When these "eating factors" controlled in the brain stem have been satisfied, the hunger center in the hypothalamus becomes temporarily inhibited.

Since complete inhibition of the hypothalamus does not occur until both hunger and appetite are satisfied, you may desire food soon after you have eaten if appetite has been satisfied but not hunger. This also explains why people eat when they do not have hunger.
Use Appetite to Control Hunger for Healthy Weight

The fundamental principle underlying adequate eating is to use your appetite to control your hunger.

If you wait to eat until you are physiologically hungry, you may eat four or five times the amount you need to fill the nutritional stores. Many people skip meals and then "pig out." It is relatively easy to fight off your appetite but nearly impossible to fight off your hunger. To prevent this situation from occurring, eat nutrient balanced meals every day, avoid allowing yourself to become physiologically hungry by using your appetite to control your hunger.
Hunger, Appetite & Satiety

Satiety, the opposite of hunger and appetite, indicates a feeling of fulfillment in the quest for food. Satiety occurs when your nutritional storage deposits, such as the adipose or fat tissue, and glycogen stores are filled. The appetite is satisfied when a person's learned nutritional needs are satisfied.
Balance Hunger, Appetite & Satiety

* It is important to eat efficiently, balancing hunger and appetite with satiety. Eating nutrient-balanced meals to avoid hunger, and at the same time to fulfill your appetite with positive eating associations are the objectives of an adequate diet. You can learn to use your appetite to control your hunger.
* If you eat foods with sufficient nutrients to prevent hunger, satisfy appetite, and balance energy, you can avoid the major nutrition-related disorders. The objective is to learn to eat nutritionally balanced meals which will avoid the onset of physiological hunger.
* Eating within your caloric range is the first important principle related to adequate nutrition. If you do not eat within your caloric range, it will be very difficult or impossible to balance your nutrients.

Source: © Dine Systems 2003 - Web Site: www.dinesystems.com
Information About Diet and Weight Loss

Peckkale · 08-03-2004, 11:27 AM

Fatty Liver

What is it?
Fatty liver is also known as NASH, which stands for Non- Alcoholic
Steatorrhoeic Hepatosis or Non-Alcoholic-Fatty-Liver-Disease (NAFLD) but don’t be put off by these big terms – they just mean that your liver is being invaded with fat! Fatty liver or NASH, is very common in overweight persons, over the age of 30.

It contains an excessive amount of fat and the normal healthy liver tissue is partly replaced with areas of unhealthy fats. In such a liver, the liver cells and the spaces in the liver are filled with fat so the liver becomes slightly enlarged and heavier. The liver has a yellow greasy appearance. There may be discomfort over the liver, which is situated in the right upper abdominal area. There may be gallstones composed of cholesterol and bile salts. It is often possible to see the excess fat in the liver in an ultrasound scan of the liver. There may also be elevation of the liver enzymes.

Liver dysfunction is very common and an increasing problem.

The healthy liver is much redder in color and has a uniform texture. If we cut the liver up into tiny slices and magnify it many millions of times you will see that it is full of spaces that are red-pink color because they are full of blood. The rows of liver cells form the walls of the spaces. As the blood flows through these spaces the liver cells remove the toxins, dead cells, micro-organisms and fat from the blood stream. Thus we call the liver the filter and cleanser of the blood stream. If the liver spaces and liver cells are full of fat, then the liver is not able to filter and cleanse the blood stream efficiently and the blood stream will become overloaded with toxins and fat. It is best to work on reversing this problem as if left unchecked poor liver function can lead to further problems such as autoimmune conditions and Diabetes type 2

How do you know if you have a fatty liver?
• You will probably be overweight, especially in the abdominal area
• You will find it very hard to lose weight
• You may have elevated cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood
• You may have Syndrome X
• You may have diabetes type 2
• You will be very tired
• You may have problems with your immune system

The consequences of a fatty liver
The healthy liver regulates fat metabolism and is the major fat-burning organ in the body. Indeed the healthy liver not only burns fat, it can pump excessive fat out of your body through the bile into the gut. Thus, if your liver is healthy you will not have much difficulty in controlling your weight. Conversely a liver which is fatty is doing the opposite of what it should be doing. A fatty liver is storing fat when it should be burning fat and removing excess fat from your body. Indeed a fatty liver becomes a warehouse for fat and if it is allowed to progress for many years, the liver may finally become just a “bag of fat” with dire consequences for your health and longevity.

How common is fatty liver?
In the USA the incidence of fatty liver is 15 to 20% of the general population and is much higher than this in obese individuals. Fatty liver is the most common cause of abnormal liver function tests in the USA. It can also occur in children.

Can you reverse a fatty liver?
Yes indeed you can and you will find inspiration in the testimonial from Dr Eanelli. Click here for his inspiring testimonial. Conventional or orthodox medicine has no specific therapy or drug treatment to reverse a fatty liver. Indeed many drugs such as cholesterol lowering drugs can exert toxic effects on the liver cells.

The article in the Journal Medicine Today encouraged a gradual reduction in weight which has been shown to improve liver function and reverse liver damage. However the authors warn against very rapid weight loss from fad diets or radical surgery which may have a negative impact upon the progression of liver injury. The good news is that gradual weight reduction , with as little as a 5 to 10% loss of initial body weight over 6 months is recommended. In general the treatments discussed in the Medicine Today article were somewhat uninspiring and I am pleased to tell you that in reality there is much that can be done to reverse the condition of fatty liver.

So, fatty liver can be reversed but this can take some time - years in some cases. If you are overweight & find it very difficult to lose the excess weight it is important to look at all the factors relevant to your present weight & state of health.

Apart from diet and nutritional deficiencies, the most important factors are –

• Insulin resistance or Syndrome X

• Fatty Liver Syndrome
The liver contains an excessive amount of fat and the normal healthy liver tissue is partly replaced with areas of unhealthy fats.

• Toxicity
You may have a build-up of fat-soluble toxins (such as insecticides & pesticides), drug metabolites or waste products of metabolism in your fatty tissues and liver. This slows down the metabolism of the fatty parts of your body & also over-burdens your liver. This means that the liver burns fat less efficiently. Gentle and regular detoxification is very helpful when
trying to lose weight. Drinking plenty of water, raw vegetable juices and Livatone formulas will help the detoxification process.

How long does it take to see results?
The liver has become a fat storage organ rather than a fat burning organ - so this situation must be reversed before actual weight loss can occur. Obviously this will depend on the extent of the fatty liver as to how long this will take. Also be prepared for the fact that you will more than likely hit a 'plateau' - where weight loss will stop or slow right down - this may go on for weeks or a month or two - Don't be discouraged at this time - the fat loss is occurring - but is going from within your liver so you may not see any visible fat loss from the body - stick with it! It is at this time that people will tend to give up thinking that that's it - they won't lose anymore - not true! - you must be diligent and patient - the symptoms you are experiencing have taken years to develop and cannot be reversed by a couple of weeks of "dieting" Yo Yo dieting is not advisable as the weight lost will return plus more and the
metabolism will slow.

My Doctors said there is nothing that can be done?
Many Doctors still do not make the link between the traditional western diet and fatty liver. Many simply brush over the condition, telling patients there is nothing that can be done and that it will simply be ‘monitored’. Meanwhile the condition gets worse and worse as the functional liver tissue slowly gets replaced by fat over the years. If left unchecked, a severe inflamed fatty liver can lead to scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis).

Is the Doctor correct? Can nothing be done? The answer is a resounding ‘NO!”
Thankfully the liver is one of the most resilient organs in the body. It is capable of much self healing if given a chance.

My "enzymes" are raised what does this mean?
The elevated liver enzyme results indicate that there is inflammation and damage to the liver cells and their membranes. Liver enzymes are normally contained within the liver cells, and only when the cells are damaged and/or inflamed, do the enzymes leak into the blood stream. This can occur due to a fatty liver, alcohol excess, some medications such as long term antibiotics, and pain killers, oral synthetic Hormone Replacement, viral infections of the liver such as hepatitis C & B, auto-immune hepatitis, hemachromatosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, exposure to toxic chemicals such as insecticides & pesticides & organic solvents & incorrect diet.

Luckily the liver cells are very resilient and with proper diet and supplements they will repair and the enzyme levels will slowly come down over time in the case of simple fatty liver. This may take some months. It is also not uncommon for the enzyme levels to fluctuate up and down before they decrease.

Peckkale · 08-03-2004, 11:46 AM

kNOw Dieting: Risks and Reasons to Stop

Dieting: Any attempts in the name of weight loss, "healthy eating", or body sculpting to deny your body of the essential, well-balanced nutrients and calories it needs to function to its fullest capacity.

The Dieting Mindset: When dissatisfaction with your natural body shape or size leads to a decision to actively change your physical body weight or shape.

Dieting has become a National pastime, especially for women.

1. Americans spend more than $40 billion dollars a year on dieting and diet-related products. That's roughly equivalent to the amount the U.S. Federal Government spends on education each year.
2. It is estimated the 40-50% of American women are trying to lose weight at any point in time.
3. One recent study revealed that 91% of women on a college campus had dieted. 22% dieted "often" or "always". (Kurth et al., 1995)
4. Researchers estimate that 40-60% of high school girls are on diets (Sardula et al., 1993; Rosen & Gross, 1987).
5. Another study found that 46% of 9-11 year olds are sometimes or very often on diets (Gustafson-Larson & Terry, 1992).
6. And, another researcher discovered that 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls surveyed reported wanting to be thinner (Collins, 1991).

The BIG Deal About Dieting: What You Should Know

1. Dieting rarely works. 95% of all dieters regain their lost weight and more within 1 to 5 years.
2. Dieting can be DANGEROUS:
- "Yo-yo dieting (repetitive cycles of gaining, losing and regaining weight) has been shown to have negative health effects, including increased risk of heart disease, long-lasting negative impacts on metabolism, etc.
- Dieting forces your body into starvation mode. It responds by slowing down many of its normal functions to conserve energy. This means your natural metabolism actually slows down.
- Dieters often miss out on important nutrients. For example, dieters often don't get enough calcium, leaving them at risk for osteoporosis, stress fractures and broken bones.
- Dieters often experience physical consequences such as:
Loss of muscular strength and endurance
Decreased oxygen utilization
Thinning hair
Loss of coordination
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
Fainting, weakness and slowed heart rates
3. Dieting also impacts your mind. When you restrict calories you restrict your energy, which in turn can restrict your brainpower.
- Medical studies indicate that people on diets have slower reaction times and a lesser ability to concentrate than people not on a diet.
- All of the stress and anxiety about food and weight that preoccupy dieters actually can consume a portion of a dieters' working memory capacity.
- Numerous studies link chronic dieting with feelings of depression, low self-esteem and increased stress.
4. Dieting can lead to an eating disorder.
- Many studies and many health professionals note that patients with eating disorders were dieting at the time of the development of their eating disorder.
- Dieting may not cause an eating disorder, but the constant concern about body weight and shape, fat grams and calories can start a vicious cycle of body dissatisfaction and obsession that can lead all too quickly to an eating disorder.

Tired of Die-ting? TRY LIVING!!!

1. Just imagine all of the time and energy you could save for other activities and interests in your life if you decided to stop dieting.
2. We all need to take care of our bodies and make sure that we are fuelling them with a nutritional balance of foods, but we don't need to let the way our body curves or doesn't curve determine how we feel about ourselves or how we live our lives.
3. Next time the dieting desire crosses your mind, take a time-out. Think about the reasons why you want to lose weight. Are they really worth it? Think about the potential dangers of dieting. And, most of all, take the time to remember that you are worth so much more than what you weigh!

For more information, contact Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc. at 603 Stewart St., Suite 803, Seattle, WA 98101, 1-800-931-2237. www.edap.org © 2000 EDAP. This handout may be reproduced for educational purposes only.

watergirl · 08-03-2004, 02:59 PM

It looks like you've got enough information to formulate your appeal letter. I have fatty liver disease, didn't know that much about it. Thanks for posting!

Christina · 08-04-2004, 08:31 AM

Renee,

You do have all your ducks in a row girlfriend. I am sorry I forgot to check the filing cabinet last night. Right after I got home from work I left for the support group. We all ended up going out to dinner and I got home way past my bed time. Sorry. I get up around 3:45AM to go to the gym so I didn't have much time for sleep. Not trying to make excuses but do know that I will just email you hopefully when I get home tonight. Oh wait.. getting hair done tonight.. hmmmm I won't get home too late I hope.

Jeana,

Didn't you have a great appeal letter for your Mom?? Or Julianna don't you have one that she can use as a template for hers?? Someone??