Welcome to the seventeenth edition of Viewpoints, our monthly
e-newsletter.
We at Insulite Laboratories realize that, if you're a mother with young
children, it often isn't just your own weight that's a matter of concern.
Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S. and many parents
are looking for ways to encourage their kids to eat the right food and get more
exercise.
The vast increase in overweight or obese children raises the risk of them
developing conditions more normally associated with adults like Pre- and Type II
Diabetes. Weight gain can also expose them to high blood pressure and increased
cholesterol levels which, if left unchecked, may be the start of the road
leading to heart problems like Metabolic Syndrome, also known as Syndrome X.
But don't despair! Fortunately, there are many ways to help your kids avoid this
kind of future. And by getting them to eat right and exercise more, you'll also
find yourself focusing on ways to lose weight as well.
For a start, encourage your children to take up activities like walking,
swimming and cycling. Take them to the local park and think up games for them to
play, like asking them how many dogs they can find to stroke with their owners'
permission. Walk with them to the local pool and take a dip yourself. Buy
secondhand bikes in good condition for the kids and yourself and join them on
rides. Get pedometers for the whole family. Kids love them and compete with each
other to see who can rack up the largest number of steps.
Keep a check on how many sugary, calorie-laden sodas they're drinking and set a
good example by cutting right back or not drinking them yourself. Let them have
a soft drink as a reward now and again but get them to drink more water, which
is so good for the body in so many ways. Buy fizzy mineral water in bulk at
places like Costco and Sam's Club - it may be more appealing to some kids, who
might find plain water boring.
Children learn habits early. So, if they don't have sugared cereals as a normal
routine, they won't miss it. Likewise, make vegetables a regular part of
mealtime and they'll get used to eating them.
Another bad habit is watching TV at meal times. With their attention on the
screen, eating becomes a routine with little meaning for kids, who often don't
even notice the taste or amount of food. Insist they eat in the kitchen or at
the dining room table and take advantage of the opportunity for some family
interaction.
Don't over-emphasize restrictions on food with your kids or yourself. Children
who are afraid they're going to go hungry can become pre-occupied with food and
overeat when they get a chance. Instead, make eating in moderation a natural
activity in your home.
Take charge of all the meal and snack planning. Pair a favorite food with
healthy new choices. Gently suggest trying some new taste treats which are also
nutritious. This is also a good way for you, yourself, to discover healthy new
things at the same time.
With a little imagination, losing weight and keeping it off doesn't have to be
grim experience. In fact, it can be a fun family activity.
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“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious
triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those
spirits who neither enjoy much, nor suffer much, because they live in a
gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.”
Don't let fear of failure deprive you of the chance to discover your
full potential.
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| INTELLIGENCE REPORT |
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WEIGHT LOSS CUTS BREAST CANCER GENE RISK IN YOUNG WOMEN
Women between 18 and 30 who carry breast cancer genes called BRC1 and 2 can
significantly reduce their risk of developing the disease by losing weight,
according to a new study.
An international team of scientists found that women who lost at least 10 lbs
between those ages reduced their risk of cancer by up to 65%. But the survey
also produced evidence that gaining 10 lbs in the same age group increased the
women's risk of developing cancer before the age of 40.
Researchers said the study was the first to link the weight of women of
reproductive age with cancer (1). Being overweight after the Menopause was already
known to increase the risk of women of developing the disease.
The study by researchers from the U.S., Canada and Poland, looked at more than
2,000 women carrying faulty or mutated BRCA1 or 2 breast cancer genes. BRCA1 and
2 are tumor suppressor genes that, when functioning normally, help repair
damage to DNA in a process that also prevents tumor development.
In 1994, researchers discovered that women who carry BRCA1 or 2 mutations are at
higher risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer than women who do not
have these genetic mutations. Currently, women with BRCA1 mutations account for
5% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S.
The women in the new study were tested for BRCA1 and 2 genes and questioned
about their weight at ages 18, 30 and 40. It was found that women carrying the
BRCA1 gene who lost weight saw the greatest benefit. At 18, they had an average
weight of 142.5 lbs. By the age of 30, these women had lost a minimum of 10 lbs
and an average of 18.6 lbs and experienced a reduction in risk of up to 65%.
Slimming also reduced the risk of cancer for women with the defective breast
cancer gene BRCA2, but not to a significant degree.
On the other hand, gaining weight substantially heightened the risk of breast
cancer for BRCA1 mutation carriers who had borne at least two children. These
women increased their risk of being diagnosed with cancer before the age of 40
by 44% if they gained 10 lbs between the ages of 18 and 30.
The study suggests that carrying extra fat around the center of the body could
affect ovarian hormones and glucose metabolism, increasing the likelihood of the
onset of Insulin Resistance. This latter condition causes a reduction in insulin
receptor sites on cell walls. The lack of sites means that insulin cannot
perform its normal role of allowing sufficient blood glucose to pass through
those walls to be used as energy. As a result, glucose and insulin levels become
unbalanced.
Excess glucose in the bloodstream ends up being stored as fat, which can
result in obesity and may also lead to the cluster of Cardiovascular Diseases
called Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X.
In addition, unbalanced levels of insulin can result in Pre-Diabetes, which, if
left unchecked, may lead to full-blown Type 2 Diabetes. High insulin levels can
also affect a woman's hormones, resulting in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS),
a leading cause of female infertility, as well as skin conditions, excess body
hair and male pattern baldness. PCOS sufferers are also at greater risk from
heart attacks and stroke.
Lead researcher Dr. Steven Narod of the University of Toronto, Canada, wrote:
"The results from this study suggest that weight loss in early adult life
protects against early-onset BRCA-associated breast cancers.
"Weight gain should also be avoided, particularly among BRCA1 mutation carriers,
who elect to have at least two pregnancies."
(1) Breast Cancer Research, August 2005
DR. MARY SHACKELTON, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF INSULITE LABORATORIES, WRITES :
This study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy bodyweight
throughout adult life for women who have inherited an increased risk of breast
cancer due to faults in their BRCA1 or 2 genes.
We are seeing more and more information about the risk of having excess insulin
at any stage of life, adolescence through menopause and beyond. Too much
circulating insulin can act as a “growth promoter” for various cancers. As we
learn about the dangers, we are reminded of the importance of eating proteins,
good fats and vegetables daily, while avoiding the carbohydrates that cause an
increase in insulin.
This research can be helpful to women who do have the BRCA1 and 2 gene mutations
and feel as though they are destined to get cancer. Now, instead of awaiting the
diagnosis of cancer, women can be proactive and reduce the risks with their
diets and intake of nutrients, as well as taking action that decreases the
insulin they are exposed to every day. The new information supports the work of Insulite Laboratories and reaffirms the seriousness of reversing Insulin
Resistance.
The important subject of BRCA1 and 2 gene mutations and their link with
breast cancer, Insulin Resistance and weight loss is one to which we will
return in great detail very soon.
Click here to learn about a system that helps reverse Insulin Resistance.
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| NEW RESEARCH |
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SECONDHAND SMOKE RAISES THE RISK OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN
TEENAGERS
Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk to teenagers of developing the
cluster of Cardiovascular Diseases called Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X.
A new study is the first to discover a connection between tobacco exposure in this
age group and the disorder which has also been linked to Pre- and Type II
Diabetes, as well as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of
infertility in women (1).
Metabolic Syndrome can develop in childhood and is often associated with Insulin
Resistance, a condition in which the body doesn't use blood sugar and insulin
efficiently, resulting in excess weight gain and obesity.
“Tobacco and obesity are the two leading causes of preventable death in the
United States, so our findings may have profound implications for the future
health of the public,” said lead author Michael Weitzman, M.D., executive
director of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center for Child Health Research
and professor and associate chair at the University of Rochester School of
Medicine and Dentistry, both in Rochester, N.Y.
In teens, Metabolic Syndrome primarily strikes those who are overweight or at
risk for becoming overweight, a group that has tripled during the last two
decades. As a result, the study says “a growing segment of the nation’s youth
are uniquely vulnerable to the development of this syndrome and to subsequent
premature Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes."
Due to the lack of a universally accepted definition of Metabolic Syndrome in
adolescents, the study defined sufferers of the disorder as having at least
three of these conditions: excess waist circumference for age and sex; high
blood pressure for age, sex and height; hypertriglyceridemia ( a concentration
in the blood of very low density lipoprotein, which becomes LDL "bad"
cholesterol); low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol; and elevated glucose levels.
The researchers studied 2,273 adolescents aged 12-19, using data from the
Centers for Disease Control's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
III (NHANES). The teens and their parents were asked whether they or anyone in
the household smoked, while the teens received physical examinations with laboratory
blood and urine testing.
The study was the first in any age group to use self-reported tobacco exposure
along with measurements of cotinine, a bio-marker of nicotine breakdown in the
liver.
Two-thirds of the teens who abstained from smoking had cotinine levels between
.05 and 15 nanograms per milliliter, indicating exposure to secondhand smoke.
Overall, the researchers found:
- 5.6% of all the adolescents had Metabolic Syndrome
- 1.2% of those unexposed to smoke had Metabolic Syndrome
- 5.4% of those with cotinine levels indicating smoke exposure had Metabolic
Syndrome
- 8.7% of those not overweight who actively smoked had Metabolic Syndrome
“All things equal, you are almost five times more likely to develop Metabolic
Syndrome if you are exposed to secondhand smoke,” said Professor Weitzman.
“Active smoking increases the risk to at least six times that of a non-exposed
individual.”
The strength of the dose-response relationship was a surprise, he added. “We
were expecting to find something, but in terms of epidemiologic phenomena those
are huge differences."
An even more dramatic effect was found in overweight teens:
- 5.6% of non-smoke exposed individuals had Metabolic Syndrome
- 19.6% of exposed teens had Metabolic Syndrome
- 23.6% of the active smokers had Metabolic Syndrome
Other subgroups associated with higher risk of the disorder included:
- 8.1% of males had Metabolic Syndrome, compared to 2.9% of females
- 6.7% of Mexican Americans and 6.5% of whites had the disorder, compared to
3.1% of African Americans
Weitzman views secondhand smoke as an insidious factor because people are
unaware they are developing complications which may have serious
implications 30 years later. What is clear, he adds, is that teens who smoke are
not the only ones in danger. They are also harming their friends.
The exact link between smoking and Metabolic Syndrome needs more research
before it comes clear. But many believe smoking may be a marker for unhealthy
behavior, meaning smokers are also less likely to exercise or eat healthily.
Professor Weitzman believes further research will show that smoking affects the
body in ways that impact metabolism.
About 16% of all children and teens in the United States are overweight,
according to the American Heart Association.
“This is a group in which it is profoundly important to reduce secondhand smoke
exposure and active smoking,” added Professor Weitzman.
(1) Published in the
American Heart Association online journal Circulation, August 2005
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| WEIGHT LOSS: MYTH OR FACT? |
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Myth: If you've had trouble losing weight in the past,
you'll probably never succeed.
Fact: Most people who've embarked on a weight loss program have
had at least one unsuccessful attempt. But this is no reason to give up. Things
may not have worked out as planned because they didn't have the proper nutrients
or diet plan to help them become successful.
The most frequent reason that people do not stick to diet plans is because they
are unrealistic and too difficult. It can be hard to cut down on favorite treats
like pasta and you need to have well-thought-out, healthful substitutes
lined-up.
Some people also expect immediate weight loss and lose interest when it doesn' t
happen. Your mantra should be "slow and steady" as you eat balanced meals,
increase physical exercise and plan long-term goals that are attainable. Losing
1/2 lb-1 lb a week is a good target to aim for. |
| CONSULT DR. MARY |
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Q. Can fat in food really help me lose weight?
A. Yes. Strange as it may sound,
fat can be your friend when it comes to losing weight. Many of us struggle with
the concept of eating fat to lose weight, yet the "fat-free" era in the U.S. has
created more obesity than ever before.
We have become a nation of "sugar burners" in that we burn sugar or
carbohydrates as fuel, instead of fat. First we burn carbs, then protein and
then fat - almost as a last resort. Because we give our bodies fuel in the form
of carbohydrates, we use these first as they are a quick store of energy and the
easiest to burn.
But most of us do not burn off all our carbs - and the remainder is then stored
as fat. We cannot burn this fat because we are too busy trying and failing to
burn off all the carbohydrates from the next meal or snack. Excess consumption
of carbs and a lack of physical activity lead to weight gain.
If we ate fat in greater proportion, we would be able to burn this fat and NOT
crave carbohydrates. By giving our bodies more fat and fewer carbs, we would
eventually burn fat as fuel and lose weight.
The trick is to give yourself enough fat and the right type of fat, coupled with
a drastic reduction in carbs. To turn your body into a fat burner, consume less
than 20 grams of carbs per day for several weeks. Eat plenty of protein, plus
good fats such as nuts, cheese, avocados, olive oil and eggs.
Focus on filling out your plate with green vegetables, rather than rice, pasta
and breads. Try eating a green salad with chicken and full fat salad dressing or
a stir fry with beef and broccoli, skipping the rice but adding cashews. Why not
sauté your spinach for a change and add mozzarella cheese to an omelet?
Fat also keeps us satiated. By that I mean, if we eat fat in our meals, we do
not get as hungry as we do when we eat a greater proportion of carbs. Ever
notice how hungry you get if you eat oatmeal for breakfast? Try eating eggs with
cheese and you will notice that at 10 a.m. you are not as hungry.
My advice is to avoid anything labeled “fat-free” as these foods have too many
carbohydrates. It is better to eat full fat items such as cottage cheese,
yogurt, salad dressings and ice cream - in limited amounts, of course! Eating
more of the good fats at every meal will drastically reduce your carbohydrate
intake
and enable you to lose weight.
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“After having many unanswered questions about my condition, I did my own
research and through that search found Insulite Laboratories. I liked how it
sounded and decided to give it a try. I have now been on the Insulite System for
approximately 3 months. I have lost 33 lbs, my liver functions are normal, my
A1C came back at 5.1, down from 8.0 three months ago.
I was taking 10 Glucovance pills daily, now I take only 2 pills in the morning.
My blood sugar is normal, my energy is higher than it has been in years and
I feel great. Insulite, along with a change in my diet, has changed my
life. I tell everyone about the Insulite program when they ask me what I have
done to change my life. Your product is fantastic. I have cut out all sweets,
flour and dairy and have no cravings.”
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- Marta Garcia
Santa Ana, CA
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Insulite Laboratories would like to share other
experiences like this one to inspire our many clients on the same path. Tell
us your story and we will use it in a future issue of this newsletter, as
well as on web sites and affiliate sites.
If you are uncomfortable with us publishing your name, we are quite happy to
use your initials to preserve your anonymity. We do ask that you include the
name of your hometown and state. Please email us at
testimonials@insulitelabs.com
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Have You Been Diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome?
If You Have, We’re Glad That You Have Found Us.
We’re Here to Support You.
Insulite Laboratories is committed to reversing Metabolic Syndrome by
giving you a better understanding of your condition and its underlying
cause, Insulin Resistance.
Supporting you in any way we can is central to our philosophy.
To be introduced in early fall, the Insulite MetaX System has been
scientifically-formulated to reverse Insulin Resistance. It contains an
ingredient called Meta-OmegaX which is targeted specifically at the symptoms
of Metabolic Syndrome.
Our web site insulitelabs.com and future editions of
“Viewpoints” will keep you updated.
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| DID YOU KNOW? |
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YOUR LUNGS TELL YOU THERE IS A GOOD AND A BAD TIME TO EXERCISE
Have you ever noticed that you don't seem to be as strong during a
midday run or treadmill workout as at other times? If you have, there's
a reason for it - our lungs lose power at lunchtime.
A cycle of circadian rhythms that dip and rise over a 24-hour period
govern the performance of our lungs. The time of peak lung performance
for most people is late afternoon, making it the best time of day to
exercise. Since lung performance tends to drop in the very early morning
hours and again at noon, you won't get the optimal benefit from a very
early morning or lunchtime workout.
Researchers from the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York
report that their new study doesn't just show the best and worst times
of day to exercise (1). It also highlights the best time to take respiratory
medications for asthma and other ailments, as well as the timing of
certain types of respiratory medical procedures so they will have the
greatest effect.
The medical community has known for years that lung performance is weak
in the early hours of the morning. But this five-year study of 4,835
patients discovered new facts by focusing on the hours of 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. For most of the patients, lung function was at its least effective
around midday, rising to a peak between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
"Circadian rhythms regulate our biological cycles for sleep, activity
level, metabolism, and many other processes through our body's exposure
to sunlight and darkness," said lead researcher Dr. Boris Medarov, whose
report was presented at a meeting of the American College of Chest
Physicians.
"Our study finds that lung function has its own rhythm that may govern
how much energy we exert throughout the day and the best times to engage
in certain activities. We often associate the end of the work day with
being tired and less motivated for physical exertion.
"However, lung
function seems to be at its best during this time. As a result,
exercising or engaging in other physical activities in the late
afternoon may help us to achieve optimal performance."
The difference is significant. This study showed there is a 15-20%
difference in lung performance between noon and late afternoon. The good
news is that healthy people have strong lungs, so the change shouldn't
be too noticeable.
(1) northshoreLIJ.com
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“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are
doing.”
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- Dale Carnegie |
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Enjoyment can be a key factor in success. |
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INSULITE LIFESTYLE: TIPS
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Delicious
ingredients come together to make this Thai Chicken with Asparagus dish.
It's easily prepared and just right for when the nights begin to draw in and
become cooler.
Start with :
- 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces
- 4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 1/4 lbs) thinly sliced
- 1 jumbo onion (about 1 lb) thinly sliced
- 1 piece fresh ginger (about 2 inches by 1 inch) peeled and cut into matchstick-thin strips
- 2 jalapeno chilies, seeded and cut likewise into matchstick-thin strips
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves/1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 3 tsp vegetable oil/1 tsp salt/3 tbs Asian fish sauce/2 tbs fresh lime juice/1 tbs and 1 tsp soy sauce/1 tbs sugar
Directions: Take a 10-inch skillet and heat 1 inch of water and salt to
boiling point over high heat. Add asparagus, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to
low; simmer, uncovered, for 3-5 minutes until asparagus is just
tender-crisp. Drain asparagus and set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix sugar, fish sauce, lime juice and soy sauce.
Stir in chicken until evenly coated (coat chicken just before cooking
because the lime juice will change its texture).
In a nonstick, 12-inch skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of oil over a medium-high
heat until hot. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes or just until it
loses its pink color throughout, stirring occasionally. With tongs or
slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a clean bowl, leaving any cooking liquid
in the skillet.
In the same skillet, heat remaining 1 teaspoon of oil over a medium heat
until hot. Add the asparagus to the skillet and cook until it begins to
brown after about five minutes, stirring occasionally. Return onion mixture
and chicken to skillet and heat.
Toss basil and cilantro leaves with chicken mixture just before serving.
Makes 4 main dish servings.
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 Last
month we looked at how omega-3 fatty acids can help the hearts of healthy
people as well as those at risk of or already suffering from Cardiovascular
Disease. This month we focus on further benefits and how omega-3 can be
taken in supplement form.
At one time, humans consumed a healthy balance of omega-3 ( found in fish,
walnuts, eggs, flaxseed oils and grass-fed meat) and omega-6 fats ( found
principally in vegetables and vegetable oils like corn, sunflower, safflower
and soy). The ratio used to be close to 1:1 when our nutrients came
exclusively from whole food.
But the Western world has greatly expanded its omega-6 intake due to
increased use of vegetable oils, processed food and animal products raised
on omega-6 rich food like corn and soy. At the same time, our omega-3 intake
has diminished, resulting in the ratio changing to something like 1:20, which is much too
heavily in favor of omega-6.
The medical community believes that about 60% of Americans are deficient in
omega-3 fats and about 20% have so little that it is undetectable in their
blood. When there is an abundance of omega-6 in the diet, the body's ability
to utilize omega-3 is inhibited and all the health benefits are reduced. The
result can be a number of unwanted reactions, including increased risk of
heart disease, immune system dysfunction and damage to the liver,
reproductive organs and lungs. Another side-effect can be weight gain.
On the plus side, omega-3 acids can lower the risk of arrhythmia, a
condition that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. They also slightly lower
blood pressure, as well as decreasing the level of fat-storing substances
called triglycerides in the blood stream and reducing the growth rate of
atherosclerotic plaque, which blocks arteries.
Additionally, omega-3 acids improve the responsiveness of insulin receptor
sites on the cell wall, which allow glucose or blood sugar to pass through
to be converted into energy. Insulin Resistance impairs this process by
reducing the number of sites and creating an imbalance of glucose and
insulin in the blood stream, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
This, in turn, may result in a host of disorders like Polycystic Ovarian
Syndrome (PCOS), which is a leading cause of female infertility, as well
as Diabetes and the cluster of Cardiovascular Diseases known as Metabolic
Syndrome or Syndrome X.
Fish are a prime source of omega-3 fatty acids. Mackerel, lake trout,
herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are rich in the key constituents
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and dicosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Signs of fish
fat deficiency can range from weight gain, fatigue and depression to dry
hair and skin, poor sleep and arthritis.
But there are two drawbacks to fish consumption. Firstly, levels of mercury
in fish are of growing concern, with the World Health Organization (WHO)
recently recommending only one fish meal a week.
Secondly, many people either simply don't like the taste of fish or find
fish less than satisfying as a meal.
An alternative way of maintaining omega-3 intake is by taking supplements,
though the ideal amount to be consumed isn't clear. Research suggests that
taking EPA and DHA in capsule amounts ranging from 0.5-1.8 gms a day
significantly reduces the risk of death from Cardiovascular Disease. For
Alpha-Linolenic Acid, the parent substance of omega-3 fatty acids, a total
intake of 1.5-3.0 gms per day seems beneficial.
The American Heart Association says it is preferable to increase omega-3
intake through foods, though coronary heart disease patients may not get
enough from diet alone.
If you suffer from Cardiovascular Disease, be sure to talk to your doctor
before taking omega-3 in the form of a supplement.
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You are
well on the way to reversing your Insulin Resistance and preventing its related
conditions such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), Metabolic Syndrome
(Syndrome X) and Pre-Diabetes. You are also taking important steps to achieving your desired weight loss goal
and the healthy lifestyle you deserve.
Remember that persistence is crucial.
We at Insulite Laboratories are
committed to your success and your well being. We're here to help you.
Please contact us with any questions or to order the Insulite System or the
Insulite PCOS System at info@insulitelabs.com
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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this newsletter is for the sole purpose of being informative.
This information is not and should not be used or relied upon as medical advice. Always seek the advice
of your physician, nurse or other qualified health care provider before you undergo any treatment, take
any medication, supplements or other nutritional support, or for answers to any questions you may have
regarding a medical condition.
Nothing contained in or provided through this newsletter is intended to be or is to be used or relied
upon for medical diagnosis or treatment. Your use of our newsletter opportunity is subject to certain
terms and conditions including, but not limited to, the fact that you have not been seen, evaluated or
diagnosed by a qualified medical/health care provider through the use of our newsletter service.
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