Welcome to the fifteenth edition of Viewpoints, our monthly
e-newsletter.
We at Insulite Laboratories know that losing weight is never easy. So you should
be proud of yourself for taking steps towards a greater sense of wellbeing via a
balanced, nutritional diet and a realistic exercise program.
Support is vital if you are to achieve your goal of better health, which is why
we’re committed to assisting you in any way we can, with medical advice, useful
tips to improve the quality of your lifestyle and up-to-the-minute information
from the cutting edge of science.
Friends are also very important when you’re intent on losing weight, though they
can be both a help and a hindrance. The best kind of friends listen when you
talk and make you feel you can communicate with them openly. They should have
the same approach with you and be both honest and tactful.
True friends will understand why you’re trying to lose weight and will act as
cheerleaders for your efforts, even if they’re not attempting to shed weight
themselves. They’ll give you advice when you want it but also know when to back
off.
On the other hand, a bad friend is someone who's not available when you need help or is too
dogmatic with advice. A friend who isn’t a good listener is best avoided when you
need support.
These kinds of friends may have other qualities, like an ability to make you
laugh. So you don’t have to drop them completely. But it could be a good idea to
see less of them until you’re well on the way to reaching your target.
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“What we have to learn, we learn by doing.”
There’s no substitute for action when it come to achieving an ambition.
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| INTELLIGENCE REPORT |
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LESBIANS MAY BE AT GREATER RISK OF PCOS
Lesbians could be at greater risk than heterosexual women of suffering from
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a potentially dangerous hormone-related
condition linked to the blood glucose and insulin imbalance disorder called
Insulin Resistance.
PCOS can be caused by obesity and result in infertility, as well as exposing
sufferers to a higher likelihood of developing Cardiovascular Disease and
Diabetes.
A study presented at a European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
conference in Madrid showed that a large majority of lesbians seeking fertility
treatment suffered either from the multiple symptoms of PCOS or related
disorders without external manifestations like excess hair and acne.
PCOS-related disorders were present in no less than 80% of lesbians seeking
fertility treatment at a London clinic, compared with 32% of heterosexual
patients. Full-blown PCOS was present in 38% of lesbians and 14% of heterosexual
women.
Lead researcher Dr Rina Agrawal said the result suggested “significantly
greater” rates of PCOS among lesbians. She added that the high levels of the
illness among gay women meant doctors should be on the lookout for its telltale
signs among their lesbian patients in order to make sure that their wider health
was not at risk.
‘Our study emphasizes the importance of treating these women in a non-judgmental
and non-biased way, so that doctors may offer them appropriate health advice,”
said Dr Agrawal.
"We do not view lesbianism as a disease that is in need of a cure," she added.
PCOS is the most common endocrine (hormonal) condition among women who
menstruate and may affect up to 20% of women of reproductive age in America. The
disorder is also known as polycystic ovaries, Sclerocystic Ovarian Disease,
Stein-Leventhal Syndrome and Polycystic Ovarian Disease.
The symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman. Not all women have all the
symptoms, which range from irregular or completely absent periods to hirsuitism
( excessive facial or body hair), ovarian cysts and Alopecia ( male pattern hair
loss). Other symptoms can include obesity, acne and skin tags, Acanthosis
Nigricans (brown skin patches), high cholesterol levels, exhaustion or lack of
mental alertness and decreased sex drive.
Doctors very often misdiagnose PCOS. This situation became of critical concern
after a University of Pittsburgh study in 2000 found that PCOS sufferers have a
higher risk of coronary heart disease. Researchers discovered an increased
association between PCOS and atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty deposits
called plaque cling to the interior walls of the arteries, leading to blockages
that can cause heart attacks or stroke.
Not only do PCOS sufferers have higher rates of plaque build-up but those over
45 also have thicker deposits of plaque. In addition, the imbalance of glucose
and insulin levels caused in women with PCOS leads to a lowering of “good”
cholesterol and an increase in the level of triglycerides, which are fat-storing
substances carried through the bloodstream to the tissues. These factors also
increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Click here to learn about a system that helps reverse Insulin Resistance, an underlying cause of
PCOS.
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| NEW RESEARCH |
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VITAL DIABETES CLUE DISCOVERED IN IMMUNE SYSTEM ATTACK
Researchers have identified a specific target of the body’s auto-immune
system when it attacks itself and causes Type I Diabetes.
More than 1.3 Americans suffer from this form of Diabetes, which is
characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas by
the auto-immune system. Discovering how to disrupt the first steps of this
process could be crucial in the search for therapies to block the disease, which
used to be called juvenile-onset diabetes.
There is currently no treatment to reverse Type I Diabetes and the condition can
only be managed. The disorder occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough
insulin to regulate levels of blood sugar (glucose). Without adequate insulin,
glucose builds up in the blood stream, instead of being burned for energy. The
condition can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney
failure, amputation and early death.
Research by the University of Colorado (CU) Health Sciences Center has produced
“molecular proof” that insulin itself plays a role in triggering the cell
destruction leading to Type I Diabetes. The immune system appears to
specifically target insulin for attack and this conclusion is mirrored in a
separate study by Harvard Medical School. Both reported their findings in the
British journal Nature.
In Type I Diabetes, immune-system white blood cells attack insulin-producing
beta cells in the pancreas and destroy them. To stay alive, people with the
condition have to inject insulin several times a day or receive the hormone via
a special pump.
In the Colorado study, researchers used genetically altered mice of a variety
called nonobese diabetic (NOD) that usually develop Type I Diabetes. They
eliminated the mouse genes that make insulin and inserted modified genes that
produce a slightly altered, disguised form of insulin.
Immune system cells in the NOD mice failed to recognize the altered insulin and
did not attack it, leaving the mice healthy.
“If insulin is the prime target, then it’s really the Achilles heel,” said John
Hatton, a cell biologist at the CU child diabetes center.
“It raises the prospect that new therapeutic measures simply targeted at this
molecule might be sufficient,” he added.
Type I Diabetes accounts for 5-10% of all cases of Diabetes in the U.S. The
disorder makes up 3% of all new cases diagnosed in America each year. It can
strike at any age, though it is usually seen in children and young adults under
30.
The more common Type 2 Diabetes is often caused by Insulin Resistance, an
imbalance of glucose and insulin levels in the bloodstream which, in turn, may
lead to weight gain and obesity. Although the disorder is being seen in
increasing number of young people, it is still mainly associated with
middle-aged and older people. The condition often results from a sedentary
lifestyle and an unhealthy diet and can lead to life-threatening Cardiovascular
Disease as well as other complications like kidney trouble.
Most people who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes first experience Pre-Diabetes. This
latter condition does not, however, automatically lead to Type 2 Diabetes, which can
often be prevented with exercise and a balanced nutritional diet leading to a
reduction in weight to normal, healthy levels.
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| WEIGHT LOSS: MYTH OR FACT? |
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Myth: Obesity is only prevalent in affluent societies like the
U.S. and U.K. which foster unhealthy lifestyles caused by junk food and lack of
exercise.
Fact: In economically advanced regions of developing countries,
prevalence rates of obesity may be as high as rates in industrialized
countries. Contrary to popular opinion, there are also reported cases of
obesity in developing countries where malnutrition levels are high. While the
exact cause is still under investigation, researchers hypothesize that rising
obesity rates in developing countries may be due to societal changes such as
greater food consumption due to new availability and genetic adaptations that
impact metabolism.
In a related issue, a recent study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization suggests that reducing malnutrition in Third World pregnant women
could prevent childhood obesity. The theory is that under-nourished expectant
mothers may adversely affect a fetus’ metabolism in the womb, with the result
that the child’s metabolism learns to conserve, rather than use, calories. |
| CONSULT DR. MARY |
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Q. WHAT ARE THE LINKS BETWEEN DIET AND CANCER?
A. The National Cancer Institute, in its booklet Diet, Nutrition, &
Cancer Prevention: A Guide to Food Choices, says that 35 percent of cancer
deaths may be related to diet. The booklet states:
Diets rich in beta-carotene (the plant form of vitamin A) and vitamin C may
reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Reducing fat in the diet could reduce cancer risk and, by helping weight
control, may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Diets high in
fiber-rich foods could reduce the risk of cancers of the colon and rectum.
Vegetables from the cabbage family (cruciferous vegetables) may reduce the risk
of colon cancer.
In fact, the Federal Drug Administration authorized several health claims on food
labels, connecting low-fat diets high in some plant-derived foods with a
possibly reduced risk of cancer. While the FDA acknowledges that high intakes of
fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene or vitamin C have been associated
with reduced cancer risk, it believes the data is not sufficiently convincing
that either nutrient by itself is responsible for the association.
Nevertheless, since most fruits and vegetables are low-fat foods and may contain
vitamin A (as beta-carotene) and vitamin C, the agency authorized a health claim
relating diets low in fat and rich in these foods to a possibly reduced risk of
some cancers.
Another claim relates low-fat diets high in fiber-containing vegetables, fruits
and grains to a possible reduction in cancer risk.
The National Cancer Institute recommends 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Although
the exact role of total dietary fiber, fiber components, and other nutrients and
substances in these foods is not fully understood, many studies have shown such
diets to be associated with reduced risk of some cancers.
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“I have stuck to a program with your suggestions and have already lost 12
lbs. I eat only the good carbs in veggies etc. I’m pretty excited about my new
changed attitude and my new determination.”
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- Jodie Wise
Milpitas, 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. Please email us at
testimonials@insulitelabs.com
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| DID YOU KNOW? |
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DOCTORS “CAN SEE MANY YEARS INTO THE FUTURE” WITH SCAN
An ultra-sophisticated X-Ray scanner is enabling doctors to detect heart
disease years before it develops into a dangerous condition.
The EBCT scan can show potential problems up to 10 years before symptoms
appear by identifying the closing up of the arteries at its earliest
stage. As a result, doctors can initiate preventative treatment before
any lasting damage has been done to the heart.
People as young as 35 have been shown to have the beginnings of
Cardiovascular Disease. Luckily, the scan’s results often pick up the
warning signs in time for people to improve their condition simply by
changing their lifestyles to incorporate regular exercise and a better
diet. Sometimes, however, the scan suggests medication such as statins,
the cholesterol-lowering drug. For a few, the best course of action will
be surgery, such as angioplasty to open up the arteries, or a heart
by-pass operation.
EBCT stands for electron beam computed tomography, which works by
detecting coronary calcification. Calcium should be in your bones, not
in your arteries, and calcification, also known as hardening of the
arteries, is the first sign of Cardiovascular Disease.
Many other tests are only reliable indicators when heart disease is
already so advanced that it has stopped the heart from functioning
properly. These include exercise stress ECG, which measures the rhythm
and electrical activity of the heart, and stress thallium, in which a
radioactive marker is put into the blood stream to reveal problems with
blood supply to the heart muscles.
EBCT takes a series of images of the heart over a few minutes while the
patient is fully clothed and lying on his or her back. Then a “calcium
score” is calculated, which is compared with scores of other men and
women of similar age to determine the individual’s risk of
Cardiovascular Disease.
The process is non-invasive with very low-dose radiation. It is also
open and, unlike the MRI scanner, does not provide a problem for people
with claustrophobia. The scan does not, however, calculate the risk of a
stroke, which can be caused by the furring up of the arteries to the
brain. Ultrasound scans can assess stroke risk more directly.
Some centers in the U.S. advise an EBCT scan for all men over 40 and
women over 45. The more risk factors a person has, the more important
the scan is. These risk factors include obesity, Type 2 Diabetes,
sedentary lifestyle and Metabolic Syndrome symptoms like high
cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as a family history of
Cardiovascular Disease.
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“Everywhere is within walking distance if you have time.”
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- Steven Wright |
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Try to find the opportunity to walk a
little further each day. |
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INSULITE LIFESTYLE: TIPS
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Working
in an office each day doesn't mean you have to let your body get out of
shape. Here are some simple stretch exercises to keep you supple while
remaining in a seated position. If you're self-conscious about exercising in
front of co-workers, wait until the office empties during the lunch hour or
after the working day. Why not ask a friend at work to do the exercises with
you?
Remember to consult your doctor if you have any doubts about starting a new
exercise regime and always take things slowly.
Neck Stretch: First tuck your neck in by bending your head forward. Relax
the shoulders. Then look over one shoulder and then the other. Don't let the
opposite shoulder come forward. Do the exercises slowly without jerking.
Triceps Stretch: hold your left elbow with your right hand and then
raise and gently pull the left elbow behind your head until you feel a
stretch in your shoulder and back of your left arm. Do not overstretch.
Repeat with your right arm.
Shoulders Stretch: clasp your left elbow using your right hand and
gently pull your right shoulder. Repeat with the opposite arm.
Forearm & Side Stretch: interlock your fingers, then straighten your arms in
front of you with the palms facing outwards. Feel the stretch in both arms.
Then raise your arms upwards above your head with your palms facing upwards.
Feel the stretch along the arms and upper part of the chest.
Back Stretch: with both arms raised, bend towards your left side.
Keep the arms as straight as possible. Repeat the movement to the other
side. Place your hands palm down beside your chair, with your fingers
pointing towards the back. Lean back slowly to stretch the forearms. Be sure
to keep the palms flat on the chair.
Trunk Bending: with your arms by your side, bend slowly forward to take the
strain off your lower back and feel the stretch down your back. Do it gently
and bend as far down as you can with feeling pain.
Quadriceps Strengthening: place your hand on your left thigh and raise your
left leg forward until it is horizontal. Hold and slowly lower the leg.
Repeat for the right leg.
Hamstrings & Calf Stretch: raise your left leg forward until it is
horizontal. Point your toes upwards and towards you. Then point your toes
downwards and away from you. Repeat for the right leg.
Ankle Rotation: raise your left ankle while keeping the toes off the ground.
Circle your ankle. Repeat in the opposite direction. Repeat for your right
leg.
Breathing: sit in a relaxed posture with your arms by your sides. Breathe in
slowly & deeply. As you breathe in, push your shoulders back slightly & let
your body rise until you are 'sitting tall'. Breathe out slowly & allow your
head & shoulders to relax into a 'slumped' position
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Guest writer Jeffry Weiss, PhD, explains why chocolate is so addictive. A member of Insulite Laboratories’ Medical and Advisory Board, Jeffry is the author of Why We Eat … and Why We Keep Eating and an expert on diet and obesity.
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Chocolate has, in its many forms, been enjoyed for over 2000 years. It’s
been called the food of the gods. The Aztec emperor, Montezuma, is said to
have eaten fifty goblets of chocolate a day.
While chocolate is made up of 300 plus compounds, among the most researched
are sugar, fat, theobromine, caffeine, and salsolinol. Fats and sugar
certainly play a role in the attraction chocolate but other less addictive
foods also, of course, contain these two compounds. So they alone can't be
responsible for its compelling nature. Other compounds may be to blame and
here's a line-up of the suspects:
Dopamine. A compound involved in the release of LHRH, the aphrodisiac
polypeptide hormone. Its presence could be why some women are said to choose
chocolate over sex! Dopamine-like compounds also mirror the effects of
inhibitors like Prozac in fighting depression. Dopamine, itself, is also
involved in what is known by the phrase "the reward for behavior dependent
upon reinforcement." This is why some people use chocolate as a reward for
an accomplishment.
Caffeine. Caffeine enhances the effects of dopamine and serotonin,
both of which improve mood. The amount of caffeine in one ounce of chocolate
varies between 5 and 35 mgs, compared to 140 mgs in a cup of coffee.
Theobromine. This chemical is similar to caffeine. It is found in
higher concentrations in chocolate than caffeine but is somewhat less
potent.
Salsolinol. This is an alkaloid of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that
affects sex-drive and mood, as well as being is a stimulus for food intake.
Fat. Research clearly shows that the fat in chocolate stimulates the
body’s production of endorphins, causing pain relief as well as creating
feelings of well-being and euphoria.
Anandamide. A chemical that mimics marijuana’s effect on the brain.
Phenylethylamine. The chemical found in chocolate which the brain
also releases when you fall in love!
All in all, then, chocolate is a quite a combination of addictive qualities,
I think you’ll agree. So don’t be surprised the next time you find it hard
to resist the temptation to open that box of chocolates or take a slice of
cake. |
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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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