Medical Weight Loss Blog

This blog gives fast and easy to read summaries of the latest news in the field of weight loss. This come from various sources, including scientific journals, which is interpreted and written so that anyone can understand it. You will also get updates on additions and changes to the web site.

Click on the orange RSS button to get started. You can also visit the News Archives to see older articles.

Video Game Increase Calorie Intake

Researchers studied 22 adolescent males while playing video games for one hour. They discovered that heart rate, mental workload, and the "fight-or-flight response" were increased during the hour of video game play. After playing the games, the boys increased their calorie intake during the rest of the day. They ate more than 163 kcal than their bodies required. The scientists concluded: "A single session of video game play in healthy male adolescents is associated with an increased food intake, regardless of appetite sensations."

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Obesity is Associated with Worse Left Sided Heart Function

Obese and overweight patients are at risk of heart failure. The left ventricle is the main pumping chamber of the heart, and a dysfunctional left ventricle is associated with heart failure. Researchers looked to see if increased body size was related to left ventricle dysfunction by using a heart ultrasound (i.e. echocardiogram). They evaluated 950 patients, and found that "Increased BMI was associated with worse LV diastolic function independent of LV mass and associated risk factors. The increased risk of LV diastolic dysfunction in both overweight and obese persons may partially account for the increased risk of heart failure associated with both conditions."

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Phentermine and Topiramate Drug Combo Leads to Weight Loss

Researchers studied overweight adults with complication from obesity. They were placed on either placebo or a combination of phentermine and topiramate. All patients received healthy lifestyle and diet counseling. Results were complied after 56 weeks of study. The primary outcome that was studied was a 5% loss of body weight. Higher percentage of people achieved this goal on a phentermine and topiramate combination compared to placebo.

The researchers concluded ¡°The combination of phentermine and topiramate, with office-based lifestyle interventions, might be a valuable treatment for obesity that can be provided by family doctors.¡±

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hCG Diet | Medical-Weight-Loss-Guide.com

The hCG Diet is based off of the work of Dr. Simeons in the mid 20th century and his book called Pounds and Inches-A New Approach to Obesity. The diet consists of hCG injections and a very low calorie intake of about 500 calories per day. It makes several claims that have been unfounded, and the value of hCG weight loss has been determined to be worthless.

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Lorcaserin | Medical-Weight-Loss-Guide.com

Lorcaserin is a new weight loss drug by Arena Pharmaceuticals that could cause an up to 18 pound weight loss with almost no side effects. It is pending FDA approval as of January 2010.

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FDA warning on Celerite Slimming Capsules

From denverpost.com:
"The FDA's most recent warning about tainted supplements included the product 'Celerite Slimming Capsules,' which is sold online.

Claims made on the product say it is safe and an all-natural weight-loss remedy, but it contains sibutramine.

In Colorado, no complaints of people sickened by sibutramine have been reported to the FDA or the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.

But Devin Koontz, a spokesman for the Denver division of the FDA, said there is an emerging trend of diet supplements that contain hidden ingredients or that are laced with prescription drugs and controlled substances. It's impossible for consumers to know whether the supplements are tainted because the products are not marked. Consumers can check the FDA's website for a list of 75 diet supplement products to avoid."

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Sibutramine (brand names Meridia or Reductil) | Medical-Weight-Loss-Guide.com

Explains how sibutramine (brand names Meridia or Reductil) works. Gives the pros and cons of this weight loss drug.

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Asthma and Fast Food

"The increasing prevalence of asthma and allergy might be related to diet, particularly in Western countries. A study was undertaken to assess the association between dietary factors, asthma and allergy in a large international study...high burger consumption was associated with higher lifetime asthma prevalence...Diet is associated with wheeze and asthma but not with allergic sensitisation in children. These results provide further evidence that adherence to the 'Mediterranean diet' may provide some protection against wheeze and asthma in childhood."

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Xenical (Alli) Now Carries a Liver Injury Warning

On May 26th, the FDA decided to require packaging of prescription Xenical (OTC version Alli) to carry a warning that it can cause liver injury. This is based on case reports and appears to be a rare side effect. Talk to your doctor for more information if you are taking or considering Xenical, Alli, or orlistat.

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Cellulite | Medical-Weight-Loss-Guide.com

Cellulite plagues neary every woman, no matter what her body weight is. How its skin dimpling is produced and what proven treatments may help are explained. Avoid sham therapies and increase your understanding by going through this page.

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