Diet pills or herbal diet formulas, which use stimulants as their active ingredients, are unsuitable for people who have high blood sugar, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Ironically, most people who are overweight have these problems. Unlike diet formulas with stimulants, "Nutrigenesis Approach" uses no stimulants and is especially helpful for people with high blood pressure or diabetes.
Many of the foods we eat everyday contain inadequate nutrients and
toxic substances, especially refined preprocessed foods with preservatives, artificial
colors and artificial flavors. We often add additional "free radicals" (i.e. unstable
molecules that attack our cells) to our food by unhealthy cooking methods, such
as deep frying in oil or grilling on an open fire. In addition, we intentionally
ingest other toxic substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and stimulants, such as
caffeine and other drugs with various adverse effects. After these foods are digested,
our liver must work overtime to detoxify all the foreign toxic substances so that
they can be excreted through our kidneys and skin. Some of the toxic substances
escape the detoxification process of the liver, especially for people who have
compromised liver functions.
We clean our face everyday, but people seldom think about whether
or not they need to clean their intestines. Our intestinal tract is like a plumbing
system in a house, with the small intestines comparable to sewage pipes and the
colon comparable to a septic tank. When fat and debris are poured down the drain
every day, the pipes will become clogged. Septic tanks need to be pumped out occasionally.
Otherwise, too much waste will accumulate and back up into the house.
The same phenomenon will happen to your intestines. When you pour
greasy food, excessive dairy products, meats and other foods with toxic substances
down your intestinal tract every day, food residues build up. Food residues, combined
with mucous secreted by mucous membranes in the colon, form layers of gluey feces,
which will build up in pockets and may pile up along the entire length of the colon
and part of small intestines, year after year. Constipation becomes a norm. People
have been known to carry 40-50 lb. of old, dried up fecal matter in their intestines.
Old feces do not pass from the body with ordinary bowel movements. They need a
special treatment to dissolve the glue which binds them to the intestinal wall.
If you let these decayed food residues accumulate in your intestines, you will
suffer from Autointoxication (also known as autotoxicosis, enterotoxication, intestinal intoxication or self-poisoning), which is a disorder resulting from absorption of the waste products of metabolism, decomposed matter from the intestine,
or the products of dead and infected tissue as in gangrene. The toxins can be carried
by the blood stream to all parts of the body and end up in every cell, leading
to various forms of illnesses. Some symptoms are: flatulence, constipation, hemorrhoids,
headache, acne, skin eruptions, bad breath, foul body odor, irritability and depression.
This also explains why many elderly people have bowel obstruction,
toxic colon, polyps, diverticulosis, diverticulitis, rectal bleeding or perforation,
colon cancer and other intestinal problems.
Another interesting feature of this formula is that, besides adding
bulk to the stool keeping it moist and soft, it can also be taken for diarrhea,
especially diarrhea from food poisoning. If taken for diarrhea, drink about half
the amount of water as normally recommended. Due to their enormous absorbing power,
the fibers in this formula will absorb the excess liquid with toxic waste in the
intestines and the other ingredients in the formula will help kill the diarrhea-causing
bacteria and repair the damages they have inflicted.
First we must understand how our body regulates our feeding behavior.
Our feeding behavior is controlled by the "feeding" and "satiety" centers
in the part of our brain called hypothalamus. These centers respond to changes
in the blood levels of glucose, free fatty acids, and amino acids (components of
proteins), and are influenced by the various hormones, such as insulin, in our
body. Sight, thought, taste and smell of food all can stimulate these centers,
which, in turn, sends signals to the stomach to secrete acids to digest the incoming
foods. This creates the so-called "hunger pain". We can control this hunger
pain by two different routes.
One method of control is through the nervous system. This is how
most prescription and non-prescription diet pills work. Some diet pills achieve
appetite suppression by a direct stimulant effect on the "satiety center". Others
stimulate the "sympathetic nervous system", which leads to suppression of appetite.
There are many undesirable side effects related to these types of diet pills. See "Pitfalls of diet pills" in another section of this program.
Another method is to actually put food in the stomach. However, when
this is done too much and too often, obesity is likely to occur.
One dose 2 to 3 times daily until goal weight is achieved. Take one
dose a day as maintenance therapy or as needed for one or two weeks when your weight
has increased more than 5 lb. above your ideal body weight. Don't let yourself
gain more than 5 lb. before you do something about it. Maintaining your ideal body
weight is an on going effort. There is no one time remedy for it.
*Weight according to frame (ages 25 to 59) for men wearing indoor clothing weight 5 lb. shoes with 1 inch heels; for women wearing indoor clothing weighing 3 lb. shoes with 1 inch heels.
We can survive extremely well with 2 meals a days. Those eating three meals a day are generally overeating. The following are general guidelines and not hard and fast rules for dieting. Those who reject the following meal plan due to strong personal preferences can still reap the benefits of Nutrigenesis Approach Lean-N-Clean since it helps to reduce the amount of food eaten on a daily basis.
Note: Avoid All Deep-fried Foods
Drink two glasses of water (preferably natural spring water at room temperature). Wait till you are hungry, then take 1 dose of Nutrigenesis Approach Lean-N-Clean. Add a piece of fruit if you wish.
(Choose from breakfast items or lunch items)
(Choose 2-3 items of the following plus beverage)
- Low-fat complex carbohydrates: oatmeal, grits, whole grain cereals, wheat germ, high-fiber, low-fat whole grain toast, variety pancakes or waffles made with whole grain flour.
- Fruits: try different varieties. Apples are especially helpful for weight loss.
- Proteins: low-fat or nonfat yogurts (preferably with live culture), eggs (one or two eggs/week), vegetable protein (such as soy protein mixed with fresh fruits shakes).
- For Beverages: natural spring water (preferably non-carbonated), freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juices, green tea, ginseng tea , non-sedative herbal teas (different varieties), barley/wheat grass juice, soy milk, decaffeinated coffee (avoid beverages with caffeine).
- For Sweeteners: honey, molasses, pure maple syrup, Stevia (avoid refined sugar).
(Choose one or a combination of the following)
- Variety garden salad: vary the contents from meal to meal. (If avocado is desired, use ¼ of a small avocado). Try adding an apple to your salad.
Note: Eat as much salad as you can eat. If you are not accustomed to eating raw vegetables, eat as much cooked non-starchy vegetables as you can eat. It should be pointed out that food enzymes are destroyed by heat. When you are eating raw fruits and vegetables,
more of your own body enzymes can be saved as weapons for your immune
system instead of being used up for food digestion.
Instant home-made dressing: freshly-squeezed
lemon/lime juice, or apple cider vinegar or aged Balsamic vinegar,
1 teaspoonful of olive oil (Do not use olive oil if you add avocado
to your salad), and sprinkle salad to taste with dry seasonings/spices
such as all purpose Greek seasoning, Mrs. Dash, Vegesal or Vegit. This
dressing is easy to make as needed, and it provides you with plenty
of vitamins, flavors and a small amount of polyunsaturated oil to dissolve
those fat-soluble vitamins. In addition it will enhance your digestion
and absorption of all the nutrients from the foods. You can kiss good-bye
the preprocessed, bottled salad dressings with undesirable food additives.
- Sandwich: Vary contents with different vegetables. If
meat is desired, use home-cooked lean white meats, such as chicken, turkey
or fish (preferably salt water fish), use one or two slices of meat only.
Do not use deli meats (preprocessed sandwich meats), which have preservatives
and other undesirable food additives. Always use whole grain bread, such
as wheat, oat or mixed. Try substituting tofu (bean curd) for cheese
and/or meats. (Soy protein provides the most complete plant protein).
- Soup: noodle and vegetable soups (vary the types
of noodles and vegetables used) This type of soup is a balanced meal in itself.
- For Dessert: fresh fruits (especially pineapple,
papaya or citrus fruits due to the presence of enzymes and/or citric
acids, which can assist in digestion), dessert or plant gelatin
(such as Agar-agar) with fresh fruits; fruit juice shakes or popsicles.
- For Beverages: vegetable broth or the above breakfast
beverages. Avoid drinking sweetened, carbonated beverages with meals. (Cold drinks
slows down digestion and the absorption of nutrients).
(Take after brunch): 1 tablet of vitamin B complex-50
1 tablet of vitamin C with rose hips, time-released 500 mg.
1 Dose of Nutrigenesis Approach
Lean-N-Clean (You may take it 15 or 30 minutes before dinner to reduce food intake).
- "Variety garden salad" as in lunch. Eat as much salad
as you can, and eat it as the first course.
- Meats: 2 to 5 oz lean white meats such as chicken, turkey
or fish (preferably salt water fish), equivalent to one half to one small chicken
breast. (Avoid eating ground meats unless you make your own with lean meats). Ground
meats contain too much fat regardless how lean they might look. (Lean chicken meat
contains 20-30% fat !) Try substituting meats with Textured Soy
Protein (TSP) or tofu (bean curb).
- Cooked vegetables: (especially non-starchy leafy
green vegetables): Eat as much as you can eat. It is desirable to cook meats
with vegetables since they enhance the flavor of each other. Certain vegetables
help break down the structures of meats and make protein and fat easier to digest.
- Starch/protein: 1 serving (1/2 cup) of (or a mixture of)
rice, potato, yam, squash, corn, corn bread, beans, peas, lentils, plantain,
noodles, 1-2 slices of whole grain bread, 5-6 whole-wheat crackers without fat.
- For Dessert: (If desired): fresh fruit dessert,
plant gelatin (such as Agar-agar) with fresh fruits, nonfat or low-fat yogurts,
fruit-juice popsicles, or a small slice of cake/pie made with whole grain flour,
fresh fruits and nuts. Vegetable protein (such as soy protein) shakes with fruits,
honey or molasses. Avoid desserts that contain white flour, white sugar, and
animal fats.
- For Beverage: vegetable broth, or the above breakfast
beverages.
(Take after dinner): 1 Tablet of vitamin B complex-50
1 tablet of vitamin C with rose hips, time-released 500 mg
1 tablet of multiple vitamins with minerals comparable to
Centrum or Centrum Silver.
(For people who like to snack
late at night): 1 Dose of Nutrigenesis
Approach Lean-N-Clean,
1 1/2 to 2 hours after dinner. Avoid late night snacking.
The following are general guidelines and not hard and fast rules for dieting.
Those who reject the following meal plan due to strong personal preferences
can still reap the benefits of Nutrigenesis Approach Lean-N-Clean since
it helps to reduce the amount of food eaten on a daily basis.
Note: Avoid All Deep-fried Foods
(Choose two of the following items plus beverage)
- Low-fat Complex Carbohydrates: Oatmeal, grits, whole grain cereals, wheat germ, high-fiber, low-fat whole grain toast, variety pancakes or waffles made with whole grain flour.
- Fruits: Try different varieties. Apples are especially helpful for weight loss.
- Proteins: low-fat or nonfat yogurts (preferably with live culture), eggs (one or two eggs/week), vegetable protein (such as soy protein mixed with fresh fruits shakes).
- For Beverages: Natural spring water (preferably
non-carbonated), freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juices, green tea,
ginseng tea, non-sedative herbal teas (different varieties), barley/wheat grass
juice, soy milk, decaffeinated coffee (Avoid beverages with caffeine).
- For Sweeteners: Honey, molasses, pure maple syrup, Stevia
(avoid refined sugar).
(Take after breakfast): 1 tablet of vitamin B complex-50
1 tablet of vitamin C with rose hips, time-released 500 mg
1 Dose of Nutrigenesis Approach Lean-N-Clean (You
may take it 15 or 30 minutes before dinner to reduce food intake).
(Choose one or a combination of the following)
- Variety Garden Salad: Vary the contents from meal to meal.
(If avocado is desired, use ¼ of a small avocado). Add an apple to your salad.
Note: Eat as much salad as you can eat. If you are not accustomed to eating raw
vegetables, eat as much cooked non-starchy vegetables as
you can. It should be pointed out that food enzymes are destroyed by heat.
By eating raw fruits and vegetables, more of your own body enzymes
can be saved as weapons for your immune system instead of being used up
for food digestion. If cooked vegetables are preferred, be
sure not to overcook them.
Instant Homemade Dressing: freshly-squeezed lemon/lime
juice, or apple cider vinegar or aged Balsamic vinegar, 1-2
teaspoonful of olive oil (Do not use olive oil if you add avocado to your
salad), and sprinkle salad to taste with dry seasonings/spices such as all
purpose Greek seasoning, Mrs. Dash, Vegesal or Vegit. This
dressing is easy to make as needed, and it provides you with plenty of
vitamins, flavors and a small amount of polyunsaturated oil to dissolve those
fat-soluble vitamins. In addition it will enhance your digestion
and absorption of all the nutrients from the foods. You can kiss good-bye
the preprocessed, bottled salad dressings with undesirable food additives.
- Sandwich: Vary contents with different vegetables. If meat
is desired, use home-cooked lean white meats, such as chicken, turkey or
fish (preferably salt water fish). Use one slice of meat only. Do not use deli
meats (preprocessed sandwich meats), which have preservatives and other undesirable
food additives.
- Always use whole grain bread, such as wheat,
oat, or mixed.
- Try substituting tofu (bean curd) for cheese and/or meats.
- Soy protein provides the most complete plant protein.
- Soup: Noodle and vegetable soups (vary the types of noodles and vegetables used). This type of soup is a balanced meal in itself.
- For Dessert: Fresh fruit dessert or gelatin (preferably plant source such as agar-agar) with fresh fruits; fruit juice Popsicles.
- For Beverages: Vegetable broth or the above breakfast beverages. Avoid drinking sweetened, carbonated beverages with meals.
1 Dose of Nutrigenesis Approach Lean-N-Clean (You
may take it 15 or 30 minutes before dinner to reduce food intake).
- "Variety garden salad" as in lunch. Eat as much salad as you
can, and eat it as the first course. Add an apple to your salad.
- Meats: 2 to 5 oz lean white meats such as chicken, turkey
or fish (preferably salt water fish), equivalent to one half to
one small chicken breast. Avoid ground meats unless you make your own with lean
meats. Ground meats contain too much fat regardless how lean
they might look (Lean chicken meat contains 20-30% fat !). Try substituting
meats with Textured Soy Protein (TSP) or tofu (bean curb).
- Cooked
vegetables: (especially non-starchy leafy green vegetables): As much
as you can eat. It is desirable to cook meats with vegetables. They
enhance the flavor of each other. Certain vegetables help break down the
structures of meats and make protein and fat easier to digest. 3. Starch/protein:
1 serving (1/2 cup) of (or a mixture of) rice, potato,
yam, squash, corn, corn bread, beans, peas, lentils, plantain, noodles, 1-2
slices of whole grain bread, 5-6 whole-wheat crackers without fat.
- For Dessert: Fresh fruits (especially pineapple,
papaya or citrus fruits due to the presence of enzymes or citric acids
which can assist in digestion), fresh fruits dessert, gelatin
(preferably plant source such as agar-agar) with fresh fruits, nonfat
or low-fat yogurts, fruit-juice popsicles. Avoid desserts that contain
white flour, white sugar and animal fats.
- For Beverage: Vegetable broth, or the
above breakfast beverages.
(Take after meal): 1 Tablet of vitamin B complex-50
1 tablet of vitamin C with rose hips, time-released 500 mg
1 tablet of multiple vitamins with minerals comparable to Centrum or Centrum Silver.
Avoid late night snacking, which is big hindrance for weight-loss. Instead, take an extra dose of Nutrigenesis Approach Lean-N-Clean 2 hours after dinner if you are accustomed to snacking at night.
This one day fast requires abstinence from solid food. But, it is not a true fast.
A true fast requires complete abstinence from nutrients. When you are on the
Nutrigenesis Approach fast, you may emotionally miss food, but you will not be
hungry.Nutrigenesis Approach Lean-N-Clean and the warm vegetable broth recommended
below provide plenty of nutrients our bodies need without solid food and excessive
calories.
(recommended one day per week for individuals with more than 50 lb.
excess weight or individuals seeking more aggressive weight loss results)
Fasting is not too extreme for weight loss if done carefully and safely.
In fact, it can be very healthy if it is done the right way. Our body,
like a house, needs cleansing regularly and fasting can help achieve that. If
an individual has been consuming excessive acid-forming, high fat and mucus-inducing
foods, such as meats, poultry, eggs, dairy products and refined sugars, and has
been exposed to drugs, chemicals and pollutants for many years, fasting is extremely
beneficial. It gives your liver, kidney, colon and lymphatic system time to
rid your body of excess toxic buildup and recuperate. See symptoms of toxic buildup
on page about "Why do we need intestinal cleansing?"
The most important element of successful fasting is to control hunger pain
and prevent stomach acid from damaging the stomach mucosa.
- Make sure you have at least 3 to 4 doses of Lean-N-Clean ready.
- Prepare a big pot of vegetable broth the night before fasting: Make the
broth with a variety of vegetables such as celery, cabbage, bean sprouts,
carrot, bell peppers, bok choy, leek, onion, etc. No starchy vegetables,
tomatoes or similar acidic type of vegetables. Acidic vegetables, such as tomatoes
makes hunger control difficult. Chop vegetables in small pieces and cook in a
crock pot overnight. Drink just the broth, preferably warm (Warm liquid is more
cleansing and agreeable to your intestinal mucosa). If you prefer to fast on
a work day, bring the hot broth with you in a thermos bottle.
You may alternate drinking freshly pressed vegetable juices or fruits juices (avoid citrus fruits),
with broth if you have time to prepare them. You may substitute fresh juices
with unrefined, organic, bottled juices (available at local health food stores)
if time is the limiting factor.
- On the day of fasting:
- Upon rising, drink 2 glasses of water (preferably at room temperature).
- Whenever you become hungry, drink a dose of Lean-N-Clean (up to 4 doses/day). Drink a cup of the warm broth 2 to 3 times in between doses of Lean-N-Clean. May alternate broth with juices.
- The quantity of broth or juice you drink each time can be determined by your intuition (probably about 4-8 oz each time)
- If you decide to take vitamins and minerals, take them after you take the Lean-N-Clean or drinking the broth.
- Drink additional water or other beverages as recommended above whenever desired.
Eat light meals (preferably no meat) the day before and the day after your Nutrigenesis Approach fasting.
Caution: If you are a diabetic, consult your physician before using this fasting plan. You may have to adjust your insulin dosage if you are insulin-dependent diabetic.
For details of ingredients and supplement facts of Nutrigenesis Approach vitamins, see our Product Listings.
Vitamins are unique organic substances necessary for life. They are neither carbohydrate, protein nor fat. Vitamins are essential players in the biochemical reactions responsible for our growth, repair, energy production, vitality, and general well being. However, they cannot be synthesized by our bodies, other than a few exceptions. Vitamins are found in minute amounts in all natural foods. We must obtain vitamins from foods or from dietary supplements.
"Vitamins are neither pep pills nor substitutes for food. Any one who has in the past eaten sugar, white flour, or canned food has some deficiency disease..." (Vitamin Bible by Earl Mindell)
Minerals are as important as vitamins. Vitamins cannot become part of the body and cannot function without minerals. They must work together. The body cannot manufacture a single mineral. We must obtain all minerals needed from outside sources.
To put the importance of vitamins and minerals in perspective, let's think about the construction of a new house. Carbohydrate, protein, fat, and water are comparable to the building materials. Vitamins and minerals are comparable to the architect, contractor and construction workers. Obviously, without the architect, contractor, and construction workers, it does not matter how much building material you have, the house will never be built. At the same token, without vitamins and minerals, our bodies cannot synthesize new cells, build new tissues and produce energy we need regardless how much carbohydrate, protein, fat and water we ingest everyday.
Most people, especially people who have weight problems, do not eat a well-balanced diet. Despite excessive food intake, people who are overweight are usually nutritionally deficient. Studies have shown that people who are nutritionally sufficient tend to crave less food or alcohol.
B complex-50 (folic acid 400 mcg + 50 mg of all B vitamins), 1 tablet daily Vitamin C with rose hips, 500 mg, 1 tablet of daily Superzyme (Multiple digestive enzymes), 1-2 tablets for people who have indigestion or over-eating.
B complex-50 (folic acid 400 mcg + 50 mg of all B vitamins), 1 tablet daily Vitamin C with rose hips, 500 mg, 1 tablet of daily Multiple vitamins with minerals and trace elements 1 tablet 5 days a week (Vita-super for pre-menopausal women and Vita-Min 75 mg Iron Free for post-menopausal women and men. (Post-menopausal women and men in general do not need iron supplementation.) Superzyme® (multiple digestive enzymes), for people who have indigestion or over-eating, 1-2 tablets after meals.
Suprema Dophilus (probiotics) 1-2 capsules every other day or 2-3
times a week. During and after antibiotic therapy, 2-4 capsules daily for 2-3
weeks. Please go to What Are Probiotics? to find out the importance of probiotics.
The following recommendations are in addition to the recommendations above:
B complex-50, 1 tablet + Amino Acid chelated
Magnesium 500mg, 1 tablet as needed.
(with symptoms of numbness of extremities at night) and for menstruating women:
Click for more information on improved Vitamin B-12 absorption.
B-12 sublingual tablet 1000 mg daily.
B12/B6/Folic Acid 800 mcg, sublingual tablet, or Methylcobalamin-Activated B12/B6/Folic Acid 800 mcg, sublingual tablet (with improved absorption), 1 tablet daily.
Amino Acid chelated Magnesium 250 to 500 mg and Thiamine 100 mg daily.
Osteo Support, 2 tablets twice daily.
FEM Support, 1-2 tablets twice daily until symptoms subside, then 1 tablet daily for maintenance, plus Osteo Support, 2 tablets twice daily.
PMS, 3 tablets daily with meals one week before menstruation.
Immune Support®, 3 capsules three times daily at meal time, especially important when traveling in common carriers, during cold seasons and around people with contagious diseases.
Joint Support, (Glucosamine-Chondroitin Complex, MSM and more), 3 tablets daily with meals.
Amino Acid chelated Magnesium 500 mg, 1 tablet plus Osteo Support®, 2 tablets at bedtime.
Brain Support, take 2 tablets daily at mealtime.
Vision Support, take 2 capsules daily with meal.
Prostate Support, adults take 1 capsule 4 times a day with meals.
Zinc Lozenges, dissolve one lozenge in the mouth 2 to 4 times daily or as needed.
CoEnzyme Q10, 30 mg to 100 mg, adults take 1 capsule 1-3 times daily with meals.
Melatonin 3 mg sublingual tablet, place 1-2 tablets under tongue 30 minutes before bedtime. To enhance the effect of Melatonin, take 1 tablet of Amino Acid chelated Magnesium 500 mg.
This is one area that is being ignored or overlooked by most medical doctors whose arsenals for treating diseases are drugs and surgeries. Traditionally, doctors of western medicine received very limited formal education in the subject of nutrition. Nutrients are also considered preventive rather than curative. History has demonstrated that it has taken decades to centuries for the human race to recognize that many diseases are caused by nutrient deficiencies. Some examples include: scurvy, which is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C; beriberi is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine); pellagra is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and rickets is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D. Yet, in the last several decades, a disproportionately large amount of fund was poured into drug research in search of cures for diseases compared to the amount of money spent on research to find cures in nutrition. One of the obvious reasons is that pharmaceutical companies cannot patent naturally occurring ingredients in foods and therefore will not benefit from research in nutrition. We are still at the infancy stage of understanding nutrition since much knowledge of nutrition has yet to be discovered. Unfortunately, many drugs do not cure diseases; they only suppress the symptoms of diseases. In the United States, millions of people are taking medications that cause drug-induced nutrient depletion. Elderly people are in double jeopardy. Firstly, they do not take in adequate nutrients from foods due to decreased oral intake and absorptive power of their gastrointestinal tract. Secondly, they are usually prescribed multiple drugs, which can deplete the nutrients they have stored in their bodies and/or hinder their ability to assimilate new nutrients needed for optimal health.
| If you are taking the following drugs: |
Increase intake of the following nutrients: |
| Magnesium/aluminum-containing antacids |
Calcium and phosphorus |
| Antibiotics (various products) |
Probiotics, vitamin B complex, vitamin K |
| Colchicine (for gout) |
Vitamin B12, Beta-carotene, potassium, sodium |
| Isoniazid (INH) |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin D |
| Phenytoin (Dilantin) |
Vitamin B1, B12, D, K, biotin, folic acid, calcium |
| Glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase) |
Coenzyme Q10 |
| Salicylates (Aspirin & various products) |
Vitamin C, folic acid, iron, potassium, sodium |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen,
naproxen and various products) |
Folic acid |
| Steroids (prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, cortisone, dexamethasone & various products) |
Vitamin C, D, folic acid, calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, selenium |
| Diuretics: furosemide (Lasix) bumetanide (Bumex) |
Vitamin B1, B6, C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc |
| Oral contraceptive (various products) |
Vitamin B2, B6, B12, C, folic acid, zinc, magnesium |
| Hormone replacement (various products) |
Vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium |
| Mineral oil (various products) |
Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E, D, K |
| Tricyclic anti-depressants (Elavil, Pamelor,
Sinequan & various products) |
Vitamin B2, Coenzyme Q10 |
| Ulcer medication (Tagamet, Zantac, Axid, Pepcid,
Prevacid, Prilosec) |
Vitamin B12, D, folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, Vitamin
B12 |
| Drugs for cholesterol: cholestyramine (Questran),
colestipol (Colestid) |
Vitamin A, E, D, K, Beta-Carotene, B12, folic acid, iron,
calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc |
| Drugs for cholesterol: "Statin" drugs
(Lipitor, Mevacor, Lescol, Zocor, Prevachol, Baycol) |
Coenzyme Q10 |
| Drugs for HIV (various products) |
Vitamin B12, copper, zinc, carnitine |
Agents used in cancer chemotherapy may have profound effects on an individual's nutritional status. Oral intake may be decreased due to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, leading to decreased nutrient intake. Many chemotherapy drugs exert direct toxic effects on cells lining the gastrointestinal tract which can lead to diarrhea and the destruction of cells responsible for absorption of nutrients. Eating causes foods and digestive juices to come into contact with raw inflamed intestinal tissue, resulting in severe pain. Therefore, many patients reduce their food intake to avoid pain. As a result, nutrient depletion is extensive including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids. Some chemotherapy agents can induce severe constipation and/or functional bowel obstruction due to neurotoxicity.
RDA or RDAs stands for Recommended Daily Allowances. The Food and Nutrition Board, a division of National Academy of Sciences, first published the RDAs in 1941. These values have been periodically revised and updated. Since their inception, the government and many health professionals have promoted the RDAs as nutrient guidelines that will meet the need of most healthy individuals. RDAs may be adequate to prevent outright nutrient diseases, such as scurvy, beriberi, and pellagra, but they are hardly adequate for people with special needs and definitely inadequate for optimal health.
As discussed earlier in this program, our feeding behavior is controlled
by the "feeding" and "satiety" centers in the part of the brain called hypothalamus.
Most prescription and non-prescriptions diet pills, including certain herbal formulas,
are amphetamine-like drugs and therefore work just like amphetamines by controlling
our appetite through the nervous system.
Some diet pills achieve appetite suppression by a direct stimulant
effect on the "satiety center." Others stimulate the "sympathetic nervous system,"
which also leads to suppression of appetite. However, there are many undesirable
side effects related to these types of diet pills as listed in package inserts
and in medical references as follows:
Fast heart beats, high or low blood pressure, fainting, chest pain.
(Not recommended for people with high blood pressure or heart diseases).
Overstimulaion, nervousness, restlessness,
dizziness, insomnia, weakness or fatigue, malaise, anxiety, tension, euphoria,
elevated mood, drowsiness, depression, agitation, confusion, tremor, incoordination,
headache, change in libido, rarely, psychotic episodes.
Note: Fenfluramine (Pondimin) and dexfenfluramine (Redux) may cause depression, drowsiness and impotence. Withdrawal symptoms (muscle incoordination, tremor, disturbed concentration and memory, loss of sense of reality, visual hallucinations, depression, suicidal feelings) have been reported following discontinuation of a 1 month course of fenfluramine, 60 mg/day.
Dry mouth, unpleasant taste, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain.
Urticaria, rash, erythema, burning sensation.
Mydriasis, eye irritation, blurred vision.
Painful urination, urinary frequency, impotence, menstrual upset.
Bone marrow depression, decrease in white blood cell count.
Hair loss, ecchymosis, chest pain, excessive sweating,
clamminess, chills, flushing, fever, muscular pain, excessive development
of male mammary glands. In addition to the side effects mentioned above,
diet pills are ineffective without calorie restrictions. Tolerance to the appetite
suppressant effects of diet pills may develop within a few weeks. Cross tolerance
is universal (meaning if you are tolerant to one diet pill, you will be
tolerant to all other diet pills with similar mechanism of action). Since diet
pills are related to amphetamines in chemical makeup, they are similar in actions
and have abuse potential. Intense psychological or physical dependence, along
with severe social dysfunction may be associated with long term therapy or abuse.
Therefore, therapy with diet pills should not exceed a 6 month duration. Dosage
must be gradually reduced to avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as extreme fatigue
and mental depression. Chronic intoxication is manifested by severe skin eruptions,
marked insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, and personality changes. Psychosis,
often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia, is the most severe
manifestation.
Note: On September 8, 1997, Florida medical regulators
banned prescriptions of the "fen-Phen" diet pill combination after reports of possible heart damage resulting from using fenfluramine and phentermine in combination. A medical examiner blamed "fen-phen" in part for the July, 1997 heart attack that killed 53-year-old wife of North Miami Beach's mayor.
Additional cautions: beware of other herbal formulas for weight-loss, which claim to be natural.
Some of them work very similar to typical diet pills, because
they contain amphetamine-like ingredients. Whether or not the active ingredients
of these herbal formula are revealed by promoters, they are usually not recognized
by the average consumer. When considering usage of such "natural" herbal formulas, watch for ingredients
such as the following:
Although Ephedra is an old time Chinese herbal
medicine used mainly for asthma (also used as an appetite suppressant), this
does not make it an innocuous substance. Ephedrine is a drug extracted from Ephedra.
It is a precursor of methamphetamine and therefore has the street nickname of "SLOW
SPEED". Ephedrine, either as the sole active ingredient or in combination with other therapeutically
insignificant ingredients, is subject to the Controlled Substance Act and Trafficking
Act of 1988 and the Domestic Chemical Diversion Act of 1993 (AHFS Drug Information,
1997). The adverse effects associated with long term use of Ephedra are not desirable.
Recent scientific findings show that
the medicinal virtues of this plant are probably largely due to its caffeine
content, which is higher than any other plant source and 2.5 times that of coffee
("Herbs that Heal" by Michael Weiner, Ph.D. & Janet A. Weiner).
In South America this is a popular drink due to its high caffeine content ("Herbs that Heal" by Michael A. Weiner, Ph.D. and Janet A. Weiner).
This herb is included in some herbal formula for weight-loss since
caffeine has appetite suppressant properties.
The half life of caffeine can be extended up
to 18 hours when combined with other central nervous system stimulants. Heavy
drinkers of caffeinated products often develop nervousness or become jittery. Caffeine
can rob the body of B vitamins as well as C, zinc, potassium and other minerals,
and can increase the acidity in your gastrointestinal tract which may lead to rectal
itching and activation of duodenal ulcers. In addition, caffeine can dangerously
increase heart rate and blood pressure when taken with decongestants or bronchodialators
such as the inhalers Proventil, Ventolin, Bronkaid, and Primatine. ("Vitamin Bible" by Earl Mindell R.Ph, Ph.D.)
These herbs taken together will give you strong central nervous system stimulation and suppress your appetite, much like most diet pills which are "Amphetamine-like" drugs. These types of products should not be taken for a long term, because they are addictive and have abuse potential. Also, they should not be taken if you have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, and should not be taken after 4:00 p.m. due to the side effect of insomnia.
Remember: Herbs may be natural, but they are not necessarily harmless. Learn about the safety of herbs before taking them.
Anastomosis of the small upper pouch of the stomach to the jejunum, and closure of the distal part of the stomach that is retained, resulting in a very small portion of the stomach being used for digestion.
Some obese people have a difficult time losing their excess body weight due to various reasons, including but not limited to slow metabolism, metabolic diseases, sedentary lifestyle, side effects from medications, inappropriate eating habits and lack of will power. Some have chosen gastric bypass surgery to achieve fast weight-loss.
Indeed, one can achieve fast weight-loss using this involuntary method. Since the size of the stomach is reduced to a small pouch, you have no choice but to eat a very small portion of food at one time. There are many people who have successfully achieved fast weight-loss using this surgical mean. Even if they do not have surgical complications, the weight-loss success is achieved at the expense of long term problem of malnutrition, which will lead to serious metabolic diseases. Since the size of the stomach and sometimes a portion of the small intestines have been bypassed, these people cannot digest and absorb adequate nutrients from the amount of food they consume to sustain their health. Although vitamin and mineral supplements can partly compensate the situation, it is not the same as acquiring nutrients from fresh whole foods.
Working in the hospital as a Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist, I frequently had the opportunity assessing the nutritional needs of patients who had experienced gastric bypass surgeries or patients who suffered complications due to gastric bypass surgery. Not every obese person is a candidate for this type of surgery. It can be very risky, especially for people who have existing metabolic diseases. Some people have frequent complications after surgery; often serious enough to be hospitalized multiple times and/or require repeat corrective surgeries. Sometimes these patients must be fed intravenously for months with absolutely no oral food intake. Gastric bypass can leave behind horrendous, lasting physical and often emotional scars, and occasionally it may lead to death.
Method of removing unwanted subcutaneous fat using percutaneously placed suction tubes.
Liposuction is a safer method than gastric bypass. However, it can only trim down certain areas of your body. Sometimes people are disfigured by this type of surgery. More importantly, if you don't control your diet after surgery, the fat you paid dearly to remove surgically will return quickly.
Surgery for weight-loss is no easy way out of obesity. Many people regret their decisions for the rest of their lives. If you are contemplating surgeries for weight-loss, my advice is to talk to as many people who have experienced such surgeries as possible and study statistical outcomes and details on surgical procedures. Do not make your decision based on information supplied by a surgeon alone. The surgeon's opinion can be biased because he/she is in the surgical business. Also obtain a second opinion from your family doctor.
Surgery is a symptomatic treatment for weight-loss. As a pharmacist and a nutritionist, I will never recommend it to anyone.
Relationship Of A High Fat, High Cholesterol And High Protein Diet To Obesity And The Health Of The Heart, Liver, And Kidney.
Obesity is mainly caused by over indulgence in a high fat, high cholesterol, high protein and carbohydrate rich diet deficient in micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements), and the lack of exercise. Fat deposition simply occurs because energy intake exceeds energy expenditure.
As mentioned previously in this program, there is an erroneous belief that high protein intake will help build more muscle mass. If you are leading the lifestyle of a sedentary person, like most Americans, excess protein intake above your basic needs will never add any more muscle. High protein intake can actually be very dangerous. Excess protein intake will overwork your liver in order to turn it into uric acid resulting in the kidney working overtime to excrete the surplus uric acid in your blood stream. Epidemiological surveys have noted a trend towards increasing urate values in the United States in the recent decades. Obesity, alcohol consumption, and diuretic use are associated with high uric acid level in blood. Animal studies have shown that diets providing soya protein, a vegetable protein, instead of casein, an animal protein, may be more effective in retarding the progression of kidney failure.
A consistently high uric acid level in your blood will make you more prone to kidney stones and other kidney diseases. It will also pave the way for osteoporosis. Gouty arthritis is another painful disease related to high uric acid in blood. When uric acid level is too high in the blood stream, uric acid crystals start to form in kidneys and joints. It has been an old observation that drinking alcoholic beverages is associated with precipitation of acute gouty attacks.
In recent years, there is great enthusiasm in treating liver cirrhosis with vegetable protein based on the theory that vegetable protein contains less aromatic amino acids. High levels of these amino acids are responsible for disorder of the brain caused by a diseased liver. It has also been suggested that when vegetable protein is consumed, the shorter gastrointestinal transit time due to the higher fiber content and the activities of bacteria in colon, decrease the absorption and increase the elimination of the nitrogen waste which is a by-product of protein metabolism.
Limit your protein intake to recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 0.36-0.45 grams per pound (0.8-1.0 gm/kg) of body weight per day unless you have a daily strenuous exercise routine. Base your calculation on your ideal body weight, not on your actual weight if you are overweight. Example: If you weigh 150 lb., however, your ideal body weight is 120 lb., your protein need will be 43-54 grams per day, which can be met with just 5 to 7 oz of white chicken meat, equivalent to one piece of chicken breast.
High fat and high cholesterol diets can do the same damage to the kidney as high protein diets. This is also the leading cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The cornerstone of treatment is diet restriction and weight reduction. Relying on drugs to control your cholesterol level and high lipid (fat) level without reducing your intake of high fat, high cholesterol foods is an unwise decision. Prescription drugs that lower blood cholesterol can have numerous side effects, including inadequate absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. Vitamin K deficiency will lead to bleeding problems. Folic acid absorption will also be reduced, leading to anemia. Other side effects include constipation, fecal impaction, rectal bleeding and pain, hemorrhoidal bleeding, gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, gallstones and inflammation of the gall bladder.
The National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has recommended to keep cholesterol level less than 200 (mg/dl) and the LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) level to be less than 130 (mg/dl). It is a good idea to check your cholesterol level annually.
Important Notice:
Nutrition, herb and drug information is constantly evolving because of ongoing research and clinical experience and is often subject to interpretation. The information and recommendations in this page are based on information found in medical, herbal and nutrition literature and the author's personal experience. While the information and recommendations in this webpage may be appropriate in most cases, however, they are not specific to individuals and their particular circumstances. They are certainly not meant to replace medical treatments by a medical professional or qualified practitioner when necessary. You are advised to seek a second opinion from a nutritionally oriented medical practitioner before you follow the recommendations in this webpage.
If you
decide to self manage your weight problem, you must have proper diagnosis. If
you decide to stop using prescription medications prescribed by your doctor for
your weight problem, it is your personal choice, not the choice of the author.
