PETER'S PRINCIPLES - August 13-August 17, 2007
Cathy from Westland emails asking just how bad is diet soda for her health?
It's horrible! In fact a new study of about 6 thousand adults found those who drank one or more sodas a day-it didn't matter if it was regular or diet-saw an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
They found the soda drinkers increased their risk of metabolic syndrome by almost 50 percent! Metabolic syndrome doubles your risk of developing heart disease or stroke. Those who drank one or more soft drinks a day also had a 31 percent greater risk of becoming obese and a 25 percent increased risk of developing high blood sugar.
It's best to drink water instead! your body needs it more than a can of pop!
Linda from West Bloomfield emails asking if fasting is an effective way to lose fat in a hurry.
Linda, just the opposite is true!
Fasting to lose weight is a recipe for being miserable...and ensuring you'll put wha tever weight you lose back on!
Fasting decreases blood sugar and that makes you fell sick and weak! When starving yourself you lose nearly as much muscle as fat. Muscle burns calories and when you lose muscle your metabolism slows down, reducing your ability to lose weight. It's a vicious cycle! When you stop fasting and go back to a normal diet, you quickly put back on the weight you lost -- and sometimes more! another factor comes into play when fasting.
The human body has a complex system of checks and balances. When you starve yourself it thinks you're *really starving* and the metabolism slows to conserve energy! The best recipe for weight loss is less calories.. And 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day!
Carrie from Royal Oak emails asking about peppermint; she heard it may have some health benefits.
Several studies found peppermint oil can relieve irritable bowel syndrome, stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, even gall bladder disease.
In fact a new study found 75 percent of people who took a peppermint oil capsule for four weeks had a major reduction in IBS symptoms. Researchers believe it's the menthol in the peppermint oil that's the magic. They believe it blocks calcium channels, which has the effect of relaxing the muscles in the walls of the intestine.
If you suffer with heartburn-you should avoid peppermint. It could actually make your condition worse.
Tim from Sterling Heights emails asking for help decreasing his chances of developing dementia.
Tim-the key may be taking care of your heart.
A new study followed more than 450 elderly people. They found those with cardiovascular disease showed sharper declines in cognitive function than those with healthy hearts. Researchers believe reduction of blood flow to the brain due to heart disease may be gradually eroding cognitive function.
Doctors say reducing cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol will not only be good for your heart, but will improve blow flow to the brain and help cognitive function.
Florence from Hamtramck says her arthritis is so painful; She doesn't want to get out of bed in the morning. What can she do?
Florence you're not alone, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in Americans older than 15. In fact, 66 million adults, nearly one in three, either have arthritis or are living with joint pain.
It doesn't have to be that way. Studies found arthritis patients saw a greater reduction in pain when they combine exercise, diet, heat and cold therapy, acupunture or glucosamine and chondroitin with current pain therapy.
But before you start any complementary treatment, discuss it with your doctor to make sure it will help rather than hinder your arthritis management plan.
Do you have a question you've been working on? Send me an email!
