“Everyone seems to be talking about fat these days. That fat somehow is good now and can help with weight loss and disease prevention. How can that be true when for decades we all were told that fat was the bad guy?” asks this week’s house call. “What are its benefits? […]
Weight Management
16 posts
There are occasional patients who become sluggish or sedated with methylphenidate for reasons that aren’t clear. If you are taking Effexor or Lexapro in the am then these could interfere with the activating effects of the stimulant. Lexapro and Effexor are usually taken in am when first started, but after […]
Meridia (sibutramine) is FDA approved for weight loss. It combines the effects of antidepressants like Effexor (at doses of 225mg or higher) or Cymbalta with dopamine effects like stimulants. One possible side effect is increased blood pressure. Years ago I tried Meridia for several patients and most of them didn’t like it […]
We have heard it since we were kids, but do we really need to take our vitamins? The answer is yes. Most Americans don’t get the nutrition they need simply from the foods they eat, and supplements insure that our body meets its nutrient “quota” enabling our body to […]
Chromium is a mineral present in our diet and in trace amounts in our body. Diets lacking in adequate fruits and vegetables may result in low levels of chromium in our system. Controlled studies done in multiple major medical centers found that chromium supplements aid in fat loss and weight […]
Probably the most common cause of carbohydrate craving is eating too many starches and sweets. Eating or drinking carbohydrates without much protein or fat causes blood sugar levels to go up. How fast sugar levels go up also depends on the Glycemic Index. In general the sweeter and more easily […]
Metabolic Syndrome was the headline issue at last week’s annual meeting of psychiatrists (APA). What is it? Do you fit the criteria? What can you do about it? What Is It? Metabolic Syndrome, which is also coined Syndrome X, is a common chronic condition that disables the body from being able to efficiently burn […]
In general, when we are aroused, vigilant, or alert and especially when in a “fight or flight” mode our appetite is suppressed. The brain transmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and histamine decrease appetite, and being in a relaxed vegetative state increases appetite and low blood sugar causing carbohydrate craving. During physical activity appetite suppression […]
Many of the important systems in our body like sleep, body temperature, cortisol (stress hormone) and growth hormone go through a 24 hour cycle or Circadian Rhythm. How alert and effective we are is largely determined by where we are in our cycle. Where we are in the cycle is […]
Wow! That sounds like a copout – “genetic obesity”. But for many people it is reality. I have seen people who have more self-discipline than God (so I exaggerate a little), who have always maintained an ideal weight, and then they get on one of many types of medications and 3 […]