Unsolicited Online Weight Loss Sponsored by High Street Chemists

Controversial weight drug Alli (no relation) has been criticised for its ready availability on the web without prescription or professional advice.

More worryingly, people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia say they’re able to buy Alli on the internet from respected chemists like Boots.

The drug stops the body from absorbing fat but claims to work in tandem with a healthy diet and exercise.

On the boots website I was able to obtain Alli simply by lying about my BMI which was the only measure they employed to obstruct users of a (sub) healthy weight.

Boots say every order placed online is checked by a pharmacist and rejected if the patient or application doesn’t meet the right criteria and claim to turn away between eight to 10 per cent of orders of Alli.

But people with eating disorders are shrewd enough to lie about their BMI and would rather deal with a household name than buy Alli from a bootleg pharmacist or some back-street dealer.

Manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline say they worked closely with the profession to put checks in place to stop vulnerable people and those with eating disorders getting hold of the drug.

Experts believe unsolicited use of the pills could cause the patient to become mentally addicited to them which could make an eating disorder worse. As the patient is unregistered as having taken them, intervention is less likely.

Susan Ringwood, chief executive of Beating Eating Disorders (BEAT) said: “We thought by having the pharmacist involved it was one of the ways companies could guarantee the safety of this drug.”

“We were really concerned when people started to contact us saying they could get Alli online, because we simply didn’t know it was possible to do that.”

Surgery offers bigger weight-loss payoff

Two important patient safety trends have emerged in a Michigan bariatric registry: An intervention to prevent blood clots, a possibly deadly complication, did more harm than good. And a new option that removes most of the stomach -- called sleeve gastrectomy -- is proving to be safe, effective and growing in popularity, though most insurers don't cover it.
The information comes from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative, one of the largest databases of its kind in the country.

Already the findings have changed how bariatric weight-loss surgery is performed in the state and saved enough money to more than pay for the $1.5 million a year that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provides to fund the registry.

The database is an example of how savings can be achieved in health care through quality measurements like registries.

These findings show that sleeve gastrectomy is fast becoming a procedure of choice, over Lap-Band surgery, and that insertion of a tiny cage or filter in the leg to prevent blood clots -- a rare but possibly deadly complication -- contributed to more problems in patients than those who did not get the intervention.

What the registry revealed

It took two bariatric surgeries for Kim Bodnar to achieve the weight loss she wanted.

At 297 pounds, she underwent Lap-Band surgery, a bariatric procedure that tightens the stomach with a device that limits food intake.

She lost 30 pounds in the first year after the 2005 operation.

Dissatisfied with the amount she lost, she underwent another procedure in January 2008 called sleeve gastrectomy, which removes 85% of the stomach and creates a banana- or sleeve-like organ that limits food intake and curbs appetite. It's so new that many Michigan bariatric surgeons didn't do it a year ago.

Now Bodnar weighs 148 pounds, has rejoined her husband on his motorcycle and is happy with herself physically and mentally, she said. "It's the best thing I've ever done for myself," said Bodnar, 38, of New Haven.

In the world of weight loss, myths abound

One day, carbs are the enemy. Next, pills and injections will be the thing to do. After that, everyone will be rushing to detox their body of toxins that cause weight gain. It seems everyone is in search of the Holy Grail of weight loss, that mythological easy weight-loss plan that works for everyone.

Nutritionists, personal trainers and health and wellness experts all agree on this hard truth: There is no miracle weight-loss plan. Before you take the bait on the next fad, here are a few weight-loss-related myths — and the cold hard facts — from some local experts in the field.

The myth: The less you eat, the more weight you will lose.

The facts: "I try to get my clients not to think in terms of small portions," said Jan Samples-Schenk, nutritionist and owner of The Perfect Plan. "There is no reason to be hungry all the time in order to lose weight. I encourage large portions of the right kinds of foods."

Samples-Schenk said she develops a diet plan specifically tailored to each individual. Plans are derived from a basic plan she has developed which includes lean protein, fruits and vegetables and the right kind of carbohydrates."

"I push eating plenty of food," she said.

The myth: Your body needs to be cleansed of harmful toxins that cause weight retention.

The facts: "I think the detox-style plans seem to be the big thing these days and those don't really do anything," said Andrea Outlaw, a personal trainer at Swonder Ice Arena. "All those do is get rid of water weight. As soon as you start drinking water again, the weight will come back."

Outlaw said her new clients often will have unrealistic expectations when they first begin a new exercise program with her.

"People think with these crazy diet plans they will be able to lose 20 pounds in a month and that is just not possible unless you weigh 400 pounds," she said. "You should only expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week ideally. You just can't lose any more than that and still be healthy."

The myth: You need to weigh yourself often while on a weight-loss plan in order to gauge the success.

The facts: "A scale is not the best indicator of a successful weight-loss plan," said Tessa Hines, health and wellness director at the Dunigan Family YMCA.

Hines said she sees people get frustrated when they don't see significant weight loss right away — or they gain weight — after starting a workout plan.

"The fact is, muscle does weigh more than fat and because of that, they should use other ways to track the success of their plan," she said.

Hines said measurements are one easy indicator of a successful weight-loss plan. She also suggested measuring body fat.

Places like the YMCA offer body fat testing to their members at no charge.

The myth: There are pills or other medical treatments that will induce weight loss.

The facts: "All the gimmick weight-loss plans have been proven ineffective and some have even been proven dangerous," said Samples-Schenk. "There is just no replacement for proper nutrition."

Samples-Schenk works with her clients on food preparation at home.

"People want quick and convenient, but that isn't always possible in order to maintain a nutritional, healthy diet," she said. "Fast food restaurant food is full of all the preservatives and fats that aren't good for the body."

She said she has had numerous clients come to her after they have spent thousands of dollars on other plans and had no success.

"I just hate to hear when these people have spent a fortune on all that stuff," she said. "Then they come to me and learn they didn't need any of it."

The myth: A low-carb diet is healthy.

The facts: Samples-Schenk said people go on low-carb diets without really having a true understanding of what they can and cannot eat.

"Any diet that eliminates fruits and vegetables can't be healthy," she said. "Complex carbohydrates, like the ones found in fruits and vegetables, are good for the body and can promote weight loss. It is not a healthy way to live when you cut those foods out of your diet."

As health care moves into the center stage in the media and in Washington, Outlaw said she thinks people will begin to turn more to diet and exercise for their health. Both she and Samples-Schenk said most of their clients are referred to them by doctors to bring down blood glucose levels and lower cholesterol.

"People just aren't going to be able to continue paying for medicines to do the things that good nutrition and exercise can do," Outlaw said.

Magnesium can Help Fight Obesity and Promote Weight Loss

The phrase "overweight and undernourished" has become a popular truth, and magnesium deficiency in overweight individuals is a striking example. It is no coincidence that magnesium deficiency and obesity are both widespread conditions in our society. So as we battle against obesity we must remember to include magnesium as part of our weaponry. It is a vital nutrient in the quest to reach a healthy weight, for several reasons:

Nutrients and Energy

The body requires magnesium to absorb and utilize nutrients. Without it, the body cannot properly use the fats, proteins and carbohydrates we eat every day. When we aren't getting what we need from our diet, the body will crave more food in an effort to obtain those vital nutrients. By activating hundreds of enzymes in the body, magnesium helps you get the most from what you eat, so your body can be satisfied with the amount of food you genuinely need.

Getting the proper nutrients from your food is also an important part of feeling energized. We need magnesium to help us utilize those vital nutrients that provide us with energy. Otherwise we are plagued with fatigue and sluggishness.

Insulin and Blood Sugar

Several recent studies have shown the lower a person's natural magnesium intake is the higher his/her risk for developing diabetes. Conditions like insulin resistance and diabetes are strongly associated with obesity, so controlling blood sugar levels is a key factor in maintaining a healthy weight. When enough magnesium is present in the body, insulin can function properly and blood glucose is used for energy. A magnesium deficiency causes insulin to function poorly, resulting in high blood sugar and fat storage.

Stress

Stress management is one of the most important keys in fighting obesity, and magnesium is a vital nutrient for reducing stress. This is because magnesium supports healthy adrenal glands. These are the glands that control the release of adrenaline and cortisol, two hormones related to stress response. While these hormones are vital to living, too much of them can cause weight gain and other health problems. Magnesium helps regulate these hormones so they are not overproduced.

Magnesium also regulates nervous system response. When we have a magnesium deficiency, our nervous system is overstimulated, leading to irritation, nervousness and stress. A similar problem occurs in our muscles when there isn't enough magnesium present. People with magnesium deficiencies often experience frequent muscles cramps, spasms and tightening. These symptoms often disappear when adequate magnesium is available. When there is plenty of magnesium, the mind and body are finally able to relax and reverse the effects of stress.

How to Increase Your Magnesium Intake

Food - The most effective way of increasing your magnesium intake is through food. Magnesium from food sources is more easily absorbed and utilized compared to magnesium in supplement form. Foods rich in magnesium include almonds, brazil nuts, brewer's yeast, buckwheat, cashews, kelp, peanuts, pumpkin seeds and whole grains. Junk foods, like refined sugar and processed foods, drain the body of magnesium and should be avoided.

Supplements - In addition to eating a healthy diet rich in magnesium, many people find it helpful to supplement with additional magnesium. Magnesium citrate is one of the most common forms used because it is widely available and easy to absorb. Magnesium in powdered form is best, but capsules are also acceptable.

Dosage varies from 300-900 mg per day depending on your needs and lifestyle factors (for instance, heavy exercisers need more magnesium because of minerals lost during physical activity). It's best to start small and use divided doses, such as 150 mg twice per day. Increase gradually as needed. Loose stools may be a sign that you are using too much supplemental magnesium or that you should divide the doses further.

As a side note, calcium is often taken with magnesium at a 2:1 ratio. Many leading magnesium experts say a ratio closer to 1:1 is more ideal, especially if you are deficient in magnesium.

Meal Replacement Successfully Facilitates Weight Loss

Meal replacements in a medically supervised weight loss program are successful in facilitating weight loss, finds a new study conducted at the University of Kentucky.

The meal replacements are products of Health Management Resources Corporation (HMR), a privately owned national health care company specializing in weight loss and weight management.The study assessed weight outcomes, behavioral data and side effects for obese patients enrolled in an intensive behavioral weight loss program.

Two treatment options were offered, Medically Supervised and Healthy Solutions. Medically Supervised patients restricted food consumption to meal replacements, which consisted of shakes and entrees, and bars.

Patients either consumed five shakes daily or three shakes and two shelf-stable entrees daily. Healthy Solutions patients limited food intake to shakes, entrees, bars, fruit and vegetables.

Recommendations were to consume a minimum of three shakes, two entrees and five servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Some patients with diabetes, hypertension or medical problems necessitated the Medically Supervised option.

The researchers found that patients in the Medically Supervised option lost an average of 43.4 pounds in 19 weeks while patients in the Healthy Solutions option lost an average of 37.5 pounds in 18 weeks.

They also found that patient compliance, accountability and commitment with the support of a structured program increases weight loss success.

Study's co-author, Dr. James W. Anderson, professor emeritus of internal medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, said that the gold standard for weight loss by the health community is a 5 to10 percent loss of initial body weight.
"This study showed a loss of 16.4 percent of initial body weight in the Medically Supervised group and a loss of 15.8 percent of initial body weight in the Healthy Solutions group, both well above the gold standard the health community considers successful and when health improvements are seen," he said.

The study appears in the August 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.