Cold Temperatures and Chili Peppers Help Burn Fat

What do low temperatures and chili peppers have in common? They both could help burn fat, a new study shows.

Exposure to cold and consumption of chemicals found in chili peppers both appear to increase the number and activity of so-called brown fat cells, which burn energy, rather than store it as typical "white" fat cells do, said Takeshi Yoneshiro, a researcher at Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan.

The study is the first to show that brown fat activity can be induced in people who appeared to have very few or no brown fat cells, said Dr. Clifford Rosen, a professor of medicine at Tufts University who wasn't involved in the study. Participants in the study who were exposed to cold also had less "bad" white fat at the end of the experiments.

Cold burns fat

Brown fat cells are currently a subject of intense research as a target for anti-obesity drugs, said Dr. Soren Snitker, a medical researcher at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who wasn't involved in the study.

In the new study, researchers exposed eight people with little or no brown fat cells to moderately low temperatures of 63 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours daily, over the course of six weeks. Compared with the control subjects, who went about their normal lives, the cold-exposed people had about 5 percent less body fat at the end of the study, and also burned more energy when exposed to cold, according to the study. The researchers also looked at people who ate capsinoids, which are normally found in chili peppers, for six weeks, and found they also burned more energy than the control group when exposed to cold, but didn't lose any more white fat than the control group.

Yoneshiro said the experiment might not have continued for long enough to see white-fat-burning effects of the compounds. A previous study that lasted 12 weeks found the capsinoid ingestion led to significant body fat decreases in mildly obese people.

The new results help explain the results from a recent study co-authored by Snitker, which found that people who ate capsinoids had increased levels of fat breakdown, and smaller waists after a six-week period, compared with people who took placebos.

The brown and the beige

It was once thought that brown fat, also known as brown adipose tissue (BAT), was present only in babies. But three research groups independently discovered in 2009 that brown fat exists in adults, concentrated in the upper chest and neck of some adults, Rosen said. It appears reddish-brown because it contains many mitochondria, cellular factories that release energy, Rosen said. In 2012, scientists found yet another type of BAT called "beige fat," which is a subset of brown fat but is formed from white fat cells. Rosen said that the "brown fat" cells induced by cold and capsinoids are indeed likely beige fat, because they don't show up on scans used to detect concentrated regions of brown fat cells.

"The most interesting thing about this study from a treatment point of view is the capsinoids," said Jan Nedergaard, a physiologist at Stockholm University in Sweden who wasn't involved in the study. Reduction of fat from cold exposure was expected, he said, but "as everybody realizes, that's a difficult thing to put into practice."

Drug development?

The study is exciting because it suggests chemicals that induce brown fat could be used to fight obesity, although they'd probably work better at keeping healthy people from becoming fat, rather than making obese people skinny, Nedergaard said. "Everybody would like to take a fat person and make him slim, but that demands a high-burning capacity that BAT probably doesn't have."

Capsinoids appear to induce brown fat in the same way as cold, by "capturing" the same cellular system that the body's nervous system uses to increase heat production, Yoneshiro said. Drug developers want to use similar drugs to activate this system, but capsinoids themselves probably won't be used because they already exist in nature and thus cannot be patented, a major way that pharmaceutical companies make money, Nedergaard said.

Capsinoids come from "sweet" chili peppers that don't taste hot, but produce some of the same physiological effects — for example, producing sweat, Nedergaard said.

New Drug May Someday Battle Obesity and Diabetes

A new diabetes drug may one day perform double duty for patients, controlling both their blood sugar levels and helping them lose weight, researchers report. In mouse trials, doctors found the drug prompted weight loss, in addition to managing blood sugar levels.

"That [weight loss] is not what this drug was designed to do, but it's a very attractive additional benefit," said study co-author Richard DiMarchi, a research chemist at Indiana University in whose lab the drug was created. The injectable medication is based on a single molecule that combines the properties of two hormones that send chemical signals to the pancreas, said DiMarchi. "They signal to the pancreas that you are taking a meal," DiMarchi said. "The pancreas then responds by secreting insulin and to synthesize additional amounts of insulin for subsequent use."

People with type 2 diabetes have lower levels of these pancreas-signaling hormones, which are known as incretins, explained Dr. John Anderson, president of medicine and science at the American Diabetes Association. "The incretin defect in type 2 diabetes is well known, and it's only within the last few years we have had agents to treat it," Anderson said.

Human and primate trials revealed that the new drug controls blood sugar with fewer side effects than other diabetes medications. Those side effects can include nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. "In this study, the degree of gastrointestinal discomfort is much more modest than is experienced in conventional drugs," DiMarchi said. "We get beneficial glycemic control with this combination drug, and it seems to be with less adverse drug effect."

The medication combines the action of the hormones GLP-1 and GIP. Current diabetes medications of this sort target GLP-1 receptors in the body; studies involving GIP have produced mixed results. GLP is known to suppress appetite, and DiMarchi said the weight loss observed in mice might be occurring because the second hormone, GIP, is somehow "turbo-charging" that appetite suppression.

In the mouse trials, a drug based on GLP-1 alone decreased body weight by an average 15 %. But the new drug combining GLP-1 and GIP decreased body weight by nearly 21 % as well as controlling blood glucose and decreasing appetite.

A six-week human trial involving 53 patients with type 2 diabetes found that the medication effectively controlled their blood sugar levels. However, the researchers did not note any change in weight during the relatively short study period. The higher potency of the combined molecule suggests it could be administered at lower doses than other incretin-based medications, reducing side effects and making the drug easier to take.

"Currently approved drugs are quite effective," DiMarchi said, "but they are insufficient in normalizing glucose, and they certainly don't cause much loss of body weight."

Vitamin D deficiency linked to childhood obesity

The role of vitamin D is increasingly recognized as important for maintaining health, not only for metabolism of calcium in bone health, but also for other conditions as well. This fact makes the current widespread vitamin D deficiency all the more compelling, and a study published in the May issue of Journal of Adolescent Health has found that serious deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin D exist among obese adolescents.

The retrospective study, done at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI, looked at blood levels of 25(OH) D for 68 obese adolescents, and found that all of the girls had low vitamin D, with 72 percent deficient and 28 percent insufficient. Among the boys, 91 percent had low levels, with 69 percent deficient and 22 percent insufficient.

Pediatrician Zeev Harel, lead author of the study, said, "It is possible that the association between obesity and low vitamin D status is indirect, arising from obese individuals having fewer outdoor activities than lean individuals, and therefore, less exposure to sun. Likewise, is it also possible that obese individuals do not consume enough foods that contain vitamin D." Other studies have also found a link between obesity and vitamin D deficiency, possibly from storage of vitamin D in fat tissue

The Hasbro Children's Hospital study also found a disturbing difficulty in treating the problem. About two thirds of the patients had follow-up measurements of vitamin D after treatment, and of that group, only 28 percent reached normal levels. The other patients did not attain a normal level even after multiple treatments.

Harel said of this problem, "The prevalence of low vitamin D status among obese adolescents in this study is greater than previously reported for this age group. It is concerning to us that only 28 percent of the adolescents were able to reach normal vitamin D levels through one course of treatment of the recommended dose of vitamin D, while the other 72 percent failed to normalize their levels even with repeat treatments."

All individuals with low vitamin D are at increased health risks. There is evidence linking healthy levels of vitamin D to protection against certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders, as well as other diseases. Vitamin D is also thought to help boost the immune system to protect against infections. Adverse health conditions in adolescents have been found linked to low levels of vitamin D

Foods That Help or Harm Your Sleep

If you could pick the right foods to help you get the best sleep possible, wouldn't you? And if you knew which foods would hinder your restful slumber, wouldn't you avoid them? Now's your chance to learn which foods to eat, and which to steer clear of for a good night's sleep.

We've all heard of warm milk's magical ability to send us off to dreamland. Do you know why it's true? Dairy foods contain tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting substance. Other foods that are high in tryptophan include nuts and seeds, bananas, honey, and eggs.

Carbohydrate-rich foods complement dairy foods by increasing the level of sleep-inducing tryptophan in the blood. So a few perfect late night snacks to get you snoozing might include a bowl of cereal and milk, yogurt and crackers, or bread and cheese.

If you struggle with insomnia, a little food in your stomach may help you sleep. But don't use this as an open invitation to pig out. Keep the snack small. A heavy meal will tax your digestive system, making you uncomfortable and unable to get soothing ZZZs.

As if you needed another reason to avoid high-fat foods, research shows that people who often eat high-fat foods not only gain weight, they also experience a disruption of their sleep cycles. A heavy meal activates digestion, which can lead to nighttime trips to the bathroom.

It's no surprise that an evening cup of coffee might disrupt your sleep. Even moderate caffeine can cause sleep disturbances. But don't forget about less obvious caffeine sources, like chocolate, cola, tea, and decaffeinated coffee. For better sleep, cut all caffeine from your diet four to six hours before bedtime.

Here's the catch-22 with alcohol: It may help you fall asleep faster, but you may experience frequent awakenings, less restful sleep, headaches, night sweats and nightmares. If you're consuming alcohol in the evening, balance each drink with a glass a water to dilute the alcohol's effects. For a good night's sleep, the better bet is to avoid alcohol four to six hours before bedtime.

Sorry Atkins. Protein, an essential part of our daytime fare, is a poor choice for a bedtime snack. Protein-rich foods are harder to digest. So skip the high-protein snack before bedtime and opt for a glass of warm milk or some sleep-friendly carbs, like crackers.

Yes, staying hydrated throughout the day is great for your body, but curtail your fluid intake before bed. You're sure to have interrupted sleep if you're constantly getting up to go to the bathroom.

Nicotine is a stimulant, with effects similar to caffeine. Avoid smoking before bedtime or if you wake up in the middle of the night.

Avoid these six foods that could trigger acid reflux

Acid reflux or heartburn is a fairly common digestive problems that is annoying and uncomfortable, but not serious unless it becomes chronic. Then it's called GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), which gets to the point of seriously irritating the esophagus.

Symptoms include chest pains, upper chest or lower throat burning sensations, spontaneous regurgitation, and nausea. These symptoms are the result of stomach acids coming through a not fully closed lower esophagus sphincter and flooding the esophagus.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or spastic colon obviously effects the lower end of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It usually shows up with lower abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea, or a weird combination of both with irregular, sporadic bowel movements and stool consistencies.

Foods that are common triggers for IBS and acid reflux

Both gastrointestinal ailments can be triggered by certain foods or food groups, of which six are common to both and should be avoided if you're prone to acid reflux or IBS:

1. Fried foods, especially those fried with hydrogenated oils containing trans-fatty acids. These are your common fast food and restaurant varieties.
2. Meat and dairy, especially fatty meats from factory farms, processed meats, and big dairy pasteurized milk. Some do well with raw milk and cheese and some meat from grass fed free range livestock without antibiotics and growth hormones.
3. Processed baked goods, including most packaged breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies. They contain refined sugar and bad fats as well as refined, bleached white flour. Sometimes they may contain MSG or HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). If you are acid reflux prone or suffer from IBS, you may get around this by purchasing baked goods directly from a bakery you trust or make your own with excellent whole ingredients. Sourdough and/or sprouted wheat, wheat substitutes, such as buckwheat, spelt, or other grains used in baked goods without harmful additives may also be tolerable. Read your labels and ask the right questions.
4. Coffee and alcohol, both can create acidic responses from the lower esophagus sphincter and the ileocecal valve (ICV), which is the sphincter between the large and small intestines that opens only briefly and shuts most of the time to keep the small and large intestinal fluids from mixing. ICV syndrome, the ileocecal valve remaining open too long, may be the most overlooked basis of many IBS issues and other more serious digestive diseases. All the other recommendations regarding foods and eating habits are relevant for ICV syndromes. Apparently, most chiropractors and some and naturopathic doctors (NDs) understand ICV syndromes more than most MDs.
5. MSG and artificial sweeteners: Sorbital may not be as neurologically dangerous as aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. But it does stimulate IBS symptoms.
6. Non-soluble fiber foods Yes, we all need fiber. But non-soluble fiber alone can cause IBS problems. 

Avoid overeating. Stop at 75 percent percent of your capacity. Chewing more and eating consciously and more slowly helps determine when to stop.

Never go to sleep or lie down after a meal. If you must rest, lie on your left side. But it's better to take a walk, which assists your digestion. Try eating three or four small meals instead of one or two big meals.

Apple peel compound may help fight obesity

Those who peel an apple before eating it may be discarding a helpful tool for fighting obesity. A study involving mice finds that a compound in apple peel called ursolic acid may curtail obesity by increasing muscle mass and boosting calorie burning. In addition to the weight control benefit, it may also deter fatty liver disease and pre-diabetes.

In the research all the mice were fed a high fat diet, but only half of them received food augmented with ursolic acid. Although the half that received the ursolic acid ate more, they gained less weight. Additionally, the investigators found they burned more calories, had more muscles and displayed greater endurance than the group who did not receive the compound. Furthermore, their blood sugar levels were near normal and they did not incur obesity related-fatty liver disease.

The mechanism of action responsible for the obesity-fighting benefit appears to be two-pronged. Author Christopher Adams explains that since muscle tissue is a good calorie burner, the muscle-building effect of ursolic acid may account for part of it. While the researchers were aware of this effect from prior research, they were surprised to find this compound also increases a substance called brown fat, which is a superb fat burner.

Adams notes that because of brown fat's healthful properties, scientists are endeavoring to discover how to increase it. Some research has associated greater levels of brown fat with reduced levels of obesity, along with improved blood sugar and lipids, indicating this substance can assist in weight management and in preventing diabetes.

Earlier studies show apple peels are richly abundant in antioxidants and polyphenols. Also, eating an apple a day lowers the risk of lung and colon cancer.

Adams intends to study the effect of ursolic acid on humans to determine if it is as beneficial for them as for mice. If this proves to be the case, the next step would be to ascertain the number of apples a person would need to eat to experience the positive effects. In the meantime, eating an apple a day seems like a good idea, but it is best to choose the organically grown ones to avoid insecticides and wax present in the peel.

Obesity surgery-diabetes study shows pros and cons

Obesity surgery worked much better at reducing and even reversing diabetes than medication and lifestyle changes in one of the most rigorous studies of its kind. But the researchers and others warn that possible serious complications need to be considered.

The yearlong study indicates that the most common weight-loss surgery, gastric bypass, can effectively treat diabetes in patients with mild to moderate obesity - about 50 to 70 pounds overweight. Other studies have shown the operation can reverse diabetes in severely obese patients, although sometimes the disease comes back.

About a third of the 60 adults who got bypass surgery in the new study developed serious problems within a year of the operation, though some cases were not clearly linked with the surgery. That rate is similar to what's been seen in previous studies. But for the most serious complications - infections, intestinal blockages and bleeding - the rate was 6 percent, slightly higher than in earlier research.

The most dangerous complication occurred in one patient when stomach contents leaked from the surgery site, leading to an overwhelming infection, leg amputation and brain injury.  A journal editorial says such devastating complications are rare, but that "the frequency and severity of complications ... is problematic" in the study and that the best way to treat patients with both obesity and diabetes "remains unknown."

A research review in the journal said more long-term evidence on risks and benefits is needed to determine if obesity surgery is an appropriate way to treat diabetes in patients who aren't severely obese - at least 100 pounds overweight.

More than 20 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes; most are overweight or obese. Diabetics face increased risks for heart disease and strokes, and poorly controlled diabetes can damage the kidneys, eyes and blood vessels.

About 160,000 people nationwide undergo various types of obesity surgery each year. Bypass surgery, the type studied, involves stapling the stomach to create a small pouch and attaching it to a lower part of the intestines. The American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery says obesity surgery is safe and that the death rate is less than 1 percent, lower than for gallbladder and hip replacement surgery.

The study involved 120 patients at five hospitals in New York, Minnesota and Taiwan. All patients got medicines for diabetes, obesity, cholesterol and/or high blood pressure. They all were advised to cut calories and increase physical activity.

Sixty patients also had surgery, and the two groups were compared after one year.

The surgery group lost on average nearly 60 pounds and 75 percent lowered blood sugar levels to normal or near normal levels. The non-surgery group lost an average 17 pounds and just 30 percent reached the blood-sugar goal. The surgery group also needed less medication after the operation.

The researchers say the diabetes changes were likely due to the weight loss but that hormonal changes affecting blood sugar may have contributed. The surgery group showed a trend toward having less high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol - both major risk factors for heart disease, although those between-group differences could have been due to chance.

Equipose 200

Boldenone Undecylenate has become a very popular steroid with athletes and bodybuilders due to the fact that it has very low side effects and has anabolic properties which promote a steady gain in quality muscle mass over time. GP Bold 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) was tagged with the name Equipose® when it first became available as a veterinary steroid and was widely used in racehorses. Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate), as it is often called, can be effectively incorporated in both "cutting" and "bulking" cycles due to the well balanced effects of this anabolic substance. GP Bold 200 (Equipoise) aromatizes very little, and therefore produces almost no estrogenic side effects such as water retention or "gyno" (the development of female tissue under the nipples in males resulting in unattractive and often painful lumps in this area), and therefore is a favorite among bodybuilders who are looking to make solid gains without the extra bloat, or are nearing contest. Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) also dramatically increases protein synthesis and red blood cell count meaning that nutrients are transported throughout the body much more effectively. Because of this, Equipose® is able to make much more use of less food, enhancing its capabilities as an effective hormone to use when "cutting" and a bodybuilder is trying to reduce calories to get into contest shape. Also, the increased red blood cell count caused by Boldenone Undecylenate also increases oxygen transportation throughout the body, thus giving athletes and bodybuilders much more endurance and the capability to endure cardio sessions for much longer periods of time, which obviously makes Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) even more popular among those looking to shed bodyfat. Users of  Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) also report a dramatic increase in vascularity, which can also be attributed to the oxidizing benefits of Equipoise. Bodybuilders using Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate)  in a cutting cycle often look to stack it with an oral steroid such as Stanozolole or Oxandrolone to further increase anabolic activity while keeping estrogenic side effects out of the picture. Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) also has properties which make it very favorable amongst Bodybuilders looking to incorporate it into their bulking cycles. Users of Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) often report an increase in appetite and the ability to eat more food easily when trying to gain weight in the offseason. The mild nature and steady gains produced by Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) also make it very effective for those looking to do longer cycles (12-20 weeks ), where as most users note a continuous gain in muscle mass and strength over this time and credit the steroid with helping the muscles maintain a more defined, vascular tone throughout bulking . Bodybuilders looking for size often stack Equipoise with other anabolic drugs such as a testosterone preparation (GP Test Enanth 250, GP Test Cyp 250, GP Test Prop 100 etc.) and/or Deca-Durabolin . Bodybuilders looking to bulk might also incorporate an oral compound into this stack such as GP Oxan or GP Methan. Women bodybuilders are also fond of Equipoise due to its mild nature and low androgenic properties. The most often side effect of the drug being an increase in libido, women find that the drug rarely causes any masculizing side effects when kept in a reasonable dosage range. Male bodybuilders generally buy Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) in doses of 300-800mg's a week for 8-20wks, depending on goals, while women bodybuilders often find a dosage of 50-100mg's a week to be very effective for making quality gains while keeping side effects to a minimum. Equipose 200 (Boldenone Undecylenate) has a long half life (7-10) days and is most commonly injected twice per week to keep blood concentrations as steady as possible.

Chocolate

Lovers of dark chocolate should temper its appetite, and in much smaller quantities consumed this delicacy, experts say. It turned out that he is not as useful as previously thought.

A number of studies have shown that it is in dark chocolate contains a large amount of procyanidins - flavonoids, which have a positive effect on the heart and lower blood pressure. In that dark chocolate is superior to the properties of milk and white species. However, as it became known as a result of the experiments, a dark chocolate contains more calories and saturated fat.
For example, 40 grams (4-7 slices) chocolate (85% cocoa content) contain 227 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat. This represents 60% of the daily consumption rates. And in the same quantity of milk chocolate and calories (210 calories) and saturated fat (7 grams) is somewhat smaller. This represents 37% of the daily requirement.

Based on the results of research, nutritionists recommend that lovers of dark chocolate consumed no more than 1-2 cloves of goodies every day. And sometimes it is best to replace the chocolate with red apples. It turned out that one apple contained the same amount of beneficial procyanidins, how much and in 47 grams of dark chocolate, but less than 150 calories.

The problem of obesity

Problems associated with obesity are numerous. Obesity - it's not just a cosmetic problem. This is a health risk. A person with 40% of excess weight two times greater likelihood of premature death compared with a person of average weight. This is due to the fact that obesity is associated with several serious medical conditions, including:

- Heart disease and stroke

- High blood pressure

- Diabetes

- Cancer

- Gallbladder disease

- Osteoarthritis

- Gout

Breathing problems such as sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for short periods during sleep) and asthma.

As a rule, doctors agree that obese people often have problems with their health. People who have 20% or more overweight, can greatly improve your health, losing weight. Many experts on obesity say that people who have less than 20% of excess weight over ideal must still try to get rid of them if they have been one of the following risk factors:

Hereditary predisposition to certain chronic diseases. In humans, close relatives who suffered from heart disease or diabetes, increased chance of developing these diseases in the presence of obesity.

Underlying disease.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol or blood sugar - all warning signs of some obesity-related diseases.

The figure in the shape of an apple. People who have excess fat is concentrated in the abdomen and surrounding areas have a higher risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or cancer than people with the same weight, but with the figure of a pear-shaped (when the bulk of fat is concentrated on the hips and buttocks).

Fortunately, even a small weight loss of 5-10 kg can significantly improve health, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.