Weight Loss & Diet
In 2000, an estimated 30.5 percent of adults were obese (i.e.,
had a body mass index [BMI] greater than 30 kg per [m.sup.2])
(1) and 15.5 percent of adolescents were overweight (BMI of 25
to 30 kg per [m.sup.2]). (2) Given the medical and psychosocial
impact of being overweight, as well as the difficulty in making
sustained improvements in diet and physical activity, it is not
surprising that patients often turn to over-the-counter (OTC)
proprietary weight-loss products containing single or multiple
dietary supplements (e.g., herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino
acids). Unintentional weight loss is the most common symptom of
cancer and often a side effect of cancer treatments. A poor
response to cancer treatments, reduced quality of life, and
shorter survival time may result from substantial weight loss.
The body may become weaker and less able to tolerate cancer
therapies. As body weight decreases, body functionality declines
and may lead to malnutrition, illness, infection, and perhaps
death. The use of natural therapies--things like herbs,
medicinal teas, and tinctures--has been growing among adults for
years. Now there's strong evidence that children are receiving
these treatments in greater numbers too. Diet Most people will
begin to lose weight if they cut calories to no more than 1,500
per day and do aerobic exercise for 20 minutes three or four
times per week. Changing your behavior is also key Recording the
foods you eat in a diet diary for at least five days will help
you see what, why and how much you are eating. Following the
detoxification diet--which excludes preservatives, dyes and
pesticides-will eliminate waste and motivate you to alter your
eating habits Herbal supplements Herbs and nutritional
supplements can help break down fat tissue. Among the herbs I
prescribe frequently are Ephedra sinica and Camellia sinensis,
or green tea. I recommend half a gram of ephedra twice daily to
increase metabolism and diminish appetite, and one cup of green
tea per day to facilitate breakdown of fat cells. Other herbs
include Corynanthe yohimbe (1 milligram three times a day) and
Taraxacum, or dandelion root (4 grams of the dried powder or 500
to 1,000 mg of solid extract a day). Both are available in
health-food stores.
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