FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

imbop2 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:13:46 GMT

I get really depressed when I hear exercise for an hour to 90 minutes a day, etc., etc. I am 60 years old, have always been obese, have insulin resistance and have been to Mercola's clinic in search of answers -- received very little. The "nutrition advisers" were unclear if I was a Protein or Carb, or maybe Mixed type. Nothing was working. In any event, I've had two knee surgeries for meniscus problems before I knew it was probably better to leave it alone than have the surgery. I've had injections of SynVisc and Euflexxia and my knees still hurt but not as bad as before injections, which are also probably bad for me. I exercise 5 days a week at our fitness center at work on the elliptical machine because now the treadmill makes my knees swell. I can only go 20 minutes now, down from 30, since I reinjured one of my knees falling on the ice in January. No, I don't have access to a pool and couldn't afford to join the Y or anywhere else since I recently found out I will lose my job in the next few months. I exercise and do what I can, but it's very depressing to think it's not enough. To lose weight, I have to live on 700-800 calories, high protein, low carb diet. I did lose 40 lbs doing that and kept it off for 2 years, but have started to regain because the diet is so restrictive. And Mercola says cut out the fruit b/c of the insulin issues (I love fruit). So I'm eating tons of veggies which I also love but it's too many for the low carb diet. Is anyone feeling my frustration yet?? I'm just trying to be as healthy as I can, but there's a mixed bag of opinions out there and it's very difficult to sort through all of it.

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

Dr. Randy — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:44:15 GMT

Supplementation is often necessary, I agree. My best friend of 30 years is the same age as I am, just turned 50. He's buff. He has a beautifully toned muscular body, prepares all these raw food and organic meals, etc. He's a personal trainer and works out for a living. He says, by his own admission, that he exercises anywhere from 2-4 hours a day. He starts each day with his own workout (he gets paid for it) and then works whatever muscle groups he wants throughout the day helping clients or waiting on the next "trainee." He teaches at least one aerobic class daily, PACE class, Body Pump, etc. so he gets a lot of cardio also. Cher has a fantastic body for someone nearly 60, but she also states that she works outs nearly 4 hours a day when she's touring. I'd be in fantastic shape if I worked out that much also. It isn't reality for most of us. And regardless of what the beautiful people of the world say, age does change your metabolism. Gaining weight at 50+ isn't just an American phenomenon. I eat a low carb diet with two raw food meals a day and I run at least 25 miles a week. I also walk my four dogs separately every day and walk briskly for at least an hour every day. If I take the dogs camping with me, we hike for hours together. I can still "pinch an inch" and that isn't likely to change. I have 20% body fat and a BMI of 22. I will never be "lean and mean" at my age unless I can afford to quit work and just exercise.

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

ladybugg8808 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:53:18 GMT

China does it again! They are true masters at tainting products they sell to us unsuspecting Americans (and others). I don't care what the product is. If it was made in China, I won't buy it for any reason.

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

Heather Marsh — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 23:49:25 GMT

Since being told that good health begins in the gut I have ordered some water and milk kefir and I am anxiously awaiting their arrival. I believe that regular ingesting of natural probiotics should help with my weight loss efforts.

I (once) asked for medical help and was perscribed a medication. Imagine my horror when a friend's boyfriend informed me I was taking speed !

I had not told anyone I was using any medications - he told me, and warned me that there were certain risks with continuing, especially at the withdrawal stage.

Once I get through the latest batch of (home made ) Easter buns I am going back to my reduced grain and sugar intake regime.

On losing weight, I am informed that the body has its own interpretation of the stressors in your life. Some will translate into 'potential famine = conserve weight, and others translate into ' predator risk = lose weight for increased ability to escape'.

By varying your tempo during exercise you can trigger the second option as the body interprets an increase in speed as escaping from a risk/predator scenario. Worth a try if you do not have mobility issues (I do)

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

susanms — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:41:23 GMT

Dr. Mercola,

You said you agree that it's good in some cases to do aerobic exercise for an hour a day 5 times a week and I am confused, because you have promoted PACE which teaches that short bursts of exercise with rests in between is much more highly effective, and that aerobic exercise can actually cause the body to make more fat to put into reserve for the next workouts! Please clarify!

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

mom2boys — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:13:33 GMT

I just want to say that exercise and controlling food intake does not work for everyone! I have been battling the bulge for some time now. I have hypothyroidism, and just found out I have adrenal fatigue. I cannot tell you how many times I have worked at trying to lose weight through a healthy lifestyle. I whole-heartedly believe in whole foods etc. No matter how little I eat, I am unable to lose unwanted pounds. My metabolism is extremely slow.

I have been through colonics, fasts, and 85% raw 15% cooked diet. Finally a few months ago, I found a wonderful natural doctor who was willing to dig deeper in my health history. I have found out that my adrenals are shot, therefore reeking havoc on my body. I am currently on supplements and have changed to Armour Natural Thyroid. I have not lost anything yet, but slowly my energy level is increasing. For those of you who seem to think that all who are overweight can do something about it, I am proof your thinking does not fit for everyone. I agree that eating right and exercising is essential. And if you can do this and pounds melt off, that is great!! But for those of us who have tried it all(meaning the natural ways) and not succeeded, it is a slap in the face to catergorize us into lazy bums who need to take charge of our health! Believe me, I know there are plenty of people who do not try. But I am here to testify that I have and are still woking on it! Blessings to you all.

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

Kris588 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:25:24 GMT

When I was in high school and college, my friends and I abused Dexatrim. Not only was it an appetite suppressant, but we treated it like legal speed as it helped us do good in school. Who knows how we screwed up our systems as a result. No one ever stopped us chldren from purchasing this dangerous product in drug stores. I wonder if alot of teens stil take that stuff....

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

Taarak — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:11:49 GMT

Trinity Wellness - Fully agree. Can you please add sprouts in your recommendations as well?

TrainerBob, russj117 - Same for both of you as well :)

I lost @ the rate of 2 kgs / week on this diet until I became almost underweight. And that has been so for over a year now....

For the much misunderstood & largely ignored micronutrients - the difference between supplements & a structured approach based on concentrated real foods is like the difference between the moon & the Sun. Happy Slimming!

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

JoWilliams — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:48:14 GMT

It's so simple. Just eat your protien,vegetables and fruit in it's natural state and stay away from trans fats,sugar and baked goods. i know fruit is sugar but i believe if your body is craving sugar eat fruit.t I know most of you know this but this what i tell my friends who don't know what a healthy diet is. Keep it simple it much easier to spread the to others.

re: FDA Warns Consumers about Weight Loss Products

Maurya — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 11:01:45 GMT

Unfortunately, for those of us past the age of 60 or so, those 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day must increase by quite a few more minutes each week, if one is to keep one's weight and lean to fat ratio at an acceptable level. This is true even if the same or even less quantity of healthful food is consumed by the individual. For those of us "seniors" who still are working to earn a living, working out with an exercise program for more than 2 hours a day just is not feasible. So I guess the answer is "eat good food, get plenty of exercise, get fat anyway."

re: FDA Warns Consumers About Weight Loss Products

Islander — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:12:31 GMT

Want to lose weight? Don't eat so much food!

I'm with those who maintain that for 99% of the population, fewer calories and more physical activity are the only reliable route to weight loss. But if you want an idea of how many people are desperate for the magic bullet, log onto Yahoo Answers. Every third question is "how can I 'loose' weight?"

That said, I wish I could post this chart I'm looking at, but the text will have to do. It's serving sizes from 20 years ago vs. today.

Coffee with milk & sugar, 8 oz., 45 calories...today, 16 oz., 350 calories

Blueberry muffin, 1.5 oz., 210 calories...today, 5 oz., 500 calories

Bagel, 3" diameter, 140 calories...6" diameter, 350 calories

Cheeseburger 330 calories...today, 590 calories

French fries, 2.4 oz., 210 calories...6.9 oz., 610 calories

Chocolate chip cookie, 1.5" diameter, 55 calories...3.5" diameter, 275 calories

No wonder we're all supersized—we think these servings are normal!

re: FDA Warns Consumers About Weight Loss Products

Trinity Wellness — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:25:38 GMT

Most people eat garbage dressed up to look like healthy food. The nutritional content of produce has been documented to be a fraction of what it was a generation ago and much less that it was 50 years ago. Add to that the toxin load added by chemical farming. Compound the problem with the fact that most of it is dead, processed and otherwise adulterated. The notion that you can purchase all your food through conventional channels and get proper nutrtion at a level that allows your body to experience optimal health without supplements is STUPID. Then again, some supplements are garbage so you have to make sure your getting the good stuff. That said, even if you purchase the maximum amount of local food fresh from an organic source or grow your own, seasonality will prevent this from being a reliable day to day source. A balance of local organic food, cold processed preserved organics and supplements is the way to go. Of course we could all become Breatharians and skip the diet AND excercise.

re: FDA Warns Consumers About Weight Loss Products

russj117 — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:14:48 GMT

@TrainerBob - you are correct that diet and exercise are the best and most effective ways to lose weight. however, some people have been so negligent of their bodies that diet and exercise simply won't do anything. they need to repair their body before this will work for them. insulin resistance, low thyroid, low testosterone (in men), unhealthy colon, and other factors can make it IMPOSSIBLE for a person to lose weight, regardless of what they eat and their activity levels. in this case, supplements should be used to correct the body's broken condition, and THEN the diet and exercise will help them lose weight. "eat right and exercise" is a gross oversimplification for a lot of people.

re: FDA Warns Consumers About Weight Loss Products

TrainerBob — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:41:54 GMT

I say this all the time, but it's worth repeating... You don't need pills or supplements to lose weight. All you need is the appropriate number (and type) of calories and enough exercise. Unfortunately too many people want to believe there is a quick and easy way, and quick and easy in almost anything equates to ineffective and/or unsafe.