Rejuvalife Vitality Institute
Beverly Hills CA

Finding the Motivation to Work Out

How many of you have started a new gym membership, went every other day the first couple weeks, then soon lost motivation and now you’re lucky to make it a few times a month. Finding your motivation is key to staying with an exercise plan, and making it a regular part of your anti-aging lifestyle. Certain simple lifestyle changes, techniques and mindsets can help to keep motivation steadily high.

Use a scale every day – Weigh yourself first thing every morning without heavy clothes, before breakfast, and after using the bathroom.  Studies have shown that people who weigh themselves regularly lose more weight and keep the pounds off more effectively than those who don’t. Being aware of your weight can put you more in tune with the factors that cause it to go up and down, to track your progress on a diet or fitness plan, and to allow you to adjust accordingly as weight fluctuates.

It’s all in the mind – Studies of elite athletes have shown that the ideal ratio of pre-event visualization to physical training is 70-30. That’s seventy percent visualization. Just psyching yourself up while strength training can increase up to 8%. Visualizing doing perfect benchpresses can add about 12% more power than being distracted. Repeating affirmations or mantras during endurance exercises can help increase stamina and performance.

Plan ahead – Chances are, if you are not planning your workouts in advance and scheduling around them, something will come up or you will find an excuse to skip workouts. The morning is the best time to work out. Not only can early morning workouts have beneficial effects on your mental and physical health throughout the day, but people’s days tend to get busier as the day moves on, and they are less likely to be interrupted by things coming up before the start of the work day.

Consistency is Key – “Well, maybe I wont work all week, but I’ll take a really long run on Sunday.” That’s the equivalent of saying “well, maybe I wont brush my teeth all week, but I’ll brush them extra long on Sunday.” Your body will begin to lose conditioning only three days after stopping working out. Adults should work out at least 30 minutes, 5 times per week. There are significant additional health benefits for working out an hour a day, 5 times per week. Recent studies have found that even 15 minutes of exercise a day have incredible health benefits.

With a little help from my friends – Studies have shown that having an exercise partner or group can help you stay with an exercise routine. Not only are you committing to yourself, but you’re making a commitment to someone else, which makes it that much harder to break. You can also help each other track progress, keep things fun, and support and motivate each other. Running with a partner, in a group, or in a public event can increase performance, because of an aspect of social comparison and often competition.

Set your sights – Signing up for a specific event or having a very specific fitness or health goal in mind can dramatically improve your motivation and help you stay on track. If you know you have to be in shape for a marathon in 3 months, you will be able to figure out better how much you need to be running to accomplish the goal. If  your goal is unclear or nebulous, it is hard to track progress and to stay on course.

Do what you love – Working out should not be tedious! If you hate the elliptical machine, it’s going to be hard to committing 2 hours a week to using it. And why would you? There are so many fun, challenging, and unique ways to stay in shape. Whether it’s basketball, kayaking, hiking, skiing, surfing, jumping on a trampoline, martial arts, or even gardening, there are so many activities to choose from that burn major calories and that you can actually look forward to doing. It’s much easier to stay motivated when your workout isn’t a chore you feel you have to do, but something you genuinely enjoy. And if you really don’t like any other physical activity, at least can sex burn 85 calories or more in a half an hour.

The wave of the future – Modern technology has made incredible innovations geared to make exercise more fun, effective, and accessible. You can now where a sensor on your wrist that’s linked to an app that can keep track of your heart rate, calories burned, steps, workouts, and diet, while GPS tracking the distance of your runs. One app even let’s you take a picture of your meal, and it will tell you how many calories and carbs it has. Recent have studies have found that personal mobile exercise management apps improve weight loss. Certain exercise related and physically active video games have been shown to be effective for weight loss and fitness. Investing a little bit in engaging gadgetry and gear can motivate you to put it to use more. After all, you want to get your money’s worth.

Staying on a fitness plan isn’t always easy, but making your health a priority can help you grit your teeth and workout even when it’s tough. Making these simple lifestyle changes can help you stay on track. Rejuvalife Vitality Institute is here to support your health and wellbeing goals. We offer comprehensive Fitness and Nutrition Plans, Nutritional Supplements, Lifestyle Management, and Medically Supervised Weight Loss.

For Your Health!

The Unexpected Benefits of Exercise

As if being able to fit into your jeans from college isn’t enough of a reason, sufficient exercise can bring a wide variety of serious health benefits. Besides the obvious weight loss, improved muscle and cardiovascular function, as well as increased longevity, exercise brings with it a host of unexpected benefits. In general, those who exercise regularly are actually “biologically younger” than those who do not exercise regularly, therefore, they are at lower risk for age-related disease and physical decline.

A new study suggests a strong link between exercise and eye health. The study suggests that regular exercise can lower the risk of macular degeneration resulting from age by up to 70%. Physical activity reduces inflammation in the blood vessel walls the results from the disease.

Exercise can significantly increase how quickly you fall asleep, and improve the overall quality of your sleep. As your metabolism becomes more efficient, your body is able to make the downgrade from awake to asleep faster. In other words, your body does not to remain active as long to maintain your metabolic balance. Not only that, but exercise allows you to wake up faster and feel more rested, even if you got a little less sleep than normal.

Exercise is also great for your skin. Healthy skin requires sufficient water and oxygen to look and feel it’s best. The heavy breathing and increased heart rate associated with exercise increase your circulation, which carries oxygen throughout the body, including the skin. Increased muscle mass and reduces fatty deposits can also result in tighter, smoother feeling skin, as the skin is literally being pulled more tightly over the muscle.

Sports involving small, fast moving objects like tennis can improve your general ability to focus. In addition to improved concentration, your eyes will actually physically focus faster. A strong link has also been shown between exercise and memory and other cognitive functions. Exercise also significantly improves balance, which can have positive effects in many different areas.

Don’t sweat! People who exercise often tend to sweat less when not working out than those who don’t exercise regularly. The body uses the exercise time to sweat out toxins and excess water. In addition, regular exercisers have lower resting heart rate, which keeps their bodies from heating up and sweating during regular tasks, like climbing stairs.

If taking care of yourself isn’t enough, then do it for your kids. Studies show that parent who have healthy exercise routines and diet are more likely to raise kids with the same habits. Not to mention if you live significantly longer, you will have more time with your loved ones.

So how much do you need to exercise? Adults should do a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity. Health benefits increase significantly at 5 hours per week. Adults should also do exercise to strengthen their muscles using all major muscle groups at least 2 days per week.  While it’s less than ideal, recent studies have found significant health benefits from exercising only 15 minutes a day.

Exercise is one of the most important components of an anti-aging lifestyle, along with nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction. In addition to looking and feeling great, exercise provides an incredible amount of health benefits. Rejuvalife Vitality Institute offers comprehensive fitness and nutrition programs, as well as medically supervised weight loss, to support your overall health, beauty, and well-being.

Go Fish! – The Amazing Anti-Aging Benefits of Omega-3

Patients ask all the time which supplement is most important for an anti-aging lifestyle and disease prevention. Of course, every person’s body is different, and each person should consult with a physician regarding their nutrition and supplement choices, but Omega-3 essential fatty acids in particular stand out for incredible anti-aging and disease fighting properties.

Essential fatty acids are vital for normal metabolism, but cannot be synthesized by the human body. Because of this, people need to have a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and/or take supplements to maintain healthy levels in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sturgeon, and anchovies, and are also found in seaweed, flax seeds, soybeans and tofu, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and canola oil. Certain other foods like eggs and yogurt are also now being fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids.

A large body of research supports the incredible benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for promoting heart health. A diet rich in Omega-3s has been shown to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure. Omega-3s have a positive effect on regulating the heart’s electrical activity, muscle tone, and plaque stabilization, and also act as a blood anticoagulant. Omega-3s reduce blood pressure, lower “bad” cholesterol levels, increase metabolism, and aid weight loss, all associated with heart health and disease prevention. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to an astonishing number of other health benefits.

Other potential health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Reduces risk of stroke and certain cancers
• Reduces cellular inflammation
• Lubricates  the skin, arteries, veins and intestines
• Slows development of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive problems
• Reduces joint pain and arthritis symptoms
• Increases energy levels and concentration
• Improves sleep quality

The American Heart Association recommends including two meals of fish every week for optimal heart health, however, the American diet is typically lacking in sources of Omega-3s, so it is highly recommended that people take a daily supplement for optimal health and disease prevention. Rejuvalife offers a premium concentrated Fish Oil supplement, the purest and most effective source of Omega-3 fatty acids. We also offer a complete line of the highest quality Vitamins and Supplements, selected personally by Dr. Berger for the highest efficacy and purest ingredients, to support your anti-aging lifestyle and overall health. Any supplement you purchase can also be added to your Loyalty Punches for our Filler Frenzy Program, and contribute toward receiving your $300 gift card or free syringe of Juvederm Ultra, Restylane or Radiesse.  See offer for complete details.

Beat the High Cost of Traditional Liposuction

Liposuction has quickly become one of the most common procedures for fat removal and body sculpting, but the typical costs can make it too expensive for most to consider as a reasonable option. According the the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the national average surgeon fee for liposuction in 2010 averaged $2,884. As you can see from the following chart from liposuction.com, the costs of traditional liposuction can be astronomical, even on the lower end of the price range.

A large part of the cost associated with traditional liposuction comes from the use of general anesthesia and the use of surgery. There can be additional costs for the use of surgical suites, supplies, testing, medication, and post-procedure treatments.

By cutting out the use of surgery and general anesthesia, Rejuvalife is able to offer the most affordable prices for our Advanced Liposuction procedures, including Liposculpture, Smartlipo™ and BodyJet™.  No matter what area on your body you choose, you will pay as little as $995 per area with our special deals.  With financing options available, patients can pay as little as $95 per month for their procedure.

The price isn’t the only difference between advanced and traditional liposuction. Our advanced, minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedures use only local anesthetic, and produce incredible results that are visible nearly instantly, without the risks, discomfort, or downtime associated with traditional liposuction and general anesthesia. There are no stitches, no unsightly scars, less bruising, and less swelling. Patients walk in and walk out just before and immediately after their procedures, and can resume their normal routine as soon as the next day.

If you would like to learn more about your advanced liposuction options, please visit our website or call (310)276-4494.

The Risks of Mid-Section Fat (Besides the Muffintop)

Let’s be honest. Most of us would love to lose an extra inch or two around our midsections. How nice it would be to fit into those jeans from college without having to suck in, or show off a slim, sexy body at the beach. But there may be an even more compelling reason to get rid of that stubborn belly fat once and for all. Research is now showing that fat specifically around the midsection or waist is a major risk factor for Type II Diabetes, Heart Disease, Hypertension, Stroke, some forms of cancer, and even Dementia. We all know that obesity can dramatically increases risk factors for these diseases and more, but excess belly fat may also be a warning sign for mildly overweight people, or even people of an otherwise healthy physique and appropriate weight.

Studies have shown that excess midsection fat is strongly associated with greater resistance to insulin.  In insulin resistant people, muscle, fat and liver cells do not use the insulin effectively, so the pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin. If the pancreas cannot keep up with the body’s need for insulin, excess levels of glucose will build up, leading to Diabetes. Insulin resistant people also have excessively high levels of insulin in their bloodstream, which leads to inflammation. Inflammation itself has recently gained attention as a direct cause of a staggering number of diseases and health conditions.

The obvious contributor to excess stomach fat is poor lifestyle choices. A diet consisting of high fat, high sugar, processed and otherwise nutritionally lacking food, combined with a lack of exercise, and excessive drinking will all help you pack on those pounds.

Research is supporting the idea that greater life stress may be the other major contributor to excess stomach fat. In particular, chronic stress that is associated with hopelessness, helplessness, or a feeling of defeat is associated with excess production of the stress hormone cortisol. When you have chronically high cortisol levels, the body craves carbohydrates and fats, and the extra calories tend to head right for the midsection. A recent study has also show that lean women in particular may be more prone to develop stomach fat in response to stress.

Another major factor for retaining midsection fat is change in hormonal balance, due to aging or as a result of other conditions. For women, changes in estrogen levels have a particularly strong impact on retaining stomach fat. As estrogen levels change with age, fat goes to the abdominals instead of to the hips and thighs, where it was previously needed for reproductive support.

Rejuvalife is here to help support the total health and wellbeing of our patients, and assist them in acheiving their health, weight loss and aesthetic goals. We offer comprehensive fitness and nutrition programs to promote overall healthy lifestyle, as well as medically supervised weight loss programs. Rejuvalife is on the cutting edge of non-surgical advanced liposuction procedures, to remove excess body fat in the abdominals and other problem areas directly. We also offer Hormone Replacement Therapy to return your hormonal levels to their optimal concentration and fight the effects of aging.

10 amazing foods you should eat!

There are more than 10 amazing foods, however this particular list below provides foods that may help to prevent disease such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. Healthy weight loss or weight maintenance can be achieved by eating these foods. Super foods are jam-packed with health promoting nutrients!

1. Dark Green Vegetables such as Spinach, Broccoli and Kale
These foods are packed full of nutrition. Green vegetables contain phytochemicals, which are suggested to assist in the prevention of cancer and boost your immune system. Green veggies are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium, magnesium and iron. Eat these vegetables raw, steamed, stir-fried, roasted or grilled.

2. Legumes and Lentils
Beans are low in fat (except for soybeans), calories, and sodium, but high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, and they offer modest amounts of essential fatty acids—mostly Omega-6s. They are also an excellent source of protein. Legumes and lentils offer ample fiber (one cup of cooked beans can provide as much as 15 grams of dietary fiber, more than half the recommended “daily value” of 25 grams and are released into the bloodstream slowly, providing energy and fullness for a sustained period. Beans can be added to salads, pureed and served as a dip or added to soup and chili.

3. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts have gotten a bad rap because of their high fat content. But their protein, heart-healthy Omega-3 fats, high fiber, and antioxidant content earn them a place on the top 10 list. The key to enjoying nuts is portion control. A closed fist handful is approximately 100 calories. Nuts add texture and flavor to salads, side dishes, baked goods, cereals, and entrees. They also make a delicious snack on their own.

4. Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries: You name it, they’ve got it. These colorful fruits are loaded with antioxidants, phytonutrients, low in calories, and high in water and fiber to help control blood sugar and keep you full longer. Blueberries lead the pack because they are among the best source of antioxidants. Most of these berries are available fresh, frozen or dried and can add flavor and nutrition to salads, cereals, baked goods and yogurt.

5. Wild Salmon
Salmon and other cold-water fish (e.g. tuna, mackerel and halibut) contain oils that are rich in Omega-3. This “good fat” will protect your arteries against plaque buildup and is effective in lowering the “bad” cholesterol. Omega 3’s have also been suggested to assist with brain function and reduced inflammation in people with arthritis.

6. Sweet Potatoes or Yams
A healthier alternative to the white potato, yams are filled with carotenes that may help with the prevention of some cancers and reduce the risk of heart disease. They’re also loaded with vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Sweet potatoes make a great side dish or fully loaded with the works. Baked, boiled, mashed or roasted, they’re all nutritious and delicious.

7. Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) provides a wide range of vitamins and minerals. This super grain seed contains more protein than most cereal grains and is considered a complete protein because it contains all eight of the essential amino acids we need for tissue development. Quinoa is higher in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc, and lower in sodium compared with wheat, barley and corn. This gluten-free grain also receives recognition for being low in saturated fat. Quinoa is as easy to prepare and can be eaten alone or mixed with vegetables, nuts, or lean protein for a whole-grain medley.

8. Cinnamon
Studies are investigating its role in lowering blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, most likely due to the insulin-like effects of its polyphenols (natural substances found in plants). It’s still too early to know if cinnamon can help curb blood sugars, but with studies suggesting its effects can be seen with a daily dose of just half a teaspoon it’s worth keeping this spice in mind when reaching into the spice cabinet. Sprinkle cinnamon on toast, add to oatmeal or use in desserts.

9. Canola and Olive Oil
Cooking with heart healthy oils is the way to go. Olive oil is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats and canola oil high in Omega-3 fats – both suggested to assist in the prevention of heart disease. A small amount goes a long way in keeping you healthy. Make your own salad dressing with canola or olive oil. Add balsamic, rice wine or other vinegars. Flavor with lemon juice, dry or Dijon mustard, garlic and herbs.

10. Soy
Research shows that soy contains plant substances called isoflavones that help to protect against heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. This bean is an excellent source of protein and contains little to no cholesterol or saturated fat. It’s a great meatless option to add to your meals. Add tofu cubes to soups and casseroles. Enjoy a handful of roasted soy nuts. Sip a smoothie made with vanilla soy beverage.

Seafood & Your Health

A new study out of McGill University has shown that eating more fish may reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer. But this is just one benefit from one type of seafood.

There is a wide variety of healthy seafood choices, and although many fish and shellfish are inherently high in cholesterol, eating seafood twice a week will not have an adverse effect on your blood cholesterol levels (barring any cheeseburger binges). Moreover, it will provide you with valuable trace minerals and the much sought-after omega-3 fatty acids.

Sardines

Sardines are one of the most nutrient-rich foods; they contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which, according to the American Heart Association, help regulate and lower blood cholesterol and improve blood health. Sardines are also brain food — omega-3s are beneficial in brain function and memory. This healthy seafood is one of the few fish that is eaten whole. As a result, high levels of calcium, iron and vitamin D are found in each serving, which is good for your bones. Sardines also contain coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which helps improve cardiovascular health and physical energy. What sardines do not have a lot of is mercury or trace pesticides or chemicals. Due to their small size and short lifespan, they absorb a very small amount of contaminants. It’s best to eat sardines packed in water or tomato sauce as opposed to oil.

Mackerel

Mackerel is another small fish that packs a punch. It is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acid (twice as much as salmon) and an excellent source of selenium, which is good for the immune system. Selenium works with protein in the body to form antioxidant enzymes and can protect against the effects of mercury exposure. The flavor of this healthy seafood makes it popular cooked, grilled and raw (as sashimi). Avoid king mackerel because it is a larger fish and may contain more mercury. Northern Atlantic mackerel is recommended due to low mercury levels.

Tilapia

Tilapia is a very popular fish due to availability, price and versatile flavor. It is also a very healthy seafood choice. It contains low mercury levels because it grows fast and has a short lifespan. It is low in cholesterol compared to other seafood and is also low in sodium and saturated fat. Tilapia does contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids that play an important role in heart health, maintaining blood pressure, brain development and mental function, and possibly reduces the risk of certain cancers. If at all possible, choose wild tilapia. Farmed tilapia has been found to have an unfavorable ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 is thought to have an inflammatory effect on the body.

Haddock

If you’ve ever had fish and chips, you’ve most likely had haddock. It is a very popular fish with high levels of magnesium, vitamin B6 and niacin. It also contains phosphorus, which is a major component of bone and teeth. Phosphorus is a necessary part of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s energy source, so it is found in the muscles and nerves and used in both aerobic and anaerobic activities. Phosphorus also helps the body use fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Haddock is a low-calorie alternative to beef, yet provides comparable amounts of protein. Per ounce, haddock has 18% protein and only 22 calories, while beef has 80 calories. It’s best if you avoid the deep fryer and go for low-fat preparations, like baking or poaching.

Seaweed

You’ve probably seen this added to shakes and smoothies as a “boost” and that’s precisely the effect that seaweed has on the body. Seaweed is a rich plant source of vitamin C, zinc and iodine. Red dulse seaweed, found primarily in the North Atlantic, provides a 100% daily value of vitamin B6, iron and fluoride, a mineral important for strong teeth. Calcium, as we know, is important for bone health, but also for muscle contraction, and seaweed is a good source. As for the other nutrients that seaweed provides, it is a good source of protein; there’s a better ratio of amino acids in seaweed than plants grown on land. Complex carbohydrates make up about 40% of the total weight of seaweed. That means you get the energy you need from carbs, but with a low glycemic index. The slow digestibility is also due to the high fiber content. Seaweed is thought to increase metabolism and treat impotence.

Ocean goodies

Luckily, much of the most common seafood is healthy. It is also easy on the wallet. Incorporate seafood into your diet two to three times a week and you will see it is fairly easy to reap health benefits from the sea.

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Cocommune – A Rave Review!

Happy 2010 folks!

I hope everybody had a great holiday and New Year celebration!

It’s the first work week of the year and I’ve got something exciting to tell you all!

This morning I checked into the office, just like any other day. Mail came in, FedEx dropped off some boxes, the usual.

Well, one of the boxes contained a special surprise, one that was so tasty the second I bit into it I just had to write about it!

It’s called Cocommune Bar, for Gastrointestinal, Digestive, and Immune Support.

Here’s what their makers have to say:

“Cocommune Bar™ is our latest, delicious creation in functional food bars. We have blended a rich dark chocolate with a generous amount of moist, chewy coconut filling to provide a taste that will rival even a Mounds® bar! This all natural, kosher food bar also contains a very useful 500mg of our specially prepared Tegricel™ colostrum per bar. This unique and potent colostrum was designed to enhance general immune function and to protect and repair damaged GI tissue from the use of NSAID’s. Tegricel™ can also be beneficial in other conditions such as Crohn’s, Celiac, IBS and ulcerative colitis that can result in intestinal damage.”

And what do I say? I say GIMMIE MORE – and the staff agrees!!!! These scrumptious bars are so delish (and healthy) I was shocked when I read the nutritional label. For just one serving (one bar is 40g) you’ve got 160 Calories, 12g of fat (remember, it’s made with coconut), 23g of carbs (that’s only 2 NET GRAMS PER SERVING!), 4 g of dietary fiber, 1 g of sugars (ONE GRAM!!!! Almost everything you pick up nowadays is simply made only of sugars!), 17g of sugar alcohol, 2g of protein, and 60mg of sodium.

The ingredients were a list of easy to read words. You know, I always frown and typically turn away from foods that have ingredients that I can’t even pronounce – a good rule of thumb: If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s probably not something you want in your body.

Did I mention the chocolate is sugar free???

So if I haven’t enticed you enough, I say come on down and grab a bar for yourself. If you’re a fan of chocolate and coconut, I can assure you won’t be disappointed!!

Ask Dr. Berger – What is “Fat Transfer”?

I was explaining our new Body-Jet procedure to a patient last week, and how one of the great things about the Body-Jet Liposculpture procedure was the ability to use the Body-Jet to harvest fat in near perfect condition for use in Fat Transfer procedures. The patient asked me why she would need or want to transfer fat – GOOD QUESTION!  I’ve posted the answer I gave her as the subject of my latest video:

If you have any further questions on this, or any other procedure or topic, feel free to post them here, on our Facebook page, or give the office a call at 877-REJUVMD.

Thanks for reading,

Andre Berger, M.D.

Excess Body Fat = Thousands of Cancer Cases Annually

A shocking new study was published last week by researchers with the American Institute for Cancer Research,  that states more than 100,000 cases of cancer are caused annually by excess body-fat and obesity. The researchers studied seven cancers with known links to obesity along with actual case counts that were likely obesity-related.

From

The report says that 49 percent of endometrial cancers are caused by excess body fat. That number is followed by 35 percent of esophageal cancer cases; 28 percent of pancreatic cancer cases; 24 percent of kidney cancer cases; 21 percent of gallbladder cancer cases; 17 percent of breast cancer cases; and 9 percent of colorectal cancer cases.

“This is the first time that we’ve put real, quantifiable case numbers on obesity-related cancers,” said Glen Weldon, the American Institute for Cancer Research educational director. In addition, he said, it’s not just causing cancer that’s an issue.

“Obesity not only raises the risk for getting cancer,” Weldon said. “It also has a negative effect on survival and can make treatment more difficult.” (Link to full story)

The sheer magnitude of this is a bit overwhelming, and calling attention to the problem is certainly necessary. In addition to cancer, we know obesity-related health problems abound, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and various other maladies. As I’ve explained before, increased body fat can lead to increased cellular inflammation, which is linked to DNA mutation and diseased cell growth, as is seen in cancers and many other diseases.

Unfortunately, the study doesn’t propose any solution. While some would suggest simply losing the weight, or not gaining it at all, I can’t help but add “keeping your soup clean” – i.e. not just counting calories, but eating a nutritionally dense and healthy diet and adopting an active lifestyle are paramount to good health.

Thanks for reading,

Andre Berger, M.D.

Related recent posts from the archives:

• Obesity Shrinks Your Brain & Shortens Your Life
• Is Your Soup Clean? Questions & Answers about Diagnostic Testing
• This is Your Brain on Junk Food
• Food Choices Supersede Genetics