Weight Watchers Donates $1,000,000
November 10, 2009
Weight Watchers has announced the donation of one million dollars to two hunger fighting organizations - Share Our Strength, the leading organization working to end childhood hunger in America, and Action Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization whose mission is to eliminate hunger. During a seven week period, Weight Watchers Members worked towards adopting a healthier lifestyle and lost approximately four million pounds, allowing the company to reach its one million dollar donation goal as part of its Lose For Good campaign. The campaign was created to help raise awareness about two global epidemics, obesity and hunger, encouraging Americans to get healthier while also doing good for others. In addition, during the campaign, Weight Watchers staff voluntarily organized local food drives at over 3,300 locations across the country, resulting in the approximate donation of more than two million pounds of food to local food banks.
“The Lose For Good campaign inspired our members and staff to rally together and help others in need in their own backyard and around the country,” said David Kirchhoff, President and CEO Weight Watchers International, Inc. “In this short period of time, I am so proud that we collectively got healthier, exceeded last year’s campaign by holding more food drives and that we were able to donate over two million pounds of food to food banks around the country.”
Through Share Our Strength, Weight Watchers Lose For Good grants from the 2008 campaign supported 50 organizations whose cumulative work has reached over 400,000 children, helping provide over 4.3 million meals to children.
“Given that poverty, dietary choices, and education contribute to the obesity epidemic, we cannot change poverty but we can change the choices that children and adults make through education and creating options of healthy food,” says Lance Cheslock, Executive Director of La Puente Home. “The grant we received from Share Our Strength through the Weight Watchers Lose For Good campaign has helped us start a sustainable nutrition education program in our community.”
SOURCE: PR NEWSWIRE
7-Keto DHEA For Weight Loss
October 19, 2009
7-Keto DHEA is a natural metabolite of of the prohormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). The ingredient was patented by Dr. Henry Lardy, who spent 10 years examining the over 150 metabolites of the hormone DHEA in hopes of finding a nutrient that would impart the positive benefits of DHEA without its side effects. For example, 7-Keto DHEA does not seem to raise sex hormones because it does not convert into testosterone or estrogen directly. Currently, there are 10 patents for 7-Keto DHEA for weight loss, cognition, and health.
Labeling Of 7-Keto DHEA
7-Keto DHEA is labelled under a variety of names to make it seem more “steroid like” or different from a competitor. Below are a list of the various names used for it:
- 3-beta-acetoxyandrost-5-ene-7,17-dione
- 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepandrosterone
- 7-Keto-DHEA
- 7-oxo-DHEA
- 7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone
Health Benefits Of 7-Keto DHEA
A University of Tennessee study found that 7-Keto DHEA increased insulin sensitivity, suggesting it may help those with non-insulin dependent diabetes. Experts also say it also plays a role in strengthening the immune system, enhancing memory, improving cardiovascular function benefits, and reducing muscle loss. Its anti-aging properties help keep people biologically young, thus regaining youthful vitality and offering a sense of well-being.
7-Keto DHEA Aids Weight Loss
7-Keto DHEA seems to help our bodies burn more fat faster without the central nervous stimulating effects most thermogenics impart. This can be a real benefit for those who are sensitive to stimulants and those who wish to supplement for longer periods. One study conducted by the American College of Physicians over an 8-week period showed a significant loss of bodyfat. Fifteen adults were given 100 mg of 7-Keto DHEA twice per day and another fifteen were given a placebo. All the subjects exercised 3 times per week for 60 minutes, performing cross-training aerobic and anaerobic activities. Body composition tests revealed that those who exercised while taking 7-Keto DHEA saw a 1.8% bodyfat reduction. The other lost 0.57% bodyfat. What’s interesting is that none of the subjects experienced any side effects. Another study done at the University of Southern California at San Diego revealed that people who used 7-Keto DHEA on a daily basis for 6 months lost fat and gained more muscle. In the sports nutrition segment, iSatori is leading the charge with 7-Keto DHEA sales with their Lean System 7 (original) and their MX-LS7 versions. Other companies selling it include Champion Nutrition, NOW Foods, Twinlab, and Beverly International. Unfortunately, 7-Keto DHEA is a very expensive ingredient to add to a fat burner (at the correct dosage needed) which is why many companies don’t include it in their formula.
FenuLife® Galactomannan Reduces Hunger
September 23, 2009
FenuLife is a unique galactomannan ingredient manufactured from fenugreek and contains more than 75% soluble fiber. Because of its molecular structure, FenuLife supposedly resists enzymatic degradation in the digestive system which allows it to be more active in your body. FenuLife is known to improve blood glucose response.
Appetite Control Study
A recent study tested the effect of 4 g or 8 g of FenuLife galactomannan versus placebo in 18 obese subjects. Following dosage of FenuLife or placebo in a beverage alongside a standardized breakfast, every 30 minutes for 3.5 hours subjects rated their feelings of hunger. Samples of blood for analysis of blood glucose and insulin response also were taken. Subjects were then given an unlimited lunch buffet and recorded food intake for the rest of the day. A statistically significant increase was shown in measurements of satiety and fullness, with reduced ratings of hunger and prospective food consumption at 8 g. In addition, this dosage showed a trend towards reduced caloric intake at lunch. The researchers concluded that 8 g dosage may have short-term beneficial effects in obese subjects.
“FenuLife can be an effective ingredient in weight management formulations,” says Jocelyn Mathern, R.D., the study’s principal investigator and now the Technical Manager for Frutarom Health USA. “Scientific literature points to many benefits of dietary fiber for weight management and this study has shown that FenuLife can have a significant positive effect in increasing feelings of fullness and reducing hunger.” “These promising study results help position FenuLife as an innovative ingredient for weight management,” says David Hart, the Product Manager at Frutarom. “In recent months, four additional clinical trials using our LifeLine ingredients have been completed or published.”
SOURCE: NPI Center
Licorice Oil Increases Fat Loss
August 12, 2009
Overweight volunteers supplemented with licorice oil and lost more fat than people receiving the placebo. What’s most interesting is the fact that Additionally, the fat losses were not associated with a reduction in food intake!
Study Details
In this study, 56 overweight men and 28 overweight women were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The first group received a daily placebo, while the other three groups received Kaneka’s Glavonoid ingredient at doses of 300, 600, or 900 mg per day. After 8 weeks, people receiving the 300 mg dose lost 0.92 kg of body fat, while those consuming the 900 mg dose lost 0.89 kg. Furthermore, the highest dose was associated with a significant reduction in visceral fat (fat stored in the midsection).
Side Effects?
Importantly, the researchers also state that no significant adverse effects were observed throughout the study.
How Does It Work?
Scientists note that results from previous studies indicated that licorice flavonoid oil may down-regulate the genes involved in fat production, while also up-regulating genes for enzymes linked to fat utilization.
“Thus, we presume that licorice flavonoid oil increases energy expenditure by enhancing beta-oxidation and inhibits lipogenesis resulting in reduction in body fat and body weight,” wrote Tominaga and his co-workers. “Supplementation with licorice flavonoid oil (at least 300 mg/day, preferably 900 mg/day) may contribute to prevent or ameliorate obesity and probably to prevent obesity-induced metabolic syndrome, when combined with life-style modifications including moderate calorie restriction and moderate exercise,” they concluded.
SOURCE: Nutraingredients.com
Vitamin D Aids Weight Loss
August 9, 2009
New research suggests those who have higher levels of vitamin D while on a low-calorie diet may be more successful in losing weight. The study was conducted at the University of Minnesota and measured blood levels of vitamin D in 38 overweight people before and after they followed a diet for 11 weeks that had 750 calories a day fewer than their estimated needs. The researchers found that for each 1 nanogram per mL increase in the active form of the vitamin, they lost almost one-quarter pound more. In addition, those with higher baseline vitamin D levels tended to experience a greater loss of abdominal fat.
“Vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity, but it is not clear if inadequate vitamin D causes obesity or the other way around,” says Dr Shalamar Sibley. However, she adds the results of the study support the theory that vitamin D supplementation while on a low-calorie diet can contribute to greater weight loss.
SOURCE: Body Of Science
Arginine Prevents Fat Gain
April 7, 2009
According to Toronto-based nutritionist Kristine Hughes, Arginine may have fat-loss potential! A recent study showed that Arginine prevented fat gain and led to greater increases in lean muscle mass in rats that were obese. During the 12-week study, obese rats were fed a high fat diet or low fat diet. The researchers found that Arginine supplementation decreased the rat’s bodyfat 65% for the group who consumed a low fat diet and 63% for the group who consumed a high fat diet!
“This metabolic change is likely beneficial because elevated concentrations of branched-chain amino acids may lead to insulin resistance in obesity. Additionally, Arginine can stimulate muscle protein synthesis, a biochemical process that requires large amounts of energy … dietary energy would be utilized for lean tissue rather than fat gain.” According to the researchers that conducted the study.
SOURCE: All Max Nutrition
DICANA
March 30, 2009
DICANA is a combination of amino acid metabolites first introduced by Ron Kramer, owner of Thermolife. Thermolife has some of the more innovative formulas out there and are always current with the newest ingredients on the market. DICANA is is designed to enhance protein synthesis and simultaneously increasing body temperature and oxygen consumption. This combination helps bodybuilders lose fat while sparing muscle tissue. It mat also be useful in supporting the body’s normal thyroid hormone production. The only two products that contain this ingredient that I’m aware of are BSN’s ATROPHEX and of course Themolife’s own DICANA product.
REFERENCES ON DICANA
- Várnai, I. et al. Acta physiol.
- Acad.Sci. hung. 1959,15:151-160.Várnai, I. et al.
- Acta physiol. Acad.Sci. hung. 1959, 16:197-201.
- Rutgers M. et al. Endocrinology 1990; 127: 1617-1624
- Moreno M, et al. Life Sci 1998:62(26): 2369-2377
Unilever Drops Hoodia
December 17, 2008
Things haven’t looked so good for the alleged “appetite-reducing herb” Hoodia these days. The main company behind bringing Hoodia to the market is called “Phytopharm”. The bad news came recently when both their CEO and their CFO announced that they were leaving the company. But it got worse the very next day when Unilever (makers of SLIM-FAST which is the largest weight-loss company in the world) announced that they were dropping Hoodia from inclusion in their food products! Unilever and Phytopharm originally signed an agreement in 2004 to develop a series of weight-loss products using this herb. Data from a recent clinical study using hoodia extract led Unilever to conclude that it is unsuitable to move forward 
with the product concept, according to a press release issued by Phytopharm. Hmmm do the folks at Unilever know something the rest of us don’t? If you want to read more about Hoodia click HERE.
SOURCE: Nutraceuticals World
Psicose For Weight Loss
December 1, 2008
Psicose is a naturally occurring derivative of fructose found in very small amounts in beets (ya those disgusting purple vegetables your mom made you eat!). Studies have shown that when Psicose is injected into rats, it has little to no useable calories. So far, two studies have spawned interest in the potential of Psicose as a fat loss ingredient. Rats fed Psicose for 28 days experienced a significant reduction in abdominal fat. In addition, the researchers examined the effects of Psicose in the liver. The results showed that rats receiving the Psicose experienced reduced Fatty Acid Synthase (a key enzyme involved in storing fat) and no fat storage in the abdominal area (hey rats need abs too!). Now before you head out and start buying Psicose or eating tons of beets, realize that while this naturally occurring sugar has great potential, it must go through more research. Psicose is available from Japan and the UK.
SOURCE: Muscular Development
Aspirin Use In Bodybuilding
December 1, 2008
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory drug used by many bodybuilders and other athletes. It’s been shown to be very valuable in the relief of swelling and discomfort associated with many training injuries. The only problem with using it for prolonged periods of time is the effects it has on the gastrointestinal tract (buffered aspirin is much easier on the stomach). Research has also found that aspirin helps prevent heart disease by reducing blood-platelet stickiness within the vein and arterial walls. However, Aspirin is also used by bodybuilders as part of a pre-contest “stack” where they combine it with Caffeine and Ephedrine (known in circles as the ECA stack). Aspirin seems to prolong the lipolytic effects triggered by Ephedrine and Caffeine. This fat-loss combination is more effective than any fat-loss supplement I have studied.