One simple test predicts life span

Are you active in middle age and beyond? Here’s interesting health news you probably haven’t heard. How easy a middle-aged person or older person can get up off the floor from a seated position can determine their chances for living a long life, according to a study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

What the ‘Sit Test’ found

In the study, people who needed extra help (hands, knees, etc.) in getting up from the floor had a 21% lower chance of survival over a six-year trial. Those who scored higher in the test (needed less help and were able to get up easier) had more than 5 times the survival rate than those who scored lowest (needed the most help getting up from the floor).

Although the test scores were lower among older individuals as to be expected, the low score and high mortality rate were still found to be true, even when results were adjusted for age, sex and BMI.

Physical Activity

The study did not control the study for physical activity patterns, but it’s always a good idea to be physically active no matter your age. Staying active and exercising regularly, even mild exercise such as walking, has been proven to improve your health and help you lose weight.

Need Help Losing Weight?

If you have any questions or concerns about your own health and need to be pointed in the right direction in order to lose weight, Call or visit Dr Aron Medical Weight Loss Center at WeightLossNYC.com.

Your first appointment with Dr. Aron can get you started on a weight loss plan that works. Lose up to 10 to 20 pounds a month or more. Start today - 718-491-5525

Hot (and Cool) Weight Loss Diet Tip

Researchers discovered capsaicin — the heat-causing chemicals in a hot pepper — to have a mild effect in helping people manage their weight. Their study was published in the research journal, Chemical Senses:

One Small Bite for Man

If you like spicy food, you may like this tasty bit(e) of news: eating hot peppers has been found to help you suppress your appetite and lose weight.

“Adding a palatable level of spiciness might allow an average weight, middle-aged man to lose a little over a pound over 6.5 years. That’s not a pound a year- that’s a pound total over six and a half years. If the same man ingested it in pill form (so the dose could be higher), he might be able to lose just under six pounds over 8.5 years.”

Perhaps the spiciness causes you to want to eat less to avoid stinging your tongue or getting a heartburn, but adding hot peppers to a meal, if you can handle them, can aid your weight loss progress.

Ring My Bell

Did you know? Bell peppers can help you lose weight, too. Both hot and sweet peppers increase the body’s heat production and oxygen consumption, which means you burn extra calories.

[Bell Peppers] are an excellent source of cartenoids, flavonoids, vitamin E and vitamin C (even more vitamin C than in oranges), and contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Bell peppers are a healthy addition to a well-balanced diet because they also have many nutritional benefits. They’re an excellent source of cartenoids, flavonoids, vitamin E and even more vitamin C than oranges — plus contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. It also adds flavor and variety to any healthy, delicious meal. So, enjoy!

Make Your Weight Loss Move

If you would like a personalized medical weight loss program for you, contact Dr. Aron today. Lose up to 10 to 20 pounds per month under physician supervision. Call 718-491-5525 or visit WeightLossNYC.com today.

Facts and Friction of Yo-Yo Dieting

You gain weight, you lose some and then you gain some more.

Then you start to wonder if you’ll ever get back to your old weight, worried that you’ve messed up that chance completely.

This phenomenon is called yo-yo dieting or weight cycling. No matter what you call it, it’s a vicious and frustrating cycle for 40 percent of men and women in the Western world who are trying to lose weight or stay trim.

But a new study shows that yo-yo dieting will not affect your overall weight loss goals and does not negatively impact your metabolism.

Although severe yo-yo dieters were, on average, almost 20 pounds heavier than the women who were not yo-yo dieters when the study began, at the end of the study the researchers found no significant differences between those who had a history of yo-yo dieting and those who did not.

If you’ve struggled with your weight for years, don’t give up! You still have a chance at achieving your weight loss and health goals. The latest research proves that it’s never too late to get started on a healthier lifestyle by making healthy diet and exercise choices so you can have the body and life you’ve always dreamed of.

The weight cycling did not affect the women’s ability to successfully participate in diet or exercise programs, the study authors reported. Yo-yo dieting also did not affect the percentage of body fat and lean muscle mass gained or lost among the women, they noted.

Help Losing Weight

Are you not making the kind of weight-loss progress you would like? Don’t struggle with it on your own. Call WeightLossNYC at 718-491-5525 to or visit online to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Aron, who will keep you on track and motivated to lose up to 20 lbs. a month.

Facts not Fads

Some fad diets are low-carb or involve cutting out carbs entirely. That’s not exactly healthy, though, according to doctors. In fact, our diet must contain some carbs in order to get enough nutrients daily.

Carbohydrates are necessary for your body to obtain quick energy, while healthy fats and proteins are more of a long-term fuel source. Carbs are typically about 50 to 60 percent of your daily diet to get enough calories, nutrients and energy to your body, though with medical weight loss programs this value may vary.

Simple? or Complex?

Your carb intake should include healthy complex carbs, which take longer for your body to break down compared to simple carbs. Also, complex carbs give your body a nice, steady flow of energy. Simple carbs, on the other hand, cause you to experience energy peaks and crashes.

Whole Foods, Whole Fiber

Popular examples of carb sources include:

• whole-grain breads
• whole-grain or lentil/chickpea pasta
• barley, bulgur, buckwheat, quinoa, oats
• brown rice, faro
• whole fruits and berries
• vegetables
• beans, lentils, legumes

Read the Labels

Remember to read food labels to verify whole grain versions of these items, or better yet, preparing fresh whole grains and produce at home.

So, eat your healthy carbs--incorporating them into your healthy meals along with good proteins to reduce insulin spikes and hunger crashes--for a well-rounded diet. Be sure not to load up on too many carbs, though, which will cause you to gain weight. As with everything else, balance is the key here.

Need More help?

Still confused on what a healthy carb is, or how many carbs are healthy or unhealthy? Make an appointment with Dr. Oksana Aron today to discuss a healthy, weight loss plan by calling 718-491-5525, or booking online via WeightLossNYC.com

Women and Weight Gain

For women, weight gain happens throughout all life stages, but each stage contains its own set of reasons and risk factors. Review here--from puberty through menopause--how and why women may gain weight, and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage to keep off the weight.

Puberty

Teenage weight gain: Start healthy habits early

• The earlier a girl starts puberty, the more likely she is to be overweight or obese as an adult. If she starts her period before age 11, she is likely to weight between 9 and 11 pounds more than another woman who started hers after age 14. Additionally, as many as 26 percent of women who started puberty early were considered obese by age 30 compared with 15 percent of the other women.

• It’s difficult to imagine weight gain as a problem during childhood, but the childhood obesity epidemic proves this is an important time to start healthy diet and exercise habits that will last throughout the child’s adult life. It’s never too early to start. In fact, the earlier you start your child on a road to healthy living, the better!

Pregnancy

Healthy habits during pregnancy help post-partum weight loss

• Weight gain is expected during pregnancy, but you still have to proceed with caution and be careful not to gain an excessive amount of weight. Gaining 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy is usually the goal. Typically, a pregnant woman will gain 2 to 4 pounds in the first trimester, then 1 pound per week after that, but it depends on the woman’s pre-pregnancy weight because 1 pound per week may be too much for some. Your doctor will give you guidance on what your ideal weight during pregnancy should be.

• After pregnancy, many women’s bodies will hold on to 5 pounds of that gained weight, which may never be shed, but they generally will lose about 10 pounds immediately following delivery. They can lose 5 pounds a month in the next couple of months depending on the following factors: breastfeeding, diet and exercise level. By staying active, getting exercise, eating a healthy diet and breastfeeding, you can lose weight faster and easier.

Menopause

Hormonal changes contribute to weight gain

• Two-thirds of women are overweight by the time they reach their 50s. A drop in estrogen production is a possible cause, which causes the body to store fat, making weight loss more difficult.

• Weight loss can be more challenging for women after menopause, so it’s important to seek the help of your doctor to ensure you’re getting proper nutrition, exercise and remain in overall good health. By doing all of the above, you’re increasing your chance of maintaining a healthy weight and leading a healthier, happier life.

Fast Weight Loss help is here

Find answers to your questions on weight loss, weight control, nutrition and more, by visiting Dr. Aron at WeightLossNYC.com; or call to schedule your first appointment with Dr. Aron today at 718-491-5525 and learn new skills for weight loss success today.

Men: Get active today

Men: How often do you exercise?

Every day? A few times a week? Almost never?

If you rarely ever get physical, you may want to take a look at the facts from a recent study of 17,000 men over a 20-year period. Read a few key findings connecting cardiovascular health and cancer; your life may depend on it. Staying fit improves survival rates of male cancers:

• Lung and Colorectal cancer rates were reduced by 68% and 38%, respectively, for men who had the highest levels of cardiovascular fitness.
• Risk for Prostate Cancer among men with cardiovascular fitness did not experience a reduced risk of prostate cancer, but they did have a significantly lower risk of death from prostate cancer, lung and colorectal cancer if they were fit in middle age.
• Even one metabolic equivalent increase (increasing the amount of energy used while resting when you increase the intensity of physical activity) reduced the risk of dying from cancer and cardiovascular disease by 14% and 23%, respectively.

Stay fit, live longer

The study supports the idea that staying active can help you not only enjoy a healthier lifestyle, but you can also have a better chance of escaping or surviving cancer. It’s never to late to get started.

Even men who aren’t considered obese but are overweight are at a higher risk of developing cancer. This highlights the importance of working with a specialist who can make sure your health, weight, diet and fitness level are right where they should be.

Medical Weight Loss can help

Need a reliable doctor who can keep you and your health in check? Contact us today at 718-491-5525 to set up your consultation with Dr. Aron, a weight loss expert who will be with you every step of the way.

From: Division of Family & Community Engagement
Subject: Summer Meals Start on June 27

Dear Parents:

We are excited to share with you news about our annual Summer Meals program for all New York City children. The Summer Meals program is crucial to ensuring that New York City children are well fed beyond the end of the instructional year.

Summer Meals provides free, healthy breakfast and lunch to all children—regardless of New York City residency—ages 18 and under at hundreds of locations around the City. Children do not need to register or show any kind of documentation or ID to enjoy a delicious meal.

This year’s Summer Meals program will launch on Saturday, June 27, one day after the last day of school for New York City students. Starting June 27, breakfast and lunch will be available at hundreds of public schools, community pool centers, NYCHA complexes, libraries, and other locations throughout the five boroughs and spread across neighborhoods. Additionally, there will be four mobile food trucks offering meals seven days a week throughout the summer at locations frequently visited by children and families.

We encourage you to share this multilingual flyer about our Summer Meals Program with your constituents. Schools were also encouraged to distribute this flyer, which provides information on the program, including our first-ever, free SchoolFood App (for both Apple & Android), an easy way for families to locate Summer Meals sites near them. Families can download the free app by searching “SchoolFood” in the app store. Families can also find locations by visiting schoolfoodnyc.org, texting “NYCMEALS” to 877-877, or via 311.

Thank you for partnering with us to make the Summer Meals program a resounding success for our children and families.

Best,
http://www.schoolfoodnyc.org/

All those weight loss drugs advertised on TV.

Over-the-Counter Weight loss supplements: Are they safe?

Have you tried everything?

All the fad diets.

All those weight loss drugs advertised on TV.

All those popular fitness crazes.

And they still didn’t work for you?

People resort to desperate measures in their quest to lose weight, but what really works? That little fat-burning wonder cure you bought online, although it says it’s “natural,” may not be the miracle drug you’re hoping for. It may actually pose a serious health risk or even cause death.

5 dangers of unregulated diet supplements

A lot of those over-the-counter diet supplements are not helping people lose weight. Not only are they unregulated by the FDA, they’re also causing liver damage. Here are just a few startling facts recently published about bogus dietary supplements.

1. They cause 20% of reported liver injuries
2. They result in death or necessitate a liver transplant twice as often as liver injuries caused from FDA-regulated medicines
3. They show little or no evidence for safety or efficacy
4. The high amount of catechins typically found in unregulated diet supplements aren’t always labeled and can cause liver toxicity.
5. Many of these products are mislabeled, have been adulterated or contain dangerous dosages.

The FDA is prevented from approving most of these weight loss drugs before they’re sold. Often, they can’t do anything until people have died from them. So it’s best to steer clear of any you find outside of your doctor’s office. If you’ve been taking these supplements in vain, toss them in the trash and start fresh. You can slim down and lose weight the right way without putting your life at risk.

Medical Weight Loss is clinically proven safe and effective

If you’re tired of trying to figure it out on your own, give us a call at 718-491-5525. Get expert advice on what medical weight loss supplements work for you and how you can lose weight fast and safely with physician supervision.

Why aren’t you losing weight?

Slow Metabolism could be a culprit

Fast, slow or so-so, your metabolism controls your weight loss. No matter how quickly your body burns calories, there are other factors involved. These are just some things that can slow down your metabolism, but the good news is you can easily control them.

5 Factors that can Slow your Metabolism

1. Stress

   How much stress are you under? It could be the reason you can’t lose those last few nagging pounds. When your body’s under stress, it releases the hormone cortisol, which tells your body to hold onto weight. Try to avoid stressors as much as you can, while also seeking out ways in which you can manage your stress.

2. Not exercising

   If you don’t burn enough calories through exercise, then your unused calories turn into fat. Be sure to exercise a few times a week to control your weight. Also wear a pedometer or track how many calories you burn through your exercise so you can keep up with your progress.

3. Poor diet

   Eating too much? Not enough? You’re asking for trouble. Feed your body the fuel it needs to get through the day and keep your body at a healthy weight. Believe it or not, eating too little or skipping meals could lead to weight gain. Instead, nourish your body with healthy natural foods to stay in top shape.

4. Not snoozing enough

   When you don’t rest enough, you can gain weight by disrupting your metabolic patterns. Sleeping an ideal amount of hours each night, however, can boost your metabolism. For adults, get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

5. Medication

   If you’re on any medications such as anti-depressants, they could cause you to gain weight as well. Discuss it with your doctor if you believe that’s the case and find out if there are other options that won’t lead to weight gain.

How to Lose Weight

Improve your health, too

If you haven’t noticed, keeping your metabolism in check means simply taking care of your overall health. While it’s important to want to lose weight, you also have to do it in a healthy, informed way. Follow the above steps and you’ll be on your way to a fitter figure, and you’ll also be leading a healthier and more fulfilled life

We can help

Dr. Aron is able to test your metabolism to see if it is slow.

Whether you have a slow metabolism or not, let Dr. Oksana Aron help you find your weight gain triggers and develop a structured plan for weight loss success. Please call us at 718-491-5525 and make your first appointment with WeightLossNYC™.