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

Are your favorite foods making you sick?

A study in the journal Nature suggests that emulsifiers—commonly used ingredients in many favorite processed foods—may be interfering with bacteria in our digestive tracts and causing increases in metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity.

Ingredients such as lecithin, carrageenan, polysorbate80, polyglycerols and xanthan and other “gums” improve the texture and shelf-life of many supermarket foods and keep ingredients such as oils and fats from separating. They are found in many ice creams, baked goods, salad dressings, veggie burgers, non-dairy milks and hamburger patties.

Several commonly used ingredients in many popular processed foods could be interfering with bacteria in our digestive tracts yielding increases in obesity, metabolic syndrome, IBS and more. Dr Oksana Aron can help you address many of these health concerns.

In the study, when fed emulsifiers, the mice who had normal immune systems developed mild intestinal inflammation and a metabolic disorder that led them to eat more. They became obese, hyperglycemic and insulin resistant. The mice with abnormal immune systems developed chronic colitis.

Food additives could be inducing inflammation

Emulsifiers seem to change the gut microbiota (or environment) and how bacteria interact with the intestine. This paves the way for inflammation. While emulsifiers may not be the sole cause of the rise in obesity, they could very well be a factor.

Many emulsifiers and food additives are considered safe by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the FDA has not determined safe levels of consumption, particularly because people consume emulsifiers in so many different foods.

Additional studies on humans are needed to better understand how emulsifiers impact humans.

Do you need to lose weight?

Oksana Aron, M.D. is a bariatric physician and internist, specializing in medical treatment of overweight and obese persons:

“Through our comprehensive program, many individuals have lost well in excess of 20% of their initial body weight using a combination of appetite suppressants and a low calorie diet, while eating just regular grocery store foods.”

You can visit Dr. Oksana Aron’s website at WeightLossNYC.com

Acknowledgements

• Sima Michaels Dembo, MPH, Public Healthcare consultant and writer is a guest contributor to this blog.
• Chassaing, Benoit, et. al., Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome, Nature, 519, 92-96, Published online 2/25/15. Accessed 3/5/15.
• Grossman, Elizabeth., How Emulsifiers Are Messing with Our Guts (and Making Us Fat), Civil Eats, February 25, 2015. Accessed 3/5/15.

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

Fat that does a body good

Believe it or not, fat is a healthy part of your diet. The trick? Choosing the right kind, which helps you stay full, prevent overeating and keep the weight off.

When checking the nutrition facts on your food, scan for “monounsaturated fat” and “polyunsaturated fat”—these are the good fats.

Stay away from saturated and trans fats, which cause weight gain, and can elevate your cholesterol and put you at risk for disease. (Saturated fats should be less than 10% of your calories.)

Add these foods to your diet for a healthy and delicious way to lose weight

1. Olive oil—Not only a healthy source of monounsaturated fat, olive oil lowers bad LDL cholesterol and raises good HDL cholesterol.

   Try it: on salads and as a butter substitute

2. Nuts—packed with protein, unsaturated fats and omega-3s, nuts are a perfect satisfying snack. All you need is a small serving each day of walnuts, pecans, peanuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, cashews or almonds (the size of a shot glass).

   Try it: mixed in with salads and steamed veggies

3. Avocado—Avocados are high in heart healthy unsaturated fat, helping you feel satisfied. They may also help lower your LDL cholesterol by as much as 17 percent when consumed daily.

   Try it: on sandwiches and spread over toast

Do You Need to Lose Weight?

Get weight loss tips and a medically proven diet plan from Dr. Oksana Aron — Bariatric physician who can help you lose weight without surgery or fad diets. Call today at 718-491-5525 for your initial consultation or book online at WeightLossNYC.com

Weight Loss Tips for Dining Out

Nationwide statistics show Americans dining out for almost 1/3 of their meals, with almost 1/2 of their food budget spent at these establishments.[1]

Given our tendency to dine out, it is worthwhile to consider ways you can manage and maintain your weight loss dieting program on the go. Some simple guidelines follow, as well as some links to some of our more popular posts past:

• Dr Aron’s Simple Diet Tips
• Slim Down with Soup
• 7 Easy Eating Tips to Slim Down
• Gain More Self Control, Not Weight
• 5 Unusual Weight Loss Tips
• Your Social Circle Can Make or Break Your Eating Habits
• Fast Weight Loss the Low Fat Way

Simple Tips for Planning Ahead

• Avoid unlimited buffets and junk food franchises. Salad bars are good if you choose the healthy staple items not the dangerous ones.
• Cater to places with extended menus to help you find healthy choices you will like. Favor seafood and salad places for healthier fare. Soups can be good, but know what you are choosing. Ask.
• Best to plan ahead to dine out instead of splurging on surprise outings. Consider reviewing online menu before going so you will know what you will have.
• Focus on eating for nutrition, not as a social activity. Make reservations to manage your cravings and limit the temptations to drink and snack while waiting. You can even have some small healthy crudite before leaving home to settle your stomach.
• Stay away from large portions and fried food places. Know what is reasonable for you to eat and enjoy with your diet.
• Consider sharing entrees with friends to manage your portions. Don’s be shy about tossing aside bread and extra carbs. Send away any extra munchies the waiter puts on your table. Only eat what you intend to eat.
• As always, start to drink water as soon as you arrive and while waiting for meal.
• Ask your server about options — extra salad instead of a heavier side dish. Bring your own dressing if you want to be sure of low calories. Add veggies to your entree to fill you up and slow you down.

Power Tips — Know your Menu Vocabulary

• Bad: Buttery, Breaded, Buttered, Fried, Pan-Fried, Creamed, Scalloped, Au Gratin.
• Better: Grilled, Baked, Steamed, Broiled, Poached, Stir-Fried, Roasted, Blackened.
• Avoid: Cream sauces, made with milk, mayonnaise, cheese or oil.
• Look for tomato based sauces instead. Order all sauces on the side and use sparingly.

Follow Your Diet Plan

As always, follow the diet guidelines presented to you by Dr. Aron. She will have told you your calorie limits and suggested foods for you to enjoy and avoid. Fill up on water, salad and vegetables first. Focus on your friends more than the food. Slow down and pace yourself so you can enjoy your meal and not be left hungry and crave more. Your body also needs time to recognize the food in your system to trigger satisfaction. It is also more than OK to leave the table a little hungry. You never need to stuff yourself, be gentle to your body.

Looking for More Motivation to Lose Weight?

Align with Dr. Aron at WeightLossNYC™ and start losing weight today. Call 718-491-5525 or visit WeightLossNYC.com

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/

What’s your excuse?

Sometimes, the only person standing in the way of your own success is staring straight back at you in the mirror. How many times have you sabotaged your weight loss plans? How many times did you give up too soon?

You’re not the only one. Losing weight is just as tough mentally as it is physically. If you can get your mind in shape first, the rest of your body will follow. Do any of the following excuses sound familiar?

• I’m too tired

  Did you know that regular exercise could actually boost your energy? Perhaps you need to kick it up a notch—or get started on an exercise regime—in order to feel refreshed and start losing some weight.

• I don’t have enough time

  We always have more time than we think. How many hours a day do you spend watching silly stuff on YouTube? Reading the paper? Clicking through the channels? Swap those idle times for doing something healthy such as taking walks or learning to cook healthy food to set your weight loss goals in action.

• I don’t want to get injured

  If you start off easy and take baby steps, there won’t be any need to worry about injuring yourself from light exercise. Try working out with a friend or family member and go at your own pace. Or, work with a trainer who can customize a workout for you.

• It’ll be too expensive

  Eating healthier foods will save you money in the long run. Whole foods are cheaper than packaged, processed foods, and they'll keep you healthier, which means your health care costs will be cheaper as well. Special diet foods aren't required.

You don’t need a gym membership

If you can stay motivated and work out on your own. Walking, jogging, stair climbing, riding bikes and swimming don’t cost you a thing. You can also check out your local community center for low-cost fitness classes.

There are countless excuses that get in the way of losing weight. No matter what yours is, today could be the first day to a healthier life if you first switch to a positive attitude.

Don’t delay another day to improve your lifestyle and lose weight

WeightLossNYC will show you how to lose weight and feel great while you’re at it. Schedule your initial consultation by calling 718-491-5525 or visit our website at WeightLossNYC.com

Colorful Weight Loss Ideas

There’s a lot more science to how much we eat than we think. According to a new study called “Plate Size and Color Suggestibility” published in the Journal of Consumer Research, the color of your plate affects how much food you eat.

When there is a low contrast of color between your plate and food, you will serve yourself and eat more food—as much as 22 percent more—than when there's a high contrast of color between your plate and food. Over time, this can cause extra pounds and an expanded waistline.

The study also found that reducing the contrast of color between your dinnerware and background (tablecloth, place mat) can reduce over-serving by up to 10 percent.

Takeaway: Don't just vary the color of healthy foods such as veggies and fruits on your plate--also work on dining with plates in a sharp contrast to what you're eating so you pay more attention to portions. Choosing a dining "background" with a low contrast to your plate will enhance the effect.

Another tip: Serve on small plates for smaller portions. The larger the plate, the larger the portions!

Winning Tip: Make a weight loss diet plan that gets results quickly and safely. Schedule an appointment with WeightLossNYC® today by calling 718-491-5525

Weight Loss Nutrition

Maintaining a healthy weight and/or losing unhealthy weight is a science. What does it all boil down to? Calories, plain and simple.

Figure out how many calories you need

Here’s a quick formula to estimate calorie needs on a daily basis:

Your Weight X 12 = Number of calories needed for weight maintenance

To lose about 1 pound per week: Reduce intake by 500 calories/day

Weight Loss Tip:

Need help coming up with a healthy diet program you can actually stick to?

Call Dr. Aron 718-491-5525 today and get started