September 17, 2007 9:51 PM
By Susan Parsons MD
"Patience and tenacity of purpose are worth more than twice their weight of cleverness."
Thomas Henry Huxley
Do you have what it takes to succeed? Whether you want to lose weight, quit smoking, build a business, run a marathon, or create a masterpiece, you need this critical ingredient. And that element is persistence.
The great thing about persistence is that anyone can use it. In fact, by following some simple steps, you can learn to employ it to your advantage.
The secret to accomplishing your goal is not talent, genius, or money. Of course, these things may help. But they are nothing without persistence. Resolution of purpose … perseverance … even dogged determination in the face of adversity: that’s how you spell SUCCESS.
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September 4, 2007 9:29 PM
By Susan Parsons MD
You may have already heard about some of the amazing health and anti-aging benefits of alpha lipoic acid. Called the universal or master antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid is a vitamin-like compound. Although we make it in our bodies and eat it in small amounts in our food, we may not have enough of it in times of cellular stress, such as aging or disease, or when we are trying to lose weight.
So, move over, vitamins C and E. According to Dr. Lester Packer, research biochemist at the University of California at Berkeley, alpha lipoic acid or ALA has been an overlooked antioxidant. ALA’s unique abilities have only been identified in recent times.
Now, more and more studies show that individuals may reap health benefits if they take supplemental ALA.
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August 26, 2007 12:36 PM
By Susan Parsons MD
Attitude is everything when it comes to dieting and weight loss programs. The right attitude is what spells success or failure, more than anything else.
Why is it that some individuals can follow all of the tenets of a diet program and stay with it until they meet their goals, while others have a rockier course? Those who struggle for success have not learned an important secret: Your thoughts control your actions.
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August 26, 2007 12:21 PM
By Susan Parsons MD
Green tea just may be a miracle food. A number of research studies have confirmed the weight loss benefits of green tea. Other studies point to a number of additional health advantages such as protection from heart disease, brain degenerative disorders, and cancer.
Now, a new study from the University of Arizona and the National Center Institute has shed light on one important mechanism through which green tea can protect us from environmental toxins … and maybe prevent cancer cells from forming.
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August 23, 2007 12:45 PM
By Susan Parsons MD
Childhood obesity is a growing problem. In fact, the numbers are startling! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19% of grade school aged children are considered obese. More than 17% of teens meet the criteria for obesity. Even more kids are considered to be overweight.
How do you know if your child is obese? A BMI that falls in the 95th percentile for age is classified as obese. A BMI greater than 30, no matter what the percentile, is also considered obese. The term “overweight” is applied to those kids with BMIs between the 85th and 95th percentile.
Obesity in childhood is associated with poor self-esteem and social stigma. In addition, obesity-related health problems can be seen even at a young age.
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August 21, 2007 9:58 AM
By Susan Parsons MD
What is beauty? Is it a flat stomach with a visible six pack? A flawless complexion, without blemish or wrinkles?
Or is only "inner beauty" important?
Our cultural obsession with beauty and the destructive force this fixation can have on our self-image is a topic worthy of a blog. In fact, Stephanie Quialo explores this theme in a very personal and entertaining manner on her blog, BackInSkinnyJeans.
Stephanie recently hosted Guest BloggerWeek, and I submitted an entry which you can read, A doctor's point of view: Is Our Obsession With Weight Loss News Unhealthy?
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August 16, 2007 6:41 AM
By Susan Parsons MD
Comfort foods are soothing to the nerves. When you are hungry and stressed, there is nothing that makes you feel more satisfied that one of your favorite comfort foods. No wonder dieting is so stressful! These foods can act like addicting drugs to our brain, as I wrote about in my last post.
However, most comfort foods are high in refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, or both. Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and desserts usually top the list.
If you are dedicated to eating healthier, I suggest that you develop a repertoire of foods and recipes that can become your new comfort foods. This may take some time and effort. Keep a list on your computer or in your kitchen, or anywhere that you will find it easily when you are hungry and ready to indulge.
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August 12, 2007 11:13 AM
By Susan Parsons MD
If you have ever tried to make your diet healthier, you probably found that it wasn’t easy. You suddenly had cravings for junk food and homemade treats you knew you shouldn’t eat. In fact, you may have abandoned your new way of eating entirely because it was just too difficult to make the change.
If you have been known to go to great lengths for a pizza or a brownie, you recognize that avoiding comfort foods when on a diet is often anxiety-provoking. Apparently it’s no picnic for research mice either!
In a report recently published in Biological Psychiatry, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania described an interesting study. Mice were initially fed chow high in either fat or carbohydrates, to the point that they became accustomed to these rodent versions of the Standard American Diet (SAD). Then, their usual food was abruptly replaced with standard chow.
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August 10, 2007 11:04 AM
By Susan Parsons MD
No, you are not lazy. You work hard at your job, taking care of your family, managing your household. Then why do you have such a hard time with exercise?
Basically, you are programmed to be a couch potato. But not just you … we all are. Our genetic makeup evolved to give us a selective survival advantage. Imagine if ancient man, who struggled to find enough to eat, had an urge to do jumping jacks, just for fun. He would surely die soon, by burning off the body fat he needed to survive.
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August 7, 2007 10:37 AM
By Susan Parsons MD
Carol, an avid 45 year old jogger, was troubled over her first exercise-related injury. She sported a baby blue cast on her right forearm which told the tale. While running with her trusty Golden Retriever, Carol fell on her outstretched arm. Both forearm bones snapped under the weight. The emergency room xray demonstrated the fractures. But what alarmed Carol even more was that the image showed thinning bones.
Carol was devastated. She had always considered herself the picture of health and fitness. Although middle age had not been kind to many of her friends with growing waistlines, Carol had maintained her slenderness. She felt hale and energetic. So why did she now have the term osteopenia written on her medical chart? Was she at risk of developing osteoporosis, along with a disfiguring dowager’s hump? Would she have to fear more fractures in the future?
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