Thursday 6 October 2011

Warning over weight-loss drug

The pharmaceutical watchdog has warned doctors about the dangers of prescribing a popular epilepsy drug for weight loss.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued the alert after receiving a report of a patient who was rushed to hospital with a serious eye condition after being prescribed the anticonvulsant topiramate.
The patient, who was taking the drug to lose weight, suffered acute closed-angle glaucoma, a well-known and serious side effect of topiramate.
In Australia, topiramate is only approved to treat epilepsy and to prevent migraines.
A TGA spokeswoman said there was no way of determining how many doctors were prescribing the drug for weight loss.
At this stage, the TGA has only received one report of improper use.
''The purpose of the safety advisory was to warn health professionals and consumers that are using, or may be considering using topiramate for weight loss, that the TGA has not approved its use for this indication, and that its use for this indication is associated with serious adverse events.''
The drug has been linked to eye and kidney problems, as well as birth defects.
Australian Medical Association president Steve Hambleton said he was unaware of any other cases were a doctor had prescribed the anticonvulsant for weight loss.
He said the safety advisory was a stark reminder of the dangers of improper drug use.

GREEN TEA COULD HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

Green tea has long been hailed for its numerous health properties, but the hot drink can now add 'weight loss aid' to its long list of benefits.

According to a recent study published in online journal Obesity, a compound in the drink called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, helps to significantly slow down weight gain associated with a high-fat diet.

Research carried out involved using obese mice that were all fed on a fatty diet. However, half of the mice were given the compound found in green tea to see if this had an effect.

Results showed that the mice fed on the supplement gained weight at a much slower rate than the rodents fed on the same diet without the added EGCG. They also seemed to be absorbing 30 per cent less fat.


‘There seem to be two prongs to this,' says Dr Joshua Lambert, a food scientist at Penn State University. 'First EGCG reduces the ability to absorb fat and, second, it enhances the ability to use fat.'

The findings show that adding green tea to your diet could significantly aid your chances in shifting those pounds. The compound in the tea, however, doesn’t reduce your appetite as both groups of mice were fed on the same amount and type of food, it simply helps to manage the fat once it has been consumed.

To match the amount of EGCG used in the study a person would need to consume the equivalent of 10 cups of green tea a day. However, just drinking a couple of cups a day could help control your weight

Lose Weight On Your Upper Thighs And Feel Good In Shorts Again!

Have you checked your thighs and felt depressed? Do they jiggle while you walk? Do you have saddle-bags or wobbly inner thighs which rub together?

Upper leg fat can be a concern for lots of women and men. It can contribute to obesity, help to make our jeans fit oddly, and stop us from ever pulling on some shorts. It is also a stubborn kind of fat, and shedding it may be a very long and disheartening process.

However it does not need to be. To get rid of thigh fat once and for all, take this advice to heart:

Lower Your Body Fat Percentage

Sadly, spot reduction is really a health and fitness myth. Short of liposuction, that's an unpleasant and often temporary solution, there is no way to get rid of fat from a single area of your body without removing it from the rest of your body.

To reduce the amount of fat in your upper thighs, you will have to lessen your overall body fat percentage. The old-fashioned way is still the best: Consume less food, move more. Cardiovascular and weight training will help you get leaner, more solid thighs (as well as everything else).

Have you any idea just how much of your weight derives from fat, and just how much stems from muscle? If not, you need to use calipers or an electronic body fat calculator to find out. If you require guidance, talk with an expert in nutrition, fitness instructor, or your medical provider.

Get a minimum of one hour of aerobic exercise 3 to 5 times each week. Do 15 - 30 minutes of weight training every second day. You will begin to notice results quickly, and the more time you stick with it, the slimmer your upper thighs are going to be.

Physical Exercises That Target the Thighs

Our thighs are a big muscle group. After you drop the excess padding around the upper thighs, you will want to have sculpted muscles to show off. You can obtain those toned thighs and legs by carrying out certain exercises that concentrate on the region.

Thigh exercises that don't call for extra equipment include squats, wall sits, and lunges. You can perform these every second day until eventually you reach muscle fatigue (shaky legs). Walking or running down and up the stairway is another surperb way to develop your thighs.

Losing Leg Fat at the Gym

Nearly all physical fitness centers have a multitude of machines that will tone the thighs. Leg presses and leg curls are great choices, along with any sort of machine that requires you to climb steps or pedal.

For added firming, find machines that work the abductor muscles (outer thighs) and also the adductor muscles (inner thighs). This equipment looks similar to the ThighMaster device, and they work really well.

Toning Your Thighs The Whole Day Long

Naturally, you will not need a gym - or even a break from your normal routine - to build toned thighs. You can actually sculpt your upper thighs and legs while you run errands, drive around, and perhaps whilst you work at your desk.

Whilst sitting or standing, clench your thighs and butt as hard as you can. This is a popular method to sculpt and strengthen the butt, but it would also give your thighs a good workout.

Walk longer distances than required by parking the car farther away from your destination. Or run errands on foot when it's possible to. Walk up the stairs as opposed to the elevator or escalator. Every little bit helps.

You can even find special thigh-toning workout routines that you can do while you work. The ThighMaster and comparable devices fit in between your knees when you sit, so they really are convenient to use just about anywhere.

You can even order online for small exercise bikes that fit below your desk. Pedal as you work to get rid of upper leg fat fast!