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New Delhi | Updated: August 28, 2020 2:10:12 pm

Written by Dr Akshay Budhraja

With the COVID 19 pandemic infecting millions of people across the world, minimising mortality remains the top focus of the medical community as well as policymakers. While it is evidently understood that the elderly and people with co-morbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or hypertension are at higher risk of mortality from the novel coronavirus, new evidence has revealed a close link between obesity and a higher risk of complications. Studies have indicated that obese people face a greater risk of intubation and death from COVID 19. In this light, controlling obesity is not just a general health concern anymore but has become specifically important in controlling mortality from COVID 19.

The higher the weight, the greater the risk

As early as March, a small study in China first indicated that overweight Chinese patients were more likely to die from COVID 19 as compared to their lighter counterparts. Now, a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has concluded that patients with obesity had an increased risk for intubation or death with the risk highest for class 3 obesity. In fact, for obese people the risk was higher than overweight people. The researchers analysed data from 2,466 patients hospitalised with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Interestingly, the association with obesity was observed in adults younger than 65 years but not in older adults.

Obesity, already a global epidemic

Increased consumption of unhealthy processed and nutrient-dense foods and reduced physical activity has over the past 50 years unleashed an obesity pandemic across the world. According to WHO, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight in 2016. Of these over 650 million were obese. In fact, the worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016.

Considered a health burden of the developed world earlier, obesity is increasing rapidly in developing countries such as India in recent years. An estimate suggests that in India more than 135 million individuals were affected by obesity, which is a risk factor for a series of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, to name a few.

Obesity interferes with immune response

Not only does obesity makes patients with co-morbidities more vulnerable to COVID-related complications, adipose fat directly interferes with the bodys immune response as well. Researchers in immunometabolism suspect that even vaccines such as those for influenza, hepatitis B etc are less effective in people with obesity. This makes it harder for even a vaccine (whenever it is made available) to protect obese people from coronavirus.

Active transport such as cycling need of the hour

While coronavirus further necessitates controlling the obesity epidemic, physical activity has taken a backseat during these unsettling times as people stay indoors and avoid gyms and outdoor exercise routines. To counter this slump in physical activity and curb obesity during the COVID era, UK has initiated a major campaign to give thrust to active transport. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, himself a COVID 19 survivor, admitted that he was way overweight when admitted to ICU with the disease. He has launched 2 billion initiative to build thousands of miles of protected bike lanes across towns and cities, offer cycle training for everyone and make bikes available on prescription.

With a large population of overweight people, India too must work towards similar initiatives that encourage cycling and walking in everyday lives. An extensive campaign is needed to educate overweight people about the high risk they face from the disease and the need to reduce weight to decrease their vulnerability to the virus. Urban infrastructure must be redesigned quickly to make it more amenable to cyclists. Having a large number of people who have BMI above 25+ with coronavirus will also pose a heavy burden on our already overloaded healthcare systems. Not only do people with obesity face severe complications, but disease management is also difficult in them since it is tougher to intubate obese people and is also difficult to obtain diagnostic imaging for them.

ALSO READ | Boris Johnsons new tactic against Covid-19: Urge Britons to lose weight

What can be done?

*Ensure 50 minutes of safe physical exercise daily but avoid public gyms and group workout sessions.

*Try to incorporate cycling and walking in your daily activities such as traveling to work, traveling to buy groceries, etc

*Cycling and walking are the safest outdoor exercises. They also help build lung capacity. Cycling also benefits in keeping co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease under control.

*Limit consumption of processed foods and foods laced with refined sugar.

*Consume more fruits, vegetables and fibrous foods.

The author is a consultant, respiratory and sleep medicine, Aakash Healthcare and Super Speciality Hospital

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Is obesity linked to severe COVID-19 complications and increased risk of death? - The Indian Express

Now, were a nation of less-fit people than we might have been earlier this year, even if we have gone back to work. That needs to change and you can get in shape, quickly, with regular activity.

Did you know that not being active can actually harm your health in the same way that being active can enhance it? Many people may be tempted to say something along the lines of, Yes, I know that being more active is good for me, but if I slack off, I will just stay in the same condition I am now. So, no harm if I decide to spend more time watching television.

But research continues to show, in a very stark way, that physical inactivity is not only harmful to your health (the WHO says inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality) but that it can quickly undo whatever health benefits you may have gained from previous physical activities.

It also may be tempting for you to believe that if you dont have a weight issue, you are in the clear and dont need as much or any physical activity to stay healthy. The truth is that not being physically active increases everyones risk of dying from a preventable disease.

This includes an increased chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression and certain cancers, to name a few. In fact, someone who is mostly sedentary has an up to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who move regularly.

Remember the expression about something taking years to build and only a second to break? Whoever came up with it could just as easily have been talking about how quickly we can lose the benefits of having an active lifestyle. How quickly? While some changes are almost immediately noticeable, the general research consensus is that within two weeks of decreasing physical activity, negative changes can be seen across a variety of health measurements.

According to the well-respected Cleveland Clinic, cutting back on physical activity can take a toll on muscle mass and increase body fat in just two weeks. These changes can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Other physiological changes that research has identified include:

A rise in blood pressure among a group of pre-hypertensive men who were using exercise as a way to lower their blood pressure

Blood sugar levels remaining elevated after a meal after only three days of being sedentary

Decrease in metabolic rate, which can result in weight gain and changes in body composition

The heart losing the efficiency it built up with exercise and physical activity it can start losing its ability to handle extra blood flow by up to five percent in 24 hours, and resting heartbeat also starts increasing by up to four to 15 beats per minute within a month of reducing physical activity

Cholesterol levels may increase

The bodys ability to effectively use oxygen (technically known as VO2 max) declines so drastically that most of the aerobic capacity gained over the previous two or three months is lost within two to four weeks.

How quickly anyone will see these declines will depend on how active they were before going inactive, their age (the older someone is, the quicker the decline), and why the person is taking a break. Everyone is unique, but everyone who becomes sedentary or reduces previous activity levels will experience these types of negative changes.

Faced with this information, its quite possible that your clients may simply throw up their hands and say, Why bother? Pass me the chips, please. But before they give up on getting in shape, make sure they know that the good news is that they can start to reverse the damage of inactivity pretty quickly.

In fact, research indicates some markers will return to where they were in about the same amount of time a person was inactive. Others may take a little longer to get back to where they were before they hit the couch. Again, factors such as age play a role.

Cardiovascular function, for example, returns to where it was within two weeks. Body fat, waist circumference and insulin sensitivity also come back fairly quickly. Regaining muscle mass and VO2 max capacity, however, could take twice as long as the time someone was inactive to get back to where they were (but they do return). And the younger someone is, the quicker they can get in shape and return to where they were.

This should almost go without saying, but good nutrition goes hand-in-hand with being active. Neither alone will promote good health; if someone is not giving their body what it needs, no amount of exercise will make up for nutritional deficiencies and no amount of healthy eating will make up for, or negate, a sedentary lifestyle.

What kind of diet is best? Research continues to indicate that a primarily plant-based diet that includes a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is best. Some foods that are great for getting the nutrition needed for a healthy, active lifestyle are spinach, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, avocados, dark chocolate and bananas for magnesium; nuts, lima beans, broccoli, sweet potatoes and tomatoes for potassium; lamb, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, chicken and chickpeas for zinc; and wheat-bran cereals, whole-grain products and shellfish for copper.

Its also important that meals are prepared at home as much as possible to be able to better control what is in (and not in) each meal and also to have better portion control.

You might also consider including routine,comprehensive nutrient testsas part of your active, healthy lifestyle. If someone is nutritionally unbalanced (meaning they have too much or too little of a specific nutrient), this may increase their risk of developing cardiovascular issues and other conditions that could make it difficult to perform physically. If the test reveals an imbalance, a competent health care professional can help with making the necessary dietary changes or recommend quality supplements you can take.

Start back slowly by setting realistic goals and not overdoing it at the beginning getting active is not an all-or-nothing endeavor. See how easy it is to increase your activity levels with things you do every day, such as walking when you talk on the phone, or parking at the far end of a parking lot or taking the stairs.

To get in shape without turning it into an unpleasant grind, do something you enjoy versus something you think you should be doing. Consider getting a training app to track your progress and give you motivation. And remember to fuel your body with the food and supplementation it craves.

Joy Stephenson-Laws is the founder of Proactive Health Labs, a national nonprofit health information company that provides education and tools needed to achieve optimal health. Her most recent book is Minerals The Forgotten Nutrient: Your Secret Weapon for Getting and Staying Healthy, available through Amazon, iTunes and bookstores. Her articles for MASSAGE Magazine include Dr. Google Will See You Now But That Might Not Be Best and Mineral Research That Does Not Lie.

Link:
Are You Back at Work? You Need to Get Back in Shape, Too Here's Why - Massage Magazine

I was sitting on the uncomfortable, crinkly paper of the check-up table at my pediatrician's office. "When did you get your last period?" she asked.

"Uh, like sometime in eighth grade. Maybe April 2016?"

"No, not your first one. When was your most recent period?"

"April 2016 . . . "

I was 17 and had only ever had my period once. Throughout adolescence, this had never seemed to worry my pediatrician much. She would blame my missing periods on my being really athletic, or tell me I could try to eat more soy to help get things going. But at 17, she finally recommended I get some blood work done and schedule an appointment with a gynecologist.

After asking just a few questions, the gynecologist diagnosed me with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. I didn't have any of the physical symptoms usually associated with PCOS, and she diagnosed me so quickly that it made me nervous. But suddenly, I apparently had a medical condition to explain why my period never came.

I was put on birth control to help regulate my cycle, but when my periods began, they were irregular and inconsistent. I'd have month-long cycles, or just bleed for three random nonconsecutive days during the month. Admittedly, I could have been better about taking my birth control. Between a summer at camp and starting college halfway across the country, I was moving around so much that sometimes I'd lose my last pack or go months without refilling my prescription. But the uncertainty of this diagnosis also caused me a lot of unnecessary stress. I was told from the beginning that, left untreated, PCOS could lead to cancer later in life and that I would probably be infertile. Yet I wasn't seeing a gynecologist regularly, and I never had an ultrasound to evaluate my ovaries. How was I supposed to know if what I was doing was helping or making things worse?

Thankfully, the app I used to get birth control stopped taking my insurance, so I had to go see a gynecologist again. I went to a different doctor this time, and after just a few questions, I was . . . undiagnosed with PCOS. The gynecologist simply explained that I was probably misdiagnosed the first time. After three years of worrying about my reproductive health and future, I suddenly didn't have PCOS anymore. Yet this didn't make any of the uncertainty go away.

Rashmi Kudesia, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, and director of patient education at CCRM Fertility Houston, explained that my experience with PCOS isn't that rare. Dr. Kudesia said that often, people may go undiagnosed or get misdiagnosed due to confusion with the diagnostic criteria. In fact, she recommends not diagnosing PCOS until eight years after a patient starts getting periods, as some of the symptoms like cystic acne or weight gain can just be part of adolescence. PCOS can also manifest itself in very different ways from one person to the next.

For people who don't necessarily fit the typical symptoms of PCOS, "it starts to feel like maybe the diagnosis is incorrect, but it's kind of a larger umbrella diagnosis, and there can be a lot of different manifestations within it," Dr. Kudesia told POPSUGAR. She acknowledged that this can add stress to an already troubling diagnosis.

Like me, many young people feel particularly anxious about their fertility, whether they're planning to get pregnant or not. For this reason, Dr. Kudesia focuses on addressing five areas of possible concern for her patients: irregular cycles, infertility, high androgen levels (which can cause acne or hair growth), weight issues, and mental health. She works to ensure they have all the information they need to understand their diagnosis and how it affects their overall health. It's important to note that there isn't one path for treatment that can help manage all these things, which might explain why I felt so anxious about my diagnosis. The gynecologists I saw were only concerned about treating my irregular cycles, while I was worried about all the other possible consequences of PCOS.

I'm still not sure if I have PCOS or not, and with all the anxiety and stress my diagnosis caused, I wasn't planning to get another opinion. I'm realizing, though, that it's probably best I do.

I know now that my journey with this diagnosis shouldn't have been as stressful and uninformative as it was. "Education is superimportant," Dr. Kudesia said. "The key is, young [people] need to think about how they can understand their own bodies and find a healthcare provider who empowers them to really understand and take control of their reproductive health." My doctors didn't do that, so I guess I have to begin my search again.

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I Was Diagnosed With PCOS and Then Undiagnosed 3 Years Later - POPSUGAR

Tia Mowry is proud that she took her time losing extra weight from her pregnancy.

The former "Sister, Sister" star shared a photo of her slim new look Tuesday on Instagram and in her caption, she revealed she lost 68 pounds since welcoming baby daughter Cairo, 2, in May 2018.

"I've lost to date 68 pounds since giving birth to my daughter. Im very proud that I did it my way and in my time. I didnt feel rushed to snap back. I enjoyed breast feeding and spending quality time with #cairo and my son #cree," wrote Mowry, who posed in denim short shorts and a gray turtleneck.

The 42-year-old actor, who also rocked a few gray curls in her pic, went on to remind new moms to ignore the pressure to lose pregnancy weight quickly.

Trending stories,celebrity news and all the best of TODAY.

"To all the women who are feeling pressured after birth. Do YOU! Do what makes YOU proud and do it in YOUR time. Not anyone elses," she wrote.

Mowry's fans commented to tell her she looked fabulous and to thank her for sharing her post-pregnancy wisdom.

"Exactly, people don't understand it took 9 months to gain the weight gonna take much longer to lose it. You are looking great keep it up!," one wrote.

"You go Tia! Love that you did it for you and on your time!," gushed another.

The "Family Reunion" alum, who also shares a son, Cree, 9, with husband Cory Hardrict, 40, revealed in October 2019 that she was dropping pregnancy pounds on a timeline that worked for her.

"Checking in. #17months post pregnant. I did it my way and in my time. Many women feel the need to #snapback right away after they deliver. That was never the goal for me, she wrote alongside a Instagram photo of herself in a blue unitard.

She also candidly revealed that she was fat-shamed during and after her pregnancy with Cairo.

"I was called #fat during my #pregnancy and I was called #fat after my #pregnancy. Why do we do this to each other? Instead of #love one another other? I will never understand that. I intentionally documented my journey and became vulnerable to show #women that its okay to go at your own pace, it is okay to love yourself no matter where you are in your journey," she wrote.

"Do not fold to societal pressures," she advised mothers everywhere. Mowry ended her post by saying she embraced her body just as it was.

"After hard work with just diet and exercise, today Im closer to my goal," she wrote. "Do I have loose skin and stretch marks? YES. Guess what?? I LOVE all me and I want you to love all of you too."

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Tia Mowry lost 68 pounds since giving birth and has a message for moms - TODAY

It doesnt matter whether youre a man, a woman, a 30-year-old or a 50-year-old, that accumulation of fat on your abdomen isnt exactly ideal. Not only does a muffin top hinder your movement and flexibility, but visceral fat (also known as belly fat) is also a huge risk factor for metabolic syndrome, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer and Alzheimers. So, losing excess belly fat is of the utmost importance, although doing that may be easier said than done.

This is primarily because while you may pick up a fad diet to lose belly fat, the key to this particular problem lies with your lifestyle. Sure, genetics, age and underlying health conditions may have a role to play in the accumulation but, in most cases, its how you live your life that dictates why you have belly fat. The following are some of the main reasons why you have belly fat and arent able to lose it as quickly as you probably gained it.

1. You love the wrong foods too much

Fried, junk, processed, sugary, cheesy and rich - if thats how you like your food, then thats the primary reason behind your visceral fat. All of these foods are packed with sugar, salt, trans fats and other unhealthy compounds your body finds difficult to metabolize and therefore stores as fat over your abdomen. Your diet should instead have fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts and seeds.

2. You smoke

If you think lighting up gives you better control over your appetite and helps you lose weight, heres some news. Heavy tobacco use has been linked to an increase in visceral adiposity and abdominal obesity by almost all recent studies from around the world. Smoking may reduce your cravings, but it pushes all the fat deposits into the belly, leading to pot bellies.

3. You dont drink enough water

Drinking sufficient amount of water throughout the day is very important for your metabolism. Not only does increased water intake burn calories, but it also flushes out all the toxins in your system. If you have belly fat and dont drink enough water, its likely you wont lose that weight unless you change this habit.

4. You are too stressed

For a lot of people, stress induces overeating - which is a top reason behind a pot belly as well as overall obesity. Increased stress can shoot up the cortisol levels in the body, which in turn can increase abdominal fat deposits. This increase in cortisol and belly fat is especially observed in the case of women.

5. You live without movement

Theres no healthy weight or fat loss without exercise. Its simply not possible to lead a wholly sedentary lifestyle with minimal mobility and not gain a fair amount of fat around the abdomen. If youre inactive then severe abdominal obesity is probably never going to resolve itself.

6. You love drinking beer and sugary drinks

Simple carbs are harmful and can lead to fat gain in the body - you might have heard this basic nutrition mantra, but do you know what it means? It means that excessive beer or sugary drink consumption (including fructose-packed energy drinks or diet soda) will inevitably lead to excess belly fat because these drinks are basically nothing more than simple carbs.

7. You dont get enough sleep

Not only can sleeping less than five hours a day lead to weight gain, but it can also cause lethargy, excess appetite and other causes of visceral fat gain. Untreated sleep disorders are also linked to abdominal fat gain, so get enough sleep every night and consult a doctor if required.

For more information, read our article on How to reduce belly fat and get a flat tummy.

Health articles on News18 are written by myUpchar.com, Indias first and biggest resource for verified medical information. At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health.

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7 Mistakes You May Be Making While Trying to Lose Belly Fat - News18

We all know that carbs get a bad reputation but why? Carbohydrates are an essential part of diets they provide sugar and energy that our body needs in order to function properly. Carbs are what give us fuel to everyday things like walk or pick up a phone. The only thing about carbs is that there are some that are good and some that are bad they are like their own evil twin sibling. The good carbs are called complex and the bad is called simple. Eating both of these types of carbs as part of a balanced diet can be good for your body. Although you want to eat more of the complex carbs because they provide more energy and nutrients that your body needs. Here is why complex carbs are better and what is the difference between simple and complex carbs and why you should avoid slow-digesting carbohydrates.

Understanding carbohydrates: First lets take a look at what carbohydrates are. Carbohydrates are sugar molecules that your body uses for energy. Just like plants need photosynthesis to survive we need carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are what give us fuel and energy to do everyday things like walking and talking. Carbs are separated into two categories simple and complex depending on their chemical structure and how quickly the sugar is digested and absorbed by your body they will be put into simple or complex categories. These two categories of carbs are essential for you to know in order to make the right choices when you eat food. Putting nutritious and healthy food into your body is crucial for you to live a healthy life.

Simple carbs: Even though their name says simple there is nothing simple about these carbs in your body. Simple carbs are digested by your body very easily but these types of carbs can spike up your glucose levels making it harder for your body to maintain a good balance. When simple carbs are being digested by your body they break down into sugar. These carbs create fast and powerful energy that only lasts a short time. Once your body produces that much energy it starts slowing down and you start to get tired. These highly processed carbs you need to stay away as much as possible. Simple carbs include refined sugar, candy, and cakes basically, anything that is processed or refined.

Complex carbs: These types of carbs do the same thing as simple carbs, but the difference is in the timing and how long it takes your body to digest the carbs. Complex carbs are denser with nutrients that are high in fiber. If you are trying to lose weight eating more complex carbs would be ideal. Complex carbs make you feel full for longer periods of time. Complex carbs can also help people manage type 2 diabetes better since the food does not spike up their glucose levels like simple. It also helps people stay more active as the energy they provide is spread out through the day rather than a very quick sugar rush like simple carbs. Foods that are complex carbs are whole grains, broccoli, asparagus, and legumes.

Limit highly processed food: You can eat processed foods your body can take it. You just have to moderate your intake. Ways to help with cutting back processed foods is to cook more at home. You dont need to be a master chef in order to cook great meals all you need it to brush up in your skills and youll be good to go. Another way is to snack smatter. We as humans love to snack and why not right? We recommend for you to eat more nuts, cut up veggies, or fruits that hit your sweet spot. You can prepackage these snacks for later use instead of grabbing your regular bag of chips.

Your body needs carbs in order to function properly as we have already discussed. Carbs also give you that satisfying feeling of being full. You dont crave as much food when you eat complex carbs. When simple carbs are being processed in your bloodstream the process goes very fast, because the sugars in the carbs are refined and dont contain as many nutrients as that are harder to digest by your body. When complex carbs are being digested by your body since they have to break down every single nutrient and molecule that has that carb your body will take longer thus feeling fuller longer. You dont need to eat a lot in order to feel full you just need to eat better food. Snacking smarter is very helpful not only are you putting healthy food into your system you are also turning away from harsh additives and preservatives. So take care of your body and stop spiking up your glucose levels with simple carbs and start giving you body the food it deserves.

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What is the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates? - MassNews

Unexplained weight loss, or losing weight without trying, can be a cause for concern. It might indicate an underlying condition.

A good rule of thumb is to see your doctor if youve lost a significant amount more than 5 percent of your weight within 6 to 12 months. In addition, take note of any other symptoms to talk over with your doctor.

Remember, not all weight loss is serious. It can happen after a life-changing or stressful event. However, unintentional weight loss may be a sign of one of these medical conditions.

Muscle loss, or muscle wasting, can lead to unexpected weight loss. The major symptom is muscle weakness. One of your limbs may even look smaller than the other.

Your body is made of fat mass and fat-free mass, which includes muscle, bone, and water. If you lose muscle, youll lose weight.

This can happen if you dont use muscles for a while. Its most common in people who dont exercise, work desk jobs, or are bedridden. Generally, exercise and proper nutrition will reverse muscle loss.

Other possible causes of muscle loss include:

Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, develops when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. These hormones control many functions in the body, including metabolism.

If your thyroid is overactive, youll quickly burn calories even if you have a good appetite. The result can be unintentional weight loss.

Other symptoms include:

Possible causes of hyperthyroidism include:

Treatment of hyperthyroidism depends on your age and severity of your case. Generally, its treated with anti-thyroid medications, radioactive iodine, beta-blockers, or surgery.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that makes your immune system attack the lining of your joints, leading to inflammation. Chronic inflammation can speed up metabolism and reduce overall weight.

Symptoms of RA include joint swelling and pain. It usually affects the same joints on both sides of your body. If you have RA, your joints might feel stiff if you dont move for an hour or more.

The exact cause of RA is unknown. It may be linked to:

Treatment of RA typically begins with medication. Medications include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, corticosteroids, biologics, and Janus associated kinase inhibitors.

Another cause of unwanted weight loss is type 1 diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Without insulin, your body cant use glucose for energy. This causes high blood glucose.

Your kidneys remove unused glucose through urine. As sugar leaves your body, so do calories.

Type 1 diabetes also causes:

Treatment of type 1 diabetes includes insulin, blood sugar monitoring, diet modifications, and exercise.

Weight loss may be a side effect of depression, which is defined as feeling sad, lost, or empty for at least two weeks. These emotions interfere with daily activities, such as going to work or school.

Depression affects the same parts of the brain that control appetite. This can lead to poor appetite, and eventually, weight loss.

In some people, depression may increase appetite. The symptoms vary from person to person. Other symptoms of depression include:

Behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and antidepressants are used to treat depression.

Unexpected weight loss may be a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a term that encompasses several chronic inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract. The two most common types are Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.

The chronic inflammation of IBD puts your body in a catabolic state, which means that its constantly using up energy.

IBD also disrupts ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and leptin, the satiety hormone. This results in decreased appetite and weight loss.

Additional symptoms include:

These symptoms are triggered by certain foods. If you have IBD, you might be hesitant to eat. Treatment of IBD usually consists of nutritional support, medication, and in some cases, surgery.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease. This includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Many people with COPD have both.

Emphysema slowly damages the air sacs in your lungs, making it hard to breathe. Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation of the airways that bring air to your lungs. This produces mucus, coughing, and breathing issues.

Early COPD is mild. Some people may not show symptoms but those that may appear include:

In later stages, COPD can cause weight loss. Labored breathing burns a lot of calories. According to Cleveland Clinic, a person with COPD may need 10 more times more calories to breathe than a person without COPD. It can also feel uncomfortable to eat and breathe at the same time.

Symptoms of severe COPD also include:

The main cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. Long-term exposure to irritants such as air pollution and dust can also lead to COPD. Treatment includes medications, such as bronchodilators, and lung therapies, like oxygen therapy.

Endocarditis causes inflammation of your hearts inner lining, or endocardium. It develops when germs usually bacteria enter the bloodstream and collect in your heart.

Most people with endocarditis have a fever. This may come along with a poor appetite. Elevated body temperature also increases metabolism and burns fat, causing weight loss.

Other symptoms include:

Endocarditis is rare in healthy hearts. Its more likely to affect people with damaged heart valves, artificial heart valves, or congenital heart defects. Treatment of endocarditis includes antibiotics and surgery.

Another cause of unexplained weight loss is tuberculosis (TB), a contagious condition that usually affects the lungs. Its caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Weight loss and decreased appetite are major symptoms of TB, but the reasons arent fully understood.

TB spreads through the air. You can catch TB without getting sick. If your immune system can fight it, the bacteria will become inactive. This is called latent TB.

Over time, it can turn into active TB. Symptoms include:

Some people are at risk for active TB. This includes people with weak immune systems, especially those who have:

TB is typically treated with a course of antibiotics for six to nine months.

Cancer is the general term for diseases that cause abnormal cells to quickly divide and spread. According to the American Cancer Society, one of the first signs may be unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more. This is common with cancers of the pancreas, lung, stomach, and esophagus.

Cancer increases inflammation. This promotes muscle wasting and disrupts appetite-regulating hormones. A growing tumor may also increase your resting energy expenditure (REE), or how much energy your body burns at rest.

Early symptoms of cancer also include:

Many conditions can cause these symptoms. Sometimes, cancer doesnt cause any symptoms.

Treatment depends on the type of cancer. Typical treatments include, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Addisons disease develops when the immune system attacks the adrenal glands. In turn, the adrenal glands cant make enough hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol regulates many functions, including metabolism and appetite. Low levels of cortisol may lead to poor appetite and weight loss.

Other symptoms of Addisons disease include:

Addisons disease is rare, affecting roughly 1 in 100,000 people in the United States. Treatment includes medications thatll regulate your adrenal gland.

12. HIV | HIV

HIV attacks immune cells called T cells. This makes it difficult to fight infections. If left untreated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Advanced forms of these conditions often cause weight loss.

Symptoms like sore throat, mouth sores, and fatigue can make eating uncomfortable. HIV also increase the risk of secondary infections, which increase REE.

Other symptoms of HIV include:

Symptoms of HIV depend on the person and stage of infection. Antiretroviral therapy is used to treat HIV and stop the spread of the virus and may improve weight loss.

Weight loss is a complication of congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF develops when the heart cant fill up with enough blood, the heart cant pump blood with enough force, or both. It may affect one or both sides of the heart.

If you have CHF, your digestive system cant receive enough blood. This can lead to nausea and early fullness. Additionally, it might be hard to breathe while eating.

The inflammation in damaged heart tissue also speeds up metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss.

CHF symptoms also include:

There are several medications used to treat CHF, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics. In some cases, surgery might be necessary.

Compared with women, men have a higher rate of:

Women are at higher risk for COPD. Women are also 2 to 10 times more likely to develop hyperthyroidism and 2 to 3 times more likely to have RA.

Its normal for your body weight to fluctuate. However, if youre losing weight without changing your habits, something else might be going on.

If you experience a 5 percent weight loss in 6 to 12 months, or if you notice any of the above symptoms, visit your doctor.

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Unexplained Weight Loss: 13 Causes and Treatment Options

Something that gave me an even greater incentive to write my book, The 21 Day Immunity Plan, was the premature deaths of two family members who suffered and died because of a compromised immune system.

My older brother, Amit, died of a virus that affected his heart at the age of 13. Born with Downs syndrome, his compromised immune system was genetic and there was little that could have been done to prevent his death from crashing heart failure when he caught a tummy bug that most people would have been able to fight off.

The second was my mother, who over the four-week period of her final admission to hospital endured indescribable pain from an infection that affected her spine. Her compromised immune system was almost entirely rooted in lifestyle choices. Because the NHS was already overstretched, a heart attack was missed, treatment was delayed and she gasped for breath as fluid engulfed her lungs. Eventually she slipped into a coma as the infection spread through her body, and she passed away aged only 68.

Beyond my observations as a medical scientist and my duties as a clinical doctor to share knowledge on the link between metabolic health and immunity, I wrote my book from the perspective and motivation of someone who has had to deal with all the emotion and sadness of seeing a close family member die well before their time and in the most horrible of circumstances. No one needs to suffer like she did and no family member should have to witness it.

What Covid-19 has also done is expose areas in our health systems and personal well-being that have long been neglected, and which in themselves have made us more vulnerable to such a particularly pernicious virus. But in spite of the tragedy, the disturbing statistics and heartbreaking stories that have collectively gripped the world, we can draw from the lessons the virus has taught us and look to a brighter future.

The 21-day immunity plan is one that involves nutritious food, helps to regulate and reduce inflammation, combats insulin resistance and improves overall metabolic health. It should be enjoyable and be in keeping with all cultures and personal preferences.

It will help you to:

Over the course of the three weeks, you will follow an eating plan, you will be required to move your body daily, carry out breathing exercises, monitor and improve your sleep habits and be seeking to reduce your stress and improve your mental well-being by making a concerted effort to nurture and celebrate time with friends and family.

Please note that if you suffer from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease and more specifically are taking medications, you must consult your doctor before starting the 21-day plan, as medication is likely to need adjusting/reducing and may potentially need to be stopped altogether.

We know that prolonged sitting and being more sedentary in general increases the risk of heartdisease, high bloodpressure and type 2 diabetes.

Regular cardiovascular exercise has the strongest evidence base when it comes to reducing the risk of many diseases. It has even been shown to significantly reduce insulin resistance within three months for those who start off with a sedentary lifestyle, even without weight loss.

Throughout the three weeks of this plan, I want you to go for a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes on five days each week. Subjectively, this is where you feel a bit out of breath to the point youre able to have a conversation but youll find it difficult to sing.

If you want to be very precise, then measuring your heart rateprovides a more objective measure of activity intensity.

You want to aim to get your heart rate within a range of 50 to 70 per cent ofyour maximum, which isrelated to your age. Thereason for this heart-rate range is based on numerous studies which reveal beneficial physiological changes in thebody startto occur once you exerciseat this level, including reduced insulinresistance.

Originally posted here:
The 21-day plan to boost your immune system and fight off infections - Telegraph.co.uk

Worlds record holding powerlifter Daniel Bell has had some huge moments so far this year. Now he breaks down what it is that makes him so successful, as well as his diet and training plan and more.

When it comes to powerlifting, few are as naturally powerful as Bell. The man holds world records in several different types of lifting, putting up unbelievable numbers at every turn.Late last year, he scored the biggest wrapped total in history, extending his own previous record, only to follow that up with another achievement by having the biggest total in knee sleeves. The list of accolades and impressive performances goes on for miles.

Interestingly enough, powerlifting was never originally planned for Daniel Bell. As he explained in an interview with FitnessVolt, he actually started going to the gym to lose weight. However when his friends saw the strength he had on the weights, they suggested he tried to powerlift competitively. From here, it was a nearly instant feeling of enjoyment and community, that has kept him coming back again and again.

I knew (powerlifting) was a good niche to fall into, just because everyone was so nice and so welcoming. After my first meet, I definetly had that feeling, where it was like this is where I need to be, these are the people I should surround my life with. It was a big thing for my entire life, all sides of it. I got to climb to the top of the ladder. I put in six years, and its just been such an adventure, and all aspects of my life have just progressed so much.

From the start of his career, Daniel Bell has been able to lift some insane weight. For someone who had only been trying to lose weight, his brain had to flip a switch to a certain extent, in order to fully dedicate to training. To him, this moment of clarity came right after he was able to hit his first 2200lb total.

It was in 2015, I believe, and I went and did a meet out in Columbus, Ohio. That was when I was at the top of the 308lb weight class. When I started out powerlifting I was about 285lb, but my bodyweight has gone up since then, which I projected. I knew that for me to get stronger and be at the top, I would need to get a larger frame on me. But yeah, it was right around the first 2200lb total that it clicked in my head that Ive got a good chance of being the best in the world, not just in the 308 weight class, but in the super heavyweight weight class.

On the other hand, this was not exactly an easy decision for Bell to make. After all, he had begun his journey hoping to lower his bodyweight, but now he was pumping it up. To him, this was a sacrifice that he knew he had to make.

It was like 2014 when I decided to take the plunge, I wanted to get down to 240. I always idolized Arnold (Schwarzenegger), he was 61 and 255 in his prime.

I remember when I made the transition from 308 to super heavyweight, one weekend I cut like 30lb to make 308 for a meet, and I only hit my openers. Then the very next week, I didnt cut and hit 2303lb at super heavyweight. It was one of my first or seconds meets at super heavyweight, and right then I was like I am never cutting weight for a meet again.'

Things have gone well so far, for Daniel Bell, having secured those multiple world records. Of course, that does not happen for him without a ton of training. Here is how he breaks down his weekly training:

For the most part, Daniel puts a large focus on proper recovery. He has had almost no serious injuries in his career, and he attributes this to how serious he takes his recovery. When it comes to heavy lifting, he likes to space out his heavy training weekly, according to his bodys limits. He says that he rarely lifts light weights, with a competition prep of twelve weeks, truly amping things up about eight weeks out.

As far as diet and nutrition is concerned, Bell currently eats around 3200-3500 calories a day, cranking that up to around 4000 when it comes time to bulk up. He says that he has to keep a close eye on his bodyweight, because when it changes too quickly, he feels sluggish and lethargic.

My diets pretty normal. Im not a big red meat guy, but I do like chicken, Bell said. I just put it on the grill, season it a little bit, put some broccoli and rice with it and I have no problems. So I eat that about five or six times a day.

Im pretty big on white rice, because its easy to digest and its complex carbs that my body uses for fuel.

When he is having a cheat day, Daniels wife and mother in law cook up some delicious chicken cutlets or chicken parmesan. However this is a once in a while thing, as he keeps things pretty simple most days.

When Daniel Bell made the decision to try powerlifting, it was because of his knack for being able to move serious weight. This insane strength was something that seemingly always had, but never realized. He explained that when he was growing up, his football coaches would always tell him how strong he was, he just never understood the true extent of it.

All through high school, I had all kinds of football coaches tell me, like youre the strongest kid on the field whether you know it or not. I was training for football, so we would do snatch, and stuff like that. We didnt really deadlift. Actually my first powerlifting meet I bombed out of it because I had no idea how to deadlift. That was when I was like 18 years old, and that was just a locally ran meet, but I didnt have any idea how to deadlift, so I bombed out. Fast forward nine years, and that was when I did my first sanctioned meet, and I think my best deadlift at that one was 750lb.

But yeah, (my strength) has been with me for a while, but Ive always been really athletic my whole life. Like my parents never really pushed me to do any sports, but they always pushed me not to quit.

Growing up, Daniel says he tried his hand at everything from basketball to soccer, and even snowboarding and ice hockey. However he would spend most of the time playing football, where his natural strength could shine. That being said, all of these backgrounds in athletics were able to confer benefits when he moved to powerlifting.

Being successful on the platform does not mean that Daniel Bell has not had any struggles. Yet it seems that his issues are not necessarily related to difficulties with training or competition. Instead he struggles with staying motivated and positive.

Everybodys got their down days, and not every day is a great day when youre training. But if you just keep moving forward, I feel like that mindset will help you in any endeavor. Thats how Ive always tried to look at it, just keep moving forward and keep going. Today may not be the best day, but youve got to go to the next one.

To keep motivated, Daniel will look at his old competition videos. He uses this to remind himself of how far he has come, which helps him feel better about whatever he is struggling with. This combined with keeping up with the people who are coming up and looking to challenge his records is what keeps him humble and hungry.

In terms of the immediate future, Daniel Bell hopes to compete in September. At The Showdown, he will be competing in sleeves. He hopes to have a quick turnaround here, and compete again before the year is out.

Right now (Im looking to compete at) The Showdown, and that ones in sleeves. Thats the one I want to hit 2500lb in. Then have a short little turnaround eight weeks after that and have another contest at the end of November. I really want to try to get 2550-2600lb, somewhere around there.

My plan is to take December off and most of January, and then hop into multi-ply again and get my nose to the grindstone, give that some time and work with that.

It seems like Daniel Bell is highly motivated right now, and looking to do some big things. He is hoping to stay busy, and we are looking forward to seeing it. Be sure to check out the full interview above, and give him a follow on Instagram!

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See the rest here:
Daniel Bell Reveals How He Discovered His Ridiculous Strength (EXCLUSIVE) - FitnessVolt.com

There are several ways to rearrange the stomach to caused weight reduction. In fact, it was the side-effect or complication of weight loss after removing large portions of the stomach for ulcer disease (now treated with medication) that lead to this surgical approach. While some procedures reduce stomach size, others reroute the contents of the stomach past portions of the small intestine. Many believe that this form of rearrangement named a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, not only reduces the amount of food an individual could eat without feeling full but how some magical effect on metabolism, further promoting weight loss. The researchers were looking to see if, indeed, there was some metabolic magic to the procedure.

The researchers compared 33 patients with both obesity and type 2 diabetes who had lost about 18% of their pre-treatment weight 18 by dietary means, 15 through that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Nearly half of the patients managed with diet, and a third of the patients undergoing surgery failed to reach the target weight loss and were excluded. This reduction in participants makes the study less powerful statistically and demonstrates how difficult it is to lose the weight that is so quickly gained. This was not a randomized study either, so as always, apply as many grains of salt as you feel necessary.

In the study itself, after achieving target weight loss, participants were fed a standardized meal and blood samples taken over the next nine hours to characterize their metabolic response to glucose. Glucose is metabolized in the liver, muscles, and fatty, adipose tissue. Each has its time course of glucose activity and sensitivity to insulin making aggregate values less than useful. The researchers infused an agent to block circulating insulin toprovide a reliable assessment of hepatic, muscle, and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity across a physiologic range of plasma insulin concentrations.

Results

Our data showed that weight loss caused considerable improvement in the ability of insulin to suppress both glucose production and lipolysis and to stimulate glucose disposal, with no significant differences between the diet and surgery groups.

The bottom line, from a treatment perspective, was that significant weight reduction, by whatever means necessary, improves or can reverse type 2 diabetes in patients. They found no metabolic alteration associated with surgical reconstruction. From their viewpoint, reducing our body mass improves our health.

Of course, the elephant in the room is that weight loss through life-style therapies is just not as successful in getting the weight off as surgical management. (With all due apologies to Weight Watchers and all the other programs out there.) The magic of surgery, in this instance, has to do with compliance, these procedures reduce the amount you can eat without feeling full, and not through some magic metabolic change. In choosing medical treatment, risk-benefit tradeoffs include efficacy and invasiveness; for obesity, a bit of invasiveness is overcome by greater effectiveness.

Source: Effects of Diet versus Gastric Bypass on Metabolic Function in Diabetes NEJM DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2003697

Read more:
What Is Magical About The Surgical Management of Obesity? - American Council on Science and Health

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