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It seems like there are endless ads to convince us to buy a piece of equipment or a food supplement or enroll in a program to make us lose weight. But in reality, we just need to figure out how to burn more calories than we consume.

To that end, a new review of 21 studies suggests possible health benefits of intermittent fasting. Their findings suggest that fasting might be effective for mild to moderate weight loss for certain groups of people, at least in the short term.

They also indicate that it is a myth that people are going to feel weak and not be able to concentrate during fasting. In fact, they may actually have a better ability to concentrate.

The trials so far have only been conducted in adults who are generally overweight or obese and sometimes have high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes. But some have been performed in subjects with normal weight.

Even though they may benefit from weight loss, those with medical conditions including diabetes or patients who need to take medications with meals at certain times of the day should seek clinical supervision when considering intermittent fasting.

Based on existing evidence, intermittent fasting should not be done by children under age 12 and those who have a history of an eating disorder or a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5.

Opinions vary about the safety of fasting in teens with obesity, even when supervised.

Also, safety has not been evaluated in those older than age 70, and in women who are pregnant or breast feeding.

Despite the recent surge in the popularity of intermittent fasting, only a few studies have examined the health benefits of these diets in humans.

The researchers identified 21 clinical trials of three types of intermittent fasting strategies:

Alternate day fasting (alternating between consuming 0-500 Calories on fasting days, followed by unlimited food on feasting days), six trials.

5:2 diet (feasting on 5 days and fasting on 2 days), seven trials.

Time-restricted eating (eating during a 4- to 8- hour window), nine trials.

The trials were short (mostly 5-12 weeks long) and small (10-150 participants), and mostly conducted in the U.S.

They found these strategies can all produce a mild to moderate weight loss of up to 8% during trials of 8-12 weeks, similar to that attained with a calorie-restricted diet.

Some studies found that patients had improvements in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance, and hemoglobin A1c (a measure of blood sugar control).

These weight-loss strategies produced few gastrointestinal, neurological, hormonal, or metabolic adverse side effects.

The researchers noted that one or two weeks of adjustment is typically needed when individuals start intermittent fasting.

While following this eating pattern, patients should be encouraged to consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to boost their fiber and micronutrient intake.

On fasting days, they should consume at least two ounces of lean protein to help control hunger and prevent excessive loss of lean mass. On those days, alcohol is permitted but not recommended. Energy drinks and coffee or tea without sugar, milk, or cream are allowed, and diet soda should be limited to two servings a day because it can increase sugar cravings.

Ideally, people should be followed by a healthcare provider for adverse effects, especially during the first three months of intermittent fasting. Dieters should be monitored for deficiencies in vitamin D, vitamin B12, and electrolytes (salts in the blood stream), as well as for changes in medications for blood pressure, lipids, and glucose that may need to be adjusted if patients lose weight.

Patients who reach their weight-loss goals and wish to stop intermittent fasting need to transition to a weight-maintenance program, possibly by increasing energy intake on fasting days to 1,000-1,200 Calories per day or widening the eating window to 12 hours in time-restricted eating.

While this research is encouraging for those who find this sort of diet more acceptable than other weight control programs, much longer-term studies are needed on issues such as safety and in broader demographics.

Personally, I have found limited success in the past with fasting, especially when members of my household and I have become hangry, a condition that seemed to improve after eating something.

But if you want to try out one of the intermittent fasting patterns described above, it would be wise to discuss it with your healthcare provider first.

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Intermittent fasting should first be discussed with your doctor - KPCnews.com

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Most of us are likely tired of constantly being bombarded with advertisements for fad diets to try. These fast, trendy diets are tempting because of how easy they seem, but they aren't sustainable and are oftentimes very unhealthy. If losing visceral fat is your goal specifically, fad diets won't work nearly as well as gradually changing your daily eating habits.

To learn more about belly fat loss, we talked with two expert dietitians to get their advice on some of the habit changes that actually work for long-term, healthy, sustainable weight loss. Here's what they had to say, andfor more healthy weight loss tips, check out 30 Essential Spring Superfoods for Weight Loss.

There's value in the specific foods you choose to eat on your weight loss journey, but sometimes it's also about making sure you balance out the types of food you eat as well.

"Many people carry extra weight around their midsection because they are eating too many calories, which can leading to fat storage," says Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook and member of our medical expert board. "To help keep your body well-nourished and manage your calorie intake at meals, follow The Plate Rule. Make 1/4 of your plate a high-fiber carbohydrate like brown rice, whole grain bread, or quinoa, make 1/4 of your plate a lean protein like beef, fish, or chicken, and then fill half your plate with colorful vegetables. Veggies provide water and fiber content to help with feeling full faster for very few calories. Then, wait 15 minutes before you decide if you need more food, and if you do, go back for more veggies."

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Eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber is important for losing visceral fat.

"Fiber helps slow down digestion, meaning it helps get you full faster and stay full longer," says Goodson. "Consuming high-fiber food like whole grains, fruit with edible skin, or even nuts and seeds at meals and snacks might help you eat less, ultimately leading to losing some weight around your midsection. Some ideas include oatmeal with seeds and berries in the morning, adding nuts to a snack and choosing a whole grain to fill one-fourth of your plate at lunch and dinner."

Another very important nutrient to make sure you get enough of during your weight loss journey is protein.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"Protein slows down digestion and helps you get full faster and stay full longer, just like fiber does. It also helps to stabilize blood sugar and energy levels," says Goodson. "Eating adequate protein at all meals and snacks can help you stay more satiated throughout the day, ultimately helping you eat less and decrease your calorie intake. Consuming a deficit of calories on a regular basis can help with losing weight and ideally decreasing visceral fat."

"I have my clients follow a personalized macro plan, and, to be very simple, I advise them to match protein in grams with their current weight (pounds)," says Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness. "Finding foods that are high in protein is the key to accomplishing your daily protein goals, and protein powder is also something we can add in there."

People often assume that losing visceral fat means you have to give up carbs, but this isn't true at all. Carbohydrates are a necessary for giving your body the nutrients and energy it needs, and incorporating healthy ones into your daily diet can help you reach your health goals.

"If we want to change our body composition and lose visceral fat, or any fat, we must put the work in with our exercise," says D'Angelo. "I generally recommend 45 minutes of cardio per day, and, in order to do that, you'll need a sufficient amount of energy. One of the best ways we can get that energy is by eating carbohydrates. Find good carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, whole fruits, nuts, or beans and incorporate them into your diet."

Along with protein and carbs, fat is another key nutrient that your body needs for weight loss. However, not all fat is created equal.

"Fat is another specific type of nutrient that your body needs to absorb vitamins, produce energy, and protect your brain and heart health," says D'Angelo. "But, there's a difference between 'good' fats and 'bad' fats. The 'good' fats help manage your weight, keep you mentally focused, fight fatigue, and manage your moodsall vitally important for getting rid of visceral fat. The 'good' fats are unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, so find those types of foods and add them into your daily diet as well."

Excerpt from:
5 Eating Habits for Visceral Fat That Really Work, Say Dietitians Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

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In Germany, it is now possible for apps to be prescribed for therapeutic purposes, including for obesity therapy. Two obesity apps have been included provisionally in the directory of Digital Health Apps (DiGA) at the country's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Studies of both apps are ongoing.

The way in which obesity treatment apps should be scientifically evaluated was recently summarized by nutritionist Christina Holzapfel, PhD, from the Ludwig Maximilian University, in Munich, Germany, at the conference of the German Nutrition Society (DGE).

In previous studies, weight loss apps tended to have moderate success. Compared to standard therapies, use of them is not necessarily associated with greater weight loss. A recent meta-analysis has shown, however, that they do affect eating habits and nutrition-dependent endpoints, such as body mass index.

Most studies to date have only observed short-term effects of the apps. In general, conclusions about the long-term progression of weight or eating habits cannot be drawn from these findings.

"It is unlikely that apps will be able to replace the human touch," said Holzapfel.

Digital helpers have advantages, however. Apps can help a lot, particularly with self-observation and questions such as, "How much am I actually eating and how often am I moving?" In this way, they can support weight loss. In addition, the data collected in the apps can be useful for enabling nutritional experts to give targeted feedback or to conduct long-term care, said Holzapfel.

Nevertheless, the studies in this field become outdated very quickly, she said. "We need more investigations with the new generation of these apps." Since advances in design are being made continuously, today's apps are probably being used much more intensively than the version from the first study in 2015.

Britta Renner, PhD, a psychologist from Konstanz, Germany, who uses and investigates apps in the field of nutrition for research, is of the same opinion. "Give it 3 years, and the apps will look completely different," she said.

A range of online programs are available in Germany, and there are no randomized controlled studies on them, said Holzapfel. A British study on the online programs available there did not detect any convincing weight loss effect, however. "The subjects in the online programs performed only marginally better than the control group in this study," said Holzapfel.

When it comes to obesity, an age group for whom apps and online programs are often out of the question is becoming more and more important. "Obesity rates have increased enormously recently, even in more elderly age groups," said Eva Kiesswetter, PhD, from the Institute for Geriatric Biomedicine at the University of Nuremberg, Germany, at the DGE conference.

In addition to the other well-known consequences, excess weight in the elderly can affect fall risk, pain, cognitive performance, and above all, one's independence. Nevertheless, there are concerns about weight loss, even in the elderly. This is because a decrease in muscle mass or bone density can be particularly risky for elderly people.

In a network meta-analysis, Kiesswetter and her colleagues investigated which weight-loss interventions had a positive effect on elderly people's physical functionality. The team incorporated 49 studies into their evaluations.

They found that multimodal therapies (the combination of a nutritional and movement-related intervention and a behavioral therapy) produced the best results. Multimodal therapies can improve functional status and moderately reduce body weight without causing a loss in muscle mass, according to the findings.

"However, it was the younger elderly who were more represented in these studies," said Kiesswetter. "It is not clear whether the results can be generalized to the oldest old."

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We have been constantly plagued with different diets to achieve weight loss: intermittent fasting, keto, juice cleanses, paleo, Weight Watchers and of course, the most common, CICO. While there are many benefits and evidence for such a diet, there are also some serious catches. But first, lets breakdown how this specific dietary plan work

What is the CICO diet?

The CICO diet is an abbreviation for the term calories in, calories out and is a regime that consists of consuming fewer calories than those you burn. It is perhaps one of the most common and popular gateways into the world of weight loss. The idea behind this dietary method is that as long as youre consuming enough for your bodys essential needs, you can eat whatever you want and lose weight since youre in a constant calorie deficit. And, for most, it seems to work.

Just one scroll through the CICO diet subreddit will boast hundreds of successful weight loss results, with individuals often using a calorie-tracking app to calculate their necessary caloric consumption. But while it may help you lose weight, that does not mean its a perfect method for healthy eating and living. It only works as an approach when people use the method the right way. Every dietary approach comes with a catch, here are four.

1 Nutrients are more important than calories

According to this method, if you maintain your specific caloric deficit, you can eat anything. So, technically, you could eat chocolate all day as long as you dont go over your total calories for the day. This concept has caused many to believe that all calories are created equal and that is simply not true. This can lead people to choose eating a packet of crisps over an avocado, because it may contain less calories, even though the nutrients and benefits of the avocado obviously far outweigh the irresistible crisps. Even if this way of eating successfully leads to weight loss, your body could suffer nutritionally.

Sports nutritionist and dietitian Robbie Clark explained to The Huffington Post that the way we metabolise and breakdown the energy from calories is not one-size-fits-allmany factors are at play and different calories (those from unhealthy foods and those from nutrient-dense foods) have different effects on the body.

Healthy, nutrient-dense foods will keep hunger at bay, help maintain stable blood glucose levels, reduce cravings, and allow your brain to signal to your stomach that its full, Clark said. Whereas, ironically, reaching for those unhealthy foods that may be lower in calories could not only cause obvious nutritional deficiencies, but also lead to weight gain. This is because that unhealthy food choice may not keep you satiated for long.

Nutrient-poor foods will [thus] have the opposite effect, causing hormonal dysfunction, spiking insulin levels, increasing cravings, suppressing satiety signals and encouraging overeating, he continued. Things that cant simply be replaced through supplements. Weight loss in this case doesnt equate to health. So, if youre gonna try this method (even though it does work in many ways), be sure to eat as nutritionally as possible within your means.

2 Calorie counting isnt always accurate

In order to partake in this regime, calorie counting is an essential element of it, and now, with a stream of fitness-tracking and calorie counting apps, it seems dead easy, right? Not quite. There are a number of factors that can throw off the accuracy of your daily count. Take the example of when youre eating at a restaurantcan you be certain of the calories in that meal? Have you factored in the effect exercising could also have on your calorie count?

Sometimes when working out over a certain threshold, your body can begin to limit the amount of calories used so that you dont starveits trying to help you. This is extremely difficult to accurately determine yourself but, perhaps the most common reason for inaccuracy can be the tendency to underestimate calorie consumption. One study found that often people forget what they ate or used in preparing a meal and also dont account for high-caloric drinks, hidden calories or mindless snacking during the day that may be ingestedthis can lead to underestimation of consumption and overestimation of exercise.

Something also to consider is the lack of available food options when filling out your diary on a calorie-tracking app. Often, foods and cuisines from different ethnicities and cultures are not accurately representedyour cultural food is not unhealthy just because an app says so. You do not have to limit yourself to plain chicken breast and broccoli.

3 CICO is not sustainable long-term

Speaking to The Express, Doctor Rupy Aujla expressed his concern on diets such as CICO, The cons surrounding diets usually boil down to sustainability. When you employ a strategy which reduces calories, a very common dietary method, your weight set-point changes. This means that when your caloric intake rapidly declines, you may go into whats known as starvation mode whereby your body holds on to as many calories as it can and thus, retains as much fat as it can.

This is why people tend to plateau, despite having a consistent calorie deficit for a long period of time, Aujla explained. This also leads to people falling off the wagon because they are less motivated, usually by the three-month mark, so they will regain the weight they rapidly lost. Not only are there physical reasons for this being unsustainable but mental ones too.

There is huge enjoyment to be had with food and it is definitely a big influence on your mental health. Living in such a restrictive way could severely impact your mental wellbeing. President of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research (ISNPR), Felice Jacka, stated that a healthy diet is protective and an unhealthy diet is a risk factor for depression and anxiety, and explained that there is huge scientific evidence that shows food is just as important mentally as it is physically.

4 Calorie counting can affect disordered eating

Counting your calories has long been associated with disordered eating and unhealthy behaviours surrounding food. Beata charity dedicated to aiding those with eating disorderstold the BBC as part of its investigation into this association that counting calories, especially aided by calorie-tracking apps, only exacerbate eating disorders and make recovery even more difficult. It also found many harmful entries by MyFitnessPal, Lose It! and Lifesum users that showcased dangerous evidence of binge eating, starvation and severe esteem and mental health decline.

4 reasons why the CICO diet is toxic both for your body and mind

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Bizzare 'diet cult' that lives without food and water caught its leader eating McDonald's - Screen Shot

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The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, lays the ground for research that explores the possibility of translating the findings into humans.

People have traditionally thought of aging as an inevitable part of life. But since the seminal work of Cynthia Kenyon in the 90s, researchers have also become aware that aging is under genetic control.

Scientists continue to be interested in finding out whether the negative effects of aging can be reduced or reversed entirely.

Currently, 16% of the United States population is 65 years or older. By 2050 this is expected to reach 22%.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that aging increases a persons risk of various serious chronic illnesses, such as cancer, dementia, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

The National Institute on Aging points out that there are various things a person can do to help reduce the effects of aging.

These include staying physically active, eating a healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, getting a good amount of quality sleep, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, and regularly seeing a doctor.

In 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a baseline report for the Decade of Healthy Ageing, highlighting how countries can go about ensuring health and well-being as people age.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, says that humans now live longer than at any time in history. But adding more years to life can be a mixed blessing if it is not accompanied by adding more life to years.

The Baseline Report for the Decade of Healthy Ageing has the potential to transform the way policy-makers and multiple service providers engage with older adults. We have to work together, to foster the abilities and well-being of our older generations, who continue to give us so much.

As well as lifestyle and policy changes, scientists are also exploring whether new types of medical interventions could reduce the physiological effects of aging.

The authors behind the present study have previously found that epigenetic markers in mice could be reprogrammed using the molecules Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and cMyc. These molecules, known as Yamanaka factors, increased the lifespan and reduced the effects of aging in mice with premature aging.

Medical News Today spoke with Prof. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, of the Gene Expression Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, CA, and a corresponding author of the present study.

In the 2016 paper, we developed a protocol and showed for the first time that Yamanaka factors could be expressed in mice safely without generating cancer. Moreover, in our previous study, we used a premature aging mouse model to demonstrate that Yamanaka factors can extend the lifespan of these mice by preventing the accumulation of aging phenotypes in cells and tissues.

However, we did not know if expressing the Yamanaka factors for an extended period of time in animals without any preexisting pathologies will work and whether it would be safe. The goal of the current study was to establish whether long-term partial reprogramming would have a positive or negative impact on a wild-type animals health, said Prof. Izpisua Belmonte.

To do this, Prof. Izpisua Belmonte and his colleagues split the mice into three groups. The first group received Yamanaka factors from 15 to 22 months or around 50 to 70 years in human terms.

The second group received the Yamanaka factors from 12 to 22 months or 35 to 70 in human years.

The third group was treated for a single month at 25 months or 80 years in human terms.

The researchers found that compared with mice that acted as a control, the mice who received the Yamanaka factors did not develop cancer or see any blood cell or neurological changes.

Further, the mice that received the Yamanaka factors for a number of months showed various reversals in the effects of aging.

The kidneys and skin of the mice resembled those of younger mice, their skin healed from wounds without producing as much scarring, and the scientists did not observe the usual metabolic changes in the blood typically seen in older animals.

The animals treated for just a single month late in life did not see these effects.

Prof. Izpisua Belmonte said there were still necessary steps before the research could be tested in humans.

The translation of our approach to humans requires developing ways to deliver the factors and controlling the levels and how long the factors are expressed. These steps will allow [us] to demonstrate the safe delivery of the factors, a critical aspect before we could start thinking in clinical trials.

Nonetheless, the findings provide exciting evidence that the technique could have benefits far beyond the reversal of the effects of aging.

After our initial 2016 study, our lab, as well as several other laboratories around the world, have used the same approach to demonstrate improvement in the regeneration of different tissues in mice and rejuvenation of human cells.

All these studies further prove that the controlled expression of Yamanaka factors for cell reprogramming could benefit diverse conditions and might be a general medicine approach in the future for various complications that arise during life, said Prof. Izpisua Belmonte.

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Aging safely reversed in mice by reprogramming cells - Medical News Today

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For those of us who work, commute, have relationships, care for families and try to pack too many responsibilities into each day, stress may be an ever-present, unwanted companion.

You experience stress when your body responds to an emotionally or physically challenging situation. Short-term stress isnt associated with health problems, but long-term or chronic stress is.

When your body recognizes that you are stressed, it releases hormones to help you get through the situation, but in the modern world, those hormones arent always helpful, says Eric C. Alcera, M.D., a behavioral health specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health. In the past, a burst of stress hormones like cortisol or adrenaline may have helped you run to safety when you were being chased by wild animals, but when youre sitting at your desk feeling stressed about a work project, the influx of stress hormones doesnt have the same effect.

Common health problems that are associated with chronic stress include:

Chronic stress may also impact your body in unexpected ways.

Adopting healthy habits may help you feel less stressed, which may make you less likely to experience stress-related health problems. Try to incorporate these lifestyle habits into your routine:

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

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Doctor Shares 5 Surprising Things That Stress Does To Your Body - Hackensack Meridian Health

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Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a long-term condition causing inflammation of the bowel, including the colon and rectum. Doctors measure the condition by how far along the colon it progresses. This can lead to complications and other types of colitis, including proctitis, left sided UC, and toxic colitis.

UC is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Doctors categorize UC according to how much of the large intestine it has affected. Inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the colon and rectum can cause redness, swelling, and pain. This may also extend to the whole of the colon.

Currently, there is no cure for UC, but it is possible to manage symptoms with medications, lifestyle changes, and, in severe cases, surgery.

This article provides an overview of UC and its types, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

In 2015, around 3 million adults in the United States had a type of IBD.

The colon is part of the digestive system. Its role is to absorb water and form stool, which a person evacuates out the body through the rectum and anus. UC can disrupt this process, as it causes ulcers to form in the lining of the colon. This may result in:

The way a persons immune system reacts to UC depends on the individual. Some people may have mild symptoms, such as mild cramping and loose stools, that occur occasionally, while others may experience more intense pain and frequent, sometimes watery stools.

Other individuals may have chronic symptoms that can affect their quality of life and require medical treatment, including surgery.

Experts do not exactly know what causes UC. Factors that may play a role in the development of the condition include:

A person may develop different types of UC. The condition can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the areas affected.

The extent of the inflammation and the severity of the condition help guide the management and treatment of UC.

All types of UC may require the following medical interventions throughout the course of the condition:

In order to make a diagnosis of any type of UC, a doctor may perform the following:

Some common treatment methods that all types of UC may require include:

UC increases the risk of developing colon cancer, especially if symptoms are severe or extensive.

A doctor may recommend a regular colonoscopy or blood tests to assess the presence of the active condition and reduce any risk of complications.

In the sections below, we describe the different types of UC and accompanying symptoms. There may be some overlap between the conditions, as they tend to occur in similar areas of the colon.

Proctitis is the development of inflammation limited to the rectum. It can be short-term, or acute, but it can also be long lasting or chronic.

One possible cause of proctitis is UC, but it may also result from:

Proctitis may develop farther in the colon and lead to other forms of UC, including left sided UC or pancolitis.

Common symptoms of proctitis include:

If a person has pain in the abdomen or passes pus, mucus, or blood while having a bowel movement, they should seek immediate medical attention.

First-line treatment will likely involve drugs to help reduce inflammation.

Doctors will also prescribe 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), also called mesalamine, via enema once or twice per day, depending on the severity of the condition.

Other drugs doctors use to treat proctitis may be similar to the ones that treat other types of UC, such as corticosteroids and biologics.

If the drugs do not relieve symptoms, a doctor may offer surgery to remove part of the affected area of the colon.

Inflammation of left sided, or distal, UC starts from the rectum and continues into the colon as far as the bend in the colon by the spleen. The condition affects the rectum and the lower part of the colon that attaches to the rectum.

Symptoms can include:

Treatment for left sided UC is similar to that for other types of UC and includes individual or a combination of IBD medications.

People with left sided inflammation may also receive 5-ASA drugs in oral form or enemas.

Proctosigmoiditis is similar to left sided UC, but it does not affect the colon as extensively. The condition only affects the rectum and lower part of the colon the sigmoid colon.

The condition manifests similarly to left sided UC, causing, among others:

Individuals with mild to moderate ulcerative proctosigmoiditis will receive mesalamine treatment, which is similar to the treatment for mild proctitis.

A person can also adjust their diet and try to avoid foods that may result in a UC flare or return of symptoms.

Doctors may prescribe medical treatments similar to those for other types of UC. However, individuals can also take other medications to manage symptoms, such as antidiarrheal medication. This may help with abdominal cramps as well.

A doctor may provide a person with alternative treatments or diets that will not trigger proctosigmoiditis or other types of UC.

Pancolitis, or extensive colitis, is an advanced form of UC that has spread through the entire colon. People with pancolitis have a higher risk of developing colon cancer than individuals without UC.

Symptoms of pancolitis are similar to those of other forms of colitis, including:

Treatment for pancolitis is similar to those for other forms of UC and includes:

Toxic colitis, which doctors sometimes also call fulminant colitis, is a complication of severe UC. It may result in perforation of the bowel, sepsis, and possibly death.

Symptoms include more than six bloody stools per day. There will also be signs of toxicity, such as:

Learn more about this severe case of UC here.

Important components of a treatment plan for toxic colitis include:

A healthcare professional may admit a person to an intensive care unit in case of an unexpected worsening of symptoms. Doctors will start by checking the persons complete blood count and electrolyte levels every 12 hours.

The person will need to stop taking any medication that may irritate the colon, such as opioids and anticholinergics. However, they will receive IV fluids to provide adequate hydration. IV administration involves delivering medication or other fluids directly into a persons bloodstream with the use of a thin tube or catheter inserted into a vein.

Due to a high risk of perforation, doctors frequently prescribe antibiotics.

Also, the person will need to be on bowel rest. This means they will not have any food or drink by mouth so that the digestive tract can rest. As symptoms continue to improve, they can gradually start drinking and eating by mouth to promote gut healing.

If this treatment does not improve the condition, a surgical procedure, such as a colectomy, may be necessary.

Colitis and Crohns disease are both inflammatory bowel conditions. They have some similarities and differences.

The main similarities are the following:

Colitis mainly affects the large intestine or colon and usually starts at the rectum. By contrast, Crohns disease can occur at any place in the digestive system and usually develops in the lower small bowel and upper colon.

Learn more about the differences between Crohns disease and colitis here.

A person should visit a healthcare professional if they develop symptoms suggestive of colitis, including:

During the visit, a healthcare professional may do the following:

Outlook for people with colitis will depend on how severe their initial condition is and how much of the bowel it has affected.

People can manage mild cases, which involve just the rectum or a small portion of the colon, and flare-ups at home. A person can get symptoms under control with medication or lifestyle changes, which may lead to remission or a period with no symptoms.

A 2019 study notes that colitis may develop farther along the colon the longer a person lives with the condition. This may lead to more frequent flare-ups and require more medication.

UC can develop as a mild, moderate, or severe condition. It affects the bodys ability to process food and eliminate waste.

The different ways UC affects the colon will determine what type of condition a person has. Doctors will diagnose the type of UC based on the location of the inflammation.

In most cases, individuals can manage their condition with diet, medication, and regular checkups. In severe cases, a person may require surgery.

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Ulcerative colitis: Types, treatments, and more - Medical News Today

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Although people with anorexia nervosa restrict their food intake, they may still have high cholesterol levels. Experts believe that genetics, hormones, and other factors may be responsible.

Anorexia nervosa, which people usually refer to as anorexia, is a mental health condition that involves an intense fear of gaining weight. It can lead to malnourishment and serious health problems. In some cases, it can even be life threatening.

People with anorexia may have high cholesterol levels despite restricting their food intake and, in some cases, eating very little. A 2019 meta-analysis found that people with anorexia had higher cholesterol levels than individuals without this condition.

Although experts do not fully understand why this happens, they think that anorexia may cause genetic, hormonal, and gut bacteria changes that contribute to higher cholesterol levels.

Read more to learn about the link between cholesterol and anorexia, how cholesterol levels affect health, and more.

Individuals living with anorexia restrict their food intake and have an intense fear of gaining weight. In some cases, they have an altered image of their weight and body shape.

Despite people with anorexia limiting their food intake, research has linked the condition with high cholesterol levels. Experts think that various factors likely play a role.

A large 2017 study found that there was a strong positive genetic correlation between anorexia and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This means that people with genetic markers for anorexia were more likely to have markers for HDL cholesterol, as well.

Although HDL is the good type of cholesterol, having very high levels may be harmful in some cases.

A diet low in calories and fat can have several effects on the body, including:

Additionally, people with anorexia may have decreased levels of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). T3 regulates a lipoprotein called cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), which affects cholesterol metabolism.

People with anorexia can have increased CETP activity and, therefore, increased cholesterol.

Individuals with anorexia may absorb higher levels of phytosterols, which are naturally occurring plant compounds that are similar to cholesterol. The body may absorb them because of changes in the gut microbiota.

Phytosterols structurally resemble the bodys cholesterol, so when an individual consumes them, they compete with cholesterol for absorption in the gut.

Individuals with other eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder (BED), may also experience high cholesterol levels.

Bulimia nervosa, known as bulimia, is a serious eating disorder that involves a cycle of uncontrolled binge eating and compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, fasting, or misusing laxatives. Research suggests that 1948% of individuals living with bulimia may have high cholesterol.

Experts think that these increased levels result from the cycle of binging and purging or restricting. During a binge, people consume large amounts of food, which can mean taking in high amounts of fat and calories. This can change how the body metabolizes lipoproteins, and it may also contribute to the formation of plaque in the arteries.

Individuals with BED also binge eat, but they typically do not use compensatory measures, such as purging, to try to counter the effects of binge eating. They consume large numbers of calories during episodes of binging and have an increased risk of high cholesterol levels.

Doctors measure cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) and may classify the levels as high, low, borderline, or healthy.

Total cholesterol indicates the total cholesterol in a persons blood, meaning both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

A healthy total cholesterol level for adults is under 200 mg/dl. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that doctors consider 200239 mg/dl to be borderline high and 240 mg/dl and above to be high.

LDL, or bad cholesterol, builds up in the walls of the arteries and can cause blockages in these vessels.

Healthy levels are those below 100 mg/dl. Readings of 130159 mg/dl, 160189 mg/dl, and 190 mg/dl and above are borderline high, high, and very high, respectively.

HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Doctors recommend levels of 40 mg/dl or higher in adult males and 50 mg/dl or higher in adult females. They consider readings below 40 mg/dl as low and those at or above 60 mg/dl as high.

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all mental health conditions.

This eating disorder can lead to many health complications, some of which can be permanent even after successful recovery and weight restoration. Typically, the medical complications are a result of malnutrition and weight loss. They can include:

A team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and dietitians, may provide anorexia treatment in various settings.

A doctor may recommend emergency hospital treatment if the individual is severely malnourished, is mentally distressed, does not have stable vital signs, or has other health conditions, such as diabetes.

Specialist clinics for individuals with eating disorders may offer residential programs with intensive treatment.

These options are suitable for people who are medically stable and require no intensive interventions but have continued mental health difficulties. Individuals receive specially tailored meal plans as part of the program. They may also work with dietitians who will provide guidance on adopting regular eating patterns after returning home.

Learn more about anorexia treatment options.

If an individual is concerned about their relationship with food or thinks that they have an eating disorder, they should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. Although it can be difficult to talk about an eating disorder, treatment is often essential for a persons long-term physical and mental health.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that can cause long-term health problems. Despite restricting their food intake, individuals with anorexia may have high cholesterol.

Although experts are not entirely sure why this happens, genetic and hormonal factors may play a role.

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Can people with anorexia have high cholesterol? What to know - Medical News Today

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Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) refers to a collection of air and gases outside the alveoli, the tiny sacs in the lungs that usually take in air. This trapped air causes pressure in the lungs and damages lung tissue.

PIE is a rare condition that usually occurs in newborns, especially those born prematurely. It can also occur in adults.

Premature birth can often result in a baby having underdeveloped lungs. They may develop PIE during their time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The outlook for babies with PIE is typically not good because they are often already very sick. Babies who survive may have chronic lung issues, and PIE could result in pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung.

In this article, we discuss PIE and its symptoms and causes. We also look at the potential treatment options and the outlook for people with the condition.

PIE happens when the air becomes trapped outside the lungs air sacs.

Typically, the alveoli absorb air and exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen. Sometimes, the air escapes from the alveoli and enters the interstitial tissue nearby, damaging the lungs and causing PIE.

PIE is more common in babies with respiratory distress on ventilators, but it can also develop in babies using continuous positive airway pressure. These machines could cause a change in airway pressure that damages the alveoli, leading to PIE.

PIE frequently occurs in babies admitted to the NICU, especially those born very early or with low birth weight.

A 2021 article reports on data finding that 25% of infants born at less than 30 weeks who receive no preventive treatment develop the syndrome. Among the smallest babies, the incidence is even higher:

Doctors classify PIE in the following ways according to how much tissue it affects and how long it lasts:

PIE can affect adults, but this is uncommon, and few studies have addressed it.

A 2014 study reviewed the records of 53 lung transplants in adults and found that PIE was common, affecting 36% of these individuals.

PIE was more common among people with interstitial pneumonia, a type of lung inflammation that surrounds the air sacs of the lungs. However, the researchers found no correlation between PIE and the duration of pneumonia. People with a history of lung biopsies or being on a ventilator were also more likely to develop PIE.

It is possible for the condition to affect adults who have not undergone a medical procedure. For instance, smoking and asthma are risk factors for PIE in adults because they can cause lung damage.

PIE generally causes people, both babies and adults, to be very sick, with severe underlying lung or respiratory disease. PIE may not cause additional distinct symptoms. Instead, doctors base the diagnosis on lab testing, including a lung scan.

The possible symptoms of PIE include:

These symptoms may exist before PIE, and they have other possible causes. Due to this, doctors cannot make a diagnosis of PIE based on symptoms alone.

In adults, PIE is usually a complication of underlying lung disease or interventions to treat lung disease. Adults with lung disease risk factors, such as asthma or a history of smoking, have a higher risk.

In babies, the most common cause is being born prematurely, having low birth weight, or both.

Prematurity and low birth weight often mean that the lungs are not well-developed, meaning that the baby needs various treatments to ensure that they can breathe. However, these treatments could change the air pressure in the lungs and alveoli, causing the alveoli to break open and leading to PIE.

Doctors may suspect PIE based on a babys age, birth weight, and other risk factors.

Diagnosing the disease requires an imaging scan of the lungs. In most cases, leaked air, damage to the alveoli, or both will be visible on a CT scan or X-ray.

Preventive strategies may reduce the risk of PIE. For example, doctors can apply a surfactant to the lungs of very small or premature babies, helping the alveoli work more effectively and reducing the risk of PIE. Surfactants may also help prevent PIE from getting worse.

Positioning the baby in a side-lying position called lateral decubitus may help treat PIE. This strategy works best when the condition affects one lung to a greater extent than the other.

Other treatment options depend on the severity of the disease and the babys health. They include:

Babies who develop PIE tend to be very sick. Those with PIE and severe respiratory distress have mortality rates as high as 80%. The outcomes are better for babies weighing more than 1,000 g and best for those weighing more than 1,600 g.

Babies who survive may have long-term complications. About half develop chronic emphysema, and half need to undergo the removal of portions of their lungs.

Researchers have not thoroughly studied the outlook for adults with PIE.

PIE is a serious medical condition that usually only occurs in very unwell babies. The presence of PIE usually signals a downturn in the babys overall health.

Once doctors have diagnosed PIE in a baby, the parents or caregivers should ask questions about the long-term outlook, palliative care measures, and potential treatment options. It may sometimes be helpful to seek a second opinion.

Navigating a severe diagnosis can be worrying, but the NICU is the safest place for the baby to get comprehensive care. Parents and caregivers may wish to consider exploring NICU options ahead of time if they have risk factors for premature birth or low birth weight.

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Pulmonary interstitial emphysema: Types and treatment - Medical News Today

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Among so many health programs and fads, you may have heard of the 75 Hard challenge, now taking social media by storm. Despite it popping up everywhere from Instagram to Facebook, the program still has an air of mystery to it. So, what exactly is this approach to holistic self-improvement, is it healthyand is it for you?

We spoke with a range of nutrition and fitness professionals to get their expert opinions on the 75 Hard challenge. And heres a spoiler: While most of the pros said they saw some value in pieces of the program, they voiced substantial hesitation, too.

We live in a world filled with new diets, fads, and challenges popping up every single day like a game of whac-a-mole, explains C.P.T. Daniel Saltos, who is behind Train With Danny. While I can find value in this new age of self-improvement, I still approach everything with a healthy amount of skepticism.

Ahead, find everything you need to know about the rigorous program.

Andy Frisella, CEO of the supplement company 1st Phorm International, founded the program in 2019 and its been gaining speed ever since. On the programs website, Frisella bills it as not a fitness program, but rather a transformational mental toughness program.

Following the challenging regime, he says, will result not just in physical transformation but in a complete overhaul of your self-esteem, strength, grit, and more.

Its basic tenants include five critical daily practices that participants must complete for 75 days in a row (and must start over should they miss even one, once). To complete the 75 Hard challenge, you'll need to complete the below criteria:

Saltos says the answer to this question is complicated. While the 75 Hard challenge is noble in its efforts, in his view it misses the mark when it comes to most of the five pillars of health: exercise, stress management, sleep, hydration, and recovery.

For instance, those two daily workouts totaling 90 minutes strike him as problematic. Does anyone here have kids? A job? A relationship? Or better yet, a life? he says. My clients find it hard enough to work out a few times a weekI can't imagine every single day for 90 minutes.

While he thinks the effort to get people moving is healthy at its core, this approach is both unsustainable and not realistic for most individuals, he says.

Dana Ellis Hunnes is a senior dietitian at UCLA Medical Center and the author of Recipe For Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life. She similarly questions the feasibility of the plans approach to exercise. Ninety minutes of exercise for many people can feel incredibly daunting, and not everyone lives in a safe place, or has access to a safe, clean environment to exercise outside in, she says.

Jackie Kaminski, R.D.N. and nutrition instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine, however, thinks this time spent daily on physical activity is generally beneficial. And she notes theres no requirement for high-intensity workouts. So even for a beginner, this could include low-intensity workouts like a leisure bike ride, yoga, or swimming.

Multiple professionals voiced concern that the program associates exercise and consumption with misery while eschewing moderation. And neither of those approaches are helpful over the long term, they say.

Exercise should be fun and enjoyable, not stress-inducing, Saltos says. Plus, the no cheats and no alcohol for 75 days is not sustainable. Life is too short to fixate over a piece of chocolate cake. Eat ityou'll be fine. I prefer to teach my clients sustainable long-term tactics that teach moderation.

For her part, Kaminski supports the total elimination of alcohol as a healthy step. Alcohol is a depressant, disturbs sleep, disrupts metabolism, depresses muscle protein synthesis, and adds unnecessary calories to ones diet, she says.

She does, however, voice concern about the option to choose any diet, which can be unhealthy and harmful if someone doesnt have a healthy relationship with food or is unknowledgeable about basic nutrition principles,'' she says. This could allow someone to cut various foods out of their diet just to lose weight, which could lead to nutrient deficiencies and increase risk of sickness or injury. (Still, she acknowledges that this approach can give some people the healthy freedom to act within parameters that are realistic for their needs.)

The requirement to shoot daily progress pictures represents another concern for the pros. I've worked with enough people to know that accountability is one thing, but becoming obsessed with how you look is entirely different, Saltos says.

Kaminski, too, considers this a potentially dangerous daily task for people who suffer from body image issues or body dysmorphia.

Hunnes posits this piece of the challenge may be good or bad, depending on the person, and could be harmful to people inclined to see only their own flaws.

Multiple experts we consulted expressed concern over the programs lack of specificity surrounding nutrition and fitness.

There are no specific guidelines for someone to follow based on their fitness level or knowledge base, leaving too much room for interpretation, Kaminski says. For a novice with no knowledge base, it can lead them to take very extreme measures that can significantly increase their risk for injuries and potential health issues.

Saltos echoes the concern. The lack of specificity is a major gripe of mine. People come to me for guidance and support. Can you imagine if I just told them to read a book, exercise, drink water, eat healthy foods, oh, and don't drink or have chocolate? he says. It's kind of like giving someone only half a map to where they need to get.

In addition to developing physical strength and losing weight, the 75 Hard program aims to tackle a holistic approach to self-improvement, with target benefits that include developing new skills and tools (through daily reading), building confidence and self-esteem, and practicing long enough to solidify nominally healthy new habits.

Saltos says that the hydration and reading components are great mind-body guidelines. Reading 10 pages a day is a great way to put down your phone, practice mindfulness, and put your brain to work, he says. I see a ton of value in this.

But Kaminski questions whether habits developed for the program will really stick, however, given that no guidelines exist to help someone maintain the results theyve achieved over the course of 75 days, she says. How does one not revert to old habits and end up in a yo-yo pattern that most conventional diets cause?

Saltos agrees. Yes, some might have success with 75 Hard challenge, but most won't. I have seen it time and time again, he says. Anyone can stick to a tough challenge for one month, two months, and maybe three months, but what happens after that? What happens when you haven't learned how to practice moderation. You haven't learned to operate in what I call the gray area.

Overall, Hunnes is also skeptical about the mental benefitsespecially for people who have a history of eating disorders, people who don't live in safe neighborhoods, and people who will feel a sense of failure if they can't make it work one day and then just want to give up.

While the professionals we consulted found potential benefits in the program, most would not recommend it to their clientsat least not without major caveats.

Jordan Dorn, co-founder of Zuma Nutrition, was perhaps the most enthusiastic among the experts we consulted. I think someone interested in making a significant lifestyle change should consider this challenge, especially if they are inspired to perform a lot of physical activity. It would be best if one can do this challenge in a support group or with an accountability partner that can support them.

Hunnes says she would recommend only parts of it to her clients, namely the idea of exercising more, outsidein nature where possibledrinking plenty of water, reading healthy and motivating books, less or no alcohol, she says. But she wouldn't recommend the daily photos, especially to people who have a history of eating disorders or other conditions.

Kaminski says shed warn anyone with body-image issues, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, food phobias, or any other mental health disorders to avoid this program. My fear would be that if this challenge could not be followed or if physical goals could not be completed, it could lead to feelings of failure or continued disordered eating and body-image patterns, she says. Overall, unless a client was working under a certified health or fitness professional to guide them appropriately for this challenge, I would not recommend it.

Dorn would make a similar recommendation. I think challenges like this can fuel inspiration to make positive changes in ones life, however, I would not personally recommend this challenge, he says. I prefer to help my clients make lasting dietary and lifestyle changes that will endure far beyond 75 days. I also feel the intensity of exercise is unnecessary for the average person unless they feel personally motivated to do so.

Saltos suggests a small percentage of the general population will find value in something like this in the long term. These are people who thrive with strict parameters, and people who dont work typical office hours or have kids.

I'm all for trying new things and helping people reach their potential, but in this case, I don't believe this plan offers all the tools necessary to achieve that, Saltos says. If after reading this you still want to give it a go, by all means, go for it! Just remember, Rome wasn't built in 75 days.

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What Is the 75 Hard Challenge? And Should You Try the Program? - Prevention Magazine

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