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IDFA Urges DGAC to Enhance Dairys Role in Healthy Diets and Improve Access to Dairy for All Americans – PerishableNews
IDFAs comments to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee highlighted the latest science on dairy fats and the importance of dairy nutrition to all Americans
WASHINGTON The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) submitted comments to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) urging the panel to maintain and enhance dairys role as a core component of a recommended healthy diet for Americans. IDFA also urged the DGAC to restore dairy to its draft conclusions on dietary patterns associated with favorable outcomes for body weight and obesity in adults. The DGACa committee of 20 nationally recognized nutrition and public health expertsis currently reviewing the current body of nutrition science and developing a scientific report to inform the federal governments development of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The DGAC is expected to publish their report in late 2024.
Inwritten comments, IDFA highlighted the latest science demonstrating dairy is a key component of healthy eating patterns associated with better health outcomes. IDFA noted that the preponderance of scientific evidence contradicts the outdated DGA recommendation that Americans avoid dairy at higher fat levels. IDFA also highlighted how the variety of dairy products that are available to Americans provide options for nearly every person to access dairy nutrition as part of healthy, and health-promoting, diet because of the growth in lactose-free dairy products. Finally, IDFA voiced concern that the DGAC would remove dairy from a draft conclusion statement about dietary patterns associated with favorable outcomes for body weight and obesity in adults, a change from previous DGAC reports that is not supported by science.
There is an overwhelming body of science demonstrating dairy nutrition is essential and delivers multiple health benefits, said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO, IDFA. The arguments against dairy fat are no longer legitimate. And the widespread availability of lactose-free milk and dairy, which is exploding in popularity, means dairy is more accessible than ever to all people and all dietary needs. Avoidance of dairy may result in lower intake of nutrients that are essential for good health and may exacerbate some health conditions that are more prevalent among communities of color. We dont want to see the DGAC contribute to that avoidance; instead, it is the responsibility of the DGAC to recommend foods such as dairy that support healthy diets for all people.
In the draft conclusion statement presented at the DGAC public meeting in January, dairy was not included in the dietary patterns associated with favorable outcomes for body weight and obesity in adults. This is a significant change from the 2020 DGAC conclusion statement.
Dairy products are an unparalleled source of essential nutrients that support health across all life stages, said Roberta Wagner, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, IDFA. We urge the DGAC to recognize the comprehensive scientific evidence supporting the inclusion of dairy, including full-fat options, in their report to inform the development of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Ensuring a variety of dairy products are accessible to everyone will promote healthier dietary patterns and better health outcomes nationwide.
Inclusion of Higher Fat Dairy Products
For many years, Americans have been urged to reduce their intake of saturated fats to help promote heart health and reduce the risk of other negative long-term health consequences. However, a significant and growing body of science has demonstrated that not all saturated fat has the same health effects. Recent research shows full-fat dairy products can have neutral or positive health effects, challenging the traditional emphasis on low-fat dairy. IDFAs comments referenced more than 40 studies demonstrating that full-fat dairy products are not linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can be associated with favorable growth, body composition, and lower risk of obesity in children.
We urge the DGAC to consider the health effects of milkfat from dairy products separately from other food sources of saturated fat, and also consider the saturated fat derived from dairy subgroups such as milk, cheese and yogurt, said Wagner.
Accessibility of Dairy Products for All Americans
While all groups of Americans do not consume sufficient levels of dairy to meet the recommendations of the 2020-2025 DGA, unfortunately, Black, Latinx, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders tend to consume even less than Americans as a whole.
Some of this underconsumption may be a result of Americans, particularly those in the BIPOC community, feeling that they cannot consume dairy due to lactose intolerance or because it is not appropriate in their culture. IDFAs comments emphasized the wide variety of dairy products available to Americans, that work to ensure that nearly every person can access the nutritional benefits of dairy. This includes lactose-free and lactose-reduced options, which address the needs of those with lactose intolerance, and offer a range of fat levels to suit different dietary preferences and health needs.
Dairy companies have made a purposeful choice to expand lactose-free dairy at food retail and foodservice establishments to respond to the needs expressed by the communities they serve, said Wagner. The proliferation of lactose-free milk and dairy options in the U.S. marketplace provides the DGAC a unique opportunity to recognize a need to improve nutrition education and awareness of these new choices.
The 2020-2025 DGAs included a recommendation that lactose-free dairy products are part of the dairy group and lactose-free dairy products are important options within federal nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). To ensure that Americans concerned about their ability to consume lactose and dairy are still able to benefit from the nutrition provided by dairy foods, we ask that the 2025-2030 Scientific Report emphasize the availability of lactose-free dairy products and the education required to improve dairy consumption among vulnerable communities.
IDFAs comments to the 2025 DGAC can be viewedhere. For more information about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, visithere.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nations dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFAs diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.
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IDFA Urges DGAC to Enhance Dairys Role in Healthy Diets and Improve Access to Dairy for All Americans - PerishableNews
How intermittent fasting, protein pacing can lead to weight loss, better gut health – New York Post
Start the clock!
Practicing protein pacing evenly spacing protein consumption throughout the day and intermittent fasting limiting eating to certain times is better for gut health, weight loss, and metabolic responses than just restricting calories, a new Arizona State University study finds.
27 women and 14 men who were overweight or obese were divided into two groups: one ate a heart-healthy, calorie-restricted diet, while the other followed a calorie-restricted plan incorporating intermittent fasting and protein pacing.
Both groups were monitored over eight weeks for changes in their weight, body composition, gut bacteria, and metabolic health.
Participants following the intermittent fasting and protein-pacing diet significantly reduced their gut symptoms, increased their beneficial gut bacteria, lost more weight, and shed more body fat.
The fasting/pacing group dropped an average of 8.81% of their initial body weight while those on the calorie-restricted diet lost just 5.4% on average. The calorie-restricted group also received worse news about their metabolic health.
As part of the findings, published last week in the journal Nature Communications,the researchers determined that the intermittent fasting protocol increases beneficial gut microbes tied to a lean body type and better health while raising the levels of proteins in the blood linked to weight loss.
A healthy gut microbiome is essential for overall health, particularly in managing obesity and metabolic diseases, said Karen Sweazea, the ASU principal study investigator.
The gut bacteria influence how we store fat, balance glucose levels and respond to hormones that make us feel hungry or full, she continued. Disruptions in the gut microbiota can lead to increased inflammation, insulin resistance and weight gain, underscoring the critical role of gut health in preventing and managing metabolic disorders.
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Intermittent fasting has been associated with weight loss, a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, less inflammation, and improved immune function. But research has also cast doubt on its purported benefits.
One recent major study found that those who limit their eating to a window less than eight hours a day are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than people who eat over 12-16 hours a day. Medical experts also warn that intermittent fasting is not for everyone.
Consult your doctor if you have diabetes, kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux, or other medical conditions before beginning an intermittent fasting plan.
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How intermittent fasting, protein pacing can lead to weight loss, better gut health - New York Post
9 Best Keto Meal Delivery Services In 2024, Tested By Experts – Women’s Health
While getting your meals delivered can be convenient, there is no general idea of what is considered "healthy" by each delivery service. "Determining whether they are as healthy as cooking your own keto meals would depend on various factors, such as the nutritional content of the meals provided, an individuals cooking skills and knowledge, and more," Lofton says.
For starters, some meal services have all the nutrition info in the back with each ingredient measure, which can be helpful for people who like to track those details. You'll also have extra assistance with portion control since the meals are usually pre-packaged.
Still, some companies may use preservatives to give the food a longer shelf life. In some cases, you also won't know where your ingredients are being sourced from or the quality of them.
By cooking for yourself, you'll have more control over how you prepare your food and how much of certain ingredients make it on your plate. Your food is also more likely to taste the way you would want it to. "Preparing your own keto meals provides you with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of nutrition, cooking techniques, and food quality," Lofton says.
But, still, there is a convenience factor to getting meals delivered, so it's ultimately up to your preferences.
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9 Best Keto Meal Delivery Services In 2024, Tested By Experts - Women's Health
A New Study Suggests the Keto Diet May Actually Be Harmful to Health – Vogue
The ketogenic diet rose to popularity in the early 2000s with the mantra fat is not the enemy. But a study covered in the March 2024 issue of Current Problems in Cardiology suggests that the dietwhich focuses on foods high in fats and deemed very low in carbohydratesisperhaps something of a Trojan horse.
The paper, published by Joanna Popiolek-Kalisz, MD and PhD, found a few issues with the diets parameters. The first was weight-loss related: While many people who followed it experienced rapid weight loss (typical of making any significant diet change), it was likely mostly water weight and failed to yield any permanent positive health changes within the body. The ketogenic diet does not fulfill the criteria of a healthy diet, Popiolek-Kalisz states in the paper. Quite the contrary, in fact: When it comes to overall heart health, the low-carb pattern is more beneficial than very low-carbohydrate (including the ketogenic diet). Because of the keto diets emphasis on fats, those adhering to it typically have a higher rate of LDL cholesterol, which is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, clogged arteries, and death.
Low-carb dietary plans include the Atkins diet, the paleo diet, and the South Beach diet. Other studies have noted that the keto diet can also lead to major vitamin and mineral deficiencies (as well as a surplus of fat-soluble vitamin K, which is also unhealthy for the heart) and increased kidney stones.
According to the International Food Information Councils annual study, more than half of Americans follow a diet or a specific eating patternbut the high-fat keto diet dropped in popularity by 4% compared to 2023. That trend will likely continue downward.
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A New Study Suggests the Keto Diet May Actually Be Harmful to Health - Vogue
Leaky Gut Diet: What To Eat, Avoid, And Sample Meal Plan – Women’s Health
Are you wondering whats up with your
If youve never heard of leaky gut syndrome before, youre not alone. Its not currently recognized as an official medical diagnosis, so its still pretty new to health practitioners and the general public, says Brigitte Zeitlin, MPH, RD, and founder of BZ Nutrition. Leaky gut may not be a classical medical analysis, but studies have shown it to be [linked to] chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, weight gain, and obesity, she says.
Leaky gut occurs when there is damage to the intestinal lining, which then allows bacteria into the bloodstream, says Zeitlin (more on that soon). If you're having ongoing tummy issues and suspect it may be leaky gut, chat with a healthcare provider. In the meantime, here's what you need to know about leaky gut, what causes it, and the best anti-inflammatory foods that may help.
Meet the experts: Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, a New York-based registered dietitian and the founder of BZ Nutrition. Chrissy Arsenault, RDN, is a registered dietitian at Trainer Academy in Colorado.
Although its not a medical diagnosis and experts have mixed opinions on the term, leaky gut typically refers to intestinal hyperpermeability (when gaps in your intestinal wall start to loosen) and the cluster of symptoms associated with it. With this condition, the intestinal lining becomes more permeable, giving bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles the ability to pass through the gut lining into the bloodstream, says Colorado-based dietitian Chrissy Arsenault, RDN.
Leaky gut can cause digestive issues like gas, bloating, constipation, and loose stools, Zeitlin saysbut gastrointestinal symptoms arent the only signs that point to a leaky gut. You may also notice sudden food intolerances, seasonal allergies, skin conditions like eczema or acne, chronic fatigue, joint pain, difficulty losing weight, fatigue, and even mood changes, she says.
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about what might be going on in your gutespecially if you have candida overgrowth (a fungal infection) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), the presence of excessive bacteria in the small intestine.
Although the causes aren't entirely clear, it is believed that acute issues like infections or stress can cause inflammation in the gut lining, says Arsenault. This could be as simple as eating food youre allergic to or something like undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, which puts stress on your physiological and physical well-being. Along with stress, an unhealthy diet may also compromise the gut lining, a recent study suggests.
Prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, or alcohol may also affect the gut over time as well as environmental toxins like cigarette smoke, pesticides, or pollution, Arsenault says. People with chronic conditions like an autoimmune disease, celiac disease, diabetes, and Crohns disease may be more at risk to leaky gut than the average patient, she adds.
If you suspect you have leaky gut, try to make room in your diet for foods that are quality sources of fiber and fat, says Zeitlin. Aim to have six to eight cups of whole fresh fruits and veggies daily, one serving of whole grains, and include quality fats daily, like two to four tablespoons of olive oil in your salad or veggie saut, plus two tablespoons of nuts or seeds daily, and avocado, she recommends.
Before you start tossing everything in your pantry, you may want to try cutting back on common inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy first, Zeitlin says. Consider a two-week-long elimination diet and keep a food journal to track how your digestion feels after eating meals. After two weeks, add small amounts of food back into your diet for two to three days and see how you feel, Zeitlin suggests. What you have identified as a trigger, you will want to keep out of your diet long-term.
Here are some of the best foods to eat for gut health, according to Zeitlin.
While a healthy gut generally relies on a consistent and healthy diet, improving your nutrition is not the only way to strengthen your gut health. For example, taking a daily probiotic may help you maintain a healthy gut balance in addition to your new diet, Zeitlin says. A daily turmeric supplement may also help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal system, she adds. A once-a-day multivitamin could also be beneficial in keeping your immune system strong as you navigate your gut health.
Make sure youre also getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night, as quality sleep is essential for healing your gut, Zeitlin says. Create an evening routine that helps you de-stress, gets you off screens for at least two hours before bedtime, and aim to go to bed at the same time every night, she says. Add calming activities into your routine, like walking, yoga, minimal exercise, time with friends, meditation, journaling, listening to musicanything that you know feels good and relaxing for you, Zeitlin shares.
In addition to eating balanced, satiating meals, drink plenty of water, prioritize movement, and consider an anti-inflammatory diet (and stick to it). Youll be on your way to better gut health in no time.
Meguire Hennes is a freelance lifestyle journalist specializing in fashion news, celebrity style, dating, and wellness (her Libra moon wont let her settle on one beat). She received a B.A. in fashion studies from Montclair State University, and her words can be found in Bustle, The Zoe Report, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and more. When shes not debunking a new TikTok wellness trend or praising Zendayas latest red carpet look, you can find her in yoga class, reading a cutesy romance novel, or playing Scrabble with her puppy in her lap.
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Leaky Gut Diet: What To Eat, Avoid, And Sample Meal Plan - Women's Health
Plant-based diet improves health in women with breast cancer – Earth.com
A recent study reveals that women with advanced breast cancer who adopted a whole-foods, plant-based diet saw significant health improvements.
The women who participated in the study lost weight, improved their cholesterol levels, felt less fatigued, and experienced better mental clarity and overall well-being.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Wilmot Cancer Institute focused on individuals with stage 4 breast cancer, who are typically on lifelong treatment.
Dr. Thomas M. Campbell, an assistant professor of Family Medicine at URMC and an expert on plant-based diets, led the research.
The study included 30 patients undergoing stable treatment who could tolerate food. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one received standard care, while the intervention group ate meals provided by the research team for eight weeks.
The plant-based diet consisted solely of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, potatoes, nuts, and seeds. Participants avoided animal-based foods, oils, and added fats, and took a daily multivitamin. Remarkably, weekly assessments showed a 95% compliance rate.
Its exciting to see that these major dietary changes were feasible, well-tolerated, and acceptable to the clinical trial participants, Campbell said.
Participants in the whole-foods plant-based group lost one to two pounds per week over the eight weeks, despite no calorie restrictions.
This weight loss is significant, as weight gain during breast cancer treatment can increase insulin levels and hormones that may fuel cancer growth.
Additionally, the researchers observed a reduction in blood levels of IGF-1, a growth factor linked to many cancers, and decreased inflammation.
Although we cannot say anything yet about whether the diet can stop cancer progression from this small study, we saw preliminary results that suggest favorable changes within the body, which is very positive, Campbell noted.
To further explore these findings, the team is collaborating with Dr. Isaac Harris at Wilmot in a bench-to-clinic investigation funded by the American Cancer Society. This research is focused on the effect of amino acid composition on cancer cell survival and the impact on various cancer drugs.
Patients with breast cancer should consult with their oncologists or healthcare providers before making major dietary changes especially those on blood thinners or insulin medications.
Examples of meals provided in the study included peanut soba noodles, steel-cut oatmeal, banana flax muffins, sweet potato enchiladas, and Mediterranean white bean soup.
To get started with plant-based recipes, Campbell recommends websites such as plantyou.com, shaneandsimple.com, and monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com.
You only need five to ten plant-based recipes that are easy, tasty, and convenient enough that you will make them regularly to have a substantial overhaul in your diet, noted Campbell.
Dr. Erin Campbell published a separate study in 2023 showing that diets like the DASH diet, which are plant-based, can be cost-effective compared to standard American diets with ultra-processed foods and restaurant take-out.
Enhancing health through a plant-based diet is central to Dr. Thomas Campbells career. He is the founder and co-director of the UR Medicine/Highland Hospital Nutrition in Medicine Research Center and an obesity medicine specialist.
Together with his father, T. Colin Campbell, he co-authored the best-selling book The China Study, which examines the link between nutrition and health based on a long-term study of cancer rates.
Dr. Campbell later wrote The China Study Solution, offering practical advice on using a plant-based diet to lose weight and reverse illness.
This research highlights the potential benefits of a whole-foods, plant-based diet for individuals with advanced breast cancer, offering hope for improved quality of life and health outcomes.
The positive results from this small study pave the way for larger, more comprehensive trials that could further validate these findings.
Embracing a plant-based diet may not only support physical health but also enhance mental well-being, providing a holistic approach to cancer care.
As research continues, the integration of dietary strategies into standard cancer treatment protocols could revolutionize patient care and survivorship, empowering patients with an effective tool to manage their health.
The study is published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.
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Plant-based diet improves health in women with breast cancer - Earth.com
The Real-Life Diet of Jeremy Renner, Who Says Pain Is Just a Construct of the Brain – GQ
Since at least 2008's The Hurt Locker, Jeremy Renner has been celebrated for physical, in-your-face action-movie acting. He's an Avenger. He ran from zombies in 28 Weeks Later. He did turns in the Bourne and Mission: Impossible franchises.
But Renner doesn't remotely mince words about how he's been moving since early 2023, when he was crushed by a snow plow at his home in Nevada. Multiple surgeries followed, a significant amount of metal is now bracing his body, and the recovery is ongoing. During his rehab work, he has turned outward, sharing on his Instagram account. It was these postsand the footwear in themthat caught the attention of the hardcore running brand Brooks, and Renner is now is a face for the company.
He caught up with GQ about running, stretching, and the other ways that he's taking care of his body.
For Real-Life Diet, GQ talks to athletes, celebrities, and other high performers about their diet, exercise routines, and pursuit of wellness. Keep in mind that what works for them might not necessarily be healthy for you.
GQ: Longtime fans of your work associate you with muscular roles: the Bournes, the Avengers, the Mission: Impossibles. But with this Brooks partnershipa hardcore running brandweve got to ask, are you a runner now?
Jeremy Renner: Newly. (Laughs.) Ive never been a hardcore runner, in the sense of distance. Im mostly a sprinter, a short-distance guy. Like, a mile. But its the movement, for me, the agility. Its important to move for the strengthening of my tendons in my ankles, all my joints. To me, its part of what my life is. Its that idea that I need to be able to move and get out and do stuff.
Judging from the Brooks video, it seems like hill sprints are a huge part of it.
Yeah, Im more of a hill sprint guy. Its easier on my joints, with gravity not smashing down. If anybody has a bum knee, you know what Im talking about. I have six joints all relearning how to move. So running uphill has been the better thing for me.
How did the partnership come about?
It was pretty natural. I was sharing some progress reports of my recovery. People were finding it helpful, and I also found it helpful to share. Brooks reached out, and they thought their shoes might help. So they sent me a pair of the Ghost Max. I had them around a while, walking around the house, but one day, after I started training, I put them on and ran up and down my driveway. That was the first time Id tried to run since the accident. I thought, wow, this isnt so bad. I posted that, and from there, the partnership started to form. Its such a natural meeting. It feels like Ive got a lot of supportemotionally and on my joints. (Laughs.)
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The Real-Life Diet of Jeremy Renner, Who Says Pain Is Just a Construct of the Brain - GQ
Healthy diet metrics: monitoring of healthy diets globally: a call to action – World Health Organization (WHO)
Overview
Unhealthy diets are recognized globally as key contributors to morbidity and mortality. As food systems and diets evolve globally, the importance of monitoring what people eat has never been more critical. Yet, there is a lack of consensus on what constitutes healthy diets and how to measure them.
In collective recognition of this challenge, the Healthy Diets Monitoring Initiative (HDMI), a partnership among FAO, UNICEF and WHO was established in 2022 with the mission of enabling national and global decision-makers and stakeholders to monitor and achieve healthy diets for people and the planet.
We invite all national governments, United Nations agencies and international organizations, implementing partners, donors, civil society organizations, researchers and other key stakeholders (such as those concerned about climate change and food systems) to read our Call to Action and join the Healthy Diets Monitoring Initiative.
Read More..Diet and Exercise in a Post-Ozempic World – Office for Science and Society
This article was first published inThe Montreal Gazette.
Medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) have changed how we talk about weight loss. Obesity was, and often still is, seen as a lifestyle problem rather than a chronic disease needing a chronic treatment. But in the frenzy surrounding the new-found popularity of this drug class, we still have a major unanswered question: What role do lifestyle interventions play in this new post-medication era?
If losing weight was easy, everyone would do it. Telling people to diet and exercise is well-meaning advice. But its not useful. Patients already want to change their habits. Butdesiredoesnt get you to the top of Everest. Desire gets you to base camp. Mountaineering skills get you to the top of Everest.
Finding behavioural interventions that work poses several problems. Most fad diets work at first, but clinically meaningful interventions have to have sustained benefits. Its not enough to lose the weight; you also have to keep it off. Also, any program or intervention has to be applicable and scalable to the population as a whole. It would be easy to eat healthy if you had a private chef, but private chefs are not a practical way to deal with the rising rates of obesity.
Two recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association tested two different behavioural interventions to help with weight loss. In thefirst study, researchers used a wireless feedback system made up of a Wi-Fi activity tracker and an electronic scale that fed information back into a smartphone app that provided daily feedback on weight loss goals. Half of the study participants also received phone-based coaching on a weekly basis. Anyone not achieving a half pound of weight loss per week received additional behavioural interventions in the form of text message reminders and/or meal replacements. At six months, the group who received the wireless feedback system lost 2.8 kilograms (around six pounds). Those who had the extra coaching lost an additional two kilograms (around four and a half pounds).
Thesecond studytested a program where participants got daily text messages to help them maintain their weight loss goals. A control group received no messages, one group got just text messages, and a third group got daily text messages plus financial incentives (nearly CAN$700) if they met all their weight-loss goals at one year. The control group lost 1.3 per cent of their body weight over the trial, the text-message group lost 2.7 per cent and the group with the added financial incentives lost 3.2 per cent.
These two studies taken together raise a difficult question. What role do behavioural interventions like these have in this post-Ozempic era? The interventions did work, but their benefits were modest. While most people think diet and exercise are free, designing programs like these to help a wide swath of the population are difficult and resource-intensive to scale up.
Medically speakingyou generally want to see at least five per cent weight loss for any weight-loss intervention, and maintaining at least 10 per cent over the long term is probably necessary to have meaningful clinical benefits. Remember the point of all this is not esthetics but disease prevention.
These studies were interesting because they tested creative and fairly innovative approaches to weight loss. But the benefits were small and most did not achieve even five per cent weight loss, though some lost quite a bit of weight. Balancing high-cost medical therapy against cheaper but more modest behavioural interventions is never easy. Programs like this may be appropriate for some people who really respond to extra external motivation or those who need modest weight loss to counteract a recent life event (like illness or injury) that led to weight gain. But just as medication is not appropriate to everyone, behavioural interventions wont work in everyone either.
In the end, these are creative solutions that wont be applicable to everyone. Thats why weight loss is so hard.
@DrLabos
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Diet and Exercise in a Post-Ozempic World - Office for Science and Society
Dedicated to diet: A passion to help others reflected in resident’s business – Salisbury Post – Salisbury Post
Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 26, 2024
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Tanya Freirich, left, joins Amanda Chay, author of "The Girlfriends Guide to Lupus," and Director of the UNC Rheumatalogy Lupuc Clinic Dr. Saira Sheikh. - Submitted
Tanya Freirich presents at a workshop through a collaboration with Lupus NC. - Submitted
SALISBURY Tanya Freirich, registered dietitian and Rowan County native and resident, has a lifelong passion for helping others.
Her entrepreneurial journey is not only a story of personal transformation, but also of hope for those battling autoimmune diseases, particularly women with lupus.
Not just passionate about this subject, Freirich has been impacted personally and can share with others dealing with the disease.
I can speak to the experience of having a terrible flare-up, she said.
When first diagnosed with lupus, Freirich said she had experienced terrible joint pain and had problems opening and closing her hands. She couldnt open a door knob or dress herself.
It was like I had frozen joints which were very painful in the morning, and while it improved as the day went on, it was still very frustrating and definitely impacted my quality of life.
For years, Freirich dedicated herself to her work as a registered dietitian because of the impact of nutrition on her life when forced to face her own autoimmune disease diagnosis.
Receiving multiple diagnoses, Freirich said lupus was her last. She was 26 at the time and already a registered dietician and thought that she was eating healthy but realized there was room for improvement because she thought, I have this underlying inflammation that keeps causing these diagnoses so thats when I revamped my whole diet.
She was active and fit, she said, and looked at other areas of her life and questioned if she was getting enough sleep, and was she handling her stress and other factors.
With that I was able to get my lupus flares and symptoms in remission in the first year of diagnoses, Freirich said.
Her journey as a dietitian led her from a bustling hospital environment in New York City, to a more personalized outpatient setting. She craved longer-standing relationships with patients and the ability to witness their progress firsthand.
During the outbreak of the pandemic, Freirich took the opportunity to continue to work remotely and impact more lives affected by lupus. She moved back to Rowan County and launched her own business, Tanya Freirich Nutrition, specializing in nutrition support for autoimmune diseases.
With her background in dietetics and a deep understanding of autoimmune diseases, her business flourished. She combined her professional expertise with her personal experience to create impactful programs tailored to individuals with lupus and other autoimmune conditions.
Her business, which is known by her following on social media as The Lupus Dietitian, gained momentum, particularly through Instagram and TikTok. Her dedication to providing valuable information and creating a supportive community drew clients from all over, seeking guidance and support in managing their conditions through nutrition.
Through her six-month program, which includes one-on-one sessions, group calls, and an online course, Freirich has helped countless individuals regain control over their health and well-being. Her approach is holistic, focusing not only on dietary changes, but also on creating a supportive environment where everyone feels understood and empowered.
I would love for everyone in the lupus space who needs to hear from me, to know of me and receive the support they need, she said.
But her journey doesnt stop there. Shes now preparing to launch a program specifically designed for those living with rheumatoid arthritis and aspires to collaborate with a rheumatologist to launch a research study on diet and lupus.
Freirichs path to entrepreneurship wasnt without its challenges, but with the support of resources like the Small Business Center at Rowan-Cabarrus, she found the guidance and encouragement she needed.
A friend recommended the center to Freirich, who said, they are amazing. They have all these great resources.
She first spoke with the centers director, Megan Smit, who connected her with the people at 1 Million Cups at Flywheel Concord at the Cabarrus Center, she said.
Freirich did a presentation of her business to them and got fantastic feedback from other entrepreneurs.
Connecting with mentors, participating in workshops, discussing strategy and networking with fellow entrepreneurs provided her with the tools and confidence to pursue her dreams. She has also watched webinars, which she said have been immensely helpful.
It is just mind boggling how much free, fantastic content that they share and resources, Freirich said. Everyone was so supportive. The feedback was great.
As she continues to grow her business, she remains driven by her passion for learning and helping others. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs echoes her own journey: Dont hold yourself back. Just get started. We only regret what we didnt do.
Freirich told that she also works at the Rowan Diagnostic Clinic two days a week and wants people to understand that there is a dietician that can be a resource to them locally.
They can use their insurance, they can schedule an appointment with me because many dont understand that theres a dietician available, she said.
Its not just those dealing with autoimmune diseases that she works with, but will work with whatever the need is including diabetes, as she is a certified diabetes educator and care specialist, along with those having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain or loss, IBS, literally everything, she said.
To learn more about Freirich and her programs, visit http://www.thelupusdietitian.com or find her on Instagram and TikTok as @TheLupusDietitian.
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Dedicated to diet: A passion to help others reflected in resident's business - Salisbury Post - Salisbury Post