Category: Health

Along with calcium, vitamin D has long been recognized as important for bone health. But Vitamin D also plays a part in a host of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Not coincidentally, obesity is a known risk factor for many of those diseases. In my office, I meet many  [Read more...]

The difference between a 250- and 120-pound person might be very obvious on the outside, but this body scan comparison clearly shows the distinctions between these two women. ⁣ In my office, at every consultation, I explain the above in great detail. And VERY frequently, that person will tell me: “I wish one  [Read more...]

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2024 about 19,680 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed, and 12,740 women will die of ovarian cancer in the United States. Although the exact cause of ovarian cancer is not known for every woman, one of  [Read more...]

Just about everyone knows that excess body fat has a tremendous negative effect on the skeleton and the joints, but both your internal and external fat also influences your muscles — all of them. All extra weight that doesn’t support itself saps the strength from your muscles — all of them. And that includes the muscles  [Read more...]

Obesity and sperm health are not a healthy pairing which is why obesity is a central cause of male infertility. Sperm health is measured by three factors: Motility – Ability to swim efficiently. Vitality – Percentage of living healthy sperm in a specimen. Morphology – Size and shape of individual sperm.   [Read more...]

One of the things I always talk about with clients is the importance of a well-run “body clock” or circadian rhythm. The term circadian comes from the Latin phrase “circa diem,” which means “around a day.” Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, helping to make  [Read more...]

For years, researchers and health experts have recommended drinking eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day. I agree that that should be the minimum. I do not agree with those who say it’s not necessary to drink at least that amount, that there are other ways to get water into the body through  [Read more...]

What is the key to good testosterone levels?   Testosterone is the male sex hormone needed to help regulate many different processes in the body, including libido, bone and muscle mass and strength, growth of facial and body hair, erectile functioning, red blood cell production, and energy and mood. Many factors can affect  [Read more...]

Infertility is a subject near and dear to my heart. I had that problem 25 years ago, when I started trying to have a baby at the old age of 37. That “problem” was solved at 42! My fertility issues were an age thing, not a weight thing. However, I do understand first-hand the  [Read more...]

Despite the broad use of the word “fat” to describe all body fat, there are several different types of fat in your body. And while all fat cells might look alike from the outside, they can have different functions, depending on their type, and fat behaves differently, depending on where it’s located. The main  [Read more...]

When you are overweight, you have excess body fat both inside and outside. Too many people never think about the fat on the inside because it’s easy NOT to; you don’t see it when you look in the mirror. And one of the things I talk about with every client at the initial  [Read more...]

What’s the connection between being overweight and gum disease?   Most research suggests that fat cells produce many chemical signals and hormones that can increase inflammation in the body, decrease the effectiveness of your immune system, and increase your susceptibility to periodontal disease.   Other research points to the possible eating habits of  [Read more...]

So, have you always thought there’s an exception when it comes to indulging in “just one” fatty meal? That the health ramifications associated with fast food meals high in saturated fat and sodium only take effect “down the road?”   Wrong! The consequences of eating your combo meal begin almost immediately after you crumble  [Read more...]

The link between obesity and cancer risk is clear. Research shows that being overweight and having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 kinds of cancer:   Being overweight or obese doesn’t mean that someone will definitely get cancer, but it does mean that they are more likely to  [Read more...]

I want to address an issue that, unfortunately, I’ve seen way too often over the decades, especially in the summer when we’re at beaches and pools: boys with breasts. It really pains me to see it from a distance, but even more so when dealing with the issue one-on-one in my office with teens  [Read more...]

Many people who are overweight or obese suffer from depression. Of those, for many who suffer from even mild depression, the extra burden of being overweight during the year-end holiday season only makes things worse.    In my experiences with clients, the larger one gets the smaller their world becomes. The feelings of isolation  [Read more...]

Too many people are conditioned to believe that exercise plays a bigger role in weight loss than it really does. Can you lose weight without exercise? Yes. Can you lose weight only with exercise? Absolutely not. Too many people are conditioned to believe that exercise plays a bigger  [Read more...]

It surprises a lot of people to know this, but your skeleton hides a secret: It is full of fat! In fact, bone marrow fat cells comprise the largest population of cells in the bone marrow cavity and is the third largest fat depot, after subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and visceral fat  [Read more...]

Among many women with breast cancer, a standard post-op care is to use drugs that block or inhibit estrogen activity, such as tamoxifen. This is done for the obvious reason: to minimize estrogen and/or to ensure estrogen stays in an ideal range in the body because of its relationship to cancer. Doesn’t  [Read more...]

If you are overweight or obese, regardless of age, or whether there’s a history of smoking, having excess abdominal weight lowers your lung function. The chronic inflammation associated with fat tissue is one factor; the other is that excess fat also constricts the lungs, reduces lung function and weakens the muscles that help you  [Read more...]

Just as pipes are the strong tube-like structures which carry water where it needs to go throughout our homes (faucets, fountains, lawn sprinklers, shower heads, commodes), blood vessels (veins, arteres, capillaries) are strong tube-like structures through which blood travels to get to where it needs to go throughout our bodies. The pipes  [Read more...]

Our feet are small compared to the rest of our body; yet, the amount of pressure we put on them is great when we’re just standing. When we walk or run, however, it’s tremendous . . . and the bigger we are, the more our feet are asked to bear.    Our feet are  [Read more...]

The term “healthy obesity” has gained some traction over the last several years, and I want to put that oxymoron to rest. When I hear it, I always ask, “What does that mean? . . . that you haven’t had a stroke or heart attack yet?” . . . that the ticking time bomb  [Read more...]

Gastroparesis is a disorder where the movement of food is slowed or stopped, and the stomach takes too long to empty. It interferes with digestion, causes nausea, vomiting and dehydration, and plays havoc with blood sugar. On the one hand, unintentional weight 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 is one of the symptoms of gastroparesis. When the  [Read more...]

The stomach is built to withstand acid. The food pipe is not, and when acid rises into it (acid reflux), a person experiences burning pain. The muscle at the end of the food pipe is called the 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳. This sphincter allows food into the stomach and helps to keep it  [Read more...]

Most people who have Celiac disease don’t know they have it; and then there are those who don’t have it but still can’t tolerate gluten. I meet these folks because, unfortunately, many gluten-free products are way higher in calories and refined carbs (sugars) than their gluten form. Thus, slim people diagnosed with Celiac often  [Read more...]

In the simplest terms, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a health condition linked with both hormone imbalance and insulin resistance. Women with PCOS have greater chances of developing several serious health conditions, but perhaps of utmost importance is that PCOS is the #1 cause of infertility issues affecting women of child-bearing age.   In  [Read more...]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habit. Needless to say, IBS is a condition that can strip people of their quality of life. Diets that are low in fiber, high in saturated fats, and high in fermentable carbohydrates are contributing  [Read more...]

The relationship of obesity to insulin resistance (and type 2 diabetes) is long recognized. I’ve read, over time in countless published research papers, that as high as 85% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight and obese.     The risk for insulin resistance (and diabetes) rises as body fat content increases  [Read more...]

Osteoarthritis develops when the cushioning material between the joints, known as cartilage, wears away, eventually allowing the bones to painfully rub or grind together. Obesity is an important risk factor for osteoarthritis sufferers. This is because high amounts of fat around the liver, muscle tissues and in the blood is more likely to  [Read more...]

Iron deficiency and obesity during early childhood are common nutrition-related disorders and are linked with adverse health outcomes later in life. Since early childhood is a sensitive time for brain development and maturation, iron deficiency may lead to serious effects on the brain and subsequent developmental delays. Overweight children are more than twice  [Read more...]

Does a woman’s weight play a role in preventing miscarriage? It is well known that there is an association between obesity and infertility. Obese women have poor reproductive outcomes, both in natural as well as assisted conception such as ovulation induction, in vitro fertilization (IVF) intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and ovum  [Read more...]

Among many women with breast cancer, the standard of care is to use drugs that block or inhibit estrogen activity (“estrogen inhibitors” or “aromatase inhibitors”), such as tamoxifen. This is done for the obvious reason: to minimize estrogen in the woman’s body because of its relationship to cancer. However, you don’t have  [Read more...]

We often talk about metabolism as if it is a single mechanism in our bodies. But it’s not. Metabolism—including resting metabolism—is a series of functions that are happening all the time. The rate at which those functions occur is your metabolic rate. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is often used interchangeably with basal metabolic  [Read more...]

Anyone who has consistently high levels of uric acid in the blood is at risk of having a gout attack. However, obesity—especially, centrally-located (visceral) obesity—greatly increases the risk. And even if you don’t develop gout, elevated uric acid has other negative effects: ✔️ It irritates the lining of your blood vessels causing a  [Read more...]

Many people who are very overweight or obese suffer from depression. I’ve been asked numerous times: “What comes first—depression or obesity?”  In my experience with clients, the answer is “both.”  Obese people are more likely to become depressed. Severely overweight people may be more likely to become depressed because they are dissatisfied with their appearance,  [Read more...]

Hypoglycemia (also called low blood glucose or low blood sugar) occurs when the level of glucose in our blood drops below normal. “Low blood sugar” may also be referred to an “insulin reaction” or “insulin shock.” We know that people with diagnosed diabetes have to be vigilant about their blood sugar levels, but  [Read more...]

Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the common type of diabetes, type 2 diabetes, so it’s no surprise it’s what brings many clients to me. For people newly diagnosed (within the past six years), type 2 Diabetes is a reversible condition. Just as proper diet, weight loss and exercise can  [Read more...]

When you are over-fat, fat builds up on the inside of the throat which can partially block your airway. When you sleep, the extra fat tissue puts pressure on the structures of the throat. This leads to further constriction. Additionally, excess body fat has an effect on your muscles. This is true  [Read more...]

One of the things I hear a lot in my office is someone telling me how they can’t stand their cellulite, how they want to get it liposuctioned out (yeah, right; but that’s a topic for another blog), and how losing their cellulite is a big catalyst in why they want to lose  [Read more...]

You had a bad Saturday night; you fell off your diet. You weigh yourself Sunday morning. No gain. You look to the heavens and praise the Lord and vow to get right back on track. Sunday is perfect: the right food, the right portions. Lots of water. You weigh  [Read more...]

Summertime. Millions of folks head to beaches and pools. Way too many don’t drink any or nearly enough water at these locations: sodas, six-packs of beers are too commonplace . . . as is the sight of people falling asleep on beach chairs or towels Why is this a problem?  It’s a  [Read more...]

The first set of organs affected by obesity is the reproductive system. It affects women’s menstrual cycles, ovulation, and ability to become pregnant. It affects men’s production of sperm, both in quality and motility. And that’s only part of the infertility equation. You can’t get pregnant if the libido ain’t working, right?  [Read more...]

Men, want to know why you develop type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI than women? It’s because where fat is distributed makes a big difference in one’s risk for the disease. Women gain weight, initially, in places that are metabolically safe – hips, thighs. (As they gain more weight, it  [Read more...]

The first group of organs impacted by excess body fat is the reproductive system. For men, being overweight or obese most often leads to low sperm count, less fertile sperm and definitely a lower motility in the sperm, with greater difficulty penetrating the egg.   For women, too much body fat wreaks  [Read more...]

It’s common knowledge, and I have written and speak about this in my office frequently, how dangerous a pregnancy can be for an obese woman, not only in terms of her own health during pregnancy but also the negative effects her obesity can have on fetal development. (In my article Fat Moms, Fat  [Read more...]

It’s no coincidence that people who are slim and healthy as they age look so much younger. A major component of that is mental: They feel so good, they’re active, they’re engaged, they love life, they have very few limitations. Thus, they wear that happiness and zest for life on their faces. This  [Read more...]

Why does being overweight increase your chances of getting hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoid tissues are “cushions” of blood vessels that play an important role in helping your body eliminate waste. Food passes from the stomach through the intestines. The waste (stool) then travels through the colon to the rectum. It is stored in the rectum until  [Read more...]

While rare compared to female breast cancer, the incidence of male breast cancer (MBC) has increased in the last few decades, no doubt coincident with the ever-growing obesity epidemic.    It has long been known that obesity and the risk of many types of cancer are linked, and although obesity is not considered an  [Read more...]

“What can I do if I start losing or gaining weight during cancer treatment?” is a question clients have asked over the years. Unfortunately, this issue causes greater anxiety than necessary. On the one hand, “cachexia” (weight loss) is a common cancer side effect. On the other, chemo and steroids may  [Read more...]

For women who suffer with PCOS, after fats, public enemy #2 is the poor carbohydrates (“bad” or “refined” carbs). The good kind of carbohydrate-rich foods are a good source of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, way too often PCOS sufferers try to restrict themselves from carbohydrates, placing false blame on ALL carbs  [Read more...]

One of the medical issues that many of my clients have is diabetes, and I wanted to address that today, specifically, Type 2.   Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to break down sugars from the diet. Normally, cells in the pancreas work to release insulin, a hormone that can process  [Read more...]

One of the many questions I ask all prospective clients at the intake has to do with their oral health. I find there’s a commonality between the adult overweight and obese clients who’ve been battling their weight for years, and the younger kids and teens: So many over-fat people have problems with their oral  [Read more...]

“You have breast cancer.”    Those four words can make a woman buckle at the knees. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to address the issue because of the relationship between obesity and breast cancer —and make no mistake: There IS a relationship. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are known to  [Read more...]

Radiology plays an important role in medical care, but the imaging process becomes more difficult for obese patients. Exams considered simple to perform on average sized patients need to be adapted in order to obtain quality images of obese individuals. Given the alarming trend of obesity and the long list of associated health  [Read more...]

There are many causes of varicose veins, but they are one more side effect of obesity.   Veins are vessels that carry blood to the heart. The returning blood must travel against gravity in the veins; this is done through muscle contractions and a system of valves that allow blood to travel in only  [Read more...]

Everyone knows the long list of medical issues associated with obesity: heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea and too many others to list here. Few, however, realize all the ways that excess weight can affect the health and appearance of our skin — a very important (and our largest!) organ:  [Read more...]

Cholesterol is not exactly a barnburner of a topic, but it is one of the reasons why so many people make that first phone call to me AFTER their physician tells them their levels are high. And that’s a result almost always because an upward change in one’s weight results in an upward change  [Read more...]

As people get heavier, they are, literally, crushing their feet. Think of it: Your feet are responsible for carrying your whole entire body around. Excess weight, however, changes the way the foot functions. Carrying extra body weight greatly increases pressure on the bottom of the feet, flattens the feet, shortens your gait and  [Read more...]

As obesity numbers rise, so do the numbers of those with high cholesterol. Roughly one quarter of the cholesterol in our bodies resides in our brains. Researchers have found that patients with high levels of “bad” cholesterol in their blood tended to have more harmful tangles of protein inside their brain cells.   [Read more...]

I know diabetes is not exactly a barnburner of a topic, but it is especially prevalent in overweight and obese people, which is how I come in contact with that issue regularly. At a time when the number of obese people in the world now outnumber the underweight, and since obesity changes your DNA, which  [Read more...]

Once upon a time gout was associated with overindulgence in people of the upper class who had access to foods and alcohol of plenty. As a matter of fact, in 1726, British physician Richard Blackmore called gout “the grievous Calamity of the Great, the Rich and the most Easy in their Circumstances.” It became  [Read more...]

Sleep services all aspects of our bodies in one way or another: molecular, energy balance, as well as intellectual function, alertness, and mood. There is not a single tissue in the body that is not beneficially affected by sleep. It’s the single most effective thing we can do every day to reset the health  [Read more...]

I see a lot of young girls and teens who have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) — and most don’t even know they have it when they first meet me. Not only are these girls overweight and unhappy, but almost always by the time they get to me they’ve really been through the ringer. What  [Read more...]

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?  It’s obvious: You see your face, your hair, and all your external body parts, and lots and lots of skin.  But what you don’t see is what’s going on inside . . . and if you’re overweight or obese I’m talking about the stuff that  [Read more...]

In the simplest terms, PCOS is a health condition linked with both hormone imbalance and insulin resistance. It is the most common hormonal and reproductive problem affecting women of child-bearing age.   Defining the Condition.  The hormones involved in controlling periods, and ultimately reproduction, are produced in the pituitary gland located in  [Read more...]

Exposure to air contaminants, such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen dioxide, are known to be respiratory irritants that can cause illnesses such as asthma and other pulmonary diseases. Did you know that overweight and obese adults breathe in up to 50% more air every day, compared with adults of normal  [Read more...]