Articles For Optimal Health

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A man who blames his heart disease on the Atkins diet said on Thursday he is suing the privately held Atkins Inc. to force it to disclose what he called the risks of the popular high-fat, low-carb regimen.
 
Jody Gorran of Delray Beach, Florida, said he could show that he had low cholesterol and no heart disease before he started the diet, but quickly developed clogged arteries afterwards.
 
"I believe that the diet almost killed me by giving me heart disease," Gorran, 53, told a news conference in Washington. "I feel victimized by Atkins."
 
Gorran is being sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nutritional advocacy group that promotes a vegan diet.  Gorran's complaint, filed in a Florida county court, seeks $14,000, mostly for attorney's fees, and $40 in damages.
 
The Atkins diet promotes a high-fat, high-protein diet meant to force the body to shed pounds by going into a condition called ketosis.  Many doctors agree ketosis can be dangerous, and the PCRM held a news conference last November at which a couple from Missouri also said their 16-year-old daughter died while in a state of ketosis on the Atkins diet.
 
"Defendants knew that approximately one-third of those customers who brought their products and followed their nutritional advice would have increased cholesterol levels and, correspondingly, increased risk of cardiovascular disease," Gorran's complaint reads.
 
Atkins Inc. denied the charges.  "Atkins stands by the science that has repeatedly reaffirmed the safety and health benefits of the Atkins Nutritional Approach," the company said in a statement.
 
Studies show that people on the Atkins diet can lose weight and also have their cholesterol fall while on the Atkins diet, at least in the short term. No published study has followed dieters for more than a year.  But the American Heart Association has said the lower cholesterol levels are likely from the initial weight loss. That group and many other doctor's groups' recommend dieters lose weight by cutting calories overall.
 
This week the committee that sets U.S. nutritional guidelines also recommended against "fad" diets and advised Americans to eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Arthritis can appear suddenly or come on gradually. Joints are the main source of pain and or swelling or both. The swelling and pain associated with moving the joints can result from a thickening of the synovial membrane which creates an increase in the secretion of synovial fluid and or enlargement of the bones. When your body incorrectly identifies the synovial membrane as foreign, inflammation results, damaging the cartilage and tissues in the joints. There are many different types of arthritis, some which can be inherited, some are caused by injury, some by infection, but most are caused by lifestyle, diet and aging. The key factor is building the immune system back up to once again recognize and identify the synovial membrane. Foods contain many properties that can either build up or tear down in these cases. By implementing the correct enzymes in foods and eliminating the bad, your body has the capability of healing itself.
 
Dietary Considerations:
 
No dairy products, red meat, caffeine, alcohol, orange, grapefruit, mushrooms, peppers, eggplant, white potato,  tomatoes ( white tomatoes are ok ).  Eat pineapple - fresh daily, onions, garlic, eggs, asparagus, brown rice, wheat, rye, oat bran.

This is not just another 'get thin quick' diet. We give you the means to easily manage your daily food intake and ensure your body is getting exactly what it needs to establish and maintain an optimal body weight.

1. Remove all temptations foods from your home and office.
2. Be prepared and plan your meals and snacks ahead of time.
3. Follow your menu plans closely and do not skip snacks.
4. Eat every 2 to 3 hours. The evening snack is the only snack that is not mandatory.
5. Drink a minimum of 64oz (2 liters) of plain water everyday.
6. You may have up to 4 cups of green leafy vegetables each day to snack on in addition to you menu plans.
7. Use a food scale to measure portions. Don't guess.
8. Exercise a minimum of 3 times per week. Do this even if it is only for 20 minuets at a time.
9. Be patient! You have to burn 3500 calories to lose one pound of fat. Your menu is planned to help you loose 2 to 4 pounds of fat per week.
10. Try to eat home as much as possible. You need to know what a portion size looks like.
11. Remember that until you reach your body fat goal, one big splurge will set you back an entire week!
12. Get a pair of pants that are tight on you.  Try them on once a week! That will be your best indication of inches and fat loss.
13. You may have up to 2 cups of coffee and or tea with caffeine or carbonated drinks per day. Unless you have a health condition which prohibits this. Herbal teas are also fine. Remember however, nothing substitutes for water.
14. Any spices salt free may be added to meals.