There are many fad diets that flood the market proclaiming amazing results. A majority of the diets revolve around the idea of carbohydrate restriction. Carbohydrates that are consumed and not burned off by exercise turn into body fat. The Atkins diet restricts carbohydrate intake and focuses on lean protein consumption. Other diets such as “Body for Life” prescribe a modified carbohydrate intake that focuses on the glycemic index.
Mark Haub, a professor at Kansas State University, has managed to blow these two diets out of the water with his shocking discovery. In a personal class experiment, Haub attempted to lose weight using a junk food diet. The diet was simple. Eat anything that comes prepackaged and that can be easily obtained through a vending machine. The major staple of his diet were Twinkies and Hostess cupcakes. The goal was to consume approximately 1,800 calories a day. The daily caloric need for a man of his size would be approximately 2,600 calories a day. Professor Haub consumed these sugary snacks in lieu of meals. Haub consumed canned vegetables to set a good example for his children while at home. Aside from Twinkies and canned vegetables, Haub consumed a protein shake and a multivitamin once daily.
According to the Atkins diet, carbohydrates that are consumed and not burned off become body fat. In a shocking result, Professor Haub went from a body mass index (BMI) of 28.8 to an astonishing BMI of 24.9. The BMI is marked as normal for his average height and age. Another marker for his success was present in the levels of his cholesterol. Haub’s LDL level dropped 20 percent and his HDL increased by the same amount.
The results are shocking and turning the diet and health industry upside down. Conventional methods of dieting are being questioned as well as the markers for “good health”. Individuals that consume that much sugar a day are susceptible to disease. These diseases include diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The law of thermodynamics states that consuming fewer calories than the body burns results in significant weight loss. A long term diet of junk food is not a healthy means to weight loss.
Amidst the election news after Tuesday’s final day of voting, San Francisco passed a law that states that restaurants cannot offer toys to children if their meals contain too much fat and sugar. In addition, those restaurants that serve meals like burgers and French fries must provide fruits and vegetables. Enacting legislation that protects children from obesity issues is the first step in the right direction towards a healthy society.
Obesity is an epidemic that is hitting people of all ages. It is sobering awakening when the percentage of obese children entering the public school system has increased by over 15 percent over the years. Obesity is a serious health risk that increases other risks such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Public education provided lunch meals have been under scrutiny for many years. Many investigations have cited schools that make it hard for children to find
healthy eating options during lunch. This is attributed to the budgeting allowance of cafeteria food.
The law is scheduled to become active in December of this year. The law states that meals containing more than 600 calories cannot include a toy. This is a crushing blow to McDonalds, a popular fast food establishment that sells the popular “Happy Meal” advertised towards children. Happy meals have been a staple of family road trips and weekend soccer matches. McDonalds has come under scrutiny with documentary films such as “Supersize Me.” In the documentary, McDonalds was portrayed as an evil establishment that purposefully targets children. McDonalds uses clowns, bright colorful containers, and toys to mask the fat and high sodium food that is fed to children. In this busy society, family dinner times can be spent with a fast food meal in a car on the way to a children’s function.
In a way, the people of San Francisco have voted their voice to reclaim family time and limit the tactics of fast food establishments such as McDonalds. Mayor Gavin Newsome of San Francisco has vowed to veto the law, but the law has been passed with a veto-proof margin of 8-3. Hopefully, the rest of the nation will see the benefits of the law on the children of San Francisco and enact similar legislation in their city.
The US Food and Drug Administration have denied the proposed weight-loss drug Lorcaserin based on marginal results. The proposed drug has been developed by the pharmaceutical company Arena Pharmaceuticals and Eisai Co. In an official statement, FDA officials said that the weight loss efficacy of Lorcaserin was marginal. The weight-loss drug was voted down 9-5 by the FDA advisory panel. According to the FDA, Lorcaserin lowered weight by an average of five percent with an increased risk of breast cancer in animal testing. Despite the successful results of the Lorcaserin trial, the risk factors associated with the weight loss drug were the primary cause for denial.
The dismissal of Lorcaserin also proves that the FDA will not take chances on jeopardizing the health of people. The target market for weight loss drugs is for individuals attempting to lose weight. Weight loss and dietary supplements are a multi-million dollar industry that feeds on the insecurities of overweight individuals. These insecurities are fueled by the public media perception on what a person’s body should look like. The move by the FDA will definitely make pharmaceutical companies that manufacture weight loss drugs more cautious during research and development stages.
Obesity is rising at an alarming rate, and is a genuine health risk for individuals. According to this recent dismissal, the FDA will not allow medicines on the market which can affect the well-being of people in lieu of minor weight reduction. The panel had previously voiced an early opinion against approval for Lorcaserin. Despite this early opinion, Arena Pharmaceuticals seemed to be positive about an approval in the future. Prior to the disapproval of Lorcaserin, Qnexa by Vivus Inc. had received a similar recommendation by the FDA.
Lorcaserin will be initiating a new clinical trial involving obese patients with Type-2 diabetes. The results of this trial will be released by next month. The makers of Lorcaserin, Arena Pharmaceuticals, will meet with FDA officials to address any concerns issued by the panel. Currently, the FDA will issue a decision on Qnex this week. Contrave, another weight loss drug, will be considered by the FDA advisory panel in December.
