The most common cause of DEATH in the United States is HEART DISEASE. It accounts for approximately 600,000 deaths a year. Of American adults, 54% are overweight, (a 33% increase since 1978), and 25% of America's children are overweight or obese. You may ask, "What's the scam in that?" The biggest health scam is our own self-control. That's right. It's absolutely controllable. The question is "How?" For centuries, people have been trying to find an easy way to lose weight. Even King Henry II of England tried desperately to cinch his waistline. He was considered by many of his constituents to be a miser, due to his moderate practices. This included his eating habits. In 1154, they didn't have the understanding that we have now about diet and nutrition. Modern day science allows us to fully comprehend and practice attainable weight and nutritional goals, although it really is easier said than done.
Fad diets beckon people with a weighty wish, as they blindly toss aside common sense to swoon over and follow a diet myth like a cultist. Why? It sounds good - maybe too good to be true. It's quick - too quick for the body to know what's going on. A movie star or some doctor endorsed it - so what?! Throwing caution to the wind is a dangerous thing. Several diets under different calling cards follow the same principles, like the ones that blame insulin for gaining weight. One of those diets is Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution and it's sweeping the country. Atkins released his book over 20 years ago, being denounced by medical authorities as nutritionally unsound. What does the medical community think now? Atkin's diet is considered even more contrary than before. The basis for Atkin's diet is to eliminate carbohydrates from your diet since that is the culprit for producing hyperinsulinism. He claims that insulin catalyzes fat production. If our bodies make too much insulin, we'll make too much fat. Did anyone know that Dr. Atkin's successful patients were taking an average of 30 supplemental pills while on his diet? He also recommends high fat intake. Sounds like a dangerous bandwagon to hop onto. Another one who has joined the high fat force is actress, Suzanne Somers, author of "Suzanne Somers' Get Skinny on Fabulous Food." She stands on the foundations that carbohydrates (carbs) are the bad guys and that people can still lose weight while eating cheese, meats, butter, dressings and desserts. Don't forget that she was born with great genetics. How about that New Mayo Clinic Diet? It's based on high fat, no carbs or white vegetables, and no sugar or caffeine. This diet heralds a 10-12 pound weight-loss in the first 12-day cycle while the dieter eats two eggs and two slices of real bacon for breakfast. Lunch consists of all the meat desired accompanied by a salad with any dressing and ½ grapefruit or 8 ounces of unsweetened grapefruit juice. Supper is the same as lunch. Although this diet sounds much like Dr. Atkin's diet, there's something else about it that doesn't sound right. It must be the name! The Mayo Clinic does NOT endorse this diet. Jennifer Nelson, registered dietition and associate editor for nutrition for Mayo Clinic Health Oasis emphasized that "There is no Mayo Clinic Diet."
