Potatoes can help lower blood pressure in obese individuals that suffer from hypertension. In fact, potatoes can be just as efficient in treating high blood pressure on a daily basis as oatmeal, a common breakfast choice for many dieters that are hoping to improve their overall health. There are a few important things to keep in mind however as you begin to reintroduce potatoes into your daily diet. Make sure to consult your bariatric center in St. Petersburg before making any dietary changes to ensure that you stay on track as you work towards you weight loss goals.

The study that evaluated the blood pressure lowering capabilities of potatoes examined purple potatoes specifically. Purple potatoes are not as common was white and basset potatoes, but are available nationwide. Check the stock at your local food store or farmers market to see if you can switch from white potatoes to purple ones to get the full health benefit.

When cooking your potatoes, step away from the deep fryer. While we all love French fries, potato chips and hash browns, potatoes in the study were cooked in the microwave. A potato that is cooked in a healthy way, such as baked or boiled without added butter or cheese is just over 100 calories and is loaded with nutritional benefits. By reevaluating your potato, you could add this vegetable to your diet as you continue to lose weight.

According to several health institutes who have studied obesity, there is a high occurrence of certain cancers to obesity. This information further emphasizes the need for individuals who have not been successful with weight loss plans to look into procedures such as Lap-Band surgery.

Recent medical research has concentrated on genetics to decipher the links between gene mutations, obesity and cancer. In the past, researchers have been able to link gene mutations known as the BRCA mutations to an increased risk of breast cancer in both men and women. Additionally this gene is also linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer in women.

Researchers at a well-known medical university have recently focused their attention on the FTO gene which is associated with fat mass and obesity. Their research has shown that certain variations of the FTO gene are also associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer. While the research is ongoing the researchers have surmised that the patients who have the FTO gene variation have a thirty percent greater risk of developing breast cancer.

While a blood test is available to test for the BRCA gene variance, there is not an approved test available to detect the FTO variance. Further research will lead to developments along that route. For those who are obese, gaining control of their weight is important in reducing the risks of cancer associated with obesity. Options such as medically supervised weight loss programs are successful, but for those who have gone that direction unsuccessfully, weight loss surgery such as the restrictive band used in Lap-Band surgery may be the option that produces results and reduces the risk co-morbidities such as cancer.

Data from over 48,000 adults who had laparoscopic or open weight loss surgery procedures between the years of 2005 and 2009 was analyzed as part of the study. All study patients had a body mass index (BMI) of over 35, and had undergone a form of weight loss surgery, including laparoscopic gastric banding, vertical banded gastroplasty, open duodenal switch, or a laparoscopic or open gastric bypass.

Researchers concluded that patients over 65 who are in good health are expected to receive similar outcomes as their younger counterparts. Taking into account factors such as gender, weight, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney function, older patients did not experience a substantially greater risk of dying or having a serious adverse surgery effect, such as stroke, heart attack or infection compared to patients between the ages of 30 and 40.

The findings noted that seniors did tend to experience longer hospital stays; patients aged 65 to 69 who had a laparoscopic procedure had a 20 percent increased risk of prolonged hospital stay (over three days), while those that had on open weight loss procedure had an 80 percent increased risk of a prolonged hospital stay (over six days) when compared to those under 50 years of age. After an open procedure, patients over 70 had a four-fold increased risk in requiring a hospital stay longer than six days.

Weight loss surgery patients in Tampa over the age of 65 are likely to gain an overall improved quality of life by being able to move around more to spend time with family and friends. Like younger patients, older patients may see health improvements in some obesity-related medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at John Hopkins School of Medicine found that turning white (bad) fat into brown (good fat) can be accomplished by impacting the gene that affects the regulation of body weight.

While white fat stores calories, brown fat burns them. Brown fat helps to burn energy from lipids by producing heat. This is the same process that helps to keep babies warm. In fact, we are born with lots of brown fat cells, but as we age, we begin to lose this calorie-burning brown fat. As such, we accumulate more fat, especially around the hips and waist, spurring some to seek weight loss surgery, such as Lap Band surgery.

The study findings, published in May 2011 in the journal Cell Metabolism, indicated that by silencing the gene (i.e. switching off) DMH NPY, they could essentially change body weight regulation, stimulate production of brown fat cells within white fat, increase heat generation, increase energy expenditure, increase insulin sensitivity, and improve glucose stability. Study researchers found that by silencing the NPY gene there was increased use of energy, greater ability to produce heat in the presence of cold, increased physical activity, and improved balance of blood sugar.

These US scientists conclude that the study results show the critical role of DMH NPY in regulation of body weight through a number of factors including food intake, energy expenditure, thermogenesis, and physical activity.

The people interviewed for the study had lost an average of 86 pounds in the six months since their weight loss surgery. Eighty-eight percent of those in the study were female. Their average BMI before surgery was 46.6. By contrast, normal BMI is considered anywhere between 18.5 and 24.9. Those with a BMI over 30 is considered obese. The average BMI of participants in the study 6 months after surgery was 34.6.

The participants who’d lost the most weight also experienced the most migraine relief. Those who’d lost the most weight after surgery reduced their headache days by half.

What is most interesting is that even those who did not lose as much weight after surgery experienced some migraine relief. While 70% of the migraine sufferers in the study were still considered obese six months after surgery, a significant number of the participants reported some migraine relief. On average, half of those interviewed reported that their migraines were debilitating before surgery. Six months after surgery, that number had dropped to 12.5%. There was no difference in migraine relief based on which type of weight loss surgery the patients had.

Further studies are planned to see whether migraine pain is reduced by other medical weight loss programs that do not involve weight loss surgery. Talk to your doctor here in Tampa to discuss which medical weight loss program is best for you.

Researchers from 200 countries studied 220,000 people over a period of 10 years to determine whether the location of fat on the body increased heart disease risks. During the length of the study, 14,000 participants suffered either strokes or heart attacks. What the researchers found was that heart disease is undeniably an obesity risk. It did not matter whether the person in question had an apple or pear-shaped body. Total BMI — that is, Body Mass Index – was a far more consistent indicator of whether someone would be prone to heart disease.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels also increased the risk of heart problems. Since high cholesterol and high blood pressure are often correlated with obesity, it remains important to monitor your weight as well as your general health. Obesity levels have increased worldwide to the point where one in ten adults is considered obese. Many localities, including the Tampa Bay area, have levels that are higher than that.

Reading product nutritional labels is very important when shopping. In 2006, The FDA mandated that any food product containing trans-fats be conspicuously labeled. Under the total fat section of the nutritional panel, products containing more than .5 grams of trans-fat will be labeled with the content. Currently the American Heart Association recommends limiting trans-fats to 1 percent of the total daily calorie intake.

It is important to keep this in mind while on a program to lose weight. Labels may say .5 grams under trans-fat, but consuming more than the recommended serving size increases the amount of trans-fat we eat. This places us in jeopardy of exceeding the AHA’s recommendations.

Many food manufacturers are now adjusting their food product formulas to remove trans-fats. Restaurants are also removing trans-fats from their deep fryers and many cities across the country are now instituting laws that ban trans-fats from being used in food establishments. While these are all positive steps in creating a healthier country, it is important to keep in mind that removing trans-fats from foods does not necessarily make them healthier for us.

Fried foods are still high in caloric content, fats and carbohydrates. Foods that have been reformulated to remove trans-fats may still contain a higher level of saturated fats which also can be unhealthy and make weight loss more difficult.

While the FDA’s new guidelines make it easier for us to recognize and avoid foods that contain trans-fats, it is just important to know how to use that information to be successful and reach our weight loss goals.

Many individuals who struggle with obesity explore the idea of weight loss surgery. But, what can a city do to help all of their citizens get to a healthy weight? There are a number of strategies that cities can explore to reduce the obesity levels in their location, such as:

• Encourage children to walk to school with an adult instead of riding in a car or on a bus. Many cities have an annual “Walk to School” day with a parade, snacks, and activities for the kids to enjoy.
• Enhance security in neighborhoods and public areas were people walk or enjoy other recreation activities.
• Promote better eating in schools by banning sugary drinks and deep fried foods.
• Providing subsidies that will encourage farmer’s markets.
• Invest in better bike and walking trails throughout the city, especially on routes that can be used to get to grocery stores or people’s jobs.
• Levy taxes on high fat and high sugar foods like those that are assessed on cigarettes and alcohol.

In fact, according to a recent study released by the National Institutes of Health, just being a little over weight increases your risk of death. The study looked at the relationship between increases in BMI (Body Mass Index) and an increased risk of death. BMI is a measurement of body mass based on your weight and height, and is a more effective measurement of health than simply using your weight. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9.

The study found that with every 5-point increase in BMI, the risk of death nearly tripled, increasing by 31%, even for participants who did not smoke and were otherwise in good health. Compared to a normal BMI, your risk of death is increased by 13% for a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9; 44% for a BMI between 30.0 and 34.9; 88% for a BMI between 35.0 and 39.9; and 251% for a BMI between 40.0 and 49.9. Those are some pretty big — and scary — numbers!

Even if you are only a few pounds overweight, commit to losing the weight this year. Successful weight loss is more than a diet; it’s an entire lifestyle change. Throw out the junk food and eat smaller portions of healthy meals throughout the day. Join the gym and work out with a personal trainer to keep you motivated. With successful weight loss, not only will you look and feel your best, you will live a longer, healthier life!

The study echoes previously released studies indicating that a significant number of women misperceive their weights. Rahman’s study took it a step further, examining how the misperceptions influenced other health behaviors. Rahman indicates that the danger with these misperceptions is the likelihood of developing unhealthy behaviors, such as not cutting back appropriately on food intake. Those who are of a normal weight, but believe they are overweight, are more likely to smoke or use diet pills to unnecessarily lose weight. The study did show that those who accurately knew they were overweight were taking active steps to shed weight.

The results of the study concern Rahman, who believes that a rapid change in people’s mindset is needed. The worry is that as overweight women regularly observe others around them who are also at a higher-than-normal weight; they are less likely to perceive themselves as being overweight. Rahman believes doctors should take note of the findings and work with overweight patients to be aware of their BMI. Women who are struggling with the misperception of their unhealthy body weight should pursue medical assistance within the Tampa area for successful weight loss strategies.