Health

The idea that starch or fat can be blocked from digestion appears to be an appealing idea. For the past thirty or more years, these products have come to the forefront periodically with promises for a new generation of overweight people. Each time they come on the market, they offer up suggestions that you can eat what you want so long as you take their product. The product, so goes the promise, will protect you from the consequences of eating the blocked food group.

Dr. Gruber is a graduate of the Southern California University of Health Sciences, and has been in private chiropractic practice in Long Beach, California since 1964. She also received both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree from California State University at Long Beach. She has written on health-related subjects for over 30 years, for several different publications. She lives in Southern California with her husband of 33 years. Both she and her husband follow and live the low carb lifestyle full time.

The combination of ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin is commonly referred to as the "E-C-A Stack" or just the "Stack". Many of the herbal products on the market contain ma-huang in combination with willow bark, a naturally-occurring source of a chemical similar to aspirin, and with guarana or kola nuts, sources of caffeine. There are also products that mix chemical sources of caffeine and actual aspirin in the mix with the ma-huang. Some people who take the Stack prefer using ephedrine/ma-huang alone, and accompanying it with a caffeine-containing beverage and a half an aspirin.

Mike from North Carolina is 43 years old and 5' 10" tall. He has been following the Atkins program since September 9, 2002, and in just 8 1/2 months has shrunk from 230 pounds and size 44 pants to 179 pounds and size 34 pants!

I don't know anyone who hasn't cheated on their diet. I'm not talking about just low carbers here, but about all dieters. Everyone I have spoken to, written to, or heard from has cheated on their diet at one time or another. Why do we do this to ourselves?

Josie from Texas is 33 years old and 5' tall. Josie has been following the Atkins program since August of 2002. Her starting weight as 130 pounds and she was then wearing a size 9/10. In just three months Josie reached her goal weight of 115 pounds and goal size of 3/4.

Trish Z. from Buffalo, New York, is 5' 1" tall. "That is, on a good day," Trish laughed. Trish began her low carb journey following the Atkins plan, but for the last twelve months has primarily been following the Stillman program. "I bounce back to Atkins for a weekend here and there for my sanity," she explained with a smile.

Robin from Portland is 30 years old and 5' 6" tall. Robin has been following the Stillman Diet program since August 2, 2002, and in just nine months has shrunk from 330 pounds and a size 28/30 to 186 pounds and size 12! Even her shoe size has shrunk from 9 1/2 wide to 8 1/2 medium! Robin's goal is to weigh 170 and wear a size 10.

Linda from the United Kingdom is 45 years old and 5' 6" tall. Linda has been following the Atkins program since March 27, 2003. She has lost 46 pounds so far, dropping from a high of 233 pounds to her current weight of 187 pounds. She has lost 46 pounds so far, dropping from a high of 233 pounds to her current weight of 187 pounds. Linda's dress size has dropped from a size 22 to a 16. Her goal is to weight 168 and wear a size 14.

Peggy Lee from Maryland is 54 years old and 5' 1" inch tall. Peggy Lee has been following the Atkins program since July 1, 2002, and has plummeted from 325 pounds to 180 pounds! When Peggy Lee began, she wore size 24/26 and is now wearing size 16s. Peggy Lee's goal is to weigh 140 pounds and wear a size 12.

Anne from Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia is 61 years old and 5' 4" tall. Anne has been following the Atkins program since October of 1999, and has dropped from her high weight of 246 pounds and top size of 24 to a current low weight of 173 pounds and is now wearing a size 12.

We've been talking about diet medications, and most recently, about Fen/phen. There seems to be a constant hunt for chemicals that will make one slim. Today we'll take a look at some of the herbal preparations for obesity that are vying for our consumer dollars.