There seems to be so many articles in magazines and online relating to health and weight loss. I know I find when reading articles that many contradict one another and it is usually based on who is conducting the study. There is a recent post about milk, there was a comment on milk and its relationship to weight loss but someone else posted that a large part of these studies are funded by the dairy industry. You can read one article touting the benefits of a food/drink/exercise routine and then read another one(sometimes in the same publication) that contradicts everything you just read. I have often found this confusing and am very skeptical when reading many articles.
For today's homework:
1. What publication/online site do you most rely on for health related issues?
2. What is the best advice you have ever gotten from one of these articles and how have you applied it to your own journey towards better health?
3. What is the CRAZIEST recommendation you've ever read or the weirdest study done in one of these articles? Wishing everyone a great weekend!!! Jill
I have no specific goal(s) right now. I am trying to find the spiritual side of myself that I lost somewhere along the way.
1. What publication/online site do you most rely on for health related issues? I like this site. Although different things work for different people everyone is so helpful and supportive.
2. What is the best advice you have ever gotten from one of these articles and how have you applied it to your own journey towards better health? Don't beat yourself up verbally or mentally and get back to eatting right and exercising as soon as you can. No excuse is worth putting it off.
3. What is the CRAZIEST recommendation you've ever read or the weirdest study done in one of these articles? I think the articals on jumpstarting your metab. are crazy- no one seems to have a clear cut way. Wishing everyone a great weekend!!! They are calling for snow here.
I feel like a "cheater" again, but Jill used my answer. I really feel that one of the reasons I come to this site is the immensse amount of information and the lively discussions about what others are read. My own personal Reader's Digest.
I do have to admit, however, that I also like the Mayo Clinic site. My brother had some questions about something he felt that I had some experience with. I referred him the the Mayo Clinic site.
I have a little different tangent on this that might be pertinent for some newbies. I used this sort of constant contradiction in the current health 'wisdom' as an excuse for a long time to do nothing. Somewhere in my head, I had convinced myself that since they couldn't get their ducks in a row, it gave me permission to say 'who knows if it'd work anyway'. At some point I recognized the self defeating stuff in there (can you say ALL OR NONE...good grief) and decided that I would attack things from the angle of the long-standing wisdom and overriding messages. For me, that was:
1. Drink water. All the way back to my childhood I remember my mom counting glasses of water when she dieted. I knew also that dehydration is prevalent in the US as a rule from other information and I knew the dry climate I lived in was an issue. Seemed a reasonable choice that hasn't really been contradicted (even the folks that disagree it has to be water still recognize you need those fluids). I am convinced this is the significant change that improved my IBS-like issues.
2. Fruits and Veggies- Have yet to find a single study that says eat fewer fruits and veggies. They might argue about what it does and doesn't do for you but even if 1/2 the things are true that they think it is (besides maintaing weight loss obviously) then it seems like a smart plan.
3. Exercise- Again, lots of rigamaroll about how much, what, etc. but no one's saying don't do it.
I too like the CSPI paper newsletter. Best $10 I spend a year. I am a contractor for the CDC so I was a skeptic before (see above) but I've learned a lot about study design and statistics and I know to take all that stuff with a giant hunk of skepticism and I now know where to look for holes in study design, etc.
I have to say I've gotten some of the best advice/ideas right here on this site from the experiences we've all had and shared. I do like a lot of the Cooking Thin articles as well. I especially like when they have an article focusing on a specific sport/activity, explaining what equipment is needed, how to get started, a training program and what the benefits are.
I think the best advice I've gotten would have to be to lose "all or nothing" thinking. This has been such a huge help to me.
The craziest thing I've seen or read: Completely liquid diets Jill
I have no specific goal(s) right now. I am trying to find the spiritual side of myself that I lost somewhere along the way.
...If it was one thing I learned from college stats is that you can manipulate data to say almost anything!...
In addition, one thing that I remember is "correlation does not mean causation".
Just because two things are correlated, doesn't necessarily mean that there is a cause-effect link.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,
Originally posted by GoingSkiing: The report we saw on that study had an "expert" comment on it (who was significantly overweight) and he basically concluded that the study showed that life is short, eating low fat doesn't work and, what the heck, eat what you want. It was pretty awful. It was one of the major networks nightly news.
I think this is the case of "Give the people what they want." Unfortunately, these news items on all the studies are designed to entertain and not inform. The average viewer could easily decide you might as well just give up trying to understand it all.
1. What publication/online site do you most rely on for health related issues? Rather than trying to understand every trend and follow along with the "eggs were good, then bad, now they're good again" stuff, I just focus on the basics. People get hung up on the details like, "almonds or walnuts?" rather than the big issues like exercise and portion control. I think the best source for weight loss guidance is the National Weight Control Registry. A lot of the findings are summarized in easy form in Thin for Life. I read magazines like Shape and its cousins but don't get too hung up in following all the study results.
2. What is the best advice you have ever gotten from one of these articles and how have you applied it to your own journey towards better health? For me, one of the best recent things I've read is the study on peanut butter that Kathleen cited in the daybook (I also saw it cited elsewhere) about the benefits of peanut butter. Only because I always put peanut butter on my toast and was wondering if I should switch to something lower fat. Since I don't have a problem with portion control, I decided to stick with the peanut butter. So I am more likely to follow the studies that tell me things I want to hear, just like everyone else.
3. What is the CRAZIEST recommendation you've ever read or the weirdest study done in one of these articles? Prevention magazine took the information on peanut butter (discussed above) and went crazy with it by making up a "Peanut Butter Diet" where you had peanut butter in every meal and snack. That seemed pretty nuts to me (I know, terrible pun).
----------- Jen
Posts: 2872 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by Bee: Very timely homework! I was just talking about this with my dh last night after hearing that recent study that GMA was talking about regarding low fat diets not impacting heart disease.
I don't always trust when studies are reported on shows such as Good Morning America or the evening news.
Due to time restraints they edit out info or the person writing and/or reprorting the information may have no science background at all.
The report we saw on that study had an "expert" comment on it (who was significantly overweight) and he basically concluded that the study showed that life is short, eating low fat doesn't work and, what the heck, eat what you want. It was pretty awful. It was one of the major networks nightly news.
I looked it up that night on WebMd (which also has to edit a LOT) and the study was not as dismal as that news report would make it seem. The webMd report was way more balanced (IMHO ).
Denise
Posts: 9221 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Re: water - Every single person is different. How much you need depends on how much fruit and vegs you eat. Depends on the climate. Depends how much you exercise.
Both the Mayo Clinic and WebMd say that your fluids can come from a variety of sources and milk, juice, tea, coffee (even caffeine) - it all counts towards your daily fluid intake - although they both state the benefits of drinking water.
Very timely homework! I was just talking about this with my dh last night after hearing that recent study that GMA was talking about regarding low fat diets not impacting heart disease.
Like almost every other study, when you get into the meat and bones of things, you find all the flaws.
If it was one thing I learned from college stats is that you can manipulate data to say almost anything!
I'm definitely in the skeptics camp about almost everything I read.
My most trusted source is CSPI and the New England Journal of Medicine. I also like the American College of Sports Medicine's site.
I do have to say that I loved when I saw dark chocolate on a list of top 10 super foods due to the antioxidants : )
As for craziest studies - there have just been too many to even pick just one.
Basically though I think that common sense and moderation is the way to go.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Most magazines are often trying to sell magazines and take advertising $$$ from companies that make claims that are not true and may print articles that are not backed up by science.
Denise
Posts: 9221 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
1. What publication/online site do you most rely on for health related issues?
I like Health and Eating Well magazines. I also like the Nutrition Action Newsletter (I think that's the right name) that's put out by Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
2. What is the best advice you have ever gotten from one of these articles and how have you applied it to your own journey towards better health?
I read that eating a few almonds per week could aid weight loss and started to add a sprinkle of sliced almonds to my cereal in the morning. Interestingly enough, this is when I STOPPED losing weight! hehe And I only use a sprinkle, too! The CSPI newsletter gives great information about what the best (lowfat/low sodium, etc.) products are in each category and will alert you when a product is making a health claim that isn't true. VERY helpful.
3. What is the CRAZIEST recommendation you've ever read or the weirdest study done in one of these articles?
I have seen a lot of wacky health claims but can't say that any one jumps out at me. Though there are these infomercials on the radio on Sunday mornings while I'm doing laundry that drive me so nuts that I've had to turn off the radio while I'm prepping laundry. One is for a "take this and go to bed and wake up skinny" pill and one is for a "take this and lose weight AND get rid of your wrinkles" pill.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Good homework! I look forward to the wealth of info that will be shared.
1. I am a very committed Cooking Light subscriber and love their articles. I also trust their recipes because they call for normal available ingredients, are flavor (not fat)focussed without being anti-fat. They also present both sides of the health story quite well when they highlight issues and products.
2. I have incorporated more brightly colored veggies into my diet based on articles I've read about the powerful vitamins and antioxidants in dark greens, oranges, and red veggies. I never cared for sweet potatoes until I read how many great benefits they held.
3. I saw a recipe the other day for a coffee facial scrub made from the grounds of your morning coffee, and sugar, etc. Gross!
Lynne
Posts: 1104 | Location: NH | Registered: February 28, 2005
I make it a habit to accept half of what I read as truth and half of it as bunk. Skeptical, yes. Very. I know that drinking 64 oz of water is not healthy for me. I am a person with High Blood Pressure and on a diuretic. If I drink that much water, I wash out of my system the very meds that are keeping my pressure where it is supposed to be. My maximum water intake is more around 50 ounces. How do I know that, I took a test at the hospital which showed what my maximum intake should be. I trust that test.
I've read articles that say you have to exericise a minimum of two hours a day to get anything out of exercise. Well, I don't have an hour a day. I have 1 hour a day and I use those....but intensity for this article is not going to be reached. And that's sad. I went from being a real couch potatoe to doing something. That alone has helped to make me feel better, loose weight and keep book sugars down. YIPEE! I am a happy camper.
I've read articles that say you have to do strengthening training/lifting weights. Well that doesn't work for someone with arthritis, so are we doomed. Nope water walking, swimming and biking.
So in essence I take what fits me, if it works for me, it's fine. If not, it's out the window with the garbage.
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3473 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by jillybean: I have often found this confusing and am very skeptical when reading many articles. Jill
I know just how you feel. I even read an article written by someone who claimed to be a doctor that said you did not need to drink water. Any liquid was ok.
When reading articles (especially about research studies) I try to find out who funded the studies. My daughter says I am a born skeptic .
There is an old saying that says; "Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you read."
There is a doctor that says that the claim that you "Have to drink 64 oz. of water a day" is all hype. He doesn't say that you don't have to drink water at all. What he claims is that there is no scientific basis for the 64 oz. a day. He goes on to say that other drinks and foods have water in them, and that that should count toward your water intake. For example, milk is mostly water, strawberries, watermelon and other fruits and vegetables are mostly water. So, what he is saying is that unless the product has caffiene, you can count it toward water intake. He also says that as as long as you are urinating about every 2 hours and that it is fairly clear, then you are sufficiently hydrated.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4533 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by jillybean: I have often found this confusing and am very skeptical when reading many articles. Jill
I know just how you feel. I even read an article written by someone who claimed to be a doctor that said you did not need to drink water. Any liquid was ok.
When reading articles (especially about research studies) I try to find out who funded the studies. My daughter says I am a born skeptic .
There is an old saying that says; "Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you read."
to everyone!
They might argue about what it does and doesn't do for you but even if 1/2 the things are true that they think it is (besides maintaing weight loss obviously) then it seems like a smart plan.