Claims are made that radiofrequency, a form of high‐frequency electromagnetic energy, as from radios, cellphones and microwaves, can heat fat cells enough to activate lypolysis, or their breakdown into fatty acids and glycerol. If not consumed for energy, they will be converted back to storage or accumulate in the liver. Despite a recent research review that concluded there is “little evidence to prove [these] effects of [radiofrequency] on adipose tissue,”1 the idea still persists that the...
We have already established that waist trainers, wraps, sauna suits, or hot pants do not help with fat loss. Yet, there is still a persisting idea that the more you sweat the more fat that seeps out of your sweat glands. We do have some 2 to 4 million of these so-called eccrine glands, so that could be a lot of fat lost. But, back when Tone Loc was rocking Funky Cold Medina, some researchers were...
Vinegar has numerous health benefits.2,3 One claim is that it promotes weight loss through the effects of acetic acid. Studies have been done on rats and mice, and most show an effect on weight loss – although several studies do not find any effects. The most recent review on the subject concludes that, “Based on the data available from several animal studies, and 1 double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial, there is scarce evidence for a beneficial action of...
At the request of Ms. Rachel Nanez, we are tackling this question. Here was her text to me: “Heard this on the radio this morning...'whole body vibrators, the new way to lose weight without exercising!’ Apparently there was a study done using rats, and they lost all this weight with body vibrators.” Vibrating Mice Once I shook the visual of vibrating mice, I looked into it. The buzz was most likely related to this study that...
Some recent headlines: How could dust cause obesity? Could house dust be making children FAT? Dust at home could be the major cause of obesity. Can house dust make us fat? Before the idea of fats lurking in the dusty shadows of your floorboards (or belly button lint) goes any further, I wanted to provide a quick clarification of what is really going on. I also wanted to provide a comment from my friend and topic...
The common idea that 1 pound of fat is equal to 3,500 calories most likely comes from original research in the late 1950's on the effects of fasting in obese individuals. Well, it stuck, and is the basis for our current, simple prescriptions for weight loss. The subsequent rule, then, is to expend, 'burn', and/or reduce intake of 3,500 calories to lose a pound of fat. Commonly, this deficit is accomplished by expending and/or cutting 500...
Waist training is the process of wearing a modern take on a Victorian era corset in order to (1) provide an instant slimming, hourglass figure effect, (2) motivate one to improve posture and eat healthier, and (3) eventually, over continued use, physically change the shape of the rib cage (smaller). Several celebrities have made waist training the recent craze, with a number of them taking selfies while wearing the corset, or being caught by the paparazzi...
Vibration machines have been popular for a long time, and most of us probably have an image of the machines that use a belt to vigorously shake our fat away, or steamrollers to flatten fat to smithereens. We have known for quite a while that these contraptions do not work. A review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine states regarding such devices, "the usefulness of coarse vibration devices, often promoted by beauty salons as a...
In the giving Christmas spirit, I wish to protect some of you from a post-holiday purchase of mistletoe extract for your new year's weight loss goals. Articles like this one can catch on like wildfire, sending people rushing to their nearest supplement and vitamin shop. The article's title is: "Kiss goodbye to fat under the mistletoe! Plant could help fight obesity: Mistleoe is not only good for sealing a Christmas kiss...it could hlep fight obesity-related diseases."...
You may have recently learned from several online sources that you have been ruining your metabolism and weight control efforts, simply because you have been drinking water that is room temperature. Their answer: Switch to cold water, and "ignite your body's fat burning furnace". Our question: Is there any truth to this? Where Did This Idea Come From? Prevention.com posted an article "10 Diet Mistakes That Slow Metabolism", which has been reposted on everything from yahoo.com...