This is a new medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of overweight and obesity.  It has come on the market a little over one week ago.  It is a combination of 2 different drugs:  1. Phentermine-an appetite suppressant available for over many years. and 2. Topiramate- a medication used for prevention of migraines [...]

I’ve been involved in some discussion recently about exercise and how is relates to weight loss or fat loss.  The media has been reporting recently about studies involving exercise and the role it plays in respect to adolescents but the same principles apply to adults as well.  I want to relate some information that may [...]

Belly fat Abdominal obesity or mid line belly fat has been known to be linked to increased risk of heart disease.  This isn’t new information, just reaffirming what we already knew.  What drives belly fat?  Sugar and the increased insulin levels that result from consumption.  So if you want “six pack” abs, more crunches and [...]

I’ve recently read several published studies in the medical literature concerning the effect of exercise on weight loss.  They all have the same theme and I am really bothered by the conclusions of these studies. The common themes are: A. 90% of “exercise” studies use walking as the exercise.  They usually quantify the exercise by [...]

I think this is a step in the right direction.  No laws or legislation against sugar, just a public message that speaks the truth about sugar and sugary drinks.  This message isn’t only to children, but all of us. Letter

There are many food items that are widely believed to be healthful but in reality are not.  You must be very careful and scrutinize the labels of all foods. 1. Low Fat:  Includes dairy and desserts most commonly.  Most of these items add sugar to make them taste good. 2. Whole grain bread, pasta, crackers, [...]

New guidelines for obesity treatment I used to tell patients to exercise more and eat less.  It doesn’t work.  Don’t count calories.  Don’t measure food amounts.  Just eat real food.  Eliminate the processed, grain based or sugar based foods with no nutritional value.  Don’t worry about fat, worry about sugar.  Become a well oiled metabolic [...]

In the last year there has been much media coverage of a growing childhood obesity problem in this country.  Along with that comes the usual litany of advice so I want to pass along a few brief tips.  Children and adolescents are very vulnerable and emotional so you have to be very careful in how [...]

New Diet Study This of course is what we here at Sarasota Wellness have been teaching, that calories viewed in quantity is not the issue, it is the quality.  The secondary benefit when you consume real food as opposed to processed refined grains and sugars is the nutrient content of essential vitamins and minerals.