Skim Milk Does Not Protect Against Weight Gain

Skim Milk Does Not Protect Against Weight Gain

by | Apr 3, 2013 | Family, Health and Wellness, Natural Weight Loss, Weight Loss

Low Fat, fat free and diet food and beverage products do not have a very good track record at helping people lose weight or keep it off. At Optimal Body Balance, we know this. We believe that healthy fat must be part of a well-balanced diet. You have to eat fat to lose fat. You also have to eat fat for your brain to function effectively, to create necessary hormones, to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and to be a happy person. Fat free dairy is a huge thing in our society. Almost any doctor or dietitian you talk to will say that fat free dairy is the way to go — never buy the full fat version. Recently though, there have been a few interesting studies about fat free milk vs whole milk and weight gain in children  (more…)

Managing Chronic Pain and Arthritis Through Nutrition

Managing Chronic Pain and Arthritis Through Nutrition

by | Mar 26, 2013 | Natural Pain Relief, Natural Remedies, Naturopathic Health, Nutrition

Most of us will have some physical pain throughout our lives (i.e., we fall down, injure ourselves playing sports, etc.). Everyone is also familiar with the typical sensations that go along with those injuries – heat, soreness, swelling and pain. These natural responses by the body to physical injury help with the healing process. However, over time, chronic inflammation can be bad for your health. Luckily, Mother Nature has given us many ways that we can help our body in the healing and recovery process and minimize the pain and discomfort that accompany them. (more…)

Skim Milk Does Not Protect Against Weight Gain

What’s your Diabetes Risk?

by | Mar 25, 2013 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Health and Wellness, Natural Weight Loss, Physical Activity, Underlying Metabolic Imbalances, Weight Loss

Last week, federal health officials reported that only 11% of the 79 million Americans who have pre-diabetes know that they are at increased risk. At Optimal Body Balance, we talk about diabetes and insulin resistance all the time, and we know that everyone has some degree of insulin resistance. In fact, our entire eating plan is designed to balance blood sugar and prevent insulin resistance.  (more…)

Chemistry of a Craving – Part 2 of 3

Chemistry of a Craving – Part 2 of 3

by | Feb 26, 2013 | Eating Naturally, Natural Remedies, Natural Weight Loss, Naturopathic Health

In Part 1 of The Chemistry of a Craving, we established that brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are responsible for those strong, urge-type cravings (especially for sweets and soda) that control many people. The basic biochemistry goes something like this: the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine are involved in controlling your mood, as well as the appetite center of your brain.  When your body senses that it doesn’t have enough serotonin, it tries to make more. In order to increase serotonin levels in the brain, your body needs more of the amino acid tryptophan, the major precursor of serotonin. (more…)