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by Sheila | Oct 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
In the last post we started discussing artificial sweeteners with a focus on aspartame. This post will focus on sucralose, also known as Splenda, and acesulfame K.
Splenda is a relatively new sweetener that has become very popular and is advertised as being “made from sugar.” What Splenda is, is a sugar molecule with three chlorine molecules attached to it. The attached chlorines, make Splenda too large for our bodies to break down properly, so we are unable to get any calories from it. Because Splenda is engineered so that it doesn’t break down, it travels through your digestive tract whole. The molecule is irritating to the digestive tract and can cause immune reactions and diarrhea among other discomforts. On the other hand, if the Splenda does break down, which inevitably some of it will, chlorine is released into your body which can cause health problems such as reduced growth rates, enlarged liver and kidneys and cancer. A lot more research and testing needs to be done on Splenda. There have only been SIX human trials to date with the sweetener and the longest one only lasted THREE months! Another concern with Splenda is that at least 15% of the sweetener is not excreted by the body in an appropriate time. Meaning it’s still in the body somewhere but we don’t know where it goes or what it does. Yikes!
Acesulfame K is another sweetener with very limited human studies. This sweetener contains methylene chloride which is a carcinogen. Methylene chloride can cause headaches, depression, nausea, mental confusion, liver effects, kidney effects, visual disturbances and cancer in humans. That is a pretty heavy list.
Even more concerning is the use of artificial sweetener blends containing multiple different kinds of sweeteners in one product. No research has been conducted on what effects these blends could have in our bodies and there’s no way to tell how these compounds will react with one another. Time and money would be well spent in further research of these sweeteners. Until that research has been conducted it might be a good idea to steer clear of artificial sweeteners.
What are your thoughts are artificial sweeteners? Do you use them? Avoid them? Keep an eye out for our concluding post about why these sweeteners cause weight gain and some great alternatives to artificial sweeteners.
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by Sheila | Oct 22, 2010 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Natural Weight Loss, Uncategorized
When trying to lose weight, the majority of people will opt to replace their favorite sodas with the diet versions to cut calories out of their daily intake. In theory, this makes sense and sounds like a good idea. BUT when you look at the research, studies have shown over and over again that drinking soda, both regular and diet, encourages weight gain! What is it about diet sodas that is contributing to weight gain? The artificial sweeteners. Sugar is what gives regular soda its calories, in order to be a diet soda, the sugar has to be removed and it is replaced by artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners are engineered compounds that don’t give us any calories. Aside from unexpected weight gain, artificial sweeteners have many other negative health effects.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is found in a wide variety of food and drink. It is also known as Equal, Nutrasweet and Sugar Twin. Aspartame does provide calories when consumed but it is up to 220 times sweeter than sugar. This means very very small amounts are used for sweetening in food products and amounts this small provide virtually zero calories. Even though teeny tiny amounts are being used, aspartame is the most controversial artificial sweetener. 70 % of complaints to the Food and Drug Administration are due to aspartame. Aspartame causes neurotransmitter imbalances. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in your brain that travel to different parts of your body and tell it what to do. They also affect mood, sleep, weight and concentration. Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter which means it calms the brain and creates balance. Aspartame decreases serotonin levels leading to cravings for carbohydrates (sugar!), insomnia, body temperature changes, headaches and migraines, seizures and moodiness. It also causes an increase in the excitatory neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters stimulate the brain. An increase causes anxiety, dizziness, memory loss, spasms, muscle pain, tinnitus (a ringing in the ears) and blurred vision.
When consumed during pregnancy, aspartame can have lasting effects on the baby. It can lead to mental retardation, impaired vision and birth defects as well as behavioral, emotional and learning difficulties.
In the OBB program, we know that one of the main areas of weight loss resistance is neurotransmitter imbalances. Having the wrong balance of neurotransmitters with not only prevent you from losing weight but also could be causing you to gain more weight. Even if you are not trying to lose weight, knowing about the negative effects of aspartame should make you reconsider some food and beverage choices.
Check back soon for more information on artificial sweeteners — spenda/sucralose and acesulfame K — as well as an explanation of what goes on in your body when you consume these sweeteners and some suggestions on what you should try in place of diet soda!
by Sheila | Oct 20, 2010 | Natural Weight Loss, Uncategorized
You always wonder….hey….how are they doing NOW?! Everytime I look at before and after pictures (usually I’m bawling my eyes out because I LOVE success stories) I wonder – did they keep the weight off?
Happy to announce that Jacquie T. is now down 19 inches and 17 1/2 pounds of fat off. You can check out her story on this video – but she has new bragging stats! Way to go Jacquie!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqJnk_GPXpE
by Sheila | Oct 15, 2010 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Natural Weight Loss, Uncategorized
Dawn’s Story
15 pounds and 17 inches in 13 weeks!
Dawn before the OBB program
Dawn after 13 weeks!
“Here I am in week 13 of Sheila’s Weight Loss Program at Natural Path Health Center.
Who would of “thunk” that the answer to so many of our weight loss problems would be solved by something as simple as “clean eating”? Seriously? Yea, seriously! Plain and simple, back to the basics.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that easy. Boy did I ever love sugar! Sweets galore, donuts, carrot cake and brownies. I craved all of them, ate all of them and some days would rather just eat a day of sweets.
All the nutrients and protein I needed were obviously missing. It was much easier after I had a blood test named LRA by ELISA/ACT. I found that I had several food sensitivities. After cutting these out of my diet, within only 1 week I lost inches in my midsection. If I cheated and ate some of my strong sensitivities I paid for it. Runny nose, dry throat, being tired and puffy all came back within almost ½ an hour of eating these foods.
Some I had a clue on bothering me, others I had no idea. For instance: Lemons… I love lemons and always put them in my water, and used in cooking. Cottonseed Oil… was in my coffee creamer, now I know why I was belching after having my coffee. Cottonseed Oil is also in a lot of chocolates and dressings.
I have only lost about 15 pounds, BUT I have lost over 17 inches! I feel so much better, am not puffy, tired or sore. I have a much better self – esteem. Sheila has been wonderful and continuously reminds me how far I have come in the changes I have made.
I did not have a lot of money to spend, but after years of going up & down & not losing any weight; I felt I had to finally take the time for me. I cut back on any unnecessary expenses, ate at home just so I could afford the extra testing for my food sensitivities. Every penny spent was well worth it. Finally an answer. Sheila’s program has changed my life and I highly recommend it.
From day one I have not looked at this program as a DIET, rather as a new style of life and trying to eat as clean as possible. You always have a choice on what you put into your body. You just need to decide which consequence you want to live with. I chose loving myself enough to change the way I was living.
Thanks so much Sheila!”
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by Sheila | Oct 13, 2010 | Uncategorized
Happy, Healthy, Holiday Cooking- When:
- Nov. 10, 2010 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Where:
- Whole Foods Teaching Kitchen (register with OBB) – Madison WI
Are you ready for the holiday season? We are! Join us at Whole Foods teaching kitchen to jump in to the spirit eating yummy, healthy, holiday treats.
This class is included in all Optimal Body Balance programs – please reserve your spot early – as this class WILL “sell out” due to space.
Some of the goodies that we are cooking up will be: Coconut Curry Soup, Apple Walnut Salad, Wild Rice, Garlic Green Beans, Sweet Baked Yams, Pomegranate Twist Cocktail, Raw Apple Pie and a few suprises, too! You will not want to miss this hands on class!
Please register by calling 608.274.7044 x 12 to save your spot
by Sheila | Oct 12, 2010 | Natural Weight Loss, Uncategorized
MB’s story
21 pound of fat and 19 inches in 13 weeks!
“Before I started the program I thought I was eating healthy but I continued to gain weight, mostly in the belly area and never was able to get rid of it. When I started the program I had my doubts mostly because of the cost. In fact because of the cost I tried to follow everything Sheila suggested during the 13 weeks. I no longer doubt what Sheila and the Optimal Body Balance Program can do for you. I first thought how hard it would be to eat four meals a day starting with a smoothie for breakfast and making sure I ate enough protein and two vegetables every time I ate and add fruit to three of those meals and one carb for the entire day. It actually became routine and I rarely was hungry. In fact I have been off the program now for a week and I don’t even think twice about sticking to the four meals a day. During the 13 week program I lost 21.5# of fat,19 overall inches, 6 below the belly button and 18.6 total pounds of weight. I would recommend the program to everyone, it not only helps you lose weight but helps you feel and look healthy. I also had my cholesterol re-checked and my numbers improved by over 20 points.”
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by Sheila | Oct 11, 2010 | Areas of Weight Loss Resistance, Gut Dysbiosis, Uncategorized
It’s tough to host a dinner party these days, given everyone’s digestive challenges: No gluten. No dairy. No sugar. No wine or beer with sulfites. What’s going on?
Gastrointestinal experts call it food intolerance, and it’s increasingly an issue. Some estimate that 10 to 25 percent of Americans have a sensitivity to at least one food, while others say the prevalence is much higher.
“Percentages are only guesstimates at this point,” explains Steven M. Dandalides, M.D., a spokesperson for the American College of Gastroenterology and an assistant clinical professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. “Judging by the number of people who come to see us, this seems to be a common problem.”
When seemingly good foods are sidelined, it’s hard not to question whether food intolerance is really a problem of the gut or simply an excuse for picky eaters. New research points to just how common it is — and how to cope if you’re diagnosed.
Intolerance Versus Allergies
To understand what food intolerance is, you first have to understand how it differs from allergies. An allergy is an immune-system response in which your body mistakes a certain food for a harmful invader and creates antibodies to fight it.
Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening — from nausea and hives to shortness of breath and anaphylaxis — and tend to come on immediately. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, only 3 to 4 percent of adults in the U.S. have a true food allergy.
Unlike an allergy, a food intolerance is a response from the gastrointestinal system. When certain foods are poorly absorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream, the result can be symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, or abdominal pain one-half to eight hours after consumption.
Another big difference: Food intolerances are often but not always dose dependent. This means that even if you’re predisposed to intolerance for a food, you can likely eat a certain amount of it without experiencing an unpleasant GI reaction — and that dose varies by individual.
Another misconception: You don’t necessarily have an intolerance if you get gassy and bloated after drinking milk or eating pasta. (Though these days, having a food intolerance seems almost fashionable.) You’ll need to see a medical professional to determine whether you really have a food sensitivity, and if you eliminate suspect foods without seeing a doctor, you’ll likely miss out on vital nutrients.
“If you’re not gluten intolerant, a gluten-free diet is not healthier,” stresses Stefano Guandalini, M.D., a food-intolerance specialist who is director of the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. Restricting your diet unnecessarily can keep you from getting an accurate diagnosis of a more serious condition.
Why the Rise?
There’s been a great deal more food-intolerance research in Europe than in the U.S., yet the cause is still somewhat mysterious. There are a couple of respected hypotheses: One is that as we evolved from hunter-gatherers and began eating foods we produced ourselves, such as wheat and cow’s milk, some of us weren’t able to adapt and developed intolerances.
Other experts say that the food we eat today is too “clean.”
“We don’t get exposed to good bacteria found in places like soil anymore,” says Scot Lewey, D.O., a Colorado Springs gastroenterologist and fellow at the American College of Gastroenterology.
Chemicals purify our water; we don’t eat fresh-picked produce; our meat has been dosed with antibiotics to keep it disease-free. Plus, we’re now more likely to consume commercially processed multi-ingredient foods, increasing the number of potential irritants.
Anxiety and poor lifestyle habits can also take a toll on your GI tract.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, the primary intolerance culprits are foods containing lactose, gluten, and fructose. Here’s how they all break down. If one of these descriptions resonates with you, you might want to make a doctor’s appointment.
Read more at Wholeliving.com: Food Allergy and Intolerance Guide
by Sheila | Oct 10, 2010 | Uncategorized
BV’s Story
9.5 pounds of fat, 21 inches overall and 8 inches around the belly in 13 weeks!
“You know the saying you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, well Sheila has successfully taught this old dog that eating balanced meals is the key to a healthy lifestyle. I truly thought I ate healthy but apparently I wasn’t eating enough protein and balancing it with vegetables, fruit and carbs. Eating four meals a day was difficult at first because I didn’t think I could eat that much. But it got easier and I never seemed hungry so I didn’t snack between meals. She emphasized trying new foods and new recipes to keep your body from becoming sensitive to certain foods by eating them all the time. Wow, I have discovered some great recipes I found on Natural Path’s website. I usually try at least two new recipes a week. I loved the cooking classes and the burst training. During my participation in the 13 week program I lost 9.5 pounds of fat, 21 inches overall inches and 8 inches around my belly. The program was very beneficial and it motivated me to eat balanced meals. I would highly recommend the Optimal Body Balance Program to anyone that wants to get healthy. Balance is the key.”
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by Sheila | Oct 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
Nancy’s Story
31 pounds and 28 inches in 13 weeks!
“For years I have been trying to lose weight, eating “right” and exercising regularly without success. Last fall, I had a couple of friends who lost significant weight by taking a food sensitivity test and cutting out foods that they were sensitive to. After Googling, “food sensitivity tests in Madison, WI,” the only listing I could find was the Natural Path Health Center. After taking the test through Natural Path and finding out that I was sensitive to a dozen things including all of the refined sugars, I set out to eliminate them from my diet.
At about the same time, I learned of the Optimal Body Balance Program and attended a complimentary webinar on weight loss resistance that Dr. Chad Oler and Sheila Robertson hosted. I loved the fact that they talked about the many ways that people can develop a resistance to weight loss and that the OBB program identifies the root causes that are individual to each person’s body chemistry and history. I knew I needed more than to just give up the foods I was sensitive to. Based on this, I decided to sign up for the program and am so glad I did!!
At the beginning of the program, Sheila and I quickly identified the areas that we were going to work on and set out to make some very positive changes. First of all, I gave up all of my food sensitivities including sugar and made some changes to my eating habits, moving to 4 meals per day, in portions that are nutritionally complete based on my body chemistry. I got off to a fast start and lost 12” and 10 pounds of fat in the first 4 weeks!
Sheila is knowledgeable and really fun to work with and I learned so much from her. She has been really great about making sure I set weekly goals and celebrating and supporting my successes. As each week progressed, she encouraged me to try new things and expand my food choices.
Throughout the 13-week program, I learned how to make eating and exercising the most effective way a habit. I also have received an incredible education on nutrition and how to reverse weight loss resistance that I can use for the rest of my life. The cooking classes were excellent and, throughout the program, I learned how to make many tasty new healthy recipes. I also feel awesome, more energetic, lighter and able to embrace life more.
I have now finished the Optimal Body Balance program and I have lost 31 pounds of fat and 28 inches off my body and down 6 dress sizes. I would recommend the program to anyone who is looking for a new outlook on life, to feel healthier, lighter and more confident!”
-Nancy
Nancy before the OBB program
Nancy after 13 weeks!
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by Sheila | Oct 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
Mary’s Story
28 pounds with 24 pounds of body fat and 27 inches in 13 weeks!
“First hand, I know how difficult it is to lose weight I am a firm believer in exercise and wanted to encourage women to give themselves that gift. So about 9 years ago I had taken a job to encourage women to stay healthy, exercise, and eat well. Ironically, myself in the last 5 years found my own health and waistline falling apart, had food cravings, fatigue, sleepless nights, hot flashes, just to name a few, taking a toll on me. My physicals came back normal I kept on doing what I needed to do to stay healthy, eat well, and exercise, but still battling the bulge, fatigue and sleep. I was beginning to believe that this is middle age and had to live with it along with a dream of being the size of good health. But your dreams can come true.
You see I was doing the right things but still having issues until a friend referred me to Dr. Chad Oler and Sheila Robertson. Four words come to mind truly amazing and thank you. Optimal Body Balance was a gift that will always be part of my life. I encourage anyone that is in a rut like I was to try it. I noticed the flavor of food never tasted so good. I am a reborn again “food addict”.
Sheila is so easy to work with and keeps you on track, I have to admit it is not easy to change and the cravings for feel good not so good foods will surface, well we are human and after all grandma’s fresh baked goods want attention but this program helps. Keep with it and in a short time the cravings are held at bay and the good food wins and your taste buds thank you. Learn why this may be happening to you.
Having a solution to a cause is worth its weight in gold as in my case with the neurotransmitter imbalances, lack of sleep, and insulin resistance restored helped the quality of my life.
I am enjoying a more vibrant, happy, and healthy life. I have noticed a change in my body and outlook overall as well as others noticing it in me and it feels so good.
In thirteen weeks I feel Grrrreat, sleeping better, fatigue has lessened, no more hot flashes and an added bonus in a loss of 28 lbs with 24 lbs of body fat and 27 inches.
Dream it: Then live it.”
-Mary
Mary before the OBB program
And Mary after the 13 weeks!
