Study: Eat This & Burn More Fat !

A new study shows a common salad ingredient could be the key to weight loss. Here’s how to eat away the pounds! - By Colette Bouchez

If you’re old enough to remember platform shoes (the first time around :), disco balls and KC and The Sunshine Band, then you probably also remember one of the hottest weight loss crazes of the 1970's - The Vinegar and Lecithin Diet.

This one combined lecithin supplements, with a spoonful of apple cider vinegar after every meal - and was once touted as the fat burning revelation of the decade. Of course it soon went the way of pretty much all other fat burning revelations : It was replaced by the next big thing.

But if a brand new study is right, then dig out those KC albums and put on your dancin' shoes: That 1970’s weight loss craze may have actually have some merit.

Indeed, a group of Japanese scientists now say that a compound found in vinegar – a natural chemical known as acetic acid – may, in fact, actually help you burn more fat!

In fact, experts say that although the study was conducted on mice, results are so impressive they believe that not only can it translate to humans, it might eventually elevate plain old every day white vinegar to a high status among the few weight loss aids shown to really work.

“We intend to perform further clinical studies to confirm fat pad reduction and energy consumption enhancement by vinegar intake. Moreover, we will investigate the effect of acetic acid on fatty oxidative activation in other organs, particularly skeletal muscles,” wrote the researchers in the latest edition of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

In the study three groups of mice were fed a diet consisting of at least 50% fat. One group received supplementation of 1.5 percent vinegar (high acid), one group received .3% vinegar (low acid) and the third group received plain water.

The result: By the end of the study the mice taking both the high and the low acid vinegars gained about 10% less body fat than the mice who had no vinegar. This, say researchers, indicates that even a little vinegar may do the trick when it comes to fat burning potential.

How Salad Makes You Thin

Since almost the beginning of lettuce-growing time, doctors have known that eating a lot of salads can help you maintain your weight. One reason has to do with the low calorie- high fiber content of salad greens, most of which can help you feel full longer after a meal.

Moreover, if you start your meal with a salad, and give your appetite 10 to 15 minutes before eating your next course you’re likely to eat less – simply because the salad will help your stomach feel fuller on less.

Now, however, experts say that adding a douse of vinegar to your greens actually works to influence genes directly linked to the body's ability to burn fat. Moreover, the acid in the vinegar also works to increase activity of heat generating proteins -also key to the fat burning process.

It short, vinegar “turns up the heat” so your body burns fat faster!

Interestingly, previous studies on a concept known as "thermogenics) have shown that other hot foods, including chilli peppers, also appear to increase fat burning by turning up our metabolic heat. In fact there are some super models I know that won’t eat a bite of food unless it’s smothered in a spicy red pepper! Some have been known to follow every meal with a " pepper and water chaser". ( But don't try this at home unless you're already used to eating very spicy foods since they can be hard on the mouth and tongue and cause extreme gastrointestinal upset or other problems.) ( And if you're already suffering from hot flashes, hot spicy foods definite will make the hot flash worse!).

In addition to the new study on vinegar, previous research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2005 has shown it may also reduce appetite and cut cravings that are linked to spikes in sugar that occur after eating. In this instance it may be particularly helpful to those suffering with insulin resistance, the precursor to type 2 diabetes.

You might also enjoy reading:

New Smart Foods Improve Your Health

New Sweet Fiber Curbs Appetite Boosts Weight Loss

Or visit RedDressDiary.com - THE SOURCE for health and beauty for women over 40!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Cosmetic Safety On The Line

A new book asserts that the rise in breast cancer is directly linked to chemicals in cosmetics and personal care items. But is it true? Here's what you need to know - Colette Bouchez

It seems to be a headline that just won't go away: The safety of cosmetics and personal care is challenged time and again.

Such is the case with a brand new book titled No Family History, (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers) by Sabrina McCormick, PhD, of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in Pennsylvania.

Indeed, according to McCormick, women are being set up for the health hit of a lifetime – and our weapon of mass destruction includes those cute little pink cosmetic bags which, the author says,are frequently filled to the brim with a toxic brew of chemicals that could be making us sick. The effects, say says are compounded daily by exposure to other environmental chemical assaults, from pesticides to household cleaners.

“In our race for a cure for breast cancer, we have ignored the overwhelming body of evidence that demonstrates a link between products from cosmetics to pesticides and breast cancer,” said McCormick.

To bolster her point of view McCormick points to statistics showing that in 1940, approximately one in 24 women who lived to be 80 were likely to get breast cancer – compared to one in eight, which was the figure in 2006. The rise, she says, shows a direct correlation to the rise of the use of chemicals in personal care and other products.

Moreover, it's a point of view shared by an increasing number of experts, including Stacy Malkin, co founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of the book Not Just a Pretty Face ( New Society Publishers).

"Cosmetics and personal care products are potentially major sources of chemical exposure – particularly if you look at the number of items women use and the sheer number of chemicals in them - 20 products, with over 200 chemicals is typical before a woman even walks out the door in the morning," says Malkin.

These chemicals, she says, documented by everyone from the World Health Organization to the Centers for Disease Control, are armed and dangerous, with a slew of health threats that range from cancer to infertility to birth defects and more.

The Beauty Industry Says Safety First

But the beauty industry not only disagrees, they say the alarming accusations are not news – and that these issues have been raised time and time again – with conclusive evidence of harm.

"Many of the issues that are coming up today are, in fact, a recycling of old issues that the FDA considered in their context and decided that no regulatory action was necessary on their part," says John Bailey, executive vice president of science at the Cosmetics Toiletries and Fragrance Association (CTFA), the leading beauty industry organization.

Bailey, the former director of the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, adds that not only are cosmetics and personal care products generally safe, they are, he says, " Safest of all the products consumers will use that are regulated by FDA including foods, drugs, dietary supplements and over the counter drugs and it is well documented in the number of consumer complaints that FDA gets compared to other areas."

And in truth, FDA stats do show that complaints about cosmetics and skin care products are exceedingly small when compared to those registered about over the counter drugs or even prescription medications.

While this may be true, some experts say it's not so much the immediate reactions of these products – the kind the FDA monitors – that gives rise to concerns, but rather the future and cumulative risks to our health that represent the biggest threat.

Younger Women At Greatest Risk

Indeed, studies have shown that some of the chemicals commonly used in cosmetic and skin care products are not only showing up in our blood , but also in our body tissue – in some instances in malignant breast tissue. And while there is still no clear cut link to show that these chemicals caused the malignancy to occur- or spread - some experts believe it's enough of a smoking gun to raise eyebrows – and concern.

"The evidence may not be as definitive as some would like, but there are some strong associations suggesting women routinely exposed to some of these ingredients may increase their risk of developing breast cancer later in life," says Vassar professor Dr. Janet Gray, who, together with experts from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute compiled a report on what we know thus far about the environmental links to breast cancer.

Moreover, Gray explains that it may be our daughters and grandaugthers that could be at greatest risk since, she says, breast cells that are developing ( which they do until about age 25 ) are far more susceptible to chemical influences that those which are already fully grown.

Cancer prevention expert Julia Smith, MD, agrees.

“What worries those of us involved with cancer prevention is that we don't know the cumulative effects of these chemicals, or the synergistic effects of one chemical with another, or what role the chemicals found in cosmetics will play when viewed in the broader scope of the overall chemical exposure we get from all facets of our life, " says Smith, the director of the Lynne Cohen Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program at the NYU Cancer Institute, New York City.

What Women Should Do Now

Certainly, it would be terrific if we had definitive answers about the impact of all the chemicals in our make up bag or even in our environment . But the truth is, we don't. In fact, while McCormick points out the rise in breast cancer rates correlates with the rise of chemicals in our daily life, the truth is, it also correlates with lots of other factors as well – including increasing rates of obesity, increased consumption of junk food, more alcohol and prescription drug use (some of which has already been linked to an increased risk of cancer), as well as more stress. And experts say any and all of these factors can have as many links to breast cancer as chemicals.

So what's a woman' to do? Smith seems to have the most common sense approach.

“Will you get cancer from using a lipstick ? Probably not. But you should think about all the products you use , and view them against the background of everything else in your life including your family history, your diet, and your general environment, then figure out which of these products are still essential to your life ,” Smith says.

If it isn't essential, says Smith, just do it without it – and then use the products you think you do need without excess fear or worry.

“ You do what you can, and hope it might make a positive difference in your life" , she says.

Click here to read Part II: Making Cosmetics Safer: What Every Woman Can Do

Visit RedDressDiary.com: Your Source For Beauty & Health For Women Over 40

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved. The text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Cool Off - With Pillows That Provide Sweet Relief!

Having a hot flash? Or maybe it really is hot in here! Either way a new book takes a look at the latest cache of Cool Pillows . Find out what really works to keep you cool this summer! - By Colette Bouchez

If you thought those heating bills were a strain this winter, experts say we're in for an even greater sticker shock this summer, when those AC electric bills come pouring in!

In fact, with utilities going up nationwide, some predict it's going to be tough keeping cool and paying the mortgage this summer!

If this also happens to be your season of hot flashes and night sweats … well take it from me, you definitely can get into some legal trouble for running naked through the sprinkler system at 2:00 am. And in case you're wondering, menopause is definitely not considered a type of insanity plea ( although I can't see why not! ):)

But the good news is that whether it's hot flashes or night sweats turning up your personal thermostat, you can cut down on those AC bills without having to wear your kids flameproof PJs to bed. The answer : A cache of new pillows designed to keep you cool at night.

Based on a variety of technologies – from cool fibers that literally pull heat from your head, to water chilled inserts designed to lower body temperature, to new types of
“cool foam " that prevent your pillow from holding body heat - at least some of these offings can make a huge difference, particularly when it comes to keeping cool at night.

That said, not every “cool pillow” out there works equally as well – and for some relief may be minimal to none. Indeed, I've found that what you get depends a lot on what you expect – not to mention hot how your hot flash really is!

But to help you decide what might be worth a try, here's a look at the four most popular cool pillows on the market today –what they promise, what they deliver , and what you can expect!

Cool Pillow # 1 : THE CHILLOW
Approximate Cost: $30.00 - $40.00
Size: 21”L -- 13.5”W -- approx 1/2" D with water added
Weight: About 5.5 pounds filled.

The Promise: Using a proprietary technology known as “SmoothSoft” a Chillow is said to combine certain properties of thermodynamics (the science of heat and energy) to pull warmth from your head and release it into the air. This continual releasing of heat allows the Chillow insert to remain cool to the touch at all times.

The Reality: If you’re looking for the icy-cold feel of a snowball against your skin, this isn’t it. In fact, even the maker of The Chillow asserts that the goal of the insert is not to remain super cool all the time, but rather to react with your body temperature, cooling you down only when you need it. So, at the start of the night, when your metabolism is still revved from a day of activity, your head will be hotter- and the Chillow will be cooler. As you approach morning, however, and your body temperature has naturally cooled during the night, the Chillow will be substantially less cool to the touch. So, if somewhere around dawn you get a night sweat, the Chillow is not going to get cold again. In this respect it may be most useful for those who need the most cooling when falling asleep.

Cool Pillow # 2: IsoCool™
Approximate Cost: $25-$29.00
Size: Standard, Queen, King, 3” thick.
Weight: 3 to 4 pounds depending on size

The Promise: Because this pillow acts as a kind of temperature sensor, if you’re too warm the pillow absorbs heat so you feel cooler; if you’re cold, it releases heat and feels warm to the touch. Since IsoCool™ products feature the highest available concentration of micro beads, they claim to be the most effective in this category of pillows – as well as the most comfortable. They're also available in two fills: A spiral-spun polyester and a Viscose-elastic foam.

The Reality: I tried the foam version and found that it did feel cool to the touch. That said, it did warm up relatively quickly – it still remained cooler than most foam pillows but definitely warmer than when I first laid down. That said, if you're looking for an icy blast in the middle of a blazing hot flash, this isn't the pillow for you. Plus the foam version I tried had a very strong "foam odor" so if that bothers you opt for the polyester version.

Cool Pillow # 3: HOT FLASH FRIDGE PILLOW
Approximate Cost: $9.95
Weight – About 4 pounds fully inflated
Size: 11 x 9

The Promise: These pillows are designed to feel cool , even after you are burning up! And while they arrive flat, weighing only a few ounces, once soaked in water, they grow cold and inflate to about 6 inches thick. The outside fabric dries super quickly – and if you wipe it off with a towel it’s dry in less than one minute. But because it’s the crystals inside that absorb the water and hold it, the pillow stays constantly cool. For an extra punch of icy coolness, you can refrigerate the inflated pillow for about a half hour.

The Reality: It's not the most comfortable pillow you'll ever sleep on - equal to a very firm throw pillow - but if it's cool you're looking for, cool you will get! This pillow works - and it stays cool through the night! I’ve also found that if you soak it for less time, it doesn’t inflate as much –so it is softer - One caveat: You can’t wash these pillows with any kind of soap. If soap comes in contact with the crystals (and it can permeate the fabric) it can lead to a skin irritation. But if you simply place it in a pillow case, you shouldn’t have any problems keeping it clean.

Cool Pillow # 4: Cool Thing Pocket Square
Approximate Cost: $14.00- 28.00
Size: 11 x 16
Weight – About 2 pounds

The Promise: This product isn't technically a pillow at all, but rather a thin “pocket square” that, like the Fridge Pillow, contains a type of crystal material that inflates when it's soaked in water . This one, however, gets so cold it stays cold for up to several days. No kidding! It also needs no refrigeration and can be refreshed anytime by simply dipping it in cold water.

The Reality: While it's not a pillow you would use for comfort, ( too thin) I've found that it works wonders when tucked inside a pillow case on top of your own pillow – as a kind of layer of cool next to your face and head. Out of all the “cool pillows” I tried, this one remained cold the longest – pretty much through the night. You can also wash this one in soapy water and it won't harm the crystals.

For more information on these products including where to find them visit RedDressDiary.com.

This blog was excerpted from Colette Bouchez's new book : " The Hot Flash Solution"

You might also be interested in reading:
Eat This And Reduce Hot Flashes
Is the OPRAH EFFECT Good For Women's Health?

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved. In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.