Changing Habits – How successful will you be?
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of education to improve diet in family members of hospitalized cardiovascular disease patients. They used the stages of change questionnaire to determine participant’s readiness to reduce saturated fat intake.
Participants were divided into 2 groups. One group was the control (received no education) and one group received special intervention with diet education tailored to each individuals starting “stage of change”.
At the start of the study, cholesterol and saturated fat intake was lowest for participants in the maintenance phase. After 1 year, participants in the special intervention group saw the greatest reductions in cholesterol and saturated fat intake. This group was also less likely to revert to a prior stage of change. For example, they were less likely to go from “action” back to “contemplation”.
Why am I sharing this study?
5 Stages of Change – Where do you fall?
If you are overweight or obese it’s necessary to make diet and lifestyle changes to lose weight and reduce your health risks. However, this means changing your habits.
If you typically grab fast food for lunch are you willing to switch and start packing a well balanced lunch instead?
If you include very little physical activity in your daily routine are you willing to shift your priorities to fit in physical activity?
Just how great is your desire to lose weight? Is it enough to change your habits?
Hormone Treatment Linked to Increased Risk of Dying from Breast Cancer
Next Thursday Dr. Shelby-Lane will be speaking with Dr. Eldred Taylor to discuss the controversial issue of breast cancer and hormone therapy in a call titled “It’s not Just Hormones.”
When: Thursday, October 28, 2010
Time: 8 PM eastern until 9:30 PM eastern (www.time.gov)
Host: Cynthia Shelby-Lane, MD
Special Guest: Dr. Eldred Taylor
Cause: Breast Cancer Awareness Discussion
Register to participate at http://www.conversationswithdrshelbylane.com/causes.html
Here’s a little background information on Dr. Taylor:
Continue reading
Dieting and Vitamin Losses
Did you know when you diet you are frequently sacrificing vitamins and minerals?
When you diet, you don’t just cut calories, you also reduce your intake of vitamins and minerals.
Standford University researchers evaluated the effects of different diets (Atkins, Zone, LEARN, and Ornish) of 300 overweight and obese women. The women reduced their daily caloric intake by 500 calories and all women reduced their overall vitamin and mineral intakes. Vitamin E was reduced the most – 65%.
Researchers were surprised to note that women following the Zone diet actually saw an increase in vitamin A, E, and K intake and no reduction in other nutrients.
When losing weight it’s important to not compromise your overall health. The best bet is a balanced weight loss plan you can stick with long term.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
https://lisanelsonrd.com
Tips to increase HDL cholesterol
Raising HDL cholesterol levels is not too difficult, but it may involve lifestyle changes. Here are 4 steps you can take to boost HDL levels:
1. Exercise regularly – the more, the better
2. Increase your intake of fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids
3. Lose weight and/or maintain a health weight
4. Stop smoking
Be sure to sign up for the e-course How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps at http://lowercholesterolwithlisa.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://hearthealthmadeeasy.com
Are you eating your fruits and vegetables?
According to a recent telephone survey we are eating even fewer fruits and vegetables than we were 10 years ago.
Why worry so much about fruit/vegetable intake?
