November 6th 2023
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Wellness Mama Blog | Simple Answers for Healthier Families
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I’m talking with Dr. Christy Sutton today, a physician from the Dallas Texas area who is interested in asking why health problems happen and finding the safest, best solutions to common problems. Getting to the root of the problem is the foundation of her writing, teaching, and clinical practice. This stems from her personal experience …
The potato diet (aka the potato hack) is precisely what it sounds like: a sketchy fad diet that claims to help you shed pounds fast. Yawn. Haven’t we been down this fad diet road before?
Forget the tater tots, chips, fries, or grandma’s au gratin. The potato diet has one item on the menu: plain white potatoes. No condiments, no seasoning, and not much evidence to back up its claims. What it does have is a bunch of potentially harmful downsides, so let’s get to the root of this root vegetable diet craze.
Photography by Yulia Reznikov/Getty Images
What is the potato diet?
The potato diet offers a simple game plan: eat nothing but cooked potatoes.
Your daily objective is to devour two to five pounds of potatoes without oils or condiments. Boil or bake them with the skin to preserve vital nutrients.
Here are some tips:
Stay hydrated with water, and if needed, sip some tea or black coffee.
Ease up on the exercise. Do some light movement or walking instead.
Take any meds as you usually would, but skip the supplements for the duration of the diet. (Def talk to your healthcare provider about this first, though.)
Can you lose weight on a potato diet?
Here’s the ruse — If you eat two to five pounds of potatoes for three to five days, you’re consuming far fewer calories than you usually would. So, you’re going to drop weight by simply eating less.
Potatoes contain protease inhibitors, a group of chemicals that tell the body to release more hormones that make you feel full. But other than that, there’s no real science to support that eating potatoes specifically helps you lose weight fast.
For long-term weight loss results, a three to five-day potato diet is not the way to go. Though they’re cheap and packed with fiber, potatoes alone will not provide enough protein and essential nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy body.
Is the potato diet safe?
As we mentioned, there’s not a lot of protein in potatoes. Some of the weight you lose while on the potato diet will likely be muscle mass. Studies show that eating enough protein is especially important when trying to lose weight because it helps preserve muscle. That’s not really the point of a diet, right?
Also, potatoes are low in many super important micronutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. The one-two punch of muscle loss and low micronutrient intake isn’t good for your overall health.
Also, potatoes have a high glycaemic index (GI). That means they cause your blood sugar to spike. And what comes after a spike? A good old blood sugar crash, haywire energy levels, and hangry cravings.
In the long run, crash diets like the potato diet might help you drop a few pounds in the short term, but you’ll probably gain all the weight back once you reintroduce other types of food. The best bet is to talk to your doctor to really figure out some long-term strategies for getting healthy and staying healthy.
PSA: Always consult your doctor before you make any major changes to your diet.
Takeaway
The potato diet is like a magic trick without the magic. If you eat nothing but plain white potatoes for three to five days, you might lose a few pounds in the short term, but you’ll also put your body at risk.
Your muscle mass will shrink, essential nutrients will go AWOL, and your blood sugar will go a little batty. For lasting health, consult a doctor to find a science-backed diet plan for your unique needs.
Read the full article here:
https://greatist.com/health/potato-diet
Have you come across the term “Ozempic face” lately? This trendy expression describes the potential sagging of facial skin as a side effect of semaglutide medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
But in reality, semaglutide’s effect on your face is similar to what can happen with any quick weight loss program. So, let’s delve into what Ozempic actually does for your skin.
Photography by Svetlana Repnitskaya/Getty Images
What does Ozempic do to your face?
Semaglutide drugs are intended to help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. But when you take Ozempic, you might also experience weight loss as a side effect. In a 2021 study, people who took Ozempic for over 15 months lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight.
When you lose weight quickly, it can change your facial appearance. With slower weight loss, the skin gradually contracts as fat recedes. Rapid weight loss, on the other hand, doesn’t allow for this slow, smooth transition. The potential result: excess skin that sags or wrinkles easily.
But despite the rather ominous sound of the term “Ozempic face,” you can rest assured that using this or other semaglutide drugs won’t change your face shape or bone structure. (Whew!)
Does losing weight change your face?
We store fat all over our bodies, from our faces to our feet. On any weight loss program, your fat cells shrink, leading to the appearance of less fullness in your tissues. While we’d all probably like to laser-beam our weight loss efforts toward trouble spots like our bellies or thighs, we can’t control the parts of the body where we lose fat. For some people, fat loss and firmness are more noticeable in the face.
With less fat underneath your skin, the signs of aging can appear more prominently on your face. After significant weight loss, you may notice that fine lines and wrinkles are more pronounced. Or, again, you might also see more noticeable sagging. If you’re in middle age or older, these effects might be especially distinct since people in these stages of life have less natural skin elasticity.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep “Ozempic face” from rearing its ugly, well, face. Prevention is your best bet. If you’re on Ozempic or any other semaglutide for weight loss, talk to your doctor about how to keep the process slow and steady.
On the other hand, if rapid weight loss has already affected your facial appearance, you may consider restoring fullness with dermatological fillers, microneedling, or even a surgical procedure like fat transfer.
What is the biggest side effect of Ozempic?
Though Ozempic can do wonders for health conditions like diabetes and obesity, it’s not without side effects.
Nausea is another primary side effect people report while on semaglutides. Other GI disruptions like vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain are also fairly common.
Besides the loose facial skin you might experience from rapid Ozempic-related weight loss, other uncomfortable outcomes are also possible. In addition to Ozempic face, some people report Ozemic butt.
If you experience side effects from Ozempic, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider. And even if you don’t have any adverse symptoms, check in regularly with your doctor about how the drug is working for you.
Takeaway
Ozempic face isn’t dangerous, and it certainly won’t alter your bone structure or face shape. But being on semaglutides could change the look of your face due to rapid weight loss. If possible, take your Ozempic-assisted weight loss at a slower pace to maintain your lovely, youthful glow.
Read the full article here:
https://greatist.com/health/ozempic-face
Are you curious about the idea of using weight loss medications but don’t know how to ask your doctor for them? You’re not alone! But don’t worry! In this guide, you’ll learn how to approach this conversation with confidence.
Here are practical tips to help you discuss the possibility of using weight loss pills with your healthcare provider.
Photography by Trevor Williams/Getty Images
How to get doctor to prescribe weight loss pills
Talking to your doctor about your weight can be awkward AF. To get the ball rolling, here are some questions to ask:
What is body mass index, and how does it affect my health?
What are the risks of being overweight?
Can you help me set some realistic health goals in terms of losing weight?
Can you recommend specific foods that will help me lose weight?
What are some effective activities or exercises that can help me feel healthier?
What’s the best way to keep the weight off?
Are any of my meds causing me to retain weight?
Is my weight being affected by some other health condition?
Should I maybe consult with a dietician, physical therapist, or mental health professional to help me with my weight issues?
PS: Share any activities, lifestyle changes, or diets that you’ve tried.
What if my doctor says no?
If your doctor doesn’t think you’re a candidate for weight loss meds, it’s probably because of your body mass index (BMI). Usually, weight loss meds are recommended for people with a BMI over 30 or those who have overweight bodies alongside high blood pressure or diabetes.
Another reason your doctor might advise against weight loss pills is if you:
are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
have a health condition such as hypertension, thyroid disorders, seizures, or gastroparesis
What medication can I ask my doctor for to lose weight?
Here’s a quick rundown of the prescription weight-loss medications that have been approved by the FDA:
Semaglutide (Wegovy): A weekly shot for tackling obesity, but it can cause an array of side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.
Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave): It’s a combo drug that is both an antidepressant and an aid to help fight various addictions to smoking, opioids, or alcohol. But watch out for potential blood pressure bumps.
Liraglutide (Saxenda): A daily shot, but it might bring along some nausea and vomiting.
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli): Helps cut fat absorption, but be ready for possible gas and loose stools. Keep your diet low in fat to help ease those symptoms.
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia): Another combo drug that can feel like a stimulant, so be cautious about increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Setmelanotide (Imcivree): A specialized medication that is given for rare inherited obesity conditions. Possible side effects include skin issues, nausea, and emotional ups and downs.
What you should know about weight-loss drugs
When asking your doctor about these weight loss meds, be sure to go over the pros and cons of each one, as the side effects can differ depending on the specific medication you use.
If you take the full dose for 3 to 6 months, weight loss medication usually helps you lose about 5% of your body weight. If your health continues to improve, your doctor might recommend a longer course of medication.
However, if you’re not achieving your desired results, talk to your doctor about alternative medications or adjusting your weight loss strategy. This could involve consulting with a physical therapist, a dietitian, or a mental health professional for a fresh perspective.
Weight loss pill price
Every insurance plan is different, so some might cover the costs. Also, some of the pharma companies that make these drugs offer discounts or coupons directly from their website. But if you’re paying out of pocket, these meds can add up fast.
Takeaway
When exercise and dieting alone don’t seem to do the trick on the scale, weight loss meds can be a real game-changer.
The first step is having an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider. Ask them for the pros and cons of each medication to figure out which one suits you best. And remember, you don’t need to be nervous! Your doctor is there to help.
And if none of them seem like the right fit, don’t sweat it. There are other healthy ways to tackle your weight management journey!
Read the full article here:
https://greatist.com/health/how-to-ask-your-doctor-for-weight-loss-pills
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