Lose Weight With Proper Nutrition

Losing weight is not an easy work for a fat person but it is not impossible. It depends how serious he or she to lose weight. If you want to lose weight you have to be serious about that and maintain a steady regime. Here we discuss today about how a person can lose weight with the help of proper diet, nutrition and exercise.

Use healthy recipes, well-formulated meal replacements, snack bars, smaller portions and enjoyable exercise times to ensure your best chance of great health, renewed vitality and lots of wellness. Feeling good and looking great are the best enhancers of vitality. It's wonderful to look in the mirror each morning and think 'hey, is that really me'? These feelings however don't come automatically, and they require constant fine-tuning. Family circumstances, financial state, work stress levels and a vast array of other distractions can easily alter our perception.

The nutritional effect on wellness is extensively documented. Our weight levels maintain our vitality, keep us well or alternatively, keep us from becoming unwell. Each of us has an ideal weight (measured by simple things like waist circumference) whereby our levels of vitality are maintained or restored. Energy we put in must be balanced by energy expended. It sounds a rather simple equation but it is one of the biggest challenges we face every day.

Watching our weight gradually increase can be disconcerting. We need to re-balance that energy in/energy out equation. Meal replacements are a gentle and effective way of restoring the energy balance, along with better food options and smaller portions. The size of our meal is probably the most overlooked part of our eating habits. Even a smaller plate, and using smaller utensils, has been shown to help weight adjustment.

Often though we reach a plateau, a time where nothing we do makes a difference. If that happens, your pharmacist can help you make adjustments to your meal replacement strategies and vary your exercise schedule to continue energy expenditure. Exercise helps speed up your metabolism, and is the most effective support your body can use to maximize your great efforts. We allow ourselves to be time challenged - a walk takes us away from our comfort zone, but what it actually does is use energy, help us lift 'feel good' hormones and revitalize our mental capacity.

Nutritional support during weight management is focused on maintaining a balanced supply of the vitamins and minerals needed to ensure your immune system remains strong, and your energy levels remain high. The mineral chromium is an important consideration here because it helps balance our body's use of insulin, thereby balancing our blood sugar levels and reducing our craving of carbohydrates.

Changes in eating behavior are never easy. Simple measures such as 'detoxing' allow your four major digestive organs to function at their most efficient. Your gut, liver, kidneys and bowel need gentle cleansing, so that eating can allow the best absorption of nutrients, and minimize indigestion and bloating.

Health care advice such as well-formulated meal replacements, snack bars, smaller portions and enjoyable exercise ensure your best chance of great health, renewed vitality and optimal body weight.

Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements Dosing Differences Has Opened

If you want to discover the dosing differences in omega 3 fish oil supplements then you need to pay a close attention to the label or website and know what you are looking for. Some oils will offer almost no benefits at all while others can help to keep you healthy. The truth is that many fish oils are poor quality can be partly blamed on their huge popularity, with many companies wanting to cash in on this growing trend.

The whole point of taking fish oils is to get the valuable omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These help to provide you with the many, many health rewards including heart and brain health.

Studies have shown beyond doubt that it is the DHA fatty acids that provide most of these benefits and it is this dosage you want to watch for. Unfortunately, many products still contain more EPA. Here is an example and very typical of the supplements available today.

Higher Nature Omega 3 capsules contain 165mg of EPA and 110mg of DHA per 1000mg capsule.

Boots Fish Oils contain 180mg of EPA and 120mg of DHA per 1000mg capsule.

With these products above and with a daily serving of two capsules, you only get between 220-240mg of DHA per day.

It is best for your health to receive at least 500mg of DHA every day to help prevent heart disease, promote proper functioning of the brain and to provide many other benefits as well.

A quality 1000mg supplement should contain at least 250mg of DHA with some of the best ones having 280mg. The EPA content can be half of this and it is this ratio of 2:1 DHA to EPA that you want to look for.

The main reason for the larger proportion of EPA is that this fatty acid is cheaper to manufacture and much easier to source, making the manufacturers more profit. Many companies are also not up to date on the latest research. It is not only the dosing differences in omega 3 fish oil supplements that are important but the purity too. The oil should be molecularly distilled to remove all the toxins which if present can cancel out any benefits.

The oils I mentioned above were not distilled and traces of lead, PCB's, mercury and arsenic could be present which poses a long-term risk to your health and well-being. As you can see from the dosing differences in omega 3 fish oil supplements, there is a wide variation and now you are aware of them, you know exactly what to look for to get the maximum health benefits available.

Then you can be confident that you are getting all the many health rewards with none of the risks.

Staying Healthy While Injured

It is a common idea that exercise is one of the standard ways of keeping a person physically fit and physiologically efficient. It is also an avenue of gaining muscles or losing weight. A person who is involved in the exercise is exposed to normal stressors, which activate a response from within the body to cope up and meet the demands of such activities. This raises the level of output of a person to some extent and that is a good and beneficial thing because the body is then able to level off with the present. However, there are times when we are injured due to an inappropriate method, or because of an accident, or some other reason. Staying healthy while injured is still possible while exercising without risking the injured body part of further damages or complications.

There is a simple mnemonic called RICE which could aid us how to treat any injury that we have and stay healthy without complicating our injuries further. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate.

REST

With a body injury that we are conscious about, it may be accompanied with pain and discomfort especially with ambulation. Because of this, we may actually not want to move it about and put any pressure on it with activities or such. The only ways to stop these feelings of discomfort and pain would be to take painkillers or rest the injured part. Having to let the injured body part rest is essential for that specific part to efficiently speed up its healing process. Staying healthy while injured may still be accomplished by having the other body parts continue with the exercise routines.

ICE

Right after an injury like a sprain or strain, the affected joint or body part begins to swell as body fluids starts to rush to the injury site. This would prove a very uncomfortable feeling and a sensation of numbness if the swelling would cause the impingement of surrounding nerves as well. This usually happens from several minutes to a few hours after the injury. Healing also becomes a little slower after a swell because the affected area if already full with non-healing fluid.

What is needed after an injury that would probably cause a swelling is to apply ice packs on the affected body part and immediate area surrounding it. This is to prevent any vascular vessel to openly allow the flow of fluid towards it. Since the body is designed to normally shut constrict vessels when cold stimuli is applied, it would help in the slowdown and prevention of unwanted swelling. However, proper care should be observed as not to totally numb the senses with the cold ice. Maintaining a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius for not more than 15 minutes should be safe. Any longer, and the vascular vessels begin to take a Rebound Effect and actually does the reverse effect for the intended purpose.

COMPRESS

Compression is simply the act of wrapping the injured body part with a bandage and covering them securely and snugly to add pressure to the injury. This is done with a couple of hand towels or a bandage wrap. The ice that is supposed to be applied previously could be applied with a compressive method. Furthermore, compression allows for the effect of the ice to be in constant contact with the injured body part.

ELEVATE

Elevating the body part after securely fastening and stabilizing the injured body part increases the level of comfort for the person and also speeds up the uninterrupted healing process.

Staying healthy when injured may impede a certain level of maximum body activity efficiency, but still allows continued exercise routine for other unaffected body parts. Just make sure that priority on this would be to securely prevent any other movements or unnecessary pressure to be placed on the injury.

Risks of Surgery

Surgery has always been a vital part of modern medicine, able to treat certain conditions that other interventional means cannot. However, because of this medical miracle, it may be easy to forget the risks. If you are planning to have surgery your biggest concern should be the final outcome. Will your life be improved by the procedure or do the risks outweigh the rewards? No surgery is risk free, but understanding the possible complications can help you make a better decision.

Anesthesia Risks and Complication:

Minor surgical procedures require only local anesthetic to the target area. It is not so for major surgery for which general anesthesia is used instead. All types of anesthesia involve some risk, major side effects and complications from anesthesia are uncommon. Most problems associated with anesthesia are related to the process of intubation, or inserting the breathing tube. Anesthesia complications and mistakes occur on a regular basis, a horrifying truth that most people do not realize until it affects them or someone close to them.

Bleeding:

There is no doubt that cutting through the skin results in bleeding. As this happens, the surgeon stops the bleeding with hemostatic clamps or cauterization instruments to burn the vessels closed. Patients with a previous DVT are at greater risk for additional clots and should make their surgeon aware of this condition.

Problems With Wound Healing:

After the surgery, all internal and external wounds need to heal. Most surgical wounds heal without causing any problems. Wound infections are one of the most common complications after surgery. This means that bacteria have started to grow in your wound. If you develop an infection, you will usually be treated with a course of antibiotics but occasionally further surgery is needed. Pain management is also at issue when wounds are in their early stage of healing.

Pulmonary Complications:

Sometimes, pulmonary complications arise due to lack of deep breathing within 48 hours of surgery. This may also result from inhaling food, water, or blood, or pneumonia. Symptoms may include wheezing, chest pain, fever, and cough (among others).

Surgery

Surgery is the special branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of injury, deformity, and disease by manual and instrumental means. There are many reasons to have surgery. Some operations can relieve or prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries are done to find a problem. For example, a surgeon may do a biopsy, which involves removing a piece of tissue to examine under a microscope. Some surgeries, like heart surgery can save your life.

Surgery can be classified as major or minor, depending on the seriousness of the illness, the parts of the body affected, the complexity of the operation, and the expected recovery time.

Major Surgery: Surgeries of the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. The recovery time can be lengthy and may involve a stay in intensive care or several days in the hospital. There is a higher risk of complications after major surgeries. Types of major surgery may include, removal of brain tumors, correction of bone malformations of the skull and face, repair of congenital heart disease, transplantation of organs, and repair of intestinal malformations.

Minor Surgery: Some surgeries considered minor. The recovery time is short and people return to their usual activities rapidly. These surgeries are most often done as an outpatient. Types of minor surgery include, placement of ear tubes, hernia repairs, correction of bone fractures, removal of skin lesions, etc.

Required Surgery: These are procedures that need to be done to ensure the quality of your future. An example might be having a spinal fusion to correct severe curvature of the spine. Required surgery, unlike emergency surgery, does not necessarily have to be done immediately.

Elective surgery: Surgery that is subject to choice. The choice may be made by the patient. For example, the time when a surgical procedure is performed may be elective. The procedure is beneficial to the patient but does not need be done at a particular time. As opposed to urgent or emergency surgery.

Urgent/Emergency Surgery: This type of surgery is done in response to an urgent medical need, such as the correction of a life-threatening congenital heart malformation or the repair of injured internal organs after an automobile accident.

Skin Treatment (Acne)

The acne pimple is a teenager's most feared skin complaint. As we all know, these unsightly bumps can appear sporadically throughout one's adult years as well. The cause of pimples is unknown. The process by which a pimple develops is highly intricate. Acne is not purely a teenage predicament, 20 to 40% of the adults do encounter problems with acne.

A pimple starts when the pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil called sebum, which normally lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many oil-producing glands are on the forehead, nose, and chin, this area the T-zone is where a person is most prone to pimples

Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:

Ø Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions.

Ø Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated.

Ø Don’t pop pimples. It's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring.

Ø If you notice a pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.

Ø If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes. They don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too. Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.

Acne treatments consist of reducing sebum production, removing dead skin cells, and killing bacteria with topical drugs and oral medications. Treatment choice depends upon whether the acne is mild, moderate, or severe. Alternative treatments for acne focus on self care: proper cleansing to keep the skin oil-free; eating a well-balanced diet high in fiber, zinc, and raw foods; and avoiding alcohol, dairy products, tobacco, caffeine, sugar, processed foods, and foods high in iodine, such as salt.

If you're concerned about acne, talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments that help to prevent and clear up acne and acne scars. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many common causes of this problem. The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. It is easily subject to injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it.

Shoulder pain can be a result of injury or disease of the shoulder joint. Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Injury can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, menisci, and bones of the joint. The design of the shoulder joint is such that it sacrifices stability for mobility. As an extremely mobile joint that plays a central role in the action of a major extremity, the shoulder is at risk for injury.

Shoulders and neck contain muscles, bones, nerves, arteries, and veins, as well as many ligaments and other supporting structures. Many conditions can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area.

The most common cause of shoulder joint pain is rotator cuff tendonitis injury and inflammation of the tendons (rotator cuff tendons) that envelope the shoulder joint. Another common cause of shoulder pain and neck pain is injury to the soft tissues including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments within these structures. This can occur from whiplash or other injury to these areas. Degenerative arthritis of the spine in the neck (cervical spine) can pinch nerves that can cause both neck pain and shoulder pain. Degenerative disc disease in the neck (cervical spondylosis) can cause local neck pain.

The treatment of shoulder pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you understand the cause of your symptoms before embarking on a treatment program. If you are unsure of your diagnosis, or the severity of your condition, you should seek medical advice before beginning any treatment.

It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. The good news is that many people respond well to conservative treatment. Many problems can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, heat or cold therapy, and other conservative approaches.

In most instances, non-surgical treatment is the first approach, and many people can avoid surgery altogether. Persistent pain after conservative treatment may respond to corticosteroid injections but may eventually require surgery.

Chronic Back Pain

Back Pain, especially in the lower back, is a problem that most people experience at some time in their lives. The muscles that support the spine are in constant use; even while simply sitting, the muscles are in use to keep one from falling over. The spine also bends, straightens and twists. This constant stress on the back can result in back strain and pain.

Chronic back pain can become a lifelong burden for the patient. Some patients suffer for months, years, decades or even an entire lifetime, with unresolved back pain. Unfortunately, many of these people never find a cure for their chronic pain.

Back pain is a symptom. Common causes of back pain involve disease or injury to the muscles, bones, and/or nerves of the spine. Pain arising from abnormalities of organs within the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back. This is called referred pain. Many intra-abdominal disorders, such as appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney diseases, bladder infections, pelvic infections, and ovarian disorders, among others, can cause pain referred to the back. Normal pregnancy can cause back pain in many ways, including stretching ligaments within the pelvis, irritating nerves, and straining the low back.

Any patient suffering from back pain or radiating leg pain should be examined by a doctor. The history of the pain and any activities that may have triggered your symptoms are important factors in diagnosis and treatment. General recommendations are to resume normal, or near normal, activity as soon as possible. However, stretching or activities that place additional strain on the back are discouraged.

Most people are able to eliminate the pain in their back without surgical treatments. Physical therapy and exercise is the number one way to ease the pain. It is really important to do strengthening, stretching and posture modification exercises. They are the most effective, simplest and safest treatments. Muscle imbalancement is one of the main causes of lower back pain. Doing the correct stretching and strengthening exercises greatly improves the flexibility and strength of the back muscles. This in turn reduces the pressure from the spine and joints and the pain eases.

Advantages of Organic Food

Organic food has become very popular in many parts of the world. As the demand for organic food increases so does the production, but currently the demand still exceeds the supply. What makes organic food so popular? According to the USDA organic foods are described as: Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation.

Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good fats, however, there is the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How foods are grown or raised can impact both your health and the environment. This brings up the questions: What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is “organic” always best? What about locally grown foods?

HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING ORGANIC FOODS

The first and foremost benefit is that the organic food developed in organic hydroponic greenhouses, for example, is healthier than the products harvested from the usual and conventional forms of farming. This is because the average farmer often uses toxic anti-pest fertilizers to enhance production. The toxic elements end up as part of our food and the implications of their effect in the long run are still not completely understood. This toxic burden also harms the natural supplies of drinking water and deactivates the usefulness of soil.

Often, the flavor is just so much better. Good organic fruits and vegetables are juicy and full-flavored, milk tastes richer, cheeses are ripe and mouthwatering. Once you've experienced the sweet intensity of a fresh organic carrot, bought with the sandy soil still clinging to it, other carrots will seem insipid and bland. Of course, there are no guarantees. Not every organic item will give you a burst of flavor pleasure, but if you shop carefully, buy only the freshest, and seek out quality, you won't be disappointed. Eating organic makes it easier to follow the seasons too.

One of the huge advantages of organic foods is that they haven't been doused in pesticides. Organic farms ban artificial pesticides. In the UK, 31,000 tones of pesticides are blasted on to farmland every year, and 25% of food carries residues of these chemicals, created to kill pests and weeds. Non-organic fruit and veg is covered in the stuff and it won't all wash off. Pesticide residues turn up, not just on fruit and vegetables, but in bread, baby food and other products. Governments claim that there's no need risk to health from these pesticide traces, but wouldn't you rather feed yourself and your kids on food that's pesticide free?

Organic hydroponics naturally support bio diversity since the absence of pesticides and herbicides encourages wildlife. These are some of the major advantages of organic food. More growers are becoming conscious of growing organics as the public awareness grows and demands healthier foods.

Toothache Causes and Treatments

Toothache is a very common problem and can occur without a warning. Toothache is one ailment that can make your life miserable. The intense and unbearable pain won’t let you sleep, eat, drink or even draw in cold air through the mouth because of your tender tooth!

The most common cause of a toothache is a dental cavity. Dental cavities (caries) are holes in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath the enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside. Certain bacteria in the mouth convert simple sugars into acid. The acid softens and (along with saliva) dissolves the enamel and dentin, creating cavities. Small shallow cavities may not cause pain and may be unnoticed by the patient. The larger deeper cavities can collect food debris. The inner living pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins or by foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet-causing toothache. Toothache from these larger cavities is the most common reason for visits to dentists.

Pain may also occur after an extraction (tooth is pulled out). Pain sometimes originates from other areas and radiates to the jaw, thus appearing to be tooth pain. The most common areas include the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ), ear pain, and even occasional heart problems.

Bacteria growing inside your mouth can contribute to gum disease, plaque, and dental decay. These problems can become painful. The cause and prevention of dental disease has been well investigated.

TOOTHACHE TREATMENT

There are many remedies that can be used to provide temporary relief to an achy tooth. Here are a few, to help you out. Wrapping ice in a towel and place on the outside of the mouth. The cold from the ice will help ease the pain of a toothache, by numbing the nerves around it. Salt and warm water also work great. Get a glass of warm water and mix two or three teaspoons of salt, and swish around your mouth, then spit it out. Do this a few times a day. Cut off a small piece of an onion and place in on the bad tooth. This often helps to relieve pain. If you have a clove of garlic and rock salt, you can place the two on the tooth in pain and it will relieve the pain. It may even help to cure the infection.

Most people can avoid severe dental problems with regular dental care. Maintain a healthy diet. Bacteria thrive on refined sugar and starch and need this in order to burrow through the enamel on your teeth. Watch what you eat and be careful about food that sticks to and between your teeth. Brush your teeth after eating or add foods in your diet with some roughage that may act as a natural toothbrush. End your meal with a salad or apple.

You can prevent the majority of dental problems through flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. The dentist may apply sealants and fluoride, which are especially important in children. Establish a good program of cleaning your teeth to remove the food particles. Brush your teeth after eating. Have your dentist's telephone number easily available in case of an emergency.

Heart Disease - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

The term "heart diseases" refers to diseases of the heart and the blood vessel system within it. The heart is the center of the cardiovascular system. Through the body's blood vessels, the heart pumps blood to all of the body's cells. The blood carries oxygen, which the cells need. Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, mainly affects older people and means that there are problems with the heart and blood vessels.

The heart is a muscular pump in the chest. Throughout life it beats continuously and rhythmically to send blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The normal heart weighs approximately 10 1/2 ounces and is about the size of your fist. It beats 60 to 120 times a minute, depending on whether you are excited or resting.

There are many types of heart disease. The major types of heart disease are atherosclerosis, coronary, rheumatic, congenital, myocarditis, angina and arrhythmia. Heart disease can arise from congenital defects, infection, narrowing of the coronary arteries, high blood pressure, or disturbances.

The prime cause of heart disease is a build up of fatty materials, called low-density lipoproteins or LDL cholesterol, in the arteries. LDL cholesterol is a thick porridge-like substance that sticks to the artery lining. Where it does stick, blood flow through the artery becomes restricted, so putting a strain on the heart muscle.

The primary risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic heart disease are smoking, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Symptoms of heart disease varies according to the type of heart disease. Unfortunately, some heart diseases cause no symptoms early in its course. When symptoms occur, they vary from person to person. In its early stages there are no symptoms. The first symptom is usually angina pectoris (chest pain) or heart attack.

Angina pectoris is discomfort or pain in the chest, typically, brought on by exertion and relieved by rest. The pain may be a dull ache in the middle of the chest or a feeling of pressure that may spread up to the neck or down the arms. The major symptoms of a heart attack are intense chest pain, suddenly cold, sweating, weakness and nausea.

Drug treatments for people with heart disease can help lower blood pressure or cholesterol, prevent or dissolve blood clots, relieve and prevent angina symptoms or improve the strength or rhythm of the heart's contractions.

Medical procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease include coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass grafts, coronary angioplasty, coronary stenting, heart transplants, operations for congenital defects, surgery for heart valve defects, electrophysiological treatments and implanting of cardiac defibrillator.

Begin or sustain some regular physical activity. Even a modest amount of activity each day will lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol. Exercise also improves your heart's pumping efficiency, benefits your circulation and increases your overall strength and endurance.

Increase your consumption of vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat milk and other dairy products, grains, fish and poultry. The main objective here is to replace foods high in saturated fat with healthier foods. Multiple sources of information exist that will help you create a heart-healthy diet.

Know your cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels. The level of cholesterol in your blood is a good indicator of the health of your heart and blood vessels. Generally, the higher your cholesterol level, the greater your risk of heart disease.

Medifast Diet Plan

Medifast Diet Plan

The Medifast diet is not a flash in the pan--it has been around since 1980 and has proven results. In fact, Medifast has been recommended by over 20,000 doctors and is suitable for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Medifast is a portion-controlled diet that provides all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients while helping individuals lose weight and maintain lean muscle.

The Medifast program is a very low-calorie, no-brainer approach to weight loss. There's no counting calories, fat grams, or carbs; you just eat or drink six times a day. The primary Medifast weight loss program, "5 plus 1," calls for five daily Medifast meal-replacement drinks or foods (all available only through the company) plus one "lean and green" meal, consisting of lean meat or fish plus salad or green vegetables.

The high- protein, low-carb Medifast plans allow dieters approximately 800-1,000 calories a day, designed to yield a loss of 2 to 5 pounds per week while preserving muscle mass.

" Weight loss varies according to stage of the program, how much you have to lose and physical activity," explains Lisa Davis, PhD, Medifast vice president of research and development. "Initial weight loss is usually much greater than amount lost in later weeks."

Special Medifast plans are available for vegetarians, teens, new moms, seniors, people who have recently had weight loss surgery, and gout sufferers.

The beauty of the Medifast program is the limited decision making. You choose five daily meal replacements from an assortment of portion-controlled shakes, puddings, eggs, oatmeal, chili, bars, or soups, plus prepare one "lean and green meal." Soy or whey proteins are the basis for the meal replacements, which are designed to help dieters feel satisfied on the very low-calorie plan.

Dieters are allowed 5-7 daily ounces of lean meat or fish. The meal options are broken down into "lean," "leaner" and "leanest." If you choose leaner options, additional healthy fats are allowed. The lean meats and fish may be grilled, baked, boiled, broiled, or poached.

Add three servings of raw, steamed, grilled, baked, or boiled vegetables to the lean meat or fish to complete the meal. Vegetables are listed from lowest to higher carbohydrate content, and the ones highest in carbs -- carrots, corn, peas, potatoes, onions, and Brussels sprouts - are excluded.

Any diet plan should benefit from exercise. You can lose weight faster while helping your body maintain lean muscle. If you are not accustomed to exercising when you begin the Medifast diet, it is recommended to wait for a few weeks before you hit that treadmill to give your body time to adjust to its new calorie intake. Then you can add in reasonable exercise. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program.