Lose 10% of Your Body Weight and Live Longer

This is an ongoing thought and study regarding what I believe to be a break through thought.  I do not claim to be the only one to have this thought, but I am doing research and studying this fact because I believe that if you just LOSE 10% of your body weight in bad fat that you could potentially add years to your life.

Calorie Restriction

Researchers examined data going back six decades on the diet composition, energy (caloric) intake, activity levels, DHEA in blood and linked those to the mortality data on Okinawans. They could then group the Okinawans into data groups based on their caloric intake. What they found was that the calorie restricted (low caloric intake) Okinawans had little weight gain with age, lower mortality risk from age-related diseases, and higher DHEA.

If you’ve struggled to lose weight, you’re in good company. Two of every three Americans are overweight — a trend that’s prompted about $50 billion in spending on weight-loss products and services each year. But health experts have shifted toward recommending that people follow a healthy diet rather than try to become thin. Many people have unrealistic expectations about how much weight they need to lose. Losing just small amounts of weight — about 10% of your body weight — can improve your health.

Lower Insulin Levels

Studies have shown that lower insulin levels can promote rapid fat loss, increase energy, enhance mental clarity, slow the aging process, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and overall health, and generate a feeling of euphoric wellness.

In health, as in so many things, the best offense is a good defense. One of the best ways to “defend” yourself from health problems such as cancer and heart disease is to maintain a desirable weight. Being overweight has long been considered a health hazard, a fact that is backed up by scientific research.

Being overweight seems to play a role in cancers of the breast, colon and endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Cancers of the prostate and rectum occur more often in obese men and cancers of the gall bladder, bile passages and ovaries occur more often in obese women.

Being overweight is also known to play a strong role in the development of heart disease, diabetes, gall bladder disease, high blood pressure and a weakened immune response. And now, the definition of who exactly is “overweight’ is changing. According to government guidelines released in 1998, more than half of all Americans are overweight.

How can you tell if you’re at a healthy weight? Find you height and weight on the chart of “body mass index” or BMI. The chart is designed to show who is at minimal risk of health problems (based solely on BMI), at low or moderate risk, and at high risk.

If you’re too heavy or just want to maintain a healthy weight, here are some recommendations from the experts.

EAT MORE             vegetables, fruit, fish, grains, legumes, lean meat, poultry (without skin), and low-fat or nonfat dairy products.

DRINK MORE             water, skim milk, unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices.

EAT LESS             fatty meats, candy, fried foods, pies, cookies and other baked goods, ice cream, cheese, high-fat dairy products.

DRINK LESS             alcohol, sweetened soft drinks.