Here’s what happens when humans have too much time on their hands. There is proposed legislation in Mississippi that would prohibit restaurants from serving obese customers. State Rep. John Read, a Republican who is one of the bill’s three authors, says he wasn’t trying to offend anybody and never even expected the plan to become law. Read said, “I was trying to shed a little light on the No. 1 problem in Mississippi.” The state has the highest obesity rate in the USA.

Mr. Read, here’s some advice from Dr. Fitness…If you want to shed a little light, go on YouTube and do a video on how we shouldn’t serve obese people at restaurants, but don’t waste taxpayers time on your nonsense!

Dr. Fitness says “Beware” of your intake of Sorbitol and do not go on a “Sorbitol Diet.”  An article in this week’s  (BMJ) warns of the dangers of excess sorbitol intake. The warning comes after doctors came across two patients who had chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and dangerously excessive weight loss. After lengthy investigations which could not identify why the patients were losing so much weight and had chronic diarrhea and pains, a detailed analysis of eating habits put the problem down to eating too much chewing gum with Sorbitol.

Sorbitol is a laxative which is poorly absorbed by the small intestine. Sorbitol, or glucitol, is a sugar alcohol which our bodies metabolize slowly. Sorbitol can be found in cough syrups, sugar free mints, chewing gum, diet foods, diet drinks and ice creams. Sorbitol occurs naturally in some stone fruits and berries from trees of the Sorbus genus. Apples and pears also have natural amounts of sorbitol.

One of the patients, a 21-year-old woman, had been eating the equivalent of 18-20g of sorbitol each day. The average stick of gum has about 1.25g sorbitol - so, she was chewing through 15-18 sticks of gum each day. The other patient, a 46-year-old man, was chewing about 20 sticks of sorbitol-containing gum plus approximately 200g of sweets (candy) each day - his total sorbitol daily intake was about 30g, the authors wrote. As soon as sorbitol intake was stopped, both patients started having normal bowel movements (diarrhea subsided) and normal weight gain was achieved.

After sitting on the results of a study that could cause a negative impact on stock prices, Merck and Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, finally released data for the ENHANCE trial, testing the effect of Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin combined) against an older drug, now available in generic form, Zocor (simvastatin alone). Unfortunately, the data showed that the combination drug Vytorin, which is quite expensive, was no better at reducing artery clogging than the older and cheaper statin.

720 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited high cholesterol from one of their biological parents) participated in the ENHANCE study. Over the two years of the study, there was no significant difference in the ability of the two drugs to slow the growth of plaque in carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain.

The American College of Cardiology said patients should not stop taking the drug on the basis of these results, the situation is not urgent, and they should talk to their doctor about any concerns they have. More research is needed before firm conclusions can be made about the risks and benefits of statin alone versus statin plus ezetimibe, said the ACC. The American College of Cardiology said in a press release that “major clinical decisions not be made on the basis of the ENHANCE study alone”.

What I find interesting is the fact that the two year drug study ended in April 2006. January 16, 2008 we receive the results? In the words of John McEnroe “You cannot be serious!!!!!” According to a report by Reuters news agency, Congress is planning to investigate how the two companies handled the release of the study’s results, calling the delay a “suspiciously long time”.

Say it ain’t so….but this is quite an interesting study from scientists at the University of Missouri, found that the enzymes that are responsible for burning fat, just shut down when we sit for prolonged periods of time.
“It was hard to believe at first,” said Marc Hamilton, associate professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia and leader of the research team. He said the team didn’t expect to find a strong signal when they began researching what happens to fat when we remain seated. But the effect, both in laboratory animals and humans, turned out to be huge.

The solution, Hamilton said, is to stand up and “putter.”

The research was published this month in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes, and it will be presented by Hamilton’s post-doctoral researcher, Theodore Zderic, at the upcoming Second International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health in Amsterdam.

Picking the right tunes to exercise can be just as important as wearing the right clothes!!! I found this great article about picking the right tempo to match the type of exercise you are performing. Since I am a runner, I need hardriving up-tempo songs like AC/DC “Shoot To Thrill” or Springsteen’s “Ramrod,” or “Born to Run.” These songs match 140 - 160 heart beats/minute. Now when I swim and even though my heart rate is elevated to the same degree, swimming is a slower rythmnic movement with the arms and the legs in the water so I don’t need the same hard-driving tempo. Read the rest of this artice which I found fascinating!!!

Generally speaking there is a science to choosing an effective exercise soundtrack, said Dr. Costas Karageorghis, an associate professor of sport psychology at Brunel University in England, who has studied the effects of music on physical performance for 20 years. Dr. Karageorghis created the Brunel Music Rating Inventory, a questionnaire that is used to rate the motivational qualities of music in the context of sport and exercise. For nearly a decade, he has been administering the questionnaire to panels representing different demographics, who listen to 90 seconds of a song and rate its motivational qualities for various physical activities.

Recently in Lousiana a fellow “hearty eater” was banned from a buffet just because he could put away a little more seafood than the other less “hearty eaters” that partake in buffet style restaurants.

Read it for yourself from the part where the wiatress explained why this poor guys were being charged twice as much as everyone else.
“She says, ‘Y’all fat, and y’all eat too much,’” Labit said.

Labit and Borrelli said they felt discriminated against because of their size. “I was stunned, that somebody would say something like that. I ain’t that fat, I only weigh 277,” Borrelli said, adding that a waitress told him he looked like he a had a “baby in the belly.”

Houma accountant Thomas Campo said the men were charged an extra $10 each on Dec. 21 because they made a habit of dining exclusively on the more expensive seafood dishes, including crab legs and frog legs.

As an incentive to keep you healthy companies in America are now following Italy’s lead that we blogged about awhile ago and paying their employees to lose weight.

According to WCBS-TV…

Not only does Stefanie Chiras’ company pay her to develop computer memory sub-systems, but a little extra to eat right.

“Having work sponsor it makes you kind of feel like someone is buying into It,” said Chiras. “And then certainly the cash at the end of the day is an incentive.”

Chiras works for IBM. She gets an additional $150 in her paycheck for tracking her eating habits online and losing weight.

“When I reach for that next unhealthy thing, I think, oh, but I have to log it in to the tool.”

If you don’t work for IBM and want to use an online tool like theirs check out Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy’s super duper online weight loss and diet program. You can track everything and get the support you need from our members and us. Plus as a bonus we give away prizes to our members just for loggin on.

Another member of Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy’s Partner Power Online Weight Loss Program has won a prize. Julie M has won the Women’s Health Total Workout in Ten exercise DVD. This awesome dvd includes four 10-minute exercise routines. Celebrity Trainer Amy Dixon coaches you in this dvd so you know it will kick your butt.

As you might not know members of the Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy’s online weight loss support community are automatically entered to win prizes for logging their food, logging their exercises, posting on the message boards, etc. A lot of the great weight loss experts and fitness superstars that have appeared on the Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy radio show have kindly donated books, dvds and gadgets for us to giveaway to our members in order to keep them motivated, inspired and compliant on their exercise program. So keep posting everybody and you might be the next winner. We will be giving away prizes everyday in January and until we run out and that won’t be for a long, long time. So join now and you might be a winner like Julie M.

Drugmaker Merck & Co. produces about half of the nation’s annual supply of 14 million doses of Hib vaccine. Merck recalled the lots after this week identifying a sterility problem in a Pennsylvania factory. It said sample vials from the recalled lots, tested before shipment, were not contaminated but the company could not assure sterility of the entire lots.

The Fat Guy had a great blog entry today about the flu vaccine and no sooner as I finished reading it that I came across this article about the Hib vaccine.  The recall is more than likely going to magnify the debate over childhood vaccines, their safety and whether too many are required. Some parents are distrustful, like myself and suspect some vaccines of being linked to autism. The mechanism is far from being identified but I believe it to be a genetic trigger of some sort when introduced to some children.

This week, New Jersey, my favorite state, took a controversial step backward in my opinion by becoming the first state to require flu shots for preschoolers after a health advisory board backed new vaccine requirements over opposition from some worried parents.

I am not a huge “Jeopardy” fan but I happen to like Alex Trebek and his cool, calm delivery.  In Los Angeles yesterday Mr. Trebek was hospitalized Tuesday after a minor heart attack, a spokesman for the game show said. Trebek, 67, was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center late Monday night and was expected to remain there about two days for tests and observation, said show spokesman Jeff Ritter.  Don’t let a heart attack spoil your career as a game show host by following Dr. Fitness’ Top Tips on surviving a heart attack:

1. Lead an active lifestyle and get regular exercise

2. Make sure you get plenty of omega 3 fats in your diet.

3. Make sure you take time out of each day to decompress either by meditation, massage, or doing something you love.

4. Absolutely essential to get a great big belly laugh every day!!

5. Give or receive 5 big hugs to the people you love. (Make sure they love you back or you could get into trouble.)  

Follow my tips and you’ll survive any heart attack!!!!!

Don’t miss three lovely guests….Dr. Melina Jampolis, author of “The No Time To Lose Diet” and Esther Blum, author of “Eat, Drink, And Be Gorgeous.” You have probably seen them both on T.V. Dr. Melina has appeared on Regis and Kelly and Esther has been on “The Isaac Mizrahi Show.”
Nicci Micco, Senior Editor for Eating Well Magazine, one of Dr. Fitness and The Fat Guy’s favorite magazine, will join us to talk about a wonderful article on “Food Allergies” in September’s issue!

Sounds like a good idea, right? The program by Phoenix Cos. Inc. offers discounts up to 20 percent on life insurance policies to customers whose BMI is verified by a doctor to be 19 to 25.
BMI is a ratio of body fat that takes height and weight into account. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines obesity as a BMI of 30 or more; people between 25 and 30 are considered overweight. Out of all of the benchmarks to measure health, picking BMI is not my favorite. I know it is quick, cheap, and an easy biometric, and I like the fact that this insurance company is trying to incentivise health, but it doesn’t give us the whole picture. Some of the people who are lifting weights, making lifestyle modifications, not smoking, might miss out on the premium discount when then could be in perfect health. We need more benchmarks for measurements like Body fat analysis and Cardiopulmonary Function!!! Dr. Fitness still gives thumbs up to The Phoenix Cos. for taking a step in the right direction.

Switching gears for a second, I am totally addicted to a great snack item I found at Publix called Pretzel Crisps . These things rock…. and rock hard. They come in different flavors like bagels, but I highly urge you to try “Everything” and “Garlic.” You better buy two bags to start off with because you will knock off the first bag before you can say yumyumdumdum. Calorie content is low/serving…..IF YOU CAN STICK TO THE SERVING PORTIONS….I couldn’t!!!!!

Ok, This is one crazy story but I had to blog about it anyway. Apparently 91 year old Maine snowbird Roland Fortin challenge my main man Jack LaLanne, 92, to a boxing match. Fortin, former “cut man” for retired boxing champ Joey Gamache, said the idea for the four-round bout was hatched at the Tropical Gym in Pompano Beach, where Fortin works out during the winter in Florida. I don’t think Jack will fight him but I hope he does and kicks his butt!!!! I would be his corner man!!!!! Check out the rest of the story!!!!!

We recently interviewed a wonderful guest named Beth Aldrich. She is the type of person that leaves such a positive lasting impression. She has a TV show called “For Her Information” that is on your local PBS Channel and definitely go to her website www.forherinformation.com to check out her show and sign up for her great newsletter!!! Her show focuses on how be a chic mother as well as trying to look after the environment and your health.

Check out our radio show this week and you’ll hear our interview with Tim Nordwind, The bass Player, for Ok Go. You’ll hear what went down at the MTV Music Awards. Also check out our hot girlfriends, “The Nutrition Twins” on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. The Nutrition Twins® appear as special guest consultants on the show to help the “Rounder Brothers” melt off pounds! Please watch and see the amazing transformation this Tuesday on Bravo, 10 pm (EST). (Also, look for re-runs—Bravo usually repeats Tuesday’s Queer Eye show on Thursdays). If you want to hear about how to pick the best athletic shoe for you, listen to our radio show this week!!!!!