#weightloss Archives - Health Beat

The Benefits Of Beets and A Recipe Too!

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joann Ariola

According to Healthline, Beets are packed with essential nutrients. They are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroot and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.

If you are in the mood for a beet based citrus salad delight, try this recipe for a quick, nourishing, and delicious salad.

INGREDIENTS:

1 bunch kale
1 bunch lettuce
1 kohlrabi
1 beet
2 carrots
1 grapefruit
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ cup sunflower seeds or pepitas

DIRECTIONS:

Remove the stems from the kale and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Peel the kohlrabi, beet, and 2 carrots and chop them into matchsticks (julienne) with a knife or using a food processor. Remove the sections from half of the grapefruit and peel them.
In a small canning jar, combine juice from the remaining half grapefruit (around ¼ cup), 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper. Cover the jar and shake vigorously to combine (or whisk all ingredients together in a bowl).
To serve, place vegetables on serving plates or in bowls. Top with grapefruit vinaigrette and sunflower seeds or pepitas.

For this and other delicious seasonal recipes visit – www.acouplecooks.com

If you want to learn more about the nutritional value of beets, visit: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/beetroot#:~:text=Packed%20with%20essential%20nutrients%2C%20beetroots,pressure%2C%20and%20increased%20exercise%20performance.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Facts About Dietary Supplements

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Did you know that more than two-third of adults in the United States are overweight or obese?

According to the National Institute of health (NIH), many ameri9cans are using dietary supplements for weight loss as a solution. The trend towards dietary supplements could be attributed to the belief that these products may help you lose weight more quickly. However, according to the NIH, “There’s little scientific evidence that weight-loss supplements work. Many are expensive and some can interact or interfere with medications, and a few might be harmful.”

There are many kinds of dietary supplements. They come in a variety of forms, such as capsules, tablets, liquids, powders, and bars.

Some of the more common ingredients in dietary supplements that are mostly save include:

Dietary fiber
Caffeine
Minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium)

Certain ingredients included in supplements that might be harmful are:

Bitter orange
Hoodia
Yohimbe

Keep in mind, before choosing to take dietary supplements, it would be a good idea to consult with your doctor or a licensed nutritionist. They may be able to assist you in preventing supplement-drug interactions and other risks.

The proven and healthy way to lose weight is by eating a balanced diet and exercising. If you would like to speak with a nutritionist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center about how to get started on a healthier lifestyle, call 718-670-5486 for an appointment.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Joann Ariola

According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes thickened, damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.

Some symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are:

Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Aching muscles and joints
Widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes

Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by certain medical conditions, radiation therapy impurities and contaminants such as:

Silica dust
Asbestos fibers
Hard metal dusts
Coal dust
Grain dust
Bird and animal droppings

Unfortunately, pulmonary fibrosis cannot be cured. There are medications that can help ease symptoms. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be suggested.

If you have the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis and would like to schedule an appointment with a Pulmonologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5639

For this and additional information regarding pulmonary fibrosis visit – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353690

Do Detox Teas Do More Harm Than Good?

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Dieting is never easy, nor is there a “quick fix” for weight loss on the market that comes without some risk.

The latest trend seems to be detox teas. The active ingredient in most of the teas is caffeine. Caffeine can produce side effects such as nervousness, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and agitation, headache, ringing in the ears as well as increased heart and breathing rates.

As an appetite suppressant, products containing caffeine may work for the short term. Often times detox teas that combine caffeine with a diuretic that may trigger a false sense of weight loss since diuretics cause a loss of water weight, not actual body fat.

Additionally, the caffeine in the teas may cause you to have insomnia. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can trigger excessive eating and even slow your metabolism causing you to gain weight.

Nutritionists and healthcare professionals agree that there is no magic formula to weight loss. The best way to plan for weight loss is to start with a visit to your doctor, make healthy food choices, implement portion control when eating and start a light exercise regimen slowly building as your endurance increases. The formula for keeping the weight off is to retrain your brain so that you can maintain your new healthier lifestyle.

If you are thinking about taking off a few pounds and would like to speak with a health care professional at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Benefit of the Annual Physical

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The greatest benefit of an annual physical is knowledge for both you and your physician. An annual visit establishes a baseline for your personal health. Armed with this information, your doctor can detect unhealthy trends before they become risk factors.

Nearly one third of the population with a chronic disease is unaware that they have the disease. According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, as many as 100,000 lives could be saved each year by increasing preventive care services.

Health screenings, such as blood glucose and blood pressure tests can easily detect the two most chronic conditions, diabetes and hypertension before they cause serious health issues. The Centers for Disease Control cites that seven out of every 10 deaths are caused by chronic disease. Proper management of these conditions can prevent unnecessary hospitalization.

In order to get the most out of your annual physical, take a moment to prepare:

Make a list of your health concerns
Make a list of all the medications you are taking
Get a copy of your medical records and your family medical history

Dozens of Patient Care Specialists, on staff at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, are ready to provide you with your annual check-up.

Flushing Hospital is a certified Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) in its Ambulatory Care Center. The Center offers more than 50 outpatient general and specialty services for children adolescents and adults.

Flushing Hospital’s ambulatory care services accepts most major insurances, is centrally located and has convenient patient hours. Call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Spice it up! Will Adding Cayenne Pepper to Your Diet Help With Weight Loss?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Heralded as a way to increase metabolism and maybe even help you lose weight, it seems like cayenne pepper is being added to everything , from juice drinks to over- the -counter supplements, but does it really work?

The red cayenne pepper is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum related to bell peppers, jalapeños, and paprika. Recent studies suggest that red cayenne pepper, when combined with other weight loss efforts, may help burn calories and curb appetite, especially in people who aren’t used to eating it.

The study found that about half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper either mixed in food or swallowed in a capsule helped normal-weight young adults burn about 10 more calories over a four-hour period, compared to eating the same meal but without the red pepper.

Pepper was also found to decrease appetite, especially in people who said they didn’t already eat spicy foods. However, it seems that once a person gets used to the spicy foods, the effects start to wear off.

Incorporating red pepper into your diet works more toward moderation of energy intake and energy balance, but the real bottom line? If you like spicy food, try it, but it’s not going to make you a size 2.

For more health and lifestyle tips, follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/FlushingHospital

The Surprising Benefits of Hot Water and Lemon

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Have you tried hot water and lemon? Nutritionists and celebrities alike are raving about the benefits of drinking a single glass of hot lemon water 15-30 minutes before breakfast. Use the juice of half a lemon per 8 oz. cup, or adjust the lemon for your personal taste. It will not only help you stay hydrated, but it may also improve digestion and relieve symptoms of indigestion.

Additional benefits to drinking hot water and lemon:

. Gives your immune system a boost – Lemons are packed with nutrients including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. The vitamin C in lemons can help alleviate stress and fight viral infections and sore throats. Potassium is beneficial to heart health, as well as brain and nerve function.

. Reduces inflammation and cleanses the system – Drinking lemon water regularly decreases acidity in your body and removes uric acid from joints. It enhances enzyme function, stimulating your liver and activating bile flow, which helps emulsify and flush out fat soluble toxins.

. Keeps your skin blemish-free — The antioxidants in lemon juice help decrease blemishes and wrinkles.

. Helps you lose weight — Lemons contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings.

A potential drawback is that the citric acid in lemon juice could erode the enamel on your teeth. To prevent damage make sure the water is lukewarm, not steaming hot. You can also drink through a straw so it bypasses your teeth, and rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking. Wait 60 minutes after drinking to brush your teeth.

There are myriad benefits to drinking more water. Adding a cup of hot water and lemon to your morning routine will help you do that.

For more health and lifestyle tips follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Flushing Hospital

What is a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Finding it difficult to lose weight through dieting and exercise? If you are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or at least 100 pounds overweight, you might be considering weight loss surgery, like a vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

During vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the surgeon removes a large portion of your stomach. The new, smaller stomach is about the size and shape of a banana, limiting the amount you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food.

This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This type of surgery, called laparoscopic surgery, is usually done using a tiny camera called a laproscope that is placed in your belly. The camera is connected to a video monitor in the operating room that allows the surgeon to see inside your belly and remove most of your stomach.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is not a quick fix for obesity. It will greatly change your lifestyle, but you still have work to do. To lose weight and avoid complications from the procedure, you will need to follow strict exercise and eating guidelines given to you by your doctor and dietitian. This procedure cannot be reversed once it has been done.

Your surgeon will ask you to have a complete physical exam, blood and other tests, as well as an ultrasound of your gallbladder to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery. It is also necessary to visit with other health care providers to make sure any medical problems you may have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart or lung problems, are under control before surgery. Quitting smoking is also required before surgery.

Counseling is recommended prior to surgery to make sure you are emotionally ready for such a major lifestyle change. Classes are available to help you learn what happens during the surgery, what you should expect afterward, and what risks or problems may occur afterward.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers a full range of bariatric surgery options performed by doctors using the minimally invasive da Vinci robotic system. Bariatric surgery performed using the robot allows for faster healing time, less scarring, and shorter hospital stays. Please call 718-670-8908 for an appointment.