Fighting Age Related Weight Gain ?The Battle of the Bulge

It抯 funny how we have taken a famous battle from WWII and have begun associating it with that extra weight that seems to collect around our midsection as we age. Actually, it抯 not so funny at all if you stop to look at it as all out warfare! Oftentimes there seems to be absolutely nothing we can do about it and no matter how little we eat or by how much we increase our exercise regimen, our waists just keep growing thicker while we seem to lose an inordinate amount of muscle mass in the process. Although both men and women are prone to this age related weight gain that starts somewhere in late thirties and forties, women appear to have the most amount of trouble counteracting this middle age spread.

Human Growth Hormone Stimulating Supplements

Of course it goes without saying that as our need for caloric intake decreases due to reduced activity during this time in our lives, but even when actively dieting we seem to be collecting fat cells in our stomach area that just won抰 go away. There are several premises as to why this happens and medical science has determined that it really is a combination of factors. The first reason for this unwanted weight gain is decreased levels of human growth hormone, HGH, which is secreted by the pituitary gland. HGH is somatotropin when it is produced naturally by the body and it is responsible for strong bones and muscles along with lean body mass.

When taken in supplements it is somatropin, a recombinant DNA product that is produced in a laboratory. Growing evidence suggests that somatropin supplements may have an effect in preventing or at least retarding age related weight gain in the stomach area. It should be understood that HGH itself is only injectable by a doctor licensed to use it therapeutically. If you are taking a product referred to as HGH supplements, you are taking natural substances that are known to stimulate your body抯 ability to produce growth hormones to levels of a much younger person.

Demystifying the French Paradox

By this point in time, anyone who has been on the internet with any regularity within recent years has heard of the marvels of both resveratrol and acai berry. Their impact on the body was proclaimed nothing less than miraculous because of two specific benefits. The first is their ability to lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood stream which helps to prevent coronary disease leading up to heart attacks and strokes. The second benefit is their ability to counteract weight gain, especially age related weight gain. It was noted that the French, who as a society drink red wine on a daily basis, had less incidences of heart disease and middle age weight gain than other Western countries. Scientists narrowed down the substance in red wine that promoted these benefits and labeled it resveratrol; thus, the French Paradox.

The compounds in both resveratrol and that little acai berry are polyphenols which have been proven to counteract LDL cholesterol (the bad guys) which is one of the leading causes of weight gain as well as in coronary heart disease. Further studies have indicated that the polyphenols in green tea also act in the same way. All three supplements have been widely advertised as weight loss constituents and have become quite trendy within the past few years. Some people swear by these supplements and have shown marked improvement in both weight loss as well as healthier levels of good/bad cholesterol in the bloodstream. Even so, these supplements should only be used in conjunction with a healthier lifestyle and after having discussed taking supplements with a qualified medical professional.

The Benefits of Fiber and a Healthy Diet

We have all been bombarded with advertising that touts the advantages of adding fiber to the diet for a number of reasons which include reducing cholesterol, weight loss, regularity, a reduction in bloating and increased energy. However, what we aren抰 told is that there are really two types of fiber to be concerned with and unless you get adequate amounts of both types, you won抰 get the benefits you seek. According to the Mayo Clinic, insoluble fiber is the substance responsible for promoting movement through the intestines to restore regularity to relieve that bloated, sluggish feeling while soluble fiber helps to reduce cholesterol and glucose levels in the bloodstream. Both are necessary to fight that excess weight that collects in our stomachs, but each one serves a unique purpose.

Consequently, while you could take fiber supplements to increase your daily intake, you would either need to take a supplement that contains a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers or two separate supplements to achieve the results you desire. Doctors suggest that in order to get adequate amounts of insoluble fiber you add such things as unbleached whole grain products to your diet along with nuts and certain vegetables. Soluble fiber can be obtained from beans, peas, oats, barley and apples. Psyllium is also a soluble fiber that fights weight gain and LDL cholesterol and is widely available as a supplement in pharmacies and health food stores as well as on the internet.

It would be nice if we could wave a magic wand and in a flurry of stardust have the weight magically disappear from our tummies, but that抯 a vision best left for fairy tales. In the real world, we need to understand that our bodies are simply getting older and it is up to us to give them what they need to stay healthy and lean. A combination of the supplements mentioned along with a well-balanced diet high in fiber and low in sodium and sugar is the first line of attack when fighting the battle of the bulge. Increase activity as much as possible which would include such things as a brisk walk in the park or going out dancing with your spouse once a week. Burn those calories! Certain exercises that target the stomach muscles wouldn抰 hurt either. When waging warfare on unwanted stomach fat, plan an attack from various angles and you will realize the greatest success. After all, that is how the "Battle of the Bulge" was won in the first place!

 

1. Prev:Weight Loss With the Acai Berry Diet
2. Next:How to Stay on the Low-Calorie Track Despite Difficult Challenges?