Weight Loss Supplements based on Age and Gender

Question
Hi Reverand Abbott,

I have noticed that some weight loss supplement companies advertise their particular products are for certain genders or age groups (or both).  

1.  Do you think that these specialized products are really formulated in such a manner that they are more effective than general weight loss products?
2.  If the specialized products are more helpful, can you recommend any that appear to be better than others for females in their 40's?  Also, are there any that are better for males in their 40's too?

Thanks!

Answer
I really don't like this part of what I do because it's like telling a kid there's no tooth fairy, Santa Claus and magic is all made up.  Some people want to hold onto their belief in these products so much, that no matter what anyone says, they'll never give them up.

1. The only thing "specialized" about these products is the pitches. The sales. Even respected manufacturers have resorted to repackaging regular products for target markets in different age and gender groups. Careful examination of ingredients shows little or nothing whatsoever different (however, the price is generally higher for female products than male).
 The TRUTH? NONE of these weight loss products work. If you read the labels and advertisement correctly, they all say they "support" weight loss or contain things that have been found in "some studies" that "may" contribute to better weight control.  Frequently these "studies" are as few as 5 people in someone's house in Sweden (I'm really not kidding). No reputable medical journal has ever supported or published findings on ANY weight loss product sold over the counter, anywhere on the planet earth.
 The (other) TRUTH is that the small print (instructions) insist one must follow a low calorie, low fat diet AND exercise while taking these supplements in order to lose "1 to 2 lbs per week"
 ANY reasonable eating plan with ANY increase in physical activity will result in this amount of weight loss, without any pill.

2. After the age of (approximately) 30, we begin a metabolic slow down. This means our muscle mass decreases, thus lowering metabolism. Since our food intake doesn't usually decrease (it tends to INCREASE), we gain weight. Once we gain some weight, the tendency to put even more on becomes easier. After another age (50's, 60's or so) our appetites do (in many people) decrease and that's why everyone over 60 or so isn't 500 lbs !
 We CAN control this natural progression by converting our diets (without EVER dieting!) to include more fruits and vegetables, fish, beans/legumes and less red meat (if any at all), dairy and animal fats. Sugars, carbs and all those other things aren't horrible, but should be limited, sort of a 'treat' to have after we've finished our whole grains and fruit servings for the day (remember when we couldn't have dessert until we ate our dinner?).
 By increasing activity with something as simple as a 10-15 minute walk a day (or putting some headphones on and dancing around nonstop for the same amount of time) - will make a huge difference in maintaining, toning and building muscle (the more muscle, the higher the metabolism).

I guess the question to ask yourself is this: If any of these diet products actually worked - why are there still overweight people?
The health/diet industry takes in OVER $40 BILLION per year in the US alone. And the US has the largest number of overweight people than any other country on earth.
At any given time, 99% of all people over 18 are either ON a diet or have just come 'off' one.
If any diet results in weight loss, that loss is usually regained within 1-2 years, with 20% MORE weight (and a more sluggish metabolism, making future weight loss even harder).

So, want to do it without buying anything except groceries? Check my site. No signing in, no sales, no promotions, just free, honest information and specifics on how to ....
 
 www.GetTheReal.info

Get the truth. Not a pitch.  

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