When it comes to Medifast or any diet plan, there are certain to be times when you need a snack to keep you going during the day. One reason that Medifast is a healthy and balanced meal plan is for the snacks choices. But the best way to be sure you're getting something healthy is to plan. Plan on taking a piece of fruit - banana, apple, orange, etc. And be sure to bring bottled water so you can curb your appetite and stay hydrated. But if there was another snack you might want to consider that will provide some satiation (make you feel full), while giving you some added health benefits including some minerals, then it's the almond nut. Eating fruits may not make you feel full for very long because they are water-rich, so they will pass through you quicker than say oatmeal.

New research suggests the very best food you can nibble on between meals – and especially after a meal – is the almond nut.

Even a modest daily intake of no more than 73 grams – or around three ounces – can dramatically reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels, it can lower the body’s insulin output, and it may even help with gut health.

These good effects can be seen after just four months of eating almonds every day, new research has discovered. Although the health-giving effects of almonds have been known for some time, the new research underpins just how good almonds can be for us.

Two new studies, presented to the Experimental Biology conference, discovered that eating almonds every day reduced LDL cholesterol levels by 24 per cent, while three further studies have shown that almonds can reduce the body’s production of insulin, especially if the nuts are eaten immediately after a meal.

Almonds have the highest protein content of any nut and are a valuable food for vegans and vegetarians. Almonds are rich in minerals, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and especially high in calcium. Almonds are high in mono-unsaturated fat which helps to lower cholesterol, especially the bad cholesterol (LDL). Almonds contain a high degree of oleic acid, which is believed to be the ingredient in olive oil that protects against heart disease.

(Source).

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss and health, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.

Medifast continues its growth as many people jump on the healthy diet and meal plan for weight loss, while other diets are seeing a decline because of the unusual or strict nature of their food choices. Unlike Medifast, the Mediterranean Diet is seeing such a decline it is being labeled as 'endangered'. According to CNN.com, the Med Diet is succumbing to the addictive qualities that Fast Foods offer, as reported here from London--

Famed for keeping people slim, healthy and living longer, the Mediterranean diet has followers all over the world. However, the diet is being increasingly shunned by people who live in the Med as the convenience of fast food gains popularity.

The renowned low-fat, high-fiber diet has "decayed into a moribund state" in its traditional regions, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

So sharp is the decline that governments from the region are scrambling to protect their traditional fare from becoming an "endangered" species.

Populations surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Spain and Italy, tend to eat these foods, and governments there have joined forces to apply for their diet to be placed on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Heritage list.

Those lobbying for UNESCO protection have argued that its inclusion would ''fend off the watered-down clones assailing its integrity worldwide in this age of killer fast food.'' read the full report

Note: While this report suggests more of a plan to keep the name of the diet strong, regardless of its use, the fact is that fast foods are overtaking the palettes of those around the world, thereby increasing the rate of obesity and health problems associated with the condition. In order to regain the healthy weight and avoid the many health problems that are showing up in countries where fast foods are becoming popular, or already are, we have to get back to 'normal' diets - ones rich in fruits and vegetables for starters. While a meal plan like Medifast may assist with weight loss, the problem is much larger than any plan like Medifast can solve. The fast food machine that exists, continually expanding around the globe is certain to be the nail in the coffin of good health, if something doesn't change. The best option at this point is individual choice - give up fast food entirely. It's the only way to 'kick' the habit. For more on why and how to elminate these 'diet vices', check out The Vice Busting Diet Plans, approved by Oprah's Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. David Katz.

The Health & Wellness Institute

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss and health, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.

At any given time, close to 70% of Americans, when asked, are considered to be on a diet. If it's Medifast, Jenny Craig, or just keeping a closer eye on what they're consuming, or their own nutritional and exercise changes, the majority of Americans fall into the category of being 'on a diet'. How does this relate to the promise of health care reform from the President-elect and soon-to-be new administration? With over 45 million uninsured citizens and rising health care costs, it is one of the biggest factors in addressing the issue of health. And here's why...

First, individuals can only be responsible for factors that are in their own control. Namely, how they eat and the lifestyle they choose - one that supports good health, or one that falls short. On many levels, individual choice is going to result in either increased likelihood of health problems or a much better chance of prevention of sickness and disease. While there are certainly a percentage of health problems that are genetic or brought on by genetic tendencies, excluding trauma cases that require emergency intervention, they account for a very small percentage of the total dollars spent on health care. A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, good sources of fiber, plenty of water, and one that is void of fried foods, fast foods, soft drinks, and processed food, is one that will support good health and help in the prevention of sickness, and in the long run, disease. A lifestyle that includes plenty of regular excercise, no tobacco, a minimum of alcohol, and includes habits such as adequate sleep, a strong spiritual life, and even meaningful goals, is also one that will support good health. These are not things for which any entity or group or person can hold any one individual accountable. A healthy lifestyle must be chosen and followed, and the benefits will be realized in many forms.

Second, with so many uninsured Americans believing, or being sold on the idea, that health care reform is somehow going to make their life better, the problems of health do not go away just by having affordable access to a physician. The problems still remain and the issue will still be the same - without a healthy lifestyle, you can't expect to be healthy. A visit to a doctor is not going to change that, only a change in habits will, barring the exceptions noted.

Lastly, with more Americans choosing to live healthy, the rising costs of health care will eventually subside. Why? Because drug companies will put their focus on those conditions that have the highest need, instead of trying to create a pill for every so called health 'problem' that has a ICD code - that is a diagnostic code (here's a reference to give you some idea -- ICD Codes. 'Health Care' has gotten so out of hand, and probably abused, from visits for a sniffle to a stubbed toe, that the industry has exploited the very existence of human beings, practically labelling anyone as unhealthy or posessing some sort of condition that requires a subscription or other intervention, until proven otherwise. Sounds absurd, but if you take a look at the number of conditions that there is a diagnostic code for, you'll understand. So with more Americans focused on taking responsibility for their own health and doing what's necessary to live healthy, the demand for health care goes down, and hence the cost.

While health care reform is not a bad thing, the basic premise of reform for sake of getting everyone access to 'health care' should not be the final goal. Certainly, making health care affordable is not such a bad goal, but going about it with a shotgun approach (just shooting/cutting/eliminating everything that looks expensive or unnecessary) is not productive either.

Here's a somewhat general idea that should be followed if reform is to be done. One, a full analysis of drugs that are on the market and their costs should be done - to determine a) the degree of importance, and b) the reimbursement rate. Obviously, medications like antiobiotics may be one of the more important to make the list, and certainly some chemotherapy ones, as examples. These types of drugs could be classified as those that get a different reimbursement rate, while those that are not life-saving get a different one. That way, only those that offer some form of 'real' treatment for a 'real' problem are fully paid for, while those that just 'help' a symptom are not. A second and probably not so popular guideline, would be to cap the lawsuits that are brought against doctors and insurers. Let's face it, if you're not a lawyer, you'd probably agree with the general attitude most people have toward lawyers. Why is it that someone always has to pay when someone gets hurt, only with the lawyers getting most of it anyway. When it comes down to it, lawsuits have been a big reason for the rising costs of health care. Just ask a doctor why his or her premiums are so high. Some doctors don't want to practice in some states because their premiums have sored so high with their specialty. Lawsuits have made only one profession richer - lawyers. And lastly, make a mandate that every person be given a physical exam to determine their level of health and fitness (subject to certain criteria, of course). Those who are healthy would pay less for health care, while those who are not pay more. Aren't those who are healthy now essentially footing a portion of the bill for those who aren't? Ok, we aren't a heartless society that doesn't help those less fortunate, but in some way there needs to be incentive or some sort of mandate for healthy living. Be it employer programs that require 1 hour a day 3 times a week for exercise, or a specific diet implementation - even if it's just required fruit and vegetable consumption - that can be followed, and where real results can be measured...that may make a big difference.

Bottom line: Don't wait for some government reform to make life better for you, no matter what the issue. Take charge and responsibility, as you have Unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is in your best interest to pursue a life of health and fitness.

The Health & Wellness Institute

Support your diet with Medifast Meal Plan.

While a diet pill seems to make weight loss sound so easy, it doesn't go without dangerous side effects. A diet and meal plan like Medifast that has a healthy balance of calories and nutrition is a better choice over dangerous drugs. Every drug company strives to find the 'golden pill' for weight loss - one that is effective in helping dieters lose weight, without dangerous side effects. The only side effect of Medifast is weight loss and better health, if followed properly. And if you know anything about drugs, there are always side effects, otherwise known as unwanted effects. One of the highest profiled diet drugs is being pulled off the shelves. Accomplia may see it's last pills in circulation soon as the maker has pulled it in Europe.

You may have heard the saying when it comes to doctors, do no harm, yet this isn't the case when prescribing Accomplia because of the psychiatric side effects that have been seen in too many patients. Even one doctor claims that the side effects are outweighed by the potential benefits.

OBESE PATIENTS in the Republic have lost a potentially useful weapon in the fight against the condition. That's the response of consultant endocrinologist Dr Donal O'Shea to the news that the anti-obesity drug Acomplia - used by about 3,000 people in Ireland - was being temporarily taken off the European market by manufacturer Sanofi-aventis because of a risk of psychiatric side effects. Read more...

It's too bad that more research isn't done on ways to motivate individuals to live healthier, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. It's hard to develop a pill that can be sold for that purpose. According to Bloomberg.com --

Drugmakers from New York to Tokyo have been searching for weight-loss treatments as the world's 1 billion overweight and obese people face greater risk of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. Companies developing obesity medicines may struggle to find partners to share costs and sales as the products become more of a regulatory gamble, analysts said. Read more...

Bottom line: The only possibility for a pill to hit the market that has any benefit to weight loss is if it's one that effects the body on the genetic or chromosone level. This is just an opinion, but based on the hundreds of studies done on ways to combat obesity, it seems to be the case. The way to effectively combat the obesity epidemic is to promote, teach, educate, motivate, and provide incentive to individuals to strive for optimal health and fitness. This would result in lower health problems and medical bills, and decrease the cost of health care in every country. It may force food makers to change their menus and products, but it would be for the greater good. Or, we can just let things go as they are and let someone else 'figure it out' and come up with a way to take care of what is essentially each individual's own responsibility. But I don't think so.

HWI

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss and health, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.

In this update from the American Dietetic Association that includes current trends with diet and nutrition, there are 3 categories of dieters. While those using Medifast may be active in trying to achieve a healthy weight, it is important to know that a healthy lifestyle involves more than just a healthy diet. Nonetheless, there are 3 general categories of people when it comes to dieting -- 1) those who are doing it; 2) those who aren't doing it but know they should; and 3) those who don't want to be bothered with any info on what they should or shouldn't be doing.  The number 2 group probably lacks motivation either to get started or to stick with a healthy diet plan and lifestyle, while the number 3 group it's safe to say just doesn't care. The number 3 groupl may suffer from either lost hope, lack of goals and/or purpose, and possibly coupled with lack of motivation - afterall, how many people do you know that are all motivated to get something more out of their life but just end up chasing their tail!? Here's more as reported on ScienceDaily.com --

ScienceDaily (Nov. 6, 2008) — Increasing numbers of American adults are aware of the importance of nutrition and physical activity and are taking steps to eat a healthy diet and engage in exercise, according to the American Dietetic Association's nationwide consumer opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2008.

In each ADA survey since 1991, ADA has used respondents' answers to a number of different questions to segment consumers into three groups representing people's overall attitudes toward maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise:

I'm Already Doing It: Consumers who feel that maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important; are concerned about diet, nutrition and overall fitness; and feel they are doing all they can to eat a healthy diet.

I Know I Should: Consumers who feel that maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important, but may not have taken significant actions to do all they can to eat a healthy diet.

Don't Bother Me: People who do not feel diet and exercise are very important to them and are the least concerned with their overall nutrition and fitness. read more...

Bottom line: One of the easiest things to do if you have trouble sticking to a diet plan or just getting started, is to take it one simple step at a time. If you were going to climb a mountain and you had never been climbing before, you certainly wouldn't expect to climb it in the first day, or even the first week of setting out to accomplish your goal. While weight loss and fitness isn't climbing a mountain, it does require preparation, education, training, tools, and a manageable plan. Afterall, you're going to want health and fitness for the rest of your life...don't you? One simple change that creates at least some positive results is the best way to boost what little motivation you may have, in order to fuel your drive to continue on. This is why the first step(s) in any diet or weight loss plan are very critical to your success - you want to minimize the risk of failing. The Vice Busting Diet Plans are laid out in such a way that maximizes your chance for weight loss, fitness, and a permanently healthy lifestyle, because it takes into consideration human nature! That is - 1) that change is not always easy; 2) changing your overall lifestyle is not something most people can conceive doing; and 3) success needs to come quickly, otherwise the notion is that failure is setting in. For this reason, the steps to The Vice Busting Diet Plans are meant to be easy, gradual, and provide the feeling of success for each step made (and there are 26 steps in all!), and eventually the 'look' of success - weight loss and fitness - comes about too. So don't be in group #2 or #3. Take care of yourself, your body - it's the only one you have!

The Health & Wellness Institute

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your diet plans and weight loss, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.

If you jump on a 'diet' that is recommended by someone in Hollywood, you may be risking some negative consequences. One thing about Medifast is it's not a craze, but a meal plan that is balanced and will help you get to a healthy weight. When it comes to fad diets and fitness crazes, all it takes is one celebrity to give it the thumbs up and people are quick to jump on board. You don't have that worry with Medifast, because it's just boring enough that you won't hear a celebrity mention it, but it's still exciting enough based on the results so many have gotten.

When it comes to fad diets, just look at what Beyonce Knowles did for the maple syrup diet. When the bootylicious star needed to shed some pounds for her role in the movie Dreamgirls, she eschewed meals for the potent mix of maple and palm tree sap, mixed with water, lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Otherwise known as the master cleanse, the plan promises weight loss of a stone in 10 days. Beyonce followed the plan for 14 days and lost a staggering 22 pounds.

The revelation sparked a worldwide trend; only while we were rioting in health shop aisles, she decided to publically denounce it. I would not recommend it if someone wasn't doing a movie, because there are other ways to lose weight," she said.

Actress Liz Hurley follows a similar diet plan, only she omits the maple syrup. It's called the Starvation Diet. The Austin Powers star once candidly admitted to eating almost nothing to stay trim.

"I maintain my figure by eating very little breakfast, not too much lunch," she said, "then only tiny little snacks in the day. But really boring snacks like a banana or six raisins. "The only meal I have is dinner. I'm on a good old-fashioned low calorie diet -- I'm going to bed hungry."

Rachel Zoe, the stylist blamed for spearheading the size zero look in Hollywood, made a similar revelation when asked about her typical lunch.

BORE

"Truth? I don't," she answered bluntly. "I'm not a lady who lunches; it's a lull in the day. When I'm on downtime, like on vacation, I take care of myself. But when it's me working on my own, it's 7pm and I've had coffee and a grapefruit."  It's certainly more interesting than Gwyneth Paltrow's diet, though, which could bore the best of us to tears.

The Academy award-winning actress avoids dairy, sugar, white flour and alcohol. She also follows a macrobiotic diet and practices yoga everyday. (If everyone did this there wouldn't be an obesity epidemic!)

Still, at least she's being honest. There's nothing worst than an emaciated starlet telling an interviewer that she's "addicted to junk food" as she swallows three whole French fries for added effect. Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson, who has trained Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez and Penelope Cruz, once revealed how disingenuous celebrities about their diet and fitness regimes.

"I had one actress training with me four times a week in addition to daily exercise bike classes. When the press asked how she'd 'transformed' her body, she said: 'Oh, I do yoga and hike with my dog'. It makes me laugh." 

The truth is, almost all celebrities diet and work out excessively. Furthermore, almost all celebrities follow fad diets and fitness crazes. Almost all celebrities will use the help of whatever dietary aid they can get their hands on. It's just they'd prefer we didn't know; they'd like us to think that they're blessed with a naturally slender physique, a figure that comes sans starving, purging or pumping.

Unfortunately it sets an unreachable touchstone, particularly for their more impressionable fans. It's a bit like that friend who shakes her head vigorously (while simultaneously pulling out her newly loosened waist band) when you tell her that she's lost weight.

Diets in celebrity land are a smoke and mirrors production. Sudden weight loss is pawned off as "just a rilly, rilly high metabolism"; "stress" is a euphemism for "starving" while "work exhaustion" is what's otherwise known as borderline anorexia. (More here...)

Bottom line: Follow what common sense would tell you to eat (and do!) - that is, plenty of fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and add some supplements to support good health. There is no 'secret' about losing weight and getting fit. The celebrities have no 'secret' either...other than some don't want you to know they're bulemic, or have had lipo, or do dangerous drugs to suppress their appetite. You don't need any crazy formula for losing weight. You need to find what motivates you, and stick to a healthy plan. One that will not only make you look good, but feel good, healthy.

HWI

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your diet plans and weight loss, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.

Many of you heard that there was a major fire at the Havey house, and 90 percent of the contents and interior was destroyed. It has been 2 weeks and a day (October 16th - a day that won't soon be forgotten by us) since the fire took most of our belongings and many cherished items. But through all of this, you quickly learn to take inventory of things that aren't tangible, but far more important - family, friends, your health, and ok, even pets! As I'll explain in a minute, even though Medifast can't save your life in the event of a fire, it sure has helped get the nutrition we need in a time when pans, utensils, most kitchen appliances, and just time does not permit preparation of a healthy meal.

Reflecting on the incident 2 weeks after the fact, it is easy to see how having fitness and health matters more in situations like this, most notably on the different types of stress that ensue during and shortly afterwards. Just responding to the event takes a certain degree of fitness. Thinking the fire could be put out or somewhat contained, Julia grabbed the outside hose not knowing how bad it was blazing on the inside. This wasn't going to work, and endangered her own life. Even the dogs got out after the firemen entered, and ran off. Chasing them wasn't easy (that lasted for a minute, since they ran too far away, and too fast). And the stress that sets in afterwards isn't easy to deal with either. We thought about the people affected by Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, and how this pales in comparison. This perspective helps reduce the potential stress level, and makes us thankful that a) no one was hurt, and b) that we still have our dwelling even if the contents were destroyed.

The many things that have to be done after this kind of incident were unbeknownst to us (as I'm sure most people, unless you go through it), and are nothing short of tedious and time-consuming. From finding a place to live in the interim, to making a list of every single item that was destroyed (down to the last box of bandaids!), sure can put stress on your life while trying to maintain the 'work as usual' modus operandi.

All this gets me thinking about the quality of health and fitness that is so important in helping deal with these added stresses. A poor diet and lack of fitness would add an exponential amount of unnecessary stress to the situation. We've managed to get to the gym 3 times in the past two weeks, while also keeping to a relatively good diet. When you're use to eating healthy and exercising regularly, you can definitely feel the difference if you get off track even for a few days. Having peace of mind and maintaining a level head is much easier when you're feeding yourself healthy food, and taking the time to sweat for an hour. Family and friends have helped with food and meals in the first few days. Preparing meals is not something that time has permitted, so having the Medifast Shakes and Oatmeals have been very helpful in getting some good nutrition, fast.

Now with moving to a rental house, organizing it, going through the potentially salvagable clothes, setting up computers, internet connections, and trying to communicate with everyone again - all requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Let's face it, the more energy and fitness that you have in your life, the better able you are to deal with unfortunate circumstances. I guess the message here is that you just can't put a price on your health and wellness. It should be something that we all value, cherish, and take the time to not just have, but have at the most optimal level possible. You just never know what life will throw at you where you'll be glad that you are able to respond accordingly, because you have the strength, the energy, and the mindset that says I know I can, and I know I will get through this tough time.

Thanks to all who have sent their thoughts and prayers. It's always in times of trouble of difficulty that brings out the caring, good-nature of everyone. Now, be sure you don't wait for an unfortunate event to make you decide to take action to lose weight, get fit, or just improve your health. There's no time like the present!

Dr. Patrick and Julia Havey

Medifast is something we have endorsed and believe to be beneficial in supporting good health and assisting with weight management. Medifast is now a meal plan that has a good balance of macronutrients (i.e. more protein), and makes it easier to avoid the unhealthy foods that are so prevalent everywhere in 'fast foods' (one mistake that many people make in situations like this, but is even more important to avoid!). Medifast is not a healthy lifestyle, but healthy foods (you can get a full meal plan or get specific items) that will help you get to or maintain a healthy weight.

By the way, the neighbors caught the dogs four hours after they went missing. : )

You can't keep spending money and expect more people to have better health and live at a health weight. Medifast is a meal and diet plan that can help with weight loss and a healthy weight, but more must be done for overall health. The solution for better health is not just Medifast, but getting more people educated that they have to be responsible for their own health, and health care if needed. Here's more from WSJ...

The McCain health-care insurance tax credit may well be one of the most misunderstood proposals of this presidential election. Barack Obama has been ruthless in his attacks. But the tax credit is highly progressive and will provide a powerful incentive for people to purchase health insurance. These features under normal circumstances should endear Democrats to the proposal.

There has been a lot of rhetoric and misstatements, but what exactly does Sen. McCain have in mind? He would replace the current income tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance with a refundable tax credit -- $5,000 for those who purchase family coverage and $2,500 for individual coverage. Mr. McCain would also reform insurance markets to stem the growth in health insurance premiums.

What many may not realize is that the federal government already "spends" roughly $300 billion to $400 billion through the tax code to encourage people to pay for their health care through employer-sponsored health insurance. This subsidy takes the form of the exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance from both income and payroll taxes. Read more...

Botton Line: Continuing to spend money on so-called 'issues' or 'problems' is not always the solution, and most often not. (For instance, more money on Education is not the solution, but a full year-long school year without Summer's off for wasting of the brain!). Each individual must take responsibility for their health. Why is it that someone else (government) should be responsible for 'taking care of us'? The only person who is going to take care of you that you should always be able to count on is - YOU! A healthy diet, regular exercise, plenty of fruits and vegetables, plenty of water, avoiding the bad stuff - those are the things that will bring good health. The government won't bring you health, peace of mind, or anything else worth having (unless they stop taxing us at ridiculous rates!). Start making healthier choices for a better life!

HWI

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss and health, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.

The subject of diet pills and weight loss drugs comes up more than we'd like to admit. We always like to provide a rebuttal for use of such 'diet drug' advances to make it clear of the repurcussions and consequences of putting your faith in such products for weight loss. With a healthy meal plan like Medifast for your diet, you can be assured that not only will you be supporting a healthy weight, but also avoiding the dangerous effects that can accompany diet pills. The Medifast Diet won't harm your health, but help it as well as your weight. Here are some reasons you may want to reconsider using diet pills or diet drugs.

First, the most obvious: diet drugs do not come without side effects, or unwanted effects that can do harm to the body. Your body is not deficient of these drugs. There is no lack of these substances in your bloodstream. There is just no need that your body has for them. The same could be said of acetaminophen, or aspirin, no matter what a drug company says about the many benefits. Second, there are always side effects that are unwanted and can cause harm, even death, to the user. And lastly, there are always other options that are safer, healthier, and most times more effective...for most any condition or health problem. Here's more on a new diet drug that has hit the market --

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- A new diet drug, tesofensine, produces twice the weight loss of currently available obesity drugs, Danish researchers report. "Tesofensine produces a weight loss of approximately 10 percent more than placebo and diet in obese patients," said lead researcher Dr. Arne Astrup, from the Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, at the University of Copenhagen. Other drugs produce only about 5 percent weight loss, Astrup noted. This drug could replace the need for gastric bypass surgery in some obese patients. "There is an enormous gap between the existing weight-loss compounds and gastric surgery," Astrup said. "Tesofensine could close that gap. If you combine the drug with an effective diet, you could probably reach the 20 percent weight loss seen in gastric surgery." "Tesofensine could compete with gastric surgery and be offered to those who are below the threshold for surgery or for patients who do not wish [to have] gastric surgery," Astrup said. "There are also patients who cannot tolerate gastric surgery." Read more...

Bottom line: When it comes to a diet or weight loss, the real need is to develop a healthy lifestyle. Medifast can be a healthy part of a healthy lifestyle, and with consistent healthy actions in place, weight loss will inevitably happen. The result of building a life with healthy habits is just that, overall good health. This will also reduce the chances for every other health problem. And wouldn't that be a better use of your focus, time, resources, and efforts? Or would you rather put your faith in a pill to lose weight, with no regard for what the effects may be on your overall health?

If you're not sure where to start, taking one step in the direction of better health is the easiest way to go. In the Vice Busting Diet Plans, drinking water in place of every other beverage is the first step that has a direct impact on weight and health, and may be the most important actions.

The Health & Wellness Institute

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss and health, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.

Medifast is one plan that we recommend to help with the obesity epidemic. This is just a meal plan, while emphasis needs to be placed on overall lifestyle habits. With so many other issues at the forefront of political discussion, there aren't many political leaders who understand the importance of a healthy diet to the health of the nation - and not just the physical health, but the mental, financial, emotional, et al. Diet, healthy eating, and a healthy lifestyle are really the most important factors that transcend all other statistics, and have the greatest bearing on how stable a nation can be - one reason that Medifast diet may be a good choice. Let's face it, a healthy diet and lifestyle permeates every area of health of a nation - from thoughts to decisions, actions to productivity, and most of all stability. People who have a healthy diet are thinking more clearly, making better decisions, and providing intelligent contributions to the issues that pertain to their own person, their family, their community, and the nation. Here is one governor who is taking some action to combat obesity that is effecting the upcoming generations --