Now, more than ever you need to be aware that a healthy diet can have an effect on your DNA. Even for those who use Medifast, your health and weight are not the only things to think about, but your DNA as well. Here's more --

Medifast

Get medifast for weight loss, health, a healthy diet, and a diet plan. Medifast is a product that helps you lose weight. There are benefits to using Medifast in your diet, and can be used for weight loss. Phase 1 - 5 & 1 Program for Weight Loss 5 Medifast Meals per Day Over 50 meals to choose from - shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeals, chili, soups, pudding and more. 1 "Lean and Green" Meal per Day Lean Meat: 7 ounces of chicken, turkey of fish, or 5 ounces of lean beef, pork or lamb. Grill, bake or poach meats using non-stick spray. Salt, pepper, herbs and spices may be added if desired. You may also use 1 - 2 teaspoons of condiments such as ketchup, mustard or barbecue sauce. Salad or Vegetables: Either 2 cups of salad greens (any kind) and up to ½ cups raw vegetables, or up to 1 ½ cups cooked vegetables.

Medifast Diet

You may also use 1 - 2 tablespoons of Media low-fat or non-fat dressing.Phase 2 - BeSlim™ Philosophy of Lifelong Weight Control Once you have reached your healthy weight, your Health Advisor will help transition you to the BeSlim™ philosophy of lifelong weight control. The BeSlim™ philosophy is a part of the Take Shape for Life program that incorporates key behaviors mastered by those who lost significant amounts of weight and kept their weight off for years. These key behaviors include: Breakfast (eating Breakfast every day) - High quality fuel, such as our delicious Medifast oatmeal, cappuccino, or chai latte, is essential to start your day the right way. Exercise - Continued exercise increases metabolism, provides strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.

Medifast Nutrition

Support - Your Health Advisor is here to help you reach and maintain your goals, providing the coaching, tools, education, and caring support you will need along the way. Low-fat meals 5-6 times a day - Eating frequently, controlling portion and total calories, especially those from fat, are critical for success. Individual Plan - Create an individual plan to help you achieve an optimal healthy lifestyle and build the skills and strategies you need to cope with modern life. Monitor your weight - Weigh yourself on a regular basis to maintain optimal weight. Catch it before it becomes a challenge! Join the BeSlim™ Club today and set your life in motion! Introducing the New BeSlim Club & Rewards Program! Optimal Health is its own reward, but how about earning a bonus or two along the way? You’re on a journey to Optimal Health. You’ve made a commitment to lose weight and keep it off! You’ve earned the right to celebrate your success! The new Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is your ticket there. The BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is Take Shape For Life's progressive savings program, offering clients and Health Coaches an easy way to obtain their Medifast Meals at a savings, with exciting rewards you can earn along the way! The longer you are member of the BeSlim™ Club, the more significant your savings are and the more rewards points you’ll earn. When you join the Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program, you: Enjoy your favorite Medifast Meals all month long, with orders conveniently shipped right to your door Save on your meal purchases and enjoy increased savings the longer you’re on the program Earn points towards exclusive rewards that promote healthy living Receive coupons for special savings. Enrich your life as you achieve Optimal Health Available to all, the BeSlim™ Club is a great way for individuals learning and practicing the BeSlim™ philosophy. Every time you order, you earn points towards healthful rewards. Here’s how: There’s no minimum purchase required. Redeem your reward points* for exclusive Take Shape For Life merchandise, including: Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Spa Trips, And more! Join the BeSlim Club today! Simplify Your Life -- — Receive automatic monthly shipments of your favorite Medifast Meals; Save Your Money — Enjoy savings that increase the longer you are a club member; Earn Just Rewards— Select from an array of rewards that promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

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Medifast Diet

While scientists have been identifying genetic markers for diseases for decades, the connections mostly make a difference only when a condition is caused by the malfunction of a single gene.

And there are more than 6,000 known single-gene disorders, including cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, Huntingdon's disease and hereditary hemachromatosis (excessive iron buildup in blood cells).

But with some exceptions in cancer care, researchers have had difficulty making discoveries linking multiple genes to a disease relevant to treatment, or preventive steps.

"For the vast majority of (genetic) risk assessments, the increased risk of an individual developing the disease in question is modest. ... And in few such conditions are there specific effective interventions to diminish the risk," said Dr. James Evans, professor of genetics and medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Most genetic studies simply didn't tell doctors much else about the people carrying the gene.

The National Human Genome Resource Institute last year announced a $31 million effort to start closing those knowledge gaps by matching about 300 genetic variants linked to common diseases with individuals' biological and physical characteristics.

So, if a person carries X gene variant, just what is his or her weight, cholesterol level, blood-sugar level or bone density? And how does lifestyle -- diet, smoking and drinking habits and exercise levels -- possibly interact with the gene to influence the onset or severity of disease?

After four years, the institute expects to have data from about 40,000 people, giving a solid base of how bodies and gene variants are arranged.

Many other research efforts are focused on how people with different gene variations respond to vitamins or medicines.

For instance, scientists at the University of California-Berkeley have been testing human gene variants transplanted into yeast cells to see how certain enzymes respond to vitamins.

"Our studies have convinced us that there is a lot of variation in the population in these enzymes," said researcher Nicholas Marini. "I wouldn't be surprised if everybody is going to require a different optimal dose of vitamins based on their genetic makeup" both to prevent disease and to optimize physical fitness in athletes or soldiers.

One of the more advanced projects to match genetics with dosing is reported this week in The New England Journal of Medicine, showing that the amount of the blood-thinner warfarin prescribed to a patient can be pinpointed with a formula that includes data on which version of two different genes he or she carries. Read more...

Note: 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 Diet - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.