In a new study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, a program of daily exercise, along with a diet rich in calcium, were found to reduce the risks of this condition. Metabolic syndrome is actually a group of potentially harmful symptoms, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, large abdominal girth, and insulin insensitivity. When combined, these symptoms may increase patients’ risks for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

With this study, 5,077 Illinois adults provided information about such health matters as: chronic health conditions, exercise habits and their intake of fruit, vegetables and other sources of calcium. The study revealed that this condition was more common in certain groups,. including:

• Older, less affluent people
• People with less education, and
• People who engaged in less physical activity, consumed calcium-rich foods less frequently and had hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels)

It’s estimated that 23.7-34.5% of the nation’s adult population suffers from metabolic syndrome. The study’s findings showed that those adults who reported little or no daily exercise were at risk for almost double the risk of developing the condition. Adults not consuming calcium-rich foods regularly were shown to have about 1.5 times the risk of developing metabolic syndrome as those consuming calcium-rich diets.

It’s important to note that a diagnosis of  metabolic syndrome does not mean a definite future of diabetes or heart disease.  Instead,  this diagnosis is an opportunity to reduce or even prevent the future likelihood of heart disease or diabetes, which are irreversible, but manageable.

Known as “gastric sleeve surgery,” this remarkable procedure is considered the midway point between gastric bypass surgery and LapBand procedures.  The steps for this procedure are as follows:

1. A single incision is made at the belly button.
2. The surgeon then inserts a camera and special tools.
3. Next, the surgeon removes the big, round part of the stomach. This comprises about 2/3 to 3/4 of the entire stomach. An area no bigger than a small tube is left to hold food. As a result, patients  eat much less and actually feel less hungry.

According to Dr. John Gonzales Jr., a frequent practitioner, the gastric sleeve procedure is winning over patients. “It’s not quite as invasive as the gastric bypass in that there’s no rearrangement of the anatomy. However, it’s a little bit more invasive than the band in that we’re excising a portion of the stomach,” he says.

The success of the gastric sleeve surgical procedure may be due to the removal of the stomach’s fundus. The left part of the stomach, this region allows gases produced by chemical digestion to accumulate for up to an hour. In addition, the hormone known as the grehlin, thought be a leading hunger hormone, is removed, as well. The entire gastric sleeve procedure takes less than 30 minutes, and any scars are concealed in the belly button.

According to the a memorandum released by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency has restructured the requirements for senior citizens to receive coverage for these weight loss procedures. Now, seniors will have to show a body mass index (BMI) of 35 to be considered “morbidly obese.” With this score, patients will qualify for coverage for bariatric surgery as a treatment for beneficiaries with type 2 (or “non-insulin-dependent”) diabetes. Beneficiaries afflicted with type 2 diabetes –  and BMI scores below 35 – would not receive coverage.

In 2006, Medicare beneficiaries were given access to expanded coverage for bariatric surgery. These patients had been required to undergo surgery from highly qualified surgeons that were certified by one of two governing organizations: the American College of Surgeons or the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. In addition, Medicare’s 2006 decision allowed for only four types of bariatric surgery procedures: gastric bypass; open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding; and open and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.

With the new decision, Medicare beneficiaries must now exhibit a serious health condition, other than morbid obesity. These conditions may include osteoarthritis, hypertension, or coronary artery disease. Unfortunately, those patients with type 2 diabetes, but not considered morbidly obese, will not qualify for coverage. This new decision stems from Medicare’s position on the health benefits of bariatric surgery. Specifically, the agency believes that that there’s not enough evidence of these procedures’ effectiveness for  improving the health of  non-morbidly obese people.

Would you like to review the agency’s position, or submit your thoughts and comments? If so, the proposed decision is available on the CMS Coverage website.  Comments will be accepted for 30 days following the memorandum’s posting.  CMS will issue a final decision memorandum within 90 days of the proposed decision.

The movie’s director, Morgan Spurlock, ate nothing but McDonalds’ meals three times a day, for an entire month. During this time, his health plummeted, including serious liver failure, mood swings, and excessive weight gain. But following the movie’s completion, Spurlock underwent a healthy, 14-month program of exercise, along with a purely vegan diet. This so-called “Detox Diet,” which was also the basis for a book written by Spurlock’s dietitian and girlfriend, has now drawn the attention of medical experts.  You see, the effectiveness of these cleansing diets has long been debated among medical professionals.

The Body’s Natural Detoxifying Abilities

The bottom line? No matter what plan you choose, it’s usually unhealthy to follow a dietary plan so restrictive. Studies show that these programs are typically missing key nutrients shown to be essential for optimal health. Additionally, quick weight loss may not be realized. Even such time-tested methods as taking laxatives will fail eventually. That’s because most of the weight lost is water, which is rapidly replaced.

Most healthcare professionals advise that healthy  livers and colons can provide the proper levels of detoxification in the human body. Therefore, enemas and other types of colon cleansers are unnecessary. However, patients with enlarged colons or those that are unable to fully cleanse themselves may benefit from these medications. Patients with chronic constipation preparing for colonoscopies may also need these cleansing products.

Regardless, physicians advise that following a healthy eating plan can successfully cleanse the body of food-based toxins. Dietitian Debbie Berg states: “If someone’s trying to get healthy, I would advise them first to go to more natural foods, whole grains, fruits and vegetables for 90 percent of their intake for about a week and see how they feel. They’ll get rid of a lot of salt, sugar, get processed foods out, and I think they can get just the same benefits [as a cleansing diet].”

When considering a cleansing diet, it’s important to proceed carefully. You should also discuss your plans with a physician or healthcare provider first. “Everything in moderation is good,” says Dr. Sherif Kaiser, head of the bariatric program at Winchester (NV) Medical Center. “You don’t want to start a diet when people are starving.” Dr. Kaiser goes on to state that reducing portion sizes and calories are more effective for weight loss.

According to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), undergoing bariatric surgery may normalize obese women’s menstrual cycles and hormone levels. This may increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant. Weight loss due to these procedures may contribute to reduced risks of premature delivery. There may also be reduced risks of delivering babies with low birth weights, or exceedingly large-bodied babies. Medical experts still consider natural weight loss the preferable method for overcoming obesity, though.

Post-Surgery Pregnancy Pros & Cons

Clinical studies illustrate the proposed benefits of weight loss surgery for pregnancy. Nationwide, 150,000 women of child-bearing age had weight loss surgery from 2002-2005 (the years covered by the study). These procedures may reduce the risks of problems for mothers and their newborn children. Among these conditions are high blood pressure and diabetes.  Obese women not undergoing weight loss procedures were more likely to deliver babies with complications.

Gastric bypass surgery was the specific procedure linked to increased fertility. With this procedure, the stomach’s size is reduced, enabling food to avoid entering part or all of the small intestine. Gastric bypass surgery may alter patients’ digestive systems by reducing the volume of food that can be eaten and digested. After having bariatric surgery, medical experts advise patients to wait one year before becoming pregnant. But according to Melinda Maggard, a surgeon and a study researcher, some patients were able to get pregnant earlier, without any problems. These procedures may also be effective for overweight, but not obese, women having trouble becoming pregnant.

Researchers warn patients not to undergo these procedures just for a fertility boost.  In addition, losing excessive weight through bariatric surgery may actually lead to unplanned pregnancies. That’s because the patients’ previous birth control doses may not be absorbed as well. As such, post-surgical female patients may want to consider alternative birth control methods.

Faced with the potential injuries of these millions of aging men and women, physicians are taking steps to protect people. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2007, an estimated 149,000 people ranging from 45-64 years old, were treated for exercise- and exercise equipment-related injuries.

The medical community recommends that for those over the age of 50, it’s crucial to take precautions when exercising, and to listen to their bodies. The prevailing thought is that as we age, injuries can occur much more easily. “When you are 50, you may injure your body more easily than when you were 20,” says Dr. James A. Keeney, a San Antonio orthopedic surgeon. “Joints, tissues and muscles may not be as flexible as they used to be. So as you get older, you need to take extra steps to protect yourself from injuries when you exercise.”

Guidelines For Avoiding Exercise-Related Injuries

Fortunately, there are steps that adults can take to stay active, while reducing the risks of injuries. As such, Baby Boomers are encouraged to stay informed of the following guidelines released by the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• Visit the Doctor – before undertaking a new exercise program, you must consult with your physician. This is important whether you’re free of injuries or overcoming a past event.
• You’re Getting Warmer – you should always warm up before exercising, for at least 3-5 minutes. You see, cold, unprepared muscles are much more likely to become injured.
• Keep It Steady – try to maintain a moderate and balanced exercise regiment, and daily, if possible. “Weekend Warriors” are at higher risk of hurting themselves.

These procedures may help to reduce the development of other health conditions suffered from morbidly obese men and women. As a result, these patients’ insurance claims may be dramatically reduced. According to a new study published in the American Journal of Managed Care, health insurers may be able to recover these costs in as little as 2-4 years. These costs have been estimated to range between $17,000 and $26,000.

Reaping Multiple Benefits for Obesity-Related Conditions

In the study, the researchers compared the insurance claims of two groups: more than 3,600 morbidly obese men and women who had undergone laparoscopic bariatric surgery and 3,600 who did not have the surgery. It was shown that for those who did have the surgery, there were decreases in the percentages of diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea after the operation. As for those who didn’t have the surgery, the percentages either stayed the same or rose.

In addition, after one year, the monthly medical costs for those patients who underwent surgery were up to $900 less than those who didn’t have the surgery! “Bariatric surgery is a unique field in that with one operation you can cure a wide range of different health conditions,” said study co-author Dr. Scott Shikora, president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. “This paper demonstrated that you can do that and actually save money in the process.”

Due to these proposed health benefits, more and more obese people are undergoing bariatric surgery. It’s estimated that there will be about 220,000 procedures performed this year; this represents a more-than-tenfold increase since 1992. And as additional evidence, there is now less than 1% of the risk of death from weight loss surgery.

While most insurers consider factors like safety and quality in terms of coverage, cost is the main issue. Generally, insurers have covered these procedures, although they do their best to make it more difficult for patients to receive coverage. For instance, the majority of patients do their best to lose weight before considering surgery. Nevertheless, some insurers require a six-month, doctor-supervised weight-loss program before the operation.

This doesn’t sit well with many medical professionals, such as Shikora. “Obesity is a disease, it’s not just a choice or an eating affliction,” he says. “It is a genetic disease, and I don’t feel that the morbidly obese patient should be treated any differently than a patient with breast cancer, or HIV or other ailments.”