U.S. panel: Doctors should screen for obesity
(AP) WASHINGTON – Chances are you know your blood pressure. What about your BMI?
Body mass index signals if you’re overweight, obese or just right considering your height. Some doctors have begun calling it a vital sign, as crucial to monitor as blood pressure.
But apparently not enough doctors check: A government panel renewed a call Monday for every adult to be screened for obesity during checkups, suggesting more physicians should be routinely calculating their patients’ BMIs.
And when someone crosses the line into obesity, the doctor needs to do more than mention a diet. It’s time to refer those patients for intensive nutrition-and-fitness help, say the guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Don’t assume your weight’s OK if the doctor doesn’t bring it up.
Dr. Wilson comments:
In my experience counseling patients to help them eat less and exercise more has been an utter failure when it comes to obesity. That’s because these recommendations are based on flawed science.
We now know that excessive fructose mainly from sugar and HFCS is the driving force behind insulin resistance and central (abdominal) obesity. When you have insulin resistance and consume carbohydrates, especially from grains, your brain is subjected to magnified glucose spikes. Because high levels of glucose are toxic to nerve cells, over time these glucose spikes can trigger a condition called Carbohydrate Associated Reversible brain syndrome or CARB syndrome. People with CARB syndrome can develop up to 22 brain dysfunction symptoms that interfere with their ability to function.
Because the brain plays a key role in regulating total body fat stores, they start to store extra fat even when they lose lean body mass from dieting. BMI will not show this worrisome shift in body composition so it’s much better to rely on body composition readings.
Foods that contain sugar, HFCS and grain-based carbohydrates;the core of the typical American diet, are truly toxic and they should be avoided by anyone who wants to maintain good health and optimal brain function. Much of our obesity is now driven by this pathological process, not excessive calories and lack of exercise.
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