Tag Archives: FDA

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So, you wanna lose a few pounds…..

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This past week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of a new weight loss drug, Qsymia. On the one hand this is great. With the current obesity epidemic in this country, we need something to help us out. On the other hand, this is giving people an additional crutch in the battle of the bulge. I am not going to go into detail on the drug itself, you can read all about it in the link below. However, I do want to highlight some statistics from the article.

Studies done on Qsymia showed that most of the patients on this drug lost at least 5% of their body weight with an average weight loss of 6.7 % of their body weight when recommended dosages were used and 8.9% of their body weight lost with the highest daily dosages used.  This weight loss occurred over the course of 1 year. While this is pretty good weight loss, the same and even better could be achieved with good ole fashioned diet and exercise.

For instance, 5% of a 200 lb person is only a 10 lb weight loss over the course of a year. This same person could cut their daily caloric intake by 250 calories and lose more than this over the course of a year. And, if that same person, added in the daily recommended 30 minutes of exercise, they would lose even more.

I highlight these facts because many times we are motivated to look for a quick, simple, solution to a big problem. However, what seems like the “easy” solution, isn’t always the best or most effective solution.

I have patients tell me everyday, “I have tried everything and I just can’t seem to lose weight.” Usually they have not tried “everything.” Losing weight is a battle between calories in and energy expended out. You have to burn more calories than you consume to win this battle.

In this blog I plan to add more post about different things I have had experienced that have helped me and others to lose weight, and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Just remember, don’t always go for the “easy” solution!

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm312468.htm

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Know Your Status!

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Do you know your status? Have you ever been tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?

Well, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just made this task of getting tested a bit simpler and more confidential. You will soon be able to perform the test on yourself at home. The process for this will be similar to at home DNA testing to determine paternity where you are assigned a unique number, you mail off your sample, and receive confidential results at home.

I think this is wonderful! It will give those people who are too fearful of being judged to go to their doctor for testing the chance to still find out their status. Knowing your status is very important to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS. And, if you are infected, you have the opportunity for early treatment to live a long and still fulfilling life.

Here are some interesting and important facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

-African Americans are the racial/ethnic group most affected by HIV.

-In 2009, African Americans comprised 14% of the US population but accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections.

-Young African American gay and bisexual men are especially at risk of HIV infection.

-In 2009, black men accounted for 70% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks. The estimated rate of new HIV infection for black men was more than six and a half times as high as that of white men, and two and a half times as high as that of Latino men or black women.

-In 2009, black women accounted for 30% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks. Most (85%) black women with HIV acquired HIV through heterosexual sex. The estimated rate of new HIV infections for black women was more than 15 times as high as the rate for white women, and more than three times as high as that of Latina women.

So, either go see your doctor for testing or test yourself at home, but KNOW YOUR STATUS!

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm310542.htm