Posted By: Rachael Jun 24 2009
Your brain is a network of nerves that connect together via synapses. A synapse is nothing more than a technical name for a gap. Messages (nerve impulses) need to cross this gap for the nerves to communicate. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that cause the transmission of the nerve impulse from one nerve to another. There are a number of neurotransmitters in your brain and they vary considerably. There are issues of how many neurotransmitters you synthesise, how quickly you break it down once it has been released, what the threshold of stimulation is for the nerves to release the neurotransmitter into the synapse and so on. Read more »
Posted By: Rachael Jun 17 2009
Alli is a weight loss medication that is available over the counter is some countries. The same medication (orlistat) is also available as the prescription medication, Xenical. Orlistat is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces toxytricini. The mechanism of action is for the active ingredient to inhibit the action of pancreatic lipases. Pancreatic lipases are chemicals that are released into your small intestine to digest fats. Read more »
Posted By: Rachael Jun 11 2009
Obesity statistics show that more adults are overweight and obese than are in a healthy weight range. Healthy weight loss is now a necessity for our societies.
Traditionally, BMI has been used to work out whether you are in a healthy weigh range or not. BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is worked out by dividing your weight by your height squared. This is BMI = weight (kg) / heightx2 (m). So, if you are 1.65m tall and 84kg then your BMI = 84 / 1.65×1.65 = 30.3. This is obese. Read more »
Posted By: Rachael Jun 02 2009
The most famous example of a celebrity who is caught in repeated yoyo dieting is Oprah Winfrey. Her battle with yoyo dieting, actually called weight cycling, has been very public.
Weight cycling involved a cycle of unhealthy weight loss followed by regaining the weight, and often more. The type of fast weight loss that is unhealthy because it involves bouts of starvation, skipping meals or very low calorie intake will lower your metabolism so that no further weight loss will result. Read more »
