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* Lose weight with an antiseizure drug.

Zonisamide is an antiseizure drug that was noted to cause weight loss hence a trial was begun to study this effect. 60 men and women were given a diet that was 500 calories less than a diet needed to maintain their weight.30 patients were given increasing doses of zonisamide (400-600mg). The other half or control group were given placebo pills. At the end of 32 weeks, the placebo group lost 1.8% of their weight but the zonisamide group lost 9.5% of their weight with few adverse side effects. Fatigue was the only significant side effect. It might make sense to use this drug if the standard agents such as Meridia or Xenical are ineffective. Of course, diet and exercise should always be utilized in any weight reduction program.

* A quick weight loss review.

Over half of adults are overweight...summer is approaching... and people are asking about the best ways to lose weight.

The most popular diets are "Atkins" and "The Zone."

Atkins is high protein...low carbs.

It works for some people...probably by reducing calories. Protein and fats can reduce hunger...so people tend to eat less.

It can also improve HDL (good cholesterol), triglycerides, and fasting sugar.
But there are concerns about possible long-term problems... heart and kidney disease and bone loss.

The Zone is more balanced. It uses a "40-30-30" rule... roughly 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat.

The idea is this ratio keeps insulin levels in "the zone"... to reduce hunger, fat storage, and inflammation.

It's easier to tolerate than Atkins. Some people lose weight.

Drug therapy is appropriate for patients with a body mass index >30... or a body mass index >27 with additional risk factors...when diet and exercise aren't enough.

Stimulants (phentermine, diethylpropion) can help suppress appetite...but only short-term.

Meridia (sibutramine) and Xenical (orlistat) are approved for long-term use. They reduce weight by about 10% over a year when combined with diet and exercise.

Meridia can increase blood pressure. Don't use if you have uncontrolled hypertension or heart disease.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin SR) is structurally similar to diethylpropion. Bupropion causes short-term weight loss...but there's no reliable evidence it works long-term.

SSRIs (Prozac and Zoloft) might help short-term...but long term use sometimes leads to weight GAIN.

Zonegran (zonisamide) and Topamax (topiramate) seem to decrease appetite...and reduce weight by 6% to 10%.

But these anticonvulsants can cause adverse effects... fatigue, tingling, cognitive impairment, vision problems.

Supplements are promoted like crazy...Metabolife... Xenadrine...Dexatrim Results...etc.

Most are not proven safe or effective. Stay away from them.
Be skeptical about all the new "ephedra-free" products. They often substitute a similar stimulant with a different name.

Watch for labels that list bitter orange, country mallow, heartleaf, ma huang...these all contain ephedrine-related compounds. You should avoid these agents.Green tea and CLA are two over the counter supplements that seem safe and may help with weight loss.

There's no way around it...decreasing calories is required.
Cutting 500 calories/day...one order of French fries...can lower weight by a pound per week.

Even these small weight reductions can decrease complications such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

*The new guidelines for high blood pressure.

Get ready because these guidelines will affect most of you!

1) A normal blood pressure is 120/80 or less.

2) If the systolic or upper number is 120-139 or the lower number or diastolic is 80-89, then you are prehypertensive. You are likely at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Lifestyle modifications are important and include: more exercise, restricted salt intake, increased fruits and vegetables weight reduction. Usually medication is not required in this range. (Please see point no. 5 for exceptions)

3) If you start at a pressure of 115/75, then any increase of 20/10 doubles your chances at having a cardiovascular event. In other words if your pressure is 135/85 then you have double the heart risk as compared to 115/75. If the pressure is 155/95 then there is a four fold risk of developing heart disease.

4) The upper number or systolic pressure, is a stronger risk for heart disease than the lower number or diastolic pressure. This holds true if you are older than 50.

5) If you have hypertension then aim to lower the pressure at least below 140/90. Lower is better.
If you have diabetes, stroke, heart disease, or kidney disease, then lower the blood pressure to at least below 130/80.

If you don’t have high blood pressure by age 55, then there is a 90% chance that you will eventually develop it. This is a very common disease–don’t ignore it. Normalizing your blood pressure can reduce your risk of stroke by 40% and heart attacks by 25%. You can also avoid damage to your eyes, aorta (the big vessel in your chest and abdomen) and kidneys.

*New guidelines for pap smears.

The American Cancer Society gives the following new guidelines

1) Have a pap smear three years after the onset of sexual intercourse and no later than age 21.

2) Continue to have annual pap smears till you’re 30. After age 30, if you have had three consecutive normal pap smears, then you may be screened every 2-3 years.

3) If you have had a total hysterectomy for a benign condition, then you do not need another pap smear.

4) You can stop having a pap smear at age 70 if 3 consecutive pap smears in the last 10 years were negative.

5) Testing for the human papilloma virus (HPV) may be useful for cancer screening in addition to a pap smear.

The pap smear is the most effective cancer screening test to date. Make sure you follow the guidelines.

Thanks for reading Health and Wealth!. Be sure to browse around the site (www.DrLipkis.com) Look at our newsletter archives and our terrific vitamin products. My book, Live Longer and Healthier Now! is finally out! It is guaranteed to make your life better or return it for a full refund. The book is available on line or at my office. This book makes a superb holiday gift. After all, what is better than the gift of life!

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