ASK YAK

MAY 2006 - Issue #4



Every now and again I am asked questions by my readers. I encourage this because if one person has a question or concern I just know that there are more women out there with the same or similar question.



Question:

Hi! I am 39 and have been reading about being pre-menopausal. The last few years I have put on a lot of weight. I am at 200 and holding. I need to lose at least 40 pounds. It is all in my stomach, which makes it uncomfortable in EVERYTHING I wear. I have read the flax seed oil and Fish oil, along with what I have been doing, low fat intake, smaller portions and walking 3-4 times week should do the trick. I don't like diet pills, I would like to stay natural. What do you think of these?



Answer:

Losing weight naturally is the only way to go. Know that you need to be a little more patient but it really is the best way to lose weight and more importantly, KEEP the weight off. You should be retraining your habits that will last a life time.



Toning is absolutely key. Start with some simple arm exercises, abdominal crunches and some leg work that you are familiar with. I strongly advise working with a personal trainer to get you started. A good personal trainer will take you physical limitations, combine them with you time restraints and design a program that you can evolve with. Because kicking your program up a notch from time to time is a necessity as well.



I would like to add here that just because a product is natural, does not mean it is good for you. It is so important to consult a health care professional before taking any medication. Does the natural product partner well with other medications or natural products you are on? Are there any side affects to your natural product? These are only a couple of questions you should have answers to before starting any type of medication.



I have attached some research I did on flax seed & fish oil. Be wise about what you put into your body.



Flax Seed Oil is a blue flowering plant that is grown on the Western Canadian Prairies for its oil rich seeds. This natural oil (also known as Linseed Oil) is highly recommended for the general well being and whole body nutrition and is considered to be nature's richest source of omega-3 fatty acids that are required for the health of almost all body systems.

Flax Seed Oil contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, and zinc and also provides approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking fish oil, minus that horrible "fishy" after taste. Sounded good to me already!



Should you add flax seed oil to your diet?

Some nutritionists, researchers, and scientists believe that it could be the most important health-promoting supplement next to a multi-vitamin. Nearly every system in the body can benefit from flax seed oil's natural properties, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, circulatory system, reproductive system, nervous system, as well as joints.



Fish Oil

Claims, Benefits: Prevents heart disease, alleviates auto-immune disorders, plus many other claims.



Bottom Line: Fish oil contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Many studies find some beneficial effect, especially against heart attacks. But supplements can have adverse effects. We recommend fish, but not fish oil capsules, except for those with heart disease or auto-immune disorders.



Full article, Wellness Letter, November 2003:



Should You Take Fish Oil Pills?

Nearly every month there’s another study showing the health benefits of fish, and some of these studies have used fish-oil supplements. The Wellness Letter has never been big on these supplements. They contain the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but not the other good things in fish, and they are not without risk. Our opinion about these supplements has changed somewhat, however, because of ongoing research and new advice from the American Heart Association (AHA).



Here’s who should consider taking fish-oil supplements:

People who already have coronary artery disease, notably those who have had a heart attack. There is solid evidence that omega-3s can help protect them. Thus, last year the AHA started recommending 1 gram a day of omega-3s, preferably from fish, for these people, with their doctors’ approval. That’s the amount in a serving of fatty fish, such as 3 ounces of salmon. But most people don’t eat fish every day, and many choose less-fatty fish (it takes 12 ounces of canned tuna or 7 ounces of flounder to supply 1 gram of omega-3s). Moreover, since fish may contain mercury, we advise limiting fish intake to 12 ounces a week, on average. So to get enough omega-3s without going overboard on fish, people with heart disease should consider taking fish-oil supplements on days when they don’t eat fish.



If you have any questions please Ask Yak and see your question answered in the next issue.



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Wendy; Yak's Healthy Lifestyles (Personal Trainer/Lifestyle Coach);

http://www.yakattack.myeweb.net/