A new report by researchers from McMaster University and the University of Toronto shows that substituting “protein for carbohydrates may reduce abdominal obesity”. Abdominal obesity is significantly related to disease and early mortality.

The researchers’ findings support the evidence that shows that a diet higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates helps with weight loss.

Remarkably, however, the researchers claim that the link between diet and abdominal obesity has not been extensively studied. As anyone who has followed a Personal Nutrition Program from Empowered Nutrition Systems can tell you, that is nonsense. Our Programs are based on years of extensive research by some of the world’s leading nutritional experts, and it shows - our Programs significantly reduce abdominal obesity and also cause overall weight loss.

We’re happy that more research in these areas is being done, but we’re left wondering what the surprise is!

You can read more details about the study here.

Beef is one of the most nutritious meats available. It’s not just that it’s a great source of protein. A 3-ounce portion of beef has less than 200 calories and it’s packed with zinc, B vitamins, niacin and iron. Beef these days is leaner too - on average, beef is 20 percent leaner than it was 14 years ago!

Even the American Heart Association agrees that beef fits in nicely with a heart-healthy diet. You should stick with lean cuts or lean ground beef though. A tip for buying lean beef is to buy cuts with the words “round” or “loin”, like sirloin, striploin or round tip. Rib steaks might taste great but they’re often very fatty, which isn’t good for your heart or your waistline!

Speaking of taste, when it comes to great-tasting meat, it’s hard to beat beef. A well-grilled steak will tempt even the most strict vegetarian. Cooking with ingredients that bring out beef’s flavours, like peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger makes a great-tasting meat taste even better. And you can’t go wrong with spices especially created for steak, like Montreal Steak Spice.

For lots of great ways to cook and season beef, just look in your Personalized Nutrition Program - assuming that you chose beef as one of your preferred ingredients, of course. If you didn’t, you might want to reconsider for your next Program!

Researchers who followed more than 10,000 Californians over 30 years have shown that being overweight, especially during middle age, raises the risk of developing dementia later in life. In a study released in the British Medical Journal they showed that roughly seven out of 100 people of normal weight developed dementia, while for those who were significantly overweight it was nine out of 100. For women, being obese doubled the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, while for men it increased the risk by 30 percent.

The study did not explain what might cause this link, although it did eliminate potential influences such as diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol, which are also more likely to occur in people who are overweight. The study did propose several theories, including one that fat cells are known to produce harmful, inflammatory chemicals which may cross over into the brain. Another idea in the study is that a lack of dietary fats such as those found in fish might also be a factor. It should be noted that Personalized Nutrition Programs from Empowered Nutrition Systems not only help people lose weight, but also recommend a balanced diet that includes all essential nutrients including dietary fats such as omega-3.

As the list of health issues associated with being overweight and obese grows, we at Empowered Nutrition Systems are reminded of the importance of helping those courageous people who have decided to do something about their health and wellbeing. We look forward to helping more and more individuals make a difference in their lives so they can grow old with their friends and family feeling healthy and clear-headed.

Click here for a full article on the study.