Once again, we are into the second quarter, re evaluating our new year resolutions.  Can you guess what the most resolutions are about?  Of course, it is dieting!!! Realistically looking at the statistics of how the weight of American adults has risen in the past 30 years, diet is a real concern.  Even worse rates of childhood obesity are also rapidly rising.  The real danger from carrying excessive weight is the greater occurrences of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea etc.  So obviously weight is important but what is an optimal weight and how should we obtain it.  

Body weight is influenced by multiple factors including genetics, diet, neurotransmitter function and physical activity.  

So how much weight is too much?  We are inundated by diet advice from different gurus – low fat, low carb, vegetarianism, grapefruit diet, to name a few.   For every opinion there is a counter opinion leaving the average consumer extremely confused.

The cornerstone of any healthy weight management plan is a healthy diet which should include whole foods with low glycemic value, such as protein, essential fats, vegetables, high fiber fruits, whole grains and legumes.  Essential fatty acids are particularly important for weight management programs.  

More and more research now indicates that dietary supplements may support healthy weight management programs by promoting satiety and metabolic activity.  In one randomized double blind placebo controlled study involving 95 obese individuals, multi vitamin supplementation supported lean body mass and healthy lipid metabolism.  Optimal calcium and magnesium intake have also been associated with weight maintenance as well as healthy glucose fat metabolism.