Yankees Pitcher CC Sabathia Drops 25 lbs by Losing "The Captain"

The overpaid/underachieving Yankees may have some hope in actually cashing in on their exorbitant payroll with newly-svelte hurler CC Sabathia. His weight loss secret? Eschewing sugar-coated razor blades Cap n' Crunch.

As of last season, Sabathia was the biggest player in the majors at an imposing 6'7" and 309 lbs. When Sabathia takes the mound this spring, however, he will have less strain on his right knee (where he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus), more stamina, and less cuts on the roof of his mouth.

Says Sabathia of "the Cap 'n"

I could eat a box at a time. Source

And who couldn't? I mean, can anyone really eat just one bowl of Cap 'n Crunch?

Simple math and biochemistry would lend credibility to this simple explanation of CC's weight loss. Let's "crunch" some numbers shall we on a 16-ounce box of The Cap 'n Crunch';

Calories: 1800 calSodium: 3373mgCarbohydrates: 382gSugar: 197g

Cutting the aforementioned out of one's diet would be well-advised. Especially given that Cap 'n Crunch was rated as the most nutritionally empty cereal by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity - ranking slightly ahead of paint chips.

Sometimes fat loss is a simple matter of cutting out a single vice. Sometimes it's pop or juice, beer or the daily scone you have on the way to work. As long as you aren't replacing said vice with something comparably caloric, there's no reason why you wouldn't drop some pounds.

As for athletes - even pitchers - leaning out will only give you a competitive advantage.

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Whole Grains Lead to Longer Life and Less Disease

Consuming more whole grains reduces your risk of premature death, claims a new study. And, it's fiber which makes the difference.

Researchers explain that not only does fiber benefit the heart, helping to prevent heart attacks, but fiber from whole grains also lowers the risk of respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia and chronic bronchitis, and other infectious diseases.

In addition to fiber, the American Heart Association lists whole grains as a good source of iron, which carries oxygen in the blood, and selenium, known to strengthen the immune system.

Writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, scientists found that fiber from whole grains - not fruits and vegetables - had the biggest impact on lowering death risk; even from cancer. The research included data on more than 500,000 AARP members; surveying study participants about their eating habits over a nine-year period.

The findings revealed people who ate the most fiber (30 grams a day for men, and 25 grams a day for women) were 22% less likely to die from any cause during the study, compared to individuals eating the least amount of fiber (13 grams a day for men, and 11 grams a day for women).

For specific diseases, men consuming a high-fiber diet had a 24% lower risk of dying from heart disease, 31% reduced risk of dying from respiratory diseases, 56% lower risk to die from an infectious disease, and were 17% less likely to die from cancer. The reductions in risk were similar for women.

But, the scientists aren't sure why high-fiber intake was associated with lower death-risk from respiratory disease and infectious diseases. It could be fiber's anti-inflammatory properties, but more research is needed.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include whole grains in its list of foods for maintaining a healthy weight; along with fruits, vegetables, low-fat and fat-free milk products, fish, and lean cuts of poultry and meat.

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Vegans Have High Heart Risks

Eating a vegan diet may increase your risk of blood clots and atherosclerosis, suggests a new study. Both are risk factors for heart attacks and stroke.

Unlike some vegetarian diets which permit milk and cheese, a vegan diet excludes all animal foods, including dairy products.

But the new study claims a vegan diet - usually touted for its health benefits - is critically low in several key nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, prompting experts to recommend vegans augment their diet, or take vitamin supplements.

Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers reviewed dozens of articles on the biochemistry of vegetarianism over the past 30 years, and found people who avoid all animal foods may have an increased risk of developing blood clots and atherosclerosis.

High cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty material builds up and hardens (forming calcium deposits) along the walls of the arteries. The U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health warns that atherosclerosis can eventually block arteries.

A vegan or vegetarian diet is widely believed to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, unlike a meat-heavy diet, i.e. consuming too much saturated fat, which raises cholesterol and leads to heart disease.

But the researchers contend a vegan diet lacks sufficient iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids; causing vegans to have elevated blood levels of homocysteine and low levels of HDL (or "good") cholesterol. Both are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood; high levels have been linked to heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, homocysteine levels are "strongly influenced" by diet.

To avoid the increased heart risks, and in order to get sufficient B12 and omega-3, the researchers recommend consuming oily fish, like salmon, certain nuts, such as walnuts, eggs, fortified milk, or taking supplements.

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Is Mom's Work Schedule Making Kids Fat?

A recent study has linked children's weight to the amount of time their mothers were away at work growing up.

The researchers found that the total number of years mothers were employed had a small but growing influence on their children's BMI.

The research team studied body mass index (BMI) data from 990 children in grades 3, 5 and 6 who lived in cities across the country.The total number of years mothers were employed away from home had a cumulative influence on their children's rising BMI.The findings were strongest among children in 5th and 6th grades.Surprisingly, changes in children's physical activity, time spent unsupervised, and time spent watching TV didn't explain the link between maternal employment and children's BMI.The time of day moms worked wasn't significantly associated with children's BMI.Although the reasons for the findings are not crystal clear, the authors suggest that one possibility is the limited time for grocery shopping and food preparation - opening the door for higher consumption of pre-packaged and fast foods.

Makes sense to me. The cultural shift of family dynamics has no doubt had an impact on how children are raised. With over 70% of American women with young children in the workforce, it's easy to see the potential impact of this trend.

It's a struggle to try and make it all work for double income parents and single parents alike. That said, it has to take priority, and families need to find ways to provide nutritious meals for their children.

I think it starts with taking advantage of the time you have with your children. This may be first thing in the morning, where you can perhaps eat a healthy breakfast together. Making sure you pack a healthy lunch, and have healthy snacks on hand for when the children get home, takes care of most eating occasions.

Dinners can be tricky - long workdays can render one exhausted and not feeling much like cooking. This is where some planning is crucial, having things defrosted, making enough for leftovers, and an inventory of quick and healthy meal ideas.

Do you think working mothers have a small, large or non-existent impact on childhood obesity?

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Trans-Fats Increase Risk of Depression

Eating foods high in trans-fat may increase your risk of developing depression; new research claims.

Trans fat comes from adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process called hydrogenation. They are used to prolong shelf-life of processed foods, like cookies, snack cakes, and potato chips.

Trans-fats have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity; prompting cities like New York to ban restaurants from using them.

The new study found the more trans-fat you consume, the greater your risk of depression.

Writing in the online journal PloS One, scientists analyzed the diet of 12,000 volunteers over a six-year period. At the beginning of the study, none of the individuals had been diagnosed with depression. But after the six years, 657 study participants suffered from depression.

Data showed individuals with "elevated" intake of trans-fats had a 48% increased risk of depression, compared to those who did not consume trans-fat.

The scientists determined the more trans-fat people consume, the higher their risk of depression. They recommend avoiding trans-fat and sticking to healthier oils, such as fish, vegetable, and olive oil, which have been associated with a lower risk of depression.

Additionally, the researchers discovered that omega-9 fatty acids helped prevent mental illness. Previous studies indicate that omega-fats, found in foods like fatty fish - such as salmon - may help prevent depression.

According to the World Health Organization, depression affects 121 million people, and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. And, despite being "reliably diagnosed," fewer than 25% of those with depression have effective access to treatment, with many sufferers avoiding treatment due to the social stigma.

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The Gracie Diet

The Gracie family are well known for their achievements in Martial Arts. And, one secret of their success is the strict diet they follow, apparently.

Grand Master, Carlos Gracie, developed the Gracie Diet based on his observations (over 65 years) of the effects of various food combinations.

The basis of this book is spacing meals at least four and a half hours apart, and food combining - something I first heard about years ago when my mum when on "Fit for Life." However, it's not an idea I'm particularly fond of.

A study, published in the International Journal of Obesity in 2000, looked at of the benefit of food combining for weight loss, and found no evidence that it was effective.

In the book, foods are grouped according to the digestive enzymes needed to break them down. This means that only foods from compatible groups can be eaten together at a meal, as a way of reducing the body's workload, easing the digestive process, and therefore essential functions, such as training, healing injuries, and fighting disease, can take precedence.

Unfortunately, even though this sounds great on paper, there is very little science to back it up.

The book is also promoted as a "family affair," however I feel it would be quite difficult for children to adjust to this way of eating. And, it seems unnecessary for them, too.

I have to say the main concept behind this diet, is a no-no for me. I don't like diets which complicate matters for people, because it makes being "healthy" seem unattainable.

However, I also don't think the diet is a dangerous one. So, if this sounds like your kind of thing, here are some of the ideas I like about the Gracie Diet: It encourages spacing between meals - for most people that is a good thing, forcing them to eat less. However, it's probably not suitable for diabetics, or those who train vigorously. Almost all foods can be eaten (but they do have to be combined correctly).On the official website there are recipes, how-to videos, and lots of other tools and tips. The Interactive Gracie Diet Table is very useful for getting to grips with the food groups, and which foods can be eaten together. Eating right vs. eating junk food is always going to leave you feeling healthier and more energetic.Exercise is encouraged.

The Gracie Diet is available from Amazon for $30.

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Shoveling the Fat Away

This is a guest post by Nicolas D'Alleva.

While in the midst of the winter season, snowstorms or other problems that Mother Nature could cause may get in the way of your daily workout. Take advantage of the winter. There are ways right around your house to get a great work out when stuck in due to bad weather.

Three great ways to get a workout in the snow are:

Shovel the fat away: Shoveling is a great way to start your day. Instead of your normal morning workout, get a shovel out and clear your driveway. Maybe even offer to shovel a neighbor’s driveway too. Shoveling gets all your arm and leg muscles working. It is an intense work out that will help speed up your heart rate and burn the calories you want gone. But remember to use your legs so you don’t hurt your back.Take a jog in the snow: Running and jogging in the snow gives you a great work out. It takes more energy for you to move your legs in the snow allowing you to burn more calories and shed that fat. Please make sure that the snow is soft and light. The last thing you want to do is slip and fall on ice while out on a run.Exercise never goes out of style: Get out those old workout tapes and put them to good use. Sure the trainers may wear some out of date clothes, but the exercises still help you tone up and lose weight. You’ll even get a kick out of the things you used to do and wear to work out. Relive your glory days and exercise while doing it.

So when the bad weather starts to get you down, remember that there are still plenty of things you can do to get your workout. This is the only time of the year that you’ll be able to do some of them. Take advantage of that and start shoveling your fat away.

Nicolas D'Alleva is the owner of Specialty Answering Service, a nationwide phone answering service for businesses and professionals. When Nicolas is not working, you can find him sleeping, eating (healthy), or exercising.

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