Archives: May 2004
Tue May 25, 2004
My analysis of two low-carb studies
Two studies using low-carbohydrate diets appeared in the latest issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. These articles support what most of us believe, that people lose weight faster initially on a low calorie low carb diet . . understanding that the word "carb" is a misnomer. More...
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Thu May 20, 2004
A Source of Miscommunication
Sometimes sparks fly when a bariatrician talks to an obese patient who lost a trivial amount of weight and then stopped losing altogether. More...
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Wed May 19, 2004
Future Episodes of Sixty Minutes
Episode #1: Drugs on the Internet.
A British gentleman told me I have a big following in Great Britain.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes, we follow the advice on your website."
"How do you get phentermine? It's not sold in Britain."
". . . We buy it over the Internet."
More...
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Mon May 10, 2004
Skipping Meals
Many nutritionists tell patients not to skip meals. The advice is based on oral tradition passed down from generation to generation of nutritionists--mythology--not on any scientific study. More...
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Wed May 05, 2004
Side-Effects of Phen-Pro: Dry Mouth
This common, minor side effect results from phentermine inhibition of salivation. It can be partly or completely overcome by having the patient suck on sugarless candies or chew gum. In a way, the dry mouth is helpful because it reminds the patients to drink more water, an important part of the phen-pro program.
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Side-Effects of Phen-Pro: Hair Loss
When patients lose weight by whatever means, a number notice scalp hair loss. It's usually self-limited and stops by itself, but the patients may be distressed by it. It's not from thyroid inhibition; TSH is always normal, of course, because the rapid weight loss is proof that their thyroid axis is normal. I have had success stopping the hair loss by giving a lysine supplement 500 mg a day. Supplemental biotin also helps.
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Side-Effects of Phen-Pro: Tremor
I have seen tremor only when the patients are ignoring my advice to eschew caffeinated coffee. Easy fix. Drink decaff only.
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Side-Effects of Phen-Pro: Poor Near-Vision
This rare side effect is a result of the minor degree of pupillary dilatation that occurs. The problem usually gets better on its own.
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Side-Effects of Phen-Pro: Decreased Mood Swings
This is a result of the SSRI component. Most patients LIKE this side-effect but I have seen two cases where the patients did not. In one case a pair of elderly ladies associated with the theater did not like that the med reduced their mood swings. They believed true artists are supposed to be moody. In the second case a patient of mine, an author of 14 published novels, complained that, like Edgar Allen Poe, she could not write well if she wasn't depressed. It takes all kinds.
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Mon May 03, 2004
Side-Effects of Phen-Pro: Sexual Side Effects
On phen-pro, men sometimes can't get an erection, or their erection is too soft, or they can get an erection but can't achieve orgasm. Women, too, sometimes find orgasm elusive. The majority of patients do not experience these side-effects, but a sizable number do. More...
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