What effect do low-carbohydrate diets have on the kidneys?

Generally speaking, low-carbohydrate diets are synonymous with high protein diets; most of the calories in these diets come from protein and therefore, are not balanced nutrition plans. As of late, these diets have been very popular with the American public. Researchers have concluded these diets do have short term effects on kidney function. Unfortunately, there has not been enough research completed regarding the long term health effects from these diets.

The kidneys are the filtering organs of the body; they process everything we take in and eliminate toxins, or waste. With increased protein consumption, the kidney is forced to work over time and “hyperfiltrate” to eliminate waste from the body; over a period of time, this over working can lead to kidney damage or even failure in those with already compromised kidney function. The good news is, researchers have not found these diets to have adverse effects on those with normal kidney function. Your best bet… Stick with a diet that is well balanced and calorically sound.

Posted for Dr. Eve Olson, M.D. at St. Francis Weight Loss Center

Are You An Emotional Eater?

Hello Everyone,

Allow me to introduce myself: I am Amy Gartner and I am the therapist at the St. Francis Weight Loss Center. I am new to St. Francis, but I have been a therapist for almost 20 years, specializing in Emotional Overeating.

Are you an Emotional Eater? Emotional overeating is also known as compulsive overeating and more recently Binge Eating Disorder, it is characterized by the following:

*Using food for reasons other than physical hunger
*Feeling unable to stop the behavior
*It may involve eating until you are stuffed or grazing throughout the day
*People eat more than they need because of stress, anxiety, depression or emotional needs
*It is a way of realizing that your needs are not being met

The bottom line is that Emotional Overeating is a sign that something other than hunger is going on and food is being used to keep those feelings buried.....shoved down, if you will.

In order to change the destructive patterns of Emotional Overeating, you must learn to access your feelings and to meet your needs in more nurturing ways than eating. How do I access my feelings? Start slow and ask yourself several times throughout the day, "how do I feel and what do I need?" At first you may feel numb and I would encourage you to relax, stop thinking and ask yourself again, "how do I feel in my core, my soul?" Once you realize how you feel you can decide what you need. For example, if I am tired I need to rest, not have a cookie. If I am angry then I need to vent to a friend, not go through a fast food drive through. If I am happy then I need to celebrate and share my joy, not indulge in chocolate cake.

We must learn to identify our feelings and needs as well as learn effective ways to deal with our stress that does not involve food. Excellent stress relievers are talking with others about the situation, exercising, taking a hot bath, reading, walking, spending time with someone who is calming, the list goes on and on.

Too often we reach for food without really understanding what we need. I challenge you to ask yourself, "How do I feel?" and "What do I need?" After you recognize what you need find a way to give it to yourself or at least nurture yourself in ways other than eating.

Happy Self Nurturing, Amy

Medication Reminders!

As an RN, the majority of post operative questions I receive concern medications. I thought it may be helpful to include a reminder of what medications may or may not be used after Bariatric surgery here at St. Francis.

1. Do NOT take any of the following medication without clearance from your surgeon:
Ibuprofen
Arthritis medications
Aspirin
Imodium or any antidiarrheal medication
Milk of Magnesia or any other laxative

2. DO continue taking the proton pump inhibitor for three to six months after surgery as the medication was ordered by your surgeon. This is important to prevent the formation of gastric ulcers. Medications in this classification include Nexium,Protonix, Prevacid, and Prilosec.

3. Consult with your family doctor or your specialist for regulation of blood pressure and diabetes medications. These need to be monitored and adjusted or eliminated as weight loss occurs.

4. If constipation occurs or is a concern, taking a stool softener such as Colace on as regular basis is advised. This is not a laxative, and it must be taken daily to be effective in the prevention of constipation. Eating high fiber foods such as baby food prunes is also recommended.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns be sure to contact your surgeon or Bariatric Center.

Ready to Get Back on Track?

Many of us get recharged at the beginning of the new year and are motivated to get healthier. But sometimes when you're looking back over years of resolutions unachieved, the thought of making another attempt can feel frustating and pointless. Don't let past failures get you down. Instead, focus on what may have held you back from attaining your goals and adjust your expectiations for yourself in the future. Were your resolutions unrealistic? Did you have a working plan in mind to make them possible?

• Set a realistic goal for changes to your diet or exercise routine and take into account your schedule, time commitments and current physical shape.
• It's easy to get too fixated on a number of pounds, whether it's an overall weight you want to achieve or an amount of weight you want to lose in a certain time period. Rather than getting hooked on a number, make a goal that measures the improvement of your overall health such as working up to walking 30 minutes daily without being out of breath or training to walk or run a 5K race.
• If you do choose set a weight goal, ask a doctor about how much weight you can lose healthfully in a set time period. Setting small weight goals along with the final one and rewarding yourself along the way is a good motivating tool.

• If your goal is to exercise more, look at your schedule and find a specific time that it will fit in.
• Find a workout buddy or someone to hold you accountable to sticking to the time you set. If need be, choose something to give up, such as an hour of television, to make it happen.
• People who haven't had success on their own can seek help from the Weight Loss Center or similar programs that monitor progress. At St. Francis, dieters get weekly help from doctors, dietitians and behavioral counselors.