Suthin Liptawat

The Sonoma Diet

This is the story of a patient of mine who follows the Sonoma Diet with gratifying result.

This patient is about 50 years old. He weighed more than 350 lbs. He tried to lose weight but without success due to lack of motivation and lack of knowledge about the concept behind weight reduction methods. He used to skip meals to try to lose weight but he gained weight instead.

After reading the Sonoma Diet book by Connie Guttersen, I told him to read the book without following the diet plan itself. He did not follow my advice.

About 4 months ago,his blood pressures and blood glucose levels began to rise to the point that medications might be needed. His low back pain got worse. he asked me to give him another 2 months before prescribing medications for him.

Licorice: Is it dangerous to use?

Licorice Root

Common Names--licorice root,licorice,sweet root, gan zao(Chinese licorice)

Latin Name-- Glycyrrhiza glabra

What is it used for: Licorice root has been used for canker sores(aphthous ulcers),bleeding ulcers caused by aspirin,herpes simplex virus infection,peptic ulcer disease and viral hepatitis. Evidence-based Level C (Unclear Sscientific evidence for the mentioned uses),according to the book: Natural Standard,Herb&Supplement Reference by Catherine E. Ulbricht and Ethan M. Basch.

How is it used:

• Dried and powdwered form.
• Capsules,tablets and liquid extracts
• Licorice can be found with glycyrrhizin removed,called DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)

Coffee: Is it good for you?

We have heard or read conflicting reports about coffee whether it is good or bad for your health.

I have good news for you.

The following is an excerpt from my favorite wellness newsletter: www.WellnessLetter.com. It is the newsletter of nutrition, fitness and and self-care, from the School of Public Health, University of California,Berkeley.

How can coffee be good for you?  Read on.

Eating Well,Organic Or Not?

While browsing through the magazine rack today at Barnes and Nobles,my favorite bookstore,I stumble upon the Eating Well magazine. On the cover,there is a headline: WHEN TO BUY ORGANIC,A COSUMER GUIDE.

This " When to buy organic" article is written by Peter Jarett. The author poses several questions.

Is organic produce safer? Is organic more nutritious? Is organic friendlier to the enviroment? Is it worth spending more for organically grown food?

The article is fair to both sides of the debate. I interpreted that the author told us to choose produce wisely and keep in mind that organic produce is 50% more expensive.

The 7 Myths That Make You Gain Weight

Another diet and nutrition book?

Yes! I just finish reading Ultra-Metabolism,the simple plan foe automatic weight loss,by Mark Hyman,M.D.

The 7 myths mentioned in the very beginning of the book are:The Starvation Myth,The Calorie Myth, The Fat Myth, The Carb Myth, The Sumo wrestler Myth, The French Paradox Myth And The Protector Myth.

Just avoid the myths mentioned above,anyone will have a good start in maintaining or losing weight.

At the beginning of the book,there are a lot of researched theories about the concept of ultrametabolism which at first they are a little difficult for any lay person to understand. But if you are patient enough to read through the whole book you will begin to understand the concepts of losing weight automatically.

I really like the several questionnaires in the book,such as How Is The Stress Response Affecting You? or How Inflamed Are You? If you score high in these questionnaires,you better do something about it or talk to your doctor what to do about it?.  I score 3 on both questionnaires. It made me feel good but not complacent.

This book,Ultrametabolism, is an excellent tool for both health-care consumers to use and for professionals to teach their patients.

Unable to take Statins,A Dilemma

I am sure there are a lot of physicians out there who,like me, are frustrated that their patients can't take any brand of the statin drugs because of it's side effects.

We all know that certain foods will reduce cholesterol but where do we find  a good and safe diet plan for our patients to follow.

There are very good advices in the two books: The Sonoma Diet and Superfoods Health Style mentioned in my previous posts.

During my googling to research about the almond nut,a super food,I found the PortfolioEatingPlan brought  to us by the Almond Board of California.

The following are adapted from the Almond Board of California with it's permission.

Kiwi and Your Heart

I used to hate the fruit called kiwi. The  book,SuperFoods HealthStyles, by Steven G. Pratt,M.D. and Kathy Matthews,converted me.

One of the beauty of this book is that it lists the so-called Superfoods. Kiwi is one of them.  It mentions the benefits of this fruit with reliable reference. Besides lowering the blood triglycerides level,it also has an antiplatelet activities. The book cited a good study to back up these claims.

Kiwi also is a source of Vitamin C,Vitamin E,Folate,Fiber,Carotenoids,Polyphenols and more.

Did I tried kiwi yet? Of course yes,and I love it now. My wife used to buy it in the past but I always brushed it aside. Besides teasing me for being a convert,she mentions that it is quite difficult to eat the kiwi fruit at the right time. After being bought from the store,she let it get ripened. When it feels slightly soft to a very light squeeze,it's time to eat it.

There are many,many more useful information about other SuperFoods listed by the authors.

I highly recommend this book. Together with the other book,The Sonoma Diet,it will guide anyone to eat healthily and not gaining weight.

Reliable Guide to Herbs

I had never heard of the organization called The American Botanical Council or The ABC until I browsed the Google Dirctory a few weeks ago. It took me only two minutes to decide to become a professional member of this non-profit organization.

I fell in love with Herbalgram,the journal of The ABC. Now I have another excellent resource to learn more about herbs and herbal medicine and to impart the knowledge to my patients. I enjoy reading the feature article about Licorice,in the spring 2006 issue of the journal.

You will not be disappointed to visit The ABC website: www.herbalgram.org

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

I must give the credit to the two books and authors that encourage and guide me to start my first weblog.

The first one is: BLOG WILD by Andy Wibbels. This book is really good for blogging newbie like me. It is not intimidating at all. But before starting blogging,I get a second opinion from a second book: BLOGGING for Dummies by Brad Hill.

My suggestion to fellow newbies is to use both books. Both books also help me deciding to go with Typepad.

Andy Wibbels helps me get started. His instructions is so easy to follow.

Brad Hill gives me more details that are not covered in BLOG WILD.

Well,I still have a lot more to learn.

Lesson Learned from a Film

The Film: Cars

It's a good movie,even though to me,the middle is a little boring. But the technology is amazing. I am always impressed with Pixar. The Disney Co. is lucky and smart to retain it.

Lesson learned: Victory is not the only thing.