By Steve Blechman 

A report appeared on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine that nearly half of American adults will be obese within a decade. The report was led by the scientists at Harvard and George Washington Universities. The new research predicts that by 2030, about 50% of U.S. adults will be obese. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 40% of U.S. adults are obese today.

Recent research published in the Journal of Obesity, July 1, 2020 reported that obesity may be one of the biggest predictors of severe COVID-19 illness. The obesity epidemic is real and upon us – about 4 out of 10 Americans are obese! Obesity or being overweight increases metabolic syndrome, which includes insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which can increase the risk of death in people infected with the coronavirus. Infectious disease experts have said that the coronavirus is going to be around for a while and most likely reoccur in the fall/winter along with the flu.

On Friday, June 26, 2020, an article appeared in The Wall Street Journal entitled: “The Covid-15 Have Made Our Clothes Too Tight.” It mentioned that, “people spent the spring sheltering at home in sweatpants.” The article continues to say that, “most of them escaped COVID-19, but not the COVID-15.” – what people are calling the quarantine weight gain. Pushing Americans into roomier wardrobes just as the lockdowns lift.” “Google searches for “elastic waist” spiked in recent weeks, according to Google Trends data.” No surprise with the lockdown combined with the Memorial Day weekend and July 4^th barbecues and holiday celebrations. Gyms were closed and some people were less active and exercised less. Also, stress and anxiety from the pandemic caused people to eat less healthy, highly processed foods rich in carbs and fats and drink more alcoholic beverages.

On May 21, WebMD released data from a poll in which they surveyed 1,012 U.S. readers and found that 47% of women and 22% of men gained weight due to COVID-19 restrictions. This weight gain from the lockdown can have a detrimental effect on your health and well-being.

A most recent study published June 23-30, 2020 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) report that 37% of the U.S. population has metabolic syndrome and on the rise! More than 1 billion people have metabolic syndrome globally. It is a worldwide health issue and concern! The metabolic syndrome is mainly caused by obesity and excess body fat around the midsection. Excess abdominal fat and weight gain can increase the risk of inflammation, insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar, diabetes, fatty liver disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

A healthy diet and lifestyle changes, such as following the Mediterranean Diet along with exercise, has been shown in the scientific research to safely prevent and lower the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Many antioxidant foods rich in polyphenols are abundant in the Mediterranean diet such as extra-virgin olive oil, fruits, nuts, red wine, tea and coffee.

New research has found that coffee consumption can lower the risk of inflammation and metabolic syndrome. A study published May 3, 2020 in the Journal of Nutrition reported that “women who drank two or three cups of coffee a day were found to have lower total body and abdominal fat than those who drink less.” (ScienceDaily, May 13, 2020.) Researchers found that women aged 20 to 44 who drank two to three cups of coffee per day have the lowest level of adiposity, 3.4% lower than people who did not consume coffee. Among women aged 45 to 69, those who drank four or more cups had an adiposity percentage of 4.1% lower.

The researchers said, “It could be that coffee, or effective ingredients, could be integrated into a healthy diet strategy to reduce the burden of chronic conditions related to the obesity epidemic.” On Monday, June 24, 2019 in the prestigious journal Nature Scientific Reports, a breakthrough weight loss/fat loss study was published entitled: “Coffee Exposure Induces Browning Features in Adipose Tissue In Vitro and In Vivo.” The researchers said, “It is the first study in humans to show that something like a cup of coffee can have a direct effect on brown fat functions.” British researchers from the University of Nottingham found that one cup of coffee containing only 65mg of caffeine can activate brown fat. Brown fat is an organ that is extremely metabolically active. It’s like a generator that produces heat, which helps burn more calories. We only have 50 to 100 grams of brown fat, mainly located behind the neck and scapula. Brown fat produces 300 times more heat than our muscles or any organ in the body! If we can increase the amount of brown fat or activate more brown fat cells, you will burn more calories over a 24-hour period. 

As I said in previous articles, I consider coffee the healthiest beverage on the planet. It is loaded with phenolic antioxidants, which have been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and living a longer life. There are over 200 studies that find drinking two to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower risk of death and heart disease compared to drinking no coffee. Also, coffee drinking is associated with a lower risk of many cancers, liver disease, diabetes and dementia. A study (Food Func, 2018, January 23) found that coffee consumption promotes muscle hypertrophy. The study showed that by inhibiting myostatin expression and increasing IGF-1, coffee increases grip strength. Another study (Nutrition Journal, 2012) found that coffee drinking not only increases longevity, but also elevates testosterone levels! There are so many potential health benefits of coffee! In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on March 5, 2019, researchers found daily coffee consumption had a very positive metabolic effect on biomarkers of metabolic and inflammatory pathways in U.S. health professionals. Daily coffee consumption lowered c-reactive protein (CRP) 16.6 percent. CRP is a measurement of systemic inflammation. Also, daily coffee increased testosterone in men 5.3 percent. This study clearly shows that daily coffee consumption has a positive effect on lowering inflammation. There are so many potential miracle powers of coffee!

Brown fat is a special kind of fat cell that generates heat and helps regulate bodyweight and energy expenditure. The body has two forms of fat  – white fat and brown fat. Brown fat burns calories. The more brown fat you have, the more calories you burn. The capability of harnessing one's own brown fat for fat burning is revolutionary! The ability to get lean by producing extra brown fat and enhancing and activating existing brown represents a promising way to burn fat. Several landmark discoveries and approaches to this are being explored at major research centers in universities worldwide with great excitement. Brown fat research is a hot topic today!

Over the last few years, I’ve launched AML® THERMO HEAT, the most scientifically advanced brown fat and thermogenic supplement line ever developed! One of those products, AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN, contains nutrients that have been shown to increase brown fat activation and thermogenesis, including whey protein enriched with 5 grams of the branched-chain amino acid leucine. Leucine is the key anabolic trigger of protein synthesis. Supplemental leucine by itself and synergistically combined with vitamin D3 and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can help prevent lean muscle loss especially during low-calorie, low-carb or ketogenic diets. Also, two double-blind human studies have shown that the amino acid leucine (2.4grams daily) and citrulline (2grams daily) can lower the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), and c-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body. (SL Nutrition and Metabolism, September 5, 2017.) (BMC Research Notes, February 15, 2019.)

AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN also contains nitric oxide activators that have been shown to activate BAT and thermogenesis. Nitric oxide and nitric oxide precursors such as citrulline have been shown to increase BAT and thermogenesis. Grapeskin extract has been shown to increase nitric oxide production. Polyphenols are being studied for their role in fat metabolism and obesity management. Folic acid also boosts nitric oxide availability, by increasing BH4 and decreasing homocysteine levels. Research has shown that folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, increase insulin sensitivity and lower fasting insulin levels in type 2 diabetes. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), grains of paradise (40mg - standardized for 12% paradol, a clinically effective dose) and BioPerine® black pepper fruit extract are all included for further activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and thermogenesis. Grains of paradise, a spice containing 6-paradol, like chili peppers containing capsaicin, activate BAT, increase whole-body energy expenditure and decrease visceral fat (deep abdominal fat) in humans. It also contains allulose, a natural, low-calorie, fat-burning, thermogenic sweetener. It is approved for low-sugar/low-carb or ketogenic diets. Allulose does not impact blood sugar or insulin levels.

AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN is also rich in the important electrolytes potassium and magnesium, which are important when following a weight-loss diet. Each serving contains 750mg of potassium (from potassium citrate) and 100mg of magnesium (from magnesium citrate). A new study that was published in the journal Nutrients on June 2, 2019, shows that decreased body mass index (BMI) could be obtained by increasing dietary potassium to help encourage weight loss. The researchers in the study acknowledged, “It is notable that the increase in dietary potassium was a stronger predictor of weight loss in this study than such well-established factors as a reduction in sugar consumption and in overall caloric intake.” There is evidence that low dietary potassium intake may negatively be linked to obesity. A meta-analysis and epidemiological data reported that, “studies concluded that high potassium intake was associated with a decreased odds ratio for having obesity and the MS [metabolic syndrome]” (Nutrients, 2016). Low-carb diets enhance the excretion of important electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. Low-carb, ketogenic diets have a diuresis effect, enhancing water and electrolyte mineral losses. Also, low-carb and ketogenic diets restrict the intake of fruits, which are rich in potassium. The best vegetable sources of foods rich in potassium on a ketogenic diet are spinach, nuts and avocados.

AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN only contains 60 calories per serving. Also, unlike some other type of Keto Coffees that contain butter, coconut oil, or both, AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN coffee does not contain butter or coconut oil! Butter and coconut oil contain large amounts of saturated fat and that can raise the level of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the blood and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Two tablespoons of butter also contains 14 grams of saturated fat and 200 calories! Some keto coffees contain 450 calories! Also, recent research has shown that coconut oil, unlike pure MCT oil, does not increase thermogenesis. AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN coffee can not only enhance fat burning and prevent hunger in the morning, but it can also improve mental focus and is a much healthier alternative to other keto coffees.

Coffee has many health benefits and may help prevent certain diseases. Coffee can also help burn fat, boost lean body mass, improve cognitive function and exercise performance! Become a FAT BURNING MACHINE, take a scoop of AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN with your morning coffee on an empty stomach or 30 minutes before a meal. It’s convenient, it mixes instantly, and no blender is required. We have two delicious flavors in Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla Cream – they taste amazing! AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN† is an advanced, scientifically designed protein, amino acid and brown fat-activating beverage. As part of a calorie-restricted diet and exercise (aerobic and resistance training) program, it can help enhance fat loss and preserve lean body mass when following a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet. A healthy weight loss is one that enhances the reduction of body fat and preserves lean body mass while dieting. You will be pleased with the results!

References:

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