Comments for Dr Briffa's Blog - A Good Look at Good Health http://www.drbriffa.com A health-focused blog that makes sense of science, and offers accurate, trustworthy and practical advice about all aspects of healthy living. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:46:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Why does the UK Government’s obesity advisor dish out useless advice? by Maria Cross http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/why-does-the-uk-governments-obesity-advisor-dish-out-useless-advice/comment-page-1/#comment-192501 Maria Cross Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:46:37 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4669#comment-192501 The same, industry-funded experts who tell us to just eat less and exercise more are the ones who also tell us that 'there is no such thing as a bad food, only a bad diet.' That neatly exonerates the food industry and blames us for not being able to cobble together a 'good' diet. The same, industry-funded experts who tell us to just eat less and exercise more are the ones who also tell us that ‘there is no such thing as a bad food, only a bad diet.’ That neatly exonerates the food industry and blames us for not being able to cobble together a ‘good’ diet.

]]> Comment on Can shining a light into the ears combat ‘winter blues’? by Mike Mc http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/10/ca-shining-a-light-into-the-ears-combat-winter-blues/comment-page-1/#comment-192499 Mike Mc Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:46:00 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4628#comment-192499 It certainly sounds like an interesting idea, but £165 for a set of LEDs stuck into some earphone buds! Really?! This is a rip-off. The unit itself is nothing more than a battery and a microcontroller for the timer. The LEDs will be standard LEDs available off the shelf. Anyone with some basic maker knowledge could make a set of these for less than £10. Don't waste your money and make one or get your local hackerspace to make one for you. It certainly sounds like an interesting idea, but £165 for a set of LEDs stuck into some earphone buds! Really?! This is a rip-off. The unit itself is nothing more than a battery and a microcontroller for the timer. The LEDs will be standard LEDs available off the shelf. Anyone with some basic maker knowledge could make a set of these for less than £10. Don’t waste your money and make one or get your local hackerspace to make one for you.

]]> Comment on Why does the UK Government’s obesity advisor dish out useless advice? by Denise Taylor http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/why-does-the-uk-governments-obesity-advisor-dish-out-useless-advice/comment-page-1/#comment-192500 Denise Taylor Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:54:38 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4669#comment-192500 I lost 7 stone in a year by following the paleo diet and eating every 3 hours. (Lost 10 and a half stone in total) Wish I could give my view on these radio shows, but I have written a book on my journey - Fat to Fantastic and spreading the word as far as I can. So much rubbish is spread about, and I hate the way that diet clubs promote diet ready meals. I love telling people that diet cola makes you fat, because it makes you crave carbs I lost 7 stone in a year by following the paleo diet and eating every 3 hours. (Lost 10 and a half stone in total) Wish I could give my view on these radio shows, but I have written a book on my journey – Fat to Fantastic and spreading the word as far as I can. So much rubbish is spread about, and I hate the way that diet clubs promote diet ready meals. I love telling people that diet cola makes you fat, because it makes you crave carbs

]]> Comment on How hunger can weaken willpower by Mack Parnell http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/02/how-hunger-can-weaken-willpower/comment-page-1/#comment-192497 Mack Parnell Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:53:48 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4617#comment-192497 Hunger can also stop you exercising to the correct intensity. if you are going to the gym on an empty stomach there is not much chance you will be training as hard you would if keeping up with regular meals. This can be detrimental to achieving your fitness and weight loss/control goals as you need to be progressively training harder or heavier each time you go, if you are feeling too hungry your energy levels will be zapped and you will never feel like progressing and often cut your workout short. Hunger can also stop you exercising to the correct intensity. if you are going to the gym on an empty stomach there is not much chance you will be training as hard you would if keeping up with regular meals. This can be detrimental to achieving your fitness and weight loss/control goals as you need to be progressively training harder or heavier each time you go, if you are feeling too hungry your energy levels will be zapped and you will never feel like progressing and often cut your workout short.

]]> Comment on Spearmint and cutting carbs may help ‘hairy’ women by zainabame http://www.drbriffa.com/2007/02/21/spearmint-and-cutting-carbs-may-help-hairy-women/comment-page-3/#comment-192493 zainabame Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:35:55 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/2007/02/21/spearmint-and-cutting-carbs-may-help-hairy-women/#comment-192493 is peppermint tea the same as spearmint tea, because i couldnt find any spearmint, so i hope this works and has the same effects, has anyone tied peppermint tea? is peppermint tea the same as spearmint tea, because i couldnt find any spearmint, so i hope this works and has the same effects, has anyone tied peppermint tea?

]]> Comment on Why does the UK Government’s obesity advisor dish out useless advice? by kate http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/why-does-the-uk-governments-obesity-advisor-dish-out-useless-advice/comment-page-1/#comment-192495 kate Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:24:19 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4669#comment-192495 So much of what passes for a new innovation in diets is simply a variation on low-calorie dieting. The only thing that has happened in the U.S. is that the various camps who feel that someone else is to blame for their results (big Pharma, low-fat, low-calorie, doctors, the scientific community in general, dieting support groups - WW, TOPS, OA) have become more hysterical about how the world works against them. People do maintain weight loss and they agree on how they do it: see the National Weight Loss Registry. Whichever advice you wish to take, 'Stick to it' is as basic as it gets. So much of what passes for a new innovation in diets is simply a variation on low-calorie dieting. The only thing that has happened in the U.S. is that the various camps who feel that someone else is to blame for their results (big Pharma, low-fat, low-calorie, doctors, the scientific community in general, dieting support groups – WW, TOPS, OA) have become more hysterical about how the world works against them. People do maintain weight loss and they agree on how they do it: see the National Weight Loss Registry. Whichever advice you wish to take, ‘Stick to it’ is as basic as it gets.

]]> Comment on Why does the UK Government’s obesity advisor dish out useless advice? by Annie Nichols http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/why-does-the-uk-governments-obesity-advisor-dish-out-useless-advice/comment-page-1/#comment-192492 Annie Nichols Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:23:17 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4669#comment-192492 So what are we all going to do about it? I had the same idea as Chris Hilder above, (and wrote about it in my blog too.) but I woosily didn't send it to my MP. So I'm off to do just that. The more pressure, the more they are likely to do something. The sooner the research can start the sooner things can change. We just need to make sure it's thorough. So what are we all going to do about it? I had the same idea as Chris Hilder above, (and wrote about it in my blog too.) but I woosily didn’t send it to my MP. So I’m off to do just that. The more pressure, the more they are likely to do something. The sooner the research can start the sooner things can change. We just need to make sure it’s thorough.

]]> Comment on Times article highlights role of leptin in fat control by Janet Burley http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/01/24/times-article-highlights-role-of-leptin-in-fat-control/comment-page-1/#comment-192491 Janet Burley Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:42:46 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4596#comment-192491 My husband has been following Dr Briffa's diet for five days now. He says that his legs ache. I am wondering if this is lack of salt, but I am a bit concerned about giving him lots of salt as this seems against the prevailing opinion that salt is bad for you. I would be grateful for any advice on this. He is also very sceptical that I am cooking with butter and giving him full fat greek yoghurt for breakfast. He hasn't lost any weight yet but I am hoping he will keep faith and give it more time. One last question - he uses lots of dressing on salad - this is Mary Berry Mustard dressing. Is this a big problem. Thanks, Janet My husband has been following Dr Briffa’s diet for five days now. He says that his legs ache. I am wondering if this is lack of salt, but I am a bit concerned about giving him lots of salt as this seems against the prevailing opinion that salt is bad for you. I would be grateful for any advice on this. He is also very sceptical that I am cooking with butter and giving him full fat greek yoghurt for breakfast. He hasn’t lost any weight yet but I am hoping he will keep faith and give it more time.
One last question – he uses lots of dressing on salad – this is Mary Berry Mustard dressing. Is this a big problem.
Thanks,
Janet

]]> Comment on More questions than answers come from recent Flora pro.activ advertorial by Jo http://www.drbriffa.com/2011/07/28/more-questions-than-answers-come-from-recent-flora-pro-activ-advertorial/comment-page-1/#comment-192490 Jo Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:37:31 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=2680#comment-192490 Gosh, I have spent a fortune on flora pro activ margarine recently and suddenly realised that hydrogenated fat is far worse for your heart than cholesterol levels back to butter !!!!!!!!!!! Gosh, I have spent a fortune on flora pro activ margarine recently and suddenly realised that hydrogenated fat is far worse for your heart than cholesterol levels back to butter !!!!!!!!!!!

]]> Comment on Why does the UK Government’s obesity advisor dish out useless advice? by Linda Collier http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/why-does-the-uk-governments-obesity-advisor-dish-out-useless-advice/comment-page-1/#comment-192489 Linda Collier Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:29:02 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4669#comment-192489 Back in the 60s when we wanted to lose weight, we always cut out bread, potatoes, cakes and biscuits and all sweet thisngs and the weight reduced. That was the advice then and it worked. Pretty similar to what Dr Briffa is advising now, except grains were not mentioned and we probably ate little nuts, BUT more sense than what is being advised now. Progress? Back in the 60s when we wanted to lose weight, we always cut out bread, potatoes, cakes and biscuits and all sweet thisngs and the weight reduced. That was the advice then and it worked. Pretty similar to what Dr Briffa is advising now, except grains were not mentioned and we probably ate little nuts, BUT more sense than what is being advised now. Progress?

]]> Comment on Taking vitamin D may assist fat loss and reduce risk of chronic disease by Sue http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/taking-vitamin-d-may-assist-fat-loss-and-reduce-risk-of-chronic-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-192488 Sue Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:46:41 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4663#comment-192488 The 1,25 OHD test is not the best test for vitamin D. It must be the 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D test. See Dr Mercola's article at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/02/23/vitamin-d-deficiency-part-one.aspx The 1,25 OHD test is not the best test for vitamin D. It must be the 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D test. See Dr Mercola’s article at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/02/23/vitamin-d-deficiency-part-one.aspx

]]> Comment on Taking vitamin D may assist fat loss and reduce risk of chronic disease by Robin Dowswell http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/taking-vitamin-d-may-assist-fat-loss-and-reduce-risk-of-chronic-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-192494 Robin Dowswell Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:46:36 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4663#comment-192494 Jake, You are right that it is important to get the correct test done, but I think you've identified the wrong one. The correct one, that is the same as what the NHS offer for £20 here in the UK is the 25OHD test, also known by the name calcidiol. 1,25OHD is calcitriol, which does not give as good an indication of vitamin D status. My website: http://www.drdobbin.co.uk/vitamin-d-new-supervitamin has more about this. Jake,
You are right that it is important to get the correct test done, but I think you’ve identified the wrong one. The correct one, that is the same as what the NHS offer for £20 here in the UK is the 25OHD test, also known by the name calcidiol. 1,25OHD is calcitriol, which does not give as good an indication of vitamin D status. My website: http://www.drdobbin.co.uk/vitamin-d-new-supervitamin has more about this.

]]> Comment on God bless Allen Carr and my big brother Joe by John Dicey http://www.drbriffa.com/2007/03/21/god-bless-allen-carr-and-my-big-brother-joe/comment-page-1/#comment-192486 John Dicey Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:25:43 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/2007/03/21/god-bless-allen-carr-and-my-big-brother-joe/#comment-192486 It's wonderful to hear so many lovely comments about Allen here. Rest assured - everyone at Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Smoking organisation is working tirelessly you ensure his legacy achieves its full potential. Best wishes John Dicey Worldwide Director Allen Carr's Easyway It’s wonderful to hear so many lovely comments about Allen here. Rest assured – everyone at Allen Carr’s Easyway To Stop Smoking organisation is working tirelessly you ensure his legacy achieves its full potential.

Best wishes
John Dicey
Worldwide Director
Allen Carr’s Easyway

]]> Comment on Taking vitamin D may assist fat loss and reduce risk of chronic disease by jake3_14 http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/taking-vitamin-d-may-assist-fat-loss-and-reduce-risk-of-chronic-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-192485 jake3_14 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:47:15 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4663#comment-192485 Another commenter mentioned this in passing, but getting the *right* type of Vit. D. test is essential for determining one's Vit. D status. In the states, this test is known as a 1,25OHD test. This is not the default test given for Vit. D status; one must request it specifically. Another commenter mentioned this in passing, but getting the *right* type of Vit. D. test is essential for determining one’s Vit. D status. In the states, this test is known as a 1,25OHD test. This is not the default test given for Vit. D status; one must request it specifically.

]]> Comment on Taking vitamin D may assist fat loss and reduce risk of chronic disease by anthony Kerstein http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/02/17/taking-vitamin-d-may-assist-fat-loss-and-reduce-risk-of-chronic-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-192483 anthony Kerstein Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:26:54 +0000 http://www.drbriffa.com/?p=4663#comment-192483 I take Holland & Barrets' own label cod liver oil which has three times the 'recommended' dose of vitamin D. Is this enough and would this be regarded as supplementation? I take Holland & Barrets’ own label cod liver oil which has three times the ‘recommended’ dose of vitamin D. Is this enough and would this be regarded as supplementation?

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