GIVING UP SUGAR–A POWERFUL TOOL FOR WEIGHT AND DIABETES CONTROL
February 17, 2012 | 
Author
I wanted to share two anecdotes from patients in my office who have been struggling with obesity and diabetes. While I have and will continue to urge them to modify their diet and lifestyles in multiple ways, these two stories illustrate that you can do great good for your body and health if you even make one intervention–giving up sugar!
Juan is a 16-year-old hispanic teenager who presented to my office weighing 268 pounds with borderline diabetes. On his first week on my program, we agreed that he would focus on one thing only. That is, he would give up drinking large amounts of soft drink. After tackling this task, we agreed that we would then incorporate other interventions. Amazingly, he returned after just one week off soft drink and had LOST TEN POUNDS!! Needless to say, he is very excited and motivated to move on and do even more to improve his health.
Bill is a 60-year-old professional engineer who presented with diabetes , registering fasting glucoses from 175-200 mg/ml (borderline values are 100-125 and optimal below 100) and Hemoglobin A1C values of 7.8. A1C is a ninety day average of blood sugar. Optimally it should be 5.7 or less. Although he admitted he was seemingly hopelessly locked in to his soda habit, Bill reluctantly agreed to work initially on one key variable, his large soft drink intake. He discontinued regular soft drink and in 60 days, with no medication or other changes, improved his fasting glucoses to 125-140 mg/ml and Hgb A1C to 6.3. These are big improvements and are certainly encouraging that he will be able to avoid medication and the complications of diabetes.
So take a tip from Juan and Bill. A very helpful starting place in your program may also be saying “Good-bye” to soft drink!!
If you want some help with your weight and diabetes, please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
Posted in Arizona doctor, chandler doctor, Dr. Scott Rigden MD, obesity doctors, Weight Loss | 
Tags: diabetes, sugar | 
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NEW INFO ON CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS) AND SYMPTOMS OF DIZZINESS AND WEAKNESS
Often people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) have an associated condition called POTS/NMH (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/Neurally Mediated Hypotension). You should suspect this problem if you notice with a sudden change of position, e.g., standing up, showering, walking, etc. you experience a speeding heartbeat and low blood pressure. Even worse than the rapid heartbeat are symptoms like weakness, fatigue, dizziness and shakiness. Patients ofen tell us they are consistently “light-headed” and are sometimes even prone to fainting. Recent research in the medical journal Clinical Cardiology has found that CFS patients with POTS/NMH have smaller-sized hearts than CFS patients who don’t have POTS/NMH. Smaller hearts have to beat faster to pump blood throughout the body and to get enough circulation to the brain. This condition can be helped with natural supplements, diet, and our “mini-walk” program. The condition does not have to be permanent and can be improved.
Please call us at 480-820-4297 if you need an appointment for help with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
DR. RIGDEN’S PCOS DIET
Dr. Rigden’s PCOS Diet is ideal for patients with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), obesity, and its associated insulin resistance. Our experience has been that most women can start reversing some of the metabolic/endocrine imbalances in their system after a weight loss of 10% of their original weight. Many PCOS patients have not had a full endocrine work-up including insulin levels. This is strongly recommended and can be very helpful to the patient. Weight loss is usually not rapid, but relatively steady, e.g., 24-30 pounds over the first 12-16 weeks. It features a Low Glycemic Index Food Plan, eating 5-6 times daily, and the use of the UM+360 formula. This formula contains SKRMs (Select Kinase Response Modulators) which improve glucose/insulin metabolism and help to break down insulin resistance. Case studies are available on my blog (www.drscottrigden.com) and book, The Ultimate Metabolism Diet: Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type.
The Program: in addition to the food plan mentioned above, regular moderate exercise, patient monitoring, education and motivation, and additional natural supplements are important for the best results. The program is administered by Dr. Rigden and staff, including a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, R.N., and MA.
If you want some help with your weight and PCOS, please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
DR. RIGDEN’S CAVEMAN/CAVEWOMAN DIET PROTOCOL
Dr. Rigden’s Cave Woman/Cave Man diet protocol is ideal for patients with Metabolic Syndrome and obesity associated with insulin resistance. You have Metabolic Syndrome, a key cause of obesity and difficult weight set-points, if you have at least 3 of the following 5 criteria: (1) increased abdominal girth (35 inches+ in females, 40 inches+ in males); (2) borderline or raised blood pressure; (3) triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dl (40 HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dl; (5) borderline fasting glucose, 100-125 mg/ml, and/ or A1C 5.7-6.5. Weight loss is usually relatively fast, e.g., 24-36 pounds over the first 12-16 weeks. It features a Low Glycemic Index Food Plan, eating 5-6 times daily, and the use of the UM+360 formula. This formula contains SKRMs (Select Kinase Response Modulators) that improve glucose/insulin metabolism and help to break down insulin resistance. In a study done on three groups of obese insulin resistant patients with hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol and triglycerides), this formula produced superior results to the statin drug group and Mediterranean Diet group. Case studies are available on my blog (www.drscottrigden.com) and book, The Ultimate Metabolism Diet: Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type.
The Program: in addition to the food plan mentioned above, regular moderate exercise, patient monitoring, education and motivation, and additional natural supplements are important for the best results. The program is administered by Dr. Rigden and staff, including a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, R.N., and MA.
If you want some help with your weight or Metabolic Syndrome, please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
DR. RIGDEN FEATURES OPTIFAST IN HIS “HIGH OCTANE DIET”
Our OPTIFAST “High Octane Diet” is ideal for patients who need to lose 100 lb.+, who are trying to avoid bariatric surgery or lap-band, and who desire a medically proven program that is both safe and effective for the morbidly obese. Weight loss is relatively fast; “average” weight loss is about 52 pounds in 12 weeks, with large improvements in blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, etc. The program stresses education, motivation and monitoring. By the conclusion of the program, we strive to help you experience a new relationship with food. Prospective patients can check out the Optifast.com website and get much helpful info.
The program: the first 4-12 weeks the patient uses OPTIFAST five times daily (usually the RediDrink); Dr. Rigden and staff very carefully monitor your progress to make sure you are having no dieting or medical problems. The Optifast Redi-Drinks supply all the protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. the patient needs. After this first phase we start a combination of 3-4 RediDrinks and one meal, consisting of protein, non-starchy cooked vegetables and a salad. After reaching goal weight, there is a 4-6 week transition diet in which the patients taper off the Optifast and gradually re-integrate food. Then we encourage a maintenance plan featuring monthly visits for 12-18 months.
If you want some help with your weight, please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
Posted in Arizona doctor, chandler doctor, Dr. Scott Rigden MD, Imaginary Eating, obesity doctors, Weight Loss | Tags: high octane diet, Optifast | No Comments »
SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS AND MAINTENANCE
Dr. John Foreyt is one of the leading weight loss researchers in the country. In his presentation at the ASBP Obesity Symposium, Las Vegas, October 2011, he stated the following secrets of weight maintenance are.
EVERY DAY-
1. Sleep 8 hours
2. Eat breakfast
3. Walk briskly 60 minutes
4. Write down what you eat
5. Weight yourself daily.
6. Find support.
7. Never give up.
I would add to number 2, have protein in the morning. Avoid sweet or carbohydrate-based breakfasts.
If you want some help with your weight, please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
Posted in Arizona doctor, chandler doctor, Dr. Scott Rigden MD, functional medicine, obesity doctors, Weight Loss | Tags: weight maintenance | No Comments »
DR. RIGDEN”S UGX DIABETIC DIET
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus almost always is associated with weight problems and insulin resistance. This program features 4 key components that have been consistently successful in helping the overweight diabetic: (1) UGX-a low glycemic formula specially designed to improve glucose/insulin metabolism; (2) low glycemic load food plan; (3) regular moderate exercise; and (4) micronutrient support for glucose/insulin metabolism. Case studies on my blog and book, The Ultimate Metabolism Diet: Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type, document some remarkable results, including patients being able to discontinue medication and normalize blood sugar. The program also emphasizes regular monitoring, education, and motivation given by a staff including a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, RN and MA.
If you want some help with your weight and diabetes, please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
28 DAY DETOX DIET
28 DAY DETOX DIET
Our 28 Day Detox Diet is a great way to start off the New Year and to make an emphatic statement about your intentions for improved health and vitality in 2012. Many of our CFS and Fibromyalgia patients have embraced this diet; they not only feel better, but also lose weight! Evolving research suggests the cause of many health problems may be associated with prolonged exposure to various toxic agents in our environment. Research has substantiated that an individual’s ability to detoxify substances to which they are exposed varies tremendously, and the body’s capacity to detoxify these substances is of critical importance to overall health. For many years, our detox program, involving a cleansing diet, detox protein formula and capsules, has been a powerful tool to help CFS and Fibromyalgia. More recently, we have employed the detox diet to help many overweight patients with chronic illnesses who have built up significant levels of toxins over the years. These toxins can impair the metabolic process and need to be biologically transformed and excreted. We can also design programs for 14 or 21 days.
Please call our office at 480-820-4297 for more info on our 28 Day Detox Diet or to make an appointment for Fibromyalgia or weight loss.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
FIBROMYALGIA BOOT CAMP
Feeling frustrated by your Fibromyalgia? If you want to try something different in 2012 to propel you to a better level of feeling and functioning, consider our Fibro Boot Camp. Fibro Boot Camp is an innovative approach for moderate to severe cases of fibromyalgia that have not responded to the usual treatments. We utilize multiple therapeutic modalities which have been very effective in our programs, combining them for a synergy effect to improve daily function significantly over a 16 week period of time.
After a comprehensive evaluation by Dr.Rigden, Fibro Boot Camp includes diet, natural supplements, injectable vitamins, IV’s vitamins and anti-oxidants, and trigger point injections. The idea behind a 16 week intense approach is to achieve positive changes that often require a year or more.
If you want some help with your fibromyalgia,
please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
GUT BACTERIA MAY PROMOTE OBESITY
Research from Washington University Medical School and Canada seems to point to the role that gut bugs play in the development of obesity. Perhaps this should not be a surprise in light of the fact the human intestine is home to trillions of bacteria that affect health and disease.
Dr. Zhang and colleagues from Arizona State University released their findings in January 2009 that also support this hypothesis. The researchers compared gut microbial species by extensively genotyping stool samples of 3 normal weight, 3 morbidly obese, and 3 post-gastric-bypass surgery individuals. Their sophisticated analysis showed distinct differences in the types of bacteria in the three groups. Obese individuals had a significantly higher number of both hydrogen-producing and hydrogen-utilizing bacteria in their gut. The authors propose that the relatively high numbers of hydrogen-producing and -utilizing bugs trigger an important mechanism for the increasing energy uptake by the human large intestine in obese persons. Specifically, these bacteria aid in the fermentation of usually indigestible organic matter, e.g., fiber, resulting in the increased production of short-chain fatty acids, which are absorbed by the gut and can be used as an energy source. The large bacterial population shift seen in the post-gastric-bypass individuals may reflect the double impact of the gut alteration caused by the surgical procedure and the consequent changes in food ingestion and digestion.
In some cases, we are now “cleaning up the gut” with good bacterial flora supplements to facilitate our weight loss patients’ success. It is a very interesting new area !
If you want some help with your weight, please call our office at 480-820-4297 to make an appointment.
Have a great day and super week!
Scott Rigden MD author of The Ultimate Metabolism Diet-How to Eat Right for Your Metabolic Type
Posted in Arizona doctor, chandler doctor, Dr. Scott Rigden MD, functional medicine, obesity doctors, Weight Loss | Tags: gut bacteria, metabolism | No Comments »
