New ADA recommendations state weight-loss plans are equally effective

Rxs for Xenical down since OTC Alli released

More than 60 million adults are obese in America, putting them at risk for multiple chronic conditions like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems, and possibly breast and colorectal cancer. To date, weight-loss medications have been marginally successful, due to lack of insurance coverage for an "obesity indication" and to side effects that cause patients to discontinue the drug. Enter rimonabant (Acomplia) from Sanofi-Aventis, a novel investigational agent that could be FDA-approved within months.

Battling Blubber August 22, 2005 By: Jillene Magill-Lewis, R.Ph.

The obesity epidemic just will not go away. Neither will the long list of health conditions associated with obesity. The link between abdominal obesity and some of these conditions is so clear that it has been included in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome isn't exactly a disease; it's a set of risk factors that researchers and clinicians have identified. The list of risk factors includes abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and elevated blood glucose levels. People with metabolic syndrome are at greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Furthermore, people with metabolic syndrome may get sicker and suffer more than people without it.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently issued guidelines for the management of obesity. Prepared by ACP's clinical efficacy assessment subcommittee, the paper was published in the April 5 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Some help for battling the obesity epidemic may be arriving, according to continuing encouraging results for rimonabant (Acomplia, Sanofi-Aventis), not just in helping weight loss but also in improving metabolic risk factors. Other research at this year's American Heart Association 2004 Scientific Sessions, held recently in New Orleans, focused, as well, on metabolic effects of pharmacological agents.

Obesity, atrial fibrillation/flutter, and diabetic nephropathy, which are clearly on the rise worldwide, were the key areas of attention at the European Society of Cardiology 2004 annual meeting, held in Munich, Germany, recently.

Obesity and overweight are widespread chronic conditions both in the United States and worldwide. Lifestyle and medication options can help prevent further complications.

Stockchecker from Hamacher on low carb items