Related: Childhood Weight--Salivary Biomarkers--Diabetes Risk

A study published in PLOS ONE reports on altered levels of salivary biomarkers in obese children which indicate the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Forsythe Institute, in Cambridge, Mass., evaluated 744 11-year-old children who were underweight, of normal healthy weight, overweight, or obese.

Salivary samples were taken after fasting and analyzed for 20 biomarkers, including insulin, C-reactive protein, adiponectin and leptin.  They found that these markers changed significantly with increasing obesity.

This is another example of how salivary testing can be used in preventive health treatment.

Source: JADA, 8/1/2014, vol. 145, no. 8, 802

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Are All Calories Equal?

We all know the mantra:  "calories in, calories out."  The idea is to expend more energy (calories) than you are taking in and you will lose weight.  Also, as part of this particular equation, is the idea that it doesn't really matter what you eat, as long as you don't eat too much of it.

More recent research shows that the quality of the calories ingested does make a difference.  Refined carbohydrates--white rice, pasta, crackers, cookies, and candy--get converted into glucose quickly, causing a spike in blood sugar and a consequent release of insulin by the pancreas.  The rapid blood sugar-insulin spikes lead to high cholesterol, diabetes and other negative health effects.

The lesson is that the research shows some calories produce fat storage and weight gain more than others.
Source:  AARP

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Weight-loss Surgery: Get Thinner and Fight Cancer

The journal Obesity Surgery reports that bariatric surgery may do more than lower the risk of heart problems and improve type 2 diabetes in obese patients.

A study of more than 54,000 people looked at cancer rates after surgery and found that before surgery obese individual has double the risk of cancer rates than the normal weight individuals.  After surgery, the rate went back to the same as normal weight individuals.

Source:  Obes Surg, 2014:doi:10,1007

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Oh, My, BMI!

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a common way of measuring body fat.  It is determined by dividing an individual's body weight in kg by the square of their height in meters (kg/m2).

• Normal: BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: 25.0-29.9 --13% higher risk of death
• Obesity Class I: 30.0-34.0 -- 44% higher risk of death
• Obesity Class II: 35.0-39.9 -- 88% higher risk of death
• Obesity Class III: 40.0-49.9 -- 250% higher risk of death

31.6% of U.S. adults are at a healthy weight.
68% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309