Massage Offers Many Healthy Benefits

The benefits of touching occur every day from the good morning hug to your spouse, the mussing of the hair of your child, or to the solid handshake with or pat on the back to a colleague. It’s all part of our way of making people feel comfortable, liked, or loved.

As important as touching is in our lives, it has become more than just a means of good will. It has become an incredible health therapy known as massage. Multiple studies have shown that massage can treat everything from muscle aches and pains to pediatric asthma, and bulimia nervosa to depression. How can that be when it’s just an act of ‘touch?’

Depression and Massage:

Depression comes in varying degrees. There is situational depression, which is often experienced during a time of tragedy. Next is family of origin depression, which often stems from family issues that have never been resolved. Finally, we have moderate, severe and chronic depression, more commonly known as clinical depression. These people suffer from biochemically induced issues within the nervous system and typically are treated with psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs. Oftentimes, those in the latter category are hospitalized because of the severity of their biochemical make-up and lack of ability to regulate it.

According to medical professionals, the physiological and energetic challenges abound in those with depression. For example, the abdominal muscles shorten and the diaphragm tightens which pulls the chest downward limiting the lungs’ ability to expand and contract effectively for breathing. In addition, the shoulders and arms tend to rotate inward due to tension, causing the neck to drop and strain. As a result, depression can cause physical harm by a lack of oxygen and extensive muscle damage.

Massage therapy releases this body collapse that is associated with depression. Massage can release the tense muscles around the abdomen and diaphragm to open up the chest area for improved breathing. Second, the release of tightness around the neck and chest area also opens the passage for increase oxygen to enter the body. Finally, the smoothing of the tightened neck muscles provides pain relief that can also improve posture.

Studies have shown that targeted massage can provide increased energy in depressed people simply by eliminating the tension in those key areas.

Depression and Pediatric Asthma

A study performed last year in Egypt found that massage therapy improved key pulmonary function in children with asthma. As mentioned earlier, massage tends to relax the abdominal and diaphragm muscle, which in turn, increases oxygen flow to the lungs. It stands to reason that asthma sufferers would experience great benefits through massage.

Asthma is a reversible obstructive airway disease that is often controlled or managed through medicinal inhalants. However, massage was found to be a lower cost way to improve breathing as it not only relaxes muscle tension, but lowers anxiety, which can often trigger asthma attacks. More studies are underway to solidify the present results.

Massage and Bulimia

More than a decade ago, massage therapy was studied as it was becoming more common in the alternative world of medicine. In that time frame, one particular study uncovered a connection between massage and bulimia nervosa treatment.

According to the research, bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating, feels of lack of control over eating behaviors, regularly engaging in purging (i.e. vomiting, use of laxatives, strict dieting), and persistent over-concern with body shape/weight. The study performed on bulimia patients found that they had reported significantly lower anxiety levels and less depressed moods after just one massage. Over time, the consistency of less depression was prevalent. Furthermore, tests of physical chemical changes in the body were noted with higher dopamine levels and lower cortisol levels. (Cortisol has a direct connection with stress levels; and dopamine is a chemical release by nerve cells that is connected mood.)

Overall, it appeared that massage therapy reduced anxiety, lowered depression, and improve self-image in bulimia sufferers.

Massage and School Performance

A study in Sweden found that school children who provide neck and back massages to each other as part of the school curriculum actually performed better in school. The practice of Swedish sports massage in the schools started in 1996 to reduce stress and improve concentration. School teachers reported that when children are stressed from issues at home or school, they tend to suffer from stomach problems, depression, and irritability. These issues prohibit the children from concentrating on their school work.

The researchers found that massage for 15 minutes before an important lesson calmed the children so they became more receptive to the learning environment. Parents reported that the massage shows children how to touch in a nonthreatening, respectful, and positive way. One particular parent reported, “Our child touches us more and says she loves us.”

 The benefits of massage seem endless and studies continue to determine its applicability for treating cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and more. If you have never been exposed to massage therapy, you might want to give it a try…at the very least, you should come out more relaxed and ready to take on your day!

References

Fattah, M. A. & Hamdy, B. (2011). Pulmonary functions of children with asthma improve following massage therapy. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(11), 1065-1068.

Field, T., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., & Field, T., Fierro, K., Henteleff, T., Mueller, C., Yando, R., Shaw, S., & Burman, I. (1998). Bulimic adolescents benefit from massage therapy. Adolescence, 33(131), 555-563.

McCann, D. (2009). Treating depression with massage. Massage Today, 9(2). Retrieved from http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=13933.

Solveig, B. (2004). Massage in schools reduces stress and anxiety. Young Children, 59(5), 67-68.

Teen Drinking and Driving Incident Rates Drop; Problems Still Exist

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced earlier this month that the percentage of high school teenagers who drink and drive dropped dramatically over the last decade. According to the report, more than two million high school teens drank alcohol and drove in 2001 whereas nearly one million high school teens did the same in 2011.

While the number of reported incidents dropped by 54 percent, the one million teens who continue to drink and drive isn’t a number to celebrate. The CDC report noted that teen drivers are three times more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in a fatal crash, and alcohol simply increases those risks exponentially. Furthermore, 1 in 5 teen drivers involved in crashes in 2010 had some alcohol in their system with 81% of those having blood alcohol contents higher than the legal limit for adults (.08% or higher).

A state-by-state analysis was developed from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys of 2011 to determine key major problem states with youth drivers and alcohol use. While Pennsylvania data was unavailable along with several other states (mostly in the west), the neighboring states of Ohio, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey reported an average of 10 percent of their teen population had gotten behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol. New York, Virginia and West Virginia reported approximately 7.5 percent drinking and driving rates among teens.

With approximately 25 million teens living in the United States, 5 percent of them still subscribe the drinking and driving. Therefore, since the height of the holiday parties is approaching, drinking will become more commonplace as well drinking and driving.

Research has shown that there are several steps that families and communities can take to reduce teenage drinking and driving rates.

1.       Parental Involvement: A parent-teen driving agreement has been known to work to reduce drinking and driving rates among teenagers. This agreement basically lays out the “rules of the road” and if disobeyed, consequences are enforced. A sample Parent-Teen Driving Contract can be found at www.cdc.gov/ParentsAreTheKey.

2.       Graduated Driver Licensing System: This type of system helps new drivers get more experiences slowly. As teens move through stages, they gain privileges such as driving at night or driving with passengers. Every state’s rules are different. In Pennsylvania, a new license holder is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and the number of passengers may not exceed the number of seatbelts in a vehicle. The restrictions lift after the age of 18. Details can be found at the Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s website at www.ghsa.org.

3.       Zero Tolerance Laws. Every state, it is illegal for those under age 21 to drink after ANY alcohol use. Research has shown that these laws have significantly reduced teen drinking and driving crashes.

4.       Minimum Legal Drinking Age. It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Such MLDA laws coupled with retailer compliance checks have drastically cut illegal sales of alcohol to minors.

  

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Parent-teen driving contract. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ParentsAreTheKey/pdf/Parent_Teen_Driving_Agreement-a.pdf.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Teen drinking and driving. A dangerous mix. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/TeenDrinkingAndDriving/index.html.

Governor’s Highway Safety Organization. (2012). Graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws. Retrieved from

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/license_laws.html.

Is the Porcelain Throne a major health hazard?

By international standards, the “Porcelain Throne” should be considered a serious mistake that should be flushed with the rest of the waste. Western cultures have been hurting themselves by its use, which has been found to cause undue stress and tension on the digestive system.

A recent study out of Israel decided to review Western culture toileting practices in order to promote a healthier way to eliminate waste from our bodies. The results, published in the Digestive Diseases & Sciences journal, found the human body was never designed to defecate in a seated position, as is required through the use of the modern commode.

The study tested people in three different positions: full squatting, sitting on a toilet the height of 12 inches, and sitting on one at 16 inches. The results showed a significant benefit to human health by squatting rather than sitting, regardless of the height of the toilet. When we stand, the colon is pushed against the puborecatlis muscle, which is what keeps the waste inside until you find a bathroom. Sitting down only partially relaxes that muscle, whereas squatting fully relaxes it. This also suggests that squatting may promote easier elimination of the entire colon contents rather than partial elimination.

According to the article, digestive illnesses such as colitis, constipation and hemorrhoids all stem from the sitting and straining you may end up doing while in the traditional seated position on the pot. Furthermore, it is suggested that the more time you spend in the bathroom – even if you are simply reading on the toilet – the more likely you are to develop swollen blood vessels, i.e., hemorrhoids.

Replacing the ubiquitous throne with a squatting toilet would be the optimal for digestive health, according to the study’s results. Westerners often consider these toilets (generally a hole in the ground over which one squats) antiquated and only found in undeveloped nations; however, these so-called undeveloped countries may have it right. Interestingly enough, such “holes in the ground” are currently operating across Asia and Africa, and are commonplace in the developed nations of Russia, Japan and France.

Does that mean we should flush all bathroom plans in favor of remodeling? Not really. There are plenty of counter-studies that suggest reasons why squatting may not be in our best interests. A Japanese study found that squatting contributes to osteoarthritis problems in the knees. While this research focused on prolonged squatting, as is common in Japanese culture in the workplace and at home, it does suggest that the use of the facilities in such a position adds unnecessary strain on the knee joints.

Another piece of research performed out of Scandinavia found that squatting for defecation actually promotes stroke, particularly in the morning hours. Apparently, squatting raises blood pressure, which triggers a greater risk for stroke in older people. They found that squatting for younger generations seems to be a healthy habit; however, as we age, the position causes more harm than good.

Basically, how you poop is a personal choice. For me, I think I’m sticking with my traditional white porcelain seat. After all, it matches the rest of the bathroom fixtures!

References:

Sikirov, D. (2003). Comparison of straining during defecation in three positions. Results and implications for human health. Digestive Diseases & Sciences, 48(7), 1201-1205.

Zhang, Y., Hunter, D. J., Nevitt, M. C., Xu, L., Niu, J., Lui, L-Y., Yu, W., Aliabadi, P., & Felson, D. T. (2004). Association of squatting with increased prevalence of radiographic tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis: The Beijing Osteoarthritis Study. Arthristis & Rheumatism, 50(4), 1187-1192. Doi: 10.1002/art.20127

Dalessio, J. (2012). Are you pooping wrong? By worldwide standards, Americans are in the toilet on elimination practices. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/are-you-pooping-wrong.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20121002.

The Candy Cane

It’s holiday time, which means time for the traditions to show up across the nation, including the ubiquitous candy cane. These fun striped treats will soon be seen on Christmas trees, atop Christmas presents, and crunched up in baked goods. And, as in my case, they will be consumed routinely between Thanksgiving and New Year’s by thousands of people.

While these little candy treats now come in various flavors and colors, it’s the traditional peppermint kind (the famous red and white stripped version) that actually has significant health benefits.

Studies have revolved around the candy’s main ingredient: peppermint oil, which is known as menthe piperita. Its main element is menthol and comprises vitamins A and C, omega-3 fatty acids and minerals such as potassium, manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, and copper. Because of the oil’s blend of these beneficial ingredients, studies have shown that it aids the digestive and respiratory systems, provides relief from headaches, reduces stress and anxiety, and enhances skin care.

According to the Harvard Health Letter, peppermint was originally used as an herbal remedy to treat all types of issues from flatulence to stomach cancer to gallbladder disease. While these ailments are not necessarily cured from consuming peppermint, one abdominal problem can be treated effectively with it: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). According to Harvard Health, a study in 2007 found that 75 percent of patients who took peppermint oil capsules for a month had a major reduction in their IBS symptoms.

Another study showed that inhaling the peppermint aroma can act as an expectorant and provide relief for colds, sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis. When rubbed on the chest, the oil can act as a vaporizer to open congested nasal passages.  In a similar fashion, breathing a small amount of peppermint oil can relieve a headache and provide a ‘cooling’ sensation to help with relaxation, hence, reducing stress.

Other studies have discovered that peppermint oil is an antiseptic and can be used to help remove dandruff and lice, keep pimples away and eliminate toothaches.

So, how does consuming a candy cane help with all of these aforementioned items? While peppermint oil itself is beneficial, the traditional candy cane is not comprised of 100 percent peppermint oil. In fact, the main ingredient in the treat is sugar. According to candycanefacts.com, a dozen candy canes are made with 3 cups of sugar, ½ cup water, ¾ cup light corn syrup, ¾ teaspoon red coloring, ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (i.e. peppermint oil). That means that one candy cane contains 1/12 a teaspoon of the healthful peppermint oil, barely enough to obtain major health benefits as noted from the oil itself.

However, the candy cane can provide some healthful elements: it still has a strong peppermint aroma that can act as a stress reducer as well as provide temporary relief for congestion. It has some power against stomach issues; however, research suggests that the oil alone – rather than mixed with sugar – is the most helpful for digestive problems.

Basically, of all of the holiday treats this year, the candy cane could be considered the healthiest treat in terms of its medicinal qualities. So, why not enjoy a little peppermint while treating what might ail you at the same time? Enjoy!

References:

Mint conditions. (2007). Harvard Health Letter, 32(9), 3.

Newsmax.com. (2011). Health benefits of peppermint. Retrieved from http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/health-benefits-of-peppermint/2011/03/02/id/388097.

Sweet on Peppermint. (2005). Alternatives, Complementary and alternative therapies. Nursing, 35(2), 76.

Protecting Your Muscles As You Age

It can start as early as age 20 and continually worsen as the years go by. It is your body’s lean muscle mass. As we age, we lose many minerals that help us maintain our body’s muscle strength. Without such essential elements, we lose muscle tissue and muscle strength.

The National Institutes of Medicine indicate that the rate and extent of muscle changes seem to be genetically determined. Muscle changes can begin as early as the 20s for men and the 40s for women.

Regardless of the age, the changes are the same: Muscles shrink as we grow older. This means that older adults will experience a loss of strength and a lack of balance, which leads to a significant increase in the risk of falls and similar injuries. Furthermore, reduced muscles can create more aches and pains in the body. Exercise physiologists found that the majority of Americans over age 60 do not have enough muscle left in their bodies to properly hold up their skeleton. This, in turn, causes more strain on the joints, ligaments and organs – which leads to increased aches and pains. Also, lower muscle mass reduces the body’s ability to build immune cells, which indicates older adults are far more susceptible to colds and influenza as well as other viruses and diseases.

                                         

While we can’t reverse time to stop the aging process, we certainly can make some changes to our habits to slow and even reduce the loss of muscle mass. Research has suggested that weight training, cardiovascular exercise, and good overall nutrition in older adults can help retain muscle strength. Here are three critical research findings that you can use to keep your muscles from shrinking.

1.       Exercise regularly. Studies show that exercise is healthy at every age, but can provide important benefits for older adults. These benefits include having the ability to maintain strength, reduce fall risk, and live a quality lifestyle after retirement.

a.       Strength Training – weightlifting that builds muscles will help older adults be more stable and perform routine activities such as walking up and down stairs, getting in and out of a chair, etc. Furthermore, The John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Tufts University found that men who lift weights a few times a week in their 50s and 60s can maintain muscle mass, not just slow the rate of decline.

b.      Cardiovascular Training – Brisk walking is highly recommended for older adults. It provides an aerobic workout without intense pressure on the joints. Swimming or water walking is also highly suggested as a cardio workout. To be effective, you should maintain a brisk pace for at least 30 minutes.

2.       Nutrition. Insufficient protein as well as an insufficient amount of calories can contribute to a condition called sarcopenia, a condition where the muscles atropy and shrink. Without enough protein, the body is more susceptible to this condition. It is recommended that older adults consume 4 ounces of quality protein like chicken, fish, beef or daily products three times per day to maximize muscle growth.

3.       Hormone Therapy

a.       Aging comes with a loss of many essential hormones including insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and mechano growth factor. Health professionals have found that without adequate levels of these two hormones it is nearly impossible to maintain lean muscle mass – regardless of how they eat or exercise.

b.      All adults over the age of 40 should undergo annual blood testing to track their hormone levels. Hormone deficiencies can be addressed with replacement therapies, however, you should consult your primary care physician before taking any action regarding such treatment.

As a cautionary note, it is always critical to talk with your primary care physician before starting any exercise or nutritional program.

References

Brink, W. (2007). Preventing sarcopenia. Retrieved from http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/jan2007_report_muscle_01.htm

Hobson, K. (2008). How to avoid losing muscle as you age. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/on-fitness/2008/09/04/how-to-avoid-losing-muscle-as-you-age

LiveScience Staff. (2012). Key found to muscle loss after age 65. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/5704-key-muscle-loss-age-65.html

Munn, S. (2012). Two huge reasons to maintain muscle mass as you age. Retrieved from http://clearpointcenter.com/two-huge-reasons-to-maintain-muscle-mass-as-you-age/

National Institute of Health. (2012). Aging changes in the bones – muscles – joints. Retrieved from http://nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004015.htm

Oral Health and Disadvantaged Children

Did you realize that poor oral hygiene is significantly associated with poor academic performance? This is especially true among those in lower income brackets.

A recent study showed that students with toothaches were almost four times more likely to have a low grade point average in school. Approximately 11 percent of students who did not have access to much-needed dental care missed much more school than did their more advantaged counterparts. Furthermore, parents lost days at work because of staying home because of their children’s dental problems. The days off often lead to work production losses followed by a profit reductions. Over time, this causes economic downturns in the community’s economy.

In addition, severe dental problems for children were associated with much more than just low grades. It also came with feelings of embarrassment, withdrawal and anxiety, absence from and inability to concentrate at school, low self esteem, and inability to build relationships and participate in social activities.

There are some things that communities can do to improve the oral health of its residents, thereby increasing academic performance and reducing economic losses. One of the greatest means of reducing dental issues in both adults and children is through community water fluoridation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, community water fluoridation has been the most effective way to prevent tooth decay within a community at large. It has found that water fluoridation was one of the 10 greatest public health achievements in the 20^th century.

Regardless of this great achievement, many communities have failed to fluoridate their water. Meadville is among them. A study done in 2001 found that fluoridation is not only cost-effective in reducing dental problems, but is also cost-saving. For example, the study found that the cost of dental fillings from dental carries and/or restorations greatly exceeds the cost of water fluoridation in communities of any size. According to the study, the average cost savings ranged from $15.95 per person per year in a small community to $18.62 per person per year in a larger community. When you consider larger families in any city or town, the savings is significant.

Crawford County’s most recent health assessment revealed that dental issues and access to dental care was prevalent throughout the county. The largest issue was the problem of finding a dentist as well as being able to travel to their office.  A quick search in the Yellow Pages found 68 dentists have offices in Crawford County, most of whom have multiple offices bringing the number down to approximately 40.

Distributed equally across the county’s 88,500 residents would mean that each dentist would be responsible for taking care of 2,212 individuals.

In response to Crawford County’s health assessment, Meadville Medical Center created a dental clinic to help fill the gap. Located in the City of Meadville adjacent to the hospital, the office is helping provide more services to county residents. Still, the lack of dental care in addition to access to any dental office by some of our very rural county residents is a major issue.

Until we can work together as a community – provide access to dentists and fluoridate the water system – we are bound to continue to deal with poor oral hygiene among our children, which leads to lower academic performance and poor marketable skills after graduation.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2001). Benefits of community water fluoridation. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/benefits.htm#3.

Yellowbook. (2012). Dentists in Crawford County, PA. Retrieved from http://www.yellowbook.com/yellow-pages/?what=dentists&where=crawford+county%2c+pa&page=7.

Cycling back to the diet pill craze

Most of us are aware that people typically look for that “quick fix” to weight loss. What you might not be aware is that we’ve been looking for that fast weight loss regime since the 1890s.

A historical view of the diet pill craze in the latest issue of The American Journal of Public Health describes the birth of the ever-popular diet pill and the continued use of such products that remain dietary staples for most people despite controversial reviews.

In the late 1800s, experiments with various drugs, including strychnine, prompted the creation of a new era of medications – the ubiquitous diet pill. These pills worked to speed up the thyroid, which in turn would increase metabolism for faster weight loss.

Since then, weight loss pills have been a significant profit-making venture for drug companies. In the 1940s, pharmaceutical companies would create the same pill in different colors, marketing them as specially formulated pills for different people’s needs. These practices, while shunned by some physicians, were embraced by others and many doctors went on to specialize in weight reduction for their patients by prescribing such Rainbow Pills. In fact, a Congressional investigation in 1967 found that weight loss clinics earned $250 million in patient fees alone. Furthermore, patients had spent an additional $120 million on these Rainbow Pills.

An interesting expose’ in Life magazine published in 1968 found that these pills were being prescribed for everyone who visited such weight-loss clinics, including people who did not need to lose weight. The Journal reported that a “slim” investigative reporter for Life magazine visited 10 obesity clinics and “despite receiving only perfunctory evaluations and sometimes counseled that she did not need to lose weight, she was prescribed more than 1,500 pills.”

                                        

Not long afterward, more than 60 deaths had been attributed to the use of Rainbow Pills. While the Federal Drug Administration did seize 43 million tablets from a dozen manufacturers, the pills continued to be manufactured and sold under different venues.

Today, pills formerly marketed as “Rainbow Pills” have morphed into the existing diet supplement drugs that are on the shelves at nutrition, grocery, drug and discount stores. And, they are no longer marketed to physicians but directly to the consumer.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of all adults in the nation take multivitamins and other dietary supplements. A quick Google search with the words “diet pills” netted 43.6 million results. Dietary supplements are not subject to the same FDA rigorous approval process as prescription drugs, thereby, they create doubts and fears about their effectiveness as well as side-effects.  Consumers of the “new” rainbow pills of today are ingesting a nearly unknown product. What exactly are you putting into your system? Only the supplement industry knows, and many times, they aren’t telling.

In what drugs have been tested, the FDA found that almost all dietary supplements touting weight loss were highly ineffective, including using the popular Hoodia and Green Tea Extract. It also found that Xenical (aka Alli) had a modest weight loss effect but came with significant side effects including serious liver damage. Of interest, it was found that Xenical by itself was effective. The effective form of Xenical is only available through prescription. Of interest, this particular prescription drug is the only FDA-approved weight-loss drug for long-term use for up to two years. Effectiveness beyond two years is unknown at this time.

But, physicians as well as researchers caution the use of any medications to help you lose weight unless your primary care physician has you under strict supervision. The general guidelines suggest that prescription weight loss drugs only be used under two circumstances: 1) people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and over with no obesity-related conditions; and 2) people with a BMI of 27 and above with obesity-related conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Even if you fall into one of these two categories, or simply wish to take off a few pounds, taking diet pills (aka rainbow pills) is not a good answer and never has been. Your best option is a healthy diet and regular activity. There is no quick fix to weight loss. You didn’t put on the weight overnight, so don’t expect to lose it in the same manner. Your first step in weight loss should be a consultation with your primary care physician. Don’t try anything on your own without getting professional advice – especially if you are overweight or obese. It’s not fair to put your entire body at risk when it’s only your body fat you wish to lose.

References

Cohen, P.A., Goday, A., & Swann, J. P. (2012). The return of rainbow diet pills. American Journal of Public Health, 102(9), 1676-1686.

Mayo Clinic. (2012). Over-the-counter weight-loss pills: Do they work? Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/HQ01160.

WebMD. (2012). Prescription weight loss drugs. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/weight-loss-prescription-weight-loss-medicine.