Health Effects of Childhood Obesity

According to latest statistics, nearly 16 percent of children and teenagers between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. Childhood obesity is fast becoming an epidemic and if we do nothing to stop it, children will have many weight-related health problems that are usually present in adults.

Childhood obesity can develop due to different factors. These include genetics where children with obese parents have the tendency to be obese; diet where junk food and greasy food is regularly consumed by children; and finally lack of physical activity is more and more evident among children who prefer sitting and playing video and computer games rather than playing outside. In fact, lack of physical activity is one of the major causes of childhood obesity.

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Children who are obese suffer from many psychological problems like low self-esteem and inability to make friends. But the health effects of childhood obesity are far greater than the psychological problems.

Here are some common health-related problems that childhood obesity causes:

o Children who are overweight and have a family history of diabetes have a higher risk of developing Type II diabetes.
o Obesity raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases including high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels.
o Although it is being debated, many researchers believe that asthma in children is linked to childhood obesity.
o Obese children tend to suffer more frequently from gall bladder diseases including gallstones accompanied with fever, pain in the stomach and jaundice.
o Overweight boys between the ages of 10 and 16 can suffer from slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This causes severe hip pain.
o Obese children can get pancreatitis with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.
o It has been seen that obese children snore loudly, have labored breathing and sleep poorly. This is known as sleep apnea.
o Childhood obesity can lead to fatty degeneration of the liver, a condition that is medically known as hepatic steatosis.
o Above all, obese children grown up to be obese adults and then have high risk of developing all the diseases caused by being overweight.

Health Effects of Childhood Obesity

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Good Food, Good Health - Liver

We are all guilty of taking our body for granted and especially our vital organs including the liver our largest internal organ. We all seem far too engrossed in our 'looks' nowadays and spend far too much precious time and money on this through creams, pills and fad diets, but by keeping good health of the whole body and organs helps to keep the ravages of time at bay.

As you know our motto is 'good food good health' and we believe that maintaining your well being through a varied nutritional diet should be everybody's goal- you are what you eat after all.

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How well you eat can also affect how well your liver performs, therefore it is important to eat good food to support it, as good nutrition helps form new liver cells and can help rebuild some damaged cells enabling good health.

The liver is the great detoxifier of the body. Our bodies are subjected to toxic substances everywhere, not only from food and drink that we consume but also from the air that we breathe and from chemicals that we use daily around our houses and come into contact with at work.

When toxins build up and accumulate overloading the detoxification system, we can become progressively more sensitive and suffer illness.

The liver consists of four unequal lobes is sited under your diaphragm slightly to the right side of your body and generally weighs about 1.36 kg

The main function of the liver is to get rid of toxins and produce bile but it completes a whole host more - converting glucose to glycogen, producing substances that break down fats, making certain amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins, producing urea the main substance in urine, filtering harmful substances from the blood, storing minerals and vitamins, maintaining the level of glucose in the blood and producing about 80% of your cholesterol.

As you can see the liver, a very important organ is essential for life and death generally occurs within 24 hours if it stopped working, so by adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating good food for good health helps maintain an efficient function.

60% of you liver is made up of hepatic cells - the basic metabolic cells - and these specialised cells carry out more chemical processes than any other in your body, changing the nutrients from food you eat into forms your body's cells can readily use.

The Kupffer cells are the second most important group of liver cells and remove damaged blood cells and destroy microbes and cell debris.

Blood is carried to the liver by two vessels - the hepatic artery carries oxygen rich blood from the aorta and the portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine. These blood vessels repeatedly subdivide in the liver and end up being small capillaries, each leading to a lobule. Thousands of lobules make up the liver tissue and each lobule is made up of hepatic cells.

To support your liver and enable proper detoxification we all need to eat a healthy diet of good food including fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and a healthy intake of protein.

Liver complaints are higher now than ever before due to the lifestyle many have adopted. Fast foods that are high in saturated fats are too readily available, and eaten on a regular basis can cause problems.

Alcohol consumed in large amounts can lead to damage and suppress immunity through stressing the process of detoxification. Bingeing and heavy alcohol consumption can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, today cases are continuing to rise and it is especially worrying in the female population, with numbers spiralling up over the past five years

Consuming too much iron in your diet - mostly through high intake of supplements - this has been shown to be prominent in body builders, is stored in the liver making it much harder to work and increases risk of iron toxicity.

So remember we have to look after the whole body and feed it nutritionally, all our organs are essential for a healthy working body, and the healthier we are on the inside shows on the outside.

Glossy hair and great skin comes from eating a balanced varied diet of good food for good health and keeps our immune system and all our body working at its potential. When we look great we feel great.

So next time you go grocery shopping why not try adding a few different healthy foods you would not normally buy, to keep meal times tasty and exciting especially for children.

Look after yourself so you can look after others

Sandra & Ted

Good Food, Good Health - Liver

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Natural Steps to Liver Health

When I suspected liver malfunction in one of my patients recently, he protested. He assumed that his liver was fine since he didn't drink large amounts of alcohol.

His assumption was a common one. Whenever I mention liver problems, most of my patients think of cirrhosis (associated with excessive alcohol consumption) or hepatitis, a viral disease with particular risk factors. They assume there's not much else to worry about when it comes to liver health. Perhaps it's an assumption you've made yourself.

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But just because you are not at risk for cirrhosis or hepatitis, that doesn't mean you're doing all you should for your liver. The liver performs many vital functions related to digestion, energy production and detoxification. So there's a lot more to liver maintenance than avoiding alcohol.

Control Yourself!

One of the liver's most important jobs is to produce bile, which aids in the digestion of fats. So it's no surprise to learn that overeating is the most common cause of poor liver function. If you've got a healthy liver, the occasional binge at holiday time isn't going to cause significant damage. But habitual overeating, which seems to have become common for many Americans, overworks the liver as it struggles to aid the digestion of all that extra food.

A poor diet in general also plays a role in liver malfunction. Too many of the wrong kinds of fats and carbohydrates, fried foods and too little protein all hinder the liver's ability to repair itself.

If bad habits result in obesity, you may develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The liver cells fill up with fat, and your liver cannot function properly. If there's no inflammation, it's called steatosis. The treatment? Lose weight! If the liver becomes inflamed, the disease is then called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although it can be treated, and sometimes reversed, NASH may lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. Obesity, diabetes and an inactive lifestyle all put you at risk for NASH.

Get Rid of the Toxins

But, what if you don't overeat and you don't eat lots of fat? Is your liver in the clear? Not really.

Your liver also filters out toxins--pesticides, food preservatives, chemicals in tap water, and drugs, to name a few. Too many toxins can overwhelm the liver and cause damage.

But if you lessen your exposure to toxins, you'll ease the stress on your liver. Eat mostly organic, whole foods, for example, and drink filtered water. Avoid the use of medicines, and seek out natural remedies when possible. And if you find it difficult to avoid toxins or medications, consider doing both a colon and a liver cleanse.

Food for a Healthy Liver

Whether you want to promote healing or simply to strengthen your liver, begin by evaluating your diet. Use the following guidelines and be ready to make some changes.

Include plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens which are high in vitamin K. (People with liver disease often lack sufficient K.) Artichokes contain a compound called silymarin, which supports and protects the liver. And, according to recent research in Japan, avocado protects the liver from damage. Other fruits containing similar properties include watermelon, kiwi, grapefruit, fig, cherry and papaya.

Eat lots of legumes (beans and peas) and seeds, which contain arginine, an amino acid helpful in detoxification.

Get plenty of fiber to avoid constipation. When your colon doesn't eliminate properly, toxins build up in your body, making your liver work overtime. In addition to raw fruits and vegetables, good sources of fiber include 100% whole grains, nuts, seeds, sweet potatoes, beans and prunes.

Plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet provide further protection for the liver and may prevent liver cancer. Eat more grass-fed beef, walnuts, olive oil, flaxseed and cold-water fish.

Liver Supplements

If you're trying to heal your liver, there are many dietary and herbal supplements that might help. Primrose oil and L-carnitine, for example, help control fatty acids, and garlic aids in detoxification of the liver and blood. Both vitamin B complex and andrographis aid in proper digestion and nutrient absorption as well as overall protection of the liver. Poor liver function caused by drugs or environmental toxins often responds well to grape seed extract and milk thistle, which both promote detoxification. And if you're concerned about liver cancer, try glutathione for protection.

Take Action Now

If you have specific liver problems, or suspect liver disorder, see a physician who can order the necessary tests to confirm disease or malfunction. Ideally, find one who will include dietary and herbal guidelines tailored for your condition, in addition to any necessary medications.

As with most diseases and disorders, prevention is the key. So don't wait until you've got symptoms! And please, don't make the mistake of assuming your liver will be fine just because you don't drink lots of alcohol. Take steps now to keep your liver healthy.

Natural Steps to Liver Health

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Knowing Your Dog's Liver Health Problem

The dogs are lovable animals. They are the highly preferred as far as pet animals are concerned. The health of the dog is very important for the pet owner as they treat dog as their family member. Dog health and liver problem of the dog are inversely proportional.

If the liver is having problem the dog health will never be good as the liver is the important organ involved in the digestion of the food that is eaten by the dog. The liver problems of the dogs are so many like liver cirrhosis, liver toxicity, hepatitis, liver fibrosis etc. let us discuss about hepatic micro vascular dysplasia here.
Hepatic micro vascular dysplasia

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This is a condition that is commonly seen in the dog. Here there will be mix up of arterial blood and the venous blood in the liver at microscopic level. This condition is also called hepatic- portal micro vascular dysplasia. This particular condition is noticed in all breeds of the dogs but the incidence is more in terriers.

This condition is not all that easy to diagnose as there will not be any peculiar symptoms that suggest this condition. The dogs will exhibit seizures, central nervous system disorder symptoms and other gastro intestinal disorder symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, etc. this condition can be diagnosed at the lab level by testing the bile acid response.

Abnormal bile acid response can be noticed in the condition called photo systemic shunts also. In order to rule of the possibility of this condition in suspected case of micro vascular dysplasia, liver biopsy has to be done.

The prognosis of the hepatic micro vascular dysplasia is very good if the dogs are diagnosed before showing any clinical signs. Once the clinical signs are noticed, the owner can only manage the condition through diet and medication.

The diet therapy aim is to reduce the protein content and the medication therapy is aimed at reducing the ammonia level in the digestive tract and in the body of the animal. Lactose injection is advised to the dogs with this condition in order to obtain stool, which is soft and formed.

Injections with antibiotics such as neomycin and metranidazole are given two times a day. The response for the treatment varies from dog to dog. Some dogs lead a normal life through out their normal life span while some other dogs succumb to the condition in due course.

If the dog owners are convinced that the dog health and liver problem of the dog are adversely related, they will certainly take extra care so that the possible liver problems are prevented.

Knowing Your Dog's Liver Health Problem

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Probiotics Help Support Liver Health

There are a number of common diseases that are caused primarily by a bacterial imbalance found within the body, specifically in the digestive system. Some of these diseases include obesity, heart disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A condition increasing at an alarming rate in the United States, NAFLD is caused by the abundance of fat accumulation in liver cells. Bacterial growth is normal and even necessary to the human body, as it helps keep us healthy. However, when this equilibrium is disrupted, either from aging or the use of antibiotics, healthy bacteria known as flora may find themselves outnumbered by harmful bacteria. This imbalance can cause a multitude of unhealthy consequences.

Researchers believe that the imbalance in bacteria can be a contributing factor in NAFLD because of the role this relationship plays in hepatic insulin resistance. To help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, our bodies produce insulin. When the body is insulin resistant, the cells are unable to regulate blood glucose levels, causing fatigue. People who are overweight, and those who regularly consume sugary and fatty foods and drinks, can potentially be at risk for developing a resistance to insulin. This resistance results in an increased amount of insulin in the blood, which can cause diabetes.

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As opposed to antibiotics which can negatively affect the bacterial balance in the digestive system by killing healthy bacteria, probiotics can facilitate the body's flora and prevent the production of harmful bacteria. Probiotics can also help prevent the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by restoring the harmonious relationship between the good and bad bacteria in our bodies. Whether in the form of food or nutritional supplements, probiotics are a valuable addition to the daily regimen of someone battling NAFLD.

Probiotics Help Support Liver Health

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Dog Health In Relation To Liver Problems

Because they a lovable, loyal animals, dogs are highly preferred as pets. Dogs become family members, so their health is very important. Pet owners need to keep in mind that dog health and liver problems are very closely tied together.

The liver is an important part of the digestive system, so if there is a liver problem, a dog health will be severely affected. There are many kinds of liver problems that dogs can have, including cirrhosis of the liver, toxicity, hepatitis, fibrosis, etc. But in this article, we will be discussing hepatic micro vascular dysplasia.

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Hepatic micro vascular dysplasia

This is a common liver problem for dogs. With hepatic micro vascular dysplasia, there is a mixing of venous and arterial blood on a microscopic level. Another name for this condition is hepatic-portal micro vascular dysplasia. Though this condition affects all dog breeds, it seems to occur more often in terrier breeds.

As there are no symptoms that are peculiar to this condition, it is hard to diagnose with any certainty. Among the symptoms that a dog might have are seizures, central nervous system disorder symptoms and other gastro intestinal disorder symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting. A bile acid response test is the first step in diagnosing the condition.

Another condition, photo systemic shunts, will also have an abnormal bile acid response. A liver biopsy then needs to be done to eliminate the possibility of photo systemic shunts so that the condition of hepatic micro vascular dyplasia can be properly diagnosed.

If diagnosed before symptoms appear, there is a good prognosis for a dog with hepatic micro vascular dysplasia. However, once symptoms begin to be seen, the only recourse is to use diet and medication to manage the condition.

Reducing the amount of protein consumed is the objective of diet therapy while the reduction of ammonia in the digestive system is accomplished with medication. So that dogs with this condition are able to excrete soft, formed stools, lactose injections are advisable.

Twice a day, injections of antibiotics are given. These may be neomycin, metranidazole or some other antibiotic. The response to the treatment will vary from one dog to another. Some dogs respond well enough to live out a normal life span, but other dogs will have a shortened life due to this condition.
Dog owners will usually take preventative measures once they are made aware of the connection between overall dog health and liver problems.

Glossary

Hepatic - The medical name for the liver, which is an important part of the digestive system.
Bile - The secretion of the liver that aids in the digestion of fat in the diet.

Dog Health In Relation To Liver Problems

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Cat Weight Management - Health Isues

Obesity is the most common health problem for cats. A cat is considered obese if it weighs 20% more than its optimal weight and if the extra weight is a result of the accumulation of fat. If a cat is anywhere from 1 to 19% heavier than its ideal body weight, then it is considered overweight and not obese. In order for a cat to maintain good health and have a long and happy life, the cat must maintain a healthy weight.

Determining If A Cat Is Overweight Or Obese

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There is no magical body weight that is appropriate for all cats. The breed, general size, and age of the cat all have a factor in how much it should weigh. To determine the optimal weight of a specific cat, it is best to consult a veterinarian. However typically, a cat whose ribs are difficult to feel because they are covered with a layer of fat is overweight or obese, depending on how thick the layer of fat is.

A cat is also considered to be obese if it has a moderate or thick layer of fat that covers all of its bony areas. Some obese cats even develop a bulge under the abdomen, which is sometimes referred to as a "skirt." If the cat doesn't have a noticeable waist and if the back appears broad when viewed from above, the cat is obese.

How Obesity Affects

When a cat is either obese or overweight, it runs the risk of developing a variety of health disorders such as aggravation of osteoarthritis, decreased stamina, diabetes mellitus, Hepatic lipidosis -- which is fat deposited in the liver, joint stress, lower urinary tract disease, and non-allergic skin diseases.

An obese or overweight cat might also have breathing problems, develop a decrease in immune function, and even have difficulty giving birth.

Pre determiners for Obesity

Some cats are more likely to become overweight or obese than others. Typically, however, cats are just like humans. If a cat eats more calories than it uses, it will gain weight. The excess energy it gains from the calories becomes stored as fat.

Purebred cats, though, are less likely to become obese than mixed breeds. In addition, cats that are neutered have a tendency to gain weight more easily than those who are not, probably in part due to the fact that non-neutered cats have the disposition to roam in search of a mate. In addition, the metabolic rate of a neutered cat decreases by about 20%. Therefore, a neutered cat needs less food in order to maintain its ideal body weight.

Cats under two years of age are less likely to be overweight or obese than cats that are between the ages of two and ten. This is because cats between these ages need less energy. On the other hand, geriatric cats, which are older than ten, have a tendency to be underweight. In addition, certain medications can make a cat more likely to gain weight, as some medications will cause an increase in appetite and other medications cause a decrease in metabolic rate. Some medications that tend to lead to weight gain in cats are cortisosteroids, cyperoheptidine, and amytripyline.

Treating Obesity In The Cat

It is not healthy for an overweight or obese cat to lose weight too quickly. In fact, rapid weight loss increases a cat's likelihood of developing hepatic lipidosis, which is a fatal liver disease that causes fat to be deposited in the liver. Instead, an overweight or obese cat should lose weight steadily and gradually. In fact, it can take up to a year for a extremely overweight cat to reach its ideal body weight in a healthy manner.

If you are trying to help your cat lose weight, it's best to consult a veterinarian who can help you create a healthy eating plan. The veterinarian will ensure that your cat is still getting enough protein. Since cats are carnivores, it could be lethal to your cat to cut out meat. They need a lot of protein and not very many carbohydrates. If you feed your cat a similar diet, your cat will be able to lose weight without losing lean muscle mass.

To help an overweight or obese cat lose weight, it should also be encouraged to get plenty of exercise. This is particularly true for older cats with slower metabolisms, neutered cats, indoor cats with restricted activity, and cats on medication that affects weight. Pet owners can encourage exercise by playing with the cat frequently. For more direct exercise, a cat harness can be purchased to walk the cat around the house or up and down stairs. Feeding bowls can even be moved to areas that require more walking and, of course, cut down on the portions of food an overweight cat receives.

Maintaining Weight

In order to keep your cat healthy and at an ideal weight, you might want to purchase special "light" or low calorie food. This food will still taste good and keep your cat happy, but will also help to maintain lower weight as it is specially formulated for cats who have slower metabolism or are less active.

Cat Weight Management - Health Isues

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Herbs For Better Health: Goldenseal

Common name(s):

Golden Seal, Eye Balm, Ground Raspberry, Jaundice Root, Orange Root, Turmeric Root, Wild Curcuma, Yellow Puccoon, Yellow Root

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Botanical name:

Hydrastis canadensis

Plant part used:

The rhizome and root

AHPA Class:

2b Not to be used during pregnancy

Indications:

Allergies, Asthma, Bladder, Bowels, Bronchitis, Burns, Chcken Pox, Circulation, Colds, Colitis, Colon, Constipation, Coughs, Diarrhea, Earaches, Eczema, Eye Infections, Fever, Flu, Gallbladder, Gastritis, Glands, Gonorrhea, Gum Diseases, Hay Fever, Heart Trouble, Hemorrhage, Hemorrhoids, Herpes, Infections, Inflammation, Insulin, Intestines, Kidneys, Liver Disorders, Menstruation, Mouth Sores, Mucous Membranes, Nausea, Nervous Disorders, Nosebleeds, Ringworm, Rhinitis, Skin Disorders, Sore Throat, Spleen, Stomach Problems, Tonsillitis

Actions:

Alterative, Amoebicidal, Antacid, Antibiotic, Antiparasitic, Antipyretic, Antisecretory, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Chologogue, Detergent, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hemostatic, Hepatic, Laxative, Nephritic, Nervine, Purgative (mild), Stimulant, Stomachic

Constituents:

Alkaloids, including berberine, hydrastine, canadine and canadaline. Also contains chlorogenic acid, lipids, meconin, resin, starch, sugar and a small amount of volatile oil.. Other constituents include calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and F, zinc

Traditional:

Native Americans used Goldenseal as a tonic for sore throats, eye infections, ulcers and wounds. It was also used as an insect repellent and a pesticide for crops. It has been used traditionally for female problems such as hormone imbalances and menstrual problems, infections, bowel disorders as well as being used as an antiseptic and to boost the immune system. Goldenseal is an amoebicidal and has been found to kill toxic bacteria, such as giardiasis, in the intestinal tract and has also been used historically to fight cold and flu viruses. Goldenseal is also considered to be a "wonder remedy" for digestive problems by many herbalists.

Daily dose:

1,500 - 3,000 mg.

Contraindications:

Should not be used during pregnancy. Not recommended for using persons with digestive weakness, high blood pressure or who are emaciated. May cause malabsorption of vitamin B when used for long periods

Side effects:

May cause increased or decreased blood pressure, Not recommended for hypoglycemics as goldenseal lowers blood sugar levels.

Drug interactions:

Possible interaction with Doxycycline and Tetracycline

References:

Botanical Safety Handbook. by McGuffin, Hobbs, Upton and Goldberg, 1997

Mastering Modern Herbal Medicine, by LaMar Wiscombe, 2001

Today's Herbal Health, by Louise Tenney, 2000

Basic Herbalism, by Horne & Robinson, 2000

The Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies, by Louise Tenney, 1995

Herbs For Better Health: Goldenseal

HEPATIC

Improve Your Cat's Health and Help It Lose Weight

It is said you are what you eat, and as humans we know how true that is. Unfortunately many of our waistlines also show it. It is the same with our cats, they are what they eat or for that matter what they do not eat.

Cats by nature are carnivores, which means they are meat eaters and get most of their nutrition from protein and fat. Cats need very few carbohydrates in their diets to keep healthy and trim.

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Carbohydrates as a main source of food such as feeding dry food as a constant diet to a cat will cause the cat to overeat. Overeating carbs causes cats to gain weight, just like it does for us.

Why do cats over eat the dry food? The answer is simple they are trying to find the protein in it; in order to satisfy their natural need for protein.

A protein filled diet will make the cat feel fuller and eat less. There are many schools of thought on what makes a proper protein diet for cats. Some sources say feed them a diet of raw meat and other sources proclaim canned cat food. Personally I feed my cats dry food as treats, raw meat (beef) as part of their daily diet and quality canned food which gives them all the necessary vitamins and minerals a cat needs.

A total raw diet will not provide the cat with all the proper nutrition a cat needs. I know from experience as I have a cat that will not eat cat food if his life depended on it and it does. As a result he almost died from the lack of proper nutrition until I figured out a way to feed him vitamins and some of the cat food he needed to stay alive. Most cats however are happy eating a combination of all three-food groups as my other two cats are.

Many of us are guilty of overfeeding our cats. Cats do not need to eat every time they come near us. Regular routine feeding schedules fit a cat's lifestyle and provides a way for us to feed them just the right amounts to keep their weight at a constant level.

Did you know that about 25 percent of our cats are obese and that almost 60 percent are overweight? Extra weight on a cat is detrimental to its health, just like it is for our health.

What are some of the health problems that overweight can cause?

· A shorter life expectancy

· High blood pressure and heart disease

· Breathing problems

· Diabetes (extremely possible in overweight cats)

· Grooming problems and skin disorders (if they are too fat to properly groom themselves)

· Urinary tract problems and kidney disorders

· A fatty liver disease called Hepatic lipidosis (when excess fat clogs the liver and can result in liver failure and possible death). Should your cat become ill or you try to reduce its weight and the cat is not eating. The stored fat in the body starts to mobilize and starts processing into lipoproteins and the livers get over powered with fat and reacts. A yellowing of your cat's eyes is one sure sign. This is a very serious disease.

To prevent your cat from becoming overweight you need with the help of your veterinarian or other pet care nutritionist to decide the proper amount of food you should feed your cat. Your cat's activity level or non-activity level should be the leading factor in that determination. As cats get older their metabolic rates slow down and need less food.

If your cat needs to lose weight, it needs to lose it slowly, no starvation diets here and no withholding food (see Hepatic lipidosis). Cats need to lose weight in ounces and not in pounds.

Feeding your cat low calorie foods is important. High quality canned cat food with few carbohydrates is the way to go. Dry food is high carbs and should be a no no! If you feel a treat is necessary a bit of raw meat or a small bit of cheese will do nicely. A wonderful treat would be a little bit of good catnip that would help your cat's digestive system and provide a bit of enjoyment for the cat too. Almost like having a cocktail before dinner is for us.

To help your cat lose weight it needs to exercise! Yes, that ugly word and how do you get your cat to exercise, when walking to the litter box is the most exercise it gets.

You play with your cat. Get one of those inexpensive fishing wand toys and make kitty run around a little chasing it. Ten minutes a day several times a day will do wonders for kitty and you will get a chance to bond with your cat and enjoy the fun, too. The pet store has many interesting and catnip filled toys that your cat maybe interested in playing with. Toys do not need to be expensive, just something kitty likes.

Do not leave food out all day so kitty can nibble. Establish a routine and feed kitty several times a day, small amounts at a time. Your cat will enjoy a routine and you can monitor what it is eating.

A great New Year's resolution would be to feed your cat high quality canned food, that would provide proper nutrition and minimal weight gain and spend time playing with your cat each day to assure is gets at least some exercise.

Improve Your Cat's Health and Help It Lose Weight

HEPATIC