Health Expert Kara Bauer shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/700798/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/700798/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/700798/index http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/104752/weight-success Wed, 19 May 2010 12:10:00 -0400 Kara Bauer As most of us who have struggled with our weight know, the majority of the time diets don’t work. No matter how hard we try or how much willpower we have, when we follow the latest dietary advice, our long-term results often fall short of our hopeful expectations. Many times this leads to frustration, anger, and a feeling of failure, leaving us resigned to the possibility of anything different.Although I’ve never been a strong... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/104752/weight-success http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/110451/springtime-body Fri, 07 May 2010 09:17:00 -0400 Kara Bauer As spring is nature’s time of renewal, it is also an excellent time for our own.  I believe that cleansing is an ideal way to remove toxins from the body that can build up over time from environmental pollutants, emotional stress and the chemicals added to our food supply. Although there are some that feel detoxification isn’t necessary, for me it is a natural and important step in achieving and maintaining good health. Even so,... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/110451/springtime-body http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/109161/transitions-pass Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:36:00 -0400 Kara Bauer When we decide to take control of our health, we enter a transitional period that is not terribly different from those that occur in our work lives, relationships, living situations, and other areas of life. The decision to end our old relationship to food, eating patterns and lifestyle choices can be a major and challenging one that can often times leave us questioning whether things were easier the way they were before we decided to make a... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/109161/transitions-pass http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/107191/sugar-addiction Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:25:00 -0400 Kara Bauer If I were to tell you that sugar is an addictive drug, just as dangerous as other addictive plant based drugs such as Opium or Cocaine, most wouldn’t believe it. But, the truth is that sugar is indeed an addiction that most people can’t quit. Ask anyone to give up sugar and they’ll come up with a million reasons why they can’t live with certain foods and drinks containing sugar nor would they want to. And for those that... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/107191/sugar-addiction http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/102468/food-chemicals Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:58:00 -0500 Kara Bauer Last week, I shared with you the dangers of MSG, a chemical added to most packaged food products and used in many restaurants to improve flavor and increase the desire to eat more. This week, I’d like to discuss another food chemical that has won over the “sugar-free” market and is undeniably more risky than the sugar itself. That chemical is called Aspartame; a sugar substitute sold under the names Equal and... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/102468/food-chemicals http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/101993/chemicals-part Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:58:00 -0500 Kara Bauer Could the food industry be adding chemicals to our food that cause obesity? In my opinion, the answer to this question is yes. If you aren’t already familiar with the dangerous additive called MSG, I hope this article will inspire you to read the labels of the products you are buying and eliminate everything that you can that contains this harmful ingredient.MSG, Monosodium Glutamate, is a chemical used in lab rats to make them obese. When... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/101993/chemicals-part http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/101262/diet Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:26:00 -0500 Kara Bauer There are many layers of biochemical, genetic and metabolic differences between individuals that are rarely addressed in various dietary programs. Diets like the Zone diet, South Beach Diet, Atkins, Fit For Life diet, etc. often claim to be the “right” diet for everyone, which just isn’t so. Depending on the internal workings of your body and genetic blueprint, any one of these diets may or may not work for you and if they do... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/101262/diet http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/99888/heal-lose-weight Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:44:00 -0500 Kara Bauer Many people struggle with losing weight regardless of their best efforts to do so. However a new recent study indicates that there may be a factor beyond calories and exercise contributing to your failed efforts. If you are overweight and unable to shed pounds, you may have a particular mix of bacteria in your intestinal tract that is impacting your ability to lose weight.   For those of you who have been following the health media,... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/99888/heal-lose-weight http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/98368/spiritual-health Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:52:00 -0500 Kara Bauer I was once asked during my graduate studies to describe spiritual health. Although spiritual health means something different to everyone, below is my response in hopes that it might offer some inspiration in addition to an expanded definition of health beyond diet and exercise. Again, this is my own perspective on spiritual health, which is always evolving and not to be considered the truth. I would love to hear what spiritual health means to... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/98368/spiritual-health http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/97939/contributing-lose Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:35:00 -0500 Kara Bauer Many people who struggle with weight loss also find that they are unable to control their cravings for sugar-based products, which include both simple sugars (baked goods, candy, soda and most of today’s processed foods) and refined carbohydrates (white varieties of rice, pasta, bread, bagels, crackers and cookies).Although there are many reasons for sugar cravings and failed attempts at weight loss, one possible diagnosis worth looking... http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/97939/contributing-lose