January 31, 2012

Alec Baldwin sheds 30 pounds; Top bariatric surgeon weighs in on benefits

The Screen Actors Guild awards revealed a slimmer Alec Baldwin, who won the award for the Best Actor in a comedy series at the event on Sunday evening.

The Irish American actor from Long Island, New York won the prize for his Jack Donaghy character on NBC's hit series “30 Rock”.

The film and television actor has dropped 30 pounds, according to Entertainment Tonight.

Baldwin's motive was his health: The fast-talking star of the film "The Departed" was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic back in May of 2011.

Dr. Carson Liu, a frequent Monsters and Critics' contributor and expert on diabetes, weight loss and weight management, is board-certified specialist in bariatric surgery, (MD, FACS, FASMBSA). He spoke to us on the phone this morning and shared his perspective on Baldwin's commitment to health:

"The diagnosis of pre diabetes is a wake-up call for most people to lose weight," says Dr. Liu. "Early stages of pre diabetes or diabetes is completely reversible with diet and exercise!"

Dr. Liu adds, "Most people with adult onset diabetes who understand the consequences will know of a relative with diabetes, and its devastating consequences. Alec Baldwin is [reportedly] a vegetarian and he will have to increase his protein intake, decrease the carbohydrates and exercise. Sounds simple and it's not rocket science."

More about Dr. Liu

Original Article

January 30, 2012

How Well Does AA Work?

It can't be easy to learn that your much younger, ex-husband is hot-subbing it with a bevy of Brazilian girls. So perhaps it's not surprising to learn that an anguished Demi Moore, who'd been sober for years, turned again to substances to relieve her pain.

After suffering a seizure and spending a night in the hospital, the actress, who was sober for most of the '80s, is reportedly checking into rehab, the latest in a long line of celebrities to turn to AA. But will treatment do her any good? How effective are the 12-steps anyway? Is AA more successful than, say, one-on-one psychiatric treatment? Or than no treatment at all?

January 30, 2011

Le Roy, N.Y. Teen Mystery Illness May Be Environmental, Says Top Neurologist

A strange neurological mystery illness is affecting over a dozen teens at a high school in upstate New York, resulting in debilitating twitches, pain and spasms.

The CBS News affiliate in New York reports that high school students are stricken with an unexplainable set of symptoms. 

One student, Thera Sanchez, awoke up from a nap with tremors and shaking. "It's very heartbreaking to me to be honest, knowing that right now I can't do what I love," she told CBS News.

Other students also had the onset of shaking, stuttering and uncontrollable body shaking and pain just as suddenly and without warning.

This condition has completely baffled the medical community in Genesee County town, reported first by CBS 2 news Maurice Dubois. 

CBS News reports that even the local neurologists are having a hard time understanding why this is happening in the small community.

"Last time I went to the neurologist, they said they're not sure and they'll keep looking into it, but besides that they haven't told anyone anything," Lydia Parker told CBS News.

According to CBS News, twelve of the cases have been confirmed as conversion disorder. Three new cases are suspected.

Dr. Jennifer McVige tells CBS News that this means that stress or multiple stressors are creating a "physical reaction" within the body. "This is unconscious. It is not done purposefully," she says.

But the families and those suffering are quick to dispel the notion it is psychological.
"I don't think this is in my head. I don't think I can wake up from a nap and this can happen," Sanchez said.

Board Certified Neurologist William Chow, M.D. of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Chow told Monsters and Critics today that this mystery affliction may be environmental in basis: