The January Disease and Weight Loss Resolutions
By Abel Kubare, East Leeds Magazine, January 2012

The signs and symptoms of the January Disease (JD) are diverse but invariably depressing. They range from the inability to pay bills, fear of opening mail, indigestion, hangover, gout attacks, and the flab through to unplanned pregnancy. These manifestations are obviously a precipitate of overindulgence during the festive season. Yes, all that impulsive shopping and compulsive merry making.... the chickens have come to roost. The only positive from the JD is that it often provides a strong motive upon which one can set his/her new year’s resolutions..

This season I didn’t get time for shopping although I managed a few therapeutic sips of JD, the spirit. Remember the figures 3-4 units a day for men, 2-3 units for women and there should be 2 alcohol-free days per week. (Not sure what unit means? Just call in).

I’ve narrowed down my resolutions to three, Occupational, Personal and Home: to be the preferred chemist in the neighbourhood, exercise twice a week and reduce my total cholesterol by one unit, and remind my children that their mum is not single. Simple, specific and measurable- fingers crossed.

Amongst the most common resolutions is weight management. There are many diets out there but the top and bottom of weight loss is quite simple: whatever you eat, strike a good balance between input and output. How much and how often do you eat? How much do you burn out in muscular activity? Generally many do not expend enough energy, for instance, anyone in good health in his/her 3rd or 4th decade who equates walking a dog to exercise is only warming up.
I was going to sign up to provide one or two diet schemes but after reading the associated literature I withdrew. Most of the information upon which the diets were based was pub science. Calorie this- calorie that, don’t eat this- eat that, check BP (no mention of exercise), take this vitamin or that mineral...
By the way, please note that anyone of good health who has not been diagnosed by their GP to be lacking a vitamin or mineral does not need to take any supplement. In fact there is evidence based upon, not just one, but 60 research studies that- in general- vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E may increase mortality and in particular one study found that multivitamins, folic acid, zinc, copper and iron supplementation are associated with increased risk of death in older women of average age 61.6 years. Many a big company promote supplements. I will not pretend to run a charity but if it is that I make a profit, then I pledge that it will be through honest and sincere recommendations; I will not sell you rubbish that does not work unless you insist...

Granted, the science of weight management is complex; genetic propensity to gain weight and addiction to food driven by psychological, habitual or biochemical factors. This is probably the main reason to seek professional help to support and monitor your progress.
If all else fails, hakuna matata, there is no need for despair. Whence comest the scribe, women carry what they’ve got with peacock pride even adding a swing of the bottom to their gait to sweep native men off their feet just like a new Dyson sweeps all in its way!
Yours Medicinally, Abel Kubare, Superintendent Pharmacist Day & Night Pharmacy.

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