A cup of yoghurt a day is a way of keeping the doctor away.

 

Research proves that yoghurt is not just a food accompaniment, a dessert or merely a diet food. There is growing evidence to show that it is packed with microscopic warriors - beneficial bacteria that are essential for good health. It is also a nutritional goldmine.

 

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India, a cup of yoghurt (250 mg) contains 370 mg of calcium (compare that with 300 mg in 250 ml of milk). This is 30-40 per cent of most adults' daily needs.

 

Besides, at eight grams of protein per cup, yoghurt meets 20-25 per cent of an adults' average daily needs. It is also a good source of Vitamin B (including folacin) and phosphorus. And, a cup of yoghurt contains 250 mg of potassium - almost as much as a banana does.

 

"If you want to have your own stockpile of B vitamins without having to buy them, eat yoghurt. By a strange chemistry, it sets up an efficient little factory in the intestinal tract and manufactures B vitamins for you," says Pratima Kaushik, chief dietician at the Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Delhi, India. 

 

 

Besides, yoghurt also provides lactic acid, which aids protein, calcium and iron assimilation.

 

For those on a low-calorie diet, yoghurt is a boon in any case. "Easily available anywhere, it is a snack that tastes great at any time of the day or night; it is low in calories and can be sufficiently filling when combined with a high-fibre vegetable or fruit," says Dr Shikha Sharma of Clinic deRejuvenation, Delhi. The benefits of yoghurt go beyond its nutritional value and low-calorie appeal.

 

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in an article published in 2000, says, "Increased yoghurt consumption may enhance the immune 

response, which would in turn increase resistance to immune-related diseases."

 

 In addition, yoghurt plays an important role in restoring the digestive tract to its normal condition after a course of antibiotics.

 

 

"The drugs often wipe out every bacterium in their path, good and bad, altering the natural balance of the digestive tract. When harmful bacteria dominate the intestine, essential nutrients are not produced and the levels of damaging substances like carcinogens and toxins rise. By killing the harmful `bugs,' yoghurt helps maintain a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria," Says Dr. Mridula Chichra, a Delhi-based gynaecologist.

 

In the Indian context particularly, doctors and practitioners of alternative medicine often recommend yoghurt to patients recovering from diarrhoea, and help ease other intestinal tract ailments.

 

Elixir for women

Women stand to benefit immensely from yoghurt. For instance, women are often prone to vaginal candidosis, which causes itching and possibly

a thick, white discharge.

 

The risk of this infection increases during pregnancy, diabetes or when a woman is on birth control pills. "Eating yoghurt that contains natural bacteria and yeasts helps re-establish the

equilibrium," says Pratima.

 

 A study conducted by E. Hilton et al (Annals of Internal Medicine) in 1992 found that yoghurt consumption decreased vaginal infections three-fold. "A particular feature of vaginal infection is the reduction or absence of lactobacilli in the vaginal flora. Yoghurt is full of lactobacilli, hence, the logic in its use," explains Dr Mridula. 

 

Then, of course, there is osteoporosis, especially in women. Studies have shown that most people consume far less calcium than the recommended daily levels, which could cause osteoporosis. While there are many calcium supplements that are not readily or effectively absorbed, yoghurt provides an excellent source of easily absorbed calcium.

 

That's not all. Daily consumption of yoghurt also helps improve complexion, making it more radiant.

 

A word of caution, though. The fruited varieties of yoghurt are high in calories, even though it has a low-fat profile. "The jams and fruit concoctions added for flavour can dump in as much as seven teaspoons of sugar per cup and more than double the calories. So, go easy on these, particularly when calories are a concern," says Dr. Shikha. If you want a fruit flavour but do not want to lose out on calcium or gain calories, mix chopped fruit with yoghurt. You'll get all the calcium, and also the extra vitamins and fibre from the fruit.

 

However, to be effective, yoghurt must contain sufficient amount of`live' lactic cultures, meaning it must be `fresh.' Make it at home, is Dr. Shikhas' advice. Or, when buying it, look for packing as close to the date of manufacture as possible to get maximum beneficial bacteria. She adds, "Always keep it cold, as the helpful bacteria in yoghurt cannot withstand high temperatures." 

Read more...

WORLD HEART DAY SEPTEMBER 29

HIGH CHOLESTEROL Women catch up with men

Age Profile Of Cardiac Patients Too Drops Further As Haywire Urban Lifestyle Takes Its Toll

    City doctors warn that the notion of women being less prone to cardiac problems needs to change fast. Now, a survey by a city-based laboratory has found that the possible underlying cause of rising heart ailments could be alarming cholesterol levels in women. 

    Metropolis laboratories released data on cholesterol levels of 17,379 men and 15,255 women who had got themselves tested between January 2009 and July this year. A whopping 36% men and 33% women were found to have at least one abnormal cholesterol parameter or undesirable cholesterol and triglycerides presence in their blood stream. But what is most worrisome is that women seem to be fast catching up with men in terms of high cholesterol levels. 
    Doctors say this calls for a detailed analysis as to how women are showing higher cholesterol levels despite the protection of estrogen (the primary female hormone). The survey revealed how 55.7% women in the 25-45 age bracket had abnormally high cholesterol in comparison to 43.4% men. Also, out of the 3,586 women found to have abnormal cholesterol levels, around 1,225 had very high cholesterol. Further, the numbers reflected how more women had abysmally high level (56.5%) of bad cholesterol, and an equal percentage were on the verge of tipping over. 
    According to Dr Rajesh Bendre, head of immunochemistry, Metropolis Healthcare, the situation could be grimmer as lipid profile tests are just basic parameters. "The incidence of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease is increasingly seen in younger age groups. The numbers are surprising given that not many women smoke or drink." 
    Interventional cardiologist Dr Vijay Bang from Lilavati Hospital blamed sedentary lifestyle for the incidence. 
    However, some doctors believe more research is needed on whether higher cholesterol level is translating into more heart attacks in women. Dr Anand Rao, interventional cardiologist ofHoly Family Hospital, said that young women suffering heart attacks have some family history or underlying condition like diabetes. "Seldom do we find high cholesterol as a cause in women unlike in men," said Rao, who blamed smoking for heart attacks in women. "(But) the protection women enjoy from estrogen is quite strong." 
WHAT IS PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE 
Arteries that carry blood to arms or legs become narrow due to build-up of cholesterol, causing blood flow to slow down or stop. Ignoring symptoms of pain, tingling or numbness could lead to gangrene and even loss of a limb. Deep vein thrombosis relates to clots deep in the body 
EMERGENCY | A clot from the heart can reach the limbs, cutting blood supply instantly. Prompt action is needed to save the limb RISK | It usually occurs in those over 50. More men than women are affected. Smoking, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol & obesity are contributory factors 
TREATMENT | Lifestyle changes and, at times, surgery or stenting

Read more...

HEALTHY DRINK Dark secret: Coffee helps beat the blues

London: It's now official: Coffee is good for you, as its mood-boosting effect could well be lasting far longer than we realize, says a new Harvard University study. 

    The study, which compared the coffee intake and risk of depression amongst nearly 51,000 women over 10 years, found that those who drink four or more cups a day are a fifth less likely to become depressed. 
    And those who drink between two or three cups a day cut their risk by 15%, found the study, published in the Journal of American Medicine Association. Though the study did not look at men, other studies have already found that it has a similar effect. 
    The Harvard scientists believe that caffeine works like antidepressant pills by stopping the production of certain hormones such as serotonin. They also said it improves our feelings of well-being and gives us more energy over long periods. "Our results support a protective effect of caffeine, mainly from coffee consumption, on risk of depression," study author Michel Lucas, from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. 
    "Further investigations are needed to confirm this finding and to determine whether usual caffeinated coffee consumption may contribute to prevention or treatment of depression," he added. It has been found that coffee had the strongest influence reducing depression, but the decaf variety didn't work at all. PTI

Read more...

Med costs rose by 40% in 10 yrs

Panel Blames Price Decontrol Policy, Suggests Fixing Rates For FormulationsNewDelhi:Drug prices have shot up phenomenally in India over the past decade and a half. A Planning Commission's expert group says there was nearly 40% rise in drug prices between 1996 and 2006, thanks to the price decontrol policies of the 1990s. 

    Citing a study in 2008, the panel's high-level expert group on universal health coverage, headed by Dr K Srinath Reddy, says that during the same period, the price of controlled drugs rose by 0.02%, while those in the Essential Drug List (EDL) increased by 15%. The price of drugs that were neither under price control, nor under the EDL grew by 137%. 
    The panel cites that the pharmaceutical industry spent over 25% of their annual turnover on sales promotion alone as compared to a paltry 7% on research and development in 2008-09. The report says, "Taking advantage of lax regulations on drug pricing, the pharmaceutical industry has been able to reap high margins through complex price setting activities." 
    It has been observed that the price of a therapeutically similar drug could vary around 1,000% between the most expensive and the cheapest brands. The variation between the market and procurement price of similar drugs could range anywhere between 100% and 5,000%. The panel recommended price control on all formulations in the EDL. 
    The report says, "Direct price control should be applied to formulations rather than on basic drugs. This is likely to minimize intraindustry distortion in transaction and reduce as well as prevent a substantial rise in drug prices." 
    It brings to light the widespread use of irrational drugs. India has the dubious distinction of its pharmaceutical market being flooded with about 90,000 formulation packs and brands. "The market is awash with irrational, non-essential and hazardous drugs. Of the top 10 products which accounted for 10% of the medicines sold in the market, two belong to the category of irrational vitamin combinations and cough syrup while the other is a liver drug of unproven efficacy. Ten of the top 25 products sold in India in 1999 belonged to one of these categories: blood tonic, cough expectorant, nondrug formulations, analgesics, nutrients and liver drug which are hazardous, non-essential or irrational." 
    Drug Controller General of India estimated that about 46 banned fixed dose combination drugs are marketed irrespective of the ban. About 1,067 FDCs are freely marketed with the state drug controllers' approval, but sans DCGI's concurrence. 
'Bring pharma dept under health min' A Planning Commission group has recommendedthat the department of pharmaceuticals be transferred to the Union ministry of health. Now, the department, responsible for price control, is part of the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers.BITTER PILL 
    Citing a 2008 study, a plan panel expert group said that between 1996 & 2006, the price of controlled drugs rose by 0.02%, essential drugs by 15% and those not in either category by 137% 
    The price of a therapeutically similar drug could vary around 1,000% between the most expensive & the cheapest brands 
    The variation between the market and procurement prices of similar drugs could be anywhere between 
100% and 5,000%

Read more...

Risks of Car Air-conditioning -Very Important!!!!

 
No wonder more people are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents. 
    
Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, almost 7 days a week. 
    
Question: My car hand book says to roll down the windows to let out all the hot air before turning on A/C. Why is that? I have heard that it is very important to do that for health reasons! 
    
Answer: Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!! Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car. Open the windows after you enter your car and then turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes. 
    
Here's why: According to research, the car dashboard, seats & even air freshener all emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin! (carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of the heated plastic in your car). In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer and also may lead to miscarriage. Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq/ft.

 A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. Parked outdoors in the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, that is more than    
40 times the acceptable level. People who get into their car, keeping all windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of this toxin. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.   
  
So friends, please open the windows and doors of your car to give the interior time to air out - to dispel this deadly stuff - before you enter the vehicle! Please pass this on to as many people as possible.  

 

Guess it's not too late to make some changes.

 

 

Read more...

Andheri hospital’s new ear celebrations

Charge just Rs 100 to fix artificial lobes for kids born without them; same surgery at civic hospital costs Rs 8,000

   Born without his right ear, nine-yearold resident of Govandi, Samarth Shaikh, issued an ultimatum to his mother one fine day. "My classmates tease me because of my missing ear," the boy told his mother, Kulsum. 

    Born with this congenital defect, it's not like Samarth was deaf. His hearing ability was up to 60 per cent. Statistically, this congenital defect is seen in one among every 8,000 births, say medical experts. 
    Now, Samarth will be able to return to school without being ribbed by his classmates. Thanks to doctors at BSES Hospital in Andheri (West) who operated on the boy to flesh out an ear. The doctors have developed a unique natural implant for people born without one or both ears. The surgical procedure involved taking part of Samarth's rib and skin for the new ear. Now, although his hearing capacity remains the same, one look at Samarth and it would be hard to spot any difference between his ears, both of which look quite natural. So far, the hospital has operated upon 10 such cases. 
    And the operation for the boy, who hails from a low income group family, cost rupees one hundred. 
    The condition, called microtia, is not lifethreatening, and the child can lead a normal life even without surgery. 
    The surgery for such patients, which would otherwise cost at least Rs 2 lakh, is subsidised by non-profit organisation Swiss Foundation, which caters to cleft surgeries of economically underprivileged children. 
    "He would often ask me why he was made to look like an alien, and I had no answer to that," said Kulsum. "I had to scout for solutions when he refused to attend school as other children used to laugh at him." Kulsum was grateful to doctors at the hospital thanks to whom her son now dons a more natural look. 
    Dr Rajesh Valand, the surgeon from the hospital's ear, nose and throat department who operated upon Samarth, said, "People tend to think that a person who does not have an ear is deaf. However, in most such cases, such patients have hearing ability of up to almost 60 per cent. The surgery to implant an ear is just so that the person does not look any different from others." 
    Dr Valand said he had come across many such instances of children who simply stop attending school as they become the butt of all jokes. It causes social inhibition, preventing the patient from mixing up with peers because of the deformity. 
    Cleft surgeon at the hospital Parit Ladani said the surgery can be performed only after the child turns six . "That's the age by which the human ear is fully developed and does not grow any further. In case of patients who have neither ear, we structure the dimensions of the ears in keeping with facial features." 
    Senior plastic surgeon at the civic-run Nair hospital, Dr Baliyar Singh, said, "It's good to hear that some private hospital is catering to needy patients. The surgery is very expensive although at civic hospitals we charge up to Rs 8,000." 
SURGICAL PROCEDURE 
» Framework of missing ear is made. 
» Later, a part of five ribs (sixth to tenth rib) are used to flesh out a ear-like structure. Humans have 24 ribs in all. 
» An incision is made around the flat skin where the ear should have been there. 
» Surgically, the ear-like structure is implanted into the incision. 
» The structure is made to resemble a natural ear. 
OCCURRENCE OF MICROTIA 
» Microtia typically occurs in one ear, but can also affect both. 
» While most kids born with microtia are normal in all other respects, some have other health conditions including defects of the face and head. 
» Microtia can be, but is not always, a hereditary condition.

Nine-year-old Samarth Shaikh, who had stopped attending school, was operated on Thursday

Read more...

THE 2-MINUTE READ

EATING HEALTHY HELPS TEENS BEAT MENTAL DISORDERS 
A NEW study suggests that eating fruits and vegetables can help teens beat depression and anxiety. "This is consistent with what we have seen in adults but is more important because three quarters of psychiatric illnesses start before adulthood and once someone has depression they are likely to get it again," said Dr Felice Jacka of Deakin University. Around 3000 participants filled in questionnaires about their diets and psychological symptoms in 2005 and again in 2007. Those who ate healthy diets in 2005 were found to have fewer mental health problems than those with poor diets. ANI

SMOKERS TEND TO LOSE SOME OF THEIR DAILY MEMORY 
PEOPLE who smoke lose around one third of their everyday memory, a new British study has suggested. However, the Northumbria University study also found that giving up the habit can restore the ability to recollect information. Everyday memory refers to memory operations routinely occur in a person's daily environment — recalling plans for the day, remembering names, etc. The researchers asked more than 70 people to recall small details of their day. Smokers remembered just 59 per cent of tasks. Those who had given up smoking remembered 74 per cent, while those who had never smoked recalled 81 per cent. PTI

Read more...

Dark secret: Chocolate is as good as exercise

NO MORE HOLDING BACK

Stimulates Same Muscle Response As Gym Session

London: It is the news that chocoholics have been waiting for: Chocolate is as good as exercise, a new study has claimed. Scientists at Wayne State University in the US found that small amounts of dark chocolate may improve health in a similar way to exercise. 
    The researchers who focused on the mitochondria — the tiny powerhouses in cells that generate energy — discovered that a plant compound found in chocolate, called epicatechin, appeared to stimulate the same muscle response as vigorous activity, the Daily Telegraph reported. 
    "Mitochondria produce energy which is used by the cells in the body. More mitochondria mean more energy," said Dr Moh Malek, who led the research on mice. "Aerobic exercise is known to increase the number of mitochondria in muscle cells," Malek said. 
    "Our study has found that epicatechin seems to bring about the same response." 
    For their study the researchers gave a specific type of epicatechin from cocoa to the laboratory mice twice a day for 15 days. At the same time, the animals underwent 30 minutes of treadmill training each day. It was found that mice only fed epicatechin had the same exercise performance as those running on the treadmill. PTI 
Warning for night owls: Want to be happy, slim and healthy? Become an early riser 
    Early to bed, early to rise keeps a man healthy, wealthy and wise," Benjamin Franklin famously said some 300 years ago. Now, scientists have confirmed it. Researchers at the Roehampton University in the UK found claimed that early risers are slimmer, happier and healthier than those who get up later in the day. Worst off are night owls, the researchers said, as late nights appear to be taking their toll on health and happiness, the Daily Mail reported. For their study, the researchers quizzed almost 1,100 men and women about their health and sleeping habits. Some 13% of those questioned were larks, getting up before 7am during the week and seeing no need for a lie-in at the weekend. Night owls, who fall out of bed just before 9am Monday to Friday and sleep in on Saturdays and Sundays, accounted for another 6 %. The remaining 81% fell somewhere in between. The analysis revealed the early risers to have fewest signs of depression and anxiety. PTI

Read more...

HEALTH DRINK?

2 cups of coffee a day can lower stroke risk
London: Here's some good news for coffee buffs — drinking two to three cups of the beverage can significantly reduce your risk of a stroke, says a new study. 
    Researchers in Sweden have carried out the study and found that drinking coffee can cut chances of a clot on the brain by 14%, while three or four cups reduce the dangers by 17%, the 'Daily Express' reported. 
    However,six or more only cut the likelihood by around 7%, says the study. Antioxidants may be responsible — other caffeinated drinks such as tea do not bring the benefits but decaffeinated coffee does, according to the researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. For their study, the researchers pooled all the results from eight previous researches involving nearly half-a-million people since the mid-1960s. According to them, coffee may protect the brain from "bad" cholesterol but fears of increased blood pressure remain. PTI

Read more...

Eyelid marks warn of heart attack

Continue reading the main story

Xanthelasmata are mostly made up of cholesterol

A study published on the BMJ website showed patients with xanthelasmata were 48% more likely to have a heart attack.

Yellow markings on the eyelids are a sign of increased risk of heart attack and other illnesses, say researchers in Denmark.

Xanthelasmata, which are mostly made up of cholesterol, could be a sign of other fatty build-ups in the body.

Cardiologists said the findings could be used by doctors to help diagnose at-risk patients.

The research team at the Herlev Hospital in Denmark started following 12,745 people in the 1970s.

At the start of the study, 4.4% of patients had xanthelasmata.

Yellow alert

Thirty three years later, 1,872 had had a heart attack, 3,699 had developed heart disease and 8,507 had died - and the data showed that those with the yellow markings around the eyes were at greatest risk.

Those with the markings were 48% more likely to have a heart attack, 39% more likely to have developed heart disease and 14% more likely to have died during the study.

The authors believe patients with xanthelasmata may be more likely to deposit cholesterol around the body.

A build up of fatty material in the walls of arteries - known as atherosclerosis - leads to stroke and heart attack.

For both men and women in several age groups, the data said there was a one in five chance of developing heart disease in the next decade if the patient had xanthelasmata.

The authors said such patients were "generally considered to be at high risk" and should have "lifestyle changes and treatment to reduce [bad] cholesterol."

However they warned that: "Today, most people with xanthelasmata are seen by dermatologists, when they want their xanthelasmata removed for cosmetic reasons.

"Some of these people may not have been managed according to their increased risk of cardiovascular disease."

A review of the study, by US cardiologists Antonio Fernandez and Paul Thompson, concluded that: "Xanthelasmata could be used by general clinicians to help identify people at higher risk of cardiovascular disease."

Judy O'Sullivan, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "There are many different techniques to predict someone's risk of developing heart disease in the future, none of which are perfect. The most important thing is that any one of these techniques is used in the first place."

Read more...

AMERICAN FAST FOOD GIANT TO DISPLAY CALORIE COUNT Count Your Calories with McDonald’s

  Would you change your order if you know there are 416 calories in McChicken? You will soon have an option as the Indian arm of 

world's largest restaurant chain McDonald's has decided to list calorie counts of all its foods on menus. McDonald's India, among Big Mac's top 10 fastest growing markets, says the calorie counts, protein, fat and carbohydrate content in its burgers, fries and puffs will be prominently displayed on its menu, leaflets on trays, front counters and website within the next 45 days. 
"As customers around the world are changing, we are also focusing on healthier and more informed ways of eating. The first step, we believe, is disseminating information," McDonald's India (North & East) MD and joint venture partner Vikram Bakshi told ET. The move, coming 15 years after McDonald's opened its first restaurant in the country, follows similar actions in the US and more recently the UK where fast food chains are under pressure to help tackle obesity and promote healthier eating habits. 
It will be implemented across McDonald's 235 stores in the country, and will cover all its products. Activists and nutritionists called it a good first step, though there's a lot more to be done. 
"It's commendable that they are doing this. But it's important that they also introduce new and healthy options for consumers," said Pankaj Sharma, chief trustee of the Centre of Transforming India, a Delhibased NGO that works on health and environment issues. 
Mumbai-based nutritionist Dr Anjali Mukerjee said, "Printing calories upfront will certainly be an eyeopener for customers, and it will make a positive difference." 
She added that the drive needs to penetrate deeper and customers should have detailed information about the ingredients used in foods. Other fast-food chains KFC and Pizza Hut, however, said they are not putting calorie counts on menus in the country yet. They said Indian consumers need to evolve a lot more before moves like calorie content influence their choices. 
Various countries are at different levels of implementing Big Mac's 'health' move and India is among the early movers. 
McDonald's US, for example, is putting out the calorie counts on wrappers of all products. It started serving its popular 'Happy Meal' for children with apple slices and smaller fries in July, bowing to pressure from social activists and parents. 
The changes cut the item's calorie count by 20% and were part of the chain's "commitments to offer improved nutrition choice". 
The commitments include low-fat dairy option and apples in Happy Meals, reducing sugar, saturated fat and calories through smaller portion sizes by 2020, and reducing sodium by an average of 15% across its national menu by 2015. 
Besides apple slices, Big Mac will offer fat-free chocolate milk as beverage choice for Happy Meal customers. Happy Meal fruit and vegetable choices too are under consideration. Obesity has emerged a global health threat, particularly in the US where more than one in four people are obese. 
Social activists and governments around the world have been increasing pressure on restaurants, food companies and beverage makers to promote healthier food habits and list calorie counts and nutritional facts on packets and menus. 
Coca-Cola India recently started printing calorie information on the front pack of its labels of PET bottles and cans as part of a global move. Coca-Cola's 'nutritional labeling' exercise is being done in phases across 200-plus countries where it has presence in, and has been rolled out in parts of Europe, Australia, Mexico and the US. 
Rival PepsiCo India also prints some ingredient information on its packs, but not on front labels. 
Depending on country-specific guidelines, the information can include daily guidance indicators to show how the quantities of select nutrients fit into the national or regional dietary guidelines. 
McDonald's India, which set up its first restaurant in 1996 in New Delhi's upscale Basant Lok colony, has banked on its mass-priced foods to grow rapidly and become one of the most popular fast-food chains in the country. 
Now, will calorie counts scare away some customers? Unlikely because you would've kicked weight watch to the back of your mind when you walk in for a burger and fries.

Read more...