Acai Berry Diet Exposed: Miracle Diet or Scam?

As part of a new series: "Diet Trends: A look at America's Top Diets" we examine consumer tips for dieting during a recession

Julia investigates the Acai Berry diet to find out for herself if this super diet works. Acai berries are the latest weight loss fad. These so called Super Foods that you take as a supplement to lose weight have been getting a lot of international attention. And like you have probably already seen; they are all over the internet in blogs and success stories of people who have apparently used the pills and lost a ton of weight. But we here at News 7 are a little skeptical and aren‘t sure that we‘ve seen any real proof that these pills work for weight loss. So we decided to put these products to the test. What better way to find out the truth than to conduct our own study? To get started, I volunteered to be the guinea pig. I applied for a bottle of the Top Grade Acai. While there are ton's of Acai berry ads online, Top Grade Acai is one of the most credible and trustworthy suppliers on the market. It included the free* trial of the product and it did not try to fool me into agreeing to additional hidden offers. Another reason why I chose Top Grade Acai is because it is the most concentrated and purest acai products on the market. This would give me the most accurate results for my test. Here is what Top Grade Acai claimed on their website... 4 Times More Weight Loss Than Diet And Exercise Boosts Energy Rich in Antioxidants Promotes Cardiovascular and Digestive Health Were pretty skeptical, but wanted to find out for ourselves if this product could actually do everything that it claimed. Most of the success stories talk about combining Acai berry with colon cleansing products to achieve maximum weight loss. I decided to do the same. The idea behind combining the products is that while the Acai Berry encourages weight loss and increases energy, the colon cleanse helps rid your body of toxins and allows your body to work and burn calories more efficiently. I chose Pure Cleanse Gold to test. Here is what Pure Cleanse Gold claimed on their website... Helps Eliminate Bad Toxins that have Built Up Over the Years Removes ‘Sludge‘ from the Walls of the Colon Helps Get Rid of Gas and Bloating Helps to Regulate the Metabolism And the Pure Cleanse Gold, like the Acai Berry, had a free* trial with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and had no hidden offers. Putting Acai to the Test Both the Top Grade Acai and Pure Cleanse Gold arrived within 4 days of having placed my order online for the free* trials. The bottles I received held a month‘s worth of pills which worked out perfect as I was to follow the supplement routine for 4 weeks time and document my progress throughout My Test 4 Week Acai Berry Diet: Top Grade Acai + Pure Cleanse Gold Take one Top Grade Acai pill per day Take one Pure Cleanse Gold pill per day My Results Week One After one week on the diet using both products I was surprised at the dramatic results. My energy level was up, and I wasn‘t even hungry, an apparent side effect of the Acai Berry which curbs the appetite. I honestly felt fantastic. And I didn‘t even change anything about my daily routine. On day 7 I got on the scale and couldn‘t believe my eyes. I had lost 4 kgs. But I still wasn‘t convinced as they say you lose a lot of water at the beginning of any diet. I wanted to wait and see the results in the upcoming weeks. But it sure was looking up! I now weighed under 63 kg for the first time in years! Week Two After two weeks of using both supplements, I started the week off with even more energy and was actually sleeping more soundly than before. I was no longer waking up during the night and tossing and turning because my body was actually able to relax (this is a result of getting rid of the toxins I think). Plus I still managed to lose another 3kg, putting me at an unbelievable 7 kg of weight loss, in just 2 weeks. I must admit that I‘m starting to believe that this diet is more than just a gimmick. Week Three After 3 weeks all my doubts and skepticism had absolutely vanished! I am down, 2 full dress sizes, after losing another 2kg. And I still have a ton of energy. Quite often, around the third week of other diets, you tend to run out of steam. But with the Top Grade Acai and Pure Cleanse Gold diet my energy levels don‘t dip, but remain steady throughout the day. I no longer need that cat nap around 3pm in the afternoon! And I am even noticing that my stomach is digesting food so much better. No bloating or embarrassing gas after I eat! Week Four After the fourth week, my final results were shocking. I lost an unbelievable 11kg since starting the Top Grade Acai and Pure Cleanse Gold diet! Actually everyone at News 6 is kicking themselves for not having volunteered to be the guinea pig. Using the Top Grade Acai and Pure Cleanse Gold in week 4 I lost 1.5 more. But to be honest I really didn‘t have much more than that left to lose. And I am definately going to continue taking the Top Grade Acai afterwards because it has so many antioxidants and vitamins that makes my skin look unbelievable. I couldn‘t be any happier with the results. I Lost 11 1/2 kgs in 4 Weeks, No Special Diet, No Intense Exercise Conclusion Like us, here at News 7, you might be a little doubtful about the effects of this diet, but you need to try it for yourself; the results are real. After conducting our own personal study we are pleased to see that people really are finding success with it (myself included :) ). And you have nothing to lose. Follow the links to the free* trials I have provided and know that you are getting a quality product that works; no strings attached! Good Luck with your weight loss Julia Miller http://www.news7daily.tv/ft/lp5.php?t202id=8409&t202kw=

* Back Pain & Causes

Back Pain Overview

Back pain affects 90% of Americans at some time in their lives and is the leading cause of visits to the doctor. Low back pain is the most prevalent cause of disability in people under age 45. An estimated $100 billion is spent annually in the management of low back pain, with more than half spent on surgical treatment.

Spinal vertebrae are held together by muscles, tendons and ligaments. Between the vertebrae are discs, which act as "shock absorbers" and prevent the vertebrae from hitting one another when you walk, run or jump. They also allow your spine to twist, bend and extend. Since the lower back is the hinge between the upper and lower body and carries most of your weight, it is especially vulnerable to injury and is the site of most reported back pain. When lower back pain strikes, we become acutely aware of just how much we rely on a flexible, strong back.
This color enhanced sagital (lateral) MRI image of the cervical spine shows severe multilevel degenerative changes of the spine with spinal cord compression. The bony spine is blue and the spinal cord is gold. There is a disc herniation at C3-4 and less at C4-5 causing spinal cord compression.
If you are concerned you are developing, or have started showing signs of chronic back pain, take a moment to visit our back pain symptoms page to confirm your suspicions.Click Here to see how you can get your life back in 5 days
You can avoid or prolong the onset of back pain by educating yourself on some simple facts about what causes back pain. Learn about activities you should either avoid or take precautions when attempting to help keep your spine healthy for years to come.
LSI provides relief of back pain through a few different procedures depending on the spinal condition associated with the back pain. We suggest you view our page dedicated to back pain treatment and find out how you can start living life again without restrictions.
If you still have a few questions left unanswered, feel free to contact us directly with your question and we will happily assist you.

Back Pain Causes
The most common causes of lower back pain are:
Pinched Nerves - Pressure or impingement on nerve roots in the spinal canal can be caused by:
Herniated Disc - A herniated disc, (also called bulging disc or slipped disc) is a rupture often brought on by repeated vibration or motion (as during machine use or sport activity, or when lifting improperly), or by a sudden heavy strain or increased pressure to the lower back. Back pain and leg pain can result when the herniated disc pinches one of the nerves. A herniated disc in the lumbar region can affect the nerves that run from your spinal cord to your legs. Compression or inflammation of this nerve causes sciatica - a sharp, shooting pain in your lower back, buttocks and leg.

Degenerative Disc Disease - As we age, the water and protein content of the body's cartilage changes. This change results in weaker, more fragile and thin cartilage. Because both the discs and the joints that stack the vertebrae (facet joints) are partly composed of cartilage, these areas are subject to wear and tear over time (degenerative changes). The gradual deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as Degenerative Disc Disease.

Bone Spurs - also termed osteophytes (os-tee-o-fights). Osteophytes may be found in areas affected by arthritis such as the disc or joint spaces where cartilage has deteriorated. The body's production of osteophytes is a futile attempt to stop the motion of the arthritic joint and deal with the degenerative process. It never completely works. The evidence of bony deposits can be found on an x-ray or MRI. A bone spur may cause nerve impingement at the neuroforamen (nu-row for-a-men). The neuroforamen are passageways through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal. Sensory symptoms include pain, numbness, burning and feeling of "pins and needles" in the extremities below the affected spinal nerve root. Motor symptoms include muscle spasm, cramping, weakness, or loss of muscular control in a part of the body.

Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal by a piece of bone, ligamentus flavus thickening or disc material. This can cause weakness in your extremities and typically develops with age.

This color enhanced sagital (lateral) MRI image of the cervical spine shows severe multilevel degenerative changes of the spine with spinal cord compression. The bony spine is blue and the spinal cord is gold. There is a disc herniation at C3-4 and less at C4-5 causing spinal cord compression.

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," causes bones to become weak and brittle - so brittle that even mild stresses like bending over, lifting a vacuum cleaner or coughing can cause a fracture. In most cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in your bones. The pain from an osteoporotic spinal fracture can last for several weeks as the bone heals, and typically turns into more of a chronic, achy pain concentrated in the area of the back where the fracture occurred. This aching may be similar to the sensation reported by those with osteoarthritis. A bone density test, which measures bone mass, preferably taken of both a long bone and a vertebral body, is used to diagnose osteoporosis.
Osteoarthritis or Facet Disease is a degenerative joint condition causing slow deterioration of cartilage. Osteoarthritis of the spine results in narrowed cartilage disks between the bones which make up your backbone. Without this cartilage cushioning, the joints (facets) between adjacent bones compress and become irregular, causing inflammation, pain, swelling and stiffness. Your body tries to compensate for this form of arthritis, but the repairs are often inadequate, resulting in little growths of additional bone called bone spurs.

Cervical spondylosis is a common condition resulting from degeneration (osteoarthritis) of the bones of the neck (cervical vertebrae). This can lead to increasing pain in the neck and arm, weakness, and changes in sensation.

Spinal deformities such as scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Most cases are mild, but severe cases may require treatment with braces or surgery. Small injury to a muscle (strain) or a ligament (sprain) can occur from improper lifting, excess body weight and poor posture. Strains and sprains can also develop from carrying heavy handbags or briefcases or sleeping in an awkward position.

Compression fractures, are more common among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, or after long-term corticosteroid use. In a person with osteoporosis, even a small amount of force put on the spine, such as from a sneeze, may cause a compression fracture.

Fractures of the vertebrae are caused by significant force such as an automobile or bicycle accident, a direct blow to the spine, or compressing the spine by falling onto the buttocks or head).

At LSI, we perform a foraminotomy, laminotomy, percutaneous endoscopic discectomy, or a facet thermal ablation procedure to treat back pain. Our professional staff have performed these surgeries hundreds of times helping their patients regain freedom to live life with back pain relief. We hope you will take a moment to browse a few of our previous patient testimonials to see how we can help you too reclaim your freedom.

If you have any questions remaining, or would like to know how LSI can help your symptoms, please feel free to contact us and we will be happily assist you in any way we can.

http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/

* Back strech for back pain

* What Your Back Pain Means

What Your Back Pain Means

By Stephanie Tweito Jacob
Be it tension from working at a computer all day or a stiff feeling when you get up in the morning, almost 96 percent of us experience back pain at some point in our lives, according to Reza Ghorbani, M.D., a board-certified interventional pain management specialist and president and medical director for the Advanced Pain Medicine Institute in the greater Washington, D.C., area.
But diagnosing what your back pain means can be difficult. The back is loaded with nerves, bones, discs, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints, making it complex and sensitive to pain, he says.
AOL Health asked Ghorbani to explain what different kinds of back pain really mean and when you should see your doctor.
When to See a DoctorYour first defense against back pain should be over-the-counter medications (pain relievers and anti-inflammatory tablets, creams or patches) and some physical therapy, says Ghorbani.
“This can even resolve a herniated disc within a month, without having injections or surgery,” he says.
If, however, your pain doesn't go away within a month, gets worse or prohibits you from going to work or maintaining most of your daily activities, or if you develop numbness or weakness in your legs, then you should see your doctor right away. He or she will examine you and may prescribe medication or order an MRI or X-ray to further determine what course of treatment should be taken.
And remember, back pain is preventable. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and not smoking can all help keep your back in good shape.
Muscle Strain Dull, aching pain usually signals muscle strain, which is one of the most common causes of back pain, says Ghorbani. It can occur anywhere you have a muscle, which means the neck and upper and lower back are all at risk. Twisting the neck or torso, lifting something, exercising without stretching properly first or working behind a desk or computer are frequent causes of strained or pulled muscles in the back and neck, says Ghorbani.
Degenerative Disc Disease Dull, aching pain could also signal degenerative disc disease if you're over 30 years of age. As we age, the discs between the vertebrae in our spine naturally start to shrink, placing more pressure on the spine. While not everyone will develop symptoms (genetics can play a role in whether you will), that increased stress can mean dull, aching pain on a daily basis, at the end of the day for some. And, depending on how worn the disc is, the pain can turn from dull and achy to sharp, shooting and burning if the disc tears or becomes herniated. DDD commonly occurs in the low back, but it can affect the upper back or neck, too.
Herniated DiscA sharp, burning pain is often a sign of a herniated disc. Intense pressure on the discs between the vertebrae can cause them to rupture or herniate. Herniated discs often occur in the lower part of the back and tend to be accompanied by a stinging sensation that travels from the low back to the buttocks, says Ghorbani. Pain from herniation in the upper part of the spine can coincide with discomfort in the front of the thigh, while neck herniation often means headache pain or a burning sensation down the shoulders and arms, too.
SciaticaA sharp, shooting pain indicates a nerve is being affected, says Ghorbani. The most common cause of sciatica pain is a herniated disc in the low back pressing into the sciatic nerve, causing pain to shoot from the lower back to your buttock and all the way down to your toes. If pain is projecting from the neck to the shoulders, elbows and fingers, you may have a herniated disc in your neck (the term sciatica does not apply to the neck). If you develop numbness or weakness in your legs, see your doctor right away. It could be a sign of nerve damage, says Ghorbani.
Facet Joint Disease Facet joint disease is a common cause of low back pain, says Ghorbani, although the upper and middle spine is not exempt. When the facet joints between each vertebra in the spine degenerate -- either from arthritis or age -- the joints can become inflamed and painful. The dull, achy symptoms tend to be concentrated in one area (not shooting down a leg), and spasms can occur as an attempt to stabilize the back. Standing or moving around can ease the pain associated with facet joint disease, while sitting or resting for too long can make it worse. If getting out of bed in the morning is difficult because of a stiff back, facet joint disease may be to blame, says Ghorbani.
Failed Back SyndromeBetween 15 and 40 percent of people who have had back surgery have failed back syndrome, a condition that leaves you in either more or the same amount of pain as you were in prior to surgery, says Ghorbani. The pain is usually constant.
“You don't have to stand up, walk or twist. It comes from a malfunction of your nerves,” he says.
Symptoms can be a dull, achy pain that radiates into the hips, buttocks and thighs or sharp stabs of pain in the back and legs.
Spinal StenosisStenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas in the spinal canal, which causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It's often a condition that follows other back disorders such as herniated disc, arthritis or degenerative disc disease, says Ghorbani, and it can cause cramping, pain and numbness in the legs, back, neck, arms or shoulders; a loss of feeling in the extremities and sometimes problems with bladder or bowel function. The symptoms tend to get worse with walking or with activities and somewhat better with rest. If you develop numbness or weakness in your legs, see your doctor right away.

More on Back Pain:Treatment ChoicesWho Develops Back Pain

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