High blood pressure: a force to be reckoned with

It's National High Blood Pressure Education Month, so there's no better time to raise awareness about preventing and controlling high blood pressure (also called "hypertension").

And with one-third of American adults living with the condition -- most of whom don't even know it -- the pressure is on to get their numbers down (no pun intended).

The reason is simple. Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls, and it's what moves blood through the body.

But when that force gets too high, the heart has to work harder to overcome resistance, which hardens artery walls. And that can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke.

Many people know one way to lower blood pressure is by limiting their intake of salty and high-fat foods. But more can be done.

My colleague Janelle and I buzzed Dr. Boyd Lyles earlier this week, and learned more techniques to lower blood pressure, and prevent it from building in the first place.

Dr. Lyles tells all in the podcast, so listen, learn, and lower your numbers!

Counting up to the next 100 weight loss stories

Break out the pinatas and party hats! With this post, My L A Weight Loss Diary hits a major milestone -- our 100^th post!

That’s 100 stories detailing the hard work people undertake to accomplish their goals ... 100 examples of lives changing for the better ... and 100 points of inspiration for anyone seeking to do the same.

You've been able to get up close and personal with these amazing people through podcast interviews. We’ve also featured expert advice through interviews with Dr. Boyd Lyles, our resident health expert; and nutritionist Jennifer Simmons, who’s offered tips for eating well and staying health.

Our first post last November detailed the weight loss story of John Spino, who went from 310 to 182 pounds, and controlled his diabetes as a result. Since then, we’ve featured nine people on My L A Weight Loss Diary who were able to control their diabetes through proper eating and exercise.

We've also showcased 15 people who lowered their high blood pressure by losing weight, including Greg Thompson, our once-500-pound man. He was one of our favorite interviews, and we're sure that his inspirational story moved many to improve their lives.

Another of our favorites is Georgina Fowler's story. Georgina explains in her own words how she beat thyroid cancer, then lost 98 pounds on L A Weight Loss! Now that's what I call amazing.

Of course, none of this would be possible without YOU, the readers, who visit here every day to congratulate and encourage these women and men from around the country. So please, chime in and tell us your favorite stories from the hundred we've shared -- who made you laugh, made you cry, or convinced you to start your own weight loss journey.

In the meantime, we're busy working on the next hundred, so keep the comments, stories, and ideas coming! And as always, thanks for reading!

Cholesterol, don't go breakin' my heart!

Yes, it's true: While cholesterol is needed for healthy nerve and hormone function, too much can lead to cardiovascular disease -- America's No. 1 killer.

Lowering cholesterol naturally starts by limiting fat intake. But where do you go from there? Fortunately, we grabbed Dr. Boyd Lyles' ear for a few minutes to get the lowdown on lowering cholesterol, and preventing it from creeping up the scale in the first place.

A heart-to-heart with Dr. Lyles

Did you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America?

In fact, nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease and stroke than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer, according to the American Heart Association.

This sobering stat was reason enough for Marnie and me to get a hold of Dr. Boyd Lyles, and ask him all about heart disease, including causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

So be sure to give this interview your full attention. It may just be the one podcast that saves your life.

Dr. Lyles on the importance of "thyroid awareness"

I recently took some time to talk with Dr. Lyles about Thyroid Awareness Month, which kicked off this month. Hear what he has to say about this little understood gland, how it can cause a rollercoaster shift in people's body weight, and the difference between an overactive and underactive thyroid.

Starbucks joins the march against trans fats

Score one more for the health-conscious. Starbucks announced that they're phasing out trans fats from their pastries.

The coffee giant joins the growing list of companies and cities (such as Arby's, Taco Bell, and KFC) who have also vowed to eliminate trans fats from their menus.

This is great news, and we'll continue to follow the "death of trans fats" story for you. In the meantime, you can listen to the chat JackieZ and I had last month with Dr. Lyles that unlocks the mystery behind this controversial artificial fat.

The skinny on trans fats

Trans fats have been in the news a lot lately, from Arby's recent announcement that they're eliminating this man-made fat from their fries, to today's huge news that the New York Health Board has banned them from the New York City restaurants.

As luck would have it, last week USA Today covered the Arby's announcement, motivating JackieZ and I to interview Dr. Lyles, medical director for L A Weight Loss Centers, about this controversial artificial fat.

We discussed why it's so bad, how people can decipher whether or not it's in the foods they eat, and more. When the news broke today, we rushed to get a Podcast of our interview online. I hope you enjoy it and, most important, find it informative and useful!