A paper was recently presented at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting regarding the obesity epidemic. And YES, it is an epidemic. In fact, it is quietly the greatest threat to American’s health and the health care system. Regardless of the rhetoric in Washington about who will “fix” what, unless individuals accept responsibility for this issue, it will remain the biggest health threat.

Fortunately, there are answers to everything and more often than not, the best answers are the recycled ones. The “new” diet method presented was . . . . Have a big breakfast high in carbohydrates and protein.

Researchers from Caracas, Venezuela showed that dieters could prevent weight gain by eating a large breakfast high in carbohydrates and proteins, followed by a lower carb, lower calorie diet for the rest of the day. This strategy allowed people to eat fewer total calories during the day.

Those who ate the big breakfast were able to control their appetite and reduce cravings for sweets and empty calories. The diet was healthy because people ate more fruit, fiber and other nutrients.

The researcher reported that this strategy was studies in depth for 15 years and success across the board.

If this sounds vaguely familiar to you, remember the eat like a King for breakfast, a Prince for lunch and a Pauper for dinner notion from waaaay back.

It is not too often when you can use the words “healthy” and “tasty” in the same sentence.

Below is a shake, comprised of easy to find ingredients that is an exceptional formula for improving health. Specificially, this tasty treat will improve immunity, enhance circulation (blood circulation), assist the body in reducing fat and increasing muscle, improve heart functioning, enhancing libido and improving testosterone. Highly recommended prior to workouts or as a breakfast substitute or addition.

The shake consists of the following:

• 5-7 ounces of organic green tea
• 1/2 of a banana or mango
• 1 tsp. of almond or organic peanut butter
• 20g of vanilla protein powder
• optional pinch of cinnamon
• optional dose of stevia
• a couple of ice cubes
• You can also add (liquid) ginseng, ashwaganda or yohimbee

Blend and drink away. This is a potent, blood moving formula.

If you have studied nutrition and herbal medicine to any degree, you will not be too surprised at some of the odd substances traditionally used for medicine. Some are very strange such as cinnabaris, the toxic rock-like material used to make red dye. Medicinally it is used to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Others are gross — scorpion or cockroaches. Traditionally, they are used to spasms, tremors or tics. Still others, in my opinion,  cross the line such as tiger bone (which in about 95% of the cases are dog bones).

Even modern nutrition has gotten into the act with substances such as colostrum and certain extracts which shall remain nameless. Let’s add to the list of the odd and unusual — Chicken Breast Supplement or CBEX.

CBEX is a supplement that contains special dipeptides such as carnosine and beta alanyl, which are antioxidants and neurotransmitters in the brain. They are said to modify brain function and may aid in  performance during anerobic exercise.

I think this substance will appeal to a niche group such as body builders and powerlifters, and others who consume enormous amounts of protein (especially lean chicken) but not really likely to go mainstream. For those of us who are perhaps way too visual, I cannot help but imagine trying to take a couple of capsules that have beak or something sticking out of it.

Bad comedy aside, keep on eye on this one. It will be making the news in about 2 or 3 months.  To date, very little research has been done on CBEX but the research completed has been promising.

Time will tell if it lives up to its claims.