First For Women

Dr. Oz’s Easy Rx to REVERSE AGING

Re-discovered! The forgotten superfood that repairs aging cells to speed 10x more weight loss, restoring the body like a ‘factory reset’ so you look and feel decades younger!

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One of the most popular health-food superstars of the 1950s is staging an amazing comeback among medical experts and weight-loss gurus alike. What’s so great about this oldie-but-goodie? For one thing, it’s as effective as it is simple. As Mehmet Oz, M.D., host of The Dr. Oz Show, told his audience, “My Oz-approved superfood for super weight loss is so small, it’s hard to imagine it revs up weight loss in such a big way.” What’s got Dr. Oz so excited? Wheat germ! “Here’s what I love about wheat germ,” he says. “It’s easy to add to your diet and doesn’t cost very much.”

Dr. Oz’s favorite nutrient-dense kernel is key to both warding off and melting off fat, thanks to its appetite-easing fiber, fat-burning omega-3 fatty acids and bevy of vitamins that boost mood and metabolism. Plus, wheat germ is packed with zinc, which is crucial for skin-cell generation, and vitamin E, which protects nerve and brain cells. Nutrition guru Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., explains the hype: “Wheat germ oil is oxygenatin­g for cells, and there aren’t many substances that produce natural oxygen, which knocks out free radicals to promote fat breakdown.”

Emerging science points to another reason people are rediscover­ing wheat

germ: It’s the richest source of a special blend of amino acids that speed fat burn. When consumed routinely, these compounds have been found to activate autophagy, the body’s cellular detoxifica­tion process in which old or damaged cells are replaced by new ones. This microscopi­c makeover helps restore metabolic processes, strengthen weight-regulating organs and rebalance hormones, leading to released fat. The only other way to trigger autophagy is through extended fasting—so by using wheat germ, you get the benefits of fasting without the hard work!

In one study, animals on a highfat diet given wheat germ decreased belly fat by 16%. And in a Harvard study, people who ate 2 to 3 servings of wheat germ–rich whole grains a day were 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who rarely reached for grains. What’s more: Wheat germ lowers fat-storing insulin levels by 50% and reduces cholestero­l absorption (via the same mechanism by which some prescripti­on medication­s lower cholestero­l) by 43%.

Despite wheat germ’s multitaski­ng superpower­s, many women are missing out on its slimming benefits. One reason: To lengthen the shelf life of flour, modern food processing routinely strips away the nutrient-dense wheat germ from the wheat plant, meaning refined breads and pastas no longer contain this powerhouse ingredient. Another reason: the recent popularity of grain-free diets among folks both gluten-sensitive and not. For women who can tolerate gluten,

Joel Kahn, M.D., author of The PlantBased Solution and founder of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity, says, “Wheat germ is one of those foods that should be on our daily list.”

Dr. Oz’s new plan optimizes wheat germ’s fat-burning ability by adding two other proven strategies: enjoying a Mediterran­ean diet and delaying breakfast a few hours. No strict fasting is required: Just eat a brunch-style first meal of the day. What’s more: Experts at London’s Queen Mary University found that Dr. Oz–style fasting leads to significan­t weight loss even if used only five days a week! And one woman FIRST talked to lost 14 pounds in a week simply by eating delicious foods and narrowing her daily eating window.

On this plan, you’ll feast on greens, beans, fruit, dairy, meat and fish, eating the bulk of your calories in the middle of the day, and you’ll incorporat­e wheat germ, through food or supplement­s. Emily Hall, 44, lost 94 pounds in 11 months with the help of fiber-rich wheat germ, which she sprinkled on her cereal every morning. She says, “I have so much energy. I feel 20 years old!” And Judy Halone, 61, lost 64 pounds after adding non-GMO, nutrient-dense whole-grain breads to her diet.

Wheat germ does more than dial down the scale, it turns back the clock, leading to improved memory, increased energy, thicker hair, more youthful skin and stronger immunity. Judy shares, “My doctor said my blood work is ‘beautiful’ now—60 is the new 30!”

Ready to experience your own health comeback? Read on!

“My Oz-approved superfood for weight loss is so small, it’s hard to

imagine it revs up weight loss in such a big way”

—Dr. Oz

Incorporat­ing Dr. Oz’s classic superfood—wheat germ—into his new Mediterran­ean-inspired System Oz eating plan delivers a powerful punch of satisfying fiber and belly fat– blasting amino acids to shed stubborn weight, mimicking the benefits of fasting—without the effort. Dr. Oz told his TV audience, “The reason I love the Mediterran­ean Diet? It’s not just because of the taste. I love the fact that it lowers your risk of heart disease [and] helps your brain function. And because of all that, you live longer!”

On his three-week plan, Dr. Oz recommends filling your plate with “health secrets from my family’s homeland” of Turkey. That means loading up on greens, beans, fruit, dairy, nuts, eggs, meat, fish and whole grains like barley and farro, while avoiding refined sugars and carbs. Dr. Oz suggests consuming the bulk of your meals before 3 pm, followed by a light dinner. You’ll also enjoy two snacks a day and one cheat day a week.

To turbocharg­e the plan’s benefits, incorporat­e these easy waistwhitt­ling strategies:

Get a daily dose of wheat germ. Each day, you’ll reach for 2 slices of unrefined whole-grain bread or 2 Tbs. of wheat germ, which you can sprinkle into smoothies, salads or stews. Also delicious: Dr. Oz’s popcorn, made by tossing 2 Tbs. of ground wheat germ with freshly popped corn. Joel Kahn, M.D., author of The Plant-Based Solution, recommends keeping a jar of wheat germ in the fridge to preserve the healthy fats and prevent oxidation. And health gurus on social media rave about “fitness bread” made by “painting” whole-wheat toast with a mixture of melted butter and wheat germ powder. Note: If you’re avoiding gluten or are sensitive to wheat, opt for wheat germ oil (like NOW Wheat Germ Nutritiona­l Oil, iHerb.com), which is free of wheat particles. “And in some of my patients labeled gluten-sensitive, I’ve used organic wheat germ and wheat germ capsules without any negative GI issues,” notes Dr. Kahn.

Enjoy brunch. Dr. Oz says women get the best results when they wait to eat their first meal at around 10 am. University of Minnesota researcher­s say this delay allows the breakdown and release of fat from cells. Dr. Oz’s plan also encourages tapering eating so you eat less in the evening, another move proven to make the body more efficient at burning calories, rather than storing them as fat. Indeed, a

Tel Aviv University study of people in their 60s found that those who ate the bulk of their meals before 3 pm saw a 900% increase in weight loss, compared to those who ate the same number of calories spread across the day.

Opt for Mediterran­ean fare.

You’ll focus on foods rich in omega-3 fats like almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, salmon and wheat germ, which also boasts the healing fats. These foods speed weight loss by reducing appetite and optimizing mood. Dr. Oz adds, “The research says that a Mediterran­ean diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids combined with intermitte­nt fasting can lower the risk of heart disease more than any other diet that we know of.”

Aim to consume 33 grams of fiber per day. If you don’t usually get a lot of fiber in your diet, start slowly and add it gradually to avoid digestive upset. Top sources of fiber include chickpeas, broccoli, lentils, farro and whole-wheat bread.

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