FLAG: We need more like Sciascia

I am writing to thank Mr. Sciascia (Press, "The right thing," Nov. 17). First, thank you for serving our country. Your sacrifice insures our freedom.

COEUR TERRE: Remember the council members’ votes

People of Coeur d’Alene, we all watched how our neighbors’ fear and concern about the impact the Coeur Terre development will have on our neighborhood was completely disregarded by the city, with the exception of two council members.

STUDENT LOAN DEBT: Unfair to forgive for some not all

Well, I, my wife, and millions of us who paid for our own college now deserve our money from the government because we should have equal rights under the Constitution.

The skinny on weight loss: Part II

In my editorial "The Skinny on Weight Loss, Part I," I discussed some of the difficulties associated with weight loss, including the enzyme regulation of fat storage and fat loss from the adiopocytes (fat cells). I mentioned that our physiology favors weight gain, not weight loss, and that 95 percent of people who successfully lose weight will gain it all back. What we actually lose is fat and lean tissue, such as muscle, organ tissue and hormones. But what we gain back is 100 percent fat (which is unhealthy). Consuming a minimum of 1/2 gram of protein per pound of our lean muscle weight per day can spare your lean tissues making weight loss efforts more safe and successful. However, as I mentioned in my previous editorial, excess insulin and the mere act of losing weight causes the enzyme system that stores fat to ramp up, essentially causing more fat storage. Let's now turn our attention to burning blood sugar and glycogen (stored blood sugar in the liver and muscles) so that it doesn't get stored as fat. After eating, insulin lowers the resulting blood sugar by causing it to go to the muscle cells for burning as fuel to run our bodies. Once in the cell, it must hook up with the enzyme L-carnitine to actually cross the membrane surrounding the mitochondria within the cell where it is oxidized (or burned). This transport system is called the "carnitine shuttle." Too much insulin inhibits the carnitine shuttle and the blood sugar, unable to cross into the mitochondria, will then go to the fat cell for storage as fat. Again, the enzyme system that regulates fat storage is "ramped up" by excess insulin, and excess insulin discourages fat burning. While most health experts are telling us the problem is obesity and the solution is "eat less fat," the problem in fact is a dysfunctional pancreas which is producing too much insulin. An excess of insulin rapidly drops your blood sugar levels causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which makes us want to eat. Can you see the vicious cycle here? Also, dietary fat is metabolically inert (doesn't affect insulin levels). Eating a low fat, high carb diet actually increases insulin levels, eventually causing a dysfunctional pancreas! Insulin is a powerful hormone which in excess causes havoc in our bodies. It causes the kidneys to store sodium, leading to fluid retention and high blood pressure. It causes our bodies to increase "bad" cholesterol and decrease our good cholesterol (HDL's). It also leads to insulin resistance (type II diabetes). This has been dubbed "The Deadly Quartet," "Metabolic Syndrome", or "Syndrome X." So, the four manifestations are central obesity (abdominal girths of 35" or greater for females and 40" or greater for males), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and Type II (insulin resistant) Diabetes. It only takes two of the four to be diagnosed. If our efforts to lose weight don't cause the dysfunctional pancreas to "reset," our efforts to keep the weight off (and maintain any health benefits gained) are doomed to failure. Can I get an "amen" from those of you who have "been there, done that?" Let me now say that no diet is a vaccine against weight gain; however, the Ideal Protein diet/treatment is designed to "reset" the dysfunctional pancreas allowing safe and rapid weight loss. The average weight loss for women is 3-5 pounds per week and for men 5-7 pounds per week. By resetting the pancreas, your metabolism will now favor keeping the weight off. Whatever eating habits that created your weight problems will eventually cause them again, so some habits must change. Our clinic's Ideal Protein classes address these issues. This is why the Ideal Protein diet/treatment is called "the last diet you will ever need." Dr. Grandstaff can be reached at (208) 772-6015 for more information in the Ideal Protein diet/treatment.

Altar Church won’t hold live service

COEUR d’ALENE — The Altar Church will not hold services on Sunday.

Community Thanks March 3, 2013

OPINION: Wake up America, there's a fleecing going on

By RUSS DeVERNIERO

FILLIOS: An ideal commissioner

It’s important to support the re-election of Chris Fillios for county commissioner. I have known Chris for 20 years and I know that he has the highest integrity and honesty. He and I have had many conversations regarding God and Country, limited government, and all the indispensable characteristics that make our country, our state and our county the amazing place we all call home and he works tirelessly toward that vision. He’s a common sense conservative with an understanding of what makes the county work.

AMERICA: A divided nation

The apologists are dividing our nation.

JAN. 6: Playing into China’s hands

According to its definition, a patriot is a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.

DINERS: Benefit from a kind act

In these difficult times for our country, when our government is divided between left and right, and when it seems that everyone is out for themselves a random act of kindness reminded me of how great people can be and how great a place this country is to live.

SCHOOLS: Best time to invest

Please join us in voting yes on the upcoming School District 271 Facilities Bond. We have been long time residents of this community and have seen hundreds of students successfully pass through Borah, Bryan, Winton, Sorensen, and Canfield. These buildings have served their purpose over the past 50-plus years, but it is time to renovate them to meet the needs of 21st Century technology and to keep our students safe and healthy.

SCHOOLS: Yes, back the bond

I am 100 percent behind the upcoming bond for our Coeur d’Alene public schools because:

LEVY: Do it for the students

We have worked in the Coeur d Alene School District for the past 17 years. We have both been in the education field for the past 34 years. Our experience teaching and coaching in the Coeur d'Alene School District has been rewarding. Our three children were educated in the Coeur d'Alene system, and all three have graduated from college and are working in their field of choice. The education they received gave them the tools they needed to excel as adults. They were given the opportunity to be a part of strong academic and extracurricular programs.

SNOW: Consider disabled citizens

The purpose of this letter is to address various issues related to accessibility at some of our local businesses and the downtown Coeur d'Alene area. The main concern is the lack of snow removal during the winter months, especially on the sidewalks, pedramps and crosswalks.

TEACHERS: Add a little more time

Mr. Rutherford, thank you and your fellow Cd’A teachers for your contribution to our precious children! There is no job more important than the training of our children. Our teachers need to be paid well and they are. Your column was an incredible literary work, but math is not your subject.

ROTARY: They do so much good

I am sending verbal roses to our Rotary Clubs. They all do so many good things for our less fortunate citizens; the list is endless.

SEYMOUR: What our schools need

I’m a grandmother and great-grandmother who cares deeply about the type of education my grandchildren receive. I’m also concerned about the environment my grandchildren are in when they are away from home. I watch the board meetings on TV, and have seen the hard decisions that will affect our students and community.

MILAN: She'll spend wisely

Kristi Milan is one of the first people I got to know after moving to Kootenai County two years ago. The causes that she champions are also the causes I consider important to the well-being of our community.

CRASH: There goes a loser

The other day I became a victim of an individual lacking character. This individual stopped by Stratford Building Corporation to pick up an application for employment, stated he would complete the application in his vehicle, and return it to our receptionist. Rather than doing so, he sped out of our parking lot, hitting the front of my car. This was all observed by our office receptionist.