To set about sane and effective weight loss programs, we first need to understand why and how we gain weight. Primarily, weight gain results from some combination of a lack of exercise and eating too many wrong foods. The shift in our diet over the last thirty years has been dramatic and really quite frightening. What we accept as food these days is, chemically speaking, not food at all and surely not healthy. Processed foods are filled with non-nutritive preservatives and additives that put a tremendous stress on the body and sometimes render the food undigestible. Undigested, unutilized food is stored in our body as fat. The foods that don’t pass through our body are distributed to our fat cells, thus making them fatter.
If there were one simple change we could make to improve the quality of our health and the weight of our body, it is simply this: eat more foods in their most wholesome state. More fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, brown rice and other whole grains, breads prepared with non-refined flours, nuts, seeds, beans, and lean meats that are not fried. Fewer packaged foods, fast foods, deli meats, fried foods, and foods with artificial ingredients.
Even the high fructose corn syrup contained in our sodas and many other prepacked foods is a non-natural sweetener. The saccharides in high fructose corn syrup break down very quickly in the body, signaling very sharp rises in insulin, which in turn tells the body to store fat. High fructose corn syrup is one of the single biggest contributors to obesity in the world today.
A diet of wholesome, nourishing foods can taste good and be very filling and substantial. You don’t even have to give up sweets. There are many healthy alternatives to sugar. The amount of your food intake does not have to change as much as the quality and nutrition of the food you eat.
More information on Weight Loss:
Detox and Weight Loss
Rapid Weight Loss Methods
Kona Fruit is overloaded with phenolic acids and therapeutic plant nutrients. These phenolic acids are brilliant antioxidants. Kona Fruit begins it?s wholesome goodness along the slopes of high altitude mountain side with rich organic soil. Nourished by mineral-rich soil and warmed by intense tropical sunlight, coffee plants produce a profusion of wonderful bright red fruit, known as Kona Berry.
Coffee Fruitis so exceptionally rich in anti oxidants because it grows in high altitude, low-latitude regions where the sun?s rays are strongest. As the plants mature, they develop these powerful antioxidants to protect them from damage caused by high doses of the sun?s radiation and the natural byproducts of photosynthesis.
You might be asking what the difference is between a Kona Coffee Berry and a Coffee Bean. Coffee berries are the outer layer of the coffee fruit and are a rich source of anti oxidants. Research reports that 400 mg of concentrate has a radical scavenging activity equal to 9.6 grams of fresh blueberries, 6.2 grams of strawberries, or 4.9 grams of raspberries.
This potent anti-radical power has not been commercially available previously because the fruit rapidly perishes, which is why only the bitter seed has been commercially exploited.
“We have discovered a means of growing, harvesting and processing the whole coffee fruit so that we arrest the development of mycotoxins and thereby render the coffee fruit for human consumption.
Because no one until now has figured out how to do this in a cost effective manner, whole coffee fruit has simply not been available.”
Kona Berry contains five of eight rare and essential sugars called monosaccharides, with research indicating that these are essential for the proper functioning of various biological systems.
Almost half of the dry weight of the concentrate is made up of polysaccharides, such as mannans and arabinoglactan. Conventional roasting destroys these nutrients, so they are not found in traditional brewed coffee.
Coffee Berry is now available in a new energy drink called XOWii.
1 - Make sure you have plenty of healthy food in your diet and start cutting back on the bad food. Pay more attention to what you are eating to control this. After you gain control over this, you can proceed to adding workouts to your regime. Exercising is difficult - If you do not like to exercise, take these steps and start with 15 to 30 minutes.
2 - Choosing healthy, nutritious foods that you enjoy, should encourage an active live style and can help you achieve your weight loss goals. It is best to do activities that you enjoy when exercising because you will find that you have more success with activities that you enjoy rather than trying things that you do not enjoy.
3 - Calories burn easily than fats, so calories are lost based on your weight and muscles, pound for pound You can lose weight and build muscle by working out with weights and this will help your body to build extra lean muscle mass which will enable your body to burn more calories.
4 - Reducing carbohydrates is an important part of a weight loss plan, however, it’s important not to cut back to sharply, as your body needs carbohydrates to produce energy. In your diet cut down carbohydrates and also cut white breads and pastas from your diet.
5 - One should set sensible, reasonable and achievable goals Choose those goals that you know you can attain, so put such deadlines on your goals, making them measurable and realistic.
6 - Please understand the bad effects of candy, cookies, cakes, sweets, soda and sugar laden drinks. Eliminate these unhealthy treats altogether, or by a minimum of 80%, and watch the weight melt off.
7 - Eat a healthy nutritious breakfast. You should consume the majority of your daily calories early in the day, making breakfast a priority.
8 - Manage your food portions and always leave something behind. Make sure your serving size of food is based on how big your portions are.
Following these steps will aid in your quest to lose weight. Also ensure you check out Pure Hoodia for more tips and information about nutrition and weight loss from experts.
The Champion Juicer is an intriguing juicer because it falls somewhere between the usual realm of centrifuge juicers and mastication juicers. Most masticating juicers are designed to cater to the super health-conscious juicer and therefore are can handle wheatgrass. For the same reason, they are often cold-press juicers (200 RPM motor or less to avoid oxidation). However, the Champion Juicer cannot juice wheatgrass and its motor runs at 1250 RPMs. Thats definitely more than 200 RPMs but its also nowhere near the 5000 RPMs of some centrifuge juicers. And so, Champion Juicers seem to target their very own segment. That segment might be you!
The RPM of the motor is actually a great way to illustrate where Champion falls on the spectrum. Theyre not trying to be the healthiest juicer out there, yet healthier than centrifugal juicers, but not as slow as cold-press juicers. Therefore, if youd like to juice for a healthier lifestyle but dont have enough time for a cold-press juicer or you dont intend to juice wheatgrass, a Champion Juicer is a great option for you.
Champion Juicers are known in the industry as very durable juicers. They were built to last, which is probably why Champion offers a 10 Year Warranty. Theyve had essentially the same design for more than 50 years, and it has stood the test of time. They only have 2 different models- the Household and the Commercial version. The only important difference is that the Commercial version has stronger ball bearings and is meant to be run for longer periods of time. So, if you tend juice in large bulks or you have some form of a business that you plan to use the juicer for, the commercial version would be a good idea. Both versions come in 4 different colors (White, Silver, Almond and Black) of a painted metal body. The metal aspect makes them easy to clean and difficult to stain. Like all mastication juicers, they can be used as a homogenizer for more creativity in the kitchen.
If youre thinking of getting a Champion Juicer, go to www.PurelyJuicers.com for a great deals and free shipping on all juicers.
Cordyceps has been applied to exterminate weariness and other diseases for the past 1500 years. It is in use by Chinese medicine doctors for a long period of time and is a type of mushroom grown on Tibetan caterpillars. Cordyceps is made of a deep diversity of key constituents, like sterols, polysaccharides, alkenoic acids, ophiocordin, and cordycepin.
There are quite a few scientific , which uphold the effectiveness of cordyceps, against liver, kidney and immune system troubles. There are numerous reports, which underscore cordyceps having immuno-enhancing, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidizing effects. In primeval China, cordyceps was considered to have properties like that of ginsing. It helped in removal of opium addiction, exhaustion, neurasthenia, and aching backs.
A real drawback of these studies is that the medical outcomes don’t give an apparent depiction of its actions, as a lot of them are on animals as subjects. In many of the cases cordyceps and its constituents are shot rather than administered orally. Observers and scientists have still not been able to prove how cordyceps enhance strength and vitality. Observers are of the opinion that the body makes use of the energy effectively by increasing blood flow to integral parts of the body.
There many drug stores in large cities, which supply the cordyceps mushrooms along with the caterpillar to its clients. However American drugstores suggest taking the cordyceps pill, which are easily obtainable in food stores. These pills are much more affordable than their organic counterparts and do not have the danger of lead intoxication, which are highly predominant in caterpillar-grown cordyceps.
Cordyceps has an great history of application as food and is usually conceived as harmless. No conclusive study exists to show its safety for problems of lactation, pregnancy, or for children use. Researchers remark that it modulates the immune system, enhances the condition of the liver, reduces blood pressure, and inhibits tumor growth. Cordyceps is useful for maximizing staying power, advocating health in general, and escalating testosterone levels.
In humans high insulin sensitivity has been demonstrated, this is probable due to the presence of polysaccharide existing in cordyceps, which reduces blood sugar. Those with low blood sugar should take cordyceps with a lot of care. Cordyceps has the tendency to both reduce wearniness and raise physical endurance. In addition it also increases testosterone levels, the basis of which has been found in multiple in-vitro fertilization reports.
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you’ve heard of a relatively new over-the-counter remedy called Glucosamine. But what is Glucosamine, and how does it work to relieve arthritis? In this article, I’ll introduce you to this new treatment and provide you with the pros and cons of its use. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not Glucosamine is right for you.
What is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine, together with a related ingredient called Chondroitin, are substances which exist naturally in your body. It is believed that glucosamine helps to build and repair cartilage (the soft, spongy material between your joints), while chondroitin lends to the elasticity and flexibility of joints. A deficiency of either one can lead to increased wear and tear on the joint, and cause redness, swelling and stiffness as a result. When used together, glucosamine and chondroitin act as a tag-team of arthritis fighters, improving flexibility, soothing inflammation and reducing swelling caused by achy joints.
Where Can I Buy Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements?
You can find these products in virtually any pharmacy or health goods store. The downside to this is, like other herbal and alternative medicines, supplements are not regulated by any governing body. That’s why you’ll need to do a little bit of research to find the best, most potent brand for your needs. Here’s what you need to know when comparison shopping for a glucosamine supplement:
You should expect to pay anywhere from $1-3 per pill when taking glucosamine daily. Since insurance companies rarely cover supplements of any kind, you’ll most likely be paying for them out of pocket.
Read the ingredients label on the bottle to determine the dosage. Approximately 1500mg of glucosamine and 1200mg of chondroitin have been safely used in clinical trials. Depending on your individual medication tolerances and the severity of your arthritis, you should consult your physician or rheumatologist to find the right dose for your individual needs.
Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth, Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.
Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About?
As with any medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should know:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, as no long-term studies have been done to gage what materials (if any) are passed on to the baby either internally or through breast milk.
If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause your blood sugar to rise.
Chondroitin also acts as a mild blood thinner. Therefore, if you are taking any heart medication or are taking an aspirin regimen, have your blood clotting time checked more frequently by your doctor.
Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by children since no studies have been done to determine their effect (if any) on the child’s development.
(Please note: The information contained within this article is not intended to replace or substitute for that of an experienced physician. Remember to check with your doctor or rheumatologist before starting daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, and don’t stop or reduce any of your current medications (whether they’re for arthritis or not) without first talking with your doctor).
Arnel Ricafranca
Founder of Fitness VIP
Fitness Expert/ Qualified online personal trainer
http://www.fitness-vip.com
If you would like additional support and coaching along the way - I strongly suggest you take a peak at my online “member’s only” site at http://www.fitnessgenerator.com/fitness-vip - as what we have for you there can definitely help you make progress fast.
Visit http://www.fitness-vip.com for more articles.
If you ask people who eat a plant-based diet in order to promote and support their health and their lives whether eating meat is detrimental to human health, they would all agree, without hesitation, that meat negatively affects health, fitness, and well-being.
If you ask experts in the field of health, diet, and nutrition, such as John McDougall, M.D., Neal Barnard, M.D., Joel Fuhrman, M.D., John Robbins, T. Colin Campbell, PhD, and many others, who understand the principles of health and how a diet rich in plant foods is ideal for human health, they would all agree that eating meat jeopardizes mobility, function, fitness, and overall health.
But what if you ask our government whether eating meat is hazardous to human health? What would it say?
Interestingly enough, in 2000, the U.S. Public Health Service, reported that 54% of all deaths in the United States could be directly attributed to eating animal products. Isn’t that shocking? The very government that supports and loudly touts the beef, poultry, and dairy industries tells us that these very same sources of foods actually kill us.
And because this is a government statistic, we can deduce that this is a very conservative number. Our government wouldn’t want to step too hard on too many delicate toes.
The U.S. Public Health Service told us that:
633,500 deaths caused from heart disease can be directly attributed to eating animal products
Cerebrovascular Disease: 166,000 deaths attributed to eating animal products
Vascular Diseases: 58,200 deaths attributed to eating animal products
Cancer: 258,800 deaths attributed to eating animal products
Diabetes: 68,700 deaths attributed to eating animal products
Kidney and gallbladder deaths: 40,500 deaths attributed to eating animal products
In spite of the numbers of deaths that are directly caused by eating meat of any kind, how many national cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other disease organizations really stress cutting out, not just cutting back, all animal products from people’s daily diet,?
When is the last time your health care professional discussed with you the hazards of eating meat, any kind of meat?
“But isn’t it okay to eat just a little bit?” you may be thinking. Let’s face it. Most Americans have no clue what a little bit means.
Secondly, consider this analogy for a moment. What would you tell a cigarette smoker if he asked if it was okay to just smoke a little bit? Would you tell him that a few cigarettes a day was just fine? Or maybe one cigarette a day wouldn’t affect his health?
So when you ask if eating a little bit of food that is high in fat, cholesterol, and animal protein is okay, the answer is clear.
If you want to be your healthiest, then, no, it is not okay to even eat a little bit of animal foods.
Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a health motivational speaker, writer, and life style coach. Visit http://www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com for more inspiration.
Water is a vitally important component of any valuable and useful nutrition plan.
This statement is hardly earth shattering or groundbreaking and few (if any) jaws
will drop at the sight of it. It is common knowledge that water is essential to our
survival as living beings. Most people are very well aware of this fact, but do they
really know why water is so essential? What does water do in our bodies and why
does it make a difference what kind of water we drink? Is a water filter truly
necessary and worth its price? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and
find out how much you know (or don’t know) about that magical, life-giving fluid:
water.
Some Water Basics
Depending upon whom you ask, water makes up anywhere from 60% to 90% of our
body’s matter. Not only is water essential for ensuring our survival as human
beings, it is also essential for the survival of the earth and all living organisms on it.
In its simplest, most pure form, water is a molecular compound composed of two
hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Although water contains no calories, it is
absolutely essential for maintaining energy levels, regulating body temperature,
controlling cravings, and cushioning sensitive organs, tissues, and joints within the
body. Water is the substance that ensures that our bodies continue to run; water
also ensures that they run efficiently.
Once water enters the body, it quickly travels through the esophagus into the
stomach where it is digested and sent to the appropriate locations within the body.
Water then becomes the major constituent of blood, ensuring the transfer of all
other nutrients to the organs and tissues of the body. After all organs and tissues
have received their needed amount of water and accompanying nutrients in order to
ensure proper cell functioning, the body then sends excess water to aid in the
transfer of wastes out of the body through the kidneys, bladder, and rectum. In
essence, water is the major means of transport for all substances in and out of the
body.
It is necessary to continuously replace water in the body as such a large amount of
water is expelled from the body each day through simple respiration. While a
person may live for four weeks or more without food, he or she will only live for
approximately one week without water. The exact amount of water one needs to
drink each day to replace water in the body depends upon a number of factors and
cannot easily be calculated. However, most nutritionists agree that eight glasses
(two liters) of water each day is an appropriate amount for most people. This
number may change when a person’s level of physical activity and environmental
climate are taken into consideration.
Benefits of Drinking Enough Water
Besides the maintenance of normal bodily functions and the regulation of body
temperature and general energy levels, drinking adequate amounts of water can
result in some significant health and cosmetic benefits. First of all, water has long
been known and recognized as a valuable diet aid. Many cravings for food are often
misdirected cravings for water. Once the body is satiated with the needed drinking
water, cravings are greatly reduced. Water also ensures a general level of health
and fitness by quickly transferring toxins and other harmful substances out of the
body. Water naturally moisturizes the skin and hair, as well, giving them a healthy,
glowing appearance. Water can also serve as a natural protection against several
types of cancer.
When a person becomes dehydrated (meaning he does not have adequate amounts
of water in his system to ensure proper body functioning), the symptoms of
dehydration quickly appear. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:
fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and constipation.
How Important is Clean Drinking Water?
Water is something of an interesting substance. It is a natural solvent; therefore,
wherever water travels, it dissolves and carries along other substances. For this
reason, there really is no “pure” water available in the world. Water always carries
other substances, whether these substances are useful minerals or dangerous
chemicals and biological contaminants. One would be absolutely amazed at the
amount of contaminants a simple water filter removes from “treated” tap water.
While the natural solvency of water is one of its most valuable characteristics (due to
the usefulness of this characteristic in allowing water to carry and dissolve food
nutrients for use in the body), it can also be one of its most volatile and dangerous
characteristics. It is certainly vital to maintain an adequate amount of water in the
body, but to be truly beneficial and effective, that water needs to be as clean and
pure as possible. When water carries such contaminants as chlorine or lead into our
bodies, it can actually become more harmful than beneficial. Water, laced with such
contaminants, can become a cancer-causing agent or a purveyor of brain damage
and learning disabilities.
We cannot simply cut water out of our diet, despite its penchant for carrying
contaminants with it; water is far too essential to our survival. Thus, it becomes our
responsibility as wise and conscientious individuals to clean that water and know
what it contains before we take it into our bodies. We will likely never receive pure,
clean water directly from the tap, but a home water filter can remove several of the
most dangerous contaminants from that water before we drink it. A water filter can
help to ensure that we receive all of the benefits of drinking adequate amounts of
water and none of the adverse health consequences of drinking contaminated water.
Vanessa Lausch is a technical writer for http://www.allaboutwater.org/, an online
guide to drinking water.
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and other essential vitamins and minerals through our diet. A proper diet is necessary to offset the signs of aging and the foods listed here tend to be healthier than a burger and fries.
However, it is not always possible to eat enough of the foods in the proper form, e.g. raw, and we never know if the food in question has enough of the essentials we need (maybe due to soil depletion) so taking supplements is still necessary.
Here is the list of dietary sources. Try to include some of the foods missing from your diet right now in your meals. You will find that many of these foods contain more than one essential vitamin or mineral and in many cases contain quite a few nutrients.
Also note that some substances, such as Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl L-Carnitine, have no specific dietary sources and must be taken as supplements, although someone with a healthy diet, concentrated on the foods listed here is not likely to have a deficiency.
Dietary Sources for Antioxidants and Vitamins
Vitamin A: liver, dairy products, darkly colored fruits, leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach, kale, watercress), red bell peppers, halibut and cod.
Vitamin B Complex: brewer’s yeast, wild Alaskan salmon, raw nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds), beans (pinto, soy, black, lentils, chick peas, kidney), dairy products (yogurt, milk, cottage cheese - preferably low-fat), vegetables (asparagus, avocado, cauliflower, spinach), chicken and turkey breast, melons and oranges.
Vitamin C: citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli.
Vitamin D: fortified milk, salmon, mackerel, sardines, eel, fish oils such as cod liver oil, egg yolk.
Vitamin E Complex: vegetable oils, nuts (hazelnuts, pecans), wheat germ, green leafy vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, olives and asparagus.
Astaxathin: wild Alaskan salmon, rainbow trout, shrimp, lobster and crabs.
Co-enzyme Q-10: small amounts in oily fish such as sardines. Best taken as a supplement.
DMAE: Fish, especially wild Alaskan salmon.
L-Carnitine: dairy products, meats.
Lycopene: red fruits and vegetables (watermelon, tomatoes)
Lutein: green leafy vegetables (kale, turnip greens, collard greens, spinach, broccoli), eggs, oranges and orange juice, papayas and tangerines.
Green & White Tea: prepare according to package directions and drink in place of coffee, black tea or soda.
Dietary Sources for Essential Minerals
Calcium: diary products (milk, cheese, yogurt), wheat germ, green leafy vegetables (kale, collard greens, turnip greens, broccoli), seeds and nuts, tofu, sardines and salmon.
Chromium: calves liver, brewer’s yeast.
Magnesium: nuts (almonds, peanuts), oatmeal, tofu, avocados.
Selenium: fish, poultry, nuts and garlic.
Zinc: fish, poulty, nuts and oatmeal.
As you can see, wild salmon is enriched with many important antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. For those of us who do not live in the Pacific Northwest, this is hard to find. Even there it is seasonal.
Antiaging starts from the inside out. Work these foods into your diet and you will be obtaining their antiaging and antidisease benefits naturally.
This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.
Jean Bowler is a life long fitness freak. She was a ballet dancer and teacher, a private fitness trainer and more. Visit her site, http://www.ageless-beauty.com for advice on diet and nutrition, skin care and more.
