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December 12th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

You probably don’t believe that you have any kind of sugar addiction, instead choosing to cast aside the age old saying which says that if something tastes really good, it’s likely not good for us. Whether this belief is really accurate or not is open to debate, but it most definitely applies to an excessive amount of sugar. Just as with everything else in life, we should practice moderation, because even though sugar gives us energy, too much too often is definitely unhealthy.

Energy is essential for us to function, and sugar definitely gives this to us in abundance. Our body converts sugar into glucose, but the main problem we face as we indulge in our “instant fix” diets is that we turn to simple sugars, rather than complex sugars or carbohydrates. Simple sugars contained within sweets and soda or pop give no lasting value to the human body and we generally tend to eat added sugars rather than those naturally occurring, such as found in fruits, or within a more holistic nutrition plan.

Generally speaking, foods that have added sugars tend to be very low in value to us, providing little nutrition, but may be loaded in calories which can certainly help to add to the national problem of obesity.

In a typical diet, soda represents the number one source of sugar intake, yet it provides little to us apart from contributing to the problem of tooth decay and leading to those annoying “sugar rush” feelings, closely followed by lethargy or sluggishness.

It is worth trying to remember that the typical 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar. If you can envisage heaping 10 spoons of sugar into the can in your mind’s eye, this will probably put you off turning to that bright red can for a while!

Keep in mind that most sugar cravings are usually put down to just having a “sweet tooth,” and most people don’t give it any further consideration. However, an excessive attention to sugar can lead to mood swings, allergies, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, blood pressure issues and obesity.

It’s important to understand that the traditional Western diet plays too heavily on convenience, the quick fix, taste enhancements provided by fats or simple sugars and not enough on a balanced caloric intake, common sense and longevity. We might view sugar as our innocent friend but in truth, if not checked, it can lead to serious health issues and a less than productive daily life.

Many people wonder why they’re not as productive as they could be from time to time and often put this down to them just having an off day, whereas in the majority of cases a poor diet is often the reason for our lack of performance. We tend to rely on sugars and temporary fixes or that cup of coffee, not fully comprehending that we are shortcutting our way to problems and should really be looking into holistic health solutions.

Understanding the cold hard facts about your sugar addiction could lead to a more productive and fulfilling life.

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November 28th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

Omega-3’s are 1 of the most vital natural supplements that you can addto your daily eating routine. The difficulty is that most folk don’t eat enough fish or Omega-3 enriched foods on a regular basis to get the total benefits of Omega-three’s. Omega-three’s come from wild foods like fish, flax, and a few types of nuts. Omega-3’s are good fats and could actually facilitate flip on your fat melting genes by interacting along with your PPAR’s. They bind along with your PPAR’s (peroxisome proliferator activated receptors) and increase your metabolism, to help you burn fat, and make you more insulin sensitive. After you devour a great quantity of unhealthy fats they additionally bind to your PPAR’s but they shut them down. That’s why a diet high in Omega-3’s can help you put a halt to fat gain plus reverse it. This is 1 of the huge reasons that Fish Oil has become more and more favored, but if you are not a fan of fish and you don’t like taking fish oil capsules there’s an alternative in the shape of eggs that have been enriched with Omega-three’s.

Where do Omega-3 Eggs Come From – Omega-3 Chickens?

Eggs come from chickens. Yes, you knew that already so I’ll push the envelope of research here plus tell you where Omega-3 eggs come from. Omega-3 eggs come from hens that are fed a diet that is rich in Omega-three fatty acids. They are fed flax seeds to enrich their diet which then causes them to generate eggs which are high in alpha linolenic acid. Each Omega-three egg contains about 200mg of Omega-3’s. The Omega-three’s are found in the yolk of the egg so if you are a person that eats a majority of the white only, you won’t be gaining the good thing about the added Omega 3 therefore don’t spend the additional money on them.

Eggs are a great all around protein that can be used to cook up many different sorts of breakfasts to start the day. They have about six grams of quality protein per egg. Eggs have had a bad rap for many years as a food that is high in cholesterol. It’s true. Eggs contain 213mg of cholesterol and the basic recommendations state that you should not consume more the 300mg of cholesterol per day. This would lead most people to believe that you just should not eat eggs if you’re watching your cholesterol. Early research going back as far as 1937 proved that cholesterol that we eat has very little effect on cholesterol in the bloodstream. And now we have even newer research by the University of Connecticut, “Eggs Modulate the Inflammatory Response to Carbohydrate Restricted Diets in Overweight Men” by Joseph C. Ratliff that show that eggs are actually anti-inflammatory. They conducted a placebo-controlled study that tracked 28 overweight men who followed a low-carb diet. For 12 weeks 15 of them ate 3 eggs per day and 12 ate a substitute. The anti-inflammatory effect of the egg-rich diet was “possibly due to the presence of cholesterol” (emphasis added). This diet increased their level of HDL — the “good” — cholesterol and the antioxidant lutein, a potent antioxidant found in egg yolks. Many fitness enthusiasts have proven that so long as the rest of your diet is healthy you can consume some eggs per day while not having any negative impact on your health.

Adding eggs to your diet program creates several meal possibilities. I use them for a quick egg scramble, hard boiled for on the go, or if I actually have a little more time I create a frittata or omelet and mix them with chopped veggies and fat free cheese. Most recently I actually have been able to include them in my daily diet to get a healthy dose of omega-three’s during the morning. Prior to Omega-3 eggs I had to get my omega-three’s from fish oil and flax supplements. Currently I even have another alternative but I use Omega-three eggs sparingly due to cost. They are already relatively more expensive than your regular chicken eggs. If you are attempting to feature Omega-three’s to your diet but keep charges low you can get three times the number of Omega-3’s in 1 double strength fish oil capsule.

The double strength capsules typically have 600mg of Omega-3’s. It would take three whole omega-3 eggs to get that same quantity! So for a cheaper alternative don’t forget that you can still enjoy eggs but add a capsule or two of double strength fish oil to your breakfast to start your day. If you are going to eat eggs but aren’t going to be obtaining any alternative sources of Omega-three’s in your diet I might highly suggest spending the additional money on enriched eggs so as to get the benefits they provide by binding to your PPAR’s causing you to lose fat rather than gain it. If your children eat eggs I do suggest getting Omega-3 eggs because the DHA is very useful to their developing brains. Whatever you decide I suggest making certain you consistently have a steady amount of Omega-three’s for optimal health and fat loss so you can Get Washboard Abs and look great on the beach.

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October 31st, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

Nutrition used to be something like: “eat fresh food and stay away from potato chips”… now we are told beware of ‘free radicals’ in the body. Antioxidants are supposed to be good for you, but how do we encourage one and fight the other?

“If I’d known I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” — Leon Eldred

We live in an age where we are beginning to see an awareness developing between eating habits and good health. Several buzz phrases like low carb, high protein, and Hoodia are mentioned as a means to gaining a better life while honing a better physique.

Another phrase that is repeated often is ‘’antioxidants”.

What exactly is an antioxidant and why is it important?

Everyone has what is called ‘free radicals’ that roam throughout the body. These free radicals have the potential to attack the body, primarily in the form of cancer. Antioxidants fight back. A nutrition plan that includes antioxidants can assist in staving off the potential for acute illness due to free radicals.

Drinks such as coffee and tea often have a certain amount of antioxidants, but it is fresh fruit that is especially rich in antioxidants. Fruit, of course, remains high on the list of recommended foods by the U.S.D.A., but it may surprise you to know that extra virgin olive oil as part of a balanced diet can provide as much antioxidant as a piece of fruit.

The health benefits of olive oil remain a delightful discovery for many. It’s not often something that adds significant good taste to a gourmet meal and can also be an extremely healthy choice.

A diet that is lean in saturated fats (red meat) balanced with a healthy dose of fatty acids has pointed to a number of health benefits. Most of the fatty acids that your body may need can be found in extra virgin olive oil.

The health benefits of olive oil extend to the reduction of LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing the amount of HDL (good cholesterol).

Case Study

The University of Barcelona conducted a controlled study that followed 16 individuals that were advised to refrain from certain foods that contained phenols (an antioxidant designed to attack free radicals). After abstaining for four days the test group was given extra virgin olive oil to determine if this alone could increase the levels of phenol in the body.

50ml of olive oil was provided to test subjects while they refrained from things like butter, nuts, eggs and margarine. After the first day the total intake of olive oil was cut in half. One week later, blood samples indicated elevated amounts of the antioxidants vitamin E and phenols. Oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids were also seen at higher levels – both acids are indicative of lower LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation.

Some researchers believe that the health benefits of olive oil may still be untapped, and many have indicated regular ingestion of olive oil may be one of the best kept health secrets available.

Beyond its antioxidant properties, extra virgin olive oil has provided significant data to indicate it may also lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and aid in the fight against colon cancer specifically.

Isn’t it time to discover the virtues of olive oil for yourself?

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September 14th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

If you’ve ever watched “The Biggest Loser” on TV, then you know what it takes for some of America’s most overweight people require dieting to shed pounds, from decreased calorie consumption, four servings of fruits and veggies, three servings of lean protein, two servings of whole grains, one “extra” serving of fat and a healthy dose of exercise.

This plan promises to help participants lose weight, lower cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, improve muscle/bone strength and give them more energy. For $5/week, you can become a member and gain access to recipes, meal plans, a food journal, personalized fitness suggestions and support networks. Of course, televised diets aren’t the only way to drop the pounds and transform your life.

weight loss
For people who are severely overweight, it sometimes takes a special weight loss program to keep them disciplined and motivated. After all, when you’re used to living a certain way your whole life, the switch to fewer calories and a more varied diet, without the fat, can be overwhelming.

One of these popular plans is the Weight Watchers program, which is $20 to join and costs about $9/week. The diet nutrition plan emphasizes strict calorie control, flexibility in food choices, exercise and a positive attitude. Proponents of Weight Watchers attend group meetings and weigh-ins and are not mandated to buy prepackaged food.

Instead, they learn about what choices they can make based on a “points system,” as outlined in the Weight Watchers manual. Some critics say the points system does not necessarily lead to healthy diet, but the diet has fared well in clinical studies. Additionally, because it is cost-effective and flexible, participants are more likely to stick with it.

Atkins is another one of the dietary weight loss programs you’ve probably heard about. Perhaps your neighbor dropped twenty pounds on it or a woman at the bookstore looked over your shoulder and recommended Dr. Atkins’ “New Diet Revolution.”

healthy living
What doesn’t sound good about gorging on steak with B?arnaise sauce, eggs, bacon and cheddar cheese, without being required to move an inch? While it may not sound healthy at first, Atkins claims that participants can burn fat and drop weight quickly if they drastically reduce carbohydrates down to 20 to 40 grams a day. You’ll be loading up on fat and protein, while cutting out refined sugar, milk, white rice, white flour, white bread, white potatoes and pasta.

While this diet has been championed by overweight dieters who have witnessed the pounds dropping off, experts are concerned about the overall effect of advocating fat over fruit. “Our worries over the Atkins diet go way past the question of whether it is effective for losing weight or even for keeping weight off.

We worry that the diet promotes heart disease,” Robert H. Eckel, MD of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, says. “We have concerns over whether this is a healthy diet for preventing heart disease, stroke and cancer. Eating a lot of little meals and incorporating thirty minutes of exercise a day or an hour three times a week, along with managing stress through meditation, massage, therapy or yoga, is the key to success.

We’d all love to believe that revolutionary diet pills will increase our metabolism to the point of weight loss or that special new diets will come out that promise to rid us of troublesome fat forever; quickly and easily. However, according to Dr. Frank Sacks, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, “It’s not so much the type of diet you eat: it’s how much you put in your mouth.”

diet and weight loss
In his study, he analyzed 811 obese patients on four different diet plans; a low fat diet or a high fat diet with either high protein or low protein. All four diet nutrition plans included whole grains, fruits, vegetables and unsaturated fat, as well as a 90 minute per week exercise routine.

In one of Dr. Frank Sacks’ studies, he found that overweight people who attended at least two-thirds of the counseling sessions lost thirteen pounds more than other study participants.

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