All about health

Health Care Radicalism

2007-11-12T19:43:00.001-08:00

Advocates of government-run health care routinely accuse those who disagree with them of “defending the status quo.” Ramesh Ponnuru exposes the irony of that charge in Time:

Most Americans of working age get their health insurance through their employers. The Democrats running for President want to keep it that way. The Republicans don’t … They want to make a break with more than six decades of government policy.

In other words, it is the alleged progressives who wish to maintain the status quo while the so-called conservatives promote a radical break from the past. As Arnold Kling puts it:

Real radicals in health care reform are not to be found on the Left … It is those of us who are willing to pull the government rug out from under the existing system who are the radicals.

And, as if to prove Ponnuru and Kling right, Ezra Klein jumps in to defend the employer-based insurance system that has produced so much of what we dislike about our health care system:

Within an employer’s pool … You’re protected and subsidized by your colleagues. Which is important: What you want in health insurance is for it to be stable, safe, secure.

Our political taxonomy has become so Orwellian that “progressives” use words like “safe” and “secure,” while the “conservatives” talk about ditching a traditional system that has been in place for two generations.

Venapro is a long-term, non-surgical approach to hemorrhoids treatment.

2007-11-10T21:53:00.001-08:00

Venapro can act both as a preventative measure if you feel the coming of another hemorrhoid episode, or as a great way to speed up and ensure the recovery from a current full blown hemorrhoid flare up. No side effects, no rebound effects, and irritant free!

If you suffer from mild, moderate or even severe hemorrhoid symptoms, instant relief is just a click away.
Millions suffer from the annoying itching, pain and bleeding of hemorrhoids. Drugstore remedies only work for a short period of time but unfortunately for the majority of sufferers, the condition does not get any better but far worse. In fact, thousands undergo the surgical practice of "banding" in search of a cure. But many would testify that this surgery is not only one of the most painful things you will ever encounter, but is many times also ineffective. Many patients undergo this surgery numerous times to no avail. If you are looking for a safer treatment that promises real results, don’t suffer any longer, order Venapro today!

Why is Venapro More Effective than other Hemorrhoids Treatments?
The Venapro Team of Holistic Health Professionals researched for years to finally perfect a formula that works fast, provides long term relief and is safe to use. The reason why Venapro is much more effective than other treatments is because it combines the wisdom of ancient medicine with the modern scientific principles.

Created with Powerful Healing Agents
When we formulated Venapro, we selected specific medicinal ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory qualities and soothing ability for the pain associated with hemorrhoids. We used only the purest botanical extracts and the most effective healing plant and root extracts. This botanical infusion is of the highest quality to ensure fast, long lasting relief.

Absolutely No Side Effects
As this treatment was created using only natural ingredients, with Venapro there are absolutely no side effects. Unlike chemically based treatments Venapro's natural ingredients are welcomed by and are actually healthy for the body. Venapro penetrates deep within the body to treat the source of the problem, whereas chemically based treatments treat only the symptom and may even shock to the skin and body – resulting in harmful side effects. These other treatments may cause temporary relief or have no affect at all. However, Venapro was created to work with the body, to heal hemorrhoids for good!

What's In Your Hoodia Diet Pills?

2007-10-27T17:47:00.003-07:00

Yes, it's true that the majority of the hoodia diet pills sold today are fake, but that's not what this article is about. There may be another issue consumers need to think about – the potency of the supplements they're buying. Yes, it's true that the majority of the hoodia diet pills sold today are fake, but that's not what this article is about. Consumers have always had to be careful about buying hoodia supplements to avoid being scammed, but now there may be another issue they need to think about – the potency of the supplements they're buying.

Up until recently, supplements that contained authentic hoodia gordonii contained the wild grown variety. Today, however, most authentic hoodia supplements contain cultivated hoodia gordonii. The obvious question is what's the difference between the two? They're the same exact plant but one grows in the wild and the other one is commercially farmed like any other crop. The biggest difference between the two, however, may be the potency.

According to one of the largest raw hoodia importers in the world, wild grown hoodia has higher levels of the active ingredient, P57, the ingredient responsible for hoodia's appetite suppressant benefits. The reason wild hoodia supposedly has more P57 is because it has been left to grow longer than cultivated hoodia. The hoodia gordonii plant must be left to grow for at least 5-6 years before it reaches maximum potency. The wild grown hoodia that has been used the past few years in supplements was at least five years old before it was harvested.

The cultivated hoodia that is now predominantly used in supplements is being harvested too soon, according to this hoodia importer. They claim it is being harvested after only two or three years – about three years before it reaches maximum potency. What you get in the end is a supplement that isn't as effective as it should be.

Not all agree with this assessment, however. There are other hoodia insiders that claim the wild hoodia gordonii stock hasn't been exhausted. Yet, other insiders I've spoken to say wild hoodia is indeed completely gone right now and the only hoodia available is the cultivated variety. Furthermore, these same insiders claim that the cultivated hoodia is equally as potent as wild hoodia gordonii so consumers don't need to worry.

Who do you believe? Unfortunately, there isn't standard testing done with hoodia diet pills to test for potency. There are tests that are done all the time by independent labs to determine if a given supplement contains authentic hoodia gordonii, but they don't test the levels of P57. I doubt that such testing is even feasible. After all, how much would it cost to have every bottle tested for the specific levels of P57?

Regardless of who you believe in this debate there is one thing for certain – if the wild hoodia gordonii isn't already depleted, it probably will be soon. If the majority of the supplements today don't contain cultivated hoodia they probably will in the near future. That leads us back to the potency question. Are the hoodia supplements made today as effective as they used to be?

It appears we won't have a conclusive answer anytime soon. I guess the only thing a consumer can do is monitor their own response to the hoodia diet pills they're taking. If the pills don't work as well as they used to at the same dosage, then more hoodia gordonii may need to be taken as today's hoodia supplements may indeed be less potent than those in the past.

Not sure who to believe in this debate and would rather just stick with wild-grown hoodia diet pills to be sure you're getting maximum potency? Find out which brands contain authentic wild hoodia by reading the hoodia reviews at http://hoodiaandweightloss.com

Have You Heard About Unorthodox Dieting?

2007-10-27T17:47:00.001-07:00

What is unorthodox dieting? With Americans as well as most of the western world becoming obese by the day and no bars on age, gender or ethnicity, the weight loss industry is ballooning to astronomic proportions. If a small proportion of people are actually losing pounds, loads of manufacturers of all sorts are cashing in by advertising their success and roping in many other confiding souls.

Not all weight loss or diet products are bad or harmful; however just like we would think twice and do our homework on a new pill or remedy, we should do the same for any kind of weight loss plan, fitness diet or supplement, however unorthodox it may be.

Some unorthodox diets really do work for some people, but just like we don't have the same hair color or dental condition, we can not expect the same from our metabolism, gene structure, hereditary disposition and so on... Two people, even two siblings on the exact same diet or exercise program can have different results due to a host of factors such as medical history, sleeping habits etc.

There is an oversupply of unorthodox dieting methods out there. Be aware however, don't just jump at any one without careful consideration an a bit of leg work.

Let me give you an example of a Good Unorthodox Diet:

A diet called "The 3 hour diet" is a relatively new and unorthodox diet that can help you lose a dress size or two pretty fast. The creator of this unorthodox diet claims that by eating every 3 hours, our body gets enough fuel to burn and keeping the metabolism going and hence helps lose weight. He is convinced that by giving long gaps between meals our body goes into defensive mode and stores or hoards the fat because that is what it is 'programmed' to do. The body 'think' this way because since there hasn't had food supply for a while there might be a lack and it should hold on to what it has.

By eating portion-controlled and balanced meals every three hours or so, you give your body the signal that food is coming every little while so it can burn and use it up safely and evenly. In addition, because you are eating so frequently, chances are you'll never really sit down for a huge meal where you'll be bursting at the seams.

Now, here is an example of a Bad Unorthodox Diet

People in the western world are free to having religious convictions, but at times what might be a good practice for mature adults could lead to problems in babies and children. This is what has been found to be true in a few cases across the country where parents are such strict vegans that they do not consider cooking food or giving their children meat or fats. While there are millions of healthy vegetarians and vegans all around the world, parents need to take a few extra steps of precautions to prevent their kids for malnutrition.

An example is a Florida baby who died after just been given wheat grass juice and coconut milk. Doctors confirmed that her death was caused by malnutrition and absence of vitamins and fats. The baby's older siblings showed signs of rickets which is highly improbable because of lack of sunlight as they lived in Florida. The other reason for rickets could be lack of vitamin D, a vitamin that is added to most milk. So as you can see, not all kinds of unorthodox dieting is good.

Living a simple, less-processed lifestyle is a great idea, but imposing strict unorthodox diets on to children who are growing and actually need fats, protein and vitamins to develop is not.

Terje Brooks Ellingsen likes to write about weight loss issues like fitness diets and workout and training.

Mediterranean Diet: Why You Should Make Extra Virgin Olive Oil Part of Your Diet

2007-10-27T17:46:00.005-07:00

Olive oil has been a major player in the low incidence of heart disease among Mediterranean populations. Here’s why extra virgin Olive oil is an irreplaceable source of fat when it comes to your heart. The abundant use of olives and extra virgin olive oil truly defines the traditional Mediterranean Diet. In fact it is the principal fat source and the culinary foundation for Mediterranean cuisine.

Why?

For centuries, olive oil has been a major player in the low incidence of heart disease among Mediterranean populations. Extensive research has shown that olive oil not only prevents damage to your arteries, but it also reverses high levels of cholesterol in your blood and lowers blood pressure.

Here's the proof…

Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an Irreplaceable Source of Fat When It Comes to Your Heart

In a study conducted by Montoya and associates, participants followed four types of diets for a five-week period:

1. One diet was rich in saturated fats
2. One in polyunsaturated fat (sunflower oil)
3. One in monounsaturated fat (extra virgin olive oil)
4. One in omega-3 fatty acids from fish.

The study showed that when people followed the diet rich in extra virgin olive oil, their levels of bad cholesterol went down and their blood pressure decreased 5 to 6 percent.

As you can see extra virgin olive oil is an irreplaceable source of fat when it comes to your heart because the main fat in olive oil is monounsaturated. This is the fat that does not get stuck in your arteries.

Now, I know you're thinking, "All olive oils have about the same proportion of monounsaturated fat, why should I buy extra virgin olive oil when it is more expensive than refined olive oil?"

Two Major Reasons Why You Need to Buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Not Refined Olive Oils

1. Refined olive oils are loaded with chemicals

Thousands of years ago, the olives were crushed by hand in spherical stone basins. Today, in a similar method, olives (with pits) are pounded and crushed using mechanical techniques. The oil produced in such a way (cold) is the extra virgin olive oil, the natural juice from the olives. It preserves the unique flavor, smell, and healthy properties of the fruit.

The solid residue that remains after the first extraction is sent back to the press to be beaten again and be exposed to different heat levels and chemical procedures. It is neutralized with sodium hydroxide, passed through charcoal filters, and extracted with hexane at low temperatures. With time, the use of oils that have been subjected to chemical agents may have a toxic effect on our bodies.

That's why these second extractions are not recommended for consumption.

2. Extra virgin olive oil contains more antioxidants than their refined versions

Along with a loss of color and aroma, refined olive oils lose most of its antioxidant properties. Through countless studies of these abundant minor compounds Vitamin E, Polyphenols and major hydrocarbon Squalene found only in extra virgin olive oil, we have learned that these compounds are strong antioxidants and potent free radical scavengers.

Scavengers like the Polyphenol Hydroxytyrosol find free radicals that are highly unstable and destructive molecules. Free radicals subject our cells to oxidative stress and continuous damage that eventually kills the cells. When radicals kill or damage enough cells in an organism, the organism ages and eventually dies.

The more antioxidants found in your body, the more cells you can save. Plus consistent evidence shows that people with low levels of antioxidants like Vitamin E in their blood have more damage in the arteries than people with an adequate amount.

Closing Arguments for Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Buying extra virgin olive oil may be a little more expensive. But in the long run you may save a lot of money and a lot of grief.

A nine-month study at the University of Granada in Spain compared the effects of extra virgin and refined olive oils on the levels of LDL oxidation in men with decreased blood flow to the arms and legs due to the thickening and narrowing of the blood vessels. The participants consumed extra virgin olive oil for the first three months. During the next three months they did not consume any olive oil. For the final three months they were given refined oil. The results showed that the amount of LDL oxidation was significantly lower after the patients consumed the extra virgin olive oil than after they consumed refined olive oil.

Buying extra virgin olive oil is your decision. But remember, the wrong decision can put your heart and your health at risk.

Diabetic Diet

2007-10-27T17:46:00.003-07:00

Diabetic diet is the normal diet to what we all have. Only the thing that, diet should contain of appropriate mixture of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Proper diabetic diet should be considered with proper percentage of protein…

Human body mechanism is very interesting to study. It contains lot of organs that work for keeping the body in good health. Pancreas is one such organ, lying near the stomach, which produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps in getting glucose or sugar that are produced out of the food the body consumes, into the cells of the body.

The mingling of glucose in to the cells is very important because of the production of energy out of the process. The energy requirement of the body is met thus. Diabetes is an ailment in which the secretion of insulin is not enough. In other words the body is not able to use enough insulin to ‘burn’ the sugar. The result is building up of sugar level in the blood.

Types of Diabetes:
There are two types of diabetes. One is called type I or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. This type of Diabetes occurs because of the failure of beta cells in the pancreas to produce any insulin. It happens very rarely in a small percentage of people in childhood and in young age and can be treated by replacing the insulin with injections or pumps.

The type II diabetes, also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult onset diabetes is very common in occurrence. About 90% of the diabetic cases accounts for this type. When the body can not use the insulin it produces or when enough insulin is not produced in the body, this type of diabetes occurs. Apart from these two types, one more diabetes case is the gestational diabetes, which occurs in pregnant women.

Diabetic diet:
The two types of diabetes, viz., type I and type II can be cured by healthy eating and physical exercises. In the case of type I, insulin has to be injected and in the case of type II blood sugar level should be tested periodically. As of now, there is no medicine available for complete cure of diabetes. The treatment lies in the control of sugar level in the body or in the blood more precise.

In this context, healthy eating acquires more significance because this diabetic diet is very important for controlling the sugar level in the blood. Generally, the diabetic diet is misconstrued as sugar-free diet. As a mater of fact, there is no such thing as diabetic diet because a diabetic person requires the same amount of nutrition as any non-diabetic person. But the Diabetes dietrequires to be managed with such things as managing the blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, maintaining proper weight and above all meeting his cultural food habits.

In other words, his diabetic diets should include such things to meet the above requirements. The food, which we consume, is of three types’ viz., fats, proteins and carbohydrates. All produce sugar when they are ‘burnt’ by the insulin produced in the body. Nevertheless, the mingling of sugar with the blood takes time depending upon the food. For example, fat-rich items take a longer time (6 to 8 hours) while the protein-rich varieties take lesser time (3 to 4 hours) for releasing the sugar into the blood.

Carbohydrates are very fast (only half an hour to an hour)) in releasing the sugar to the blood. So the diabetic diets should be so planned that it contains the mixture of all the fats, proteins and carbohydrates in appropriate measure to give required calories to the affected person. A dietician first verifies the sugar level of a diabetic person and assesses the diet for diabetes. Accordingly, the patient’s diabetic diets are suggested. It is not necessary that each diabetic person’s diabetic diets should be same or similar.

Overall, the diet for diabetes should have 10 to 20 percent calories from protein, 30 percent (not more than that) from fats and the remaining from the carbohydrates. Thus, the diabetes diet is more important in controlling the sugar level in him and making him fit.

American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association is a non-profitable organization, founded in the year 1940 in the United States of America. The aim of the organization is to help prevent diabetes, cure it and improve the standard of living of the people affected by diabetes. Towards this the American Diabetes Association helps conduct research on diabetes and share the same with other members by giving advice. The Association raises funds and has its own website through which it reaches its members.

Let us create more awareness about diabetic diet.

Did You Know That Fiber Diets Can Reduce Water Retention?

2007-10-27T17:46:00.001-07:00

A healthy diet is essential to everyone's well-being. As well as many other benefits, adjusting the amount of fiber in your daily diet can contribute to reducing water retention in your body. Diets high in fiber have been proven to provide many benefits. In addition to facilitating weight loss, high fiber diets are often the solution to common health problems as well. Among other health problems, one issue that can be eased by consuming more fiber is water retention, or edema. Fiber diets have been shown to play a direct role in controlling water retention.

Water retention, or edema, is an abnormal amount of fluid found under the skin. Water retention is not itself a condition, it is a symptom of what could be many conditions. Water retention could occur for many different reasons, some of them more serious than others.

Dehydration is one cause of water retention. Your body excretes less water when you are dehydrated, which means that you could become bloated. Constipation is another cause of water retention. Infrequent bowel movements can cause your body to absorb poison from partially digested foods; to dilute these poisons, the body often retains excess fluid. Something else that could be causing water retention is an excess intake of dietary sodium. Finally, there are more serious conditions that could be the cause of water retention, such as kidney, liver, and heart failure.

Many of the conditions related to water retention are related to your diet, so the first thing to do if you are experiencing water retention is to make changes to your diet. One of the things you could do is to consume less sodium. Another possible dietary solution is to increase the amount of fiber that you consume.

One of the major reasons for water retention is constipation - in fact, it is the most common reason for water retention. Because fiber is known to reduce constipation, fiber diets and water retention often go hand in hand. You should investigate different fiber diets before choosing one that will reduce water retention, but typically people choose to consume a greater amount of fiber.

If you want to find a fiber diet to reduce your water retention, then you have many options available. You could simply consume more of the many delicious fruits, vegetables, and grains that are high in fiber. Another option would be to take fiber supplements, which provide similar nutritional benefits.

Fiber diets can be the solution to numerous health problems, but it is important to consult your doctor if your health has not improved after making these dietary changes. Your doctor can provide you with a diagnosis and treatment.

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about fiber diets, visit his web pages in English, Your Fiber Diet, or in Spanish, Dietas Ricas en Fibra.

The 6 principles of the Mediterranean diet

2007-10-27T17:45:00.004-07:00

Today maintaining an healthy life is very difficult. The evolution and development of the occidental society has determined welfare but at what price? Now we have to defeat over weight problems like heart diseases, diabetes, cancer etc...

This is due essentially to:
* A sedentary life and too less time for physical activities
* More stress
* Losing the way to cook homemade foods

We add too much calories in respect of that ones we can consume.

But how can we resolve these problems?...Simple! By eating as a Mediterranean.

Most people think that the Mediterranean diet is a "Diet" but it's not so. The Mediterranean diet is the way to eat used by the people who live in the Mediterranean countries (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc...).

In fact it's not possible to establish exactly what are the typical recipes and foods of this diet because there are thousand variations.

Now let's examine the 6 principles of this diet...

N°1 The Mediterranean diet it's not expensive
Consider that to follow the most common diets like low carbs, detox, etc...you have to pay to buy specific foods. Instead the Mediterranean diet is based on simple foods, easily to find in the supermarkets.

N°2 The Mediterranean diet is tasty
Generally during a diet most people think it's boring and difficult because you have to eat not tasty foods. The Med diet it's not so. The main foods are healthy and tasty.

N°3 The Mediterranean diet is a long term diet
Most diet fails because they promise you (and they'll do...) to loose weight fast, but after you loose it, you'll gain it soon. The Mediterranean diet guarantees you long term weight maintenance.

N°4 The Mediterranean diet is Healthy
There are a lot of trusted studies and researches that confirm the health effects of this diet. It can prevent cancer, heart disease, hypertension and has a good anti-age effects.

N°5 The Mediterranean diet is trusted
If you do a research on the net to search info about the Mediterranean diet, you won't find no one that talks bad about this diet...

N°6 The Mediterranean diet helps you live longer
The results of putting together the 5 principles above is that you'll live longer. It's a statistical fact that people who live in the Mediterranean countries have a longer life then other populations.

So what you are waiting for?

Enrico Forte is an expert on diet plans and fitness exercise for weight loss. He is the editor of the blog http://www.mediterraneanbook.com "All about the Mediterranean: Diet, Culture and tourism". You can have a look to download his free copy of the Mediterranean diet menu

Could Your Diet Be Making You Fat?

2007-10-27T17:45:00.001-07:00

Do You Even Know What or How Much You Are Eating? There are so many "diets" (I hate that word) out there that that it’s impossible to know which ones work and which ones are the scam. So many of my clients will say, "I can’t understand it, I’m on such and such a diet, but I’m not losing weight!" If you’re still having trouble losing weight even though you are following their plan then it’s about time you got to "doing it right."

The Calorie Counter
A lot of "diet" plans claim that you don’t need to count calories in order to lose weight, but at the end of the day if you go over the calorie allotment for someone your size and you do this each and every day, BINGO…you are going to gain weight; or at the very minimal, stay the same!

Eat more calories than you burn and you won’t lose. Eat less calories than you are supposed to and not only do you not lose but you teach your body to be a fat storing machine. You don’t have to obsess about calories but DO spend at least a week figuring out what your ideal calorie intake should be, and then customize your food plan. You’re efforts will be well worth it.

6 Small Meals a Day
I have always been an advocate of 6 small meals a day. Basically because it gets your metabolism working again and keeps your blood sugar level up where it belongs so you don’t experience the constant urge to overeat or crave a lot of sweets. It works great if you understand what a "food portion size" should be and if you are eating 6 mini-meals that don’t go over your calorie allotment for the day. I am sure you have noticed the ridiculous portion sizes at most restaurants when you are out to eat. The people prior to 1950 were thinner because portion sizes when eating out were normal! Today they are meant to feed two, sometimes three people! So know this…. Most meals when eating out should be divided or shared with another!

Try to keep your calorie consumption (for women trying to lose) to about 250 calories per each mini meal; times 6 mini meals a day equals…1500 calories for most women. Men can have about 50 additional calories at each meal. In order for any good food plan to work you should have some form of moderate activity in your daily schedule.

It’s very easy to go over 250-300 calories at a sitting and not even notice. For example; 2 large eggs scrambled, 1 slice multi grain dry toast, and an 8 oz. orange juice = 412 calories. 1 fat free yogurt and 1 granola bar = 350 calories. 1 cup pasta, ½ cup marinara sauce, and 1/2 cup green beans = 389 calories. See how you can end up eating more than you meant to (this is why I advocate a food journal). Make sure you are controlling your portions at all meals and that your "calorie limit" for the day is spread out evenly throughout the day.

Protein Shakes & Bars
Yes, yes…strength training does help to build fat burning muscle. But it has also led to many people over-doing their protein supplements. Increasing your protein intake will help build muscle and maintain that muscle while you’re burning off fat, however, it is important to adjust your protein intake to your activity level or any excess will be stored as fat. If you work out regularly, and supplement with protein shakes or bars but still can’t lose weight, consider cutting back on your protein supplements on the days that you don’t train. You should also be adjusting your carb intake on the days that you don’t train. Doing this could save you extra calories and help you shave off those extra pounds that have been driving you bananas!

Why Low Carb Diets Don't Work, A Personal Experience

2007-10-27T17:44:00.004-07:00

Low carb diets have received a lot of attention in recent years. Whilst they may work in theory, they are not practical. This article talks about why low carb diets don't work, and what actually does. Let me share with you my personal experience with a low carbohydrate diet - why it didn’t work and what eventually did.

Like so many people around this world of ours, I struggled, and still do, with weight loss issues. It’s not that I am overly obese or overweight but like so many men, I suffer from the good old "large belly syndrome". My wife wanted me to lose weight and get back to the body that I had when I first met her. So I looked into what options there were. Turning on the television shopping channel and you are completely inundated with all sorts of whiz bang exercise gadgets and gizmos with beautiful tanned models telling you that all you have to do is purchase this machine and you’ll have a body as great as them. Their sales pitch always goes something along the lines of "just an hour a day in front of the television and you’ll be feeling the results in days". I tell you what results I normally feel from these gadgets - I feel exhausted and soon I feel ripped off because after a few weeks, I give up as the initial novelty wears off, the day to day activities get in the way, and I don’t see any real results. So then you turn to diet plans instead. And we all know one of the most commonly marketed diet plan is the low carb diet. There was so much marketing buzz about this plan that I had to try it.

There are many different low carb diet plans on the market but I think the best known and most talked about plan is the Atkin’s Diet. Essentially all of these plans have the same basic message - limit the amount of carbohydrates that are consumed, as carbohydrates turn into fat. The focus of these plans is that you need to count the number of carbs that go into your daily diet and limit the amount according to your own body type or to a set amount as dictated by the diet program. The Atkin’s diet also involves a two week "induction" process that basically says no carbs at all and also eliminate all fruit and vegetable intake. The theory behind this is that your body then goes into a state called ketosis where, unable to get energy from carbohydrate, existing fat stores are burnt as a source of energy. After this initial phase, the diet then moves into somewhat less severe phases of weight loss and weight maintenance, but still operates in a mode of restricted carbohydrate consumption.

On paper and in theory, these programs probably do work. It makes sense that by cutting out the foods that turn into fat, you will be able to reduce your fat stores and thus lose weight. But the issue is, theory does not equal real life. The reason why so many people, including me, fail with low carb diets, is that our bodies are used to the kind of energy that we get from carb intake. What basically happened to me is that during the induction period, when I stopped eating any carbohydrates, no sugar nor fruit nor vegetables, I basically felt completely flat and listless and had no energy at all to do anything. By the end of week one I was completely ready to give it all up. I pushed on, but by the mid week two, I couldn’t take it any longer and binged on carbs and fruit for a few hours. I then felt guilty and decided to restart the two weeks all over again. Needless to say by the end of week three, I was completely out of it and unable to really function properly. I didn’t feel like even getting out of bed which then impacted my family and work life.

I basically didn’t even make it out of the initial induction period and it made me depressed! I felt like I had failed and had a lot of negative thoughts about myself and food altogether.

This is essentially the reason why low carb diets, especially the Atkin’s diet, simply don’t work. Whilst in theory they should work, they do not take into account practical life and every day living nor the impacts it can have on people. If I was living in a glass bubble where I didn’t actually have any responsibilities nor did I have to go to work, this diet may have worked. But most people I know lead fairly hectic lives that require energy to sustain themselves.

It wasn’t until someone pointed me to an alternative diet plan that I was able to pick myself up out of this rut and start feeling better for myself. What attracted me to this new diet plan was the fact that I didn’t have to go into this unpractical state of consuming no carbs nor did I have to count calories nor purchase some fancy dietary supplements. The new diet was also based on proven results with all sorts of people and was scientifically proven to work. It also allowed me to eat more meals a day and allowed me to eat most of the things I normally eat.

The diet plan is based around the fact that our bodies do one of two things when you eat food, it either fires up fat burning hormones and thus burns off the fat in the food you are eating as well as fat stored in your body, or it fires up fat storage hormones which basically means you add more fat to your body. The diet plan focuses on an eating plan that optimizes the production of your fat burning hormones. The plan not only consists of what foods to eat it also involves a set time to eat. Contrary to popular belief, three meals a day is not a healthy eating plan - five to six meals a day is! (although obviously these meals are smaller than what most people eat during their three meals a day structure).

This revolutionary diet plan is based around a notion called Shifting Calories. This is because your metabolism always burns calories based on your eating habits during the past few days — because it assumes that you’ll continue to eat in the same general way. If you shift your calories and shock your body by eating different things on different days, then you can start to increase your metabolism and fat burning hormones thus burning away more fat. Whilst it may sound complicated, let me assure you the diet plan is very easy to follow.

To cut a long story short, I basically bought this plan and tried it out. Whilst it might sound cliche, I was personally very happy as the plan worked and I was able to lose quite a lot of fat around my belly. I’m now on my way of getting back the body I had when I was much younger. Low carb diet plans simply don’t work because they do not take into account the practically of real life, but the diet plan does! Make sure you check it out for yourself if you are struggling with your weight like I was.

Why Diet Recipes Can Ruin Your Diet

2007-10-27T17:44:00.003-07:00

The key to most "diet cookbooks" is dividing recipes into more portions to falsely create lower calorie counts. Don't be fooled. Check the recommend serving size and be sure if you're going to eat more than one serving, you include those extra calories. I read "The Ultimate Low Fat Baking Cookbook" recently. This is a huge, glossy photo coffee table books, so I start flipping through and first thing I noticed the photos. They were taken close up to make it appear the cakes and slices of pie were normal sized, but if you looked closer you could see that was not the case. These were Barbie doll sized portions! Every cake recipe made the equivalent of a one-layer round cake that was to serve eight. Think about that for a minute. The last time you had cake did you eat a two-layer with icing? Did you divide the cake into 10 or 12 portions? That's still far more than you'd get dividing a one-layer cake into eight portions. If eating tiny bits is your idea of a diet recipe, then these cookbooks are for you. Otherwise, you're just being tricked into thinking you're cooking lower calorie treats.

Another cookbook is called "Six Ingredients or Less," but I laughed myself silly when I saw the recipes. For example: Strawberry Pie. Take 1 9-inch baked pie shell, 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 3 tablespoons strawberry Jello powder, and 3 cups fresh whole strawberries; serves 8. Yeah, right. Three cups of berries? Serves 8? Let's see, each person gets, about 1/3 cup of strawberries (about four big berries), a smear of Jello and a crusty bit? No topping either. ;-(

This recipe claims a calorie count of 284 per serving, so multiply times eight and that little bit-o-pie is 2,272 calories! Obviously you're not going to eat the whole pie, are you? It would make more sense to eat a bowlful of berries, as a whole cup of raw berries has only 46 calories, even adding some whipped cream sweetened with Splenda wouldn't add many calories.

Here's another: Ground Turkey Sandwich touted as "great for kids." It calls for 3/4 pound ground lean turkey, 1 cup finely chopped onion, 1 1/2 cups of catsup (vegetable?), 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 2 teaspoons sugar (why sugar, the catsup has tons), and 2 teaspoons dry mustard. So not counting the spices and flavorings this recipe has 3/4 pound ground turkey, 1 cup chopped onions and 1.5 cups of catsup and it serves six! Yikes. That's 2 ounces of meat, not quite three tablespoons of onions and a quarter cup of catsup per person, or child as the case may be. No wonder they beg for chips.

Too many times these recipes trick people into thinking their eating low calorie when they are not, simply because they didn't notice the recipe should serve 8 and instead are splitting it with their husband.

Create Low Calorie Recipes Yourself

Simply split the recipe into another portion. If you usually eat it all between yourself and your husband, leave enough for lunch tomorrow. Instant lower calorie. Check the cookbook if it claims lower calorie recipes to be sure they don't simply reduce the portion sizes, and you'll have a great cookbook.

Kathryn Martyn Smith, Master NLP & EFT Practitioner, Author, Speaker, and Weight Loss Coach brings a fresh approach to losing the weight you need and gaining health. Read her free e-book "Changing Beliefs, Your First Steps to Permanent Weight Loss" for an introduction to simple methods to achieve your weight goals.

Read "Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss," and Lessons in Using EFT for Weight Loss" to get started on the path to permanent weight loss

Dieters Beware: I Gained 3 Pounds in One Hour Eating Like This

2007-10-27T17:44:00.001-07:00

Yes, food has weight and putting that volume into your body will reflect on the scale. That's why using the scale as a way to gauge your weight loss progress is liable to bring questionable results. See how you too can gain three or four pounds by eating a big meal. Your physical body is not capable of putting on a pound of flesh in a day, nor is it capable of losing a pound of flesh or fat in a day. Yet it is possible to drink a 32 oz soda and eat a 16 oz steak with 6 oz baked potato, plus the trimmings. That food alone adds up to 3 pounds 6 ounces. If you ingest three or four pounds of food and beverages where does the weight of that food all go? Does it just disappear into thin air while you chew, or does it go straight into your body?

Your scale will weigh what is there, but it is not an accurate depiction of your state of health, fitness or fatness. You can't gain three pounds in a couple hours, but your body can weigh three pounds more in that time.

Remember the scales are not a good gauge for weight loss. Find other evidence using your senses such as sight, touch and sound. Daily and monthly (for women) fluctuations, muscle gain, fat loss, are all difficult to see from a number on the scale. If you want to use the scales allow at least a five pound variation before you think you’ve gained or lost weight. So if you’ve lost three pounds and suddenly find the scale up by three pounds, don’t be alarmed, and do not suddenly decide your efforts are wasted. It could be you ate salty food the day before and are retaining water. It could be it is your "time of the month" and you are retaining water.

Real weight loss occurs in tiny, incremental amounts. Day-to-day measurements are best used to keep an eye on the situation but not to determine whether your efforts for a day or week have been successful. Tape measurements are somewhat more reliable, although the measurement will also increase by 1/2 to 1 full inch depending on water retention, and other factors.

Watch the scale if you must, measure yourself if you like, but about every 90 days get your body fat measured. You’ll have a much more accurate gauge of progress in addition to your daily assessment of how you feel, and how you look. Are you healthy? Happy? Are your clothes feeling looser? The pursuit of the perfect body can be achieved (look at bodybuilders) but do you really want to put that much effort into the task or do you just want to achieve a more healthy size?

Kathryn Martyn Smith, Master NLP & EFT, Weight Loss Coach, Author of the free weight loss E-book "Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss." Learn to use EFT & NLP for weight loss with "The Daily Bites"

Diabetic Weight Loss Diet for Type 2 Diabetes

2007-10-27T17:43:00.004-07:00

For the type 2 diabetic weight loss and a diabetic diet plan go hand in hand. For many type 2 diabetics their diet has the double duty of not only controlling their blood sugar levels but also losing weight, which is an important step in reducing the risk factors for complications presented by this disease. The diabetic weight loss diet is an important part of keeping glucose levels in check by striking a balance between the carbohydrates, fats, and protein eaten at each meal.

Choosing healthy food is one of the most important parts of anyone's diet, but for the diabetic it can literally be the difference between life and death. Without proper blood sugar control the list of complications suffered by those with diabetes is quite scary. It is also important to remember that while some people can control their diabetes with diet and exercise, others who are at higher risk may also need to make food choices based on the medications they are currently taking.

For many diabetics trying to figure out the exact amount of carbohydrates they can eat can be a little frustrating. In the past everyone followed the same general guidelines but in recent years that thinking has changed. Diet plans for diabetic are now individualized and are based on each person's ability to tolerate and maintain good blood sugar control. One thing that helps individuals keep good glucose maintenance is the ability to measure blood sugar levels with personal portable blood glucose monitors that are quick and easy to use. The ultimate goal of a type 2 diabetic diet is to provide the necessary calories and nutrients needed while keeping blood glucose levels in the normal range and allowing the diabetic to lose weight.

The good news is a diabetic diet because of it very nature easily allows those who follow it the ability to lose the weight that can cause so many health problems and may be a contributor to their diabetes. The diet is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars while emphasizing leafy green vegetables, fruits in moderation because of their high sugar and starch content, and whole grains high in fiber. Protein from lean sources is also important, particularly those that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as can be found in certain fish like salmon. A good starting point for anyone with diabetes is the diabetic food pyramid that can be found of the American Diabetes Association website.

Type 2 diabetes is becoming a rapidly increasing epidemic with the current obesity problem that is affecting nearly every region of the world. Because of this being able to control blood glucose levels along with effective weight loss and control is vitally important for anyone who must follow a diabetic weight loss diet.

Get Off the Diet Roller Coaster and Kick Fad Weight Loss Plans

2007-10-27T17:43:00.003-07:00

Low calorie, low fat, low carb - more often than not, traditional weight loss plans that restrict caloric intake just plain don't work. A low GI diet is an unconventional alternative to these types of plans that focuses on the quality of the food you are eating instead of the quality - and leads to more consistent, long-term weight loss as well as improved overall health. If you are like most people, you've tried the majority of the weight loss plans available, only to be back at square one. There are reasons why this happens. But even more important, you need to know that you did not fail - the diet failed you! For most people who have struggled with healthy weight loss, a low GI diet is an effective alternative to traditional calorie-restrictive diets that just don't work.

Calorie restriction is what just about all weight loss plans have in common. One of the major reasons calorie restriction doesn't work is that it slows metabolism, unlike a low GI diet. Studies have shown that calorie restriction can slow your metabolism by as much as 10-15 percent. This is due to a survival mechanism that takes care of us during times of famine. In our hunter-gatherer days, when we would suddenly stop eating the same amount of calories, it was a signal to our bodies that food was scarce and we may be facing starvation. So, to preserve calories, our body adapted to this situation by slowing down our metabolism. It doesn't matter that you have enough food in your refrigerator to feed yourself for a month - there is really no way to bypass this survival mechanism. If calorie-restricted weight loss plans aren't the answer - then what is?

What is the Glycemic Index (GI)?

The answer is a low GI diet that focuses on the glycemic index (GI) rather than restricting calories. The GI is a measurement of the impact that a carbohydrate food has on your blood sugar - white bread has a high GI while beans and lentils have a low GI. The most complete list of the GI of foods can be found in Transitions Glycemic Index Food Guide. High GI foods cause a rapid rise in blood sugar (glucose) that in turn causes a rapid rise in insulin. When these two events happen, the body will store body fat. The great news is that when you follow a low GI diet, you don't have to count calories because most low GI foods are healthier, more nutrient dense and have fewer calories than foods with a high GI.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, one of the most respected scientific publications, compared calorie-restricted weight loss plans to a low glycemic ad libitum (non-calorie-restricted, low GI diet). The authors concluded that the decrease in total cholesterol was significantly greater with low GI diets when compared to calorie restricted diets, as was the change in LDL-cholesterol. The authors also concluded that overweight or obese people on a low GI diet lost more weight and had more improvement in lipid profiles than those on calorie-restricted weight loss plans. Body mass, total fat mass, body mass index, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol all decreased significantly more in the low glycemic index group. In studies comparing non-calorie-restricted, low GI diets to conventional restricted calorie low-fat diets, participants fared as well or better on the low GI diet, even though they could eat as much as desired. Lowering the glycemic load of the diet appears to be an effective method of promoting weight loss and improving lipid profiles and can be simply incorporated into a person's lifestyle.

With a low GI diet, you not only get the benefits of greater weight loss but also improved body composition by targeting weight loss as body fat. This is crucial since high body fat slows down your metabolism. You do not want to lose muscle since muscle is your most metabolically-active tissue and dictates your metabolism. In conventional calorie-restricted weight loss plans, while some muscle and fat may be lost, the body tries to preserve more fat stores and utilize more muscle for energy. Studies have shown that if you are on a calorie-restricted diet, your muscle loss can be even higher than 30 percent! And, what's even worse is that when you go off the diet, even if you are eating well, you are doomed to gain the weight back as fat. The only way you can gain the weight back as muscle is if you cross train and engage in regular aerobic exercise and strength training.

Beyond its effectiveness to replace traditional weight loss plans, a low GI diet also helps to lower cholesterol and bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and several studies have shown that low glycemic index diets also improve blood sugar control - most notably in those with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations both recommend low glycemic index eating to treat and prevent diseases of Western civilization - obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Are Low GI Weight Loss Plans Suitable for Children?

Eating low GI is nothing new - each and every one of our ancestors consumed a low GI diet. It is the way that we are genetically engineered to eat. Children need to consume low GI diets as well. Studies have shown that high GI foods - in particular, beverages like soda - may cause severe behavioral changes. In one study, teachers were asked to rate the behavior of grade school children. The teachers did not know which days the children were given the sweetened beverage. On the days the children drank the sweetened beverage, their behavior was rated 300 times worse by their teachers! High GI diets have been linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases of aging - even in children and adolescents. Even our pets are affected by eating high GI diets when we feed them food that they should not be eating from the table. Your pet will also get fat and will most likely experience diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other illness - just like a human.

Conclusion

Get off the diet roller coaster and kick calorie-restricted weight loss plans for good by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a low GI diet and regular exercise. It's important for you, your family members and your loved ones. You'll find that in no time you'll be on the right path for not only losing weight, but also looking and feeling great.

Antioxidant Rich Diets Promote Health and Can Help You Live Longer

2007-10-27T17:43:00.001-07:00

Free radicals destroy healthy cells and cause oxidation to occur within our bodies which has many negative effects on our health. A diet rich in antioxidants such as fruits, primarily the acai berry will help combat free radicals and rejuvinate your health and well being. We all hear about how free radicals are harmful to us, and how antioxidants are necessary but I have found many people don't really understand why. I will attempt to explain.

Free radicals are unbalanced cells in our bodies that are extremely unstable. Free radicals occur naturally within our bodies and are also caused from things such as cigarette smoke, stress, lack of sleep, excess sun, as well as from normal processes in our bodies. The problem with free radicals is they want to make themselves balanced by stealing an electron from neighboring cells, which turn THOSE cells into free radicals. This process is repeated over and over again and this is called Oxidation. If you don't have enough antioxidants in your system to fight free radicals, it is called oxidative stress. Why is this bad?

Well, picture a piece of iron sitting out in the rain. If it is left there without protection, it will start rusting in no time. This is also known as oxidation. The piece of iron is breaking down. This is exactly what is happening inside of our bodies- we are literally "rusting" from the inside out! If left unabated, free radicals cause our bodies to be in a state of inflammation, which is a major factor in debilitating disease such as cardio vascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, aging, arthritis, etc according to Dr. Ralph Carson, a leading pathologist.

So what is the best way to get the antioxidants we need to prevent this from happening? One of the best ways is from fruits. The problem is most Americans don't eat the recommended 5-10 servings of fruit a day, not even close. A University of California study found the 4 most consumed fruits and vegetables in America are:

1.) French-fried potatoes

2.) Ketchup

3.) Pizza sauce

4.) Iceburg lettuce.

It's no wonder America faces an epidemic in obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other diet related diseases. A fruit's antioxidant level is generally measured by its ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) level. This ORAC level basically determines how well a fruit combats free radicals.

Some fruits with the highest known ORAC scores (in order) are the Acai berry, Wild black raspberry, Wild blueberry, Elderberry and Red raspberry. The acai berry by far stands out with the highest ORAC score of 1,027. The acai berry, which comes from the Brazillian Amazon rain forest has received a lot of press recently and has been featured on the Oprah show where Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a prominent dermatologist said Acai is nature's #1 super food to help you live longer and look younger. There are several acai products available on the market today but make sure the kind you are getting is processed properly to ensure all the antioxidants and phytonutrients are preserved.

Natural Weight Loss Diet Is The Best Way To Lose Weight

2007-10-27T17:42:00.005-07:00

These days peoples are looking for natural weight loss diet that is proven to work. The best things in life are free and that is truly the case when it comes to planning your weight loss program.

Whatever you do, don't waste your money on diet patches, pills and potions - they may harm you and they will certainly harm your wallet. Also, these diet products, programs and supplements can be quite dangerous as well as beneficial. However, they can be quite dangerous as well. Yes, it is. In fact the best way to lose weight is completely natural.

There are four small steps - that's all it takes for the simplest weight loss program in the world. And best of all these steps are free! You have everything you need already so you can start right away.

1. Make healthier food.

Eat more fruit, as fruit contains usable carbohydrates packaged in fibre, which serves to level your blood sugar levels. Also, eat more vegetables. Although it is very difficult to eat too many vegetables, they provide vitamins and are full of fibre, so they satisfy your hunger with fewer kilojoules. Stay away from food that are high in fat, calories and sugar such as high-fat dairy products, chicken with skin, fatty meat, lard, desserts and pastries. Avoid "junk" food at all costs meaning you'll have to let go of that favorite burger or pizza. They should never feature in your quick weight loss diet tips.

2. Exercise regularly.

The best way to do exercise is by walking. Walk everywhere! It's free! If you can afford it, get a pedometer and measure how much you're doing each day. You can walk whatever the weather if you have the right clothes and footwear or you can just walk around your home or the shops - it really doesn't matter as long as you move!

3. Avoid Alcohol.

Alcohol should be avoided. The evidence is rising that even in small amounts there are substantial adverse effects from drinking alcohol. Women who are pregnant or wanting to become pregnant should certainly not drink alcohol. Also men and women with liver disease should avoid alcohol.

4. Drink plenty of water.

You should strive for at least six to eight glasses of water a day to keep the body replenished. Since a quick weight loss program depends on how the body gets rid of body wastes, your body should stay hydrated always.

Take this advice, and you'll see what natural weight loss dieting is all about. I hope these preparatory tips are beneficial to you.

Mediterranean Diet: Should You Drink Wine or Eat Grapes?

2007-10-27T17:42:00.003-07:00

Many studies have shown that red wine may have a protective effect for the heart. Do red grapes have the same effect? Should we trade grapes for wine? The French paradox
In studies conducted in 1992, it was observed that in southern France, mortality rates from heart disease were lower than expected despite the consumption of diets high in saturated fat. Researchers attributed the impressive low incidence of heart disease, 50 percent lower than in the Unites States, to the consumption of red wine. Since then, the possibility that drinking red wine might protect our heart arteries, has made the topic "wine and health" extremely popular. In fact, research has shown that taken in moderation -two 8 ounces glasses for men and 1 glass for women per day, red wine may increase HDL cholesterol, the "good" guy, decrease LDL cholesterol, the "bad" one, prevent oxidation of LDL, and scavenge free radicals.

What is the secret in red wine?

Since the discovery of the "French Paradox" puzzle in 1992, researchers have been trying to pinpoint why red wine has a cardiovascular protective effect. While studies have been focusing in the antioxidant properties of red wine, evidence suggests other mechanisms by which it might be beneficial for our health. Research points toward a family of substances called polyphenols which are found in plants and are abundant in grapes. Polyphenols are part of a larger family known as phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals: Medicine of the future

The word "phyto" means "plant" in Greek. Phytochemicals are nonnutritive chemicals found in plants that protect us against diseases. Many fruits and vegetables contain a wide variety of phytochemicals; in fact, researchers have identified by now more then 900 different phytochemicals in foods and they are not done yet, since every day they discover new ones. It is estimated that there may be more than 100 different phytochemicals in just one serving of fruit or vegetables. Studies have long shown that phytochemicals are present in plants to protect them, but only recently we have learned that they are also crucial in protecting humans against diseases. We know that people who consume plant foods regularly have a lower incidence of heart disease than people who do not include them in their diet.

How can phenol-phytochemicals protect our arteries?

Polyphenols can protect our arteries through the following mechanisms:
• Lowering LDL cholesterol in the blood. A study conducted to evaluate the effect of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on cardiovascular risk factors found out that at the end of the red wine intake period, 4 weeks, LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL had significantly decreased, while HDL Cholesterol and the total antioxidant capacity of the blood had increased¹.
• Recycling vitamin E as an antioxidant. This is very important because vitamin E represents the first line of defense against LDL oxidation. Once vitamin E is exhausted, LDL cholesterol is no longer protected until the vitamin can be reactivated by agents such as polyphenols.
• Increasing the production of nitric oxide, a substance that causes the arteries and veins to relax.
• Preventing platelets from sticking to the inside walls of the arteries. Platelets are tiny particles found in the blood that play an important part in the clotting process².

Red versus white wine
White wines have shown the ability to prevent the oxidation of LDL but generally are not as effective as red wines. Polyphenol content of red wine can be about 20 times higher than in white wine and it has been observed in several studies that the antioxidant potential of red wine is six to ten times higher than white wine. About eight times more of white wine is required to produce an effect equal to red wine on preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Three factors account for these results:

• Grape skins are not included in the production of white wine.
• Red wine is made with whole grapes, including skins
• The skins of red grapes contain higher amounts of polyphenols than the skins of white grapes.

Wine or grapes for healthy arteries?

If the polyphenols in grapes are mostly in the skins, can we just have red grapes or red grape juice, which is also made with the grape skins, and obtain the same beneficial effects as drinking red wine? Yes, we can, researchers tell us.
This study, among others, showed that red grape juice and dealcoholized red wine can significantly reduce arterial disease by lowering the level of oxidized cholesterol, preventing platelets to stick together, and enhancing the production of nitric oxide³. In another study, grape juice proved to be more effective than red wine or dealcoholized red wine in inhibiting arterial disease at the same polyphenol dose. The researchers concluded that grape juice or non-alcoholic red wine are an excellent alternative to red wine when in comes to disease of the arteries.

Conclusion

Although research has shown that in the absence of contraindications, moderate red wine drinking, two 8 ounces glasses for men and 1 glass for women per day, may be beneficial to patients who have a cardiovascular condition, those health effects disappear very fast and can have serious health implications when we abuse drinking. And since studies indicate that most of the beneficial effects of drinking red wine are attributable to the polyphenols present in grapes, we may conclude that a diet that includes grapes as well as other fruits and vegetables containing polyphenols may be even more beneficial.

Research

1. G Avellone, G, Di Garbo, V, Campisi D, De Simone R, Ranel G, Scaglione R and LicataG. Effects of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) 60, 41–47. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602265.
2. Ruf JC. Alcohol, wine and platelet function. Biol Res. 2004;37(2):209-15.
3. Vinson, JA, Teufel, K, Wu, N. Red wine, dealcoholized red wine, and especially grape juice, inhibit atherosclerosis in a hamster model. Atherosclerosis. 2001 May; 156(1):67-72.
4. Folts, JD. Potential health benefits from the flavonoids in grape products on vascular disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002; 505:95-111.

Emilia Klapp has a Bachelor in Nutrition Science, is certified as a Registered Dietitian by the American Dietetic Association and is the author of "Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet". For more information about the author and the book and to get a list of the 10 Top Mediterranean curative foods, go to: www.Mediterraneanheart.com.

8 Tips To Create Rapid Weight Loss Diet Plan

2007-10-27T17:42:00.001-07:00

An effective option for people who want to achieve rapid weight loss. The following list of rapid weight loss diet tips will hopefully help point you in the direction of your weight loss goal. Here are 8 tips to help speed up your rapid weight loss diet.

1. Ensure a good daily intake of vegetables, especially the leafy green ones. Such foods are rich in vitamins and minerals.

2. Take high fiber. This may help with a number of minor conditions, such as, constipation, as well as having long term health benefits. High fiber foods include: beans, pulses, fruits and vegetables, as well as the cereals.

3. Make a varied and interesting diet. Eating a limited range of foods may make it difficult to obtain adequate amounts of all the nutrients required. Eating should be a pleasure and a social event - so try to take pleasure and interest in the food you are eating. A good variety also helps reduce the development of food allergies and sensitivities.

4. Drink lots of water. Drink at least 6 - 8oz glasses of water each day. Weight loss depends on flusing your system out, and you must stay hydrated during that process. Nothing slows down your more that no keeping it hydrated. Water helps speed up weight loss and it helps keep your stomach filled between small meals. If you are constantly in hot weather make sure you are always replenishing fluids that you are losing.

5. Up your protein take. Make sure you are eating lean protein with every meal. It helps build muscle tissue and will help your weight loss. Some types of lean protein are Roast Beef, Turkey, Eye of Round Steaks, Chicken and Fish.

6. Make breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast is the most important thing you can do each and every day. Never skip breakfast, it kicks starts your metabolism and gives you energy throughout the day.

7. Keep the intake of sugars and fats to a minimum. The fats to be avoided are the saturated fats and the trans-fatty acids.

8. Exercise is extremely important. It is necessary to indulge in mild physical activity after each meal even if you cannot make time to go to a gym.

I hope you use these tips to help speed up your rapid weight loss diet plan. Rapid weight loss diet plan info provides detailed information on Fast Weight Loss Diet.

The Abs Diet for Women

2007-10-27T17:41:00.004-07:00

The new Abs Diet, designed specifically for women, promises to not only help in shedding pounds but also flattening the belly. But is it as effective as it claims to be?

Flat abs. Everybody wants them. From celebs to the girl next door. When you think of the term abs, up pops Jennifer Anniston’s washboard flat ones, Jessica Biel’s, toned, yet feminine ones, Uma Thurman’s rippling ones ... Phrases like six-pack abs, washboard flat abs, ripped abs ... bounce off your mental imagery. Tight abs, you think with green-eyed cynicism, belong on magazine covers, on athletic fields, on genetic aberrations, on those desperately lipectomized souls, and on people who treat a bowl of macrobiotic assortment of shredded leaves and grated veggies as ambrosia.

And just as you look down at that unconditioned, droopy belly of yours, with a sigh of resignation, there comes along another diet plan, promising you those washboard flat abs you’ve been secretly hankering for - The Abs Diet for Women - devised by David Zinczenko, the Editor of Men’s Health, which is a follow up of The Abs Diet.

According to Mr. Zinczenko, belly fat has the potential to kill you. Most of us have a tendency for storing fat in our bellies, and that is the region where the health problems of excessive weight usually start. While some people store the fat under the belt line, others have it above it. At any rate, abdominal fat doesn’t simply hang around there on the belly, doing nothing. Functioning like a distinct organ, it releases harmful substances in the body. Abdominal fat is responsible for many of the health problems that strike us because it lies in the vicinity of vital organs like the liver and the heart, putting pressure on them.

The Abs Diet for Women is a weight loss plan that lasts for six weeks, specifically geared for women. It not only promises to help women to lose pounds, but also to flatten the abdominals, along with firming up the body. The primary component of the diet is the principles of eating, making particularly sure that the person following it has meals often enough so that her metabolism is kept revved up and ensuring that the correct, fat burning Abs Diet Powerfoods are eaten, so that the dieter feels satiated all day. Deviating from its predecessor, The Abs Diet for Women provides guidelines for counting calories, grappling with hormonal problems which hamper weight loss, and following a vegetarian diet.

So, what are the rules of the diet? To eat six small meals a day, which are evenly spaced, and to base the meals on the groups of food that are given below, which form an acronym spelling ABS DIET POWER:

A = Almonds and other nuts
B = Beans
S = Spinach and other green vegetables

D = Dairy, low-fat
I = Instant oatmeal
E = Eggs
T = Turkey and other lean meats

P = Peanut butter, all-natural
O = Olive oil
W = Whole grains
E = Extra protein, whey
R = Raspberries and other berries

According to the Abs Diet, by centering the meals around these Powerfoods, the body will be fuelled with the required nutrients – good carbs, protein, fiber, good fat - paying particular attention to protein, because this is what builds that lean muscle which will help in burning fat faster.

This theory of the consumption of fiber-rich food and muscle-building protein at frequent intervals which is supposed to burn belly fat and rev up the metabolism is based on innumerable scientific studies cited by the author which show that more food plus more muscle is equal to less flab.

So, is the Abs Diet effective? According to some medical experts, it is a sound diet overall. It could even motivate some women to make healthy lifestyle changes, since the women’s Abs Diet also incorporates an exercise regimen which has to be followed along with the diet. Not only is the diet a balanced plan incorporating wholesome and healthy food, but also, the intake of calories, which is about 1,400-1,600 cals per day, is quite reasonable.

However, experts also caution against believing the claim made by the Abs Diet of getting flat abs within six weeks. Even if the diet is adhered to stringently, flat abs can never be guaranteed, because it is dependent on many other factors such as a person’s body shape, activity level, as well as genetics. Although eating more meals when on a diet may sound like a great idea, some people find the idea of eating six meals a day too daunting a task. And another factor that the Abs Diet for Women does not seem to address directly is one of the well-known diet breakers many women dieters succumb to, the craving for sweets.

However, if you think the Abs Diet seems to resonate with you, and feel that eating more meals in order to weigh less makes sense, perhaps this plan may work for you. As in all diet plans, it’s always a good idea to consult medical opinion before starting on one.

Dietary Changes for Acne Treatment?

2007-10-27T17:41:00.003-07:00

Diet has been implicated in both the cause and the treatment of Acne for many years – but how much of this is folklore? We report on the latest scientific findings on dietary changes and nutritional supplements that may be beneficial for acne sufferers. Acne, pimples or "zits" as many sufferers call it, can be a real cause for depression. It is the most common of all skin diseases with around 17 million people in the USA alone afflicted with an acne problem. The official term, Acne Vulgaris describes a condition whereby the sebaceous glands of the skin become inflamed. If proper acne treatment is not sought these may develop into unsightly pustular cysts, and the end result may be permanent acne scars.

The causes of acne are varied and may include hormonal activity, stress, accumulation of dead skin cells and allergy to bacteria which are present in the pores of the skin. Sometimes it is a reaction to anabolic steroids and medication containing halogens, lithium, barbiturates or androgens. Some research suggests a role for food allergy, in the development of acne which implies the elimination of trigger foods could be helpful in the treatment of acne.

There are two types of acne: acne vulgaris and acne rosacea. Acne vulgaris is usually a bacterial infection of cysts deep within the skin. This could cause acne scarring if left untreated. Acne rosacea is a chronic inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and eyelids. These show up as red eruptions. The teenage years seem to be the most troublesome for acne sufferers but it can also occur in adulthood and well into middle age.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and a healthy nutrient intake may improve its tone and quality. Although a diet of fried food, chocolates and other junk food does not directly cause acne, there is evidence that changes in diet may be helpful in the treatment of acne.

A study conducted by the US Colorado State University showed a link between refined carbohydrates and processed foods like sugar, white bread, pizza, cake and pastries, and acne. These cause a series of reactions in the body that increase the production of acne-causing bacteria. Refined carbohydrates also cause the body to produce a high level of insulin which increases the production of male hormones that cause acne. A decrease in your intake of refined carbohydrates may be beneficial in the treatment of acne. Instead try to include more whole grains, pulses and complex carbohydrates.

Furthermore it is now thought that obesity and insulin resistance may also play a role in the development of acne so dietary changes to assist in achieving an ideal weight are likely to be beneficial to the treatment of acne.

There is some research linking higher milk consumption intake to acne. If you normally include large amounts of milk in your diet, you could try reducing this and seeing if this is an effective acne solution for you. Ensure you include other calcium rich foods instead such as green vegetables, fish with soft bones, almonds and soymilk.

Omega 3 fish oils and antioxidants vitamins may also be important. Vitamin A (also in the form of beta-carotene which is converted in vitamin A) is thought to reduce acne symptoms. It is involved in strengthening the protective tissue of the skin and reducing sebum production. Additionally it helps in maintaining and repairing skin tissue and increasing toxin excretion which may be an important part of the acne solution.

Chromium supplements may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of acne via the role in clearing infections and preventing further breakouts. Zinc is a good antibacterial agent; it helps control the oil-producing glands of the skin. Eating zinc-rich foods could help in reducing acne, such foods include red meat and offal, pumpkin seeds, and mushrooms.

A role for vitamin E in the treatment of acne has also been suggested due to its anti-oxidant action and regulatory effect on vitamin A levels within the body. Vitamin E requirement can be easily met through natural sources such as almonds, corn, eggs and leafy green vegetables. However you can also try supplementing with synthetic forms and monitor any changes in your acne.

One of the most important aspects of your acne treatment is to drink at least eight glasses of water. This cleans the body of waste and keeps it free of toxins. Water helps in circulation, digestion, absorption and excretion.

Unfortunately changes in diet alone may not provide a total acne solution. There are a variety of drugs available for the treatment of acne, in addition to an array of natural remedies. It may be advisable to visit a dermatologist for a proper consultation in conjunction to any dietary changes you want to introduce.

Mitamins team
bd@mitamins.net
Mitamins' aim is to custom-made the best natural remedies to complement the treatment of your concerns. Our unique process allows you to combine multiple formulas into a single formula, in a single bottle, and avoid overdose and interactions.

A Mediterranean Diet May Prevent Second Heart Attacks

2007-10-27T17:41:00.001-07:00

If you search hard enough you will find information related to the mediterranean diet and how it helps prevent heart disease but what about a second heart attack. No one who has been through the trauma of an initial attack wants to repeat the experience of course. The following study found that there is hope with the Mediterranean diet supported by confirmation of previous studies relating to the Mediterranean population and their diet.

People who consumed a Mediterranean diet were 50 to 70 percent less likely to experience a repeat heart attack than those on a so called 'Western' diet, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

The study was undertaken by researchers in France and monitored the death rates among more than 600 men and women who had experienced their first heart attack.

The research project was headed by Michel de Lorgeril, M.D., called the Lyon Diet Heart Study, says, "By making some simple dietary adjustments that are easy to understand and easy to follow, a person can improve his or her chances of avoiding a second heart attack and having a better quality of life. He said, "Results of the study are not surprising as they rather confirm previous population studies showing that the Mediterranean population may be relatively protected from coronary heart disease because of the foods they eat,"

For the record, the Mediterranean diet reported in this study is so named because it is similar, but not identical to that of the people living near the Mediterranean Sea. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, cereals, fish, olive oil and beans.

There were 204 control subjects eating a Western diet and 219 experimental subjects participated in the final examination. Body mass index (a measure of body fatness), blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels were similar between the two groups. About 18 percent of both groups continued to smoke.

The group undertaking the Mediterranean diet had a 50-70 percent lower risk of recurrent heart disease determined by the three combinations of outcome measures. They were cardiac death and non-fatal heart attacks; cardiac death and non-fatal heart attack plus unstable angina (severe chest pain at rest), stroke, heart failure, pulmonary or peripheral embolism (blood clots in the lung or other parts of the body).

Unfortunately, only 83 people, approximately 40 percent of the control diet, and 144 individuals, or about 75 percent of the Mediterranean diet group, provided dietary information. Patients in the control diet group received dietary counseling only from their attending physician in contrast to those on the Mediterranean who were given instructions by the investigators.

Highlight: Dietary intake in the control group was well above the American Heart Association Step I guidelines that recommend individuals eat less than 30 percent of their total calories from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. The AHA recommends the Step II diet for individuals who have had heart disease or who have blood cholesterol levels of 240 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dl) or higher. The Step II diet recommends that individuals limit their saturated fat intake to less than 7 percent of total calories and no more than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol per day, while keeping total fat intake to less than 30 percent of calories or even lower.

The control diet group averaged almost 34 percent of total calories from fat and almost 12 percent of total calories from saturated fat. The Mediterranean diet averaged 30 percent of total calories from fat and 8 percent of calories from saturated fat. While there was tremendous variation in daily dietary cholesterol within both groups, the control group averaged 312 mg and the Mediterranean group averaged 212 mg a day .

Everyone on the Mediterranean diet consumed more oleic and alpha-linolenic fatty acids but less linoleic than the control group. Oils high in alpha-linolenic or 'omega-3' fatty acids are found in high amounts in plants (canola) and certain nut oils whereas linoleic or 'omega-6' fatty acids are high in soya and sunflower oils. Dietary fiber intake was about three grams higher in the Mediterranean group than the control group suggesting a slightly higher intake of fruits and vegetables and whole grain products, providing large amounts of antioxidant vitamins and trace elements.

The study also found that high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and leukocytes, a type of white blood cell, were all associated with recurrent heart attacks.

Extrat from Science Daily: - Robert Eckel, M.D. chairman of the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee, "In general, the study suggests that patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease can significantly reduce the risk of dying or having another heart attack by following the AHA's Guidelines for Secondary Prevention, which include the Step II diet, other prudent lifestyle behaviors and the use of aspirin and other medications prescribed by their doctors. The fact that levels of LDL cholesterol were similar between the two diet groups and far above those established by the National Cholesterol Education Programs for patients with coronary heart disease suggests that additional benefit may have ensued in both groups with additional cholesterol-lowering drugs."

An editorial accompanying the journal article stated, Alexander Leaf, M.D., Jackson Professor of Clinical Medicine Emeritus at Harvard University Medical School, says, "One main message of the Lyon study is that the polyunsaturated oils (the omega-3) contained in the Lyon diet may be helpful in preventing second heart attacks." In the study population, higher plasma (blood) levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a lower risk of a recurrent heart attack and other heart-related problems.

Author Ray Darken - Ray often writes for and works closely with copy of Mediterranean diet . If you'd like more news and broader access to diet and nutrition information try best life diet & Tips.

Acidity and Diet prevent indigestion and GERD

2007-10-27T17:40:00.004-07:00

Mitamins' aim is to custom-made the best natural remedies to complement the treatment of your concerns. Our unique process allows you to combine multiple formulas into a single formula, in a single bottle, and avoid overdose and interactions.

It’s surprising how many people are laid low by high acidity. Over the counter prescriptions may help but they sometimes leave behind a sensation of extreme discomfort. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD) is a condition in which stomach contents, including acid, back up (reflux) into the esophagus, causing inflammation and damage to the esophagus. Basically, acid is needed for digestion but some people secrete more than necessary. This irritates the duodenum and the stomach linings. It may even lead to ulcers in the stomach. The treatment of GERD is not clear cut but there are few things worth considering.

The symptoms of GERD are a burning pain in the chest behind the sternum or breastbone, a burning or aching pain in the upper abdomen usually accompanied by acid reflux. There are many causes for GERD. For some people there is a natural tendency for the stomach to produce more acid or because of a weakness in the normal sphincter mechanism. In this case it commonly occurs after eating, lifting weights or straining. GERD can also be exacerbatted by the consumption of foods with too much fat or spice, excess consumption of alcohol, coffee or tea, smoking and even over eating. Eating late or eating just before sleeping or sometimes even medication can cause acidity. The treatment of GERD in part, requires the correcting of bad dietary habits.

Since diet is major contributor to symptoms, changes in diet and behaviour associated with eating may help in the treatment of GERD. Try to eat regular small meals, and avoid eating until bloated and full. Keep liquids separate from meals time, to prevent over-filling the stomach. Try to avoid oily and spicy foods. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables however keep highly acidic varieties to a minimum (oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit). Try to cut down on processed and refined foods, especially carbohydrates - choose whole-grains instead. Some people find that reducing or eliminating alcohol and caffeine is beneficial in the treatment of GERD.

Try to avoid vigorous activity for an hour or so after you have eaten, do not carry out task that require you to bend over (gardening, changing beds). Avoid lying down immediately after eating and try to eat at least 3 hours before going to bed.

Some remedies off the kitchen shelf, such as drinking aniseed and water, cumin and water, and chewing on cloves or cardamom could relieve acidity. A long term cure, however, can come about only with a dietary change as well as perhaps, a lifestyle change.

Calming nervousness with diet

2007-10-27T17:40:00.003-07:00

Nervousness and anxiety affects may people to greater or lesser extent. Whilst medication may be the key for some people, a nutritional overhaul to ensure you are receiving all the essentials may bring some relief and assist in the treatment of nervousness. Anxiety or nervousness is a common brain and nervous disorder that many experience sometime or another. It is characterized by extreme panic and fear, uncontrolled and obsessive thoughts, nightmares and could even have symptoms like nausea, muscle tension, headaches and stomachaches. A person could feel unconnected, dizzy, uncontrolled and suffer from palpations, chills and hot flushes.

There are several prescription drugs which are used in the treatment of anxiety disorder. Lorazepam, alprazolam, and buspirone are often prescribed along with antidepressants. Sometimes hormonal secretion from the thyroid or adrenal glands cause nervousness and need specific treatment. Psychological counseling may also be useful in the treatment of nervousness.

Food and well-being have been associated with mood since ancient times. Carbohydrates are known to be good mood elevators. They act as mild tranquilizers through increasing serotonin which is a calming neurotransmitter in the brain. It is better to eat complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, whole wheat bread and pasta as they take longer to digest and thus one feels full for longer.

Vitamin B, especially B-6, also helps in the manufacture of serotonin in the brain. Supplements of Vitamin B6 have been used in the treatment of anxiety disorder. Food rich in antioxidants together with essential fats help in improving energy levels and may relieve the feelings of anxiety. Dehydration may also add to anxiety and nervousness, so it is advisable to ensure a good fluid intake. Hot drinks may have a calming effect, but try avoid excess caffeine. Herbal teas and hot milky drinks may be especially helpful, especially before bed.

There is ongoing research regarding specific vitamins and minerals in the treatment of nervousness. Inositol, a cyclic polyalcohol, plays an important role as a second messenger in a cell. Though it is classified as a B vitamin, it is not really a vitamin as the human body can synthesize it. It has been used to help people suffering from panic attacks and relieves the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. A trial has shown that when it is supplemented with multivitamins, it can reduce anxiety or nervousness. It is found in many foods, especially those with high bran content. Magnesium has also proved to be an important reliever of anxiety and so may present another useful nutrient to supplement in the treatment of nervousness.

There are many herbs associated with the treatment of nerbvousness. Herbal chamomile tea is often used to combat insomnia(www.mitamins.com/disease/Insomnia.html) associated with anxiety attacks. Passion flower, bacopa and kava are also used in herbal tonics given to reduce anxiety. A drink made of the root of kava and used extensively in Polynesia is a well known relaxant. In one study when used for one week, it helped subjects to reduce both depression and high anxiety levels and nervousness. These herbs must be taken under supervision as they could have other side effects.

Sometimes dieting though calorie reduction and using diet pills can contribute to anxiety disorder. Diets should be undertaken with care and it may be important to seek professional guidance. Reducing and perhaps even cutting out alcohol and coffee have shown remarkable improvement in the levels of anxiety for some people and generally assist with the treatment of nervousness.

Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet

2007-10-27T17:40:00.001-07:00

During his 40 years of medical practice and in his nationally syndicated newspaper column, Dr. Gott's patients and readers have continually asked him for a way to lose weight that is both simple and foolproof. In response, he developed the No Flour, No Sugar diet which has prompted countless weight loss success stories from his patients, thousands of letters from readers of his column raving about...

By Peter Gott, MD

How and Why the No Flour, No Sugar Diet Works

My No Flour, No Sugar Diet is not a magic pill, rather, it is a sensible way of eating that you’ll find easy to adopt, inexpensive to practice, and simple to maintain for the rest of your life. You’ll lose weight the optimal way -- slowly but surely -- and you’ll feel great, too. As I mentioned, fad diets require you to make drastic changes in your diet for rapid, if unhealthful, weight loss. My No Flour, No Sugar Diet involves incremental changes that will have long-term beneficial effects on your weight and your overall health.

No flour, no sugar = fewer caloriesThe key to weight loss is simply to burn more calories than you take in. In the simplest of terms, then, my No Flour, No Sugar Diet works because eliminating flour and added sugar from your diet, without making other changes, reduces the number of calories you consume. I have found, and my patients’ successes have verified, that eliminating flour and sugar from your diet is a simple way to cut calories instantly. Replacing high-calorie breads, for instance, with low-calorie vegetables and legumes will take a big chunk out of your caloric intake without leaving you feeling hungry or unsatisfied. Likewise, by replacing sugar and honey with no-calorie sweeteners, you can feed your sweet tooth while cutting calories.

To see how eliminating flour and sugar from your diet can dramatically reduce the number of calories you consume, let’s compare the caloric content of two breakfasts -- one with flour and sugar and one without. If you normally start your day with a bagel (about 250 calories) spread with a pat of butter (50 calories) and a tablespoon of strawberry jam (50 calories), and coffee with two teaspoons of sugar (30 calories), you’re eating about 380 calories. Simply switching to old-fashioned oatmeal (100 calories) with one cup of skim milk (90 calories), a medium apple (80 calories), and coffee with artificial sweetener (0 calories), will save you 110 calories. You will also have reduced your fat intake from 7.5 grams to 2 grams, increased your fiber from 1 gram to 7 grams, and added 400 milligrams of calcium. And that’s just breakfast.

As the above comparison clearly shows, eliminating flour and sugar from your diet is a simple way to rid your meals of many unnecessary calories. As an added bonus, you may find you’ll automatically reduce the amount of fat you eat. Without bread and jelly, for instance, what fun is high-fat peanut butter? No flour means no cheesy pizza, no pasta in cream sauce, and no buttery cookies. Eliminating sugar means no more fat-laden ice cream or cake with buttercream frosting.

One pound of fat is equivalent to 3,500 calories. In order to lose one pound in a week, you need to consume 500 fewer calories a day or burn 500 more a day -- or in a perfect world, a little of each. If you could make dietary changes such as those mentioned in the breakfast example above, cutting 110 calories from every meal you eat, you’d easily be more than half way there.

Avoid products containing any kind of flour, including wheat, rice, and corn flours, or refined or concentrated sugars (cane sugar, beet sugar, glucose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, maple syrup, honey, molasses, etc.). Whole grains and starchy vegetables, such as wheat berries, barley, brown rice, corn, and potatoes can add bulk to your meals. Satisfy your sweet tooth with fruit and products sweetened with fruit -- as long as they don’t contain added sugar. You can also enjoy sugar-free soda, chewing gum, and even many of the light ice creams now available that are sweetened with Splenda or other artificial sweeteners. Snack on raw vegetables and fresh fruit -- excellent low-calorie sources of important nutrients and fiber.

Cutting the unnecessary, or "empty," calories of flour-based, sugary foods from your diet is a simple and relatively painless way to move toward your goal. Add an extra half hour of physical activity a day -- a brisk walk, a game of tennis, or a spin on the treadmill -- and you can expect easily to lose a pound a week until you reach your desired weight.

Slow and steady wins the raceWhile calorie reduction is the key to losing weight, it is important to remember that calories are our bodies’ fuel. They provide the energy we need to perform normal daily activities. While consuming more calories than our bodies require leads to weight gain, it is important -- even while you’re trying to shed unwanted pounds -- to eat enough calories to get the nutrients and energy your body requires to function optimally. That is why diet and health experts generally agree that the most effective diets are those on which you lose no more than one to two pounds per week.

To facilitate fast and dramatic weight loss, many fad diets require you to decrease your caloric intake to levels that are inadequate to insure you’re getting the nutrients you need. Furthermore, weight that is lost quickly is very likely to come back just as fast when you stop starving your body. A slow, steady approach will maintain your health while producing the results you desire -- and you’re more likely to keep the weight off over time. You’ll have a bad week here and there, but don’t be discouraged. It happens to the best of us. Even if you don’t meet your one-pound goal in a given week, stick with the diet and the weight loss will average out over time.

A diet for (just about) everyoneBecause my No Flour, No Sugar Diet encourages eating a wide variety of foods from all of the food groups -- including ample amounts of nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains -- it is suitable for just about anyone, no matter what his or her age or activity level. Everyone, from young children to older adults, can benefit from cutting empty calories from highly processed foods out of their diet. People with specific medical conditions -- including diabetes, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, and so on -- are advised to seek the advice of the medical specialist who is treating them for that condition before making any major changes in their diet or activity level. That said, the No Flour, No Sugar Diet provides guidelines for healthy eating that can be adapted to suit a wide range of special dietary or medical needs.

The average American today consumes 500 more calories per day than in 1970.

Copyright © 2006 Peter H. Gott, MD from the book Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet by Peter H. Gott, MD with Robin Donovan; Published by Warner Wellness; January 2007;$21.99US/$27.50CAN; 978-0-446-58248-3

Peter H. Gott, MD, is the author of the nationally syndicated newspaper column ''Ask Dr. Gott." His articles have appeared in USA Today, the New England Journal of Medicine, Saturday Review, and other publications. He has a general practice in rural Connecticut. Visit http://www.twbookmark.com/ for more information.

Dietary Supplements – Are They Dangerous?

2007-10-27T17:39:00.001-07:00

Are dietary supplements really dangerous? A question without simple answer. Dietary supplements refer to any health products that can supplement our diet. They include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, digestive enzymes, Probiotics, herbal supplements, glandular extracts and dietary fibers etc .

The consumption of dietary supplements has been rising every year. Whereas many people believe that dietary supplements can improve their health or prevent certain diseases, some consumer groups or medical professionals have warned that dietary supplements can be dangerous. So, the question is: are dietary supplements really dangerous? Unfortunately, the question does not have a simple answer.

Dietary supplements, by its broad definition, include thousands of different products. In 2004, Consumer Reports listed 12 potentially dangerous dietary supplements. Many of them are herbal products. Some of these herbs have been used by herbalists for hundreds of years and are considered as safe. However, when the active substances in these herbs are extracted in pure or concentrated form and consumed over prolonged period, they can be dangerous to some people.

Many dietary supplements such as vitamins and minerals are safe and can supplement what is missing in our diet. However, even the benign supplement can become dangerous in overdose. In local news, a woman was reported to give her two teenage daughters mega dose of vitamin A for prolonged period, thinking that the supplement is good for the eyes. Both suffered from acute liver failure and one required a liver transplant to save her life. Vitamin A is not dangerous but mega dose of vitamin A is hepatotoxic. In this case, ignorance itself is dangerous!

The quality of dietary supplement is also an important factor. The presence of contaminations, such as heavy metal, drugs, and toxic substances can make a benign supplement dangerous. One example is the presence of microcystin toxin in blue green algae dietary supplements. Microcystins are natural toxins from certain strains of blue green algae that can cause liver damage and liver tumors. According to the research conducted by Health Canada, only one strain of blue green algae, Spirulina, is free from microcystins as Spirulina is harvested from controlled ponds. Most of the non-Spirulina blue green algae supplements are contaminated by microcystins, especially those harvested from natural lakes. Daily consumption of these dietary supplements would exceed the acceptable level of microcystin intake established by Health Canada and WHO.

Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is another key factor to safeguard the quality and safety of dietary supplements. Dietary supplement manufacturers in compliance of GMP standards have to test the identity of raw materials, implement a quality control unit, provide expiration date for the finished products, maintain good records of batch production and written procedures, and hire personnel who are trained to understand and follow GMP. This practice can reduce the chance of having batch to batch variation in strength, composition, purity and quality of finished products.

To sum up, although most dietary supplements are safe when consumed according to the label, consumers are advised to educate themselves before taking these supplements. What are the functions of these supplements? How long should I be taking them? Are they manufactured by reputable companies in compliance of good manufacturing practices? Never consume more than the recommended dose unless supervised by health care professionals. If you are pregnant, breast feeding, or suffering from pre-existing health conditions, you should also take extra precaution and consult with your doctors or nutritionists.

Kwan H Lo is the owner of a review site providing information on high quality dietary supplements such as New Chapter Vitamins and Garden of Life products.