The Good Life

DOES HOODIA WORK?

2007-09-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

There are ads on TV, newspapers, magazines, internet, and on about the wonders of Hoodia. It is clamed to be the greatest thing yet.

If you have been following this blog for a while you know I do not have a very high attitude about diet pills. My wife pointed out to me that if you read the small print carefully these pills will tell you that if you take these pills and eat less you will lose weight. Why take the pills? Hoodia is suppose to reduce your appatite.

There was a free offer, that is free but I had to pay the shipping and handling, for Hoodia pills. In fairness before I speak on a subject I should research it and using a product is one of the best ways to research I know.

This is not a scientific test. All I can say is what it did for me. So what did it do for me? Nothing other then just a few minuets after taking them I was hungary and I should not have been even if I had not taken the pill.

I HAD TO EAT A HORSE!

2007-09-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Well I really didn’t have to eat a horse but I did have one get into my computer and it did have to be destroyed.

Someone gave me a Trojan horse and I had all kinds of problems. That is why I did not leave a post last week. If you were looking for one I am sorry and I will try to keep up now.

The last post was on the importance of soy protein. The way I learned about the importance of soy protein and just how effective it is was when I started on Herbalife’s ShapeWorks. It was so effective for me I thought I could sell it. Boy was I wrong but the product is still great. One way of obtaining it for less is to purchase it on eBay. It is against Herbalife’s policy for dealers to sell product on eBay but they do it anyway. The products usually go above dealer price but below retail. It you want to know more just ask me through the comment section and even though I don’t sell it I will still try to answer any questions you have about this amazing product.

The product I mentioned last post, http://scrip.cc/shopsite_sc/index.html, can also be used to make shakes. Just ad 1 measure of protein to 8 ounces of nonfat milk and ad fruit or flavoring; blend. I freeze fruit and use a little Splenda to sweeten. It is also excellent if it is added to soup or mixed with peanut butter made into a sandwich.

You can order the Protein at my cost by going to http://scrip.cc/shopsite_sc/index.html and order. Use the ID # 109317 when asked and you will receive the product at dealer price.

THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON INFLAMMATORY DISEASE.

2007-08-22T16:53:00.001-07:00

Stress has been with us sense Adam and Eve were in the garden. It was stress that drove them to try to hide for God.

Stress is actually just one of our body’s ways of defending itself. There is a problem when that stress becomes chronic. Excessive stress is a real hindrance to the good life. Chemicals ingested, pollutants we breathe and drink, technical advances testing our skills, crowded highways, and the list goes on all leads to increased stress. Stress leads to irritability which leads to short fuse syndrome when dealing with others frequently those closest to us which leads to more stress for them. Their response to our irritability is usually becoming irritated themselves and stressing us more. Thus a big viscous circle develops.

Some people deal better with stress then others but excessive stress has a negative effect on all of us.

A study at Texas A&M has shown one area excess stress appears to makes a significant negative effect is its effects on inflammatory diseases. These include rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atherosclerosis, psoriasis, and many others.

Pro-inflammatory proteins, called cytokines, are increased by stress. This increase in cytokines inhibits the clearing of viruses and thus the process of inflammation becomes out of control. Again that big cycle like the one caused when dealing with people. Increase in inflammation increases pain. Increase pain increases stress which increases cytokines and around and around it goes.

We need to break the cycle.

We are not without some help. The lead researcher, Dr. Mary Meagher, said, “The adverse effects may be prevented or reversed by treatments aimed at blocking increases in this cytokine. Potential interventions include certain anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise, anti-depressant medication, omega-3 fatty acids and mindfulness relaxation training.”

THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON INFLAMMATORY DISEASE.

2007-08-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

STRESS AND WEIGHT CONTROL

2007-08-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

There have been many books written the subject of stress and health that just scratch the surface so it is not the intention of this article to answer all the questions. The main purpose here is just to make people aware of just how serious this problem can be.

Stress is the way the bodies responds when the brain tell it to react to a situation. The situation may be negative or bad but what a lot of people do not realize is the necessity to react to positive things will also cause stress. For those of you who are married think about the first date you had with your spouse. Unless your circumstances are very much out of the ordinary that date was a happy, exciting, wonderful, and stressful event.

Our lives are filled with stress. Most people have to get up in the morning to the sound of an alarm rush to get ready in time to go to our vehicle and fight the traffic so they can get to work before it is too late. Many have to see to it that the children are ready and off to school along with that preparation already mentioned. The day goes on with rush here and rush there. Then there is the drive home which may include some errands along the way that they were not able to accomplish during lunch.

Humans were not meant to be under such constant stress. Even the week ends of most people are no less stressful.

When under stress the whole body responds. The pupils of the eyes will widen to let in more light. More neurotransmitters in the brain will increase alertness. adrenal glands will pump up the adrenaline and other hormones in the bloodstream. The muscles will tense and the heart will speed up pushing up the blood pressure. Stored starches are turned into sugar for energy. There is an increase activity in the sweat glands.

Excess stress leads to forgetfulness, problems thinking clearly, trouble learning new information accident-proneness, discouraging or negative thoughts, and insomnia which in themselves will cause more stress. That is to say one of the side effects of stress is more stress. It is like starting a fire, when heat and oxygen are added to fuel the fire starts. The fire will cause more heat which presses more of the fuel to its ignition point and it draws more air (oxygen) to the fuel so the fire grows which causes more heat and so on.

Stress can increase the difficulty of weight control. While the released adrenalin and other hormones will decrease appetite temporarily there is also, at the same time, the release of cortisol. Cortisol is longer lasting then the other hormones

Stress is meant to protect us during times of physical danger when we need to “fight or flee.” But modern stress is usually not accompanied by physical exertion but with worry, anger or eternal containment. The result is that the energy that was meant to be expended is not thus the hormones are not processed in the way they were designed to be. Cortisol will linger and increase hunger. Cortisol will lead to fat being collected around the middle into what is most commonly known as “belly fat.” This fat is very difficult to remove.

There is another factor where excess stress is associated with weight gain. The stress can also lead to depression which results in lack of interest or ambition. Some depressed people will not eat while others will eat excessively just to try to fill that emptiness caused by the depression. A lot of the food that is eaten is what is known as “comfort food.” “Comfort Foods” vary with different people but usually they are high in fat, carbohydrates, and either salt or sugar.

Learning to control stress is one of the keys to effective weight control and a healthy diet.

If stress and depression has gotten out of control for you get medical help. I can personally testify if you let it continue to build you will break and it is a long way back to rebuild your life. A stress out and depressed life is not THE GOOD LIFE!

WHY DON’T I LOOK THAT GOOD?

2007-08-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

Have you been dazzled by those before and after photos of young men and women who had flab but after they were on “X” product they look so trim and fit. In many of these after photos the person is wearing the most revealing attire possible to show the great results. They have no flab, and no folds of sagging skin.

Have you ever wondered why, even though you have experienced the same weight loss, you just do not look as good? Here is a couple of thought that might help.

First understand that those before and after photos are for the purpose of selling a product. So only the most attractive appearing photos will make the cut. The most honest ads show the people before and after in the same type of attire but frequently, if you will notice, the before photo is in attire that makes them appear as unattractive as possible while the after photo attire makes the subject look as attractive as possible. It is just good marketing.

When you are overweight the skin stretches to provide room for the extra luggage. Ladies when you have a baby it is even more exaggerated. The skin is elastic to a point but age will cause it to lose much of that elasticity. Some people are fortunate enough to have more elastic skin then others.

So after you have lost that weight you will probably see layers of sagging skin. Though it is not attractive it is something we have to accept. In time, and that time varies between people and becomes longer with age, the skin will come back some. For some people it will trim right up nicely. For others it will never trim up nicely and the only way to get rid of that extra skin is surgery.

Until the results of some recent research I have made on the subject I thought it was just a vane thing and could just be covered up with clothes. I have learned that this sagging skin can not only have some very damaging physiological effects but it can have negative physical effect too.

There are several tightening creams on the marked but they are not a cure for loose skin. They may help some if the problem is not excessive. Drinking sufficient water is also very helpful.

So again it should be stated that the only solution for some is surgery. Consult your primary physician before consulting a cosmetic surgeon of any kind. Cosmetic surgery is big business and unfortunately not all of the surgeons are looking out for the patients’ best interest.

IF YOU ARE THE ADULT THEN ACT LIKE IT!

2007-08-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

Parents we are facing an increasing problem today of obese children.

Diseases that were almost never seen in children 20 years ago are now becoming more and more prevalent. These include high blood pressure, joint problems, sleep apnea, and type two diabetes. High cholesterol and high triglycerides, two conditions also on the increase with children, combined with the high blood pressure can lead to early heart disease. The alarming increase of asthma in children, which according to the medical professionals, is almost entirely do to the increase in childhood obesity. Even the increase in asthma in children can frequently be linked to improper diet.

The life expectancy of today’s children is being predicted to be lower then their parents. Children don’t want to be over weight, they don’t want a shorter life expectancy. It is just that they have parents who won’t teach them how to do anything about it. Many times they have parents who are obese.

We are going to have to fact the hard facts. Parents you are the adult and the care and wellbeing of your children is your responsibility. If you don’t take control then child is the one who will have to suffer.

I am not going to tell you it is easy because it is not easy to train children but too many parents are letting their children control them. I well know how hard it is my wife and I raised six children.

When a child is born that child does not know how to conduct itself in this world. We parents at first have to see to that child’s every kneed. Then we start to train the child self care. We teach the child proper conduct around other people. We teach them to avoid things that might heart them like a hot stove.

It is equally the patients’ responsibility to teach good healthy eating habits.

We all want the good life but we should also want the good life for our children.

PROTECT YOUR EYES!

2007-07-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Losing your sight is not exactly the best road to THE GOOD LIFE.

The purpose of this blog started out to be a means to help me sell Herbalife. I still believe in Herbalife; I still use Herbalife, but I am not able to sell Herbalife or anything else because I am not a salesman. The result is that this blog is taking the form of helping the readers to a healthier life style and a healthy life (physically and mentally) is the good life. I am an electronic technician by trade but I live to research and study all forms of technical data and these blogs are the results of research.

More years ago then I would like to admit I was a civilian technician for the United States Army.

It was required that we wear the safety glasses they provided Now I had been soldering for several years and I did it with out wearing glasses and I never got hot solder in my eyes. Oh well rules are rules so when at work I wore them, while at work.

Shortly after acquiring this job with that strange requirement I purchased new ham radio kit. Some was soldering required. You have probably already guessed what happened and to this day I am not sure how I flipped that piece of solder into my eye.

Many of the readers of this blog will never touch a soldering iron but eye protection goes far beyond this one simple example. Maybe you use a hammer or caustic cleaning agents. Do you sharpen tools or shake out a rug? The list could go on with every day things that most people do not even think about as dangerous to the health of their eyes but if you do not slip on a pair of safety glasses at least once a day you are probable endangering your vision more then you realize.

Setting aside the thought of the danger of reducing or losing your vision in your eye the protection from the pain alone should be enough to encourage us to protect our eyes.

Protein and Weight Control

2007-07-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

This weeks article will not be a discussion of the “high protein and low carbohydrate” diet. While that is a subject worth discussing and one which this site wishes to address in the future. The discussion this week is a general importance of protein when trying to lose or maintain weight.

The word “protein” was coined by the Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius who discovered it in 1838. He used the Greek word “πρωτός” (protos), which means first, from which to form the word “protein” because it is the first in importance of life. Protein, which are basically made of amino acids, are the basic building blocks of our skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, organs, antibodies, enzymes, and some hormones. The human body does not store protein so it needs to be replaced daily with a fresh supply.

Far too many times weight loss diets neglect this important element by just focusing on the number of calories and ignoring other essential nutrients. Weight loss diets can not be done at the cost of essential nutrition if the program is going to result in an overall health improvement. During the 1970’s it was common to use “starvation diets” to lose weight. The results of this practice were a lack protein. The body then looks for protein where ever it can find it and thus, sense muscle is the highest concentration of protein in the body, it draws protein out of the muscle. The heart is one of the muscles which were damaged by this improper dieting practice. Deaths from heart attacks, if this practice is allowed to continue too long, can and have been the result.

When trying to lose weight it is important that we understand that it is fat that needs to be reduced, not muscle. Muscle is heaver then fat and burns a lot more calories. If a person is losing weight at a very fast rate, over 1 pound a week, the probability is he or she is losing muscle.

The question is, “how much protein does a person need?” There are many variables but going over the necessary amount of protein is not dangerous it will only result in being more difficult to keep the calorie level down. The minimum daily requirement for an adult (a child’s requirements are higher because they are growing) is 0.8 grams of protein for each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight. That is minimum not optimum.

Minimum is that level which is required to maintain life while optimum is the amount that will result in the most effective use by the body. Minimum should not be a person’s goal! Optimum is the goal that will result in the safest, healthiest, and most efficient weight loss. A simple reference point to start is about 100 grams for a typical woman and 150 for a typical man per day. That is just a reference point because very few of us are typical so this needs to be fine tuned or personalized. Unless you are a very small person I do not recommend smaller daily intake.

Protein is a natural appetite suppressor. It will reduce the feeling of hunger between meals and though fats and carbohydrates will give you a full feeling that feeling of satisfaction will last much longer with protein.

So here is how you personalize your protein need. Start by making sure you are meeting the above mentioned reference point in protein consumption. If you find you are feeling hungry between meals increase the protein level by 5 to 10 grams until you no longer have the problem.

Again, remember the idea of a weight loss diet is to lose fat and not muscle. Insufficient protein will result in loss of muscle which includes the heart so do not let your protein level drop too low. The more muscle you have the more calories you will burn and thus the more calories, food, you can consume and maintain a healthy weight.

WHY LOW CALORIE DIET ARE NOT THE ANSWER!

2007-07-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a simple fact, to lose weight more energy must be used then taken consumed. This fact is simply the result of the laws of thermodynamics. This fact is common knowledge so people who do not have a problem with weight control keep telling people who do, “just eat less and you will lose weight.” It sounds simple but that is the problem it is too simple.

Most popular diet programs are based to that simple law of thermodynamics and lead people to border of starvation with 1200, 1000, 800, or less calories a day. Starvation threshold for women is about 1200 and 1800 for men.

The human body’s natural defense against starvation is to lower its metabolism when the calorie intake is reduced to or below the starvation threshold. This is done by the fat cells releasing less of the hormone leptin which is the signal hormone that tells the brain the body is well fed and not starving. This reduction of leptin triggers a cascade of other hormonal enzymatic and metabolic events including a decrease in thyroid output and a dramatic increase in appetite.

Very low calorie diets not only slow your metabolism so you burn fewer calories, they are also much more likely to cause muscle loss. Muscle tissue loss means that the body now needs fewer calories to maintain a certain weight. Fat cells burns far less calories per pound then muscle cells do.

The typical result is after being on a low calorie diet, which can only be maintained just so long, the weight returns quickly and because of the muscle loss the weight will go above the level it was to start with.

HOW CAN ONE PRODUCT DO SO MUCH?

2007-06-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Charles Vainci, the director of Nutrition for Scriptures, an up and coming health product company with Christian Principals, is the holder of two Olympic Gold Metals in weightlifting, two First Place Medals in the Pan American Games, seven National Championships, a Member of Weightlifting Hall of Fame, and twelve World Records. Mr. Vainci says, “This product is absorbed instantly to build a healthy body, increase your metabolism, energy and help build a strong immune system to fight disease. This product is ‘Best of the Best’ and I personally guarantee it.”

Whether you are trying to lose weight, gain weight, participate in sports, or just want to improve your health here is one product that can do more then any other single product I know. You can purchase a 10 oz. sample and try it. After you try it and see the difference you will certainly want to receive a regular supply.

To learn more go to: http://www.scriptures.cc/cgi-bin/d.cgi/109317/products.htm

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH

2007-06-20T23:05:00.000-07:00

There is an argument among physicians today on the possible link between religion and physical health. The interesting part about this argument is that there seems to be no question that those who have a strong faith heal faster are far more apt to defeat illnesses, and in general have better health but they say they don’t know if it is the religion that is causing this phenomenon.

One factor that can contribute to this is the fact that many of those who have a strong faith frequently do not use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs. This factor alone could contribute to the health factor to those believers.

The argument goes on to include whether or not the physicians should minister to the spiritual as well as the physical. When one considers the fact that man is not just body alone but body, soul, and spirit it would seem to make sense that ministering to one without the other would not be as effective as ministering to the whole person.

We are not part body, part soul, and part spirit but each, the body, the soul, and the spirit, is complete in itself. We are created in the image of God thus we like God are triune beings.

Increasing your spiritual life by attending to your faith will improve your life in many ways which includes, but not limited to, dealing with stress, reducing depression, improving health, and improve the overall quality of your life.

For more spiritual life information please go to http://grace-living.blogspot.com/.

NINE TIPS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

2007-06-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

Again I am a little off my normal subjects but I recently heard 9 tips that could save your life or the life of someone you know. They were written for women but men we too can become victims of crime so it does not hurt for us to also know them. Please read them carefully, copy and save them, practice them, and pass them on to others you know.

1 A tip from Tae Kwon Do, the elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, then use it!

2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, do not hand it to him. Toss it away from you. He is probably more interested in your wallet and/or purse than he is in you, so he will go for the wallet/purse. Then run like mad in the other direction.

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This action has saved lives.

4. People frequently get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and will take a few seconds to do their checkbook, make a list, make a cell phone call or, some other little task with their doors unlocked and before they start their engine. A predator may be watching you and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. As soon as you get into your car lock the doors and leave. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head driving off is not a good solution. Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. If you have a new enough vehicle your air bag will save you. If you do not have air bags this could still give you the best opportunity to escape. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5 A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A.) Be aware of your surroundings. Look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat

B) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while they are attempting to get into their vehicles

C) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. It is better to be paranoid than dead.

6. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, always run! The chances of the predator hitting you (a moving target) are about 4 in 100 times; and even if they do it will most likely not be a vital organ. Run in a zigzag pattern if possible.

8. It is easy to be sympathetic when we see someone who appears to need help: Be very careful. You might ask the person if you can place a call on your cell phone for them if you are in a safe location but even better (I know this sounds cruel because it is) just ignore them and pass by. If you think the situation warrants it, use your cell phone and call 911. It may be a trap. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle. That was when he would abduct his victims.

9. It is reported that a lady heard a crying baby on her porch one night, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, do not open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The police dispatcher told her, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, do not open the door." He told her they has suspicions that a serial killer had a baby's cry recorded and was using it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. This was suspected because there had been several similar calls. If you are home alone (and this is especially true of women), you should not open the door for the sound of a crying baby, sounds of a cat or dog wanting attention, or any other sounds that could be designed to lure you to open the door. This should be taken seriously. The crying baby approach has been mentioned on America's Most Wanted when they profiled a serial killer in Louisiana

It is a shame that our society has come to this but it has and if we are to survive we must learn how to live in it.

WHAT IS YOUR RISK FOR SKIN CANCER?

2007-05-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Summer is arriving here in the northern hemisphere so it is a good time for us to start thinking about protecting ourselves from the sun.

In the United States of America there are more then 1 million cases of nonmelanoma and over 62,000 cases of Melanoma skin cancer which is the most dangerous of the skin cancers. Out of the 10,710 deaths do to skin cancer in the US in 2006 7,910 were from Melanoma.

Early detection is extremely important and though Melanoma is the most dangerous it is always curable when it is detected in its early stages.

The difference between Melanoma and nonmelanoma cancers is the cells in which the cancer develops. The melanoma cancer starts in the cells that produce skin color. These cells are called melanocyters and the melanin (skin pigment or color) they produce helps protect the deeper layers of skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Nonmelanoma is any other skin cancer that develops in any cell that is not a melanocyter cell.

Blond blue eyed people with a very light complexion have the highest risk but no matter how dark your complexion is it is still possible to develop Melanoma or nonmelanoma cancer. Being out in the sun greatly raises the risk but people who stay inside and rarely go out in the sun have been diagnosed with skin cancer.

Know the signs of skin cancer. They are: 1. Sore that never fully heals 2. Translucent growth with rolled edges 3. A cluster of slow-growing, shiny, red or pink skin discoloration. 4. A scar with a waxy-feeling 5. A flat or slightly depressed spot on the skin that feels hard to the touch 6. Bleeding, itching or changing of the shape of a mole.

Phytonutrients helps the body protect itself from cancer including skin cancer. God know what He is doing because He made it so most of the fruits and vegetables are in abundance in the summer. So don’t neglect your phytonutrients.

Know your skin and know the six signs. If you or anyone you know has any of the six then an appointment to see the doctor should be made immediately. The sooner the cancer is found the better are the chances of survival.

ONLINE DRUG STORES

2007-05-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

If your email account looks anything like mine you are receiving spam emails for cheep drugs sold with no need for prescription. These are being sold from countries which do not have the controls over drugs that many others do have.

This has nothing to do with purchasing drugs from legitimate online drug stores.

If the information came to you by spam then that alone should give you reason to suspect them. Purchasing these drugs in the United States of America is illegal as I am sure the same is true of many other countries. These questions should be considered. Do you really know what is in these drugs? Do they have the quantity of active ingredients? These drugs can be very dangerous!

One spam I received they were selling Hoodia with Ephedrine. Their statement is that Ephedrine was banned for being “too effective.” It was banned because people were dying from the use of this product.

It is true that drugs are expensive but funerals are expensive too.

DON’T LET SMALL CHILDREN PLAY WITH CELL PHONES!

2007-05-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

I know this seems a little far from the major subject but this is a serious health issue. There was a report on the news that reminded me of a concern I would like to pass on.

I was employed by a cell phone company for 17 years and involved in electronic communications sense 1960. While working for the cell phone company we received many phones that were water damaged. There was always the excuse that they had not used the unit any where near water. Sometimes the phone would be green with very heavy corrosion on the bottom connector as well as the bottom of the circuit board.

When investigating to try to learn how such damage could happen it was learned that the damage was the result of allowing very young children play with them. When they stick the phone in their mouth saliva enters the unit via the bottom connector which breaks down some of the metals used in the phone which then enters the child’s mouth and thus their system.

These pieces of electronic equipment contain some toxic metals. There is solder, for one, which is a lead tin alloy. I don’t think I have to tell anyone that lead is toxic.

Cell phones were not designed as child chew toys. Please keep them away from young children.

Just for advice, as long as cell phones and health issues are being discussed, based on my experience and study, it is my personal opinion that the low lever radio radiation power from these units do not offer any health danger.

THE DREADED “E” WORD

2007-05-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

When speaking about heart health, weight loss, or just over all health there is one subject that seems to be the most dreaded. It is the evil “E” word, exercise. Yet we all know the importance of this subject in regards to our health.

Probably the most single reason for the weight problem in the United States of America today is the lack of the necessity for physical activity. When we want to go more then 100 yards we get into our car and drive. Most of our work day is sitting and when we get home we sit and watch TV. Then we ask who has time to exercise?

One reason the “E” word is so dreaded is because people seem to think that exercise has to be strenuous, grueling and boring. Actually it doesn’t have to be any of these. Walking is one of the best exercises we can do.

One myth about exercise that needs to be debunked is the old adage, “no pain, no gain.” That just is not so.

What is pain? It is the body’s way of saying something is wrong and there needs to be a correction before further damage is done. Thus if you exercise until your muscles hurt you have done too much because your body is saying by the pain you are not ready for this. Always start slow and build up and in the long run you will build stamina and muscle faster then if you work out until you are in pain.

One way of making walking more fun is do it with someone else. Talk a friend, your spouse, your dog, or who ever you enjoy spending time with. Moms and dads this is an excellent way to spend time with your children and improve the health of your children as well as your own. The objective is to try to make it fun so you will look forward to it each day.

Bike riding is also an excellent exercise as well as roller skating, dancing, and swimming. These too can be made to be fun.

Before starting an exercise regiment most experts advise consulting your physician. This is good advice especially if you plan to start a strenuous program.

HEART HEALTH 3

2007-05-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

Last week’s post was on Dr. Ignarro and how he developed a product to increase Nitric Oxide in our blood while we sleep which will help to reduce the threat of heart disease and strokes. To learn more read, NO More Heart Disease by Dr. Louis J. Ignarro

There are three other books I highly recommend each written by physicians well recognized in their field.

The first of the three books I recommend is What Color Is Your Diet? by Dr. David Heber Medical Doctor and director of the UCLA center for human nutrition. This book explains the importance of sufficient phytonutrients and how they help us reduce our risk for many diseases by strengthening our immunity. They also reduce inflammation and help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

The next book on my list is by a lady whose list of accomplishments is too long to post here. She is Doctor Jamie McManus, MD and her book is called, Your Personal Guide To Wellness with the subtitle of What Your Doctor Doesn’t Have Time To Tell You. It too is designed to help you understand the benefits of proper nutrition and how to prevent or at least reduce the risk of many illnesses.

The final book on today’s list is an easy to read and very informative book by Doctor Steven A. Komadian, MD. His book is called, Born To Be Healthy And Thin.

Which is the best, going to the hospital and having your life saved from injuries caused by an auto accident, preventing the injuries or reducing their severity by wearing a seat belt, or not having the accident in the first place? All three are good but if you were asked which is best, which is not as good, and which is the least desirable you would have no problem sorting out the order. Health issues are much like this. Accidents will happen no matter how careful we are just as diseases will inflict people but those who have taken care of their bodies are the most likely to respond well to the treatment. Proper caution will greatly reduce the chances of an accident just as proper care of our bodies will help reduce the chances of having these illnesses.

These books will help you learn how you can reduce your risk. All four books are available at greatly reduced prices by going to http://www.billslittleshop.com/ and entering the name of one of the books in the Amazon box and clicking it. Then enter the name of the next book you want in the search box at the top of the Amazon.com page.

These books will not keep you from dying because we are all born to die but wouldn’t it be much better to live active healthy lives while we are living and put off that undesirable visitor as long as possible?

HEART HEALTH 2

2007-04-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

Medical advancements over the past few years have been beyond belief. Less then one hundred years ago people died from infections and pneumonia then antibiotics was found. The last recorded case of wild smallpox occurred on October 26, 1977. One last victim was claimed by the disease in the UK in September 1978, when Janet Parker died from the illness. It was just 52 years ago when Dr. Jonas Salk found the serum to prevent polio. Today polio’s deadly threat is non existent. But when it comes to heart disease it has become the number one killer in the United States of America. When those other illnesses were killing heart disease was so unusual that medical school students sometimes had to travel many miles so they could see a heart patient.

There have been outstanding progress made in improving the life and giving more years of life to those who have heart problems but little has been done to prevent this killer from attacking. When you speak to your doctor about herbal products that may help you will probably be told you are wasting your money but there have been legitimate tests that show some herbs do help reduce the risk of heart disease, garlic is one herb that is proven to help. As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth more then a pound of cure.”

One man that has done wonders in developing a product that will help make the risk of heart disease much less is Doctor Louis J. Ignarro.

In 1998 Dr. Ignarro along with Robert F. Furchogott and Ferid Murad shared in the reception of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research and discovery concerning nitric oxide’s use as a cardiovascular signaling molecule. Dr Ignarro is a Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology at the UCLA School of Medicine. He is a man who should be respected by the whole medical field as creditable. He is not some weirdo who has come up with some off the wall idea.

Out of his research Dr. Ignarro has developed a product called Niteworks® which is sold by Herbalife. Niteworks® helps keep blood vessels toned, flexible and youthful for improved circulation. It also supports healthy blood pressure, supports energy, circulatory and vascular health. Niteworks® is mixed with water and drunk just before going to bed. It has a very pleasant lemon flavor. This product increases the nitric oxide in the blood during night while you are sleeping. This is when the nitric oxide is at its lowest.

Niteworks® uses a unique blend of amino acids L-arginine and L-citrulline which trigger the cells to produce and recycle a higher level of nitric oxide then would be available without using this product. You may find L-arginine sold in your local health department of your department store with claims that it will increase your nitric oxide, and it will, but without the L-citrulline the life span for the L-arginine is so short that it does not have time to help much.

If you would like to learn more about this product go to http://herbal-nutrition.net/productdetail.php3?username=41good-life&product_id=0036 you can also learn a lot more by reading Dr. Ignarro’s book NO MORE HEART DISEASE. The book can be found for $11.86 by going to http://www.billslittleshop.com/ and enter NO MORE HEART DISEASE in the Amazon.com search box in the keyword portion. There may also be some used books available at that same site for even less.

Take care of your heart so it can take care of you.

HEART HEALTH 1

2007-04-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

Up to now this blog has been mostly about weight loss but this week I want to start giving a little information about keeping a healthy heart. Being overweight does put extra strain on the heart but even thin people, some who have never had a problem with weight, can experience a diseased heart.

The information I have given and will give will not keep you from your appointment with death. What I am trying to do is give you some information that will help you to delay that appointment for as long as possible. Not only are these suggestions designed to help put off that appointment to a latter date but also to help you have a healthier life and thus a good life until that appointment is reached.

Heart disease is still the number one killer in the United States of America and, though I do not have statistics, I am sure the same is true of many and probably most of the other industrial nations.

There are many contributing factors to this phenomenon. One is that we have a tendency to be less active. Another is we have more stress. Combine these factors with our diet of high fat, sugar, and carbohydrates while our diet is low in nutrition and fiber and if all that was not enough there is the pollutants that are in the air, water, and food. It is a wonder we live as long as we do.

There are things we can do to reduce our risk and we don’t have to move to an uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean (I m not really sure how much that would help anyway.). Now there are the obvious ones that we all know which include losing weight, stop smoking, avoid being around people who are smoking, reduce stress, and avoid excessive use of alcohol. All of these things I highly recommend but over the next few weeks this blog will try to provide some lesser known helps.

Actually my past posts have given some solutions that will help. One that I keep saying over and over is make sure your weight loss program is a safe one. Don’t lose weight to fast. So often I hear people say they want to lose the weight as fast as they can but one danger of that is, and I have said this before, if you lose weight to fast you will lose muscle mass and you want to lose fat not muscle. Well the heart is just one big muscle and how much of that can you afford to lose?

I have written on phytonutrients and they too will help reduce heart related risks.

Next week I want to tell you about a man who I believe has made one of the most significant findings to help reduce the risk of heart disease. He is not some quack selling snake oil but a well renowned medical professor in a highly accredited medical school. This man won a Nobel Prize for his work. Come back next week and find out who this is and what he has done and invite a friend.

A LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT SWEETNERS

2007-04-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

Many people who are using artificial sweeteners in place of sugar to lower their calorie count may be doing just the opposite.

Artificial sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners can confuse the brain. When a person eats something with sugar, natural or processed, in it the enzymes in the mouth primes the cell receptors to prompts brain to tell the body to release insulin and give an energy surge. So because the sweet taste has signals the brain to expect a sugar rush and if there is no sugar for the insulin to work on the brain does not get the boost for which it was triggered and thus it causes a craving for sweets or carbohydrates to fill that void. It has been found that some people will eat up to three times the amount of calories in carbohydrates then they would have received if they had just used sugar to begin with.

Again we come back to the same old song that has been repeated over and over here. Everybody is different. The sweeteners do not affect everybody the same way and non-nutritive sweeteners do help some people while they hinder others.

If you find that you are having problems with carbohydrate cravings and you are using artificial sweeteners you might try switching to fructose. Even though fructose has calories it may help you satisfy the sugar the body is expecting and still maintain a healthy alternative to white sugar. Something else you might try is Stevia. Stevia is a natural sweetener that does not have the calories of sugar or even fructose. Some find that Splenda works well for them.

DO YOU KNOW THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY

2007-04-04T22:34:00.000-07:00

This statement was attributed to Dr. Albert Einstein, “insanity is continuously doing the same thing and expecting different results.” It is so simple why would it take such a great mind to think of it?

When it comes to weight control people keep trying the same thing over and over and expect success then they are surprised when they fail again. They cut back on calories or increase their exercise. I know some people who use the point counting system and after a measure of success they go back to their old habits and back comes the weight with a little extra.

Many times the program they use is not providing all the nutrition they need or it may have some health threat.

There are many who have used the ShapeWorks program with continuing success. Personally I have seen great a improvement in my health. My immune system seems to be far superior to what it was before Herbalife. I have been able to lose the weight and keep it down.

Some people feel it is expensive but my grocery costs have dropped even when I include the cost of the shake mix. At full price the shake mix is $32.75 for two weeks supply and the Personalized Protein mix is $28.50 also a two week supply. So that equals $122.50 for 56 meal replacement. Now if you are interested you can get the same product with a 35% discount so the monthly cost would be $79.62 or about $2.44 a day. There will be shipping and handling along with tax which will increase the cost some. If you would like to know how to get the supplies and save 35% contact me at goodlife@veriuni.com and use ShapeWorks inquiry for the subject line so I won’t think it is spam. If you would like to order directly at full price go to http://herbal-nutrition.net/41good-life and enter ShapeWorks in the product search. Then click “ShapeWorks Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix - 750g ” which is choice 4. At the bottom of the page just under the price there is a drop down box. This box will allow you to choose 1 of 6 different flavors. Inter ShapeWorks again in the product search box and you will be taken back to the product information page. This time click on choice 1 “ShapeWorks Formula 3 Personalized Protein Powder.”

If you want I will give you a phone call and explain the system and stay with you as your personal weight coach for as long as you need.

Diet Pills

2007-03-28T16:42:00.000-07:00

Back in the sixties and seventies there was a diet aid called AYDS. I have not seen it for many years but it was very common for at least a decade. The principle behind the product was that you eat a caramel like cube with a hot drink before meals. This cube was to make you feel full and thus you would not eat as much and then lose weight. I thought I would give them a try to help me lose weight. Being over weight has been a problem for me as far back in my 64 years as I can remember. When I used the Ayds they worked just the reverse for me. I have never felt so hungry before or sense. And it was not just once it was every time I tried a total of about three times.

Other people used the same product and they had great results. We are all different.

Today there are more diet pills on the market then you can count. Diet product are big money. Just take a pill and make no changes in what you are eating and you will lose weight! Hog wash; you can not safely lose weight if you don’t change your life style. The big question is do they work at all?

There are several different claims about how their product works. There are the fat burners. Others claim their product will reduce hunger or reduce your craving for sweets. There are the others which tell you that being overweight is not your fault it is all caused by stress (there is medically proven truth that stress does add to the difficulty of losing weight.) They say if you just take a pill to reduce the cortical created by your body then you will lose weight and if they do reduces the cortical then they should help but that does not mean you will not have to change your eating habits.

I have tried several of these just to see if they worked. I could not perceive any effect. Now I sell Herbalife and Herbalife makes “Total Control” and “Snack Defense”, the first burns fat, reduces hunger, and increases metabolism while the second helps by reducing the user’s desires for sweets. It would be natural for me to say they were the only ones that helped but I won’t say that because they didn’t help me either.

Now we go back to the beginning, Aids did not work for me but others were helped. I have had people tell me that “Total Control” and “Snack Defense” really helped them a lot so I can’t say, just because they didn’t work for me, they are no good.

The U S Food and Drug Administration recently, according to a news report, have come to the conclusion that they don’t help. That should settle the matter. But these are the same people that say Stevia can not be sold as a sweetener but it can be sold as a food supplement. What does Stevia do for our food? Only one thing; it sweetens it. Stevia is a naturally sweet plant sap that has no calories.

The only thing I can really say with certainty about diet pills is you have to be very careful when using them. They are not always safe. Over the years there have been many people who have died when using weight loss products, most of them in the form of a pill.

If you change your diet from bad foods to good foods and increase your physical activity while reducing your calorie intake you will lose weight and you will not need these pills.

Now this may bring up the question about the ShapeWorks shake meal replacement. First the ShapeWorks shakes are very nutritional which is to say they are good food. Its use will improve the quality of food intake for almost everybody. Something most Herbalife distributors will not tell you until you are on the product is that when you use this program you need to consider what are you going to do when you reach your desired weight? If you plan to stop using the shakes when you reach the target weight then I recommend you not use this program because you will just gain the weight back when you go back to your old ways. But if you are willing to go to one shake a day replacing one meal to maintain your weight and if your weight starts to go up return to two shakes until you stabilize your weight then it is a safe healthy and effective program. (Then I wonder why I can’t sell.)

“Update - On December 22, 2005 the FDA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (notice) for over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestant and weight control products containing phenylpropanoloamine preparations. This proposed rule reclassifies phenylpropanolamine as nonmonograph (Category II) not generally recognized as safe and effective. Written and electronic comments and new data can be submitted by March, 22, 2006”.(from http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/ ) phenylpropanolamine was the active ingredient in Ayds.

How to Get 25 Grams of Soy Protein

2007-03-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

Last week’s article was on why soy protein is better then other protein sources. If you have not read that post I would suggest you bring it up and read it before you read this one.

I did tell you in last weeks some ways you could get the recommended 25 grams of protein then at the end I said I would give you another way to get the 25 grams this week.

If you are on the Herbalife ShapeWorks program then you are probably already getting the recommended 25 grams if you are using the Personalized Protein Powder. If you are on some other two shakes a day program then you may be getting your 25 grams of soy protein and you may not.

Not all shake mixes are the same. Check the Nutritional Facts and the ingredients on the label. Soy protein should be the first ingredient you see. Something else you might see in the ingredients is sugar or even worse high fructose which is really just corn syrup. You may find fructose which is natural fruit sweetener and is the best sweetener with calories you can use when you are on a weight management program. Honey is just about the same quality as fructose but it will add flavor which may not go with what ever you are sweetening.

Something else you should see on the label is Aminogen. Aminogen contains protein enzymes that will help the body assimilate dietary proteins. If it does not contain Aminogen then you are not getting the full benefit of the product.

The recommended amount of ShapeWorks shake mix is two scoops which equals 9 grams of soy protein. If it is mixed in soy milk in place of the non fat cow’s milk will add 6 to 7 grams of soy protein. The Herbalife Personalized Protein powder will add another 5 grams.

So if you use soy milk with two scoops of shake mix in two shakes each day you will get 30 to 34 grams of soy protein when you use the non fat milk and the Personalized Protein Powder you will get 28 grams. Getting more then 25 grams is ok in fact the 25 grams is the minimum daily recommended amount so more just gives you more of the benefits and there are no negative factors.

If I had written this last week that would have been the end of this post but I just learned of another product sold by Scriptures. It is soy protein which I thought was going to be like the Herbalife soy protein. The Herbalife soy protein is 12.7 oz for $28.50 and Scriptures soy protein is $16.50 for 16 oz. I thought that in itself is a real savings so I bought it to try it.

I found out that the Scriptures soy protein has 110 calories per tablespoon and Herbalife’s has 20 calories per table spoon. That looked bad until I read on. Herbalife has 5 grams of soy protein per tablespoon and Scriptures has27 grams of soy protein. If you reduce the Scriptures protein powder to one third of a tablespoon or one teaspoon then you have 32.2 calories and 9 grams of soy protein. This will now give you 45 servings of the Scriptures soy protein to 14 of the Herbalife soy protein. Scriptures products can be seen at http://scrip.cc/shopsite_sc/index.html .

Why is Soy Protein Better?

2007-03-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

Sense 1977 there have been claims that soy protein was better then other sources of protein. The first question is: “Is it true?” In 1999 FDA allowed the health claims on food labels stating that a daily diet containing 25 grams of soy protein may reduce the risk of heart disease, it also allowed claims that it was low in saturated fat and cholesterol. If the FDA says it then it must be true; well maybe but I am not so sure. The thing is that many other independent researchers have come to the same conclusion.

Soy protein has all the amino acids needed to build a healthy human body; this is something that other sources of plant protein do not possess. While it has all the amino acids we need it does not have as much fat content as meat. Those two facts alone make soy protean an excellent choice.

Animal protein does not contain any phytonutrients but soy protein is high in phytonutrients including isoflavones which believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Soy protein also helps to lower the LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood while raising the level of HDL (good cholesterol).

How to get 25 grams of soy protein is the next problem to solve. Here is a list of four ways to get that and more: Four ounces of firm tofu contains about 13 grams, one soy sausage link will yield 6 grams of protein while one soy burger will provide 10 to 12 grams, and for 19 grams of soy protein you could eat a quarter cup of roasted soy nuts. So you can two sausage links with breakfast, and a quarter of a cup of soy nuts as a snack during the day and you will have 31 grams of soy protean. One soy burger and one serving of soy nuts would equal 29 to 31 grams of soy protean.

Some people try to take soy supplements and that may be okay if they are high quality supplements but most of the time people pick up the cheapest brand they can fine. Cheap supplements do not provide the answer because you can’t really be sure how much of the desired elements these products actually contain and you don’t know what else might be in them. Pharmaceutical quality supplements are more expensive but you can be sure of the quality and quantity.

If you are going to go to the trouble of taking supplements then you should do it right that means taking high quality products. Cheap product may not give you the results you want and they may be more detrimental then beneficial.

I will tell you of another way to get your 25 grams of soy protean next week.