May 25, 2008

Is Ephedra a Miracle Cure?

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 2:08 am

Americans are buzzing about the FDA’s recent decision to reverse the ban on ephedra and ephedrine supplements in the United States. Known as the “world’s oldest medicine,” ephedra has been used for thousands of years for its variety of healing properties. While ephedra is not a cure-all, it is successfully used in treating hundreds of afflictions, including some that may surprise you.

When the average person hears the word “ephedra” they generally think of two things: “weight loss” and “banned.” The millions of people who have safely used ephedra to burn fat and lose weight were devastated when the U.S. ephedra ban was imposed in early 2004. The FDA was claiming a high death rate attributed to use (or misuse) of ephedra and ephedrine (the main “active” ingredient in the ephedra plant). However, further research showed that only five of these deaths could be attributed to ephedra use, so the ban was lifted. To put the number of adverse events into perspective, consider that over 12 million people reportedly used ephedra during 1999.

Ephedra has thermogenic qualities, which means it can be used to speed up the body’s metabolism. This natural increase in metabolism is what results in virtually effortless weight loss and has earned ephedra the nickname “miracle fat burner.” Unlike other weight loss products on the market, ephedra helps the body retain lean muscle mass. The thermogenic qualities of ephedra also improve the body’s ability to eliminate toxins (through urine and sweat), which can reduce unnecessary water retention.

What you may not know is that the ephedra plant has been used to treat a number of respiratory and circulatory conditions, including asthma, allergies (such as hay fever) and the common cold. Ephedrine, or the synthetic equivalent called pseudoephedrine, can be found in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, including Sudafed. Ephedra is a vasodilator, which means it relaxes (or dilates) blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily, and allows nasal passages to open wider. In Chinese medicine, ephedra has been used for thousands of years to increase blood flow and improve circulation.

Athletes have used ephedra for centuries, since it helps build muscle and burn fat. Many people report increased energy and stamina while using ephedra, which increases overall athletic performance.

Ephedra is generally considered safe when adhering to the recommended doses. Since ephedra is a very powerful and effective supplement, you should check with your physician before using ephedra if you have any of the following conditions: anxiety, high blood pressure, glaucoma or heart disease. Do not take ephedra if you are pregnant or lactating. It’s recommended to check with your physician before beginning any weight loss program.

Since the ban was lifted so recently, only one company currently offers ephedra supplements online, and they may be found at http://www.BetaFuelDirect.com.

Amy Grant is an avid fitness enthusiast who enjoys scuba diving, photography, and empowering people to achieve their goals.

May 14, 2008

Getting the Most Out of Your Supplements and Yourself

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 5:39 pm

Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?

Here are a few reasons why you might not be feeling results.

1. You need to take more times a day. 3 pills all at once doesn’t work as well as one 3 x day. Its like food, you use it up and need more later for continual repair and wellness. Take it the product 3 x day and no less than twice for sure.

2. You may not be assimilating it. So should get on a manna cleanse supplement or even an herbal intestinal cleanse for a while. Check with your nutritonal source for one that they have good results using. Also take enzymes with your meals or with your supplements to help your body digest them better. You can also take Chinese herbs to build up your digestion. So to recap clean out elimination system, and enhance your digestive system for better assimilation.

3. When symptoms persist,(particularily PMS or Menopausal symptoms) or disease states like fibromyalgia or MS, you need to get on a Candida detox program that gets the bad things eliminated. Once the fungus and yeast are gone, the supplement implications become very noticeable in your diet and stamina. We see this happen all the time.

4. If you have been exposed to colds or other people with weak immune systems and viruses, the supplements may be used to support your immune system instead of giving your relief in the area you wanted it. Stay with the nutritonal program and then they will see results again. The body works in different places at different times. It works in one place then in another and gradually builds up your body. You may feel like the supplement stopped in some areas for a while. Be patient as it may be saving your life by removing some toxins so it can repair and build up more tissue.

Same hold true with the immune response or healing crisis. If you have healing crisis, either the products are poison or you are full of poison. We know the products aren’t poisin! To have health and longevity, we have to eliminate the years worth of accumulations of toxins. This takes time.

5. Supplements help everyone whether they notice it or not. Do you notice your regular food making you feel particularly good? Of course not. Well try not eating it for a few days! Same with supplements. They are frequently missing nutrients from our diets that we are re-naturing back in to denatured food. Eat it long term for longevity. You can’t afford not to. If you live one year longer and your income is $40,000 a year, you can afford $40,000 worth of supplements in your lifetime and feel good every year!

Important Note: When writing this article it was assumed that the supplements the readers were using were pharmaceutical-grade nutraceuticals such as those that meet The Council for Responsible Nutrition’s guidelines. The advice given in this article may not apply to any other supplements.

Zach Thompson works internationally as a Glyconutritional Consultant. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural Virginia. He serves primarily the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, & New Zealand. His clients range from Professional & Olympic Athletes to those with auto-immune disease & children with Learning Disabilities. He uses exclusively Pharmaceutical-Grade
Glyconutritonals, & Dietery Supplements that meet or exceed the criteria set forth by The Council for Responsible Nutrition in his practice. The consumption of Organic & chemical-free foods along with a low-glycemic diet plan is an integral part of of his clients path to wellness. You can get more information at: http://www.myglyconutrientstore.com .

May 4, 2008

How Food Affects Mood

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 1:45 pm

Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our mood

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” wrote the eminent Greek physician Hippocrates during the dawn of western medicine. We took his advice. Thousands of years later we use chicken soup to nourish our bodies, yet we question whether the right food choices can heal our mind. Some people are sure.

Inspired by personal experience, Amanda Geary founded the UK’s Food and Mood Project in 1998. “I started the Food and Mood Project following from my own experience of recovery from depression where I noticed that what I was eating was having an effect on my emotional and mental health,” says Geary. “In 1998 I won an award from Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity, to start the Project and help others to explore the links between what we eat and how we feel.”

The Food and Mood Project is extensive. Geary’s fascination with the relationship between nutrition and mind has prompted a website, www.foodandmood.org, online support group, handbook, posters and large-scale survey. This recruited 200 individuals between the ages of 26 and 55 who lived in London or SE England. The results were substantial. Says Geary: “From the Food and Mood Survey results, those using this form of self-help found that cutting down or avoiding potential food stressors like sugar (80%), caffeine (79%), alcohol (55%) and chocolate (53%) and having more food supporters like water (80%), vegetables (78%), fruit (72%) and oil rich fish (52%) had the most beneficial effects on mental health.”

Moderating Stress Foods

For many the knowledge of food and mood is restricted to word of mouth and stigma. Consider turkey’s apparent sleep inducing power. Many Thanksgiving dinners end with a nap or at the very least, droopy eyelids. Though the tryptophan in turkey seems to be the culprit, our sluggishness is really due to overeating. Though tryptophan does elevate the brain’s sleep-inducing serotonin, it does so in very small amounts. The true cause? An overflow of mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie and alcohol which shifts blood away from the brain and down to the digestive tract.

The connection between food and mood is not black and white. Some foods are both healing and stressful. Caffeine and chocolate provide initial exhilaration. Caffeine improves focus and stimulates motivation. Pleasant, until the crash that follows. Chocolate also gives us mixed results. It is laden with sugar and fat, yet full of cell protecting, disease killing antioxidants. These are called flavanols. Two studies published in the Lancet suggest that these flavanols decrease LDL cholesterol, the “bad” type of cholesterol responsible for clogging arteries. Pure cocoa has the highest levels of flavanols while milk chocolate has the lowest.

The chemical responsible for chocolate’s uplifting effect is called phenylethylamine (phenyl-ethyl-amine). This is an essential amino acid, which is a component of protein. So though phenylethylamine is scary to pronounce it’s nothing to be afraid of, especially for expectant mothers.

An April 2004 article in New Scientist reports that stressed mothers who ate chocolate regularly throughout their pregnancy had happier babies. Two groups of women were studied before and after delivery, one group ate chocolate and the other abstained. Six months after delivery both groups were asked to rate their infant’s behavior. The chocolate-crunching mothers reported having babies that smiled and laughed more. But before you stock up on Cadbury’s bars, remember that tomatoes and fruit have as much or more of this happy chemical, and are far healthier. The key to gobbling benefits and not havoc is moderation. Most experts recommend 3-4 servings a week, ideally as a substitute for your regular dessert.

Jolts and Jitters

For many of us a jolt of java provides a more upbeat morning. This is an illusion. All our morning brew really does is stop the withdrawl symptoms that started in our sleep. Even one cup a day drinkers will experience these as headache, irritability, lack of focus and fatigue. For heavier users caffeine withdrawl can be crazy making, according to the October 2004 issue of Psychopharmacology. After review of 66 studies spanning over 170 years, it was concluded that the more severe forms of caffeine withdrawal merit classification as a psychiatric disorder. So should we stay on the brew for life to avoid this? Not so. This only happens to one in eight people, with the disorder peaking between days two and nine. Even for these unfortunate folks this short-term madness is worth it. The benefits of being caffeine free include improved sleep and increased energy.

Caffeine is sneaky. It worms its way into painkillers, colas, tea and chocolate. The healthiest source of caffeine is tea, which has half that of brewed coffee. BBC Health estimates that the average UK resident will consume 80,000 cups of tea during their life. Despite its caffeine this is a boon rather than a bother. Though much research focuses on the health benefits of green tea, in many ways black tea is comparable. English Breakfast and Earl Grey are examples of black tea. Both types are filled with antioxidants. These protect our cells and have been studied for their cancer preventing effects.

A 1998 study at the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine in Beijing found that people at risk for mouth cancer who were given black tea for six months were slower to actually develop the disease than those who abstained. More recently the United States Department of Agriculture tested the effect of black tea on cholesterol. The six-week study tested healthy individuals who drank five cups of black tea daily and an equal amount that unknowingly drank fake tea. The results, published in the 2003 issue of The Journal of Nutrition, showed that the tea drinker’s LDL cholesterol dropped between 7 and 11 percent.

Carb Highs and Lows

We can’t avoid sugar. Even without a drop of honey, molasses, syrup and sugarcubes, this sweet delight finds us. Fruit sugar, or fructose, affects our bodies in a similar way as table sugar. So do carbohydrates. Diabetics and those familiar with Atkins are aware of the glycaemic index or GI. Put simply, this measures how quickly a food can raise our blood sugar. Since blood sugar triggers the release of insulin diabetics are constantly watching their carbs. Yet we without this or other insulin-disorders still endure carbohydrate confusion. Since insulin drives blood sugar into the cells and prevents fat breakdown in the body, high carbohydrate, or high GI foods are considered fattening. Yet carbohydrates are the brain’s main source of energy. What do we do?

The trick to managing carbohydrates is planning. Eating a variety of low GI foods through the day improves mood, heightens energy and reduces weight. The latter is a result of helping us feel fuller for longer. Foods scoring below 50 on the glycaemic index release their sugars slowly, giving us vigor instead fatigue. Alternately, we can reduce the impact of a high GI food by eating it in combination with healthy low GI foods and protein. We can also eat more wholegrain breads. These slow down carbohydrate digestion. Preliminary studies show that the Omega-3 fatty acids from fish have the same effect. Slower digestion has many benefits. Stable blood sugar helps us avoid those not-so-sweet lows after a sugar high.

Though carbohydrates initially boost our mood by activating the feel-good brain chemical serotonin, they produce a quick and shocking crash. The dramatic lowering of serotonin can cause sleepiness, hostility and depression. The latter is most extreme. For proof of the relationship between depression and blood sugar, we need only to ask Diabetes UK. “Research indicates a direct link between people with mental health problems and diabetes. People with diabetes are twice as likely to become depressed,” states Penny Williams, care advisor for Diabetes UK. This depression often results in changing behavior including alterations in diet. With less attention to sugar levels the depression worsens. It’s a sad spiral. Says Williams: “We encourage people with diabetes to manage their condition with a healthy diet and lifestyle. For people with mental illness, making the necessary lifestyle changes can be hard.”

Protein Perky

Protein is far less controversial than carbs. The right amount of protein at the right time is the way to stay upbeat and active. Protein is composed of many amino acids. Though ideally we should fill our brain with all of them, the one crucial one for energy is called tyrosine. Tyrosine is needed for the production of dopamine and norepinephrine. These help us keep focused, energized and motivated. Tyrosine effects our mood in multiple ways. By keeping our thyroid gland and its hormones active it helps regulate metabolism. Through this our stamina and mental clarity improve. Tyrosine is found in most proteins, but the best sources are sunflower seeds, beans, bananas, almonds, fish, eggs, soy products and dairy. If you “focus” you’ll find that the effects of eating protein peak 2-3 hours after eating and are strongest when eaten alone.

Before concerns about contamination, fish was regarded as one of the healthiest sources of protein. Why? Herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna and salmon are rich in omega-3s. These are essential fatty acids (EFA’s). Though we call these acids “fatty” they do not increase how many stone we are. However, EFA’s will elevate our mood and increase emotional stability. 22 percent of the people surveyed by The Food and Mood Project reported that an EFA supplement “definitely helped” emotional or mental health. This is more than hearsay. Researchers began investigating the ability of omega-3’s to effect mood after they noticed that depression is common in people with heart disease, and that low levels of omega 3’s are found in both groups.

More support for fish emerged at the 2004 meeting of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids congress in Brighton. Omega 3’s are called such because there are three different varieties. BBC News, who covered the gathering, reports member Dr. Ray Rice as saying: “People who eat a lot of fish are generally healthier, mentally and physically, than non-fish eaters.” How much is enough? According to the Food Standards Agency, on average, people in the UK eat a third of a portion (about 47g) of oily fish a week. They recommend two servings of fish a week, with one being oily.

Vegetarians will cheer to know that fish isn’t the only good source of omega 3’s. Dark leafy green vegetables, flaxseed, walnuts and seaweed all contain linolenic acid that the body converts to the same type of omega-3 found in fish.

Making Changes Last

It can feel difficult to turn from comfort foods to controlled eating. Plus if we eliminate too much to fast we risk losing crucial nutrition. So what do we do? “The approach I describe in The Food and Mood Handbook is about making step-by-step changes to what you eat, observing and assessing the effects, and then deciding for yourself what changes are appropriate to implement for the longer term,” reveals Geary.
“Although respondents views were mixed on whether these changes were easy or difficult to make, for many the tangible benefits made the effort worthwhile.”

Although changing our dietary habits can be tough it can be done. Ironically, having more food available may help. Geary reports that “it is found that eating regular meals and snacks, not missing breakfast and being prepared by carrying snacks with you, were the best strategies for mentally health eating.”

Galina Pembroke is publisher and editor-in-chief of New View magazine. New View magazine offers articles on self-help, health, animal rights and more. Visit http://www.nuvunow.ca

April 10, 2008

7 Health Benefits of Green Tea

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 12:51 pm

Want to enhance your health in surprising ways? Drink green
tea.

We’re not talking about a new health discovery here. This
beverage has been used for thousands of years by the
Chinese. It has proved itself for centuries as worthy of being
included in our diet for its health properties.

Not only has this drink been endorsed for ages, but modern
science also has discovered astonishing facts about what
it may be able to do for your health.

There are a lot more benefits to drinking green tea than are listed
below, but here are seven:

1. Drink it to help shed extra pounds.

A study published by the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition in November, 1999, is encouraging. It shows that
this drink may enable people to burn more calories.

2. This ancient brew may help combat signs of aging.

That’s because it contains large amounts of vitamins E and
C which are antioxidants. Antioxidants have the reputation
of being able to combat free radicals that damage cells.
Cancer, heart attacks and diabetes can result from damaged
cell membranes.

In April, 1999, researchers at Case Western Reserve
University in Cleveland revealed that green tea may ease the
symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

3. This drink may help asthma sufferers.

Because it contains theophylline (a muscle relaxant), it can
help the muscles surrounding bronchial tubes to relax. This
helps asthma sufferers to breathe with less restriction.

4. Green tea may help lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure makes you susceptible to heart attack
and stroke. This ancient brew may also keep blood clots from
forming.

5. Green tea has been reported to help in the fight against
cancer.

Doctors from the prestigious Mayo Clinic found that green
tea extract given to four leukemia patients seemed to help
three of them experience regression of the disease. And even
the fourth patient showed some improvement. The reason the
doctors tried green tea extract is that a 2004 test tube
study showed that leukemia cells were killed by the
extract.

By the way, in Japan there are fewer reported cancer deaths.
Could it be because the Japanese drink a lot of green tea?

6. Drinking this beverage my help lower cholesterol.

Lowering cholesterol with no side effects has been reported
in studies using green tea. Your ability to fight heart
disease and ward off stroke is tied in with your cholesterol
count.

7. This brew may help your body fight infections.

The New York Times reported in April of 2003 that the immune
system’s ability to fight disease may be strengthened by
drinking green tea. Microbiologist Milton Schiffenbauer,
professor at Pace University (New York) stated, “Our
research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that
causes disease. If we can stimulate the immune system and at
the same time we are destroying the organisms then it makes
sense to drink more tea.”

Now that you’ve learned 7 ways green tea has been shown to
help your health, why not give it a place in your daily
diet? It’s not a magic cure, but this proven ancient
beverage may just help you to be healthier.

Patricia Wagner - EzineArticles Expert Author

Patricia Wagner offers informative tips and a newsletter to
help you live a more energetic lifestyle. Learn more about adding healthy foods to your life at A to Z Wellness website.

March 18, 2008

Omega 3 Benefits And Best Omega 3 Sources

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 10:30 am

Omega 3 benefits are wide-ranging and proven by clinical studies. Understanding the best Omega 3 sources means you can include more of these healthy foods in your daily meal planning. From heart health to depression treatment to pregnancy health, Omega 3 benefits are too good to ignore if you are interested in health.

What are Omega 3’s and what are the best Omega 3 sources? The Omega 3 essesential fatty acids (EFA’s) are polyunsaturated fats or the so-called “good fats”. These desirable fats cannot be made by the human body, so they must be obtained from foods or supplemental sources. These fats are required for normal development of the brain, eyes and nerve tissue in humans. Clinical studies show that Omega 3 benefits come primarily from DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

The best Omega 3 sources are animal foods, not plant sources. For example, flaxseed is a source, but the body must convert the flax oil Omega 3 into DHA and EPA. This can be difficult for unhealthy or elderly persons. Three of the top Omega 3 sources are cold-water fish oil, grass-fed red meat and natural eggs. Omega 3 oils provide DHA and EPA in a natural form that your body can easily assimilate. No conversion is required by the body. Most of the clinical studies on Omega 3 benefits are based on fish oils from consuming fish and fish oil supplements.

Here are Omega 3 benefits proven by clinical studies:

1. Improves Heart Health - fish oil and Omega 3 benefits include reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing the risk of heart-related sudden death and lowering unhealthy triglyceride levels. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week for healthy persons and one serving per day of fish or fish oil supplement containing at least 900mg of fish oil for persons with heart disease.

2. Improves Mood - persons suffering from mood disorders such as depression benefit from fish oil supplementation and Omega 3. The lack of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA) has been linked by researchers to depression.

3. Reduces Risk of Developing Altzheimer’s Disease - clinical studies suggest that fish oil and DHA may protect the nervous system in humans.

4. Improves Memory and Brain Function - DHA and fish oil have been proven to stimulate memory and the ability to learn. Research has shown that mothers who take supplemental DHA during their pregnancy and lactation may increase their baby’s IQ.

5. Reduces Allergies - fish oil protects against the symptoms of hay fever, sinus infections, asthma, certain food allergies and allergic skin conditions like hives and eczema.

6. Reduces Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms - Omega 3 benefits come from the EPA and DHA in fish oil that reduce the amount of compounds causing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis.

7. Improves Eye Health - consuming fish oil is related to lowered risk of developing age related macular degeneration, an increasing common eye disease in people over 50.

8. Reduces PMS Symptoms in Women - Omega 3 is converted into substances called ‘prostaglandins type-3′ that control contractions of the uterus, which cause the cramping.

9. Improves Skin and Hair Health - fish oil helps protect the skin against damage from UV exposure, and skin disorders such as psoriasis can consider fish oil supplenentation a treatment option.

10. Lowers Cancer Risk - studies on Omega 3 benefits have linked lowered risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer to the consumption of fish oil.

Besides adding cold-water fish to meal planning, an easy way to enjoy Omega 3 benefits is by adding fish oil supplementation to your diet. Protect yourself from health problems related to the lack of the essential fatty acids DHA and EFA. The best of the Omega 3 sources is high-quality fish oil. However, it must be pure and totally free from contaminants. Read as much as you can about even more fish oil benefits that provide an amazing array of health benefits.

Copyright 2005 Infosearch Publishing

See Omega 3 clinical studies at www.safemenopausesolutions.com/omega-3-controlled-studies.html and find reliable sources of high quality fish oil. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural health articles and resources.

February 3, 2008

An Apple a Day, Does Keep the Doctor Away

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 12:00 am

Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to: reduce your
cholesterol, reduce your hunger, lower your fat absorption, reduce surges in insulin levels, help with weight loss, lower the risk of colon cancer, and lower your risk of heart disease. WOW! Sounds like a miracle cure - where can I get this stuff? The answer: At your grocery store.

Old Ben Franklin, citing in Poor Richard’s Almanac 250 years ago stated “An
apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well he was right. Not only because the
apple contains vitamins and minerals, but also because it is a major source
of fiber. Maybe three apples a day keeps three doctors away!

What is fiber? Well, it is basically indigestible complex carbo-hydrates
that come from plant foods. What your Grandma called “roughage” is called
fiber by scientists. When you look at some food labels, fiber is often
listed under carbohydrates - but it is not a single food or substance and by
itself has no calories because your body cannot absorb it.

There are actually two types of fiber and they have different health
benefits. The two types are “water soluble” and “water insoluble”. Soluble
fibers include the skins of fruits such as apples, oranges (not the orange
peel, but the white material after you peel it), pears, peaches and grapes;
the skins of vegetables, seeds; oat bran, dried beans, oatmeal, barley, rye,
and prunes. Insoluble fibers include the meat of fruits and vegetables,
dried beans, wheat bran, seeds, popcorn, brown rice, and whole grain
products such as breads, cereals, and pasta.

Bran of course does bulk up the diet and results in larger, softer stools.
But it actually does more than prevent constipation - there are clear data
showing that fiber also reduces the risk of colon cancers. The “stickiest”
kinds of fiber are the gums and pectins (soluble fiber) and they help keep
cholesterol under control by removing bile acids that digest fat. Bile
acids, which promote better digestion, unfortunately also contribute much to
the “reabsorption” from the bowel wall of our bodies own “home-made”
cholesterol. Every gram of fiber intake per day reduces your total blood
cholesterol by approximately one point. The same class of fibers may help
regulate blood sugar as well. This latter feat is accomplished by coating
the bowel’s lining and delaying stomach emptying. As a result, fiber can
slow sugar absorption after a meal and may reduce the amount of insulin
needed to keep blood sugar at the right levels. Reducing the over-production
of insulin is a major factor in reducing obesity.

Insulin “resistance” (abnormally high insulin levels) is common in very
obese patients and may be a factor in “obesity begets obesity”. Fiber is
also a weight watchers dream since fibers called cellulose and
hemicelluloses take up space in the stomach, making us feel full; thus
lowering total caloric intake at meal time. Popular agents such as Metamucil
are actually an important part of many weight reduction diets as they slow
down absorption of sugars taken in as part of most meals - promoting further
weight loss.

The average American gets only 14 grams of fiber per day in their diet. Most
scientists agree that the optimal amount is closer to 35 grams per day.
Increasing the consumption of “complex” carbo-hydrates is the best way to
increase fiber intake. Fiber supplements are also available at the grocery.
However, be aware that a large increase in your fiber intake over a short
period of time may result in bloating, diarrhea, gas and general discomfort.
It is important then to increase the fiber amount in your diet gradually
over a period of time (up to three weeks) to allow your “gut” to acclimated
and avoid abdominal side-effects.

Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974993387
&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=icobweb-20&creative=9325 or go to Empty Canoe Publishing http://www.emptycanoe.com and order your copy of The Way.

January 28, 2008

Favourable Effect of Raw Juice

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 4:13 pm

The favourable effect of raw juices in the treatment of disease is attributed to the following facts:

1. Raw juices of fruits and vegetables are extremely rich in vitamins, minerals, trace
elements, enzymes and natural sugars. They exercise beneficial effect in normalising all
the body functions. They supply needed elements for the body’s own healing activity and
cell regeneration, thereby speeding the recovery.

2. The juices extracted from raw fruits and vegetables require no digestion and almost all
their vital nutrients are assimilated directly in the bloodstream.

3. Raw juices are extremely rich in alkaline elements. This is highly beneficial in normalising
acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues as there is over-acidity in most conditions
of ill-health.

4. Generous amounts of easily assimilable organic minerals in raw juices especially calcium,
potassium and silicon help in restoring biochemical and mineral balance in the tissues
and cells, thereby preventing premature aging of cells and disease.

5. Raw juices contain certain natural medicines, vegetal hormones and antibiotics. For
instance, string beans are said to contain insulin-like substance. Certain hormones
needed by the pancreas to produce insulin are present in cucumber and onion juices.

Fresh juices of garlic, onions, radish, and tomatoes contain antibiotic substances.

To learn more about the energy principle in healing, please read:

Cost-free Miracle Asthma Cure
Overcome Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes Naturally
Alternative Treatments for Incurable Diseases made easy

January 25, 2008

Our Livers Need for Water

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 2:58 pm

Although many realize that the liver has its own cleansing system, it does need help - as it cannot maintain its healthy state if its being abused. Abuse occurs when too much of the wrong foods are entering the body.

The livers main role is to neutralize the wastes and toxins in the body. Toxins refer to “bad foods” that do more harm than good. Some of these “bad foods” are fried foods that are high in fat, caffeine and alcohol.

There is nothing wrong with eating these foods in moderation, however, too much of these unhealthy foods in the body can lead to low energy levels. These low levels are caused because the liver has to work much harder to break down the excessive amounts of “bad food” in the body and the liver is unable to continue processing the toxins at its optimum rate.

In order to avoid problems, drink plenty of water to assist the livers cleansing function by flushing out wastes. Water hydrates the body and allows the cells to stay healthy and active. This is necessary for the proper function of all bodily organs.

Try to eat green leafy vegetables and fruits and exercise is always recommended.

If you want more details on healthy lifestyle tips and at-home spa living, check out www.homespasecrets.com for free information on natural, healthy living.

Jan Johnson is the founder of http://www.homespasecrets.com offering free information on creating your own at-home spa on a dime. HomeSpaSecrets.com also offers healthy living tips and information.

January 21, 2008

Bitter Sweet Debate

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 1:35 pm

Why is it that we seem to be constantly bombarded with some new ‘health safety’ issue within the food chain these days? We live in a world of good fats, bad fats, trans fats, ultra low fat, low fat, ‘free,’ low carb, no carb, and sugar free. If a person further reads the labels, you may find it contains fructose, glucose, sucralose, maltitol, or manitol, all of which still affect blood sugars! Or it may contain something artificial such as splenda, or aspartame. I suppose that as long as there are trends, the food debate will likely never be exempt from controversy. In retrospect, if we were perfect human beings we would do everything in moderation and follow the Canada Food Guide every day.

We may all remember the sweetener called ’saccharin’ that was taken off the market in the seventies because it was another one of these cancer-causing agents in rats. Eventually it was not available but in the early 80’s it was soon replaced by NutraSweet, Equal, or Spoonful, which are all an Aspartame product. This was in the form of powder but could not be heated beyond certain temperatures or it would lose its sweetness. It could be added after the cooking process and was 200 times the sweetness of sugar. It soon became BIG in the soft drink industry, and then it was available in many ‘diet’ products such as gum, candy, cookies, syrups, ice cream, medicines, yogurt, and the list goes on. I believe it is presently being used in over 90 countries of the world but not without some serious health questions surfacing.

It amazes me how these products are referred to as ‘diet’! I will always recall the words of one of my son’s fine doctor, when we questioned him on the sweetener issue; “As a diabetic I would prefer to see you have ‘real’ sugar now and again as opposed to anything ‘diet’ that is artificial in any way”. This quote is what I found in my search to understand how this product was derived: “A bonding together of amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine to form dipeptide, further esterified with methanol”. In my understanding in plain English, what it really means is that they took the garbage out of real sugar to give us ‘artificial’ and in my view, anything that has ingredients in it that I cannot even pronounce should not be consumed!

On one end of the debate, the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations supports the fact that they have done all necessary research and testing before this product was put on the market. But in spite of all the scientific research declaring its safety, the media continues with negative allegations. I was astounded to first hear the words, ‘aspartame disease’, and the symptoms associated with it, as well as allegations that extended use of the product can lead to allergic reactions, headaches, rashes, seizures, poor diabetic control, cancer, blindness, lupus, and mimic of Multiple Sclerosis. Although this may sound severe, one has to wonder why then, a new movement called “Mission Possible” is out to remove aspartame completely from the food chain. Last report I found was showing over 800,000 signatures in its support. The information out there is endless, I could probably write my own book on what I have researched

In conclusion, I guess what it all boils down to is that anyone who consumes products sweetened artificially has to make that decision based on what and whom they want to believe. Our eating habits and body responses are as unique as we are, and it is our responsibility to be in tune with what those body responses are. If we suspect it makes us feel bad or we feel unsafe with the unknown, simply quit consuming it. For some of us, it may be the end to a Bittersweet Debate by allowing some sugar back into our diets.

Couldn’t get much sweeter than that!

December 26, 2007

Why Do You Need To Eat Tomatoes?

Filed under: Online Nutrition Resources — admin @ 9:30 am

Do you eat tomatoes? Of course you have known that tomatoes are now eaten easily around the world. You can find tomatoes everywhere as part of fruits and vegetables.

Some experts said that tomato is known as a source of power of nutrition, as it contains a large number of vitamins and minerals that can support our body’s health.

Tomatoes have been first cultivated in Peru, and then brought to Mexico. Now, tomatoes are sold everywhere. In American grocery stores, tomatoes are often picked unripe, and ripened in storage with ethylene.

Which one is better, unripe or ripe?

Tomatoes that are ripened in storage with ethylene, plant hormone produced by many fruits and acts as the cue to begin the ripening process, tend to stay longer, but have poorer flavor than tomatoes ripened on the plant. They may be recognized by their color, which is more pink or orange than the ripe tomato’s deep red.

Based on the nutrition content, red tomatoes have more vitamin A than green tomatoes. But in this case, green tomatoes have more protein.

If you eat tomatoes everyday, it is beneficial in preventing cancer to 50%. Tomatoes will fight different kinds of cancer and protect your heart from heart attack.

Why tomatoes are beneficial for health?

Tomatoes contain various kinds of ingredients. Here are some of them:

*Lycopene, one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. It is beneficial to fight different kind of diseases, most of all to fight cancer.

*Fiber in tomatoes prevents diabetes, asthma, colon cancer, and lowers the amount of cholesterol from the body.

*Vitamin C and A, antioxidants which fight free radical. They fight against aging, soothe skin and hair.

*Potassium, vitamin B6, folate, and niacin have proven effect in lowering cholesterol level, lowering blood pressure and works against heart disease.

*Vitamin K in tomatoes helps to build bone.

*Chromium and biotin make the body’s ability to process sugar and fat, which may improve fighting diabetes and help nerve function.

*Riboflavin helps with energy metabolism and fights against migraine headaches.

So, if you consume ripe, unripe or tomato-based food products (tomato sauce, tomato pasta etc.) all deliver many nutrients with multiple mechanisms of action to prevent you from different kinds of diseases.

About the author: Riana D. Lance writes about health in some publications. Twice a week she informs her health tips and knowledge in a newsletter. Subscribe to get your free twice a week newsletters so you can stay healthy for the rest of your life from Heathifica.com.

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