Latest

Vitamins and Supplements – 4 Super Foods to Eat

Eating healthily is getting more and more important for everyone. One important step that we can take is to eat foods that offer us the greatest benefit in meeting our health goals. There is a lot of advice out there but are there some food types that we really should include in our diet? All foods, even a deep fried Mars bar, have some nutritional value. But there are 4 that I think are so beneficial to your health that I call them ’super foods’. Read the list below to find out about them.

1. Salmon – (in fact, all fish are really good for you)

Every type of fish is a source of good quality minerals, vitamins, and protein. “Oily” fish such as salmon also contain a type of fat called omega 3 which are believed to reduce the incidence of blood clotting. In fact, certain studies have shown that consuming oily fish can dramatically reduce the risk of having a heart attack. Omega 3 fats can also help to reduce the incidence of depression.

2. Apples – (or any fruit)

There are over 7,500 varieties of apple grown throughout the world today. They are packed full with antioxidants and vitamin C for healthy skin and gums. Did you know that just one apple provides a quarter of your daily requirement of vitamin C? Apples also contain a type of soluble fibre called pectin. This can help to lower blood cholesterol levels and keeps your digestive system healthy.

An apple is a carbohydrate with a low GI (glycaemia index) rating. Low GI foods are digested into your system slowly. They are gradually absorbed into the blood stream as glucose once when they are finally broken down in the intestine. This causes a gradual rise in blood sugar levels.

They may even assist with weight control and also improve diabetic long term control of blood sugar levels.

3. Baked beans – honestly!

The humble, common, baked bean is a nutritional storehouse of protein. It is also a source of fibre, iron and calcium. They contain carbohydrates, like that in apples, of the low GI variety. Even the tomato sauce covering of baked beans is a good source of lycopene. This is a powerful antioxidant shown to help to prevent heart disease and even prostate cancer. Baked beans have insoluble fibre that is not digested but, rather, moves into the colon where bacteria act on it. This produces short chain fatty acids. Such fatty acids are believed to feed the colon lining which protects it from carcinogenic elements.

4. Bananas

Firstly, it is a complete myth that bananas are fattening. Yes, bananas are a bit higher in energy than other fruits, but those calories come mostly from carbohydrate. That makes them an excellent energy source for refuelling before, during or after completing exercise.

Bananas are packed full with potassium. This is very useful in helping to reduce blood pressure. They also contain vitamin B6 for a healthy skin and good hair.

All fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants. These are plant chemicals that are also known as phytochemicals. These antioxidants are thought to be very important in helping to protect cells in your body against damage caused by free radicals. In turn, this offers protection against heart disease and cancer.

Go ahead and use the above list to help improve your diet. Eating well is not boring but can be a delight. The key is to find quality produce that you enjoy and use it to make delicious meals. A good cook book can be a great help in creating great tasting menus.

Tags: blood, blood cholesterol levels, fish, low gi foods, Read, Salmon

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Nutrition | Comments (0)

Author

Profile


I'm a nurse in a fat lose hospital, i'd like to provide you a lot of tips about how to lose weight.

What is Another Name For Folic Acid? Discover the Crucial Role Vitamin B9 Has on Your Health!

The B complex vitamins are just a few of the essential nutrients your body needs everyday to be as healthy as it can be.

While all these nutrients are important, the B vitamins are nearer to the top of the priority list because they are the ones that help in blood building and energy. One B vitamin has particular influence on the blood. What is another name for folic acid? The vitamin that is influential in blood building? It’s Vitamin B9.

Folic acid, also the Vitamin B9, is responsible for helping in the production of red and white blood cells. The healthy manufacturing of these cells is required for a number of organ functions.

For these organs to be able to attend to normal function, they are going to need a constant supple of nutrients and oxygen, two of the very things that blood cells are responsible for delivering.

What happens when these blood cells are compromised? The biggest condition that occurs in this case is anemia. Anemia can arise in different levels, the worst being megaloblastic anemia in which the bone marrow red blood cells are in depletion. The lack of B12 is apparently the root cause.

When this happens, you begin to experience a high level weakness and fatigue. Making sure to include vitamin B9 and B12 into your daily dietary intake is one of the most important thing s you can do to prevent this kind of medical condition. These two complex B vitamins should always be coupled together.

The surest way to get folic acid and B12 is through a multivitamin supplement. You can get them in your food, but the supplies are going to be low due to loss of nutrients in food during cooking.

Scientists have also found that nutritional levels in food have been severely depleted because of farming practices using fertilizers, herbicides and other chemicals.

The best kind of multivitamin supplement also need to be the one that is formed following strict GMP guidelines. In this way, you can be assured you are actually getting benefit from the supplement’s ingredients.

You should also look for a few additional ingredients in your choice of multivitamin supplement. Natural ingredients that are in the form of herbal extracts should be some that you have in your supplement due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties some of these herbs carry.

Such herbal extracts are of the herbs bacopa, alfalfa, olive leaf, myrrh, and ginger. Making sure to take these in a multivitamin supplement is going to be the best way you can receive maximum health benefits.

What is another name for folic acid? Aside from being known as a folate and B9, it is also one of the greatest nutrients your blood needs to be healthy.

Tags: blood, red blood cells, supplement, white blood cells

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Nutrition | Comments (0)

What is the Correct Folic Acid Dose?

Taking the right dose of any vitamin or mineral is of the utmost importance. This is because even though these are nutrients that are good for you and your body must have them, too much of any one of them can cause medical issues to arise that in some cases could end up be life threatening.

The complex B vitamins are no different. Making sure that you take the right B vitamin and folic acid dose means being to get the best health benefits from these super nutrients.

What is the right amount of vitamins? You should first all of know that you need a certain amount of necessary vitamins and minerals on an everyday basis. You can’t get the best healthful benefits if you take the wrong dosage or if you skip doses.

Don’t expect the best help from any nutrient if you take it on a hit and miss basis. Making sure to take your supplement at the same time every day is the best way to get the most from it.

The folic acid dose that you will require is going to depend on your age and whether you are male or female. Usually, for the average healthy adult, a correct dose would be 400mcg daily. If you are female and pregnant, this dose rises to 600mcg.

This is due to to folic acid’s ability to help in preventing neural-tube birth defects. For nursing mothers, this dose moves to 500 mcg. Each of these doses are RDA for daily consumption.

You should make sure as well that you are taking a multivitamin supplement that is going to deliver those nutrients your body requires.

While there are hundreds of supplements out there under many different brands, the right one is the one manufactured under GMP guidelines while also including more than just vitamins and minerals.

The supplement that I have chosen and have found to be the one that has been responsible for a great improvement in my health is one that includes herbal extracts.

Not only does it have added benefits of these extracts, it also delivers a supply of amino acids, specialty nutrients, and enzymes that work in synergy for the best performance of all the ingredients.

The presence of herbal extracts from green tea, gingko biloba, grape seed, and black cumin is one of the reasons that my multivitamin supplement has made such a huge difference in the way I look and feel.

Tags: Don, dose, multivitamin supplement, necessary vitamins, supplement

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Nutrition | Comments (0)

The Benefits of Going Vegetarian

Vegetarianism is growing widely in popularity as a way to lose weight and as a means of preventing and treating many chronic diseases, as put forth by the American Dietetic Association. Vegetarian diets generally are distinguished by the change from animal protein to a variety of beans, legumes, and tofu. It is not to be confused with veganism which is where in addition to no meat being consumed, no dairy products or eggs are consumed either.

There are many studies proving that a vegetarian diet consisting of whole grain products, legumes, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds can help lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer. A 1997 study from the World Cancer Research Fund stated that we can significantly lower the risk of cancer by choosing a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes and avoiding grilled or smoked meats which contain carcinogenic substances.

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables included in your diet are also a great means of getting an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. There are many studies available to show that the increased intake of fruits and vegetables, such as those seen in vegetarian diets, result in a 24 per cent decrease in mortality from heart disease and 20 per cent decrease in total cholesterol. These types of results are astounding and only help to support the switch to a vegetarian lifestyle.

As vegetarians do not consume animal proteins, they effectively limit the amount of saturated fats they consume. Because of this, vegetarians tend to have lower BMI, body mass index, a decreased risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, and even dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Many people question the nutritional aspect of vegetarians – assuming that they don’t eat enough protein, are potentially iron deficient and have lower vitamin B levels. Needless to say, these concerns are unfounded. Vegetarians consume more than enough protein through vegetables sources, both complete and combined, to make up for the lack of animal protein. As long as they are eating a variety of vegetables, iron deficiency should not be an issue and vitamin B12 is available through dairy products and eggs.

That being said, a vegetarian diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds has a wide variety of health benefits which range from weight loss to cancer fighting properties. Along with a regular exercise program, vegetarianism may be the best diet choice.

Tags: american dietetic association, diet, vegetarian, whole grain products

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Nutrition | Comments (0)

Food Lover’s Fat Loss Diet – The Best Kind of Diet?

Many people do not even try to follow a weight loss plan because they think that they would have to give up eating their favorite foods by doing so. However, what they do not know is that there are many food lovers fat loss diet plans out there, that can help them shed the fat and here is just one example.

You don’t have to eat tasteless and boring foods if you want to shed off some pounds. You don’t have to eat oatmeal and whole wheat crackers all day long if you want burn fat. There are people out there who are living healthy lives and enjoying delicious food at the same time.

The Robert Ferguson Food Lovers Fat Loss Diet is made specifically for people who love food and really cannot give up eating delicious food just for the sake of losing weight. Eating delicious foods and weight loss seem to be at odds with each other. This diet plan though will prove that it doesn’t have to be that way. People can still lose weight and still enjoy the foods (in moderation) that they are very fond of.

The key is to eat foods that help burn fat. Yes, you’ve heard it right, there are foods that can actually help people lose weight. The foods suggested in this plan is safe even for diabetics and those who are concerned about their hearts.

Some experts even believe that severe restrictions are counterproductive because they only foster the feeling of deprivation which may lead to food binging and actually allowing your metabolism to crash. If you want to lose weight and still enjoy your favorite food you should practice the concept of moderation, which is a fundamental part of the Food Lovers Fat Loss diet plan.

Tags: fat loss diet, Food, food binging, Robert Ferguson Food, weight

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Diets, Fitness, Nutrition | Comments (0)

Bariatrics – The Pre-Surgery Preparation

Like any surgery, a bariatric procedure requires preparation on the part of the patient in order to ensure the best outcome. But a weight loss surgery requires even more than usual.

You’ll be required to stop smoking at least six weeks before surgery, and to make a commitment to stop permanently. You’ll be limited to clear liquids beginning the day before the surgery. Your physician will discuss with you what to do about taking any regular medications before or after.

You should prepare for a 2-3 day stay at the hospital, but some procedures take only a half-day. If you suffer from sleep apnea, bring any equipment you use along with you.

But the first steps start long before any anesthesia is applied. They begin with considering whether bariatric surgery is appropriate at all and, if so, what kind. All surgery carries risk – excess bleeding, infection, and more. Bariatric surgery sometimes entails removing or relocating a portion of the naturally-evolved gastrointestinal tract. Significant changes to the body carry special risks. Weighing the pros and cons is the first step.

At the same time, it’s a must to check with your insurance company to see what – if any – portions of the process are covered. Few of the many thousands who elect to have the surgery each year will pay the entire $20-$35,000 tab.

Locating the right surgeon is a must as well. Not all bariatric specialists perform all procedures. Even those that do typically have more experience in one than in another. Respectful, careful probing questions are essential to maximize the odds of the best outcome. Given the way medical insurance works today, that can be especially challenging.

When you step up to those challenges, consider the post-operative care as well. A Lap Band procedure, for example, (as do others) always entails a post-surgery follow up, typically lasting 1-2 years. Frequent visits to the doctor occur early in that period. The actual surgery doesn’t complete the process by any means.

Tags: post operative care, procedure, Surgery, weight loss surgery

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Fitness, Weight Loss | Comments (0)

Bariatric Surgery – Is it Right For You?

It’s true that bariatric surgery benefits nearly everyone who has it. Polls show that over 90% are very pleased with the results, even after as long as five years later. But “everyone who has it” doesn’t necessarily mean “everyone who wants it”. Bariatric surgery is not for every person who wants to lose weight.

The most common misconception about the surgery is that it’s a quick and easy solution to a lack of willpower. Individuals may have tried a dozen fad diets, none of which produced the long-term results they sought. Others have gone the extra mile, so to speak, and combined it with an exercise regimen, but just can’t stick with it.

Here’s the unpleasant, unvarnished truth: even after bariatric surgery it is vital to commit to a long-term healthy diet and – where and when appropriate, an exercise routine. There simply is no substitute for a lifelong commitment to change – change of eating habits, change of attitude toward proper weight maintenance and overall health. Those unprepared to make that commitment will have spent their money and endured pain and risk for no gain.

Fortunately, bariatric surgery does make that commitment significantly easier to maintain. The decision to have a procedure in the first place already shows a serious desire to do what’s needed to lose weight and keep the fat off.

Once you go through the procedure, you’ll find yourself getting full much quicker, which helps curb those formerly uncontrollable urges. You’ll find that what you eat and drink doesn’t put on the pounds like it used to. That’s partly the result of consuming less, partly the result of eating healthier. But it’s also because a bariatric procedure often has a secondary effect: to slow the absorption of nutrients (and, at the same time, calories).

Tags: everyone, exercise regimen, fad diets, Surgery

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Fitness, Weight Loss | Comments (0)

Quick Weight Loss Plan – The Best Way to Shed Five Pounds in 7 Days!

If you would like to put into practice a quick weight loss plan which can be successful, you can purely go along with the below diet regime that are hassle-free to carry out. Still, you ought to be disciplined and carry out this hassle-free strategy all through the 1-week period.

Below are the actions you ought to follow for your weight loss program for the 1-week period:

• As you should understand or know by today, foods that are fried are bad and will never be encouraged if you are certain to drop the weight. Then, you need to put an end to these foods that are fried altogether for one week if you are serious about shedding and sustaining your weight. As well, avoiding these foods that are deep-fried also allows you to have a much healthier diet and lifestyle.

• For your breakfast every day, gulp about 8 oz of grapefruit. This will help to accelerate your metabolism rate and consequently will enable you in reaching your ideal weight healthier.

• Try not to overeat. Digest just enough before you become full. Many people put on weight because they do not deal with their eating practice and consume too much in just one meal.

• Stay away from eating beyond 9 pm in the evening. Taking food too late in the evening just before going to bed may cause an individual to turn fat fast mainly because the human body doesn’t burn fats that rapid when in the sleeping cycle.

• You should make an effort to eat more frequently. Consuming four to five smaller sized foods per day instead of 3 enormous meals. This can help in improving your metabolic rate and therefore assisting your body to burn fats better.

Apart from the diet control as described above, there are some additional tips that you should take note of below:

• Have as much sleep as you can for the duration of the night. Please do not overwork yourself as you have a need for at least eight hours of sleep at night to enable your human body have the sleep you needed. Not having a lot of rest has seriously been one of many essential contributing factors that trigger the body to accumulate excessive fats very easily.

• Check out using a reliable colon cleanser for the next 7 days. This type of product can help you to clear away excessive weight round the abdominal region. It can also have the effect of cleaning your body of harmful bacteria that might make you feel drained and store unwanted fats.

The above mentioned quick weight loss plan are nothing new. Everyone could follow just various simple and easy methods. If you likewise want to be like me shedding off 5 pounds within the next 1 week, carry out the above measures closely with discipline and you are likely to have no problem achieving this goal effortlessly too.

Tags: body, burn fats, diet regime, weight

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Fitness, Weight Loss | Comments (0)

Seven Natural Herbs That Reduce Your Weight and Enhance Your Metabolism

Natural herbs may help in some ways those who are trying to lose weight. These herbs also have lots of health benefits other than weight reduction. These natural supplements can help in different ways like burning fat, stopping cravings and boosting your energy level. Here are some herbs that help you to reduce weight and boost metabolism.

Green Tea- Green tea has catechins, a compound that is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants help in burning fat and they also have the ability to increase metabolism.

Capsicum- Usually known as cayenne pepper. It is used to boost metabolism, improve circulation and ease digestion. Cayenne pepper has thermogenic properties and this may increase the metabolic rate.

Guggul- It is an Ayurvedic medicine. Guggul is used for lowering cholesterol, and relieving joint pain. It also helps to lose weight by improving thyroid function. A very effective medicine for thyroid disorders.

L-Glutamine- In our body, glucose level directly affects the brain and its functions. If glucose levels drop, you crave for sugar and sugar rich food. L-glutamine immediately gives energy to your brain and stops you from craving for sugar and sugar rich food. It helps in the alteration and storage of calories. It also helps in reducing weight.

Reishi Mushrooms- It is a Chinese Medicine and also known as ganoderma. It is used for developing immunity and strength. It may also help in losing weight and fighting fatigue.

Gymnema sylvestre- It is obtained from a plant. Gymnema and glucose have the same molecular structure. It fills all the receptors of your taste bud and it look like you’ve gotten a lot sugar. Gymnema weakens your sensitivity of sweetness.

Fish oil- Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which help burn body fat instead of storing it in the body.

Next time if you are on a diet or just trying to lose a pound or two of your weight, give these herbs a try. As they are natural herbs, one thing for sure they are safer than their modern counterparts!

Tags: Cayenne, cayenne pepper, omega 3 fatty acids, sugar, weight

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Fitness, Weight Loss | Comments (0)

How to Get a Six Pack Fast – Eat Like a Gorilla

We have a very high percentage of the same DNA as Gorillas; however our diets couldn’t be more different.

Today we have access to massive portions of processed foods which are high in fats, sugars and salts. Gorillas live on a diet of totally un-processed foods such as nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Do you ever see an overweight Gorilla?

What would happen if humans were to eat like Gorillas? This would represent a vegetarian version of our ancestors, hunter gather diet. How would our bodies respond to a diet free of un-processed foods?

A study was completed in the UK for the TV show “Going Ape” where a group of 9 adults of varying ages, lifestyles and body weights followed a gorilla like diet for a 12 day period.

The experiment was set up in an enclosure at Paignton Zoo, Devon, where the 9 volunteers spent the entire 12 day period together consuming around 5 kilograms of natural foods per day. The diet of fruit, vegetables, nuts and honey provided the nutrition they required and provided a daily calorie intake of around 2300 calories.

While initially sceptical of the raw food diet, the volunteers took to the new diet well and the predicted grumpiness associated with such a change in their diet did not materialise. Each of the volunteers exhibited an increase in their perceived energy levels and in most cases did not finish their rations, having eaten their fill.

At the end of the study the groups cholesterol dropped by 23%, their blood dropped out of the hypertensive zone and their weight loss was an average on 10 pounds. The gorilla diet was lower in saturated fats and salt while relatively higher in soluble fibre which all contributed to the weight loss and reduction in cholesterol.

Another issue with highly processed foods available today is that most people have some form of intolerance to wheat or lactose. Many foods considered healthy can contain wheat and or dairy which, given some peoples intolerance could be causing weight gain instead of weight loss.

The study shows a movement to a natural foods diet can result in a number of health benefits, namely significant initial weight loss.

Many experts have turned to nature to find answer for many current problems, it now seems that by turning to our cousins the gorillas, we can eat more healthily and reduce our body fat levels to get the body of our dreams.

Tags: Devon, diet, paignton zoo, raw food diet, UK, weight

Related posts

Posted by admin on Mar 9th 2010 | Filed in Nutrition | Comments (0)

Next »