Five Easy Toning Exercises you can Do Anywhere

By Maxx

Exercise is an important part of our lives. Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy. Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age.

Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.

Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders. As you age, especially once you hit the age of forty, you begin to lose muscle mass. For women especially, bone loss becomes a problem. When the body is in need of calcium it can rob it from your bones. Building muscle not only increases their mass but your strength.

Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time. At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.


1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks. Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart. Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body. Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor. Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.

2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps. If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted. Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair. Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight. Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release. At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.

3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles. They can be hard for people with knee problems. A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee. Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot. From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor. Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.

4. Pushups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles. If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees. Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body.

5. Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone. Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head. Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor. Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.

These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time. The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative. Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.

Understanding The Two Principle Types Of Diabetes

By Donald Saunders

Diabetes is a chronic condition which is typified by a
distorted metabolism and raised levels of blood sugar which
lead to reduced levels of insulin. The symptoms of diabetes
can look very much like those of a host of other conditions
and the disease can therefore go undiagnosed for years.
Screening for this particular condition is important because
early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the quality of
life for those who have this condition.

There are 2 key types of diabetes that individuals who are
not familiar with the disease normally find it difficult to
tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of cells within
the pancreas which occurs because of an auto-immune attack.
It cannot be prevented and accounts for approximately ten
percent of the cases of diabetes in North America and
Europe. Type 1 diabetes is found in children and adults and
is often referred to as juvenile diabetes.

It is possible to treat type 1 diabetes very successfully by
closely monitoring levels of blood glucose and adjusting the
level of insulin in the body. Both forms of diabetes can
require the enhancement of the body's insulin level and
diabetic coma can result if the body's insulin level falls
too quickly.

Apart from the administration of insulin, the best form of
management for type 1 diabetes is a program of exercise and
diet. People with this condition need to be aware of their
body glucose level and ensure that insulin is replaced by
injection or use of an insulin pump.

Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this
disease because it occurs as a result of insulin resistance
or a sensitivity to insulin combined with the body's reduced
insulin production. This form of diabetes is common in
people who are obese, are advanced in age, have a family
history and who do not exercise.

Type 1 diabetics have to use medication because their bodies
cannot make insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have several
different choices in terms of controlling their condition.
Diet and exercise might well be enough to keep type 2
diabetes under control but oral medication and insulin might
also be included in treatment.

There are numerous different treatment options available but
the most critical element of the treatment equation is the
patient. This is a chronic condition but this does not mean
that it has to be a lost cause and there are numerous ways
to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from
diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the most important factor
in the fight against the side effects of this all too common
disease.

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Aromatherapy - Heal Yourself Naturally

By Gabriel

Have you ever considered aromatherapy for your health and
well-being? Well before you go into it, lets take a look at
what it is and what it is not.

First off, aromatherapy is considered a science and art of
healing and maintaining the subtle energy balance of the
human body. This art has been in practice for many
centuries.

It dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians to the
classical Greeks. Though technically it is not recognized
by the medical establishment as a hard-core science, its
healing track-records are proven. They range from
alleviating headaches to curing certain diseases.

Of course as with all things, not all aromatherapies are
created equal. The effectiveness and efficacy of this
ancient art really depends on the skill of the user and the
quality of the oils used. It must be said that aromatherapy
is not a cure-all. What it does is that the aromatherapy
oils help the body to heal itself.

Let me explain. Unlike medical science, which administer drugs
that will cause certain effects in the body, aromatherapy oils
actually have an indirect effect on the human body.

It stimulates certain natural functions of your body which
knows how to heal and repair itself. The efficiency of the
aromatherapy oils depends a lot on how well the blood
circulates in the body. The faster and smoother it
circulates, the greater the effect it can have.

Certain oils like the lavender can be soothing and helps the
body to unwind while other types can aid in other bodily
problems like indigestion or insomnia. If you wish to fully
benefit from the many wonders of aromatherapy, than you
should seek out a quality store that stocks good essential
oils.

Aromatherapy oils are basically taken from the extracts of
trees and plants. Ancient tribes knew the benefits of these
plants as they experimented and cataloged its uses and
properties. These oils were then passed down orally or
written in texts to let the next generation know of it.

Alternatively, you can also visit an aromatherapy therapist.
What the therapist will do is a basic diagnosis of your
health issues. Than he or she will select certain essential
oils that will have the best effects for your custom needs.

Remember, certain oils may not be suitable for some people,
so take care to only approach qualified aromatherapy
therapists for advice. I hope the above article has given
you a clearer picture of what aromatherapy is and clear up
any common misconceptions of it.

The general rule of thumb is: Look for professionals who
know what they are doing. Stick with this advice and you
will be fine. Now go and bathe yourself in that nice
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Want To Build Muscle While Burning Fat? Use Interval Training

By Jared Conley

You've been told a hundred times: it's impossible to build
muscle up and melt fat at the same time. You've been told that
building muscle involves an increase in calories, while fat
burning involves a decrease in calories. This conventional
wisdom is based in fact, but the beliefs are being tossed on
their ears with research into interval training. The truth
is, you can achieve muscle weight gain at the same time as
you burn fat if you add interval training to your sessions.

Interval training isn't new, but it's been more widely
understood, accepted, and implemented in recent years. While
standard cardiovascular training was looked at as the only
efficient way to shed fat, and the only effective workouts
for endurance athletes, high intensity interval training
(HIIT) has been shown to be advantageous to athletes in all
sports, and for people with wildly varying goals.

Standard aerobic activity is referred to as "steady state,"
which essentially means that you work up to a fixed
intensity level and continue working out at that level
throughout the workout. During the workout, your body gets
half of its fuel by burning fat, and gets the rest through
oxygen intake, and by tapping into your glycogen and muscle
stores.

Interval sessions, conversely, consist of short maximum
intensity intervals followed by lower intensity rest
periods. HIIT sessions are muscle sparing and are quick, but
pack a wallop. A fifteen-minute HIIT session can raise your
base metabolism for almost 24 hours, enabling you to
continue burning higher levels of fat for up to a day.

In addition to this, because your muscles consume calories
during every minute of the day, the more lean mass you have,
the more fat you burn, even while you're doing nothing.
Because HIIT not only spares your muscles, but also helps you
build muscles up, your future fat burning ability is
increased.

The bottom line is that regardless of your fitness goals,
HIIT sessions can help you increase your overall fitness
level with very short sessions. Better still, if your goals
include muscle building and fat burning, adding HIIT to your
workout schedule is a no-brainer.

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4 Fad Diets To Avoid

By Ada Denis

The insanity regarding weight loss has affected every obese
person out there. And why not? A decision to lose weight is a
good one, but you need to do it healthily. Unfortunately,
most people take to the unhealthy weight loss method called
'fad dieting' and end up losing muscles rather than fat.

Keep in mind that a fad diet cannot offer you a permanent
weight loss solution; only a healthy food plan can. So don't
focus on how to lose weight fast; rather, focus on how to
become healthy through weight loss. In this article I will
tell you about top four fad diets you mustn't follow.

1. Liquid Diet

Under this diet plan, you are required to eat only liquids
and avoid all solid foods. Liquids such as milk, protein
shakes, and fruit juices are recommended. If you follow this
diet only for a few days, you will become weak and limp.
This is definitely not a practical diet to go with since you
won't be able to follow it for the rest of your life.

2. Grapefruit Diet

Have you ever heard of or followed this diet? If you have,
you will know that this diet plan restricts your food intake
to a ridiculously low level, probably to that of a baby.
Under this diet plan, you need to eat only grapefruit and
protein-rich foods at every single meal of the day. This
diet is based on the belief that when protein is combined
with grapefruit, it accelerates a person's fat burning
process by enhancing his metabolism, thereby helping him
lose weight.

Now this might be true, but ask yourself - could you eat
grapefruits all your life? I would surely get bored. Plus
the weight loss you achieve through this diet would be just
temporary. Obviously, this is not a diet plan for you.

3. Egg Diet

This is basically a stem of the Atkins diet. This diet is
based on the concept that if you eat a protein-rich diet and
avoid all carbs, your body would be forced to burn fat to
produce energy since it won't find any carbohydrates. For
this reason you are suggested to eat as many eggs as you
can, along with cheese and meat.

In reality though, the concept doesn't work. When your body
doesn't get an adequate supply of carbohydrates, it won't
burn your fat deposits; instead, it would start burning your
lean muscles. Gradually, you will turn into a smaller
version of your former self, albeit with the same huge
potbelly you had. But far from that, your metabolic rate
would be reduced to a very low level as well. Do you still
think it is a good idea to go with this diet?

4. Banana Diet

Yet another crazy diet, which asks you to eat only bananas
for your breakfast. Of course, you could eat anything for
the rest of the day. The rationale behind this is that
bananas help in quicker digestion, thereby preventing the
body from absorbing all calories and turning them into fat
deposits. There is no scientific study or proof to backup
this claim, so I am not sure if this diet works at all.

When choosing a diet plan, you need to choose one which is
not only healthy but also viable; plus it should help you
achieve permanent weight loss. None of the above fad diets
fit this criteria, so they are definitely not for you. If
you are just looking forward to losing a few pounds, then
definitely go with any of the diets above, but don't be
surprised if those pounds come back as soon as you quit
dieting.

Any other fad diet you know of that works or not? Leave
a comment and let us know.

Why Steam Is So Beneficial For Treating Acne

By Alex Morgan

Acne is a common and distressing skin complaint. It
predictably starts during puberty, affecting approximately
three quarters of all 13-18 year olds, and can sometimes
continue to affect people well into their adult lives. While
research remains to be done on the exact cause of acne and
there is no one definitive cure yet available, there are a
number of treatments which can help to greatly reduce the
symptoms.

So, what exactly is acne? Basically acne is a disease which
causes spots and redness on the skin, most often on the
face, neck, chest and back. These spots can be either
whiteheads, blackheads, red or yellow spots or hard red
swellings just below the surface of the skin. It occurs when
the little glands below the surface of the skin produce too
much sebum. This is an oily substance, used to keep the skin
soft and supple. However if too much sebum is produced it tends
to clog up the tiny pores through which hairs grow out of
the skin and this causes blackheads and whiteheads. To make
matters worse, this build up of oil creates a perfect
environment for a bacterium (Propionibacterium acnes) to
grow. Your bodies immune system tries to fight this growth
in bacteria causing the redness and inflammation which often
comes with spots.

There are some factors which are known to contribute to
acne. Hormones, for example testosterone, known to be high
in both boys and girls during their teenage years seems to
aggravate acne. Stress is also a contributing factor, one
theory being that stressed people touch their face
frequently and so help to spread bacteria. Acne also seems
to have a genetic cause, since if your parents had acne, you
are more likely to suffer from it too. There are however a
lot of misconceptions about acne - that it is caused by poor
hygiene, or eating chocolate, for example, these are not
true.

There are many effective treatments for acne and your doctor
will be able to prescribe the most appropriate one for you.
There are also a number of self-help treatments which you
can try. Basic hygiene is important to get rid of bacteria
on the skin, so you should wash twice a day with a gentle
cleanser and try to wash your hands before you touch your
face, for example when applying make up.

Steaming the face or other affected parts can be a useful
addition to your acne treatment program. Although people
with very severe acne are advised not to use steam
treatment, for the vast majority of suffers, steaming can
really help clear the complexion since it opens up the pores
and at the same time increases sweating and so helps to
flush impurities out of the skin. Since sweat is salty, it
can also act as an antimicrobial agent, killing some of the
bacteria found on the skin. Steaming also increases blood
circulation, bringing greater amounts of oxygen and
nutrients to the skin.

Adding herbs and essential oils to your steamer just before
use, can bring many additional benefits for your complexion.
Lavender helps to aid relaxation and can be a very effective
way of reducing stress, which is a known contributor to acne
outbreaks. Mint too can be used to dissolve the grime
clogged in facial pores and make it easier for it to be
flushed away. Other herbs and oils provide more general
benefits, like rose hips which is great for skin
regeneration.

There are a variety of ways to steam your face. Perhaps the
most basic is to do it yourself at home over a very hot bowl
of water! However, there are a selection of fantastic facial
steamers available to buy, which can make the job a whole
lot simpler and safer too, no wandering about with kettles
of boiling water. Perhaps the cheapest model available is
the portable steamer. This is lightweight and very easy to
use, just fill up the reservoir with water and turn it on.
You can safely add essential oils to the water reservoirs of
commercial steamers and one great advantage is that you can
control the steam volume, having either a fine mist or a
strong steam spray delivered. Some facial steamers are
designed to be used with ozone which is antibacterial and
dries the skin, giving even greater benefits to users.

Once you have finished your steam treatment, you must always
wash your skin immediately afterwards to remove all the
impurities which have been drawn out by the steaming
process, otherwise you will make the condition worse. The
results of steaming your skin in this way will not be seen
for a few weeks, in common with all other acne treatments.
But if you continue to regularly cleanse your skin in this
way, you should be rewarded by a much improved complexion.


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The Facts Regarding High Blood Pressure

By John Faletti

Although high blood pressure is a very common issue in
society today, it is a very serious condition. This is
commonly called "hypertension". As the most common type of
cardiovascular disease, it is a day-to-day issue with many
people. If you or someone that you know is a sufferer of
this condition, it is time that you become familiar with the
facts regarding the disease.

Hypertension is typically defined as the elevated pressure
present on the artery walls of the blood stream. This
pressure, if it is higher than normal, is potentially a
serious medical issue. As a leading problem concerning
stroke and heart disease, it is the most common form of
cardiovascular disease in the world. Most heart attacks and
strokes are a direct result of high blood pressure.

There are two main categories under which sufferers of
hypertension fall under. The first is called "primary
hypertension". This is the appearance of elevated blood
pressure without a serious medical reason causing it. Most
people, as much as 95%, fall under this category. "Secondary
hypertension" is a more serious issue, as the hypertension
is caused by potentially serious issues with the kidneys,
heart, or endocrine system.

Adjusting your lifestyle is especially important for people
who are at a higher risk than others. The majority of risk
is genetic in nature. This means that people with a family
history of heart disease, diabetes, and obviously
hypertension, are considered high risk and should take
special care. Other significant factors are obesity, alcohol
and tobacco use, and a poor diet high in sodium and
saturated fat.

If you need to lower the blood pressure, there are many ways
of approaching this. In general, living a healthy lifestyle
is ideal. This includes a sensible diet that you stick to
and regular exercise. Leave foods that are high in saturated
fats and sodium behind. In their place add leafy vegetables
and fruit. Another important idea is regular exercise,
especially cardiovascular workouts.

It is ideal that you avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
tobacco products. Both of these activities directly raise
your blood pressure, putting you in danger every time you
indulge. They can have damaging effects on artery walls.
These are bad habits that make treating hypertension much
more difficult than it needs to be.

Stress also has a direct impact on the problem. Although you
probably won't be able to eliminate stress from your life
completely, you can take steps to reduce it. Anything that
helps you relax can be useful. When you begin to feel
stressed, take a moment and breathe deeply. Try and keep
positive thoughts. If possible, identify sources of stress
and put them out of your life completely. Learning how to
manage your time and setting realistic daily goals for
yourself will also help you deal with stress.

Although it is extremely common, do not overlook the
potential long-term effects of hypertension. Take the
appropriate steps to lower your blood pressure. This has the
potential to shorten your lifespan considerably. Make the
daily lifestyle changes that are necessary, and take steps
to reduce day-to-day stress, and you can begin living a
healthy life.

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Why Is The Installation Of Water Filters Essential For Your Home?

By Kevin Jackson

Water is vital to sustain life. Did you know that nearly two
thirds of your body weight is composed of water? And this is
what makes drinking of water important, about 8 to 10
glasses of it everyday. But drinking just about any type
isn't enough - one should make sure it's pure and clean.
It's what makes the use of water filters very essential for
your home.

Local or municipal water treatment services can't always put
in check outbreak of contaminants in water that make it to
your faucet. For many developing countries, consumption of
contaminated or impure tap water is the cause of certain
epidemic diseases. Some if these waterborne diseases are:
diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, amoebiasis, etc. Left
untreated, your life can be in great danger.

Other than waterborne diseases due to bacteria, sometimes
poisons can make their way into your drinking water. They
are insecticides, chlorine, and chlorine's by-products. Some
poisonous metals may also be present, like aluminum, lead,
mercury, and others. These metals are known to cause certain
cancers, including colon and rectal cancers. Simply imagine
the amount of toxic materials you ingest drinking 8-10
glasses of tap water daily!

Drinking pure and clean water is essential for everyone,
especially for growing children. They need it for the proper
development of their immune systems. Definitely, there are
plenty of vital roles water plays for our normal well-being.
It regulates our temperature. It facilitates transport of
nutrients to the cells. It helps in the disposal of waste
materials in the body. The list simply goes on and on.

Bottled water isn't really a convenient replacement for tap
water. Have you ever wondered why bottled water is
expensive? No, it's not because of the clean water it
contains, but because of the bottling, shipping and
promotion. Then there's also the impact these plastic
containers leave on the environment. They take up precious
landfill space. They leak some toxic chemicals into the
groundwater. And they live for hundreds of years before they
disintegrate.

Boiling water is, undeniably, an effective way to provide
your family with something safe for drinking. It's a great
way of killing off any bacteria present. But, just like
bottled ones, it's not a convenient solution. Your monthly
utility bills may swell. While it takes only some minutes to
roll boil water, the cost of using electricity or gas for
your stove can add up tremendously.

A more practical approach is to use water filters for your
home. There are two major forms of filters: installed in the
faucet or installed in the plumbing. Something you install
in the faucet is definitely more affordable. However,
replacement of parts is necessary regularly. Something you
install in the plumbing, on the other hand, may be costlier.
But replacement of parts is done only once in a while.

Different water filters use different filtration systems.
When choosing which one is the best for your home, have your
tap water tested first. This will reveal which contaminants
may be present. A carbon filter is best used when organic
chemicals, chloroform, pesticide and others are present. On
the other hand, reverse-osmosis is best used for the
presence of organic elements like iron, lead and others.


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5 Steps To A Super Immune System

By Jim Strongly

1. Improve your diet

You'll want lots of fruits and vegetables. These contain
the antioxidants that you want for your body to fight free
radicals.

Eat lots of fish and flaxseed. These contain the good fat
that you want to eat: omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats are the
healthy kind of fats. These will help your immune support.

Reduce your intake of sugary foods. Studies have shown that
sugar negatively impacts your immune system.

And finally, don't forget to drink plenty of water. But you
don't want sugary drinks. Sugary drinks will decrease your
immune support.

2. Get moderate exercise for immune support

Moderate exercise helps yours T cells. You should shoot for
moderate exercise 3 to 4 times a week for immune support.

Vigorous exercise such as running could potentially harm your
immune system. In fact, runners are more susceptible to
illnesses such as the flu.

3. Reduce stress levels for immune support

If you're stressing you're hurting your immunity. Relax.
People who are stressed have heart attacks. I'm sure this
is a road that you don't want to go down.

Reducing stress is simple. And it will positively increase
your immune support. To decrease your stress try to
meditate, yoga, or deep breathing.

4. Sleep and hygiene

Doctors have been telling us for years now that in order
to avoid colds and other illnesses the number one thing we
can do is wash our hands. It doesn't seem like we have been
following what the doctors have told us.

Get your sleep. Another thing doctors been telling us for
years that eight hours of sleep is what we need.

5. Try some herbs and supplements for immune support

Some good supplements to try out are vitamin C, astralagus,
echinacea, and elderberry. The reason I say try is because these
supplements have different effects on different people. But
a lot of people swear by these as a way to boost your immune
support.

Recently, doctors have been touting the benefits of another
supplement known as glutathione. Glutathione is the body's
number one antioxidant. So anyway you can boost this will
definitely help your immune support.

If you follow these simple five steps, you will find that
you have boosted your immune support, just like that!

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Why Protein Is An Essential Part Of Any Diet

By Jim Duffy

You see them in all kinds of magazines. You hear people talking about them around the water cooler at work. There are hundreds of fad diets out there, and guess what? None of them work. Oh sure, you may lose a bit of weight, but more often than not, that weight is just going to come back, with a few additional pounds for good measure. The most sensible way to lose weight is to just eat properly. It is easy to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet, and there are all kinds of great-tasting foods that you can incorporate into a healthy diet.

An essential part of any diet is protein. Protein is necessary for survival, provides a natural source of energy and helps to build strong muscles. Our hair and skin are made from protein, and it is a nutrient for all of the cells in our bodies. Not enough protein in the diet can lead to a number of serious health issues and can add complications to existing health conditions. But as important as it is to have enough protein in our diets, too much may actually do more harm than good.

The body needs a certain amount of protein. According to the American Heart Association, protein should make up 35 percent of our daily caloric intake. If the body does not get the protein it needs, it will send signals to the brain that it is hungry, which is not good for dieters, because they will want to eat all the time. Eating snacks that are rich in protein or using protein supplements will help to suppress your appetite, which is essential for losing weight and maintaining your weight loss.

How Much Protein Do You Need in Your Diet?

We need different amounts of protein at different stages of our lives. For example, babies need quite a bit of protein, about 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. But an adult bodybuilder only needs as much as 1.6 grams. The best way to figure out how much protein you should be getting in your diet is to follow this formula:

The first thing you need to do is convert your body weight from pounds to kilograms. Just divide your body weight in pounds by 2.2. Take the resulting number and divide it by one of the following numbers:

- .4 if you are inactive

- .5-.8 if you are somewhat active, such as a 30 minute workout, three times per week

- .8-1 if you are very active, such as working out 30 to 60 minutes at least four times each week

If you are a healthy person in general and have some knowledge about nutrition, you should be able to come up with a healthy diet plan on your own. It is important to remember that before beginning any type of diet, you should consult your physician first. There may be conditions that you have that require you to have certain foods in your diet. You can also speak with a nutritionist or a dietitian.

If you are going to start a diet, a healthy plan includes 50 percent carbohydrates, 35 percent proteins and 15 percent fats. Although many of today's popular diets recommend eating fewer carbohydrates, it is important that some are included in everyone's diet, but they do need to be the right kinds of carbohydrates. For example, simple carbohydrates digest quickly and cause huge surges by raising blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates are what you need in your diet. These carbohydrates are slower to digest and do not negatively affect blood sugar levels.

Eating Healthy and Using Protein Supplements

When you eat snacks that are high in protein, you will not have the urge to have more snacks later on. You will feel more satisfied and not feel the urge to eat unnecessarily. Some high-protein snacks that are great for diets and taste great are:

- 2 cups of popcorn with trail mix

- cup of fiber-rich cereal, mixed with non-fat Greek yogurt

- 1 ounce of baked potato chips with two tablespoons of bean dip

Another great-tasting snack that is extremely high in protein is milk. Non-fat is best for dieters, and low-fat chocolate milk is great too. It has all the same nutrients as white milk not much more fat and calories. It is delicious, and not only will you get the protein that you need, you can also satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Some people suggest drinking low-fat milk, while other studies say that whole-fat milk is best for diets. Speak to your physician or nutritionist for more information.

Another way that you can get the protein you need in your diet without having to eat a lot is by using protein supplements. There are a number of varieties available, and many come in pre-mixed drinks, which are portable and can be taken along anywhere. Some of the more popular protein supplements include:

Protein Powders - These are the most versatile of all of the protein supplements. They come in a variety of delicious flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, berry and fruit punch, and can be used to make great-tasting smoothies and shakes. They are also available in flavorless forms and can be added to just about any recipe.

Liquid Proteins - Liquid protein supplements are very popular because they are often available in a ready-to-drink form. One of the more popular liquid protein supplements on the market today is Profect, by Protica. This little shot provides 25 grams of protein per 2.9 fluid ounces of serving and only contains 100 calories. Profect is low in calories, carbohydrates and fats, and it comes in a number of delicious flavors, including Blue Raspberry, Fresh Citrus Berry, Grapefruit-Mango and Cool Melon Splash.

Protein Bars - These are delicious, protein-packed snacks that can also serve as meal replacements. Protein bars come in a number of flavors, including chocolate, and often have nuts and other great-tasting ingredients.



Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures http://www.profect.com IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at http://www.protica.com

Cardiovascular Disease And The Role Of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

By Lee Cole

DHA supplements are certainly something you need to consider, if you're interested in avoiding cardiovascular disease. DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid, and it's one of the many omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3's are essential to good heath. Although DHA is the most prevalent fatty acid in the brain, it's also seen to play a large role in avoiding cardiovascular disease. Not only DHA plays this role, but all omega-3 fatty acids are important when it concerns your heart health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cholesterol

One diet that is high in omega-3's is the Mediterranean diet. Individuals who follow this diet are apt to have high HDL, or "good" cholesterol. One reason is the Mediterranean diet has a fair amount of fish in it. This is further held up by the fact that Eskimos also are apt to have high HDL cholesterol. They also eat a lot of cold water, fatty fish. These fish tend to be very high in omega-3 fatty acids. You might not want to eat halibut or tuna every day, but you can take fish oil supplements. Numerous studies have shown that these supplements reduce triglyceride levels. In addition to fish, walnuts are recognized to be high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Blood Pressure

There have been several studies which have shown that diets high in omega-3's or even fish-oil supplements, can lower high blood pressure. You don't want to self-medicate, however. High Blood Pressure is a serious condition. Make sure you get your doctor's approval before you do anything.

Coronary Disease and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It's been shown time and time again that diets low in saturated fats and high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (this includes omega-3 efas) help prevent heart disease. There is a lot of clinial evidence that fish-oil, which is high in EPA and DHA (two types of omega-3 essential fatty acids) help reduce instances of heart problems and cardiac event. In addition, fish oil has been shown to have a very good positive effect on lowering triglycerides, risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and abnormal heart rhythms. Fish-oil has also been proven to help mitigate and treat hardening of the arteries through slowing the development of plaque and blood clots.

In other words, fish oil, which contains considerable amounts of EPA and DHA, is really healthy for you. Since with DHA you get a double whammy effect of helping your heart and brain, you probably want to consider DHA supplements in what you eat. As in all things medical, talk to your doctor first.



Lee Cole is a real health and exercise enthusiast! To learn more about dha-supplements take a look at Lee's blog, http://atlantaseomktg.wordpress.com

The 4 Best Foods To Boost Your Immune System

By Angel Rose

The season of getting colds and flu is eminent this time of year; and the busiest at that. If you're a workaholic, there isn't any spare time in your busy schedule to get sick. So how can you cure or prevent getting these dreaded colds and flu without compromising any of your planned events? Since prevention is better than cure you have to find ways of combating these bacteria by increasing your immune system.

1.Vitamin D. Many researches have shown that unwanted and toxic cells like bacterias in the body are being combated by Vitamin D. Although there is not enough evidence for this theory, it is still a helpful vitamin that can reduce infection and improve immunity. If you're not a pill-drinker you can also get a dose of this supplement from fatty fishes and fortified milk products.

2.Probiotics. Usually, these probiotics are found in certain juices, soy, and fermented and unfermented milk. These "good" bacteria can actually suppress the growth of "bad" bacteria and can activate the immune system to fight off diseases, as such it is a good idea to consume probiotic-fortified products once in a while. In having these, you get to hit two birds with one stone. You get healthy food and you are getting a healthy body.

3.Soluble Dietary fiber. Soluble fibers are abundant in citrus fruits, apples, carrots, bean and oats which are delicious and at the same time helps fight inflammation. Although insoluble fibers are also necessary for your health, it doesn't have the same impact on immunity as does the soluble fiber.

4.Green Tea Extract. This herbal tea contains a large amount of polyphenol which is a potent plant antioxidant. According to research, polyphenol contains certain components that can help boost the body's immune system. The downside of this product though is its taste. Its bitter taste doesn't appeal to a large number of people as such they are seldom being drunk. You can maximize the benefits of green tea and reduce its bitterness just by steeping the herbal product no more than a minute or two in just-below-boiling water. This way you'll get the nutrients you need without being disgusted by it.

Breast Cancer Detection - Alternatives To Mammograms

By Angelina Grove

First and foremost, we must avoid all forms of medical radiation. They are damaging to our health. Prevention is also very important and must be thought of. Research has found that something as simple as supplementing with Vitamin D can slash the risk of cancers by 77%. Vitamin D can be attained by natural exposure to sunshine (don't use sunscreens) as well as cod liver oil. Another product that helps in the fight against developing breast cancer is flax oil, flax lignans and flax meal. Your lifestyle must be closely monitored. If you are diagnosed with cancer, a change in lifestyle is the only factor that has been scientifically proven to extend the average life span of women with breast cancer. That positive change in lifestyle helps to boost the immune system and stops feeding cancer cells. You must stop feeding those cancer cells what they thrive on, including all dairy products (even fat-free), beef, pork, lamb, veal, all sugars, all processed foods, flour, alcohol and tobacco. Of course, it's best to avoid these foods prior to being diagnosed with the disease. This subject of prevention maintenance alone consists of enough information for another article.

In regards to methods of testing for early detection, there are several alternative options to mammography. Unfortunately, our medical institutions and the large organizations dedicated to fighting breast cancer are not doing their part to educate the general public on these safer, more effective alternatives.

Aside from self-examination techniques and physical exams by a doctor, one such excellent alternative is breast thermography. Thermography is a non invasive method that does not require radiation, any painful compression, or intravenous injection. Thermography uses digital infrared imaging to measure the temperature differences within the breast. Not only is Thermography safer, but it appears to be much more accurate than mammograms. Although Thermography has been around since the 60's, it wasn't until 1982 when the FDA had approved them and they became more reliable. For more information about Thermography, visit BreastThermography.com

Another better alternative to mammograms are MRI's (Magnetic resonance imaging). This method is far more superior to mammograms in the early detection of breast cancer. But I find it rather strange that something so superior and safer is considered to be useful only after undergoing a dangerous mammogram or biopsy. Even The American Cancer Society admits that MRI's are superior yet they choose to reserve if for higher risk scenarios. They claim that it's more expensive thus not as readily covered by most insurance plans. Hmm, with all that money being raised for research and free mammograms, wouldn't you think that a big chunk of that would be better spent on safer alternatives such as MRI's and Thermography?

Always remember that information is power and that you must do all that you can to seek out that information so that you can be intelligently informed before making a decision that may negatively affect your health. We should never accept that one person or a major organization has the final say in how we should be diagnosed or treated. Settling on the status-quo and accepting procedures and medicines that are doing more harm than good is unacceptable and we must do what we can to encourage the health-care industry to research better methods and accept the safer alternatives that currently exist!

This is part two in a two part series of articles on mammograms. The complete article can be found at www.anthonynunes.net/monthly_article/mammograms.html.



After curing his Joint Pain and Chronic Fatigue using natural methods, Anthony Nunes decided to create http://www.anthonynunes.net a free website that helps people get on the natural path to self healing.

How Nutrition Can Affect Cardiovascular Health

By Jim Duffy

The last decade has seen deaths related to cardiovascular causes drop by 40% and deaths related to stroke drop by 35%. Yet there are only 16% fewer smokers and less than 3% fewer people defined as obese. There are two things that affect overall cardiovascular health - behavior and factors. Defining both and finding a good personal level between each are the keys to good cardiovascular health.

Behaviors

There are a number of behaviors that the American Heart Association deems important for good cardiovascular health, including exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, getting the proper amount of exercise, and avoiding smoking.

Factors

Good cardiovascular factors include keeping your blood pressure at an optimal level, as well as keeping a decent blood sugar and cholesterol level. The AHA has set a range these numbers should remain between, and it's best when it can be done without medication.

Organizations like the American Heart Association, the American Diabetic Association, and the American Cancer Association used to focus solely on their individual diseases, but they have recently come to realize that is not enough. Central to keeping disease away is the concept of keeping healthy overall. There are many behaviors that help not only cardiovascular health, but every part of the body, for both adults and children, including:

(Not) Smoking

- Adults: If you are a smoker, quit as soon as possible. The sooner you quit, the better your health will be in the long run. It doesn't take long for your lungs to return to their old level of functionality, which means less chance of not only lung disease, but heart disease.

- Children: If you never start, you'll never have to quit - and quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things to do.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

- Adults: The American Heart Association has guidelines on what a healthy weight is for every person. This weight should be maintained by a balanced, healthy diet, not a fad diet or the latest thing that takes off a lot of weight at once (which will only return once the fad ends). These diets can often be dangerous, because they provide too much of some nutrients while eschewing others, ending up with most of the weight loss being loss of water weight. The best way to lose weight is slowly and steadily, using a sensible diet.

- Children: Activity is the goal for children. There should be an hour, at least, of physical activity each day. And, of course, a healthy diet is ideal. Each day should also include a period where there are no televisions, computers, or video games.

Diet

- Adults: Abundant fruits and vegetables are important, as is completely avoiding fried foods. Cut down on salt and try to eat only healthy fats. Your protein sources should be lean meat and plant sources. When it comes to plain-based proteins, soy is the only one considered complete.

- Children: Do not force children to clean their plates and give them portions that are smaller.

The Basics of a Healthy Diet

All food is composed of a combination of the three macro-nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Any healthy diet will include all three. The good carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates. The fats should also come from healthy sources. Protein can be derived from both plants and animals, but any animal-based sources of protein should be lean. Protein supplements can be a great part of a heart-healthy diet. The recommendation of the American Heart Association is that about 35% of most diets should be protein, with most of the rest devoted to carbohydrates.

Animal-Based Sources of Protein

Animal-based proteins are considered complete, since they have all eight of the essential amino acids that the human body cannot produce. The best sources are the lean ones like turkey and chicken. Eggs and low-fat dairy foods are another excellent source for protein. Red meat, however, should be limited in the diet.

Plant-Based Sources of Protein

Virtually all plant-based sources of protein are incomplete, with soy being the only exception. Soy is the only one to have all eight essential amino acids. Vegetarians and vegans can still get all the proteins necessary by eating combinations of these foods.

Protein Supplements

Protein supplements come in many forms, including protein powders, bars, and liquid protein supplement shots. These are all made from natural sources of protein, either plant or animal-based, which means you will have to make good choices. They all contain different amounts of protein, but some have extra fats or sugars which should be avoided.

Whey

Whey protein is produced as a byproduct of cheese production. Whey protein powder has two basic varieties: the cheaper concentrate (containing about 30% to 85% protein) and the more expensive isolate (containing 90%) protein. Whey protein isolate has a smaller lactose content, which means it can be used by most lactose intolerant people.

Soy

Just two servings of soy protein each day can lower the level of blood cholesterol by as much as nine points. It can also lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of a heart attack. Soy also comes in both concentrated and isolated forms and is easy to digest. Vegans and vegetarians can take soy protein without any problems.

Egg

Egg protein comes from the white of the egg, which is a perfect protein. This is the standard by which all other forms of protein are judged.

Rice

These proteins come from brown rice and have all eight of the essential amino acids, making it complete. Rice is also hypoallergenic, making it ideal for anyone who has food allergies or food sensitivities. Vegans and vegetarians can also use rice protein without compromising.

Profect

Profect is a liquid protein supplement shot. Only 2.9 fluid ounces in size, it only contains 100 calories, no fat, and no carbohydrates. It contains 25 grams of protein and helps to suppress the appetite while providing a good deal of the protein you will need for the day.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have gotten a bad reputation over the last several years, but the truth is that carbohydrates are a large part of a healthy diet - or at least this is the case with complex carbohydrates. Foods like whole great breads and pastas, certain fruits and vegetables, and other such foods are high in complex carbohydrates. On the other hand, simple carbohydrates are not healthy at all.

Fats

There are even healthy fats that should be a part of a healthy diet. These should be about 20% of the calories you consume every day. Things like fatty fish, olive oil, and avocados are high in healthy fats.



Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for cancer patients. You can learn more at http://www.protica.com

How To Successfully Treat Snoring

By Mariah Smith

It is not unnatural to snore and many of us end up snoring either intermittently or on a regular basis. Nevertheless, when it has a bad impact on the quality of sleep, snoring becomes detrimental to health. This adversely affects the daily routine of the individual and can lead to numerous health issues and make the individual prone to bouts of irritation.

Despite the popular belief that there is no complete cure for snoring, there are a lot of cures that reduce snoring to a considerable extent. Treatments for dealing with snoring consist of a lot of home-based methods besides the medicinal and surgical treatments that have been found to be highly successful.

Choice of a snoring treatment depends on the way in which you snore - if your mouth remains shut or open while you snore and whether it occurs only when you sleep in a certain position. People who are not severe snorers can resolve their problem with some lifestyle changes, but regular snorers may require medical or surgical treatments. Lifestyle modifications include lowering weight, avoiding certain types of food and beverages like alcohol , and other changes like sleeping in a particular position with the head slightly raised and clearing your nasal passage regularly.

If these lifestyle changes are not successful in resolving your snoring habit then you have to approach a physician. Doctors can recommend a number of alternatives including use of a mechanical device whose purpose is to send puffs of air to a mask that is strapped on the face when sleeping. Nasal strips are another highly recommended method to ensure that you do not breathe through your mouth. Yet another treatment is usage of dental aids like mouth guards, which ensure continuous breathing and reduced snoring.

Lastly, there are a few surgical treatments available for snoring. These procedures involve removing tissues that create blockage and correcting the problems if any in the nasal area. Pillar procedure is one such surgical treatment for snoring, which involves placing tiny implants on the soft palate, and is quite effective.



Discover more about the latest snoring treatment at http://www.entsinus.com

Want To Lower Your Cholesterol? Try Oranges And Grapefruits

By Miranda Laranjo

In the United States, it is estimated that nearly 20 percent of all adults suffer from some degree of high cholesterol. With much public health focus upon the risks of cardiovascular disease, there is a drive in our society to find ways in which to promote a healthier outcome without significant prescription medication usage.

To prevent life threatening cardiovascular events, there are a variety of diet, exercise and lifestyle choices that must be made. The ultimate goal, however, should be to reduce blood cholesterol levels. With this information in mind, many adults are focusing upon natural methods in which to promote a healthy lifestyle, consuming more fruits and vegetables.

When choosing fruits and vegetables, it is important to understand that specific types of fruits may have a more advantageous impact on the lowering of blood cholesterol when compared to other types of fruits. In fact, the specific consumption of flavanoids and limonoids, found in citrus juice, may be the key component of food that naturally reduces cholesterol. In fact, the flavanoids found in oranges and grapefruits, known as hesperetin and naringenin, respectively, may be the two most profound natural components in the fight against high cholesterol. To be effective, however, it is necessary to consume three servings of these fruits per day, over a four week period.

If your physician has advised that your LDL cholesterol levels are too high, it is important to find ways in which to reduce those levels. With proper diet and exercise, you can manage your cholesterol levels more appropriately and reduce your risk for a cardiovascular health complication. For immediate results, consuming three servings of oranges or grapefruits may provide a powerful impact. However, for some cardiovascular patients, especially those with ulcer or prior gastrointestinal complications, the consumption of high levels of citrus fruits may lead to other health complications. For this reason, ask your health-care professional about the use of liminoids and flavanoids in your cholesterol-fighting diet.

With cardiovascular disease a leading health concern in the United States, many adults are turning to natural ways in which to promote health. Since cholesterol levels are significant in the gateway to cardiovascular disease, it is important to manage your cholesterol levels in a smart way by consuming healthier food choices. If your physician clears your use of citrus fruits, try consuming three servings of oranges or grapefruits, over a four week period, to lower your LDL cholesterol levels significantly.



This guide http://www.hdlcholesterollevels.org will help you with raising HDL Cholesterol Levels to ensure you remain heart healthy.It is essential that you
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3 Super Foods To Get Rid Of Cellulite For Good

By Sean T Mcdade

So, you aspire to cure cellulite without going to the gym, without cream, and without expensive surgical treatments -- is that right? Well, then you've come to the right place! Right below here you'll discover three amazing foods which can not only cure cellulite into submission, they'll actually keep it from ever coming back too!

3 Foods That Protect Against & Cure Cellulite...

1. Fish: Fatty fish and fish oils consist of a plethora of essential amino acids that work on strengthening and fortifying skin cells. Stronger, more fortified skin cells will lead to improved tone & texture for your skin. In layman's terms, ingesting fatty fish and fish oils daily can minimize the appearance of cellulite (dimply skin).

2. Peas & Beans: Weakened connective tissue is a MAJOR reason why cellulite bumps and dimples start showing up. What beans, peas, & legumes do is they improve these tissues extensively. When they get strong enough, cellulite will no longer be able to push through and produce that dimply look, referred to as "orange peel". Add beans or peas to every one of your daily meals to give an extremely big boost to your connective tissues.

3. Nuts: Healthy fats, protein, and fiber are what makes nuts an incredible anti cellulite food. 1 or 2 handfuls every day -- Pecans, Walnuts, Peanuts, Almonds, etc. -- ought to be good enough. It's also necessary to keep in mind that most kinds of nuts can be VERY fattening if you do not control yourself. The last thing you'd want to do is to trade your cellulite deposits for REAL fat, right?

Are these the only three foods which can cure cellulite? No, of course not. There are at least a dozen other foods that can be eaten in order to protect against & get rid of cellulite deposits, but these are three of the best.



Looking for information on the absolute best ways to reduce cellulite? Then head on over to http://www.celluliteremovalmethods.com, one of the most trusted and informative cellulite treatment websites on the web.

4 Step Plan To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Easily

By Sean T Saunders

Acne Scars may most certainly put a damper on an individual's social life. In some instances, individuals suffer from very frustrating and embarrassing breakouts which make a total mess of their face and make them want to keep indoors and not socialize in any way, shape, or form. Should you be a victim of seriously bad breakouts, you must take control and find out how to remove acne scars so you may gain your confidence back.

Get Rid Of Your Acne Scars Easily...

Shed Your Dead Skin: It is vital to find ways to clear away your dead skin to ensure that new skin may grow. With that said, you really should begin using lemon juice as you clean your face. This will assist in shedding more layers of dead skin quickly and make scars less noticeable to the eye. Each layer that's removed is yet another step towards your acne scarring being totally wiped out.

Smooth the Skin Surface: Olive oil is known to be very efficient at smoothing the surface of the skin. This is of particular interest to individuals whose acne scars have caused an extremely rough skin surface. Dabbing olive oil over the areas a couple of times each day will help to smooth out those acne scars so you can reclaim an even skin tone and texture.

Healing Your Skin: Juice from cucumbers can be used to overcome acne breakouts. However, what many people fail to realize is that it's also a great method of healing the skin and getting rid of acne scars. Apply cucumber juice to your face daily and you should notice that acne scars are starting to slowly fade away.

Rejuvenate the Skin: One very powerful and all-natural way of rejuvenating the skin is by using tomato slices on the areas with acne scarring. Just put tomato slices on your face, and then leave them there for approximately 15 minutes. Tomatoes have wonderful healing properties since they're loaded with antioxidants; those of which help to repair the skin. Once you eradicate any & all dead skin (previous step), the tomato slices will help you attain a healthier looking skin surface soon after.

You now know exactly how to remove acne scars with 4 easy steps. Are these steps sure to eliminate acne scarring? Regrettably, no -- however, that doesn't mean they won't help. And besides, if these techniques don't work for you, there are still plenty of other, more effective ways of how to get rid of acne scars.



Whatever http://www.how-to-clear-acne.com types of acne you might have, http://www.how-to-clear-acne.com can help you to get rid of them fast! Their powerful natural remedies can http://www.how-to-clear-acne.com cure acne breakouts in no time at all. Guaranteed!

How To Choose The Correct Protein Powder Supplement For You

By Jim Duffy

The average diet has more than enough protein to meet daily needs, however, there are often times when the average diet becomes less than normal and may not be as adequate as it should be. Between the busy life that the average person leads and constant yo-yo or fad dieting, the fact is that what we should be eating quickly becomes what we do not eat and what we sorely miss.

For optimal health, every diet must contain the right amounts of the three macro-nutrients, protein, carbohydrates and fats. There have been many diets that have tried to severely limit or even eliminate one or the other of these vital building blocks of life, with little success. Yes, there are bad food choices among these three categories, but there are excellent food options among them too. While it is best that nutrition come from healthy, whole food choices whenever possible, it is not always feasible. We live on the run and on the road. Many of us spend most of the day with the steering wheel in one hand and a cell phone in the other. Eating healthy foods is hard enough, let alone trying to shop for and cook these options. We succumb to the lure of the drive-thru and then bemoan our chubby tummies. There is not enough time in the day to sit down for a meal that does not involve packets of ketchup or interruption by a cell phone call or the need to check our Facebook or our Twitter. When in our busy day are we going to fit in exercise?

While it should be next to impossible to have inadequate protein in the average diet, it is possible for those who are simply not eating at all because they think they can finally manage to get their weight under control if they do not eat solid food. What they succeed in doing is shutting down their metabolism all together. But, then what are they using for the energy to continue to live? Their body is burning energy stores, that is true, but only in limited amounts. What their body is actually burning might be their own lean muscle mass.

It is important that we not only become more educated about our health and nutrition needs and, but also about metabolism and weight loss. There are 34 million people in the United States who are medically obese. (Source: www.Stanford.edu ) At any one point in the year, there are over 20 million people who are starting, in the middle of or giving up on a diet. (Source: www.thriveonline.com)

Many of those people will try sensible diets that are nutritious and have the right amount of calories for optimal health. Unfortunately, many more of them will choose a fad diet that will sadly fail for them. There are countless reasons that these people will give for the diets that they choose, with some of them using the lack of time as one of the reasons that they do not eat well. For them, opting for protein supplements might be a better way to protect their health and to make sure they are getting enough of this important nutrient each day. Whether they are looking for a protein supplement that can serve as a protein booster or a meal replacement, they need to know what the different types are, the advantages and disadvantages of each and what makes them different from one another.

If you are interested in finding a good protein supplement, there are a few things that you should be looking at, including the ingredients and the nutritional value. Here are some suggestions for the best protein supplements, including choices for vegetarians and vegans as well as for those who have food allergies.

A final note: if you have any medical conditions, including serious food allergies, it is important to make sure that you are consulting a doctor, a dietitian or a nutritionist before adding protein supplements to your diet plan.

The Protein Supplement Options

Protein supplements come in many different forms, including powders, bars, liquid supplements, shakes and even pudding. There is a weight loss program that suggests eating a pudding "shot" before each meal so that you eat less while enjoying your favorite foods. The protein in the pudding shot fills you up and protects against muscle loss. The choice of which protein supplement is right for your will depend on a number of factors. Obviously, a powder would have to be mixed before you consume it, making it more suitable for use at home. There are portable, battery operated mixers that you could use for these powders, or you could mix and take along your supplement. Premade protein shakes and drinks might be handy to use, but can sometimes come in larger sizes that are not easy to carry around or might be too large for a quick boost. Profect, a liquid supplement shot from Protica, is fast and easy to drink, with only 100 calories and a full 25 grams of protein per serving.

No matter what type of protein supplement you are looking at, consider its cost and its ingredients before making a final selection.

The Protein Powders

There are four kinds of protein powders: whey, soy, egg and rice. Among these, there are some that are single ingredient and some that are combination. It is important to read the ingredients of these powders, especially if you are allergic to one or the other of these types of proteins. If you are not sure about an allergy, stick to single ingredient powders until you know that they are safe.

Whey Protein Powder -- Whey protein is derived from milk and is the most common type of protein powder. There are two types of whey protein powder, a concentrate and an isolate. The concentrate is the most common and the least expensive in most cases. The concentrate contains 30-85% protein while the isolate has around 90%. The isolate also has less fat and less lactose than the concentrate.

In addition, the whey protein isolate has 50% more leucine than soy protein, which has the advantage of building more lean muscle tissues and lowering body fat.

The benefits of whey protein powder are that it boosts immunity, is an optimal source of amino acids, including the essential amino acids, it enhances muscle recovery after workouts and prevents muscle loss after workouts. It increases glutathione, an antioxidant that is important for a healthy immune system. Whey protein releases hunger suppressing hormones as well.

Its sole disadvantage is that it is not meant for those who are lactose intolerant.

Soy Protein Powder -- Like whey, soy can be either a concentrate or an isolate, with the isolate providing more protein. Soy is the only plant based protein that is complete, meaning that it contains all eight of the essential amino acids. (The human body makes many of its own amino acids, but cannot make leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and lysine). Soy protein powder is derived from soy flour and is highly digestible.

The benefits of soy protein powder are that it improves the nutritional value of foods, lowers cholesterol and lowers the risk of heart disease. Soy protein powder is one of the few protein supplements that is appropriate for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

The disadvantage is that it is not meant for those who are allergic to soy or soy products.

Egg Protein Powder -- Eggs are the perfect protein source, and are the protein that all others are judged and evaluated against. Eggs are complete proteins, meaning that all eight essential amino acids are present. The protein powder is created from egg whites so that it is fat free. Egg protein powder is the highest source of the amino acids alanine, argine, glycine and methane.

Its disadvantages are that it is not meant for those who have egg allergies, and it is not for vegans.

Rice Protein Powder -- Rice protein powder is derived from brown rice and is a complete protein source. The biggest advantage of rice protein powder is that it is hypoallergenic and is perfect for those who have any kind of allergies. It is also perfect for vegetarians and vegans.

Its disadvantage is that it may not be easy to find.



Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures http://www.profect.com IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for bariatric patients. You can learn more at http://www.protica.com - Copyright

What Are The Health Risks Of A Vitamin D Overdose?

By Victor Properties

Vitamin D is essential to your good health, but like everything else, it should not be overdone! It is possible to experience a vitamin D overdose, especially since we actually need fairly low levels of vitamin D in our bodies to function.

What causes a vitamin D overdose? Exposure to sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, and as little as fifteen minutes of sunlight "therapy" three times a week is all you really need for your body to produce the vitamin D you need. You cannot overdose on vitamin D by getting too much sun, though, as your body only produces what you need.

You will probably also not experience a vitamin D overdose from food sources. Too many supplements are often to blame for excessive vitamin D intake, as your body cannot shut down the absorption of vitamins from supplements. This can cause the build up of vitamin D to toxic levels. Ironically, toxic levels of vitamin D are often the result of therapeutic prescription of the supplement due to an original deficiency - high levels may have been prescribed for patients with rickets, for instance.

A vitamin D overdose is never the result of a single high dose, rather the levels of toxicity in the body builds up in the body's fat cells over time. Most nutrients that we consume too much of, the body simply gets rid of; however, with vitamin D it has no such mechanism, but stores the excess in the fat cells. It is the stored vitamin D that eventually leads to toxic amounts in your body.

The upper intake levels for babies are 25 micrograms, while for older children and adults, 50 micrograms per day are sufficient. Children will suffer from toxicity more quickly than adults.

What are the health risks of a vitamin D overdose?

1. Because vitamin D has primarily the function of encouraging calcium absorption, high levels of calcium in the blood is possible. This could lead to excessive calcium in the intestinal tract.

2. High levels of phosphate and calcium in the lungs, heart and kidneys, which can damage your organs permanently.

3. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

4. High levels in the kidneys can lead to kidney stones, renal failure and excessive production of urine.

5. If you are pregnant, a vitamin D overdose can cause deformities in your baby.

6. Other symptoms include bone pain, fatigue, excessive thirst and dehydration, itchy skin and deafness.

An overdose can be treated by simply stopping the intake of supplements, and lowering the amount of calcium you ingest until the symptoms stop.

Always consult your doctor before taking vitamin supplements, and in the case of vitamin D, when you get a lot of sun exposure, you will probably not need to take vitamin D supplements at all. Vitamin D in the correct amounts is essential to good health.



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