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
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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
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
Thursday, December 16, 2010
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
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
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Know The Warning Signs Of Skin Cancer
By Kathy Forcey
It is essential for you to know the warning signs if you
want to detect skin cancer before it grows out of control.
You should look closely at your body, paying particular
attention to any changes that might be happening to any
discolorations or moles on your skin.
If you find a growth on your skin that suddenly appears or
changes in its size you should have it checked out by your
doctor. This is especially true if it is translucent, tan,
pearly, brown, black or has multiple colors. This could be
one of the early signs of skin cancer and you should have it
checked as quickly as possible so that you can get it
treated and dealt with while it is still in the early
stages.
While you are doing your self examination of your skin you
should pay attention to moles and other areas that have been
on your skin for a long time. You should be looking for
changes in the color or shape of existing moles and areas of
pigmentation as one of the skin cancer warning signs.
Keep an eye on wounds or cuts that will not heal. This is
another of the early warning signs of cancer that should be
watched. You most likely will notice if you have a cut on your
skin that is just not healing. Have your doctor take a look
and if they feel there is a reason they will test for skin
cancer.
It is very important to understand the skin cancer warning
signs so that you can monitor your own health. You are your
own best defense in the fight against skin cancer. Not only
must you monitor your skin you should also do everything you
can to protect it. This includes wearing sunscreen every day
and keeping your exposed skin covered.
You should cover as much skin as possible, and apply
sunscreen to all exposed skin. Between 10 AM and 4 PM, when
the sun is brightest, avoid sunlight when possible. Wear a
wide-brimmed hat if you need to venture outside during this
time.
You should learn how to protect your skin from damage, and
to understand early signs of skin cancer so that you can act
to protect yourself before things get too bad. Constant
vigilance is required to keep your skin healthy and to
prevent any problems from becoming too bad to easily treat.
Would you recognize the
(http://skincancerinformation.net/Things-are-the-beginning-signs-of-skin-cancer/)
skin cancer warning signs ? Things to look for and whether
to seek medical assistance?? Spend some time to learn Things
to look for and save yourself stress and worry later on.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sGy_0ZUmEiIK4uIsS0gEoOnDeluBLEObEv0kP4Gi5lclYnyHaAaPtToNwxBr3VLgVLcejADrvLSjG1QELcvO5g8GXJyrNitWGswaZn5v71pMRtJn4llVqaCV2kFh6Ahp0yQ8M_lx8FBGtlvzEdo500=s0-d)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Skin Cancer - How To Prevent It
By Brian Moor
A cancer diagnosis is still a terrifying event in anyone's
life. It's easy to lose all hope and just give up then and
there, but it is important to keep in mind that the number
of cancer survivors has increased over the last few years,
and with proper treatment, it is possible to be one of them.
There are several types of cancer, and even in a smaller
subset such as skin cancer there's more than one type.
Skin cancer can take either the form of a carcinoma or
melanoma. As the name suggests, the melanoma is a form of
skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes. Melanomas can
metastasise (invade other parts of the body) unlike
carcinomas, but luckily are rarer than the other types of
skin cancer. The most common forms of skin cancer are basal
and squamous cell carcinomas.
So what are basal and squamous cells and melanocytes? The
epidermis (top layer of the skin) is composed of three types
of cells: Squamous cells - An upper layer of thin, flat
cells. Basal cells - Round cells just under the squamous
cells. Melanocytes - The makers of melanin, the pigment that
gives skin its colour.
Factors that increase the risk of skin cancer include having
fair skin, chronic inflammations or ulcers, scars or burns,
having had radiation therapy and being exposed to a lot of
either artificial (as in tanning booths) or natural UV rays.
Remember that just because one of the risk factors applies
to you, it doesn't mean that you will certainly get skin
cancer. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true and people
who don't show any of the risk factors may also get skin
cancer.
One of the best ways of preventing skin cancer is by
minimizing damage to the skin through overexposure to
sunlight, so wearing sunscreen is recommended. Also, the
quicker a cancer is caught and treated, the higher the
chances of success. Skin cancer looks different depending on
which type it is, and a professional opinion can be
invaluable in diagnosing the disease in its early stages.
For those diagnosed with skin cancer, there are several
organizations out there that provide support and
information. An excellent source of information is the
National Cancer Institute, which has a comprehensive and
clear website, and reliable professionals available to
assist by telephone, email, post or chat.
Get the detailed case study of
(http://diseasesconditionstreatments.info/) Skin cancer, how
to prevent of skin cancer,
(http://diseasesconditionstreatments.info/) Symptoms of skin
cancer, Signs of skin cancer, Causes of skin cancer at
diseasesconditionstreatments.info
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sx5aolnKXnAmBivuj1C0bmKNPGEtdTzMGXE4cuCqpbeUjzltmN-Ohg4FKnJUg0kFl2ExIRR7MwHjA4Beev6D669jw6tIYZcooItDmdd8sV_qxRLN0o3eo8S_jMtTu_ma3Ebdwe9hQBV38yW5Kl7dgC=s0-d)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
