A Colon Detox Can Improve Your Colon Health

A healthy colon is a vital part of a healthy body. The colon, along with the small and large intestines, are a major area where the nutrients in food are absorbed. If the colon is not clean, it cannot fulfill this important task. Not only that, the impacted fecal material that builds up in the colon and intestines releases toxins into the bloodstream. You are in effect getting toxins instead of nutrients - not a very good trade.

Symptoms that a colon detoxification might be in order include tiredness, PMS, headaches, and of course, constipation. There are a variety of ways colon cleansing can be done, including colonic irrigation, enemas, dietary fiber, and laxative herbs. These methods can help, but each has negative points.

Another natural option for colon health is to use an oxygen based colon cleanser. This method uses magnesium oxide that has been treated with oxygen and ozone. This substance will react with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to release oxygen. The oxygen gets into the bloodstream to nourish all parts of the body, but it does more than that. It also nourishes the favorable bacteria that live in the digestive tract.

Unfavorable bacteria in the digestive tract will give you vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. Favorable bacteria compete with the unfavorable ones for living space. An oxygen based colon detox will encourage those good microbes, for better all around health. So how exactly does it work?

An oxygen based colon health product creates a chemical reaction that releases oxygen and melts the impacted material in the intestines and colon into gas and liquid. It will make you need to stay close to a bathroom for a day or so while you eliminate the material from your colon, but you will feel much better afterwards.

Look for an oxygen based colon detox product that is available in a capsule form. Make sure it does not include ascorbic acid among the ingredients because ascorbic acid is an antioxidant. An antioxidant will undo the good that could be done by the oxygen. A good ingredient to look for, however, is GE-132. This is the germanium-132, which is good for the health of the immune system. It also facilitates and adds oxygen. It is considered to be a nutrient that is helpful for many ailments.

Cleansing the colon can help with weight loss. Many people who have eaten an average diet for years have accumulated ten to twenty pounds of impacted fecal matter in their colons. An oxygen based colon cleanse will help the body eliminate this material, resulting in a quick loss to jump start your weight loss plan. Follow up the cleanse with reasonable portions of healthy natural food. You should have enough energy after the cleanse to start an exercise program, too.

There's a lot more to learn about colon cleansing, and you can do it at http://www.colon-cleaners.com

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Are The Foods You Eat Putting Your Health at Risk?

Food (and water) is the absolute first thing you need in order to ensure life. Without it you would wither away and die. You need food for its nutrition and for its sustenance. But are the foods you consume today supplying you with good solid nutrition, or are many of them slowly robbing you of your health and taking years from your life?

Here are some things to consider:

THE HAZARDS OF EATING MEAT
Eating meat (particularly pork and red meat such as beef) in of itself is unhealthy especially when eaten in too large of quantities. Certain meats, such as beef, can take up to 72 hours to digest completely. Therefore, if you eat meat two or three times a day, you could still be digesting the food you had for breakfast the other day while you are again consuming another round of it.

This explains why many autopsies reveal from 5 to as much as 40 pounds of undigested meat still in the systems of many people! Now, imagine how unhealthy it becomes if the animal where the meat came from was treated with antibiotics and other artificial health sustainers? These chemicals stay in the meat fibers; and no amount of washing, cooking, or boiling will get rid of them. Do you really want that in your food?

Hence, many people today are immune to antibiotics for humans. They ingest the antibiotics from animals, and the extra strong antibiotics kill both the good and bad bacteria in the human body. The more you eat chemically treated meat, the more you weaken your body抯 defense mechanisms. This hazard is aggravated further when the meats are processed with artificial flavors and preservatives.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN CONSUMING FISH
Many 揻resh?fish in the market today are loaded with preservatives to lock in their 揻reshness.?Some use formalin, a chemical used in embalming human corpses, to preserve newly caught fish. A few wicked sellers may wash marketed fish with food coloring or textile color to give these fish a 揻resh?look. To ensure your safety and enjoy the nutritious benefits of fish, buy them from trusted sources only.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN CONSUMING BREAD
Many white breads are hard to digest. Their hard residues stay long and may form blockades in the intestines. Moreover, eating white bread actually rapidly elevates blood sugar levels in your body. Whole wheat bread is a healthier food alternative to white bread as it supplies better nutrition, but many of the whole wheat breads today still have preservatives because they are commercially produced. Make sure it is made with 搘hole wheat flour?and not 揺nriched whole wheat flour? Always check the ingredients just to be sure.

CHEMICALS IN FOOD
Aside from having their nutrition values greatly reduced, a lot of food today is treated with harmful chemicals. Washing, cooking, and boiling for long hours may lessen the chemicals in your food, but these harmful substances may not be fully eliminated. Peeling the skin off some fruits will not ensure safety either.

Imagine swallowing and accumulating all those fertilizers and pesticides in your body. Do you still wonder why we have so many deadly diseases today that were unheard of in the days of our ancestors?

Insects know better. They will not touch crops with pesticides. That is why you will find these crops sold in the market without any sign of insect bites. People buy them because they look clean and delicious. They don抰 know that these outward appearances conceal inner hazards of the food they are buying. Some people think it is a good option to eat fruits and vegetables that show a few nibbles from insects.

PROCESSED FOOD
After having your veggies and fruits treated with fertilizers and pesticides (and these are given to farm animals as part of feeds), they also undergo artificial processing to prolong their 揻reshness.?They are treated with preservatives, which mean more chemicals. Some instant noodles are treated with chemical wax, which may be cancer causing. Do you know that these noodles are banned in some countries?

Because processed food terribly lacks real nutrition, their sellers sometimes put synthetic vitamins in them and pass them off as 損lus factors?for good health when actually; these synthetic vitamins often do little to nothing for you or in some cases can even harm your health.

If you want to live a long, happy, and healthy life, always be on the lookout for the presence of preservatives in your food. Look at the labels and find out if some of the ingredients can be harmful to your health.

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10 Small Steps To Improve Your Health

Many of us make health-related resolutions, such as to lose weight, stop smoking or join the neighborhood health club. While it is common to set high goals, experts say that setting smaller goals could do more for our health.

"Small steps are achievable and are easier to fit into your daily routine," says James O. Hill, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. "They are less overwhelming than a big, sudden change."

Here are 10 to try:

1. Stop gaining weight. Even if you gain just a pound or two every year, the extra weight adds up quickly.

2. Take more small steps. Use a pedometer to count your daily steps; then add 2,000, the equivalent of one extra mile. Keep adding steps, 1,000 to 2,000 each month or so, until you take 10,000 steps on most days.

3. Eat breakfast. Breakfast eaters tend to weigh less and have better diets overall. For a filling and nutrition-packed breakfast, top Whole Grain Total?with fresh fruit slices and low-fat or fat-free milk.

4. Switch three grain servings each day to whole grain. If you're like the average American, you eat less than one whole grain serving a day.

5. Have at least one green salad every day. Eating a salad (with low-fat or fat-free dressing) is filling and may help you eat less during the meal. It also counts toward your five daily cups of vegetables and fruits.

6. Trim the fat. Fat has a lot of calories, and calories count. Purchase lean meats, eat poultry without the skin, switch to lower-fat cheeses, use a nonstick pan with only a dab of oil or butter.

7. Consider calcium by including two or three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt. Dairy calcium is good for bones and may also help you lose weight.

8. Downsize. The smaller the bag, bottle or bowl, the less you will eat.

9. Lose just 5 to 10 percent of your current weight. The health benefits are huge-lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides.

10. Keep track of your eating. Write down what you eat over the next couple of days and look for problem spots. Often, just writing things down can help you eat less.

Mindy Hermann

Note to Editors: This is Series V-16 of 26.

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Dining Out Guide for the Health Conscious Eater

Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant meal has over 1,000 calories? That's enough to blow any healthy eating plan. Fortunately, by following a few simple guidelines, you can dine out without having to sacrifice good taste and nutrition.

1. Avoid ordering an appetizer. It's a little known fact that some appetizers have more calories and fat than the main course. Plus, many appetizers are fried and served with heavy sauces which will add to your intake of saturated fat as well as trans fats and calories. It's not a healthy way to start your meal.

2. Say "yes" to salad. Salad is a healthy eater's best friend. Not only will it fill you up so you'll consume fewer calories overall, but it will also give you a hefty dose of antioxidants which are heart healthy. Be sure to ask your waitress to hold the croutons and cheese which will further reduce your caloric load. Also, choose your dressing wisely. Avoid cream based dressings and go for the vinegar based ones. You also have the option of using vinegar and olive oil which is heart healthy.

3. Make the right entree selection. Go for broiled and grilled rather than fried. Not only will you save calories and fat grams, you'll also avoid trans fats which are so prevalent in fried foods. Instead, consider asking for a doubles order of vegetables with your entree. Very few Americans are getting the 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables recommended for optimal health. Plus, by avoiding the starch, you'll be reducing your caloric and carbohydrate load. Also, stick to tomato based sauces rather than cream based and you'll enjoy a considerable calorie savings. Lastly, ask for the sauce to be served in a separate dish on the side so you can control the amount you eat.

4. Think about what you're drinking with your meal. By not ordering an alcoholic beverage, you've saved yourself a considerable number of calories. Try sipping iced tea sweetened with a noncaloric sweetener, a diet soft drink, or water with lemon. You'll be glad you did when you consider the calorie savings.

5. Indulge your sweet tooth wisely. Many of the chain restaurants now offer a low fat or low carbohydrate dessert selection such as a low carb cheesecake. These are wise choices for the health conscious eater and still allow you to end the meal on a sweet note. If a healthy dessert option isn't available, try a cup of coffee with skim milk to help satiate your desire for something sweet.

6. Learn to control your portions. Many restaurants are serving larger quantities of food than in the past. If this is the case, put aside a portion of your entree at the beginning of the meal to take home with you. If you remove it from your plate before you start eating, you'll be less tempted to overindulge.

By following these steps, you can make your dining experiences not only healthy, but enjoyable. Your heart will thank you!

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Dietary Fiber - For Diabetes, Heart and General Health

Most people understand the importance of dietary fiber in their diet. Much has been said about its importance in heart health, diabetes, cancer prevention, and even weight control.

What is less well understood is how different types of fiber effect the body. Some provide fecal bulk, some are absorbed more quickly into the blood stream than others, and thus raise blood sugar levels more quickly, and yet others provide benefits to the heart.

Thus, despite the apparent simplicity, fiber is a complex topic. And whilst all types of fiber are important, if you are looking at preventing or managing specific conditions, its not enough to just look at the total dietary fiber as written on food packaging.

Dietary fiber is broadly classified into soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is fermented in the colon, and plays a role in slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. It also encourages the growth of the 'friendly' bacteria that help break down bile, and are involved in the creation of B vitamins like folic acid, niacin, and pyridoxine.

Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, acts a bit like an intestinal broom. It provides bulk to the stools, and makes sure they pass through easily and quickly. This is the type of fiber that keeps you 'regular', not insoluble fiber.

Insoluble fiber does provide a feeling of fullness, however. This makes it great for weight loss and controlling hunger. It also keeps blood sugar levels more stable, although research into the rate at which carbohydrates enter the bloodstream have found there to be some significant differences within the foods that make up the fiber group. Dietary fiber can thus be rated by its Glycemic Index, which effectively ranks fiber foods with each other on a relative scale.

The idea is to try and include more low gylcemic index foods. Foods with a high glycemic index cause blood sugar levels to spike, providing too much energy to the blood in the form of carbohydrates, which in turn sets off the body's sugar controlling hormone - insulin. You thus get a 'high' followed by a sudden drop. This in turn leads the body to want more carbohydrates to balance itself again, leading to cravings and overeating, as well as tiredness and moodiness.

Low glycemic index foods include lentils, chickpeas, baked beans, fruit loaf, salmon sushi, barley, milk, low fat custard, soy milk, yoghurt (not diet yoghurt), apples, strawberries, grapes, spaghetti, peas, carrots, fructose, strawberry jam, and chocolate milk.

Moderate glycemic index foods include pea soup, rye bread, porridge, muesli, ice cream, bananas, pineapple, kiwi fruit, new potatoes, beetroot, white sugar, honey, and mars bars.

High glycemic index foods include broad beans, bagels, white bread, brown rice, watermelon, udon noodles, desiree, pontiac and sebago potatoes, and glucose.

We need both soluble and insoluble fiber, however. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that in a group of 6000 French men and women, those with the highest levels of soluble and insoluble fiber in their diet had a lower risk of being overweight, a lower risk of having blood pressure problems, cholesterol problems, and they had better levels of triacylglycerols and homocysteine. The last two are measure3 of heart health.

Fiber from cereals was linked to lower body fat, lower blood pressure, and lower levels of homocysteine. Those with a higher intake of vegetables, also a source of fiber, had lower blood pressure and lower homocysteine levels. Fiber from fresh fruit was associated with a lower waist to hip ratio (good news for dieters!), and lower blood pressure. And fiber from dried fruit, nuts, and seeds (like sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds) was also linked to a lower waist to hip ratio, lower body fat, and a better fasting glucose concentration. Fasting glucose relates to having a steady level of glucose between meals. If it dips too low, we crave things, often sweets.

Fiber has another interesting benefit. In people with type 2 diabetes, it has been found to lower the levels of 'bad' cholesterol, and increase the levels of 'good' cholesterol. It has already been established that fiber supplements will lower the levels of bad cholesterol in people, whether they have diabetes or not. But this new study found that fiber supplements also decreased the reabsorption of cholesterol from meals.

To get this benefit, it is important to time taking the fiber supplement in synch with meals. The study participants took a fiber supplement drink before mealtimes, and this ensured that the fiber was in the intestines when the meal was being eaten. The people in the study participated for 90 days and their average age was 59 years old.

References:
1. Australian Healthy Food, November 2005
2. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=64759
3. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=57887
4. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=64462
5. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=59737

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Are The Foods You Eat Putting Your Health at Risk?

Food (and water) is the absolute first thing you need in order to ensure life. Without it you would wither away and die. You need food for its nutrition and for its sustenance. But are the foods you consume today supplying you with good solid nutrition, or are many of them slowly robbing you of your health and taking years from your life?

Here are some things to consider:

THE HAZARDS OF EATING MEAT
Eating meat (particularly pork and red meat such as beef) in of itself is unhealthy especially when eaten in too large of quantities. Certain meats, such as beef, can take up to 72 hours to digest completely. Therefore, if you eat meat two or three times a day, you could still be digesting the food you had for breakfast the other day while you are again consuming another round of it.

This explains why many autopsies reveal from 5 to as much as 40 pounds of undigested meat still in the systems of many people! Now, imagine how unhealthy it becomes if the animal where the meat came from was treated with antibiotics and other artificial health sustainers? These chemicals stay in the meat fibers; and no amount of washing, cooking, or boiling will get rid of them. Do you really want that in your food?

Hence, many people today are immune to antibiotics for humans. They ingest the antibiotics from animals, and the extra strong antibiotics kill both the good and bad bacteria in the human body. The more you eat chemically treated meat, the more you weaken your body抯 defense mechanisms. This hazard is aggravated further when the meats are processed with artificial flavors and preservatives.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN CONSUMING FISH
Many 揻resh?fish in the market today are loaded with preservatives to lock in their 揻reshness.?Some use formalin, a chemical used in embalming human corpses, to preserve newly caught fish. A few wicked sellers may wash marketed fish with food coloring or textile color to give these fish a 揻resh?look. To ensure your safety and enjoy the nutritious benefits of fish, buy them from trusted sources only.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN CONSUMING BREAD
Many white breads are hard to digest. Their hard residues stay long and may form blockades in the intestines. Moreover, eating white bread actually rapidly elevates blood sugar levels in your body. Whole wheat bread is a healthier food alternative to white bread as it supplies better nutrition, but many of the whole wheat breads today still have preservatives because they are commercially produced. Make sure it is made with 搘hole wheat flour?and not 揺nriched whole wheat flour? Always check the ingredients just to be sure.

CHEMICALS IN FOOD
Aside from having their nutrition values greatly reduced, a lot of food today is treated with harmful chemicals. Washing, cooking, and boiling for long hours may lessen the chemicals in your food, but these harmful substances may not be fully eliminated. Peeling the skin off some fruits will not ensure safety either.

Imagine swallowing and accumulating all those fertilizers and pesticides in your body. Do you still wonder why we have so many deadly diseases today that were unheard of in the days of our ancestors?

Insects know better. They will not touch crops with pesticides. That is why you will find these crops sold in the market without any sign of insect bites. People buy them because they look clean and delicious. They don抰 know that these outward appearances conceal inner hazards of the food they are buying. Some people think it is a good option to eat fruits and vegetables that show a few nibbles from insects.

PROCESSED FOOD
After having your veggies and fruits treated with fertilizers and pesticides (and these are given to farm animals as part of feeds), they also undergo artificial processing to prolong their 揻reshness.?They are treated with preservatives, which mean more chemicals. Some instant noodles are treated with chemical wax, which may be cancer causing. Do you know that these noodles are banned in some countries?

Because processed food terribly lacks real nutrition, their sellers sometimes put synthetic vitamins in them and pass them off as 損lus factors?for good health when actually; these synthetic vitamins often do little to nothing for you or in some cases can even harm your health.

If you want to live a long, happy, and healthy life, always be on the lookout for the presence of preservatives in your food. Look at the labels and find out if some of the ingredients can be harmful to your health.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

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Is Saturated Fat In Coconut Good For Your Heart Health?

You probably know that saturated fats are bad fats that can cause all kinds of heart related diseases. Did you know that and the humble coconut oil has 92% saturated fats? Then why is it that there are many advocates of taking coconut oil as a health supplement? Isn't that contradictory?

Supporters of virgin coconut oil argue that coconut oil helps them to improve skin condition, have more energy and even to lose weight. Huh? consuming saturated fats to lose weight? How is that possible?

These advocates hail the virgin coconut oil as one of the hottest new nutritional supplement to hit the health and nutrition industry in years. This logic flies against conventional wisdom, isn抰 it?

Saturated fat and there are plenty of it in coconut oil has been the villain for heart diseases. When hydrogenated vegetable fat (trans fat) was invented like in margarine, it was supposed to replace unhealthy saturated fat like in butter and was thought to be a healthier form of fat only until it was discovered in the last few years that trans fat is more dangerous to your heart health than saturated fat.

It is with this thinking that proponents of coconut fats is now arguing that not all forms of saturated fat may be bad and the coconut oil may be one of them. Dr. Bruce Fife, a US based naturopath and author of 揟he Coconut Oil Miracle?remarked during a press conference in Singapore last month, 揘ot all saturated fatty acids act in the same way. The fat in coconut oil is different from most other fats and has many health giving properties?

He further added that, 揟he Lauric acid (I coconut oil) boosts immunity, has antioxidant properties and is being investigated in reducing viral load in HIV patients. You should also take into account the size of the carbon chain in the fatty acid. Most of the oils and fats we consume are long朿hain fatty acids. Coconut oil is the richest source of medium-chain fatty acids, which actually behave very differently from the long-chain versions.?
揗edium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil boost the body抯 metabolic rate and promote weight loss. They are broken down immediately in the liver to produce energy and are not stored as fat,?he added.

So is the consumption of coconut fats good or bad for health? It抯 very controversial isn抰 it?

Let抯 hear it from another expert Dr Annie Leong, deputy director of the nutrition department at the Health Promotion Board. 揟here is not enough evidence to prove that medium-chain saturated fats can reduce heart risk.?
Nutritionist Anna Jacob argued that, 揔erala is the coconut capital of India and it also has the highest rates of heart disease. While it is possible to argue that Indians are genetically predisposed to heart disease, but a diet high in saturated fat as well could heighten that risk.?
My question is that since Indians are more prone to heart disease, then the high rates of heart disease should be spread evenly throughout India and not just in Kerala, don抰 you think so? Therefore, I am still a little skeptical.

So who is right and who is wrong? So is coconut oil saturated fat good or bad for your heart health? Well, the jury is still out there as far as I am concerned. I for one will make a conscious effort to avoid consuming coconut oil too often until the coconut debate is more conclusive with empirical evidence that the coconut oil is good for heart health.

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A Colon Detox Can Improve Your Colon Health

A healthy colon is a vital part of a healthy body. The colon, along with the small and large intestines, are a major area where the nutrients in food are absorbed. If the colon is not clean, it cannot fulfill this important task. Not only that, the impacted fecal material that builds up in the colon and intestines releases toxins into the bloodstream. You are in effect getting toxins instead of nutrients - not a very good trade.

Symptoms that a colon detoxification might be in order include tiredness, PMS, headaches, and of course, constipation. There are a variety of ways colon cleansing can be done, including colonic irrigation, enemas, dietary fiber, and laxative herbs. These methods can help, but each has negative points.

Another natural option for colon health is to use an oxygen based colon cleanser. This method uses magnesium oxide that has been treated with oxygen and ozone. This substance will react with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to release oxygen. The oxygen gets into the bloodstream to nourish all parts of the body, but it does more than that. It also nourishes the favorable bacteria that live in the digestive tract.

Unfavorable bacteria in the digestive tract will give you vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. Favorable bacteria compete with the unfavorable ones for living space. An oxygen based colon detox will encourage those good microbes, for better all around health. So how exactly does it work?

An oxygen based colon health product creates a chemical reaction that releases oxygen and melts the impacted material in the intestines and colon into gas and liquid. It will make you need to stay close to a bathroom for a day or so while you eliminate the material from your colon, but you will feel much better afterwards.

Look for an oxygen based colon detox product that is available in a capsule form. Make sure it does not include ascorbic acid among the ingredients because ascorbic acid is an antioxidant. An antioxidant will undo the good that could be done by the oxygen. A good ingredient to look for, however, is GE-132. This is the germanium-132, which is good for the health of the immune system. It also facilitates and adds oxygen. It is considered to be a nutrient that is helpful for many ailments.

Cleansing the colon can help with weight loss. Many people who have eaten an average diet for years have accumulated ten to twenty pounds of impacted fecal matter in their colons. An oxygen based colon cleanse will help the body eliminate this material, resulting in a quick loss to jump start your weight loss plan. Follow up the cleanse with reasonable portions of healthy natural food. You should have enough energy after the cleanse to start an exercise program, too.

There's a lot more to learn about colon cleansing, and you can do it at http://www.colon-cleaners.com

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Reduce Free Radicals: Antioxidants And The Health Benefits Of Olive Oil

Nutrition used to be something like: 揺at fresh food and stay away from potato chips攨 now we are told beware of 慺ree radicals?in the body. Antioxidants are supposed to be good for you, but how do we encourage one and fight the other?

揑f I抎 known I was going to live so long, I抎 have taken better care of myself.?-- Leon Eldred

We live in an age where we are beginning to see an awareness developing between eating habits and good health. Several buzz phrases like low carb, high protein, and Hoodia are mentioned as a means to gaining a better life while honing a better physique.

Another phrase that is repeated often is 憭antioxidants?

What exactly is an antioxidant and why is it important?

Everyone has what is called 慺ree radicals?that roam throughout the body. These free radicals have the potential to attack the body, primarily in the form of cancer. Antioxidants fight back. A nutrition plan that includes antioxidants can assist in staving off the potential for acute illness due to free radicals.

Drinks such as coffee and tea often have a certain amount of antioxidants, but it is fresh fruit that is especially rich in antioxidants. Fruit, of course, remains high on the list of recommended foods by the U.S.D.A., but it may surprise you to know that extra virgin olive oil as part of a balanced diet can provide as much antioxidant as a piece of fruit.

The health benefits of olive oil remain a delightful discovery for many. It抯 not often something that adds significant good taste to a gourmet meal and can also be an extremely healthy choice.

A diet that is lean in saturated fats (red meat) balanced with a healthy dose of fatty acids has pointed to a number of health benefits. Most of the fatty acids that your body may need can be found in extra virgin olive oil.

The health benefits of olive oil extend to the reduction of LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing the amount of HDL (good cholesterol).

Case Study

The University of Barcelona conducted a controlled study that followed 16 individuals that were advised to refrain from certain foods that contained phenols (an antioxidant designed to attack free radicals). After abstaining for four days the test group was given extra virgin olive oil to determine if this alone could increase the levels of phenol in the body.

50ml of olive oil was provided to test subjects while they refrained from things like butter, nuts, eggs and margarine. After the first day the total intake of olive oil was cut in half. One week later, blood samples indicated elevated amounts of the antioxidants vitamin E and phenols. Oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids were also seen at higher levels - both acids are indicative of lower LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation.

Some researchers believe that the health benefits of olive oil may still be untapped, and many have indicated regular ingestion of olive oil may be one of the best kept health secrets available.

Beyond its antioxidant properties, extra virgin olive oil has provided significant data to indicate it may also lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and aid in the fight against colon cancer specifically.

Isn抰 it time to discover the virtues of olive oil for yourself?

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Read Nutrition Labels For Better Health

In today's hurried, harried world of food shopping, many people take the claims on the fronts of food packages -"healthy," "low carb" or "low fat" - as the final word on nutrition.

But by failing to read the small print, particularly the "Nutrition Facts" panel and the ingredients list, consumers may not be aware of what else they are getting, namely added sugars and trans fats. For example, did you know that a chocolate peanut butter PowerBar Performance Bar has 20 grams of sugar? That's twice the amount of sugar in a Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut.

Reading labels, particularly if you are following a controlled-carbohydrate lifestyle, is one of the best ways to take control of what you buy and eat.

"We believe - and emerging science confirms - that a high- carbohydrate diet, particularly one that includes a significant amount of added sugars in a variety of forms, contributes to many health-related concerns," said nutritionist Colette Heimowitz, vice president of education and research for Atkins Health & Medical Information Services. "Thus, it's crucial to read the labels on all packaged foods."

Always look at the serving size, for instance, to ensure that the portion will be able to satisfy your appetite. In many cases, it is smaller than you might assume. If you don't read the label, you may never realize that the smoothie you just drank is actually two servings, not one. Also, look for an adequate amount of fats, fiber and protein, all of which assure satiety.

Knowing what ingredients should not be in products is equally crucial. The front of the package may say "no trans fats," but the ingredients list might reveal trace amounts of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. A product that contains less than 1 gram of these oils is not required to include them on the Nutrition Facts panel. The only way you can be sure that a product is free of these unnatural, harmful fats is if there is no mention of them in the detailed ingredients list.

Avoiding added sugars also is important. Natural sugars in milk and fruit are fine, while added processed sugars, such as sucrose (table sugar) or corn syrup, should not be part of any healthy diet. Intake of sugar alcohols, which often are used in low-carb products to replace sugar and add bulk, also should be monitored.

A controlled-carb approach requires strict monitoring of the total carbohydrate content of any product. Atkins products do the work for the consumer, omitting added sugars and trans fats and providing a Net Atkins Count, based on clinical testing, that displays only the number of carbs that will have an impact on blood sugar.

Other products may require carb-conscious consumers to do this work themselves. In this case, subtract fiber, sugar alcohols and glycerine from the total carbohydrate count. - NU

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Fishing for Better Health: The Benefits of Fish and Other Food Sources High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Spring is well under way and summer is fast approaching. It's time for kids to take out their roller blades for carefree treks down boardwalks and sidewalks. Dads will rummage through closets for dormant baseball caps and to see if last year's uniform still fits. If not playing ball he'll watch from the sidelines, or from the comfort of his favorite chair. Moms, time to don old jeans, stock up on sunscreen, and get out the fishing poles. You heard me, ladies. Fishing poles! It's time to fight back!

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), stroke is the third leading cause of death in women. Every year an estimated 97,000 American women will die as a result of stroke. Statistically, every 53 seconds stroke will victimize someone in America. Of an estimated 600,000 stroke victims each year about 160,000 die as a result. There is, however, an easy way to drastically reduce these statistics.

Findings in a 14-year-long study of nearly 80,000 American women indicate that eating a 3.5 ounce serving of fish, two to four times a week, lowers stroke risk by 27 percent. The more fish consumed, the more impressive the percentages. Although few large-scale studies have examined this particular issue in men, experts say there is no biological reason results of such studies would differ.

The American Medical Association (AMA) published the study results in their January journal, 2001. There is conclusive evidence that consumption of fish high in omega 3 fatty acids hold significant health benefits, including reduced thrombotic infarction -- a type of stroke where a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain, resulting in destroyed brain tissue. (Blood clots are responsible for more than 80 percent of all strokes.)

Fish are a high source of omega 3 fatty acids, nutrients that help prevent the formation of clots, or 損latelet clumping.?They do this by making blood less 搒ticky.?As a result, risk of thrombotic stroke is lessened, as well as risk of embolic stroke, where the clot forms elsewhere in the body before traveling to the brain.

Conducted at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, the study revealed that women who ate fish once a week reduced stoke risk by 22 percent; two to four times a week by 27 percent, and five or more times a week by 52 percent. Unfortunately, the average American woman only consumes about 1.3 servings of any type seafood weekly, at an average of 3.5 ounces per serving. Women are not eating enough fish!

Penny Kris Etherton, Ph.D., a heart disease researcher at the State University in Pennsylvania, has long extolled the virtues of eating fish for health purposes. 揑 clearly tell people to eat fish and shellfish regularly to lower the risk of heart disease.?

National Fisheries Institute (NFI) President, Richard E. Gutting, Jr., agrees. 揟he benefits of eating fish continue to mount as more studies are conducted,?he noted. Gutting also said that women of all ages 搒hould enjoy the variety and great taste of fish and seafood on a regular basis.?

How the fish is prepared is important, as omega 3 fatty acids can be destroyed by heat, air, and light. NFI recommends not overcooking the meat and the use of low fat cooking methods: baking, broiling, poaching, steaming, stir-frying, grilling, or saut閕ng. Cook just until the point of doneness for maximum benefit. Avoid deep-frying, as it not only destroys more omega 3, but also adds to the total fat content.

If eating fish isn't your cup of tea, you might try fish oil supplements. Most experts do not advise the routine use of fish oil supplements, however, for two reasons:
1.) possible side effects -- fishy breath, gastrointestinal upset, and easy bruising. 2.) a false sense of security derived from taking fish oil for heath purposes, when the diet itself may be unhealthy.

Besides fish and fish oil supplements, other good omega 3 fatty acid sources include canola oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil, certain nuts and vegetables, and tofu. However, one would have to eat at least several times the normal amount of any of these other sources to gain the same benefit from one regular size serving of fish.

Institute of Food Technologist, Joyce Nettleton, D. Sc., R.D. suggests that because eating fish alone won't compensate for unhealthy eating habits, 揻ish and other shellfish should be eaten as part of a low fat diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.?

Besides boasting stroke resistant benefits, the fatty acids of omega 3 act as 揾ealth heroes?against hypertension, breast cancer, and depression. Other benefits include: less chance of developing heart disease, lower risk of heart attack even where heart disease does exist, lower blood pressure, possible improvement of kidney function in severe diabetes, and possible improvement of certain inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, and kidney disease.

In addition, nutrients found in healthy, uncontaminated fish help to insure proper development of fetal brain, eye, and nervous tissue during pregnancy. But, caution should be taken.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a recent consumer advisory, pregnant women should not consume shark, swordfish, or king mackerel or should limit consumption to not more than once a month.

These large predator fish could contain higher levels of methyl mercury than the FDA limit for safe human consumption -- 1 part per million (1ppm). Over consumption risks damage to the fetal nervous system. Even fresh water predator species such as pike and walleye have been found to have methyl mercury levels in the 1ppm range.

While it's true nearly all fish contain trace elements of mercury, larger, older and predator fish accumulate the highest levels and pose the greatest threat, while younger fish caught after only one season in polluted water have less. Even so, a variety of fish and other seafood that offer a naturally low fat source of protein can be an important part of a balanced diet for mothers-to-be.

According to one FDA advisor, pregnant women can consume up to 12 ounces of cooked fish each week: shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish or farm raised fish. Farm raised rainbow trout are most likely fed high protein foods containing a combination of soy and fish meal which make them an even better source of omega 3 fatty acid. Seven ounces of canned tuna can be safely consumed each week by pregnant women and nursing mothers if no other fish containing mercury is eaten.

Despite FDA warnings for pregnant women, the results of the survey hold wonderful news, and women should be greatly encouraged. We now have scientific proof that there is a positive step available toward reducing the risk of stroke. Even if you don't like fish, consuming just one 3.5 ounce serving one or two times a month can reduce risk of stroke by 7 percent.

Certain kinds of fish are more beneficial than others. For instance, because Alaska is relatively unpopulated there is little industry to pollute the streams and ocean. Lack of pollution combined with the earth's water and air circulation patterns make Alaska's pristine waters, and consequently its seafood among the cleanest in the world.

Numerous studies support this assertion. In 1998 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did a survey of seafood from the waters of Cook Inlet, located near Anchorage, Alaska. Results indicate that fin fish and shellfish caught in Cook Inlet were cleaner than any the EPA had ever tested. In addition, plentiful Alaska Salmon, one of the richest natural sources of omega 3 fatty acid available, are not among the publicized 揺ndangered?varieties of salmon.

Although light meat fish such as perch, flounder, and whiting have only about 0.5 grams of omega 3 fatty acid per 4 ounce serving, fish varieties with dark meat such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and bluefish contain roughly three times the amount of protective stroke reducing omega 3 fatty acid. Fresh tuna, striped bass, and rainbow smelt are also rich sources. So if you're going to limit fish intake, a dark meat fish is your best choice.

Whether for purposes of hobby or health, fishing is relaxing and something the whole family can enjoy together. This fun 搒port?has the potential to enhance your health and your marriage.

So, go ahead! Get a fishing license, grab a pole, and hit the shoreline. Eat 搕he fruits of your labor?five times a week to reduce stroke risk by as much as 52 percent. Then brag about the 揵ig one?that got away!

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Fish Oil Benefits - 7 Major Fish Oil Health Benefits

Fish oil benefits? You bet! Fish oil health benefits are important and wide-ranging. Proven by numerous clinical studies, fish oil benefits range from brain health to heart health to pregnancy health.

Fish oil health benefits come primarily from the two Omega 3 essential fatty acids in fish oil -- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and to a lesser extent EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). While plant sources such as flax seed will provide the body with Omega 3 oil, the body must convert it into DHA and EFA, and that conversion can be difficult for some people or for elderly people. However, fish oil provides the body with DHA and EPA in a natural form that can easily be assimilated.

Here are seven major fish oil benefits:

1. Lowers blood triglycerides - high levels of triglycerides are known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

2. Helps reduce likelihood of blood clots - fish oil benefits include the prevention of blood platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots.

3. Lowers mild high blood pressure - fish oil helps lower blood pressure when it is due to high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries.

4. Reduces inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and gout - fish oil health benefits come from the DHA and EPA that reduce the amount of inflammation-causing substances.

5. Lowers risk of developing Altzheimer's Disease - studies have found that fish oil seems to help protect the nervous system.

6. Reduces depression rates - the lack of DHA has been linked to higher incidence rates of depression.

7. Improves immune system function - fish oil benefits and studies have linked lowered risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer to the consumption of fish oil.

And there are more fish oil benefits! From lowered risk of age related macular degeneration to reducing the risk of osteoporosis to benefits for Type II diabetics, fish oil health benefits are truly spectacular.

However, there are some precautions that you should be aware of when considering your sources for fish oils. Some fish oils can contain:

* Contaminants such as PCB's and heavy metals like mercury

* Additional additives to keep the fish oil from becoming rancid during the transporting and encapulating process

* Low DHA levels

Inferior fish oil products do exist, while at the same time fish oils are available that are harvested from pristine ocean waters. Be sure the fish oils you consume to enjoy fish oil health benefits contain high levels of DHA and EPA and are free from the heavy metals. Read as much as you can about even more fish oil benefits that provide an amazing array of health benefits.

Copyright 2005 Infosearch Publishing

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Study Says Eating Fish Leads To Better Health

Eating more fish is good for your health. That's the finding of research conducted by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis (HCRA) at the Harvard School of Public Health.

The study, "A Quantitative Analysis of the Risks and Benefits Associated with Changes in Fish Consumption," analyzed the potential impact of consumer reactions to federal advisories that warn about the effects of mercury exposure from fish. Advisories could be misinterpreted and keep people from eating fish and seafood.

On average, Americans consume less than half the weekly intake of fish recommended by the federal government, in part due to fears of mercury exposure. However, the immense health benefits of fish and seafood far outweigh the minute risk of mercury contamination from commonly consumed fish.

"Fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect against coronary heart disease and stroke, and are thought to aid in the neurological development of unborn babies," said Joshua Cohen, lead author and senior research associate at HCRA. "If that information gets lost in how the public perceives this issue, then people may inappropriately curtail fish consumption and increase their risk for adverse health outcomes."

Since the body cannot manufacture omega-3 fatty acids, people rely on fish to provide this essential compound.

Eating less fish was also linked to a significant increase in the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The study concluded that pregnant women, who are at far greater risk for mercury exposure, could increase the cognitive development benefits for their unborn child by eating the recommended servings of fish per week and choosing from a variety of fish and seafood low in mercury. The benefit from fish consumption during pregnancy could amount to an increase in IQ level for the newborn.

"There is no debate within the scientific community that the fatty acids in fish are essential for human health. Study after study demonstrates that from birth to old age, omega-3 fatty acids confer important health benefits, from optimal brain function and the reduced risk of heart attack and stroke to improved eye health," said Joyce Nettleton, D.Sc., R.D., author of "Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health." "Fish is a healthful food for people of all ages."

Clear messages resulting from studies such as this encourage people to continue to enjoy fish and seafood as part of a healthy diet.

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Women's Health and Weight Loss Tip #3: The Importance of Iron in a Woman's Diet

One of the biggest weaknesses of the traditional commercial diet is the lack of iron that exists in its stringent and often excessively limited eating guidelines. In order to lose weight, many unsuspecting women get bamboozled into taking part in weight loss programs that cut out many of the nutrients that they need. Iron is one of the primary
casualties of such diets and weight loss plans.

The plot thickens for women in particular due to the fact that their bodies regularly lose iron during menstruation. Therefore, eating a low-calorie, low-iron diet in an effort to lose weight only makes the problem more severe.

It is generally suggested that women supplement their diets with an iron supplement such as the Vitality multivitamin offered by Melaleuca, the Wellness Company. This is particularly important during periods of heavy exercise and training that are typical aspects of any weight loss program or general effort to lose weight even when a special program is not in use.

One thing to be on guard for, however, is excessive iron supplementation by iron-deficient (non-anemic) women. There is a disorder known as hemosiderosis which results from large deposits of iron made in the liver that causes a glitch in the proper metabolism of the iron itself. Avoiding prolonged large doses will eliminate the risk of this particular disorder.

Below are a few recommendations from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) that will help you to make sure you get the adequate amount of iron intake in your daily diet, whether on a program to lose weight or not:

• Eat foods with a high vitamin C content with all meals. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron. (examples: salsa; chili peppers; oranges)
  
  
• Include dark meat chick and/or turkey in the training diet. Both of these are rich in iron
  
  
• Vegetable proteins such as split pea soup or chili beans with lean meat help the iron in those meats to properly absorb
  
  
• When eating starchy carbohydrates such as cereals, breads, and pastas, gravitate to those labeled "enriched" or "fortified" for their higher iron content.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole

Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

See this Article at YourBestBodyNOW.com

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What Good and Bad Fat can do to Your Health

THE FAT TYPES AND THEIR EFFECTS

High consumption of fat or of the combination fat and carbohydrates causes obesity, heart disease and other health problems. However the different types of fat have very different effects on the health. Here is a survey of the different fat categories and their effects:

Mono-unsaturated fat - This type of fat prevents heart disease and circulatory disease in moderate amounts.

Omega-6-poly-unsaturated fat - This fat type prevents heart disease if you do not consume too much of it. However it causes inflammatory reactions. This type of reactions are benign when they are moderate and when they are provoked to fight disease. But a constant high inflammatory response is dangerous, and can cause rheumatism, heart trouble and cancer. A very high consumption of this type of fat is therefore dangerous.

Omega-3-poly-unsaturated fat - This type of fat prevents heart disease and reduces inflammatory reactions in moderate amounts. Therefore it also reduces the risk of cancer, intestinal inflammations and rheumatism.

Omega-9-poly-unsaturated fat - This type of fat also prevents heart disease and reduces inflammatory reactions in moderate amounts. Therefore it reduces the risk of cancer, intestinal inflammations and rheumatism.

Saturated fat - This type of fat is probably not dangerous in small amounts. In higher amounts, saturated fat gives high cholesterol levels, causes clogging of the blood vessels, causes coronary heart disease and increases the risk of infarct of the heart and other organs.

Cholesterol - Cholesterol is a fat-like compound found in the food, but also synthesized from saturated fat by the body. High intake of saturated fat or of cholesterol itself therefore elevates the cholesterol level in the body. Cholesterol is a necessary compound, but in higher amounts it causes clogging of the blood vessels, causes coronary heart disease and increases the risk of infarct of the heart and other organs.

Trans-fat - This type of fat is produced by chemical processing to yield specific mechanical properties. Margarine often contains this type of fat. This type of fat is dangerous, and is a probably a causal component for heart disease and cancer. There is however one exception: Some amount of fat containing the trans acid conjugated linoleic acid seem to be benevolent for the skin health and may help reduce weight. Conjugated linoleic acid is found in milk and butter.


COMMON PROBLEMS OF THE AVERAGE DIET

The average American and European diet generally contains too much fat and carbohydrates combined. The fat consumed is generally a mixture of trans fat, saturated fat and omega-6-poly-usaturated fat. This bad fat consume causes overweight and is probably a major contributing component for the incidence of heart disease, cancer, intestinal inflammatory diseases, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions.


RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF FAT IN THE DIET:

A common advice is to let 25-30 % of the energy needed be covered by fat and the rest by carbohydrates. However, experts do not agree at his point. Some recommend a low carbohydrate diet with more fat, and others recommend a high carbohydrate diet with a low fat amount.
In either case, the combined intake of fat and carbohydrates should not be much higher than your daily energy consumption if you have a normal or wanted weight. If you want to loose weight, this combined amount must be lower. If you want to gain weight, it should be higher.


THE RIGHT MIXTURE OF FAT TYPES

The right mixture of different fat types is as important as the amount of fat in the diet to keep good health. However, you must not take the percent ratios given here too literally, since there is little agreement about the exact ratios that should be recommended. Furthermore, if you have an active lifestyle that demands much energy, this is best achieved by increasing the amount of carbohydrates and mono-unsaturated fat.

Mono-unsaturated fat - Ideally as much as 35% of the fat consumption should be from this type of fat. You can find this fat in olive oil, raps oil and walnut oil.

Omega-6-poly-unsaturated fat - 30 % of the fat consumption should be from this fat type. You find it in soy oil and corn oil.

Omega-3-poly-unsaturated fat and omega-9-poly-usatureted fat - 20 % of the fat consumption should be this type. You find it in fish oil and in fat fish. If you suffer from inflammatory conditions like rheumatism and intestinal inflammation, you will probably benefit from increasing the amount of this fat type, and reduce the amount of other fat types.

Saturated fat - Not more than 15 % of the fat consumption should be saturated fat. Saturated fat is found in fat from mammals, coconut fat and in milk.

Cholesterol - The cholesterol level in the body depends upon the combined amount of consumed cholesterol itself and saturated fat. To keep the cholesterol level right, you should not consume too much saturated fat, and not very much of food containing cholesterol, like eggs and spawn.

Trans-fat - This type of fat should ideally not be a part of the diet at all. Margarine, cookies, snacks and often also bread contain this type of fat. It is therefore important to reduce consume of margarine, cookies, snacks, and to check the composition of the bread you consume.

Conjugated linoleic acid - This is perhaps the only trans fat acid that is benevolent in some amount. It is found in natural milk fat, and you can buy dietary supplements of this substance. A small amount of this substance may help keep your skin healthy and may help you to reduce weight.

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How Toxins in Our Diet Can Affect Our Health

Are you careful about what you eat? Do you make sure that you're drinking milk for the calcium and vitamins A and D? Do you take the time to make sure that you're eating enough fruits and vegetables? Do you eat fish and other lean proteins because you know that they're supposed to be good for you? Do you take a vitamin supplement daily?

We are told that these are things that are supposed to be good for us. We hear that milk is good for us and that it can help us to lose weight - something that cuts the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. Fruits and vegetables provide us with fiber, fluids, vitamins and minerals. Fish is high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health and can help our bodies to better absorb vitamins and minerals. Vitamin supplements are designed so that we are able to get those vitamins and minerals into our system - to make up for those that we don't get in the foods that we eat.

While all of these things are true - fruits and vegetables are good for us, as are milk and fish; vitamin supplements can help us to add things that are missing to our diet - so is the fact that, with many of the foods that we eat, we ingest more than just the things that are good for us. We also consume toxins.

We're all aware that alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and processed foods that are full of preservatives and trans fats are unhealthy for us. However, many of us are less aware of the ways in which even healthy foods can get in the way of young living - keeping our energy levels up and our bodies healthy.

Don't believe it? Let's start with milk - as well as products like yogurt and cheese that are made with milk. Many of us have sensitivities to lactose, the sugar found in milk. Lactose isn't the only problem with milk however. Because many farmers give their animals growth hormones, the milk that we drink also contains these substances. Similarly, fruits and vegetables come from farms that often use pesticides, substances that are designed to keep animals and insects away from the crops that don't always wash away with water when we rinse off our foods.

Think that fish is safe? Yes, lean protein is good for us, however it's been found that many fish - including tuna - contain high levels of mercury. Mercury is a toxin that can affect the ways that we think and feel, causing anxiety and depression. Mercury also can cause headaches, dental problems, irregular heartbeats, weakness, fatigue and even excessive sweating. Vitamin supplements may not always be much better: the vitamins and minerals that they contain are not always included in the right balance, and, depending on your diet, you may find that you take in more of a certain vitamin or mineral than is healthy for your body, causing a vitamin toxicity.

This toxicity gets in the way of young living. It leaves us feeling sluggish. It gives us headaches, stomach discomfort, and can even release free radicals in your body. Over time, these free radicals work to break down our cell walls, creating a risk of developing cancers, heart disease, stroke and other health problems. In order to combat these free radicals, our bodies need antioxidants like those found in young living essential oils.

Essential oils are derived from fruits and other sources and contain antioxidants like vitamins C and E. Young living oils also contain minerals and fruit juices - along with essential oils - that make it so that taking the supplement is a good experience. Not only is it easy to include young living essential oil in your daily routine, but it's also something that won't leave a nasty taste in your mouth.

Instead, you'll find that young living oils can be taken in with a great tasting drink. You'll notice that your energy levels improve - without the same crash and burn that comes from energy drinks (which contain not only stimulants like caffeine, but also sugar which has its own toxicity within the body). You'll also know that you feel better: your immune system will function better and you'll catch fewer colds; in general you'll feel less sluggish.

That's not to say that young living oils will take the place of eating a balanced diet. Despite the toxins that can be found in our food, it's still necessary to eat balanced meals. It's just to say that young living essential oils are a great addition to your diet once you are making an effort to take better care of yourself.

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Women's Health and Weight Loss Tip #2: The Importance of Calcium in a Woman's Diet

Recently I published an article about the importance of exercise in fighting against the bone-brittling disease osteoporosis.

There are actually 3 primary factors that may put someone at risk for osteoporosis---women in particular:

• lack of calcium
  
• hormonal deficiency (estrogen in particular)
  
• lack of physical activity
  

So in addition to exercise and hormonal factors, a woman's diet is extremely important in guarding off this very debilitating condition.

One of the reason's why we do not recommend most traditional diet plans and programs is because the over-restrictive eating guidelines often eliminate or seriously limit the consumption of some very necessary vitamins and minerals that keep the body healthy and strong.

You never want to get to a point where you are sacrificing health merely to lose weight. In fact, any weight loss program
worth half its salt will make sure that the recommendations made for your daily diet intake are well balanced and full of all the nutrients that you need.

The most important time to get an appropriate amount of calcium is between the ages of 14 and 24, when peak bone mass is obtained. Then after that bone continues to develop until about age 35 to 40, at which time the bone mass that a woman has will strongly determine how much at risk she may be
for bone fractures in her later years.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that women intake 1,000 mg (1g) of calcium daily, and then increase their daily dosage to 1,500 mg (1.5g) post menopause.

Sadly, only an estimated 25% of women in any age group consume the recommended daily amount of calcium to guard against osteoporosis. And when they go on diets and weight loss programs, they tend to consume even less.

Lowfat dairy prodcuts such as milk (skim milk is a better option), yogurt, and cottage cheese are all excellent sources of dietary calcium. For those who are lactose intolerant or who wish to generally stay away from dairy products, non-dairy alternatives fortified with calcium will do as long as they contined the recommended daily allowance (RDA). The nondairy product Lactaid added to lowfat and nonfat milk may also work to help you meet your desired goal.

In your efforts to lose weight, make sure that the weight loss program that you use includes calcium-rich food choices. And if it does, you will need to add them yourself. No matter what weight loss program you are on or what other means you use to lose weight, here are some good ideas recommended by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) that you may add to your daily diet in order to get the amount of calcium you need while you lose the weight.

• Prepare canned soup with skim milk instead of water
  
• Add nonfat dry milk to soups, stews, and casseroles
  
• Add grated lowfat cheese to salads, tacos, and pasta dishes
  
• Eat yogurt as a snack, or use it to make low-calorie dressings
  
• Choose calcium-rich desserts, suhc as lowfat cheese and fruit, frozen nonfat or lowfat yogurt, and puddings made with skim milk
  
• Drink hot chocolate in the winter made with skim milk

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole

Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

See this Article at YourBestBodyNOW.com

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What Do Foaming Facial Cleansers Do And How Do You Choose A Good One?

If great skin care is important to you then one of the things to pay attention to is a good facial cleansing routine. A high quality foaming facial cleanser will achieve this, but unfortunately not all facial cleansers are high quality.

There are in fact many facial cleansers on the market. Just as there are many skin care products, cosmetics and other personal and beauty products. However like many of these products various brands of facial cleansers can contain harsh chemical ingredients which can actually damage your skin.

Yes you read that right. Many personal products including skin care products such as moisturisers, facial cleansers and more contain chemical ingredients which can actually damage your skin.

And many of these ingredients are the byproduct of the distillation of crude oil. Mineral oil is a fine example.

And sadly, it's perfectly possible to make extremely high quality skin care products using only natural ingredients which are both known to be safe for both the health and the skin and which are also known to be highly effective at good skin care. But they are rare because these ingredients are more expensive than the chemical alternatives.

So when you are choosing a facial cleanser the first thing to think about this is how safe the ingredients are. You should be able to find many of the ingredients listed on the label, however labelling laws do not require some risky ingredients to be labelled, such as chemical fragrances.

And then search at the Cosmetic Safety Database to establish whether those ingredients pose any risk to your health or your skin.

If you're looking at facial cleansing you need to understand that it depends on what you're trying to achieve. There are some quite cheap and effective cleansers on the market which will remove surface grime accumulated during the day, as well as make-up and mascara. And this is a good outcome, but you can do better.

It is also perfectly possible to achieve a deeper clean, removing material built up in the pores of your skin. And if you're using a high quality facial cleanser you can also achieve some positive outcomes for your skin such as improving the pH levels as well as helping protect your skin from the ravages of free radicals.

However all of these considerations are secondary, the first thing to find out is how safe any facial cleanser is for your skin. It's perfectly possible to get an extremely high quality foaming facial cleanser that uses only natural and safe ingredients and which is highly effective at promoting better skin health, however you have to do a little digging.

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Why Young People Need A Unique Approach In Addiction Treatment And Alcohol Treatment

It is no surprise that drugs and alcohol are a constant danger in society in the 21st Century. As an intrinsic element of our culture, we use drugs to relieve pain, for recreation, and to feel at ease with ourselves. We sometimes forget that mild drugs like coffee and tea are so popular, not only because of the taste, but also because of the stimulant effects they give us. It is when the use of drugs are abused and illegal drugs are taken, that lives are destroyed leading to Addiction treatment and Alcohol treatment.

Clients receiving Addiction treatment younger than ever before

But what is perhaps more worrying is the fact that statistics clearly show that the average age of people admitting themselves to a drug and alcohol unit is continually decreasing. In many rehabs the average age is around 25 and the clients have started taking drugs many years before. Drugs and alcohol is so much part of youth culture it is almost inescapable. It has suddenly become accessible even to the youngest child. Drugs and alcohol are readily available, and peer pressure sends the message that it is almost expected.

Are young people likely to have special issues when in rehab?

The short answer to that question is unfortunately yes. The government in the UK does not put strong laws around children taking alcohol in this country just because of a silly nanny state stance. The main reason why children should not take alcohol and drugs at such an early age (and certainly not to excess) is the body is still maturing - it is not fully grown. Drugs will cause damage, physically, emotionally and spiritually to a body which is still growing.

When a child starts to abuse drugs and alcohol from a very young age it distorts their perception of reality. Because they are so young they have not had a chance to build up a strong enough experience of life, to allow them to cope with the way that drugs warp their world view. This makes comprehending and dealing with every day issues difficult. On top of this, if the child uses drugs and alcohol as a crutch (perhaps as "Dutch courage" or to block out conflicts they would rather not face) the child becomes an adult without having first learnt essential life skills. Also because children are not fully formed in mind or body, substance misuse more often than not stops emotional growth. Emotions remain childlike and regressed even into early adult life. The Pre-frontal cortex of the brain which deals with areas such as decision making could well be affected as it does not form fully until the age of 25.

The Challenge for Addiction treatment

There is sometimes a tradition in Rehab and alcohol treatment that you cannot cure the individual until you deal with the addiction itself. And that is probably true, but it is quite clear from the facts stated above that young people who have been taking illicit drugs form an early age need something extra to enable them to return to as normal a way of life as possible.

One of the major issues for the Addiction counsellor and support worker is not just to motivate and prevent the addict from taking drugs again but helping them to replace it with new life skills that will ensure they are able to cope outside of Rehab. Now Drug rehab centres that offer successful techniques also offer Life Skills training as part of their addiction treatment.

One to one counselling focusing on emotional issues allow the individual to work through the times when they are most vulnerable to taking drugs. Are there negative feelings where alcohol or drugs seem to be the knee jerk solution? Are there emotions which rise to the surface that they can't cope with - so alcohol is used to repress them? Anger management is also useful. Sometimes the young person has not learnt how to control their more aggressive emotions and this causes problems when alcohol is used to quell the storm.

On the other side of the coin is "Assertiveness training" which helps the young person with skills on how they can stand up for their own needs without having to revert to alcohol drugs or aggression. Perhaps the most important part of Addiction treatment for young people is to learn how substance misuse can affect the body emotionally physically and spiritually. This knowledge is often a key in motivating recovery behaviour but can only be successful if there are positive life skills to substitute the drugs with.

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The easy way to herbal colon cleansing supplements

If you think all about finding the best Herbal diet to help you along with your colon cleanse, you probably want to get familiar with the top brands and products. For many people this is an overwhelming task because there are so many different species. With the Internet at your fingertips, you probably feel that you could get lost in a maze of herbal products if you're not careful. Here you will find that a few of the top herbal colon cleansing products have generally recognized by a number of specialists and organizations that have been in the company.

Colonial is without a doubt the most famous herbal diet cleansing program out there today. Not only do these products rinse your system and remove all unwanted bacteria and parasite, but they also help you getting back to the speed by replenishing all of the good things that you might have lost.

Clean Smart is the kind of colon cleansing that you need to remember. The program takes about a month. During that month you should take herbal supplements in the morning and at night. For busy people, this may prove to be much to remember. Also, while most experiences have been positive, some experts ensure that there is not enough information out there about these products.

Health Force is a brand that is known for its herbal diet supplements, but many people still have questions about these products. While these products indeed the ingredients needed to get rid of the colon of toxins, many people wonder about the legitimacy and effectiveness of these products. They may have been relatively affordable and worth a try.

Innercleanse 2000 is your typical Herbal diet Colon Cleanse product. It has a website that is easy to navigate with a bunch of useful information. You may even want to give this company a conversation because they make their free number post and it's pretty obvious that they are willing to ask. There is nothing out of the ordinary about these products, and it seems like there is not much in the way of complaints either.

Abbott Industries is one of the better known brands in the herbal supplement colon cleaning industry. One thing that people like about these products is that the programme is considerably shorter than other programs. Planning to on these products for about three weeks, just less than a month. While many people have testified to the effectiveness of these products, you may want to explore the website and take their free quiz, which allows you to learn a bit about the colon and the cleansing process.

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