The Healthy Village

By now the common consensus is that low carb diets are the way to go. For the last twenty or more years, a diet of no carbs, has been used by a lot of people, and that fad diet has now been replaced with a far better low carb diet plan. The no carb diet gave people false hope with their health at stake. Eating in moderation can do a lot of good for your overall health, even when you are eating such things as good carbohydrates. The trick is figuring out how to switch from a high carbohydrate diet to a low carbohydrate diet. Here are a few hints and tips that will help you out.

Foods made from vegetables are your best option. While gluten based foods such as wheat are high in carbs, vegetables are quite a bit lower on this scale. You should keep this in mind when you eat out or order food to go at a deli. Look for veggie based side dishes like salads and vegetarian options on the menu.

Vegetables are not really carbohydrate-free, but they are low in carbs and the carbohydrates contained within them are good for you. There are many healthy and tasty low carb side dishes and snacks, such as broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. A diet based on natural foods is your best alternative. Since processed foods are usually high in unhealthy carbs, people who are used to these have to work extra hard when they try to adhere to a low carb diet. Most diet foods that are packaged for people on low carb diets tend to leave you feeling hungry and wanting something more. In fact, many diet foods will just make you want to go back to a high carb diet. Foods that are natural, however, are more nutritious and satisfying. If you want quick energy, for example, try eating some cashews or almonds rather than a diet product with an artificial sweetener that causes you to crash twenty minutes later.

By focusing on whole grains, you can immediately start eating a healthier diet. Whole grains are also very helpful at keeping you on your low carb diet. These are the the healthy, nutritionally dense type of carbs that can replace refined flours and other such unhealthy carbs. You can easily find whole grain alternatives. Breads, pastas, breakfast cereals and other foods can all be found (or made from scratch) with whole grains rather than refined grains and flours. Whole grain foods make it a lot easier for you to substitute in low carbohydrate foods for high carbohydrate foods without having to give up anything you love.

Some people go on low carb diets and start eating a great deal of meat. You can eat meat on a low carb diet if you want, but you should be discerning when making your choices. Eating lots of hamburgers and bacon, for example, isn’t the best thing for you. You want to stick to the fat free cuts of meat that you can get from the butcher. Try to find a source of naturally prepared meat in your area and, while this is more costly, it’s better to eat less of this kind of meat than larger quantities of unhealthy meats. The idea is to know what you’re eating.

Eating a low carb diet isn’t such a challenge, as we’ve seen. You don’t even need to quit carbohydrates 100%, just cut down on them. You should be conscious of what kinds of carbohydrates you eat; get them from natural, whole grain and vegetable sources and limit your portions. A health practitioner you trust can be a good ally when going on a diet. If you find the idea of a low carb diet complicated or intimidating, your doctor can help you sort it all out.

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The term “protoelytic” means literally “protein dissolving”, and proteolytic enzymes do exactly that. They dissolve enzymes in the body, and there are a lot of them that carry out various different functions. Examples are the pepsidases, such as trypsin and chymotrypsin that help to break down the proteins in our food. Others generate blood clots while yet other break them down again.

There is a fine line within the balance between the initiation of an immune reaction and its termination, between causing inflammation to combat a foreign invader and stopping the same inflammation. Each different enzyme can cleave a protein molecule into two parts at a specific site within the molecule, and achieve a different result by doing so.

It was in the 1950s that enzymes were found to act as anti-inflammatory agents, when the fore-mentioned trypsin was found to alleviate inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis when administered intravenously. This sparked off a whole raft of work on the effects of proteolytic enzymes on inflammation and other problems associated with the immune system. It was found that inflammation was initially caused by the immune system reaction to an irritant such as a mould, bacterium or even pollen spore. The inflammation caused then attracted further attention from the immune system, and the whole inflammatory process became self-generating.

At that time the mechanism by which these enzymes reduced inflammation and also pain was not understood, but it is now believed to be through the breakdown of the proteins involved in the immune reaction, of the proteins that act as intermediaries in the inflammation process and of those that lead the inflammatory agents to the site of the irritation that is causing the inflammation. The Circulating Immune Complex that was drawn to the site of the inflammation and further irritating the condition was destroyed by the proteolytic enzyme. There are other parts of the mechanism, but each involves the breakdown or “digestion” of a protein involved somewhere along the line.

Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme discovered in the intestine of the silkworm, but that is manufactured through fermentation. It does not harm the silkworm, but when regurgitated by the silkworm at the right time destroys the protein that makes up its cocoon, forming a hole through which the fully developed insect can emerge. This phenomenon led to a study on its effect on other proteins and it was discovered to have very strong ant-inflammatory properties.

It also appears to easily break down excess fibrin floating in the blood, the fibers that cause blood to clot, and does so without diminishing the ability of the blood to clot wounds. Some blood achieves the consistency of yoghurt due to the excess fibrin it contains, and is so prone to clotting when it is not wanted. The blood is much healthier when this fibrin is destroyed by enzymes.

It appears to break down and digest dead proteins, blood clots, cysts, the debris left after the immune system has destroyed invading cells and organisms, and also internal scar tissue. By clearing up all the debris floating around in the blood it effectively thins it, and allows it to circulate better. Serrapeptase is even claimed to break down the plaque that forms on arterial walls and that promotes strokes and cardiovascular disease. It appears to have no effect on healthy cells, or living organic matter and acts as the body’s waste disposal system for the blood and lymphatic systems.

It has been used for thirty years with no reported side effects, and all of its claims have been supported by testimony from people who have used it. The medical authorities believe that further work is done prior to any effect on arterial plaque to be officially accepted, although the patients that it has helped would disagree with this.

It is not only inflammation that proteolytic enzymes can help, but also problems relating to the respiratory system. The two are linked since the destruction of mucus by the enzyme is related to its proteolytic properties. Sinusitis sufferers obtain very effective relief through oral doses of serrapeptase, although it must have an enteric coating to protect it because it is destroyed by the acidity of the stomach. Treatment is needed for between 2 and 4 weeks for the effects to be apparent, but it is effective even with chronic cases.

It is also useful in the treatment of infections of the upper respiratory tract, although does not cure all conditions. Those that are caused by allergens or inflammations will more likely be cured than others due to viruses or bacteria that do not involve inflammation. Conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema can be alleviated by the reduction of and thinning of mucus, and the clearing away of dead scar tissue.

This reduces the possibilities of secondary infections and helps to body’s healing systems to work better and improve the patient’s lung function. Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary condition and cannot be cured, though some sufferers have reported an improvement in their condition after taking proteolytic enzymes, particularly serrapeptase which seems to be the most potent. It should not, however, be regarded as a cure or as a substitute for any other medication the patient is under and should be used only with the permission of the patient’s doctor.

There are many similar conditions where the reduction in mucus viscosity and cleaning up and removal of dead tissues and debris in the respiratory system can help sufferers feel more comfortable. The general property of proteolytic enzymes “digesting” useless protein cells from the blood, lymphatic system, respiratory system and between the joints can cure many painful conditions involving the non specific immune response that medicine calls “inflammation”.

The protease found most effective at achieving this is serrapeptase, also called serratio peptidase, and sometimes called the “wonder enzyme”. You will hear more of this enzyme in the future as it finds more and more medical applications due to the fact that it consigns all the detritus and rubbish within the non-digestive parts of our body to the rubbish bin.

Clear out the rubbish that is clogging up our bodies, and we are bound to feel healthier, and that is what many of these proteolytic enzymes do best, particularly serrapeptase.

About the Author

More information on proteolytic enzymes at http://vitanetonline.com/ where a large selection of anti-inflammatory supplements can be found.

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Released in 1929, Catalyn is the first multi-vitamin formula ever made. This article will explain the history and philosophy behind this simple, yet powerful product.

Catalyn contains every nutrient that the body needs to function. When Catalyn was introduced, researchers had not yet discovered most of the vitamins and minerals we know today. Whenever they discover a “new” nutrient, spectrographic analysis reveals that it is in Catalyn.

Royal Lee, a dentist and an early pioneer in the field of nutrition, created Catalyn. He knew that it was unwise to try to improve on what God created. He knew not to isolate any nutrient from its natural environment of food. Vitamins occur naturally in foods as complexes of enzymes, trace minerals and other synergistic nutrients. This is the form that your body can use. If you take only a fraction of a vitamin complex, separating it from its natural cofactors, your body must provide the missing parts from its own reserves. This creates a deficiency of these cofactors. Dr. Lee’s philosophy was to find the food source of a nutrient and concentrate that food to a therapeutic dose.

As a dentist, Dr. Lee noticed that most of the chronic dental problems he saw were from nutritional deficiency. He concluded that if many dental problems came from poor nutrition, then other health problems could too. In 1926 Royal Lee set out to create a food concentrate that included all the nutrients the body uses to function. For three years he searched for the foods that, when combined, would provide the body with all of these micronutrients-not just those known of at the time.

Lee also invented a way to dry and concentrate these foods into pill form without heating them above body temperature. He knew that for foods to be useful they needed to be alive-with all their enzymes and other heat-sensitive nutrients intact. Enzymes start to denature, or die, at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. To this day, the ingredients in Catalyn are not heated above body temperature. Lee’s patented low-heat vacuum-drying process takes the water out of the foods. This means that Catalyn, unlike nearly every other vitamin product, is a living food. Its vital energy is intact. In Chinese medicine, the energy of a food is at least as important as the physical nutrients in the food. Eating denatured or highly processed food is not nearly as beneficial as eating the whole food. So Catalyn is a whole food concentrate.

Dr. Lee said, “Whole food nutrition begins with the sun, water and fertile soil.” Most of the ingredients in Catalyn are organically-grown vegetables and grains. Dr. Lee knew that the trace minerals from the soil were the most important to the body. He wanted to grow his foods on the richest, most fertile soil in the country. Wherever he found it he would build his farm. He chose the Kettle Moraine, in what is now Palmyra, Wisconsin. It has the richest trace mineral supply, left from glacial erosion. Farmers water the crops from an artesian well that taps pure glacial water 580 feet below the surface. They use no chemicals on the land. They have never used chemicals to farm the land. There is very little land left in this country of which this is true. Most organic farms are converted conventional farms that were once sprayed, and depleted of their precious supply of trace nutrients.

Dr. Lee felt that deficiencies of trace minerals-minerals present in very small quantities-were the key to most chronic health problems. He recommended that everyone take three Catalyn a day. He did not believe in megadosing on vitamin preparations. His philosophy was to give the body concentrated food as a nutrient source. Then the body takes what it needs. A small amount of a food concentrate is better than a large amount of a synthetic or fractionated vitamin, which invariably disrupts body chemistry. Lee realized that it is foolish and futile to try to figure out what amounts of nutrients a person needs at a given time. Your body is made to get its nutrients from foods. If the diet does not supply what the body needs (and it doesn’t), then the body needs a food supplement, not a man-made synthetic, to fill the gaps and promote healthy function. For Lee, that meant three Catalyn a day.

Catalyn is an excellent source of all the vitamins and trace minerals. It does not contain the major minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorous) in sufficient quantity. Ideally, your diet supplies these minerals. However, most Americans are deficient in calcium and magnesium. Magnesium is the most common mineral deficiency in America. So it is wise to include additional supplements for calcium and magnesium in a well-rounded nutritional program.

Soon after Royal Lee released Catalyn in 1929, reports started to come in-wonderful and even miraculous results with just three Catalyn a day. Back then, the junk food was nothing compared to today’s. There were no hydrogenated oils, chemical preservatives, Nutrasweet, McDonald’s or rampant environmental pollution. The soil was richer, not yet depleted of its life-giving nutrients by industrial farming. So for modern Americans, three Catalyn a day is useful, but may not be enough. I take six a day, and more if I feel run-down.

With such success, Dr. Lee thought he had done his job-there was no other product needed. Soon he realized his work was not done; it had just begun. As complete as Catalyn was, it simply contained “a little of everything.” Lee saw the need for more specific products. From 1930, he began to develop a group of food concentrates designed to address the specific nutritional needs of people with a wide range of health problems. Though Royal Lee passed away in 1957, he left in his writings insights into health and illness that are far beyond what is widely known today. And he left the basis for what evolved into a group of more than 120 products based on the same philosophy that gave birth to Catalyn nearly seventy years ago. All Standard Process products are synergistic, just as foods are. Lee designed these products to work together, like a well-prepared meal.

As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, it is important for me to use nutritional medicine that is compatible with herbal medicine. High-dose synthetic drug/vitamins are incompatible with herbs, because fractionated vitamins disrupt the delicate balance of micronutrients found in herbs and foods. Since we have not even discovered most of the substances in herbal medicine, it is impossible to know how these phytonutrients interact with synthetics. Unfortunately, nearly every multi-vitamin available is a synthetic or fractionated vitamin product.

I was an avid fan of high-dose synthetic vitamins for a long time. I imagined that I would have less energy if I stopped the “strong formula” I was used to. How could three or even six small Catalyn, with ingredients that read like a grocery list, and with very unimpressive quantities of “stuff” listed on its label, equal the nutritional support from my four huge pills that contained vast amounts of vitamins? I wanted to find out. I stopped my mega-vitamin formula, cold turkey, and replaced it with six Catalyn a day. To my surprise, I did not suffer any adverse effects. Instead, after a few weeks, my energy, endurance and mental clarity improved. No surprise, really. All I did was take away the toxic burden of these synthetic nutrient/drugs, and put in their place a wondrous concentration of what God provided, and designed my body to use-good food.

We are just starting to learn about the complex interactions between two or more drugs. We know even less about how synthetic vitamins interact with each other and with drugs. Catalyn and products like it are simply a pure concentrate of what nature provides.

Researchers and practitioners who use synthetic or fractionated vitamins worry, just as doctors and pharmacists do, about toxicity from an overdose of their medicines. Synthetic vitamins are not foods, and they do not have a nutritional, or rebalancing effect on the body. Rather, they have a pharmacological or drug-like effect on the body. They often produce fast and dramatic results, just as drugs do. They also produce imbalances in the body, just as drugs do. Common sense says that too much of anything taken into the body, even water, is toxic. Common sense also knows that foods have much less potential for toxicity than drugs, or their cousins, high-dose fractionated vitamins. While many of Dr. Lee’s contemporaries began the movement to isolate and synthesize nutrients, he sought to preserve them in their natural state. The first fruit of that work was Catalyn. I am thankful to use Catalyn and its sister products, and recommend them to my family and patients.

Ingredients in Catalyn (* means Organically grown)

• Carrots *
• Alfalfa *
• Wheat germ *
• Nutritional yeast *
• Mushrooms *
• Kidney powder
• Essential fatty acids
• Wheat flour *
• Oat flour *
• Spleen powder
• Liver powder
• Rice bran *
• Soy bean lecithin *

Catalyn contains all the…

• Vitamins
• Enzymes
• Minerals
• Trace Minerals
• Amino Acids
• Essential Fatty Acids

…that the body needs to function.

—

Michael Gaeta, BPS, is a New York State licensed acupuncturist, licensed nutritionist, licensed massage therapist and certified Amma therapist, and holds a diplomate in Asian bodywork therapy. He is a graduate of the New York College of Health Professions, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. Michael is a certified instructor and state representative of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia. Michael also serves as President of the Acupuncture Society of New York. He writes for local and national publications, and presents seminars nationally on practice management, nutrition, medical ethics, herbal therapy and Oriental medicine. He is also a pianist and composer. His passion is to give, love and serve through teaching, hands-on therapies and music. Michael founded the Hands-On Health Wholistic HealthCare Center in 1990.

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Since the discovery of leptin in 1994, many have hoped that the hormone would be a promising weight-loss treatment for humans. Leptin acts as a signal to help the body decide when it has eaten enough food to feel full. The amount of leptin in the blood has been directly linked to body fat.

After receiving leptin replacement therapy, research subjects with a recessive mutation in the obesity (ob) gene – a population both deficient in Leptin and morbidly obese – lost about half of their body weight while regulating their own food intake. (Medical news Today 4/5/2005).

If you take it at face value, it seems as if the research is saying that more leptin will help you lose weight. This research refers to subjects with a genetic basis for obesity who were deficient in leptin. But obese individuals tend to have more and larger leptin-producing fat cells than thinner people. They simply are not getting vital chemical signals to their brains that tell them to stop eating.

To illustrate my point:

Despite an assiduous search, scientists have found only a half-dozen people in the world who make no leptin. These people eat voraciously – one 3-year-old girl consumed 2,000 calories at a sitting. When several of these people were treated with leptin, they lost their appetites and their weight plummeted. (The New York Times 31/10/1999).

Don’t get me wrong, if it helps those who cannot make leptin, then this is a major breakthrough for them.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, goes a long way toward proving to me that more leptin does not equal less weight in very overweight people in the general population.

To make things worse, a hormone called leptin that was supposed to be the magic bullet for obesity, making people effortlessly lose fat while retaining muscle, looks like a bust. In a preliminary study reported last week, most people who took leptin lost little or no weight – one fat person who took the highest dose actually gained 20 pounds. (The New York Times 31/10/1999).

Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston say lean, physically active people have low levels of leptin, which is produced by the body’s fat cells and is believed to be a major culprit in causing obesity. The study finds that when couch potatoes start exercising regularly, their leptin levels decrease.

“As you get fatter, your body makes more leptin,” says Eric B. Rimm, Sc.D., associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, and a co-author of the study. “But when you exercise, the amount of leptin in the blood decreases. Most of the time, you also lose weight, which means your risk of heart disease decreases too.” (Science Daily 7/3/2000).

Normally, when leptin levels in blood go up, the brain signals us to stop eating. But since obesity isn’t the result of a lack of leptin, it is a lack of response to leptin, and obese individuals tend to have more and larger leptin-producing fat cells (leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells) than thinner people, their leptin levels increase substantially with every pound of additional weight gain.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but there appears to be no logic in the idea of taking more leptin to reduce weight if you have an impaired response to leptin.

It is important to keep in mind that the study that showed that raising leptin levels in people who have already lost weight helps them to keep the weight off. It does not help people to lose weight in the first place. It prevents the yo-yoing that most dieters go through as their leptin levels drop and the brain tries to compensate by increasing hunger.

Weight loss lowers levels of leptin, which in turn can restore an impaired response to leptin signalling, thereby increasing your appetite. Therefore the first step, if considering using leptin, is to accomplish initial weight loss, thereby enabling supplemental leptin to signal you to stop eating.

—-

Kevin Flatt has extensively researched the subject of Alternative Medicine over many years. For Weight Loss help read this article

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Jennifer is really a middle-aged single mother with a young daughter. She has been avoiding sugary foods for a few weeks. And she has also been faithfully watching her portions. She has been exercising for an hour four times a week too. However, she has not lost any weight, and doesn’t know why.

This just isn’t uncommon. You may be performing everything you can to lose weight, but can’t seem to make any progress. Consequently, you might be frustrated or depressed and are ready to give up.

One problem is that many diets are homogeneous. They don’t consider the individual’s physiology, metabolism, and way of life. They’re a cookie-cutter approach to weight loss, which doesn’t work in most circumstances. Therefore, employing the services of a registered dietician may be the most effective solution. This could be carried out in person or via the net, where you can contact your dietician any time of the day or night via e-mail. Your dietician will probably be your personal coach and cheerleader, helping you through the inevitable setbacks.

Lack of support can be a large reason that diets often fail. You may feel like you have nobody to speak to about your weight problems. When this is the case, some individuals go to psychotherapists to help them with their food-related issues. This can be very helpful, particularly if an individual suffers from an eating disorder, for example anorexia or bulimia. Bulimia and anorexia are serious diseases that need to be treated by a medical expert to be able to make sure the recovery of the patient.

Hidden calories within the foods we eat is an additional pitfall of dieting. Often, we are consuming calories and do not even know it. Sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices are a typical source of unneeded calories. By switching to diet drinks, or drinking water, and substituting skim milk for whole milk, you can eliminate the hidden calories which are keeping you from reaching your weight reduction goals.

Being a yoyo dieter is yet another problem. You might commence a diet, then quit prior to you’ve made any measurable progress simply because you might be bored or feel deprived. Healthy weight loss just isn’t often quick, and involves losing only a couple of pounds per week. Keeping a positive attitude and sticking having a healthy diet plan strategy is key to losing weight.

Lifestyle change is part of effective eating and physical exercise. Stay away from consuming for comfort or emotional fulfillment. Changing the way you eat needs lifetime commitment; it means that you must follow the plan for the lengthy haul. Find an consuming plan that’s healthy, and that you’ll be able to stick to. Whilst your primary goal may be to lose weight, you should also focus on being healthy. Fad diets can not give you both of those things. For that reason, you must carefully choose your consuming strategy.

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Virgin coconut oil is full of components that are great for skin. The oil is a great choice for skin care regimens because you get so many benefits from a single product. The combination of rich elements contained in coconut oil shield, protect, and revitalize skin.

One of the most well-known ingredients in virgin coconut oil is vitamin E. Some people use vitamin E in large doses directly on their skin. While this may be beneficial for some people’s skin care–as everyone’s skin is different–it is not the most ideal way to expose skin to vitamin E for most people. For most skin types it is best to use this vitamin in smaller doses that will not clog the pores or cause breakouts.

How Does Vitamin E Help Skin?

The vitamin is fat-soluble and contains many compounds that are well-known for providing great skin care benefits. One of its primary compounds is d-alpha-tocopherol–an ingredient with strong antioxidant abilities. The antioxidant capabilities of vitamin E, as well as other antioxidants found in coconut oil, are incredibly important when it comes to skin care. Antioxidants work to protect skin from the damaging effects of oxidation. They also protect the skin from the tissue damage that free-radicals cause.

Coconut oil is often used to help reduce the appearance of scars, including stretch marks, acne scars, and more. The compound in virgin coconut oil that is said to have the most impact on healing scars is vitamin E. The vitamin is often used directly to remedy and reduce scars and skin irritations like eczema and psoriasis. Coconut oil is also well-known for its moisturizing properties and vitamin E plays a large part in this. The vitamin works to help preserve the skin’s natural level of hydration by maintaining its oil balance.

Vitamin E is also used as a sun burn treatment and is known for enhancing the skin’s barrier function. In addition to this, it is also often used as a dietary supplement and has many positive benefits for the body.

Want to find out more about coconut oil, then visit Barbara Beckham’s site on how to choose the best coconut oil benefits for your needs.

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Whey protein powder is obtained from milk as a byproduct of the cheese making process. Milk contains two types of proteins, casein and whey. When the Casein is removed and the concentrate is filtered, the liquid left is whey that is then converted to powder form for consumption. Whey protein is available in the market in the form of concentrates, isolates and tablets. Although all the three forms are great sources of protein, they do differ in their nutritional content.

Many people are shifting away from soy protein over to whey protein all because of the extra benefits one gets from whey. Fact is that compared to other types of protein, whey is the largest single source of protein as well as amino acids. Moreover, the fact that it digests fast means that it is easily available to the body for use.

The PDCAAS and BV scores of whey hint at its supreme status among all protein supplements. 1.14 Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acids Score and 104 Biological Value signify its ease of availability in the body after intake and its nutritional worth as well making it a highly beneficial source for the body since the body will never get the feeling that it is short of proteins. With a BV of 74, Soy protein, although provide a lot of Vitamin D, is not preferred now a days.

The body does need essential amino acids from its diet but it makes the non essential amino acids within however, whey unlike other supplements provides even the non essential amino acids thus ensuring proper levels of acids all the time. The one thing that needs to be kept in mind is the maximum dosage of whey that depends on many factors.

Since a whey protein powder program provides zero fat growth nutrients, it is a perfect weight loss program in itself. Furthermore, it does not promote hunger as it fills the stomach and satisfies hunger unlike some of the meat replacement programs for weight loss.

Whey is not only easy on the stomach and highly nutritious but it has other fringe pros as well. For starters, it can lead to a decrease in bone loss and osteoporosis as well as diabetes. It plays a vital part in the body’s hormonal balance or homeostasis. Next, it is responsible for augmenting the immune system by providing interferrins and immunoglobins. These are just a few of the know benefits.

Whey is a store house of a large quantity of antioxidants because of which the body stays active day in and day out. Moreover, considering the fact that it has a neutral taste, one can take it along with anything. Unfortunately, too much of protein supplementation can prove disadvantageous to the body and hence should not be attempted without adequate workout.

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Caralluma Fimbriata is a vegetable that has been used by tribes indigenous to India for centuries. Even today, the plant can be used by people in the region in lowering the results of hunger, often cooked with salts along with other spices to give it additional flavor. When the plant was originally used for its hunger-reducing effects, it had been chewed by hunters before they went for a day long hunt. Unlike other plants and chemicals that suppress hunger, It does not have any gloomy effects.

Even today the plant is rich in the area and is often used as an edging along roadsides. The point that separates it from other plants with similar effects is always that it’s no bad side effects. Other hunger suppressants will frequently make you jittery, anxious or sick to your stomach. None of these side effects are noticed in the use of this plant, that is a primary reason why it has become a well known additive to dietary supplements and weight loss capsules.

As with any weight reduction solution, to effectively lose weight while using the Caralluma Fimbriata you have to maintain a healthy diet plan and take part in regular exercise. Although the plant could make you feel as though you can’t – or don’t want to eat, it is important that you still take in the usual pieces that define a well-balanced diet. Meals are your fuel to get with the day, and although a lot of people are afflicted by the inability to reduce the total amount that they eat during the day, consuming Caralluma Fimbriata should not be seen as an replacement for food or perhaps a proper diet.

This plant has been shown to help aid individuals who are seeking to slim down. No aspects of the plant directly effect weight reduction, instead, the guarana plant can be used to cut down on your everyday calorie intake. By doing this, you will notice that your work outs and strides you have made in your diet become much more effective in the future.

There’s valid reason why Caralluma Fimbriata has been utilized for hundreds of years. It is effective. Throughout India’s history, the plant has already established a number of different uses, including putting a finish to hunger pains during famine, earning the guarana plant the nick name “Famine Plant.” Although you certainly won’t be utilising the plant to fight the pains of famine on this era, Caralluma Fimbriata is ideal for helping give your perseverence a boost and ensure that you don’t eat an excessive amount of when you are body fat. Search for this plant to be more commonly used in weight loss supplements over the course of the next few years.

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There is an amazingly nutritious bounty in foods from the sea. For hundreds of years, coastal dwellers have gathered plants from the sea waters to eat. Today, science has found that seaweeds are so filled with nutrition that they are practically magical. For those that use them, nori seaweed nutritional supplements are easy ways to have the benefits they provide.

Japanese call this sea plant nori, while the Irish call their version dulse. Both types are literally bursting with EPA, a significant omega 3 fatty acid that is beneficial to supporting cellular function in the body. The plants are eaten as snacks and as important ingredients in foods of both cultures. EPA helps to prevent the inflammation that results when our cells are not working well, or when we become ill. Too much inflammation can lead to conditions such as arthritis or fevers.

Thanks to nutritional advances, the nutrition found in these sea plants is available in liquid, powder, and pill forms. Some people add seaweed nutrition supplements to their daily menus. The recognized ability of the anti-oxidant benefits make these products welcome as part of a daily wellness routine. Anti-oxidants help cells to fight against free radicals.

The high levels of vitamin B12 and iodine found in both seaweed and kelp make them valuable for protecting you from anemia and slow metabolism problems. Your body does not naturally make its own iodine, so you must eat it to get it. If you suffer from thyroid gland problems, such as slow or sluggish thyroid function, you may find that these sea plant foods may help you feel more energy.

Because kelp and other sea plants contain literally all the vitamins and minerals your body uses to function, it is not hard to choose to eat them. They are filled with iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A and C, folic acid, calcium, pantothenic acid and sodium. Extremely beneficial, anyone who is interested in better health may consider eating them in supplement forms, particularly when the foods are not easily available locally.

If you are seeking a way to boost your nutritional intake, you should consider eating the supplement products as part of your regular meals. Taken this way, it is easy to add the precious nutritional content to your body. The food preparation is already done for you, with no need to wonder how to use the seaweeds.

Adding nori seaweed nutritional supplements to your daily menu may bring you a much healthier you. In addition to supporting your cell functions for the long run, you may find that you do not become sick as often with common everyday viruses, too. You might start by taking a single sea plant product with each meal. See how you feel. Then, add additional products as your life and needs dictate. Soon, you may find that you are feeling much better than before. It may be that these magical foods will make a surprising difference in your life.

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DHA supplements might be more important to your overall health than you imagine. To explain that, let’s consider omega-3 fatty acids, in general, what they are and why they’re important. DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is one of the omega-3’s. It’s also the omega-3 most prevalent inside your brain. So, once you realize the need for omega-3 efas inside your diet, you’ll also understand why DHA itself is so incredibly important. More details on DHA, later. Let’s discuss omega-3’s generally speaking.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are defined as essential. As a result your body requires them to function, but it can’t make them itself from other substances. Quite simply, you must get them through your food. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are found in cold water fish, plus in some algae, krill, some plants, as well as some nut oils. There are several omega-3 fatty acids, of which DHA is just one. They all play a very important roll in human development, plus in brain function. Scientists and doctors also have found a link between omega-3’s and heart health.

One of the many big rolls omega-3 essential fatty acids (also called polyunsaturated efas, or PUFA’s) plays in the human body is that of an anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is thought to be one of the leading and underlying causes of coronary disease along with of cancer and arthritis. Children who don’t get enough omega-3’s are at risk of not developing their nervous systems completely.

If you’ve read about omega-3 fatty acids, you’ve also probably read about their counterpart, omega-6 essential fatty acids. You can’t make one from the other, and also you need both. As a matter of fact, for ultimate health, there needs to be a balance concerning the two. Generally speaking, omega-3 fatty acids tend to fight inflammation, whereas omega-6’s promote inflammation.

There are diets, which tend to have a larger concentration of omega-3 efas, and consequently are seen to be more healthful than other diets. One of these is the what is known as Mediterranean diet. Not only does it contain the omega-3’s you should have, but also has a health balance between omega-3’s and omega-6’s. The one thing about the Mediterranean diet is it does not emphasize meat. Meat posesses a lot of omega-6’s (and some omega-3’s). The Mediterranean diet emphasizes vegetables, grain, fish, olive oils, garlic, and moderate amounts of wine.

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A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract. While it is painful, it is usually not overly serious and is easily treated. The urinary tract becomes infected when bacteria is introduced into the tract. The most common cause of a urinary tract infection is from bacteria that lives in your digestive tract and is transferred to your urethra. Once this bacteria enters the urethra, it travels upwards and can cause infection in the urinary tract or bladder. Sexual intercourse is a common cause of UTI’s because during sexual activity, bacteria is moved from the vaginal area into the urethra. Another cause of UTI’s is waiting too long to urinate. This causes your bladder to weaken, in which case it may not empty completely and some urine will be left in the bladder. This will increase your chance of a urinary tract infection.

Increasing your hygiene can decrease the amount of bacteria and germs that are on your body.
Drinking cranberry juice can help the body get rid of toxins and bacteria. It helps fight the causes of UTI because it is well known to help flush your body of potential triggeers and causes of UTI. If you smoke, you are only increasing your cause of UTI. If you quit smoking, you decrease your chance of irritating your bladder and could cause bladder cancer.

There are several natural solutions that you can implement to reverse the causes of UTI. Drinking a lot of water is a good way to get rid of potential bacteria that can cause a UTI. avoiding coffee and spicy food can combat the causes of UTI because these foods can irritate the bladder. Decreasing your sexual activity can combat the causes of UTI. By decreasing your sexual activity you decrease the chance of infection entering your urethra and bladder.

Urinary tract infections are often treated by antibiotics (which can have side effects such as nausea, diarrhea or allergic reactions) or the home remedies listed above. Home remedies may help decrease the number of bacteria or provide UTI relief, but rarely can completely eliminate the infection itself.

Some home remedies provide UTI relief, but that relief may be only temporary. First and foremost, you should drink plenty of fluids (especially water) to flush out the bladder. Cranberry juice is helpful as well in providing UTI relief, as it inhibits the growth of bacteria and makes it harder for the bacteria to cling to the urinary tract walls. Celery, watermelon and parsley can also contribute to UTI relief by acting as a diuretic and flushing out the bladder.

Urizol, a natural urinary tract formula, can be used to treat UTI infections effectively. Urizol is a safe herbal supplement with a special proprietary blend of substances to treat UTI infections and relieve symptoms quickly. Urizol is well researched and clinically proven to not only treat UTI infections, but also help prevent future infections. By taking just one capsule of Urizol every morning and evening, you will soon find relief from the painful symptoms of UTI infections.

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DHA supplements ought to be something to consider when pregnant. DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, belongs to the very important omega-3 fatty acids. One question a growing number of expectant mothers have is if they really should be supplementing DHA. Unfortunately, the jury is out on this issue. You won’t notice any clear cut guidelines. With that said, let’s take a closer look at DHA and pregnancy.

There are lots of acids in polyunsaturated fats, both omega-6’s and omega-3’s, which everybody needs to get a nutritious diet. The issue is do women that are pregnant need more than we normally get in your diet. These acids are certainly not routinely obtained in pregnancy vitamins. These acids are composed of plant material, although in our diets we usually get them from animals, free-range cattle, chickens, and also cold water fish. That’s because when these animals eat they store higher and better concentrations of omega-6 and omega-3 efas.

Your baby’s brain growth is at its peak in the third trimester on your pregnancy. DHA is important when it concerns brain function, since it’s the most prevalent omega-3 essential fatty acid in the brain. However, there’s a sort of trade-off between omega-6’s and omega-3’s in one’s diet. More of one translates to diminished amount of another.

Although there is still some uncertainty regarding the importance of omega-3’s and especially DHA in a baby’s development, there does seem like a correlation between preterm birth, preclampsia, and hypertension in birth and lack of omega-3’s with the mother’s diet.

It’s particularly significant that you should talk to your doctor before you start taking DHA supplements while being pregnant. You don’t want to do anything to harm your baby’s health, and letting a family doctor find out what supplements you’re taking is often a key element to prenatal care. Although no one has got the complete response to whether or not it is best to take DHA while pregnant, this might be something you would like to explore.

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Thousands of children in the United States are affected with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a condition that affects the growth pattern of sufferers, as well as causing a deterioration of the lungs. Once considered to be an incurable disease, due to the fact that many patients do not live past the age of 21, CF, a progressive condition, is the most common inherited condition known to man, and one that is potential lethal.

CF occurs in approximately 1 out of every 2,000 births, but today, many CF patients are living well into their thirties, and in some cases, even longer. In fact, there are even adult female CF patients who are able to have children, but of course, because of their condition, there is always the risk of complications.

In addition to developmental and lung problems, CF affects the sweat glands. CF patients do not sweat as average people do, and sodium and chloride, which is normally sweated away, just lays on top of the skin, leading to an electrolyte imbalance. This can ultimately lead to other conditions, including heart arrhythmias. CF patients should season their foods with salt in order to ensure that they are getting the amount of sodium they need.

The Need For Good Nutrition For CF Patients

It’s no secret that everyone needs a healthy, well-balanced diet in order to remain healthy, but for CF patients, the need increases drastically. Children with CF often need double, or more, calories in the run of a day than the average child. A teenager with CF may require 5,000 calories per day, whereas an average teenager requires a maximum of 2,500. Also, CF patients require at least two quarts of water each day, in order to avoid dehydration, which is common with this condition.

The reason CF patients require more in their diets is because of their inability to process food to get the nutrients the body needs. In a way, CF patients are lucky, because, unlike their peers, who, especially in the formative teen years, are weight conscious, CF patients are often encouraged to eat foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates. One rule does stay the same: fried foods are unhealthy! Not only do they cause weight gain and acne, in order for the body to digest fried foods, the liver must produce extra bile, which is not healthy for CF patients.

CF Patients Digest Food Differently

In most people, the digestion process involves food going through the digestive tract, with the help of slippery mucus. As the food breaks down, the nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal walls, and into the bloodstream. Then, the heart circulates the nutrients, and sends them where they are needed throughout the body. The process is different in CF patients. The mucus is not slippery, but gummy, making the digestive process difficult, because the food does not slide easily through the digestive tract. For this reason, the nutrients are not processed as easily by the body, therefore the need for extra calories, and dietary supplements.

Proper Medical Care Is Essential For CF Patients

Obviously, children and teens suffering from CF need to visit their physicians regularly, even frequently, so they can have their nutrient levels tested. Often, the amount of supplements the patient is taking needs to be adjusted to go along with the nutrient levels in the body, because the body absorbs nutrients at different paces on different days. In order to make sure that they stay as healthy as possible, frequent testing is recommended.

Why Should I Use Protein Supplements In My Diet?

Protein is a macronutrient that the body needs in order for survival, so it only makes sense that if we aren’t getting enough protein from dietary sources, we should use supplements to ensure that we are getting the proper nutrients for a strong, healthy body.

When it comes to treating children with CF, there is even more of a need to make sure that they are getting the proper nutrients, including protein. Of course, there will be other courses of treatment, including physical therapy, in order to loosen mucus in the lungs caused from CF. Another course of treatment is antibiotics, and some patients are given enzymatic supplements daily in order to help them to be able to digest food more easily. Unfortunately, children with CF are most often subjected to an extreme regimen of pills daily.

Children with CF can benefit from having protein supplements added to their diets, for a number of reasons. Protein supplements are a great way for patients to get the protein and other nutrients they need, in an easy-to-digest form. There are a wide variety of protein supplements, from powders to liquids, to capsules, that can be used to create delicious, healthy meals that even the fussiest child will love. And, protein drinks will also provide CF patients with much-needed liquids.

All About Protein Powders

Protein powders are an extremely popular form of dietary supplement, and one of the most versatile. The four main types of protein powders are whey, egg, soy, and rice, some even being prepared in combinations.

Whey Protein: This is a derivative of milk, and a bi-product from the cheese-making process. One of the most common and most popular protein supplements, whey contains all 22 of the essential and non-essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Because it boosts the immune system, whey is an ideal supplement for CF patients, except those who have problems digesting milk and milk products.

Soy Protein: This is another complete protein, and one of the most digestible. It is a vegetable protein, making it ideal for vegetarians. Soy can cause digestive troubles, and if this happens, patients may want to try a different type of protein supplement.

Egg Protein: This is the ideal protein source, and comes from egg whites. Egg protein should not be used by patients who have allergies to eggs or poultry.

Rice Protein: This protein comes from brown rice, and is a hypoallergenic protein. Because it is from rice, this protein is another excellent supplement for vegetarians.

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 supplements for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research

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In a study released by the Vegetarian Times, approximately 3.2 percent of the people in the United States, or roughly 7.3 million people, follow a vegetarian diet. Of those people, approximately 1 million follow a vegan diet, where they consume no animal products whatsoever (Source: Vegetarian Times). For persons choosing to follow a vegetarian diet, it is a lifestyle choice where they abstain from all meat, but can still consume animal products such as milk, cheeses, and butter.

The vegan lifestyle follows the principle that precludes them from consuming or wearing anything that comes from animals. While there are many health benefits seen by following either a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, it is important not to enter into either without the proper information and education. You have already noticed that vegetarians and vegans have eliminated a key element from their diet, namely meat. Meat is a major source of protein in the human diet and protein is essential for humans to remain healthy. It is important that you understand the role of protein in your diet and know that should you choose the path of vegetarianism or veganism, you need to look for other sources of protein to account for what you are not getting via animal products.

Protein and Why You Need It

Protein is an extremely important element of the human body. It is found in our DNA, all of our cells, bones, organs and bodily fluids. That said, protein is the second most important thing that you need in your body (the first being water). As an energy source, protein provides the same amount as carbohydrates at 4 calories per gram. It is important for cell repair, muscle growth and the proper function of the human body. So you might be wondering exactly why you need to get enough protein in your diet. Really, how much damage could be caused should you not get your daily required amount? People suffering from protein deficiency could experience unhealthy weight loss, fatigue and reduced performance ability and endurance.

Under consumption of protein generally isn’t a problem that we need to worry about in America though, because people get more than enough protein from the foods that they consume each day. Even seasoned vegetarians and vegans don’t really need to worry about not getting enough protein in their diets as they understand their diet and know alternative sources since they aren’t consuming animal products.

Sources of Protein

The main source of protein in the human diet is animal products such as meat, milk, eggs and cheese. Two ounces of lean meat, fish or poultry contains roughly 14 grams of protein. Veal, lamb and beef have the highest sources of protein that you will find in the meat classes (www.dietaryfiberfood.com). For those of you who are vegetarians and vegans, this is of no consequence since you will not be obtaining your daily protein requirements from these sources. However, vegetarians can consume some animal products, such as eggs and milk. While these sources do not contain the same levels of protein that meat does, they are viable ways for vegetarians to meet their needs.

Another source of protein that vegetarians and vegans will most likely turn to is beans, lentils and soy. These options will give them the protein that they need for their bodies to function; however, beans, lentils and soy do not contain the same amino acids that are found in animal products.

Vegetables, nuts, breads and cereals are sources of protein as well. While they do contain amounts of protein, it is significantly less than you will wind up finding in items that are even ranking toward the bottom of the meat/animal products category. A mixture of sources from this group as well as sources from the bean, lentil and soy group will help vegetarians and vegans to make up a well-balanced diet with a sufficient amount of protein.

There is another option for vegetarians to turn to when supplementing their diet. Liquid protein shots are a source of protein that contain 25 grams of protein per serving. Products like the ones available from Protica, contain this and can be taken up to three times a day, which will give you more than enough quality protein. Not only does Profect contain protein that you need, it also contains 100% of your daily value of vitamin C as well as the vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin and folic acid, which are all essential for healthy bodily functions.

You might be wondering why this source is good for vegetarians, but not for vegans. Since vegans do not consume any product derived from animals, they would not be able to consume the Profect liquid protein shot. This substance contains whey and casein protein, which come from milk products. However, for the other 6 million vegetarians in the United States, this product is a perfect choice.

How This Helps People Who are Turning to a Vegetarian Lifestyle

Many people want to follow a vegetarian lifestyle. However, they fall into the pitfalls of not knowing the proper path to follow. They will try this way of life for a short period of time, only to come to the conclusion that it is too tough and restrictive. They cut all of the sources of protein from their diet and find themselves feeling hungry, tired and cranky.

A vegetarian diet, or even vegan diet for that matter, does not mean that you will be eliminating protein from your diet. This is not possible, since protein is vital for survival. Vegetarians and vegans must keep their eyes open for alternative sources. Should they choose to go with the liquid protein shots, they can rest assured that they are fueling their body with quality protein that didn’t come from the slaughter of animals.

Another great thing about this source of protein is the portability of it. The small vials of liquid protein can be taken virtually anywhere. Should a vegetarian find his or herself going out for dinner with friends, they can take their liquid protein with them and drink it before or after going to the restaurant. This option is a must for vegetarians as it allows them the freedom that “meat eaters” have and adequately fuels their body. Plus, it doesn’t contain the same unhealthy fats found in animal products and wasn’t produced by killing animals. These are all things that vegetarians look for when following this lifestyle and liquid protein shots definitely meet the requirements.

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Many people in America have started buying organic foods. Organic food sales have shot up from $180 million in 1980 to over $6.5 billion last year, not only in health food stores but in grocery stores as well. Actually, grocery stores sales made up fifty-six percent of organic food sales in the past year. Although organic food sales only make up two percent of national food sales, the organic market has definitely begun soaring, especially on Wall Street. Experts expect the figure to more than double by the year 2010. The USDA has finally released an official definition of what qualifies as �organic� food in response to the great increase in sales. It is also developing labeling standards which should be in effect by this summer. Up until the past couple of months, a definition of what actually qualifies as organic foods did not even exist. Throughout the past decade farmers and conventional farming organizations have been debating the need for federal organic labeling. Fear that the organic labels would create an unfair bias against conventional products kept conventional farmers from encouraging labeling. In December, the Grocery Manufactures of America actually complained about the new organic standards, claiming that the new labels will mislead consumers into believing that organic products are safer and more nutritious. The agricultural secretary denies the accusation of bias stating that although the organic seal will give more validity to organic products, the seal will not imply that organic foods are safer or more nutritious. Of course, users of organic foods often believe that organic foods are safer, since they contain fewer pesticides, more nutritious because they contain more trace minerals and nutrients, and also better for the environment because organic growing practices are kinder to the soil, sky, and water.

The new USDA standards mean you will get better organic food for your buck due to an official and national standard for what foods can be called organic. You will now know with certainty that the organic foods you purchase contain no synthetic pesticides and no added chemicals. Organic farmers will also use no genetic engineering, no irradiation and no sewage fertilization. Additionally, live-stock raised under these standards will be given 100 percent organic feed and will not be treated with antibiotics. Before the standardization, consumers often had to trust misleading labeling claims on organic products. Even with the new standards, the question is whether it is worth it to purchase organic. Americans who consume organic foods often have substantially higher monthly grocery costs. Actually, in 1998 average costs of organic foods were fifty-seven percent higher than conventional foods. Additionally, a recent report on 20/20 stated that organic foods contain dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. However, more and more doctors believe that organic foods are safe and are well worth the additional cost. Those doctors who support organic eating often believe that the cumulative effects of toxins in our food, water, and air can be extremely harmful to our health. They also believe that anything we can do to reduce the toxins is well worth it.

If you only have a small budget but would like to go organic, there are still some things you can do. Some foods are more known for pesticide residue than others. Start with buying these if you can only buy limited amounts of organic foods. Citrus foods are usually not a high risk because of their thick skins, as well as asparagus, bananas, broccoli cauliflower, cherries, corn, onions, pineapple, sweet peas, and watermelon. These are considered by the FDA and EPA to be the ten cleanest foods. Additionally, make sure to wash all the produce you buy, whether or not it is organic. You can regularly take an antioxidant supplement which will help the body to remove any toxins that are on the produce. Most importantly, be sure to keep eating fruits and vegetables, as they are essential to good health.

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More information on buying organic foods is available at http://vitanetonline.com/ where a large selection of organic foods is available.

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