Diet and Health

How to Fight the Swine Flu if it Comes to Your Town

2009-04-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

All of us have heard by now that the swine flu is back and with a vengeance in some parts of the world, especially Mexico, where it seems to have originated.

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Incredible opportunity here.
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Center for Disease Control defines the swine flu in this manner: "Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also."

Swine flu can be deadly in some cases, depending on your immune system. What are the symptoms, you ask? "The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions."

Doctors treat this flu with antiviral medicine like oseltamivir or zanamivir. "Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms)."

Most of us want to PREVENT the swine flu and other illness and the best way to do this is to get your immune system strong. Fight viral, parasitical and bacterial infections by PREVENTING them with any of the following:

Colloidal silver
Vitamin C, A and E
Garlic
Garlic
Zinc
Folic Acid
B-Complexes
Grapeseed Extract
Olive Leaf Extract
CO-Q10
Alpha Lipoic Acide
MGN-3

I wrote an article a while back that covers ways to boost one's immune system. If you're interested, check it out here.

It's not only supplements that help prevent the flu and other illnesses, it's also watching your diet. The above article gets into that.

Here is where swine flu cases have been reported in the US:

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection

State # of laboratory confirmed cases
California -- 7 cases
Texas -- 2 cases
Kansas -- 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT
11 cases

International Human Cases of Swine Flu InfectionSee: World Health Organization
As of April 25th, 2009 7:30 p.m. EDT

Do you have Libido Issues?

2009-04-06T16:31:00.001-07:00

How to Increase Libido After Menopause Without Hormones is a comprehensive how-to article dealing with women and menopause. Check it out!

Get a Healthy Meal at Whole Foods

2009-03-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

Delicious Healthy Meals from Whole Foods Market
If you're after healthy meals on the go or some to take home, check out the nearest Whole Foods in your neighborhood.
Read more »

Time to Detox!

2009-03-05T08:39:00.001-08:00

How to Detox Your Body of Toxins
Detoxing helps you clean your body and feel better physically, as well as mentally.
Read more »

Stress, Stress and More Stress

2009-02-10T09:18:00.001-08:00

Managing Stress Creatively
Learning to manage your stress creatively will help you change your life.
Read more »

THREE NEW ARTICLES TO READ

2009-01-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

Joint Relief with Omega 3, 6, 9
There are many health conditions that can be helped by consuming more foods with Omega 3, 6, and 9. If you're not likely to eat these foods, I recommend this excellent formula called Complete Omega-3-6-9 by Nordic Naturals.

Living Longer, Looking Younger with CoQ10!
Feeling old? Is your body breaking down before your eyes? To be rejuvenated, consider adding the amazing CoQ10 to your diet.

Nutrition & Healthy Eating Reviews
Selecting a Strong Immune Booster with Anti-Oxidant Supreme – Liquid Phyto Caps
During the winter months, when everyone is fighting a cold or the flu, get armed with one of the best immune boosters around. This powerful antioxidant is a true rescue formula during flu season.

2009-01-27T13:20:00.001-08:00

Goodbye To Wrinkles

Should Kids be Vaccinated?

2008-12-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

Many find the topic of vaccination to be controversial, but I'm not here to make a judgment either way. I believe in objective journalism and doing one's own research to determine the best course to take.

I was vaccinated as a child and did not experience any latent reactions. Dr. Paul Offit, a renowned pediatrician and vaccine expert, and author of many books, has much to say on this topic. Parents would do well to read his books and study his research.

Vaccination continues to save lives each year. Paul Offit has helped contribute to the cause of health and prevention of disease in his work, his research, and his books.

How to Be Healthy During the Winter Holiday Months

2008-12-07T04:03:00.000-08:00

Staying healthy is up to you. Here are ways to do it during the winter months to avoid the cold and flu. Read more here.

THREE NEW ARTICLES TO READ

2008-12-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

Is there a Cure to All Diseases? Dr. Clark's Digital Zapper Might Be the Answer
Are you fighting a certain illness that can't seem to be shaken? Have you tried just about everything? How about the Dr. Clark Digital Zapper? It destroys parasites, viruses, bacteria, worms and etc. and restores your health without pain, discomfort or side effects! Published by

The Benefits of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is an amazing substance that can cleanse your body and bring healing to your vital organs.

Improving Your Diet to Reduce Acid Reflux
In this article, we'll examine not only the foods to avoid, but also the types of supplements to include in your diet to fight against Acid Reflux.

Health Benefits For Chocolate Lovers

2008-11-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

Most of us enjoy an occasional indulgence of chocolate. From the rich milk chocolate treats to the decadent choices available in dark chocolate, the taste of chocolate brings a lasting smile to candy lovers worldwide.

Chocolate is known for its aphrodisiac qualities, and has also been said to have health benefits. Dark chocolate, for example, is known for lowering blood pressure in people suffering with hypertension. Chocolate also has high numbers of flavonoids in them, which are natural antioxidants. Though dark chocolate is more bittersweet, it is the healthier of the two chocolates and has the highest of the antioxidants.

There are some wonderful choices and selections of dark chocolates, as well as your favorite milk chocolate favorites available at Fanny May. Isn't it nice to enjoy a tasty treat once in a while that's actually good for you?

Organic is Better

2008-11-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

For years the mantra has been "There is no difference between organic and conventionally grown foods" ...not so according to this study just released.

The debate over whether organic food is healthier than conventionally grown food may be over, according to results from a $25-million study into organic food -- the largest of its kind to date.

The four-year, European-Union-funded study found that:

* Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants

* Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc

* Milk from organic herds contained up to 90 percent more antioxidants

The researchers obtained their results after growing fruit and vegetables, and raising cattle, on adjacent organic and non-organic sites. They say that eating organic foods can even help to increase the nutrient intake of people who don’t eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency, which has formerly said that there is no difference between organic and conventional foods, is reviewing the research findings. (From Scojoknows.com)

Green Tea for Weight Loss

2008-03-26T11:17:00.001-07:00

By now, almost everyone who uses health and dietary supplements will have heard of Green Tea; it is currently used primarily as an antioxidant but this is a complex herb that is still being researched. Green tea weight loss extracts can be purchased easily in liquid and tablet form but whichever way you take it; you will burn calories, naturally.

It has a wide range of benefits for the human metabolism but first and foremost, it has great anti-aging properties, accelerating cell regeneration and slowing the oxidation process in the system. However, weight loss treatments using it rely on the laxative and toxin purging qualities of the plant that speed up the metabolism. Our body loses more calories because it is speeded up thereby reducing the amount of fat tissue which would normally form.

The use of green tea weight loss products still requires effort on the part of the person who wants to lose weight; meaning exercise and healthy food are still required. Improvement to general eating habits is necessary because the intention to lose weight implies the dieter wants a much healthier lifestyle.

The greatest benefits are seen when people who drink green tea, do so before they go to sleep even though it can be used at anytime. There is generally an acclimatization period of a couple of days when using this product, during which time the user may feel some stomach and bowel discomfort but it shouldn't take too long before this vanishes. Newer users of green tea weight loss products are more likely to see this effect as their body becomes used to the way it increases the metabolic rate ridding it of the toxins and burning calories that normally turn into fat. Results are normally obvious within the first week, particularly if you complete the diet with physical exercise, lots of liquids and green food.

Sometimes you will find ginseng is mixed with green tea to improve its properties and effectiveness. Used in Asia for thousands of years ginseng is well known and respected there and provides essential vitamins and minerals for good health when combined with those already found in the product.

Increasing the energy and vitality level of the user, ginseng is a valuable addition to green tea products especially for people trying to get back to what should be their normal weight. So far no adverse side-effects have been discovered with tests of up to half a year showing good safety levels for products containing green tea and ginseng.

Recommended Products

2008-01-31T11:12:00.000-08:00

StemCell Enhancer
I recently started taking StemCell Ehancer and am excited about the possibilities this product has in restoring adult stem cells. It goes to repair and help recreate the body's own stem cells.

Omega 3,6,9
This is an excellent product that I've been taking for a while. I believe it's helped my circulation and my body's ability to fight back and muscle pain.

Supercritical Antioxidants
This product contains high dosages of some of the world's most important botanical antioxidants. I haven't gotten a cold, the flu or been sick at all this year. I'm sure this product is doing its job!

More recommendations coming soon!

The Official Word Is : Organic IS Better!

2007-12-20T05:47:00.000-08:00

POSSIBLY THE BEST WAY TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE

2007-12-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

I just came across an excellent new system that can help anyone who has a personal blog or website to make extra money. Before you go doing what I'm about to tell you, be sure you don't break any terms of services, as not all blog sites will allow you to do this...however, if you have a free blog here, on http://www.blogger.com/, or have your own website, THIS SYSTEM WILL EVENTUALLY PAY MORE THAN GOOGLE ADSENSE.

It's called Pay Per Play...it launches in February and I've read up on what they're doing and I am very impressed. Basically, every single time someone clicks on your blog or personal website, YOU WILL GET PAID per that impression. They, in turn, will hear a 5 second ad.

These are big companies advertising, like Taco Bell and etc.Apparently, TV ads aren't pulling in the results like they used to cause everyone is online these days. Advertisers are moving their ad campaigns to the Internet with 5 second ads and are looking for websites willing to run their ads. Imagine, you'll be just like a TV station! You can add the code to MySpace, Facebook, Blogger and etc. I just registered and encourage anyone here who has a personal blog (outside of Blogit) and website, to get on this immediately, and start making money in the new year.

I have no doubt this will be BIGGER than adsense one day and now is our chance to get in on the ground level.Here ya go: PayPerPlay You can thank me later! Oh, and yes, it's free!!

Health Articles

2007-11-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

Herbal Alternative MedicineBy Patricia Williams, Apr 23, 2006
Unlike antibiotics and over-the-counter medicines, most of the herbal alternative medicine you use will have little side effects. In fact, this is why so many people switch to more natural forms of healing. Read more»

Lap Band SurgeryBy Patricia Williams, May 03, 2006
Lap band surgery requires less recovery time, fewer painkilling drugs and less equipment than in open procedures. Read more»

The Challenges of Adult CareBy Patricia Williams, Jun 28, 2006
Millions of other Americans are facing the challenge of an aging parent. Read more»

Are You a Right Brain or Left Brain Thinker?By Patricia Williams, Oct 24, 2006
Taking a look at how we process information. Read more»

How to get Healthy

2007-11-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

Considerations for Your Health: Soymilk Versus Cow's Milk ...Check out Considerations for Your Health: Soymilk Versus Cow's Milk - Submittedby Patricia Williams at Associated Content. All Content ...

How to Choose Aromatherapy Oils and Special Herbs for Your Well ...... Purposes Much has been written on the various oils and herbs that promote healthand healing. ... Credit: Patricia Williams. Copyright: Patricia Williams. Enlarge +. ...

Vegetarianism: A Healthy Choice - Associated Content... Next piece in Health & Wellness Home » Health & Wellness » Vegetarianism:A Healthy Choice. Vegetarianism: A Healthy Choice. ...

Organic Foods for Longer Living - Associated Content... Next piece in Health & Wellness Home » Health & Wellness » Organic Foodsfor Longer Living. Organic Foods for Longer Living. ...

Cellulite Problems

2007-11-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

Check out ways to get rid of cellulite

Cellulite Control: What You Need to Know By Patricia Williams, Nov 16, 2007
Are you noticing lumps, bumps and bulges where the skin was once soft and smooth? You are a victim of cellulite! Read more»

Hollywood Diets

2007-11-15T12:13:00.001-08:00

The Best and Worst Diets Among Hollywood Stars By Patricia Williams, Nov 01, 2007
Which Hollywood stars shone brightly in health and weight loss? Read on! Read more»

General Health Articles

2007-10-15T13:27:00.001-07:00

Is Snacking an American Problem? - Associated Content... By Patricia Williams CLOUT INDEX Published Dec 04, 2006, SHARE THIS. ... and get intoshape it to make a more conscious effort toward a health-conscious lifestyle. ...

The Facts About Vitamin D - Associated Content... By Patricia Williams CLOUT INDEX Published May 21, 2007, SHARE THIS. ... term study of50,000 men by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health suggests vitamin ...

Tips for Minority Women to Take a Preventative Approach to ...... By Patricia Williams CLOUT INDEX Published Nov 13, 2006, SHARE THIS. ... Today’shealth-conscious minority woman should be aware of her need for preventative ...

How Your Thoughts Affect Your Body

2007-10-06T06:10:00.001-07:00

What I want to share here is nothing new, but still, one of the most important things in the world. It has to do with your thoughts and your body's response to them.

There was a time in my life when I got sick at least once a month with a cold, sore throats, and/or the flu. I kid you not, I was constantly fighting something. As I look back now, I can point to the fact that I was experiencing toxic thoughts. I was depressed, angry, bitter, and downright pathetic. What caused all this? I had allowed toxic thoughts into my mind, therefore, my body.

"A Harvard Medical School study of 1,623 heart-attack survivors concluded that anger brought on by emotional conflicts doubled the risk of subsequent heart attacks compared to those who remained calm." Emotional Longevity, Norman B. Anderson, PdD.

Another study reports that high scores on a 50-item hostility test correlated positively with the severity of coronary artery disease. Cynicism was the main hostile attitude that was isolated. Anger was the main emotion. (Study conducted at Duke University in 1980)

"While no one likes to hear that their disease is all in the mind or stems from mental turmoil, we must accept the scientifically-proven reality that our mental and emotional functions may just as powerfully influence our health as does our environment, if not more." The Health Nugget newsletter

For some, it takes getting away from a bad relationship and taking control of one’s life once again. Toxic relationships cause you to give up your personality identity, personal power, and your ability to be happy. Toxic thoughts go with such relationships and end up making you sick.

Through prayer, meditation, concentration, focus, aromatherapy (believe it or not) and learning to rethink and take control, many, including myself learn to have a better health and a better life. The secret is to not waste much time on things or people that might affect your mood and your health. Learning to practice healthy detachment is good for you. Unhappiness, feeling unfulfilled, depression, anxiety, anger, bitterness, looking to find the worst in others all contribute to immune deficiencies. I encourage all of you to let go of your toxic thoughts and feelings. Don't waste time on things or people that contribute to the toxicity levels in your mind and body. If you cannot stay away from certain people, than learn to think differently so you do not internalize the emotions that will make you sick.

Is Lap Band Surgery for You?

2007-10-04T06:42:00.000-07:00

All your life you’ve fought it, but you’ve never been able to win the fight. You can’t stand looking in the mirror or going out shopping for clothes. Just looking at food makes you gain weight.

Obesity. Everywhere you turn, you hear about fad diets, exercise programs, special pills and foods to help you lose weight. You’ve tried everything, and still, you remain fat. Maybe you’ve recently seen a television program on something called lap band surgery and want to know what it is and if it’s something you might consider for yourself.

Lap band surgery was first standardized in Europe in the 1990s.

“The laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure squeezes closed the upper part of the stomach with an inflatable belt. Patients quickly feel full after eating a little. Lap Band is the abbreviated and trademarked combination of Lap (from laparoscopic) and Band (from gastric band)” reports www.laparoscopicsurgeon-online.com.

“Called the Lap-Band adjustable gastric banding system, the device consists of a silicone band that cuffs tightly around the upper stomach to create a small gastric pouch. The belt restricts how much a patient can consume, and patients quickly feel full after eating a little,” said Namir Katkhouda, a professor of surgery, who performed the first laparoscopic procedure at USC University Hospital in 2001. The Food and Drug Administration approved lap band surgery back in 2001, and many obese individuals have been helped since.

Lap band surgery requires no cutting of the stomach. In fact, the procedure moves rather quickly. Small incisions are made into the skin, and then the lap bands are placed into the body through the incision. The procedure only takes around an hour and the patient get to return home the following day. The Health Science Campus website reports that lap band surgery requires “less recovery time, fewer painkilling drugs and less equipment than in open procedures. It also poses less risk of complications.”

Lap band surgery can be reversed by removing the lap band from the body of the patient. Typically those who have had this surgery can lose up to 55 percent of their excess weight within two years. The surgery can cost around $15,000, but that is still less than other procedures that can cost an additional $3,000 to $5,000. Unfortunately, because the procedure is relatively new, insurance coverage may depend on the insurance carrier.

Are there risks associated with this procedure?

Although medical doctors report risks associated with lap band surgery to be minimal, some risks do still exist. Mostly these risks have to do with whether or not the patient follows a doctor’s instructions. Erosion of the band can occur with use of alcohol, spices, and certain types of medications. Also, slippage of the band is common. This can happen if the person eats too much food, causing the band to move or slip. Surgery is then required to fix it. Infection can occur as well, just as with any surgical procedure.

2007-10-03T14:30:00.001-07:00

Organic Foods for Longer Living

2007-10-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

People who are serious about their health are aware of all the chemical additives and hormones that are added to foods today. They want to decrease the amount of unhealthy foods they take in and are therefore switching to a totally organic way of life.

Organic food selections are the new trend that has taken the nation by storm. Everywhere you go, you can now see an organic section in stores. Many health food stores are popping up and selling all organic foods. From meat and poultry to eggs and milk, as well as vegetables and fruits, organic foods are making headway in grocery and health food stores across the country.

It's true that organic foods are more expensive, but when you look at it in terms of living longer and remaining healthy and active, organic foods are worth every penny spent. Truly, organic foods are an investment in yourself and potentially a long life.

Where to get Organic Foods

Many organic foods can be purchased in your own town, but if you happen to be someone who wants to shop online, a good source that lists places on line to purchase organic foods is here.

What makes buying organic foods important?

The main thing is that organic foods do not contain: pesticides, herbicides, hormones, preservatives, antibiotics, dyes or chemicals. As a result, your body won't have to process unnecessary additives that may compromise your immune system or cause buildup of these things in your system

Fresh organic foods are produced by organic farming and contain the Certified Organic Food label on them. You can also purchase already-made meals such as frozen entrées, pizzas, pasta sauces, salad dressings, rice & grain dishes and salsas.

Organic Foods are Especially Healthier for Babies

"It is believed that most of the pesticides infants and young children come in contact with come from non-organic baby food, non-organic fruits and vegetables. These products are treated with pesticides, artificial preservatives and other additives. Studies show that simply by replacing your non-organic foods with organic you can decrease the risks of pesticide levels dramatically. There has been much controversy over the safety of pesticides, leading to many families choosing organic produce for their home," reports the Babies Online website.

Other Benefits of Organic Foods: More Flavonoids

WebMD reports, "Flavonoids protect plants...They protect against UV radiation. They fight fungal and bacterial infections. And they taste awful to pests. Plants getting chewed by bugs start making lots of flavonoids. Mitchell reasoned that plants sprayed with insect- and fungus-killing chemicals wouldn't make as many flavonoids as organically grown plants. So her research team compared flavonoid levels in fruits and vegetables farmed in the same place but by different methods.

Sure enough, organic berries and corn had significantly more flavonoids than those grown by conventional methods. And a third method -- called sustainable farming -- yielded even higher flavonoid levels. Sustainable farming is sort of a cross between organic and conventional farming. Like conventional farming, sustainably farmed crops are treated with synthetic fertilizers. But pesticides are used sparingly."

All in all, organic foods seem to contain more nutrition, less additives and are easily absorbed than processed foods.

Considerations for Your Health: Soymilk Versus Cow's Milk

2007-10-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

Today's consumer is intelligent and health conscious. Everything the consumer wants or needs can usually be purchased right down the street or online, but often times consumers aren't aware of the differences between products, whether specific in nature, or general differences between items like soy milk versus cow's milk.

Everyone knows milk is good for you, right? Wrong. It's not so good for you. Cow's milk, though it has calcium, also has other ingredients that are not good for human consumption.

Milk Allergy and Lactose Intolerance

Many people have allergies to milk and are lactose intolerant. Some people aren't even aware of this condition and suffer needlessly. Once they discover their allergies and stop drinking cow's milk, however, soon discover they no longer have bellyaches, gas, sharp pains, stuffy nose, runny nose, mucous build up, etc.

Parents with children have complained for years that their kids get earaches and frequent sore throat. Smart doctors immediately take the child off the milk products and they get better. Why? Milk allergies.

Children, who drink soymilk build stronger bones, have fewer problems with colic, indigestion, ear/throat infections, mucous and itching.

The researches for NotMilk.com report, "ALL cow's milk (regular and 'organic') has 59 active hormones, scores of allergens, fat and cholesterol. Most cow's milk has measurable quantities of herbicides, pesticides, dioxins (up to 200 times the safe levels), up to 52 powerful antibiotics (perhaps 53, with LS-50), blood, pus, feces, bacteria and viruses. (Cow's milk can have traces of anything the cow ate... including such things as radioactive fallout from nuke testing ... (the 50's strontium-90 problem)."

What about my Calcium?

People think they need to drink milk in order to get their calcium, but the fact is, though milk has lots of calcium, the human body can't absorb it because in order for us to absorb calcium, there needs to be an equal portion of magnesium in milk, and guess what? There isn't. So, while the milk industry promotes it has calcium, what they don't tell you is that you can't absorb it! But, you do end up absorbing all the hormones, allergens from casein, the protein in milk, and bacteria to boot!

Your best source of calcium is where the cow gets its calcium - from greens! Green leafy vegetables are full of absorbable calcium, as are beans and other legumes.

Soymilk to the rescue!

The American Cancer Society promotes soy products to reduce cancer risk and most soy products contain various anti carcinogens. Studies show that the typical Asian diet results in lower rates of breast, prostate, and colon cancers, compared to the typical Western diet. "The mortality rate from breast and prostate cancers in Japan, which has the highest soy consumption, is about one fourth that of the USA. This Asian diet is comprised mostly of plant foods (legumes, fruits, and vegetables) and is low in fat. The Western diet has lower amounts of plant foods, is lower in fiber, lower in complex carbohydrates, and is high in fat. A particular difference is that soy is a dietary staple in Asian diets, but is not common in the Western diet. Studies show that soy foods, in particular, the isoflavones found in soy, reduce prostate cancer risks. Research has shown that soy food consumption is a factor in the rarity of death due to prostate cancer among Japanese men. Several studies show that soy isoflavones prevent the growth of prostate tumors, preventing them from progressing to the more advanced form of the disease." (Tessence products)

Switching Over

Having been a milk drinker until I was 17, I fought with sore throats and ear problems for all those years prior to switching to soymilk. I remember being told by my doctor that I had to have my tonsils pulled. After doing my own research at that age, I learned about the dangers of drinking milk and switched to soymilk. All my health related problems related to my tonsils ceased! I still have my tonsils today. Coincidence? I think not! If you're ready to switch over, your local supermarket has many soy products to choose from. Silk is a popular brand. I buy one called Tofu Snow that comes in a powder form. I just add water and it looks and tastes just like milk to me.

Not only is soymilk delicious, it also helps fight cholesterol. Healthcastle.com reports, "The cholesterol lowering effect of soy milk and its role of heart disease was widely recognized in the mid 90s when the results of a meta-analysis of 38 clinical studies were published. The results demonstrated that a diet with significant soy protein reduces Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the "Bad" cholesterol) and Triglycerides."

There's no need to drink cow's milk anymore. It's more of a health risk than a benefit. When it comes to milk versus soymilk, there truly is no choice. It's soymilk for me!

South Beach Vs Atkins Diet

2007-09-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

South Beach vs Atkins Diet

People across the nation are seriously "weighing in" on the fact that it’s time to go on a diet, especially after the recent holidays. Many fad diets have been advertised over the years, confusing the masses. In recent months questions have been raised concerning the South Beach vs Atkins diet. What are the differences?

South Beach vs Atkins, which one is better?

Although many have had tremendous success with the Atkins diet, much controversy still exists about the effect of eating a high protein, high fat diet. The South Beach vs Atkins diet controversy continues to challenge dieters, but many are deciding to switch to the South Beach diet because it offers more balance and nutrition.

When Dr. Agaston, the creator of the South Beach diet was asked, South Beach vs Adkins, what’s the difference, she responded, “The first difference is our emphasis on the good fats rather than the saturated fats. The saturated fats cause blood to be sticky, they cause vessels to constrict, and they have negative effects on long term on insulin and sugar metabolism. The good fats that we talked about actually help prevent heart attack and stroke and they also improve insulin and sugar metabolism long term. This helps the diet to become a lifestyle with long-term weight loss and improvement in blood chemistries, rather than just a short-term fix.

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Another difference with Atkins is we are not counting grams of carbohydrates. We are not so strict in the first phase that we put patients into ketosis. Ketosis often causes excessive water loss early. We found it is unnecessary for significant early weight loss. We teach our dieters to use glycemic index, which is a measure of how fast a carbohydrate raises your blood sugar and if you consume low glycemic index carbohydrates, you can do very well on a high carbohydrate diet.” (From an interview with WebMDhealth.)

Agaston continues to stress that when it comes to South Beach vs Adkins the main thing she tries to emphasize is balance. Agaston strongly believes in the nutritional value of omega-3s and monounsaturated fats.

“The one thing we do believe that the omega-3 fish oil is very important for overall health and also helps long-term weight loss. So if you are not a fish lover, then we do recommend omega-3 fish oil supplements…Monounsaturated fats are the olive oil and canola oil. They also have some omega-3. The polyunsaturated can also be omega-6, which is less good than omega-3 or monounsaturated. An example of omega-6 is corn oil. The biggest problem with polyunsaturated is the trans fats. These are the hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils found in baked goods. These are polyunsaturated, but they are man made and they raise our bad cholesterol and lower our good cholesterol and are worse than saturated fats. So just polyunsaturated does not give you enough information."

South Beach vs Adkins diet, Making the Choice

The South Beach diet consists of two phases. The diet basically advocates foods low in sugar and moderate amounts of protein and fat. For most people, the most challenging aspect of the diet is the first two weeks, labeled “Phase One.” During Phase One, all sugars are limited. This would include pasta, breads, and certain types of vegetables that produce sugar and, of course, sugary snacks. As these are reduced, so are the sugar cravings. “Phase Two” introduces good carbs back into the diet. These include whole grain breads, oatmeal and more vegetables.

If the South Beach vs Adkins diet question comes your way, you’ll now be more informed to make the right choice for weight loss, without compromising your health in the process.

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Interested in Discount Ugg Boots? http://discountuggboots.blogspot.com/

Interested in Making Christmas gifts? http://howtosellchristmascrafts.blogspot.com/

Want to lose weight and maintain good health? http://dietandhealth4u.blogspot.com/

Get your spiritual fix here: http://unconditionallove4u.blogspot.com/

Coconut Oil for Weight Loss and Health Gains

2007-09-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

I've recently discovered the health benefits of coconut oil. While many have often claimed coconut oil is bad for you, it really isn't. In fact, the benefits of using coconut oil in one's diet are amazing!

I learned about coconut oil from a friend of mine who lost 12 pounds in three weeks by simply adding coconut oil to her diet. It comes in a container and you can spread it on toast, waffles or whatever you want, and add your jellies, syrups on top and hardly notice the taste. I have a picky palette, so I noticed it right away, but it's not that bad. You get used to it. My husband thought it tasted like coconuts, but I couldn't taste the coconut in it. Still, I'm determined to use it and see what sort of results I get. You can also cook with it instead of using vegetable oils.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

It seems that coconut oil is responsible for helping in many areas. They include:

* Helps you lose weight, lowers cholesterol
* Reduces your risk of heart disease and other diseases
* Helps those with diabetes, thyroid, chronic fatigue
* Improves Crohn's, IBS, and other digestive disorders
* Boosts your daily energy
* Rejuvenates your skin, prevents wrinkles

"Replacing the fats you now eat with coconut oil may be the wisest decision you can make to lose excess body fat. We often think that the less fat we eat, the better. However, you don't necessarily need to reduce your fat intake, you simply need to choose a fat that is better for you, one that doesn't contribute to weight gain. You can lose unwanted body fat by eating more saturated fat (in the form of coconut oil) and less polyunsaturated fat (processed vegetable oils).

One of the remarkable things about coconut oil is that it can help you lose weight. Yes, there is a dietary fat that can actually help you take off unwanted pounds. Coconut oil can quite literally be called a low-fat fat." From the article, "Coconut Oil: A Low-Calorie Fat" Coconut oil has been found to be good against thyroid problems, heart problems, cancer, skin problems and to help people lose weight.

How did Coconut Oil get such a bad rap?

I've always heard that coconut oil wasn't good for you. This is a lie. "The question then is, how did coconut oil get such a negative reputation? The answer quite simply is, initially, the significance of those changes that occurred during animal feeding studies were misunderstood. The wrong interpretation was then repeated until ultimately the misinformation and disinformation took on a life of its own.

The problems for coconut oil started four decades ago when researchers fed animals hydrogenated coconut oil that was purposefully altered to make it completely devoid of any essential fatty acids. The hydrogenated coconut oil was selected instead of hydrogenated cottonseed, corn or soybean oil because it was a soft enough fat for blending into diets due to the presence of the lower melting medium chain saturated fatty acids. The same functionality could not be obtained from the cottonseed, corn or soybean oils if they were made totally saturated, since all their fatty acids were long chain and high melting and could not be easily blended nor were they as readily digestible." Read more about the study here.

Truly, coconut oil has much to offer a person.