Slimmer Junkie : Your One-Stop Health Advisor

How to Use Acai Berry for Weight Loss

2009-05-19T01:01:00.002-06:00

How to Use Acai Berry for Weight Loss

I learned of a new superfood called Acai Berry that is used for weight loss. Since I'm always wary of big weight loss claims made by certain companies, I decided to do some research before I actually jumped on board.

The verdict? I've discovered that Acai Berry is filled with vitamins and minerals that can aid in weight loss, building muscle and increasing overall energy—and is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, fiber and other plant compounds that can increase your health.

I don't believe that Acai Berries hold a "magic key" that will help you lose weight, but it will help make your body healthy. When your body is healthy and well-balanced, it will be easier to reach your perfect weight.

Here are ways to reap the benefits from Acai Berries.

Things You'll Need:

Fresh, Dried or Frozen Acai Berries
Acai Berry Liquid Supplement
Acai Berry Capsules

Step 1

If you have a health store near you, you can purchase fresh, frozen or dried Acai Berries if you can find them. Or you can purchase them in this form online. Since it is a nutrient-rich food, you can cook with it and add it to your favorite recipes. It works well as a cereal topping, in granola, smoothies, yogurt, on low-fat ice cream and in things like muffins and cookies (as long as they're low fat!).
Step 2

You can also find Acai in the form of a liquid extract. The benefit of taking Acai in this form is that the nutrients will be super concentrated. Also, if you live in a climate where Acai Berries don't grow, this can be a good way to get it as fresh and concentrated as possible.
Step 3

If you want, you can also take Acai in capsule form. Capsules are good if you want to take Acai as easily as possible and still receive the benefits. If you make it a part of your daily vitamin and mineral regimen it will be easier to take it consistently.

Tips & Warnings

Follow a healthy diet and exercise in order to use Acai for weight loss in the most beneficial way.
Contact your doctor to make sure it's OK for you to take Acai.

Traditional Japanese Diet Recipes for Health

2009-05-11T23:59:00.003-06:00

Japanese traditional diet recipes for health

Stay Young & Slim with the Chopstick Diet

The traditional Japanese diet is said to be one of the healthiest in the world. Have you ever wondered: well, is Japanese food really that healthy? If so, why? And just what do they eat anyway? If you would like to find tasty, practical Japanese recipes, based on traditional Japanese food, which anyone can make
find out how and why this food can improve your chances of a longer, healthier life

enjoy a different cuisine and impress your friends with your culinary skills ...
find out how to eat a Japanese meal properly (e.g. in a restaurant)....
find suppliers of ingredients and other goods....
find further advice on health, nutrition, diet and weight control ...
then ...
you've come to the right place!

It is now widely recognised that a Japanese-influenced diet can help you to stay healthy and protect you from many Western diseases such as cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, obesity, other cardiovascular problems such as clogged arteries, etc ...

AND it can help you to stay young and energetic - you can stop filling the cracks and throw away that anti-aging cream after you read about the amazing secret food which is seen as the next best thing to a efountain of eternal youth!!

Smoking is very common among Japanese men (especially) and they often lead a very stressful, competitive lifestyle, epitomising the work hard, play hard image. And there is as much pollution in Japan as any other typical industrialised country....

... And yet - the Japanese are among the healthiest and most long-lived people on Earth, certainly among industrialised nations, despite high levels of pollution, stress, tobacco and alcohol. Almost one third of the 125 million inhabitants are of pensionable age - one of the highest proportions in the industrialised world.

96% fewer men suffer coronary heart disease in Japan than in Britain
Only six in 100,000 Japanese women contract breast cancer - 20 times fewer than in Britain (UK Daily Mail eEat for Immunity supplement, Feb 2002)

Those who do suffer Western diseases probably do so largely as a result of adopting a partly Western diet for reasons of fashion (people who are taken in by the hype of the junk-food merchants) or convenience - instant meals.
Money will not solve the problems.

We constantly hear demands for more money to be given to the health service. This would no doubt help to provide a better service, e.g. shorter waiting times, but it will not improve our overall health. The USA spends more money on health care than any other country, yet still suffers shockingly high rates of heart disease, cancer, obesity and all the other diet and lifestyle related illnesses (which means most of them!)

Britain has the highest rate of heart disease in the world, and in both countries around 1 in 3 people are affected by cancer - a rate which continues to rise despite the BILLIONS spent on research over the years.

A Change of Heart
- is what we need. No, not a transplant! That is the whole point: too many people neglect or even abuse their bodies, thinking that if they fall ill (as they surely will) the doctors can make everything all right. Sometimes - but not always - they can. But at what cost, in terms of both finance and personal suffering? Much better not to get ill in the first place! To use a motoring analogy: instead of taking the car to the repair shop to patch up the mess, it's much better to avoid the collision! An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.

You may have heard of double Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling, whose research indicated that almost all diseases (and our ability to fight them) can be linked, directly or indirectly, to what we eat and drink - and also, some would add, to what we breathe in and absorb through the skin.

It is perfectly logical that if you regularly consume the wrong food and drink your body will suffer sooner or later. If you look after your body, you will be spared this unnecessary suffering and actually enjoy a long, healthy life. Which would you prefer???

The information contained in these pages is for educational purposes only. It is based on the research and resulting opinions of the author (except where otherwise stated) who is not a qualified doctor and it is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition and should not be construed as medical advice nor used as a substitute for professional health care. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the information is correct but no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, errors or omissions.

The Basics - Read Me First!

A general introduction to Japanese food and etiquetteHealth by omission: what they don't eat A diet can be healthy not only because of the good things it includes but also because of what it does NOT include, avoiding food which is bad for us.

Rice - the Japanese way Rice: Japanese rice and how to cook it. It's different!

Fish - Fish is a much healthier option than meat and is at the centre of most Japanese meals.

Sushi - not only raw fish! Sushi is not raw fish, but a way of eating rice. There are several varieties, some of which are eaten with fish ...

Seaweed - Seaweed is one of the healthiest foods. Read why most Japanese eat it every day.

Miso - Miso (soya bean paste) is an important and healthy ingredient in Japanese cooking. Used for soups and flavouring.

Magic potatoes - 'Magic' potatoes with natural anti-aging, life-enhancing properties

Green tea - Green tea, often drunk in Japan, has important health properties - far more than you may think

Tofu - Tofu is one of the best sources of protein without the fat and calories of meat and dairy. It also has important anti-cancer and other health boosting qualities.

Shiitake - Shiitake mushrooms are a common ingredient in Japanese cooking and have a range of important health benefits.

Calcium and bone disease (Osteoporosis) If Japanese people don't eat cheese or drink milk, why do they not suffer more widely from bone disease? Where do they get their calcium?

Protein - Protein: why it is essential, and why meat is not the answer

Fruit - Fruit is a popular dessert in Japan, and vital for health. Not all fruit is the same everywhere ...

Vegetables - Vegetables are obviously an important element in a Japanese diet as many people there are (or at least have been, traditionally) semi-vegetarian.

Noodles - Noodles can be used for a quick, easy, healthy snack. Recipe for soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles) - delicious in hot weather

Japanese Restaurants - Japanese restaurants, sushi bar, tea room and other eating places. Where and what to eat, useful tips.

Recipes - Recipes based on Japanese food, specially selected for ease, practicality and appeal to a wide range of tastes, including non-Japanese.

So a sensible Japanese diet will make you get slim and stay slim - AND healthy.

Stay Young and Slim - Japanese Lifestyle and Diet

2009-05-11T23:33:00.000-06:00

Japanese diet is low in fat, high in carbohydrates, devoid of dairy foods and rich in soy foods, and for this reason the Japanese enjoy the longest life-span in the world, with much lower rates of heart disease, osteoporosis, breast and prostate cancer than the US.

Close examination of the traditional Japanese diet proves that, although very different from Western diets, Japanese cuisine embodies all the principles of nourishing traditional foodways. It is rich in fat-soluble vitamins from seafood and organ meats and in minerals from fish broth, and contains plenty of lacto-fermented foods. Japanese preparation techniques eliminate most of the antinutrients in grains and legumes. As long as the Japanese get enough to eat, their diet is a healthy diet in surprising ways.

STAPLES

Rice is the main carbohydrate food in Japan, consumed with every meal. For the poor, it is the chief source of calories. However, the real basis of the Japanese diet is not rice but fish, consumed at more than 154 pounds per person per year most one-half pound per day. This is about the same amount by weight as rice, but in terms of calories, fish provides a greater amount for most of the Japanese.

Fish consumed in Japan come from waters surrounding the island nation and from around the world. Japan imports millions of dollars worth of shrimp, salmon, trout and tuna every year. In addition, carp is farmed in fresh inland waters.

Fish is usually eaten fresh even delivered to the door by fishmongers but it is also consumed in salted, dried and pickled form. Fresh fish is grilled or baked and also eaten raw (sashimi). Generally there are two fish courses at each meal, one of cold fish and one of hot.

A typical fish dish is hoshizakana, which is fish that has been marinated for 20 hours in a mixture of soy sauce and sweet white wine, then hung up for one day to dry. Then it is baked in the oven and served plain, without any sauce.2

Soups made of fish, including the organs and bones, are considered strengthening foods and good for anemia. Carp soup is traditionally given to women after childbirth. It is made from the whole carp, including the head, bones, eyes and all the organs except the gall bladder, and cooked four to eight hours with barley miso and burdock root. It is eaten four days in a row after the birth of the child, even longer if the mother has difficulty producing plentiful milk.3

The Japanese also eat many other animal foods including beef, pork, chicken, duck and eel. Beef consumption has climbed in recent years, some of it locally raised but much of it imported. The famous Kobe beef is tender and full of fat.
The Japanese even import large quantities of beef offal.4 Consumption of beef liver, tripe and other organ meats is commonplace. Various organ meats are usually served at specialty restaurants. Eel served at restaurants is often accompanied with a soup containing eel innards.

Beef, pork and chicken are usually grilled and served with a sauce that contains soy sauce along with other ingredients such as merin (a sweet wine), sake (rice wine), vinegar or sugar.

Soy beans are a distinguishing feature of the Japanese diet, particularly fermented soy sauce used in most prepared dishes. Almost without exception, Japanese sauces and marinades are based on soy sauce. But it would be a mistake to call soy a "staple" in the Japanese diet, in the way that fish and rice are staples. Dietary surveys indicate that the Japanese consume an average of about 1/4 cup of soy products per day, including the ubiquitous soy sauce.5 Other soy foods include tofu, a precipitated product, and fermented soy foods such as miso, tempeh and natto. Until recently, these foods were produced at home or by artisans. They are added in small amounts to soups or used as seasonings. Natto has such a strong smell that restaurants serving it have separate natto-eating sections so that non-natto eaters can be spared the overpowering odor.

Almost all the soybeans used in Japan today are imported and there is a big demand for organic, non-GMO soybeans.

A typical recipe for homemade miso calls for 5 kg soy beans, a whopping 3 kg salt and 8 wafers of malted rice (about 1" by 5" by 10" each).6 The beans are cooked, mashed, mixed with the malted rice and salt and formed into balls. The balls are put into a big bucket lined with a thick plastic bag. The bag is then closed and a 5 kg weight put on top. Six months later the miso is ready.
A 1935 recipe for tofu calls for soaking dry soybeans in water for a day, pounding them with a stone mortar, straining into square molds and mixing with brine.7 They are then boiled until they become hard and firm.

The Japanese recognize that soybeans need careful processing to remove naturally occurring toxins. When they eat beans that are simply cooked, they use small red ones called azuki. A dish of cooked rice and red beans is made for festive occasions, such as weddings and births. Red beans are also used to make sweet cakes.

The Japanese are said to avoid milk products but the statistics prove otherwise. Average consumption of dairy foods in Japan is about 186 pounds per person per year, more than the total for fish.8 This is only one-third the amount consumed in the US, but it is not negligible. Dairy products used in Japan include milk, yoghurt and butter. Japan has a small dairy industry but also imports milk products from Australia and New Zealand.

In general, the Japanese do not like sugary desserts. But they enjoy pounded rice (mochi) covered with sweet bean paste. They also enjoy mashed sweet potato or chestnuts covered with breading.

Noodles made with wheat flour, egg yolks and salt are an important feature in the Japanese diet. They may also be made with rice, sweet potato or buckwheat. Noodles are usually eaten with chicken or duck, sometimes with lobster and often in broth.

A great variety of vegetables and fruits are sold in the shops and markets. Favorites include daikon radish, eggplant, bamboo shoots and many types of mushrooms. Most vegetables are consumed cooked, not raw. Instead of salads, boiled spinach or watercress is served cold and seasoned with soy sauce.

The Japanese diet may seem monotonous to Westerners, but the Japanese actually put a great emphasis on variety. In nutrition classes, Japanese children are taught to eat thirty different foods a day, and to aim for 100 different foods a week.

MAKING BROTH

A fundamental component of the Japanese diet is fish broth, made in a variety of ways. Japanese chefs take much pride in developing an individual style with broths. Fish soup made from arajiru, the discarded portions of the fish such as the head and bones, was traditionally a common breakfast food. (The meat is deftly removed from the head with chopsticks, especially the meat behind the eye, which is extremely rich in vitamin A.) Usually, however, fish stock is made with dried sardines (niboshi) or dried bonito flakes or powder (katsuobushi). In the old days, the bonito could be purchased as a block of dried fish. The block was shaved into flakes with a "shaving box," a wooden box with a thin slot lined with a blade. The block of dried fish was run along the blade and the shavings would fall into a drawer inside the box. When the desired amount of shavings had been produced, the drawer was pulled out and the contents dumped into a pot of boiling water.

Sometimes broken-up chicken bones are added to the stockpot. The broth is transformed into soup with the addition of vegetables, chicken, pork, tofu or eggs.

Other nourishing broths are made with dried kelp (kombu) or dried shiitake mushrooms. The mushrooms are placed in a pot of water and just before the water comes to a boil, the mushrooms are taken out and the dried sardines or bonito flakes are added.

BRAIN FOODS

Egg consumption in Japan is higher than in America (40 pounds per person per year, versus 34 in the US).10 The Japanese consider eggs to be a brain food. The story is told of a woman whose husband was killed during the war. She had an infant son and throughout the following years she gradually sold off all of her furniture to provide her boy with one egg per day, "so that he could go to college." The boy grew up to be an intelligent child and, in fact, did go to college in the postwar years. Eggs are consumed as omelets, custards and in soups. They are also an important ingredient in noodles and batters.

Another brain food in the Japanese diet is seaweed, added to soups and used for wrapping sushi. It is also served as a vegetable. Agar-agar, a gelatin-like product used extensively in Japan, is derived from seaweed.

Seaweed provides an abundance of minerals, particularly iodine so vital for normal thyroid function. Normal thyroid function is, in turn, vital for normal brain function. It is the presence of adequate iodine in the traditional Japanese diet that makes it possible for the Japanese to consume soy products on a daily basis without adverse effects on the thyroid gland.

FATS AND OILS

The Japanese have traditionally used a variety of fats and oils. Delicious tempura vegetables and fish dipped in batter and then deep fried as cooked in sesame oil, rapeseed oil, whale oil, lard or beef tallow. That was in the olden days. Today, the Japanese are more likely to fry in cheap commercial vegetable oils. But even today, lard is available at the grocery stores in squeezable bottles and skillets in the better restaurants are greased with beef fat and lard. Use of shortening and margarine is rare.

Since World War II, the pattern of lipid intake has changed markedly in Japan. There has been a threefold increase in the intake of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, a reflection of increased prosperity that has allowed the Japanese to subsist on more than fish heads and rice.

Unfortunately, with the advent of cheap vegetable oils and processed foods, there has also been an increase in omega-6 fatty acids along with a lowering of the levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In a milestone review, published in 1997,11 Japanese investigators blamed the increase in cancer, heart disease, inflammatory disease such as asthma and allergies, and even behavioral problems in Japan not on increases in saturated fat, but on increases in omega-6 vegetables oils. "Decreasing the n-6/n-3 ratio of foods is recommended for the suppression of ageing, carcinogenesis and atherosclerosis," they said. "This is because n-3 fatty acids suppress but n-6 fatty acids stimulate ischaemia/inflammation which causes increased free radical injuries. We suggest that a relative n-3 deficiency as evidenced by the very high n-6/n-3 ratios of plasma lipids might be affecting the behavioral patterns of a significant part of the younger generations in industrialized countries."

FERMENTED FOODS

Fermented vegetables in the form of pickles are served with all traditional Japanese meals. They range from pickled cabbage to eggplant to daikon radish. Pickled foods are an important adjunct to a diet that includes raw fish because they help protect against intestinal worms, which can be a frequent problem in Japan. One folk custom is to consume pickled daikon radish with sushi and sashimi, to "neutralize toxins." Daikon radish is one of the best vegetables for supporting the growth of protective lactobacilli.

A typical recipe for pickling lettuce, cucumber and turnips calls for sprinkling them with salt and allowing them to stand for about two days.12 This combination is eaten as a separate course with rice. Pickled melon is prepared by covering melon slices with sake (rice wine) and merin (a sweet wine) and sprinkling them with salt. It is allowed to stand for five days and then eaten as the last course of a meal.

In the mountainous regions where salt was not available, ingenious methods for producing pickles evolved. One of these is sunki or pickled leaves of a type of turnip.13 The leaves are boiled and then inoculated with zumi, a small wild apple, and fermented for 1-2 months.

An interesting fermented fish product called kusaya comes from the island of Izu. Mackerel and similar fish are soaked in a brine or "kusaya gravy" that is used over and over again because salt was a rare material. After soaking, the fish is dried. In the unused period, the "gravy" was kept alive by adding just one fish fillet. Kusaya is distinguished from other dried fish by its strong, unique, peculiar odor. "If you broil kusaya in your house, the odor will not leave for three months."

The typical Japanese dish of sushi originated in funazushi, a type of round shellfish from Lake Biwa in the Shiga prefecture of Japan. The shell fish was cleaned, salted, washed and fermented for 4-12 months. During fermentation, funazushi develops several kinds of organic acids such as lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid, all of which contribute to its distinctive sour taste and peculiar odor. The pickled crustacean was sliced and served on rice. In former times, it was said that if you could enjoy funazushi, you were recognized as a gourmet. Once an important dish in the area around Lake Biwa, the catch of the shellfish is decreasing year by year, due to water pollution, introduced species and shoreline destruction, thus making funazushi a rare and expensive food.

The main fermented drink in Japan is a rice drink called amazake, prepared by boiling a block of malted rice until it becomes soft and drinkable. Salt and sugar are added to taste. In winter, amazake can be bought from vending machines.
Surprisingly, a fermented milk drink is sold in Japanese vending machines right next to Coke or Pepsi. Unfortunately, the first ingredient listed is sugar.

BEVERAGES

All meals in Japan are served with a weak green tea, made with one teaspoon of tea to six teacups of water. Black tea, coffee and milk are also common beverages. Milk is available to school children and is recognized as a healthy food, one that helps Japanese children grow taller than their ancestors.
The Japanese have interesting ideas about beverages. On a hot day, most Japanese people, especially older Japanese, prefer hot green tea to anything cold. They say they want something the same temperature as their body or that something cold will make them sweat more. In winter time, they often add ginger to warm drinks as ginger is said to be warming. Water is avoided as it is said to make one fat!

Beer is a common beverage, and also recognized as one that causes weight gain. Sumo wrestlers, who can weigh as much as 500 pounds, put on weight by consuming large quantities of beer, as well as lots of rice and a nourishing stew called chankonabe.

FACTORY VS TRADITIONAL FOODS

While the Japanese diet is held up as the paradigm of natural eating, Japan is also home to the world's quintessential imitation flavor, MSG. Originally extracted from seaweed, MSG or monosodium glutamate activates glutamate receptors on the tongue and tricks the body into thinking it has eaten meat. Today most of the world's MSG is produced by Ajinomoto, a Japanese company, through a chemical process. It is no longer derived from a natural food.MSG is used to make cheap soy sauces, thus driving out artisanal producers who traditionally took great care and up to three years to produce the delicious fermented elixir. Factory-produced soy sauce can be turned out in the space of three days and contains, besides neurotoxic MSG, many carcinogens.

MSG was used to flavor Japanese rice rations during the war and it is said that Americans who loved the taste of these rations helped introduce the flavoring into the US. Today it is found in almost all processed foods, including those now manufactured in Japan. Yet health-conscious Japanese recognize the dangers and the more expensive noodles and processed foods there are labelled "No MSG."

Many Japanese also recognize the dangers of McDonald's and other fast foods that are making inroads in Japan, and they deliberately adhere to traditional foodways. Some housewives still make all traditional foods at home, from amazake to miso. Typical of foods still produced by housewives and artisans are various preparations of the famous umeboshi plum. The plum trees grow in the region of Mito Ibaraki where a park is home to 2000 plum trees, attracting three million visitors per year. Each year thousands of Japanese ladies gather the famous umeboshi plums to make all sorts of plum delights, including salty pickled plums. Well-aged pickled umeboshi plums are a great delicacy—some of them are fermented for as long as 30 years!

PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING

The manner in which food is presented in Japan is always attractive and distinctive, usually with handsome serving dishes and a great sense of proportion and harmony. Meals are often served with elaborate ceremony. On ceremonial occasions and at banquets, a number of bowls and dishes are set before each guest, so that he may have a wide choice. Those dishes not partaken of are carefully packed in decorated boxes and presented to the guest as he leaves.

Even lunch boxes are an art form in Japan, containing beautifully decorated foods such as large prawns, rice rolled in seaweed, fish and pieces of fruit. One company in Japan prepares as many as 50,000 of these lunch boxes per day.14 Many Japanese mothers get up very early to make lunch boxes containing neatly arranged portions of fish, meat, rice balls, pickles and fruit for their children and husbands.

THE JAPANESE PARADOX

The Japanese suffered greatly before and during World War II. There were many food shortages, particularly of fats and animal foods. TB was common. Many Japanese lived almost entirely on rice during the war.
It was during the postwar years that the American researcher Ancel Keys wrote his famous Seven Countries Study in which he included groups from the Japanese districts of Tanushimaru and Ushibuka. He noted that the Japanese in these two regions had very low levels of serum cholesterol, consumed a diet extremely low in saturated fat and cholesterol and had low rates of coronary heart disease. It was primarily the Japanese data that allowed Keys and others to conclude that consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol caused heart disease.

Keys has been criticized for omitting from his study many areas of the world where consumption of animal foods is high and deaths from heart attack are low, including France. This is the so-called French paradox, one of many. But there is also a Japanese paradox. In 1989, Japanese scientists returned to the same two districts that Keys had studied. In "Lessons for Science from the Seven Countries Study,"15 they noted that per capita consumption of rice had declined while consumption of fats, oils, meats, poultry, dairy products and fruit had all increased. Between 1958 and 1989, protein intake rose from 11 percent of calories to about 15 percent and fat intake rose from a scanty 5 percent to over 20 percent. Mean cholesterol levels increased from 150 in 1958 to 188 in 1989. During the period, mean body mass gradually increased, with overweight rising from 8 percent to about 13 percent of the population. High blood pressure became more common while the percentage of smokers decreased from 69 percent in 1958 to 55 percent in 1989.

During the postwar period of improved nutrition the Japanese average height increased three inches and the age-adjusted death rate from all causes declined from 17.6 to 7.4 per 1000 per year. Although the rates of hypertension increased, stroke mortality declined markedly. Deaths from cancer also went down in spite of the increased use of animal foods.

The researchers also noted and here is the paradox that the rate of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and sudden death did not change during this period, in spite of the fact that the Japanese weighed more, had higher blood pressure and higher cholesterol, and ate more fat, more beef and more dairy.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Misconceptions about the state of health in Japan abound. It is true that the Japanese have lower rates of cancer than the US, although they are by no means cancer-free. For all types of cancer, the death rate for Japanese males is 149.8 per thousand versus 163.2 per thousand in the US. For Japanese females total cancer deaths are 78.1 per thousand versus 109.7 per thousand for the US.16 Japanese have low rates of lung cancer (even though they smoke far more than Americans) and low rates of breast, prostate, reproductive, colon and rectal cancer compared to the US. This is said to be due to the fact that they consume more soy and less meat, fat and dairy than Americans. But cancer rates went down in Japan during the period when consumption of animal foods went up. And the Japanese actually consume far less soy than Americans because even today, they do not consume much partially hydrogenated soybean oil. In fact, the most likely explanation for high levels of breast and prostate cancer in the US compared to Japan is the high levels of trans fatty acids from partially hydrogenated soybean oil in American convenience foods.

Fresh fish, rich in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids, is one component of the Japanese diet that protects them against lung cancer. A study carried out at the Cancer Centre Hospital in Aichik Mapan looked at the diets of more than 4,000 healthy people and another 1,000 with lung cancer.17 They found that both men and women who ate large amounts of fresh fish were significantly less likely to develop lung cancer. A diet that included salted or dried fish in place of fresh fish did not confer the same protective qualities.

The Japanese do suffer from very high rates of stomach cancer, and relatively high rates of cancer of the pancreas, liver and esophagus, the so-called Asian types of cancer. There are many explanations for this trend, none of them proven. The most common theory is that the use of highly salted foods such as soy sauce and salted fish is the cause of stomach cancer. But other dietary components are equally suspect, including high levels of irritating talc present in white rice and carcinogens in modern processed soy sauce. A final explanation is the widespread use of microwave ovens by modernized Japanese. Japan was the first country to adopt the microwave, which seemed to many Japanese housewives a safer and more sensible way to cook food in tiny Japanese kitchens than the old-fashioned gas burner or stove.18
Japan has many lessons to teach us about the risk of generalization in scientific studies. All claims about heart disease in Japan should be viewed with skepticism because the Japanese consider it shameful to die of heart disease but honorable to die of stroke. Predictably, deaths reported as due to stroke are much higher than deaths reported as due to a heart attack.

Japanese women are said to be free of hot flashes but some investigators believe that hot flashes are "under-reported," due to the shyness of Japanese women. Soyfood promotion material states that "there is no word for hot flashes in Japan" without acknowledging that there is no word for hot flashes in English either. We use two words to describe the condition and it is likely that Japanese ladies use some sort of euphemism.

Another claim is that the Japanese do not suffer from osteoporosis. But according to a 1998 study carried out by the Tokyo Institute of Gerontology,19 Japanese women have much higher rates of osteoporosis than American women—one in three versus one in eleven. Furthermore, they found that bone mass deterioration begins much earlier in Japanese women, at age 20 versus age 34 in the US.

According to the statistics, the Japanese have the longest life-span in the world. Built into those numbers is a very low rate of infant mortality compared to the US. The Japanese were one of the first countries to practice widespread birth control and they deliberately keep their families small. Great care and attention is lavished on children, starting with the mother's diet during pregnancy, and outright poverty in Japan is rare. When the high infant mortality rate in America is discounted, American men have life-spans equal to Japanese men and American women have longer life-spans than Japanese women.20

STRESS-FREE LIVING?

In his doctoral thesis about coronary heart disease in Japanese emigrants, British physician Dr. Michael Marmot also described a Japanese paradox.21 Dr. Marmot discovered that when the Japanese in Hawaii maintained their cultural traditions, they were protected against heart attacks, even though their cholesterol increased as much as in Japanese emigrants who adopted a Western life-style and who died from heart attacks almost as often as did native-born Americans. The most striking aspect of Dr. Marmot's findings was that emigrants who became accustomed to the American way of life, but preferred lowfat Japanese food, had heart disease twice as often as those who maintained Japanese traditions but preferred high-fat American food.

Dr. Marmot proposed the theory that certain factors in the traditional Japanese culture protected the Japanese from heart attacks in spite of a high-fat diet. He noted that the Japanese place great emphasis on group cohesion, group achievement and social stability. Members of the stable Japanese society enjoy support from other members of their society and thus are protected from the "emotional and social stress" that Marmot believed to be an important cause of heart attacks. The Japanese traditions of togetherness contrast dramatically with the typical American emphasis on social and geographic mobility, individualism and striving ambition, said Dr. Marmot.

But is life less stressful among the traditional Japanese? "Group cohesion" and "group achievement" can also translate into unrelenting pressure and stress. Is the traditional Japanese family man, striving to perform and bring honor to his family, under less pressure than the westernized Japanese bloke who has decided to chuck it all and hang out on the beaches? And is the Japanese-American living under America's wide open skies, where opportunity abounds, under more pressure than his relatives in Japan, where opportunities are fewer and where crowding is commonplace? The Japanese people, including school children, work long hours, travel miles to school and work and often have only one day a week free. The pressure on children to do well in school is intense and the suicide rate among Japanese young people is among the highest in the world.

What Dr. Marmot's study really tells us is that increased animal fat in the Japanese diet protects them from heart disease in spite of their stressful life-style, not the reverse. High rates of heart disease among Americans should be blamed on processed foods based on vegetable oils, not animal fats and a high-stress life style.22

SATURATED FAT

Saturated fat from animal sources is said to be the enemy in the American diet. Researchers espousing this dogma have consistently ignored evidence that saturated fats actually protect against heart disease and cancer. The many studies of the Japanese also ignore two very important sources of saturated fat in their diet.

One of these sources is spam, a canned pork product provided to American soldiers during the war. Americans may have loved the taste of Japanese rice rations, but the Japanese loved our rations even more. Spam provided exactly those dietary components that had been missing through the years of poverty and privation—animal protein and fat. In a nation that has been unusually resistant to foreign influence, spam was quickly embraced and transformed into a popular snack food. Spam musubi consists of a slice of spam soaked in soy sauce on top of a bed of rice and wrapped in seaweed—a convenient morsel resembling sushi. Spam musubi can be purchased in local convenience stores, including 7-11 stores, in Hawaii. In fact, spam consumption in Hawaii is higher than the total spam consumption in all the other 49 states combined due to its popularity among Japanese Americans.

The other source of saturated fat in the Japanese diet is . . . white rice, a refined carbohydrate that the body efficiently turns into saturated fat. As long as the diet is rich in fat-soluble vitamins from fish and organ meats, and minerals from broth and seaweed, white rice can be consumed without adverse effects. In fact, for the Japanese, it is beneficial, providing the substrate for saturated fats that the diet still lacks. Macrobiotic proponents claim that the traditional Japanese diet was based on whole brown rice, not refined white rice. It is said that the first Samurai warriors ate brown rice while the rest of the nobility ate white rice. Then the samurai slowly "softened" and started eating white rice. But the true explanation for the use of white rice may be somewhat different.

Brown rice that is not soaked and fermented, as was done traditionally in India, may block mineral absorption and cause intestinal problems. The Japanese prefer the taste and texture of white rice and this preference may reflect a profound intuition that when rice is consumed on a daily basis, it should be refined not whole, unless a long and careful preparation is observed.

THE MODERN CHALLENGE

The challenge for the Japanese, like the challenge for all countries in the process of modernization, will be to resist the temptations of processed foods. But Japan faces an additional challenge and that is to resist the advice of meddling American health researchers who are telling them to eliminate vital components of their traditional diets - beef, pork, lard, tallow and even white rice. Better to pay attention to a few problematic additives such as talc in rice and impurities in salt, and to protect artisanal food protection from the cutthroat policies of the food processing industry.
And one more piece of advice to the Japanese: throw out the microwave.

JAPANESE MEALS

Recipes of All Nations, published in 1935, gives the following menus for typical Japanese meals, although dietary habits of modern Japanese have suffered from western influences since World War II. Today a high percentage of urban

Japanese have English-style white bread for breakfast.

Breakfast: Fish broth and vegetable soup with rice; omelet, baked fish, seaweed and pickles

Lunch: Egg or rice soup, fish, chicken, vegetable dish and fruit

Dinner: Broth soup with pieces of meat and vegetables, raw fish with grated horseradish, lobster with lettuce and cucumber salad, hot fish, cold noodles, vegetable soup and rice, fruit.

THE MACROBIOTIC DIET - IS IT REALLY JAPANESE?

Americans have become familiar with many Japanese foodways through the macrobiotic diet, popularized by Michio Kushi and practiced by thousands of adherents. Proponents advocate a diet based on brown rice and containing only small amounts of animal foods, if any. But is the macrobiotic diet actually representative of the Japanese diet? Not really. The Japanese eat white rice, not brown, and consume large amounts of animal foods, particularly fish but also beef, pork and chicken. Americans following the macrobiotic diet tend to use soy foods instead of meat, and in amounts much greater than are found in the typical Japanese diet.

Macrobiotic cookbooks contain recipes for broth and pickled foods, but the importance of these is not stressed and they are often left out in practice.
Macrobiotics introduced Americans to the use of seaweed, but caution is advised in adopting this habit. Seaweed contains complex carbohydrates that are difficult for many Westerners to digest.

Green Tea Diet

2009-05-11T23:26:00.001-06:00

Green Tea Diet - Stay slim and Healthy

Green tea has been enjoyed by people in Japan and China for thousands of years. A lot of people in the west nowadays have heard that green tea benefits the overall health, but not a lot know why exactly. After you learn all the health benefits of green tea, you can not only enjoy the taste of it but also get the moral satisfaction knowing that you are doing something right and extremely healthy for your body.

It appears that a green tea diet may hold at least a few properties of those golden elixirs, fountains of youth, and magic potions we've all heard about over the years. Listed below are just a few:

Green tea contains anti-oxidants that:

1. Helps to prevent cancer.The is some strong evidence that green tea included in you every day diet can reduce bladder, colon, esophageal, pancreas, rectum, and stomach cancer up to 60%. An antioxidant known as "epigallocatechin gallate" (EGCG for short) is at least 100 more times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells from harmful influence.
The amazing thing about it that EGCG it not only inhibits the growth of new cancer cells it also kills some of the existing cancer sells without harming the healthy ones.

2. Staving off Alzheimer's.A green tea diet may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. A British study found that drinking green tea inhibited three important brain-battering chemicals: acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and beta-secretase. Before you get your tongue twisted around your eye teeth and can't see what your saying with these three-dollar words, all you really need to know is that they are three chemical culprits associated with breaking down chemical messengers and forming plaques and protein deposits in the noggin's gray matter - definite hindrances to crystal clear thinking.

3. Stops the unnatural formation of blood cloth which if not taken care of will cause thrombosis. It takes on added importance if you consider that thrombosis is one of the main causes of strokes and heart attacks.

4. Lowers "bad" cholesterol (known as LDL) and improves the ratio of "good" cholesterol (known as HDL). It explains why tea-drinkers can eat almost twice the foods containing cholesterol as those who don't drink green tea, but still have an equal cholesterol count.

5. Lowers blood sugar (polyphenols and polysaccharides are the two main antioxidants are especially effective in lowering blood sugar). That helps prevent and relieve type-two diabetes.

6. Reduces high blood pressure by repressing angiotensin II which causes constriction of the blood vessels causing high blood pressure.

7. Promotes oral health by suppress the process of plaque formation and destroys the bacteria that forms plaque. It also destroys bacteria that causes bad breath, so after eating something sweet I suggest you drink a cup of green tea.

8. Protects liver against toxins like alcohol and chemicals in cigarette smoke.

9. Possess antibacterial and antiviral properties. Recent studies show that green tea inhibits the spread of disease, speeds up recovery from cold and flu. It also kills seven strains of food poisoning bacteria including clostridium, botulus and staphylococcus (which makes it a good treatment for diarrhea).

10. Destroys free radicals that cause aging.

11. Helps your body to maintain healthy fluid balance and relieve fatigue and stress often caused by dehydration.

12. Boosts your immune system function (because of its high concentration of polyphenols and flaveboids).

13. Blocks main receptors that produce allergic reactions.

14. Stimulates metabolism, calorie burning process and is wildly being used as an important part of a healthy diet.

It is important to know that black tea, even though it comes from the same plant as a green tea, will not give you the same benefits. Black tea during fermentation process loses most of its medical benefits.

The best way to preserve all the disease-fighting nutritions is to drink your tea freshly brewed. All the decaffeinated, ready-to-drink bottled or instant teas will give you very little of natural health compounds. It is better to let your tea steep for about 4-5 minutes before drinking it. To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.

Love the idea of a green tea diet but can't stand the taste of tea? Don't despair. There's hope for you, yet! Green tea extract comes in pill form, as well, so you'll need to come up with some other excuse! Taken as a dietary supplement, green tea extract usually comes in 500 mg. capsules taken two or three times daily. Now, that's not hard, is it? And no bitter-beer-face aftertaste, either!

So whether you take pills or sip it from a cup, the benefits gained from a green tea diet cannot be ignored. Well, they can, but that would be stupid, right? And since you're smart enough to be reading this great article, that proves you've got a leg up in the brains department (please don't take that literally!). But I digress. The point here is to consume green tea - one way or another. And if you're not willing to give up the green eggs with your ham, well, then, at least add green tea to the meal. But if the ham is green ... toss it!

The Chopstick Diet

2009-05-11T23:16:00.001-06:00

If you want to lose weight, and stay young, fit and slim there is one diet to be followed, the Japanese chopsticks diet!

Haven't you ever wondered why Japanese women live longer and are mistaken for 20-year-olds and above all, keep their girlish figures - even when they are 40? The Japanese chopstick diet is the secret of all the above and more!It has been proved that following the principles of Japanese home-style cooking and healthy habits can make a dramatic difference to your health and shape. Here are the secrets of the Japanese kitchen, just follow them and you will surely feel and see the difference. You will not have to worry about 'Weight Loss' anymore, as Japanese lifestyle and diet are designed to lose weight and stay slim naturally.

Fish - Japanese people eat around 69kg of fish per person each year. That's more than four times the average of the rest of the world. Cutting back on meat and replacing it with fish will decrease your risk of heart disease. Oily fish are full of Omega 3 oils which are good for your skin and have been proven to help children learn.

Soya - The Japanese eat ten times more soya products that any other nation. It's low in fat and calories and high in protein. The low incidence of breast and colon cancer in China and Japan has been partially attributed to the high consumption of soya products as research shows it to has anti-carcinogenic properties.

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables - As with all diets ? a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially leafy greens is a must. Try and pick fruit and vegetables that are in season.

Variety - Your body will benefit from a wider range of nutrients following the Chopstick Diet due to the variety of food. In a study, elderly Japanese women were found to eat 100 different foods a week, compared to only 30 for a woman following an average Western diet.

Small Portions & Chopsticks - Japanese food portions like sushi, are bite-sized, compared to Western portions. Eating with chopsticks should slow down the speed of consumption, giving you time to savour your food. On average it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to register that it's full. Eating more slowly means that you're less likely to overeat.

Light cooking techniques - Light cooking techniques include steaming, pan-grilling, simmering and stir-frying over a high heat. This helps to preserve more of the food's nutrients including anti-aging antioxidants.

Power Breakfasts - A typical Japanese breakfast includes green tea (which is believed to be full of antioxidants), steamed rice, miso soup (research has suggested that eating three bowls of miso soup a day could reduce the risk of breast cancer). It also includes a small omelette or piece of grilled salmon. This is a great start to the day as all foods are packed with nutritional benefits.

Sweet Treats - Japanese women are renowned for their sweet tooth. Their secret is that they don't over indulge. They do eat desserts and chocolate, but less regularly and in smaller portions. Like many diets, it's fine to treat yourself to something that you like - just don't over do it.

Informal Exercise -It's not just the diet that keeps Japanese women looking great and living longer. People walk or cycle everywhere. The 10,000 steps a day programme was first popularised in Japan 40 years ago. The British Heart Foundation in the UK has recently embraced the programme saying that 10,000 steps a day can give you a healthy heart and reduce body fat.

TaiSlim Weightloss

2009-05-07T00:22:00.002-06:00

Taislim Weight Loss Energy Drink

Doctors and diet experts agree that there's only one permanent way to lose pounds and inches, and that's to burn more calories than you take in. But if you've failed with diet after diet, it's not your fault. Trendy pills and potions use gimmicks to give you some early results, but the weight always returns. Over time, this yo-yo cycle of losing and regaining can actually slow your metabolism, making it even harder to lose weight. But now, FreeLife science has found the way to lose weight and feel great, and that's TAIslim.

TAI slim

In Asia, the word tai signifies "total" or "complete". And unlike any other diet you've ever tried, the comprehensive TAI slim plan addresses every key aspect of successful weight control. FreeLife TAIslim weight loss energy drink is based on FreeLife revolutionary patent pending technology and research on the ability of the goji berry to reduce unsightly and dangerous belly fat.

Detoxification

2009-05-02T00:15:00.004-06:00

Detoxification comes in many forms and refers to many different programs that cleanse the body of toxins. Today, our environment is toxic and the foods we eat, even the air we breathe and the water we drink is laden with chemicals foreign to our system. Therefore, everyone is undergoing some type of detoxification to maintain life and health. Although basic detoxification begins with diet, detox programs may include nutritional fortification for the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels and blood.

We will soon see why these organs are so important in detoxification.

Detoxification for the body may refer to the cleansing of the bowels, kidneys, lungs, the liver or the blood, since these are the organs involved in detoxification of chemicals and toxins from the body. The liver acts as an "in-line" filter for the removal of foreign substances and wastes from the blood. The kidneys filter wastes from the blood into the urine, while the lungs remove volatile gases as we breathe.

Our body is designed to utilize natural substances, which includes foods, herbs and phytochemicals. Any foreign substance will serve as a stimulus to our immune system, which has the function of removing these substances. Although the toxicity of a chemical may vary, it is the job of the liver to reduce toxins into compounds that the body can safely handle and eliminate through the kidneys (as urine), skin (as sweat), lungs (as expelled air) and bowels (as feces).

Maintaining these eliminative organs in good working order is essential for one's good health to continue.

While there are many detoxification programs available, they differ in their actions and their intent. Some detoxification programs (DP) work only with the bowels, others may cleanse the liver or the blood, and others may aid the kidneys or the skin in their functions. By combining these detox programs into a total health program, one can effectively restore their health to an optimal level and look younger in the process. When the body can eliminate toxins, then health is restored and energy and vigor are revitalized. Many different approaches to detoxification and wellness will work, even though they attack the problem at different levels. Any program that augments detoxification will improve health. Other factors must be considered in detoxification, like nutrition, water, and exercise, rest, sunshine, and fresh air.

Detoxification Diets

Detoxification diets help the body to eliminate toxins in many ways. First, natural vegetarian diets include the fiber needed for stimulating good bowel eliminate. They also contain the proper amounts of vitamins that feed and nourish the bowels and the liver, as well as other eliminative organs. They also include a valuable source of enzymes since most vegetarian diets are eaten raw. The elimination of meat from the diet for a short period enhances detoxification because meat is so difficult to digest and requires many enzymes for its digestion. Therefore, vegetarian diets are cleansing diets and aid the body in elimination of toxins.

Of course, changing diets and lifestyle is easier said than done for some people. Many people want health and will go to any length to improve their health, including dietary changes. But there are others who do not want to change their life style for anything. These people will be difficult to motivate and will not stick with the detox programs for one day. They may not want to give up their sodas, or their cigarettes, their beer or their coffee. They may make a few changes, like drinking more water, or they may give up completely in a very short notice. Our way of eating has been cultivated over many years and will not change over night. But to those who do want better health and do not want to rely on pills/drugs for their existence, nutritional changes will be welcomed, especially when they start feeling better and having more energy.

Diets are very important and are usually the basis for any detox program, whether it is herbs, cleansing or other detox programs.[i] Detox diets will generally eliminate trigger foods, which may cause many problems with digestion and elimination. Foods like wheat (glutens) and dairy (milk, cheese) are often the cause of allergies. Sugar is eliminated because of its "empty calories" and tendency to produce hypoglycemia. Meats are eliminated because they may contain hormones, antibiotics and are difficult to digest. Caffeine is wise to avoid, since it has many ill effects on the body's digestion. Refined, processed and junk foods are also out for any detox program to work.

Herbal Detoxification

Generic diets for detoxification are good, but may not stimulate the liver, lungs or the kidneys as much as one would like. Therefore, herbal cleanses are indicated when we want to hone our cleanse to a "sharp edge" and be organ specific. Of course, herbs are foods too and provide one with vitamins, minerals and enzymes for excellent nutrition. Herbs are powerful, because they may be combined together to fortify those herbs that aid specific organs. For example, herbal combinations that aid the liver may be found in many organic food stores.

The list below shows how herbal combinations help the various organs.

Herbal Combinations

Liver:

LIV-A Dandelion, red beet, liverwort, parsley, horsetail, birch leaves, chamomile, blessed thistle, black cohosh, angelica, gentian, goldenrod

Kidneys

Uva ursi, parsley, dandelion, juniper berries JP-X Parsley, uva ursi, marshmallow, ginger, goldenseal, dong quai, cedar berries

Lungs

LH Comfrey, marshmallow, mullein, slippery elm, senega, Chinese ephedra

While herbs may be taken at any time, they are best for detoxification purposes when they are used with a good diet also. It does not make any sense to take herbs to cleanse the liver if the bowels are clogged with junk or refined foods, since the liver dumps its toxins into the bowels. And while detoxification diets are effective by themselves, they may be reinforced and speeded up with herbs, which stimulate the eliminative organs.

Herbs may be used as teas, powders or extracts. Powders are usually encapsulated for easier swallowing, but are best when taken with meals and digestive enzymes. Extracts may be used when specific herbs are needed, but may be extracted with alcohol, which we need to avoid. Herbal teas are easily made and easily taken all throughout the day. They are mild and gentle and sometimes refreshing and sometimes bitter. Experimentation may be in order until one develops the right tea to drink. Herbal teas is a topic in itself, since there are so many and different ways to make them.

Example Herbal Cleanse

Rising
Drink a glass of lemon water or drink a glass of water with added: one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses

Morning
Drink a glass of water with psyllium husk powder (follow with another glass of water).

Meals
Take 2-3 multi-digestive enzymes Take liver herbs

In Between Meals
Drink herbals teas which support the liver, including Dandelion/licorice/ginger/fennel
Note: Following a good diet is mandatory for herbs to work optimally. See Diets for detox.

Skin Cleansing

Detoxification should include some type of skin cleansing, because our skin it one of our best eliminative organs. Heavy metals are actually released through the skin's pores when we sweat. Sauna baths and steam rooms are great for removing toxins from the skin and regenerating one's health and energy. It has been documented that our skin's sweat glands when combined can perform as much detoxification as one (or both) kidneys. Therefore, it is very important to support our skin for detoxification to be maximal. If our kidneys are damaged, then helping the skin will help the kidneys ... indirectly, but effectively.

Good skin care is in order, if one's health is to benefit, also. Using chemicalized skin care products is not wise, even though they are cheaper. These chemicals may be absorbed into our circulation and provide more "toxins" for our liver to deal with. We are not made out of cast iron, and even the chemicals in our soaps and shampoos will make a difference with our health. Most people do not "see" the ill effects of these subtle chemicals, because their liver is able to metabolize them. But, individuals who are environmentally toxic will see a great change in their health when using natural soaps and shampoos. We should take their advice and use only natural skin care products also.

Cleansing our skin is rather simple. First, we need to bathe daily using natural soaps. Then we need to care for the skin by using only natural oils and products of natural origin. Even the clothes we wear can make a big difference in our health. Synthetic fibers do not absorb sweat (toxins), while natural fibers, like cotton, will absorb toxins. Dry skin brushing helps in removing the outer dead skin layers and keeps the pores open. Another good method of skin brushing is with vigorous toweling off after bathing. Towel roughly until the skin is slightly red. Change towels often because they will contain toxins.

Good skin care also requires good nutrition.[ii] Since our skin is mainly fat, we need high quality fats and oil from natural sources to give our skin health. Butter and olive oil are two excellent natural oils, which keep the skin in good condition. As always, the fats/oils should be natural ... only.

Detoxification Baths
Use 1/2 cup of baking soda or use 1/2 cup of Epsom salt or use 1/2 cup of sea salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub the skin gently with soap on a natural fiber. Within a few minutes the water will turn murky and "dirty." The darkness to the water is heavy metals coming out of the skin (aluminum and mercury). Do this once a week during detox and once a month for maintenance.
Juice Fasting
Fasting with vegetable juices can be another excellent way to develop good health and cleanse the body of toxins. Juices, minus their pulp (fiber), contain an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. When the pulp is not added, one is able to drink more juice than they are able to eat. For example, one can easily consume the juice of several heads of lettuce in one sitting, but may not be able to eat the lettuce whole. This allows the body to get an abundance of nutrients with minimal processing (digestion). Fasting on mono-juices also allows the body proper time to process these juices and helps to preserve our valuable digestive enzymes.
Juice fasting has helped many people over come serious diseases like cancer, because it gave them optimal nutrition and allowed the body to cleanse itself of toxins. [According to many nutritionists, cancer is merely a toxic condition.] With some juicers, the pulp is discarded, but it may be saved and added back for fiber (not too much). Juices contain good sources of antioxidants and enzymes, both of which are needed for cleansing and eliminating toxins. Juices are also easy to digest and help those with digestive problems.

Flora
Our bowel flora is also important for detoxification and normal health. Probiotics is the term given to the normal bowel flora, which are taken as supplements. It has been found that these normal flora actually defend our body from the pathogenic species of bacteria and perform many vital functions, such as detoxification of toxic chemicals and making valuable vitamins (mainly the B vitamins). When our normal flora are present they secrete mediators in which the pathogenic forms cannot grow. But the reverse is also true, that when the pathogenic forms take over, they will exclude the normal flora with their toxins.
Many scientists feel that it is the toxins secreted from the pathogens and not the pathogens themselves that create disease. The ability of all bacteria to change and grow under specific conditions of their immediate environment is called pleiomorphism. Cell wall deficient forms are "bacteria" which lack a defined cell wall, yet have all the specifications of being bacterial-like. Even viruses have been found to exhibit morphological forms, which resemble bacteria and fungus. While this is not widely accepted by modern medical scientists, it has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt by eminent scientists, like Virginia Livingston Wheeler, Irene Diller, and Royal Rife. Their microscopic studies have revealed that bacteria and viruses and fungus may be all different forms of the same organism, differing only by the environment in which they are grown.

Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria as well as the bad and allow the bad to repopulate and develop antibiotic resistance. Natural forms of antibiotics are better, since they do not kill off the good bacteria with the bad and do not allow drug" resistance to take place. Garlic, for example, is perhaps, 200 times more effective against pathogens than most antibiotics today. And it does not produce antibiotic resistance forms, which is a danger to all our health. As antibiotics become more widely used, more antibiotic resistant forms will be encountered. Herbal antiseptics and antibacterial tonics are far better and less dangerous to our over-all health, because they do not kill of the good bacteria with the bad.

Replacing our natural flora is a good step for preventing disease and keeping our bowels healthy and populated with normal flora. Taking probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus can help us in our detox program and also in repopulating the gut after a cleanse. Our normal healthy flora should be a part of any detoxification program.

Antioxidants

The use of antioxidants, like vitamins A, E, and especially C, are very essential for detoxification since they are involved with the detoxification of toxins. Antioxidants are involved with helping cells to neutralize free radicals that can cause mutations and cellular damage. As these free radicals are neutralized, the antioxidant vitamins will be used and exhibit low levels. Vitamin A and E are fat soluble and will be found in our fat tissues/stores, but vitamin C is water soluble and will be found mainly in our skin (between the cells according to Reams). Vitamin C is also involved with many other important bodily functions, like collagen formation, wound healing, energy production and fighting off colds (viruses).

The function of antioxidants is so important that any deficiency of them will be seen as catastrophic to one's health. When our antioxidants are low, energy is not available and detoxification cannot take place in a normal fashion. Therefore, toxins accumulate or are stored until they can be processed. The liver and many other organs are compromised in their functions when antioxidants are low. Just the lack of energy is enough to cause the body to have compromised or poor health, because it is energy that is required for the removal of toxins and wastes.

Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavinoids to ensure that all the components of the vitamin C complex are taken together, since they work together. Pure ascorbic acid is called vitamin C, but does little by itself. We tend to think that ascorbic acid as vitamin C, but it is only part of the vitamin C complex. Vitamin C is very essential to any detoxification program, because that is what the body uses for energy to process and eliminate these toxic waste Vitamin C can be taken in very high doses until the bowel tolerance level [BTL] is achieved. This BTL is different for different people. Some persons reach tolerance at 4-5 grams (4,000-5,000 mg), while others may not reach tolerance until 10-15 grams (10,000-15,000 mg). Cancer patients notoriously can take 20-30 grams (20,000-30,000 mg) of vitamin C before tolerance is reached ... meaning that they needed more vitamin C than most people.

By taking vitamin C to its tolerance level we find out 1) what our BTL is and 2) how saturated our body is with Vitamin C. Vitamin C was found by Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron to be very effective in helping many patients to over come that killer disease, called cancer. Perhaps, this was because vitamin C was needed for detoxification of toxins, which "caused" the cancer in the first place. Although Pauling and Cameron were greatly criticized for their work with vitamin C, they were able to help many people overcome cancer and without compromising their health with toxic drugs.

Enzymes
The use of enzymes in detoxification is important, because the body needs an adequate supply of enzymes, not only for digestion, for also for detoxification.[iii] Enzymes are best obtained from fresh raw fruits and vegetables, but may be taken daily with meals as nutritional supplements of multi-digestive enzymes. Enzymes in our food helps us to digest that food, but many foods today are processed, refined, heated (cooked), radiated and stored, which destroys enzymes and leaves it non-vital.[iv] Foods with enzymes destroyed will have a longer shelf life, but will not give one health when it is eaten.

Fresh raw fruits and vegetables are the best source for enzymes and help to give one vibrant health. Enzymes are also used by the body in detoxification of toxic substances. The liver is the source of most detoxification enzymes, which it must make, or store. To aid the body in removing and eliminating wastes and toxins, enzymes are best taken in between meals. This way they do not get involved with digestion, but go to the liver and to the blood for detoxification.

Many therapies have utilized enzymes for improving health and enzymes have long been the key to many detoxification therapies which have helped many to over come that dreaded disease, cancer. Kelley, Gerson, Moerman, and Neiper used alternative nutritional therapies with enzymes for curing cancer. The famous Wobe Mugos enzymes from Europe were utilized with Laetrile therapies for cancer. Never was Laetrile give alone, but was used with vitamins, diet and enzymes. This made the Laetrile therapy very successful in the 1970s. If cancer is a toxic condition, which many feel that it is, then taking enzymes will help it. And it does.

The use of raw foods in many detoxification diets are using the enzymes found naturally in those foods. Additionally, these raw foods provide fiber and, with proper food combining, will not waste the body enzymes reserves. Preserving enzymes is the key to over coming disease and living to ripe old age and remaining healthy. Yes, vitamins and minerals are important, but vitamins are enzyme co-factors and many minerals are use to activate enzymes. Therefore, the vitamins and minerals themselves are only augmenting the role of the enzymes which are detoxifying toxins and supporting metabolism.

Enzymes also help the bowels in cleansing, because they liquefy the bowel content, which makes transit much easier. The role of enzymes in digestion is to break down foods for digestion and absorption. When foods are broken down they become more liquid and the bowels move much easier and faster. Transit time is decreased and our health is increased when toxins are removed and eliminated. Perhaps, this is a link to breaking the "constipation chain." Enzymes are the key to health. Preserve our enzymes and we will be healthy for a long time.

Bowel Cleansing
Keeping the bowels clean and moving is a major step in regaining our health since the bowels are crucial in the elimination of toxins, especially those processed by the liver. [The liver dumps in to the bowel via the gall bladder.] This is why one hears a lot about the bowels, and bowel cleansing. In severe cases, enemas and colonics may be needed to breakup and washout long-standing bowel encrustations. Diet may do the same thing as an enema or colonic, it will just take longer. Also, one should be very diligent in repopulating after a total washout of the normal flora and probiotics will be necessary to restore that balance.

Constipation is a national pastime and slow bowels are more common today than years previous. For one thing, people not only ate better 100 years ago, they were more active and got out doors more. When the bowels slow down, toxins are not eliminated and are reabsorbed and carried back to the liver for recycling and elimination. Reabsorbed bile salts have been linked to increased cholesterol levels; therefore, cholesterol is a major indicator of constipation. Also, when the bowels get slow and toxin levels increase, the pathogenic microorganisms grow to out-number the normal flora causing dysbiosis. Although flora is needed to correct this, it is the clogged bowels that are the major problem. When the bowels move again, everything else will fall into order.

Our endocrine glands that control metabolism are also involved; since it is our thyroid that controls metabolism and metabolism affects how our bowels are functioning. In this way, constipation can be seen as a symptom of hypothyroidism. Low body temperatures (a symptom of hypothyroidism) are very common today ...although they are not "normal" ... as many authors have reported. One major factor in low body temperatures is the suppression of thyroid function by heavy metals, like mercury, which binds to our thyroid hormones and renders them inactive. Eliminate the mercury and the body temperature is likely to return to normal.

The easiest way to get the bowels moving is by using a high fiber diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, one may add extra fiber during the day by drinking a glass of water (juice) with psyllium husk powder. The extra fiber adds to the bulk of the stool and decreases the bowel transit time, which means better toxin elimination and better health. It makes sense that if one can eliminate toxins their health will improve.

One of the best ways to improve the bowel function is with herbal remedies that act as bowel stimulants or laxatives. These products range from the very mild - slippery elm - to the stimulant - cascara sagrada- to the very harsh - aloes and senna. Everyone may react differently to these products, so they should be taken cautiously at first. Some persons may take two aloes with no effect (meaning they are heavily blocked), while others may take a mild herbal and get a much greater effect than most. Herbal bowel combination formulas are excellent because they not only stimulate the bowels to move, but give the bowels the nourishment it needs to move on its own.

Herbal formulas should not preclude a wholesome natural diet, since diet comes first in matters of health. One should not become overly dependent on herbal laxatives, since they deplete potassium and may be "addicting" as some authors claim. Yet, herbal products play a key role in getting the body to eliminate toxins by stimulating the eliminative organs like nothing else can and, therefore, cannot be ignored.

Herxheimer Reaction
The Herxheimer Reaction occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them.[v] When this occurs, one will suffer from headaches, nausea, vomiting, and malaise. Even though this is but a short period of the health program, it can be severe and deter one from reaching their intended goals. Also, the person may not know what they are experiencing and think that they are regressing.

To minimize the Herxheimer Reaction:
Drinks lots of pure water
Get minimal exercise daily
Lots of sunshine
Take detoxification slowly... one step at a time
Don't increase the dose of herbals
Keep the organs of elimination (bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys) open
Take detox baths
Use aromatherapy oils for aches -like peppermint, birch, and wintergreen
Sweat by using exercise, saunas, baths, and herbs
Avoid foreign chemicals and refined processed foods

If the Herxheimer reaction occurs, cut back on your health detoxification program. Reduce the dose of herbs and follow the above outline to reduce the symptoms of toxin elimination. The more toxins there are to eliminate, the sicker one is when they come out. Generally, one will feel better when all is over and health is restored again. Just remember, don't give up.

Conclusion
Detoxification may produce symptoms of headaches, nausea, malaise and vomiting due to the toxins being released [Herxheimer Reaction]. If this occurs, one should back off the program and proceed slowly. Proceeding to fast with detoxification can have disastrous results when toxins are released into the circulation. Our body should be primed and ready to eliminate toxins before they are released. We do this by getting the bowels working, keeping the skin clean and getting the kidneys and lungs operating. Only by having all organs of elimination in proper operating order can our body begin to dump toxins efficiently and maximally. Keeping the skin clean and healthy is of prime importance also.

Detoxification is essential for good health to exist. Our body must eliminate toxins daily or we would die immediately. Since our environment is more toxic today, our livers are over stressed with environmental toxins to deal with daily. Processing other toxins, when the liver is stressed, may be delayed.

Detoxification is also a lifestyle change. For it is by the way we live that determines our health and how our liver processes toxins. Detoxification is easy if we eat a wholesome natural organic diet and live life in a natural way. But for those who want their cake and eat it too, detoxification may be compromised. A change your lifestyle may be needed and detoxification will be forthcoming. Nature has afforded us the chance to live in a toxic environment and not be affected by it. Of course, we have to live right to get that chance. Without detoxification we may not get a second chance.

Good health is within our reach, but first we must cleanse this "temple" and eat a wholesome natural diet that provides us with maximal nutrients and fiber. Herbs can help us stimulate the liver, lungs, kidneys and bowels when needed, but diet is the first priority in any detoxification program. Don't become overly dependent on herbal laxatives. When toxins are released one may feel bad for a day or two, but when our good health is restored we will have renewed energy and will "soar on the wings of an eagle". Many people living today have never known what good health "feels" like. They survive with an abundance of toxins and an existence less than healthy.

Good health is not hard to find, but does require diligence and life style changes which are compatible with toxin elimination. Sir Jason Winters Says, "Death begins in the colon." With good toxin elimination through natural detoxification programs our health and energy are restored.

[i]. "The Best Way to Detox," Jill Ruttenberg, Natural Health, Oct 1999, p 88-92, 152.
[Ii]. Aubrey Hampton, Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care, 1987, Organica Press, Tampa, FL 33614
[iii]. Harold Loomis, DC, Enzymes: The Key to Health, Vol 1, The Fundamentals, 1999, 21st Century Nutrition, Madison, WI
[iv]. Anthony J Cichoke, DC, Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy, 1994, Keats Publishing, Inc, New Canaan, CT
[v]. Ibid, p 148.

All You Need to Know About Obesity

2009-04-30T01:00:00.003-06:00

Obesity is when a person is carrying too much body fat for their height and sex. A person is considered obese if they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is a measurement of your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. Obesity can happen when you eat more calories than you burn off over a period of time.

The rate at which you burn off calories from food and drink is known as your metabolic rate. This is often faster during growth spurts and puberty, but reaches a fairly steady rate by adulthood.

People who are very active generally have a higher metabolic rate than those who are inactive because they burn off calories faster through energetic activity. For example, a labourer working on a building site may need as many as 4,000-5,000 calories a day to keep an even weight. In contrast, an office worker who uses a car to get to work and does not exercise may only need 1,500 calories a day.

If the amount of calories provided by your daily food intake is more than the calories that you burn off, your body will store the extra energy as fat. This is the body's way of protecting itself in case of starvation. However, starvation in developed countries is extremely rare, and this insurance against "hard times" is hardly ever needed.

Most of us have more food than we need, and much of it is higher in calories than the human body was originally designed to cope with. Fast foods, high calorie snacks and large portions all mean it is easy to take in more energy than we need. Obesity has now become one of the most serious medical problems of the Western world.

What is Obesity?

Obesity can be measured in different ways. An easy way is to simply step on the scales and compare your actual weight with your ideal weight. Any health or diet book will give this information.

The most scientific way to measure your weight is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (see the 'diagnosis' section on how to work out your BMI). In the UK, people with a BMI between 25 and 30 are categorised as overweight, and those with an index above 30 are categorised as obese. People with a BMI of 40 or more are described as morbidly obese.

Your BMI, waist circumference, and ethnic group, may all help your GP, or practice nurse, to assess your risk of developing obesity-related health problems, such as heart disease.

Most modern gyms and some weighing scales can electronically measure the percentage of your body weight that is fat, and can compare this with what would be ideal for you depending on your height, age and sex.

See your GP for advice if you are unsure about how to best measure your weight, and work out your BMI.

Facts About Obesity

Obesity is fast becoming the developed world's biggest health problem, with over 9,000 deaths a year in England being caused by obesity alone.

Adult obesity rates have almost quadrupled (become four times as great) over the last 25 years, and two thirds of UK adults are now considered overweight or obese. Of these, 22% of men and 23% of women are obese. This means that they are at least two to three stone overweight and putting their health at serious risk.

According to figures from the National Audit Office, being obese can take up to nine years off your lifespan. It also makes you far more likely to develop a range of health-related problems, including:

diabetes,
heart disease,
stroke,
osteoarthritis,
high blood pressure,
gallstones,
infertility, and
depression.

Combined with a lack of exercise, obesity contributes to one third of cancers of the colon, breast, kidney and stomach.

Childhood obesity

Obesity is not just a problem that affects adults. The number of obese children has tripled over the last 20 years. At least 10% of six-year-olds and 17% of 15-year-olds are now clinically obese. Childhood obesity should not be dismissed as 'puppy fat' - it is a strong indication that the child will be obese as an adult and is likely to lead to serious health risks in later life.

What are the Symptoms of Obesity?

Being a little bit overweight tends not to cause too many noticeable problems, but once you are carrying a few extra stones, symptoms will affect your daily life.

Day-to-day, obesity causes problems, such as shortness of breath. However, the long-term health risks that you cannot see are far more serious, such as heart-related illnesses.

The immediate symptoms of obesity include:

breathlessness,
sweating a lot,
snoring,
difficulty sleeping,
inability to cope with sudden physical activity,
feeling very tired every day, and
back and joint pains.

In the longer term, obesity greatly increases your risk of:

high blood pressure,
heart disease and stroke,
high cholesterol levels (fatty deposits blocking up your arteries),
breast cancer in women,
gall bladder disease,
gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (when acid from the stomach flows up into the gullet) and associated problems,
arthritis of the back, hips, knees and ankles,
diabetes, and difficulty controlling existing diabetes,
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS - multiple cysts within the ovaries), and
reduced life expectancy.

In addition to the immediate and short-term problems of obesity, many people may also experience psychological problems, such as:

having low self-esteem (self-worth) - or poor self image,
having low confidence levels,
feeling isolated in society, or
having reduced mobility leading to a poor quality of life.

What Causes Obesity?

Obesity does not just happen overnight - it develops gradually from poor diet and lifestyle choices and, to some extent, from your genes.

Lifestyle choices

Lifestyle choices are an important factor in influencing your weight. Eating more calories than you need may be down to poor food choices - for example, eating high fat, processed, or fast food - rather than filling up on fruit, vegetables and unrefined carbohydrates, such as wholemeal bread and brown rice. Alcohol also contains a lot of calories, and heavy drinkers are often overweight.

Bad eating habits also tend to run in families - rather than inheriting a slow metabolism, the habits learned from your parents can be an important factor. Childhood obesity is a strong indicator of weight-related health problems in later life, showing that learned unhealthy lifestyle choices continue into adulthood.

Lack of physical activity

Lack of physical activity is another important factor that is related to obesity. Many of us have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for most of the day, and we rely heavily on our cars to get around. When it is time to relax, we tend to watch TV, or play computer games, and rarely take any regular exercise. If we are not active enough to use up the energy provided by food, the extra calories are stored as fat instead.

Some people tend to stay the same weight for years without much effort, whereas others find they put on weight quickly if they are not careful. This could be due in part to your genes - scientists have discovered certain genes that make you feel hungrier, or make it take longer for you to feel full.

Medical reasons

In less than one out of every 100 cases, there is a medical reason for obesity. Conditions such as Cushing's syndrome (over-production of steroid hormones in the body) and an under-active thyroid gland are rare causes of weight gain.

Certain medicines, including some steroids and antidepressants, can contribute to weight gain. Also, taking the contraceptive pill and quitting smoking may increase your appetite.

How to Diagnose Obesity?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is currently used as the most accurate and reliable way of measuring how overweight you are.

You can work out your own BMI using this calculation:

1. measure your height in metres and multiply the number by itself - this is the squared figure,
2. measure your weight in kilograms,
3. divide your weight by the answer you got in step 1 (squared height),
4. the number you are left with is your BMI.

For example, if you are:

1.65 metres tall (165cm - 65 inches), your squared figure is 2.72
58kg in weight
58kg divided by 2.72
21.3 BMI figure.

For most people, an ideal BMI is between 20 and 25.

Obesity - Treatments

The best way of tackling obesity is to reduce the amount of calories that you eat and exercise more. The is aim of treatment for obesity is to lose weight in order to improve your general quality of life, both physically and psychologically (see the ‘symptoms’ section). For example, losing weight may help you to increase your mobility, or help you to improve your self-esteem (self-worth).

Calorie control

Keeping a food diary can enable you to control the amount of calories that you eat. For example, recording what you eat and when can and help you to identify where you can cut out 500 calories a day from your diet. Keeping a diary may also help to reveal particular times when you overeat, or certain types of food that you are more inclined to binge on.

Try to find other activities to do rather than snacking, such as reading a magazine. Also, be careful not to buy foods that will tempt you, such as high calorie snacks, because not eating these type of foods is an obvious way to cut out 500 calories. You should find that you are still able to enjoy a wide range of tasty options, but in moderation (restraining yourself and avoiding excess).

Avoid special diets. Try to change your eating habits for the long-term by choosing a healthy, balanced diet instead of cutting out particular food groups. See the ‘prevention’ section for more information about healthy eating.

Increase your exercise

If you are obese, in order to lose weight you need to increase the amount of aerobic exercise that you do.

You should aim to do between 45-60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a day. However, your GP may recommend that you to do more than this (between 60-90 minutes a day) in order for you to lose weight. Before starting an exercise programme, you should check with your GP to ensure that you are doing enough physical activity, and that the activity that you plan to do is safe for you.

In order to lose weight, the exercise that you do should increase your heart rate so that you break into a light sweat and you are out of breath by the end of the activity.

Recommended types of physical exercise include:

activities that can be incorporate into everyday life, such as brisk walking, gardening, or cycling,
supervised exercise programmes, and
activities such as swimming, walking (where you aim to walk a certain number of steps a day), and stair climbing.

As well as increasing the amount of exercise that you do, you should also reduce the amount of time that you spend on activities that involve being physically inactive, such as watching television, sitting at a computer, or playing video games.

Children and exercise

Children should be encouraged to do at least 60 minutes of moderate activity each day. The activity can be in one session, or several sessions that last 10 minutes, or more. As with adults, children who are overweight, or obese, may need to do more than 60 minutes of exercise. You should check with your GP before your child starts a new exercise programme.

Control your weight loss

Do not aim to lose weight too quickly, or you could end up losing muscle rather than fat. Aim for half to 1 kg (1 - 2 lbs) per week. This means eating 500-1,000 fewer calories than you were eating and drinking before. You should lose 6-12 kg if you keep this up for three months.

Losing weight and keeping it off is a long term commitment. It is not easy, and it is important not to be disappointed with any minor increases along the way. It is better to look at the overall progress, and remember that any weight loss will improve your health.

Always eat three meals a day, especially breakfast. Do not skip meals, as this will only make you feel hungrier, and it is likely you will overeat at your next meal time. If you are on a calorie controlled diet, remember to reduce your alcohol intake as well.

Weight loss groups

Some people who are overweight, or obese, find that joining a self-help group, or other type of weight-loss organisation, can be a good way of losing weight in a supportive environment.

However, you should avoid groups or programmes that claim to be able to achieve rapid weight loss through the use of ‘crash diets’ because these sorts of programmes have a poor record of success.

Weight loss programmes known to be successful are ones that:

aim for a realistic weight loss target (usually 5-10% of your original weight),
aim for a maximum weekly weight loss of 0.5-1 kg (1.1-2.2 pounds),
focus on long-term lifestyle changes, rather than a short-term, quick-fix approach,
use both diet and activity as a way of achieving weight-loss,
promote a healthy, balanced diet,
promote regular physical activity,
provide advice about how to change your behaviour, such as keeping a food diary,
provide advice about how to cope with lapses and possible ‘high-risk’ situations, and
provide on-going support.

Medication

Medication for obesity is only available in extreme cases from your GP. You need to show you can lose weight on a calorie controlled diet before it is considered. Medication is normally one part of a weight-loss programme, and requires a long term change in lifestyle for lasting results.

The part of the brain that controls how hungry we are is called the hypothalamus. It controls the hormones and chemical signals circulating in our blood that influence appetite.

Traditional weight-loss drugs contain amphetamine, which is a stimulant that increases the activity of certain brain chemicals. Stimulants increase the amount of noradrenaline and dopamine hormones in your blood, which stops you feeling as hungry. However, they are not suitable for long term use and can have serious side effects, including high blood pressure, anxiety and restlessness.

Scientists are trying to develop new medications that have fewer side effects by looking at the relationship between your body fat and hunger. Fat produces a hormone called leptin, which makes you feel less hungry.

Orlistat

Your GP may prescribe you with orlistat, which works by blocking the action of body chemicals called enzymes which digest fat. The undigested fat is not absorbed into your body, and is passed out with your faeces (stools). One orlistat capsule is taken with each main meal (a maximum of three capsules a day). You have to have made significant effort to lose weight through diet, exercise or changing your lifestyle before taking it. Even then, it is only prescribed if you have:

a BMI of 28 or more, and other diseases related to weight, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, or
a BMI of 30 or more.

Treatment with orlistat must be combined with a low fat diet and other weight loss strategies, such as doing more exercise.

Treatment with orlistat should only continue beyond three months if you have lost 5% of body weight, and beyond six months if you have lost at least 10% of body weight.

Side effects of orlistat include fatty smelly stools, urgency to get to the toilet, oily spotting on your underwear, and flatulence (wind). Side effects are much less likely if you stick to a low fat diet. Women taking an oral contraceptive pill are advised to use an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, if they experience severe diarrhoea whilst taking orlistat.

Orlistat is not prescribed to:

pregnant women,
breastfeeding women, and
children.

Sibutramine

Sibutramine is another type of medication that may be prescribed to help you lose weight. One sibutramine capsule is taken once a day. It affects chemicals in the brain called noradrenaline and serotonin to make you feel fuller, or satisfied with less food. Again, you need to have made considerable effort to lose weight before sibutramine is considered. Even then, it is only prescribed if you have:

a BMI of 27 or more, and other diseases related to excess weight, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, or
a BMI of 30 or more.

Sibutramine will only carry on being prescribed if you lose at least 2 kg within four weeks, and 5% of your initial weight within three months of starting treatment.

People with high blood pressure, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of blood vessels usually in the legs), arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), or a history of strokes, should not take Sibutramine.

Side effects are common (affects 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 people), including constipation, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, and increased blood pressure.

If either orlistat or sibutramine are prescribed for you, you will also be offered advice, support and counselling about diet, exercise and making lifestyle changes.

Medication and children

The use of medication to treat obesity is usually not recommended for children who are under 12 years of age, unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as their obesity places their life in danger.

Weight loss surgery

People with a BMI of 40, or more, are described as morbidly obese. At this stage, the problem can be very hard to treat. Surgery may be considered to restrict the amount of food eaten, or to interrupt the digestive process.

Surgery may also be an option for people with a BMI of 35 to 40, who have life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems – for example, severe sleep apnoea (a sleep disorder where a person experiences irregular breathing at night), obesity-related heart disease, or diabetes.

Availability on the NHS

Weight loss surgery is usually only available on the NHS where there is a clear clinical need for surgery, and other treatment options have been tried but failed.

You will probably only be able to receive weight loss surgery on the NHS if:

you have a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of between 35-40 and also have a serious health condition that could be improved if you lose weight, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure,
you have tried all the appropriate non-surgical methods, such as diet and exercise, but have failed to achieve or maintain a clinically beneficial level of weight loss for at least six months,
you agree to commit to the need for long-term follow-up treatment after surgery at a specialized obesity service, and
you are fit and healthy enough to withstand anesthetic and surgery.

Types of weigh loss surgery

There are three widely used techniques in weight loss surgery:

gastric band surgery,
gastric bypass surgery, and
intra-gastric balloon.

Gastric band surgery

Gastric banding is a surgical procedure that involves fitting a band around the upper part of your stomach.

Gastric banding helps you lose weight by limiting the amount of food that you eat.

Once the band is in place it effectively divides your stomach in two, creating a smaller pouch at the top. Having this small stomach pouch will mean that it takes a lot less food for you to feel full. The food then slowly passes down into the rest of the stomach and is then digested in the normal manner.

A gastric band is designed to remain permanently within your stomach. However, it can be removed, and in the majority of cases leaves you with no permanent changes to your stomach. The procedure to fit a gastric band can involve a certain degree of complication, for example there is a risk of infection, and in rare cases, leaking into your stomach may occur.

Gastric bypass surgery cannot be used in people with a BMI of 45 or above, as the risks of serious complications are too high.

Gastric bypass

A gastric bypass is a similar procedure to a gastric band as a band is used to create a smaller stomach pouch. However the pouch is not connected to the rest of the stomach, but surgically re-routed to the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach.

Gastric bypasses have a higher risk of complications that gastric band surgery, but they can be used for people who have a BMI of 45 or above.

Possible complications of gastric bypass surgery include:

leakage from the intestine or bowel,
obstructing the bowel,
internal bleeding,
blood clots,
infection at the site of surgery, and
lung infection.

These complications can be serious and may require additional surgery to treat them.

Intra-gastric balloon

An intra-gastric balloon is a soft silicone balloon that is surgically implanted in your stomach. This can help reduce your weight as it then takes less food to stop you feeling hungry.

The balloon is usually removed after six months.

Intra-gastric balloons tend not to achieve the same level of weight loss as gastric by-passes and gastric bands, but the procedure is less expensive, which may be a consideration if you opt for private surgery.

Prices can vary, depending on the clinic and your individual circumstances.

How to Prevent Obesity?

The best way to prevent becoming overweight, or obese, is by eating healthily and exercising regularly. As obese children also tend to be obese in later life, it is very important for parents to set the right example to their children from an early age.

Diet

Fruit, vegetables and unrefined carbohydrates should make up the bulk of your diet. Choose brown and wholegrain carbohydrates, and be sparing with high-fat additions, such as cheese, cream and butter. Aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and vary the type to get the maximum vitamins possible.

Think about how you prepare food - steaming and grilling are healthier ways of cooking than frying and roasting. Go easy on the amount of butter and oil you add during and after cooking.

Try not to overeat - listen to your body and stop when you are full. It can take up to 30 minutes for the stomach to register it is full, so eat slowly and wait before tucking into seconds. Serve food in the kitchen, not from the table where you might be tempted to go back for more.

Cut down on high fat snacks, junk food and ready meals, as they are often packed with fat, high levels of sugar and salt, and do not fill you up. Dried fruit, oatcakes, yoghurt and fruit are healthier and will keep you feeling full for longer.

Calories

Work out your daily calorie requirement from a calorie-counting book, and keep a food diary for a week. Do not change anything about your usual diet, but be ruthless in noting down the amount and type of food and drink you have. From this, you can work out how many calories you have consumed compared with the amount you need.

As well as showing you whether you need to cut your calories, keeping a food diary can also help you identify the types of food you are eating too much of. As well as recording what you eat, note down the time, place and how you feel. Mood often plays a big part in what we eat - feeling depressed, bored or tired, can quickly lead to comfort eating. Shopping when you are hungry, not making time to prepare a balanced meal, and stress, can also lead to the wrong food choices being made.

Exercise

It is recommended that, in general, adults should do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, at least five days a week (or more). This can be done in one session, or split into a number of sessions lasting at least 10 minutes.

However, before starting an exercise programme, it is important to see your GP for advice as some people may not be able to manage this amount of exercise and others may benefit from doing more exercise.

Exercise does not just burn up calories. Regular, aerobic exercise increases your metabolic rate, so that even when you are not exercising, your body uses more calories overall. However, this effect is quickly lost once regular exercise stops.

Regular exercise increases appetite, but having a faster metabolic rate means that any additional calories are easily burnt off, particularly if you make the right food choices as described above.

Exercising when you are overweight can be tough because the extra weight means your body has to work harder. Stick to activities that increase your heart rate and get you sweaty, and slightly out of breath. If you feel embarrassed about joining a gym, try gardening, swimming or attending fitness classes specifically designed for people who are overweight.

In addition, try to fit more activity into your daily routine. Walk or cycle to work, or take the stairs rather than the lift. If you have never exercised before, a brisk 30 minute walk each day is a really good starting point.

The Acai Berry Side Effects

2009-04-27T00:44:00.002-06:00

The acai berry is a revolutionary fruit that has been growing in the Amazon rain forest for a very long time. The people of the region have made the acai berry about 40 to 42 percent of their diet, and they are incredibly healthy and are free of many of the harmful toxins that exist in our bodies in the western world. Some other benefits of the acai berry include 300 percent more anti-oxidants, which are used by your body to fight cancer cells, high quantities of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron and calcium, as well as other types of minerals, acids and more that benefit your body.

However, while you may hear a lot about the acai berry benefits, what about the acai berry side effects. Well, it is true there is one noticeable acai berry side effect. No, it will not damage your heart, your liver or any other organ in your body. In fact, the only known side effect of this amazing fruit is a decreased appetite.
For many people, a decreased appetite is not a side effect at all, and many pills are bought that do that exact thing as their primary task, rather than a side effect. Therefore, while the acai berry is a greater cleanser because of the high fibre, and while it can remove toxins from your body and replace them with healthy vitamins, minerals and acids, it will also cause you to lose weight. That appetite suppression side effect means that you get healthy, and you get trim, without having to jump on some fad diet that may or may not work out properly for you.

It should be noted that to experience the side effect of appetite suppression from the acai berry, you have to have a lot of acai berries. Of course, with something that tastes so good and has so many benefits for the body, it may be hard not to have a lot of it. Therefore, the acai berry side-effects may be common for many people, but at least it is beneficial to the body and to those who want to be healthy and to lose weight.

When you eat most types of food you run the risk of them having side effects. When you consume coffee you can become nervous, when you eat peppers you may notice that you tend to sweat more. The thing that you have to consider when you eat a food is if the positives of the food outweigh the negatives. The same is true with the acai berry. When you begin considering consuming the acai berry products, you may find yourself asking, “What are the acai berry side effects?”

The one side effect that is known to come from consuming the acai berry may actually be considered a positive thing for many people. The main known side effect of this berry is actually a decrease in your appetite. This may not be a bad thing when you consider that you are consuming a lot of vitamins and nutrients, as well as omegas, antioxidants, fiber, and protein from the acai itself. This means that you can do just fine with less of an appetite because your body is getting a lot of nutrients from the berry that will require you to not need to provide yourself with as much food to get these same nutrients. This is one reason why the acai is so good at helping people with weight loss.

One thing about this acai berry side effect is that you would have to consume a lot of the berries to actually notice the decrease in your appetite. However, like stated above; when you are consuming this much of the acai your body doesn’t have the need for so much food. For someone that is hoping to gain weight, they can also benefit from the acai and still achieve weight gain. The acai has a lot of nutrients that will help your body to build muscle easier, since muscle weighs more than fat this is one way in which this berry will help you to gain weight.

If you don’t want to experience an increase in your energy levels or decrease your appetite then you will want to find that amount of this great product that you can consume without it causing you a decreased appetite. When you are thinking about taking any supplement it is important that you do go over all of the positives and negatives to make sure that the good points outweigh the bad points. When you are considering something as healthy as the acai, you are looking at much more positives.

The side effect of this acai berry is burning a hole in your pocket because it can get expensive depending on where you buy acai products and supplements.

Burn Your Calories!

2009-04-25T23:27:00.003-06:00

Burn Your Calories - Get Slim

Give your slimming plan a boost with dietician Juliette's 30 fun ways to burn 300 calories a day

Show some leg power and walk fast for 52 minutes
Rearrange your bedroom and lug heavy furniture around for just 35 minutes
Go back to the 70s and rollerskate for half an hour
Hog the ski machine at your gym for 22 minutes
Do a 40-minute low-impact aerobics class
Dust off your bike and go for a 26-minute cycle
Book a badminton court for 45 minutes and persuade a friend to have a game with you
Do 26 minutes of circuit training exercise
Spring clean your house for an hour
Have a laugh with your partner and learn to ballroom dance – a one hour and 10 minute lesson is all you’ll need
Take a 35-minute hike in the countryside – and then order a diet drink when you get to the pub
Go for a 30-minute jog
Get rid of your aggression and have a go at kick boxing – 20 minutes is enough
Tidy up your garden for 42 minutes
Spruce up your front room and paint the walls for 45 minutes
Do a 55-minute class of aqua aerobics
Row vigorously on the machine at your gym for 25 minutes
Have a go at horse riding – you’ll need to book a lesson for 1 hour and 30 minutes
Get together with friends and go ice skating for 40 minutes
Cycle vigorously on the exercise bike at your gym for 20 minutes
Have a fast and furious game of squash for just 17 minutes
Scrub your kitchen floor for 40 minutes
Go for a 21-minute swim, doing front crawl at a fast pace
Scrape off that wallpaper you’ve always hated for 45 minutes
Go clubbing with your friends and dance for at least 35 minutes
Hog the running machine at your gym for 21 minutes and run at a pace of 10 minutes per mile
Walk your neighbour’s dog for an hour
Learn to snorkel at your local pool – you’ll need to practice for 45 minutes
Get into martial arts and have a go at tae kwan do – you’ll only need to do it for 21 minutes
Join an aerobic dance class for 30 minutes

These figures are based on a woman who weighs 11 stone. If you weigh more than this or are a man, you’ll burn more calories. If you weigh less, you’ll burn fewer calories.

How to lose weight? Eat sensibly!

2009-04-25T23:24:00.000-06:00

If you are trying to lose weight, it is important to have three small nourishing meals a day. A lot of people tend to skip meals in the belief that it will help them lose weight, but this is not advisable. Keeping to “strict diets”, or following a “crash” diet can result in rapid weight loss, but there is more of a problem with over eating once the target weight is reached. This is because you have not taught yourself how to eat sensibly. Remember “slowly but surely”

Aim for no more than 0.5 kg to 1 kg weight loss per week. Work out how many kilograms you need to lose, and this will give you an indication of the realistic time in which you can successfully achieve the weight loss. It may seem like a long time, but you will be re-educating yourself to follow a healthy way of eating on a long term basis.

Work out your body mass index (B.M.I.), and aim to get down to the next lower B.M.I. category. Aim to lose 10% of your current weight and to keep it off.

It is usual for the weight loss to be more rapid when you first start, and it tends to plateau after a few weeks. Do not lose motivation – continue with your sensible eating plan and the weight will drop.

Key-points to put into place
You may need to allow two to four weeks before you can achieve the key-points below, as it is unrealistic to make all these changes over night!

Have three small nourishing meals each day – remember to vary your meals so that they are not repetitive.
Fill up with starchy foods at each meal – choose either potatoes, bread, pasta, rice, unsweetened breakfast cereal, pitta bread, noodles, chapatti. This prevents you from feeling hungry in between meals, and stops you from eating unnecessary snacks.
Eat plenty of vegetables – either fresh, frozen or as salads. You may include fat-free salad dressings to enhance the salads.
Aim to have three portions of fruit each day – they can be eaten as a snack if you are feeling hungry or after meals in place of stodgy pudding.
Cut down on fried and fatty foods. This is important as fat contains the most calories.

Grill, steam, poach or microwave instead of frying.
Choose lean cuts of meat including minced meat, and remove the skin off poultry before cooking.
Use low fat products, e.g. skimmed and semi-skimmed milk, fat reduced cheeses and low-fat yoghurts
Use the minimum oil in food preparation; shallow fry instead of deep frying.
Restrict margarine to ½ kg. per person per month. Try low-fat spread.
If you have chips more than once a week, aim to reduce the frequency to once a week or less. Choose thick-cut oven chips and aim to reduce the portion sizes each time.
Watch out for “hidden” fats in foods such as doughnuts, burgers, meat pies, sausage rolls, crisps, fish in batter and savoury pastry dishes

Cut down on sugar and sugar-rich foods.

Use a sweetener if necessary although it is preferable if you can lose your “sweet-tooth”.
Choose sugar-free beverages.
Cut down on the frequency of sweets, chocolates and cakes per week.
Choose breakfast cereals which are not sugar or chocolate coated.
Look out for sugar-reduced foods, e.g. sugar-free jelly, sugar-free instant whip, and sugar-reduced jams and marmalades.
Shop for tea cakes and malt loaf instead of doughnuts, fruit pies and cakes.

Drink less alcohol if possible. Alcohol contains a lot of calories and few other nutrients.

Did you know that:-

½ pt of beer/lager contains between 80-100 calories.
1 pub measure (25 mls) whisky, gin, rum, brandy contains 60 calories.
1 glass red/white wine (100 mls) contains 65-70 calories.
Ideas for sensible meals
“Break-the-fast”

Start the day with breakfast – you may be surprised how much variety you can include. Breakfast cereal and fat-reduced milk. Include toast or bread – use a low-fat spread and a sugar-reduced jam or marmalade.

Choose from Branflakes, Weetabix, Shredded Wheat, Porridge, unsweetened muesli, Puffed Wheat. Cornflakes and Rice Krispies can be included but the wheat and bran-based cereals will keep you feeling full for longer.

If you enjoy fruit, try half of a fresh grapefruit or tinned fruit in natural juice.

Pure fruit juices are best avoided as they contain calories. It is better to eat a piece of fruit as it is more satisfying and contains approximately the same amount of calories as a small glass of fruit juice.

Cooked breakfasts need not be avoided. Some mornings treat yourself to one poached egg or two rashers of lean grilled bacon, with either tomatoes and mushrooms cooked without fat, or sugar-reduced baked beans.

Ideas for snack meals

Sandwiches and bread rolls are ideal for a snack meal. You can make them as interesting and tasty as you wish.

Choose different types of bread – wholemeal, granary, crusty, pitta.
Use a variety of fillings – grated fat-reduced cheese, turkey, ham, pork, lamb, beef, chicken, egg, tinned fish in brine, low-fat pate´, lean grilled bacon.
Add salad vegetables, low- calorie coleslaw or a small amount of relish or pickles, for extra taste.
Take fruit, sugar-free jelly, a low-fat low-sugar yoghurt or fat-free fromage frais with some tinned fruit in natural juice.

Ideas for cooked meals

Choose from a selection of starchy foods cooked without adding extra fat, e.g. baked potato, boiled potatoes, white or brown rice, pasta, noodles, chapatti, pitta bread.
Vary the main dishes to include poultry, lean red meats, white fish, oily fish, cheese, egg, and vegetarian dishes containing pulses.
Cook in different ways, e.g. Roast, steam, bake, casserole, grill, stir-fry, poach, barbecue, or serve with a low-fat sauce or as a curry.

Treat yourself

It is important to acknowledge success and to reward yourself each time you lose weight. Plan several rewards, at different stages. It is best to choose treats that are not food-related, for example, go to the pictures, or a football match, new hair style, a book or a holiday break. These will motivate you to continue and keep up with the sensible meal plan.

Activity

Combining a healthy eating plan with activity is more likely to succeed than either of those on their own.

Moderate activity such as gardening, walking, housework, cycling will help to improve the heart and circulation. It helps improve general well-being by enhancing your mood and relieving stress.

Be realistic with the amount of activity that you do. If you have not done much recently, it is important that you discuss which activity would suit you best with your doctor.

Remember – any activity is better than nothing.

Changing for the better

It is important to have an action plan which you can refer to. This will help you measure the desired results.

List down the way in which you can improve your meals.
Identify reasons for snacking or eating more than you need – is it boredom, comfort-eating, stress-related or do you enjoy eating because it is a habit?
Include some form of activity and the frequency per week.
Consider whether it is easier for you to lose weight with a friend or family or in a group. You need moral support and it may help your motivation if you are not on your own.
Keeping a record of what you currently eat and comparing it with what you eat in a month’s time will help you identify the positive changes that you have made.

Key message

Praise yourself for the successful changes made however small.

Aim to lose weight and keep it off.

Keeping the weight off

It is important not to regain the weight you have lost, for your own self-esteem and confidence.

The following tips are useful to help you achieve this:-

Always shop after you have eaten and stick to your shopping list.
Throw away left-overs.
Resist temptation especially if you are not hungry.
Try not to taste foods or eat while preparing meals.
Do not buy foods that you know will tempt you.
Whenever possible, eat at a table without any distractions such as the television or radio.
Focus on the benefits gained from weight loss.
Drink plenty of water with every meal.

The Top 10 Best Diet Pills

2009-04-24T00:34:00.004-06:00

The Top 10 Best Diet Pills

#1 Clinicallix

score:

100%

Clinicallix has soared up the charts and has become the top diet pill on the market. Its amazing evaluations from expert’s analysis and consumer feedbacks can be accredited to its unique formulation: 3 clinically tested & proven weight loss compounds. When individually tested, compounds 1, 2, and 3 caused the average subject to lose 11.2, 5.5, and 14.99 lbs respectively while the placebo group only lost 0.7, 0.3 and 3 lbs. That’s 31.69 lbs of weight loss while the placebo group lost only 4 lbs!

We love the science behind this product, but we love the consumer feedback ratings even more. Out of 794 reviews on this product that we received, we got only 2 negative feedbacks and 792 very satisfied customers. Clinicallix also comes with 100% Life Time Money Back Guarantee so you can try Clinicallix RISK FREE! With these clinically proven results and industry leading money back guarantee, it’s no wonder why so many people have given rave reviews about Clinicallix.

Cheapest online price we found:$59.99 @ www.clinicallix.com

#2 Nuphedragen

score:

99%

Nuphedragen is the most "controversial" and powerful diet pill that we have ever reviewed. It stimulates what is known in the scientific community as CART and inhibits NPY. The fat loss results of these two chemical processes are mind-boggling.

Nuphedragen could have easily been our #1 rated diet pill if it had not been for its low safety score (79%). There have been rumors that Nuphedragen contains phentermine and prescription strength pain relievers. We believe these rumors to be false but Nuphedragen does contain phenylethylamine. Often referred to as the "Love Drug" it is extracted from chocolate and is responsible for the "chocolate high" sensation. Nuphedragen also contains synephrineHClwhich may dramatically burn fat, suppress appetite, and increase energy. When you combine synephrineHCl and the "Love Drug" PEA, mood enhancement is greatly improved, appetite is decreased to the point where one can barely eat, and fat burning is peaked better than anything we’ve ever seen. Finding bottles of Nuphedragen in the U.S. is sometimes hard as there are rumors that it may be taken off the market like Ephedra was. Nuphedragen retails for $137.00 USD per bottle. The cheapest place to buy online occasionally has bottles available for as low as $59.00.

Cheapest online price we found:$59.00 @ www.nuphedragen.com

#3 Noxycut

score:

98%

NOXYCUT is a diet pill formulated for men over the age of 18 only. It contains a blend of the strongest fat burners, most potent testosterone boosters, and top-rated muscle builders. Some NOXYCUT users have reported a net weight loss of ZERO pounds because they gain 1 pound of lean muscle for every pound of fat lost. NOXYCUT is great for men who want a lean & chiseled body and an increased sex drive. One of the “positive” side effects of NOXYCUT is enhanced sexual performance due to powerful testosterone boosters. NOXYCUT is one of the more expensive diet pills at $75.00 for 75 capsules, which lasts approximately 5 weeks. The best price on the internet for NOXYCUT is $29.99 for 75 caps which allows you to buy 3 bottles for the price of 1. At this price NOXYCUT is tough to pass up. The product is intended of men over the age of 18 only but we recommend that men only over the age of 21 take NOXYCUT. Be sure to strictly follow the recommended use as it is extremely powerful.

Cheapest online price we found:$29.99 @ www.noxycut.com

#4 7-DFBX

score:

98%

Is it really possible to lose 17 pounds in only 7 days? We didn’t think so until we tried 7-DFBX. Taking 7-DFBX in conjunction with a Smart Carb diet, our average test subject lost 11 pounds in 7 days and the greatest weight loss results by one subject was 17 lbs. 7-DFBX (which is short for 7 Day Fat Burner XTREME) contains a precise blend of almost every natural detoxifying ingredient that one can buy. It actually contains a total of 34 ingredients which work synergistically with one another to promote rapid weight loss by flushing toxins out of your body, naturally balancing your body’s PH levels (over 97% of American’s bodies have too much Alkaline making it nearly impossible to lose weight), and ridding fat cells of excess, retained water. 7-DFBX retails for $39.99 per bottle, which lasts 14 days each. The lowest price on the web is $19.99 and if you buy 5 bottles you can get 1 free bringing your price per bottle to only $16.65. Never take 2 bottles consecutively as it will cause your body to lose weight at an unhealthy rate. Always take at least 1 week off before starting again. 7-DFBX is great for jumpstarting a diet that has reached a plateau or to get into shape fast for a special occasion. If it’s maximum weight loss you’re looking for in the shortest time period possible, look no further than 7-DFBX.

Cheapest online price we found:$19.99 @ www.7-dfbx.com

#5 Curvatrim

score:

96%

CurvaTrim is a medical marvel for women. The only diet pill formulated specifically for women to aid weight loss, breast enhancement, acne, and sexual vigor. As women age, their hormones get thrown out of whack which causes unwanted weight gain, adult acne, lack of sexual desire, and sagging in the breasts. When you correct this imbalance, you begin to lose body fat, rid acne, naturally lift and enhance breast tissue, and have the sex drive of a teenager. CurvaTrim was formulated for women by women and the results are incredible. Each bottle lasts 30-45 days depending on your dosage and how quickly you need to lose weight. Many users suggest drinking lots of water when taking CurvaTrim to enhance results. Each bottle retails for $103.00 (which is quite a bargain since it’s basically 4 products in 1) but you can buy it through a specialty retailer at the low price of $39.99.

Cheapest online price we found:$39.99 @ www.curvatrim.com

#6 Orovo Detox

score:

96%

If Orovo is the best diet pill accidentally created, Orovo Detox is the best diet pill created on purpose. 70% of the Americans suffer negative side effects from harmful toxins that exist in our everyday life. In fact, a great deal of obesity and weight gain can be attributed to toxic build up. Toxins have been known to endanger vital metabolic and glandular functions resulting in a predisposition toward weight gain. The bad news is that toxins are found in your food, water, and even the air you breathe, making it virtually impossible to avoid them. The good news is that Orovo created Orovo Detox to fight and flush your body of toxins and help you lose weight.

With proven metabolism boosters, detox agents, and weight loss ingredients, Orovo Detox is one of the most complete diet pills that we have reviewed. Combination of its 31 Super-Detox Agents, Top 10 SuperFoods an 4 Super Antioxidants, Orovo Detox produces weight loss faster than we have ever seen before. Some users are losing as much as 7, 14, even up to 21 POUNDS per bottle. Orovo DETOX retails for $90.00 per bottle, but you can buy it online for only $43.99.

Cheapest online price we found: $43.99 @ www.orovostore.com

#7 Ambislim PM

score:

95%

AmbiSlim PM is the only nighttime fat burner to make our best diet pills list. Nighttime diet pills are becoming more and more popular after recent research suggested that food eaten at night is more likely to be stored as body fat than food eaten during the daytime. Also, studies have shown that when people get 5 hours or less of quality sleep each night, they are 76% more likely to be obese than people who get 7-9 hours. AmbiSlim PM contains a blend of fat burners and appetite suppressants that dramatically curb your cravings for food in the evening. Not only that, but AmbiSlim contains a sleeping complex that puts your body into a deep mode of relaxation that not only helps you fall asleep extremely easily but may also reduce the stress hormone cortisol which is responsible for the unhealthy body fat near the stomach and heart. AmbiSlim retails for $49.95. You can buy it here for only $19.99!

Cheapest online price we found:$19.99 @ www.ambislim.com

#8 HydroxyCut Hardcore

score:

93%

Muscletech researchers have developed the ultimate fat burner with the most powerful fat burning ingredients. With a proven fat burning formula, Hydroxycut Hardcore utilizes a 5-step process to ensure maximum-strength fat loss. Hydroxycut Hardcore raises the levels of norepinephrine, a key fat burning hormone. Then, Hydroxycut Hardcore increases cAMP levels, inhibits alpha-receptors to ensure the fat-burning signal remains strong, and inhibits the COMT enzyme to ensure the fat-burning signal grows in strength. Lastly, Hydroxycut Hardcore will strengthen the thermogenesis process by accelerating the breakdown of stored fats in the mitochondria cells. Each stage works together to bring you the most extreme fat burning results from the most powerful fat burner on the market. Hydroxycut Hardcore has been shown to decrease body fat, increase norepinephrine, and strengthen the thermogensis process.

Cheapest online price we found: $59.99

#9 72 Hour Slimming Pill

score:

93%

72 Hour Slimming Pill is an all-natural recipe. 72 Hour slimming diet pills were designed to help you lose those last few pounds that won't go away. This powerful concoction of all natural non-toxic ingredients is designed to help you lose 7-15 pounds in just 3 days. This formula will boost energy levels with vitamin B. Be more energetic, safely melt the pounds away, and keep them off with the 72 hour slimming diet pills. 72 Hour Slimming diet pills retails for $29.99 – you can buy it now for only $9.99.

Cheapest online price we found:$9.99 @ www.72hourslimmingpill.com

#10 LipoSeduction 2250

score:

92%

LipoSeduction 2250 contains a 2,250 mg proprietary blend per serving of phaseolusvulgaris, glucomannan, and chitosan. Phaseolusvulgaris is an amazing, non-stimulant, all-natural nutritional ingredient that is derived from the white kidney bean. It is the first nutritional ingredient that has been clinically & scientifically proven to neutralize starch found in your favorite foods such as potatoes, breads, pasta, rice, corn, and crackers. It is a safe yet powerful nutritional ingredient, clinically studied to reduce the absorption of starch calories. Chitosan is a fat calorie blocker thathas shown in studies to reduce body fat, lower bad cholesterol, and increase good cholesterol. Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that is derived from the konjac root. One double-blind study reported an average weight loss of 5.5 lbs. in adults in just a few weeks when one gram of glucomannan was taken with a cup of water an hour before meals. So what happens when you combine glucomannan (appetite suppressant), chitosan (fat blocker), and phaseolusvulgaris (carb blocker) in one easy-to-use weight loss supplement? You lose weight at a RAPID RATE! Retail Price is $44.95 – But You can buy it here for only $14.99.

Cheapest online price we found:$14.99 @ www.liposeduction.com

Slimming Teas

2009-04-23T00:45:00.001-06:00

In today's modern society there seems to be more pressure than ever to be slim and achieve a figure typical of models and actresses. The general public are more susceptible than ever to marketing ploys aimed at those wanting to slim.
Manufacturers long ago realised the potential of this market and are now producing hundreds of aids directed at slimmers, claiming that their product will help shed the pounds. This is particularly true of slimming teas, as their herbal properties have been used for centuries for many different reasons, including supposedly helping people lose weight. Scientific studies have not proved whether teas can help weight loss and most medical experts will agree that healthy eating and regular exercise are the only ways to achieve reasonable weight loss and remain healthy.

Types Of Slimming Teas

There are many different teas on the market, each claiming to work in a different way. Some proclaim to suppress appetite and make the person feel less hungry, this is most often achieved by reducing blood sugars or by bloating the digestive tract. There are some that simply cause the body to rid excess water and toxins, but this is often achieved by inducing diarrhoea or frequent urination using components that act as either laxatives or diuretics. Whilst many people will benefit from flushing the toxins out of their system, and urinating is a reasonable method for doing so, as long as the person is drinking plenty of water or other clear fluids, to force bouts of diarrhoea is not a healthy way of losing fluids and products and can cause illness.

Some teas most usually of Chinese origins claim to contain an enzyme that helps increase the metabolism of some types of fats, though again, scientific studies have not proved this.
One of the biggest concerns regarding the use of slimming teas is the effects when taken in excess or in combination with each, and indeed the effects of the components of the tea when other medications are being taken. There are several studies investigating the effects of the drinking teas together and of the negative effects they can have with certain medications. Most of the teas contain a stimulant of some kind which can seriously compromise or accelerate many legitimate medications. There is also concern regarding the prospect of dehydration caused by the diuretic effects of the teas, which can lead to the body becoming depleted in many of the essential vitamins and minerals needed by many of the major organs.

There is no doubt that many people will benefit from increasing their intake of fluids, and that herbal teas, in moderation are definitely more preferable that fizzy drinks or other fluids high in sugars, and that some may indeed help to flush away toxins, but a person wanting to slim should remember that adopting a healthy attitude towards food and amending their diet as necessary is the safest way and most successful way of losing weight. No one should rely on chemicals, herbal remedies or otherwise to achieve weight loss.

Acai Berry Diet (Part 2)

2009-04-22T23:20:00.000-06:00

What is the Acai Berry Diet?

The Acai Berry Diet is designed to give you the benefits of Acai berries in pill form to help consumers lose weight. The pill also includes green tea extract. Not much publicity has followed this supplement, leaving consumers to speculate on actual results and capabilities. After Acai berries were touted as being the #1 Superfood by Dr. Perricone on Oprah’s television show, more and more products are incorporating this supplement into their products.

Acai Berry Diet Price:
$53.00 for one bottle which should equal a one month supply of the product.

Acai Berry Diet Pros:
· The benefits of Acai berries has been shown as a great antioxidant

Acai Berry Diet Cons:
· Product is EXPENSIVE for what you get
· While Acai berries have been shown to be a great Superfood, they are one on a list of 10 foods which promote a well rounded diet
· Considered by many experts a “bandwagon” diet supplement

Acai Berry Diet Conclusion
Acai berries are great antioxidants. This fact has been shown in many studies on various “Superfoods” that can help people find foods that will help the body function at its best. When studies like this come out, some diet companies capitalize on the idea by producing a diet pill containing the new, trendy ingredient. Not too much is known about this pill and the capabilities it has. If you are looking for the benefits of Acai berries, add them into your diet. If you are looking to lose weight- you should consult the products experts have rated as the best supplements on the market.

Acai Berry Power 500

2009-04-22T23:14:00.000-06:00

What is Acai Berry Power 500?

Acai is one of most talked about supplements from 2008. Soaring in popularity after Oprah announced the supplement was one of the top ten ‘Superfoods,’ Acai products have been popping up all over the market. Acai Berry Power 500 is jumping on the bandwagon by marketing the supplement as a weight loss pill. While the benefits of Acai are great and can really help your digestive system, this pill fell short when it came to losing weight.

Acai Berry Power 500 Price:
A one-month’s supply of Acai Berry Power 500 costs $89.31
Also- BUYER BEWARE! Acai Berry Power 500 uses the infamous Auto-Ship program which will automatically charge you a monthly fee after ordering the ‘free trail’ until you properly cancel your ‘membership.’ There are already LOADS of complaints on the web for unauthorized charges from this company. Yikes!

Acai Berry Power 500 Pros:
· Acai is a great antioxidant!

Acai Berry Power 500 Cons:
· Not a great diet pill
· This is a typical bandwagon pill
· EXPENSIVE
· Auto-Ship will cost you a bunch of money for unwanted merchandise.

Conclusion:
If you have heard about the benefits of Acai Berry and you want to give it a try- find a supplement that is less expensive and what you are looking for. If you are trying to lose weight and reach your goals- this pill is not for you. Acai can help you in many ways, but a long term weight loss is not one of them. To find out what experts have rated as the top diet products on the market that will be sure to help you reach your weight loss goals, keep reading.

Slim Tea

2009-04-22T23:05:00.002-06:00

Here's one more Tea that says could help one in slimming. So you'll know....

Slim Tea is a drink that claims to increase digestion and metabolism. Slim Tea makes no promises to guarantee weight loss but testimonials claim it works. This review will give a description of the product, outline strengths and weaknesses and give an overall evaluation. Slim Tea seems to induce diarrhea rather than “sooth and calm nerves” after a meal.

Slim Tea claims to be a “healthy alternative for weight loss.” Slim Tea comes in original and ultra tea formulas. Oolong Tea leaves is the main ingredient and works to increase digestion. Users are recommended to drink Slim Tea after each meal to “naturally” speed up digestion. But based on testimonials, this “natural” digestion gives the user diarrhea. Slim Tea is offered at $11-$17 for 60 tea bags.

Why You Might Buy:
Increases digestion.
Contains natural ingredients.
Claims to work from many testimonials.

Why You Won’t:
Gives users diarrhea.

50+ Ideas to Lose Weight

2009-04-21T20:56:00.004-06:00

Got these simple slimming tips from Reader's Digest:

Spring is right around the corner and retailers have already begun stocking their floors with warm-weather goods -- including swimsuits. Besides looking great on the beach, commonsense tells us that one of the best things you can do for your overall health is to drop a few pounds. Or maybe more than a few pounds.Being overweight significantly increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer ... the list seems almost endless. Plus, if you do get sick or need surgery, being overweight can make any treatments riskier.

You know the drill when it comes to losing weight -- take in fewer calories, burn more calories. But you also know that most diets and quick weight-loss plans have about as much substance as a politician's campaign pledges. You're better off finding several simple things you can do on a daily basis -- along with following the cardinal rules of eating more vegetables and less fat and getting more physical activity. Together, they should send the scale numbers in the right direction: down.

1. Once a week, indulge in a high-calorie-tasting, but low-calorie, treat. This should help keep you from feeling deprived and binging on higher-calorie foods. For instance:
Lobster. Just 83 calories in 3 ounces.
Shrimp. Just 60 calories in 12 large.
Smoked salmon. Just 66 calories in two ounces. Sprinkle with capers for an even more elegant treat.
Whipped cream. Just 8 calories in one tablespoon. Drop a dollop over a bowl of fresh fruit for dessert.

2. Treat high-calorie foods as jewels in the crown. Make a spoonful of ice cream the jewel and a bowl of fruit the crown. Cut down on the chips by pairing each bite with lots of chunky, filling fresh salsa, suggests Jeff Novick, director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida. Balance a little cheese with a lot of salad.

3. After breakfast, make water your primary drink. At breakfast, go ahead and drink orange juice. But throughout the rest of the day, focus on water instead of juice or soda. The average American consumes an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That's nearly 90,000 calories a year -- or 25 pounds! And research shows that despite the calories, sugary drinks don't trigger a sense of fullness the way that food does.

4. Carry a palm-size notebook everywhere you go for one week. Write down every single morsel that enters your lips -- even water. Studies have found that people who maintain food diaries wind up eating about 15 percent less food than those who don't.

5. Buy a pedometer, clip it to your belt, and aim for an extra 1,000 steps a day. On average, sedentary people take only 2,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Adding 2,000 steps will help you maintain your current weight and stop gaining weight; adding more than that will help you lose weight.

6. Add 10 percent to the amount of daily calories you think you're eating, then adjust your eating habits accordingly. If you think you're consuming 1,700 calories a day and don't understand why you're not losing weight, add another 170 calories to your guesstimate. Chances are, the new number is more accurate.

7. Eat five or six small meals or snacks a day instead of three large meals. A 1999 South African study found that when men ate parts of their morning meal at intervals over five hours, they consumed almost 30 percent fewer calories at lunch than when they ate a single breakfast. Other studies show that even if you eat the same number of calories distributed this way, your body releases less insulin, which keeps blood sugar steady and helps control hunger.

8. Walk for 45 minutes a day. The reason we're suggesting 45 minutes instead of the typical 30 is that a Duke University study found that while 30 minutes of daily walking is enough to prevent weight gain in most relatively sedentary people, exercise beyond 30 minutes results in weight and fat loss. Burning an additional 300 calories a day with three miles of brisk walking (45 minutes should do it) could help you lose 30 pounds in a year without even changing how much you're eating.

9. Find an online weight-loss buddy. A University of Vermont study found that online weight-loss buddies help you keep the weight off. The researchers followed volunteers for 18 months. Those assigned to an Internet-based weight maintenance program sustained their weight loss better than those who met face-to-face in a support group.

10. Bring the color blue into your life more often. There's a good reason you won't see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: Believe it or not, the color blue functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage eating.

11. Clean your closet of the "fat" clothes. Once you've reached your target weight, throw out or give away every piece of clothing that doesn't fit. The idea of having to buy a whole new wardrobe if you gain the weight back will serve as a strong incentive to maintain your new figure.

12. Downsize your dinner plates. Studies find that the less food put in front of you, the less food you'll eat. Conversely, the more food in front of you, the more you'll eat -- regardless of how hungry you are. So instead of using regular dinner plates that range these days from 10-14 inches (making them look forlornly empty if they're not heaped with food), serve your main course on salad plates (about 7-9 inches wide). The same goes for liquids. Instead of 16-ounce glasses and oversized coffee mugs, return to the old days of 8-ounce glasses and 6-ounce coffee cups.

13. Serve your dinner restaurant style (food on the plates) rather than family style (food served in bowls and on platters on the table). When your plate is empty, you're finished; there's no reaching for seconds.

14. Hang a mirror opposite your seat at the table. One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Seems having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you're trying to lose weight in the first place.

15. Put out a vegetable platter. A body of research out of Pennsylvania State University finds that eating water-rich foods such as zucchini, tomatoes, and cucumbers during meals reduces your overall calorie consumption. Other water-rich foods include soups and salads. You won't get the same benefits by just drinking your water, though. Because the body processes hunger and thirst through different mechanisms, it simply doesn't register a sense of fullness with water (or soda, tea, coffee, or juice).

16. Use vegetables to bulk up meals. You can eat twice as much pasta salad loaded with veggies like broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes for the same calories as a pasta salad sporting just mayonnaise. Same goes for stir-fries. And add vegetables to make a fluffier, more satisfying omelet without having to up the number of eggs.

17. Eat one less cookie a day. Or consume one less can of regular soda, or one less glass of orange juice, or three fewer bites of a fast-food hamburger. Doing any of these saves you about 100 calories a day, according to weight-loss researcher James O. Hill, Ph.D., of the University of Colorado. And that alone is enough to prevent you from gaining the 1.8 to 2 pounds most people pack on each year.

18. Avoid white foods. There is some scientific legitimacy to today's lower-carb diets: Large amounts of simple carbohydrates from white flour and added sugar can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and lead to weight gain. But you shouldn't toss out the baby with the bathwater. While avoiding sugar, white rice, and white flour, you should eat plenty of whole grain breads and brown rice. One Harvard study of 74,000 women found that those who ate more than two daily servings of whole grains were 49 percent less likely to be overweight than those who ate the white stuff.

19. Switch to ordinary coffee. Fancy coffee drinks from trendy coffee joints often pack several hundred calories, thanks to whole milk, whipped cream, sugar, and sugary syrups. A cup of regular coffee with skim milk has just a small fraction of those calories. And when brewed with good beans, it tastes just as great.

20. Use nonfat powdered milk in coffee. You get the nutritional benefits of skim milk, which is high in calcium and low in calories. And, because the water has been removed, powdered milk doesn't dilute the coffee the way skim milk does.

21. Eat cereal for breakfast five days a week. Studies find that people who eat cereal for breakfast every day are significantly less likely to be obese and have diabetes than those who don't. They also consume more fiber and calcium -- and less fat -- than those who eat other breakfast foods. Of course, that doesn't mean reaching for the Cap'n Crunch. Instead, pour out a high-fiber, low-sugar cereal like Total or Grape Nuts.

22. Pare your portions. Whether you eat at home or in a restaurant, immediately remove one-third of the food on your plate. Arguably the worst food trend of the past few decades has been the explosion in portion sizes on America's dinner plates (and breakfast and lunch plates). We eat far, far more today than our bodies need. Studies find that if you serve people more food, they'll eat more food, regardless of their hunger level. The converse is also true: Serve yourself less and you'll eat less.

23. Eat 90 percent of your meals at home. You're more likely to eat more -- and eat more high-fat, high-calorie foods -- when you eat out than when you eat at home. Restaurants today serve such large portions that many have switched to larger plates and tables to accommodate them!

24. Avoid any prepared food that lists sugar, fructose, or corn syrup among the first four ingredients on the label. You should be able to find a lower-sugar version of the same type of food. If you can't, grab a piece of fruit instead! Look for sugar-free varieties of foods such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and salad dressing.

25. Eat slowly and calmly. Put your fork or spoon down between every bite. Sip water frequently. Intersperse your eating with stories for your dining partner of the amusing things that happened during your day. Your brain lags your stomach by about 20 minutes when it comes to satiety (fullness) signals. If you eat slowly enough, your brain will catch up to tell you that you are no longer in need of food.

26. Eat only when you hear your stomach growling. It's stunning how often we eat out of boredom, nervousness, habit, or frustration -- so often, in fact, that many of us have actually forgotten what physical hunger feels like. Next time, wait until your stomach is growling before you reach for food. If you're hankering for a specific food, it's probably a craving, not hunger. If you'd eat anything you could get your hands on, chances are you're truly hungry.

Discover New Motivations

27. Find ways other than eating to express love, tame stress, and relieve boredom. For instance, you might make your family a photo album of special events instead of a rich dessert, sign up for a stress-management course at the local hospital or take up an active hobby, like bowling.

28. State the positive. You've heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Well, if you keep focusing on things you can't do, like resisting junk food or getting out the door for a daily walk, chances are you won't do them. Instead (whether you believe it or not) repeat positive thoughts to yourself. "I can lose weight." "I will get out for my walk today." "I know I can resist the pastry cart after dinner." Repeat these phrases like a mantra all day long. Before too long, they will become their own self-fulfilling prophecy.

29. Discover your dietary point of preference. If you work hard to control your weight, you may get pleasure from your appearance, but you may also feel sorry for yourself each time you forgo a favorite food. There is a balance to be struck between the immediate gratification of indulgent foods and the long-term pleasure of maintaining a desirable weight and good health. When you have that balance worked out, you have identified your own personal dietary pleasure "point of preference." This is where you want to stay.

30. Use flavorings such as hot sauce, salsa, and Cajun seasonings instead of relying on butter and creamy or sugary sauces. Besides providing lots of flavor with no fat and few calories, many of these seasonings -- the spicy ones -- turn up your digestive fires, causing your body to temporarily burn more calories.

31. Eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. For the calories in one kid-size box of apple juice, you can enjoy an apple, orange, and a slice of watermelon. These whole foods will keep you satisfied much longer than that box of apple juice, so you'll eat less overall.

32. Spend 10 minutes a day walking up and down stairs. The Centers for Disease Control says that's all it takes to help you shed as much as 10 pounds a year (assuming you don't start eating more).

33. Eat equal portions of vegetables and grains at dinner. A cup of cooked rice or pasta has about 200 calories, whereas a cup of cooked veggies doles out a mere 50 calories, on average, says Joan Salge Blake, R.D., clinical assistant professor of nutrition at Boston University's Sargent College. To avoid a grain calorie overload, eat a 1:1 ratio of grains to veggies. The high-fiber veggies will help satisfy your hunger before you overeat the grains.

34. Get up and walk around the office or your home for five minutes at least every two hours. Stuck at a desk all day? A brisk five-minute walk every two hours will parlay into an extra 20-minute walk by the end of the day. And getting a break will make you less likely to reach for snacks out of antsiness.

35. Wash something thoroughly once a week -- a floor, a couple of windows, the shower stall, bathroom tile, or your car. A 150-pound person who dons rubber gloves and exerts some elbow grease will burn about four calories for every minute spent cleaning, says Blake. Scrub for 30 minutes and you could work off approximately 120 calories, the same number in a half-cup of vanilla frozen yogurt. And your surroundings will sparkle!

36. Make one social outing this week an active one. Pass on the movie tickets and screen the views of a local park instead. Not only will you sit less, but you'll be saving calories because you won't chow down on that bucket of popcorn. Other active date ideas: Plan a tennis match, sign up for a guided nature or city walk (check your local newspaper), go cycling on a bike path, or join a volleyball league or bowling team.

37. Order the smallest portion of everything. If you're ordering a sub, get the 6-inch sandwich. Buy a small popcorn, a small salad, a small hamburger. Studies find we tend to eat what's in front of us, even though we'd feel just as full on less.

38. Switch from regular milk to 2%. If you already drink 2%, go down another notch to 1% or skim milk. Each step downward cuts the calories by about 20 percent. Once you train your taste buds to enjoy skim milk, you'll have cut the calories in the whole milk by about half and trimmed the fat by more than 95 percent.

39. Take a walk before dinner. You'll do more than burn calories -- you'll cut your appetite. In a study of 10 obese women conducted at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, 20 minutes of walking reduced appetite and increased sensations of fullness as effectively as a light meal.

40. Substitute a handful of almonds in place of a sugary snack. A study from the City of Hope National Medical Center found that overweight people who ate a moderate-fat diet containing almonds lost more weight than a control group that didn't eat nuts. Really, any nut will do.

41. Eat a frozen dinner. Not just any frozen dinner, but one designed for weight loss. Most of us tend to eat an average of 150 percent more calories in the evening than in the morning. An easy way to keep dinner calories under control is to buy a pre-portioned meal. Just make sure that it contains only one serving. If it contains two, make sure you share.

42. Don't eat with a large group. A study published in the Journal of Physiological Behavior found that we tend to eat more when we eat with other people, most likely because we spend more time at the table. But eating with your significant other or your family, and using table time for talking in between chewing, can help cut down on calories -- and help with bonding in the bargain.

43. Watch one less hour of TV. A study of 76 undergraduate students found the more they watched television, the more often they ate and the more they ate overall. Sacrifice one program (there's probably one you don't really want to watch anyway) and go for a walk instead. You'll have time left over to finish a chore or gaze at the stars.

44. Get most of your calories before noon. Studies find that the more you eat in the morning, the less you'll eat in the evening. And you have more opportunities to burn off those early-day calories than you do to burn off dinner calories.

45. Close out the kitchen after dinner. Wash all the dishes, wipe down the counters, turn out the light, and, if necessary, tape closed the cabinets and refrigerator. Late-evening eating significantly increases the overall number of calories you eat, a University of Texas study found. Stopping late-night snacking can save 300 or more calories a day, or 31 pounds a year.

46. Sniff a banana, an apple, or a peppermint when you feel hungry. You might feel silly, but it works. When Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, tried this with 3,000 volunteers, he found that the more frequently people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost -- an average of 30 pounds each. One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you're actually eating it.

47. Order wine by the glass, not the bottle. That way you'll be more aware of how much alcohol you're downing. Moderate drinking can be good for your health, but alcohol is high in calories. And because drinking turns off our inhibitions, it can drown our best intentions to keep portions in check.

48. Watch every morsel you put in your mouth on weekends. A University of North Carolina study found people tend to consume an extra 115 calories per weekend day, primarily from alcohol and fat.

49. Stock your refrigerator with low-fat yogurt. A University of Tennessee study found that people who cut 500 calories a day and ate yogurt three times a day for 12 weeks lost more weight and body fat than a group that only cut the calories. The researchers concluded that the calcium in low-fat dairy foods triggers a hormonal response that inhibits the body's production of fat cells and boosts the breakdown of fat.

50. Order your dressing on the side and then stick a fork in it -- not your salad. The small amount of dressing that clings to the tines of the fork are plenty for the forkful of salad you then pick up.

51. Brush your teeth after every meal, especially after dinner. That clean, minty freshness will serve as a cue to your body and brain that mealtime is over.

52. Serve individual courses rather than piling everything on one plate. Make the first two courses soup or vegetables (such as a green salad). By the time you get to the more calorie-dense foods, like meat and dessert, you'll be eating less or may already be full (leftovers are a good thing).

53. Passionately kiss your partner 10 times a day. According to the 1991 Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex, a passionate kiss burns 6.4 calories per minute. Ten minutes a day of kissing equates to about 23,000 calories -- or eight pounds -- a year!

54. Add hot peppers to your pasta sauce. Capsaicin, the ingredient in hot peppers that makes them hot, also helps reduce your appetite.

55. Pack nutritious snacks. Snacking once or twice a day helps stave off hunger and keeps your metabolism stoked, but healthy snacks can be pretty darn hard to come by when you're on the go. Pack up baby carrots or your own trail mix made with nuts, raisins, seeds, and dried fruit.

56. When you shop, choose nutritious foods based on these four simple rules:
Avoid partially hydrogenated oil.
Avoid high-fructose corn syrup.
Choose a short ingredient list over long; there will be fewer flavor enhancers and empty calories.
Look for two or more grams of fiber per 100 calories in all grain products (cereal, bread, crackers, and chips).

57. Weed out calories you've been overlooking: spreads, dressings, sauces, condiments, drinks, and snacks. These calories count, whether or not you've been counting them, and could make the difference between weight gain and loss.

58. When you're eating out with friends or family, dress up in your most flattering outfit. You'll get loads of compliments, says Susie Galvez, author of Weight Loss Wisdom, which will be a great reminder to watch what you eat.

Exercise Plans to Suit You

2009-04-20T23:08:00.003-06:00

Three exercise plans designed to suit three starting point fitness levels. Each plan has six exercises and should be done five times a week for maximum benefit. All the exercises can be done at home with minimal equipment.

Once you have completed 4 weeks of one exercise plan, progress to the plan for the next fitness level. Aim to do all 3 plans in a 12 week period.

Exercise Plan for Fitness Level 1

Start here if you have done little or no exercise in the last three months. Move on to level 2 when you have completed the four weeks of plan 1.

	Dance - Pop in your favourite upbeat CD and dance. Put plenty of energy into it wiggle your hips, wave your arms and lift your knees up, have fun for 3 tracks in week 1, 4 in week 2, 5 in week 3 and 6 in week 4.
	Wall Press - Stand up straight in front of a wall, close enough to place your palms on the wall with your arms straight in front of you at shoulder level. Bend your elbows to bring the tip of your nose to the wall, then push back to start position. Do 8 repetitions (reps) in week1, 10 in week 2, 12 in week 3 and 14 in week 5.
	Bridge - Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise your bottom until you have a straight line from shoulder to knee, hold for a moment then slowly return to start position. Do 4 reps in week 1, 6 in week 2, 8 in week 3 and 10 in week 4.
	Back Lift - Lie on your front with your hands together resting on your lower back. Slowly lift your shoulders and chest as far as is comfortable, hold for a moment and return to starting position. Do 6 reps in week 1, 8 in week 2, 10 in week 3 and 12 in week 4.
	Pelvic Tilt - Lie on your back with knees bent about 6 inches from the floor. Pull your tummy in and tilt your pelvis up towards your ribs, lifting your bottom from the floor slightly, hold for a moment and slowly relax. Do 10 reps in week 1, 12 in week 2, 14 in week 3 and 16 in week 4.
	Luxury Stretch - Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor and arms by your sides. Wiggle your hips downwards away from your ribs then, one by one, slide your feet away from your body till your legs are straight Keeping arms straight, lift them over your head until they are stretched out on the floor behind your head, relax into the stretch. Hold for 1 minute week 1 & 2, 2 minutes week 3 & 4.

Exercise Plan for Fitness Level 2

Start at level 2 if you have been exercising once or twice a week in the last three months, and feel that level 1 would be too easy a starting point for you. Move on to level 3 when you have completed the four weeks of plan 2.

	Dance - Pop in your favourite fast pace CD and dance. Put plenty of energy into it exaggerate your movements and have fun! Do the 'twist' down to the floor and back up again 4 times during each track. Dance for 4 tracks in week 1, 5 in week 2, 6 in week 3 and 7 in week 4.
	Knee Press-up - Lie on your front, with palms down at the sides of your shoulders. Pull your tummy in and push up from the floor aiming for a straight line from head to knees, lower yourself slowly back to start position. Do 6 repetitions (reps) in week 1, 8 in week 2, 10 in week 3 and 12 in week 4.
	Bridge - Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise your bottom until you have a straight line from shoulder to knee, hold for two seconds then slowly return to start position. Do 6 reps in week 1, 8 in week 2, 10 in week 3 and 12 in week 4.
	Back Lift - Lie on your front with your hands on either side of your head. Slowly lift your shoulders and chest as far as is comfortable, hold for a moment and return to starting position. Do 8 reps in week 1, 10 in week 2, 12 in week 3 and 14 in week 4.
	Pelvic Lift - Lie on your back with knees bent about 6 inches from the floor. Pull your tummy in and tilt your pelvis up towards your ribs, curling your bottom up from the floor 2 inches, hold for 2 seconds and slowly relax. Do 10 reps in week 1, 12 in week 2, 14 in week 3 and 16 in week 4.
	Luxury Stretch - Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor and arms by your sides. Wiggle your hips downwards away from your ribs then, one by one, slide your feet away from your body till your legs are straight Keeping arms straight, lift them over your head until they are stretched out on the floor behind your head, relax into the stretch. Hold for 1 minute week 1 & 2, 2 minutes week 3 & 4.

Exercise Plan for Fitness Level 3

Start at level 3 if you have been exercising 3 or more times a week in the last three months, and feel that level 2 would not be challenging enough for you. To keep improving your fitness when you have completed the four weeks of exercise plan 3, increase the duration of your workout 2-3 of the 5 times a week you do it - by adding more tracks to your step workout, and by doing two sets of exercises 2-4. You can also progress by adding resistance to your exercise plan, using tubes, bands or weights.

	Dance - Pop in your favourite fast pace CD and dance. Put plenty of energy into it exaggerate your movements and have fun! Do 2 sets of 10 Star Jumps during each track. Dance for 3 tracks in week 1, 4 in week 2, 5 in week 3 and 6 in week 4.
	Knee Press-up - Lie on your front, with palms down at the sides of your shoulders. Pull your tummy in and push up from the floor aiming for a straight line from head to knees, lower yourself slowly back to start position. Do 8 repetitions (reps) in week 1, 10 in week 2, 12 in week 3 and 14 in week 4.
	Bridge Lift - Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise your bottom until you have a straight line from shoulder to knees. Keeping thighs together, lift one foot until leg is straight, lower slowly and repeat with the other leg, return to start position. Do 8 reps in week 1, 10 in week 2, 12 in week 3 and 14 in week 4.
	Back Lift - Lie on your front with your hands on either side of your head. Slowly lift your shoulders and chest as far as is comfortable, hold for 2 seconds and return to starting position. Do 8 reps in week 1, 10 in week 2, 12 in week 3 and 14 in week 4.
	Crunch - Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, hands beside your ears. Pull your tummy in and slowly lift your head and shoulders off the floor as far as is comfortable, hold for 2 seconds and slower lower down. Do 8 reps in week1, 10 in week 2, 12 in week 3 and 14 in week 4.
	Luxury Stretch - Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor and arms by your sides. Wiggle your hips downwards away from your ribs then, one by one, slide your feet away from your body till your legs are straight Keeping arms straight, lift them over your head until they are stretched out on the floor behind your head, relax into the stretch. Hold for 1 minute week 1 & 2, 2 minutes week 3 & 4.

Acai Berry Diet

2009-04-20T17:38:00.002-06:00

Acai Berry Diet

The Acai Berry [pronounced a-sigh-y] is a small, black, round berry. Resembling smaller version of a grape, this fruit has a small amount of pulp surrounding a large seed at its center. Acai berry fruit is used in a wide variety of health foods and other common consumer products like ice cream, and is the main food use with an acai berry diet.

Why Is Acai So Good For You?

I am psyched because I am always talking about the benefits of antioxidants, and in particular how acai is currently the food with the highest antioxidant concentration in the world. The ORAC rating for acai beats out even that of pomegranate and blueberries!

Acai Berry ORAC Rating

O.R.A.C.

Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods.

Foods with higher ORAC values are more effective in fighting the damages of daily living caused by free radicals.

Acai berry’s potent 4:1 extract ratio is the highest quality you will find anywhere. Taken as indicated, acai berry will reduce the impact of cell oxidization dramatically over even the smallest time span. The acai diet is truly a healthy diet for everyone.

Antioxidants

The antioxidant benefits of the acai berry rivals another semi-superfood, the blueberry. All the wonderful vitamin and mineral properties of the acai come together to have a positive effect on your health and overall well-being. Those looking to be healthy, protect from cancer, lose weight, or are generally uncomfortable in their own bodies, should give acai berry a try.

Read more about antioxidants at the Project Swole Antioxidant Bible.

Testimonials from some acai berry diet users reported the following results:

Lose Weight with Acai Berry

A boost in energy levels
Improved digestive function
Cleansed the body and intestines
A stronger immune system
Healthier, younger looking skin
Improved circulation
Improved mental clarity and focus
Enhanced sexual desire and performance
Better sleep patterns
Enhanced visual clarity
Relief from minor aches and pains
Increased workout recovery
Increased injury recovery
An increase in fat loss
Increased strength
Stamina improved
Partial alleviation of symptoms of depression

Other acai berry benefits that are harder to quantify:

Provides many important vitamins
Minimizes inflammation
Provides many powerful antioxidants
Acai has high levels of fiber
Fights cancerous cells
Helps maintain healthy heart function
Prevents atherosclerosis
Helps alleviate diabetes
Slows down the aging process
Contains several important minerals
Normalizes and regulates cholesterol levels

“I used to fall asleep every afternoon after lunch, which made me fear eating lunch at all. I have so much more energy now that I started taking acai berry each morning!”

- Mary, NJ

“I used to suffer from chronic indigestion no matter what I ate, but now my digestive problems have gone away thanks to acai. From this point forward, I will use acai daily.”

- Jordan, WA

How the Acai Berry Facilitates Weight Loss

As far as the acai berry diet assisting with fat loss, acai can be a great weight loss aid. The berry’s natural concoction of essential fatty acids, fiber, phytosterols and amino acids work together to help your body burn fat more efficiently, process food more quickly and shed the unwanted pounds that you’d like to lose.

Fatty Acids
Our bodies need essential fatty acids to maintain proper health. Our bodies are unable to produce Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. It just so happens that these fatty acids are plentiful in acai berries.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids help increase your metabolism, which helps you to lose weight more quickly. In providing these Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, the acai berry can help you shed those extra pounds.

Fiber
Acai contains a generous amount of fiber, which helps your digestive tract to move food through your body. In this way, excess food is eliminated rather than absorbed and turned into fat. Similar to the fatty acids mentioned above, fiber also helps to satiate hunger.

Amino Acids
The Acai berry is rich with amino acids, which are widely known as the building blocks of protein. Your muscles need these amino acids in order to operate properly, and to regenerate from resistance training trauma or other exercise stress. Since the fatty acids in Acai increase your metabolism and the amino acids build your muscles, we can say that the nutrients in Acai berries help your body burn fat and energy more efficiently, causing you to lose weight.

Phytosterols
These building blocks of cell membranes help fortify your digestive tract, moving waste materials out and absorbing nutrients more efficiently. Acai berries are one possible source of Phytosterols.

Why Use Acai Berry Supplements?

“Adding Acai Berry to my daily supplements has helped me to lose 20 pounds in the last 3 months! I intend to use some kind of acai product for the rest of my life.”

- Samantha, CA

“Acai helped me get back down to a healthy weight in just 6 months. I have never had a better reason to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe.”

- John, CO

I personally enjoy the Acai Berry because of it’s antioxidant properties. In this day and age of phytoestrogens, chemicals, pesticides, and other nasty environmental toxins, we can’t get enough antioxidants.

You might have a use for an Acai Berry supplement if you are:

trying to gain muscle
trying to lose fat
have any nasty ailments like arthritis, diabetes, or fibromyalgia
trying to look and feel younger
experiencing sexual dysfunction
preparing for old age by taking all the health supplements you can get your hands on
looking for either the holy grail or the fountain of youth
experiencing digestive issues
healing from an injury

I have a contact that can hook us all up with a free trial of Acai Berry. You might as well try it and see if you like it. Only positive things could possibly happen. If you think this isn’t for you, you could also try acai berry juice.

Acai Berry Free Trial

White Tea With Acai, the Natural Weight Loss Solution and Energy Booster

2009-04-18T22:17:00.003-06:00

So they claim.. read on!!!

What is White Tea with Acai?

White Tea with Acai is the best of both worlds! White tea is known as the world's most effective, all natural weight loss solution. The Acai Berry is a superfood that has been known as the world's healthiest food. It has a higher nutrtitional value than any other fruit in the world! White Tea with Acai combines the power of all natural superfood with a weight loss solution that is effective and safe! Finally, live healthier, happier, and look and feel great!

What is Acai?

The Acai Berry is the world's #1 Superfood and has been credited for causing remarkable results among the people who have decided to try Acai. It is a small berry from the exotic Amazon Rainforest that is packed full of anti-oxidants, nutrients, and minerals that cleanse your body and help remove excess waste and toxins from your body.

19 Reasons to Drink Gochi Everyday!!!

2009-04-17T01:18:00.000-06:00

http://brend.freelife.com/gochi/

19 Reasons to drink GoChi™ Every Day!

The GoChi Effect

2009-04-17T01:13:00.000-06:00

The GoChi Effect (http://brend.freelife.com)

Fight the Effects of Modern Society with Age-Old Wisdom

In three recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human clinical trials, GoChi™ proved extremely effective for human health in 19 key areas. In the initial groundbreaking study, which has been published by the highly respected Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, participants drinking just 4 ounces daily saw positive results in multiple categories of health and well-being in as little as 14 days! In addition, two subsequent studies showed that drinking 4 ounces of GoChi on a daily basis significantly improved the body's immune system and antioxidant capacity within just 30 days! The 19 benefits identified in FreeLife's three GoChi studies are no coincidence. They are all interrelated, and have been collectively termed The GoChi Effect™.

Further documented evidence demonstrating the amazing power of the goji berry continues to arise. History tells that the goji berry has a long-standing reputation for maintaining health and vitality. Modern researchers have suspected that these effects may be very well due to positive effects on the immune system. In yet another FreeLife human clinical trial, these legendary benefits were scientifically validated. The blood chemistry of the participants drinking GoChi revealed improvements in three important areas of their vital immune defenses, whereas those in the placebo group experienced no scientifically meaningful change. And now, this FreeLife GoChi study has become the third to be accepted by a leading peer-reviewed journal, this time, The Journal of Medicinal Food, one of the most important publications in the nutraceutical field.

The GoChi Effect™ — Clinical Study Results

GoChi Study: Discovering the Ways to Improve Your Health and Well-Being in 13 Key Areas, in as Little as 14 Days.

The GoChi Effect™ — Clinical Study Results

GoChi Antioxidant Study: Unveiling Significantly Improved Antioxidant Capacity for Improved Health Within 30 Days.

The GoChi Effect™ — Clinical Study Results

GoChi Immune Study: Demonstrating Significant Improvement in Healthy Adult Immune Systems within 30 Days. GoChi drinking, study participants were revealed to exhibit vast improvements to both their blood chemistry and their resultant immune defenses. These findings were recently documented in the renowned Journal of Medicinal Food.

Go CHI - Effective Slimming Drink

2009-04-17T01:08:00.005-06:00

Check this new brand in the market!!!! http://brend.freelife.com/

The World's Most Powerful Food

Research has shown that many of the world's longest living people consume regular daily helpings of a tiny red fruit that may just be the world's most powerful food the goji berry.

FreeLife™ is the first company to perfect a difficult and demanding proprietary extraction process and create the only standardized form of this incredible plant available in the world today:

HIMALAYAN GOJI^® JUICE.

Top 10 Weight Loss Pills in 2009

2009-04-16T01:44:00.005-06:00

Here's the summary of survey for most popular pills in 2009.

Note: Taking pills should be advised by a doctor. Exercise and proper diet still is the best weight loss method and is natural.

#1 apidexin Apidexin is 2009's "Best Diet Pill". Apidexin contains 8 ingredients that have been clinically proven to help you lose weight. Apidexin contains a patented blend of Fucoxanthin, Razberri-K, Guggul EZ 100, Thermodiamine, Forslean, Lipolide SC, Infinergy DiCaffeine Malate and Bioperine. These ingredients have been formulated to maximize your weight loss. At 500mg per dose, Apidexin has delivered the strongest weight loss results to hundreds of thousands of users! Unlike many other diet pill companies, Apidexin has a 100% unconditional Lifetime Money Back Guarantee! Something that is quite rare these days. What users realy like about Apidexin, besides losing tons of weight (literally) is that Apidexin does not use auto-ship. With its proven ingredients, and a great money back guarantee, Apidexin is the best fat burner that we have ever reviewed! Apidexin is 100% ephedra-free. $99.95 $24.99 - 49.99

#2 Fenphedra is without a doubt the Strongest Weight Loss Aid and "Happy Pill" available without a prescription. It's the only product we reviewed that surpassed the weight loss results of the now banned Fen-Phen. It would have been our #1 rated weight loss product if it had not been for its slightly below average safety score. Their have been reports that Fenphedra contains trace amounts of the prescription drugs Phentermine (a centrally acting stimulant chemically related to amphetamines which halts the hunger sensation in the brain commonly sold under the names Fastin and Adipex) and Oxycodone (an opioid analgesic pain reliever commonly sold as Percocet and OxyContin). Thorough research into Fenphedra we have never found these ingredients and believe these rumors to be false. Fenphedra does however give users a feeling of a "Happy" sensation which helps suppress ones appetite and overall feeling of well being. This euphoric feeling is most likely caused by a combination of intense stimulants and Humulus Lupus (one of only two plants in the family Cannabinaceaeâ€¦ the other being Marijuana). Concerns that Fenphedra may be soon taken off the market make finding bottles in the U.S., Canada, and United Kingdom difficult. Fenphedra is definately the diet pill of choice for those seeking extraordinary results. It's results Super Exceed its price tag. Fenphedra is 100% ephedra-free. $179 $67.25

#3 TestoRIPPED is a the #1 rated diet pill for men. TestoRipped was scientifically formulated to help men get rid of body fat extremely fast as well as build lean muscle tissue and enhance sexual vigor. TestoRipped is not an anabolic steroid and is 100% ephedra-free. TestoRIPPED is available in the U.S., Canada, and United Kingdom. $169.99 $49.95

#4 Anoretix w/ Infinergy Di-Caffeine Malate is the world's only fat burner with 9 Patented Fat Burning ingredients. You cannot patent an ingredient unless it is CLINICALLY PROVEN to help with weight loss. Anoretix contains the most amazing list of ingredients we have ever seen in a single diet pill formula - Infinergy DiCaffeine Malate, Super CitriMax, Tonalin CLA, Advantra-Z, NeOpuntia, Phase-2, Forlsean, 7-Keto DHEA, and Bioperine. Thereâ€™s no doubt in my mind that Anoretix can help most everyone lose 2+ pounds per week more than they could achieve with diet and exercise alone. Not only is Anoretix one of the strongest fat burners available, but it is also backed by a money back satisfaction guarantee. With Anoretix, you either lose weight or get your money back- Guaranteed! Apidexin is 100% ephedra-free. $127 $33.33 - 49.99

#5 Dieters Cheating Caps contains 3 stimulant free yet potent ingredients for the Lazy Dieter who tends to “Cheat”. Dieters Cheating Caps 3 ingredients Block Fat Calories, Block Carbohydrate Calories, and Suppress you appetite which when all three are combined lead to fast and effective fat loss. If you’re a “Cheater” and sometimes get discouraged from your diet when you cheat you need to try Dieters Cheating Caps because they work great and allow you to eat what you want and when you want. Dieters Cheating Caps contains a pharmaceutical grade Fat Binder which acts similarly to the former prescription drug and now OTC supplement Alli. But Dieters Cheating Caps also contains an appetite suppressant + a carb blocker making it an amazing caffeine-free diet pill. $59.95 $23.97

#6 leptovox Leptovox is a blend of 10 Anti-Aging “SuperFoods” that reverse the aging process but have proven to be far better Weight-Loss & Anti-Acne SuperFoods. It wasn’t until the inventor of Leptovox added 4 super antioxidants (one of which was first marketed by the makers of BOTOX) that the Anti-Aging results really started to kick in. Now Leptovox is the healthiest, safest, most affordable, and most effective weight loss products available today. Leptovox will help you lose weight, clear acne and blackheads, and reduce wrinkles. Visible results are noticeable within 10 days. $90.00 $37.99

#7 7 DAY DETOX is a unique detoxification supplement that contains 34 different ingredients intended to flush toxins and fat out of your system. One user lost an incredible 24 pounds in 7 days with 7-Day Detox. Those results are extreme but the typical user loses 7-14 pounds per bottle/detox. If you want to jumpstart your diet or shed some unwanted pounds in a hurry for a special event 7 Day Detox will be your secret weapon. $49.99 $14.99

#8 Hydroxycut is one of the most popularfat burners of all time. This is mainly due to brand loyalty. HydoxyCut's original formula contained Ephedra, now banned by the FDA. Once Ephedra was banned, HydroxyCut had to come up with a legal fat burning formula. Though this version of Hydroxycut is not as potent, it contains some ingredients that will help you lose weight. We rank Hydroxycut #8 on our list due to the fact that Hydroxycut itself does not offer any sort of satisfaction guarantee. If it doesn't work you just kissed your money good bye. There is only one retailer that offers a 90 day guarantee on Hydroxycut and they also have the best price. Hydroxycut is 100% ephedra-free. $79.95 $39.95

#9 Alli is the first FDA approved over-the-counter diet pill. Though there are rumors that Alli users have suffered some pretty nasty side effects, it is still one of the most popular diet pills and fat-inhibitors available. Alli has helped people all across the country lose lots of weight. Our main concern with Alli, apart from the side effects, is that if you purchase Alli, there is only one retailer that offers any sort of money-back satisfaction guarantee. You will not find any guarantee from Alli.com. The link on this page provides you with the only place to buy Alli backed by a 90 day guarantee! $99.95 $59.95

#10 Leptorexin has climbed our ranks this year and finally made it to the 'Top 10'. Are tired of fat burners that are packed with enough stimulants to make your heart explode? Leptorexin was scientifically designed to keep your metabolism optimized even when operating on reduced calories, and increases energy levels to support an active and healthy lifestyle. The best part is that Leptorexin accomplishes this without tons of Caffeine! A University study on one of Leptorexin's patented ingredients shows test subjects lost 9.9 lbs of body FAT on average in the course of 12 weeks. Leptorexin also has extreme positive effects on mood, appetite suppression, well-being, energy, thermogenesis, cognitive and overall physical performance. Leptorexin is guaranteed to help you lose fat or your money back! What do you have to lose?

Exercises to Lose Weight Fast

2009-04-15T02:38:00.003-06:00

Here are some helpful exercises you can do at the comfort of your home (written by J.Jones, PhD):

Exercise is an important part of any weight loss regimen. But with busy schedules, we all want to know which exercises will help us lose the most weight quickly.

Broadly, there are two types of exercises: aerobic and strength training (or anaerobic), and each one contributes differently to weight loss. Aerobic exercise burns fat calories while you are engaged in the exercise itself. On the other hand, strength training primarily contributes to weight loss by helping to increase the speed of your resting metabolic rate (RMR), which is the number of calories your body burns while you are at rest. Your RMR actually increases (i.e., burns more calories) the more muscular your body is because it takes much more energy to maintain muscles than it does to maintain fat.

Important note: remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so some strength training exercises will make you healthier and more attractive while not necessarily contributing to weight loss. But, muscles are a "good" kind of weight and you should aim to build more muscle in order to help keep body fat at bay.

Here are 5 tips for exercises - both aerobic and strength training - you can do at home to lose weight quickly.

Tip #1: Squats: Your buttocks and leg muscles are the largest muscles in your body. Every day in front of the mirror, put your feet at shoulder width while facing forward and squat down-and-up 10-20 times for 2 or 3 sets. This will build your leg and buttock muscles. As you build up strength, try holding 2 or 5 pound dumbbells in your hands while you work out. Be sure to warm up first, and stop if you notice any sharp pain in your knees.

Tip #2: Pushups: Pushups are a form of strength training: during a pushup your arms have to support up to 70% of your body weight. Do 2 or 3 sets of 20 pushups to build arm strength and increase your RMR.

Tip #3: Jumping jacks: Jumping jacks are an excellent whole-body aerobic workout you can do right at home. Do 4 or 5 sets of 20 jumping jacks, or as needed. Hint: if you live in an apartment or stay in a second-story bedroom, be considerate of your neighbors by going outside or doing these in a first story room.

Tip #4: Fast walking: While walking is in itself a great aerobic exercise, fast walking is even better for burning fat. Make sure you really stretch first and warm up with regular walking. Once you start your faster walking pace, try to maintain as much speed as possible for as long as you can. If you get tired, try doing intervals of fast walking followed by short periods of slower walking.

Tip #5: Stepping: Stepping is a great way to get your heart beating and to burn calories. You can use your stairs at home, but for best results I suggest buying specialized stackable step mats and stack them up to at least 15 inches (38 cm). Do 2 to 3 sets of 20 steps each to begin. Even though you may not feel like the stepping is helping, it is! This exercise will not only help you lose weight but will also help shape up your buttocks and legs.

An important element in a strategy to lose weight quickly at home is to do a combination of exercises that build muscles (strength training) while burning fat (aerobic exercises). Start a regimen of most or all of these exercises 2-3 days/week and watch the unhealthy fat melt away.

Weight-loss Tips

2009-04-14T15:54:00.006-06:00

10 speedy weight-loss tips

(I want to share this article that I find helpful for everyone.)

Slim down in time to slip into that little black dress.

By Dr. Joey Shulman

Maybe you want to fit into your little black dress for an upcoming event or you want to slim down in time to wear your bathing suit on your next vacation. Whatever your reasons for losing weight, you want to lose pounds and you want to see results quickly.

Luckily, there are easy approaches to weight loss that can help you to have a flatter tummy, a tighter tush and a slimmer waistline, fast. Follow the 10 weight loss tips below to feel like you have it "going on" without delay.

1. Pick whole grain
Much to the delights of carbohydrate lovers, low carbohydrate diets are officially out! In fact, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating whole grain breads and pastas helps facilitate weight loss. But don't overdo it. One selection a day of 1/2 cup of whole grain pasta (i.e. kamut or spelt) or two slices of whole grain or 100 per cent whole wheat bread is plenty.

2. Go al dente!
When eating your 1/ 2 cup of pasta per day, cook it al dente. In other words, slightly undercook your pasta to preserve the fibre level. By doing so, you lower the glycemic index of the food, secrete less of the hormone insulin and store less fat.

3. 7 p.m. cut-off
Give your body a daily "mini fast" from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to optimize digestion and lose weight. If you must munch late at night, stick to raw veggies or herbal tea. By doing this step, and this step alone, you can drop a few pounds in under a week.

4. Avoid bloaters
Certain foods produce more gas than others and can create a bloated, swollen look -- and feel -- in your belly. To get your tummy flattest, temporarily avoid the following gas-forming foods: wheat, dairy, broccoli, spinach, spicy foods, sauerkraut, alcoholic beverages, beer, popcorn and carbonated drinks.

5. Eat throughout the day
Eat three meals and one to two snacks daily to keep your metabolism in full gear and your energy high. Research clearly shows that "breakfast skippers" are more prone to weight gain than those who eat a sensible breakfast.

6. Plan to lose
Eating the "wrong" foods often results from poor planning and lack of time. Instead of grabbing the closest and quickest carbohydrate fix such as a muffin or cookie, prepare your food at home to save on costs and calories. No-fuss options that promote weight-loss include: plain yogurt with berries, healthy trail mix, hard-boiled eggs, vegetable-based soups or stews, vegetables (i.e. cut up peppers, celery, cucumbers) and hummus.

7. Make healthier substitutions
Giving up high-fat foods does not mean giving up taste. In fact, some of your favorite foods can be substituted with tastier and lower-calorie options. For example, instead of mashed potatoes, try mashed cauliflower and instead of sugary pop, try a mixture of sparkling water and natural juice. Colorful berries drizzled with dark chocolate is also a wonderful alternative to fat- and calorie-laden desserts.

8. Water yourself down
When we do not digest properly, our stomach area tends to appear swollen and bloated. It's not the look we go for in our slinky black dress, is it? One of the best methods to clean out the "pipes" of digestion and flatten your stomach is to increase your water intake to six to eight glasses per day. Green tea, herbal teas, watered-down natural juices and sparkling water are all wonderful hydrators as well.

9. Lift weights
Lifting weights is one of the quickest ways to "tighten up" your tummy and tush. In addition to giving you a toned body in a short time, weights are also one of the best ways to increase energy and boost metabolism. If visiting a gym does not fit into your schedule, invest in 5, 10, 12 and 15-pound hand weights for home use.

10. Protein power
When you eat protein, your body secretes a hormone called glucagon, which facilitates the breakdown of fat. An insufficient amount of protein in your diet is often linked to excess weight. Stock your kitchen cupboards and refrigerator with optimal protein sources such as egg whites, fish (wild Atlantic salmon, tuna, mackerel, sole, tilapia), chicken, turkey, protein powder, soy and low-fat dairy products that do not cause bloating such as yogurt.

Facts on Weight Loss

2009-04-14T01:25:00.002-06:00

Weight Loss Facts
One of the keys to losing weight is lowering your fat intake and making sure you get plenty of exercise.
However, sometimes people forget they need to pay attention to every little thing that goes into their body. Just because a salad sounds healthy, it may mean a fat trap after the dressing is added.
I bought a grilled chicken from Wendy's the other day. Sounds pretty healthy right? I looked at the label on the dressing package and it contained 21 grams of fat! All of a sudden, that small salad isn't so healthy.
So, when trying to lose weight, take notice of the "little things". You may be surprised at what you find.
Sugar in Drinks
A lot of people don't pay much attention to what they drink when they are trying to lose weight. However, did you know you can easily consume 800-1,000 calories and loads of sugar per day just from what you drink?
Be careful. Even though certain fruit drinks try to persuade you with their "High in Vitamin C plugs", make sure you read the labels.
Some of them are high in fructose and may contain as much as 30-40 grams of sugar in one serving. That is a heck of a lot of sugar for one drink - especially when experts recommend you only have 48 grams in a day.
Soda is another drink packed with sugar. Don't be fooled by the 0 grams of fat on the can. Keep reading a little further and you'll see that a regular 12 oz. Pepsi, for example, contains 41 grams of sugar. Not good.
Those thirst quenching, super-sized 20-ounce sodas you get through the drive-thru of some fast food chains can contain as much as 67 grams of sugar, while the 36-ounce versions average about 117 grams. That's 27 teaspoons and more than four times the recommended daily allowance.
Sugar is a carbohydrate so when it is not burned off, it turns into fat. Period. That 0-gram soft drink can still cause you to gain weight if you're not burning off what you consume.
So don't just read the caloric and fat content. Check the sugar in your drinks as well.
Sugar in Fruits
Fruit is good for you. It provides a ton of vitamins and some fruits such as blueberries even have antioxidants which help protect the body from immflamations that can cause diseases such as cancer.
Some people believe when they are dieting they can eat all the fruit they want because it's healthy and natural. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, right?
One thing you may fail to realize is that fruit contains a lot sugar. Even though it's natural sugar it can still cause weight gain if you eat too much and do not burn it off.
The more active you are, the less you need to be concerned about the amount of sugar in fruit. However, you should be aware that it can prevent you from losing weight if you eat too much of it.
Fruit is a carbohydrate and anytime you consume excess amounts of this food group, your body will turn it into fat.
Don't get me wrong, it's much better to snack on a piece of fruit than a chocolate bar, just remember to limit your servings in a day.
Sodium or Salt
Sodium doesn't just come in salty foods like pretzels and popcorn. It's also commonly used to preserve foods. So you can find sodium in anything from canned foods, frozen dinners, packaged pudding, luncheon meats, to your favorite Chinese restaurant dishes, processed cheese and even dairy products.
It can be deceiving because a lot of people don't think about sodium if their food doesn't taste salty. They also don't realize that sodium may also cause you to store more weight around the mid section.
Always read labels and find out the sodium content. You should also not consume more than 2300 milligrams grams in a day. And if you are on a low sodium diet, then your limit should be around 2,000 milligrams.
Of course, if you have a medical condition or are on a low sodium diet then your recommendations will vary. Please make sure you seek advice from your phycisian.
Dieting - Starvation and Hunger
So many people think the key to an effective weight loss plan is to skip meals.
While eating smaller portions and cutting your caloric intake is usually a good idea, it's NOT a good idea, however, if you're starving yourself and only eating one or two meals per day.
People don't realize that hunger actually slows your metabolism. So for all of you who think you're doing your body a service by skipping breakfast, you're actually hurting it in the long run.
Eating within one hour of getting up kick starts your metabolism and helps you burn more calories through the day.
When you wait until noon or 1pm to have your first meal, your metabolism is already sluggish, you have a tendancy to eat more and your body may not burn it off as well.
Eating smaller, frequent meals is the way to go. Digestion actually burns calories so if your body is doing this 5-6 times per day this is a good thing. Eating frequently also keeps you from getting hungry.
Here's an example of what you can eat:
BreakfastBowl of oatmeal, a piece of fruit and 2 slices of turkey bacon
Mid morning snackHandful of almonds and a cup of low fat yogurt
LunchGrilled chicken breast with a side of vegetables
Mid Afternoon SnackCelery with peanut butter and a handful of raisins
DinnerGrilled Salmon and a side of brown rice
DessertFruit Smoothie
Try this and see how you like it. If you find yourself getting hungry, add a handful of nuts or a spoonful of peanut butter to one of the meals.
Experiment until it's right for you. Just make sure you're limiting your fat intake and eating fiber and protein. I bet you'll find you have more energy and you'll just feel better about yourself.
Drink Water
Never underestimate the power of water. In addition to a good diet and plenty of exercise, water is a great weight loss assistant.
First of all, if you are not accustomed to drinking a lot of water, you will find yourself running back and forth to the bathroom quite a bit. One may think your body would hang onto this water because it isn't used to getting enough.
What is really happening is that your body is flushing out the water it has been hanging onto during what some call "survival mode".
As you continue to drink at least 6-8 glasses per day, your body figures it doesn't need to store the water anymore. It assumes the water will keep coming, and if it does, the constant flushing will decrease, resulting in fewer trips to the bathroom.
As far as weight loss is concerned, water encourages proper kidney function and increases the efficiency of the liver's fat burning capabilities.
Drinking water also reduces retention. As I said before, when you don't drink enough your body tends to hold on to more fluids. Drinking enough will release what it doesn't need and you'll have less bloating.
So get to drinking!
In Conclusion...
So as you embark on your weight loss journey, just remember the little things. It's not just about the fat and calories in your foods.
Examine the sugar, sodium and also pay attention to the added items like salad dressings, ketchup and other condiments. You'd be surprised at how it all adds up.
Drink water instead of soda and high-sugar fruit drinks - or at least buy the fruit juices that contain less sugar.
Get To The Root of the Problem
If you are a person who continues to struggle with eating healthy and motivation, perhaps it's time to start looking at your weight as a symptom instead of the problem.
So many people think they are unhappy because they are overweight, but when the weight comes off, they still feel empty inside and turn to food again for comfort.
If you are a person that eats when you are sad, then you have to deal with the root of the problem and then tackle the weight. If you keep addressing the symptom (weight) and not the problem (sadness, low self esteem, etc.) then you'll keep going in circles.

Your One-Stop Health Advisor

2009-04-13T00:51:00.002-06:00

Slimmer Junkie is committed to give you a one -stop page wherein you can browse anything regarding your health.

In this website, I will try my very best to collate anything and everything that can help you in your health issues.

This site will give you infos on:
HEALTH
SLIMMING TIPS
EXERCISES
ALL ABOUT DIETS - helpful or not, I will publish it here so everybody will know the pros and cons of each and every dieting nethods that are coming out.
FOOD, RECIPES
GUIDELINES TO HEALTHY LIVING.

Collating all of these might mean that I will be getting info from books, magazines, internet, so that this site will be your ONE-STOP online surfing site.

Confession of a Slimmer Junkie

2009-04-10T00:42:00.001-06:00

I have a confession to make....

I have been on this journey for so many years. I cannot remember what year started it all. Till I became like this! A Slimmer Junkie!

Diet, diet, diet.

Exercise, exercise, exercise .

Gulp a pill here, dunk a pill there.

Tried them all. Been there. Done that.

Now, here I am.. now determined and certified Slimmer Junkie.

The Quickest Way to Slim Down

2009-04-08T02:20:00.004-06:00

Losing excess pounds is not an easy thing to do. But people have done it before you, so it’s entirely within your power, determination and drive to succeed. Frankly speaking, it’s not going to be easy for you, but you can succeed if you set your mind to it. I can only help you on how to do it.

In losing those excess pounds fast, you need a diet which will provide a fast and continuous weight loss. Fast because you want to get thin as soon as possible, continuous because it takes time to lose excess pounds. To do so, you need a diet which will work in the long term and not just in the short term. or else, you would end up like a yo-yo.That’s why you need to be extra careful when choosing a diet to follow, since most diets will only work short term and not long.

To lose more pounds as quick as possible, try a diet called Fat Loss 4 Idiots. This diet provides a fast and continuous weight loss, just as we decided you need in order to achieve your goal.

Fat Loss 4 Idiots is an online diet, you can download it to your computer. You get an ebook with diet tips and guidelines for you to follow, and a unique menu generating software through which you get a personal menu which is based on foods selected by you. The reason it’s called Fat Loss 4 Idiots is that you just need to stick to the menu (which has 4 meals each day) in order to succeed. It’s so simple an idiot (sorry for the term)can do it.

Fat Loss 4 Idiots is based on the Calorie Shifting diet method. This is a scientific method by which you maintain a high metabolic rate by eating different types of calories throughout the day. That way your metabolism remains running high, unlike many other diets which cause the metabolism to slow down.

How much can you lose with this diet? The diet says you can lose 9 pounds every 11 days. I say that even if your lose 6-7 pounds in that time frame, you should be very happy. According to this weight loss rate, you can expect to lose 50 pounds in as little as 4 months which is very impressive.

I hope I’ve given you something to consider when you ask yourself how to lose 50 pounds fast. I wish you the best of luck.