High Cholesterol Foods Are Off The Dietary Hit List

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/high-cholesterol-foods-are-dietary-hit-list

Waist Circumference Less Than Half Your Height

Are Your Thoughts About Your Body Holding You Back From Success

Imagine exactly what your body is going to look like once you reach your goal weight.

 

Do this in writing – here’s why…

Deeply imbedded negative thoughts are what cause us to have difficulties in any weight loss or health enhancement program – in fact, our past failures can almost always be traced back to negative thoughts that we didn’t even realize we had.

Most of our negative thinking comes out when we write things down on paper (or on the computer). 

Write out 10 brief descriptions about how your body will look in 30 days if you were coached by someone who knows exactly how to transform the human body no matter what stage of the game you’re currently at.

Go ahead, take a moment and write out what your face would look like, what your arms would look like, what your legs and your butt would look like – would your skin look different, would your muscles be tighter, would you be leaner – detail everything, then come right back.

Did you do it?

Make your list now before reading any further – I want you to walk away with some profound knowledge of yourself when you’re done reading this article.

OK, now that you have your list, let me show you something that you can use to judge whether or not you’ve been causing yourself to fail in your attempts to lose weight and keep it off.

Here are some examples of someone's statements, that were literally holding him back from success:

Face - more chiselled features, no double chin, no doughy jowls or puffy cheeks, no bags under the eyes.

Neck - no double chin 

Chest - no womanly breasts, muscular instead. Look, ma, I can see my ribcage and pectoral muscles instead of a soft mattress of flab.

Arms - hard sinewy curves instead of soft breadsticks. Seeing veins and muscles instead of smooth fat.

Abdomen - are there really abs hiding in there? They’ve never made an appearance in 50 years! It’d be nice to have a tight waist not uncomfortably sliced by too-tight underwear.

Legs - less of a conical shape, more elongated and solid. Although my calves have always been rather large and firm-my best body part, next to my brain.

Buttocks - less sag, more form

Back - could be a lot less hairy, would be nice to see a “V” shape instead of a truncated pyramid.

Can you see why he might have had a few troubles in the past reaching his goal?

Now, turn every statement you have written into a positive statement.

WHAT MY BODY IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE ON [DATE]:

5 Foods To NEVER Eat

The Top Reasons Why Some Diets Don't Work

Many of us have had the experience of dieting rigorously and conscientiously but nevertheless, seeing few or no results.

Why's that?
Here are some of the top reasons why certain diets simply don't work.

1. Lying to oneself
Studies have shown that, very sadly, many of us are prone to subconsciously delude ourselves into how rigorously we have followed the diet.
Calorie-counting is particularly prone to this. Those occasional snacks or treats that we might be inclined to forget about as 'incidental' can often ruin any weight reduction regime.

2. Exercise
It is something of a myth that you need to exercise in order to lose weight.
In fact, exercise without an appropriate dietary reprogram can often add weight by building muscle, which is typically heavier than fat. However muscle and fat are not the same thing, so while you can in theory gain weight as you develop those muscles you should also be burning off fat to fuel all that exercise.

So that's why many weight reduction programs stress the need for at least some exercise and many of us simply fail to comply with that requirement - even though we often maintain that we do.

3. Using the wrong type of diet
This really is the biggie and something that, surprisingly, has only relatively recently been grasped by experts in the area.

The simple fact of the matter is that different types of regime are likely to be more suitable for some people than others. For decades people have reported that one type of diet seemed to work far better for them than others but that fact was largely ignored by many people in the field as they continued to push their particular 'pet diet' as being suitable for everybody.

Today, weight reduction programmes are being defined based upon the individual's own biology rather than any view that one diet will fit all.

4. Failing to monitor and react to changing body status
A common complaint is that after an initial period of weight loss, suddenly everything stops and starts going into reverse, even though the regime is still being followed correctly.
In a sense, this is perfectly predictable. Your body will react to the changing nutrition it is receiving and will adjust its conversion of that into various substances including fat.

So, as your body changes over time in response to dietary success, you need to recognise that and make corresponding adjustments in your intake to continue the process.

Modern approaches cover this by taking periodic blood tests, checking your hormonal and other levels, then customising your meal plan for weight loss.

In other words, gone up are the days when you stuck to one approach rigidly for months and months on end, even if it wasn't working. Today a more reactive approach is defined by some weight loss specialists.

It is often said that no diet can really change your body weight - only you can do that. Although it may sound like something of a platitude, the reality of life is that it is very true.

By taking account of some of the above common inhibitors to dieting success, you may improve your chances of losing weight.

Ratna Rashid is an author and business manager in Adventures in Weightloss team. Adventures in Weightloss is a medically designed, personalised weight loss program resulting in rapid and permanent weight loss.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Top-Reasons-Why-Some-Diets-Dont-Work&id=8833232

Optimise Your Body Type

By Kathryn Broome  |   Submitted On November 24, 2014  
                                 
Our "body type" not only describes the way we look, it also tells us about hormonal traits, the system in our bodies that constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure and accelerates heart rate as well as lets us know how each of us react to the food we eat.

Features of our body structure are linked to differences in our metabolism. Once you identify your body type, you can then fine-tune what you eat to maximize your physique and your ideal health objectives. Where your body stores fat is directly related to what you put on your plate. A diet that is comprised of particular foods earmarked for your body type will help you maintain an ideal weight and optimal health.

There are three basic body types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. People are usually a mixture of these body type characteristics. It is rare that someone is a perfect match to only one of the three body type categories and years of exercise and a healthy diet can outwardly alter one's appearance.

Most people will find that their body type falls within one of these three categories.

Ectomorph
This is your typical "skinny guy." They have a slim build, small ankles and wrists with lean muscle tone. Ectomorph's usually have small, narrow shoulders with sinewy muscles on long thin arms and legs.

Long distance runners, basketball players and fashion models tend to have this body type. Now you might think that this sounds great but ectomorphs can have body concerns too. They can lack curves, look lanky, can spend hours working out on a regular basis, and might not see any change, which is exasperating.

Typical traits of an ectomorph:

• Long
• Skinny
• Small "delicate" frame and bone structure
• Flat chest
• Small narrow shoulders
• Thin
• Lean muscle mass
• Finds it hard to gain weight
• Fast metabolism

It is very difficult for Ectomorphs to build a muscular physique or gain any weight. With their fast metabolism, calories are burned up quickly and easily. They require a huge number of calories to gain weight and their diet should include dietary supplements. When exercising at the gym they should concentrate on the big muscle groups, such as thighs and "glutes" in a short yet intense routine.

Ectomorphs should eat before bed to prevent muscle catabolism during the night.

Recommendations
Diet

• Don't skip meals & eat often - every hour and a half - at least six meals a day
• Eat up to 2g of protein daily per kg of body weight

Your diet should be comprised of:
40% Protein
40% Carbohydrates
20% Fat
Legumes
Whole grain breads
Avocado
Protein shakes
Pasta
Olive Oil
Nuts
Brown rice
Coconut Oil
Salmon
Potatoes
Nuts
Dried Fruits

Exercise
Focus on strength training large muscle groups. Things like dead lifts, squats, leg press and bench press work multiple groups. Increase your weights and lower the repetitions. Decrease cardio. Have a protein shake before or after your work out.

Mesomorph
A mesomorph has a large bone structure, large muscles broad shoulders, bold look and a naturally athletic physique. Mesomorphs are the best body type for bodybuilding. They find it quite easy to gain and lose weight. They are naturally strong which makes it easier for them to build muscle. They are naturally fit, however if there is any slacking with diet or workouts then they will gain weight. Their large appetite can lead to large portions sizes and overeating.

Typical traits on a Mesomorph:

• Athletic
• Muscular
• Fit
• Generally hard body
• Well defined muscles
• Rectangular shaped body
• Strong
• Gains muscle easily
• Gains fat more easily than ectomorphs

Football players and fitness models tend to have this body type. Even though mesomorphs seem to have the ideal body type and respond best to weight training, those with this body type there are traits they have to control. They can gain muscle very easily and can lose or gain fat quickly, too. Their weight tends to fluctuate if they aren't careful. They can bulk up too much with working out, look stalky, gain fat if are not paying attention to their ideal diet and can look thick because of their underlying muscle. Since mesomorphs can gain fat more easily than ectomorphs, they have to watch their calorie intake. A balance of weight training and cardio is optimal for mesomorphs.

Recommendations

Diet

• Watch portion sizes
• Eat balanced meals
• Stop eating when 75% full to avoid overeating

Your diet should be comprised of:

40% Complex Carbohydrates
30 - 40% Lean Protein
20 - 30% Fat
Dried Fruits
Fish
Avocado
Oatmeal
Chicken
Olive Oil
Potatoes
Flax Oil
Yams
Nuts

Exercise
Focus on distance cardio, jogging, speed walking or use the elliptical at a moderate intensity to avoid bulking up. Avoid cardio activities that work the large muscle groups (sprinting and spin classes). Practice pilates or yoga.

Endomorph
The endomorph is a solid and yet soft body type. Endomorphs find it very easy to gain fat. They generally have thick arms and legs on a shorter build. Because they have strong muscles, especially in the upper legs, Endomorphs are strong in leg exercises such as the squat.

Typical traits of an Endomorph:

• Pear shaped
• Soft and round body
• Muscles not well defined
• Gains muscle and fat very easily
• Has hard time losing fat
• Round physique
• Slow metabolism
• "Stocky" build
• Generally short

This body type puts on fat easily and has difficulty losing it. Because of the natural layers of fat on this body type, their musculature is not well defined. This pear shaped body type tends to store their fat in the lower body, buttocks, hips and thighs. Women with this body have curvy, voluptuous shapes. When it comes to working out endomorphs gain weight easily and unluckily much of this weight tends to be fat not muscle. A combination of cardio and weight training will help to minimise fat gain. If a high protein diet is maintained, they can usually avoid the need for supplements.

Recommendations
Diet

• Watch portion sizes
• Avoid starch (breads, pasta, white rice) and sugar (desserts)
• Stop eating when 75% full to avoid overeating

Your diet should be comprised of:
40% Complex Carbohydrates
40% Lean Protein
20% Fat
Fruits
Fish
Avocado
Vegetables
Chicken Breasts
Olive Oil
Grains, Beans, Pulses
Low Fat Yogurt
Flax Oil
Oatmeal
Nuts
Brown Rice
Sweet Potatoes

Exercise
You need to get moving! High intensity circuit training and heavy weight training is required in order to boost metabolism and burn calories and fat. Hit the treadmill or elliptical bike for an intense workout instead of walking, pilates or yoga.

Work out the upper body with weights. This will help to balance the lower body's pear shape and realise a striking hourglass figure when combined with the right diet.

Which body type are you?
No matter which body type or combination of body types you are, if you follow the kind of exercises that best enhance your physique and eat the foods specific for your body type you will discover your optimal healthy you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Optimise-Your-Body-Type&id=8822482

Paleo Diet - Lose Fat

Paleo diet can help you tremendously by losing fat and weight. Paleo is a very popular diet, which offers real benefits and millions of people are using this diet to get the benefits.

 

Paleo works and that’s why people like it.

 

You can use Paleo diet and with a few simple ways you can maximize your fat and weight loss. 

Keep your food simple

Paleo diet is effective for fat and weight loss because it can reduce the number of calories without consciously reducing them. If you eat simple foods, you tend to eat less and that will help you to get rid of the extra pounds without any effort.

 

You can keep your paleo diet simple by sticking to the basics of a healthy meal. Add a protein source such as meat or fish, whole foods, carbohydrates from root vegetables and fruits, lots of non-starchy vegetables, and the little bit of healthy fat. When you are trying to lose weight and fat, it is always better to cook simple dishes instead of gourmet meals. Keeping your diet simple will also help you to avoid those extra ingredients and flavoring needed for complex recipes. You can always go for those tasty gourmet meals during the weekend or on special occasions.

Eat enough

If you’re trying to lose fat and weight, you should eat enough. Some people may believe that eating less food will help you when you’re trying to lose weight. However, it’s not true. You should not deprive your body of the calories and nutrients that you need for the optimal functioning of the body. If you suddenly decrease your calorie intake too much, it will reduce your resting metabolic rate, which is the number of calories you burn just being alive. In that case, your program to lose weight and fat may be jeopardized. You don’t have to serve yourself to lose fat and weight.

 

Paleo diet is helpful here because it does not let you serve and keeps you full. You don’t have to fight hunger when you are trying Paleo diet. If you can naturally reduce the amount of food you are consuming, you can easily lose weight. That’s what Paleo diet tries to do. You can eat meals that will satisfy you without the need to count calories and at the same time you will eat less than before.

Move throughout the day

If you’re on a Paleo diet, then you should not sit much and keep moving throughout the day. If you sit too much, it will negate the benefits of exercising and will make your weight loss program harder. In general, most of the time of a common individual is spent sitting doing something or other. Exercising will not be able to reverse the harmful effects that too much of sitting has. You need to become active throughout your day so that you can get more benefit from the Paleo diet and exercising. There are different ways to keep you moving throughout the day. You can also get a standing desk to make sure you are not setting all the time while in office.

Eat enough carbs

You should eat enough carbs to support your activity level. You should not overeat carbs, but you should eat enough carbs so that you are capable of optimally performing all the bodily functions every day.

 

If you work with your body instead of against it, losing weight may be very effortless for you.

 

http://www.doctortipster.com/25340-paleo-diet-lose-fat.html

 

 

11 Reasons Dehydration Is Making You Sick And Fat

Digestive, skin, bladder and kidney problems, fatigue and headache are just some of the adverse effects from not drinking enough water. We need it as much as air we breathe in! It’s not a joke.

 

Did you know that when you start feeling thirsty your body is already dehydrated?  The best practice is to sip water throughout a day. Have it always handy!

 

If you’re not a morning person, have two glasses of water right after you wake up. It will boost up your blood pressure to normal levels, and it’s way healthier than having your first coffee on an empty stomach.

 

Also, don’t think that sweetened juices, soda or tea will hydrate you as well as water does. It’s actually the opposite! Sugar, as well as salt, makes your body waste precious water just to clean it out from your system. And if you love your coffee, make sure to drink one extra glass of water for every cup you have.

And as an added bonus, drinking water speeds up your metabolism and makes you feel more ‘full’. You will eat less once you start drinking more! It’s the safest and healthiest way to lose some weight.

http://fitlife.tv/11-reasons-dehydration-is-making-you-sick-and-fat/

How bananas improve gut health, aid in weight loss and improve mood

Whether you happen to like the taste of bananas, or you simply like the portability and convenience but don’t especially relish the taste or texture, there are some things you should know about this popular fruit that may change your mind about how beneficial it is to add them to your regular diet.

Resistant Starch
Bananas contain resistant starch. This is a “good” starch because it doesn’t digest or break down as quickly as a simple starch. True, it will break down into sugar eventually, but since a banana has this type of starch and also happens to have to protein as well, it will have a more steadying effect on your blood sugar levels than a snack like pretzels or some other simple starch.

This makes it an ideal snack for when you’re on the road or for when you need a snack to hold you over until dinner time or lunch time. The greener the banana, the more resistant starch it will contain.

Mood boosting tryptophan, tyrosine
Bananas contain tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin production. They also may boost dopamine, which is another vital component for promoting a good mood and positive outlook. One study found that after ten days of ripening, tyrosine was also detected in bananas. Tyrosine is an amino acid which is pivotal in the production of dopamine. The riper the banana, the more dopamine-enhancing tyrosine you’ll get.

A great lower fat, higher fiber alternative for baked goods
You can actually used mashed up bananas (preferably ripe) in place of fats and oils in baking. It does take some practice, but typically you can use it in place of vegetable oils and butters and cut your fat down dramatically. You’re also adding fiber and a delicious moistness. Mashed bananas will add sweetness, so you should adjust the recipe as needed. Also, you may need to cut down on some of the egg in the recipe if you’re using bananas as a baking replacement.

It’s likely best to use a recipe that actually gives you measurements for each ingredient when cooking with mashed bananas for this reason. Another delicious recipe that just about everyone loves, and which uses three ripe bananas is banana nut bread. Since it also calls for walnuts, it’s one of the healthier dessert breads you can eat, and you can always find recipes out there that cut the sugar down so that you have an even healthier snack to look forward to.

Excellent for weight loss, appetite control, electrolyte replenishment
Bananas are rich in potassium, which is an important electrolyte. It regulates muscle activity, which is why your muscles cramp if you are deficient in this mineral. Potassium also helps regulate heartbeat, and keeps the body in electrical harmony, stimulating the right muscles and bodily functions at the appropriate time.

Athletes often use bananas as a powerhouse snack because they contain so many components that not only enhance energy and boost mood, but they also regulate body weight. They are filling and only clock in around a hundred calories, and because they help regulate blood sugar and enhance mood, your body registers less hunger sensations.

Rich in prebiotics – Good for digestion, colon and intestinal health
Bananas are rich in prebiotics. Most people know of the importance of probtioics, but prebiotics are often left out of the discussion when it comes to a healthy gut and efficient digestion. Prebiotics help our bodies to naturally produce more probiotics by passing into the intestines undigested. They act as a precursor to friendly bacterial growth in our intestines and colon, and for this reason they help keep our entire digestion system functioning properly – and more importantly comfortably and efficiently.

Prebiotics may also enhance your immune system and can even help alleviate certain allergic responses. This is because they enhance one of the key components of a healthy digestive tract which is probiotic population.

A healthy gut has long been linked to a robust immune system and it is pretty clear from recent studies that those with a high population of healthy flora (probiotics) tend to have much more effective immune systems.

Bananas are also rich in fiber, which helps to keep everything moving through unencumbered by discomfort, straining, or constipation. They provide the necessary lubrication it takes to keep waste moving through the digestive tract so that it all may be properly absorbed and then expelled from our bodies efficiently. This means a healthier, cleaner colon and clean, healthy intestines.

http://blogs.naturalnews.com/bananas-improve-gut-health-aid-weight-loss-improve-mood/?utm_content=buffera72a4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Tips to Lose Weight Without Diet and Exercise

Dropping a few pounds doesn’t have to involve deprivation or intense workouts. These tricks will help you slim down the easy way.

1. Drink Enough Water

There are so many reasons why water is, among other things, good for your waistline. Drinking cold water can help up your metabolism, since your body will work harder to warm up the liquid, meaning more calories burned for you. Drinking water regularly also helps keep you feeling full so you don’t snack on empty calories, and hydrating before you exercise will help release muscle-building hormones in your body — which spells good news for not only your strength goals but also your metabolism.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Celebs and doctors alike can’t stop talking about their go-to weight-loss secret: one of the keys to losing or preventing weight gain is getting enough sleep. Why? Turns out we end up eating more when we’re sleep-deprived. A recent study, for example, showed that participants who got only four hours of sleep ended up consuming 300 more calories than when they were well rested.

3. Practice Portion Control

Even if you’re not on a diet, being mindful of how much you’re eating is good practice. It can take a few minutes for your brain to recognize that you’re full, so get in the habit of knowing how much an actual serving size is (and how much it takes until you’re full), and you’ll be less apt to pack on the pounds due to overeating.

4. Drink Green Tea

Water’s not the only metabolism booster in town. Studies have shown that drinking green tea can give your metabolism a tiny increase — which can add up to over 400 extra calories burned a week! Not only that, the beverage has got some major antioxidant power, so drink up.

5. Use Your Friends

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be much easier with the support and motivation of like-minded friends. Having a healthy support group can lead to better choices for yourself; you may find yourself moving more, skipping more calorie-laden happy hours, and making other lifestyle choices that can contribute to weight loss.

http://www.healthdigezt.com/tips-to-lose-weight-without-diet-and-exercise/

Grapes For Weight Loss

 

 

Grapes for Weight Loss Study 1

The resveratrol in grapes has anti-obesity properties.

Research in cells as well as animal models has revealed that resveratrol, a compound found in grapes, stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone resulting from cells that make and store fat.

Adiponectin is released by fat tissue and functions within the human brain to help reduce body weight.

As opposed to leptin, an associated hormone, adiponectin can result in weight loss by increasing metabolic rate without affecting appetite.

Grapes for Weight Loss Study 2

Another compound present in grapes, and structuraly similar to resveratrol, has the ability to stop cellular processes that enable fat cells to develop.

This compound piceatannol stops an immature fat cell’s capability to develop and grow.

Piceatannol basically changes the timing of gene functions and insulin action at the time of adipogenesis, the process when immature fat cells develop into mature fat cells.

Piceatannol adheres to insulin receptors of early stage fat cells in the 1st phase of adipogenesis, preventing insulin’s capability to control cell cycles and trigger genes that execute additional phases of fat cell creation. Piceatannol effectively blocks the pathways needed for early stage fat cells to mature and develop.

Piceatannol is also found in different quantities in red grape seeds and skin, passion fruit, blueberries as well as other fruits.

http://www.shape-able.com/grapes-weight-loss.html 

Health Benefits of Coconut

Health Benefits of Coconut 1 – Coconut for Weight Loss
Coconut oil promotes weight loss. Researchers have discovered that besides coconut oil not increasing body fat, it in fact produces a reduction in white fat stores.

In a study of obese mice that received a diet rich in either coconut or safflower oil, mice that received the coconut oil were found to have made much less fat cells than mice that received the safflower oil.

Due to the fact that the medium-chain fats found in coconut are absorbed easily and made use of as a source of energy by the body preferentially, the body’s metabolic rate is actually increased.

Health Benefits of Coconut 2 – Coconut for Fungal Infections
The lauric acid found in coconuts as well as its derivative monolaurin which is converted from lauric acid in the body, is effective in eliminating various fungi, such as Candida albicans and ringworm.

Nutrients in Coconut
The fat in coconut is nearly all the immune boosting medium-chain saturated fat.  The flesh of a coconut consists of around 50% water and about 35% coconut oil, 10% carbohydrates, and 3.5% protein. Coconuts are a great source of molybdenum, manganese and copper. Coconut also is a good source of zinc and selenium.

History of Coconut
The coconut palm is believed to have come from someplace in the Malayan archipelago and was soon spread by nature and man. Herb infused coconut has been made use of in Ayurvedic medicine for nearly 4,000 years as an effective parasitic skin disease treatment.

Approximately 20 billion coconuts are harvested every year, and even though the Philippines, Indonesia and India are the major producers, the coconut palm also grows in the tropical regions of Asia, Latin America, the Pacific Islands and East Africa.

 

 

 

http://www.aboutnutritionfacts.com/health-benefits-of-coconut.html

What You Thought You Knew About Losing Belly Fat Is Wrong

 

Have you seen those television advertisements and full page magazines ads promising that you can lose belly fat with an incredible abs cruncher device? They usually have some muscle bound guy or girl showing how easy it can be when using their new gadget.

 

As much as you may want to lose that excess fat on your stomach and as appealing as it may seem to take 10 minutes each day shedding your spare tire, it just does not work that way.

  

You Cannot Just Lose Belly Fat.

If you just work on your abdominal muscles you can tighten and tone these muscles, which is good in and of itself. But the fat in your stomach area will not directly be affected by itself. Don't let that stop you from exercising at all. The secret of how to lose belly fat is to build your large muscle groups: legs, chest and back.

 

Muscles require a lot of energy to maintain. The more muscle you have to maintain, the more energy that's required. Where does it get that energy? From your blood stream. Where does your blood stream get the energy? From several different places.

 

Your body gets its immediate energy from the sugar already in your blood. But it uses that up very quickly during heavy use, like exercise. Then your liver releases a supply of sugar into the bloodstream and that is also rapidly used within approximately 10 minutes of heavy work or exercise.

 

Now comes the interesting bit. The next place your body takes sugar from is your fat because it the easiest place to make and convert to energy or sugar. But it does not necessarily use the fat right from where the muscle is being worked on. It takes it from all over your body.

 

Best Exercise To Lose Belly Fat.

Although doing 30 minutes on a belly buster device will build and strengthen your abdominal muscles, it will not help you to lose belly fat. You may possibly lose some inches, but that will be your muscle toning up not just fat burning off.

 

This kind of equipment can help you can help you lose a few inches and strengthen your body but it is not reasonable to expect it to burn the fat just on your belly. You can include strength training with this type of equipment, but you need to do overall strength training to lose belly fat.

 

The best way to lose the fat around your stomach is to build the large muscles in your body like your legs, back and chest muscles. This will help burn the belly fat because a good workout for more than 20 minutes begins to burn fat overall.

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-You-Thought-You-Knew-About-Losing-Belly-Fat-Is-Wrong&id=8626627

Eat more licorice and enjoy these hidden benefits

Licorice is a favorite snack food for many people. Due to its sweet flavor and chewy consistency, it is the snack of choice for people of all ages. This candy, however, is not the only form of licorice and the chemicals and added sugars rule cancel out any health benefits. Licorice has been used for medicinal purposes for a number of years. For this purpose, licorice comes in both tablet and capsule forms. Additionally, there are licorice teas that can be enjoyed.

Even though licorice is sweeter than sugar by fifty times, it contains significantly fewer calories than the refined kind. This makes licorice the ideal snack for someone who wants to satisfy their sweet tooth without consuming a lot of extra calories. In addition, there are modern day benefits to licorice.

Could help clear up the skin

For those people who have acne, increasing their consumption of products that contain licorice could be helpful. Korean research has recently shown promising results of an ointment containing licorice and applied to the face. Scars and spots from acne have been reduced as well as the itching associated with eczema and psoriasis.

Might help with weight loss

Even though studies that are targeted for this benefit are still in their early stages, the preliminary feedback is promising. Licorice contains a flavonoid oil that might help reduce the amount of body fat that a person has.

Could help regulate hormones

As women age, their hormone levels begin to fluctuate. This can result in a range of symptoms including hot flashes, depression, weight gain and more. Recent research has shown, however, that women can find relief from hot flashes by about 80 percent when they consume licorice. This is because there is a compound in licorice that mimics estrogen, helping to reduce symptoms.

May help provide relief from ulcers

Those people who suffer from stomach ulcers, often caused by the stresses of modern living, could find relief by ingesting licorice. If an individual is feeling stressed, a good way to help reduce the stomach acid that often forms is by relaxing with a hot cup of licorice tea.

Can help stop cold sore formation

Cold sores, caused by the herpes virus, can cause a great deal of social stigma for those who suffer from them. There is research, however, that shows that licorice can help reduce their severity. Licorice contains compounds that help increase the production of protein that is released by the body in response to viruses and other types of pathogens.

Licorice has many relaxing and medicinal benefits
that make it a vital part of any pantry. While there are a variety of candies available that have licorice in them, tea, tablets and capsules provide better methods that people can utilize to enjoy the benefits of licorice.

http://www.naturalnews.com/046029_licorice_root_medicinal_herbs_health_benefits.html?utm_content=buffer3bb8f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#ixzz37n4m8M6h

An Emotional Weight Loss Story

Would you like to have some success in your life?

Contact www.healthnharmony1.isagenix.com

Dangerous Fat You May Not Know You Have and Why Cleansing Can Help Reduce It

Imagine for a moment that you have x-ray vision and can see through skin viewing the insides of the people around you. Yes, we understand that’s a little gross, but bear with us. With x-ray vision, you could see people’s hearts, blood circulating through arteries, and the intricate strands of fibrous proteins making up the muscles in these folks. You’d also see people’s liver, gall bladders and intestines. And finally, you’d see a hidden type of fat- visceral fat- which has accumulated within and around these internal organs.

 

Unlike subcutaneous fat (the type of fat you can pinch), visceral fat is not immediately noticeable and that can make it more dangerous. Having excess subcutaneous fat may be a problem in itself, but the slow accumulation of visceral fat is deadly in ways that subcutaneous is not.

The danger of excess visceral fat is due to its metabolically active nature. Visceral fat secretes a variety of inflammatory proteins hormones and related compounds that can set you off on a  path toward chronic disease (1).

How does one begin to accumulate visceral fat? Well, although everyone needs some fat to cushion internal  organs and to provide a reservoir of stored energy,  a sedentary lifestyle combined with overeating and the aging process itself, are the main contributing factors for visceral fat accumulation. Genetics plays a role too; for example, studies have found Asian populations to be more prone to increased visceral fat despite their lower body weight (2). Not surprisingly, the accumulation of visceral fat usually occurs in coordination with increases in total body fat and a reduction in energy-burning muscle mass.

Battling the visceral bulge
The good news is that chronic disease-causing excesses of visceral fat can be managed and even prevented. Losing weight and adopting an exercise program should be priority No. 1. Age-old advice to “eat less, move more” can help target visceral fat. A diet rich in high-protein and high-fiber foods in conjunction with  a lifestyle that incorporates regular aerobic exercise (at least three times a week), has been clinically shown to significantly reduce visceral fat (3, 4). However, as the statistics show, people aren’t often successful in making or maintaining these lifestyle changes.

Enter Cleanse Days and Shake Days—a science-backed dietary plan developed to reduce visceral fat, and quickly too. An Isagenix system that includes Cleanse Days and Shake Days is the ideal approach, suggests research performed at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

Cleanse Days take advantage of the scientific benefits of intermittent fasting, an eating plan based on four decades of research to extend and improve quality of life, and add to that concept Cleanse for Life, an herb and nutrient-rich beverage that nourishes and helps detoxify the body. Shake Days are days consisting of two meal-replacement, high-protein-based IsaLean shakes and a third 400- to 600-calorie meal.

Through use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)—similar to x-ray vision—the UIC researchers found that subjects who performed regular Cleanse Days along with Shake Days as part of an Isagenix system cut visceral fat by an average of 1½ pounds (that’s quite a lot) in just eight weeks (5). Moreover, Isagenix “Cleansers” lost twice as much visceral fat (and more body fat overall; an average of 8 pounds) in comparison to study subjects who consumed a reduced-calorie, food-based diet that was designed to be “heart healthy” by physicians. To be certain they were comparing apples to apples, both groups of subjects—whether on the Isagenix system or the heart healthy diet—were matched in terms of caloric intake. The heart-healthy diet group also performed Cleanse Days with a placebo juice.

Not sure if you have excess visceral fat? Although it may not be noticeable, there are factors hinting toward its presence—such as a large waist circumference, a high percentage of body fat, or if eating an unhealthy diet or live a sedentary lifestyle (averaging less than two hours a day of exercise).

How to fight back? The solution is easy: Exercise, consume fewer calories, follow a clinically-validated nutritional program such as Isagenix that works!


References

1. Britton KA, Massaro JM, Murabito JM, Kreger BE, Hoffmann U, Fox CS. Body fat distribution, incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013;62:921-5.
2. Ma RC, Chan JC. Type 2 diabetes in East Asians: similarities and differences with populations in Europe and the United States. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013;1281:64-91.
3. Johnson NA, et al. Aerobic exercise training reduces hepatic and visceral lipids in obese individuals without weight loss. Hepatology 2009;50:1105-12.
4. Hairston KG, et al. Lifestyle Factors and 5-Year Abdominal Fat Accumulation in a Minority Cohort: The IRAS Family Study. Obesity 2011 Jun 16.
5. Klempel MC, Kroeger CM, Bhutani S, Trepanowski JF, Varady KA. Intermittent fasting combined with calorie restriction is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection in obese women. Nutr J 2012;11:98.

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For more information about Isagenix go to http://healthnharmony1.isagenix.com