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

Stress, Cortisol and the Immune System: What Makes Us Get Sick?

The Case of the Poor Student: Sick after Exams
It’s happened to all of us, in some form. Here’s how it happened to Tom: he was staying up late for the last two weeks cramming for his barrage of final exams, and finally his last exam was over. After one more late night—this time partying—he woke up with that all-too-familiar soreness in his throat, along with that annoying stuffy nose. “Great,” he thought. “I’m sick in time just for Christmas shopping. Must be that pesky cold bug going around again.”

What is Psychoneuroimmunology?
Just how exactly stress affects our immune system has long been debated, but the field of psychoneuroimmunology is still relatively new. Coming from the Latin roots psych- (meaning mind), neur- (meaning nerve or nervous system), and immuno- (meaning immune), psychoneuroimmunology is the study of how the mind can affect immune system functioning. Drawing upon many disciplines of science including immunology, psychology, and physiology, psychoneuroimmunology is a very integrative field with scientists studying a wide variety of things. Although many discoveries have been made, not many people are aware of just how significant they are. In order to understand just how stress can affect our immune system, you must first understand how the immune system responds under normal circumstances to invading pathogens.



Pathogens? You Shall Not Pass!
Pathogens, defined as disease producing agents (such as viruses and bacteria), are pesky organisms that cause our immune system to mobilize into action. In response to pathogens present in the body, the immune system induces the inflammatory response. Even though the bodily mechanics behind the inflammatory response are complicated, for many people it causes symptoms like stuffy nose, sore throat, and even fever. What many people don’t seem to understand is that the inflammatory response is a result of the body’s immune system trying to “get rid” of invading pathogens; it’s not the pathogens themselves that cause things like sore throat and runny nose. More importantly, pathogens themselves aren’t the only causes of the inflammatory response; hormones have also been identified as a regulator of the inflammatory response as well.

Hormones—Not Just for Sex
Hormones, better known as the “chemical messengers of the body”, are released by specialized organs (called glands) during certain events. Although their “reputation” in the general public is that they deal with sex-specific behaviours, hormones have several roles in the body. One of the best known hormones is insulin, which is released by the pancreas into the blood; it acts as a messenger, telling the cells in your body to start taking in glucose (a type of simple sugar). One of the chief hormones released under stressful conditions is cortisol. Released by the kidneys, it helps mobilize the body into a “fight-or-flight” mode by causing increased blood pressure, heart rate, and sugar breakdown. Think of the last time you were in a stressful or nervous situation; can you remember your heart racing? Another interesting property of cortisol is that it acts as an anti-inflammatory signal, meaning that it acts as an “off switch” for your immune system, helping prevent the inflammatory response described earlier.




Cortisol, a Stress HormoneSince its initial discovery by Hans Selye in 1907, cortisol has been the subject of many studies, yielding several different conclusions. Initially, it was found that elevated levels of cortisol were associated with elevated levels of stress, and it was thought that cortisol was released as a cause of stress, as described earlier. However, later studies showed a negative relationship between stress and cortisol levels; they found lower cortisol levels in people living under highly stressful circumstances. How could this be?

When the results of these experiments were further analyzed, scientists found startling relationship. With experiments where participants were subjected to conditions of acute stress (shorter duration), like speaking in public, or being suddenly startled, cortisol was found to be in elevated levels. However, when participants were under conditions of chronic stress (longer duration), like divorce or unemployment, scientists found lower levels of cortisol. This caused them to believe that maybe the relationship between stress and cortisol levels wasn’t so simple. More evidence continued to support the claim that acute stress caused sudden elevation in cortisol levels; if this stress continued, cortisol levels would decline. What implications does this have for Tom’s situation described earlier?

How Cortisol Affects our Immune System: The Traditional Theory
As mentioned earlier, stress is thought to have an immunosuppressive impact on the immune system, mediated through cortisol. Thus, if someone is subjected to a certain stressor, their immune system would be temporarily “shocked”, and pathogens would have a relatively easier time entering and proliferating (growing) within the body. This would result in that person having a greater chance of getting “sick”. Although this theory explains how stress may affect our immune system, perhaps it’s not so simple. It doesn’t explain how for most people, it’s not until the stressor is removed that symptoms of the inflammatory response begin to manifest. Growing evidence is showing support for an alternative theory—one that suggests that inflammation is a result of cortisol dysregulation.



How Cortisol Affects our Immune System: An Alternative Theory
Perhaps the symptoms experienced by Tom described earlier weren’t a result of pathogen presence, but rather a result of faulty cortisol regulation? Note that in his case, Tom didn’t get sick while studying for exams, but rather after his last exam was finished–not until his stressor was removed. Since he was placed in a stressful situation, his kidneys were constantly releasing cortisol, suppressing his immune cells (so he’d see no signs of the inflammatory response). Over the course of his exams, his immune cells would constantly be receiving this anti-inflammatory signal, but what happened the stress was suddenly removed, cortisol levels suddenly dropped, and the anti-inflammatory signal went away? Maybe the sudden drop in cortisol’s anti-inflammatory signaling is enough to manifest the inflammatory response?

What happened to Tom may have been a combination of things. The stress onset may have caused his cortisol levels to rise, suppressing his immune system. In its weakened state, he may have been exposed to a variety of pathogens, which were then able to enter and proliferate within his body. Although this pathogen may have been present, his immune system was also constantly being signaled by cortisol to suppress inflammation, explaining why he didn’t see any symptoms during his exams. However, after his exams were over, the combination of pathogens living in his body along with absence of the anti-inflammatory signal may together have caused him to experience symptoms of the inflammatory response—sore throat, stuffy nose, and fever. It may very well be that a combination of both Tom’s mental state of stress along with exposure to pathogenic agents that caused Tom to “get sick.”

A Problem in Science: Lack of Integration
Pathogenic mediation of the inflammatory response is a widely understood principle, but hormonal—specifically hormones pertaining to mental state—control of bodily processes is still not completely understood. Perhaps this is because of the nature of the field. The traditional science disciplines generally tend to be reductionistic, focusing on certain reactions or mechanisms. However, there are many phenomena that cannot be explained within the context of one scientific field in isolation; like how your mental state influence your immune system functioning. In the field of psychoneuroimmunology, questions cannot be answered by looking specifically at immunology or specifically at psychology, but require people to integrate over a variety of scientific disciplines, which may explain why the field is still relatively new.

Implications—What Does this Mean for Me?
From an evolutionary standpoint, the delayed inflammatory response caused by cortisol’s immunosuppressive properties would be advantageous over those without this delayed response, even in the context of Tom’s case. Which would you rather happen? Would you rather combat sickness amidst tackling a barrage of exams? Or would you rather be able to study for exams without showing any signs of being sick, and deal with it after exams are over? If your life depended on getting good grades, the choice would be obvious.
The impacts of stress on our health have been widely studied, and these data give us more concrete evidence, into the adverse affects of stress on health. Perhaps now the question isn’t whether or not stress affects us negatively, but rather how we can effectively remove stress, or at least learn techniques to reduce the impacts of stress.

http://blog.adrenalfatigue.org/stress-and-immunity/stress-cortisol-and-the-immune-system-what-makes-us-get-sick/

The Many Important Roles of Protein in the Body

Proteins are large, complex molecules constructed from a set of 20 amino acids, 8 of which must be obtained through diet and are not produced naturally by the body. Each protein's specific function is determined by its amino acid arrangement, and these arrangements can vary considerably.

While most people understand that protein plays a role in the growth and repair of cells, in reality it performs far more functions. This article contains a distillation of protein's main roles in the body.

What protein does for us

Aids growth and repair of cells -- After our body breaks dietary proteins down into amino acids, it uses them to build and repair cells and tissue, including muscle tissue. This is one of the main reasons why nutritionists recommend that bodybuilders eat protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, legumes and eggs. However, it's important to remember that protein cannot build muscle by itself; a high protein intake must also be complemented by vigorous exercise for effective muscle growth.

Assists with important biological functions -- Our bodies perform thousands of biochemical reactions daily and all of them require energy. Enzymes are proteins that help to reduce the activation energy of many biochemical reactions, allowing these reactions to occur much faster. One example of an enzyme is lactase, which is needed for the complete digestion of milk.

Supplies energy -- If our carbohydrate reserves are depleted, our bodies can utilize proteins as an energy source by reducing them to their basic amino acid structures and then oxidizing them as it would glucose. However, this is a "last resort" way of generating energy; too much protein used in this manner can cause dysfunction.

Sends signals around body -- Hormones are proteins that are released by a cell, gland or organ to send signals to, or co-ordinate actions in, other parts of the body. One example of a hormone is insulin, which regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism in the body.

Transports substances around body -- Some proteins, called transport proteins, carry other proteins around the body. Hemoglobin, for instance, is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. It also transports carbon dioxide, a waste product, back to the lungs so that the body can excrete it.
Protects against infection -- Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize bacteria and viruses. All antigens (substances that stimulate the production of antibodies) have a specific antibody to immobilize them until our white blood cells can destroy them.

How much protein do we need?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recommended daily allowance of protein is 56 grams per day for adult men and 46 grams per day for adult women. Pregnant and lactating women can take a little more.

Whole foods are always the best source of protein, especially those that contain all 8 essential amino acids ("complete" proteins). Some vegetarian examples of complete proteins include buckwheat, quinoa, royal jelly and chia seeds.
http://www.naturalnews.com/046651_protein_amino_acids_muscle.html?utm_content=buffer7e05e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

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

Health Benefits of Nuts

Health Benefits of Almonds 1 – Almonds for Weight Loss

Research has shown that almonds raise levels of the hormone cholecystokinin, which is associated with a satisfied feeling of fullness and that although almonds can leave both women and men stay feeling fullness, women can stay feeling full for a longer time.
 According to other research, including almonds in a diet could promote the exclusion of less nutritious foods, which improves the entire nutritional quality of diet.

Researchers have also discovered that almonds appear to help prevent carbohydrates from being absorbed in addition to stop their own fat from being absorbed

Another study revealed that supplementing a low calorie diet with almonds boosts weight loss. Supplementing low calorie diets with almonds, in comparison to complex carbohydrates, was associated with a 62% bigger reduction in weight, a 50% bigger reduction in waist circumference in addition to a 56% bigger reduction in fat mass. The researchers said the monounsaturated fat present in almonds helps to satisfy the appetite as well as stops individuals from overeating.

Health Benefits of Almonds 2 – Almonds for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s mice that were fed an almond rich diet exhibited much better on memory tests than mice fed the standard diet.

Health Benefits of Almonds 3 – Almonds for Cholesterol
A study established that consuming a variety of heart healthy foods which includes almonds can help decrease LDL cholesterol levels as much as statin medication. Individuals who consumed almonds lowered their total cholesterol by 5% and reduced their LDL cholesterol by almost 7%.

Health Benefits of Almonds 4 – Almonds for Cancer
In a study of rats exposed to a colon cancer-causing agent and fed almonds, it was found that almonds significantly prevented colon cancer.

Nutrients in Almonds
Almonds are a superb source of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils, protein, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, calcium and vitamin E. Almonds also have a number of antioxidants such as the flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin.

History of Almonds
Almonds are thought to have originated in Asia and have since Biblical times been cultivated in the Mediterranean, especially in Spain and Italy.
The U.S. supplies 88 % of worldwide almond production with most of it grown in California. Almonds are also grown in Turkey, Spain, Italy and Italy.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Harmful Effects of Artificial Sweeteners

7 Hidden Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners

Think going no-cal is a good way to get your sugar fix? Think again.

Satisfy your sweet tooth without calories? Artificial sweeteners give you all the benefits of sugar without the gut-busting consequences. It’s the perfect win-win.

Except when it’s not. Artificial sweeteners have been shrouded in controversy ever since saccharin, the first no-cal sweetener, was discovered back in 1878. Even then, public health advocates questioned whether these lab-created sweeteners were truly safe; saccharin, after all, was discovered by a chemist working with coal tar, a carcinogenic material.

Nearly 150 years—and an infinite number of conflicting studies—later, the issue still isn’t settled. The European Food Safety Administration, after an exhaustive review of the literature on aspartame, declared at the end of 2013 that the sweetener is safe at current exposure levels and doesn’t cause cancer. The advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, meanwhile, decried that decision as a total “whitewash.”

So, to sweeten or not to sweeten? If your goal is to lose weight, these artificial sugars can help you drop calories. But like most inventions of the chemical and food industries, artificial sweeteners aren’t living up to their promises. Cancer concerns aside, researchers are finding new reasons that these no-cal taste enhancers are posing undue health risks without fulfilling the promise of helping you lose weight. Here are seven…

#1: They trick your taste buds.

Artificial sweeteners, even natural ones like stevia, which comes from an herb, are hundreds, sometimes thousands, of times sweeter than sugar, says Anne Alexander, editor of Prevention magazine and author of the new book, The Sugar Smart Diet. Sucralose, sold under the brand name Splenda, is 600 times sweeter than table sugar, and neotame, an emerging alternative to aspartame, is 7,000 times sweeter. Stevia is 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar. “And evidence suggests that exposing your taste buds to these high-intensity sweeteners makes them less receptive to natural sources of sweetness such as fruit,” says Alexander. When your taste buds get dulled, you’re more likely to seek out sweeter and sweeter foods.

#2: They trick your gut.

Susan Swithers, PhD, professor of behavioral neuroscience at Purdue University and a leading researcher on artificial sweeteners, says that your gut gets confused when you eat zero-calorie-but-super-sweet artificial sweeteners. The sweet taste sends a signal to your gut that something high calorie is on its way, so your gut anticipates foods that do, in fact, have a high calorie count. But when those don’t arrive, your gut doesn’t utilize the foods efficiently, and that causes a cascading effect that interferes with your body’s hunger signals.

#3: They mess with your hormones.

Part of that cascading effect has to do with the hormone insulin. When you taste sweet foods, even if they have zero calories, your body still releases insulin as if you’d eaten sugar. Insulin leads to blood sugar spikes, which increase cravings. Swithers’ research has also suggested that artificial sweeteners prevent your body from producing GLP-1, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and feelings of satiety. Combined, the two haywire hormones could be causing you to feel hungrier and eat more.

#4: They make you overeat.

It’s not just a biochemical reaction that leads artificial sweeteners to pack on the pounds. Natasha Turner, ND, author of The Super-Charged Hormone Diet, says that artificially sweetened foods could trick you into overeating because of they way they feel in your mouth. “The taste and feel of food in our mouth influences our learned ability to match our caloric intake with our caloric need,” she says. High fat, high sugar foods taste both sweet and dense, signaling to your brain that they’re high calories. But artificially sweetened foods often have a thinner consistency and texture than sugar-sweetened foods and thus, aren’t as satisfying. “Our natural ability to control how much we eat and, therefore, our body weight may be weakened when this natural link is impaired by consuming products that contain artificial sweeteners,” she says.

#5: They give you diabetes.

The two above, combined, could explain why a number of studies have found that diet soda drinkers are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers aren’t clear as to why they’re seeing this relationship, whether it’s the fact that people eat other unhealthy foods that undo any calorie-saving effects of a no-calorie drink or if it’s something biological related to the drinks’ artificial sugars. But something is obviously amiss: A recent study from the University of Texas found that people who drank diet soda were 65 percent more likely to be overweight than people who drank no soda and, more bizarre, they were more likely to be overweight than people who drank regular soda.

#6: They’re polluting your water.

Artificial sweeteners are meant to be hearty—they’re designed to withstand the harsh conditions of your body so they won’t break down and add calories. Because they’re so potent, they don’t break down in the environment, when exposed to light, oxygen and microbes, either. In a 2009 study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, Swedish researchers detected sucralose and acesulfame K in treated wastewater, including samples that were pulled from a municipal water-supply source. They also noted that the artificial sweeteners hadn’t degraded in wastewater sludge after a period of seven hours. Canadian researchers got the same results four years later; sucralose and acesulfame were found in each sample drawn from a river that collects wastewater from 33 different treatment plants.

#7: They’re genetically modified.

As if the preceding six reasons weren’t enough to turn you off artificial sweeteners for good, here’s one more: They’re yet another source of genetically modified crops in your food. Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame, neotame, and erythritol can all be made from corn, soy, or sugar beets. In the United States, the vast majority of those three crops have been genetically altered to resist or produce harmful pesticides.

http://www.healthdigezt.com/harmful-effects-of-artificial-sweeteners/

The Best Ways To Reduce Cellulite Naturally

Cellulite is a common problem for many women. Although people who are overweight have a higher risk of getting cellulite, our weight is not the only factor. People of all ages and sizes are plagued with an orange-peel-like skin. 

Hormones, genetics, toxin build-up, and lifestyle seem to play an important role. The problem lays in an imbalance in the connective tissue and our body’s fat. There are many cellulite-reducing treatments on the market which come with a high price tag, don’t give the desired result they promise, and are loaded with exotic chemicals that can do more harm than good to your skin.

Luckily there are some cheap and effective natural ways to reduce cellulite and help your body improve its shape for the next bikini season:

 

1.      Eat Clean Alkaline Diet, and Avoid Processed Foods

Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great way to alkalize your body and get rid of acidic toxins and cellulite. Our western diet is high in protein, sugar and processed foods, all leaving acid-residues in your body. Alkaline forming food sources, like fresh fruits and vegetables, neutralize those acids.
If we don’t meet these needs or are unable to eliminate these build-ups, our body creates extra fat cells to store the acids and make sure the pH of our blood doesn’t change. Eating fresh produce will not only help you to reduce fat cell formation, it fights cellulite and slows the aging process of your body as well.
Dehydration is one of the other culprits of cellulite. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin smooth, supple, and hydrated. Go easy on coffee and caffeinated teas to avoid more acids and dehydrating effects. Swap refined salt for Celtic or Himalayan Salt, they won’t dehydrate your body or add more toxins to it. If you are interested in detoxifying your body, you can find more useful information in the e-book The Detox Guide. This guide will teach you how to use detox to cleanse and energize your body naturally and safely.

2.      Dry Brush Your Skin Daily

Dry brush your skin daily, make long sweeps towards your heart to eliminate toxins. Dry brushing works wonders on treating cellulite, but you have to give it some time, like all anti-cellulite remedies by the way. Dry brushing stimulates lymph and blood circulation, and aids your body to break down its fatty deposits that cause the dimpled appearance of cellulite.
Cheap, effective, and done in 5 minutes. Dry brushing is not only beneficial to reduce cellulite, it will tighten your skin, get rid of death skin cells, and improve cell renewal.

3.      Massage

Massage stimulates the lymphatic system and aids your body to eliminate toxins and fight cellulite. Massage stimulates, firms, and softens your skin. It restores imbalances and can be very effective when combined with cellulite fighting essential oils like, juniper, fennel, grapefruit, rosemary, and sage.
Choose for a hydrating carrier or base oil like jojoba, sweet almond or coconut oil. Add 20-30 drops of essential oil to ½ cup carrier oil and massage the affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes a day. For a better effect you could regularly use a deep tissue foam roller. If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in the e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.

4.      Coffee Scrub

A coffee scrub is another very effective way to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It stimulates lymph and blood flow, and the caffeine has a firming effect on your skin.
Make a paste with ¼ cup coffee grinds, 3 tablespoons carrier oil (jojoba, coconut, or sweet almond), and 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Give your skin a good massage and cleanse, and rinse off with warm water. Use 2 to 3 times a week.

5.      Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Not all fats are created equally. Consuming the wrong kind of fat may lead to imbalances. Studies show that consuming enough omega-3 fatty acids will help your body to restore its balance and reduce cellulite. Read here more about the amazing health benefits of omega-3 fish oil.

6.      Epsom Salt Detox Bath

A bath is not only relaxing, but if you add the right kind of ingredients it helps your body to get rid of toxin build-up in your skin. Great to soothe irritation, boost magnesium levels, and eliminate cellulite-causing toxins.
Fill up your tub with warm water. While the water is running, dissolve ¼ cup Celtic or Himalayan salt, ¼ cup Epsom salt, and ¼ cup baking soda in one quart of boiling water. Pour the salt mixture and 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar into your tub, and add 10 to 20 drops of your favourite essential oil. Soak for at least 20 minutes. Read here more about the most extraordinary uses for Epsom salt.

7.      Exercise Routine

Weight training can tone the muscles under your skin and cause it to look more tight and firm. This can greatly reduce the appearance of cellulite. Many women have cellulite around the thighs and buttocks, so perform exercises that are meant to tone these areas. For building muscle it’s better to lift heavier weights fewer times, rather than doing a lot of repetitions with lighter weights. It is best to combine weight training with cardio exercises that get your heart pumping, as it leads to the production of lean muscle mass, which will cause your thighs and buttocks to look smoother over time, so get on the bike or the treadmill.
And don’t forget to drink enough water and hydrate your body through the day. Cellulite is a problem that won’t be cured overnight, so don’t give up too soon. Some of these methods can take a few weeks before seeing clear and visible results.

 

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/reduce-cellulite-naturally/

                                                                                                   

Weight Loss After 40

If you miss the days when you could buckle down on diet and exercise to drop a few unwanted pounds within a reasonably quick period of time, you’re not alone. Older adults, especially women, face physiological changes that can promote weight gain and, even worse, muscle loss. Talk about a midlife crisis.

Read more at: http://www.isagenixhealth.net/weight-loss-after-40/

Learn more at: www.healthnharmony.isagenix.com