TheWellnessLiving Health Tips

Health and Medicine Advice at your Fingertips

Archive for the 'Weightloss' Category

Hoodia

September 6th, 2007 by admin

Hoodia Gordonii is succulent plants that is widely used traditionally by the San people of southern Africa as an appetite suppressant and thirst quencher during their long hunting trips for generations. Hoodia is sold in pill, liquid, or tea form in health food stores such as healthsupermart.com.

There are various species of Hoodia, but the Gordonii variation is the only one that contains the all-natural
appetite suppressant. Hoodia contains a molecule that has similar effects on nerve cells as glucose, and tricks the brain into the sensation of fullness. Results of human clinical trials in Britain suggest that hoodia may reduce the appetite by hundreds of calories a day or more. In a BBC interview, Phytopharm’s Dr. Richard Dixey explained how P57 works: There is a part of your brain, the hypothalamus. Within that mid-brain there are nerve cells that sense glucose sugar. When you eat, blood sugar goes up because of the food, these cells start firing and now you are full. What the Hoodia seems to contain is a molecule that is about 10,000 times as active as glucose. It goes to the mid-brain and actually makes those nerve cells fire as if you were full. But you have not eaten!

Since Hoodia is a plant, it is completely natural and experts say it is safe to eat. Scientists have been studying Hoodia for almost 12 years and have not found any side effects (Not to mention the San Tribesman who have been eating Hoodia for years with seemingly no ill effects). One way to tell if a Hoodia pill is real is to look for a document called the C.I.T.E.S. Certificate (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Since the Hoodia plant is a protected plant species it can only be sold to an exporter who has this certificate. Experts make the following recommendations for overweight people interested in trying Gordonii supplements. The length of time to experience the appetite suppressing effects may occur quickly, even following the first dose, but some people do not notice a significant difference until after taking the supplement for several weeks. In addition, the recommended dosage may need to be adjusted up or down depending on the individual. There are no adverse side effects associated with Hoodia Gordonii.

Category: Weightloss, Obesity, Ethnic medicine | No Comments »

Obesity and the American breakfast

August 29th, 2007 by admin

American food habits are seldom regarded as healthy. In fact, the alarming increase in obesity in the US population (by far on of the highest in the world) is connected with the elevated fat content of many of the typical foods consumed in America, especially at breakfast. Many Americans recognize this fact and are slowly switching to healthier ways to start their day, but many more refuse to change these long-established food habits.
But health companies are looking into more efficient ways to reduce fat intake than convincing people not to eat so many fried eggs or sausages.
Among the most recent developments of the weight loss industry is a type of substances called fat binders. These have the ability to ‘capture’ fat molecules in the stomach and intestine, preventing from being absorbed by the body. One of the most popular is Chitosan, which is obtained from certain shrimp. Chitosan is widely sold, but its effectiveness has not being scientifically assessed. Some labs are now focusing their efforts on a more promising product. It has been found that extracts of the desert plant Opuntia ficus is effective in binding ingested fat and also has appetite suppressant properties. The fibre complex from Opuntia ficus is being commercialized under the name of Proactol.

The difference between this and other fat binders is that Proactol has been subject to many rigorous clinical trials that support the claims made by the company. The manufacturer claims that Proactol is the only product in its kind whose effectiveness has been scientifically proven and medically backed.

And talking about breakfast, one of the studies conducted by the InQpharm laboratory aimed to test the ability of Proactol to deal with a real, fat-rich American breakfast. In their own words, “associated with an American breakfast intake, the patented fibre complex of Opuntia ficus indica absorbs about 23% of total fatty acids compared to a control “
Detailed information about the Opuntia extract can be found in the Weightloss Research website. For inquiries about Proactol consult their website.

Category: Weightloss, Fitness, General health, Obesity, Nutrition | No Comments »

3 best muscle growing supplements

August 16th, 2007 by admin

Creatine

We’ve espoused the benefits of creatine too man times to count, but for good reason: Most guys’ strength increase by at least 10% after just a few weeks of consistent creatine use. The supplement elevates the level of creatine phosphate in your blood, which boost levels of ATP ( the energy source muscle use to contract) in the muscle. Take 2-5 grams once on rest day and immediately before and after workout on training days. Almost every supplement company sell creatine, but the better one include cell-tech by muscle Tech, nitrobolic by vyotech and cellmass by BSN

Gakic

Gakic is composed of three common amino acids; ingested together, they have synergistic effects on your strength. When taken with arginine, glycine can boost growth hormone levels and creatine synthesis in the body. It also enhances the firing of nerves that stimulate muscle contraction, which in turn improves strength. Arginine increase level of growth hormone and nitric oxide (NO), the gas that helps deliver more blood to exercising muscles. Alpha – ketoiso caproic acid is a form of the amino acid leucine that is readily converted to hydroxyl beta methylbutyrate, a substance that can build muscle mass and prevent muscle breakdown. KIC helps remove ammonia from the body during exercise , which decrease muscle fatigue. Gakic has been proven to increase muscle force and inhibit fatigue, meaning it may increase your strength by allowing you to lift more weight and complete more reps with a given weight

Green tomato extract

This supplement increase the number of blood vessels and thus oxygen, nutrients and anabolic hormones – that supply muscle. In terms of training, this means greater strength gains and muscle growth. A recent unpublished study reported that men who weight trained three times per week and consumed GTC once per day gain two time more strength than the placebo group on the bench press and more than three times the strength on the leg press over a six week period.

Burn That Fat: The Ultimate Bodybuilder’s bestseller - Click for More Info!

Category: Weightloss, Fitness, Obesity, Nutrition, Men's health, Wellness, Sports | 2 Comments »

The South Beach Diet

August 14th, 2007 by admin

Among the large and ever-increasing variety of slimming diets, the South Beach Diet stands out as one of the most controversial. Some people really love it while others mock it as a fad diet, some of them probably because they found hard to stick to the obligatory induction phase. Followers of Arthur Agatston’s creation loyally claim that it is not a fad diet and that it is much more reliable and healthy than the Atkins diet.

After choosing the South Beach Diet, dieters will see their food intake restricted principally to meat (lean), eggs, seafood, some dairy products (low fat), nuts and a wide range of vegetables. Artificial sweeteners instead of sugar and completed with low glycemic carbohydrates. The first phase of the South Beach diet (some call it the ‘shock phase’) bans most fruit and vegetables, just like the rest of carbohydrates. Some people cannot really cope well with this low level of energy intake, so fatigue and nausea are usual ‘side effects’ at this point, but not everybody experiences these symptoms.

After this comes the core of the program, whose main principle consists of replacing carbohydrates like sweets, pasta and bread with healthier complex carbohydrates from wholegrains and vegetables.

Finally, the dieting program includes advantages such as eating advice and very good recipes. There are also pre-packaged South Beach foods for those who don’t have time or lack the inclination to cook for themselves. Although this diet sounds like a good idea, but reading additional South Beach Diet reviews will help making a wise choice when starting an effective slimming program.

Category: Weightloss, Fitness | No Comments »

Whey Proteins for Gaining weight

August 13th, 2007 by admin

Whey proteins continue to dominate the muscle building supplements industry and it seems the more we know the better whey proteins look. There’s been a tremendous amount of tips for gaining weight information, some valid and some purposely deceitful presented to you over the past five or more years with respect to whey proteins. We thought you could use some solid information to make a sound purchase the next time you’re ready to buy your protein powder.

Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC), when processed properly, is among the very best dietary proteins known to man. A WPC that hasn’t been properly produced may contain high levels of live bacteria and “dead” protein. The potentially treacherous path from whole cow’s milk to finished WPC can make or break the protein product sitting on your health food store shelf and it’s absolutely imperative that you choose the right one. How do you do that and what should you look for?

Whole whey begins as the remaining portion of serum after cheddar cheese is produced. Thus, it is commonly referred to as cheddar-whey or sweet whey. During processing, the mother whey is 93 percent water, 6 percent lactose, .10 percent minerals, .10 percent fat and .80 percent whey proteins. It is these proteins that we as health-conscious individuals are truly most interested in. At this stage the lactose is too high and the protein concentration is too low. This arrangement must be reversed!

Through a unique ultrafiltration and diafiltration process, the watery whole whey is concentrated, leaving most of the lactose, fat and water behind and the native proteins intact. Honest Whey(TM) Natural will typically yield analytical results of 80% protein, 4-5% lactose as a part of total carbohydrates in the 6-7% range, 4% fat and 8-9% moisture and ash.

Category: Weightloss, Fitness, Nutrition | No Comments »

Diet pills: new choices

June 19th, 2007 by admin

Everyday there are new diet pill come out to the market. Most of them are still the old style fat burner. However, some new ingredients are satrting to be used in diet pills so more and different choices are offered to the consumers. Here we introduce you three different kinds of diet pills.

The traditional fat burners like Lipo 6x contain caffeine and other herbal compounds that raise your metabolism and suppress your appetite. Fat burners work fast for most people. However, its long term use is not recommended because of the amounts of caffeine. Also, if you have heart problem, you cannot use lipo 6x because it increases you heart rate.

A newer ingredient used in diet pills is called Hoodia. It was introduced in 2003 and advertised in different TV shows. Soon the sales rocketed and it became one of the most popular diet pills. Hoodia was used in Africa for more than 100 years. It was also used in WW1 when food was scarce. Basically Hoodia suppress your appetite so you don’t feel like eating. You lose weight because you are consuming less calories than normal. Hoodia comes in pills, patch and liquid and you should choose whatever that is easiest for you to use.

The last one is Proactol. It is made out of the fiber from the leaf of Opuntia Fiscus-Indica. These fibers absorb oil when you eat so less food calories are absorbed. These fibers also expand in your stomach so you feel full sooner. There are no known side effects as of now and the sales are picking up after profuse media coverage.

Most of the diet pills are fad. However, if you choose carefully, you will find some that work for you. Remember; always consult your doctor before using diet pills.

Category: Weightloss | 1 Comment »

Weight Loss and Goji Berries

June 19th, 2007 by admin

Recent years Goji berries have become a hot topic. I myself have been riding this tide for quite a well, and have done quite some research on goji berries, and would like to share with others. Today I am talking about Weight Loss Effect.

It is well known that metabolic rate plays an important role in weight control. The metabolic rate is the rate at which the body converts food into energy. Faster metabolic rates burn calories more efficiently and store less as fat, while slower metabolic rates burn less calories, and readily store unused energy as fat. There are many factors that influences the metabolic rate including genetics, age, muscle-to-fat ratio, level of exercise, how often we eat and dietary nutrition.

Metabolism is affected by many biochemical reactions. Efficient metabolism requires a constant supply of trace minerals and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 & vitamin C. Without these vitamins and minerals, metabolism can potentially become slow.

Goji berries are dark-red dried fruit from China. It contains 21 trace minerals and are full of the above mentioned
vitamins and minerals. By providing a ready supply of minerals and vitamins, goji berries help keep our metabolic rate in good working order.

However, that is not the only reason whereby goji berries can help weight loss. The polysaccharides of the goji berry can also increase the metabolic rate, helping us reduce our body weight. These same polysaccharides were studied in an anti-obesity study in China, in which goji berries were prescribed to patients every day. It has revealed that most subjects significantly lost weight.

Category: Weightloss, Fitness, General health | No Comments »

Protein: A basic necessity to being and staying healthy

June 17th, 2007 by admin

Have you ever browsed the Internet in search of ways to lose weight, gain or maintain your current weight? Many new diet programs are promoting the impact protein can have on a diet. It should be noted that Protein has additional values that others are not telling you.

Foundation for the Body
Protein is made up of 22 amino acids which facilitate the building blocks of our bodies. Protein can be found throughtout the body, from our muscles, production of enzymes and hormones and they are also necessary to build and repair tissues. Our body also needs a large amount of protein to survive (i.e. macronutrient). The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences states that our daily protein requirements should be 10% to 35% of our total caloric intake, with men needing slightly more than women.

Protein and impact on our Weight
Protein based diets are very popular these days due to its ability to control hunger. The Brain hunger levels decrease as when we have a protein shake or a protein bar. Another benefit to protein is that it causes less rapid rise and fall in our blood sugar levels.

Protein Sources
Soybeans, nuts and whole grains provide protein without the high level of saturated fat and offer plenty of healthy fiber and micronutrients is a great source of Protein.
Another great option to staying healthy and meeting your weight loss/gain goals are vegetable sources of protein found in Herbalife products like Herbalife Formula 1 shake. Herbalife shakes are high-quality and have lower calorie levels with virtually no added fat. Herbalife products personalize your daily protein intake to match your body’s needs. With a variety of shakes and snacks, the ShapeWorks program helps you build or maintain lean muscle while providing healthy weight management support. Try some great herbalife products today.

Category: Weightloss, Fitness, General health | 1 Comment »

Close
E-mail It