Healthy Menopause

The Ayurveda Approach to a Healthy Menopause and Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

MENOPAUSE: IT'S ABOUT BALANCE

The medical community is quickly evolving its understanding of menopause. Following the abrupt, early halt to the HRT portion of the Women's Health Initiative last July, due to findings that Hormone Replacement Therapy's risks outweighed its benefits, headlines now read "Menopause is not a disease, but a normal part of life." Hormone "replacement" therapy (HRT) has become simply hormone "therapy" (HT) in recognition of the fact that replacing estrogen is not natural and brings dangerous side-effects, rather than the fountain of youth once touted.

Shocking and novel as these concepts may be to today's medical community, they are nothing new to Maharishi Ayurveda, a consciousness-based natural medical system from ancient India. For over 5000 years, Ayurveda has acknowledged menopause as a natural transition, not a mistake of Mother Nature's that requires hormone replacement therapy. Maharishi Ayurveda reassures us that menopause can be health-promoting, spiritually-transforming and free of troublesome symptoms.

Experts today are affirming this positive view of menopause, stating that it is not natural to get weak bones, heart disease and rapid aging after menopause. Rather, osteoporosis, heart disease and other chronic health problems develop over a lifetime, resulting largely from poor diet, stress and lack of physical exercise. And hormone replacement therapy (HRT,) once heavily promoted as the medical solution to these problems, is no longer recommended for their treatment or prevention.

Menopause: A "Balance Deficiency"

What is recommended for the prevention of major health problems after menopause is a healthy lifestyle. And, according to Ayurveda, healthy living is also the best way to ease symptoms of the menopause transition itself. How balanced, or overall healthy you and your lifestyle are when you reach menopause largely determines how smooth your transition will be. If you are "burning the candle at both ends" in your 30's and early 40's, you are more likely to have mood swings, sleep problems and troublesome hot flashes when your hormones start to change. Whereas if you are have healthy lifestyle habits and are managing your stress effectively, you are likely to breeze through menopause without any major problems.

Health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature's wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Age forty-five to fifty-five is a critical decade, according to Ayurveda. It provides the foundation on which your later health is laid. Just like putting money in your IRA, timely investing in your health can dramatically increase your "yield" of healthy years at midlife and beyond. Particularly if you have not been taking care of yourself in your 30's and 40's, making lifestyle changes now is critical to ensuring that you age gracefully without the burden of chronic health problems.

What You Can Do Now to Get "In Balance"

While eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise provides the foundation of good health for everyone, each woman's menopause experience is unique. Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Knowing precisely how your body is out of balance can guide you in selecting the key lifestyle changes you should make to relieve your symptoms. Ayurveda describes that the type of symptoms you have depends upon which bodily principle or dosha is "out of balance" in your mind/body system.

There are three bodily principles: movement and flow (vata or airy), heat and metabolism (pitta or firey), and bodily substance (kapha or earthy.) And there are three basic types of imbalances relating to each of the three doshas. Easing your menopause transition can be as simple as "reading" your dosha symptoms and taking measures to get your doshas back in balance. The following symptoms and lifestyle prescriptions are indicated for each of the three dosha imbalances:

V-Type- Prone To Nervousness: anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, early bedtime, oil massage, meditation, yoga, walking and spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

P-Type- Prone to Hot Temper: anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Go to bed before 10 PM and try to wind down earlier in the evening. Decrease excessive sun and overheating, hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol.

K-Type- Prone to Weight Gain: sluggishness, lethargy, weight gain for no reason, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase exercise, fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Get up early (by 6AM). Decrease meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks.

Your Hormonal "Backup System"

Ayurveda describes that your hormonal changes at menopause will be smooth and easy if three factors are in place.

* Your mind/body system (consisting of three doshas) is in "balance."
* Your diet is wholesome and rich in phytoestrogens.
* Your body is "clean" and uncluttered inside so your hormones and body can "talk" effectively.

Did you know that your ovaries and adrenal glands continue to produce estrogens and "pre-estrogens" after menopause, providing your body with its own hormonal backup system? Ayurveda describes that this hormonal production after menopause will be optimal if your mind and body are "in balance," providing just the right amount of estrogen to prevent hot flashes and keep your bones, skin, brain, colon and arteries healthy without increasing the risk of breast or uterine cancer.

Balancing your doshas, as discussed above, is the first approach to ensuring optimal hormone production after menopause, but Ayurvedic herbs can also help. Indian asparagus root (shatavari; asparagus racemosus), thick-leaved lavender (chorak; angelica glauca- related to the Chinese female tonic Dong Quai,) licorice root, sandalwood, pearl, red coral, rose and others are used by skilled practitioners in balanced, synergistic combinations to help relieve hot flashes, libido problems, irritability, mood swings and other menopausal symptoms.

Hormonal Help from Plants--It's Not Just Soy!

Diet also plays a key role in balancing hormones during and after menopause. It is well known that Japanese women rarely experience hot flashes, probably because their diet contains large amounts of soy, a food rich in certain plant estrogens called "isoflavones." Soy products are not the only source of plant estrogens, however. Another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are "lignans," compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries.

Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

It turns out that if you simply eat a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans you will be ingesting a rich phytoestrogen feast in your daily cuisine! Variety and moderation are important because just as too much estrogen is unhealthy after menopause, too much phytoestrogen may also be dangerous. This danger can be avoided by getting your phytoestrogens naturally from a variety of whole foods, rather than from supplements or concentrated tablets.

When You Can't Stop Flashing, Get The "Lead" Out!

More serious symptoms, such as frequent hot flashes, continual sleep disturbance, and moderate to severe mood swings, are signs of deeper imbalances that, if left untreated, will persist to set the stage for later disease. For these more troublesome symptoms to manifest, the tissues of your body–your bones, muscles, fat, organs, skin, and blood–must be disturbed in some way. Ayurveda describes that stubborn symptoms are usually due to the buildup of wastes and toxins, referred to as "ama," in your body's tissues.

For example, hot flashes that won't go away despite herbs, diet, exercise, and perhaps even HRT usually represent a problem with ama. One of my Ayurvedic mentors explained it this way: When your body's channels are clogged with wastes, the heat from metabolism builds up in your tissues. Hot flashes result from sudden surges in blood flow as the body tries to clear the channels and dissipate the heat buildup quickly. A similar phenomenon occurs when you have a heater set on high in an overheated room with all the windows and doors closed. To cool down the room, first you must turn down the heater (see Tips for P-Type above) but you also need to throw open the windows and doors (as in removing the ama) so the heat can flow out.

We can understand this analogy medically in terms of hormone receptors. No matter how much estrogen or phytoestrogen you have floating through your bloodstream, it does you no good unless it connects with your body's estrogen receptors, the tiny "keyholes" on your cells. Estrogen and phytoestrogens fit these keyholes like minuscule keys and through them gain entry into your cells. When the receptors are clogged with debris or "ama," your hormones cannot get into your cells to do their work. Then bothersome menopause symptoms may persist despite a variety of attempted therapies.

In this case, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program referred to as Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy (MRT), or "panchakarma," may be needed to clear the body's channels and gain relief. This internal cleansing approach is also the treatment of choice for more serious problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol. A study published in a recent issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine confirmed that this ancient technology of herbalized oil massage, heat treatments and mild internal cleansing therapies does indeed reduce toxins in the body. Hormone disrupting PCB's and pesticides such as DDT were reduced by approximately 50% after just 5 days of treatment. Other studies have shown overall reduction in health symptoms, a rise in "good cholesterol," and reduction in free radicals from MRT.

In my clinical experience, MRT can be very transforming, eliminating symptoms while at the same time dramatically reducing stress and fatigue. After a week of treatment, my patients not only report feeling much better, they radiate health and youthfulness and many experience a profound sense of well-being and inner peace.

It's Not Too Late

The important point to remember at midlife is that health problems don’t pop out of nowhere when your estrogen levels start to fluctuate and fall off. Rather it is the cumulative effects of damaging lifestyle habits--late nights, fast food, eating on the run, lots of stress, too little exercise--over decades that set in motion chronic disease and aging well before menopause. Your symptoms are simply telling you just how out of balance you are. The good news is that with a few basic lifestyle changes, and the healing power of Maharishi Ayurveda when needed, underlying imbalances can be resolved, paving the way for a smooth menopause transition and great health in the years to come.

About The Author

Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate training at Stanford. She has studied Ayurveda with some of the world's most renowned Ayurvedic physicians in India, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Lonsdorf has 17 years of clinical experience with Ayurveda and is currently the Medical Director of The Raj Ayurveda Health Center in Vedic City Iowa.

Dr. Lonsdorf has authored two books on Ayurveda and women's health:

1. A Woman's Best Medicine (Penguin/Putnam 1995 ; ISBN 0-87477-785-2) describing the Ayurvedic approach to the major issues in women's health
2. A Woman's Best Medicine for Menopause (Contemporary/McGraw Hill 2002; ISBN 0-8092-9335-8) describing the Ayurvedic approach to menopause

Doctor Lonsdorf's contact information is:
Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
1734 Jasmine Avenue
Vedic City, IA 52556
641-472-8246
web site url: http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/
e-mail address: info@ayurveda-ayurvedic.com

Healthy Weight Loss Program

Healthy Weight Loss Program: Your Personal Exercise Prescription

A fat burning exercise prescription is a MUST for the long term success of any healthy weight loss program. Guidelines for healthy weight loss related to exercise and physical activity have been steadily improving over the last 20 years.

Along with the 1996 Surgeon General's recommendations, the American College of Sports Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association have all issued statements on the importance of regular physical exercise in a healthy weight loss program.

The diet industry also endorses exercise as a beneficial component in any healthy weight loss plan.

In fact, look at the disclaimers of any fad diet, special weight loss pill, or fat reducing fruit nectar and you'll see where, in addition to the "unbelievable benefits" of their product, the practice of proper nutrition and consistent aerobic exercise are highly recommended to achieve optimal healthy weight loss results.

In other words, these companies are telling you that eating right and the incorporation of moderate aerobic exercise have more to do with the overall outcome of the healthy weight loss plan than does their "miracle pill".

Overview

1. Determine your age adjusted maximum heart rate (220 – your age = maximum heart rate)

2. Determine your optimum fat burning exercise heart rate range (maximum heart rate x .6 = minimum heart rate; maximum exercise heart rate x .75 = maximum exercise heart rate

3. Exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, keeping your heart rat between 60% and 75% of your age adjusted maximum heart rate.

4. Perform the flexibility exercises listed below 2 – 3 times per week.

Exercise Prescription

Exercise, by definition, means purposeful movement. Although many kinds of exercise exist, certain exercises may not be necessarily therapeutic for you. Remember, an exercise prescription is just that; it’s a prescription. Very little benefit will be obtained with nonspecific, over the counter exercise programs. Your understanding of the purpose, principles, and adherence to each prescribed exercise technique will be essential to the development of a positive outcome.

The purposes of an exercise prescription are to:

1. Increase muscular flexibility
2. Normalize and balance muscle tone by increasing oxygen rich blood flow to the tissue
3. Integrate muscle activity
4. Restoration of functional movement
5. Restoration of functional muscle strength and endurance

The exercise principles listed below serve as a guideline for proper application. Study the principles carefully in order to maximize the effectiveness of your exercise program.

Exercises designed to improve flexibility should be performed several times per day. Each exercise should be held for 30-60 seconds to allow the tissue to elongate.

Exercise prescribed to improve strength, mobility, and endurance should be performed at a pace that would enable you to complete the prescribed number of repetitions in one minute. If multiple sets are prescribed for each exercise session, a 90 second rest interval should follow each set.

Never hold your breath during exercise. Your therapist will instruct you in the proper breathing technique that will facilitate a better exercise outcome.

You may experience a slight ache or discomfort following your first or second exercise session. This is a normal reaction referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and should go away in a day or so. This type of muscle soreness is not a cause for stopping your exercise program.

If the exercise reproduces a specific pain or makes an already existing pain become more widespread, stop the exercise and inform your physician immediately.

Allow yourself enough time to complete the exercise as prescribed. Exercise sessions that are rushed through with little attention paid to technique will be ineffective and will prolong your symptoms. If time becomes an issue, perform a few repetitions several times throughout the day.

Don’t be in a hurry to advance to more strenuous exercise. Remember that tissue adaptation to new forms of stress takes time. In some cases it took years for your condition to develop. It is unrealistic to expect that the condition will be resolved after just a few exercise sessions. Compliance with your prescribed program and patience will result in the desired outcome.

In combination with a healthy diet and nutrition plan, a fat burning exercise prescription is a necessary component of any healthy weight loss program.

Before beginning any healthy weigh loss program, it is strongly advised that you consult with your physician.

Do you want to learn more about a fat burning exercise prescription as a part of a healthy weight loss program? I've just finished a new ebook on how you can get lasting weight loss results utilizing "The 10 Step Permanent Weight Loss Formula". Get it FREE by clicking the links below.

More healthy weight loss program advice can be found at
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About The Author
For the past 25 years Malton Schexneider has been a practicing physical therapist, a nationally known educator, a former university professor, a published author, a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, and personal success coach to thousands of people just like you who were seeking lifestyle transformation.

For more information on healthy weight loss plans and products go to
http://www.metamorphicweightloss.com

Losing Weight While Keeping Your Skin Firm

Considering you don't have an excessive amount of loose skin already it is possible to lose weight and keep your skin firm in the process. The idea is to keep your body well hydrated day in and day out. NEVER EVER let yourself become dehydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and NEVER EVER totally eliminate your carbohydrate intake. From my experience most people who have lost weight too fast by eliminating their carbohydrates ended up with a lot of excess skin afterwards. The whole idea is to lose the weight to get healthier and of course to look better with your clothes ON and with your clothes OFF. Here are some tips

1. Follow a well rounded balanced diet such as my insulin response diet located at
http://www.tbfinc.com


2. Follow a full body exercise routine alternating with a split routine every 4 weeks. For example, full body routine 4 weeks, split routine 4 weeks, full body routine 4 weeks, and so on.

3. Considering you don't have stomach ulcers and you are not on blood thinners you should also take ONE TEASPOON of cold artic cod liver oil ONCE PER DAY with your evening meal.

4. Take 1000-1500mg of lecithin per day. Lecithin has been known to increase the elasticity of the skin.

5. Anything you can do to increase circulation will also help. Skin brushing techniques are very good. Do a search on the internet for skin brushing to get all the info you need. Deep massages are also good.

6. Most importantly if you are more than 75 pounds overweight DO NOT try to lose weight too fast. The more you weigh the easier it will be to lose weight on this program so ease into it slowly so you only lose about 3 pounds per week. Doing this will prevent the sagging skin. If you lose weight too fast you will end up with loose skin 90% of the time.

7. Some of my clients have done weekly body wraps with great success but it can get messy. You can do this as an option but it's really not necessary.

As an option you can also take a supplement called collagen.

As I stated above one key to increasing the elasticity of your skin is to keep your body well hydrated. Yes, drinking water will do this. The average person needs at least ½ an ounce of water per pound of body weight. Possibly more depending on the type of exercise you do on a daily basis. The reason why so many people end up with loose skin after losing weight is because they go on low carbohydrate diets that will in turn dehydrate the body. If you lose weight and are dehydrated in the process you will see the scale weight go down but unfortunately most of the weight being lost is nothing more than water weight. If you are losing 2-3 pounds per week you are doing great. If you are losing 4-6 pounds you are pushing the limit. Any more than 6 pounds per week and you are sure to end up with loose skin after losing the weight because chances are you are restricting too many carbohydrates from your diet. Cutting out refined flours/breads and sugars will yield the best results.

Also, instead of getting on the scale every week to measure your progress go more by how your clothes are fitting. I always tell my clients to try on the tightest pair of pants they have and then follow my program for 4 weeks and then try them on again. After 4 weeks those tight fitting pants will be a thing of the past.

Follow all the above and you will see satisfactory results.

About The Author
Johnnie D Jackow Sr. is the author of 2 fitness books and has specialized in weight loss since 1996. His website Total Body Fitness has become one of the most popular free websites on the internet.

Exercise is the Key

They say that you are what you eat but that is only partly true.

To become and stay fit you need to exercise. The amount of exercise you should do is directly related to your fitness aspirations and your lifestyle.

By logging into this exercise site you are showing that you want to explore the various exercise options and hopefully find a fitness regime that will suit your aspirations.

Lets start with the average person who just wants to feel good about themselves and their body.

Age is not of paramount importance. Anybody between 10 and 90 years old can find an exercise program coupled with a healthy diet that will keep their body feeling and looking toned.

The simplest of all and which will suit any age group beginning an exercise program, is walking. The opportunity to walk is not dependant upon your work or where you live but it takes a little thought and some decision making.

Try to take an exercise walk at least twice a week for at least 1-2 miles on top of your work or other daily routine. Do not push yourself too hard to start with but gradually increase the distance and try some power walking as you go along.

It is important not to over exert yourself at any time and although you may start by having aching or stiff muscles by the time you get back after a few days your body will adjust and the feel good effect will start very soon.

If you are unable to leave home perhaps because you have small children to care for or for any other reason, it is well worth considering purchasing an exercise machine to use in the safety and comfort of your home.

An exercise treadmill can tell you the distance you have covered so that you can pace yourself accordingly and set your weekly/monthly targets and many have heart rate monitors, amount of calories burnt, and other useful extras.

If you have the desire to achieve greater exercise goals such as a weight losing regime, muscular development or stamina building it is imperative to have a medical check up and discuss your exercise aims with your Doctor before starting and abide by his advice.

These days most people reading this will have access to a nearby exercise center or gym where they will find a variety of exercise machines and exercise equipment and just as importantly a qualified fitness adviser who will recommend an exercise program to achieve your fitness goals.

If you prefer to work out at home and have the self discipline to keep to a structured exercise program then you should consider acquiring some equipment and set aside a space in your home where it can be located permanently.

Regular running and jogging are basics and cost only the price of a tracksuit and trainers. Simple and inexpensive exercise equipment includes weights of various types, an exercise ball and even exercise videos which will provide ideas and interest if you find some of your own fitness routines are becoming boring.

More sophisticated exercise equipment that can provide specific groups of muscle with a work out to build up mass or can increase cardiovascular fitness to provide better stamina can be found in a fitness center where you will be advised on their use.

Otherwise think about an exercise bike at home for all round general fitness and building leg and arm muscle mass and increasing stamina. Abdominal exercise equipment can give you a six pack and weight lifting exercise machines can give a man those pectorals he's always wanted.

For home use I would advise you to go to a gym or fitness center, have a good look at their exercise equipment and ask questions of their instructors.

Get hold of an exercise equipment review either from a catalogue, magazine article, or on line and then make your decision.

Finally decide on a training schedule, stick to it, increase it as you become fitter but don't over do it, and keep to a healthy diet.

Copyright 2006 Jaks Lloyd

About The Author
Jaks Lloyd is a former photographic fashion model. She now lives in Spain and indulges her creative talents by writing and building innovative authority websites.
http://www.hotexercise.com
http://www.eyebeautytips.com

Rediscovering Protein

Corrective Action in the American Diet

Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for a simple reason: it is essential for life. Every single cell in the human body -- including bones, blood, skin, chemicals, and enzymes -- depend on protein for effective operation.[i]

Yet while Americans are more health-conscious than ever before, the national health dialogue continues to be dominated by a cynical theme: malnutrition. Many Americans are suffering the ill-health effects of a diet that is too high in saturated fat[ii], carbohydrates[iii], and calories[iv], while severely lacking in protein.

This wave of malnutrition is not merely disconcerting to medical professionals. It is alarming. The situation has become so desperate that obesity will soon become the nation’s leading cause of preventable death.[v]

America’s nutritional dilemma is not, however, limited to obesity concerns. Malnutrition in non-overweight individuals is nearing epidemic levels. Millions of “fit looking” individuals subsist on a diet that is far too rich in carbohydrates a problem that has been enhanced for generations by the US FDA’s encouragement of refined carbohydrates as part of a balanced diet. We now know, however, that many of these refined carbohydrates are metabolically similar to candies and sweets. Added to this problem is that saturated fats continue to dominate many meals, particular those served in fast food restaurants.

Essentially then, the problem in America can be summed up as this: eat right or prepare to suffer shape up, or die a preventable death.

The first step in balancing America’s eating practices is to reintroduce the importance of protein. This neglect is all the more stunning given that, of the three major macronutrients – carbohydrates, fats, and proteins – proteins are the only essential component that human beings cannot live without.

Reintroducing protein as part of a healthy diet is made more difficult because many consumers do not know where to find a healthy source of protein. Unfortunately, most nutritional supplement sources bring with them a range unwanted carbohydrates, facts, and calories. Powerbar™, the “granddaddy” of nutritional supplements launched in 1987, has been rejected as an option by some consumers and health professionals because of high carbohydrate levels (45 grams), and low protein levels (10 grams) in each serving. Furthermore, dieters in particular have criticized Powerbar’s™ high 230 calories per bar –-more than 1/10th of the recommended caloric intake.

Other attempts to meet consumer demand for a high protein, low carbohydrate, low fat, and low calorie nutritional supplement have been supplied by products such as the York Bar™, the Blast Bar™, and the Ironman Bar™, respectively. However, each product has been judged by some consumers and medical professionals as having have similar Powerbar™-like drawbacks: high calorie levels (210, 180, 230 grams respectively), high carbohydrate levels (30, 36, and 51 grams, respectively), and most notably of all, low protein content (7, 10, and 4 grams, respectively).

While these products have certainly helped more people “think” about eating healthier, they have not, respectively, met the rigorous consumer expectation for a low carbohydrate, low calorie, low fat, and high protein nutritional supplement.

However, there is a product in the market today called Profect® that is receiving significant credible attention from both the consumer and medical communities.

Profect, a product of Pennsylvania-based Protica, Inc. www.protica.com, provides 25 grams of protein in each fat-free, carbohydrate-free 100-calorie serving. Profect also offers a range of essential nutrients in each serving, including 100% of vitamin C and 50% of B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Biotin and Folic Acid. All of this is delivered to consumers in a 2.7-ounce container designed to be virtually indestructible. The container also serves to increase storage life and heat resistance.

The debate for America’s protein and diet IQ will not begin with what is placed on a dinner table, or what is offered at a fast food restaurant. This is where the debate will end. Where it begins will be in the minds of consumers and medical professionals everywhere. High quality, accurate, and scientifically validated information is required to carefully choose a protein-rich balanced approach. For a growing number of investigative consumers, that solution centers around products like Profect.

About The Author
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - www.protica.com
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com.

How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy Without Gaining A Lot Of Weight

Pregnancy can be an exciting and worrying experience. Particularly if you are carrying your first child, you will be concerned about the health of your baby, and of course your own well-being as a secondary factor. On top of that, you're dealing with all sorts of hormones and emotions, which can make pregnancy difficult for the best of us. It's a simple fact that most women gain weight after their pregnancy from improper eating and a lack of exercise. This doesn't have to be the case, and there are ways in which you can survive pregnancy without gaining too much weight.

The first thing to consider during pregnancy is exercise. Of course, a couple of hours at the gym isn't going to do the trick if you're eight months gone, but by remaining active and independent for as long as is possible, you can help keep your body in shape, and prepare it for the physical ordeal to come. Additionally, this will help you keep relatively fit, and stop you from piling on too many pounds waiting on baby to arrive.

Pregnant women often report certain cravings, some of which can be very obscure. If you experience cravings for fatty or sugary foods, try to opt for low calorie alternatives in mitigation. Although it may not be what you are looking for, it is the best way to keep your body healthy and satisfy your urges.

Another essential thing to consider during pregnancy to avoid excessive weight gain is a healthy and balanced diet. Just because you're pregnant shouldn’t give you the idea that junk food is ok. You still need to eat sensibly to avoid putting on extra weight. On top of that, maintaining a healthy diet will also improve your overall health, which will obviously have a positive effect on your baby. Furthermore by boosting your fruit and vegetable consumption, you'll be consuming vital vitamins and minerals for the health of your baby.

Pregnancy is undoubtedly a difficult time, and looking after your body might not be your first and main concern. However, by living a standard healthy balanced life, you should find you'll be able to keep in shape, and avoid putting on excess weight. Furthermore, this should help you recover from the pregnancy, so you'll be back up on your feet in no time, to continue your healthy, happy lifestyle.

About The Author
Gray Rollins writes for http://www.onyourpregnancy.com. If you'd like to learn more about not gaining a lot of weight during pregnancy visit http://www.onyourpregnancy.com/pwp/ and to learn how to get back in shape after pregnancy visit http://www.onyourpregnancy.com/slimmom/

What You Should Know About The Scarsdale Diet Plan

Although you may not be too familiar with the Scarsdale diet plan, it has been around for several years now. So, what kind of diet plan is it and does it actually help you to lose weight fast?

Dr. Herman Tarnover is behind the Scarsdale diet plan. The plan claims a very bold one pound weight loss per day while following the diet.

As with most all fad diet plans, snacking is not allowed and you are limited to 3 meals a day. And like so many diets, this is another low carb, high protein system.

In order to lose the amount of weight the diet claims you can, you must follow every instruction to the letter. The problem is, once you are finished after 7-14 days, you often just put the weight right back on because of the difficulty in finding an eating plan.

Something I found a little out of the ordinary is that the Scarsdale diet plan does not advocate exercise in addition to the diet. But, when you see that your body is only getting 900-1000 calories a day, doing any kind of exercise would be difficult at best. That is a major issue with these types of fad diets.

A typical meal on the Scarsdale diet plan includes:
-One slice of toast, half a grapefruit and a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast.
-Some deli meat for lunch without bread along with carrots and celery.
-Roast turkey, lean hamburger or lamb for dinner. Fruit salad is also allowed.

The Verdict

Following the Scarsdale diet plan you will lose some weight. But, this plan can not be recommended as a long term diet plan due to all of the restrictions. Your body needs more calories to remain healthy and this diet would be difficult to follow after a week.
About the Author

By the way, you can learn more about How To Lose Weight as well as see the results from the plan I've been on and much more information on weight loss on my blog at
http://www.FatLoss4IdiotsReview.net

The Simplest Weight Loss Tips No One Follows!

I have a Cheez-It problem. You're not listening, I really have a Cheez-It problem! I have never met a Cheez-It I didn't like.* Some people can't resist chocolate or ice cream, some people it's pizza or some other food or sweet. While I enjoy all of those foods on occasion, Cheez-It's are the food equivalent of crack cocaine for me.

It takes all my willpower to pass up the isle where the Cheez-It's reside on the shelves at my local grocery store. My ever-loving girl friend Kimberly rolls her eyes at me in shear disgust when she sees how weak I am to the power of these little crackers, which draw me in like a cheese flavored black hole. "But you have given advice on nutrition to millions of people Will, how could you of all people be so weak willed about some little cheese flavored cracker?!" she says. I hang my head in shame and avoid eye contact with her for the rest of the day....

The point of this introduction is to point out we all have our weaknesses and we are all human... even me. I find Cheez-It's to be cheese flavored morphine!

This small problem got me to thinking. If there is one thing I have learned after all these years of doing nutritional research, writing countless articles on the topic of nutrition, and working directly with people on their diets, it's this: it's rarely one single thing a person does that is sabotaging their efforts to lose fat and or gain muscle, but a bunch of little things that have an accumulated effect.

There are some amazingly simple behaviors and strategies we can all add to our nutritional goals and workout plans that will have a positive effect. Using my own addiction to Cheez-It's as the primary example, I am going to cover a few of these surprisingly simple yet effective strategies. A few issues to keep in mind:

(1) Taken alone, these simple tactics will have very little effect. Used alone without any other dietary changes and an exercise plan, these strategies wont amount to much. However, as I mentioned, it's often many minor mistakes adding up to a lack of results for people, and taken in that context, these are some simple mistakes that can be avoided, hopefully resulting in an accumulated effect in a positive direction.

(2) I didn't invent any of these tips. They are some of the oldest and simplest tips you will ever read. I don't even know who first came up with them, and I bet most people have seen these strategies in other places, such as various diet books, articles, or web sites. I do however think that they may be so old and so simple that most people with the best of intentions about their nutrition and exercise plan, don't follow these simple concepts.

These tips are more about behavior changes and psychology then nutritional science, study results, or research. I have written many articles based on the later topics, but this is not one of those. If you are looking for more in-depth science oriented information about nutrition, supplements, and fat loss or gaining muscle, I suggest reading my ebooks on the topic and the many free article on my web site.

Tip #1: Never Ever Go Food Shopping Hungry

This is one of the most effective strategies I know of to avoid unwanted junk and various snacks from finding their way into your shopping cart, which ends up in your home, which ends up on your butt!

Make sure to eat something before you go food shopping and you will be able to resist the junk that often finds its way into your cart. If I go food shopping without a good meal in my stomach, I often come home with a family sized box of Cheez-It's and feel like sh*& for days after eating the entire box!

Human hunger and appetite are regulated by a phenomenally complicated set of overlapping feedback networks, involving a long list of hormones, psychological factors, and others way beyond the scope of this article. Suffice to say, we often make snap decisions and impulse purchases with certain foods due to one or more of these feedback loops being activated due to an empty stomach while we shop.

Translated, your "willpower" to resist junk foods will be much greater if you eat something healthy at least 20-30 minutes before you go food shopping. You can either plan your meal schedule so that one meal is eaten before you go shopping, or have a snack (at least 20-30 minutes before shopping) which will have the desired effects.

A yogurt with some flax oil mixed in is a good choice, as is a half cup of cottage cheese and a handful of walnuts or some other nut. A protein shake or MRP will suffice, but solid food tends to be more satiating.

Tip # 2: Never Keep Snack Foods In The House

This tip is a logical extension of tip number one. If it does not make it into your cart at the food store, it's not in your house. However, many people use excuses like "I have snack foods for the kids" or "my spouse keeps a box of Oreo cookies in the kitchen cupboard" as reasons they can't avoid the snacks that sneak into their diets and sabotage their efforts.

Many of the foods we eat that we know we should not be eating are based on an impulse. Impulse control goes a long way here but no one will deny it's far harder to resist that impulse if your favorite junk food is under your nose. That's human nature. When I have an impulse for some Cheez- it's, I wont resist it well if it's only a few steps to the kitchen vs. having to get in the car to go get a box.

The former I can't resist, the latter I can. Remember an impulse is defined as "a sudden desire, urge, inclination." That means it's short lived and will go away given sufficient time, so it's a matter of not having foods in your house that allow you to act on the impulse while it lasts.

As for the excuse of the spouse, kids, etc. That is more an issue between your kids and or your spouse. Should the kids be eating that stuff anyway? No! I had a client tell me one day "I keep eating hot dogs ‘cause I keep them in the house fort the kids." I said "so you're Ok with feeding your kids foods you know to be unhealthy for you and them?" She stopped feeding her family hot dogs shortly after....

..Bottom line here is, those foods should be occasional treats for both kids and adults, not staple foods that can be found in your kitchen. It's more an issue of teaching the kids good dietary habits young so they don't end up overweight unhealthy adults.

As for the spouse, I like to have some chips in the house, which I can resist without a problem. That is, unlike the Cheez-it's, I can walk past the chips without having to eat them all. I can regulate myself with them. However, Kimberly can't. Chips are to her what Cheez-it's are to me, so I make it a rule not to keep chips in the house.

Point being, your spouse needs to support your efforts by making some small sacrifices. If you were an alcoholic trying to avoid alcohol, you would (or at least should!) expect your significant other to not keep booze in the house. If they wont support your efforts here, then relationship counseling is in order or a long talk, and I can't help you there; sorry!

Tip # 3: Eat Off Of Smaller Plates

The first two tips are common sense, this one is less so. However, I find it helps, albeit not to a great extent. Again, how much we eat is based on many variables. One of them is the visual cues we get looking at the food we are about to eat. We are extremely visually oriented creatures and part of deciding how large an object is must be compared to other objects, in this case, the food we put on the plate in comparison to the size of the plate we put the food on. Some of you may remember this little visual test from grade school.

Looking at these two horizontal lines here:
http://brinkzone.com/images/plates.gif which one is longer?

Answer: both lines are identical in length. As you can see, the bottom "plate" looks longer then top "plate", yet they are the same length. It's a visual illusion that shows how our brains are set up to interpret certain visual cues. It is my experience that people will put less food on their plate if they eat from smaller plates as a smaller plate full of food looks like much more to eat then a large plate with the same amount of food on it.

I know for myself I tend to put 2 slices of pizza on a small plate and three on a large plate! Now this is only one minor cue we have to self regulating how much food we eat, and other feedback loops (i.e., hormonal, psychological, etc.) can kick in and easily offset this strategy.

For example, you could simply come back for a second helping using the smaller plates. However, it's my hunch (and it's only a hunch as research is lacking here) that over the course of say a month, a person may end up taking in fewer total calories using this strategy as has been my (admittedly anecdotal) experience with both myself and the many people I have given advice to over the years.

Again, as already mentioned, taken alone, this strategy will probably have no effects on your efforts to lose fat if there is not a specific diet and exercise plan involved in the overall equation. It is however one simple small change that may improve compliancy to your efforts. It would be interesting to see a study on this, but whatever effects it may have, would be subtle and fairly small I suspect. Even so, over the course of a year say, it may help.

Tip #4: Know Thy Self

Lesson here is, we are all human and we all have our weaknesses. Trick is to know your weakness and develop strategies for coping with them. How well do you know yourself? That is, do you know what cues/triggers tend to set you off? Have you examined that issue for yourself? It's essential to recognized the cues that sabotage your efforts. We all have them. Find yours and take steps to avoid them where possible.

For example, try making a list outlining the things you know tend to set you off and how you react to the, then add a column for how you could deal with it. For example you might write "talking to my crazy mother makes me anxious and I eat things I shouldn't immediately after the phone conversation" which would be followed by a suggestion of steps to change it, such as "always eat a meal right before talking to mom" and "only take calls from mom when I am ready and able to deal with her" and "go for a walk immediately after talking to mom to distress and give me time to get over impulse to eat junk" and so on.

Develop coping strategies to your known triggers. I know for example going food shopping on an empty stomach means I will most probably end up with a large box of Cheez-it's in my house. I have also found if I go shopping irritated over something I will buy more foods I don't need as food is one of many ways we self medicate looking for some comfort. Hence the term "comfort foods" which is commonly chocolate, ice cream, and so on.

Bottom line:

Learn what your hot buttons are that lead to a negative behavior. Learn to identify when it's happening. Develop strategies for coping with it.

How do you go about doing that? As entire books have been written on that topic, my advice will fall short here. That journey is also highly individual. For some it's working with a therapist or behavioral specialist, for some it's reading a few good self-help type books, and for some it's activities such as meditation, joining support groups, and others. It's also a life long journey.

Conclusion

The purpose of this article is not as much to supply tips for success in your fat loss endeavors but to actually remind people of what is stated in the intro to this article: most people fail in their fat loss/diet goals not due to a single mistake they are making (with exceptions) but many small events that have an accumulated effect that sabotages their efforts. If the tips in this article help, all the better.

Some people are amazed how many extra calories slip into their diet from snack foods that they are not accounting for, or the fact they tend to take the elevator when they could take the stairs, and so on. 99 out of 100 times the person that says "I have tried everything and nothing works" actually translates into "I have not stayed on any one plan long enough for it to have an effect and sabotaged it with small unaccounted for negative habits and behaviors." Now, if I can just get the funding for that adult Cheez-it rehab center I want to have built....

* Cheez-It's are a cheese flavored cracker made by Sunshine foods and can be found on the shelves of any major food store in the US.

About The Author
For more article from fitness author Will Brink See:
http://www.brinkzone.com

Brain Research Shows That Diet and Exercise are Keys to Living Well

(ARA) - An old adage says that aging is a state of mind, but new research is beginning to prove it.

As brain research advances, experts are finding that some of the physical and mental changes normally associated with aging may not actually be normal at all, but instead, the result of treatable and preventable health conditions. In fact, by some estimates, only 30 percent of physical aging can be traced to our genes. The rest is up to each individual.

According to the AARP Andrus Foundation, developing and maintaining good "cognitive health" is as important to a person's quality of life at any age as maintaining good physical health. A series of four new booklets, "Staying Sharp: Current Advances in Brain Research," provides information and tips based on this new research. The booklets were derived from a series of public forums that were conducted in partnership with the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, and featured the country's foremost researchers, scientists and physicians working in the field of aging and the brain. These four booklets provide some of the most up-to-date information available.

One of the key findings of this new research is that diet and exercise are crucial not just for physical well being, but also for mental acuity at any age.

The Importance of Diet
The food choices we make throughout our lives can make a difference in the likelihood for many diseases that cause premature death or disability, including heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Three long-term studies being conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health have followed 300,000 people and suggest that:
* a diet rich in vegetables may help prevent breast and prostate cancer
* colon cancer is more common among those who eat more red meat
* high-fat diets increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers
* a diet with too many refined carbohydrates increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Although there are some nutritional changes associated with aging, for the most part, what was considered a healthy diet at 40 will still be a healthy diet at 60 or 70. Health experts recommend a diet that emphasizes whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other tips:
* Drink eight to 10 cups of fluid every day, and make at least five of those water. Limit caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
* Reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet and replace it with monounsaturated fat such as that in olive, canola, sunflower, safflower and soybean oils.
* When snacking, choose fruits, vegetables or whole-grain products.
* Make eating fun by sharing dinnertime with family and friends, or joining community functions whenever possible.

The Benefits of Exercise
Many experts believe that regular exercise is the single most important thing anyone can do to improve overall health and well-being. New studies show that aerobic activity increases levels of brain chemicals that encourage the growth of nerve cells, which may be the reason moderately strenuous exercise is associated with enhanced memory skills.

Some ways that exercise can help retain mental capacity include:
* reducing anxiety and stress
* improving mood and possibly alleviating depression
* improving sleep
* increasing energy levels
* slowing the rate of bone loss
* enabling the body to use insulin more efficiently
* improving cardiovascular health
* controlling weight and preventing obesity

The National Institute of Aging suggests incorporating four types of exercises into your life. Endurance exercise, such as walking, helps increase stamina. Strength exercise, with free weights or resistance weights, increases metabolism and may help prevent osteoporosis. Flexibility exercise, such as stretching or yoga, prevents and aids recovery from injuries. And balance exercises, such as standing on one foot, help prevent falls.

By following these basic tips, as well as any advice from your physician related to any specific health conditions, it is possible to live well in old age as opposed to just living into old age.

The AARP Andrus Foundation's "Staying Sharp" series can be downloaded from the association's Web site at www.andrus.org/sharp/sharp_pubs.html. Each booklet covers a specific area: Memory Loss and Aging; Depression; Chronic Health Issues and Quality of Life. The booklets also are available by mail from AARP Fulfillment, 601 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20049, or by phone at 800-424-3410 and ask for series D17561 to get the booklets in English or D17461 to get the booklets in Spanish.

About The Author
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: The AARP Andrus Foundation provides knowledge and education through research which helps find solutions to the challenges of aging as well as approaches to maintaining independence and dignity throughout life. Established in 1968 as a memorial to Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charitable and educational organization affiliated with the AARP.

The South Beach Diet

Created by respected cardiologist Dr Arthur Agatston, the South Beach Diet is generally regarded as both effective and safe. Unlike most 'fad' diets, the South Beach Diet aims to modify your lifestyle slightly, in order to get you eating the right fats and carbohydrates, while actually enjoying it - this of course means you will be able to stick to it with less trouble than other diets! This is, of course the main reason why we here at www.supadiet.com like it so much. A cardinal point of Dr Agatston's theories is that eating 'bad' fats and carbohydrates actually makes you hungrier, and so you eat more. Proponents of the South Beach Diet claim it is entirely possible to lose between 8 and 14 pounds in just 2 weeks - a rate of weight loss that would usually be regarded as 'dangerous crash dieting'.

The South Beach Diet is composed of 3 'phases', the first 2 are for a limited timespan, the third is for the rest of your life. It doesn't really rely on calorie counting, or portion control as such, more on creating a sensible eating schedule you can stick to. You won't feel deprived, or constantly hungry, and the meals you eat will be full size enjoyable ones, not mung-bean snacks or some such nonsense. You will even be able to eat chocolate cake if you really want to! The meals you create will be of good variety, so not only will the South Beach Diet stop you feeling hungry, you won't even get bored with the menu! Couple this with the tendency to see amazing results in a short timespan, and you can begin to see why the South beach Diet is so popular.

Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet is the strictest phase, and lasts only 2 weeks. Portion sizes are normal, but you have to restrich carbohydrates. Lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish) are emphasised, and you can eat both low-glycemic-index vegetables and low fat cheese, nuts and eggs. In this phase, you can shed up to 2 stones of weight, depending on your starting size. Typically, a South Beach Dieter on phase 1 will eat ordinary foodstuffs like chicken, beef, turkey or fish, with lots of vegetables, eggs, cheese, nuts, and garden salads. A salad dressing of 100% olive oil can also be used. For these first 2 weeks, you eat 3 well balanced meals a day, and the best part is you can eat until your hunger is satisfied. Honestly, it really IS part of the diet! (Dr Agatston believes that you can't become healthy by depriving your body of food).

In phase 1 you can also eat a snack for elevenses, and another one in the mid afternoon. The interesting point here is that you really do need to eat these snacks, or the whole diet will be compromised. Eating the snacks helps to keep your appetite under control, and you won't want to eat so much at the main meals - clever, isn't it?! Unlike other diets, coffee and tea are ok in this phase, and of course you must be sure to drink lots of fresh water.

The bad news is that there are certain foods you have to steer clear of (although its only for the first 2 weeks) - cut out all bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, baked goods, fruit, candy, cake, cookies, ice cream, or sugar. Also banned are beer and all other kinds of alcohol. Sounds tough? It's only for 2 weeks! A tiny price to pay for reaching your ideal weight, and a life of health! For a list of South Beach Diet 'Good' Foods and 'Bad' foods, consult www.supadiet.com.

Now we move on to Phase 2. The good news about this phase is that you can start to re-introduce some of the 'banned' foods, while still losing between 1 and 2 pounds per week. You continue this phase until you reach your target weight - the weight you ideal want to be at.

This phase lasts as long as it takes you to lose your ideal weight, so the duration depends on you - where you are starting from, how well you follow the diet, and how your body reacts. You should be entering this phase in a good frame of mind - after all, you should already be up to 14 pounds lighter! You may also find that your old cravings for unhealthy food have subsided, or reduced considerably, making it much easier in this phase. So what are the keys to this phase? Surprisingly, it's NOT about eating less, its about cutting out those foods that start cravings and store body fat in the first place. You CAN add some 'goodies' back in, but in moderation. You can have chocolate cake, but don't eat it every day. Make it a treat, as it should be. Weight loss in this phase tends to be between 1 and 2 pounds a week - the maximum doctors recommend to maintain health, and keep the weight off.

After that, you move on to Phase 3, which is the maintenance phase, and lasts for ever - you maintain your ideal weight while eating a healthy and balanced diet. If weight begins to rise again, you return to Phase 1 and repeat. You should have changed your entire outlook on food by now, and want to eat a natural healthy diet without having to use any willpower at all. You will feel healthier, and will be at less risk of weight-related illnesses, such as heart problems, and diabetes.

For a list of South Beach Diet 'Good' Foods and 'Bad' foods, consult www.supadiet.com! Good luck with it!

About The Author
Helen Laxton writes articles for www.supadiet.com website, a site aiming to give you free articles on weight loss techniques.

Mediterranean Diet Pyramid

This Pyramid, which represents the optimal, traditional Mediterranean diet, is based on the dietary traditions of Crete and southern Italy in the 1960s.

It is structured in the light of nutrition research carried out in 1993 and presented by Professor Walter Willet during the 1993 International Conference on the Diets of the Mediterranean, held in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid underlines the importance of the foods making up the principal food groups. Each of these individual food groups offers some, but not all, of the nutrients one needs. Food from one group cannot replace that of another group. All the groups are necessary for a healthy diet. The basic products of the Mediterranean diet, in descending order of quantity and frequency advised, are:

Grains: These form the base of the majority of meals in Mediterranean countries - bread (wholemeal or otherwise), pasta, couscous and rice.

Fruit and vegetables: Meals are more flavoursome when in-season products are selected and they are cooked very simply. In most Mediterranean countries the dessert is generally fruit.

Legumes and nuts: A wide variety of legumes and nuts, such as chickpeas, lentils, haricot beans, pine kernels, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc. are used in cooking. Olive oil and olives: "Olive oil" and "Virgin olive oil" are used throughout the Mediterranean. The former is normally used for cooking. The latter, which is appropriate for all uses, is excellent when consumed raw to best appreciate its aroma and flavour and to benefit fully from all its natural components. The proportion of fats in the traditional diet of Crete observed by Professor Ancel Keys, was >40 were saturated fats, 3 monounsaturated (olive oil).

Dairy products: Cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products, with no special mention of milk.

Fish: offered as a first class protein, before eggs and poultry.

The highest point of the Pyramid, meaning that its consumption is least advised, is occupied by red meat and just slightly below, but also of little importance, are sweets and pastries.

Regular physical activity is vital to maintaining good health and optimal weight. Wine can be consumed in moderation, primarily with meals (1-2 glasses/day). It is optional and should be avoided whenever it puts the individuals or others at risk.


About The Author
Sylvia Sideris is a food enthusiast and the author of many articles about healthy food and recipes.You can get more information and Mediterranean Recipes if you visit:
http://www.recipesonweb.com

Essential Fatty Acids Sources and Benefits

Why should I increase my Omega fatty acid intake?

Our intake of essential fatty acids has changed radically in the last century. Our ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 should be close to 1:1, but it is now over 10:1 and up to 20:1. This is due to the addition of corn, sunflower, safflower, sesame and other Omega-6 oils to our food supply. Such excesses are thought by many scientists to be a factor in a number of chronic medical conditions including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, acne, obesity and depression. It is clear that we need to increase our intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and decrease our intake of Omega-6 (linoleic acid) oils. By doing so we will be, look and feel healthier.

What are good fats and bad fats?

Fat is a concentrated source of energy. This source of energy is very useful during aerobic exercise. The longer the exercise, the higher the fat contribution for providing energy. Fat is particularly used in large quantities in the brain and nervous system. There are two types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are commonly referred to as "good" fats, and should make up the greatest percentage of your fat intake.

UNSATURATED
• Unsaturated fats, "good fats" are liquid at room temperature, and remain in liquid form even when refrigerated or frozen.
• Good fats are part of the essential fats: omega 3 and omega 6, both of which are unsaturated fats.

What are EPA and DHA?
These are two specific essential fatty acids found in fish oil. Both Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) have been well documented in regulating cellular functions and promoting good health. Diets deficient in EPA and DHA have been associated with a number of health problems, most notably cardiovascular disease.

What is GLA and how is it different from other Omega-6 sources?
GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) is an Omega-6 fatty acid found in high amounts in borage oil, and to a lesser degree in black currant and evening primrose oils. In contrast to the sunflower, safflower and other Omega-6 oils, the presence of GLA in borage oil results in very different physiological effects. Linoleic acid in its current dietary excess promotes inflammation due to the production of arachidonic acid (AA). GLA on the other hand, actually interferes with the production of AA and decreases inflammation. GLA has been used with success in treating various medical conditions, most notably rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. Emerging science also indicates that GLA has synergistic activities with the Omega-3 marine-derived DHA and EPA, particularly in cardiovascular health and fat metabolism.

We all want to be healthy, happy and fit with enough energy for work and for play. A well-balanced diet, exercise, and enough rest go a long way in helping us get the most out of life. And essential fatty acids (EFAs) have been proven to help us achieve healthier and happier lives. These good fats' truly are essential and the majority of us are not consuming enough of the well-researched Omega fats. Now getting the right amount of Omegas to suit your specific health needs is easier than ever.

Where do essential fats come from?
Sources of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fats:

• Cold Water fish such as Salmon (coho, king and pink), sardines, cod, albacore tuna, trout, halibut , herring. (these fish are also a great source of Omega 6, but are predominantly richer in Omega 3)
• Flaxseeds and green leafy vegetables are great sources of Omega 3.
• Sesame and sunflower seeds and other seeds and nuts are great sources of Omega 6.
• Borage oil and evening primrose oil are rich sources of GLA which is part of the Omega 6 essential fats.

Where do saturated fats come from?
Saturated fats contain large amounts of saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are named so, because they are "saturated" with hydrogen, meaning they have only single bonds between carbon atoms, leaving no room in their chemical structure for additional hydrogen atoms. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature.

Varieties of Saturated fat include: Butter, coconut and palm oils and lard.

Benefits
• aid in balancing the autoimmune system
• treats skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
• cardiovascular health

About The Author
Chester Ku-Lea is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of www.AstroNutrition.com - a provider of premium health nutrition and sports supplements.

Diet Fads Come And Go

Cursed by dieters everywhere, and loved by children around the world, sugar is one those substances we 'love to hate' and 'hate to love'! It can make bland foods tasty and can make the dentist rich. Americans love sugar in all forms, from pure white granulated to liquid to fluffy cotton candy. As a nation, it's fair to say that we've developed a love affair with sugar!

But at what cost? Our ever-expanding waistlines are due, in part, to our sugar infatuation. Many of us try to eat healthier, only to be pushed into consuming even more sugar! Take for example the low-fat craze of the 1980's and '90's, pushed by the federal government's proclomation that FAT IS BAD. As soon as Americans started demanding low-fat products, the food manufacturers responded by flooding the market with low-fat, high-sugar foods.....and we loved it. Honestly, how many of us have chowed down an entire box of Hot Tamales candy and justified it because they're 'fat-free'? Cotton candy, that staple of the county fair, is also fat-free! Hard candy, jelly beans, licorice and oh so many more foods found their way into our mouths - all justified because of their fat-free status.

But at what cost? Common sense, reinforced by our expanding size, soon reminded us that it's EXCESS CALORIES THAT MAKE US FAT, and that SUGAR HAS CALORIES! It took us only a decade or so to figure out that just because a food is fat-free, doesn't mean that it's good for us!

Again, the food industry responded (and is still responding) by giving us loads and loads of sugar-free food. From ice cream to candy to soda, sugar-free is fast replacing fat-free as the new standard of 'healthy'.

Our scientists have created many different sugar substitutes for us to enjoy: DiabetiSweet, Splenda, Equal, Sucralose, Xylitol, Stevia, NutraSweet, aspartame, tagatose, saccharin, and many many more. Even the Pepsi Slushie, that icon from our youth, now has a sugar-free version!

But at what cost? Do we really know everything we need to know about the sugar replacements on the market today? Take saccharin for example. Saccharin has been used to sweeten foods and beverages without calories or carbohydrates for over a century. Its use was considerable during the sugar shortages of the two world wars, particularly in Europe.

Later, however, we find some experts debating the safety of saccharin: "In a joint letter, the scientists told the National Toxicology Program, a division of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, that declaring saccharin safe would 'result in greater exposure to this probable carcinogen in tens of millions of people, including children (indeed, fetuses). If saccharin is even a weak carcinogen, this unnecessary additive would pose an intolerable risk to the public.'". (Source: www.cspinet.org)

Now, citing new research, some scientists are claiming that sugar-free foods may not help us lose weight! As with many topics, the experts don't agree on this issue. What's important to note, however, is that some doctors believe that the sugar-free craze might be just a bad case of deja vu similar to the fat-free craze of decades past.

So, when the year 2030 rolls around, will we all be looking back in disbelief wondering how in the heck we ever believed in that sugar-free nonsense? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we need to realize that BALANCE IS THE KEY to everything. Balance a healthy diet (eating foods in moderation) with a regular exercise program. Let the experts debate all day long about what to eat and what not to eat.....while they're trying to figure out the 'magic formula' for the perfect diet, we'll be maintaining a healthy weight through exercise!!

About The Author

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, 30-Minute Workout For Women. Pick Up The Pace is a 30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. For more information please visit
www.letspickupthepace.com or email us at info@letspickupthepace.com.

Health and Fitness in Pregnancy

Health and Fitness in Pregnancy and Delivering a Healthy Baby

Pregnancy is when women are most beautiful, when there's another life being nurtured inside the mother's womb. This act of creating life, though, is not without its complications, and expectant soon-to-be mothers should do their best to keep their health in optimal condition, for their sake as well as the unborn child's. Even the common cold can affect the pregancy. So what are the steps to take during pregnancy? Here are a few tips and suggestions.

The first step in pregnancy is to visit a doctor and have yourself examined for any possible complication, get your pap smear, blood test, the works; also make sure that you get as much information as possible to help make sure your pregnancy is being handled properly. Of course, it is best to take great care in choosing a physician, a midwife, a hostpital, and all the necessary staff in the pregnancy. Make sure that they are just as concerned for the baby as you are

Pregnancy makes it all the more important to maintain a healthy diet especially since there's another life at stake. The intake of folic acid (necessary for embryo development and cell growth) should begin as soon as possible. Another important supplement that might be needed is iron, for healthy blood, and for the development of the bones and teeth of the baby. Do not overdose on the seafood intake as fish tend to have high levels of mercury. The recommended weight gain during pregnancy is around 25 to 30 pounds -- on healthy food, of course.

As metabolism increases during pregnancy there is larger loss of water, which should be compensated by drinking more water than usual.

Exercise is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, though, of course, pregnant women shouldn't exert extreme amounts of effort. It is best for expectant mothers without complications to work out at moderate intensity for 30 minutes a day. It is important, though, to first consult with your physician before working out.

While it's important to keep physical health at an optimum, emotional health should also be taken into consideration. Disorders such as depression can lead to loss of appetite and weight, sluggishness, irregular sleeping habits and disturbances in motor activity, as well as an intensified presence of feelings of worthlessness, incapability, or guilt. Pregnant women are more susceptible to this, and they will need an extraordinary amount of support from peers and family. Counseling and meditation have also proven to be successful in treating this disorder. But as an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, and prevention may just save your pregnancy. Introspection may help; examining your capabilities as a mother, past relationships, etc. Don't forget to take your needs seriously. Work with your partner and don't be shy to get professional health.

Pregnancy can be a nine month tribulation of passing gas, nausea, and heartburn. It is a period of bonding with an unborn child, wondering about your child's purpose in life, feeling every hearbeat and kick with amazement. To avoid any later regrets, take care of your health. And enjoy life.

"In her own interest, every pregnant woman should make a habit of never entering a room without making a note of the quickest way of getting out of it and into either fresh air or a bathroom." --Audrey Hull

Great advice Audrey!

About The Author
David Arnold Livingston is passionate about Health, has assisted his spouse in supporting her during her pregnancy and suggests you visit, as a resource:
http://www.seepregnancy.com

Acne - a Nightmare!

Saturday night is coming and you are planning with your friends what to do during the weekend. You don’t know if you go to the movies or if you go to that brand new dance club in that fancy neighbourhood. The thing is that all of you have plenty of things to study and because of that you decide to go to the movies. However, the cutest guy from the football team comes to you and asks you out. It is obvious you accept that invitation that you have been waiting for so long.

You and your friends spend the rest of the week planning this date. Everything seems to be ready and perfect. Saturday finally comes. You wake up happy and as soon as you got up and walk to the bathroom... Ahhhhhhhh! A big pimple is there! In the middle of your forehead! And you are not havig a nightmare: the pimple is really there.

Just who had been through something like this can describe the feeling. That’s why learning about acne is so important. Keeping skin healthy can be the difference between being gorgeous on the date of your life or being noticed due to something on the forehead.

But acne doesn’t have to be a nightmare. If everyone learns about this skin condition, many problematic stuff can be avoided. And every body will be able to live their dream life without worrying if a flare up will occur.

An important thing about acne is anxiety. It’s not that you’ll have acne everytime you get anxious, but this can increase the chances. Since acne is related to stress, it sounds common that it is also related to anxiety, which is a sort of stress manifestation.

Many are the option for someone to treat acne. However, nothing is more important than knowing how it develops and why are some people more affected than other. And it is not just a matter of poor higyene as many people think. Acne is far beyond that. In fact, hygiene does not play a major role when it comes to acne.

A healthy diet habits is another thing that should be taken into account. Some people say that “we are what we eat” and if it is true and since skin is considered to be the largest organ of human body, it is not impossible nor abnormal that a lack of nutrients can be noticed by a sign on the skin. This sign can be acne.

Squeezing your pimples is not the right way to get rid of that. In fact, when you squeeze you may help o spread the inflammation over the skin. It is not necessary to say that it can get worsen acne.

Besides all of these, some extra care are needed, some products have to be used in order to keep acne under control and to restablish the skin balance and health.

About The Author
Luna Sol
I am not a dermatologist. I am just a person, just like you, who has acne. All I write here are results of reading and my own experience. That's why everyone can identify with the articles: because they're written by an ordinary girl to ordinary people.
http://www.acne-treatment-solution.info

How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy

Weight control is a prevalent concern for many women after pregnancy. Although common during pregnancy, weight gain is difficult for many women to handle emotionally. Many women are unclear about how to separate fact from fiction concerning this "post-pregnancy" weight control. First of all, women need to understand how much weight gain is actually "normal" during pregnancy. Do try to keep in mind that your pregnancy weight wasn't gained overnight so it won't disappear that quickly, either. As a matter of detail, you gained that weight so that you would have plenty of reserves for feeding your baby.

Eat healthy foods. This really is unnoticed, though. Emphasize nutrient rich foods, which are not having too much fat. Avoid oily snack foods and so-called healthy foods like cheese and complete milk. Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, pastas and beans and avoid red meat and salads laden with dressing. Try to build some outdoor activity into your day. In some way walk with your baby every day and try to get a jogging stroller added to your wish list. Sling makes carrying your baby more resourceful and burn more calories. Drink plenty of water. Avoid soda, cool drink and juice. Some foods are they were truly empty calories. Combining 200 fewer calories per day of higher fat foods that's just a couple portion of dressing or a piece of cheese with 20 minutes of a good walk with your baby will lead to exactly the weight loss and conditioning you want. Add in a little formal or informal yoga and stretching and you'll get there even sooner.

Weight loss after pregnancy can be slow and many new mothers find it difficult to continue a diet after having a baby. Babies do not recognize your desire to lose weight and regain your figure. As a result regular meals can be difficult. However, please avoid the fast or 'starve' yourself into regaining your pre-pregnancy shape. Stock up with healthy, filling, convenient snacks, like soups, low-fat pasta sauces, lean meats, whole meal bread and cereals, fresh vegetables and fat-free dairy products.There seems to be a myth that weight loss after pregnancy can only be successful if it occurs quickly. Somehow, many women feel that if they have not lost all the pregnancy weight by 1 year after delivery, something is wrong with them, they are not standard, or they have failed in some way. In fact, the truth is that weight loss after pregnancy can take a very long time, sometimes even few years, without signifying that something is wrong.

Gradual weight loss is the standard, not the exception, and the rate of weight loss depends on several factors, such as whether there were difficulties with the pregnancy or delivery. Pregnancy complications can make a woman feel weak with her mobility. Certain diseases like postpartum inflammation of the thyroid gland, which is a general complication that shows itself soon after delivery, can cause massive weight struggles if they are severe. Exercising every single day, even if that exercise is just walking, is an absolute must and the lack of exercise is what often holds up the process.

Consulting a dietician is a best way to obtain an individualized plan. The dietician will assess key issues like your food preferences, schedule.. etc in order to create a customized individual plan. As well, while you follow the dietician's plan, you needsto keep up daily exercise to optimize your weight loss. We are only human. Fast weight loss will not stay off, but rational weight loss will stay off. Weight loss will simply not be acceptable if exercise is lacking. This is true for many reasons; including that exercise helps to keep your body's metabolism from decreasing extremely while dieting.

About The Author
Balaji B

Visit :
http://natural-treatment-guide.com/pregnancy/how-to-lose-pregnancy-weight.html
or
http://natural-treatment-guide.com/pregnancy/loose-weight-after-pregnancy.html
for more tips on how to lose weight quickly & safely after pregnancy.

A Step-By-Step Plan to a Healthy Pregnancy

Having a baby is an exciting moment. However, the nine months leading up to the experience can be a bit unnerving. Most women worry throughout their pregnancy about the health of their baby. To alleviate the stress and worry that often creep up during pregnancy, plan instead to have a healthy pregnancy and you can rest assured that you have done your very best to have a healthy baby.

1. Get in Shape Early. When you find out that you’re pregnant is not the time to start a new diet or exercise program. If you are planning to become pregnant, make sure you are at a healthy weight and in the best physical activity. Doing this will help you during your pregnancy and can help you to have a problem-free delivery. If your pregnancy is unexpected and you aren’t in the best shape possible, don’t worry about it. It is possible to have a healthy baby while limiting the amount of excess weight that you gain. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables will give your baby the nourishment it needs while helping you to limit the amount of weight you gain.

2. Your Baby is What You Eat. Your baby depends on the lifeline that you and they share to grow properly. Following a diet that includes all the major food groups is probably the simplest approach to a healthy diet. You may discover your appetite changing during the course of your pregnancy. This is common and shouldn’t alarm you if you have unusual food cravings. It is quite acceptable to enjoy “bad” food once in a while, as long as you limit how frequently you indulge in these foods. Since some nutrients aren’t abundant in most foods, doctors often recommend that pregnant women begin taking vitamin formulas designed specifically for them.

3. Exercise regularly. While a rigorous exercise program is unsuitable when you are pregnant, it is a good idea to try and get some exercise every day. Many women are nervous about doing anything that may harm their baby. Walking on a daily basis is beneficial for your health as well as for your baby. Before you begin any exercise program, you should first discuss your plans with your doctor.

4. Avoid the big no-nos. If you follow only one step in this plan for a healthy pregnancy, avoid the big no-nos: don’t drink, smoke, or take drugs (this includes medications that your doctor has not approved). There are many debates about how these habits can affect your baby. The very fact that it is slightly possible to cause injury to your baby should be enough for you to avoid indulging in any of them during your pregnancy. The use of caffeine during pregnancy is debatable. You should discuss this with your doctor if you normally consume coffee, tea, or soda on a regular basis.

5. Pamper Yourself. Pregnancy is a special time and people will treat you with more attention. You should relish in this time because soon things will return to normal! Don’t forget to give yourself special attention. Remember, if you’re stressed your baby will feel stressed too. One of the most important things you can do to pamper yourself is to get sufficient rest. If before you were pregnant you spent days burning the midnight oil, you need to make sure you have this habit licked before you become pregnant.

About The Author
Nicky Pilkington
You can find additional information about preparing for pregnancy by visiting
http://pregnancy-step-by-step.org/.

Healthy Weight Loss Program

Healthy Weight Loss Program: How to Choose the Right Foods

For thousands of years, our ancestors selected their daily meals from the bounty of the earth’s animal and vegetable harvests. The traditional diets of most human cultures consisted of an almost unlimited variety of ingredients and recipes.

Today, however, our food sources suffer from a lack of quality, diversity, and balance. Natural foods have been replaced with processed and synthetic foods, which have weakened our digestive systems resulting in poor nutrition to the cells, tissues, organs, and systems of our bodies.

To achieve peak performance in any activity requires your body to burn energy. Energy, then, is the byproduct of high performance fuel that will improve the quality of your life and make you healthier than you ever thought possible. In fact, the higher the energy level, the more efficient your body becomes. The more efficient your body becomes, the better you feel. And, the better you feel, the easier it is to achieve the results you are striving for.

So, what is this high performance fuel that will create this abundance of energy for our bodies to burn? The answer is simply the food we eat.

Good nutritional choices play a major role in a healthy weight loss plan. By making small, but effective changes in your daily food intake, you can begin feeling better and improving the quality of your life.

Nutritional science is so confusing and contradictory that to even begin to adapt a universal set of principles to your lifestyle would be nearly impossible. Nevertheless, there are specific key concepts of a well designed healthy weight loss program that include:

1. Making good food choices can be nutritious, enjoyable and energizing.
2. Dieting not only does not work, but can actually take years off your life.
3. Simple modifications in meal choices can reverse how we age.
4. The program is sensible and easy to maintain even when dining out.
5. Losing weight and body fat is achievable & sustainable without drastic alterations or limitations in your lifestyle.

The ideal weight loss program will take a balanced approach to nutrition. By incorporating medically sound and scientifically based research into a healthy plan, your program will not only be effective, but also easy to incorporate into your lifestyle. The two main components of the medically sound nutrition plan include:

* Macronutrient combination
* Stabile blood sugar

Macronutrient Combination

Through the prescribed combination of both macro- and micronutrients, the entire nutritional puzzle is solved. The macronutrients make up the vast bulk and balance of our diets and are found in whole foods. The micronutrients are found within the macronutrients and will be discussed in a supplemental article. The primary macronutrients found in our foods include:

* Proteins
* Carbohydrates
* Fats

Your understanding of each of these components and how you combine them in the foods you eat will determine how successful your overall outcome will be.

Protein:

Proteins contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of your body. Your body can utilize proteins to maintain immune strength as well as to build and repair muscle tissue. Simply put, the greater the muscle mass, the more calories your body will burn. Proteins also promote the release of glucagon, a powerful fat burning hormone.

How much protein should you eat and what are the best sources?

For each individual, the amount of protein may vary. In general, active individuals should consume at least one gram of protein per pound of body weight. A sustainable nutrition plan understands the importance of protein as it relates to muscle building and fat burning and will usually recommend meal plans that are 50% protein. We have found this combination to be the best at optimizing fat loss and losing weight.

When selecting protein sources, ideally, you want to opt for protein sources that are low in fat. Protein sources that are the most desirable include chicken, turkey, fish, whey protein and low fat soy and dairy products. Current studies have shown that incorporating these nourishing proteins in your daily nutritional regimen can help slow the ageing process and prolong your life. Because a greater protein intake is encouraged, proper hydration must also be maintained. For protein to be effectively broken down and utilized by our body, appropriate water intake is a must.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for your body. Unfortunately, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Your body processes simple and complex carbohydrates differently. As a result, your energy level, mood, and metabolic processes are all influenced by your choice of carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates are the refined sugars. Common sweeteners such as honey, table sugar and brown sugar are considered simple sugars. What many people do not know is that alcohol, white bread, pasta, and fruit juice are also simple sugars. These foods when digested, are converted to glucose (sugar), and cause an immediate rise in your blood sugar level. With a spike in your sugar levels, insulin is released, which converts these excess sugars to fat.

Complex carbohydrates are eventually broken down into sugar, however, the process by which this occurs differs from simple carbohydrate break down. Complex carbohydrates assimilate into our system at a much slower rate. As a result, blood sugar stability is maintained and insulin levels remain at normal levels. Typically, complex carbohydrates are high in fiber, low in sugar and have a low glycemic index rating. Examples of high quality carbohydrates include broccoli, cauliflower, apples, oranges, whole grain breads, beans and sweet potatoes.

How much carbohydrate should you eat and what are the best sources?

The best sources of complex carbohydrates are raw, non-starchy vegetables and whole fruits. These foods are high in fiber, which is critical for elimination and stable blood sugar. In addition, complex carbohydrates are your best source of glucose, which is the only fuel your brain can burn. Complex carbohydrates are also involved in assisting the body in burning fat and antioxidants, necessary for disease prevention.

Recommendations on the amount of carbohydrates needed by the body will vary. For the most part, however, a healthy meal plan will usually recommend at least 1 cup of carbohydrates per meal. This should account for about 30% of your total food consumption

Essential Fats:

As Americans we consume almost 35% of our daily calories from fat. Most often this is saturated fat. Studies have shown that consuming a diet high in saturated fat can lead to heart disease and decreased immune function. In other words, consuming foods high in saturated fat will shorten your life.

An important point to remember is that consuming the right kind of fat can be beneficial in your attempt to manage your weight, and live an enhanced lifestyle. These fats and oils speed up metabolism, regulate your hormones, facilitate fat burning, and strengthen your immune system. Of particular importance is role essential fats and oils play in stabilizing blood sugar levels by slowing the emptying of the stomach. Essential fats provide you with:

* Concentrated energy
* Compounds needed for cellular metabolism
* Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, which aid in the burning of fat

How much essential fat should you eat and what are the best sources? Essential fats occur naturally and do not undergo any additional processing. Examples of foods that contain these valuable essential fats include fish such as salmon and tuna, raw nuts, avocados, flax seed oils and olive oil. The best sources of essential fats and oils come from plants. Most healthy weight loss plans recommend that no more than 20% of your diet come from fat. This translates to a minimum of 1 – 2 tablespoons of raw oil, or ¼ cup of raw seeds or nuts, or 1 – 2 tablespoons of raw nut butter per meal.

A solid healthy weight loss program will add years to your life and provide you with an abundance of energy.

About The Author
For the past 25 years Malton Schexneider has been a practicing physical therapist, a nationally known educator, a former university professor, a published author, a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, and personal success coach to thousands of people just like you who were seeking lifestyle transformation.

For more on healthy weight loss programs and products go to
http://www.metamorphicweightloss.com

Acne Prevention Tips

If you suffer from acne problems, you’ve probably been given a lot of advice about acne prevention, as well as acne causes. But a lot of these are just old wives’ tales with no scientific facts behind them. Knowing the truth about acne prevention will help you make the right choices.

Chocolate & Fast Foods

You’ve probably heard that eating chocolate will make you get pimples. But in fact science has not proven this to be true at all. Like any foods, consuming too much chocolate is certainly not good for you or your skin, but the occasional chocolate bar is not going to make you break out, especially if you eat nutritious food the rest of the time. Just like with chocolate, your parents has probably cautioned you that french fries are bad for your skin. While fried foods are unhealthy, it’s only when you eat them all the time that it’s going to be a problem, and it’s more likely you’ll gain weight than get acne. Neither fried foods nor chocolate are responsible for acne, and avoiding them, while good for your health, is not particularly useful for acne prevention.

Popping Pimples

Some people believe that popping a zit will help it to clear up faster, but in fact the opposite is true, and often makes them look worse and last longer. Popping your pimples is also likely to cause further problems, such as scarring or infections. Using an acne prevention cream to speed the healing is probably a better idea. There are many kinds of over-the-counter creams available to buy at drugstores or even the grocery store, and you can get stronger ones from your doctor if needed.

So what can you do for acne prevention that really works? Drinking more water is a good start – up to eight cups a day is what your body needs. When your body gets enough moisture from the inside, it’s easier for it to clean itself and for your skin to stay smooth and healthy. And you can help keep your skin clean by washing your face morning and night with an acne prevention face wash. Staying in good health overall will also help, so eat a nutritious diet, and get enough rest and exercise. Not only will you be acne free, but you will feel better, feel more energetic, and enjoy a long and healthy life.

About The Author
Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Acne Skin Blog. Click here for more helpful information about Acne Skin:
http://www.acneskinblog.com/accutane-acne-treatment

The Mediterranean Diet - High In Fat But Healthy

The Mediterranean Diet is based on the foods people of the Mediterranean region have been eating for centuries. Studies have shown that in addition to a lower incidence of obesity, countries like Greece and Italy actually have a lower incidence of chronic disease and a longer life expectancy than our “modern” society. The real kicker is that these countries consume, on average, a whopping 40% of their calories from fat – about double the amount recommended by most health experts today!

What’s their Secret?

No one knows for sure! But many nutritionists and health practitioners have decided that it’s more important to learn from the success of the eating habits of these regions than it is to answer the question of why it works the way it does.

Recent research suggests that olive oil does even more than lower the levels of LDL, the bad boy of cholesterol. In fact, more and more studies are backing up the belief that olive oil also contains antioxidants that discourage clogging of the arteries and other chronic diseases – even cancer!

The diet is centered around healthy fats like olive oil, as well as food items such as nuts and avocados that have high levels of healthy fats. The Mediterranean Diet also recommends eating healthy grains, including pasta, bread, and legumes. Participants are encouraged to eat fish several times a week, augmented by lean protein, while red meat is limited.

What the Site Has

What it doesn’t have is testimonials, sales pitches, and product pitches. In fact, the site is unusually devoid of anything resembling a sales pitch. Instead, The Mediterranean Diet site is truly informational, dispensing the basic guidelines of the eating plan and leaving the rest to you! Since the recommendations fall exclusively under the “real” food category, you can hit the ground running with the basic details of this easy-to-follow- plan!

The Mediterranean Diet site does have a few subtle references to Mediterranean food companies, but these seem geared more toward restaurants that might want to increase their usage of these types of products than to the average consumer.

The website is packed full of interesting reading. There’s an entire page detailing the health benefits of olive oil. Did you know that the therapeutic benefits of olive oil were first mentioned by Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine? Or that olive oil was used to maintain skin and muscle suppleness, heal abrasions, and soothe the burning and drying effects of sun and water? It’s true! Olive oil is mentioned in thousands of historical texts as an irrefutable health and beauty supplement

The site also thoroughly explains the way cholesterol works in the body – both good and bad. And while it might not seem important, it’s compelling to realize that this is an eating plan that dates back centuries, and that before we messed everything up with our out-of-control portions and trans-fatty fast foods, civilizations the world over lived long and healthy lives by following this type of diet.

Copyright 2006 Market Signal Systems LLC

About The Author
Robert Z. Martinder has been enthusiastic about diet and weight loss for the past 30 years. He is a regular contributor to Diet-Handbook.Com, a site that provides expert information about diet and weight loss. You can get more information at the following URL: http://www.diet-handbook.com