Daily Health Tips

Benefits of Cardio Exercise on Sexual Health

2011-08-20T13:12:00.001-07:00

There are a number of reasons for doing cardio, including weight loss, better fitness, and good health. The list goes on. Nonetheless, if these reasons are not compelling enough, here is one that may do the job: better sexual performance.

Cardiovascular training improves sexual prowess and the way you enjoy the experience in many ways. As you may know, sexual performance is largely determined by your overall general health, and the more you can do to improve your fitness level, the better your sex life can be.

Therefore, here is a complete list of the benefits that cardio training can bring to your sex life.

Cardio and Sexual Stamina

Do you want to last longer in bed? Cardio training can help you with that. Regular exercise definitely improves sexual performance. And one of the many ways it does so is by improving and strengthening your stamina. Cardio exercise toughens the heart, lung capacity and muscles, thus you develop more stamina and power in the bedroom. Therefore, better stamina affects both: your athletic performance and sexual performance.

The Fitter, the Sexier

If you're doing cardio training on a regular basis, then you'll doubtless get fit and acquire the body you always dreamed about. And the better you look, the sexier you'll feel. This will make you feel more attractive and thus, boost your confidence to get out there and find a partner. Otherwise, piling on the pounds can be another excuse not to go after your dream's partner.

Cardio Training and Energy Levels

Regular cardio training enhances energy levels, which carry on to the bedroom. And as your energy levels improve with regular cardio, you will be prone to do it; more frequently and for longer durations as well! It's not much enjoyable being too tired for sex and no one is in the mood for sex - especially after a hard and draining day. Hence, with cardio training, you can make sure not to enjoy high levels of energy so you can enjoy better sex.

Cardio and Blood Circulation

The sexual organs of both men and women receive immense benefits from a rich supply of blood vessels and nerve ending. Any improvement of blood circulation into these areas will translate to more intense sexual feelings and better performance. Doing cardio training improves blood circulation throughout the entire body, including the sexual organs. Hence, it adds intensity and quality to your sex life.

Cardio and Erectile Dysfunction

Since erectile dysfunction is most of the time a result of poor blood circulation, cardio exercise can help you put a permanent halt to that embarrassing condition. Good blood circulation is of paramount importance to good sexual performance, period. And scientific studies tend to approve with this claim; In a February 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, scientists uncovered that sexual dysfunction is more possible amongst those with poor physical and emotional health. Cardio training can help you to effectively deal with such issues.

Cardio and Stress Levels

If you're stressed in your daily life, then this condition will take its toll on your sexual performance. Nonetheless, doing cardio training such running or biking can hold your stress levels at bay. Therefore, if you're feeling a bit stress, go for a run, and then enjoy a better stress-free life.

Overtraining and Sexual Performance

On the other side, doing too much cardio leads to overtraining. Overtraining kills sexual performance. The rule of the more is better is a no-no deal. Too much cardio does not lead to better sex. Overtraining exerciser can actually decrease testosterone levels, thus leading to a lack of sexual appetite. Furthermore, too much training can compromise your immune system, which could also negatively affect your sexual performance. In addition, if you're tired, then you won't be in the mood to have sex anyway.

Of course, this is just a short list of the benefits that cardio exercise can bring to your sex life. However, the best way to immediately enjoy better sex is to take action and start a cardio training program as soon as possible. No amount of thinking can improve your sex life before first implementing what you have learned.

Myths About Masturbation Busted

2011-08-20T13:10:00.001-07:00

Masturbation is a hot topic among teens, because they are the only people who openly discuss the same in public with their friends. Their initial enthusiasm about masturbation may be due to their new found sexual feelings and attractions, but you should always see to it that your kids get their information from the right sources.

This is where proper sex education can help, as you can bring these topics up and instruct your kids on what’s right and what’s wrong. If you’re not too convinced about masturbation yourself, you should clear all the myths about masturbation from your head and get a good grasp on the facts involved.

Myth 1 – Masturbation is for Youngsters

There’s no age limit for masturbation. Youngsters are usually sexually active and they try out masturbation due to the lack of a partner. Even adult men and women can masturbate, as there are no problems involved with this. Statistics show that adult men and women do masturbate on a weekly basis, although they don’t do so as frequently as teenagers do.

Myth 2 – Masturbation is Not the Real 'Thing'

Masturbation is not real sex, purely because of the lack of a partner. But that doesn’t mean that masturbation is any less fun, because as far as masturbation goes, it’s all in the mind. People who masturbate get excited and aroused as much as people who have sex in its many forms, and there’s no major difference between the two types.

Myth 3 - Masturbation is Bad for Health

People come up with brilliant excuses to prevent masturbation, including reasons like masturbation can result in acne and can make a person blind. There is no scientific basis behind all these claims, and all researchers and scientists collectively agree that masturbation is totally harmless. Myths that masturbation can cause hairy palms have also been floating around for a long time, and these myths are also wrong.

Myth 4 – Women Don't Masturbate

Studies and statistics have shown that men do masturbate more than women, but this only makes the above statement half true. Women don’t admit that they masturbate purely because of social attitudes towards the subject, as female masturbation is frowned upon in all cultures, irrespective of the country or continent. Due to a negative social attitude, some women don’t masturbate while some hide the fact that they do.

Myth 5 – You Shouldn't Masturbate If You're in a Relationship

Such myths should be straight out abolished because due to such perceptions, people who are in relationships start masturbating in private without their partner’s knowledge. There’s no universal rule that disallows people in relationships from masturbating, as it is every person’s personal interest. People who are in a committed relationship do masturbate when they’re in the groove, and there’s nothing wrong with this act.

Myth 6 – Too Much Masturbation is Harmful

It’s hilarious how these claims never come with after effects. The myth states that masturbation is harmful, but no harmful health effects have been mentioned scientifically. People who regularly masturbate will not face any health risks or problems, and they can carry on doing the same unless it starts affecting their personal life. Sometimes in rare cases, a person may lose interest in sex and indulge only in masturbation. This is something that shouldn’t be done, because masturbation is healthy only as long as it doesn’t affect an individual’s personal life.

Myth 7 – Only Certain Types of People Masturbate

There’s no distinction when it comes to masturbation, and all around the world, every single person, irrespective of language, social strata or community, indulges in masturbation. People continue to do the same because masturbation serves as an outlet for them, one through which they can relax and unwind.

Myths About Sex That Teenagers Fall For

2011-08-20T13:08:00.001-07:00

There are countless myths floating around about sex, and many of these are targeted towards teenagers as they are more gullible and less informed when it comes to these issues. Teenagers are a confused lot, mainly because of the sudden changes that puberty brings to their body.

Thanks to a lack of proper information about sex or sex education, teenagers tend to believe myths and baseless facts about sex. If you have a teenage son, daughter or sibling, you should take note of all such popular myths and set the record straight – as misinformation can prove to be quite costly for teens.

Myth 1 – Masturbation Causes Impotence in People

The origins of this myth aren’t known, but this is one of the most ridiculous ones around. Impotence is in no way related to masturbation, which is a normal activity that people indulge in. Masturbation is a healthy process that has no effect on the body, and preventing teens from masturbating may lead to complications if they decide to try out ‘the real thing’ and have unprotected sex.

Myth 2: A Virgin Should Bleed When She First has Intercourse

This is one of the age old myths that are still prevalent. Women do bleed when they break their hymen for the first time, but it’s not necessary that only sex can make them bleed. The hymen is a very thin flap of skin that can be easily damaged through rigorous exercise or other intense physical activities. Women who play sports and frequently cycle or swim can also break their hymen, even though they might be virgins.

Myth 3: A Drop of Semen Corresponds to Forty Drops of Lost Blood

This is where even myths start getting weirder and weirder. This myth has been doing the rounds for a long time now, in a vain attempt to stop people from masturbating. Blood and semen are not related in any way and they are completely different bodily fluids that are produced through different processes. There’s no way that masturbation can cause blood loss!

Myth 4: Women Don't Enjoy Sex as Much as Men Do

This is a well known sexist myth that’s untrue. Women enjoy sex almost as much as men do, if not more, in some cases. Women are also capable of achieving multiple orgasms, something that men can’t accomplish. A woman can equally enjoy sex, provided her man knows his way around in bed.

Myth 5: The Gender of the Baby Born will Depend on the Mother

This is not true, as the gender of the baby will depend on the father and the chromosome that comes through from him. There are two chromosomes (chromosome X and chromosome Y) involved in this process, and a combination of these chromosomes will determine the gender of the baby.

Myth 6: Genitals are Dirty and Should Never be Touched

Genitals are like any other organ in the human body, except for the importance (both positive and negative) given to them in everyday life. Some myths label genitals as unhygienic, and organs that shouldn’t be touched, even for washing purposes. Anything that’s not been washed in a long time is sure to breed infections, and this applies to the genital region too. You should wash your genitals well every time you bathe.

Myth 7: Women Become Pregnant During Their First Intercourse

There’s no definitive way through which a woman’s pregnancy can be predicted. All women don’t conceive the first time they have sex, as they should have unprotected sex at the right time of the month for pregnancy to occur. This is usually when the woman is most fertile, and when the ovum is released.

Myth 8: Having Sex During Menstruation is Harmful

Having sex during your periods won’t harm you in anyway, and this is a purely personal decision. In fact, studies have shown that women are well lubricated during this time and sex is more enjoyable.

Myth 9: Pregnant Women Should Not Indulge in Sewing

This is supposed to give the unborn baby a cleft lip, and it’s far from true. Pregnant women should avoid all strenuous activities, but sewing is not one of them.

Myth 10: Women Like Men With Bigger Sex Organs

The size of a man’s penis has nothing to do with how women view him, as a woman’s vagina can accommodate penises of any size, regardless of how long they are. Don't let yourself down if your sex organ is not as big as anybody else.

A Few Diet Secrets of Angelina Jolie

2011-08-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

She looked so "lean", yet vibrant in her movie "Salt". She is the leading Hollywood babe! Men desire her in their dreams. And she had "spied" into everyone's heart. She is Angelina Jolie. She is an age-defying beauty, and her lean looks with a vibrant appearance makes her a leading face in Hollywood. Don't you want to know about her diet and fitness secrets? Here we go:

She concentrates on eating whole foods.
She does not involve sugar in her diet.
She always prefers to eat foods in a seated position.
People choose to refer her diet as Candlelit Diet indicating that she would not have food in a room which is bright.
Her diet consists of extremely low fat organic foods.
She also includes nuts and other healthy sources of fats in her diet as she knows very well that a no fat diet is harmful.
She avoids taking processed foods.
Her protein food menu comprises of soy milk, beef and steamed fish.
She loves to take steamed vegetables.
Occasionally, the gorgeous actress indulges in sinful favorites, but she controls her portion intakes.
Taking a number of small meals a day helps boosting up her metabolism while saving her digestive system from getting overburdened.
Some sources have revealed that Angelina believes in Stone Age Diet which requires omission of wheat based foods and red meat with special consideration for fruits, fish and raw salads.

In fact, Angelina Jolie changes her diet plan in accordance with her requirements in her movies. For example, during the filming of Tomb Raider, Angelina focused on taking high protein, low carb foods to build up her muscles. She added protein shakes in her menu to assist her in the process of giving a new shape to her body. Not much information is obtained on the lean beauty's diet, but it can be concluded that she focuses on the intake of low fat, low carb foods.

It has also come to be known that when Angelina was pregnant with her twins, then Brad Pitt was pretty nervous about her calorie intake. Major parts of her diet have been kept hidden as a treasured secret. Although some facts remain unexplored, but - We are what we eat. Her glowing complexion and perfect body just establishes the point!

Hrithik Roshan's Diet and Fitness Routine

2011-08-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

He came and he conquered. Yes! He conquered large amounts of territories in people's hearts. Here "he" refers to the Bollywood hunk, Hrithik Roshan! It's not just heredity which made Hrithik a handsome hero! Hrithik's looks encompasses all the factors- athletic body with strong and bulky muscles, tight abs and a thin waistline! And you see, these features are results of hard work in the gym and sacrifices at home while denying many favorite high-calorie foods! With a physique which pertains to International Standards, Hrithik Roshan has become an inspiration for several other people who wish to build up a great physique like him. Let's find out his diet and fitness routines.

Hrithik's Workout Routine

Hrithik does not do daily workouts. Instead, he limits the sessions to four to five days every week.
He contributes an hour in the morning and another hour in the evening to workouts in a Juhu gym.
He combines weight training with cardio-exercises twice a week.
He tries to find time to do cardio exercises (jogging and skipping) for three times a week in the midst of his busy schedule.
He begins exercise sessions right at 6 in the morning and starts with jogging.
He gives importance to individual parts of the body. He does specially designed exercises for each part.
He reveals that he does not depend on supplements to pump up muscles.
While traveling he carries with him imported pressure pull machines which he uses even if he is on a flight. He makes use of a vacuum press to fix the equipment to a flat surface. Pulling the handle trains his biceps. He applies the same process for his legs as well. He also carries dumb bells with him while going on a tour.

Hrithik's Diet Routine:

Hrithik does not have special dietary restrictions.
He does not like having milk or milk products, but he shows special likings for chocolates.
He enjoys a protein based chocolate shake daily as per the recommendations of his instructor.
He never skips breakfast.
He does not drink, but when occasion demands he chooses Bacardi with Coke.
He has a sweet tooth and so he likes sugary foods. But at the same time he controls overindulgence.
He restricts his consumption of oil, ghee, butter and fatty stuff.
He takes care to drink lots of water daily.
He keeps himself away from alcohol and cigarettes.

What are Hrithik's Advises on Muscle Building?

He puts a lot of emphasis on cardio exercises. According to him, cardio exercises are good for the heart and these help in building up muscles.
He tells others to focus on cycling and on workouts on the treadmill to get a great shape for the thighs and the arms.
He insists people to do abdominal crunches to tighten stomach muscles.
He recommends swimming or jogging twice a week to meet the body's flexibility requirements.
He warns others about over-exercising.

What are Hrithik's Advises on Diet Plans?

He never asks anyone to follow a particular diet routine.
He tells others to cut down their intake of oily and fried foods and to include a lot of fruits and vegetables in the diet.
He recommends the intake of six small meals every day.
He asks others to drink at least one liters of water every day.
He talks about taking protein shakes every day, but only after getting the idea approved by a dietician or the gym instructor.

Hrithik, who can easily fit into roles like Rocky and Rambo, does not believe in extreme fitness and diet plans. He says that he is a food lover, but his exercise routine keeps him fit. Hrithik, who achieved to steal everyone's hearts in his very first screen appearance, has become an epitome of fitness in the minds of Young India.

How Sonam Kapoor Lost 35 Kilos

2011-08-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Today we see the sparkling personalities of celebrities and actresses and we feel jealous or even a bit depressed! But we cannot deny the fact that we get a lot of inspiration from them. We go on a diet plan and do workouts to achieve that perfect shape! But we lose our way in the midst of the road and end up in zero result! Those who succeed to attain the objective through a lot of hard labor and sacrifice are the real heroes. Sonam Kapoor is one such achiever who created her own identity and changed it from a starlet to a star!

But things were not favorable for her in the beginning. She had put on a lot of weight while studying in Singapore. When she got the offer for "Sawariya" from Sanjay Leela Bhansali, she knew what she had to do to take part in the project successfully. She now turned her attention to weight loss. Let's see what helped her to lose weight:

Sonam started off with her weight loss plan with an initial objective to lose 35 kg.
Sonam said that she could not deny the contribution of her mother in her weight loss struggle. Her mother was to keep her away from fatty and sugary foods like chocolates, fried foods, ice creams and sweets.
She began her weight training sessions.
She got benefitted from artistic yoga and Power Yoga.
She maintained a general fitness routine as well.
She used to take small meals, low in carbohydrates and high in protein for six times a day.
Her breakfast menu consisted of oatmeal and fruits.
After a workout session she used to have brown breads and egg whites.
Later the post workout meal was changed to a protein shake with juice.
Her lunch menu consisted of pulses, vegetables, one ragi roti, salad and a piece of fish or chicken.
In the evening she used to take high-fiber crackers with chicken or egg whites.
The dinner was simpler and comprised of soup, salad and chicken or fish.

She had to continue with this diet and fitness routine for one whole year and was ultimately able to shed off the targeted 35 kilos. Since then, Sonam has never looked back. Previously her friends used to call her "Latino Papita", but now she is no less than a true Latin beauty!

Why Madonna is Still So Young?

2011-08-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

When we discuss about youth and fitness, we always take the reference of Madonna. She has crossed fifty years of age, but still she can dare to feature in music videos with junior artists like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears! We always find the blonde beauty in her original grace. So what are the secrets of her prolonged youth?

A few years ago, Madonna featured in the music video "Tick Tock" with Justin Timberlake as the co-singer cum co-star! It is worth mentioning that Timberlake managed to fit in with Madonna, who is of his mother's age! And not the reverse! Madonna had her usual grace in the song and no one could really make out that she was actually approaching 50 years of age! Madonna has evolved as a fitness guru over these years. Let's see what her fitness regime consists of:

Madonna follows a strict routine of Ashtanga Yoga which bestows her complete physical fitness.
She has managed to say "No" to junk food items.
She follows the instructions of her personal health and diet coach.
The star has adopted an organic whole food diet which consists of lean proteins.
She has given up eating at the restaurants.
Her macrobiotic diet consists of whole grains, meat, fish, beans and vegetables.

The macrobiotic diet involves daily intake of whole grains, choice of plant-based proteins over the animal proteins, use of natural sweeteners like maple syrup and rice syrup and giving a re-consideration to the consumption of dairy products.

The singing star reveals that she used to undergo sessions of running and weight training while touring in the past, but now her fitness regime only consists of Ashtanga Yoga, also known as the power yoga. This yoga consists of difficult poses and students need to change poses quickly. These tough physical activities build up strength and stamina in the body and add flexibility to the muscles.

Bipasha's Fitness Agenda

2011-08-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

Today's youth is greatly influenced by the super model turned actress, Bipasha Basu. Bips is creating a buzz across the globe by her endorsements. But how a Bong girl coming from a middle class family could take her up to the world stage? Her dusky looks combined with a highly westernized physique contributed to her popularity! Her curves can easily make her a likely choice as a Bond babe! But don't we have to know the backstage story? Don't we need to know about her fitness regime? It goes like this:

Bipasha's daily workout session lasts for two hours.
She goes to the gym for six days a week.
She works out in the morning.
On Monday, she trains the upper part of her body.
She dedicates the entire Tuesday for abdominal exercises.
The third day is utilized for training the lower part of the body.
The fourth day of the week is the day of the workout of the gluteus maximus to keep the hips in good shape.
She again trains the upper body on the fifth day.
On the last workout day of the week, the gorgeous babe focuses on abdominal exercises and shaping up of the buttocks.
There are daily sessions of 108 Suryanamaskars.
The initial warm up session lasts for 10 minutes and it consists of stretching and holding various dance postures with special focus on breathing.
The cardio session which lasts for 50 minutes (four times a week) consists of 20 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the elliptical machine and 20 minutes on the rowing machine.
Every week, she also goes for a spinning class.
She believes that training should focus on the weak points.
She gives special importance to the development of her triceps.
She has also embraced yoga and performs the Bhujangasana.
Her left knee suffered injuries and so she does physiotherapy to keep it in good condition.
She has strong belief in circuit training which is used to keep the heart rate up.
Yoga seems to her as an option to add strength to her lower back and the core muscles, and to repair the damaged muscles of her left knee.
The most interesting feature of her fitness plan is that she keeps on changing it after every four months to avoid monotony.
She does not go for workouts if she feels very tired.
She takes care to see that there is enough time for rest and her sleep session lasts for 6.5 hours on an average.

Bipasha is one of the few Indian actresses who have taken the very definition of fitness to a new level. It has been heard that Bipasha would be coming out with her fitness DVD some time in the coming year. It's not enough to grab a copy of the DVD, since the results would come only after the proper implementation of the instructions.

Are Energy Drinks Harmful?

2011-08-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular. Walk into any convenience or grocery store, and you'll see various brands of energy drinks like Red Bull, Adrenaline Rush, Full Throttle, and Monster Energy packed in small and bright cans. Rather than providing food energy (as measured in calories), these drinks are designed to increase a user's mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, vitamins (B vitamins in particular), amino acids (example taurine) and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect over and above that obtained from caffeine alone.

Everyone knows that these drinks can boost the energy levels, can increase the stamina and improve the performance. Students use them to pull all-night study sessions, athletes use them to boost their performance and millions around the world consume them to receive that extra energy needed to survive the day. But not everyone is aware that there are side effects to these drinks - both positive and negative.

Ingredients of Energy Drinks and their Effects

Every energy drink can contain any number of ingredients, but they are essentially soft drinks with high levels of caffeine and glucose, and different combinations of taurine, B vitamins, and various herbs.

Caffiene

Red Bull, one of the most popular energy drinks, contains nearly 80 mg of caffeine per can, which is no more than your average cup of coffee or or twice the caffeine in a cup of tea. Other energy drinks contain several times this amount. Other stimulants such as ginseng are often added to energy drinks and may enhance the effects of caffeine.

Unlike hot coffee or tea, which is sipped slowly, it's common for typical energy drink consumers to drink large amounts quickly. Consumption of a single energy beverage will not lead to excessive caffeine intake; however, consumption of two or more beverages in a single day can. Too much caffeine can have adverse effects like nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and stomach upset. Caffeine, like alcohol, works as a diuretic causing more urine output and leading to dehydration. Caffeine is also addictive, therefore the athlete may require higher and higher doses to achieve the same "caffeine high".

Carbohydrates

The main ingredient in all "energy drinks" is carbohydrates or sugar. These cause the nervous system to become over stimulated, making people feel more energized. But, large amount of sugar can have laxative effects and also cause a sudden crash in energy levels. When sugar enters the blood stream and provides a "blast" of energy, the person feels good and energized. Once that sugar is burned up (usually in about 30 to 45 minutes) and leaves the blood stream, there is a sugar crash and energy high disappears. The person's reflexes slow, they may feel dizzy, muscle power decreases and performance falls off.

Herbs

Many energy drinks contain caffeine containing herbs such as guarana seeds, kola nuts, and Yerba mate leaves. The natural substances do not provide enough amounts of caffeine so manufacturers often add synthetic caffeine to boost the effect of the natural source. Other herbs include alleged immune system enhancers like astragalus, schizandrae and echinacea, and supposted memory boosters like ginkgo biloba and ginseng. However, there is no scientific evidence to support any of these assertions. Most of these herbs have not been shown to improve athletic or mental performance. Some of these herbs may interact with prescription medications to impede or enhance their chemical properties, a dangerous combination.

Other Ingredients

Taurine is an amino acid produced naturallu in our bidy. It helps to regulate normal heart-beats and muscle contractions. However, its effects on people when consumed as a drink additive remain unclear. Also, many energy drinks contain as much as 1000 mg of taurine per can; the safety of such large doses is not known.

Energy drinks like Red Bull contains 600 mg of glucuronolactone, a substance that is naturally found in the body. Energy drinks claim glucuronlactone detoxifies the body and protects against cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims or on the safety of this combination.

B vitamins are an important part of a healthy diet and are essential for breaking down carbohydrates into glucose, which provides us energy, and for breaking down fats and proteins. They are sometimes added to energy drinks in small amounts. It makes energy drinks appear healthy, although they probably contribute little.

Energy Drinks and Alcohol

Energy drinks like Red Bull are often used as mixers with alcohol like vodka. Alcohol is a great depressant and energy drinks are stimulants. Energy drinks can lessen the subjective effects of alcohol intoxication like dizziness and headache without affecting the blood alcohol concentration. As a result, people may consume larger amounts of alcohol.

A recent study investigating the effects of energy drink consumption in combination with alcohol reported that although subjective alcohol related symptoms like headache and weekness were significantly reduced, but the participants performed just as poorly on objective measures of motor coordination and reaction time as they did after consumption of alcohol alone. Furthermore, both the caffeine in energy drinks and alcohol act as diuretics and so could lead to excessive dehydration. For these reasons, it is not recommended to consume energy drinks in combination with alcohol.

Consumption of Energy Drinks Before or During Exercise

Many athletes, particularly adolescents, use caffeine before and during competition to help boost physical performance. Research has found that consumption of moderate levels of caffeine prior to and during heavy exercise is safe and effective. However, the safety of consuming caffeine in combination with the herbal supplements found in many energy drinks, prior to or during exercise, has yet to be established.

Energy drinks should not be confused with sports drinks such as Gatorade, which are consumed to help people stay hydrated during exercise. Sports drinks are specially formulated to contain the appropriate balance of glucose and electrolytes for easy absorption, thereby providing fuel to working muscles, as well as water and electrolytes to maintain optimal hydration.

There are still many unknowns in the relationship between the ingredients in energy drinks and athletics. Until the safety of this practice can be established, consumption of energy drinks prior to or during exercise by individuals of any age is not recommended.

Energy drinks are a powerful stimulant and can boost athletic performance, but they are not optimal for proper hydration, carbohydrate delivery, or the appropriate amount of caffeine for athletics performance. It is known that large amounts of sugar and caffeine are harmful to our bodies. However, there is very little known about the various other substances found in many energy drinks. Medical professionals simply do not know the long-term effects of consuming these beverages.

Energy drinks consumption should be limited to adults, used with caution and consumed in moderation only on certain occasions. Better still, opt for healthy drinks.

Eye Exercises

2011-08-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Eyes are one the most sensitive parts of our body. They work from the very moment we wake up till we go to sleep. No one can adequately measure the value of sight; but when we feel it failing we can in some degree realize what that value is.

Over the last 10 - 15 years there has been a marked increase in the number of people who wear glasses and contact lenses. This can be put down to drastically increased computer usage both at home and at work, and increased television watching. More than 50 percent of computer users experience eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision and other visual symptoms related to sustained use of the computer. This type of stress on the visual system can also cause body fatigue and reduced efficiency at work.

Many of these symptoms can be reduced through a combination of correcting workstation conditions, posture, stress-relieving lenses prescribed specifically for computer operation, special anti-glare screens, nutritional supplementation and eye exercises.

The word exercise almost always conjures up images of heavy workouts, rippling muscles and rigorous stretches. It is not very often that we realize how important it is to exercise our eyes as well. Our eyes need regular exercise in order to keep them healthy, just like any other muscle in the body. We take our eyes for granted and eventually our eyes give up on us and we need glasses or contact lenses. This doesn't have to be the case if you regularly exercise your eyes. By doing regular eye exercises, your vision will get better and clearer as the ophthalmic nerves receive a richer supply of blood. Eye exercises help keep the muscles strong and active. They also help relieve the strain of looking at a computer screen for extended periods.

So how do you exercise your eyes? To get you started, we've put together a short list of some eye exercises you can start doing right away:

First, rub your hands together until they feel warm (about 15 to 20 seconds). Then place your cupped hands over your closed eyes, being careful not to apply pressure on your eyeballs. Make sure that no light rays enter the eyes, and leave no gaps between fingers. Hold on this position for a minute or two. If your arms get tired, rest your elbows on a table. Do this at least twice a day for 5 to 15 minutes.
Blinking is an often overlooked yet simple way to keep your eyes fresh and being able to focus longer. Computer users and television watchers tend to blink less, especially when they are intently focused on something. Try it just now as a simple exercise. For the next two minutes blink every 3 - 4 seconds.
Sit cross-legged on a chair and look straight ahead. Then inhale while turning your eyes to the right-side, and bring them back to the centre while exhaling. Repeat, this time turn the eyes to the left-side. Then, inhale again and turn your gaze upwards and while exhaling come to the starting point. Repeat, this time look downwards. You can repeat the process 2-3 times, not more. Stop and relax if your eyes feel strained.
After that is done start rolling your eyes in a circle. Turn the gaze to the right and then upwards while inhaling and to the left and then downwards while exhaling.
Finally, look straight ahead. Inhale and open your eyes as wide as possible. Then exhale and clench your eyelids together.
Take a pen and keep it at an arms length from your eyes. Concentrate on the tip of the pen. Slowly bring the pen near your eyes, stop when it touches your nose. Then, while still concentrating on the pen's tip take it back to the original position. Try not to blink. At first your eyes may feel watery. Close them and relax. Repeat the process 2-3 times.
Sitting or standing at one end of a room, let your eyes scan around the edges of objects in the room - clocks, televisions, doors, lights, computers, etc. The object of this exercise is to keep your eyes moving in a loose and fluid way. Do this exercise for two minutes.
Imagine a giant figure of eight about 10 feet in front of you. Now turn the 8 on it's side. Now trace the figure of eight with your eyes, slowly. Do it one way for a few minutes and then do it the other way for a few minutes. It may seem very alien at first but it's worth persevering with it.
Close your eyes as tightly as you possibly can. Squeeze the eyes, so that the eye muscles contract. Hold this contraction for three seconds and then let go quickly. This exercise causes deep relaxation of the eye muscles and is especially beneficial after the slight strain caused by the eye exercises. Repeat this 7 or 8 times.
Focus on a distant object (over 50 m away) for several seconds and slowly refocus your eyes on a nearby object (less than 10 m away) that's in the same direction. Focus for several seconds and go back to the distant object. Do this 5 times.
Try to do this eye exercise once a day. It requires a sunny day or a good desk lamp with an incandescent bulb. Close your eyes. Look directly at the sun through your closed eyes. While facing the sun, slowly rotate your head from side to side as far as you can. This gets the sunlight on the peripheral vision, and it helps bring more blood circulation to your neck. Do this for 3 to 5 minutes.

Too much of work affects our eyes badly. We need to take proper care for our eyes to maintain their health.

Bad Habits That Can Harm Your Teeth

2011-08-20T12:59:00.001-07:00

Oral hygiene is very important. Having strong and healthy teeth are important in addition to having a pretty smile. Without proper brushing and flossing your mouth can become a breeding ground for disease. But there are other bad habits as well that can damage your teeth.

You use your mouth for many different things other than chewing food. People often engage in certain habits involving the mouth that are detrimental to oral health. You should be careful about bad things that you do with your teeth. Here are a few to avoid:

Using teeth as tools: Many people use their teeth as tools to open bottles or a bag of chips, tear a plastic tape, rip a price tag off a piece of clothing and even on wires. Your teeth were not meant to be used like this. This can be have a traumatic effect on your teeth, causing the edge of a weakened tooth to chip off or even break. This can even cause malocclusion (poor jaw alignment) by wearing down your teeth unevenly. Keep the real tools like scissors or wire cutters handy and use them to do the work.
Chewing ice: Many people habitually chew on ice, especially the leftover ice after they finish an ice-cold drink. The hardness and cold temperature of ice cubes can actually cause teeth to fracture. You could potentially chip off part of the enamel on a tooth or crack off a filling. Sometimes the damage is severe enough to require a root canal. Dentists recommend to just let the ice melt in the mouth like candy instead of crushing it with your teeth.
Chewing hard objects: Many people chew pencils, pens and other hard objects. Your teeth were meant to chew food, not unnecessary things. Similar to chewing ice, chewing hard objects can fracture teeth, leading to unnecessary dental repairs.
Sucking on lemons: If done on a regular basis, the citric acid in lemons can leach important minerals from your teeth and erode your teeth's outer surfaces, making them sensitive to cold food and drinks, and prone to chipping and cracking. This doesn't mean that you should give up on all citrus fruits and their juices. Just make sure that you aren't holding it in your mouth for prolonged period of time.
Brushing too hard: People usually think that by applying more pressure while brushing or using a hard-bristled toothbrush makes teeth more shiny. This is a false myth which should be avoided. When you brush too vigorously or use a hard-bristled toothbrush, it can wear away the protective enamel on your teeth. It could also lead to receding gums and increased tooth sensitivity (to cold and touch). Choose a soft brush and do gentle circular strokes for best results.
Nail biting: Nail biting is not only bad for your nails, but it is also harmful to your teeth. It can cause broken or chipped front teeth, and gives an opportunity to germs and bacteria from underneath your nails to enter your mouth and cause cavities or gum infections. Nail biting is often a subconscious habit that is an expression of some deeper anxiety that gets worse at times of stress.
Teeth grinding: Chronic bruxism (a.k.a teeth grinding) can lead to a variety of dental problems including excessive wear of the teeth; chipping, cracking, and fracturing of teeth and loosening of teeth. It can also cause pain in the jaw joints, headache and severe toothache. This habit often occurs at night while asleep on a subconscious level, usually in response to emotional stress. To limit the damage it can cause, your dentist may suggest you to wear a mouth guard for teeth grinding at night.
Drinking white wine: Many people choose white wine over red wine as the latter can stain the teeth. But actually, white wine can cause more permanent problems because of its high acidity. This acid wears away the tooth enamel, exposing the darker layer underneath (the dentin), giving teeth a yellowed appearance and leaving them much more vulnerable to stains from any colored food or drinks consumed at the same time. For protection, rinse your mouth with water after you drink and eat some cheese with your drink to balance out the wine's acidity.
Excessive soft drink consumption: Excessive consumption of sweetened carbonated soft drinks is emerging as one of the most significant dietary sources of tooth decay. It's not just the sugar in the soft drinks that is bad for your teeth. The acids included in the drink also contributes to the formation of cavities. Sugar-free drinks are less harmful, but they can still cause problems as they too are acidic.
Sucking your thumb: Thumb sucking, one of the most common habit among children, interferes with the positioning of the upper and lower front teeth, causing the upper teeth to splay out and the lower teeth to fold back into the mouth. These changes in the bite position eventually require orthodontic treatment.

These are just a few examples of damaging habits that have an impact on your mouth. Will power on your part may help you exchange harmful habits for good dental exhibits.

12 Tips to Avoid Cough and Cold

2011-08-20T12:58:00.001-07:00

Cough and colds are commonly spread through bacteria or virus-infected droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. There are about 200 different types of cold viruses out there you can catch. Billions are spent each year on over-the-counter cough and cold medications. Adults get between two and five colds per year whereas children get approximately five to ten colds per year.

But you don't have to spend your precious time battling coughs, fevers and a runny nose. By following these tips, you can prevent this misery:

Wash your hands: Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. The most important thing you can do to prevent catching a cold or the flu is to wash your hands often with soap or an anti bacterial solution and warm water. Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose if you haven't done so.
Drink plenty of fluids: The human body uses liquids to filter out the body's accumulated wastes, resulting in a healthier system overall. If you have cold or cough try some orange juice. It is a rich source of vitamin C which strengthens the immune system.
Stop smoking: Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoke of cigarette irritates your throat thus aggravating the symptoms. Statistics also show that heavy smokers get more severe colds.
Keep tissues handy: Keep a supply of tissues ready to use when you are in a public place or in the vicinity of other people. Also, keep your distance from people who have a cold or who are showing the first signs of one. A cold is most contagious during its first three days.
Take a Sauna: When you take a sauna you inhale air hotter than 80 degrees. This temperature is too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive.
Have spicy food: Try eating hot chili peppers, green chilies or other spicy foods. They will help loosen mucus thus avoiding cough.
Get plenty of rest: Most of the diseases in the modern day world are caused by stress. Stress lowers your ability to ward off colds and the flu. It is very easy to take care of your health ahead of time by getting proper rest. A sound sleep of 7-8 hours goes a long way.
Eat specific food: Dark green leafy vegetables (like spinach and greens) and citrus fruits (like oranges and grapefruit) provides your body with the nutrients and vitamins it needs to help your body fight infections and boost your immune system. Some foods are very beneficial for cough. Raw onions are also useful in removing phlegm. The root of the turmeric (haldi) plant is useful in a dry cough. A cup of grape juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey is advised for cough relief. Garlic is an excellent remedy for whooping cough.
Avoid sugar and junk food: Your body is what you feed it. By loading up on junk food you are actually making it weak and susceptible to diseases. Have fresh fruits and vegetables so that your immune system is strong and prepared.
Sleep well: Getting plenty of sleep also helps boost the functioning of your immune system. While you are sleeping and your brain is having a rest, your body is using the time to recharge and fight off any infections.
Go for Aromatherapy: The principle of aromatherapy is you breathe in different scents. The use of inhaled steam can be very effective in liquefying mucus and reducing irritation. Inhaling essential oils can stimulate your lungs to expel phlegm.
Get exercise: Regular exercise strengthens the immune system. Moderate exercise, such as walking for thirty minutes will help you get fresh air in your system as well. Exercise can reduce your chances of getting colds by 50%.

While colds and the cough are contagious, a little bit of information and prevention tips can help you enjoy a healthy life to the fullest!

How to Get Six Pack Abs?

2011-08-19T14:37:00.002-07:00

We all dream about that flat stomach, tight abdomens, ripped six pack abs. We all look for simple ways to achieve six pack abs and prefer ones that require minimal effort. Unfortunately, it's not that simple and requires hard work and dedication. Although this doesn't sound appealing but it is the ugly truth.

Strong and defined abs is the cornerstone of an ideal physique. They also enhance the Core Body Strength which is also vital for top performance in all your physical activities. There are two things to getting great looking abs. First is to reduce fat on the stomach which is covering your abs and the second is to build the ab muscles by doing ab exercises. Thinking that the ab exercises will burn the fat on your stomach is a myth. The body can't be forced to lose fat in a particular area by exercising the muscles directly under that area. Exercises work muscles, not fat. The only way to lose fat on your stomach is to lose overall body fat. Here are some tips to help you lose body fat and get those dream abs:

Set your target: Everybody wants 6 pack abs but none have a plan to get it. Set a defined target to get that abs. Motivate yourself by putting a 6 pack abs picture in your room and see it daily. Whatever happens, do not lose your motivation! It going to take some time so don't become impatient.
Nutrition: Changing your diet is the first step towards losing fat and gaining muscle. You'll need a balanced diet of carbohydrate, protein and fat, and reduce your calorie consumption such that you are burning more calories than you are consuming. Make sure that you are not cutting the calories too drastically as this could have a negative effect on your health. It's easier to consume fewer calories if you fill up on high fiber foods with a focus on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Also, beware of empty calories like sugary drinks, beer etc. You have to eat 4-6 meals throughout the day instead of eating 3 big meals as this will help boost your metabolism and reduce hunger.
Don't cut fat: Don't cut fat intake as it is necessary for bodily functions. Instead switch to good fats like olive oil, fish, nuts which will help you in lowering your cholesterol and protecting your joints.
Have proteins: Protein foods are a must if you want six pack abs. Reduce carbs and increase the intake of quality protein with each meal. It is the main building block for your muscles. The good sources of proteins are chicken, fish, eggs, milk etc.
Drink more water: Water flushes the toxins from your body, keeps you hydrated. It contains zero calories and will help reduce your hunger pangs as well.
Do cardio: Cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling, brisk walking, swimming, etc are the best exercises to burn fat. You can start with 15 minute a day cardiovascular exercise for 3 to 5 days a week and increase it to 45 minutes for the best result.
Abs workout: You don't have to work your abs everyday. Just keep 2 to 3 days (non-consecutive) a week for working all of your muscle groups including abs. You don't have to do hundreds of reps. Just treat your abs as any other muscle, and focus on doing slow and controlled reps. Some of the exercises targetting abs you can do include crunches, oblique crunches, front leg raises, side leg raises, sit-ups, exercise ball crunches, reverse crunch, side bends and side twists.
Sleep well: Recovery is also important after workouts. The average healthy adult requires 6-8 hours each night. In the rest period, the body recovers and it will be ready to perform on another day.

It takes different time for different people to lose fat as the body stores and loses fat according to the genes. You can't control when and from where you lose fat. For instance, women often tend to store excess fat in the hips and thighs whereas men tend to store it in the middle and back. So the only thing is to follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and allow your body to respond. Consistency in everything you do is the key to get ripped fast!

Ways to Exercise While Watching TV

2011-08-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

There is no question that people want a healthier and better looking body. But sometimes having a gym membership is just too much money. And adding to that, the lack of time to exercise means it is an utter waste of money. But hanging out on your sofa watching the "idiot box" doesn't mean you have to be a couch potato.

An average person comes home at the end of the day, eat their meal and turns on the television. When you are watching TV, it is often tempting to reach for a bag of chips or namkeens. This labels you a 'Couch Potato'. Watching TV can be one of the worst things for your body. But it doesn't have to be. There are numerous simple yet effective exercises you can do in front of the Television. Here are a few to get you started:

Spot Jogging: The easiest way to get a workout is to start jogging in place. Choose your favorite TV show and jog during the commercials. There are usually 15 minutes of commercials in an hour on TV. This means you can end up jogging for about half an hour while watching TV for 2 hours. To go a little easy, you can even try walking in place.
Dancing: Dancing is the best form of cardio. Listen to your favorite music show and break a move. It is a fun and an energetic way to get a workout. You can easily burn 130-150 calories while dancing for just half an hour.
Invest in exercise machines: If you can afford machines like treadmills, rowers, stationary bikes, stair steppers, you can get a great workout by exercising in front of the TV.
Exercise ball: Instead of sitting on a chair, use an exercise ball. It challenges core muscles for a proper workout and you can do all of that while you watch television.
Squat: See how many squats you can do during a 3 or 4 minute commercial break by sitting down then popping right back up to a standing position. This is a good exercise for your legs and buttocks. Stand so that your feet are about shoulder-width apart and put your hands on your hips. Keeping your back perfectly straight and looking straight ahead, bend your knees slowly as if you were going to sit back in a chair. Return to the standing position.
Jumping Jacks: 5 to 10 minutes a day of jumping jack workout is a great way to get your heart pumping and they also allow you to focus somewhat on watching TV. Jumping jack (also commonly known as a star jump) is an exercise performed by jumping to a position with the legs spread wide and the hands touching overhead and then returning to a position with the feet together and the arms at the sides.
Belly exercises: While sitting on the couch or sofa, just stiffen the abs muscles. By doing 20-30 repetitions of this simple exercise, you're strengthening your abdominal muscles.
Step up: Try to simulate the exercise of walking up stairs using a low platform. This gives your lower body a great workout, while getting your heart pumping. Just step up with one foot and then the other, then step back down with one foot and then the other. Increase the pace for a higher intensity workout.
Toe Exercises: Sit barefoot on the couch and simply lift your toes while keeping your heels firmly on the ground. Hold for a count of five and repeat. It is a great simple exercise for your calves. To stretch the thigh muscle, raise the knee of one leg to the chest and hold for a count five. Repeat with the opposite leg.
Push-ups: Commercial breaks during a show is a great opportunity to do push-ups, sit-ups or other exercises that take your eyes from the TV. Push-ups hit the chest, shoulder and tricep areas, building core strength and overall power. If you are a beginner, you can do these against the wall and when you have built enough strength, you can switch to floor push-ups.
Kicks and punches: Add in some random kicks and punches and keep your feet moving at the same time. Sometime any activity is a good activity.

Cool down and have a glass of water when you are done. You see, watching TV doesn't mean you have to be a couch potato. You can get a great workout and have fun at the same time!

How Much Salt is Safe?

2011-08-19T14:35:00.001-07:00

Salt is essential to human life and the functioning of the human body, which is why we could never live without it. This is also why in the days of antiquity, salt could be worth more than gold, since you can't preserve meats with gold, but could easily do so with salt. This was of extreme importance in the days when we lived without refrigeration and modern preservatives.

The word salt is thought to come from the Latin sal, meaning salt. The English word "salary", which is similar in several European languages, is linked to the fact that salt was once a currency (legal tender) in many parts of the world.

Salt's importance comes from much more than just making food taste good, however. Salt is essential to our good health. It's in our blood and all the other fluids in our bodies. Without it, our nerves and our muscles wouldn't work properly, our stomachs wouldn't be able to break down food to give us energy, and our blood would have trouble carrying carbon dioxide to our lungs to be exhaled.

Why should I have Salt?

Here are some of important functions of salt in the body:

Salt is a strong anti-stress element for the body.
Salt is used for extracting excess acidity from inside the cells, particularly brain cells.
Salt is vital for the kidneys to clear excess acidity, passing it into the urine. Without sufficient salt in the body, the body will become more and more acidic.
Salt is essential in the treatment of emotional and affective disorders.
Salt is a needed element in the treatment of diabetics. It helps balance the sugar levels in the blood and reduces the need for insulin in those who have to inject the chemical to regulate their blood sugar levels. Water and salt reduce the extent of secondary damage associated with diabetes.
Salt aids in communication and information-processing of nerve cells the entire time that the brain cells work, from the moment of conception to death.
Salt is important for the absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.
Salt is used for clearing the lungs of mucous plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma, emphysema and cystic fibrosis sufferers.
Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs; water will enhance this effect.
Salt is vital for clearing up catarrh and sinus congestion.
Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis.
Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.
Salt is vital to preventing excess saliva production to the point that it flows out of the mouth during sleep. Needing to constantly mop up excess saliva indicates a salt shortage.

How much salt should I have?

Based on the requirements of a human body, an average adult requires an intake of 4.2g salt per day. The minimum requirement is 1.5g. The government recommends an intake of 6g salt per day for an adult and less for children. At the moment the average adult intake is 10-12g. Pro-salt campaigners argue that any healthy body will process just the right amount of salt it needs and the kidneys will dispose of any surplus.

What happens if I have excess salt?

Studies have indicated that too much salt consumption is linked to health problems, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis. If you suffer from hypertension you would benefit from consuming less salt. Very young children, very elderly people, as well as people with kidney disease cannot excrete sodium and regulate body fluid efficiently.

What should I do to control salt?

Choose fresh foods, prepared without salt or salty seasonings most of the time.
Flavor foods with lemon, vinegar, garlic, onion (not garlic or onion salt), herbs and spices.
Try making your own soups and pasta sauces and cut out or limit the salt.
Omit the salt in baking and when cooking vegetables and pasta.
Compare food labels and choose products with the lower % Daily Value for sodium.
Look for unsalted nuts, popcorn and crackers, if you choose these for snacks.
Try the sodium-reduced alternative to your usual products when available.
Limit salty pickles, relishes, soy sauce, salsa, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup and other similar sauces.
Enjoy foods without adding salt at the table.

Many people feel that foods taste better with salt or large quantities of salt, but it is only because their taste buds have grown accustomed to this taste. Therefore, it is difficult to avoid the abuse of salt but it is important to control its consumption.

Top Fat Fighting Foods

2011-08-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

Every one knows that diet and exercise together helps in losing weight. But we often starve ourselves to death trying to keep a few inches off our waistline. Instead of helping us lose weight, starvation encourages fat build up by slowing down our metabolism. Instead of beating the urge to eat, you can use it to your advantage by eating fat fighting foods. Here are some foods that might increase your fat fighting ability:

Almonds (badam): According to study published in the International Journal of Obesity, dieters who ate 85 gm (around 3 ounces) of almonds everyday reduced their weight and body-mass index (BMI) by 18 percent compared with an 11 percent reduction in the non-almond dieters. These nuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can accelerate your metabolism of fats. Also, almonds have high fiber content, protein and the good type of fat which satisfies your appetite very soon therefore you are less likely to have cravings and overeat. Eat a handful (not more than 12) everyday to get the benefits.
Citrus fruits like berries, oranges, etc: According to a research done at Arizona State University, people who consume adequate quantities of vitamin C loaded fresh fruits like oranges, strawberries, raspberries, etc can oxidize 30% more fat while doing normal exercises than individuals with an inadequate quantity of Vitamin C consumption. Researchers found that the quantity of vitamin C in the blood stream bears a direct correspondence to the body's capacity to burn fat as a source of energy. It is used in the body to make carnitine - a substance that helps our cells burn fat for energy. When vitamin C is lacking, carnitine cannot do its job. The research establishes that consuming insufficient quantities of vitamin C can hamper any efforts of weight loss. Some juices, like MonaVie have fat fighting ingredients.
Eggs: Eggs are packed with a variety of nutrients including protein, zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E and B12, but contain just 85 calories each. Eating eggs for breakfast makes you feel fuller for longer so that you eat less at your next few meals.
Fish: Fish not only keeps your heart healthy, but they shrink your waist, too. Omega-3 fatty acids improve insulin sensitivity which helps build muscle and decrease belly fat. More the muscle better is the fat burning capacity of ones body.
Soybean: Soybeans contain lecithin, which help your cells not to accumulate fat. It will also break down fatty deposits in your body. Soy-derived lecithin also lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, and increases HDL ("good cholesterol").
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain oligofructose, a fiber that helps sustain the effects of Cholecystokinin (CCK) in your stomach. CCK is the hormone released by the small intestine in response to the presence of fats and helps boost the feelings of fullness by tightening the valve between your stomach and your intestine. This makes you less apt to overeat. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamin C which helps in the production of carnitine. Research has shown that carnitine can help speed the body's fat-burning capacity by up to one-third.
Pomegranate (anar): Pomegranate seeds are loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants. They're low in calories and high in fiber, so they satisfy your sweet tooth without blowing your diet.
Cinnamon (dalchini): According to researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), consuming a quarter to one teaspoon of cinnamon a day with food can help metabolize sugar up to twenty times better than food not eaten with cinnamon. This results in less sugar in your bloodstream which means less fat stored. You can make a cinnamon tea or add it to orange juice, oatmeal, salads, etc. The active components are not destroyed by heat.
Lentils: Lentils are a bona fide belly flattener. They are high in protein and soluble fiber, two nutrients that stabilize blood sugar levels.
Yogurt: Eating calcium-rich fat-free yogurt can boost your body's fat-burning mechanism, speed weight loss and trim your tummy. A study done at University of Tennessee found that obese adults who ate 3 servings of fat-free yogurt a day as part of a reduced calorie diet lost 22% more weight, 61% more body fat and 81% more stomach fat than those who followed the low calorie diet without the yogurt. According to the researchers, meeting our daily calcium needs helps us burn fat more efficiently whereas not getting enough calcium triggers the release of calcitriol, a hormone that causes us to store fat.

Natural Ways to Sweeten Food

2011-08-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Anyone losing weight should be encouraged to base snacks and meals from whole food, which refers to food that has not been processed or manipulated with preservatives and chemicals. The food on your plate should resemble its source as closely as possible.

Refined white sugar is harmful for any diet simply because it is so devoid of nutritional value of its own, it actually robs your body of nutrients to metabolize it evenly. Just like anything else, a little bit will not hurt too much, but your health will greatly improve with a significant reduction of white sugar in your diets. Too much sugar:

causes weight gain
causes hyperactivity, anxiety, tooth decay, difficulty concentrating and irritability
feeds cancer cells and suppresses immune function
causes your skin to prematurely age and wrinkle due to a loss of tissue elasticity
can weaken eyesight, cause diabetes, gallstones and appendicitis
leave you feeling depressed when you crash after a sugar high

How do you sweeten food safely without it being detrimental to your health and weight loss efforts? By using the following products:

Honey: Food of the honey bees for their growth and young bees contains many minerals and is considered excellent for removing the phlegm and allergy from the body. Honey is sweeter than white sugar, so use only three-quarters the amount of sugar called for. Honey, due to its moisture content, is best in dishes where moisture content doesn't matter like sauces or beverages. It should be ideally drizzled on top of hot food or mixed with lemon as a dressing. Cooking or using while baking makes honey toxic.
Figs (Anjeer): Figs were used as a sweetening ingredient well before sugar was ever known. The figs contain over 50% sugar. They are good as natural laxative, rich source of iron and very natural sweetener. It can be cooked in recipes and should be presoaked for better taste.
Dates (Khajur): Dates can contain up to 60% sugars and that percentage is increased with drying as the water evaporates from the fruit. Date sugar is made by drying dates and pulverizing them to a granular powder. When using date sugar, take care not to use the sugar in dishes that require dissolving sugar in a liquid. Date sugar does not dissolve well. Instead, use it in cooked or baked goods. It lends a pleasant taste specially with Indian dishes. Date sugar tends to be sweeter than white or brown sugars, substituting half the amount of date sugar would yield the appropriate sweetness to the dish.
Jaggery (Gur): Jaggery is a "natural" sweetener made by the concentration of sugarcane juice. It is a dark, coarse, unrefined sugar. Jaggery, which accounts for 50 percent of the sugar eaten in India, is made from sugar cane and is processed by a method not unlike that used to make maple syrup. It is an excellent source of iron and it also removes toxins from lungs. It may cause sudden spike of blood sugar levels, so diabetics have to be cautious and use this in moderation.
Raisins (Kishmish): Raisins added to kheer or any dish as a sweetening agent gives both health and taste. It can be cooked gently as a fruit also.
Dried prunes, apples etc: They are excellent for adding color, texture and taste to desserts and salads.
Fruits: Fruits can be served as desserts by lightly sautéing them in olive oil and poring over walnuts, almonds hazelnuts and pineapple.

Also, train yourself to eat more vegetables that are bitter in nature. This helps balance your system of taste, in turn making healthy carbohydrate choices taste sweeter.

Ways to Get Portions Under Control

2011-08-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest determining factors of weight loss success is portion control. On average, we eat way too much at meal time, and often our snacks are super-sized. It is very easy to overeat when oversized portions and all-you-can eat buffets surround us. For many people, food also acts as a drug. You can become addicted and need a bigger amount of food to satisfy your hunger.

A "portion" is how much food you choose to eat at one time. Portion size dramatically impacts the calories that you consume. Portion sizes began to increase in the 1980s and have been skyrocketing ever since. Dietitians agree that portion control is central to healthy eating and keeping our weight under control. Here are some tips that can help you in keeping your portion size under control at meal time and contribute to your overall health:

Eat High Quality, Not Quantity: Avoid fast foods and eat fiber-rich foods such as vegetables and cereals. These fiber-rich foods have the ability of making you feel fuller over a long period of time. Thus you eat less throughout the day if you have fiber rich food. Fast foods are stripped of nutrients, so your body will make you eat more calories in its hunt for nutrients. Replace chips and sweetened soft drinks with healthier raw veggies, fruits, whole-grain biscuits and low-fat cheese.
Don't Clean Your Plate: Some people will clear their plate no matter how much food is presented in front of them. This is bad habit when it comes to weight loss. By skipping on the leftovers, you'll save on a lot of calories.
Use Smaller Dishes: Our dish size is also increasing day by day. The common psychology is the bigger the plate, the more food you can put on it. Same is true for bowls and glasses. Using smaller dinnerware may help you consume fewer calories. Eating with a small spoon will help you eat more slowly and savor your meal.
Focus on Eating: Don't multitask when you are eating. Watching the TV or working on the computer leads to over eating. Try to sit down to dinner as a family, relax and savour your dinner.
Eat Regularly: Eating at regular intervals throughout the day is the best way to keep your metabolism high. If you wait until you're hungry, you're more likely to overindulge at the next meal. The ideal meal plan is to have three balanced meals and two snacks a day.
Drink water: Water keeps you hydrated to avoid overstuffing. It also reduces your appetite to some extent. Don't like water, have green tea. Drinking green tea, at least thirty-minutes before meal time, will help curb your appetite. However, other drinks like sodas and fruit juices can contain a lot of extra calories and carbohydrates.
Eat slowly: Slowing the pace a little gives your body time to send the message that you are full. So put your fork down between bites. Take time to savor each bite throughout your meal. 'Mindful eating' is a great way to help you with portion control.
Avoid Eating Out: Portion sizes at restaurants can be up to 4 times as big as they should be. Avoid eating out as much as possible. Also, do not visit a restaurant starving. This would lead to over eating. Even if you have to eat out ensure that you order fiber-rich foods and vegetables on the menu.
Don't eat out of the container: Don't eat directly out of large packages of snack foods. The larger the package, the more you are likely to eat. Take the food out of the bag or container and put it in a bowl or plate, and put the box or bag away. That way you can see exactly how much you're eating.
Count Calories: Weighing and measuring everything you eat helps in maintaining portion control. Make the measuring cup; spoons and weight scale your best friend. Read the labels carefully.
Share a meal: Share your meal with a dining partner. Both of you can share and still go away full. It's also a great way of socializing.

Cutting one's portion size can be a very efficient way to continue one's new health focus. Initially it will be tough but the results speak for themselves.