Archive for March, 2010

Convenience Rules With Nutrisystem Home Delivery Diet

March 31st, 2010 admin

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The end of the year is coming. It’s almost here and people are scrambling to get their holiday shopping done. The stores are full of those trying to mark items off their lists for those they love. And although Christmas is the largest holiday of all, many are dreading when it’s over. Once the holiday cheer has passed, there comes the new year. A new year for many means starting over with vacation time at work, cold weather and for many, a diet. Some people are so set on going on a diet each year to get rid of holiday pounds; they research them before the holidays so that they have a plan. Most people gain more weight during Christmas and Thanksgiving than they do throughout the entire year. It seems only natural that after these two holidays, people would want to get back on track as far as their health goes.

So if you find yourself in this group of holiday dieters, you’ll no doubt be looking for the most convenient way to get back into shape. One of the many programs you can choose is Nutrisystem. This is a diet plan that helps you lose weight through a low calorie diet. Nutrisystem also offers a huge convenience factor by sending the food directly to your home. You are able to take the meals with you anywhere because they don’t have to be refrigerated. And for these meals, instead of going to the grocery store, you simply sit down at your computer and pick out your meals. The next thing you know, your food is at your front door. It doesn’t get much easier than that. The Nutrisystem plan has some specialized plans available to meet everyone’s needs. For both women and men, plans are available for those that are seniors, diabetic or vegetarian.

The Nutrisystem plan is great for those that are self sufficient when it comes to weight loss. You simply order your food each month, track what you’re eating while on the program and log your weight loss. The program works great if you’re someone that’s always on the go since the meals are portable. You don’t have to be bogged down with finding a freezer to store a frozen meal while on the program. With the new year quickly approaching, wouldn’t you love to know that your weight loss plan is something you don’t have to stress about? As you lose weight with Nutrisystem, you’ll also be taught correct portion sizes through the meals that are sent to you. As you get closer to your goals, you will start to incorporate your own foods. The plan is designed to be super convenient while teaching you how to control your portions of everyday foods. No matter what diet you choose, research is the key. Finding something that’s going to work for you is the only way to be successful. Nutrisystem wants to help you reach your weight loss goals whether you have a few holiday pounds to lose, or are trying to lose a lot of weight.

Jim Mackey
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/convenience-rules-with-nutrisystem-home-delivery-diet-681030.html

Posted in vegetarian weight loss diet No Comments »

10 Things to Do and 10 Places to Go to for Healthy Living in New York, Ny

March 31st, 2010 admin

New York is the largest city in the United States. It lies at the mouth of the Hudson River occupying the southernmost extension of the New York State. It is a complex assortment of islands. With these facts, you will definitely get a panoramic view of the entire city. Other than this, you may also get to places where healthy living is offered.

1. Chelsea Piers. This 30-acre sports and entertainment complex embraces multifunctional facilities for recreation. This is an ultimate place for any sport enthusiast. It has football fields, a boxing ring, an indoor race track and basketball and volleyball courts. This is better called as a one-stop health and fitness club.

2. Hudson River South. After enjoying the wonders of Chelsea Piers, you may run on a five-mile stretch back and forth Battery Park City. This spot is also ideal for kayakers, skaters and cyclists as well.

3. Loeb Boathouse. March to November is convenient months for gondola rides along the rivers of New York. You could bring your family and friends along with you as you explore the waters while doing your own boating activity.

4. Wollman Rink. Located at Central park, this is regarded as New York best outdoor spot for skaters. Rates vary depending on the age of people who want to play but the idea of fun will surely be coupled by a few sweats dropping from the body.

5. Lasker Pool. Central Park must have given out the best in every healthy adventure. With the Lasker Pool in the place, you are about to enjoy swimming. Stretch those hands and start moving your feet as you swim to and from the ends of the pool.

6. Central Park Drive. This is a 6-mile run and walkway for people who want to achieve a healthy lifestyle in New York. Walking and running is always known to be healthy for the heart. Circling around the park through this drive will bring out the marathoner spirit in every individual.

7. Golf Club. The hitting stalls found in the Golf Club are set on four levels of fairways. Hitting a few golf balls will surely energize you as well as freshen up your entire body. This is a good place for amateurs to practice the craft.

8. The Sky Rink. This rink gives a view of the Hudson River. Initially made for skating, the place is also conducive for hockey games. It is a good place to start organizing skating activities for your officemates. Try this out for one day and you will surely get back.

9. Field House. Wall climbing is an activity which has been out for years now. Rock climbers or a team may enjoy the 30-foot indoor provision for said active game. Finding your way to the top is never the same with the tactics you need to learn before you actually reach it.

10. Toga Bike Shop. Biking is not allowed at Central Park but there are a lot of other places where you could do cycling. Just rent a bike from the Toga Bike Shop and the pleasure is all yours for $30 a day. With this very reasonable rate, you could track downtown at your own pace.

John C. Arkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/10-things-to-do-and-10-places-to-go-to-for-healthy-living-in-new-york-ny-692148.html

Posted in healthy living 14 Comments »

Drop and Give Me 10! Ways to Lose 10 Lbs

March 31st, 2010 admin

Sometimes you just want to kick start an exercise program into gear or lose some weight in order to look good for an upcoming family or other event or just to feel better and fit into your clothes better. For those and any other occasions, it sure would be nice to lose 10 lbs fast. Well, help is here with tips form the pros who’ve been there, done that. So dig in and drop 10!

Make Time

Make no more excuses! Your health and fitness is priority and there is no better time than now to lose. If you do not set aside time and schedule fitness goals into your regular daily plans, you are not planning to succeed, but rather failing to plan. So grab your day planner and calendar, and jot down at least 30 minutes a day for working out with physical fitness activities.

Plan Your “Fat” Attack

Next do a little homework and plan your attack on those extra fat pounds. You can choose among many popular fitness and weight loss plans like Weight Watchers, the Suzanne Somers Weight Loss Program, the Mayo Clinic Plan, Atkins, Bill Philips Body for Life Program, Jenny Craig, Slim-Fast and more. Or you can head to your local gym and hire a trainer or just get moving on your own, noting reps, and resistance for increased endurance and strength training.

Mental Mindset

Make an attitude adjustment so that you have a positive, healthy outlook for your fitness goals. For help getting this mindset and keeping it going throughout your program, head to your local library for motivational and inspirational books, audio cassettes, DVDs, videos and articles. Also look on the Internet for helpful tools: articles, ezines, MP3 and other audio files, video clips, ebooks, reports and training.

Change Your Diet

Take charge of your nutritional needs by setting up a good diet or choosing a good diet plan. A good place to look online is at eDiets.com where many popular diet plans are linked up for you offering recipes, a community forum for reaching out to new healthy friends online, meal planning and journaling and a lot more. Head to the library for helpful materials, too, and other dietary and nutritional sites online.

Track Your Journey to Success

Grab a notebook and journey your way to your goals and beyond. Clearly write out what you want to accomplish, by what date and how you intend to get there using what methods, for instance: working out 30 minutes a day and eating right following the Weight Watchers program guidelines.

Fitness with Friends

Make friends and help support each other along the way. Search “fitness forum” on the Internet to locate free places to register and chat away.

Set Realistic Goals

Get real and focus on what works best like losing 2 lbs per week. Losing more any faster often results in the pounds returning.

James Penn
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/drop-and-give-me-10-ways-to-lose-10-lbs-107650.html

Posted in healthy eating articles 8 Comments »

Healthy Eating is the Key to Stay Fit- 15 Ways

March 31st, 2010 admin

If you have a healthy diet and right combinations of the ingredients in your meals, nothing can stop you from staying fit and strong. You just need to keep an eye on your daily meals and the food that you in take, in order to have a healthier living. Although it is quite tough to change your eating habits but you surely need to do this if you want to have a healthier and improved life. Once you are aware of the foods which you are to eat more and which ones to avoid, you will be right on the path leading to a perfect and healthy life.

Here are some of the key factors that can make you eating healthy and even more vigorous.

1.Try to minimize the unhealthy fats and cholesterol in your daily meals.

2.Try to reduce the intake of saturated and unsaturated fats.

3.Lower the cholesterol level in your blood stream.

4.Do not use butter of margarine, not even occasionally.

5.Use low fat yogurt or low sugar fruits.

6.Use olive oil and canola oil more in your meals.

7.Use more of the poultry and fish. Its better to use egg whites in combination with the fish.

8.Use skimmed milk rather than the whole milk and use chicken breasts rather than the fried pieces.

9.Beans and peas being a very good source of protein, must be added in higher volumes to the daily meal plans.

10. Try to avoid organ meats such as liver.

11. Egg yolks must not be added to the eating meals.

12. Add more green vegetables and fruits to your diet, as they will surely help you to stay healthy and fit. Carrots and cauliflowers are the best choice to be used. Eat more of the apples, peaches and bananas.

13.Use the bread that is made from 100% whole grain rather than the flour and use brown rice instead of the white ones.

14.Try to use flaxseeds more in your diet as they are rich in fiber and omega-3 acid.

15.Try to keep yourself moderate while eating your meals as eating quickly can make you take more of the calories.

If all these 15 points are kept in vision while designing the meals and the diet plans, these can surely lead you to very healthy eating which will in turn help you to stay fit. As eating healthy is one of the most important key factors that would help you to stay fit.

Jesse Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/healthy-eating-is-the-key-to-stay-fit-15-ways-573243.html

Posted in healthy eating 2 Comments »

High Protein Diet – Opposite to a Low Carb Diet?

March 31st, 2010 admin

High protein diets are usually associated with low carbohydrates, even though people who have high protein requirements, like professional body builders, are not advised to go on a low carb diet. Protein is one of the most important nutrients necessary for health. The body uses it to build muscle, replenish cells, keep the blood in optimum condition, and basically to keep the body operating smoothly. If done properly, a high protein diet will keep you strong, healthy, and happy.

A high protein diet can provoke weight loss, as several studies have indicated. Proteins are composed of amino acids, and science has shown that if your amino acids are deficient, you are prone to a number of health problems, including obesity. If you concentrate on protein-rich foods and minimize your intake of refined food that have a high carbohydrate and sugar content, after a while, your body will enter into a state called ketosis. Instead of burning carbohydrates as fuel, the body will turn to fat as its primary source of energy. Simply put, the less carbs you have in your body to burn, the more fat your body will use to give you the energy you need to live from day to day.

In addition, it has been proven that eating protein-rich foods leaves you feeling full longer and you will find that you are much less inclined to snack or go on an eating binge. This is because your blood sugar and insulin levels are kept within the normal range you’ll be keeping undue hunger at arm’s length.

Going on a high protein diet does not mean, however, that you are free to gorge on any and every type of protein. You would do well to avoid fried foods dripping in oil or margarine-smothered products. The reason for this is because these foods contain so-called trans-fats and other bad oils and fats that can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. However, there is a wealth of other types of fatty, protein rich foods that are quite nutritious.

As is common knowledge, meat is an excellent source of protein. Pork and beef contain ample amounts of this nutrient. But if you are concerned about fat, you should limit your portions of dishes containing meat. On the other hand, there is no need to worry about oils and fats if you eat fish and other seafood. Aside from being rich in protein, they contain essential fatty acids that improve your blood cholesterol levels and help prevent ailments like stroke and coronary artery disease. So you need not have any qualms about indulging your appetite at a seafood buffet – most of them can do no harm, only good.

Many plant products also have a rich amount of protein in them. Soy-based produce like tofu and soy milk are suitable for those trying to lose weight on a high protein regimen. So are pulses and beans. Not only are they protein-rich, they are usually low-fat and low-carbohydrate as well.

There have been concerns that a diet rich in protein can have adverse health effects. Some health experts claim that too much protein can deplete the body’s calcium supply and lead to diseases like osteoporosis. Another concern is that the kidneys are forced to deal with more byproducts, thus lessening their efficiency. And there are indications that too much protein increases uric acid levels, which can lead to gout or kidney stones. However, the jury is still out on whether protein is the major culprit in these conditions. More, longer-term research is needed to determine this although there are also many studies that are being conducted to explore these problems, their extent, and their possible resolutions.

A high protein diet may not be for everyone, but for a vast number of people, it not only helps them in their weight loss efforts, it keeps them healthy, too! If you are considering going on this diet, always remember your limits and stick to the rules. It’s possible to modify it a little bit in various ways (such as reducing the intake of saturated fats) to suit your personal taste, but don’t deviate from the “main course.” Choose your protein sources wisely, don’t forget to exercise, don’t be a glutton (it’s one of the seven deadly sins, after all) and just watch the pounds melt away.

Trevor Mulholland
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/high-protein-diet-opposite-to-a-low-carb-diet-11134.html

Posted in diet stroke 2 Comments »

Is There a Cure for Arthritis Pain?

March 31st, 2010 admin

If you take paracetemol or an anti-inflammatory drug when you suffer from pain, you’re not alone. A 2005 study, reported in the American Journal of Therapy, showed paracetemol was the most acceptable form of analgesic drug for two-thirds of patients with osteoarthritis pain.

Another study on behalf of the International Arthritis Action Group, found 47 percent of Australians in pain do not use medication because they’re worried about side effects, or feel they don’t know enough about the risks and benefits of treatment. Some do try medication but if it doesn’t work they’re reluctant to discuss an alternative with their GP or specialist. Often they give up searching for help and assume they have to live with soreness and pain. Not so.

Paracetemol may be effective for a first line of defence, but for long term relief it may be worth considering these 7 natural food and supplement options.

OMEGA 3 FISH OIL.

Fish oils are derived from deep sea fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and tuna. They provide a rich source of the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. According to Dr Ronald Klatz, president of American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine, omega 3s are excellent anti inflammatories, which may be beneficial in the pain relief of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Omega 3 fatty acids may also be taken in capsule form and can be beneficial when combined with glucosamine sulfate. One helps to build and support cartilage, the other works to ease inflammation.

COOKED VEGETABLES AND OLIVE OIL.

A diet loaded with cooked vegetables and olive oil, may help reduce the pain, swelling and discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study from Harvard School of Public Health and reported in American School of Clinical Nutrition.

Your body makes bad prostoglandins that cause swelling and pain and good prostoglandins that prevent swelling and pain. Aspirin and other arthritis pain medicines contain drugs that block the bad prostoglandins.

Cooked vegetables and olive oils contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils that are used by your body to make the good prostoglandins that block pain and swelling. They are also loaded with antioxidants.

ASHWAGHANDA ROOT.

This herb is used extensively in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. It stimulates immunity and as an antioxidant, reduces cell damaging free radicals.
Its anti inflammatory properties have been shown to be helpful for the pain of arthritis.

LEMON BALM.

An important antioxidant containing a high concentration of phenols, chemicals that fight cell damaging toxins. It can help decrease the pain of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL.

The active ingredient in this plant is gamma linoleic acid [GLA] an omega 6 fatty acid. Supplementing with evening primrose oil may help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis pain. Taken by many women to relieve period pain, it could also cut the chances of women with breast cancer having a relapse, according to an American study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

SULPHUR RICH FOODS.

Sulphur is vital for the repair and rebuilding of bones, cartilage and connective tissue. Sulphur rich foods include cabbage, onion, broccoli, garlic, leak and eggs.
Sulphur can be taken in supplement form as MSM {Methyl sulfonyl methane} and is often included in formulas that include glucosamine and chondroitin. According to Dr Ronald M. Lawrence, of the UCLA School of Medicine and Founding Member of the American Association for the Study of Pain, people with joint issues often lack the proper amount of sulphur to let the body heal itself.

WILLOW BARK.

White willow bark is a natural aspirin. According to naturopath Ron Gellatley, it reduces swelling and pain without any side effects. Try drinking away stiffness and pain with a cup of hot willow bark tea. To brew the tea, add one teaspoon of dried willow bark to a cup of boiled water. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain before drinking.

Graeme Lanham
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/is-there-a-cure-for-arthritis-pain-91186.html

Posted in diet for rheumatoid arthritis 4 Comments »

How Diet Helps Control Diabetes

March 31st, 2010 admin

Diabetes is a universal disease. It affects people from all walks of life and culture. Every day, a huge number of diabetic people are dealing with severe problems related to their condition. One thing diabetes is not a disease that is easy to control with diet. Diabetics need to stick to a strict diet in order to avoid experiencing severe complications.

If you are diabetic, your doctor would have already advised you of the importance of following a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet to manage your condition. The normal food pyramid diet does not apply to you since it involves consuming foods like rice, corn, pasta, breads, peas and potatoes, which are all high in carbohydrate. You are recommended to limit your intake of carbohydrate because your body converts these into sugar, something that your body already does not need more of. Instead, your doctor will advise you to eat foods with a low glycemic index as well as foods that are rich in protein (e.g., chicken, beef and fish). Fatty and sweet foods are also things you need to avoid. And if you like to drink, you will need to avoid alcohol.

Many people who have diabetes are turning into vegans. A large number of diabetics are enjoying the benefits of following a vegan diabetes diet. Simply put, the vegan diabetes diet is completely based on plants; it does not have any animal fats. A typical vegan diabetes diet consists of vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes.

The vegan diabetes diet is comprised of 75% carbohydrate, 15% protein and 10% fat. Since this diet is completely without animal fats, an individual is able to lose fats rather quickly and more easily.

The vegan diabetes diet has been studied by health experts and scientists. According to one study, it was found that diabetics who followed a vegan diabetes diet experienced less complications from their condition. The study further showed that those who follow a vegan diabetes diet plan appears to be able to better control their blood sugar levels, weight and kidney function.

The vegan diabetes diet works by normalizing an individual’s sensitivity to insulin. Through the vegan diabetes diet, diabetics are on a high-fiber, low-fat diet. This translates to lower dietary energy concentration intake. Many who follow a vegan diabetes diet report a loss of 20 to 50 pounds.

If you decide to get on a vegan diabetes diet, you will discover that it is a diet that is very easy to follow. You won’t be counting calories or measuring portions either. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of you getting on a vegan diabetes diet.

Evelyn Dayag
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-diet-helps-control-diabetes-138991.html

Posted in diabetic weight loss diet 3 Comments »

How To Become A Healthy Eater

March 31st, 2010 admin

Healthy eating is all about balanced and moderate eating, consisting of healthy meals at least three times per day. Healthy eaters eat many different types of foods, not limiting themselves to one specific food
type or food group.

Being a healthy eater requires you to become both educated and smart about what healthy eating actually is. Being food smart isn’t about learning to calculate grams or fat, or is it about studying labels and
counting calories.

Eating healthy requires quite a bit of leeway. You might eat too much or not enough, consume foods that are sometimes more or less nutritious.However, you should always fuel your body and your brain regularly with enough food to keep both your mind and body strong and alert.

A healthy eater is a good problem solver. Healthy eaters have learned to take care of themselves and their eating with sound judgement and making wise decisions. Healthy eaters are always aware of what they eat, and know the effect that it will have on their bodies.

When someone is unable to take control of their eating, they are also likely to get out of control with other aspects of life as well. They could end up spending too much, talking too much, even going to bed later and later.

You should always remember that restricting food bin any way is always a bad thing. Healthy eating is a way of life, something that you can do to enhance your body or your lifestyle. If you’ve thought about making
your life better, healthy eating is just the place to start. You’ll make life easier for yourself, those around you, and even your family.

Eating healthy is something we all would like to do, although it can be hard. In order to eat healthy, you must first make the right food choices. Eating healthy is all about what you eat, which makes the choices very crucial to your results.

Healthy Food Choices

Vegetables

These should be varied, as you should eat 2 1/2 cups of them each day. You should start eating more of the dark vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach. Carrots and sweet potatoes are good as well. You should also eat more dry beans such as peas, pinto beans, and even kidney beans.

Grains

You should consume 6 ounces of grains per day. To do this,you can eat 3 ounces of whole grain cereals, breads, rice,crackers, or pasta. You can get an ounce of grains in a single slice of bread, or 1 cut of
cereal.

Fruits

Fruits are very important. You should try to eat 2 cups of them each day. Focus on eating a variety, such as fresh, frozen, canned, or even dried fruit. You can drink fruit juices as well, although you should use moderation when doing so.

Milk

Milk is your calcium rich friend. For adults, 3 cups is the ideal goal. For kids 2 – 8, 2 cups is where you want to be. When choosing milk products or yogurt, you should go for fat-free or low-fat. Those of you who don’t like milk or can’t have it, should go for lactose free products or other sources of calcium such as fortified foods and beverages.

Beans And Meat

Eating 5 ounces a day is the ideal goal, as you should go lean with your protein. When eating meat, always bake it,grill it, or broil it, as this will prevent grease from adding to the equation. You should vary your protein as well, with more fish, beans, peas, and nuts.

When cooking your food, you should also limit solid fats such as butter, margarine, shortening, and lard. These foods may add flavor to your dishes, although they can also help raise your cholesterol as well. Therefore, you should try to add these foods and any foods that happen to contain them.

To help keep your saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium low, you can check the nutrition facts label. This label can be found on the food package and will tell you all the information you need to know about the food item.

By picking your foods wisely and watching what you eat,you’ll help control your lifestyle. Exercise is great as well, as it goes along perfect with a healthy eating lifestyle. No matter what your age may be, eating healthy will help you keep your active lifestyle for years and years – even help you and your health in the long run as well.

Gaetane Ross
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-become-a-healthy-eater-105925.html

Posted in cooking healthy for kids 9 Comments »

Lower Cholesterol With Garlic

March 31st, 2010 admin

Modern scientific research and clinical studies have confirmed, to a large extent, many of the curative properties attributed to garlic since ancient times, particularly its therapeutic benefits in cardiovascular disorders like hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (i.e., excess of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood). High levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol increase the risk for coronary heart disease and stroke.

Another cardiovascular benefit derived from garlic is due to its ability to thin the blood by reducing blood clotting and platelet aggregation. Research scientists have found that similar sulfur compounds from onions make the blood platelets slippery and so less likely to stick together and form clots, which can hamper blood flow and lead to heart attack and stroke.

Another study has revealed that garlic may also help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, making arterial spasms less likely. The antioxidant properties of garlic help reduce the harmful free radicals in the bloodstream, thus cleansing the blood, preventing plaque formation, and improving blood circulation.

As you may know, liver is the cholesterol-manufacturing organ in our body. Garlic promotes normal functioning of the liver by activating the liver cells and regularizes the production of cholesterol in the body. Not only that, garlic can also dissolve excess cholesterol coming from excess intake of cholesterol-rich foods.

The Secret Behind The Wonder Drug Garlic

The organosulfur compounds present in garlic that give it the pungent taste and characteristic flavor, such as allicin, diallyl disulfide (DADS) and allyl mercaptan, are the ones that endow it with medicinal properties, too. Allicin and DADS can activate perivascular sensory nerve endings and induce relaxation and enlargement of blood vessels, thus lowering the blood pressure and improving blood flow throughout the body.

The hypertension-lowering ability of garlic is attributed to the metabolite allyl mercaptan, which also lowers cholesterol and prevents artherosclerosis (formation of plaque in arteries).

The numerous cardiovascular benefits of garlic are not only due to these organosulfur compounds but also due to its vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and selenium content. Vitamin C being the primary antioxidant in the bloodstream, it prevents LDL cholesterol from being oxidized and initiating atheroscleorsis damage to blood vessels.

Another compound in garlic that helps in lowering blood pressure is gamma-glutamylcysteine, which is a natural ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. (Ace inhibitors are a class of drugs used for treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure.)

Vitamin B6 in garlic also helps prevent heart disease by lowering the level of homocysteine (an intermediate product of a cellular reaction), which can damage the walls of blood vessels.

The minerals selenium and manganese act as cofactors with vitamin E or with antioxidant defense enzymes, which help protect blood vessels and heart from damage due to free radicals. Research on laboratory animals fed with sugar-rich diet has shown that allicin, the most potent compound present in garlic, can also prevent weight gain.

Donnell Koh
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/lower-cholesterol-with-garlic-80985.html

Posted in congestive heart failure diet 3 Comments »

Does Green Tea Lower Blood Pressure?

March 31st, 2010 admin

Does green tea lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels or blood sugar levels?  Are there other health benefits associated with the beverage?  Here’s a look at what we know.

From observing Japanese smokers, we know that those who drank a liter or more of green tea per day had a lower than expected incidence of heart disease, stomach cancer and throat cancer.  Overall, there is a lower than expected incidence of heart disease among Japanese people.  However, other dietary factors could contribute to that.

Foods

Most health experts now agree that chronic inflammation plays a role in heart disease, cancer and many other diseases that were simply thought to accompany the aging process.  It turns out that the Western diet is high in inflammatory foods, including omega6 fats, white flour and corn.  The Asian diet is rich in anti-inflammatory foods, including fish and vegetables.  Just as a side note, the world’s oldest living man, at the of this writing, is from Japan and he says that his favorite foods are vegetables.

What can we do to prevent chronic inflammation, without giving up our favorite foods?  Experts suggest that you eat those favorite foods, whatever they may be, in moderation, but try adding more anti-inflammatory foods to our diets.  But, regardless of how healthy your diet is, you cannot possibly get all of the benefits from the known anti-inflammatory plant components, without supplementation.

Green Tea

Green tea contains phytochemicals known as catechins.  These catechins have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity.  Oxidative stress is one of the other factors involved in heart disease, cancer and DNA degeneration.  DNA degeneration is the ultimate cause of cell aging.  If the degeneration is allowed to continue, the cell will die.

Resveratrol

One of the phytochemicals, which is just a fancy way of saying compounds found in plants, that we know about is called resveratrol.  It is found in a different beverage and is believed to be the element that explains why the French can eat a diet that is high in fat, without having a high incidence of heart disease.  The beverage that contains resveratrol is red wine.  Resveratrol helps to prevent DNA degeneration, suppresses cell signaling that would cause the death of healthy cells and is believed to help prevent cancer, as does green tea extract.

In the US, the FDA has approved health claims made by supplements concerning the prevention of breast and prostate cancer; although they determined that there was not enough evidence to support other claims.  I say, why not cover all of your bases.  We know that none of these plant compounds are bad for us.  So, why not get all of the help that we can.

But, the initial questions were; does green tea lower blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar levels? 
• Blood pressure, no, but losing weight can help lower blood pressure and catechins support weight loss
• Cholesterol, yes
• Blood sugar levels, no, but catechins do promote the cells’ sensitivity to insulin, which is decreased in people with high blood sugar levels

If you’re going to take a supplement, get the most that you can for your money.  The body needs a number of nutrients every day and most of us don’t get enough of them.

Larry L. Taylor
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/does-green-tea-lower-blood-pressure-728350.html

Posted in breast cancer prevention diet 5 Comments »
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