Are you a devotee of the South Beach diet when it comes to your fitness? Lots of people who don't live in South Beach (Miami, FL) are having good experiences with this diet phenomenon, but not the people in South Beach. According to the latest "Men's Fitness" magazine, Miami is the fattest city in the U.S. That's a big shocker considering that most people think that Miami is bikini-body central.
Not so. According to the report, Miami residents are the fattest because they watch too much TV, suffer from air pollution (which makes outdoor activities difficult), and eat lots of fast food. Miami has almost three times as many fast food restaurants as most average cities. It's no wonder that the South Beach diet doesn't work in South Beach.
Of course, you might have the same problem as Miami residents with the level of your fitness even if you don't live there. Americans are getting fatter, not thinner. According to the organization Obesity in America, approximately 62 percent of female Americans are considered overweight and 67 percent of males are the same. Folks, that's a serious majority and not a good factoid about our country.
But don't despair! Keeping fit is not as hard as you think. Here are five fast ways you can take care of your fitness without driving yourself around the fit.
1. Do the South Beach Diet
Even though the residents of South Beach are not using this diet doesn't mean that you should not. Find a diet plan to which you can commit and use it as a guideline for making food choices. Or, if you are lousy at sticking to diets, consider pre-packaged diet plans that are delivered to your door. The convenience of this kind of diet plan can make a huge difference to your fitness.
2. Buddy Up to Eat Smart
If eating out provides you not only with calories but also good company and conversation with friends, buddy up with your friends to eat smarter. Instead of eating at the Greasy Spoon around the corner, how about meeting at a Russian Tea House for healthier snacks and better ambiance? You still get good food and good friends without trashing your fitness plan.
3. Reward Yourself for Good Behavior
Money motivates. Try this plan: every time you complete a workout or make a smart food choice, drop a couple dollars into a jar at home. At the end of the month, treat yourself to a luxurious chair massage, reflexology session, or hair appointment. Reward yourself for your fitness efforts.
4. Pop Some Pills
We live in a pill-popping society and that can work in your favor. Need some help avoiding junk food? Pop a pill, but not just any pill. Feed your body with some really dense whole food nutrition and you'll experience fewer food cravings, especially for junk foods. Some good options include blue-green algae, seaweed, and even soy protein pills. If you don't think pills can be good for your fitness plan, think again. New whole-food pills that will really boost your energy and lessen your cravings are hitting the market all the time.
5. Get the Bare Naked Truth
There's a definite "uggh" factor in this tactic. If you are heavier than you want to be but you can't seem to motivate yourself to change your fitness and eating habits, then strip down naked and stand in front of the mirror. Turn on all the lights and take a good look at yourself. The bare naked truth often hits home at this point. Now the motivational juices are really moving. Strike while the iron is hot and get moving on a fitness plan. If necessary, strip naked again if you feel weak and feel the need to reach for the doughnut. This is the same type of strategy used on shows like "The Biggest Loser," even though the participants got to keep most of their clothes on!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Stem Cell Research Issues -- What’s the Big Fuss?
Stem cells hit the limelight in November 1998, when researchers first reported that they had isolated human embryonic stem cells. These cells, isolated from embryos that were several days old, can theoretically be differentiated into any kind of cell in the human body, from blood cells to brain cells to muscle cells. This was big news on the scientific front since scientists hoped to use these cells to repair damaged cells and tissue in adult humans. Unfortunately this research breakthrough also created a host of stem cell research issues that are still being debated today.
So what's the big fuss about these stem cell research issues? Most of the controversy centers on the fact that the embryonic stem cells come from embryos and scientists must destroy the embryos to harvest the stem cells. Many pro-life and religious groups argue that an embryo represents a human life and that embryonic stem cell work is equivalent to murdering human lives. There are currently several sources of embryos, including aborted fetuses and fertility clinics (which have thousands of unwanted frozen embryos). All of these sources are currently undergoing serious scrutiny from the government and various lobbying groups.
Other stem cell research issues include the following questions:
- Should we pursue stem cell research just because we can?
- How far should we take stem cell research?
- Who should regulate this kind of research and how?
- Who should pay for this kind of research (which is very expensive)?
- What role should the government play in stem cell research?
It will likely take the government and the various scientific researchers involved in this controversy quite a while to resolve these stem cell research issues. Luckily for you, the consumer, there are alternative ways you can benefit from stem cells without getting involved in all the fuss. Along with embryonic stem cell research, scientists have also been studying ways to boost stem cell production in adults. Each of our bodies makes its own stem cells to repair and rejuvenate damaged areas, so while we may not be able to use embryonic stem cells to improve our health we can use our own stem cells to become healthier.
The stem cells in our bodies produce over 30 types of growth factors and tissue chemicals. Stem cells also help recruit other local and systemic stem cells to focus on repairing damaged tissue. They are also active in immune modulation to promote or suppress T-cell function. In short, stems cells are pretty nifty tools to have and the more stem cells you have the healthier you are. Best of all, when you focus on boosting your own stem cells instead of using someone else's, you don't run into all those stem cell research issues.
So how can you boost the number and health of the stem cells your body produces on its own? Research has shown that certain ingredients found in nature do just that. These include green tea extract, wild blueberry, carnosine, blueberry extract, vitamin D, and blue-green algae. These ingredients give your stem cells to proper nutrition so that not only do they multiply but they can better protect and repair your body. But don't worry, you don't have to go around squeezing wild blueberries into your green tea to get these beneficial effects. Nutritional products now available on the market package all of these ingredients into a simple daily supplement so that stem cell nutrition is as easy as pie. Plus, there are no stem cell research issues related to taking these products!
So what's the big fuss about these stem cell research issues? Most of the controversy centers on the fact that the embryonic stem cells come from embryos and scientists must destroy the embryos to harvest the stem cells. Many pro-life and religious groups argue that an embryo represents a human life and that embryonic stem cell work is equivalent to murdering human lives. There are currently several sources of embryos, including aborted fetuses and fertility clinics (which have thousands of unwanted frozen embryos). All of these sources are currently undergoing serious scrutiny from the government and various lobbying groups.
Other stem cell research issues include the following questions:
- Should we pursue stem cell research just because we can?
- How far should we take stem cell research?
- Who should regulate this kind of research and how?
- Who should pay for this kind of research (which is very expensive)?
- What role should the government play in stem cell research?
It will likely take the government and the various scientific researchers involved in this controversy quite a while to resolve these stem cell research issues. Luckily for you, the consumer, there are alternative ways you can benefit from stem cells without getting involved in all the fuss. Along with embryonic stem cell research, scientists have also been studying ways to boost stem cell production in adults. Each of our bodies makes its own stem cells to repair and rejuvenate damaged areas, so while we may not be able to use embryonic stem cells to improve our health we can use our own stem cells to become healthier.
The stem cells in our bodies produce over 30 types of growth factors and tissue chemicals. Stem cells also help recruit other local and systemic stem cells to focus on repairing damaged tissue. They are also active in immune modulation to promote or suppress T-cell function. In short, stems cells are pretty nifty tools to have and the more stem cells you have the healthier you are. Best of all, when you focus on boosting your own stem cells instead of using someone else's, you don't run into all those stem cell research issues.
So how can you boost the number and health of the stem cells your body produces on its own? Research has shown that certain ingredients found in nature do just that. These include green tea extract, wild blueberry, carnosine, blueberry extract, vitamin D, and blue-green algae. These ingredients give your stem cells to proper nutrition so that not only do they multiply but they can better protect and repair your body. But don't worry, you don't have to go around squeezing wild blueberries into your green tea to get these beneficial effects. Nutritional products now available on the market package all of these ingredients into a simple daily supplement so that stem cell nutrition is as easy as pie. Plus, there are no stem cell research issues related to taking these products!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Healthy Living Made Simple
Drink lots of water, take deep breaths, choose good supplements, eat all your vegetables, eat more protein, eat fewer carbs. With all the healthcare advice out there these days, and much of it contradictory, it makes healthy living seem like a complicated endeavor! In fact, all that advice can make a junk-food diet look attractive in its simplicity. But don't panic! Healthy living can be simple.
You know what makes you feel good and what doesn't. If drinking plenty of water, taking certain supplements, or eating multiple small meals a day makes you feel better, then you already know more than the experts. Similarly, you probably know which of your "bad" habits make you feel ill, like eating too much sugar or spending too much time at your desk. If you are not sure what makes you feel better or worse, keep a diary for seven to twenty-one days. Log your daily food intake, exercise, level of stress, amount of sleep, and anything else that might affect your level of health. Notice what happens when you add or vary any of your habits.
Once you have discovered two or three really great habits that make you feel good, adopt them for the year. To keep things really simple, choose no more than three great habits. If exercise makes you feel good, adopt the habit of exercising a few times a week. If adding fresh fruits or vegetables is good, resolve to add them to your diet on a regular basis, but don't break the bank. Do what makes you feel good in moderation, and in a way that will be easy for you to remember. If you want to add vitamins or supplements (like Super Blue Green algae) into your life, help yourself remember by putting the bottles or packets in your car, your purse, your pocket, your lunch, or your top desk drawer. Don't kick yourself when you forget to take the supplements, and take them whenever you see the visual reminder of the bottle. Of course, consistency is always great for health, but in the beginning do what you can to make healthy living a rewarding and pleasurable experience rather than another item on your "To Do" list!
You know what makes you feel good and what doesn't. If drinking plenty of water, taking certain supplements, or eating multiple small meals a day makes you feel better, then you already know more than the experts. Similarly, you probably know which of your "bad" habits make you feel ill, like eating too much sugar or spending too much time at your desk. If you are not sure what makes you feel better or worse, keep a diary for seven to twenty-one days. Log your daily food intake, exercise, level of stress, amount of sleep, and anything else that might affect your level of health. Notice what happens when you add or vary any of your habits.
Once you have discovered two or three really great habits that make you feel good, adopt them for the year. To keep things really simple, choose no more than three great habits. If exercise makes you feel good, adopt the habit of exercising a few times a week. If adding fresh fruits or vegetables is good, resolve to add them to your diet on a regular basis, but don't break the bank. Do what makes you feel good in moderation, and in a way that will be easy for you to remember. If you want to add vitamins or supplements (like Super Blue Green algae) into your life, help yourself remember by putting the bottles or packets in your car, your purse, your pocket, your lunch, or your top desk drawer. Don't kick yourself when you forget to take the supplements, and take them whenever you see the visual reminder of the bottle. Of course, consistency is always great for health, but in the beginning do what you can to make healthy living a rewarding and pleasurable experience rather than another item on your "To Do" list!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
5 Ways to Avoid Emotional Eating
Here's a quick quiz for you: when you feel emotional and stressed out, what kinds of food do you eat?
If you're like most of us, your answer might be sugar, caffeine, salty foods, or nothing at all. It's the strangest paradox of all. When we're emotionally stressed out and really need good nutrients, we reach for foods that have the least nutrients of all. We fall into the trap of emotional eating, which actually causes us to feel more stressed than ever, even if we feel a bit better in the moment.
For instance, caffeine and sugar can cause your blood sugar to plummet after an hour or two. Plus, caffeine can cause increased stress in your heart rate, respiration, muscle coordination, and thought processes. Emotional eating helps you feel better in the short term, but can really cause a serious physical and emotional crash later.
Stress and nutrients are closely intertwined. When we're stressed, eating right can help us get rid of that stress, since stress increases the need for certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And when we eat right, we're less likely to get stressed because our bodies and minds have all the nutrients they need to handle stressful situations.
How can you take simple steps to eat right and avoid emotional eating? Check these quick fixes for stress reduction and good nutrition:
1. Avoid Heavy Sweets
If you've got a sweet tooth when you're stressed, try eating sweet fruits such as bananas, peaches, and melons instead. Or, try a cup of honey-lemon tea with plenty of honey. Honey won't strip your body of vital nutrients and lemon has a refreshing zing that will keep you awake. As a bonus, during the winter honey is actually warming to the body while sugar makes you feel cold. Honey also satisfies your sweet tooth when you feel the need for emotional eating.
2. Make Wise Choices Automatic
When you feel highly emotional it can be hard to slow down and choose the best foods to eat. It is more tempting to reach for the nearest snack foods, which are usually loaded with sugar or caffeine. To avoid this temptation, bring healthy snacks with you to eat during the day, including apples and peanut butter or celery with cream cheese. Even string cheese and a handful of nuts are better for you than a candy bar.
3. Hydrate
Drink pure water to refresh and cleanse your body and brain. Water is essential to every function in your body, and the more stressed you are, the more water you need. If you drink coffee, drink two cups of water for every cup of coffee. The same formula holds true for sodas. If you have trouble drinking enough water, try adding lime or sea salt to improve the taste. If you feel the urge for emotional eating, drink one glass of water first, then stop and consider your foods choices. The water will give you a feeling of fullness and give you a little extra time to prevent a food binge.
4. Digest
No matter what you choose to eat, taking food enzymes with every meal will improve your digestion and help you get the most out of everything you eat. Better digestion leads to higher energy, which means you won't feel so stressed. Less stress in turn helps you avoid emotional eating.
5. Get Enough Green
Eating green foods can give you a serious nutritional boost because chlorophyll plays a huge part in your body's health. For instance, research shows that chlorophyll is effective in rebuilding the blood, stimulating liver function, strengthening immunity, and detoxifying chemical pollutants. Numerous recent studies have also indicated that chlorophyll has anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties. In short, getting enough chlorophyll can help you feel more vital and less stressed, which equals less emotional eating. Chlorophyll is found in highest concentrations in green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, as well as wheat grass and blue-green algae.
Cheers,
Alan
If you're like most of us, your answer might be sugar, caffeine, salty foods, or nothing at all. It's the strangest paradox of all. When we're emotionally stressed out and really need good nutrients, we reach for foods that have the least nutrients of all. We fall into the trap of emotional eating, which actually causes us to feel more stressed than ever, even if we feel a bit better in the moment.
For instance, caffeine and sugar can cause your blood sugar to plummet after an hour or two. Plus, caffeine can cause increased stress in your heart rate, respiration, muscle coordination, and thought processes. Emotional eating helps you feel better in the short term, but can really cause a serious physical and emotional crash later.
Stress and nutrients are closely intertwined. When we're stressed, eating right can help us get rid of that stress, since stress increases the need for certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And when we eat right, we're less likely to get stressed because our bodies and minds have all the nutrients they need to handle stressful situations.
How can you take simple steps to eat right and avoid emotional eating? Check these quick fixes for stress reduction and good nutrition:
1. Avoid Heavy Sweets
If you've got a sweet tooth when you're stressed, try eating sweet fruits such as bananas, peaches, and melons instead. Or, try a cup of honey-lemon tea with plenty of honey. Honey won't strip your body of vital nutrients and lemon has a refreshing zing that will keep you awake. As a bonus, during the winter honey is actually warming to the body while sugar makes you feel cold. Honey also satisfies your sweet tooth when you feel the need for emotional eating.
2. Make Wise Choices Automatic
When you feel highly emotional it can be hard to slow down and choose the best foods to eat. It is more tempting to reach for the nearest snack foods, which are usually loaded with sugar or caffeine. To avoid this temptation, bring healthy snacks with you to eat during the day, including apples and peanut butter or celery with cream cheese. Even string cheese and a handful of nuts are better for you than a candy bar.
3. Hydrate
Drink pure water to refresh and cleanse your body and brain. Water is essential to every function in your body, and the more stressed you are, the more water you need. If you drink coffee, drink two cups of water for every cup of coffee. The same formula holds true for sodas. If you have trouble drinking enough water, try adding lime or sea salt to improve the taste. If you feel the urge for emotional eating, drink one glass of water first, then stop and consider your foods choices. The water will give you a feeling of fullness and give you a little extra time to prevent a food binge.
4. Digest
No matter what you choose to eat, taking food enzymes with every meal will improve your digestion and help you get the most out of everything you eat. Better digestion leads to higher energy, which means you won't feel so stressed. Less stress in turn helps you avoid emotional eating.
5. Get Enough Green
Eating green foods can give you a serious nutritional boost because chlorophyll plays a huge part in your body's health. For instance, research shows that chlorophyll is effective in rebuilding the blood, stimulating liver function, strengthening immunity, and detoxifying chemical pollutants. Numerous recent studies have also indicated that chlorophyll has anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties. In short, getting enough chlorophyll can help you feel more vital and less stressed, which equals less emotional eating. Chlorophyll is found in highest concentrations in green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, as well as wheat grass and blue-green algae.
Cheers,
Alan
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Cinnamon – A Natural Holistic Source of Health
When you think of cinnamon don't you think of spiced cider, a topping for hot chocolate, and a great baking ingredient? Cinnamon is all of those things, but it's also an incredible substance that is a natural holistic source of health benefits. The kudos for cinnamon are many.
Did you know that cinnamon actually kills food-borne microbes like E-Coli? According to Phytotherapy Research (November 13, 1999) in laboratory tests, cinnamon proved to be a potent neutralizer of microbes, particularly of common food-borne microbes such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). How can you use it as a "Mr. Clean" for your food? Since cinnamon is a natural holistic spice, all you have to do is add it to your food. With whole foods you don't have the same worries about dosage as you do with synthetic or inorganic products. Sprinkle cinnamon into your salads, mix it into ground beef or add it to vegetable curries to get all the benefits of cinnamon.
But research shows that cinnamon does even more. According to a study done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon defends against cancer by reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. One study even found that sniffing cinnamon can boost cognitive and memory functions. The benefits of cinnamon are pretty amazing, especially because most people consider it an "extra spice" to add to drinks and food.
I add a dash to cinnamon to my coffee every morning because some studies show that cinnamon can regulate blood sugar. I have noticed a definite improvement in my blood sugar levels (verified by my doctor and lab tests) just by adding cinnamon, a natural holistic whole food, to my coffee. Sometimes nature provides the best medicine for our ills in the form of whole foods.
Cheers,
Alan
Did you know that cinnamon actually kills food-borne microbes like E-Coli? According to Phytotherapy Research (November 13, 1999) in laboratory tests, cinnamon proved to be a potent neutralizer of microbes, particularly of common food-borne microbes such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). How can you use it as a "Mr. Clean" for your food? Since cinnamon is a natural holistic spice, all you have to do is add it to your food. With whole foods you don't have the same worries about dosage as you do with synthetic or inorganic products. Sprinkle cinnamon into your salads, mix it into ground beef or add it to vegetable curries to get all the benefits of cinnamon.
But research shows that cinnamon does even more. According to a study done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon defends against cancer by reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. One study even found that sniffing cinnamon can boost cognitive and memory functions. The benefits of cinnamon are pretty amazing, especially because most people consider it an "extra spice" to add to drinks and food.
I add a dash to cinnamon to my coffee every morning because some studies show that cinnamon can regulate blood sugar. I have noticed a definite improvement in my blood sugar levels (verified by my doctor and lab tests) just by adding cinnamon, a natural holistic whole food, to my coffee. Sometimes nature provides the best medicine for our ills in the form of whole foods.
Cheers,
Alan
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Daily Energy – Get Yours from 3 Simple Sources
Did you know that according to a study published in "USA Today" 26% of Americans claim to get a good nights sleep only a few days a month? A further 24% of those surveyed claim to get a good nights sleep only a few days a week. Many sources report that Americans are sleep-deprived and lacking in daily energy. Most of those Americans reach for coffee in the morning and energy drinks in the afternoon. If you do the same, then you know all about the crash that happens in the late afternoon or evening. It's not a pretty picture.
Luckily there are simple and natural supplement sources you can use to boost your daily energy that can help you avoid an energy crash by the end of the day. Most people don't know about these sources or overlook them as they reach for the caffeine. These sources include Coenzyme Q10, DHEA, and glycogen.
** Coenzyme Q10 **
Most scientists estimate that you have about 100 trillion cells in your body, and every one of those cells needs to be fed if you want to have a high level of daily energy. To feed your cells you need Coenzyme Q10. According to an article in "M. D. News," Coenzyme Q10 works with our cells to produce 95% of the energy our bodies use. So when you don't have enough Coenzyme Q10 in your body, which happens as you age, you feel tired. The same article points out that when you buy Coenzyme Q10 make sure you are getting Q10 and not the lesser versions, such as Coenzyme Q1 through Q9 (which are often found at your local drugstore). Finally, most people need 10 to 30 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily to get benefit.
** DHEA **
Most people associate DHEA, which is dehydro-epiandrosterone, with menopausal women since it is the precursor of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. But recent research (and there have been more than 5,000 articles published on the positive health effects of supplemental DHEA in the last 5 years) indicates that DHEA plays a vital part in cellular energy production. As we age, our bodies produce less and less DHEA, which means that we feel less and less energetic. Translation? If you need more daily energy, don't reach for the caffeine. Instead, reach for a bottle of DHEA. Most adults feel an increase in energy with just 100 mg per day.
** Glycogen **
Last but not least on the list of daily energy supplements is glycogen. Glycogen is the fuel that is stored in our livers and converted to glucose when we need a quick burst of energy. In a cave man, the liver would use glycogen any time the "fight or flight" response was triggered. In modern times our bodies need glycogen any time we are under stress or need a quick energy fix. The best sources of glycogen are meats including liver and most cuts of meat available in your grocery store. Another alternative is properly processed blue-green algae from Klamath Lake. This algae's cell wall is made up of glycogen that your body can use right away. So if you're on the run and don't have time to stop by the cafeteria for liver and onions, pop a couple of capsules of blue-green algae and you'll have daily energy to spare!
You don't have to give yourself the caffeine jitters or sleep around the clock to get more daily energy. The natural sources of daily energy described in this article are simple and effective ways you can use to help you make it through your day. When adding any of these items to your daily regimen, always start with a small quantity first and increase the amount as necessary until you get the desired results. With any of the pill-based supplements, taking them with food may decrease the effect but may also help you gauge the effects gradually and safely.
Cheers,
Alan
Luckily there are simple and natural supplement sources you can use to boost your daily energy that can help you avoid an energy crash by the end of the day. Most people don't know about these sources or overlook them as they reach for the caffeine. These sources include Coenzyme Q10, DHEA, and glycogen.
** Coenzyme Q10 **
Most scientists estimate that you have about 100 trillion cells in your body, and every one of those cells needs to be fed if you want to have a high level of daily energy. To feed your cells you need Coenzyme Q10. According to an article in "M. D. News," Coenzyme Q10 works with our cells to produce 95% of the energy our bodies use. So when you don't have enough Coenzyme Q10 in your body, which happens as you age, you feel tired. The same article points out that when you buy Coenzyme Q10 make sure you are getting Q10 and not the lesser versions, such as Coenzyme Q1 through Q9 (which are often found at your local drugstore). Finally, most people need 10 to 30 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily to get benefit.
** DHEA **
Most people associate DHEA, which is dehydro-epiandrosterone, with menopausal women since it is the precursor of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. But recent research (and there have been more than 5,000 articles published on the positive health effects of supplemental DHEA in the last 5 years) indicates that DHEA plays a vital part in cellular energy production. As we age, our bodies produce less and less DHEA, which means that we feel less and less energetic. Translation? If you need more daily energy, don't reach for the caffeine. Instead, reach for a bottle of DHEA. Most adults feel an increase in energy with just 100 mg per day.
** Glycogen **
Last but not least on the list of daily energy supplements is glycogen. Glycogen is the fuel that is stored in our livers and converted to glucose when we need a quick burst of energy. In a cave man, the liver would use glycogen any time the "fight or flight" response was triggered. In modern times our bodies need glycogen any time we are under stress or need a quick energy fix. The best sources of glycogen are meats including liver and most cuts of meat available in your grocery store. Another alternative is properly processed blue-green algae from Klamath Lake. This algae's cell wall is made up of glycogen that your body can use right away. So if you're on the run and don't have time to stop by the cafeteria for liver and onions, pop a couple of capsules of blue-green algae and you'll have daily energy to spare!
You don't have to give yourself the caffeine jitters or sleep around the clock to get more daily energy. The natural sources of daily energy described in this article are simple and effective ways you can use to help you make it through your day. When adding any of these items to your daily regimen, always start with a small quantity first and increase the amount as necessary until you get the desired results. With any of the pill-based supplements, taking them with food may decrease the effect but may also help you gauge the effects gradually and safely.
Cheers,
Alan
Thursday, January 1, 2009
How Much Water Should You Really Drink?
As a society we've grown up being told that we're not drinking enough water, so consequently all of us have become more conscious of hydration, which is good. The human body is 60-75% water, so we definitely need to keep our fluid level high. Plus, adequate water intake has been shown to:
* Help the body flush toxins
* Improve the condition of our skin
* Prevent water retention
* Assist in weight loss (by helping you stay full and flushing toxins
* Help all of our internal organs function more efficiently
However, new research also shows that some people are drinking too much water. Called over-hydration, the practice of drinking too much water can cause the salt content in your bloodstream to become diluted. As a result there is less salt available to your body's tissues, which can affect your brain, heart, and muscle function.
So how much water should you really drink? Most health agencies and organization recommend a formula like this:
Having listed this formula, many holistic physicians also recommend that you listen to your body. Pay attention to when you are thirsty and respond by drinking water. Don't force yourself to drink water when you're not thirsty and don't ignore thirst signals either. Also, most experts recommend that you spread your water intake evenly throughout the day.
Once you're drinking enough water you might also want to consider how you can increase your body's ability to release toxins (which are carried out of the body by water). We suggest adding probiotics like acidophilus and bifidus, two forms of friendly gut bacteria that also act as natural antibiotics, as well as plenty of antioxidants like. Also, avoid drinking chlorinated water whenever possible. With plenty of water and good nutrition you can look forward to a new healthier you!
* Help the body flush toxins
* Improve the condition of our skin
* Prevent water retention
* Assist in weight loss (by helping you stay full and flushing toxins
* Help all of our internal organs function more efficiently
However, new research also shows that some people are drinking too much water. Called over-hydration, the practice of drinking too much water can cause the salt content in your bloodstream to become diluted. As a result there is less salt available to your body's tissues, which can affect your brain, heart, and muscle function.
So how much water should you really drink? Most health agencies and organization recommend a formula like this:
- Calculate 75% of your body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, this would be 112.5 pounds.
- Covert that figure to ounces (112.6 ounces).
- Add 16 ounces each for a dry climate or strenuous exercise to get your total suggested water intake.
Having listed this formula, many holistic physicians also recommend that you listen to your body. Pay attention to when you are thirsty and respond by drinking water. Don't force yourself to drink water when you're not thirsty and don't ignore thirst signals either. Also, most experts recommend that you spread your water intake evenly throughout the day.
Once you're drinking enough water you might also want to consider how you can increase your body's ability to release toxins (which are carried out of the body by water). We suggest adding probiotics like acidophilus and bifidus, two forms of friendly gut bacteria that also act as natural antibiotics, as well as plenty of antioxidants like. Also, avoid drinking chlorinated water whenever possible. With plenty of water and good nutrition you can look forward to a new healthier you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)