Diet and Weight Loss Tips

Have there been times when you have cried out in frustration and envy after watching a Mr. Universe contest thinking “I work-out 5 days a week, eat all the protein and carbohydrates I can get my hands on and still can’t get anywhere near to a body like THAT!”? Take a deep breath and relax. You are not alone.

While drooling over the Grecian god-like bodies of professional bodybuilders, we tend to overlook a major element of their bodybuilding regime – bodybuilding supplements! Most of us freak out at the mere mention of these, believing bodybuilding supplements to be synonymous with anabolic steroids or at least to be a step towards their use. The main argument supplement users give in their defense is that whereas steroids change natural hormone levels, especially testosterone, beyond the level that nature intended, supplements are not-guilty of this charge. There's been abundant research supporting the fact that supplements, if chosen correctly, not only help in building muscle, but also aid in recovering from rigorous workouts.

Before starting off with a bodybuilding supplement, you however need to keep in mind that these supplements are tools to quicken the process of building muscles and are not a substitute for heavy duty training and a proper nutritious diet. Three popular supplements that are recommended by most weight trainers as likely to produce the best results in achieving body mass are multi-vitamins, desiccated liver and weight gainers.

We are all aware that proteins are largely responsible for building, maintaining and replacing the injured tissues in our body. So when we speak of supplements that help, we are of course talking about protein. Apart from helping in gaining mass or dropping fat, an important reason why supplements make a daily diet of athletes involved in bodybuilding and other sports is that they help to improve the repair, recovery and growth processes of muscles that get injured during training. Protein supplements are highly suggested for bodybuilders and come in different forms, ranging from Protein Bars, Whey Protein to Protein Drinks.

Energy drinks like Red Bull and energy bars are popular types of energy supplements. Energy drinks act by burning up body fuel at a much faster rate than normal and hence giving an energy boost. But once the body has consumed all that extra “energy”, it leads to a crash. Their main course of action is metabolic and stimulation of the central nervous system, which is achieved through a high dose of caffeine. These drinks, if taken rationally, contribute to mental alertness and physical performance as is revealed by several studies. Energy bars on the other hand provide huge amounts of fuel instead of depending on the stored reserves.

For those of you with muscle gaining goals, the suggested supplements are Protein Powders, Weight Gainers and Creatine Monohydrate. For a weight loss plan, Fat Burners, Meal Replacements and Nutrition Bars work best. To ensure that you are ready for hard training, supplements with vitamins and minerals, energy and endurance formulas can provide the best help.

For many years the only way to have access to this fantastic immune booster supplement was to live in Japan. During this era Lane Labs located in the U.S. formulated a similar product. Both products targeted the immune system specifically to prevent and treat cancer, and both proved their effectiveness.

In fact, the Lane Labs product, MGN-3 was so good it seems that political pressure was put on the FDA to find a way to prohibit its distribution in the U.S. It took a while, but a couple of years ago the FDA was finally successful in forcing Lane Labs to stop selling MGN-3 in the U.S. That was a sad day.

But you know, when one door closes, another one opens and sometimes that new opening is a good thing. That is what happened here. The product that was exclusive to Japan was finally approved for import to the United States.

The name of that product is AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound.

You're wondering what is this product. Right! It is an extract of several mushrooms which include the shiitake. These are considered medicinal mushrooms and are known for their ability to enhance macrophage and NK (Natural Killer) Cell Activity. NK cells and the intercellular mediators they produce are critical for the maintenance of healthy cell cycle function. In addition, NK cell numbers are dramatically increased in the presence of viruses.

Our immune systems stand between us and the rest of the world. If our bodies did not have an immune system we would be overcome by bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses and cancer cells. Our immune system is quite complex and is composed of a large array of specialized immune cells that identify, seek out and destroy microbes, pathogens and tumor/cancel cells.

This immune system produces something called natural killer (NK) cells. They rapidly attack any potential threats. This is the "front-line" defense system. What actually happens is that the NK cells attach themselves to the surface of cancer cells and inject a chemical hand grenade (this is a "granule") into the cancer cell. Then it explodes killing and bacteria or virus. The NK cell remains undamaged and continues to move from cancer cell to cancer cell doing its killing job.

As we age our immune systems lose their efficiency and the NK cells slow down and don't kill off all the bad, bad cancer cells quick enough. You can now see the importance to keep our immune system strong as we age and there is only one way to do it, with supplements. High quality supplements.

Now I would like to introduce you to AHCC (activated hexose correlate compound)which has the ability to:

* Stimulate cytokine production, which stimulates immune function.
* Increases NK cell activity against diseased cells as much as 300%
* Increases the formation of explosive granules (using NK cells) which destroys cancer cells and tumors.
* Increases the number and the activity of lymphocytes, superficially increasing T-cells up to 200%.
* Increases Interferon levels, which inhibits the replication of viruses and also stimulates the NK cell activity.
* Increases the formation of TNF, a group of proteins that help destroy cancer cells.

AHCC is so effective it has been written up in...
* International Journal of Immunology
* Anti-Cancer Drugs
* Society of Natural Immunity
* International Journal of Immunotherapy

It has been generally decided that 3 grams a day of AHCC will lower the level of cancer markers found with patients with...

* prostate cancer
* ovarian cancer
* multiple myeloma
* breast cancer

AHCC was initially used in Japan, but now it is available in the Unite States. Taken in therapeutic doses it will increase the NK cell activity. Normally AHCC comes in 500mg capsules so in order to reach the effective dose, 6 capsules a day will be required. Consumption is oral. For those persons with cancer, AIDS, and other life-threatening conditions, 6 capsules a a day is the minimum dose. Spread the doses eventually throughout the day so that the body has a constant supply of nutrients to keep increased NK cell activity an a high constant level.

The high dosage should be maintained for minimum of 3 weeks and it some cases should be extended to 8-10 weeks. Once it is proven that all cancer markers have been reduced substantially wherein the patient has shown a major reduction of cancer markers and energy and vitality have returned, then and only then can a reduction to 3 capsules a day can is possible.

Omega3 and Omega6 work together in the body, however a balance of 1:1 is required for optimal performance. Our modern diets of processed foods and oils are already so high in Omega6 that some doctors are saying the ratio can be anywhere from 1:20 to 1:60. In order to get the balance into a healthier range you have to increase your intake of Omega3. One of the easiest ways to increase your intake is through Omega3 supplements.

The following is a list of 9 of the most popular Omega3 supplements on the market today:

1. Omega3 Supplements from Hemp Oil
Hemp oil is high in essential fatty acids. In fact 30-35% of the weight of a hemp seed is oil, which contains the essential fatty acids linolenic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

2. Omega3 Supplements from Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil contains high levels of Omega3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is beneficial for reducing inflammation and is also required for normal infant development.

3. Omega3 Supplements from Fish Oil
Fish oil contains the Omega3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Fish oil can be made using a variety of species such as salmon, tuna, sardines and anchovies as well as other types of fish.

4. Omega3 Supplements from Salmon Oil
Much like fish oil, salmon oil contains the Omega3 essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The difference being salmon oil supplements are made only using farmed or wild salmon.

5. Omega3 Supplements from Krill Oil
Krill oil is made from krill, a shrimp-like marine animal that is typically eaten by whales and seals. Krill oil contains the Omega3 essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

6. Omega3 Supplements from Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil contains high levels of Vitamin A and D as well as the Omega3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Although there is a risk of toxins when consuming fish in any form, it must be warned that since the liver acts as a filter, cod liver oil has a higher risk of being contaminated with toxins such as mercury and PCBs.

7. Omega3 Supplements from Shark Liver Oil
Shark liver oil is rich vitamins A and D, and the Omega3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However much like Cod liver oil, there is a higher chance of contamination of toxins such as mercury and PCBs.

8. Omega3 Supplements from Emu Oil
Emu oil has been used for thousands of years as a natural medicine by the Aborigines of Australia. With its high concentration of linolenic acid (LA) and oleic acid (OA), Emu oil can be used internally for its healing Omega3, 6, and 9 properties.

9. Omega3 Supplements from Seal Oil
Omega3 supplements from seal oil are the only type of supplement that contains all three Omega3 essential fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). All three Omega3’s (EPA, DHA and DPA) are present in mothers milk and are essential for growth and development.

Essential Fatty Acids are called so because they are essential to our health, but are something that our bodies cannot make. The most important and overlooked essential fatty acids that are lacking in our modern diets are the Omega3 essential fatty acids EPA, DHA and DPA.

Old habits die hard. If you’re accustomed to heaping a spoon of sugar into your coffee six times a day, and can’t wait to leave the office at lunch time for a toasted sarmie, then you’re not going to like this home grown advice that you probably heard from your mom a million times over; eating more fruit and vegetables is good for you.

There are very Tangible Benefits for Swapping Fast Foods for Fresh

Everybody is so different that you can’t make blanket claims that eating more fruit and vegetables will definitely result in better skin, glossier hair or fewer infections. But we are confident that a healthy diet will affect how bloated you are, and if you’re eating foods with a low GI index, you will have more energy. Cutting out caffeine and alcohol, especially if you are caffeine sensitive, is also bound to result in better sleep.

But if that’s not enough for you to give up your daily diet of comfort food, the following information might be more convincing.

Fruit and vegetables are the only foods which collectively have been consistently associated with risk reduction in several diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and age related macular degeneration. In addition, some new data is emerging to support a protective role for fruits and vegetables in the prevention of cataract formation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The reason why fruit and vegetables pack such a powerful healing punch has to do with the phytochemicals they contain. Phytochemicals are active compounds in food that prevent disease. Indoles, found in cabbage and Brussels sprouts, have anti cancer properties. Chlorophyll, in green plants, helps to oxygenate the blood and improve energy. Allicin, in garlic and spring onions, boosts the immune system. These are just three of hundreds of the commonly occurring phytochemicals in nature’s pharmacy.

Although many of these are not classified as essential nutrients, they do impact on the chemistry of the body and on our health as significantly as vitamins and minerals. The superheroes in the fight against disease include; aloe vera, berries, blue-green algae (spirulin), carrots, sweet potatoes, watercress, peas, cruciferous vegetables, essential oils such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, fish, garlic, shiitake and reishi mushrooms, quinoa, seeds and nuts, soya products, watermelon, wheat and barley grass.

The exact mechanism that explains the protective role of fruit and vegetables in cancer is yet to be determined, but is likely to be multi factorial. The results of many studies continue to suggest a more complex role for specific micronutrients and non nutritive substances, an area which is being actively and intensely investigated. It’s important to remember that fruit and vegetable consumption may also be an index that reflects differences between individuals who do or do not eat healthily, rather than having an exclusively protective role against cancer.

Not sure what that means? Well, chances are if you’re eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, you’re also probably the kind of person who doesn’t smoke, drink in excess and exercises regularly. So it could mean that your whole lifestyle offers protection against disease, rather than the fruit and vegetables being solely responsible for your good health.

But until we have evidence to the contrary, it seems we should stick to mom’s advice and eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

Is natural mineral water healthy? How many of you know the answer for this question? What really surprises me is that a lot of people do not really know the answer for this seemingly easy question. The answer is yes. Natural mineral water is healthy and it is very, very essential for your body. We need water to function as more than 70% of our body is composed of nothing but water.

If water is all we need, why not drink any water? Why do doctors consider mineral water healthy? These are, again, valid questions. But you have to understand that naturally occurring water contains a lot of essential minerals. These minerals are very, very important for our body. The problem with the water filter units today is that most of those units destroy these essential minerals while purifying water. As a result, the water you get is de-mineralized and it's not fit for drinking.

Reverse osmosis and point of use distillation are two such water purification methods which make water completely undrinkable. Both these methods don't give a hundred percent pure water as the former is not capable of removing herbicide traces from water and the latter is not capable of removing organic compounds from water. And to make things worse, both these methods destroy the essential minerals present in water. Completely unaware of this, a lot of people are using RO filter units and distillation units.

Some people are just too smart. They use mineral revitalization systems. This is the perfect way of beating around the bush. These systems work in a peculiar way. They have two units - one for purifying water and the other for re-mineralizing water. The purifying unit usually consists of RO filters or distillation units. They completely destroy the essential minerals present in water. And then the revitalization unit re-mineralizes the water. And then they come up with fancy names like natural mineral water H20 and stuff like that.

The only question you need to ask yourself is - why use such systems which are time consuming and laborious when you have methods like active carbon block filtration which is simply way more effective than any other methods today? The truth is, not many people realize the amazingly simple method in which active carbon filters work.

Active carbon blocks are considered very effective in removing different types of contaminants present in water. In a multi chambered carbon filter, there are more than two of such blocks and water passes through all these blocks. As a result, the water you get is very pure. Most importantly, these blocks don't destroy the essential minerals present in water. So, there you have it. Your quest for the perfect natural mineral water H20 has finally ended.

And don't just take my word for it. Multi chambered carbon filtration is considered the best water purification method and it is recommended by doctors around the world.

The way I see it, people who consider natural mineral water healthy will not ever use a water purification system which destroys the essential minerals present in water. Now, my question to you is - are you one of them? If you are, buy the best product today and don't settle for anything less.