Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

To Build Muscle, Lose Fat, and Get Healthy, Go Caveman

To build muscle, lose fat, and get healthy, go caveman.
Our Stone Age ancestors lived in an uncomfortable world, spending their 30-year life spans hunting and gathering without air conditioning or heat.

But some say the cave men ate better than we do.

That's the premise behind the Paleo diet, a health and weight-loss trend that encourages people to eat modern-day versions of Paleolithic food. Read more

Monday, June 21, 2010

Natural Remedies for Growing Hair Back

Natural remedies for growing hair back can avoid some of the complications of transplants and other processes. Hair loss is something that happens to most men and many women but the process can be prevented, slowed or even reversed in some cases.

Natural hair loss remedies come in various forms and the best results are likely to come from using more than one.

Massage

Scalp massage can stimulate hair growth where the loss is temporary or not severe, and can help to prevent further loss of hair. Gently massage the full scalp with your fingertips for about three minutes each day. Be careful not to scratch the scalp with your nails or damage any growing hair.

Massage with jojoba oil will provide the scalp with B and E vitamins plus many minerals that will give hair a boost. Jojoba oil is particularly effective if you have a tendency to skin problems, such as dandruff, eczema and psoriasis, or oily hair.

A Chinese form of massage said to stimulate the follicles involves tapping the scalp with the fingers of both hands. Beginning in the middle of the base of the skull at the back, tap about 20 times then move the tapping slowly upward and outward around the ears. Then begin again at the back a little higher than where you started before. Repeat until you have covered the whole scalp, finishing at the front.

Nutrition and Supplements

The hair requires a full balance of vitamins and minerals to grow healthily. Most of us do not get all that we need from our diets. Increasing your intake of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables to around ten varied portions a day will go a long way toward rectifying any deficiencies.

Make sure that you are getting enough of these nutrients in particular:

Vitamin A
All B vitamins, especially B6 and B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc
Iron
Copper
Iodine
Essential fatty acids

If any of the above nutrients are deficient in your diet you can either look for foods that contain more of them (best option) or take supplements, except for vitamin A which should always be supplied from food. The best food sources of vitamin A are orange and red vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, red pepper, etc, ,or dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.

Men should pay particular attention to the amount of zinc in their diet because it is very important for the prostate. It is vital to have enough, but too much can cause problems.

Herbal Remedies

Men may find the herbal treatment Saw Palmetto useful in treating hair loss. This is believed to have an action on the prostate, which is involved in typical male pattern baldness. Be careful not to take too much because if the male hormones that lead to hair loss are reduced too far, breast tissue can develop.

Stress Relief

Stress can cause hair loss, so, therefore, anything you can do to reduce stress or anxiety in your life is likely to have a beneficial effect on your hair. Try meditation or practice relaxation techniques for ten minutes each morning, preferably after exercise. Regular exercise will both reduce stress and create a healthier skin and scalp.

These solutions may help in cases for male pattern baldness and age-related hair loss in women. They do not constitute a health treatment or cure. If your hair loss is related to health problems or medication or has an unknown cause, it is best not to rely on natural remedies for growing hair back, You should see your doctor.

For more information about inexpensive, natural programs to reverse hair loss, read my review of the two best programs I've found to reverse hair loss at my blog Reverse Hair Loss.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Best Foods to Promote Hair Growth

Your diet is reflected in your hair, so Fleur Hupston suggests which food to eat - and which to avoid - to promote hair growth.
Shiny, healthy and abundant hair is of great value to people. When hair starts thinning or falling out, it can cause panic, distress and anxiety for the individuals concerned. Many cures are put forward by the hair industry, yet dietary deficiencies, poor dietary choices, toxic hair care products and poor hair care are often the cause. Stress and chronic disorders can also cause hair loss. There is no overnight cure for hair that has been damaged by a bad diet. Encourage hair growth with natural "hair foods". Read more

Monday, May 10, 2010

Living Prehistorically in the Modern Age

Andrea Shea explains how to live prehistorically in the modern age. She apparently doesn't know that Neanderthals and modern humans were a different species, but not everyone watches the History Channel, I guess. Otherwise, it's a good introduction to the Paleolithic lifestyle
The word “Paleolithic” might evoke images from the 1980s film “Quest for Fire” — or, more recently, the scruffy cavemen in those Geico commercials. But Nate Rosenberg says going back in time to eat like a Neanderthal doesn’t make him one.

“It’s obviously not a reenactment of Paleolithic life,” Rosenberg says.

The 27-year-old foraged through his contemporary kitchen in the cute Somerville apartment he shares with his Paleo partner Michal Naisteter.

“We eat modern foods,” he says. “In the Paleolithic era they did not have ground beef or, you know, dried oregano from Whole Foods and stuff life that, which we benefit from. But we try keep in mind our evolutionary history.”

Added Naisteter: “I eat fish, I eat eggs, I eat vegetables and I eat berries and nuts.”

Naisteter and Rosenberg are part of an international fitness and nutrition movement known as “ancestral health.” Read more

Monday, May 3, 2010

6 Reasons You Should Avoid Dairy at All Costs

Dairy is nature's perfect foods, but only if you're a calf. Plenty of people think milk is perfectly healthy to drink, and advertisements would have you eating dairy all the time. However, it may not be as healthy as you think.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Which Fruits and Vegetables Are Most Effective against Cancer?

Preventing cancer isn't the only reason for eating fruits and vegetables, but if it's one of your reasons, David Servan-Schreiber discusses which ones are most effective.
We've known for many years that consuming copious amounts of certain specific fruits and vegetables reduces our risk of developing various types of cancer. But a recent study reminds us that this protective effect is not linked to all fruit and vegetables. Some foods contain larger amounts of anticancer molecules. Thus we need to be attentive to our choices.

Lifestyle and Cancer:
Cancer is not a disease whose origin is principally genetic, as many people continue to believe. It is a pathology that is closely linked to a range of lifestyle factors, particularly smoking and obesity (which stems from our sedentary habits and our dietary choices). Several studies have shown a direct link between the regular consumption of certain fruits and vegetables and a reduction in risk of developing various types of cancer. Read more

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Claim: Eat Six Small Meals a Day Instead of Three Big Ones

It seems that the mainstream media is starting to finally catch on to some of the research about meals and metabolism: eating more meals does NOT speed up your metabolism (when calories and macronutrients are the same in a fewer number of meals). This “snack all day” mentality is probably making more people overeat in the first place, as they think they are doing the right thing to “speed up” their metabolism (which we know is not the case).
The notion behind eating smaller, more frequent meals is simple: spreading out one’s daily calories over six meals stimulates the metabolism, keeping it going at a faster pace and thereby burning more calories.

Some studies have found modest health benefits to eating smaller meals, but often the research involved extremes, like comparing the effects of two or three large daily meals with those of a dozen or more snacks. Six meals, according to some weight-loss books and fad diets, is a more realistic approach.

But don’t count on it. As long as total caloric and nutrient intake stays the same, then metabolism, at the end of the day, should stay the same as well. Read more

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Misguided War on Fat May Be Making Us Sicker

The misguided war on fat may be making us sicker, says Melinda Wenner Moyer.
Thirty years ago, America declared war against fat. The inaugural edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published in 1980 and subsequently updated every five years, advised people to steer clear of "too much fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol," because of purported ties between fat intake and heart disease. The message has remained essentially the same ever since, with current guidelines recommending that Americans consume less than 10 percent of their daily calories from saturated fat.

But heart disease continues to devastate the country, and, as you may have noticed, we certainly haven't gotten any thinner. Ultimately, that's because fat should never have been our enemy. The big question is whether the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, due out at the end of the year, will finally announce retreat. Read more

Friday, March 26, 2010

Eating Processed Food Leads to Depression

Could diet be the cause of the epidemic of depression, Americans seem to be suffering from? A new study suggests that it might.
People who eat more processed foods are significantly more likely to suffer from depression, while those who eat more fruits and vegetables are significantly less likely to be depressed, according to a study conducted by researchers from University College London and published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

"This study adds to an existing body of solid research that shows the strong links between what we eat and our mental health," said Andrew McCulloch of the Mental Health Foundation. "The U.K. population is consuming less nutritious, fresh produce and more saturated fats and sugars. We are particularly concerned about those who cannot access fresh produce easily or live in areas where there are a high number of fast food restaurants and takeaways." Read more

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Prevent Balding and Grow Hair with Natural Foods

Does what you eat really have an effect on how well your hair grows? It certainly does. Healthy hair growth requires a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Your hair reflects the general state of your health. If you're too busy to eat a healthy diet, your hair will show it.
People lose about one hundred hairs each day. Because hair is made of many nutrients, those nutrients need to be replenished in the body in order for hair to grow. Hair contains protein, fat, water, and carbohydrates. Foods to prevent hair loss can be found in oats, molasses, liver, and whole grains. Because water is comprised of water, it is important to stay hydrated to stimulate proper hair growth. Hair growth is conditioned on genetics. Hair loss increases with age, but proper nutrition can help prevent hair loss, thinning hair and balding. Read more

Friday, February 19, 2010

HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY AND FIT

Provide your body the proper nutrition and hydration is the cornerstone to your health. If you struggle with weight loss and the inability to get in shape to start with a change in your diet. Good nutrition means eating less.

Health Fitness Nutrition Business is the routines that you will be able to participate in the exercise, which is approved by your doctor and adjust your physical abilities. She did not come in the form at night, so do not expect to get back into shape that quickly.

Drink regulate at least 64 liter water per day to hydrate your body, body temperature, and a way for the nutrients you can consume, and to travel throughout the body.

Sleep deprivation or excessive sleep can actually lower the formation of pituitary secretion, and thus confirm the aging process. For this reason, sleep is one of the most natural ways to increase HGH in the body examined.

Treadmill weight training to help users achieve their weight loss goals and have a positive impact on all aspects of their lives, including fitness, as they look like they go, etc.

While complex carbohydrates for breakfast are good, you should try to simple carbohydrates to prevent any price. This kind of carbs are what you find in refined sugar, honey and fruit juices. Although a high speed, you are abandoned, how fast. Instead, you want your carbohydrates from brown rice to get oats, barley and wild rice.

Intending to perform best, have cardiovascular and strength training exercises. This helps burn calories and increases muscle, fat ratio, the metabolic reduction and the increase of that gain or lose weight.

People who are healthy and working even large institutions and physically attractive to eat. You're probably better sex lives and romantic entanglements in turn, they are more satisfied with life.

Regular trips to the dentist can also help those suffering from chronic and persistent bad breath may call bad breath. Good oral health will help to prevent and remove embarrassing bad breath.

Eel and grate a cucumber. Press the juice and mix one teaspoon glycerine and rose water and apply sunscreen to your entire body to reduce brown. . Take a mixture of coconut oil and scented oils like lavender / rosemary, and rub it on your whole body to make smooth and shiny.

Proper diet alone can not guarantee our health and fitness. We also need regular exercise. There are different types of motion, but a kind of training is a comprehensive health experts believe that cardiovascular exercise.

Keep damage to himself lucky, because your mental stress and physical health, do not be sad, always trying to be happy, and less smoking, because his body than those who stop growing need to drink plenty of water for at least 7 to 8 glasses of water a day, water is also one of the most important instrument for the loss of your body weight.

Friday, January 29, 2010

20 Anti-Aging Herbs and Spices to Add to Your Diet Now

Aging is inevitable; however, there are many herbs and spices that can support overall health and may leave you feeling younger than your years, according to Dr. Eric Braverman.
Among other things, the holidays are a time of national dysnutrition: the disease of excess. Dysnutrition happens even in the most developed countries when food is plentiful but the overall diet is based on eating all the wrong balance of foods. Sound familiar? The typical American diet that is high in simple carbohydrates -- white flour, white salt, and processed food -- is aging us. We are getting all the bulk without the nutrients, plus adding to our propensity for developing real food cravings. So whether you are a vegetarian or an omnivore, you can start to reverse aging by simply choosing to eat the right foods to keep you full of vim, vigor, and vitality, especially over the holidays.

The easiest way to make sure you are getting more nutrients into every meal, even when you are grazing at the office cocktail party or the neighborhood potluck dinner is by choosing foods that are loaded with spices. Every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally "upgrading" your food without adding a single calorie. You are taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary by adding color, flavor, vitamins, and often medicinal properties. Here's why: Read more

Monday, January 4, 2010

Incredible Edibles: The 20 Superfoods That Can Improve Your Well-Being.

Most of us know that avocado, blueberries, and broccoli are packed with nutrients, but there are many other lesser-known superfoods that we should become acquainted with, says nutritionist Glen Matten.
1 Leeks for digestion
Judging by the TV ads, I guess you know about probiotics – ‘friendly’ bacteria – already. You probably know less about prebiotics, the fibre that stimulates the good bugs. Leeks contain prebiotics in abundance, which spells happy days for digestive health and may even enhance the immune system.
Other prebiotic foods: Bananas, asparagus, artichokes, onions Read more

Friday, November 20, 2009

You're as Old as You EAT: Guide to Anti-Aging Food

While aging is inevitable, physical decrepitude is not. Many of the outwards signs of growing old can be slowed - and life may even be prolonged - by eating key foods that have been show to an ally against aging.
Keeping in peak condition in old age can be boosted by nutrition, which scientists are proving is a powerful weapon in fighting off diseases. As new research shows that olive oil could play a vital role in protecting against dementia, we look at the key foods that have shown to be an ally against ageing. Read more

Friday, November 13, 2009

Vitamin D: How to Determine Your Optimal Dose

Vitamin D has recently been recognized as being necessary for humans to maintain optimal health and wellness to the point at which some consider vitamin D to be a “miracle substance” that prevents a number of diseases, including various cancers, coronary heart disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, as well as several autoimmune and neurological diseases. The recommended daily allowances are useless, so how do you determine your optimal dose?
In the wide world of supplements, vitamin D is the superstar. For the last few years, this humble nutrient has been featured prominently in allopathic and alternative circles alike. It has basked in the rays of media publicity, and has survived an onslaught of scientific scrutiny. And while such widespread publicity is often good cause for skepticism in the realm of health and medicine, vitamin D appears to be the real deal. Whether we`re talking about heart disease, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or Alzheimer`s disease, the "sunshine vitamin" delivers benefits unseen before our time (1).

Given the remarkably powerful benefits of vitamin D, many find themselves wondering how to actually go about obtaining it. We know that vitamin D is good for us, but how much do we need, and where do we get it? Most people know that sunlight is somehow involved in vitamin D production, but is sunlight alone sufficient to produce the incredible results demonstrated by recent vitamin D research? What about supplements? There are so many different preparations - with doses ranging from 400 IU to 50,000 IU - that it can get a little confusing. Are such supplements necessary, and if so, how much should we be taking? Read more

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fight Off Aging with the Right Foods

Aging is a normal part of life, and we’re living longer and longer. As you get older, good nutrition plays an increasingly important role in how well you age.
Keeping in peak condition in old age can be boosted by nutrition, which scientists are proving is a powerful weapon in fighting off diseases. As new research shows that olive oil could play a vital role in protecting against dementia, we look at the key foods that have shown to be an ally against ageing.

MEMORY: OLIVE OIL

Using olive oil as much as possible could preserve your memory and your heart. Oleocanthal, a compound in olive oil, has been found to slow down changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer's. Researchers believe it will become a key ingredient in medicines designed to combat the disease.

Alzheimer's disease is thought to occur when a protein called ADDL attacks brain cells. Scientists at the University of Philadelphia discovered that oleocanthal in olive oil changes ADDL in a way that makes it harmless. Read more

Monday, September 21, 2009

Health Heresy: 7 Reasons to Eat More Saturated Fat

Tim Ferriss, author of The Four Hour Work Week, has posted an exclusive excerpt from Drs. Michael and Mary Eades’ newest book The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle. The Eades note that one piece of the medical establishment's nutrition advice remains constant no matter what diet is being promoted: “You should sharply limit your intake of saturated fats.” But do saturated fats really increase your risk of heart disease? Actually, no. Humans need saturated fats, and here are seven reasons why:
I’ve invited Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades, two of my favorite bariatric (obesity treatment) doctors in the US and the first to introduce insulin resistance to the mainstream, to explain the facts and benefits of increased saturated fat intake…

The sub-headings are mine, and a few edits have been made for space and context. Please see Dr. Michael Eades’ references and responses to questions in the comments. Read more

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Calorie Delusion: Why Food Labels Are Wrong

Maybe one of the reasons some of us are so fat is because we measure calories the wrong way. Calorie counts are created by incinerating food, but we don't burn food up, we digest it.
... Calorie counts on food labels around the world are based on a system developed in the late 19th century by American chemist Wilbur Olin Atwater. Atwater calculated the energy content of various foods by burning small samples in controlled conditions and measuring the amount of energy released in the form of heat. To estimate the proportion of this raw energy that was used by the body, Atwater calculated the amount of energy lost as undigested food in faeces, and as chemical energy in the form of urea, ammonia and organic acids found in urine, and then he subtracted these figures from the total. Using this method, Atwater estimated that carbohydrates and protein provide an average of 4 kcal per gram, while fat provides 9 kcal per gram. With a few modifications, these measurements of what is known as metabolisable energy have been the currency of food ever since.

We know these values are approximate. Nutritionists are well aware that our bodies don't incinerate food, they digest it. And digestion - from chewing food to moving it through the gut and chemically breaking it down along the way - takes a different amount of energy for different foods. According to Geoffrey Livesey, an independent nutritionist based in Norfolk, UK, this can lower the number of calories your body extracts from a meal by anywhere between 5 and 25 per cent depending on the food eaten. "These energy costs are quite significant," he says, yet are not reflected on any food label. Read more

Monday, June 29, 2009

The Milk Myth: What a Body Really Needs

Does milk really do a body good? It has never been necessary to drink milk to get your source of calcium if you have a diet with a wide variety of foods.
Young adults are not drinking enough milk, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior by researchers from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Well, at least that's according to the press release about the study, along with a few press reports on the matter. But according to lead author Nicole Larson, the focus on the study was on calcium.

Once again, we see the words "milk" and "calcium" used interchangeably in the popular press. Milk is a calcium source, but by no standard other than that of the National Dairy Council is it the best calcium source. Read more

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Diet Foods Encourage Overeating, Study Finds

Researchers explain why dieters eating low-calorie foods often still fail to lose weight.
It is every dieter's nightmare: hopping on to the scales after weeks of forgoing steak for salad, only to find they haven't lost an ounce. Now researchers at the University of Bristol claim to have found a simple explanation for this phenomenon: when people choose lower-calorie dishes, they just compensate by eating bigger portions.

These findings are sure to come as a blow to the diet industry, which makes millions selling low-calorie foods, but should make cheering reading for any dieters sworn off their favourite fatty foods. The study also showed that when faced with foods they liked, participants did not pick bigger portions of them than of any other food. Read more