Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Colon Cleanse Fast And Say Hello To A HealthyColon.
Colon cleansing is a controversial subject, and despite all thenegative feedback and comments posted in recent times, itspopularity has increased at a rapid rate. This has been due toan increase in people's awareness about its benefits and thedire consequences that can occur in having an unhealthy colon.So if you are looking for a way to colon cleanse fast Thenhere are some options available.Although it is a disputed topic, few people would disagree thatmaintaining the health of the colon is of prime importance. Itwas once coined that "death begins in the colon" and there doesseem to be a lot of anecdotal information that more and moreconditions is sparked through problems in digestion and wasteelimination.Some of the statistics are quite scary, with colon cancer nowbeing the second most fatal cancer in the US, killing morepeople than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Also, there arenumerous statistical studies to show that bowel problems anddisorders impact over 50% of Americans.What is to blame for many of these conditions? Well, there isno one underlying cause, but there is much information thatsuggests the "western" diet of highly processed, high fat, lowfiber foods is a contributory factor to colon/ bowel health.A diet of sticky, gluey foods, which are low in fiber ifconsumed over long periods may eventually start to cause wastematerial to slow its progress trough the colon. This over timewill cause the waste material to accumulate and then causeblockages in the colon, which lead to constipation and a buildup of waste material.This then impacts on the colon's ability to eliminate waste inthe future and absorb nutrients.Continue reading to discover natural methods to clean the colonand join the free detoxification newsletter.Unfortunately this waste can then sit in the colon and leaktoxins, which can lead to other conditions.The colon has a natural ability to clean itself and for themany people who eat a diet that is rich in roughage and low inhigh fat, processed foods will most likely have a healthy colonand healthy gut flora to match.However, if this is not the case, then a colon cleanse may helpto stimulate the colon and remove waste so that colon health canbe restored.It is worth remembering however that colon cleansing is carriedout over a relatively short time, and after the treatment theproblems can reoccur if the appropriate changes are not made todiet and lifestyle.There are various approaches to having a colon cleanse, andnumerous kits available over the Internet or therapies that canbe attended at a spa or clinic.However, the simplest proven way to clean the colon is to havecolonic hydrotherapy (colonic irrigation). This involves atrained practitioner using liquid to wash away any lodged wastematerial and clean out the colon. This can sometimes mean thatthe friendly bacteria population is reduced, along with otherbacteria and parasites, but it will quickly re-establish itselfin the health colon.Enemas can also be used either in a clinic/ spa or there arehome kits that can be purchased from the pharmacist. Enemasallow liquid to slowly enter the rectum and the lower parts ofthe colon to flush out waste material. The process of havingan enema stimulates the colon and helps evacuate waste.Enemas do not clean as far into the colon as colonic's do, soit may take more treatments to get the results you are after.Laxatives can have a quick effect on a person, stimulatingbowel movements and eliminating waste that may be trapped.However, they do not tend to be as effective at removingstubborn waste deposits.Herbal preparations work in a similar way to laxatives, butthey include many ingredients that can help "scrap" clean thecolon and stimulate colon activity and health. Generally,most of these preparations will require you to make somechanges to diet, and be able to take a few days to follow theprocedure.If you want to colon cleanse fast then the quickest treatmentmay be to arrange an appointment at a local spa that carriesout colonic hydrotherapy. Otherwise, changing diet along witha recognised herbal preparation treatment is another optionavailable.About The Author: Sign up for Maggie Simmons' free ColonCleanse newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methodsto help you discover more about colon cleanse fast athttp://www.colon-cleanse-for-health.com/?source=is
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Gym Equipment For Total Body Fitness
Exercise can literally make you feel better mentally andemotionally and you can often train even if you have somehealth problems or injuries. For example if you have arthritisor stress fractures you can still use elliptical equipment toexercise and maintain muscle mass. And you can exercise at homein relative ease if you have the equipment for it. It can be tuff to get started and you simply need to find yourinner motivation for using the exercise equipment. Well, don'tfeel too guilty, people often make resolutions to begin aproper exercise routine and find that they slack off in a fewweeks. If you set specific days for the training it often workbetter and after some time you get kind of addicted totraining. Even if your gym might have some of the newest and greatestexercise equipment available there are great alternatives togym training. In fact, aerobic exercise is far more effectiveat helping you lose weight then strength training, although ahome gym can help you build up your muscle mass which canaccelerate your weight loss in addition to the aerobicexercises that you do. Whether this comes in the form of housecleaning for an hour orstrength training at the gym, it is a fact that exercise keepsyour muscles strong, your heart strong, and your body in shape.If you haven't been involved in weight strength training in thepast, it is really easy to get confused by all the differentkind of home gym equipment that is on the market today. Try to get some good guidance and training before you undertakeusing free weights to make sure you are doing it properly. Ifyou decide to go this route, it's a good idea to invest in atraining program that will show you how to use your equipmentproperly and avoid injury. Most home gyms are usually strength training machines thatprovide a structured way of performing each exercise. Thebenefits of strength training are many and well-documented, andthey can be very useful for overall body conditioning When you look at gym equipment, you can pick out some of themost useful and flexible machines and tools, and separate themfrom the gimmicks. Many users of home gym equipment have or usemultistation pieces that allow them to workout on several typesof machines in one, for example the Bowflex. There are alsomultiple weight machines to use each one focusing on adifferent muscle. The home gym equipments generally falls into two majorcategories, the first being home gyms that use rods or bars tocreate resistance, and the second being strength trainingmachines that use a weight stack or plates. Both categorieshave advantages and do not hesitate to use a machine withweight stack or plates. It is good training to do that job aswell.About The Author: Keith George always writes about valuablenews & reviews. A related resource ishttp://more-gym-equipment.info/ Further information can befound at http://home-mortgage-cycling.info/
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Watching Your Weight With Weight Watchers
One of the longest running weight loss programs, with arguably the largest following in the world, is Weight Watchers. Some people speculate that the popularity of Weight Watchers is due to the fact that no food is restricted while on the program, while others say it is the support that participants receive from other people who are involved in the program that makes it a success. Whatever your opinions are, Weight Watchers has outlived many weight loss programs that have come and gone.Founded in the 1960s in a New York apartment by Jean Nidetch as a support group for a small group of friends, this program has grown into an international company which operates in over 3 dozen countries. But exactly how does this program differ from other weight loss programs?Points SystemWell, for one thing, at the heart of this program is a points system that is given to different servings of foods that you eat on the program. Points are given to the foods based on such factors as the grams of fat, number of calories and grams of fiber that the food contains. For example, 1 cup of non-fat plain yogurt is 2 points while a salad with low-fat dressing is just 1 point. Additionally, on the day you exercise you are allowed to have more food points. Conversely, on the days you do not exercise you will consume foods with fewer points. Salads and vegetables are free of points and can be eaten as much as the person likes. Points are determined for each person based on the amount of weight that person wishes to lose. On the average, participants are given between 18-22 points per day. But again, this is determined on an individual basis.No Food RestrictionsAnother difference between this diet program and other weight loss programs is that there is no restriction as to what foods the participants can eat. Unlike such weight loss programs as the South Beach diet where dieters eliminate carbohydrates that may not be healthy like bread, potatoes, sugar, sweets, cereals and grains, fruits, baked goods and other types of sugar containing foods, the program was set up to allow participants to eat any foods that they like as long as they stay within the number of points you are allowed for that day.Support SystemAnother difference that sets Weight Watchers apart from other weight loss programs is an optional support system that is built into the program. When you officially enroll in this program, you will be able to meet with a group of like-minded people who are trying to lose weight themselves. During the support groups, group leaders may deliver talks on a variety of topics and participants can share their experiences, ask questions or get advice.Core PlanIn recent times, they have added another aspect to their program which they call the Core Plan. This plan involves allowing you to eat from a certain category of foods until satisfied but not until full. Some of these foods include: lean meats, whole grain foods, fruits, vegetables and fat-free dairy products, just to name a few.With millions of followers around the world, Weight Watchers has helped people from all walks of life to do the one thing they wanted most, lose weight. Their points system, combined with an eat-what-you-want attitude rather than a diet mentality, makes this unique diet regime a practical, flexible approach that a lot of people are finding success with.Patricia has been interested in weight loss & fitness since the early 70's and knows the difference between hype & fact. For more dieting & fitness information please visit: http://www.The-Weightloss-Guide.com/blog
Friday, June 8, 2007
Weight Loss Tips
Weight Loss TipsCopyright (c) 2007 Jon M. StoutGolden Moon Teahttp://www.GoldenMoonTea.comToday, doctors are calling obesity our number one health concernin the United States. Today, about 30% of the adult population inthis country is considered obese. In addition, 16% of childrenbetween the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. Though it has gaineda tremendous amount of attention in the past few years, theproblem is still on the rise.One of this country's national health objectives is to reducethe incidence of obesity to less than 15% of the adult populationby the year 2010. And, while there is a lot of talk about theproblem, many people don't seem to truly understand the stepsthey need to take to get their weight under control.Most of us understand that in order to lose weight you need toburn more calories than you consume. However, many people attemptto reach this goal by seriously restricting their calorie intake.This type of dieting generally fails for two reasons.First of all, when you begin to significantly reduce the numberof calories you consume, your body goes into starvation mode.When in starvation mode, your body works very hard to hold ontothe fat that you have, decreasing the number of calories you'reburning. This means that your body is adjusting itself to thereduced number of calories you're consuming.Secondly, starvation diets are not realistic. We simply cannotlive on such restrictive plans for any significant length oftime. So, we begin to feel deprived, and before you know it,we've given up on dieting.Doctors believe that just after a starvation diet, our bodieswill quickly accumulate fat when we begin to eat again, as thoughtrying to make up for the famine it just endured. So, often, justa few weeks after ending a diet, we find that we're fatter thanbefore. We feel defeated and as though losing weight is simplynot possible.However, losing weight is possible if you approach the situationcorrectly. There are two important pieces to the weight losspuzzle. The first is adjusting your diet.Adjusting your diet doesn't mean eating so little that you'rehungry nearly all the time. Adjusting your diet for permanentweight loss means replacing your high fat, high calorie foodswith those that are healthier and contain fewer calories. Byeating the right foods, you can easily eat enough to feelsatisfied, but still lose weight. Avoiding hunger will help youstick to your diet long enough to see serious results.Take a look at the way you're eating. Get rid of thehydrogenated fats like butter and replace them with healthy oneslike olive oil. Eat mostly chicken and fish - making red meats anoccasional meal rather than a regular one. Eat lots of freshfruits and vegetables, and make your breads and cereals only fromwhole grains. Avoid processed foods. If you can make thesesubstitutions, you should lose weight automatically.The second part of the weight loss equation is speeding up yourmetabolism. You can make a significant difference in the numberof calories you burn each day, making weight loss and weightmaintenance far easier.The fastest and easiest way to speed up your metabolism is toexercise. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.Walking is a great exercise that anyone can do. In addition, tryto make your life more active in general. Take the stairs insteadof the elevator and walk wherever you can.Be sure to get in some resistance training, as well. Muscle, evenwhen resting, burns more calories than fat, so adding someadditional muscle is extremely beneficial. You don't need to aimto be a body builder; just 20 minutes of strength training 3times a week is enough to build some additional muscle. Strengthtraining will also help shape your body, making your weight lossresults more noticeable.It is also beneficial to use foods to your advantage when itcomes to speeding up your metabolism. For example, eat thosefoods that require lots of energy to digest, like raw fruits andvegetables. Many raw vegetables actually require more calories todigest than they contain!In addition, try adding some tea to your diet. Tea has been shownto speed up the metabolism and help oxidize fat. It may also havethe ability to inhibit the absorption of dietary fat into thebody.One research study, conducted at Maastricht University in TheNetherlands, looked at tea's ability to increase thermogenesis,burning fat and speeding up the metabolism. Many studies haveshown that caffeine helps speed weight loss, but tea seems tohave more potential than other beverages with caffeine.Tea's catechins, a potent form of anti-oxidant, seem to work inconjunction with the caffeine in tea to burn fat and speed upmetabolism. The study in the Netherlands came to this conclusion,along with concluding that other substances often used to speedmetabolism, like caffeine with ephedra, simply are not safeenough to be recommended as a weight loss supplement.For those prone to being overweight, keeping the scale in checkis a lifelong project. But, armed with the right tools, includinga sensible diet, regular exercise and helpers like tea,maintaining a normal weight for the long term is entirelypossible.http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/00832.2005v1---------------------------------------------------------------------Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden MoonTea Company. For more information about tea,(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
Friday, June 1, 2007
Ten Healthy Eating Tips For Today's Busy People
Eating healthy can be difficult, especially if you are a personwho is constantly on the run. Today, more than ever, people arefinding it necessary to try to maneuver around busy schedules,while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The busier youare, the more difficult this is, but it is not an impossiblefete. Because you are on the go, it is extremely important togive proper attention to eating as healthy as possible. Beloware ten tips that will help get you pointed in the rightdirection. Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods. You need over 40different nutrients for good health, and no single food willsupply them all. Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. There is awide variety out there from which to choose, so you should haveno problem finding some you like. Maintain a healthy weight. Your appropriate weight will dependon many different factors such as body type, size, your height,gender, and heredity. This is very important for maintaininggood health, and is easy to ignore when you are constantly onthe go. Eat food in moderate portions. If you keep portion sizes tothis level, you will be able to maintain a good weight. Youwill also get used to eating those portions. Eat meals on a regular basis. When you are on the go, it iseasy to skip meals, or substitute eating healthy foods for fastfood. Reduce certain foods instead of eliminating them altogether.Elimination is why many diets do not work. Here, people oftencut out certain foods altogether in order to lose weight. Oncethey have lost the desired amount of weight, they assume theirprevious eating habits, which only results in subsequent weightgain. By eliminating certain foods, you also runt he risk of notgetting important nutrients. Balance your food choices over time. Not ever food must beperfect, but you want to create a balance that will help youget the food groups you need, while helping to cut back onunwanted fats or sugar. This does not mean you should eliminatethem altogether. Know your diet pitfalls. Before you can identify what is wrongwith your eating habits, you must first identify them. To dothis, write down everything you eat over a three-day period.Then, compare what you ate with what you should be eating. Thiswill help you figure out where you are going wrong. Make changes gradually. Revamping your diet habits is a processthat is accomplished over time, not overnight. Keep in mind that foods are not necessarily good or bad. Whenselecting foods, do so with your total eating patterns in mind,not on whether or not an individual food is "good" or "bad".About The Author: Tone-A-Matic is a revolutionary muscleexerciser for use anywhere. Electronic muscle stimulator.http://www.toneamatic.com/
Friday, May 11, 2007
Wu Long Teas And Weight Loss
According to the American Obesity Association, obesity "is thesecond leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60million obese, and 9 million severely obese."These numbers are disturbing and continue to rise every year.There are more than 30 medical conditions associated with obesityincluding cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, gallbladderdisease, hypertension, liver disease, and stroke.Obesity is a world wide problem. The World Health Organization(WHO) concludes that more than 1.2 billion people around theworld are classified as overweight.Obesity is a complex disease involving environmental (social andcultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral andpsychological components. It is the second leading cause ofpreventable death in the U.S.Carrying excess body weight can increase your risk of developingor worsening an existing medical condition like diabetes, heartdisease, certain cancers, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.Healthy weight, overweight and obese individuals can all benefitfrom using obesity prevention strategies.Strategies to Prevent Weight GainTo help prevent weight gain it is important to assess yourbehavior and environment and adopt healthy habitsThe amount and types of foods you eat, and your physical activityhabits are important factors in controlling weight. Theenvironment in which you live may also contribute to the adoptionof poor eating or exercise habits. This is especially true intoday's society, which is dominated by speed and convenience.For example, escalators, elevators and remote-control appliancesmake us less physically active and walking is less frequent thanin prior years. Also, greater availability of foods that arehigh in calories, fat and added sugars, and larger portion sizespromote unhealthy eating behaviors.In addition, reputable organizations, government agencies andindependent researchers agree on the importance of adoptinghealthy habits to prevent weight gain.Effective weight management involves behavior modification whichis a lifelong commitment and includes at least two components:Healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines forAmericans, emphasizing a reduction in total calories, a loweredfat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and wholegrains, is an essential part of weight control.Increased frequent and regular physical activity of at leastmoderate intensity is also required.Health professionals also recommend a prescription for health andweight loss that includes: Moderate physical activity on most days of the week of atleast 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day forchildren. Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, andreasonable portion sizes at home, in schools, at worksites, andin communities. Drinking at least eight glasses of pure water.In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, the use of Wu longtea (also spelled oolong tea or wu long tea) is growing inpopularity as a wholesome and flavorful way to limit weightgain.Will drinking Wu long tea really help lose weight?For many, Wu long tea is a helpful addition to a comprehensiveweight loss program. Wu long tea tastes good, contains healthbenefits that lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and a cupof Wu long tea in the morning can serve as a reminder of ahealthy life style.Wu Long tea has become a premium weight loss tea that many arediscovering for the first time. If you have never enjoyed thegreat taste and slimming health benefits it is known for, you aretruly missing an incredible opportunity. Originating in theFujian Province of China, Wu Long tea has gradually beenintroduced into Western culture. Of all the tea, Wu Longrepresents the Chinese culture best.Those who enjoy the flavor and rich aroma unique to slimming WuLong tea truly understand the art of drinking it - slowly anddelicately. Using a tiny teapot and small teacup, they areinheriting a rich tradition, started by the Chinese generationsago. The health benefits of Wu long tea are many: Rich in Theaflavin, Tea Polysaccharides and Tea Catechin,antioxidants that assist in the reduction of plaque in thearteries, in lowering cholesterol and in producing slimmingeffects. Helps regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics. Burns 2.5 times more calories than Green Tea, ideal for weightloss. Promotes clear, youthful looking skin.Scientific studies have established that tea is high inhealth-promoting polyphenols that protect us against cancer andother diseases. Wu long tea is particularly high in "polymerizedpolyphenols" which according to recent studies helps to increaseenergy expenditure.One recent study found that energy expenditure increased by 10%for a period of 2 hours after drinking wu long tea. This wassignificantly higher than the energy expenditure observed afterdrinking other types of tea.Another study found that wu long tea can suppress lipidmetabolism which has the effect of suppressing fatty accumulationand body weight increases. The study concludes that long-termconsumption of wu long tea is beneficial for the suppression ofdiet induced obesity.Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins arepresent in all types of tea, but hand picked wu long tea is thebest source because the pickers are selecting the best leavesfrom the tea plant. Machine harvesting is indiscriminate andshould be avoided - older leaves and twigs are harvested alongwith the newer leaves.Wu long tea is not a miracle cure for weight problems. Weightloss involves following a sensible, healthy diet, and a change inlifestyle to include an adequate amount of exercise. Wu long teahowever, can give you the extra boost to help in your weight lossplans, but it must be used as part of an overall strategy toimprove your living habits.Weight loss should be part of a healthy lifestyle. Don'tundertake crash weight loss programs and adopt a healthylifestyle including Wu long tea!-----------------------------------------------------Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Gastric Bypass Surgery - How It Works
By: Craig Thompson Gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach smaller. This causes you to feel full with less food so you consume fewer calories. The procedure also bypasses part of your small intestine, so fewer calories are actually absorbed into your system. Fewer calories will ultimately lead to weight loss. When you eat food, it passes through the esophagus and enters into the stomach, where gastric acids soften the food and begin to dissolve it. Next, this semi-liquid mixture enters into the small intestine, where most of the calories and essential nutrients are absorbed by your body. Finally, whatever is left passes into the large intestine and eventually through the colon as it is expelled from the body. Gastric bypass surgery restructures the stomach and intestinal system, resulting in intentional malabsorption and limiting the patient's ability to eat large quantities of food. Common Gastric Bypass Procedures The most common gastric bypass surgery is a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The surgeon will create a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples. Next, he will connect this smaller pouch directly to the middle of the small intestine (called the jejunum). This causes the food to bypass the lower part of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (called the duodenum). Historically, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was does as an open procedure, which means the surgeon makes a large incision in the outer stomach wall to access the abdominal cavity. Today, the laparoscopic procedure is more common for those who qualify. This method is performed by making up to five small incisions in the outer stomach wall and using extremely small instruments and a tiny camera to guide them. Risks and Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery Typically, the surgery requires a two to six day hospital stay, depending on which procedure you have done. Usually, you can return to normal activities within three to five weeks. The type of work you do may require a longer convalescence period. Some of the benefits of gastric bypass surgery are: Most people lose between 60% and 80% of their excess weight over a two to three year period. The majority of patients manage to keep at least 50% of their excess weight off permanently. Other obesity-related health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are often minimized or eliminated. There are also several serious risks with gastric bypass surgery, such as: Peritonitis, a severe infection caused by a leak from the stomach into the abdominal cavity from a ruptured staple or stitch. The possibility of a blood clot breaking away from the surgical area and getting caught in the lung (called a pulmonary embolism). However, recent studies indicate that only about 2% to 3% of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients die within 90 days of the procedure. (Source: "Gastric Bypass - Let the Morbidly Obese Beware", by Neil Osterweil, Senior Associate Editor, MedPage Today.) Common Side Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery Gastric bypass surgery can also cause several less serious short- and long-term side effects, such as: Dumping syndrome, which can occur when food moves too quickly through the small intestine. This disorder causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating and is generally caused by eating highly refined foods, like sugars. Developing gallstones or a nutritional deficiency, such as anemia or osteoporosis. The connection between the stomach and the intestines can narrow, causing nausea and vomiting after eating. Patients can develop stomach ulcers or a hernia. The bypassed part of the stomach can enlarge, causing bloating and hiccups. Of course, any surgery has some risks associated with it. That is why it is essential that you consider all of the benefits and risks associated with gastric bypass surgery and talk them over with your doctor and perhaps even a mental health professional.Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articlesCraig Thompson, better known as "Big T," a former sumo wrestler who used to tip the scales at 400 pounds has since reinvented himself as a singer and bandleader. As one of the earliest to have Gastric Bypass Surgery, in 1997.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)