Monday, 24 September 2012

WHY DO YOU LOOK SLIMMER IN THE MORNING??


Not only do you look slimmer in the morning, but you actually weigh less, too. While you sleep, your body processes the food and drinks from the day before. They are broken down and eliminated through respiration, perspiration or urination. According to Dr. Margaret Polaneczky, 80 percent of weight loss during sleep is from water, and this does not include urine or feces.

Taller in the Morning

You are also taller first thing in the morning, which contributes to your svelte look after waking. Pressure from walking upright all day compresses the spine, forcing water from the discs in between the vertebrae to diffuse. Sleep allows the water to be taken back into the spine without all the pressure of standing.

Salt Intake

Consuming too much salt is a factor in weight gain and water retention. If you spend your day eating salty foods, by nightfall you may look puffy and bloated. Sleep gives the body an opportunity to balance itself causing much of the water retained to be processed and eliminated. Comparing your appearance after a day of loading up on salt with your refreshed morning look exaggerates the slimming effect.

Sleep Yourself Thin

The amount of weight you lose at night is related to the amount of time you spend in short wave sleep. Long periods of short wave sleep are triggered by increased exercise and activity during the day. Also, losing weight actually helps you lose even more weight in your sleep because your sleeping metabolic rate increases as your BMI decreases. So being in good shape and having a hard workout the day before amplifies morning slimming.

Sensible Weight Loss

The combination of weighing less and being taller will make your appearance slimmer in the morning. While this can be encouraging, you will likely gain weight and be shorter by the evening. To keep that slim look longer take a sensible approach to weight loss by eating regular, well-portioned, healthy meals, as well as getting adequate amounts of physical activity and plenty of sleep.


HOW MUCH CAN WEIGHT FLUCTUATE FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT


Water Retention

The water in your body fluctuates from morning to night. The amount of water held depends on your activities and the things you eat and drink. Participating in strenuous activities encourages water loss through sweat, resulting in weight loss. Consuming high-sodium foods and drinks, as well as excessive carbohydrate intake, result in increased water retention and weight gain.

Other Factors

Because your weight is in part determined by the things you put in your body, you may experience weight gain through the day as a result of heavy eating. Constipation can cause you to weigh more, while other ailments, such as the flu, can result in weight loss. Hormone fluctuations, particularly in women, also play a role in daily water retention and weight gain.

Losing Weight Sensibly

Lose weight and keep it off though healthy eating and an active lifestyle. Eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Drink plenty of water and set realistic goals. Taking these simple steps put you on the path of a sustainable weekly weight loss of about 1 to 2 lbs.

Sunday, 23 September 2012

Colostrum and Detoxification.


Detoxification
Traditionally, what detoxification means to most people is taking a powerful herbal concoction which causes the body to dump fluids, thus flushing the system of impurities and toxins. From the point of view of colostrum, however, this is a limited and potentially dangerous concept of detoxification that puts unneeded stress on the body and can do more harm than good. Colostrum detoxifies the body beginning in the gastrointestinal tract in a much healthier and efficacious manner. Colostrum inhibits or destroys harmful pathogens which can colonize the gut and cause major health problems, such as Helicobacter pylori, the main cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers, Candida albicans, a fungus which can overgrow the intestines, forcing out beneficial bacteria, and many others, while promoting the growth of beneficial bacterial colonies. Colostrum also acts to heal the damage to the intestinal lining caused by the pathogens and toxins which can accumulate there. This prevents pathogens and toxins from entering the body and restores normal gut functioning. Colostrum also helps protect and heal both the liver and the pancreas from the effects of toxins in the body by helping to remove dangerous toxins and by stimulating these organs to replace damaged tissue.
  • Colostrum kills H. pylori, a major cause of gastritis and ulcers.
  • Bovine colostrum eradicates many dangerous pathogens from the bowel and heals intestinal erosions and ulcerations.
  • Colostrum protects the gut from infection as IgA within the colostrum protects mucosal lining.
  • Lactoferrin inhibits the growth of Candida albicans and harmful bacteria.
  • Supplementation with colostrum can protect the liver from the toxic effects of hepatitis, cirrhosis, toxic liver cell damage, fibrosis of the liver, inflammation of the liver, fatty liver, and other liver diseases by removing excess toxic protein metabolites, such as ammonia, formed from the breakdown of liver cells, enabling the liver to improve its ability to detoxify these substances on its own. In addition, colostrum supplementation helps prevent portal hypertension, which can have drastic neurological effects.
  • IGF-1 and IGF-II, both found in colostrum, can be given orally to prevent and treat pancreatic disorders as well as to promote pancreatic growth in cases of pancreatic insufficiency, cystic fibrosis or partial removal of the pancreas.

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

WHAT IS A LOW CARB DIET?


Question: What is a Low-Carb Diet?
Answer: The term "low-carb diet" (also called "reduced carbohydrate", or "low-glycemic" diet) is a broad term, encompassing many popular diet books (Atkins, South Beach, Zone, Protein Power, Sugar Busters) as well as eating plans that don't follow a rigid format, but advise limiting the consumption of foods that are high in carbohydrate and/or are especially glycemic (raise blood sugar).

When you read the research about low-carb diets, "low-carb" is defined in many different ways. One difference is whether they are looking at the amount of carbohydrate in the diet or thepercentage of calories from carbohydrate. The other difference is "how low?" The usual carbohydrate recommendations from the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and similar sources for the general public are that 50-65% of the calories in a person's diet should be from carbohydrate, so anything less than that is sometimes considered "low-carb". Studies of low-carb diets have ranged from 45% down to 5% , and authors of diet books are similar. That said, there are three general approaches:

1. Just reduce carbohydrate - Basically, the thinking is that any reduction in carbohydrate is helpful, because increasing numbers of us have exceeded the amount of carbohydrate our bodies can easily handle. These approaches are mainly focused on reducing or eliminating added sugarsand other refined carbohydrates. The "No White Foods" approach fits in this category, which means simply eliminating sugar, white flour, white rice, and potatoes from the diet.

2. Find the best amount of carbohydrate for each person - There is no doubt that each of us has a different level of carbohydrate tolerance. We can think of this as a continuum from people who can eat sugar all day long with no ill effects all the way to diabetics with very poor glucose control. As we age, our carbohydrate tolerance often erodes and we have a greater blood glucose response to carbohydrate, even if our blood glucose stays in the "normal" range. We may develop insulin resistance or creep closer to prediabetes - these are signs that there is probably damage in the pancreas to the beta-cells which make insulin.

Approaches that seek to help people find the optimal carbohydrate level usually advise reducing carbohydrate to a fairly low level and and then gradually adding carbohydrate until there are adverse effects such as a) weight loss ceases, b) weight gain occurs, c) carb cravings return, d) blood glucose control diminishes, e) blood triglycerides rise. Then the individual would reduce carbohydrate intake a bit from that point. Examples of this type of approach are the Atkins and South Beach diets.

3. Seek a ketogenic diet - A ketogenic diet is one which causes the body to primarily use fat for energy rather than glucose. This puts the body into a state sometimes called "keto-adaptation" or "fat adaptation". This state has some metabolic advantages such as improved stamina, e.g. since the body is used to using fat for energy, there is less tendency to "run out of fuel", either during exercise or between meals. One type of ketogenic diet is used to treat epilepsy, and ketogenic diets are under investigation to treat other disorders. Although there is some individual variation, a diet moderate in protein and below 60 grams of carbohydrate per day is ketogenic in most people. Some can eat as much as 100 grams per day and remain in keto

AMINO Acids In the SD2 Formula?? What does it do?


Amino acids are essential to anyone's healthy diet and are especially essential to helping to improve the overall look and texture of the skin. There are 28 amino acids that are supposed to be included in a daily diet, and most of us do not receive enough of these acids through food. Thus, individual supplementation that provides amino acids can help the skin repair itself, tighten, and build the muscle under the skin, eliminating the possibility for sagging skin

Amino acids work by adhering to other elements in the body. Without these acids the body can not perform some of its most basic and simplest of functions. Some of these essential nutrients are the key to skin repair, moisture and flexibility retention, and muscle development.

Sunday, 9 September 2012

THE ADVANTAGES OF A HIGH-PROTEIN, LOW-CARB DIET


Low-carb, high-protein diets were all the rage for weight loss in the 1990s. People dropped pounds quickly while still eating many of their favorite foods like butter, eggs, bacon and burgers--without the bun. While adherence to a diet that restricts entire food groups can be challenging, there are many benefits to the low-carb, high-protein diet plan. A low-carb diet asks that you restrict carbohydrates to less than 40 percent of daily calories and elevate protein to as much as 35 percent. When followed with attention to limiting saturated fat and including some healthy carbohydrates, this type of diet offers many advantages.

Increased Satiation

In an editorial in a 2005 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," author Arne Astrup, reviewed a number of studies examining high-protein diets and concluded that people report greater feelings of fullness when eating high-protein diets than when following other restrictive plans. In the same issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," lead author David S. Weigle demonstrated that protein is more satiating than either carbohydrates or fats. The body simply takes more time to digest protein, making hunger return later and, as a result, you take in fewer overall calories.

Reduces Intake of Refined Foods                                                              To  To stick to a low-carbohydrate plan, you reduce consumption of breads, white rice, baked goods and simple sugars found in jellies, sodas and sweets. Eliminating these nutritionally weak foods usually leads to a lower calorie, more nutritious diet plan. Many low-carb plans, like the South Beach Diet, recommend that the carbohydrates you do consume come from healthy sources like vegetables and whole grains. Fewer refined foods also means more stable insulin and blood sugar levels, which in turn reduces cravings.


Thermogenisis

The Harvard School of Public Health maintains that the digestion of protein requires more energy than either digestion of fat or carbohydrates. In addition, protein--when combined with strength training--increases lean muscle mass. A body with a greater percentage of lean muscle mass burns a greater number of calories, even while at rest.

Quick Results

People following llow-carb, high-protein diets see results quickly. This may be due initially to a loss of water weight, but is also due to the body's shifting into a state known as ketosis. Ketosis occurs when the body is deprived of its preferred energy source--carbohydrates--and in turn burns fat for energy. Some experts still warn that a long-term state of ketosis can lead to chronic health problems.


Friday, 7 September 2012

OBESITY IN MALAYSIA


The problem of obesity increasing  amongst adults and children in Malaysia has been highlighted for more than a decade.  The increase in diet- related diseases during the last few decades in Malaysia has prompted the government to recognize the important role that nutrition plays in promotion of health. Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of dying from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Kidney isease, Liver Disease, Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Diseases CVD) such as High Blood Pressure, Angina, Heart Attack, Congestive Heart Failure, and Stroke.
According to Ministry of Health Malaysia, good nutritional status that leads to an optimal quality of life is basic to sustainable development. As Malaysia forges ahead towards Vision 2020, it is imperative for us to consider the nutritional well- being of its population as a matter of everyday concern and practice. To reduce the problem of increasing overweight and obesity amongst adults and children, we have an obligation to understand well about the factors that contribute to weight gain.

Factor 1: Skipping Meals

Especially breakfast, can actually lead to weight gain. Some dieters choose to skip meals to save calories, thinking this a quick weight loss plan. It’s important to keep your metabolism fired up with the right foods at certain times of the day. The proper way to lose weight is to find a sensible weight loss plan that includes making healthier eating choices, exercising, and eating throughout the day to keep your metabolism up. Metabolism plays a key role in how quickly you burn fat and lose weight; therefore, meal skipping cannot be overlooked as part of your plan for weight loss. Apparently, skipping meals also make people hungrier later in the day; therefore people tend to overeat when they are extremely hungry. Besides this, for those who skipped meals in day time or breakfast possible to consume supper within a couple of hours before going to bed. The meal skippers or only eat one meal per day had elevated fasting glucose levels and a delayed insulin response – conditions that, if they persisted long term, could lead to Diabetes. The health risks associated with skipping meals are not worth it. If you are the type of dieter who believes that skipping meals is a healthy weight loss plan and is a quick weight loss tactic, it’s time to re-examine the eating habits and make health a high priority in your life.

Factor 1: Snacking

Snacking, especially unhealthy snacking is likely to play an important role in the development of overweight and obesity. Nowadays, the smaller packages of snacks such as 100 or 150 calories packs are very popular in the market. But many people who eat the 100-calorie packs are likely to gain more weight by eating them simply because of the portion size. Since they’re in such small packages, consumers may eat more packs or tempted to eat more without remorse because they look like a diet-food product.  So for those people dieting should be a little more careful about the 100-calorie pack marketing strategy. Besides this, television watching has also become a problem in the home, especially in the youth. People is tend to eat more snacks during watching television; and experts found that the snacks that were consumed during this time had higher fat calories, or were higher in carbohydrates, which can lead to this weight gain.

Factor 3: Late Dinner

This is a bad eating habit. Everybody has their own schedule, and with that schedule comes individual eating habits as well. While some people will eat their dinner at 6pm on the nose every single night, others will eat at 10pm or later. The researchers found that the time of day you eat is a powerful predictor for weight gain. Experts also warn that late dinner can signal the start of a vicious cycle of weight gain due to total calories intake per day increased. As diet experts explain it, weight loss, gain, or stabilization is based on total calories consumed per day versus the amount of energy burned. Therefore, try not to finish dinner later than 7.30PM.

Factor 4: Water

Water plays an important role in promoting weight loss. People are used to drink water with fast speed or in hourly proportions. In fact, throughout the day, you should drink water little by little. Sips of water throughout the day are better than drinking three glasses in one minute. Doing this may provide your body an ample time to absorb it. It is highly discouraged to drink an immense amount of water all at once because the heart may be stressed out and that will be detrimental most especially to individuals with cardiac cases. Besides this, people are used to drink water when they are thirsty. But the fact is you need to drink water, even if you are not thirsty. In order not to be left behind by the required number of glasses of water per day, it is wise to have a sip of water even if you are not parched. Keep this in mind, by the time that you will feel thirsty; you are already behind by two glasses. However, don’t make it up by drinking two glasses all at once because that will give your heart so much work.

Factor 5: Healthy balance diet

It is essential for everyone to obtain a healthy life as well as loss of weight. Most of the people might think that by minimizing their dietary intake vigorously or even not eating for the whole day can reduce their body weights. Some have unbalanced diet due to they are picky or choosy in foodstuff. They will only choose the foods they like such as meat and fried foods because it is more delicious. For those who have this habit, please just stop it as they will lack of nutrients which needed to maintain certain functions and metabolisms in the body. In order to lose weight successfully, you should eat your breakfast which is the most important meal in a day to provide energy and support your body, eat more vegetables and fruits, moderate in meats and poultry but cut down the intake of foods that are rich in sugar, salt and fats.

Factor 6: Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is one of the causes that can bring drinkers in the higher BMI situation especially for those people who are like to drink frequently and without restriction.  As the BMIs are high which means there are increased in gaining weight. Alcohol is a source of calories gaining which usually people will ignore or do not know about it. In fact, it can lead to weight gain due to its calories contained almost twice as much as proteins and carbohydrates. It may also fail to yield the feeling of fullness and hence make you to eat more. Furthermore, alcohol is absolutely no nutritional value results in there are no nutrients given to initiate body metabolisms. Thus, fat storage within our body cells and tissues is being initiated.

Factor 7: Lack of Physical Activity

Are you active enought? Your level of activity plays an important role in promoting weight loss and to maintain the body health. Nowadays, most of the people are lack of exercise or physically inactive due to packed schedule in their daily life. For those who are working at office, they seldom have the chance to move around since they only do their work by sitting at the same position. People will rely on vehicles instead of walking, spending hours in front of television and computers rather than exercise for few minutes. This results in the imbalance of caloric balance status. Caloric balance is a scale usually used to measure body weight status. The calories intake from food consumption is equals to the calories used up or burns up by normal body function and physical activities, is said in balance status. If the calories intake is more than the calories burn up, the person is in caloric excess which lead to weight gain.
McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, A&W, Marrybrown, Nando’s, Kenny Rogers Roaster and others are one of the factors which lead to overweight and obesity.

Factor 8: Are you a fast food hogger?

McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, A&W, Marrybrown, Nando’s, Kenny Rogers Roaster and others are one of the factors which lead to overweight and obesity. It is because fast foods are more convenient, cheaper, prepared in faster rate and more delicious in terms of aroma and taste compared to home cooked meals. In fact, these foods may lead to obesity as the portion size is large and high in calorie. Deep frying and roasting is the two main methods to cook the food with the addition of unhealthy spices, for instance, MSG, salt and sugar. Generally, fast foods contain a lot of saturated fats and sodium as well as the trans-fat, which is an unhealthy type of fats. Regular consumption of fast foods will have a greater chance to become obese if he or she is less consuming on vegetables and fruits, lack of physical activity to burn up the excessive fats and the basal metabolic rate is low. Vitamins and minerals content are comparably lower than healthier foods. Other than that, it may link to heart disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.

Factor 9: How you cook and prepare your food.

Cooking methods are the important techniques you should learn to convert the raw food ingredients into healthy and delicious foods especially for those who like to cook. Just remember that, deep-frying is not necessary because you will waste a large amount of oil to fry, and then consume the oily foods which burden up our stomach and the excess fats will be accumulated and stored in our body. Boiling, steaming, broiling, baking, grilling and stir-frying are the best cooking techniques which use little or no oil to cook your food. This is a healthy way to retain the original flavour and taste of the food. You can also add some healthy spices and herbs such as basil, cloves, cumin seeds, dill, ginger, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary and turmeric in the food to enhance the aroma. It will definitely taste better even though there is no deep-frying involved.

Factor 8: Family History and Genetics

Your genetics and family background is another factor which leads to overweight and obesity. Studies have shown that a child who’s his or her family with obesity background will have a higher chance develop into an obese adult even though it is not predetermine. Genetic inheritance is also another factor which leads to obesity. Genetic influence can be said that it has a great effect on the amount of body fats stored and its distribution in the body. Parents who are obese or overweight will probably bring up an obese child in 25-30% as they share a similar lifestyle and eating habit.