vineri, 15 iulie 2011

The Great Fat Debate - Why Virgin Coconut Oil Is Best

There is so much media hype from the mainstream media and leading health authorities, including the naturopathic community, suggesting the many ill effects of consuming Trans Fatty Acids (TFA’s) that the topic of the Great Fat Debate deserves a closer look for the sake of our heath and understanding.

Whilst there is unanimous agreement that TFA’s are problematic and are to be avoided at all costs, some explanations are confusing at best or misleading at worst. It is time for more clarity so we can all choose the fats that are good and avoid those that are bad.

Let’s look at some of these warnings:

Rekha Balu, writing for the Wall Street Journal, states that TFA’s are like saturated fats “which raise bad cholesterol, causing a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries.” That is incorrect as saturated fats raise both the good and the bad cholesterol and they do not cause fatty deposits in the arteries. An under-active thyroid coupled with stress and a diet high in polyunsaturated oils cause a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries.

Lynn Roblin, writing for the Toronto Star, advises consumers to avoid TFA’s by consuming more vegetable oils, such as olive oil and canola oil, in preference to butter and coconut oil. Let’s remember that vegetable oils such as canola and safflower are rich in omega-6 fatty acids which have now been proven to cause oxidation of our cells. This reaction leads to inflammation which in turn promotes degenerative conditions and premature aging.

Harvard nutritionist Frank Hu, featured in an article for the Washington Post, says butter is better than margarine, but tub or liquid margarine made from commercial vegetable oils is “a more healthful choice than butter.” What Mr. Hu is promoting is the omega-6 fatty acids which have been hydrogenated and these are technically TFA’s. Quite confusing indeed!

Why is there so much confusion amongst health authorities in relation to fats?

This is because in 1961, the American Heart Association published its first dietary guidelines aimed at the public. The authors, Dr. Ancel Keys, Irving Page, Jeremiah Stamler and Frederick Stare, called for the substitution of polyunsaturated oils for saturated fat. This was put forth even though Keys, Stare and Page had all previously noted in their published papers that the increase in Heart Disease was due to increasing consumption of vegetable oils. The 1961 report did not publish this fact, even after a 1956 paper by Dr. Keys suggested that the increasing use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (which is what TFA’s technically are) is one of the culprits in the heart disease epidemic.

Why was Dr. Keys report ignored?

For obvious economic reasons the vegetable oil industry then squashed the reports on the dangers of vegetable oils and stealthily began their phony attack on making saturated fats - meat, eggs, cheese, butter and coconut oil responsible for heart disease.

In actuality, saturated fats are shown to help in preventing heart disease. If we examine the health statistics along with the research on saturated fats consumption from the nations that consume large amounts of saturated fats in their diet, we find that they are among the healthiest nations /tribes/cultures in the world. Herein lies the big ‘fat’ confusion.

Let’s look closer at the FAT debate:

TFA’s are typically found in processed foods such as cookies, margarine, fried foods, fried potatoes, potato chips, crackers, breaded chicken, and fast food. McDonald’s has admitted its french fries contain a third more TFA’s than they had thought. In New York City, there are hefty fines imposed upon restaurants if they are not compliant with avoiding TFA’s in their cooking; this ordinance took effect as of July 2007.

Polyunsaturated Fats Defined

Polyunsaturated oils are liquid at room temperature. Polyunsaturated fats such as Safflower, Corn, Sunflower, Soybean and Cottonseed Oils all contain over 50% omega-6 fatty acids. Safflower oil contains almost 80% omega-6. Researchers have now discovered there are dangers in consuming more of omega-6 oils in our diet then we need. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 (the essential fatty acid) is 1:1. This is easily achieved if one avoids the use of vegetable oils as omega-6 is far more abundant in our diet then omega-3 essential fatty acids, which is found in cold water fish - salmon, sardines and mackerel.

TFA’s Defined

In order to have polyunsaturated fats last longer and make them look more appealing, food manufacturers use a process called "hydrogenation". Hydrogenation is a process that takes unsaturated liquid fat (usually some kind of vegetable oil) and adds hydrogen. The result is a TFA.

During hydrogenation, oil is heated to an extremely high temperature; this causes the oil to rapidly oxidize and create free-radicals. In basic chemistry 101, free radicals cause prolific cell damage and is responsible for premature aging.

Even using the so called "healthiest" organic vegetable oils, which includes olive oil, in baking and frying creates free radicals. This is because all vegetable oils oxidize; especially when used in cooking. They not only produce TFA’s but form free radicals - lethal combination for our bodies. The only oil that does not oxidize, even at 170 degree Celsius, is Organic Virgin Coconut oil which is a saturated fat. Amazing!

Avoiding TFA’s at all costs is a must according to the WHO (World Health Organization). This is because TFA’s are injurious to the heart and have been linked to cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, immune system dysfunction, birth defects, difficulty in lactation, and problems with bones and tendons. So we want to exclude them from our diet, yet it is difficult when some of the most tempting foods such as commercial cakes, biscuits, chocolates, and potato chips are laden with TFA’s.

Why Saturated fats are not TFA’s

TFA’s have similar properties to saturated fatty acids when used in baked goods, but the claim that TFA’s are like saturated fatty acids is incorrect in view of their molecular bonding/structure and their biological effect in our bodies. This is the area that has been mostly ignored by mainstream media and even among the naturopathic community according to lipid and nutritional expert Dr. Mary G. Enig. Enig campaigned against TFA’s back in the late 1970’s after completing her most extensive research on the analysis of all fats. For more extensive information, see Mary G. Enig’s PhD Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition (www.newtrendspublishing.com)

So which oils do we use now? A good option is Organic Virgin Coconut oil. This is a saturated fat that is unlike any other fat and truly deserves a classification of its own. With all the research and studies on saturated fats to date, health authorities still group TFA’s with healthy saturated fats like coconut oil. Coconut oil is not only the healthiest saturated fat but is one of the healthiest foods we can consume on a daily basis. Let’s examine the most misunderstood fat that is actually a super food.

Why is Coconut oil unique and unlike any other fat?

Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA’s). Two-thirds of the saturated fat in coconut oil is a medium-chain saturated fat. This important fact deserves clarification as MCFA’s actually helps us to lose weight, lower cholesterol, improve diabetic conditions and reduce the risk of heart disease.

One of the most outstanding benefits of consuming MCFA’s is that they do not require the liver and gallbladder to digest and emulsify them. This means instant energy and increased thermogenesis (increased metabolic rate in the body) which leads to more heat production as well as improved circulation. For anyone with impaired fat digestion or a removed gallbladder, coconut oil is the only oil to consume as it is very easily digested.
MCFA’s are also known for having antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, so they are beneficial to our immune system. In addition, coconut oil assists people with under-active thyroids by increasing the metabolic rate of the body and creating more energy.

Ray Peat Ph.D., a physiologist who has worked with progesterone and related hormones since 1968, says that the sudden surge of polyunsaturated oils in the food chain post World War II has caused many changes in hormones. He writes:

Their [polyunsaturated oils] best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Polyunsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. When the thyroid hormone is deficient, the body is generally exposed to increased levels of oestrogen. The thyroid hormone is essential for making the ‘protective hormones’ progesterone and pregnenolone, so these hormones are lowered when anything interferes with the function of the thyroid. The thyroid hormone is required for using and eliminating cholesterol, so cholesterol is likely to be raised by anything that blocks the thyroid function (http://www.efn.org/~raypeat/efatox.rtf)
It is very interesting to note that high cholesterol is not a sign of eating too much saturated fat. High cholesterol in a lot of the cases is due to an under-active thyroid which affects the liver as well as the many loops and feedback systems within the endocrine system. Stress and the over consumption of carbohydrates/sugars also form high levels of cholesterol.

What are saturated fats and why do we need them?

Saturated fats are semi solid at room temperature and are found in animal products such as meat, poultry, lard, poultry skin, whole milk, cheese, eggs, butter and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.

Our body actually needs saturated fats to stay healthy. Why?

1) Saturated fats constitute at least 50% of our cell’s membranes - the phospholipid component of every cell. Saturated fatty acids are what gives our cells structural integrity, so the cell walls are not weak and can protect the inside of the cells.

2) Saturated fatty acids play a vital role in the health of our bones. For calcium to be effectively utilized by the bones, at least 50% of the dietary fats should be saturated.

3) Saturated fatty acids actually lower Lipoprotein (a), a substance in the blood that leads to heart disease, whereas excess consumption of vegetable oils increases it.

4) Saturated fatty acids protect the liver from alcohol and other toxins, including Tylenol, a pain reliever.

5) Saturated fatty acids are needed for the proper utilization of omega-3 essential fatty acids because omega-3’s are better retained in the tissues when the diet is rich in saturated fats (particularly organic virgin coconut oil)

6) Saturated stearic acid found in beef and cocoa, and palmitic acid found in coconut oil are the preferred foods for the heart; which is why the fat around the heart muscle is highly saturated. The heart draws on this reserve of fat in times of stress.

7) Saturated fatty acids such as caprylic acid found abundantly in coconut oil, is anti fungal and helps combat candida (yeast overgrowth that is common in our society).

8) While saturated fats raise both the bad and the good cholesterol, TFA’s as well as excess consumption of omega-6 fatty acids raise the bad Low Density Lipo-protein (LDL) and suppress the good High Density Lipo-protein (HDL) cholesterol, making it even worse.

In conclusion, avoiding TFA’s is a must. There are no tolerance levels. They are serious culprits of degenerative conditions disguised in some of the most tempting foods to date. Avoiding over consumption of polyunsaturated oils (omega-6 fatty acids) such as flax oil and completely avoiding corn, soy, safflower and canola is a great start, as polyunsaturated oils have been shown to contribute to heart disease, inflammation, under-active thyroid and weight gain.

Use virgin organic coconut oil. I stress the importance of using only virgin organic coconut oil because the refined version of coconut oil no longer has the same structure and same health benefits as the virgin organic coconut oil. In fact, consuming plain coconut oil can even give someone a headache or nausea.

The food manufacturers will not willingly return to using naturally saturated fats such as coconut oil, palm oil, butter and lard because they are more expensive. Only a concerted demand by educated consumers will bring traditional healthy fats back into our commercial food supply and restaurant cooking.

Using organic coconut oil in all cooking and baking is the best choice for a healthy alternative. Because virgin coconut oil is completely saturated and no TFA’s can be made from it, it is therefore harmless. In addition, it does not oxidize, even at 170 degrees Celsius.

Virgin Coconut oil is the fat of fats as it also helps us burn body fat for energy because of its unique molecular structure of medium chain fatty acids. So do enjoy eating more organic virgin coconut oil, drinking organic coconut milk/crème in your teas as well as pouring it over your porridge and munching on macaroons made from organic cocoa and desiccated organic coconut for health and longevity.

marți, 5 iulie 2011

How To Increase Body Metabolism



 Being slim not only makes body attractive but also healthy. It is easy and simple to keep body slim by increasing Body metabolism.

Everyone likes to have a beautiful andhealthy bodyand in modern age the fat body is neither beautiful nor healthy. So what can we do that our body consume more calories without doing much exercise and dieting. Best way is to increase your metabolism. This way keeping everything else same (calorie intake and exercise) body consumes more calories and thus looseweighteasily. Here are five ways to increase metabolism without doing much effort.
1. Frequent Meals: Traditionally we have been told to have three meals a day but modern thinking tells that we should have 6 meals a day. We should eat every 3 hours or so. This would force the body metabolism to keep working all day, thus consuming more calories.
2. Fibre content of food:
Foods rich in fibre are very good not only for health but also for the metabolism of the body as it takes more calories to digest fibres and thus keep you more fit. Both kinds (soluble and insoluble) are good for the body and an adult should consume up to 40 grams of fibre daily.Idealis to have 66% i.e. about 27 grams from soluble and 13 grams from insoluble fibres.
3. Nuts:
Nuts are very good for loosing extra fats from the body. Almonds are best. Even though they are rich in oils but they are good cholesterol and they help you loose weight and keep waist slimmer.
4. Sugars:
Sugars are very bad for the health and sugars increase not only fats in the body but also don’t let the body utilize fats easily and make accumulation of fats easy. The simple sugars if taken in excess can play havoc with your insulin secretion and can
Slow down fat metabolism and increase accumulation of fat in body.
5. Fruits and vegetables:
Eating lots of vegetables and fruits does give the body the fibrous diet which decreases fat in body. Eating fruits & vegetables just before meals makes a body consume fewer calories. Vegetable salad is not only very tasty but also very healthy.

miercuri, 29 iunie 2011

Fat Loss Product of the Year

Nutrex Lipo 6 Product Guide

Fat Loss Product of the Year
LIPO-6 won the 2006 and 2007 Energy Supplement Of The Year
and the Fat Loss Product Of The Year award for 2005, 2006 and 2007!


LIPO-6 is a powerful and extremely popular fat-burner that utilizes maximum strength liquid capsules for high-absorption and rapid results. This highly advanced method of delivering fast-acting fat-burning compounds makes LIPO-6 a great choice when it comes to weight-loss products.*
When LIPO-6 was released in 2005 it was the world's first liquid capsule fat burner. Over the years LIPO-6 has established itself as a proven and reliable tool to lose weight fast. It works great for everyone, man or woman, fitness enthusiast or bodybuilder. LIPO-6 consists of only pure pharmaceutical-strength ingredients that allow for a pronounced, yet consistent and predictable fat-loss effect.*
VcapsFurthermore LIPO-6 is the only liquid capsule fat burner that utilizes all natural vegetable capsules which are completely devoid of any animal products. It is no wonder that LIPO-6 was voted 'Fat-Loss Product of the Year' in 2005, 2006 and 2007 by the popular consumer & industry website www.bodybuilding.com. To this day LIPO-6 is the benchmark for all other liquid capsule fat burners.
Detailed Facts About LIPO-6
Synephrine HCL
Synephrine activates beta-3 adrenoreceptors and, therefore, displays a lipolytic and thermogenetic capacity as it boosts norepinephrine levels. By consuming synephrine prior to workouts, you enhance fat breakdown with its subsequent utilization for energy.* Furthermore, synephrine has a significant muscle-sparing effect while expending energy at the expense of body fat.* Synephrine also exerts an appetite suppressing effect making it the ideal compound for calorie-restricted diets.*
Synthetic 99% Guggulsterones Z&E 1:1 E- and Z-Guggulsterones are the bioactive compounds of Guggul (Commiphora Mukul) that have been suggested to maintain cholesterol and triglyceride levels that are already within the normal range.*. Guggulsterones also have the capacity to rev your metabolism by increasing the overall thyroid hormone activity with significant influence on triiodothyronine (T3) hormone (thyroid regulator).* LIPO-6 utilizes a 99% pure 1:1 ratio of synthetic Guggulsterones Z&E.

Yohimbine HCL
In particular, Yohimbine induces fat breakdown where fat stores prevail.* Furthermore, yohimbine induces excitatory effects, improving elements of cognitive function, primarily alertness.*
Caffeine Anhydrous USP
Caffeine provides a variety of enhancements for the neuromuscular system; including increases in secretion of catecholamines and calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Caffeine, with its capacity to optimize skeletal muscle contraction from augmented neuromuscular transmission, has demonstrated its ability to enhance strength gains and increase work volume.* While allowing you to work harder caffeine also boosts your metabolism, assisting in body fat loss while recruiting lean body mass.* Caffeine also improves mental alertness and mood function, optimizing your level of focus through your workouts or fatigue-battling tasks.* By providing caffeine in its anhydrous form, you're getting a more pure, synthetic form for maximal potency.
Bioperine
Bioperine is patented and powerful component of Piper Nigrum L (black pepper) that will stimulate your antioxidant capacity.* Bioperine enhances drug and nutrient absorption in the body which improves the effectiveness of the key ingredients in LIPO-6.* 


What's in Nutrex Lipo 6?
120 Liqui-Caps
Supplement Facts
Serving Size:2Liqui-Caps
Servings Per Container:60

Amount Per Serving% Daily Value*

Synephrine HCL20mg*
Synthetic 99% Guggulsterones Z&E 1:120mg*
Yohimbine HCL3mg*
Caffeine Anhydrous USP200mg*
Bioperine®**5mg*

* Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients
Vegetable Cellulose, Glycerin, Purified Water, Polysorbate 80.
† This product utilizes only natural vegetable capsules that are free of animal products.
Directions For Lipo 6:
For Fat loss: Take 2 liqui-caps 30 minutes before breakfast or morning workout and 2 more liqui-caps in the afternoon. Start off with only 2 liqui-caps on your first two days (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon) and increase dosage by 1 liqui-cap every two days until maximum dosage of 4 liqui-caps is reached.
For Extreme Fat Loss: Take 2 liqui-caps 3 times daily 30 minutes before a meal. Start off with only 2 liqui-caps on your first two days (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon) and increase dosage by 1 liqui-cap every two days until maximum dosage of 6 liqui-caps per day is reached. Do not exceed 6 liqui-caps per day. Do not take within 6 hours of sleep.
For Increased Energy: Take 2 liqui-caps 30 minutes prior to workout.
Warnings: Not for use by persons under age 18. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Do not exceed recommended dose. Do not consume synephrine or caffeine from other sources, including but not limited to, coffee, tea, soda and other dietary supplements or medications containing phenylephrine or caffeine. Contains caffeine. Do not use for more than 8 weeks. Consult your physician prior to use if you are taking medication, including but not limited to, MAOI inhibitors, antidepressants, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or products containing phenylephrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or other stimulants. Consult your physician prior ot use if you have a medical condition, including but not limited to, heart, liver, kidney, or thyroid disease, psychiatric disorders, difficulty urinating, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, recurrent headaches, enlarged prostate or glaucoma. Discontinue 2 weeks prior to surgery or if you experience rapid heart beat, dizziness, severe headaches or shortness of breath. Keep Out Of Reach Of Children.

miercuri, 9 iunie 2010

The Importance Of Fruit And Vegetable Juices In Nutrition



A man’s health is a very important aspect of his life. To say that “health is wealth” is not only to utter an old, used up mantra, but to mean that for most human beings, staying fit and healthy is parallel to being wealthy, for a person’s everyday life is influenced mainly by the state of his mind and body, especially by the presence and absence of certain diseases.

Many people go through various efforts to stay fit, maintain good health, and ensure their longevity. Examples of these practices include engaging in rigorous physical fitness training, eating a balanced and healthy diet, maintaining ideal weight, and employing an effective stress management procedure. It is also important to stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake, and avoid the use of prohibited substances.

Poor health can be caused by a host of different factors, such as poor eating habits, lack of exercise, stress, and excessive smoking and alcohol intake. Unbalanced intake of nutrients, for one, may cause excessive or deficient nutrient intake, which will definitely affect the body’s normal functions. These nutrients are necessary for a person’s growth, metabolism, and other functions. There are about six nutrients, which are needed by the human body in different amounts to perform its various processes. These are: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, or nutrients that are known to provide energy to the body; and minerals, vitamins, and water, or those nutrients that support the body’s metabolism.

Water, the last nutrient in the list, is sometimes called the forgotten nutrient, but it is considered as the most important. Water is necessary for the body’s growth and metabolic processes. It runs through the blood and lymphatic system, carries oxygen and distributes nutrients to the cells, and rids the body of toxins and wastes in the form of urine and sweat. If water and its other liquid substitutes are not present in the human diet, food digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste excretion would be impossible.

The human body is made up of two-thirds water. It needs eight to ten glasses of water or caffeine- and alcohol-free liquids to replace the water it loses during the day. The body’s need for water is satisfied by the intake of other drinking liquids free from caffeine and alcohol, such as juices; fruits and vegetables, which are made of 80 to 95% water; meat products, which are made of 50% water; and cereals like rice and oats, which can contain as much as 35% water.

Fruit juices, on the other hand, have been scientifically proven to give certain health benefits, provided that they are taken in moderation. Nutritionists also suggest that fruit juices should be taken in their pure state, and people should only drink 100% fruit juice. Cranberry juice is believed to prevent urinary tract infections; grape juice is believed to lower the chances of blood clots in the heart; and orange juice is believed to prevent stroke and reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Though these popular beliefs have no scientific basis to their therapeutic claims, most scientists say that many fruit juices are indeed healthy to drink. Pure orange juice, for example, is very rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid. Other fruit juices that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and anthocynanins (water soluble pigments found in plants which act as antioxidants) include grape juice (purple), pomegranate juice, and cranberry juice. It is believed that juices that are made from fruits with rich colors such as grapes, pomegranates, cranberries, and blueberries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. New juices from black currants and Tahitian noni have also found their way in the international market.

Recent scientific studies have also claimed that the antioxidants found in most fruits and vegetable juices can help lower a person’s risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in most plants and have the potential to help combat heart diseases and fight cancer.

Freshly squeezed juices from fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of minerals and vitamins which catalyze chemical reactions occurring in the body. These enzymes also produce the energy needed for digestion, absorption, and conversion of food into body tissues. An increased intake of fruit and vegetable juices ensures that the body will efficiently absorb more minerals and vitamins.

Another helpful benefit of fruits and fruit juices is their ability to promote detoxification in the human body. Fruits help to cleanse the body, especially those with high acid levels. Tomatoes, pineapples, and citruses such as oranges, red grapefruits, and lemons are known for their detoxifying properties. While these fruits promote cleansing, they still provide the body with a high boost of Vitamin C!
 
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