Body Care Facts & Health Tips

Weight loss must be at the top of your mind when you are overweight or obese. But this does not mean that you must throw caution to the wind in order to achieve the desired weight loss results quickly. But the question is how do you know which weight loss methods are improper? Well, you have come to the right place because if you keep reading you will find out 10 ways which are definitely NOT right for losing weight.

All these ways of losing weight may be followed by more than one person today, simply because people are often misled when it comes to weight loss, partly due to their urgency and haste. So, you must make it a point not to adopt the following ways in order to lose weight:

1. Methods which can induce bulimia. There are some specific diets and techniques such as forced vomiting which can lead to bulimia. Use of laxatives and diuretics fall in the same category and can be really harmful for your body. Losing weight is not so important that you will put your life on the line!

2. Crash diets or yoyo diets. Crash diets are basically an alternate name for starvation. These can cause serious malnutrition in the body and you will find little or no energy to carry on with day to day activities if you are on one of these diets. Moreover, they can ultimately lead to hospitalization if it’s not already too late!

3. Surgical fat loss methods. It is true that modern medical science can allow you to lose fat via surgery. But is it worth a try? Perhaps not, if you consider the risks and side effects which are part and parcel of these surgeries. Surgery may be an option only when diet and exercise is not doing the job for you (which is highly unlikely) and your weight is getting out of bounds. But do give proper thought to these life-changing surgeries if you must undergo them.

4. Fat burning drugs. Over the ages fat burning drugs have been the dieter’s best friend or at least this is what people wanting to lose weight think. But in reality most of these fat burning supplements have side effects for which they have been withdrawn from the market.

5. Drugs which suppress appetite. These drugs have also been used by many weight loss hopefuls, but most have paid the price because these drugs can damage your health greatly.

6. Fad dieting. These diets are promoted as the next best thing since sliced bread, on the internet. While very few of them work, there are quite a few which may be unsafe for you.

7. Psychological techniques such as hypnosis. Despite the clamor about weight loss induced by hypnosis, there is no scientific evidence that this method actually works.

8. Going flat out. If you are too harsh on yourself whether at the gym or at the dinner table, you will never be able to achieve weight loss.

9. Exercise without proper diet. Exercise alone cannot help you lose weight, though this is what some people profess.

10. Taking it as a duty rather than a challenge. Remember that weight loss is not a chore; it is an objective you want to achieve for your own good!

The strong urge to lose weight may encourage you to try some of the latest and ‘hottest’ methods of finding happiness on your bathroom scales. There are several ways in which you can lose weight quickly, but not all of them are worthwhile. Just because others are using it, doesn’t mean that it works great. Meal replacement shakes are really popular these days. So, let’s find out the truth about meal replacement shakes, so that you get to know whether they are a good investment or a waste of time.

The fundamental principle behind losing weight is giving your body marginally lesser amount of calories than needed, so that stored fat is utilized to provide energy. Meal replacement shakes offer you a way to control your calorie intake, without having to count how many you are consuming in your meals everyday.

And how does it work? You replace two meals a day (usually breakfast and lunch) with these shakes and can have dinner as usual. Some meal replacement plans also allow snacking in between shakes and meals.

If you use meal replacement shakes, you will not be consuming more than 1400 calories a day. Depending on how many of these are used up, you may expect to lose between 1-2 lbs every week.

Now the biggest question is whether meal replacement products are healthy or not. The present laws regulating these products make it mandatory for them to provide necessary nutrients to ensure your wellbeing. Also, these shakes must contain at least 200-400 calories in every helping. The presence of 25% protein and 23 essential vitamins and minerals is also required as per law. Thus if the product you are using conforms to these regulations, they can be healthy.

You must also realize that the best meal replacement shakes do not claim to be your sole source of nutrition. You can still have one meal a day and snack on fruits and vegetables. So, contrary to what many people believe, meal replacement shakes are not ‘low calorie diets’ by any stretch of imagination, because those diets restrict your calorie intake to fewer than 800 per day.

What are benefits you get by going for meal replacement shakes?

• You can easily rely on these shakes for consuming a stipulated number of calories during the day without having to do complex calculations yourselves.
• These are as effective as any diet can be in losing weight in the short term.
• Shakes can even help you maintain your new weight and not allow it to go up once again.

But you also need to consider that:

• Meal replacement shakes have not been tried and tested globally as of yet.
• Most trails have been as a part of research and real life results are yet to come out clearly. These studies have also used the shakes as a part of a comprehensive weight loss plan and not as the only tool for losing weight.
• These diets are known to work for people who are grossly overweight or obese. But whether they are suitable for you if you want to lose a small amount of weight is yet unknown.

Now you know the whole truth about meal replacements shakes and can decide for yourself whether to go for it. All the best!

Fish oil contains a large amount of omega 3 fatty acids. Scientists have known since the 1930’s that omega 3 fatty acids were important to a healthy diet but only in recent years have they found out just how important it is. Fish oil is one of the best sources of omega 3 fatty acids that exist and it is reported to have a number of beneficial qualities. Here are some of the many benefits of fish oil.

Anxiety Treatment

Fish oil which can be safely taken on a daily basis has shown potential as a treatment for a number of mental illnesses, anxiety being one of the most promising. Fish oil is a powerful natural treatment for anxiety. As long as you by organic mercury free versions of fish oil it can even be taken throughout pregnancy.

Male Fertility Issues

Recent evidence suggests that fish oil may help to treat male infertility issues. A recent Iranian study showed that men who were infertile had much lower levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their body then men who had normal fertility levels. Insuring that a man gets enough omega 3 fatty acids through fish oil or regular consumption of fish may help to improve overall fertility.

Bipolar Disorder

Several studies have shown that fish oil can act as an effective mood stabilizer for those who suffer from bipolar disorder or manic depression. Though this evidence has not been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt it is definitely something worth trying out. Bipolar patients should of course discuss this with their doctor before stopping any prescription medication. However the overwhelming evidence suggests that a daily dose of fish oil may be as effective as lithium or other mood stabilizer for some sufferers of bipolar disorder. This may account for the low incidence of clinical depression in countries that regularly consume fish. It is definitely a safer and more natural form of treatment than standard mood stabilizers and anti depressants.

Cancer Prevention

Fish oil has shown a lot of potential in helping to prevent or treat cancer. This is especially true for breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Something in the omega 3 fatty acids that are so prevalent in fish oil may help to slow the growth of cancerous cells.

Cardiovascular Health

Because of the high level of omega 3 fatty acids contained within fish oil it is widely believed that getting it in any form can help to regulate cholesterol within the body. Rather you take fish oil supplements or make fish a regular part of your diet you may be saving yourself from future heart problems by the reduction of bad cholesterol.

In fact the American Heart Association recommends consuming 1 gram of fish oil per day for sufferers of heart disease. The preferred method of consumption is through actual fish but even taking a fish oil supplement can help immensely.

Fish oil has several health benefits and appears to have no downsides. It is best to get your fish oil from a natural source of fish. Salmon and fish like it that are high on the food chain tend to be the best sources of fish oil. If you take a fish oil supplement make sure that it is low in toxins and toxins and derived from the entire fish.

A compound that is commonly found in red wine known as resveratrol has made quite a buzz lately as one of the new super foods.  The belief that red wine provides certain health qualities has been around for a long time.  It turns out that there is actually a component to red wine known as resveratrol that may be responsible for some of the amazing things that red wine has long been connected with.

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that is found in red wine and the skin of red grapes. Resveratrol occurs naturally in many plants when they are under attack from bacteria or fungus which may have some connection to its touted anti-aging capabilities.

Benefits of Resveratrol

Resveratrol has been connected to a variety of potential positive uses through preliminary scientific research.  For one thing resveratrol is likely the component in red wine that makes it so very good for your heart.  Scientists have known for a while that one glass of red wine a night can help to prevent and control heart disease.  This is what is considered the cause of the French paradox. French people eat tons of fatty foods but have a very low occurrence of heart disease. This is likely related to the fact that they also drink a lot of red wine.

Resveratrol has also been effective as anti-cancer and anti-aging treatment in many different animal tests. For this reason anti-aging creams that contain resveratrol have begun to crop up everywhere in recent years.

As if fighting cancer and making you look younger weren’t enough benefits to resveratrol it has also been linked to a variety of other positive benefits. For one resveratrol has proven to be effective as an anti-inflammatory and therefore may help to ease the aches and pains of arthritis.

Resveratrol has also proven to speed up the metabolic rate in mice.  If this can be repeated in human beings it would mean that resveratrol might serve as a powerful dieting supplement. Proof that this can be replicated in humans is still under investigation but many over the counter diet products are already cashing in by putting resveratrol in their products.

The Negative Side of Resveratrol

There have been conflicting studies about the long term use of resveratrol.  Though some studies indicate that because it is an estrogen compound it may increase the likelihood of breast cancer many other studies have found just the opposite.

Because of the high estrogen content of resveratrol and the fact that its side effects are not clearly known yet resveratrol is not recommended in high doses for women who want to become pregnant or those breastfeeding young children.  It is also not indicated for use in children under the age of 18. With that being said, this is referring to highly concentrated doses of resveratrol, much higher than what would naturally found to occur in grapes.  Therefore there is no known risk from natural consumption of resveratrol. There is also no categorically proven risk to high doses of resveratrol at this time, though it is always best to err on the side of caution.

Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments that cause the red, orange, and yellow color of fruits and vegetables. They are also often derived from dark green vegetables. There are a variety of different carotenoids including lycopene, lutein, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene that are common to the American diet. Caratenoids are very important to the human diet because they have a variety of beneficial properties. They were once only celebrated for their high vitamin A content but it turns out that there is much more to carotenoids than just vitamin A. Here are some more things you should know about carotenoids.

Benefits of Carotenoids

Not only will carotenoids combat vitamin A deficiency but they are also a powerful antioxidant with a variety of other super capabilities. For one thing carotenoids are immune boosters. They help to support and enhance the human immune system. Carotenoids may be a powerful anti-aging agent as well as a powerful anti-cancer agent. They help to promote communication between the cells of the human body which can in turn help to keep aging to a minimum and stop the overproduction of cells that leads to cancer.

Here are some of the benefits of the most common carotenoids in the human diet:

Lutein

Lutein is one of the most popular North American carotenoids. It is found in greens like kale and spinach as well as the yolk of eggs. Lutein is also found in the human eye. Getting enough lutein in your diet may help to fight off age related macular degeneration, an eye condition.  Research has shown that people who do not have enough lutein in their diet will not have enough lutein present in the macular part of the eye. This is what likely leads to age related macular degeneration that can result in blindness.

Beta-Carotene

Beta-Carotene is another popularly occurring carotenoid in North America. This carotene is found in carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. There are three different carotenes. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Carotene all convert into vitamin A in the human body. Getting enough carotenes like beta-carotene can help to support healthy bones as well as a healthy reproductive system.

Lycopene

Lycopene is a red carotene of the carotenoid group that can be found in tomatoes, watermelons, and grapefruits. This powerful antioxidant is believed to be a powerful fighter of prostate cancer. Lycopene has many anti-aging capabilities as well, as one of the most powerful antioxidants in the carotenoid group.

Carotenoids are the main pigment that is found in fruits and vegetables. They are the reason for all the latest advisories to make sure you are getting a variety of different colors on your plate each day.  This is because different carotenoids have different beneficial traits. Some of the benefits that can be derived from eating a diet high in carotenoids have likely not even been discovered yet. Carotenoids may cure or prevent a number of illnesses including yeast infections, skin cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cervical dysplasia as well as many others.

There are a lot of things that you can do to maintain the beauty and youth of your skin.  The best way to ensure that your skin will stay healthy and young looking is to start caring for it early in life. Here are some tips on how you can keep your skin appearing healthy and young for a long time.

Drink Plenty of Water

Getting plenty of water every day is the best thing you can do for your skin.  Lucky for you it helps with a lot of other health issues as well.  If you want to keep your skin looking and feeling its best you should always strive to get around 64 ounces of water per day.

Get Plenty of Vitamin E

Taking vitamin E supplements and eating plenty of vitamin E rich foods can help to maintain the beauty of your skin for years to come.  This is because vitamin E contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from skin-aging free radicals.  Some of the foods you can enjoy that are rich in vitamin E include wheat germ, broccoli, kiwi, and tomatoes.

Wear Sun Block

One of the best things you can do to protect your skin from premature aging is to wear a sun block that is at least SPF 15 every day, even in the winter and on cloudy days.  Many facial moisturizers and even some types of makeup come with SPF 15 already in the formula.  This makes it easier to get your sun protection every day.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t still have a healthy summer glow.  There are tons of bronzers and artificial tanners on the market these days and they are getting more advanced all the time.

Don’t Smoke

The reasons not to smoke are numerous.  One of the many reasons that you should quit smoking is the affect it has on your skin.  Smoking is a huge contributor to premature aging.  If you are looking to maintain the appearance of young, beautiful skin then you should stay away from cigarettes at all cost.

Moisturize Nightly

Dry skin can lead to premature wrinkles.  It is also dull and unattractive.  The best way to combat this is by using a moisturizer every day.  Moisturizers are greatly important to the aging process.  Even if your skin is a little oily, a light moisturizer can do wonders for its appearance.

Wash Your Face Regularly

Washing your face regularly can help to cut down on blemishes and slow the aging process.  Your face encounters hundreds of skin-aging toxins every day.  Washing your face twice a day can help to keep it looking young and fresh.  Never use a regular soap on your skin always use a soap that is intended specifically for the face. Purchasing a facial soap that matches your skin type is also beneficial.  There are facial soaps for dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin.  Choose the type that is best for you and wash twice daily. Use lukewarm water and make sure that you totally remove all soap residue with each wash.

There are hundreds of different options for multivitamins these days.  Many of these multivitamins are targeted at women in particular.  This is good since there are many vitamins that are crucially important to female health.  Knowing which vitamins are essential to female health can help you to make the decision about which multivitamin to invest in.  Here are a few essential vitamins for women.

Folic Acid

Folic acid which is found in dark leafy greens, strawberries, sunflower seeds, organ meats, and many other foods is a vital nutrient for women of all ages.  The biggest reason that folic acid is so important in a female’s youth is that getting plenty of folic acid before the childbearing years can help prevent birth defects.  This works similarly to the way the body stores up calcium to prevent osteoporosis.

This isn’t the only benefit to folic acid or folate as it is sometimes referred either. Young children who take folic acid regularly will have better red blood cell development while helps to prevent anemia.  Folate may also offer cancer prevention for women of all ages.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is not important for metabolism and blood development.  A deficiency in this nutrient is the leading cause of anemia in women.  You can get a simple blood test at your doctor’s office to see if you are deficient in vitamin B12.  Women who are deficient in vitamin B12, especially those over the age of 50, may need to get vitamin B12 shots from their physician to help with absorption.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D which is found in milk and radiated by the sun is very important for female health.  This is because getting plenty of vitamin D early in life can help to prevent the thinning of bones that leads to osteoporosis later in life.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is an important but often overlooked vitamin for female health. Vitamin K helps to clot blood in the event of an accident, which can save your life.  It is also an important component to bone development and may help to prevent heart disease.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has long been regarding as an important vitamin.  You can find vitamin C in most citrus juices as well as many vegetables.  Vitamin C is vital through all stages of life.  It has long been touted as an immune booster.  It is also probably one of the most important vitamins for the prevention of cancer.  This vitamin also helps to absorb iron and may prevent cataracts and heart disease.  It is especially crucial during pregnancy but taking vitamin C at any time is extremely beneficial to the health of women.

It is important to make sure that all of these vitamins are in any multivitamin you select.  There are also many other vital nutrients to consider, these are just some of the most important.  Remember that though it is important to take a daily vitamin regiment, taking too many vitamins can have a detrimental effect on your health.  Always take your multivitamin as prescribed and get your doctor’s opinion on extra supplements.