Common Sense Approach Best to Maintain Healthy Body Weight in Children | Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

Common Sense Approach Best to Maintain Healthy Body Weight in Children | Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

11 Prescription Foods To Cure Your Illnesses | American Anti Aging Mag

11 Prescription Foods To Cure Your Illnesses | American Anti Aging Mag

Fast Food Addiction?

Fast Food

Hamburgers and French fries could be as addictive as heroin, scientists have claimed. Researchers in the United States have found evidence to suggest people can become overly dependent on the sugar and fat in fast food. The controversial findings add weight to claims that over-eating is simply down to a lack of self-control. It may also explain soaring rates of obesity in the western world.

Dr John Hoebel and colleagues at Princeton University in New Jersey based their theory on a study of rats.
'Cold turkey'

They found that rats fed a diet containing 25% sugar are thrown into a state of anxiety when the sugar is removed. Their symptoms included chattering teeth and the shakes - similar to those seen in people withdrawing from nicotine or morphine, according to researchers. Dr Hoebel said he believed high-fat foods stimulate opioids or 'pleasure chemicals' in the brain. "The implication is that some animals - and by extension some people - can become overly dependent on sweet food," he said.

Further studies published in New Scientist magazine back up this theory.

Ann Kelley, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, studied the behaviour of rats after the were given sweet, salty and fatty foods. She found a link between the brain's pleasure chemicals and a craving for this type of food. She stimulated the rats' brains with a synthetic version of the natural opioid enkephalin. This caused rats to eat up to six times their normal intake of fat. In addition, Dr Kelley identified long-lasting changes in rats' brain chemistry - similar to those caused by extended use of morphine or heroin. Dr Kelley said: "This says that mere exposure to pleasurable tasty foods is enough to change gene expression and that suggests that you could be addicted to food."

However, other experts expressed doubts over whether people can become addicted to food.

Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nutrition lobby group in Washington DC, said there was a lack of evidence. "I think the burden is on advocates of the addiction argument to provide evidence of addiction," he said.

Dr Jeane Randolph, from the University of Toronto, dismissed the theory. She said fast food causes blood sugar to peak and then plunge, creating a natural desire for another snack. "It's a set-up for a late-afternoon binge rather than addiction," she said.

Daily Schedule for Happiness

Daily Schedule for Happiness

The Toxins In Our Drinking Water

The Toxins In Our Drinking Water

Water is the miracle elixir that can sustain us if we never drink anything else. The human body is composed of mostly water and it requires more water for nearly all of its functions. To digest and eliminate, the body requires water. Anything else doesn’t do what water can do. In fact most of the time people drink sodas, coffee, alcohol and these all cause dehydration in the body.

The Importance of Water

If you don't drink enough water, you can't properly flush your kidneys or liver, the colon can't properly move your bowels, and this allows your body to retain the unhealthy toxins it takes in. As the waste remains too long in your body, you give your body more time to reabsorb the toxins back into your bloodstream and thus circulate these harmful chemicals to every organ in your body. Water is required for digesting and expelling everything, including the alternative beverages you choose to drink.

Is Your Water Safe?

Some people actually do drink enough water. However, they may not be drinking the right water. Tap water is safe because the government is watching it, right? No. There are more than 80 "regulated" contaminants and more unregulated toxins, like the rocket fuel component perchlorate which are present in most tap water.
Some people feel safe because they drink bottled water. It's not that simple though. You still have to read the fine print. Deceptive labeling goes on even in the bottled water industry. If you're going to drink the bottled water, then you have to do the research. Review the label closely, and check out the manufacturer as well. Do your best to find out if they have satisfactory standards.

What's So Bad about Our Drinking Water?

Most water contains arsenic, fluoride, chlorine and a host of other unhealthy toxins. So when we drink it we are actually imbibing water that contains a mixture of toxic, poisonous chemicals that spells danger and at the very least overburdening work for our colons.

Arsenic

Arsenic is a very toxic heavy metal classified by the International Academy for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Category I carcinogen, which means it is definitely a cancer causing agent. Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment but humans have a hand in its presence as well. The EPA set the acceptable standard for arsenic at 10 parts per billion in tap water. Several US states in the Midwest, New England and western area exceed this standard from time to time.

Fluoride

One of the most toxic substances we know of is fluoride and yet it is found in almost all brands of toothpaste. It's added even though there is no data to support its effectiveness in the fight against tooth decay. Today you can find fluoride in bottled water, and even baby formula. Tap water is actually fluoridated, meaning it's added to water deliberately, notwithstanding it's almost as poisonous as arsenic is, and more toxic than lead. This substance is so toxic until the fluoridation process has been banned in several countries. Even some U.S. cities have caught on and started rejecting the process of fluoridation since 1990.

Chlorine

Chlorine is added to water to kill certain bacteria. This chemical can be inhaled in gas form and absorbed through the skin and therefore presents a danger even if you're present in the room with it, to say nothing of drinking it. Once in the human body, it bonds with other compounds to form Trihalomethanes (THMs). These byproducts trigger the production of free radicals in the body and cause serious cell damage. In one research study, chlorine and chloramine was added to rats' water supply and as a result the rats developed tumors in the liver kidneys and intestines. Even after this study which shows some of the dangers possible, the government continues to provide chlorinated drinking water to the public.

BrianTracy.com | Achieve All Your Goals and Be Successful

 I have always been a big fan of Brian Tracy.. check this out for useful tips and FREE info

BrianTracy.com | Achieve All Your Goals and Be Successful

Weight Loss or WAIST Loss?

How You Can Lose Inches Off Your Waist in Just a Matter of Weeks

Normally, losing off some inches off your waist will require a strict diet and intense exercises. To some, it appears like an agony. Having to strain yourself on powerful workouts and starving yourself up are things that are not so easy to do, especially when you have no time to exercise too much and you cannot take some diet programs.
However, there is one thing that you should know. You can attain a slimmer waist even without having to deprive yourself of food and making yourself toil on those workout routines.
How will you do that? Read below.
1. Sometimes, you work out so hard but still fail to lose some inches off your waist. Your frustrations are just becoming bigger and bigger as days go by. If this is the case, then, there might be imbalances in your hormones. Exercising, no matter how intense it is, will do nothing to balance your hormones and this is the reason why in spite of working out so hard, you don’t lose inches off your waist. If you are a victim of hormone imbalance, it is recommended that you eat foods which are rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables. You can add them in your daily diet to promote hormone balance. As much as possible, lessen your sugar and simple carbohydrates intake. They will cause your tummy to become bigger; thus, making your waist look bigger too.
2. Spin around like a child. This movement might be funny to some although recent studies show that this motion, when done regularly can help balance your hormones. Aside from that, it will also affect your endocrine system. Do it clockwise until you feel slightly dizzy. This will make you lose inches off your waist fast. You might just be counting a few weeks to see positive results.
3. Inhale and tighten up your tummy for 20 to 30 seconds. The longer you can hold it, the better. Release your tummy and then tighten it again. You can do this repeatedly. Such motion can make you lose 1.75 inches off your waist in just one month. If you can do it more regularly for longer seconds, the chance to lose 3 inches off your waist will not be far from you. This technique is proven effective by many and what’s amusing about it is that you can do it even when you have a very busy schedule. You can do it while taking care of your household chores such as cleaning, mopping, cooking, and baking; while working in the office, while buying groceries, while watching TV and so on. You can even do it while having a goodtime outside your home.
If you are done in reading this article, I am quite sure that you’re eager to see the results of what you will be doing. With the right attitude, these techniques will surely work on you and you will see pleasant changes on your waist after a few weeks.

The Easiest Steps for Weight Loss and Good Health

4 Easy Steps for Weight Loss Exercise

Many of us live our lives like fenced in animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room sofa and back to the bed.

It wasn't always this way. Not long ago in the United States of America, a man who worked on a farm did the equivalent of 15 miles of jogging every day; and his wife did the equivalent of 7 miles of jogging.

Today, our daily responsibilities of work and home keep us tied to our chairs, and if we want exercise, we have to seek it out.

As a matter of fact, health experts insist that obesity problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around.

However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old high school track will offset a daily dose of donuts. Exercise alone is not very efficient, experts say. They contend that if you just exercise and do not change your diet, you may be able to prevent weight gain or even lose a few pounds for a while.

Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to sustain unless exercise is part of an overall program. The more regularly you exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight. Here is what to do day-after-day to be sure that you get the exercise you need.

1. Get Quality Sleep.

Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are conducive to exercise, experts point out. If you feel exhausted during the day, you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day.

Additionally, there is evidence that people who are tired tend to eat more, using food as a substitute for the rest they need. Every one is different, but try for that all-illusive eight hours a night

2. Walk the Walk.

It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. As a matter of fact, it may be all you ever have to do, according to the professional advice of some health experts.

Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits that are well worth the while. This total of time does not even have to be all at once. Gradually add it to your normal routine. Park your car further from the door at work or shopping and you can add a lot. Five minutes taking the stairs instead of the elevator could be equal to 10 minutes walking

3. Walk the Treadmill.

When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going outdoors. But if you have a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your weight-maintenance plan.

Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk. There is also nothing wrong with walking or jogging in place- thereby eliminating the "buying equipment" excuse

4. Seize the Time.

Excuses aside, lack of time is certainly a limiting factor in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for incorporating exercise into your schedule. A little bit can go a long way, and when you start with a little, it is very easy to add more time

Get as much exercise as you can that feels good without letting it interfere with your work or family life. If you need to, remind yourself that you are preventing many health problems when you prevent weight gain; and keeping your health is a gift to your family as well as yourself.

Stoke the Furnace: How Metabolism Helps Your Diet

Seven Tips For Natural Diet results Through Metabolism

The Natural formula for Diet and Health: Increase metabolic rate, lose weight…7 smart moves to increase metabolism.

There are no forms of dieting that will stop you from gaining weight, if that's all you concentrate on. Most are only fads and instead of giving you the results you once anticipated and worked for, they leave you frustrated and well, sometimes hopeless. Well, worry no more. Just think of your body as a wood-burning stove and your metabolism is the fire. All you need to do is increase the efficiency and you can build a hotter fire that keeps burning and burning the fuel, your food intake. With that in mind, here are 7 effective guidelines towards a healthier, sexier you. Concentrate on these tips and you will naturally lose weight and improve your health

1) Sleep well, live well. According to studies, people who just have 4 hours of sleep at night have slower metabolism than those who have 8-hours of sleep. Furthermore, those getting less sleep resort to overeating since they may have to resort to sugary snacks or drinks for energy and also feel as though eating would cover up the lack of sleep. You must have enough sleep for you to feel revived after every “wake up”.  Then, start with a good breakfast

2) Sweat out a little in the evenings. There is recent research that tells us that our metabolism tends to slow down during late in the afternoon or at the end of the day. So, in order for you to burn more calories, it is smart to do some evening walks and other exercises that would allow you to sweat it out and burn more calories.

3) Do not be a slow drag- move more. As you move more, you burn more calories. Instead of taking a ride to a near place, walking is a better choice. Park your car further from the door at work or shopping and take the stairs instead of the elevator. You must gradually make minor lifestyle changes. These are just so minor so you will not have a hard time. It is as the fact that these may be easy for you will not need hard work. This could be done in a way like gardening instead of watching TV

4) Eat more proteins. Diet studies show that protein intake stabilizes the amount of insulin in the bloodstream. It is highly-beneficial for you. A protein-based snack in mid-morning and mid-afternoon can keep the metabolism fire burning strong

5) Skipping meals is skipping life. A drastic change for your body is not good. Never dwell on the idea that missing a meal would make your waistline look well-carved. Always bear in mind comes from deep within. You will never conceal the fact someday that you are living an unhealthy life. Whenever you do a sudden stop in eating, your body would react to it in such a way that it will slow down its metabolic rate.

6) Sweat out a bit for some exercise. Not all exercise directly results to in better metabolism because not all of its forms are really applicable (exercise that helps you build lean muscle mass always does though) but ALL exercise leads to a better sleeping habit. And, sleeping increases metabolism.

7) Grow lean muscles.The smallest increase of strength through any variety of weight-training can yield dramatic results having more amount of these lean muscles means an increased metabolism. A few push-ups and squats daily are of big help. Just bear in mind that it is not all about working out but considering the metabolism of your body, start with the large muscle groups and work from there.

These are the seven smart moves toward your objectives and your overall Natural Diet and Health program. Never let go of the hope that you will have a healthier, sexier, longer and better life and you will accomplish your goals!

If You're Going To Have a Shot a Day...Make it a Wheatgrass

A Shot of Wheatgrass Juice Everyday Keeps the Doctor Away

People have taken interest on wheatgrass because of the many health benefits it gives. For the health-conscious individuals, wheatgrass juice is the way to go. If you are planning on taking the natural road to a healthy you, here are some things you have to know to get you started on wheatgrass juice.

What is wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the young grass of wheat plant that is dried or juiced. Because it has a high amount of Chlorophyll, it is rich in many vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown that wheatgrass has various curative and detoxifying functions.

Because wheatgrass has increased in popularity for some time now, you can easily buy wheatgrass prepared in various forms. Some bars and restaurants also included wheatgrass juice in their menu.

What are the benefits of taking wheatgrass?

Improves metabolism and cares for your heart

Wheatgrass is good for your heart as it  lowers down your blood pressure. It also makes your blood healthier by increasing the red blood cells in your blood. The properties of wheatgrass also reduce the acidity of your blood because wheatgrass is very rich in alkaline minerals. Taking wheatgrass will also help enhance your thyroid functions. It is also said that wheatgrass is effective in treating gastrointestinal diseases like constipation, diarrhea, peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis.

Detoxifying agent

Because of the presence of minerals and antioxidants, wheatgrass is a very effective detoxifying agent. It also fights off and gets rid of harmful chemicals and other substances that may develop into various types of cancers and other illnesses. Wheatgrass makes your blood healthy and cleanses the liver effectively. Using this to treat tumors and toxins helps patient recover from their illnesses without the harmful side effects of synthetic drugs.

•Slows down the aging process

Aging is part of an individual's normal growth and development but it doesn't mean that your health should be affected by aging. Taking wheatgrass puts aging on a different level. It does not only slows down the process, but it makes you age healthily by cleansing your body off harmful toxins and keeping your cells healthy.

•Aids individuals to lose weight

Wheatgrass has fat-burning properties. It also suppresses your appetite. Losing weight doesn't have to mean taking those weight-loss pills or undergoing surgery. A regular dose of wheatgrass will do wonders to your body.

Preparations

The popularity of wheatgrass resulted to it being available in various forms. Now, you can take wheatgrass in powdered juice, tablets or through juice shots.

Some people also decide to grow wheatgrass in their homes so they can always have it easily available to them. Whatever preparations you prefer, the important thing is to be able to have your regular intake of wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass juice is prepared like any other type of juice. Add water and enjoy. You can also add some ice. Juice shots are also available in the market. A 5ml shot is equal to a tablet of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass tablets are taken twice daily.

Wheatgrass has many healthy benefits for you. Take a dose of wheatgrass everyday and start your journey to a healthier you.

8 Ways to Cut Calories Increase Longevity | Yahoo! Health

 Good Stuff...

8 Ways to Cut Calories Increase Longevity | Yahoo! Health