Monday, November 16, 2009

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.

- What Other Toxic Chemicals in Water Affect My Health?

What Other Toxic Chemicals in Water Affect My Health?: "What Other Toxic Chemicals in Water Affect My Health?
The Importance of Water

We all know that water is the magic elixir of life. Every living organism needs water in order to function properly. And, you don't need any other liquid to survive. After all, it's the liquid that makes up 70% of our body mass-pure water. Your body relies on water to digest food and to expel waste.

The amount of water is important: Dr. Group recommends that you drink eight 8-ounce glasses daily. And the quality of water you drink matters too. With all the toxic chemicals that can be present in public water supplies, as well as bottled water, it's best if you drink purified water.

Water contains many of the nutrients that make us health and keep us alive. Unfortunately, some chemicals in water are also dangerous. Most of these excess chemicals in water are 'runoffs', or leftover human materials.
Toxic Chemicals That Have Been Found in Water
Fluoride
While this compound has many positive traits, such as the ability to clean our teeth, is can also be quite toxic. It is used in the extremely toxic nerve agent sarin gas.1 Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical element that is essential to human life. However, in anything other than trace amounts, it becomes a toxic gas that irritates the respiratory system.2
Mercury
E"

Monday, June 8, 2009

Diet Tips for Weight Watchers

Diet Tips for Weight Watchers

Do you want to lose weight and achieve the body you have always wanted? Do you want to start a diet that can help you shed off the excess pounds? If your answer to both questions is yes, then it is about time that you learn some basic yet effective diet tips that can help you lose weight and develop healthy eating habits.

Dieting and trying to lose weight does not mean that you have to start skipping meals or that you have to starve yourself. Dieting does not involve giving up food or not eating at all. It simply means making the right choices in the food that you eat. Remember, you can lose weight without starving yourself and without skipping meals. You can even have snacks aside from the usual meals you have during the day and still achieve a slim figure. Here are some pointers:

1. Do not starve yourself. However, do not stuff yourself either. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied. Avoid the habit of skipping meals. This can only make your longing and urge to eat comfort foods stronger. When you starve yourself, you end up feeling grouchy and frustrated so you dump the idea of dieting and take comfort in eating and stuffing yourself. After eating, that is when you start feeling guilty and so you start over and the cycle continues. The best way to go is to eat whenever you feel the hunger pangs coming.

2. Choose healthy and nutritious meals. For instance, if your lunch usually consists of fast food such as burgers and fries, that will have to go. Instead, eat something that is more healthy like a vegetable salad, wheat bread and chicken breast fillet served with some fresh lettuce and tomatoes or brown rice and stir fried veggies. Even if you are dieting, you can still enjoy nutritious and tasty meals. It is all about making the right choices in the food that you eat and working on portion control. Remember, there is no point in starving yourself. Eat nutritious meals and be happy. Eating healthy meals give you the same satisfaction and fullness that you can get from eating fatty and greasy fast foods or junk foods. So why not just make the right choice?

3. Practice portion control. Do not make it a habit to eat everything in sight. Being on a diet is all about having discipline. Tip number one allows you to eat. Tip number two tells you to dump the junk food habit and eat healthy and nutritious meals instead. Tip number three now teaches you to watch out your food portions. Do not fill up your entire plate with food in large portions. The best way to go is to get a small portion and take your time eating and enjoying it. You can always get another serving if you are still hungry. Learn to enjoy your food. Eating more does not make you more satisfied in the end. It is best to enjoy every bite and to savour the taste. This can help you appreciate eating just the right portion. As you get used to smaller portions, you will realize that you do not need to eat everything just to be satisfied.

Three Natural Diet Tips to Lose Weight Fast Without Added Exercise

Three Natural Diet Tips to Lose Weight Fast Without Added Exercise

It is common knowledge that the key to a natural, successful weight loss program always includes a healthy dietary regimen. Yes, exercise might make it faster for you to lose weight, but a good diet is essential for your weight management. It keeps you fit and gives you energy for your workout. The article is focused on three easy to follow diet tips that will help you live a healthy lifestyle.

The first tip may be shocking, disproving a lot of diet myths out there; Include fats in your diet, but only healthy fats. In every meal, have a serving of fat. Fat helps in muscle building and keeps your hormone levels high. You can get healthy fat from seeds, raw nuts, avocados, eggs and meats that come from grass fed animals (also a good source of conjugated linoleic acid). There is also a high level of healthy fats in virgin olive oil (olive oil contains the highest level of antioxidants) and coconut oil (this is a source of saturated fats in the form of triglycerides). Healthy fats from these foods burn bad fats in your body, giving you a lean muscle instead. Keeping a high level of healthy fat also helps you keep your appetite under control, which is the whole purpose of dieting if you think about it. Try this tip; eat a handful of raw nuts like almonds right before you take your meal. This will certainly reduce your appetite and give you quality protein, fibers and healthy fats. Add a nice big glass of water, and you’ll feel full before you even start eating

Second tip, eat tons of protein. Every meal and even snacks should contain a good amount of protein. You can get this from grass fed meats, grass fed dairies, plants, nuts and beans. Protein, like healthy fats, suppresses your appetite plus it controls your calorie intake. It will help you look fit and feel fit also because it also helps control your blood sugar and insulin levels. Proteins do this because it slows down the breakdown of carbohydrates in your body.

For the last tip, make sure you have enough sources of carbohydrates that come from fruits and vegetables. Do not look for carbohydrates in grain based starches and those products using refined sugar. The classifications of the carbohydrates you will get from these are not healthy and are the cause of weight gain in the first place. Carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables have lots of fiber keeping your blood sugar under control. Eat the fruits as they are, fruit juices do not have the same effect because they already contain added sugar and the fibers of the fruits are removed in the process.

Remember these three essential natural diet tips and you are sure to be on your way to a healthier lifestyle. To recap, eat healthy fats in right the amounts. Include protein in every meal. Lastly, get enough sources of carbohydrates. Take in carbohydrates coming from fruits and vegetables rather than from grains such as cereal, bagels, bread and pasta. Enjoy your meals and have a happy diet.