Make money from your photos, videos and blogs. Get Started Now!

ykasimov's Blog

Category health and beauty

September 04, 2008

Stress is inevitable. However, there are ways to minimize its grip on your life, starting with your diet.
Most of us recognize that certain foods have brutal effects on the brain--for productivity, mood and mental energy. Too much chocolate can leave you dragging after the sugar and caffeine jolts fade away. An overdose of salty chips dehydrates the body and the brain, bringing on fatigue. High fat meals raise stress hormone levels and keep them high.
The problem is that these are precisely the foods we reach for at exactly the wrong times, as they exacerbate tension from work and daily life just when we seek relief.The Food and Mood Project, a nutrition research group in the U.K., identified "food stressors" and "food supporters," foods that exacerbate stress from the inside and those that help people under stress. The lists were drawn on the basis of personal experience among 200 people surveyed.Nearly 90% of those surveyed reported that their mental health had improved significantly with changes in diet they had made on their own. Participants reported that cutting down or avoiding "food stressors" like sugar (80%), caffeine (79%), alcohol (55%) and chocolate (53%) had the most impact on mental health. So did having more "food supporters" like water (80%), vegetables (78%), fruit (72%) and oil-rich fish (52%). The survey also found some dietary strategies particularly helpful in encouraging a healthful diet: eating regular meals, carrying nutritious snacks and planning meals in advance. "Despite evidence suggesting that dietary and nutritional interventions can provide symptom relief and benefits to health, these approaches remain alternative or complementary," says Amanda Geary, a nutritional therapist with the Food and Mood Project, which advocates dietary changes to boost mood before turning to medication. Nevertheless, quality research now underway is seriously tackling how the foods we consume affect our internal chemistry. We already know that stress hormones like cortisol actually rob the body of vitamins, hijacking them to support such classic stress responses as the tensing of muscles and the rise of blood pressure, reactions fundamental to the fight-or-flight response.Thus at times when we're experiencing the nervous-system workout of anxiety, we are in special need of B vitamins, which help maintain our nerves and brain cells. B vitamins also used up in converting food into energy for the body.

It's double whammy for the body if calories consumed during stressful times don't come from nutritious foods, as they'll then be depleted even more quickly. Even a slight vitamin B deficiency--say, from a few days of overloading on chips and soda--upsets the nervous system and compounds stress, according to Elizabeth Somer, R.D., a nutritionist in Salem, Oregon. A better bet at trying times: bananas, fish, baked potatoes, avocados, chicken and dark green leafy veggies. All are loaded with B vitamins. Extreme stress can create even more nutritional havoc. The "fight or flight" effect on our bodies is drastic. Some 1400 chemical changes occur as stress hormones sap the body of important nutrients, such as those B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A and the mineral magnesium. The hormones released in response to stress can cause carbohydrate cravings by lowering levels of serotonin, the calming hormone. Increasing carbohydrate intake can strengthen tolerance to stress by boosting levels of serotonin, says Somer, but it can also cause weight gain and overeating, particularly of sugary foods. When the pressure is on, it's difficult not to turn to junk food for solace. But sticking to highly nutritious, low fat, low sugar, and low caffeine diet will be its own reward.
We've all had them: bosses who inspire more fury and frustration than productivity or inspiration. They bark orders, mumble vague instructions, and seem oblivious to their employees's successes, but strangely attuned to every fumble. Who hasn't spent lunch hours dissecting a supervisor's flaws and foibles, fantasizing about an early retirement or personality overhaul for their boss? But such musings miss the real kink in office operations. According to Renato Tagiuri, Ph.D., professor emeritus of social sciences at Harvard Business School, decades of research into what makes a great manager leads to one conclusion: "It's not about personality. It's about behavior." While self-help books expound on the power of personality, and management gurus tell us it's all about style, Tagiuri suggests that many different kinds of people make good managers. Besides, who we are is far more difficult to change than what we are. Whether you're reserved or chatty, decisive or waffling, there are effective ways to get the best out of your workers. With the help of his students--who all had considerable work experience and had endured many bosses--Tagiuri has distilled a lifetime of inquiry into 10 essential actions that make a great boss:

1. Clarify objectives of job assignments
2. Describe assignments clearly
3. Listen to your employees views
4. Make sure the resources necessary to carry out assignments are available
5. Be explicit about evaluation standards
6. Reward effort and offer incentives
7. Give prompt feedback on performance
8. Avoid personal friendships with employees
9. Admit your errors, don't tell lies
10. Make the decisions that are yours to make.

The 10 behaviors constitute a cohesive system "and the removal of any one of them will cause the structure to crumble," Tagiuri believes. Employees need to know how they'll be judged, what priorities their boss will set, and whether their earnest efforts will be noticed. Alternatively, bosses can manage by threats or acquire enough charisma to charm employees into high gear. But both strategies ultimately backfire.

health, diet, pill, weight, loss, young, woman, women, sport

1 comments | Email It | Add to Favorites | Category: health and beauty

The role of diet in the treatment of obesity

September 04, 2008

The first goal of dieting is to stop further weight gain. The next goal is to establish realistic weight loss goals. While the ideal weight is a BMI of 20-25, this is difficult to achieve for many people. Thus success is higher when a goal is set to lose 10% to15% of baseline weight as opposed to 20% to 30% or higher. It is also important to remember that any weight reduction in an obese person would result in health benefits. One effective way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories. One pound is equal to 3500 calories. In other words, you have to burn 3500 more calories than you take-in to lose one pound. Most adults need between 1200- 2800 calories/day-depending on body size & activity level to meet the body's energy needs.
If you skip that bowl of ice cream, then you will be one-seventh of the way to losing that pound! Losing one pound per week is a safe & reasonable way to get off those extra pounds. The higher the initial weight of a person, the more quickly he/she will achieve weight loss. This is because for every one-kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight, approximately 22 calories are required to maintain that weight. So for a woman weighing 100 kilograms (220 pounds), he or she would require about 2200 calories a day to maintain his or her weight while a person weighing 60 kilograms (132 pounds) would require only about 1320 calories. If both ate a calorie-restricted diet of 1200 calories per day, the heavier person would loose weight faster. Age also is a factor in calorie expenditure. Metabolic rate tends to slow as we age, so the older a person is, the harder it is to lose weight. There is controversy in regard to carbohydrates and weight loss. When carbohydrates are restricted, people often experience rapid initial weight loss within the first two weeks. This weight loss is due mainly to fluid loss. When carbohydrates are added back to the diet, weight gain often occurs, simply due to a regain of the fluid.General diet guidelines for achieving and (as importantly) maintaining a healthy weight:
A safe and effective long-term weight reduction and maintenance diet has to contain balanced, nutritious foods to avoid vitamin deficiencies and other diseases of malnutrition.Eat more nutritious foods that have "low energy density." Low energy dense foods contain relatively few calories per unit weight (fewer calories in a large amount of food). Examples of low energy dense foods include vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fish, grains, and beans. For example, you can eat a large volume of celery or carrots without taking in many calories.
Eat less "energy dense foods." Energy dense foods are high in fats and simple sugars. They generally have a high calorie value in a small amount of food. The United States government currently recommends that a healthy diet should have less than 30% fat. Fat contains twice as many calories per unit weight than protein or carbohydrates. Examples of high-energy dense foods include red meat, egg yolks, fried foods, high fat/sugar fast foods, sweets, pastries, butter, and high fat salad dressings. Also cut down on foods that provide calories but very little nutrition, such as alcohol, non-diet soft drinks and many packaged high calorie snack foods. About 55% of calories in the diet should be from complex carbohydrates. Eat more complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole-grain bread, fruits and vegetables. Avoid simple carbohydrates such as table sugars, sweets, doughnuts, cakes, and muffins. Cut down on non-diet soft drinks-these sugary soft drinks are loaded with simple carbohydrates and calories. Simple carbohydrates cause excessive insulin release by the pancreas, and insulin promotes growth of fat tissue. Educate yourself in reading food labels, estimating calories and serving sizes.Consult your doctor before starting any dietary changes. You doctor should prescribe the amount of daily calories in your diet.

health, diet, pill, weight, loss, young, woman, women, sport

2 comments | Email It | Add to Favorites | Category: health and beauty

Six Guidelines To Healthy Eating

September 04, 2008

Whatever your blood cholesterol level, you can make changes to help lower it or keep it low and reduce your risk for heart disease. These are guidelines for heart-healthy living that the whole family (including children ages 2 and above) can follow:

1) Choose foods low in saturated fat

All foods that contain fat are made up of a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol level more than anything else you eat. The best way to reduce blood cholesterol is to choose foods lower in saturated fat. One way to help your family do this is by choosing foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains--foods naturally low in total fat and high in starch and fiber.

2) Choose foods low in total fat

Since many foods high in total fat are also high in saturated fat, eating foods low in total fat will help your family eat less saturated fat. When you do eat fat, substitute unsaturated fat--either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated--for saturated fat. Fat is a rich source of calories, so eating foods low in fat will also help you eat fewer calories. Eating fewer calories can help you lose weight--and, if you are overweight, losing weight is an important part of lowering your blood cholesterol. (Consult your family doctor if you have a concern about your child's weight.)

3) Choose foods high in starch and fiber

Foods high in starch and fiber are excellent substitutes for foods high in saturated fat. These foods--breads, cereals, pasta, grains, fruits, and vegetables--are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are also lower in calories than foods that are high in fat. But limit fatty toppings and spreads like butter and sauces made with cream and whole milk dairy products. Foods high in starch and fiber are also good sources of vitamins and minerals. When eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, foods with soluble fiber--like oat and barley bran and dry peas and beans--may help to lower blood cholesterol.

4) Choose foods low in cholesterol

Remember, dietary cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol, although usually not as much as saturated fat. So it's important for your family to choose foods low in dietary cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol is found only in foods that come from animals. And even if an animal food is low in saturated fat, it may be high in cholesterol; for instance, organ meats like liver and egg yolks are low in saturated fat but high in cholesterol. Egg whites and foods from plant sources do not have cholesterol.

5) Be more physically active

Being physically active helps improve blood cholesterol levels: it can raise HDL and lower LDL. Being more active also can help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure, improve the fitness of your heart and blood vessels, and reduce stress. And being active together is great for the entire family.

6) Maintain a healthy weight, and lose weight if you are overweight

People who are overweight tend to have higher blood cholesterol levels than people of a healthy weight. Overweight adults with an "apple" shape--bigger (pot) belly--tend to have a higher risk for heart disease than those with a "pear" shape--bigger hips and thighs. Whatever your body shape, when you cut the fat in your diet, you cut down on the richest source of calories. A family eating pattern high in starch and fiber instead of fat is a good way to help control weight. Do not go on crash diets that are very low in calories since they can be harmful to your health. If you are overweight, losing even a little weight can help to lower LDL-cholesterol and raise HDL-cholesterol.

health, diet, pill, weight, loss, young, woman, women, sport

0 comments | Email It | Add to Favorites | Category: health and beauty

Review of Popular Weight Loss Diets

September 04, 2008

The following review examines the advantages and disadvantages of several popular diet plans. Most of the diets are based on low-carbohydrate approaches. These hotly debated low-carbohydrate diets were subject of a recent study in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" that found more research is needed on the safety and efficacy of such plans. The article analyzed hundreds of published studies about low-carbohydrate plans and found a lack of scientific evidence for or against the diets. "It is also important to note that in most of the studies contained in the analysis, weight loss occurred when study participants were on diets for longer periods, and when they ate fewer calories," according to a statement by Robert H. Eckel, a physician and chair of the American Heart Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism Council. Keeping that in mind, let's look at a few popular diets, and go through some of the pros and cons, and the theory behind their potential effects.

The Atkins Die (Robert C. Atkins, M.D.)

The Diet Plan Theory:
The Atkins diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate plan. The diet allows for unrestricted amounts of meat, cheese and eggs while severely restricting carbohydrates, including sugar, bread, pasta, milk, fruits and vegetables. Atkins' diet is based on the theory that eating carbohydrates creates a production of insulin, a hormone secreted from the pancreas, leading to increased weight gain and hunger, which is a true physiologic response. When converting to this approach, the plan holds that dieters will experience reduced appetite and their bodies will use stored fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Burning fat for energy will supposedly lead to weight loss.

Disadvantages:

The medical community continues to debate the potential damaging effects of long-term, high-protein diets on kidney function, cholesterol levels, and possible increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. The Atkins diet restricts carbohydrates and limits the amounts of fruits, vegetables, milk and other high-fiber foods. These foods naturally provide essential vitamin and minerals to maintain health. Atkins diet followers may have difficulty maintaining this diet long term. The problem is taste. The only way to really satisfy taste without carbohydrate is by increasing fat. And this is another concern with the Atkins plan. Weight loss occurs predominately through a process called ketosis, and a majority of it (at least initially) is fluid loss. There have been no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of this diet.

Advantages:

People like eating high amounts of protein foods that are often restricted on other diets. Those who have been unsuccessful on other low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets will often lose weight with this plan. The diet is easy to follow; no point system, calorie counting or complicated meal plans are involved.

The Carbohydrate's Addict's Diet (Richard Heller, M.D. and Rachael Heller, M.D.)

The Diet Plan Theory:
The Carbohydrates Addict's diet is a low-carbohydrate eating plan. The diet recommends eating low-carbohydrate meals and one "reward meal" daily. The reward meal combines carbohydrates, protein and vegetables. It must be eaten within an hour from start to finish. The Hellers' diet is based on the theory that many overweight people are carbohydrate addicts; they suffer from a biological condition caused by a hormonal imbalance. Excess insulin is produced after eating carbohydrates, resulting in all-day food cravings and a willingness in the body to store fat. The plan holds that converting to this low-carbohydrate plan reverses such biological conditions, reducing appetite and body fat storage. The body will convert to burning fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. In general, although the finer points may differ, this can be viewed as a modified Atkins plan.

Disadvantages:

There are no long-term randomized studies to support the theory of carbohydrate addiction. Enjoying carbohydrate foods is not enough for an addiction diagnosis. Also, there are no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of this diet. Eating a low-carbohydrate diet leads to consuming larger amounts of fat and protein. Although debated by the medical community, long-term low-carbohydrate diets are believed to increase risk for colon cancer and osteoporosis. High-fat and high-protein diets could cause kidney function loss, elevate cholesterol levels and increase risk of heart disease. Following this diet long term will be a challenge for many.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. It provides a comprehensive list of foods to consume. It encourages drinking plenty of water daily. It is less restrictive than the Atkins' diet. The Pritikin Principle (Created by Nathan Pritikin, Revised by Robert Pritikin)

The Pritikin Principle(Created by Nathan Pritikin, Revised by Robert Pritikin)

The Diet Plan Theory: The Pritikin diet is a low-fat, high-carbohydrate eating plan. The focus is to eat vegetables, fruits and high-fiber grains. Fats should not exceed 10% of total daily calories. Nathan Pritikin's diet is based on the theory of eating low-fat, low-calorie, plant-based foods to promote weight loss and improve or prevent heart disease. The revised Pritikin diet includes a "Calorie Density Solution" - consume low-calorie dense foods (e.g. apples, brown rice) until full six to seven times daily. Eating low-calorie foods throughout the day will reduce hunger and cause weight loss.

Disadvantages:

Many medical and nutrition professionals agree with this plant-based, high-fiber approach. However, they believe 10% total daily fat intake is too low. Dietary fat provides essential fatty acids and the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K needed for normal cell function and tissue growth. At this fat-consumption level, it is difficult to consume all essential fatty acids naturally found in foods. This diet may not be practical for all. Those eating outside the home on a regular basis will find it difficult to maintain this low-fat diet. Low-fat diets often fail to satisfy appetite and may not be palatable for some people.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this plan. It encourages eating balanced meals that include high-fiber fruits, vegetables, beans and grains. Meals are customized to meet personal needs and tastes from a wide range of foods and menus. Although debated in the medical community, there is evidence low-fat diets play a positive role in preventing heart disease and some cancers. The Pritikin diet also encourages daily exercise and stress-reduction techniques. A good supplement to take while on this diet would be dietrine carb blocker.

Protein Power Lifeplan(Michael R. Eades, MD, and Mary Dan Eades, MD)

The Diet Plan Theory: The Protein Power Lifeplan diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan. The diet allows for liberal amounts of fish, poultry, red meat, low-fat cheese, eggs and tofu. It offers a three-tiered nutrition plan designed for your level of health commitment: Hedonist, Dilettante or Purist. Daily caloric needs are determined based on protein requirements that are linked with activity levels. The Eades' Protein Power Lifeplan is based on the theory that the body is designed to metabolize and thrive on fats and proteins; there are no physical needs for carbohydrates and processed foods. The diet focuses on controlling insulin levels by decreasing carbohydrate consumption. By ingesting a low-carbohydrate diet, the body uses fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Using fats for the body's energy source will decrease appetite and promote weight loss.

Disadvantages:

The Power Protein Lifeplan restricts carbohydrates and calories, limiting the amount of essential vitamins and minerals consumed naturally in foods to maintain health. High-fat diets are debated in the medical community. However, there is strong evidence to support increased cholesterol levels, and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer and the potential for accelerating loss of kidney function. There are no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of this diet or to support the theory of the body's preference to metabolize proteins and fats with greater efficiency than carbohydrates.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. The plan encourages consuming healthier fats, low-fat cheese and avoiding fried foods.

Sugar Busters (H. Leighton and associates) (H. Leighton and associates)

The Diet Plan Theory: The Sugar Busters diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate plan. This diet recommends reducing all refined sugars along with some high-sugar fruits and vegetables. Restricted foods include refined sugars, potatoes, corn, white rice, some breads, beets, carrots, corn syrup, molasses, honey and soda. The authors believe sugar is toxic. The plan holds that when refined sugars are eaten, blood sugar rises quickly and this causes an overabundance of insulin. The excess amount of insulin is not readily used to convert blood sugar - glucose - into energy. Instead, the body stores the glucose as fat, leading to weight gain. Eliminating refined sugars forces the body to convert fat into energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Appetite subsides, the body stores less fat and weight loss occurs.

Disadvantages:

The authors' scientific theories are misleading. Sugar is really not TOXIC. Pesticides are toxic. They claim lower insulin levels in the blood stream can reduce insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a medical condition diagnosed by a physician and is typically seen in obese people and Type 2 diabetics. The authors also believe you can avert diabetes with this diet. Eating sugar itself does not cause diabetes or insulin resistance in a healthy person. But, highly refined white sugar on its own does make blood sugar levels rise quicker than eating a complex sugar (such as a carbohydrate) combined with fat and protein. Being overweight is a factor in developing both insulin resistance and diabetes. Losing weight, with any diet plan, aids in preventing these conditions. The medical community continues to debate the effect long-term, high-protein diets have on accelerating the loss of kidney function, elevating cholesterol levels, increasing risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. There have been no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of the Sugar Busters diet. Following this diet over the long term will be difficult.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. It provides clear guidelines on foods to avoid and it encourages eating high-fiber vegetables, stone-ground whole grains, lean and trimmed meats, fish, fruit and drinking alcohol in moderation. The authors recommend looking at your food portions versus traditional calorie counting.

Suzanne Somers' Get Skinny on Fabulous Food(Suzanne Somers and associates)

The Diet Plan Theory: Somers' diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan. The diet foods include unlimited amounts of meat, cheese, eggs, cream, oils and butter; and controlled portions of low-carbohydrate vegetables, whole-grain pastas, cereals, breads, beans, fruits and non-fat dairy products. There is a list of "funky foods" to eliminate, guidelines of when to eat fruits, and how to combine protein, fat, vegetables and carbohydrates. The diet is based on the theory that when eating protein and carbohydrates together, their enzymes cancel each other, halting digestion and leading to weight gain. The key to "Somersizing" is to eliminate foods high in sugars, a.k.a. carbohydrates.

Disadvantages:

There is no scientific data to support combining certain foods to lose weight or that protein and carbohydrate enzymes react when eaten together to stop digestion. Some foods naturally combine protein and carbohydrates, including nuts, milk, beans and whole-grain breads. The body digests these foods. The medical debate over potential harmful effect of long-term, high-protein diets on kidney function, cholesterol levels, and increased risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer also applies to this plan. Ms. Somers herself had a bout with breast cancer. Whether this is related or not is, of course, up for speculation and discussion. There are no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of the diet.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. Meals are customized from a wide range of foods to meet personal tastes.A good supplement to take while on this diet would be dietrine carb blocker.

health, diet, pill, weight, loss, young, woman, women, sport

0 comments | Email It | Add to Favorites | Category: health and beauty

Medication in the treatment of obesity

September 04, 2008

Medication treatment of obesity should be used only in patients who have health risks related to obesity. Medications should be used in patients with a BMI greater than 30 or in those with a BMI of greater than 27 who have other medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood cholesterol) that put them at risk for developing heart disease. Medications should not be used for cosmetic reasons. Like diet and exercise, the goal of medication treatment has to be realistic. With successful medication treatment, one can expect an initial weight loss of at least 5 pounds during the first month of treatment, and a total weight loss of 10-15% of the initial body weight. It is also important to remember that these medications only work when they are taken. When they are discontinued, weight gain can occur.

Dietrine Carb Blocker is a must have for you carb addicts and works great with either herbal phentermine or dietrine patch. One Dietrine Capsule taken prior to a meal can block up to 1125 calories from fat and carbohydrate foods. Do you find it difficult to cut down on delicious foods filled with carbohydrates such as pasta, cakes, breads, potato chips and ice cream? If you said yes then you are not alone. Now with our new Dietrine Carb Blocker we offer a 100% safe and stimulant free natural product that will allow you to indulge on occasion without having to feel guilty about eating starchy foods.

HGH Energizer supplies your body with increased release of HGH, HGH Energizer can help you fight the effects of aging and make you look young again. Recent studies have shown the direct impact HGH has on multiple body functions. By the time you reach 60, your natural production of HGH is most likely to be half of what it was when you were 20. This means that you will have less energy, more body fat, heal slower and have a weaker immune system.

Hoodia Gordonii is a cactus of the "succulent" cactus family, which has grown for thousands of years in the Kalahari Desert region. Hoodia has been used by the indigenous Bushmen as a natural appetite suppressant and thirst quencher during their long hunting trips for generations.Scientists believe that the reason for Hoodia's appetite suppressing abilities is a molecule called "P57". Normally, when you eat the glucose in your body rises and eventually signals to your brain (the hypothalamus) that you are full. It is believed that "P57" molecule in Hoodia mimics the effect that glucose has on your brain, telling part of your brain (the Hypothalamus) that you feel full. Consequently, you have no desire to eat.

Avatrim ingredients are clinically proven to help you lose weight. Avatrims advanced ephedrine free formula is powered by a revolutionary blend of green tea and other potent thermogenic compounds clinically proven to increase the body's metabolic rate and energy expenditure to help promote reductions in weight and body fat.

alli™ is the only FDA approved, over-the-counter weight loss product. But it’s more than just a pill. It’s an innovative weight loss program. The pill works by preventing your body from absorbing some of the fat you eat. And the program includes an individually tailored, online action plan to help you lose weight safely and gradually.

Hydroxycut -for years, people all over America have chosen Hydroxycut for results and now it's time for you to cash in on this product. Market Americas #1 selling weight loss pill.

health, diet, pill, weight, loss, young, woman, women, sport

0 comments | Email It | Add to Favorites | Category: health and beauty

« older posts