Showing posts with label Human Diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Human Diet. Show all posts

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Protein and Weight Loss - Is there any Relation in these

by. Dr John Anne  

Now it has become a trend that we all are trying to switch on to low carb diet. It occurs mainly due to the fact that high protein diet actually enhances weight loss. A recent British study confirmed that there is a strong correlation between diet high in protein and weight loss. The study also said that the diet high in protein triggers in releasing hormone that influences weight loss. 

Protein consumption in diet ensures the release of PYY hormone that reduces the hunger. Researchers argued that high protein foods start out PYY secretion better than other foods. Scientific studies also suggest that PYY should be an integral part of weight reduction plan. Theoretically, as because a proportionate relation exists between protein and weight loss, therefore an obese individual must eat more calories to trigger PYY compared to a normal weight individual. 

Typically, we avoid high calorie food to maintain healthy balance in life. But the truth is if we do not get enough protein in our diet, we may suffer from varieties of health complications. Lack of protein in our regular diet may cause harm to all the organs - from the heart to kidney. It also causes weaker immune system; hence our health may be affected by a variety of diseases. 

The amount of protein in the diet depends essentially on three factors - sex, age and weight. However, for normal adult man and normal adult woman the daily protein intake would be 56 grams per day and 46 grams per day respectively. 

About Weight Loss 

In recent years, there are few high-protein diet programs available in the market claiming for weight loss. However, supports received from the diet gurus and health practitioners are generally inclined with the low calorie diet rather the high-protein ones. 

However, the relation between protein and weigh loss is not appreciated by each and every research fellow. It is said that low carb diets are mainly linked up with reduced calorie intake and increased diet timing but not with decreased carbohydrate content. 

The essential feature of low-carb high-protein diet is rapid weight loss. But it is viewed from a different perspective by the skeptics. They rejected the theory about the relation between the diet high in protein and weight loss and argued that it occurs mainly due to the fact of excessive urination. When the body makes up inadequate supply of dietary carbohydrates, it uses body's own carbohydrates stored in the liver and kidney. During this process, the water is mobilized. The mobilized water is then discharged from the body in the form of urine. Hence the rapid weight loss occurs at the initial stages high-protein diet. 

Substituting few dietary carbohydrates with high-protein diet may lead to significant short term weight loss benefits. But the condition says that the diet must be low-fat one as well. Protein and weight loss may become a trendy topic in these days because of its known results contributing to rapid weight loss. But some scientific researches have shown some long term disadvantages as well. Therefore, a slow but certain weight loss can be ensured with a healthy high fiber, moderate protein and low fat plan. This is not a short term plan but a way of healthy living that we can maintain throughout of our lives. 

Disadvantages of too much protein 

Although, the relation between diet rich in protein and weight loss has become a up-to-the-minute topic in today's health discussion, but we should remember that high protein may imply high fat as well. So there is always a high risk for increasing LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels with high protein intake. Hence, there is high possibility for cardiac problems. High protein may imply low fiber as well. Low fiber diet is not at all healthy. If we use it on a regular basis, there is an increased possibility of getting constipated, increased risk of cancer, obesity, cardiac problem and type-2 diabetes. 



--About The Author--

Dr. John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health.

Article Source:   www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6965.shtml

Tips for successful weight loss

by: Annette Croft  

Throughout my childhood and teenage years I watched as my mother tried every fad diet under the sun. I recall one time she ate boiled cabbage and nothing else for a whole week. I felt my mothers’ frustration and misery, however I could not understand why it was so difficult for her to lose weight and keep it off – until that is I became a weight management coach. 


For the past two years I have been assisting people to achieve their ideal weight and in this time I have experienced what contributes to a successful weight loss story. 

Getting serious 

It all starts with you and how serious you are about losing weight. The key to successful weight loss is partly dependent on your level of commitment. How would you rate your seriousness on a scale of 1 – 10 (10 being deadly serious)? 

No quick fix 

If you have made the commitment to get serious about losing weight then you need to make the commitment to do it safely and effectively. One piece of invaluable advice my own family doctor passed onto me is that slow and steady is always the best option. The longer it takes you to lose weight the less likely you are to put it back on. 

Staying motivated 

Always keep the end in mind! Write down all of the reasons why you are motivated to lose weight now. Record these reasons on a piece of card that can be kept in your wallet or purse. Each morning and before going to bed remind yourself by reading aloud why you are motivated to lose weight. 

Facing challenges 

Every day you are likely to face challenges, which can disrupt your focus and get in the way of your weight loss goals. Write down all of the challenges that you know have made losing weight hard for you in the past. This will help you to develop a better strategy this time. Three common challenges are lack of results, boredom and lack of support from spouse, family and friends. 

Choosing a weight control program 

I recommend choosing a diet / weight control program that offers all of the following for best results: 
-Provides a balanced nutritious program that is safe and effective 
-Support system and regular progress follow-up 
-Teaches you better eating habits 
-Teaches you how to maintain your weight once you have reached your goal weight 

--About The Author--

Annette Croft has been assisting people reach their ideal weight for two years with the aid of a nutritious, simple and convenient weight management program.

Article Source:   www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_667.shtml

Diet Fitness - A Buddy Will Help You Lose Weight

by. Michael Maroun

One of the best ways to increase your diet fitness and stay consistent with your diet and exercise plan is to team up with a buddy. A diet buddy is a friend or co-worker who you partner up with so that the two of you help each other lose weight by staying focused and accountable for your actions. Many fitness experts agree that if you have a friend to rely on then you are much more likely to stick to your program and successfully lose weight. 

Choosing a diet buddy is not hard but it can be a challenge to finds someone who you can trust and who will be honest with you. You need someone who will remind you not to eat junk food when you confess that you have fallen off the wagon and who will also be sympathetic to your guilty feelings. Try to find a person who has similar weight loss goals because if you want to lose 20 pounds and your buddy wants to lose 50 then you may not be compatible. Avoid choosing someone you live with, if possible, since the constant interaction will make you feel like your every move is being watched so try to choose a co-worker or close friend to help you out. 

You should also choose a diet buddy who you will see on a regular basis. A really great way to stay on track is to meet at the gym every morning and then get something to eat afterward. You can compare notes and talk about what’s going on and how you are progressing. If breakfast doesn’t work then lunch is another good alternative. 

You and your diet buddy should set goals and rewards for each other. When you hit a weight goal, you can celebrate by shopping for a new outfit that shows off your weight loss or you can go out together for a healthy dinner at a nice restaurant. You and your buddy are working together to help each other reach your goals so if you lose weight faster than your friend, be supportive and help them realize that everyone has a different body type and some people take longer to lose weight. On the flip side, be prepared for your friend to lose weight quicker than you and if that happens, be sure to cheer them on and reassure yourself that your consistency will pay off for you in the near future. 



--About The Author--

Michael Maroun. Have you had problems staying fit just like I have? Do you want to know what I finally realized to get me started on the right path? I want to share this important information with you so that you can succeed and meet all of your fitness goals.

Article Source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_6825.shtml

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

No Fuss Weight-Loss

by. Sheri Graber

To lose weight and keep it off you need an easy to follow no fuss plan. You need a plan that is simple and sensible. You need a plan that you can use everyday to get slim and healthy. 

You need a plan that builds on your success day-by-day. A plan that keeps you inspired and motivated by seeing results—fast! If you don’t see and feel results fast it’s far to easy to be tempted by the next fast food drive through or the next vending machine. Far to easy. 

You need a plan that works for you, a plan that blends in to your lifestyle. A plan that you can live with. Forever. That’s the real secret to permanent weight-loss. 

Most people go on train wreck diets. They follow the latest fads. They start a diet, lose some weight, then go off of it and gain all the weight back. Sometimes even more. That’s why it's called yo-yo-dieting--up and down and back up. You don’t want to do that, it’s bad for your health. 

Permanent weight loss requires changes in your lifestyle. Changes in your behaviors. You can’t expect to lose weight by doing the same things like overeating and not exercising. 

You can’t expect to lose weight and keep it off by ignoring good nutrition and eating foods that are bad for you. Junk food leads to a junked body. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, stroke and arthritis are just a few of the health problems associated with obesity. 

When I say “junk food” I don’t mean just fast food, donuts, or candy, I mean all the foods that don’t seem so bad but are full of sugar, starches and fats. Foods like fruit juice are full of sugar. You’re better off to eat the fruit and drink some water. Foods like pasta, rice and french fries are full of empty calories and cause an insulin response that puts your body into fat storage mode. 

Permanent weight loss requires you to be informed about what foods have good nutritional value and what ones don’t. You don’t need to take a college nutrition course but you do need to know about some basic “nutrition 101” principles. 

To be successful with your weight loss and management you need to know the difference between proteins, fats and carbohydrates. You need to know how much protein you should be eating, how much carbohydrates and what kinds of fats are good for you. 

You need to know the effects of sugar on your body. Most mothers think they’re doing a good thing by giving their children apple juice instead of soda. 

Being confused and uniformed leads to weight problems. Weight problems not only for yourself but maybe even for your family. Young children have no control over the foods they eat. Food is either fed to them or placed before them until they're old enough to feed themselves and prepare their own food. Sure they can refuse to eat, but it’s usually not the cookies and cakes but the carrots and broccoli. 

Children can be taught early on to eat healthy or to eat unhealthy. If parents recognized this fact and were aware of the habits they were passing on through modeling lifestyle behaviors the obesity epidemic could probably be reversed in a few years. And I’m sure the rates of drinking and smoking in young people would go down as well. 

I can hear some well meaning mothers or grandparents saying, "well they have to have some treats some of the times." Maybe on an occasional birthday. But when the children are older and as people become more educated about the causes of obesity there’s going to be some serious finger pointing. 

Remember when the Marlboro Man was cool? Remember when everyone smoked, even pregnant women? Things have changed haven’t they? The social stigma attached to smoking will be dwarfed by the stigma that is becoming attached to obesity. And there's a difference between smoking and obesity. You can smoke in private but you can’t hide the fact that you’re fat. 

What about portion control? We’ve become a super-sized nation because of super-sized portions. When it comes to restaurants we rate them good or bad according to how much food is on our plates. 

At home, people are too busy these days to weigh, measure and count food units. You need simple ways to eyeball serving sizes for portion control. 

A simple, easy to follow, no fuss plan is the answer to your weight problem. Why complicate things and cause yourself even more stress? 

For more information about a no fuss plan you can live with visit 
http://www.automaticweightlossplan.com 


--About The Author--

Sheri Graber understands the pain and frustration of being overweight. After struggling for years with the emotional stress of being overweight she has lost 87 pounds and has kept it off for 4 years. She writes and speaks about obesity and weight loss to help others experience their own weight loss success. She is the author of "Automatic Weight-Loss Plan: Program Yourself Slim the Simple Simon Way." For more information visit the website at http://www.automaticweightlossplan.com.


Article Source:  http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_1353.shtml

Why Your Diet May Not Be As Rich In Iodine As You Assume

by. Steve Smith

The trace mineral iodine is well known for its crucial role in enabling the body's manufacture of vital thyroid hormones, but it is also important for the health of the immune system and for optimal brain function. It is widely believed by many authorities that iodine deficiency should never be seen in the affluent West, although this problem affects millions throughout the developed world. 

Some nutritionists argue, however, that this conventional view is too optimistic, because the content of all minerals in foods is heavily dependent on the mineral content of the soil from which those foods are derived. The assumption must therefore be that the continuing de-mineralisation of farm soils has led to a reduction in the amount of dietary iodine commonly consumed. 

Fish and other seafood, however, remain a relatively rich source because these ocean creatures concentrate the sea's iodine in their flesh. Though not commonly eaten in the West, seaweed, or kelp, is also an excellent source of iodine for this reason, and is readily available in the form of a dietary supplements. Dairy products and certain meats may also be a good source, particularly where iodine is routinely added to farm animal feed. But in countries, including most of Western Europe, where animals are grazing fields growing on iodine depleted soils, levels are likely to be much lower. 

So even in the West, those not including fish or seafood in their diets, and not using iodised or sea salt, may be at real risk of deficiency. In an effort to compensate for low levels of dietary iodine, the mineral has been routinely added to ordinary table salt in the US for many years. But the practice is not as common in the UK and other European countries, where specially iodised or natural "sea-salt" has been marketed more as a luxury alternative. The problem of insufficient dietary iodine has been compounded on both sides of the Atlantic, however, by increasing concern about the possible adverse health consequences, particularly high blood pressure, of excessive salt intake. Many nutritionists, however, regard these fears as exaggerated, and believe that any such potential problems are far less serious than the consequences of an insufficiency of iodine, and may be easily resolved by the use of the low sodium salt alternatives available. 

Iodine, however, cannot in any case be regarded as a luxury. Its essential function lies in the production of the vital thyroid hormones; thyroxine, sometimes known as T4, and tri-iodothyronine, or T3. And as is well known, these hormones are crucially important in ensuring a healthy metabolic rate and the release of energy from food; so an underactive thyroid gland is commonly the villain in cases of excessive weight gain, particularly where this of sudden onset, and in cases of difficulty in losing weight even when following a sensible reducing programme. A healthy thyroid gland is also crucial for the optimal functioning of the immune system. 

But perhaps even more importantly, iodine deficiency is also known as a major cause of avoidable brain damage; a problem which the World Health Organisation has estimated to affect an astonishing 50 million people worldwide. Sadly, many of these cases occur in children whose mothers were iodine deficient in pregnancy, resulting in a condition of severely retarded brain development known as congenital hypothyroidism, or "cretinism". Even where such catastrophic consequences are avoided, iodine deficiency in childhood may also have serious effects on the developing brain, leading to low energy and motivation for learning, and measurable impairment of IQ scores. 
Since 2001 the Food and Nutrition Board of the US Institute of Medicine (FNB) has prescribed a Recommended Dietary Allowance for iodine of 150 mcg for all individuals over 14, rising to 220 mcg for pregnant women and 290 mcg for those breastfeeding. Somewhat confusingly, however, an excessive consumption of iodine is also associated with a malfunctioning or enlargement of the thyroid gland, as well as mouth ulcers, headaches and gastric upsets, and the FNB therefore advises an upper safe limit for daily iodine consumption of 1,100 mcg for adults. Most people eating a conventional Western diet are unlikely to exceed this level. 

With the possible exception of pregnant and breastfeeding women, people in the West who use liberal quantities of iodised salt as a regular seasoning are unlikely to need further supplements. But many commercial multi-mineral preparations contain iodine in reasonable quantities, usually in the form of potassium iodide, and whilst not perhaps strictly necessary, such supplementary doses will do no harm and may be regarded as a useful insurance policy given that, like all minerals needed by the body, iodine functions best in the presence of adequate supplies of all the others. And it should be particularly noted in this context that the effects of any deficiency of iodine may be intensified by any deficiency of selenium, iron or vitamin A. 


About The Author 
Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter and journalist with a particular interest in health and wellness.

Article Source:   www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_7168.shtml