Keep Fit With Essential Fatty Acids
Friday, February 27, 2009
Why should I increase my Omega fatty acid intake?
Our intake of essential fatty acids has changed radically in the last century. Our ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 should be close to 1:1, but it is now over 10:1 and up to 20:1. This is due to the addition of corn, sunflower, safflower, sesame and other Omega-6 oils to our food supply. Such excesses are thought by many scientists to be a factor in a number of chronic medical conditions including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, acne, obesity and depression. It is clear that we need to increase our intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and decrease our intake of Omega-6 (linoleic acid) oils. By doing so we will be, look and feel healthier.
What are good fats and bad fats?
Fat is a concentrated source of energy. This source of energy is very useful during aerobic exercise. The longer the exercise, the higher the fat contribution for providing energy. Fat is particularly used in large quantities in the brain and nervous system. There are two types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are commonly referred to as "good" fats, and should make up the greatest percentage of your fat intake.
UNSATURATED
• Unsaturated fats, "good fats" are liquid at room temperature, and remain in liquid form even when refrigerated or frozen.
• Good fats are part of the essential fats: omega 3 and omega 6, both of which are unsaturated fats.
What are EPA and DHA?
These are two specific essential fatty acids found in fish oil. Both Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) have been well documented in regulating cellular functions and promoting good health. Diets deficient in EPA and DHA have been associated with a number of health problems, most notably cardiovascular disease.
What is GLA and how is it different from other Omega-6 sources?
GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) is an Omega-6 fatty acid found in high amounts in borage oil, and to a lesser degree in black currant and evening primrose oils. In contrast to the sunflower, safflower and other Omega-6 oils, the presence of GLA in borage oil results in very different physiological effects. Linoleic acid in its current dietary excess promotes inflammation due to the production of arachidonic acid (AA). GLA on the other hand, actually interferes with the production of AA and decreases inflammation. GLA has been used with success in treating various medical conditions, most notably rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. Emerging science also indicates that GLA has synergistic activities with the Omega-3 marine-derived DHA and EPA, particularly in cardiovascular health and fat metabolism.
We all want to be healthy, happy and fit with enough energy for work and for play. A well-balanced diet, exercise, and enough rest go a long way in helping us get the most out of life. And essential fatty acids (EFAs) have been proven to help us achieve healthier and happier lives. These good fats' truly are essential and the majority of us are not consuming enough of the well-researched Omega fats. Now getting the right amount of Omegas to suit your specific health needs is easier than ever.
Where do essential fats come from?
Sources of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fats:
• Cold Water fish such as Salmon (coho, king and pink), sardines, cod, albacore tuna, trout, halibut , herring. (these fish are also a great source of Omega 6, but are predominantly richer in Omega 3)
• Flaxseeds and green leafy vegetables are great sources of Omega 3.
• Sesame and sunflower seeds and other seeds and nuts are great sources of Omega 6.
• Borage oil and evening primrose oil are rich sources of GLA which is part of the Omega 6 essential fats.
Where do saturated fats come from?
Saturated fats contain large amounts of saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are named so, because they are "saturated" with hydrogen, meaning they have only single bonds between carbon atoms, leaving no room in their chemical structure for additional hydrogen atoms. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature.
Varieties of Saturated fat include: Butter, coconut and palm oils and lard.
Benefits
• aid in balancing the autoimmune system
• treats skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
posted by Healthy Life @ 3:52 AM,
Ingredients Commonly Found in Fat Burners
Friday, February 20, 2009
The term commonly used with fat burning supplements is often thermogenics, which as the name suggests, has to do with temperature. These supplements have been shown to help increase the body's temperature enabling the body's ability to burn calories as heat; to be used as energy, thereby preventing them from being stored a fat.
Effective thermogenic supplements are those that contain key ingredients that create a fat burning 'thermogenic' environment by working together and in synergy. Some of these ingredients also aid in reducing appetite and spiking an increase in short-term energy. Such common ingredients are:
Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Prevents cellular damage (from free radicals), reduces oxidative stress, lowers blood sugar
• Increases energy levels
• Powerful insulin potentiator
Banana leaf extract
• Balances blood sugar levels
• Transports blood sugar into the cells and aids in controlling carbohydrate cravings
Cayenne
• Raises the body's metabolic rate
Citrus Aurantium
• A highly effective calorie and fat burner
• Helps to burn fat, and does not affect the central nervous system
• Increases energy levels
CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid
• An important fatty acid that has been shown to reduce the body's ability to store fat and increase the body's use of fat for energy.
Coleus Forskohlii
• Accelerates the breakdown of existing fat stores
• Promotes healthy cardiovascular function, lowers elevated blood pressure
• Increases levels of cellular messenger cAMP(cyclicadenosine monophosphatpe) that in turn accelerates the breakdown of existing fat stores
Garcinia Cambogia
• Promotes weight loss and suppresses appetite
• Increases fat oxidation and mobilization
• Promotes glycogen synthesis
• Increases energy levels
Guarana Extract
• When combined with other ingredients it helps to boost their effect
• Has been used for centuries to reduce fatigue and to increase energy levels
Guggul Extract
• Improves thyroid functioning
• Increases fat metabolism
Green Tea Extract
• When combined with the other ingredients it helps to boost their effect to burn fat
• Has been used for centuries to reduce fatigue and to increase energy levels lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Hoodia
• The Hoodia molecule, christened P57, fools your brain into believing you are full making it easier to lose that excess weight.
• Pure Hoodia has no known side-effects, it is stimulant free, will not give you the shakes, make your heart race or raise your body temperature.
Konjac root
• is high in fiber, essential for cleaning the digestive system.
• it expands to about 50 times its original volume when used with a large glass of water.
Mucana Puriens
• Improves cognitive function, alleviating depression and improving a sense of well being
• Helps to naturally boost healthy amounts of growth hormone, which promotes lean muscle growth, and in turn a faster metabolism
Naringin
• Extends the half-life of all the other fat burning ingredients, thereby supporting and extending a longer fat burning timeframe
Potassium Pyruvate
• Increases resting metabolic rate
• Facilitates the transport of blood sugar into muscle tissue to increase available energy
Spirulina
• Improves weight loss
• Lowers cholesterol
• Increases energy and boosts mood
White Willow Bark
• The bark of the white willow tree is a source of salicin and other salicylates - compounds
• When combined with the other ingredients it helps to boost their effect to burn fat
posted by Healthy Life @ 3:12 AM,
Drug Rehab: Do You Need It?
Friday, February 13, 2009
Do you have an addiction? The question shouldn't be hard to answer. There are fairly clear lines between an addiction and a casual behavior.
According to substance abuse experts Chris and Pax Prentiss, founders of Passages Malibu, a residential drug rehab program, addiction is caused by underlying problems in a person’s life that they are unable to cope with. When someone is unable to cope with their circumstances they sometimes turn towards drugs and alcohol for relief. In essence it is not the drugs that are the problem it is rather the underlying problems that need to be addressed and healed in order to cure the addiction. When the underlying problems are no longer present the person will no longer need the drug.
People who don’t have the individual therapy it takes to become healed will most likely continue taking the drugs.
# Tolerance. When you take a habit-forming substance regularly, your body eventually accommodates the substance. You don't get the same feeling you originally got, or at least not the same strength of feeling. This does not mean that you are getting stronger and can handle the drug. Instead, your body is becoming dependent on the drug. Some people addicted to certain drugs may even die if they stop taking the drug suddenly.
# Withdrawal symptoms. Different addictions have different withdrawal symptoms. The list of possible withdrawal symptoms is very long, stretching from watery eyes to delirium and even death, depending on the substance, the length of the addiction, and the user.
In short, if you're not sure if you're addicted your best bet may be to ask yourself these three questions:
1. Do I get the same experience from the substance I got when I first started on it?
2. When I stop taking the substance on a regular basis, do I feel worse, emotionally or physically?
3. Is there anything in my life that is causing me pain that I might be self medicating?
If you can answer yes to any of those questions, you are probably addicted.
So, you're addicted. Now what?
Abstention and the Risk of Relapse
According to Chris and Pax Prentiss, one of the biggest misconceptions about addictions is that they're a disease. Through years of research they have figured out that addiction is definitely caused by underlying problems in a person’s life that they are self-medicating. The addiction will usually continue if the underlying problems are still present. In order to get sober and stay sober it is of utmost importance that the underlying problems be treated.
Every day, addicts everywhere decide to stop. That is, they abstain. But unfortunately, most of those people will relapse. Why is relapse so common? The Prentisses have a few insights:
* Habit. Without realizing, you worked your addiction into the everyday rituals of life.
* Dependence. The physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms can be brutal. In some cases of addiction, simply abstaining from a substance suddenly, without medical supervision, may cause the individual serious harm, even death. Yet many addicts who abstain are able to get past the withdrawal symptoms--and still end up relapsing. Why?
* Underlying causes. Addictions usually have an underlying cause. There was a reason you took the substance in the first place. Once you are done fighting withdrawal symptoms, you will be back fighting whatever problem led you to addiction in the first place. Finding the underlying cause of your addiction will be the most important step in ending it forever.
Ultimately, then, the hardest part of overcoming an addiction may not be stopping, but not starting again. To do that, you need to find and resolve the underlying problems in your life.
Residential Rehab: Do You Need It?
According to the Prentisses, some people can get over an addiction without a drug program with residential treatment. But given the challenges of overcoming an addiction, the support of a residential rehab program is invaluable. Have you tried to end your addiction without residential rehab? It might be what makes the difference this time.
Why Do So Many People Fail after Residential Rehab?
You've heard of all the people who went to residential rehab and then relapsed--even went and relapsed several times. According to Chris and Pax Prentiss, there are some common causes of residential rehab failure, causes you can avoid.
* Quality of the program. If your rehab program wasn't great to begin with, you won't be in good stead to avoid relapse. Before signing up, find out the success rates of past participants.
* Group rather than individualized therapy. Post-rehab relapse is so common largely because most rehabs don’t have offer any individual counseling. When someone sits in group meetings all day they don’t get the therapy they need in order to get better. When they check out of a rehab like that they usually still have the underlying problems that they checked in with.
* Lack of aftercare services. When you leave residential rehab, the whole web of support that kept you out of addiction suddenly falls away. Only choose a residential rehab that provides aftercare support to make the transition easier.
* Need to change everything. Without realizing it, you wove your addiction into the fabric of your life. You need to pluck the threads of addiction out of your life, or reweave the fabric completely. If you can't transform your everyday life, you will likely relapse.
Regardless of the difficulties present in the rehab process, the experience can absolutely be a success unlike any other. Please consider the rehab option if you think you or your loved one may be in need. There is always someone there to help.
posted by Healthy Life @ 3:11 AM,