The Skinny on Crash Diets January 14, 2009

To diet, as the joke goes, means to die with a ‘T’.  Such is the case of the vain who go on crash diets just because they think they’re too fat; that their clothes no longer fit; or because their love handles are too big, even if in truth they are not fat at all.

Diet is often equated with nutrition.  The dictionary defines it as the act of restricting food intake or at least intake of particular food.  Diet as a collective is the amount of food a person eats or drinks during the course of a day.  People do it for health reasons, some to simply lose weight, and some altogether for all the wrong reasons.

The body needs calories for heat.  A calorie is a unit of measurement for energy. The unit’s name is French and derives from the Latin calor (heat).  Although the new unit of energy is joule, calorie remains as the unit of measurement for energy obtained from food.

A crash diet is a diet which is extreme in its deprivations – typically restricting calorie intake abruptly.  Meant to achieve rapid weight loss, a crash diet differs from outright starvation only slightly. Crash diets are unhealthy and are hardly – if ever – recommended by doctors or dietitians.  A crash diet may lead to malnutrition, and is not a suggested means of weight loss.  It involves drastically cutting back on the amount of calories that you take in daily. Highly similar to a starvation diet, it is often paired with other weight loss “fixes,” including extreme exercise routines and the use of diet pills. Most people follow crash diets yearly in the hopes that they will lose a lot of weight in a very short span of time. Crash diets are recognized by health care professionals and dietitians as being a very dangerous way of trying to lose the excess pounds.

At a technical level, when one goes into crash dieting, the body is shocked by a sudden change in food intake.  From a high-energy diet to low-energy food regime.  There appears to be a rapid weight loss, creating an illusion that the plan is working. At this point, no fat has been lost; what happened is that the body’s limited store of glycogen, a form of carbohydrate, is used up. As glycogen is utilized, the body loses water with it, so there appears to be a rapid weight loss.

Additionally, weight loss during crash diets doesn’t continue for a long time. Eventually, dieters will find themselves hitting a plateau, during which it will become more difficult for them to lose weight. Majority of crash dieters find that this weight loss plateau is followed by weight gain. Many followers of crash diets eventually end up gaining all the weight they lost, with a few additional pounds. This is known as the yo-yo diet effect: just like the up and down motion of a yo-yo, crash dieters find their weight constantly fluctuating with each diet that they go on.

The side effects of crash dieting include Vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies, dizziness and/or fainting (due to extreme calorie cutting), pressure and strain on certain organs like the kidneys and the liver, burning off lean muscle and tissues, among other things.  In extreme cases, heart attack or stroke can be a result of crash diets; it may even lead to death.

There was a woman named Matilda Callaghan, aged 25, who died after going on a crash diet for six months straight.  She only consumed three servings of food powder mix per day.  She was said to have been battling obesity since she was twelve.  Following the diet regime strictly, she was said to have lost ten pound in her first week, four pounds in the second and seven pounds in the third.  She was being monitored closely by the dieting firm she had enrolled on.  She fell ill and was diagnosed to have died of a heart failure.

Before deciding to pursue a weight-loss program, make sure to that it is going to produce a long last result. A balanced diet and moderate regular exercise may take time to get you the figure you wanted, but it will gently get you toned up, and keep the weight off for good.

Protect Your Eye Before It Is Too Late! January 8, 2009

Do you know that the computer is only one cause of discomfort for contact lens wearers? Have you ever found your eyes are often dry and irritated when wearing them? All these happen because of bad habits in caring for your lenses normally developed in a group of new contact lens’ users.

Properly caring for your lens and following the guidelines for your type is important in protecting your vision and ensuring your contacts are comfortable to wear. See if you’ve been making these following mistakes that could be ruining your contacts and possibly harming your eyes.

The first mistake is that Cleaning Your Lenses With Water. Your eyes are very sensitive and can easily become infected when you do not clean your lenses properly. The lens develops a build up of deposits that can irritate the eye. Lens cleaning solutions will break down the deposits and disinfect the lens.

Moreover, water and homemade saline solutions are not clean enough for cleaning contact lens because they can contain micro-organisms, chlorine and other minerals that can damage the lens and harm your eyes.

Unless you are wearing disposable lenses you must clean your contacts after every wear. Use an appropriate lens case for storage and clean the case and allow to air dry between uses.

Secondly, some users wear contact lens longer than the recommended amount of time, stated on the box. Some contacts are meant to be thrown out after one day of wear. Others can be worn for a week or a month without removing them in between. Most require removal and cleaning every day. It is important to know the schedule your contacts are intended for to prevent problems with your eyes.

Lastly, the hygiene of your eyes is very important. You have to make sure that anything like hands that will contact to your eyes is clean.

When you remove or insert your contacts be sure to handle them with clean, dry hands. It is better to avoid washing your hands with soaps containing perfumes or oils and don’t allow sunscreen, hand cream or nail polish remover to come in contact with them.

You can use eye drops or natural tear to remoisten your contacts when they are dry and irritated while wearing them rather than trying to take them out. In fact, if your eyes do feel dry and the contact is sticking try to remoisten your contacts before attempting to remove them.

If you wear makeup you should insert the contacts before applying cosmetics and remove them before washing cosmetics off. Powders and sprays can irritate contact lens wearers so be careful when applying powdery shadows or hair spray when wearing contact lens. If irritation occurs DO NOT rub your eyes; remove lenses first and clean them in the cleaning solution before wearing again.

Your eyes are precious – take care to protect it from harm. If you do think you’ve injured or infected your eye do not wear your contacts until you have been seen by an eye care specialist.

Drink your way to good health December 8, 2008

Water is a very important component of human life. Over 70 percent of the human body is made up of water. More and more people nowadays beat their thirst by gulping other beverages rather than water. People ought to remember that nothing beats good, old-fashioned water. Our body’s main component is water. According to studies a normal inactive person loses about 10 cups of water through breathing, perspiration, and other kinds of elimination in a day. And sad to say a number of individuals are replacing them with sodas, teas, coffee, sports drink, and other unhealthy drinks.

Other drinks are able to replenish the water we have lost but they are usually high in calories. Sodas contain sugar that is not necessary to the body and does not contain the vitamins and minerals the body needs. Juices on the other hand other hand are considered healthy given it will taken moderately. It does contain potassium, vitamin C, and other important vitamins but it is still high in calories. Six to eight glasses of natural juice is what an average individual needs in a day. Sports drink is another famous beverage today. It replaces the body with the electrolytes that one loses when he/she sweats. But just like other drinks contains extra calories. It is recommended to limit one’s consumption of sports drinks to 12 ounces of drink a day.

One should not rely on thirst to inform you that he/she needs a drink because by the time this happens our body is already slightly dehydrated. Staying hydrated is very important and vital at all times. A quart of water lost in one’s body will have an effect on an individual’s mental and physical performance. If dehydration is ignored tiredness, reduced concentration, and headache may take place. Headache is a sign that one’s brain and eyes are being deprived of water. It is eventually caused by swelling of the back of the eye.

Headaches and other illness can be prevented if everyone will drink the right amount of water. One ought to be aware however of the consequences of drinking too much water. Medical research shows that drinking too much water may cause electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling that maybe bad for one’s health. If this swelling happens in the brain the bones in the brain hardly move causing the brain to be compressed therefore putting pressure in the brain. Mild headache and impaired breathing may occur if this swelling takes place.

Chronic headaches can be avoided if one consumes the right amount of water. A few forget this that they end up seeking professional help or medication. There are a number of pain-killers out in the market like ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Fioricet is a pain reliever and sedative. It is used to relieve mild to moderate pain and tension headaches. Similar to other pain relievers fioricet also contains ingredients that may produce harmful side effects. Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, upset stomach, nausea, and sleeping disturbance are some of the side effects that may occur upon using this product. Inform your doctor if you develop breathing difficulties, rapid/irregular heartbeat, or severe stomach pain.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using Fioricet since small amounts of Fioricet appear in breast milk and may harm the unborn baby.

Turn Over a New Leaf This Fall November 7, 2008

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein

Have you ever found yourself stuck, trying to make a change, but being unsure where to start and instead finding yourself repeating the same old patterns…over and over and over again? I’m guessing you have! We all have felt this in one area of our life or another. Instead of trying something else, we just keep trying the same thing -only harder.

And frankly, this is why most of my clients initially come to see me. They have tried everything they can think of to stop their binging, or to lose weight, or to feel better, or change their obsessive thoughts about food and weight, or to improve their health.

Very often, they have tried this strategy or that diet or this exercise program
, and although some of the approaches work some of the time for a while, they eventually find themselves right back where they started. My clients are all very successful in many areas of their lives, but somehow have gotten stuck when it comes to eating, self-care and living their lives as fully and vibrantly as they would like.

During the beginning phase of our work together, we take a step back, look at what they’ve done in the past and what they continue to do, and we assess: What’s working? What’s not working? What obstacles have they come up against (usually repeatedly) in trying to reach their goals? We make shifts in what they have been doing, we find ways to negotiate those obstacles, and we use a different solution to address their problem or concern. Generally, this leads to significant positive change in a relatively short time.

At some point during our work together, after making many steps forward and feeling better, inevitably, clients may find they hit a “bump” in the road to their goals. At this point, they feel frustrated, angry at themselves, and oftentimes, hopeless. They may want to crawl back in their hole, back to their old way of doing things, and they may “lick their wounds,” feeling like they will never have the relationship to food they desire.

And this is where I come in, strongly reminding them that although they FEEL stuck, they actually are not stuck. They are at a bump, and although this bump feels bad, they actually need to be at this “yucky” place in order to move forward for good. (REALLY). However, they must approach this phase with some new strategies and understanding.

Although it’s hard to believe, this “bump” is often part of the process of change (no one tells us that though, so it feels awful when it’s happening!). Often, after taking several great steps forward, we take one or two (and sometimes more) steps back. (Just look at children and especially adolescents – this is a natural part of their development as well: as soon as we think they’ve achieved a new level of maturity, we often see some “acting out” or regression until they become comfortable at their new level. Change is SCARY!).

Same is true for us adults: We move forward and we need to get comfortable in that new place. Whether it’s out of fear, discomfort, or old uncomfortable beliefs trying to sabotage us (our unconscious mind does NOT like change), we find ourselves feeling stuck, unsure how to keep going, uncertain how we’ll reach our goals.

Instead of getting caught up in feelings of frustration, helplessness, or hopelessness; and instead of beating yourself up for not making progress, I would like you to consider this as an opportunity. Just like the beginning of a new year, this is an opportunity to look back at what’s working and what’s not, look ahead at where you want to go, and begin moving forward again, often with a new level of awareness and confidence.

Here are some very specific strategies to help you do just that. My request for you this week is to think about an area in your life where you are feeling stuck. Go through the following steps and see if it helps you shift into the direction of your goals and dreams…

1) RECOGNIZE- It is absolutely critical that you recognize that you have simply hit a bump in the road. Just because you have hit this bump, does not mean you have to stay on this bump forever. Although you feel stuck and are unsure of what to do, this stuckness may actually be a REAL sign that part of you is scared of the change that is really in your best interest. It also may be a sign that something you are doing is just not working and it’s time to try something different. Stuckness (just like any “symptom”) can serve as a wake-up call that our thoughts or our actions need to shift.

2) RE-ASSESS – Ask yourself: What’s not working here? What do I keep trying, but just keep hitting a wall with? What do I know, in my gut, might be a different, more useful approach to this problem? (Here’s an example: Let’s say I keep binging every night. Next day, I wake up, angry at myself, so I skip breakfast. Starving at lunch, but still upset about the night before. Have diet
coke for lunch and a salad, trying to be “good.” Find myself back at the fridge, unconsciously eating that night.” There’s a pattern here that I keep trying to “fix” with the same (not working) solution. Time to try something new. Looking at this simple example, one solution might be to eat a BIG breakfast and a VERY SATISFYING lunch (and to make sure I am engaged in something FUN in the evening). Although this sounds simple, it requires re-assessing and re-examining our situation from a different angle.

3) RE-FOCUS – I’ve said this before, and I will probably continue to repeat it because I think it’s so important (and really quite simple): We must have a very clear picture of where we want to go in order to continue to move in that direction. Often, we have a vague idea of where we want to go and we certainly know we don’t want to be where we are (struggling), however, I encourage you to get a very clear picture of where you’d like to be, how you’d like to feel, what you’d like to be doing, how you’ll be different…when you reach your goal. For example, want to lose weight? Great. What will that look like for you? How will you be eating? How will you be carrying yourself? How will your life be different? Will you be doing things that you’re holding yourself back from now? The clearer you are, the more you will continue to be able to move in that direction. Fuzzy goals lead to fuzzy outcomes.

4) RE-NEW- Forgive yourself for “screwing up;” move past what you “didn’t do” and stop punishing yourself. Remind yourself that this is part of the process and stop wasting useful energy on self-flagellation. It will only backfire. Instead: Look toward your clear goal. What is the next one small step you can take in that direction? Take that step. When you are ready, take another one. Remember that any endeavor, no matter how challenging it may seem, can only get completed if it is started. And remember this quote by Lao Tzu: “This journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/turn-over-a-new-leaf-this-fall-617708.html

Is Hyaluronic Acid an Effective Gout Remedy? November 5, 2008

There has been a good deal of attention given to hyaluronic acid for optimum joint health lately, with the question on many peoples lips being whether or not it is an effective gout remedy.

Hyaluronic acid is already commonly used in anti-aging and skin-care treatments, but more recently it has been applied to treating painful joint conditions such as osteoarthritis and gout.

The driver behind this new use of hyaluronic acid is because it is found naturally within the connective tissue of the joints, which is responsible for cushioning and lubricating them for better function. So by using hyaluronic acid treatments you are adding to the body’s own naturally produced joint defenses.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally within the glycosaminoglycan of the body (a major structural component of cartilage, which helps to cushion the joints). It’s found in ample supply in most areas where joint problems can occur such as in the knees, knuckles, shoulders, elbows, hips, and it’s even found in the eyes and the heart valves.

Abnormalities in hyaluronic acid are common throughout many kinds of connective tissue disorders such as varying forms of arthritis, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), and gout.

Hyaluronic acid is now used as a preparation to treat the inflammation that can occur in skeletal joints. It also helps to fight the wearing out of cartilage structures as is typical in many joint diseases.

This therapy is considered more beneficial for many people than other common medication treatments, such as cortisone. Cortisone, though effective in the short-term for relieving gout pain, may accelerate the degenerative process of many joint diseases such as osteoarthritis over time, so may not be the ideal gout remedy in the long run.

As long as the preparation of hyaluronic acid is pure it is often free of negative side effects, however sufferers who have allergies should avoid this treatment. The most common side effect reported seems to be a ‘chicken pox like’ rash, which can appear on the face or body.

Hyaluronic acid works effectively to counteract the inflammation associated with gout and other inflammatory joint conditions. The preparation as a gout remedy can be applied either as an injection into the effected joint, taken as an oral supplement or in the form of a cream that is rubbed into the skin on the affected area(s).

If you choose to use hyaluronic acid in its cream form it can take anywhere from between 10 – 45 minutes to experience relief from gout pain. The cream can be applied daily as required during a gout flare. When hyaluronic acid is taken in supplement form it can be taken daily as a preventative whereas injections would usually only be administered during an actual gout flare.

If you would like to know whether hyaluronic acid will be a good gout remedy choice for you, or if you want to know if there is another form of treatment that will also be helpful, speak to your doctor to discuss your options.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/is-hyaluronic-acid-an-effective-gout-remedy-618065.html

Boost Fat Loss 3 Times Faster November 4, 2008

Let’s be honest. You are carrying around more body fat that you desire and you are simply sick and tired of it. It makes you feel distorted, you have no energy, your clothes don’t fit, you hate to look in the mirror, and you are just plain miserable.

If you want to drop that nagging body fat, then you need to get focused. Make a decision to lose that fat, and stick to it.

I’m going to give you 3 key tools that you can start using right now to boost fat loss 3 times faster.

I’ll keep this short and simple, so let’s get to it…

First, don’t starve the fat off your body, but feed your body foods of quality that it can use to burn fat and nourish your metabolically active muscle.

What does this mean? Well, first don’t eat 3 square meals a day. To increase your metabolism naturally you need to eat more smaller, yet balanced. Kick-up your meal frequency to 5-6 times a day.

Why is this important? Well, every time you eat foods that your body can use for energy or building purposes it increases your metabolic rate naturally.

Okay, so you are eating more meals a day, but I must caution you. The foods you choose are going to have a DRAMATIC impact on your fat loss rate. If you choose natural foods your fat loss will soar. If you choose processed foods your fat loss will stall or increase.

It is of utter importance that you choose natural foods your body can use burn fat and build muscle.

Second, eat low-carb meals to dip into fat stores better. I know all too well the current low-carb debate. I’m not suggesting that you rip carbs out of your diet completely.

However, if you want to tap into your fat stores better and burn off fat, you are going to have to lower your complex and starchy carb intake and replace those carb meals with non-starchy veggies.

Non-starchy veggies can be thought of as negative calories. They don’t impact the insulin so they will keep you in fat burning mode 24/7.

Third, eat more essential fats. Yes, the body needs essential fats to function properly and to burn fat. While most people eat a hefty amount of fat each day, most of that fat intake is not essential.

You can be fat, yet fat deficient. However, if you supply your body with essential fats it can use, you can dramatically decrease your body fat and improve your health.

Conclusion – These are just a few tools to get you started to improving your health, burning off stubborn body fat, and increasing lean muscle tissue. If you implement these 3 tactics whole-heartedly you will start to see and feel changes within days.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/boost-fat-loss-3-times-faster-618548.html

My Baby Has Cradle Cap, What is It? November 3, 2008

Hair care should be an important part of your baby’s regular care regime regardless of the amount of hair. By the sixth month in the womb your baby has already developed hair follicles however the amount of hair present at birth varies greatly from baby to baby. It is perfectly normal to see babies with what appears to be a full head of thick hair while others appear to be completely bald.

Generally babies are born with a small amount of soft fuzzy hair known as downy hair. The hair will begin to shed in the first few months and be replace with a thicker courser hair that will be closer to the baby natural hair. Regardless of the amount of hair or lack of hair it is important to begin a cleaning routine, twice a week is appropriate for infants. Not only is it important to keep the scalp clean and healthy but it is also important to get your baby comfortable with the act of shampooing for when it becomes necessary.

Many parents become alarmed by the appearance of oily yellow scales on their baby’s scalp which may be accompanied with a general redness. It also may look like dandruff or dry crusting patches. This is commonly known as cradle cap, when it appears on other areas of your baby’s body such as the face, behind the ears or diaper area it is called Seborrheic dermatitis. Cradle cap is very common and is believed to be caused by maternal hormones circulating in the baby’s blood stream which cause the baby’s oil glands to over produce. This is not completely agreed upon as many professionals believe the cause is not known.

What is agreed upon however is that cradle cap is not harmful or contagious. In most cases cradle cap will simply disappear on its own usually before your baby is a year old, however there are some steps that can be taken to help the process along.

For cradle cap on the scalp it is necessary to shampoo on a daily basis with a mild shampoo or soap while scales are present. Always rinse thoroughly. If the scales do not wash off when a gentle rubbing action it may be necessary to apply mineral oil to your baby scalp prior to bathing to soften them up. After the scales have disappeared the recommended twice a week is sufficient.

It is also suggested that you gently massage your baby’s scalp to improve the circulation as well as loosen the scales. This can be done with your finger tips (no scratching) or a soft brush. Gentle is the key. This can be done several times throughout the day until the cradle cap disappears.

Generally cradle cap goes away on its own within a few months and should not cause your baby any discomfort however if you are concerned see your physician, they will be able to give a lotion to help the process along. If cradle cap appears on other areas of your baby’s body or if your baby seems to be trying to itch, then it is always recommended you consult with your physician.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/my-baby-has-cradle-cap-what-is-it-618727.html

Are You Under Pressure to Have Flawless Skin? November 2, 2008

The skin of a person tells a great deal about them, for instance if you are seeing someone that has radiant and flawless skin then you can consider that person to be very healthy. Whereas if you are seeing someone that is suffering from some kind of skin ailment then it is reasonable to suggest that there is some kind of issue.

There is a great deal of pressure on people to look their very best and this is being created by the media as they often print stories of famous celebrities and how they are constantly looking glamorous. And because of this pressure that has been created it does force people into finding quick fixes and this means that they by products that are chemical based.

Thankfully however there is no need to rely on such chemical based skin care products as there are many buzz words that are now in play such as that of natural and also organic. These types of products are receiving a great deal of attention and more and more people are turning to products that are free from harsh ingredients.

But there is a problem with this and that is there is no regulation of the skin care industry and this means that many manufacturers are only using a small percentage of natural ingredients in the products that they are creating, and this is allowing them to describe the product as being natural. Sadly this is allowed and no one is stopping such companies to change their policies.

It is for this reason that a great number of consumers do find it difficult to differentiate a product that is natural and between something that says it has natural ingredients, but is still laced with cheap chemical ingredients.

So how can people make the differentiation between such products? The answer to this is to be reading the product ingredients list and if you are not able to determine what a particular ingredient us, chances are what you are potentially about to buy is laced with chemicals.

The only way to know if something is natural is if the product has been approved by a third party and carries the certified organic skin care logo.

The products that are available in a natural form cover a range of applications such as moisturising the face and body, preventing the signs of ageing and also helping to treat any particular skin ailments such as that of acne, oily skin, psoriasis and dry skin.

When it comes to anti ageing products for instance, there are no such products that can actually turn back time, but if you are able to offer your skin the best nourishment then you are certainly at the advantage where you can help delay the signs of ageing.

Organic ingredients are able to do just this and are far superior compared to synthetic based ingredients. There are a number of serums that can be obtained and depending on just how aged your skin is, will determine the intensity of the anti ageing products that you should buy and use. But you need to remember that any anti ageing products needs to be an extension to an everyday skin care routine and not a replacement.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/are-you-under-pressure-to-have-flawless-skin-618741.html

Super Antioxidant November 1, 2008

What is a super antioxidant?

A super antioxidant or antioxidant is a general name for substances including all of the vitamins, polyphenols, carotenoids and minerals that help protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It is called a super antioxidant because of the nature in which it helps prevent disease in humans. Antioxidants accomplish this by reducing the damaging effects of from oxidation of free radicals.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals originate from oxygen molecules in your body that become electrically charged from natural cellular activity and from outside factors that you’re surrounded by, including radiation from your environment and tobacco smoke as well as many other harmful environmental factors. These free radicals try to steal electrons from molecules in your body like DNA and cells, causing damage as it goes through your body. These dangerous molecules cause a chain reaction of free radicals that damage cells and play a part in the aging process and the development of diseases such as cancer.

How do super antioxidants fight dangerous free radicals?

Antioxidants help to stop the free radical chain-reaction by giving their electrons to the free radicals, thereby neutralizing them so they are unable to cause more oxidative damage to the cells in your body.
How are super antioxidants able to stop this chain-reaction?
Super antioxidants end the chain-reaction by giving up their electrons instead of other molecules giving them up. Super antioxidants are able to do this without being negatively affected because they do not become reactive after losing electrons, effectively stopping free radicals from doing any more damage once they have been neutralized.

What diseases are associated with free radical damage?

Several degenerative diseases are linked with free radical damage, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, cataracts, stroke and cognitive impairment. Aging is also associated with the damage done by free radicals. The nature of super antioxidants makes it possible to reduce the likelihood of occurrence of these diseases.

Where are super antioxidants found?

Super antioxidants can be obtained easily through safe supplements from NutraYoung as well as through your normal diet. Some of the most well-known antioxidants are:

Vitamin A: carrots, broccoli, kale, spinach, pumpkin, liver, sweet potatoes, collard greens, eggs, apricots, mango, dairy and fish

Vitamin C: bell peppers, red pepper, parsley, guava, kiwi, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, persimmon, papaya, strawberry, orange, lemon, cauliflower, garlic, grapefruit, raspberry, tangerine, spinach, tomato, grape and pineapple

Vitamin E: asparagus, avocado, olives, spinach, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and fortified cereals

Carotenoids: beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, carrots, pumpkins, leafy green vegetables, red fruits, tomatoes, fucoxanthin and seaweed

Polyphenols: berries, teas, beer, grapes, olive oil, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, walnuts, peanuts, fruit skins, pomegranates and wine

How does this information help me live healthier?

Now that you know about free radicals and super antioxidants, you have an extra incentive to eat a well balanced diet full of colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fruits. Eating healthy will not only help your body gain super antioxidants and fight free radicals, but it can also help you lose weight fast.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/super-antioxidant-618799.html

Buy Hoodia Diet Pills With Care and Much Scrutiny November 1, 2008

When people found out that there is a weight loss solution that is natural, effective, and harmless in pure hoodia diet pills, many companies started to come out with their own versions. These manufacturers claim that their products are of high quality. But there are fake ones in the market and they are everywhere so you should be careful whom you buy hoodia diet pills from.

Hoodia pills have been rounded up for studies and lab analyses. The scientists found out that only 6 out of 17 passed the hoodia authenticity tests. Many of the other pills are not really made from hoodia. Instead they are made from impure ingredients or other substances from different cactus plants. Some say that 80% of all hoodia products in the market now are fakes.

Other bogus manufacturers would buy the real hoodia but add sawdust, leaves, and other plants then pass them up as puro hoodia. Some fake manufacturers would let the users take the real ones for sample testing but would deliver something else during bulk orders.

In 2004 the African government and CITES (Convention of Internatioal Trade in Endangered Species) started regulating the harvest of the hoodia gordonii because it is fast becoming categorized as endangered specie. Manufacturers then, started to cheat on their diet pills by using other plants that look like the hoodia.

Counterfeit hoodia pills are rampant because supply of the hoodia extract is hard to come by. You see it takes five long years before the hoodia gordonii plant can be harvested. This is the reason too, why it is quite expensive to buy hoodia diet pills.

The potent hoodia pill is one that is made from the active ingredients found in the stem of the hoodia gordonii plant. Some pills are manufactured from extracts of the whole plant when P57 can only be found at the core or stem. Other parts are ineffective portions so they can’t be use for the real purpose.

So, how can you tell the real ones from the fake ones if you want to buy hoodia diet pills? The legit ones should have the CITES certification on their packages and websites. But there are companies that say they have CITES but will only give a copy upon purchase.

Hoodia gordonii is expensive and there are only limited quantities so be wary about those that are being sold with discounts as they may contain little or no hoodia at all. There may be some companies who will offer the products with discounts and free shipping for multiple bottles. Check if the price is too low – that is something to be worried about. All products that come from genuine herbs of all kinds are expensive because of the costs for harvesting, importing, and producing them.

The reputable companies do not claim anything that is too good to be true. Hoodia diet pills are meant to help a dieter reduce his cravings for food. This means that the person still has to stick to his diet plan and work his way into the weight he is aiming for. Healthy eating should be in place as well as regular exercises. Hoodia diet pills help you to reduce your weight, but it should not be your total solution for weight loss and good health because it is not.

Hoodia pills that have been verified to be consistent in containing authentic hoodia are Desert Burn, Hoodoba from Strictly Health Corp., and the Hoodia Hoodia of Millenium Health.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/buy-hoodia-diet-pills-with-care-and-much-scrutiny-619550.html