Thai Mangosteen Fruit Juice

August 10, 2009 by Matthew Pang  
Filed under Diet

Mangosteen juice is not only popular for its sweet taste but also for its restorative and rejuvenating properties. When bought commercially, it is fairly expensive because a mangosteen tree takes up to 15 years to yield fruit. The juice is rich in vitamins B and C as well as phosphorus, iron and calcium. It therefore has a number of medicinal applications. Studies have revealed that people who ingest mangosteen juice on a regular basis generally enjoy holistic or all-round good health. Its beneficial effects are said to be noticeable in as little as four weeks of continued use.

Mangosteen juice is rich in the group of antioxidants known as xanthones and may therefore have an anti-aging effect too. It is an accepted medical fact that the ingestion of antioxidants promotes overall metabolic resistance to disease by boosting the absorption of vitamins. Eating fruits has always been the key to a healthy diet; add exercise to it and your body will reward you with tremendous energy and glowing skin. This is no secret, just a fact. While some of us love our vegetables and fruits, some can hardly swallow a handful a week. Eating smart helps a great deal in promoting good health. Try and learn a tiny bit about your daily food, and thus you will be able to eat right even if you dont consume the exact quantity required daily. The mangosteen is a fruit that is filled with all of the essential vitamins and minerals needed to provide the required dose and more when consumed regularly.

Born in the tropical land of Southeast Asia many centuries ago, the Mangosteen tree requires warm temperatures and abundant rains to grow. Its growth is slow, and it reaches its peak in about 10 years but by then it is producing huge quantities of Mangosteen fruit annually. The health benefits from Mangosteen juice is quick to be absorbed by the body rather than eating fresh or dried. The most important health benefit from Mangosteen juice probably is the rich content of antioxidants within in each fruit. Antioxidants are known for their property to fight and slow the aging process, thus providing us with wrinkle-free skin.

Drink Mangosteen juice for better health. These benefits can include such things as ones daily doze of vitamins and minerals, because Mangosteen contains vitamins such as Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, calcium, potassium, iron and fiber. While the health benefits from Mangosteen juice are many, it should not be taken instead of required medicines, as it only complements our immune system by helping it fight infection and other such diseases. Itdoes not cure any illnesses on its own. All fresh fruits and vegetables are beneficial for our health and well-being learning, which will help us stay ahead and be ready to face anything that comes our way.

Preparing our body with natural ingredients found in nature without any preservatives or additives is the best way to ensure a long, healthy & happy life. Consume fresh fruits and vegetables as often as possible to maintain yourself in great health.

Mangosteen juice has been used by various cultures, as a food and medicine staple, throughout Southeast Asia, India, and many Pacific Islands, for hundreds of years. It is only over the past 30 years, that scientists have determined why the mangosteen has been effective at fighting illnesses and restoring health.. Xanthones have very powerful anti-inflammatory properties and they are very potent antioxidants. The mangosteen fruit is considered safe and also helps protect the entire gastrointestinal system, unlike many drugs which are not safe. The body requires antioxidants because of the damage done to the cells by free radicals which can trigger the initial phases of certain illnesses. Dirty air, smoke, stress and environmental pollutants are the cause of free radicals getting into the body. These free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants, helping to stop disease from occurring and promote wellness.

The power of antioxidants neutralize free radicals, can be measured, and this is called the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value. More free radicals will be neutralized, as the value of ORAC in your blood is higher. If an antioxidant supplement has an ORAC value of more than 90,000, it is claimed by experts to be effective. If you want to receive the full benefits of the nutrients in the mangosteen, it is best to check for independent laboratory tests performed on a particular mangosteen juice product.

Research has found that Mangosteen juice using cold processing when being prepared is of much higher quality because it’s been found that some nutrients in the Mangosteen fruit die at the time they are cooked. Cooking the juice can render some preservatives more harmful, and also make the juice acidic. A liquid formula is more bioavailable (body ready) so that the cells in the body can absorb it more readily. Powders and pills cannot include the mangosteen whole fruit, so these may not provide the health benefits that a liquid product provides.

We have examined what to consider when looking at the different brands of Mangosteen juices- Independent testing, amount of xanthones, amount of phytonutrients, the ORAC value, the other nutrients in the product, the way the product is processed, and whether it is a liquid product or not. For a fair comparison of price and quality, have a look at how many bottles of a less expensive product you would need to give you the same amount of nutrients as a more expensive product has. What you think is a ‘cheaper’ product may be a lot more expensive when you do the Mangosteen juice product comparison carefully.

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Rip and Repair: Building Muscle the Right Way

April 17, 2009 by Danny Reagan  
Filed under Diet

One of the most important aspects of life is physical fitness. The fitness routines we choose to work into our every day lives can help to build muscle and thus increase strength and metabolism. With more and more people falling into the definition of obese or overweight, the time to build muscle and become more physically active through fitness is now and everyone needs to jump on the band wagon.

Very few people actually understand how the body can build muscle. The art of fitness is surrounding in cardio and aerobic exercise and even some of the most avid fitness people have little idea of how the body chooses to build muscle. These rules are simple, but effective.

Cash Rules ? We are a society that thinks debt free means not owing the full balance on our credit cards. This is a distorted idea of debt free life. When you purchase something new, training yourself to only buy what you can pay for in cash today is the best debt free choice. Debt elimination starts by changing the ideas you have about money, not about the definition of debt free.

Hydrate the muscle. Water is not just essential for life, it is also essential to build muscle. The muscles need hydration to build faster, recover more quickly and maintain those high levels of increased strength. The minimum amount of water per day needed for fitness programs that build muscle is 8 glasses of 8 ounces every 24 hours with many fitness magazines recommending even higher amounts per day.

Rip it. When attempting to build muscle through fitness, the muscle needs to be ripped, literally. Muscles growth is created when a muscle is torn and then rebuilds itself. To build muscle, the exercise will need to cause small rips in the muscle fibers and then allow those rips to heal and thus building the muscle mass needed to increase strength and metabolism. It is also important to note that stretching after a routine to build muscle can help to release the lactic acid build up in the muscle and thus remove some of the pain associated with the workout.

Rest Time. The time of rest between the programs aimed to build muscle is a minimum of 24 hours. This means that after the muscle has been ripped, it takes 24 hours for the muscle fibers to rebuild and build muscle. This can seem like a forever wait, but is essential to keep the muscle healthy and not overwork the muscle. During this time, hydration needs to be kept high and other parts of the body and other muscles groups can be worked to keep the rotation to build muscle going full circle.

Repeat. The key to fitness programs that build muscle is consistency. The careful pattern of rip and repair needs to be repeated over and over again to keep the muscle building. It can take up to a month to build one pound of muscle, but the time is well worth it. For every pound of muscle built, the body will naturally burn between 30 and 50 additional calories per day.

To build muscle is to increase the overall fitness level of the body. Routines that build muscles are often aimed at building that muscles as quickly as possible. The true art of the muscle build takes time and attention to details. These tips will help even the most novice fitness guru to build muscle and keep that strength growing over time. The natural way to build muscle takes a bit of dedication to the fitness program, but after a few short weeks, when the difference is clear, the work will be so much more rewarding.

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The Truth About Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico

April 14, 2009 by Sara Guppy  
Filed under Diet

A health concern in the U.S. is obesity. This health issue, has sky-rocked over the years. There are a few reasons for this increase. Some might consider inheritance to play a role in the increase as well as psychological issues. The food factor also plays a part in it.

Either of these issues can help to develop other health problems in the future. The individuals that are affected by these issues, usually find easy ways to correct them. Diet and exercise can be difficult to follow unless you have the willpower to go the full length of the regimen. If all else fails, a common way is go the route of weight loss surgery.

Even though weight loss surgery is a proven way to lose weight, the costs might not be affordable to all. This surgical procedure can be very expensive. An option is to travel abroad to Mexico which is now considered as one of the most popular destinations for such treatment.

Weight loss surgery in Mexico offers same quality service for only half the price of most weight loss surgery in United States can offer. Mexico has adequate facilities and qualified professionals to perform this kind of operation. Mexico is also a great option for people who don’t have medical insurance to cover the cost of surgery.

The cost of operation should not be the only concern when choosing where to go for weight loss surgery. It is equally important to consider the capability of the professionals to perform the operation. Mexico has qualified professionals and complete facilities that make them stand out among other countries offering the same service.

Many of the medical doctors performing the weight loss surgery in Mexico, have received formal training in the U.S. There will be several options to choose from when deciding to have weight loss surgery in Mexico. You will consult with the doctor and he or she will help you to select the best option for you and your needs.

People opt for weight loss surgery not only to loose weight, but the regain their health as well. Your surgeon will help you to see through the benefits of weight loss and should also advise on how to keep the weight off with the help of a dietitian. Maintaining your proper weight will allow you to reduce the risks of disease.

It is important that you choose your weight loss surgery option carefully. Especially when considering to travel abroad. The most important part of your decision would be in selecting the specialist or surgeon that will perform the procedure. There are risks as well as benefits and you want select a specialist that will be able to tell you that and in some cases discourage you from taking a particular surgical procedure if necessary.

The final outcome of weight loss surgery in Mexico, can lead to a much healthier lifestyle and feeling about yourself. This is a commitment and a process, therefore, even after the surgery you will continue to maintain the dietary regimen. It’s best to discuss the pros and cons before undergoing treatment and to ensure all your questions have been addressed.

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A Mexico Lap Band Surgery

April 10, 2009 by John Dunn  
Filed under Diet

For people overweight, a lap band surgical procedure is sometimes recommended. It involves placing a lap band ring around the upper stomach area to create a new stomach. This helps a great deal for people that cannot lose the weight on their own.

Health insurance does not cover the cost of lap band surgery. The surgical procedure itself is rather expensive. People worldwide are going abroad to destinations such as Mexico to receive lap band surgery. The cost savings when going abroad to receive lap band in Mexico is between 50-70 percent. The quality of care in Mexico is also a factor when choosing a destination. The lap band specialists in Mexico are board certified and many have received formal training in the U.S. or Canada.

You can travel as a medical tourist to a destination such as Mexico to receive you lap band surgery. The hotel is usually of top quality and is included in the price of surgery before leaving for your journey. Meeting up with your surgical doctor will be one of your priorities soon after you arrive and settle in your hotel.

Lap band patients have the entire procedure, including risk and benefits explained to them, including the risks of having the procedure done in Mexico. Lap band surgery patients are then scheduled for surgery and await surgery in their luxury hotel room in Mexico. Lap band surgery patients can sight-see as much as they feel able while awaiting a surgery time.

You will be admitted to a top rated hospital or medical center in Mexico to have your lap band surgery performed. The nursing staff speak English and will prepare the surgical area that you will be treated in and hook you up to the IV. All preparations will be made to make you as comfortable as possible.

You will meet with the anesthesiologist and the surgeon as a preliminary to discuss your surgery in Mexico. Patients receiving a lap band are usually unaware of the procedure because they are unconscious during the surgery.

The surgical treatment received in Mexico for lap band surgery is the same as the U.S. but at a much less cost. You will usually speak with a nutritionist to discuss your new diet regimen. You will learn how to eat a balanced diet after recovery and receiving your lap band in Mexico.

Lap band patients will begin to eat much smaller amounts after the surgery has taken place. They usually feel full after eating small portions. You will stay in your hospital room until you are well enough to be transported back to your luxury hotel accommodation.

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Information to help you Shed Pounds Sensibly

April 1, 2009 by Matthew Roberts  
Filed under Weight Loss

Your health is the main concern when trying to take off those extra pounds. However, in a desperate attempt to shed weight many people use methods that are not safe. In order to lose pounds and remain healthy the weight should not come off too quickly. Rapid weight loss is unsafe and the odds of regaining it are considerable.

Many people use starvation diets to lose weight fast. This is a hard diet plan to follow as well as hazardous to your health. Your body will not receive the nutrition it needs to remain healthy resulting in energy loss, skin problems and other serious health problems.

You need to follow a reasonable diet plan that does not endanger your health. These diets are less stressful and you can still eat a nice meal. Simply eating lettuce every meal will not satisfy your food craving. It is no longer considered attractive to look as if you are starving to death; an athletic figure is the trend now. A healthy look is attractive and easy to achieve by exercising and burning calories.

Exercise is seriously underrated when it comes to losing the pounds you want to lose. Exercising will actually improve energy levels while providing the activities you need to stay in good shape. This does not mean you must spend hours at the gym.

Increase your activity by walking instead of driving when you can or using the stairs more, you may even enjoy skipping rope or doing housework while listening to music and incorporating a dance into your chores. Make out a healthy diet and exercise plan and make it as interesting as possible so you will stay with it and keep the weight off once it is lost.

Weight loss is not as hard as it is made out to be. The key is to reduce the caloric intake and get your body moving. When the energy required is more than your intake of food provides you start to burn stored fat. Thus, the optimum way of taking off those excess pounds is to choose a diet that is nutritious. This means a reduction in calories as well as burning the ones you consume by exercising.

The hardest part is getting started, as it will take some effort. If you follow a good diet plan, your body will get the nutrients it needs to remain healthy throughout your diet. Do not lose faith in your ability to lose weight, this will ensure your success.

You will see advertisements for pills or other products to make you lose weight by ridding your body of fat. These are called fat blockers or fat binders that cause the fat you consume to pass on through you body and be expelled as a waste product. It is supposed to keep the intestines from processing the fat thus keeping fat from accumulating in your body.

The intestines will not be able to process the fat because it sticks to itself. There are problems with this way of getting rid of fat, as it is not healthy or natural to have diarrhea or a nasty odor in your stools. This means of getting rid of fat is not desirable and may cause additional problems with your health.

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Fat Loss And Core Strength - Start With Trunk And Legs

March 31, 2009 by Dan Solaris  
Filed under Weight Loss

Life as we know it these days has become more complicated and this has made our list of daily ‘to dos’ longer. Indeed, the tight schedule most of us keep each day prevents us from maintaining a healthy lifestyle and this is evidenced by recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says 66% adults in the U.S. are overweight.

The food industry’s successful production of fast gastronomic fare that more often than not fills-up our system with empty calories isn’t making things easier on our bellies either. Buckets of greasy chicken and calorie-loaded shakes are available to us round the clock and they’re taking their toll on our figures.

Since we’re living in a democracy and our government can’t really dictate what stores and restaurants serve, it’s quite obvious that the only way to curb effects of high-calorie dining is through regular exercise. Adopting a regular workout routine even for 30 minutes a day can get us in shape as well as reduce the stresses of the day.

Contrary to traditional weight loss beliefs, daily workout sessions don’t have to last for an hour or two. What’s really important is burning enough calories to create a deficit, meaning using-up more energy than we get from the food we eat each day.

Our body packs on the pounds when we regularly consume more calories than we need for our daily activities. Those ugly love handles are filled with stored energy in the form of fat tissue and the only way to get rid of it is by creating a calorie deficit each day.

Experts discovered that high intensity interval training (a combination of 2 types of cardio exercises) consume the most energy in less time. Since we also have to increase our body’s metabolism and cannot rely solely on cardio exercises for sustainable fat loss, modifying our muscle-building routines to maximize calorie-burn is also a good technique for achieving rapid fat loss.

Involving the most number of muscle groups in a workout will multiply the amount of calories used up and doing core exercises that strengthen the trunk and legs is perfect for that. When the upper and lower abs, the lumbar, oblique and leg muscles are working together, such as lifting weights while trying to balance on the uneven surface of a Bosu ball, you can bet you’re using-up way more energy than if you were on a flat surface.

There are several ways to engage our base muscles and speed-up fat-loss in our workouts. Standing on one foot, while doing curls and presses, or using a Swiss ball as a platform in abdominal exercises will result in instability. The effort made by the core muscles in keeping the body steady results in a more intense workout, a more stable base and ultimately speedier fat loss.

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Fast Abs Workout - Round Surfaces Melt Bellies

March 30, 2009 by Dan Solaris  
Filed under Weight Loss

The hugely successful food industries in North America and Western Europe have caused approximately 65% of their populations to become overweight, statistics show. Efficiency in food production- especially in meats and sweets has made it difficult for most people to maintain healthy eating habits.

With all the activities we have to do in our daily schedule- go to the office, browse the net and socialize, it’s no wonder a lot of people have given-up exercising regularly. This combination of lack of exercise and over indulgence in food will of course yield dangerous results and the cases of obesity and heart disease are on the upsurge.

A lot of those that manage to find time to squeeze in exercise programs into their hectic daily schedules eventually get bored and stop after a few months. Reason for this is loss of motivation that comes about from inadequate workouts and insignificant results.

Most people hit the gym to lose weight and get a six-pack. A fast abs workout that effectively tones-up the midsection in a short time will solve issues of boredom and keep people motivated and exercising continuously.

To speed-up the effects of working-out and see something come out of your fat-loss efforts in a shorter amount of time, modified exercises that isolate the core muscles should be done. A program that develops core strength together with body-fat busting cardio exercises is the key to fast abs and a lean physique.

The muscles around or midsection make up our core. These include the muscles in the lumbar area as well as those on the side of our waists and of course, the upper and lower abdomen. Most people make the mistake of doing conventional ab isolation exercises thinking it’s enough. Neglecting the other core muscles, especially those in the lumbar region can actually lead to back pain.

A faster abs workout that can give you a stronger core in less time can be attained through the use of tools like a Swiss ball or a Bosu ball. Both of these have round surfaces which when used as support for the body when executing abdominal or other resistance exercises will force the core muscles to work harder. The effort of trying to keep steady while working out on an unstable surface means more calories burned and improved core strength faster.

The amount of calories burned while doing abdominal exercises on an exercise ball or other round surface is increased significantly compared to doing sit-ups and crunches flat on one’s back. Studies show that more muscle fibers are engaged in activity when a person is lying on a round surface. The wider range of motion means more calories spent and hence a faster abs workout.

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Berry found To Have Cancer Fighting Compound

March 29, 2009 by Natasha King  
Filed under Acai Berry

The acai berry extract triggered a self-destruct response where in 86 percent of the cases it destroyed leukemia cells where this information was originally printed and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

A abundant source of antioxidants which fight and prevent harmful toxins from entering the body can be found in the acai berry. This research has strengthened the hypothesis that adding an acai berry extract can be very beneficial to the human body.

An very important thing to note here is that this study did not intend to demonstrate that the elements found in the acai berry can prevent leukemia in humans.

This study was never intended to raise any false hopes that the acai berry is a cure for leukemia. The results are still very positive however. The human body has shown promising results with compounds that have been tested under the cell-culture model.

Other fruits have proven similar results in killing cancer cells like mangoes, grapes and guavas. Scientist are still unsure what role antioxidants play in fighting cancer cells as there are other factors that come into play as well.

Acai berries is are perishable and must be eaten immediately after picking. The process to preserve acai berries have only been available for about five years, so researchers in many parts of the world have had little or no opportunity to study them.

Acai berrys are produced by a palm tree known scientifically as Euterpe oleracea, common in floodplain areas of the Amazon River. When the berry is ripe, it is purple and about the size of a grape. It’s contained in a thin layer of an edible pulp surrounding a large seed.

Historically, Brazilians have used acai berries to treat digestive disorders and skin conditions. Acai berry can help in reducing weight, lowering cholesterol and gaining more energy.

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Words of Wisdom From Peoria

March 24, 2009 by Nate Rifkin  
Filed under Weight Loss

This morning I checked my email and an article caught my eye — one that had been forwarded by a member of my mailing list who lives in Peoria, Illinois. I had to laugh, even though I have never been anywhere near Peoria. The cause of my amusement was my memory of something one of my instructors from medical school used to say to one of my classmates way back when. “Bob, what will they think of this in Peoria?” Or, the alternate: “Bob, if you don’t watch out and start picking up speed, it’s quite possible you could end up with a practice in Peoria.

My instructor was a bit biased as to what cities were worth practicing in. In his mind, New York City and Boston were the only options, so Peoria certainly would have been out of the question.

I have a feeling that Bob knows that Peoria does actually have fully functional medical practices, and specialists as well.

For the first time ever, this year, the cardiologists from St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria held a Cardiology Cookout, which they are planning to hold each year from now on.

The cardiology staff members wanted to make a few points during this event: that cooking can be enjoyable and that food that tastes good does not have to be food that is unhealthy.

The event was a success, with over one hundred people attending. Each attendee was offered samples of heart-healthy foods to taste, and they given the opportunity to take home recipes that teach them how to prepare those healthy foods in their own kitchens or backyards.

To me, that idea is commendable.

The St. Francis cardiology staff had some excellent suggestions, and one in particular that I think is especially good.

People are always asking how many calories they should consume.

The way to figure that out is to multiply your weight by 15.

Say you weigh 170 pounds. You multiply that by 15, which equals 2550 calories. To maintain that weight, that’s how many calories you would consume daily.

For someone who wants to drop weight, they need to multiply their weight by 13 instead of 15. Using the 170 pound example, this totals 2210 calories. That equals a daily decrease of 340 calories. Two easy suggestions for dropping the daily calorie count: One, if you drink two sugar-filled sodas a day, make the change to plain tea, or water. This shaves off 220 calories right there. Two, try switching to mustard, instead of mayonnaise on your sandwich, and you will have pretty much taken care of the 340 calories that you are trying to take out of your daily diet. Follow those easy guidelines, and in one week you will have decreased your caloric intake by 2380, which pretty much equals a whole day of calorie consumption.

This doesn’t even take exercise into account.

Weight loss does occur without exercise, but doing both will speed up your success.

The St. Francis cardiology staff also advises taking fish oil supplements that contain omega 3 fatty acids. The best supplements are those that are made from fish that are low on the food chain, like sardines and anchovies. This way, there is less of a chance of contamination from environmental elements.

Now is something I know more than a little bit about, since I have an enteric-coated, pharmaceutical-grade essential fatty acid softgel of my own. The sofgels have the highest concentration of EPA/DHA that you can buy. The fish oil in the supplements comes from fish that live deep in the arctic waters of Norway, and are free of mercury, cholesterol, and PCBs. My softgels are exceptionally pure, meeting the high standards set both nationally and internationally.

A cardiologist from St. Francis, Kent Wise M.D. says, “We are not convinced that other supplements like vitamins E or C or folic acid actually have a positive impact on heart health.”

He goes on to say, “We are convinced that fish oil has an impact on lowering triglycerides, one of the detrimental fats found in the blood. Furthermore, some evidence has shown that fish oil can lower the risk of sudden death.

Additional advice:

Stay away from fast food (pack your own healthy lunch, instead).

Cut down on your salt consumption. This means avoiding foods like pretzels and chips and other packaged salty foods.

Eat plenty of fiber, including beans, barley, fruit and vegetables.

Whenever you can, visit your farmers’ market for fresh produce.

No matter if this advice comes from New York, Boston, or Peoria — it’s all good.

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