healthy body tips

The festive holidays that mark the beginning of spring come with many temptations. Choosing to live well is to take these temptations and turn them into healthy treats that celebrate the season. Wine and chocolate can be good for you- or evil.

A glass of red wine is packed with powerful antioxidants that have been found to reduce the risk or heart attack and stroke, all while improving brain function, increasing lifespan, fighting cancer and decreasing the effects of aging. Phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and resveratrol, act as antioxidants and prevent “free radicals” from causing cellular damage in the body.

The benefits of red wine (and dark beer like Guinness) favor the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and inhibiting the oxidation of unhealthy cholesterol. In moderation, alcohol can raise your good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and thin your blood, preventing clotting and lowering the risk of heart disease.

When it comes to chocolate, the darker the better!

On a month where multitudes of chocolate bunnies fill the grocery store shelves, it’s easy to feel like a kid in a candy store. It’s O.K. to give in to temptation, just be smart about it.

The benefits of chocolate have been known for thousands of years and some native tribes who regularly consumed cocoa showed very low rates of cardiovascular disease. Epicatechins, the natural compound found in cocoa, may offer significant benefits to those who’ve previously suffered from a stroke by its ability to restore function to blood vessels. Chocolate even contains chemicals associated with happy emotions.

Remember that not all chocolate is created equal. The more processing, like heat and light, chocolate is subjected to, the less antioxidants it has. Added ingredients like sugar and dairy can turn the otherwise beneficial treat into something quite the opposite; the milk in milk chocolate interferes with the absorption of beneficial antioxidants. Consuming a moderate amount of an organic, unprocessed, dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa is ideal.

Limiting alcohol to one glass per day is recommended for optimal health benefits. Keep in mind that drinking heavily can lead to weight gain; one bottle of wine is about 480 calories (that’s the equivalent of two 20-ounce Cokes!) For some, sulfates and tannins in wine can even trigger migraine headaches.

So indulge on these plant phenol-rich super foods during this holy season… but keep well by indulging in moderation. Happy Easter, everyone!

Do you have Carpal Tunnel? Not sure if you have it? Come in for a courtesy exam so we can give you a proper diagnosis. There is a terrible misconception where people just assume they need surgery to correct carpal tunnel. This isn't true. Come in so we can show you what the benefits of traction therapy are.

• Vegetable Stalk – Drink two glasses of vegetable stalk previous to lunch. This weight loss drink is a high foundation of fiber and full of nutrition.  According to researchers of University of Penn, drinking vegetable stalk previous lunch can help cut down on 135 less calories. Vegetable stalk is also very good for skin.
• Drink Ice Cold Water – Drinking ice cold water can help you burn up 200 calories. When you drink cold water, your body burns calories to rink that water to body heat. Cold water may be increases metabolism. This leads to burning of calories and losing weight.
• Green Tea – Green tea is very famous for its slimming capabilities. It boosts metabolism and regulates digestive development. It also is a resource of antioxidants. Drink green tea after every meal for most excellent results. 
•  Milk – Milk is a good resource of calcium which breakdown fat into fat cells. Thus, avoid it to accumulate in the body causing ugly fat. Two glasses of milk in a day is sufficient for an adult. 
• Protein Drink – Protein drinking turns fat into lean muscles, thus preventing fat growth.

• Vegetable Stalk – Drink two glasses of vegetable stalk previous to lunch. This weight loss drink is a high foundation of fiber and full of nutrition.  According to researchers of University of Penn, drinking vegetable stalk previous lunch can help cut down on 135 less calories. Vegetable stalk is also very good for skin.
• Drink Ice Cold Water – Drinking ice cold water can help you burn up 200 calories. When you drink cold water, your body burns calories to rink that water to body heat. Cold water may be increases metabolism. This leads to burning of calories and losing weight.
• Green Tea – Green tea is very famous for its slimming capabilities. It boosts metabolism and regulates digestive development. It also is a resource of antioxidants. Drink green tea after every meal for most excellent results. 
•  Milk – Milk is a good resource of calcium which breakdown fat into fat cells. Thus, avoid it to accumulate in the body causing ugly fat. Two glasses of milk in a day is sufficient for an adult. 
• Protein Drink – Protein drinking turns fat into lean muscles, thus preventing fat growth.

Don't fall victim to fad "starvation" diets or potentially dangerous weight loss pills - in the long run your body will only end up retaining fat and losing lean tissue (muscle).
Lifestyle modifications such as nutrition, diet, and exercise are the preferred methods for achieving healthy body composition.

What is unhealthy body composition? Generally speaking, it refers to carrying too much fat in comparison to lean tissue (e.g. muscle)- often referred to as having a high fat-to-lean ratio.

How do you measure body composition? Well, it can't be measured by your bathroom scale. The following methods can be used to assess your body composition:

• Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
• Skin-Fold Thickness
• Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
  

With a targeted body composition program, you will not only lose unhealthy and unattractive fat - you will also minimize your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, hormone-related problems, and more!

Take the first step toward better health. Ask us about our nutrition-based body composition program!

Here, my top 10 skin tips: (Oct 26, 2009).Protect yourself from the sun -- use sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10am and 3pm. That's when the sun rays are the strongest.Don't smoke. Your skin is a large organ and it needs a lot of circulation. Smoking impairs that dramatically. That's why smokers' skin looks dull and gray. Instead of having oxy-generated blood delivered to

Oct. 26, 2008 -- Whole grains are hot, trans fat is not, and more Americans say they're doing all they can to eat right, according to a new survey from the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

In the survey, 783 U.S. adults dish on their diet and exercise habits. Among the findings:

• Consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits is up.
• Trans fat, beef, pork, and dairy consumption is down.
• More Americans have a good attitude toward diet and exercise and say they're doing their best to eat healthfully.

Here's a closer look at those findings.

Food Trends

Here are the top five foods or nutrients that survey participants say they've increased during the past five years:

• Whole grains: 56% say they're eating more
• Vegetables: Half of participants say they're eating more vegetables
• Fruits: 48% say they're eating more fruit
• Low-fat foods: 48% say they're eating more low-fat foods
• Omega-3 fatty acids: 38% say they've boosted their consumption

The upward trend in consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is good news, notes ADA spokeswoman Jeannie Gazzaniga-Moloo, PhD, RD, who presented the survey results today in Chicago at the ADA's annual meeting.

"It was encouraging to see those findings," Gazzaniga-Moloo tells WebMD.

Here are the top five foods or nutrients that participants report reducing during the past five years.

• Trans fat: 56% say they've cut back on foods containing trans fat
• Beef: 41% say they're eating less beef
• Pork: 33% report eating less pork
• Dairy: 23% say they've cut back
• Low-sugar foods: 20% say they've cut back

Gazzaniga-Moloo says people may be cutting back on beef, pork, and dairy because of cost and the hunt for lower-fat foods. But she points out that "there are lower-fat alternatives within those three foods -- beef, pork, and dairy -- [and that] they do provide an excellent source of certain nutrients," such as calcium, protein, and vitamin D in dairy products, and protein, iron, and B vitamins in pork and dairy.

More People Eating Better

More people are improving their attitude toward diet and exercise and taking action for a healthier diet, according to the survey.

The ADA splits participants into three groups -- "I'm already doing it," "Don't bother me," and "I know I should" -- based on how they answer various survey questions about diet and exercise habits.

Here's how the groups ranked this year and in the ADA's 2002 survey:

• I'm already doing it: 43% (up from 38% in 2002)
• I know I should: 38% (up from 30% in 2002)
• Don't bother me: 19% (down from 32% in 2002)

The shift out of the "don't bother me" category and into the "I'm already doing it" category shows that "consumers are certainly becoming more aware of the importance of balanced and healthy eating, [and] regular physical activity," says Gazzaniga-Moloo.

But there's still room for improvement. "What we would like to see is more of the 'I know I shoulds' moving into the 'I already am'" category, Gazzaniga-Moloo says.

Top Excuses for Not Eating Better

Why aren't people doing more to improve their diets? Here are the top five reasons from the survey:

• 79% say they're satisfied with the way they eat.
• 73% say they don't want to give up the foods they like.
• 54% say it takes too much time to keep track of their diet.
• 52% say they need more practical tips for healthy eating.
• 41% say they don't know or understand diet and nutrition guidelines.

Mintel International conducted the survey, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

By Nick A. James

What exactly is caffeine? It is a colorless, somewhat bitter substance that is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and cola. It is also in many over- the-counter medicines and in many diet/weight loss supplements. It is a stimulant and it is considered a psychoactive drug. It is the most widely consumed drug in this country. Drugmakers are required by law to list the amount of caffeine in their product, however, food and beverage companies do not have to. The caffeine that is taken out of coffee beans to produce decaffeinated coffee is then sold to drug companies and soft drink manufacturers.

It can be a welcome waker-upper in the morning taken in that morning cup of coffee. It also helps give some a boost to stay awake late in the day. However, the boost isn't necessarily instant as it takes about an hour for the effects of caffeine to make it's way through the bloodstream and into the system. It has benefits and it has side effects. It helps keep us alert. It stimulates the central nervous system. Some say it improves physical and mental performance. It has diuretic activity. Some studies list is as a mood elevator, and a pain reliever. Because of the increased alertness levels of those who consume caffeine, there has been improved performance in activities such as test-taking, driving, flying and problem solving.

There are side effects of caffeine though. Those are insomnia, nervousness, increased tension and anxiety-panic attacks, just from drinking the amount of 300 mg. The amount that causes these side effects vary from individual to individual, however, children seem to have a lower tolerance of it because of their lower body weight. The Food and Drug Administration advises pregnant women to avoid it altogether. The FDA does list it as a "safe food additive", even though pregnant women should avoid it. For those that take it regularly every day, going without it a day can cause withdrawal symptoms such as, headaches, irritability, a lack of energy and of course, sleepiness. These withdrawal symptoms are short lived though.

The following is a chart and the amount of caffeine in products you use and consume daily.

6 ounce cup of coffee - 64mg to 150mg

5 ounce cup of tea- 40mg

12 ounce can of cola- 40mg

hot cocoa - 1 cup 4mg

6 ounce chocolate bar 25mg

2 Excedrin tablets 130mg

Besides weight loss products and stay awake products and energy drinks, caffeine is being tested for pesticide use and it has been laced in women's panty hose for it's constrictive effects that are supposed to shrink thighs. Love it or hate it, caffeine is and always has been a big part of American culture and probably is here to stay.

About the author:
Nick A. James offers informative tips and information on nutrition, health and working from home. Get the Exclusive Free Report! -6 Steps to Simplify Your Life, Improve Your Health & Give You Dynamic Energy! His many years of Internet Marketing expertise puts him in unique position to help others starting a home business . For free newsletter, health blog , and cutting edge info contact him at: http://www.health-goji-juice.com


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