The 10 Commandments of Weight Loss

Archive for May, 2011

Normally when you think of aloe (which contains over 400 different species), you think of it being used for wound healing and things like burns.  Aloe is actually added to herbal weight loss products for the main reason that it cleans you right out.  It induces a strong cathartic response, which is why they also say on the labels it is an internal cleanser.  One of the 400 species is Aloe Vera, and it is purported to have medicinal properties.   Many cosmetics companies use aloe in their products and market them as skin rejuvenators.

Aloe has been touted as a cure all for coughs, wounds, ulcers and gastritis as well as arthritis and immune system deficiencies when taken internally.  Apparently the only actual substantiated internal use is as a laxative.

Research on Aloe as a weight loss agent seems to consistently indicate it has no effect  on weight loss despite its inclusion in over-the-counter natural remedies for losing weight.  Many feel its inclusion is misleading to consumers.  An internal cleanser, when not spelled out that it promotes strong bowel movements, can mean many things, including it cleans up your system and rids you of fats.  Certainly it may lead to some minimal weight loss, due to the time spent recycling the product.  However, the real weight loss would come with a change in your diet and exercise program.

Aloe evidently also has some rather disturbing side effects – abdominal cramping, diarrhea, electrolyte disturbances, and decreases in potassium. It is also recommended you do not take aloe in combination with medications such as digoxin or diuretics.

The choice is yours and you can decide whether or not you want to try Aloe after you have read all you can about it.   Most definitely it is being promoted as being effective in weight loss and not just because it causes diarrhea.  It is said to reduce and stabilize body mass index by stimulating the metabolic rate in liver cells causing us to burn more energy.  The other point about Aloe is that is has a high collagen protein content.  Meaning, using aloe vera as a supplement in your diet would increase protein intake.  The body spends more time trying to digest proteins and spends more energy doing that – thus it burns fat.  It’s baffling, but as always, talk to your Doctor.

In recent years, the subject of whey protein has come up often in health discussions. Know what whey protein is, its possible benefits and side effects and more as you read on.

What is Whey Protein
Whey protein is actually a term used to describe a group of globular proteins that can be separated from whey. When cow’s milk is used to manufacture cheese, it also leads to the production of whey, which may or may not be discarded. It is a mixture of lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and serum albumin.Similar to protein found in egg white, whey protein can also be irreversibly changed by heat. When made part of the pasteurization process, it becomes less bio-active. If not, whey protein naturally becomes bio-active which basically means it contains a high concentration of cysteine and consequently glutathione, an antioxidant that is essential to improved fitness and health. Bio-active whey protein is an active source for protein but exposure to extreme heat can easily reduce the amount of cysteine in it without affecting its protein content and basic food value.

What Makes It Good for the Body
Because whey protein contains an inordinate amount of essential and non-essential acids, it frequently plays a prominent role in most low-carb and high-protein diets. Another reason for this is because of its low content of fats and of course, carbohydrates.

Why Pregnant Mothers Love Whey Protein
A number of OBs have advised their gravid patients to increase their intake of whey protein because it will provide the basic amount of amino acids needed by the growing infants inside their bodies. An increased intake of whey protein will naturally improve and speed up the development of the baby. Also, increased intake of whey protein will indirectly improve the immune system of the baby. In its growing stages, it is highly vulnerable to different types of illnesses. With the help of whey protein, it grow faster and better and more equipped to defend itself against any health complication.

Whey Protein for Bodybuilding Enthusiasts
For bodybuilders, muscle growth is everything and that’s why they love whey protein so much. Studies have satisfactorily proven that whey protein can lead to acceleration of muscle development. This is welcomed news especially for bodybuilders who are only a few weeks away from the date of competition but is still in high need of muscle growth.

How it Helps Athletes Busy Recovering from Old Injuries
In this case, whey protein saves the day once more because it can be used to supplement diets of individuals who are suffering from compromised immune systems. Basically, it helps athletes heal faster and feel better.

A Weapon against Degenerative Diseases
Although you can’t truly say that any disease is less painful than the other if both have life-altering consequences, it is an inarguable fact however that degenerative diseases are one of the worst health complications to suffer from. These illnesses tend to subject people to a protracted form of suffering and with symptoms with increasing levels of severity. They commonly affect three systems in particular: the nervous system, the muscular system and the skeletal system.

Although rarely curable, degenerative diseases can be treated through chemotherapy, surgical operations and the proper diet. Whey protein is often a part of this diet because of its rehabilitative benefits especially when it comes to muscle growth. Cancer, diabetes and AIDS have symptoms that causes muscle strength and growth to deteriorate – an undesirable effect that can be combated with increased intake of whey protein.

Where to Buy Whey Protein
Are you sufficiently convinced of the benefits of whey protein then? If so, you should be happy to know that you can avail of commercial whey protein product in most supermarkets and specialty food stores specializing in healthy food.

Ending with a Warning
Whey protein is good for the body – no doubt about it – but too much consumption of anything is never beneficial. Too much intake of whey protein can lead to unnecessary complications of your liver. And need we remind you that the liver is the next most important organ in the body? Lastly, lactose intolerant individuals must consume whey protein isolate rather than the normal variety as the former has less lactose content.

Demanding careers, raising a family coupled with pressures of daily life is daunting task for man and woman alike. Exercising or daily workout of 30 minute is the last thing on the mind, though we find time to watch TV or hang out with friends. We can come up with hordes of reason for not hitting the gym.

Being fit should be a part and priority in everyone’s life. Being physically fit helps you to live a longer life. It means more than looking your best on the beach and finishing first in the marathon. By keeping yourself physically fit, your body learns to deal with the stress of daily life. Incorporate going to the gym as a daily habit like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Devote good 30 minutes to an hour for exercises or any other kind of workout for making you feel fit and look good.

Daily workout or an hour of exercise helps to relieve stress, depression anxiety, increase one’s ability to concentrate, think faster and become sharper, helps reduce blood pressure, reduces the risk of life threatening diseases, increases flexibility to maintain muscular tension and tones muscles to build and maintain bones.

If you decide to shove off going to gym, you will miss out on the benefits mentioned above and much more. 30 minutes to an hour of physical fitness is major health investment.

If this is your first step in the fitness world, get in touch with gyms or personal trainers to see which, what fitness plan suits you the best. You will also come across adverts with promises of keeping you in the best of shape. Learn to differentiate between the real and fake.

After you decide on your fitness plan, you have to start working on the same to stay in shape and keep fit. Don’t go overboard on the first day as you might feel very exhausted or burned out. To reach your ideal level of fitness, be sincere, consistent and stick with the program.

Mornings are the best time for doing workouts. Get up an hour earlier and hit the gym. After an hour at the gym you will feel fresh all day long. If you put off doing your workouts in the morning, you are more likely to put if off later due to plain laziness or tiredness from working all day long.

Another way to enjoy your self being physically fit is to undertake some physical activities such walks, hiking, mountain biking, playing golf, etc, with your spouse, kids or friends.