Nutritional Guidelines For Epileptics


Many people suffer from seizures, and often, these seizures are caused by a condition known as epilepsy. Seizures caused by epilepsy can be repeated and/or prolonged and can cause a number of different sensations, depending on the type and severity of the seizure. The four most common types of epileptic seizures are partial, generalized, complex partial and grand mal.
Partial Seizures: Only a small part of the brain is affected by partial seizures.
Generalized Seizures: A larger part of the brain is affected by generalized seizures, which may also cause a change (but not a loss) in consciousness.
Complex Partial Seizures: Unconsciousness can occur with complex partial seizures.
Grand Mal Seizures: These are generalized seizures that involve motor systems in the brain, often leading to unconsciousness. The grand mal seizure is recognized by a clonic phase (slow, jerky movements) and a tonic phase (forceful contractions of the muscles.)
Other milder types of seizures include the petit mal seizure, which is also known as the absence seizure because it is often dismissed as daydreaming unless an accurate diagnosis is made.
Epilepsy Symptoms
There are many symptoms that epileptics can recognize as oncoming seizures. There are a number of medications to treat epilepsy, but these can cause harmful side effects. Other treatments include a change in diet and, as a last resort, surgery to remove the damaged brain tissue and implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator, a device that sends signals to help control seizures.
Symptoms of epilepsy include:
- Double vision
- Noticing strange smells and/or sounds
- Falling, twitching or jerky movements
- Fainting
- Staring off into space without being aware of it
- Loss of muscle control
Treating Epilepsy
It is possible that many patients with epilepsy have other related health problems, such as brain tumors, stroke or brain infections. But many epilepsy patients never know why they have epilepsy or other disorders involving seizures. In fact, many physicians test for other disorders to rule them out first, because epilepsy can mimic other disorders in its early stages. In order to treat epilepsy properly, it needs to be properly diagnosed, and with treatment, seizures may become less frequent and less severe.
The Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is one that many physicians recommend for epilepsy patients. This is a diet that is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, because this type of diet burns fat rather than carbohydrates. The reason for this is because when the body burns fats, it creates ketones, which help to suppress seizures.
This diet is usually prescribed by physicians for a period of two years, at which time other nutrients, including carbohydrates, are re-introduced. Because many of the nutrients that we need come from carbohydrates, protein supplements can be substituted to get the important nutrients that are necessary for survival. Because it is a high-fat diet, the ketogenic diet is one that needs to be seriously thought through before using it, and it should only be used under the care of a physician.
Other Diet No-No's for Epileptics
Epileptics should be careful to avoid products with aspartame in them because it increases the risk of seizures. It also causes seizures in those with the metabolic disorder known as phenylketonuria, which does not allow phenalylanine, an essential amino acid, to be digested and work properly.
People with epilepsy should also be tested for food allergies, which can trigger seizures. Some foods that are known to cause seizures include dairy foods, citrus fruits, wheat and certain food additives, such as benzoic acid and tartrazine. Knowing about these allergies makes it easier to treat them and reduce the risk of increased epileptic seizures.
Protein Supplements for Epilepsy Patients
Protein is a necessary macronutrient, one that the body relies on for survival. On restrictive diets, patients may not be getting the amount of protein that they need. To combat this, some physicians suggest that protein supplements be used in conjunction with the ketogenic diet, and a physician will know which supplements are best for each patient based on their medical history and possible food allergies and sensitivities. Some proteins, such as whey, a byproduct from the cheese-making process, are easier to digest than others. Soy and rice proteins are often recommended for those with many food allergies or lactose intolerances, and eggs have long been used as a source of protein. Many protein supplements, including powders and liquids, are made from these proteins.
A Case Study Involving an Epilepsy Patient And Protein Supplements
When Cheryl began having mild seizures, she didn't think much of it. Then as the seizures became more frequent and more severe, she began to worry and made an appointment to see her doctor. After a number of tests, it was confirmed that Cheryl had epilepsy, and her entire life would change forever.
Cheryl's physician recommended a number of lifestyle changes as well as many changes to her diet. He advised that she use the ketogenic diet along with protein supplements. Cheryl purchased some protein powders that she could add to her favorite recipes and began using them regularly, both in between meals as snacks and even as meal replacements.
Soon, with the combination of medication and a proper diet, Cheryl noticed that her seizures were decreasing in frequency and severity and that her life was beginning to return to normal. She no longer had to worry about seizures interrupting her daily routine and found herself becoming not only healthier, but happier as well. She continues to use supplements and is looking forward to the day when she can begin adding other foods with carbohydrates to her diet.
About Protica Research
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.
You can learn more about Protica at http://www.protica.com.
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Drink Water to Lose Weight - The Easiest Way to Become Skinny


If getting skinny is your goal then you should drink water and lots of it.
Drinking water everyday does a body good. There is no questioning that fact.
Your body is made of about 60% water. When you sweat you lose water and it needs to be replaced.
Drink water to lose weight not sodas. I know I just stepped on a few toes with that one but be honest with yourself. Drinking sodas on a daily basis is not good at all for your long-term health. They contain way too much sugar for kids and adults. Soda consumption is a big part of the obesity epidemic facing the world today.
It is okay to cheat on your diet from time to time but you need to have healthy daily habits. Drinking a bunch of sodas everyday will not help you at all attempting to become skinny.
So how much water should I drink?
The recommended daily amount of water for years has been 6-8, 8 ounce glasses of water. This number has been popular for years. A better way to put it would be to say, "drink at least 8, 8 ounce glasses of water."
Men should consume 3 liters of water a day which is about 13 glasses. Women should drink 2.2 liters of water a day, about 9 glasses a day. 8, 8 ounce glasses of water equals 1.9 liters. So if you are already drinking 8, 8 ounce glasses of water a day you are doing good, give yourself a pat on the back and continue to be a good example to your friends and family.
Most Important Times to Drink Water
After waking up - Drinking a tall glass of water right after you wake up is a great way to start your day. If you sleep 8 hours, your body has not had any water for at least 8 hours, maybe more.
After working out - Your body loses plenty of fluids during exercise. One great way to combat the loss of fluids is to replenish with a large glass of water. You don't want to go hours without drinking any water after working out. Not good!
The great bonus about drinking water is that it contains no calories. Can you say the same about sodas? Absolutely not!
Liquid calories are not taken into consideration by many which can lead to consuming too many calories.
Remember to drink water to lose weight. You can't go wrong drinking your fair share of water. Next time you get a craving for a soda say no, instead pour yourself some high quality H20 like the water boy would say. Drink your daily amount of water and you will be well on your way to become skinny.
Bottom Line? You need to drink water to achieve your weight loss goals.
And now I'd like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to the 7 day eCourse Love Your Body Love Your Life when you visit http://fitnessandnutritionsolutions.com/loveyourbody
Brought to you by Matthew Beavers - The Fitness and Nutrition Guy


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Good Nutrition is Required Prior to Weight Loss Surgery


Most people do not understand why we need water with lemon for weight loss. Most people work out trying to lose weight but do not drink the desired amount therefore do not lose much weight in the process.
So how much lemon should we take each day to see weight loss?
Experts say you need 8 ounces of water with lemon per day - that's just for the average person. If you're overweight you will need more. As a rule of thumb you should be having 8-10 half pint glasses a day or 4 pint glasses for good weight loss.
So why do experts say water with lemon for weigh loss is so important?
Well for a start, your bodily organs need water. If they do not get enough they will not function properly at there optimal point. For instance you kidney stores fat if it does not get enough fluid so it is very important you drink lots of water with lemon for weight loss.
Your body and brain tells your kidney that you don't have enough fluid so your kidney will store all the water it can because it does not know when it will next get some. The water will get stored all over your body and mainly places you don't want it like your belly.
You also need fluid in your body to flush out toxins buy sweating through the skin and through urine. This allows that stored fat to be turned into fuel. You will then be able to easily burn that fat off with exercise.
Here is the good news when you start to drink water with lemon for weight loss on a regular basis. Your body will realize this and will not store as much fluid giving you every chance to lose weight fat. This might take a few weeks to happen but just keep drinking lots of water and you will see a massive improvement.
What to drink, cold water or hot water?
I get asked this question a lot and to be honest with you it really does not matter. Some experts say you can drink more water if it's hot but others say it's healthier if you drink cold. Both hot and cold are good for you but the choice is yours.
The main thing is drinking the water weather it is hot or cold. Don't get too concerned about the temperature. Go with what you feel is best for you if you like drinking water cold then do that and like wise with hot water. But what I will say is don't drink to much at once experts say drinking a lot at one go can be bad for you. Just stick to a pint at a time drinking 4 pints a day and spread then out and you will be fine.
Drinking water with lemon for weight loss is grate because it adds a nice taste to your water. It's much better than drinking plain water and it adds other benefits too. Lemon is a good source of vitamin C which is good for the body and skin. Lemon also helps you lose weight but there is a secret to it. The water must be warm!
We all know water with lemon for weight loss is good for us but you need to be careful when drinking pints of water before you go to bed it can interrupt your sleep by going to the bathroom all night.
Lee McKenna is a weight loss expert and focuses on helping people lose massive amounts of weight. Lee McKenna has helped 1000's of people lose over 18 pound in just 4 days for a free course on weight loss click the link: [http://www.18in4.co.uk]


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Simple Nutrition For Health & Weight Management


Weight Management - Simple but Complicated!
Let's face it - most people are confused as to how to eat for health, fitness and weight management. If I had a pound or a dollar for every person who asked me what diet they should follow, what foods they should or shouldn't eat, what foods will help them lose weight, I'd be a very wealthy man indeed.
So many people worry about choosing the right diet, planning their meals, organizing their gym workout etc that they don't actually get around to doing what they need to do, I.E. getting in the gym, working hard and eating a little less! This phenomenon is often referred to as "Paralysis by Analysis". Weight management is EASY. Okay, you need a healthy dose if will power, some common sense, a bit of application and a fair bit self discipline but the science of weight loss is simple.
Weight management is like running your bank account...if I spend less than I earn, I increase my bank balance - or in nutrition speak, I'll gain weight (specifically adipose tissue or fat). If I spend more than I earn, my bank balance will decrease - this is the equivalent of losing weight. Spend too much and the bank manager will be on my case. Lose weight too fast, and my body will rebel and stop me wasting away to nothing.
To keep this analogy going, there are hundreds of credit cards, loans, types of overdraft, HP plans etc that allow us to go overdrawn, likewise there are hundreds of diets, exercise plans, and food supplements that will help me to lose weight. You just need to stick with one plan and give it time to work. Use the one that slots as seamlessly as possible into your life style and is sustainable, manageable, practical and healthy. It doesn't matter how good the diet is, if you can't stick with it, IT WILL FAIL! Just like at the bank, if the repayment plan is prohibitive, restrictive or just unmanageable you won't be able to make the payments, no matter how attractive the interest rate was! Remember, the people who are promoting diets like South Beach, Cabbage Soup, Weight Watchers, Atkins etc are trying to SELL you something so obviously they are going to tell you that their plan is the best and that it is easy to stick to, will give you the results you want painlessly and quickly etc etc. However, the reality seldom matches the promise. Be honest - although the cabbage soup diet is virtually guaranteed to help you lose pounds, who in their right mind would want to swap great tasting food for some green, tasteless and flatulence causing mush!?!
Decisions, decisions...
Ironically, the diet business is the most successful unsuccessful business ever! In recent surveys it was found that 95% of dieters FAIL to stick with their chosen weight loss plan because of its unpleasant or restrictive eating regime. And when our dieter "falls of the wagon", they just jump straight back on another one and try the next popular diet to come on the market! There is so much nutrition information and mis-information around most people flit from one nutritional approach to another, seeking out the magic diet that will give them the results they seek. Let's face it - most of us want to be slimmer YESTERDAY! No body wants to lose a measly pound a week. Sadly though, successful weight loss is not sexy, fast, or dramatic. It is a slow, gentle process which takes time. Very few dieters ever come to grips with this fact and are frequently disappointed when they fail to lose 20 pounds in a month as they were promised by some diet plan or celebrity endorsed dietician.
Many diets are impractical, unpleasant, and restrictive in the extreme and can only be maintained for short periods of time. To make matters worse, when our dieting client returns to their previous eating régime, they often put the weight they lost back on - plus some extra weight for good measure and end up not only failing to reach the goals they set for themselves but actually getting further away from their ideal weight.
There are numerous physiological reasons for this happening - far too complicated to explore here, but basically can be summarized by examining the "Starvation Response" which is triggered when energy (calorific) intake is reduced by too much.
The Starvation Response
Our bodies know that fat is essential for keeping us alive during periods of starvation, so when calorie intake are reduced too low, the body will try and keep hold of this valuable resource for as long as possible. Your body has no idea you are voluntarily eating too little. It makes the assumption that there is not enough food around for your survival and makes certain physiological changes accordingly. Think about it - who will live the longest when stranded on a desert island with no food...the person with next to no body fat or the person with lots? Mr. "Lean and Got a Six Pack" won't be looking so good after a couple of weeks of little or no food, whereas our overweight friend will be okay for a much longer period of time. Nature is so cruel!
Basically, the starvation response results in muscle loss, increased fat storage capabilities, lowered metabolic rate (daily energy requirement), increased hunger and ultimately diet failure...all of which will prolong your life when food is in short supply but in terms of weight management not really what we're after, I think you'll agree.
So, how can we avoid triggering the starvation response? Quite simply, we need to make haste slowly. Aim for a slight reduction in calories, a slight increase in activity levels. The body needs to almost be tricked into giving up it's fat stores - do it too fast and we will trigger the starvation response which will, without a doubt, halt any progress and cause a rebound in fat mass gains...the so-called Yo Yo diet. Additionally, to avoid any loss of muscle, we need to engage in strength training. If your muscles are being challenged regularly, you body will keep hold of those muscles more readily, even if there is a calorie deficiency - it's a case of "use it or lose it." CV exercise actually promotes muscle breakdown (catabolism) where as strength training promotes the building up of muscle (anabolism).
So, we are going to try and keep nutrition simple. This plan (note - not a diet as this approach could be used very long term) is as easy as it gets...no complicated recipes to follow, no supplements to buy, no weird foods to consume - just simple nutrition which will help you reach and maintain your goal weight.
The Alternative - Common Sense Nutrition
I can sum this approach up in one sentence - 95% of all meal must consist of a lean protein plus fruit and or vegetables, drink only water, green tea or juices you have freshly pressed your self. That's it. Hardly earth shattering or complicated, but very effective. No calorie counting or weighing or measuring your food...just make sure every meal contains protein and fruit or veg.
What's Hot!
Protein foods...
Eggs, any "real" meat (non-processed), fish, some dairy is okay but preferably natural products like plain yogurt and cottage cheese, also nuts, beans, pulses, whey protein powder and Soya (minimal amounts for males, moderate amounts for females).
Vegetables...
Any and all except for white potatoes, and even they are okay occasionally especially post exercise.
Fruit...
Any fruit in its natural state is fine, but citrus fruits are preferred so careful with bananas which can be a bit calorie dense. Homemade fruit juices are also okay but avoid most shop bought "made from concentrate" juices as these are generally so processed they are missing many of their vital vitamins and minerals and are really only sugary soft drinks and not healthy at all. Dried fruit has some benefits but beware of overeating dried fruits as they take up very little room in your stomach and it is easy to consume them in large quantities.
Fats...
Make sure all meals contain a sensible amount of healthy fats. Often this will come from the protein portion of the meal but may also include olive oil, sunflower oil, fish oils, nut butters and oils, dairy butter (NOT margarine) etc. Do your very best to avoid trans fats like the plague that they are!
What's Not!
Foods that contain wheat and other grains should be limited so avoid bread and pasta. Noodles and rice are also a no-go. For a great many people, grains can cause intestinal discomfort and abdominal bloating so minimizing their consumption may be beneficial. Breakfast cereals are generally wheat based sugar and salt laden junk so likewise they are off the menu. This will be a departure for many of you, but once you get used to it, this is a very healthy way to eat and will help you reach your body composition goals relatively easily and without triggering the starvation response. If you must consume grains, choose whole grains, preferably organic and look into how they should best be prepared for optimum digestion and absorption. This may well involve overnight soaking and repeated rinsing for example.
Basically, if it didn't roam the earth, swim in the sea, or grow on the land, you shouldn't eat it! Avoid all processed foods and try where possible to only consume food in its most natural state. If the food is "man made" it's probably not very good for you. If it's in a packet, there are probably better choices you can make and if anything on the ingredient list is unpronounceable then you really shouldn't be putting it in your body!
You are what you eat...Eat Junk = Feel Junk!
Ingredients that should set alarm bells ringing and should be avoided where possible include anything hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, acidity regulators, nitrates, gelling agents, colorings, preservatives, or anything else that sounds like it belongs in a chemistry set rather than in your stomach!
Ideally, more than one fruit/vegetable should be consumed in each meal...we need a wide variety of foods to make sure we get the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals necessary to support health. One very good approach is to adopt a traffic light system when selecting vegetables or fruits. Simply select foods of different colors in each meal, e.g. red tomatoes, yellow peppers, and green lettuce. By mixing the colors of foods consumed, we are more likely to be getting a good variety of nutrients. If possible, try to purchase the organic versions of all foods mentioned. Organic food is produced without the use of pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics and other possibly harmful chemicals. Generally they cost a little more but often taste much more "real". If it impossible to buy organic, make sure all food (including meats) are washed thoroughly to remove any surface traces of chemicals.
As far as food portion sizes go - don't be too anal about weighing and measuring with the exception of nuts and fats which are quite calorie dense and should be avoided in very large amounts and consumed in relative moderation. When planning a meal start off with your protein portion - a medium sized chicken breast or steak for example, then pile on the veggies and add some healthy fats to round the meal off. Adjust portion sizes as hunger, energy and bathroom scales dictate.
Food preparation is something else we need to consider. The way we cook our food can be either beneficial or possibly detrimental to our health. Preferred cooking methods include the following...
o Steaming - especially vegetables and fish
o Grilling - for meat and fish (Non-stick grills like the George Foreman are excellent tools for the health and waist conscious!)
o Stir frying - for most foods. Cut food up into small pieces to ensure quick frying and minimal loss of nutrients
o Boiling - for vegetables but careful not to over cook
o Roasting - for vegetables and meats
o Slow cooking (crock pots)
Microwaving is very convenient but the effects of microwaves on food and health are still relatively unknown. Some evidence suggests that microwaves may actually alter the chemical structure of our foods in such a way as to render them unhealthy. In one recent study, plants were watered using cooled microwaved water. The plants failed to sprout and soon died. Whilst not conclusive, this does seem to suggest that microwaving may be harmful so where practical use more traditional cooking methods.
If possible and palatable, try to eat fruit and vegetables in their raw state, thus preserving the vitamin and mineral content that can be lost in the cooking process. Over cooking of fruit and vegetables should be avoided at all costs as excessive or prolonged exposure to heat can damage the fragile micro nutrients and reduce their healthful qualities...
Spice it up!
Despite appearances, meals that meet the above criteria needn't be terribly dull. It's all about using your imagination and coming up with interesting combinations of the permitted foods. Don't forget the condiments either - healthy sauces and salad dressings can be made in very little time and add a whole new dimension of taste to an otherwise uninspiring meal. Why not consider adding the following to your grocery list... It is possible to make your own sauces, salsas and dressings to spice up any meal using the permitted foods.
o Balsamic vinegar
o Olive oil (extra virgin, cold pressed only!)
o Unsalted butter (ok in small amounts)
o Sea salt
o Black pepper
o Paprika
o Chili or curry powder
o Various herbs and spices
So, there we go. I don't promise you will lose a dress size by the end of the week, nor do I swear you will be a stone lighter by this time next month. What I do assure you is this - eating the types of foods listed above and avoiding the man made "Frankenfoods" will give you the shape you want and the health you want without making your life so complicated you don't know whether you are coming or going. And the best thing? This super diet won't cost you a penny! No books to buy, no supplements to purchase, no charts to fill in. It's a simple matter of eating the foods nature intended us to eat before processed foods became the norm.
The exception to the rule - post exercise meals
Anyone involved in serious exercise on a regular basis may find that adhering to the guidelines above may leave them feeling a bit weak or fatigued - especially post exercise. After exercise, the body's own stored carbohydrate (called glycogen) levels are depleted to a greater or lesser degree. For a similar bout of exercise to be performed, our glycogen stores must be replenished. It is important to try and do this as fast as possible to promote anabolism (tissue growth and repair) and minimize catabolism (tissue breakdown). To achieve this, during the post exercise period we can veer away from the guidelines above and include foods that are normally not normally acceptable.
Our post exercise meal can include more refined, lower fiber carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, cereals, grains, potatoes etc. as these will now be used in the restocking of our glycogen stores and are highly unlikely to end up being stored as fat. Post exercise, the body's main job is replenishment of glycogen stores so as a result it will use the majority of carbohydrates consumed in this window of opportunity for restocking of these vital supplies of stored carbohydrates. Make sure that post exercise meals also contain protein to kick start muscle anabolism and we have a great jump start to our after training recovery, which should lead to being better recovered for our next work out.
Good examples of post training meals include:
o Peanut butter sandwich
o Baked potato and tuna with olive oil and side salad
o Pasta with chicken in a tomato sauce
o Rice with pork and vegetable stir fry
o Cottage cheese with wholegrain bread
o 2 bananas and a handful of unsalted nuts
o Soft fruits and plain yogurt blended into a "smoothie"
o Whey protein powder blended with plain yogurt and fruit.
There are many options to select from so just choose a few different ones and rotate them from day to day to ensure a wide variety of nutrients are being consumed.
Think of this meal as being a reward for training hard, safe in the knowledge it will do little to unhinge your weight management efforts - then return to your simple but effective eating plan for the rest of your meals.
Patrick Dale


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Facts on Lemons and Weight Loss


Many people ask questions like, "How do lemons and weight loss go together?" and "Can lemons make me lose weight?" Let's examine what that sour little citrus friend of ours can and cannot do in our battle of the bulge.
Lemons are well-known for containing a lot of Vitamin C. In addition to that, lemons also contain citric acid, which is what gives them the sour taste.
Apart from the lemon juice, there are also the pulp and rind that make up the rest of the lemon.
Not much there that could help one lose weight, one would think? Well, think again.
To lose weight effectively you have to keep your body well hydrated, meaning it is important to drink a few liters of water per day. The water itself does not make you lose weight, but it helps the body perform well and clean itself of waste and toxin.
Drinking lot of water can be rather monotonous. Some people also just do not like the taste of water.
Instead of substituting water with some other liquid, add some lemon juice to the water. That will change the taste and help you drink a little more water.
Lemons are also used in food preparations.
Lemon juice is typically squeezed onto fish dishes to neutralize the taste of amines in the fish.
Fish makes an excellent meal in anyone's weight loss diet. It's generally low in fat and very nutritious.
Hence, lemons help us make a very healthy food even better and more tasty, helping us to eat it more regularly.
Now, for weight loss we're not talking battered fish! We're talking about "the fish" cooked and served with minimal dressing.
Lemon juice also adds that little extra taste and zest to the best of salads. Once again, it helps us wanting to eat more healthy and low-fat food.
Even though our lemon friend does not contain magical powers to help us lose weight, it plays a very important role in enhancing the taste of many of the foods that help us shed those pounds.
Tisha Diaz recommends this fat loss and weight control program that will help you get rid of those excess pounds and make you slim and trim [http://www.losefatpro.com/].


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Healthy Vegetarian Eating: How to Lose Weight Without Eating Meat


Fruits and vegetables are foods abundant in nature. These can be cultivated and harvested, thus they are inexpensive sources of energy. Along with plant sources, these contain essential amino acids and nutrients needed by the human body daily. These are the types of foods primarily consumed by people who adopt a vegetarian diet. These foods make one feel that his or her stomach is full even though that person has only consumed small amounts. This is due to the action of dietary fiber, which is a common component of these kinds of foods.
Animal meat is rich in proteins as well as cholesterol and other unhealthy fats. Processed animal meat contains even more of these unhealthy fats along with preservatives and chemicals potentially harmful to the body. Meat can increase the amount of body fat and muscle mass. Obesity is one of the major health problems in society today. When eating in moderation fails, this is the result.
It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and perform physical exercises regularly to avoid excessive weight gain. Unhealthy fats and cholesterol are primarily the reasons for the excessive buildup of fats in the body. Fats in the body are energy reserves, and these are burned when more energy is needed by the body to perform its tasks.
Low density lipoprotein, also referred to as "bad cholesterol," can contribute to atherosclerosis, which is the thickening of the arterial walls or blood vessels due to fatty or cholesterol build up, leading to inflammation. This would result in an abnormally high blood pressure, which could eventually lead to cardiovascular complications and even death. All these negative results of eating meat has convinced some people to become vegetarians. They even become conscious about what they eat - what the exact ingredients are is their utmost concern. Some follow their vegetarian diets so strictly, they will not make exemptions.
There are several aspects to the vegetarian diet regarding how to lose weight without eating meat. For one, vegetables, fruits, and plant sources contain dietary fiber. Dietary fibers aid in the regulation of blood sugar levels as well as alleviate constipation. They also balance the intestinal pH and stimulate intestinal fermentation production of short-chain fatty acids, thereby reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.
Its role in weight loss is through its action by speeding up the passage of foods through the digestive system. It also adds bulk to the food you are consuming, reducing one's appetite, which, in this case, is a positive effect. Speeding up the passage of foods through the digestive system can help increase the rate of metabolism. Small amounts of food intake that is rich in essential nutrients, accompanied by an increased rate of metabolism and sufficient bowel movement can definitely effectively lower one's body weight.
As for issues with sugars, the vegetarian diet minimizes the amount of sugar present in the diet. If they strictly do not include sugar in their diets, there is still the natural basic sugar called fructose present. These are healthy, unlike processed sugars, and are not likely to cause diabetes.
As you work to achieve healthy eating habits, you will find that you have more energy and feel better everyday. It is important to create the right habits if you want long-term success! Experience immediate improvements in your eating by learning more about a healthy eating plan at my website: http://EverydayHealthGirl.com


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Weight Training for Muscle Vs Weight Training for Fat Loss


Every fitness program should include weight training, or some other form of resistance training, as it will be imperative for improving the composition of the body.
Weight training aids in muscle growth, contributes to fat loss, increases the metabolism, builds athleticism and enhances strength. Regardless of your personal goals you can use weight training to achieve them.
That being said, you'll want to structure your weight training plan in such a way that it specifically caters to your goals.
For instance, if you are an endurance athlete, like a boxer, you don't want to spend the majority of your time training for strength.
On the other hand, if you're training for a power lifting competition, it isn't going to do you much good to train like an endurance athlete.
For some, the goal is simply physical. Maybe you want to build muscle as fast as possible. Or perhaps losing fat is your primary concern.
The way you structure your weight training plan can have a significant impact on your results and needs to be given the attention it deserves.
I'm going to tell you exactly how you should be weight training for achieving the most common fitness goals. First, though, I want to clarify a common misconception...
The Light Weights for Toning Myth
A popular idea that floats around the bodybuilding and fitness world is that the way to tone your muscles and build definition is by lifting lighter weights for a high number of reps.
As I will address a little later, training with lighter weights can aid in the process of toning, but the main factor that determines your level of muscle definition is body fat.
Extreme muscle definition comes from having low levels of body fat. Period.
If you want to be ripped and defined, you'll certainly want to implement a weight training plan that's consistent with that goal. However, your primary focus should be on maintaining a caloric deficit so you can continually shed body fat until you've achieved a level of muscle definition that you're satisfied with.
I will cover lifting with lighter weights in just a moment, but toning is not one if the primary benefits of lifting lighter weights for a high number of reps.
Now that you know the truth about building muscle definition, let's look at how your weight training should be structured for optimal fat loss.
Weight Training for Fat Loss and Endurance
Weight training for fat loss isn't too complicated.
Since fat loss is ultimately achieved through maintaining an elevated heart rate, when training for fat loss you need to structure your weight training in such a way that your heart rate being elevated is factored into the equation.
This can be achieved utilizing several different methods:
  • Circuit training
  • Supersets
  • High rep training
  • Minimizing rest between sets
Let's look at this list in greater detail.
Circuit training is nothing more than cycling through a list of exercises. A sample circuit training exercise list would be something like this:
  1. 20 Jump squats
  2. 25 Crunches
  3. 10 Lateral raises
  4. 40 Jumping jacks
  5. 15 Burpees
  6. 10 Tricep push downs
  7. 15 Lunges (on each leg)
Running through this list would complete one circuit and you'd simply complete as many circuits as you desire (or as you have time for).
Supersets entail performing two different lifts, that each target a different muscle group, with alternating sets until all sets of each lift is complete. Ideally you wouldn't rest at all in between sets, but you may have to work up to this if you're endurance isn't ready for it yet.
An example of supersets would be alternating between bicep curls and barbell rows with little or no rest between each set until all sets of each lift has been completed.
Circuit training and supersets utilize the concept of resting for little or no time between sets, which is a great way to elevate your heart rate and keep it there.
This doesn't have to be done with circuit training or supersets. Regardless of the specific weight training plan you're following, if you're resting for a minute or less between sets you will be able to maintain an elevated heart rate and burn fat while weight training.
Of course, when training for fat loss, performing some kind of conditioning exercise (cardio) is important as well. I'm not going to cover cardio workouts in this article, but for the best cardio fat burning results you should try to get in your cardio workouts first thing in the morning, before eating anything, or immediately following your weight lifting.
These are the times when your blood sugar levels are at their lowest and will lead to fat oxidation occurring at a faster rate than at any other time throughout the day.
Before I move on I also want to remind you that fat loss is only going to be possible through maintaining a caloric deficit.
It doesn't matter how you structure your training plan, if you aren't eating for fat loss by maintaining a caloric deficit, losing fat won't be possible.
Weight Training for Maximal Muscle Gains
Understanding how to train for maximum muscle gains requires a basic knowledge of muscle growth - also known as hypertrophy.
There are two different types of muscle hypertrophy:
  1. Myofibrillar hypertrophy
  2. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy
Myofibrillar hypertrophy describes the addition of muscle tissue to the body, while sarcoplasmic hypertrophy involves increasing the volume of sarcoplasmic fluid the muscle cells can hold.
Most bodybuilders tend to focus on one or the other type of hypertrophy - not both.
By doing this they are actually cheating themselves out of getting the maximum muscle building benefit from their weight training. If you're concerned with packing on muscle mass and size as fast as possible you absolutely must train for both types of hypertrophy.
But how do you do that?
You can actually achieve maximal hypertrophy in a variety of ways, but the bottom line is that you need to be training with light weights for a high number of reps (8-11) and also training with heavier weights using sets consisting of a low number of reps (3-5).
This is because myofibrillar hypertrophy is best accomplished training with heavy weights and low reps and sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is best accomplished with lighter weights and high reps.
As I said above, this hypertrophy combination can be achieved using a few different methods. Here are a couple of my favorites:
  • Starting with a weight that leads to failure in 9-11 reps for the first set of a lift and adding weight for each subsequent set until I reach a weight that leads to failure in 3-5 reps for my final set
  • Lifting heavy for sets of 3-5 reps for a full week and then lifting light for sets of 9-11 reps for a full week
The first option above is the best option because it effectively incorporates the full spectrum of rep ranges as you move from 9-11 reps down to 3-5. But it's worth noting that it can be a pain to have to switch weights in between each set.
Most individuals wanting to build muscle also want to focus on quickly building strength as well.
If this describes you, a good plan of attack would be to lift heavy for 2 weeks for every 1 week of lifting lighter.
Train for the Results You Desire
Depending on whether you want to build muscle mass, lose body fat, gain strength, or increase endurance, you now have the information you need to get the results you desire.
For those who are serious about their training, just going to the gym and lifting weights simply isn't going to cut it. You need to understand how to structure your training plan in order to induce the change on your body that you desire.
It doesn't matter what results you're after, there's a weight training plan that will get you where you want to go and hopefully I've given you the guidance you need for constructing a weight training plan that's perfect for you.
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Vegetarian Weight Loss - Weight Loss Tips For Vegetarians


Believe it or not, there are quite a few vegetarians that are overweight as well. Although many people think that being vegetarian leads to a healthy lifestyle. However, a vegetarian lifestyle has pitfalls of its own and people that lead this life can still end up being overweight. The great news is that there are some great weight loss tips for vegetarians that can help them to lose weight. If you are interested in vegetarian weight loss, here is a look and some good tips and ideas to help you to lose weight.
Pitfalls to Your Diet
First of all, if you are interested in vegetarian weight loss, you need to understand that there are some pitfalls to your diet that may be causing you to gain weight and keeping you from being able to lose. One of the most common pitfalls for vegetarians is eating fast foods that are vegetarian. Just because they are vegetarian doesn't mean they are good for you. If you are grabbing fries or desserts at fast food restaurants, this could be your problem. Sometimes vegetarians fall into the pitfall of eating too much cheese. Cheeses are allowed on vegetarian diets, and if you are eating full fat cheeses, you could be causing your own problem. Eating the wrong vegetarian snacks can also be a problem, packing on the pounds.
Importance of Exercise
Inactivity is one of the biggest reasons that vegetarians end up gaining pounds. If you are interested in vegetarian weight loss, the exercise is going to be extremely important. You can cut meat products out of your diet, but that isn't going to help you with weight loss unless you become active. Exercise is one of your biggest friends when you need to lose some weight. Add this to your vegetarian diet and losing the weight will become much easier for you.
Overcoming Obstacles on a Vegetarian Diet
Now that you understand some of the obstacles you face when you are on a vegetarian diet, you may be wondering how you can overcome them. There are many simple tips that can help you get over the obstacles and lose the weight you want to.
- Tip #1 - Start going with cheeses that are low fat. This will save you big time on fats and will help you to achieve the weight loss you want.
- Tip #2 - Avoid the fast foods. Instead of hitting fast foods that are vegetarian friendly, keep meal choices around that you can make quickly for a healthy meal that is still quick.
- Tip #3 - You should also make sure that you keep healthy snacks around so you don't binge on snacks that are unhealthy. Keep fruits around to snack on, such as grapes and apples, and good veggies for snacking include celery and carrots.
It is possible to lose weight while on a vegetarian diet. With these tips you can definitely start working towards your weight loss goals. Even though it is a good choice to go without means, it may not be helpful to your diet goals. So always make sure you make healthy choices for meals to achieve those weight loss goals you are striving for.
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Must Do Tips to Burn Fat Fast


If you're serious about losing weight, these are the must do tips to burn fat fast. If you follow these steps, you are guaranteed to lose weight.
Eat 6 meals a day
This is by far the most important thing that you must do if you want to burn fat quickly and efficiently. Keeping you body supplied with food requires your body to burn calories to digest it. This continuous work by your body starts to add up quickly, which allows you to burn more calories than you normally would.
Exercise 4 times a week
I know many of you still cringe when you think about exercising, but whether you like it or not, you got to work up a sweat. Thirty to forty minutes is all you need, but if you have the time, pushing it to an hour is even better. Cardio exercises are great, but it you want to look nice and tone with tight look muscles, you need to resistance train as well. Free weights are the best, but rubber bands are also a good alternative if you can't get to the gym or you just want to do something at home.
Keep a Positive Attitude
Unfortunately, it's easy to get discourage when it comes to losing weight and getting into shape, especially at the beginning. That is why it is very important to keep a positive attitude. If you're 50 pounds or more overweight, don't expect to lose all of it in a day or even a week. After all, you didn't put on that amount of weight in a day. Be patient and positive that your routine will get you to your goal. Regrettably, to many of you guys just give up when, if you would have just persisted, you would have eventually reached your goals.
In short, follow these tips and you will burn fat fast.
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What If You Switch to a Vegetarian Diet Lose Weight Program


Based on research, people who generally follow a vegetarian diet lose weight program eat lesser calories and fats according to meat eaters. They also have lower body weights as compared to their non-vegan counterparts. Why wouldn't they, when almost all they eat are fruits and vegetables which have fewer calories? That just totally makes sense.
But did you know that getting a vegan diet doesn't really guarantee you to lose weight? Why? It's because you can also pick food choices that contribute to weight gain. You may take large amounts of high fat or high caloric foods without any nutritional value at all. Therefore, vegetarian diet lose weight programs need careful planning of meals to make sure people get balanced nutrition.
If you plan to have a vegetarian diet lose weight program, first thing you need to do is to measure your waist. Take a baseline record of your weight and waist line measurements. This way, you can keep track of your weight loss.
The next thing to consider in the vegetarian diet lose weight program is to choose foods that are low in fat, and provides you with all the nutrients you need. Choose unsaturated fats like vegetable oil and olive oil instead of palm oils.
If you want to completely have plant-based diet without fish, eggs, and dairy products, don't forget to include nuts, legumes, beans, and other protein-rich vegetables in your diet. Combine these with oats, rice, corn, wheat, and barley, so you get all amino acids you need.
But if you opt for a semi-vegan diet (which means you will still eat eggs and dairy products), that would be better. You won't have to worry much about your protein needs. Just make sure you don't eat eggs everyday. Have a variety of protein sources for your vegetarian diet lose weight program.
Another thing is to reduce the carbohydrates in your diet by changing the kind of sources you take. Whole grain cereals and whole grain breads are perfect for you, rather than eating white bread. Also take brown rice instead of white ones, since the former have more protein content. Salads are also a great option for you. Just check out the dressing you pour on them. Raw fruit and vegetables are also a great idea for our carbohydrate needs.
One thing you must never forget in your vegetarian diet lose weight program is to drink lots of water. Hydration keeps your cells healthy, and you are also able to flush out toxins from your body. It also increases the rate of your metabolism, since all your body cells only function at their best when properly hydrated.
Now if you are still unsure about this diet, you can check with your nutritionist and dietician for other options to lose weight.
With all these tips, you can surely make the best out of your vegetarian diet lose weight program, and see the difference in your weight. Combined with regular exercise and stress management, you are on your way to a healthier, fit body.
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