Diet Patch and Overeating

Nicotine patch, or diet patch could appear like an excellent idea, but the truth is it’s not a drug. Magic patch is incapable, claimed some doctors, to stop people from overeating. Currently, the grounds of debate is that certain foods appear to act more like a drug than other foods. As there’s no means to make a patch cause someone stop eating altogether, researchers are certain that particular foods can have slighter cravings if the body has a substitute supply of the chemical that makes the person crave it.

Chocolate is a fine illustration of this since women crave it more than men and that woman’s cravings are rather dependant on hormonal levels. It directs one to believe that there must be options for replacing that chemical crave with something more medical than with chocolate itself; on a firmly chemical level, there’s possibility to change the hormonal level in a way to end hankering for chocolate.

But, a diet patch that pretends to end overeating of pizza, Krispy Kreme donuts or Ben and Jerry’s ice cream—how would that work precisely? What’s on pizza that can make a yearning for it so solid? Many would claim that they’re just conditioned cravings, that eating pizza generates cravings. The likelihood of a patch stops the cravings implies that either all Krispy Kreme donuts or all flavors of Ben and Jerry’s have some chemical in them before craving can occur.

The only other option for this working would be that the result of the patch is simply psychosomatic. If people think that the patch will stop them from overeating, this mental control might just be that is really needed.

Anyhow, the only point that is already clear is that doctors assent that a patch cannot treat you of overeating in a total sense. Whereas it may be probable to restrain cravings for specific things, like chocolate, in some, the assurance of a diet patch that gets you to stop overeating in a total sense is, according to researchers, nonsense. Besides this diet patch, there are patches that declare to make you shed weight by offering the body substances such as hoodia transdermally; these too should be shunned. The outcome is that when it is about diet ‘magic fixes’, just like economical ‘magic fixes’, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is—don’t waste your time and money.

Shedding Weight Through High Protein Diet

Don’t be deceived by the name ‘high protein’—which is another way of saying low or no-carb diet. All the trend diets that were no or low carb in recent years were condemned for their unhealthiness. Low or no carb diet also suggests high protein or fat diet; it’s just altering the name and wishing everyone will swallow it!

What is a high protein diet? A high protein diet is precisely what it claims it is; except the difference to make is that to be high protein it also has to control the carbs that you consume. If you stay with the amount of carbs that you consume, but up the amount of protein, you’ll not lose any weight; yet, if you drop the carb calories and swap them protein calories, you’re likely to lose weight. How it works though, is not very healthy.

First of all, the body, indeed, needs protein for building and maintaining muscles. Some sources of protein in standard diet comprise all dairy products, some types of beans, and all kinds of nuts. Meaning, even vegetarians, if they understand a suitable diet, can find sufficient protein intake from yogurt, milk, and cheese although they don’t eat meat, fish or eggs. Soy products now make this likely for vegans.

So the body does need protein and carbohydrates. While protein develops and preserves muscles, carbohydrates provide energy source to nudge muscles so that they can be strengthened.

Protein can be transformed into energy, but the course is inept and yields toxins as it is changing protein to glucose--effect is becoming tired, ratty and constipated. Sure, low and no carb diets let you drop weight, just like the high protein diet will make you lose weight, supposing not all the proteins you eat are rib eye steaks. The ideal diet is adjusted with foods from the food pyramid. Every group boasts its purpose. If you want to lose weight in a healthful, efficient means, the key is to choose the complex carbs, leaner meats, unsaturated fats and lots of fruits and vegetables.

This may not be the fastest means to lose weight, but it is the healthiest and it is a stable sort of weight loss. High protein or no carb diets aid you lose weight at once, but it comes piling back on a once you’re back to your ‘regular’ diet.

Compare Diet Plans

American adults face the biggest problem of overweight. Nearly two-thirds of the adult population is inclined towards obesity. The amount spent on diet and weight loss programs forms a considerable chunk without much positive result.

The various weight loss programs offered are to be compared and analyzed before taken up seriously. It is not necessary that a program should suit a person perfectly. The variations in programs should be examined for risks, suitability, advantages and disadvantages. Then only can one decide to go ahead with a particular program.

Here are certain hints that can be taken into account before deciding on a particular program.

Select a diet which would suit the life style. The working pattern, the meal times, medical restrictions and other conveniences cannot be ignored. If not sure about the diet which would suit best, the metabolic typing diet can be tried out. It contains a questionnaire which would take the inputs and gives advice as to which is the best suited proportion of carbohydrates and protein for a particular person.

A macrobiotic diet is basically a vegetarian diet which has lots of fiber and a very low fat. This diet by itself is a cure for many diseases and prevents many illnesses from creeping in.

A detox diet would rid the body of unwanted toxins consumed by way of junk food and unwanted beverages. If a low calorie diet is needed, the selection should be Zone or South Beach Diet. Atkins also can be considered. They emphasize low carbohydrate intake of food.

Some bodies react adversely to proteins. They can go for alkaline diet. This will balance the effect of caffeine, sugar and the proteins.

After selecting the diet, staying with it would pave the way to success. Only a small percentage of dieters loose weight and stay with it for long years. This happens because of the wrong choice of the diet.

Joining a group of weight watchers is a sure way to stay with any programs. The hints can be shared. The ideas can be strengthened. The community support would help a person to continue his effort without stopping it in between.

The personal lifestyle is the main determinant for a diet selection and the success of it. So enough care should be taken to choose the right program to stay with it and reap the benefit of it. It may be hard going but will definitely be worth it in the end.

The Famous Cabbage Soup Diet

The cabbage soup diet is one of the most well known of the fad diets. Many people have tried it over the years but just remember that it is fad and weight loss is rarely permanent with quick weight loss diet fads plus sometimes they can have a bad effect on your health. So keep the disclaimer in mind while reading that this is not a permanent way of eating and if you want to lose weight you should discuss it with your doctor and get his advice.
If you want to try to lose weight in a seven day period, the Cabbage Soup Diet may be just the diet for you. This diet is intended to be used for a seven day period following the instructions, ingredients and proportions exactly. If after one week, you still feel that you must lose additional weight, wait two weeks eating normally during that period, then repeat the Cabbage Soup Diet for one more week. The Cabbage Soup Diet doesn’t provide you with all the nutrients needed for a permanent way of eating, but it’s a great ‘shock’ diet to get you started on your weight loss program.
The Cabbage Soup consists of 6 green onions; 2 green peppers; 1-2 cans tomatoes; 3 carrots, 10-oz mushrooms; one bunch of celery; half head of cabbage, a package of dry soup mix; 2 bouillon cubes; 48 oz of V-8 juice and seasoning to taste. The ingredients are brought to a boil and simmered for two hours. The amount of soup desired can be heated and eaten as required. You may eat as much of the soup as you like during the entire duration of the seven days.
The daily plan in addition to bottomless soup is as follows: Day One: - all the fresh fruit desired except bananas; Day Two - unlimited raw or cooked vegetables and one baked potato with butter if you wish; Day Three – Unlimited fruits except bananas and unlimited vegetables but no potato; Day Four – Up to eight bananas and as much skim milk as you want; Day Five -- Six tomatoes and up to 20 ounces of beef, skinless chicken or broiled fish; Day Six -- Unlimited vegetables and up to 20 ounces of beef or skinless chicken. Broiled fish can be substituted for beef on one of the days only; Day Seven – unlimited quantities of brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and vegetables
Again, this is not a diet for extended periods. If you experience symptoms such as nausea, lightheadedness and weakness, discontinue the regimen. You should visit a health care professional if the side effects continue once you’ve returned to ‘normal’ eating. Most people tolerate the bloated gassy feeling because they know it’s only for seven days and the expectation that they can lose up to ten pounds in one week with no chance of hunger pangs makes it worth while.

Yoga Techniques That Help In Relaxation

Yoga is an age-old practice and has been followed by people especially in the Asian subcontinent, from time immemorial. Research shows that yoga originates from Hindu philosophy, the word yoga coming from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘union’. To attain this, practitioners of yoga must follow some yoga techniques that will help them lead a better and a healthier life.

There are a large number of yoga techniques that are followed and these have one purpose and that is to enable the efficient functioning of the organs in the human body. Yoga techniques consist of movements and postures that involve the movement of the upper and lower limbs the neck, hands, knee joints and several other joints.

The ‘lotus position’ is one of the basic yoga techniques that are followed. This is done by sitting down on the floor. First sit down and then place your right foot on the left thigh and then the left foot on the right thigh. The bottoms of your feet must face upward and both your knees must touch the floor. While following this yoga technique you must keep your spine upright and straight and must not bend it.

The lotus position also consists of placing your hands in the right position. In this yoga technique you could place your hands in three different positions. You must first make sure your palms are facing side upwards. Place one hand on top of the other and make sure you rest them on your heels. The second positioning of your hands in this yoga technique is to keep the palms down and then rest them on your knees. You could also place your hands on your knees, palms facing upward. Join your thumbs and the index fingers to form a circle. You must stretch the other fingers outward.

The other very well known yoga technique is the nostril breathing technique and it helps in relaxation. The breathing is done alternately - first through one nostril and then the other. The use of the thumb and the little finger is recommended in alternate nostril breathing. The right hand is used in this yoga technique. The right thumb is used to close one nostril and the other fingers are placed at the center of the brow and inhalation takes place through the nostril that is open. In this yoga technique it is very important that you hold the breath for as long as it can be held. Then you have to remove your thumb from the right nostril and cover the left nostril using your little finger.

Yoga practitioners say that people who practice yoga techniques must do the above techniques regularly. Apart from providing great relaxation, these yoga techniques help a lot in giving you the correct breathing exercises for a calm mind and for your well-being.

Power Yoga or the New Age Yoga

Power Yoga is a new age mantra and you would probably have heard this term many times over in recent times. Or maybe you’ve already gotten lured and started practicing power yoga. Whether you have already started the practice of power yoga or are still thinking about it, it wouldn’t harm to know some more about the nature as well as the benefits that power yoga provides.

Ashtanga, an ancient Indian yogic practice is as old as the hills. But it has gained popularity in recent years in the west where it has been renamed Power Yoga. Essentially Power Yoga lays utmost emphasis on developing the physiological flexibility of an individual. It inculcates the virtues of self-discipline, which is the basis of obtaining well-being.

The name power yoga is apt in that it applies to a form of yoga that is more vigorous than the traditional yoga practice. It is based primarily on fitness and involves a whole gamut of movements that aim to boost and improve physical well-being and health. Power yoga requires a lot of concentration, which goes towards promoting mental stability as well. Beginners of power yoga should take it slow and easy. It is an intense practice and you could end up injuring yourself if you do it wrong.

Power Yoga is similar to traditional yoga in that it involves a series of poses done fluidly. These poses are accompanied by proper breathing practice, known as Vinyasa. The principles of yoga state that every movement is capable of yielding a sense of unity and grace, which is further enhanced by proper breathing techniques.

Power Yoga may seem to involve easy and free flowing techniques and positions. But that thinking is very wrong. Power Yoga is a vigorous practice involving intense pushing and contorting of muscles. You need to concentrate completely on your limbic parts, which are the targets of the movement.

Another aspect worth knowing is that the techniques that are involved in the practice of Power Yoga could vary. Some poses are to be held for longer times than expected whereas the others have to be done rapidly, in less than the normally stipulated five-breath timing. Power Yoga poses are specifically derived from the ‘Sun Salutation’ positions, which are considered the basis of all yoga positions. The novice yoga performer would do well not to practice some of the advanced Power Yoga positions, as they could be a bit risky.

One of the most important considerations while practicing Power Yoga is the warming up session. Just like any other physical activity, warm ups are highly recommended. The difference though is that in Power Yoga warm ups are done mainly to stretch your muscles for increased flexibility and relaxation. Power Yoga as well its warm up session is ideally done in a heated room so as to let the body reach its optimum flexibility level. It is been recommended that Power Yoga be practiced only by those who are physically fit.

A Beginner’s Guide To Yoga Positions

Yoga is increasingly gaining popularity as more and more people resort to it in an effort to de-stress after a hectic, chaotic day. If you are new to yoga and have decided to go it alone and not join a yoga class, you would need to do a lot of research on yoga positions for beginners. With the wealth of information on yoga available to you at your fingertips, all you need now is time to sift through it all and come up with the ideal program that suits you best.

Though a lot of yoga positions for beginners are easily available, it is not as easy as it sounds. You need to familiarize yourself with some basics before you get started or else you could end up tying yourself into a knot.

The most important things you need to know if you want to take up yoga are the prerequisites for yoga. There are certain dos and don’ts that you absolutely have to adhere to. Yoga, though a rather flexible activity is rather inflexible in many ways. Yoga can be practiced by people of all ages, but it is recommended that children under the age of twelve practice yoga only for shorts periods of time. If you are doing yoga for health reasons, you should be aware that to achieve the full health benefits of yoga you need to devote a minimum of 30-45 minutes a day towards yoga practice. The ideal time to practice yoga is early morning when you have just woken up from a restful sleep and the rest of the world is still asleep and peaceful. Yoga can also be practiced later in the day, but you have to make sure that certain diet restrictions are followed.

The philosophy of yoga recommends that yoga should be ideally practiced on an empty stomach. That’s one of the reasons why the best time to practice yoga is early in the morning. You need to plan your diet for the day if you plan on practicing yoga positions anytime during the day. Any liquid has to be had a minimum of one hour before yoga practice. Solid food, though allowed, should be eaten in limited quantities.

Yoga should ideally be practiced in an airy spacious room, free from any distractions and disturbances, as you need intense concentration to get it right. Apart from this, all you need for yoga is a carpet or a floor mat and loose comfortable clothing. It is recommended that you wear undergarments while practicing yoga.

Yoga is very beneficial towards your physical as well as mental well-being. It relaxes the body and stimulates the mind. If done well and all the rules are adhered to, the benefits could be amazing. To achieve ultimate results, the beginner must have absolute faith in the practice of yoga and must learn to concentrate fully on the every little movement during practice.

Meditation through Yoga

Yoga today is being regarded as a very effective alternative to conventional medicine. It is known to work alone and in conjunction with regular treatment. This science is almost 5000 years old and it has developed over the ages to promote mental and physical health. Yoga meditation is fast gaining popularity in the world. There are people who have benefited a lot and there are those who have not but overall the success rate is very good. Yoga meditation practitioners have to learn the real meaning of this type of meditation so that they themselves are not misled and can attain actual goal oriented benefits.

Essentially yoga meditation means the ability to control the material senses and the mind. This is done by setting a focus on the energy that is within the body. From birth, as a child grows there are a lot of factors that are introduced into his mind like those of pride, desires, lust or ego. The individual’s mind is very restless with all these anxieties rumbling around in the head. The idea behind yoga meditation is to calm the mind by tapping into the energy inside the body. For this some basic principles of yoga need to be adhered to.

The first and most important thing is to find a place where there are no outside disturbances. You have to know the correct posture to adopt so it’s best if you practice yoga meditation under a professional at least in the beginning till you are able to do it properly on your own. Once you have the place and the posture, then find a point on which to fix your mind.

With all this in place, start your meditation and try to control the mind, body and senses. A good posture is to hold your neck and head erect and stare at the tip of your nose steadily. Once the mind reaches a state of calm, then concentrate on the energy within and try to find a correlation with the whole cosmic creation.

It is said that this constant control over the mind, body and related activities helps the yogi’s mind to attain the highest goal possible in life and that is freeing oneself from one’s material existence. A state of trance is reached when the mind is completely free of all material activities and thoughts in the mind. At this point, the self is said to have transcended the finite world into boundless transcendental happiness.

Yoga meditation is not easy nor is it simple. One has to be prepared physically and mentally for the conditioning that it is going to provide to your mind. It means freedom from material connections and one has to be strong-minded enough to go through with it.

All About Kriya Yoga

It was a secret that was well-kept through the annals of Indian history. This meditative technique was revealed by Mahavatar Babaji in 1861 who taught it to Lahiri Mahasaya, one of his disciples, who in turn, took it to the world. Then, another disciple, Paramhansa Yogananda decided to pen his version in the book Autobiography of a Yogi and suddenly, the whole world was abuzz with talk about Kriya Yoga which promised a union with the divine.

Kriya Yoga is actually a practice that encapsulates the main tenet of yoga which is to be one with the divine through the practice of meditation. The practice is built around one central technique – the attainment of oneness of breath and mind. Kriya Yoga is built on the promise that the mind influences breathing and breathing in turn has a strong influence on the mind. All the meditative practices in this kind of yoga are to try and attain perfect control over your breathing. When you reach a certain level of self control in this area, you can be said to have achieved mastery over your breath and mastery over your breath is mastery over self. The crux of this form of yoga is the breath.

Kriya Yoga seeks to infuse human bodies with energy and ways and means to promote this energy. This involves certain exercises which are said to open up the channels of energy in the spine and make for better breathing. What is an interesting point to note here is that when someone who practices Kriya Yoga teaches it to someone else, it is a process of initiation and this means that the one who is doing the teaching is purified further and will be blessed with meditation that goes even deeper.

What is the path to becoming a Kriya Yogi or one who practices Kriya Yoga? The technique and the paths have been laid out already and a reading of Paramhansa Yoganada’s book will give you a fairly good idea. The first step is to go through this technique. Then, both the mind and the heart must be opened up so that there is an opening up of many more possibilities. This is followed by a process called Ananda or pure joy, which is actually a form of energizing. This involves a few yoga poses. Then comes the sound or the Aum step where the meditation is enhanced with a certain vibrating sound. Then follows concentration with the Hong-Sau technique and the Kriya technique.

Does that sound easy? Well, the effects of Kriya Yoga will not be felt immediately by most people. It would, of course, depend on how interested and how committed the person doing the learning is. Just getting the practice right could take maybe a year. The Kriya Yogi will have to be physically, mentally and spiritually prepared to give of himself as he learns and imbibes. It’s not an easy path but it is a fulfilling one. And it gets you to the point when, with every breath you take, you are master of your self.

Different Forms Of Yoga

With alternate medicine gaining popularity with everyone it is no wonder that yoga as a form of alternative treatment has also started making its presence felt all over the world. This type of exercise has been around for 5000 years if not more. Those who are regulars will vouch for its effectiveness and the fact that it did wonders for their system and overall health in general. Even for specific problems, yoga has been advised and people have found that it has helped.

Yoga has been recommended for problems like cardiovascular disorders, asthma, and mental illness among others. It is most famous for its ability to relax a person and de-stress the mind and body. There are many institutes that teach yoga and train you to teach others too.

When one refers to yoga exercise, it does not mean exercise as we know it - aerobics or weight training or working out with various machines that target special muscle groups in the human body. There are specific postures in yoga which are called asanas. There are different types of asanas for different problems and one should not attempt these unless they are done under professional supervision.

Among the various types of yoga, one of the more known ones is Hatha Yoga. This particular type gives you an insight into the basic factors that are involved in the practice of yoga. One learns at a grassroots level almost, the correct technique for breathing and the correct posture to adopt. Beginners adapt very well to this type as it is slow, gentle and well paced out.

While on the subject of breathing there is another type of yoga that focuses a lot on breathing techniques in conjunction with the correct physical body movements. This is called the Kundalini yoga technique. Here the idea is to free energy from the lower part of the body and allow it to flow to the upper half. This type of yoga considers the effects of breathing on the postures adopted as very vital to the overall improvement of health.

Iyengar yoga on the other hand, concentrates on the alignment of the body and encourages people to use certain props for proper support to the body. The props may be blankets or belts or books. Now for those who like a little more action, there is the concept of Power Yoga which is a little fast paced, more intense and provides an overall vigorous workout to the body. The fitness industry considers this a very vigorous activity to perform.

Apart from these, there are other types of yoga, each different from the other in terms of the type of workout it can give or the specific ailment correction. Some names in this field are Vinyasa, Bikram, Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Raja, Tantra, Kashmir Shaivism etc. In all, the basis is the same but the execution differs which makes each one unique and different from the rest.

The Necessary Yoga Equipment

Yoga involves various postures and movements. Many of these postures are simple and not very strenuous, except when one does power yoga. Some postures in yoga require supports and this is where yoga equipment plays an important role. In order to carry out these body postures people may often require different yoga equipment to help them perform these postures correctly and efficiently. So this makes yoga equipment an integral part of practicing yoga.

The appropriate apparel, comfortable shoes and mats are the basic yoga equipment required by yoga practitioners. On the whole the equipment required is very simple - rugs, straps and blocks to name a few. The best thing about yoga equipment is that they are easily available at local stores, shopping malls and online shopping sites where a huge variety can be purchased, as most of them are also household items and are not very difficult to locate.

It could be puzzling to choose from such a wide array so people who are new to yoga can follow these guidelines. Apparel in yoga plays an important role so clothes must be comfortable and should also breathe well, that is why cotton clothes are a good choice. If you are wearing shorts or pants make sure you have the ones that are designed for exercising. You may often have to get into odd positions while doing yoga so your clothing must be comfortable and ensure mobility keeping in mind the physical movements that are involved.

Shoes are not required while practicing yoga except occasionally for certain exercises. In this case people are recommended to follow the instructions of their experts/masters or teachers. You may often be asked to leave your footwear at the door, which should be implemented without any fuss.

A yoga mat is a must-have for every yoga practitioner. It helps in providing comfort and grip while performing the stances, especially to the hands and feet. This yoga equipment is commonly seen in gyms, studios and yoga training centers.

Rugs are yoga equipment which are generally provided by yoga training centers or gyms to their pupils for practicing poses which require them to lie down or squat to perform a particular yoga stance. Also essential are blankets when you are exercising.

Another piece of yoga equipment is the block, which is more like a prop for yoga practitioners. It helps the practitioners to do their stances with more ease. Get one that can hold your weight.

Straps and belts are also very essential and are required for poses that are limited to only one part of the body. One example of this is the bound pose.

Get yourself yoga equipment that you are comfortable with and you’ll find that you can do your yoga poses and exercises more comfortably and more easily.

ImmunPlex Undenatured Whey Protein

Natural whey contains a protein called undenatured whey protein. It is of the highest quality in terms of nutritional value. Undenatured whey protein contains high levels of the amino acid cysteine. Among the popular brands in the food supplement market, ImmunPlex undenatured whey protein isolate is formulated to provide undenatured whey protein, peptides and other vitamins and minerals useful in gaining muscle mass and boosting the body’s energy level. It also functions in eradicating toxic metals from the body. This food supplement contains lecithin that makes it more appealing to health enthusiasts and athletes. Furthermore, ImmunPlex undenatured whey protein does not contain any genetically modified components which are doubted to have adverse effects on the body.

Recent scientific researches also prove that ImmunPlex undenatured whey protein isolate has antioxidant activities beneficial in scavenging free radicals such as oxyradicals that cause brain disorders. Neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and Down syndrome may be prevented by the increased intake of undenatured whey protein. The components of this food supplement responsible for such antioxidant activity are the glutathione precursors which function in protecting brain cells from death or necrosis.

In the history of natural medicine, whey protein has been documented to be prescribed even during the time of Hippocrates. Results of scientific researches have proven its numerous health benefits and as people return to natural methods of protecting the body, undenatured whey protein gained much popularity in the food supplement market.

Scientists are also conducting studies on the incorporation of ImmunPlex undenatured whey protein isolate in the diet of cancer patients to prevent the complication called cancer cachexia. Results are very impressive. There are individuals, however, who raise concerns and speculations on the efficacy and safety of this food supplement. Up to the present, no hard evidence has been acquired to prove that undenatured whey protein is harmful to the body when consumed in recommended amounts.

People nowadays have given more value to the basics of gaining a healthier body and wellbeing. These are proper nutrition, exercise, lifestyle modification, and avoidance of vices such as smoking and alcohol consumption. For these people, finding natural sources of nutrients is very important. Not only does undenatured whey protein help in muscle development but it also strengthens the body’s immune system to fight off disease causing microorganisms. An added benefit is its capability of regulating lipid blood levels to reduce cardiovascular risks.

ImmunPlex undenatured whey protein isolate has been regarded as a wonder product. It has been formulated not only to meet an individual’s daily nutritional requirements but is also excellent in terms of palpability and cost-effectiveness. It offers a safer alternative in keeping the body healthy without the adverse effects of synthetic drugs.

Whey Protein Shakes

The whey protein shake is the dieters newest, best friend. You mix whey protein powder with soy milk, skim milk, or even water. Throw in some fruit, blend it up and you have a delicious meal replacement.

The whey protein shake is high protein and low calorie. It has the punch to fill you up with barely any fats or carbs. When whey powder is mixed with skim milk, the shake has only about 200 calories. Yet it contains over 20 grams of protein, with a high absorption rate. Feel full on less calories, and let the weight come off.

Whey protein has been proven through scientific research to be very beneficial in keeping the body healthy and resistant to disease causing pathogens. Health conscious individuals besides keeping a healthy lifestyle, seek food supplements to meet their daily nutritional requirements of proteins, vitamins and minerals. These food supplements are in the form of tablets and concentrates. Whey protein shakes are very popular in the market. These products provide an individual with the essential amino acids that serve as building blocks of protein used by the muscles to gain mass.

Whey protein shakes are formulated by food supplement manufacturers to meet the increasing demands in the market. They come in a variety of flavors such as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to suit the different tastes of individuals. Besides adults, especially athletes, whey protein shakes are very appealing to children and may be given as healthy snacks.

Whey protein shakes are also available as lactose free, calorie free and fat free products. These specialized products are for individuals who are intolerant to lactose, for those who are planning to reduce weight or at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. The powder used in creating whey protein shakes is also suitable for cooking and baking. People who get tired of the usual preparation try out different recipes that incorporate whey protein powder. This breaks the monotony of drinking the same stuff everyday.

The regular intake of whey protein shakes offers a lot of health benefits such as rapid recovery from diseases and fast wound healing. Whey protein boosts the body’s energy level and strengthens the immune system. It also regulates metabolism and reduces food cravings during weight reduction.

However, there are some food supplement manufacturers that focus more on the taste of their products than on the nutritional value. People who find these shakes very delightful are actually loading their body with more harmful sugars. In choosing which product to buy, one should always take time to read labels and evaluate its composition. Be constantly informed through nutritionists and other health experts on what is useful to your body instead of being misled by elaborate advertisements and marketing strategies.

Close friends and relatives who are also health enthusiasts may advise you of good products that are not only effective but are also kind to your budget. In case of existing medical conditions, consult with your physicians when taking food supplements as these may interact with your current prescription. Finally, keep in mind that being healthy not only means eating the right food but also having regular exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Avoid hazardous habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol and always free yourself from unnecessary stress that may weaken your immune system.

Whey Protein Supplements

Whey protein has been incorporated in the diet of man several decades ago. Because of its multiple health benefits and after the remarkable results from scientific researches, it has gained much popularity among health conscious individuals. Whey protein supplements have been considered a wonder product. Like all other food supplements, whey protein does not claim to cure all diseases but instead plays a significant role in preventive medicine by strengthening one’s immune system. It is especially patronized by body builders and athletes because it provides the necessary amino acids that help build muscle mass and boost the body’s energy level. More recent studies even show promising potential in curing certain cancers.

Health experts who are in constant search of natural methods of preventing and curing diseases are paying particular attention to whey protein supplements. From the testimonials and endorsements of regular customers, whey protein supplements are becoming a staple in America’s recommended dietary regimen. These products are often fat and cholesterol free and especially appealing to people with cardiovascular risks and those who are under a weight reduction program.

The recommended dosage of whey protein supplements should be individualized depending on the nutritional requirements of a person, his body weight, daily calorie consumption and duration and extent of physical training. As a general guideline, 10 to 20 grams of whey protein a day is considered low dose and safe to use. However, to optimize the health benefits of whey protein supplements, it would be advisable for a person to consult first with a nutritionist or health professional. These medical experts also advise people not to depend on only one source of dietary protein and balance intake of different food groups such as soy, meat, milk and other dairy products and casein.

However, there are also several sectors from the health industry that raise their doubts and speculations regarding the efficacy and safety of whey protein supplements. These products are falsely believed to cause damage to the kidneys, liver and bone. However, these beliefs have been dismissed early by medical experts through the positive results from scientific studies. In fact, it is also proven that whey protein supplements have added benefits of protecting the body, especially the nervous system, from harmful free radicals. These products also regulate blood lipid levels and metabolism in general. Whey protein also aids in tissue regeneration and rapid wound healing.

Proper nutrition, lifestyle modification, avoidance of vices like smoking and excessive alcohol intake and proper stress management contribute to a healthier and more disease resistant body. Whey protein supplements help in achieving proper nutrition. Although it always appropriate to keep in mind that even a good thing, when taken in excess, is potentially harmful.

Lactose Free Whey Protein

People who are lactose intolerant are those who develop allergy when taking lactose or the type of carbohydrate found in milk. This medical condition is diagnosed early during infancy and children usually outgrow this condition. However, several people do not develop nutritional tolerance towards lactose even as they mature and there are a few others who develop severe types of lactose intolerance that may actually lead to fatal complications. These people are not allowed to take any form of milk or milk products.

The avoidance of milk in the diet deprives a person of the important vitamin and minerals that are present in milk and milk products. When an individual fails to meet his daily nutritional requirements, his body also fails to function properly. His immune system is weakened and he becomes highly susceptible to infections and other diseases.

To provide lactose intolerant individuals with the necessary nutrition, food supplement manufacturers have designed special formulations of food products that are devoid of lactose. An example of a highly nutritious food supplement fit for these individuals is the lactose free whey protein. Health drinks with this active formula are sometimes cholesterol-free for added benefit of reducing cardiovascular risks.

Like the regular whey protein food supplements which come in the form of shakes or concentrates, lactose free whey protein food products help in muscle gain and in boosting the body’s energy level and immune system. These provide lactose intolerant people the complete health benefits of whey protein without causing gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea and other symptoms that affect daily life activities.

Lactose free whey protein food supplements are manufactured through the process called micro filtration. This process uses a ceramic filter to remove fat, carbohydrate and lactose from whey and isolate and purify whey protein. For every 100 grams of whey powder, 94 grams of protein is recovered which is relatively free of lactose, carbohydrate and fat. This final product is ideal in formulating food supplements fit not only for lactose intolerant individuals but also for those who are under the Atkins diet and other ketogenic diets.

The development of lactose free whey protein food supplements has provided a good option for lactose intolerant people in meeting their daily nutritional requirements of vitamins and minerals. Increasing their consumption of whey protein is very ideal in maintaining good health and well being. Life becomes normal and they gain strength and endurance to participate in sports and other social activities that they were usually deprived of. Besides this, lactose free whey protein food supplements are also very appealing in terms of palatability. In the food market, these food products have gained much popularity not only among the adults but also among the young and aging population.

Whey Protein and Cancer

Right off the start it's important to realize that not all forms of whey protein powder are created equally. There are a few different varieties that will differ slightly in make-up, so choosing the right variety for your goals will be important.
The four main variations of whey protein powder include whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolyzed whey protein, and undenatured whey concentrate.

Whey protein isolate contains the greatest protein concentration coming in at 90-95%, while the rest of the whey protein powders range from 25-89% total protein content. Most will be towards the higher end and you can easily evaluate the protein content by looking at the nutritional information on the particular protein you are purchasing.

Whey protein isolate also contains the lowest level of lactose, so anyone who is currently lactose intolerant will definitely benefit from this factor. It tends to be lowest in fat as well, so really one of the best well rounded proteins available.

The global incidence of cancer continues to rise as man is exposed to harmful carcinogens in his environment. Even genetic studies prove that heredity plays a major role in carcinogenesis and cancer susceptibility. Cancer is a devastating disease. Mortality is very high while the cure rate is very low especially in advanced and aggressive cases. Cancer is also very painful and patients are subjected to invasive and costly treatments like surgery and radiotherapy. Antineoplastic agents are available but these drugs are not devoid of side effects. Another crucial aspect in its management is handling the depression of the patient and the emotional burden among family members and caregivers.

The battle against the Big C involves cooperation amongst oncologists, epidemiologists and the drug industry in finding ways to prevent and cure the disease and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Alternative medicine specialists are also very active in doing researches as to finding natural and safer ways of inhibiting cancer growth that may be better accepted by patients who do not welcome potentially dangerous anticancer agents. Whey protein and cancer are among the topics that have drawn much attention from these health experts.

Whey protein supplements help in building muscle mass and in boosting the body’s energy level and immune system. It is very popular among health enthusiasts, body builders and athletes. Other health benefits of whey protein supplements include strengthening the host response against disease causing microorganisms, and regulating blood lipid levels and metabolism in general.

In the evaluation of its potential antineoplastic activity, laboratory experiments which involve animal models of cancer induced by the carcinogen dimethylhydrazine show the connection between whey protein and cancer. Dimethylhdyrazine causes cancer by damaging DNA. Whey protein prevents this reaction and when added to the normal diet of the rat models, the number of tumor cells is significantly reduced and the tumor sizes decreased. When compared to other protein sources like soy, whey protein is more potent and effective. Other in vivo studies conducted to evaluate whey protein and cancer show that whey protein concentrate prevents breast carcinogenesis even in very low concentrations.

Supporting researches designed to examine the mechanism of whey protein food supplement in the prevention and cure of cancer led to the discovery of the correlation between its active components, glutathione, whey protein and cancer cells. Glutathione is an efficient antioxidant agent that scavenges free radicals such as reactive oxygen metabolites found to cause cancer. Glutathione also protects normal cells from damage during cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All of these positive outcomes underscore the significance of adding whey protein food supplementation to the present therapy of cancer patients. Further clinical trials are advised to evaluate its safety and efficacy.

Whey Protein Benefits

What is whey protein?
Whey protein is a high-quality protein derived from cow’s milk. Whey protein is also one of the richest sources of naturally occurring branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—leucine, isoleucine and valine. In comparison to many other proteins, on a gram-to-gram basis, whey protein delivers more essential amino acids to the body and is quickly and efficiently absorbed.

What are the benefits of whey protein?
Whey protein consumption can increase production, or synthesis, of muscle protein, which may improve body composition in combination with exercise.

Why is whey protein good for athletes and people who exercise?
Research shows that consuming a high-quality protein such as whey protein in combination with resistance exercise can boost the rate at which the body makes lean muscle mass and may improve body composition. In fact, a combination of protein intake and resistance exercise yields better results compared to having either of the two alone or combining resistance training with drinking a beverage that contains only carbohydrates.

Can people who are lactose intolerant eat whey protein?
Whey protein isolate, with 90%-plus protein and less than 1% lactose, and whey protein concentrate 80, with 80% protein and less than 4% lactose, are purified forms of whey protein that are unlikely to pose problems for someone with lactose intolerance.

What are essential and non-essential amino acids?
The body is able to make non-essential amino acids from other amino acids in the body. The body, however, is not able to make essential amino acids; the only way to get them is through diet. One of the best ways to ensure you are meeting your needs is by eating high-quality protein foods. Protein sources that contain all of the essential amino acids are called complete proteins. Whey protein is a naturally complete protein.

How much whey protein is needed to stimulate protein synthesis?
Research shows that consuming at least 20g of whey protein following resistance exercise results in an increase in muscle protein synthesis in healthy adults.

Does the addition of whey protein to a food or beverage change its taste?
Whey protein has a fresh, neutral taste and will not usually change the flavor of the foods to which it is added.

What products contain whey protein?
Whey protein can be found in almost every food and beverage aisle of the supermarket. A natural component of cow’s milk and yogurt, whey protein is also found in sports nutrition products, such as drinks, energy bars and powdered mixes for smoothies and shakes. Meal replacements, baked goods, snacks and entrées also may contain whey protein. See a typical nutrition bar ingredient list

Whey protein has been very popular among body builders and athletes because it provides the essential amino acids to build muscle mass. At present, it is not only favoured by athletes but also by common individuals who have shifted their priorities in keeping a healthy lifestyle. This diet supplement is also suitable to people of different age groups. Whey protein has been regarded the purest source of dietary protein and contains vitamins and minerals needed in meeting a person’s daily nutritional requirements.

Among the many whey protein benefits, whey protein has earned a gold standard in nutrition in terms of its protein content. Its protein is easily absorbed by the body and utilized by the muscles. The daily intake of this food supplement helps in maintaining a lean and well-defined physique without the burden of additional weight gain. More whey protein benefits are the maintenance of a strong immune system and resistance to disease causing microorganisms.

Whey protein is not only composed of protein but it also contains glutathione, a very effective antioxidant agent. Glutathione helps to fight oxidative stress which promotes tumour growth and invasion. For cancer patients undergoing treatment, whey protein food supplements are useful in protecting them against the harmful effects of antineoplastic agents and radiation. Laboratory experiments show that whey protein inhibits the growth of tumours in animal models. Furthermore, the protein content in whey protein supplements helps to prevent the complication called cancer cachexia. These evidences support the possibility of incorporating whey protein in the diets of cancer patients.

Whey protein benefits extend even to infants especially those with low to very low birth weight. In such cases, whey protein is incorporated in artificial milk or infant formula. School children who usually lose their appetite because of the stresses in school are given whey protein food supplements as healthy snacks. For adults who are at the prime of their life, a daily intake of whey protein helps in preventing bone loss and muscle atrophy besides the usual whey protein benefits of increased body energy level. The aging population also requires an increase in the intake of whey protein because older people are at a high risk of falling and acquiring infections and other diseases.

Protein is also important in the renewal of tissues like the skin. Whey protein food supplements contain lactoferrin which has antimicrobial activity. Giving whey protein food supplements to patients who have undergone major surgeries is important for fast wound healing.

The benefits of whey protein are innumerable. Prophylaxis is indeed more cost effective than finding a cure. Good nutrition plus a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, smoking cessation and regulation of alcohol intake all contribute in keeping the body healthy and preventing diseases that contribute to an alarming increase in health care costs.

Adverse Effects From Whey Protein Supplementation

Scientific researches show that increasing one’s daily intake of protein derived from dairy products helps in muscle gain and in boosting the body’s energy level. The nutritional benefits of dairy products has been ascribed to the component called whey protein. Since its discovery, whey protein gained much popularity among health enthusiasts and athletes, especially body builders.

Food supplement manufacturing companies also continue to develop new formulations to meet the increasing demand in the market.

However, there are some sectors from the health industry that express doubts regarding the efficacy and safety of whey protein. These people support the need for continuous research on the incidence of adverse effects of whey protein supplementation. They encourage accurate reporting of adverse effects of whey protein supplementation especially when taken in high amounts and within a long period of time. Below are examples of the claims of whey protein supporters and studies conducted that prove or disprove them.

Whey Protein and Cardiovascular Risk

Studies show that when a person increases his daily intake of whey protein and at the same time decreases his fat intake, a favorable modification in his blood lipid level is observed. This means a reduction in his risks for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. However, as with other drugs and food supplements, excessive dosages should be avoided as these may pose certain hazards to his health.

Whey Protein and the Kidneys

The kidneys function in excreting waste materials from the body. These wastes are mainly derived from the degradation of protein. This has led to concerns from some people regarding the adverse effects of whey protein supplementation to the kidneys. It has been theorized that an increase in the intake of protein by the body may strain and damage the kidneys and cause dysfunction. However, there are no evidences that clearly support these speculations.

Whey Protein and Osteoporosis

It has been found from several studies that an increase in the intake of whey protein leads to an increase in the calcium level of urine. This observation was further evaluated to determine if there are adverse effects of whey protein supplementation to the bone. However, it has not been found to trigger bone loss and osteoporosis. In fact, whey protein actually helped in bone mineralization.

When taking whey protein and other types of food supplements, nutritionists and other health experts inform people not only of its health benefits but also possible side effects. In cases of existing medical conditions, a person should consult first his physician if it is safe to add any food supplement to his existing prescription. Finally, besides food supplements like whey protein, proper diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle all contribute in preventing diseases and maintaining a healthy body.

Home Business Opportunities

There are many home business opportunities online. If you want to start a home business, you can do a simple search on any major search engine and get back millions of results. It is important to understand that you should be cautious with the home business opportunities that you come across. There are many home business opportunities advertised that are scams. Be sure to take the proper precautions to protect yourself and your personal information when searching for home business opportunities.

When you are researching home business opportunities, one of the first things that you should do is to check out the known home business schemes that are listed with the Federal Trade Commission. You may be very surprised to find many of the opportunities that you thought were legitimate to be listed there. They have a comprehensive list of jobs that are advertised online and the ones that you should be cautious of. If you have any questions about an online home business opportunity, you can send them an email or give them a call for clarification on the offer.

If you find a company that you are interested in, it is very important that you gather as much information as you can on that company. One of the best places to do this is at the Better Business Bureau website. You can conduct a simple search on the company that you are researching to see whether they have had complaints filed against them and other vital information. The Better Business Bureau welcomes all inquiries and performs to the best of their ability to get you the information that you seek, and they normally do this free of charge.

One thing that you may consider when researching home business opportunities are any start up costs that are required. Of course, it is only natural to have some costs when starting a home business, but be cautious when online companies require you to pay upfront costs. It is important that you read the fine print on all the fees cover and have the company provide you with full details in writing of what you are paying for, why you are paying for it, and what the fees that you pay cover. If they are not willing to do this, or refuse to do it as requested, do not get mixed up with this company. Nine times out of ten, it will end up being a scam.

Creating a home business can be very fun and exciting. Be very careful when working with industries online that promise you an income with your own home based business. Do all that you can to ensure that your personal information and your assets are protected.

Creating a Business Plan

The decision to go into business for yourself is not an easy one. Once you have made your mind to create a home business, it is important that you create a business plan. If you fail to create an effective business plan, you may very well end up failing at your home business. In order to create an effective business plan, there are many things that you have to consider. In this article, we will review many things that one should consider when creating an effective business plan for the home based business.

The first thing that you should consider when you are creating an effective business plan is the type of home based business that you will have. It is important that you know and understand the type of business that you will have in order to make it run smoothly. It is also important to understand the type of business that you have so that you will be successful. Success usually does not occur over night, but you have a quicker chance at success if you know what you are going to do and what it will take to get there.

The next thing you should consider when making an effective business plan is where you will have your office space. If your home based business includes meeting with potential customers, you must consider the area in your home that you will allow the customers to frequent. If you will not require customers in your home, you will still need to create a space that is designated for your home based business.

Once you have carefully considered all of the above-mentioned points, you must carefully put your business in perspective and consider all the various aspects of it. One of the things that you will want to look at is the competition for your market. You will also want to carefully evaluate the need for your goods and/or services in your community. Is there a high demand in your community for what you have to offer? If there is a high demand, what types of rates should you consider? These very important things should be carefully evaluated.

You must consider the costs of starting your business. It takes money to get your business up and running, but you want to try to make a small investment initially. This will ensure against large losses if your business were to fail. You may also want to consider a backup to your business. For example, if you wish to sell at local flea markets on the weekend, you may want to use EBay as a backup plan for the items that do not sell. If that is unsuccessful, you may auction your merchandise off at a low price to area vendors in order to at least make back what you put into the business.

Once you have approached all of the areas mentioned in this article, you are ready to create an effective business plan. This is the first step to a successful home based business apart from the desire to make your business a success.

Protection against Work at Home Schemes

For people wishing to work at home, there are many legitimate opportunities. For as many legitimate opportunities that are on the market today, there are just as many work at home schemes. If you wish to work at home, it is important that you be properly equipped to protect yourself from all the possible schemes that are out there. In this article, we will review how an individual, such as you, can protect themselves against the various work at home schemes on the market.

One of the first things that you should do when deciding to work at home is to research the various opportunities that are available and decide which job is appropriate for you and your unique set of circumstances. It is ideal to pick a work at home opportunity that best suits you. Knowing the market that you are interested in gives you an edge in spotting work at home opportunities that are scams.

There are many tips and suggestions on ways that an individual can avoid getting mixed up with the various work at home scams that are out there. Please refer to the following list:

1) Before committing to an online opportunity, it is important that you research the company that you are interested in. There are a couple of ways that you can do this. You can check out the Federal Trade Commission to see if the opportunity that you are researching is listed as a known scam or an opportunity that you should be careful with. You can also look up various companies through the website of the Better Business Bureau.
2) If a company promises that you will make a lot of money in a very short time, you should proceed with caution. If there were such companies and opportunities that are available, more people would be financially stable. If it sounds as if it is an offer that is too good, chances are, it probably is!
3) There are many companies and opportunities that request that you send in a certain amount of money before you start in order to register. These types of things should be avoided. How many companies in your community tell you that you can have a job, but you have to pay a fee to start? Probably very few, apart from a few sales jobs like AVON. Think of this in the same way.
4) If there is the chance that you will have to pay the company in which you are seeking work from, you will want to have them send you everything that they offer in writing, and if they refuse, you should stay away from that offer completely.

If you find that you are already mixed in with one of the many work at home schemes that are on the market today, then you should immediately report the issue to the Federal Trade Commission. There are many steps that you can take to find a resolution to the issue that you are facing.

3 Simple Steps To Make Money with PLR Articles

Whatever you are doing online, you can make money with PLR. If you write your own

content you will save time by rewriting PLR articles instead.

If you outsource, you will save money. And even if you get free content syndicated

to your site, you can use PLR to drive traffic.

So here are 3 important tips to making money with PLR articles.

1. Pick A Niche Where People Are Spending

A lot on PLR article memberships will Have you download a ton of articles in niches,

where, frankly, you would have to be a miracle worker to make money.

Sometimes this is because nobody is interested in the subject. More often, it is

because they are not spending enough to make it worth your time. Either the

products are very cheap so your commissions are tiny, or the visitors are not

likely to order online.

Sure, you can still have Adsense on your site and maybe make a few cents that way.

But it will not be more than a few cents a click because the advertisers will not pay

much for clicks from visitors in a low-spending market.

So before you even take the time to set up a simple blog, ask yourself a few

questions. Is this really a popular area? Who is going to be buying products or

signing up for services online? And what products will they buy?

Are there affiliate programs? Are there CPA offers?

2. Make Your PLR Unique - At Least A Little

When you buy PLR you must realize that other people have the right to use it,

just like you. Changing it, at least a little, means you have more chance of getting

your version into the search engine results.

The simplest way to alter PLR articles, if your English is not good or you do not want

to take much time, is to change the keywords. These will be in the title and usually

around 3 places in the article. Having a different title is a great start and for your own

site, this may be all you have to do.

The next step if you want to go further is to change the first and last paragraphs. You

can alter or delete a few words, split one sentence into two, and make easy changes

like that.

Rewriting the article completely is necessary if you want to submit it to article

directories. For a complete marketing strategy, you could rewrite the article for the

top article directories but use a less changed version on your own site.

That way you are not even competing with your own article for Google's attention.

3. Be Creative In How You Use The Articles

So far we have covered some of the standard ways to make money with PLR articles.

But think outside of the box and you can steal ahead of other marketers.

Using the articles along with an opt in list will help you make more money. Capture

subscribers using a free eBook that you compiled from some related PLR articles,

then use the information in the articles to send them a regular newsletter.

You can promote your affiliate products in every newsletter.

Many people will not buy the first time they see an offer. They need 2, 3 or anything

up to 10 visits. Plus you have the chance to promote several different products to

them over a period of time. So by bringing your subscribers back to your offers again

and again, you can easily make a lot more money.

Or how about video? You can use points from the articles to create a video to promote

your chosen affiliate product. Create simple slides that summarize the main points.

You can do this with PowerPoint or a free online video creation program such as Jing.

Then either narrate your commentary, including more details, or simply have music

accompanying the slides.

You can use PLR articles as your 'secret weapon' to save time and money in virtually

any traffic strategy that you can think of. Get into a profitable niche and focus on it,

change the PLR at least a little and be creative in your thinking. Then you should find

it easy to make money with PLR articles.

Here are just some of the ways you can pull in a profitable income with these premium content...

1. Put together a content site and put your Google Adsense code into the pages for hands free Adsense income.

2. Use the articles to attract new subscribers and clients to opt-in to your list and then use more of the articles to follow-up with them and sell them.

3. Create quality mini eBooks that you can plug affiliate links into to generate big time affiliate income.

4. Load up your articles on your autoresponder to go out once a week and have a newsletter set for a year in advance.

5.Add an eCourse to your products as a bonus that goes out weekly! This will dramatically cut down on refunds because they want the rest of the quality eCourse that is continuing past the refund deadline!

6. Offer some of the articles as a meaty report that your visitors
cangive away to promote your site. You can even brand it with their links so they make affiliate income!

7. Arrange the articles into a full fledged paid product and sell it for big money!

8. Submit the articles under your name to all of the article directories you can get your hands on and get hoards of traffic, links to your site, and higher search engine rankings.