December 02, 2004

Tighter Tummy and Thinner Thighs

by: Gordon Black

As a Master swimmer I am made painfully aware, each time I compete, of the importance of a strong core, and by that I mean stomach strength. I come away from each competition vowing to do more leg work, lots of legs-only with the kickboard, and for fitness there is really nothing to beat it.

One of the major benefits is that it tones the thigh and abdominal muscles terrifically and it improves stamina tremendously. I m sure we all remember seeing the coverage of fighters like Muhammad Ali in their pre fight training, and the first thing they do each day is hit the road to work on those legs, because that is what strengthens the core. Now, fortunately, we can work on the same principle but without the stress and damage to the joints by working on those legs in the pool. I like to do my leg work without a kickboard because I find using a kickboard makes me tighten up across my shoulders and at the back of my neck, so I use a palming or feathering action with my hands to support my upper body especially when I need to breathe. However if you re just starting out, use the kickboard as it s a little easier and provides more support. As for how many laps, I feel it s important to stay within your comfort level, but to gradually increase your lap count as you progress and get stronger. There is no doubt that you will notice improvement and that s when you can move on to more.

Stomach strength is so vital to general well being and stamina, and certainly great opera singers, orators, actors and athletes project from, and draw upon, that core strength. Now apart from the benefits to the stomach muscles gained from legs-only swim work, there is also a terrific slenderizing effect on the thighs, because unlike weight work or road work which pumps the thigh muscles, swimming is an elongating process as one is working in a less resistant medium.

So slim those thighs, tighten that tummy and feel great with a legs-only workout.

About The Author

Gordon Black is a world-ranked Master swimmer and Canadian national record holder. A member of the British swim team in the late 60s, after thirty years out of the pool, last year Gordon returned to competitive swimming in the Masters forum. He offers an online weight loss, fitness and motivational coaching service through his web site http://www.gordonblack.com where his competitive comeback is chronicled.

gordon@gordonblack.com

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

Nutrition as Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD Alternative Treatment: Help is as Close as the Kitchen.

by: Jeannine Virtue

The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has a profound affect on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD. For many people, nutrition alone can effectively work as an ADHD alternative treatment.

A growing body of research points to nutritional deficiencies - especially with essential fatty acids and amino acids - as a contributing factor of Attention Deficit Disorder and learning deficiencies.

Put down the Ritalin bottle for one minute to consider these Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition research findings;

A George Washington University School of Medicine study found that hyperactive children who ate a meal high in protein did equally well, and sometimes better, in school than non-hyperactive kids.
An Oxford University (England) study evaluated the effects of fatty acid supplementation in average intelligence children with significant reading and writing disabilities. The ADHD symptoms in children receiving Essential Fatty Acids significantly improved over the children in the control group receiving a placebo.
Researchers first tied Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD with lower essential fatty acid in 1981. Studies examining essential fatty acid blood levels in children with behavioral problems in 1983 confirmed this Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition connection.
Researchers further documented the essential fatty acid deficiency tie to Attention Deficit Disorder in a 1987 study. Then, a 1995 study comparing essential fatty acid levels in ADHD boys against a control group of boys without ADHD found significantly lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids.
In 1996 Purdue University researchers have found that boys with low blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater frequency of Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder is the most common behavioral disorder in children. Not all Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD children are nutritionally deficient in essential fatty acids, statistics and studies show that a significant number of ADHD children are.

Physicians predominately use stimulant drugs such as Ritalin for Attention Deficit Disorder but studies show that Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD children whose treatment program includes only stimulant medication remain at a high risk for vandalism, petty crime, frequency of alcoholic intoxication, and possession of marijuana. Additionally, ADHD medications do not always work, have a host of harmful side effects and never treat the cause the Attention Deficit Disorder.

With Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD, nutrition and food is one the first aspect of treatment to consider, as an ADHD alternative treatment or used in conjunction with traditional ADHD stimulant drug treatment.

Fatty acids are used to make brain and nerve tissue in the body and are crucial for proper growth, mental function, the immune system and brain development. The body cannot produce the two fatty acids families, Omega-3 and Omega-6, on its own and therefore must receive these key Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition ingredients through diet and supplementation.

Although the typical Western diet is high in the Omega-6 family of fatty acids (found in corn, sunflower, canola and safflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening), most Americans young and old are highly deficient in Omega-3.

Learning specialists now believe many childhood behavior and learning problems are associated with Omega-3 deficiencies. This deficiency has a greater impact on males because their requirements for essential fatty acids are, in general, much higher. It is no surprise that boys are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder at a much higher rate than girls.

ADHD adults and parents of ADHD children should include food high in Omega-3 fatty acids daily. That said, many children simply will not eat the Omega-3 rich salmon, mackerel and sardines.

Enter flax seed and flax oil - food of the gods when it comes to Omega-3 fatty acids.

Flax seed and flax oil are the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids and offers Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition vital to support healthy childhood behavioral and IQ development. One to two tablespoons of flax oil should be part of a every Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition food action plan.

In addition to the positive affects on brain functioning, flax oil also works to prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. Flax oil helps soften skin, balance energy, burn fat, stimulate the metabolism, strengthen the immune system, manage diabetes, help prevent autoimmune disease and inflammatory disorders. Flax oil also helps alleviate PMS and some menopause symptoms.

Here are some great ways to sneak flax oil into the daily diet;

Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil in flavored yogurt.
1 tablespoon of flax oil in fruit smoothies is virtually undetectable.
Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil with one tablespoon maple syrup or honey as a sweetener instead of granulated sugar.
Use 1-2 tablespoons of flax oil when making tuna salad or egg salad while proportionably decreasing the amount of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise used.
Flax Butter: Melt one stick organic butter and mix with 4 ounces flax oil when cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate until the flax butter solidifies and use in place of margarine.
Omega-3 Ice Cream : Mix 2 cups yogurt with 1 tablespoon flax oil and fresh or frozen fruit. Serve when frozen.

Most studies conducted on the affects of essential fatty acids found that at least 10 weeks of supplementation is needed to adequately raised fatty acid levels in brain cells. Follow a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids for at least 10 weeks, and preferably 12 weeks, before judging the effectiveness of nutrition on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD symptoms.

Important points about flax oil:

Flax oil is highly perishable and should be kept refrigerated at all time.
Heat destroys the health-giving flax oil properties. Use flax oil only with cold foods, cold proteins are best.
When buying flax oil, use only high quality, cold-pressed flax oil. The date pressed and a freshness date of four months or less from the pressed date should be on the label. If not, don t buy it!
Do not use flax seed oil beyond its expiration date since the oil will turn rancid.

Essential fatty acids are not the only element needed when addressing Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition. Amino acids, from which protein is made, are an integral element since amino acids and essential fatty acids are both needed to work in the body. Therefore, adding quality protein is a key in Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition.

Attention Deficit and hyperactive people can greatly reduce the level of unfocused or misdirected energy simply by starting the day with a protein based breakfast. A solid protein breakfast can increase concentration, reduce restlessness and increase mental and physical calm.

Instead of starting the day with sugared cereals, pancakes covered in syrup, sweet rolls, doughnuts or danishes, try these brain-boosting breakfast ideas;

Scrambled eggs, toast and fruit.
Whole wheat toast with peanut butter.
Fruit and yogurt smoothie with flax oil.
Protein shake.
Bacon and eggs with toast and milk.
Egg and sausage patty on English muffin.
Yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of flax oil.

About The Author

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an Attention Deficit son. To find more information about Attention Deficit Disorder and natural alternatives, go to the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com.

jvirtue@add-adhd-help-center.com

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

How To Get Slim With Healthy Eating Habits

by: Ruth Hinson

Many women want to be slim. Maybe you’re one of them. Perhaps you’re getting married soon and you want to fit into your wedding gown comfortably. Or perhaps you simply want to look (and feel) great in a swimsuit or bikini.

Whatever your reason for wanting to be slim, there are some things you can do to become slim while staying healthy. If you are reading this article, chances are you want to know what those things are. Read on then, to find out.

First thing is to assess your current eating habits. This is important because you need to know what’s not working. If your current eating habits are keeping you overweight, and you want to be slim, it figures that you need to change those eating habits. If something is not working, change it.

Assessing your current eating habits.

Keep a record of your eating habits for a week. The record should contain the following information:

What you are eating
How much you’re eating
When you eat (note the times) – you want to know how far apart your meals and snacks are.
Why you’re eating at those times – is it because you’re hungry, or are you ‘comfort eating’?
How you feel after eating – pleasantly satisfied or bloated and stuffed.
How many glasses of water you drink each day

When you find out your current eating habits, you’ll need to determine which habits are sabotaging your efforts to lose weight. Those are the ones you want to change. More on that later.

Goal Setting

Determine what your weight goal is. Or you may prefer to monitor your progress in terms of your waistline or hip measurements. Whichever one suits you is best.

Form a mental picture of yourself looking the way you want to look. Goals are more powerful and empowering when we visualize them. Hold that mental picture in your mind at all times.

NOTE: Eating healthily is not all there is to getting slim. You must become more physically active (read ‘exercise’) in addition to eating properly if you’re to lose weight permanently. This article deals with the healthy eating part of that equation.

Action Plan

Now that you know what your ideal size is, you have a goal that you’re working towards. You need to then determine a plan of action to help you achieve that goal.

To help you decide on the right plan, bear in mind that eating should be a pleasure. Ask yourself the following questions:

Which nutritious foods do I enjoy eating ?
How soon after eating do I get hungry again? Most adults get hungry about 3 to 4 hours after eating a meal.
Do I eat only when I’m hungry? Hint: You should.
How can I stay full? Drink lots of water. Scientists recommend between 6 and 8 glasses of water daily. Your body needs it, and it helps you stay full.

With the answers to those questions in mind, form an action plan, and start a new daily record to help you keep track of your progress. This new record should contain the same columns as your initial current habits record. This way you can monitor each improvement and celebrate accordingly.

When deciding on which actions to take, you need to refer back to your initial assessment of your current eating habits. Decide which habits are preventing you from losing weight. Write down alternative habits that you want to cultivate, which will help you get slim.

These new habits you want to form are now your ‘targets’ – milestones on your way to your ideal body shape and size.

Taking Action

To form healthy eating habits, start with small changes.

Don’t make too many changes at once. Set yourself main targets, such as ‘I will drink 8 glasses of water each day’, then set smaller targets to help you reach each main target.

Using the example above, a small target could be ‘I will drink an extra glass of water after each meal’. When you break down your targets, they don’t seem so daunting. They seem easily achievable, so you feel encouraged to stick to them.

Decide on the foods you will be eating regularly. Make sure they’re foods you enjoy.

Eat small portions, about 5 or 6 times each day, instead of three large meals. This helps keep your metabolic rate high, and helps you lose weight naturally.

How to stay motivated to continue eating healthily

Believe that you can do it, and accept responsibility for your health and for the way your body looks.
Reward yourself each time you successfully complete a small target. Celebrate each small success – don’t wait until you’ve lost tons of weight before you reward yourself. Make the journey enjoyable by treating yourself each time you make progress.
Keep in mind what you hope to achieve – remind yourself of how lovely and healthy your body is becoming each day as a result of your new eating habits. Remember, each small step in the right direction is bringing you closer to your main target.

With a clear goal in mind, a feasible action plan and tips to help you stay motivated, you should find it easy to form habits that keep you slim and healthy at the same time.

Here’s to your new healthy eating habits!

About The Author

Ruth Hinson is a successful slimming consultant. She helps women lose weight safely and healthily using the SlymRyte Healthy Eating Plan ™. Visit www.slymryte.co.uk for more information.

To receive a FR*EE report titled ‘Get Slim, Stay Slim’, please send a blank email to slymryte@blueyonder.co.uk with the words ‘free report’ in the subject line and your first name in the body of the email.

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. Please print the article in its entirety unchanged and notify the author by email when you use it.

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

Glucosamine Review and Potential Benefits

by: Marc David

Something interesting happened as my triceps workouts continued in their intensity. After doing some triceps elbow extensions and numerous other elbow extension exercises, I began to feel effects of what is known as elbow tendonitis. The symptoms generally included a pain with any movement of my elbows. So much so, that even resting my arms on a chair began to have an associated soreness to the touch. Similar to my bicep tendonitis experience, the pain experienced was not normal. A bodybuilder who is tune with their muscles can tell the difference between an intense workout and an intensely painful workout.

This elbow tendonitis came about from an overuse of any exercise. With the increased weight, I eventually reached a peak of classic overuse of the joints. Not sure of a treatment, I did the first thing I could. Adjust my form. Keeping the elbows locked in on triceps movements is critical. It can alleviate if not remove the pressure on the joints when doing a very heavy exercise movement. This was my first elbow tendonitis treatment experiment.

Continuing week after week with my new form, the pain was less severe, but it was not a full treatment. Some of the elbow tendonitis symptoms became less painful but the general pain was always present. This has an acute effect on your motivation to continue to do exercises. Doing triceps exercises (dips, skull crushers, one arm and two arm overhead extensions, rope pushdowns) has always been something I look forward to with each arm workout. But with anything that is painful, your body doesn t want to do it. In fact, continuing and pushing past the pain no pain no gain mantra, I would have eventually damaged my joints beyond repair.

After talking to a friend s wife, she told me about her husband, who started taking Glucosamine for his joints. There are basically two kinds of people who need some type of cartilage therapy. Those who are suffering from osteoarthritis or athletes with overuse injuries. Considering he s not very old and probably isn t losing too much cartilage, I had to believe that it was working on cars daily and using his joints excessively (turning hands, manipulating small parts) that lead to his overuse of his finger joints and the pain associated. Thus began my short research and trial of a Glucosamine product to see what benefits Glucosamine might have and any possible side effects specific to me.

Glucosamine is a combination of sugar and amine. It s found normally in cartilage and plays an important role in cartilage health and resiliency. As you naturally age, you lose some Glucosamine and that leads to the eventual thinning of the cartilage around the joints. Osteoarthritis defined as the deterioration of the cartilage in the joints. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are found naturally in your body. Chondroitin Sulfate helps draw water into the cartilage (that the Glucosamine is repairing) making it more elastic.

Glucosamine is derived from the shells of crabs and shrimp. Most studies show that taking approximately 500mg three times a day for a total of 1500mg is effective in improving joint health. Those who have damaged their joints to the point of little to no cartilage, or who have had cartilage surgically removed, probably won t experience any benefits simply because it s impossible to repair cartilage that no longer exists. Most oral Glucosamine is easily absorbed because the molecules are very small, easily diffused and water-soluble.

After viewing the brief research above, I began taking oral doses of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, 1500mg a day, 3 capsules. My first choice was AST s ProFlex 750 Joint Support formula. I ended up going to Costco and getting Kirkland s Glucosamine Sulfate product as well. Just so I could have a supply at home. Different products but basically, Glucosamine and some Chondroitin.

Within the first few days, my elbow tendonitis symptoms started to disappear. I ve been taking this product for about 2 weeks now, and my workouts are back to their regular intensity. Taking a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement has all but cured my elbow tendonitis. From the research I could gather, it s important to take these products when you still have a lot of cartilage to repair. It s pretty ineffective to take it when the damage is too severe or the cartilage is absent. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance in the body with a primary function of stimulating the growth and repair of cartilage tissues.

About The Author

Marc David has a degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento State, a 16 year history of non-competitive bodybuilding and is the owner of Freedomfly -the fitness network! For free fitness tools, discount supplements, fitness consultation, and workout routines, visit http://www.freedomfly.net

mrcd@freedomfly.net

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

Tendonitis and the Effects on Your Routine

by: Marc David

What turns out to be a small, yet annoying pain in your joint, can quickly turn into something much more debilitating. At first, you just think it might be a pulled muscle. Maybe I did a bit too much weight? But the intermediate to advanced bodybuilder knows what muscle soreness feels like after a workout. This isn t it. But there is a potential solution.

My biceps routine, which was progressing quite nicely, turned into a non-existent routine (curling a 30lb dumbbell was impossible) after I was "officially" diagnosed with acute Tendonitis in my right arm (just below the elbow joint). The doctor said that this particular Tendonitis doesn t heal. It can get less painful but the micro tears and damage are permanent. As usual, the recommendation was to 1) quit whatever aggravates it 2) use a cream that gives some heat to the area.

Rather the follow rule #1, because if you are a hardcore bodybuilder, just quitting the exercise isn t how this injury happened in the first place. I found something that worked. I didn t want to quit doing bicep curls. Bicep curls are one of the most recommended exercises for building mass. It s a simple, basic movement that works.

I did stop doing biceps movements until the pain subsided. Once the pain was significantly less, I decided to adjust my form, have a spotter assist on certain bicep exercises and used a topical cream (Biofreeze by AST). I changed the movement to go strict on any and all bicep exercises. My arms are now tight to the sides with constant tension on the muscle. Using a spotter for dumbbell bicep curls helped me eliminate the natural tendency to flare out the arms to get that weight to the completion phase of the exercise. Heavy weight with the arms slightly out tends to put a lot of pressure on that tendon.

Taking a break from the exercises allowed me to heal enough to think rationally about the adjustments I needed to make in my routine. Going back to strict form, using a topical (heat) cream and having a spotter assist with a few of the bicep movements has all but eliminated (in a medical sense) my Tendonitis . I suffer no more pain from bicep movements because of these modifications.

About The Author

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

NO2 Muscle Enhancing Hemodialator

by: Marc David

Whenever I go to the gym and tell a friend that I've recently started the supplement, NO2, nobody knows what I'm talking about but I even mention Creatine, and that is well known as a standard for building muscle.

Could NO2 be the next Creatine? When Creatine was launched, it was expensive. But it worked. It was a huge craze at the gyms and most everybody wanted it. The reason they wanted it so much, is that it worked. It was legal and the side-effects, well so far, there aren't any (as long as you drink plenty of fluids). Since the launching of this successful product, there has never been anything that hit the market with the same enthusiasm.

NO2, according to research , "the first of an exciting new category of muscle-enhancers known as a hemodilators. NO2 has the unique ability to perpetually sustain the flow of muscle-building agents to skeletal muscle." Before I give my review, I'd like to share another quote of the benefits and claims. "By increasing nitric oxide production, NO2 increases your maximum contractile velocity - in all muscle types. The results are immediate and consequential, and include increasing your load capacity, boosting your power output, and quickening your muscle contraction."

When I first was asked to try this product, I was skeptical. I've been bodybuilding for 16 years now (mainly for general fitness not to get freaky huge), and I've tried a lot of supplements. The last time I was excited about a supplement was Creatine like most of the gym-rats. But I'm always willing to review something and try it for myself in hopes that maybe I'll find that gem and tell the rest of the world.

Taking 3 pills before breakfast, and another 3 one-half hour before lunch, I can honestly say that while I've noticed no gains in strength yet, my muscle do feel perpetually pumped. It's like I just came back from the gym but it lasts all day. While I cannot say the results are amazing, I can say the effects - both physical and psychological - are extraordinary.

As with any supplement, you need to drink plenty of water. NO2 does not have this specific requirement, but I've noticed that being properly hydrated has helped me keep that pump going all day. I've also seen some recommendations that taking NO2 with Creatine gives a complementary effect. To date, I have not tried this.

If you are looking for the next Creatine, NO2 could be it. I love the effects. Unfortunately like Creatine when it first came out, it's not cheap. But I've heard rumors that others will jump on this market and bring down the prices where the masses can afford it.

About The Author

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

How NOT to Return from an Exercise Break

by: Marc David

Several sites, including this one, recommend that you take a break every 8 weeks after working out with weights. But how do you come back from that break and get back into your routine?

Does anyone suggest you just jump back in and do the same intensity as when you last left off? Definitely not.

This article will share a personal insight that I m positive many people have faced when returning from a break or an injury. It will answer the question: how should I return to my workout after a week s break from anything but relaxation?

Every 8 weeks I take a complete break from the weights. This allows my joints to recover, my body to heal, and gives me time to think about the next 8 weeks and my objectives. Upon returning to the gym you can take one of two approaches. Return full speed ahead, since you ve had the rest, with the same intensity and the same weights. Or you can ease your body back into the program and reestablish the mind-to-muscle link that you have probably read about. (I suggest the second approach.)

Upon my return, I stepped up to the aerobics machine. A type of stair-master to be exact, and immediately selected level 10 out of 20. My memory recalls (if I used a journal) that I had previously been able to handle this level. By the end of the workout, I felt overworked, tired, out of breath and was at level 6. My body could handle it, but not as efficiently as it had previously. (I was not at all satisfied.)

Easing your body back into a workout for the first week allows the mind-to-muscle link to be reestablished. It further allows your body to adjust to an increased level of intensity for the upcoming months. Coming back from a break and then immediately going into an overtraining mode does not entice your body or your mind want to continue the abuse.

If given the two approaches to returning from a break, I now opt for the second approach. Easing your body back into the routine will allow for a mind-muscle-link to be reestablished and your progress will most likely increase. Take the first week to get accustomed to your routine (60% intensity) and the next 8 weeks to accomplish your goals (100% intensity).

About The Author

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

2 Exercises to Avoid

by: Marc David

If you want a good night, then avoid two of these old school moves.

Good Mornings:

Although I can't say I've seen these moves done in quite some time, I know that growing up I saw plenty of pictures of how the move should be done. If I had more then 3 wishes left in this lamp, I wish that somebody would go find every book and every website with this exercise and cross it out with a Sharpie pen.

I have a very good friend, who will remain nameless, that gave me another tidbit of advice. He's been instrumental in helping me train legs. I've never pushed myself so hard. So when he gives advice, I know it's coming from a reliable source that's much better then any scientific study.

He began with some good mornings. At first it was the bar. Then it was 20 lbs. on each side. Pretty soon he was doing 225 lbs. That's a lot of weight. But having the strength to do it and the youth, he pushed on. Until one day, POP! Forward he went, with 225 lbs. How he didn't break his neck is somewhat of a miracle.

As with any exercise, and the motivation of a bodybuilder, we will continue to push ourselves to new limits. But some exercises just don't produce any results worth the inherent risks associated. Good mornings are one of those exercises. There are many other options for compound movements that do the same thing but with much less of a risk. So skip the good mornings and try some dead-lifts or stiff-legged dead-lifts. You won't be missing out on anything by skipping the good mornings except maybe weeks of recovery or a broken neck.

Lat Pull-downs Behind the Neck:

No story to go with this one, but think about it. Eventually you'll be doing some heavy weight. In a very unnatural position. That is a recipe for injury. It's much more natural and safe to do the same movement to the front. Either way your lats are getting worked. But behind the neck puts pressure on the shoulders which isn't the muscle group you are trying work.

This same philosophy goes for pull-ups. They should be done to the front as well. If you do pull-downs, try doing it to the front. Don't even think about behind the neck as they won't do any more for you except possibly give your an excuse not to do any more pull-downs.

About The Author

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

Are Weight Loss Supplements Worth It?

by: Valerie de Armas

What do you think of the hundreds of weight loss supplements out there on the shelves today? Are they worth the money? Will they actually help you lose weight? How do you know which ones are going to work for you? Is there any proof that these products work?

I've taken some time and researched some of the most popular product to try to find the answers for you. The truth is, most products won't help you lose anything but money. There are a few, however, with some research behind them that prove that they actually work.

What are these supplements that work? It seems that only four products hold the best promise for those of us who want to slim down. They are Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Hydroxycitic Acid (HCA), phaseolomine, and possibly 5-HTP.

1. Conjugated Linoleic Acid, CLA, has a number of research studies behind it. It is a fatty acid that has been found to reduce cancer risks, body fat and to increase lean muscle tissue. The Journal of Nutrition reported a Scandanavian Research team found CLA to increase the lean body mass of humans and also to decrease the fat mass. Subjects also had lower blodd fat and cholestrol after taking CLA. CLA does occur naturally in meat and dairy products, but the levels are pretty low. Also, if you're following a healthy low-fat diet, you tend to not get as much meat and dairy, so supplementation may be the answer for getting a healthy dose of CLA.

2. Hydroxycitic Acid, HCA, is derived from a fruit, Garcinia cambogia or Malabar tamarind. It seems to work by inhibiting an enzyme that converts carbohydrates to fat. It also seems to suppress the appetite. Studies on humans have had mixed results with one study showing significant weight loss in participants. Another study using a high fiber diet, showed HCA had no effect on weight loss. Critics think the high fiber diet prevented absorbtion of the HCA. So, if you're on a high fiber diet, HCA may not be for you.

3. Phaseolomine is derived from the white kidney bean. It works by reducing your body's absorbtion of starchy carbohydrates. Since you absorb fewer calories, you lose weight. Seems like this supplement would be great to take if you knew you were going to indulge. Research has also shown that you burn more fat while taking phaseolomine. Subjects in one study lost 10% of their body fat in 30 days. Phaseolomine is typically found in carb blocker products.

4. 5HTP works by increasing the level of Serotonin in the brain resulting in more stable emotions, better sleep and weight loss. I take 5HTP myself and have found it to be an excellent appetite suppresant as well as a mild mood booster. In one study where women were given either a placebo or 5HTP and a 1200 calorie diet, those who took the placebo lost 2.28 pounds and those who took 5HTP lost 10.34 pounds. This was accomplished in 6 weeks. Are there other supplements that work? There may be others that will stand the test of time and research, but for now these are the best non-prescription supplements I've found to enhance your weight loss efforts. Good luck losing the weight you want to lose!

Valerie de Armas 2003

About The Author

To find other weight loss tips, advice, articles and resources, visit Valerie's Best Weight Loss web site at http://www.best-weightloss.com Be sure to subscribe to Valerie's free newsletter, "Best Weight Loss Tips" for all the best ways to lose weight.

valerie@best-weightloss.com

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM

New Health Miracle -- Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil

by: Bev Storer

High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical miracle as we will see in the 21st century. Dr. Barry Sears

Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with his 1995 landmark #1 New York Times best seller The Zone. With The Zone, and his subsequent bestselling Zone books, Dr. Sears describes how a scientifically proven plan of moderate carbohydrate consumption balanced with appropriate amounts of protein and fat may help you live a longer and better life.

In his latest best seller, The Omega Rx Zone, Dr. Sears greatly expands the potential of the Zone to alter how we think about optimal health in general. Drawing upon his own research, as well as recently published studies, he reveals how a revolutionary new technological advance in fish oil manufacturing, never before available to the general public, may be the magic bullet...

This new high-dose, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Scientific evidence reveals a diet rich in long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids helps support:

a healthy brain
a healthy heart
a healthy immune system
healthy joint movement
healthy kidneys
balanced mood and sense of well being
and, helps maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.

This new generation of fish oil is much different from the historical, impure, terrible-tasting cod-liver oil. As Dr. Sears points out, the fish oil doled out by our mothers and grandmothers, and currently sold at health food stores, has never been pure enough to be used in the quantities it takes to realize its potential benefits. The new pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is more concentrated, free of dangerous toxins, and has been clinically tested with spectacular results.

By following the Zone Diet and adding pharmaceutical grade fish oil to your daily routine, Dr. Sears believes that each of us will reach our maximum potential for optimal health.

For more information about pharmaceutical grade fish oil, please visit http://www.omega3zone.biz or call 503-244-5941.

About The Author

Bev Storer is a writer and researcher in the field of nutrition and nutritional supplements. To learn more about pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, go to http://www.cardioresults.com or e-mail me directly at info@cardioresults.com.

Posted by Editor at 02:52 PM