Protect Yourself From Diabetes

(Article first published as New Diabetes Cases Projected to Triple by 2050 on Technorati.)

Information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that diabetes will continue to grow to epidemic proportions over the next 40 years. Presently 1 in 10 US adults suffers from the disease, yet a quarter of those people are unaware their metabolism is no longer able to counteract the damaging effects of all the processed foods and sugar they consume each day. The disease is caused by poor diet and lifestyle and is considered to be one of the ten most preventable diseases.

Disabling the Health Care System

People diagnosed with diabetes have medical costs that are more than twice that of those who don’t have the disease. According to a study published in the journal Population Health Metrics, the number of diabetes cases will triple by 2050, affecting between 1 in 3 and 1 in 5 depending on population statistics and how long people will live after developing the disease. Diabetes will become the leading underlying cause of mortality as it more than doubles the risk of heart disease and sudden death from a heart attack.

The Real Cause of Type II Diabetes

With small exception, Type II diabetes is caused by a diet that is packed with processed foods stripped of any nutrients and loaded with sugar and refined carbohydrates. This diet accounts for the majority of calories consumed by many people each day. With every meal, blood sugar levels are pushed higher, followed by a severe crash.

These wild swings eventually overpower insulin’s ability to mop up excess sugar in the blood and usher it to muscles and our cells to be used as a source of energy. Ultimately insulin becomes resistant to the increased blood sugar levels and is unable to efficiently remove excess glucose from our blood. Sugar is then allowed to remain in the blood where it damages organs and causes serious complications to our kidneys, heart, eyes and nervous system.

Prevent Diabetes in Your Future with Diet

Research has shown that you can effectively prevent and treat diabetes through a stringent plan involving dietary modification and blood sugar monitoring. Any food that dramatically raises blood sugar must be systematically eliminated from your diet. Begin by cutting all processed carbohydrates such as chips, crackers and all junk food treats. The vast majority of people are also very sensitive to wheat and cornstarch so they must eliminate all breads (including multi-grain varieties), pasta and potato-based foods.

Check Your Blood Sugar After Eating

The second part of the plan involves checking blood sugar after eating, as this is when glucose becomes elevated and is known to be most dangerous. Begin by reading all nutrition labels for carbohydrate content. Any food that lists more than 5 grams per serving should be avoided. Using an inexpensive blood glucose meter, check your blood sugar at 1 and 2 hour intervals to be sure you don’t exceed 140 mg/Dl at any time. Extensive research has shown that blood glucose levels above 140 mg/Dl result in diabetic complications and are a strong indicator that you are either diabetic or will become diabetic within the next 6 to 12 months.

The important news is that you can either prevent or treat diabetes before it has a chance to deteriorate your health. By controlling blood sugar with a healthy low carbohydrate diet and strict monitoring of blood glucose levels, you can halt this disease in its tracks and dramatically lower the risk of many deadly complications.

B Vitamins Help Lower Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

(Article first published as Can B Vitamins Help to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease? on Technorati.)

Alzheimer’s disease robs a person of their memories, thoughts and individuality. When surveyed, people indicate that of all diseases, this form of dementia is the most dreaded and misunderstood. Medical science can offer little more than palliative care and ineffective pharmaceuticals to those suffering from Alzheimer’s as the number of people afflicted continues to grow at an alarming rate. While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease once it has begun its progression toward darkness, new research is beginning to shine a light on a super nutrient that could help compliment a healthy lifestyle toward prevention.

High Homocysteine Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease

Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid commonly seen in excess due to a diet high in meat and protein sources. High blood levels are known to be a risk factor for heart disease as the amino acid damages the delicate inner lining of the coronary arteries. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that elevated homocysteine levels double the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 dramatically lower levels of homocysteine in the blood as they help to convert excess amounts of the amino acid for excretion.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Linked with Alzheimer’s Disease

Evidence is mounting to suggest that a vitamin B12 deficiency may be connected to increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The results of a study released in the journal Neurology studied the level of homocysteine and vitamin B12 in elderly subjects. They found that for every single unit increase in the blood level of homocysteine, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease jumped by 16%. Similarly, risk decreased by 2% for each unit increase in blood concentration of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is known to become dangerously low with age, and represents a significant factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease that requires more research.

Brain Shrinkage Cut in Half with B Vitamins

The normal shrinking of the brain with age has been viewed as normal, but scientists have been able to show that shrinkage can be halted and reduced with high doses of B vitamins. While smaller brain size is not directly linked with dementia, it does represent a major risk factor for progression to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Oxford University supplemented test participants with full spectrum B vitamins for a period of 2 years and found that they were able to reduce brain shrinkage in half as compared to a group receiving a placebo. The study authors conclude, "It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay development of Alzheimer's in many people who suffer from mild memory problems."

Lowering the Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease with Diet

More than enough evidence is mounting to show that poor diet and lack of B vitamins represent independent risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease that are within our control. Additional research has pointed to abnormal glycation of proteins and fats as a trigger for the deadly disease. Some have even gone so far as to call the condition Type III diabetes as high blood sugar and insulin resistance wreak damage on the electrical signaling circuits of the brain. You can lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by eating a diet low in animal protein to restrict production of homocysteine. Eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates that raise blood sugar and lead to insulin dysfunction.

From the research presented, it’s clear that supplementing with B vitamins in excess of the recommended daily allowance is essential. While the entire family of B vitamins can promote brain health, most studies concentrate on B6 and B12 taken in quantities that are 300 to 500% higher than the RDA values. Lower your risks of Alzheimer’s by taking the necessary dietary and supplemental steps and avoid joining the growing ranks that continue to spiral out of control.

High Sugar Diet Halts Weight Loss Efforts

(Article first published as Study Shows Source of Calories Important to Weight Loss Efforts on Technorati.)

Is it true that a calorie is just a calorie, regardless of whether it comes from a fat, protein or carbohydrate source? A basic physics class will demonstrate that in a laboratory setting, all calories require the same amount of energy to burn regardless of type.

Our body uses a highly evolved energy management system that takes cues from the total number of calories consumed, as well as the calorie source to adjust our metabolic rate and determine fat storage patterns. A successful weight loss plan must include the right balance of nutrients to ensure weight loss success.

All Calories Are Not Created Equal

Our body regulates our genes based on the food we eat. Long standing research has shown that the quantity of foods we consume influences special genes that regulate longevity and the onset of disease. In the same fashion, the type of food we eat affects our metabolism and the effectiveness of insulin to control blood sugar. A diet high in refined carbohydrates that quickly convert to glucose results in insulin resistance and a host of metabolically mediated diseases.

Excess Carb Calories Stored as Fat

In his book Living Low Carb, nutritionist Dr. Jonny Bowden explains the results of a Swedish study where volunteers were given 20 extra calories from candy or peanuts each day for each half pound of body weight. That amounts to an extra 18,200 calories for a 150 pound individual over the course of 2 weeks or slightly over 5 pounds of additional weight from a simple calorie conversion. The group eating high protein peanuts gained a slight amount of weight, but the candy eating subjects packed on 3 times as much weight from the extra sugar calories.

Simple Carbs Raise Blood Sugar, Fuel Fat Storage

Calories from processed carbohydrate foods including candy, bread, pasta and baked goods cause blood sugar levels to surge after every meal. Eventually this leads to insulin resistance as glucose is not efficiently used for energy and remains in the blood. The body responds by converting the sugar into triglycerides or blood fats which are then easily stored in your fat cells.

Eating Protein Increases Base Metabolism

Protein has a much different effect on metabolism than simple carbohydrates. Proteins such as lean meats, nuts, seeds and whey do not stimulate blood sugar and help to maintain ideal insulin levels. Protein calories are converted to energy as long as total calories from all sources are not extreme. The body is much less likely store calories as fat since triglycerides are not formed in excess and insulin remains effective in managing blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that protein consumption increases metabolic rate at rest which burns more calories throughout the day.

Successful weight loss remains out of reach for the vast number of people who begin the journey. Many more people would be able to achieve their goal by eliminating refined carbohydrates and substituting healthy protein choices in addition to calorie restriction. By working to control blood sugar levels, you’ll improve your health and ensure your weight loss success.

Prevent Diabetes Naturally

(Article first published as Diabetes Prevention Strategies on Technorati.)

Diabetes continues to grow at a staggering rate with 1.6 million new cases being diagnosed each year in the US. The American Diabetes Association estimates that more than 25 million children and adults are either pre-diabetic, or have progressed to the most devastating mature form of the disease. Emerging evidence now clearly demonstrates that this insidious disease can be prevented and controlled with a diet naturally high in green leafy vegetables.

Diabetes Caused by Poor Diet and Lifestyle

Diabetes places a significant burden on an already dysfunctional health care system, costing in excess of $200 billion annually, and ranks as the seventh leading cause of death. The disease more than doubles the incidence of heart disease and greatly increases the risk of stroke, blindness, kidney disease and neuropathy.

Type II diabetes can be prevented and controlled with a sensible approach to diet. Since the proliferation of processed and refined foods in the American diet over the past half century and the introduction of high fructose corn syrup in the early 1970`s, diabetes cases have skyrocketed in a parallel fashion during this time.

Controlling Diabetes with Natural Diet

The results of a study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) reviewed six studies covering more than 220,000 people, concluding that one and one half servings of green leafy vegetables per day lowered the risk of Type II diabetes by 14%. This is significant because the finding provides validity to the understanding that diabetes is a disease caused by poor diet and can be improved through dietary modification.

The USDA recommends five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and still many nutritionists would argue that this is insufficient to reap the full antioxidant and nutrient benefits from leafy greens. Less than 1 in 5 people eat the recommended number of daily servings, yet optimal protection from diabetes and other afflictions requires more than 10 servings each day. The BMJ study found a small degree of risk prevention from just one and one half servings of fruits and vegetables, but didn’t explore other equally important dietary interventions.

Cut Refined Carbs, Sugar and Processed Foods

As diabetes is a disease precipitated by metabolic imbalance, controlling blood sugar and insulin are critical components to prevention and treatment. Following the traditional low-fat, high carbohydrate diet prescribed regularly to diabetics leads to rapid surges of glucose in the blood, perpetuating and worsening the disease. Control is achieved by eliminating all sugar, refined carbohydrates including wheat, snacks, and junk food. Read nutritional labels and pay close attention to carbohydrates, sugars, trans fats and any disguised sugar-based ingredients.

Make a slow transition to a fresh vegetable and leafy green diet by eliminating one unhealthy refined carbohydrate food choice at each meal. For breakfast, replace pancakes or waffles with a large bowl of mixed berries, and eliminate bread or pasta from your lunch and dinner meals in favor of a large green salad topped with olive oil, vinegar, lemon and spices. Not only will you find a natural low carbohydrate diet packed with fresh greens helpful in dropping excess weight, but your risk of developing diabetes will be lowered significantly.

Top Mistakes That Prevent Weight Loss

(Article first published as Top Weight Loss Diet Mistakes on Technorati.)

Many people who are desperate to lose weight are misguided by the false promises made by marketers of fad diets, pills and weight loss surgery. Not only do many of these schemes lead to weight loss failure, but some can lead to serious health problems and even death. The only way to achieve your natural weight loss goal is to disregard the promotional hype, and realize that the more outrageous a claim sounds, the more likely it will not benefit you.

Genetic Predisposition to Obesity Can Be Lowered

Some people are genetically predisposed to become obese. This doesn’t mean that they’re destined to gain excess weight, but that following a poor diet and lifestyle will dramatically increase their risk for obesity. These individuals are especially prone to making weight loss mistakes which compound their problem, making it even more difficult to make the proper food and exercise choices.

The results of research published in the PLoS Medicine journal found that increased physical activity reduced the genetic predisposition for obesity by 40%. This clearly demonstrates that exercise as well as a properly balanced diet has a significant impact on the genes which control our metabolism and assist in weight reduction. Avoid the most common mistakes people make which lead to weight loss failure.

Avoid Single Food Diets

Over the years there have been a number of crazy fad diets which are based on eating a single food item or eliminating a category of food for weeks or months. Not only will this type of plan fail, but it can be dangerous as you miss important nutrients required for cellular function. While single food diets may help you lose weight initially, they aren’t sustainable and you’ll eventually regain any lost weight as you begin to eat freely again.

Don’t Become Exclusively Vegetarian

Many people become vegetarian with the misguided intention that it will drive weight loss. The problem is they replace meat with excess amounts of refined carbohydrates, sugar and starches which are all loaded with calories and pack on the pounds. Additionally, lean meat sources such as turkey and chicken provide important nutrients which you miss as a vegetarian. The best strategy is to fill up on plenty of fresh veggies, include foods from all nutritional categories, and restrict daily calories.

Fat Free Doesn’t Mean Calorie Free

The fat free craze has been around for the past 20 years and is a significant factor in the obesity epidemic and declining health rates. When you cut essential fats from your diet, you fill the void with carbohydrates, and excess carbs turn to fat which are then stored on your belly. It will likely take the next 20 years to reeducate people that eating the proper type of fats are good for your health and don’t lead to weight gain.

As the number of people tipping the scales of overweight and obesity approaches 75%, many look for a quick fix to shed excess pounds and make very common weight loss mistakes along the way. Even if you’re genetically predisposed to gain weight, you can make dietary and lifestyle modifications which will deliver weight loss results. Successful weight loss is achieved by avoiding the most commonly promoted mistakes and following a reduced calorie plan which provides well balanced nutrition from all food groups.

Reading Nutrition Labels to Assist Weight Loss

(Article first published as Reading Nutrition Labels Assists Weight Loss, Improves Health on Technorati.)

The information you need to avoid foods which will encourage weight gain or promote poor health is required reading on every nutrition label. The problem is many people are unable to decode the gibberish and misleading terms used to disguise the worst food ingredients. It seems as though there should be a special encyclopedia to help the consumer avoid the most dangerous health degrading components of their favorite processed food staples.

Finding the Proper Tools to Assist Weight Loss

Of course, the best rule of thumb would be to eat food in their natural form, easily avoiding all the deadly sugar and processed carbs and chemicals hiding in most foods. Foods which will help you drop weight and promote health don’t have an ingredient list or use names which are difficult to pronounce. The reality is that foods manufactured in a food laboratory are a part of our diet, and we need to become savvy about what is in the foods we eat to preserve health and lose weight.

The results of a study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs, found that people who want to lose weight are much more likely to read nutrition labels, and note that this may have an even larger impact on weight loss than regular exercise. There is still much confusion about serving size, sugar and carbohydrate content and ingredient listing for many who try to decipher the typical nutrition label. Understanding the buzz words to watch for will help you to drop weight and naturally promote health.

Tip 1: Watch Calories per Serving

Food manufacturers use very subtle deception to make you think their food is lower in calories at a quick glance. They post unrealistic serving sizes to make the calories appear less, with the knowledge that most people will eat much more than the paltry serving size listed.

Look carefully when purchasing at the store and be certain you understand that often the calories listed in bold are most likely half of what you will end up eating. Once you realize how quickly most processed foods add on the calories, you’ll want to substitute fruit, vegetables, or a reduced calorie option to hit your daily target.

Tip 2: Trans Fat, Saturated Fat and Cholesterol

The fat category creates much confusion for many consumers. We have been so conditioned by pharmaceutical ads to avoid cholesterol that we end up choosing high carb, low fat foods which ruin health. Saturated fats and cholesterol from foods are not the problem, and do not contribute to poor health or excess weight as long as they are eaten uncooked and accounted for as part of your daily caloric goal. Trans fats should be avoided entirely, and be sure to watch for hydrogenated fats on the label. There is no safe level of these deadly fats which increase your risk of heart disease by 25%.

Tip 3: Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup and Corn Sugar

Many people with an interest in their health are avoiding added sugar and high fructose corn syrup when they read nutritional labels, understanding that these additives cause metabolic imbalance and lead to weight gain. Manufacturers know this and now want to be able to call high fructose corn syrup simply corn sugar on nutritional labels. This is yet another example of the deceitful marketing tactics which are permitted to continue, making it difficult to avoid dangerous chemicals in our food supply.

Reading nutritional labels is becoming an important tool used my many weight and health conscious consumers. Look at every label before you purchase, with a watchful eye for serving size, trans fats and high fructose corn syrup and learn the variety of names these ingredients lurk behind. By eliminating poor food choices, you’ll be able to reach your weight loss target quicker and avoid the health pitfalls of eating a diet high in artificial chemicals.

Cut Sugar to Boost Your Immune System

(Article first published as Cut Sugar and Carbs to Live Longer, Drop Weight Faster on Technorati.)

The Standard American Diet is dangerous to your health. We consume far too much sugar and processed high carbohydrate junk foods which are literally destroying our immune system and leading to an early death. While this may sound overly dramatic, research provides solid proof that what we eat slowly erodes our natural defenses to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Sugar Knocks Out Our Immune Response

Normally, our immune system remains at high alert, waiting to detect a potential threat or rogue cancer cell. This system that we rely on for our good health and longevity can be compromised by eating a diet high in sugar and junk carbs. Not only do these foods threaten our survival, but they also cripple our metabolism causing us to gain weight.

The results of a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that a diet high in sugar and fast-releasing carbohydrates increases the risk of death from inflammatory disease by three-fold. Many of the top killer diseases are inflammatory in nature, including coronary artery disease and many forms of cancer.

The study found that higher than normal levels of sugar in the blood were bound to white blood cells which prevented them from identifying and attacking pathogens. Fortunately there are several steps you can follow to dramatically lower your risk of developing an inflammatory illness and reverse your systemic sugar burden.

Step 1: Slowly Cut Sugar and Carbs

While this may sound like a simple concept, research shows that less than 5% of people who set out to make a dietary modification are able to see it through and benefit from the change. Any dietary alteration is difficult and must be done slowly. You know that you need to wean yourself off sugary treats, refined carbs and fast junk food, but don’t try to do it cold turkey.

Slowly drop one item from each meal and substitute with a healthy alternative. Continue eliminating sugar and processed carbs for two weeks, and then drop them altogether. After 30 days of dietary purging and substituting, you’ll find that you feel great and don’t miss the health destroying foods at all. Natural foods will taste good, and you’ll lose weight without much effort.

Step 2: Foods That Boost Your Immune System

Some of the foods you will want to use as sugar alternatives include all members of the berry family. They’re naturally sweet and are packed with antioxidants and chemical messengers which stimulate the immune system into action. Fresh leafy greens and especially cabbage, spinach and broccoli are vegetable choices which will fill you up quickly and pack a big nutritional punch. Almonds and flax seeds have been shown to regulate your immune response and also assist in natural weight loss.

Step 3: Immune Boosting Supplements

The top nutrient for powering your immune system is Vitamin D. This pro-hormone has been shown to directly influence over 200 genes which respond to natural threats to your health. Vitamin C is essential for a strong immune system as it is required for building new white blood cells. Rounding out the list are Vitamins E, zinc, selenium and Omega-3 fatty acids. Compliment your sugar-free diet and lifestyle by adding these critical supplements to your disease-fighting arsenal.

When our immune system is functioning properly, we’re able to maintain optimal health. Anything which compromises this intricate system will result in illness. Many people consume one-third to a half of their calories in the form of sugar and refined carbohydrates, placing them at significant risk for disease, as well as contributing to the obesity epidemic. Slowly substitute immune fighting foods for health eroding sugar and carbs, and you’ll be on the road to natural weight loss and vibrant health.

Follow a Paleo Diet for Natural Weight Loss

(Article first published as Top Reasons You Can’t Lose Weight, Part II on Technorati.)

It’s no secret that American waistlines continue to expand, despite regular headlines about the dire health consequences of excess body fat. We eat too much sugar, refined carbohydrates, junk food, fast food and hydrogenated trans fats. Compare our modern diet to that of our evolutionary ancestors and you’ll quickly see why we’re putting our lives in peril every time we eat.

Cave Men Set Our Dietary Genes in Stone     

The food we eat every day sends powerful chemical messages throughout our body which directly influence our genes. This happens with every meal, as we switch our genes either toward health or disease with every bite of food. We were never intended to eat massive quantities of processed foods laced with sugar, salt and fat that many people consume throughout the day.

Like it or not, we are a product of evolution and our genes are switched toward health and natural weight loss when we eat a diet similar to our Paleolithic brethren. Information reported in the Chicago Tribune reveals the importance of eating closer to the way nature intended to significantly reduce the risk of disease and drop the excess weight which packs on as a consequence of our poor culinary habits.

It’s important to understand the reasons behind the obesity epidemic which keep us from losing weight. Once we understand the powerful genetic influence our diet exerts over fat storage and mobilization in our body, we can make simple dietary changes to achieve our healthy weight loss goal.

Reason 1 – Too Much Sugar and Fructose

As the genes we carry today were being coded thousands of generations ago, sugar was virtually nonexistent, and fructose from fruit was a rare treat which bore little resemblance to the highly cultivated sweet fruit we buy on store shelves today. From a metabolic perspective, our body has difficulty processing the great amounts of sugar we consume, and most is converted into triglycerides (blood fat) and then stored as fat.

Research demonstrates that fructose, and especially high fructose corn syrup used in so many sweetened beverages, has an even more disruptive effect on fat metabolism. Reading nutritional labels is the best way to avoid added sugar. Cut out desserts, sugary soft drinks and sweet snacks, and be mindful of condiments like ketchup which are loaded with sugar.

Reason 2 – Refined Carbohydrates and Wheat

In between meal snacks and junk food can account for up to 40% of our daily calories, and these are typically high calorie foods with no nutritional value. Chips, fries and breads are immediately broken down by our efficient digestive system into glucose which hits our blood stream hard, and ultimately leads to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and diabetes. Wheat has only been in our food supply for the last 5,000 years, and genetically we haven’t yet evolved to eat wheat based foods.

Wheat is foreign to the body, and causes our immune system to spring into action every time we dine on breads or pasta, resulting in systemic inflammation which leads to heart disease and certain forms of cancer. Replace wheat with fresh vegetables, nuts and healthy monounsaturated fats which promote health and natural weight loss.

Reason 3 – Hydrogenated and Trans Fats

Hydrogenated and trans fats are artificially produced substances designed to boost the shelf life of many foods and appeal to our natural taste for fat. Fat is essential to our health, and one of the biggest mistakes many people make is trying to eliminate it from their diet. Our cells use fat to construct membranes which allow nutrients and oxygen to pass freely. Fake fats don’t have the same properties, and encourage disease and weight gain.

Avoid synthesized fats by reading all ingredient labels carefully, and don’t fry anything, as this cooking method produces trans fats from overheated oil. Use healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil and flax seed sources, adding them onto your food after cooking to preserve their natural qualities.

Following our evolutionary counterparts may provide an important insight into how we have evolved to eat, and why our present day diet is largely responsible for our declining health and excess weight gain. Our food has a significant impact on our genes, and by cutting unhealthy dietary options we can regain control of our health destiny and lose weight as a natural consequence.

Reduce Waist Size and Live Longer

(Article first published as Weight Loss Supplements: Which Work, Why? on Technorati.)

It’s no secret that American waistlines are continuing to expand, increasing the risk of disease and sudden death from an early age. The vast majority of overweight and obese individuals are conscious of their excess girth and would like to lose weight, but don’t fully understand the dire health consequences they face from those extra pounds.

Risk of Death Doubles with Waist Size
Large waist size is much more than an inconvenience, as it’s been shown to double the risk of death from all causes in both men and women. According to a report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine which reviewed more 100,000 people aged 50 or older, a waist size above 47” in men or 42” in women doubled the risk of dying.

While the study did not form a conclusion for the increased mortality rate, researchers recognize that abdominal fat is metabolically active and leads to hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance.

Control Your Diet, Extend Your Life

It’s important to understand the implications of this report, and how you can modify your diet and use targeted natural supplements to dramatically lower your risk of dying prematurely. A 100% increase in the risk of death is a very high price to pay for dietary indulgence, yet a large waist size is really the leading preventable cause of death.

Most people know that fresh vegetables are healthy and too much sugar is bad, but it’s very difficult to make the necessary changes to diet, even it could lower your chances of dying early. Begin by taking small steps and use substitutions, and don’t keep tempting foods in the kitchen! Remember that excess junk food is the reason your waist has expanded, and a well balanced diet is the key to reversal.

Replace pancakes each morning with a bowl of berries, eliminate refined carbs at a meal and replace with a serving of broccoli and forget sugary drinks and sweet desserts. You’ll find that after a couple of weeks you won’t even miss those unhealthy staples, and you’ll feel better as your waist size decreases.

Naturally Fuel Weight Loss

Once you’ve learned to control your diet and your waist size has begun to shrink, you should incorporate targeted natural supplements which have been proven effective in stimulating fat release. Stay far away from synthetic diet pills which will ultimately ruin your health. Natural supplements work with your own metabolism as they guide the release of fat from storage.

EGCG from Green Tea: Green tea extract specifically targets abdominal fat stores by inhibiting a brain neurotransmitter which controls metabolic rate and fat burn ability. Interestingly, research has shown that taking the extract in supplement form with meals is more effective than drinking green tea.

L-Carnitine: L-Carnitine is an amino acid which transports fats around the body, and is responsible for ushering fat into the cells where it’s used for energy, rather than being stored as fat. Taken with meals, L-Carnitine has demonstrated significant weight loss results when combined with proper diet.

Capsaicin: Capsaicin in the natural chemical responsible for that spicy kick when eating jalapenos and hot peppers. Capsaicin increases your base metabolic rate for hours, meaning you burn more calories at rest. Fortunately it’s best taken as a coated tablet to avoid potential digestive discomfort.

Sobering research provides important evidence that the excess size of your waist will ultimately determine your risk of dying, regardless of cause. This information should be sufficient to prompt health conscious individuals to correct their dietary shortcomings. Look to assistance from natural supplements in an effort to decrease your risk of unnatural death, lose weight and shrink your waistline for an improved quality of life.

Steps to Cancer Prevention

(Article first published as Best Cancer Prevention Steps on Technorati.)

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans, yet many people are unaware of the cause of this devastating disease, and that they can control the risk factors which lead to cancer initiation and development. Cancer is a disease caused largely by poor lifestyle choices and external factors. While genetics can play a role by influencing a predisposition toward cancer, disease prevention is within our control.

Sugar and Fructose Feed Cancer Cells

Doctors and medical researchers have known for years that cancer cells thrive on simple table sugar, or glucose, but information published in the journal Cancer Research indicates that fructose (fruit sugar) not only helps cancer cells to survive, but allows them to proliferate and multiply at a much higher rate.

High fructose corn syrup is a supercharged form of fructose used in virtually all sweetened soft drinks and processed foods which fuels cancer growth, particularly pancreatic cancer, a lethal form of the disease. Fructose is just one of the many lifestyle choices and environmental factors we’re exposed to which lead to toxic overload and the development of cancer.

Immune System Overload Leads to Cancer

Our immune system is quite effective at detecting and snuffing out rogue cancer cells which are present in our bodies every day. As we age, and tax our natural defenses with a never ending assault of chemical food additives and nutrient-poor diet, our immunity breaks down, allowing cancer cells to develop. Many people have adopted a strategy to clean up their diet and environment in an effort to lower the risk of cancer by following these steps.

Step 1: Sweep out the Sugar

Information from this study makes it clear that eliminating sugar, and specifically fructose, can dramatically lower your cancer risk by limiting the cancer cells preferred energy source. It’s important to note that many processed carbohydrates quickly turn to glucose after eating, and provide a ready source of glucose to fuel cancer growth. It’s necessary to severely limit or eliminate sugars and refined carbs in all their different forms to lower cancer risk.

Step 2: Make it Organic, Cut the Chemicals

When purchasing fruits and vegetables, you should choose organic whenever possible. Many types of produce are laced with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other toxins which must be filtered by your body when eaten. The body stores these poisons in fat cells where they remain for decades Eventually, your immune system is no longer able to fight off a lifetime of toxic assaults and cancer is allowed to progress.

Step 3: Live Clean, Breathe Clean, Drink Clean

Tap water in many communities is a significant source of contamination. EPA levels for heavy metal and chlorine allow a continual source of poisons to filter through our cells. Install a reverse osmosis filter system for all drinking water and use a carbon-based shower head filter to lower the effect of breathing evaporated chemicals found in most public water systems.

We’re continually exposed to a barrage of potentially harmful chemicals from household cleaning products to personal care items and vehicle emissions in the air we breathe. While a small amount of exposure is inevitable, it’s possible to reduce the amount of contaminant exposure by choosing naturally produced cleaners and cosmetics, and be sure to read labels carefully. Chances are if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s a cause for concern.

The amount of sugar in our diet is a controllable risk factor for the development of cancer. Identifying and eliminating sugar and other environmental and chemical risk factors is not an easy task, yet the health benefits are enormous. Cancer takes the lives of hundreds of thousands of people much too early each year. Every person can feel assured by the knowledge that cancer risk is within their control, and that it’s never too late start a campaign toward a clean and healthy cancer-free lifestyle.

Low Fat or Low Carb... Best For Weight Loss and Health?

(Article first published as Best Weight Loss Path: Low Fat or Low Carb? on Technorati.)

The question has challenged dietary science for decades - is low fat or low carb better for weight loss, and which is healthier? Many people are confused about the best way to pursue a healthy weight loss program, and often resort to fad diets, diet pills and weight loss surgery.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine analyzes two groups of weight loss participants, both placed on reduced calorie diets consisting of either low fat or low carbohydrate foods over a period of 2 years. Researchers determined that the type of food consumed is irrelevant to the amount of weight lost, but is much more important to overall health.

Weight Loss Controlled by Calories and Meal Timing, Not Food Type

In this study, people consuming the same amount of calories lost the same amount of weight, regardless of food source. Participants lost 7% of their body weight, or about 15 pounds over the 2 year time frame. The results are not surprising. Weight loss is fueled by many factors, including total calories, amount of physical activity, psychological mindset and the timing of meals.

One important fact that did emerge was that a low carb diet was healthier than the traditional low fat fare. Both groups of dieters benefitted from improved HDL cholesterol levels, with the low carb group achieving a 23% improvement compared with 11% for the low fat dieters. Additionally, blood pressure was reduced in the low carb group.

Traditional Low Fat Diet is Detrimental to Health

Weight loss is critical to the health of three-fourths of the adult population who are either overweight or obese, as it dramatically lowers risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer. Equally important is how the weight is lost. Dropping pounds too quickly is dangerous due to the risk of toxic overload as fat cells are purged.

While the source of calories may not be a critical factor in weight loss, reducing carbohydrates has a significant impact on your health. Medical science has supported the low fat mantra for more than a half century based on flawed evidence indicating that fat is the source of cholesterol and causes arterial plaque and heart disease. Research has documented that just the opposite is true.

Cut Carbs for Healthy Weight Loss
Carbohydrates, especially from refined starches, baked goods and any food using wheat as an ingredient, causes dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar and excessive levels of triglycerides (blood fats). Triglycerides that are not cleared from the blood are a factor in the development of coronary plaque, as they’re escorted out of circulation for storage as body fat. Reduce or eliminate junk food carbs and sugars to lower your future risk of heart disease.

There are many factors to consider when making the decision to affect a lifestyle change which will lead to healthy weight loss. Reduced calories from a well balanced diet are essential, as well as regular physical activity and the proper motivational factors. The decision to lose weight is an important first step, but be certain to adopt a low carbohydrate diet which will allow you to achieve your goal with optimal health.

Eliminate Sugar, Reduce Fat and Lose Weight

(Article first published as Tips to Help Eliminate Sugar From Your Diet on Technorati.)

Infants, children and adults alike have evolved to desire the taste of sugar. Natural sugar from fruits provides a healthy source of calories which was an advantage during our evolution, and fruit is packed with antioxidants that help fight disease and cellular damage. There’s even some evidence that sugar can be addictive, as it stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain.

Excess Sugar Converts to Stored Body Fat

The results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association show that people who eat the most sugar, regardless of the source, have the highest blood triglycerides combined with the lowest protective HDL cholesterol levels. This is bad news because triglycerides (a dangerous form of fat in the blood) can significantly increase the risk of heart disease. Further, excess triglycerides cause metabolic imbalance, leading to diabetes and triggering the dangerous conversion of sugar to body fat.

People trying to lose weight and improve their health need to make a concentrated effort to drastically limit sugar in their diet. While this may seem a daunting task, there are useful tips you can follow to purge sugar consumption, while improving blood lipids and the release of fat from storage in the body.

Sugar Busting Tip 1: Dump Sweetened Beverages
Sugar from sweetened drinks and fruit juices accounts for nearly half the sugar consumed each day for many people. Of primary concern is the fact that much of this sugar is from high fructose corn syrup, a super-charged synthetic form of sugar linked to increased risk of diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Opt instead for water or tea, and sweeten with stevia which is a natural sugar alternative.

Sugar Busting Tip 2: Drop Refined Carbs
Sugar comes in many forms, including the obvious – candy, baked goods, ice cream and cakes, to the hidden sugars tucked away in breads, pastas, potatoes and most grains. All have the same blood sugar disturbing effect on your metabolism, pushing your body toward fat storage, weight gain and disease.
Learn to read nutritional labels, paying close attention to total carbohydrates and sugars. Always fill yourself up first with fresh vegetable and meat sources so you’re less likely to splurge on those sugary treats which pack on the pounds.

Sugar Busting Tip 3: Look for Hidden Sugar

Most people know how to identify the most common high sugar culprits, but sugar can be hiding in places you’d never think to look. Be careful with gum, cough syrup, mints, ketchup, tomato sauce, baked beans and lunch meats, as these all pack a sugar punch. Be mindful that sugar can slide through under many different aliases such as sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, cane juice, glucose and honey. All will derail your weight loss journey.

Extensive research points to the incontrovertible fact that sugar should not be part of your diet. Glucose feeds cancer cells, and a high sugar intake can promote tumor growth. Sugar disrupts your metabolism causing blood sugar swings and ultimately metabolic disorder and excess body fat, and this process starts in our children from a young age. Bust sugar from your life and benefit from lowered disease risk, improved health and naturally mediated weight loss.