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Obesity

April 8th, 2009 by tripowerteam

: Image via Wikipedia

Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition that is characterized by the extent of an excess of body fat that negatively affects a persons health. An obese person will have a BMI of more than 30kg/m2, whereas someone who is overweight but not obese will have a BMI of 25kg/m2 but less than 30kg/m2

Obesity increases the risk of contracting degenerative diseases such as cancer and heart disease and the obese individual is also more likely to fall victim to type 2 diabetes.

Obesity has now been described by the World Health organization as a “world wide” epidemic. It’s estimated that around 250 million people worldwide are obese. This is particularly prevalent in the US where over one third of the adult population are obese and one in seven children and adolescents are obese.

According to Dr Jaap Seidell of the International Obesity Task force, the incidence of obesity is on the rise throughout the world making it one of the fastest developing public health concerns.

So what can be done about this ever increasing epidemic that is putting untold pressure on the world’s health resources. Basically calorie controlled diets don’t work. Restricting calories doesn’t necessarily equate to a well balanced nutritious diet. There is also the possibility that the body will go into starvation mode and lower its metabolic rate in order to cope with the sudden lack of food.

In order to tackle obesity successfully it is important to find a diet that is right for you and one that you can stick to for the rest of your life. No matter how you try to package the truth, at the end of the day if you are overweight you are either eating too much or you are eating the wrong foods for your body. Your aim should be to lose weight for life not to lose weight for a special occasion.

A diagnosis of obesity is a final wake up call to take care of your health. You may already have been diagnosed with a chronic health problem, so it is in your own interest to do the appropriate research and find a diet that suits your body type and not only helps you to lose weight but also ensures that you achieve and maintain optimal health.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

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Categories : Lose Weight

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Nutritional Health

March 27th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Nutritional Health

Healthy Choices

The term Nutritional Health, implies that our health status is in someway reliant on our nutritional intake. There is a very well known saying “you are what you eat”. In other words if you eat healthy nourishing food you will heave a healthy well nourished body, but if you eat junk food then your health will in someway be compromised.

This statement is broadly true, although in reality nutritional health is a far more complex issue. I am sure you will also have heard the saying “one man’s meat is another man’s poison” implying that one person may eat a particular diet and feel fit and well, whereas another person can eat the same food and react negatively to that food, resulting in some unpleasant symptoms.. Our biochemical individuality means that nutritional health is very different for different people.

Apparently our bodies were designed to live until 120 years of age. Most people live just over half of that age or less and die from the effects of our civilised world rather than from natural causes of aging. In the 21st century we may feel qualified to applaud some of the advances of modern medicine regarding treatment of infections, but we have also to accept that the causes of the majority of present day illnesses and diseases are due to lifestyle factors. This may include lack of exercise, poor nutritional health or the effects of an accumulation of factors such as alcohol abuse, heavy smoking or recreational drug use.

Of course there are also other factors that are out of our hands such as the deterioration of the nutritional state of our food, drink and air that we breathe. Processed and fast foods have become more and more popular, locally grown seasonal fruit and vegetables have been superseded by food that is shipped thousands of mils and is available to us all year round. Fresh free range meat is a thing of the past. Chemical fertilizers have become the norm and poor farming habits are affecting the mineral status of the soil and consequently the nutritional value of our crops.

Finding a way to ensure good nutritional health has become more and more difficult, and many people are resorting to supplementing their diets with good quality nutritional products. Multivitamins and antioxidants are a top priority for many people as they try to protect their bodies from the onslaught of poor quality water supplies, often contaminated with chemical additives such as fluoride; polluted air and light.

Dr Paulus Lining two times Nobel Prize winner said

“You can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment to a mineral deficiency”

Nutritional health is totally reliant on the best quality foods. So apart from supplementing your diet with multivitamins and antioxidants, the first thing to do is to find ways of ensuring that you feed your body with good quality, fresh, organic food where ever possible. Find out if there are any foods that are detrimental to your health and avoid them until your body learns to tolerate them. If your body is reacting by displaying the symptoms of a disease state, then you are not eating the right foods for your body type and you need to take the appropriate steps to find out what foods you can eat that will keep you healthy.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Nutritional Health

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Probiotics

March 27th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Probiotics

We hear on a daily basis through media advertising, that probiotics are necessary to build a strong immune system, but what does this mean and how can we ensure that we don’t get caught up in media hype?

Most people are totally unaware that there are 100 trillion bacteria, weighing a total of 3 pounds (approx 1.5 kg) lining their intestinal tracts. This complex system of beneficial bacteria is a crucial part of the immune system. The primary function of the beneficial bacteria is to protect the body from invasion, but this can only happen successfully if we ensure that our diets are such that the beneficial bacteria are nurtured and encouraged with probiotics and not bombarded with unhealthy foods such as sugar, processed foods and toxic chemicals.

In a healthy individual, the good bacteria in the gut, represents about 80% of the total bacteria present, the other 20% being of the pathogenic variety. However when the ratio is 80:20 the good bacteria keep the pathogenic bacteria in check and the good bacteria are able to continue their job of producing a strong immune army. If we eat a diet of sugar and processed foods, what happens is that these foods “feed” the pathogenic bacteria and they become more prolific and can ultimately impair your immune system.

To maintain the good bacteria it is vital to adopt a diet that not only feed the good bacteria with probiotics but also avoids the foods that feeds the pathogenic bacteria. A two pronged attack. To provide the body with probiotic enhancing foods our diet should contain foods that have been fermented eg. kefir, sauerkraut etc If you are not eating these foods then you should consider supplementing your diet with a good quality probiotic supplement. A good probiotic supplement will contain bacterial cultures such as lactobacillus, acidophilus and bifidus. If the probiotic supplement is a good one these cultures will be highly concentrated forms of the particular bacteria. Unfortunately many of the gimmicky probiotic foods that promise to feed your gut with good bacteria, have been found to contain very little if any living bacteria, and many of them are sugar laden which rather defeats the object of the exercise.

Probiotics should ideally be taken with food as part of your daily routine. They are also an excellent companion if you are traveling abroad. Many people experience infectious traveler’s diarrhea while visiting foreign countries and a bottle of probiotics can help to clear up the infection in record time.

Probiotics tend to be viewed as something to take when on a course of antibiotics. This of course is vital, but they should really be given a little more credence for the wonderful job they do supporting the immune system, which after all is the most important contributor to our overall health.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Probiotics

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Lose Weight

March 27th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Lose Weight

It is not unusual for people who are overweight to make the excuse that they can’t lose weight so there is no point trying. Losing weight is not for the feint hearted. It demands life style changes and discipline and can take many months to achieve your goal.

However if you are serious about wanting to lose weight it is worth making sure that you are properly organized before you begin. Being well organized will get you off to a good start as will my list of tips and hints to make your weight loss journey a little less stressful

1. Get rid of any foods that may tempt you to return to your old ways and instead fill your cupboards with healthy foods that will help you to lose weight

2. Buy fresh foods on the day you want to eat them. This will help to ensure that they have the maximum nutritional value.

3. Make sure you have some healthy snacks at hand in the fridge, like carrot sticks and hummus.

4. You will need to have plenty of high quality protein in your weight loss diet. Protein is necessary to convert fat into lean muscle and subsequently to speed up your metabolism.

5. Most of us suffer from a sweet tooth on occasions so it is sensible to keep a store of fruit such as bananas, apples and oranges that will offer a healthier alternative. Pure sugar causes insulin levels to rise too quickly leading to a condition known as hyper-insulinism. Fruit contains fiber which has to be broken down and results in a slower absorption of sugar and a more gradual rise in insulin levels.

6. You should aim to stick to your diet at least for 95% of the time and don’t be too hard on yourself if you have a bad day or feel the need for a treat. It is always better to have a treat and get back to your diet rather than feel deprived and ending up binging

7. Start thinking like a slim person and imagining yourself as slim. If you think like a slim person you will act like a slim person and consequently you will begin to eat like as a slim person. The power of though can help you to lose weight more effectively and maintain that weight loss in the future.

8. Don’t be tempted to give up. There will always be times when sticking to your diet will prove to be more than you can cope with, but the most important thing is to get back on the diet as soon as things get back to normal.

9. Trying to lose weight on your own can be a lonely business. Either join a class or maybe form a weight loss group of your own amongst your friends, colleagues or family members. The benefits of group therapy and a good support system can make all the difference to your ultimate successful weight loss

10. Determination and a resolve to do it to the best of your ability will certainly help you to lose weight. Many people have lost vast amounts of weight and have kept it off successfully it just takes a bit of will power and an understanding that this is an eating plan for life and not just for the duration of your weight loss regime

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Lose Weight

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Antioxidant

March 14th, 2009 by tripowerteam

What is an Antioxidant?

An antioxidant is basically something that reverses the effects of oxidation. Although oxygen is a vital nutrient needed by every cell in the body every second of the day, it is also chemically reactive and highly dangerous. In normal biochemical reactions oxygen can become unstable and capable of oxidizing neighboring molecules. This can lead to cellular damage which in turn triggers cancer, inflammation, arterial damage and aging. Any chemical that is capable of disarming these free radicals is termed an antioxidant.

The main antioxidants include vitamins A, C and E, beta carotene, selenium, glutathione and bioflavanoids. These vitamins and minerals tend to work synergistically in the body and are best taken as an antioxidant supplement for the best result.

The balance between your intake of antioxidants and your free radical damage can be crucial. You can make some significant changes to your dietary habits to reduce the oxidation as well as eating natural foods with high antioxidant properties.

A diet high in fruit and vegetables is very important as this will provide plenty of vitamin C and beta carotene. Vitamin C is water soluble and acts as a roaming scavenger and occurs in high concentrations in the brain, lungs and adrenal glands. Vitamins A and E are fat soluble and provide the main antioxidant protection within the cell wall. Vitamin A is found in organ meats, fish, eggs and dairy products, whereas vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds and unrefined vegetable oils.

Glutathione has been termed the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifier. It is manufactured inside the cell from its precursor amino acids, glycine, glutamate and cystine. Natural foods that boost glutathione levels include asparagus, broccoli, avocado and spinach. Raw eggs, garlic and fresh unprocessed meats contain high levels of sulphur containing amino acids that help to maintain optimal glutathione levels

Selenium is a trace mineral and is found mainly in plant foods and also in some meats and seafood. It is required in small amounts to enhance antioxidant activity and prevent cellular damage from free radicals. The selenium content of foods is wholly dependant on the selenium content of the soil in which the plant was grown. Or where the animals where raised. In the UK the soil in Norfolk is know to be rich in selenium whereas in the USA northern Nebraska and the Dakotas have a high level of selenium.

Bioflavanoids belong to the polyphenol family. They are the antioxidants that are found in foods such as fruit, vegetables, soy products, green tea and red wine. They are thought to be responsible for the antioxidant protection of body fluids and they may be able to help to reduce the risk of degenerative diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Including these antioxidant rich foods in your dietary regime is a wonderful way of ensuring that your body has the protection it needs from the daily attacks that can result in free oxidising radical damage. Because of the modern ways of living it is virtually impossible to avoid the causes of oxidative damage, but we can take steps to ensure that the damage is limited.

Ref
The Glutathione Report –Priya Shah – July 2004

Patrick Holford’s 100% Health 7DD

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Antioxidant

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Joint Health

March 14th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Joint Health

Joint health is something we all become acutely aware of as we get older. Morning stiffness, rheumatic-type aches and pains, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and arthritis are just a few of the conditions that we may encounter. Most people will see these conditions as a “to be expected” part of aging. They will more than likely resort to painkillers and other anti-inflammatory drugs and maybe some massage or other manipulative therapy. Very few people will consider the role of nutrition or nutritional supplementation as a way of easing their symptoms, let alone treating the root cause.

Joints comprise of bone with a layer of smooth less brittle cartilage known as the articular cartilage, which is separated from the opposite bone and cartilage by a lubricating synovial fluid contained within the synovial membrane.. The bone consists of a matrix of collagen, a form of protein, which binds together calcium, the main constituent of bone, and phosphorus. The cartilage protects the bone ends and is composed of a substance which is made from protein and carbohydrate.

The most common joint problem, where joint health is seen to be compromised, is arthritis. There are basically two types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects the articular cartilage. This cartilage is mainly made up of water and its job is to reduce friction that might be caused by the two bones rubbing together. It acts like a sponge which soaks up the synovial fluid, which fills the cavity between and around the bone joints. It is continually released and absorbed as you move. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to dry out over time, thus compromising joint health.

The other form of arthritis that affects joint health is rheumatoid arthritis. It is thought to be an auto immune disease where the body reacts against itself. It affects one or a number of joints. The first sign of this condition is when the synovial membrane lining the joints becomes inflamed and attracts more joint fluid to ease the inflammation. The joint eventually becomes swollen, stiff and warm because of the increased blood flow. This can eventually leads to a wasting of the muscles.

Many arthritis sufferers have been able to control or even improve their joint health by making some dietary changes. There are certain foods that are known to make arthritis worse, for example foods from the deadly nightshade family, sugar and sugar substitutes, trans-fatty acids, grains- especially wheat, and meats such as pork, ham and bacon. This can be a very daunting prospect for many people with arthritis, as their first reaction is that there is nothing left to eat. However if they make a list of the foods that they can eat, then they will soon realize that the changes are no so difficult after all. At the end of the day it is up to each individual to decide if they want to improve their joint health or not.

As well as making dietary changes, many people have also been helped by the numerous supplements that are available to support joint health. Products such as fish oil, glucosamine and antioxidant vitamins all have a part to play in improving the health of the joint. It is always wise to approach joint health with a complimentary regime that encompasses both lifestyle changes and supplementation, and if necessary this can be supported with controlled pain relief, especially in the early days before the new regime starts to take effect

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Health

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Nutritional Supplements

March 11th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Nutritional Supplements

The question of when nutritional supplementation is necessary for optimal wellness is a difficult one, not simply whether the person needs nutritional supplements, but what supplements would help their condition and aid their recovery. In order be certain what supplements are required it is often a good idea to book a session with a nutritional therapist. This may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it can in fact save you money in the long run, as your therapist will be able to tell you which nutritional supplements are best for your needs. This will remove the guess work and the possibility of taking supplements that you don’t really need.

Dr Mark Draper, medical nutritionist to Cytoplan, a Nutritional company in the UK, has chosen to include nutritional supplementation as part of his practice. This was prompted initially by his experience in the West Indies, where he was treating children with advancing infections in the upper respiratory fact. These children were requiring antibiotics until it was discovered they were suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Supplementation program of iron resulted in a rapid cure of these conditions.

On other occasions Dr Mark Draper experienced dramatic responses in the condition of his patients with eczema and psoriasis after supplementation with zinc and selenium. Dr Draper is quoted as saying

“I strongly believe that the body is programmed to succeed and not to fail given the right building blocks. It appears that there is a commonality of cause in many acute recurrent or chronic diseases….which can be classified as type B malnutrition. This can be defined as a shortage of one or more micro nutrients”

He goes on to say that pharmaceutical treatment regimes set out to control the symptoms rather than address the cause, leaving it to go unchecked, and resulting in an even greater need for nutritional supplementation to support the body. He feels that nutritional supplementation will either prevent the worsening of the disease or may even cause a regression.

Basically the body is a self healing entity, but it can only operate efficiently if provided with all the nutrients needed for optimal health. Type B malnutrition can often be due to poor dietary habits, but it can also be due to the poor nutritional status of many of the foods we buy at the present time. Many foods now lack minerals and trace elements due to the way we produce, farm and transport food. We no longer eat food in season. We expect all fresh foods to be available all year round. But at what cost to the consumer? If we wish to ensure that our nutritional needs are met then it is important to take appropriate nutritional supplements. By doing this we are giving our bodies the best support and the best opportunity to deal with any underlying deficiencies that may be contributing to our overall health.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Dietary Supplements

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Chronic Pain

March 11th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Chronic Pain

It is estimated that that there are at least 6 million people in the UK alone, who suffer from chronic pain on a daily basis. The most prevalent causes are arthritis, neck shoulder and back pain and recurrent headaches. These conditions are now so common that they are seen as an inevitable part of life. People with chronic pain often endure considerable suffering and distress as well as impaired mobility, sleep disturbances and reduced confidence.

In fact chronic pain has become one of the major health and social challenges of our time, with over £400 million being spent on over the counter painkillers. There is no doubt that painkillers can be very effective in relieving pain, but they are not without there side effects and other serious concerns.

• Some over the counter pain killers are addictive
• Others are thought to be linked to suicides
• NSAIDs are thought to cause kidney damage and intestinal bleeding
• Far too many people are admitted to hospital to be treated for the side affects of NSAIDs

Unfortunately when it comes to treating people with chronic pain, the pharmaceutical options are limited. So what is the answer? Are there any natural approaches that can help to alleviate pain levels?

The good news is that in recent years there have been considerable improvements in the quality of life that can be achieved using natural and holistic methods. For example.

• Resolving the underlying cause of pain
• Eating a whole food diet relatively free from sugar, processed foods, caffeine and alcohol
• The use of visualization and meditation
• Remedial exercise
• Stress management and relaxation
• Manipulative therapies
• Acupuncture
• Nutritional and naturopathic therapies and supplementation
• Hydration

Chronic pain rarely has a simple diagnosis. Back pain may be caused by a pulled muscle or a bulging disc, but if it is a recurring problem it is nearly always related to emotional and nutritional factors as well. For lasting improvement and effective healing these factors need to be addresses as well.

Chronic pain may also be due to factors such as excessive weight, posture, poor core muscle development, an inflamed gut, or possible foods that are causing an allergic response that is weakening the muscles around the injury.

The holistic treatment approach for chronic pain must be multifaceted if it is to be successful. But unfortunately, although chronic pain may be alleviated temporarily, it cannot be cured by taking painkillers.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Health

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Vitamin B12

March 11th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a member of the vitamin B complex group, all of which are vital for mental health. Deficiency in any of the 8 B vitamins will very quickly affect the way you feel and think. These B vitamins are water soluble and rapidly pass out of the body and so we need to replenish them on a daily basis. The B vitamin group tend to work synergistically so it is advisable to take them in a complex. If you feel you need an extra amount of any of the B vitamin group then make sure you take it in conjunction with a B Complex formula.

Vitamin B 12 is one such vitamin that is often supplemented alongside a B complex supplement. Vitamin B12’s primary functions include the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. It is also necessary for the synthesis of DNA during cell division.

Vitamin B12 is found primarily in meat, eggs and diary products. It has been suggested that B12 is also found in fermented soy and seaweed products, however, although this may be the case, it is unclear as to how available this plant source is to the human body. Those on a vegetarian diet may well find that their diets are deficient in this essential vitamin and may need to consider supplementation,

Vegans need to make sure that the foods in their diet are fortified with vitamin B12. For example foods such as marmite, or other yeast extracts, breakfast cereals and textured vegetable protein are fortified with vitamin B12

If you are experiencing lack of energy, exhaustion, irritability, forgetfulness or brain fog, you could be suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency may be caused by a lack of B12 in your diet, however it could be caused by stress, which increases our demand for B12. In addition our ability to absorb B vitamins in general declines after the age of 40, so supplementation may be advisable once you have reached this age.

Occasionally B12 deficiency can be caused by digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis or gastric reflux, all of which inhibit the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the foods they eat.

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Categories : Vitamins

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Stevia

March 11th, 2009 by tripowerteam

Stevia

Stevia is an extremely sweet, non calorific herb that has been used as a sweetener and flavour enhancer for centuries. Unfortunately its use within the USA has been virtually impossible in recent years due to the fact that it has been handled as if it were an illegal drug. However more recently it has been decided that it can now be sold legally in the USA provided it is called a dietary supplement.

With obesity reaching epidemic proportions, alternatives to sugar have been very high profile. Artificial sweeteners have been deemed detrimental to health and have even been cited as a causal factor of weight gain. Many people who have a weight problem also have a sweet tooth and find giving up sweet foods very difficult. Stevia, unlike the artificial sweeteners on the market does not mimic sugar in the same way and so has a very beneficial part to play in the diets of many obese individuals. Stevia has actually been used in South America for centuries to treat Type 2 Diabetes.

Stevia is in fact commonly known as sweetleaf or sugarleaf. Its extracts are 300 times the sweetness of sugar and amazingly has a zero calorific value. It will come as no surprise therefore to know that cooking with stevia can take a little getting used to. The most important thing to remember is not to use too much as this can result in excessive sweetness and an after taste. One suggestion is to start using stevia with other natural sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup.

Recipes for beverages sweetened with stevia will often be measured as a liquid concentrate. Stevia is sold as a white powder or as dried or powdered leaves. In order to make the stevia liquid concentrate you must purchase the white stevia powder.

Stevia is sold in 4 different varieties:-

• fresh leaves – the most natural unrefined state
• dried, crushed leaves – this variety released more sweetness and flavour
• stevia extracts – this is the white powdered extract that is approximately 200-300 times sweeter than sugar(by weight)
• liquid concentrates – this can be made from the white powder and preserved with grapefruit seed extract or may be a syrupy black liquid made by boiling the leaves in water

ref – Wikededia
— Stevia.net

Janet L. Matthews
Skype ID: lindajanetmatthews

Since Stevia is much sweeter than sugar we recommend to get it in liquid form, where you are able to add a drop up to a few drops depending on your taste.

Categories : Stevia

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Date	Topic
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