http://akathekid.freechipz.com/ Lose Weight simply and safely! en http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/04/06/fight-the-flatulence.html Excessive gas is frustrating, embarrassing, as well as can be quite un comfortable! Flatulence is the medical term on behalf of the occurrence of excess gas in the intestines as well as digestive tract as well as the symptoms usually include bloating, cramping, belching, abdominal pain as well as the act of passing gas. This process of gas production is a common aspect of food digestion system as well as occurs moderately in every individual. However, if you suffer from severe flatulence, there are a few sure shot steps you can take to reduce its occurrence as well as fight the flatulence. Common Causes of Flatulence The easiest way to reduce the symptoms of flatulence is to avoid the predominant causes of the condition. Consuming carbonated beverages (which contain excess air), chewing with your mouth open or eating too promptly (which causes you to ingest too much air), eating high fibre foods (like beans, cabbage, spinach as well as broccoli) with inadequate fluid intake, chewing gum as well as not chewing your food well sufficient may contribute to the excess production of gas. Since flatulence is normal by-product of the digestive process you might not be able to avoid the symptoms entirely, but there are a few quick remedies, which you can utilize to fight the flatulence. Natural Remedies from the Kitchen to fight Flatulence Most often, the relief from flatulence is as close as your kitchen as well as a great place to find simple remedies on behalf of flatulence is in your spice rack or pantry. Herbs like peppermint, fennel, caraway as well as anise all contain flatulence-relieving properties. And so do the spices like dill, basil, rosemary, turmeric, coriander, cardamom, cloves as well as foods like lemon, pumpkin as well as yoghurt.   Ø      Ginger is an brilliant herb that shall help to reduce as well as even prevent flatulence. Ginger stimulates the digestive system as well as relaxes the muscles in the digestive tract so food won't get backed up or blocked in the intestines. Ø      Fennel is yet another herb, which can be used to fight flatulence. The volatile oils present in fennel helps the body to expel gas. However, it is informed to crush the seeds briefly with a mortar as well as pestle to express the volatile oils. Fennel has been used on behalf of centuries to prepare “gripe water” to calm gassy babies…adults should also endeavour to derive the benefits by adding fennel to their tea or just adding fennel powder to warm water as well as sipping it slowly. Ø      Spices like cloves, coriander and Cardamom act as a stimulant as well as a carminative as well as has at all times been a basis on behalf of medicinal preparations on behalf of indigestion as well as flatulence. Coriander works well in stir-fry dishes, cardamom works well in vegetable dishes as well as cloves manufacture a great addition to rice or fruit dishes.   Ø      The juice from a lemon, especially when mixed with water as well as ½ teaspoon baking soda, can promptly quiet down an overactive intestinal track as well as help eliminate bloating as well as cramping from excess gas. Ø      Pumpkin, whether baked, steamed or used as the predominant ingredient in soup or a side dish, has also been shown to have soothing qualities that calm upset stomachs as well as reduce the occurrence of gas. Ø      Although dairy products are usually blamed on behalf of the onset of flatulence, yoghurt can actually help relieve the condition. Yoghurt, as long as it contains acidophilus, uses bacteria to retain the digestive process normal so that food doesn’t sit too long in the intestines as well as produce excess gas. Ø      Pour one cup of boiling water over dried peppermint leaves as well as permit the mixture to seep on behalf of ten minutes. Drain the liquid as well as drink it warm during an attack of flatulence. You may also endeavour the peppermint green tea available easily at herbal stores. Ø      It is advisable to add herbs like basil, rosemary, turmeric to your regular recipes. They not only add flavor as well as zing to your vegetables (especially the gassy ones like cabbage, cauliflower as well as broccoli) or salads or even rice dishes, but also aid in digestion.   Recipe on behalf of a perfect mix to fight flatulence   Take 2 pepper corns, a 1 cm piece of ginger, 1 cardamom pod as well as a pinch each of asafetida as well as fennel powder. Crush all ingredients into a fine powder. Dissolve 1 tsp of this mixture in a glass of luke warm water whenever you experience the symptoms.   In addition to the above suggested remedies, a few adjustments in your eating habits also help.   Ø      try to avoid overeating, Ø      avoid eating too much of refined foods which disrupt the normal process of digestion as well as elimination of wastes Ø      Restrict Excessive intake of alcohol Ø      Try to eat your meals slowly whilst chewing it properly Ø      A deficiency of B complex vitamins may also trigger the incidence of flatulence, so incorporate it in your diet through natural as well as supplemental forms. Ø      Going on behalf of a stroll at the end of meals having a regular activity pattern aids digestion.   Hopefully, with these modifications in your food choices as well as eating habits, the chances of this embarrassing malady can be greatly lessened or eliminated. Posted in Nutrition http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/04/06/fight-the-flatulence.html Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:58:53 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/04/06/beat-the-cola-temptation.html   A can of chilled soft drink is an estimated all definitely ‘a pick me up’, especially so during the summers. Whilst you may grab one every alternate day, the recent scientific evidence pin points that ‘reaching on behalf of a couple of cans of soft drinks everyday to quench your thirst should NOT be an option’. The acidity of cola beverages … is about the same as vinegar. The sugar content masks the acidity, as well as an estimated all of us don’t realize we are drinking this strange mixture of phosphoric acid, sugar, caffeine, coloring, as well as flavoring matter. I’m sure you already are aware that soft drinks are loaded with unoccupied calories as well as truly not the best drinks to quench your thirst. However, am listing down a few pointers highlighting the facts about soft drinks, which hopefully shall aid in beating the cola temptation! Here is a list of 10 reasons for avoiding excessive intake of soft drinks. 1)      Carbonated soft drinks are a diuretic.  Drinking a soft drink shall take more water from your system than they shall put back in your body.  The digestion process on behalf of the high levels of sugar shall remove much water from your system.  To replace the water lost from drinking a carbonated soft drink, you shall have to drink numerous glasses of water to manufacture up on behalf of your soft drink consumption.. 2)      A sugar surplus (and crash) in your body can give rise to diabetes High amounts of sugar in the soft drink can cause your pancreas to produce too much insulin.  Constant elevation as well as reduction of insulin as well as sugars in your system can give rise to fluctuations in blood glucose levels as well as insulin resistance. 3)      Heavy soft drink consumption can interfere with your body’s metabolization of iron as well as diminish nerve impulse transmission. 4)      Cola drinks can interact adversely with antacids, possibly causing constipation, calcium loss, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, headaches, as well as kidney damage. 5)      Caffeine has been linked to lowered absorption of calcium. Soft drinks have long been suspected of leading to lower calcium levels as well as higher phosphate levels in the blood. When phosphate levels are high as well as calcium levels are low, calcium is pulled out of the bones. The phosphate content of soft drinks is very high, as well as they contain virtually no calcium.What’s more, the kidneys are programmed by caffeine to produce excess urine, leading to dehydration. there is sufficient evidence that colas as well as other carbonated drinks are linked to low bone mass–in both adults as well as children–that people should be concerned about how much of these beverages they drink. 6)      Eight times the amount of benzene that is permitted in drinking water can be found in carbonated soft drinks.  The chemical “Benzene” found in abundance is linked to leukemia 7)      Another advantage of avoiding sodas is that you shall avoid the caffeine that is in numerous of them. Caffeine intake above safe limits have been associated with irritability, anxiety, jumpiness, deprivation of deep sleep, as well as vascular headaches.       Soft drinks are far from being soft. High in phosphorous as well as phosphoric acid, they infiltrate bodily fluids as well as corrode stomach linings, upset the alkaline-acid balance of the kidneys, as well as eat away at your liver . Acids of a low pH at around 2.5 are 10,000 times more acidic than the desired neutral pH level of 7.0 9)      Soft drinks also contain refined sugar, as well as artificial chemicals like colorings as well as flavorings, sweetners- all of which shall contribute to free radical production in the body. 10)  Since soft drinks are quite acidic in nature, with a pH of approximately 2.5, drinking excessive number of may pose difficulties related to your teeth as well as gums. So, next time, you opt on behalf of the soft drink, beware that it isn’t just your teeth as well as weight that could be at risk, but in fact your entire body system as well as overall health too! Switch over to green tea, lime water, fruit juices as well as buttermilk to quench your thirst as well as trust me, each as well as every cell of your body shall be thanking you!   Posted in General http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/04/06/beat-the-cola-temptation.html Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:34:11 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/04/01/bid-adieu-to-cellulite.html From radiofrequency waves to lasers, there exist a plethora of both conventional as well as modern treatments which promise to help you eliminate cellulite. But, before seeking any treatment on behalf of cellulite, it helps to understand what it is as well as why it occurs.   What exactly is a cellulite? Cellulite is fat, but with a different appearance than other fat. It looks like dimpled skin, sort of cottage-cheesy, as well as an estimated all often shows up on the thighs, hips, as well as buttocks. If it’s mild, it can only been seen when the skin is pinched. But in more severe cases, the bumpiness as well as peaks as well as valleys show even when the skin isn’t pinched. Cellulite is much more common in women than in men as well as that’s because of the fact that fat in women tend to accumulate mostly in the thighs, hips, as well as buttocks. Underneath our skin, the fat usually contains fibrous bands. In men, these bands are typically in even rows, but in women, even in women on their optimum body weight, the bands aren’t in regular, even rows but are in more of a zigzag pattern. This may be partially due to certain hormonal influences. This zig zag pattern of bands below the skin in women allows the fat to push through the connective tissue that typically keeps it distributed evenly as well as results in the bumps, peaks, as well as valleys that appear as cellulite. Genetics play a role in determining your chances of getting noticeable cellulite but so does the amount of fat in your body. Since excess weight can manufacture the cellulite more noticeable, it is crucial to shed the unwanted pounds.   Common Cellulite Treatments:   1. Diet as well as Exercise- Exercises, especially the repetitive, low-weight ones on the leg help. In one study, around 80 women(in the age group of 45yrs) were put on an eight week long cellulite reduction program as well as the changes were evaluated. The program comprised of training the subjects on behalf of one hour, three days a week. Each session included about 25 minutes on behalf of strength training as well as another 25 on behalf of endurance training such as jogging on treadmill or cycling. The women lost fat as well as increased muscle, reversing the two difficulties contributing to cellulite accumulation — muscle loss as well as fat gain in the hips as well as thighs. This in turn showed considerable improvement in the appearance of the cellulite. Actually, when the underlying muscle is strengthened, it makes the fat layer appear smooth as well as non crinkled. The basic strength exercises done were the leg curl, leg press, as well as hip adduction — as well as endurance exercise. In his study, the women who also reduced their calorie intake lost more weight — nearly 8 pounds compared to 1.5 pounds — as well as more fat — more than 9 pounds compared to a little more than 3. So, this point to the fact that combining appropriate exercise regime with a monitored dietary pattern helps in cellulite reduction.   2. Mechanical methods on behalf of treating cellulite as well as subcutaneous fat such as combining light energy as well as dynamic laser light. The laser is used to liquefy the fat, as well as then a special light increases the permeability of the cell membrane, helping to stimulate the production of collagen, the predominant protein in connective tissue. Suction is applied with a special vacuum to ensure consistent light penetration to the tissue, as well as rollers are used to gently massage the skin surface. This helps to transfer the liquefied fats from the area into the body’s lymphatic system on behalf of drainage.   3. Liposunction Lipo sunction refers to the removal of fat from beneath the skin using a hollow tube (inserted beneath the skin) as well as sucking out the fat with assistance from a vacuum. This technique seemed to work only to improve the condition but not to completely take away the appearance of cellulite. Moreover, it costs a lot as well as needs specialist physician.   4. Anti- Cellulite Creams as well as Potions So-called anti-cellulite creams, widely available on the Internet as well as at drug stores, promise to improve the appearance of cellulite. But, scientific evidence as well as experienced dermatologists usually treat these remedies as a waste of time as well as money. The creams often contain caffeine with certain vaso constriction properties as well as massaging of cream on the skin also tends to help drain away a little fluid. So, the appearance of cellulite appear improved but is only a temporary effect.   5. Scientists are looking at a treatment called cryolipolysis — basically chilling your fat . The technique involves the utilize of cold above the freezing mark to cause the fat to be reabsorbed. The research in this area is still in infancy as well as hence you just require to wait as well as watch.   The bottomline If you have excess weight, start focusing on reducing calories to shed the additional pounds, as well as doing regular strength training as well as cardio exercise to see improvement in cellulite. Avoid simple refined carbs like white rice, flour as well as sugar as well as fatty foods such as red meat as well as full cream dairy products. Opt on behalf of white meat as well as low-fat dairy alternatives instead. These foods are also lean protein foods that help build muscle as well as burn more calories than fat. Additionally, include lots of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the diet(oily fish, nuts as well as avocados) as these acids also help burn body fat However, it’s important on behalf of you to realize that there's no diet that is going to magically eliminate all of the cellulite on your body. In fact, even the best diet may not completely remove cellulite or even improve its appearance. The good news however is that if you can lower the total fat in your body, this shall surely reduce the amount as well as appearance of cellulite you have. And also benefit your overall health.   There are a ton of anti-cellulite treatments on the market today, out of which some work better than others, but unfortunately none at all shall be able to cure cellulite without the help from your diet as well as activity pattern. Don’t lay yourself under a doctor’s knife, except when it is really needed. A diet as well as exercise plan shall help fight fat in all of the right places as well as perhaps is a safe as well as sure way to bid cellulite a good bye….a     Last as well as definitely not the least, remember to take pride in your body as well as yourself regardless of your shape or the amount of dimples you have on your thighs. Your beauty comes from within as well as that’s what matters the an estimated all to your loved ones!   Posted in General http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/04/01/bid-adieu-to-cellulite.html Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:48:03 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/23/is-it-migraine-or-just-a-headache.html   All of us have had days when our head aches so badly that it becomes difficult to see straight! While a headache is usually not a life-threatening condition, the excruciating pain experienced during a migraine attack can become unbearable. It can incapacitate you to an extent that you may have to put your life on hold till the migraine demon decides to release you from his vise-like grip.   I had 3-4 e mail requests from my blog visitors, who wanted to know whether the head aches they experienced were actually a migraine or just a regular headache? While an estimated all patients with a severe new headache fear that they might have a brain tumor or other neurological disorder, these serious difficulties are extremely rare   I have had my share of headaches as well as thus, know on behalf of sure that when headaches strike, they at all times appear to be severe. However, to be able to reduce the incidence of these headaches, it is important to know the difference between a regular headache as well as a migraine headache?   The an estimated all common types of headache range from a tension headache, a caffeine withdrawal headache, a hunger headache, a menstrual headache, an alcoholic hangover headache, a headache that is caused by eyestrain, a sinus headache, an “ice cream headache”, or a temporal mandibular headache, also known as a TMJ headache. Many headaches are due to fatigue or lack of sleep. Emotional stress as well as symptoms of depression can also cause headaches, while even certain types of foods have found to be potential contributing factor.   Categories of headaches-   Headaches generally drop into two basic categories: tension headaches as well as migraine headaches. A tension headache manifests itself as a band of pain around the head. The pain can spread to the neck as well as back. These headaches are caused by the contraction of neck as well as facial muscles as well as are aggravated by dental problems, bad posture as well as eye strain. A migraine is an intense throbbing pain that often begins on one side of the head as well as then spreads throughout the face as well as head. In severe cases, a migraine can last on behalf of several days as well as is sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or a blocked nose.   Headaches Vs Migraine While only your doctor can provide a proper diagnosis as well as suggest a treatment, there are some important distinctions between migraines as well as headaches.      Migraines:    Headaches: Pain is moderate to severe as well as can be strong sufficient to interfere with daily activities Pain tends to feel stabbing/throbbing as well as is usually located in one part of the head Pain lasts from 4 – 72 hours Pain is often accompanied by secondary symptoms, such as: Sensitivity to light, sound, or motion Nausea Vomiting Pain does not respond well to over-the-counter treatments like aspirin or ibuprofen Pain is mild to moderate Pain is all over the head Pain is short lived There are no secondary symptoms (such as vomiting, auras, or sensitivity to motion) Pain responds well to over –the–counter treatments like aspirin or ibuprofen   In addition to these symptoms, migraines (and sometimes tension headaches) can also cause a sensitivity to light (which is referred to as photophobia) and/or sensitivity to sounds or loud noises (which is referred to as phonophobia.) Migraines as well as other types of headaches can also be so bad that just standing up out of a chair as well as slowly walking across a room can manufacture the throbbing pain much, much worse. What are the causes of a migraine? Doctors have been not in a position to pinpoint the exact cause on behalf of migraines. Ø      Some of them trust that migraines can be triggered by changes in hormonal levels. This would probably explain why migraines occur more frequently in women before, during as well as at the end of menstruation. Birth control pills have also been known to increase the severity of migraines in women who tend to suffer from these headaches. Ø      Some people link the incidence of their migraine attacks to particular drugs, food or additives. Ø      Other substances that have been identified as causing migraines are: chocolate, excessive caffeine, citrus fruits, nitrates in cold cuts as well as hot dogs, as well as monosodium glutamate (MSG) used an estimated all often in Chinese food. Ø      Stress has been linked to the occurrence of migraines, but it is not a direct cause-effect relationship because of the fact that some people get migraines more often on vacations as well as weekends. However, anxiety is definitely a factor on behalf of people who have migraine attacks more than twice a week. Tips to overcome the pain- A person who is prone to getting migraines can take a few steps to alleviate his pain. ·        If you feel a migraine coming on, you should lie down in a quiet, darkened room as well as endeavour to take a short nap. ·        Try to avoid stressful situations as well as learn to relax. ·        Maintain regular sleeping habits. ·        Avoid foods as well as other substances in your diet if you know that they cause migraines. ·        Maintain a stable blood sugar level by eating meals at regular tinimings as well as at proper intervals. While there a few measures you can take to pre-empt the onset of a migraine or to alleviate the pain of a migraine attack, they may not at all times be effective. Unfortunately, on behalf of people prone to migraines, often the only thing to do is to bear it. Also, it’s advisable to seek help if the headache is associated with any modification in your neurological function, such as any paralysis, numbness, slurred speech, or loss of sight. Your physician can best determine the type of headache you are experiencing as well as may then be able to prescribe an effective treatment to combat the pain. Posted in General http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/23/is-it-migraine-or-just-a-headache.html Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:33:09 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/17/mantra-for-an-effective-weight-loss.html     Wish to lose weight easily, safely as well as naturally??   I am sure you do as well as that’s precisely the reason, you are reading this page!   Perhaps, you know how to get fit as well as probably, you have tried a lot of weight loss plans to realize that the problem is not eating healthily as well as exercising regularly, BUT to stay motivated to do so, till you accomplish your dream weight.   We understand that to succeed at slimming, motivation is one of the an estimated all important aspects to work at. It is this motivation, which is going to provide us with the determination to get up as well as exercise even if we don’t feel up to it, to stick to the low fat as well as high fiber recipe selections as well as to continue with the dietary discipline, we had set up in our daily lifestyles.   Most dieters would definitely have certain degree of motivation, as they have already decided to take action. But the problem, which we require to tackle on behalf of most, is going to be able to retain the levels high as well as long sufficient to prevent any relapse.   Work through some of the following strategies, developed just on behalf of you as well as see if these can increase your desire on behalf of success!   A) LEARN TO ACCEPT SELF:   Try learning to love yourself on behalf of who you are, not who you wish to be. Acknowledge that you require to improve your health or weight but also that this is going to take time as well as lot of effort, if you have been following not so healthy lifestyle earlier. After you have tried to understand as well as appreciate your bodies, then only, you shall be able to work with them! Start with small changes (like having more fruits as well as vegetables during the day or going on behalf of a walk every morning or having junk as well as processed foods only once a week) as well as let them develop into an eating habit.   B) SET achievable goals   You should set realistic, practical as well as easily obtainable goals. Because when you attain each goal, it provides you the feeling of accomplishment as well as gives you the motivation to continue. Go slow as well as endeavour to target 1-2 pounds or half to one kilo loss per week. Being too fast might not be good on behalf of your health as well as lesser than this would not be worth putting effort for. A goal to walk on behalf of 30 minutes a day, five days a week- is not only specific, but it is also attainable. I usually advise my patients to treat themselves with a forbidden food of their choice, to celebrate the success as well as then get back to their diet plan to meet the target on behalf of the coming week. Maintain a positive outlook, seek support from friends as well as family as well as generally be happy about this entire process of developing healthy eating habits. If you miss out on exercise on one day or had to eat an additional helping at a social event, don’t despair-rather put in an additional 10 minutes next day in your workout. C) Assign a date to start the plan-    I know it is difficult to get motivated to start with yet another plan, especially if you have tried dieting earlier as well as had struggled or regained the lost weight back. Find the inspiration to start a weight loss plan TODAY by asking yourself - ·         How being overweight has affected your life as well as health? ·         Does being overweight restrict you to do things, which you would love to do or could have done, if you were not overweight?   We all know that losing weight is definitely going to help us feel better as well as look great! Maintaining a healthy eating habit as well as active lifestyle is going to reduce our risks to diabetes, heart diseases, as well as liver problems……So, what are you waiting for? Take the plunge NOW as well as help us to show you that losing weight is not as hard, as you thought it to be……….                   All tools as well as information on this site are intended as an aid to help healthy adults lose weight as well as not intended as medical advice. The information presented here's not on behalf of pregnant or breast-feeding women or on behalf of any person under the age of 18. If you suffer or think you may suffer from any medical condition you should consult your doctor before starting any weight loss exercise regime. Any weight loss exercise programs or diet should be started slowly as well as we advise you to at all times consult your doctor or physician beforehand Posted in General http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/17/mantra-for-an-effective-weight-loss.html Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:21:30 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/17/forget-dieting.html UNDERSTANDING BASICS OF WEIGHT LOSS   Start by forgetting everything you have heard about dieting as well as weight loss plans………….. Because the key to losing weight is changing the way, YOU THINK about dieting! 1. Forget about quick-fix diets or overnight solutions- Because, trust me, such magical diets don’t exist. Our plans can definitely guide you to lose weight fast as well as accomplish your dream weight as well as a perfect slim figure, but it won’t happen overnight. The rate of losing weight depends on your present weight, medical history, lifestyle as well as physical activity level. However, a weight loss of half to one kilo per week or an average loss of 3-5 kgs in a month has been considered as a healthy rate of weight loss.  2. Forget about being scared of food as well as worrying about being overweight- Because the best way to lose weight is to manufacture friends with food as well as understanding Which Foods do What to your Body! My advise to all weight loss seekers, restrict your intake of processed as well as refined foods such as white breads, pizzas, refined sugar, fried items, ice creams, etc as well as add on whole grains, skimmed milk, nuts(almonds),sprouts, fish, egg whites ,vegetable juices in your daily regime. 3. Forget about eating miniature helpings – Because, the process of losing weight has nothing to do with your eating miniature sized helpings. The best way to lose weight is to eat small as well as frequent meals during the day, instead of three big meals. Remember, the quality of food eaten is of much more importance than the quantity eaten. The source of calories eaten is of much more importance than the number of calories taken. 4. Forget about restricting your diets without a professional help-  Because, improper dietary modifications adopted would not only hinder the process of your weight loss, but also give rise to nutritional deficiencies as well as disorders. The best diet would be the one, which nourishes your body, takes care of your cravings, as well as improves your self-esteem as well as energy levels, whilst providing weight loss.      5. Forget about indulging in so-called special ‘diet’ powders or supplements  Because, it’s highly unlike that a powder or supplement can substitute your meals or curb your cravings. Imagine, substituting your regular meals of dal, rice, rotis, vegetables as well as fruits with special drinks as well as powders……  how long, can you do so as well as can you get all of the required nutrients through them? Aim at including complex carbohydrates (whole wheat, jowar, bajra, nachni), lean proteins (fish, chicken as well as egg whites) as well as fruits as well as vegetable in your daily routine in conjunction with a regular exercise regime on behalf of a healthy weight loss.   6. Forget about spending three hours in your gym as well as over exercising. Because losing weight is not directly proportional to number of hours spent in the gym!! Yes, exercise is essential on behalf of losing weight but a brisk walk of 30-40 minutes is also good enough. FINALLY, forget about your past dieting failures In order to learn to eat right as well as exercise regularly, you may also have to learn to handle the difficulties life throws at you without turning away from healthy eating as well as exercise. Be particularly careful about everything-or-nothing thinking. A common tendency when you have failed to stay on a diet, is to abandon it altogether. It’s better to take that to err is human. Try to learn from your mistakes as well as do better in the future. Remember, you would never be able to succeed in your endeavor to shed excess weight, if you equate dieting with deprivation, with suffering as well as with un fulfilled cravings. Just sit down on behalf of a moment as well as visualize your self 10 kilos lighter, without any digestive difficulties as well as without any worry about any risk to lifestyle disorders like diabetes, heart difficulties as well as liver malfunction……..How do you feel? Don’t you feel fantastic? So, stop worrying about giving up all of the lovely things to eat, as well as start looking forward to a life full of health, energy as well as vigor. Cheers to a slim as well as healthy you!!   Posted in General http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/17/forget-dieting.html Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:16:42 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/17/queries-about-olive-oil.html Q as well as A on Olive Oil   What are the health benefits of olive oil?   Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat as well as antioxidants like poly phenols, carotenoids as well as vitamin E. Scientists have identified a compound in olive oil referred to as oleuropein which prevents the LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. It is the oxidized cholesterol that sticks to the walls of the arteries as well as forms plaque, thus increasing the risk to cardio vascular diseases. Because olive oil is so flavorful, less is required to add flavor to food. This reduces the calories as well as the total fat content of food prepared or served with olive oil compared to food prepared with other less flavorful oils. Olive oil is good source of the antioxidant, vitamin E. It contains 1.6 mg. of vitamin E per tablespoon, which is 8% of the recommended daily allowance. Olive oil has a high smoke point, 410 degrees F, and doesn’t degrade as promptly as numerous other oils do with repeated high heating. The digestibility of olive oil is also not affected when it is heated, even when it is re-used several times on behalf of frying.       Q 2. What diseases or ailments does olive oil help in preventing?  Answer. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (”bad”) cholesterol levels. Replacing other fats in your diet with olive oil can significantly lower blood pressure as well as reduce the risk of cardio-vascular diseases. ·        Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil’s protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers as well as gastritis. ·        Studies done on olive oil have identified oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid found in olive oil, as having the ability to reduce the affect of an oncogene (a gene that shall turn a host cell into a cancer cell), hence olive oil may act as a cancer inhibitor.         Q.3. Does consuming excess olive oil give rise to weight gain?   Answer. In spite of the health benefits of olive oil, it should not be overused, because of the fact that like all other edible oils, it is a high source of calories. One tablespoon of olive oil contains about 120 calories, but because of the fact that it is so flavorful, a little can go a long way when used as a cooking oil, a salad dressing, or condiment.     Q.4. How much olive oil should one have in a day to reap maximum benefit?   4. Healthier cooking oils like olive oil contain less saturated fat as well as more monounsaturated fat as well as hence are preferred than refined vegetable oils as well as saturated fats. Ideally utilize about 1-2 tbsp of additional –virgin olive oil in dressings. It is however recommended that olive oil be substituted on behalf of other fats in the diet as well as not added to them. Posted in General http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/17/queries-about-olive-oil.html Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:27:58 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/18/impact-of-the-food-you-eat-on-global-warming.html What you opt on behalf of to put on your plate can have a huge impact on the planet, reports United Nations panel on Climate Change. It seems a surprising suggestion. Can it be true that what we opt on behalf of to put on our dinner plates could have an effect on global warming? Lets find out. We already know that buying a car or truck with better gas mileage helps to reduce emission of carbon mono oxide. We are also aware that using compact fluorescent bulbs, switching off the lights, shutting down the car engine at signals as well as keeping the PC monitors shut, when not in utilize are a few ways to do our bit towards the fight against global warming. But, how can changing dietary habits impact the global climate change?? The report points out that farmer are a critical part of our economy. They not only feed us, they’re also at the frontline of conserving country’s environmental resources as well as fighting global warming. Just as with any other business, farming requires burning fossil fuels to manufacture fertilizer, jog tractors as well as process as well as transport food. Hence, it takes numerous calories of grains to manufacture one calorie of meat or in other words, more energy expenditure. Also, the animals as well as manure produce greenhouse gases like methane as well as nitrous oxide. As a result, producing meat emits more greenhouse gases than growing crops. So, the point which is being made is here's that ‘If every one skipped one meal of chicken per week as well as substituted them with vegetables as well as grains, the carbon dioxide savings would be great.   The second point highlighted here's that since it takes fuel to transport food, buying from local farmers as well as ranchers would help to cut emissions even if you don’t cut out any meat. A sensible logic! The UN’s Food as well as Agriculture Organisation has estimated that meat production accounts on behalf of nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. These are generated during the production of animal feeds, on behalf of example, while ruminants, particularly cows, emit methane, which is 23 times more effective as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide. The agency has also warned that meat consumption is set to double by the middle of the century. The conflicting verdict A vegan diet would be better, but it would ignore some benefits of rearing grazing animals, said Tara Garnett, from the Food Climate Research Network at Surrey University, who wrote the report. ‘A little bit of livestock production is probably a good thing on behalf of the environment,’ she said. ‘Livestock provide a very important service in terms of maintaining landscape as well as soil quality as well as maintaining biodiversity: you get different animals grazing at different levels as well as if you didn’t have them you’d have a very different landscape. Garnett said further research was needed to calculate how much less meat should be eaten. The growing environmental concerns about meat come at a time of rising health worries: as well as warnings of an epidemic of obesity. The World Cancer Research Fund recently said eating red meat even in small quantities can increase the risk of several cancers. To sum up… ‘All the different strands are building up: lots more information on diet, lots more information on livestock production, as well as the climate statistics… so definitely a strong case on behalf of reducing meat production as well as consumption. To help my readers wade through the confusing advice,  I would suggest that people who desire to reduce emissions should first buy local food that does not require to be transported, opt on behalf of organic produce as well as also reduce meat as well as dairy foods. Choosing fish over steak reduces the GHG impact of the meal. Avoid cooking as well as you can reduce your climate impact even more   ‘A person switching from highest to lowest impact on behalf of per annum can save 1-2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent - the same annual saving as conserving £300 worth of gas on heating, [or] cutting down 5,000 miles per annum in an average car, [or] avoiding one return flight to Europe,’ What I am trying to say here's that eating less meat alone would not be sufficient on behalf of numerous people: ‘For a well-off professional with above average disposable income, no amount of vegetarian or vegan eating, recycling, organic local produce or packaging avoidance shall manufacture any significant impact, except when he/she looks at his average Flying time, petrol spend as well as energy bills. So, proceed as well as manufacture a choice…! Posted in General http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/18/impact-of-the-food-you-eat-on-global-warming.html Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:43:10 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/12/keeping-fit-after-fifty.html I strongly trust that it is more important to be able to add life to your years than just striving to add years to our lives. And what better way to do so …than by arming ourselves with the arsenal of good nutrition.   Good nutrition remains critical throughout the life to get the necessary nutrients that retain us strong as well as enable us to fight diseases but attains utmost importance during the graying years, post fifty.   This article is in fact in response to Mr. Manoj Sanyal’s suggestion to write about the nutritional needs of elderly on the site. As promised, Sir, am writing this article as an attempt to provide valuable resource on behalf of people aged 50 as well as older, who wish to incorporate correct eating choices into their lives, as well as in turn enhance their quality of life.   Ideally, you’ve been practicing healthy eating habits throughout your life, but as the years pass as well as you turn fifty, your bodies witness a radical change. Most men experience lowered libido, reduced muscle strength, chronic fatigue, bloated abdomen and an onset of degenerative diseases like hypertension, diabetes as well as joint pains. Women, on the other hand, often begin having weight problems, appearance of wrinkles as well as age spots, undergo mild depression as well as post menopausal symptoms as they turn fifty. All these are signs of declining hormone levels as well as changing metabolism.   Understanding the physiological changes   As we age, our body composition changes with a decrease in lean tissue mass (as much as 25%) as well as an increase in body fat. Such changes can be accelerated because of the fact that older adults utilize dietary protein less efficiently as well as may actually require a greater than recommended amount of high quality protein in their diet to maintain lean tissue mass. These changes in metabolism as well as physiology can be exaggerated due to complications from digestive difficulties, oral as well as dental problems, as well as medication-related eating as well as nutrient problems   In simpler terms, you lose lean body mass (muscle), your metabolic rate slows down as well as you burn calories more slowly. This means that you require nutrient-dense foods to provide vitamins as well as minerals without excessive number of calories. But, exactly how much as well as what you should eat is perhaps the question on your mind?   The nutrients which acquire importance at the end of fifty are calcium, fiber, iron, protein, as well as the vitamins A, C, D as well as Folacin as well as hence require to provide them through matural as well as supplemental sources. The key formula being -Reduce calories, select nutrient-dense foods, as well as enjoy smaller portions of foods high in fat, sugar as well as sodium   Follow these dietary guidelines to attain optimum health at the end of fifty-   1. Take adequate fiber in the diet. Adequate dietary fiber works to control constipation, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease as well as some types of cancer. High–fiber foods include whole grain breads as well as cereals, fruits, vegetables, as well as legumes.   2. Water- Adequate hydration is a chronic problem on behalf of numerous seniors. Decreased thirst sensation is common with aging as well as some medications affect the body’s ability to regulate fluid balance. Dehydration also worsens the symptoms of constipation. To combat these problems, it is suggested that seniors drink at least eight glasses of fluids a day. Keep in mind, though, that coffee, tea, as well as alcoholic beverages don’t count toward this total fluid intake because of the fact that they all act as diuretics, causing you to lose water.   3. Both calcium as well as vitamin D absorption decrease with age, this has adverse effects on bone health as well as increases the risk of fractures. The ability to absorb the amount of vitamin B12 needed on behalf of normal nerve function also decreases with age, making this another key nutrient in your diet. People aged 65 years as well as over should take a vitamin D supplement as well as regularly eating food sources (e.g. oily fish, cod liver oil as well as margarine).     4. It is important that older people continue to enjoy their food as well as that they retain active (e.g. walking, gardening, dancing, climbing stairs) in order to maintain a good appetite, maintain mobility as well as prevent obesity.     5. Switching from ordinary white bread to wheat bread with added fibre or multi grain bread helps to improve the fiber content; using less of cheese, butter as well as mayonnaise would decrease saturates intake, as would substituting skimmed milk on behalf of whole milk. Increasing the types as well as amounts of fruits as well as vegetables eaten shall help to improve intakes of some micronutrients such as vitamin C as well as potassium as well as increasing dietary fibre intakes.   6.  Add soybean in your diet. Regular consumption of soybeans is known to benefit an estimated all aging diseases like Type II Diabetes, menopausal complains, prostrate gland enlargements in men, premenstrual syndrome, Osteoporosis etc. You can include Soya in your daily diet by switching to Soya milk or adding soy flour into wheat flour(1:1) to manufacture chapattis or adding soy nuggets to vegetable preparations.     7. Have more nuts and seeds in the diet. Almonds, walnuts , flax seeds as well as pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants as well as also provide us with heart friendly omega 3 fatty acids. Have 5-8 almonds, 2-3 walnuts every morning with a glass of warm water. Flax seeds can be ground into powders as well as added on the salads or made into salad dips as well as chutneys ( may add garlic , green chillies as well as black salt on behalf of taste).     8. For silvers with dental problems, switch to fruit as well as vegetable juices over whole fruits as well as cut salads, milk as well as curd over meats on behalf of proteins as well as cooked cereals such as porridge, puddings or rice instead of breads as well as chapattis.     9. Try to include oily fish such as pomfret, mackerel(bangda), salmon etc at least 2-3 times in a week , preferably in grilled, steamed or baked preparations. Fish are brilliant to improve the good cholesterol as well as are also shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties ( beneficial on behalf of arthritis as well as other joint pains).   10.  For silvers with digestive problems, it is advisable to have buttermilk, vegetable stews, boiled potatoes as well as French beans ( in stead of gas inducing cabbage or spinach) as well as soft canned fruits. Avoid acid promoting foods such as red meat, eggs, saturated fats, fried foods, sugar, madia, bread, pasta, pastries, alcohol as well as caffeine. Vegetable oils should be avoided as too much Omega-6 type of fatty acids may trigger the inflammation. The best oil to utilize is olive oil, til oil or rice bran oil.       11. Loss of appetite is quite common among elders, so endeavour to add flavor in the meal by adding herbs, colors or variety. Eat with family as well as friends, go out on behalf of social gatherings , indulge in any hobby of your choice, meditate or do yoga, as well as you would surely be able to enjoy the meal.     12. Foremost, endeavour to be as active as possible. Go on behalf of regular walks, play a sport , indulge in gardening or cooking.     There is sufficient scientific evidence that good nutrition promotes vitality as well as independence whereas poor nutrition can prolong recovery from illness, increase the costs as well as incidence of hospitalization, as well as give rise to poor quality of life. Good nutrition is, therefore, basic to the quality of life. And while the evidence of the value of nutritional balance is clear, the nutritional status of numerous older individuals has no that balance as well as the problem is often complicated by a fear of foods as well as the diet related information that is thrust on them   Agreed, it might not be possible to reverse the clock as well as experience those active, energetic youthful days, but you can surely add life to your years by maintaining a positive outlook as well as paying attention to your eating habits as well as lifestyle choices. Go as well as reclaim your life at the end of fifty!     Posted in Nutrition http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/12/keeping-fit-after-fifty.html Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:06:43 -0400 akathekid http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/08/the-egg-and-cholesterol-relation.html Common misconceptions retain numerous people, especially those concerned about heart disease, from eating eggs regularly. This article is an attempt to unscramble the dietary facts and myths about the egg as well as also to find what recent researches have to point about the ‘egg as well as cholesterol relationship’. The fact is that eggs are one of nature’s an estimated all perfectly balanced foods, containing all of the protein, vitamins (except vitamin C) as well as minerals essential on behalf of good health.  The myth, yes the myth that ‘Eating eggs shall raise your cholesterol” started because of the fact that egg yolks have the an estimated all concentrated amount of cholesterol in any food. It is understandable that you’re confused. Since eggs are high in cholesterol, as well as a diet high in cholesterol can contribute to elevated blood cholesterol levels, we ideally should be avoiding eggs completely.    Right? Wrong because of the fact that the researchers point out that it is the amount of saturated fats as well as trans fats in your diet which have a greater impact in raising blood cholesterol levels than does dietary cholesterol. . In the 1980’s science focused on the amount of cholesterol in eggs, however recent nutrition information indicates that it is more important to focus on reducing the intake of total fat as well as saturated fat rather than cholesterol. This is good news on behalf of eggs. It is not necessary to restriction egg or egg yolk consumption except when recommended by your physician Nutrition facts about eggs- A large egg contains only a moderate amount of fat, with about 5 grams in only the egg yolk, (1.5 grams saturated), 213 mg of cholesterol as well as 75 calories as well as can easily fit into the daily fat restriction of a healthy individual who is otherwise following a healthy , balanced diet. Ø      Calories : 80 Ø      Protein : 6.3 grams Ø      Carbohydrates : 0.6 grams Ø      Total Fat : 5.0 grams -          monounsaturated fat : 2.0 grams -          polyunsaturated fat : 0.7 grams -          saturated fat : 1.5 grams Ø      Cholesterol : 213 milligrams Ø      Sodium : 063 milligrams As is evident, eggs have a high nutrient density because of the fact that they provide significant amounts of vitamins as well as minerals as well as yet contain only 71 calories. They are an brilliant source of high quality protein (i.e. they contain all of the essential amino acids) as well as numerous B vitamins. Egg white Vs Egg yolk The nutritional value of an egg is divided between the egg white as well as the egg yolk. 1. Nutrient content- The white contains more than half the egg’s total protein, niacin, riboflavin, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, as well as sulfur as well as all of the egg’s zinc. The yolk contains all of the fat in the egg as well as a little less than half of the protein. It also contains the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, as well as E. Egg yolks are one of the few foods naturally containing vitamin D. The yolk also provides vitamin B 12 as well as folic acid, as well as the minerals iron, calcium, copper as well as phosphorus. 2. Fat content as well as type- The yolk contains approximately 190 mg of cholesterol as well as 5 grams of fat, less than a third of which is saturated fat. While each egg white is fat as well as cholesterol free, yolks contain 213 milligrams of cholesterol as well as 5 grams of total fat. Only 1.5 grams of the yolk’s fat is saturated, the kind of fat that is an estimated all likely to increase blood cholesterol levels. In fact, compared with dietary cholesterol, saturated fat exerts a four times stronger influence on blood choles- terollevels. Just published research actually saw an increase in the HDL or the “good” cholesterol levels of subjects who added an egg each day to their diet [Farrel et al. 1998. Am J Clin Nutr. 68: 538-544.]. 3. Protein content- One large egg contains 6.3 grams of protein. The protein is an estimated equally split between the egg white as well as the egg yolk. The white contains 3.5 grams of protein while the yolk contains 2.8 grams. Based on the essential amino acids it provides, egg protein is second only to mother’s milk on behalf of human nutrition The verdict- There is no doubt that one large egg has about 213 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If you are healthy, it’s recommended that you restriction your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 300 mg a day. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes or high LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, you should restriction your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg a day. Therefore, if you eat an egg on a given day, it’s important to restriction or avoid other sources of cholesterol on behalf of the rest of that day. If you like eggs but don’t desire the additional cholesterol, utilize egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol. You may also utilize cholesterol-free egg substitutes, which are made with egg whites. If you desire to reduce cholesterol in a recipe that calls on behalf of eggs, utilize two egg whites or 1/4 cup cholesterol-free egg substitute in place of one whole egg. So, healthy individuals can go ahead as well as eat an egg a day( preferably poached or boiled as well as not fried) but if you are above 40 yrs as well as have a history of cardio vascular problems, it is better to stick to egg whites as well as have whole egg only once or twice a week. Above all, ensure that your diet is devoid of excess saturated fats (as in red meats, organ meats) as well as trans –fats (as in processed foods as well as snacks) as well as you are including adequate number of fresh fruits, vegetables as well as whole grains in your daily routine. Posted in Nutrition http://akathekid.freechipz.com/2009/03/08/the-egg-and-cholesterol-relation.html Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:10:06 -0400 akathekid