Is Acai Berry Fruit the Best Antioxidant Source in the World?

Is Acai Berry Fruit the Best Antioxidant Source in the World?
One of the main reasons why the little purple-colored berry
from the Amazon rain forest has grown in popularity and
worldwide fame in such a short period after being
introduced to the general public, is because of this
fruit's mega antioxidant power. Acai is presently being
recognized as the supreme superfood providing super potent
antioxidant properties. This small berry fruit has so far
proven itself to possess up to 10 times the antioxidants of
grapes and at least twice the antioxidant power of
blueberries. In addition to that, acai berry is quite rich
in Vitamin E, protein, fiber, trace minerals, and contains
a high degree of three kinds of omegas and essential fatty
acids.

Why are Antioxidants in General So Important to Us? The
National Cancer Institute have stated that there is actual
a lot of laboratory proof revealing that antioxidants can
in fact slow or even stop the dangerous growth of cancer.
Antioxidants are believed to possess the incredibly unique
ability to protect cells from the potential damage that is
caused by molecules widely known as "free radicals." Know
that enough damages that are caused by free radicals can
eventually lead to some form of cancer in your lifetime. So
the many antioxidants in the acai berry fruit can truly
help to prevent the destruction that free radicals often
cause.

Acai is a Crucial Source of Anthocyanin. The acai fruit is
widely becoming well-known as an important source for its
antioxidant anthocyanin. Anthocyanin belongs in a group of
phytochemicals that are found in red wine and that have
almost been proven as fact to have a positive effect on the
cardiovascular system. This particular antioxidant has
demonstrated itself to help improve circulation, fight
cancer, and prevent both blood clots and artherosclerosis.
In addition, the acai fruit contains oleic acid which helps
maintain a healthy heart.

At the heart of anthocyanin in acai fruit is something
called cyaniding-3 glucoside, which is about 3.5 times more
powerful in comparison to the anthocyanin that is found in
red wine as shown in an ORAC examination. ORAC actually
means Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. This is a method
that is used to test the level of antioxidant activity of a
property in question. It has been said that the average
human being needs around 1670 ORAC everyday. The amazing
acai berry provides an astounding ORAC level of 3871.

So now you know why this amazing little fruit from the
Amazon rain forest of Brazil has grown in wild popularity
in such a short period of time.

----------------------------------------------------
To learn about all the amazing health benefits of acai
visit http://www.acai.vg

Three Ways to Improve your Fitness Levels

Three Ways to Improve your Fitness Levels
There are many benefits associated with improving your
fitness levels. These include increased energy levels, an
improved body image and greater resistance against certain
diseases. However, before you can realise these benefits
you need to take the steps that will help improve your
fitness levels. In this article I outline three ways you
can do just that.

1) LIFESTYLE CHANGE:- One of the easiest ways to improve
your current fitness levels is to make small, positive
changes to your daily routine. In particular, you need to
alter your eating habits and your exercise habits. As I
said above, these changes do not need to be huge. If you
make small changes to your lifestyle at regular intervals
these will soon build up to become large changes which
yield significant results.

One way you could change your eating habits is by eating
one less takeaway a week and substituting this for a
healthier, home cooked meal. Then in the second week you
could build on this by eating a salad for lunch once or
twice a week. You can alter your exercise habits in a
similar way. In week one take the stairs instead of
elevators. In week two participate in a thirty minute
brisk walk twice a week. As you can see these small but
positive lifestyle changes collectively become significant
changes which can lead to improved fitness levels.

2) FITNESS EQUIPMENT:- Another great way to improve your
fitness levels is to take advantage of the large selection
of fitness equipment on the market. When choosing fitness
equipment you first have to decide what your fitness
targets are. Do you want to improve your cardiovascular
fitness? If so then a treadmill, rowing machine or
exercise bike will be most suitable for you. Do you want
to tone and strengthen your muscles? Then free weights and
weight machines are what you should be using.

You also need to consider whether you want to purchase the
fitness equipment for yourself or take advantage of the
fitness equipment at the gym. Both have their own distinct
advantages and disadvantages. Owning your own fitness
equipment means that you can use it whenever you want,
within the comfort of your own home. However, unless you
have a lot of storage space and money you will be unable to
purchase the range of equipment that a gym can provide.
The gym can provide you with a large range of equipment for
a relatively low cost. However, you will have to wait for
equipment during busy times and also have to spend time
travelling to and from the gym.

Whatever choices you make concerning your fitness equipment
you need to remember one important thing. Fitness
equipment will assist you in your exercise but it will not
do it for you. You still have to put in the time and
effort that leads to improved fitness levels.

3) FITNESS TRAINER:- Taking advantage of a fitness trainer
is a great way to improve your fitness levels. You can
explain your fitness goals to the trainer and then they can
show you the best way to achieve them. A fitness trainer
should also help you stay motivated, show you where you are
going wrong and lead you down the right path, making it
more likely that you will achieve your targets.

When choosing a fitness trainer there are a number of
factors you should consider. A good fitness trainer should
be able to provide success stories from their past which
prove their credentials. You should also look at their
qualifications to measure how well trained they are.
Finally, you should arrange a meeting with a number of
fitness trainers and see which ones match your personality.

As you can see there are plenty of options available to you
if you want to improve your fitness levels. Although I
have given you the advice you have to take that first step
and implement fitness training into your daily routine.
Choose whichever ideas you think are best for you and get
started. The sooner you begin to take action, the sooner
you will start to see results.

----------------------------------------------------
The Free Fitness Tips Blog provides you with fantastic,
free advice on all aspects of fitness. To find out more
about fitness training and improving your fitness levels
head over to http://blog.freefitnesstips.co.uk/

Taoism and Spontaneity, and Your Physical Health

Taoism and Spontaneity, and Your Physical Health
Taoism is a way of life, practiced in China for thousands
of years.

Lao Tzu, one of the greatest Chinese philosophers as well
as the founder of Taoism, said, "The Tao's principle is
simply spontaneity." Spontaneity is the key to healthy
longevity.

What is spontaneity? How does it affect your physical
health?

In the universe, there is an all-controlling force that
monitors everything. You breathe in oxygen and breathe out
carbon dioxide. You eat and you eliminate. You grow,
mature, and deteriorate. In nature, spontaneity is evident
in the change of seasons. Spontaneity is the natural
built-in mechanism in each living organism. Spontaneity
creates balance and harmony.

Nowadays, people focus so much on physical fitness. The gym
giants will do anything to keep you huffing, puffing, and
paying; the pharmaceutical companies will come up with any
supplements touted to keep you lean, muscular, and full of
energy. There is so much pumping irony: strenuous and
vigorous workouts may be harmful to your physical health.

According to the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY, jogging is
causing runners to drop dead from heart attacks. Many
individuals have experienced heart attacks even after
running on a treadmill.

The medical journal LANCET reports that aerobics is causing
deadly artery clogs and heart disease in many individuals
who never before had such problems.

You do not need to jog until you are blue in the face, or
pump iron like Arnold Schwarzenegger in order to be
physically healthy. You can be fit the Taoist way

Lao Tzu explained, "The softest things in the world
overcome the hardest things in the world." You need not
over-exert yourself in order to be physically fit.

Chinese exercises, such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong, are never
vigorous. Once your breathing becomes abnormal or irregular
over a long period, you lose the spontaneity of the
exercise, and hence its health benefits.

Tai Chi is a self-relaxing exercise with slow and even
movements coordinated with breathing and directed by a
peaceful mind. Therefore, it is beneficial to both mental
and physical health. With its thousands of years of
practice, Tai Chi can rid all parts of your body of
spiritual and physical ailments, clear your mind and
strengthen your brain, and promote good digestion and
healthy kidneys. Most importantly, Tai Ci exercises can
help lower your blood pressure, soften your blood vessels,
and regular the flow of "qi" (the internal vital energy) in
your entire body.

What is "qi"?

"Qi" is internal vital energy. It is important because it
moves your body. It is the source of growth in your body.
"Qi" is always in motion in the form of ascending,
descending, entering and leaving your body's organs and
systems. It nourishes not only your body by transforming
food energy into blood, but also your blood by keeping it
flowing. In addition, it helps maintain your body's
temperature. "Qi" plays a vital role in Chinese health and
healing.

With regard to "qi", Lao Tzu said, "Qi is elusive and
evasive, and yet it manifests itself."

Tai Chi exercises focus on correct posture, slow and
spontaneous movements, and natural healthy breathing.

Your central nervous system is the most important system in
your body: it receives vital information from outside and
inside your body; it directs your movements. Your central
nervous is healthy only if you keep your spinal column
erect because vitality and blood circulation are
transmitted efficiently from your lower body to your brain
only when your spine is kept erect. Tai Chi exercises are
based upon a natural posture (children have naturally erect
spinal columns; only adults, especially older people, have
bent spinal columns) with an erect spine.

Next to your central nervous system, your digestive system
is important to your overall health as it stores and
supplies all nourishments for your body. Some of the
characteristic movements of Tai Chi reinforce the expansion
and contraction of your body in an opening and closing
motion, thereby instrumental in vibrating and stimulating
your stomach and intestines for a better and healthier
digestive system.

Your respiratory system is also critical to your long-term
health. In Tai Chi, breathing is valued more than physical
power: breathing ' not muscular strength ' propels the
movements of your body. Western physical exercises, on the
other hand, emphasize muscular strength instead of the
spontaneity of breathing and natural body movements. In Tai
Chi, your mind directs the "qi", letting it sink down into
your abdomen, where natural breathing takes place.
According to Taoism, you breathe through your abdomen (like
babies and young children), not through your lungs. This
explains why people in the West limit their breathing to
the lungs; as a result, their lungs tend to enlarge as they
grow older, crowding their hearts, leading to heart disease.

Your circulatory system is connected to your respiratory
system. Tai Chi enhances your deep breathing, which guides
your "qi" to move your blood (which cannot move itself) to
different parts of your body for transporting oxygen and
nutrients. By regulating the circulation, Tai Chi exercises
through natural movements and deep breathing provide a
healthy heart.

Hormones in your thyroid gland are responsible for physical
growth of your body. In Tai Chi, you keep your neck erect
without pressure, centered without inclining to the left or
to the right; you integrate the slow and smooth movements
of your head and neck. These movements not only enhance the
activity of your thyroid gland but also act upon your
kidneys to remove wastes.

In summary, you need the spontaneity of Taoism in physical
movements as well as in natural breathing to optimize
physical health benefits from exercise. Western exercises,
focusing on pumping power and strength, may seem too
"unnatural" for that.

----------------------------------------------------
Stephen Lau is a researcher, writing synopses of medical
research for scientists. His publications include "NO
MIRACLE CURES" a book on healing and wellness. He has also
created several websites on health and healing.
http://www.longevityforyou.com
http://www.zenhealthylifestyle.com
http://www.chinesenaturalhealing.com