Omega 3 Fatty Acids can Affect Your Health & Nutrition

Omega 3 Fatty Acids can Affect Your Health & Nutrition
What can Omega 3 fatty acids do for you? What are the
potential benefits of omega 3? Published studies show the
biggest selling brands of omega-3 fish oil supplements had
only a 38% average of the EPA and 85% of the DHA that was
claimed. For example, you'll probably be surprised to find
out that although flaxseed has omega-3 oils, there is no
EPA or DHA in it. People taking omega 3 supplements report
normal structure and function of joints and healthy brain
function. These omega 3 fatty acids may be helpful in
normal brain development and mood enhancement. Since there
is no official recommendation for omega 3, we do know that
Americans on average now get 700-1,400 milligrams of omega
3 weekly. We are simply educating you to the amazing
impact that Omega 3 fatty acids can have on your health.
Without enough Omega 3s, the cell walls will incorporate
saturated and other fats and become hardened (not good).
The second impact that Omega 3s have on the body is its
ability to convert into hormone-like substances called
eicosanoids (ee-KO-sah-noids) that impact metabolic
function, blood clotting, inflammation, vasoconstriction
and vasodilation, blood pressure, immune function and even
your moods. In fact, the brain requires more of these
Omega 3s than any of the other organs because the major
structural component of the brain is fat. A study from the
University of Guelph that found elderly patients with
various types of abnormal cognitive function all had lower
levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; an omega-3 fatty acid
found most abundantly in fish) than subjects with normal
cognitive functioning. These fatty acids are destroyed in
the manufacture of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils
and that is why we discourage the use of hydrogenated oils.
Researchers concluded that diets rich in omega-3 fatty
acids may have a protective effect on the cardiovascular
system, and may help prevent heart disease. Cod Liver Oil
also naturally contains trace amounts of EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
(omega-3 fatty acids), but should not be considered a
significant source for Omega III fatty acids.

Why do we need essential fatty acids? Essential fatty acids
contribute to the maintenance of a healthy body in several
ways. For example, they are an important component of cell
membranes, help insulate the nerves, cushion and protect
the tissues, help produce hormone-like substances called
prostaglandins, and contribute to healthy skin and hair.
Diets deficient in this essential fatty acid result in
unhealthy, scaly skin. However, the goal of nutritional
supplementation is to help keep the body healthy and
thriving. A strong correlation has also been shown between
fish oil consumption and the ability to maintain healthy
levels of C-reactive protein. Only "body" oils selected
from the premium edible portions of fresh, healthy salmon
are acceptable, never organs that may collect unwanted
toxins. Folic acid, B6 and B12 promote proper metabolism
of homocysteine, which supports a healthy antioxidant
response to LDL cholesterol, free flowing circulation and
overall arterial wall health. We realize that for every
person who wants to feel better and live a healthy life,
questions come to mind as they stand before the wall of
supplements at the local store. They found that even
though the Eskimos consumed huge amounts of fat contained
in seals and fish they had relatively healthy hearts and
circulation.

Newspapers, magazines and the evening news regularly attack
fat as a contributor to obesity, heart disease and dozens
of other modern diseases. Sometimes referred to as good
fats, essential fatty acids impact almost all of the body's
key functions, including pain mechanisms, inflammatory
processes, circulation, gastrointestinal function, fluid
system, nervous system, and hormones. In fact, the
essential fatty acids (EFA), as their name implies, are
absolutely essential for good health. The category of fats
is further divided into the classes of saturated,
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The first category of
fats, saturated fatty acids, is solid at room temperature
and found in such foods as butter, margarine, beef, chicken
and coconut oil. Saturated fats are responsible for most
of the bad press about fats. Monounsaturated fats, such as
olive and canola oils, form the basis of the healthful
Mediterranean diet. Monounsaturated oils are less likely
to oxidize than polyunsaturated fats when used for
stir-frying and other cooking. Examples of polyunsaturated
fats are flax oil, safflower oil, walnut oil and most other
vegetable oils.

Years ago, scientists were impressed by the healthy
cardiovascular systems of Greenland Eskimos, such as their
low triglycerides, moderate cholesterol levels and
"thinner" blood, which was slower to clot. Fish oil helps
regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
One study concluded that trans-fatty acids are as bad as
saturated fat since trans-fatty acids reduce levels of the
"good" cholesterol while raising those of the "bad"
cholesterol. Despite the availability of numerous fat-free
and low-fat foods, our daily intake of excess dietary fats
continues to surpass the body's ability to mobilize and
utilize this nutrient which increases our bad cholesterol
levels. According to some experts, homocysteine, as a
marker for poor cardiovascular health, is as important a
factor as cholesterol or smoking. Balanced ratios of EPA
and DHA, as found in nature, which science shows may
support normal visual and neuronal development, and enhance
vascular cholesterol health. Surplus dietary fat collects
on coronary walls contributing to arteriosclerosis, a
killer that strangles the heart's arteries with accumulated
cholesterol plaque.

In conclusion, we all have to adhere to a healthier
lifestyle if we plan on being here for our children and
grand children. The most important issue is to enjoy life,
be healthy and eliminate stress from our lives! A high
quality liquid vitamin should be able to give you what you
need day in and day out.

----------------------------------------------------
Everyone's health is personal, but Chuck Arnone feels we
can be educated to make informed decisions that affect our
lives.
http://www.provitaminliquid.com

Can Diet Pills Kill You?

Can Diet Pills Kill You?
Many diet pills are marketed as being some kind of miracle
cure for weight loss, and often claim amazing results. All
of us have at some point been told that we should not
believe everything that we read. This rule should apply
just as much to the sales hype that comes with diet pills.
The main question that regularly crops up is, do diet pills
work and what sort of side affects may materialise?

One particular diet pill that was available a few years ago
contained an ingredient called ephedra. This pill did
actually help people to lose weight. It did this by
speeding up your metabolism and in the process increasing
your heart rate. Ephedra is a close relation to adrenalin.
Adrenalin is released naturally by your body at times of
high stress or life threatening situations. This puts your
body on a level of high alert where everything is speeded
up to cope with the situation. People who took ephedra
found their bodies to be on a level of high alert for long
periods of time. This caused some people to suffer from
heart attacks and sudden death. For obvious reasons it was
removed from the market.

Some diet pills can be described as fat blockers. These
remove fat from the intestines and don't allow your body to
process fats in a natural way. This can cause serious side
affects which outweigh any benefits that you may gain. If
your body is not allowed to process fat then it will not be
able to absorb certain necessary vitamins such as A, D, E,
and K. other sides affects can include oily skin, acne,
headaches, incontinence, and nausea.

Many diet pills available today are appetite suppressors.
These basically tell your nervous system that you are full
when you are not. This means that you will consume fewer
calories. Initially this would seem like an ideal situation
if you are trying to lose weight. However after some weight
loss in the first couple of weeks, many people will find
that they stop getting results. When your metabolism
doesn't receive enough calories it begins to slow down.
This means less calories are been burnt, leading to less,
or if any weight loss.

Many appetite suppressants work by artificially speeding up
your body which can raise your heart rate and your blood
pressure. This can increase the risks of having a stroke or
a heart attack. The risk is increased more significantly in
people who already have high blood pressure or heart
problems that they may or may not know about. Apart from
the risk of potential death, other side affects can include
nausea, headaches, hyperactivity, digestive problems, and
insomnia.

The most common diet pills contain phentermine, ionamin and
adipex. You should think long and hard before deciding if
you are going to take diet pills. You will need to evaluate
whether the side affects will outweigh the benefits. Your
decision should also be based on information and advice
from your doctor. In the end if you decide to take this
route, then make sure you follow the instructions to the
letter, and don't think that over using diet pills will
lead to any greater efficiency. If anything it will
probably increase the chance of serious sides affects.

Always remember that using diet pills alone is never going
to help you reach your weight loss goals. Weight loss is
achieved through a number of factors which will include an
exercise programme, a healthy diet, how often you eat, and
adding more activity into your life. Diet pills are a long
way from being a miracle cure regardless of how cleverly
they are marketed. They can have a role to play when it
comes to losing weight, but will they be beneficial to
everyone? The answer to that is a definite no. losing
weight is not something that you will find in a bottle. It
takes time and it takes work, there really is no other way
around it. The sooner people can learn to accept this, the
sooner their approach to weight loss will begin to reap
better and longer lasting results. Long term weight loss
will come with time and effort and not from some miraculous
diet pill. Can Diet Pills kill you? It depends on your
circumstances; if you fit the right criteria then diet
pills could potentially kill you.

----------------------------------------------------
To find out more on how to reach your goals for losing
weight permanently go to http://www.easierwayz.com

Lose Weight With The Right Body Detox Diet

Lose Weight With The Right Body Detox Diet
Body Detox diet is a scientific, useful and quick way to
lose all those extra pounds. This diet makes you lose extra
weight and also ensures that all your bodily toxins are
flushed out of your system. But what makes it unique and
easier than the rest is the fact that it uses normal,
everyday food in its list and you can eat without
sacrificing your favorite food items! The key to feeling
good and content is to never go hungry. Generally, ten days
is the period over which this diet should be followed.

Excessive drinking of alcohol, consumption of junk food and
sleeping disorders are some of the ways in which we weaken
our natural detoxification systems within the body. These
natural detox systems remove all harmful substances in our
body through excretion, sweating etc. But when we abuse it
through all the above mentioned ways, our body loses its
natural energy and vitality and tends to feel lethargic. As
many toxic substances are soluble in the fat present in
your body, there are many body detox diet programs that
target reducing that extra fat in your body.

There are many kinds of foods which provide the healing
touch:-

a) The Water Body Detox Diet - The faster your metabolism
of releasing your stored toxins, the better it is for
detoxification of your body. And water proves to be the
best detox food because it speeds up this metabolism. This
makes the Water Body Detox Diet one of the most effective
detoxification weight loss techniques.

b) Citrus Fruits and Fruit Juice Body Detox Diet - The body
needs certain vital enzymes to help its natural ability to
combat the toxins. And citrus fruits like grapefruits,
oranges and lemons provide the body with these. Fruits such
as pineapples and tomatoes also prove to be helpful in this
regard. As such, depending solely on these juices during
the period of your diet is an excellent idea. For example,
you might have lemon juice with a dash of honey. And if you
warm it, it can actually replace your daily dose of tea or
coffee. A mixed juice of three oranges, two mandarins and
half a grapefruit is another great method. A drink of this,
first thing in the morning provides amazing detoxification.
This body detox diet is a little less extreme than the
water detox diet and almost as effective!

c) Raw Vegetables and Fruits Body Detox Diet- When fruits
and vegetables are cooked thoroughly, they lose all their
essential enzymes to fight the toxins in your body almost
entirely. This is why eating copious amounts of raw fruits
and vegetables for your Body Detox Diet is an excellent way
to cleanse your system, as they provide your body with live
anti-toxin enzymes. Also, the fibers in these help enhance
the entire digestive process and help in cleansing your
blood as well. The external signs of such healthy eating
habits are odorless excreta, easy movement of the bowels
and an increase in immunity.

So if you are one of those young people who regularly
expose their body to erratic sleep schedules and an
excessive quantity of junk food, a full body detox diet
plan with raw fruits and vegetables is just the thing you
need.

----------------------------------------------------
John Khu is a health enthusiast and author of a new eBook
titled "Body Detox Tips". He is devoted to educate others
on the benefit of body detoxification. He is also the
owner of the website called http://www.bodydetoxtips.com
which provides complete and up-to-date information.

How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally

How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally
Lower cholesterol naturally by way of organic
supplementation is the way to possibly decrease your
chances of a heart attack or other heart ailments. In this
article, I uncover a potentially promising way to
accumulate more knowledge in regards to non-meditative
methods to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. In
this article, I reveal what the definition of cholesterol,
symptoms of high cholesterol and natural methods to
possibly lower cholesterol.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat like, waxy substance made in the liver
and found in certain foods, such as dairy products ( whole
milk), eggs, and meat. The human body needs some
cholesterol to carry out normal functions. Cell walls,
hormones, and bile acids all have cholesterol as a
component. If the body has too much cholesterol it may
lead to health problems such as coronary heart disease. An
actual protein is attached to cholesterol. This
cholesterol protein is called a lipoprotein. These
lipoproteins are either high density or lower density
depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

Below Are The Different Types Of Cholesterol

-Triglycerides are a type of fat that is carried in the
blood by very low-density lipoproteins. Sugar and/or
alcohol can be converted into triglycerides and stored in
fat cells throughout the body.

-Low-density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL also called bad
cholesterol can cause a buildup of plaque on the walls of
arteries. The more LDL levels there are in the blood, the
greater the risk for heart disease. Plaque is when too
much cholesterol is present and may form in the body's
arteries thereby narrowing the space for blood to flow to
the heart. Over a period of time this buildup can
potentially cause arteriosclerosis, which can lead to heart
disease.

-High-density lipoproteins (HDL). HDL also called the good
cholesterol helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol in
the blood. .

-Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are similar to LDL
cholesterol in that it contains mostly fat and not much
protein. Symptoms Of Cholesterol

There are rarely if any symptoms of high cholesterol, other
than a check up by the doctor or succumbing to all illness
that occurred from the high cholesterol levels. Xanthomas
can form halo like circles around the eyeball itself in
some of those who have high cholesterol.

-Lower Cholesterol Naturally-

There are plant sterols that through research have been
shown to lower cholesterol naturally. These plant sterols
are found in the organic substance soy. These sterols are
phytosterols are is small quantities in soy. As a result,
it would take a person to eat very large portions of soy to
get the amount adequate to reduce cholesterol level. After
these phytosterols are consumed the body then readily
absorbs them. In contrast, if you've ingested animal fats,
the body eliminates the cholesterol from these fats. Our
bodies will accept then absorb the plant sterols and at the
same time eliminate the LDL cholesterol from the body. If
we could only extract these plant sterols in larger
quantities for consumption, we could possibly lower our LDL
cholesterol levels.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided herein should not be construed as
a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other
prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The
information is provided with the understanding that the
publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any
other health-care profession and does not enter into a
health-care practioner/ patient relationship with its
readers.

----------------------------------------------------
The author is a graduate of a top University in California
and is also a credible researcher in the field of health.
If you want even more information check out
http://www.born-again-health-and-fitness.com

Diet Software - Is it for You?

Diet Software - Is it for You?
Making the decision to start a new diet can be a big one.
Choosing a diet or weight loss system is an even bigger
choice. You know that it will require some discipline as
well as some changes in your daily behavior. And even
though this is not always something that we look forward
to, starting a new diet doesn't have to be something you
dread, if you have the right tools. Diet software can be
one of the main tools that help you get your desired
results this time.

What is diet software?

Diet software is basically software that you use to help
you on your journey to lose weight and be healthy. It is
meant to be a tool, almost like your own personal dietitian
so that you can have a computerized support system while
dieting. Many folks aren't able to stick to healthier
eating habits when they make the choice to begin a diet.
But, this type of software helps maximize your chances for
success.

Dieting software can also help you stay on track by
counting your daily calorie intake and helping you analyze
the calories in your meal plans. Speaking of meal plans,
these types of software can also help you plan your meals
and even figure out which recipes to use.

What exactly does diet software do?

- It helps you stay motivated by seeing your goals and your
accomplishments.

- It helps you track your progress so that you can see what
is working and what is not.

- It helps you succeed by having a plan of action.

- It helps you stay on track with calorie counters and
other similar systems.

- It helps you stay organized with meal planning and recipe
support.

- It helps you track your body measurements.

- It helps you stay organized with your workouts and
exercise routines.

- It helps you maintain your weight, once you reach your
goals.

Other features include keeping track of your body
measurements while dieting and helping you to maintain your
best weight once your ultimate weight loss goals have been
reached.

In addition to all of this, your workouts and exercise
routines can be planned out and recorded with dieting
software. It almost seems that there is nothing that you
need for dieting success that dieting software can't
perform for you. It's almost like having your own personal
nutritionist, without the cost!

So if you're considering starting a new diet, and you don't
want it to fall by the wayside as you have maybe
experienced in the past, trying diet software this time may
be just the right key. Everyone deserves to live a happy,
healthy life. Start now, and make that choice for yourself.

----------------------------------------------------
To learn how diet software can help you lose weight, go to
http://www.reviewdietsoftware.com/category/dietpower/
For reviews of popular diets, check out
http://www.reviewdietsoftware.com/

What is Salmonella?

What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is the most common cause of food-borne illness
and causes a condition known as salmonellosis. Salmonella
is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that pass from the
feces of people or other animals to other people or animals.

What Foods Are Likely to Harbor Salmonella?

Any food that comes from an animal can contain salmonella.
Meat, poultry, milk, dairy products, eggs, and seafood are
can contain salmonella. Sometimes fruits and vegetables
also can contain salmonella. Salmonella can cause sickness
when animal products are not cooked to an adequate
temperature or when produce is not adequately washed.

What is Salmonellosis?

Salmonellosis is the infection that is caused by exposure
to salmonella. Salmonellosis results in more than 500
illnesses each year in the United States.

What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?

1. stomach cramps

2. chills

3. headache

4. nausea

5. vomiting

6. fever

7. diarrhea

How Does Salmonella Get Into Peanut Butter? The peanut
butter-salmonella outbreak came as a surprise to many food
safety experts. Bacteria typically do not thrive in the
high-fat, low-moisture environment that peanut butter
provides. Additionally, peanut butter usually is
pasteurized; bacteria do not usually survive the high heat
needed for the pasteurization process. Research into the
topic of past peanut butter safety, however, provided even
bigger surprises.

The salmonella outbreak is not the first associated with
peanut butter; a similar incident affected about 50 people
in 1996 in Australia. Peanut butter is considered an
"associated" source of salmonella contamination; this
differs from a principle source, like raw meats, poultry,
and eggs. While salmonella can show up in peanut butter,
there needs to be a source for the contamination to occur.
A study published in Journal of Food Protection in November
2006 suggested that the high-fat, low-water composition of
peanut butter was sufficient to sustain the growth of three
different types of salmonella.

What Kind of Peanut Butter Was Affected in the February
2007 Recall?

ConAgra manufactured the contaminated peanut butter.
Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration
recommends that all Peter Pan peanut butter purchased after
May 2006 be thrown away. Wal-Mart's Great Value peanut
butter also is affected by the recall.

How Do I Know If I Ate Contaminated Peanut Butter?

Exposure to salmonella generally results in fever,
dehydration, abdominal pain, and vomiting within about 8 to
72 hours of exposure; those who display such symptoms as a
result of salmonella exposure are said to have
salmonellosis. Symptoms usually go away within four to
seven days. Those with strong immune systems often do not
need medical attention to get better. However, for
children, elderly people, and those with compromised immune
systems, salmonellosis can prove deadly.

Are There Permanent Effects of Being Exposed to Salmonella?

Those who have diarrhea as a result of salmonella exposure
usually recover completely. A small number of those who are
exposed to salmonella end up with joint pain, irritation in
their eyes, and painful urination known as Reiter's
syndrome. This can last for months or years and even can
lead to chronic arthritis.

How Can I Protect Myself and My Family From Salmonella?

Sanitizing is an important part of salmonella avoidance.
Alcohol is effective against salmonella, as is quaternary
ammonium. Salmonella lives in the intestines of animals and
generally is spread by contact with animal feces.
Salmonella that is present in the juices of raw meat and in
poultry can lead to food-borne illness and also can
cross-contaminate other foods. Food also can become
contaminated if handled by someone who has salmonella
present on his or her hands.

The feces of pets can also lead to salmonella
contamination, especially if a pet has diarrhea. Reptiles
are particularly likely to have salmonella; after handling
a reptile, people should always immediately wash their
hands. Cooking meat products thoroughly and measuring
inside temperature with a thermometer can help kill much of
the salmonella that causes illness.

If you were sickened after eating Peter Pan or Great Value
peanut butter, contact an experienced unsafe products
attorney for an evaluation. You may decide to file a Peter
Pan peanut butter recall lawsuit and recoup compensation
related to medical expenses, future medical care, and other
costs.

----------------------------------------------------
Visit http://www.LegalView.com for more on salmonella
poisoning, or learn about other conditions or prescription
drug and surgical drug recalls such as the Zetia and
Vytorin, Avandia, Chantix side effects as well as the
Trasylol Aprotinin recall, which can be found at
http://trasylol-aprotinin.legalview.com/ .

Antioxidant Marketing Deceptions-How To Shop For Quality - 3 Minute Video/Free Newsletters

Antioxidant Marketing Deceptions-How To Shop For Quality - 3 Minute Video/Free Newsletters
I didn't know anything about antioxidant's (except that
they were good for me)UNTIL,...my son became ill with a
(un-curable) health condition.

Then my wife attended American Medical Association
certified Continuing Education classes for doctors, nurses,
etc. (AMA CE) and learned the need for antioxidants, the
various strengths of antioxidants, and the marketing tricks
being done with antioxidants - most of which the public is
completely unaware of.

Here's some of what she learned as we found complete
recovery for our son's health challenge,...via the power of
antioxidants in nature (instead of using symptom
suppressing toxic drugs that often have significant
negative side effects).

1. The marketing label you see in the health food store
regarding antioxidant (ORAC=Oxygen Radical Absorption
Capacity) can be mis-leading - often is.

2. Over 90 products from the shelves have been analyzed
and here's what they found:

A. 3 products touting "antioxidant" power actually had a
pro-oxidizing effect -- that means they acted the opposite
of how they were advertised.

B. 1800 units of lab tested ORAC value was the average of
the other 87 products. There was no industry test for
checking "fat soluble" antioxidant capacity (only the water
soluble capacity was being addressed).

C. The highest test results showed an ORAC (water soluble)
capacity of just over 5,000 units of protection per gram.

What's actually available to the informed, is antioxidants
from natural food that provide over 17,000 Units of
Protection per gram. That's nearly 10 times the protection
of the average product on the market and almost 3x the
level of protection of the most potent antioxidant
currently available on the health food shelves.

On item 1 above. Here's how some marketers mislead with
their ORAC labels.

They state the bottles entire ORAC level of protection,
versus comparing units of antioxidant protection per gram
or per equal serving.

So,...now you understand ORAC and the value of comparing
gram to gram when you buy.

If you want to learn more, including WHY antioxidant
protection is EXTREMELY Important - according to AMA CE
classes we learned from...

You can learn our son's real life, short story and learn
that DEET chemicals have been found in Peguins (floated in
the air to the poles via the jetstream they expect) - you
think there may be toxicity around you? How about the 100
cites tested - all positive for antibiotics in their
drinking water -- do you understand the vast oxidative
stress this puts on our bodies?

You need to understand antioxidants to enjoy top notch
quality of life in today's world. According to AMA
certified CE, Oxidative stress IS THE ROOT CAUSE of All
Illnesses (excluding trauma and genetic issues).

----------------------------------------------------
Mark Ostrye has been writing on health and wellness since
his son recovered from a (un-curable) condition about a
year ago. You can visit his informative lens site and see
newsletter topics and helpful science links - plus a short,
very informative 3 minute video (You will also find a link
to his Free Newsletter Offer) at:
http://www.squidoo.com/antiagingnow

Can Wine make You Thin?

Can Wine make You Thin?
A recent statement from the department of health has
suggested that women who drink over the recommended limit
may increase their risk of breast cancer by up to 50%.
This is a serious wake up call that alcohol may be more
dangerous than many think.

The price of alcoholic drinks is allowing people to buy
large quantities and has allowed many to increase their
consumption. It is not uncommon for people to drink
several bottles of wine a week, or maybe just at the
weekend.

What is the story though on alcoholic drinks and weight
loss though?

For years there has been controversy over alcohol
consumption. I regularly have many of my clients telling
me that it is good for you. They tell me a couple of
glasses of wine can help you relax. Wine is a low fat
product isn't it?

Unfortunately they are often the same people who find it
the hardest to lose weight, and get in shape.

So what's the problem? No matter what way you look at
things, alcohol is a toxin and the body has to rid itself
of it as quick as possible. As soon as the drink enters
the stomach and intestines the body starts absorbing the
alcohol and other nutrients in the drink, usually alcoholic
beverages contain a fair amount of sugars. This alcohol
then flows around the body. The liver has the job of
processing it and then flushing it from the system.

What causes the problems with regards to weight loss is
that alcohol has a calorific content. Just 1 gram of
alcohol contains 7 calories. This compares to protein and
carbohydrate, which have 4 Kcals per gram and fat, which
has 9. What makes alcohol an especially troublesome
nutrient is that the energy cannot be stored. It must be
used as quickly as possible.

When the body starts using the alcohol as a fuel the
process of fat metabolism slows down. The energy that fat
metabolism creates is not needed till the body has rid
itself of the alcohol.

Now if you drank for instance a bottle of wine it could
contain about 750 Kcals. This is about as much energy you
would burn if you ran for a whole hour at a fast pace. For
a woman it is about half of the recommended calories for a
day. So if you are a woman and you drink two bottles of
wine per week in theory to balance out the intake you
should fast for one day.

It is this combination of the calories from the alcoholic
drinks and the metabolism slowing process that it creates
that can cause many people who drink regularly to find
weight loss difficult.

If you are serious about losing weight and body fat it is
recommended that you limit or remove alcoholic drinks from
your diet at least until you have achieved you weight loss
goals and instead drink low sugar soft drinks.

----------------------------------------------------
Matt Murphy is a top fitness coach who specializes in
results based training, to find out more about his training
methods or to learn more visit his website at
http://www.mattmurphyfitness.co.uk or the blog at
http://mattmurphysolutions.blogspot.com/

Tips For Panic Attacks

Tips For Panic Attacks
If you are suffering with panic attacks you will know how
debilitating they are. Anyone who has experienced a panic
attack will generally say that it is one of the most
intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable
experiences of a person's life. Panic attacks can be as
short as 1-5 minutes, whist other times they may sometimes
form a cyclic series of episodes, lasting for an extended
period, sometimes hours.

Panic attacks are sudden, discrete periods of intense
anxiety. They are often experienced in conjunction with
anxiety disorders and other psychological conditions,
although panic attacks are not always indicative of a
mental disorder, nor are they uncommon. Panic Disorders
are strikingly different from other types of anxiety
disorders in that panic attacks are often sudden and
unprovoked. They have also been found to run in families,
and this may mean that inheritance genes plays a strong
role in determining who will get it.

During the hyperventilation stage you might find you are
experiencing some pretty scary symptoms and you could be
heading towards a full-blown panic attack. The more
experienced sufferers amongst you may be able to completely
ride out a panic attack showing very little or even no
obvious symptoms to those around them. Whilst others,
notably first-time sufferers, may even call for emergency
services. Many people who experience symptoms of a panic
attack for the first time will fear they are having a heart
attack, as the symptoms can seem very similar. Even health
care professionals who have not seen one before can be
mistaken.

So you have panic attacks but how can you help yourself?
Well my 5 tips are:

1./ Your Breathing - During times of stress we neglect
correct breathing. Around 60% of all panic attacks are
associated with hyperventilation. Hyperventilation (over
breathing) makes panic attacks worse. When you
hyperventilate your body takes in too much oxygen, even
though the sufferer believes they can't breath. For the
oxygen to work correctly in your body you need the correct
mix of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation knocks
the mix off balance. It has been common practice to advise
people to take long deep breaths but this will only make
you more anxious to relax you should inhale fully, staying
relaxed, and then proceed without pausing to exhale slowly.
Repeating as many times as possible. One of the other
things panic attack sufferers have been taught is to
breathe in and out of a paper bag. The idea behind this is
that by breathing in and out of a paper bag you are
inhaling more CO2. It does work but not as quickly or as
effectively as some doctors think.

While it is not harmful to hyperventilation sufferers, it
hasn't actually been shown to help them either, what they
do though is hurt sufferers of dangerous medical
conditions that look like hyperventilation. Heart attacks
and asthma can be commonly mistaken for hyperventilation.

2./ Posture - Posture effects breathing more than people
think. As we get anxious and stressed we retreat into
ourselves and almost start to physically curl up. It is
totally a subconscious movement but its result is to
compress the bodies internal organs. This means we take
shallower breaths and the mix between CO2 and oxygen
changes. You need to work at keeping a correct posture, get
friends and family to remind you and look at how you are
sitting at work.

3./ Diversion methods -

Talk to someone to take your mind off your thoughts.

If a panic attack comes on through the night don't lie
there thinking get up and do something, keep moving, eat,
drink, watch TV.

Try not to sit down keep yourself active and walk around.

Tell yourself over and over that the panic attack can't
hurt you and it will subside.

Try to do something that occupies your mind, sing out loud,
add up and subtract in your mind, recite nursery rhymes,
anything to keep your mind working.

Splash your face with cold water.

4./ Familiarise yourself with panic attack symptoms.

5./ Check your beliefs about panic attacks, to see if you
are fueling your panic attacks unnecessarily.

Hopefully some of the tips above will help you in your
quest to manage your panic attacks.

----------------------------------------------------
Rachel Harding is a qualified nurse. Do you want to be free
of your panic attacks? Then go to
http://www.beatingdepressionandanxiety.com