Monday, January 22, 2007

Calorie counter

How your daily need of clories look like?
Here are some foods that teaches us that we need :
1- 15 bars Twix/day.
2-Less than 2 Burger King Double Whopper Hamburgers/day.
3- Less than 4 McDonald's Bigg N'Tasty Hamburger2/day.
4- 20 cups of orange juice/day.
If you want to know the amounts of the rest of foods,
read" Grams/Day Food List to Maintain your Weight".

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Estrogens and Overweight

Normally, Androgens(male hormones), Estrogens (female hormones), Progestins (maternal hormones) are all present in the body of both male and female, yet it is the balance state of the three sets of hormones that dictate which effect will predominate . When Estrogens predominate, it causes accretion of fats in different body parts, and you can see for yourself when you compare the changes occurring in the body contours of a girl at puberty, and compare it with the body of a boy at the same age.

During the past 70 years, with the advent of society and industrial state, our body has been subjected to unprecedented Estrogen predominance. In less than 100 years with commercialization of cattle and poultry, processed foods, and use of petrochemical derivatives, have been replaced whole fruits and vegetables,poultry and cattle raised on grass and natural organic feed, and creams crafted from honey, milk and beeswax.

Worse yet, feeds lucid with pesticides and hormones, both of which have or induce estrogen activity, are routinely given to animals, and then passed to humans. Women whose diets are whole food based, seldom suffer a deficiency in progestins and the the signs of Estrogens dominance manifested as menopausal symptoms.

12 most common causes of Estrogen dominance:

1- Commercially raised cattle and poultry:

The animals are fed estrogen-like and Growth hormones. They are also given antibiotics-specially the poultry- which in turn disrupt the normal hormonal balance through inducing more enzymes that convert an androgen to estrogen.When humans eat the meat of these animals more estrogen is deposited in their bodies. As that is said, fish body is less contaminated -specially the small, non-coastal, non-shellfish - as one fish consumes1 pound of feed to produce 1 pound of edible fish, compared to 4/1 in poultry and 60/1 in cattle. You can trim fat from meat , and skin from poultry and fish you eat to reduce the amounts of pollutants.

2- Commercially - non-organic - grown fruits and vegetables containing pesticides:

In the past 100 years several hundred billion pounds of pesticides have been released into environment. Approximately, 5 billion pounds of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are being added to the world each year. Pesticides either have similar chemical structure to Estrogens, or induces liver enzymes that converts androgen to estrogen, favoring Estrogen dominance in our bodies. Produce with the most pesticides include Strawberries,bell peppers, Peaches, Apples, Apricots and Spinach. Foods with the least amount of pesticides include Avocado, Corn, Onions, Sweet Potatoes, Bananas, green onion, Broccoli, and Cauliflower.

If you are eating non-organic fruits and vegetables, discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables and peel and wash all with diluted vinegar.

3- Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products :

Such as creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfumes, hair spray , nail polish, nail polish remover, and room deodorizer. We all involuntarily consume car exhaust, industrial waste such as PCBs and dioxins!

4- Industrial Solvents :

Some common organic solvents including alcohol like methanol, aldehydes like acetaldehyde, glycols like ethylene glycol, and ketones like acetone(nail polish remover).

Solvents are present in cosmetics, adhesives, glues, paint remover,dry-cleaning chemical, varnishes and other types of finishes, cleaning products, carpet, fiberboard, and other processed wood.

5- Sewage :

"Hormone Replacement Therapy ( HRT ) & Birth Control Pills".

Synthetic chemical Estrogens present in HRT and Birth control pills are metabolized in the body of women taking them, and excreted in their urine which is flushed down the toilet, and eventually found its way into the food chain, and back into the body. They are likely non-biodegradable.

6- Stress :

Stress causes adrenal gland exhaustion and reduced progesterone output. This tilts the estrogen to progesterone ratios in favor of estrogen. Excessive estrogen in turn causes insomnia and anxiety, which further taxes the adrenal gland. This leads to a further reduction in progesterone output and even more estrogen dominance. After a few years in this type of vicious cycle, the adrenal glands become exhausted. This dysfunction leads to blood sugar imbalance, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue.

7- Obesity :

Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids to estrogen. The higher the fat intake, the higher the conversion of fat to estrogen.Studies have shown that estrogen and progesterone levels fell in women who switched from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat, high-fiber and plant-based diet even though they did not adjust their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known sterols that have progestogenic effects. People who eat more wholesome foods have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because their pre- and post-menopause levels of estrogen do not drop as significantly.

8- Liver Overburden :

It is found that in some liver diseases like cirrhosis and fatty degeneration accompanying virus hepatitis B&C, or excessive alcohol intake, the liver capacity to convert androgens to Estrogens is increased. This same effect is presented by some drugs like phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, meprobamate...etc.

9- Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium :

Both of these are necessary for the neutralization of estrogen in the liver. Too much estrogen also tends to create deficiency of zinc, magnesium and the B vitamins. These are all important constituents of hormonal balance.

10- Increased Sugar, Fast Food, and Processed Food :

Intake of all of these leads to a depletion of magnesium.

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11- Excessive Intake of Caffeine :

Caffeine intake from all sources was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of age, body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking, alcohol, and cholesterol intake. Studies have shown that women who consumed at least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the early follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee. Tea is not much better as it contains about half the amount of caffeine as compared to coffee. The exception is herbal tea like chamomile which contains no caffeine.

In absolute terms, we are bathed in a continuous sea of Estrogen, the more the developed is the country, the more is its surge. Yes, we all have hormonal imbalances, and specifically Estrogen dominance

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Toxic

Here you will see what are the sources of noxious materials,next article you will read the effect of these
toxins on your weight.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Keep Healthy Blood Glucose to Maintain your Weight

Blood sugar (glucose) is all what the metabolism is centered about.
Glucose is the only metabolite that can be fermented in our cells to produce energy without the need of Oxygen- although it can also produce energy through oxidation with Oxygen in the mitochondria-, consequently
it is kept in stores for prompt demand either as is in the blood, or as glycogen in muscles.

If the level of glucose in the blood declines, the liver breaks its glycogen down and utilizes other metabolites like Glycerol and Amino Acids to supply glucose to maintain its required concentration in the blood,
and this is why some scientists call the liver a "Glucose gland".

If starvation is extended over a long period of time to reach a state of Mal-nutrition, the result is continued protein waste and this what occurs in Mal-nourished people and in cancer.

During the period of starvation, glucose is not kept abundant in the blood and is produced only when its concentration falls below a certain level, and this in turn may favor the the good response of Insulin receptors to its secretion induced by increased Glucose in the blood, in other words, it maintain a good Insulin sensitivity.

This also highlights how can exercise maintain a normal weight, since Glucose is continuously "sucked" off the blood to meet energy requirements letting no surplus glucose to be built up into fats.

Now, the next question might be how do I ensure to get enough healthy
blood glucose levels to maintain my weight. Well, the safest best will be organic seasonal fruits. Their impact of glucose and fructose- which can be converted into glucose- content in the blood to maintain your weight is the best of all foods, furthermore, you get a bonus in the form of fibers that can naturally cleanse your colon.

There is also the well designed snacks that serve for the same purpose of supplying some little glucose to the blood added to some fibers or beneficial foods like nuts.

Whenever you feel hungry, eat fruits or snacks 4-5 times daily and keep healthy blood glucose to maintain your weight.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Weight Loss Made Easy in 2007

Weight loss isn't easy to achieve but with a little determination and quality information you can make it happen. Many of you will start off the New Year with excitement about reaching your ultimate goals. Keep that excitement and let's begin with weight loss.

Weight loss is not something that can be done quickly in most cases, and indeed, as long as you are not competing Claudia Shaffer, why hurry! Don't go beyond"I Lost xx lbs in a week or a month..." It's more of a lifestyle change that you desire. If you really want to change then do it, learn how to do it.
A healthier you is a slimmer you! Take a healthy approach to life if you want to reap the benefits of weight loss. Your body can't function correctly and eliminate body waste efficiently if it's not in shape.
Some points you want to consider for your new healthier weight loss program will be gaining the knowledge to succeed. Another matter is your overall health.

weight loss is not easy and effortless. You will have to put work into it just as you do with other important things in your life. You just have to decide precisely what is important to you and if it is worth your precious time. I hope that you begin to think weight loss is one of your
ultimate goals this year.
Learn about portion sizes and negative calories.Calories do count though so make sure that you do count them if you want to see greater weight loss results.Put 2000-2500 Calories/day as a start, and to quit your
dinner as your final goal.

Some nutritious foods are known as "Negative Calories Foods". What are these "magical" foods? Tomatoes actually burn more calories when you eat them then they contain. Other foods that may fit into this category are: • Apples • Grapefruit • Oranges • Lettuce • Onion • Spinach • Broccoli • Celery and more that you can see in the archives. This means that you are consuming fewer calories than you are burning by your effort to chew and consume them. You burn more energy digesting them than they actually contain,simply because they gain weight when saturated with water, then
they need more energy to be moved off than other foods(if you want to go
deeper in their mechanism of action, just go to the archive).
Most negative calorie foods contain plenty of vitamins, minerals and enzymes to break down these foods for better digestion.

Portions are another key point to consider. You must realize that you have been forced by the media and fast food restaurants to consume unnatural portion sizes. "Super size it" is a phrase that you will realize is harmful to your health. "Just say no" is your new positive motto.
Eat your larger meals earlier in the day and don't skip breakfast.You may have greater results by setting a plan to eat six smaller meals throughout the day , and to exclude dinner from them.

Exercise can also help lose weight when you choose the appropriate one for your health condition.

OK,wanna easy scheme to start with? here it is :
Put a plan that you will eat 2000-2500 Calories/day, count 1 gram of carbohydrates and protein as 5 Calorie and 1 gram of fat as 9 Calories
and there is no need for precision, approximate every thing until you reach your goals and help yourself to just do that. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and add fats if you want, until you find yourself having no desire in dinner! This is the key gold to weight loss and preserving a desired weight.

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