Archive for September, 2009

Sep 30 2009

Inside Secrets To Nutrient Labels For Beverages And Why They Are Both Your Friend And Foe!

Published by George Napoli under Weight Loss

by George Napoli

We study nutrient labels for many reasons. But, whatever our choices, we all needs to understand how to use this information smarter. When it comes to a sodas label, we’re consuming more calories than ever, so it is even more critical to know not only the familiar components- calories, carbs and fats, but also understanding the flavor descriptions for the beverage of choice.

A juices flavoring descriptor is a signal to inside drink. Not all descriptions are approved by the Government. So now you have to deal with marketing descriptions such as pure flavoring and all natural flavors along with descriptors that are on point but still just as confusing- natural, artificial, natural and artificial. More on flavoring descriptions later in the eidtorial.

We study nutrient labels for many reasons. But, whatever our reasons, we all needs to understand how to use this information smarter. When it comes to drink labels, we are consuming more calories than ever, so it’s even more critical to know not only the familiar components- calories, carbs and fats, but also understanding the flavor descriptions for the beverage of choice.

Understanding the nutritional facts panel now. Here are the nutrients you want to drink or eat less of (saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar) as well as those you want to get enough of (vitamins, minerals and fiber). A beverage or food that provides 5 percent or less of daily value is considered to be low in that nutrient, while a food is considered a good source of a nutrient if one serving provides 20 percent DV.

Looking at the serving size next. This is the first nutrient line on the label and the basis for all the numbers and percentages that follow. If you don’t check serving size, you could be drinking more calories than you realize. For example, a single serving of your favorite fruit juice is typically one cup, not two, so you’re normal drinking glass could be doubling your actual calorie intake, doubling the calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc. without you even realizing it.

Caloriy count is next. This tells you the number of calorie in a serving. Also listed are the calories from carbs and fat. For example, a one-cup portion of typical juice has 120 calories per cup and there are two servings per bottle, of which 60 or about 50 percent are from carbs. If you’re looking to drop carbs, you might choose products with 30 percent or less carbohydrates.

Learning about nutrients is next. This area contains what’s in the drink, plus any added nutrients, fats or sugars. Ingredients are in order by weight, from the highest to lowest numbers. So if you want to cut back on sodium or sugar, don’t choose a beverage or food product with sugar as the 1st ingredient. And don’t be fooled by different forms of fat and sugar listed with names you dont understand. If you want to learn how much sugar is really in a beverage, look for what we call the osis words that end in “ose” -sucrose, dextrose, fructose – as well as more common descriptions: corn syrup, molasses and honey.

All about descriptors are next. What does pure flavoring or all natural really mean? What does “light”, “fat-free” and “low-sodium” really mean? Here’s how the FDA defines these words: low-saturated fat (one gram or less per serving); low-sodium (140 milligrams or less); low-cholesterol (20 milligrams or less and 2 grams or less of saturated fat); low-calorie (40 calories or less). Light beverages and foods have two-thirds the calories of the regular variety. Note: It is important to understand that just because a product is low-fat or low-sugar that does not necessarily me low calories.

As far as the FDA claims, there are really only three approved flavoring descriptors, 4 if you include spices. Here’s a little review and some of the more common language out there: 1. Natural: essential oil, essence or extractive, distillate, or any product which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit, or fruit juice whose significant function is flavoring rather than nutritional. 2. Artificial: any substance used to impart flavor not derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice. 3. Natural & Artificial: A blend of natural and artificial flavors.

As far as flavor descriptions for the drinks you consume, you need to see past things when a beverages label says pure flavoring. Look further at sodas. They taste great but are loaded with high fructose corn syrups, even though they are natural products. Review alternative beverages that lets us to get all the taste and flavoring with 0 calories, carbs and fats.

One solution is to find bottled flavored water. There is a wide selection of products to choose from. Watch and choose flavored waters with zero calories. You can also make your own flavored water by cutting up fruit. Look for natural flavoring additives and concentrates with 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 fats is another inexpensive choice beverages high in calories. These new flavoring drops are quite different and new to the market and let you add flavoring to h20, teas, brews, even vodkas with zero extra calories.

When it comes to your weight and good health, searching for low cost alternatives to beverages makes good sense. Flavored water with natural flavoring concentrates could end up becoming your perfect diet drink!

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Sep 30 2009

The Atkins Grapefruit Diet.

Published by Frank Williams under Weight Loss

by Frank Williams

The Atkins Grapefruit diet is a diet plan, not endorsed by the eponymous Dr. Atkins company, that tries to play on the popularity of two diets: the grapefruit diet and the Atkins diet. However, a close look into this diet shows that it may not be all it claims for itself.

First off, it’s very hard to any find information on the Atkins grapefruit diet plan at all. Clever people know that when someone is perpetrating a deception, or a con, they will often gloss over the facts. This is what the Atkins grapefruit diet seems to be doing in an attempt to get people to associate it with two seemingly effective diets.

Is the Atkins Grapefruit Diet part of the Atkins Diet or support by the estate of the late Dr. Atkins? The answer is no, not only is there no mention of the Atkins Grapefruit Diet on the Atkins web site, but there is no fruit of any kind mentioned in the list of allowed foods in the Atkins diet Induction phase either.

The induction phase includes the following foods: fish of all kinds, all fowl such as turkey and chicken, any shellfish, any meat such as beef or pork, eggs cooked in any style including fried, cheese, vegetables, herbs and spices, fats and oils, low carbohydrate beverages including diet soft drinks.

Please, notice one thing – fruit is not on that list. Later phases of the Atkins diet do include limited amounts of fruits such as cantaloupe and even lemon juice, and the pre-maintenance and maintenance phases even specifically allow small quantities of grapefruit. But when compared to the amount of Grapefruit advised on the Atkins Grapefruit Diet, again there is a massive disagreement.

The Atkins Grapefruit Diet suggests a cup of grapefruit juice or a cup of grapefruit sections, with 8 and 18 carbs respectively. Even the most generous phases of the Atkins diet recommends restricting consumption to below 8 carbs per day, when it comes to grapefruit. That’s a direct contradiction of one plan to the other.

Most sensible people would turn to the Atkins website itself the moment they heard of the Atkins Grapefruit Diet and when they found no reference of that diet on their site, a red light would flash and an alarmbell would sound.

In general, remember this: any diet that relies too heavily on one food, such as grapefruit on a grapefruit diet, is unhealthy for any but very short periods. The Atkins Grapefruit Diet is not associated with the Atkins diet, and may interfere with the results of the Atkins diet in its early phases.

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Sep 30 2009

Stop Sweating With These Modern Treatments

by Edward Longbottom

In order for the body to regulate its temperature, fluid is released from the sweat gland pores which when evaporated from the skin surface act to take away the heat from the body core. Excessive sweating has notably been the cause of deep frustration for many sufferers and in a great many instances have resulted in the requirement of medical procedures.

Excessive sweating has been known to cause a reduction in confidence for both women and men and sufferers to shy away from every day social engagements and in some instances lead to clinical depression. It is most commonly seen to affect as underarm sweat, foot sweat, indeed in the genital area and also as flop sweat (head sweat).

With a view to reducing excessive underarm sweating the most common method of attack has been to apply a liberal spraying of an underarm antiperspirant deodorant armed with some active ingredient derogate of aluminum salt which serves to block the pores from the clear passage of a weak urea solution from the ducts. However in many cases this does not provide adequate protection and in some cases can cause severe irritation which might also require immediate medical attention and further embarrassment to the sufferer.

In the case of foot and hand sweat a dermatologist might recommend a treatment known as iontopherisis which is a painless method implementing the passage of a low current through a solution normally water and is believed to promote the thickening of the outer layers of skin in the affected areas which in turn restricts the passage of sweat from exiting those areas of sweat permeation.

For those wishing for a more permanent method of sweating treatment, a surgical procedure can be carried out during which the sweat glands are rendered entirely dysfunctional through the excision of the sweat gland nerves. This method does indeed result in the riddance of a sweating problems suffered but with the loss of the body’s natural temperature regulation mechanism which has been considered unhealthy by opposition to this form of remedy.

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Sep 30 2009

Asthma Treatment: What NOT To Do

Published by Esther Tan under Allergies/Asthma

by Esther Tan

Its common knowledge that any disease which is detected and treated early have bigger chances to be cured than one that is left alone to fester for quite some time. It doesnt matter if the disease is chronic or not, when left alone, a simple, manageable disease can turn into a life threatening ailment. For those with asthma one problem that doctors will usually encounter in asthma patients is the fact that they denied their condition and think that what they are experiencing is normal, until such time that the condition can no longer be ignored.

So that would be the first dont when it comes to asthma treatments. Never deny the fact that what you may be experiencing is already presenting itself as a condition and is not normal. Early detection and treatment would always be an advantage for you. Once you are diagnosed with asthma you will need to follow your regimen of medication so that you will be able to achieve the best desired result. Do not abandon your medication simply because you are not having the attacks or difficulties in breathing anymore. Stopping treatment in the middle of its cycle will not only make the conditions return but sometimes the condition comes back with a vengeance and a stronger resistance to the medications that you were taking before, making it more uncomfortable for you.

The third dont would be; not following your treatment program. These programs a specifically made by medical experts for each specific individual. No two programs are alike since for every patient there are different triggers that exist. By not following the specific program that you are given and the repetitions that you need to be doing this will sometimes trigger stronger flare ups that can be life threatening.

With regards to specific programs that you are given, never discontinue until your doctor says so: These programs are designed differently for each individual and is unique only to you since there are no two asthma conditions that are totally alike. Triggers and causes will differ from one person to another. Abruptly stopping the program that is designed for you will result in a much weaker resistance to triggers and allergens which will contribute to attacks that are much worse compared to what you have experienced before.

With all the advances that have been made in the medical industry, medicines that fight against asthma are easily available and more effective. There are also alternative medications and techniques that one can try or take to help them with their condition. But always remember to do proper research first and consult your doctor before trying out anything. Never play your medication by ear, as this can be a costly mistake. Whatever type of technique you want to use or alternative medicine you want to take, ask for professional advice first. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether it can help with your specific condition or not. Some techniques and medicines have been proven to work well along with the medications but try to research and ask first before trying it out.

Remember to take control of your asthma rather than letting it take control of you. Asthma can indeed be a tiring, inconvenient, irritating and traumatizing condition, but with proper medication and care you will be able to get past all the inconveniences and start to live a normal and happy life.

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