Anti-Aging Effects of Blueberries

Blueberry season is almost coming. But this sweet, flare-crowned, indigo superfruit is more than just a mouth-watering delight to your craving senses. Would you believe that this favourite has a wide range of micronutrients that do not only protect the body from diseases, but also aging?

High Antioxidant Value

Blueberries, along with blackberries, strawberries, and plums, have the highest total antioxidant capacity of any food. It is being regarded as one of the “superfuits” having the promising combination of nutrient value, emerging research evidence for health benefits, versatility for manufacturing popular consumer products, and antioxidant strength.

Antioxidants are thought to aid in guarding the body against the detrimental effects of free radicals to cells and the chronic diseases associated with the course of aging. The antioxidants present in this fruit can protect the cell, so there is less chance for aging. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries.  Blueberries also contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants.  With this, the effects of blueberries to the skin are copious.

Neuron Protection

The compound anthocyanin, found in blueberries, is thought to slow down age-related loss in the mental capacity of humans. Those who eat more blueberries are thought to have better functioning in motor behavioral learning and memory. Anthocyanin also gives blueberries their colour and might be the key factor of the blueberry’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While it is thought that aging can decrease cognitive and motor functions, blueberries can be of huge help to improve mental functioning.

Better balance and coordination

Blueberries also have positive effects to balance and coordination. In a study by Dr. James Joseph of Tufts University, it was found that a diet loaded with blueberries counteracted poor balance and coordination associated with aging. In this study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Joseph fed four groups of rats a normal diet. But among these groups were given blueberries, spinach, or strawberries.

For 18 weeks, the rats were tested for mental functioning, muscle strength, coordination, and balance. The two groups which were fed with strawberry and blueberry extracts performed well on these tests, but the group fed with blueberries executed the most improvement.

Not only that, findings also showed that blueberries improved the neuronal functioning of the rats. Dr. Joseph suspects the findings are a result of blueberries' rich store of flavonoids -- phytochemicals that have an effect on cell membranes. These findings suggest that nutritional intervention can offer hope to those suffering poor balance and coordination related to aging.

Prevention of diseases

A serving of blueberries provides a relatively low glycemic load while providing a diverse range of nutrients, which also means there are fewer calories (good news for calorie-watchers) in a serving full of phytochemicals and nutrients such as iron, vitamins C and E. Because of the phytochemicals present, the risk of acquiring some deadly diseases may also be prevented.

Anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and tannins found in this wonderful fruit may help prevent cancer by inhibiting some cancer mechanisms. These components protect the DNA from damage and disintegration caused by free radicals.

At a symposium on berry health benefits, there have been reports that eating blueberries and other similar fruits like cranberries may improve the cognitive deterioration occurring in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions of aging. Blueberries may help lower the damages of stroke.

Researches have also shown that blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections (UTI), hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia that can also lead to potentially fatal heart disease.

With blueberries, your tongue, and more importantly your health would get the best out of it. Well, even without all these benefits in mind, who wouldn’t die for a serving of blueberries?

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7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Coconut Oil

It is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you. People all over the world are experiencing the healthy benefits of using coconut oil. It is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are the top seven reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other common cooking oils.

1. Coconut oil doesn't turn to fat in your body.

Unlike many other common oils, like soy (vegetable) and corn, coconut oil won't make you fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are an easy fuel for the body to burn, without turning to fat. Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT's are usually stored as fat. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.

People in the tropics have relied on coconuts as a traditional staple in their diet for centuries. They consume large amounts of coconut oil every day. Instead of getting fatter, it helps them stay healthy, lean and trim. When they switch from coconut oil to our modern oils, they develop obesity and the health problems that our modern society faces.

Some other people who have known this truth for a long time are people who are in the animal feed business. When livestock are fed vegetable oils, they put on weight and produce more fatty meat. When they are fed coconut oil, they become very lean.

2. Coconut oil increases your metabolism.

Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body, it increases your metabolism, which promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT's burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT's.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman's World magazine stated that coconut oil is the "underground high-metabolism secret."

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

3. Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.

Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids, something we get way too much of in the United States. Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1. We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more omega 3 oils to be healthy. And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

4. Coconut oil gives you energy.

Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the metabolism, most people that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in their daily life.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis, which increases the body's metabolism, producing energy.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis, which increases the body's metabolism, producing energy. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding coconut and coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them.

5. One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil.

Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair. It gives temporary relief to skin problems like rashes. It aids in healing and restoring skin to a younger appearance. It has also been known to help with people who suffer from yeast infections in the skin, as well as many other skin problems.

Not only does is soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil too.

6. Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.

Evidence is mounting that coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as Vitamin E.

7. Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.

It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don't do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.

It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Rancid oils cause free radical damage in the body, which is a leading cause of cancer. Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature.

Because of the misinformation we have been given for years, we have lost out on the healthy benefits that coconut oil has given the people of the tropics for centuries. But now it has been rediscovered! Coconut oil is so effective, it won't be long before we see coconut oil supplements promoted, but you can get the jump on the popular crowd and start consuming and cooking with coconut oil today!

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What in the World is a Crossover Food?

Looking for healthy, inexpensive and versatile ways to add more protein into your diet?

Why not consider dried beans?

Dried beans, also known as legumes and pulses, are not only a great source of protein, but are low in fat, packed with vitamins, minerals and both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Ask any vegetarian how they get enough protein in their diet and they probably will say “I eat a lot of beans”.

Protein, Fiber, Vitamins and Minerals
Beans are an excellent, non-fat source of protein.  Just one cup of beans has about 16 grams, about the same as 3 ounces (audio cassette size) piece of chicken, fish or beef.

Because they are a plant, they contain fiber, vitamins and minerals like vegetables.  Nutritionists refer to them as “crossover foods” which means they can be used in a meal as a protein or vegetable item.  Take a look at the cuisines of different countries and cultures.  You will notice that most cultures include beans, prepared in many different ways. Such a versatile food!

Another unique quality of beans is the fiber.  Beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.  Huh? What does this mean?

 the stuff that makes food move through your body more easily.  Insoluble fiber has received a lot of publicity in recent years because of the link to a high fiber diet and lowered risk of several types of cancer.

Soluble fiber forms a “gooey” substance in the digestive process that helps with processing of fats, cholesterol and slows the release of carbohydrates into the bloodstream.  The American Diabetic Association loves beans!

Beans are rich in antioxidants, folic acid, vitamin B-6 and magnesium.  Folic Acid and B-6 are known for their ability to lower homocysteine levels in the blood.

Elevated blood levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.  20-40 percent of patients with heart disease have elevated homocysteine levels.

So, what’s the downside of this wonderful food?  If you are not used to a high fiber diet….flatulence. As with the introduction of any high fiber food, go easy with the amounts the first few days until your body adjusts. Then any uncomfortable feeling will probably pass.

How to Cook
You can use canned beans which are nutritionally similar to dried ones.  It’s a good idea to rinse the beans before eating them to remove the salt and preservatives used in canning.

Generally, beans are not complicated to cook, but require time.  Most beans, except lentils, require an overnight soak in water to soften them up.  Then they can be simmered until soft on the stove or in a slow cooker.  Generally, the bigger the bean, the longer they take to cook.  One thing to note: after soaking, rinse the beans and cook them in new water.  This will help prevent flatulence!

Beans can be frozen after cooking and used in sauces, soups, salads or anywhere your imagination takes you. Where I live, red bean ice cream is popular.  Delicious!

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Running Health Benefits: A Quick Rundown

Why run? There are innumerable reasons. But the number one reason you should consider is the many running health benefits you can obtain every time you run. Now that busy and cramped lifestyles are pushing people to become more sedentary, running provides an easy and fuss-free avenue to getting fit and healthier. But although running proves to be tedious and rigorous, all the sweat is worth the following physical benefits:

1. Healthier heart
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood to carry oxygen to the body. When you run, you cause your heart to work harder, pumping more blood. Over time, running makes your heart more efficient so that even if you are at rest, your heart is pumping more blood with each heart beat. The arteries also benefits from running. As you run, the arteries become more elastic and more able to flush out the fatty deposits that may have developed in you the walls of the arteries and that could potentially obstruct the delivery of blood to the heart. If not addressed, these obstructions in the blood’s pathway can cause heart attack.

2. Lower blood pressure
As a result of elastic arteries, blood pressure among runners is usually low. In fact, a study involving an observation of long distance runners showed that these runners recorded almost a 50% decrease in the blood pressure. Their use of medications to lower blood pressure was also reported to have over 50% reduction.

3. Lower cholesterol
Also according to a study, runners generally have lower cholesterol. When running, HDL cholesterol (the good fat) level increases, while the bad fat and triglyceride levels decrease. This results in reduced risk of heart diseases.

4. Stronger lungs
Running makes your body more in need of oxygen, prompting your lungs to work harder by using 50% of otherwise unused lung potential. Running also increases the number of your capillaries, the tiny blood vessels through which blood passes to the lungs, and carries out respiratory functions more efficiently. The lungs then, when exposed to regular running, improve and eventually get used to working harder. The result is efficient breathing whether you are running or idle.

5. Firmer muscles
The most obvious benefit of running is toner and firmer muscles. This is because when running, you expose them to constant and rigorous activity and leave them fit and stronger. Regular running also improves muscular strength and endurance, making you more adept at handling activities that require a great deal of physical efforts.

6. Stronger bones
Although widely associated with age, osteoporosis, a condition characterized by hollow and brittle bones, is pointed to be the result of lack of exercise. Running can decrease your chances of suffering from osteoporosis and other bone problems. By keeping them always at work, joints and bones develop flexibility, endurance, and strength.

7. Better bowel movement
Among the running health benefits, improved bowel movement is perhaps the least known. By increasing breathing, running helps in the wavelike movement of the bowels, making them easy to release. This prevents constipation and hemorrhoids.

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Running as Part of Weight Loss Systems

There are logically numerous weight loss systems these days that are introduced and marketed to help people trim fats and excessive pounds. Many people note that these weight management systems are impressive and are well targeted.

 The most popular and proven effective are those that involve physical activities like regular walking and running. More emphasis is given to running, which is identified by experts as a good form of aerobic or cardiovascular exercise.

Perhaps, peoples' greatest concern now aside from earning more money is to have a perfect shape or a sexy body. And because fashion and sexiness have always been associated with well-maintained bodies, people think being skinny or slim is equivalent to being sexy and beautiful.

 Do not be surprised to see more people running around the open park especially in the morning. Running is a cost effective way to sweat and bring about cardiovascular challenge to the body.

Running is as effective as using a tread mill. In fact, this exercise machine has been developed and manufactured to facilitate running indoors. You must be wondering why tread mills do not fail to be included in basic gym facilities. Indeed, running is a good form of exercise.

 It is effective in making people sweat and in the process speed up metabolism of stored fats and calories.

Losing weight is not as easy as anyone could think. You would surely assert that it is far easier to gain weight than to lose it. How could you find and get the perfect weight loss systems that would help you attain your target weight? Choose programs that not only focus on diets. Systems with recommended physical activities and exercises like running would truly be more effective.

Because there are many weight loss systems now available and introduced in the market, all you have to do is to collect and then choose the system that would go with your preferences and lifestyle. There are weight loss systems that are too strict, while there are others that are easier to take.

 Some weight loss systems would recommend or mandate taking in diet pills or a weight loss supplement to suppress appetite. As mentioned, on top of the drugs, there would also be recommended exercises to be executed regularly, plus nutritional or diet plans.

If you are taking a weight loss system, it would be important to abide by the recommendations. Strictly following instructions and mandates of such weight loss programs would be of great help in ensuring that you would eventually attain your target weight. Incorporate daily, yet simple exercises into your lifestyle. Running in the neighborhood every morning is a good aerobic and cardiovascular workout to help the body accelerate metabolism and fat burning.

To choose the best weight loss systems, you could ask your friends or doctors for recommendation. Other than that, weight loss program providers usually heavily advertise their weight loss systems so you would not miss the programs. Online ad pages would also help you choose and purchase the weight loss system you are eyeing. Take note that the systems would surely help you get that ideal weight you are aiming to have.

If running, walking, or doing simple physical exercises are required by the systems perform the exercise tasks regularly. Nobody said losing weight would be easy. It could be hard to shed off excess weight but it would be obviously and logically be worth it.

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Why Should You Try Eating Food Raw As Part of Your Detox Diet

Are you concerned about your health? Chances are you will say yes but are you really doing anything about it? If you want to remove those toxins that are collecting in your system, one method you can try is known as the Raw Food Detox Diet.

The Raw Food Detox Diet happens to be one of the most popular diets around. This is because while many will only let you lose weight, none of them are specifically designed to help you get rid of these harmful toxins.

But why eat raw food when you can cook it ? This is because when food is prepared and then cooked, some of the nutrients and vitamins which are also important for the body are lost.

What is even more astonishing is the fact that when it is cooked, you changed its natural state. Thus, new chemicals are created and the natural enzymes are destroyed.

When you take it out of the pan and put it on your plate, it somehow slows your metabolism and impedes certain primary functions of the body  especially the flushing and detox functions of the organs.

If this does not yet convince you that eating raw food is much better than cooked ones, note that the raw food diet boosts your immune system, may help decrease or increase weight and again, detoxifies your body.

Compared to an average meal consisting of animal flesh which normally takes 8 hours to digest, the only thing it gives you is energy to burn what you ate and nothing else.

It may a significant change for you to eat food raw when you are used to eating it cooked. This is why the switch should be done gradually like having a quarter of the food cooked while the remainder is raw. Who knows? You may like to eat raw food that will give you the complete nutritional value found in each one.

The detox diet consisting of raw fruits and vegetables only lasts a few days. When it is all over, you can go back to eating other solid foods including fish, chicken and meat. You may even want to mix a few raw dishes sometimes like sushi which is also great to eat.

Before you start eating raw food, you have to prepare yourself both physically and mentally for what is about to happen next. You can prepare physically by starting an exercise routine and cutting down on certain food and then substituting it with beans, organic fruits and vegetables.

Although detox diets are generally safe, it will still be a good idea to consult your doctor because you could be one of those individuals that are not cut out for the program.

People who should not try the detox diet in any form include pregnant or nursing mothers, those who have just undergone surgery and individuals that have been diagnosed with certain medical conditions. If you insist on trying it, make sure that this is being done under medical supervision.

Eating food raw may be different but it is one way to get all the essentials you need to detoxify your system. Will it be challenging? Yes during the first day since there is a lot of adjustment involved but if you are able to stick to it, then you will surely feel good thereafter.

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Why Do We Need To Detoxify Our Bodies?

Detoxification (Detox): Is the removal of toxic substances from the body. This is mainly performed by the liver and kidneys. When the kidneys are not functioning correctly or not working at all an artificial technique called dialysis is used.

Why do we need to detoxify our bodies? Due to many elements our bodies are subjected to toxins. Sometimes these toxins accumulate in the body and make us sick. Therefore it is advisable to detoxify our bodies when this happens. There are several ways this can be done.

One of the most common ways is to modify your diet. This is known as a detox diet. Many people do this on a regular basis. They find it not only improves overall health but results in increased energy, helps your immune system and can also help in weight loss. Different diets commonly used are:

Fasting or abstinence of food- is a very common way of detoxing the body. Some just drink water others only juice. This can usually be done over a period of 24-48 hours.

Increased consumption of fish
Different combinations of foods
Eating foods which are high in antitoxins

How do we detoxify our bodies? The liver is the main organ that helps us deal with toxins in the body. There are 2 phases:

Phase 1: This is when the liver, by a chain of chemical processes, changes the toxic substance into a less toxic one. When this process takes place substances called free radicals are released into the body. These are potentially harmful to the body. Certain types of foods contain antitoxins that help us keep the body safe from these free radicals.

Phase 2: The liver cells then add a substance to the toxin to make it water soluble and allow it to be filtered out by the kidneys in the urine. They are also eradicated in the feces. Certain foods can help in this process.

Foods that contain antitoxins:

Beets,contain a variety of substances that help cut down damage caused by free radicals. They contain antitoxins such as beta-carotene, carotenoids and flavonoids, that help the body heal itself.

Broccoli have Vitamin C and B These vitamins help the liver in the phase 1 process.

Spinach has vitamin B and folic acid, used in phase 1 by the liver.

Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant. They are also a good source of vitamin E and C, which are both used, in the liver’s detoxifying process.

Brown Rice provides B vitamins and the antioxidant selenium.

Carrots contain beta-carotene and other carotenoids.

Eggs supply B vitamins.

Garlic has selenium and glutathione, both of which act as antioxidants.

Wheat germ contains selenium and vitamin E which are a good source of phytochemicals.

Melons and peppers and citrus fruits are good sources of vitamin C.

Tomatillos, papaya, plantains, carambola, and guava are good sources of the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin C.

Caution should be exercised in detoxifying dieting to ensure that toxins are not released into the body more rapidly than the body can eliminate them. When this happens the condition is called the Herxheimer reaction. Symptoms include, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Some things that may help are:

Drinking a lot of clean water
Taking light exercise
Sunlight
Detoxifying slowly

Detoxifying your body can be beneficial to your health but you need to be careful when doing this. If necessary consult your doctor to be sure that there is no underlying problem that can be worsened by this process. Many people do experience beneficial symptoms from detox diets and make them a regular part of their eating habits.

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Why Detox Diet Is Good For Your Gastrointestinal Tract?

Everyday, plenty of toxins and unnecessary substances enters into our body particularly through the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is composed of the mouth, teeth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and the large intestine.

Digestive organs like the salivary glands, pancreas, gall bladder, mucous glands, and liver are also part of the gastrointestinal tract. In the book, "The New Detox Diet," Elson M. Haas and Daniella Chace it was mentioned that the absorption of most nutrients happens in the small intestine. The colon assimilates water while the bile salts.

Minor disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract may cause abnormal absorption of nutrients and increased barrier permeability. One of the best ways to get rid of toxins and unnecessary substances in the body is through detox diet.

But what are these toxins and unnecessary substances that are harmful to your gastrointestinal tract?

The GI tract are adversely affected by refined foods and sugar; excess fatty and rich foods; overeating and failing to chew more than once or twice per mouthful of food; drinking too much; food chemicals, pesticides, and environmental toxins; persistent use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine; use of prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational drugs; lack of fiber and whole foods, specifically lacking fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in the diet.

Detox diet aids in healing ulcerations and other tissue problems in your body. It also helps in maintaining the tone and shape of your small and large intestines. Detox diet maintains the PH balance and eliminates bad bacteria like candida and harmful yeasts.

 What many people don’t know is that even minor metabolism disruption like constipation if unguarded can lead to a big threat in your health. Constipation also causes stress and discomfort and limited physical activity. This is why regular elimination is very crucial to overall health and maintaining the level of toxins in the body.

One way of detoxification is eating fiber rich foods and increasing water intakes. A special type of herb called dandelion root is one of the popular medicinal plants that aids detoxification. It is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by propping up the excretion of salts and water from the kidney.

The Chinese uses this herb in treating digestive disorders and appendicitis. Dandelion now already comes in the form of teas. However, extra precaution must be taken in taking this herb as it may increase stomach acid and heartburn. Patients with gallbladder and gallstones are also prohibited to take this herb.

Aside from drinking teas and water, you may also try drinking fresh fruit juices to detoxify. But taking this detox diet is more effective if you would also cut down intakes of meat and fatty foods and other foods and chemicals that adversely affects the function of your gastrointestinal tract.

 It is very important to plan your meal when in a detox diet. It can be a little tricky particularly because being in this diet makes you feel hungry and overdoing can cause you hyperacidity.

Another important factor to consider in undergoing a detox diet is your present weight and PH balance. It is best to consult an expert before taking a detox diet.

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What is a Juice Detox Diet

There are many types of detox diets. If you don’t to chew it, you can try drinking it using what is known as Juice Fast.

Juice Fast is a short term detox diet consisting of raw fruits and vegetables. It is considered by many as an extreme form of detoxification since you will not eat any solid food but you can drink water during certain periods.

When we say that the Juice Fast diet is only for the short term, it should only last for 1 to 3 days. If you want to continue with it, you are advised to have a medical professional on hand to make sure that you are still getting the right amounts of nutrients.

A lot of people who have tried Juice Fast recommend that this should be done during the warmer months of the year.

A week before you start the program, you are already advised to reduce eating certain foods such as animal meat, eggs, fish and wheat. You should also reduce the intake of alcohol, coffee and tea. This is the preparation phase of the program and whatever you reduce should be substituted with beans, organic fruits and vegetables.

When you begin Juice Fast for a day or three days, you should drink between 32 and 64 ounces of juice. Naturally, you don’t have to drink this all at once since you have to balance this out through the day.

So you don’t get tired of drink the juice, mix it up a bit with various fruits and vegetables such as apple, beet, cabbage, celery, cranberry, greens, pineapple and spinach. Never mix citrus fruits with it. At the same time, make sure you drink at least 6 glasses of water for the duration of the fasting.

The fruits you use for the fast should be organic as these don’t have any harmful chemicals when these are planted and harvested. If organic produce is not available, you will have to peel off the skin or wash these first before mixing.

There are certain side effects which you may experience when you try the juice fast diet. Some of the common ones include acne, bad breath, body odor, constipation, fatigue, headaches and hypoglycemia.

At times, you may also experience diarrhea, dizziness, heart arrhythmias, hunger, kidney problems, low blood pressure and vomiting. If it should happen, you are advised to stop the program and seek medical help.

Not everyone can try the Juice Fast detox diet. These include women that are pregnant or are nursing.

You should not also try it if you happen to have addictions, suffer from anemia, diabetes, low blood sugar, any eating disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, have impaired immune function, infections, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, other chronic conditions and are underweight.

Patients who have just had surgical procedures should also not try it so their bodies will have time to heal.

If you are taking certain medication, you should also consult your doctor before trying the juice fast diet because it will reduce blood proteins and may have an effect on the way the drugs react in your body.

The Juice Fast Detox Diet may be what you need to cleanse your system. So see a doctor and find out if such a program is feasible for you.

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What is A Detox Diet

What is a detox diet? It is a method which helps remove dangerous toxins inside our body for optimum health.

There are many types of detox diets around. You can do this by mixing some chemicals together, eating raw food, fruits and vegetables which are all designed to increase the frequency of your bowel movements and urination. Before you try any, it is best to consult your doctor.

You might not buy this if you don’t feel anything wrong but studies suggest that something will go wrong eventually when there is a build up of these harmful chemicals in your body.

Most of us only take action when we experience a hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency and an inefficient metabolism but why wait when prevention is the best defense against any problem.

In fact, this is the common mistake of a lot of people who decide to visit the doctor only when they don’t feel so good.

The detox diet has a lot of benefits aside from expelling harmful chemicals. It also improves your concentration, digestion and energy. If you like at your body, you will even notice that you have clearer skin.

One thing you should know when you decide to start a detox diet is that there are side effects. The most common happens to be the common headache which occurs during the first few days especially if you regularly drink coffee. You can control this by reducing the amount of caffeine you drink until you no longer consume it.

Another side effect is diarrhea that if untreated, can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss. The opposite may also happen which is constipation. You can prevent both from happening by drinking lots of fluid. Other side effects associated with a detox diet are acne, fatigue, hunger, irritability and weight loss.

There are a few things people should keep in mind about a detox diet.

First, not everyone can go on a detox diet and this includes pregnant or nursing women as well as children.

If you are diagnosed with anemia, any eating disorder, autoimmune disease, cancer, terminal illness, certain genetic diseases, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, and other chronic conditions you should only try this diet under the supervision of their primary care provider.

The detox diet is short term because if this is done for a long period of time, it may result in nutrient deficiencies specifically protein deficiency which is why this should only be done once or twice a year.

For those who are taking medication, you should still continue to take them unless this is advised by your doctor.

Once the detox diet is over, you can go back to your old diet with a few changes like eating more fruits and vegetables.

The detox diet is quite new and even if there is little or no evidence that it works, there are people willing to try it if they believe that this can be good for them.

Now that you know what a detox diet is, you can make up your mind whether you want to try this on yourself or not. Before you do it, consult first a doctor to check your overall health condition so you can be sure that it is safe for you.

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Body Mass Index (BMI): Are You at a Healthy Weight?

The body mass index, or BMI, helps clarify an important distinction between being overweight or being obese. If you weigh too much, you're obviously overweight. But if you have a very high proportion of body fat, you're obese. Based on your body mass index, your doctor or other health professional will classify your weight as healthy, overweight, or obese.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the BMI "describes body weight relative to height and is correlated with total body fat content in most adults". In almost all cases, this means that the BMI will accurately reflect your weight and proportion of body fat as a function of your height and weight when categorizing you as healthy, overweight or obese.

Calculating your approximate body mass index is relatively straightforward, although you'll probably need a calculator just to save time. To get your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 703. Next, divide that result by your height in inches. Then divide that result by your height in inches one more time.

As an example, let's say you weigh 180 pounds and are 5 feet 10 inches tall.

Multiply 180 by 703 to get 126,540. Next, divide this by 70 (70 inches is the same as 5' 10") to get 1807.7. Now, divide 1807.7 by 70 one more time. The result -- 25.8-- is your approximate BMI or body mass index. 

If the above example sounds you, you might be surprised to learn that you're ever so slightly heavier than your doctor might like. A BMI from 18.5 up to 25 is considered healthy, from 25 up to 30 is classified as overweight, and 30 or higher is obese.

Generally, says the NHLBI, the higher a person's BMI, the greater the risk for health problems. In addition to causing your BMI to skyrocket, excess body fat is a well recognized health risk. Men and women with waist lines in excess of 40 and 35 inches, respectively, are much more at risk for health problems like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Like every rule of thumb, this one also has it exception. Body builders, for example, often have a body mass index above 25 and sometimes even above 30. In this case, however, the higher BMI reflects the fact that body builders have more muscle mass without having more fat.

Finally, there's still only one sure way to lower your BMI if you're overweight or obese: Eat less and exercise more. Your body will burn more calories than you eat and your body mass index will go down over time.

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Big Guy, Big Girl, does it Indirectly mean Fatty

If you are like me, and friends and family call big guy it usually means your are a bit overweight and indirectly means fatty. If you are sick and tired of it, it time to do something about it and prove some people you are not just a big guy but and intelligent one.

  Over the years being big guy has become a huge trend in sports.  Multi billions of dollars spent in advertising featuring, you guessed it, big guys pitching you a new protein bar or super supplement. With all the supplementation products, and TV this for sure proves my point.

If you look at an average person who is a bit overweight, he is considered the big guy of the group.  Some will actually enjoy that title and some will not.  Speaking from experience it is not too hot being called fatty indirectly. 

Whenever you decide to take matters into actions and prove people that you can handle this whole big guy thing, you will start noticing peoples reactions immediately.  Being big can mean problems though. Health problems that is.  High cholesterol, Diabetes, Hypertension etc. 

Big guys usually encounter some of these or if not more diseases because of their size and shape.  To avoid such problems, lets take are way of thinking and our outlook to life a bit differently.  Start with eating better foods.

Preferably greens and solid complex carbohydrates like; yams, sweet potatoes, grains etc.  Greens will help you balance your PH acidic levels in your body, which will improve your health significantly and you will almost immediately notice your results. 

Having a balanced Ph level means improving your health immediately.  Ph of 7 or above means your blood is not as acidic therefore more healthy cells are produced and distributed to your organs.  It has been known that controlling your body's alkalinity will give longevity and healthy organs.

Don't put the down the ever popular protein.  Protein is the fuel to muscle gain and recovery. Although powders and pills are not necessary it may help speed the process.  Increase your protein intake to about 1 gram per 1 pound of your weight.  If you weight 185 lbs, then about 30 grams of protein in the spread of 6 meals for optimum metabolic boost.

Protein may be underestimated now days because of its high impact from the media.  But never abandon it.  Best natural protein resources are from birds; chicken, turkey, fish; tuna, yellow fin, catfish etc.  Stay away from red meat if possible, but if you still want red meat leaner cuts are very effective also. 

If you stay consistent with these tips, you will gain muscle and eliminate extra weight you may be carrying.  It is not easy to get started but once you start, like any habit you will create a life changing routines forever and disease will not face you.   Do it for yourself, improve your well being and instead of being called a big guy you can be call a dude or girl with solid ripped abs.

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Food or diet?

Some people say that "there is no such thing as a "good food" or "bad food", just bad diets". Usually after that they say something about another kind of low-fat, balanced diet which will let you reach your 100' birthday in good health. Most of this "wonder diets" became sooner or later another dietetics mistake and are replaced by new ones, which, after some time, are also replaced, because of the new revelations in the dietetics.

And so it goes on and on, making people who want to live healthy life more and more frustrated, but still believing that the most important thing is not what lands on their plate, but the amount of it. Today, when there are so many kinds of food on the market, we should not only care for the calories, but also look carefully at what we are actually eating.

Difference between organic, conventional and genetically modified food

We all know that organic food is healthy, conventional food is accessible and genetically modified food can be solution to the food problems around the world, but when asked for details only few people can answer precisely what this is all about. Organic food is produced using ecological methods of farming.

That means no pesticides or fertilizers with synthetic ingredients for the plants and no growth hormones and antibiotics for the animals. When you buy certified organic food, you can be sure that all of the above won't land in your stomach and affect your organism. However because of the slower production process and lesser efficiency this kind of the food is more expensive and even if all the farms would start its production it wouldn't be enough to feed people all around the world.

Conventional food is produced using almost all available technologies provided by the science, save genetic modifications. Still, because of the intense production process, many chemicals and medicines are involved to guarantee that crops or animals will grow at the appropriate rate. Some of these "stimulants" can be found in the final product which we buy and may affect our health (notably the growth hormones in meat).

Anyway, conventional food can be found in almost every kitchen around the world and some of the scientists start to wonder how could we feel without this additional dose of antibiotics and artificial poisons which we involuntary eat.

Genetically modified food is the most controversial. The process of growing it is similar to the conventional, the only difference is that in GM food a part of the DNA is transferred from another species in order to change its characteristics into desired one without some long-lasting and sometimes in vein inbreed process.

All scientists working on GM food projects say that everything is under control, but a few accidents when transferred genes didn't behave as they predicted show us that it may not be as safe as they want. The real advantages and flaws of the GM food will be known only after long time, all we know today is based only on theory and laboratory tests, not the real life.

A Form of Workout for the Legs and the Body

Are you in search of a perfect workout to achieve the perfect shape for the legs and body? You need not consult your fitness trainers nor check out exercise workout regimens. In fact, you do not need to spend significantly in enrolling in a gym membership. The best workout that experts could recommend to you is running. It may sound a bit odd, but running up your stairs at work, home, or escalators should take a good part of your own physical training and rigorous daily routine.

Running up several flights of stairs could serve as an effective cardiovascular exercise. Doing so could surely help your body burn thousands of calories per minute. If there are stairs at home or on your way to the office, consider running up or running down them. When you start the activity, be sure to do it right. Yes, there is a proper way to run so you would not injure yourself and your body would reap the benefits of the physical task.

The first thing you should do when you are running is to check your own body posture. The body definitely needs to be upright. The shoulders should stay relaxed throughout the activity. Raise your feet as high as you comfortably could and at the same time swing both of your arms as you continue moving up (as in running up the stairs) or down (running down).

To make the activity a good form of workout, run about 20 steps up before walking down to where you started. Do the task for several times until you recover your own breath. Try not to run double steps at once. It is normal to run out of breath and feel too tired when running. You would notice that when you run regularly or everyday, your body could manage to comfortably run longer. In the process, your hips, thigh, and your abdomen would get better shapes.

When running up or down the stairs, do not forget the fact that there surely are risks or dangers in doing so. Be very careful especially in putting your feet on each step of the stairs. When you walk down, do so quite slowly, not too slowly. You may use banisters if you are feeling too tired and at the same time shaky.

Running up you stairs could in fact physically train most of your body muscles all at the same time. If you do so regularly, your fitness level could further improve quickly. Expect your overall personality to also improve, especially your mood. This is because for sure, your life would get brighter and better if you see many inches vanish from your waist. Initially, try running once every week.

On the succeeding weeks, increase your workout. Run up to three times weekly. A 20-minute running session would definitely do your body good. However, as a form of warning, never run more than your body could actually endure. Do not compromise your overall safety when running.

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From Deadly Combat To Modern Sporting Event

In the past, Muay Thai kickboxing was and still is a devastating type of martial art. In the past, this martial art was used and developed by Thais as a hand-to-hand combat method to protect themselves and small individual communities from aggressors.

Short range weapons like knives and clubs as well as spears were also used during combat and loss of a weapon was common. This is basically where the art of Muay Thai comes in and it did prove its worth in combat. Unlike other types of hand-to-hand combat arts, Muay Thai uses almost every part of the body as a weapon, such as the firsts, elbows, knees, shins, and even the head.

During combat, you will find warriors using crushing head butts, violent and powerful punches and kicks to the legs head and even the groin. In fact, Muay Thai is so efficient in killing that it was considered to be as brutal as armed combat techniques.

Today, Muay Thai is really no longer used for actual combat. It is now a regulated sport that is recognized all over the world. Today, the use of safety equipments is necessary, such as mouth guards, gloves and even groin protection. And, just like MMA, wrestling, and boxing, you will find that Muay Thai competition even have weight classes for the competitors or athletes.

In addition to that, regulated or sport Muay Thai no longer allows the kind of strikes or attacks that other modern combat sports have made illegal, such as strikes to the groin as well as head butts.

Also known as Thai Boxing, this sport is exciting and fascinating to watch. The style of combat is quite different from other combat sport, such as karate, boxing, and tae kwon do and for this reason alone, Muay Thai boxing became one of the most popular combat sports in the world. In fact, because of the efficiency of the Muay Thai technique to knock down an opponent, some MMA fighters are now using the Muay Thai techniques inside MMA fights.

The main technique incorporated in Muay Thai is the clinch. This is basically a position where fighters are in close contact and are attempting to control their opponent’s body, such as the head. If used properly, you can incorporate Muay Thai techniques, such as knee to body and elbow to head strikes that can really be devastating to the one receiving the strikes.

Today, Muay Thai is one of the fastest growing combat sports all over the world. In fact, increasing numbers of gyms all over the world are now offering to teach willing students the art of Muay Thai. So, if you are interested in learning Muay Thai, you may want to visit the nearest gym in your area and find out if they offer Muay Thai training.

Even if you are not planning to become a professional Muay Thai fighter or MMA fighter, you will find that the techniques in Muay Thai can be used for self-defense and the trainings here are so intense that you will be able to have a great workout and get that body you always wanted to have.

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Fiber-rich food is the best nutrition for dieting

In this article I will reveal some little known facts about the fibers and the beneficial effect they have over your body.

First of all let me explain what fiber is…                          

Fiber is an indigestible part of all plant foods. It is found in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Your digestive system cannot stomach fiber, so it is excreted undigested. Well, you may think you don’t need fiber, because it’s excreted undigested, but that’s not true.

Let's imagine the following picture:

You overeat at least once or twice a week, more often at weekends, and your regular menu doesn't include much fiber. Well, this might be your life style; however you should consider that it may cause you lots of health problems like:

 - indigestion
- discomfort stomach aches
- gases in the digestive tract
- constipation
- hemorrhoids
- you got tired faster
- can't concentrate on what you're doing

I mean you become less productive at work and more irritable at home. Besides all this, you gain weight and that’s the moment when you realize you have a problem.

In order to solve a problem, you should first find the reason for it. In this case it’s the lowered intake of fiber-rich foods and respectively - the higher intake of foods containing no fiber (like meat). The average amount of fiber intake is about 25-30 grams per day. Unfortunately most people regular diets include less than 10-15 grams daily.

You should start consuming more fiber-rich foods:

- all bran cereal
- beans
- peas
- spinach
- sweet corn 
- wholemeal brown bread
- red cabbage
- carrots
- baked potato with skin
- apples, bananas, oranges and all fruits
                           
There are two types of fiber - soluble and insoluble. If you start eating more food rich in fiber, you’ll be amazed of its beneficial effects over your body, health and way of life.

Soluble fiber forms glue like gel in the intestinal tract. The gel softens stools (no more constipation) and improves your digestion (no more indigestion).

Fiber slows down stomach emptying and you feel fuller longer. This effect helps you eat less, your body burns additional calories to digest fiber and you can lose weight.

Insoluble fiber is an excellent natural laxative, because of its abilities to hold onto water and to push waste faster along the intestines - this way fiber decreases the risk of colon cancer.

In conclusion I'd like to tell you that you won't be sorry if you start eating more fiber-rich foods. Like many other people I used to take not enough fiber, and I suffered stomach aches. Then I started to eat more fruits and fiber-rich foods in my daily menu. I must admit that it really worked for me, and now fiber-rich food is the most important nutritious part of my regular diet.

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Benefits Of Weight Training

Weight training isn’t just for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone anymore. It’s really a system of exercise and health benefits that are available to everyone. If you go to a local gym and observe, you can find everyone from teenagers to great-grandmas exercising and strength training.

Weight training doesn’t mean just using barbells – it involves much more than that and is most often combined with aerobic activity during the “circuit.”

The natural benefits of weight training include:

- Slowing down bone loss
- Making your bones stronger
- Toning and firm up your body
- Increasing your muscle strength

Most people will tell you that strength training and using weights makes them more energized and happier, along with reducing stress. It’s amazing how much better you’ll feel when working out after a hard day at the office! The endorphins your body creates in response to exercise like this is very much “addictive,” and you’ll find that beyond being less-stressed, you’ll actually “crave” your workouts and look forward to them!

One of the benefits I have personally found in strength training is that it’s made my back stronger. Prior to beginning my workout, if I had to lift a lot of boxes or move heavy things, I really felt it the rest of the day, and sometimes the rest of the week. However after just a month of weight training, I found that I didn’t need to take an anti-inflammatory medication every time I moved some boxes around.

Of course, all professionals will tell you to consult a doctor before beginning your workout habit; you’ll want to make sure that there are no impediments to beginning this new part of your daily routine. Most doctors will tell you to use caution and listen to the trainers, but nearly none will eliminate exercise altogether for their patients—there are simply too many benefits from the exertion.

If you go to a chiropractor, ask him or her how strength training and weight lifting can help you and what specific exercises would benefit your back and joints. Again, s/he will probably have some specific suggestions for your body and spinal ‘issues,’ but generally, a chiropractor will tell you that strengthening back and abdominal muscles will benefit you greatly.

If you do find that you ‘overdo it’ initially, scale it back just a bit until you’re ready to move on. You can use cold and heat to minister to the aching muscle(s), and take an anti-inflammatory agent to help in the recovery. But if you do ache a bit, don’t take it as your body’s way of saying that you ‘shouldn’t workout.’ What your body is telling you is that you haven’t worked out enough and that it’s not used to the exertion!

If you plan your workout well, you will find that weight training machines can be a great part of your exercise plan and your health will improve greatly in very short order.

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Beat the Carb Cravings

Anyone who’s been on a low carb diet will tell you that the first week is the hardest. Some report actual physical symptoms of carb withdrawal, like irritability, headaches, and lack of energy. Others say it’s the emotional struggle to stay away from rice, bread, pasta, potatoes the staples that they’ve grown used to serving with every meal.

These carb cravings can easily tempt you into giving up on your diet altogether. Don’t. You have so much to gain (or in this case, lose): think 10 pounds in the first two weeks, as some diets claim, and a visible reduction of tummy handles. (Hey, you’ll be able to fit in a smaller size of jeans!) So how do you survive the battle against bread? Here are some tips:

Indulge in the right food

One of the advantages of low carb diets is that you don’t starve yourself. You can eat very well, just stay away from certain types of food. How does help beat the carb cravings? If you’re not ravenous, you’re less likely to raid the fridge in a mad fit of hunger. You can also replace a high-carb snack (like a chocolate bar) with an equally tasty bag of peanuts, and not feel deprived.

Veteran low carb dieters actually advise keeping stashes of low-carb diets in their desk drawers, or by the television the places where most people get the desire to munch on something. Keep the portions small, just enough to make you feel that you’ve had a treat, without actually turning into a binge. You’ll need a lot of small plastic bags, or tiny plastic containers. Another tip: prepare
the individual servings beforehand, preferably after eating a meal so you’re not tempted to put more than you should.

Keep yourself busy

Most of us eat not out of hunger but habit. You’re bored, stressed, or you’re killing time before you take on the next item on your to-do list. Avoid temptation by keeping your mind on something you enjoy. Some dieters carry a book around, others start a hobby like scrapbooking which will let them pass long hours without even thinking about food. For those who work at the office, and need something to keep them away from the vendo machine, bookmark a website that you can browse until the snack attack passes.

Look for other forms of recreation

It’s become customary to make meals the center of any recreational activity: eating chips while watching a movie, going out to dinner with friends. While you’re still getting used to the low-carb regimen, pass up the invitation to have drinks after work and invite everyone to watch a play, hit the badminton courts, or attend a museum opening.

Get a diet buddy

Dieting becomes more fun when you have a diet partner to give encouragement, praise you for every lost pound, and even help you scout for the low-carb friendly restaurants in your area. Don’t know anyone? Go online and join a dieter’s forum. Exchange recipes, share thoughts, and hey, even make new friends. You’ll still feel the carb cravings, but somehow, saying no is a little easier.

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Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

As the holidays approach, a feeling of dread creeps in. Not only is money getting tighter, but your pants are, too. It's the same old story. Colder weather keeps you stuck indoors, while the yummy holiday cooking fattens you up. Not this year. Not me! I refuse to gain those holiday pounds and you can, too. No, you don't have to sign any contracts at an expensive gym. You can get the body you want on a limited budget.

You may not realize it, but workout videos are more fun and exciting than they used to be.

Workout videos are also much less expensive than a gym membership or buying home workout equipment like a treadmill or elliptical trainer.

If the thought of buying workout videos reminds you of leg warmers and striped leotards, you've got some catching up to do. You're not stuck with the boring workout videos of the 80s and 90s anymore. Believe it or not, the same sought-after trainers who get paid the big bucks to train celebrities can be on call to train you in your own home for pennies a day.

Some of the newest fitness trends are available on video.

Ballet:

Have you always envied a ballet dancer's lean and graceful body? Several ballet videos are now available as workout videos. One of the most popular choices right now was created by the famous New York City Ballet. Although you won't learn to be the next prima ballerina training with exercise video at home, you will shape and lengthen your muscles for a graceful body.

Belly Dancing:

Shimmy your way to a great waistline. Whether you want an instructional video to teach you proper belly dancing technique or you just want to exercise with belly dance moves, you'll find a wide variety of videos available.

Exotic Dancing:

You read that right. If you've ever thought it would be fun to learn sexy moves, then this is for you. In the privacy and safety of your own home, you can bump and gyrate to your heart's content. I have also heard that laughter is good for your abs, so you'll have that covered as well, especially if you have a mirror in your workout room.

Yoga or Pilates:

If you're looking for a sleek, lean body, firm core, or more flexibility, then there are hundreds of yoga and Pilates videos to choose from. You'll find yoga for adults as well as yoga for kids. Yes, kids get stressed, too. Yoga is a great way to teach them to relax.

Fitness videos for kids:

Oftentimes kids can be the best motivators. If you put in a Sesame Street dance video and your three year old asks you to dance with Elmo, you can hardly say "no".

Once you've chosen a trend or video you are interested in, set a specific time each day to "meet" with your personal trainer. It's best to rotate at least two different forms of exercise (or videos) to avoid repetitive use strains. You can do different videos each day, or alternate a walk, bike ride or other activity you enjoy on your non-video days. As long as you are moving, you're keeping those spare pounds from firmly attaching to your body.

So, don't sign that costly gym membership agreement just yet. Blow the dust off the exercise videos in your cabinet, get some good walking shoes, or check out the hottest trends at your favorite online store. It's the frugal way to go.

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Nutrition And Running

Running is one of today’s healthiest ways to help maintain your body’s physical well-being. It is one good cardiovascular exercise that helps keep good circulation and a healthy heart.

Everybody needs proper nutrition and a healthy diet. This requirement becomes more vital for people who are into health activities like running. This is amplified further for runners who are also into competitions or have special dietary needs.

Normal diet

An average person’s diet normally consists of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fats. They also include such healthy components as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein and heart healthy fats.

The daily calorie consumption of runners can also be modified, depending on the individual’s needs – whether he is maintaining his weight, losing some or gaining some.
Combinations can be tweaked accordingly to suit the individual’s needs.

Runner’s diets

For instance, a distance runner preparing for a marathon may wish to increase the percentage of carbohydrates in his diet. This is during those periods of intense training where he covers long and grueling distances every week.

On the other hand, a sprinter who is working to improve his muscle mass by way of weight training and other equally intense exercises have to include additional amounts of protein into his diet. This is helpful because proteins can help stimulate muscle growth.

Calories

The next factor to consider with regards to people who are into running are calories. There are basic guidelines on the amount of calories an individual should consume regularly.

These are based on the person’s current weight and activity level. For runners who are into intense training, these might not be very accurate.

There are plenty of calorie calculators available online or you can get it from your doctor. Those are ballpark figures on the amount of individual needed calories. They can be good starting points for runners to find out if he is eating enough or not.

Sample scale

An example would be a runner regularly consuming 2500 calories a day and running around 7 to 8 miles daily. If he still feels tired, he may have to increase his calorie intake.

If the runner is already at an ideal weight, he should strive to consume enough calories to maintain his weight.

Lastly, the quality of the calories consumed should also be carefully considered. They have to come from quality sources such as whole grains carbohydrates, lean protein sources, and heart-healthy fats.

The runner could always obtain his calorie requirements from foods rich in sugar and fat. But these food groups are not quality calorie sources. More likely, the runner will get his same amount of calories but he will feel sluggish and may not be able to perform well.

A case in point is a piece of cake that has an equal amount of calories as a turkey sandwich on multi-grain bread. Eating the cake will give him enough calories. However, the sugar in it will trigger the insulin response from his body, which can make him sluggish and less energized.

Nutrition is a very important component in such an activity as running. It is not just a question of energy but also of health.

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