The Benefits of Yogurt….
Benefit No. 1: Yogurt With Active Cultures May Help the Gut
While more study is needed, there's some evidence that yogurt with active cultures may help certain gastrointestinal conditions, including:
• Lactose intolerance
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Colon cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• H. pylori infection
That's what researchers from the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University concluded in a review article. The benefits are thought to be due to:
• Changes in the microflora of the gut
• The time food takes to go through the bowel.
• Enhancement of the body's immune system (more on this below).
In another recent study, the type of diarrhea that some people get after taking antibiotics was found to be reduced when the study participants drank a drink containing three particular probiotics (L. casei, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus).
What's tasty, easy, and has lots of health benefits? Yogurt!
(continued)
Benefit No. 2: Some Probiotic Strains May Boost the Immune System
While much also remains to be learned about probiotics and the immune system, recent studies suggest that certain probiotic strains offer some benefits:
• One review article suggests probiotics may help with inflammatory bowel disease by changing the intestinal microflora and lessening the immune system response that can worsen the disease.
• Another study indicated probiotics may enhance resistance to and recovery from infection. In research on elderly people, researchers found that the duration of all illnesses was significantly lower in a group that consumed a certain probiotic found in fermented milk. They reported a possible 20% reduction in the length of winter infections (including gastrointestinal and respiratory infections).
• Yogurt containing two probiotics, lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, was found to improve the success of drug therapy (using four specific medications) on 138 people with persistent H. pylori infections, according to a recent Taiwanese study. H. pylori is a bacterium that can cause infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. It can lead to ulcers and can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer as well.
Benefit No. 3: Yogurt With Active Cultures May Discourage Vaginal Infections
Candida or "yeast" vaginal infections are a common problem for women with diabetes. In a small study, seven diabetic women with chronic candidal vaginitis consumed 6 ounces of frozen aspartame-sweetened yogurt per day (with or without active cultures).
Even though most of the women had poor blood sugar control throughout the study, the vaginal pH (measure of acidity or basicity) of the group eating yogurt with active cultures dropped from 6.0 to 4.0 (normal pH is 4.0-4.5). These women also reported a decrease in candida infections. The women eating the yogurt without active cultures remained at pH 6.0.
Benefit No. 4: Yogurt May Help Prevent Osteoporosis
"Adequate nutrition plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and the micronutrients of greatest importance are calcium and vitamin D” – Expert says.
Calcium has been shown to have beneficial effects on bone mass in people of all ages, although the results are not always consistent." The combination of calcium and vitamin D has a clear skeletal benefit, provided the dose of vitamin D is sufficiently high."
And what qualifies as "sufficiently high?"
Currently, 400 IU per day is considered an adequate intake of vitamin D for people ages 51-70. But more may be better.
"This amount is likely to be sufficient for most young adults for skeletal health, although many would argue that for overall health, more than the 400 IU may be required, even at these younger ages."
Many dairy products, including some yogurts, are made with added vitamin D. Find out which brands have added vitamin D by checking out the table below, and by reading labels when you shop.
Benefit No. 5: Yogurt May Reduce the Risk of High Blood Pressure
One study, which followed more than 5,000 university graduates in Spain for about two years, found a link between dairy intake and risk of high blood pressure.
"Study observed a 50% reduction in the risk of developing high blood pressure among people eating 2-3 servings of low-fat dairy a day (or more), compared with those without any intake."
Although most of the low-fat dairy consumed by the study subjects was as milk, Researchers believes low-fat yogurt would likely have the same effect. Dutch researchers recently reported that higher dairy consumption (mainly from milk and yogurt) was modestly linked to lower blood pressure in 2064 Dutch men and women ages 50 to 75.
Benefit No. 6: Yogurt May Help You Feel Fuller
A study from the University of Washington in Seattle tested hunger, fullness, and calories eaten at the next meal on 16 men and 16 women who had a 200-calorie snack. The snack was either:
• Semisolid yogurt containing pieces of peach and eaten with a spoon
• The same yogurt in drinkable form
• A peach-flavored dairy beverage
• Peach juice
Although those who had the yogurt snacks did not eat fewer calories at the next meal, both types of yogurt resulted in lower hunger ratings and higher fullness ratings than either of the other snacks.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Losing Belly Fat for Women - Diet and Workouts
Losing Belly Fat for Women - Diet and Workouts
Whether it's because of hormone changes, heredity, or aging, as the years pass by many women will start to notice an increase in belly fat as they get older - even more so after menopause.
Yes, its unfortunate for us females that women tend to experience a larger fat percentage increase than males do.
As you get older your metabolism starts to slow down to a certain degree and one of the signs of this is that the amount of fat in your body gradually increases. After menopause (the time in a woman's life when she stops having menstrual periods, the average age for the onset of menopause is 51 years), your body fat distribution will tend to shift. You will notice less fatty areas in your legs, arms and hips, and more in your abdomen (belly).
FACT: Body Mass Index (See our BMI calculator) is not an accurate measure of body fat percentage or fat distribution in women, particularly after menopause.
Some women can actually experience an expanding waistline yet fail to see any weight gain on the scales. What is happening? Although you may not be gaining any extra fat, your actual abdominal fat is increasing as your hip area and limb fat decreases.
This is where health problems can start to develop as abdomen fat is particularly unhealthy for both males and females.
What is Visceral fat?
Visceral fat (Explanation of visceral fat) is fat that is located inside your peritoneal cavity between internal organs, as opposed to subcutaneous fat which is found beneath the skin and intramuscular fat which is found in skeletal muscle. An excess of visceral fat leads to the "pot belly", "spare tire", or "beer belly" effect.
Sometimes heredity may be the cause of your belly fat, yes, you can blame your parents for that waistline!
It is possible to lose and keep off that newly formed belly fat, but like everything else in life it does require some work, in this case exercise and diet control.
Some of the risks of Visceral fat (belly fat) in women include:
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Gallbladder problems
Some types of cancers including breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
And in particular cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and heart disease.
Can certain foods help you to lose belly fat?
Unfortunately no, there are no magic foods that will cause you to lose fat from your abdomen. However if you practice eating the right amount of calories for weight loss (calculator showing calories burned for various activities) you will eventually lose weight from all areas of your body including that problem belly area. Discipline yourself to eat a healthy diet, mix in some regular exercise or workouts and you'll find yourself burning even more calories and toning your muscles at the same time.
Before beginning the exercises to lose belly fat you should properly measure your stomach or waist.
The proper way to do this is - place a tape measure around your midsection at your navel level, don't hold your tummy in, and don't pull on the tape measure so tightly that it presses your skin in.
Properly targeted tummy exercises will most certainly help you to firm your abdominal muscles and flatten your belly. The key is to develop a routine of moderately intense exercise daily in order to lose weight and tone your muscles. As you progress with your exercise routine you will notice one of the first beneficial signs is that your belly fat will begin to shrink, often before you see fat loss in other body areas. As always you should speak with your doctor before starting any exercise programs.
Workouts - Lets start those Belly fat exercises.
FACT: Contrary to popular belief sit-ups are NOT the best way to firm up your tummy region. You should target your deeper and lower abdominal muscles.
Workouts for lower abdominal muscles:
Performing exercises known as pelvic lifts and pelvic tilts. Pelvic tilts are also great exercises for the lower back, abdominals, sacroiliac joint and adjacent structures.
Pelvic tilt exercise
To perform pelvic tilts you should lay on your back on the floor with your knees bent upwards. While flattening your back against the floor tighten your abdominal muscles and bend your pelvis up a little. Hold this position for 8 - 10 seconds. Repeat at least 5 times and try to work up to 10 to 20 repetitions.
To perform pelvic lifts lay on your back on the floor with your knees bent toward your chest region, your arms should be relaxed by your sides. Tense or tighten your lower abdomen and slowly lift your bum up off the floor until you are aiming your knees toward the roof. Hold for 8 - 10 seconds and repeat at least five times. As you progress you should try to work up to 10 to 20 repetitions of this exercise.
Your deeper abdominal muscles can be toned by:
Pelvic lifts, also great for losing buttock fat and for bad or sore backs. Begin by getting down on all fours and allowing your tummy to hang down as you take in a deep breath. Then exhale, at the end of your exhalation, pull your belly button inward and upward toward your spine until you feel a slight tightening around your waist area.
Breathing normally hold this position for the count of ten without altering your back position. Then allow your belly to relax again for the count of ten, without moving your back. Repeat this exercise 10 - 12 times. As you become more proficient at this routine you can even perform it in the upright position where ever you are, waiting for a bus or in a check out line etc.
There you have it. All the workouts you need to lose belly fat. Just remember that developing a daily routine and establishing good eating habits play very important parts in your mission.
Whether it's because of hormone changes, heredity, or aging, as the years pass by many women will start to notice an increase in belly fat as they get older - even more so after menopause.
Yes, its unfortunate for us females that women tend to experience a larger fat percentage increase than males do.
As you get older your metabolism starts to slow down to a certain degree and one of the signs of this is that the amount of fat in your body gradually increases. After menopause (the time in a woman's life when she stops having menstrual periods, the average age for the onset of menopause is 51 years), your body fat distribution will tend to shift. You will notice less fatty areas in your legs, arms and hips, and more in your abdomen (belly).
FACT: Body Mass Index (See our BMI calculator) is not an accurate measure of body fat percentage or fat distribution in women, particularly after menopause.
Some women can actually experience an expanding waistline yet fail to see any weight gain on the scales. What is happening? Although you may not be gaining any extra fat, your actual abdominal fat is increasing as your hip area and limb fat decreases.
This is where health problems can start to develop as abdomen fat is particularly unhealthy for both males and females.
What is Visceral fat?
Visceral fat (Explanation of visceral fat) is fat that is located inside your peritoneal cavity between internal organs, as opposed to subcutaneous fat which is found beneath the skin and intramuscular fat which is found in skeletal muscle. An excess of visceral fat leads to the "pot belly", "spare tire", or "beer belly" effect.
Sometimes heredity may be the cause of your belly fat, yes, you can blame your parents for that waistline!
It is possible to lose and keep off that newly formed belly fat, but like everything else in life it does require some work, in this case exercise and diet control.
Some of the risks of Visceral fat (belly fat) in women include:
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Gallbladder problems
Some types of cancers including breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
And in particular cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and heart disease.
Can certain foods help you to lose belly fat?
Unfortunately no, there are no magic foods that will cause you to lose fat from your abdomen. However if you practice eating the right amount of calories for weight loss (calculator showing calories burned for various activities) you will eventually lose weight from all areas of your body including that problem belly area. Discipline yourself to eat a healthy diet, mix in some regular exercise or workouts and you'll find yourself burning even more calories and toning your muscles at the same time.
Before beginning the exercises to lose belly fat you should properly measure your stomach or waist.
The proper way to do this is - place a tape measure around your midsection at your navel level, don't hold your tummy in, and don't pull on the tape measure so tightly that it presses your skin in.
Properly targeted tummy exercises will most certainly help you to firm your abdominal muscles and flatten your belly. The key is to develop a routine of moderately intense exercise daily in order to lose weight and tone your muscles. As you progress with your exercise routine you will notice one of the first beneficial signs is that your belly fat will begin to shrink, often before you see fat loss in other body areas. As always you should speak with your doctor before starting any exercise programs.
Workouts - Lets start those Belly fat exercises.
FACT: Contrary to popular belief sit-ups are NOT the best way to firm up your tummy region. You should target your deeper and lower abdominal muscles.
Workouts for lower abdominal muscles:
Performing exercises known as pelvic lifts and pelvic tilts. Pelvic tilts are also great exercises for the lower back, abdominals, sacroiliac joint and adjacent structures.
Pelvic tilt exercise
To perform pelvic tilts you should lay on your back on the floor with your knees bent upwards. While flattening your back against the floor tighten your abdominal muscles and bend your pelvis up a little. Hold this position for 8 - 10 seconds. Repeat at least 5 times and try to work up to 10 to 20 repetitions.
To perform pelvic lifts lay on your back on the floor with your knees bent toward your chest region, your arms should be relaxed by your sides. Tense or tighten your lower abdomen and slowly lift your bum up off the floor until you are aiming your knees toward the roof. Hold for 8 - 10 seconds and repeat at least five times. As you progress you should try to work up to 10 to 20 repetitions of this exercise.
Your deeper abdominal muscles can be toned by:
Pelvic lifts, also great for losing buttock fat and for bad or sore backs. Begin by getting down on all fours and allowing your tummy to hang down as you take in a deep breath. Then exhale, at the end of your exhalation, pull your belly button inward and upward toward your spine until you feel a slight tightening around your waist area.
Breathing normally hold this position for the count of ten without altering your back position. Then allow your belly to relax again for the count of ten, without moving your back. Repeat this exercise 10 - 12 times. As you become more proficient at this routine you can even perform it in the upright position where ever you are, waiting for a bus or in a check out line etc.
There you have it. All the workouts you need to lose belly fat. Just remember that developing a daily routine and establishing good eating habits play very important parts in your mission.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Adult acne is more common than you think – and fairly easy to treat. Article published in webmd
Adult Acne: Why You Get It, How to Fight It
Skin problems afflict almost everyone growing up, but some never outgrow it, says Jonette Keri, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and chief of dermatology at the Miami VA Medical Center. She estimates that nearly 30% of women and 20% of men ages 20 to 60 (and beyond) are troubled by breakouts.
Personal Skin Evaluator: Get a Tailored Skin Care Regimen for Your Skin Type
What Causes Adult Acne?
Adult acne is caused by sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands. Sebum clogs pores, which attract bacteria and become inflamed. For most adults, breakouts are a result of hypersensitivity to androgens (male hormones). But an imbalance in both male and female hormones (estrogen) can also cause breakouts. For women, this can happen during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. Some medications, such as corticosteroids, and cosmetics are also triggers.
How Is Adult Acne Treated?
Treating adult acne is tricky. Most acne medications are geared to teens' oily skin, a bad choice for drier adult skin. Effective treatment often requires a trial-and-error approach that takes time, Keri says. Her recommendations include:
Cleansers: Cetaphil and Aquanil are the most gentle. Avoid too-strong gels and products containing beads or granules, which are abrasive and can irritate and worsen sensitive skin.
Creams and lotions: Use an over-the-counter retinol product to clean pores and help reduce fine wrinkles. Prevent discoloration and fade acne scars with products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids. And to spot-treat a breakout, use a product with benzoyl peroxide, which helps kill bacteria.
Prescription medications: The topical antibiotic clindamycin helps fight bacteria in the skin; so does tetracycline, another antibiotic, taken orally. Oral contraceptives and spironolactone, a blood pressure drug, can help balance hormones.
High-tech solutions: Laser and intense pulsed light treatments mainly target scars, but blue light therapy treatments kill acne-causing bacteria. These treatments are costly, though, so explore your other options first.
A Skin-Care Regimen for the Acne Prone
Believe it or not, there’s a trick to skillful face washing. To start, try to keep your face clean during the day. Then wash your face twice daily with the cleanser (if your skin is dry, try using water the second time). Use only warm water (hot water is drying). Wash for just 1-2 minutes (more can irritate your skin). And use your hands instead of a rough washcloth. (If you must wash with a cloth, choose one made for babies, so it’s as soft as possible.)
As for Janssen, she found that a doctor-prescribed regimen of gentle cleansing, oral antibiotics, and a retinol cream did the trick, and her new photo is now proudly posted on her web site. She says, “All my friends comment on how clear my skin looks.”
Skin problems afflict almost everyone growing up, but some never outgrow it, says Jonette Keri, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and chief of dermatology at the Miami VA Medical Center. She estimates that nearly 30% of women and 20% of men ages 20 to 60 (and beyond) are troubled by breakouts.
Personal Skin Evaluator: Get a Tailored Skin Care Regimen for Your Skin Type
What Causes Adult Acne?
Adult acne is caused by sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands. Sebum clogs pores, which attract bacteria and become inflamed. For most adults, breakouts are a result of hypersensitivity to androgens (male hormones). But an imbalance in both male and female hormones (estrogen) can also cause breakouts. For women, this can happen during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. Some medications, such as corticosteroids, and cosmetics are also triggers.
How Is Adult Acne Treated?
Treating adult acne is tricky. Most acne medications are geared to teens' oily skin, a bad choice for drier adult skin. Effective treatment often requires a trial-and-error approach that takes time, Keri says. Her recommendations include:
Cleansers: Cetaphil and Aquanil are the most gentle. Avoid too-strong gels and products containing beads or granules, which are abrasive and can irritate and worsen sensitive skin.
Creams and lotions: Use an over-the-counter retinol product to clean pores and help reduce fine wrinkles. Prevent discoloration and fade acne scars with products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids. And to spot-treat a breakout, use a product with benzoyl peroxide, which helps kill bacteria.
Prescription medications: The topical antibiotic clindamycin helps fight bacteria in the skin; so does tetracycline, another antibiotic, taken orally. Oral contraceptives and spironolactone, a blood pressure drug, can help balance hormones.
High-tech solutions: Laser and intense pulsed light treatments mainly target scars, but blue light therapy treatments kill acne-causing bacteria. These treatments are costly, though, so explore your other options first.
A Skin-Care Regimen for the Acne Prone
Believe it or not, there’s a trick to skillful face washing. To start, try to keep your face clean during the day. Then wash your face twice daily with the cleanser (if your skin is dry, try using water the second time). Use only warm water (hot water is drying). Wash for just 1-2 minutes (more can irritate your skin). And use your hands instead of a rough washcloth. (If you must wash with a cloth, choose one made for babies, so it’s as soft as possible.)
As for Janssen, she found that a doctor-prescribed regimen of gentle cleansing, oral antibiotics, and a retinol cream did the trick, and her new photo is now proudly posted on her web site. She says, “All my friends comment on how clear my skin looks.”
Monday, February 15, 2010
Blast Your Back Fat:
you need to activate the three M's: Mind (get that stress under control so you don't stress overeat), Mouth (rein in the calories and eat smaller meals of high quality foods more frequently throughout the day), and Muscle (combine intensity intervals of cardio along with weight training, and don't forget cross training). It takes an integrative approach to minimize fat anywhere on your body.
So, do spot reducing exercises work? No, they don't. It's hard not to look at one part of your body that's stubbornly holding onto extra fat, and not to want to hammer on it endlessly. But that doesn't work. Spot reduction is a myth. You can't work a specific muscle group and hope to drop the fat around it. You'll strengthen the muscle, but the exercises will result in removing fat throughout the body. Look around the gym at guys and gals crunching away on ab balls, but they never seem to drop weight there. Well, it's because they're probably going home and overeating. The great news is that underneath their belly fat, their abs are strong. You just can't see them. As the abs go, so goes the back.
Seated Rows:
Gym machine: Sitting on the apparatus with back straight and holding a handle from the cable in each hand. Slowly bend forward keeping the back straight and let the weight of the cable pull you forward, and then draw back to a straight back sitting position. It's like using both hands to row a boat.
Home: Or, take your tubing and wrap it around the leg of a table, bed or heavy sturdy object. Sit on the floor far enough away from the leg so that there is plenty of tension on the tubing, and grab one handle in each hand. Again, with a straight back, allow the tension to pull you forward and then pull back to a full upright sitting position. You should feel a stretch throughout your back. 10-12 reps in 3 sets.
One-Arm Rows:
Gym: using a workout bench, place one hand on the bench and the other hand is holding a moderately heavy (you should feel fatigue around the 8-10th rep) hand weight, letting the arm hang straight down. Bend forward at your hips, suck in your stomach, while your back and head are parallel to the floor. Now, retracting your shoulder blade, bend your elbow and pull the weight up until you feel your hand touch your body midway between your breast and pelvic bone. Hold, and then slowly lower your arm down. Repeat 10-12 times, then switch sides. Do this for three sets.
Home: If you don't have a bench, you can do all of this simply using a sturdy chair, whereby you put your free hand on the seat of the chair for stability. It helps to have a mirror so that you can watch alignment.
Rear Delt Fly:
Home or gym: Sitting on the edge of a chair or bench, grab a lighter weight in each hand and position hand behind each leg. Now, lean forward from the hips with your back flat. Tuck your chin into your chest. Raise your arms to the sides, gradually bending your elbows as they come up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Pause at the top of the extension and then slowly lower your arms. In my book I call this the Prone Fly, which can be done lying on your stomach on a bench with arms hanging to each side. Gym: Many gyms have a rear delt machine that's easy to use.
Opposite Arm and Leg Rises:
Home or gym:Lie flat on your stomach with your arms extended over your head and your legs straight. Either rest your forehead on the floor or turn your head to one side. Slowly and simultaneously raise your right arm and left leg until it's difficult to keep your pelvis and chest flat on the floor. Lower and repeat with the opposite arm and leg combination. Don't twist or rock your body to make this easier. Stop if you feel pain.
So, do spot reducing exercises work? No, they don't. It's hard not to look at one part of your body that's stubbornly holding onto extra fat, and not to want to hammer on it endlessly. But that doesn't work. Spot reduction is a myth. You can't work a specific muscle group and hope to drop the fat around it. You'll strengthen the muscle, but the exercises will result in removing fat throughout the body. Look around the gym at guys and gals crunching away on ab balls, but they never seem to drop weight there. Well, it's because they're probably going home and overeating. The great news is that underneath their belly fat, their abs are strong. You just can't see them. As the abs go, so goes the back.
Seated Rows:
Gym machine: Sitting on the apparatus with back straight and holding a handle from the cable in each hand. Slowly bend forward keeping the back straight and let the weight of the cable pull you forward, and then draw back to a straight back sitting position. It's like using both hands to row a boat.
Home: Or, take your tubing and wrap it around the leg of a table, bed or heavy sturdy object. Sit on the floor far enough away from the leg so that there is plenty of tension on the tubing, and grab one handle in each hand. Again, with a straight back, allow the tension to pull you forward and then pull back to a full upright sitting position. You should feel a stretch throughout your back. 10-12 reps in 3 sets.
One-Arm Rows:
Gym: using a workout bench, place one hand on the bench and the other hand is holding a moderately heavy (you should feel fatigue around the 8-10th rep) hand weight, letting the arm hang straight down. Bend forward at your hips, suck in your stomach, while your back and head are parallel to the floor. Now, retracting your shoulder blade, bend your elbow and pull the weight up until you feel your hand touch your body midway between your breast and pelvic bone. Hold, and then slowly lower your arm down. Repeat 10-12 times, then switch sides. Do this for three sets.
Home: If you don't have a bench, you can do all of this simply using a sturdy chair, whereby you put your free hand on the seat of the chair for stability. It helps to have a mirror so that you can watch alignment.
Rear Delt Fly:
Home or gym: Sitting on the edge of a chair or bench, grab a lighter weight in each hand and position hand behind each leg. Now, lean forward from the hips with your back flat. Tuck your chin into your chest. Raise your arms to the sides, gradually bending your elbows as they come up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Pause at the top of the extension and then slowly lower your arms. In my book I call this the Prone Fly, which can be done lying on your stomach on a bench with arms hanging to each side. Gym: Many gyms have a rear delt machine that's easy to use.
Opposite Arm and Leg Rises:
Home or gym:Lie flat on your stomach with your arms extended over your head and your legs straight. Either rest your forehead on the floor or turn your head to one side. Slowly and simultaneously raise your right arm and left leg until it's difficult to keep your pelvis and chest flat on the floor. Lower and repeat with the opposite arm and leg combination. Don't twist or rock your body to make this easier. Stop if you feel pain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)