Sugar Overload!!!

As kids our moms warned us that having too many sweets would rot our teeth. Well guess what, mom was right! A typical can of soda can contain as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar! And we all know that some Americans, especially teenagers, sure can guzzle their soda!

Do you know how much sugar you and your family drink every day? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, and sports drinks has increased by 500% over the past 50 years in the United States. The ADA reports that Americans consume more than 53 gallons of carbonated soft drinks per person per year. Some people find it difficult to avoid these sugary drinks since there are nearly 450 different soft drinks available in the United States.

What’s alarming is that most people don’t realize how much sugar they, or their children, consume on a daily basis. A research project published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that the average American eats the equivalent of 21 teaspoons of added sugar a day and that’s about 2 ½ to 3 times more sugar than recommended.

Excess sugar consumption is associated with obesity, diabetes, and other conditions linked to heart disease. The study warns that eating a diet that is extremely high in sugar can be as dangerous as having one that is high in fat.

The study showed that people who ate the most added sugar had the lowest HDL, or good cholesterol and people who ate the least amount of sugar had the highest HDL, or bad cholesterol. The study concluded that eating large amounts of added sugar more than tripled the risk of having low HDL, which is “a major risk factor for heart disease.”

The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar in the diet to no more than 100 calories a day for most women and 150 calories a day for most men. That equals about 6 teaspoons of sugar a day for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Did you know, however, that just one 12-ounce can of regular soda can have up to 10 teaspoons of sugar!

Eating and drinking excessive amounts of sugar affects the health of your mouth, too. Consuming too much sugar may lead to oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Sugar weakens and erodes enamel, the protective outer surface of teeth, and this makes teeth more susceptible to harmful bacteria and decay.

Simply put, eating and drinking too much sugar can cause cavities. A cavity starts as a small hole in your tooth. The ADA explains on their website that when you eat or drink sugary or starchy foods, the sugars and plaque on your teeth mix together to make an acid. The acids in your mouth attack your teeth and can make cavities.

Cavities cannot be fixed by themselves. They can only be fixed by a dentist who will remove the decay and put a filling in the hole left in your tooth. So what can you do to prevent cavities? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once per day, visiting the dentist regularly, and making nutritious food and beverage choices.

Bright Side Dental is a dental office with locations in Sterling Heights, Livonia, Canton, and Royal Oak, Michigan. Visit www.BrightSideDental.com for more information cavity prevention.
by: Josh Gershonowicz
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What is Your Body Type?

Your body and its features are greatly determined by your genetics. This is why certain people can have a real hard time loosing weight and others have a real hard time gaining weight. To understand why your body acts in certain ways you needed to learn more about your body type. Doing so will help you determine the best manner to achieve your goals of a healthier body.

Most people can be placed into three categories of body types. Each body type has its own unique characteristics and genes have a lot to do with that.

THE ECTOMORPH: "Ecto" refers to the slim/thin body type. People with this body type are usually the ones that have the hardest time putting on weight. They can eat anything they want and as much as they want without gaining a single pound. People with this body type are naturally skinny and have been skinny throughout their entire lives.

Ectomorphs are the most fragile of all three body types. They have long, slender limbs with small, thin bones and joints along with the very little fat and muscle mass.

Ectomorphs are also known as "hard-gainers" as they have the hardest time of all three body types to gain weight. This is due to the incredibly high metabolic rate of their bodies. This is why they can eat whatever they want without gaining a single pound. This is good if you are not trying to gain weight, but for most ectomorphs that is not their goal.

Ectomorphs have the hardest time of all to put on muscle and this can become very frustrating. I know this because I am an ectomorph. All throughout my childhood I had been very skinny. In face when I started college I was about 5'11'' and 127 pounds. So when I decided to start working out and put on muscle, it was an extremely difficult and frustrating task. I had to eat a constantly (and still do) and a lot in order to put on weight. Eventually, however with patience and hard work I have been able to put on quite a bit of muscle.

As an ectomorph, you just have to remember to stay eat constantly, maintain a good workout routines, and most importantly remain patient to achieve your goal of your ideal body type.

Key Features: Skinny, lean, fragile, fast metabolism, hard-gainers.

Famous Ectomorphs: Kiera Knightly, Johhny Depp, Paris Hilton, Bruce Lee.

THE ENDOMORPH: "Endo" refers to the large/heavy body type. People of this body type have the easiest time gaining weight and hardest time losing weight. Their bodies are naturally inclined to store more fat which makes losing fat incredibly difficult for them.

Most endomorphs have a majority of their weight focused at the centers of their body giving their bodies a round look. Also due to their weight, they gain the appearance of being stocky and can be described as having pear-shaped-bodies.

Endomorphs can literally eat a minute fraction of what Ectomorphs eat and still gain weight. This can become extremely frustrating when trying to loose weight. Endomorphs have a hard time losing weight due to their extremely slow metabolism rate and are essentially the complete opposites of ectomorphs.

If you are an endomorph, you will have to be patient just like ectomorphs to achieve your goals of weight loss. A steady, healthy diet of small meals along with regular exercise should help you achieve your ideal body type. But like with all goals, discipline and routine are the keys to success.

Key Features: Large, big-boned, slow metabolism, easy gainers.

Famous Endomorphs: Jack Black, Queen Latifah, Cedric the Entertainer, Kirstie Alley.

THE MESOMORPH: "Meso" refers to the strong/muscular body type. People with this body type can consider themselves to be lucky. Basically they are a combination of all the good traits of ectomorphs and endomorphs without any of the bad traits. Unlike ectomorphs, they can easily gain muscle mass and unlike endomorphs they have no trouble loosing weight. They essentially have the ideal muscular and athletic body type that ectomorphs and endomorphs envy.

Mesomorphs have well built bodies with well-defined muscles and strong bones. They are broad in their pectoral regions and narrow in the abdominal regions.

Mesomorphs do not need any special routines to gain or loose weight. As long as they maintain a healthy lifestyle with a combination of weight training and cardio, they can achieve the body they want.

Key Features: Hard-bodied, well-defined, muscular, strong features.

Famous Mesomorphs: Lebron James, Halle Berry, Anna Kournikova, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Most people do not strictly have one of these three body types, but rather a combination of two or all three. Your body type is determined by your genes and your goal when trying to determine your body type is to use that information to figure out the best workout routines. You can not change your genes, but you can change your body. All it takes is hard work, determination and discipline and then anything is possible. So go out there and make it happen!!!

My name is Ronek Bhatt. I am 22 years old and a fitness enthusiast. I started working out 5 years ago and since then have dedicated numerous hours learning and researching about fitness, bodybuilding, diets, and other sources of healthy living.
by: Ronek Bhatt
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Is Dieting Right for You?

Dieting is the practice of ingesting food in a regulated fashion to achieve or maintain a controlled weight. In many cases, the ultimate goal of women who wants to go on a diet is to lose weight. Diets can generally promote weight loss and they are divided in many categories like low fat, low carbohydrate, low calorie, and very low calorie.




Women normally watch their food intake and healthy habits, but more than a third of the women’s population is already overweight, and the importance of getting fit and healthy is getting critical. One way to get fit is to adopt a healthy lifestyle and diet. But with all the diets, exercise crazes, and other activities out there, it is very difficult to find the perfect diet to utilize. No exact diet will work for everyone. You need to find the diet that fits your personality and needs. What you need to do is just choose a diet that you know can be a big part of your lifestyle. Do not trust diets that promise fast weight loss without any effort and do not trust diets that promise results without exercise and changes in your eating behavior.

Your Lifestyle and the Diet Options

The diet that suits you most is the one that suits your lifestyle. If you are sedentary, you should select the diet that put an emphasis on exercise. If you are constantly craving sweets, try the Carbohydrate Addict diet. If you are into body building, you can try the Targeted Ketogenic Diet or the Cycling Ketogenic Diet. If you have a blood sugar problem and any other cholesterol problem, try the Dr. Atkins diet. There are many types of diets out there and you should choose the one that will be most convenient to you.

Choosing the Diet

When it comes to choosing the right diet, there are some simple reminders and tips that you should follow.

* Try the Metabolic Typing Diet if you are unsure whether you should choose the diet that is lower or higher in carbohydrates.

* If you are looking for a low fat diet that is predominantly vegetarian, choose the Macrobiotic Diet. This diet can prevent hormonal related cancer like breast cancer.

* If you are having problems with your digestion, sinuses, and breathing, you should do the detox diet. You will feel a lot healthier, and you can experience the juice fasting method.

* Choose a low carbohydrate diet if you have blood sugar problems. The Zone diet is a low carb diet that includes essential fatty acids and plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.

* Try the Alkaline Diet if you feel uncomfortable on high protein diet. This will help in counterbalancing the effects of diets will lots of protein, caffeine, sugar, processed and junk foods and grains.

* If you have a liking for Indian food, try the Ayurvedic diet.

* If you have any food allergies and sensitivities, a simple three-week elimination and challenge diet will help you identify all of them.

* If you have irritable bowel movement syndrome or any inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, or any small intestine bacterial overgrowth, you can try the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.
by: James Pendergraft


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Nutritional Supplements for Weight Loss

Nowadays, it seems that everyone wants a quick and easy way to lose weight. At present, we are a fatter nation than ever before and the average size of everything seems to have increased: the size of our takeout burgers, the size of our cars, and the size of our waistlines. The best course of action in our fight against weight gain is to scale down the size and portions of our meals and snacks, and move our bodies more often. Good old fashioned diet and exercise is still the best defense for our ever-increasing weight problem...




While there really is no ‘quick fix’ for weight loss, there are certain measures people can take that do come in tablet or capsule form. Some weight loss supplements have been shown to effectively supplement a reasonable diet and solid exercise program, and have stood the test of time so that they are not considered ‘just a fad’. Let’s look at some of these supplements and what they can do for you.

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is an oil capsule that you take with each meal. This supplement hit the health food stores about a decade ago and they could not keep it on the shelves or re-stock it fast enough. CLA helps metabolize fats in the body and bloodstream, and there is even some anecdotal evidence that it staves off hunger. Clinical tests have shown time and again that people who have supplemented their diet with CLA over a substantial period of time have lost more weight than those taking a placebo. Even though it is no longer the fad pill of the moment, CLA has stood the test of time and is a great additional to a sensible weight loss program.

More recently, hoodia has hit the market as the best supplement for effective weight loss. This is an herb, and comes in capsule form. It works by controlling hunger and decreasing appetite. Because we are so accustomed to eating large portions of food, this type of weight loss supplement is really helpful for a lot of people. Appetite control is crucial for weight loss. Loss of control can really sabotage one’s efforts to lose weight, because the sense of accomplishment you get from watching the pounds slip away diminishes and leaves you frustrated. If you can control your appetite, your chances of sticking with your weight loss program increase and you gain confidence and satisfaction seeing your progress. For people who benefit from this type of control, hoodia is a great supplement for you.

Sugar intake in the United States is at its highest. Even though many new foods are labeled as “fat free” or “low sugar”, our sugar consumption increases with each passing year. Many of the food labels we read are misleading, as they lead consumers to believe that “fat free” or “low sugar” means “low calorie”. This is simply not true, and people end up eating more and more of these foods that are void of nutrition and very easy to overeat.

Some people have an almost uncontrollable craving for sugar, and these people would benefit from supplementing with chromium picolinate. Chromium is a trace mineral that is often difficult to get in sufficient amounts in one’s diet. It can be taken once or twice a day in capsule form, usually in a 200 mg dosage. Chromium functions to control one’s craving for sugar, and works at the cellular level to do so. Along with healthy consumption of fruits and vegetables and a concerted effort to lessen the intake of empty calories such as cakes and cookies, chromium picolinate can help maximize your weight loss efforts.

There are a great number of things you can do to maximize your weight loss efforts. If you find that the hours in your day are limited, you can wake up just a half hour earlier and get your exercise in then. When you eat your dinner, try substituting that side of French fries with an extra helping of the broccoli you prepared instead. Park your car an extra 50 yards from the supermarket entrance, instead of trying to find the closest parking space you can. When you watch TV, do pushups or sit-ups or jumping jacks at the commercials, instead of eating a bag of potato chips mindlessly through your program.

Despite these efforts, some people just have a more difficult time losing the weight. If you are one of those people, the supplements mentioned here can really help and can easily be incorporated into your daily regimen. Try these daily, along with some healthy new habits and you will be well on your way to maintaining your weight loss and getting into the healthy shape you deserve!

by: Megan Hazel

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Turunkan Berat Badan Tanpa Rasa Lapar

JANGAN bangga dengan badan gemuk. Dahulu banyak orang mengatakan kalau gemuk sangat berarti makmur. Sebenarnya, obesitas atau kegemukan bisa menyebabkan berbagai macam penyakit.

Penelitian terbaru yang dilaporkan pada pertemuan para ahli saluran pencernaan di Amerika Serikat menunjukkan bahwa wanita yang berbadan gemuk memiliki risiko terkena kanker usus besar 4 kali lebih besar daripada wanita berbadan normal. Sebuah penelitian baru yang dilakukan di Australia dengan mengambil sampel 109 wanita over weight dan...




33 wanita yang memiliki berat badan normal untuk di-test fungsi jantung dan strukturnya menghasilkan; berat badan semakin meningkat maka otot jantung akan semakin menebal. Itu artinya, berat badan bisa mengakibatkan jantung tidak dapat berkontraksi dan berelaksasi secara normal. Selain itu, masih banyak penyakit yang timbul akibat obesitas seperti problem persendian, masalah dengan kesehatan jantung, hipertensi, diabetes meditus, gangguan hormonal dan masih banyak yang lainnya.

Diet? Tapi pertanyaan berikutnya apakah Anda siap dengan cara-cara diet seperti yang biasanya. Banyaknya makanan yang harus dihindari dan ditambah dengan porsi yang semakin mnyusut membuat pelaku diet seringkali merasakan tidak mendapatkan manfaat positif melainkan hanya rasa lapar. Alhasil, tak jarang orang menyerah diet karena program tersebut dirasa sangat menyiksa. So, bagaimana caranya? Berikut beberapa tip yang bisa kamu coba untuk melakukan program diet tanpa perlu merasa kelaparan:

Lupakan kalori

Ingatlah bahwa kalori yang berbeda akan dibakar secara berbeda pula di dalam tubuh kita. Sering kali hanya lemak yang diperhatikan dalam diet untuk kalori rendah. Beberapa bukti menunjukkan bahwa ketika kalori yang dimakan sama, individu yang mengonsumsi lemak paling banyak sebenarnya kehilangan lebih banyak berat badan. Lagi pula, efek makanan terhadap selera akan menentukan berat badan dan kemampuan makan. Kunci untuk bisa menurunkan berat badan dalam jangka panjang adalah tidak berkonsentrasi pada jumlah yang Anda makan, tetapi kualitas makanannya.

Perbanyak makanan kaya protein

Protein bisa memuaskan nafsu makan lebih dari karbohidrat atau lemak. Oleh karena itu, makanan yang banyak mengandung protein dan memuaskan selera makan. Karena itu, konsumsi makanan kaya protein harus dikurangi. Makanan berprotein tinggi seperti daging, ikan, telur, kacang-kacangan, dan biji-bijian.

Utamakan makanan dengan Indeks Glisemik (GI) rendak

GI atau Glisemik Indeks merupakan ukuran seberapa cepat makanan melepaskan gula ke dalam saluran darah. Semakin tinggi jumlah GI dalam makanan, semakin rendah kepuasan yang di dapat. Dari 20 penelitian yang pernah dipublikasikan antara tahun 1997 hingga 1999, 16 penelitian menunjukkan bahwa makanan dengan GI rendah dapat memberikan kepuasan yang didapatkan dari makan dan mengurangi rasa lapar sesudahnya. Selain kentang makanan kaya protein yang juga memiliki jumlah GI sangat rendah adalah kacang-kacangan, miju-miju, dan sebagian besar buah dan sayuran.

Jangan lupa sarapan

Selain sebagai sumber energi pada pagi hari, sarapan bagi kebanyakan orang dijadikan sebagai pencegah makan terlalu banyak pada siang hari. Fenomena ini dipelajari dalam riset yang dipublikasikan dalam Journal of Nutrision. Studi menunjukkan jika kita makan lebih banyak pada malam hari, rata-rata memakan lebih banyak kalori daripada kita makan porsi besar untuk sarapan paginya. Jadi, pastikan Anda sarapan pada pagi hari agar mempunyai nafsu makan yang alami.

Jangan makan terlalu berlebihan

Tidak segampang yang dibayangkan, untuk mengontrol berapa banyak makanan yang sudah masuk ke dalam perut saat kita lapar. Meskipun masih merasa lapar, Anda bisa mensiasati dengan makan di antara waktu makan. Sedikit mengonsumsi kacang-kacangan atau buah-buahan pada siang atau sore hari dapat dipercaya membuat kita makan lebih sehat pada jam-jam makan. Perlu Anda ketahui makan secara teratur memiliki hubungan dengan rendahnya tingkat insulin (hormon yang bisa menstimulasi produksi lemak dalam tubuh).

Anda harus mengunyah

Kedengarannya sepele. Tapi disadari atau tidak, mengunyah sering dilupakan terutama oleh kaum laki-laki saat mereka makan. Dengan berbagai alasan mereka membiarkan makanan yang masih kasar masuk ke dalam saluran pencernaan. Selain mempermudah makanan diproses dalam saluran pencernaan, pada program diet, mengunyah dan makan lebih lambat bisa membuat Anda tidak mengonsumsi makanan secara berlebihan. Idealnya, makan harus dikunyah merata sebelum ditelan. Dengan ini Anda tidak akan terburu-buru bahkan bisa membuat Anda tidak menyentuh sisa makanan benar-benar dikunyah dan ditelan.

Pastikan diet ideal Anda

Berdasarkan hasil penelitian psikologis, setiap orang memiliki tingkat ketangkasan metabolisme yang berbeda-beda. Misalnya, sebagian memiilki metabolisme yang sangat bagus terhadap lemak, sedangkan lainnya memiliki metabolisme yang prima terhadap karbihidrat. Dengan hal ini, diharapkan bisa menemukan diet yang paling ideal untuk Anda sendiri.
http://www.okezone.com

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The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity

Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity,"* the risks for the following conditions also increases:¹

• Coronary heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
• Stroke
• Liver and Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
• Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)

*Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.

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