LOSE FAT WITH THIS CHEST WORKOUT, PUSH UPS ONLY

Improve Your Health With a Natural Body Detox Diet

If you find yourself suffering from regular headaches, unusual skin irritation, or excessive fatigue there is a very good chance that the only remedy necessary is to detox your body. Detoxification is the act of cleansing your body of the pollutants which build up naturally through food, water and air. The human immune system is equipped with the ability to detox your body, neutralizing harmful substances by converting them chemically and flushing them from the system. Unfortunately, if your regular diet is deficient in certain antioxidants and nutrients like fiber, foreign toxins will eventually build up and cause your body to function poorly.
What is the detox diet?
The most commonly used method of body detox is the detox diet, which is a short-term, highly effective diet usually restricted to filtered water and vegetables that are high in fiber. A typical detox diet would require a person to eat only beans, carrots and cabbage, while drinking only pure filtered water for one week. Detox diets promote wellness and build the immune system by spurring the body to cleanse itself naturally. This will effectively promote your liver and kidneys to flush the harmful backup of toxins and waste from your body naturally. By adding a regular detox diet to your overall health regimen, you can ensure that harmful toxins are never allowed to reach dangerous levels before they are flushed from your system.
But I hate diets!
If a special diet does not sound appealing to you, individuals can easily detoxify their body using herbal supplements and special cleansing drinks. Whichever method you choose, the key to any detox is stimulating the body's natural protections. These detox techniques act to flush all dangerous substances from your system before they accumulate, preemptively stopping the buildup of chemicals and toxins before they start. Medical studies have proven that regularly using special diets, drinks, or other methods to detox your body is highly beneficial to overall health and well being.

Why you should start today
Body detox programs and natural detox schedules are proven to provide longer and more vibrant lives by strengthening the immune system and reducing stress on the body. While designed to cleanse the physical body, people who use body detox regularly typically experience increased mental wellness. With less time spent stressing over health issues, you can have more time to enjoy life, exercise, and explore the world around you. Body detox and detox diets are truly a natural miracle and prove that the human body is capable of healing itself from within.

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Top 10 Alkaline Foods You Should Be Eating Everyday

Vegetable Juice for Health & Vitality!

As more and more people begin to drink fresh home-made juice for health reasons, it is vegetable juice that is being recognized as the perfect way of revitalizing the body and protecting it against disease.
Regularly juicing vegetables can have an enormous impact on your health, and of the many benefits of drinking vegetable juices my top three are:

• Improved Immunity Against Disease
• More Energy
• Better Digestion

1. Improved Immunity
The number one benefit of drinking vegetable juice for me has got to be the improved immunity against infections and disease. The immune boosting effect has meant that vegetable juices have become part of most nutritional therapies in the battle against many serious illnesses. The anti-oxidants in vegetable juice help to cleanse the blood which is good news for the heart, liver, and kidneys, and the chlorophyll in leafy greens helps to build red blood cells. As well as the vitamins and minerals the phyto (plant) chemicals in vegetables are also powerful anti-oxidants which help to detoxify and prevent disease.
2. More Energy
Drinking vegetable juice is a great way of increasing energy levels as many of the nutrients are converted by the body into energy. The cleansing and detoxifying effect transforms the whole body from being tired and sluggish, to more like an energy efficient well oiled machine. The energy saved in drinking vegetable juice instead of having to digest the whole food can be used by the body in other ways, such as in healing.

3. Better Digestion
Raw food contains digestive enzymes which ease the burden on the digestive system, these enzymes are only present in raw food as they are destroyed during cooking. Digesting food uses a tremendous amount of energy which can be apparent when you feel very sleepy after a heavy meal. The cleansing effect juicing has on the digestive system means less toxic undigested food remaining in the intestines and an easier absorption of nutrients.
More About Juicing!
Fruit Juice?
So, why vegetable juice and not fruit juice? The problem with juicing fruit can be the high sugar content which isn't suitable for anyone who is over weight, has diabetes, or high blood pressure. Although, you need to be aware that some root vegetables such as beets and carrots are also high in sugar. Juicy fruit is high in liquid content, so if you enjoy fruit and there's no health problem, why not just eat it whole?
Most people would agree that the big advantage fruit juice has over vegetable juice is the taste, (because of the high sugar content in fruit).
A Matter of Taste
For many people the biggest drawback in drinking vegetable juice is the taste, which is usually because they have an unhealthy acidic diet, and vegetables are alkaline in nature. This means the taste of many of the stronger vegetable juices can take some getting used to, so it's best to juice the milder tasting ones to start with. However, if someone is going to be drinking vegetable juice for health reasons, it's reasonable to assume that they will also be improving their diet, which will go some way in helping to solve this problem. Most folks sweeten up vegetable juice by including an apple or two in the mix, apple is generally accepted as being suitable to juice with vegetables.
Raw Vegetable Goodness
Raw vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and phyto (plant) chemicals, and drinking the juice from vegetables means that the nutrients can be consumed in tremendous amounts as you aren't having to digest the fibre of the whole food. The high amount of nutrients in vegetable juice are consumed in their natural state making them easily assimilated into the body. Vegetable juices are a great way of getting your five a day (and more) and can help to make sure picky eaters (usually children) get theirs.
When to Juice?
The best time to have vegetable juice is in the morning before you eat anything, this means that the digestive tract is clear of undigested food. Other times of the day are just before meals, certainly not just after, it's best to wait three or four hours after a meal before drinking juice.

Preparation: No need to be over elaborate here, just wash and cut into suitable pieces to be able to fit into the juicer.
Which Juicer?
Choosing a juicer usually comes down to two things, your state of health and your state of wealth. There are many types of juicers around, it depends on the quality of juice required and how much you're willing to pay. Centrifugal juicers shred the vegetables and separate the juice and fibre, and masticating juicers extract the juice by a chewing action, the latter is preferred as the way in which the juice is extracted destroys far less of the nutrients. A good juicing machine will last longer, be more reliable, likely be easier to clean, and importantly will yield a good quality juice.

Energy for Life!
Whether it is for general well-being or to help in the recovery from illness, there isn't a better way of cleansing and nourishing the body. For better immunity against disease, good digestion, and more energy for life, begin drinking vegetable juice for health and vitality!

Pete is passionate about self help, and believes that regularly drinking healthy juices is the best way to maintain or recover good health.

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Bedtime Drink to Remove Belly Fat in a Single Night

Natural or Organic?

The term "Health Foods" include natural and organic grown fruit and vegetables, various pills and herbs. Some of these foods are nutritionally good and some such as herbs and ginseng are unproven. The term "Health Food" is very misleading since it implies that all other foods are unhealthy.
Vegetarianism: There is nothing nutritionally wrong with being a vegetarian, in fact most nutritionist recommend this type of diet because it is high in diet fibre, low in fats, more fruit and vegetables. Many vegetarians eat eggs and drink milk, on the other hand some don't use animal products at all and are as far as known very healthy.
Whole Foods: Whole foods are better than refined foods. This means that wholewheat bread and flour are healthier than white bread and flour. Choosing unrefined rice and maize rather than refined. Brown sugar is very little different from white sugar.
Organic Grown Foods: Most farmers and gardeners fertilize their soil with sulfate of ammonia, potash and phosphate ect. They also add manure and compost as much as they can find. Advocates of organic farming claims that the use of chemicals is artificial and that foods that are grown naturally are more superior. In fact there is no difference between them. Organic farmers avoid the use of chemicals, weed killers and pesticides. A few tasting trials that were carried out, could not distinguish which are organically grown and inorganically fertilized foods. Nutritionally they are the same.
Sea salt: Most salt comes from underground mines and is highly purified. It usually have some magnesium carbonate (a harmless mineral salt) added to make it flow freely. Sea salt contains natural Iodine.

Honey: Honey is simply sugar and water with very small traces of several vitamins and mineral salts. The food value of a teaspoon of honey is the same as a ¾ teaspoon of ordinary table sugar.
Cider Vinegar, Kelp, "Live" Yogurt and Ginseng: Cider vinegar is made of re-fermented cider, meaning, it is made in a similar way as wine vinegar. Nutritionally it provides a few calories and nothing else.
Kelp is a seaweed and a source of iodine which is an essential nutrient with a few mineral salts of lessor importance. It has no special food value.
"Live" Yogurt contains the bacteria which turned the milk into yogurt, whereas ordinary yogurt has usually the bacteria killed by pasteurisation. If it was made of full cream milk instead of skim milk powder, it would have tasted better and of nutritional value, not because of the bacteria that are still alive. The bacteria do not survive inside the human intestines and do not provide any benefits.
Ginseng is the root of a bush that grows in China and Korea. A vast range of magical properties is attributed to it, again no evidence or truth that it works has ever been found.
Balanced Vitamins: Most health shops sell tablets of balanced vitamins that have been extracted from wheat, yeast or liver instead of being synthesised in a factory. They were balanced so far as the wheat plant or the yeast or the animal's liver were concerned BUT they are not balanced for Human needs. Wheat contains very little B2. Vit B1 in yeast extract steadily falls while it sits on the shelf. The B vitamins in the liver extract will depend on how the animal was fed.
Herbs: Herbs have a mystical appeal since they were used as medicines for centuries. Some of them have no effect, some contains poison like Comfrey and Rhubarb and some contain small amounts of drugs like Fennel. Some modern medicines are extracted from herbs, quinine was originally extracted from tree bark. Pleasant drinks can be made from some herbs, leaves and petals but they have no beneficial effects.
Healthy Eating at a Restaurant: Is it Possible?
If you and your family love to eat out, you may think that this lifestyle is not good for a healthy diet. In many cases, you would be correct. You can still enjoy eating out at restaurants and maintain your healthy diet. It's all about making good food choices, which starts with learning about the nutritional value of the food you eat and what your body needs to stay physically healthy, mentally stable, and active.
When you pick up the menu, start by skipping over the alcoholic drinks section. Although you may be tempted to enjoy a beer or mixed beverage with your dinner, these usually have many "bad" calories, which is not good for your body. The exception to this rule is when it comes to wine, especially red wine, which can be fine if you have a single glass.
Skip the appetizer menu, unless it's a salad. The appetizers at restaurants are usually high-fat foods that are not meant to fill you up and can in fact make you crave for more. Examples of these are mozzarella sticks, potato skins, and chicken wings. Simply focus on the main course or if you must indulge, share a single serving with someone at your table.
Choosing the main dish is very important. Look at the ingredients of the dish. Anything with cream sauces or high-fat meats should be avoided and pass the potatoes and onion rings. Instead order side dishes like green salad and vegetables or ask for just the main course when possible.
Remember that portions is everything. Try to order from the lunch menu whenever you can, and ask for a doggie-bag right away. Split your meal in half from the start, so that you are not tempted to eat the entire plate, which is usually enough for two or three portions.
SKIP the desert menu, just like you did with the appetizers. If you have to have desert share or split your portion in half. Many fancy desserts at restaurants have more calories than your entire meal, so keep this in mind before you flag down the waitress to put in an order! Of course, on special occasions, it's alright to cheat a little, but overall healthy eating requires lots of resisting temptations around you.



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Electrolyte replacement

TMR LAUNCHES ENDURE ELECTROLYTE

Trace Minerals Research recently added a new electrolyte replacement supplement to its line of products to give consumers a better way to hydrate during mild or intense physical activity.
“This product is unlike anything in the market right now,” said Matt Kilts, managing partner for Trace Minerals Research. “There are so many athletes and avid runners out there who want to get away from sports drinks because they’re so hard on their stomach, but still want to benefit from the electrolytes found in those types of products. ENDURE is the answer.”
ENDURE is a pure electrolyte complex that contains all major electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride. The difference between ENDURE and most sports powders and drinks is that it doesn’t have any sweeteners or flavorings and, therefore, contains no added carbohydrates. Once added to water, it tastes just like water and nothing else.
ENDURE enhances hydration without the added calories or sugar that can undermine fitness and weigh down endurance athletes.
In addition, the electrolytes found in ENDURE aid in the energy production process and also can help against cramps, a nemesis to endurance athletes.
ENDURE is also specifically designed for the endurance athlete who frequently uses hydration packs because it contains no sticky stuff to clean up after use. Clean-up is the same as if you had simply filled your hydration pack with water.




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Aloe Drinks Video

4-Minute NO-Equipment Belly Fat Destroyer Circuit

How to Start Eating Healthy

To be able to eat healthy, you need to understand what the body needs to stay healthy and functional. Your body needs food for three main reasons. Firstly as fuel, to keep us warm and supply the energy we need to stay alive and to move about and work. Secondly, food supplies the necessary materials for growth and to repair worn tissues. Thirdly we need vitamins, minerals and other substances that are necessary for the chemical processes that take place inside our bodies.
The energy supplied by food is measured as kilojoules. Two-thirds of this energy is used to maintain our normal body temperature, the normal tone of our muscles and to keep our heart and other vital organs functional and healthy. Even when we stay in bed all day we will still need about two-thirds of our normal food intake to maintain our metabolic systems. Normal activities such as getting dressed, eating, walking, working and playing requires about 3350 kilojoules. A housewife uses about 9200 kilojoules to perform her basic household tasks.
The harder we work and the more we move about the more kilojoules we use up. Whatever kilojoules we use up in our daily activities, is supplied by food, but if we consume more kilojoules / food than the body needs you will gain mass. The aim of Eating Healthy is to get the balance right.
If you are NOT currently eating healthy, it can be difficult to start such a plan. IF you truly want to live the best lifestyle possible, then it is important for you to follow these tips to start eating more healthy. Firstly, rid your home of all foods that do not fall into the healthy categories. Keep junk foods and beverages out of your house, so that you will not be tempted. Keep healthy snacks like carrot sticks, yogurt, fresh fruit, or whole-wheat crackers on hand. In case you cannot bear to toss out the sweets, try keeping something on hand, like chocolate chips. Eating a few of these won't ruin your diet but also will give you that little sugary fix you rave.
Secondly, take a few moments to learn about what foods are the healthiest for you and how they work in the body. Most people understand what fruits, vegetables, and low-fat means and that dairy products are good for you, but few people understand why.

What Does Vitamins and Nutrients Mean?
Vitamins and Nutrients nourishes the body. They consist of micro- and macro-nutrients which is essential for good health and is consumed in small amounts. These are absorbed by the body unchanged and have catalytic functions. Vitamins are classified as fat-soluble (A, D, E and K) or water-soluble (B and C). The former and vit. B12 tend to be stored in the body. Many elements present in food are essential for health such as calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Others termed trace-elements are iron, zinc and iodine.
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are macro-nutrients and when digested turns into glucose, fatty acids, peptides and amino acids. Macro-nutrients are interchangeable sources of energy. If sufficient non-protein calories are not available, the body cannot produce proteins for tissue maintenance. Tissue replacements and growth does not occur and considerable more dietary proteins is required for positive nitrogen balance. The polyunsaturated fatty acids are termed essential fatty acids (EFA) and must be included in your diet. The EFA and B6 is crucial in the functions of the metabolism.
Fiber mainly a complex mixture of indigestible carbohydrate material is a natural and much neglected component of the normal diet. Fiber components act in various ways for instance, prevention of constipation. Many intestinal diseases ie: colon cancer, Crohn's disease, obesity, varicose veins and hemorrhoids are associated with the lack of fiber in the diet. Fruit and vegetables rich in pectins reduce plasma cholesterol by enhancing hepatic cholesterol, to bile acids and reduces the forming of gallstones. Fiber is the most important part of any diet.


Five Basic Groups of Nutrients
The key is learning about nutrients. When you understand how specific nutrients work in the body, you will be more likely to make healthy choices.

No single food is essential to our diet. What is important is to eat a variety of foods, there are five basic groups:
Proteins for building up the body. Throughout life there is a continuous breakdown and loss of body tissues. If a person does not get enough protein to make up for this loss, some of the less vital protein tissues in the body, such as muscles are broken down to maintain vital organs like the heart and kidneys. Illnesses cause a considerable loss of protein like infections, burns, broken bones and the stress after surgery.
Carbohydrates provide energy. Carbohydrates is a collective term for sugars, starches and cellulose. Most sugars are eaten in the form of sweets, jams, biscuits, cakes and drinks. A small amount is from fruit. Starches are found in potatoes, rice, pastas, wheat and maize. When we eat starches it gets broken down to glucose which is absorbed into the blood stream as a form of sugar. Cellulose is not a source of energy but it is needed in the diet, because of it's major source of fibre or roughage. It stays undigested in the intestines to promote regular bowel movements.
Fats provide energy and flavour. Fat is contained in milk products like cheese, cream, butter and meat (visible around tjops or hidden in the fibres), fatty fish like pilchards, kabeljou and eggs. Fats have several roles in the diet directly because of its nutritional value and indirectly in improving foods and making them easier to chew and swallow. Vitamins like A,D,E and K are found in these fatty foods and following a low fat diet you need to supplement these shortfalls. Fats are very important because of the energy it provides, it is twice as much as carbohydrates or protein. Fatty foods remain longer in the stomach than low-fat foods, so they provide a greater feeling of fullness.





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V Cut Abs Workout (NO EQUIPMENT NEEDED!)

Good Health and Longer Life Span

Cultivating healthy eating habits strengthens your body's resolve against diseases. Fruits and vegetables are the ultimate sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which our body needs to function properly. These antioxidant-rich foods help fight the damaging effects of free radicals. By eating less fat and sugary foods, you are essentially reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other chronic disorders.

Glowing Appearance
This is another tried and tested advantage brought about by healthy eating. People who eat more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis almost always exude that vibrant, youthful look. The secret is simply eating high antioxidant fruits and vegetables, along with foods rich in vitamins and minerals, and lots of water. Proper nutrition and hydration are the keys to healthy, younger-looking skin.
Positive Outlook in Life
Depression can be attributed to poor diet. Eating foods rich in B vitamins helps counter the blues. A happy disposition is the culmination of a healthy diet and a regular exercise program. The more you engage yourself in living a healthy lifestyle, the better it is for your emotional well-being. Nothing beats a well-nourished and active body, alongside good sleep and youthful appearance, to make you feel good about yourself. At the end of the day, happy people are healthy people.

Kate Trillin is a freelance writer who specialises in proper nutrition, healthy eating, and healthy living. She has been an avid health enthusiast for the past 5 years, and has recently ventured into the world of online publishing in an effort to reach a wider audience. Her writing focuses on providing useful tips and information on the benefits of healthy eating and healthy lifestyle. 



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Benefits Of Healthy Eating: Why You Need To Start Eating Healthy

Healthy eating means being mindful of what you put into your body. Time and time again, we've heard the old adage that we are what we eat. However, most people still find it hard to consciously change their eating habits due to a demanding schedule or perhaps the lack of awareness on the significant benefits of healthy eating. What exactly does healthy eating mean and what are the benefits we can get from being extra mindful of what we eat on a regular basis?
Eating a well-balanced diet means consuming a variety of foods from the food pyramid. Finding the balance between eating too much and eating too little of these food groups makes a whole lot of difference in our health. Simply put, we need to eat more vegetables, fruits, fish, starchy, and fiber-rich foods. On the one hand, we need to limit our consumption of foods rich in sugar, salt, fats, and preservatives. By eating a well-balanced diet, we are doing ourselves a big favor. Not only is it healthy to eat a well-balanced diet, it also affects our entire lifestyle and, in fact, add more vibrancy and richness into our lives. Here are the most important benefits of healthy eating:

Weight Loss

This is perhaps one of the most important benefits associated with healthy eating. Choosing organic, all-natural foods over high-calorie foods allows you to shed excess body weight. With all the fad diets available in the market today, only a well-balanced diet with regular exercise can truly help you lose weight the proper way. Healthy eating ensures that you get the proper nutrition while keeping your weight in check by limiting fatty, sugary, and salty foods in your diet. As you slowly cultivate healthy eating habits, you'll be surprised that this is in fact the best way to keep your body in shape for good and for always.
Higher Energy Levels
Since a healthy diet includes a good balance of protein and carbohydrates, you will instantly feel energized day in and day out. In the simplest terms, breakfast is one of the most important meals required in healthy eating. By feeding your body with protein and carbohydrates, you'll eventually improve your focus and concentration all through out the day, making you more productive both at work and at home. No more sluggish days brought by unhealthy fast food or salty foods.
Improved Sleeping Patterns
This is a common issue for people who regularly eat unhealthy food. Without knowing it, unhealthy eating habits contribute a great deal to your stress levels, making it hard for you to get a good night's rest. Healthy eating provides the proper nutrition that helps your body cope with stress and prevent hormonal imbalance. This will help you combat daily stressors, and trains your body to be calm and relaxed amidst stressful and demanding situations.

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Running for beginners

10 WEIGHT LOSS Life Hacks to LOSE WEIGHT FAST and EASY! (Tips That Actua...

Electrolytes for runners

Electrolytes for runners: The Definitive Guide

The media can be a very confusing place. It is hard to know what to listen to, and what is pure manipulation, as companies try to trick us to purchasing their product.

How do you know what to listen to?
Well, at RunnersConnect, we like to sort through all the “fluff”, and find the information that really helps you run as fast as you can.
One thing that definitely does matter to you as a runner is hydration, but you already knew that.
But what about electrolytes?
The big drinks companies have been telling us about the importance of them for years, and they are right….to an extent, but not in the way you think.
If you have ever cramped in a marathon, run on a hot summers day, or sweat to the point where the salt crystalized around your eyes, you definitely have required electrolytes.
Even if you have not, if you have lived and breathed, your body needed electrolytes, and we are going to explain what they are, and how you can keep yours up to where they should be (without risking diabetes by constantly taking in sugary drinks!).

How is this running article different to others?
Instead of writing yet another useless “news flash” article about how you need to drink more in the summer, I’m going delve into some of the specifics of summer hydration – how electrolytes and hydration go hand-in-hand.
Now:
Most running articles discuss hydration and mention that electrolytes are necessary, however, they fail to explain what electrolytes are and why keeping them balanced is crucial to a runner’s health and success.

What are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes are similar to laundry soap in your washing machine; although soap doesn’t make your washer run, it is necessary to get your clothes clean. Like laundry soap, balanced electrolytes are necessary for your digestive, cardiac, muscular and nervous systems to function well.
Electrolytes are sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca 2+), magnesium, (Mg 2+), chloride (Cl-), phosphate (PO4 2-), bicarbonate (HCO3-), and sulfate (SO4 2-). Sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium are the four major electrolytes that maintain the body’s fluid balance.
As a side note, the + and – symbols mean these minerals are ionic. Their ionic nature gives the electrolytes the ability to carry electrical energy to keep the body’s systems functioning.

Why is electrolyte balance important for runners?

For a runner, keeping your electrolytes balanced is key for successful training and optimum performance. If your electrolytes are imbalanced, you could potentially compromise the success of your next run because of muscle fatigue or cramping. Along with the more frequent muscle cramps in the legs, stomach cramps or side stitches can also be the result of an electrolyte imbalance.
But wait, there’s more:
Other electrolyte imbalance symptoms are: muscle spasms, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, constipation, dark urine, decreased urine output, dry mouth and foul breath, dry skin, muscle weakness or stiff and achy joints.
Bathroom frequency and urine color are often the easiest and simplest way to assess your hydration and electrolyte levels.

Although bladder size is a consideration, an average, healthy adult, should urinate 5-8 times a day and the color should be a light straw yellow. This is especially important to note after hard workouts or long runs.

You shouldn’t be going 5-6 hours between bathroom stops if you’re well hydrated.

Electrolyte balance and cramping

Here’s the deal:
While running you lose electrolytes through your sweat, mainly sodium and potassium. Potassium permits the movement of fluids and nutrients across your cells’ membranes, thus allowing them to carry on their metabolic activities such as contacting muscles.
Without sufficient potassium, your muscles cells can’t generate the necessary nerve impulses that control muscle contraction.
Cramping is the body’s way of letting you know the electrolyte tank is empty and it cannot continue; it’s like a car running out of gas. Even you’ve never experienced cramping, electrolytes need to be replenished after sessions longer than a hour to facilitate optimal recovery.

For Sodium, can I just add more salt to my food?

Just because sodium is an electrolyte, don’t assume your daily sodium consumption will replenish your electrolyte loss from your run.
First, sodium causes water retention. Consuming sodium alone and not in combination with other electrolytes may cause severe swelling of the hands, feet and ankles.
Second, the body monitors electrolyte losses during the run through hormones. After a run, if sodium is consumed in high amounts without other electrolytes to balance, it neutralizes the hormonal system and disrupts the bodies regulation processes.
Sodium should be consumed in combination with other electrolytes to assist proper electrolyte balance.

Electrolyte Options

Now that we understand the function and importance of replenishing your electrolytes, we can discuss the best possible options to replenish quickly and efficiently.
Of course, you can always opt for electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and Powerade, but those often contain high amounts of simple sugar. When you’re replenishing electrolytes throughout the day, you don’t want to be consuming high amounts of simple and artificial sugars.
Now:
While sports drinks are easy when racing, when you’re replenishing electrolytes throughout the day, you don’t want to be consuming high amounts of simple and artificial sugars.  That is why we like EnduroPacks Spray as you can add it to any drink of your choice, and it contains all the essential electrolytes you need to maintain levels.
You could also look into Hammer Fizz, Nuun, and Nathan Catalyst as flavored alternatives to put in your drinks.

Individual sweat rates

When it comes to losing and replenishing electrolytes every runner is different. Some runners are “salty sweaters” and some people sweat very little.
I personally am a very salty sweater and I have found that the Nuun tablets work best for me. EnduroPacks is also a great option as you can determine how much you need to take based on your needs.


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How Important are Electrolytes For Runners?

Potassium

While sodium is our principle extracellular cation (positively charged ion), potassium is our principal intracellular cation.
The normal functioning of the human body depends on an intricate balance of potassium and sodium concentrations. Potassium plays a critical role in nerve impulse transmission, maintaining cellular fluid volume and pH, muscle contraction, heart function and tissue growth and repair. Additionally, potassium helps our body hold onto calcium, while excessive sodium leads to both potassium and calcium loss (Rhoades and Pflanzer, 1996; Schauss, 1998).
Potassium is not as readily lost in sweat, partially because the composition of sweat is more similar to extracellular fluids, and potassium is primarily found intracellularly.
However, prolonged sweating in hot environments does lead to potassium loss through sweat, which may have significant consequences. The Committee on Military Nutrition Research, Food and Nutrition Board published a book called Fluid Replacement and Heat Stress. The chapter entitled “Potassium Deficiency as the Result of Training in Hot Weather” came to the conclusion that potassium loss in extreme training conditions may adversely effect blood flow, muscle function and energy storage, impairing both endurance and performance.

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Magnesium

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation in the body. Almost 60% is found in bone and the rest stored intracellularly.
Magnesium has an effect on many cellular functions, including transport of calcium and potassium, DNA and protein synthesis, energy metabolism, and blood sugar maintenance. It is also important for normal neurological and muscular function, including key involvement in cardiac and smooth muscle contractions (Groff, Gropper et al., 1995).
Most Americans consume less than the estimated average requirement for magnesium. This comes as no mystery when examining the standard American diet - refining foods has removed magnesium from many foods that would have otherwise provided it while fortification practices have not included magnesium when adding back some of the lost nutrients.
For example, olive, corn and peanut oils are all devoid of magnesium, while their whole-food predecessors are rich sources of this mineral.
Similarly, white flour contains far less magnesium than whole-wheat flour (Seelig 2003).
Other significant food sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables and legumes, which are low in the standard American diet. Additionally, people are consuming less “hard water” (water that contains magnesium and calcium), and more “soft water” or distilled bottled water, shorting them on another historical source of magnesium (Seelig 1980). 

The Magnesium Website (www.mgwater.com) highlights this concept with a quote from Groundwater Resources of British Columbia, Canada:

"According to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (1977) there have been more than 50 studies, in nine countries, that have indicated an inverse relationship between water hardness and mortality from cardiovascular disease. That is, people who drink water that is deficient in magnesium and calcium generally appear more susceptible to this disease. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has estimated that a nation-wide initiative to add calcium and magnesium to soft water might reduce the annual cardiovascular death rate by 150,000 in the United States." ( Dr. Harold D. Foster, " Groundwater and Human Health," Groundwater Resources of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks and Environment Canada, pp 6.1-6.3 (reprint), 1994. 

Though only negligible amounts of magnesium are lost in sweat under normal conditions, there is still some evidence that prolonged exertion in hot and humid environments can decrease serum magnesium, which could prove to be clinically significant in individuals with marginal magnesium status.
Additionally, although magnesium levels may return to normal after some training sessions, over a prolonged period of regular exertion, magnesium levels may remain suboptimal. One theory is that elevated metabolic activity, such as that found in prolonged exertion, increases the requirement for magnesium. A plausible mechanism could be increased lipolysis, or the breakdown of fat, which has been shown directly relate to a decrease in plasma magnesium (Rayssiguier, Guezennec et al., 1990).
Dr. Whang, in his paper entitled “Electrolyte and Water Metabolism in Sports Activities,” makes the argument for the addition of magnesium to sports beverages to support healthy circulation, blood sugar control and potassium levels (Whang, 1998).
Furthermore, some researchers have even implicated magnesium loss (and not the traditionally assumed sodium loss) in the pathogenesis of “miner’s cramps” (a condition, also known as “heat cramps,” in which minors, after prolonged exposure to a hot environment, would experience painful cramps when attempting to rehydrate with plain water) (Rayssiguier, Guezennec et al., 1990; Berning and Steen 1998).
Even at the 2008 Superbowl, played at a moderate temperature of the mid-70’s indoors, numerous well-conditioned athletes had to leave the field of play due to muscle cramping.


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Balanced Diet

Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium in Food

Sodium and chloride

Usually a package deal, sodium and chloride are the major extracellular electrolytes in the human body, sodium providing the positive charge and chloride the negative charge. In addition to providing balance to one another, these ions are essential for maintaining blood volume and pH (Schauss, 1998). 

Sodium and chloride also happen to be the main electrolytes lost in sweat, especially during prolonged exertion in warm and hot environments. Though the average American consumes substantially more than enough sodium chloride, there are some individuals and situations in which these electrolytes should be supplemented. 

Those who experience higher than average sweating, either through recreational activities such as long-distance running, professional athletics, or mining, construction work, and the armed forces, need to replace both their fluids and their electrolytes (especially sodium and chloride) to maintain a healthy balance.

Drinking water alone can sometimes be counter-productive, as it will decrease the osmolality (concentration of ions) of the extracellular fluid, signaling the kidney to let go of even more fluid to find a balance. This “diluted blood” also tends to shut off the thirst mechanism. 

Because strenuous exercise actually requires fluid replacement to be slightly above fluid loss, thirst is a key way to assure that individuals will replace an adequate amount of fluid. 

Eating solid food is an effective way of replacing sodium and chloride, however there are many instances when this would be impossible or impractical. 

Therefore, adding sodium and chloride to the water of individuals who regularly sweat will not only replace the loss of these essential electrolytes, but will also help maintain proper blood osmolality, assuring thirst and kidney mechanisms to maintain adequate blood volume and hydration (Maughan and Shirreffs, 1997).

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Lose Weight Fast with LEMON, GINGER Weight Loss Detox Tea

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are the charged substances that result when a salt is dissolved in solution. These positive and negatively charged ions can conduct electricity, and are thus referred to as “electrolytes.” For instance, common table salt is sodium chloride (NaCl). When dissolved in water (or blood), it separates into a positively charged sodium ion (Na+) and a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl-). Important electrolytes for physiological functions in humans include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), and chloride (Cl-).
As a group, these electrolytes are involved in countless activities essential for life, including energy production, nerve transmission, muscle contractions, pH balance, fluid balance, and more. The human body, the amazing self-regulating organism that it is, has a number of mechanisms in place to maintain proper electrolyte balance.
However, human beings, the amazing boundary-pushers that we are, have put ourselves in a variety of situations that may threaten this balance—extreme environments, heavy physical activity, and inadequate diets can all contribute to situations in which humans have to give their normally self-regulating bodies a helping hand. In other words, under average conditions, healthy individuals will meet their electrolyte requirements over the course of a normal day by eating and drinking.
But when conditions promote excessive sweating and increased metabolic activity, especially those who have marginal electrolyte intake may place themselves at risk for deficiency. Environmental factors, such as a sharp decrease in the amount of minerals people now consume in their drinking water or eat in their foods, especially when too much sodium is consumed, can move more people into an electrolyte imbalance.


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What is the difference between a vitamin and a mineral?

Many of us have wondered about this. Vitamins are organic in nature and can be broken down with heat, or exposure to oxygen. Minerals are inorganic and maintain their chemical structure. Our bodies need both! Minerals are known as the keys to vibrancy, the spark of life…vitality. Minerals exist in quantities that our body requires much more of – more than 100 mg per day – macro nutrients. Next,  are Trace Minerals which is the term used to refer to the micro nutrients we need in less than 20 milligrams per day, yet they are still vital to many of our body’s systems.

Sufficient minerals are needed to supply every system of our body

Minerals are nothing more than elements – that’s right the same elements you learned about in high school chemistry. The famous periodic table lists all of the earth’s known elements. Our bodies are made of these very same elements. Things like iron. zinc, and magnesium. The task of daily living – including all of the body’s incredible processes – depletes these elements and they must be replenished regularly.  Some of the metabolic functions trace minerals aid are reproduction, development, and immunity. Our bodies can only function properly if we have these elements at the proper balance within our body.

Sufficient minerals are needed to supply every system of our body. For example, our circulatory system needs iron, our muscles need sulphur, and our bones need calcium. But most of us are not even aware when our bodies are lacking these necessary minerals! Often we may not notice something is lacking until we have experienced numerous nagging symptoms that finally cause us to analyze what is happening in our body.  Frequent fatigue, joint pain, lack of sound sleep, digestive issues, inability of muscles to quickly recover after exercise, and even much worse symptoms like loss of bone density. If minerals are the key to our body’s “spark”, then when the spark goes out we can start by taking at look here. Not enough of each mineral can lead to a deficiency causing some of the symptoms we’ve mentioned. Yet, too much of one trace element can lead to an imbalance. These micro nutrients, do not exist independently but work symbiotically to create the perfect balanced environment for ultimate health.

The problem that exists is that minerals both macro and micro (Trace)  are no longer found in plenty in our earth’s soil. In ancient times eating foods like grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, grown in nutrient rich soil was enough to ensure our bodies had the minerals they needed.  Our bodies require nearly 2/3 of all known elements in order to function at its optimum, and our bodies cannot produce its own minerals. It must consume them! Simply put we must eat, digest and absorb minerals.  A colourful, variety of fruits and vegetables (organic is best when possible!), and a broad spectrum celtic, sea, or himalayan salt are the building blocks for feeding your body well.

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Digestive System of Human Body

Healthy Low Calorie Foods

'Calorie' is unit of measurement for energy. 1 calorie is the amount of heat needed to raise 1 kilogram of water 1 degree of centigrade. Which means, the higher the calorie contained in food, the more energy it will release when burned. Low calorie food is the main key to lower body weight.
The fact is, high calories are caused by high amount of fat in foods. The order of macronutrients of food is separated into 3 types (protein, carbohydrates, and fat). Out of these 3, for every gram of fat, 9 calories are produced while for every gram of carbohydrates and protein only 4 calories are produced. Fat itself are separated into 3 different types: saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated.

Fish is one example of low calorie foods. Many types of fish contain less than 1 gram of fat per 100g of meat. Chicken is another good low calorie food. Depending on how you cook it and part of chicken, 100grams of meat may contain as little as 1 to 2 grams of fat.
Did you know that for every time you dine in restaurant, you are eating easily 1000 - 2000 calories! Furthermore, this meal may contain up to 100 grams of fat.
Below is a list of foods that are low in calorie and fat.
Food#1: Nuts and seeds. For a protein boost, eat small unsalted serving. This food however, is nutritional dense.
Food#2: Dairy product. Parmesan cheese, low-fat milk, and yogurt are healthy option to get protein. However it is high in fat and should be consumed moderately.
Food#3: vegetables. Vegetables contain high protein and low in fat. Vegetables are healthy choice for low calorie diets.
Food #4: Tofu. Tofu contains little fat and up to 10 grams of protein per serving. It is also high in nutritional value.

Furthermore, here are some tips that will lower your food calories.
Tips #1: Replace butter, margarine, and hard fats with low fat spreads or polyunsaturated margarine.
Tips #2: Place meat on rack when grilling or roasting meat. This allows the fat to drain.
Tips #3: Use tofu or beans as alternate protein source. They are low in calorie and cheaper.
Tips #4: When cooking meats, always trim away visible fats and skins.
Tips #5: Eats out less often and eat more home cooked meals. Home cooked meals are healthier.

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RELAX a Painful Tight Trapezius Muscle in Neck Fast: Exercises, Stretche...

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is an ancient and natural healing process that dates back at least 5,000 years to Egyptian and Oriental cultures. Some call it a kin to Acupuncture because specific points and target areas guide practitioners of both techniques. However, Acupuncture incorporates the use of fine needles applied to the entire body, whereas Reflexology does not use needles and concentrates on the feet. Reflexology can also be performed on the hands and ears.

The science of Reflexology considers the feet to be mini-maps of the human body, with each organ, gland, and part of the body linked to a corresponding reflex area or point in the foot. By targeting a certain area or point, Reflexology speeds relief to the corresponding part of the body.

A Reflexologist can work on different parts of the feet to facilitate healing for individual conditions, however, it is desirable to work on all areas to put the entire body into balance. Some examples of how Reflexology assists in healing, or simply alleviating specific pain or discomfort, are as follows:

Condition: Menstrual cramps Area(s) of the foot a Reflexologist would concentrate on: Ankle Top of the Foot Inner Heel

Corresponding area in the body to these points in the foot: Reproductive Organs

Condition: Back, Shoulder & Neck Tension

Area(s) of the foot a Reflexologist would concentrate on: Inside Edge of Foot

Corresponding area in the body to these points in the foot: Spine

Condition: Digestive Problems Area(s) of the foot a Reflexologist would concentrate on: Center of Arch

Corresponding area in the body to these points in the foot: Large and Small Intestines By helping the body self-regulate and balance itself, Reflexology has a unique capacity to relieve stress buildup. Beyond the specific results that have been reported-relief from migraines, constipation, colds/flu symptoms, back/neck pain, digestive problems-Reflexology creates an overall calm that seems to envelop the body, allowing the body and mind to decompress and release energy flow. As a result, the body experiences greater stamina and energy, enhanced productivity and creativity, and emotional equilibrium. Clients with chronic problems such as allergies, chemical dependencies, and weight management issues also report significant improvement.

Is Reflexology a medical treatment? No. Reflexology is not a medical treatment, nor is it a foot massage. Rather, Reflexology is a distinct system of natural healing. It is both a science that requires study, sound technique and practiced skills, and an art that must be approached with dedication and patience.

Does Reflexology hurt? It is rare that a client reports pain during a Reflexology session. Twenty-six bones, 56 ligaments, 38 muscles, and 7,000 nerves make up each foot, therefore there is a lot of territory stimulated during a session. The sensations experienced during a Reflexology session are felt in the feet, not in the corresponding organs, glands or body parts. However, it is common for a client to feel sore in various parts of his/her body 1-2 days after a session. The reason for the soreness is because toxins are released from the feet during a session and often it takes the body's own elimination system some time to flush them from the body. An open dialogue between client and therapist is encouraged so that the client gets the most out of his/her session.

Who uses Reflexology today? Reflexology is easy to learn and yet so powerful. It has grown so popular in recent years that surgeons and other medical doctors, chiropractors, podiatrists, dentist, nurses, midwives, physical therapists, occupational therapists and massage therapists use it as a complimentary modality. To illustrate how it can be used in conjunction with medical practices, imagine the following scenario: A pregnant woman has gone into labor. Although some of the pain she experiences can be treated with modern pharmaceuticals, she still suffers from pain and discomfort in her lower back and neck. In order to help relieve her neck/back pain, Reflexology is performed on her feet, specifically to the inside edges-a very non-invasive treatment to an internal problem. There are no needles and nothing needs to be exposed other than her feet. In just on hour, she feels a renewed sense of calm and her neck/back pain has subsided, allowing her to focus on the miracle of childbirth! In addition, many interested lay people choose to learn Reflexology to help reduce stress in their everyday lives, or in the lives of friends and family members.

Is Reflexology safe? Reflexology safe to practice on persons of all ages, including children and seniors, and regular sessions have been known to assist in various chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, addictions, terminally ill, and obesity.



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The Many Health Benefits of Selenium Will Amaze You

The importance of trace minerals in the body cannot be overstated, especially when talking about the benefits of selenium. Your bodys immune system must have the right vitamins and minerals to work, and they all have their importance. But selenium is one of the special trace minerals, that can really help you if it's adequately in your system, or can lead you to illness and death if it is not.

Selenium is found in nearly every cell of your body, pancreas, spleen and kidneys and insures normal liver function. Like other essential minerals, selenium acts as an antioxidant that destroys free radicals that roam the body like little devastators. More and more, this super mineral is being linked to its role in combating a number of human diseases and illnesses.

Major benefits of selenium include heart and cancer protection

Seleniums role in protecting the heart is an incredible one. This mineral helps prevent your blood from sticking to the inside of your arteries, decreasing the risk of clotting, heart attack and stroke. How's that for a triple-threat? And, benefits of selenium include elevating levels of good cholesterol, another advantage in keeping your heart healthy.

Cancer has a natural enemy in selenium. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, high levels of selenium in the blood decrease many forms of cancer including prostate, colorectal and lung. The antioxidant properties of selenium actually prevent the formation of some cancer cells and tumor cells. And because selenium effectively raises the fighting levels of the immune system, studies show that the development of blood vessels, that support and grow tumors, is suppressed! Needless to say, medical research is conducting ongoing selenium testing against many other forms of cancer.

This essential mineral is important in overall body health, too. For instance, it's been shown to help increase male potency and fight arthritis. Its antioxidant quality helps defend the body from the effects of alcohol and other toxins. And like copper, it has an important maintenance role in your skin and your hair. Selenium supplementation helps improve asthma symptoms and helps patients recover quicker from pneumonia and bronchitis.

Certain foods, supplementation can give you the benefits of selenium

If you can find produce that has been grown in selenium-rich soil, improve your diet with nuts, oats, brown rice and leafy greens. However, most foods that used to contain beneficial levels of selenium don't have those levels, anymore. That's because farm soil has been worked so many times, that selenium levels have plummetted.

So, keep eating as healthy a diet as you can, but know that most doctors today recommend that you take a selenium supplement, so that you can maintain a healthy selenium level. The prescribed selenium dosages are 55mcg daily for women, and 70mcg daily for men. However, for cancer patients or patients with a larger risk of cancer, doctors recommend dosages of up to 400mcg to get the full benefits of selenium.

As you can see, selenium is an all-around super trace mineral that can help your body in so many important ways. Trace minerals like selenium prove the old adage that good things really do come in small packages. Your body must have selenium, so if you do not take a multi-vitamin, chances are you're shorting yourself on this essential mineral. Get some selenium into your diet just as soon as you can, so that you can start getting the healthy benefits of selenium.


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Top 10 Alkaline Foods You Should Be Eating Everyday

How To Detox Your Liver

Caloric Restriction Method

Calorie restriction is an effective method of reducing calorie intake to slow down the process of aging. It is also known as an anti aging diet plan. Recent research conducted into caloric restriction concludes that the life span of several animals like (monkeys, spiders, rats) is extended in case of calorie intake restriction. The problem with this anti aging process is that adequate nutrition must be included in your diet when you start the fasting.

How Does It Work

The purpose of calorie restriction with sufficient nutrition is to improve immunity while increasing the population of T-cells, lowering the level of triiodothyronine and cytokine interleukin-6. The connection between anti aging and calorie restriction may be a result of efficient immunity, which reduces the disease susceptibility. Some people call it fasting process in which they need to limit intake of dietary to an amount of 25-30 percent while eating the diet with adequate micronutrients and lean protein. Recent scientist research has proven that there are some pathways of molecular that influence the process of aging. Fasting also increases immunity performance and inhibit molecular pathways interfering with the process of aging. The reduction of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in caloric restriction may work well by reducing the amount of harmful proteins and glycation like protein molecules and sugar.

While following this anti aging program, nutrition diet should be taken. Nutrient dense, low calorie foods like fruits and vegetables are chosen over high carbohydrate, sugars and other items. A person should seek the assistance of the expert on nutrition and have a daily check-up with their anti aging expert.

Why We Need To Fellow Calorie Restriction Program

Research model on rats shows that such individuals who consume a lot of calories have a short life span. If people restrict their calorie intake over lifetimes, their life span increase from 3 to 7 percent or even up to 20 years achieved by following drastic calorie restriction. There are many benefits of calorie restrictions including improved function of immune system, low blood pressure, improve heath of cardiovascular, improve function of thyroid, increased hormone level and reduced risk of lymphoma, autoimmune disease, certain cancer and kidney disease.

Despite calorie restriction promise to increase life span, it remains a quite misunderstood lifestyle. Some people associated it with constant huger, fasting, near-starvation and malnutrition due to inadequate intake of nutrients. If the calorie restriction food is undertaken correctly, it gives you a healthy living accompanied by weight loss and other health benefits.

Robert Bernard is a antiaging expert who is conducting special anti-aging fasting and cleansing programs in Central Europe.





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These 6 Warning Signs Show That Your Liver is Full of Toxins

Water Aerobics For Weight Loss - Does It Work?

Aerobic exercise involves taking in extra oxygen, and this is really good news for your health. Aerobic exercise conditions your cardiovascular system and helps strengthen your heart, resulting in it not having to work as hard to pump blood around your body. Aerobics is usually set to music and incorporates good rhythm and movement, making aerobics a great cardio workout that is ideal for burning calories and losing weight. There are many types of aerobics which are normally performed in gym classes or by individuals in their homes, in addition to these forms of aerobics there is also water aerobics which is performed in a pool.

What Is Water Aerobics?

As the name suggests, water aerobics is an aerobic workout session that takes place in water. It is sometimes called aqua aerobics and as a rule does not include swimming (although this is an aerobic exercise in itself). During a water aerobics session you will perform exercises while standing up in the pool as well as activities which involve moving around in the pool. These may be classic aerobic activities such as knee raises, jumping jacks, and arm circles in addition to walking or jogging in the water. Weights are often used as well to build muscle mass and the side of the pool can also be utilized as an exercise tool for chin ups and pull ups. You can find water aerobics classes in many good gyms and leisure centres. but what are the benefits to performing aerobics in the water?

What Are The Benefits Of Water Aerobics

Water aerobics is a really fun and innovative way to enjoy exercise, but it is far more than just an enjoyable splash around. It is a great activity for losing weight, improving your cardiovascular system and building muscle mass. The reason that water aerobics is so effective is because of the natural resistance provided by the water. This forces your body to work harder as it moves through the water, which builds muscle mass and burns more calories. It also provides you with a low-impact workout because the water supports your body weight, this puts less stress on your body and joints in particular compared with more traditional workouts. This is why exercising in the pool is great for older people and as rehabilitation for people returning from injury. Even though you are in the water, you will still get dehydrated during a session and need to take on board plenty of fluids. You must also warm up properly before starting a session, don't just dive straight in and get going.

So why not try water aerobics for weight loss, and enjoy a really fun and unique exercise experience?


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What You Need to Know About GMOs

What do soda, fast food French fries, margarine, salad dressing, corn chips, and corn flakes all have in common? They all contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms) also know as genetically modified or engineered foods. Read on for answers to the most commonly asked questions about GMOs.
What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms are plants or animals created through the process of genetic engineering. Genetically engineered foods have a piece of DNA from a totally different species, such as bacteria or viruses, spliced into their DNA. Genetically engineered soybeans, for example, have DNA from bacteria and viruses forced into their DNA to help them withstand the onslaught of weed killers such as Roundup. Genetically engineered corn has DNA added so that it has a pesticide built right into it. This process creates a whole new unstable species of plant that would have never occurred in nature. None of the current GMO crops offer increased yield, drought tolerance, or enhanced nutrition.
Hybrid foods are completely different. Hybrids are created when cross pollination occurs between plants. This process can be facilitated by man or it can occur spontaneously in nature.
Which foods are genetically modified?
As of 2012, most corn, soy beans, canola, cotton, and sugar beets are GMO. From these crops, products such as corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, high fructose corn syrup, and many more are created and added to processed foods. This is why nearly 80% of processed and most fast foods contain GMOs.

Other crops that are genetically engineered include Hawaiian papaya, a small amount of zucchini and yellow squash, and alfalfa. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also considering approving a GMO salmon, which would grow much larger and faster than regular salmon.
Are they safe?
Despite what the agricultural industry might say, there is little research on the long-term effects of GMOs on human health and the environment. The FDA has allowed GMOs into our food supply with only the research and assurances of safety from the biotech companies that create them. Interestingly, the person at the FDA responsible for this decision was Michael Taylor, former vice president of public policy at Monsanto (the largest producer of genetically engineered seeds).
Independent research has found that several varieties of GMO corn caused organ damage in rats. Other studies have found that animals were losing their ability to reproduce. There are also concerns that GMOs can increase allergies or cause immune system problems.
Environmental issues are also a cause for concern. GMOs allow farmers to use more weed killers, exposing both us and the environment to more toxins. Super weeds and super bugs that are resistant to the weed killers and the pesticides built into GMOs are now showing up. In addition, GMO crops can cross pollinate with non-GMO crops, irreversibly changing the face of plant life with unknown consequences.
Are they labeled?
The U.S. is one of the only developed nations that does not require labeling of GMOs. Fifty countries including all of Europe and even China require labeling of genetically modified foods. Many European countries have banned GMOs.
Even though they have been in our food supply since 1996, most people in the U.S. know little about GMOs. Actually, the 2006 Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology poll found that only 26% of American consumers believe that they have ever eaten a food that was genetically engineered. The truth is most people, including babies and children, eat them every single day.
Will labeling genetically modified foods increase the cost of food?
The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act will not increase the cost of food for you or food producers. It simply adds a label to genetically engineered food. Companies change their labels all the time. Remember, when companies were required by law to add trans fats to labels, the cost of food did not go up.
What can I do to eat fewer genetically engineered foods?

• Vote "yes" on the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act, which will require that genetically engineered foods are labeled. It will be on the November 2012 ballot. Once GMOs are labeled, we can make an informed choice. We have a right to know what's in the food we are eating and feeding to our families. Visit http://www.carighttoknow.org for more information.


• Buy Organic. All USDA certified organic foods are free of GMOs.


• Avoid nonorganic products that contain GMO foods including soy, corn, canola, cottonseed, and sugar beets. Read labels. If the food contains high fructose corn syrup, corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, it probably contains GMOs.


• Look for the "Non-GMO Project Verified" label. Some companies have voluntarily labeled their foods.


• Shop at Trader Joe's. All of their produce and all Trader Joe's brand foods are free of GMOs. So look for "Trader Joe's" on the label.


• Use the free iPhone app Shop No GMO.


• Go to http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com and download their shopping guide.

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