Hangover Recovery

During the course of the year we find ourselves going to all kinds of events such as birthdays, office luncheons, annual holidays, parties, and special occasions where alcohol is being served. Oftentimes along with feasting we also consume too much alcohol. As a result, we wake up the next morning with a hangover, which we then nurse for the next day or two. So as we approach the end of 2012 and the next New Year's Eve party, I wanted to offer this short article for dealing with a hangover.
This is a quick guide to alleviating or completely avoiding hangover symptoms through an understanding of alcohol itself, physiological changes related to alcohol consumption, and a variety of suggested remedies for specific hangover symptoms.
[Warning: First and foremost let me at least mention that you should always try to drink responsibly and arrange having a designated driver if you will be using your personal vehicle for transportation.]
Classes of Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. Beer and wine are produced by fermentation of sugar- or starch-containing plant material. Beverages produced by fermentation followed by distillation have higher alcohol content and are known as liquor or spirits. The alcoholic strength of beer is usually 4% to 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), but it may be less than 2% or greater than 25%. Beers having an ABV of 60% (120 proof) have been produced by freezing brewed beer and removing water in the form of ice, a process referred to as "ice distilling". Beer is part of the drinking culture of various nations and has acquired social traditions such as beer festivals, pub games, and pub crawling (sometimes known as bar hopping).
Wine is produced from grapes, and from fruits such as plums, cherries, or apples. Wine involves a longer fermentation process than beer and also a long aging process (months or years), resulting in an alcohol content of 9%-16% ABV. Sparkling wine can be made by means of a secondary fermentation. Fortified wine is wine (such as port or sherry), to which a distilled beverage (usually brandy) has been added.
Unsweetened, distilled, alcoholic beverages that have an alcohol content of at least 20% ABV are called spirits. Spirits are produced by the distillation of a fermented base product. Distilling concentrates the alcohol. For the most common distilled beverages, such as whiskey and vodka, the alcohol content is around 40%. Spirits can be added to wines to create fortified wines, such as port and sherry.
A 2009 study provided evidence that darker-colored liquors, such as bourbon, cause worse hangovers than lighter-colored liquors, such as vodka. The higher amount of "congeners" found in darker liquors compared to lighter ones was indicated as the cause. Studies that attempt to compare hangover producing potential and hangover severity of different alcoholic drinks suggest the following ordering (starting with the least hangover-inducing):
Distilled ethanol diluted in fruit juice, beer, vodka, gin, white wine, whisky, rum, red wine, and brandy.
Alcohol and its Effects, the Basics

Now let's cover some basics about alcohol. What is alcohol? Alcohol is a distilled or fermented beverage that transforms a grain, fruit, vegetable, or wood into ethanol. Ethanol, glucose, and sucrose are all in the same group of alcohols. Ethanol is the most common form of alcohol one finds in alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect. Alcohol also stimulates insulin production, which speeds up glucose metabolism and can result in low blood sugar, causing irritability and (for diabetics) possible death. Alcohol intoxication affects the brain and causing symptoms such as slurred speech, delayed reflexes, vomiting or unconsciousness. Alcohol also limits the production of vasopressin (ADH) from the hypothalamus and the secretion of this hormone from the posterior pituitary gland. This is what causes the intense thirst that goes along with a hangover.
Now when alcohol builds up in the bloodstream faster than it can be metabolized by the liver, we enter a physiological state known as drunkenness or inebriation. Alcohol is metabolized by a normal liver at the rate of about one ounce (one two-ounce shot of spirits, a normal beer, a regular sized glass of wine) every 90 minutes. An "abnormal" liver with conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gall bladder disease, and cancer will have a slower rate of metabolism.

Ethanol's acute effects are largely due to its nature as a central nervous system depressant, and are dependent on blood alcohol concentrations. Here's a breakdown of what effects one can expect to experience from alcohol consumption according to the quantity you consume:
20-99 mg/dL - Impaired coordination and euphoria
100-199 mg/dL - Ataxia, poor judgment, labile mood
200-299 mg/dL - Marked ataxia, slurred speech, poor judgment, labile mood, nausea and vomiting
300-399 mg/dL - Stage 1 anesthesia, memory lapse, labile mood
400+ mg/dL - Respiratory failure, coma
In addition to respiratory failure and accidents caused by effects on the central nervous system, alcohol causes significant metabolic derangements. Hypoglycemia occurs due to ethanol's inhibition of gluconeogenesis, especially in children, and may cause lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis and acute renal failure.
Some effects of alcohol intoxication are central to alcohol's desirability as a beverage. For example, some desirable effects from small quantities of alcohol consumption are euphoria and lowered social inhibitions. Other symptoms include slurred speech, impaired balance, loss of muscle coordination (ataxia), flushed face, dehydration, vomiting, reddened eyes, and erratic behavior. Other effects are unpleasant or dangerous because alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once.
This last point, the fact that alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once, is crucial to understanding the nature of a hangover. Why? Because everyone experiences different symptoms from their hangover, each hangover has to be dealt with individually. Here are 2 reasons underlying hangovers with completely different characteristics.

Many people from East Asian descent have a mutation in their genes that causes them to suffer from alcohol flush reaction, in which acetaldehyde accumulates after drinking, leading to immediate and severe hangover symptoms. Because for them a little alcohol goes a long way, they are also less likely to become alcoholics.
Older people report that their hangovers grow worse as they age. This is caused by declining supplies of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme involved in metabolizing alcohol.
So what we've come to is the fact that there is currently no empirical proof for hangover prevention except reducing the amount of ethanol consumed or waiting for the body to metabolize the alcohol ingested. This only happens when the liver oxidizes the alcohol. So what this means is that the most effective way to avoid any of the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover is to control or avoid drinking.
Thus, no two hangovers are the same.
The Physiology of a Hangover
Excessive consumption of alcohol causes a delayed effect called a hangover. The hangover starts after the euphoric effects of ethanol have subsided. Hypoglycemia, dehydration, acetaldehyde intoxication, and glutamine rebound are all theorized causes of hangover symptoms. Hangover symptoms may persist for several days after alcohol was last consumed. Some aspects of a hangover are even viewed as symptoms of acute ethanol withdrawal, similar to the longer-duration effects of withdrawal from alcoholism.
Because alcohol impairs the ability of the liver to compensate for a drop in blood glucose levels, especially for the brain, it can result in the depletion of the liver's supply of glutathione, a detoxification agent, reducing its ability to effectively remove alcohol and its byproducts from the bloodstream. Since glucose is the primary energy source of the brain, this lack of glucose (hypoglycemia) contributes to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, mood disturbances, and decreased attention and concentration related to a hangover.
The human body is a system of systems so physiological changes in one system changes others. That's why the best approach is to try to handle several symptoms by resolving alcohol-related issues in multiple body systems simultaneously. For example, when you ingest alcohol, the salivary glands secrete enzymes to combine with the alcoholic beverage to make it more suitable for processing in the stomach and intestines. As the alcohol circulates throughout the digestive system and blood stream it moves from one system to another. Just one drink affects the central nervous system, the digestive system, the endocrine system, the muscular system, the immune system, and the respiratory system, so with each additional drink the effects compound and the potential dangers increase. Because the alcohol moves around in the body rather than remaining in an organ, region, or system, its produces a wide range of negative physiological effects.
The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, dehydration, fatigue, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, weakness, elevated body temperature and heart rate, hypersalivation, difficulty concentrating, sweating, anxiety, irritability, erratic motor functions (including tremor), trouble sleeping, severe hunger, halitosis, and lack of depth perception. Many people will also be repulsed by the thought, taste or smell of alcohol during a hangover. The symptoms vary significantly from person to person, and it is not clear whether hangovers directly affect cognitive abilities. The effects of a hangover subside over time.
Just as with lesser cases of low alcohol consumption, cases where excessive amounts of alcohol have been consumed such as with alcohol poisoning treatment strives to stabilize the patient and maintain a clear airway and respiration, while waiting for the alcohol to metabolize. In general, health care professionals will provide treatment for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with 50ml of 50% dextrose solution and saline flush, administer the vitamin thiamine to prevent seizure, check electrolytes to guide fluid replacement, apply hemodialysis (blood transfusion)if the blood concentration is dangerously high, or provide oxygen therapy.
Ineffective or unproven remedies
Recommendations for foods, drinks and activities to relieve hangover symptoms abound, here are some that have been found to be ineffective or unproven.
The "Prairie Oyster" restorative, introduced at the 1878 Paris World Exposition, calls for raw egg yolk mixed with Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper.
And in 1938, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel provided a hangover remedy in the form of a mixture of cola and milk. By some accounts, cola beverages are believed to have been invented as a hangover remedy.
Alcoholic writer Ernest Hemingway relied on tomato juice and beer.
The "Black Velvet" consists of equal parts champagne and flat Guinness Stout.
A 1957 survey by a Wayne State University folklorist found widespread belief in the efficacy of heavy fried foods, tomato juice and sexual activity.
Activities said to be restorative include a shower-alternating very hot and very cold water, exercise, and steam bath or sauna (although medical opinion holds this to be very dangerous, as the combination of alcohol and hyperthermia increases the likelihood of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias).
A 1976 research came to the conclusion that "The results indicate that both fructose and glucose effectively inhibit the metabolic disturbances induced by ethanol but they do not affect the symptoms or signs of alcohol intoxication and hangover." Nevertheless, consumption of honey (a significant fructose and glucose source) is often suggested as a way to reduce some of the effects of hangover.

Food and Alcohol Metabolism
Studies have found that when food is eaten before drinking alcohol, alcohol absorption is reduced and the rate at which alcohol is eliminated from the blood is increased. The mechanism for the faster alcohol elimination appears to be unrelated to the type of food. The likely mechanism is food-induced increases in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and liver blood flow. While this may not decrease your chances for getting a hangover, it's a good idea to eat before you drink, but know that doing so will eliminate the alcohol from your system faster than normal.
Scientifically Based Remedies
Earlier I said that because alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once, each hangover has to be dealt with individually. Why? Because everyone experiences different symptoms from their hangover, different from everyone else, and even from one state of drunkenness compared to another time of drunkenness. So the conclusion here is that there is currently no empirical proof for hangover prevention except reducing the amount of ethanol consumed or waiting for the body to metabolize the alcohol ingested. What this means is that the most effective way to avoid any of the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover is to control or avoid drinking.
But what are we supposed to do if we get a hangover? Sometimes it's not possible to wait for the effects of the hangover to wear off, while coping with the symptoms. We need a way to effectively deal with this situation. You're right, we do. Here's the realization I've come to about how to handle the symptoms of a hangover.

The primary realization is that a hangover is not a thing, instead it's a series of symptoms related to excessive alcohol consumption. That's key.
The second important point is that in order to deal with any one hangover experience effectively you have to deal with the exact symptoms you're going through during a specific hangover. Although there are many common symptoms experienced by most people routinely, sometimes new symptoms appear that were never part of previous hangovers. This is why it's best to handle the symptoms vs. trying to recover from a "hangover."
So below is a list of practices, substances, and products that deal with specific symptoms that should help you fight the effects of hangover whenever they occur. You may also want to go back and re-read this article as there were remedies - such as eating before drinking, timing one's intake per ounce of ingestion, and preventing vomiting by abstinence in order to protect the stomach lining from erosion by alcohol - mentioned earlier that will not appear in this list.
Rehydration: Effective interventions include rehydration, prostaglandin inhibitors, and vitamin B6.
Milk thistle: A small dosage before and after alcohol consumption has been found to alleviate the some of the effects of a hangover such as headaches, sluggishness and nausea. Milk thistle works to regenerate liver cells and when combined with an excessive vitamin D intake from the sun, subjects have experienced rapidly decreasing hangover effects.
Tolfenamic acid is useful for nausea, vomiting, irritation, tremor, thirst, and dryness of mouth.
Vitamin B6 (pyritinol) can help to reduce some, but not all, of the symptoms of hangovers. For this Brewers' yeast or a B6 supplement are recommended.
Chlormethiazole was found to lower blood pressure and adrenaline output and, furthermore, to relieve unpleasant physical symptoms, but did not affect fatigue and drowsiness. Subjects with severe subjective hangover seemed to benefit more from the chlormethiazole treatment than subjects with a mild hangover.
Pedialyte may be an effective remedy for hangovers due to its replacement of lost electrolytes.
Candy or sugar: to raise lowered blood sugar levels caused by alcohol intake. Other options for sweeteners to use are honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, and fructose.
Alcohol: There is a belief that consumption of additional alcohol in decreasing quantity over a period of hours after the onset of a hangover will relieve symptoms. This is based upon the theory that the hangover represents a form of withdrawal and that by satiating the body's need for alcohol the symptoms will be relieved. Certainly the additional alcohol has a sedating and anesthetic effect, which also helps with symptoms. The professional medical opinion holds that the practice merely postpones the symptoms, and courts alcohol dependence and addiction.
Medical marijuana: It is commonly believed that THC, the active chemical in marijuana, is an effective hangover remedy. THC may help ease the main symptoms of hangovers: nausea and headache. The advantage is two-fold; as once a sufferer's nausea has abated, and his appetite is stimulated, hypoglycemia becomes easier to resolve.
A traditional hangover remedy from India is to drink coconut water for the natural electrolytes which will assist in rehydration.
Acetyl-leucine sold under the brand name of Tanganil is believed to help pull you out of the "whirling pit" or spinning sensation felt by people under the influence of alcohol. This is caused by a dysfunction between the nerves which control the notion of balance in the ears and the brain. Tanganil is the standard remedy prescribed to people suffering from chronic vertigo.
Oxygen: There have been anecdotal reports from those with easy access to a breathing oxygen supply - medical staff, SCUBA divers and military pilots - that oxygen can also reduce the symptoms of hangovers caused by alcohol consumption. The theory is that the increased oxygen flow resulting from oxygen therapy improves the metabolic rate, and thus increases the speed at which toxins are broken down.

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Why You Can’t Lose Weight

Why Bother With Breakfast?

They say ignorance is bliss but there are times when ignorance of people makes me sad. One such instance is when people do not think breakfast is important and chose not to include it in their routine. It is said that one should eat like a king for breakfast, queen for lunch and popper for dinner.

Unfortunately for many people, for reasons of their own, dinner happens to be the biggest meal and breakfast is the first one to be skipped. I have always believed that to a large degree, you are what you eat so I think food plays an important part in one's life, especially the quality of life. That is one of the reasons why I take time and effort to not just prepare good food but also to write a lot about it so I spread some awareness in whatever little way I can. Reason I say it makes me sad is because the effects of skipping breakfast may not be seen immediately. But over time one will have to face the consequences. When some of my friends say they do not have breakfast I feel bad because they are not doing any good for their body. In this article I hope to summarise what I have read and understood about the importance of breakfast and also some simple yet quick breakfast ideas to make it easier for you.
Let us look at the impact of having or not having breakfast to better understand why bother with breakfast
1. Weight management - many believe that skipping breakfast so they reduce calories would help them lose weight. It cannot be farther from the truth. When we sleep during the night, our body slows down, so metabolism slows down. When we have something to eat in the morning, we are effectively giving the signal to the body that the day has begun and metabolism should increase. However, people who skip breakfast deny their body of this signal so they feel sluggish as they continue until lunch with slow metabolism. When one feels sluggish and tired, one tends to work less, physically and in turn burns fewer calories. Also, when the body is deprived of food for a long while, cravings begin, especially sugar cravings. This is when we feel like snacking on a chocolate bar or a big fat muffin or cakes etc. This effectively increases the calorie consumption. In summary, a slow metabolism, tired body burning lesser calories and high calorie/fat snacks effectively contribute to weight gain and not weight loss. We all keep hearing about the numerous health problems that can come with being overweight, especially risk of heart diseases and skipping breakfast can potentially lead to being overweight.
2. Lowered cognition - studies have said to have shown that children who have breakfast fare better in problem solving than children who skip breakfast.

Remember that it is not just the rest of the body that gets energy from digested food but also the brain. When the brain is low on energy, one cannot expect it to function effectively. Some studies also show that children who skip breakfast are more likely to have problems concentrating and also have problems with memory when compared with children who have breakfast.
3. Type 2 diabetes - skipping breakfast is said to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If one is already diabetic, it is all the more important to keep sugar fluctuations low which means the body has to be fed at regular intervals. Diabetes is a state of the body that is not particularly easy to manage as the complications of diabetes can be very serious from losing eye sight, heart attacks, having to be amputated. If one is already overweight, the complications get even worse. The effect of diabetes may not be known immediately but the body will be deteriorating gradually. Keeping the blood sugar under control is absolutely important while living with diabetes and skipping meals, that too breakfast will be highly counter-productive for diabetes management.
4. Menstrual irregularities - some studies are said to have shown that girls/women who skip breakfast are likely to have irregular periods.
5. Poor mood - low glucose is said to be responsible for irritability fatigue and tiredness. Some studies show that people who skip breakfast snap at others more easily.
To me the risk of weight gain (and all associated health risks due to being overweight) and risk of diabetes alone are enough to make me run for my breakfast. When it comes to children, it is very important to set up healthy eating habit at an early stage and for that, having breakfast is important. With children getting less and less playtime and exercise these days it is all the more important for them to eat healthy. There is no point in sending them to school to learn stuff if they cannot concentrate and as parents, we need to give them adequate support to enable them to learn. Hopefully, by now you are at least thinking about having breakfast.
I come from a tamil Brahmin family and Brahmin meal plan is quite well known because most of them have a big mid morning meal, later in the afternoon a tiffin or lighter meal is consumed while dinner sometimes is liquid intake or fruits or some cereals, if not curd rice. Reason I mention that is that although some people criticise them for having a heavy meal that early, what modern day dieticians are advising is pretty much similar - have a big breakfast. The meal would normally consist of rice (carbohydrates), dal (protein), vegetables (vitamins and minerals) and ghee (fat) and unless I got it all wrong, this is what constitutes a balanced meal. At this day and age, we barely have the time to make all these before we walk out of the doors to work and neither would our working hours allow such a schedule. So, what are some quick breakfast solutions you could try.
1. Oats porridge - boil a couple of tablespoon of oats in water until it is done (regular oats is better than quick cooking and honestly does not take much time to cook anyway). If you like it sweet, add some milk, sugar or honey or any other sensible sweetener of choice. If you like savory, then add some buttermilk and little salt and consume. Either way, have a banana or any other fruit of choice.
2. Breakfast shake - milk shake or smoothies make great breakfast. Blend a banana sweetened with date syrup or any other natural sweetener (avoid synthetic sweetners or refined sugar) along with some milk. Top with crushed nuts and drink. Adding oat milk instead of cow's milk can help reduce calories and fat and also lend to fibre intake. You could try the same with apple too. You could also use a spoon of wheat germ as topping.
3. Muffin - having a low sugar, bran loaded muffin is a great way to fill you up for the morning. Top a healthy muffin with berries and eat along with a glass of juice. Plenty of healthy muffin recipes are available, try making enough over the weekend itself. I would say it probably takes about 10 minutes to make the muffin batter and about 20 minutes baking time and that would be your breakfast sorted for a week!
4. Breakfast sandwich - you could make these with leftovers too. You could use chapattis or pita breads or wholemeal breads and stuff them with left over sabjis or any vegetable of choice. Over the weekends I tend to quickly sauté grated courgette, spice it with cumin, chilly and coriander powder and make a grilled wholemeal sandwich. This helps me get one of my five a day vegetables as well. You can try the same with paneer or grated cauliflower, cabbage etc. Peanut butter sandwich is a good option as well.
5. Toast and beans - beans also contribute to one of five a day. This option is okay if you have the time to sit down and have your breakfast.
6. Low fat flapjacks - I make my own flapjack which is a bit more chewy than regular ones. I use very little brown sugar but add dry fruits and dates syrup to sweeten instead. Believe it or not small portions of these oats rich almost no added fat flapjacks are a great start to the day.
7. Multi grain porridge - back home it is common practice for moms to make a multi grain powder. It usually consists or wheat, barley, finger millet, sago, almonds and cardamom for flavouring. One can add couple of heaped spoons of this to water, bring to boil while stirring, add jaggery or sugar and milk.

8. Healthy pancakes - make your own pancake mix by adding either the above mentioned porridge powder or wholewheat powder along with some millet powder. Add mashed banana or pureed apple or blueberries, if you want it sweeter, add syrup like dates syrup to make a batter. I tend to skip the baking powder or soda bicarb as it inhibits nutrition absorption. You could add little all purpose flour to ease flipping the pancake. Pour the batter on hot tava and drizzle oil/butter/ghee. Cook both sides, eat.
9. Bread omelet - beat an egg and add salt and required vegetables like tomato, onion, mushroom etc. and make an omelet. Grab couple of toasts and a glass of juice. Having protein earlier in the day is said to be better than later.

10. Museli - combine wheat flakes, oat flakes, rye flakes, barley flakes with some dry fruits like raisins, currants, seeds like pumpkin seed. Serve with seasonal fruits and milk.
11. Quick French toast - cut couple of bread slices into four triangles each. Dip them in beaten egg (season it as needed) and cook on hot tava. Drizzle some oil or butter while cooking. Cook both sides and that's a good breakfast on the go.
12. Millet gruel - Millet is usually considered poor man's food but truth is many people who work hard physically have ragi gruel often for breakfast. It keeps them full for long although they are involved in intense work. One way of preparing is similar to multi grain porridge mentioned previously. Another method is to mix it with some buttermilk and let it sit overnight. Next morning add little water if needed and cook while stirring, until it is shiny. Season with salt and drink. Millets are low fat protein sources.
I hope at least one or two of the above options suit your taste and timing. On weekends one can indulge a bit more by making cooked breakfast and a number of such recipes are available on my blog as well.
Make healthy choices for your life, remember, prevention is better than cure. One can skip any meal, but not breakfast regardless of whether one is hungry or not. For the other meals you can go as per your body, eat when hungry but breakfast is an exception. Do not wait for the 'right' day to start having breakfast, there is no bad time to do the right thing. Live long, live happy, live healthy!

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Military Diet: Lose 10 Pounds In 3 Days

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Balance Your Fats - The Benefits of Omega 3 6 and 9

If our decisions about fat are made based on fear and guilt, how do we eat well? Where's the pleasure, if it is soon wiped away by negative thoughts? What do we really know about fats?
Thinking positive about fats means we need to get to know them. Let's start with the polyunsaturates. We often hear that we should reduce the saturated fat, cut out trans fats, and eat more polyunsaturates. As the title suggests, we are looking here at the balance of these polyunsaturated fatty acids in our diet.
The main issue here is that we have evolved in an environment where we got the main two polyunsaturates, omega-6 and omega-3, in a certain ratio. Our bodies process both of them using the same enzyme. This worked fine for thousands and thousands of years. Then we started getting more of one in our diets. The ratio changed. Things were no longer in balance. Does this make a difference? There are plenty of scientists around who think it does. Why is that?

Firstly, when omega-3 and omega-6 are waiting to be metabolized by the enzymes, omega-6 gets to the head of the queue. If the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is high, the omega-3 doesn't get taken up by the body properly. We can lose the benefit of what we are getting in our diet.
Secondly, this very new change in our diet appears to have some problems. We need some omega-6 in our diet. It is an essential fatty acid; our body needs it but cannot make it. What seems to be happening is that a diet high in omega-6 can give rise to low-level inflammation. There are lots of chronic diseases where inflammation is a feature, often an uncomfortable one, such as in some forms of arthritis.
Third on the list of issues is metabolism. There is some evidence that omega-6 fatty acids encourage the body to store fat. Over thousands of years, when people didn't get so much omega-6 in their diet, those who lived outside the tropics got a glut in autumn. Fattening up before a chilly winter is a sensible thing for a mammal to do, because you can live off your reserves of fat when food is scarce. Our bodies are programmed to store energy in this way, and nature provides the right food at the right time, in autumn, when seeds (nuts, grains and pulses) are abundant. Eating more omega-6 the whole year round may not be a good idea.

The main two polyunsaturates we meet in foods are omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. Our best omega-3s come from fish, but are also found in egg yolks and meats. Strict vegetarians may get them from algae products. Omega-6 polyunsaturates are found in many oils from grains, seeds and nuts. The amount of omega-6 varies, with more than 50% in sunflower, safflower, corn oil and soybean oil. Rapeseed oil has a more favorable ratio.
There are varieties of safflower that have been bred to produce oil with a lower omega-6 content than the regular safflower, and it is also known that grain-fed animals produce meat with more omega-6 than those that graze on green stuff. So you have to be a little bit careful if you want to reduce your omega-6 ratio.

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A Better Understanding of Growing Hormones

There are changes that transpired in our physique as we achieve our mid-life. Our physique begins to slow down after we achieve the age of 40. It's because our body isn't anymore as able of manufacturing human growth hormones as it was once we were on the early level of our life.

The hormone that's accountable on the secretion of human growth hormone is named Somatostatin. As soon as secretion of Somatostatin lessens, it additionally lessens our capability to live to the fullest. HGH is the hormone that's responsible to the most important parts of our physique system. These hormones immediately impact your skin, hair, heart, kidney, metabolism or even reminiscence retention.

What does HGH Do?

Consequently, as more HGH is launched, the more we become active. Mobility isn't the sole edge that's affected with elevated HGH ranges. With a high percent of unencumbered of HGH, skin is still firm. Skin is wrinkle free. Hair continues to be thicker and livelier. Metabolism is on its standard function. There is additionally a top percent of reminiscence retentiveness and psychological alertness. On high of this all, power is on its top.

If human growth hormone manufacturing slows down, premature ageing happens. Our measure of power will drop down. Our skin might dry and wrinkle isn't to this point anymore. Metabolism slows down. This implies we will probably sag and acquire weight. Our ageing increases.

How to extend your HGH degrees clearly?

This is the rationalization why corporations have got a hang of a complement that might embellish the production and free up more human growth hormone. HGH releasers permit your physique to produce more hormones certainly with no side results.

This stimulates a pure procedure of looking and feeling young. A build up of human growth hormones regulates the system of our physique. A rise of secretion of human growth hormones contributes perfect bodily condition. It's not restricted to excellent bodily appearance. It transgresses to bodily health as well. This would make you more stunning and wholesome as well.

Simply imagine a life with no obstacles of aging. It's a life where shall we accomplish more with vigor and energy of the youth. This is an all pure supplement that is completely secure and available for anyone. This is life with HGH Releaser. HGH Releasers promise a life of youth in the most pure method. You may even give it a look, before you want to pay the whole retail value.




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Fasting vs. Eating Less: What's the Difference? (Science of Fasting)

4 Signs You Should Eat More to Lose Weight

Did you know that eating too little can actually prevent you from losing weight? It's true. When you eat below a certain amount of calories (this level is different for everyone), your body enters "starvation mode" and tries to hold on to all the fat that it has so that it can survive.

The good news is that by eating more food, you can fire up your metabolism and start losing weight again.

Here are four signs that you should start eating more:

You have a lot of weight to lose. The higher your weight, the more calories your body burns just to function on a daily level. A good rule of thumb is to figure that [your body weight X 10] is the number of calories that your body needs to maintain its current weight. If you want to lose weight, you should subtract 500 from this number and that is how many calories you should eat in a day.
You have a high muscle mass. Muscle burns more energy than fat, so if you have a higher muscle mass, then you may need to eat more calories to keep your body fueled.
You exercise a lot. If you exercise hard for an hour a day, five times a week, then you may need more calories. Strenuous exercise burns a lot of calories and if you are not eating enough to maintain this level of activity, you're body will think that it's starving (even if you actually are eating) and will try to keep its fat for energy.
You've hit a plateau. If you've been successfully losing weight by eating right and exercising and your weight loss suddenly comes to a screeching halt, you may need more food. Your body has gotten used to this level of food and activity. Try eating an extra 200 calories a day and see if that doesn't fire up your metabolism.



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High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) - Maximum Results, Minimum Time

What Is Stamina?

For most people stamina is simply endurance. However, it is much more than this. It is definitely worth asking, "What is stamina?" This will help you understand the works of the body and what you need to do in order to be able to work out harder and for longer without getting tired.

Indeed, the simplest answer to the question, "What is stamina", is simply physical endurance. The question is what the process behind this endurance is. In order to get the answer, it is worth learning how the body works.

Both the nutrients and oxygen you take with food and when breathing respectively participate in a complex process called metabolism. This process involves a number of systems in the body including the respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system. This process is complex, but the end result is simple. The nutrients become fuel for the cells and for the muscles in general. The oxygen is responsible for delivering this fuel to the cells and muscles.

The problem comes when the energy conversion and energy distribution processes do not work as fast as you would want them to. It is perfectly natural for the body to get set amounts of energy and to use them up at a certain pace. After the energy sources are exhausted and their distribution is ineffective, you get tired and lethargic.

The idea behind building stamina is to improve the performance of the different systems in the body responsible for energy conversion and production. The improved metabolic and other body functions will bring you greater endurance. They will allow more of the nutrients and oxygen you intake to be used more effectively.

Basically, by improving these processes in the body, you will be able to fuel your muscles more effectively and for a longer period of time. In turn, you will be able to exercise effectively and for a longer period of time. This gives an answer to the question, "What is stamina?"

It is worth looking at how stamina is achieved as well. The aerobic (with oxygen) metabolic process can be made more effective with the use of aerobic exercises. They allow you to work out all the muscle groups in the body as well as the cardiovascular, respiratory and other systems in the body. The goal is to extend the amount of exercise your body does gradually, so that a higher metabolic level can be reached and kept.

This seems simple, but it is actually not. Those who ask, "What is stamina training like", should known that it is considerably difficult to come up with a program that will allow you to build endurance while not causing any injuries and other health problems. Indeed, you need to have a program based on measurable goals and a precise step by step plan on how to build endurance. It is worth pointing out that building endurance involves not only extensive aerobic training, but also strength training, core strength training, stretching and muscle building exercises.

What is stamina? Now you know the answer to this question. Use the knowledge you have now to build and improve your endurance.

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The Somatotype Myth: Ectomorph Mesomorph Endomorph

Does Coconut Oil Really Help To Burn Fat?

If you are looking for a natural and easy way to lose weight and melt belly fat, you've come to the right place!

A growing number of scientific studies have now shown that the oil from a coconut not only burns stubborn abdominal fat, but it also improves metabolic markers to help you lose weight.

See how these 3 recent studies looked into the relationship between this oil and weight loss.

Study #1:

The first study is from The Journal of Nutrition where the studies of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are investigated by researchers.

These MCFAs in coconut oil can boost your metabolism and increase your level of energy.

They also decrease in food consumption because they make you feel full longer therefore help reduce your body fat.

The authors of this study highly recommend using oils that contain MCFAs, such as coconut oil, as a tool to drop extra abdominal fat, manage a healthy weight, and even as a way to treat obesity.

Study #2:

The second study in ISRN Pharmacology discovered that high concentration of MCFAs are found in virgin coconut oil (VCO) which in the study had shown beneficial effect in reduction of waist circumference.

Study #3:

The third study is also the most fascinating study which was published in the Journal of Lipids in 2009.

The purpose was to test the effects of either 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of soybean oil or 2 tablespoons of coconut oil on a randomized group of 40 women aged between 20-40 years old over a 12-week period.

Results showed that the group that consumed coconut oil had a decrease in abdominal fat, while the soybean oil group actually showed increases in belly fat.

Moreover, the coconut oil group also presented a higher level of HDL (good cholesterol) while the soybean oil group presented an increase in LDL (bad cholesterol).

These studies have all focused on different aspects of health and nutrition, yet have all found relative benefits when compared to other "healthy" oils and fats.

In summary, here are 3 scientific reasons why coconut oil is super awesome for weight loss:

#1. It keeps you feeling full for longer.

#2. It fires up your metabolism.

#3. It's a fat that's less likely to be stored as fat.

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Facts About Using A High-Fat Low-Carb Diet For Weight Loss

It would actually not be too far from the truth to insinuate that the high level of obesity in western societies including the United States is closely correlated to a growing trend of bad dietary practices especially the consumption of high-fat and high glycemic index carbohydrate foods. With the rate of eating out increasing by the day, the consumption of unhealthy calorie dense foods such as burgers and fries have become the order of the day.

Dietary fats are generally energy-dense foods with about 9 calories per gram and produces about twice the calories per gram of carbohydrate and protein. It is therefore easy to see why the amount of calories from consuming excessive fat-containing foods can quickly add up to very significant figures.

With all the negative criticisms and reviews about dietary fats in general, it would therefore seem that high-fat diets will do nothing more than cause obesity, cancer, and heart-related diseases. There is no gainsaying these facts as they remain true to a large extent but however cease to be if there is a significant reduction in the amount of consumed carbohydrate foods to prompt a state of ketosis.

Essentially, this concept is what led to the development of what is today known as high-fat low-carbohydrate diet. Losing weight through a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet has been shown to lower triglycerides (a type of blood fat), decrease insulin resistance, and also lower blood pressure.

While the use of a high-fat diet to lose weight may sound more than paradoxical, it is nonetheless true. But then, how and what exactly makes this possible considering all the harmful effects of high-fat consumption?

To begin with, it would be important to first understand which food category has the propensity to actually cause the most body fat storage. Simple sugars and starches from carbohydrate-containing foods readily comes to mind as they are converted into fast burning energy in the form of glucose which is generally considered to be the body's preferred source of energy.

The liver cells are known to convert and store about one-third while the muscle cells about two-third of the available glucose in the bloodstream into a storage form known as glycogen (a mixture of glucose and water) which serves as the body's auxiliary energy source and which is only released when the body needs fast burning energy during any possible "fight or flight" situation. Any excess glucose in the bloodstream is however converted to and stored as fat in adipose tissues (fat cells).

The storage of glucose as fat in the body is made possible by a hormone known as insulin. Whenever there is too much glucose in the bloodstream, specialized cells in the pancreas secretes insulin which subsequently stimulates insulin receptors on cell membranes to absorb the excess glucose from the bloodstream and store it as fat within the cell. However, if insulin level remains constant or reduced to a certain extent, the body stops converting and storing glucose as fat. One of the impacts of a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet is therefore the reduction of insulin production caused by the reduction of carbohydrate consumption.

However, the main effect and in fact main objective of a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet is to induce a condition known as ketosis. Ketosis is a condition whereby the body is practically being forced into breaking down its fat stores as a means of generating energy to meet its energy requirements due to the low availability of glucose in the bloodstream. Ketosis occurs mostly during periods of prolonged starvation but can be induced when large amounts of fats or proteins are eaten in the absence of carbohydrates.

Due to the low glucose level in the bloodstream resulting from reduced carbohydrate consumption, the body has only two other alternatives available, fats and proteins, for its energy supply. Considering the fact that protein is not actually stored in the body in a combustible energy form as their resultant amino acids are metabolized within a few hours after digestion, protein is therefore generally viewed as an inefficient alternative source of energy for body especially in a state of ketosis. Consequently, the body turns to breaking down its fat stores in order to meet its energy requirements.

While ketone bodies (by-products of ketosis) are normally oxidized quickly to water and carbon dioxide and excreted in the urine, however, the overproduction occasioned by the increased fat metabolism initiated by the onset of ketosis increases the body's acidity level. In order to reduce the acidity level, the body uses more of its water reserves from cells to flush out the accumulated ketones. The resultant water loss easily reflects on the scale and is what initially shows as weight loss during the initial stages of utilizing a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet.

The combination of these three effects: the stable insulin levels occasioned by the reduced blood glucose level; the fat-burning state of ketosis; and the loss of water from body cells makes high-fat low-carbohydrate diets to generally cause rapid weight loss.

However, most high-fat low-carbohydrate diets defer in the amount of daily carbohydrate allowance but generally limit it to between 25 and 45 grams of carbohydrate per day at the beginning of the diet to induce the state of ketosis. Other than the initial phase of the diet that normally causes rapid weight loss because of the induced ketosis, most high-fat low-carbohydrate diets incorporate about three or more additional phases to achieve their weight loss effects.

While the first phase normally lasts for about two weeks and allows the fewest daily amounts of carbohydrates, the subsequent phases however steadily allow the increase in the amount of consumed carbohydrates until the dieter achieves his or her desired weight loss goals.

It is however important that dieters drink a lot of water whenever using a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet in order to avoid dehydration and also to flush out the accumulated ketones in the body. Equally, individuals with kidney problems should avoid using a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet because of the enormous strain that might be exerted on the kidneys in flushing out the ketone bodies.

Consequently, one of the major underlying principle of most high-fat low-carbohydrate diets is the assertion that it is not actually fat or even calories that lead to weight gain, but rather an inefficient or unhealthy insulin cycle.

However, most nutritionists are of the opinion that weight loss, whether through utilizing a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet or any other diet, is caused because of reduction in calories resulting from the elimination of an entire food group from the diet and not because of any metabolic change initiated by the diet itself.

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Diets For Quick Weight Loss - Eat a Lot and Never Get Fat!

Diets for quick weight loss - you are probably searching for this a number of times so that it is already the top search in your engine. Well, fret no more, please continue reading this article and find out for yourself an effective weight loss diet that could work wonders for you.

Oh, are you intrigued by the subtitle? Diets for a quick weight loss - 'Eat a lot and never get fat' - now how's that? Maybe you have tried some crash diets. Did it work? Did it work for good? Probably not, that is why you are here again, aren't you? Crash diets really are do not work long time. If you are a professional model or actress who would want to cut weight then it will work for you the day that you need it, but it will not stay for good. What is worse is you would probably gain more weight after that kind of diet. Worst, your health might probably be at risk.

Diets for quick weight loss does not mean starve to death. It means eat the right food for you to lose weight and get back in shape. It also entails that you must eat a lot of these foods to stay in shape. Why? It is all about metabolism. Here is a quickie overview - if you starve then your body would slow down its metabolism for you to survive. It means that if you are on an empty stomach your body will not burn the calories that much but it will just conserve it, so your weight stays the same. Increase your metabolism and your body will burn more calories.

"Diets for quick weight loss'" top on the list is the 'low carbohydrate high protein diet.' Carbs make you fat if unburned. That is for sure. Carbs turn into sugar and make your body fat if you do not burn those unused calories. So cut your intake of carbohydrates. If you are thinking you can not live without carb, then you lose the fight against being fat.

Diets for quick weight loss do not mean cutting a hundred percent on foods to be avoided. It just means to cut down a certain percentage of those to be avoided. In a low carb high protein diet you have to lessen your intake by twenty percent (20%) of the following: rice, corn, wheat, flour-based products like bread, potatoes, pastas, pizzas, soft drinks, pastries, and sweets to name a few. Cut down on those starchy fruits too like banana, mangoes, and the like.

Stock up on meat: pork, beef, and chicken. Sea foods are great! Fill yourself up with green vegetables. In cases you do feel empty, snack on green veggies or fresh fruits and fruit shakes.

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Jillian Michaels Has 5 Tips to Speed Up Your Metabolism

You Must Avoid White Starchy Foods To Lose Weight

Thanks to modern food technology, foods like the defunct Hostess Twinkies can stay on the shelf for longer periods of time. In fact, some food products are so packed with preservatives that you'd swear they will outlast the next Ice Age.

Seriously. Modern foods are the product of lots of high-tech wizardry and tinkering. I am not so sure these developments are all good. Take, for example, the case of starchy foods. Since these foods, in their natural form, contain a lot of fiber, they don't last too long on the shelf. Enter modern food technology and these foods now last a long time in storage. How come? Most of their fiber and nutrients have been stripped off. In fact, modern commercial flour has had so much of its nutrients ripped out through mechanical processes that flour millers are compelled to 'enrich' their flours by putting some nutrients back in. Otherwise, modern flour is an empty food with very little nutritional value. Regardless of these efforts by the food industry, if you want to truly lose weight, you have to avoid white starchy foods. Here the major reasons why you should drop the white ultra-processed food diet.

Body burns sugar not fat

If you eat a lot of carbohydrate-rich foods, the main form of energy your body will use is the sugar in the starchy foods. Instead of burning stored energy in the form of fat, your body will burn sugar. If that isn't bad enough, any left over energy in your system which your metabolism can't burn up will get stored in the form of-you guessed it-fat!

Tastes good so you eat more

Let's face it-starchy food tastes great. With enough sugar and grease, starchy foods can be quite heavenly. The problem is they pack quite a bit of calories. Carbohydrate-rich foods also boost your brain's serotonin levels so it is quite easy to get addicted to starchy foods or sugar or both. Of course, the more you eat of these foods, the bigger you get.

Little nutritional value

As mentioned above, modern food processing has stripped much of the nutritional value of starchy foods. You get lots of empty calories and little to no vitamins and other nutrients. Definitely a dietary bum deal.

Go for complex carbohydrates rather than simple carbohydrates because they have more fiber and will not spike your blood sugar levels. Sugar is a very calorie dense food. There's a lot more calories in a gram of sugar than in many other foods in their natural state. If you want to gain a lot of weight, you need to eat a lot of food that are sugary like donuts, cake, pastries, and so on and so forth. If you want to minimize your calorie intake, then you need to deprive yourself of your sweet tooth and focus more on high fibre and high fibre foods.

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How to Burn More Calories in Less Time

The key to losing weight and burning fat is to burn more calories than you consume. Although it sounds simple, unfortunately it isn't always as easy as x-y=z. The truth is that there are a lot of biochemical issues that factor in to how difficult it can be for some people to lose weight. Take for instance people that starve themselves or skip meals often. These people have forced their body into a conservation mode, where it will keep everything it gets because it is never sure of the next fuel source. However, on the inverse of that, people that eat 3-5 small meals per day are able to burn fat much easier because they keep their metabolism at a high rate all day long. This leads to decreased fat stores and a better looking body.

So what does this mean to you? Well the first thing that you need to do if you want to lose weight is to examine your dietary habits. You've got to give your body a constant fuel source throughout the day or it will start to hold on to your fat with an iron grip. You've also got to make sure that you aren't doing any late-night gorging or eating too much junk food. This can be a body killer on its own, so make sure you eat what you know to be healthy.

In terms of exercise, my favorite method of burning fat and getting in shape is called high intensity interval training (HIIT) and it consists of short (60 seconds or so) intervals of intense exercise, followed by short intervals (again, 60 seconds) of moderate exercise. This routine will get your body in the habit of burning calories in short periods of time, which will not only teach it how to find energy more efficiently (fat), but will also improve your overall health and fitness level very quickly. The science behind this method is solid too, as research has proven that 20 minute of intense exercise can burn the same amount of calories as an hour of moderate exercise. Now, if you only had to work out 20 minutes a day, even if it was intense, do you think you could do it if it meant a better looking body?

The great thing about high intensity training is that you can use it for nearly any type of exercise. You can use it in a manner similar to circuit training. Regardless of how you use it, the most important thing is to go all out for 60 seconds. It might hurt, and it might make you winded, but it will work! If you just do 20 minutes of moderate exercise and stop cycling through intensity levels, then you are going to be in worse shape then the person doing 60 minutes of cardio. So don't let that happen to you. Simply follow the methods here, and you will be well on your way to a tighter body and a lean Hollywood look.

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Does Coffee Speed Up Your Metabolism?

   

   
    Some people drink coffee religiously. They feel that they must have it every morning to get their day started. Does coffee speed up your metabolism? In a sense, this may be true.

Coffee contains a lot of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, which wards off drowsiness and increases alertness. In this sense, caffeine does speed up metabolism, but not indefinitely.

What exactly does caffeine do? Caffeine increases the free fatty acids in blood plasma. Although this has no bearing on metabolism, it does reflect on diet. Caffeine also acts as an inhibitor for adenosine in the brain, which effects RNA synthesis in the body.

Caffeine also acts like adrenaline for the body. By imitating adrenaline it speeds up the heart-rate and this is how it affects metabolism. Does coffee speed up your metabolism? Yes. But for those who consume caffeine on a regular basis this effect is not as strong or noticeable.

Why does it not affect normal consumers? People who regularly drink coffee or other caffeinated products tend to build up a tolerance for caffeine. Caffeine is structurally similar to adenosine and binds to adenosine receptors in the brain. The more you drink these caffeinated beverages then the more receptors your brain will develop, making the effects of caffeine seem less apparent.

So in short, does coffee speed up your metabolism? Yes, it does, but not to the extent that one would like. To really get your metabolism going the best route to go is all natural methods. Methods such as exercising, eating the right foods, eating breakfast, and eating more times in the day while having small proportions.

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Can You Drink Too Much Water?