Saturday, 8 October 2016
Friday, 7 October 2016
Is Bottled Water Truly Safe?
Fact: Drinking Water is Healthy. Drinking from Plastic Bottles is Not.
The Natural Resources Defense Council, or the NRDC, have made a four-year study on the bottled water industry and the safety of their products. It turned out that there is no safety assurance in drinking from your bottled water, and there is no clear proof that it is cleaner than tap water. Studies have shown that an estimated 25% of commercially-produced bottled water is simply - your tap water in a plastic bottle.
People have been lured by the convenience of these plastic bottles, which is truly handy when it comes to traveling to work, to school, or even to the outback. Research has found that the majority of people loves drinking from plastic bottles out of the need for better-tasting water and a belief that it is healthier than tap.
Fact: Water is NOT toxic, but the materials used on your plastic bottles ARE!
Bottled water looks harmless and pure, especially in clear plastic. The very image of it can evoke the feelings of drinking from a mountain stream after a day of walking in the midst of a desert heat. There is still an ongoing debate on the health risk posed by drinking from plastics, and it has something to do with chemical leaks. Those who have a weak immune system like infants, elderly people, and patients suffering critical conditions are at higher risks. For this reason, a campaign against chemical leach is being waged and proposed for the FDA to reconsider.
Bisphenol A: The Unseen and Controversial Plastic Danger
Many health specialists in the public sector have growing concerns over the use of Bisphenol A or BPA in hard, clear, polycarbonate plastics. There is a call to make plastic products BPA-free, especially when they made up everything that we see in our homes - from baby bottles, food containers, to that over-hyped bottle where we drink our waters.
What's very alarming with BPA is its tendency to mimic the body's estrogen, disrupting your healthy hormones and cells. These endocrine disrupters have been known to expose people to breast and prostate cancers, not to mention a decrease in sperm count among males. Infants, toddlers, and kids are at greater risk of exposure. In fact, the more you reuse these harmful plastics, the more you unleash those harmful chemicals. When mothers boil their children's baby bottles, they unknowingly help the release of toxins with heat.
A recent research made by the Harvard School of Public Health have found that those who have drank water from these clear plastic bottles have a high amount of Bisphenol A in their urine - up to 69%. BPA has been invented to replace canned products that are easily corroded, giving consumers a better way of storing their food and drink. There is just a few options that people have right now when it comes to food storage.
Bisphenol A is first approved by the FDA in the early 60s. This chemical is what makes most plastics hard and clear. It was in August 2008 when a draft is released stating that these chemicals are safe to use in food storage. Canada have already banned this chemical and many other countries in the EU. Due to rising numbers of concern and a recent testimony made on June 3, 2009 by FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, the questions about BPA has been raised and a team of scientists will be having a new look on the case of Bisphenol A. There are still gaping holes in the regulations of tap and bottled water, and all we can do is to stay vigilant on matters that concerns our very health.
Bottled Water: Is it Pure Water?
The question is always a tricky one to answer, especially when many bottled water labels are misleading. Here's the truth behind your labels (source: NRDC ) :
( Source: Beverage Test, July 2008 in California, using a calibrated pinpoint combo ORP meter )
Over 45 million plastic water bottles a year end up in the trash and 90% end up in landfills. 250 million barrels of oil per year are used to produce plastic bottles. These bottles can leach dioxin, a known carcinogen, into the water, adding to toxic environmental waste.
Water is Life - the saying goes, and if you do not have access to clean, pure water, then, you are maimed for life. The saying health is wealth is an old cliche and it means having a healthy body to live life to the max. Would you drink poison if you know it's toxic for you? The same principle goes with your water.
Love Water... Without Plastic Bottles!
Source:
The Natural Resources Defense Council, or the NRDC, have made a four-year study on the bottled water industry and the safety of their products. It turned out that there is no safety assurance in drinking from your bottled water, and there is no clear proof that it is cleaner than tap water. Studies have shown that an estimated 25% of commercially-produced bottled water is simply - your tap water in a plastic bottle.
People have been lured by the convenience of these plastic bottles, which is truly handy when it comes to traveling to work, to school, or even to the outback. Research has found that the majority of people loves drinking from plastic bottles out of the need for better-tasting water and a belief that it is healthier than tap.
Fact: Water is NOT toxic, but the materials used on your plastic bottles ARE!
Bottled water looks harmless and pure, especially in clear plastic. The very image of it can evoke the feelings of drinking from a mountain stream after a day of walking in the midst of a desert heat. There is still an ongoing debate on the health risk posed by drinking from plastics, and it has something to do with chemical leaks. Those who have a weak immune system like infants, elderly people, and patients suffering critical conditions are at higher risks. For this reason, a campaign against chemical leach is being waged and proposed for the FDA to reconsider.
Bisphenol A: The Unseen and Controversial Plastic Danger
Many health specialists in the public sector have growing concerns over the use of Bisphenol A or BPA in hard, clear, polycarbonate plastics. There is a call to make plastic products BPA-free, especially when they made up everything that we see in our homes - from baby bottles, food containers, to that over-hyped bottle where we drink our waters.
What's very alarming with BPA is its tendency to mimic the body's estrogen, disrupting your healthy hormones and cells. These endocrine disrupters have been known to expose people to breast and prostate cancers, not to mention a decrease in sperm count among males. Infants, toddlers, and kids are at greater risk of exposure. In fact, the more you reuse these harmful plastics, the more you unleash those harmful chemicals. When mothers boil their children's baby bottles, they unknowingly help the release of toxins with heat.
A recent research made by the Harvard School of Public Health have found that those who have drank water from these clear plastic bottles have a high amount of Bisphenol A in their urine - up to 69%. BPA has been invented to replace canned products that are easily corroded, giving consumers a better way of storing their food and drink. There is just a few options that people have right now when it comes to food storage.
Bisphenol A is first approved by the FDA in the early 60s. This chemical is what makes most plastics hard and clear. It was in August 2008 when a draft is released stating that these chemicals are safe to use in food storage. Canada have already banned this chemical and many other countries in the EU. Due to rising numbers of concern and a recent testimony made on June 3, 2009 by FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, the questions about BPA has been raised and a team of scientists will be having a new look on the case of Bisphenol A. There are still gaping holes in the regulations of tap and bottled water, and all we can do is to stay vigilant on matters that concerns our very health.
The question is always a tricky one to answer, especially when many bottled water labels are misleading. Here's the truth behind your labels (source: NRDC ) :
- Spring water with all those mountain and lake photos are made by industrial warehouse facilities, which can contain hazardous solvents that are above what EPA and FDA considered as standard.
- Be wary of bottled waters with false therapeutic claims that are not regulated or approved by the FDA. Imported bottled waters are beyond local safety inspection, so double your precaution.
- Bottled water and tap water are both inconsistent in quality. Whereas, tap water is inspected by certified government labs, bottled water is less monitored.
- There are documented lists and reports of contaminants found in bottled water, which means that they're not as safe as you believe them to be. In fact, an outbreak of cholera in 1994 that happened in Saipan, a U.S. territory, has been linked to bottled water consumption.
- Smart people will tell you that you are what you drink and eat. Yet, smarter folks will question the quality of what the food and water they take. Pure water comes with a pH level of 6.8-7.2. Lower than that means putting yourself at risk for diseases caused by acidity.
( Source: Beverage Test, July 2008 in California, using a calibrated pinpoint combo ORP meter )
- Coke = 2.8 pH Level ( Acidic )
- Pepsi = 3.2 pH Level
- Vitamin-Enriched Water = 3.34 pH Level
- Propel Fitness Water = 3.6 pH Level
- Distilled Water = 5.8-6.5 pH Level
- Reverse Osmosis Water = 5.5-6.3 pH Level
- Ionized Water = 8.5-9.5 pH Level ( Healthiest )
Over 45 million plastic water bottles a year end up in the trash and 90% end up in landfills. 250 million barrels of oil per year are used to produce plastic bottles. These bottles can leach dioxin, a known carcinogen, into the water, adding to toxic environmental waste.
Water is Life - the saying goes, and if you do not have access to clean, pure water, then, you are maimed for life. The saying health is wealth is an old cliche and it means having a healthy body to live life to the max. Would you drink poison if you know it's toxic for you? The same principle goes with your water.
Love Water... Without Plastic Bottles!
Thursday, 6 October 2016
Selecting the Right Running Shoes
Selecting the right running shoe is essential to make your running experience more enjoyable and pain-free. The type of shoe you choose depends a lot upon whether you do recreational, regular or competitive running; indoor, road, or cross country running; as well as any physical conditions that may have. You should certainly consult with the sales staff (and possibly with a sports trainer or physician) to identify the right type of shoe for your situation. You may have to experiment with different brands and types of shoes to find ones that meet your needs.
Over the years I have learned, sometimes the hard way, about the importance of running with proper footwear. Whenever I have pain in my feet, legs, or knees, I start with the basics - the shoes! How old are they? Do the shoes fit properly and have adequate cushioning, traction, and stability? This article describes my experiences with various issues caused by my running shoes. I hope this may give you insight and information to help you with problems you may have right now. Regardless, you should always consult with your physician about any continuing pain you experience as a result of running.
Shoe size is the most important criteria. You need to buy shoes at least a half-size larger than your regular shoes. You should also make sure they are wide enough. Why? On landing, your foot absorbs the force of the impact by expanding in both length and width. If the shoe is too small, the impact force is not absorbed properly and instead is transmitted up the leg.
When I experienced tendonitis in the left knee, the specialist I consulted explained the pain is caused by the impact of the foot being transmitted up leg to irritate the tendons in the knee. Some runners are prone to this condition. The doctor prescribed a pain reliever and a Cho-Pat strap worn just below the kneecap to moderate the force on the patellar tendon. It helped the symptoms but did not solve the real problem.
I had recently purchased new shoes that were a good brand with adequate cushioning. At the time the size seemed large enough. As an experiment, I tried running in my old shoes and discovered that my new shoes were too small! On impact, my left toe (my left is the bigger foot) was pushing up against the front of the shoe. I bought shoes a half-size larger and the tendonitis went away!
Another issue related to shoe size is getting the tension of the laces correct. I found that if my laces were tied too tightly I would get pains in the ankles, shins, and/or knees, especially if I laced the last eyelet at the top. It took a few tries but I eventually got the laces adjusted so that they were loose enough to run yet the shoes stayed on my feet.
Shoe cushioning is the second most important criteria. Shock absorbency is provided by the sole and may also include air pockets, springs, or gel pads. If you run on indoor tracks or cross country you may be able to get away with less cushioning, but running on hard surfaces will tell you after a few runs if the shoes have sufficient cushioning. Some running and cross country shoes (even when new) do not have adequate cushioning for me.
Also running shoes lose their ability over time to absorb the shock of running. As your shoes age you get used to their feel and it is sometimes difficult to identify the point at which they should be replaced. For the type of running I do, I replace my shoes after about 18 months.
Another factor related to shoe cushioning is the stiffness of the soles. Stiff soled shoes may add spring to your step but for some runners (like me) it magnifies the shock, just like running in bare feet on concrete or the beach at Daytona. When you are buying shoes, flex the soles with your hands to feel the difference.
The price of the shoe is an important indicator of quality. This is where your type of running is also a factor. If you are a recreational runner, you may be able to get by with a cheaper shoe. But remember, you do get what you pay for. Competitive runners usually require top of the line shoes. I run about 10-12 miles per week and buy mid-level shoes from only a couple of manufacturers simply because I started with these brands and have had good experience with their products. Through experimentation, you too will find the brand and style that suits you best.
Source:
Shoe size is the most important criteria. You need to buy shoes at least a half-size larger than your regular shoes. You should also make sure they are wide enough. Why? On landing, your foot absorbs the force of the impact by expanding in both length and width. If the shoe is too small, the impact force is not absorbed properly and instead is transmitted up the leg.
When I experienced tendonitis in the left knee, the specialist I consulted explained the pain is caused by the impact of the foot being transmitted up leg to irritate the tendons in the knee. Some runners are prone to this condition. The doctor prescribed a pain reliever and a Cho-Pat strap worn just below the kneecap to moderate the force on the patellar tendon. It helped the symptoms but did not solve the real problem.
I had recently purchased new shoes that were a good brand with adequate cushioning. At the time the size seemed large enough. As an experiment, I tried running in my old shoes and discovered that my new shoes were too small! On impact, my left toe (my left is the bigger foot) was pushing up against the front of the shoe. I bought shoes a half-size larger and the tendonitis went away!
Another issue related to shoe size is getting the tension of the laces correct. I found that if my laces were tied too tightly I would get pains in the ankles, shins, and/or knees, especially if I laced the last eyelet at the top. It took a few tries but I eventually got the laces adjusted so that they were loose enough to run yet the shoes stayed on my feet.
Shoe cushioning is the second most important criteria. Shock absorbency is provided by the sole and may also include air pockets, springs, or gel pads. If you run on indoor tracks or cross country you may be able to get away with less cushioning, but running on hard surfaces will tell you after a few runs if the shoes have sufficient cushioning. Some running and cross country shoes (even when new) do not have adequate cushioning for me.
Another factor related to shoe cushioning is the stiffness of the soles. Stiff soled shoes may add spring to your step but for some runners (like me) it magnifies the shock, just like running in bare feet on concrete or the beach at Daytona. When you are buying shoes, flex the soles with your hands to feel the difference.
The price of the shoe is an important indicator of quality. This is where your type of running is also a factor. If you are a recreational runner, you may be able to get by with a cheaper shoe. But remember, you do get what you pay for. Competitive runners usually require top of the line shoes. I run about 10-12 miles per week and buy mid-level shoes from only a couple of manufacturers simply because I started with these brands and have had good experience with their products. Through experimentation, you too will find the brand and style that suits you best.
Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Lose 2 Pounds a Week - How to Get Rid of Unwanted Weight by This Weekend
In this article, I am going to give you 2 important tips to help you lose 2 pounds in a week. One tip involves the taking in of calories, and the other involves the expenditure of calories.
The single most important factor that will make the biggest impact on your weight is food. It determines your total caloric intake as well as how well your body repairs itself from any workout. But, this tip is not about telling you what you can and cannot eat because if you refuse to follow my suggestions because maybe you can't stand those foods, then my tip is useless.
Rather, my tip is going to emphasize how to eat and more importantly why to eat this way.
So here it is.
"Help Me Lose 2 Pounds In A Week" Tip #1: GRAZE
You know in order to lose 2 pounds a week, or any weight for that matter, your total caloric intake must be less than your caloric expenditure, right? Well here's one way this tip helps you achieve caloric deficit.
Every time your digestive system works it uses calories. So, to give you some idea here's an example: if you ate 3 balanced 400 calorie meals plus 2 snacks between those meals every 3 hours, you will burn about 400 calories a day just by eating that often.
So, to keep it simple, here's what you can do. Prepare your normal portion of a BALANCED (healthy) meal. Now cut that in half. Eat 1/2 at your normal time and the other half halfway between this meal and your next meal. Do the same thing for your next meal. Now with the last meal, divide it in 3 and just eat 2 of those portions. Save that 1/3 for another day.
You not only cut the total calories you normally take in but you also help keep your blood sugar stable when you eat this way.
Low blood sugar is one cause for food cravings and when you crave something, you will overeat...NOT good if you're trying to lose 2 pounds in a week. So grazing is one technique to help keep your blood sugar stable.
Also, eating smaller meals help you stay thin because if you overeat, your body will only utilize what is immediately necessary to sustain life. That's it. Once it uses what it needs, it will store the rest for future use. Keep eating this way and soon you will run out of storage (if you don't burn it up). Now, guess what future excess foods will be stored as? Yes, FAT! Hard to lose 2 pounds in a week if your storage is full.
This is why people tend to gain weight over the holidays. Overeating at Thanksgiving, for example, is very common and the combination of lack of activity combined with too much food intake equals weight gain. Great strategy if you want to gain 2 pounds in a week, but not lose 2 pounds in a week.
OK, remember I mentioned that you must run a caloric deficit to help you lose 2 pounds in a week? Well, if you just can't attain enough caloric deficit with tip #1, add on tip #2.
"Help Me Lose 2 Pounds In A Week" Tip #2: Do Bodyweight Exercises In The Morning
Read that again...BODYWEIGHT and MORNING.
If you really want to lose 2 pounds in a week, do bodyweight exercises, i.e. push-ups, pull-ups, dips, squats, etc. All of these get the central nervous system and stabilizer muscles involved, which equates to more calories burned and greater fat loss over time.
Because your body is primed to burn FAT after and intense bodyweight workout, do about 15 minutes of low to medium intensity cardio IMMEDIATELY after your workout. You will be burning almost all fat.
And working out in the morning not only revs up your metabolism for the day, but it ensures you get a workout in. Unexpected things always come up and before you know it, your day has ended.
Closing
You can achieve your goal to lose 2 pounds in a week if you focus on intake of calories and revving up expenditure of calories. Fact is you can shed off the unwanted pounds by the end of this week if you really wanted to. It's always up to you to make it happen.
Source:
The single most important factor that will make the biggest impact on your weight is food. It determines your total caloric intake as well as how well your body repairs itself from any workout. But, this tip is not about telling you what you can and cannot eat because if you refuse to follow my suggestions because maybe you can't stand those foods, then my tip is useless.
Rather, my tip is going to emphasize how to eat and more importantly why to eat this way.
So here it is.
You know in order to lose 2 pounds a week, or any weight for that matter, your total caloric intake must be less than your caloric expenditure, right? Well here's one way this tip helps you achieve caloric deficit.
Every time your digestive system works it uses calories. So, to give you some idea here's an example: if you ate 3 balanced 400 calorie meals plus 2 snacks between those meals every 3 hours, you will burn about 400 calories a day just by eating that often.
So, to keep it simple, here's what you can do. Prepare your normal portion of a BALANCED (healthy) meal. Now cut that in half. Eat 1/2 at your normal time and the other half halfway between this meal and your next meal. Do the same thing for your next meal. Now with the last meal, divide it in 3 and just eat 2 of those portions. Save that 1/3 for another day.
You not only cut the total calories you normally take in but you also help keep your blood sugar stable when you eat this way.
Low blood sugar is one cause for food cravings and when you crave something, you will overeat...NOT good if you're trying to lose 2 pounds in a week. So grazing is one technique to help keep your blood sugar stable.
Also, eating smaller meals help you stay thin because if you overeat, your body will only utilize what is immediately necessary to sustain life. That's it. Once it uses what it needs, it will store the rest for future use. Keep eating this way and soon you will run out of storage (if you don't burn it up). Now, guess what future excess foods will be stored as? Yes, FAT! Hard to lose 2 pounds in a week if your storage is full.
This is why people tend to gain weight over the holidays. Overeating at Thanksgiving, for example, is very common and the combination of lack of activity combined with too much food intake equals weight gain. Great strategy if you want to gain 2 pounds in a week, but not lose 2 pounds in a week.
OK, remember I mentioned that you must run a caloric deficit to help you lose 2 pounds in a week? Well, if you just can't attain enough caloric deficit with tip #1, add on tip #2.
"Help Me Lose 2 Pounds In A Week" Tip #2: Do Bodyweight Exercises In The Morning
Read that again...BODYWEIGHT and MORNING.
If you really want to lose 2 pounds in a week, do bodyweight exercises, i.e. push-ups, pull-ups, dips, squats, etc. All of these get the central nervous system and stabilizer muscles involved, which equates to more calories burned and greater fat loss over time.
Because your body is primed to burn FAT after and intense bodyweight workout, do about 15 minutes of low to medium intensity cardio IMMEDIATELY after your workout. You will be burning almost all fat.
And working out in the morning not only revs up your metabolism for the day, but it ensures you get a workout in. Unexpected things always come up and before you know it, your day has ended.
Closing
You can achieve your goal to lose 2 pounds in a week if you focus on intake of calories and revving up expenditure of calories. Fact is you can shed off the unwanted pounds by the end of this week if you really wanted to. It's always up to you to make it happen.
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