Menopause

Once women reach the menopause years, typically around the age of 50, a variety of physiological changes and menopause symptoms occur that can have a profound impact on their lives. Menopause is a term that refers to the end of menstruation, the result of the natural decline in the hormones (estrogen, progesterone and others) produced in the ovaries. After years of preparing and releasing eggs, the ovaries eventually reach a point where they end their monthly routine. As hormone levels decrease, a number of symptoms may emerge, although their presentation and severity varies greatly from woman to woman. The most common menopause symptoms are hot flashes, depression, insomnia, vaginal dryness, irritability, mood swings and headaches.

Most women report that they experience hot flashes during pre and perimenopause. Hot flashes typically begin to occur when women start to have irregular periods, and usually end one or two years after menstruation has ceased. Sometimes women will experience flushing or warmth in their faces and upper bodies, others might actually have sweating and chills. Hot flashes can occur at any time of day or night. While it is not entirely clear what causes hot flashes, some researchers suggest it might have to do with mixed signals from the hypothalamus, a region in the brain that regulates body temperature and sex hormones. The hypothalamus may be reacting to decreasing levels of estrogen, and this may explain why hot flashes cease when estrogen replacement is given.

There are two tests that your doctor can perform that will determine if a woman is "officially" in menopause. One is to test the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level. This hormone increases significantly after the ovaries shut down. Another procedure is to take a Pap-like smear from the vaginal walls and check for any thinning and drying out of the vagina.

Suggested Lifestyle Changes for Menopause Treatment
Mental attitude has a lot to do with how well a woman adjusts to menopause. If it is seen as a tragic end to youth, fertility and sexuality, it can cause significant disruptions in one's day-to-day life, and create the temptation to "solve" the problem with unproven therapies that promise eternal youth. If menopause is seen as simply the natural transition to the next phase of life, it can be readily accepted and more easily handled. The risks and benefits of estrogen replacement therapy should be carefully considered, and many women do quite well without any medical intervention for menopause treatment. Following an anti-inflammatory diet, getting adequate aerobic exercise, and relaxation practices can help address the many practical problems that menopause can bring. Menopause is not a disease, and there is no reason for it to decrease interest in or enjoyment of sex. Vaginal dryness can make intercourse more difficult, however, and an over the counter product such as Replens Vaginal Lotion, as well as lubricants such as Astroglide can help. Your doctor can also prescribe a topical estrogen cream which will restore normal vaginal tissue.

Nutrition and Supplements - Herbs for Menopause
Try the following natural remedies and herbs for menopause:

• Soy foods. The isoflavones in soy foods help balance hormone levels and have some estrogenic activity. There is ongoing research about the safety and efficacy of isolated soy isoflavone supplements. While the initial results look promising, we currently recommend using natural soy foods rather than supplements. Choose from tofu, soy milk, roasted soy nuts or tempeh.
• Flaxseed. Substances called lignins in flaxseed are important modulators of hormone metabolism. Grind flaxseed daily in a coffee grinder at home and use 1 to 2 tablespoons a day.
• Dong quai (Tang Kuei). Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is known both in China and the West for its ability to support and maintain the natural balance of female hormones. It does not have estrogenic activity. This is one of the herbs for menopause that should not be taken if a woman is experiencing heavy bleeding.
• Black cohosh (Cumicifuga racemosa). One of the best-studied traditional herbs for menopause, black cohosh is used to help alleviate some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. Black cohosh seems to work by supporting and maintaining hormonal levels, which may lessen the severity of hot flashes. Many women report that the herb works well but it isn't effective for everyone. While any therapy that influences hormonal actions should be a concern, black cohosh does not appear to have estrogenic activity and thus may be safe for women with a personal or family history of breast cancer.
• Vitamin E. A daily dose of 400 IUs of natural vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols) can help alleviate symptoms of hot flashes in some menopausal women.
• B vitamins. This group of water-soluble vitamins may help women deal with the stress of menopausal symptoms.
• Evening primrose oil or black currant oil. These are sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that can help influence prostaglandin synthesis and help moderate menopausal symptoms.

With special thanks to Dr Andrew Weil

Herbalife products will support your journey through menopause. Helping to reduce the severity of perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, moodiness, irritability and sleepless nights.

Product Suggestions:

• Formula 1 (Soy based Nutritional Shake Mix)
• Formula 2 (includes Vitamin B group)
• Formula 3 (Soy Protein Powder)
• Formula 4 (Vitamin E and Primrose Oil)
• Tang Kuei
• Womans Choice (soy, red clover, kudzu root and black cohosh)

www.quenchcentral.com

and select your country

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Those who indulge bulge (how to gain 1/2 kg this Christmas)

By: Judy Davie and Lisa Costa Bir

Not that anyone wants to be a party pooper here but an extra half a kilo is one gift you don't want this Christmas. A lot of the food we eat on Christmas day is terrific, like turkey, seafood and many of the accompanying salads, but there are other things that we eat (and drink) that are high in kilojoules and which help to stack on the kg's when they are eaten in excess.

How easy is it to gain weight?

Sadly as most of us know, it's easier to gain weight than it is to take off. It's simple maths. When you consume more energy than your body burns you will gain weight. Over a period of time when that energy consumption hits around 16,000kj of excess energy you will have gained ½ kilo*

*this figure is an average. Results vary according to age, sex, ethnicity and level of fitness.

Let's see how easy it is to gain ½ kg when, in addition to the main meals of the day, you fill up on extra seasonal treats

Christmas morning
It's always great to start the day with a fizz
2 x Champagne and orange juice
Energy = 1040KJ (247.62Cal)

Energy Excess

1,040KJ (247.62Cal)

Mid Morning
It was a gift from Grandma but it's hard to stop at just one

7 chocolate coated almonds
Energy = 1109KJ (264.05Cal)

Energy Excess

2,149KJ (511.67Cal)

Midday
Neighbours pop in for Christmas drinks

A large handful of mixed salted nuts
Energy = 1240KJ (295.24Cal)
+
Glass of wine
Energy = 469KJ (111.67Cal)

Energy Excess

3,858KJ (918.57Cal)

Lunch
The main course was all pretty healthy but what about pudding?

Christmas pudding, Brandy Butter and custard
Energy =2144KJ (510.48Cal)
+
And the alcohol
2 glasses of wine
Energy = 938KJ (223.33Cal)
+
1 Baileys Irish cream
Energy = 504KJ (120Cal)
+
And the sweets with coffee
2 roses chocolates
Energy = 503KJ (119.76Cal)

Energy Excess

7,947KJ (1892.14Cal)

Late afternoon
Christmas isn't Christmas without cake

Christmas cake + coffee
Energy = 3681KJ (876.43Cal)

Energy Excess

11,628KJ (2768.57Cal)

Later that night
But wait there's space for more

2 small pieces of Triple Brie and water crackers
Energy = 1166KJ (277.62Cal)
+
2 glass of wine
Energy = 938KJ (223.33Cal)
+
1 Christmas mince pie
Energy =1002kj (238.57Cal)
+
7 chocolate coated almonds
Energy =1109KJ (264.05Cal)

Energy Excess

15,843KJ (3772.14Cal)

And a nightcap before bed
1 Baileys Irish cream
Energy 504KJ (120Cal)

Energy Excess

16,347KJ (3892.14Cal)

You did it - over 16,000kj (3,800Cal) in excess consumption and put on a ½ kg (1.1lb) in excess weight!!!!

The motto is : " those who indulge bulge"

For options to prevent the extra holiday bulges see => www.quenchcentral.com

10 Tips to Maintain, Don't Gain Weight This Holiday Season

1. Activity compensates for extra calories - Give yourself the gift of 30 minutes of exercise a day. In addition to burning calories, exercise also helps to relieve tension - so you are less likely to eat to control holiday stress.
2. H20, H20, H20 - A little water goes a long way - small sips throughout the day are a smart way to keep well hydrated. It acts as a shock absorber and joint lubricant, helps to transport nutrients and eliminate waste, and works in regulating body temperature. Even better, water has no fat, no calories and no cholesterol.
3. Be a food snob - Don't waste precious calories on everyday chips or crackers. Be selective and choose only the foods you really love, or that you associate with the season.
4. Bundle flavours - Variety might be the spice of life, but it is also a recipe for overeating. Bundle together similar flavours. For instance, put only salty (or meaty) foods on your plate at once. You will grow tired of that specific flavour more quickly and end up feeling satisfied on fewer calories.
5. Pare down those portions - Try to keep your portions small and make only one visit to the buffet. Choose the smallest plate possible. Pile greens and other tasty veggies on your plate first, leaving just a little room for those high-calorie treats like sweets and cheeses. Eat small, lower-calorie meals during the day so you can enjoy a special treat later - just make sure you do not starve yourself for the party and overeat later.
6. Step away from the table - If you don't put your choices on a plate, you have no idea how much you are really eating. The worst thing you can do at a party is stand around the table dipping into the bowl.
7. Drink slimmer - Alcohol is a double whammy during the holidays. It tends to weaken your resistance when it comes to eating, and the calories in drinks add up quickly. Sip on a glass of water between cocktails.
8. "I paid for it, so I'm going to eat it" - Don't feel as if you need to clean your plate just because you paid for it. Put part of your meal right away into a take-home container. Portion sizes in restaurants can be two to three times the amount you need. Instead of the usual starch and vegetable sides, skip the starch and double the veggies instead. Stop eating as soon as you begin to feel full.
9. Zen Yourself - Holidays can be stressful. Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Organize your time and make a list and prioritise the important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. And don't forget to schedule some down time to relax.
10. Slip, don't slide - If you eat three helpings of mashed potatoes and half an apple pie, all is not lost. Rather than polishing off the rest, learn from your slip-up. Next time, eat a salad first, start a conversation, and park yourself far from the danger zone. The next time starts today.

Good Nutrition and Convenience Can Go Hand-In-Hand

Take advantage of convenience items to boost the nutritional value of quickly prepared meals.

One of the biggest complaints people have about eating healthy is the perception that it requires more hours in the kitchen to prepare nutritious meals. But there are so many convenience items available now that preparing healthy meals is a snap.

For protein, you can buy fish or poultry that’s already seasoned and ready for quick grilling or frozen pre-cooked shrimp that can be tossed with some pasta and veggies for a quick dish. And don’t overlook canned tuna, salmon or chicken breast that can be added to salad greens, rice dishes or soups.

You can also boost the nutritional value of condensed soups by mixing them with nonfat milk or soy milk instead of water. As the soup is heating, toss in some frozen mixed vegetables, or some loose pack spinach to add nutrition, flavor and bulk. Frozen-loose pack vegetables allow you to use only what you need and are ready to eat in minutes.

Salad preparation can be quick thanks to pre-washed salad greens, all sorts of pre-sliced and chopped veggies and baby carrots. Add a splash of lowfat bottled dressing and some pre-cooked chicken or shrimp and you’ve got a quick and healthy meal.

Fresh, pre-washed and cut veggies are available in the produce section, and if your market has a salad bar you can often find them there, too. Pop them in the steamer, toss with some pre-chopped garlic or onions when they’re crisp-tender, and you’ve got a gourmet dish in minutes.

Written by Susan Bowerman, MS, RD, CSSD
Source Discover Good Nutrition

Just cut back

If you have 30 pounds (~14kg) to lose, you have 105,000 stored calories.

That is 52.5 days of stored calories - 1.72 months!

DO NOT STARVE yourself.
Keep it simple.
Just cut back everyday, be consistent and use your product.
If you haven't found what 'works' for you yet - ask us today!

İDEAL SAĞLIK, İYİ BESLENME ALIŞKANLIKLARIYLA BAŞLAR

Kötü ve dengesiz beslenme tüm dünyada yaygın olarak rastlanan bir problemdir. Bunun elbette birçok sebebi var: Yeterli besine ulaşamama, gerekli olan besinleri alamama, gereğinden fazla belirli bir gıdayı tüketme vb.

Yukarıda sıraladığımız sebeplerin birincisini ortadan kaldırmak bireysel olarak elbette mümkün değil. Ama diğerleri tamamen bireyin irade ve kontrolünde gelişen olaylar. Ya bazı şeylere ihtiyacımız olduğunun farkında olamıyoruz (mineraller gibi), ya bazılarını yeterli ölçülerde alamıyoruz (lif gibi) ya bazılarını aldığımızı zannediyoruz (protein, amino asit ve vitaminler gibi) ya da bazı şeyleri (karbontidratlar) gereğinden fazla alarak istenmeyen birikimler yapıyoruz.

Sonuçta hangisini yapıyor olursak olalım, dengesiz ya da düzensiz besleniyoruz. Bu da sonuç olarak bize, ya aşırı kilolu, ya gereğinden zayıf, ya enerji açığı olan ya da sağlıksız bir beden meydana getiriyor.

Neden herkesin iyi beslenmeye ihtiyacı var?

Sık rastlanan rahatsızlıkların %70 gibi yüksek bir oranı, beslenme ve kilo ile ilişkilidir.

Sağlık ve enerjik olmak için hergün vitamin, mineral ve besleyici gıdalar alınması şarttır. İdeal bir dünyada, vitamin, mineral ve diğer besleyici gıdaları dengeli bir biçimde yiyeceklerimizden alırız. Ancak günümüzün telaşlı yaşam tarzı ve kötü beslenme alışkanlıkları bunu olanaksız kılmakta ve bu da arzulanandan daha kötü bir beslenmeye yol açmaktadır.

Çok yemek yeme, öğün atlama ve bilinçsizce yapılan rejimler gibi kötü beslenme alışkanlıkları nedeniyle kilo sorunları ve beslenme yetersizlikleri, toplumumuzda yaygındır. Stres, ilaçlar, sigara, alkol ve kötü beslenme alışkanlıklarının tümü, gıdaların tam özümsenmelerini azaltır.

Süratle kilolarını kontrol etmek isteyen insanların çoğu, radikal ve güvenilir olmayan yöntemlerle vücutlarına kötülük eder. Asgari ölçülerde tutulan veya düşük kalori rejimler, nadiren vücudumuzun ihtiyacı olan beslenmeyi tam olarak sağlar ve bu da uzun vadede sağlık sorunlarına yol açar.

Katı uygulanan diyetler ayrıca yemek zevkinide yok ederler.

Eğer diyetiniz mükemel değilse tamamlayıcı gıdalara ihtiyacınız vardır.

ŞİMDİ KENDİMİZE ŞU SORULARI SORALIM:

· Kilo problemim var mı?
· Kilo kaynaklı sağlık sorunlarım var mı?
· Yeterince iyi ve dengeli beslenebiliyor muyum?
· Öğün atlıyor ya da geçiştiriyor muyum?
· Çevremde benzer sorunları yaşayan tanıdıklarım var mı?

KOLAY KİLO KONTROLÜ

HERBALİFE KİLO KONTROL PROGRAMININ AVANTAJLARI

1- KİLONUZU KONTROL EDERKEN KENDİNİZİ SUREKLI AÇ HİSSETMEMENİZ iÇiN DAHA FAZLA TOKLUK HiSSİ SAĞLAMAYA YARDIMCI OLUR.
2 - KİLONUZU KONTROL EDEBİLİRSİNİZ
3- VÜCUDUNUZUN GÜNLÜK OLARAK İHTİYAÇ DUYDUĞU BESİNLERİ SAĞLAR.
4- SEVDİGİNİZ YİYECEKLERDEN DAHA FAZLA YEMENİZE İMKAN VERİR.
5- AYRICA KİLO ALIMINI AZALTMANIZA YARDIMCI OLMAK SURETİYLE DAHA ETKİN KİLO KONTROLÜ İÇİN TASARLANMISTIR.
6- KULLANIMI RAHAT, KOLAY, TADI MÜKEMMELDİR.

HERBALİFE Nedir Ne Değildir ?

Bir ilaç değildir.
Bir diyet değildir.
Hayvansal ve kimyasal katkı maddesi yoktur.
doğal bitki kökenlidir.
Bakanlık onaylıdır.
Etiket kuralına uygundur.
Aşırı doz kuralına dahil değildir.
iştahı kontrol eder ve ayarlar.
Herkes kullanabilir.
Her insanın gereksinim duyduğu maddeleri içerir.
Kilonuzu AŞAĞIYA veya YUKARIYA formda kontrol edebilirsiniz.
Hiçbir yerde satılmaz. Sadece bağımsız HERBALIFE distribütörlerinden elde edilebilir.
Parayla satın alabileceğiniz en ekonomik ve sağlıklı besin maddesidir.
Tüketici koruma yasası doğrultusunda 30 gün içinde para iade garantisi vardır

Sağlıklı Yaşamak Özgürlüktür

DETAYLI BİLGİ İÇİN => quench.nutrition@gmail.com

Plotting Your Weight Loss Course

I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved fitness don't happen overnight. But did you know that there are steps that you can take to improve your chances of weight loss success before you even start your healthier eating and exercise plan?

There are five distinct stages of behavioral change. Knowing what stage you are at now will help you to create a road map which will help you to achieve your future weight loss and improved fitness goals.

Here are the five major phases:

Stage 1 - Pre-contemplation:

This is the point where you don't feel that any change in your lifestyle is necessary. You may be thinking that exercising just takes too much time or that fast food is just too convenient to even consider giving up. Starting a fitness or healthier eating program during this stage would probably result in failure. The best thing you can do during this phase is to reassess your life goals and educate yourself further about health, diseases and risks.

Stage 2 - Contemplation:

During this stage you may start thinking that a change is necessary.

So, you think that maybe cutting back to eating fast food only three times a week is not so bad and you might be able to at least take a walk once in awhile. This is a good time to learn more about the benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise.

Stage 3 - Preparation:

At this point you are getting more serious about taking action. You've penciled in a walk with your friend for next week and are planning to go grocery shopping to cook a home meal. You may want to research exercise equipment, gyms, personal trainers, and healthier eating programs to learn more about what you can do to get in better shape.

Stage 4 - Action:

Here's where you actually take the first step. The first step may be as simple as taking a daily walk, reducing your fast food visits to twice a month or just cutting back on daily soft drinks and unhealthy snacks. Or, you may go as far as hiring a personal trainer or joining a gym. During this stage it is very important to learn coping mechanisms that will help you avoid relapsing into your old ways. One way to avoid exercise dropout is to form new healthy habits that lead to permanent lifestyle changes.

Stage 5 - Maintenance:

This is, of course, the stage that everyone should strive to be in. Being here means that you are exercising regularly and eating healthily most of the time. It is important throughout this stage (which should last the rest of your life) that you include a variety of exercise types or workouts that change relatively frequently. You should also seek and encourage the support of friends and family and include them wherever possible in the healthier aspects of your new life.

What stage are you in right now?

So, now can you identify what stage you are at? You may find that you are in the pre-contemplation stage for nutritional habits but that you are in the preparation stage for exercises. That's okay. It's not critical for you to force both areas into the same stage. You can work on changing your nutritional and exercise habits separately.

The key to success is first identifying your stage and then taking steps to advance to the next level (unless, of course, you are already at the Maintenance stage). Use the suggestions mentioned above in each stage to help you move to the next phase.

It's also important to tune-in to your fears, past struggles and expectations. Making nutritional and exercise changes is not easy and should be approached slowly. Remember to make small changes. Don't try to go from a completely sedentary lifestyle to an hour of daily exercise overnight. Build up slowly starting with even just 10 minutes of exercise every other day.

And lastly, be sure to inform your family and friends of your plans and enlist their support. Support is extremely important for anyone with weight loss and fitness related goals.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

Yours Sincerely,

Michael and Arlene

Independent Herbalife Distributors

For worldwide assistance in your weight loss goals.

Chitosan

FAT FIGHTING FIBER - "CHITOSAN"

Imagine a dietary substance that could dramatically reduce fat absorption in the body! Imagine a dietary substance that could 'significantly" reduce cholesterol and triglyceride blood plasma levels which are proven to contribute to obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Imagine chitosan; the fiber which has the potential to become the safest and most effective weight loss and health promoting therapy ever discovered! Secretly, many of us have wished for the magic pill that would wash our fat away, even though deep down we knew no such thing could possibly exist. The answer is Chitosan! I think perhaps we were wrong. It does exist. However, it isn't magic. It's simply a different kind of soluble fiber that acts like a powerful magnet for fat and other high calorie fat producing substances in the digestive tract. The answer is Chitosan! The incredible fat fighting effects of chitosan fiber is backed by extensive scientific research. Chitosan is a proven safe and effective way to control the intake of dietary fat and other high calorie substances. The answer is Chitosan! It also offers other health enhancing benefits that could help untold millions of people. Perhaps, you are one of them.

WHY ARE WE FAT?
Research shows that over 100 million Americans are overweight and spending an estimated 33 billion dollars annually on diets and diet related products. Yet we remain fat. Why? One reason is that much of the processed food we eat today is sadly lacking in nutritional value because essential nutrients are lost in processing. The average persons diet today consists of many processed foods that are high in fats and sugars and low in fiber and enzymes. The answer is Chitosan! Another reason we are fat is that because of depleted soils, much of our food is already lacking in essential nutrients. Nutrient deficient food rapidly leads to nutritional deficiencies in the body. Empty calories are readily stored as fat which cannot be efficiently burned. Fat is burned only when sufficient energy is produced and energy production requires almost every known nutrient. The answer is Chitosan!

Malnutrition is a major factor leading to obesity and the inability or difficulty in losing weight. For instance, to produce energy we need the B vitamins. Vitamin B6 is essential for the conversion of stored fat and the utilization of protein. If there is a lack of pantothenic acid and protein, fat is burned at a tremendously reduced rate. Amino acids are essential for the proper function of many energy producing systems but cannot be utilized without choline , vitamin B6 and other nutrients. Vitamin E is also necessary for fat utilization and actually doubles our ability to use fat. If we are deficient in choline and inositol, the body cannot produce lecithin which also aids cells to burn fat. These are just a few examples of nutritional deficiencies that cause poor utilization of fat and fat storage. These deficiencies can also in turn prevent the body from producing hormones and enzymes necessary for the utilization and assimilation of nutrients available in other "good for us" foods. The answer is Chitosan!

SATURATED AND UNSATURATED FAT!
It is interesting to note that fat intake is not related to the use of body fat for energy production. It is very rare for the body to burn ingested fat for energy. When the body produces energy it first uses carbohydrates, then protein and then fat. The only fats the body uses, not burns, are essential fatty acids which are unsaturated. They cannot be made by the body and must be supplied through the diet. These essential fats are very important because they are used to help produce hormones and enzymes and act as cofactors to other nutrients. Additionally, they help to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart attacks and are essential for the normal development and function of the brain. Natural forms of the essential fatty acids are found in many vegetables, flax seed oil, salmon oil, cod liver oil and fish. The answer is Chitosan!

Saturated fats usually come from animal and dairy sources such as cheese, milk, meat, butter and eggs. The body does not use saturated fats in any way except to store them. They clog up our arteries, lead to untold health disorders, and when we look in the mirror we see them on our hips, thighs, stomach and under our chins etc. If it is necessary to burn fat for energy reduction it is much easier for the body to use the unsaturated essential fatty acids. There is an old saying about fat, "If it's past the lips it's on the hips." Fortunately, we now have Chitosan fiber to fight fat which makes that saying no longer true. The answer is Chitosan!

THE DANGERS OF FAT!
I am certain that you already know that scientific evidence shows that fat is the macro-nutrient associated with obesity. However, did you know that excess dietary fat is also associated with gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart disease, joint inflammation such as arthritis and gout, kidney disease, liver disorders, diabetes, respiratory problems, malnutrition, complications of pregnancy, psychological problems, and various forms of cancer such as breast, endometrial, colon, rectal, prostate, ovarian and cervical cancer. Additionally, virtually all health studies agree that excess fat can significanlly shorten your life span. Too much dietary fat consumption means that millions of people acquire diseases or disorders that could be easily prevented and die before their time. The answer is Chitosan!

If you are not over weight that does not necessarily mean your cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels are normal. I have a friend that has dangerously high blood pressure, her cholesterol and triglyceride levels are also very high and yet she is willow thin. She can eat whatever she wants with out gaining an ounce, and whatever she wants is usually high fat, soul satisfying food. She is headed for disaster and yet unwilling to change her dietary habits. Irregardless of how fat or thin you are, if you consume too much fat, you are at risk for developing the diseases or disorders mentioned above. The answer is Chitosan!

DEATH BEGINS IN THE COLON!
A poorly functioning and toxic colon can be related to many degenerative diseases including cancer and obesity. Colon/rectal cancer is the number one cancer for men and women in the U.S. More Americans are hospitalized due to diseases of the digestive system and colon than for any other disorder. In fact, we spend over 50 billion dollars a year in hospitals for surgical procedures and other treatments. Most of these problems could have been easily prevented by reducing dietary fat and including an adequate intake of dietary fiber. The answer is Chitosan!

The Merck Manual, which is the medical industry's standard text for the diagnosis and treatment of disease, reveals that Diverticulosis of the colon has increased dramatically over the last 50 years. In fact, it states that in 1950 only 1O% of the population had this disorder, in 1987 it had risen to 50% and the 1994 edition stated that by old age every person would have many diverticula. Diverticula are herniated pouch like sacs that form at weak points in the walls of the colon and are caused by sluggish or constipated bowels. There are no symptoms. However, these pockets can fill up with many pounds of old fecal matter which is very toxic. (10 to 20 pounds is not at all unusual.) Poisons from his toxic waste can be reabsorbed into the blood stream, and is thought to be by many as the underlying cause of sickness and disease. By the way, diverticula can be prevented by consuming an adequate intake of dietary fiber. The answer is Chitosan!

WHAT IS FIBER?
Fiber is a carbohydrate food component which contains no calories, has no nutritional value, provides us with no energy and is indigestible. Yet, it is an essential dietary factor for maintaining health. Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and psyllium seed husks. It is not found in meat or dairy products. Basically, the value of fiber is in what it does in our bodies. A major benefit is that it binds to bile acids and carries the bile along with excess fats out of the body. Fiber also helps you to feel full and eat less. It acts as a bulking agent and speeds the transit time of the food we eat which prevents indigested food and metabolic waste from creating toxic by products. The answer is Chitosan!

NOTE: 'Transit Time' is normally 12-18 hours! You can check this quite easily by swallowing about 2 tablespoons of 'Whole' kernels of sweet corn and note how long it takes to pass through your body!

Fiber helps lower cholesterol, reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, improves blood sugar, and promotes the growth of friendly intestinal flora. It also promotes bowel regularity, helps elimination, aids digestion and helps to keep the bowel clean.

NOTE: A simple fiber test is to check if your 'Stools' float or sink! If they sink, then it generally indicates the lack of sufficient fiber! Not only is chitosan a super fat fighting fiber, it additionally provides all of the above benefits.


CHITOSAN FIBER
Chitosan (pronounced kite-o-san) is a aminopolysaccharide, derived from "chitin". Chitin is found in plankton and the exoskeletons (shells) of crustaceans such as shrimp, lobster or crab. Researchers have been doing clinical studies on chitosan as a natural weight loss agent and as a fiber for adding bulk to the digestive system and for colon cleansing for about 17 years. It has also been used for 30 years by water purification plants as a process for detoxifying water. Chitosan is generally spread over the surface of water to absorb oil, grease, and other toxic substances. Chitosan soaks up these hazards and is then easily removed. It is also used for coagulation of activated sludge in food and beverage processing plants such as breweries and vegetable canneries. This semi-solid vegetable material is a major disposal problem. However, it does have nutritive value, and scientists are looking at the utilization of dried sludge as a protein supplement in animal feeds. Chitosan not only effectively neutralizes fats; it also acts as a sponge for other elements as well.

As a weight loss product chitosan can produce dramatic results as one clinical study in Helsinki Norway proved. The participants in the study lost an average of 8 % body fat in a four week period. This was an average of over 15 pounds per person! Researchers reported that the participants "informed us that this chitosan was the best and most hygienic way to take a weight reducing substance." The absence of side effects was also touted by the researchers and they were surprised at the blood pressure lowering effects of chitosan. We appear to be a society obsessed with dieting and yet few of us are successful in attaining permanent weight loss. The facts are that 68% of all Americans are overweight and 33% over the age of 20 are obese, and these figures are climbing daily. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, even a small amount of extra body weight increases our risk of disease and may affect longevity. The National Institute of Health states that, "Obesity is the leading cause of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer."

Chitosan offers everyone the potential of achieving permanent weight loss and other wonderful health benefits. If you have tried and failed like millions of others before you, take heart. Although chitosan is not a magic pill, it could be viewed as a miracle worker. For the best long term results it is recommended chitosan be taken in combination with a balanced low fat diet, other nutritional supplements, moderate exercise, and plenty of water. If you are occasionally tempted by that hot fudge sundae or juicy cheeseburger, remember to take your chitosan prior to being tempted. I have been told that chitosan is also safe for children and people who are slender but have high cholesterol levels.

CHITOSAN FIBER LOVES FAT AND OTHER STUFF THE BODY CAN TURN INTO FAT!
Chitosan has a powerful natural magnetic attraction for lipids, fats, and bile in the digestive tract and actually binds with them preventing them from being absorbed into the blood stream. Chitin is a structurally similar to cellulose which is a plant fiber except in chitosan, acetylamino groups are in place of hydroxy groups in its molecular composition. Chitosan is derived from Chitin by removing and refining the acetyls through a process called deacetylation. (de-a-sit-a-lation) Removing acetyl groups results in an unstable aminopolysaccharide (chitosan) molecule with a strong positive (pH) polarity. Chitosan's positive polarity attracts negatively charged molecules, and ionically bonds them to the chitosan. (similarly as a magnet attracts steel) The answer is Chitosan!

Within the digestive system the chitosan dissolves and forms a positively charged gel. Negatively charged molecules of fats, lipids, and bile attach strongly to the chitosan sites where the acetyl groups were removed. This electrolytic bonding causes large polymer compounds to be formed that cannot be broken down by the digestive process. The chitosan then acts as a coagulating agent for other activated solids, bulk wastes and Fibers, trapping them in the polymer. These solids can contain high calorie molecules such as complex sugar chains and high caloric carbohydrate micelles. These are substances that often get converted into fat which is stored in the body. As the chitosan polymer grows, it becomes too large to be absorbed through the lining of the digestive tract. Eventually the polymer is excreted as waste from the digestive system, carrying away the attached fat and other potential fat producing substances. The answer is Chitosan!

Bile acids are neutralized by the chitosan polymer. Bile Acids are released as fats, lipids and other high calorie fibers enter into the lower intestinal tract. The bile breaks up these high calorie substances into smaller digestible sizes called micelles. These micelles are then digested and absorbed by enzymatic activity. Note that as in the case of unsaturated fatty micelles, they are not burned for energy but stored as fat. Chitosan prevents the absorption of these fat producing micelles. Excessive bile acids are believed to contribute to colon and prostate cancer; so their elemination may be another positive feature of chitosan. The answer is Chitosan!

Chitosan is also called lipophilic, meaning that it is chemically attracted to or loves fat. Generally fibers are hydrophilic, which means they repel fat and attract water. Chitosan actually captures and inactivates lipids, fats, and cholesterol by preventing absorption and subsequent storage. Laboratory research shows that chitosan can bind significantly higher amounts of fats than other fibers can entrap. In fact, 23 different fiber substances were used in one study and it was found that chitosan worked 55% better than any other fiber in entrapping and eliminating fat in the gastro-intestinal tract. It is easy to verify how well chitosan works in eliminating fats by noticing the fat content in the stool.

Thanks to Nutrimart for information.

Please contact us for worldwide ordering.

Are All High Protein Diets Created Equal?

“Herbalife's high protein diet is more effective than standard protein diet for weight loss”

One of many clinical studies undertaken was conducted at the University of Ulm, Germany, which studied the impact of different protein diets on weight loss.

The study, which lasted for a total of 12 months, consisted of male and female subjects and was split into two groups of 50 subjects each, with both groups consuming a high protein diet.

The first group was instructed to follow a diet that supplied about twice the protein obtained from a typical diet. The subjects replaced two meals a day with Herbalife’s European Formula 1 shakes mixed with semi-skimmed milk (0.5 to 2.0% fat) and ate one regular high-protein meal each day. A high protein meal provides 2.2g of protein/Kg of lean body mass. The second group was instructed to follow a standard protein diet using regular grocery store foods.

Both groups followed their respective programs for three months. During the three-month period, the group consuming Herbalife Formula 1 shakes, made with semi-skimmed milk and extra protein from Herbalife Personalised Protein, lost on average 72% more weight than the group instructed to consume a standard protein diet from conventional foods they selected. For the next nine months, both groups were instructed to follow the same high-protein maintenance program, using one Herbalife® shake per day to replace a single meal.

They followed this regimen for nine months. At the end of the 12 month study period, those who used Herbalife Formula 1 Shakes for the full 12 months lost more than 200% more body fat than those who tried the standard protein diet using conventional foods for the initial three-month period.

Conclusion:
Using the Herbalife Formula 1 product as directed, as part of a high-protein, calorie-controlled diet is proven to yield significant increases in weight loss over a conventional food-based standard protein program.

Further findings based Upon This Clinical Study:
The use of Herbalife Formula 1 and Personalised Protein can support a weight-loss program, and the continued use of Herbalife Formula 1 after initial weight loss can help to maintain results.

Herbalife is also excited about the broader implications of this study. Using the Herbalife F1 Shakes as part of a balanced and varied diet helps maintain good overall health by delivering nutrients to the body and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in May of 2008.
Study published in the International Journal of Obesity.

For more information send me an email! quench.nutrition@gmail.com

The use of Herbalife Formula 1 and Personalised Protein Powder can support a weight-loss program, and the continued use of Herbalife Formula 1 after initial weight loss can help to maintain results. These results are not necessarily typical. Individual results will vary.

10 Top Tips For Successful Weight Loss

Here are the top 10 strategies of successful ‘losers’:

1. They get to know themselves really well.
One key to success is learning how to manage your own high risk situations - such as eating when you’re stressed or cleaning your plate out of habit rather than hunger. Successful losers are adaptable and plan ahead - they know what situations might get them into trouble and have a backup plan for dealing with them.

2. They get a lot of exercise.
On average, the National Weight Control Registry enrollees burn about 2000 calories per week through exercise. That’s a lot - they get about 60-90 minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise daily. The most popular exercise is walking, and they average 5-6 miles a day.

3. They set goals and monitor their behavior.
Setting goals – ones you measure, like how many minutes you will walk, how many calories you will take in, or how many situps you will do – are helpful because you can track whether or not you meet these goals. Successful losers keep track of how much exercise they get, and they keep food journals – sometimes using a food log to plan meals ahead of time. These self-monitoring strategies are critical and provide much-needed feedback on behavior changes.

4. They have regular meal patterns and frequency.
Many people get in trouble with their weight because their eating patterns are so disorganized. Successful losers report that eating at regular intervals and snacking only when they hungry are keys to success. Skipping meals usually backfires, and having routine meal times means that you don’t go long stretches without food – which often leads to excessive snacking or larger meals later on.

5. They eat a low fat, nutrient dense diet.
No surprises here, but a high quality diet – one with plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains– is what keeps people satisfied. The fruits, veggies and whole grains are bulky and filling, but their calorie cost is relatively low. Adequate protein is key, since protein is highly satisfying and will keep hunger at bay between meals.

6. They practice portion control.
By learning what size portion you need to eat to feel ‘not hungry any more’ – as opposed to feeling ‘stuffed’ – you can trim your intake significantly. Portion control strategies include using smaller plates, serving your food in the kitchen (rather than having serving dishes at the table), and using meal replacements such as protein shakes, bars or frozen meals.

7. They practice stress management.
Food is so often used as a comfort when we’re stressed – but we usually feel guilty afterwards, which just increases the stress and keeps the cycle going. Successful losers have learned to find other ways to reduce their stress. They exercise, call a friend, or practice some meditation or deep breathing.

8. They had an attitude adjustment.
Many people who have successfully lost weight say that they had to change their thinking about dieting and weight loss. Some felt it was ‘in their genes’ to be fat, or that they couldn’t lose because they’d never been successful in the past. Eventually, they faced the problem head on – recognizing that success would come through a series of small steps and a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

9. They adopted a plan, and they stick to it.
Once you have an established routine of how you generally eat, and how frequently you exercise, learn to stick with this routine day in, and day out. People who have lost weight and are successful and maintaining that loss do this – even on holidays or when they go to restaurants. Many dine out less often, because they prefer having more control over what they eat by preparing more meals at home.

10. They have learned to control their environment.
Successful losers learn how to control situations that are most likely to get them into trouble. The foods that are available in the refrigerator or cupboard at home, in restaurants, at the workplace or in the grocery store are all environments that can be controlled. To gain control over the food environment, keep ‘safe’ foods in the house, choose restaurants where you know you can get foods that you want, bring appropriate foods to work and prepare a shopping list before you go to the supermarket.

CONFERENCE: GLOBAL NUTRITION TRANSITION

What an awesome weekend!

On Thursday we had the 1st South East Asian GLOBAL NUTRITION TRANSITION CONFERENCE.

Medical and Health professionals from around SE Asia gathered in Singapore for the Global Nutrition Transition Conference in order to discuss emerging trends and grass roots solutions to the global obesity epidemic …… employing balanced nutrition and teaching healthy active lifestyles.

The world is witnessing a broad and rapid shift in dietary and physical activity patterns. For the first time in human history, more people are overweight than underweight.

Obesity rates are estimated to double by 2030! This will increase worldwide problems - Diabetes, Cardio Vascular Disease, Alzheimers, Metabolic Syndrome and other chronic diseases.

Childhood obesity is climbing quickly. These children are now at risk of being fat forever!

Highlighted was the epidemic and issues particular to south east asia. Metabolic Syndrome is increasing throughout the region - even in non obese persons. It is estimated to increase in the next 20 years by 170%-200% !!

The conference discussed the impact of what is termed the Nutrition Transition - the effect of the globalisation of the Western diet which is changing dietary patterns and the incidence of overweight and obesity on the world's population and what personalised solutions, balanced nutrition and a healthy, active lifestyle can do to combat this global concern.

Presenters focused on the dramatic increases in the incidence of overweight and obesity in countries where, until recently, obesity was virtually unknown. Primarily Obesity & Nutrition Trends within our own Asia Pacific Region.

As developing countries become more prosperous, they begin to share the health problems of the industrialised world – including huge increases in the number of adults and children who are carrying excess weight. In countries such as India, Philippines, China, Vietnam etc … the recent migration to cities from rural areas, the expansion of western fast food outlets into these countries and the increase in personal incomes has been accompanied by an increased incidence of overweight and obesity with skyrocketing associated health issues.

The latest data, science, research and nutritional insights were discussed by an awesome panel of distinguished doctors and leading experts in the fields of health and nutrition - Dr David Heber, Prof Anoop Misra from India, Dr Belong Cho from Korea and Dr Shih-Yi Huang from Taiwan discussed the problems and then solutions to the worlds biggest modern epidemic - obesity & associated effects. They shared their knowledge on the challenges and solutions surrounding Nutrition Transition – The Global Obesity Epidemic and Current Trends in Nutrition.

The impact on health, lifestyle and the hospital systems. Diabetes trends are out of control! Young adults and children being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Do you want to lower your risk?? Secure a better life for your children? The concerns about childhood obesity – Fat kids are destined to be FAT adults with a shorter life expectancy. Our kids are the first generation that is dying before their parents!

WE can stop this trend! No other company clearly has the vehicle to do so.

It was very clear Herbalife is the only non medication weapon against Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.

We at QUENCH Nutrition Club are happy to discuss options with you – where ever in the world you may be we have a consultant to help you and your family!

Lose weight or die younger than you should!

http://www.quenchnutrition.com/

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TAKE SUPPLEMENTS DAILY By Dr. Tony Vendrye

Of several remedies, the physician
should choose the least sensational.’
– Hippocrates

Up to as little as a decade ago, mainstream medicine has been openly hostile to the idea of healthy people taking vitamin supplements. Only recently has this anti-vitamin position begun to change, as irrefutable evidence emerged showing that vitamin supplements could reduce the risk of many common diseases. Sadly, it is still common practice for doctors to tell their patients that they do not need vitamin supplements if they are eating a ‘balanced’ diet.

In April 1998, the editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine was entitled ‘Eat Right and Take a Multi Vitamin’. This article indicated that certain vitamin supplements could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This was the first time that a prestigious medical journal was recommending vitamin supplements. An even stronger endorsement for the use of vitamin supplements came in the June 19, 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Harvard University doctors reported that people who got enough vitamins might be able to prevent such common illnesses as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Today one in every three North Americans takes multivitamins but many are reluctant to tell their doctors for fear that they may disapprove. The same situation exists right here in Jamaica, although a number of my Jamaican medical colleagues are now regularly recommending vitamin and herbal supplements to their patients. I applaud them for this refreshing change.

TAKE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
However, to complicate the issue, research suggests that as much as one third of dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals and herbals), have one or all of the following problems:
• The products do not contain what the label says it should.
• The products contain other undisclosed substances in addition to what is on the label, which may create a health hazard.
• The active ingredients in a supplement may not be readily absorbed by the system, and may thus be ineffective.

Fortunately, the Jamaican Ministry of Health has been active in seeking to protect the interests of the public in this matter. I hope, however, that in doing so the right of the individual to choose supplements for himself or herself will not be infringed upon. After all, the possible problems that may arise from taking supplements are minute when compared with the side effects of prescription medication. Just imagine, over 150,000 Americans die each year from the side effects of drugs prescribed by their doctors! By contrast, last year the Center for Disease Control reported no deaths at all from the use of vitamin and herbal supplements.

The following guidelines will help you in your choice of nutritional supplements.

Choose a reputable brand
The cheapest brand is not necessarily the best. Choose products from a company that has a well established reputation for high quality and effective products.
Speak with individuals who have used that brand and have them share their experience with you. Well-trained network marketers of nutritional supplements are particularly helpful in this regard, as they are usually heavy consumers of the products they sell. Some, but not all, health food store personnel may also be helpful. I myself very carefully select the brand of supplements I recommend to my clients.

Read the labels
The US Food and Drug Administration does not approve dietary supplements but monitors and regulates their use by certain laws such as:
* The Mega dosage Law, which says that no food supplement should have an amount of any one ingredient that could create harm when taken at the recommended dosage.
* The Labeling Law, which says that any potential side effect that a dietary supplement may have and any necessary warnings about the use of such a product should appear on the product’s label. They also strictly restrict manufacturers from making medical claims that have not been scientifically validated. Unfortunately, unscrupulous manufacturers sometimes get away with outright fraud and that is why I so strongly recommend that you do your own due diligence and only use products from highly reputable companies.

Pay little attention to RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) values on the labels. The RDA is the minimum amount of a vitamin necessary to prevent you from being seriously deficient. I and many experts believe that those levels are far too low for optimal health benefits and that the RDA is obsolete and irrelevant to modern nutritional practice.

Educate yourself
The more informed you become about nutrition, the more responsibility you can take for maintaining excellent health. There are many books, tapes, seminars and Internet sites that provide good information. I recommend my own Book and Radio Show An Ounce of Prevention, as a good information sources. Remember, ‘Your Health is in your Hands’.

Talk with your doctor
It is important that your physician knows that you are taking supplements. If your doctor is unwilling to discuss the matter with you, then I would suggest that you seek a second opinion or even change your health care provider. Remember, doctors are often not well educated about nutrition and nutritional supplementation.

Balance your nutrition
Despite their importance, supplements alone are not a replacement for a balanced, healthy diet. They should complement your diet. Particularly try to have at least seven servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily, as they contain a variety of beneficial substances, known and unknown. As we often lack protein, I also recommend that you include a high quality nutritional protein shake drink in your daily diet. It facilitates good Cellular Nutrition, an essential for good health for everyone.

You may email Dr, Vendryes at vendryes@mac.com, follow him on Facebook or listen to An Ounce of Prevention on POWER 106FM on Fridays at 8:00pm. The program streams live on the Internet.

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Many ignorant on 'waist fat' risk

Almost nine in 10 people are not aware of the risks of carrying extra fat around their waistline.

A survey of 12,000 Europeans found most had no idea that a thick waist was a sign of a build-up of a dangerous type of fat around the internal organs.

The report from GlaxoSmithKline, who make weight loss drug Alli, said this "visceral fat" is strongly linked with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Most people would lose weight once they found out the risk, the survey found.

Report author Dr Terry Maguire, honorary senior lecturer at Queen's University in Belfast, said people did not know that visceral fat, which you cannot see or feel and which sits around the organs in the abdomen, is there or that it poses a problem.

It is thought that the danger of visceral fat is related to the release of proteins and hormones that can cause inflammation, which in turn can damage arteries and enter the liver, and affect how the body breaks down sugars and fats.

It is the weight around your belly which really does the harm Professor Steve Field, Royal College of GPs

Only a quarter of those questioned in the Europe-wide study thought being overweight was a risk to long-term health at all.

"Most overweight people still see themselves as having a body image issue not a health problem and they need to understand the health benefits of weight loss as well as the cosmetic results," he said.

Waist Measurement

Research has shown that waist circumference is a good indicator of visceral fat and therefore of a person's risk of diseases associated with being overweight, such as type 2 diabetes.

The report pointed out that when weight is lost visceral fat is more easily broken down for energy than the fat immediately under the skin and even a small amount of weight loss can cause a difference.

When asked about losing weight, two-thirds of respondents said they would go on a diet in the New Year.


WAIST SIZE
Diabetes UK advises that the following waist measurements put people at risk:
Women: 31.5 inches (80 cm)
White men and black men: 37 inches (94cm)
South Asian men: 35 inches (90cm)

But the report's co-author Professor David Haslam, chair of the UK National Obesity Forum, cautioned that steady sustainable weight loss is important and that crash diets were likely to be unsuccessful.

"They can actually do more harm than good," he said.

"Invariably weight is put back on, with some of the weight regained accumulating as visceral fat."

It comes as the Department of Health announced that more than 300 of the 1,500 babies who were likely to have been born this New Year's Day could be overweight or obese by the time they start school unless action is taken.

Professor Steve Field, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said most of the focus in recent years had been on weight.

"It is the weight around your belly which really does the harm.

"A lot of these things take a while to get into people's heads especially as there has been so much focus on weight and body mass index.

"I'm not surprised at the findings because it will take more than a few academic papers to really change people's minds."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8436409.stm

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Healthy Breakfast

DID YOU KNOW that it is 4.5 times more likely that those who skip breakfast are obese compared with those who eat a morning meal?

The American Dietetic Association says breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And despite the healthful benefits, breakfast may be the meal that is most often neglected or skipped. Eating breakfast not only aids in weight management, it fuels the body to help provide energy, better concentration and problem-solving ability throughout the day, according to the food and nutrition experts at the American Dietetic Association.

Eating a Balanced Breakfast (or Alternative Meal) results in far fewer cravings, far less hunger, and up to five times more weight loss than a low-carbohydrate diet

THEREFORE, whatever your reasons, make sure you have a healthy breakfast to keep you going everyday. Why don't you share this with your friends to remind them?

THE DAILY HEALTHY BREAKFAST

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Cola and unhealthy lifestyle lower sperm count - http://bit.ly/bwMzng

March 31, 2010 by Lin Edwards

(PhysOrg.com) -- A Danish study suggests drinking a lot of cola regularly could men’s lower sperm count by almost 30 percent. The culprit does not appear to be caffeine, since coffee did not have the same effect, even though it contains even more caffeine than cola.

Leader of the research team, Professor Tina Kold Jensen of the University Department of Growth and Reproduction at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, said the results of previous studies on the effect of caffeine on male fertility had been unclear, and the study participants had usually been carefully selected, often because they were infertile or about to undergo vasectomy. The current study included 2,554 young men and aimed to find out how the increasing consumption of soft drinks containing caffeine by young people in Denmark might affect male reproductive health.

The participants were recruited in the period 2001 to 2005 when they were having their compulsory physical examination to determine if they were fit for military service. They were asked to complete a questionnaire about lifestyle and diet, including information on their intake of caffeine from various sources including cola, and they also delivered a semen sample.

The results were that those with low to moderate total caffeine intake and cola consumption (up to 800 mg/day caffeine and up to 14 x 0.5 liter bottles of cola per week) showed no link with semen quality in terms of sperm concentration and sperm count, while those with high intake of total caffeine and/or cola (over 800 mg/day and more than 14 x 0.5 liter bottles/week) had reduced sperm count and concentration, but this was only significant for the cola intake. Those with low to moderate consumption (the vast majority) had higher sperm counts (average 56 million/ml) than those who drank cola. In the 93 men who drank a liter (a quart) or more a day the sperm counts were much lower (35 million/ml). Even the lower count is within the World Health Organisation’s reported normal limits, but a reduced sperm count increases the risk of eventually becoming infertile.

The study found no link between caffeine in tea or coffee and the lowered sperm count, which meant the effect may be produced by other ingredients in the soft drinks, or other factors related to lifestyle, but the authors said they could not “exclude the possibility of a threshold above which cola, and possibly caffeine, negatively affects semen quality”. The researchers also found that those who drank cola had unhealthier lifestyles, ate less fruit and vegetables, and more fast foods than those who did not. It is therefore unclear if one or more of the cola’s ingredients, the unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet or a combination of these factors is responsible for the reduced sperm quality.

The study findings are published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

More information: Tina Kold Jensen et al., Caffeine Intake and Semen Quality in a Population of 2,554 Young Danish Men, American Journal of Epidemiology, doi:10.1093/aje/kwq007

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Fatty foods may cause cocaine-like addiction

Cheesecake and other fatty foods overload the pleasure centers in the brain

(Health.com) - Scientists have finally confirmed what the rest of us have suspected for years: Bacon, cheesecake, and other delicious yet fattening foods may be addictive.

A new study in rats suggests that high-fat, high-calorie foods affect the brain in much the same way as cocaine and heroin. When rats consume these foods in great enough quantities, it leads to compulsive eating habits that resemble drug addiction, the study found.

Doing drugs such as cocaine and eating too much junk food both gradually overload the so-called pleasure centers in the brain, according to Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D., an associate professor of molecular therapeutics at the Scripps Research Institute, in Jupiter, Florida. Eventually the pleasure centers "crash," and achieving the same pleasure--or even just feeling normal--requires increasing amounts of the drug or food, says Kenny, the lead author of the study.

"People know intuitively that there's more to [overeating] than just willpower," he says. "There's a system in the brain that's been turned on or over-activated, and that's driving [overeating] at some subconscious level."

In the study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, Kenny and his co-author studied three groups of lab rats for 40 days. One of the groups was fed regular rat food. A second was fed bacon, sausage, cheesecake, frosting, and other fattening, high-calorie foods--but only for one hour each day. The third group was allowed to pig out on the unhealthy foods for up to 23 hours a day.

Health.com: How the pros curb food cravings

Not surprisingly, the rats that gorged themselves on the human food quickly became obese. But their brains also changed. By monitoring implanted brain electrodes, the researchers found that the rats in the third group gradually developed a tolerance to the pleasure the food gave them and had to eat more to experience a high.

Health.com: Eat this and burn more fat

They began to eat compulsively, to the point where they continued to do so in the face of pain. When the researchers applied an electric shock to the rats' feet in the presence of the food, the rats in the first two groups were frightened away from eating. But the obese rats were not. "Their attention was solely focused on consuming food," says Kenny.

In previous studies, rats have exhibited similar brain changes when given unlimited access to cocaine or heroin. And rats have similarly ignored punishment to continue consuming cocaine, the researchers note.

Health.com: 25 diet-busting foods you should never eat

The fact that junk food could provoke this response isn't entirely surprising, says Dr.Gene-Jack Wang, M.D., the chair of the medical department at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, in Upton, New York.

"We make our food very similar to cocaine now," he says.

Coca leaves have been used since ancient times, he points out, but people learned to purify or alter cocaine to deliver it more efficiently to their brains (by injecting or smoking it, for instance). This made the drug more addictive.

According to Wang, food has evolved in a similar way. "We purify our food," he says. "Our ancestors ate whole grains, but we're eating white bread. American Indians ate corn; we eat corn syrup."

Health.com: 10 'Last Supper' paintings: Bigger portions over time?

The ingredients in purified modern food cause people to "eat unconsciously and unnecessarily," and will also prompt an animal to "eat like a drug abuser [uses drugs]," says Wang.

The neurotransmitter dopamine appears to be responsible for the behavior of the overeating rats, according to the study. Dopamine is involved in the brain's pleasure (or reward) centers, and it also plays a role in reinforcing behavior. "It tells the brain something has happened and you should learn from what just happened," says Kenny.

Overeating caused the levels of a certain dopamine receptor in the brains of the obese rats to drop, the study found. In humans, low levels of the same receptors have been associated with drug addiction and obesity, and may be genetic, Kenny says.

Health.com: The real reasons we eat too much

However, that doesn't mean that everyone born with lower dopamine receptor levels is destined to become an addict or to overeat. As Wang points out, environmental factors, and not just genes, are involved in both behaviors.

Wang also cautions that applying the results of animal studies to humans can be tricky. For instance, he says, in studies of weight-loss drugs, rats have lost as much as 30 percent of their weight, but humans on the same drug have lost less than 5 percent of their weight. "You can't mimic completely human behavior, but [animal studies] can give you a clue about what can happen in humans," Wang says.

Although he acknowledges that his research may not directly translate to humans, Kenny says the findings shed light on the brain mechanisms that drive overeating and could even lead to new treatments for obesity.

"If we could develop therapeutics for drug addiction, those same drugs may be good for obesity as well," he says.

FULL STORY HERE

Nearly third of children globally are couch potatoes

Mon Mar 29, 6:38 pm ET .NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) –

American children aren't the only couch potatoes with nearly one third of children globally spending three hours a day or more watching TV or on computers, according to study of over 70,000 teens in 34 nations.

A boy poses with a chicken burger at a fast food outlet in Taipei January 29, 2010. Bingeing on high-calorie foods may be as addictive as cocaine or nicotine, and could cause compulsive eating and obesity, according to a study published on Sunday.

From Argentina to Zambia, Regina Guthold of the World Health Organization in Geneva and her colleagues found most children aren't getting enough exercise and it made no difference if they lived in a rich or a poor country.

"With regards to physical activity levels, we did not find much of a difference between poor and rich countries," Guthold told Reuters Health. "Growing up in a poor country does not necessarily mean that kids get more physical activity."

The study, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, looking at 72,845 schoolchildren aged 13 to 15 from North and South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The children were surveyed between 2003 and 2007.

The researchers defined adequate physical activity as at least an hour of exercise outside of gym class at least five days a week.

Children who spent three or more hours a day watching TV, playing computer games, or chatting with friends -- aside from time in school or time spent doing homework -- were classified as sedentary.

The researchers found only one quarter of the boys and 15 percent of the girls were getting enough exercise by these definitions.

A quarter of boys and nearly 30 percent of girls were sedentary and didn't get enough exercise with girls less active than boys in every country aside from Zambia.

Uruguay had the highest percentage of active boys, at 42 percent, while Zambia had the lowest, at 8 percent.

Girls from India were the most active, with 37 percent meeting exercise recommendations, while girls from Egypt were the least active, with just 4 percent getting adequate exercise.

Children in Myanmar were the least sedentary, with 13 percent of boys and 8 percent of girls classified as sedentary. The most sedentary nations were St. Lucia and the Cayman Islands, with 58 percent of boys and 64 percent of girls spending at least three hours a day in sedentary activities.

While the study didn't look at the reasons behind the lack of physical activity in various nations, Guthold speculated that urbanization could be a factor as well as access to cars and TVs.

She said schools can help children become more active by having physical education classes and educating students about the importance of exercise.

Adding lanes for bicycles, pedestrian crossings and other changes to promote walking and biking to and from school could help too, she added.

"Even with the limitations that questionnaire data (suffer) from, I guess it's pretty safe to say that we have a huge problem with physical inactivity among schoolchildren around the globe and that we should take action," said Guthold.

(Reporting by Anne Harding, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith) STORY HERE

The Herbalife LaBamba Diet

The Herbalife 3 Day Diet That Gets Results!

If you're struggling with starting a weight loss program or if you've seemingly hit a stubborn plateau, there is a 3 day solution for you.

The 3-day LaBamba Diet Program incorporates protein to keep you from getting hungry, an all-natural energy booster, and a very gentle digestive cleanse designed to help you begin a healthy weight loss program.

This program is safe and effective and endorsed by Dr. Steven Komadina, who is a prestigious member of Herbalife's Medical Advisory Board.

On average, expect to lose between 2 - 5kgs (5-7 lbs) and lower % body fat in 3 days...

The LaBamba Diet is not a starvation diet. Instead, it is based on science and nutrition. To lose fat and not merely water weight, we must get our bodies to burn fat. Glucagon is the hormone that increases the fat-burning capacity of our bodies while insulin is the hormone that encourages the body to store fat.

The science behind the Labamba Diet is that we will increase our body's production of glucagon and decrease the body's production of insulin. Glucagon is released in the body when we eat protein and insulin is released to regulate carbohydrate metabolism. During the LaBamba diet, we will limit your consumption of carbohydrates (thereby suppressing the body's production of insulin) and increase your consumption of protein (thereby increasing the body's production of glucagon).

NOTE: La Bamba is safe for everyone except those who have kidney problems or renal disease, in which case, they have to limit their consumption of protein.

La Bamba is safe for diabetics, people with high-blood pressure - anyone who has a normal functioning kidney.

Safe and effective! Endorsed by Dr. Steven Komadina M.D. from New Mexico
Dr. Komandina M.D. talks about the LaBamba Diet:
Click *Here* For Audio Presentation

Here is the plan in detail:

What you'll need to order:

• 1 Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix (choose your favourite flavour)
• 1 Formula Personalized Protein Powder
• 1 Herbal Aloe Drink Concentrate (choose the Mango flavor if you have it in your country)
• 1 Herbal Concentrate Tea (choose the original as it has double the "drink & shrink" power)
• 2 Beverage Mix Packets (If available in your country)

Day 1

For Day 1, you will have:
3.8litre (1 Gallon) of the protein drink (flushes out breakdown products of protein from your kidneys with a lot of glucagon released) and also 3.8litre (1 Gallon) of water, alternating on the half hour as described below.
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Make the protein drink according to the following instructions. Have this drink throughout Day 1 and have no other food or drink. This is the only day where you might feel a bit hungry, but rest assured that your body is not starving. Each package of the Beverage Mix has 15 grams of protein. You will be consuming 8 packages, which means you will be getting 120 grams of total protein in Day 1.

To make the protein drink:

1) Take 1 gallon containers
2) In one of the gallon containers, add:
8 packets of Beverage Mix Packets
1 heaping tablespoon of Herbal Concentrate Tea (original flavor)
12mls (4 fl oz) of Herbal Aloe Drink Concentrate
3) Fill the container with purified water. Shake to mix and store in the refrigerator.

also have 3.8litres (1 Gallon) of Purified Water to drink as pure water on the 1/2 hour for 8 hours

Drink 500mls 16 oz. glass every hour for 8 hours

Take Herbalife Nutritional Supplement tablets, NO food

Day 2

For Day 2, you will have:
5 Shapeworks Formula 1 Shakes (no fruit),
2-3 cups of Herbal Concentrate Tea,
at least 8 glasses of water
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Formula 1 Shakes are based on the NASA concept of the Complete Meal - you get all the nutrients and phytonutrients you need. Furthermore, every shake contains 20 grams of protein, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 6.4 grams of fat and only 250 calories. For Day 2 you will have a total of 100 grams of protein, 110 grams of carbohydrates, 32 grams of fat and 1250 calories.

The protein-rich shakes will suppress your hunger and the thermogenic effect of protein will help the body release glucagon which turns your body into a fat-burning machine.

To make each shake add:
2 scoops of Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix
1 to 2 tablespoon of Personalized Protein Powder
250 - 350 mls (8-12 oz) of either soy or low fat or skim milk (no fruit juice)
Do not add fruit! (We want to restrict your intake of carbohydrates on this day)

Take tablets, NO additional food - only shakes made as above!

Day 3

For Day 3, you will have:
2 Formula 1 Shakes (made the same way as in Day 2) - no fruit or fruit juice,
1 colorful meal - consisting of lean meat or fish, 3-4 servings of vegetables, salad, small potato or half cup of rice,
2-3 cups of Herbal Concentrate Tea,
at least 8 glasses of water

After Day 3
Return to your regular Program Mealplan which consists of 2 shakes, 1 balanced meal, a healthy snack protein/fruit or veggie and supplements.

NOTE: When you hit a plateau, the dieter's tendency is to eat less (and exercise more). However, do not starve yourself! Instead, stay consistent and commit yourself to the mealplan. When you starve yourself, your body will start to conserve energy and store fat. If necessary, try the LaBamba Diet again. You can do this once per month.

Tips/QA:
Q: I am sensitive to caffeine. What should I do?
A: There is caffeine in tea. Use less Herbal Concentrate in your program. Put the Herbal Concentrate in first gallon only, not second so it won't keep them up all night. Or use half the dosage.

Q: Can you use it more than once a month?
A: Not recommended. This is a 3 day jump start program, not a long-term program. ShapeWorks program is designed for ongoing, long term results. Start next month with another boost with the La Bamba Diet, if wanted, but only once a month.

Q: Can you use herbal aloe concentrate or drink?
A: Yes, either one. If you prefer the drink, use the equivalent amount and reduce the water accordingly.
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Why This Program Works

Glucagon (released when you eat protein)

• Raises Blood Sugar By Converting Protein and Fat into Glucose
• Burns Fat
• Decreases Cholesterol Production
• Increases Release of Growth Hormone
• Decreases smooth muscles cells in vessel walls
• Makes Kidney release fluid
• Releases fat from fat cells for energy
• Makes dietary fats into ketones for energy
• Shifts metabolism into a Burning Mode

Insulin (released when you eat a carbohydrate)

• Lowers Blood Sugar
• Increases the Storage of Fat
• Stimulates liver's synthesis of Cholesterol
• Glucose Decreases
• Growth Hormone Released
• Stimulates growth of arterial
• Smooth muscle cells
• Increases Appetite
• Makes Kidneys Retain Fluid
• Shifts Metabolism into Storage Mode
  
  

from Dr. Steven Komadina, M.D.
Book "Born to Be Healthy and Thin" pgs. 193 & 194
order it at http://www.stevekomadinamd.com/