Many people are confused about how to love themselves. Because there were treated poorly by their parents, they naturally feel bad about themselves and treat themselves in a similar way – without respect, without love, without reverence. If we are to live successful lives, we must learn how to love ourselves as the beautiful, brilliant, spiritually divine souls that we are.

So how should we love ourselves? You know you’re on the right path when you love and honor the goodness in others, foster a divine connection and live according to your deepest principles. While we should also love and honor what is not good in others, that does not mean we can’t get angry or express our disapproval. Sometimes anger is a natural, healthy and productive response to reality. It’s all a matter of how you channel it. Imagine if Martin Luther King had not become angry at the inhumanity of social injustice and racism. But he directed his anger toward positive social change.

It doesn’t make any difference what other people say or think about you. You must know who and what you are, and that is all that matters. You need to have [...]]]>

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Many people are confused about how to love themselves. Because there were treated poorly by their parents, they naturally feel bad about themselves and treat themselves in a similar way – without respect, without love, without reverence. If we are to live successful lives, we must learn how to love ourselves as the beautiful, brilliant, spiritually divine souls that we are.

So how should we love ourselves? You know you’re on the right path when you love and honor the goodness in others, foster a divine connection and live according to your deepest principles. While we should also love and honor what is not good in others, that does not mean we can’t get angry or express our disapproval. Sometimes anger is a natural, healthy and productive response to reality. It’s all a matter of how you channel it. Imagine if Martin Luther King had not become angry at the inhumanity of social injustice and racism. But he directed his anger toward positive social change.

It doesn’t make any difference what other people say or think about you. You must know who and what you are, and that is all that matters. You need to have faith in yourself. Trust your instincts. Trust your inner voice. Other people have no right to demean or interfere in the spiritual journey of your divine self, as long as you do no harm to others. Only you know what is best for you, and only you know your true path and calling.

Spiritual Growth & Awareness

Of course, because most people lack spiritual awareness, they will try and block your own progress of spiritual growth. This is normal, and to be expected. Try not to hold a grudge against others simply because they lack your own spiritual awareness. Most people are spiritually asleep. They may mean well, they may love you, but they just don’t know how to express and support you on your spiritual journey.

All of us carry wounds from our childhood. But these wounds cannot be healed by loving others at our own expense. If we neglect ourselves at the expense of others, we will only end up hurting ourselves more in the end. We will darken our inner light. You are an angel. A divine spirit. A beautiful soul. Treat and see yourself that way. Want and appreciate the beauty and bounty that flows into your life. You deserve it.

We depend on others, such as family and friends, to understand and support us, but this can be very discouraging. The reality is, oftentimes they cannot do so because they have their own struggles, their own demons to overcome. Don’t make the mistake of seeing this as your fault. The shortcoming is not in you. They are doing their best with what they know, what they have learned and what they have. Most people, unfortunately, are spiritually stunted by the people who actually love them.

And know that in the end no matter how much people love you, you are ultimately responsible for yourself. You must learn to depend on yourself alone, even if others love and support you along the way. Learning to depend and rely on yourself to overcome the challenges of life is what builds character and self-esteem. Never pity yourself.

By learning that you can depend on yourself to overcome any obstacle, you develop the feeling of being a successful and competent person. This feeling of inner worth is what will support you on the difficult paths your life will take, and is what will make your life fulfilling. As the great philosopher Nietzsche wrote, “Character is destiny”.

Developing healthy self-esteem and a strong character will allow you to achieve anything in life. Your dreams will become reality. If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. You are your own best friend, and your own worst enemy.

The Law of Attraction – Karma

When you have a healthy, vibrant, high vibration spirit, you will attract the same energy into your life. You’ll find that other healthy, successful, happy people will enter into your life without you even realizing it. This is the Law of Attraction. Whatever energy you put out will come back to you. If you think great thoughts, great things will happen. Maybe not the same day. Maybe not exactly when you want or expect it. But over time, you will find greater and greater success.

Likewise, if you fill your thoughts with negative energy, and constantly look at the dark side of life, you will attract that darkness to yourself. Pessimism feeds upon itself. When you intentionally commit an evil act, then that energy will come back to you. That is the law of Karma.

When you vibrate energy at a high level, you’ll find that what you desire and need will naturally flow to you. People who are around you – successful people – will feel better and happier and become more attracted to you. If you’re a man, women will naturally find you more attractive because most women love success and confidence in a man more than anything. They are attracted to a man’s power. Most men too – or at least those with high self-esteem – are attracted to confidence in a woman.

Sometimes loving others will require making sacrifices for them, but not to the detriment of your core self. Sometimes loving others means saying no; you have to take care of yourself first. Despite what you may fear, people will not usually become angry when you define your boundaries, but will respect you for your power and strength of individuality. They will see you as a role model, someone to emulate and respect. They will admire your courage.

So that’s how to make your dreams a reality. Not by seeking support from the outside world, but by looking deep within and finding your own strength, your own power, your own dreams and visions – your own ecstasy. Then work like hell. People will follow you on a stairway to heaven.

Most people find this path of self love difficult. Women especially have been taught by tradition to love others ahead of themselves. But just because we put ourselves first does not mean that our love for others becomes diminished.

In fact, when we love ourselves first, we become more powerful, our love becomes more powerful, and we have more to give others. We can help others most when we learn to love ourselves well. That means discovering the divine spirit within. Discovering our own beauty and genius. Our own light. Meditation is one way to discover the divine within.

And don’t forget to be grateful. Gratitude is everything. Be thankful for all that you have. The more you learn to appreciate what you have in life, the more you’ll have to appreciate.

Most of us believed the injurious things that people told us when we were children. They told us we were stupid, or fat, or ugly, or too skinny, or weak, or just not good enough. So we tried to compensate in ways that would make others love us, at the expense of our integrity, our individuality and spiritual wholeness.

We spent so much time attempting to prove our goodness and worthiness to other people that we forgot how to believe in ourselves, determine our own goals and reward ourselves for our progress, rather than basing our self-worth and self-respect on the belief or attention of others.

But the truth is, they were not good enough. And they tried to pawn off their own inadequate feelings on us so they could feel better about themselves. But in the end, we must all learn forgiveness. Forgiveness is the seed of all healing. When we learn to fly in the divine light of forgiveness, we learn what true love is. All true love is born in forgiveness.

It is never too late to have a happy childhood. No matter what you have suffered, others have been there too, and not only survived but thrived. It is never too late to begin loving yourself, and when you do you can be reborn, because the universe will shower you with this love and all the love it contains and will bring you back home to the miraculous. Ask and you shall receive, because the universe is listening right now.

Truly successful people believe in themselves first, and only then seek out the resources and support they need to make their dreams come alive. Unsuccessful people don’t have faith in themselves or their ability to create what they desire, so they wait for others to give them what they need, or blame and resent other people for not giving it to them.

Your decisions – your destiny – are yours to write. You are writing the story of your life. What story are you going to tell?

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It is startling the amount of conflicting advice one hears about the health of various foods and drinks. It was once thought that eating eggs were harmful because of the high cholesterol content, and a man should not eat more than one a day. Recent evidence, however, has shown that they are not as harmful as once believed, and the controversy over cholesterol rages on. I know some bodybuilders who eat 10 to 15 raw eggs a day with no apparent ill effects.

We now know, for example, that there is good and bad cholesterol. And cholesterol is vital for the production of important hormones such as pregnenolone, responsible for the manufacture of such vital hormones as DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, etc. Without cholesterol we would die. The attack of the food and medical industry against cholesterol has been wrongheaded, among many others.

It was once thought that margarine was far healthier than butter, as another example. We now know that margarine is one [...]]]> Coffee may not be as unhealthy as many would have you believe. Although technically an alkaloid, or a poison, often touted by New Age health gurus as an evil brew, new evidence shows many surprising health benefits.

It is startling the amount of conflicting advice one hears about the health of various foods and drinks. It was once thought that eating eggs were harmful because of the high cholesterol content, and a man should not eat more than one a day. Recent evidence, however, has shown that they are not as harmful as once believed, and the controversy over cholesterol rages on. I know some bodybuilders who eat 10 to 15 raw eggs a day with no apparent ill effects.

We now know, for example, that there is good and bad cholesterol. And cholesterol is vital for the production of important hormones such as pregnenolone, responsible for the manufacture of such vital hormones as DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, etc. Without cholesterol we would die. The attack of the food and medical industry against cholesterol has been wrongheaded, among many others.

It was once thought that margarine was far healthier than butter, as another example. We now know that margarine is one of the toxic poisons produced by the food industry, who put profits over the health of its customers.

New evidence shows that coffee can actually help protect the liver in people who abuse alcohol, with up to 80% lower incidence of cirrhosis. Not bad for those who find themselves addicted.

A study done at Johns Hopkins showed that people who drink one or 2 cups of coffee a day feel healthier, happier, more focused and alert. We all know people who wouldn’t dare face the day without their cup of coffee! This appears to be related to the release of dopamine in the brain, a feel-good hormone that also can elevate energy levels.

Coffee has also shown to have protective benefits for the brain. Regular coffee drinkers experience lower levels of Parkinson’s disease. This may be due in part to the reduction of glycation – the cross-linking of sugars and proteins which produces malformed, dysfunctional links between proteins. This leads to such things as hardening of the arteries, stiff joints and wrinkled skin.

In addition, those who drink coffee have shown faster reaction times and better short term memory retention, probably due to its stimulating effects. Benefits for long-term memory have also been observed in test subjects who experienced less decline in long-term memory and cognitive function.

Also, as a result of metabolic stimulation and perhaps the release of some dopamine, coffee has also been found to help people lose weight. Weight loss is a goal most of us can relate to, so add some coffee to your daily diet and see if you don’t lose a few pounds of fat in the process.

Glycation is linked to diabetes, an inability to regulate sugar in the blood. The more sugar one consumes, the greater the chance of getting diabetes and creating glycation, with all its complications. The supplement carnosine has been shown to be most effective against glycation. So those who consume coffee may have a reduced chance of getting type II diabetes. Some studies have even suggested a 50% reduction.

We have also learned from recent studies that coffee contains many potent antioxidants which help absorb free radicals. Free radicals are considered a major cause of aging, as they “steal” electrons from healthy cells,  depriving them of their life-giving force.

Studies published by the Harvard health publications of Harvard medical school have also found that those who drank three or more cups of coffee a day actually had a 50% less chance of developing certain cancers such as of the colon, rectum and breast. A minimum of 200mcg’s of Selenium and 4000 IU of Vitamin D are also excellent supplements that have been shown to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer by 50% – 60%.

Coffee has been shown to reduce muscle soreness after a hard workout, a pleasant side-effect that most active people will appreciate.

While some of these studies have involved women, I believe the same effects hold true for men in most cases.

Coffee has also  been shown effective in detox by using coffee enemas to detox the colon, stimulating the liver to release toxins from the body. Most people’s colon is a thriving colony of hardened toxins, bacteria and parasites that leach into the blood. Sounds a bit weird, but many swear by it.

Studies have also shown that those who drink 4 to 5 cups of coffee a day reduced their incidence of mortality from heart disease. Coffee has anti-inflammatory properties which help keep blood vessels healthy. The cocoa in dark chocolate is also good for this purpose. Those with heart problems should also supplement with CoQ10.

And for those who worry that coffee would cause high blood pressure, you can now relax. Studies have shown that regular drinkers do not exhibit higher blood pressure than nondrinkers. This is great news, as hypertension has always been considered one of the greatest dangers of drinking coffee. But don’t drink more that 5-6 cups spread throughout the day.

Caffeine has even shown itself to be beneficial to small babies under certain circumstances. For those suffering from sleep apnea, or the inability to breathe properly, injections of caffeine have shown benefits by stimulating breathing.

Finally, even decaffeinated coffee has been shown to provide antibacterial protection against the bacteria “Streptococcus mutans”, which largely contributes to the formation of cavities. But be careful of staining your teeth. Heavy coffee drinking will cause darkening.

However, with all the new teeth whitening technologies available today, perhaps this isn’t such a big concern anymore. Slap on some bleach and white strips and your teeth can look good as new.

There are some caveats, however. Some people are easily overstimulated by caffeine. They may experience increased anxiety, panic attacks if they are susceptible to them, irritability, and if taken too late in the evening, insomnia. Most people recommend not drinking coffee after about five or six o’clock in the evening.

And if you suffer from any other health conditions such as hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, it is best to stay away from coffee. Women who consume large amounts of coffee on a regular basis may suffer from anemia, as coffee can interfere with the absorption of iron.

The bottom line? Most new age hipsters think they have spirituality down to a science, and consider coffee to be consumed only by the unhip, nonspiritual class. But, as in many cases, they have turned out to be wrong again. Enjoy your coffee, in moderation like anything else.

Related articles

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• Health Benefits of Coffee? (healthmad.com)
• Coffee Health Benefits: Research on Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, Stroke, and More (webmd.com)
• Study: Drinking coffee may lower women’s risk of stroke (abclocal.go.com)
• Five Reasons You Shouldn’t Quit Drinking Coffee (ksfm.radio.com)
• Coffee: Good or Bad? (heartsmindslives.wordpress.com)
• 5 Top Health Reasons to Drink Coffee; (coffeewarrior.wordpress.com)
• To coffee or not to coffee? (sanovivblog.com)
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• Diabetes and Caffeine Consumption: Are There Risks? (brighthub.com)
• Drinking lots of coffee ‘does NOT increase blood pressure’ (dailymail.co.uk)

Bodybuilding is a world unto itself, full of like-minded individuals who are intensely driven to constantly improve, work hard and achieve their physical peak. Many of the people involved in bodybuilding devote huge amounts of time in the gym pumping iron, and researching the latest muscle enhancing supplements. They tend to be highly competitive people who strive for perfection.

Some will even take it to the highest level and compete in bodybuilding competitions. But if you want to compete at this level, you had better prepare to train for several hours a day. This is intense stuff. And you probably have to be a bit of an exhibitionist, loving to show off your perfectly sculpted body.

Note to guys. While we are led to believe in the media that all women salivate over muscle bulging dudes, this is not really true. Most women I have talked to about this consider competitive level bodybuilders a bit over the top in terms [...]]]> While this website does not specialize in bodybuilding, we realize that there are a significant number of people interested in sculpting their  bodies into works of art and achieving fitness too. So here are some general comments on the subject.

Bodybuilding is a world unto itself, full of like-minded individuals who are intensely driven to constantly improve, work hard and achieve their physical peak. Many of the people involved in bodybuilding devote huge amounts of time in the gym pumping iron, and researching the latest muscle enhancing supplements. They tend to be highly competitive people who strive for perfection.

Some will even take it to the highest level and compete in bodybuilding competitions. But if you want to compete at this level, you had better prepare to train for several hours a day. This is intense stuff. And you probably have to be a bit of an exhibitionist, loving to show off your perfectly sculpted body.

Note to guys. While we are led to believe in the media that all women salivate over muscle bulging dudes, this is not really true. Most women I have talked to about this consider competitive level bodybuilders a bit over the top in terms of attractiveness, although of course there are a subset of women who go crazy over them. To each his own, but don’t feel inadequate if you’re not breaking buttons on your shirt. Most women are attracted to guys who are fit and toned, not muscle machines.

So you have decided to become a bodybuilder. Here are a few tips that may help you succeed at such a highly competitive sport. Like any professional athlete, get ready to devote all your free time to this endeavor. Being the best takes total sacrifice, and you’d better love lifting weights.

There are a few main qualities that judges use to determine the best looking bodybuilder. Bulk, or raw size of muscle, is one criterion. Muscle definition, or being “cut”, is another. Their must be clearly defined lines differentiating each muscle, so that each one can be seen distinctly from another. This means having a very low bodyfat ratio. Be prepared to go on a strict bodybuilding diet so as to increase muscle mass without gaining too much extra weight..

Symmetry is another important quality. Each muscle must be in proper proportion to every other, so you body has a perfect symmetry. Symmetry is an important characteristic of beauty. For example, scientist have found that faces with the most perfect symmetry are considered most beautiful.

You diet should focus on high quality proteins. This is very important and worthy of another article or several in itself. For your diet, lean meats, fish and eggs are popular. Whey protein found in many health food stores is commonly used to supplement protein intake for bodybuilders. Creatine, and supplements to boost muscle building hormones such as testosterone and HGH or Human Growth Hormone, are other popular choices.

HGH is a great anti-aging substance that everyone should consider boosting to retain youthful vigor. You don’t necessarily have to take HGH, which is expensive, but you can take supplements that will help your body release and utilize its natural stores.

Stay away from all junk and processed foods containing excess sugar and fat (everyone should do this anyway!). And increase your intake of antioxidants. The intense exercise needed to become a competitive bodybuilder puts enormous stress on the body. You should eat lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as supplement with high levels of vitamins and minerals to restore depleted supplies and counteract excess oxidation.

Remember that not everyone is cut out to be a professional bodybuilder, just like everyone is not a natural writer or musician. I can write like a college professor, but couldn’t do a simple algebra or geometry problem if my life depended on it. Everyone has their unique natural abilities, and if you don’t have the proper genes for bodybuilding, all the pumping in the world won’t make you a pro. Be realistic.

And if you don’t have the natural genetic makeup to become a professional bodybuilder, whatever you do, don’t resort to taking steroids to enhance your performance. They will have horrifying side-effects such as problems with your kidneys, liver and sexual function (impotence), psychological mood imbalances, high blood-pressure and heart cardiovascular disease, brain damage, and they can even shorten your life. Stay away from steroids at all costs, as there are plenty of natural, legal supplements that will get the job done.

Steroids may make you a superstar in the short-term, but in the end the consequences could turn into a nightmare. It has happened to may people, including many famous athletes. The best strategy for success is knowing your capabilities, working harder than the next guy, and educating yourself about proper diet and supplementation. As in every area of life, there are no shortcuts.

Some bodybuilding competitions allow performers to use oil to enhance the look of their muscles, while others do not. It is good not to rely on oil to make yourself outstanding, but make use of it when possible.

Bodybuilding requires intense dedication and hard work, so be prepared for tremendous sacrifice and a will of steel. They say “no pain, no gain”, and this is good advice for most people. But if you think these professionals don’t have to endure pain to achieve their massive muscles, think again. Get ready to refine your workout routine to perfection, and count every calorie you eat, eating only the highest quality foods.

Good luck with your efforts, and only do this if you really love it. Women don’t necessarily want the guy with the biggest muscles. Brains can be pretty attractive too.

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But in reality, these mainstream vitamin supplement companies all purchase their essential ingredients from a core group of wholesale sources that operate behind the scenes and are generally unknown to the public. So while there may be hundreds of vitamin and supplement companies, there is really a relatively small number of primary sources manufacturing the critical nutritional ingredients. In short, most vitamin and supplement companies purchase from the same source. They amount to the same product in different packaging.

This is common in the retail industry. General Motors, the once great American car company, has subdivisions like Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac, and used to have Oldsmobile (not your parents Oldsmobile). Many people who drive Chevys don’t know that the guy driving the Cadillac next to them is driving a car made by the same company. These private label manufacturing companies often supply the packaging and [...]]]>

The fierce rivalry these days in the vitamin supplement business is a war between retailers who struggle to differentiate themselves through style rather than substance. Mainstream brand name vitamin supplement companies usually assert that their products are vastly superior to their competition, with superior ingredients used to manufacture their products.

But in reality, these mainstream vitamin supplement companies all purchase their essential ingredients from a core group of wholesale sources that operate behind the scenes and are generally unknown to the public. So while there may be hundreds of vitamin and supplement companies, there is really a relatively small number of primary sources manufacturing the critical nutritional ingredients. In short, most vitamin and supplement companies purchase from the same source. They amount to the same product in different packaging.

This is common in the retail industry. General Motors, the once great American car company, has subdivisions like Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac, and used to have Oldsmobile (not your parents Oldsmobile). Many people who drive Chevys don’t know that the guy driving the Cadillac next to them is driving a car made by the same company. These private label manufacturing companies often supply the packaging and labeling, as well as manufacture the key ingredients in the vitamin supplements for most of the big names in the vitamin industry like One A Day, Centrum, Flinstones, Vitamin World, The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC.

Private label companies also manufacture vitamins for many smaller companies who vend their products through multi-level networks, smaller retail outlets, the Internet, TV advertorials, magazine ads and other marketing sources. So be careful you don’t get duped by a product you see in a magazine ad claiming unique, proprietary, age-old, long-lost, newly discovered formulas and secret ingredients based on traditional, thousand years old cultures with special, ancient wisdom.

Chances are, they bought their stuff from the same huge private label manufacturer everyone else does. Or a distributor of one. Same source, different label. Under the hood, a Chevy and a Buick and the now defunct Oldsmobile rode on the same frames with window dressing and plastic fenders added to make them look different. They’re basically the same car.

Private label companies such as Ion Labs, Nutricap Labs, GMP Laboratories, Health Products Corporation, National Vitamin Company and others similar produce and package a large percentage of the popular supplement companies heavily advertised in the mainstream media and retail markets. For example, at least 22 supplement companies that distribute to the MLM industry derive their “proprietary” formulas from Vitarich Laboratories. Now that doesn’t mean that these companies can’t purchase the same basic ingredients and formulate them in unique and creative ways. Some companies do, but I wouldn’t bet on most of them.

These facts may shock some people, and it does seem a bit deceptive on the surface. And you would think that at least you know the ingredients you’re buying are manufactured by reputable, competent companies most of which have been around a long time, and their products are of a decent quality and subject to the same quality controls as other mass produced vitamin sources. It’s important that people know what’s in and behind the supplements they buy, so you should research thoroughly the companies you purchase from. Its your hard-earned money so know what you’re getting.

Unfortunately, it seems many of these private label manufacturers are of poor quality. Although published 4 years ago, here’s what MSNBC reported: “Of 21 brands of multivitamins on the market in the United States and Canada selected by ConsumerLab.com and tested by independent laboratories, just 10 met the stated claims on their labels or satisfied other quality standards.” Ouch. The article goes on to report,

“Most worrisome, according to ConsumerLab.com president Dr. Tod Cooperman, is that one product, The Vitamin Shoppe Multivitamins Especially for Women, was contaminated with lead.

“I was definitely shocked by the amount of lead in [this] woman’s product,” he said. “We’ve never seen that much lead in a multivitamin before.”

Other products contained more or less of a particular vitamin than listed on the label. And some did not dissolve in the correct amount of time, meaning they could potentially pass through the body without being fully absorbed.”

The Vitamin Shoppe women’s product contained 15.3 micrograms of lead per daily serving of two tablets.

This amount of lead is more than 10 times the amount permitted without a warning in California . . . On average, most American adults are exposed to about 3 micrograms of lead through food, wine and other sources, he said, and while 15.3 micrograms of lead per day may not be immediately toxic, the mineral is stored in the body and could build up to dangerous levels with time.

“I would be concerned about a woman taking a multivitamin that contains 15.3 micrograms of lead per daily serving,” said Judy Simon, a dietitian at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. . .

The same product also contained just 54 percent of the 200 milligrams of calcium stated on the label.

The analysis also showed that Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears, a multivitamin for children, had 216 percent of the labeled amount of vitamin A in the retinol form, delivering 5,400 International Units (IU) in a daily serving. That’s substantially more than the upper tolerable level set by the Institute of Medicine of 2,000 IU for kids ages 1 to 3 and 3,000 IU for those 4 to 8.”
– msnbc.com updated 1/19/2007

So another issue is not only vitamin quality but quantity. The popular over the counter vitamin brands like Centrum don’t have enough ingredients to provide any anti-aging or disease prevention benefits. They merely help prevent severe vitamin deficiency and malnutrition, and that’s all they were ever designed to do. The public, however, has been mislead to believe that these cheap, usually synthetic vitamins will promote good health. They don’t, unless as I said, you suffer from severe malnutrition.

Of course this is not true of all companies. Some distinguish themselves and are heavily involved in research and development.

The best vitamin company I have ever seen is NSI, which has an incredible array of products for the one-a-day crowd all the way up to fanatical anti-aging specialists who spend hundreds of dollars a month (and you should if you have the money. My estimate is that lifespan can be extended by about 50% using all of today’s known technologies). They are on the cutting edge of scientific and anti-aging research. Life Extension Foundation also offers superior products and research but at a higher price.

But you don’t need to load up on vitamins from a bottle to get significant anti-aging and disease fighting ammunition. The new trend in whole superfoods offers a more natural way to supercharge your nutritional intake that is the perfect complement to supplements. Boku Superfood is one of the very best on the market. Try them and be amazed.

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As many health and wellness experts agree, too much of anything is very disadvantageous to our health. Thus, in order to get an idea of proper nutrition and the right amount of nutrients that our bodies need, we need to familiarize ourselves more with the nutrients that we take in. There are nutrients that our bodies need to be able to perform well and some nutrients need to be taken in a limited quantity. Furthermore, we need to be more aware of the consequences of developing our addictions to unhealthy foods.

Sweet foods such as cake, candies, chocolates as well as beverages like soft drinks are all-time favorites and [...]]]>

Achieving a healthy body requires paying close attention to the foods we eat. The food we ingest as we all know form an essential part of our health and overall well-being. However, there are still many people who are unaware of the fact that the foods we consume have adverse effects on our health, as well as healthy ones. Unfortunately, many people develop unhealthy eating habits which can further cause more serious health conditions because they are unconscious of the consequences of the food that they eat.

As many health and wellness experts agree, too much of anything is very disadvantageous to our health. Thus, in order to get an idea of proper nutrition and the right amount of nutrients that our bodies need, we need to familiarize ourselves more with the nutrients that we take in. There are nutrients that our bodies need to be able to perform well and some nutrients need to be taken in a limited quantity. Furthermore, we need to be more aware of the consequences of developing our addictions to unhealthy foods.

Sweet foods such as cake, candies, chocolates as well as beverages like soft drinks are all-time favorites and foods that are usually addictive.We may not be aware of it, but continuous intake of these food might involuntarily lead us to developing addictions to sugar, which is not ideal for our health, and eventually chronic diseases like diabetes. Sugar was thought to be a harmless substance but as medical advances were made, it was discovered to be destructive, and a major cause of cancer. Too much sugar intake has been identified as the main cause of diabetes, a disease which affects a lot of people worldwide. In addition, sugar has also been discovered as a substance which causes our immune system to deteriorate, making us more prone to many chronic diseases and health problems such as cancer and even cardiovascular disease.

That is why many health experts advise to regulate our sugar intake as much as possible to avoid developing the risk of diabetes and other serious illnesses and health concerns. However, reducing our sugar intake is easier said than done. Overcoming sugars is actually the same as quitting other bad habits like smoking and drinking, which are important habits to quit. The good news is that cutting down our sugar intake is possible as long as we commit ourselves to becoming aware of the sugar in the foods we eat, especially fruit and processed foods.

Since addiction to sugar is just like being addicted to smoking or alcohol, overcoming sugar means that we also have to handle the symptoms of sugar withdrawal. It is vital that we are familiar of the symptoms of sugar withdrawal – a normal part of the process of reducing our sugar intake – so we can deal with them in a knowledgeable and effective way. Knowing the symptoms helps us to cope with them, so we will know the reasons why we feel or experience discomfort and craving. Craving usually leads to overeating and weight gain.

Some of the more salient symptoms of sugar withdrawal include headaches, fatigue, depression, drowsiness, skin eruptions and mucus or throat discomfort. Symptoms also include mood swings, fatigue and drowsiness, common among those who are cutting down their sugar intake because of the dietary change and changes in blood sugar levels. There is no need to be anxious since there will come a day that you will feel better and free of these symptoms. These symptoms become milder over time and are usually over in a week or two.

Overcoming sugar addiction is not an easy thing to do. Cutting down on sugar is like quitting other addictions like smoking and drinking, which are very difficult addictions to break. Removing sugar from our diet means that we have to deal with symptoms of sugar withdrawal and develop a healthier lifestyle, which includes a healthy diet of balanced nutrition. Replacing processed foods with natural whole foods is a great place to start.

Remember that sugar addiction is associated with being overweight. Weight loss is one of the great benefits of overcoming your addiction to sugar. You can do it.

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Researchers of one study found that “CoQ10 is an anti-aging substance under normal physiological conditions.” This was under testing in mice using doses that would be the human equivalent of 500 mg to 1700 mg per day. Although their research suggested that 1700 mg per day may induce cognitive impairment, these researchers admitted that, “it would be fair to comment that the upper safe limit of 1200 mg per day recommended by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is lower than the estimated 1700 mg per day that would lead to cognitive impairment in humans.” In other words, use in moderation like everything else.

Ubiquinone, another name for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) comes from the word “ubiquitous,” meaning “everywhere” – a fitting name since it is found in and essential to every cell of the human body. Unfortunately, levels of CoQ10 produced by the body decrease with age by as much as 70%, and with the development of certain diseases such as Parkinson’s , asthma, and heart disease. Scientists have been studying CoQ10 for many years, and it is now one of the most popular health supplements in the world due to [...]]]>

Researchers of one study found that “CoQ10 is an anti-aging substance under normal physiological conditions.” This was under testing in mice using doses that would be the human equivalent of 500 mg to 1700 mg per day. Although their research suggested that 1700 mg per day may induce cognitive impairment, these researchers admitted that, “it would be fair to comment that the upper safe limit of 1200 mg per day recommended by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is lower than the estimated 1700 mg per day that would lead to cognitive impairment in humans.” In other words, use in moderation like everything else.

Ubiquinone, another name for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) comes from the word “ubiquitous,” meaning “everywhere” – a fitting name since it is found in and essential to every cell of the human body. Unfortunately, levels of CoQ10 produced by the body decrease with age by as much as 70%, and with the development of certain diseases such as Parkinson’s , asthma, and heart disease. Scientists have been studying CoQ10 for many years, and it is now one of the most popular health supplements in the world due to the discovery of it’s amazing health benefits. Another study found CoQ10 to be a promising treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Super Antioxidant for Energy Nutrition

The Japanese began studying CoQ10 in the 1960s to treat heart disease. Since then, it has been widely used in Japan, Israel and Europe, and is becoming very popular in the United States. The best evidence for the benefits of supplemental CoQ10 are its ability to reduce symptoms of congestive heart failure. CoQ10 is also useful in managing high blood pressure, easy angina, and warding off coronary artery disease, and it speeds recovery time after coronary artery bypass surgery. Trials have shown that taking CoQ10 after having a stroke helps alleviate symptoms and prevents the recurrence of future strokes. Other studies suggest that CoQ10 is useful taken prior to elective heart surgery.

Fight Disease

Most heart patients are deficient in CoQ10, and supplementing with CoQ10 has dramatically improved heart function and improved heart disease symptoms according to certain studies. Research suggests that CoQ10 me be beneficial for almost any heart condition, such as angina, arrhythmia, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and cardiotoxicity associated with some cancer chemotherapy drugs.

One important study suggests that CoQ10, taken in combination with Acetyl-n-carnitine and omega-3 fatty acids may be useful in the treatment of macular degeneration. Another study found that CoQ10 prevents migraine headaches. CoQ10 is sometimes recommended to treat male infertility because it increases sperm count and sperm movement. Many naturopathic doctors recommend taking CoQ10 for treating breast cancer, and preliminary studies show that this enzyme has a beneficial effect against prostate tumors.

Other studies show that CoQ10 is effective in tempering symptoms of fibromyalgia and gum disease. Research suggests that CoQ10 is also useful in treating Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, bronchitis, and emphysema. This is truly one of the super supplements.

Still more research suggests that CoQ10 helps strengthen immune system and improve exercise endurance. CoQ10 appears to also protect against the side effects of certain prescription medications including certain psychiatric drugs, blood pressure lowering medications, and Statin cholesterol-lowering drugs. These medications deplete the body’s store of CoQ10, which is one reason they should be avoided.

Experts believe that CoQ10 works by improving the production of energy in cells, especially cells that require significant amounts of energy, such those located in the heart and brain. About 95% of the energy in your cells is produced from structures called mitochondria. CoQ10 facilitates the transformation of fats and sugars into energy. It is this ability to increase energy at the cellular level that lies at the heart of CoQ10′s amazing healing and health inducing powers. CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant, meaning that it can reduce the effects of free radical molecules that damage cells in the body. CoQ10 has also shown to energize brain cells and increase mental alertness, and may even reverse brain degeneration. This would make it a front line therapy in the fight against brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Many studies have shown that CoQ10, when taken in conjunction with standard prescription medications such as drugs for high blood pressure, may allow a reduction in the dosage of prescription medications and even their elimination. This is very exciting news. It is becoming clear that many conditions now treated with prescription medications can be better treated with natural health supplements, and CoQ10 is one of the best. Alternative health specialists have been saying this for decades, and the evidence is beginning to prove us correct.

A good supplemental dose of CoQ10 lies in the range of 100-200 mg per day for general maintenance. If you are treating serious illness, or you want to slow your aging process, in conjunction with an anti-aging regime your dosage may be considerably higher. 500 mg to 1000 mg per day is a target range for treating various diseases and for anti aging. There have been some reports that doses higher than 200 mg per day may induce side effects such as nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dizziness in some people. However, there is no reason for a healthy adult to take more than 200 mg a day for general health. If you want to treat a disease or are interested in anti-aging, There are things you can do to reduce the side effects. For example, it is often reported that side effects are reduced when supplements are taken with food. Also, start with a smaller dose, and gradually increase the amount so your body has a chance to adapt to the supplement.

In order for CoQ10 to be used by the body, It must first be broken down in the body to its active metabolite called ubiquinol. Therefore, the best way to take CoQ10 is in the ubiquinol form. This is very important, as it allows for much higher blood levels of CoQ10 while taking smaller amounts. Studies show that the ubiquinol form of CoQ10 can increase blood levels up to eight times more than the standard form. By taking CoQ10 in the ubiquinol form, side effects can be greatly reduced. This is great news for those who were unable to tolerate CoQ10 due to its side effects.

CoQ10 may be one of the top 10 super supplements in the world.

Before starting any rigorous exercise program, you should consult with your Doctor in order to ensure that you are not endangering your health in any way.  In other words, it is important to be healthy before you begin exercising. It is also important to exercise in many cases if you are not healthy, but this must be done under the strict supervision of a health expert. Here are some exercise tips to make your exercise program work to your benefit, helping you lose weight, increase lean muscle mass and fight depression while maintaining your motivation and sense of fun.

1. Begin by [...]]]>

Aerobic exercises and strength training should be a part of everyone’s weekly routine (at least three times a week) in order to maximize their overall health, fitness and enjoyment of life. Exercise helps with weight loss by boosting metabolism. The healthier you are the better you feel. So it only makes sense that greater health leads to greater satisfaction in life. If you look around at the people with the biggest smiles on their faces, they are usually the ones who are healthy and active. Our bodies were made to move. Movement is life.

Before starting any rigorous exercise program, you should consult with your Doctor in order to ensure that you are not endangering your health in any way.  In other words, it is important to be healthy before you begin exercising. It is also important to exercise in many cases if you are not healthy, but this must be done under the strict supervision of a health expert. Here are some exercise tips to make your exercise program work to your benefit, helping you lose weight, increase lean muscle mass and fight depression while maintaining your motivation and sense of fun.

1. Begin by finding an aerobic exercise program that you find interesting and enjoyable so that you will be able to maintain it over a long period of time. Perseverance is key to getting fit and losing weight. If you start by working at an exercise program you don’t like, you will become depressed and won’t maintain the motivation to keep doing it on a daily basis, which is crucial for success. If you don’t enjoy exercising, you will soon be back on the couch watching TV, gaining weight.

2.  Many people enjoy walking, which is easy and natural, and find they are able to maintain a walking program three to seven days a week without much trouble. Walking is great because we can do it with a partner or in groups, and have great conversations. It is perfect for becoming more intimate with family, friends, or even conducting high-level business meetings. It is a great way to meditate, improving our mental health, and many great thinkers have said they got their best ideas when walking. That is because of the meditative quality of walking, which combines increased blood flow to the brain with a relaxed and rhythmic gait.

3. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing and good supportive shoes that are specific to the particular exercise activity you are engaging in.  By using appropriate clothing and shoes you will decrease your risk of injury while increasing your enjoyment. The more you exercise (within reason), the more you can lose weight.

4. Get basic training for your particular exercise regime. While you may not require extensive training in order to walk, many people actually walk incorrectly, which causes injuries to either their plantar fascia, shins or hips.  If you experience any pain in your legs or hips, definitely consult with a fitness expert who can show you what you may be doing wrong.

5.  Individuals who are attempting other rigorous sporting activities should also ensure that they get proper instruction prior to beginning the program. Especially if you’re rock climbing or doing some other activities that could cause serious injury or even death. You would be surprised how many people seriously injure themselves every year because they attempted to do activities they were not adequately prepared and trained for. Don’t be one of them. If you’re a guy and getting on in years, don’t try and show off or regain your youth overnight. Many injuries happen this way.

6. For minimal benefits, you need to exercise at least three times a week, which is ok for those who want to maintain their overall level of fitness. Those who want to increase their level of fitness should exercise five to six times a week, with increasing intensity. Plan exercise regimes that are age appropriate and in line with your abilities. Regular exercise has been shown to be anti-aging, increase weight loss and fight depression.

7. Incorporate some form of strength training into every routine in order to improve bone strength, muscle strength and tone, and cardiovascular health.  Strength training should never be done more than three times a week unless you are a bodybuilder or serious fitness buff, and there should always be a 24 hour window between each workout to allow your muscles to repair themselves.

8. Those without access to weights or hand weights can use resistance bands, which will help accomplish the same task.  These bands are sold in most department stores and can also be ordered online. The important thing is to increase resistance to the muscles, which builds strength and tone, increases metabolism and burns fat. An increase in lean muscle mass helps you lose weight, as muscle increases your metabolic rate, burning more calories faster.

9. Participants should always warm up before any sport, whether it’s weight training or an aerobic activity.  Warming up will ensure flexibility and blood flow to the muscles, decreasing the risk of any injury. Stretching is a great way to warm up before exercise. It is also a great way to reduce stress and relax when not exercising. Doing mild calisthenics will also increase blood flow to all muscles of the body.

10.  As important as the warm-up is the cool down time, when muscles are tight and gorged with blood, vulnerable to injury.  All participants should take the time to cool down and stretch in order to maintain muscle and joint flexibility, and reduce the risk of injury. The endorphins released during and after a good work out produce one of the greatest natural highs in the world.

Among all the Chinese herbs, the fame of the Chinese ginseng is the greatest and it is the most valued in the herbal lore of China. Indeed, the value place on the Chinese ginseng herb goes back to the very dim beginnings of Chinese history itself, to a time when even wars were fought in ancient China for control of forest where the herb grew wild, this herb has been esteemed from about 7,000 years ago for its therapeutic benefits and has remained at the very pinnacle of herbal remedies in China from very early times. The western world’s acquaintance and knowledge of the herb’s ability to boost the stamina and provide the body with increased resistance to stress was recognized pretty late, and the herb gained recognition only in the 18th century in much of the western world, though an Arabian physician brought the ginseng back from China and introduced it to Europe as early as the 9th century. PARTS USED

Root. ( In China dried root is chewed to provide an energy boost. ) USES

The qualities of the ginseng [...]]]>

Chinese Ginseng

Panax ginseng

• Asian Ginseng
• Chinese Ginseng
• Korean Ginseng

Among all the Chinese herbs, the fame of the Chinese ginseng is the greatest and it is the most valued in the herbal lore of China. Indeed, the value place on the Chinese ginseng herb goes back to the very dim beginnings of Chinese history itself, to a time when even wars were fought in ancient China for control of forest where the herb grew wild, this herb has been esteemed from about 7,000 years ago for its therapeutic benefits and has remained at the very pinnacle of herbal remedies in China from very early times. The western world’s acquaintance and knowledge of the herb’s ability to boost the stamina and provide the body with increased resistance to stress was recognized pretty late, and the herb gained recognition only in the 18th century in much of the western world, though an Arabian physician brought the ginseng back from China and introduced it to Europe as early as the 9th century.

PARTS USED

Root. ( In China dried root is chewed to provide an energy boost. )

USES

The qualities of the ginseng herb as an organic adaptogenic agent vary and the herb has many beneficial actions on the human body. Chinese ginseng is known to promote energy and is believed to be very stimulating to the bodies of young people who are endowed with a strong qi – the Chinese equivalent of vital force – the action of the herb changes in those who are affected by illness or age, and in such people the herb assumes a tonic like and restorative effect, it may be even sedative in action in older or weaker individuals – thus the ginseng differs in its actions on different kinds of people.

The Chinese system of medication finds many uses for the ginseng herb, one of the roles of ginseng is to act as an aphrodisiac for men, the herb is also highly regarded for its role as a herbal stimulant and is best known and extensively used in this role, the herb is also used as a general herbal tonic for administration to athletes and is also given to those affected by physical stress, to boost their performance. The people inhabiting northern and central China start taking the ginseng remedies during late middle age and keep taking it for the rest of their lives, this is in accordance with the belief that the herb is a general tonic for old age and in this region it is supposed to enable people to endure the long hard winters by stimulating and boosting the performance of the human body.

The ginseng is viewed more as a life enhancing or connectivity herb in much of the Western world, and not an herbal medicine as such. People facing exams and high stress environments benefit the most from taking ginseng remedies and the herb greatly helps the individual coping with stressful events and circumstances. The total dosage period of any ginseng supplementation must not last longer than six weeks, this is often not followed and the ginseng herb is often abused in the West because people attribute all sorts of impossible beneficial effects to the herb.

Other medical uses Lung cancer.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Almost extinct and extremely rare in the wild due to over collection down the centuries, the ginseng herb is a native of parts of eastern Asia, such as the region of northeastern China, parts of eastern Russia, and the country of North Korea. Without exception, all commercial ginseng is now cultivated, however the cultivation of the ginseng is a high skill operation and requires great training. The herb requires moist, rich and well drained soils to grow in, and the ginseng is normally propagated using stocked seeds in the spring. Full maturity takes at least four years by which time the plant is harvested. Autumn is the normal time for harvested the roots when full maturity is reached and all collected roots are first washed, and then subjected to being steamed, they are then dried and stored or sorted for the market.

RESEARCH

Many countries have conducted extensive and thorough research on the properties of the ginseng, research has been primarily centered in China, in Japan, Korea and Russia, beside many other countries – many aspects of the herb have been covered in detail over the past two to three decades largely due to these studies. Confirmation of the remarkable “adaptogenic” quality of the herb – this is the ability to help the body in adapting to stressful situations, to physical fatigue, and to extremes of cold – was as a result of these studies. The capacity of the human body to deal with physical and mental stresses such as extreme or prolonged hunger, with fluctuating extremes of temperature – both hot and cold, and to mental and emotional stress or trauma is seen to be improved remarkably when ginseng was used on a trial basis, ginseng seems to make the body work at a higher level of performance and endurance in all test subjects. In bodies requiring rest and sleep, paradoxically, the ginseng was found to be capable of inducing a sedative effect and thus aids in relaxation and physical recuperation. Structurally the stress hormones produced in the body resemble the ginsenosides which are present in the ginseng herb – these active compounds are the main repositories of all the beneficial effects found in the herb. In addition, the results from numerous researches have shown that the functioning of the immune system and the resistance of the body to infection, and the functioning of the liver is markedly improved by ginseng.

USUAL DOSAGE

Dosage of one ginseng product to another differs and individual doses can differ markedly. The standardized herbal extract of ginseng which are the most studied contain about 4-7% of the active compounds called ginsenosides and the amounts of these compounds may vary from one form of extract to the other. Due to reduced panaxan levels, some of the more concentrated herbal ginseng extracts might generally be less effective overall. Dosages of about 100-200 mg every day of the supplemental period is the normal dose for most people. Due to the lowered concentrations in non-standardized extracts, the corresponding dosage requirement is often higher and usually about 1-2 grams tablet form per person daily is needed; about 2-3 ml of the fresh herbal tincture form may also be taken instead. Rest periods between the supplemental regimen is ideal when taking ginseng, normally the herbal extract is taken for two to three weeks on a regular basis, this is punctuated by a one to two week of “rest”, following which the supplementation can be resumed.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

The ginseng is one of the safest herbs for supplemental use, and when taken at the recommended dosages, safety is almost guaranteed. There are a few exceptions and in some individuals, over stimulation of the body can result in rare instances, insomnia is another possible side effect in those using the herbal extract at extremely high doses. The risk of disturbing the gastrointestinal system and over stimulation of the body substantially increases when people consume caffeine with supplemental ginseng – this practice is not recommended. Ginseng should also be avoided by all individuals who tend to suffer from uncontrolled high blood pressure problems. Menstrual abnormalities can be caused in some women who use ginseng in the long term, in these women breast tenderness may be another side effect particularly if the supplementation has been for a very long period of time. Nursing women and women in a term of pregnancy are advised against using the ginseng in any form.

This series also includes great lifestyle changes for enhancing fitness, increasing your resistance to disease, and healthy changes to your mental and spiritual well-being. Health begins in the mind, with positive thoughts and a positive attitude. Learn to be creative, to pray, to give thanks, to be grateful, to forgive, and create your own reality.

Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, is a physical state that simply means you have excessive body fat. Probably you have experienced the frustrations of dieting many times before if you have problems with your weight, especially since childhood. Nearly a hundred million Americans pursue a weight loss diet in any given year and as many as 95% of them regain the extra weight they had lost in the last five years.

Even worse than that, a third of dieters will gain back more weight than they lost, in danger of bouncing from one fad diet to another, and [...]]]>

A blending of the best of the web concerning weight loss tips and how to lose weight. There is a great deal we can do to lose weight that does not involve taking risky pills and medicines.

This series also includes great lifestyle changes for enhancing fitness, increasing your resistance to disease, and healthy changes to your mental and spiritual well-being. Health begins in the mind, with positive thoughts and a positive attitude. Learn to be creative, to pray, to give thanks, to be grateful, to forgive, and create your own reality.

Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, is a physical state that simply means you have excessive body fat. Probably you have experienced the frustrations of dieting many times before if you have problems with your weight, especially since childhood. Nearly a hundred million Americans pursue a weight loss diet in any given year and as many as 95% of them regain the extra weight they had lost in the last five years.

Even worse than that, a third of dieters will gain back more weight than they lost, in danger of bouncing from one fad diet to another, and worse, bouncing up and down in weight, which is hard on your body. The traditional approach to weight problems, focusing on fad weight loss diets or weight loss drugs, have left some people with just as much weight and the additional burden of ill health.

Today, an estimated 65% of all American adults are either obese or overweight. Our culture obsesses about remaining lean and beautiful even as we grow older and fatter, but this isn’t about appearances. Obesity causes many serious and chronic health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and gallbladder disease. Obesity contributes to perhaps 400,000 deaths every year. The amount is probably higher.

Also, the public health costs for obesity are tremendous. Based upon the findings of researchers at Harvard University, obesity is a factor in 19% of all cases of heart disease with annual health costs estimated at $30 billion dollars; it’s also a factor in nearly 60% of diabetes cases, with health costs of $9 billion per year.

Weight Loss Diet Plans

No doubt you have fallen for one or more of the weight loss diet schemes over the years, promising quick and painless weight loss. Many of these quick weight loss diet programs undermine your health, cause physical discomfort, flatulence, and ultimately lead to disappointment when you start regaining weight shortly after losing it. Fad or quick weight loss diet programs generally over-stress one type of food. This goes against the fundamental principle of good nutrition – to remain healthy one must consume a balanced diet, which includes a variety of foods.

Safe, healthy, and permanent weight reduction is what’s truly lost among the thousands of popular diet programs that exist all over the net.

Some of the weight loss diet schemes reign supreme briefly, only to fade out. While some wane from popularity due to being unproductive or unsafe, some simply lose the public’s interest. People love fads and shortcuts. There are no shortcuts in life.

But that doesn’t mean the diets are bad or don’t work. Examples of diets that have worked for many people include the South Beach Diet, Atkins diet, the Grapefruit diet, Cabbage Soup diet, the Rotation diet, Beverly Hills diet, Breatharian, Ornish Plan – the list goes on and on. The reason is because most of these diets are based on sound scientific principles, even if they’re not perfect or the whole answer.

Often, more important than which particular diet you’re on is how disciplined you are to sticking with it, eating sensibly, and exercising along with your dieting. Without regular exercise, to be honest, most diets will have limited results. When used together, exercise and diet can produce truly incredible results.

Many diets often advocate specific techniques of greatly reducing certain foods from your diet like overly-refined or processed carbohydrates (rather than eating whole grain foods), or restricting calories with the basic idea that the body has to turn to itself to get the energy it needs, essentially converting matter (your fat) into energy (lean muscle mass: ie, exercise). This burning of your body’s fat and calories is called catabolism, which typically starts with the breakdown of stored body fat. A faster metabolism increases catabolism.

Whey is a great source of protein and has a high biological value (BV).

A high BV means that the amino acid ratio in the formula is bioavailable and excellent for building muscle and that a large percentage of the protein consumed is in a form readily absorbed and utilized by the body. In addition, numerous studies from reputable scientific journals have shown that whey protein and colostrum have immune-system enhancing benefits as well.

Whey is a dairy protein that is a by-product of the cheese making process. Before it is processed, whey contains large amounts of fat and lactose (milk sugar), not exactly what you want to ingest to build lean muscle mass. That’s why it is filtered and processed: to remove most of the lactose and fat. If you’ve ever heard of microfiltration or “ion exchange,” you’ll know they are methods of separating the fat and lactose from the protein in order to purify it for fitness purposes.

The end result is a more concentrated protein for sports performance and muscle-building – either concentrate or isolate. Whey protein isolate and whey protein powder concentrate are two alternatives on the [...]]]>

Whey Protein

Whey is a great source of protein and has a high biological value (BV).

A high BV means that the amino acid ratio in the formula is bioavailable and excellent for building muscle and that a large percentage of the protein consumed is in a form readily absorbed and utilized by the body. In addition, numerous studies from reputable scientific journals have shown that whey protein and colostrum have immune-system enhancing benefits as well.

Whey is a dairy protein that is a by-product of the cheese making process. Before it is processed, whey contains large amounts of fat and lactose (milk sugar), not exactly what you want to ingest to build lean muscle mass. That’s why it is filtered and processed: to remove most of the lactose and fat. If you’ve ever heard of microfiltration or “ion exchange,” you’ll know they are methods of separating the fat and lactose from the protein in order to purify it for fitness purposes.

The end result is a more concentrated protein for sports performance and muscle-building – either concentrate or isolate. Whey protein isolate and whey protein powder concentrate are two alternatives on the market to be considered when seeking a quality protein supplement for your diet and exercise regime. This decision is what confronts many weight lifters and fitness buffs when glancing at the shelves with all the varieties of protein powder available in the health food market.

Which whey protein should you be using; concentrate or isolate? Here are a few facts to help you make an informed decision.

The most important chemical difference between the two is that Isolate is processed to a more refined state so that even the fat and lactose are removed. This more involved system of purification results in a higher concentration of protein in the end product because the isolate form is free of anything that doesn’t contribute directly to muscle enhancement.

In other words, isolate contains more protein with less fat and lactose per serving. Depending upon the particular brand, whey isolate usually contains between 90-94% protein while whey concentrate has a protein ratio of 70-85% depending upon the brand.

This may be very important depending upon what level of bodybuilding you are at and what kind of bodybuilder you are. What are your goals? For professional level bodybuilders, smaller levels of fat are crucial to maintain competition quality muscle definition, and also when whey is utilized for the goal of losing weight. For the average weightlifter who doesn’t need to lose weight and just wants to add a little muscle, this is not important at all. Many bodybuilders want to gain weight.

A decrease in lactose levels will also help those people who are lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot digest the lactose (sugar) in milk and get sick as a result. If you have some lactose intolerance, isolate will reduce the stomach bloating that can occur when drinking protein shakes made with dairy products. However, there are a few disadvantages to consuming whey protein shake isolate also.

Because of the extra manufacturing involved in processing the higher purity protein in whey isolate, whey isolate powder is more expensive – which adds up when you have to take it on a regular basis. And just because isolate is a little more pure, it doesn’t necessarily mean whey isolate is “better” or will produce greater muscle growth. That depends mostly on how much you work out and how good your exercise routine is. Whey protein concentrate is still an excellent source of protein that can build serious muscle. And it has other advantages too.