Getting Rid Of Tummy Fat The Right Way

By Frank Powell

Are you looking for ways to get rid of tummy fat? Everyone is, aren't they? The secret is easier than you think; you just have to follow a few simple rules. Unfortunately it involves more than just exercising, you need to mix a good workout program with eating right if you want to really watch your tummy flatten out. Focusing on one or the other will just slow down your progress.

The importance of eating correctly is often overlooked. This will not help you flatten your stomach quickly since getting rid of tummy fat is very reliant on eating the right food. Tummy fat is the hardest fat to lose since our bodies are made to keep fat in this area. Also, there are not many exercises that specifically target fat in the stomach region, unlike arm fat, which is easy to get rid of when you do the proper arm exercises.

To do this effectively, the overall number of calories eaten in a day must be reduced. By burning more calories than you take in, your body automatically uses its stored up fat as a source of energy. Try to reduce your daily calories by 10-20%. If for example, you eat a 2,000 calorie a day diet, you should try to reduce it to a 1,600-1,800 calorie one.

Eating this many calories will keep you body working well and at the same time it will make your body start to burn stored fat. To further help your body, break up the food you eat into 6 or 7 small meals in a day. This means your body is constantly in fat burning mode. Also, if you are eating constantly, you wont overeat because you are never hungry.

Although this new diet will definitely help you get rid of tummy fat, you'll need to support it with exercise as well. Rather than piling on the sit-ups and crunches to target your belly area, try exercises that more effectively reduce belly fat while increasing abdominal muscles. A combination of stabilization, bodyweight and free weight exercises allows a much wider range of motion, helping effectively to stimulate what counts"muscle growth.

The truth is, in order to get rid of tummy fat; you have to work out your whole body so it burns off calories. A mixture of cardio and weightlifting is optimal. Find a good workout plan and eat the right foods. You will build muscle and burn off your calories. This way not only will you get rid of tummy fat, but you will end up with a good-looking body as well.

Now you're equipped with the general tools you need to effectively get rid of tummy fat. If you want to see reliable results, a mixed dietary and exercise program is your only guaranteed key to success. Ultimately, you just want to reduce your daily calories, both by reducing intake and increasing burning, and a combination approach is your greatest weapon against the belly fat menace. - 17274

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2 Quick Tips to Overcome Fat Loss Plateau Easily

By Thong M. Dao

You were probably losing weight successfully for the first few weeks after you joined a new diet program, only to be stuck to a certain point later. Whenever we begin a dieting plan we quickly drop off some pounds, as most dieting plans are made to offer you 'quick fat loss'. Unfortunately enough, this 'fast fat loss' is generally 'short-lived' fat loss.

You will lose weight very quickly for the first few weeks but after that, you will suddenly discover that the scale is not going down anymore! You're not shedding any more pounds than you've lost already! You've come to a position typically called fat loss plateau! In such situations, the only remedy is a complete overhaul of your lifestyle habits.

You've likely performed the same sets of workouts and eaten the same types of food time and time again within these first few weeks while you were shedding pounds. As an outcome your body became used to your dieting and workout routine. When that happened, your weight loss methods failed to bring any sustainable results!

When you would like to go beyond this stage, you have to modify your dieting and workout regime. Here are 2 things you have to adopt to break from the fat loss plateau.

1. Calorie-counting isn't the path to go: Once you calculate your energy, you essentially restrict the consumption of energy to an abnormally low degree. When you eat low calorie foods, there is no incentive for your body to increase your metabolic rate since it has to burn only a few calories. The consequence is that your metabolism all of the time stays at a really low degree. Once your metabolic process is down, you aren't capable to cut pounds!

In order to burn fat and lose weight successfully, you need to forget about calorie counting and eat enough so that your body is forced to keep your metabolic rate at a high level. Your body demands fuel to burn up weight, and it will acquire that fuel merely from food!

2. Work out some more: If you've been warding off physical exertion totally, or have been performing solely light workouts, you can't lose much fat. Fat loss is easier when you do high intensity exercises regularly. Instead of being afraid of exercises, try to love them. Workouts are a different effective way of raising your metabolic process.

Follow these two methods and you will soon be able to acquire the slim body you desire! - 17274

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Top Ten Super Foods For a Healthier You

By Spencer Gabato

What is the secret to a long and healthy life? It is in the food that we eat. As you may be aware, all foods are not created the same. Selecting and eating the proper foods may aid to increase your life expectancy as well as the quality of your life.

The following are ten of the top super packed foods created to provide you energy, vitality and all around good health!

1. Oatmeal - Oatmeal is gaining popularity as a food that lowers blood cholesterol. You can make it yourself with rolled oats or eat the instant variety if you are in a hurry. Oatmeal is a filling grain that also provides much needed fiber to keep hunger at bay and a constant blood sugar level.

2. Beans - If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them. Soaking them first can help. Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpeas, Northern) are high in protein. This is plant protein so it [carries|contains very little fat, calories, carbs. If fiber is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy serving of beans each day can make your digestive system healthy.

3. Allium foods - Garlic, leeks shallots and onions all have allium which is health promoting. Garlic can lower your cholesterol. Vegetables with allium help prevent the risk of cancer. They can prevent blood clots and lower your blood pressure. More health benefits can be acquired if you eat these foods raw.

4. Fruits - Talk about antioxidants which neutralize free radicals and prevent cancer, fruits are filled with them. Berries such as acai, goji, blueberries have high contents of antioxidants. Eating a variety of fruits is recommended since each fruit has its own strengths. Antioxidants in fruit can boost the immune system and has anti aging properties.

5. Flax seed - Like salmon it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds also contain omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. You get a lot of power to fight high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes with this seed. Ground flax seed can be added to fruit smoothies, sprinkled in yogurt, eaten with cereal or added to pancake mix to name a few.

6. Salmon - One of the strong qualities of omega-3 fatty acids is that it can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and reduce heart disease risk. These fish have good fats which are proven to boost the health of adults and children as well. Proteins in salmon can help build muscle tissue.

7. Nuts and seeds - Nuts are high in fat but those fats are the friendly kind. Peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios are all providers of good fats and protein. Crush them into a fine powder and use as a covering instead of higher carb bread crumbs. Nuts help to lower cholesterol levels. Eat them right out of the shell with no additives for best results.

8. Peppers - Peppers come in different colors. They contain fat soluble antioxidants (beta-carotene) as well as water soluble antioxidants like vitamin C. Its taste can range from mild sweet to very hot. Capsaicin is a substance that can be found in all pepper varieties. Notable properties of capsaicin are: anti-inflammatory, lower the risk of cancer, lower the risk of heart disease, and a pain reliever.

9. Yogurt - Choose the fat free variety. It contains vitamin B, protein and calcium. Yogurt is a good alternative to ingest calcium if you do not drink milk. It can promote a healthy digestive system because of the live friendly bacteria it contains.

10. Acai - This is probably the berry which contain the highest amount of antioxidants. This food can also increase your energy. Acai berry juice, drinks and supplements can be purchased from health food supplies.

Building a better healthier and stronger body begins with the kinds of food you eat. Try these super foods to get your feet on the road to healthy living. - 17274

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How to Gain Muscle Through Protein and Bodybuilding

By Ricardo d Argence

When you are in a place where you want to lose fat and gain muscle, or when you are thinking about seriously working towards bodybuilding, you'll find that the importance of protein is emphasized to you again and again.

You might find that you are told about protein enough that you start rolling your eyes. Yes, you know it is the building block of your muscles, but the issue is that so few articles will tell you why. It can be hard to take something seriously unless you know what it does and if you are looking to really make sure that your bodybuilding is effective, you need to consider how bodybuilding can work for you.

The first thing that you need to think about is what proteins are and why you need them so much. At the most basic level, proteins are organic compounds made up of amino acids. These amino acids that make up the proteins are essential when it comes to building muscle. They field the growth of muscle cells and they are going to contribute overall to the growth and strengthening of your body.

When you are thinking about making sure that you are getting foods that will keep you strong and healthy, consider starting with good proteins. Any active person can benefit from the reasonable consumption of proteins if they live an active life. Martial artists, sportsmen and athletes can all benefit from good protein in their diet.

When you are looking into body building, remember that you are putting your body through a lot of stress and trauma in a fairly short amount of time. After an intense workout, you'll find that your body does need to repair itself.

When you eat protein that is right for you, your muscles will repair themselves much more quickly and you'll discover that you are on a path that will take you towards a much healthier way of life.

If you want to make sure that you are on the right path to building muscle, you'll find that it is important to find good sources of protein. For instance, lean meat is a great way to get started. It is going to help you build up your muscles and repair, them, as will egg whites. If you want to build up your muscles, a good breakfast of lean meat and and egg white omelet can be a delicious way to start your day.

Remember that soya beans are also a great source of protein and that they have less calories in fat to be concerned about.

If you want some protein but cooking feels like too much work, look for protein supplements and protein shakes. These foods can get you the calories that you need without needing to pause at all, and you'll discover that you can just mix one up quickly and take it with you if you are on the go.

When you are ready to get serious about your bodybuilding and when you want to make sure that you are doing it right, consider how protein is going to be a part of that. - 17274

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How To Get Yellow Teeth White Again

By Jen Hosse

Getting older includes many things but it also means that our teeth begin to change from the whiteness of our youth to a yellow tinge. This happens naturally through contact with food and drink although certain substances will cause your teeth to become yellow quicker such as coffee or cigarettes.

Recently, however, there is a solution to the yellow teeth problem that can help us return to the white that we had before. Just like other age issues such as wrinkles and poor skin, we can solve yellow teeth fairly well and enjoy the benefits of having a beautiful smile again.

Originally, many people went to the dentist to use services such as bleaching and lights that promised to whiten one's teeth. While these products worked fairly well, they were also very expensive and were not very convenient as they required a trip or two to the dentist's office to receive treatment.

Now there are a variety of home treatments that you are able to employ to get your teeth whiter. In fact, so many products have come out that you might have trouble choosing the right one. There is, however, one product in particular that works quite well.

DentaWhite is considered to be the top product in the teeth whitening field. On average, it can whiten your teeth up to 7 shades whiter which is a pretty significant difference.

DentaWhite contains about 22% peroxide bleach which is completely safe and is also about the same amount of bleach that professional dentists use when performing whitening procedures.

Additionally, because of DentaWhite effectiveness, a variety of personal reviews and news organizations have reported great results using DentaWhite' product in turning their yellow teeth white again.

If you are interested in whitening your teeth, DentaWhite is the best bang for your buck. Also, for the current time, DentaWhite is also offering a free trial, so be sure to take advantage of that in order to get results without having to pay a dime! - 17274

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Bodybuilding Benefits Of The Acai Berries

By Dana Hawkes

A little-known benefit of the acai berry diet is its support in muscle building. Most of the acai berry diet reviews speak about how an acai berry diet can help in weight loss, anti-aging, good vision, cardiovascular health and so on. But a very few reviews speak about the bodybuilding benefits of the acai berries.

Acai berries are good for bodybuilding, but you cannot depend on them solely. Probably that's the reason why there is less information in this area. Acai is not as support for building muscles as it is for some other things, but it does speed up the process all the same.

You need proteins in order to build muscles. That is the reason you see all professional bodybuilders consuming a diet that is rich in proteins. However, proteins are not introduced in the body directly. They are introduced in the form of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins. Now, acai berries have a very essential amount of amino acids. Hence, when consumed in the form of a diet, these simple-looking berries can actually produce chains of protein molecules in the muscles of the body.

There is more than 7.5% of amino acid content in acai berries. That's a significant amount. Also, since acai berry diet products are available in different concentrated forms, such as pulps, juices and powders, you can get a very good amount of protein through this food.

Also, the fact that acai berries remove bad cholesterol from your body helps. Acai berries are rich in antioxidants, which assist the digestive process and remove the harmful LDL cholesterols from the body. The result is a trimmer figure, and it is easier to work on building a trimmer body than a flabby body.

And it is not just about building your muscles. Check out the vast amount of acai berry diet information that is so freely available on the Internet. You will find out that this diet does not just pump up those muscles but ensures good overall health. A sound constitution in a great physique - that's what regular consumption of an acai berry diet can give you. - 17274

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Dana Hawkes lost over 45 pounds by following the Acai Berry Diet, and you can do it, too! Visit her site now for more information about Acai Berry supplements, the Acai Berry Diet, and even get a free trial!

Acai Berry -A Tasty And Healthy Fruit

By Dana Hawkes

It's only been a few centuries since the magic of this dark purplish round, grape-like fruit, became familiar to the whole world. Its availability and importance previously is believed to be known only to the rain forests of the Amazon, where it is a wild fruit. These berries have now become the most preferred fruits and recommended by almost all diet specialists and physicians. Many health conscious individuals are also becoming aware of its health benefits. The fruit is being exported in tons every year throughout the world.

Known to be rich in a series of vitamins and minerals, this fruit helps fight deadly diseases like cancer, pulmonary diseases etc. The vitamins present in the fruit being, A, B, B1, B2, B3, C E etc help in lowering the illness factors. The minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc are abundantly found in the acai fruit.

There is no doubt the berries cure people having hypertension and imbalanced blood sugar levels. In addition to vitamins and minerals, the fruit contains a reasonable amount of protein and fiber that makes it unique and healthy to consume.

Apart from uncountable health benefits, the acai berries also find a place in delicious cuisines, mouth watering deserts and chill ice creams. This contradicts the fad among people thinking all foods that are healthy do not taste delicious. The chocolaty flavor of the berries is simply irresistible to eat and make lip-smacking delicacies.

So what's more? Next time you order an ice cream in the five star hotels, make sure it is flavored with acai berry and go the healthier and tastier way! - 17274

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Dana Hawkes lost over 45 pounds by following the Acai Berry Diet, and you can do it, too! Visit her site now for more information about Acai Berry supplements, the Acai Berry Diet, and even get a free trial!

Foods High in Potassium

By Daniel Jackson

Why is potassium so important for your diet? To begin with your heart cannot function without potassium, which is a big deal. Even if you did manage to find a way for it to function without it, your muscles will not function without it and a serious potassium shortage will also impair your cellular process and make you feel extremely weak.

Now that the importance and gravity of potassium has been outline. Here is how you can increase your intake:

1. Nuts and seeds have very high concentration of potassium so eat as much nuts as you can, that should give you a good dose to last you for the day.

2. If eating nuts is an issue then your next best bet would be to eat a bowl of cereal which is high in potassium such as bran flakes. While it might not seem palatable it does work.

3. Another source of potassium is muesli, especially if you dont like cereal such as bran flakes or even nuts.

4. Have a few dried fruits between lunch and breakfast which are very high in potassium and could serve as a post breakfast snack to keep you going.

5. You can also mix dried fruits into a food of your choice such as a salad where something sweet wont be noticed too much.

6. Another great source of potassium are raisins, make sure to include some in food that you prepare or desert that you have.

7. Fans of baked potatoes will be happy to know that this is another great source of potassium. You cant have it with your usual additions like cheese and cream, but if you dont mind a plain baked potato then this is another option.

8. This might taste a bit unusual but the cuban delicacy of boiled plantains is a great source of potassium.

9. Whole wheat pasta and tomatoes are another great source of potassium.

10. Last but not least, have some sardines.

This should be all the motivation you need to start addressing any potential potassium deficiency. Know that one in every five people in america suffer from it which could easily be rectified. - 17274

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Find out more about Foods High in Potassium at the Fat Loss School.

Rival Vacuum Sealers: A Notch Above The Rest

By Hakeem Awadi

Rival has a reputation for all kinds of quality kitchen appliances. One of its best small appliances is its Rival seal a meal vacuum sealer. This is a powerful sealer that is easy to use and is unexpectedly low priced. The Seal-A-Meal can additionally be hung on the wall for your convenience. Here's some reasons why this Rival vacuum sealer is an excellent appliance to have in your kitchen.

The Seal-A-Meal vacuum sealer works effortlessly because the Seal-A-Meal utilizes a standard roll. 8x10 inch and 11x10 inch rolls are available. The rolls may be quickly attached onto the Rival seal a meal vacuum sealer through a quick and easy loading mechanism. This enables the rolls to be loaded correctly so that they can perform well. Quart sized bags may be installed in this sealer also.

When the roll is installed into the sealer, nothing else is called for. The machine can commence to working after the roll is installed. All the user has to do is choose the sealant settings, lay the products for storage over a layer of the roll and then activate the device so that the food can be completely sealed in a secure manner.

The Seal-A-Meal can also be cleaned quickly. The food channel is able to be removed from the front so that it will be cleansed, which allows the other parts to do its job properly.

The bags will be cut automatically by the sealer. The sealer will cut a straight line so that it will be easier for the materials to be safely sealed in and guaranteeing that the bag will be tight.

The Rival vacuum sealer can even be fitted to a wall or cabinet for ease of storage. This is convenient in that the sealer will occupy a measurably smaller space in your home.

The Seal-A-Meal vacuum sealer is inexpensive, too. Other comparable products can sell for more than $150. The Seal-A-Meal vacuum sealer, however, is unique. The Seal-A-Meal sells for about $100 American/$120 Canadian. Some stores can even sell it for below a hundred dollars during a sale. Also, refill rolls can cost about ten dollars.

Some added accessories can be used with the sealer too. An air hose for removing the air from the bags is offered as an accessory. Some accessories include containers to contain other parts in, and also to assist with storing extra amounts of sealer bags.

The Rival vacuum sealers is a method of food storage that should definitely be looked in to. This sealer is unmatched in keeping foods fresh and is simple to use and maintain. It is also not as pricey as other sealers. It is a great choice for a vacuum sealer. - 17274

About the Author:

Hakeem Awadi owns and operates a vacuum sealers site that educates consumers about the Rival Vacuum Sealer.

Different Types of Creatine and What They Do

By Aaron Wilding

If you've been around supplements at all, you know that there are always several different types of any given supplement. And if there is any supplement that is this way it's creatine. It seems like every year or two there is a new revolutionary type of creatine that comes out. So what is the difference? Is one really better than the other?

The three main types of creatine that you'll see in a store these days are creatine monohydrate, creatine ethyl ester (CEE), and liquid creatine. Every now and then you'll see some others on the shelf, but these are the three most common.

Let's take a minute and lookat the differences between these different types of creatine supplements:

The Original Creatine Monohydrate

The most basic form of creatine that you can get is creatine monohydrate. Because of this it is also the cheapest. One thing to watch for when buying monohydrate is purity. There are different labels you'll see such as 'Creapure' that indicate the quality of the creatine supplement. This form of creatine is natural and can be found in many of the foods you eat. You'd just have to eat a lot of those foods to get a good amount out of them!

Creatine Ethyl Ester or CEE

A problem that a lot of people run into when using monohydrate is that the body has a hard time absorbing all of it. That's where the idea behind the development of CEE came from. What they do with CEE is attach an organic compound called an ester to the creatine. This makes it so the body can more easily absorb it. The more your body can absorb the more it can put to good use. This type of creatine tends to be quite expensive, and a lot of people question how effective it really is.

Liquid Creatines

The idea behind liquid creatines is that you can get them absorbed into your body quicker than a powdered product. One problem with powdered creatine is that it has a tendency to bind with food, making it less effective and making it so you have to not eat for a good period of time before using it. But if you take it in a liquid form you can potentially reduce this problem, and the time you have to wait before using it.

Conclusion

Creatine ethyl ester and liquid creatine products have had a lot of buzz around them lately about whether they are effective or not. It seems that at this time there have been enough studies done on CEE to show that it can be done and can improve the effectiveness of creatine, but I haven't seen as much backup information for the liquid products.

Either way, if you're trying to build a better body creatine is one of the muscle building supplements you should consider using. It is the most studied supplement on the market and has been proven to work time and time again. And once again, it is a relatively cheap supplement to use! - 17274

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If you're looking for the best prices on creatine supplements and other muscle building supplements, visit SupplementPricing.com where you can compare prices from multiple online stores and get the best price! We do the comparisons so you save money!

Facts about Xylitol

By Alyssa Devan

Xylitol, in ordinary term, is a sugar substitute that is used as sweetener. It has various benefits that are not found in sugar, according to studies. It can be used as food sweetener in the diet for people with diabetes and is also believed to prevent tooth decays.

Chemically, xylitol is not a sugar compound. There are various kinds of sugar, namely, fructose and glucose, among others. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and has five instead of six carbon atoms. It is almost similar to and is as sweet as sucrose.

German and French chemists discovered xylitol in the late 1900s. It is found in some fruits such as raspberries and strawberries. It can also be found in some vegetables and even in some mushrooms.

Xylitol can prevent tooth decay by hampering the occurrence of an acid attack. Sugar, that is contained in the food that we eat, helps multiply certain bacteria on the teeth. The metabolic process produces the acids that can penetrate the surface of our teeth.

"pH" is the measure for acidity. Calcium is being stripped away from the surface of our teeth when the pH level of plaque falls down to 5.5 or lower. With the acidity in the mouth, our tooth's enamel will slowly start to dissolve, thus, forming tooth cavities. As the acid goes on further, the enamel becomes porous and vulnerable to bacteria leading to tooth decay.

Xylitol can stop this acid attack because the bacteria that cause tooth decay cannot complete their metabolism process which brings their growth to a halt. Leading bacteria that cause tooth decay are lactobacilli and streptococci. It is said that with xylitol intake instead of sugar, the growth of these bacteria can fall to as much as 90%. Because they cannot produce acid, the enamel stays safe from attacks and cavity cannot be produced.

Our mouth is being protected from bacteria by our saliva. It maintains the desired pH level to prevent bacteria from producing acid that destroys our teeth. However, too much consumption of sugar in our daily diet limits the protective capability of saliva or may render it useless.

Most of us go beyond two instances of sugar intake a day so we need fluoride to wash out acids formed on the enamel. That's why we often brush our teeth. On the other hand, xylitol, when contained in our saliva, makes our mouth more alkaline and it raises amino acids and ammonia which causes the pH to rise. This will halt the production of bacteria.

You are probably interested where you can get xylitol to avail of its benefits. Manufacturers now use it in the production of chewing gum sweeteners. Dentists agree that such gum is a good way of adding xylitol to our saliva. Also, increased saliva secretion is stimulated by chewing a gum. More saliva secretion and xylitol can result to better buffer against tooth decay caused by bacteria.

The teeth is one of the most important parts of the body. We need them to better crush our food in aid of proper digestion. You can also never take lightly any case of toothache. You feel cursed if you have one and immediate tooth extraction is often not advisable. So, most dentists would first provide medication to stop the toothache prior to extraction.

Another good thing about having healthy teeth is that you always have a ready smile for everyone. You'll have more confidence when you talk with anyone. Hopefully, more manufacturers would find ways to use xylitol instead of sugar in our daily food so that we can always have healthy teeth. - 17274

About the Author:

Alyssa Devan discusses about the benefits of xylitol.

History of the Religious use of Mushrooms

By Dr. Markho Rafael

People have used mushrooms as spiritual tools for at least 7,000 years. Thats the age of the oldest preserved records, cave paintings left by the historic San Peoples in Tassili of southeast Algeria. Images depict what has been interpreted as masked, dancing medicine men holding mushrooms in their hand; presumably of the awareness altering variety.

Tassili is today part of the Saharan desert, mountainous and uninhabited. But in the days of the San Peoples, the environment was savannah-like and inhabited by cattle, lions and even crocodiles. There's archeological evidence of contact between the San Peoples of Tassili and other tribes across the Sahara, from Chad to Egypt, perhaps even Greece.

The Greek Eleusinian Mysteries - spiritual initiation ceremonies - date back to 1,600 B.C. and for two millennia it was the most important spiritual initiation ceremony of ancient Europe. Many scholars believe the ceremony employed the use of mind-altering mushrooms. With participants such as Plato and Aristotle, the influence of the Eleusinian Mysteries on the formation of western culture cannot be underestimated.

Jumping another millennia or so forward in time, the Vikings were known to consume the poisonous species Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) in limited amounts to overcome fear. In spiritual pre-war ceremonies, they are said to have eaten mushrooms and danced in the woods before going into battle.

It may not have been an admirable type of spirituality practiced by this warrior culture but it was none-the-less part of their religious practices whatever we may think of them. Siberian shamans are also said to have used Fly agaric in their spiritual practices to help them talk to their gods.

R. Gordon Wasson even claimed in a controversial book titled Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality that Fly agaric was the very substance referred to in ancient Vedic literature as the mysterious soma, a plant or mushroom extract used in ancient Hindu rituals and believed to bestow immortality of the soul and other divine qualities to the consumer.

(Note: Make no mistake, Fly agaric - Amanita muscaria - is poisonous and can also be confused with other deadly species. Consumption for any reason is completely discouraged.)

Meanwhile in the New World, spiritual ceremonies using mind-expanding mushrooms were likewise performed. The earliest written record stems from between the 13th and 15th centuries, a text known as the Mixtec Codex. The Mixtec Gods were often engraved wielding mushrooms.

Even though Mixtecs clearly told westerners of their use of spiritual mushrooms in sacred ceremonies, American and European scholars still doubted them in classic condescending fashion.

An American botanist named William Safford was convinced that peyote buttons were confused for mushrooms, while other scholars maintained that the Mixtec tribe truly did use consciousness-altering mushrooms in their spiritual practices.

The debate raged on until the early 1930s, when amateur anthropologist Robert Weitlaner got invited to witness an original spiritual ceremony that included the use of consciousness-altering mushrooms.

In 1953, amateur mycologist R. Gordon Wasson and his wife Valentina Povlovna became the first westerners to actually participate in a Velada (mushroom ceremony), led by shaman Don Aurelio. Wasson publicized his experience in Life Magazine in 1957, which became the start of the popular awareness of spiritual mushrooms in the west.

Although the (in-)famous genus of mind-altering mushrooms, Psilocybe, contains 60 species, most do not contain the psychoactive compounds psilocin (fresh mushrooms) and psilocybin (fresh and dried). The Mixtecs are believed to originally have used Psilocybin mexicana and Psilocybin caerulescens. The today more common Psilocybin cubensis is believed to have arrived from Europe.

Viewed as recreational drugs, mind-altering mushrooms have been prohibited in most countries since the early 1970's. The exception, which will come as no surprise, was The Netherlands, where fresh Psilocybe mushrooms were legal until very recently.

However, that came to an abrupt halt when a 17-year-old girl jumped off a bridge in Amsterdam after consuming Psilocybe mushrooms. In response, the Dutch parliament banned all sale of "magic mushrooms" effective December 1, 2008. So from Tassili to Amsterdam, the use of consciousness-altering mushrooms is now officially history. - 17274

About the Author:

Dr. Rafael has worked in the natural health field since the mid-90's, today specializing in medicinal fungi. He does not support the use of mind-altering mushrooms. The article on this page is for entertainment only. Click cordyceps to visit site for more free mushroom articles, or cordyceps reishi for mycomedicinal products. Note: Absolutely no magic mushroom products, please do not inquire.