Fat Loss 4 Idiots Secret

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

George Washington Weight Loss Expert Takes on Weight Loss Myths

By Josef Brandenburg

A George Washington Weight loss expert is taking on the myth that losing weight is simply a matter of numbers. When it comes to weight loss, you have probably been sold the idea that losing a pound on the scales is the same as losing a pound of fat. The myth that weighing less automatically means looking better in a bikini is the most misleading concept about fat loss. Think about it, a beach ball will weigh a lot less than a baseball however; one is soft and pliable while the other is hard and firm, and which one would you like to be?

In fact, looking great and having a healthy body is all about what the body weight is made up of rather than how much the body weight is. Suppose you are 150 pounds and 50% of this weight is body fat, you will surely not have a good physical appearance. With so many weight loss myths floating around, people go to any extent just to make their weight go down on the scales. However we are quite fortunate that an expert in weight loss from the George Washington University area is here to set the record straight.

It is completely true that the muscle mass determines the metabolic rate of ones body and in turn decides how you look in your swimsuit. Most of the weight loss plans make you weigh less on the scales, however one might not be sure whether it is muscles loss or fat loss. This is a very fundamental mistake which needs to be corrected. One should not loose muscle mass as it helps in burning more calories and makes you look much more fitter in shorts than the fat would. If you loose fat, for example five pounds and in turn gain equal pounds of muscle mass then it would appear as if you have lost 10 pounds, but the weighing scale would not show weight loss.

If you are ready to lose weight in an effective manner do what the experts at many George Washington weight loss centers are now instructing their clients to do, measure your bodily composition. This is easily done in the privacy of your own home with a tape measure. Simply measure yourself consistently and watch for a drop in inches rather than pounds on a scale.

An inch loss in men means the loss of 4-5 pounds of fat whereas in women it means 3-4 pounds. You should aim at maintaining your weight with a uniform inch loss from all parts of the body. To begin with, just measure all the areas and then start building more muscles in your body. Men can just measure their waist since men put on weight mostly on their waist. Women should measure their waist, hips and thighs. The measurement for women should be taken in the following manner:

*Hips- standing with your feet about hips width apart measure around the largest part of your backside

*Thighs- Make a mark six inches above your knee and take the measurement around the thigh at this point.

*Waist- Position the tape so that it hits you at the naval, then mark the numbers.

Take all your measurements on the same day each week and after you use the restroom to ensure consistent accurate results. These measurements will give you the best indication of true fat loss and is being used by many George Washington weight loss centers. - 17274

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The Real Benefits Of A Washington, Dc Weight Loss Protocol

By Josef Brandenburg

Who doesn't want to look good? Every one of us wants to fit in to their respective circles and be accepted into the society. No wonder why spas, gyms, dermatologic procedures, cosmetic industries, and different diet protocols are climbing their way up to the top flourishing businesses in this era. People have invested so much in external beauty that they often forget what happens inside them when they hop into the bandwagon of aesthetics and fat loss. We have heard horror stories of implants and surgeries gone wrong, people who've died of liver diseases (because of drug overdose, or taking in drugs that damage the liver), and the temporary beauty that gym work-outs provide. Getting into a Washington, DC Weight Loss Protocol does not only make you look good from the outside, but it does so much more for your inner health.

1. A Washington, DC Weight Loss Protocol can give you the body you want and lets you wear it forever: Yes, we have all gone through that horrible experience of the fit-and-fat cycle. Slimming down after a few weeks of gargantuous amounts of pills and eating once daily can be pretty frustrating because we all know that there will come a day that well wake up with our fat asses again. Keeping a fit and fab body entails hard work and a specific exercise program based on a correct science. Your Washington, DC Personal Trainer lets you in on an interval exercise program that promises to burn 450% of fat more than what your usual gym program or home TV shopping apparatus can give you. The common aerobic training takes up so much time with little weight loss results, and so the best exercise option is in the hands of a high-intensity training.

2. Shake off the fat even after you exercise with a Washington, DC Weight Loss Protocol: Everybody looks for the most convenient way to lose weight. This is one of the reasons why people are all for a Washington, DC weight loss program, because you can get to lose weight while watching T.V. on your couch with the premise that after doing your interval training, the afterburn comes in to effect. With interval training your body can undergo a metabolic boost 12, 24 or even up to 36 hours after you exercise.

3. You can develop discipline and get an inner sense of peace with a Washington, DC Weight Loss Protocol: This program will benefit you immensely, but you are going to have to take a few steps and make a couple of changes. Getting away from your inactive lifestyle, throwing away the unhealthy stuff from your fridge, cutting down the number of hours you spend partying, drinking and smoking with your buddies are just a few of the changes that you are going to have to make. The effort and hard work that you put in will be greatly rewarded with peace of mind and a good sense of wellness. You will also have self-control and be disciplined and everything will be natural, you wont have to depend on pills and knives.

Losing weight is not as hard as it used to be, because of the technology available to us today. If you can put in the hard work needed and if you have the will to go through the fit-and-fat cycle you can get the results that you desire. If you put in all the effort to get your new fantastic physique, you deserve to keep it, and with the help of your Washington, DC Weight Loss Program, you can. - 17274

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What You Really Get Out Of A Washington, Dc Weight Loss Protocol

By Josef Brandenburg

Everyone wants to look good. How many of us actually do not want to be socially accepted or feel like we fit in? Spas, gyms, dermatological procedures, cosmetic industries, and different diet protocols are going stronger by the day because they use this to their advantage. When it comes to aesthetics and fat loss, people tend to follow the crowd without even considering the internal effects on their health, because they are so obsessed looking good on the outside. We have all heard about the temporary results of working out at the gym, people who've died of liver diseases either because of drug overdose, or because of taking drugs that damage the liver and the horrifying stories of implants and surgeries that go wrong. You can improve your physical appearance on the outside and keep your internal health in check at the same time by getting into a Washington, DC Weight Loss program.

1. A Washington, DC Weight Loss Protocol can give you the body you want and lets you wear it forever: Yes, we have all gone through that horrible experience of the fit-and-fat cycle. Slimming down after a few weeks of gargantuous amounts of pills and eating once daily can be pretty frustrating because we all know that there will come a day that well wake up with our fat asses again. Keeping a fit and fab body entails hard work and a specific exercise program based on a correct science. Your Washington, DC Personal Trainer lets you in on an interval exercise program that promises to burn 450% of fat more than what your usual gym program or home TV shopping apparatus can give you. The common aerobic training takes up so much time with little weight loss results, and so the best exercise option is in the hands of a high-intensity training.

2. A Washington, DC Weight Loss Protocol lets you shake off the fat even after you exercise! This effect is probably what keeps most clients gaga over a Washington, DC Program. Since everyone's freaky over losing weight in the most convenient way, why not get something as good as losing weight while seated on a couch surfing channels? Of course, this comes with the premise that this great afterburn, as we call it, comes in after doing your interval training. We promise that your body can undergo either a 12-, 24- or even a 36-hour metabolic boost post-exercise.

3. You can develop discipline and get an inner sense of peace with a Washington, DC Weight Loss Protocol: This program will benefit you immensely, but you are going to have to take a few steps and make a couple of changes. Getting away from your inactive lifestyle, throwing away the unhealthy stuff from your fridge, cutting down the number of hours you spend partying, drinking and smoking with your buddies are just a few of the changes that you are going to have to make. The effort and hard work that you put in will be greatly rewarded with peace of mind and a good sense of wellness. You will also have self-control and be disciplined and everything will be natural, you wont have to depend on pills and knives.

With the advanced technology that we have today losing weight is not as difficult as it was in the past. You can have the body you've always wanted if you have the will to work hard towards it; its in your own hands. You deserve to keep the fabulous physique that you worked so hard to get, and you can, with the help of your Washington, DC Weight Loss Program. - 17274

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Why Using a Wheatgrass Juicer is the Best Way to Make Juice

By Jane Chalmers

The common fruit juicers that you normally find in a store are nit usually suitable for making wheatgrass juice. This is due to the fact that wheatgrass contains tough fibers making it difficult to process and extract any juice from.

The wheatgrass juicer operates much more slowly which reduces the heat produced and, therefore, lessons the damage any heat does to the important nutrients. They basically come in two types, manual or electric.

Wheatgrass contains around 70 percent of the green chemical chlorophyll, so the most important part of the juicing process is extracting out of the blades of the grass in an effective manner. As a result, the electric juicers are mostly recommended as they are more effective and require less force to operate.

There are different electric juicers like the Miracle Mj-500, electric auger juicer and various stainless wheatgrass juicers available in the stores. They are available within a price range of 175 to 200 dollars at different stores.

A common choice is the Miracle MJ-500 juicer, which is easy to operate, is self feeding, light weight and has a corrosion proof stainless steel shaft which is long lasting and strong. When operating this machine it is important to preserve motor life by turning it off after ten minutes of use. It does come with a one year warranty.

A popular model and fast becoming a best seller is the electric auger juicer. It is a very high quality machine with parts that are supposed to last a lifetime. One of the biggest advantages is that it can be used for other purposes than making wheatgrass juice, such as making nut butters and soya milk. Therefore, the wheatgrass can be mixed with other foods and gives you greater choice.

As well as the electric models, manually operating machines are also available. They are cheaper than the electric types and are easy to operate and clean. They also contain no aluminum bits and have a couple of stainless steel screens. The stainless steel wheatgrass juicers that come in the manual version are much more less expensive and are very effective. They come with a pressure control screw that helps in taking out the juice with minimal force.

There are commercial juicers available if you are looking for something a bit more industrial. An example of such a machine is the Miracle Pro Green model. So if you are looking to boost your health, then wheatgrass has many nutritional properties and purchasing a juicer is a worthwhile investment in your health. - 17274

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Lower Back Pain Exercises Get Some Important Tips About Exercises For Back Pain

By Celestine Nell

Have you come to the internet for lower back pain exercises? We all know that this is one of the first places that people come to when they are searching for lower back pain exercises or any other type. Research shows that more and more people are suffering from back pain these days.

If you are suffering from constant back pain; then this article will help you get rid of it. We are going to explain how to begin doing exercises for back pain correctly so that you will prevent further injury. While lower back pain exercises are great for getting rid of back problems you want to ensure that you are doing them correctly.

Anyone can begin doing exercises for back pain; it just takes about twenty minutes and can be done right from your home. This problem will continue to grow because of the lifestyle that we have all implemented.

We all have developed bad habits that are not good for us. Before you even begin with your lower back pain exercises there are some things that you should be aware of to prevent further injury.

1. It Is Going To Require Patience: I understand that anyone who has ever suffered from back problems will want to know how to get rid of the pain as quickly as possible. If you begin doing your back exercises on a regular basis; then you can expect to notice a difference in the way you feel in as little as 4 to 6 weeks.

2. Pain: While it is normal to feel a slight discomfort when you are performing your lower back pain exercises; you do not want it to be painful. Avoid stretching too far; otherwise you will only cause worse damage than you already have.

3. Walking On A Regular Basis: If your job requires that you sit behind a computer on a regular basis; then it is extremely important that you begin stretching your muscles on a daily basis. Walking has been proven to be one of the best ways to ensure that your muscles do not become tight with tension.

If you want to find out more about exercises for back pain; be sure to stop by the site below. We have provided you with some great details about lower back pain exercises that will help you feel great. - 17274

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The Best Ways To Get a Ripped Chest Fast

By James Traynor

Many people would agree that a big bulging set of pectoral, or chest, muscles look great not only under the shirt but when you take your top off at the pool or beach. One of the most important areas to address in achieving this is fat loss.

You will find that most people who have a great set of pecs and abs often look healthy, full of vitality and feel confident. This is because it gives you a good shape under a shirt or when you take your top off at the pool or beach, which gets peoples attention. The problem arises if you have a thick layer of fat over these muscles. This can make you look fat and flabby and may even give you man boobs.

To get a large, toned ripped chest many people mistakenly believe that you have to churn out thousands of bench presses. Indeed, this exercise will help build up the muscles but will not give you an athletic ripped look as it will not get rid of the fat layer over the chest. Getting rid of this fat layer is the biggest hurdle to get over. It is possible for even a skinny guy to get a fabulous looking chest just by getting rid of this fat.

I guess you want to know what this great secret is, right? To be truthful it is not that much of a secret. In order to get rid of this fat layer you need to reduce your intake of calories and burn any excess calories off.

If you are a body builder, reducing calories may not be such a good idea as it can sometimes send you into a catabolic state and cause you to actually start breaking down that hard gained muscle. A lot of body builders face this dilemma after months of building up bulk and then trying to lose fat. It is a fine balance between keeping the lean muscle mass but getting rid of the fat layer.

One way to achieve this goal is to maintain and adequate intake or calories but increase the proportion of those calories as protein. This is because more calories are actually required to metabolize protein as it does for the same quantity of fat or protein, so reducing fat accumulation.

To burn those excess calories incorporating cardio routines into your workout program is very important. A good calorie busting exercise is to work those large muscles in the body such as the quadriceps muscle on the front of the thigh. These powerhouses burn heaps of calories when worked and generate heat.

These techniques can be incorporated together into a full workout program that you can easily follow regularly. Exercises can be found quite readily by searching online which can take some time. The other method is to buy a ready made program.

These programs are usually tried and tested so you will know what works and what does not. They will help you build and develop all the muscles in the body as well as enabling you to burn off fat as well.

The most important thing is that if you want to get a ripped chest quickly, then not to spend time procrastinating but to start working and working regularly. You will be surprised at how fast you will see results. - 17274

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Health and Weight Loss

By Leo Gamahe

One way to lose a few pounds, or so a number of people think, is by not eating and although this is a way to lose a few unwanted pounds, it can have repercussions if carried out for extended periods and no doctor or dietitian would ever recommend doing this. They insist that only healthy weight loss diets are recommended, given the fact that excesses tend to leave the body weaker and almost defenseless when facing illness.

Following a healthy weight loss program is all about what you eat and how much of it as if you consume more calories in a day than you use and this is done regularly, you will put on weight. Many people forget just how important it is to have a decent night's sleep for good health and body maintenance but juts as important is burning off those excess calories found in the areas of fat most of carry around with us.

Woman's magazines often present wonder diets that make you slimmer in a matter of days and some of these 'healthy' weight loss diets are centered on using a specific type of food. One of these methods is to eat only fruits, salads, chicken and boiled vegetables and while none of these are detrimental to your health, you will not receive all the nutrients your body needs from just these foods.

This is not to mention that after one and a half weeks of such a dietary program, you'll feel like you'd never want to touch chicken again as the body creates an almost defensive reaction towards this kind of force-feeding. The basis of healthy weight loss and maintenance is by removing high calorie foodstuffs from our diets and maintaining regular exercise in addition to good sleep patterns.

Always remember your doctor will ask you if you are sleeping well and will ask an overweight person if they snack in the middle of the night as while this is common, many do not remember. Many overweight people also suffer from stress which physical activity is known to eliminate and by eating healthily, calories will be lost but all this will go to waste if you are getting up in the night to eat.

You do not have to follow a health weight loss program for very long before your body will start noticing the difference with increased energy levels, better sleep and feeling healthier which also means you will be less prone to illness. Another aspect of a healthy weight loss diet is personal involvement and self-impression on the undergoing transformation so for instance; being too critical and demanding with yourself could sometimes do more bad than good. Often boredom creates problems when dieting especially when someone tries to push themselves too far because they want to lose weight and keep to the same routine. Why not build up your stamina and fitness level a little by carrying out some everyday activities first like walking or swimming for example. Remember to listen to your body and not overexert yourself and lose weight healthily. - 17274

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A Road Map On How To Build Chest Muscle Fast

By Emmanuel Palmer

Who is your ultimate super hero? Is it Batman, Superman or Wolverine? They all usually have two things in common: super powers (alright, batman just a super utility belt but it's still awesome), and a super body. That's right, these buffed up, muscled men are the ideals of strength and virility we've all come to recognize. Maybe you've always wanted to be one or at least fake it by looking like one. The best way to do this is by learning how to build chest muscle fast.

Beauty is in the inside of course, but it doesn't hurt if people see it on the outside too now does it? There's nothing wrong with that: you look good, you feel good. Your mission, should you wish to take it, is to know how to build chest muscle the best way possible. Even great men need help once in a while.

To effectively build chest muscle fast you need to understand the workouts that will work in the specific areas in your chest. The incline barbell bench for instance will target the upper chest muscles. Use slow and purposeful movements and feel the burn when you do. Don't let the bar touch your chest because this will remove from the stress you want to put on the chest also putting strain on your shoulder joints as well.

Use the decline barbell bench press and the decline dumbbell fly to exercise your lower chest muscles. Have a spotter nearby to assist you in lifting because the angle may be a little tricky especially for those who are attempting to do this for the first time.

And finally, develop your inner and outer chest muscles through performing the flat bench dumbbell fly. Again, make sure you keep the correct form when you execute this workout. Keep your shoulders steady when you push the weight back to its starting position. Pushing them forward will put undue stress on the shoulders. In working out, doing the drills properly is more important that completing the sets just for the sake of completing it.

If you are a beginner and have attempted to blaze through these training sessions, chances are you will feel extreme soreness running through your body. Don't worry, you will gain the endurance for it soon enough. After several weeks of gaining strength, try to carry out these exercises to failure. This means to train the muscles targeted to its maximum tolerance level. You will find that muscles develop really fast this way. When you attempt to do this, make sure that there is a professional trainer nearby to assist you.

Include more exercises into your workout program. Change it up every four to six weeks because your body needs to be challenged every so often; switching up the weight loads and drills will keep your body guessing. Target the serratus anterior (muscle between the chest and back) with pullovers. Build up your chest even more with dumbbell flyes.

Build chest muscles fast by adhering to these tips as outlined above. So what if you don't have Superman's S clad costume-rip that shirt off anyway; with your new rock-hard chest, everybody will be asking for it. - 17274

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How Many Types Of Calories Are There??

By Ivan Girevoy

Calories, do you really understand its meaning? Most people still do not know what a calorie is. When asked about its meaning, most people would link it to dieting. However there is far more to calories than just a word that is linked to weight loss.

Understanding Calories

A calorie is a unit of measurement used to quantify energy obtained from food that is used by the human body for fuel. When there is an excess of calories, these are not burnt and would be stored by the body as fat. There are different types of calories and different forms in which calories may be obtained.

The main types of calories include: carbohydrates, fats and proteins. All of them burn when used in the body and then turn into heat energy, which is generally called calories.

Each type of calorie varies in terms of chemical and physical properties. Here are the essential things that you need to know about each calorie type.

The Feared Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the most common type of calorie. It is found on foods that are rich on starch and sugar. Most of them can be taken from plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and grains. Legumes, such as lentils, beans, and peas, are also rich with carbs. However, dairy products would be the only foods that come from animals which have a lot of carb content.

Typically carbohydrates can be classified into two subdivisions: simple and complex.

Simple carbs are mostly sugars, such as glucose and fructose, which come from fruits and a few vegetables. Another type would be lactose, which comes from milk. Last would be sucrose, which comes from cane sugar. (Rule of thumb is any thing that ends in "ose" is a type of sugar.)

Sugar that is for everyday use is pure sucrose. A lot of simple carbs that you eat are sugars that are mixed with processed foods such as cookies, sodas etc. These add-ons are the major reason why sugar accounts for 16% of total calories that are consumed by Americans according to most health surveys.

The complex types are chains of simple carbs, which primarily consist of starches along with fiber, which can be found in all foods that come from plants. However, plants store carbohydrates in the form of starch. Foods that have high complex carbs would include grains and products that come from it like bread and pasta. Additionally, potatoes, beans, corn, and other vegetables are also high in complex carbs.

Shadowed Proteins

Since carbohydrates seem to be the most popular type of calorie, proteins on the other hand seem to be the most over shadowed in comparison with the fame of fats and carbs. However, it is an important kind of calorie that you'll need to develop body muscle.

Proteins have about 4 kilocalories per gram. Majority of this kind of calorie can not be naturally produced by the human body and must originate from dietary sources. The main sources of protein include: eggs, nuts, meats, legumes, grains, dairy products. (And yes some of these are also those nasty carb carriers.)

According to recent studies, men between ages 19 to 70 should consume 56g of protein everyday in order to avoid deficiency. On the other hand, women within the same age range should get at least 46g/day. Those people, such as certain athletes consume more protein then average in order to increase muscle mass.

Fats

Fats,would probably be the most unwanted kind of calorie by many. However, it still plays an important role in the normal function of the body. The body cannot absorb Vitamins A, E, D and K if not for it. They play an important role in the maintenance of healthy hair and skin. Protection is another function, since they protect various organs from shock.

Fats can be obtained both from animals and plants. Types of animal fats would include lard, butter and fish oil, while plant fats would include soy beans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, olives, coconuts, sesames, and vegetable oils. - 17274

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Acne Scars

By Gail Jones

Acne scars are a sad reminder of the having suffered pimples or even acne. They are unbearable because of their seeming permanence and their non-complimentary look. Generally speaking, acne scars are quite difficult to treat, but tissue regeneration is not unusual these days with all the fantastic technological developments.

Generally speaking, by acne scarring, we are talking about the healed lesions caused by an acne breakout. While most scarring is temporary and will probably disappear on its own in time, scars from the more severe forms of acne can be permanent.

Acne scarring can be prevented if the sufferer visits a doctor when it is in the incipient stage, especially if nodules or cysts accompany the red pustules on the skin's surface. If the breakouts of acne have marked your skin, you will have to approach the problem from another perspective, which usually means surgery.

Laser resurfacing is one possibility of removing the damaged skin areas and stimulating the organic regrowth of the tissue beneath. This operation only requires local anaesthetic and can last between a few minutes and an hour depending on the amount of the damage.

Fractional laser therapy is one of the most recent forms of eliminating acne scarring. It involves surgical intervention at deep skin layers. The treatment is superior to both dermabrasion and laser resurfacing in terms of quality and has a very reduced healing period. Nevertheless, fractional laser therapy remains within the reach of only those few fortunate people, who can afford it, since it is the most expensive acne treatment available so far.

It can happen that additional sessions are required to improve the condition of the upper layers of skin, before they can tackle the deep level treatment of the acne scarring. The doctor may inject collagen into the scars in order to elevate the existing skin level or she/he may recommend micro-dermabrasion for the same reason. Trying to carry out chemical peels at home is a bad idea because of the chance of aggravating the condition by irritating the scars even further.

As for the kinds of acne scarring, they can be classified according to the formation pattern. Scars can result because of an increase of tissue or due to a loss of tissue They both have an adverse impact on the way the face looks. Specialists' evaluation of the nature of the scars is a very important factor for the decision of adopting one form of treatment or another. - 17274

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Hints To Choose The Right Muscle Building Supplement For Your Needs

By Ricardo d Argence

Tone isn't just a music term, it's also applied to muscles. If someone is in great shape it is a given that they would have well toned muscles. Interestingly enough, muscle building has nothing to do with well toned muscles, so let's figure out exactly what is meant by it.

Muscle building isn't an activity that just men can participate in, though that is truly one of the biggest misconceptions. Muscle building does have the potential to create huge muscles, but that isn't all it's for. It also promotes muscle health, so that you will be strong, but you won't have a lot of flesh hanging off of you.

if you are like most people, you have a busy schedule and have no idea when you'll get time to build your muscles. After all, most people have jobs to do, and they need to make money. How on earth can they expect to build muscles properly on top of all that?

This is definitely a valid question and the good new is that there is an answer. You need to augment your diet using supplements. You will find that there are many such supplements on the market, and you can buy them in ample supply.

These guarantee decent toning as well as rapid fat burning, and if they work as promised then your muscle building process will go quickly.

However, at this point I must offer you a word of caution. Please remember these health food supplements work by introducing chemical products into your body primarily to facilitate stress and fatigue control.

Some of these chemicals are known as glutamine, oxides of nitrate, and nitric acid. You will also run into proteins and enzymes which for the most part are completely harmless. Once your body takes them in you'll find that you are in great shape and that you fell perfectly fit.

Choosing your health food supplement is something you can do by yourself because there are numerous competing brands jostling for customers' attention on store shelves. Don't pick one of them at random.

These additives that were aforementioned might have some negative side effects. You don't need to fret over it, just know that nitric acid has been known to cause some problems with a person's sex drive.

It is pretty clear that just as with any other type of drug, you should talk to your doctor before you decide to take it. Your doctor will be able to tell you what's best for you, and even which foods you can use to get natural supplements. It is possible that you can get all you need from a specific diet, and that is the reason that you need to speak with a physician before you do anything.

All of the above taken together will show you a body with well-toned muscles when you stand in front of a tall mirror! - 17274

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The Question Everyone Is Asking: What Is Acai Good For?

By Travis Van Slooten

The acai has been touted as the number one super food. In fact, many people say that it can work wonders for just about any health issue you may have from weight loss to being an energy booster to even preventing some of today's most dreaded diseases. But what really is the science behind all these claims? Let's take a look at what's going on inside our bodies and how this little berry can impact these processes.

Antioxidants vs Free Radicals

Almost everyone has heard of the wonder of antioxidants and their arch nemesis, the free radical. But it isn't quite so cut and dried. Free radicals are naturally occurring atoms in the body which have unpaired electrons. Free radicals seek out an electron for their pair to be complete, but this may mean they steal their electron from other atoms. This process is required by many of the body's essential functions, such as fighting bacteria. But when people have too many free radicals, they may experience mutations at the cellular level, leading to cancers and atherosclerosis among other problems. Antioxidants simply slow this process and help prevent many of the problems associated with free radicals.

Anthocyanins and The French Paradox

How can you eat a diet of heavy in saturated fats, the worst kind, and still live in a culture with the fewest incidents of coronary heart disease? That is what scientists studying The French Paradox would like to know. They discovered that even though the average French diet is loaded with fats from cheese and pork, the French are remarkably healthier than Americans. Among the reasons was a compound called anthocyanins, a pigment found in the skin of berries such as red grapes and acai berries. The French mostly got their anthocyanins from red wine, but thanks to the acai berry, you can get your dosage without the damaging effects of alcohol.

Is No Fat Good Fat?

Not only should you consume fats, you have to. The body requires fat to function. But you must also be aware of the differences in fat. While many Americans consume plenty of saturated fats, the bad kind, they do not get nearly enough unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats, found in acai berries, are known to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. And they contain omega fatty acids, which the body needs, but cannot produce on its own.

So now you know that there is actually a lot of truth to the said health benefits of acai berry. It's no miracle cure to be sure, but it does contain some of the most important nutrients that our body needs. As more people are looking into the health benefits of this fruit, you can be sure that there will be even better answers the next time you ask - what is acai good for? - 17274

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