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Archive for October, 2010

These top 10 supplements are a “MUST HAVE” for men of all ages.

With this arsenal added to your daily nutrition intake, you will combat the early signs of aging, help your body run more efficiently, fight disease and add years to your life.

The top 10 supplements for men 2008 are as follows:

1-Vitamin E- Touted as the BEST supplement for fighting the signs of aging, this is one of THE most potent antioxidants. Vitamin E will help reduce heart disease greatly, fight off cancer and cancerous cells, reduce the risk of certain eye diseases and even help beat alzheimers disease.

This supplement is essential in reducing/aiding muscle tissue damage caused after exercising.

2-Saw Palmetto- The little known fact about this supplement is that it is actually as effective, if not even more effective for hair loss than prescription drugs. It is all natural and is clinically proven to reduce the overproduction of the hormone DHT-dihydrotestosterone. Male pattern baldness is caused by overproduction of DHT. Saw palmetto reduces production of DHT. Many studies time and time again has shown Saw Palmetto to improve hairlines and hair thickness in more then 75% of the men involved in the studies.

Recommended daily dose:200mg

3-Coenzyme Q10-Co Q10- This is a compound which is produced naturally by your body, it improves your muscle cells to translate the oxygen in your blood to usable energy. This in turn greatly helps with fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome, which affects more then 50 million Americans.

In a recent study, subject taking 100mg daily for 2 months eradicated up to 95% of their fatigue and almost doubled their current energy levels! This supplement is truly being touted as a miracle supplement.

Our recommendation is between 100-150 mg daily.

4-Chromium Picolinate- This supplement helps keep your blood sugar normal, therefore reducing the urge to eat high-sugar foods, improving your body’s sensitivity to insulin.

Men who regularly use this mineral in their diets in the long term gained less weight than their peers taking other, non-effective weight-loss supplements. The group in the studies were taking a daily intake of 400mcg as an effective weight control aid.

5-Green Tea- Green tea is the gold standard fat burner and has been used for centuries because it contains EGCG(epigallocatechin gattate) an antioxidant known to increase resting metabolic rate and stimulates thermogenesis, which is the process by which your body burns fat. In essence it coats internal fat, making it easier to eliminate. Long term use of green tea aids in continued weight loss. It is a great supplement for increasing energy prior to workouts.

We recommend between 240-300 mg capsules daily for continued, healthy weight control.

6-Ginkgo Biloba- This supplement herb helps your brain run smoothly by steadying the flow of fuel, in the form of oxygenated blood. Ginkgo opens the vessels that deliver blood flow to your brain and breaks up sticky mucus platelets to help increase flow more easily. Recent studies show that men who take 200 milligrams daily for one month were 40 percent more productive in the afternoon then those who weren’t taking the supplement. It increases memory retention and makes it easier to remember things you would easily forget, thus increasing productivity.

We recommend between 180-220 milligrams daily.

7-A potent, quality men’s multivitamin.GNC’s Mega Men Multivitamin.Simply put, one of THE best multi vitamin formulas for men! The medical and scientific communities are rapidly accumulating powerful evidence about the role of multivitamin supplements in both health promotion and disease prevention. GNC’s mega men has been approved by scientists at the University of Westminster as a strong, potent,health-benefiting multivitamin for men. The formulation,quality and potency of vitamins & minerals in this complex aims at benefiting the most important health aspects for men. It’s no wonder it’s the company’s number one selling product!

It has been proven that taking a quality multivitamin can cut your risk of becoming sick by at least 50%!

8-Fish Oil-Hmmm, okay, lets see, just a brief rundown of benefits include reduction in pain and inflammation, reduction of symptoms of depression, protection from heart attacks and stroke, improved memory, focus and attention. Fish oil has also been highly linked to preventing cancer and killing cancerous cells, improving heart healthy cardiovascular health, promoting healthy skin, etc.

With such an impressive resume of benefits, it’s a no brainer to see why this supplement simply MUST be included in your diet for an overall higher quality of life!

9-Selenium. This extremely powerful antioxidant could very well be your best defense against future cancer. Selenium is a trace element found naturally in foods like nuts, liver and animal proteins. Studies suggest that healthy trace elements of selenium in your diet can reduce the risk of cancer in several organs by as much as 45%! Selenium supplementation has been reported widely to improve confused and depressed mental states, mental fatigue and anxiety symptoms.
So, a more efficient, happier, less confused mind, cancer fighter and immune system defense system? Count me in! Recommended dose 200mcg daily.

10- Vitamin C-This powerful antioxidant , if taken daily ,can help ward off infections such as the common cold or flu by as much as 30%. Vitamin C also helps prevent cell damage from free-radicals, reduces cancer risks and maintains elasticity of the arteries. Vitamin C and E are an even more powerful combination when taken together daily as they work together even further.Vitamin C protects the watery parts and vitamin E the fatty parts. Recommended dose is at least 500mg daily twice a day.

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Weight loss shakes make great meals for people who are trying to shed some quick pounds. They are easily prepared, great tasting, healthy and leave you feeling good about yourself and your eating habits.

The truth is, there really isn’t much to weight loss shakes. Even if you’re a novice in the kitchen, you can put a few common, simple ingredients together and have a wonderful shake. The best thing is, these can be consumed on the go. It’s easy to let yourself eat fatty fast food meals during the busy work week, but this is a much healthier alternative.

Here are a couple ideas to get you started. To prepare the recipe,

Last night I went to a killer pilates class, one of those things we all love to hate. The teacher announced she is starting a class for moms and babies up to 25 pounds. Their weight matters because the class involves the moms lifting the babies for an hour and at some point a heavy baby is tough to keep lifting.

It reminded me of the Gymboree classes I used to attend with my kids. They were wonderful for many reasons. First, we got to spend time together doing something really fun. Next, the kids got lots of exercise, jumping, running, bouncing, and constantly moving throughout the hour. They were also exposed to gym equipment they had never seen before, including uneven parallel bars; pullies that flew across the ceiling as they held on to the handle and I held on to their legs; and parachutes, balls and hoops in an array of sizes.

We all now know that to stay healthy we need to exercise every day. If your children are in the habit of getting some activity when they are very young, it will be a routine that will stay with them throughout their lives. Organized sports are great, but not all kids are athletic, and not all parents are bought in to the rigors of their child being on a team. Playing soccer in the backyard, swinging on the swing set, tossing a ball back and forth, are all physical activities that will keep you and your children fit and healthy. And, they are lots of fun!

Prevention is the best plan when it comes to avoiding canine kidney disease in your dog. This common dog illness is life threatening and there is not a cure. However, you can find out the causes and natural ways to prevent canine kidney disease.

Bacteria is a major cause of kidney disease in dogs. It is pretty common for a dog to suffer from urinary tract infections. Infections like this are caused by bacteria that get in through the urethra and make it to the bladder. When these infections go untreated, then the bacteria can get into the kidneys. There, it will cause damage and loss of function which is irreversible.

Trauma is another common cause of kidney failure in dogs. If your dog is hit by a car or kicked hard enough it could cause kidney failure. Fungal infections can also cause trauma to the tissues of the kidney. There are two main fungal infections that often cause kidney damage, and these are blastomycosis and canine valley fever.

Obstructions in the bladder or urinary tract can also damage the kidney of your dog. These obstructions are most commonly caused by bladder or kidney stones. Stones like this are prone to becoming contaminated with bacteria, which then increases the infection risk. When an obstruction blocks the ability for urine to flow freely, then it can become life threatening in only a day or two.

If your dog ingests toxins, this can also cause kidney disease. It is the job of kidneys to filter toxins but when a toxin is too strong, it can cause them to shut down. The most common toxin ingested by dogs is antifreeze, because it has a sweet taste that dogs like. Other things that can cause kidney failure if ingested are heavy metals, rat poison, some types of plants and turpentine. Keep all of these things out of reach of your dog.

Some types of medications that your dog must take can cause damage to the kidneys over time. You can avoid this by only giving your dog all natural medications for whatever medical problem they are having.

As you can see, canine kidney disease has a variety of causes. Some of these can be prevented, and others cannot. The most common cause of kidney failure in dogs is old age and this cannot be treated. However, keeping toxins out of reach, exercising your dog, helping to keep him clean and groomed, plus a little extra help using these natural remedies will go a long way to preventing canine kidney disease.

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There is growing interest in the development of biodiesel fuel as more and more positive benefits are found for this alternative fuel source. It’s not that it’s just a good alternative to our reliance on imported oil but it is also been shown to have a positive impact on our own health and the environment as a whole.

The first positive benefit for biodiesel is the fact that it can be made from renewable resources. It was first created when scientists started doing research into the possibility of using corn and soybean oils in the production of an alternative fuel source. In the process they discovered that just about any kind of vegetable or animal oil that we use to cook with today can be processed into biodiesel fuel. And the best part is it can be oil that has already been used and recycled.

Used vegetable oils along with sewage are all being used to produce biodiesel these days. During the refining of the oil a process is added that extracts all the contaminants from the raw fuel transforming it into an excellent alternative fuel source. Many people who produce biodiesel in small processors in their backyards get most of their raw materials from business such as restaurants that produce large amounts of vegetable oil waste. The benefit of creating a fuel source from waste products is such that the world as a whole is a better place.

One of the unexpected benefits of biodiesel is its ability flush out and clean the internal parts of a diesel engine. Studies have shown that it is able to remove dirt and deposits from fuel injectors and the fuel filter. This keeps the engine running efficiently and cuts down on maintenance costs, particularly when it comes to replacing fuel injectors. In fact studies on engines that were converted from regular diesel have shown that using biodiesel cleans away the deposits and residue the regular fuel leaves behind, leading to better fuel economy.

Because it is also a naturally oxygenated fuel and contains very little sulfur and aromatics it is an extremely clean burning fuel. There is a significant reduction in particulate and carbon monoxide emissions as compared to regular petroleum based diesel fuel.

These are just a few of the reasons biodiesel will benefit our planet and the energy issues we are starting to face. It could well be the alternative fuel answer we need to explore as the world’s oil supplies begin to dwindle and the cost of energy continues to increase. There could come a day when we all produce our own fuel right in our backyards and gas pumps go the way of the dinosaur.

Having an organic sensibility is a commitment to the environment and your health. Going organic is a trendy practice these days that is worth considering making a lifestyle change for the long haul. So where does one begin? Here are some ideas that should help get you started. Make a change or two now and try to add more later once these become incorporated into your life.

For the health of you and your family, go for organic food and wines. Organic meats are grown without antibiotics or hormones, and organic produce is grown without chemical pesticides or herbicides. It may be overwhelming and expensive to go whole hog consuming organic foods so my suggestion is to focus on your favorite and most frequently eaten vittles. With respect to fruits and vegetables become familiar with the “Dirty Dozen”. These are the top 12 published fruits and vegetables most contaminated with pesticides and therefore the most worthwhile purchasing organic. Eating the organic versions of the produce you consume on this list will help you make the biggest strides towards limiting your consumption of pesticides from this food group. The top twelve, in order, starting with number one are: peaches; apples; sweet bell peppers; celery; nectarines; strawberries; cherries; lettuce; imported grapes; pears; spinach and potatoes. This list gets revised from time to time so it is a good idea to review it once a year and note any changes.

Buying organic can drive up your grocery bill so you might need to look at it as an investment in your future health. Also consider exploring generic organic brands, visiting farmers markets, or joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) group. Local growers may practice organic farming but not have organic certification. This is because certification is expensive and often cost prohibitive for the smaller farms. The great thing is you can usually speak with the grower face to face when buying local so you can ask if they are farming organically. For those who have a green thumb and a little ambition, growing your own vegetables is the ideal solution when seasonally appropriate. Many vegetables do well in containers if garden space is an issue for you.

Another organic move that is good for you and the environment is avoiding toxic household cleaners such as bleach. It is easy to find directions for homemade cleaning products on the Internet. Common ingredients used in the homemade versions are vinegar (acts as a deodorant), liquid castille soap made from organic olive oil, baking soda, borax and essential oils (many have germ-killing powers).

A quick rundown of some other approaches to going organic are choosing organically grown cotton clothing and bedding, organic skincare lines, no-VOC paints for the interior of your home and recycled unbleached paper products like towels, toilet paper and napkins. Rediscover brewing your morning cup of joe or tea at home savored in a ceramic mug or taken on the run in a reusable travel cup. Skip the dry cleaners and find a wet cleaner or CO2 cleaner instead. Keep toxins out of your home by switching to a carpet cleaning company that uses organic products, an especially good choice if you have children or pets who have a tendency to spend a lot of time on the floor. Do not use synthetic fertilizers or herbicides for your lawn care. Instead, leave your grass clippings on your lawn and check out composting. This will serve to protect your watershed and also marine life from contamination.