Hakeem (History of Herbs) by Raheel Alam

November 28, 2009

History of Herbal Medicine

Quite possibly the earliest form of herbal medicine was marshmallow root, which is a common grass chewed for settling an upset stomach, and has been eaten for (presumably) that reason by our closest evolutionary cousins, chimpanzees and bonobos. Likewise, hyacinth (a diuretic) (more…)

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Foods That Speed Metabolism

November 6, 2008

Foods That Speed Metabolism
 
Unfortunately the recent popularity of natural and herbal weight loss supplements has meant that every manufacturer has decided to start supplying them and the range keeps increasing, confusing the public. Some of the more popular natural weight loss supplements are Hoodia, guarana, dandelion, cascara and green tea extract.

Medicine has proved that weight gain is primarily caused by excess food consumption and the number of cases where weight is gained by a hormonal imbalance or thyroid malfunction is relatively low. There are many weight loss foods that actively help the reduction of excess weight and anyone can learn about them. We are now discovering many types of food that not only help to maintain health but can also be sued to burn excess calories. In fact there are a number of categories of food that can help maintain weight and allow you to actually enjoy your diet.

Some of these foods are commonly used and include the likes of pasta dishes, meals that contain brussels, cabbage and peas. Weight loss food doesn’t have to be uninteresting either and most people like a plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce but if then add veal or another low fat meat to the meal you have a healthy meal that is very tasty. White fish is also known to be healthy and if you steam it along with your vegetables you will find a low calorie meal (even if you add potatoes that are mashed) that is very tasty. Low fat fresh sweet cheese, yogurt and tofu are other clear examples of regular weight loss food, together with porridge oats and dark rice, which are also worth mentioning and ideal for any diet.

There are some great foods that speed metabolism, fruit for example is also a weight loss food whilst providing many essential minerals and nutrients but they are also good for the health of the metabolism.

Other foods that speed metabolism are water melon, strawberries and kiwi pass all the tests of weight loss food as well. People who exercise regularly should not need to worry too much about the high calorie content of figs and bananas but they are not an ideal weight loss food although grapes are. Other vegetables that are good weight loss foods include tomatoes, celery, cucumber and lettuce as they all contain minerals and nutrients but also a high water content as well.

It should be worth mentioning that cakes, take-aways, sandwiches and fast food are way off regular weight loss food; on the contrary these may very well be the factors for which you’re having weight or health problems. However, there is some great low-fat source of energy you can take advantage of in special products such as low fat ice-cream and cookies, dark chocolate, low-fat mayonnaise and the list could go on. Low-fat foods are not necessarily a bad thing but that is not the end of the subject so before you include low-fat versions of all your favorite foods, check the labels carefully as you may find you will not lose weight at all.

Increasing lean muscle mass will increase your metabolism. An increase in metabolism can aid in weight reduction. Increasing your exercising while focusing on the great new way to burn fat : high intensity interval training. If you would like a complete meal plan to boost your metabolism click here.

Metabolism converts the fuel in the food we eat into the energy needed to power everything we do, from moving to thinking to growing. Specific proteins in the body control the chemical reactions of metabolism, and each chemical reaction is coordinated with other body functions. Metabolism is the total of all of the chemical reactions an organism needs to survive. Metabolism was higher in all regions of the brain examined, except for the occipital cortex, which controls vision and would not be affected. The areas most affected were the superior temporal, anterior insula, and orbitofrontal cortices.

Eat fewer high-fat foods and less total calories. Choosing healthy foods, such as lean protein and vegetables, can actually increase your metabolism as well. Increase dietary fiber and limit sugary foods, alcohol, caffeine and don’t smoke. The best foods to increase your metabolism and help you lose weight are fish, dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, blueberries and other fruits, whole grains, and at least 8 glasses of water a day.  For more information on Foods That Speed Metabolism and income opportunity CLICK HERE

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Herbal Weight Loss Products

Herbal Weight Loss Products

Probably the most well known of these products are pretty much household names like Guarana, Hoodia, dandelion, extract of green tea and the slightly lesser know cascara.

One of the most exciting finds in recent years has been the Hoodia Gordonni cactus from certain parts of Africa which acts as an appetite suppressant. Apparently, it tricks the brain into thinking blood glucose levels are normal thus suppressing the body’s natural response to low blood sugar which is the sensation of hunger and while this sounds promising, long term weight loss studies are required.

On the other hand, Guarana works by stimulating the body so it has increased energy as it is from a Brazilian plant that contains caffeine, the properties of which are well documented. Guarana has a few side effects which might not suit it as an herbal weight loss supplement like increasing the blood pressure with some users feeling dizzy or nauseous after using it.

Another supplement that has diuretic properties is dandelion and many children are warned against using it by their parents although it is pretty harmless, some people have become allergic to using it. Dandelion is very effective for people who need to lower the amount of fluid they retain but generally speaking this is not the answer to long term weight loss.

Cascara is a laxative used in many weight loss supplements but any laxative will help a person lose weight just like any other form of ‘purging’ the body of waste and toxins. Just because it is marketed as an herbal weight control supplement doesn’t make it any better and its overuse can cause depletion in vital nutrients.

One particularly popular herbal weight loss supplement is the extract that can be obtained from green tea which can be found in many products including drinks, vitamins and even as a concentrate in a tablet. Some studies have shown positive results for increased weight loss with the use of green tea extract so long as healthy eating and exercise habits are also being followed.

Despite the large sums of money spent by people on natural weight loss products, there is still little proof that they are effective in the long term. With Hoodia being a rare and protected plant, it is not surprising that a price of fifty dollars for a single months supply is not uncommon which is why many users find their wallet is often the only thing shedding weight. The real truth is that herbal weight loss supplements do have their place but they should not be relied upon to control weight on their own but should be part of a regime which promotes healthy eating and exercise.  For more information about Herbal Weight Loss Products and income opportunity CLICK HERE

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Herbal Weight Loss Supplements

Herbal Weight Loss Supplements

You can find a good Natural Weight Loss Plan in a few good herbal weight loss supplements that can help in weight reduction in more than one way. Some herbs improve digestion and metabolism, while others suppress cravings for foods.

The main goal in natural weight loss means lowering your daily calorific intake while increasing the amount of calories you burn through exercise; this guidance is lost on many! This should be an easy concept for the many overweight people around the world; a third of overweight Americans and millions globally, would disagree with this advice. However, once you are overweight you can’t wait to lose it again whether it is for a wedding, vacation or just for health reasons.

The hard thing for people to understand is it is easier to maintain your natural weight than loose extra pounds once you have put them on. If there is one thing we all know, it is that weight gain is likely to happen if we do not take forward-looking steps to stop it. Studies have shown that it is more likely a person who has lost weight using a calorie controlled diet, even if they actually enjoyed it, are more likely to go back to their old eating habits at some point. The simple fact is this; the longer you ignore natural weight loss programs and stay overweight, the more likely you are to have health problems.

The importance of maintaining the correct weight is more than just for looks especially as the number of health problems related to weight and obesity grows. The annoying thing is this isn’t rocket science, mankind hasn’t always been this heavy and we certainly aren’t born that way so it means we need to maintain a natural, healthy weight. The correct approach for natural weight loss is to eat the right quantity of foodstuffs such as complex carbohydrates, plus foods high in carbohydrates, some protein and a low fat content. A typical meal like this would be a jacket potato with vegetables and some lean meat, which would be healthy and give the balance you require.

Unfortunately, dietary fat contains higher amounts of calories than ordinary food which when consumed will just be converted to body fat more readily. Don’t fall into the fat-free trap where manufacturers keep coming out with low-fat or fat-free versions of their best-selling foods despite the fact that Americans are getting fatter anyway. Whilst completely false, the perception is that you can basically eat exactly what you want provided it is fat-free but there are still calories in the food which can easily be converted to body fat.

Where this goes wrong is with overweight people who think that if it’s fat free they can eat more of it instead of eating a healthy snack. Schools of thought differ on this subject but many nutritionists agree that eating smaller meals with a snack every 3 to four hours or between meals could be beneficial providing main meals are not missed. If you are really serious about getting rid of those unwanted pounds, you will have to consider natural weight loss as a long term proposition.

listening to your body when it is hungry and full should be a big part of any good natural weight loss plan. Fad diets don’t allow you to do this, so usually the results are only temporary and are done using unhealthy methods. For additional information about Herbal Weight Loss Supplements and income opportunity for you CLICK HERE

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