Can The Acai Berry In Truth Make Easier For You To Lose Fat?

By Gilbert Lawson

There is an amazing little berry that comes from the rainforest of Brazil that is now known to be a boon for our health for such concerns as weight loss, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and more. The acai berry is one of the most dynamic superfoods found on planet Earth.

Because of these astounding health claims it is unavoidable that so many different acai berry products would start inundating the market. Regrettably many of these products have used inferior processing methods and therefore many of the exceptional and naturally occurring nutrients have been damaged. Some of these products may also have too many other additives such as chemical preservatives or other added fruit juices that cause the benefits of the actual acai berry inert and inactive.

When you spend your hard-earned money to purchase acai berry products it is crucial to make sure that you are getting the complete benefits of the acai berry. There are many different ways to process acai berries but only a few of them will deliver the highest quality product that retains its nutritional integrity. Traditional heat, pressure, evaporation and vacuum methods can destroy important nutrients and render the antioxidant capacities inactive. When you buy acai berry products you need to be concerned with this.

Unless you live in the rainforests of Brazil the acai berry products you are purchasing have been processed. This is because the acai berry fruit is highly perishable and it can only be found in one place, the rainforests of Brazil. It has only been recently and due to advancements in processing methods that this amazing nutritional berry has been available throughout the world at all. However, different processing methods can either retain the nutritional value of the fruit or destroy it so it is crucial to know if the product you are purchasing has been processed with the highest quality methods.

Spray drying is a common way to preserve the acai berry. However, this method is inferior in that it heats the fruit to high temperatures, which kills many of the important, life-enhancing nutrients, and then it also uses chemical or unnatural preservatives to preserve the fruit. The remaining product is inferior to the natural fruit and many of the bioactive components are destroyed.

If you want a outstanding acai berry product it is crucial that you look for acai berry products that are processed using a freeze-drying method. This method is implemented almost immediately upon the harvesting of the berry thereby eliminating any natural spoilage. Freeze-drying allows the berry to retain all of its natural color, consistency and nutrients. The berries can be completely reconstituted to their almost original form later just by the addition of water. Freeze-drying is the superior method to process acai berries and acai berry products.

There are many ways to partake of the benefits of the acai berry. You can consume whole berries, drink the juice or even use a capsule or pill form. No matter which you choose, if you want to get the complete benefits it is crucial to make sure that the product you use was processed in the highest quality manner.

If you are buying acai berry products it is crucial to be concerned with the processing methods used for the individual product. It can mean the difference between remarkable health advantages and outcomes or no results at all. - 17268

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You get all the information you want about fast weight loss tips and the easiest and most resourceful way to find health.

Is MonaVie A Potential Arthritis Remedy?

By Markis Grisham

MonaVie is a delicious liquid blend of the essential nutrients in berries and fruits. The acai berry is the featured ingredient, coming from the Brazil, and is one of nature's true super foods. That and the other 18 fruits and berries can contribute to the Mona Vie arthritis remedy.

There is a product that specifically addressed the problems with our joints, and that drink is called MonaVie Active. This feasible arthritis remedy contains exceptionally large amounts of antioxidants and phytonutrients that are able to significantly reduce the damage that free radicals cause. These free radicals are the culprits in many of the problems in our joints, and the antioxidants that come from these super fruits can really aid in pain relief.

Free radicals are neutralized by these anti-oxidants and phytonutrients, which then allows the joints in the body to be more flexible and mobile. In addition, the glucosamine that is in the drink promotes glycoproteins. These specific nutrients are extremely important to the health of joint cartilage and the maintenance of the healthy connective tissue in the joints.

Most arthritis sufferers have difficulty with their range of motion. Significant rewards can occur in that range of motion, because the ingredients in the Active formula effectively "lubricate" the joints, allowing for better movement. It's very obvious that when you give the body what it needs nutritionally, the better it will perform.

There has been significant research done regarding this arthritis remedy, and what it can do for you. The science behind it relates to the tremendous ability of the super fruits to solve the free radical problem. The acai berry is the kingpin of these fruits. It contains a powerful family of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which taken in the drinks' concentrated form, dramatically neutralizes dangerous free radicals and what they can do to your body. Drinking 2-4 ounces of the product enables you to get those antioxidants and phytonutrients that are in our most nutritious fruits.

A very exclusive freeze drying process is used to fully capture the total nutritional value in the fruits and berries. To make the Active formula and enable the arthritis remedy to be feasible, this freeze drying capability allows the formula to maintain its ORAC score (a method to determine the antioxidant power). Because the preservation of the nutrients, especially the acai berry, is so important, freeze drying has greatly enhanced the ability of the product to benefit its users. The fantastic ORAC rating, which has been tested on a gram for gram basis, beats most any other fruit or vegetable powder.

A few more interesting facts have been associated with the arthritis remedy. The first one indicates that regular consumers of the product have shown an increase in vitality and healthier joints. Secondly, a 12 week study indicated that every one who took part showed a large increase in the knee and lumbar region as far as range of motion goes. These same participants realized a significant decrease in their overall discomfort in general.

The benefits that occur by using the very feasible MonaVie Active arthritis remedy, are numerous. From the massive antioxidant delivery of the super fruits comes a much better and healthier lifestyle, largely because of the diminishing effect of the free radicals and their destructive action to our cellular function. Since the free radicals are no longer as capable of hurting our health, we can actually slow down the aging process by filling our bodies with the proper nutrition. - 17268

About the Author:

If you are serious about a possiblearthritis remedy, check out Markis Grisham's site for an excellent perspective. To get a MonaVie artritis remedy, visit his site for help.

5 Exercises For Great Abs

By Henry Artigon

They've created a ton of products with the express purpose of keeping you from getting the ab results you really want while selling you machines that don't work very well. Who are they? They're the big guys in the fitness business who are very aware of the big money to be made this way. So, wise-up, don't waste your hard earned money and precious time on these contraptions, instead, just do these five exercises and watch the fat melt away while you get the abs you really want.

#1 - The deadlift is an exercise that is a must for any ab development program. This not an exercise for sissys. You have probably seen huge, musclebound powerlifters performing this on the international competitions. Don't worry, you will not look like one of those guys. Special diets are required to acheive those results. The real benefit you will receive from the deadlift is a good workout of your back, legs and especially your abs.

#2 - The squat is a powerful ab builder. Is is considered to be a leg exercise, however, it also utilizes the ab muscles to keep your body straight while balancing weight on your shoulders. You need to perform the exercise while keeping your abs tense and your chest out. Your legs will certainly get a through workout and your abs will receive great benefit from this exercise.

#3 - The Sit Up This is a classic abdominal isolation exercise, and is incredibly effective when performed alongside the two other major lifts. For best results, do your sit ups at the end of your weights routine, and after any major cardio. Isolation exercises are always best done at the end of your routine, as they stress muscle groups that have already been exercised in your major lifts.

#4 - Another weight based exercise that is very beneficial for the abdominals is the military press. This exercise will produce a great workout for your shoulders, chest and arms. To make this exercise beneficial for your abs you should perform the lift while standing upright. If you do it in a sitting position it won't do much for your abs but will put most strain on your legs. You need to push the weights from shoulder height to over your head while using your abs to keep the body upright and straight.

#5 - The Leg Raise This one requires a small amount of equipment, but nothing that your local gym can't provide. Another great exercise to end your routine with, the leg raise involved hanging from either a chin-up bar or a leg raise frame, and simply raising your legs to your waist, all the while keeping them perfectly straight and pointed. Save this one for the end of your routine -- it'll exhaust your stomach and leave your abs pumped. - 17268

About the Author:

Great abs yes - Contraptions no, check out the free Great Looking Abs report. Feel free to distribute this article in any form as long as you include this resource box. You can also include your affiliate link if you sign up at Clickbank Pirate.

Three Steps For Getting A Flat Belly

By Stelios Appleby

Are you searching for innovative methods on how to get the ultimate belly muscles, reduce your excess stomach fat and to tighten those abs muscles? There are various super methods that you could utilize to assist you get the belly you fantasize about all the time. Methods include:

- Remove Processed Foods From Your Daily Intake

- Make Certain You Get The Proper Quantity Of Sleep

- Keeping Track Of The Water You Drink

Get rid of the processed products from your diet: These foods truly don't do anything good for you. It is truly hard to get rid of your tummy fat and tone up your abdominal muscles if you are placing the harmful additives and artificial components which are located in processed foods into your system on a everyday basis. Processed foods lessen your metabolic processes by hindering your digestive system and allowing toxins to build up in your alimentary canal and circulatory system, and this makes it a good deal more difficult to sculpt and tone your body.

Getting the proper quantity of sleep: Your body needs plenty of time to sleep because this is the period for hormone production and self-healing. If you don't get adequate sleep, your hormone levels might get out of balance, which will affect your frame of mind and your body's ability to repair. The majority of adults need anywhere between seven to eight hours of sleep to put a stop to sleep deprivation, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances.

Watching your water intake: If you're attempting to make stunning stomach muscles, you should understand that making sure you drink enough water plays a vital role in helping to make tighter those belly muscles. We all know that water is crucial to hydrate the body and its cells, but in addition it assists your metabolic processes, which means you will burn more calories whether you are resting or active working out. In order to keep your body fit, you need to drink in the region of eight to ten glasses of water on a daily basis.

I wouldn't blame you if you thought the factors listed above were to simple to work. I would also hazard a guess that you have most likely been told it all before. However, what you have to ask yourself is have you really done it before. Okay, you might have tried it for a short while and then stopped, but that is not the same. You need to be consistent and repetitive if you are going to experience any lasting results. - 17268

About the Author:

If you want to obtain additional top tips on the very best six pack workouts and you want to discover the best way to obtain a six pack abs, then take a glance at our truth about abs review article to discover precisely how you can obtain ripped abs in record time.

How to Reduce Fat Fast

By Taw Jensun

If you would like to lose weight effectively, you want to burn the calories in your body more than what you intake into your body. Recommendation from most weight loss pros would suggest you to try this just by taking away 500 calories to your typical diet together with decreasing your food intake and accelerating your exercise. As proven, you can simply lose 1 or 2 pounds within a week with this weight loss technique.

If you'd like to grasp it in mathematical terms, you simply control your calories from 1,050 to 1,200 daily together with exercising for sixty minutes. This weight loss technique can also be applied to males and females who weigh 250 pounds or more and they can use this technique to easily lose 3 to 4 pounds a week.

Nevertheless, you must bear in mind that faster weight reduction actually will leads to fast weight gain if you stop the weight loss program curtly. most males and females select to go for the slower but surer diet programs which promise a steadier and longer-lasting effect of weight loss.

For a start, you should scale back your salt and starch intake into your body. It's a well-known fact that salt in the body will increase water retention. Therefore , if you use this reduction of salt method, you may expect to easily lose 5 pounds in one week time.



Many weight loss gurus advise that if you are choosing diets to lose pounds fast, you need to choose diets that contain less starch, sugars, and animal fat. Experts would also counsel you to select diets to lose pounds fast like whites of the eggs, fruits, and vegetables, soy products as replacement for beef, fish, nondairy products, skinless chicken, and lean meat. - 17268

About the Author:

Learn how to reduce weight quickly with warp speed fat loss. See the review of most powerful exercises, turbulence training review, revealed by the world's top fitness expert.

Get your Fruit and Nutrients with a Juicer

By Nick Jaggs

One of the easiest ways to get a serving of your five a day fruit or vegetables is by drinking juice made from them. Only drinking one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice will be beneficial to your health, but may well improve your energy levels as well. Although you can purchase juice ready squeezed spend some money on one of the many good fruit juicers now available and make your own instead.

Although fruit juice is good for you, it is crucial that you don't drink too many with high levels of fruit sugar in them as this can adversely affect your blood sugar levels. Anyone who suffers from diabetes needs to be wary of such foods as drinking such juice allows the sugar in them to enter their blood stream more quickly and this may in turn lead to their blood sugar levels increasing which could prove detrimental to their health.

When you are deciding what type of fruit juicers to buy you need to be aware there are several different types available. You have to choose whether to go for the centrifugal type including the centrifugal injection or if you go for a manual press, single auger, dual cage auger, twin press or masticating one.

People who buy a fruit juicer for the first time tend to go for the oldest model available which is the centrifugal type. The design is very simplistic on these and to extract the juice from the pulp centrifugal force pushes it down against the unit's shredder and strainer. However, although easy to use a lot of people are now going for the centrifugal injection models as well. Again they are simple in design but the sides on these units are more slated and so cleaning this one proves to be a lot easier.

Along with the centrifugal types of juicers another type which people are buying these days is the masticating ones. Rather than shredding the pulp to extract the juice this machine chews it. What you fill find that when you drink the juice it contains far less of the actual fruit pulp in it. Plus these machines have been developed to operate at lower speeds so they tend to create much less noise when being used.

If you are thinking of purchasing a fruit juicer for the first time or to replace an old model you have there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration along with how much you can afford to spend. In this article we take a look at just what some of these factors need to be kept in mind when purchasing a fruit juicer.

1. Select a juicer that is not only easy to operate but easy to clean. It is best if you look for one's that are compact and the parts into which the juice is deposited can be placed in a dishwasher to be cleaned. 2. You are better of going for the branded models as these will be more reliable and obtaining any replacement parts will prove to be a lot easier. 3. It is also best if you select the fruit juicers who run at slower speeds as these can prevent the amount of oxidation occurs in the juice. What these types of juicers do is allow you to extract more of the juice from the vegetables or fruit.

Above we have looked at what kinds of fruit juicers are available for you to buy and the things to look for when purchasing one. Remember to keep the above mentioned factors in mind and you should find fruit juicers that not only provide you with plenty of fresh juice but which are affordable as well. - 17268

About the Author:

UK Juicers are one of the leading sellers of juicers in the United Kingdom and stock a range of related items for a health lifestyle. One of their most popular items is the spiralizers which is well know as one of the leading dehydrators. Take a look at their online shop for more information and articles on leading a healthy lifestyle.

How To Buy Cheapest On Exercise Equipment

By Paul Konchesky

Setting up your own gym at home can be a difficult thing to accomplish because fitness products are quite difficult to find and come at a big price tag. The best option available today to buy fitness products is to purchase them through a trusted website where you can search for options available, evaluate them and get some of the best possible fitness products within your budget.

One such site you should definitely check is http://batreyat.com/ where you would be able to get almost all types of gym products at discounted rates. You could buy a treadmill on the website for a price of $389 or a perform cross trainer treadmill for as less as $619 which lets you save as much as $200 on your purchase. A good way to save on your gym equipments is to search through all the items listed on their categories like Amazon deals, twitter deals, eBay deals and find the type of gym equipment that you require within your budget.

http://equipment.getfitnessbargains.com/ is another website where you can find a full range of workout equipment for setting up your own gym at home. There are more than 600 different types of equipment listed on the site where you can find something that would suit your fitness requirements. The website also provides links to the related items that are listed on eBay and Amazon that offer some pretty good deals on the gym equipment.

If you browse through the categories you would be able to find products like a solo flex Barbell bar bench press for just $11 in a good condition and a pair of Valeo push up bars for only $9.89. Not just bench press bars you could also find some weight lifting equipment like the TV Power twister weight lifting exercise fitness bar with the attachments for $9, which is a great way to add some strength training equipment to your home gym in a tight budget.

When setting up a gym at home the first and the most important thing to take care of is the gym flooring. Even at home it is important to have the right kind of flooring that is required in any gym. http://floors.getfitnessbargains.com/ is where you can find flooring for home gym at affordable prices. You could find gym tiles, floor gym mats, gym rubber flooring and several other types of options to suit your need.

You can get rubber flooring for your gym for just $150 which could cover the entire gym floor. Even if you only want exercise mats you can find quite good options here like anti fatigue exercise mats, Exercise Gym Yoga Puzzle EVA Foam Mats Floor and play mats for children.

For those people who are into gymnastics a great way to perform is to practice regularly by setting up a gymnastics practice area at home itself. http://gymnastics.getfitnessbargains.com/ is a website where you could find some good gymnastics equipment within your budget. Here you can get gymnastic beams, gymnastic parallel bars, gymnastic training bars and all other types of products for a very cheap price tag. A gymnastic junior training bar for gym and home use can be found for just $289 in a brand new condition which is available in sport stores at quite a high price. Similarly you can also find foam balance beams in new or old condition as you require; you could compare all the listed items under each category here and select the one that fits in your budget.

http://treadmills.getfitnessbargains.com/ is another website to explore to find some great deals on treadmills, abs benches, kickboxing bags and dumbbell racks. The website has some great deals on abs benches, a Trion Abs bench slant sit up crunch board can be found under $150, and if you look hard enough you could even find a few sit up benches for as less as $70. There are even some good options in dumbbell rack sets available on the website. The best thing to do is to take out some time and go through all the listed options; you would definitely be able to find what you are looking for.

No exercise regime can be successful if you do not provide enough nutrients to the body as per its requirements. Fitness supplements are very useful when you exercise regularly and especially if you do regular weight training but they are generally very expensive in most of the fitness stores. http://supplements.getfitnessbargains.com/ is a website where you can find workout supplements as required for your body and fitness requirements. You can get a bodybuilding supplement lot that has a protein shaker, pills, energy drinks, nutrabolics, fat burners and diet supplements. The wisest thing to do is to buy the supplements in large quantities which will again let you save more.

It is better to purchase fitness products online since there are plenty of options available all at a good price. - 17268

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Would you like to know the secrets of low pricing on curl bar olympic featuring the latest special discounts on kettlebells with new coupons and daily updated on discounts.

7 Fat Loss Tips You Can't Do Without

By Thong M. Dao

If you're hoping to lose fat, there's a pretty good chance you've tried a lot of methods. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who are unhappy with their bodies don't succeed in their fat loss goals. That's because they're often using gimmicky weight loss plans that can actually damage their bodies! If you're in this boat, and you don't know how to get rid of the fat while staying healthy, here are a few tips that might get you on the right track.

1. Figure out how you got here. You may need to learn to eat better, or you may need to overcome problems that are encouraging you to eat. Whether it's a lifestyle change or an emotional problem, you may need to do something about it to encourage fat loss. There may even be a hormonal problem that's responsible for your weight - to find out, you'll need to talk to a competent doctor who doesn't have prejudices against you. Once you know what circumstances have caused your gain, you can deal with the problem more easily.

2. Learn to be in control. You need to be the one to decide what you will eat. Don't eat food just because it is there. Learn to choose wisely when you eat out, and learn to resist pressure by family and friends to eat "just one" food item. Come up with a long-term plan that will help you be healthy physically and mentally, and don't fall for fad diets that come and go and don't work long term.

3. Eat every 2-3 hours. The recommendation used to be to eat 3 big meals. However, today we know that eating frequently is better for your metabolism. Beware of snack foods that are high in fat and calories. Instead, choose to eat healthy snacks and stay away for high-fat processed treats or sugary sweets.

4. Chew your food well. If you eat slowly and enjoy the taste of your food, you will get more pleasure out of eating. You will also end up eating less because it takes your body some to to register that it is full. If you eat too fast - you will end up eating more before you realize that you are full.

5. Take baby steps. Do not starve yourself and do not start a fast loss diet that will expect you to make drastic changes. If you want to succeed in your diet it needs to be easy to follow. Take small steps, and get used to them one at a time until you reach your goal.

6. Eat a balanced diet and don't eat processed food. Eating processed food is really bad for you because it is high in fat and sugar. It will cause you to gain weight and put you at risk for diabetes and other physical problems. Foods like lean protein, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables are much better for you and will help you stay healthy in the long run.

7. Make sure you drink throughout the day. Sometimes when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty. Hydrating yourself properly will make you feel full, and will help your body cleanse itself. Water is the best beverage, so make sure to drink as much water as you need. - 17268

About the Author:

Thong M. Dao is a fitness lover who has been exercising since 2005 and is experienced in weight control. Visit his website for free fat loss information and fitness training information.

Choosing Between HCG Injections of HCG Drops

By Amelia Handley

Deciding to use HCG to lose weight isn't really a difficult choice. But that's not where the decision making ends. Losing an average of a pound per day sounds fabulous and most who are looking for weight loss don't have trouble choosing HCG. But there's still the choice of HCG injections (taken daily) or HCG drops (taken three times per day orally).

To decide between the two most just need to hold them up side by side and compare. Both offer fantastic weight loss results. There's no difference there. An average of a pound per day and sometimes up to 2 pounds per day are unarguably great results. Some wonder why there are two methods when they offer the same results.

The original HCG weight loss method was created and introduced by Dr. Simeon. His original plan was based around the use of HCG injections. And supporters of the injection often suggest that they are sticking to the original plan as intended by its creator. But they are not considering the obvious evolution that has occurred in the 50 years since the introduction of the process.

Another negative injection supporters point out is that the drops have to be taken three times per day and they have to be refrigerated. But this doesn't seem like a huge hassle in comparison to the fact that injections require actually taking needles and shooting the HCG intramuscularly on a daily basis. The bigger hassle seems obvious when they are presented side by side.

Supporters of HCG drops suggest that the actual injection alters the "all natural" component of the method. Injections often result in temporary discomfort and bruising. While the drops leave no evidence of having been taken at all and no one can argue that they offer even the slightest pain.

So the question of HCG injections or HCG drops will continue to be thrown about, but the answer is pretty obvious; at least to those of us who see the all natural claims as an important benefit of the program. But whether dieters choose injections or drops doesn't really matter in the long run...the weight will be lost either way and that's the important part. - 17268

About the Author:

Amelia Handley studied exercise science at university with a minor in Nutrition. Yet she still found herself veering from diet to diet in order to control her weight. With HCG Diet Direct she's found a program that allows her to combine her desire to control her own body weight with her education and not feel off balance.

A Sleeveless In 7 Review Of The Low Protein Approach For Arm Fat Loss

By Katherine Crawford M.S.

Some fitness professionals have begun recommending low protein intakes for losing arm fat and for increasing general health. Is low protein the way to go for arm fat loss?

Absolutely not.

In an endless attempt to come up with a new angle, diet gurus try to find new and exciting findings to push on the general public. And in this case, lowering your protein intake for losing arm fat could have some very serious health consequences.

So without further ado, here are some reasons why low protein is not good for losing arm fat:

1. Reduced skin barrier. Your skin is the first thing invading organisms hit when trying to get into your body. If you reduce protein to extremely low levels in the hopes of accelerating arm fat loss, your skin will become thinner. Not good for fighting disease.

2. Poor digestion. If you cannot extract all the necessary nutrients from food while dieting, you will not get as much energy from each calorie you eat. Not good for losing arm fat. Low protein intakes damage your digestive lining.

3. Immune system organ atrophy. There are organs in your body whose sole responsibility is to fight infection. Lymph nodes are one example here. And low protein intakes not only reduce their size, but also reduce the amount of antibodies they secrete.

4. Generalized decrease in immunity. Your body needs protein to manufacture antibodies. It needs protein to fight off the invaders that are constantly trying to make you sick. And less protein decreases the speed and magnitude of your defense response.

5. A decreased metabolic rate. Your body needs complete proteins to fully recover from intense workouts. If you restrict protein, you will not be able to maximize muscle gains from resistance training. And recall that less muscle translates into less muscle mass which translates into slower arm fat loss.

If you want to lose arm fat, a low protein intake is NOT the way to go. Not only will you decrease the amount of calories your body burns around the clock, but you will also increase your frequency of sickness. And a single bout of sickness can set back your sexy arm mission by many steps. - 17268

About the Author:

Katherine Crawford MS, a Harvard exercise physiologist and recent arm fat victim, is an expert on arm toning exercises. Uncover how to get sexy and toned arms right now by visiting her blog on upper arm exercises.

Juicer Recipes - 3 Great Vegetables To Juice for a Healthy Heart.

By Darren Haynes

Juicing your vegetables is an excellent way to get a super dose of their healthy nutrition. There are three vegetables in particular that provide many of the nutrients required to fight heart disease. So, what are these well researched vegetables?

SPINACH

Vitamins A and C are found abundantly in Spinach. These are both well established nutrients that protect cholesterol from getting sticky and protect the arteries from hardening. Sticky cholesterol is able to attach itself to the arteries causing a build up of plaque and the restriction of blood flow.

The muscles of the heart will not function properly with out magnesium and potassium. If our potassium and magnesium levels get too low, this can cause irregular heart beats and even a possible heart attack. The good news is that spinach contains potassium and magnesium in abundance. Further more, these two minerals also help lower blood pressure.

Spinach also contains other blood lowering components - peptides. Research has found that blood pressure levels in animals was lowered in as little as two to four hours. The animals consumed just 20 - 30mg of peptides for each kg of body weight each day

Juicer recipes idea: A lot of spinach is required to make enough juice that you can drink. About 6 cups will get you what you need. Also, spinach juice doesn't taste so great, adding an apple to the juice makes it easier to drink.

BROCCOLI

Sulforaphane is an antioxidant plant chemical that is found abundantly in broccoli that can indirectly safeguard the heart from cellular damage. Research from the University of Connecticut has shown that sulforaphane some how activates a release of the protein thioredoxin into the body. It is then thioredoxin that protects the heart's cells.

Also, broccoli is bountiful in the cardioprotective phytochemical sulphoraphane. Sulphoraphane is somehow able to trigger the release of thioredoxin. Theioredoxin is a protein that has been proven in a study by the University of Connecticut to protects the cells of the heart from harm.

Juicer recipes idea: Both the flower heads as well as the stalks can be juiced. This is a good way to get more variety of vitamins and minerals from the plant.

TOMATOES

Are tomatoes a fruit or a vegetable? Well it is heart healthy enough to make it to this list, so I will leave the answer at that. Tomatoes contain a plant chemical called lycopene which is responsible for its vibrant red color. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant which protects the tomato from the harmful effects of heat and light from the sun. Lycopene is equally powerful at protecting our arteries from cellular damage. In a recent study from Harvard women taking lycopene were 50% less likely to develop heart disease over a five year period. Furthermore, lycopene is considered to have beneficial effects on blood pressure.

Juicer recipes idea: You can make soups or salsa with the left over pulp. - 17268

About the Author:

Darren Haynes enjoys writing about health topices and especially about food and its healing qualities. Check out my juicer recipes blog Juicer Recipes Now

Nutrition and Immunity " Protect Yourself this Winter Season

By Nanci S. Guest MSc, Registered Dietitian

Along with the shorter days and falling leaves come the colds and flu, however, not for everyone! Survival of the fittest " the fittest immunity that is. We know to wash our hands frequently, dress warmly, get plenty of rest, and of course incorporate daily exercise into our routine, but can the foods we eat really make a difference in our efforts to fight off colds and the flu? In my experience, there is no question that a well-nourished individual is more immunologically competent and better able to cope with illness/infection challenges than those with nutrient-poor diets. So where to start?

Your Foundation Diet

This is what I characterize as your day-to-day intake of the essential nutrients. Its not what you eat Friday nights after hockey or for the occasional birthday gathering, its what your food choice tendency is day-to-day over months and years that really impacts your overall resilience to create a body of health, vitality and strength. Your immune system is what protects you from viral infections, and the foods you eat have a major impact on your immune systems ability to fight off colds and flu. Balance, variety and moderation are three key areas to keep in check.

Balance Balance your meals and snacks by including at least 3 out of 4 food groups in each meal and 2 out of 4 for snacks. In general aim for lean/low fat proteins, unprocessed carbohydrates and healthy fats.

Examples: 1. Breakfast (all four food groups!) a. Grains: choose whole grain cereals high in fiber and low in sugar b. Fruits & Vegetables: sweeten by topping with berries or a sliced banana c. Meat or Alternatives: chopped almonds or walnuts add good fats and protein to your cereal bowl d. Dairy or Soy: Low fat milk or soy milk " a generous amount for a good blast of calcium and vitamin D.

2. Snack (two food groups) carrots sticks and a container of low-fat yogurt

Variety Escape routine and try new foods (plant derived) as often as possible. Phyto -(Greek for plant) chemicals are important nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and even chocolate and wine! Each plant derived food hosts its own profile of these powerful antioxidants " the more variety you eat the more of these antioxidants your body can utilize to fight disease and boost immunity.

Moderation Limited or moderate intake of unhealthy food is important too. Stay away from excess sugar and unhealthy fats, such as saturated fat and especially trans fats, which have been shown to suppress immune function. Watch alcohol intake as well, which can impair your ability to fight off pathogens.

Adequate intakes of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E) and trace elements (Selenium, Zinc) are required for the immune system to function efficiently, however there is limited evidence of any benefits unless you are deficient (however in the case of vitamin D many of us might be). Taking a multivitamin/mineral a few times a week is a good safeguard for falling short, but supplements continue to prove their inferiority to a nutrient-rich diet. A variety of Fruits, Vegetables, Whole Grains, Nuts, Seeds, Lean Protein and Essential Fats are your key to optimal immune function.

Vitamin C Supplements

You need vitamin C for a healthy immune system, however you should get it from the fruits and vegetables you eat so that you also get other important nutrients, fiber and other phytochemicals and antioxidants that you won't get from dietary supplements. There is no current scientific evidence to support the idea that taking large doses of vitamin C will prevent or reduce the symptoms of colds or flu, however you can take dietary supplements to assure that you get enough vitamin C on the days you don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. In addition, your immune system requires a constant influx of vitamin C when it's working hard to fight invaders, so drinking 100% juice or eating oranges every 2-3 hours at the onset and during a cold may shorten its duration.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has made news headlines numerous times over the past couple of years, and growing evidence suggest we need to at least triple our intakes, especially during winter months (unless you're lucky enough to live in the tropics!). Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D (fluid milk/soy) are often inadequate to satisfy an adult's vitamin D requirement. Vitamin D deficiency, aside from poor bone health, has also been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases. This is a supplement you may want to consider at 800-1000IU daily.

Zinc Supplements

Zinc is a mineral that is needed for a healthy immune system and is safe to take when ingested through food sources such as seafood, nuts and yogurt but more is not better although it's often sold as an over-the-counter natural treatment for colds. Zinc is necessary for optimal health but most studies show little or no benefit when studying zinc supplements. Zinc sold in a nasal gel form has been shown by several studies to cause a loss of the sense of smell in some patients and should be used with caution. Zinc is often sold as ingredient in lozenges that may help to sooth a sore throat in some. But supplementing with higher doses of zinc, particularly long term, can be toxic.

Echinacea

This herb is available as a dietary supplement and is used to prevent or decrease the duration of the common cold. Most studies show mixed results, however a meta-analysis of several studies reports that taking echinacea supplements may actually be beneficial, and the most effective preparation seems to be the pressed juice of the Echinacea purpura species

Probiotics

These "friendly or good bacteria" help to keep your digestive tract healthy and appear to have some beneficial effect on your whole-body immune system. Probiotics may be found in dietary supplements or as a nutritional ingredient in yogurt (be sure "active" or "live" cultures is in the ingredient list), yogurt drinks (Bio-K) and other foods. Some research does support the use of probiotics for reducing the symptoms and duration of the common cold.

Food First -- the foods listed here will give your immunity a boost, naturally!

For Vitamin C Citrus fruits and juices Apple juice Kiwi fruit Strawberries Broccoli Brussels sprouts Red/green/yellow Sweet potatoes Potatoes Tomatoes

For Vitamin E Vegetable oils Wheat germ Nuts Peanut butter Sunflower seeds Papayas Avocadoes Peppers

For Selenium Brazil nuts Grain products Wheat germ Wheat bran Oat bran Fish, shellfish Meat, poultry Eggs Beans

For Carotenoids Carrots Cantaloupe Sweet potatoes Pumpkin Broccoli Pink grapefruit Tomatoes/tomato products Dark green leafy Veggies

For Zinc Oysters and other seafood Red meat Poultry Fortified breakfast cereal Whole grains Beans Nuts - 17268

About the Author:

Chris & Steve Parker are the founding members of http://www.farparker.com your complete online recreational hockey resource destination. Find out more about your favorite hockey team in our forum section, we also have the best articles, blogs and games room on the net. If you like hockey, you will love FarParker "Life is Short, Park Wisely, Play Hard"