Why Should We Pay Attention to the Empty Calories?

When we hear for the first time about empty calories many people wonder what that means. We are all familiar with the term calorie as a "unit of measurement of the energy value in the foods." We all know that if we want to lose weight, we must have an eye on the calories we consume

This leads us to ask ourselves what they mean by "empty calories". We know, that when we eat our goal is to satisfy the needs of our body. Our system needs energy to function. This energy can be found in our diet. As we already mentioned, this energy is measured in calories. There are good calories and there are less good. That is what we call empty calories. This type of calories is a bit special because they give us a higher calorie level but does not include many essential nutrients inside. These foods will give you a good dose of energy, but there is nothing good for your health inside. Very often they contain lots of sugar or fat.

This explains the amount of energy they give us. But no vitamins, minerals and fiber that our body could use inside. We can say that they are a temporary boost of energy. If you want to lose weight, it is important to avoid the empty calories because they will be transformed as a result of fat in your body. They will be hampering your efforts to eliminate the fat. Worse, they will block the arrival of nutrients your body needs to stay in shape. If you eat too much food with a high dose of empty calories, you will not be eating fruits and vegetables. It's like if food containing empty calories will send away the taste of good things for our health. As you know fruits and vegetables are our two great allies when trying to lose weight.

Foods with empty calories are made of sugar, alcohol and fats. We find them in baked goods (cookies, donuts, etc.), alcoholic beverages (wine, beer and others) and non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks). Fruit drinks are also monitored. They are also in butter, margarine, cream (this includes ice cream). All breaded foods are avoided. Empty calories are present in fried items that contain fat as potato chips (crisps), hamburgers, fried chicken, pizza, fries and hotdogs. We should not forget on our list chocolate and candy business.

In conclusion, we must remain very vigilant about the food we eat. Take the time to make a list of foods that are good for your health. Once this list is made, you will not have to ask you what to eat and what to not. A small effort that will benefit you for the rest of your life. Especially, do not forget that your body will need at least three weeks to record eating habits. Like they say "your health is in your hand."

Learn How to Alkalize Your Body For Good Health!

To determine acid alkaline balance we are confronted by the strange term pH levels. pH stands for "Potential Hydrogen". It is all about hydrogen ion concentrations. When the level is increased the substance becomes more alkaline and when it decreases, more acidic. The range runs from 0-14. A reading of 7 which is supposed to correspond to water is neutral. Sadly not all water has a pH of 7, but that is another story!

The Human blood is slightly alkaline with a pH reading of between 7.35 and 7.45. Proteins in the diet break down to make strong acids. These include uric, sulphuric, phosphoric and nitric acid. Weak acids like citric acids have a different affect on the human body. Lemon juice is composed of citric acid. Lemons grow on trees and undergo a photosynthesis process. This means the lemon tree absorbs minerals from the earth and transports them to the fruit. The lemon juice breaks down to make carbonic acid which again breaks down to form carbon dioxide and water which are easily excreted from the kidneys. However, the minerals stay and these alkalize the system thus increasing the pH level of blood, urine and saliva. Drinking water does not always provide an alkaline medium. Often municipal supplies are treated sewerage which lack the minerals to reach the desired level of alkalinity or it is bottled water. Water is put in plastic bottles, which break down leaching phtlates into the liquid and making it unnecessarily acid. Phthalates are estrogen mimics and are often confused with PCBs. PCBs (PolyChlorinated Biphenyls). These were considered carcinogenic and supposedly banned in the 1970s. To overcome the problem of over acidic water, it always a good idea to add a slice of lemon or lime in order to alkalize it!

The problem is most people are overly acidic. One reason for this is excessive protein intake. These animal related proteins form strong acids and they steal minerals from the body as the acids need to be buffered to safely pass through the kidneys without damaging them. Sulphuric acid, for instance combines with calcium to complete the buffering process. The calcium comes from the bones, and so we see excessive acidity robs the body of these important minerals which have repercussions later in life. As a result the bones weaken and we encounter deficiency diseases like osteoporosis and consider it part of the aging process when in fact the problem is dietary. By the same token, as people age it seems they they shrink in stature. This happens as the acids in the body leach out vital minerals, unless of course the person realizes the hazard and focuses on eating foods that maintain the alkaline balance.

The dangers do not rest simply with an excess of animal products in the diet. Sugar, simple carbohydrates and saturated fats have the same affect. White sugar is not a food at all. In the refining process all goodness has been stripped from the long chains of glucose and the result is that the sugar in this form is difficult to absorb. These are alkaline foods but as the system cannot break them down effectively the digestion is interrupted and this leaves them in the intermediate acid state and not the desired alkaline one! The same thing applies to wheat and grains. It seems that gluten and some of the preservatives added to white flour make it very difficult to digest, so once more the conversion process does not complete itself and you are left with an acid forming food.

As they body becomes more and more stripped of minerals, it becomes more and more acid and reaches a stage where it simply can no longer heal itself! In this overly acid state it can no longer absorb the minerals and vitamins necessary to reverse its overacidity. At this point serious health issues come to make themselves apparent. The lowered pH creates hormone imbalances, cardiovascular discrepancy, weight gain and sometimes weight loss, bladder and kidney problems immune deficiencies, a buildup of free radicals that cause cellular destruction, a stressed liver, poor digestion, Candida and yeast infections as well as cancers and tumors. To put it bluntly an overly acidic system is a principal cause of disease. However, a low pH can be increased and the health hazards of over acidity reversed.

Cancer is on the rise and it seems 1 in 3 people are now plagued by this life threatening illness. All cancer patients are far too acid and they also lack oxygenation. This is one reason why a sensible exercise routine is so important. In the absence of oxygen, sugar ferments into lactic acid which intensifies the quandary.

So how do we reverse an overly high level of acidity in the body? A good idea would be to buy a digital pH meter. They are easily available from Garden Centers and aquarium suppliers and they are relatively cheap. You need to monitor urine and saliva levels. During the night your body goes through a breaking down, catabolic process. Acids from the previous day decompose; then they are stored in the bladder. The urine voided first thing in the morning is always acidic. Your pH meter will demonstrate this to you. However, as we move out of the catabolic cycle just before midday, the urine will start alkalizing. It should be giving a reading close to 7 at 2pm. If it is substantially below 6.8 you are too acid and need to take steps to reverse the issue.

Make sure that you eat a diet that comprises 80% fresh vegetables and only 20% protein. This is in inverse proportion to the regular diet. Make certain you eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Cut out sugar and acid forming foods like fried potatoes and pasta. Stop buying things in packets, add lemon to your water and begin to work on those negative emotions that are poisoning your system. Learn about cosmetics and stop covering yourself in toxic petroleum products which are all far too acid. Stop cleaning your teeth with regular toothpaste, and use sea salt instead. By all means take a mineral supplement, but be sure the minerals themselves come from an organic source. This means they come via a pesticide free vegetable source. The body simply cannot absorb minerals from an inorganic source. Unfortunately you might have to forego some of the "goodies" in life. Coffee and alcohol are both powerful acid forming agents as are cigarettes. We do really have to ask ourselves the question, "what price do you pay for good health?"
Use your pH meter to monitor your progress and make changes so that your urine has a pH of above 6.8 come 2 o'clock in the afternoon. It will take a little effort, but you will feel substantially better when you discover a diet that puts your pH in the alkaline side of the equation and you come to realize good health is really priceless!.

Use Herbal Supplement If You Have Bad Memory

Regardless of whether you have a bad memory just because you have lots of stuff going on in your life or if something is truly wrong, you could do something proactive about it. Usually when you speak to your doctor he will be able to suggest something to you as far as an herbal supplement or vitamin supplement goes. But, there are some ingredients you would be able to seek in these herbal supplement or vitamin supplements that could boost your memory. These ingredients are all natural and help your brain nerves and cells to strengthen. They include ingredients you perhaps have heard of, but possibly not.

First let me tell you how important exercise and eating healthy is. I know, many individuals do not think that memory and eating healthy and working out are connected, but they are! By strengthening your body, you are strengthening your mind. Your body would let natural secretions to enter the nerves, skin cells, mind and body that would of course keep your memory going as well. Even if it is not for very long, just 20 minutes a day can end up increasing your memory and keeping you sharp!

It is important to eat right because the foods you are placing into your system could be blocking your nerves and cells from conjoining together. Stay away from oily foods such as junk food, fast food, greasy foods, etc. Stay away from sugary foods such as Popsicles, ice cream and candy. If you have a sweet tooth there are supplement products out there that have natural sugars in them which you could take that would reduce sugar cravings. Also, try going toward brightly colored foods, think oranges, greens (vital) and reds. These are thought high nutrient foods. Also, bananas and blueberries are an awesome brain food also!

Now, so far as ingredients in supplement or vitamins, it is vital that you look for acetyl-L-carnitine, ginkgo, B vitamins and C vitamins. There are foods you may not familiarize yourself with which have these ingredients in them. For example, oranges have vitamin C, yes. But so do red berries, kiwi, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and juices made from guava, grapefruit! That is a pretty big list to trail from!

If you do plan on talking to your doctor, you may have him recommend a few places TO buy supplements if you plan to go with that route. But, if you really want a nice variety and price, buy vitamins on line!

Yea, most individuals would not think of this.

5 Fat Burning Foods

There is plenty of confusion out there about what to eat and what not to eat when trying to lose weight. It seems everyone has an opinion about what is good for you and what is not good for you these days, including doctors, scientists, government agencies, and especially the news media. Just how are you supposed to know what to eat to help you lose weight?

Here is a list of 5 things (OK, I cheated, they aren't all exactly food...) that have a proven history and scientific backing that when eaten consistently, will help you lost weight.

The 5 fat burning foods are:

Broccoli - Broccoli is outstanding for overall health as well as burning fat. It is full of antioxidants and has phytochemicals that strengthen the immune system and is even known to help fight off cancer. Broccoli contains the compound Calcium D-glucarate which helps maintain proper hormone levels and is chock full of fiber. This is a low carbohydrate snack you should include in your diet every day.

Almonds - Almonds are another low carbohydrate snack that is easy to take with you and help keep your appetite under control all day long. They have fat, fiber and protein which are all essential for good health and they will give you energy throughout the day without adversely affecting blood sugar levels.

Salmon - Salmon is another one of those foods that has been "on again, off again" mainly because it does have a fairly high fat content, but is a great source of protein and omega-3 fats which will definitely help you burn fat faster.

Green Tea - Green Tea is a natural fat burner and contains a host of healthy nutrients. It has been shown to help fight cancer, and contains antioxidant, caffeine and a compound called Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. The combination of the caffeine and EGCG has been shown through research to aid in burning fat. You will want to drink several cups each day. If you find Green Tea a little bitter, just add a bit of raw honey for a very pleasant drink either hot or cold.

Water - Water is the basic substance of life and makes up over 70% of our bodies, yet most Americans are chronically dehydrated. The body's signal for water is sometimes misinterpreted as hunger, so you can immediately see the advantage of staying hydrated. Water is essential for flushing waste and toxins out of the body, and this is even more important when you are losing weight. Drink at least 8 to 10 (8 ounce) glasses of water every single day.

OK, 2 of the foods are drinks, but each of these is important for your health and has been proven to help you burn fat. Be sure to add these foods to your diet for better health and to start burning fat a whole lot faster.

Foods That Make You Grow Taller

A healthy balanced nutritive diet is imperative for growing tall. Children should eat nutritious foods during their growth years to prevent stunted growth. Adults can also add a few inches to their height long after their growth period is over by eating right.

Main foods that make you grow taller

Proteins rich foods and vitamin and mineral rich foods make you grow taller. Proteins comprise of amino acids which contain enzymes, hormones and antibodies that stimulate growth and effective working of the human body. Whole Eggs, fish, milk and legumes are protein rich diet. Some foods reduce the activity of the human growth hormones that make you taller. So these foods must be excluded from your diet. These foods include carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrate rich foods like cereals, bread and rice hinder growth. Europeans consume more of proteins in their diet than carbohydrates and hence they are taller than Asians who eat carbohydrate rich foods.

Meats contain a lot of lipids and saturated fats that impede growth. So don't eat too much meat. If you are eating non vegetarian food stick to lean red meats, fish liver or sea food like Pink salmon with long bones, blue crabs, rainbow trouts and clams that are low in fat content. Avoid pastries, sweets, sodas and crispies which are high in fat content. Alcohol, drugs and smoking can also retard growth.

Calcium is a prerequisite for growth of healthy bones. Hence foods rich in calcium like milk and other dairy products like yogurt and cheese should necessarily form part of your diet. Leafy vegetables are another source of calcium.

Citrus fruits like oranges and lemon are rich in Vitamin C that promote absorption of calcium and hence result in bone growth.

Other foods that make you grow taller are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dried beans like nigari, cowpeas and soybeans. Drinking plenty of water helps you to gain height by promoting muscle growth. Whey protein and boiled chicken can also help. Including foods that enable height gain in your diet is hence very important for attaining full growth mentally and physically.