Friday, April 10, 2009

Benefits of Fish Oil for Fitness and Health | Healthy Eating

When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental rather than beneficial to their health.

The Truth about Fish Oil

Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.

Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.

Omega-6 vs. Omega-3

Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.

As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).

The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.

Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.

In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.

Fish to Become Thin
In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.

Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.

Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.

Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.
When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover[...]

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Knowing the Right Treatment for Male Menopause Will Save You From the Threat of Midlife Crisis

The so called “Andropause,” men hormonal change, is directly synonymous to male menopause, which leads to low testosterone level in aging men. It is said to cause depression according to Columbia University Psychiatrist, Stuart Seidman.

For several years, these changes in men’s body and emotion lead them to experience a kind of midlife crisis, parallel to the experience of women in their midlife, male’s version of menopause.

Majority of these men find it hard to accept that the hormones that complete their manhood are decreasing. Truth is, around 25 million of the male American population whose ages ranges from 35 to 55 are experiencing this kind of dilemma.

Hence, the Andropause, a lowering in testosterone level, is already allied to the process of normal aging for men.

If you think your age falls in the age bracket that was mentioned above, then you should take note of the possible symptoms that might have already occurred to you. The following are some of the symptoms of Andropause:
• Lowering of sex drive
• Decreasing of energy
• Lowering of strength and stamina
• Decrease of life’s enjoyment
• Frequent sadness and grouchiness
• The strength of erections declined
• The sports ability is slowly deteriorating
• Falling fast asleep after taking the dinner
• Lowering of performance at work
• Repeated depression

For most medical specialists, the chief treatment for male’s lowering testosterone level is the testosterone replacement therapy. Though, this treatment is presently receiving some sort of controversies because of the risks associated to its form.

In fact, doctors and their patients weigh the risks first before they venture into this kind of treatment.

On the other hand, testosterone injections also lessen the symptoms of Andropause, however, it may increase the risk of a stroke, gynecomastia or the enlargement of breasts, temporary sterility, and liver toxicity.

But don’t fret; there is still another option which will not be harmful to your body. There are numerous researchers who found satisfaction in using the formulation of potent herbs for Andropause medication.

These are supplements that can be bought over the counter and will naturally increase the level of your testosterone while reducing Andropause symptoms, eliminating a large number of side effects as compared to the hormone replacement therapy.

These natural supplements will help you generate more testosterone that are originally produced in the body, thus, you will no longer need to take testosterone from the other sources, considering the fact that this only results to the slowing down of your natural testosterone production, and so, putting you in a bad situation after you cease taking the injections.

Therefore, it is more preferable that you take this kind of treatment than having medications that could be harmful to your body.

If you are planning to purchase this herbal supplements, it is advisable that before buying try to analyze first the products. Make sure that includes the following: the potential to augment physical performance, endurance, and stamina, while maintaining the heightened intensity of testosterone as well as the energy.

Look for the list that represents the finest products that are offered for the consumer. Choose the products which will present the most efficient formulas with the supreme potential to bring utmost performance.
The so called “Andropause,” men hormonal change, is directly synonymous to male menopause, which leads to low testosterone level in aging men[...]

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Cooking with Oils | Healthy Cooking Tips | Healthy Lifestyle

Everyone knows the foods to eat that improve health, although how we cook the food can be just as important. With there being so many oils and butter products claiming to be the best, it can be quite difficult to know which ones to use and which ones to avoid.

1. Canola oil
Canola oil is a popular oil, with many physicians claiming that it has the ability to lower the risk of heart disease. The oil is low in saturated fat, high in monounsaturated fat, and offers the best fatty acid composition when compared to other oils.

You can use canola oil in sauting, as a marinade and even in low temperature stir frying. It has a bland flavor, which makes it a great oil for foods that contain many spices. Unlike other oils, this one won't interfere with the taste of your meal.

2. Olive oil
Olive oil offers a very distinct flavor with plenty of heart healthy ingedients. The oil is rich in monounsaturated fat, helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce risk of cancer. It's also rich in antioxidants and has a very long storage life.

Even though it can be used in cooking, it's the healthiest when uncooked, such as with a salad or dipping sauce. When you use it with cooking, you should heat it on low to medium temperatures, making sure to avoid high heat.

3. Butter
Butter is one food that has been around for many, many years. Butter tastes good, and offers sources of Vitamin A and other fat soluble vitamins such as E, K, and even D. Butter is also made from natural ingredients and not chemically or artificially processed.

You can use butter with cooking, baking, or even as a spread. You can also pair it with creamy sauces, marinades, baked dishes, or even bread.

4. Margarine
Margarine was first introduced as an alternative to high fat butter. When it was first created however, it was loaded with trans fat, a substance that we now know raises bad cholesterol.

As a cooking oil, margarine tastes good, it's lower in fat than most oils and butter, and it's quite easy to spread. It's available in a variety of different products and a good source of vitamin E.

When it comes to cooking with oils, there are several at your disposal. There are many more than what is mentioned here, although the ones above are the most popular. Eating healthy involves cooking healthy food - which is where your cooking oil really
takes center stage.
Everyone knows the foods to eat that improve health, although how we cook the food can be just as important[...]

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