Factors involved with consumption of fats in different quantities

Having a healthy diet is something very important. Furthermore, it is important to maintain a balanced diet. Having a balanced diet ensures that you have all the necessary nutrients in your diet. This is important as fats have a vital role to play in your body. Some of these roles include the following:

• Providing warmth to the body
• Providing extra energy during physically demanding tasks
• Help in absorption of vitamins A,D,E and K into the small intestines
• Supply of indispensable fatty acids

There are various compounds, which consist of fats. The compounds in fats are insoluble in water. Fats are usually in a liquid while in room temperature and solid while in conditions below room temperature. There are various types of fats and sources of fats. There are two main sources of edible fats and these sources are from animals and plants. Examples of edible animal fats include:

• Butter
• Ghee
• Fish oil
• Whale blubber
• Lard

All these fats have their own purposes and uses. Edible plant fats include:

• Sunflower
• Olive
• Peanut
• Sesame
• Cocoa butter

Others include margarine and vegetable shortening. These are mainly used for baking and spreading on bread. If one consumes these fats appropriately, they are effective nutrients to the body.

There are two main categories of fats. These categories are saturated and unsaturated fats. This article focuses on these main categories and their various components.

Saturated fats

Saturated fats are composed of triglycerides, which only contain saturated fatty acids. What this means is that the carbon atoms are fully flooded or filled with hydrogen atoms. Some foods that contain high percentages of saturated fats include the following:

• Cheese
• Suet
• Cream
• Lard
• Butter
• Tallow
• Fatty meat
• Cottonseed oil
• Chocolate
• Coconut oil
• Palm kernel oil

The nutrients in these fats are very little and therefore one should be consumed sparingly. In the saturated fats category, there are other sub-groups of fatty acids. These sub-groups include the following:

• Palmitic acid
• Myristic acid
• Butyric acid
• Stearic acid
• Lauric acid

These fatty acids have various amounts of carbon atoms that increase their level and intensity of saturation. As much as fats have precious nutrients, they have long been associated with diseases and terminal conditions. The main reason for this is that people have no control over the amounts and quantities of saturated fats they consume.

Unsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats consist of a minimum of one double bond. This means that the bonds are not as packed and are not as intense, compared to saturated fats. Unsaturated fats have a different function in the body. One of the main functions is to provide nutrients in insulin resistance. Resistance of insulin occurs in diets with increased intakes of mono saturated fats. Unsaturated fats help increase and balance the relationship between insulin resistance and dietary fats.

Another function of these fats is to provide membrane composition and enable metabolism. Since mammals have higher poly-saturated fat composition and lower mono-saturated, this enables flexibility of membranes and functions. This enables the body to function and perform better. These nutrients are brilliant for the body.

Generally, it is recommended that one consume very small quantities of fats to cater for the nutrients needs. There can be serious health complications in connection with too much fats in our diets. Some of these include:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke

A study has found that with people reducing the amount of fats in the diet, leads to reduced risks of CHD related conditions happening. The emphasis being placed is that there is a need to ensure that fats are taken just enough to act as nutrients.

Other Conditions Associated with Saturated Fats

Cancer is becoming prevalent as a result of saturated fats. One of these is breast cancer and it is taking the lives of many people at an alarming rate. Ovarian cancer also has a very close relationship with the intake of saturated fats. This is becoming a disturbing statistic, as most people prefer consuming foods with saturated fats. Research has shown there is an increased risk of acquiring prostate cancer. However, the risk differs from individual to individual, the rate of metabolism and the quantities. Therefore, it is extremely important that you take the necessary steps and measures in ensuring that you avoid these life threatening effects of too much fat in the diet.

The bones are also falling victim to the adverse effects of over consumption of fats. The amounts consumed in the diet affects the health of the bones. Studies on animals show that the mineral density in the bones is affected negatively because of saturated fats. In all cases, this is because of fats ceasing to be nutrients and connected to health. It is important to know how fats affect our health. As much as they are important nutrients for the body, they need to be consumed sparingly and in moderation.

How Very Essential a Protein Diet is?

We are always seeking healthy ways to improve our life and living standard. No one can have the best life if he is suffering from any kind of deficiency. Here I mean the deficiency in health. A person is best if he is living a healthy life. Health is the base to attain any success. Yes, it’s really true that a man with a perfect body and mind can lead his life in a better way than those who are deficient in their health. There are many basic constituent nutrients that are considered very much essential with respect to human body. These natural nutrients are required by the body for proper health, growth and perfect functionality. The most of the required nutrient that has magical effects is protein.

Importance

Protein is the building nutrient that helps in maintaining and replacing the body tissues. They add considerable strength in the tissues of the body and make them strong and healthy. Protein is also having a strong contribution in the composition of body muscles, organs, and the immune system. They all are made up of protein.

Our food intake must contain protein because our body requires a good amount of proteins that are then utilized in the formation of important molecules that perform multiple tasks in our body maintenance and working. One of the major functions that are known by us very much is the formation of hemoglobin in the blood. Basically hemoglobin is that important part of the red blood cells which is helpful in carrying oxygen to all the body parts.

Proteins are also very much important due to their great contribution in building cardiac muscles. The heart is the basic organ which controls the human life. Strong cardiac muscles play a great role in coordinating a human body for its various functions such as, running, moving, eating and breathing etc. Protein protects you from several harmful diseases. It is present in every cell of a human body. A major portion of body organs, muscles, skin and glands contain protein in it. All the human body fluids also contain protein in it except for urine and bile.

Requirement

We need a considerable amount of protein in our diet as it is very important building block of the human body. As we pass through the process of growth, our body cells also pass through a certain age cycle after which they become dead or get destroyed. In this growth processes, protein act as the building material in making new body cells and it also helps in repairing of old or damaged cells. This is major reason that why proteins are needed for growth of human body.

Composition

Basically protein is made up of amino acid chains. These amino acids are needed to break down the food that we intake. This is the main reason that why we need protein and in what amount we should take them for optimal health. When we take food and proteins get digested, then amino acids are left in the body. It is known that a human body requires a considerable number of amino acids. The quantity is greater due to the big functionality of breaking food, that we intake. That is why it is always recommended to eat Amino acids in large amounts so that proper working of food digestion and human body growth can take place.

Natural Sources:

• Proteins are present in animal sources which includes following:

  • Meats
  • Milk
  • Fish
  • Eggs

• Proteins are also extracted from plant sources such as:

  • Soy
  • Beans
  • Legumes
  • Nut Butters
  • Wheat Grains.

Recommendations:

Making a well-balanced and healthy physique as well as internal body mechanisms, proteins are equally needed from animal as well as plant sources. It is not necessary for you to get all your needed protein from only animal or plant source. There is always some good reason to avoid only one type of source of protein. The major issue comes in the form of cholesterol. With excessive or only animal protein diet we can have greater cholesterol levels. Gout is another disease that may arise due to this imbalance. A high protein intake can also cause strain on kidneys. Due to these health problems, nutritionists always share better ways to make people aware about a balanced diet even if you are eating a healthy food.

It is highly recommended by great nutritionists that you should always try to follow balanced diet plans because they contain enough protein quantity that will provide you with adequate health and fitness. Vegetables are a great source of protein and their excess does not create any harm to your body. The recommended amount of protein intake varies according to the age and the deficiency level of the person. Adults can get their daily protein requirements accomplished with two to three servings of protein rich food.

Fiber

Weight management is very important in the maintenance of a healthy body. A vast number of serious diseases are associated with excess body mass or fat, which leads to obesity. These disorders can be avoided by following a diet plan. Nevertheless, people usually relate dieting with starvation but this must not be the case. It is crucial to know that the real essence of an ideal diet regimen is to ensure that the body still gets the nutrients it needs in order to function properly. In fact, studies show that eating healthy foods especially fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains can aid in weight gain prevention. The nutrients that can be obtained from these foods are used by the body in order for it to sustain the energy required to perform any weight loss activities or exercise routines. Aside from nutrients, fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains contain dietary fiber which is a fundamental element in attaining the desired weight.

Dietary fiber is a substance found in plants, which the gastrointestinal tract cannot digest. It is also referred to as roughage. It is also known to prevent the manifestation of some illnesses like diabetes, constipation, high level of blood cholesterol and colon cancer. Unlike other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and proteins, dietary fibers cannot be absorbed by the human body.

Sources of Dietary Fiber

Whole-grains, dried beans, lentils and peas, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are good sources of dietary fibers. Fruit juice, pasta and white flour based foods, however, are lower in fiber content. The process of refining which works by removing from the whole grain, the so-called bran, lowers the fiber content. The effect is also the same when the skin is removed from vegetables and fruits. Peeling can also strip the fruits and vegetables of the nutrients that are commonly concentrated in the skin.

Fiber supplements have been formulated to make it easier and more accessible to take in the body’s requirements for dietary fiber. Like other artificial means, intake of supplements carries with it a disadvantage. Fiber supplements do not contain other nutrients that could, otherwise, be ingested from other sources. It is best to take fiber as naturally as possible to help the body.

Categories of Dietary Fiber

There are two main components of dietary fiber – soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber is the one which causes digestion to slow down. It also lowers the level of glucose and cholesterol in the blood. Water can break up soluble fibers which, when dissolved, transform into a gel like substance. Bacteria in the digestive system ferment some of the soluble fiber and create compounds that boost health. This type of fiber can be found in apples, oats, citrus fruits, peas, carrots, beans, psyllium and barley.

On the other hand, insoluble fibers will not break down in water. It helps ease constipation by regulating food movement in the gastrointestinal tract. Its sources include wheat bran, nuts, whole-wheat flour, and vegetables.

Fiber and Weight Loss

Various research results have been found to determine the connection of dietary fibers to weight loss, as well as the decrease in body mass and weight attained through intake of food high in fiber. All studies made on the matter yielded the same results which show that high fiber intake can definitely promote weight loss without depriving the body of the nutrients it deserves.

Some of the reasons why dietary fiber can help in weight loss are the following:

• Food with high fiber content takes time to be chewed. The time it takes in chewing makes the brain transmit to the body the message that the cravings of the person for that particular food have been satisfied, thus, telling the person to stop eating.
• Fiber enriched food stays longer in the stomach and creates the feeling of fullness.
• High Fiber food brings to the body less calories that other foods, which are rich in nutrients.
• Dietary fiber lowers the secretion of insulin and deposition of fats in the body.

Fiber diet can be more effective if it is accompanied by a diet low in fat and a considerable amount of exercise.

In order to achieve the most favorable result, the recommended daily dosage for men and women who are 50 years old and below are 38 grams and 25 grams, respectively. The dosage is reduced, in case of those who are over 50, 30 grams per day for men while 21 grams per day for women.

Effect of Too Much Fiber Intake

Increasing the amount of fiber content in the diet is best done in a gradual manner. A drastic increase in the intake of fiber does not give the digestive system enough time to prepare. It may cause abdominal bloating, gas and cramps. Diarrhea and constipation are also indications of too much fiber consumption. These symptoms can be taken care of by drinking at least 2 liters of fluid daily. Excessive dietary fiber intake has also been known to cause decreased absorption of minerals, vitamins, proteins, nutrients and calories.

While it is true that dietary fiber has beneficial effects to the well-being of a person, it must be kept in mind that anything that is excessive will have an adverse effect in one way or another. Prevent any of the inconveniences mentioned above and get the optimum effect of fiber in the body by following the recommended amount of dietary fiber intake.

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Carbohydrate

We need energy for our daily physical activities and its requirement varies according to the type of activity and duration of the activity. We get our energy from the food we eat which has all the essential nutrients. The important nutrients we need for our daily metabolism and physical activities are Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, vitamins, water and minerals. Carbohydrate gives us the main energy and protein for growth and repair of our body tissues and muscles. Fats are also a source of energy and it is important for fat soluble vitamins, minerals, vitamins and water also important for our bodies to function normally. Fiber is essential for our digestive system.

We need energy for both basic metabolism and for our daily activities. The daily requirement of energy per person is the kilo of our body weight, which needs 1.3 calories per hour. So the diet we eat must have all the nutrients and it must be a nutritious and balanced diet. The main dietary components are carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are the main source of our energy and it is important for the functioning of the nervous system and brain. Amylase is an enzyme which helps the carbohydrates to convert in to glucose (blood sugar) and our body use this glucose to get its energy.

Types and food sources of carbohydrate:

Carbohydrates come in two forms. One is simple carbohydrate and the other is a complex carbohydrate. They are classified on the basis of their chemical structure and how fast they digestion and absorb the sugar you take in. Single and double sugars are called simple carbohydrates and the carbohydrate which have three or more sugars are called complex carbohydrates. Other names for carbohydrates are sugars, simple sugar, starches and diet-carbohydrates.

Fructose and Galactose are examples of single sugar food. Fruits have Fructose and milk products have Galactose. Lactose, Sucrose and Maltose are known as double sugars. Lactose is present in dairy products, Sucrose in table sugar and Maltose in beer and some vegetables. Honey is in the category of double sugar, but has little amount of minerals and vitamins. Complex carbohydrates which are also known as starchy foods are available in starchy vegetables, legumes and whole grain cereals and breads. Simple carbohydrates which have natural source of minerals and vitamins are vegetables, fruits and milk and milk products. Refined and processed sugars are also simple carbohydrates found in foods like candy, carbonated beverages and in syrups. Refined sugars don’t have minerals, fiber and vitamins and gives only empty calories and the result is weight gain. White rice, sugar and white flour are some of the other refined foods which lack in essential nutrients.

Carbohydrate Metabolism:

Carbohydrate Metabolism means the digestion of carbohydrates which takes place by both chemical and mechanical process. In the mechanical process food is chewed in the mouth where the breakdown of carbohydrates starts with the help of the enzyme amylase. The process of breakdown continues and in the stomach where glucose is separated. When the food enters the small intestine glucose is absorbed and it is transferred in to the blood stream to be used as energy. Glycogen, insulin and epinephrine are the three hormones which control the concentration of the blood sugar. If the blood glucose concentration is high in the blood, then pancreas secretes insulin for stimulating the transfer of glucose, into the liver and muscle cells. The anabolism process also known as glycogenesis, changes the glucose in to glycogen. Liver and muscles stores the glycogen for future use when there is low level of glucose. The hormones Glycogen and Epinephrine are secreted when the glucose level in blood goes down and they stimulate and help in converting glycogen to glucose. This process is known as catabolism, glycogenolysis. ATP and Pyruvic acid are the end products of the process glycolysis and the ATP release is little. Since the ATP is less Pyruvic acid is converted in to CoA and then in citric acid cycle it is converted in to citric acid. The process of the conversion of pyruvic acid back in to glucose is called gluconeogenesis.

Benefits of Carbohydrates:

The main benefit of carbohydrates is that it is an easy source of energy we get as glucose. They are stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen or as body fat for future use. When the body is in need of energy (glucose) its first aim is to get from carbohydrates and if it doesn’t have carbohydrate it takes the glucose from the stored glycogen or from the muscle’s protein tissues. Carbohydrates prevent the breaking of muscle tissues. The fiber Complex Carbohydrates help in digestion and bowel movement.

Side effects of carbohydrates are that when taken in excess increase the total calories and leads to obesity. Deficiency of carbohydrates leads to malnutrition. The recommended dosage of carbohydrate per individual must be between 40% and 60% of their total calorie intake. We must have carbohydrate in the form of complex carbohydrate which provides all the essential nutrients and the required energy. The best way to increase the intake of complex carbohydrate is eating more vegetables and fruits, more whole grains cereals, breads and rice and eating more legumes like dried peas, beans and lentils.

Though carbohydrates are more important in providing nutrients for our energy we must eat carbohydrates cautiously and wisely for the benefit of our health.

]]> http://www.the-diet-plans.com/carbohydrate/feed/ 0 http://www.the-diet-plans.com/calcium/ http://www.the-diet-plans.com/calcium/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 12:44:20 +0000 Kennykjtan http://www.the-diet-plans.com/?p=1175

Calcium

Living strong and healthy depends on our lifestyle, diet, and exercise, among other things. Our diet, also known as our daily intake of food and drink, should include all the nutrients such as calcium, carbohydrates, protein, fat, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In this article, we will be doing an analysis about calcium. Calcium is a chemical element that is soft and gray in appearance. It is both a vitamin and a mineral, and is considered an alkaline earth metal.

The Importance of Calcium

In the cell physiology of all living organisms, calcium is very important. While it is abundant in the human body, it is also available in some medicines, in food, and as a dietary supplement. This nutrient is essential for nerve transmission, muscle function, hormonal secretion, intracellular signaling, vasodilation, and vascular contraction. From the total calcium in the body, 1% is utilized for these metabolic functions and the remaining 99% is stored in the teeth and bones, supporting their function and structure.

Daily Requirement of Calcium

Every individual requires calcium on a daily basis. This requirement depends on the age and gender. For women, however, requirement is increased for those who are pregnant and for lactating mothers. Newborn babies need 200mg of Calcium daily. Children aged 7-12 months need 260mg, while children aged 1-3 years need 700mg of calcium. As children grow, their need also increases. Those who are aged 4-8 need 1000 mg, whereas those who are aged 9-18 years need 1300mg. Pregnant women and lactating mothers should also have 1300mg of calcium in their bodies daily. Those who are aged 19-50 years need 1000mg of calcium. Upon reaching 51-70 years, males would still require 1000mg of calcium daily, while females would require more at 1200mg. Beyond 71 years, both male and female need 1200mg daily.

Sources of Calcium

In food, the natural sources of this nutrient are rich in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Other foods that have this mineral are Chinese cabbage, broccoli, kale, soybeans, nuts, and spinach. It is also found in fish such as pilchards and sardines. In many grains, the availability of calcium is less. Most fruit juices, cereals, and tofu have fortified calcium. The guidance for calcium intake is that a person aged nine and above must have three cups from the dairy group – for example, one cup of milk, 1.5 ounce of natural cheese and one cup of yogurt. Other sources of calcium are medicines and dietary supplements. In dietary supplements, calcium is available as both citrate and carbonate. Calcium carbonate is convenient and less expensive and it is absorbed effectively along with food. Calcium citrate, on the other hand, is effective on an empty stomach and after food intake. Other calcium supplements include lactate, phosphate and gluconate. People taking this in dietary supplement form may suffer side effects like constipation, bloating, gas, or a combination of all three. We can get calcium as extra dietary fiber by adding dry milk powder in sauces and soups, by topping cooked vegetables with cheese, by replacing snacks with non-fat or low-fat yogurt, and by simply inserting a slice of cheese in a sandwich.

Adverse Effects of Calcium Deficiency:

Hypocalcaemia, also known as calcium deficiency, and its adverse effects are not seen in short term. Hypocalcaemia can cause renal failure, which can only be solved by the removal of the stomach through surgery. Other symptoms include tingling and numbness in the fingers, convulsions, poor appetite, lethargy, muscle cramps, and uneven heartbeat. If not treated properly, it may lead to death. Hypocalcemia may also lead to osteopenia, resulting in osteoporosis. Rickets is also caused due to the deficiency of both vitamins and calcium. There are certain groups of people who are also at risk due to calcium deficiency, such as post-menopausal women, female triathletes, and amenorrheic women. Individuals who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow’s milk, as well as vegetarians, may also be at risk of having a deficiency.

Side Effects of Excessive Calcium

Opposite hypocalcaemia, the excess of calcium nutrient in the blood is termed as hypercalcaemia. The side effects of excessive calcium are renal insufficiency, hypercalcularia, calcification of vascular and soft tissues, and kidney stones. This also causes constipation and interferes with zinc and iron absorption. The risk of getting kidney stones is higher if the excess calcium comes from supplements. Calcium supplements interact with different types of medicines, decreasing the absorption of medicines.

Health Benefits of Calcium

There are a lot of health benefits that calcium can bring. Calcium and Vitamin D are important for bone health. The human body’s bone mass and size is increased during the child’s growth to adulthood, reaching its peak at the age of 30. After that, bone loss starts may start to occur, and may eventually lead to osteoporosis. This makes calcium intake more and more important. Calcium helps in excreting the lipids from the intestines, lowers cholesterol levels, and promotes calcium entry in the cells, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also helps in reducing hypertension and reduces the risk of colorectal and breast cancer. Some say it also helps in weight management, but there have been disputes regarding this claim.

The above analysis has thoroughly explained the importance of the calcium nutrient. Each and every one must take an adequate amount of calcium to prevent a wide range of diseases, as well as to maintain good health.

]]> http://www.the-diet-plans.com/calcium/feed/ 0 http://www.the-diet-plans.com/nutrients/ http://www.the-diet-plans.com/nutrients/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 12:18:40 +0000 Kennykjtan http://www.the-diet-plans.com/?p=1166

Nutrients for a Healthy Body

The main reason why people need to eat is because the body needs nutrients in order to function. The food that people eat contains different kinds of nutrients. Therefore, for the body to get all the nutrients that they need, a person must eat a well-balanced diet. Nutrients in foods can do different things in and for the body. This is why it is important to eat a well-balanced diet because it is the only way to get all the nutrients needed for the body. Here are some of the most important nutrients that are needed by the body:

Antioxidant

Antioxidants are one of the most important nutrients that the body needs. Antioxidants play an important role in making the body’s immune system stronger. Antioxidants basically prevent cell damage that happens during the oxidation process. This means that the cells throughout the body will have longer life and be more resistant to diseases. Because the cell does not have to constantly replace the damaged cells, the person will look younger for a longer period of time. As a result, antioxidants can effectively decrease the aging process of the body. [...Continue Reading...]

Fats – Saturated Fats, Unsaturated Fats

For some people, saying fats immediately makes them think of those foods that will add to their weight and bulk. Actually, not all fats are bad for the body. There are certain kinds of fats that are considered nutrients, which the body needs to stay fit and healthy. Generally soluble fats are needed by the body to keep the skin and hair beautiful. Soluble fats are also needed by various organs to help them do their work and lessen the shock that these organs get while working. Fats also help in maintaining the body’s temperature to its normal level. And more importantly, fats help the body’s immune system and prevent numerous diseases. The only kinds of fats that can harm the body are when they are consumed in large amounts and are called saturated fats. This is why a proper balance of nutrients is needed because as bad as their reputations may be, fats are still an essential part of the diet because is a nutrient that the body needs. [...Continue Reading...]

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are another one of those nutrients that have been getting a negative reputation worldwide. Carbohydrates are present in most foods. In fact, most foods that people eat consist of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are nutrients that give the most energy to the body, the energy that is needed so that people can do what they want and need to do. The only problem with carbohydrates is that it can make people fat because carbohydrates contain the most calories of all food groups. Since it has too many calories, most diet programs strictly limit the carbohydrates rich foods in their diet plans. There are even diet plans that eliminate carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are another nutrient that the body needs. Health experts even agree that carbohydrates should not be removed from the diet as some diet programs suggest. The important thing is that a person does not eat too many carbohydrates because it will be really bad for their health. [...Continue Reading...]

Fiber

The primary role of fibers is to aid in the digestion of food. Fiber is a nutrient that can be commonly found in most vegetables. Basically, fibers can aid in digestion by cleaning up the intestines from any waste products that might be blocking the nutrient absorption from the food that people eat. Another benefit from fiber is the regularization of the bowels. It can help the bowel form well when a person has diarrhea and makes the bowel softer if the person has constipation. Fibers also help in regulating the cholesterol level in the blood. [...Continue Reading...]

Protein

Protein is a nutrient that can be commonly found in meats and vegetables. Every organ and muscle in the body are made up of protein, and the body needs this nutrient to maintain and repair the body. When the body makes new cells, protein is needed in this process. It is the amino acids that are really used by the body, which is absorbed from eating meats and vegetables. When people eat proteins, the amino acids from protein are what is actually absorbed by the body. These amino acids help the body in repairing and breaking down the foods that go inside the stomach. Whenever a body builder wants to gain more muscles, or when a pregnant mother wants to make the baby inside her womb healthy, they will need protein to make this happen. [...Continue Reading...]

Calcium

Calcium is another important nutrient that everybody needs regardless of age. Because milk is the primary source of calcium, most people think that calcium is only for growing kids. However, it is the adults who need more calcium than kids. While children really need calcium for their bones to grow, adults need calcium to keep they bones strong. Calcium is also needed in other processes within the body like muscle contractions. [...Continue Reading...]

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Antioxidants: The Perfect Disease Protector

When talking about health, nutrition, well-being, and age, antioxidants will always be mentioned. It is one very important nutrient that the more people consume, the healthier they will be. For anyone looking for a way to stay healthy, they might want to consider learning about what antioxidants are and how they can make the body healthy. People who are not familiar with antioxidants might be surprised to find out how much help and benefit a person can get from them.

Antioxidants: What Are They?

Before we discuss what antioxidants are, let us first describe a little about oxidants. The body needs oxygen for the respiration process. Every cell in the body needs enough oxygen to be able to do its work. However, during the process the body uses the oxygen, a negative reaction happens. The cells are sometimes damaged in the process of oxidation. Furthermore, free radicals are also created during cell oxidation. Free radicals are known to cause different chronic diseases in the body. Normally, the body has the ability to replace these dead cells with new, younger ones. However, as a person ages, this ability for the body to repair and replace damaged cells decreases. The damage rate of the oxidants becomes greater than what the body can repair. Furthermore, older people are more exposed to more sources of free radicals. This often leads to different diseases and rapid aging.

Antioxidants, as the prefix “anti” mean the chemicals that are against oxidation, or they are the chemicals that can prevent the damaged to the cells made by oxidation. They are simply molecules that can inhibit the oxidation process that is happening in the cells. Antioxidants do a very simple yet very beneficial role in the body.

Sources of Antioxidants

There are numerous sources of antioxidants from foods. Generally any foods that is rich in Vitamin C, Lycopene, Vitamin E, Lutein, Selenium, Vitamin A, and Beta Carotene. These mean that foods like tomatoes (cooked), squash, potatoes (with peel), apples (with peel), berries, beans, Green Tea, coffee, nuts, and many more are important for the diet. According to medical experts, it is best not to use antioxidant supplements because they might do more harm than good. It is better to get antioxidants from food naturally as they are present in many kinds of food. One of the best sources and one that have the highest concentration can be found by drinking coffee.

Antioxidants Benefits

• Anti-aging – this is one of the secrets why people stay younger looking longer. Because antioxidants can fight the damage that is done to the cells, the cells can stay alive longer. This will slow down the rate that the body has to repair and replace the damage cells. The body can only replace damaged cells with new ones through cell division. The ability of the cell to divide can only be done in a finite number of times. Because it can prevent cell damage, the cell will not be forced to divide making the skin look younger longer.
• Balancing Hormones – another interesting benefit of antioxidants is it can balance hormones in the body. It seems that most people today suffer from hormonal imbalance caused by different things. The antioxidant phytoestrogen can help in balancing the body’s hormones by detoxifying the hormones in the body and correcting their levels.
• Fight Diseases – because it can prevent cell damage, it can help the body fight of degenerative diseases from developing. The body will be better equipped with defenses that can help in preventing cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and others from developing.
• Increase Natural Body Resistances – antioxidant is a nutrient that can increase the body’s natural immune system so that the body will not easily be affected by stress, viruses, and bacteria which can cause different illnesses. With antioxidants, the body will be more resistant to colds, flu, and other common illnesses.
• Prevents Eye Degradation – most people all over the world suffer from eye problems like glaucoma. It is said that glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the US. Glaucoma is caused by the damage in cells and nerves in the eyes. Antioxidants can help in preventing the damage from happening.

Other benefits:

• Increases energy
• Allergy relief
• Weight loss
• Asthma relief
• Blood pressure reduction
• Diabetes control
• Menstrual regulation
• Memory and concentration enhancer
• Arthritis relief

It is always said that prevention is better than cure. Antioxidants are one of the nutrients that provide prevention rather than cure to almost any kind of diseases. Today, more and more people take prescription medicines for all the different health problems that they have. In a time where every single penny is valuable, getting a disease of any sort can become a huge burden. People can avoid getting diseases by making their body healthier. By eating antioxidant rich foods, people can stay healthier and younger for a long time.

]]> http://www.the-diet-plans.com/antioxidants/feed/ 0 http://www.the-diet-plans.com/starvation-diet-plan/ http://www.the-diet-plans.com/starvation-diet-plan/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 14:07:54 +0000 Kennykjtan http://www.the-diet-plans.com/?p=1144

Starvation Diet: A Destructive and Ineffective Way to Lose Weight

It is believed that in order to lose weight, a person must eat less. But what would happen to the body if someone eats so little that they are almost eating nothing? Will those people who suddenly starve themselves effectively lose weight? When people suddenly restrict the amount of food that they eat, say, from a full plate one day and a teaspoon of food the next day, this is called a starvation diet. A starvation diet is a dangerous type of diet, which is not really an effective way of losing weight. There are many reasons why this diet is not recommended for people who want to lose weight.

Why Starvation Diets Won’t Work

There is a very good reason why a starvation diet will not work for people trying to lose weight. The main reason for this is that a starvation diet negatively affects the body physically and mentally. In the physical aspect, the body will suddenly go into starvation mode, and this is the primary reason why this type of diet will never work. When in starvation mode, the body will greatly lower its metabolism. This means that the body will burn and use fewer calories. It is an automatic survival mechanism of the body to conserve the supplies it currently has because of the sudden lack of food. Because the body will burn less energy, the body will feel weak and sleepy most of the time. The body is conserving energy so it will not allow the person to move too much without getting tired easily. Furthermore, because the burning of fat is dramatically decreased, the person will lose fat very slowly. In fact, if the person followed a safe diet, chances are that fat and weight loss would happen much quicker, and the person would generally feel better and more active.

Psychologically, the person will feel much deprived as he is aware that he is not actually eating. This could be dangerous for the person’s mindset. Most people will think of negative things when they know that they are being deprived of something. If they feel that they are being deprived of food, they can become easily irritated, angry, or sometimes even delusional. The lack of food can do crazy things to the person’s psyche. It will not help to see other people eating or enjoying themselves. In short, a starvation diet will become destructive to a person’s mind. One reason for this negative change in the person’s psychology is because of the lack of nutrients that the person needs to function properly. The chemical levels inside the body will become abnormal, which plays tricks on both the brain and the body. The person who starves, as what a starvation diet will surely do, will be in for very hard times. A starvation diet will not make him lose weight in the proper way that he should.

What are Healthier Alternatives to a Starvation Diet?

There are other healthier alternatives to starvation diet. One of the problems of this particular diet is that it treats food as the enemy. This diet believes that food is the reason people get fat, when, in fact, the excess calories are what actually make people fat. Food is the source of energy which every person needs to function properly. Without food, the person will become weaker, and in grave cases, will die. While a starvation diet does allow a person to eat, the amount of the food permitted is very limited and is not sufficient for anyone to get the needed energy. The body needs nutrients, and these nutrients can only come from food.

For anyone who wants to lose weight fast, the only solution is to eat properly – that is, not too little and not too much. Too much food will increase fat buildup and too little food will just make the person unhealthy. Eating nothing or eating very little will not help. While it is very easy to associate obesity with food, it is not really the food’s fault why people are fat. A starvation diet will seem the fastest way to lose weight because most people think that without food, they will lose weight. People will indeed lose weight with this kind of diet, but not in a healthy way, and definitely not in the fastest way that people expect. A starvation diet is like torturing the body by depriving it of what mainly keeps it alive. Anyone may have seen the body of people with Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa. These are the kinds of bodies that people who are into the starvation diet can look forward to – you can almost see just skin and bones, and these people can hardly move or even speak because of the lack of nutrients in their bodies.

There are healthier diet plans choices to follow, like the South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, etc. Compared to the starvation diet, these diets allow the person to actually eat. While the amount of food will be limited, it will still allow the body to get just the right amount of calories and nutrients in order to feel functional instead of just feeling weak. It will definitely be better to choose other kinds of diets instead of the starvation diet as these will actually allow you to lose weight faster, while making you feel stronger and willing to be more active.

In Conclusion

Nobody wants to look weak and sickly. The reason why most people want to lose weight and go on a diet is to look great and feel great. A starvation diet will not make anyone look healthier and feel better at all. Medical experts all agree that eating in moderation is the proper way to lose weight. Not eating is just the easy way to get sick. For anyone thinking that a starvation diet is the fastest way to lose weight, it is not. For people who want to have bodies like those of movie stars, or those who want to get tight abs and gorgeous curves, a starvation diet is not the way. Only you can help yourself, and it’s your choice to take either the road to a healthy life, or the road to the hospital.

]]> http://www.the-diet-plans.com/starvation-diet-plan/feed/ 0 http://www.the-diet-plans.com/bulimia-nervosa/ http://www.the-diet-plans.com/bulimia-nervosa/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 13:43:20 +0000 Kennykjtan http://www.the-diet-plans.com/?p=1128

Curbing the Bulimia Nervosa Menace

Having a healthy diet is very important in your day to day life. Eating a healthy diet means that you can keep several diseases at bay. You are able to possibly prevent illnesses such as:

• Heart disease
• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Diabetes

Practicing a healthy diet and lifestyle translates to:

• Stronger immune system
• Maintenance of a normal body weight
• Regular heart beat
• Better endurance of the heart and body in general
• Increased energy levels

However, in the world today, there is a greater increase with poor diet habits and lifestyles. This can rise the various illnesses and diseases. One of these is bulimia nervosa.

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa is an illness, characterized by a person binging on food. Essentially, this is an eating disorder where someone devours huge quantities of food within a short period of time. In addition, after binging, the person tries to get rid of the food by purging, doing excess exercise or using a laxative.

Causes of Bulimia Nervosa

In many cases, bulimia nervosa is not a threat to life as compared to other conditions like Anorexia Nervosa. This disorder has a higher chance of occurring in women more than men. In other statistics, it shows that a large majority of people with bulimia nervosa are usually in their normal weight range. That is something very disturbing. The main cause of this disorder for people is they want to maintain a certain body weight because of fear of gaining weight. As much as there is not a definite known cause of bulimia, people fear the irregular eating patterns and the binging and purging episodes.

What are the Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa?

Just like any other condition or disorder, there are some warning signs and indicators that you may have a problem. The following are symptoms directly caused by this disorder:

• Dehydration, which is caused by recurrent vomiting
• Inflammation of the esophagus
• Persistent gastric efflux after eating
• Constipation
• Rapture of the esophageal wall because of vomiting
• Due to inserting fingers into the mouth repeatedly, this causes lacerations on the mouth and throat lining

Indirect Symptoms

Some of these symptoms include the following:

• Infertility
• Harsh dental erosion
• Peptic ulcers
• Enlarging of the glands that underlie the neck and line of the jaw
• Fluctuation of weight
• Scars at the back of the hands because of scratching from the teeth
• Swelling of the salivary glands
• Rashes and pimples
• Dry mouth
• Due to strain from vomiting, the blood vessels in the eyes break

The main reason many people purge is the relief it brings. After eating all that food, it becomes a relief to the body and stomach. There are some serious implications when it comes to bulimia nervosa that is considered psychiatric effects. This is why the person gets delusions and they feel like other people do not accept them. This leads to some serious actions and is not safe for the person suffering the disorder

Symptoms Visible by other People

Sometimes people may notice someone suffering from bulimia nervosa. This condition leads someone to do excess exercise. Frequently going to the washroom immediately after a meal. Buying huge amounts of food suddenly and consuming them at an equally fast rate. Being protective and throwing away used bottles of containers of laxatives and diet pills. These are ways that people clearly see there is a serious problem and issue.

What other Disorders are related to Bulimia Nervosa?

Every disorder usually has another one related to it. One of the common disorders related to this one is general anxiety disorder and depression. Many studies have come to show that a whopping 70% of bulimics have depression. Most of these were females. In other extensive studies, 2000 adolescents were found to be having bulimia nervosa. This is becoming ever more prevalent in the society. Many people want to eat anything they want, but do not want to start battling being overweight or obese.

How can you be treated for Bulimia Nervosa?

There are several ways to treat this disorder. In many cases, there is no need for patients to go to the hospital. However, there are some cases that need special handling and they include the following:

• Suffering from major depression
• Have anorexia
• Need drugs in order to control purging

In more updated ways of treating bulimia anorexia, it goes systematically, moving from one stage to another. The approach to treatment is dependent on the intensity of the bulimia and the response. The following are some methods of treatment.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is a primary treatment method to the starvation diet. This is an alternative when one cannot respond to the support groups
• Well known anti-depressants such as SSRI’s, or better known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. There must be a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy. This is because these two must support one another.
• Support groups are usually the most basic forms of treatment. Many people are capable of responding to treatment. However, some more severe cases require treatment that is more serious.

Patients should understand some things. Many people hope to be cured through therapy alone. Before the beginning of every program, people should understand that it is not a simple journey. Patients with bulimia nervosa should know that they could try several therapies before making a breakthrough. In addition to this, there are chances of relapsing, one should not give up or lose hope. There is a need to work hard and get as much support from those around you.

Eating disorders like this one are becoming prevalent in the society. There is a need to prevent this condition as soon as you see the signs and symptoms. This is because complications such as dental cavities, pancreatitis, swelling of the throat, hemorrhoids and electrolyte imbalances. These serious issues are potentially harmful to you and your body. With bulimia nervosa, prevention is better than cure. There is an urgent need for people to learn about this disorder. This is to enable people to take better preventive measures. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. It is important to take all the steps and measures to prevent this life threatening condition to creep in our lives.

]]> http://www.the-diet-plans.com/bulimia-nervosa/feed/ 0 http://www.the-diet-plans.com/anorexia-nervosa/ http://www.the-diet-plans.com/anorexia-nervosa/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 13:13:06 +0000 Kennykjtan http://www.the-diet-plans.com/?p=1094

What is Anorexia Nervosa

Everybody in the world has different eating habits. It is always wise to have proper eating habits depending upon the weather and climate where you live that will lead to a healthy lifestyle. The difficult part is keeping up the diet when you have a busy life. The present day world is so fast paced that even small children are forced to eat junk food. This also leads to eating disorders. The eating disorders may intrude at any stage of life. But the disorders are most common in women. The eating habits also depend on the culture and tradition of the country. Almost all the eating tradition leads to healthy dietary habits. But many people break the system and suffer from eating disorders. Even the eating habits from childhood may lead to disorders.

There are many disorders and is important to know what the eating disorders are. These disorders can become quite dangerous when not taken care of. Anorexia Nervosa is one of the most well-known eating disorders. The people with this disorder lose their weight drastically. Usually the people lose more weight than they really should. The dietary habits are similar to the Starvation Diet. The Starvation Diet also leads to many complications in the metabolism. Anorexia may lead to permanent dysfunction of the uterus as it can lead to irregular menstrual cycles. This is also considered an emotional disorder/psychiatric disorder. This disorder is most common in the women in cosmopolitan and metropolitan cities where the self-esteem is often related to the slim physique. This disorder usually does not occur before puberty. Sometimes this disorder becomes chronic if not cured properly.

Main causes of Anorexia Nervosa:

Anorexia Nervosa is not dependent on a single cause or factor, but can also include many of them as well. The causes include any of the following:

• Genetic and hormonal factors: Genetic factor causes Anorexia Nervosa. The genetic factors may contribute to the susceptibility to Anorexia Nervosa. Chromosome 1p gene may have the susceptibility to Anorexia Nervosa.
• Attitudes of society which encourages thin bodies: Almost all types of societies in the world encourage a thin body. This may be one of the causes of Anorexia Nervosa.
• Brain dysfunction: Hypothalamus may be another reason for Anorexia Nervosa. Hypothalamus controls and retards certain process of metabolism. This may lead to this disorder.
• Some studies have found out that neurotransmitter imbalances causes Anorexia Nervosa.
• Depressive symptoms of a mother may lead to improper feeding to infants. This may also lead to the eating disorder.
• Perfectionism and poor self-image in people lead to this eating disorder.
• Childhood abuse.

Factors of Risk:

• Intensive dieting
• Drastic weight loss
• Living in industrialized places.
• Overstressed.
• Sexual abuse history.
• Sudden situation changes.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa:

Spotting symptoms is the first step to curing this particular disorder. Spotting symptoms and diagnosing the Anorexia Nervosa is very difficult because the people refuse to accept the fact they have it and do not show symptoms or signs that might lead others to know there is a problem. They act as if they are equally energetic to normal people. But by close observation the symptoms can be found out. What to look for:

• Severe Apprehension of increasing weight even though he/she is underweight.
• Missing periods continuously three months. This is also known as amenorrhea.
• The persons usually refuse to accept the problem of being underweight.
• The persons normally do not want to gain even normal weight.

Symptoms can be divided into 2 categories:

• Psychological symptoms:

  • Underweight leads to severe depression.
  • Disrupted sleep and morning fatigue.
  • Irritable and upset for simple reasons.
  • Concentration decrease and less attentive.
  • Irrational thinking about eating rituals. They transfer high calorie food to others.
  • Personality disorders, mood disorders etc.
  • Exercise many times in a day.

• Physiological changes:

  • Low blood pressure.
  • Abdominal ache and constipation.
  • Changes in menstrual cycle.
  • Drastic increase or decrease in urination.
  • Reduced bone density. This may lead to fracture.
  • Flaky skin with yellow tinge. Tooth loss.
  • Distorted body shape.
  • Leads to death in 10% of the patients.

Types of Anorexia Nervosa:

● Binge eating: The person eats food more than three or four times and does self-induced vomiting. The person also does frequent enema, diuretics etc. Passing motion immediately after the food intake.
● Restricting type: Here the person restricts the food continuously. The person may also refuse to eat while in groups.

Outcome or results of Anorexia Nervosa:

This may lead to suicide. Drug addiction or increase intake of alcohol can lead to new complications. Increased rate of depression. May lead to Bulimia Nervosa, another eating disorder. May lead to obsessive personality disorder.

Tests to be done for the sufferers:

● Bone density test
● ECG
● Liver tests
● Total protein tests.
● Thyroid tests.
● Albumin
● Urinalysis.
● Tests to find out kidney functioning.

Treatment

Treatment is the most difficult part because the whole family must encourage and be involved in the treatment. The treatment includes behavioral therapy, medical therapy and inducing drugs.

● Talk therapy is given. This is also known as cognitive behavioral therapy. This is done with the whole family including the patient. Here the patients are told to follow a routine of food intake. The family is advised to take care of the patient and administer drugs at the right time in correct dosages.
● Frequent reporting is encouraged to keep up the records and improvements.
● Antidepressants such as Selective reuptake inhibitors are given.
● Antipsychotics such as Zyprexa, zydus are given.
● Better results can be expected in young girls rather than old women.
● Group therapy may be given for some people. Group therapy helps to motivate each other in the group.
● Nutritional education and healthy diet intake chart are provided.

Future

Anorexia Nervosa is fully curable. But in some people there are chances of getting it once again. So the people with this disorder should not change their habits. They should be very careful as the tendency of skipping meals is very common in the people who affected from this disorder. Especially women are affected by this. Many women have more tendencies to skip meals and reduce the amount than men.

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