Thursday, 9 April 2015

6 Signs You Should Invest In Best Weight Loss Supplement

It comes as no surprise that the number of overweight and obese people are increasing by the dozen, around the world. What is surprising is the rate at which this increase is coming into play and the fact that our children are also being affected in large numbers by obesity. The WHO estimates show an increase of an estimated 700 million obese people by the year end.
The available options for losing weight are many in the market, the decision to use them rests with us. Among the options available, weight loss supplements feature higher up in the list. We tell you the six signs why you should be investing in weight loss supplements:

Sign # 1 – Obesity - First and foremost, the reason why you should be investing in a weight loss supplement is obesity. It is not only about the unfavorable physical attributes and the low self-image that you have to live with. But, obesity results in a lot of diseases - high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, diabetes, sugar, etc. are some diseases caused as a result of obesity and can be life threatening.

Sign # 2 - Poor weight management - Obesity is a result of poor weight management. The fluctuations in weight are because of three major reasons which are diet, movement and nutrition.

Sign # 3- Energy loss - Loss of energy increases the risk of depression, blood circulation and results in insomnia. The loss of energy may be due to slow metabolism and low rate of burning of fat in the body. Weight loss supplement helps increase the rate of metabolism in the body and burns the unnecessary fat. This results in increase of energy levels.

Sign # 4 - Fluctuating blood pressure - Even when your body isn’t visibly fat, the stress of your lifestyle can lead to hypertension. The fluctuating blood pressure is a sign of what is coming. The irregularities in health are a result of an irregular and undisciplined lifestyle which can take its toll.

Sign # 5 - When tests are not in your favor - The ‘beyond 30’ part of our lives need regular medical checkups as an assurance that we are doing fine.  Changes in our cholesterol, glucose, thyroid hormones, etc. suggest that a modification in our diet is necessary. Weight loss supplements and a regular diet not only help us lose weight, but also regularize our diet.

Sign # 6 - When you need a change of wardrobe - Last but not the least, when you see that you need to revamp your wardrobe because you don’t fit into your favorite clothes anymore, it’s time to put yourself on weight loss supplements.

5 Ways in Which Yoga Benefits

India is often touted as the land of the Taj Mahal, Yoga and Bollywood. While we do know that the country has more to offer than that, Yoga is definitely one of the best things to have come from India for the fitness conscious.

#1 Many a celebrities have opted for Yoga to lose weight. Soorya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) is one of the most common Yoga postures that help in losing weight. It doesn't just lead to loss of weight, but also contributes to an overall fitness and building of muscles. As a result, the body becomes stronger and fitter.

#2 Yoga doesn’t discriminate, it is for all. Whether you are a child, young or old, yoga can be done by one and all. It's great to practice the art of Yoga with a room that has a diverse group of people. Whether you are an athlete, a celebrity or a housewife, Yoga is for all.

#3 The many faces of yoga include power yoga, hot yoga, relaxation, yoga etc. Whatever is the need of the hour, you can pick a tailor made yoga regime that best helps you. For instance Hatha yoga is for beginners and focuses on basic postures. Power yoga is great for those who need strength and body resistance.

#4 As mentioned, the power yoga increases the body resistance and hence the overall immunity of the body. The postures in Yoga are not just meant to make you look good but also make you feel good. They help in increasing the flexibility of the body. Every posture in Yoga aims to reinforce the muscles around the center of the body, which is the spine. The spine is often called the core from which everything in our body operates. It is only imperative that if the core of the body will improve the posture of the body and alleviate pain like that of neck, shoulder and back.

#5 The Panda spent the entire movie finding inner peace and we don’t have to look far. Yoga not only helps in gaining inner peace but also relieves us from stress, which get accumulated in our body and mind. Pranayama and meditation are two of the most popular Yoga postures that are taught to attain the same. Opting for Yoga as a stress buster, is like taking a road trip or a mini vacation, within ourselves. It is as liberating.

Saturday, 4 April 2015

5 Reasons to be Addicted to Health Supplements

Food is the essence of life as we get all the necessary nutrients from it. Researchers and medical practitioners believe that there is no substitute for food and rightly so. But the truth is that our busy lifestyle and habits don’t put the needed nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B 12 etc. on the plate.

Numerous studies have inferred the benefits of health supplements. The effectiveness of supplementing our diet with these nutrients has also evidently benefited people. For instance, vitamin and mineral supplements have helped in fighting chronic illnesses that could have otherwise remain unavoidable.

So who really needs to be addicted to health supplements? We list out 5 types of people who should be addicted to health supplements

1) Women - In addition to a balanced diet, pregnant women also need additional quantities of folic acid from supplements. They should also take prenatal vitamins that include iron. Besides, pregnant women, women who have heavy menstrual bleeding should also opt for health supplements to maintain their energy levels and avoid depletion of vital nutrients (like iron) from their body.

2) Adults over the age of 50 needs multivitamins and additional vitamin B-12 in their diet which can be supplemented through health supplements.

3) If you consume less than 1600 calories a day and don’t eat well, you require health supplements.

4) Vegetarians and Vegans - Vegetarians and vegans do not get the necessary dose of protein and are hence advised to take supplements. Also, people who do not like fish should opt for health supplements.  Fish contains essential fatty acids and proteins which are vital to the body. If you do not like fish and not have regular serving of the same, it is advised to add fish oil to your diet.

5) Have a chronic illness that affects the absorption of nutrients by your body. Illnesses such as food allergies, food intolerance, disease of the liver or the pancreas etc.

A nutritional expert or a coach will help you get the right kind of health supplement in your body. The FDA (The Food and Drug Administration) keeps a list of health supplements that have undergone review and are known to cause side effects. We must stay updated with the list and only take supplements that are FDA approved and also suggested by an authorized practitioner like a dietary expert or a doctor.

Friday, 3 April 2015

3 Easy Ways to Get started on the Road to Good Health

Simple changes, go a long way. It is not only applicable to the world at a larger level, but also for a healthy living. Lifestyle medicine, as experts call it, are simple changes made in our diet, exercise and managing stress, that is the key to a lifelong good health.  There are many manageable ways to take care of ones’ health and we are here to list them out for you.

You can either hire a nutritionist later in your life to shed those extra pounds and get back to shape, or simply follow these 3 easy ways that will help you stay in good health.

1) Eat Right- Pick food over supplements, but make sure you are picking the right food. You should aim for at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits a day. Raw, steamed or stir fried, have it your way. As far as vegetables and fruits go, you can eat it in small portions. You not only have a reduced risk of cancers, but also other health diseases related to heart, stomach, esophagus, colon, lung and pancreas. The most powerful phytonutrients can only be found in food such as broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, grapes and leafy vegetables. What, when and how much you eat can not only help you stay healthy, but also increases your metabolism and energy levels. A 5-meal (with small portions) a day plan helps you achieve the same.

2) Get some exercise- Walking and running are the most basic exercises one can get. If your busy schedule doesn’t permit you to frequent a gym, just get your exercise the easy way. Don’t keep sitting in front of a laptop for long hours, walk after every meal, climb stairs instead of taking the elevators, go for a morning/evening jog/walk. Studies show that even 10 minutes of exercise make a difference. Sign up for a swing dance lesson or a zoomba class, and make exercise more fun!

3) Get a good night’s sleep- a good 8-10 hours of sleep is required to rejuvenate the brain. If you have trouble sleeping, try relaxation techniques like meditation, therapy tapes or a nice spa. Sometimes a glass of warm milk with a nice hot water bath also helps you relax. A bedtime snack is also shown to push your body towards sleep mode. Snacks like oatmeal, chamomile tea or cherries, help your body to relax and switch on the sleep mode.

Thursday, 2 April 2015

10 Ways Health Supplements Can Help You Live to 100

Health supplements have become the necessity of the day. While there is nothing like a balanced nutritional diet, our lifestyle and daily stress make it hard for us to keep our diets in check. Supplements help us to get the much needed nutrients in our body that not only help us in the longevity of life but also help us in leading a healthy life.
Here are 10 ways in which supplements can help one live a long and healthy life:

1) Increases immunity - There are researches that support the decrease of immunity with age. The elderly are more likely to contract infections and diseases than the younger lot. There are a number of vitamins and minerals that have an immune boosting potential. To name a few Vitamins like A, B2, B6, C, D and E and minerals such as Zinc and Selenium acts as immunity booster. Herbs (like aloe Vera) and natural supplements like garlic, ginseng, Echinacea and probiotics also serve the same purpose.

2) Reduce the risk of diseases - Vitamins such as vitamin C are known to keep the cold and flu away. Some vitamins also help in prevention of cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer.

3) Increases bone density and reduces the risk of fractures - Vitamin D and Calcium supplements help in improving the bone density and strength, which reduces the risk of fractures.

4) Boost energy and beat stress – Coupled with a healthy diet, supplements accentuate the capacity for energy intake and also helps in beating stress.

5) Muscle power - Muscle building supplements help in building muscle mass and hence makes you fitter.

6) Multivitamins, the inexpensive insurance policy - Apart from reducing the risk of many diseases, supplements also help reduce the ill effects of diseases that are a part of your system. Example, Omega 3 fatty acids that are found in fish can be taken by vegetarians who have diabetes or high level of cholesterol.

7) Necessary for pregnant woman - Supplements are necessary for women between the age of 30-55 or while they are pregnant. While specific doses of iron and folic acid helps prevent many diseases in the child, it also helps in developing brain functions.

8) Reduce wrinkles - Tired of spending money on lotions and creams that don’t work? Here is how you can get that wrinkle-free glowing skin. Scientists have found topical collagen supplements to be a good supplement that reduce wrinkles.

9) Helps to get in shape - Obesity leads to many diseases which can be avoided by simply being in shape. Certain supplements help to reduce fat and the bad cholesterol that leads to weight gain.

10) Hair raising truth - Certain vitamins help in prevention of hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Foliate and multivitamins such as biotin helps in hair growth.

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

One with a Sweet Tooth? Here is how you can still be One…

Sugar cause acne, sweets cause obesity, sweets leads to tooth decay and more! We have heard so many things that tell us to quit this habit. Curb the sweet tooth, but what if we told you that there are sweets (or sweet things) that also contribute to our good health?

Too much of anything is bad. If we have excess of nutrients in our body, they work against us as well. For instance, extra protein (from what our body needs) accumulates in our kidneys and may cause substantial damage to it. Sweets are no different to this rule. Sweets can be a part of a healthy diet only if you keep the portion in check. A wholesome diet with a nutritionist also includes a low calorific value sweet to complete a meal.

What is it that we can have in moderate amounts that can actually help our health and also satiate our craving for sweets?

Chocolate

The women will be happy to read this. An important antioxidant called flavonoids are present in chocolates. Antioxidants protect the body from aging by minimizing free radicals. The free radicals can also cause heart problems. While chocolate is a great source, it also contains added ingredients like fat, sugar etc. It is always better to develop a taste for dark chocolates than white chocolates. But then again, you can have chocolates in moderation to give your health the benefit.

Fruits

Mother Nature has given things to us in plentiful. One from her are fruits that not only keep us healthy, but satisfy our cravings. It is a natural sweet that is highly nutritious, so make it a natural choice of sweet. Grilled fruits like peaches, pineapple and bananas, can be topped with honey to give a sumptuous choice for a dessert. It is healthy and delicious.

Frozen treats

Ever had a fruit juice on a stick? Try freezing it and then having it! Use paper cups to freeze yogurt, fruits and juices and you will get a refreshing and healthy treat. The frozen yogurts available at reputed stores are also a great desert to have. Try making your own and load it with some nutritious nuts.

Popcorn treats

Caramelized popcorn or some with hot chocolate sauce are a great option. It's light in calories and easy to make as well. One can also have popcorn and dip it in honey for a more healthy option.

Do You Recognize These 5 Early Warning Signs of Accumulating Fat?

It happens to just everyone at some point in time. Our clothes don’t fit, we take a size higher in the trial room in stores and we feel the weighing scale is lying. All this is happening because there is a considerable increase in your weight. While most of us concentrate a lot more on how to lose the gained weight, the many diet plans, the diet pills and the excruciating exercise regimes, there is a simple way to avoid all of that. Recognizing the early warning signs of accumulating fat can help us to keep ourselves in check. 

Let us take you through them

1) Bloating- There is an increase in the number of cases of bloating. While some might just be bothersome, others can be because of serious reasons. Bloating should not be ignored and the early signs should be paid heed to, as they are a warning sign of fat accumulation as well. 

2) Lethargy- When your body begins to feel sore even though you haven’t involved yourself in a lot of physical activity that is one sign that your body is accumulating fat. Another tell-tale sign is if you also feel like taking a nap after every meal. Fat deposits decrease the metabolism of the body which in-turn burn the deposited fat at a slower rate. The slow rate of enzymatic reactions produces energy in small bouts, usually lesser than what is needed by the body.

3) Increasing waist and bust lines- When you get up in the morning, feel your stomach. Fat deposits target the waist and the bust first, since those are the areas in the body that have the least movement or exercise. One can find out whether the layer of fat on the waistline is thicker than the previous day by simply flexing the abdominal muscles. 

4) Constant back ache- As we gain weight (primarily on the waist line and bust) our body starts to lean forward naturally and messes up our posture. The back, thereby, automatically leans forward and experiences strain which leads to back ache.

5) Mirror Mirror on the wall- Vanity is a part of human existence and mirrors reflect that very nature of us. We can simply look into the mirror just more carefully, every time we look at it. The emergence of a double chin, the significant weight gain in the waist, bust and thigh muscles can be easily spotted by taking care of what you see every day in the mirror.