Thursday 23 May 2013

Carbs. Eating 3 servings a day has been linked to lower blood cholesterol and reduce risk of heart disease




I have been going to the gym 2 to 3 times a week, I have seen my body shape improving but at the same time I have been getting heavier. I know it is because I am putting muscle on but it is really very disheartening so I have decided to join slimming world. I started Tuesday and since then I have been eating Jacket potato's  and pasta, this is everything that people tell you not to eat as they are carbs and carbs are bad for you, so I decided to do some digging regarding this and this is what I have found.

Doctors and dietitians are saying that eating carbs should be part of our healthy diet. Carbohydrates are whole grains, fruit and vegetables and carbs are also present in milk and dairy products.
Nutritionist Juliette Kellow says "Carbs are our friends" especially if we are dieting because they're less energy dense than fat. "If we chosse wholegrain or 'brown' ones which come packaged with fibre they help ius to feel full too. "However many carb-rich foods such as cakes, chocolate, crisps and biscuits also contain a lot of fat and therefore a lot of calories. (These foods I have to avoid)
"Processed carbs including sugary cereals and white bread, rice and pasta, are stripped of vitamins, minerals and fibre so are less satisfying than wholegrain varieties".

Whole grains contain all parts of the grain: the germ, endosperm and bran. When grains are milled or refined the germ and bran are extracted removing a large amount of nutrients and fibre.
That's why products made from these refined carbs are sometimes called "processed" carbs. Milling whole grains to make wholdgrain or wholemeal flour means none of the goodness of the grain is lost. They provide carbohydrates, fibre, protein, B Vitamins, minerals, plant-based antioxidant phytochemicals and are low in fat. Eating 3 servings a day has been linked with lower blood cholesterol and a reduced risk of heart disease.
A diet rich in whole grains can also reduce the chances of a strode, bowel cancer, asthma and gum disease and lower blodd pressure.

Glycaemic index or GI is a scale from 0-100 that measures the rate of digestion and the body's glycaemic or blood glucose response to foods.
GI is a good indicator of the foods to keep blood sugar levels stable . The GI of a food is affected by many things such as the types of fibre, fat and starch it contains and size of the particles. "Low-GI foods (under 55) are digested more slowly so our blood glucose rises accordingly and stays high for longer" say's Azmina Govindji from the British Dietetic Association. "This helps us to feel full and keeps ur mood and energy levels more stable"

Cooking with good grains:

Barley: A good source of fibre and selenuim, needed for a healthy immune system, it has a nutty flavour similar to brown rice. Add to soups.

Bulgur: Made from boiled, dried and cracked wholewheat dernels, this is a middle Eastern staple. Try it in salads and stuffings

Couscous: Soaked until fluffy then mixed with glavourings, this grain is a great alternative to pasta and rice. Try out the wholewheat variety which has more fibre and protein.

Millet: Gluten-free and with high levels of B vitamins and magnesium, millet is popular in Indian recipes such as pilafs. Use in baking or eat it as a cereal in puffed or flaked form.

Oats: The most popular whole grain and a good source of soluble fibre. Go beyond porridge and try oats in smoothies, bread and cakes.

Quinoa: A complete protein containing all 8 essential amino acids, it's also gluten-free, easy to digest and packed with dietary fibre, magnesium and iron. Use as an alternative to rice and in stuffings and salads.

Rye: Naturally lower in gluten than wheat, tye produces close-textured loaves. Try Scandinavian-style breads such as pumpernickel.

Spelt: Higher in protein than ordinary wheat, this ancient grain is also a good source of vitamin B2, needed to realease energy. Use it instead of rice in risottos or try it tossed into salads.

http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/lifestyle_analysis.htm

Thursday 9 May 2013

Pupula Duplex or double pupil...




Pupula Duples is latin for double pupil. It is thought that a person develops two irises, corneas and retinas on the same eyeball of each eye. It is extremely rare, some people believe this it is simply mythological but a few  people have been born with the condition and even historical figures were born with the condition.A chinese emperor Liu Ch'ung featured in Ripleys believe it or not. It is though this is the result of a genetic defect or mutation.It is not harmful to a persons general health. This condition has not been studied as it is very rare.
When light enters the eye it passes through the cornea. The cornea helps your eye to focus. The light approaches the other side of the cornea (aqueous humor) then passes through the pupil or the iris. The iris contracts or dialates depending on the amount of light. The light travels through the lens that is responsible for focusing the light. The focused light is then transported to the center of the eye called vitreous which is surrounded by the retina.The light is picked up by the photo receptors in the retina. Signals are sent from the photo receptors to the optic nerve where it is translated into electromagnetic signal, it is then sent to the visual center of the brain for processing.
A person who has pupula Duplex may be able to increase the volume of information that is taken when he sees, the focus may also be improved.



Wednesday 8 May 2013

What toxins we should be looking out for



I really wanted to share this wonderful information with you, Its 
from Marlene Watson-Tara 
Ever wonder what’s really in the food sold at grocery stores around the world? People keep asking, “What ingredients should I avoid?” So here is a short list that covers all the most toxic and disease-promoting ingredients in the food supply. These are the substances causing cancer, diabetes, heart disease and leading to tens of billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs across America (and around the world).

Acrylamides
Toxic, cancer-causing chemicals formed in foods when carbohydrates are exposed to high heat (baking, frying, and grilling). They’re present in everything from bread crusts to snack chips, and because they aren’t intentional ingredients, acrylamides do NOT have to be listed on labels.
Aspartame
This is a Chemical sweetener that causes neurological disorders, seizures, blurred vision and migraine headaches.
Autolyzed Proteins
Highly processed form of protein containing free glutamate and used to mimic the taste-enhancer chemical MSG.
BPA (Bisphenol-A)
A hormone mimicking chemical found in nearly all food packaging plastics. Active in just parts per billion, BPA promotes cancer, infertility and hormone disorders. It also “feminizes” males, promoting male breast growth and hormone disruption
Casein
Milk proteins! Hilariously, this is widely used in “soy cheese” products that claim to be alternatives to cow’s milk. Nearly all of them are made with cow’s milk proteins.
Corn Syrup
This is just another name for High Fructose Corn Syrup (see below). Frequently used in infant formula
Food Colours
FD&C Red #40, for example, is linked to behavioural disorders in children. Nearly all artificial food colours are derived from petroleum, and many are contaminated with aluminium.
Genetically Modified Ingredients
Nearly all conventionally grown corn, soy and cotton are GMOs. They’re linked to severe infertility problems and may even cause the bacteria in your body to produce and release a pesticide in your own gut. If you’re not eating organic corn, you’re definitely eating GMO corn.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
A highly processed liquid sugar extracted with the chemical solvent glutaraldehyde and frequently contaminated with mercury It’s also linked to diabetes, obesity and mood disorders. Used in thousands of grocery items, including things you wouldn’t suspect like pizza sauce and salad dressings.
Homogenized Milk
The fats in the milk are artificially modified to change them into smaller molecules that stay in suspension in the milk liquid (so the milk fat doesn’t separate). While it makes milk look better on the shelf, it’s also blamed for promoting heart disease and may contribute to milk allergies. Raw milk is healthier, which is why the government had outlawed it.
Hydrochloride
When you see anything hydrochloride, such as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride or Thiamine Hydrochloride, those are chemical forms of B vitamins that companies add to their products to be able to claim higher RDA values of vitamins. But these are synthetic, chemical forms of vitamins, not real vitamins from foods or plants. Nutritionally, they are near-useless and may actually be bad for you. Also watch out for niacinamide and cyanocobalamin (synthetic vitamin B-12).
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
This is a highly processed form of (usually) soy protein that’s processed to bring out the free glutamate (MSG). Used as a taste enhancer.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils
These are oils that are modified using a chemical catalyst to make them stable at room temperature. This creates trans fatty acids and greatly increases the risk of blocked arteries). It also promotes what should be termed as “sludge blood,” which is thick, viscous blood that’s hard to pump. This is usually diagnosed by doctors as “high blood pressure” and (stupidly) treated with blood-thinning medications that are technically the same chemicals as rat poison (warfarin)
Phosphoric Acid
The acid used in sodas to dissolve the carbon dioxide and add to the overall fizzy-ness of the soda. Phosphoric acid will eat steel nails. It’s also used by stone masons to etch rocks. The military uses it to clean the rust off battleships. It absolutely destroys tooth enamel. Search Google Images for “Mountain Dew Mouth” to see photos of teeth rotted out by phosphoric acid:
Propylene Glycol
A liquid used in the automotive industry to winterize RVs. It’s also used to make the fake blueberries you see in blueberry muffins, bagels and breads. (Combined with artificial colours and corn syrup.)
Sodium (Salt)
The processed white salt lacking in trace minerals. In the holistic nutrition industry, it is called “death salt” because it promotes disease. Real salt, on the other hand, such as “dirty” sea salt or pink Himalayan salt, is loaded with the trace minerals that prevent disease, such as selenium (cancer), chromium (diabetes) and zinc (infectious disease). Much like with bread and sugar, white salt is terrible for your health. And don’t be fooled by claims of “sea salt” in grocery stores. All salt came from the sea if you go far back enough in geologic time, so they can slap the “sea salt” claim on ANY salt!
Sodium Nitrite
A cancer-causing red colouring chemical added to bacon, hot dogs, sausage, beef jerky, ham, lunch meats, pepperoni and nearly all processed meats. Strongly linked to brain tumours, pancreatic cancers and colon cancers. The USDA once tried to ban it from the food supply but was out-manoeuvred by the meat industry, which now dominates USDA regulations. Sodium nitrite is a complete poison used to make meats look fresh. Countless children die of cancer each year from sodium nitrite-induced cancers.
Soy Protein
The No. 1 protein source used in “protein bars,” including many bars widely consumed by bodybuilders. Soy protein is the “junk protein” of the food industry. It’s made from genetically modified soybeans (often grown in China) and then subjected to hexane, a chemical solvent that can literally explode.
Sucralose
An artificial chemical sweetener sold as Splenda. The sucralose molecule contains a chlorine atom. Researchers have repeatedly found that artificial sweeteners make people fat by actually promoting weight gain
Sugar
The bleached nutritionally deficient by product of can processing. During sugar cane processing, nearly all the minerals and vitamins end up in the blackstrap molasses that’s usually fed to farm animals. Blackstrap molasses is actually the ‘good’ part of sugar cane juice. Molasses is often fed to farm animals because every rancher knows that farm animals need good nutrition to stay alive. Amazingly, conventional doctors don’t yet realise this about humans, and they continue to claim that eating sugar is perfectly fine for you. Sugar promotes diabetes, obesity, mood disorders and nutritional deficiencies.
Textured Vegetable Protein
TVP is usually made of soy protein which is extracted from genetically modified soybeans and then processed using hexane, an explosive chemical solvent (see protein above). TVP is widely used in vegetarian foods such as veggie burgers (most of which also contain MSG or Yeast Extract by the way.
Yeast Extract
Hidden form of MSG that contains free glutamate and is used in many ‘natural foods’ products to claim NO MSG. Yeast extract contains up to 14% free glutamate. You’ll find it in thousands of grocery store products, from soups to snacks and crisps.
Food Label Tricks
Here’s a trick food companies frequently used to pack more sugar into their products without making sugar look like the first ingredient’. Ingredients labels, you see, must list the most prominent ingredients first, and some consumers might freak out of they saw a box of cereal that said ‘Sugar, whole grain wheat, corn’ and so on…. Instead the company uses 3 or 4 different forms of sugar to distribute them farther down the label like this:
‘Whole grain wheat, sugar, corn syrup, corn syrup solids…..this way, the first ingredient looks like ‘whole grain wheat’ when, in reality, the cereal might be over 50% sugars.
How to buy honest food! 
Shop at your local farmer’s market, food co-op or natural food stores. Look for organic labels certified by the soil association. This is a legitimate claim to being certified organic. Read the Ingredients Labels. If you see names of chemical you cannot pronounce, don’t buy it. Buy more unprocessed food ingredients and make your own meals rather than buying ready-to-eat, processed foods, which are almost universally formulated with disease promoting ingredients. Grow some of your own food! The best food you can ever eat is food from your own garden.


Tuesday 7 May 2013

A natural approach to enhancing energy and fitness





A natural approach to enhancing Energy and Fitness, Just a small part of a comprehensive range of natural supplements.

Good nutrition and athletic performance go hand in hand. When we strive to achieve excellence and endurance our bodies need the support of  a daily diet that is high in good quality nutrition so that the body has all the elements it needs to stay fit, repair damage and build muscle.
Many athletes have come to realise that to achieve peak performance our bodies require more than the average daily diet can provide, and this is where nutritional supplements from Nature's Sunshine fit in.
When we look at combining optimum nutrition with keeping fit, the benefits are obvious. The extra nutrients provided can be put to great use in supporting your exercise programme and helping you achieve your goals. Supplements can keep you going for longer, help protect you from oxidative stress, and get you back on your feet following illness or injury.

Liquid chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that harness the sun's energy in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll performs metabolic functions in plants such as respiration and growth. The mulberry and the alfalfa plant are excellent sources of chlorophyll.
Preservative free liquid chlorophyll has a paraben-free formula that uses all natural vegetable source glycerine.  Glycerine is not a true preservative, but a stabilising component that acts to inhibit the growth of microbes.http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/liquid_chlorophyll_(473ml)

Everflex, our bodies are made to be active, so it's really important to find forms of exercise that you enjoy, and just half and hour every day will make a big difference.As we age, our ability to stay flexible in physical movement can decline. Wear and tear and old injuries can eventually lead to stiff and painful joint, but steps can be taken to help maintain fitness and well-being. Everflex offers combined benefits of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM in one convenient tablet. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/everflex_tablets_(60)

Chinese herb and mineral blend, East meets West NS combines the finest source of at least 64 liquid trace minerals with time-honoured Chinese herbs, a special blend of tonic herbs and a full spectrum of natural trace minerals extracted from the plant vegetation of an ancient seabed, a balance of minerals produced by nature. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/chinese_herb_and_mineral_blend

When the body becomes deficient in energy producing fuel, it breaks down muscle protein to create energy. This process can cause fatigue and other problems. Researchers have found that many people with this type of discomfort respond to supplements containing malic acid and magnesium, the ingredients in magnesium. malic acid plays and improtant role in producing energy for the cells and helping with the absorption of several other vitamins and minerals. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/magnesium


Three major factors that contribute to circulatory problems are hypertension, high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the bloodstream, and smoking. Other factors include obesity, heredity and emotional stress. Mega-chel includes vitamins A C and E along with trace mineral selenium, these help to prevent important molecules and structures within the cell from reacting with oxygen, which often injures the cell structure. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/mega-chel_(120)_key_product

Skeletal strength provides nutrients the body uses to manufacture bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and skin. These nutrients counteract many of the forces that deplete the structural system of strength and flexibility under mechanical stress and the ability to replenish the blood supply. The supplement also contains plant extracts that aid absorption and contain other important nutrients. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/skeletal_strength_(60)_key_product

Solstic blend of natural, energy releasing ingredients give added stamina without risk. Each serving contains only 12 calories, 3g of carbohydrates and no fat. It provides an excellent range of B vitamins has no pharmaceutical grade caffeine and has a low glycaemic index. Solstic energy offers you a remarkable taste, packs tremendous energy and delivers health and vitality.  http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/solstic_energy_(30)_4-pack

The body needs Omega-3 EFA's to manufacture and repair cell membranes, enabling cells to obtain optimum nutriton. Each capsule of Super Omega essential fatty acids have been found beneficial for the nervous, skeletal, cardiovascular glandular and immune system. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/super_omega-3_epa_(60).htm

Super supplemental provides a balanced profile of 23 vitamins and minerals essential for good health, blended into a base of plant extracts to aid their absorption. Many of these nutrients support healthy circulation including iron to aid oxygen uptake, antioxidants to help rotect against oxidative stress, and magnesium to aid relaxation of the blood vessel walls. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/super_supplemental_vits_mins_(120)

Synerprotein is a powerful protein supplement designed by Dr James Scala, nutritionist to NASA and the US Olympic team. Each serving provides the full range of amino acids and nutrients needed to rebuild muscle, reduce feelings of fatigue, soreness and weakness after exercise. It can also be used to help rebalance blood sugar and as an occasional meal replacement. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/synerprotein_original_(448g)

Zambroza is a great tastin antioxidant supplement, formulated with the most protent antioxidant fruits from all over the world. The potency of antioxidants is measured by their ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) which indicates their ability to neutralise and scavenge free radicals. When independently tested Zamvrozas ORAC score (51,939) was twice that of the next closest competitor, demonstrating its superior protective properties.http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/zambroza_(458ml)

Zinc is used for the normal maintenance of bones, hair, skin, vision and the normal function of the immune system. It is used for protein synthesis and it also maintains the normal metabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids, macro nutrients and vitamin A, Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function, normal fertility and reproduction and the maintenance of normal serum testosterone concentrations. http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/zinc_15mg_(120)

TNT is a high-fibre, low glycaemic, carbohydrate drink containing essential nutrients for muscle development and general health. One serving provides more nutrients than a kilo of vegetables, including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, helping to replenish stores of glycogen and providing a source of long lasting energy.http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/tnt_(532g).htm


Monday 6 May 2013

Ginkgo Biloba extract - What can it do for you???






Ginkgo Biloba extract in time-release is a great supplement, research suggests that the extract from the leaves of the oldest tree on earth supports the memory function. Ginkgo Biloba is a powerful free radical scavenger, ginkgo also supports blood circulation to the brain, optimizing the amount of oxygen supplied to brain cells. 
Ginkgo Biloba was first  used in China medicinally over 5000 years ago
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is really popular in Europe, it has been the subject of scientific research for a few years.
Ginkgo Biloba helps improve oxygen metabolism in the brain, which may explain its benefits in the areas of memory attention span and mood in early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
May support optimal blood circulation to the brain, increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to brain cells
Stimulates the central nervous system and the entire vascular system to increase energy and circulation.
May help return elasticity to cholesterol-hardened blood vessels. Possesses powerful antioxidant properties with the ability to scavenge free radicals in the brain. The brain and cetral nervous system are particularly susceptible to free radical attack, making ginkgo all the more valuable.
Just 1 tablet a day is all you need.




What are the benefits of capsicum, garlic and parlsey??










Capsicum, Garlic and Parsley helps to maintain the body,
It helps to support the circulation, 
It helps to regulate the glandular system
Provides extra energy
Helps to maintain blood pressure levels already in the normal range.

Capsicum is one of the hottest spices. The natural compound it contains has powers so remarkable that capsicum is used to enhance or carry the nutrients of other herbs throughout the body. It  has been used to boost the circulation and to help cleanse the body. 

Garlic is wonderful it is high in sulfur  it helps the body with  most of the key systems I talk about, the digestive, respiratory, immune and circular as well as helping the glandular system. Garlic is so good that it can't be limited to a single category of nutrients.

DID YOU KNOW:- It is believed that in Egyptian times Garlic had an immunizing power, 1000's of workers took this herb to help them complete such a large task.

As we all know Parsley helps to neutralize garlic odour.
 

Thursday 2 May 2013

Alfalfa "father of herbs"




http://www.tmnaturehealth.co.uk/alfalfa_(100)



Arabs called it the “father of herbs.” They fed alfalfa to their horses claiming it made the animals swift and strong.
Alfalfa’s roots grow 20 feet deep or more, providing the plant with a rich source of nutrients not always found at the ground’s surface. It is a perennial herb that grows throughout the world in a variety of climates.
The leaves of the alfalfa are rich in trace minerals and important nutrients, such as protein (containing eight essential amino acids), calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin K, and carotene.
Alfalfa has been used by the Chinese since the 6th century to treat kidney stones and relieve fluid retention and swelling. Alfalfa is a good laxative and a natural diuretic. It is useful for urinary tract infections, and kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders, pituitary gland functioning and has some anti-fungal properties. Alfalfa has alkalizing properties and helps to detox the liver.



Antioxidant that can help prostate health, vision, immune function + many more








Natural health enthusiasts have focused for years on beta-carotene, a carotenoid found naturally in fish oil, carrots and other sources. Its antioxidant properties make it a boon to overall health. But many members of the carotenoid family have been shown to have a positive influence on health. For example, lycopene supports prostate health, lutein offers a variety of health benefits (see above), zeaxanthin supports immune function, and so on.
Although individual carotenoids offer distinctive health benefits, their synergistic effects when blended may increase their potency and range of benefits.



Benefits
• Quenches dangerous free radicals.
• Supports prostate health (lycopene).
• Supports vision and helps protect against UV damage to the eyes and skin (lutein).
• Supports immune function (zeaxanthin).
• Supports the heart and circulatory system.



Nature's Sunshine Advantage
Nature's Sunshine has created a special blend of carotenoids mimicking the ratios in which they are found in body tissues.


Scientific Information
Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a reduced risk of many diseases, including heart disease, eye and skin conditions, joint problems as well as some degenerative diseases. The pigments responsible for the coloration of these fruits and vegetables appear to offer a host of protective benefits to the body. Many of these pigments are found in Carotenoid Blend.

Each capsule of Carotenoid blend contains 80% of the E.C. RDA of Vitamin A as beta-carotene (4000IU). Other carotenoids included are betacarotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, phytoene, phytofluene and astaxanthin.