Foods that Detox Your Body & Mind

Keeping your body free of toxins, free radicals, and other nasty things that can end up in our insides is essentially to maintaining a healthy life.

These tasty eats will boost your mood, up your love life, and help you burn fat without trying.

 

                                                                                 Artichokes

Artichokes help the liver function at its best, which in turn will help your body purge itself of toxins and other things it doesn’t need to survive. It ups the liver’s production of bile, and since bile helps break down foods which helps your body use the nutrients inside them, an increase in bile production is typically a good thing.

Aside from all of the benefits to your liver, it’s also filled with fiber, protein, magnesium, folate, and potassium. It’s simply a good food to add to your diet in order to stay regular, stay healthy, and keep your liver happily doing its job.

 

                                                                                Asparagus

Despite being a tasty veggie asparagus ranks highly on the detox-o-meter. Not only does it help to detoxify the body, it can help you wage the anti-aging battle, protect you from getting cancer, help your heart to stay healthy, and is a general anti-inflammatory food.

It’s also known to help with liver drainage, which might sound like a bad thing, but since the liver is responsible for filtering out the toxic materials in the food and drinks we consume, anything that backs up its drainage is not doing you any favors.

 

                                                                                Avocados

Because of its fiber and antioxidant count this is a food that is making it onto more and more detox lists. At first many shied away from them because of they’re high in fat, but ever since the difference between good fats and bad fats become more commonly known, they are now getting the respect they deserve.

Don’t think that the guacamole you can add to your meal at a fast food restaurant for 50 cents more is going to do the detox trick. Opt for organic avocados and consume them without any other ingredients to get the full benefit of their healthy content.

 

                                                                                 Beets

You may only see beets when you order a Greek salad, but you should make a bigger effort to include them into your regular menu, and definitely pick some up if you’re going on a detox diet. There are so many different benefits to them, it’s easy to see why they are often mentioned as a super food.

When you’re detoxing they will help by making sure that the toxins you’re getting out actually make it out of your body. Many detox cleanses go wrong when toxins are reintroduced to the body because they don’t make it all the way out. Beets also help with free-radicals, making them an anti-cancer aid.

 

                                                                                 Broccoli

You’re probably sick of seeing broccoli show up all over the place whenever health food is mentioned. But that’s only because it packs a nutritional punch in a mini-tree shaped vegetable. Why does it belong on your detox food shopping list? It specifically works with the enzymes in your liver to turn toxins into something your body can eliminate easily.

If you’re stuck for ways on how to make broccoli taste better try changing up the way you cook it, or consider eating it raw. But don’t microwave it or it won’t have the same detox properties.

 

                                                                                Cabbage

Don’t let the fad Cabbage Soup Detox Diet throw you off course with this helpful vegetable. Like most things that go viral this diet has some truth to it, but you don’t have to go to extremes. Cabbage helps your liver with the byproduct being lower cholesterol, so there is more than one reason to include this cruciferous vegetable.

In addition to cleansing your liver cabbage will also aid in helping you go to the bathroom, which in turn helps you expel the toxins, getting them out of your system so you can start fresh.

 

                                                                                 Ginger

This is one root whose medicinal value dates back to ancient Chinese civilizations, and one that is still believed to offer many health benefits. Often used in a tea or other drink, you can add it to the meals you make as well. It is thought to help the liver function, and has some astringent properties.

Some detox diets ask you to chew on ginger root. You may also find that adding it to hot water makes the water taste better. Basically any way you can think of it get it into your system is going to be beneficial, especially if you’re suffering from a fatty liver caused by too much alcohol, or too many toxic foods and drinks.

 

                                                                                   Garlic

Many detox diets list garlic as a crucial piece of the puzzle. The reason is that garlic boosts up the immune system as well as helping out the liver. One good thing about garlic is that you can up your intake of it without having to worry if your body is going to get used to it or build up a resistance.

One other positive aspect is that it can help to add flavor to otherwise bland foods that you’ll be eating on your detox program. But if you don’t like the taste of garlic you can still get its benefits because it comes in supplement form.

 

                                                                             Grapefruit

The fiber and the nutrient-rich juices in a grapefruit pack a nice detox punch and can really get your body into action as far as detoxing goes. It’s all about flooding the body with good things for it while helping it dislodge the bad things. The effects of grapefruit on weight loss are well-established, and one reason may be because of the way it makes the liver burn up fat.

The big takeaway on grapefruit is that it gets your liver fired up and ready for action, while infusing the rest of your organs with nutrient-laden fruit juice. It’s a winner when it comes to detox foods.

 

                                                                             Green Tea

Green tea is often thought of as a great addition to any detox program because of its high antioxidant value. Antioxidants are helpful because they will help seek out and kill free radicals before they can do any damage. This is a great beverage to drink on a daily basis for this factor alone.

Getting into a healthy state of mind is a matter of feeling like you’re doing what’s best for your body. It can be something as simple as substituting green tea for colas, juices, and other teas so that you can actually be benefiting your body from a beverage instead of hurting it.

 

                                                                                  Kale

Dr. Oz includes kale in his 48 Hour Weekend Cleanse and recommends blending it up in a shake. However you choose to get it into your body, the benefits are that it contains plenty of nutrients, and also acts as a way to help flush out the kidneys, a set of organs that must be cleansed on any good detox effort.

This vegetable is so good for you that it is often recommended to patients that are following a doctor recommended diet when fighting kidney disease. It’s packed with so many antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties as well, not to mention all of the vitamins and minerals it contains.

 

                                                                                Lemongrass

This is an herb that is used in Thailand and other parts of the world as a natural way to cleanse several organs at once. It not only helps the liver but also the kidneys, the bladder, and the entire digestive tract. Benefits of using it in your cooking, or drinking it as a tea include a better complexion, better circulation, and better digestion.

It is most often used as a tea in the world of detoxing, and there are several recipes you can try until you find one that suits your tastes best.

 

                                                                                Lemons

Lemons and lemon juice are often mentioned when detoxing, and there’s even a few Lemon Detox Diets floating around out there. It’s simply a matter of adding lemon juice to water and drinking it. It’s supposed to flush toxins from your body. Some people add cayanne pepper and sweeten it with sugar, but sugar is not recommended if you’re trying to get a detoxifying effect from it.

It helps with your digestion and you can drink a cup of hot water with lemon added in order to prepare your digestive system for that day’s work.

 

                                                                             Olive Oil

Some liver cleanses out there call for olive oil mixed with fruit juice in order to trigger your liver to expunge its gallstones. But aside from that olive oil should be your go-to oil for use in cooking when you’re trying to detox the body. That’s because it has a lot of healthy properties, and makes for a better choice of fat than most of your other options.

Just be sure not to cook with it at high heat. Use it as a salad dress to help things like dark leafy greens go down.

 

                                                                              Water

Water is often overlooked but is so important for all of your organs, and for flushing toxins out of your body. If you’re exercising and taking saunas to help release the toxins it becomes even more important to stay hydrated.

If you’re not used to drinking water daily, be sure to only increase your intake by one cup at a time so you don’t overload yourself. Your kidneys won’t know what to do if they’re not used to getting water and then get a ton of it.

 

                                                                        Wheatgrass

All of those health nuts that have been drinking wheatgrass shakes for years were onto something. This is a great boost to your liver and it can help you feel good all day due to its alkaline property.

It’s also effective at lowering your blood sugar and for getting your metabolism back on track. It’s simply a great food to consume, and is a nice counteraction to any junk you may have eaten in the past. Show your body you really do love it.

 

 

Article Source: http://bembu.com/

 

What aerobic exercise does for your health

 

Regardless of age, weight or athletic ability, aerobic activity is good for you. As your body adapts to regular aerobic exercise, you’ll get stronger and fitter.

Consider the following 10 ways that aerobic activity can help you feel better and enjoy life to the fullest.

Aerobic activity can help you:

  1. Keep excess pounds at bay Combined with a healthy diet, aerobic exercise helps you lose weight and keep it off.
  2. Increase your stamina Aerobic exercise may make you tired in the short term. But over the long term, you’ll enjoy increased stamina and reduced fatigue.
  3. Ward off viral illnesses Aerobic exercise may activate your immune system. This may leave you less susceptible to minor viral illnesses, such as colds and flu.
  4. Reduce your health risks Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of many conditions, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke and certain types of cancer.

Weight-bearing aerobic exercises, such as walking, reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

  1. Manage chronic conditions Aerobic exercise may help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar. If you have coronary artery disease, aerobic exercise may help you manage your condition.
  2. Strengthen your heart A stronger heart doesn’t need to beat as fast. A stronger heart also pumps blood more efficiently, which improves blood flow to all parts of your body.
  3. Keep your arteries clear Aerobic exercise boosts your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good,” cholesterol, and lowers your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad,” cholesterol. This may result in less buildup of plaques in your arteries.
  4. Boost your mood Aerobic exercise may ease the gloominess of depression, reduce the tension associated with anxiety and promote relaxation.
  5. Stay active and independent as you age Aerobic exercise keeps your muscles strong, which can help you maintain mobility as you get older.

Aerobic exercise also keeps your mind sharp. At least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week appears to reduce cognitive decline in older adults.

  1. Live longer Studies show that people who participate in regular aerobic exercise live longer than those who don’t exercise regularly.

 

Take the first step

Ready to get more active? Great. Just remember to start with small steps. If you’ve been inactive for a long time or if you have a chronic health condition, get your doctor’s OK before you start.

When you’re ready to begin exercising, start slowly. You might walk five minutes in the morning and five minutes in the evening.

The next day, add a few minutes to each walking session. Pick up the pace a bit, too. Soon, you could be walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day and reaping all the benefits of regular aerobic activity.

Other options for aerobic exercise could include cross-country skiing, aerobic dancing, swimming, stair climbing, bicycling, jogging, elliptical training or rowing.

If you have a condition that limits your ability to participate in aerobic activities, ask your doctor about alternatives. If you have arthritis, for example, aquatic exercises may give you the benefits of aerobic activity without stressing your joints.

 

Article Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/

Weight Loss Drugs: Pros and Cons of 5 Approved Prescriptions

 

Prescription weight loss pills, also called anti-obesity drugs or “diet pills”, are sometimes prescribed to a patient as an additional tool in the treatment for weight loss. Additional tools to medication treatment usually include a plan for lower fat and calorie foods, as well as a regular exercise program.

For most people, the prescription for weight loss is pretty basic: Eat less, move more. In recent years, however, new drugs to combat obesity have moved onto the market.

A new breakdown of these options, released today (Aug. 18) in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), highlights the promise and perils of each of these medications, which range from appetite suppressors to stimulants.

None of these drugs are a magic bullet. They all must be accompanied by following a healthful diet and exercising, and their effects on the scale are moderate compared with the dramatic weight loss seen in people who undergo gastric bypass surgery, said Dr. Jill Jin, a general internist at the Northwestern Medical Group in Chicago, who wrote the article. However, Jin told Live Science, these medications can benefit certain patients.

 

“There is benefit in even losing 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight,” Jin said. “You can see changes in blood pressure, in averageblood sugar levels, in cholesterol.”

 

Who can benefit from weight loss drugs?

Weight loss drugs aren’t for everyone. According to guidelines released by the Endocrine Society in January 2015, these pharmaceuticals are appropriate only for people who qualify as obese, meaning they have abody mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Drugs might also be helpful for people who are merely overweight (with a BMI of 27 or higher) but who also have health conditions brought on by their extra pounds, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

The benefit of these medications is that they help move weight loss along more quickly than diet and exercise alone, thus encouraging patients to stick to their lifestyle changes, Jin said.  [7 Biggest Diet Myths]

“It’s a good mental effect,” she said.

Patients who are prescribed these drugs are monitored closely. If they don’t lose at least 5 percent of their body weight after three months of use, they should discontinue using the drugs, according to the Endocrine Society. Weight loss benefits continue only as long as the drugs are taken, so users also need to develop healthy habits.

“Because all medications inherently have more risks than diet and exercise do, pharmacologic therapy should be used only in patients in whom the benefit justifies the risk,” the society concluded.

What drugs are available?

As American waistlines have expanded, pharmaceutical companies have been searching for drugs that can shrink those waistlines again. Still, only five drugs (or drug combinations) have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the long-term treatment of obesity. Here’s a brief rundown of each:

Orlistat – Now available over-the-counter or as a prescription, orlistat was one of the first drugs in the weight-loss arsenal. It was first approved in 1999 by the FDA for use with a prescription, and then in 2007, it was approved for over-the-counter use. The drug is sold under the brand name Xenical as a prescription and Alli as an over-the-counter drug.

Orlistat is meant to treat obesity in conjunction with a low-fat, low-calorie diet, according to the FDA. The drug is a lipase inhibitor, meaning it works to prevent the action of a pancreatic enzyme called lipase, which breaks down fat in the small intestine. Thus, taking orlistat with each meal prevents the absorption of all the fat from the food into the body.

The most common side effects of orlistat relate to the extra fat being excreted instead of absorbed: gassiness, oily bowel movements and other bowel-related changes. Reports of severe liver damage in about a dozen people who used orlistat prompted a new warning label in 2010, though the FDA could not confirm that the drug caused the damage. People who take the drug should watch for signs of liver malfunction such as yellow skin or eyes, itching, loss of appetite, brown urine or yellowish stool.

A 2004 review of research published in the journal Obesity Reviewsfound that orlistat is effective in reducing weight in obese patients, but caused more gastrointestinal distress than a placebo. However, the weight loss is likely to be modest. According to the Mayo Clinic, a 2014 review found that people who dieted, exercised and took Alli for at least a year lost about 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms) more on average than those who dieted and exercised alone.

Lorcaserin – This drug acts on serotonin receptors in the brain to promote feelings of fullness, thus encouraging users to eat less. Approved in 2012, lorcaserin was the first weight-loss drug to get an FDA nod since orlistat.

According to the FDA, the drug (combined with diet and exercise) was associated with an average weight loss of 3 to 3.7 percent more than a placebo. In patients without Type 2 diabetes, 38 percent using the drug lost 5 percent or more of their body weight, which is the clinical standard for a successful obesity treatment. Among patients who used diet and exercise alone, 23 percent reached that level of weight loss.

Because lorcaserin affects serotonin receptors, it can’t be used alongside other drugs with the same target, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used to treat depression. The drug is not approved for pregnant women and can cause side effects such as drowsiness, headache and constipation. [9 Meal Schedules: When to Eat to Lose Weight]

Sold under the brand name Belviq, lorcaserin is taken by mouth, usually twice a day.

Phentermine + topiramate – Also approved in 2012, this drug combination is sold under the brand name Qsymia. Phentermine is a stimulant that decreases appetite; topiramate is an anti-seizure and migraine drug that also decreases appetite and causes feelings of fullness.

The drug combination can cause a birth defect called cleft palate in developing fetuses, so women of childbearing age taking it must use birth control and take a pregnancy test monthly. Another rare but serious side effect is the development of suicidal thoughts. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1 in 500 people who take anti-seizure drugs like topiramate develop suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Like all other approved weight-loss drugs, the combination of phentermine and topiramate is meant to be used with a diet and exercise routine. In a clinical trial, patients who took this drug combo lost an average of 9 percent of their body weight, compared with 1.5 percent in patients who took a placebo, according to a 2013 paper in the journal Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy. Two follow-up trials returned similar results for up to 2 years of use.

Bupropion+naltrexone – Sold under the brand name Contrave, this drug combination first came into the spotlight in 2011. It was rejected by the FDA because of concerns about its long-term effects on the heart and cardiovascular system. In 2014, however, the agency gave Contrave the go-ahead — with the caveat that it will still be under scrutiny to ensure its cardiovascular safety.

The drug also has a black box warning — the strictest of the FDA warning labels — because bupropion is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. The drug was previously approved as a smoking cessation aid and to treat depression. Naltrexone had been used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. Doctors aren’t entirely sure how the drug combination works to promote weight loss. According to a2011 paper in the journal Pharmacy & Therapeutics, the drug’s most likely targets are the hypothalamus, an almond-size region deep in the brain that controls hunger, and the mesolimbic reward system, a brain circuit that is involved in any rewarding activity, including eating.

In one trial, 42 percent of patients without Type 2 diabetes who took Contrave along with a diet and exercise routine lost at least 5 percent of their body weight, according to the FDA. Those who dieted and exercised alone were less successful: Only 17 percent lost 5 percent or more of their body weight.

Liraglutide – This drug was first approved in 2010 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It helps promote insulin production in the pancreas, which in turn controls blood sugar.

In December 2014, the agency expanded the use of liraglutide for the treatment of obesity. Sold as Saxenda, this version of the drug is a higher dose than that used to treat diabetes. Unlike the other FDA-approved drugs on this list, which are taken orally, Saxenda is taken as a once-a-day shot. [13 Easy Kitchen Fixes that Can Help You Lose Weight]

According to the FDA, 62 percent of people who took Saxenda in clinical trials lost 5 percent or more of their body weight, compared with 34 percent who took a placebo. This drug also has a black-box warning because rodent studies showed that it caused thyroid tumors. It’s unknown whether liraglutide could have the same effect in humans, but people with a family history of certain cancers should not take the drug. Studies are ongoing to track the long-term safety of the drug in humans and in rats.

Many patients ask about weight-loss drugs, Jin said, which is what prompted her to write about the available options. Many people don’t qualify to take them, either because they are not overweight enough, or because they have other health conditions or are taking other drugs that could make using these treatments unsafe.

Others aren’t committed to the type of intensive lifestyle change that is required of people who want to use these drugs to help them lose weight, she said.

The ideal candidates, Jin said, are those who are already trying to lose weight: “People who are very motivated, who have really truly adopted those lifestyle changes, and just are not having success getting that weight off.”

 

Reminder: Patients who are overweight or obese with any health condition should consult with their physician prior to beginning a weight loss or exercise program.

 

Article Source: by Stephanie Pappas, Live Science Contributor  

Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitterand Google+. Follow @livescience, Facebook& Google+. Original article on Live Science.

 

 

Signs It’s Time to Get Serious about Weight Loss

 

Losing weight takes more than desire. It takes commitment and a well-thought-out plan. It’s easy to say that you want to lose weight. It’s also easy to find the motivation to hit the gym regularly and choose the right foods in the beginning. After a few weeks, our motivation seems to wane and those old, unhealthy habits of yours start to creep back in. What seemed so easy at first is now difficult. You have cravings. You’re tired. You miss those social dinners with your friends and doughnuts at the office. That 6 a.m. aerobics class doesn’t seem as fun, and getting up without hitting the snooze button seems impossible.

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5 Low-Sugar Diet Tips

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the maximum amount of added sugars you should eat in a day are: Men: 150 calories per day (37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons). Women: 100 calories per day (25 grams or 6 teaspoons).

Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet. It provides calories with no added nutrients and can damage your metabolism in the long run. Eating too much sugar is linked to weight gain and various diseases like obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease.

But how much is too much? Can you eat a little bit of sugar each day without harm, or should you avoid it as much as possible?

Here’s how to get sugar savvy and avoid sugar bombs in your diet.

1. Always read the ingredients.

Remember, they don’t have to tell you how much sugar they’ve added to a product. But they DO have to tell you what’s IN the product. That’s why you must read the ingredients list—even for “healthy” or “natural” foods like frozen fruit or flavored yogurt. The ingredient list is where you’ll be able to see in black and white whether or not there’s lots of sugar added. What’s KEY here is that you be on the lookout for added sugar by all its names and incarnations.

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What is a Gluten-Free Diet?

 

A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and a cross between wheat and rye called triticale.

A gluten-free diet is primarily used to treat celiac disease. Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestines of people with celiac disease. Eating a gluten-free diet helps people with celiac disease control their signs and symptoms and prevent complications.

According to a 2013 survey, 27% of Americans believe that eliminating gluten from their diets will help them shed excess pounds. High-profile celebs like Miley Cyrus and Victoria Beckham say the GF-lifestyle has helped them lose weight, too. The only problem? There is absolutely no evidence or reason to support that belief, says a new paper published in the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Diet details

Switching to a gluten-free diet is a big change, and like anything new, it takes some getting used to. You may initially feel deprived by the diet’s restrictions, especially if you weren’t having troubling symptoms before your diagnosis.

It may help to try to focus on all the foods you can eat instead, however. You may be pleasantly surprised to realize how many gluten-free products, such as bread and pasta, are now available. Many specialty grocery stores sell gluten-free foods. If you can’t find them in your area, check with a celiac support group or search online.

If you’re just starting with a gluten-free diet, it’s a good idea to consult a dietitian who can answer your questions and offer advice about how to avoid gluten while still eating a healthy, balanced diet.

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10 Ways to Stock Your Fridge for Weight Loss

The journey you take to achieve weight loss and weight maintenance success is a long, arduous one, not easily navigated. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and support from friends and family. However, there are certain steps you can take to make reaching your wellness goals a little easier. One of the biggest steps you can take is to always be prepared ahead of time. Stack the deck in your favor by stocking your fridge and freezer with healthy essentials so you have the ingredients for a variety of nutritious meals and snacks right at your disposal.

If you open your refrigerator door and a pile of junk food tumbles out, your chances of eating healthy are slim.

Your eating habits are only as good as your supply of food. Whether you want to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight or just clean up your diet, you should stock and arrange your refrigerator for success.

 

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