August 24

Posted on August 24th, 2010 at 2:16 AM by Jimmy

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Posted on May 31st, 2010 at 4:36 AM by Jimmy

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Posted on May 19th, 2010 at 10:14 AM by Jimmy

Proteins are vital to cellular maintenance, growth, and functioning of the human body. Protein makes up about 17% of total body weight. Amino acids regulate body functions. Enzymes are needed for digestion and metabolic processes. Protein assists with immunity because it is required for the production of white blood cells.

Complete protein sources contain all nine amino acids. These proteins are found in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and soybeans. The serving sizes needed is dependent on the individual’s weight and health.

There are a number of foods found in many cupboards that may be used to increase immunity. Before medical technology many people used these remedies on a daily basis. Honey, lemons, ginger, and orange juice have incredible healing properties. These properties are often being discovered by doctors and scientists.

Honey has been used to treat wounds resistant to antibiotics. Lemon juice has been used by a reproductive expert and proved that it kills HIV and sperm. Orange and grapefruit juice has been found to build strong bones in rats. Increased intake prevented osteoporosis in the rats.

Ginger powder was determined by laboratory studies to kill ovarian cancer. It was also found to cause apostasies where cancer cells killed themselves. Sesame seeds and walnuts are good for constipation. Ginger breaks down high-protein foods. This allows the protein to be better absorbed.

Protein in the diet from the sources mentioned above is normally adequate for most individuals to maintain adequate white cell count and muscle health. It is not normally necessary to supplement protein even for vegetarians. But checking protein levels with a doctor is always an option especially if dieting.

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James R. Crisp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_R_Crisp

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Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 5:43 PM by Jimmy

It is often hard to see how the government can regulate what we do and do not do. In the world of what we put into our bodies, there are several things that come into play. First of all, the government can regulate what we put into our bodies if these are things that are deemed illegal substances. Some of the substances that are regulated might be more harmful than others, and indeed some of the substances that are not regulated by the government might be more harmful than the ones that are. However it is hard to draw the line when it comes to government regulations regarding things such as vitamin and mineral supplements.

Usually, a government in most countries in the world can regulate things that we put into our bodies that are labeled drugs. Because most of the vitamin and mineral supplements that we can get to put into our bodies are labeled simply under the food category, they can get away with not being regulated by governments.

What this means for you is that you are not going to be able to rely on the government when it comes to making sure that the nutritional supplements you are putting into your body are safe. When it comes to most drugs, you can know that the government has tested them and has deemed them safe for you to consume. However, when supplements and vitamins are labeled food, this means that the manufacturer of them is responsible for how safe they are. This means that you are going to have to put your trust and faith in the company that made the supplements to make sure that it is safe for you to take.

The fact remains that when a supplement is sold, there really is no regulation that says that it has to have been tested and been proven to be safe, or even useful. It also means that if there are illnesses or injuries that result from taking certain supplements, the manufacturers are not responsible for telling the public the details.

What it means for you is that when you are deciding to use vitamin and mineral supplements, it is up to you to make sure that you are using them correctly. You have to take responsibility to make sure that what you are putting into your body is safe, because no one else is going to do it for you. If you have any questions about what kinds of supplements that you should be taking, you should consult your doctor and create a plan for your best possible nutritional information.

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Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 5:40 PM by Jimmy

Recent diet fads such as the Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet have determined that carbohydrates should be cut out of your meals as much as possible. But before making this decision it is critical to learn what carbohydrates are good and which are not. This will allow you to know what carbohydrates do for your body.

Good carbohydrates provide the body with the energy needed for daily activities. These good carbohydrates are found in grain breads, in fruits, and in vegetables. Many of these carbohydrates provide the nutrition needed by the body to function properly. It is a matter of determining which ones are good and which ones are bad.

Even though all carbohydrates are basically sugars, complex carbohydrates are the good carbohydrates for your body. These strings of sugar are difficult for the body to break down and trap other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals in the sugar strings. As these carbohydrates slowly break down other nutrients are released into the body and provide the body with fuel for a number of hours.

Bad carbohydrates are simple sugars and break down easily. These carbohydrates hold few nutrients for the body other than the sugars from which they are made. The body converts these carbohydrates to fat and stores them in the body. Most diets recommend staying away from simple carbohydrates since they have little nutritional value compared to complex carbohydrates.

The most important difference to consider is how you actually eat carbohydrates. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods include the nutrients needed for your body. Adding grain breads instead of white bread products or white flour products are rich in fiber. Foods rich in fiber are a good source of carbohydrates.

The body is made up of what it consumes. Learning the difference between good and bad carbohydrates is important to healthy eating. Eliminating all carbohydrates is not the answer. It is just a matter of choosing the carbohydrates that will benefit your body. This is a part of a healthy, balanced diet.

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Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 5:38 PM by Jimmy

Over half of our body weight is water. Muscle is about 75% water and bone is about 25% water. Water that is in the body moves around. The water moves in and out of cells. The absorption of particles is reliant on osmosis to move the water. Blood pressure causes water to be pushed out of blood walls into cells. If the pressure is lowered water is drawn back into the blood.

The substances needed by the body are dissolved in water. Those substances include glucose, amino acids, and minerals, among others. Chemical reactions take place in the water in the body. These reactions maintain acidity in the body.

Water in the body maintains body temperature. If the body temperature increases sweat is produced. As it evaporates, the body cools.

Water is taken in the body by the fluid a person drinks and in the foods a person consumes. The body tells a person they are thirsty. These signals activate a person to respond to their thirst needs. Most water is lost in urine. The kidneys regulate this function.

If a person is exposed to prolonged heat or exercise the body senses that the concentration of dissolved particles is high and produces an anti-diuretic hormone that tells the kidneys to re-absorb water. But there are limits. Water lost through feces, sweat, and evaporation is not regulated. This water loss may become dangerous. If lost fluid is not replaced the person may become severely dehydrated as water in the body cannot be stored.

There will be symptoms of dehydration from mild to severe. Symptoms of mild dehydration may include thirst, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, dry eyes and mouth, and dark colored urine. A person can only survive a few days without water. The water loss affects the ability to think and perform physically. More severe symptoms may include nausea, confusion, and disorientation.

A balance of electrolytes is necessary for nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are responsible for the positive and negatively charged ions that conduct electric current in the body. An imbalance in these electrolytes causes the charges inside cells and outside cells to become reversed. Dehydration may cause an imbalance in these electrolytes. Even a small increase of potassium may be dangerous.

The kidneys conserve sodium which aids in conserving body water. This in turn helps to regulate blood pressure. There are three substances that are released when blood pressure decreases. These three substances are rennin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone. These substances normally caused by potassium supplements taken rather than by potassium in the diet.

There are some substances that are used and may cause dehydration. One of these is alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is a diuretic. As such it increases urination and flushes water. Alcohol removes fluid from tissues and contains toxins. Alcohol drains potassium levels. It causes the body to turn off its own dehydration processes. Alcohol dehydrates brain cells. Addiction my come from dehydration of cells in an attempt to rehydrate those cells. It is a vicious cycle of drinking alcohol, becoming dehydrated, and drinking more alcohol to attempt to rehydrate.

There are some suggestions to avoid dehydration from alcohol. Drink water before drinking alcoholic beverages. Drink one glass of water for each alcoholic beverage consumed. Drink an electrolyte replacement after drinking the alcoholic beverages. Add a multivitamin-vitamin and/or mineral replacement to replace lost substances. Always drink in moderation.

Caffeine is another substance that may cause dehydration but there are varying opinions about this. Caffeine is a natural diuretic. It causes a challenge to the body in staying hydrated. The use of caffeine products has been linked to a loss of calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, and disturbs the ability to absorb iron.

Caffeine may also cause dehydration because it decreases memory enzymes, it may affect overall brain functioning, and because it stimulates the central nervous system. Once again this can have an effect on the positive and negatively charged ions.

The cravings a person gets for caffeine is actually a craving for water. These cravings are learned behaviors in which the drinking is associated with drinking caffeine drinks instead of water. Drinking more water or primarily water may help to reduce these cravings for caffeine. The primary reason to reduce caffeine intake is to reduce the toxic effects.

There are a number of steps a person can take to ensure they do not become dehydrated. The first step would be to drink the recommended fluids per day. Water is the best. This would be about 3 liters for a man and 2 plus liters for a woman per day. This quantity could be less for very inactive people. It might be more for people exercising, exposure to high temperatures, and for travel in an airplane or car.

A second step to ensure a person does not become dehydrated would be a reduction in salt intake. This would be possible by eating unprocessed foods rather than processed foods. Do not add salt in food preparation. Use other seasonings such as onions, thyme, garlic, and so on. Do not eat salty snacks such as chips. These foods have a tremendous amount of sodium. Eat sliced turkey or chicken instead of hot dogs or bologna. Limit the use of sauces added to foods. Many of these are high in sodium content.

Just as there is a need for a balance of calories and nutrients in a diet, there is also a need for a balance of hydration in the body. This water balance affects almost every function of the body from electric charges to cell function. A doctor’s advice to drink plenty of fluids when you are suffering from an intestinal virus is no joke. It is easy to become dehydrated when nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are occurring. With children this situation can become even more dangerous. A product called Pedialyte includes electrolytes that are needed to overcome dehydration in children. Ice pops are also recommended. Vomiting children should not be forced to drink water. It may worsen the situation. The childs doctor may recommend needed products.

As noted earlier when exercising or being exposed to heat and sun drinking water may prevent dehydration. When drinking alcohol or caffeine products drinking plenty of water may help to reduce the symptoms of dehydration. The key is to drink lots of water daily to prevent the occurrence of dehydration. Do all things in moderation and maintain a balance in the diet, water intake, and exercise and heat.

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May 16

Hello world!
Posted on May 16th, 2010 at 12:11 PM by Jimmy

Welcome to my first blog!  This blog is for just about anything you feel like posting and more. I want this to be a place you will continue to visit and share your thoughts and ideas with the world. So, there is no need to put this off any longer just start posting now>

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