Killer Fast Food

It is fairly common knowledge that eating fast food on a regular basis is unhealthy.  Although nearly all fast food restaurants post their ingredients and calories, we still can't seem to get enough of a quick and cheap food fix.  While eating fast food may be light on the wallet, it has just the opposite effect on health.  The problem is that most people don't realize that the dangerous effects are immediate even if you don't notice it right away.

The 2004 documentary film, Super Size Me, followed a healthy young man of normal weight as he lived on nothing but McDonald's for thirty days.  In less then two weeks, he gained more than 17 pounds.  In other words, he gained nearly a half-pound after eating every meal!  This means that if you eat just one fast food meal per week, you are gaining roughly 26 pounds from just one meal.  Not withstanding, the impact of having so much saturated fat accumulating in your arteries.  Aside from calories, it's the saturated fat that is the real killer. That's because saturated fat is a solid substance that lines the walls of your arteries.  Eventually, the accumulation clogs an artery and prevents blood from flowing through it causing a heart attack or stroke, depending where the blockage occurs. 

When you add it up, it is no wonder why thirty percent of kids are now overweight.  What's more is that children are getting diabetes and having heart problems before they get a chance to become adults. There is nothing wrong with eating at McDonald's or any other fast food place for that matter, once in a while.  To be fair, McDonald's has healthier alternatives. For example, they offer a very nice side salad on their dollar menu which is a great alternative to french fries.  Kids love their apple dippers which is also much better for them than fries.  For breakfast, their oatmeal with fruit and small yogurt parfaits are healthier options.

On the other end of the spectrum, Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle once weighed over 400 pounds.  He ate nothing but Subway and achieved dramatic weight loss.  As you can see, when you limit the calories and fat you can lose weight and live a healthier life.   It all comes down to making healthy choices for you and your family.

How To Get Flat Abs In Six Steps

Working out until your midsection burns but still not seeing enough results? If so, then you are not alone. What may surprise you is that exercise may not be the weak point in your routine. Instead, what you need is a more comprehensive flat abs diet plan. Here are the six steps to six pack abs:

Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #1 - Load up on fiber. Your daily goal for dietary fiber should be at least 25 grams. Fiber helps you feel more full so you end up eating less. It also helps digestion, allowing fat to move through your system faster. Good sources of fiber include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #2 - Go for high-quality carbohydrates. Not all carbs are created equal. Simple carbohydrates are digested too quickly and cause spikes in blood sugar levels. Sugar, refined flour, white bread and white rice are common examples of simple carbs. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, are much better for you. These are found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. You should still try to limit your carbs to no more than 65% of your total caloric intake.

Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #3 - Drink plenty of water. The idea that drinking 8 glasses of water per day will help you lose weight is mostly a myth. However, it's still a good idea to stay well hydrated. Your cells thrive on having enough water, and this includes muscle cells. 

Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #4 - Decrease sodium intake. While having plenty of water in your system is a good thing, water retention is not. Having too much sodium will cause you to feel puffy or bloated. Also, having too much can be a risk factor for developing high blood pressure. The current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend an upper limit of 2400 milligrams of sodium per day, but you can normally go much lower than that without risking your health.


Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #5 - Don't eat too late in the day. You need to give your body enough time to digest its food. Therefore, the sooner before bed you eat, the better. If at all possible, try not to eat anything 3 hours prior to retiring for the evening. If you must have something, then go for a light snack of 100 calories or less and perhaps a cup of tea.

Ultimate Flat Abs Diet Plan Step #6 - Reduce stress. That's right! Stress releases a hormone known as cortisol. The problem with cortisol is that it sends a signal to the brain to store fat (as a sort of survival mechanism). And guess where the brain tells the body to store that fat after receiving its signal? If you said around your abs, then you're correct.

There you go, six steps to six pack abs. Of course you still need to do your stomach exercises, but these tips will give you the edge in your efforts to look your best.

Unexplained Weight Gain? It May Be From An Under Active Thyroid

If you are having difficulty losing weight, it could be caused by an under active thyroid.  Obesity and weight gain are two major problems which usually afflict individuals who encounter an under-active thyroid or hypothyroidism. On top of that, those with an abnormal thyroid may also experience fatigue, joint pains, and heart ailments. The good news is that weight loss can be achieved with natural weight loss supplements that support the thyroid gland. However, it is important that you consult with a health care professional first to find out if you can benefit from weight loss supplements with thyroid support, and to rule out any other health related issues.

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is found in your throat and generates T3 and T4 hormones. It functions with the pituitary gland. These thyroid hormones influence your metabolism and regulate the oxygen consumption of the primary internal organs of the body. Also, they manage skin cells and heart rate, along with other bodily functions.          

There are a number of natural treatments on the market which can boost the functionality of the thyroid gland. Selenium found in tuna, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, soybeans, and Brazil nuts, for example, can also help regulate the function of the thyroid gland.  Also, iodine increases the thyroid glands T4 production which can aid in preventing goiter.

The enzymes necessary for metabolic control and the development of T3 and T4 hormones are based mostly on selenium. This essential mineral also manages and delivers the precise quantity of hormones to different regions of the entire body. This is why poor selenium concentrations can contribute to weight gain; especially for individuals with hypothyroidism.

Lastly, there are a variety of natural weight loss supplements that feature thyroid support.  However, it is recommended that you check with your physician prior to commencing a weight loss program. 

Holistic Remedies That Can Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

      For some individuals, it is possible to lower blood pressure naturally without needing prescription medicine. The various methods to lower blood pressure will require a modification in your daily activities together with better eating habits.

Holistic cures have been around for centuries, but there are more people leading a sedentary lifestyle than in years past.  However, you can lower blood pressure by 8mmhg. if you are willing to become involved in a hearty workout for at least 20 minutes a day. Some of the activities that may be helpful include bike riding, walking on a treadmill and swimming. These physical activities will cause the heart to beat faster thereby making use of the oxygen more effectively when pumping blood.

Meditation is another ancient remedy that works well and is extremely easy for anyone to do. This incorporates a deep breathing technique which has been known to be helpful in lowering the blood pressure for many men and women. What you are supposed to do is to take a deep breath and hold your breath to a count of ten. Then, let it out slowly. This assists in releasing the stress that may have piled up in your mind and body. This tension can cause high blood pressure hence releasing it will work in lowering the blood pressure.

Naturally, nothing will work well unless you introduce a more heart-healthy nutritional diet.  Potassium is beneficial for the heart. That is due to the fact that potassium is deemed to help in lowering one's blood pressure. The recommended level that one should take on a daily basis is 2000-4000mg. You may either buy supplements or consume foods abundant with potassium including potato skins, dried apricots and kidney beans, to name a few.

In addition, dietary supplements which are plentiful in coenzyme10 are also beneficial and have been observed to lower blood pressure by nearly 17 mmhg. Although drinking alcohol in large amounts is very unhealthy, taking it in small amounts is perceived to be healthy for both men and women. Women should not have more than one drink a day while men should not consume more than two drinks each day. Amounts beyond that is a danger to heart health.

Another good idea is to cut down on caffeine and salt intake because they have been shown to lead to an increase in blood pressure. You could try hibiscus tea instead. This is because hibiscus is recognized to be strong in photochemical antioxidants that are known to be pretty effective in lowering blood pressure which contributes to a healthy heart.