Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Arthritis Treatment Options

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Think the only thing you can do to help your arthritis is to take pain medications? Think your arthritis is only going to get worse as you get older? With today’s medical advances, there are a wide range of arthritis treatment options available to those suffering from the condition.

Depending on the form of arthritis you suffer, doctors can prescribe medicine that can ease your pain, as well as actually keeping the disease from progressing.

For mild arthritis pain, most people generally start by treating their symptoms themselves using over-the-counter medications. There are a wide variety of creams, liniments, patches and oral anti-inflammatory and analgesics to choose from. Arthritis creams generally contain some combination of menthol, capsaicin and salicylate.

When applied to the painful area, these creams or liniments can relieve the aches and pains. However, these creams are temporary and must be reapplied often. The medicine in some of these creams can also be purchased in a patch form that gives a concentrated, continuous release of medicine so you don’t have to reapply as often.

Oral analgesics, such as acetaminophen, are medicines taken by mouth that can help to reduce the pain of arthritis. Doctors often also recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, as an arthritis treatment to help reduce the inflammation and fever associated with arthritis.

For more severe arthritis pain, you may need to see your doctor for a stronger form of arthritis treatment. For the aches and pains of osteoarthritis, which results from the normal aging process, your doctor can prescribe prescription strength NSAID, or even a narcotic pain medication if he feels your level of pain warrants it.

For some suffering from osteoarthritis, joint replacement surgery is an option your doctor may suggest. Most often joint replacement surgeries replace the joints in the knees and hips with plastic or metal joints.

Although this procedure is considered a major surgery and a successful recovery requires intense therapy, many are well pleased with the results of joint replacement when they find they can return to their normal activities with little or no arthritis pain.

For those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, which results from the body’s immune system turning on the body and destroying the cartilage that cushions the joints, there are several prescription medications available.

For this condition, your doctor may prescribe an immunosuppressant medicine or a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug, both of which can help slow the progression of the disease. These are also several new rheumatoid arthritis treatments which have been very successful in decreasing the symptoms of the condition.

These medicines, called biologics, generally come in an injectable form and are injected either once weekly or every other week. These medicines have been proven in clinical trials to help improve physical function as well as keeping joint damage from becoming worse in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

From mild to severe arthritis, there are arthritis treatment available for all. While some medicines simply relieve arthritis pain, some can actually help keep the condition from becoming worse.

If you suffer from the pain of arthritis, see your doctor to find an arthritis treatment that is right for you.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/arthritis-treatment-options-135984.html

Arthritis Has Many Forms And Conditions

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

The rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis which is occurring in people who suffer from recurrent bouts of joint pain, swelling and deformity. Millions of people suffer from arthritis pain. There are several types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis each with a big number of forms of this disease. To coupe with this you need a safe and effective treatment.

There are drugs that block the effects of TNF and they have been found to be very effective in reducing inflammation. It also help in slowing down the rate of disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis. The psoriatic arthritis may affect most joints in an oligoarticular pattern, meaning a few scattered joints are affected and the joint inflammation does not have the symmetrical pattern seen in rheumatoid arthritis. In total there are over 100 different kinds of arthritis, all of which affect one or several joints in the body.

Most persons with arthritis should exercise, they should not jog or run or engage in sports that cause your feet to pound on the ground, such as tennis or rope-jumping. It is possible that you are unable to squat because the nature of your arthritis and downright prevents that. If this is the case do not force the squat as it is not an exercise for all. A proper function of the hip area is very important for pain free backs and knees. But the stiffness caused by arthritis can hinder this function and create a situation, where you can end up having even more pain, than what would be caused by just inflammation or joint degeneration.

There is not yet a cure for arthritis but much can be done to reduce pain and have a good joint function. Science will sooner or later bring us a cure for arthritis and in the meantime there are many different forms of alternative medicine which can bring arthritis pain relief. These are some of the most common drugs used to combat the pain of arthritis and there are many others used for all forms of arthritis and its related conditions.

To lessen the pain of arthritis there are some things you can try. As shown in studies some people with arthritis seem to have difficulty metabolizing copper from the food they eat, leading to increased pain. People with arthritis also tend to feel much better all day if they are not stiff when they wake up in the morning. The condition can vary from day to day.
Most people with arthritis believe that they should rest their muscles and joints, but resting is the worst thing you can do. The more we learn about the disease and the forms it has the more we learn to treat ourselves and one important part is exercise, adapted to every single person.

The Spondylitis Association of America sells books, posters, videotapes, and audiotapes about exercises for people who have arthritis of the spine. There are a couple of health programs that touch on the balancing and flexing exercises that can eliminate arthritis and wipe out its pain. Blending the most powerful of these stretches into an effective home routine, a routine that can be accomplished in moments every day. The natural arthritis medication is a viable and safe option that can be taken with confidence.

What actually is considered a good arthritis medication as the alternative medicines and natural cures is rather uncertain due to the fact that they are not always regulated and tested in the same way as pharmaceuticals. The disease modifying medicines are used with cases which involves damage to the immune system. We all hope that these problems will be solved in the near future.

Keith George
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/arthritis-has-many-forms-and-conditions-93881.html

The Treatments Available For Psoriatic Arthritis

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

If you suffer from psoriasis, then you are at risk for a condition called psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis is a term that is used to describe many conditions in which the joints in the body do not function as they should because of the body’s immune system literally attacking that of the tissues in the joint. Although this condition is one that is specific to those that suffer from psoriasis, others can experience arthritic conditions as well. The good news is that there is help out there for those that do have to deal with the swelling and pain of arthritis.

Pain, Pain, Go Away

For those that experience any form of arthritis, including that of psoriatic arthritis, the hardest part of the condition is that of facing the pain. As mentioned, your body’s white blood cells are attacking your joint’s tissue which causes a build up of proteins to happen in those areas. When those proteins build up, pain is heightened any time that you try to move that joint. You may actually feel the pain come on more intensely after you have been sleeping or have been sitting still for a while. In any case, the pain is very real and is something that needs to be addressed.

Even more so, without any type of treatment, conditions of psoriatic arthritis, which only occurs in individuals that have psoriasis, will only worsen. If you do not get the help you need, the joints that are being attacked can actually become deformed, swollen and eventually may no longer be able to be used. There is help out there, though.

Treatment Options To Consider

Those that are experiencing pain in their joints need to work with their doctor to determine the best medications to help relieve the pain that they are feeling. The medications will work in a certain way. First, you will take medications that will stop the progress of the condition, something that is important for maintaining the quality of the joint for later life. In addition, the treatment options that you have will be employed to stop the pain that you are feeling.

There are additional treatments that can be helpful as well. Some find help from arthritic crèmes and ointments. Exercise plays an important role in the health and well being of the individual as well as stringing the joints and improving range of motion are quite important. Heat can help at times as well. Massage has been effective at reducing the amount of pain your experience as well.

As you can see, there is help available to those that are suffering from psoriatic arthritis. Although the condition is not as debilitating as that of other forms of arthritis, it is still one that can range from mild to severe in pain and discomfort. Without the help of a doctor, you will not stop but encourage the arthritis to continue. Instead, working with your doctor can be the best route to getting the treatment that you need for this condition.

Greg Marsh
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/the-treatments-available-for-psoriatic-arthritis-93454.html

Joint Pain And Arthritis: What Are The Alternatives?

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Arthritis is a common condition affecting literally millions of people worldwide. For many, mainstream medical care brings relief. But are there any alternative remedies that are effective?

Firstly, a brief run-down of what arthritis actually is. The fact is that arthritis is a blanket term covering over one hundred different conditions, some common, some uncommon and some extremely rare. Arthritis means inflammation of one or more of the body’s joints, generally caused by infection, injury or just the plain wear and tear of life. It can also be a genetic condition.

The causes of arthritis are many and varied and its effects well-known. Pain, inflammation, mobility limitation and redness with swelling are all common symptoms. A strange fact is that people who show little joint damage may experience a great deal of pain, whilst others whose joints show terrible damage sometimes feel little pain, even none at all.

The most common form of arthritis are: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Some other types include – systemic infectious arthritis, gouty arthritis, psoratic arthritis, bursitis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. As stated, there are many more less common forms.

Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis) is the most common form of all, especially in elderly people. It is associated with loss of bone tissue in the joints and can limit mobility severely.

Rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism) is more common in women than in men and usually effects the over-40’s. It tends to attack the hands, causing swelling in the knuckles, though it can affect any other part of the body, including the lungs and eyes.

Gout is much more common in men than in women, again usually in the over-40’s. It is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood that form crystals in the joints. These are attacked by the body’s immune system, thinking them invaders, and inflammation results together with pain that can be localised but severe.

Unfortunately there is as yet no cure for arthritis, especially if the bone or cartilage has become damaged or has deteriorated badly. Conventional arthritis medications help many people and they should be regarded as standard treatment for someone experiencing the onset of the condition. However, it has to be pointed out that these treatments can have severe side effects, including depression, immune system suppression, diarrhea, headaches and elevated blood pressure, intestinal bleeding, nausea and abdominal pain.

Perhaps this is the reason why more and more people – especially those who have suffered from arthritis for some time – turn to alternative forms of treatment and remedies. Conventional medicine does prove effective in the majority of cases – despite the side-effects – but for some it just simply does not give the relief they need. Alternative treatments are many and varied and, whilst little scientific research seems to have been carried out on most of these remedies the fact remains that, at least for some, they work.

Alternative treatments include (alphabetically): Acupressure, Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Bach Flower Remedy, Chiropractic, Color Therapy, Food/Diet Therapy, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Hydrotherapy, Hypnosis, Juice Therapy, Massage Therapy, Nutrition Therapy, Oriental Medicine, Reflexology, Tissue Salts, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Yoga.

It is impossible to say which, if any, will work for a given individual – if indeed any will work at all for that person. Yet the fact remains that many sufferers experience relief from joint pain and other arthritic symptoms that they simply cannot find through conventional medicine and, given the nature of arthritis, any relief from pain, however small, is worth consideration.

I’m not suggesting for one minute that anyone should ignore their physician’s advice, throw away their medication and go over completely to alternative therapies. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones who find little relief from pain in taking accepted medication, or suffer unpleasant side-effects, it may be well worth considering these alternatives as a new path to pain relief and a better quality of life.

Steve Dempster
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/joint-pain-and-arthritis-what-are-the-alternatives-91089.html

Is There a Cure for Arthritis Pain?

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

If you take paracetemol or an anti-inflammatory drug when you suffer from pain, you’re not alone. A 2005 study, reported in the American Journal of Therapy, showed paracetemol was the most acceptable form of analgesic drug for two-thirds of patients with osteoarthritis pain.

Another study on behalf of the International Arthritis Action Group, found 47 percent of Australians in pain do not use medication because they’re worried about side effects, or feel they don’t know enough about the risks and benefits of treatment. Some do try medication but if it doesn’t work they’re reluctant to discuss an alternative with their GP or specialist. Often they give up searching for help and assume they have to live with soreness and pain. Not so.

Paracetemol may be effective for a first line of defence, but for long term relief it may be worth considering these 7 natural food and supplement options.

OMEGA 3 FISH OIL.

Fish oils are derived from deep sea fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and tuna. They provide a rich source of the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. According to Dr Ronald Klatz, president of American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine, omega 3s are excellent anti inflammatories, which may be beneficial in the pain relief of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Omega 3 fatty acids may also be taken in capsule form and can be beneficial when combined with glucosamine sulfate. One helps to build and support cartilage, the other works to ease inflammation.

COOKED VEGETABLES AND OLIVE OIL.

A diet loaded with cooked vegetables and olive oil, may help reduce the pain, swelling and discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study from Harvard School of Public Health and reported in American School of Clinical Nutrition.

Your body makes bad prostoglandins that cause swelling and pain and good prostoglandins that prevent swelling and pain. Aspirin and other arthritis pain medicines contain drugs that block the bad prostoglandins.

Cooked vegetables and olive oils contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils that are used by your body to make the good prostoglandins that block pain and swelling. They are also loaded with antioxidants.

ASHWAGHANDA ROOT.

This herb is used extensively in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. It stimulates immunity and as an antioxidant, reduces cell damaging free radicals.
Its anti inflammatory properties have been shown to be helpful for the pain of arthritis.

LEMON BALM.

An important antioxidant containing a high concentration of phenols, chemicals that fight cell damaging toxins. It can help decrease the pain of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL.

The active ingredient in this plant is gamma linoleic acid [GLA] an omega 6 fatty acid. Supplementing with evening primrose oil may help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis pain. Taken by many women to relieve period pain, it could also cut the chances of women with breast cancer having a relapse, according to an American study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

SULPHUR RICH FOODS.

Sulphur is vital for the repair and rebuilding of bones, cartilage and connective tissue. Sulphur rich foods include cabbage, onion, broccoli, garlic, leak and eggs.
Sulphur can be taken in supplement form as MSM {Methyl sulfonyl methane} and is often included in formulas that include glucosamine and chondroitin. According to Dr Ronald M. Lawrence, of the UCLA School of Medicine and Founding Member of the American Association for the Study of Pain, people with joint issues often lack the proper amount of sulphur to let the body heal itself.

WILLOW BARK.

White willow bark is a natural aspirin. According to naturopath Ron Gellatley, it reduces swelling and pain without any side effects. Try drinking away stiffness and pain with a cup of hot willow bark tea. To brew the tea, add one teaspoon of dried willow bark to a cup of boiled water. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain before drinking.

Graeme Lanham
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/is-there-a-cure-for-arthritis-pain-91186.html

Natural Arthritis Remedies Uncovered

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Joint inflammation or arthritis has been a plaguing mankind for centuries. Seems like every one knows someone with this afflication.

Osteoarthritis, the most common, affects about 16 million Americans with an average age of 45. It usually attacks weight bearing joints like knees, hips, and ankles but has been found in the fingers, neck and spine. Each of our joints is cushioned by cartilage, a very dense, sponge-like substance. Osteoarthritis damages that cartilage and gradually wears it down. The majority of arthritis pain relief remedies are targeted towards osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body.

Psoriatic Arthritis is not as well known as the previous two, but actually eats away at the joints and can also manifest as psoriasis on the skin.

Knowing what natural arthritis remedies to use is very important. Here are some you may want to mull over.

Celery Seeds

Use dried ripe fruits to use as an anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic or anti-spasmodic. These seeds are great for treating rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

Nettle

This herb is another one of those “universal” plants. They are found all over the world and they strengthen the entire body. Rheumatism, arthritis, eczema, nosebleeds, arteries, lessen blood pressure are just a few applications. Nettles contain calcium, chlorine, iron, potassium, silicon, sodium and sulphur. Nettle is a great natural arthritis remedy.

Saffron

A natural hydrochloric acid (utilizes sugar of fruits and oils), thus helping arthritics get rid of the uric acid which holds the calcium deposited in the joints. Also reduces lactic acid build up. Good for measles, skin, scarlet fever and perspiration.

Yucca

Hope for arthritics. The extract from the plant has been used with surprising success on arthritis and rheumatism sufferers.

Fish oil has been claimed to have positive results as an arthritis natural remedy. Some researchers recommend simply adding omega 3’s to the diet by eating cold-water fish like mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, anchovies, bluefish and mullet.

All of the arthritis natural remedies mentioned here should be available at your local health food store along with suggestions on how to prepare them. Some applications will be to ingest in teas while others may facilitate creating a topical treatment.

Resources

NutraSanus

Essortmant

Medicine.net

The Arthritis Society

Please pass this article on to people looking for an arthritis natural remedy. You may help someone.

Aron Wallad
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-arthritis-remedies-uncovered-91257.html

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: Alternatives And Medication

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment is a necessary yet complex process. There are many aspects that need to be taken into consideration in this fight against your own body. The first step is to see your doctor. There are several forms of arthritis, one of them being rheumatoid, that can lead to more serious complications including the inability to use your joint to its full function. What is important to know is that there are many rheumatoid arthritis treatment plans that can work for you and improve your overall well being, minimize your pain as well as slow the progression of the arthritis.

Standard Treatment Options For Arthritis

It is essential for you to seek out the help of your doctor. He or she will design a course of action to help treat your condition. Most of the time, this will include several types of medications. One of the first medications you will take includes a pain relief formula. Because arthritis is an inflammation of the joint’s lining, medications can help to lessen the swelling that happens there. It will take a few tries to get the right dosage down, but pain relief can be found. In addition to this, your doctor is also likely to give you a medication that will slow the progression of arthritis. By telling your body to stop attacking itself, the medication can slow down how fast arthritis envelopes your joint completely. This is critical as the progression can cause devastating results if left untreated. The combination of medications is vitally important.

Alternatives Are Out There, Too

By either using these alternative methods in combination with the rheumatoid arthritis treatment that your doctor described or doing them alone, they can be helpful in relieving some or all of the pain associated with arthritis. Some of these treatments include massage, nutritional supplementation which usually includes the compounds of glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as homeopathy. In addition to these, acupuncture, wearing copper jewelry and magnets have been shown to help stimulate the healing within the body, including helping to relieve the pain caused by arthritis inflammation.

Should you consider these alternative therapies for the treatment of your arthritis? Some doctors do not believe that they can provide you with the help you need while others do. The ultimate decision will be yours to make but many find that these therapies can be expensive and may only provide a certain level of benefit to your overall health. On the other hand, there are some that believe that things like acupuncture really can stimulate the healing in your body including helping you to improve your overall experience with arthritis. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor and do more research about each option.

The most important thing for you to do in regards to rheumatoid arthritis treatment is to seek out the help of a qualified doctor or even a specialist in the field. From here, develop a plan that is all inclusive and tells you everything that you need to know to better your daily experience with arthritis.

Greg Marsh
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-alternatives-and-medication-92446.html

Arthritis is Now One of the Most Prevalent Chronic Health Problems of the Western World

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Arthritis is usually associated with older people, however, rheumatoid arthritis endangers especially middle-aged individuals and it is not unusual to see younger aged patients.

It is now one of the most prevalent chronic health problems of the western world.

This disease causes cartilage and other joint tissue to deteriorate. If the problem isn’t treated effectively, it will get worse as the cartilage and the protective joint capsule becomes more eroded. Eventually, it will worsen to an extreme in which the individual can no longer use the joint and can become disabled for it.

This inflammation leads to and is perpetuated by the production of chemical messengers, called cytokines. If the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells is high, the patient is said to have an active inflammation in the body, a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis.

Many people who are affected by this condition regularly complain of flu- like symptoms such as tiredness and depression.

In the past, osteo-arthritis sufferers were doomed to bed, or experience knee pain daily, when climbing stairs or after squatting on the floor.

In fact, a recent survey by the Boston-based Rippe Lifestyle Institute indicated that many people with arthritis are suffering unnecessarily because they have stopped or reduced their use of pain relievers due to confusion about which drugs are considered safe.

Painkillers are prescribed as demanded and as a first line of treatment. Vioxx, a popular pain medication was fetching its manufacturer, Merck Pharmaceuticals, millions of dollars in sales in 2004.

The truth is drugs and so called pain relievers do not work, they only compound the problem, what we need is a natural long-term cure.

Fed up from the side effects of the drugs, people are now shifting towards alternative therapies for the cure and treatment of common problems.

A rheumatoid arthritis natural remedy works by treating the cause and rebuilding the joint with natural supplements.

If you are one of these people, finding out your exact food sensitivities and eliminating these problem foods from your diet can work miracles. Eating foods that contain sodium nitrate or tartrazine can worsen the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, while ingesting foods containing a substance called hydrazine can contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus, an arthritic condition connected to lupus

Eating black walnuts can cause flare-ups in people with a rare type of arthritis called Behcet’s Disease.

The effective management includes a combination of conventional medicines, effective alternative treatments, changes in diet and food, rest, exercise, lifestyle changes (e. Studies have shown that a very low fat free vegetarian style diet with plenty of olive oil and fish oil can improves RA.

Therefore if you are not eating the right oils or the proper amount, then your cartilage can become dry.

Omega-3 oils are the lubricating fluids of your joints, the balancing fluids of your heart, skin and pancreas, the force for the battle against cancers and the fluid to keep the brain tuned and more important of all, the cure for the arthritis disease.

The basic cause of the unnecessary disease called “Arthritis” is that the lubricating fluid in the joints gets too thin. It doesn’t lubricate properly, the joints become stiff and difficult to move.

When your human joints lack the proper lubricating fluid various parts of the joint—the cartilage and joint lining begin to rub and grind against one another. The friction causes stiffness, and then it begins to ache and finally inflammation of the joints sets in.

If friction causes the cartilage to wear away it is called “Osteoarthritis”. If the lining of the joints suffers it is called “Rheumatoid arthritis”.

People who do not suffer from arthritis have joint fluids that are over 15 times thicker and more viscous than the fluid in the arthritic joint.

Now we know what you have to achieve, you have got to get oils back into your aching joints and bones.

It is now an accepted fact that joint linings can take in nutritional oils directly from the blood stream and cartilage can absorb oils from the lining through osmosis.

It was discovered that Omega-3s, among their many other health benefits, are powerful anti-inflammatory agents.

The body cannot manufacture them; they must come from the diet.

Therefore a high quality Omega-3 supplement from the cold unpolluted oceans of the southern hemisphere taken regularly is a proven long-term cure for all types of Arthritis.

Tom O’Connor, an expert on Omega-3, shares a wealth of information on his website http://www.1st-Omega-3.Com

Tom O`Connor
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/arthritis-is-now-one-of-the-most-prevalent-chronic-health-problems-of-the-western-world-92071.html

Personal Trainer Singapore Warns: Focus on Nutrition not Diets

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Helping athletes achieve their best performances and helping clients achieve their fitness goals such as fat loss and weight loss is my duty as a sports performance coach and personal trainer.

It is pretty obvious that what you eat is critical to your health and your performance.

In fact there was a study done on a group of people who were put on an excellent exercise program which consisted of 3 days per week of strength training, and 2 days a week of cardiovascular training. This went on for 12 weeks. This is certainly a long period of time, and that is a large amount of exercise, and certainly more than most other people do!).

The results: A total amount of fat loss of… 0.5-1kg!!

Pathetic!

What should be expected, for those who do all the right stuff, they should regularly lose 8-10kg of fat in 3 months. And perhaps even more if their starting weight is very far from their target.

The reason that the university study shows such disappointing results?… These people were told that they could eat whatever they pleased.

Conclusion: Nutrition is critical to achieve your fitness goals.

However there is another side to the story.

There are diets that exist which give the promise of huge and impressive weight loss or fat loss in a short period of time.

I myself have tried all kinds of diets including very low calorie liquid diets. It was a liquid only diet but the liquids were high quality protein powders. It also includes healthy fats like fish oils and flax seeds, as well as some supplements to prevent muscle loss.

These diets WORK. You will lose fat, you will look lean, and you will defeat psychological cravings for bad food (this is probably the best effect)

BUT….

Don’t forget, these are DIETS. They are not NUTRITION. There are some “side effects” that make diets short term projects, rather than life long plans.

Here are some of the problems…

Metabolic slowdown – Reduced calorie diets cannot be done long term because then your body thinks it is in a starvation state.

Stress hormones will go up – low calories is a condition that is stressful to your body!

Fat storage will go up – to stay alive

Non essential systems will slow down (reproductive, immune system, digestive system etc)

Digestive system will weaken (no need to work hard if we are eating all liquids/too little food)<

Muscle Loss – this is bad! Makes you look and feel weak

The body is designed to have whole, natural foods as it’s nutrition. Different people do best on different ratios of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. However the items of food consumed should be the same. Eggs, Meats, Veggies, Fruits, Nuts as well as drinks that contain no calories such as tea and water should be the basis of good nutrition no matter who you are and what your goals are.

So unless you have a specific weight class, competition or special event to “diet” for, forget about diets the majority of the time and focus on good nutrition.

Jonathan Wong
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/personal-trainer-singapore-warns-focus-on-nutrition-not-diets-745065.html

Proven Weight Loss Diets – What’s Healthy and What’s not

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

If you are in the market looking for a proven weight loss diets, you will likely come across several that claim their product will reveal the results you desire. The more you look into the different products you might even begin to realize not too much is similar, so how do they work?

Fad diets might work wonders for you, however they are generally not going give you long term results. These diets are designed to show results quickly generally be depriving your body of essential nutrients.

These diets will eventually end up causing you more harm than good. Once your body is allowed to have the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrition it will store it for later use instead of burning it. The causes excessive weight gain in a short period of time.

Fasting diets can be beneficial to the body in moderation. However, it is not health for a person to fast for too many consecutive days. This method triggers the body to into what is often referred to as survival mode.

Survival mode causes the body to store all food for energy later because it does not know when it will be getting the nutrition it needs again. This can lead to more weight being gained than what is going to be lost after the diet has ended and food has been reinstated.

The diets that really work are those that control the calorie intake per day and include a healthy level of exercising. You should incorporate more water into your daily beverage routine and slowly increase the exercise regimen.

To successfully lose weight in a healthy and steady manner you should burn more calories a day than you consume. This will force the body into burning fat to maintain the energy you need to continue the day.

You should also be sure the diet you choose allows you to eat at least 3 meals a day. You should never skip a meal on a diet because this is another trigger for survival mode. Depriving your body of food is not recommended for healthy weight loss, instead try incorporating more healthy foods and less processed foods, lower salt and sugar content.

There are many proven weight loss diets that you will come across, however not all of them are actually healthy or beneficial to your overall health and well being. Many will cause more harm than good.

Alvin Hopkinson
http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/proven-weight-loss-diets-whats-healthy-and-whats-not-676859.html