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Red Wine – For Your Health

Posted by free1blog2 | Posted in Intuitive Eating | Posted on 22-06-2011

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There are plenty of schools of thought that will tell you that drinking alcohol is not good for the body. And for the most part this can be a true statement. However, a glass of red wine on a daily basis has been proven to have several health benefits. Studies show that some of the compounds in red wine are actually good for preventing things like heart disease and diabetes. They also lower the bad cholesterol levels and can even promote weight loss. Moderation is the key to drinking red wine for your health.

The properties that make red wine healthful are the resveratrol and other polyphenols that come from the variety of grapes used in its production. Polyphenols are the natural chemical compounds found in the skin of the grapes used to make wine. They are also found in many other plants. These polyphenols act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are the vitamins and minerals and naturally occurring enzymes that protect cells from damage caused by the metabolic process, they also help to prevent chronic diseases. Resveratrol has also been studied for its anti- aging effects. The test on lab mice has been very promising.

Drinking responsibly is the key. Since the compounds are found in most fruits and vegetables you merely have to substitute one serving of fruit with a glass of wine. It would be unwise to drink seven glasses of wine on a daily basis as a replacement for the daily requirements that have been set forth. Heart health is one of the most document uses for red wine. A notable publication did a study that showed that red wine actually prohibited the synthesis of the protein endothelin-1. This is the main culprit in the development of atherosclerosis. This buildup of fatty material along the walls of the major arteries is what leads to heart disease.

We need to remember that the alcohol of red wine is not the thing that promotes good health it is the polyphenols you are seeking. The benefits are the same for both sexes, although a man can generally drink more wine because of his body mass. Too much alcohol can lead to sclerosis of the liver.

Flavonoids are also a major healthy compound found in red wine. The main one is the anthocyanin; this is the compound that makes grapes attain the deep purple hue. To get this and the other antioxidants in abundance you should drink a Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Although others contain these compounds the concentration is a lot higher in these wines.

Whether you are a wine broker or just a wine lover, you can buy wine online with Pat Lindle and the Wine Buyers Purchasing Group.

Is Your Body Weight Loss Resistant?

Posted by free1blog2 | Posted in Intuitive Eating | Posted on 21-04-2011

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Women who work hard at trying to manage their weight only to find the excess pounds won’t budge are often left frustrated. While women are often made to feel guilty for being heavier than statistics show they should be, there may in fact be logical reasons some women have weight loss resistance. There are a number of factors that might be at play.

If you are a woman finding it hard to fight the bulge, why not investigating some of these factors. One or more of them may help to shed some light on your situation.

Why Are Some Women Weight Loss Resistant?

Here are a few possibilities of why some women seem to be weight loss resistant:

Emotional Eating: Some women just plainly like the taste of food. Others eat to calm nerves or use food to meet an emotional need. A sign of emotional eating is when a woman eats when she’s not hungry.

False Hunger: Just as a pregnant woman might experience false labour, a woman can experience cramps that mimic hunger pangs. Gaseous food and chewing gum can cause this feeling. Food intolerances can also cause a cramping feeling. Once a woman feels false hunger, she obviously feels the need to eat to calm her stomach, resulting in adding unneeded calories.

Hormonal Imbalances: Many pregnant women gain weight well beyond the weight of the baby. Most women eat healthier while pregnant than at any other time in their lives, so what’s going on? Many peri- and post-menopausal women complain of unexplained weight gain and weight loss resistance too. Hormonal imbalances can cause a ruckus in some women.

Genetics: It is obvious just by observing some families that genetics has a role in weight gain. Often when one struggles with excess weight, one of their parents does too.

Overeating: It goes without saying that overeating can lead to weight gain. It is simple math that as many calories that are taken in need to be burned in order to stay in balance. Oftentimes, women who workout will trick themselves into thinking they can eat more because they’ve worked out. Some even use food or a high calorie beverage as a workout reward, which obviously defeats the purpose.

Missing Ingredient: Some women’s bodies have trouble absorbing the nutrients from their food throwing the body into havoc. A multivitamin might help to bring needed balance.

Thyroid Problems: An underactive thyroid can prevent a woman’s metabolism from processing calories efficiently. Not only might a woman with an underactive thyroid be unable to lose weight, but she may gain weight rapidly if not diagnosed and treated in time.

Under-activity: In order for a woman’s body to burn calories, it needs to move. If a woman has a sedentary job, even if she exercises, her body may not be getting enough exercise.

What To Do?

If you suspect any of the above conditions apply to you, take action on them.

Obviously, it is important to get a physical check-up including blood work done, if you haven’t already. It is important to make efforts to keep yourself moving and exercising and to be conscious of what you’re taking in. Reminding yourself of the above factors should help you become more aware of what might be going on and steer you toward a few new solutions.

In any event, adopt the “Do It Anyway Plan”. That means, keep exercising even if the scale doesn’t budge. Do it anyway. Your muscles, (including the all important heart muscle), your circulation, lungs and metabolism will thank you.

Cinergy Health & Life Insurance Agency is dedicated to providing quality health and life insurance plans for people in a variety of life situations. For more information on a selection of health and insurance topics, visit the Cinergy Health & Life Learning Center at http://www.cinergyhealth.com.

Chia Seeds: An Amazing Superfood

Posted by free1blog2 | Posted in Healthy Eating | Posted on 16-04-2011

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Chia seeds are an amazing superfood. Sure, they make one think of the infamous Chia Pets with theflowing green hair, but they are so much more. Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. They are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. They are also high in protein, fiber, magnesium and calcium.

One ounce of chia seeds is only 137 calories. They have no noticeable taste or odor so they can be implemented in a wide variety of foods like puddings, smoothies, muffins and more. Chia seeds are also durable. They don’t need to be refrigerated and don’t go rancid as quickly as other seeds such as flax.

Chia seeds are hydrating as they hold up to nine times their weight in water. This will help to keep you hydrated, which is necessary for good health. When you mix the chia seeds in the water, they create a sort of gel which adds volume to any food you’re eating. This is important because it makes the food more filling and can aid significantly in weight loss.

A study of twenty diabetic patients in 2007 yielded some impressive results regarding chia seeds. For example, patients who ate four teaspoons of chia seeds every day for three months saw a reduction in blood clotting and inflammation. They noticed an increase in levels of essential fatty acids by 80% and dropped six units in systolic blood pressure. It’s also important to note that the gel chia seeds create when mixed with water can slow down carbohydrate digestion and help regulate blood sugar, which is an obvious benefit to not just diabetics but to all.

This study was conducted using the white chia seeds, also known as saba. There are two types of chia seeds, white and black. Grown in Central and South America, these seeds were first harvested in southern Mexico over 4,000 years ago and were used by the Incan, Aztec and Mayan cultures. Warriors would often subsist on chia alone while on campaigns or conquests.

The high protein component of chia seeds is easily absorbable. This makes chia a great food for athletes as it helps with tissue repair. It can also help children and adolescents during their inevitable growth spurts.

Chia’s high oil content helps the body emulsify and absorb the vitamins A,D,E & K. As an unsaturated fatty acid, the chia seed makes it easier for oxygen to be transported via the blood stream to other parts of the body. They also are essential for glandular function and can help the body, along with Vitamin D, hold on to calcium better. In fact, chia seeds are an important source of calcium, containing the mineral boron, which utilizes and assimilates calcium in the body.

With all of these benefits and more it’s easy to see why chia seeds are considered a superfood. Why not give them a try?

Cinergy Health & Life Insurance Agency is dedicated to providing quality health and life insurance plans for people in a variety of life situations. For more information on a selection of health and insurance topics, visit the Cinergy Health & Life Learning Center at www.cinergyhealth.com.