Things You Didn't Know About Green Tea

Detoxification Programs
Detoxification programs are a relatively new facet of the health and wellness world. This is partly because science is still learning a ton about what makes our bodies tick, but there is another problem that has been plaguing detoxification programs.

A huge problem has been companies promoting their "miracle" drugs and vastly exaggerating what they can do for you. This same fact applies to tea just as much as it applies to other products such as:

Acai Berries
Pomegranate
Vitamin E
and Fish Oil
I'm not saying anything bad about the above products, but they just aren't the cure-all that companies have sold them to be. The same is true for tea. Part of the problem is that the FDA does not regulate supplements (as can be seen on the labels of all supplements).

It is important to be vigilant about what you are putting in your body, but it is also important to be realistic about what these amazing products can do for you. Believe me, I love these products, but they aren't going to cause you to lose 30 pounds in a week.

Below are some awesome facts. I did my best to not blow them out of proportion, but they are still interesting. Feel free to fact check them, I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised!

8 Neat Facts:

In the event that free radicals are wrecking your life, then try some Green tea as it is loaded with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.
If are a person who is always on the go but you want a convenient treat, then try Green tea mints. They're gaining in popularity and they are delicious!
Tea can help to influence your bloodstream sugar levels. This is great news for anyone who might suffer from diabetes.
Unsweetened Green Tea helps to lessen tooth rot. It continues to be studied, but the results look very positive.
In the event you want bitter Green tea, then make certain you steep it for way too long or at a really hot temperature, yuck! This is a common mistake for new tea drinkers.
In the event that your Polyphenol tank is actually running on empty, then let Green tea fill you up!
And if really need to shore up the walls of your blood vessels, then Green tea may be what you need. Studies are yielding very interesting results about the effects of it on your blood vessel walls.
If you happen to be suffering from depression, then chances are you may want to give Green tea, which contains Theanine, a go. Theanine has been linked to important functions such as moderating your mood.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-Green-Tea&id=7698997

The Raw Juice Cleanse: Lose Weight and Detox With Juices

The juice cleanse has popped on the scene promising weight loss and extraordinary health benefits. Can a juice fast really do that for you? Both fitness afficionados and stress-filled urban warriors swear by it. Let's take a look and see what might be in it for you.

"Eat your veggies!" is the plaintive mother's cry, but for liquid-nutrition fans, juicing is the way to go. The juices flood your body with the same phytonutrients and antioxidants that are in whole fruits and vegetables. Choosing to juice may be the first step of a change to a healthy life-style or it may be a jumpstart to weight loss and a new, thinner you.

You may choose a juice-cleanse fast or you may simply drinking juices along with healthy food choices. Juicing can help release the natural healing power of the body. Fruit and vegetable juice blends may be beneficial along with the treatments for:

Elevated cholesterol
High blood pressure
Arthritis
Digestive problems
Skin conditions.
The juice cleanse fast is an intense way of clearing the body of wastes and toxins. Many first-time fasters start off with a three-day juice cleanse. It's usually best to spend one day easing your body into the fast and then one day easing your body out of the fast. A three-day fast is actually more like a five-day process. Decide first if you want to buy your juices already prepared or, preferably, make your own juices fresh with a juicer machine.

Follow These Steps

The day before the fast, eat only fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water, but cut out the caffeine drinks, such as coffee and soda.
Shop and buy a great variety of fruits and vegetables, preferably organic. Wash them really well to remove any hint of pesticides or toxins.
The first morning of the fast, peel and cut up enough fruit and vegetables for the entire day. Store in zip-lock bags in the refrigerator.
Choose the ingredients for the first juice blend and run through the juicer machine.
Make each juice fresh and drink throughout each day. You may take juices at any time of the day, don't feel restricted to standard meal times. Juice snacks rule!
Drink plenty of water. It will work to flush the body and can help keep down the hungry feelings.
Repeat for the second and third days to complete the fast.
The day after the fast (fifth day), begin eating solid foods, but ease the body out by once again eating mostly fruits and vegetables.
Introduce a few quality, light proteins, such as nuts or plain boiled chicken.
Gradually, over the next few days, return to your usual diet, but continue to avoid any processed or greasy foods such as pizza.


http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Raw-Juice-Cleanse:-Lose-Weight-and-Detox-With-Juices&id=8161749

Is A Detox Diet Plan An Effective Tool For Weight Loss?

But whether or not a detox diet is to be implemented for the purposes of weight loss is a different story... sort of.

The truth is, any time you decide to give your body the gift of cleanliness, purity, and renewal, anyone who would try to talk you out of it would be an absolute fool. And here's the kicker. I have actually heard people suggest that this is a great way to get healthier and more energized, but shouldn't be used as a primary means of weight loss. I couldn't disagree more.

Body fat is a defense mechanism. It protects your vital organs, blood vessels, sensitive tissues, cells, and even nerves from acids and pollution within the bloodstream. The fat cells grab onto these dangerous chemicals, essentially trapping them and blocking them from doing damage to the body's critical players. In football terms, fat cells are your body's offensive linemen!

But if you've got weight to lose, then a detox diet can help the body start getting rid of these toxins, while preventing new toxins from entering. As a result, your body will no longer have any need to hold onto excess fat, and alas, fat loss becomes totally effortless, healthy, and substantial. On certain detox diet plans, you can SAFELY lose up to two pounds a day!

Of course, you don't want to remain on a detox diet permanently, generally keeping 30 days as your absolute maximum. However, you can implement them several times within a given year. Many nutritionist recommend a 14 day detox once per quarter (4 times per year).

There are many detox diets to choose from, each with varying degrees of intensity and effectiveness. Perhaps the most extreme is a fast, where you will only drink purified water for the entire duration of your cleanse. There are other variations of a fast, such as a green drink cleanse and the Master Cleanse (aka the Lemonade Diet).

Another popular and well-respected detox diet is the Raw Food Diet, which can actually end up becoming a permanent lifestyle plan if followed correctly.

Naturally, you will want to consult with your trusted health care practitioner, who will ideally be someone who is well versed in preventive, natural medicine as opposed to being a gung-ho pharmaceutical pusher who's only interested in treating symptoms and ignoring causes.

A doctor with a good balance of prevention and treatment focus is a great choice. Talk to him or her about your desire to lose weight with a detox diet and see if they have any recommendations that will meet your specific needs.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-A-Detox-Diet-Plan-An-Effective-Tool-For-Weight-Loss?&id=8636728

Cleansing Diets For Weight Loss

A cleansing diet is a way to rid your body of excess toxins or food stuffs. Most of the time this type of a diet could mean one of several different types of approaches. Some diets involve eating only one or two different types of foods. Some diets involve eating no food at all and drinking only liquids. Some types of cleanses allow the person to eat several types of foods. It is really very personal and individualized on what type of cleansing diet you select.

We are all exposed to chemical toxins in our every day life. We often do not stop to think about this, but it is true. By following a cleansing diet every few months or so it will rid us of these toxins and allow our bodily systems to function more efficiently.

A popular type of cleansing diet is drinking only bottled water and freshly squeezed juices. You would not want to stay on this type of a diet too long due to its intensity, but a popular length of time for a cleansing diet is between 3 to 7 days. This type of cleanse is also used before some testing of the lower and upper gastrointestinal tract.

Another common practice in a cleansing diet is a vegan type of diet consisting of uncooked, all natural fruits and vegetables. No meat or carbohydrates are eaten on this type of a diet. Beverages consist of either water or freshly squeezed juices.

It is important to remember that although a cleansing diet is a good practice every so often, if you do start to feel ill you should eat a little something more substantial. You do not need to eat a full course meal, but only to nibble on something that is a bit more filling. You should also remember that it is advisable to take a multivitamin every day, drink plenty of water, get an adequate amount of sleep or even a little bit more sleep than usual, and always check with your doctor first to get his approval on participating in a cleansing diet.

Cleansing diets were practiced naturally before people expected to eat 3 large meals a day. Farmers ate large breakfasts and dinners but often missed lunch because they were hard at work in the fields. Groups of people who lived through hunting and gathering often went a day or two without food when it couldn't be found. This type of eating plan naturally allowed the body to cleanse itself.

When you are nearing the end of your cleansing diet you should gradually introduce any food back in to your body a little bit at a time. You do not want to shock or overload your body all at once. Remember that your body has gone without its normal every day intake now for a few days or more. It will need time to readjust. Light eating is best after your body has readjusted. Your body does not need to be weighed back down with all kinds of heavy caloric intake.

A toxin-free body is an ideal goal to aim for. A toxin-laden body cannot work at peak performance and bodily systems will be prone to upset. Detoxify yourself every so often with a cleansing diet to keep your body machine running at its best.



http://ezinearticles.com/?Cleansing-Diets-For-Weight-Loss&id=8282671

5 Best Detox Drinks

Long-term use of any drugs or addictive substance will eventually harm the human body. Withdrawing these serious practices and the removal of toxic substances is therefore highly recommended.

Detoxification is the best process for the removal of toxic wastes being decomposed in the body. Here are five effective detox drinks, which will help people to remove the excess toxin deployed in the body and help to attain the weight loss goals in ease.

White Tea

Even though white tea is derived from Camellia sinensis, the same as green and black tea, it is highly enriched with effective antioxidants.

White tea is a natural detox agent and acts as an effective weight loss ingredient. Apparently, it expels the poisonous toxins accrued in the system. Regular intake of white tea will not only safeguard the liver, but enable the body to enhance the production of detoxification properties.

Sliced cucumber with lemon

Blending the combination of lemon with sliced cucumber seems like an unusual recipe, but the potential benefits of the two are undeniable. Consumption of this unfamiliar drink helps to boost metabolic activity, acts as a detox agent, weight loss aid and provides essential energy required.

Nutritionists and health professional highly recommend sliced cucumber with lemon juice twice a day.

H2O

It is a universal fact; the human body consists of 55% to 78% water. To be precise 2/3's of human body constitutes water. According to the size and body proportion the percentage of water varies. The best water to consume is distilled water, being the only pure form of water available on our planet. Regular intake of distilled water will cleanse the body, detoxifying and hydrating and flushing out toxins gradually.

Keep in mind, water is as a chemical compound as well paramagnetic, so balanced and a correct proportion of it will provide the sufficient nourishment to the body.

Cranberries with water

Unsweetened cranberry juice with a cup of distilled water paves way for heck a bundle of health issues. They are enriched with phytochemicals and oxalate, and acts as a strong detox drink as well a cleanse and removes the excess toxin waste in the body. Cranberries also help individuals to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems, cancer, urinary tract infections etc.

Since fruits are rich in vitamins, when consumed either as juice or in the natural form, they help the human body to heal at a faster rate.

Sliced pear with apple smoothie

Combination of sliced pear, apple juice along with a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil will effectively cleanse the body.

Apart from the process of detoxification, it vitally acts as a strong weight loss supplement drink. Two glasses or three on a daily basis will gradually kill toxins and cleanse the body.

Preliminary research suggest that ursolic acid in apple will reduce the adverse risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, colon cancer, prostate as well lung cancer. It enhances the antioxidant activity in the body as well detoxifies the entire system.

However, detoxification is a remedy to overcome the poisonous toxins embedded in the body. But the natural remedy is to follow and indulge with a healthy diet routine and stay fit.



http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Best-Detox-Drinks&id=8172393

5 Christmas Hunger Triggers You Need To Avoid

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and doesn’t our waistline know it? After being good all year, Christmas comes and our healthy eating habits go out the window – hand over the mince pies!

And whilst it’s all too easy to get caught up in the festive magic, spare a little thought for the New Year you; the one sworn to a million New Year’s resolutions, in the hope a total detox will purge you of your dieting sins.

To make January much more bearable; refrain from overindulging this Christmas. Avoid these 5 hunger triggers, and you’re on the right track. 

 

Stress

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness. However, this is soon forgotten when you’re fighting for TVs in Tesco / queuing for the Christmas turkey.

December sends us into panic mode. We need to buy the perfect present now.  To cope with the stress, we find comfort in our old friend, food. High-sugar, high-fat treats provide a warm – albeit temporary – sense of relief that everything’s going to be ok.  

Experts at Harvard Health say our sudden need for food during stressful times is caused by the hormone cortisol, which increases our appetite and makes us reach for the chocolate.

To avoid this trigger, take a step back. Christmas is supposed to be an enjoyable time so try not to worry. Plan, budget and don’t set expectations too high. Instead, dedicate your time to having fun with family and friends.

Tiredness

Christmas can sometimes up the workload, resulting in extra long days at the office and sleepy eyes. Rather than feeling super-festive, you’re desperate for an early night. And to make matters worse, tiredness is a common hunger trigger.

Scientists believe that those who sleep less tend to eat more. A study conducted by Andrew Calvinof the Mayo Clinic found that those who were sleep deprived consumed 550 more calories a day.  We over compensate for our lack of energy by eating sugary foods. Not only that, when we’re tired we tend to ditch cooking healthy meals in favour of takeaway and junk food.

Beat the need to snack by leaving the office on time and getting your 7-8 hours of sleep. It can impact your diet more than you realise. 

Boredom

Eating when bored happens to the best of us, especially at Christmas. You’re surrounded by your favourite foods; cheese, crackers, chocolate biscuits – it would be rude not to.

However, this is where the holiday weight creeps in. December 25^th arrives and there’s nothing to do but put your feet up, watch festive films and eat your way through delicious foods.

If you can resist temptation, this is the perfect hunger trigger to try and beat. Ask family and friends to hold back on buying chocolate, avoid large portion sizes and be aware of ‘mindless’ eating. We tend to forget moderation at Christmas, and can pile on the pounds without even noticing.  

Winter Blues

Feeling down in the dumps is a good enough reason to reach for Christmas snacks. It’s cold, dark and we can’t wait for summer to come back. However, feeling sad during this season is serious business – don’t let sugary foods be your only source of comfort.

If you’re feeling low, call up an old friend. Time with your nearest and dearest is a guaranteed mood booster – as they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. Alternatively, dig out the gym gear and exercise. This not only helps you maintain a healthy weight over Christmas, but it also releases endorphins (happy hormones) that make you feel great about yourself.

Merriment

During December, our social calendar is packed with office parties and Christmas catch-ups. And not surprisingly, many of us tend to put on a little extra weight. The season dictates that we must have an amazing time – so prepare yourself for mince pies and mulled wine aplenty!

The key with this hunger trigger is to limit yourself. Amidst festivities, it’s hard to say no. As we all know, Christmas can get notoriously boozy. And whilst alcohol carries serious health risks, it’s also secretly calorific. One pint of beer for instance, is 180 calories.

And then there’s the hangover. The only way to wake up from the rotten headache and terrible tiredness is with a big greasy fry up. Christmas parties are the gift that keeps on giving – lots of calories.

Our advice? Take the healthy option once in while. Swap the glass of wine for a pint of water, share the wealth (selection boxes included) and try to make those Christmas treats last longer than Boxing Day.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-christmas-hunger-triggers-need-avoid-090000040.html

Spring Cleaning - A New Healthier YOU!

We are well into spring now, and we all know the "spring cleaning" cliche that we hear around this time. While cleaning our homes are great, it's even better to asses where we are in our health and make some changes as needed. Read this checklist and decide what "spring cleaning" YOU are in the market for at this time!

Cleanse/Detox- Allowing your body a chance to regenerate, and providing optimal nutrition for a set period of time is always excellent for your health. The start of each season is the best time to set for a cleanse/detox. Don't let these terms scare you, there are several options for a cleanse/detox that may fit your needs. No meat, a liquid cleanse, cleanses with meat, or an all juice or water cleanse. Decide what works best and is most realistic for you. Remember the point is not to lose weight (though this may happen during this period of time), the objective is to reset your body and mind on the right track and then set goals to grow from there.

Evaluate your health goals- Really think about where you are in your health and wellness. Not just how you look but also how you feel. What short term and long term adjustments need to happen? Think realistically about some goals that you are ready implement now and also make a long term list that you can gradually work on throughout the year. The key here is to be realistic. It's great to set goals but it's even better to set goals that you will keep and work towards. If you know eating a salad every meal, or juicing daily is not realistic for you- do not set that goal.

Decide what has/has not worked- Sometimes things work for some people and for others they do not. For example, I am not a fan of High Intensity Cardiovascular, I would rather walk, do Pilates, or swim as those work better for me. I know the major benefits of high intensity cardiovascular but for me it doesn't work so I have stopped trying to make myself do it and switched to what I like. It's so rewarding! So if you see that whole grains or beans do not work for you- no matter the health benefits it's probably best that you stay away from them. And then of course if something does work for you figure out how you will keep the momentum to continue.

Implement new changes- Think about some new changes or things you would like to try. Trial and error can be very fun as long as you don't allow yourself to become discouraged about something not working the way you thought it would. This lifestyle has ups and downs, starts and stops, keep goings, and give it ups. IT'S OKAY! Just continue on this wonderful journey!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Spring-Cleaning---A-New-Healthier-YOU!&id=8483481

Detox And Body Maintenance With Chlorella And Cilantro

It has become increasingly clear over the past decades that our bodies are assaulted by toxins every day. Heavy metals are in the air, medications, water, and the very food we eat. There isn't much in our lives that hasn't been contaminated in some form. However, there are things you can do to help remove toxins from your body. The removal of heavy metals is called chelation and among those in the know, it changes lives. There are two natural foods that can help detoxify your body -- chlorella and cilantro.

Chlorella

This is a lowly algae found in sunny ponds. The outer walls of this single-celled organism are tough, so strong that it is hard to gain any benefit from the algae without help. This help is breaking the walls through milling or sudden changes in pressure to break the walls. Once processed, the chlorella will remove toxins from the body. The action is due to the high amount of chlorophyll found in this supplement. This natural substance can actually differentiate between beneficial nutrients and toxins. Not only can chlorella do this, it binds to all heavy metals to expel them out of the body.

The amount of chlorella needed depends on a person's body type, but the average dosing is listed on the purchased chlorella packaging. Lauded as a super-food by leading natural foods gurus, chlorella is an affordable way to detoxify the body daily.

Cilantro

Cilantro is an easy to access food found in many cuisines. The herb is very easy to grow at home, but if you don't have time to grow your own or to process what you have, it can be purchased raw and organic. Incorporate cilantro into salads, salsa, fermented food, and even raw in pesto. The benefits of cilantro are found in its ability to bind heavy metals, and then draw them out of the body quickly. For people who have had heavy exposure to metals, it is advisable to be cautious when detoxing with cilantro. The metal it has the most affinity for is mercury. Cilantro can move other metals, but to gain the most benefit it should be used with chlorella to remove all metals.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Detox-And-Body-Maintenance-With-Chlorella-And-Cilantro&id=8822854

The Art Of Detox

Detoxing has many health benefits: it can enhance your energy levels, clear the skin and improve digestion. A seven-day detox can help get things back on track if you're feeling a bit under the weather.

Follow these rules for a general week-long detox, from nutritionist:

1. Avoid black tea, coffee and alcohol. Instead drink herbal tea. Nettle tea is great at supporting the kidneys.

2. Drink at least 1 litre of water per day - ideally more. Keep a bottle by your desk and sip regularly - you'll be amazed how easy it is if you drink little and often.

3. Drink fresh juices. For example, carrot, beetroot, apple and cucumber juice, which are all both nourishing and cleansing.

4. Avoid processed foods. Steer clear of all ready meals, savoury snacks and biscuits. Aim to eat only food in its natural state. Cook it by steaming, lightly boiling or poaching, to retain as many nutrients as possible and full flavour.

5. Choose organic food in order to minimize your intake of toxic pesticides. Even if you can't make every item organic, do the best you can - it will make a difference.

6. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day - ideally more. At lunchtime and for dinner, aim to cover at least 60% of your plate with vegetables and eat as much variety as possible.

7. Cut down on animal products. Avoid dairy and replace milk with soya or nut milks. Lentils, beans, quinoa, seeds and nuts are good protein alternatives.

8. Thirty minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a day, such as walking or cycling will help you to get rid of those excess Christmas pounds, as well as having a vast range of other health benefits. Exercise is good for your heart, lungs, muscles and bones, as well as improving your mood and giving you a sense of well being.

http://www.studentcom.co.uk/news/health-and-fitness/the-art-of-detox.html#.VAslqnk1jZY