If you have the time, I’d highly recommend watching this video so you understand more about the dangers of all this extra sugar in your food.

And, if you don’t have time for the full version of the video, here’s a really good recap of it from UndergroundWellness:

Magic pills, eccentric diets of maple syrup; some people will do anything to lose weight. Whilst losing a few pounds might be a healthy decision for some people, others just want to find healthy ways to get fit. The key to a healthy heart is eating right, being more active, and cutting out harmful habits such as smoking (1).

Keep in mind that you should always check with your GP before starting a new exercise programme, as they will be able to advise you on where to begin (2). Once you’ve got the go-ahead, why not try one of the following fun and healthy ways to get fit?

The gym

Whilst the gym can seem like a daunting place to start your fitness regime, you are likely to find other people in your position there too who you can associate with. You can also make use of the knowledge of a personal trainer; someone who is likely to know about supplements such as whey protein and creatine, and exercises that can be matched to your needs.

Walking

Whether you live in the city or out in the sticks, walking is a great way to get daily exercise (3). This can be as simple as running around the shops, or as tough as scaling a mountain after your breakfast. Not only are you getting your muscles moving, but you are also engaging in aerobic exercise. Once you get the hang of pounding the pavements, you might find that you can do a few more steps than before.

Skipping

Jumping rope is not just for the kids anymore. We can get in on the twisty action for an excellent cardiovascular workout. Guides are available which can help you to choose the correct skipping rope for your size; after all, you wouldn’t want to keep hitting your head or feet with a too-small rope (4). You never know, you may end up being able to perform cross-over and double-under moves in time!

Footnotes:

1 Food Standards Agency. (2010). Healthy heart. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthissues/healthyheart/

I came across this infographic about this topic and thought it was worth sharing. Read it over, it’s full of some great information!

Which vitamins should you be taking?

Some of the more interesting numbers:

• Only half of adults in the US take a multivitamin
• Sales for vitamins and supplements have increased 40% over the last decade (which means that way less than half of adults were taking vitamins 10 years ago)

These two points further convince me that not enough people are taking advantage of even a simple multivitamin. Are you one of them?

First, Bodybuilding.com is running a sale on various fat burners and other stacks:

• 20% off USPlabs OxyElite Pro
• 20% off Nutrex Lipo 6
• 20% off MAN Vaporize
• 20% off MuscleMeds Methylburn Extreme
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• $23.70 off Higher Power Muscle Stack (expires 6/29/10)
• $16.45 off Higher Power Health Stack (expires 6/29/10)
• $28.45 off Higher Power Fat Loss Stack (expires 6/29/10)

A1Supplements.com is running a deal on the following:

• 10% off AppliedNeutraceuticals Super Charge Stack (coupon code SCS10)
• 30% off CytoGenix CytoStack (coupon code CYTO30)

DAMuscle.com is running the following deals right now:

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• 66% off Meridian Naturals Fat Attack Stack
• 42% off Cutting Edge Labs Whey
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• 53% off Optimum Nutrition Opti-Men – 180 caps
• BSN NO Xplode for $27.50 (expires 6/27/10)

• 57% off Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey 5lbs at DAMuscle
• 52% off BSN NO-Xplode at DAMuscle
• 53% off Universal Animal Pak at DAMuscle
• 42% off Cutting Edge Labs Whey at DAMuscle

Bodybuilding.com is also offering free shipping on all orders over $99 until May 25th.

An EU hearing organised by the Standing Committee of European Doctors and the PA International Foundation heard this March that there is a ‘huge’ shortfall between the recommended and actual intake of Vitamin D (1).

Speaking at the hearing, Kevin Cashman from University College Cork in Ireland said: “Vitamin D deficiency is a huge public health issue and it is estimated that 50-75 per cent of the adult population do not take enough vitamin D,” he said.

“We need to target the at-risk population and take a serious step forward to eradicate vitamin D deficiency.

“This is preventable but it needs an effective and efficient strategy to make it happen.”

Currently, adults are advised to intake 10 micrograms of Vitamin D per day, with the amount rising to 10-15 micrograms for elderly people. The average amount is far lower, however, at just 3-4 micrograms per day (2).

Most of the Vitamin D we need comes from the rays of the sun (3), however skin must be bare and the sunlight direct. This means that people who are not exposed to daylight, who stay indoors or who regularly cover up their skin whilst outdoors are at particular risk of a deficiency. A Vitamin D deficiency can cause a number of conditions including muscle pain or weakness, bone pain, and soft bones in severe deficiencies (4).

Aside from sunlight, Vitamin D is also present in some foods. These include fish and eggs, as well as fortified foods such as margarine and cereals. Vitamin D capsules can also be taken to supplement intake, and are recommended to groups who are at risk of deficiencies, such as pregnant women (5).

References
Parliament.co.uk (24th March, 2010). EU urged to help tackle Vitamin D deficiency. http://www.theparliament.com/no_cache/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/eu-urged-to-help-tackle-vitamin-d-deficiency/

Parliament.co.uk (24th March, 2010). EU urged to help tackle Vitamin D deficiency. http://www.theparliament.com/no_cache/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/eu-urged-to-help-tackle-vitamin-d-deficiency/

(1)NHS (17th March, 2010). Vitamin D supplements and flu. http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/03March/Pages/Vitamin-D-supplements-and-flu.aspx

(2)Patient.co.uk (25th February, 2008).Vitamin D deficiency. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Vitamin-D-Deficiency.htm

(3)Food Standards Agency (2010). Vitamin D. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/vitaminsandminerals/vitamind

About the Guest Author
Philip Youngwood writes professionally on a number of health topics relating to vitamin supplementation, particularly those featured in the news. Most recently this includes Vitamin D and its importance to the health of the body.

So on a scale of 1 to 10 for taste, I’d give it an 8/10.