You Be Fit

Please Join me at my new Blog Site: You Be Fit

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Sat, 05 May 2012 07:03:00 +0000

I am excited about my New Blog Site and you will be too!!!

Go to http://www.you-be-fit.com/

See you There!!!!

Wallace

The 20 worst supermarket foods

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:53:00 +0000

NEW YORK, (BUSINESS WIRE) --David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding revealed a definitive list of the "20 Worst Supermarket Foods in America" as featured in the updated and expanded Eat This, Not That! All New Supermarket Survival Guide (Rodale; Paperback, $19.99) -- the essential guidebook for navigating the American supermarket. To compile the list of the most caloric and nutritionally devoid supermarket options from across the country, Zinczenko and Goulding, who have spent countless hours interviewing leading nutritionists and industry experts, scoured grocery store aisles for surprising nutritional pitfalls and their calorie-wise counterparts.

"The average supermarket contains more nutritional minefields than ever before," said Zinczenko, author of the bestselling EAT THIS, NOT THAT! series and Editorial Director/Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health. "Whether items are masquerading as healthy or the food is a more obvious indulgence, like Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie, with its first listed ingredients being chicken fat, oils, cream, and cheese--careful consideration and proper research always produces a better swap."

To come up with the "20 Worst Supermarket Foods in America," the authors evaluated calorie counts and other nutritional values such as fat, saturated fat, sodium and added sugar across 20 specific categories, including condiments, cereals, canned goods, frozen entrees, ice cream and others. After analyzing nutrition labels and ingredient lists, they came up with 20 grocery aisle atrocities--one within each category--which are among the worst supermarket items in America.

Topping the 2012 list is Marie Callender's "Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie," which packs a colossal 1,140 calories and 72 grams of fat--the calorie equivalent of nine 12-ounce bottles of Guinness Draught.

Top 10 Worst Supermarket Foods:

-- Worst Packaged Food: Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie (1,140 calories)

-- Worst Frozen Entree: Hungry-Man Select Classic Fried Chicken (1,030 calories)

-- Worst Frozen Pizza: DiGiorno Traditional Crust Supreme Pizza (790 calories)

-- Worst Stir-Fry/Skillet: Stouffer's Sautes For Two Steak Gorgonzola (730 calories)

-- Worst Breakfast: Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowls Pancakes & Sausage Links (710 calories)

-- Worst Individual Snack: Hostess Chocolate Pudding Pie (520 calories)

-- Worst Kids' Meal: Lunchables with Juice, Nachos, Cheese Dip + Salsa (490 calories)

-- Worst Pie: Marie Callender's Southern Pecan Pie (450 calories)

-- Worst Frozen Treat: Mrs. Fields Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich (450 calories)

-- Worst Packaged Side: Pasta Roni Fettucine Alfredo (450 calories)

Entertaining and informative, Eat This, Not That! All New Supermarket Survival Guide, the 13th installment in the best-selling series, is the consumer's ultimate secret weapon for burning fat and building leaner bodies--not by eating less, but by making smart, healthy food choices every time. The books in the popular EAT THIS, NOT THAT! series, which currently has more than 7.7 million copies in print, identify unhealthy foods--in fast-food chains, restaurant chains and grocery stores--and offer healthier alternatives.

EAT THIS, NOT THAT!

Source

Vibram FiveFinger Shoes- Have you ever saw someone running on the street and thought they were barefoot?

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:00:00 +0000

I have to admit, that I was skeptical at first because it's a funny looking shoe but once I use them I was sold. I have two pair!!!!!!

The Vibram FiveFingers shoes considered a “barefoot” shoe that improves your body mechanics by letting your foot work the way it should and not the way it does in a shoe. It is literally like running barefoot.

The Vibram FiveFingers are a "barefoot" shoe. That is they try to mimic going barefoot while providing the protection of a shoe sole. They differ from other "barefoot" shoes by giving you individual toe pockets.

The shoes themselves have a very thin responsive sole that lets you feel the ground beneath you, but you also have the use of your toes. That may not seem like much, but you'd be amazed at how much your pinkie toe can do if you let it.

By spreading out your toes, the Vibram FiveFingers give you greater control at your base. This translates to better balance, agility and body control. It can also lead to improved posture and less hip, back and shoulder pain if you suffer from those. Your hips and spine have better alignment and your heel strike (a major cause of back pain) is better.

To make things even better the Vibram FiveFingers are topped (or bottomed) with the legendary Vibram rubber sole perfected perfect for any activity like running, aerobics, water sports, rock climbing and other activity you can think of. This means the shoes fit your foot like a second skin and have an incredible grip. It is almost like having gecko feet.

Balance, agility and body control are all enhanced. The Vibram FiveFingers are available with as an open top slip on, an open top with straps, a mesh top with straps and a neoprene.

Getting into them the first few times is a little difficult, but you quickly learn.

Word to the wise, be cautious when you first use them

-Do not overdo it at first. Chances are that the ligaments and musculature of your feet is underdeveloped. Use them for no more than 1/2 – 1 mile in the first 24 hours, then take a day off. I didn't listen to the advice of the salesman at REI and went for a 5 mile run the next day. I paid the price and my legs, quads, calves, basically every muscle you can imagine and even the ones I didn't know I had were inflamed for the next five days. If any advice I can give you, take it slow the first day or two ;-0

I used to wear New Balance 992 sneakers for running and aerobics but after trying the FiveFingers, I can never go back. I definitely recommend you try them out for yourself.

What has been your experience with FiveFinger Shoes? I would love to get your feedback?

Formaldehyde in my Ice Cream, Reallly???

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:11:00 +0000

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it's true.

Ice cream usually contains 20-25% cream and milk products, 15% sugar and sometimes egg and then lot of chemical additives as stabilizers, emulsifiers, buffers, synthetic colors, surfactants, artificial flavors and preservatives. Stabilizer is used in order to retain the smoothness of the ice-cream by preventing the formation of coarse ice crystals.

Many commercial ice creams today are simply chemical concoctions presented in appealing packaging designed to sell a product that is not fit for human consumption. Everything from hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and dry milk solids are used to produce something still allowed to be called ice cream. Many ice creams are also filled with air to double the volume.

Research shows methylcelluose is formaldehyde used as a thickener in medicine and food including ice cream and avocado dip. Same stuff used to emulsify wallpaper paste. If you're lucky you might find other chemicals like caroxymethyl cellulose, butyraldehyde, and amyl acetate are additives in some commercial ice creams. How about some diethyl glycol -- a cheap chemical used to take the place of eggs, which is also used in anti-freeze and paint removers.

Now don't get me wrong, I love ice cream like the next person. In fact, most ice creams have the benefit of containing vitamins A, B2 & B12 plus they contain calcium. But, wouldn't it be great if they also had things like real raw cream, egg yolks, and pure maple syrup.

Just because most of these additives are on the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list by the FDA, doesn't prove they aren't harmful. In fact, the FDA does not require ice cream makers to label all of their ingredients. Really???

Eat This, Not That- knowing your Genes and what's good for you

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:59:00 +0000

You may be familiar with the “Eat This, Not That!” diet craze that has been the focus of numerous books as well as regularly featured on the Today Show and in Men’s Health. The idea is simple: substitute a less healthy option with one that gives you more bang for your caloric buck. For example, instead of ordering a large burger and fries at the drive-thru window, consider ordering a grilled chicken sandwich and some apple slices. Easy concept, right?!

Well, we wanted to put a little spin on this idea and bring you “Eat This, Not That!” diet solutions straight from individuals who have all taken the Weight Management Genetic Test and have implemented new eating habits as a result.

Carb Reducer:
When you are a Carb Reducer, it is important to find low and healthy carb options that are still enjoyable.

Love breads, bagels and pastas? Kenny G. from Henderson, NV says eat this, not that: “…recently I changed the type of bread I eat from mass supermarket high carb bread to Julian Bakery bread with total of 1 carb, no preservatives and gluten free.”

Spud lover? Sally N. from Rochester, NY says eat this, not that: “Instead of potatoes, I will eat cauliflower or broccoli, foregoing butter and using a little spice to kick it up a notch.”

Peanut butter connoisseur? Kenny G. says eat this, not that: “I also changed the type of peanut butter I eat from supermarket brand to one that doesn’t contain hydrogenated oils and other preservatives.”

At fast food restaurants: Sally N. says eat this, not that: “When I am out and about and caught in the fast food line, I will choose the veggie burger, minus the roll, and ask for extra lettuce and tomatoes to make it my way. It comes in a nice little dish with a cover.”

Interested in finding more Carb Reducer-friendly recipes? Check out the Low-Carb Dinner Recipes page from BetterRecipes.com

Fat Trimmer:

Cut the fat! When you are a Fat Trimmer, it is important to monitor your daily fat intake while still finding delicious and healthy options.

Meat eater? Tracy H. from Summerville, SC says eat this, not that: “Something else I don’t have to give up is having burgers. I can have what is called a Greek garden burger. It is a veggie burger on a whole wheat pita instead of beef on a white bun.”

It is all about the substitution: Sally N. says eat this, not that: “I use ground turkey instead of beef in recipes like meatloaf and stuffed peppers.”

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Instead of cooking with or eating eggs, consider eating egg whites or egg substitutes.

Can’t forget about the potato chips: If you’re having a salty snack craving, consider opting for the baked chips as a healthier option.

Want to find more alternatives to fatty foods? Check out the Healthy Meal Makeovers page from the Food Network.

Better Balancer:

Being a Better Balancer is all about balance and finding low-calorie ways to still enjoy the foods you love! Here are some suggestions from Nicole B. in Boston:

Got milk? Instead of cooking with, or drinking, whole milk (which is full of calories from fat), try a reduced 1% or skim milk. Not creamy enough? Many dairy alternatives, such as almond or soy milk, provide a more creamy texture and still offer a low-fat alternative to whole milk.

Snack attack: Everyone needs a snack every now and then but it’s what you fuel your body with, is what makes the difference. Eat this, not that: instead of chips or crackers, try opting for nuts, seeds or legumes.

Sweet tooth! When looking for something sweet, consider picking up fresh or dried fruit instead of a candy bar; it may not have rice crispies in it but fruit has its own natural sugar.

Know your genes
http://ubefit.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-our-genesdna-affect-our-weight.html

Here it is- 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:25:00 +0000

Here it is—2012—and we all have a clean slate! Whatever we didn’t get done in 2011 no longer matters. Christmas projects we never got to? Maybe next year. A goal we didn’t reach? It’s over, forget it, set a new one. Changes we meant to make and never did? We’ve got a whole new year to get it done. Don’t waste energy beating up on yourself. Drop it and move on.

Saturday, New Year’s Eve was for looking back. Yesterday, January 1, was for resting, recharging, and reorienting ourselves. From today on, we look forward.

As you get going and refine your goals—personal, professional, health, and spiritual—don’t aim too low. If you’ve never failed, you’ve been playing it safe. If you’ve never missed a goal, you’ve been aiming too low. Dare to aim high; be reasonable as I talked about on Saturday, but don’t lowball. You’ll only be cheating yourself of the great things you could accomplish if you aimed higher.

What are you going to do with 2012?

And what are you prepared to do today?

Who’s Your Daddy? Guess 8 Surprising Ownerships in the Food Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:12:00 +0000

Can you guess which megacorp on the right owns each of the young brands on the left?
Solution after the jump.

Click to enlarge

In many cases, these baby brands don’t prominently display their parent company logo on their packaging or website because they want to retain an innocent, healthy image, one that is long gone in the multi-billion dollar conglomerates.

Here’s the list:

Stoneyfield Farm, a producer of organic dairy products led by visionary entrepreneur Gary Hirshberg, is owned by French Danone Group, manufacturers of conventional Dannon Yogurt. It’s not full ownership, rather a majority stake.
Horizon Organic is part-owned by Dean Foods, one of the largest conventional dairy and soy companies in the world.
Cascadian Farm, purveyor of organic cereals, is owned of General Mills. The brand is part of Small Planet Foods, whose portfolio includes Larabar and Muir Glen. General Mills acquired Small Planet in 2000, to the dismay of some fans of Cascadian Farm.
Not to be outdone, Kashi is owned by Kellogg’s since 2000.
Ben and Jerry’s, eco-loving cows and all, is owned by Dutch food conglomerate Unilever.
Honest Tea, Odwalla, Dasani water, and Sokenbicha Japanese tea are all owned by Coca Cola.
Naked Juice is owned by PepsiCo.
Jenny Craig, the fitness empire, is owned by Swiss Nestle. They now have an entire line of foods for weight loss…

What you need to know:
Many of the companies started out as small regional players. But getting shelf space in supermarkets is incredibly difficult. As are the distribution logistics when you want to grow from one metro area to several, or to expand nationally.

Becoming part of a big food corporation solves these two issues nicely. It usually brings in a tidy amount of cash to the founding team as well.
Sounds like a win-win. But what can be the downsides?

Degradation of product quality. This can happen because corporate HQ now demands cost cutting measures every quarter. It can also happen as a result of opting to work with cheap (i.e. Chinese) ingredients rather than more expensive locally sourced inputs.
Reformulation of products. Example: Cascadian Farm customer noticed a funny new taste one day. it turns out the cereal tripled its sugar count!

This doesn’t always happen. But it happens enough.

What to do at the supermarket:
Next time you pick up a cool and healthy looking brand thinking it must be from a small family run business, think again…

Source

3 Natural Fat Loss Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:06:00 +0000

It is oftentimes a challenge to maintain a low body fat percentage when following a modern day schedule. Without enough time to prepare a fresh and balanced meal each day, you may find yourself packing on the pounds. Outside of eliminating the key factors that are most likely contributing to the unwanted accumulation of fat such as ubiquitous high-fructose corn syrup and excess sugar, a number of scientifically proven natural fat loss solutions do exist that can help you in the fight against excess fat.

1. Whey Protein

High quality whey protein is an essential tool in the fight against obesity. In fact, the overall anti-obesity effects of all dairy products have been found to depend largely on the amount of whey protein they contain. The key function of whey protein in controlling your weight is its powerful ability to help regulate food intake. One study from the University of Toronto found that whey protein contributes to the regulation of body weight by providing signals that help tell your brain that you are full.

Even more interesting is the fact that these effects actually extended to long-term food regulation. This means that whey protein can actually help you control your appetite naturally, without the usage of pricey and dangerous appetite-suppressing pharmaceuticals. When it comes to protein powder, make sure you purchase 100% whey concentrate powder free of fillers, sweeteners, and preferably derived from organic sources. Many protein powders currently on the market are loaded with sugars, artificial sweeteners, and low-grade protein.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a powerful nutrient with a number of health-promoting benefits, including empowered fat loss. The effects are so profound, in fact, that your vitamin D levels may actually play a role in determining the overall success of your fat loss diet. Presented at the The Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., the groundbreaking findings of university researchers concluded that low vitamin D levels are not only associated with obesity, but they also may negative impact the success of a fat-reducing diet.

3. Tea

Tea has been used as a natural fat loss aid for many years across a wide variety of different cultures. Studies have found that upon giving two beneficial compounds present in white tea to rats on a high-fat diet, the rats experienced a reduction in fat as well as halted fat gain. These two compounds, known to help with fat absorption, are called theaflavins and theraubigins. Interestingly, one German study even found that white tea can also reduce the growth of new fat cells, therefore preventing future unwanted fat gain. It is important to consume white tea in the most natural, unprocessed state in order to ensure the nutritional value is preserved.

Source
-

FUZE – A Drink that Slenderizes? [Nutrition Impostor]

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Fuze is a line of beverages that got its start in 2001 in Northern California but has expanded nationally in the past 10 years, especially after it was acquired by Coca Cola in 2007.

The idea is to provide a cool, new age beverage, that is portrayed as healthy because it is jacked up with vitamins.

Let’s see if the name lives up to its reputation.

What you need to know:
The drink has only 15 calories for a rather large serving – 14.5 ounces. But that’s because it is artificially sweetened. It has 200% of the daily value for vitamin C, and a few other vitamin and mineral values are very high. But that doesn’t mean that this product will help you lose weight. More on that in a bit.

Here is the ingredient list:
Water, Apple Juice Concentrate, Less than 0.5% of: Malic Acid, Natural Flavors, Garcinia Cambogia Rind Extract, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Purple Sweet Potato Concentrate (Color), L-Carnitine, Dl- Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Black Carrot Concentrate (Color), Beta-Carotene (Vitamin A), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Chromium Picolinate.

As you can see, there is almost nothing real about this drink. Barely any fruit (5%). All the vitamins are added on. And artificial sweeteners that are plain bad for you.

The one good thing we can say about this drink is that unlike many of its counterparts, at least it is not artificially colored. The color comes from purple sweet potatoes and black carrots.

So why won’t you slim down with this drink? Because instead of drinking water, or unsweetened tea, your taste buds become accustomed to overly sweet things. As a result, you’ll crave sweet foods more, and have a harder time with naturally sweet fruit. For more information see Artificially Sweetened Beverages: Cause for Concern by Harvard Professor David S. Ludwig, MD.

What to do at the supermarket:
We’ve said it a million times, and we’ll keep repeating it. Tap water is your best hydration solution. It’s free, it won’t get you craving sweets, and with money saved you can buy real fruits.

Source
-

76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:49:00 +0000

In addition to throwing off your body's homeostasis and wreaking havoc on your metabolic processes, excess sugar has a number of other significant consequences.
Nancy Appleton, PhD, author of the book Lick the Sugar Habit[5], contributed an extensive list of the many ways sugar can ruin your health from a vast number of medical journals and other scientific publications.

Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease.[6] [7]

Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in your body: causes chromium and copper deficiencies and interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.[8] [9] [10] [11]

Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline, hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.[12] [13]

Sugar can produce a significant rise in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol.[14] [15] [16] [17]

Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function.[18]

Sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, biliary tract, lung, gallbladder and stomach.[19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.[26] [27]

Sugar can weaken eyesight.[28] 1

Sugar can cause many problems with the gastrointestinal tract including: an acidic digestive tract, indigestion, malabsorption in patients with functional bowel disease, increased risk of Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.[29] [30] [31] [32] [33]

Sugar can cause premature aging.[34] In fact, the single most important factor that accelerates aging is insulin, which is triggered by sugar. 1

Sugar can lead to alcoholism.[35]

Sugar can cause your saliva to become acidic, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.[36] [37] [38]

Sugar contributes to obesity. [39] 1

Sugar can cause autoimmune diseases such as: arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.[40] [41] [42]

Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections) [43]

Sugar can cause gallstones.[44]

Sugar can cause appendicitis.[45]

Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.[46]

Sugar can cause varicose veins.[47]

Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.[48]

Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.[49]

Sugar can cause a decrease in your insulin sensitivity thereby causing an abnormally high insulin levels and eventually diabetes.[50] [51] [52]

Sugar can lower your Vitamin E levels.[53]

Sugar can increase your systolic blood pressure.[54]

Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.[55]

High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs),which are sugar molecules that attach to and damage proteins in your body. AGEs speed up the aging of cells, which may contribute to a variety of chronic and fatal diseases. [56] 1

Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.[57]

Sugar causes food allergies.[58]

Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.[59]

Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.[60]

Sugar can cause atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.[61] [62]

Sugar can impair the structure of your DNA.[63]

Sugar can change the structure of protein and cause a permanent alteration of the way the proteins act in your body.[64] [65]

Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen.[66]

Sugar can cause cataracts and nearsightedness.[67] [68]

Sugar can cause emphysema.[69]

High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in your body.[70]

Sugar lowers the ability of enzymes to function.[71]

Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson's disease.[72]

Sugar can increase the size of your liver by making your liver cells divide, and it can increase the amount of fat in your liver, leading to fatty liver disease.[73] [74]

Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney such as the formation of kidney stones.[75] [76] Fructose is helping to drive up rates of kidney disease. 1

Sugar can damage your pancreas.[77]

Sugar can increase your body's fluid retention.[78]

Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement.[79]

Sugar can compromise the lining of your capillaries.[80]

Sugar can make your tendons more brittle.[81]

Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.[82]

Sugar can reduce the learning capacity, adversely affect your children's grades and cause learning disorders.[83] [84]

Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves, which can alter your ability to think clearly.[85]

Sugar can cause depression.[86]

Sugar can increase your risk of gout.[87]

Sugar can increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease.[88]MRI studies show that adults 60 and older who have high uric acid are four to five times more likely to have vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's.1

Sugar can cause hormonal imbalances such as: increasing estrogen in men, exacerbating PMS, and decreasing growth hormone.[89] [90] [91] [92]

Sugar can lead to dizziness.[93]

Diets high in sugar will increase free radicals and oxidative stress.[94]

A high sucrose diet of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increases platelet adhesion.[95]

High sugar consumption by pregnant adolescents can lead to a substantial decrease in gestation duration and is associated with a twofold-increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.[96] [97]

Sugar is an addictive substance.[98]

Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.[99]

Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.[100]

Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.[101]

Your body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.[102]

The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.[103]

Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[104]

Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.[105]

Sugar can impair the function of your adrenal glands.[106]

Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in normal, healthy individuals, thereby promoting chronic degenerative diseases.[107]

Intravenous feedings (IVs) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to your brain.[108]

Sugar increases your risk of polio.[109]

High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.[110]

Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.[111]

In intensive care units, limiting sugar saves lives.[112]

Sugar may induce cell death.[113]

In juvenile rehabilitation centers, when children were put on low sugar diets, there was a 44 percent drop in antisocial behavior.[114]

Sugar dehydrates newborns.[115]

Sugar can cause gum disease.[116]

It should now be crystal clear just how damaging sugar is. You simply cannot achieve your highest degree of health and vitality if you are consuming a significant amount of it.
Fortunately, your body has an amazing ability to heal itself when given the basic nutrition it needs, and your liver has an incredible ability to regenerate. If you start making changes today, your health WILL begin to improve, returning you to the state of vitality that nature intended.

Source

FDA Warning: Questions and Answers on HCG Products for Weight Loss

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:20:00 +0000

1. What action are the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) taking against human chorionic gondatropin (HCG) drug products marketed for weight loss?

FDA and FTC are issuing seven joint warning letters to firms marketing over-the-counter (OTC) HCG drug products that are labeled as homeopathic for weight loss. The firms are receiving these letters because they are violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act by selling unapproved new drugs and misbranded drugs that make unsubstantiated claims about weight loss.

These unapproved “homeopathic” HCG drug products are marketed OTC on websites and in retail stores, and can be in the form of oral drops, pellets, and sprays. FDA has not evaluated these products for safety or effectiveness.

FDA and FTC will monitor the firms’ responses to the warning letters and take further action as needed. Firms that do not correct the violations may face enforcement action, possible legal penalties, or criminal prosecution.

2. What is HCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the human placenta and found in the urine of pregnant women. HCG is FDA-approved for the treatment of select cases of female infertility and hormone treatment in men. FDA-approved HCG products are only available in injection-form and require a prescription from a licensed medical professional.

There are no FDA-approved HCG products for weight loss.

3. Why is FDA concerned about the use of homeopathic HCG drug products marketed for weight loss?

Currently, there are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss. HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that HCG increases weight loss.

Additionally, the labeling for the “homeopathic” HCG products states that each product should be taken in conjunction with a very low calorie diet (VLCD). Consumers on a VLCD are at increased risk for side effects including gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalance, and heart arrhythmias. A VLCD should only be used under proper medical supervision.

4. Which homeopathic HCG products and manufacturers/distributors are affected?
The following table provides the products and manufacturers/distributors that are the subjects of this action. This is not an all inclusive list of illegal “homeopathic” HCG products currently on the market. At this time, all drug products claiming to include “homeopathic” HCG are illegally marketed.

Manufacturer/Distributor Name	Product Name
HCG Diet Direct, LLC	HCG Diet Homeopathic Drops
HCG 1234 LLC (The hCG Drops LLC)	Homeopathic HCG
HCG Platinum LLC; RightWay Nutrition	HCG Platinum HCG Platinum X-30 HCG Platinum X-14
Nutri Fusion Systems LLC	HCG Fusion 30 HCG Fusion 43
www.resetthebody.com; www.theoriginalhcgdrops.com	Homeopathic Original HCG Homeoapthic HCG
Hcg-miracleweightloss.com	HCG Extra Weight Loss Homeoapthic Drops
Natural Medical Supply	Alcohol Free hCG Weight Loss Formula

5. Are prescription HCG products safe and effective for weight loss?

No. FDA-approved uses for prescription HCG products include female fertility and select hormonal treatment in males, and FDA has not approved prescription HCG for any other uses, including weight loss.. Current scientific evidence does not support the claim that HCG is safe and effective for weight loss or for the treatment of obesity. In fact, FDA labeling for the approved HCG drug products requires the following statement about the use of HCG for weight loss:

“HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”

FDA is aware that healthcare professionals sometimes prescribe prescription injectable HCG for unapproved uses such as weight loss. FDA understands that sometimes approved products are used to treat conditions that the products were not approved for (i.e., “off-label” uses). The “off-label” use of products usually presents greater uncertainty about both the risks and benefits because less information is available on safety and effectiveness. Unexpected adverse events may occur in this context. FDA has received reports of serious adverse events associated with the use of HCG injections for weight loss including cases of pulmonary embolism, depression, cerebrovascular issues, cardiac arrest, and death.

6. What should consumers do?

FDA advises consumers who are using “homeopathic” HCG for weight loss to stop using the product, to stop following any labeled dieting instructions, and to discard the product. Consumers who suspect they have experienced adverse effects as a result of the use of HCG drug products for weight loss should contact a licensed health care professional immediately.

FDA urges both health care professionals and consumers to report harmful effects experienced from using HCG for weight loss to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by doing one of the following:

Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Congress Loves Money, Not Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:14:00 +0000

If you had a doubt as to the true alignment of your representatives when it comes to childhood obesity, last week Congress showed that all you need to do is follow the money trail. Lobbies representing the biggest food advertisers have gotten to our elected officials and convinced them that marketing Apple Jacks to children is just fine.

Because a cereal that is 40% sugar by weight is a healthy way for little Sally to start the day. And a cereal with hyperactivity triggering artificial dyes is a wonderful way for little Johnny to get in the groove on a school day.

Here’s the story:

Two years ago, Congress asked 4 agencies to review the marketing practices of the food industry when it comes to children, and to provide recommendations. The interagency working group (IWG), comprised of members from the FTC, FDA, USDA, and CDC sat diligently and came up with a set of proposed principles that would not be written into law, rather VOLUNTARILY accepted by the food industry.

Food marketers were very upset, and demanded changes to the proposals. So a few months ago, unwillingly, the IWG weakened these voluntary guidelines.

But that was still not good enough. Last week, Congress shot down the proposals through the use of some lame “cost benefit analysis” rule:

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 includes a provision that requires the Federal Trade Commission and the three agencies that are part of the Interagency Working Group to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed guidelines. The move, considered a major victory for food and beverage advertisers, effectively delays release of the final guidelines, originally expected by the end of this year. More here…

What’s the cost benefit analysis? Well, if the voluntary guidelines were to be adopted, billions of dollars in advertising would not be spent, and even more billions in revenue would not be made. But kids would consume less crap. That sounds like a great idea for America’s children. But it’s “bad for business”.

Expect a 2012 filled with junk food commercials planted in our kids’ brains, and then later in their stomachs. Sigh.
-
Source

Is apple cider vinegar a magic food?

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:03:00 +0000

When thinking about apple cider vinegar and its potential benefits, it's important to keep in mind that it is not a whole food, but rather a liquid derived from processing. While vinegar can be both delicious and nourishing, it is still not possible to consider it as a whole food, and we don't include vinegar on our website as one of our World's Healthiest Foods for this reason.

High acidity

First and foremost, vinegar is usually highly acidic. The acidity of vinegar is typically related to its acetic acid content, and this content can vary fairly widely from vinegar to vinegar. For some individuals, especially those with stomach or digestive problems including acid reflux, vinegar might not be a desirable food component to include in their meal plan because it can serve as an irritant. I've seen some websites that recommend use of vinegar precisely because of its acidity. These websites suggest that vinegar can be used to help offset problems with acid deficiency in the stomach or other digestive problems. I'm not aware of any scientific research that supports this recommendation.

Claimed benefit - blood sugar control

I'd group the claimed benefits of apple cider vinegar into two categories. First, there are some studies linking vinegar to improved control of blood sugar following a test meal. About half of the limited studies in this area have been conducted on genetically modified rats and do not provide any immediately helpful information about humans and the way we eat everyday. The human studies in this area tend to focus on delivery of a test food or test meal-typically highly processed and devoid of any whole, natural foods-that has been augmented with a dose of vinegar. While these studies do show a trend toward improvement in blood sugar response in the range of 2-20%, it seems reasonable to assume that a key problem here is the poor quality of the test foods and test meals.

Several authors have mentioned delayed stomach emptying as a likely mechanism for the impact of added vinegar on blood sugar response. If that hunch turns out to be correct, the idea of poor quality foods makes even more sense. Our stomach tends to empty too quickly if it is filled with highly processed, low-nutrient, fiber-free foods. I would expect whole, natural foods with excellent fiber content and nutrient variety to be more effective in improving blood sugar control than vinegar added to a meal that is composed of poor quality foods.

Claimed benefit - enhanced calcium absorption

Second is the area of calcium absorption. This area has only been explored in animal studies so far, and both the doses and experimental conditions have been limited and difficult to match up with everyday consumption of vinegar on a salad or in a marinade. But the results of these studies showed the vinegar to increase the solubility of calcium within the intestinal tract of the test animals and to increase absorption in this way. Once again, I would question the value of these rat experiments for decision-making about whole, natural foods. From my perspective, the degree of calcium solubility in whole, natural foods that are properly handled and properly cooked is exactly what it should be.
Some websites tout the nutritional benefits of apple cider vinegar from a mineral standpoint. Based on nutrient database values, the amount of minerals in a tablespoon of this food is very, very limited and cannot be thought of as a significant contribution to any diet.

Source
-

Consumer Reports: Experts’ Advice on Exercise Includes Some Do’s and Don’ts.

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:56:00 +0000

-Most people know it’s important to be physically fit, but a lot of us aren’t sure how to achieve that goal. Research has shown that regular physical activity can help prevent dementia, heart attacks, strokes, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, such as those of the breast and colon.

-The American College of Sports Medicine recently released evidence-based recommendations about the quality and quantity of exercise. Here are some do’s and don’ts based on those guidelines.

-Do lift weights. In fact, if time is limited, shorten your aerobic activity to make time for weightlifting, suggests Carol Ewing Garber, chairwoman of the ACSM committee that wrote the new recommendations. Strength training is critical for older adults to help prevent age-related bone and muscle loss, both of which can lead to falls and serious injuries.

-Don’t be a weekend warrior. Research suggests that it’s less effective for adults with cardiovascular risk factors to do most of their physical activity on Saturday or Sunday. Instead, do shorter bouts of exercise throughout the week.

-Do diversify your exercise. The ACSM recommends “functional fitness” activities such as Pilates, tai chi and yoga. These combine balance, stretching and muscle strengthening, and they can improve your agility and body control.

-Don’t stay sedentary during your downtime. Try to find six or seven more hours a week to spend on your feet, and move around more throughout the day. And try to cut your evening screen time.

-Do stretch after working out, not before. To obtain maximum benefit from flexibility training, your muscles need to be warm.

-Don’t rely solely on step counts. While pedometers can be effective for promoting activity, step counts aren’t an accurate measure of exercise intensity or quality. Better to use a heart-rate monitor to track intensity, and aim for a set number of minutes rather than a certain number of steps.

-Do watch your eating. “While exercise alone can cut your body fat and alter your body’s composition, it has a small impact on actual weight loss over the short term – as little as five pounds a year,” Garber says. And losing pounds if you’re overweight can enhance the health benefits of exercise.
-Don’t get discouraged if you’re not that fit. “Even a little exercise is better than nothing,” Garber points out. Slowly build up your duration, then focus on increasing the intensity. Try to add one to five minutes every two to three weeks.

By the Numbers
-Do your best to meet these minimum exercise requirements from the American College of Sports Medicine:

-Aerobic training. 5 days a week of moderate-intensity exercise, 30-60 minutes a day, at least 150 minutes a week, or 3 days a week of vigorous-intensity exercise, 20-60 minutes a day, at least 75 minutes a week.

-Resistance training. 2-3 days a week, 48 hours between sessions, 2-4 sets per exercise, 8-12 reps per set (10-15 for older adults just starting exercise), 2-3 minutes of rest between sets.

-Flexibility training (stretching). 2-3 days a week, hold each stretch for 10-30 seconds, repeat each stretch 2-4 times.

-Functional fitness (Pilates, tai chi, yoga). 2-3 days a week, 20-30 minutes a day.

Kids’ Cereals Pack More Sugar Than Twinkies and Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:18:00 +0000

More than three-quarters of the cereals assessed fail proposed federal nutrition standards

Washington, D.C. – Parents have good reason to worry about the sugar content of children’s breakfast cereals, according to an Environmental Working Group review of 84 popular brands.

Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, at nearly 56 percent sugar by weight, leads the list of the 10 worst children’s cereals, according to EWG’s analysis. In fact, a one-cup serving of the brand packs more sugar than a Hostess Twinkie, and one cup of any of the 44 other children’s cereals has more sugar than three Chips Ahoy! cookies.

In response to the exploding childhood obesity epidemic and aggressive food company advertising pitches to kids, Congress formed the federal Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to Children to propose standards to Congress to curb marketing of kids’ foods with too much sugar, salt and fat.
But EWG has found that only one in four children’s cereals meets the government panel’s voluntary proposed guidelines, which recommend no more than 26 percent added sugar by weight. EWG has been calling for an even lower cap on the maximum amount of sugar in children’s cereals.

“When I went to medical school in the 1960s, the consensus view was sugar provided ‘empty calories’ devoid of vitamins, minerals or fiber,” said health expert Dr. Andrew Weil. “Aside from that, it was not deemed harmful. But 50 years of nutrition research has confirmed that sugar is actually the single most health-destructive component of the standard American diet. The fact that a children's breakfast cereal is 56 percent sugar by weight – and many others are not far behind – should cause national outrage.”
“Cereal companies have spent fortunes on convincing parents that a kid’s breakfast means cereal, and that sugary cereals are fun, benign, and all kids will eat,” said noted NYU nutrition professor Marion Nestle. “The cereals on the EWG highest-sugar list are among the most profitable for their makers, who back up their investment with advertising budgets of $20 million a year or more. No public health agency has anywhere near the education budget equivalent to that spent on a single cereal. Kids should not be eating sugar for breakfast. They should be eating real food.”

“As a mom of two, I was stunned to discover just how much sugar comes in a box of children’s cereal,” said Jane Houlihan, EWG’s Senior Vice President of Research. “The bottom line: most parents would never serve dessert for breakfast, but many children’s cereals have just as much sugar, or more.”
Studies suggest that children who eat breakfasts that are high in sugar have more problems at school. They become more frustrated and have a harder time working independently than kids who eat lower-sugar breakfasts. By lunchtime they have less energy, are hungrier, show attention deficits and make more mistakes on their work.

About one in five American children is obese, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has reported that childhood obesity has tripled over the past 30 years.

“It has been said that exploding rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes in today's children will lead them to be the first in American history to have shorter lifespans than their parents,” Weil said. “That tragedy strikes me as a real possibility unless parents make some dramatic changes in their children's lives.”

“Nearly 20 percent of our children and one-third of adults in this country are obese. Our children face a future of declining health, and may be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. We must provide consumers with the information they need to make healthier choices and prevent misleading claims about the nutritional contents of food,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). “Cereal is a prime example of this—we know that children do better in school if they have breakfast. But we also know that the type of breakfast matters. And yet, as the Environment Working Group’s report shows, many children’s cereals have sugar content levels that are above 40 percent by weight. Our children deserve better, and it is critical that we take action to combat America’s obesity epidemic.” Congresswoman DeLauro serves on the appropriations subcommittee responsible for the Food and Drug Administration and agriculture, where she oversees drug and food safety.

10 Worst Children’s Cereals Based on percent sugar by weight
1.) Kellogg’s Honey Smacks	55.6%
2.) Post Golden Crisp	51.9%
3.) Kellogg’s Froot Loops Marshmallow	48.3%
4.) Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch’s OOPS! All Berries	46.9%
5.) Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch Original	44.4%
6.) Quaker Oats Oh!s	44.4%
7.) Kellogg’s Smorz	43.3%
8.) Kellogg’s Apple Jacks	42.9%
9.) Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries	42.3%
10.) Kellogg’s Froot Loops Original	41.4%

Some cereals are better than others. Nutrition expert Marion Nestle recommends:

Cereals with a short ingredient list (added vitamins and minerals are okay).
Cereals high in fiber.
Cereals with little or no added sugars (added sugars are ingredients such as honey, molasses, fruit juice concentrate, brown sugar, corn sweetener, sucrose, lactose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup and malt syrup).

Among the best simple-to-prepare breakfasts for children are fresh fruit and high-fiber, lower-sugar cereals. Better yet, pair fruit with homemade oatmeal.

Source
-

Nutrition That Rocks: Using Media to Solve the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:12:00 +0000

Childhood obesity means more than just fat kids. It means that about one-third of American kids—despite eating too many calories—are not getting the proper nutrition.

The repercussions are serious: a poor diet affects emotional health, physical fitness levels, bone density levels, diabetes risk and longevity. In a nation of extreme wealth and obesity, we are poised to die like the Romans.

Childhood obesity’s quick gains over the last few decades are the result of many culprits: food company lobbyists, fewer families cooking meals, food standards that haven’t evolved since 1995, stringent school curriculums that have reduced unstructured play, government policy that subsidizes corn and soy to make junk food cheaper than healthy food, the concentration of fast-food restaurants around schools.

Where do we even begin to improve kids’ health?

While we can back the research on childhood obesity with decades of large-scale studies, the impact of the media is more elusive to study, yet omnipresent. Celebrity babies are now news, and despite the obesity epidemic, the actors we see on our screens weigh even less than before. The tools used to convince us that we need something totally useless are quite rudimentary: songs, shock, characters, and ideal people.

Although new television networks, government programs, and private organizations have created positive content, McDonald’s continues to serve over 54 million people per day. McDonald’s is also the number one advertiser of food. Media is so powerful it is able to override people’s common sense.

Our consumer culture— the need to have the next big thing and with little factual information
presented—is one of the major forces behind obesity. Kids consume about 7.5 hours of media per day. Kids expect instant access to information. They expect to be entertained, or they will change the channel.

Even with all this media, we don’t teach kids how to interpret what they see. Preschool children cannot distinguish between commercials and programming, even with separation devices such as “We’ll be right back after this.” Young elementary-age children lack the ability to understand the persuasive intent of television advertising (APA, 2004).

Selling to kids is a $330 billion industry (Schor, Born to Buy). For these flaws, and its high usage, media is often blamed for contributing to the obesity problem.

Utilizing the influence of media to promote healthy habits is our weapon in fighting childhood obesity. Our pacing needs to be fast, our stories need to be compelling, our characters need to be interesting, our songs need to be well-written…all using less money.

I built my company around this idea, using the same tools normally used to sell junk food to get kids excited, engaged and learning about healthy habits. I have three touring productions and two CDs of heart-pumping, Top 40-sounding educational music on the market. My job is to ignite a passion in people to participate in this movement, from kids requesting healthier foods, to parents providing healthier options, to schools taking action on their wellness policies.

I call myself The Rockstar Nutritionist, armed with my credentials as a registered dietitian and my experience as a rock band singer/songwriter. I join the ranks of even more accomplished activists like Jamie Oliver, Robert Kenner, and Morgan Spurlock who have made health media mainstream. We are using our combined voices to create useful, meaningful media that solves a social problem. Join us.

Healthy Tips for Parents to Make Healthy Fun
1. LEAD BY EXAMPLE Help raise a healthy eater by being one yourself. Choose wheat bread over white, eat fruit for dessert, and snack on sliced vegetables instead of chips. Try new healthy foods.

2. COOK YOUR OWN FOOD Fast food and restaurant meals are loaded with hidden salt, sugar and fat. When you cook at home, you control the ingredients that your children put into their bodies.

3. EAT TOGETHER AS A FAMILY Turn off the television and cell phones. Engage your child in conversation. Kids who regularly eat family meals perform better academically and have better overall nutrition.

4. USE THE GROCERY STORE AS A CLASSROOM As you go through the aisles, discuss with your child where foods come from – how they are grown, processed, and packaged. Encourage them to select a new healthy food with only one ingredient, like colorful raw peppers.

5. MAKE HEALTHY EATING FUN Cut healthy foods into kid-friendly shapes like triangles, rectangles, circles and hearts. Give healthy foods fun names! Peanut butter filled celery sticks with raisins on top become “Ants on a Log” and wheat toast cut into strips and dipped in soft-boiled eggs become “Eggs & Soldiers”. Encourage your child to invent new healthy snacks.

6. COOK WITH YOUR KIDS Give your child food preparation responsibilities like peeling potatoes or measuring flour. They are more likely to accept a new food if they have had a hand in creating it.

7. DON’T GIVE UP Disliking new food is normal. It can take 10 tries before a child will accept a new food. Try offering one new food at a time, serving something your child likes along with the new food, and introducing new foods at the beginning of a meal when your child is very hungry. Avoid lecturing or forcing your child to eat. Help your child learn vocabulary for trying new foods by describing the taste, texture, and smell even if they don’t like it.

8. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT Eating the right amount of food is important. Teach your child to recognize a healthy portion and to listen to their internal cues for fullness. The time to stop eating is when you start feeling full, not when all the food is gone.

9. REWARD WITH ATTENTION, NOT FOOD Don’t reward good behavior with food. Show your love with hugs, kisses, conversation, reading books, and taking walks.

10. ONLY OFFER HEALTHY CHOICES Don’t offer a child the choice between the carrot or a cookie; they will always choose the cookie. Provide choices within healthy options, like “Which would you like for dinner: broccoli or cauliflower?” instead of “Do you want broccoli for dinner?”

11. MINIMIZE SCREEN TIME AND ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Limit time with TV and video games to two hours per day. Spend at least an hour per day doing something that makes you sweat. Spend time together as a family doing something active like riding bikes, jumping rope, walking the neighborhood, or hosting a living room dance party.

Source
-

What’s In Muscle Milk?

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:07:00 +0000

We’ve been asked by Fooducate community members about Muscle Milk, a supplement that is popular with body builders and athletes. Normally we don’t venture into the supplement realm, but recently we’ve been seeing Muscle Milk in supermarkets and in the hands of casual athletes, so we decided to take a look.

The idea behind muscle milk is to emulate human milk without using any milk in the product. It is a mix of proteins from milk, vegetable oils, flavorings, vitamins, and minerals.

If you are not a top athlete, there is nothing in muscle milk that your body can’t get from alternative sources.

If you are an athlete that needs a boost, consider the following:

- Muscle milk is a heavily processed product.

- It contains heavy metals in quantities that are borderline unsafe.

- It is artificially sweetened with the worst of the bunch – Acesulfame Potassium, a sweetener that has been linked to cancer. And Sucralose too.

If you take into account that most Americans get more than enough daily protein, there really is no reason to subject oneself to cool sounding products that could potentially do more harm than good.

Source
-

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:02:00 +0000

Here we are at America's biggest eating holiday. How do you handle it?

Here's my suggestion: give yourself a moderate serving of everything that appeals to you and enjoy it thoroughly. Then rest. Sit and talk with everyone for 10 or 20 minutes. Then if you want another taste of anything, take a small serving and stop when you've had enough. And yes, have dessert. Then as the day wears on, snack on fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible.

However you handle it, have a wonderful day, and then go easy the rest of the weekend. That's how you win at weight loss, no matter what's going on around you.

Enjoy!!!!

How many hours of sleep are enough for good health?

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:05:00 +0000

Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D.

The amount of sleep you need depends on various factors — especially your age. Consider these general guidelines for different age groups:

Age group	Recommended amount of sleep
Infants	14 to 15 hours
Toddlers	12 to 14 hours
School-age children	10 to 11 hours
Adults	7 to 9 hours

In addition to age, other factors may affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example:

Pregnancy. Changes in a woman's body during pregnancy can increase the need for sleep.
Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns may change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly and awaken more frequently during the night than do younger adults. This may create a need for or tendency toward daytime napping.
Previous sleep deprivation. If you're sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases.
Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or cut short, you're not getting quality sleep — and the quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.

Although some people claim to feel rested on just a few hours of sleep a night, research shows that people who sleep so little over many nights don't perform as well on complex mental tasks as do people who get closer to seven hours of sleep a night. Additionally, studies among adults show that getting much more or less than seven hours of sleep a night is associated with a higher mortality rate.

If you experience frequent daytime sleepiness, even after increasing the amount of quality sleep you get, consult your doctor. He or she may be able to identify any underlying causes — and help you get a better night's sleep.

Source
-

6 Germiest Places You Touch Every Day

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:55:00 +0000

It’s a wonder your hand doesn’t melt off every time you top off your car’s gas tank! Roughly 71 percent of pump handles test positive for illness-spreading germs, according to tests conducted by scientists at Kimberly-Clarke (the company that makes Kleenex and a host of sanitary products).
The testers swabbed a range of frequently groped public objects in five cities, looking specifically for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which marks the presence of bacteria or germs. An ATP level of 300 or higher means an object has a high probability of spreading illness.

The scientists found that gas pump handles narrowly out-germ’d mailbox handles, which were contaminated 68 percent of the time. Escalator rails, ATM buttons, and parking meters were also pretty gross.

The advice here is obvious: If you can’t avoid touching one of these surfaces, make sure to wash your hands or rub on a hand sanitizer afterward.

Source- Men's Health
-

FIVE (dare I say easy) Weight Loss Tips You May Not Know.

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:28:00 +0000

Are your weight loss efforts taking up more of your brain or busy schedule than you’d like? Tired of counting calories, tracking food intake on your ‘Lose It’ app and spending hours at the grocery store? Reality is that YES, losing weight does take time and effort, no doubt about it. But there are some easy strategies you can build into your everyday routine to give your brain and schedule a rest. Here are five weight loss tips you may not have thought about or if you have, deserve a second try.

Use a smaller plate – Research upon research shows that our larger than our stomach-can-hold plates are a big part of the problem. Fact: however much goes on your plate, you will eat. Humans are notorious “clean the plate” club members, it’s in our genetics. Simple solution, buy smaller plates, cups, bowls. Ever see a juice cup form the ‘50s? They look like a shot glass compared to our standards. They were on the right track.

Fill up on breakfast – eat within 1 hour of waking – People who skip breakfast gain more weight long term. Skipping breakfast slows down your metabolism and leads to overeating during the day and low energy. You have to eat properly to lose weight, especially breakfast.

Psyllium before meals – If there was anything ever close to being a magic pill, it may be this. Psyllium is a concentrated soluble fibre which means it absorbs waters and swells in your gut. The result is that you feel full. Try taking 1-2 teaspoons 20 minutes before each meal or your largest meal of the day to prevent overeating at that meal. It’s a powdery type of fibre that can be bought at Bulk store or Health Food store. Mix in a little water or applesauce and down it quickly before it has a chance to gel outside of your body. Or try Metamucil – it’s made from the same stuff. Bonus = psyllium also helps lower cholesterol, blood sugars and keeps you regular. That’s what I call an all-star.

Sleep 6-8 hours a night – More and more the research is focusing on how important sleep is for health and weight loss. Adequate sleeps helps your body refresh and reset. When you are sleep deprived your body makes more stress hormones throughout the day which means more cravings throughout the day and the more likely your body will resist losing weight. Get your sleep people.

Only eat the dinner table – distracted eating is like distracted driving, it’s deadly. When you’re not focused on what you are eating you are not in tune with your hunger signals, amount your eating or even what you are eating. Eat at the table and pay attention to what you’re eating and I bet you will get more satisfaction for even less.

Thanks for Gettin’ Real with us!

-M

Source GetRealGurls?

-

Tap Water Is Cleaner Than Bottled Water (And Other Shocking Facts)

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:09:00 +0000

Today, as I stood in line at the grocery store, watching the woman in front of me haul a huge case of bottled water up to the conveyor belt, I felt that familiar twinge…a combination of frustration and confusion.

All I could think about was those 24 unnecessary bottles ending up in the landfill. And the unnecessary oil it took to make the bottles. And the unnecessary mess that was made while extracting the oil.

“Why, why, WHY?” I wondered. Why would you pay for bottled water every week when perfectly good water flows out of every faucet in your house?!

And then it dawned on me. The answer was right there on the packaging. “Purified water.” One of the biggest reasons people buy and drink bottled water is because they think it’s cleaner than tap water.
But 40 percent of all bottled water in the U.S. is actually taken from municipal water sources. Bottled water companies are literally bottling up the same water that comes out of your faucet, jacking up the price and laughing all the way to the bank.

Also disturbing is the fact that far less testing is done on bottled water than on tap water. It turns out that unlike tap water, bottled water isn’t tested for e. coli. And it can be distributed even if it doesn’t meet the quality standards of tap water. Unlike tap water, bottled water isn’t required to produce quality reports or even provide its source.

Feeling that anger and confusion yet? Scroll on to learn more.

Source

To Cheez-It or Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:50:00 +0000

Cheez-it has been around for decades. The salty cheesy crackers are popular with kids and adults alike. Originally sold by an independent company call Sunshine, Cheez-it has been part of the Kellogg’s lineup for the last 10 years.

And they’re

made with 100% REAL cheese

If you’re laughing, don’t. There actually is such a thing as fake cheese.
So are these bite sized treats a decent snack? Let’s find out…

What you need to know:

A serving of Cheez-it is 1 ounce, or about 27 little crackers. Do you eat more or less than that amount?

For reference, a box contains 9 servings.

The serving is 150 calories, half coming from fat. Of the 8 grams of fat, 2 are saturated.

The 230 milligrams of sodium equate to 10% of your daily max.

Due to the refined wheat, there is virtually no fiber to be found here.

Here is the ingredient list:

Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Soybean and Palm Oil with TBHQ for Freshness, Skim Milk Cheese (Skim Milk, Whey Protein, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto Extract for Color), Salt, Contains Two Percent or Less of Paprika, Yeast, Paprika Oleoresin for Color, Soy Lecithin.

Basically you are eating flour, oil, and some cheese. To increase shelf life, the oil is treated with TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) a petroleum derivative that in large dosage causes nausea, delirium, and ringing of the ears.

The orange color of the crackers comes not from the cheese, but rather from paprika. On the bright side, at least it’s not from some synthetic dye.

Bottom line: Cheez-it may be tasty for some, but nutritionally it’s rather void. Maybe fine for occasional snacking, but there are much better crackers out there made with whole grains and without
questionable preservatives like TBHQ.

By Fooducate

-

Alicia Keys Gives Back to Kids Affected by HIV and AIDS

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:33:00 +0000

Singer/songwriter and new mom Alicia Keys tells WebMD what drives her to travel the world to help children, plus how you can help!

Fourteen-time Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys, 30, had her first baby more than a year ago, a handsome bundle of joy named Egypt. He has "the most perfect eyes and beautiful nose, the sweetest lips, and skin so soft and kissable! Never have I felt such disbelief, such awe, humility, godliness, such strength, power, and possibility," the singer gushes about her son on her blog. Keys and her husband, music producer, rapper, and entrepreneur Swizz Beatz, 33, chose the unusual moniker as a nod to the enduring power of the ancient pyramids built more than two millennia ago in Africa.

Long before Keys fully understood the enduring power of a parent's love, she found the massive scale of suffering among the world's children too dire to ignore. After touring impoverished South Africa for the first time eight years ago, she saw up close how that suffering compounds when HIV is involved.
"I couldn't turn my back on all I'd seen," Keys tells WebMD. She'd witnessed AIDS orphans and widows across that continent struggling to survive; babies and kids of all ages battling the ravages of the disease they'd inherited from their infected parents; and the elderly -- poor and often incapacitated themselves -- caring for their dead children's offspring because no one else was left to do the job. An entire generation had been destroyed.

Keys: 'To Have to Deal with All These Things'

Enter AIDS activist Leigh Blake. She is the innovative producer behind the 1990s' "Red Hot + Blue," the first concert event and album that banded together musical artists for AIDS efforts. Blake invited Keys to join her on that first eye-opening trip back in 2002, lobbying the voice behind such hits as "Fallin'" and "A Woman's Worth" to use her clout to shine a light on the global AIDS movement and to get involved herself.

The two toured threadbare medical clinics and destitute villages where the poorest of Africans needed the simplest of interventions: antiretroviral medications (ARVs), which at that time were neither affordable nor accessible in third-world nations.

"We don't see more than 16 million U.S. orphans in America because we don't allow it to happen," Blake says. "In the United States, if you need the drugs, you get the drugs. But not too long ago, if you were poor in Africa and had no voice, you didn't. And you died."

When a pharmaceutical company began making a generic version of ARVs in 2003 for just $500 annually -- the original patented drugs tallied $11,000 per year, an astronomical figure for all but the world's wealthiest citizens -- they knew mass distribution had finally become feasible.
"Leigh said to me: 'I think I can find a way to engage the public and provide these medicines,'" Keys recalls. "So I said to her: 'You figure that out, and I'm there!'

"At the time, I didn't have a child" -- Keys was then 22 -- "but I was empathetic to these young people I met [in Africa], so close to my age. It really struck me how I had to pay attention. What if I was 15 going through what these kids are going through, and nobody paid attention? To have to deal with all the things a teenager has to deal with, on top of being the 'parent' and breadwinner, and putting food on the table for younger brothers and sisters who might be 3, or 7, or 10…it wasn't about how impossible it was, but, rather, if I can help one person, five people, 10 people, 100, 200, 100,000 people…that's what's real."

To see the rest of the article: Link

-

Halloween is coming - parents (and Kids) beware- Underage Alcohol Usage: Soaking Gummy Bears In Alcohol Is Newest Trend For Teens

noreply@blogger.com (Merriman Enterprises) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:50:00 +0000

One of the scariest things about raising teens is the possibility that they might be influenced to drink. You can warn them of the dangers and consequences until you’re blue in the face, but sometimes, peer pressure gets the best of them. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that more than four million adolescents drink alcohol in any month.

And what’s more frightening, is how clever they’ve become about hiding the act from parents. Once upon a time, teens stole alcohol from their parents, so keeping a close watch on your own liquor cabinet was a fine way to curb the problem. But today, their creativity puts the old trick of refilling bottles with Sprite to shame. And the latest trend in undercover drinking is especially savvy – especially around Halloween time.

Teens are using gummy candy (bears and worms to be exact) to get drunk. They soak the candy in alcohol, Keloland.com reports.

Darcy Jensen from Prairie View Prevention Services in South Dakota works with school districts to prevent teen drinking as part of the “Parents Matter” campaign. She sent out a warning to schools last week to warn them about the trend. It’s important for parents to be aware so that they can spot if their teen has tried it, she says.

"Maybe someone has offered the candy and they didn't even know. So telling the kids ahead of time this could be something to be aware of is important," Jensen said.

And though it’s hard to see the positive side of teens becoming sneakier when it comes to something as dangerous as underage drinking, a trend like this can be used to open communication on the topic.

"It's a good conversation starter to talk about the whole issue of alcohol and underage drinking and the hazards," Jensen said.

Source

Police Warn Of Gummi Bears Soaked In Alcohol

See You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Pe1yTVUlA

Also Jimmy Kimmel making fun of this craze.

You Be Fit

Please Join me at my new Blog Site: You Be Fit

Go to http://www.you-be-fit.com/

The 20 worst supermarket foods

Vibram FiveFinger Shoes- Have you ever saw someone running on the street and thought they were barefoot?

Formaldehyde in my Ice Cream, Reallly???

Eat This, Not That- knowing your Genes and what's good for you

Here it is- 2012

Who’s Your Daddy? Guess 8 Surprising Ownerships in the Food Industry

3 Natural Fat Loss Solutions

1. Whey Protein

2. Vitamin D

3. Tea

FUZE – A Drink that Slenderizes? [Nutrition Impostor]

76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

FDA Warning: Questions and Answers on HCG Products for Weight Loss

Congress Loves Money, Not Kids

Is apple cider vinegar a magic food?

Consumer Reports: Experts’ Advice on Exercise Includes Some Do’s and Don’ts.

Kids’ Cereals Pack More Sugar Than Twinkies and Cookies

More than three-quarters of the cereals assessed fail proposed federal nutrition standards

Nutrition That Rocks: Using Media to Solve the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

What’s In Muscle Milk?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

How many hours of sleep are enough for good health?

Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D.

6 Germiest Places You Touch Every Day

MORE USEFUL STUFF

FIVE (dare I say easy) Weight Loss Tips You May Not Know.

Tap Water Is Cleaner Than Bottled Water (And Other Shocking Facts)

To Cheez-It or Not?

Alicia Keys Gives Back to Kids Affected by HIV and AIDS

Keys: 'To Have to Deal with All These Things'

Halloween is coming - parents (and Kids) beware- Underage Alcohol Usage: Soaking Gummy Bears In Alcohol Is Newest Trend For Teens

Police Warn Of Gummi Bears Soaked In Alcohol

See You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Pe1yTVUlA

Also Jimmy Kimmel making fun of this craze.