Would You Like A Life Changing?

The key to losing weight is to consume low carbs and high  protein, according to one diet guru, and he has testimonials to prove it. 

He also has the back up of satisfied users, who also say that his diet is low fat, high in carbs, and filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Thirds tell you that sugar is your enemy, while others say white flour is your enemy - if you want to lose real weight and keep it off, who should you listen to?

Take a look at the brief summaries below for a quick overview of the pros and cons of each of the popular types of diet plans.

Low Carb-Hi Protein Diets

Diets such as the Zone Diet, Atkins Diet, and South Beach Diet recommend restricting carbohydrates and allowing liberal amounts of protein. 

You learn to differentiate between "good" and "bad" carbohydrates, or they limit the total amount of carbohydrates. It is forbidden to eat white flour, white bread, and white sugar, because they are bad carbohydrates.

Pros: The diets all encourage learning healthy eating as part of losing weight. Deriving most of your daily calories from high fiber sources of carbs like, leafy green vegetables and grains is generally considered the best diet for nutrition by the established medical community. The popularity of the diets makes it easy to find low-carb foods.

Cons: The allowance of eating all the protein and fats you like flies in the face of conventional medical wisdom. A diet high in saturated fats could lead to heart disease, diabetes, gout and other chronic health conditions. Following the diets’ cautions and advice to keep portions reasonable should mitigate that concern, though.

Weight Loss “Programs”

Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Weight Watchers, SlimFast and a number of other weight loss programs rely heavily on pre-packaged ‘diet’ foods. They incorporate professional coaching, social structure and reinforcement.

Pros: The professional coaching and nutritional benefits are a big plus, as are the reinforcement and support aspect of the diets. Meals and supplements are prepackaged in the right proportions, and if you stick to the diets and exercise as directed you will lose weight.

Cons: The weekly fees and cost of meals can be expensive. In addition, if you rely completely on the packaged foods, you miss out on the re-education of your eating habits, which is important to maintaining any weight lost.

The Real Mayo Clinic Diet

Diets allegedly originated at the Mayo Clinic have circulated for thirty or more years, but this isn't the case! 

According to the nutrition and diet center at the Mayo Clinic, a healthy eating plan for weight loss should limit fat, protein, and carbohydrates, count calories, and consist mainly of fruit, vegetables, and grains.

Pros: There’s no ‘diet’. Instead, you’re encouraged to take control of your eating. Portion control and sensible balance of nutrients are the cornerstones of a weight loss plan that takes weight off gradually, and helps you keep it off permanently.

Cons: It may be difficult to stay on the diet. Counting calories and portions can be difficult if you’re eating out or on the run.

You can lose weight quickly and painlessly by following a diet that doesn't require exercise or diet changes. 

For long-term weight loss, most doctors recommend losing 1-2 pounds per week through the three major variations of diets above.

The Health Benefits of Sourdough Bread:

 A Nutritious Delight You Can Make at Home

Introduction:

Sourdough bread, with its tangy flavor, chewy texture, and delightful aroma, has been a staple in many cultures for centuries. Beyond its exquisite taste, this ancient bread variety also offers several health benefits that set it apart from commercially produced bread. In this article, we explore the nutritional advantages of sourdough bread and provide a simple guide on how to make your own at home.

The Benefits of Sourdough Bread:

Improved Digestibility: 

Sourdough bread undergoes a unique fermentation process that enhances its digestibility. The natural yeasts and bacteria present in the sourdough starter help break down complex carbohydrates and proteins, making it easier for our bodies to absorb the nutrients. This process also lowers the bread's glycemic index, resulting in a slower release of glucose into the bloodstream and a more stable blood sugar level.

Increased Nutrient Availability: 

Sourdough fermentation not only aids digestion but also enhances the availability of essential nutrients. The lactic acid bacteria produce enzymes that break down phytic acid—a compound found in grains that can hinder mineral absorption. Consequently, sourdough bread offers higher levels of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, iron, zinc, and magnesium, compared to conventional bread.

Beneficial Probiotics: 

The fermentation process involved in making sourdough bread promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as lactobacilli and acidophilus. These probiotics can support a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. Consuming sourdough bread made from a live starter introduces these friendly microbes to your digestive system.

Reduced Gluten Sensitivity: 

While not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, some people with mild gluten sensitivities may find sourdough bread more tolerable. The long fermentation process allows the natural yeasts and bacteria to partially break down the gluten proteins, potentially making them easier to digest for those with slight sensitivities.

Making Your Own Sourdough Bread:

Now that we've explored the numerous health benefits of sourdough bread, let's dive into the process of making your own at home:

Acquire a Sourdough Starter: 

Start by obtaining a sourdough starter, which is a live culture of wild yeast and bacteria. You can either create your own from scratch or acquire one from a reputable source or fellow baker. Feeding and maintaining the starter according to the instructions is crucial for its health and longevity.

Mixing the Dough: 

In a large bowl, combine 500 grams of bread flour, 350 milliliters of lukewarm water, and 10 grams of salt. Add 150 grams of your active sourdough starter and mix thoroughly until a sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.

Kneading and Fermentation: 

Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover, and let it ferment at room temperature for 4-6 hours or until it doubles in size. During this time, perform a series of folds every 30 minutes to strengthen the dough's structure.

Shaping and Proofing: 

Once the dough has risen, gently shape it into a loaf or desired shape. Place it in a floured proofing basket or a well-floured bowl, cover, and allow it to proof for another 2-3 hours. This final rise ensures a light and airy texture in the finished loaf.

Baking: 

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven or a baking stone on the middle rack. Once the oven is hot, carefully transfer the proofed dough into the preheated Dutch oven or onto the baking stone. Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to allow for controlled expansion during baking. Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the bread turns golden brown.

Conclusion:

Sourdough bread not only tantalizes our taste buds but also provides a range of health benefits. Its improved digestibility, increased nutrient availability, beneficial probiotics, and potential for reduced gluten sensitivity make it a superior choice compared to conventional bread. 

By following a simple homemade sourdough bread recipe, you can unlock the secrets of this ancient bread-making tradition and enjoy the wholesome goodness it offers. 

Start your sourdough journey today and savor the rewards of homemade, nutrient-rich bread.

Diet & Health

Prostate Cancer - Are Men Their Own Worst Enemy?

 

 

The commonest form of cancer in the United States today is skin cancer but, to many people’s surprise, prostate cancer is the second most frequently seen type of cancer and results in some 30,000 deaths each year. So just what is prostate cancer?

The human body starts its life as a single cell which divides repeatedly to form new cells. As cell division continues so the newly created cells, acting as the building blocks of the human body, form themselves into walls of tissue creating the various parts that we recognize as the human body. 

This is not however the end of the process as, throughout our lives, our bodies change constantly with old cells wearing out and dying and other newer cells continuing the process of division to replace them

Occasionally however this process of division does not follow the pattern that it should and a cell divides incorrectly, forming two cells which do not carry the correct information to function normally. At the same time this frequently sets off a chain reaction so that these cells in turn begin to divide, forming further faulty cells.

This, in simple terms, is the basis of all cancers and, where faulty cell division takes place in the prostate gland, then the result is prostate cancer.

The prostate gland, which is about the size of a walnut, sits between the bladder and the rectum and partially surrounds the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder) and its main function is to produce and store a clear fluid which makes up about thirty percent of male semen.

Although we tend to think of cancer whenever the prostate is mentioned, there are in fact numerous other problems that can affect the prostate gland, many of which can be quite easily treated.

Prostate cancer is rarely seen in men under the age of 40 and, although cases are seen between the ages of 40 and 65, the vast majority of prostate cancer cases arise in men over the age of 65.

In many cases however the progress of the disease is slow and early stage prostate cancer often carries few if any noticeable symptoms. For this reason many men can suffer from prostate cancer for years before it is diagnosed and the average age at which diagnosis is made in the United States is currently 70.

If caught in its early stages prostate cancer can be successfully treated either by surgery or radiation therapy (radiotherapy) and, while such treatment can often leave its mark in terms of ongoing problems with urination or a degradation or loss of sexual function, the cancer will often not return.

Problems arise however if prostate cancer is more advanced at the time of diagnosis and has already spread into neighboring tissue and bone, or has been carried to other parts of the body, usually through the lymphatic system. 

Here a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and possibly hormone therapy can certainly help in treating the problem but the cancer will often reappear.

Perhaps the biggest problem lies in the fact that, in terms of their general health and sexual health in particular, men have traditionally suffered in silence and will only venture into the doctor’s surgery when they are at death’s door.

To your health

Fast Weight Loss Tips

 

Are You Interested In Losing Weight?   

If you are, are you in a hurry to do so? While it is advised that you do not rely heavily on fast weight loss, also commonly referred to as rapid weight loss, there are many individuals who do.  

If you are interested in losing weight, as quickly as possible, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many ways that you can go about achieving a fat weight loss or rapid weight loss is by reducing the foods that you eat. When reducing your food consumption, it is important that you only reduce your consumption a little bit.  

Unfortunately, many individuals who want to achieve fast weight loss think that they need to stop eating altogether, even if it is for two or three days.  That is something that you do not want to do.  

Once you resume eating again, you will likely gain all of your weight back, almost automatically.  It is also important to mention that starving yourself is dangerous to your health.

In conjunction with reducing your food intake, it is advised that you reduce the amount of sweets or junk food that you eat. For fast weight loss, you will want to completely eliminate junk food from your diet, even if it is only for a short period of time. 

This means that if you want a snack, you should grab an apple or an orange instead of a chocolate bar or a bag of chips. With candy and other sweets being high in calories, you may see a significant decrease in your calorie consumption by eliminating them from your diet.

Exercise is another way that you can go about achieving fast weight loss. The thing about using exercise to achieve fast weight loss is that it is a little bit tricky. 

With exercise, you may not notice a significant weight loss right away.  For instance, it typically takes most individuals at least a week or two to notice an improvement in their appearance with the use of exercise. 

With that in mind, the more overweight you are, the sooner you may see a decrease in your weight, often quickly.

In keeping with exercise to lose weight, exercise is important to losing weight, as it helps to limit your calorie intake.  

When you burn off calories, with the use of exercise, your body absorbs less calories. This is what makes it possible for you to lose weight.  

Although your first though may be to start exercising as much as possible, right away, you may want to refrain from doing so. If you aren’t usually physically active, it is best to start out slow. This should significantly reduce your risk of injuries.

Another one of the many ways that you may be able to achieve fasts weight loss or rapid weight loss is with the use of a cleanse.  These cleanses are commonly referred to as colon cleanses or weight loss cleanses.  

Cleanses work by removing toxins and extra weight, actually waste, from your body.  It has been said that most individuals have at least seven or eight pounds of waste stored in their bodies.  A weight loss cleanse or a colon cleanse should help remove those toxins from your body.

Should you decide to try a colon cleanse or a weight loss cleanse, to help you achieve a fast weight loss, it is important that you read all directions given to you. 

Some cleanses have a strict diet that you must follow. For the fastest weight loss, you may want to examine liquid cleanses, instead of those in pill formats, as they often produce the quickest results.

The above mentioned fast weight loss tips may help you achieve fast weight loss, even if it is only a small weight loss. As a reminder, it is important to proceed with caution. 

While it is more that possible for you to achieve your fast weight loss goal, it can also be dangerous to you and your health.

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