How Can I Uncover Hidden Sugar And Prevent Carb Creep?

June 9th, 2008

Many low carb dieters fall victim to “carb creep,” which is triggered carb binges, caused by creeping intakes of carbs. This is particularly a problem after finishing the stricter early phases of their plans. For instance, low carb dieters who use Dr. Atkins’ prescription often fail to follow his plan after the induction phase of the diet. Instead, they go on an unplanned, generic “low carb” diet.

This uncontrolled deviation from the path
often causes low carb dieters to slowly scale-
up carb intake amounts in an unmeasured
fashion.

Low carb dieters can also fall into the
“carb creep” trap by consuming products
that contain hidden sugars. Because of insulin spikes, hidden sugars can trigger “hormonal hunger,” or cravings, which can then lead to binges.

This is why it is vital for low carb dieters to
follow an overarching dietary plan that involves
slowly scaling-up carb consumption in the
order of around five grams per week (as
Atkins suggests).

It is also vital for low carb dieters to carefully
inspect food labels to insure that products
do not contain “hidden” carbs. This is
something Type II Diabetics must do regularly–
and it is fairly simple.

Medicine.Net suggests that low
carb dieters look for the following
ingredients on food labels to
avoid carb creep: sucrose, honey,
syrup, corn sweetener, glucose,
dextrose, high-fructose corn syrup,
fructose, molasses, maltose, fruit
juice concentrate or lactose.

According to Medicine.Net, if
a product contains the above
ingredients, it is likely to also
contain a significant amount of sugar.

If you are on a low carb diet, it
is essential that you factor all of
this in and develop a plan before
you shop at the grocery store.
You should consult with your
doctor or recheck your selected
low carb plan to determine
how many carbs you should
consume each day in your given
dietary phase.

You should then plan a diet that
follows this strict prescription and
factors in “hidden carbs.” This practical
approach will help you identify the cause
of your stall, and eliminate it by using
methods suggested by your low carb
dietary plan.

Benji Paras runs http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com, specializing in the benefits of the low-carb lifestyle. The site contains a treasure trove of information for losing weight, and includes a list of low carb foods along with informative articles and the latest low-carb headlines.

8 Minerals Every Arthritis Sufferer Should Know About

April 17th, 2008

Minerals are essential to maintain our bodies in top condition …

In fact, our body is composed of many minerals, but unfortunately does not produce the minerals needed for a healthy body.

A deficiency of minerals can lead to various health problems, including arthritis!

The most common minerals used to reduce arthritic pains are:

Boron - This trace mineral aids in bone health.

Calcium - This is a much-needed mineral for bone health.

Magnesium - Magnesium helps keep calcium in balance within the system.

Zinc - This mineral is necessary for bone growth, but is often lacking in arthritic patients.

Manganese - Manganese is also necessary for bone growth. Do NOT ingest manganese with calcium because they can work against each other.

Copper - Copper helps to strengthen connective tissue.

Germanium - This antioxidant helps with pain relief.

Sulfur - A lack of sulfur can result in deterioration of ligaments, cartilage, collagen and tendons.

Our traditional source of minerals has been from fresh fruit, vegetables and some dairy products. Today we have to look at other sources to get sufficient minerals for a healthy diet. Some of the reasons for this are:

1) Loss of minerals in the soil
2) Modern food processing methods
3) Popularity of ‘Junk’ foods

An increasing number of people are turning to mineral supplements for their source of minerals.

Emily Clark - EzineArticles Expert Author

Emily Clark is editor at Arthritis Health News, where arthritis sufferers can find the most up-to-date advice and information to assist in improving their quality of life.

Best Vitamin Supplements

April 9th, 2008

All vitamin supplements available in the market are not the same in terms of quality. Three basic types are available: tablets, capsules, and liquid form. Tablets are the most common, formed by mixing organic or inorganic binders and compressed into tablet form. They have poor absorption rate, often less than 30%. The absorption also depends on the quality of binders used. High-quality vitamin supplements use expensive organic binders, which makes their nutrients get absorbed in the upper intestinal walls straight into the blood stream.

Liquid vitamin supplements, claimed to have high-absorption rates, are available in a wide range of flavors. However, the claim that these are capable of effecting an almost 90% absorption must be regarded cautiously. They cannot be assumed to be better than tablets, since faster absorption is not the key issue, but better assimilation and optimum utilization of the nutrient for the body’s well being. Vitamins, when suspended or dissolved in a fluid, can become quite unstable. They cannot carry the enzymes in a usable form for more than a few hours. Hence, the nutrients get destroyed when they reach the stomach acids before they reach the upper intestine, where the highest absorption occurs. The same enzyme can be a useful, stable agent in a high-quality tablet vitamin supplement. However, people who have trouble with swallowing, as well as those for whom absorption of solids is difficult, have been observed to get good results with vitamin supplements in their liquid forms.

Natural foods are the best source of vitamins and nutrients, which work wonders for the body in a holistic manner. For example, natural vitamin E is clinically proven to be far more effective than synthetic vitamin E. Fortunately for the consumer, the nutraceutical industry has taken note of this and begun encapsuling and packaging nature’s best vitamins and nutrients, retaining their natural forms and making them available to the discerning vitamin seeker without the perils of chemicals, binding agents, and preservatives.

Vitamin Supplements provides detailed information on Vitamin Supplements, Natural Vitamin Supplements, Liquid Vitamin Supplements, Best Vitamin Supplements and more. Vitamin Supplements is affiliated with Multi Vitamins.

Benefits Of Carrot, Carrot Seed Oil And Carrot Root Oil

March 31st, 2008

It may come across as a myth but it is not. Carrot really helps your eyesight. This is due to the beta-carotene which gives carrot the orange color and also the name. It contains vitamin A in large quantities in the form of beta carotene. Due to the usefulness of carrot it has been considered as one of the top most salad requirements.

If you have carrot juice it helps to remove the indigestible fiber. It is also rich in minerals and known to be very useful for your skin. It is learnt that cooked carrots are more nutritional as well as equipped with more benefits.

Carrot seed oil is another way of treating your skin right. The presence of Beta carotene and vitamin A helps to keep your skin alive. It maintains the elasticity of the skin which happens to sag at one point or the other. These oils have been used quite regularly in many skin care products. It protects the sun damaged and wrinkled skin. It keeps the skin firmer and more radiant due to its anti-aging properties.

Carrot oil, another important part of carrot is made useful for your benefit. The presence of carotenoids helps to reduce the damage due to ultra violet rays. By protecting your skin from ultra violet rays it also protects you from skin cancer. It provides a natural tanning boost to your skin when applied. Best part about nature is that nothing goes waste. The carrot root oil if mixed with any of the other base oil helps your skin tremendously. It also helps cures dry skin problems and rejuvenates the basal layer.

Skin Care Remedies

Grate one carrot and mix it with a spoonful of honey. Apply this mixture on your face and leave it for 15 minutes. By using it regularly you will make out the difference.

Carrot juice if applied on blemishes regularly helps them to fade away.

For carrot skin mask you need raw carrots and lemon juice. Grate the carrot and add some lemon juice and apply this mixture on your face and neck. You can do the same with cooked carrots by blending them and adding 5 tbsp honey or yogurt. Apply it and leave it for 15-20 minutes.

By mixing pineapple and carrot juice you can make a fine blend for glowing skin. Apply this mixture on your face and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash it and pat it dry.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Sharon Hopkins the webmaster for hair-n-skin-care site, guides us to the important skin and hair care tips.Skin Care with Carrot. You can learn lot more about carrot’s benefits and other natural ingredients here.

The Truth About B Complex Vitamins

March 30th, 2008

The B group of vitamins may be one of the most commonly misunderstood of the vitamins, simply because these are several distinct vitamins lumped together. The fact that the vitamins in this group are known by both letter and number becomes confusing to many people. It’s just often more difficult to remember numbers, meaning you may remember that it’s one of the “B vitamins,” but not remember which number is associated with that particular one. It may help to find out that each of the B vitamins also has a name.

• B1 is also thiamin
• B2 is also riboflavin
• B3 is also niacin
• B5 is also pantothenic acid
• B6 is also pyridoxine
• B7 is also biotin
• B9 is also folic acid
• B12 is also cobalamin

You should note that there are four additional substances in the B complex group, though they are not known as vitamins because they are not necessary for normal body function. They are choline, lipoic acid, PABA and inositol. When you purchase B complex vitamins, these four will not be included, and at least one or two of the recognized B vitamins may also be omitted. B5 and B7 are so widely available in food that most people simply get enough of these vitamins, even if they aren’t eating a healthy diet.

Arguably one of the most commonly recognized uses of the B vitamins is an energy booster. Some health care professionals tout the advantages of taking B12 in large doses to combat tiredness, but most seem to agree that starting a regimen of B vitamins is only advisable in severe cases.

More recently, research suggests that some Vitamin B deficiencies may aggravate certain health issues or health risks, and that an increase of those vitamins will help relieve symptoms or lessen the risk. Notably, Alzheimer’s is one of those diseases and sufferers of this disease sometimes show improvement from added Vitamin B on a daily basis. Vitamin B2 has also been used to help some migraine patients.

The correlation between certain health issues and vitamin deficiencies is certain, though finding the right treatment may be tricky. One of the most common problems with using vitamins from the B complex group to treat health issues is the fact that many diseases and health issues have overlapping symptoms. Treating those symptoms may ultimately cause more problems than it cures. Talk to your health care professional before taking extraordinary steps toward a vitamin regimen, including those that include complex B vitamins.

Bob Benson is the founder of Vitamins online. You can check out our website at www.diet-weight-loss-supplements.info