Keeping Up With Hairdressing Trends
Last night I attended the Wella Trend Awards 07, this was a great night, and the regional finalist for the North West were chosen, seven in all. The work that came out of the competitors was truly amazing.
One of the interesting comments, or shapes being cut and put forward for one of the trends, was a “Stacked” look. This is where the haircut gains width and adds another dimension to a collection of shapes being produced for 07.
The Stacked look can be achieved by looking at the 3rd DVD in the collection, Understanding Graduation. This DVD takes you through another principal of haircutting, the DVD’s are a collection of building blocks to work from, and they cover most if not all the techniques found in today’s and tomorrows looks.
If you take the principal of Understanding Graduation, and add different shapes to a haircut it releases the constraints of conventional haircutting and lets you develop your own ideas to make creative haircuts.
Unlocking your potential as a hairdresser is what the Fast-Track Hairdresser-Training is all about. You may have heard me go on about learning to cut hair by numbers will only take you so far, and having holes in your knowledge and understanding of haircuts could hold you back as a stylist indefinitely.
The Wella Trend awards 07 , proved that the Fast-Track Hairdresser-Training DVD’s are essential information you need to become not only a good hairdresser, but also one that can move with the times and develop your own individual way of hairdressing. If you would like to learn more about hairdressing as a career, follow the link.
www.hairdresser-training.com
John Mcloughlin.
Common Bee Pollen Benefits
There are numerous amounts of common bee pollen benefits available to the individual who is taking this amazing supplement. The bee pollen benefits include health and disorders, diseases, depression, skin disorders as well as numerous other benefits. Next let’s take a look at the human being and the bee pollen benefits.
Ingredients and Bee Pollen Benefits
There is no greater health product on the market that contains more than 185 of the known nutritional ingredients that are beneficial to human. Bee pollen benefits are found in the fact that there is 22 amino acids, 27 mineral salts, the entire scope of vitamins known to man, hormones, good carbohydrates and fats and more than 5, 000 enzymes and co-enzymes necessary for digesting.
These bee pollen benefits also include the promotion of healing within the body when dealing with broken bones or damaged tissues. These ingredients are of the utmost importance as they are the very necessity for the continuity of life itself.
Bee Pollen Benefits and Medicine
The bee pollen benefits and medicine are infinite. Every passing year there are more uses and needs for requiring bee pollen medicine. Although there is no scientific proof, bee pollen benefits far outweigh the chemical alternatives to treating disorders and diseases. Some of the bee pollen benefits in medicine are that it is used to treat a wide variety of medical issues.
Some examples of the bee pollen benefits that are seen in medicine are: Eczema; cancer, high blood pressure, bee pollen benefits are even shown to improve acid indigestion. Complexion issues of all types can be treated with bee pollen, weight loss, lung diseases; even emphysema can be treated with bee pollen products.
Cold and flu prevention is a huge bee pollen benefit to anyone who is on this type of supplemental therapy. Individuals who experience rashes and severe bouts of acne have found there to be excellent bee pollen benefits in the clearing up of the skin. Bee pollen is known to help in the aiding of allergies as well as asthma.
Anyone wishing to experiment or try bee pollen therapy is strongly advised to research the company from which they are purchasing the product. It is imperative that bee pollen is collected and processed properly as to not allow toxins and contaminants in to the finished product. Please research the companies well and be sure the processing of the bee pollen is not with extreme heat as this renders the bee pollen a ‘dead’ food and provides no additional nutrients or vitamins.
The product we personally use, located in the pristine source of New Zealand, is the most natural bee pollen source we have come across – bee-health-product.com bee-health-product.com
We have been using this supplement for over 3 years with excellent health results. We have achieved a general sense of well being and new improved energy levels.
We highly recommend you check out our bee-health-product.com bee pollen supplement of choice for further information.
John Gibb runs a series of health websites. Check out our bee-pollen-supplement-guide.com Bee supplement guide, for more information on bee pollen.
Calcium Channel Blockers Can Actually Cause Heart Disease
Postmenopausal women taking a certain class of blood pressure medicines known as calcium channel blockers better proceed with caution. Researchers found that the use of such medications may double the risk of dying from heart disease — especially when given in certain combinations.
Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessel walls. Previous studies have indicated that such drugs can contribute to heart failure, but found they did not increase death rates.
Calcium Channel Blockers
* Cardizem
* Norvasc
* Procardia
According to the most recent study, however, such drugs do indeed put women at twice the risk of dying from heart disease, especially when linked with diuretics (which reduce the amount of fluid in the blood). In addition, researchers discovered that women who took a calcium channel blocker alone had a 55 percent higher risk of death than women who only took a diuretic.
The study involved almost 20,000 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 79 who were being treated for high blood pressure. Although the study involved women, researchers said the findings likely apply to men as well.
USA Today December 15, 2004
Journal of the American Medical Association December 15, 2004;292:2849-2859
Dr. Mercola’s Comment:
It is SO very important to understand that high blood pressure can kill or permanently impair you, and it is not something that should be ignored or taken lightly. This condition usually kills people slowly over time, and very high blood pressures can surely cause a stroke.
If a person’s systolic, or upper, blood pressure is greater than 180, I normally advise drug therapy to treat it. However, this is done as a temporary measure to keep you alive until your lifestyle adjustments kick in.
You can lower your high blood pressure quite simply by using safe, natural and proven methods.
One such method is eliminating grains and sugars from your diet until your blood pressure and weight normalize. Insulin is a major factor as to why high blood pressure persists, which is why it is vitally important to avoid foods like processed cereals (especially those high in sugar) and crackers, soda, and other sweets and highly processed grains.
Following a healthy nutrition plan will not only reduce the risk of hypertension, but it will also keep you healthy and full of energy. To learn more about eating right, I recommend getting a copy of my book, TOTAL HEALTH Program, as it is an excellent guide to achieving overall physical and mental wellness.
Another useful method you can use to lower high blood pressure is to incorporate an exercise plan into your daily routine. (This is another way to lower your insulin levels.)
When using exercise as a drug to treat hypertension, it is important to set a goal of at least one hour per day … every day. Obviously, depending on your current condition you may need to slowly work up to this level. Please read my comprehensive exercise recommendations for more informaiton.
My experience is that weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging or running are better than cycling and swimming. If you have access to a health club, my favorite piece of equipment is the elliptical machine. Cycling and swimming take far longer to produce the same benefit and each have negative aspects: If you are cycling outdoors, you run the risk of being killed or injured by a motor vehicle; swimming is usually done in chlorinated pools, which has its own problems.
Lastly, adopt energy psychology tools like the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to help maintain a healthy blood pressure. This is important because emotional factors like stress are one of the major causes of hypertension, so learning how to reduce stress levels would be extremely helpful.
In addition, EFT is one of the most profound healing techniques I know. You can learn the technique through my free online manual; complete with pictures to help you better understand how to use this tool. Or, for a more in-depth knowledge of the EFT technique, you can purchase my EFT series, available on DVD or VHS.
——————-
Dr. Joseph Mercola
Author of mercola.com/forms/total_health_book.htm Total Health
Program
Founder of the renowned
Insomnia Treatment Options Vary
When sleepless nights come more often than not and daytime activity is impacted, it might be time to look into the different insomnia treatment options available. The road to actually curing this problem might take a little while, but there can be immediate assistance available for some.
The type of insomnia treatment recommended will likely hinge on the actual cause of the insomnia. There are many causes and the insomnia treatment recommendations generally vary with each. Let’s look at some of the causes and the potential insomnia treatments that can go along with them.
· Stress. This is one of the main causes of insomnia. When it and sleepless nights persist over time, finding a good insomnia treatment is likely in order. The best way to actually tackle this problem is to handle the stress in one’s life. This, however, is easier said than done. In the meantime, many people turn to temporary insomnia treatment possibilities, such as over the counter and prescription sleep aids. It is important to make sure these are not used long. Instead, consider them temporary insomnia treatment options as the real cause is being addressed. Many people find after a few good nights’ sleep, the stress that was causing the problem in the first place is much easier to deal with. Others might require professional assistance.
· Pain, chronic illness. Medical problems are a major cause of insomnia. When a person feels lousy, falling asleep can be difficult at best. The more effective insomnia treatment in this case is to address the pain or illness. This might not always be easy or even possible. In these cases, doctors can sometimes help with insomnia treatment options that also assist in addressing the pain or illness issue.
· Medications, food and drink. Some things that people take into their bodies can cause insomnia. Whether it is prescription medication for another problem, coffee before bed or lots of chocolate, looking into changing the habit can often work as an insomnia treatment. In the case of medications, it is a very good idea to seek medical advice. Some medications can be easily changed as an insomnia treatment, others might not be so easy to stop or switch.
· Eating too late. People who eat right before they go to bed sometimes find they suffer from insomnia. If this is a possible cause, the insomnia treatment here is to change
· eating habits.
· Change of schedule. When work schedules change, insomnia can result. The best insomnia treatment here is time. Chances are the body will adjust to the new schedule.
The different insomnia treatment options tend to vary depending on the cause. Typically, addressing the cause is the best insomnia treatment going. Other options include medications to assist with sleep and behavioral therapy to adjust to lifestyle changes.
Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Insomnia and runs a highly popular and comprehensive insomnia.need-to-know.net/ Insomnia web site. For more articles and resources on sleep problems, insomnia causes and treatments, insomnia symptoms and much more visit his site at:
=> insomnia.need-to-know.net/ insomnia.need-to-know.net/
The Very Best Omega-3 Sources Available Today For Optimal Health
Many people are interested in omega-3 sources, because of the health benefits associated with this type of fatty acid. The best source of omega-3 acids is fish oil, but other dietary sources exist.
EPA and DHA are long chain omega-3 fatty acids that serve many important roles in the human body. EPA is a key factor in controlling insulin levels. It is beneficial in reducing heart disease, cancer and arthritis.
DHA is needed to maintain and rebuild brain cells. The highest concentration of DHA in the human body is found in the brain. Without adequate levels of DHA, brain function can be affected. Research has shown that several behavioral and neurological disorders including Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder are linked to low levels of DHA.
The best source of omega-3 acids for infants is breast milk, which is high in DHA. As adults of course, we need to look for other omega-3 sources. The flesh of fatty fish is the best known source of omega-3 fatty acids, but we must use caution when choosing both the type of fish and the number of servings we eat per week.
Industrial pollution in the streams, rivers and oceans around the world has led to the contamination of most of the types of fish that we usually eat. Over harvesting has led to unsustainable and nearly depleted populations of many other types of fish.
The current consensus is that adults should try to eat 3-5 servings of fish per week, but should vary the type of fish, in order to avoid the risk of poisoning from mercury and other heavy metals. High concentration of heavy metals has been linked to Alzheimer’s and numerous other diseases. Oceans Alive, a website sponsored by the Environmental Defense fund, provides a complete list of the safest and least safe fish to eat, as well as a list of fish that should be avoided for environmental reasons, such as over harvesting and poor fishing practices.
The site also provides a list of the fish that are the best omega-3 sources. Salmon, for example, is an excellent source of omega-3 acids, but Atlantic salmon has been contaminated by industrial pollution. Pacific salmon is safe for consumption, but much of the wildlife (bears, birds, etc.) in the Pacific Northwest depends on salmon for their survival. Over harvesting of this fish for human consumption is causing a food shortage for much of our wildlife.
One of the best fish sources is a fish species called Hoki, which thrives natively in the cold, deep Ocean waters off the south coast of New Zealand. It is also a government regulated resource to avoid overfishing.
Fish oil supplements are the best omega-3 sources possible. Experts recommend omega-3 supplementation, even for people who eat fish on a regular basis. But, once again caution must be used when choosing supplements.
Some fish oil supplements are not purified or distilled, so they contain a number of heavy metals and other contaminants. These are often advertised as “all natural” fish oil. They also smell bad and taste terrible.
The type of fish that is used as the source of omega-3 acids must also be considered. The same considerations used when choosing fish to eat apply to choosing fish oil supplements.
For example, cod liver oil, which at one time was probably the best source of omega-3 acids, is now one of the worst products that you can choose for supplementation. First, because mercury levels are higher in the livers of fish than in the flesh. Second, because environmentalists believe that the current population of cod fish is not sustainable.
Cod liver oil and some other fish oils also contain vitamin A, which can be toxic at high dosages. The amount recommended for arthritis sufferers, for example, would provide unsafe amounts of vitamin A, if the oil contains it.
On a positive note, fish oil derived from the flesh of the New Zealand Hoki fish is an excellent source of omega-3 acids. It does not contain vitamin A. The waters around New Zealand are not contaminated by industrial pollution.
Other omega-3 sources that have been highly advertised include flax seed and algae. Algae only supplies DHA fatty acids. Flax seed oil contains a different fatty acid that the body must convert to EPA and DHA. The conversion process is described by experts as inefficient and humans would need to consume very large amounts of flaxseed oil on a daily basis for the oil to be effective.
The bottom line is that adding omega-3 acids to the diet is good for your health, but you need to choose your source of omega-3 acids carefully. In order to see the most benefits, omega-3 sources should be fish or fish oils that do not contain vitamin A, mercury or other contaminants and are environmentally friendly overall.
Dan Ho is editor of omega-3-fish-oil-guide.com. omega-3-fish-oil-guide.com. Visit us now to learn how to spot a quality fish oil supplement from a subpar one. omega-3-fish-oil-guide.com omega-3-fish-oil-guide.com is a free, informative, and easy to browse site containing a great deal of info about omega 3 fatty acids.
Causes of Acne
Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that is caused due to certain biological variations in the pilosebaseous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its connecting sebaceous gland) of the skin. The most common form of acne known as “acne vulgaris” usually appears during adolescence.
Acne is caused due to excessive oil in human body. The glands in the skin secrete excessive amount of oil that block the hair follicles by combining naturally with the dead skin cells. Generally, people who eat a lot of oily food suffer from this problem.
Due to acne some parts of the human body are affected. Some of them are face, arms etc. The oil secretions behind the blocked pores create a perfect environment for uncontrolled multiplication by the bacteria in the skin. In response, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion (acne). Rashes are occurred on the body. The face, upper arms, back and chest are especially affected by acne.
The certain lesions of acne are: blackish elevations or pale yellow and/or small whitish bumps. More inflamed rashes take the shape of boil-like tender swellings or reddish bumps. After resolution of the blemishes, prominent unsightly acne scars may remain.
The acne condition is common in puberty as a result of an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. Acne occurs when the hormones are increased due to excess oil in the body. There is however no way to predict how long acne will take to disappear completely or that it will ever recur again.
Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life. Apart from leaving behind the marks of scars it has some psychological effects as well causing stress and depression. Therefore acne should not be neglected and should be treated with great care and responsibility to ensure a healthy life.
For more information about acne, click on acnetreatmentinfocenter.com” target=”_blank Acne Treatment
Ringing In Ear – What Is The Cause
Tinnitus, or ringing in ear, has been experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. This ringing in ear may be high or low pitched and vary but do not have an external cause.
A ringing in the ears has a somewhat mystical aura, because it can be heard only by the person. The ringing in ear comes from within and may be in one or both ears, short or long in duration and it may be constant or intermittent.
About 20 percent, of the nearly 50 million people who are bothered by ringing in ear, have severe symptoms. This ringing in ear is a symptom not a disease and is not by itself threatening to your health. A loud noise environment may be the cause of this ringing in ear.
If you work in a loud noise environment around heavy, noisy machinery you may want to wear ear protection to cut down on the decibels of the noise. Loud noise can generate a hearing loss and damage the sensitive hair inside your ear. You may even hear a ringing in ear in the absence of real sound. It is best to minimize your exposure to loud noise as much as possible.
When do the ringing in ear symptoms appear
Symptoms may appear after an airplane trip or deep sea diving, especially if you start out nursing a cold or allergy. You may have dizziness and feel like your ears are plugged. This kind of ringing in ear is known as barotrauma and will usually clear up on it own.
If you decide to take some over the counter medicine and you are taking a prescription medication be sure to check with your health professional before doing so. The ringing t-gone.com/tinnitus-faq/noise-134.asp” target=”_blank noise in the ear may even sound like a heart beat.
If the sound is of a pulsatile nature, the arteries in the brain could be widening and you could have an aneurysm. Nevertheless the ringing in ear is almost always the result of damage to the nerve that carries hearing messages back to the brain, and that can be cause by a tumor or by diabetes, pernicious anemia or the herpes or chicken pox viruses, or any other factor that damages nerves.
Depending on the individual case, a doctor may prescribe a special hearing aid radio to be placed in the ear. It gives off a signal that blocks the ringing in ear. But a simpler treatment is to use a FM radio and turn it on between stations and raise the volume. FM static can often block the ringing in ear and allow the person to sleep at night.
Ellen & John Currie has been counseling ringing in ear sufferers from her website since 1999.
Did you know that prescription drugs are a major cause of ringing in ear? You can download a free report that details hundreds of prescription drugs that actually list
Looking For Los Angeles Drug Rehab Centers
Have you check out the following Los Angeles drug rehab centers?
- Addiction Therapists of Los Angeles which offers outpatient therapy treatment for drug, alcohol and other addictions. The center has John O. Tsilimparis, a licensed therapist
- Alternatives, a gay owned and operated alcohol, drug and mental health program
- Clearview Treatment Programs, an outpatient addiction treatment center.
If you have, what of the many drug rehab centers in san Diego, san Francisco, port Hueneme, Sacramento and several others. These areas have drug rehab centers such as Amity Foundation, Asian Community Mental Health Services, and Beacon House.
Though some of these los Angeles drug rehab centers may be quite expensive, its no excuse for patronizing quack and bogus centers. You can still find cheap and affordable ones among them. Just be patient while searching. Many of these center offer their services at an affordable rate in order to get more clients like you.
The city of los Angeles is big and beautiful but drug addiction is a serious nuisance in the city. The police are having a heck of time curtailing people driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This is why we have many los Angeles drug rehab centers. These centers are available for you if you want to stay off drugs for good.
But you must not only ensure that the center is fully licensed, you must ensure that the therapist also has a license to practice. This is a must if you want to get the best treatment for drug addiction. Many of the drug rehab centers in los Angeles are either not registered or have unlicensed therapist working for them.
los Angeles drug rehab centers is highly recommended for you if you stay in los Angeles or other areas of California such as San Rafael, Rosemead, Gardena, Woodland, North Hollywood, or Seaside to mention just a few.
I know getting into a drug rehab center is not exciting but you need all the help you can get to stay off drugs. Drug addiction has never done good to anyone. It only makes you miserable at the end of the day. The addict thinks in his or her world. He is under a delusion; believing that every other person is wrong and he or she alone is right.
It’s wise to attend any of the los Angeles drug rehabilitation center near you instead of trying to do it on your own. Its of no use trying since your body has been conditioned to the drugs. so, if your body does not get these drugs, it begins to malfunction. This is why you must attend a drug rehab center.
Ras Reed provides more detailed and free information on his website. Check it out at
Making the Food Pyramid Work After Weight Loss Surgery
A “normal-tummy” looks at the food pyramid from the bottom up – six to eleven servings of grains, then fruits and vegetables – then the protein groups: meat and beans and the milk group. The fats, oils and sweets are incidental.
After gastric bypass we can read the pyramid from the top down. Scoot to the side the fats, oils and sweets – we don’t eat those anymore. Start with the protein groups – remember the rule – protein first! Then have a sample from the fruits and vegetable groups. Then, only if there is room, a taste from the grains group. Fats and oils will be incidental to the diet; sweets should rarely be eaten. It is unlikely a tiny tummy will ever meet the food pyramid quantity guidelines – six to 11 servings from the grains group is totally unrealistic for a bariatric patient. However, WLS patients can gain significant nutritional benefits and satiation from incorporating foods from every group into their small meals. The key is to create a healthy eating pattern using the Food Guide Pyramid as a reference point for making sound nutritional choices.
Nutritional Benefits of each group:
Meat & Beans Group: Meat, poultry, fish and beans are the healthful and hearty members of this food group. Fifty percent of food intake after WLS will be protein from the meat and beans group. Animal proteins provide a rich source of B vitamins, iron and zinc. Nutritionally, it is best to choose meats low in fat and calories – lean round steak, skinless poultry, fish and shellfish. Legumes – including soy-based products – are a great meat substitute because they provide protein and have added fiber without the extra cholesterol, fat and calories found in meats. However, legumes are often difficult for the patient to eat – they quickly fill the tiny tummy causing discomfort. Some patients report an intolerance for beans and legumes that leads to vomiting. Test your own tolerances and learn what your body likes.
Milk Group: Milk, eggs, cheese and yogurt comprise the milk group. These foods are calcium rich and contain protein and other vitamins and minerals. But these foods can also be high in fat. Most bariatric patients report a very good tolerance for low-fat cottage cheese and mozzarella cheeses. Patients should use caution as they introduce foods from the dairy group back into their diet: many patients report dumping or lactose intolerance from foods in this group.
Fruit Group: Fruits are nature’s gift of sweetness to us, and a bonus, most fruits are low in fat and calories, but great sources of soluble fiber and antioxidants. Unfortunately, the natural sugars in fruit can cause a sugar (glucose) imbalance and dumping. The fiber in fruits – particularly citrus – can cause discomfort to the tiny tummy. Small bites must be taken as a patient re-introduces these foods to the bariatric system. Most patients report favorable results eating melon. Berries with seeds – such as raspberries or strawberries – should be avoided immediately after surgery to avoid lodging the seeds in the healing stomach seam. After healing is complete, many patients enjoy berries in their diet. Apples have also received favorable results from gastric bypass patients.
Vegetable Group: Vegetables add vitamins, fiber and flavor to the diet. When meats are braised vegetables can be added to the pot to add flavor and nutrition and a bit of natural moisture. Vegetables should be served in the purest form, lightly steamed without added creams or sauces. Raw vegetables, including leafy salads, can be difficult for the tiny tummy to digest, and when poorly chewed may cause a temporary blockage of the stomach exit. Some raw vegetables may cause gas or bloating after gastric bypass surgery. As always, use caution when introducing foods to the diet after gastric bypass.
Grains Group: This is the group of comforting energy giving carbohydrates we love to eat – the pastas, breads, rice couscous and other grains. As morbidly obese people most of the foods we loved (sweets, breads, pastas) came from this group, but as recovering obese people we must carefully control our intake of these foods. Science is proving that these foods are most quickly converted to fat and stored by body. The less food we intake from this group, the more our body is forced to use the stored fat. When introducing foods from this group try the purest forms: oatmeal cereal, one or two bites of whole-wheat bread, one bite of rice. Be very careful with grains and carbohydrates from the grains group: these foods can cause discomfort, dumping or worse – weight gain.
Fats & Oils: Fats are extremely concentrated forms of energy that contain little water and carry a lot of flavor. The body needs fat to function properly. Dietary fat carries fat-soluble vitamins – vitamins A, D, E and K – from food into the body. Bariatric patients report lost desire for high fat foods. In addition, high fat greasy foods are poorly tolerated and cause nausea. Patients will achieve a better quality of health by focusing on foods made with unsaturated fats and reducing the saturated fat intake in the diet. A way to include more unsaturated fat in the diet is to sauté with olive oil instead of butter. Canola oil should be used in baking. Replace bacon bits on salad with slivered almonds or sunflower seeds – nuts are a wonderful source of natural unsaturated fat. Avoid eating potato chips or processed crackers; they are made with hydrogenated oils – a lethal fat. Use avocado slices in place of cheese on sandwiches. Have fish – particularly omega-3 rich salmon or mackerel – for your protein a couple of times a week.
For a collection of WLS friendly recipes go to wlsrecipes.blogspot.com
Kaye Bailey © 2005 – All Rights Reserved
Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5 years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of livingafterwls.com livingafterwls.com and livingafterwls.blogspot.com livingafterwls.blogspot.com
LivingAfterWLS is a no-nonsense resource for people Living After Weight Loss Surgery. Our community is growing in numbers even as we are shrinking in pounds. Together we support one another in this lifestyle, that it turns out, is NOT the easy way out.
Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often. To subscribe to the LivingAfterWLS monthly newsletter “You Have Arrived” click on livingafterwls.com livingafterwls.com and enter your details in the subscription box.
Are You Confused By All The Different Diets? Here’s A Quick Diet Comparison
It would not be surprising to hear your answer is “yes, I’m confused by all these so called diets.” You may read from one expert that low carbohydrate (low carb) and high protein is the way to lose weight. Another will try to convince you that low fat, lots of carbs, fresh fruits and vegetables, is the right way to go. Yet another will try to convince you that you need to count the amount of sugar; or another that main culprit for your being overweight is white flour. So, if you are serious about losing weight, who should you listen to?
The brief summaries below give a quick overview of the pros and cons of each of the popular types of diet plans.
1. Weight Loss Programmes
There are quite a few well known weight loss programmes, for example SlimFast, Jenny Craig, and NutriSystem. These and a number of other weight loss programmes rely heavily on pre-packaged ‘diet’ foods. However, they incorporate professional coaching into the programme; plus, they also offer some sort of social structure and support to reinforce the diet programme.
Advantages of Weight Loss Programmes
The professional coaching and nutritional benefits of such diet programmes are a big positive factor, 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 should lose weight.
Disadvantages of Weight Loss Programmes
You will normally have to pay weekly charges for this type of programme, plus the cost of the meals can be expensive. Furthermore, if you rely totally on the packaged foods, you will miss out on your re-education as far as your eating habits go. That could be important to maintaining any weight loss in the long term.
2. Low Carb & Hi Protein Diets
Diets like the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, and the Zone Diet all recommend restricted intake of carbohydrates, but allow liberal amounts of protein, including protein derived from animal sources. Generally, these diets limit the overall amount of carbohydrates, and/or teach you to tell the difference between “good” and “bad” carbohydrates. Bad carbohydrates, which are forbidden, include white flour, white bread, and white sugar.
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.
Advantages Of Low Carb Diets
These low carbohydrate diets do encourage you to learn healthy eating as part of losing weight. That will have long term benefits for you. A diet in which you derive most of your daily calories from high fibre sources of carbohydrates, such as leafy green vegetables and grains, is often recommended by the established medical community for good nutrition. Because these diets are popular, it is easy to find low-carb foods.
Disadvantages Of Low Carb Diets
The allowance for eating all the protein and fats you like does go against conventional medical wisdom. it is thought that a diet high in saturated fats could lead to heart disease, diabetes, gout and other chronic health conditions. These diets are accompanied by cautions and advice, which suggest you keep portions reasonable. Follow that advice and that concern may be allayed somewhat; but if in doubt, consult your doctor.
3. The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
This diet is not the one which has circulated for the past thirty or more years and purported to have originated at the Mayo Clinic! The true Mayo Clinic’s nutrition and diet centre recommends a healthy eating weight loss plan that is based on limiting fats, proteins and carbohydrates, counting calories and deriving most of the daily nutrition from vegetables, grains and fruit.
Advantages Of The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
Really, there is no ‘diet’ as such, in the sense we often use the word when we are talking about losing weight. Instead, you are encouraged to take control of your own eating. By doing so, you aim to achieve portion control, and a sensible balance of nutrients. These are the pillars of a weight loss plan that takes weight off gradually, but then helps you keep your weight down permanently.
Disadvantages Of The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
This may be a difficult diet to maintain. Counting calories and portions can be difficult if you are eating out or on the run living an active and busy life, and often away from home.
There are many diets claiming to take weight off quickly and painlessly, without exercise or changing your eating habits. Most doctors believe the optimum way to lose weight, for long lasting results, is to lose 1-2 pounds of loss per week. The variations of the three major diets above are all capable of helping you do just that.
This routes-to-self-improvement.com/WeightLoss.htm diet comparison article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner of the Routes To Self Improvement website.