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Diet | Japanese government | Britannica.com

Posted: February 21, 2018 at 2:49 pm

Diet, also called (18891947) Imperial Diet, Japanese Kokkai (National Assembly), or Teikoku Gikai (Imperial Assembly), the national legislature of Japan.

Under the Meiji Constitution of 1889, the Imperial Diet was established on the basis of two houses with coequal powers. The upper house, the House of Peers (Kizokuin), was almost wholly appointive. Initially, its membership was slightly less than 300, but it was subsequently increased to approximately 400. The peers were intended to represent the top rank and quality of the nation and to serve as a check upon the lower house. The pre-World War II House of Representatives (Shgiin) was originally composed of 300 members, all elected, but gradually this number was increased to 466. Its powers were in many respects largely negative. Without Diet approval, no bill could become law. The government did have the right to issue imperial ordinances in case of an emergency, but if these were to remain in effect the Diet had to approve them at its next session. There was one significant limitation upon the traditional legislative control over the purse strings. If the Diet did not pass the budget in a manner acceptable to the government, the government had the right to apply the budget for the previous year. This provision was borrowed from Prussian practice. The Diet did not initiate important legislation; this was chiefly the function of the executive.

Under the Constitution of 1947 the Diet, renamed Kokkai, was drastically altered both in structure and in powers. There remained two houses, the House of Representatives (Shgiin) and the House of Councillors (Sangiin). The latter takes the place of the old House of Peers and has a membership of 250 consisting of two categories: 100 councillors elected from the nation at large with the remaining 152 elected as prefectural representatives. Every voter may cast a ballot for one candidate in each category, giving him a total of two votes. The members of the House of Councillors serve for six years, with one-half of the members standing for election every three years. The House of Councillors cannot be dissolved in case of conflict between it and the executive branch. The balance of power, though, lies in the lower house, where general agreement with executive policy must prevail. In case of a deadlock between the two houses over the selection of a prime minister, the vote of the lower house takes precedence. The budget must be submitted first to the lower house; if the two houses cannot agree, the position of the lower house prevails after 30 days. This same provision applies to treaties. With other legislation, if the councillors reject a bill or refuse to act upon it within 60 days, the House of Representatives can make it law by repassing it by a two-thirds majority of the members present.

The House of Representatives has 467 members elected from 118 electoral districts. Each district has from three to five representatives, but the voter casts only one ballot, with the candidates receiving the highest number of votes being elected. Lower-house members are elected for a term of four years, but the house can be dissolved at any time by the government, in which case elections must be held within 40 days.

As in the past, the Japanese Diet rarely initiates important legislation; such laws ordinarily come to the Diet under cabinet sponsorship. However, an individual members bill can be introduced in the lower house if it has been signed by 20 or more members, and in the upper house with the signature of 10 or more members. Under Diet law, the committee system has been drastically altered to accord more with U.S. practice. Each house has slightly more than 20 standing committees dealing with such subjects as foreign affairs, finance, and education. Government legislation goes first to the appropriate committee, where it is examined and often vigorously debated. Membership on these committees is determined by the Diet in rough accordance with the party ratios in each house. A member normally retains his assignments as long as he sits in the Diet. Thus he develops some detailed knowledge and may provide a challenge to government policymakers of opposing parties or convictions.

Japanese politics in the second half of the 20th century has revolved around the Diet. That body is no longer on the periphery as it was under the Meiji Constitution. Moreover, with all adults over 21 eligible to vote, the Diet is more representative of the public will than it has been at any time in the past. Certain historic problems remain, however. Large-scale scandals are not lacking; the basic causes of corruption have not been eliminated. Even provided with constitutional support, the Diet has had some difficulty establishing itself as a respected body in the eyes of many of the Japanese people. Slowly, however, democratic procedures have acquired a tradition and an acceptance in Japan.

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Diet | Japanese government | Britannica.com

How to safely and healthily use supplements in your diet …

Posted: February 17, 2018 at 11:47 am

Supplements can't make up for unhealthy diet (2-15-18)

Rose Beltz , KREM 7:49 AM. PST February 16, 2018

We do our best to combat getting sick by covering our mouths and washing our hands. We also up our game with home remedies, vitamins and supplements.

However, those supplements may not help as much as you think.

Consumer Reports shows Americans spent $35 billion on dietary supplements in 2015. The makers of these products promise a lot of benefits ranging from improving memory to losing weight.

While dietary supplements and multivitamins may seem like the obvious way to plug the gaps of a busy life, doctors are still mixed. The evidence behind them is controversial and in some cases non-existent.

For those reasons, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force does not support vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent or fight disease.

So what can you do?

We reached out to professors at The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine for the answers.

Clinical Assistant Professor and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist April Davis says to start with lifestyle first by moving your body, laughing more, eating a variety of foods and improving social connections, mindfulness and sleep.

Also, consider cutting out processed food, refined and added sugars and stress. These are things that might work against any added dietary supplement.

If you follow these steps and still feel deficient in a specific nutrient, research whole food options that can offer it. For example, adding nutrient-dense nuts and seeds to your diet offers a great mineral supplement.

Nutrition experts said people can become so focused on the health benefits of a certain vitamin, that they miss the importance of a key factor within a daily diet: Food synergy.

Food synergy is the process in which vitamins in different foods work together so your body can absorb the nutrients it needs to be healthy.

For example, Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and dark-green vegetables and can enhance the bodys absorption of iron, found in lean meats, fish, beans and leafy green vegetables, when eaten at the same time.

Food synergy is also important because it makes our bodies use the nutrients properly. Something that cannot be done with a manufactured supplement. It also prevents us from absorbing too much of a single vitamin.

This is important because taking too much of a vitamin, supplement or antioxidant, no matter how healthy, can increase your chances of disease.

If you feel the need to take a dietary supplement, nutritionists recommend one that is made from a whole food source.

Nutritionists also stress the importance of working with a registered dietitian nutritionist or integrative practitioner to find the best type, dose and duration for the supplement because, ultimately, supplementation is strongly based on someones health, age, gender and their medical and prescription drug history.

2018 KREM-TV

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How to safely and healthily use supplements in your diet ...

Liquid Diet: Facts About Plans and Effectiveness

Posted: February 17, 2018 at 11:47 am

Losing weight with minimal effort sounds like a win-win situation. With ads promising that you can drink your way to a slimmer figure and detoxify your body to boot, liquid diets sound too good to be true -- and often, they are.

What Are Liquid Diets?

Liquid diets control calorie intake by restricting what you eat to mostly or all liquids. How they work varies from product to product. Some liquid diets are fluid only -- fruit or vegetable juices juices or shakes -- that replace all of your meals, taken three or four times a day. These programs are either do-it-yourself options sold over the counter, or medically supervised plans available only through doctors' offices or hospitals.

Other types of liquid diets replace just one or two meals (usually breakfast and lunch) with drinks, but let you eat a healthy, balanced dinner. These diets may also include snack bars for in-between meals.

Do Liquid Diets Really Work?

Liquid diets contain a reduced -- and often significantly reduced -- number of calories. If you eat fewer calories than you burn off, you will lose weight. However, that weight loss may be short-lived. When you drastically reduce the amount of calories you consume, your metabolism slows to conserve energy. Unless you change your eating habits, you'll gain back the weight as soon as you return to your old diet.

Some liquid diets work better over the long term than others. Researchers have found that diets that include both food and liquids can help overweight people control the number of calories they eat with liquid meals and help keep the weight off for several years.

As for the claim by some liquid diets that they can 'detoxify' the system by cleansing it of impurities, there is no evidence to prove it. The body, say experts, is a very sophisticated machine that has its own system of detoxifying through the liver and sweat.

How Safe Are Liquid Diets?

Ideally, liquid diet drinks should contain a balance of nutrients you need throughout the day, but that isn't always the case. Very low-calorie diets (400-800 calories per day) in particular can be lacking in these nutrients and should only be used under medical supervision. Missing out on essential nutrients can lead to side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, gallstones, cold intolerance, electrolyte imbalance, and heart damage. A lack of fiber in your diet from not eating whole fruits and vegetables can lead to constipation and other digestive ailments. You also can lose lean body mass if you don't get enough protein in your liquid diet.

Are Liquid Diets Used for Medical Purposes?

People who are about to undergo certain surgical procedures, such as colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, which call for little or no food in the intestines, might need to go on a liquid diet for a day or two before the test. Sometimes patients are put on a liquid diet for a few days after surgery or during certain medical treatments until their digestive tract is fully functioning again and they can digest food normally. Medically necessary liquid diets often include clear liquids such as soup, fruit juice, and Jell-o.

People who are obese and need to have surgery (including bariatric weight loss surgery) will sometimes go on a liquid diet to get down to a safer weight before the procedure. This type of liquid diet is supervised by medical professionals.

Some research suggests that liquid diets might help people with certain health conditions. For example, there is evidence that patients with Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, can benefit from a high-calorie liquid diet. By giving the intestines a much-needed rest, a liquid diet can help suppress the symptoms of Crohn's disease.

How Can I Safely Get on a Liquid Diet?

First, talk to your doctor about whether a liquid diet is appropriate for you. Certain people -- namely pregnant or nursing women and people with insulin dependent diabetes -- should skip liquid diets entirely.

If your doctor gives you the OK to go on a liquid diet, you should also see a registered dietitian, who can go over the diet with you and make sure that you're getting enough calories and nutrition. Your dietitian might recommend that you take a vitamin or nutritional supplement while you're on the liquid diet.

Before you choose a liquid diet plan, know what you're drinking. If considering one of the commercial diets, look at the daily values on the nutrition facts label. Be sure you're getting 100% of all the recommended vitamins and minerals. (The USDA has a guide to help you understand your Recommended Dietary Reference Intakes.)

So that you don't regain all the weight when you transition back to solid food, pick a diet that is not too low in calories and that lets you lose the weight gradually. Liquid diets that include a meal or two per day, or that teach you healthier eating habits, will be more likely to help you keep the weight off over the long term.

WebMD Medical Reference

References

Andrea Giancoli, RD, spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association.

Flechtner-Mors, M. Obesity Research, August 2000.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: "Crohn's Disease."

Yamamoto, T. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, December 2007.

Reviewed by Kimball Johnson, MD on June 23, 2012

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Liquid Diet: Facts About Plans and Effectiveness

19+ [BEST] & Most Effective Exercises to Lose Weight Fast …

Posted: February 15, 2018 at 9:44 pm

REMEMBER: These Are TOP 19+ Most Effective Exercises to Speed Up Your Weight Loss! Calories BurnedPer Hour INCLUDED! These Tips Helped Over 489,000 Readers of DIETBLY!Last Update: January 2018

Heres the uncomplicated and unattractive truth about exercise if you want to lose weight, you need to do quite a lot of it. I know thats not what all the hyped-up marketers want you to hear (so you can buy one more product promising instant weight loss).

However, the sooner you accept this universal truth, the sooner you will reach your goal.But this doesnt have to be a tragedy! Discover the best exercises to shed some pounds with our fully researched and always updated list:

Source: BusinessInsider.com& WomensHealthMag.com

There are manyenjoyable ways to lose that extra belly fat without working out like a crazy fitness addict.Let mepresent the top 19 weight loss exercises you should definitely try!

This exercise is the ULTIMATE fat burner that will help boost your caloric output and lose weight. There is simply no other exercise that can match this one.

According to Science Daily, jumping rope is much more effective than running:

This aerobic exercise can achieve a burn rate of up to 1300 calories per hour of vigorous activity, with about 0.1 calories consumed per jump.

Ten minutes of jumping rope can roughly be considered the equivalent of running an eight-minute mile.Since the impact of each jump or step is absorbed by both legs, jump rope may have lower risks for knee damage than running.

Did you know that during this exercise, you build agility and quickness, increase bone density and even boost cognitive function of your brain?

For more on these benefits of jumping rope, check out:6 Surprising Benefits of Jump Rope (+2 You Already Know)

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. It is also used as part of South Korean military training for every soldier. It is famous forits employment of kicking techniques, which distinguishes it from martial arts such as karate or certain southern styles of Kung Fu.

Today, over 70 million people in 188 countries practice Taekwondo. 4 million of them are black belters. Its not only focused on physical activity, but it also relies on concentration, combat philosophy and self-defense.

According to LiveStrong, there are many benefits:

A typical Taekwondo class involves dynamic punching and kicking drills, blocks, core-strengthening exercises and stretches. Youll build stamina and strength through such active movements.

For younger children, learning and practicing the poomsaes specific patterns of defense and attack movements leads to better motor skills and body control.

A 2014 study published in Sports Medicine noted that Taekwondo athletes demonstrate high peak anaerobic power, flexibility especially in the legs and hips high dynamic upper- and lower-body strength and good core endurance.

For more on Taekwondo, check out this article:38 Facts You Should Know About Taekwondo

For those that dont know this exercise, tabata is a high-intensity workout protocol and has many fitness and weight loss benefits. Its a mix between CrossFit and circuit training.

The basic of tabata is that you perform exercise for 20 seconds, remember it has to be intense training and do it as hard as you can. Then you rest for 10 seconds. This has to be repeated 8 times.

Here is a great tabata routine from SunWarrior.com:

Sprinting & Ropes Tabata

Body Weight Tabata

Dumbbell Tabata

To learn more about Tabata training, make sure you read this guide on BreakingMuscle calledThe Tabata Revolution Explained: What, Why, And How To Tabata

For a low impact, high results sport look no further than swimming.This seemingly effortless activity burns hundreds of calories, literally, without you breaking a sweat.

The many swimming strokes will help you get different types of aerobic exercise and will providea new challenge to master. One drawback is that you need access to swimming pool.

According to LifeHack.org besides losing weight, swimming offers many health benefits like:

Pay attention:Just swim a few laps in the pool every day, and youll see a noticeable difference in your fitness level and waistline without any damage to your knees or ankles.

Swimming will help you burn calories, count them in here.

Cross-country skiing will help you lose weight, stay young and will help improve your mood. This is one of the top Nordic sports out there that will help you clear your mind and relieve stress as you will be breathing the freshest air possible.

According to HealthFitnessRevolution.com, Nordic skiing offers benefits such as:

Dr Graeme Close, a sports nutrition consultant who works with the British ski and snowboard team, says nordic skiing would be preferable to alpine, but both can help: Any exercise that increases your heart rate has the ability to contribute to a drop in body fat.

Cross country skiing is one of the most demanding of all sports and would certainly increase energy expenditure plenty and thus contribute to reduced body fat. Downhill skiing wouldnt do this as much, but as part of a fitness regime its a good thing if done in a balanced and controlled manner. The key thing is balance, and getting the nutrition correct around the training.

Source: Can Skiing Help You Lose Weight? Telegraph.co.uk

Running is good, we all know that. But what about running up stairs? According to experts, its much better and much more effective at burning calories and staying lean. If you are or amateur or competitive runner, it is even more important for you to do this activity.

According to RunnersWorld experts,plyometric motion (running up stairs) strengthens your muscles, heart, and lungs for better running.

Stairs force you to work against gravity, and this helps build two essential needs for runners: strength and power, says Anne Moore, M.S., an exercise physiologist and running coach in Charleston, South Carolina. You need both, whether youre kicking to the finish of a 5K or trying to maintain pace during the later miles of a marathon.

Moore adds that stair-climbing forces you to utilize muscle stabilizers, like the gluteus medius, that get neglected during regular runs, because youre balancing on and activating one leg, briefly, as the other moves to the next step. Strengthen these areas and youll reduce your risk of injury.

Running stairs is a cardio exercise so it offers the same benefits as any other cardio exercise, so you will lose weight and strengthen your heart & lungs as well.

Remember, youll only reduce weight if you consume fewer calories than you burn, so cut out salty or fatty foods, and maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

According to experts, rowers are possibly the most efficient exercise machines available out there. They give you a full body workout and help you burn significant amount of calories. The more intense rowing session, the bigger the amount of calories burned during that session.

Besides helping you burn calories, it also offers cardiovascular benefits, helps reduce stress and helps with toning your muscle. For more benefits of rowing, consult our article here:16 Awesome Benefits of Rowing Machines

According to specialists from RowingReviews.com, rowing offers these benefits:

As you can see from the listed benefits, there is no excuse not to include rowing in your weekly exercise routine.

There are numerous benefits of kickboxing to simply say that its truly awesome. When you do this activity, you will learn self-defence, you will increase your fitness levels and engage your entire body while doing so.

Kickboxing focuses on your core, your arms and shoulders, your legs and glutes. It also helps you increase stamina and it is great cardio workout that boosts your cardiovascular health.

According to LifeHack.org, kickboxing offers numerous benefits:

What is more, kickboxing boosts your energy levels:

Performing a high-intensity kicking boxing routine might seem like something that would tire you out, but many people find that the opposite is true. Kickboxing often gives people an energy boost, not just because of the natural endorphins (though that of course plays a role!) but also due to the empowering nature of the workout.

This gives your physical and mental energy levels a boost. After your workout and rest period your body will feel refreshed and full of energy.

Source:10 Reasons Why Kickboxing Workouts Are Making A Comeback

Basketball is an awesome team activity that will help you burn fat, relax, strengthen up your cardiovascular system and build team spirit. Moreover, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and more and more people enjoy this sport as theirfavorite activity.

Did you know?Even former president Barack Obama plays the game on a daily basis as part of his fitness regimen.

According to StyleCraze.com, basketball offers these fabulous benefits:

With the many benefits of basketball, it is the perfect reason for you to pick up a ball and start shooting some hoops. It can be played alone or with friends no matter what you choose, you get a great workout. By making this sport a part of your fitness routine, you ensure that you stay physically and mentally fit and active for many years.

Source:10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Playing Basketball

Rollerblading is great activity that will keep you motivated, healthy, fit and what is most important outside to catch some sunshine and produce D vitamin.

According to expertDr. Carl Foster, associate professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, inline skating offers benefits like:

Source: Inline Skating Resource Center

According to expertsfrom LiveStrong.com, high impact activity can be defined as:

High impact activity can be any kind of strenuous cardiovascular routine where both feet may be off the ground at the same time. High-impact aerobics tend to burn more calories than low-impact, however, the chance for injury either during the session or over time is higher than with low-impact workouts.

High impact aerobic activities are better suited for advanced exercisers and may be discouraging for beginners. To prevent overuse injuries from high-impact activities, cross train with low impact activities and take a day off between vigorous workouts.

Is high impact exercise hard on your joints or dangerous? Experts from USNews.com chime in on this topic:

High-impact exercise strengthens the joints because it trains all the muscles around that joint to become functionally stronger. For example, when you hop up, you powerfully fire up a plethora of muscles to launch you off the ground. And when you land, those muscles need to contract eccentrically to brace for and soften that impact.

While you can do low-impact strength training, you wont be able to replicate that exact powerful explosion or same eccentric contractions that come from higher impact exercise, Donavanik says.

Running is one of the best full body workoutsout there and the only equipment you need is a pair of good shoes.Jogging a few kilometers a day will:

All this will happen faster than you ever thought possible. However, Jogging is hard on your knees, so it is best to make progress slowly, increasing your speed and distance as your fitness levels increase.

According to experts from HealthSomeness.com, jogging offers these benefits:

Pay attention: Never try to improve your speed and distance at the same time! Its always best to first focus on increasing your distance.To find out how many calories you burn during this activity, check out this calculator here.

Riding a bike is one of the best cardiovascular exercises out there, and its also a whole lot of fun! Breezing past traffic as you feel the wind in your hair and burn massive amounts of calories the benefits of cycling are enormous!

Another great thing about cycling is that its a competitive sport so you can use a little competition to motivate you.Just choose one goal that challenges you but is still within your reach and create a game plan for finishing it. Soon, you wont feel like youre exercising anymore!

Experts from BikeRadar.com think, that cycling offers some fabulous benefits:

For more benefits of cycling, check out:30 Great Benefits of Cycling

Pay attention: Your competitive spirit will take you through the whole process and help you lose pounds quickly.To check out calories burned, visit this website here.

How would you like to burn calories non-stop for up to 48 hours no matter what youre doing? Thats the power of weight training and the effect of after burn.

Most people, who just want to lose some pounds, think that they dont need to worry about going to lift some weights in the gym.

This is especially true for women who worry about looking too bulky!This misconception about weight training and fat loss could be holding back your progress because no dietary regime is complete without a little effort in the gym.

These are themain benefits of weightlifting according to LiveStrong.com:

Keep in mind: Building your muscle mass is one of the most efficient ways to burn fat, and the best part is that it continues to burn fat for up to 48 hours after you exercise. Talk about getting the most out of your workout!

Aerobic exercise is a great way to get your heart pumping and shed those stored calories.A simple 20-minute session few times a week can help you get rid of unwanted weight fast.

There are many different types of these aerobic workouts on the market with varying degrees of success. However, to make sure that youre using the most effective program, youll need to do a little research.

According to FitDay.com, low intensity impact cardio offers these benefits:

Increased Cardiovascular Health

One of the most important benefits of low impact fitness is its ability to cause an improvement in your cardiovascular system. Research has found that participating in low impact fitness activities are the best way to treat and prevent the development of cardiovascular disease.

Decreased Damage to Joints

Decreased damage to joints is probably one of the most, if not the most, important reasons that people participate in fitness activities that are low impact in nature.

Often, people are interested in losing weight, increasing their fitness level, or simply becoming more active, but a sore knee, hip or ankle restricts them from participating in typical exercises such as walking or jogging.

Weight Loss

Finally, participating in low impact fitness activities is a great way to lose weight. One pound is composed of 3,500 calories; therefore, in order to lose one pound per week, you must eliminate 700 calories from your day.

If youre looking for a fun way to tone up your bodyand lose weight, why dont you try dancing?This is an excellent way to raise your heartbeat.

What is more, the constant challenges along with the changing rhythm and routines will make sure you never get bored.Luckily, there are many different types of dancing activitiesso you can be sure that youll find something that fits your personality and your lifestyle.

According to experts from BerkeleyWellness.com, dancing offers great health benefits:

Theres no downside to incorporating dance into your regular physical activity routine, and it could help motivate you to get moving if you find other types of workouts, like treadmill walking or cycling, a little boring. People with medical conditions such as heart disease, Parkinsons, arthritis, and vision impairment may benefitafter they get their doctors okay in some cases.

Dont overlook the social benefits: Dancing is a great way to spend quality time with a partner or meet new people if you dont have a partner.

Source:The Many Health Benefits of Dancing

Yoga is becoming the number one activity for self improvement all around the globe. Yoga is used to improve overall health, heal aches and pains and lift mood. From the trusted authority on yoga YogaJournal.com, the power yoga is defined as:

PowerYoga is a fitness-based vinyasa practice.An offshoot of Ashtanga Yoga, it has many of the same qualitiesand benefits, including building internal heat, increased stamina, strength, and flexibility, as well as stress reduction. Teachers design their own sequences, while students synchronize their breath with their movement.

Yoga provides many health benefits like:

To discover more benefits of yoga, check out:38 Health Benefits of Yoga

Excerpt from:
19+ [BEST] & Most Effective Exercises to Lose Weight Fast ...

Biolean and Biolean Free Weight Loss Lose Weight Fast …

Posted: February 15, 2018 at 9:44 pm

Why do we need health supplements?

In 2001, we reported on a vitamin drain in Americas vegetables (Vegetables Without Vitamins, Life Extension, March 2001). What we found in our unofficial report is now official. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition has published new findings from University of Texas researchers showing diminished levels of six nutrients in vegetables and fruits.

According to the new report, levels of calcium, riboflavin, vitamin C, iron, potassium, and protein in vegetables and fruits have significantly declined since 1950. This finding holds up even after making numerous statistical adjustments to account for the losses. The report covers only a few common nutrients; potential declines in lesser-known nutrients like lycopene and zeaxanthin are unknown.

When asked about the apparent drain, commercial plant breeders refuse to comment, but clues have emerged as to why todays vegetables are not what they should be. It has to do with the way commercial growers do business.

From Food to CommodityTomatoes that resemble tennis balls, peppers that taste like small rocks, and big, red, flavorless strawberries are all a result of selective breeding for pith and water (pith is defined as the fibrous part of fruits and vegetables, such as the netting around orange sections that is usually discarded). Desirable traits for commercial growers who want produce to ship well, look good, and weigh a lot, but undesirable traits for consumers who buy produce as a source of nutrition. Plant jockeys call it the dilution effect more water and pith, less vitamin content.

The transformation of vegetables from food to commodity is well illustrated by the one people love to hate: broccoli. Broccoli is a terrific source of calcium, especially for people who dont drink milk. But the most prized commercial version of broccoli is a heavy, calcium/magnesium-deficient hybrid called Marathon. In research conducted by the US Department of Agriculture, Marathon is consistently about a third lower in calcium and magnesium than are other hybrids. And the hybrids themselves are about 50% lower in calcium than the broccoli listed in the 1998 USDA nutrient database2. It has been reported that the calcium and magnesium content in commercially grown broccoli sold in grocery stores can vary twofold.2

Prematurely Picked ProduceThe dilution effect is not the only thing causing problems in nutrient content. Most commercial fruit, including tomatoes, is picked green. Green fruit doesnt have a chance to sun-ripen; its artificially ripened with ethylene, a natural plant hormone. Ethylene is what causes tomatoes to turn pinkish. Produce deprived of sunlight doesnt have a chance to develop sunlight-related nutrients such as anthocyanins the flavonoids that make cherries red and grapes purple.3-5 Anthocyanins are plant sunscreens. When humans ingest them, they provide protection against DNA damage, brain cell deterioration, cancer, and more.6-8

Other plant vitamins can also be affected by premature picking. Researchers in Spain conducted an in-depth investigation of cherries ripening and found 14 different stages, during which the fruit turned from green to red.9 They concluded that for maximum nutrition, cherries should be picked at stage 12, way beyond the stage at which theyre harvested green by commercial growers. To illustrate how important the ripening process is, if cherries are picked at stage 8, their vitamin C content is half the amount it is if theyre picked at stage 14.9 Similarly, researchers at Oregon State University who studied blackberries discovered that green ones contain 74 mg of anthocyanins, compared to 317 mg in ripe ones (per 100 grams fresh weight).3 The same phenomenon occurs in other fruits as well.5

Polyphenols likewise have no chance to fully develop when produce is picked green, which is why green-picked produce is so tasteless. Besides having health benefits, polyphenols give produce its flavor.10 Tomatoes deprived of UVB sunlight can be drained of carotenoids and possess little antioxidant activity.11 Its suspected that the lack of folate in grocery store tomatoes is due to their being picked green.12

Other Factors Drain NutrientsBig, green, hybrid, inbred, watery produce is not the whole story, however. Theres more. Changing climates, commercial fertilizers, and changes in soil composition have also been identified as reasons for the vitamin drain in commercial produce. Increasing carbon dioxide levels are known to significantly diminish important trace minerals, including zinc.13

Synthetic fertilizer is another potential source of vitamin depletion. The vitamin C content of two types of organically grown oranges was higher than that of the same oranges grown with synthetic fertilizer. Its now possible to distinguish an organic orange from a conventionally grown orange by looking at factors related to fertilizer (though the difference is not great).14 Organically grown fruits and vegetables have been reported to have significantly more antioxidants, polyphenols, and enzymes than commercial produce.15-19 According to one report, organic fruits themselves have better antioxidant defenses.16

The commercial solution to disappearing vitamins is to manipulate vegetables and fruits genetically, inserting foreign genes to force them to produce more nutrients.20 Tomatoes, for example, have been forced to produce folate through this method. Such biofortification causes the tomatoes to produce compounds never before seen in plants.12 And they end up without PABA, a B-complex coenzyme that makes up part of folate. The solution for that is to douse the plants in PABA to make up for the loss and on it goes.12

The Value of SupplementsFor those who find the new, unregulated world of genetically manipulated, vitamin-less vegetables unpalatable or find that they dont care to eat vegetables that have absorbed up to 45 times the amount of pesticides in the soil, including DDT (which was banned decades ago but is still with us)21 high-quality, standardized supplements are one way of incorporating a standard amount of known nutrients in the diet.

Supplements are not a replacement for food, but they can give the less-than-stellar diet that extra edge. And they work. It has been estimated that a calcium supplement alone could keep more than 100,000 people out of the hospital and save $2.6 billion in medical expenses annually.22 Calcium is one of the disappearing minerals in vegetables.

If taken long enough, magnesium supplements could halve the number of colon and rectal cancer cases in women.23 And riboflavin, which has decreased 38% in commercial vegetables since 1950, could prevent a lot of cataracts.24

THE CHROMIUM-DEFICIENT WESTERN DIETChromium is a trace mineral that is essential for optimal health. Food sources of chromium include brewers yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, fruit, eggs, meat, and shellfish. Chromium deficiency is widespread in the United States due to mineral-depleted soils and over-reliance on refined and processed foods.25

Chromium is an essential component of glucose tolerance factor, which enhances insulin function and is essential for proper carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Insufficient chromium intake is associated with signs and symptoms similar to those seen in people with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.26 Chromium helps to promote healthy glucose and lipid levels, even in healthy subjects, and may help promote fat loss and optimal body weight.26 Chromium supplementation improves serum glucose levels in both type I and type II diabetics.27 Dietary supplementation with chromium may help fill the void left by mineral-depleted soils and refined foods.

by Terri Mitchell

REFERENCES

Some of the health supplements for optimal health:

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Diet Plans & Programs: Facts on the Popular Diet Plans

Posted: February 14, 2018 at 3:41 am

The Atkins Diet

(Robert C. Atkins, M.D.)

The Atkins diet may be one of the most well-known fad diets. It is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate plan. This diet has been around for decades and has undergone many revisions. The previous plan allowed for unrestricted amounts of meat, cheese, and eggs while severely restricting carbohydrates, including sugar, bread, pasta, milk, fruits, and vegetables.

The Atkins diet web site states the current plan "is about eating delicious and healthy foods, which makes it so much better than any of those fad diets out there. You eat a variety of your favorite foods -- lean protein, leafy greens, vegetables, nuts, fruits, whole grains. Plus, you get delicious Atkins bars and shakes from day one and every step of the way."

The plan is based on the theory that eating carbohydrates creates a production of insulin, a hormone secreted from the pancreas, leading to increased weight gain and hunger. When converting to this approach, the plan holds that dieters will experience a reduced appetite, and their bodies will use stored fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Burning fat for energy will supposedly lead to weight loss.

The most recent version of the Atkins diet is by far the most nutritionally balanced. For the first time, the Atkins diet has placed an emphasis on the kinds of fat being consumed instead of allowing all dietary fats. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are now emphasized over saturated and trans fats. The diet has also changed to allow "good carbs" instead of severely restricting all carbohydrates. These foods provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that were once lacking in this diet. The high amount of protein will be beneficial in keeping you full. Research is clear that protein has a positive impact on increasing satiety, which means that you will feel full between meals.

The Atkins diet has gone through numerous revisions over the years, though there was never any acknowledgement of flaws in any of the diet plans. Until recently, there have not been any studies on the safety or efficacy of the Atkins diet. Short-term studies have shown improvements in blood cholesterol and blood sugar and an increased weight loss over the first three to six months in comparison to control diets. Unfortunately, the weight loss is not sustained at one year, and the improvements that were seen were due to weight loss and not the actual diet. The long-term safety of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets is unknown at this time. In a 2007 rating of diet books done by Consumer Reports, the Atkins diet was ranked at the bottom.

There are four phases to the plan, and the first one is severely restricted in carbohydrates. The induction phase lasts two weeks, and the claim is you can lose up to 15 pounds in this time. During this time you consume no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. For example, one slice of bread has 15 grams of carbohydrates, one serving of fruit has 15 grams of carbohydrates, one serving of dairy has 12 grams of carbohydrates, and one serving of vegetables can have between 5 and 15 grams of carbohydrates. It's clear that 20 grams is extremely limited, potentially unhealthy, and would be very difficult to follow for the long-term.

The Atkins web site states that "depending on how much weight you have to lose, you can safely continue with the induction phase as long as the following three conditions are met:

Most people who follow this diet are not under medical supervision, and this can become a very dangerous situation for them.

The the induction phase gets people used to losing weight at a fast rate, which will not last and is not healthy. Faster weight loss does not mean healthy weight loss. Any diet that emphasizes fast, easy weight loss is one to approach with caution. The guidelines are clear that a safe, healthy rate of weight loss is to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week after the first couple of weeks. The Atkins diet states you will lose "only body fat" by eating regular meals, taking in adequate calories, and keeping your insulin levels down. There is no way to only lose body fat when losing weight. Each pound you gain from consuming excess calories is 75% fat and 25% muscle, and each pound you lose from cutting back 3,500 calories is the same ratio of fat and muscle. Claims that you will lose only fat are not based on science despite the fact that the Atkins diet claims to be scientifically based.

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Diet Plans & Programs: Facts on the Popular Diet Plans

Weight Loss. Information on unintended weight loss – Patient

Posted: February 10, 2018 at 3:41 am

Weight loss as a symptom

Weight loss is often a matter of choice - we choose to change our diet and exercise habits to become more healthy. If there is a clear and healthy reason then weight loss is normal. However, it is also common to lose weight if you have a serious disease. For most serious diseases, there will usually be one or more other symptoms that develop well before any weight loss. The weight loss in these situations is explained and can often be expected.

However, occasionally, the first symptom to develop in some serious diseases is weight loss. Other symptoms usually develop at some point later. Also, some people with weight loss as a first symptom actually have one or more symptoms if they were questioned about them. But, they may not have been aware of the significance of the other symptoms. For example, weight loss is a common symptom of untreated type 2 diabetes. Some people may see a doctor to say that they have lost weight and don't know why. A doctor may then ask if they have been passing more urine than usual (a typical symptom of diabetes). To this question the person may say something like "now you mention it, yes I have. But I had just put that down to my ageing prostate gland and not thought much about it."

The rest of this article lists some of the more common conditions where weight loss is sometimes the first symptom noticed by the person, relative or friend. It does not relate to people who are dieting or exercising to lose weight deliberately. The list is not exhaustive.

In the vast majority of cases of cancer, other symptoms will develop before any weight loss. There are many symptoms that can occur, depending on the type and site of the cancer. However, occasionally, weight loss is the first symptom noticed. The weight loss is partly due to the increased activity of cancer cells in the body that require nutrition. (Weight loss in more advanced cancer is due to various combined factors.)

Type 2 diabetes occurs mainly in people aged over 40 although it can occur at younger ages. The four common symptoms are being thirsty a lot of the time, passing large amounts of urine, tiredness and weight loss. Some people pass off the first three symptoms to do with other things, or 'getting older'. So, weight loss is sometimes the first thing reported to a doctor. The weight loss is partly due to the sugar (glucose) that is passed out with the urine.

Depression has a number of symptoms. However, some people do not recognise that they have depression. They may feel low and not right but cannot say why. They may even think of it as just normal for them. Many people with depression can hide their true feelings from friends and family. Weight loss may develop due to not eating much. It is sometimes friends or family who may actually notice that a person has lost weight and it then turns out to be due to depression.

Some people who drink a lot of alcohol do not look after themselves very well. Their diet may not be very good and they may lose weight. However, they may be in denial about an alcohol problem. It may be friends or family who actually notice that the person has lost weight. Indeed, this is a way that a hidden alcohol problem in some people comes to light. Family and friends may show concern about weight loss and not be aware that the person has an alcohol problem.

Hyperthyroidism means that you make too much of a hormone called thyroxine. The extra thyroxine causes many of your body's functions to speed up. There are lots of possible symptoms such as:

Another typical symptom is losing weight despite an increased appetite. This may be a first symptom. But, again, some of the other symptoms that may occur such as being restless, nervous, emotional or irritable may just be put down to a stressful time of life or to your personality. In the early stages of hyperthyroidism some people actually feel well and full of energy and don't realise they have a problem but lose weight.

It would be unusual not to have other symptoms with a chronic infection. But, occasionally, the first symptom that is noticed with infections such as tuberculosis or HIV is weight loss. Hookworm infection of the gut is another example where weight loss may be the first indication of disease. Hookworm is a very common problem worldwide (but rare in the UK). Likewise, there are various conditions that cause persistent inflammation of a part or parts of the body. Again, other symptoms would be usual. But, sometimes an inflammatory condition such as polymyalgia rheumatica may just make you feel unwell and lose weight prior to other symptoms developing.

There are various diseases that can affect the way food is absorbed and taken into the body from the gut. These would normally cause symptoms such as diarrhoea. However, weight loss may be the first symptom noticed. Examples include coeliac disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

People in the early stages of dementia may appear to get by reasonably well but, in fact, they are not able to look after themselves very well. They may have a poor diet but appear happy in themselves. Again, it is sometimes friends or family who may first notice that a person is not right and has lost weight and it then turns out to be the early stages of dementia.

In conditions such as anorexia, a person usually knows they are tightly controlling their diet and exercise and are actively trying to lose weight. However, this may be hidden from friends and family and may not be divulged even to the doctor.

Sometimes medication may cause side-effects resulting in weight loss. For example, some pills may cause a loss of appetite, or a dry mouth. Some cause heartburn or give a mild tummy discomfort. Others may affect the sense of taste or smell, or make people feel sick. Any of these side-effects could affect eating habits and result in a loss of weight.

If you have lost weight and do not know why then see a doctor. This is because, as a general rule, the earlier a serious problem is diagnosed, the better the chance that treatment may improve the outlook (prognosis).

Your doctor is likely to ask various questions. He or she may actually uncover other symptoms that you were either unaware of or did not think were significant. He or she may also examine you. Tests, such as blood tests, may or may not be appropriate. Following a doctor's assessment, the likely cause may be clear and your doctor will advise on what to do next.

The treatment depends on the cause. See individual leaflets on the various diseases that can cause weight loss.

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Weight Loss. Information on unintended weight loss - Patient

How to Lose Weight Fast Weight Loss Science

Posted: February 7, 2018 at 6:46 pm

So, lets get one thing straight.

I was the biggest skeptic about diet in literally the entire world.

Trust me, Ive tried my fair share of diets just like everyone else

Theres one thing that always stood out to me.

Its not that most diets are completely junk.

Many have promise, and give you some results

In fact, Id say they can be very effective,

But the juice isnt worth the squeeze (even if youre on a juice diet).

The Wheel of Monotony.

Does this pattern sound familiar?

Start a new diet with starry eyes and high hopes

Struggle to eat the new food, feel worse but stay the course.

Frustration sets in because of restriction and lowered energy.

Affects social life and ability to go out.

Hit a boiling point and quit.

This is exactly what would happen to me Every. Single. Time. I tried a new diet.

These diets just werent worth the headache of meal prep, food restriction and overall willpower required.

Most of the time, I was just trying to lose a few quick pounds for the summer month or show up to a friends wedding in a trimmer state.

I didnt need a lifestyle adjustment, but thats what it felt like.

So I started to think thats as good as it got, until I stumbled upon the 2 Week Diet.

Trust me, I rolled my eyes about as hard as a human being possibly can.

It explained that slow, torturous weight loss isnt the only way, and that you can lose weight fast and safely.

Again, eye roll. It was only when I read a little further about why its different that my ears perked up a bit.

It explained how theres many scientific reasons why most diets arent that efficient or effective.

It even promised losing weight fast, easily and without hating yourself during the process.

I was as skeptical as ever, but I thought Theres a money-back guarantee, what do I have to lose?

And boy, was I glad I took a chance.

Im down two dress sizes and 14 pounds in two weeks!

Thats amazing to me. Most diets had me struggling to lose 5 pounds in that same time.

Even more amazing?

Thats on the low end of results. People are reporting greater results than that!

Now, you might be thinking, That sounds great, but what food. Were you allowed to eat anything?

Thankfully, this diet was not rice cakes and air.

There was real, satisfying food! I never felt seriously deprived or hungry the entire time.

Skeptic to Believer.

Ive never had my mind changed so quick in my life.

I thought that diets ALWAYS had to be hard and arduous.

This was the first time in my life that a diet was fast, easy and fun.

Im actually thinking about doing the diet again to get a head start on a spring/summer bod.

For those whove tried everything, I feel your pain. Ive been in your shoes. I was as unable to follow slow diets as anyone.

This is different.

You finally get quick results youll love. Youll finally be able to follow the steps.

Itll finally be worth it.

Sign up below and give it a shot. You wont regret it. Dont forget, you get a full money-back guarantee.

Theres nothing to lose, except the unwanted fat of course!

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How to Lose Weight Fast Weight Loss Science

11 Low Carb Vegetables That You Can Safely Eat on the …

Posted: February 7, 2018 at 4:40 am

Doing well on the ketogenic diet means that you understand the right foods to eat. Because your mom told you to eat your vegetables that means you need to get some vegetables into your system daily.

But on keto, not all vegetables are good to have.

Why?

Because vegetables contain carbs!

This is one of those mind-blowing facts that seems to take people aback.

Carbs are in bread, pastas, and sweets, what the heck are they doing in vegetables?

I cant tell you why theyre there. Theyre just there.

They arent crazy like in bread but they are there depending on the vegetable.

In this post, I want to show you some of the veggies that you are safe to eat on the ketogenic diet.

An important rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if the vegetable is grown above ground (spinach), then chances are you can eat it on keto. Lettuce is an exception in that if you eat too much you can easily knock yourself out of ketosis.

If the vegetable grows below ground then you should stay away.

Celery is one of those weird zero-calorie foods that actually helps you burn more calories than you consume.

I guess thats why its pointless eating celery unless you can dip it into something. Thankfully on keto, you have the luxury of mixing your celery with either ranch or almond butter.

Please dont mix both together because that is just gross.

Really gross.

Spinach is the goto veggie for a lot of keto dishes. I like to mix it with my eggs in the morning and if I need a quick snack Ill grab a handful of spinach, pour some ranch on it, and Im good to go.

One of my favorite keto recipes is this Spinach Mexican Casserole.

Funny thing is that I absolutely hated spinach as a child.

Now? Its not so bad.

If you could marry asparagus then my wife would leave me and marry asparagus.

Thats how much she loves it.

I enjoy it but Im not crazy about it.

Its great when you wrap it in bacon and cook it with some coconut oil. Thats a keto goers dream right there.

Technically this is a keto fruit but Im listing it here because some people dont want to spend time thinking about the technicalities between fruits and vegetables.

Avocados are a fantastic source of fats and can be a great way to make sure you hit your daily macros when doing keto.

This is another breakfast or snack item that I like to include in my daily routine. It works as a fantastic fuel source when your body finally reaches ketosis.

Ill admit that I didnt know much about zucchini until my wife introduced me to zucchini boats and wooooooo boy, things changed.

I love zucchini boats!

Stuff them with almost anything you want and you have yourself a nice little dish.

Its amazing the creative things that people come up with when it comes to food. I would just grab a zucchini and dip it into a bottle of ranch.

My creativity is limited.

Another staple of the keto diet, cauliflower has superpowers because it can act as a substitute for rice or mashed potatoes.

But if you really want to enjoy your cauliflower then you need to lightly season it and roast it in the oven.

Im serious.

I could eat just that for a couple of meals straight. It really is that good.

Cucumber is similar to celery in my mind in that you need to mix it with something to get any value out of it.

It goes great in detox waters but we arent talking about detox waters here.

We are talking about veggies that you can actually eat in your keto recipes.

Cucumber works though when you want to add a bit of crunch to a meal or just have it over your spinach salad.

I have a confession in that the only time I eat cabbage is when I have it in my spicy sausage & cabbage skillet melt.

Thats it.

Im sure there are other great uses for cabbage but thats the only time I actively hunt it down.

I have nothing against cabbage.

Its just cabbage.

Broccoli.

Dont give it to me unless youre going to cover it in cheese or ranch. Yes, both of these are keto-friendly and that is why the ketogenic diet is so awesome!

I used to think that cauliflower was broccolis ugly step-sister, but now I know its the other way around.

Broccoli is good but it takes a backseat to the almighty cauliflower.

When I lived in Los Angeles, kale was a superfood.

I hate it.

I really cant stand the taste of it.

Raw. Cooked. Burnt.

It doesnt matter, I dont like kale.

I understand its benefits but that doesnt mean I have to enjoy it.

Because I dont. Get it out of my face.

My mom loves brussels sprouts. They arent bad but I cant stand the smell of them cooking.

Keep me out of the kitchen and just let me know when they are ready and Im all over them.

If youre looking for a snack then check out these cheesy brussels sprouts and if you actually want a meal then scope out this brussel sprout burger recipe.

Its important to understand that all of these vegetables have carbs. They just have a lesser amount than other foods so as long as you arent eating a whole field of them you should be okay.

Remember, on keto, the general rule is that you want to stay below 20g of carbs daily so some carbs arent bad. Especially when they come from vegetables that have a low glycemic index.

If youre interested in learning more about the ketogenic diet and how it can help you lose weight then check out our 28-Day Challenge where we guide you through the keto diet and help you lose between 10-21 pounds in just 4 weeks with keto.

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11 Low Carb Vegetables That You Can Safely Eat on the ...

Home – Chicagoland Men’s Health

Posted: February 3, 2018 at 10:44 pm

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