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Whole grains increase metabolism, may help promote weight loss – Medical News Today

Posted: February 12, 2017 at 6:42 pm

Whole grains have been shown to be superior in the diet when compared with refined grains, suggests new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Whole grains increased calorie loss by decreasing the number of calories retained during digestion, while simultaneously speeding up metabolism.

Previous research has indicated that whole grains and high dietary fiber intake have several health benefits, such as for glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. However, scientists have been unable to agree whether whole grains and fiber help to regulate weight.

The grain food group includes rice, oats, wheat, and barley. While whole grains contain the whole-grain kernel and include brown rice, oatmeal, and whole-wheat flour, refined grains are starches that are processed and milled to remove the bran and germ to prolong their shelf life. Examples of refined grains include white rice, white bread, and white flour.

Milling empties the starch of dietary fiber, iron, and B vitamins. Although iron and B vitamins can be added back into the refined grains, the fiber is not often reintroduced.

In the new research, investigators conducted a study over 8 weeks that included 81 men and women aged between 40 and 65. All food was provided to the participants over the course of the study and included either whole grains or refined grains. Participants were asked only to consume the food provided, return any uneaten food, and continue with their usual levels of physical activity.

"We provided all food to ensure that the composition of the diets differed only in grain source," says senior author Susan B. Roberts, Ph.D., senior scientist and director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.

For the first 2 weeks, all participants ate the same type of food, and the calorie needs of each individual were determined. The participants were then randomly assigned to either a group that included whole grains or a group with refined grains.

The differences between the whole-grain diet and refined-grain diet were mostly in grain and fiber content. Type of food, meal structure, and energy and macronutrient composition were similar in both groups.

The researchers compared the effects of whole grains and refined grains on resting metabolic rate and fecal energy losses, in addition to how full or how hungry the participants felt. Measures of the study included weight, metabolic rate, blood glucose, fecal calories, hunger, and fullness.

Results showed that the group that ate whole grains had increased resting metabolic rate and greater fecal losses compared with the refined grain group. Furthermore, the increases in fecal energy losses were not because of the extra fiber, but from the effect of the fiber on the digestibility of other food calories.

Participants who consumed whole grains - an amount that matched the recommended daily allowance for fiber - lost almost an extra 100 calories per day than the participants who consumed refined grains without much fiber.

"The extra calories lost by those who ate whole grains was equivalent of a brisk 30-minute walk - or enjoying an extra small cookie every day in terms of its impact," says Roberts.

Roberts' colleagues included Phil J. Karl, Ph.D., first author of the study, an alumnus of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts, and a nutrition scientist at the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, MA.

"Many previous studies have suggested benefits of whole grains and dietary fiber on chronic disease risk. This study helps to quantify how whole grains and fiber work to benefit weight management, and lend credibility to previously reported associations between increased whole grains and fiber consumption, lower body weight and better health."

Phil J. Karl

The study used commercially available products that used whole-grain flour. The team hypothesizes that using foods with whole-grain kernels might affect metabolic rate and fecal loss further. Fullness, hunger, and diet satisfaction did not appear to differ significantly between the two diets.

Read about how whole grains could extend lifespan.

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Whole grains increase metabolism, may help promote weight loss - Medical News Today

Can 3D body scanners help with weight loss, fitness? – CBS News

Posted: February 12, 2017 at 6:42 pm

If you want to lose weightand get into shape, some gyms are now offering high-tech, 3D body scanners to help you track your progress.

A few months ago, musical theater actress Sarah Loman came to TMPL gym in New York City to see if a new approach could help.

Shes struggled with her weight and wants to make major changes to her body. Im in a career path where its all about how you look, she told CBS News.

TMPL and dozens of other high-end fitness centers around the country are now offering this 3D scanning technology. A special camera takes hundreds of body measurements from how much muscle you have to where youre storing more fat. The scanner then creates a 3D computer model of its subject in less than minute.

CBS News

The technology was first used in the world of fashion, so tailors could get precise measurements.

Clients at TMPL gym also fill out an extensive health survey.

That informs us as to how to exercise, eat, possibly supplements to correct whatever is going on with the metabolism so we can make changes in that body composition, said gym owner David Barton.

The computer-generated images can be compared over time to show exactly how a persons physique is changing.

The noticeable progress helps keep Loman motivated. You see the number on the scale, but the number on the scale doesnt break down how much of that is muscle, how much of that is water weight, how much of that is body fat, she said.

In about four months of dieting and exercise, she lost 30 pounds and gained three pounds of muscle.

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Can 3D body scanners help with weight loss, fitness? - CBS News

Nik and Eva Speakman: ‘We don’t coordinate our hair anymore!’ – CelebsNow

Posted: February 12, 2017 at 6:41 pm

This Mornings psychotherapist pair reveal to Now which celebs theyve cured of phobias and how they make their marriage work

This Mornings resident psychotherapists Nik and Eva Speakman have helped dozens of celebrities, including Holly Willoughbyand Vicky Pattison, to overcome phobias and issues not to mention ordinary people whove been told they will never be cured. The show recently won a gong at the National Television Awards, so it must be doing something right. Here, Nik,55, and Eva, 47 who live in Rochdale and have two children, Olivia, 20, and Hunter, 11 talk about their amazing miracle cases, working on This Morning and how they cured a lady who was scared of Simon Cowell

Youve helped so many people on This Morning over the past seven years. What is it you love about the show?

Nik: Its the best daytime show. It offers so much support and advice across so many areas.I was at a charity function recently and a man thanked me for saving his life. I told himI didnt recognise him. Hesaid: You dont know me, but I decided to kill myself. I dropped my wife and daughter off, I went into the house, I had my last cup of tea and I put This Morning on. You were working with someone and you cured them. I realised then that there was hope for me.

Eva: It doesnt get any betterthan that.Is it true you helped Holly Willoughby cure her fear of ghosts?

Nik and Eva are happily married with two kids

Nik: A fear of ghosts is unusual and yes, we did work with her on that. But actually, she was more scared of flying. Holly was ona kids show years ago and she went on a plane for it. They turned the engine off and she had no ideait was going to happen. Anyone in that situation would be completely terrified.

READ THE LATEST CELEB GOSSIP HERE

Eva: We helped her and she flew a few days later. She posted on Twitter that she was over it.

How can people cure their fear of flying without spendinga lot of money?

Nik: You have toput things into perspective. If someones scaredof flying, theyshould download this amazing app called Plane Finder. Youll see the sky is full of planes. You have to ask yourself: Why?

Eva: If your phobia were justified, wed all be fearful of flying, so what you have to do is change your perspective. You have to ask how many of your flights got there safely? The answer is they all did.

Has Phillip Schofield ever asked you for help?

Eva: No. The only thing hes ever mentioned is that he hates the scraping of cutlery. We were talking about Im A Celebrity and the one thing he cant stand is the scraping of metal when theyre eating on the show!But hes never asked for help.

Last month on the show, you helped Stephen Day, who suffered from PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder] and was having terrible convulsions

Nik: Stephen was challenging, because numerous health officials had told him he was incurable. We saw him having fits and hed tried to kill himself three times last year. Knowing hed got that low was a lot of pressure but after a 50-minute session with us, he was cured. It was so emotional.

Eva: We all cried.

Whats been your most rewarding case?

Eva: Those inthe emergency and armed forces stand out. Itsnice to give something back to the brave people protecting us.

Whats the most bizarre phobia youve been asked to cure?

Eva: There was a lady on This Morning who had a phobia of Simon Cowell! She worked in Tesco and she would get really edgy when it got to going past the magazines.

Nik: Watching The X Factorwas horrendous for her. EvenI was thinking: Really? But it turned out that her father had this look when she was littleif anyone did anything wrong. And hed recently died and she was grieving. So when Simon did the same look on TV as her dad used to when they were in trouble, she linked thatfear to him.

Eva: We managed tocure her and they broughtout a host of people in Simon Cowell masks!

Are phobias irrational?

Eva: Having a phobiaisnt irrational. The fearitself is irrational.

Is there anything youhavent cured?

Nik: No. What we do is change peoples perspective. We provide people with new evidence to get them to change how they think.

Have you got any phobias?

Eva: Both of us had phobias in the past. I had a fear of heights and spiders.

Nik: I had a fear of cockroaches.

Eva: We worked on each other to get rid of them.

Nik: And now weve got spiders and cockroaches as pets!

Vicky Pattison has creditedyou with changing the wayshe feels about herself. She said she didnt feel she deserved to be loved

Nik: Her management arranged for us to meet with her but she didnt want to come along!

Eva: Shed had a late night and all she wanted to do was sleep. She had a bit of a barrier up.

Nik: I remember her saying: How long am I with you? We told her it was three hours. She said: I tell you what, let me have a sleep for three hours.

Eva: We said: Give us an hour and tell us what you think then. Within an hour, we were the best of friends.

Whos been the most challenging celeb to work with?

Eva: Vicky was a lovely challenge because she changed so quickly.

Nik: [Strictly Come Dancing champion and TV presenter] Ore Oduba was challenging. He was standing in for Phillip on This Morning and was nervous. We had 15 minutes with him and he had to prep for the show at the same time.

Which celebrity would you love to work with?

Nik: Id love to work with Lady Gaga. She recently said shed been suffering from PTSD. We knowshe can get over it.

The Speakmans wants to work with Lady Gaga

What can people do about eating too much if theyre trying to lose weight?

Nik: You need to set a goal. Just saying: I want to lose weight, wont work. You need to say:By June, I will have lost 2st. Suddenly you have a clear plan.

Eva: Keeping a diary is great. You can write down your goals, what youre eating and when you plan to exercise. That way, its like an appointment. Nobody overeats because they want to. Its important to look at why. It could be loneliness, for comfort or if you feel bad about yourself.

Why are people addictedto sugar?

Eva: Because it gives you an increased level of feelgood endorphins. Were always seeking to feel better and we become addicted to things that give us an unnatural high.

What about partying toomuch how can people tone down their drinking?

Eva: A big factor is your friendship circle. If youwant to curbyour party lifestyle and someone phones you, tell them you loveyour nights out but youre restricting them. And if they phone, dont answer the call,as theyll talk you into it!

It can be easy to feel like youre not enough in this day and age. What are your tips forself-confidence?

Nik: You need to take stock and look at how far you have got. We often forget where we started in life. We also compare ourselves to others. But if someone started their journey two years ago and youve only started this week, then youll feel a failure. Instead, you need to say: I admire that, and set itas a goal.

Eva: You should also look at who made you feelthat way and do they have a valid point. If you have people who love and care for you, you should feel proud thatyoure loveable.

Would you mindif your children went into showbiz?

Eva: Olivia and Hunter are such positive, well-balanced and kind kids. Whatever makes them happy, well both support them.

Do they mind you being on TV?

Eva: No, not atall. Theyre both very supportive.

Nik: Our mission is to make a big difference. Were working with Amsterdam University at the moment to get our therapy [Schematherapy] recognised.

Youve both got long, blonde hair. Do you coordinate styling?!

Eva: Nik recently had his hair cut.

Nik: I got a big thumbs-up and then I started growing a beard and got massive thumbs-up!

Eva: Hes looking really good.

Youve been married more than 20 years. Whats your secret?

Eva: We laugh a lot. We do heara lot of sad and emotional stories, but the ending is brilliant. Sharing that is fabulous.

This Morning is on ITV at 10.30am on weekdays.Visit itv.com/thismorning

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Nik and Eva Speakman: 'We don't coordinate our hair anymore!' - CelebsNow

Healthy diet plan to help you lose weight: Burn 100 extra calories a … – Daily Star

Posted: February 12, 2017 at 6:41 pm

WANT to lose weight fast? Making this one food swap will increase your calorie-burn.

GETTY

If you want to get a ripped six-pack you're going to have to work hard and curb some of your bad eating habits.

But there are some simple things you can do to help rid you of your spare tire.

The key to losing weight is to burn off more calories than you consume and there are certain foods that actually help you burn fat faster.

20 fat-burning foods that help you lose weight

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Avacodo - includes monosaturated fatty acids that are more likely to be used as slow burning energy than stored as body fat

Researchers have found that swapping refined grains for whole grains is one simple thing you can do to burn more calories.

Making this one change can help you burn an extra 100 calories a day, according to the Tufts University study.

The Boston-based researchers split 81 people into two groups: One group ate a diet rich in whole grains, with a fibre content around 40 grams a day.

The other consumed mostly refined grains, with only around half the fibre.

GETTY

We provided all food to ensure that the composition of the diets differed only in grain source, said Phil J. Karl, PhD, first author of the study.

Whole grains and fibre work to benefit weight management

Results revealed that after six weeks the people who ate the the whole-grain diet lost an additional 100 calories per day.

This is the equivalent of doing a brisk 30-minute walk, the authors revealed.

Substituting refined grain foods like white rice and bread for whole-grain foods like brown rice and oatmeal, increases calorie loss by reducing the calories you retain during digestion.

GETTY

High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are all the rage right now and for good reason. Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. Hair and nails are mostly made of protein and your body uses protein to build and repair tissues.

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Reasons why Fibre is such an important part of a diet

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They also speed up your metabolism and the extra fibre boost means you will probably have more regular bowel movements youll poo out more calories.

Many previous studies have suggested benefits of whole grains and dietary fibre on chronic disease risk, added Phil.

This study helps to quantify how whole grains and fibre work to benefit weight management.

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Healthy diet plan to help you lose weight: Burn 100 extra calories a ... - Daily Star

7 weight-loss lies people need to stop believing – Men’s Fitness

Posted: February 12, 2017 at 6:41 pm


Men's Fitness
7 weight-loss lies people need to stop believing
Men's Fitness
There's plenty of nutrition nonsense out there. The problem? With all these myths and bad ideas floating around, too many people are getting duped into ridiculous diets, absurd nutrition rules, and flat-out nonsensical notions that will ultimately ...

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7 weight-loss lies people need to stop believing - Men's Fitness

Five Reasons Why Diets Don’t Work | The Huffington Post – Huffington Post UK

Posted: February 11, 2017 at 11:46 am

You can't turn on the TV, drive down the road or go to a party without being confronted with Britain's hottest obsession especially at this time of the year: weight. Diets are a billion-pound industry; companies spend millions and millions luring you to try the latest diet (low carb, high protein, low fat, no fat, you name it) with promises that this will (finally!) be the solution--your shortcut to a thinner body. Advertising efforts also deeply affect our children, who develop distorted body images and are often on diets as early as nine or 10 years of age.

Our culture touts diet pills, celebrity workouts, convenience foods and trendy diets to help us achieve our desired weight, but these quick-fix solutions have backfired. Britain's populace has reached its highest weight in history. Almost half the population are overweight; one-third are obese. Diets steer us away from our common sense and dig deeply into our pocketbooks while eliciting few, if any, lasting results. Why?

Given half a chance, your body will balance out by itself, but this is only possible by getting out of the diet mentality and listening to what you truly need. Imagine taking all of the outward energy you expend on diets, fads and gimmicks and turning it inward, so that you can listen to your heart and inner wisdom.

There is no such thing as a quick fix; you already have everything you need within you. With careful thought and loving reflection, you can feed yourself in a nourishing way. Working with your body rather than against it will bring you increased energy, stabilized weight and sustainable health.

This Blogger's Books and Other Items from...

Healing Foods - Healthy Foods: Use Superfoods to Help Fight Disease and Maintain a Healthy Body

by Gloria Halim

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Beyonc’s Lemonade Diet: The Dark Side of the Master Cleanse – E! Online

Posted: February 11, 2017 at 11:46 am

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Beyonc is queen for a reason.

No matter what she's doingeven if it's the most mundane, basic thingshe can do little wrong. Bey can wear mismatched lingerie, workout in the rain and power through intense diets. She does it all with such ease that it makes mere mortals feel like we can do it, too.

It doesn't mean we should, though.

Take, for instance, the Master Cleanse Diet (a.k.a. the Lemonade Dietcoincidence, much?) that Bey underwent in 2006 to shed weight for her role in Dreamgirls. It's been talked about ad nauseum, with nutritionists criticizing its health benefits.

"I have a huge problem with any cleanse that doesn't allow you to have food. People want to eat food," celebrity fitness expert Latreal Mitchell told me. "I do get where they're coming fromlemon is an antioxidant and maple syrup is a natural sweetener, but at the end of the day, all you're giving yourself is lemon and sugar. It's not going to sustain you."

Still, I had to try it. If not for the sake of Beyonc Week, then to fully understand what exactly the singer went through.

The recipe includes: 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (not the pre-squeezed stuff, which contains preservatives), 2 tablespoons of grade B maple syrup, 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 10 ounces of pure waterfor one single serving.

If you're like me, you have no time to make a diet cocktail eight times a day. Also, talk about an awkward lunch-room conversation: "What are you eating today? Umm, syrup. So, I prepped a few days' worth at one time. Note: Not only will have you have jug of diet lemonade at the ready, but you'll have sore, stiff hands, too. I guess the juice is worth the squeeze. But those lucky enough should use a juicer to avoid arthritis.

Day 1: I was weirdlyexcited to get started because, well, I was seven days away from being as Dreamgirls-slim as I was ever going to get. I walked into work with "Crazy in Love" confidence. Instead of wearing a white tank and denim short-shorts, I was strutting into a newsroom in a shift dress and water bottles of Master Cleanse. Slay!

The first day was relatively easy. I normally eat a light breakfast anyway so I wasn't that hungry. Honestly, I probably drank half the servings I should havethe lemon and maple concoction kept me relatively full.

Day 2: Now if you have a voracious appetite, you'll be starving by now. When I woke, I was hungry, but already, I noticed the size difference in my tummyit was slightly flatter. That is, until I drank two 8-ounce glasses of juice in five minutes. Then, it was bloat central. The thing about juicing that no one ever tells you is that you'll constantly need to go to the bathroom, which is especially annoying for an equally busy and lazy girl like me.

Day 3: By the third day, I developed a superpower...or maybe it was my kryptonite: My sense of smell was extremely heightened. I'd be content one minute and then the next, the fine aroma of toasted bread wafting from the office kitchen had me dazed then ravenous. I could smell food from the corner office situated on the entire opposite side or the floor. While my co-workers couldn't smell a thing, I had to stop breathing through my nose. Even just a small whiff of tuna, tomato soup or other lunchtime marvels had me desperately wanting food, only to be met with unsatisfying diet juice. I began resenting everything and everyone: myself, lemons, even Beyonc for giving me this crazy idea.

Day 4: Let's just say no one dared to talk to me.

Day 5: Not going to lie, I felt a little fragile. I felt like I was exerting more energy just to keep my body up. I went to sleep earlier and woke up much later than usual. I wouldn't recommend anyone exercising while on this cleanse. I kept a protein bar in my bag just in case. I never needed it; but, it was reassuring to have sustenance nearby just in case.

Day 6: Let's go through the list so far: Hunger? Check. Irritable? Check. Full bladder? Check. Bloat? Check. Low energy? Check. Stiff hands? Check. Oh, did I mention my teeth started feeling extra sensitive? Maybe it was the acidity of the lemons, but I felt like they, too, were taking a beating.

Day 7: Victory! I'm going to be honestI didn't wait until the day was over to eat. I did start slow, however, with the recommended soups and light fare, as to not overwhelm my digestive system. I noticed a small change in appearanceI even felt a little lighter. But friends and family who hadn't seen me for the week instantly noticed a difference. Apparently, my cheeks were smaller, my collarbones were more distinct and, indeed, my waist looked slimmer. It worked! I never doubted you, Bey.

In total, I must've lost eight or nine pounds in a weekI'm 113 (I mean 115), for reference. However, once I got back into the swing of my regular diet (salads for lunch, whatever I want for dinner), I basicallygained the weight back in a few weeks' time.

"You might lose weight temporarily, but you're going to gain it right back once you start to eat again," warned Latrealand she was right.

If you're looking for long-term results, you're better off hitting the gym. I will say if you're looking for fast weight loss, to prep for a wedding, or in Beyonc's case, a movie, Master Cleanse might work for you. Just beware: Some gain more weight than when they started off.

"The most common thing that happens is you wind up binge-eating because you just want to eat so bad," the expert added.

And there you have it.

PS: I love eating too much, so you won't find medoing that again.

E! Online - Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows!

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Beyonc's Lemonade Diet: The Dark Side of the Master Cleanse - E! Online

Unlike fat, choices for the right diet keep shrinking – Jackson Sun

Posted: February 11, 2017 at 11:46 am

The Jackson Sun 10:53 a.m. CT Feb. 9, 2017

Tom Purcell(Photo: Cagle Cartoons Syndicate)

I know Democrats and progressives are going nuts over President Trump's first few weeks in office I know the Middle East is a mess and that we have no small number of incredible challenges at home but I have my own worries.

Like millions of other Americans, I'm on my annual February diet.

You see, it's not easy to be trim and fit in America. Our culture is saturated with an abundance of high-calorie, processed foods that turn into instant fat.

We work long and hard in sedentary office jobs, then eat our stress away, two or three fast food treats at a time.

We've become so fat, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, that our bathtubs have stretch marks.

We know our increasing tubbiness isn't healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity-associated diseases such as diabetes have soared in recent years. Gallbladder diseases, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and heart disease are all caused by carrying too much weight.

And so we are on a continuous mission to lose weight. Our challenge is that the fad diets that promise to get us there go in and out of fashion faster than the white patent leather shoes and belts my father used to wear to church.

According to the website The Daily Meal (thedailymeal.com), the Mediterranean Diet it features natural, plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts is in.

So, too, is the Paleo Diet, which apparently is similar to the Mediterranean Diet, except legumes are forbidden.

Which is a shame, too, because I just learned that legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupin beans, mesquite, carob, soybeans, peanuts and tamarind which go well with the bourbon I am driven to drink as I try to figure out which diet to go on.

Volumetrics is another in diet. It encourages the consumption of low-energy-density foods, which make you feel full with fewer calories than high-energy-density foods. It also sounds like too much math is involved.

The Gluten Diet is on the outs, though, according to The Daily Meal. Apparently, it puts people at risk for different deficiencies such as B vitamin deficiencies, calcium, fiber, vitamin D and iron.

The Daily Meal no longer favors the Atkins Diet, either, which makes me sore.

Dr. Atkins said we could eat delicious steaks, pork, chicken and fish. He said we could eat as much eggs and cheese and other tasty no-sugar treats as we could stuff into our bellies. His diet was all the rage for years.

But now The Daily Meal says his diet is a no go? That it is not heart-healthy and that most users are not compliant over the long term?

Not so fast! Several prominent studies have concluded that old Doc Atkins was onto something. Low-carbohydrate diets may actually take off more weight than low-fat diets and may be surprisingly better for cholesterol, too.

One of my greatest dieting disappointments of the last 20 years, though, was the failure of the exercise pill, which had shown promise at Duke University around 2002.

Researchers had located the chemical pathways that muscle cells use to build strength and endurance. With that knowledge in hand, there was hope that a pill could be created that would pump up muscle cells WITHOUT the need for actual exercise.

Dieting Americans could have sat on the couch, chomping potato chips and dip, while their biceps got as round as cantaloupes and their abs got as hard as stone but this uniquely American dieting innovation wasn't to be.

I think I'll try a new, restrictive diet this February: the Democrats in Congress Diet.

I'll deny myself everything.

Tom Purcell is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc. Send comments to Tom at Tom@TomPurcell.com.

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Unlike fat, choices for the right diet keep shrinking - Jackson Sun

Here’s Why You Should Never Kiss a Toad – Smithsonian

Posted: February 11, 2017 at 11:45 am

An old myth says that touching a toad will give you warts. This isn't true, but many species of toads and frogs in the family bufonidae do produce unique chemicals that can poison or even kill an animal or human foolish enough to try to eat one.

These chemicals, called bufotoxins, probably evolved to deter predators but they may offer a variety of other uses, including as medicine. Bufo gargarizans, an Asian species of toad, produces a substance that could even prove useful in the treatment of certain cancers. According to one 2011 study, the toad produces a substance that effects "significant antitumor activity, including inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell differentiation, induction of apoptosis, disruption of the cell cycle, inhibition of cancer angiogenesis, reversal of multi-drug resistance, and regulation of the immune response."

Other bufotoxins have been used to treat diseases among horses and cattle. Bufotoxins have been individually studied in the past but there was no single compendium of research on them. Roberto Ibez, a staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, has co-authored a paper in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology that brings together everything currently known to science about bufotoxins. He helped to identify 47 species of frogs and toads which are used in traditional medicines and then narrowed in on the 15 species that are members of the bufonidae family.

Our claim is that there are many compounds in the toadsthat are worth researching for humans. There are potentially many new drugs for humans and other species, Ibez says. Many of those local species are in rapid decline, mainly because of the fungus that is killing them.

That fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, commonly referred to as amphibian chytrid fungus, has spread across the globe during the past 40 years causing massive population declines and even extinctions among many species of amphibians. Amphibian chytrid fungus infects the skins of amphibians and causes them to stop feeding, move slowly and eventually die.

One affected bufonidaespecies is the Panamanian golden frog, which has been completely wiped out in the wild by the fungus. The Panamanian golden frog exists only in captivity now.

In his role as the in-country director of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, Ibez has been immersedin breeding, rescuing and researching the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog. But he fears that if the frogs only exist in captivity, there will be noway for scientists to preserve their bufotoxins.

There are some indications that some of the [Panamanian frogs] only produce toxins in the wild, Ibez says. But we don't know if without the right diet they don't produce the right toxins or any toxins at all. . . It could be from bacteria in their skin, but we don't know.

The skin of the Panamanian golden frog produces unique chemicals called zetekitoxins.

"Remarkably, toxins from a single [Panamanian golden] frog skin can kill 130 to 1,000 mice," says Candelario Rodriguez, another author of the review. "The mechanism of action is to reduce cardiac rhythm, making these interesting candidates as therapeutic compounds. . . if golden frogs were to disappear, they would take this potentially valuable chemical with them.

While Ibez and other scientists can create a sort of lifeboat for an endangered species of amphibianmany of the medically promising bufotoxins might only be available if chytridiomycosis can be defeated and the animals can be restored to the wild.

Meanwhile, the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project is using their captive populations of frogs to research a probiotic cure for the fungus that will allow the animals to be safely released.

The main message is just to show that there are a lot of species and many of them are disappearing and have compounds that can be used by humans for their own benefit, Ibez says. We should preserve these species in the wild.

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Here's Why You Should Never Kiss a Toad - Smithsonian

The Top 9 Natural Home Remedies For Yellow Teeth That Won’t Destroy Your Enamel – Collective Evolution

Posted: February 11, 2017 at 11:45 am

We're creating a positive news network. We need your help.

Traditional whitening practices have proven to be quite harmful to the longevity of our teeth.

Dental specialist Linda Greenwall has thoroughlyinvestigatedthe harmful use of teeth whitening treatments, especially ones thatincludechlorine dioxide, and arguesthese chlorine dioxide treatments are advertised as safe for teeth. It is certainly not thecase.

Itremainsdifficult for people to find an effective and safe alternative to traditional teeth whiteningpractices practices that cause serious and irreversible damage to the enamel of our teeth,which is what protects them to begin with. Greenwall explains that chlorine dioxidewhitening treatments can cause serious damage, including: tooth etching,loss of tooth lustre, discolouration, stain absorption(due to loss of protective enamel), teeth feeling rough, and increased sensitivity (sometimes permanent).

Other risks include:

If you are serious about getting whiter teeth safely, you need to first determine what is causing theirdiscolouration to begin with. Coffee, tea, red wine, and cigarettes are all major culprits here, so start by cutting down or completely eliminatingthese four things.

These are the risks you face when choosing to go the conventional route. Fortunately, safer and more holistic alternatives are available.

This is a traditional Aryurvedic practice used to help detoxify and cleanse the body. Along with helping to whiten teeth, it alsoreduces tooth decay and gingivitis. Sesame oil is the traditional choice, but to see the best results, use coconut oil, which containsmonolaurin, a very effective antimicrobial against the main bug implicated with tooth decay, strep mutans.

Be sure to usea high quality oil. We often use thiscoconut oildue to its single origin quality. Start by taking a tablespoon of oiland swishing it in your mouth for 20 minutes.Move it through your teeth and the front and back of your mouth. Do not swallow! The longer its been in your mouth the more contaminated it will become, as it is literally pulling bacteria, fungi, and viruses into your mouth from your whole body. When you are done, spit it out (and brush your teeth if youd like).

Baking soda has a really lowRelative Dentin Abrasivity, or RDA, score.The scale goes from 0 (no abrasivity) to 269 (high abrasivity), with baking soda ranking in at just 7.

How to use:

Use a high quality baking soda such as Duda Energy.

1. Take a pinch of baking soda and put it into a small glass or bowl. 2. Add a small amount of purified water (ideally not tap water) to the bowl and mix it into the baking soda. The solution should be slightly runny, as you dont want too many of the granules present. Dip your toothbrush in to get some of the solution on the brush. 3. Brush your teeth, starting with your molars and then moving to the facings and backs of your teeth. 4. Optional: Once done, you can add some more water to the glass or bowl and swish it around your mouth. This will help keep your mouth alkaline. 5. Rinse out your mouth with purified water as you normally would after brushing.

Other people place baking soda directly on their toothbrush and begin with the front teeth. When the solution is mixed with saliva, it becomes liquid.

White kaolin clay has a low abrasivity score and is effective as both a polish and stain remover. It is alsohigh in calcium, silica, zinc, and magnesium, and safe for people withtooth sensitivity.

How to use:

Apply it directly onto your toothbrush, starting with your front teeth and then, as it mixes with your saliva, moving on tothe rest of the mouth.

You can also combine this with baking soda.

Activated charcoal is not absorbed by the body but is itself highly absorbent, allowing it to easilyremove toxins without harming the body. It isfantastic for people who have had a bout of food poising or have accidentally ingestedsomething toxic. If you take this within 30 minutes of ingestion you should see results, but do not take it with other vitamins or supplements, as it willabsorb those as well.

Be aware that while it can remove stains from teeth, it does stain clothes, tiles, counters, etc. It can also cause constipation and block mineral absorption, and should not be mixed with dairy. These are warnings in the case that you do ingest it.

How to use:

Wet your toothbrush and dip it into the charcoal. Put the charcoal covered toothbrush in the mouth (quickly to protect your sink) and brush in small, gentle circles for two minutes. Spit carefully and rinse really well. You can alsomix the charcoal with water and swish with it for two minutes.

You can also combine this withoil pulling.

Its important to dilute peroxide to between 1% and 1.5% concentration at the very most. Anything higher will damage your teeth, even a mere3%.

Ourbody produces hydrogen peroxide primarily in the lungs, gut, and thyroid gland, andthe presence of hydrogen peroxide calls the immune system to an injury. This mayexplain how diluted hydrogen peroxide aids someone who is fighting gum disease.

How touse:

Again, use a very low concentration and swish around the teeth for three to fiveminutes.

Just like activated charcoal, you need to be careful about where your turmeric lands! It will stain everything, including your toothbrush, so you may even need to have a designated turmeric brush. But we promise it wont stain your teeth!

Turmeric has extensivemedicinal properties, including as a digestiveaid and an anti-inflammatory. It has even been said to help prevent certain types of cancers.

How touse:

Wet your toothbrush and then dip it in 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder. Brush teeth as normal, but instead of rinsing when youre done, allow the turmeric to sit on your teeth forthree to fiveminutes. Follow this with a regular brushing to get rid of any excess yellow buildup.

You can also try this combo: 2 parts turmeric powder to 1 part coconut oil and 1 part baking soda. Mix together to form a paste, and keep in a cool place (coconut oil is liquid at around 74-76 degrees).

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which helps to make your teeth whiter. Use them to whiten teeth by crushing a few berries and then applying them to your teeth. Let it sit for about three to fiveminutes and then rinse out your mouth well.

Lemon has a solid bleaching power. Many use it to lighten their hair, but it can be used on your teeth as well.Squeeze lemon juice into a small bowl and add some sea salt to it. Grind it down to produce a soft paste. Apply that to your teeth and let sit for three to fiveminutes. Rinse well. Its important to rinse this thoroughly, as you dont want to let it sit over long periods of time and erode yourenamel.

This one is controversial and I personally wouldnt say this should be your go-to option. Some health professionals say it works, while others say it doesnt. In the end, the gritty surface, which is rich in magnesium and potassium, may polish teeth and help remove some stains on the enamel, but results vary widely.For this method, simply rub your teeth with the inside of a ripe banana peel for two to fiveminutes and rinse when finished. Do this twicedaily.

There are a number of whitening options one can explore via dentists, whitening professionals, or the drugstore. These include bleaching trays, professional bleaching treatments, and products like Whitestrips. There is no doubt that these products do work, but there are reported disadvantages to these options that dont exist withthe above natural methods.

Oftenthe treatments above utilize harsh ingredients that can have powerful effects on gums and teeth, creating prolongedsensitivity even afteroneuse. For example, studies suggest that between one-thirdand one-halfof all people who use Whitestrips will notice some degree of gum tissue irritation. [1] If youve tried these products in the past, you may have seen great results and had no irritation, but if you did experience irritation, try the options abovefor a more natural and sustainable approach.

When using natural healing methods, its essential to rememberthat change does not happen overnight. If you want to get your teeth looking whiter naturally, you need to first understand that this will take time. Give yourself at least a month ofcombining the practices listed above withlimiting discolouration factors (coffee, tea, red wine, smoking) and judge from there if this is working for you.

We live in an age that is almost ruled by coffee, which happens to be one of the biggest contributors to stained and yellow teeth.While step number one for whiter teeth would be to limit coffee intake, that may not be a desired option for some of us, sothe above list of natural teeth whitening options should at least help mitigate the damage of coffee consumption.

Dental hygiene is important. It can be a contributing factor to many diseases in other areas of the body if not properly taken care of. One of the biggest ways we can damage our teeth is through acidic foods and drinks. In fact, a lot of times, yellow teeth are the result of an acidic diet, which wears at teeth enamelif teethare not properly taken care of.

Sources

whitening_strips/a4_teeth_whitening.htm

Dr Oz: Teeth Whitening Home Remedy: Baking Soda + Lemon Juice

http://www.livestrong.com/article/15795-whiten-teeth-peroxide/

One of the biggest problems cancer patients face is that their doctors aren't telling them everything they need to know and patients don't know the right questions to ask.

Our friend (and 13-year cancer survivor) Chris Wark just finished creating a free guide for cancer patients and their loved ones called 20 Questions For Your Oncologist.

Read more here:
The Top 9 Natural Home Remedies For Yellow Teeth That Won't Destroy Your Enamel - Collective Evolution


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