Posts tagged supplement
Tasty Low Carb Tips
Feb 4th
You can follow a low carb diet without drastically changing your current diet. By making a few minor changes to your current diet, you can easily follow a low carb version. As more people opt to limit their carb intake, the number of options increases. With a little bit of practice, eating a low carb diet will be just as natural to you as eating high carb diets.These tips will help you eating keep your low carb diet tasty. Keep reading and you will see how simple eating a low carb diet can be.
When following a low carb diet, eggs are an excellent option. Carb heavy and fatty foods tend to be associated with breakfast. Bacon, for example, is something that most people would rather not give up. Eggs and fruit juice are a good breakfast, however. As long as you avoid adding high carb extras to your eggs, they are a great substitute for high carb foods. Simply adding fresh veggies can give you a great omelet.
Many assume getting to eat all the meat they want is the best part of a low carb diet. You need to be picky about the cuts of meat that you eat. Meat isn’t free of fat, however. Lean meats are your best choice when making your meals. Lean beef, lean chicken and even lean cuts of fish. Limiting your fat in your meat dishes will help you feel better.
You can cut down on the number of carbs you eat at lunch by making large batches of low carb dinners and taking leftovers for lunch. Having a delicious lunch waiting for you is a good way to resist grabbing fast food. If you save the left overs for a few days you can mix up your meals and have a variety of foods to choose from.
Plenty of people think that they only have to eat a low carb diet to be healthy. This is false. When eating a low carb diet is good, you must ensure you get all of your nutrients and vitamins and you don’t eat many calories. One of the key reasons that low carb diets are hard to stay on is because the snacks that we crave have plenty of carbs. If you get used to making good decisions; however, you’ll find that eating a low carb diet is easier than you think!
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Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Easy Tips For Eating A Low Carb Diet
Jan 29th
Choosing to eat a low carb diet is not the same thing as choosing to eat a radically different diet. You can eat a low carb diet while only making a few changes to your current diet. There are so many alternatives out there for people who want to cut down on carbs. With some practice, a low carb diet will come just as naturally as your current one.The following tips can help you transition to a tasty low carb diet. You will see just how simple and tasty it can be as you continue reading.
Salads are your friend. During the summer time, this is especially easy. For those days when it’s too hot to cook, there is nothing quite like a big salad. Don’t discount the goodness of eating a big salad for lunch or dinner when the weather is colder as well. You can even eat salad for several weeks without having the same one twice because there are so many ways to prepare them.When making salads, you can load them up with whatever you’d like; fruits, vegetables, and even meat. These are all tasty low carb foods. So feel free to enjoy!
Using coconut flour is another way to cut down on carbs. Coconut flour is great low carb substitution for both white wheat flour. This will allow you to still enjoy baked goods and other foods made with flour. Refined flour is terrible if you’re following a low carb diet. Coconut flour, however, is a great substitute. Not only that but coconut is rich in nutrients. Coconut water is a popular health drink. You can enjoy breakfast foods made with coconut flour without worrying about the carb content.
Cheese is an excellent snack option when trying to limit carbs. Cheese typically has little to no carbs in it. Before chowing down, be sure to check the nutrition label. Some of cheeses, like feta, do contain small amounts of carbohydrates. You can talk to your doctor or a nutritionist if you’d like to use cheese as a snack in conjunction with a low carb diet. For the most part the amount of carbohydrates in cheese will depend on how the cheese is made.
Many people think that they only thing they have to do is follow a low car diet. This is not the case. While eating a low carb diet is helpful, you need to be sure that you are getting all of your nutrients and vitamins and that you keep your calorie intake low. One of the key reasons that low carb diets are hard to stay on is because the snacks that we crave have plenty of carbs. If you do not have trouble making good decisions, you will see that eating low carb is not that hard.
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Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Exercising With The New Super Slim Pomegranate Supplement
Jan 20th
A product that is out is Super Slim Pomegranate, and it has claims that it is product which will help people lose with quicker than other supplements. It notes that it can help people to lose weight in less than a week, and that it could be called a miracle pill for weight loss.
To see if these claims are really true, one needs to try the pills themselves. There are plenty of testimonials which say that people are very happy with the results. One example is a woman in Chicago who lost six pounds in six days after using the product.
Another great example is that of a woman who took the pill for 4 months, and she lost 40 pounds. One should look to see all of the success stories.
The next topic will cover how this pill works. It has many ingredients which are active in helping someone to reduce body fat. The main ingredient is the koncing nut. There is also apple and kiwi extract. The other ingredients are sweet potato, caffeine, green tee, giantarum, Jerusalem artichoke, and hoodia.
The above ingredients are a great combination to help people to lose weight. Pomegranate is the most active ingredient because it is an antioxidant. It can stop free radical from destroying normal cells, and it can reduce the amount of fat in the body.
The other helpful ingredients also help fight against weight gain. Kiwi and apple also fight fat production, and they also act as an appetite suppressant and energy booster. The other ingredients in this pill will help accentuate the affects of these other active ingredients. As can be seen, it is all natural.
These is a great supplement because it is a natural product of thing that people could eat naturally. However, to see even better results, one should also continue to exercise and eat healthy. This is a supplement, therefore, people will lose even more weight if they get out there and walk and exercise. People could lose more weight if they cut down on fat intake and carbohydrates.
This new diet supplement is a great addition to the weight loss plan of anyone who wants to lose weight because it is made of all natural ingredients. The pomegranate is a fruit which can be eaten naturally or in drinks. However, this is a pill which has taken its extract. It is a great antioxidant which reduces the amount of harmful fats that can be in the body. The products it fights are free radicals which can cause cardiovascular disease and cancers. Other ingredients helpful in the fight against these are kiwi and apple. The other ingredients help by boosting the effect of the other two, so they are all useful in fighting obesity. This is a diet supplement, and it should be used in tandem with a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen.
Super Slim Pomegranate is aimed toward helping you to lose extra pounds sensibly and quickly. The product applies the enzymatic action of pomegranates and other natural substances to become a fat burning furnace in your system.
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Good Nutrition for Diabetics
Jan 14th
More than 23 million people in the United States alone have diabetes, a disease that happens when the body is unable to make enough insulin or is not able to properly use insulin. Instead of moving into the cells, sugars build up in the body, which can lead to a number of serious health issues, including kidney disease, and heart disease. After being diagnosed with diabetes, patients may think that life as they know it is over. Actually, diabetics can live long, healthy lives, as long as they take their medications, exercise, eat healthy and keep their weight down. There are two main types of diabetes – juvenile diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. A third type of diabetes is known as gestational diabetes.
Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1)
In most cases, juvenile or Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when patients are children or young adults. This is a form of diabetes that, according to the American Diabetes Association, is only seen in five to ten percent of those with diabetes. When a person has juvenile diabetes, their body is unable to produce insulin, a hormone that converts starches, sugars and more into energy. Those with juvenile diabetes usually have to take insulin therapy, and they must closely monitor their blood sugars.
Type 2 Diabetes
Of the different types of diabetes, Type 2 is the most common, with millions of people in the US having it, and many more are at a high risk for the disease. Many people do not experience any symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, so they do not even realize that they have it. Again, with Type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to produce enough insulin, and without a proper diet and health care, there can be many complications. There are certain groups of people who have more instances of Type 2 diabetes, including Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled through blood glucose monitoring, a healthy diet and, in some cases, medication.
Gestational Diabetes
It is not uncommon for many pregnant women to develop gestational diabetes, usually in the third trimester of their pregnancy. Often, women who have gestational diabetes did not previously have diabetes, and most do not have diabetes once their babies are born. Regular blood glucose monitoring should be done to ensure that mother and baby are both healthy, with no risk of diabetes in the future, for mother or child.
Symptoms of Diabetes
There are many symptoms of diabetes, and some are so simple that they often go unnoticed, especially by those who are not at a high risk for diabetes. Those who are experiencing any of these symptoms should have tests for diabetes done by their physician. Even if they do not have the disease, it is worth it to find out for sure because the sooner the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin.
Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms – Some of the symptoms of juvenile diabetes include frequent urination, strange weight loss, extreme tiredness, irritability and unusual hunger and thirst.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms – Patients with Type 2 diabetes may experience no symptoms, or they can have any or all of the same symptoms as those with juvenile diabetes. Other symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include blurred vision, cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal, tingling or numbness in the feet and/or hands and infections that keep coming back.
Being Active Can Help You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
It doesn’t matter whether a person has any type of diabetes. It is important for everyone to be active, which helps to keep the body healthy. Having an active lifestyle can be a terrific part of the diabetes treatment, and can even keep some people from developing Type 2 diabetes. Being active doesn’t mean that people need to go out and join a sports team or take aerobics classes every day. Being active can be as simple as going for a half hour walk each day. As part of diabetes treatment, this is certainly the simplest.
Diabetes Care Should Begin with a Healthy Diet
When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, it means that there are going to have to be a lot of changes made in their lifestyle, particularly when it comes to diets. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet doesn’t have to be boring, as many would think. In fact, there are all kinds of delicious foods that are absolutely fine for diabetic diets. Those who are diagnosed with diabetes need to learn how to eat the right foods, in the right portions. And, having diabetes does not mean that one can’t enjoy a sweet treat now and again. You just need to plan your diet accordingly, and when you do, you can add a treat. Or, try making your own sweets at home, using artificial sweetener.
Fad diets do not work, and many are actually quite unhealthy. A healthy diet will consist of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Some of the foods that are recommended for diabetic diets include whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, fish, lean meats, liquid oils, fruits, and non-fat dairy products. And, with so many delicious foods to choose from, it should be no problem at all to follow a healthy diet.
When Diet Isn’t Enough
There are times when diet alone just isn’t enough to get all of the protein and other nutrients that are needed by the body. Sometimes, diabetics need to turn to dietary supplements, which can provide many of the nutrients they need. There are three macronutrients that we all need to survive – fats, carbohydrates, and proteins – but it is not always easy to get them in the right amounts. There are many different types of dietary supplements that will provide protein and other nutrients, and which ones are best depends on the individual’s tastes and needs. Protein powders are very popular because they are so versatile and can be used to make meal replacements or added to dishes to increase the protein.
Another popular type of protein supplement is the liquid protein shot, such as Profect by Protica. This is a great protein supplement for those who are on low-calorie diets, as it only contains 100 calories per three-ounce serving and has no fat or carbohydrates. Profect provides 25 grams of protein per serving, as well as 100% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C and 50% of the daily recommended amount of B complex vitamins. In addition to being loaded with nutrients, Profect also comes in a variety of delicious flavors including Passion Fruit, Blue Raspberry, Cool Melon Splash, Grapefruit-Mango, Ruby Melon Twist and Orange Pineapple.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for diabetic patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Diabetic Care and Treatment Includes a Healthy Diet
Jan 14th
Did you know that there are more than 23 million people just in the United States alone who have some form of diabetes? This is a relatively small number when compared to the amount of people all over the world who have diabetes. This is a serious disease that, when not properly treated, can lead to a number of adverse health conditions, including kidney and heart disease.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs in when the body is either unable to create enough insulin or is not able to properly use the insulin it does create. When this happens, the body is not able to convert sugars into energy, and instead, can lead to a number of serious health conditions, including heart disease and kidney disease. There are three types of diabetes: juvenile or Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Of the three, the most common is Type 2 diabetes, which is seen in about 95% of all persons with diabetes.
Juvenile diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood, and causes the body to not produce enough insulin. Patients must closely monitor their blood glucose levels, as well as take insulin therapy. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women, usually at around 28 weeks or later. This happens in women who do not have a history of diabetes and often goes away when the baby is born. Most times, as long as the mother is taking care of herself, the baby will not be born with diabetes.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight is Essential in the Treatment of Diabetes
It is always important to maintain a healthy weight, but it is especially important for those with diabetes. This is a condition that can lead to being overweight, which can lead to heart disease and other health issues. It is essential that diabetics follow a healthy, well-balanced diet that is approved by their physicians, nutritionists ,or dietitians, and provides all of the necessary nutrients for good health.
There are three macronutrients that are important for our bodies, and without them we would not be able to survive. These macronutrients are fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Now, we hear so much about how bad fats and carbohydrates are that it can be difficult to believe that we really do need them in our diets. We do. But it is important that we eat the good carbohydrates and fats, in the right amounts.
Protein is Necessary for a Healthy Diet
Protein is necessary because it plays a vital role in every function of our bodies. According to the American Diabetes Association, as well as the American Heart Association, protein should make up about 35% of the average adult’s daily caloric intake. Protein is made up of a chain of amino acids, and there are two types of protein – complete and incomplete.
Complete Proteins – Complete proteins are those that contain all eight essential amino acids and all 14 non-essential amino acids.
Incomplete Proteins – These are proteins that do not contain all of the essential and non-essential amino acids. Incomplete proteins, when found in dietary sources, must be used in combination to get the right amount of the right proteins.
Essential Amino Acids – There are eight essential amino acids, and the body is unable to create them on its own. This is why they must come from dietary sources. The eight essential amino acids are threonine, tryptophan, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, methionine, and phenylalanine.
Non-Essential Amino Acids – These are the amino acids that the body is able to create on its own. There are 14 non-essential amino acids: arginine, asparagine, cystine, proline, serine, aspartic acid, alanine, glycene, glutamic acid, tyrosine, glutamine, taurine, ornathine, and cysteine.
Complete and incomplete proteins can be found in a number of dietary sources. Animal-based proteins are all complete proteins. With the exception of soy, which is complete, plant-based proteins are incomplete, and should be eaten in combination to make sure that you are getting enough of the right protein in your diet.
Getting Protein from Supplements
Many diabetics find that they are not able to get all of the nutrients they need, including protein, from dietary sources. When this happens, many physicians recommend that their patients use supplements, such as protein supplements, which will provide all of the protein they need, as well as other vitamins and nutrients. And these supplements are great for those who are trying to maintain their weight. Of course, it is essential to read the ingredients and the nutritional information on the package to make sure that you are getting a supplement that is low in fat, carbohydrates, and calories. Today’s protein supplements are made from a variety of sources, including whey, casein, soy, rice, and egg proteins.
There are many different types of protein supplements available, and which ones are used all depends on the individual patient and his or her dietary needs. Many people like to use the convenient protein snack bars, which come in many delicious flavors, including chocolate. This not only provides protein, but also satisfies those chocolate or sweet cravings. Other people like the convenience of pre-mixed liquid protein drinks, which include delicious chocolate and vanilla shakes.
One of the most popular types of protein supplement is protein powder. These are the most versatile types of protein supplements on the market, and they can be used in a number of ways. There are unflavored protein powders, which are ideal to use as a protein boost to all of your favorite meals and can be added to most recipes unnoticed. Or there are many protein powders that come in a number of delicious flavors, including berry, fruit punch, chocolate, and vanilla. With the flavored protein powders, you can make some great-tasting shakes and smoothies that make perfect meal replacements.
Profect by Protica
Another popular protein supplement is the liquid protein shot. Profect by Protica is a great choice because it not only provides 25 grams of protein per serving, it also contains 100% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C and 50% of the B complex vitamins. Profect has no carbohydrates or fats, and only has 100 calories per three-ounce serving, making it the ideal choice for those who are on low-calorie, low-fat diets. And Profect tastes great too. You can find Profect in many delicious flavors, including Ruby Melon Twist, Cool Melon Splash, Orange Pineapple, and Blue Raspberry.
Whether you are a diabetic or someone just looking to change your lifestyle and eat a healthier diet, it is important to discuss any dietary changes with your physician. There are many things that your diet may be missing, and your physician, or a dietitian, or nutritionist, will know best what you need to be healthy and happy for the rest of your life.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for immunodeficiency patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Why Diets May Not Work For Some People
Jan 12th
By definition the word “diet” means many things including: the foods that humans and animals eat;, a regular intake of anything, and a regulated intake of foods meant to promote weight loss.
The word comes to the English language via an ancient Greek word meaning “course of life” and an old French word.
Confused? You are certainly not alone. For many people the word diet is a word meant to torture them, to vex their soul, conjuring up images of endless glasses of water and small portions of flavorless and unappetizing foods. For a diet to be actually effective for the majority of people, it has to have several factors:
- It has to include a wide variety of foods from every food group
- It has to be healthy and nutritious
- It has to include enough calories to be realistic, safe, and achievable
- It has to include alternatives for every suggested food to accommodate food allergies and intolerances as well as to give a little more flexibility and variety
- Must take into account the way that the individual eats
- Must take into account the lifestyle of today’s person
- Must emphasize the importance of exercise as well
- Must be scientifically researched and endorsed for safety
- Should be one that the doctor agrees is safe for the individual
It is important that the psychology of the word diet also be understood. After all, your mind plays an important role in how often you eat, why you eat, and how much food you take in each time.
The Brains Behind Your Gut
For many people, weight gets out of control because the signals from the brain and the stomach are not getting read correctly or are not getting through at all. We eat for a number of reasons beyond just hunger including emotional eating, habitual eating, and boredom. We also mistake other cues that the body uses for hunger and eat when we could have just had a glass of water and been fine.
Our cars let us know when it needs to be refueled by a gauge- some cars will beep or a light will flash or all of the above. Even when these things are broken, we know about when our car will be running on empty and needs to be refueled. Our bodies do not have these gauges at all, but there are signals that let us know it is time for refueling. It is important though to know the difference between real hunger and the other reasons that we eat.
Real Hunger
For some people, the body gets fed at that first signal of hunger- the first rumble in the tummy or the first insistent thought that pops into the head. The stomach assesses its contents and finds that it is empty and will send a message to the brain, which sends messages to certain hormones that will stimulate the appetite. If nothing is accomplished by this process, the signals will be sent out again with more force. Eventually the body will either get what it wants because you ate some food or it will stop sending up the signal for a while, think that it is starving and shut down the metabolic effort. If the body continues to think that it is starving, it will also start shutting down certain other systems that it will deem unnecessary in times of red-alert-emergency. Your body does not understand that you are on a “diet” so when you abstain from eating, it panics.
The difference between real hunger and just a craving is simple; real hunger does not disappear in 15 minutes while a craving for a snack will. Before you eat, you should ask yourself several questions:
- When is the last time that I ate? If it was more than a few hours ago, you might actually be hungry and could benefit from a small snack or a light meal.
- Am I mad, sad, glad, or bored?
- Am I only eating because it is a certain time of day or because I see other people eating as well?
- If I wait 15 minutes, will I still be hungry?
Slowing down and taking assessment of your body and how you are feeling can keep you from mindless munching and emotional eating. It can also help you recognize the difference between real hunger and the false hungers that can drive us to throw all the diet rules out of the window for a donut.
Diets for the Real World
There are diets that suggest that you cook huge vats of soup and eat a bowl of the concoction before every meal. While the reasoning is valid and the soup is actually nutritious and tasty, it may not work for everyone. There are many people who are on the road the majority of the day for their jobs, traveling from place to place. Many of these same people are stuck in their cars for hours on end with nothing to keep them company but the radio and nothing to eat but the foods found in roadside diners and small grocery stores. It is important then, that diets, no matter what kind they are, address the needs of the people of today.
Even people who do not work outside of the home are too busy to sit down for a meal on a typical diet’s schedule all of the time. Finding alternatives for the fast foods that are found on the road can be the only way for these people to eat well and still lose weight. Packing a snack or even a meal replacement can be a very viable option for these people but must be done carefully. These alternatives must still be healthy and give the right nutrition, travel well and be convenient for eating on the run. Isometric, the world’s smallest and most balanced ready-to-drink meal replacement might be one of the best suggestions for these busy people and is available from Protica. Each serving of Isometric has two full servings of fruits and vegetables, ten grams of fiber, six grams of essential fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6 and 27 vitamins and minerals. Each serving is just over three ounces in size and can be consumed in seconds. Isometric comes in a number of flavors and can be used in conjunction with any oth er diet plan.
Eating a protein-rich snack such as Isometric or the other Protica supplements can keep your eating in control and your diet on track because protein is proven to help with hunger and is also beneficial to the metabolism as well.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
How to Find the Right Gastric Bypass Surgeon and Procedure Type for You
Jan 12th
Getting a gastric bypass surgery is a very serious step and one that should not be taken lightly. However, you have to look hard to find the right surgeon so that you can have the procedure done correctly and safely. There are steps that you can follow to find the right surgeon and the right type of procedure so that you have the best and safest results. In addition to finding the right combination of surgeon and surgery, you also have to be ready to find the right combination of diet and exercise to follow after the surgery is done.
A gastric bypass is not a magic wand and not a free pass. You cannot continue eating in the same way just because you have had this surgery. This surgery will not magically make you lose weight. You have to have make an effort to change your life and the way that you look at food.
Who is the Right Surgeon for your Gastric Bypass?
In the early days of the gastric bypass, there were only some surgeons in a few hospitals who offered the procedure at all. You could not pick and choose who did the surgery and there were not as many surgical options, either. Today it is far more common and is offered by more surgeons in many areas of the country. There are some surgeons who specialize in one type of surgery over the others. Some clinics will only perform one type of gastric bypass. If you do not know the different types of gastric bypass procedures, you will not be able to determine which surgeon is right for you. Do a little research before you set up a consultation so that you have working knowledge of the different procedures and techniques. Write down any questions or concerns you find while you are doing this research, so that you can ask the surgeon during your consultation.
Make sure that you talk to several surgeons before you make a choice, comparing the education, the surgical types and the bedside manner of the surgeons so that you find the one that you are most able to work with. Make sure that you keep in mind the realistic guidelines and that you are wary of any surgeon or clinic making outrageous claims that sound too good to be true.
While talking to the surgeon, make sure that you pay attention to his demeanor. Is he giving you his full attention and answering all of your questions? Did he offer information including brochures, DVDs or other media that showed you exactly what to expect? Were you welcomed when you came to the office, or did you feel as if you were little more than a problem or a bother? You would never take just the first appointment for just any hairdresser, so why would you be less choosy with a surgeon?
Discussing the Types of Gastric Bypass
The common denominator of the gastric bypass types is simple: it creates an alternate route for food that enters your mouth and then travels through your digestive system. In the various kinds of gastric bypass surgeries, the food still enters the mouth but does not go to the stomach or goes to a smaller stomach. In the most common gastric bypass type, the Roux en Y gastric bypass, the surgeon will make a pouch at the top part of the stomach bypassing the rest of the organ completely. The new pouch will hold around two ounces of food at a time at first, but will stretch slightly and will eventually hold around four ounces. There are additional gastric bypass types however, and some can be better for some patients, especially those who may need more guidance from their surgeon after the procedure is completed. The Lap Band surgery, for instance, has the patient come in for adjustments and check-ups frequently, making them more accountable.
There are also more experimental types of the procedure that are being tested, including one that involves putting a plastic tube in the throat which is thought to be safer because it is not invasive at all. This surgery is done by endoscope and may be approved for use in patients soon.
Are You Ready for What Happens After Gastric Bypass?
Your whole life will change after you have the gastric bypass of your choice. You will have to look at food and nutrition completely differently than you did before. You will not be able to eat and drink at the same time; it will be one or the other. After the gastric bypass, you will have to wait 30 minutes before or after your meal to have a drink of any kind. Immediately after the surgery, you will be restricted to liquids only, progressing to soft, pureed foods and then to foods with a little more texture. You will have to chew thoroughly and make sure that you are eating slowly. Your new stomach will only hold a small amount, but you have to give your brain time to become accustomed to this.
You will also be adding in vitamins and nutritional supplements to make sure that you are getting everything that you need in your daily diet. Protica offers a full line of protein-based supplements and meal replacements that can help you achieve your health needs without going over the size restriction. Isometric, the world’s smallest and most balanced meal replacement, is two servings of fruits and vegetables in just over three ounces. In addition, it has 10 grams of fiber, 6 grams of essential fatty acids and 27 vitamins and minerals. Fruitasia, another product line, is made of 100% fruit and vegetable and comes in four flavors.
In addition, Profect also offers protein candies including Protein Twist and Protein Taffy.
Additional Considerations after Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass tends to result in dramatic weight loss which may be very rapid. In some people, this can result in huge amounts of loose skin that may require a secondary surgery to take care of it. This loose skin can be a problem, and can even be painful in some cases, but is always a major problem for the self esteem. Imagine working hard to lose all of the weight and then finding yourself stuck with loose flaps of skin that hang from your arms and your waistline anyway. After surgery to take care of the skin, you might be shocked that you have lost 20 pounds more after it is removed.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for renal care patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Kidney Health and Nutrition
Jan 9th
A diagnosis of kidney disease means more doctor visits, various lab tests, changes in diet, and the likelihood of dialysis or even a kidney transplant in the future, should the disease progress far enough.
Diet and medications can hold this off, perhaps even indefinitely, which shows how very important diet is in maintaining health. Listening to the advice of a nutritionist is supremely important for a kidney patient in any stage of the disease. Sometimes this can slow or even stop the disease from advancing, but in some people, nothing they can do will stop the disease from becoming more serious.
Lab tests will become a constant need – frequent blood and urine samples are just the beginning. Kidney disease that is serious, may even require a port placed into the body so samples can be drawn without the use of needles each time. The port can also be used to introduce medications into the body, but this measure also requires extra patient care or assistance from family members or even a nurse.
Here are a few of the lab tests involved in kidney disease treatment:
- Serum creatinine measures creatinine, a waste product created by muscle activity. Normally, the kidneys remove this from the body, but it may start to back up in the blood vessels in the case of kidney disease patients. This is often one of the first signs of kidney problems.
- GFR or Glomerular Filtration Rate is a general determination of how well your kidneys are functioning. A GFR of less than 30 is a problem that will need the attention of a nephrologist, or kidney specialist. A GFR that is under 15 is a serious problem, indicating dialysis or a kidney transplant will be necessary.
- BUN or Blood Urea Nitrogen is formed when the body breaks down protein, either from food or from regular metabolic processes. The kidneys would normally filter this waste from the body, but when the kidneys start to fail, urea nitrogen levels rise. This can also happen when the patient simply eats too much protein. Too little protein can cause the BUN level to decrease.
- Urine protein is the accumulation of protein in the patient’s urine. Some protein is necessary for your body to function – it is a major macronutrient. The body uses protein for vast number of functions, and kidneys do the work of filtering it and its byproducts from the bloodstream. When the kidneys are not working properly, protein starts to collect in the patient’s urine. High, consistent and persistent levels of protein in the urine are often another sign of kidney damage or disease.
- Microalbuminuria is a test used on patients who have a high risk of contracting kidney disease, such as those who have high blood pressure or a family history of kidney troubles. This can detect tiny amounts of urine in the bloodstream that most tests will miss.
- Ratio of protein to creatinine is something of a shortcut. Often, a doctor will require a sample of urine (of 24 hours), which can give an accurate measure of how much protein is in the patient’s bloodstream during the course of a given day. This test requires a great deal of patient participation because it requires collecting and refrigerating urine to bring to the lab for testing. The doctor can simply measure the protein to creatinine ratio instead, making it easier for patient and doctor.
- Serum albumin is a protein measurement test based on albumin, a vital body protein. The body uses protein from food to create the hormones, amino acids and enzymes that regulate all sorts of body functions. If the blood albumin content is low, it generally means the patient is either receiving too little protein through the diet or too few calories. The human body is not able to store protein from day to day and needs new sources regularly. Lack of blood albumin can cause a number of health problem, including a reduced immune system.
- Normalized protein nitrogen appearance (nPna) is a test used to determine if the patient has enough dietary protein or has too much protein. This test requires blood and urine samples, and sometimes a food log.
- SGA or Subjective Global Assessment may be a request from the nutritionist rather than the nephrologist. This is used to find signs of nutritional irregularities. First, questions are asked about the patient’s daily diet, and then a weight check is performed, as well as a check of fat and muscles in the face, arms, hands, shoulders, and legs.
- Hemoglobin is one of the components of blood. It is the part of the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body from the lungs. Low hemoglobin is a condition known as anemia. Increasing iron intake and a certain hormone will treat anemia.
- Hematocrit measures how many blood cells the body is currently making.
- TSAT and serum ferritin measure the amount of iron in the body.
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) is caused by an imbalance of phosphorous and calcium. PTH levels that are really high can result in bone disease.
- Calcium is a main component of healthy bones. Several types of kidney disease will leach calcium from the blood, so the levels need to be monitored.
- Phosphorous can be dangerous and weaken bones if the levels are too high. The doctor and nutritionist may have to reduce the patient’s amount of this mineral.
- Potassium is another mineral that can cause problems when there is too much consumed. While it is necessary to maintain the muscles, including the heart, an excess will deteriorate the muscles and cause heart irregularities.
Kidney disease patients often need a good source of protein that is low in fat and easily digestible. Profect, a liquid protein supplement from Protica, fits the bill. It is small enough (less than three fluid ounces) to carry easily anywhere, and has only 100 calories. Two servings a day should be plenty for most when supplemented with plant protein sources.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for dialysis patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Obesity and Protein Needs
Jan 8th
The number of people who are medically defined as being obese (which is weighing more than 20% over their ideal weight) is near 34 million in the United States alone. (Source: www.med.Stanford.edu ) The number of people who are currently on, have recently completed, have given up on or are about to kick off a diet of any kind is 20 million at any given time, and they spend around one billion dollars every year on fitness and nutrition plans, pills, supplements and equipment. (Source: www.thriveonline.com)
During their diet plans, these dieters will try the no carb, low carb and slow carb food plans. They will try to avoid all fats, only to find that they are failing miserably. They will try high protein or even extremely high protein diets, only to fail at that as well. In the end, they will turn to skipping meals and not eating at all or will try using liquid diet plans. None of these will work, but why?
- The body needs food to survive, in the right amounts and the right types. This includes all three of the nutrients: carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
- A liquid diet is difficult to sustain for the long term and may be more harmful than it would be beneficial.
- Skipping meals can cause your body to gain weight because of its effect on the metabolism and thermogenesis.
- Balancing all of the nutrients in the correct proportion is more important than not eating at all.
- It is important to know what your needs are before starting a plan of any kind and to discuss that plan with a doctor, a registered dietician or a nutritionist.
The Importance of Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats
The body uses all three of the macronutrients for different purposes. Fat and carbohydrates are burned by the body for energy and other uses. Protein can also be used for energy, but also has many other tasks to complete within the body since it is a vital component of every single cell in the body. Protein’s functions include:
- Building and repairing cells, including those that make up RNA and DNA, the building blocks of life itself.
- Making enzymes which are used to digest food and make new cells.
- Making other chemicals which are used to make neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are used by the body to send nerve related messages around the body.
- Helping to create and maintain connective tissue.
- Building cell membranes.
- Contributing to the cell matrix.
- Maintaining the fluid balance in the body (too much fluid can lead to edema or may cause heart disturbances, too little can cause dehydration.)
- Regulating the acid/base (pH) balance of the blood
- Working in the formation of hormones and enzymes (with the exception of the 8 amino acids that must be received from food sources every day.)
- Contributing to the immune system (antibodies are proteins.)
- Some of the hormones and enzymes created by protein in the body work to regulate sleep, digestion and ovulation.
(Source: Nelson 2009)
A Liquid Diet for the Long Term?
Will you lose weight on an all liquid diet? It depends on a number of factors. First, if you are consuming enough calories of the right kinds, it is possible that you will lose some weight, however, after a brief period of success, the body will overrule most people’s intentions and they will begin to eat (possibly gorge themselves on) solid foods once again. At this point, they are likely not only to gain back everything that they had lost, but to gain additional weight as well. Liquid diets are difficult to manage in the long term but can serve as a great way to kick off or jumpstart a healthier eating plan. There are a number of problems with an all liquid diet, which include:
- Slowed or stalled metabolism. Your body will become convinced that it is starving and will hold onto all foods instead of burning them for energy.
- Amenorrhea. This is cessation of menstrual cycles not related to pregnancy.
- Constipation. It may seem strange that you would be constipated when on an all liquid diet, however, there is no food for the body to push through the system, which can lead to waste materials backing up.
- High protein, liquid diets can lead to serious electrolyte imbalances that can affect the beating and rhythm of the heart.
- 25% or more of those on long term liquid diets develop gall stones, especially those that are at all prone to them.
(Sources: www.colombianet.isource/winter95/diet.html, Vanderbilt University Psychology Department, Cicely Richards)
Skipping Meals and Weight Gain
When you start skipping meals or reduce your calories below what is right for your body and activity level, your body goes into panic mode and holds onto all food. Your body is programmed with a number of signals. When it is hungry, it sends out the signal with the hunger hormone ghrelin, and most people will respond by eating. When the body thinks that it is full, it will send out the satiety hormone, leptin. (Some people are deficient in leptin, which is why they eat far more than they need to but still feel hungry). When the body sends out ghrelin but no food is delivered, it will send out a secondary signal for the body to burn some of the reserves for energy. However, the body will start getting the feeling that no food is ever going to be delivered and will start slowing down what it considers to be non-essential activities, including metabolism. Everything that is eaten will be stored immediately, leading to further weight gain.
All Things in Balance
There are three macronutrients: fat, carbohydrates and proteins. Despite some of the recent diet plans that gained popularity, all three of these are needed in the healthy diet, but in the right amounts and the right types. Fats should make up the smallest portion of the diet and should be the healthy, monounsaturated varieties. Healthy fats include olive oil, avocadoes and Omega-3 fatty acids. Carbohydrates should make up the largest part of the diet, but should also be of the right kind. Complex carbohydrates, like those in most fruits and vegetables and whole grain pastas and breads, take longer for the body to break down and digest and are less likely to lead to insulin surges, which are one of the leading causes of weight gain. Simple carbohydrates, like white bread and sugary foods, can cause the body to flood with insulin, which will lead to weight gain.
Proteins must be of the right type as well or the body will continue to eat until it gets what it needs. The body has a set type of protein that it needs for each task in the body, and if those foods are not received, it will continue to seek food, leading to possible weight gain. If you do not get enough protein with one meal, the body will simply eat more to make up for it. (Source: Science Alert, Massey University 2009).
A diet that increases protein slightly and decreases fat without changing the carbohydrate amount has been shown to lead to decreased calorie intake and significant weight loss. The higher levels of protein are said to be more satisfying, but do not have any effect on either the hunger hormone, ghrelin, or the satiety hormone, leptin. For weight loss, the diet should be 30% protein, 20% fat and 50% complex carbohydrates. (Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
Know What You Need
Before you start any diet plan, you should have an idea of how many calories that you need to maintain your current weight so that you know by how many you will need to reduce to lose weight. Once you know your calorie count, you can start to devise a diet plan that gives you the right amount of all three macronutrients so that you have slow and steady, healthy weight loss. It is important to consider your general, overall health before changing the way that you eat, especially if you are taking medications or are being treated for any physical or mental disorder. Consulting a physician or nutritionist is not just something that diets suggest, it is very important because there are certain types of conditions that can be adversely affected by the wrong eating plan.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for renal care patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
Working to Gain Weight the Right Way
Jan 6th
Pick up any magazine or watch any television show and you will see features and advertisements to help people lose weight. It is one of the hottest searches on the search engines and the one thing that everyone seems to want to talk about. However, there is a forgotten group of people in the world, especially in this country, whose most basic needs are not being met. These are the people who need to gain weight, including small children who are still in the most important growth and development cycle of their young lives, people who are recovering from serious illness and those who are trying to build additional muscle mass.
It is important for these groups of people to approach their attempt to gain weight in a logical and sensible manner, and it is also important for them to do so with a doctor’s advice. Some people think that gaining weight is a simple thing, but while the majority of people are doing it every single day, they are not doing it on purpose or because they need to. It can be just as hard to gain weight when you need to as it to lose weight.
Helping a Toddler or Small Child Gain Weight
The epidemic of childhood obesity continues to grow, however, there are still children who are underweight, too small for their height or perhaps simply too small overall. For these children, it is likely a medical problem called “failure to thrive” that has kept them small and petite, however, it may also be related to other problems. A child who is not growing as expected will need to be evaluated for a number of conditions including endocrine and metabolic disorders that can affect the way that they burn or store food energy.
Another common problem is the sheer pickiness of a toddler. Some days they will only eat foods that are yellow, the next day they won’t touch yellow at all. They may not like vegetables or will only eat small quantities of them. Unfortunately, most toddlers are not big fans of meats at all; they simply do not like the texture or the taste.
A doctor may suggest ways for a toddler or small child to get additional nutrition and calories into their diet including the use of nutritional supplements and meal replacement drinks that can give the child all the vitamins and nutrients he needs without having to fight him for hours to drink it.
Stealth for Health Tricks for Toddlers
Puree vegetables or meats into foods that they will eat. For instance, most children like spaghetti with marinara sauce, so toss in some cooked carrots, diced potatoes or some finely cut ground beef and then puree the sauce before serving. It will be a little thicker but should still get past the kid’s radar. Sneak in extra protein by adding a scoop of protein powder or non-fat dry milk powder into a glass of regular milk, in their cereal or oatmeal and into their mashed potatoes. Use whole milk for all toddlers up to age two and then for all children who continue to need to gain weight.
Meal Replacement Drinks for Toddlers
Another option is to use a meal replacement drink for toddlers and small children called Pediagro from Protica. This is ready to drink and might be a fun choice for toddlers because it is packaged in a three ounce vial. Each 80 calorie serving of Pediagro has ten grams of protein and ten grams of low glycemic carbohydrates with 27 vitamins and minerals and no fat at all. Flavors include grape, fruit punch, blue raspberry, orange and apple.
Recovering From Illness and Trying to Gain Weight
Those who have had chronic illnesses such as cancer or others that involve treatment with chemotherapy that may cause constant vomiting or other treatments that might lead to a complete loss of appetite. It is important to keep your strength up while you are dealing with the illness itself, but it is equally important to work on rebuilding your body once the illness and its treatment are over. After chemo, many people will have found that they lost as much as 50 pounds, and much of that will have been lean muscle mass. If that is the case, the body may be at bigger risk for infection and additional problems.
Trying to gain weight when you are not well or have no appetite can be very difficult, so most people turn to such things as meal replacement drinks and small, protein-rich snacks that can provide the nutrition and calories that are needed in a much smaller size. Fruitasia, a meal replacement drink from Protica, is 100% fruits and vegetables, made from concentrates and all natural liquids. Each serving, which is less than three ounces in size and can be consumed in mere seconds, provides three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits as well as five grams of dietary fiber. It is available in four flavors and is perfect for those who have food allergies or intolerances as well.
Trying to Gain Weight for Sports
Boxers try to gain weight to get to a new weight class, especially when they are not getting the right kind of competition in the lower weight class. Those boxers who are sitting just under the heavy weight class may try to gain weight so that they can finally make it to that bigger and inevitably better weight class. Certainly an athlete is not going to sit in front of the television stuffing himself with ice cream and marshmallows trying to get his weight up before a big bout. Why would an athlete waste his time trying to perfect his body only to pig out on all the wrong foods?
An athlete chooses foods that are going to be part of a healthy diet and will help him accomplish his goals. Protein is one of the most important nutrients in the diet for these athletes. Isometric, the world’s smallest and most balanced ready to drink meal replacement drink, has two servings of fruits and vegetables and 6 grams of fiber. In addition, it has 6 grams of fatty acids and provides 27 vitamins and minerals in just over three ounces overall. Like the other supplements, Isometric is available from Protica and comes in a number of flavors.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for renal care patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Note: The good folks at the FTC require me to disclose that I am an affiliate of the companies that manufacture and market the health products you will find on this website, and that these companies will compensate me if you buy any of these products.
