10 Good Reasons to Use More Olive Oil

Every day there seem to be more and more reasons why extra virgin olive oil should be a part of everyone's diet.

Here are 10 good reasons to eat more olive oil:

• Wow! Exquisite taste.

Good extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is excellent when consumed raw to appreciate its aroma and taste. Its flavour extends from delicate to robust and more people are discovering its interesting taste characteristics.

• It's a great seasoning.

Think of it as essential seasoning. Like salt and pepper, always have oil on your table at mealtimes. One drop can add extra aroma and taste not just to pasta and salads but sauces, soups, stews, fresh and cooked vegetables, grilled fish and roast meat.

• It can help you lose weight.

Lowering calories in your diet and replacing bad saturated fats with monounsaturated, found in EVOO, may help your weight loss. It has been demonstrated that an olive-oil-rich diet leads to greater and longer - lasting weight loss than a low-fat diet.

• You may be healthier and live longer.

Containing a wide variety of valuable antioxidants that are not found in other oils, rich in vitamins and monounsaturated fats, olive oil has been shown to help to control blood pressure, cholesterol level, prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some type of cancer and other illnesses and conditions.

• You will look good.

Including EVOO in your daily diet helps your skin stay healthy and beautiful. It has a large proportion of vitamins A, D, K and E and has a strong antioxidant effect, protecting against cell oxidation and the free radicals. It's a good aid to treat skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis and eczema.

• Your children may be healthier.

EVOO plays a key role in foetal development during pregnancy and a shortage may have pernicious effects on the baby's subsequent development. Studies show that the post-natal development of babies of mothers who consumed olive oil when pregnant is better in terms of height, weight, behaviour and psychomotor reflexes.

• Strengthen your immune system.

Olive oil intake helps the immune system against external attacks from bacteria, infection, micro-organisms and viruses. EVOO is high in polyphenols, chlorophyll, carotenoids and vitamin E - antioxidants key to the immune system strengthening and protection from the damaging effects of free-radicals.

• It may improve your memory.

Studies have shown that olive-oil-rich diets and monounsaturated fats, found in high amounts in olive oil, could help prevent memory loss, associated with ageing and in diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia.

• It can ease aches and pains.

Scientists have revealed that olive oil can act as a natural painkiller. It contains a natural organic compound - oleocanthal - which acts like the anti-inflammatory pain killer ibuprofen.

• It may improve the health of the entire population of the world.

The World Health Organization officially recommends that people across the world adopt the Mediterranean diet for better health and specifically suggests EVOO as the healthiest source of fat on the planet.

The information provided on our web site does not offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified medical personnel with any questions you may have regarding any medical conditions.

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I've Got MY Whole Life Riding on This "Paleo Diet"

I was amazed at what I found when I read a recent scientific study. The very "Target" of study was the Paleo Diet. The results entail a barrage of Health benefits. Many benefits are of a growing need. Health Benefits such as, improved blood pressure, (which applied to me) at one time I was 190/100, SCARY! Combine that with a Cholesterol Score around 175. My Life hung in a very unpredictable balance.

Needless to say I have family who could gain from a healthy drop in natural insulin secretion, as well as an increase of insulin sensitivity.

And who doesn't want to lower body fat and have Clearer Skin?

So the question becomes, "How can the Paleo Diet directly benefit me"? Aside from eating whole foods high in fiber, low in salt what else is in it for me?

This is a look through the lens from the outside in to understand the mechanics of eating paleo, from a consumer point of view.

Suddenly the answer hit me like a sack of jackfruit. "Maybe I've found the solvent to my own personal Hypertension, and Cholesterol concerns". Have I hit the bulls-eye, or am I missing something?

I am not an expert Paleo Dietician. I am a social media user whom respects Paleo Practices. So what we have here is the sum of what my growing resources and studies are allowing me to display for you at this time. My goal is to help curious onlookers to get valid information from the right places.

Being an avid cyclist, I need lean proteins, natural sugars, fats starches and carbs in a certain Ratio. And the organic nature of hunter diet gatherer makes this nutrition so essential to my metabolism. Matter of fact, I find myself with leftover energy after I have tacked on the miles.

I am now in the habit of eating many small meals a say. So I hover around a diet of Tuna, Salmon, Halibut, Trout, Swordfish. Antibiotic free lean Steaks, Free Range Chicken, Lamb, Turkey and Eggs.

Through small changes in my eating habits suggested in the Paleo Cookbooks. I've been able to carve up some Body fat. Regulate my cholesterol. And Most importantly that Blood pressure number is now looking "Real" good due to some well made decisions.

So I know this could be the answer to a prayer for someone who was on the same road as I.

Find out more about Paleo Diet through Brandon K Clark @ http://www.getpaleobooks.com

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Does a Gluten Free Diet Work for Weight Loss?

What is gluten?

Gluten is a type of complex protein. Unlike other common proteins, gluten mostly occurs in certain carbohydrates. Wheat, rye etc are rich in gluten. Gluten is an essential component of any bread. It is the reason why bread rises and gains a chewy texture. Gluten makes the bread stretchy.

What foods are rich in gluten?

Though gluten is most commonly found in wheat, there are many other foods which contain significant quantities of gluten. Some examples are as follows:

• Since gluten is one of the main ingredients in wheat, all products containing wheat are rich sources of wheat. These include all breads, cakes, pasta, cookies, doughnuts, flour, spaghetti, biscuits, waffles, bagels and many more.


• Apart from wheat, few other cereals also contain significant quantities of gluten. These include grains like barley and farina.


• In foods which do not naturally contain gluten, it is added for a number of purposes. Gluten is a thickening agent and used widely in sauces, ice creams, puddings and gravy.


• Almost all refined and processed foods contain gluten. Examples include pizza, salami, sausages, soups, chips, hamburger etc.

So, you can see that gluten is a very common component in many common foods. If you are thinking of adopting a gluten free diet, then you should know that you may have to do without some of your favorite foods.

What gluten free foods can you include in your diet?

• The list of foods containing gluten is a long one. So, if you are considering a diet free of gluten, you need to know what foods you can include in your daily diet.


• Though gluten is commonly found in cereals, it is not present in every cereal. Rice, quinoa, amaranth, millets etc are excellent gluten free alternatives.


• Yams, potatoes, arrowroot, sorghum etc are good sources of starch free of gluten.


• Fresh fruits and vegetables do not contain gluten and so can be easily included in your diet.


• Lean animal proteins are also free of gluten. However, they should not be breaded which adds gluten to the preparation.


• Nuts and legumes can be eaten in a no gluten diet.


• Finally, in recent days, gluten free breads, biscuits, cereals and desserts have been introduced in the market. However, in many cases, though they are labeled free of gluten, they do contain a small quantity of gluten.

How can gluten free diet help in weight loss?

Though people from various walks of life say that gluten free diet is ideal for weight loss, it requires some in depth analysis before you switch to such a diet. Here are some points that you should consider:

• According to the American dietetic association, there is no proven gluten free diet for weight loss. Little research has been made in this connection. So, there are no statistical data to prove or disprove no gluten for weight loss.


• Some people suffer from gluten intolerance and gluten allergy. They have to eat a gluten free diet in order to stay fit and in good health. An extreme form of gluten related disorder is the celiac disease. This is a form of immune disorder where the intestine cannot absorb the nutrition which is present in the food that you eat. Celiac disease is aggravated by gluten intake.


• Apart from the people who are suffering from intolerance and other similar disorders, gluten probably plays an indirect role in weight loss. If you examine the list of gluten rich foods, you will see that they are also high in calories and sugar which lead to weight loss. So, if you avoid gluten rich foods, you are actually avoiding processed foods which add a lot of needless calories to your diet. As a result, you will obviously lose weight.


• A few studies have been conducted. They reveal that if you go on a no gluten diet, you are actually opting for healthier food choices. As a result, you may lose an average of 15 to twenty pounds of your body weight at the end of the first month of your gluten free diet.


• According to one research, no matter how tall you are, eating gluten rich foods continuously will make you heavier and bulkier.


• While scientific evidence of no gluten for weight loss is still being collected, there are a number of conclusive studies which show that overweight people who are suffering from celiac disease enjoy definite benefit from a diet free of gluten. A clear trend of weight loss can be seen in them.


• The fact is that gluten itself is not causing any significant increase in your weight. So, eliminating gluten is not likely to have a severe impact on your weight. However, the gluten rich foods also tend to be rich in salt, fats and calories. So, when you avoid them consistently, a noticeable difference is seen in your weight.


• You need to be careful about what foods you choose to replace the gluten rich food that you are eliminating from your diet. These free of gluten substitutes actually may contain higher calories. At the same time, replacing wheat cereals with refined cereals may affect your nutrition because these are often not enriched with added nutrition. In these cases, a diet free of gluten will not be helpful for you in losing weight.


• In fact, except in celiac, gluten free diet exercises little direct influence on weight. But, it does have a lot of indirect influence. So, if you can stick to gluten free healthy alternatives for long time, you are bound to notice a loss in weight.

For more information on the gluten-free life visit Little Soya. If you are interested in purchasing gluten-free products visit us on Amazon.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_M_Hall

Weight Training: The Right Approach for Maximum Muscle Gain

The body is called the mind's temple. It is the dream of each and every man in this world to have that perfect body. Big biceps, broad shoulders, slender six pack abs, long and strong powerful legs, have been the defining words for a perfect body. To have this perfect body is simple if you follow strict diet and proper weight training. Providing your body with the essential building blocks, through strict diet control and proper weight training time will guarantee you that voluptuous body.

Diet

Diet plays a pivotal role in weight training. Changes in your diet to match the weight training routines are very essential to build up those muscles fast. You may consider the following guidelines when making alterations to your diet:

• You will have to restrict the amount of sugar you intake, as well as the amount of fat in your food.
• High-protein diet is very essential during power training as proteins are the building blocks of growing muscles.
• A well-balanced meal one or two hours prior to your workout schedule will ensure that adequate amount of energy and amino acids are available in your bloodstream.
• Protein shakes are usually consumed immediately after workout sessions along with glucose. These proteins and glucose will aid in the anabolic buildup of muscles when they are at rest.

Give rest to your muscles

In weight training, resting your muscles is as important as training them. It's during this resting period that your muscles utilise proteins and energy in your diet to grow. The primary objective of a proper weight training schedule should be to, exercise a group of muscles for a week and then give them rest. Make sure that you restrict your exercise routine to less than 90 min per day. This is because, after 90 min you body begins to stress, resulting in the release of stress hormones. Stress hormone is catabolic in nature, which means they will start breaking down muscles to provide energy for your body. The process of building new muscle tissues and repairing the damaged ones starts when your body is at complete rest. The above sentence will make you understand why it is very necessary to have proper sleep every day after weight training exercises.

Know your exercises

Carry out proper research on all the types of exercises available. Have an in-depth knowledge about which exercise has what affect on a particular muscle. Below is a list of some of the best exercises for that given group of muscles.

• Arms - barbell curls, dumbbell curls, triceps extension, preacher curls, skull crushers, close grip bench press.
• Shoulders - shoulder press barbells, shoulder press dumbbells, lateral raise.
• Chest - bench press incline with barbell, bench press decline with barbell, bench press with barbell, also perform these three exercises with dumbbells.
• Back - dead lift, seated pulley rows, chin-ups, bends over rows.
• Legs - front squats, back squats, leg press, lead".
• Abdomen - all types of crunchers with weights.

Over the preceding articles, each of these exercises will be covered in great detail.

In all, the correct mixture of proper weight training and diet is essential to attain the physique of your dreams, in the shortest possible time. Know your exercises, plan a proper diet and weight train regularly. You will find that the secret of attaining that perfect body is no more a secret. Happy weight training!

Until the next article... "Be Your Best"

Want to get fit quick? Head on over to Men-N-Fitness and get a free 7 day training guide.

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