Cordyceps Extract - A 2000-Year-Old Chinese Sexual Potentiator

By Dr. Markho Rafael

Ironically, since the introduction of Viagra, the search for a natural alternative for erectile dysfunction has increased significantly. And as it turns out, the Chinese may already have had the answer two millennia ago.

Cordyceps is a minute fungus found at high altitudes of the Tibetan plateau. Its hard to imagine that it ever got noticed and discovered, let alone that its now become one of the most sought after medicinal mushrooms in the world.

For nearly two millennia, Chinese doctors have dispensed Cordyceps extract for physical stamina and sexual prowess. Preserved written records date back as far 200 A.D., when it was described in the book "The Classic Herbal of the Divine Plowman.

In its natural environment, Cordyceps sinensis infects caterpillars and then sprouts out of their dead carcasses. While that certainly doesn't sound very appetizing, modern advances allow potent strains of Cordyceps sinensis to be grown on a rice medium. Cordyceps extract produced in this way has been shown to contain the same medicinal compounds as the wild harvested fungi, with the added advantage of being free from contamination by other species of fungi or bacteria.

A Chinese paper published in 1985, thirteen years before the release of Viagra, found a statistically significant improvement in erectile dysfunction (64%) when the subjects were administered 1,000 mg of Cordyceps sinensis per day. (1)

So what's the mechanism behind Cordyceps' apparent effect as an aphrodisiac and sexual potentiator? The following three factors may help explain:

- Cordyceps sinensis has been shown to improve physical vitality and stamina in general. (2,3,4) In 1993, a group of nine Chinese women set world records at the Chinese National Games. When asked about the secret to their success, they attributed it to their use of Cordyceps. (5,6)

- Two published research papers indicate that Cordyceps helps increase blood flow by diluting blood vessels (7,8), which would be of significant relevance in sexual dysfunction.

- Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there have been two research papers published that concluded that Cordyceps extract "significantly increased" testosterone levels in males. (9,10)

Note: Never use an herb for medicinal purposes without talking to your licensed health care provider. This article is intended to provide information only. It is not intended to prescribe or advice the use of any substance. - 17273

About the Author:

About the writer: Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health products since the mid-90's, as a researcher and writer specializing in mycomedicinals. Click Cordyceps sinensis extract for medicinal mushrooms and free articles, or to request a unique version of this article for your own web-site or magazine. Cordyceps Article References A special thank you to Paul Stamets for reference material!

VaNu In The News

By Rapid Recovery Collection Agency

Fountain of Life continues to gain momentum among sports professionals. The Fitness Section of the March 2009 Golf Digest suggests that VaNu can count some new fans among the golfing elite. From the article in Golf Digest:

Professional golfers Camilo Villegas and Mike Weir and instructor David Leadbetter are among the fans of a new health drink called VaNu. In fact, Leadbetter distributes the natural juice, which is made from 5 foods found in the Amazon Rain Forest, including the antioxidant-rich Acai Berry.

Mark MacCloskey, CEO of Fountain of Life, is not surprised, We have several top LPGA, PGA and Senior Tour players consuming VaNu, and they are reporting amazing results.

Golf Digest is a Conde Nast publication with a circulation base of 1,650,000, and is widely read among golfers throughout the United States. According to the company website, the magazine publishes the best and brightest of golfs greatest teachers, players and writers. David Leadbetter, regarded as the Worlds leading golf instructor, is owner and head instructor of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. He appears frequently in Golf Digest.

ABOUT FOUNTAIN OF LIFE AND VANU(TM) Fountain of Life is a nutritional company based in Dallas, Texas. Through research and partnerships with scientists worldwide, Fountain of Life is helping people to optimize their health through their flagship product, Vanu.

VaNu is an all-natural nutritional drink created and blended by Fountain of Life. VaNu is a Super blend of Superfoods featuring the Acai berry. This carefully blended formulation is loaded with powerful antioxidants and flavanoids from some of the most exotic fruits in the world. Packaged in a distinctive 750ml (25.3 ounce) purple glass bottle, VaNu supports the body with a 1-2 ounce serving, twice daily.

Product claims have not been reviewed by the FDA. Fountain of Life products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or class of diseases. - 17273

About the Author:

Rapid Recovery Collection Agency advocate's it's staff live a healthy and energetic way of life. Rapid Recovery partnered up with Fountain Of Life as an alternative to sugar packed energy drinks.

Agarikon Conk As a Potential Smallpox Remedy - NPR Interview with Paul Stamets

By Dr. Markho Rafael

In an interview on National Public Radio, world-renown medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets recounts his discovery of the healing properties of agarikon, a mushroom growing on 500-year-old trees in the old growth rainforests of the northwestern United States.

Scientists have known for some time that mushrooms are not plants. Far from it. They are more closely related to animals and humans then they are to the vegetables we eat. Because of that, they are often at risk from the same bacteria and other "bugs" that cause diseases in humans. Being well aware of this fact, Stamets asked himself how agarikon - a perennial mushroom living for up to 50 years - managed to fight off diseases so well in the perpetually wet rainforests. It must possess a potent immune system, he concluded, with potential anti-bacterial and anti-viral compounds that may act as antibiotics for humans.

Agarikon in the wild looks somewhat like a beehive on the trunk of some of the giant, ancient trees of the old-growth forests of the American northwest. (See picture of Paul Stamets with one of these wood conks by clicking on the agarikon-link on this page.) Be aware that this is an endangered species, which should be left unharmed in the wild. But be sure to bring your digital camera so you can prove to your mushroom club friends that you saw it.

It should be noted that the agarikon Paul Stamets uses is not harvested in the wild. He grows his own, and uses it for the extract he produces. A sample of that extract was submitted to the Defense Department, to be tested at a top security laboratory in Fort Dietrich, Maryland. The Defense Department's BIO Shield Program at that location searches for cures to biological warfare agents such as smallpox and anthrax.

Within this BIO Shield Program, tens of thousands of natural and manmade compounds have been tested for use against biological warfare pathogens. Drug discovery supervisor John Seacrest was happy to report on the radio show that the agarikon extract provided by Stamets had indeed been one of the few substances tested that had proved effective against smallpox related viruses.

Following this discovery, Paul Stamets now has a patent pending on a mushroom-derived anti-viral drug. One of his financial backers, Boston-based investor John Norris, bases his support in part on the fact that, as he says, not everyone is able or willing to be vaccinated against diseases such as smallpox.

It's also worth mentioning that Mr. Norris is a former second in command in the FDA hierarchy, and he believes that through his joint venture with Paul Stamets, they could soon be selling several hundred million doses of the Stamets agarikon extract to the armies of the United States, U.K., and Germany.

However, that may still be a few years off. This new mushroom-based anti-viral drug must first go through many lab trials and then gain final approval by the FDA.

Note: The above article is intended for informational purposes only. Agarikon has not been approved by the FDA for use as a medicinal. Never use any herbal or mushroom-product for medicinal purposes unless advice to do so by a licensed medical practitioner.

Reference: Banse, T., NPR Morning Edition, Smallpox Defense May Be Found in Mushrooms, August 4, 2005. - 17273

About the Author:

About the author: Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health products since the mid-90's, specializing in medicinal mushrooms. Click Agarikon Mushroom for picture of agarikon, mushroom products, free mushroom articles, or to request unique copies of medicinal mushroom articles for your own web-site or magazine / ezine. Click Fomitopsis medicinal for scientific research references about agarikon.

7 Big Lies Restaurants Tell You

By Curtis Ludlow

Are you tired of being lied to?

When you go to the store or a restaurant, you probably purchase items based on the labels and packaging. The problem is that the restaurants and manufacturers make misrepresentations about what is in their food.

Here are the top 7 lies they don't want you to know about:

1. "net carb" and minimal impact on blood sugar.

Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that "carbohydrates are bad". Lables will often say that they're carbs will have "a minimal impact on blood sugar". Remember, they still are sometimes high in calories that can make you fat.

2. "Low fat": Most foods may be described as "low fat" if there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a standard serving. Standard servings have been established by the FDA to reflect the amount of food that is typically consumed. Since will often be served foods much larger than the standard serving, a "low fat" food typically will contain large amounts of fat.

For example, pizza may be called "low fat" as long as there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a slice.

However, you are usually offered portions several times larger than the standard serving size. So a 2-cup serving of "low fat" ice cream may contain up to 12 grams of fat!

You must bear in mind that even a small-sized serving of low fat main dishes like hamburgers can have more than three grams of fat per serving.

And remember, "low in fat" does equal "low in calories."

3. "Light": "Light" is commonly used to mean many different things.

Food labels should clearly indicate what "light" is intended to convey. If the meaning is not clearly explained, you should seek clarification. If "light" indicates a reduction in calories, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients should be provided.

4. "Cholesterol free": "Cholesterol free" claims are very popular but can also be very misleading. Keep in mind that:

"Cholesterol free" does not mean healthy.

Foods like pork, turkey, and salmon contain cholesterol -- even if they are fried in "cholesterol free" oil.

Also, saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol level.

"Cholesterol free" foods often contain saturated fat. The FDA says that foods low in saturated fat must be described as "cholesterol free," but watch out -- most restaurants and manufacturers do not comply with this requirement.

The FDA says that foods with lots of trans fats can be called "cholesterol free." To avoid trans fats, you should limit your intake of foods prepared with vegetable shortening and partially hydrogenated oils.

5. "Sugar free": Some foods, especially desserts, may be described as "sugar free." When foods are described as "sugar free" it's not always low-calorie or reduced-calorie, the menu must say so.

6. "Healthy": When foods are described as "healthy" they should be low in fat and saturated fat and cannot be high in cholesterol or sodium. Keep in mind that there is no limit to the amount of sugar or calories that "healthy foods" can contain.

7. "Heart" claims: Claims like "heart-healthy," "heart smart," and "heart" symbols imply that a food may be useful in reducing the risk of heart disease. - 17273

About the Author:

Be sure to visit personal trainers in Yorba Linda CA and boot camps in Fullerton CA for more FREE health, fitness and wellness articles and videos from Orange County California's top fitness trainer, Curtis Ludlow.

Stay Alive with Five

By Dr. Jason Fowler

It's the rare child who actually wants to eat fruits and vegetables. Kids and adults alike are bombarded by television and radio ads for cereals, candy, and chips that contain huge amounts of sugar and large quantities of saturated fat. The sugar craving begins in childhood - kids quickly develop a taste for sweets. To a child's sugar-sensitized palette, the complex sugars contained in fruits and vegetables are a poor substitute.

We carry these habits into adulthood and our long-term health suffers as a result. Twenty-four hours is not enough time in the day for most of us, and most consistently choose fast foods as a means of satisfying our need for food and a method for limiting the amount of precious time we spend on meal preparation.

But fast foods are not really food in the sense that the nutrition they provide is very minimal. Fast foods are essential empty calories.

In the 1950s and 1960s a well-known health-related slogan was "an apple a day makes the doctor away". This advice represented ancient folk wisdom. Today, decades of research has shown that apples - and all fruits and vegetables - have remarkable health-promoting and disease-fighting properties.

Almost all fruits and vegetables are packed with magical biochemicals called phytochemicals - "phyto" means plant. Phytochemicals give fruits and vegetables their color, so the more colorful a food, the more phytochemicals it contains.

Ongoing research studies show that phytochemicals - of which there are thousands of varieties - provide protection against the development of many chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis.1,2

Most phytochemicals are antioxidants and neutralize free radicals in human cells. Others have anti-inflammatory properties - these help slow the aging process.

Fruits and vegetables are so important for our health and well-being that many national organizations have promoted the "five to stay alive rule" - the recommendation is to eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables each day.3

Portions should include any of these - an apple, an orange, a banana, a cup of grapes, a cup of blueberries, a yam, a couple of carrots, a couple of tomatoes, and a couple of tablespoons of broccoli.

For many of us, "five to stay alive" would be a radical departure from our old habits. It might take a little effort to develop new shopping and eating habits, but once you're in the groove it's likely you'll be feeling so much better you'll wonder why you didn't start this healthy-eating plan sooner.

Your chiropractor is an expert on nutritional health and will be glad to help you create a food plan that works for you and your family.

1de Kok TM, et al Mechanisms of combined action of different chemopreventive dietary compounds: a review. Eur J Nutr 47(Suppl 2):59-59, 2008 2Ware WR: Nutrition and the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer: Association of Cytochrome P450 CYP1B1 With the Role of Fruit and Fruit Extracts. Integr Cancer Ther December 2008 3Liu RH: Potential synergy of phytochemicals in cancer prevention: mechanism of action. J Nutr 134(Suppl 12):3479S-3485S, 2004 - 17273

About the Author:

For more informatifeel free to feel free to wellness cfeel free totact Dr. Jasfeel free to Fowler at Lake Saint Louis Chiropractic.For additifeel free toal informatifeel free to feel free to wellness cfeel free totact Dr. Jasfeel free to Fowler at Lake Saint Louis Chiropractic.

Detoxification diet is it an effective method to treat obesity

By Ron C George

A detoxification or detox plan is among the oldest medical remedies on the planet that entails the natural process of neutralizing toxins from your body. Toxins and other unnecessary items are changed to less harmful substances and moved away from your body as urine and stools. A detoxification diet program requires some dietary and lifestyle changes that include avoidance of bad substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, high fat content foods, refined foods and many more.

A basic detoxification diet is one which entails taking fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains that are high in fiber and other organic foods. Throughout the duration of diet, you're additionally prohibited from eating bread, baked goods, pasta, animal or dairy products as well as nuts. The detoxification diet helps increase the amount of water as well as fiber in the body that causes cleaning of the colon and the rest of the digestive tract.

Detox diet helps you to clear ailments, fix illness and prevent future problems, although a few utilize it for spiritual renewal, to feel as if they're more alive, awake and aware. It inspires a lifestyle free from misuses and addictions like alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Oftentimes body energies are boosted through a detox diet thus, making an individual much more open to change both inside and out.

If you wish to detox just once in a year, the best period is throughout spring or the autumn season. The hardest time during detox program is the first two days when you may experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue, irritability, mucous congestion's and different bodily discomforts. Still, as said by medical professionals any person could keep a normal work schedule during a detox diet.

The greatest day during a week for detox diet is Friday as you are expected to rest the rest of the weekend. That aids you to feel much more rested as well as free from the stresses if a work environment or to chemical exposures. It is also best to do detox diet on this day as you can circumvent the enticement of straying away from this diet and stay with individuals who will support your choice.

An individual's lifestyle determines how often the detox is needed by the system. The more frequent ailments of toxicity are head ache, over fatigue, aching of the back, digestive troubles, allergies, and sensitivity to chemicals, fragrances and synthetics. However prior to doing a detox diet it's essential to talk to the physician to determine the actual cause of the symptoms.

Detox diet is also an effective way to stop obesity as it nearly always is related to toxicity and dropping weight means reducing body fats and eliminating toxins in the system. But, you have to be extremely cautious since you may also loose essential nutrients in your body however physical exercise would make for better weight loss and detoxification. Moreover, detoxification doesn't just involve the excretion of unwanted items in the body but spiritual renewal too. - 17273

About the Author:

A detox diet can be to severe for some individuals especially if you have any medical problems. One such diet however has a good balance and is readily available online called the Fat Loss 4 Idiots. For those that have a small budget there is also allot of fast weight loss information accessible on the net.

Organic Vegetable Gardening ? A Productive Thing To Engage In

By John Dean

If you want to eat healthy food all the time, one of the best things that you can do is get yourself involved in organic vegetable gardening. This is a very good thing to do especially now that issues about dangerous chemicals which are being used on crops are heightening.

Since we value the health of the family, it is a must that we give them nutritious and healthy food all the time. Aside from the fact that ?pure? vegetables are good for the health, they are more delicious. For this reason, many people from different parts of the world switch to them.

If you will only buy these stuffs at stores, it will cost you much. It is advisable to raise your own organic vegetable garden if you do have a green thumb. There, you can take care of your own crops. This is a more economical alternative because the expenses won?t be that big and the food is just around your garden. You can just pick up what you want when needed.

In organic vegetable gardening, you will not use any chemicals and other substances that can be harmful to the plant and to the environment. You must only use materials that are intended for organic soil conditioning. Such materials can be composed of organic fertilizers, animal manure, composts and so on.

If this is your first time to try it, you can download some materials from the net which will guide you on how to do the task. These materials are also good for those who have tried this before but weren?t able to attain much success. These reading stuffs were written by experts who were able to put up and maintain an organic vegetable garden.

You can place your own organic garden in your home as long you?ve got a space where you can put it. The backyard is the most advisable area or anywhere else where the plants can be exposed to sunlight for 6 hours or more. You should also make sure that there is enough water. Having your own garden like this will give you the chance as well to decide on what vegetables to grow.

Aside from the fact that you can get healthy foods anytime that you want, organic vegetable gardening within your reach will give you extra income. You can sell some of the produce that it will yield to your neighbors or to other people who will be interested. That way, not just you and your family will be healthier --- you will share the health benefits to others.

Go to my blog now to get some more ideas about organic vegetable gardening. - 17273

About the Author:

Visit http://organic-food-gardening.blogspot.com for more tips on organic food gardening today!

Choosing The Best Elliptical Machines

By John Andrews

All companies seem to claim to have the best elliptical machines, so choosing the best can be a daunting task to say the least. What may be best for one person might not as well be best for another. Staying in fit today is crucial to survival and healthily living, so by doing what ever you have to do to stay fit will give you a happier healthier life.

The best elliptical machines today will normally all have similar functions and schematics. While they do vary on price depending on the machine, the overall effect is the same.

Some machines offer an exceptionally sturdy frame, meant for the larger individuals, while others offer more in line of programming and features. A truly great machine will be comprehensive in both areas and will not charge you an arm and a leg for it.

One of the great machines out today is the Precor EFX 5 7 i. With the patented cross ramp feature this is a machine to have. This feature lets you adjust the angle of the pedals. This feature will help you to receive a complete workout. With its truly amazing graphics displayed on its LED screen, tracking and designing your own personal workout will be a breeze.

If you're looking to eliminate strain on your body then the Smooth CE2 is the best elliptical machines for you. It has large foot pedals that will eliminate the strain on your body. This feature will allow you to workout more since you won't be as sore with these pedals. This unit is equipped with many features. Some include a wireless heart rate monitor and nine user profiles which are fully programmable. This machine will run you about 1700 dollars. That's a steal of a price for a machine of this magnitude, all the more reasons why this is one of the best elliptical machines available today.

If it's levels of resistance you need then the Schwinn 418 is one of the best elliptical machines for your needs. With a price tag of only $1100 many people feel this machine is equal to the Smooth CE2. They both have some of the same features. All of the Schwinn machines have an excellent user rating and are known to be built very well. These machines will take a beating and will keep giving you a total workout with out skipping a beat!

Whatever you choose will make the best elliptical machines right for you. What ever you choose as the best elliptical machines might not be right for another. If it's something cheap but a high quality machine you're looking for then the Eclipse 1100HR/A is selling for under $500 bucks. The quality of this machine and price makes it one of the most inexpensive machines out today.

.However the eclipse 1100HR/A is a light machine and is not recommended for a heavy person. This machine is very light in weight and wont support a lot of weight. It has an Orbital Linkage System that gives it a very smooth ride. However this machine isn't equipped with a whole lot of features. But for the price this is why its one of the best elliptical machines that's made today. This machine wont take up a whole lot of space and since it's light in weight it can certainly be moved easy. - 17273

About the Author:

Find out more about elliptical machines on John's blog regarding new, used, and cheap elliptical trainers on the web.

Reishi Extract and Inflammation

By Dr. Markho Rafael

For over 2,000 years, Reishi extract has been used as a "cure-all" herbal remedy in Chinese Medicine, with the oldest written record of any medicinal mushroom in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic. Although it may not be totally accurate to claim that Reishi extract cures everything, traditional as well as modern use indicates that it may be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent in a large host of conditions, including arthritis.

While researching scientific papers in preparation for this article, seventeen out of nineteen presented positive results in using Reishi extract to treat inflammatory conditions. This appears to validate the traditional use of the herb in China, where it has long been used as an analgesic, and prescribed to treat inflammation and arthritis. Only two studies out of the nineteen that are referenced for this article showed inconclusive results. Both of those studies were conducted at the same institution. (1,2)

A U.S. based study conducted in 1993 showed that a water extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) exhibited "significant anti-inflammatory activity." (4) Ten years later, an Indian research paper was published which stated that the use of Reishi extract helped decrease inflammation in acute edema by 56% and in chronic edema by 60%. (3) Using the "Article References" link on this page, you will find references to seven additional research articles that confirm Reishi extract as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. (5,6,7,8,9,10,11)

Other Reishi studies have been performed which more directly relate to arthritis. A 2006 report by Kenneth Blum et al. provided support that clinical evidence demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of natural substances for joint health, such as glucosamine sulfate , chondroitin sulfate, and Ganoderma lucidum [Reishi]. (12)

Also that same year, a Chinese study by Xi Bao et al. came to the conclusion that Reishi plus another medicinal herbal remedy commonly used in China seemed to have a "beneficial immunomodulatory effect" on arthritis. (13)

The mechanism through which Reishi achieves this beneficial effect on arthritis was suggested in a study the following year, 2007, by Ho et al., which states that GL-PP [Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide] significantly inhibited the proliferation of RASF [Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts] (14)

Several additional papers have been published that summarize positive results in the use of Reishi against arthritis. (15,16,17) One even states that Reishi compares favorably to prednisone, albeit without side effects. (18) On the other hand, a separate study found that supplementing with Reishi helped balance the side effects of prednisolone* that were experienced by some patients, including protein in the urine and cell toxicity. (19) (Prednisolone is the active compound of prednisone, which gets broken down by the liver and converted to prednisolone.)

In conclusion, the findings of 17 out of the 19 scientific papers referenced for this article agree that Reishi can help support joint health in cases of arthritis. However, it is important to always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb for medicinal purposes, and to never change the use of existing prescription drugs without talking to your doctor about it first.

Note on name confusion: The name "Reishi" is Japanese for the perennial tree mushroom that American naturalists refer to as "Varnished Conk." In China, it is known as "Ling Zhi." All these names usually refer to the species Ganoderma lucidum, which for the sake of distinction from other types of Reishi may sometimes be called "Common Reishi" or "Red Reishi."

Other related species that are often called "Reishi" include: "Hemlock Reishi" (Ganoderma tsugae)," which is common on hemlock trees in eastern U.S.; the Chinese species known as "Black Reishi" (Ganoderma sinense); another American species found on the west coast which is sometimes referred to as "Red Reishi" (Ganoderma resinaceum), although "Red Reishi" more often refers to G. lucidum in contrast to "Black Reishi," G. sinense; and finally two Japanese species, one that is sometimes known as "Purple Reishi" Ganoderma japonicum, and one without any English name, Ganoderma neo-japonicum. - 17273

About the Author:

Dr. Markho Rafael works as a natural health researcher and writer since the mid 90's, specializing in mycomedicinals. Click Extract of Reishi for organic mushroom products and free articles on medicinal mushrooms. Reishi and Arthritis Article References

Lose Weight With The Wave - The Firm Wave Workout

By Carol J Bartram

What regular exercisers regularly ask me is if the Firm Wave is any use to them as they are not novice exercisers, nor beginners, nor overweight, in fact most of them are an awful lot fitter than I am! They are interested as to whether the Firm Wave can give them a workout that is intense enough for their fitness goals; some are in training for distance running, and some are just regular exercisers who enjoy keeping fit and seek new challenges.

My answer to them is the same as it is to the novices; the Wave is suitable for anyone at any exercise level and the intensity of the workout that you get from the Wave will depend on the effort that you put in. In other words, a Wave workout can be as varied and intensive as you want it to be; because it is so versatile there are lots of ways to change your workouts to keep them fresh and to keep your body guessing as to what is coming next.

I'm always telling my regular personal training clients that their workouts must change in order for them to progress. Our bodies are very clever and over millions of years of evolution have learned to adapt to whatever stresses and strains we place upon them; once used to a particular form of exercise, the body wastes as little energy as possible in carrying it out. This is the true meaning of efficiency, and our bodies are extremely efficient machines if kept properly and looked after carefully.

The first few weeks of any new exercise programme when you get the biggest bang for your buck, as your brain and heart and muscles scramble to adapt to what you have asked of them. Lots of energy is expended, which burns fat, muscles strengthen and become shapely as they are forced to work much harder than they are used to, and your heart and lungs become much more efficient circulating blood and oxygen around the body to keep up with your demands.

The great thing about using the Firm Wave for your workouts is its incredible versatility. As the DVDs show, there are many different things that can be done with the Wave. Curve side up, there are all sorts of step and aerobic moves around, on and over the Wave. Add hand weights to these moves and you present your body with a whole new set of challenges. Flip the Wave over and you can do an equal number of aerobic strength-based exercises with the added bonus of an unstable surface to work with, making your body work in a wholly different way, burning a large amount of calories and vastly increasing your fitness gains. - 17273

About the Author:

Carol J Bartram is a Personal Trainer and Pilates teacher who has used many different types of at home exercise equipment. She believes The Wave can help any at home exerciser lose weight and get toned with this inexpensive easy to use piece of equipment. For more details including often asked questions, videos and articles on The Wave please visit The Firm Wave Reviews page.

Fast Food That's Good for the Heart

By Keira Adams

Many people are eating on the run in today's busy world. Dining at home is usually better for you than dining out. But eating fast food doesn't mean you have to make unhealthy choices. The next time you're eating on the run, keep these pointers in mind to help you make better choices.

A lot of fast food franchises are well aware of the poor reputation that fast food has for clogging up the arteries. To address this problem, they've brought in menu options that are healthier. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. But be careful that you don't load up on dressing that's full of saturated fat. And if your salad comes complete with deep fried chicken on top, you can be sure it's not as heart healthy as the one featuring grilled chicken.

Choose grilled chicken instead of deep fried for your sandwich. As well, it's usually a good idea to request as many veggies as possible to be included in your sandwich. Rather than using mayonnaise for a dressing, choose ketchup or mustard, which are low in saturated fat.

Choose fruit or salad as a side dish rather than fries. So instead of a lunch laden with saturated fat, you'll be feeding your body the fiber and vitamins it needs. You might also choose milk or juice over soda as a beverage with your meal. This can aid in maintaining normal blood sugar and give you additional vitamins and minerals.

If you just have to have a hamburger and fries, it's OK to treat yourself occasionally. But you do need to keep an eye on portion size. A number of fast food establishments give you portion sizes that are enough for a couple of meals. Opting for a children's meal or a small burger and fries will help to keep your consumption of saturated fat to a minimum.

If you're giving your kids fast food, don't forget that there are often healthy choices like apple slices and mandarin oranges available. Opt for juice or milk over soda.

In fast food Mexican eateries, a simple burrito or taco could actually be quite healthful. Be sure to pile on lots of vegetables in order to up the fiber content. You might think a taco salad is a good choice, but frequently it's high in calories as well as saturated fat.

If you're eating fast food for the majority of your meals, you're putting your heart wellness at risk if you don't choose wisely. Eating at home is the best choice. But if that's not practical, take a look at some of the healthier choices available. - 17273

About the Author:

Preventing heart disease involves making long-term changes that will improve your heart health and decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke. Learn how to get started on the path to Heart Wellness.

The Truth About Abs Review - What Is the Science Behind The Program?

By Doug Winston

I'd like to introduce you to of one of the better fitness programs that I've encountered to date, by writing a review of the actual plan itself. You may have already heard about 'The Truth About Abs', and encountered a lot of sales pitches and 'is this a scam?' baiting ads. What I'd like to do is give you some actual information about the science behind the plan, because in my opinion this program is definately more than hype, and offers sound fitness and nutritional information that will help anyone who is trying to get fit and lean.

While the book by Mike Geary, "The Truth About Abs", is branded as a manual to creating 6 pack abs, it's really much more of a lifestyle manual. The Truth About Abs is an easy to follow guide to changing how you eat and how you exercise in order to achieve the results you have always dreamed of. Mike's 161 page book is broken down into 3 broad sections which are as follows:

1. An introduction and important general information about leanness, metabolism, body fat %, effective abdominal training, and lean body mass.

2. Full workouts, how to exercise more efficiently, explanation of multi-joint vs single joint exercises, along with total body work outs. Mike also explains why cardio IS NOT helping you lose weight the way you've always been told; and

3. Diet and Nutrition, including information on blood sugar and insulin, the Glycemic Index, and the thermic (calorie burning) effects of food.

The Truth About Abs training program has two parts : Interval training and Resistance and Weight training. The fitness schedules are easy to follow and are time effective. The program explains how sessions longer than 45-60 are not a good use of your time. The program calls for 3-4 sessions per week, each about 45-6- minutes.

If you are serious about getting a toned body then this schedule should easily fit into your week. You don't need to be a member at a fancy gym and you don't really need to have equipment at home. However, Mike suggests having an exercise ball and set of dumb bells at home to most effectively perform the suggested workouts. This basic equipment can easily be purchased for 30-40 dollars and will be worth every penny.

The Truth About Abs program has a specific meal plan consisting of 5-6 smaller meals, eaten every 3 hours. A great tip that Mike explains is to take your meal plan and shop for everything once per week. This makes it easy to prepare and stick with the more frequent smaller meals you need to be effective on this plan.

Beyond planned, smaller and more frequent meals The Truth About Abs explains how to calculate your daily caloric intake requirements, and use that as a guide line for what we should eat. This section is really enlightening. You can eat regular and tasty meals and still lose weight. I can assure you that this is not a salad diet. In fact, there is an entire section of this book which explains why crash diets actually cause weight gain.

The meal plans provided in the book make it easy to shop for and prepare your food. The meal plans provide more than enough food - you are unlikely to experience hunger pains - however the plans are most likely a change from your current diet, and in order to be successful you need to be disciplined with your nutrition. This will be vitally important to your success. It is clearly stated in this book that to succeed on the Truth About Abs program, you must apply BOTH the training strategies as well as the food strategies.

If you're like me, you've procrastinated on starting a real plan for losing weight for a long time. Mike's program was just the incentive I needed to get started, and he provides so much information and detailed workout and meal plans, it was a lot easier to stick with my goals. - 17273

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