Rapid Fat Loss Diets

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Pain In The Lower Back: How To Handle It

By Dr. Stefan Tarlow

The lumbar region of the back consists of the lowermost five vertebrae. Vertebrae are cushioned and separated by cartilage-coated, spinal discs that consist of a gel-like substance.

The spinal cord and nerves are contained within the spinal canal, which runs the full length of the spinal column. The lower back takes a lot of stress because it carries the weight of most of the torso. This causes the spine, nerves and muscles to be subject to pain.

Doctors see patients for lower back pain quite frequently - almost as often as for the flu! Back pain can be caused by a lot of things, and in fact, it can have multiple causes in one patient. Injury and trauma are the most common causes of back pain. Here are a few examples:

Strain: Injury to a muscle.

Sprains are caused by ligament injury.

Sciatica: Pinched nerve.

Sacroiliitis: Inflamed hip joint.

Arthritis and other bone diseases can cause disc degeneration.

Pressure can cause a herniated disc.

Sprains and strains may be caused by single or multiple events. Improper lifting may causes a sprain or strain as a single event or cumulatively over a period of time. Obesity and poor posture can cause back pain due to constant pressure and stress.

Click here for more on torn ACL reconstruction.

There are a number of ways to treat a sprain or strain. They include: hot and/or cold packs, ultrasound, massage therapy, electrical stimulation, traction and reduction in which the bones are maneuvered physically, and/or anesthetic or corticosteroid injections. It is very important to gently resume normal activity after a couple of days rest to avoid stiffness.

Anytime you have back pain, one of the best ways to alleviate it is through conditioning and strengthening the muscles of the lower back. This can be done by using specific exercises recommended by your health care professional and by adding aerobic conditioning to your daily activities.

If you have tried all of the non-surgical options without relief, you may wish to consider surgery. Spinal fusion is the most common back surgery. It works by limiting the movement in the most painful area of your back.

Back surgery is deemed successful if the pain is reduced. However, it may take over a year to find this out, as recovery can be slow. Complete relief of pain is quite unusual. It is important to discuss all of the alternatives for treatment with your doctor. It may be that surgery is not the right choice for you.

Click here for more on knee surgeons and surgeries. - 17273

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Vitamin C As A Muscle Building Supplement

By Ricardo d Argence

When you want to live in a healthy fashion and to be physically fit, remember that you need a balanced diet and a good workout regimen. To be in good shape, you will need to have good eating habits that you practice every day.

But today, due to our busy schedules and negative eating habits, many of us suffer from several vitamin deficiencies that can lead to negative health conditions. However, there is a way to correct this problem; there are many supplements that can play an important role in preventing vitamin deficiencies.

Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins that you an add to your diet; you can add it in the form of Ascorbic aid and it will do things like relieve the oxidative stress that your body is suffering from during your workouts.

Many animals produce their own but unfortunately, primates and humans are unable to manufacture it. So, humans need their daily dose of Vitamin C from their diets, therefore, it is necessary to include food items in your diet that are rich in it.

Check out some of the important benefits of vitamin C. in the first place, it will help your body absorb iron from the food that you eat and it can also boost your immune system. It will also help your body form collagen, which is essential for the formation of everything from muscles to teeth to bones to veins to cartilage!

At the most essential level, you will find that vitamin C can help support your body in a way that nothing else does When you want to make sure that you stay in good shape and when you want to get a good boost to your body building, you'll discover that vitamin C is precisely what you need to take a look at.

We can get this Vitamin from many various fruits and vegetable, for example citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges. Food items like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, peppers, kiwi fruit, sweet potatoes etc. are good sources as well. It is wise to include these food items in your regular diet to ensure a proper dosage of Vitamin C everyday for a healthy body.

It can also improve your exercise routine. Proper dosage can help to strengthen your immune system and it can even help you recover faster. It is capable of suppressing a particular hormone named cortisol, which prevents muscle growth in the body while encouraging fat buildup.

To get the best result, remember that you should consume 1000 mg of vitamin C about an hour before you start working out. Not only will you recover faster, you will also find that it can help with muscle soreness.

No other vitamin has such benefits on the body. There are many different kinds of Vitamin C supplements available on the market, and all of them are efficient forms. If you have a passion for bodybuilding or if you exercise on a regular basis, Vitamin C supplements can help you in your journey towards a fitter and healthier body. - 17273

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Miraculous Goji Berry Benefits For Improved Well Being

By Maddie Tregonning

Goji berry benefits stem from their rich variety of nutrients and antioxidants. They are also well known in English as wolfberries, and although they have a number of other names, they are more popularly marketed as the goji berry. They are brightly colored red, elliptical berries that grow on one to three meter high bushes.

The berries are perhaps the most nutrient-rich fruit in existence. They are shriveled red berries that look like red raisins that grow on an evergreen shrub found in temperate and subtropical regions in China, Mongolia, and in the Himalayas in Tibet.

Belonging to the nightshade or Solonaceae family, they have a slightly sour, tangy taste to them. Because of their great fragility, Goji berries must be harvested gently by hand and are usually found dried.

The many Goji berry benefits to be had begin first with their intricate collection of molecules, including polysaccharides, which are sugar molecules believed to support the body's immune system. Polysaccharides are also known to be a great source of probiotic fibers, which are the fermentable portions of soluble fiber that are processed into SCFAs, or short-chain fatty acids, within the intestines. This then provides beneficial nutrients for the probiotics within the intestinal tract to aid the body with vital functions like digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

They are also considered to be a tonic in that they help to keep vital organs and energies in balance.

Highly regarded as China's national treasure, the Goji berry is finally getting much needed attention in the West. Containing an impressive concentration of iron, the berries are also important to the circulatory system.

Predominantly grown in the northwestern portions of Tibet and China, which boast some of the purest soil in all of the world, they come from the Lycium plant, an evergreen bush with vines that may reach as high as 10 to 15 feet. Truly a food to marvel at, Goji berries are relatively small, growing only as long as one to two centimeters, and having a taste that's been described as both sweet and sour. Often used in teas, soups, and rice meals, they are also sold fresh throughout the temperate regions of China where they grow wild.

For thousands of years Goji berries have had a noticeable place in traditional Chinese medical practices due to their low fat content, low number of calories, but extremely high vitamin content like beta carotene (vitamin A) and vitamin C as well as plenty of antioxidants.

Goji berry benefits are numerous and this is why they are regarded by many to be the single most healthful product in the world that has magical properties associated with it.

They are now considered a health food because research has shown that they have antioxidants and nutrients in plenty, which may explain why they are also now classified as one of the super fruits. Demand for super fruits like these is expected to reach the billion-dollar mark by year 2011.

Since the delicate Goji berry must be harvested by hand and must then be turned into liquid form within the first one or two days following harvesting, the process of producing the juice is a time consuming one, however, Goji berry benefits are many and are well worth the wait. - 17273

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Plyometric Workouts

By Jana Dibbs

Have you ever thought about how great the human body is and how it can adapt to different types of training? It's amazing that our bodies will grow and become stronger when they need to. The same holds true with jumping. Our muscles can change so that they are better abled to jump high. With the right training they can get fast twitch muscles that will produce more power.

Fast twitch muscles react much quicker than slow twitch but they also don't perform for as long. White muscle is the endurance muscle and that's what marathon runners have in their bodies.

A sprinter needs a lot of power but not for very long. So they train to get as much red muscle as possible and as little white muscle as they can.

Each muscle type has it's advantage for different activities. But if you want to jump higher you need have more red fast twitch fibers.

So now you are probably wondering how to get more fast twitch muscle. You type of training directly corresponds to the muscle you will create.

So if you train by doing things at a steady pace for long periods of time you will get a lot of white endurance muscle. While training at high speeds for short periods of time creates fast red muscle.

Plyometrics are exercises that are designed to develop the fast twitch muscles of the legs so that you will be able to jump higher.

The way plyos work is by doing very high intensity jumps that don't last very long. Remember you are going for speed and not for endurance. It would defeat the purpose to do hundreds of jumps if you really want each jump to be it's highest possible. You need to train just like what you want to accomplish. It is time to stop thinking and hoping that one day you will be able to dunk and get off you butt and do something about it. You can learn to jump higher with the proper training exercises so get to work. - 17273

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The Power OF Enzymes In The Food You Eat

By Terry Adams

Enzymes are important to the various chemical processes in the body and have been shown to be important for maintaining health. Raw food is full of these important chemicals which are catalysts for many of the metabolic processes that go on in the body. They are especially important in the digestive system as they help in the breakdown and absorption of food.

As well as the gut, they are found all over the body where they are important for the overall body functioning. They can be found everywhere from the muscles, where they control muscle contraction to the brain where they are responsible for the transmission of electrical signals in the neural tissue. Nothing much really can happen in the body without these chemicals.

If you ingest more of these enzymes, from foods such as fruit and vegetables, into the body via your food then the less your own body will have to make and the less you body will be depleted of its own supply. Therefore, it can work more efficiently and work on other more important processes.

Many raw foods provide much more enzymes than cooked foods. The heat from cooking often destroys these fragile chemicals. As a result of this, it means we need to eat more cooked foods to get the same amount of enzymes as we would from the raw foods. This means an increase in calorie intake, causing obesity, and also puts more stress on the body as it has to work harder.

This is the reason why eating raw foods such as vegetables and fruit will often satisfy the appetite a lot faster than cooked produce and at a lower calorific load. Also, the requirement to increase the calorie intake will also increase the risk of obesity and other fat related diseases, and the greater demands on the body will also increase the speed of aging.

Fruit juices and salads are a great way to get a lot of raw fruit and vegetables into the body. Therefore, drinking fruit juice every day and eating a large salad at least every alternate day is a fantastic way to boost your intake of enzymes and enhances your body's overall functioning.

A quick and delicious way of getting all of your nutrients and enzymes is to consume a daily juice of a combination of fruit and vegetables. Some fish and meat can be eaten in its raw state which will also boost the nutrients and enzymes supplied by them in the same way. Eating a rare steak will, however, not only increase the nutrients supplied but will also be easier to digest. This will, in turn, reduce the risk of complaints such as constipation.

Rather than going straight onto a raw food diet, it is better to start by replacing some of your normal daily intake with more fruit and vegetables, slowly increasing over time. - 17273

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How Potent Is The Maqui Berry?

By Joane Z. Thomas

The Maqui berry is stronger than the Acai berry. The Acai berry only has an antioxidant value of a range that starts from 160 and goes to 300. Compare that to the Maqui berry which has an antioxidant value of 820. Can you see how big the difference is?

The Maqui berry is known to be cultivated in the Patagonia region. Maybe it's because of how rich the dirt is in this particular part of the land. When you try the Maqui berry, you're sure to unwrap the many health benefits that this little berry has to offer.

The strength of the Maqui berry has already hit the world by storm. The Acai berry used to be the strongest food on the market until the Maqui berry began to make an appearance. Which brings to mind, the Maqui berry has a lot more antioxidants than the Acai berry it's unbelievable.

A Maqui berry supplement is an all natural supplement. In fact, the Maqui berry supplement is one of the healthiest supplements that you can find on the market. Keeping or getting your body healthy couldn't get any better than when you have Maqui berry on your side due to its massive amounts of antioxidants.

When you're trying to lose weight, get some assistance with the Maqui berry. The Maqui berry will remove any toxins and chemicals which have found a way in your body. This will make your body healthy which in turn makes it more effective when you are trying out methods to lose weight.

The Maqui berry is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. Many people suffer from inflammation in their bones and joints and they can reduce inflammation with the Maqui berry. An organic supplement that works great for inflammation couldn't get any better than the Maqui berry.

The Maqui berry is very nutritional due to its high levels of polyphenols and anthocyanins. Not to mention that the Maqui berry is one of your best sources of iron, calcium, vitamin c, and other essential nutrients. The Maqui berry isn't just a health supplement it is the ultimate health supplement that anyone can benefit from.

The Maqui berry probably seems like something you would be stupid for not adding it into your daily routine. There is something that you need to be aware of when it comes to the Maqui berry. It's still a new supplement that has started becoming stocked within the United States therefore there aren't any major side effects that have been discovered yet.

Purchasing a health supplement can be risk in this day in age which means that you need to give a new product a try before you decide to pay a lot for it. There are tons of health supplements that have large claims which they can't even back up, with that said you need to take advantage of a Maqui berry free trial if you really want to test it out. - 17273

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Looking For More Information About The Benefits Of Pure Omega3 Oil?

By Terry Johnston

The health-conscious person out there is quickly becoming aware that Pure Omega 3-a natural oil product extracted from fish-is one of the most beneficial natural products in the world today.

It's almost "to good to be true" for the illness it effects positively. Scientifically proven -anybody who eats fish-rich in omega 3 oil-is healthier than their peers who do not.

One could go on and on to infinity in praise of Pure Omega3, but here are some solid reasons why adding this to your diet is going to benefit you tremendously in the long run.

*Prevents the risk of future cardiovascular problems

*Brings out a healthy glow to your skin

*Maintains healthy sight

* Your immunity to many diseases is enhanced

* Clinical depression sufferers respond well to treatments of Omega3

We come to the crucial point, what is Pure omega3?

A natural source, fatty acid-Omega3--helps maintain our good health by ensuring our physiological functions are operating at the optimum. Although not easily manufactured by the human body, it is easily assimilated when ingested.

With out taking a supplement to increase the daily dose of pure omega-3, one would need to increase their daily intake of fish.

Eating more Fish! This is not a recommended strategy. Many fish have high levels of Mercury in their systems.

Pure omega3 oil must be extracted and purified using state of art methods, which remove every vestige of chemicals or toxins.

Many supplements available out there--are NOT 100% pure. Cheaper methods of extraction is used. Some producers are hoping to cash in on to the fish oil supplement craze.

Hoping to compete strictly on price, these companies don't care if the products is 100% refined or not. They will advertise 100% Pure omega3 oil, believing you won't bother to read the label. If you do. You will know whether the supplement you are buying is genuine or not.

Fit, strong, and healthy is how the Japanese were after centuries of eating fresh fish, seafood, rice and working hard. Their diet provided them with an abundance of pure omega3, which is an excellent example of the importance of pure omega3.

During the American occupation of Japan, following world war 2. The Japanese-seduced by the western lifestyle--changed their diet to fast foods and they got away from their traditional diet.

Soon the Japanese population began showing signs of pure omega3 deprivation with more frequent colds. Physical endurance and concentration was reduced. More people suffered from fatigue, depression. More reports of constipation and more joint pain.

At least two to three times per week-everyone needs their dose of pure omega3. Whether it comes from nuts (walnuts, almonds, and pecans), cold water fish or supplements. Your body needs the required amount.

The most complete form is found in purified fish oil. The easiest way to make sure your are getting enough omega 3 is by taking supplements in the form of pills or capsules.

Over time anyone adding pure omega3 to their diet will see a marked improvement in their skin-especially if they suffer from Psoriasis or Eczema, their heart health and improvement in their joints.

Before you buy-some points to note:

high quality supplements do NOT taste or smell fishy.

will there be a "secondary" fishy taste after taking the supplements? NO!

your target should be a daily dose, unless your Doctor tells you different. - 17273

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Fast Food - Good or Bad?

By Scott Tapp

Is there ANY fast food that's really good for you? I actually never recommend that you eat ANY fast food, BUT sometimes we forget to plan ahead and find ourselves in a bad situation. Do you just not eat or do we order the fast food?

Never go without eating. It's actually much worse to skip a meal than to make a good choice at a fast food restaurant. Simply make a good choice, and you'll be okay.

You should always plan ahead. Take the time to think about the next day. Will you be away from home for extended periods of time? If so, prepare some quick and easy meals that you can eat while away from home. Eat a full meal once every 3 hours. Plan accordingly.

When I spend the day away from home, I might take a few plastic shaker bottles with me. I fill them with protein and ground oats (simply stick some quaker oats in a coffee grinder). I then fill a few baggies with walnuts, almonds, and/or peanuts.

You've got to add some veggies too! I like to cut up broccoli, cauliflower, all types of peppers, carrots, and cucumbers. I put them in a large baggie and they're ready to go. Combine them with the whey protein, oats, and walnuts and you have some perfect meals for building muscle and burning fat.

If you failed to plan ahead (try not to), you'll need to make the best decisions when you're ordering fast food. Let's say you're at McDonald's, what are you going to order? The french fries are out. Never order or eat french fries. You don't need them. Never order the fatty hamburgers and the white bread buns. That's about the worse combination that's sure to make you fatter.

How about a GRILLED chicken salad, lots of veggies, and about a half a pack of ranch dressing? That's about the best meal you can get from McDonald's. Other fast food restaurants will have similar choices. Always drink water with your meals. You don't need anything else.

If you know you're going to be eating fast food and have no other choice, get nutrition facts for that restaurant and make a good choice before you go. Then, you won't be tempted to order anything else. It's actually better to check nutrition facts and make yourself a little list at what you can have from certain fast food restaurants. Make sure what you choose fits your meal plan.

I personally went several years without eating ANY fast food at all, and I can tell you that I felt much better and lost lots and lots of body fat during that time. Now, just the thought of fast food makes me sick. Once you're accustomed to eating healthy, the grease simply makes you sick. Eating healthy tastes great and feels great.

When you eat healthy foods, you WILL have higher energy levels for lifting weights. You'll create the OPTIMAL muscle building and fat burning environment. Your metabolism will be higher than ever. And your body will reward you with higher levels of muscle mass and lower levels of body fat.

Let's talk about Subway for a second. Most of the stuff you get in that place isn't good for you. The veggies are great, but that's about it! A grilled chicken salad packed with different veggies is a good choice. Stay away from most of the other stuff.

Prepare your meals at home. It's easy to make fast and healthy meals at home. For example, I can fix a quick taco salad with lettuce, lean beef, fat free cheese, salsa, and fat free sour cream in less than 5 minutes. It's very easy to make quick, easy, and great tasting meals. All it takes is a little planning. That's it! - 17273

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Knee Surgery: How to Avoid Follow-up Problems

By Dr. Richard Edelson

Blood Clots: What To Do To Prevent Them

Blood clots are a real hazard following surgery. Your orthopedist will give you complete instructions on how to avoid blood clots. You must follow these instructions closely.

Be On the Lookout for These Signs

Here are the warning signs that you may have a blood clot in your leg:

Swelling the lower leg, specifically the foot, calf and ankle.

Your calf may hurt.

You may see tenderness and redness around the knee.

Your chest may suddenly hurt.

Your chest pain may be accompanied by coughing.

A blood clot that has traveled to your lung may cause the following:

You may suddenly feel short of breath.

If this happens, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Click here for more on Portland Shoulder Surgery.

Infection Prevention

Your knee may become infected after your surgery. The reason for this is usually that bacteria has gotten into your blood somehow. Usually this will happen because of an infection of your skin or a urinary tract infection. It can also happen because you have had dental work. The bacteria generated by one of these conditions can travel and set itself up in your knee replacement. This causes infection.

Your surgeon will give you a prescription for antibiotics to take after your surgery. You should take these exactly as your doctor orders. This will prevent infection setting up in your knee replacement.

If you do have a knee replacement infection, you will see these warning signs:

Your knee may feel painful both when you are active and when you are resting.

You may shake and have chills.

Your knee wound may swell and become red and tender.

Your temperature may rise to above 100F and persist at this level.

Your knee wound may drain.

If any of these signs happen, call your doctor immediately.

Take Care to Avoid Falls

Be careful not to fall while you are recovering from your knee surgery. This could damage your knee replacement. Then you would have to have more surgery. To avoid this, be sure to keep off the stairs. Use your cane, walker, crutches, or whatever your surgeon has recommended. If you don't have these, be sure to have someone help you. Always use handrails whenever they are available. Keep on being very careful until you have completely recovered. This means you have your strength, balance, and flexibility back to normal.

Ask your surgeon or your physical therapist how long you will need to use an assistive device. Also, discuss which sort of device will be most appropriate for your recovery and level of activity. - 17273

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Jumping into Volleyball

By Bradley Dibbs

If you want to play volleyball better than what you are currently capable of then continue reading. You need to understand the rules and then work on jumping higher.

You know who the best indoor players are? They are the ones that have practiced in sand. Get out to the beach and play 2 on 2 volleyball. You will quickly notice that it takes a lot more energy to get around. You also will learn to develop all skills involved in volleyball because you can't rely on someone else being there.

It would be a horrible idea for a beach volleyball player to practice on a hard court though. The reason being that you are getting better by moving in the sand and learning to be faster.

If you can move fast in sand you will do great on a hard court because it doesn't shift around like sand. Also jumping is a thousand times harder in sand.

When you try to jump in sand you will realize that it takes a lot of energy to do and once you get use to it you will be jumping very high on the court. You will get use to jumping with all your force and then on a hard court it will feel super easy.

You won't be using the same form for jumping in sand as you would on a hard surface. You can't do your broad jump, instead you will be doing a shorter approach and jumping more straight up.

If you can learn to be a well rounded player you can play any position on the court that you desire. You may not always be playing the position you are at right now.

Doing jumping exercises known as plyometrics is a great way to increase your maximum jump height. You need to jump higher than other players to be better at other players in every aspect of the game. Follow a well designed jumping program and you will get great results. - 17273

Tips On How to Build Muscle Fast

By Arnold Stevens

If you are interested in how to build muscle fast then you'll want to read this. I am going to cover 3 great tips that will save you time at the gym and it will help you to achieve the head turning results.

I guess you have a gym membership or getting a set of weights is no big deal. It is my hope you also have some basic nutritional knowledge and you are eating five to six small meals a day.

I will focus on three important points that will assist you to know how to build muscle fast?

Use Progressive Overload

Progressive Overload is important to building muscle fast. This can be done by combining your workout with either, applying a much heavier weight than the previous time or adding more sets than the last time or have less breaks in between the sets.

Stretch your body to its fullest to achieve getting that new muscle growth, but be cautious. Each visit to your gym try to outdo the previous workout in more than one way. This will assist you make a steady improvement and also build muscle fast. People will want to know how it is done this fast.

Post Workout Nutrition

I think you are aware by now that post workout is very important, your body desires these nutrients to develop. You require this after your workout. Don't leave out either proteins nor carbohydrates. Yes you are right, they are needed to assist the function of replacing the glycogen stores, spiking insulin to aid driving protein to damaged muscles.

Get enough rest days

If you really love weight training and working out then you are going to find it difficult to spend a day away from the gym. This, of course, is common but it must be done if you want to really maximize your gains. Like you know, your muscles build while you sleep and rest, not when your pumping it up at the gym, so be sure to take at minimum 2 days off each week to help the body, nervous system and immune system to recover from the workouts.

If you follow these three easy steps you will certainly build your muscle fast! - 17273

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Buzzing about the Acai Berry Diet

By Dana Hawkes

One of the newest diets that have recently hit the diet circuit is the Acai berry diet, which is pronounced as ah-sigh-ee. The Acai berry diet is famous because the Acai berry, a unique berry from the Amazon rainforest has higher antioxidant content than pomegranates, blueberries, and every other fruit or vegetable under the sun.

Here is the buzz about the Acai berry diet: The Acai berry diet is being touted as the newest super food by many people, and it is bringing numerous uses to its users in all areas of health and wellness.

The Acai berry reviews are good, as people have reported experiencing an increase in their levels of energy, improvements in stamina, better overall sleeping patterns and so much more. One of the most popular uses of the Acai berry super food is the Acai berry diet is capable of creating healthy and natural weight loss.

So how will including the Acai berry diet into your life produce healthy and natural weight loss? The berry's natural content includes amino acids, fiber, fatty acids and antioxidants which add together in order to increase your metabolism so that you can burn calories and fat much more effectively.

As with anything that has a relation to weight loss, pairing the Acai berry diet with a regular program for exercise is the best way to make sure that Acai berries work for you. You want to change your entire lifestyle for the best. If you add a healthy Acai berry diet with everyday exercise, then you will have the greatest benefit. Talk with your physician and start on a healthy diet plan today with the Acai berry diet. - 17273

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