Atkins Diet- Low Carbohydrates and High Protein

The Atkins diet has been around for more than 30 years. Even though it has been associated with a lot of controversies, it still remains a very popular diet. The Atkins diet plan is thought to be followed by millions of people globally. The diet is essential low in carbohydrates and divided in to four phases.


Dr Atkins believed that eating too many carbohydrates is the reason for getting fat. Our body does burn fats carbohydrates and proteins, but the carbohydrates are always used up first. By reducing the intake of carbohydrates, the body is then forced to burn off the protein and fat stores.


By reducing carbohydrate content in the diet, the body breaks fats into ketones which are used for energy. The accumulation of ketones in the body also leads to appetite suppression. One also develops a distinct ketotic breath and constipation. With time all the fat from the body starts to disappear.



The Atkins diet has four phases.

In phase 1, the induction phase which last 2 weeks, one eats a very restricted diet which is low in carbohydrates. The weight loss is quite fast.


In the 2nd phase, some foods can be eaten and the weight loss is gradual.


In the 3rd phase, the pre maintenance phase, one eats just enough carbohydrates to allow the body to get used to this diet. Also some other foods can be eaten to maintain health.


In the 4th phase, the diet is moderated to maintain your target weight. This is the diet for the rest of life.


In the first stage, one can only eat about 20 g of carbohydrates a day. Later the carbohydrates are increased but only slightly. You can forget about eating sugars, rice, bread, pizza, hamburgers, pudding, desserts, potatoes, pasta or anything made from flour.


A typical Atkins diet is as follows:

Breakfast

1st phase - beverage, bacon, ham
2nd phase- egg, crisp bread, beverage, tomato juice
3rd phase- egg, fruit, thin bread, beverage
4th phase- egg, fruit, thin bread, beverage

Lunch

1st phase- bacon, cheese without bread, salad, water
2nd phase- salad, beverage
3rd phase- potato, beverage
4th phase- chicken salad, beverage

Dinner

1st phase- red meat, fish, poultry, dessert with no flour
2nd phase- salad, sea food, some vegetables, dessert
3rd phase- salad, vegetable, fruits
4th phase- shrimps, salad, meat/fish/poultry, potato, vegetable, beverage


The Atkins diet severely limits carbohydrate consumption and has rigid guidelines. Dieters are encouraged to maintain a low carbohydrate intake until they reach their target weight. Dr Atkins says to prevent weight gain; individuals should take in no more than 60g of carbohydrates day for the rest of life.


One should note that the recommended daily intake of carbohydrates for healthy individuals is 300 g a day. However, despite what Dr Atkins says, there is evidence that high protein diets can lead to osteoporosis, heart disease, lack of vitamins and mineral deficiencies. There is no doubt that the Atkins diet does reduce weight in the early period but the long term results are questionable.


All individuals who want to try the Atkins diet should also include exercise into their program.

Antiaging Wrinkle Creams: Fact or Fiction

Were you looking to buy an antiaging wrinkle cream? Everywhere on cyberspace there are people selling antiaging creams, lotions, potions and herbs to fight off aging. Almost every type of substance underneath the sun has been promoted to reverse the signs of aging. From the Great Wall of China to the Dead Sea- water, mud, soil, urine, eating polar bear's gall bladder, sea weed from California, eating sushi from Japan and so on .—all have at one point been claimed to get rid of your wrinkles and fine lines. The big question is do they work and has anyone ever become young again?


For the most part, the majority of ingredients in cosmetic creams have never been analyzed. There is no scientific proof that any ingredient can reverse aging. Face lift does not come in jar of jojoba oil, nor does it come as a liquid in bottle of avocado oil.


While some antiaging creams are relatively cheap, many are exorbitantly expensive. And the more fancy the bottle, the more costly it is. If you want to look better you may want to try an antiaging wrinkle cream . Also, there are some ingredients which may temporarily make you look younger.


For those who still would like to know more about anti-aging and creams, read on.



If you are interested in a younger looking skin, look for the following ingredients in the cosmetic product:


Vitamin A or Retinoids. There is a lot of evidence that vitamin A related products are strong anti oxidants and can lessen or reduce fine lines on the face. Retinoic acid is approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne and other skin related conditions. Retinoid acid is only available with a prescription and is not recommended for females who intend to get pregnant or are breast feeding. Because of its serious side effects on the fetus, most physicians are reluctant to prescribe Retinoic acid to this gender.


Peeling acids: There are several acids which are decent peeling agents. They all work in a similar manner and remove the superficial layers of the skin. The cleansing action stimulates growth of new skin which appears fresh, smoother and younger looking. The classic peeling acids include hydroxyl acid, phenol and trichloroacetic acid. Today, there are many other naturally acids extracted from fruits and plants.


Copper peptides have recently been shown to heal wounds and reduce the scarring. Copper peptides are now being added to various skin formulas and been claimed to reverse some signs of aging. There is some evidence that copper peptides may reduce fine lines.


Tea Extracts: There is a lot of literature that extracts of tea can help rejuvenate the skin. There are many ingredients in tea like phytonutrients and flavonoids that have potent anti oxidant activity. However, not everyone responds to tea extracts in a similar way.


The quest to reverse nature has never been so strong. Everyone wants to look young and pretty. While we have a lot of novel products on the market, the majority of antiaging creams should be viewed with caution. Good luck with your antiaging wrinkle cream.

Growth Hormone –Does it Reverse Your Age?

During the last 20 years, there has been a lot of hype in the media about human growth hormone (HGH) and its anti aging properties. There are people who pay thousands of dollars to find the fountain of youth- but can growth hormone actually reverse aging?

Growth hormone is produced by a small gland (the pituitary gland) in the brain and is released into the body in small amounts. The maximal secretion of growth hormone occurs during childhood and is carefully regulated . Growth hormone is a potent anabolic hormone and is important for the growth of bone, muscle and tissues. By the time most individuals reach their 40s, the amount of growth hormone starts to decline.


There are many people, especially in the medical profession, who believe that the decline of growth hormone at this time period is responsible for aging. Wrinkles, fines lines and saggy skin have all been attributed to the decline of growth hormone. Such claims have inundated the internet creating a frenzy among people wanting to reverse aging. This has resulted in a growth in the marketing of growth hormone. It appears no one wants to get old and many people are seeking growth hormone injections. However, the evidence that growth hormone is the fountain of youth is non-conclusive or non existent. Only anecdotal reports exist- and these come mainly the manufacturers of HGH who have a vested interest in the hormone.

In clinical medicine, Human Growth Hormone is only available with a physician’s prescription and is administered intramuscularly as an injection. Growth hormone is often prescribed for people with documented growth hormone deficiency and is never prescribed to reverse aging. Growth hormone deficiency is most often seen when the pituitary gland is destroyed by brain tumors, surgery or radiation therapy. Individuals who often receive GH injections are those with short stature with a variety of medical conditions.

Human Growth Hormone injections are known to increase bone density, muscle mass and improve physical endurance. There are many individuals who have received growth hormone over a period of many years and yet all of them have aged; there is no scientific evidence where an individual receiving growth hormone had not aged. While it is accepted to administer HGH to individuals who have HGH deficiency, HGH is almost never prescribed to healthy individuals because it has potentially strong side effects.

As far as its anti aging abilities, there are none. Today there are many websites which also sell growth hormone as a pill that is said to produce the same effects as the injection. These growth hormone releasers are heavily marketed all over the internet. In all likelihood, the pill is broken down in the stomach and the protein is digested by the acids.

As far as we know, there is no conclusive evidence that HGH (Human Growth Hormone) has any anti aging abilities.. For individuals who want to remain young, the only treatment is to exercise, eat a healthy diet and leave the rest up to Time.