Too Much Green Tea Can Be Harmful

Thursday 19th November 2009

There has been a lot of talk recently surrounding the health benefits of green tea, particularly it's use as a weight loss aid. Believe it or not there is no magic cure for obesity that does not require a diet change and more physical activity.

However, there is evidence that the antioxidants in green tea (EGCG) are two hundred times more powerful than vitamin E. Green tea also slows the process of the breakdown of glucose, especially after meals. The rate at which the body burns calories can also be lowered by the consumption of green tea.

Speeding up your metabolism is a great way to supplement weight loss in many cases, the oxidation of body fats can also be increased.

A good way to lose a couple extra pounds is to replace your morning coffee with green tea. The lowering of your calorie intake and the health benefits of green tea combine to make a healthy diet change.

Many of the studies we see on the affects of green tea are conducted in Asia, where people typically drink three cups per day, whereas the United Kingdom Tea Council recommend you drink six cups per day.

While we are constantly told how green tea is good for us, many forget that there are potential side effects, and just like any other food, consuming too much can do more harm than good.

The most common complaint is from those who are caffeine intolerant. Green tea contains about half the amount of caffeine found in coffee, and for the vast majority of us, that would not cause any problems.

For those who are sensitive to caffeine you may experience symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, sleeping problems, palpitations, nausea, and even a skin rash.

The tea plant absorbs nutrients from the soil and water during growth. Nutrients such as aluminium and fluoride which are passed on to the consumer and can be harmful when consumed in large amounts over many years.

While the Chinese have been drinking green tea for thousands of years, it was only used for medicinal purposes until AD 600 as a tonic, rather than an everyday beverage. Like any other herbal medicine, the healing powers of green tea had to be carefully harnessed and there are times when one should avoid drinking green tea altogether.

Green tea can cause indigestion to those with sensitive stomachs, and can also reduce the body's ability to absorb iron thus causing potential problems for those already prone to iron deficiency anemia.

While I am a big advocate of herbal remedies, you still have to remember that moderation is the best way forward, and while the health benefits of green tea far outweigh the negatives you still have to be aware of any potential health risks from over consumption.

If you want my advice you should probably stick to around three cups per day. Never drink green tea on an empty stomach or straight after a meal, and to improve the taste, add some mint leaves to the brew too!

Want more information about green tea as a weight loss aid? then visit the cho-yung website.

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What Is SAD?

Wednesday 18th November 2009

Today we are going to take a look at SAD and find out how it affects those that suffer the condition and where you can go to find out more information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatments.

SAD is an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder – a syndrome which shows as a depressed mood in winter and various other easily identifiable symptoms such as changes in appetite, sleep, diet and weight.

It occurs in most countries of the world where winter brings short daylight hours and long dark nights and is much less common in the areas between 30 degrees north and south of the equator such as in Florida, South Africa or Uruguay.

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects a surprisingly high number of people. Extensive research in Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, USA, Canada, Soviet Union and Japan has shown that an estimated 5 to 10 % of the population suffer from severe SAD symptoms. Another 25% or so have some tendency to winter depression due to lack of light and show some problematic symptoms even if they do not suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder in it's most extreme form.

People have known for centuries that our moods are affected by the weather and that depression is more common in winter but it was not until the 1980's that there has been a lot of interest in this phenomenon and the illness received more official recognition. This coincided with the discovery of an extremely effective treatment : light therapy. Treatment with a light box is effective for Seasonal Affective Disorder in 75 to 80% of patients undergoing formal treatment for S.AD.

In other cases, light therapy may need to be combined with other treatments and help available. In any event, there is absolutely no need to suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder in silence - you can avoid every winter being something you dread.

If you think you could be suffering from SAD, or are concerned for a friend or family member, visit www.allaboutsad.com, a website entirely dedicated to the condition.

Photo courtesy of 20sb.net

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More Natural Skin Care Recipes

Tuesday 17th November 2009

Due to the popularity of our previous post 5 Home Made Face Masks To Revive Winter Skin . Lorynne from Caribbean Tan has come up with more fabulous skin care recipes that we can all try at home.

Take it away Lorynne...

There's no doubt that 2009's woes (the recession, global warming, and political uncertainty) have reeked havoc on our health and the weight of the World is a story now finely engraved in our skin.

There is hope; Found in a skin care regime that will not only single handedly decrease your carbon footprint, but at the same time, keep you looking well and fit through the last of the recession. Yes people, it is time to go au natural. A few minutes of preparation and some simple, edible ingredients is all it takes to create a safer, chemical free and cost effective skin care regime. Think avocado facials, olive oil moisturisers and sea salt exfoliators. Mother Nature will provide.

Avocado Facial :

Fact - Avocado is rich in oil and fatty acids, omega three and six, both good for you on the inside and out.
Recipe - Mash the avocado flesh into a creamy texture. Massage into the face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes and gently rinse off.

Baking Soda Cleanser :

Fact - As companies move away from using harsh chemicals, baking soda is gaining popularity out of the kitchen and is now being used in commercial products, from shampoo to industrial cleansers.
Recipe - Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of your favorite face lotion or cleanser. Using small circular motions, rub the mixture gently into your face then rinse and moisturise as usual.

Baking Soda And Sea Salt Exfoliator :

Fact - Every one of the body's 92 essential minerals is also found in the ocean.
Recipe - Take a small cup and mix a teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 a teaspoon of sea salt. The baking soda will polish the skin and the sea salt will perform the scrubbing action. The salt grains reduce in size once applied to the skin. The results are baby smooth with a definite glow.

Olive Oil Moisturiser :

Fact - Olive oil can be used to soothe sunburn. it is a natural moisturiser, keeping moisture secure within the skin.
Recipe - Use plain virgin olive oil. Rub a generous amount all over your body (including the face).

Lemon And Egg Facial Mask :

Fact - Lemon acts as a bleach, eliminating blotches and skin blemishes.
Recipe - Mix the juice of half a lemon with one beaten egg white. Leave on your face overnight, or for a quick pick-me-up, just 15 minutes. Splash warm water on your face to rinse.

And for your hair you have got to try...

Fruit Smoothie Hair Mask :

Fact - Fruits are said to be high in vitamins and minerals that we are able to absorb through our skin and hair adding strength, moisture and volume.
Recipe - Blend 1/2 a Banana, 1/4 of an avocado, 1/4 of a cantaloupe, 1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil and 1 tablespoon of yogurt. For extra conditioning squeeze in the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Leave in the hair for 15 minutes.

These sound great guys, so if you ever give one of these recipes a try let us know about it.

Thanks once again to Lorynne from caribbeantan.co.uk for the brilliant post, and I will be back again tomorrow.

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Burn Fat With Interval Training

Monday 16th November 2009

If you are one of those many people carrying excess weight around the stomach area (me included), then you may want to pay particular attention to what I am about to tell you.

Like most of you out there, I have spent hours upon hours trying to perfect my crunches in the hope that my tummy would eventually shrink. Doesn't work does it?

No matter how many abdominal exercises you do, you cannot shift stubborn tummy fat, and do you know why? It's because you need to shed fat from the rest of your body too to make a difference to your stomach...and this is where Interval Training comes in.

What Is Interval Training?

It is basically a form of exercise which consists of two phases. The first phase (Sprint Interval) is when you exercise at an intense rate for a set period of time, and the second phase (Rest Intervals) are where you reduce the intensity of your exercise for a set period of time.

For many years we have been told that slow and steady cardiovascular workouts were the way to go, but more recent research has discovered that the true way to loose body fat, quickly and healthily, is with the process of Interval Training.

I Know the title does sound a little intense, but trust me when I say that anybody, of any fitness level can start this type of work out straight away.

If you have not exercised in a while, start off jogging on the spot for as long as you possibly can, even if it is just five minutes, then go into your rest intervals by doing a few lunges and stretches for five minutes, then repeat the process for just twenty minutes a day. I first tried it a few weeks ago and was shocked to find that I actually found it fun!

As time goes on, really start to push yourself and increase the time length or the intensity of your exercise. You will be amazed at how much better you will look and feel.

So, remember that the only way to lose the excess fat from your stomach, and everywhere else, is to burn it off. Crunches won't shift it, but Interval Training will!

Want to know more? then why not read up about it on www.intervaltraining.net

Once you have tried it why not drop me an email or leave a comment to let me know how you are finding it?

See you again tomorrow.

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Something For The Weekend 9

Friday 13th November 2009

Hi everybody, I hope your week has gone well!

We are almost half way through November already and if you have not started your Christmas shopping yet, you really should be making more of an effort.

As promised, we have another great gift idea here and it is the brilliant Hug-Me Monkey Foot Massager Hot106Uk. If you have a partner, brother, sister, mum or dad, granny or grandad that is always complaining of cold, tired feet, then why not treat them this Christmas to this great little foot massager. It was originally priced at 29.99, but you can now pick one of these up for just 15.99 with free UK delivery...bargain!

The Hug-Me Monkey Foot Massager has a cosy fleece lining to keep feet "toasty" and warm, with a slip-on design for any foot size. With 2 intensity massage settings, a 2 year guarantee this mains operated massager will become a much loved gift.


Website Of The Week

http://www.lionella.net

If you are looking for that one special dress to wear to your Christmas party this year then you just have to check out this brilliant website That has some of the most divine dresses I have ever seen and at really good prices.

Featuring a large selection of elegant fashion designs for women include Evening Gowns, Event Dresses, Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses, and Asian Dresses in the latest styles. With everything from the elusive little black dress to some really funky club wear.

So before you go along to your local high street, check this online wonder out first.

Well, that's all from me for another week. Don't forget to keep an eye on our new discounts code features at the top right of each page. I will be updating it regularly with discount codes, vouchers and sales as soon as I find them.

Have a good weekend!

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White Bread: Why Is It Bad For You?

Thursday 12th November 2009

This one item that has long been a constant at every body's breakfast tables, has earned quite a bad reputation over recent years.

We keep being told that white bread is bad for us, for your health; why exactly is this? What is it about white bread that is so bad for you?

Here are three of those reasons which will make you think again about the bread you choose to buy.

Refined flour

The process of refining wheat flour strips it of many of the nutrients and health giving properties that wheat naturally has.

The wheat germ and bran, which are the most nutritious part of the wheat grain, includes vitamins and minerals and these are removed when making refined flour. All that remains is starch and small quantity of protein.

This protein is not a good quality protein. The starch is converted into sugar and is stored in the body as fat. Refined flour provides what are sometimes known as empty calories, or calories without the goodness or nutritional value of wholesome food.

Low Fiber

Fiber is an essential for the healthy functioning of the human body and for the efficient working of the digestive system. In milling of refined flour, the fiber of the wheat grain is removed and what is left is not healthy.

Lack of sufficient fiber in the body also makes it difficult for the colon to evacuate the bowels of waste matter effectively, which can lead to irritable bowel syndrome and even cancer of the colon.

Digestive rates and the efficiency with which the food is digested slows down. There are also greater amounts of fat deposits and this increases how negatively eating white bread can impact health.

Bleaching

Have you ever wondered why that loaf of white bread is so white when the grain that it comes from is brown? Well the fact is that the flour that is used to make the bread is routinely bleached using chemicals, which results in the white color.

There are several potentially harmful bleaching agents used for this and among them is chloride oxide, which, when combined with whatever proteins are still left in the flour, produces alloxan. This is a poison and has been used to produce diabetes in laboratory animals. Chlorine oxide destroys the vital wheat germ oil which is another nutritive element destroyed.

For someone who has eaten white bread all their lives, the switch to whole grain bread (as against brown bread, which may simply have some caramel added for the color) may be a bit difficult, however you can soon get used to the change, and can also start to appreciate a healthier and tastier meal option.

See you again tomorrow with another affordable gift idea.

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Diet Review : Bistro MD

Wednesday 11th November 2009

Founded by Dr. Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D. one of the few medical doctors in the United States who specializes in weight loss, with the belief that a diet plan should be healthy, delicious and convenient.

BistroMD delivers on that vision by providing chef prepared, doctor approved meals that help people to loose weight safely. It is considered the best quality home delivery Diet Program on the market.

For the past 15 years Dr. Cederquist and her team of registered dietitians, trained behavioral therapists and lifestyle counselors have been helping clients lose weight successfully.

A Simple, Easy to Follow Plan:

The team at BistroMD have worked exhaustively to come up with a complete system that is simple and effective. Customers order from one of four programs and enjoy tasty, nutritious balanced meals. Just heat, eat and lose weight - - what could be easier?

It's a simple and effective way of dieting. All the meals you order are freshly frozen, delivered to your door and are of restuarant quality. Menus rotate on a weekly basis, which means you won't get tired of eating the same old diet food. And with a menu as tantilising as theirs how could anyone resist? Enjoy chef prepared meals such as delicious Teryaki Chicken, scrumptious Thai Curries and some delectable classic Italian dishes.

Right now you can claim a 10% by clicking the link below!

Save 10% Off Gourmet Diet Home-Delivery Plans from BistroMD.com - Coupon code: Summer10

The pure simplicity of this diet has won it full marks with a whopping Beauty Factor 10/10.

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