High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a common replacement for more expensive cane sugar in a multitude of products. The reason that high-fructose corn syrup is a diet-killer is that it wreaks havoc on blood-sugar levels. High blood-sugar levels are linked to many of the conditions that plague modern life: pre-diabetes (impaired fasting blood-sugar levels) type II diabetes,and coronary heart-disease. One of the primary sources of HFCS in our diets is soft drinks. Did you know that one 48-oz.”super-size” soda can contain as many as 550 calories, not to mention the equivalent of over 13 tablespoons of sugar? If you drink one of these every day for a week without reducing your caloric intake or burning off an equivalent amount of calories through exercise, you can gain a pound a week–a whopping 52 pounds a year! Replace any beverages containing HFCS with cold, refreshing water or unsweeted ice tea as a first step for weight loss. If you are a regular consumer of soda, you will lose weight by following this simple step alone.

Trans-fats are commonly found in baked goods such as pies, cookies, crackers and also as oil for frying goods such as french-fries or potato chips. Trans-fats were developed to ensure a long shelf-life for these types of products, but their detrimental health effects were not known at the time of their development. Trans-fats are created by taking a mono-unsaturated (liquid) fat and reacting it with hydrogen gas. The resulting fat from the reaction is solid at room temperature. When we consume trans-fats, they build up in our arteries just as grease clogs a drain. Eventually, this build up of fat in our arteries can cause coronary heart disease and stroke, and is also believed to contribute to dementia in the elderly.

So how can we avoid these lethal ingredients in our foods? Our first and best line of defense is simply by reading the labels on food products. Both high-fructose corn-syrup and trans-fats are required to be listed on labels. Also, be wary of fast-foods such as fried chicken, fish sandwiches and fried pies. Ask if these foods have been prepared with trans-fat free oils or not. If the restaurant staff can’t tell you if the food is fried in oil containing trans-fat or not, it’s best to avoid it altogether. So educate yourself as a consumer and reap the health benefits of your due diligence.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the fats (lipids) in the blood. Produced in the liver, this slippery substance is not a fat, but actually a steroid and plays a central role in many biochemical processes. Daily the liver produces about 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol.

It is an important structural component of cell membranes. As such it helps to strengthen cell walls and is vital in the exchange of nutrients and waste materials across membranes. It is present in higher concentrations in tissues which either produce more or have more densely packed membranes such as the liver, brain and spinal cord. Related to the brain and spinal cord, it is so important in the functioning of nerve impulses that without it you would not be able to move a muscle.

It plays a major role in the production of steroid hormones which are responsible for normal functioning and development. These include the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone and the male hormone testosterone, which contribute to the development of the physical characteristics of adult females and males, as well as playing a role in reproduction.

The adrenal hormone aldosterone is also produced with cholesterol being a precursor. This hormone increases the re-absorption of sodium and water and the release of potassium in the kidneys. Simultaneously it regulates sodium and potassium levels, helping to maintain both blood pressure and bodily fluids.

Cortisol is another steroid hormone produced from cholesterol. It is involved in regulating blood-sugar levels as well as defending the body against infection and is involved in inflammatory response.

When the body is exposed to sunlight, cholesterol residing under the skin is involved in the production of vitamin D which is responsible for strong bones and teeth.

Cholesterol is used in the production of bile which is a greenish fluid produced in the liver, stored in the gallbladder and is needed to digest dietary fat.

Because cholesterol is water-insoluble, and blood is mostly water, the body wraps the cholesterol in specialized protein carriers to be transported through the bloodstream. This union of the cholesterol and the protein is called a lipoprotein.

Two types of proteins transport the cholesterol, differing in size and amount required to carry the cholesterol. The protein combining with the cholesterol to form the low density proteins (LDLs) are larger in size so require fewer to carry the cholesterol, making them less dense. These carry cholesterol to the cells.

The proteins in the high density lipoproteins (HDLs) are smaller in size requiring more to transport the cholesterol thus making them denser. They take excess cholesterol from the cells back to the liver for processing or elimination.

If cholesterol is so vital to our existence, why is it talked about so much?

High levels of LDLs (often called ‘bad cholesterol’) in the bloodstream have been linked to heart disease. When the muscle in the arterial wall is damaged through oxidation, LDLs start to build up as part of the repair process. This can lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis. The build up can reach such a level that the arteries that supply blood to the heart itself, or other major organs such as the brain, become so restricted that the organs receive an inadequate supply of blood to function properly, which can then lead to a heart attack or stroke.

In contrast, high density lipoproteins, coined ‘good cholesterol’ do not build up in the arteries. In fact research indicates that HDLs are able to removed accumulated plaque in the arteries and may even reverse atherosclerosis.

It remains controversial as to whether cholesterol ingested from the food we eat plays any role in levels found the in the blood.

Since a high cholesterol level does not present with symptoms, the only way to determine the level is by having a blood test.

Many of us that want to become or stay fit are committed to our daily exercise routines. Some of us are so committed that if we miss  one of their daily workouts we feel really bad about our self. In order for us to reap the harvest from our vigorous workout, not only do we strive to stick to our exercise programs to the letter, but many of us also use  supplements to keep  going at all times.

Energy bars, sport drinks, low-fat foods, protein powder and the like are some of the most popular choices employed as their “pick-me-up” super duper power foods. But more often than not, these supposedly “health foods” can do much damage to the body beyond anyone’s comprehension.

While there are healthy supplements from companies such as Bariatric Advantage there are also plenty of  packaged foods out there labeled as “healthy” and “natural” that are often found to contain anything but health food.

For example, these “exercise nuts” buy energy bars for extra energy while filling their nutritional needs on the fly, but the sad truth is that these bars contain hydrogenated vegetable oils and trans fats that rob their body of vital nutrients, create fatigue, and promote heart disease.

They will often depend on sport drinks that promise to provide them with nutrients to give them the much needed “competitive edge.”

But these sport drinks have been proven to contain high fructose corn syrup, which induces a hormonal reaction that blocks important minerals, compromising rather than improving their performance and sport competitiveness.

So many people are particularly drawn to buying “low-fat” foods that claim to be able to help them lose weight. But little do they know that these so-called “low-fat” foods contain artificial sweeteners that create cravings, lead to further weight gain and produce formaldehyde which is so toxic to their liver and brain that these artificial sweeteners are believed to be even more toxic and harmful to the human body than rat poisons.

So in other words, these high energy bars will make people tired, sport drinks will make them weak, and low-fat foods will make them fat – fatter and fatter indeed.

One may think that if these are so bad how come they’re allowed to be made available to the average consumers.

The reason often is because those food manufacturers, in order to succeed in securing their profits by misleading the public with mis-information, have been paying big bucks to fund many “scientific” researches the findings of which, of course, will be tailored-made to the favor of their advertising campaigns, which will further help to impose such a “positive” image and message on these advertised “health foods” that the public will have no way to find out about the right and the wrong.

Therefore, the consumers must owe it to themselves to read the labels of the kind of foods – health foods in particular – they’re going to buy such that they’re better equipped with the correct understanding of what they’re “biting” into; thus reducing much chance of being ripped off by this false and misleading advertisement that has gone rampant.

It may sound complicated but it is designed to make sure that you get a wide variety of foods and all of the right vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy body, no matter what age you are.

There are six groups of food which should make up the diet, with a small allowance for treats and sweets (which should be kept to a minimum).

So what are these groups?

1 The Grains

This group covers a wide range of very different foods, but all of them start off as grains. They include: cereals, bread, pasta, couscous and rice. All of these are high in carbohydrates which gives you energy and more than half of your daily calorie allowance should be made up from these. This means eating between 6 and 8 ounce servings of grains every day, with a slice of bread or a half a bagel being a single serving.

To get the most benefit, always choose wholegrain options instead of refined products as these add extra nutrients and lots of roughage to make you feel great.

2 Vegetables

Vegetables are nature’s pharmacy and are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Nearly all vegetables are very low in calories and you can include a large amount in your daily diet, with at least 2 1/2 to 3 cups being recommended for an adult. When it comes to leafy vegetables a one cup serving is actually two cupfuls of uncooked veg.

Aim to eat some vegetables from all of the different colors available over the course of a week. So include some broccoli, some cauliflower, some red bell pepper, carrots, beetroot and tomatoes to get a good mix.

Fresh is the best, but frozen and canned are good substitutes or you can even drink vegetable juices and still get a lot of the benefits.

3 Fruit

Fruits are also packed with great nutrition, but they contain a lot more sugar and so you should aim to eat between 1 1/2 to 2 cups a day from this group. Again, go for loads of color and variety to make your diet interesting and fun.

4 Meat / Beans

Meat and beans are high in protein and you need to eat between 5 1/2 and 6 ounces every day.

For meat eaters, low fat options include chicken, fish and turkey but red meat is also good, as long as it is lean with little visible fat.

Non-meat eaters also have a great number of options including beans, nuts, seeds and eggs.

It is a myth that a very high protein diet is desirable. In the short term it may help you to lose weight quickly, but too much protein is bad for the body and if a high protein diet is followed for a long time, this has serious health implications.

5 Milk

A good diet should include around 3 cups of milk and dairy products every day and are vital for good bone health. Low and non-fat options are preferable.

In the case of hard cheese, 1 1/2 oz. is regarded as being the equivalent of a cup.

6 Oils

A small amount of oil, 5 to 7 teaspoons, is needed in the daily diet. There are many types of oils but most of the daily allowance can come from oil rich foods such as nuts, fish, mayo or soft margarine.

7 Treats

The “treats” are not officially the seventh group but you are allowed some treats as long as you haven’t used up your whole calorie allowance for the day. If you have 150 calories left over you can treat yourself to a nice glass of wine or a medium sized candy bar.

So forget the fad diets – follow the principals of the food pyramid and you will achieve and maintain your ideal weight the healthy way.

Cells and Oxidation

During the metabolism process inside our body’s cells, nutrients
such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates combine with oxygen to
produce the important compound ATP. The ATP is used by our cells as
energy so that our muscles can do work. The oxidation process that
produces the ATP also results in the formation of free radicals.

Our daily environment is also a source of free radicals. Air
pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and herbicides, among many
examples, contain oxidized particles that enter our cells after being
inhaled into our lungs.

Free radicals are oxygen-based molecules that have unpaired
electrons, which make them very prone to react with other molecules.
Some free radicals are important in the body’s defenses against
bacteria, for example, but an overabundance of free radicals in the
cells can lead to disease.

Because they have unpaired electrons, free radicals can cause a
chain reaction in the cells that can lead to damage of cell membranes.
Part of the natural process of aging is due to free radical damage.
Further, as many as 50 diseases are caused in part by the damage
created by free radicals. Arthritis, cancer, heart disease, and
diabetes are among such diseases.

Antioxidant Protection

There are many compounds that can neutralize the harmful effects of
oxidation and the production of free radicals. An antioxidant compound
can bond with the free radical, creating a stable molecule, and prevent
further damage from occurring.

Among the most effective antioxidants are the nutrients, vitamins
A, C, E and the mineral selenium. Several other vitamins, minerals,and
enzymes are also antioxidants. Many of these compounds cannot be
produced by our cells and must be ingested through the foods in our
diet or through supplements.

A recent study in London indicated that when subjects consumed 5
servings of fruits and vegetables daily that the risk of suffering a
stroke was reduced by 25 percent. Other studies have also shown that a
diet rich in antioxidant-containing foods can help to reduce the risk
of many degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Further, such foods
also seem to help to enhance the immune defense system and thereby
lower the risk of contracting disease.

Vitamin A and carotenoids are found in such foods as carrots, sweet
potatoes, tomatoes, peaches, and apricots. Vitamin C is easily found in
citrus fruits such as oranges and limes, and in vegetables such as
broccoli and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is abundant in nuts,
seeds, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Selenium is found in
fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, and chicken.

Fortunately, it is usually easy to include foods that are rich in
antioxidant protection in our daily diets. Not only will such foods
help to control the overabundance of free radicals in our cells, but
meals rich in antioxidant compounds are delicious and easy to prepare.

While surgery ultimately creates a solution to your problem, you still have to address this issue before you go under the knife. The majority of doctors feel that it’s important to learn correct eating habits beforehand, no matter how obese you may be. It is critical that you are eating healthy and beginning a new lifestyle, so that when you do come back a new person (physically), adjusting will be easier. For this reason, it is recommended that you consult a dietician before you undergo stomach stapling. Find out what will help you lose weight prior to the surgery and what you should be eating when you have completed the procedure.

Let’s face it – most of us dread the days after any type of surgery. We have to be careful of what we eat and usually do not have the strength to eat more than a few bites. This procedure is no different – the first few weeks will consist of just liquids. Soup and cooked cereal are just a few examples of what you may be able to digest. As you slowly build up to the next several weeks, you will begin to introduce pureed foods. It becomes less limiting when your physician allows you to indulge in softer foods such as yogurt and eggs. Anything that is tender and easy to chew is a great start. It’s imperative that you re-train your stomach, or you could do serious damage. Depending on your physician’s orders, you may not be eating solid food for several months. Carbohydrates such as bread and pasta should be avoided. Instead, protein is key because it helps repair the damage that has been done. Try protein shakes or an exercise nutrition bar. Your body needs to absorb protein, especially in the beginning stages when you are not digesting solid food.

Bariatric surgery diets may sound restricting and often overwhelming, but with anything, it becomes second nature. New diet rituals will soon feel like old habits – such as eating small meals and taking daily vitamin supplements. No matter how difficult it may be, stay positive. Embrace the fact that you were able to have such a surgery – not everyone gets a second chance at

The diet plan you choose should be one that you can stick to for the rest of your life, and it should be healthy for your body. If like to eat rice, pasta or bread than trying a diet that limits or removes carbohydrates will not be practical for you. By eating chicken, meats or high protein meals a low carb diet might be right for you.

A balanced diet replaces all the fuel used in the workouts. The best way is to get daily exercise and eat a balanced diet. When dieting it is obvious to eat foods that do not have a lot of fat or calories, try not to eat foods in excess. The secret to burning body fat to get to your ideal weight is you must eat and exercise right or it simply won’t happen.

Gaining weight or having body fat that is high is brought on by the following feelings, laziness, pride and denial. Any weight loss program is often accompanied by diet and exercise.

To loose weight there are no secrets, no magical pills, no magical weight loss programs it is purely done by eating right and exercising. The exercise the experts are keeping a Secret. Let’s look at one way of curbing both reasons for not following through on an exercise program and how to keep your body fat levels low.

Cardiovascular training is when you exercise your heart at a certain level of effort. Try to change your exercise routing every 10-12 weeks, the reason for this is because your body adapts to the same routine. When we talk about exercise to loose weight most people think of running, aerobics and sometimes kickboxing, usually it is an exercise that will get you heart rate up for about 35-45 minutes. It’s true, that one hour of aerobic exercise probably burns more calories than one hour of weight training. To loose weight and build a healthy routine you need to start and maintain an exercise program, having the discipline to do this everyday is the magic that everyone is talking about, once you get into a habit it will jump start you and make it easier to loose weight and reach your goal.

As we go through our daily lives you find yourself gaining weight, this is mostly caused by influences from advertising and labels on food misleading you that these types of food are fat free or low in fat. Many times these foods are the same or worse.

Many people are pushing the hoodia patch, they report it will suppress your appetite and that it works better and faster than taking the hoodia pills, or liquid. Hoodia has been become very popular and many media sources are publicizing it on networks like BBC, Today Show, Good Morning America and many others.

What is comes down to it, if you want to loose weight and feel better, eat better and exercise, it is really will power. If you really want it to happen you will find a way.

As Americans, living a fast paced life is the norm. We’re constantly rushing to work, driving our kids to doctor appointments and soccer games; there is just no time to stop and think about exercise or health for that matter. While there are those who genuinely make an effort, the consensus is that America is obese. But why wouldn’t we be? McDonalds, Taco Bell, the sub shop that’s just too good to pass up – we are mesmerized by high calorie and cholesterol driven food. Food that will fill up our stomachs quickly, just so that we can go onto the next task on our “to-do” list.

Some say that we’re just not ready to give up personal time. Let’s face it – most of us work 9 to 5, wake up when the sun is still sleeping and if we’re lucky (and don’t live in New England), can make it home in time to catch a glimpse of sunlight. At this point, we’re tired, cranky, and just want to put our feet up, or spend time with the kids, or hey, maybe even do a load of laundry.  Life is simply too short and given that we’re at work more than 75% of the time, we don’t want to spend these precious hours sweating at the gym. Can you really blame people?

There are critics who would argue that it’s just one more chore on our list of life. We want to see our kids grow up, be fit enough to take that hike and eat well to avoid those diabetes. It is a give and take – to enjoy, one has to pay their dues. But for many Americans and people around the globe, there are just not enough hours in the day. If you’re looking to change these unhealthy habits, try to incorporate exercise in any form – whether it is parking further away at work, walking the dog or playing frisbee with your kids. Anything is better than zilch!

If we turned off the TV, avoided the daily McDonalds trips and changed our outlook in regards to activity, perhaps we could regain our figures and most importantly, our health. Quit complaining and look at the overall picture. It may cost us an hour out of our day, but it’ll add years to our life.