Few tips when considering weight loss pills

1. Always consult a doctor. While all prescription weight loss pills are regulated by the FDA prior to approval, the majority of them still carry a risk of side effects. Certain conditions (like high blood pressure, diabetes, or pregnancy) can increase your risk of experiencing side effects. Also, weight loss pills may interact negatively with other prescription drugs. Your doctor can advise you on the weight loss options that are best for you.

2. Stay committed to your health. Weight loss pills when used correctly can be an excellent resource for losing weight. However, that does not mean that they replace the benefits offered by a healthy diet and regular exercise. By using the pills as a part of a complete weight loss plan, you are going to see much better results.

3. Stay away from “miracle drugs.” Chances are any weight loss pills you can buy off the shelf are not approved by the FDA. This means that there is no proof that they are effective. It also means that they may contain harmful ingredients. Don’t let yourself be the drug companies’ guinea pig.

4. Stick to the plan. Once a drug has been prescribed, follow the manufacturer’s directions at all costs. Take your pill the same time every day and always as recommended. If the pill is to be taken with a meal then don’t assume that by skipping it you are doubling up on weight loss. If anything the pill will be less effective as your body will not digest as much of its active ingredients.

The good news about weight loss pills is that many of them offer faster results than diet or exercise alone. If you are having trouble losing weight, contact your doctor for more information about how weight loss pills may benefit you.

Heating food above 116 degrees F is believed to destroy enzymes in food that can assist in the digestion and absorption of food. Cooking is also thought to diminish the nutritional value and “life force” of food.

Typically, at least 75% of the diet must be living or raw.

Proponents of the raw food diet believe it has numerous health benefits, including:

• Increased energy
• Improved skin appearance
• Better digestion
• Weight loss
• Reduced risk of heart disease

The raw food diet contains fewer trans fats and saturated fat than the typical Western diet. It is also low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber and health-promoting plant chemicals called phytochemicals.

These properties are associated with a reduced risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. For example, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consumption of a raw food diet lowered plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.

Bone Protection
French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

Asthma Help
One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.

Alzheimer’s Prevention
A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

Lower Cholesterol
The pectin in apples lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

Lung Cancer Prevention
According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.

Breast Cancer Prevention
A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

Colon Cancer Prevention
One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Liver Cancer Prevention
Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes Management
The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body’s need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

Weight Loss
A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.

When embarking on a natural weight loss program, these 5 diet tips are fundamental for achieving success.

1. Eat breakfast every day.

The Weight Control Registry, which tracks more than 5000 people who have lost 30 pounds and kept them off for at least a year, shows that most who experience natural weight loss make the time to fuel the body up every morning. Diet tips regarding breakfast are plentiful because this is something that works. Studies indicate that people who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day. Natural weight loss occurs as the body adjusts to more calories in the morning and fewer calories afterward. So, making time for breakfast is one of the most fundamental diet tips for success.

2. Start with soup, salad or fruit.

These foods are essential for natural weight loss because they are filled with water and fiber. Diet tips like this can be difficult to follow, but worthwhile. A study from Penn State University found that people who used two 10 ounce servings of broth based soup each day for a year, lost 50 % more weight than those who consumed the same number of calories from healthy snacks. There is no end to the number of diet tips regarding the importance of fiber for natural weight loss. Rachel Brandeis, R.D., of Atlanta, tells us that eating 3 cups of green salad with fat-free dressing cut the number of calories people consumed at a meal by 12%.

3. Skip all soda.

This is one of those diet tips not to ignore when trying to achieve natural weight loss. Soda raises the risk of becoming overweight and contains zero nutrients. One can has nearly the same calories as a chocolate bar. Many diet tips also point out that diet soda is not a good option for natural weight loss, either. According to studies from the University of Texas, Health Science Center in San Antonio, diet soda raises the risk of being overweight by as much as 37%.

4. Eat meals without distractions.

Some diet tips are good for the mind and body. By turning off the TV, ignoring phone calls and text messages while eating, the focus is only on the food, and the way it is being eaten. By taking a moment to notice the flavors and textures of the food, it’s easier to change how much is consumed. When distracted, mindless consumption takes place, but when individuals seriously think about these diet tips and how they are eating then their thoughts about food begin to change. When people change the way they eat, they change how much they eat.

5. Keep unhealthy foods out of sight.

This is one of those absolutely vital diet tips for natural weight loss. Keeping unhealthy foods out of sight, will keep them out of mind as well. “Cravings are often fleeting, and if you have to leave the house to go get ice cream, you’ll be less likely to do it,” says Roberta Anding, R.D., of Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. By taking these tips seriously and eliminating unhealthy foods from the house, the foundation for natural weight loss is solid.

2. Ajoene has also been shown to stop the spread of skin cancer cells when applied topically.

3. Compounds in garlic have been shown to prevent prostate cancer.

4. Garlic may protect against colon cancer by protecting colon cells from toxins and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells if they do develop. The selenium and vitamin C found in garlic are also known to protect against colon cancer.

5. Research suggests garlic may decrease the ability of H. pylori to cause ulcers and stomach cancer.

6. Research has shown that cooking garlic with meat reduces carcinogenic chemicals in cooked meat that are believed to be linked to breast cancer in meat-eating women.

7. The allicin in garlic has been shown in some studies to promote weight loss in rats.

8. The allicin in garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure.

9. Garlic has been proven to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol.

10. It has been shown to reduce the carcinogenic effects of asbestos exposure.

11. It fights free radicals.

12. It has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in the body, making it beneficial for people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Cold and flu prevention: Because of its antiviral and antibacterial properties as well as its vitamin C content, garlic is a powerful agent against the common cold as well as the flu.

16. It has been shown to fight the germs that cause tuberculosis.

17. A component of garlic called diallyl disulfide has been shown to kill leukemia cells.

18. It is a good source of vitamin B6.

19. It has been shown to be an effective anti-fungal agent for treating yeast infections, vaginitis, and athlete’s foot.

20. Garlic has been shown to protect rats from diabetes complications such as retinopathy, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and neuropathy.