August 27, 2008 at 9:32 pm · Filed under Health
1. Laughing is an allover body workout.
Research from Stanford University says that 100 hearty laughs are as good for your heart as 15 minutes on a stationary bike. Now that’s an excellent punch line.
2. Laughter also boosts your immune system.
When you crack up over your best friend’s antics, the levels of disease and virus fighting cells in your body increase, according to a study from Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
3. Spending time with friends helps you chill.
A UCLA study found that the experience of bonding with other people when you’re stressed out triggers the release of the calm-inducing chemical oxytocin in your body.
4. Happy hour strengthens your heart.
A recent American Heart Association study says a glass of red wine a day can lower your heart disease risk by more than 20 percent.
5. Talking with friends wards off depression.
According to a British study of chronically depressed women, those who met with volunteer confidants experienced a 72 percent remission of depression – the same success rate as many antidepressants and cognitive therapy!
August 8, 2008 at 10:22 pm · Filed under Nutrition
The two most weight gaining habits that are making your belly look like jelly are snacking on high-sugar, high-carb foods late at night and drinking alcohol. There are a few solutions that can improve your health and make you leaner.
You should first make sure you eat enough during the day and at 3-4 hour intervals. This enables your body to burn fat all day, keep your metabolism at a steady rate and provides your body with nutrients all day. This will also prevent you from binging or being hungry at night. You should stop eating at least 3 hours before you go to bed because your metabolism slows down at night, leaving your late-night snacks as unburned calories and stored as fat.
You should avoid eating foods with a high-glycemic carbohydrate index. High- glycemic carbs increase blood sugar and increases your risk of diabetes and heart disease. You should avoid eating high-glycemic snacks such as ice cream, potato chips, and cookies. You should replace them with low-glycemic index carbs such as fruits and vegetables. A great idea for a healthy snack that is full of protein is a smoothie. Smoothies are often made from real fruit juice and rarely have added sugar.
If you’re on the path of trying to lose weight, you should say no to alcohol. Alcohol is full of calories and slows down your metabolism. When alcohol is ingested, it passes through the stomach and intestines, into the bloodstream, then into the liver. In the liver, it is converted into acetaldehyde, which is then converted into acetate. Because acetate is readily bio-available, your body will burn it first, instead of carbs, protein, or fat. If you do choose to have a drink, you should have it with food to slow down its absorption rate and protect the lining of the stomach and small intestine.
The next time you’re having bad-for-you food craving, pass up the donuts and go for something like a healthy smoothie. You can improve your health and lose weight today by making these simple changes to your lifestyle.