But steps can be taken to decease the likelihood of getting Osteoporosis.  The best defense is to build strong bones before the age of 30.   Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle through out your life is important as well.   This includes consuming a well-balanced diet, daily exercise, adequate sleep, consuming the recommended amount of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol.

You may also want to consider having a Bone Mineral Density test to measure the density of your bones.   Discovering Osteoporosis early can be a key factor in diminishing the risk of developing bone fractures.

Technorati Tags: bone fractures, bone mineral density test, calcium, magnesium, osteoporosis, vitamin D

During times of the year when the weather is hot and humid, your body requires more water.  For people that exercise daily, it is important to keep the body properly hydrated with adequate liquids.  It is best to have water available all during the day, drinking small amounts frequently.  Water is also obtained from the foods we eat, about twenty percent of our total water intake.  Some foods are almost 100% water, such as cucumbers and watermelon.

At good rule of thumb is to consume about half your body weight in ounces every day.  So for someone weighing 160 pounds, that would mean about 80 ounces per day.  But if you have any questions about how much water you need, based on your health condition and lifestyle, consult your family doctor or a nutrition expert.

Technorati Tags: exercise, hydration, water

Foods stored in the refrigerator should be the last item placed on the table and the first to go back to the fridge or ice chest.  Leftovers should be placed in small enough containers to ensure that they will be quickly chilled once placed in fridge or ice chest.

Technorati Tags: food safety

Researchers attribute this decline in vitamin D levels to a decrease in milk consumption, the increased use of sunscreens, and changes in the body mass index (indicating an increase in obesity).  One surprising observation was that vitamin D values for women were not significantly different between the surveys.

So, based on the results of this study it is a good idea to have your vitamin D level tested to ensure that you aren’t lacking this critical nutrient.  This concern is not just limited to men, however.  Women and children often experience low vitamin D levels and need to be tested to determine if corrective actions are needed.

Vitamin D Sources

The two types of vitamin D needed by adults and children are ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).  Vitamin D2 is made by plants and vitamin D3 is made by the human body when UVB rays from the sun hit the skin.  Both vitamin D2 and D3 aid with calcium and phosphorus absorption from the food taken into the body.  Proper absorption of these vital nutrients play a major role in building and maintaining strong and healthy bones.

Sources of vitamin D include: fatty fish (such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines) and fortified milk, juices, and cereal.  Eggs, cheese, and beef also contain smaller amounts of vitamin D.  Nutritional vitamin D supplements are another good source when the diet may be lacking or during the winter months when sunlight exposure is limited.  Simply exposing the skin to natural sunlight ten to twenty minutes a day can provide dramatic results.

Are You Deficient?

A simple blood test can be used to determine if one is deficient in vitamin D.  If so, supplementation may solve the deficiency, but further testing may be advisable to ensure there isn’t a more serious underlying problem.  A deficiency of vitamin D can cause several problems.  The most common problem is weak, brittle bones, which can lead to fractures.  Unhealthy bones do not heal as fast or as well as normal bones.  Other problems such as thyroid disease, asthma, heart failure, diabetes, and stroke have been linked to vitamin D deficiency.

Technorati Tags: D3, vitamin D, vitamin D deficient, vitamin D2

Flaxseed has been in the human diet for thousands of years.  As early as 650 BC, it was used by Hippocrates to relieve intestinal discomfort.  Over the last century, food consumption in this country has shifted dramatically from farm-fresh fruits, grains, and vegetables to food that is highly processed, nutritionally deficient, loaded with fats and refined sugars.  In the U.S. today, we consume about 150 grams of fat (1350 calories) in an average daily diet.  This is much higher than needed for ideal weight and health.  Is it any wonder that obesity and degenerative diseases have increased dramatically?

Flaxseeds

Recently, nutritionists and scientists are beginning to realize the important benefits flaxseed has to offer in combating diseases linked to modern living.  What makes the seed of this blue flowering plant so special?  The seeds can be a rich source of two essential fatty acids — Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega-3) and Linoleic (Omega-6).  The seeds can be ground into meal or pressed into oil. The best source of flaxseed oil comes from organic seeds, which are processed using a cold-pressed extraction method, which protects the oil from damaging heat, light, and oxygen.

While many Americans are aware of the connection between degenerative diseases and a high fat diet, they continue to consume a diet high in saturated fats and oils.  Saturated fats are typically from animal sources.  Unsaturated fats are primarily from vegetable sources.  Fats high in omega-3 and monounsaturated fatty acids are considered “good.”  “Bad” fats are high in saturated and trans fatty acids (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils).  “OK” fats are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Examples of each type are below:

Good Fats:  Olive oil, canola oil, fish fat, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, nut oils, nuts, avocados, and olives.
OK Fats:  Corn oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil.
Bad Fats:  Hydrogenated oils, cooked dairy fats, cooked meat fats, palm oil, and palm kernel oil.

A diet high in unsaturated fat and low in saturated fat can help diminish the likelihood of certain degenerative diseases.  Even with the high consumption of fats and oils, most Americans are deficient in the important omega-3 and omega-6 oils.  Further, the absorption of essential fatty acids can be hindered by the presence of saturated fat and partially hydrogenated fat present in shortening, margarine, and many prepared foods. Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids are necessary for the normal functioning of all tissues.  These essential fatty acids help with the respiration of the cells and organs and add resiliency and lubrication to the tissues.   But these essential fatty acids must be obtained from the diet, as the body can’t produce them internally.  Thus, maintaining the proper level of these essential fatty acids can have a profound impact of how the body functions.

Health Benefits
Flaxseed oil is nature’s richest source of omega-3 oils.  This essential fatty acid is the unsaturated good fat the body needs to help regulate major body functions (like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems).  As we age, it becomes harder for our body to absorb the fatty acids from foods.  So, supplements provide a practical alternative.  Supplementing with high lignan flaxseed oil provides additional anti-tumor and anti-estrogenic benefits.  In addition, lignans contain powerful antioxidants, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.

Nutritional oils high in omega-3 fatty acids are a vital component to a healthy diet.  Obtaining sufficient omega-3 from vegetable sources such as flaxseed oil is essential for optimal health and life.  Flaxseed oil has a long history of folkloric benefit and more recently these benefits have been confirmed by extensive scientific scrutiny.  Diets high in saturated fat have been correlated to many chronic diseases.  A diet high in essential fatty acids, and low in saturated fats, has been instrumental in preventing many of these very same diseases.

Flaxseed oil, with its high concentration of essential fatty acids, is the ideal choice for most people.  It is affordable and can easily be included in the daily diet.  A high quality, high lignan, organic flaxseed oil may provide the best method for achieving optimal health.

Scientific Studies
In a twenty-three day study, reported in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1995), eleven healthy male participants were given either 40g of flaxseed oil or sunflower seed oil.  The group on the flaxseed oil experienced a significant reduction in platelet aggregation response to collagen.  From this, the authors concluded that oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) seem to provide better protection in cardiovascular disease (via the decrease in platelet aggregation) than oils rich in linoleic acid.

An article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1999) reported on the results of a double blind, crossover study in which participants ate either 50g of partially defatted flaxseed or wheat bran in muffins.  Twenty-nine people with hyperlipidaemia (abnormal level of lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood) ate the muffins daily for three weeks.  At the end of the study, researchers concluded that ingesting flaxseed helped to significantly decrease total serum cholesterol by 4.6% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) by 7.6%.  The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) remained unchanged.

A randomized, double blind trail, reported in the January 2006 issue of American Society for Nutrition, looked at the effect of daily supplementation of flaxseed oil. The purpose was to see if alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) would convert to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).  EPA is fish-based fatty acid that has proven cardio protective properties.  Fifty-six people with chronic illness were given either 3 grams of ALA from flaxseed oil or olive oil daily for 3 months.  At the end of the study, researchers found that the plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels increased by 60% in the flaxseed oil group with no change in the olive oil group.  For people that don’t eat fish, flaxseed oil appears to be a viable alternative.

References:
Allman MA, Pena NM, Pang D. “Supplementation with flaxseed oil versus sunflower oil in healthy young men consuming a low fat diet: Effects on platelet composition and function.” Europe Journal Clinical Nutrition (49: 69–178). Nature Publishing Group: England;1995.
Harper Charles R., Edwards Megan J., DeFilipis Andrew P., Jacobson Terry A. “Flaxseed Oil Increases the Plasma Concentrations of Cardioprotective (n-3) Fatty Acids in Humans.” The Journal of Nutrition (136:83-87). American Journal for Nutrition: Maryland; January 2006.
Jenkins DJA, Kendall CWC, Vidgen E, et al. “Health aspects of partially defatted flaxseed, including effects on serum lipids, oxidative measures, and ex vivo androgen and progestin activity: A controlled crossover trial.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (69: 395–402). The American Society for Nutrition: Maryland; 1999.

Resources:
Elkins Rita, Udall Kate Gilbert, “Flaxseed Oil: The Premiere Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.” Woodland Health: Utah; January 1998.
Rudin Donald, Felix Clara. “Omega 3 Oils: A Practical Guide.” Avery Publishing Group: New York; July 1996.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: alpha linolenic acid, fish fat, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, good fats, lignans, linoleic, olive oil, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 oils

A simple Detoxification Bath can be used anytime someone is feeling ill and toxins need to be released quickly or for just improving overall vitality.  This bath can be done in an ordinary bathtub without the use of any special equipment.  Hot water and certain cleansing ingredients are used to draw toxins to the surface of the skin where they can be released as the water cools.  Here’s a recipe to help detoxify the body.  Fill a bathtub with hot water (as hot as can be withstood) and add:

1 cup Sea Salt
1 cup Epsom Salt
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)
(Petroleum jelly can be spread over sensitive skin areas)

You may want to limit the initial soaking sessions to 10-15 minutes.  After you feel comfortable, increase the time to longer periods of 20-25 minutes.  Wrapping in a large bathrobe and warm blanket after the bath will allow the sweating to continue.  Excessive sweating can drain minerals and vitamins from the body.  So, drink plenty of pure water and replenish the minerals and vitamins with fresh vegetable juice or a good multi-vitamin mineral formula.  It is best to take this bath when you can relax quietly for a while.

The minerals in the sea salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda can help in the body’s detoxifying process.  If you include the apple cider vinegar (not regular vinegar), it can help relieve joint pains and muscle stress.  For an added touch, you may want to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for added fragrance.

Removing toxins from the body in this manner may cause some fatigue as the body purges the toxins out.  You can minimize these symptoms by drinking plenty of pure water and scrubbing the skin gently with a cotton washcloth to remove toxins from the skin.  If you are under a doctor’s care for heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, consult your doctor prior to taking a detox bath.  One final note, don’t be alarmed if the water looks murky as the toxins are released into the bath water.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: detox, detoxification bath, poisons, rejuvenate, skin, toxic, toxins

Just by looking at the label of most processed foods you’ll find a list of flavor enhancers, preservatives, and food colorings. Some of which you probably can’t even pronounce. But why do food processors include food additives anyway? They include additives in their products to make them look and taste better and to increase shelf life. After all, when you buy blueberry yogurt, you expect it to look blue and not have a bland color. But what you may not know is that some of the common food additives in everyday products can have long-term harmful consequences on your health.

Here’s a list of twelve food additives that fall into this category.
1. Aspartame - This sweetener is typically found in no sugar diet foods such as diet sodas, low-calorie desserts, gelatins, and drink mixes. Nutrasweet and Equal contain aspartame. Some possible side effects include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and breathing problems.
2. Acesultame K (potassium) - This artificial sweetener is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is commonly found in baked goods, chewing gum, and gelatin deserts.
3. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT butylated hydrozyttoluene) - These two preservatives are commonly found in everyday household foods such as cereals, vegetable oils, potato chips, and chewing gum. They have an oxidizing affect, which may damage cells.
4. Food Colorings: Blue 1,2; Green 3; Red 3; Yellow 6 - These food colorings are typically found in foods where color may influence their purchase. Blue 1,2 are found in baked goods, candy, beverages, and even pet food. Green 3 can be found in beverages and candy. Red 3 is usually found in fruit cocktail, candy, and baked goods. Yellow 6 is found in baked goods, gelatin, candy, sausage, and beverages,
5. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - MSG is used to enhance the flavor of such items as chips, frozen entrees, salad dressings, and soups. Possible side effects are nausea and headaches.
6. Olestra - This synthetic fat can be found in some brands of potato chips. Possible side effects include diarrhea, gas, and abdominal cramps. Olestra has been shown to inhibit vitamin absorption.
7. Propyl Gallate - This preservative is occasionally found in vegetable oils, meat products, chewing gum, potato sticks, and chicken soup base. It helps reduce spoilage in oils and fats.
8. Potassium Bromate - Used to increase the volume in white flour, bread and rolls and to produce bread with a fine crumb structure. Use of this additive appears to be decreasing.
9. Sodium Chloride - Also know as salt, this popular additive is utilized to improve the flavor of food. Excessive use of salt may cause kidney problems, blood pressure problems, heart attack and stroke.
10. Sodium Nitrate (or Sodium Nitrite) - Used as a preservative in meats and to improve the flavor of hotdogs, ham, lunchmeat, smoked fish, and corn beef. Sodium nitrite stabilizes the red color in cured meat. Without it bacon and hotdogs would look gray. The meat processors justify the use of these additives because they believe they prevent the growth of botulism causing bacteria.
11. Trans Fat - This additive is typically found in food served at fast food restaurants, icing, baked goods, and microwave popcorn. Recently, food processors have started to replace trans fat with healthier substitutes. Foods labeled as “no trans fat” are not allow to have any trans fat, while those labeled as “0g trans fat” may contained up to .5g per serving. Health-conscious shoppers need to check the labels of foods claiming not to have trans fat to ensure there aren’t large amounts of saturated fat present.
12. White Sugar - Sugar and other sweeteners are common ingredients in desserts, cereals, baked goods, crackers, sauces, and many other processed foods. Although they make up 16 percent of the average person’s diet, they are void of helpful nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, or protein. Consumption of sugar and other refined sugars may lead to obesity, tooth decay, and other potentially harmful health conditions.

Food additives can be found in many of the processed foods sold today. Unfortunately, manufacturers aren’t required to list the amount of food additives contained in their products. So, it is difficult to compare products to find which ones have the smaller amount of additives. Check the labels to see if they are in the foods you eat. If so, you might consider looking for other items. If you see other additives that concern you, do a search for them on the internet and you likely find a description of the additives along with any possible harmful side effects.

Many of the above additives have been tested in animal studies and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals. Whether these additives would also cause serious diseases in humans has not been thoroughly researched. But why take a chance with your health. Perhaps, the best strategy is to avoid them all together wherever you can.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: aspartame, dangerous food additives, food additives, food colorings, monosodium glutamate, olestra, potassium bromate, propyl gallate, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sugar, trans fat

If you ask your friends and family which tips or tricks are likely to help one lose weight, you’ll probably hear a wide variety of different opinions.  Dieting has become so popular in our culture that you’ll likely find several diet books listed in the best sellers on many of the popular bookstore web sites.  Obesity is a real problem for many people in our modern society.  In just the United States, over 58 million people are overweight, with 40 million considered obese.  And, the obesity rate in children is also growing at an alerting rate.

But are there easy and less painful tricks that really help one lose weight?  Take this short quiz and see how your knowledge of diet tricks compares with the expert’s advice on how to get and stay slim!

Answer each statement as true or false.

1. Eating snacks before meals can result in less total food intake?  T or F
2. Eating slowly can help you eat less?  T or F
3. Occasionally starving yourself is a good way to lose weight?  T or F
4. It is possible to lose weight without seeing much change in your weight scale reading?  T or F
5. Dietetic or low sugar foods are lower in calories?  T or F
6. Low-calorie breads are generally lower in calories than regular bread?  T or F
7. The juice from roasted meat should be avoided?  T or F
8. 2% low-fat milk has much less fat than regular milk?  T or F
9. Regular ice cream has many more calories than low fat ice cream?  T or F
10. Lowering your salt intake will help you lose fat faster?  T or F
11. The manner in which food is prepared can have some bearing on reducing calorie intake?  T or F
12. The meal-in-a-can drinks can help one lose weight?  T or F
13. Periodically consuming a large amount of alcohol can cause a fast weight gain?  T or F
14. Smokers have a tendency to gain weight when they stop smoking?  T or F
15. Support groups and clubs can help one lose weight?  T or F
16. The 100-calorie packs help dieters lose weight?  T or F

To see how well you did click on Diet Quiz Answers

Technorati Tags: diet, diet tricks, eat slowly, fat, fitness, low fat, obesity

1. Eating snacks before meals can result in less total food intake? True. Consuming a low-calorie snack 30 minutes before a regular meal can cause one to eat less food. This light snack can cause the brain’s appetite controls to feel somewhat appeased. The best type of pre-meal snack includes such items as a small salad, an orange, or carrots. High fat foods, such as potato chips and cocktail nuts, should be avoided.




2. Eating slowly can help you eat less? True. By consuming the meal slowly and chewing the food thoroughly, the appetite control in the brain (indicating fullness or satisfaction) is usually triggered without consuming a large quantity of food. Consuming food too quickly results in the body feeling hungry and wanting more food. Thus causing one to overeat and gain weight. This is backed up by a study in Japan in which researchers concluded that when people eat quickly they are three times more likely to overeat and thus become overweight.

3. Occasionally starving yourself is a good way to lose weight? False. Starving can initially cause a decrease in bodily weight because the digestive tract is emptied. But this does not necessarily mean that the loss is all fat. Starving can also burn muscle as the body tries to conserve its reserves. So, the potential negative effects of periodic starving can out weigh the benefits.

4. It is possible to lose weight without seeing much change in your weight scale reading? True. It can be discouraging to diet for several weeks and only see a small decrease (or increase) in weight. This phenomenon can occur as the body loses fat and water tends to fill the plumb tissue as the fat disappears. The retained water can offset the weight lost, or perhaps cause a temporary weight increase. This can cause the dieter to assume the diet isn’t working and move on to another diet or give up. The best advice is to be patient and stick with the diet. Eventually the water will be released and the body weight will decrease.

5. Dietetic or low sugar foods are lower in calories? False. “Dietetic” or foods with low-sugar content are not necessarily lower in calorie totals. It is best to compare labels to see which product has a lower calorie content.

6. Low-calorie breads are generally lower in calories than regular bread? False. While it is true that some bread may be slightly lower in calories, one must compare labels to see which one truly has fewer calories. Some bread products may say they have “fewer per slice”, but that may be because the slices are thinner.

7. The juice from roasted meat should be avoided? False. The juice from roasted meat can provide good nutrition when used in stews and soups, provided the fat is skimmed off when the liquid cools.

8. 2% low-fat milk has much less fat than regular milk? False.  “Two-percent” low fat mild usually has a little more than half the fat of regular fat which has three to five percent fat. So, in an eight-ounce glass, regular milk in most brands contain around 150 calories and two-percent around 120 calories. Not much of a difference.

9. Regular ice cream has many more calories than low fat ice cream? False. Comparing a serving of a typical vanilla ice cream to low-fat ice cream reveals only a small difference in calories, 120 calories (vanilla) versus 100 calories (low-fat). Consuming an additional ounce of the low-fat ice cream would make it equal in calories to the vanilla ice cream. Now, if you compare some of the extra creamy or rich varieties you’ll find they typically contain over 250 calories per serving which is a more significant difference.

10. Lowering your salt intake will help you lose fat faster? False. Although it is important to watch one’s sodium intake, for the dieter, salt affects only fluid retention in the body. But consuming less salt during the initial dieting period can help to diminish the extra water retained. This may help minimize the discouraging impression that no weight is being lost.

11. The manner in which food is prepared can have some bearing on reducing calorie intake? True. Utilizing cooking methods that minimizes or eliminates the use of oil, butter, or shortening are better for people who watch calories. Baking, boiling, and steaming are much better cooking methods than frying or sautéing. Stick-proof cookware can also be used to minimize the use of oils and butter.

12. The meal-in-a-can drinks can help one lose weight? True. While the meal-in-a-can liquid diets provide a quick solution for someone looking for a nutritionally, complete meal, they do have some drawbacks. Namely, 1) the calories they provide are typically low for the large or active person, 2) they do little to help a person change their eating habits and thus maintain their weight after the loss is achieved, 3) they are hard to stay with, and 4) they lack bulk, which can cause a slow down in bowel movements if continue for more than a short period.

13. Periodically consuming a large amount of alcohol can cause a fast weight gain? False. The body treats calories form alcohol just any other calorie. From a calorie standpoint, it is better to consume several drinks at one time than have a drink of alcohol every day. But this is in no way a recommendation as periodic heavy drinking can cause permanent damage to other body organs.

14. Smokers have a tendency to gain weight when they stop smoking? False. It is possible for a withdrawing smoker to gain some weight, typically five to seven pounds, but this weight can be lost with conscious effort. On the other hand, the negative impact of smoking to the bodily organs can be equivalent to carrying an extra 100 pounds.

15. Support groups and clubs can help one lose weight? True.  But is best to consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. Your age and the condition of your health may require that you maintain a certain level of calories every day or that you limit the intensity of your exercise. The major advantage of group sessions is to help you stay motivated to lose weight and provide some accountability for sticking with your weight loss goals. But weight scales and mirrors are much cheaper.

16. The 100-calorie packs help dieters lose weight? False.  A recent study at Arizona State University concluded that chronic dieters tended to consume more calories when foods and packages are smaller. They generally perceived these packaged snacks as diet foods and that perception caused them to overeat.

Technorati Tags: calorie intake, diet, fat, ice cream, lose weight, low fat, low-calorie, obesity, salt intake, support groups

Traditionally, tea consumption originated in China around 5,000 years ago.  In traditional medicine, green tea has been used in China, Japan, Thailand, and India for a wide variety of ailments from helping wounds heal to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.  Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant that has undergone minimal oxidation to preserve its quality.  The green teas available today can vary widely due to growing conditions, harvest methods, and processing methods.  The better quality green teas have a greenish color.  Green teas that are dark or brownish in color may indicate that oxidation has occurred.

Over the last twenty years, there have been many scientific and medical studies conducted on green tea to determine if it did indeed offer any health benefits.  The results of these studies suggest that regular ingestion of green tea might help lower risks for certain health conditions and aid in weight loss management.

Green Tea Studies
A study published in the March 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on research conducted at The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.  In this placebo-controlled study, researchers investigated the effects of acute ingestion of green tea extract on glucose tolerance and fat oxidation during moderately intense exercise in young men.  In the first of two studies, twelve healthy men performed a 30-minute cycling exercise at 60% of maximal oxygen consumption before and after taking a green tea extract supplement.  In the second study, eleven healthy young men took an oral-glucose-tolerance test before and after taking a green tea extract supplement.  In both studies, the consumption of the green tea extract showed more favorable results compared to those taking a placebo.  The average improvement in fat oxidation was 17% and the insulin sensitivity was 13% higher after ingesting the green tea extract.  These studies clearly showed that green tea extract can increase the amount of fat burned while engaging in moderately intense workouts.  Moreover, researchers noted that the contribution of fat oxidation to total energy expenditure during exercise was significantly higher when the extract was ingested.  Further, the green tea extract helped boost the metabolism of fat by increasing the availability of fat as a fuel.

Summary
Green tea from quality leaves can have a positive impact on one’s health when ingested on a regular basis.  In recent studies, it has been shown to aid in promoting fat oxidation in humans at rest, helps decrease obesity, and improves insulin sensitivity in mice.  Other studies have demonstrated the green tea can help to lower the risks of certain degenerative diseases and help with weight loss.

Technorati Tags: camellia sinensis, fat oxidation, glucose, green tea, metabolism, tea, weight loss