A seaweed to bring health, wellness and some weight loss in life

You might have even seen spirulina before in health stores or cafes. They are the deep, blue-green color algae mostly sold in powder form to deliver their evident health benefits. But people who have no idea what to do with this superfood from the sea may have a strong aversion.

Formal Introduction to Spirulina

Wondering where the name Spirulina came from? It is basically derived from the Latin word for "helix" or "spiral" which denotes the physical configuration of the organism when it forms swirling, microscopic strands. Besides, Spirulina is blue - green algae as you now know. It is a simple, one-celled form of algae that thrives on warm, alkaline fresh-water bodies.

Spirulina as a health booster
Spirulina, considered a food item for centuries in many countries, is now popularly thought of as a dietary supplement. This freshwater plant that's grown across the globe, from Africa to Hawaii, has an impressive nutritional profile, being packed with numerous vitamins and nutrients. It's also a great source of plant-based protein and in competition with its algae cousin chlorella. So now let us check out one by one Spirulina health benefits for you to add happily in your diet:

Candida Elimination
Candida is a fungus that aids with nutrient absorption and digestion and appears naturally in the body. It is a chronic condition that can lead to leaky gut, brain fog or weight gain, as well as autoimmune diseases like lupus, Hashimoto's or Crohn's disease. Thankfully, spirulina can help as several studies on animal show that it's effective on candida as it helps to slow the growth of and successfully eliminates harmful bacteria. And spirulina has also been shown to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, which will keep candida in check long-term.

Lower Blood Pressure
Phycocyanin is a pigment found in spirulina that helps lower blood pressure, and while it has yet to be determined exactly how it works, the leading theory is that the algae reverses endothelial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome – that is, there's an imbalance between the relaxation and contraction of the membrane lining the heart and blood vessels, and spirulina helps balance the scales.

Because metabolic syndrome is responsible for raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, spirulina's role in regulating blood pressure – sans medication – is not only impressive, but far reaching.

Reduction in Cholesterol

As per a study, it was found that consuming 4.5 grams of spirulina a day for just six weeks significantly lowered bad cholesterol while increasing the good kind, while lowering blood pressure in the process. At a time when prescription medication is widely used to regulate cholesterol, adding cholesterol-lowering foods as an all-natural antidote is imperative.

Speedy Weight Loss

Eating foods like spirulina may help your body become a lean. Since diets high in nutrient-dense, protein-rich foods like spirulina are known to promote weight loss. It is believed that protein deficiency can lead to low energy, trouble building muscles even after all those gym session, low concentration, unstable blood sugar levels and, of course, trouble maintaining or losing weight. This is because protein is used to develop, grow and maintain pretty much every part of our bodies. The algae can also curb hunger, stopping those food cravings.

Fibrous way to shed your extra ounce without breaking a sweat

 
Does breaking a sweat each morning on the treadmill make you even hungrier? Then on your way back home the sinful donuts become irresistible and after burning about a hundred calories at gym you land up gaining an extra three hundred. If eating is your weakness then it’s time to translate it into your driving force for weight loss.

While weight loss can be achieved with sweating, this type of weight loss is only temporary. Since sweat is made up of water and sodium from electrolytes, you will see a drastic loss of weight but once you rehydrate yourself with water, the weight you lost will return.  Ever wondered your foodie nature could help you lose a few extra pounds? To be more precise, eating Fibrous food can.

Yes, you read it right; increasing fiber in the diet is one of the easiest ways to help curb overeating during meals. Fiber-filled foods can help you lose weight rapidly by helping you feel fuller for quite a long time. This is because high-fiber foods are higher in volume and take longer to digest, which makes them filling. For the vegan’s delight, the dietary fibers we consume are from plant foods and never in animal foods (i.e. meats).

The next step will be to hunt for foods that boost the fiber content of your diet. A word of caution, however fibers can help you in overcoming your cravings, it is advisable to take it slow. Add just a few grams at a time to allow the intestinal tract to adjust else one may have to witness problems like abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. Another way to help minimize these effects is by drinking at least 8 cups of fluid daily.

Here are some of the High-fiber heavyweights to knock out your constant snacking.

The most high intake foods are vegetable and fruits: To boost your fiber intake, add more leafy greens, broccoli, sweet or white potatoes with skin, Brussels sprouts, winter squash (like butternut), and parsnips. For fiber-rich intake from fruits, berries, pears, apples, bananas, oranges, and mango are a add to the basket ones.

Select any kind from the Beans family (black beans, lentils, split peas, pinto beans, chickpeas) which is just good for your waistline. Add them to soups, salads, and entrees, or enjoy them as a hearty dish on their own.

Fiber is essential to your health and weight loss plans and eating whole grains is one of the best medium to get the fiber your body needs Try high-fiber cereal, oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat or multigrain bread, and air-popped popcorn.

Glucomannan, the "magic fiber" pumps water in the digestive track , reducing the absorption of carbs and  cholesterol thus supporting weight loss. This is why many people choose it over other common fiber supplements. The high in demand glucomannan products like Slim Fizz Glucomannan tops every dieter’s buying list.

Almonds are classified as a nut but in actuality, they are the seed of the fruit of the almond tree. Both Almonds and almond skins are rich in fiber, twice as much as in walnuts. Where the almonds contain approximately 12% dietary fiber their skin consists of 50 % dietary fiber. 

So now when it’s time to snack, make your food play the magic. Brush off the empty, high-calorie options and go for fiber-rich foods that taste good and make you feel full. 

Get well-versed with healing power of dandelion leaf tea

Dandelion, scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale, is a plant that is native to Europe but also found throughout the regions in Northern Hemisphere. In many countries, you’ll find it in their recipes and has also a prominent role in herbal therapy. The Chinese have been traditionally using it as medicine for supporting liver health, nourishing bones and joints, and stimulating urinary function to promote cleansing. The plant contains many health-promoting phytochemicals which makes it stand tall amongst other weeds. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits we borne by dandelion leaf.

Nutritional facts of Dandelion Leaf tea

Nutritionally, dandelion contains calcium potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, B, C, and D but it way power than you could have thought about. Clinical studies have found that dandelion is full of natural, health-promoting compounds like alkaloids, steroids, and triterpenoids. With high concentrations of kynurenic acid it assists in proper functioning of the digestive system which is found not only in the leaves, but the entire plant.

Talking about Dandelion leaf, it is loaded with beneficial antioxidants that produce a range of health benefits including reduction of risk of cardiovascular diseases. The leaves of a dandelion flower are typically long, from five to 25 centimeters. It is safe and healthy to eat an entire dandelion but for your Detox slimming tea, the leaves are perfect. However, the stem or floret can be eaten raw, boiled or infused into tea. One cup of dandelion greens has 25 calories with ample of nutrients like sodium, potassium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin K, C, B6, Calcium, iron, magnesium and you name it.

Benefits of Dandelion Leaf

The best of all benefits of dandelion includes its soothing properties to the liver due to its astounding antioxidant activity and its ability to resist systemic redness and irritation. The other benefits of it for rest of the body parts are as follows:

New healthy catalysts to jump-start your weight loss

 

You cannot simple rely on a magic pill when it comes to successful weight loss. As there is no little wonder that will let you relax and eat whatever you feel like, yet help you lose weight safely.

But yes, when start smart eating combined with proper trained exercise, the nutrients can act as healthy catalysts to jump-start your weight loss efforts. There are ingredients which are simple to take have been proven by research to attack stubborn fat and achieve your weight loss goals.

• Citrus Aurantium

The fruit of Citrus aurantium has been used as a medicinal herb in China for decades which has led some nutritionist to try its medical benefits to help control weight gain. Also known as bitter orange, this substance contains several alkaloids that stimulate the body’s beta-3 receptors to boost metabolism and increase fat burning.

Citrus aurantium has a lot of flavor. You can enjoy the ripe fruit in cooking by using the juice as an excellent marinade for your meat or the zest for baking your gingerbread. The fruit can also be pickled by stuffing it with salt.

Benefits: Increased Metabolic Rate, Lipolysis or Fat break down, Themogenesis, Decreased appetite

• Orlistat

Orlistat is the most active ingredient of any medicine which can help you to lose weight. It works by blocking enzymes in your gut which digest fat. Nearly a third of the fat that you eat is blocked by orlistat. The undigested fat is not absorbed into your body, and is naturally removed from the digestive system.

You can take Orlistat either with your meal or up to 1 hour after eating but limit the use to 3 times per day with each main meal that contains some fat. It is usually only recommended if you have made a significant effort to lose weight through diet, exercise or changing your lifestyle. Orlistat supplements like Alli Orlistat Capsules is only prescribed if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 28 or more and other conditions related to weight.

Benefits: Breaks down body fats, Avoids further weight gain, reduced risk of high blood pressure. 

Knowing about Cellulite and quick remedies at your disposal

A condition in which your certain area on skin appears to have underlying fat deposits, giving it a dimpled, lumpy appearance is called Cellulite. You will often find it most noticeable on the buttocks and thighs which can cause everyone and not only the obese. Dermatologists even say that cellulite may affect up to 90% of women at some or the other point in their lives. So don’t feel that god is unfair with you.

Moreover, you can identify the level of your cellulite as it is often classified under three grades:

Grade 1 Mild: Minimal skin dimpling, occasional pit.

Grade 2 Moderate: diffuse skin dimpling with pits and bulges

Grade 3 Severe: Skin dimpling with severe bulges and pits, skin thinning with diffuse wrinkling.

Why only with women?

Although cellulite can affect both male and female, it is much more common in females because they are more likely to have particular types of fat and connective tissue. However, the causes of cellulite are more or less common in both, except few. These include:

Hormonal factors- Many believe that estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin are part of the cellulite production process.

Genetics- Particular characteristics can be associated with cellulite, such as gender, race, slow metabolism, distribution of fat just underneath the skin, and circulatory insufficiency.

Diet- Too much fat, carbohydrates, or salt and too little fiber in diet can result in cellulite to a great extent.

Lifestyle factors- Cellulite may also be more prevalent in smokers, those who do not exercise and those who do not move time to time and sit in one position for long periods of time.

Clothing- You clothing like underwear with tight elastic across the buttocks which limits blood flow may contribute to the formation of cellulite.

Cellulite treatments

There are several therapies and treatment option for effective cellulite removal. Therapeutic methods for cellulite that are physical or mechanical include pneumatic massages, heat therapy, ultrasound, radio frequency therapy, magnetic therapy, radial waves therapy, endermologie, electrical stimulation and so on. Unfortunately, none of these methods have been scientifically proven to work.

For the secondary class of cellulite treatment, there comprise of drugs that are supposed to act on fatty tissues. There is a wide range of pharmacological agents which are used for getting rid of cellulite. Some have tried to apply these agents topically, orally, or by injection. Then comes the cellulite wear, special clothing called compression garments to reduce the appearance of cellulite. You can find them online on sites like Weightworld.uk. These garments try to compress arteries and increase blood and lymph flow to reduce visual cellulite.

Cellulite reduction techniques such as liposuction and dieting actually do not remove cellulite. However, eating a healthful, balanced diet and exercising may be the best way to reduce the fat content in cells and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

All in all, if you don’t want to invite cellulite, eat healthy, low fat foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Also exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce stress to prevent cellulite.

The slimming powers of Raspberry, Green Coffee, Green Tea and Garcinia Cambogia

Are you straining yourself out in gym and still don’t find significant weight loss? Superfoods can help you over here. There are few of them which can enhance your efforts and help you lose weight in a natural and safe way. We have compiled four superfoods on the basis of their nature which can give a great push to your workout. Let us introduce them to you:

Raspberry Ketones

What is it: This fat burner is an intelligent compound found mainly in red raspberries which is used for many years in both cosmetics and food for its aroma and flavor.

What it does: The natural chemical has many health benefits and when taken in supplement form injects adiponectin in the body. This is a protein which in turn helps to boost the metabolism, break down fatty acids and regulate glucose levels. And since it speeds up your metabolism you can burn more fat.

Green Coffee Bean Extract

What is it: This Metabolism Booster is an extract derived from the deliberately unroasted coffee beans that are pale green in colour and not the brown to black roasted beans.

What it does: The green coffee extract is profound with chlorogenic acid which may restrict absorption of carbs and glucose in your meals. This is possible by boosting your metabolism. Being a powerful source of natural caffeine, it also supports your body's energy levels.

Green Tea

What is it: This Energy Provider is the less processed tea leaves that come from a variety of Camellia sinensis plant which is grown and cultivated in India and China.

What it does: With high concentration of catechins in Green tea extract this too helps increase your metabolism, giving you that extra energy to help burn fat. With more energy it also cleans your body toxins. Thus with body cleansing and weight loss properties, this keeps your body fit and clean inside out.

Garcinia Cambogia

What is it: This Appetite Suppressor is a pumkin like fruit that is native to Indonesia, having a distinct sour flavor just as tamarind which is included in various dishes mainly curries.

What it does: While inhibiting lipogenesis, it appears to decrease appetite. In simple terms lipogenesis is the process that converts carbohydrates into fat, which might get stored in belly area.

If you are impressed by these superfoods and think to add them in your weight loss diet, it’s a great idea. They will not disappoint you. Some also take them altogether either in raw form or as supplements like Raspberry ketone plus superfood pill for not just weight loss but also over health and wellness.

Diets to Avoid While Taking Garcinia Cambogia Supplement

This pumpkin shaped but orange sized fruit contains a natural substance called HCA (Hydroxycitric acid) in its rind.  It is this substance that gives Garcinia Cambogia its ability to fight out weight issues and promote an overall good health. But, using this supplement, without monitoring your certain dietary habits, may not be able to produce the desired results.

More specifically, following two kinds of diet, if out of control, may not let HCA perform its function of managing healthy weight.

High-fibre diet

It is true that fibre is important for over all well-being as it wards off common illnesses and even improves your satiety levels to prevent you from putting on extra pounds. However, a clinical study that tested consumption of high fibre-rich along with taking Garcinia Cambogia weight loss supplement in candidates revealed that such practice generated poor results. It was found out that dietary fibre reduced absorption of HCA, which is vital to attain healthy weight. Therefore, while fibre intake is important, it is also important that a control over fibre intake is maintained when taking this supplement to promote good results.

High calorie intake

A calorie-constrained diet while following the supplementation would mean faster result. Calorie rich foods such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and their chips, chocolates, dips, sweets, spreads and other confectionary items such as cakes and cookies, must be avoided to experience best of and faster results from the supplement. Minimum calorie intake varies from person to person and age, lifestyle and physical activity level, are factors that determine a minimum per day calorie consumption for an individual. In terms of calorie relation with garcinia supplementation, a study found out that an obese candidate took HCA while maintaining a 2000 kcal per day diet and lost about 14 lbs in about 2 months.

To sum up, simply limit consumption of foods rich in fibre and calorie and manage your efforts well with moderate exercises to reap maximum benefits.