Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What Happens When You Get Too Little Protein in Your Diet

Proteins are composed of long chain like forms of amino acids. Amino acids are basic and fundamental to life. As a chemical compound, it is made of amine and carbonyl functional groups. To put it simply, they are made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and on some rare occasions, sulfur. These four or five materials build themselves into various chain-like structures and form different types of protein. Protein is the life line of human health.

Human cells, muscle tissue, and the organs of the body are made up of protein. Long chains of amino acids are structured to make different types of proteins. There are 22 types of amino acids and the human body needs all of them to be healthy.

Different types of proteins in our body execute different body functions. Our body's strength, its flexibility and elasticity are taken care of by a protein called collagen, and our hair and skin are composed of the same protein.

Proteins we consume through food are broken down into amino acids in the process of digestion and absorbed by the body only to be rebuilt into different types of proteins that are the requirement of the body. There are twenty two kinds of amino acids essential for the human body. And in that 14 are produced by the body and the remaining 8 are to be obtained though food.

Complete and incomplete Proteins

A protein that can be obtained through one food source like a meat or dairy product is called a complete protein. A complete protein is obtained generally though meat, diary products, eggs, fish and poultry. Vegetables, fruits and nuts do not contain all the essential proteins in one food items and so it is termed as incomplete.

Importance of Proteins

For proper growth, sustenance and repair of body cells, for the health of muscles, tissues, organs and for body function like metabolism, digestion, transportation of nutrients and oxygen through blood circulation, proteins are imperative.

Apart from that more importantly for the production of antibodies, or in other words, antibodies are little soldiers who fight any infection that invades into our body and fights diseases and makes us healthy. The healthy skin and shining hair of which we are proud of is due to the proteins.

Too little Protein means ill health

Like our grand mothers say often, 'anything too much or too little is harmful' is absolute truth in case of protein. Too much protein intake leads to many uncomfortable physical complications just as too little of protein intake can lead to complications.

Protein is needed to repair and create new cells, tissues, hormones, enzymes and muscles and lack of protein would impair these important body functions leading to grave situations. Many foods which supply protein do contain certain other minerals and vitamins like iron, a lack of which creates an eternal tiredness and fatigue. The person who lacks iron feels weak and becomes listless with lack of energy.

Physical activities consume protein daily, and so it is essential to give regular supply of protein to the body daily. And too little protein can cause severe skin ailments and would make you look lusterless and pale.

Children need a lot of protein as they are in the phase of growing and insufficient protein in children hampers their growth very much.

For a period of time if the body fails to get sufficient amount of protein through food, it starts breaking the muscles which contain large amount of protein to fulfill its need. This means eroding of the muscle and it is generally known as muscle wasting. And prolonged such situation leads to a vicious cycle of protein energy malnutrition where in when the body does not get any other source of energy, body's muscles and organs a re broken down for energy. The digestive system suffers with the loss of cell lining which is important for absorption of nutrients from the digested food. Thus a vicious cycle of poor diet and insufficient absorption of nutrients from food lead to severe body wasting.

So, too little protein intake is dangerous and very harmful to health.


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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Achieve a Beach Body Tips

Having great physique, huge muscles, smart personality is something every men desires. As we all know that there are many gym and fitness center established to help people in building huge muscles. You must have visited a beach to spend some loving moments with friends and family. Beach is a place where a person likes to enjoy the touch of water. But due to an awkward and ugly physique many times you hesitate to open your clothes. You see several young boys roaming all around you in swimming costumes showing off their beach body. You must be wondering how they get a beach body. Let me tell you that even you can get a beach body. All you need is a proper diet and regular workouts. If you really desire to get a beach body then I can provide you some useful tips which can help you in making a beach body. Summer is somewhere near so I suggest that you should start making a beach body from today onwards so that you can also show your beach body and can enjoy the thrilling atmosphere of beach.

Let us discuss some of the factors through which you can get a beach body:

Firstly decide the time up to which you want a beach body as your workout and diet will be based on the time period in which you need a beach body. Make sure what will be your diet and what all will be your initial workouts to get a beach body. This is essential as through these you can build your muscles to get a beach body. You should also gain some basic knowledge about health and fitness so that you can prepare yourself in that way. The main areas of your body on which you have to pay special attention are chest, arms, triceps, biceps, shoulders and thighs. You can also perform workouts in order to build abs. In the initial stage you have to build up muscular arms, big chest and huge shoulders and after you succeed in getting them you can start with cardiovascular workouts to build up your key muscle groups.

A cardiovascular workout helps in burning the top layer of fat of your body. It is essential because by burning the top layer one can easily build huge muscles but for starting this workout one have to build good muscles. The key to get a beach body is weight training, correct nutrition and cardiovascular training. Many people perform the two building blocks properly that is weight training and cardiovascular training but fails in doing the third building block correctly that is proper nutrition. Because of improper nutrition the muscles fails to develop in a proper manner. It is well known that heavy weights are essential for building huge muscular body but for lifting huge weights strength is needed which is provided by proper nutrition. So in order to get a beach body you should pay proper attention to your nutrition. You should take in a proper diet, full of proteins and other essential macronutrients so that you can have the strength to lift heavy weights.

All you need to do is to make a correct nutritional plan so that your muscles and your body can get proper nutrition. This will help you in doing workouts in a proper manner. You can easily get broad shoulders and muscular arms and can also tone every muscle of your body. You will not even feel shy in opening your cloths on the beach as then you can show your beach body. To get a beach body you have to do all these exercises and make sure that you continue them as regular workouts is very vital in maintaining the beach body.

By doing regular workouts you will keep increasing you rate of metabolism which is essential for burning fat and calories. By doing these workouts you can easily maintain a fit and healthy body. You can even join a fitness centre or a gym in order to get best results. You can also consult a physiotherapist as he can advice you how to get a beach body in a more perfect way. You can also consult a trainer for performing different workouts. Make sure that you opt for a right workout for building a muscular body. Do not ever push yourself in completing a set or workout as you can cause yourself an injury.

So, start your workouts and training in order to get a beach body and pay attention on your diet as a nutritional diet is must to get a beach body.


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Monday, April 13, 2009

Make Your Car More "Green"

If you have been to the pump lately it might be your wallet that makes you want to go more "Green" with your car then before. As it relates to the environment automobiles account for 20% of all greenhouse gases emitted into the air. How ecological friendly you handle your car is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Still the only way to offset your carbon footprint is to plant trees. Listed below are the Top 10 things you can do to make your car more "Green."

1. Buy a Hybrid Car or Green Car

Yes, it doesn't take rocket science to understand that if you buy a more environment friendly car you have reduced your carbon footprint. Hybrids now come in sedans, SUV, and luxury vehicles. If buying a hybrid right now isn't in your budget choosing a car with excellent gas mileage is going to make a big difference.

2. How You Drive

You drastically increase the fuel you consume and the emissions your car gives off when you accelerate quickly and stop quickly. Driving the speed limit and more smooth as it relates to aggressive driving through the city will save on your gas bill. Also, the more you can take care of all your errands in one trip is better than many short trips to the store.

3. Keep Your Car in Shape

Regular tune ups of your car will keep your car producing less greenhouse gases, using less gas, and prevents future trouble. It is estimated that if every American's tires were properly inflated to the right level we would save 3 billion gallons of gas every year.

4. Offset Carbon Footprint

You can plant trees to offset the greenhouse gases you are emitting each year. Planting trees is the only way to offset your carbon footprint.

5. Carpool

If you have been on the freeway during rush hour you see all the commuters driving by themselves. Not only will you drastically lower your impact on the environment by carpooling you get to go in the carpool lane, as well.

6. You Don't Need a Car for Everything

For short trips you can take your bike or walk. With cars we don't even think about the other ways we can travel; we just hop in our cars and off we go. Many store items can easily be carried on a bike with a backpack. Also, you can get an electric scooter to get places faster.

7. Drive Half Way

For some trips walking or your bike isn't the complete answer. Driving your car and then getting on mass transit or driving your car and then parking to then go on your bike both work. Many times if you are going during rush hour, driving until the traffic gets thick and then going on your bike will get you there faster than sitting in the bumper to bumper traffic.

8. Use Less AC

Using a windshield protector can reduce how hot your car gets allowing you to use less air conditioner in the car. Turn your AC on low instead of high uses less gas. Don't forget to park in the shade to also keep your car cooler.

9. Use the Web

With the easy access to the web these days you can have video conferences, send email, and buy your products online. A video chat can be just as good as a face to face meeting without using gas and your car.

10. Go without a Car

For those that are willing to take it on it can be done. You would be surprised with a change in thinking how it is possible for some to go without a car. Using physical transportation like a bike and mass transit can get you around. Also, for those that want to it may be important to live closer to work or the stores you need or making your work day virtual so your home is your office.


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