Anabolic Steroid Facts - Understand the Risks

If you want to make a career in the fields like bodybuilding or sports then you need to stay ready to face immense amount of contests or challenges.

For achieving new heights in these fields you require to be prefect and it is the main reason why there are large numbers of people who use different techniques in order to achieve the sure success. In order to get rid of such problems and to have a fit body, most of the people prefer to go for artificial supplements to enhance their physical and mental strength. Thus by this way they try to give the best shape to their body. Among several ways the most common way adopted by most of the people is to go for anabolic steroids.

Usage of anabolic steroids is quite popular and most of the sportsmen from all over the world use them. But is it right to take anabolic steroids? Or even the most important question do they know the harm of taking them? Well the answer is because most of the sportsmen and athletes do not have sufficient knowledge regarding anabolic steroid facts. This article is meant for such people only and the motive of writing it is to disclose some of the significant anabolic steroid facts to all those who are not aware of them.

Believe it or not! But it is true that to increase the growth and muscle activity the natural method is quite easy and far away from undesired consequences. To attain fruitful results without much hard work and within a short period of time people go for anabolic steroids. Here, in addition to anabolic steroid facts, we will try to understand what function they actually perform in the body. What are the merits (if there) and demerits associated with it.

It is true that if a person is not highly conscious regarding his health or not willing to make a career in modeling, bodybuilding or sports then he or she is not much concerned to know about the anabolic steroid facts. But if you gain a little knowledge about the anabolic steroid facts then you are not going to do any kind of harm to the body. Instead, if you understand what is not good for your body then you can keep a distance from it. Obviously, it is your own body and you should know the way to take a proper care of it.

The major constituent that is present in the anabolic steroids is testosterone. It is one of the major hormones present inside the male human body. This hormone affects the body in two ways- first; it will have an androgenic influence on the body. And second, it can have an anabolic impact on the body. This is one of the anabolic steroid facts which can have a direct relation with the physiological conditions of the body. It provides the necessary support for the building of body tissue, leaning muscle mass on the entire body and to increase the density of bones.

Above mentioned are the anabolic steroid facts associated with the anabolic reactions in the body. When it comes to the androgenic actions of anabolic steroid then it will have a direct affect on the secondary sex characteristics in a man.

Recent researches have clearly revealed some of the important anabolic steroid facts that are directly in relation with testosterone. The dose of testosterone taken in anabolic steroids will not have an indirect but a direct impact on the muscles. They tend to increase the cross-sectional area of the muscle fibers. They stimulate the release of growth hormone inside the body. Due to anti-catabolic nature it can directly contribute to the growth and development of the overall body.

In past, many tragic consequences are associated with the use of anabolic steroids. This is the reason why, due to illegal nature not much data and facts are available to confirm their action on body.

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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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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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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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Do You have Symptoms of Fatigue, Shortness of Breath, or a Rapid Heart Beat?

Let me know if this sounds like you? You experience frequent bouts of quick onset of sweating, a sudden rapid heart rate, or all of a sudden a shortness of breath. You may think that you are having a heart attack, though the real cause may be something you didn't expect.

If this sounds like you do you skip breakfast often? Thus once you skip breakfast your day goes by with off on bouts of fatigue and sluggishness that you fix with either trips to Starbucks or the vending machine. Quickly after eating the high sugar of gourmet coffees or snacks in vending machines you feel better though it doesn't last and a few hours later you are crashing again.

What is happening is a lack of small meals during the day is throwing your hormones out of balance. Too much insulin in your blood stream from constant bouts of low and then high blood sugar is causing your symptoms mentioned earlier. This process starts many Americans on the path to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. Who would have though it was all causes when you skipped breakfast?

Most Americans from not poor diet choices, but poor diet habits are living everyday with their hormones out of balance. What I mean by poor diet habits instead of poor diet choices is that most people may think they eat too much fast food or not enough vegetables, though it is the simple act not eating small meals throughout the day that causes the hormonal imbalances.

Your endocrine system (hormones) and your nervous system control your body's rhythm which allows you to prevent disease and live healthy. Most pharmaceutical drugs mast the symptoms people feel like depression or fatigue though the only way to make a cure is to get your hormones back into balance from your diet.

The key understanding how your hormone insulin works and what you can to get in back into balance.

1. Insulin is the key hormone that controls how much fat you store.

2. High insulin levels triggers your brain to crave high sugar foods.

3. Insulin puts stress on the brain which leads to type 3 diabetes or Alzheimer's.

4. Your body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin and that process is the cause of over half the cases of high blood pressure.

5. Insulin enhances the chance of cancer cells forming.

6. High levels of insulin have been linked to depression, panic attacks, anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia.

7. Insulin makes your blood clot faster which increases risk of heart attacks and strokes.

8. Insulin can lead to lower testosterone which causes infertility, acne, hair loss for both men and women, and sexual performance issues.

Top 10 Tips to Re balance Your Insulin

1. Eat a higher amount of whole foods that have not been processed like fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, chicken, and eggs.

2. Remove trans fats from your diet. There is no health benefit to any trans fats in your diet.

3. Eat more organic foods which don't use pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones.

4. Avoid high sugar foods.

5. Eat breakfast. If you are not in the habit; start with something. Just drinking coffee doesn't count for eating breakfast.

6. Eat 5 small meals during the day or every 2-3 hours.

7. Don't eat a large meal than go to bed. This is also solved by eating 5 small meals as you loose the ability to overeat.

8. Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep will limit the affects of any amount of health eating that you will do. You are not able to catch up on the weekends.

9. Get at least 3 bouts of exercise in during the week. Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to support stabilizing your blood sugar.

10. Ten a few minutes to relax every day. High stress releases cortisol into your blood stream which amplifies the effects of insulin.

When you embark on balancing your hormones remember it is a lifestyle not a 90 day plan. The goal is that every action you take is an action that you can add to your life that you can continue. Any solution that is short term typically only causes more problems or at least different problems.

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Tips for Breastfeeding Diet

There are several important things in the life of a woman. Among various things, breastfeeding is considered as the most important thing. Breastfeeding is really a very special experience for women. It is a phase of life which is equally important for both the mother as well as the child. For the women, proper diet at the time of breastfeeding is extremely important. For proper development and well being of the baby it is very important to follow some dos and don't about the breastfeeding diet.

Most of the people remain in dilemma as to take what sort of diet for breastfeeding. If you want to make some alterations in your diet then you are required to wait for a moment. To begin with, it is very important to first of all consult your health care professional so as to make sure whether the alterations made by you in the diet are going in the right direction or not. In case it is suiting your lifestyle then you can certainly go for it. However if it is not then it is advisable to leave that option and go for any other. It is so because you cannot take chances during this phase of your life.

Among various important things, the first and the most important thing is to focus on the proper intake of vitamins in the diet. If you want all the vitamins in right proportion then you cannot manage it with the help of any kind of nutritional supplement. It can be achieved only and only through a well balanced diet. Along with normal breastfeeding diets try to include some fruits as well as vegetables in it. If possible then try to go for five portions of vegetables and fruits in each day's meal. For proper amount of vitamin A and C you can include broccoli in your routine breastfeeding diet. If it is a season of winter then having a sun bath can be an outstanding idea. It is a fact that sun is a great source for vitamin D and it can fulfill your requirement in a natural way. In summer season, you can manage this requirement by going for dairy products, oily fish and margarine in your breastfeeding diet.

Some of the minerals like Zinc, Calcium and Selenium are considered very important for a breastfeeding mother. For including zinc in your breastfeeding diet you can go for red meat, sardines, baked potatoes, hard cheese, cashew nuts and fish like prawns and mackerel. The best sources for calcium include almonds, spinach, white bread, dried figs, tofu and calcium enriched Soya milk, and sardines.

This is all you require to include in your breastfeeding diet. But the description of breastfeeding diet is not confined to this only. There are some of the things which we require not to do while going for a breastfeeding diet. If you prefer the intake of alcohol then it is highly advisable not to have it now. The contents of alcohol indirectly reach to the milk which the young one sucks through the breasts. It can be extremely harmful for the physiological functions taking place inside the body of the young one.

Avoid caffeine as much as possible and go for calorie free sugar. Only go for home made food and avoid the processed food to a very extent. It is not advisable to go for foods which contain a large amount of additives in them. Thus one should not go for consuming peanuts as it is in the position to leave allergens in the breast milk thus it needs to be avoided.

If we talk generally then we can say that there is not at all any specific diet in terms of specific breastfeeding diet. The most important thing that one should take care is to focus on the well balanced diet. Still if you have any doubt or you want to know more about the breastfeeding diet, then either you surf the net or you must consult the doctor. There are several sites on the net that can provide you with all the useful information about the breastfeeding diet.

Breastfeeding is no doubt the most special gift for a woman. It is important to take care for all the aspects as then only it can prove useful for the mother as well as the baby.

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Eat Christmas Cookies and Lose Weight this Holiday Season

Create a Beauty Schedule to compliment your Training schedule

You've done thousands of push-ups, lifted hundreds of pounds and drank more Protein Shakes than online retailers can ship to your door! You schedule time for weight training, time for cardio and time for routine practice. Have you scheduled time to develop your personal beauty, as well? Beauty is a key component to judge's scoring for many fitness shows. Follow this simple schedule (see chart below) to help groom you for the beauty segment of your next fitness competition.

Skin

Create a beauty routine for your face and body. Like weight training, consistency is the key to clean, healthy skin! Your Face Routine should consist of two basic practices - Cleansing and Moisturizing. Cleanse daily (meaning EVERY DAY) once in the AM when you wake up and once in the PM before you go to bed. Wash with a cleanser formulated for your skin - for dry skin, try a creamy cleanser and for oily skin, try a foam cleanser. If your skin is prone to blemishes (acne, whiteheads, blackheads, etc.) try a cleanser containing salicylic acid. Moisturize daily after you cleanse - in the AM, try a lighter weight moisturizer and in the PM, try a nighttime formula for extra moisture. Once a week, schedule time to complete a facial mask or peel to draw imbedded impurities to the surface for clearer skin, faster!

Your Body

Routine should be complimentary to your skin routine - cleanse and moisturize daily. Once a week, schedule time for exfoliation. Exfoliation is the process of removing dry skin cells from the surface of your skin. The result is fresh glowing skin! A good body scrub with small granules and oil-free ingredients will work wonders to slough off dead skin and give your skin a healthy glow on stage!

Teeth a bright, beautiful smile radiates confidence and exhibits beauty to any judge! Brush teeth daily 2-3 times a day - when you wake up, after lunch and before you go to bed. Use toothpaste with fluoride and whitening ingredients and brush for at least 1-2 minutes. Try timing yourself when you brush to get an idea of how long to brush. Floss 1x everyday after brushing. Flossing removes plaque buildup and keeps gums healthy. To remove plaque and bacteria from hard to reach areas around your teeth, finish your brushing and flossing routine with a mouth rinse. 2-4 weeks out before a competition, schedule in teeth whitening every other evening using teeth whitening strips to whiten and brighten your smile for the judges.

Hair dull, dried-out hair stands out on stage and makes even the best fitness competitors look unhealthy and unattractive. On a daily basis, wash and condition hair with a formula that is made for your hair type. Limit the use of heat-styling tools. For example, blow dry hair on high heat only until hair is damp then switch to a cooler setting. Or substitute Velcro rollers for hot rollers and curling irons. On a weekly basis, use a deep conditioner, wrap hair in plastic wrap and leave on for a minimum of 15 minutes for extra moisture and shine. Schedule a haircut every 6-8 weeks to keep hair neat and shapely. By booking haircuts in advance, you are more likely to stay on schedule and maintain a consistent, healthy head of hair!

To recap, a well-planned beauty schedule carried out consistently while training is essential to preparing for any fitness show. While many of these beauty concepts may seem basic or second nature to many people, they are often the first areas to suffer when time is short or runs out. As a show approaches, it becomes even more difficult to find time to finalize preparations. By maintaining a consistent beauty schedule, you will find yourself with one less judging criteria to worry about when it comes time for the show!

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Heart Rate Training Optimizes Your 5k Training Program

Are you looking for a 5k training program? When you start looking you see many program offering beginner programs and advanced programs. What is interesting is that most beginner programs are too many miles for the average beginner. The key to effective 5k cardio plans is for every person to have their own heart rate profile. With optimal heart rate training every workout will be optimized for the greatest impact for your results. Heart rate training is for advanced and beginners; the difference is the heart rate profile not using a heart rate monitor.

The most effective cardio workout for running faster races and burning fat is interval training. Interval training is short durations of high intensity followed by short durations of low intensity and then repeated. Most programs only offer interval training for advanced programs though effective programming is good for all levels. The key is a person's heart rate profile. The most advanced you are the higher heart rate you want to train at for your interval.

Each person has a different level of fitness associated by their heart rate. As you run the energy required needs a certain consistent heart rate produce the energy. The more fit you are the lower your heart rate is for a given speed. This is why heart rate training is so effective. By finding a person's targeted heart rate profile you can make sure each workout is training in the right zone to optimally improve your performance. Often, people's lack of results comes from not training hard enough, or very common with cardio runners is overtraining by running with too high of a heart rate on every workout.

What is important for your metabolism and race speed is the rate at which you burn calories not how many calories you burn. This is why walkers and people who run mile after mile seem to never achieve their results. The more calories you burn the more calories you need to eat to restore energy back to your muscles cells. It is challenging your muscles to burn more energy by going harder relative to your fitness level forces your metabolism to improve and than makes you fun faster and burn more fat. People after completing an interval workout burn more fat 24 hours after their workout than any other form of cardio or strength exercise.

Though the interval workout is important it isn't the only workout that makes an effective 5k running program. Two other key workouts is a threshold workout and a long day. The threshold workout is a medium intensity workout that almost no person does. The reason why is people can always go harder and there is this myth that you have to push yourself in every work to your max. The other reason is people go on their slow steady pace never picking up the pace for a shorter run. An optimal threshold workout is between 15-30 min. If you can last longer than 30 min. you should run faster. When you run at your threshold level you are at the max at what your aerobic metabolism can burn for energy. When you go harder your anaerobic metabolism is kicked in to produce the needed extra energy. A threshold workout trains your body to burn energy the most effectively utilizing oxygen. It is the best workout for creating a good race pace.

The long day is the last workout you need every week in your 5k training program. Having running session that go for slower speeds and longer durations trains your body to burn fat and increases effectiveness of burning energy while running. You only need to do one long day a week and spending hours doing cardio during every workout may be a key reason why you are no longer seeing results.

To truly see your results you want a program that creates a personal heart rate profile. The charts on most treadmills are not accurate and the doctors who came up with the charts admit they made them up as a best guess for insurance companies and were never supposed to use as training heart rates. The other major key as you continue to run is a 5k program that uses specific and multiple threshold and interval workouts. The workout that worked for the first month won't work for the second as your body needs a new stimulus. With proper heart rate profiles you will be running your first or fastest 5k in no time.

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How Do I Know If My Product is Organic

What is organic food? The term is becoming more popular. In the United States for a product to claim that it is 100% organic is has to produced following legally regulated guidelines and be subject to strict testing. Typically to because of the detail involve to get the ultra healthy organic food it costs more than the fertilizer and pesticide rich alternatives.

The term organic means that the food was produced without the use of conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or sewage, and that no artificial additives to included in the process. When the term organic relates to animals like beef, the animals are free of antibiotics and growth hormones given typically to make the animals bigger.

In the beginning the only place to get organic food was from your local farmers market. Not any more. Now, family run farms are being over taken by commercial operations that produce still 100% organic food faster and meet the new demand for the products. The United States has grown by 17-20% in organic food sales in the last few years. You can now get organic products from online retailers to Wal-Mart.

In the United States, companies have to pass tough testing and regulations to call their products organic. The term certified organic means that the USDA has certified that the product in question is actually 100% organic. A farmer commercial or family run must apply for their certification. Not all organic food is certified. Food products can be organic and just not have gone through the approval process to be certified.

With the every increasing demand for organic products, more and more products are finding their way into becoming organic. Now, coffee, ice cream, and ketchup can all be found with organic labels and ingredients. There is now an overwhelming change from the overly processed foods that line our grocery stores to more all natural products.

The term all natural is not govern, so the only way to know a product is organic is to get it from a trusted source or grown it yourself. The ladder probably isn't going to happen for most of us. All natural products are not necessarily bad. They are just not going through the certification process to be considered 100% organic.

Looks for the organic label from your trusted places you buy your products. You will have to make the decision on the products that might be 70% or 35% organic. For some products that is as good as it gets for the time being. With the demand high more and more products will start becoming organic. They have to.

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How does fitness really help weight loss

We want you to think the next time you're tempted to diet your way out of so that unwanted weight gain, to stop and consider your fitness-based alternatives. One thing to always keep in mind as it relates to fitness and weight loss is that if you are unable to do it for life than it probably won't work. Here are the biggest reasons a comprehensive fitness approach is a more effective and sustainable weight-loss solution:

Fitness revs your cellular engines. Your cells' mitochondria are the calorie burning powerhouses in your body. Mitochondria need oxygen, so the more oxygen you consume per minute (VO2 max), the more efficient your cells become, and the more calories you burn.

Fitness balances your hormones. Over time, fit people experience positive hormonal changes that help keep them fit. Lower stress hormone (reduces inflammation), higher growth hormone (builds muscle) and lower insulin (controls cravings) are just a few of the hormonal benefits fitness brings.

Fitness grows on you. Unlike dieting, which few people can tolerate for long, fitness quickly becomes a way of life. The more fit you become, the more you're inclined to move. So for most fit people, seeking daily activity becomes an almost instinctive habit.

Fitness gives you a metabolic advantage. Fit people have more lean muscle mass and a higher metabolism, which helps them weather setbacks such as holiday binges that can pack on excess pounds.

Fitness is fun. People often overlook the emotional and spiritual benefits of exercise. A fitness lifestyle involves regularly participating in activities for the sheer enjoyment of them. It's more fun, it relieves stress, and it's easier to sustain.

One aspect of fitness that is often overlooked is that when you are working out you are not indulging in an activity that adds to you gaining weight. As you look at your day, there are countless activities that are not supporting your weight loss goals. Every time you workout even for 15 minutes it is 15 minutes that you are building a habit that promotes the results your want and takes you away from activities like eating while watching television that does noting to promote healthy living.

It is this last point that we strive day in and day out to pound home, that it is getting to the point that fitness for its own enjoyment is what we are after. One a person likes to work out because they like it, they will exercise forever.

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Basics to Protein Powder Supplementing

You may have heard a lot about protein powder, but you may not know exactly what it is or the benefits that it has on your body. Protein powder is one of the best sources of healthy, lean protein that you can find and it can help in your weight loss efforts. A lot of athletes use it to help bulk up for competitions or events and some use it as a substitute for eating a lot of higher fat and higher calorie foods. Using protein particles is a way to help guarantee an adequate amount of protein to take in.

Protein concentrate is a way of making sure that your body has the raw resources that it needs to be able to function properly and build lean muscle. Most protein powder is virtually tasteless and flavorless and several people like to blend it with other foods or beverages in order to be able to ingest it. Protein powder can be easily mixed with milk or soy milk to make powerful protein shakes and can come in different flavors to help you enjoy the taste better and still be able to get all of the benefits of protein powder.

You may have not been aware that protein powder comes in different kinds and forms and they are all not alike. It is up to you to decide which one is best for your body, which one tastes the best and which one is the easiest for your body to digest. Protein powder is one of the most popular supplements for weight trainers and body builders. A lot of athletes and body builders choose whey protein powder as their favorite source for protein. Whey protein powder is generally one of the easiest to digest of the supplements and is agreeable with most people who try it. Other types of protein powder are casein, soy, salmon, help, egg white and also a cranberry protein powder.

If you are looking for a protein powder that includes a couple different kinds of proteins in it, there are some available that combine different sources such as whey and casein and are very popular because of the way the body digests the protein that is in them and for the taste and texture. If you are prone to having food allergies to certain food like lactose or aspartame, there are soy protein powders and egg white protein powder that are much easier to digest and will not be likely to upset your stomach as ones that have cow milk or lactose as an ingredient.

You may need to try different kinds of protein powder until you find the one that is best suited for you. You may want to try mixing the protein powder with different beverages or making a smoothie with it if you have problems handling the taste. They are available in most health food stores and a lot of grocery stores that carry sport nutrition products. They can range in price greatly, and depending on your individual needs for the protein powder, some may be more affordable than other.

It also depends on what reason you are taking the protein powder and how much you are consuming every day. If you are taking a protein powder supplement because you are only trying to increase your protein intake without having to consume a lot of protein food, you may want to buy a smaller container of protein powder to ensure that it stays fresh. If you are doing weight training, or preparing for a competition or body building you may want to buy the protein powder in bulk to help you save some money. Most stores carry a variety of sizes and brands of protein powder, and it is advisable to try a small container of one kind first to make sure that it works for you and that you are able to properly digest it. If you are looking for one of the most widely used and available sources of protein powder, whey protein powder is usually available almost everywhere where nutritional supplements are sold, and you are likely to find the most variety with whey protein. It is one of the best sources of protein and comes in different brands and is one of the best ways to directly deliver powerful protein right to the source and help you to build lean muscles without giving you the high fat intake or high calories and cholesterol that you can get from eating other kinds of protein rich foods.

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Zero Stim Stimulant Free Supplement Review

-This powerful concentrate is also known as OEA. Users of OEA quickly note a decrease in hunger. When you eat, OEA levels increase and this fat lipid works to decrease your appetite by informing the sensory nerves, which provide feedback to your brain telling you that you are full. By consuming extra OEA as in Zero-Stim™, you are essentially tricking your body into thinking that you have already eaten. This in turn will activate PPAR alpha, which will decrease appetite, support fat burning and help block unwanted fat storage. The really cool thing about OEA is it’s non-stimulant effects!

• Punica Granatum Flower Concentrate

-Punica Granatum Flower Concentrate has shown positive influence on activators, which are widely used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes with a major focus on improving the sensitivity of insulin receptors. The major active compound in Punica Granatum Flower is gallic acid. Research shows the support of gallic acid, which inhibits fat cells from feeding on glucose and the right extraction, has been shown in mammal studies to induce muscle cell insulin sensitivity. When fat is starved and muscle is fed, you will have a favorable change in body composition.

*NOTE: Insulin Sensitivity and Fat:
-One reason that we accumulate fat is due to insulin. Insulin is one of the most anabolic substances on the planet, but unfortunately it can be anabolic to fat cells as well. The reason is because of partitioning meaning that insulin can store calories in fat or muscle. As we gain fat, muscle cells tend to become less sensitive to insulin and fat cells tend to become ever so accommodating. This then results in the fat getting the lion’s share of consumed calories. When you diet or cut caloric intake, the muscle starts to shrink and the fat cells have the upper hand in the fight for calories, which is why most lose more muscle than fat when dieting. Therefore, the goal is to stimulate muscle cell insulin sensitivity and decrease fat cell feeding frenzies. This repartitioning effect is of paramount importance in favorably altering your body composition.

• Clary Sage Concentrate

-Clary Sage Extract has a really cool effect due to its cAMP stimulating value. There is a significant similarity between compounds in this interesting herb and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). As most are aware, increased TSH means fat burning anabolism, thereby promoting T-3 production.
The TSH-like effect that clary sage extract stimulates, triggers an enzyme called adenylate cyclase in the thyroid. This results in an increase in cAMP activity and subsequently extra T-3 production. This is important because it is done naturally, which means there is no suppression of your existing T-3 levels. Furthermore, since there is an increase in cAMP, there is an accompanying increase in nitrogen retention.

• Beta AET ECPE

-This DHEA metabolite specifically formulated by ALR Industries promotes fat loss and lean mass retention. We have all heard and in many cases experienced, the positive effects of DHEA and its even better metabolites. More specifically, Beta-AET ECPE inhibits the 11b-HSD-1 enzyme both locally and systemically. This means that there is less conversion of cortisone to cortisol in muscle as a result of training and everywhere else due to stress like dieting. Based upon the studies, it appears that in mediating this pathway, Beta-AET ECPE increases immune function and aids in the recovery of cells as well. It also has a stimulatory affect upon the thyroid gland to support natural thyroid hormone production. Therefore, you end up with less cortisol, a higher metabolic rate, inhibition of that nasty negative thyroid hormone production feedback loop, less fat, more lean muscle and positive support to your health.

*IN CONCLUSION:
Zero-Stim™ is the ultimate stimulant-free stand alone or stackable synergistic supplement for any serious fat loss system! It provides inhibition of fat, burning of fat, appetite suppression, thyroid support, lean mass retention and improved immune function-all-in-one!

ZERO-STIM™ Q & A’s:

Q: Why was the product’s name Special Tactics™ changed to Zero-Stim™?

A: We could give you a few “marketing” answers to address this question, but lets just say it for what it is. Special Tactics™ was a silly name for a great product. Most likely if you are reading this you are well aware of the exceptional results achieved when using Hyperdrive 3.0 +™. Zero-Stim™, which is also part of our fat loss series, is stimulant-free. It burns fat, suppresses appetite, improves blood sugar control and suppresses cortisol.

Q: I am an older woman looking for that perfect weight loss product. My friends love your supplement line, but my husband & I hate feeling all jittery and moody from fat burners. Can you help me?

A: Zero-Stim™ was made just for you! It is our stimulant –free fat burner/appetite suppressant. We have had so much positive feedback from this amazing product. We actually have a motto for Zero-Stim™ - “No Jiggles, No Jitters, No Problem!” Once you try it, you will be sold on its science and results. Get yours today and see for yourself. Please send us a testimonial once you have achieved your desired results from Zero-Stim™. We love seeing people enjoy a happy, healthy life well into their golden years and we might even put it in our magazine- ALR or here on our website.

Q: Will Zero-Stim™ effect or disturb my sleep at all?

A: No, Zero-Stim™ has no CNS stimulants in it. If you are looking for that perfect stimulant-free fat burner, which is as effective as Hyperdrive 3.0+™ then Zero-Stim™ is your answer!

Q: What is the optimal time to take Zero-Stim™?

A: Typically, you want to take Zero-Stim™about 15 minutes before major meals throughout the day. This will allow your body to take advantage of the nutrient portioning effects as well as the heightened insulin sensitivity that comes from use of Zero-Stim™.

Q: Can I take Hyperdrive 3.0+™ with Zero-Stim™?

A: Zero-Stim™ was designed to be a great stand alone product for those who do not like the stimulant effects, but want the results like seen with Hyperdrive 3.0+™. However, the synergy of Zero-Stim™ in conjunction with Hyperdrive 3.0+™ produces an even stronger overall effect. Also, for those of you who use Hyperdrive 3.0+™ in the morning and who want to keep the effects rolling all day long without the over use of stimulants, Zero-Stim™ is the answer.

What are Healthy Bacteria Probiotics?

Probiotics have become increasingly popular especially as people are living longer and the stress that Americans put on their bodies. Probiotics are living healthy bacteria that are essential microorganisms found in your digestive system. Probiotics have been labeled "good bacteria" or "friendly bacteria" as not to confuse with most people's idea that all bacteria are harmful to your health. You many not know that probiotics are found in the food we eat.

There are many reasons why probiotics are paramount for healthy living. First, probiotics support the prevention of illness that attacks many American's immune systems. Second, probiotics restore the healthy bacteria (flora) back into your gut for optimal digestive functioning. Also, probiotics have bring the body back into balance from stress, poor diet choices, and physical activity.

Probiotics by definition are "live microorganisms, which, administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." When looking at probiotics, it is important to understand that there are many different strains of probiotics needed for optimal health. Some of the top products on the market have over 16 active stains of different probiotics in their supplement formulations. Each strain plays an active role in your digestive and overall health.

Probiotics are not prebiotics which are non-digestible food substances that enhance the functioning of healthy microorganisms already found in your colon. Probiotics and prebiotics work together in your digestive system in a synergistic relationship.

One of the more common ways for people to get all the different strains of probiotics that they need is through high quality supplements. Probiotics can also be found in yogurt, certain milk products, miso, soy milk products, and tempeh. New, products have probiotics fortified during the preparation period when not found originally with the product.

Probiotics are made up of the good bacteria in your gut. Most probiotics come from two different groups of probiotics called Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. One of the most common probiotics is Lactobacillus acidophilus which is one of many different strains of probiotics. Some other probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii are yeasts and not bacteria.

Stress, poor diet choices, physical activity, and the medications we take all reduce the number of healthy bacteria or probiotics in our digestive system. Your body is at risk for illness, digestive functioning issues, and reduced effectiveness of your immune system when probiotic levels are low in your gut. This is the main reason why probiotics have become popular in reason years, as almost all Americans found into at least one category for why probiotic levels can be low.

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Periodization Training: A Body Building Perspective

If you divide your yearly training into phases or cycles, you'll maintain a better mental outlook, more motivation and your body will also respond better physiologically.

The first phase of training is the one that builds muscle size and pre-orients your muscles to be geared up (condition-wise) to go for strength and power which will theoretically allow you to even add more muscle size. Plus, you will condition your tendons and joints to handle the stresses of heavier weights to come.

It is recommended that you do 6-15 reps per set for size with the great majority of reps falling somewhere from 8-12 reps. Try 3-4 heavier "work" sets after a systemic warm-up plus 2-3 warm-up weight sets per exercise. As you might note, so far this sounds pretty much like a standard common sense bodybuilding workout.

The strength and power phases are next. This will be another 8-week cycle. To develop strength and power, the greatest athletes in the world generally work with 2-6 reps. Since we are geared to bodybuilders we adjust this slightly and in this phase, we advocate 4 - 5 sets of 5 - 7 reps. Here is how this cycle works. We'll use our previous example for the Bench Press where you ended Phase 1 at 235 for 10 reps. Do an active system warm-up, then with weights 95 x 10 and 155 for 10. On your final warm up set do 205 for 6.

Then go to your "target weight" which is actually only 10-lbs. above the weight you ended up at sets of 10 in your first phase. So, start at 245-lbs. x 3 sets of 5-6 reps. You are leaving yourself some extra so you continue to gain positively all the way through the cycle.

In physics, work is a measure of force and distance. (w = f x d). Power means doing a specified amount of work per unit time. If you can move mass M over distance D in 10 seconds and then (after training) move the same mass M the same distance D, but do it in 5 seconds, you are twice as powerful!

Our experience has been to spend a maximum of four weeks in the power phase and to use 2 -3 reps in benches and deadlifts, 3 - 4 reps in the squats and bent-over rows, and 5 - 6 reps for all other exercises. Again, follow your 2-3 warm-ups, and 3 power work sets and then do a down set of 10 reps with about 70% of your target weight, just as you did in the strength phase.

Phase 4 is the rest cycle, a must for great results and essential for building strength and lean mass. Be sure to add about a week of rest into your online workout program, about 1 week every 12. You'll love the way you feel afterwards!

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