Due to the popularity of recent findings, green tea has almost become synonymous with weight loss and diet. The addition of green tea diet into diet pills and weight loss supplements is perhaps spurred by reports of harmful side-effects of other drugs like ephedra.

Why Choose the Green Tea Diet?

For four thousand years, green tea has been used all throughout Asia as a beneficial health and medicinal drink. It is different from all other tea diets because its liquid is extracted by steaming the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant as opposed to full oxidation. In this way, the green tea diet manages to preserve a lot more antioxidants and keep them intact for the body to use.

The green tea diet is an excellent source of polycatechin polyphenols, a group of antioxidants that act on free radicals. These free radicals have harmful effects on the body since they are the major causes of diseases and aging. With polycatechin polyphenols, a person has a better chance of avoiding ailments and keeping himself healthy for a much longer period of time.

Another antioxidant in the green tea diet is also being studied as a potential cure for cancer. Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG found in the diet has been discovered to destroy cancer cells while keeping surrounding healthy cells unharmed.

The EGCG also acts with another compound, caffeine (a small amount of this is found in green tea). The interaction of these two compounds causes the diet to promote thermogenesis in the body.

It has been noted by a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that with the consumption of the green tea diet, the body’s total 24-hour energy expenditure is increased by up to four percent. This is roughly equivalent to losing more than 10 pounds of weight a month.

The diet helps increase the body’s metabolic rates. With its thermogenic properties, it is only natural that it can also promote faster metabolism of fats and sugars. Excess glucose found in the body is turned into fats by the hormone insulin. Because green tea has an inhibiting effect on insulin, it therefore helps keep sugar from being stored as fats and instead, send them directly into the muscles for immediate use.

The Downside

Although the diet has a reputation for boosting health, scientific proofs of its health benefits are still somewhat mixed. However, in an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, American researchers collaborated with their Chinese counterparts to discuss the beneficial effects of green tea diet on cholesterol levels.

Using 240 men and women (average age 55) who possess mild to moderately high LDL cholesterol levels, the researchers instructed them to retain their usual low-fat diet, green tea diet intake, and activity levels. After twelve weeks, it was found that those who consumed the green tea diet extract with their regular meals lost more than fifteen percent of their total LDL cholesterol levels.

Although the researchers never explained how the green tea diet may influence cholesterol levels, previous studies have shown that certain compounds play a role in reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body, increasing amount of cholesterol excreted, and thus keeping cholesterol from being stored in the liver.

Subsequent studies were made to test the findings of the first group of researchers. Their results were contradictory. They found there was no significant effect on the cholesterol profiles of their subjects.

There is no such thing as a miracle diet. The green tea diet like all other diets needs a lot of work and input from those who enroll in it. It requires both discipline and determination for it to make any significant impact on your weight loss goals.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Julie Health writes about weight loss with green tea. Feel free to learn more benefits of drinking green tea.

The process of detoxification has been shot to popularity because of a number of celebrity endorsements. It is body’s purification processes that filters out the toxins from the body or do away with their adverse effects by neutralizing or transforming them. Detox program is also meant to clear out excess mucus and congestion. In addition to the ingestion of toxins from outside, these harmful chemicals are manufactured inside our body as well. The free radicals, cholesterol, oxidized fats. all add to the body’s toxin build up and deter the functions of body’s detox mechanism. We suffer from poor digestion, insufficient urination, irregular and insufficient bowel movement and so on.

Now, colon is supposed to be one of the most vital detox organs of the body that frees the body of toxins by driving out the waste materials from the body. Like any other detox program targeted at any other organ of the body, the colon detoxification programs involve dietary and lifestyle changes that on the other hand reduces intake of toxins and on the other hand refurbishes the process of elimination.

Colon detoxification has always been viewed as the ultimate tool for health and vitality. In fact the history of colon cleansing and detoxification is as old as 4000 years. The colon detoxification takes place at three levels:
- The large intestine or colon is healed through the cleansing process
- Reconstructed in the next phase
- Finally restored to its original size, shape and normal function.

The first stage of colon detox involves the thorough cleansing of the entire intestine. It involves a washing technique where the water is gently infused into the colon that pulls out the long encrusted fecal matters and flushes them away. These encrusted materials lead to toxic build up in the body.

As the fecal matters are flushed out, the next stage involves the reconstruction of colon. This is the time of healing for the colon. During this phase, special nutrients are supplied to soothe the inflamed areas and strengthen the damaged tissues of the colon wall. The elements like flaxseed tea, white oak bark and slippery elm bark are commonly used at this stage to render the healing touch. In addition to that abundant supply of plain water speeds up the healing process. In this phase the colon is prepared for entering into its restoration stage.

The restoration phase involves the absorption of right nutrients that will help the organ to resume its proper functioning to make possible a healthy and regular elimination. At this stage you should consume loots of fibers and raw fruits and vegetables and such herbs as a teaspoonful of linseed or two teaspoonfuls of Metamucil. These are easily available in all health food stores.

As you have crossed all the three levels of colon detoxification, now you should continue with a maintenance program to help the colon remain in its healthiest state. Changes in the dietary pattern in favor of natural foods and avoidance of processed foods backed up by enough fluid intake, will keep your colon free of toxins for life long.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Jason Uvios writes about “Colon Detoxification for Obtaining Perfect Health” to visit :detox diets for colon, natural liver cleanse and intestinal cleansing.

The recent cancer researches have revealed a sensational fact: it is our own system that writes out your destiny as to whether you will develop cancer in your life time and if yes when and how.How is this possible? Let’s put it simply.

Following everyday metabolism, a sea of harmful chemicals is manufactured within our own body. Oxygen radicals, superoxide, free radicals, and electrophiles are a few examples of these toxic substances. These chemicals cause most of the cancers in humans. You will not believe it, but this is the fact: every second of your life, these toxic cancer-causing chemicals are produced within the cells of your body.
The outside pollutants like indirect smoking, pollutions in the work place etc stimulate the production process of these harmful chemicals in the body.

But the silver line in the cloud is that: human beings have their own built-in Cancer Detox mechanism that works every moment to protect the cells from the attack of cancer-causing chemicals. All the cells comprising human body are armed with this Cancer Detox System which is the sum total of enzymes, and other anti cancer nutrients. The body’s Cancer Detox System combines the processes of oxidation, reduction, conjugation, and hydrolysis.

Let us see what are those nutrients that build up the cancer detox mechanism inside our body.
- There are vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin and vitamins A, C, E, that are the part of body’s cancer detox system.
- Among the minerals, selenium, copper, zinc and manganese, are important members of the Cancer Detox mechanism. They act as co-enzyme factors too.
- The elements like carotene, lycopene and tocotrienols along with vitamins A, C, E, support the Cancer Detox System, through their anti-oxidant properties.
- Then there are the extremely helpful enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, epoxide hydrolase, and a few more.

Thus it is the body’s Cancer Detox System, not the immune system that actually fights against cancer-causing chemicals and protects the cells.

The activities of certain nutrients needs special mention. As for example, the enzyme called glutathione has the most versatile function; with the help of a mineral called selenium it can literally detoxify almost all types of toxic chemical. Glutathione keeps on regenerated by the enzymes called NAD and FAD, which contain niacin and riboflavin.

Then, vitamin C acts as the backbone of the detox system and convert the hydroxyl radicals into harmless substances.

The cancer detox diet is based on the principle of supporting the enzymes that are the part of Cancer Detox System and to replenish the vitamins and minerals that are exhausted through the normal functions of the body and through lifestyle abuses.

As such a cancer detox diet for an average weight person comprises of l5 to 25 grams of proteins inclusive of meat, fish, fowl, cheese, egg, milk, beans, nuts, and lentils, 4 to 7 servings of grain products, 3 servings of vegetables, 3 servings of fruits and 3 servings of dairy products. To get more enhanced effect, you can take multivitamin and mineral supplements along with an anti-oxidant booster.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Jason Uvios writes about “All You Wanted to Know about Cancer Detox System” to visit :detoxification diets, detox diet plans and natural colon cleanse kits.

Longevity and The Mediterranean Diet:

Introduction

Over the course of many generations, observers have been able to discern that the people who populate the region around the Mediterranean Sea live longer lives than do men and women in some other parts of the world. Historically, the reason most often attributed to the longevity of the people of the Mediterranean region was climate. However, as researchers became more adept and as scientific methods became more sophisticated, it became clear that while the weather patterns of the Mediterranean area generally were pleasant and inviting, it was the diet of the people in the region that accounted for their longer lives.

There are a number of specific factors related to the Mediterranean diet that nutritionists and medical experts believe contribute to longevity. The more important of these elements are discussed within the confines of this article for your information and guidance.

1. Restorative Effects of the Mediterranean Diet

Many of the specific food items that are part of a Mediterranean diet regimen are high in anti-oxidants. Scientifically speaking, anti-oxidants are important compounds found in certain foods and beverages that work to neutralize the destructive nature of oxidants or free radicals that are found in the human body. Oxidants or free radicals are produced when the body burns oxygen to produce energy. In other words, oxidants really can be considered waste that pollutes the human body.

Over time, the accumulation of oxidants in the body accelerates the aging process. Cells wear and lose their elasticity. Organs end up functioning less efficiently and effectively. Indeed, recent scientific research has demonstrated that oxidants clog arteries raising the threat of stroke. Oxidants are found to contribute to cancer, heart disease and diabetes — the major diseases most responsible for causing people to have premature deaths.

The types of fruits and vegetables that form the foundation of the Mediterranean diet — including richly colored and leafy green vegetables — which are high in anti-oxidants, have a restorative and life prolonging effect on the typical human body.

2. Reducing Cancer Risks

In most parts of the world, cancer of various types is the leading cause of premature death. Studies undertaken by researchers in Europe, Japan and the United States in the past thirty years have demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet effectively reduces the risks of certain types of cancers.

A diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables has been shown to be effective in reducing the risks of a wide array of different types of cancers. As has been noted previously, the Mediterranean diet includes the generous consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Mediterranean diet includes very little animal fat. There is a direct link between the consumption of animal fat and colorectal cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease that oftentimes takes the lives of people in their forties and fifties.

Olive oil (truly the foundation of the Mediterranean diet) had been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

By reducing the risks poised by cancer, the lifespan of men and women has been shown to increase appreciably in studies that have followed groups of people over time.

3. Reducing Coronary Heart Disease Risks

Coronary heart disease is one of the top three causes of premature death throughout the world — except in the Mediterranean region. Researchers have concluded that diet has played a large and important role in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease amongst the people who populate the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

An important study in seven countries (Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Finland, United States, Netherlands and Japan) demonstrated that those people who followed a Mediterranean diet regimen were less likely to have coronary heart disease and were less likely to have their lives cut short because of serious and ultimately fatal heart conditions.

4. Reducing Hypertension

On some level, the jury is still out on the direct effects between diet and hypertension or high blood pressure. With that said, it clearly has been demonstrated that hypertension and high blood pressure is responsible for premature deaths the world over. In addition, there is strong evidence to suggest that eliminating certain items from a diet — like processed salts — can work to reduce the risk of hypertension.

Additionally, there is evidence to support the proposition that a diet high in fiber and low in animal fats (like that of the Mediterranean region) works to reduce the threat of hypertension and premature death from this disease.

5. Diabetes Prevention and Control

The Mediterranean diet is well suited to staving off the serious effects of diabetes. The incidence of premature death because of diabetes is lower in those regions in which the Mediterranean diet is practiced. Because diabetes is a disease that can be controlled through diet, electing to utilize the Mediterranean regimen can work to add literally years to a person’s life.

6. The Cumulative Effect of the Mediterranean Diet

It is important to note that the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet appear to be cumulative over time. In the other words, the longer a person practices the dining habits of the Mediterranean plan, more of inherent physical benefits of this healthy eating regimen will be ingrained into a person’s makeup. Simply put, the benefits of a Mediterranean diet literally are stored up over time, increasing a person’s lifespan and adding to his or her overall health and wellbeing not only now but well into the future.

Article Source: http://www.dietarticles.info

Site Owner & Publisher Ray Darken – You can gain much more detail from Ray’s sites along with other relevant information at The Mediterranean Diet or www.weightloss-diet-health-vitamins.com