Can Tonalin CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) really help you lose weight? The claims seem incredible. However, recent research projects are giving hope to the idea that a simple and safe natural supplement may give people some advantage in their weight loss struggles. Millions of Canadians, Americans, and Europeans struggle with weight problems. Being overweight causes significant health problems and is damaging to one's self image and self esteem.
Research done by a Canadian nutritionist, found that overweight adults taking a daily supplement of CLA lost weight prior to the Christmas holidays. The subjects taking CLA supplement also kept the weight off over the holiday season while they were indulged in holiday cakes and cookies and reduced their daily exercise regime..
A few years later researchers from the University of Wisconsin attempted to repeat these findings. This study lasted a total of six months and different periods within this six months were analyzed. Nutritionists gave 20 overweight study subjects a daily supplement of Tonalin CLA pills and the other 20 took a placebo pill.
The nutritionists from Wisconsin found that the experimental group that took the CLA supplement lost weight before the holiday season and did not gain any weight over the holiday season. They also found that the experimental group who took the placebo had Christmas holiday weight gain that much more than what was gained in the pre-holiday period. Throughout the entire study, there were no differences between the control group and the CLA supplement group with respect to exercise or amount of calories consumed.
During the pre-holiday period the group taking the CLA supplements lost weight while the control group gained a total of 1.5 pounds of fat mass. Even with less exercise, the CLA supplement group were able to reduce their body fat mass which is a key indicator of good health. Over six months, the CLA group lost a total of just over twopounds of pure fat. As an added bonus, the subjects who took the CLA supplement found that there was a noticeable belly fat loss. Losing belly fat is really important and a really great health benefit. Stomach fat is the fat that increases the risk of developing heart disease.
I have read that Tonalin CLA is the only patented and clinically proven form of CLA. It is also the form of CLA supplement that the majority of research studies use. There are different types of CLA supplements. Research studies that mixed the two most common forms together showed the greatest promise of measurable weight loss. These specific types of CLA supplement capsules are commonly found at health food stores and drug stores.
In determining whether CLA supplements would be an appropriate inclusion in your weight loss program you should speak to your doctor or nurse practitioner or pharmacist. Studies have shown that that there are minimal to no risks associated with mixed-form Conjugated Linoleic Acid or Tonalin CLA supplements.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Health Benefits of Flax Oil
The benefits of flax seed oil and ground flax meal can't be over stated. Not only are these seeds packed with health benefits but they also seem to naturally boost your metabolism which promotes weight loss.
Flax seeds are one of the original health foods, valued for centuries for their healing properties. Flax was one of the original "medicines" used by Hippocrates. However, new studies validating the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in our diet, have given flax oil some new recognition.
You can access the nutritional benefits of flax by consuming a tablespoon of flax oil or 2 tablespoons of ground flax meal per day. The flax oil gel caps are convenient but are the most expensive way of getting the health benefits. Aside from being a super source of omega 3 fatty acids, flax oil is also a good source of omega 6, or linoleic acid (LA). Sunflower oil, safflower oil, and sesame oil are greater sources of omega 6 fatty acids, but those oils don't contain any omega-3 fatty acids.
In addition to the “good” fats, flax seeds also contain other nutrients. Therefore eating ground flax meal is slightly better for you than consuming just the oil. For example:
• Flax seeds are rich in fibre. The combination of the oil and the fiber makes ground flax meal a perfect natural laxative.
• Flax seeds contain vitamins B-1, B-2, C, E, and carotene. The seeds also contain zinc, iron, and small amounts of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
• Flax seeds contain a high quality protein.
• Flax seeds contain a significant amount of lignin. Other foods that have lignin include wheat bran, buckwheat, rye, millet, oats, and soybeans. Lignins flush the body of excess estrogen reducing the incidence of estrogen-linked cancers, such as breast cancer.
Flax oil, flax seeds, and the omega-3 fatty acids they contain are good for your health. The following list contains some of the benefits associated with supplementing your diet with flax:
1. Flax supplements can boost immunity. A research study showed that children consuming a teaspoon of flax oil per day had fewer respiratory infections than children not consuming flax oil.
2. Flax oil increases the nutrient value of other foods. Flax oil when taken with a meal can actually increase the nutritional value of other foods. Research shows that adding flax oil to foods rich in sulfated amino acids, such as yogurt, vegetables of the cabbage family, and soy proteins actually helped the essential fatty acids become incorporated into cell membranes. Mixing flax oil with yogurt helps to emulsify the oil and improve its ability to be metabolized by the body.
3. Flax may lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.
4. Flax oil is good for cardiovascular health. The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
5. Flax oil provides fats that are precursors for brain building. This is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
6. Flax contributes to the maintenance of healthy skin. Flax oil seems to help people who have dry skin or eczema, or people whose skin is particularly sensitive to the sun.
7. Ground Flax meal promotes good colon health. Flax seeds have antioxident properties and, as a natural lubricant and a rich fiber source, flax lowers the risk of constipation.
8. Flax fat can help with a weight loss regime. Fats high in essential fatty acids, such as flax oil or ground flax meal, increase the body's metabolic rate, helping to burn the excess, unhealthy fats in your body. This process is called thermogenesis and happens when specialized fat cells burn more fat after being activated by essential fatty acids.
Flax oil is a fragile oil and can go rancid very easily. Healthy fats generally spoil quickly, with olive oil being an exception. Extra care must be used when storing and using flax oil and ground flax meal. Purchase only refrigerated flax oil stored in black or opaque containers. Store flax oil in the refrigerator with the lid on tight. Because the oil is likely to turn rancid within six weeks of pressing, buy flax oil in smaller containers. Grind only as much flax meal as can be consumed at a given time. Keep extra ground flax meal in the fridge.
Don't use flax oil for cooking. Oils high in healthy essential fatty acids are not good for cooking. In fact, heating this oil can turn these healthy fats into harmful fats. Add flax oil to foods after cooking and just before serving.
Flax seeds are one of the original health foods, valued for centuries for their healing properties. Flax was one of the original "medicines" used by Hippocrates. However, new studies validating the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in our diet, have given flax oil some new recognition.
You can access the nutritional benefits of flax by consuming a tablespoon of flax oil or 2 tablespoons of ground flax meal per day. The flax oil gel caps are convenient but are the most expensive way of getting the health benefits. Aside from being a super source of omega 3 fatty acids, flax oil is also a good source of omega 6, or linoleic acid (LA). Sunflower oil, safflower oil, and sesame oil are greater sources of omega 6 fatty acids, but those oils don't contain any omega-3 fatty acids.
In addition to the “good” fats, flax seeds also contain other nutrients. Therefore eating ground flax meal is slightly better for you than consuming just the oil. For example:
• Flax seeds are rich in fibre. The combination of the oil and the fiber makes ground flax meal a perfect natural laxative.
• Flax seeds contain vitamins B-1, B-2, C, E, and carotene. The seeds also contain zinc, iron, and small amounts of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
• Flax seeds contain a high quality protein.
• Flax seeds contain a significant amount of lignin. Other foods that have lignin include wheat bran, buckwheat, rye, millet, oats, and soybeans. Lignins flush the body of excess estrogen reducing the incidence of estrogen-linked cancers, such as breast cancer.
Flax oil, flax seeds, and the omega-3 fatty acids they contain are good for your health. The following list contains some of the benefits associated with supplementing your diet with flax:
1. Flax supplements can boost immunity. A research study showed that children consuming a teaspoon of flax oil per day had fewer respiratory infections than children not consuming flax oil.
2. Flax oil increases the nutrient value of other foods. Flax oil when taken with a meal can actually increase the nutritional value of other foods. Research shows that adding flax oil to foods rich in sulfated amino acids, such as yogurt, vegetables of the cabbage family, and soy proteins actually helped the essential fatty acids become incorporated into cell membranes. Mixing flax oil with yogurt helps to emulsify the oil and improve its ability to be metabolized by the body.
3. Flax may lessen the severity of diabetes by stabilizing blood-sugar levels.
4. Flax oil is good for cardiovascular health. The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
5. Flax oil provides fats that are precursors for brain building. This is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
6. Flax contributes to the maintenance of healthy skin. Flax oil seems to help people who have dry skin or eczema, or people whose skin is particularly sensitive to the sun.
7. Ground Flax meal promotes good colon health. Flax seeds have antioxident properties and, as a natural lubricant and a rich fiber source, flax lowers the risk of constipation.
8. Flax fat can help with a weight loss regime. Fats high in essential fatty acids, such as flax oil or ground flax meal, increase the body's metabolic rate, helping to burn the excess, unhealthy fats in your body. This process is called thermogenesis and happens when specialized fat cells burn more fat after being activated by essential fatty acids.
Flax oil is a fragile oil and can go rancid very easily. Healthy fats generally spoil quickly, with olive oil being an exception. Extra care must be used when storing and using flax oil and ground flax meal. Purchase only refrigerated flax oil stored in black or opaque containers. Store flax oil in the refrigerator with the lid on tight. Because the oil is likely to turn rancid within six weeks of pressing, buy flax oil in smaller containers. Grind only as much flax meal as can be consumed at a given time. Keep extra ground flax meal in the fridge.
Don't use flax oil for cooking. Oils high in healthy essential fatty acids are not good for cooking. In fact, heating this oil can turn these healthy fats into harmful fats. Add flax oil to foods after cooking and just before serving.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Dandelion Root
Well let's jump right in. I started this blog because, as I've said in my bio, I'm getting up there in years, and I just don't get going quite the same as I used to. So I'm going to learn as much as I can about natural supplements and herbal remedies, in order to try and move the clock back a few years. Natural supplements are specifically what I want to explore, since I don't believe in medications and pills for every ailment. I think that a good diet and regular exercise will keep you in your best shape a lot better than relying on pharmaceutical treatments when you don't take care of yourself.So, in honour of my fabulous header picture, I thought I would begin my research with Dandelion Root. Here's what I found out.
Traditional uses
- treatment of breast illnesses
- bloating
- gastrointestinal system
- aching joints
- skin conditions
Ingredients
What are the active ingredients that make dandelion so effective?The leaves are rich in numerous vitamins, including A, C, D, and B-complexes, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. The most active ingredients in dandelions, eudesmanolide and germacranolide, are found only in dandelions.
So what does this mean specifically? Well, the obvious benefit of having leaves which are very nutrient-rich is that they make good supplements for pregnant or elderly women.
Health Benefits
The main health benefits attributed to the dandelion as a herbal supplement are:- It is a gentle diuretic
- The root can be an appetite stimulant
- It improves digestion and increases vitality
- It stimulates bile production, thereby improving liver function, as well as purifying the bloodstream and liver (if the liver is sluggish, this can contribute to fatigue)
- It can decrease the amounts of serum cholesterol and uric acid
- It can maximize the performance of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and stomach
- It is very beneficial to menopausal women
- It is effective in treating tinnitus, tonsillitis, osteoporosis, abscesses, anemia, boils, mammary tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, water retention, hepatitis, jaundice, rheumatism, and warts.
- It may avert the development of age spots or breast cancer
My Favorite Use
Some people use toasted dandelion root as a healthier alternative to coffee.This really intrigued me. I am going to have to find out where to find this, or better yet, how to make this from the dandelions on my lawn. If it really is a good alternative to coffee, I'll let you know. It will have to be mighty good though to replace my Tim Hortons!
Cleansing Powers
I'm especially interested in the power of herbal supplements as natural cleansers in ridding the body of toxins. I'm going to end all my herbal supplement research with it's specific cleansing ability.In the case of Dandelion Root, many herbal doctors use it to purify the liver and gallbladder of toxins.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the beginning of my natural supplements index. Please visit again, as I'll be posting about each new supplement that I learn about, and more importantly I'll be trying many of them and will be writing about what I find out.
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