Hoodia Gordonii Plant at Losing Weight

Exercise Tip of The Week

Do you have an extra 10 minutes each morning?

Spend 10 minutes watching an aerobics show on tv or dvd. The activity even if just for 10 minutes will result in increasing your metabolism and getting you off to a good start!

Our Goal: Healthy Minds & Physically Fit Bodies!

Healthy Treadmills Losing Weight Navigation

Recent Health & Fitness Articles on the www

San Diego Caregiver Options
If you have a senior who lives in San Diego and you need help with them at home you may want to seek the help of a San Diego caregiver to assist with their care. In some cases, it may more than a San Diego caregiver can help with and you may need to seek the [...]

Notice: Please be careful when making changes to your activities and habits and only accept advice based on approval from a health care practitioner you trust.

Hoodia Gordonii Plant at Healthy Treadmills Losing Weight

Hoodia: The All Natural Appetite Suppressant

No one knows how long the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have been using the stem of the hoodia gordonii plant to ward off hunger. Hoodia grows wild in Africa. A Dutch anthropologist was the first European to describe the plant. In 1937, he was studying the habits of nomadic hunters and noted that they often ate the plant when food and water were scarce. He mentioned that the hoodia gordonii plant was not particularly tasty, but it had the desirable effect of reducing appetite and thirst.

Research was slow, as is common in the scientific community, and expensive.

It was not until 1963 that an organized study of hoodia gordonii was performed. Scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa reported that laboratory animals which were fed the hoodia plant lost weight. Research was slow, as is common in the scientific community, and expensive. Sometime in the 1990’s the scientists in South Africa were able to attract the interest of a British pharmaceutical company, Phytopharm. Eventually, through a joint effort, they were able to isolate and identify the active molecule in hoodia gordonii and named it p57. Though a naturally occurring molecule can not be patented, an isolated form of that same molecule can be patented. In 1995, Phytopharm licensed and patented p57.

Phytopharm reportedly spent more than $20 million dollars researching the effects of the p57 molecule found in the hoodia gordonii plant before they sub-licensed the rights to Pfizer in 1998. Pfizer invested another $21 million in research and development. One of the major production problems is the limited availability of hoodia gordonii. The plant requires extremely high temperatures to flourish and four to five years to mature. Phytopharm is now working with Unilever and has established hoodia gordonii plantations in South Africa.

Hoodia received national attention recently when Lesley Stahl, a reporter for 60 minutes traveled to Africa to investigate the plant for herself. With the help of a San Bushman, she was able to locate and eat a piece of the hoodia gordonii plant. She reported that she experienced no hunger for the rest of the day. For many viewers, this report was enough to send them searching for their own pieces of hoodia gordonii.

The scientific explanation for Lesley’s lack of appetite relates to the body’s production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Research at Brown Medical School in Providence Rhode Island concluded that p57, isolated from hoodia gordonii, led to increased production of ATP. ATP is an energy source for the cells of the human body. It is one of those things which the body needs but cannot store. Any increase in production of ATP will lead to a decrease in hunger, an increase in energy and metabolism. According to this study, the p57 found in hoodia gordonii led to a 50-150% increase in ATP. More impressive may be the clinical studies by Phytopharm in which participants were able to reduce their caloric intake by 1000 calories or more without feeling any hunger. This study noted a significant reduction in body fat content after only two weeks among overweight individuals that were given extracts of hoodia gordonii.

Experts make the following recommendations for overweight people interested in trying hoodia gordonii supplements. The length of time to experience the appetite suppressing effects may occur quickly, even following the first dose, but some people do not notice a significant difference until after taking the supplement for several weeks. In addition, the recommended dosage may need to be adjusted up or down depending on the individual. There are no adverse side effects associated with hoodia gordonii and none have been reported by individuals who need to take a higher dosage in order to achieve the desired effect of appetite suppression.

Overtraining is one of the biggest problems facing bodybuilders. The condition occurs when intense training is followed by inadequate rest periods.

Can Glutamine Help Me Avoid Overtraining?

. Yet despite this label it still gets overshadowed by creatine, whey protein, and lately, nitric acid.

One of 22 Glutamine is one of the 22 amino acids that make up protein in the human body. Until scientists started taking a close look, amino acids were considered either essential or nonessential. Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body and must be consumed in the diet. Nonessential amino acids are those that can be manufactured from other amino acids. Glutamine doesn’t fit neatly into one of these categories. In fact the term “conditionally essential” is used, as while the body can manufacture it from other amino acids, there are times when demands outstrip supplies. For bodybuilders, glutamine’s primary role is combating the various stresses brought on by overtraining.

Instead of new muscle tissue being rebuilt, existing muscle tissue may be utilized as a fuel source. Glutamine can combat this by keeping the body in what’s called positive nitrogen balance. Essentially for protein to be turned into muscle tissue, nitrogen levels must be high. If they drop, muscle wasting can occur.

Intense exercise also causes the release of such catabolic hormones as corticosteroids. These compounds contribute to the depletion of muscle glutamine levels by increasing the release of glutamine from muscle cells. These catabolic steroids can cause glutamine levels to drop even after exercise has stopped. The result is that the muscle becomes severely glutamine depleted.

Supplementing with glutamine has been shown to keep the body in positive nitrogen balance as well as fight the muscle wasting effects of corticosteroid release.

Another benefit of glutamine is its role as an immunity system booster. Most bodybuilders will admit that they catch colds and flues a lot easier when they train hard but don’t rest properly. Glutamine can help prevent this because it serves as a precursor to many of the immunity system’s anti-viral and anti-bacterial cells. In fact hospital patients, particularly burn victims, are routinely given glutamine to help fight off infection.

Like creatine, there have been few side effects attributed to glutamine usage. A few users report gastric, upset but this is usually caused by taking the full 10 to 20 gram dosage all at once. It makes far more sense to spread the daily dosage over smaller but more numerous dosages.

Given its relatively low cost, safety, proven anticatabolic properties, immunity boosting abilities, and great track record in combating overtraining, bodybuilders would be wise to experiment with glutamine.

The previous information has been created by experts to help you increase your knowledge base about bodybuilding supplements. Be knowledgeable. Be informed. Make the right choice!

Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and steroids. Are you looking for more of his Glutamine articles?

Cytomel!

Although the issue can be debated, bodybuilding physiques have come a long way over the past twenty years. Besides the increased muscle mass, the other primary characteristic that separates today’s bodybuilders with their counterparts of 20 or 30 years ago is body fat percentage. Back in the sixties and seventies breaking the 10-percent barrier was considered phenomenal. But the average pro bodybuilder these days is stepping onstage with body fat percentages down in the 2 to 3 percent range. As much as we’d like to say that better nutrition and more advanced cardio machines are the reason, we can’t. Just as steroids lead to dramatic increases in muscle growth, so too have many bodybuilders turned to modern pharmacology to “rip” their physiques and promote fat loss; and often the drug of choice is Cytomel.

The first thing we should point out is that Cytomel is not an anabolic steroid but a synthetic thyroid hor¬mone. It has been designed to resemble the natural thyroid hormone tricodide-thyronine (T3). In a healthy person the thyroid produces two hormones, L-thyroxine (T4) and L-trilodine~thyronine (T3). Since Cytomel is a synthetic version of T3, it causes much the same effects in the body as if the thyroid were to naturally increase T3 levels

Physicians use Cytomel to treat thyroid insufficiency (hypothyroidism); the symptoms of which are rapid weight gain, chronic fatigue, and numerous metabolic disorders. Bodybuilders use Cytomel to stimulate their metabolisms, particularly to promote lipolysis or fat burning. Initially Cytomel was only used a few months before a bodybuilding contest to promote fat loss, but now days many bodybuilders use the drug to stay “hard” year round. Many bodybuilders also report that low dosages of Cytomel increase the effectiveness of steroids. As with Growth hormone and insulin, there seems to be some sort of synergistic effect taking place.

It may shock you to hear that many of the huge, rock hard pro bodybuilders who are featured in the muscle magazines, practically live on junk food! Their over-stimulated thyroids literally burn calories like a furnace. The next time you hear that some pro bodybuilders are still eating 5000 calories a day in the weeks before a contest, you’ll understand why.

Besides bodybuilders, Cytomel is also popular for fat loss among female fitness contestants. Since females normally have slower metabolisms than males, it is much harder for them to obtain the extremely low body fat percentages that seem to be rewarded for at contests these days. Drastically cutting food and calories often leaves the individual drawn and emaciated-looking. But all this can be avoided by using Cytomel.

It may sound like the perfect solution to fat loss, but its not. Bodybuilders and fitness competitors who abuse Cytomel over a long period of time are at great risk for developing chronic thyroid problems. As a result, the individuals might become dependent on thyroid medication for the rest of their lives. This is similar to male bodybuilders taking steroids, the higher the dosage, and the longer the cycles, the greater the risk of shutting down natural hormone production.

heart palpitation
trembling
irregular heartbeat
agita¬tion
shortness of breath
excretion of sugar through the urine
ex¬cessive perspiration
diarrhea
weight loss
trembling of hands
nausea
headaches
increased perspiration

We are not going to continue to preach to you about the evils of Cytomel. But be aware that the drug can produce the previous side effects. With the science of supplementation becoming so advanced there are now products that promote fat loss just as effectively as Cytomel. Bodybuilders report that most of these steroid alternatives will produce muscle building and fat burning effects that are similar to steroids. These safe legal analogs have been designed with the purist pharmaceutical grade ingredients to maximize your bodybuilding potential. Check them out!

The previous information has been created by experts to help you increase your knowledge base about bodybuilding training and drugs. Be knowledgeable. Be informed. Make the right choice!

Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and steroids. Are you looking for more of his Cytomel articles?

Winstrol – Super Drug or Super Crazy?

Stanozolol ranks right up there with Dianabol and Deca Durabolin in popularity as a bodybuilding drug.

We should point out that there are really two forms of Stanozolol available, oral and Injectable (called Depot). The injectable version of the drug is considered safer and more effective than the oral version. Unlike other injectable steroids, however, Depot has to be injected more frequently as it’s dissolved in water. Oil-based injectables tend to last longer in the body, which means fewer injections are needed. Another reason why injectable winny is preferred over oral is that it doesn’t easily convert (called aromatization) into estrogen hormones. Not only does this reduce the chances of developing gynecomastia (swelling of the breast tissue in men), but also water retention is kept to a minimum. This last characteristic makes Winny popular as a precontest bodybuilding drug (Stanozolol is also used during the off-season as it does produce good muscle gains).

Like all oral steroids oral Winstrol has been modified at its 17th carbon position to help it survive passage through the digestive system and liver. Ironically it’s this chemical tweaking that makes the drug more damaging to the liver. For those who do decide to use oral Winny tablets, we strongly urge you to have a physician keep a close eye on your liver enzyme values with regular blood tests.

Even though it’s less common, the possibility of developing liver problems cannot be excluded from the injectable versions of the drug. While it does not enter the body through the liver, it still travels through it with each pass through the circulatory system. So over time there is a lower level of stress.

It should also be noted that both versions of Winny have been linked to significant changes in cholesterol levels. This negative effect is common with steroids in general – even medical therapy – so it can become a health concern if the individual stays on the drug for extended periods of time. Since the oral version will probably have a greater effect on cholesterol levels than the injectable form because of both the method of administration and chemical modification, individuals should try to limit its use.

As you can see Stanozolol is not some super wonder bodybuilding drug that is risk free. In fact the risks are significant and you should definitely think twice before you fall victim to its allure. With all the risks associated with Winstrol and other anabolic steroids, bodybuilders should check out the various steroid alternatives that are available. Bodybuilders are reporting that many of these products are just as powerful and just as effective at promoting fat loss as their illegal and potentially dangerous cousins.

Hair Growth Vitamins and Minerals

There is some evidence from a few small studies that the western diet has changed significantly in the last 20 years and there are certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies likely to be found in a typical American diet.

There are nutrients and herbs that have the potential to affect hair growth in a positive or negative way. There are three basic ways that nutritional diet vitamin supplements and amino acid supplements may act influence the hair follicles. The mineral rich and vitamin supplements may act directly on hair stimulating or inhibiting growth activity or they may act indirectly through other intermediaries. For example, a vitamin supplement or herb may influence the production of a hormone to which hair follicles are sensitive. This change in hormone activity in turn may change the activity of the hair follicles.

Some minerals and vitamins can influence the activity levels of another vitamin and minerals. For example, intake of lysine, vitamin B12 and vitamin C help in absorption of other factors like iron. It is worth bearing in mind that the complexity of the body means there are many potential interactions for even the simplest nutrient.

Vitamins for hair & hair growth
Since Vitamin C, helps the absorption of other factors, it is of some significance. Others are of secondary importance to hair growth like vitamin E. Vitamin E is necessary to provide good blood circulation to the scalp by increasing the uptake of oxygen. Not fundamentally required in a hair growth supplement, vitamin E is often present largely because people expect to see it in the ingredients - and the customer is always right!

Other common ingredients like the amino acids - L-Cysteine and L-methioine are of questionable value. Although they are fundamentally required for good hair growth, even a rather unhealthy diet should provide enough of these amino acids and supplementation is rarely required.

Vitamin supplements’ vitamins
The supplement industry is worth several billion dollars a year and it is still growing rapidly. Vitamin supplements, mineral supplements and herbal supplements available on net come in all shapes and forms, many of which are specifically advertised to promote healthy hair growth.

These ‘vitamin supplements’ vitamins are marketed by different names such as liquid vitamin supplements, natural vitamin supplements, daily vitamin supplements, nutritional vitamin supplements and also by such names as mail order vitamin supplements or best vitamins supplements.

But the for the most part, with a few notable exceptions like vitamin A & Folic acid, taking these supplements probably does not harm hair growth. But whether they can really help promote hair growth depends on what the actual cause of the hair loss is and how the supplements or active ingredients in herbs interact with the hair follicles.

Vitamin and herbal supplements
To buy online health supplements or herbal treatment requires you to go for quality. Unfortunately there is no universal method by which quality supplements can be identified. So it is best to depend upon the natural vitamins supplements or fresh foods.

Typically, vitamins and minerals are most concentrated in fresh foods, the older the food is, and the more processed it is, the less nutritious it is. So in principle, the average diet of the early twenty first century may be more deficient in certain nutrients required for healthy hair growth compared to the average diet of the mid to late twentieth century, but it should be emphasized that vitamin and mineral deficiency is still rarely a cause of hair loss.

Hair loss vitamins & minerals
In other words, do not waste your time on searching for vitamin supplements on net unless you have a deficiency detected by a blood test. A comprehensive test for vitamin and mineral levels when one or more is suspected as a cause of hair loss would include; serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron binding capacity, serum zinc. The deficiency which directly affects hair growth can be related to vitamin (H) biotin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. You can go for testing for others if they are on offer, but biotin and B6 testing is enough to cover 95% of vitamin deficiencies related to hair loss. And only when such a deficiency is detected by the tests that you need to buy and eat the ‘vitamin supplements’ vitamins. So the bottom line is that it is better to have the natural supplements through a balanced diet.

The author is involved with the hair growth research, he is also writing on subjects like the nutrition, amino acid supplements and nutritional diet vitamin supplements and herbal supplements to educate people so that they don’t fall an easy prey to the hordes of synthetic nutrient growth supplements advertised on internet.

More Healthy Related Articles on Hoodia Gordonii Plant

Compromised Immune System - Adaptogens help the body combat stress, not just emotional but physical stress also.

Deep Breathing Exercises - Beneficial to athletes, people in body pain or someone with a health challenge, dieters and overall for body awareness.

Past Life Regression - This exercise should help you to feel rejuvenated and refreshed as youâ€™re drawing energy from an infinite pool.

Chronic Allergic Rhinitis - Doctors may use the term â€œchronic allergic rhinitisâ€ when symptoms of allergic rhinitis are present throughout the year.

Biloba Pregnancy Supplements - Hoodia Gordonii is a plant very similar in appearance to the cactus which grows mainly in southern Africa.

What Is Hemorrhoid Banding?

One of the more popular treatments for treating hemorrhoids is banding. It is not as invasive as many other methods and yet it is very effective. Hemorrhoid banding is a pretty simple process. The physician inserts an anoscope in the anus. An anoscope is simply a scope that lets the doctor see the interior of the [...]