Sunday, March 11, 2012

Obesity Could Damage the Brain


Weight gain was not only the change in abdominal circumference, but also can alter brain function. Obesity has been shown to increase the risk of many diseases, including brain damage.

This was revealed by the researchers based on the results of several studies. I wonder how obesity can affect the brain function?

Here are 5 ways obesity can alter brain function,among others:

1. Obesity is damaging the memory
Obesity may damage the memory, at least for women after menopause. A study has observed a memory test scores for 8745 women aged 65-79 years. The results of these studies have been published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society July 14, 2011 edition.

The researchers found a rate increase in body mass index (BMI) was associated with female participants 1 point decline on memory tests. Hormone released by fat can interfere with memory. These hormones can cause inflammation, which can affect cognition.

2. Changes in eating behavior during stress
When it has excess fat and a diet to lose weight, one can experience stress. When feeling stressed the desire to eat a person will be growing. So the next day more and more food.

Diet can alter how the brain response to stress. It is based on a body of research has been published in the Journal of Neuroscience issue of December 1, 2011.

3. Obesity increases the risk of dementia

Have more abdominal fat is associated with a decrease in total brain volume in middle-aged adults. It was submitted by the researchers according to study results published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

It is possible that fat can trigger inflammation, which puts stress on the body and may affect the brain. This discovery suggests something special about abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat.

Visceral fat is fat that lies between the organs in the abdominal cavity. Visceral fat may play a role in reducing the size of the brain. Visceral fat releases a unique profile of hormones, which can affect the body in a different way of hormones released by the subcutaneous fat, or fat under the skin.

Previous studies have found that people with smaller brain volumes are at higher risk for dementia, and tend to perform worse on cognitive tests.

4. Obesity can make more impulsive

On child obesity, a brain region that controls impulsive charge, called the orbitofrontal cortex, seems to decrease compared with children without fat.

It is based on the results of a study presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in New York.

"In addition to the teens with smaller orbitofrontal cortex would more likely to be more impulsive. However, these studies do not prove a causal relationship," the researchers said.

Obesity is known to cause changes in the immune system and increase inflammation in the body. Increased inflammation can affect the brain and causes obesity leads to inflammation, which damage certain parts of the brain. In turn can lead to eating more and more obese, "said researcher Dr. Antonio Convit, from New York University School of Medicine.

5. Obesity causes of food addiction
Weight gain can affect the brain for the pleasure derived from sweet and fatty foods. So that obesity can be pushed to eat more cake. The same effects seen in drug users, who ultimately need more cocaine or heroin in the long-term use.

In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers scanned the brains of women after drinking a milkshake. The researchers looked sweet drinks to enable the area known as the striatum.

Half a year later, the researchers repeated the same experiment on women, some of which have experienced an increase in body weight.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Tips For Calancing Calories

Every human being would require calories, because calories are substances that are very important in human life because it is a source of energy for the body. Calories are units of energy individuals who supplied the food we eat. All foods contain calories, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, or proteins. And human needs calories for energy and processed into energy. And intent of the term calorie balance is the balance between when to take and burn calories. Calories works like a scale, to maintain weight and keep it in a balanced condition
Calorie scale is divided into three categories: maintain weight, lose weight. Maintaining weight means that the scale of calorie balance. The body is taking in more calories as it uses the meaning of the weight will remain stable. Weight gain means there is excess calories. The body is taking in more calories than using, causing the body to gain weight. Losing weight means that the body is a calorie deficit. The body uses more calories than it is getting, causing the body to lose weight.
Maintaining caloric balance is to keep a stable weight. Calculating the amount of calories the body takes in can be done through recording the caloric value of every food and drink items consumed. Cutting 3,500 calories out of a normal diet usually equates to about one pound a week. Creating a calorie deficit can be done through both diet and exercise, but is most effective with a combination of both.

Though all foods are made of calories, some have less caloric value than others. Cutting calories and maintaining a healthy diet can help balance calories. Diets rich in fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and low-fat dairy products promote a low-calorie diet. Healthy diets also boost metabolism, increasing muscle development and energy.

It is always important to remember that the body becomes full because of the amount of food eaten, not the amount of calories consumed. Adding fiber rich vegetables to main dishes of meals helps fill the stomach and cuts down on calories while adding important vitamins and nutrients.

When balancing calories it is also important to have a fitness routine. Physical activity increases metabolism, muscle mass and is a general factor in a healthy lifestyle. The average person should be including at least 150 minutes of physical activity into his week. In addition to weight reduction, regular exercise also decreases the risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Friday, March 9, 2012

5 Habits Snacking Is Not Makes Fat


Most people think that snacking is not far away from eating fried foods, chocolate, bread, chips or cake. Therefore, snacking often be a 'taboo' for those who are on a diet.

But actually eating snacks in between lunch intake allows the body gets enough energy and eager to undergo a day of activities. Snacking can provide many positive effects for the body as long as it done the right way. If you've always been afraid for a small snack foods, now do not need to worry because there is an effective way of snacking eliminate hunger without fattening. Here it is a healthy snacking habits, as reported by Health Me Up.

1. Snacking Before and After Exercise
A healthy snack can be applied by eating a light snack before or after exercise. Is a good way to replenish depleted energy and repair muscle tissue.

According to a study published in the Journal of International; Sports Nutrition and Metabolism, a sport that too often can reduce the supply of glucose or glycogen as the primary fuel when exercising. In addition, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Dietetic Association recommends eating a serving of carbohydrates, 30 minutes after the fatigue exercise.

These snacks can be consumed:

- Almonds, rich in protein and has only 170 calories per cup.
- Oatmeal, have lower cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of heart attack. Only 110.3 calories
- Milk chocolate. Experts say that good chocolate milk drink after a workout.
- Before the exercise, the better the consumption of fruit to increase energy.

2. While Working in Office
Healthy snacks to be a great way to fill the fluid lost from the body. Snacks can also reduce the stress of too much thinking. But remember, do not eat snacks at your desk. Take a minute in the pantry for snacking.

Following a healthy diet when eaten in the office:

- Yoghurt; source of calcium that enhances the immune system, muscle toning and provide protein and digestion. Add nuts or fruit.
- Almond. These small nuts contain healthy fat and 6 grams of protein. Almond helps keep the body in a longer time.
- Energy bar is the food that was compressed into the form of bars, such as soy flour. 10 gram bar produces 190 calories and 12 grams of protein.

3. Ahead of Sleep
The appetite of whack when you go to bed? No need to keep that hunger, because you will not be able to sleep soundly when hungry.

Choose a snack menu below the 'safe' to eat at night:

- Take two handfuls of wheat bread, one slice of tomato and cucumber and a piece of chicken or smoked. This sandwich contains 175 calories.
- You can make a fruit salad or fresh fruit. For the salad, use a dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar; not thousand islands sauce.
- Almond or yoghurt.

4. Snacking in the Afternoon

Usually late afternoon is the time where we feel tired and lethargic. You can use this time to eat snacks. Here's an idea to prepare a healthy snack that will boost your spirits:

- Young coconut water
- Biscuits plus yoghurt
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Healthy Sandwich with vegetables and lean meats


5. Snack Options Each Time = Banana

Banana fruit to snacks that are flexible and healthy. It helps the body in fat burning, digestion, and the smooth hard-soluble foods. If you include people who are active, you can use a banana as a snack food that can increase energy because of its rich vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and essential amino acids.

Bananas can also be varied in your desserts, such as mixed with some almonds or yogurt mixed with dark chocolate.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

6 Tips Create the Body 'Exercise' Although The Whole Day At The Office

You may be one of the many people who spend all day sitting in the office. Did you know sitting too long can cause health-threatening illness? For example, diabetes, obesity and heart attacks.

Survey conducted by the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic of 30 employees from Caldrea revealed that employees who work while standing in a while a healthier and more energetic than sit all day long. Surveys conducted by standing while working for several hours with supervisors monitor so they do not sit down until the appointed time.

Should stand a few hours when he was in office? You do not need to do that. Consider the following six steps that can help your body stay active despite working all day at the office, as quoted by Hufftington Post.

1.Keep Posture
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), in America, which is a computer all day in front of you can cause headaches. Make sure the computer is in the right position to keep the arms straight and elbows against the table. So that the neck is stiff, the computer screen should be at eye level. Then, your feet flat on the floor with your knees bent 90 degrees. Sitting with a 90 degree angle will make the body stay upright and fit, it also relieves the stress of the job.

2.Use the stairs instead of Lift

Do not treat yourself to always use the elevator to reach the room where you work. Try to ride through the steps so that your muscles are more active. By climbing 3 to 5 steps can help support the body's calorie burning.

3.Try Change Sit Alas Surfaces Clouds
Perhaps you are already comfortable with padded seats and flat base. However, there is nothing wrong if occasionally replace the seat base with a surface that is not flat. You can use a chair or a chair-shaped balloons the ball. If you are embarrassed to wear the seat, you can add pillows on the cushion. That way, the muscles around the buttocks to the feet will be more engaged. Keep your distance from your eyes with a computer in order to remain in the right position.

4.Take advantage of little time for a walk
Relax your body with a walk. Road here does not mean you have to exit the office and went to the tourist attractions. You can take advantage of the opportunity to stand or walk over to your boss or coworkers. For example, you want to ask your boss about the work recently completed. You are better to him directly rather than having to send an email that you do not make many moves. Or it could also discuss with colleagues while standing or walking.

5.Meeting at the Foreign Office

This could be a part that can make you eliminate fatigue and stress. In addition, you are more healthy because it is done outside the meeting to boost energy and avoid prolonged sitting.

6.Sports in Place

You do not have to run for miles in order to avoid the effects of most of the sitting. You can exercise in place, such as stretching or yoga poses that make muscles move and not rigid. For example, lift your hands, then move to the left and right. Or put the hand on the chin, then the basket to the left and right. After doing some sports movement in the seat, you will feel more fresh and reduce nervous tension in the body, especially the neck, back and waist.

Eating Healthy For A Healthy Weight

Maintain a healthy weight is important to realize your healthy lifestyle. Because the stable weight is a picture of the style of our daily lives. And it is not easy for a healthy weight is achieved by hard work to run the exercise and diet program. and has become a common knowledge that diet and exercise are the two main components to maintain ideal body weight.
A healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free dairy products or low-fat: lean proteins like poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; low amount of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, and added sugar.
Scientific studies show that people get full by the amount they eat as opposed to how many calories they intake. Adding fiber rich, low-calorie foods to meals help the body feel full without adding extra calories.
Focus on foods that support a healthy diet such as fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and calcium rich foods. Fresh fruits are great for people craving a healthy diet but not willing to give up sweets. Fruits are rich in nutrients and vitamins but still taste delicious. Canned and frozen fruits can also make a great snack when fresh fruits are not readily available. Fruits are also much lower in calories than other sweets.

Fresh vegetables are also rich in important nutrients and vitamins important to maintaining a healthy weight. Vegetables are low in calories and very versatile. Grilled, steamed and sautéed vegetables can make a satisfying, healthy meal.

Calcium rich foods are important to maintaining a healthy weight. Consuming low-fat and fat-free dairy products are a great substitute for fatty dairy products and still build calcium for strong bones.

Planning meals is part of eating healthy. Planning meals, as opposed to just grabbing meals on the go, promotes healthy choices. Meal planning gives approximate calories in meals and helps balance food intake throughout the day. Planning meals also gives the cook the opportunity to alter and manipulate meals to support a low-fat, low-calorie diet.
Here are a few tips for cutting calories when cooking meals:
Using low-fat cheese and cream soups provide a great substitute for meat and vegetable sauces and casseroles.

Using non-stick sprays instead of frying with solid fat is a great way to cut calories. Cooking with the non-stick sprays also help preserve the nutrients in the vegetables without adding unnecessary calories.
Using vegan or vegetarian versions of mayonnaise work as a great substitute for the full calorie versions without cutting down on taste. Non-fat Greek yogurt makes a perfect substitute for sour cream for only a fraction of the calories.

Substituting lean meats such as ground turkey for beef helps greatly decrease calories without cutting down on taste or proteins.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

15 Ways Prevent Alzheimer's


lzheimer including disease most feared by the public because it could make him lose his memory and mind. But there are simple steps that can be done to prevent it.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. Although genes influence Alzheimer's condition, but researchers believe there are other factors that could affect such as nutrition, education, diabetes and mental and physical aktiviats.

Here are some easy steps that can be done to prevent or avoid Alzheimer's, as quoted from Mirror.co.uk, Wednesday (03/07/2012), namely:

1. Check the ankle
Low blood flow to the legs is one indication of a problem in the brain, due to blocked arteries and impaired blood flow triggers atherosclerosis in blood vessels in the brain.

Ask your doctor to test ankle-brachial index (ABI) using ultrasound and blood pressure gauges to compare the blood pressure at the ankle to the arm.

2. Eat foods rich in antioxidants
Foods with antioxidants may slow memory decline and prevent Alzheimer's, all fruits and vegetables are very good, but there are better fruits such as black raspberry, currant and blueberry.

3. Beware of bad fats
Type of fat you eat triggers changes in brain function in the direction of better or worse. To stay away from saturated fats because it can strangle the brain cells that make it inefficient and less fried foods.

4. Stimulate the brain to a greater
The brain starts to shrink when the age of 30-40 years. But scientists believe a person can increase the size of the brain through learning. Try to learn new things, make connections as stimulation friends, reading books, searching for new information on the internet or buy a game that can stimulate the brain.

5. Indulge yourself with chocolate

Cocoa is the main ingredient of chocolate has a high concentration of antioxidant flavanols that can strengthen the heart and brain protection. Consumption of brewed cocoa powder can increase blood flow to the brain, because it had a flavanol cocoa powder 2 times more than dark chocolate.

6. Increase good cholesterol

Either cholesterol or HDLtidak only protects from heart disease, but also save the brain. Researchers claim this good cholesterol act as anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce brain damage. Including how to improve exercise and lose weight.

7. Know the ApoE4 gene

There is one gene that can make people more prone to develop Alzheimer's disease is apolipoprotein E4 gene (ApoE4). If you inherit a single variant ApoE4 from one parent then the risk is 3 times larger, but if inherited from both parents then the risk is increased 10-fold.

8. Consider weight-owned

Weight loss for no apparent reason after age 60 years could be a sign of Alzheimer's. To note that the weight loss you have, because overweight when young can also increase the risk of Alzheimer's, because obese people have a brain tissue 8 percent less

9. Recognize early signs of Alzheimer's
Memory problems are not the first clue, but it can be started with a mistake in judging distance when walking, map reading confused, lost sense of smell, asking the same question over and over again and forget to store or put in a strange place.

10. Mediterranean diet

The study found what the Greeks and Italians eat brains and protectors could save brain cells from oxidative damage. This diet is rich in green leafy vegetables, fish, fruits, nuts, olive oil.

11. Get a good night's sleep

Lack of sleep is toxic to brain cells, because sleep can be a miracle drug to help manipulate levels of toxic beta-amyloid peptide brain that could be a risk of Alzheimer's.

12. Learning to cope with stress

Stress is a continuous and occur every day can destroy brain cells and suppresses the growth of new brain cells that make it shrink. For that try to learn to cope with stress such as relaxation techniques, hobbies, counseling.

13. Dental hygiene
Bad teeth and gums that can poison the brain and tend to have memory and cognitive test scores are low, so regular brushing and flossing can help keep gums and teeth and sharpen memory.

14. Eating curry
Typically contains turmeric curry in which there is curcumin, a component that can prevent memory loss. Curcumin works by blocking the buildup of amyloid plaque, thus slowing cognitive decline.

15. Tea consumption
One particular antioxidant in green tea can inhibit the toxicity of beta-amyloid that can kill brain cells. But it should not be added to the milk because it may reduce the antioxidant activity of tea by 25 percent.

4 Foods Not Consumed Most


Eating too much or too little is not good for health. Eating good food is supposed to be in its early stages. Some foods even just a health risk if too little or too much food.

as has been reported by the media one of which is FoxNews, here are four types of foods to be consumed by the body, but should not be too much.

1.Processed meat
Not only tasty, intake of protein and fat in processed meats are also needed by the body. But, do not make processed meat products as the main menu for the daily consumption of processed meat associated with pancreatic disease diabetes high risk.

Processed red meat is also shown to increase the risk of bowel cancer (colorectal). Department of Health recommends that residents take more than 90 grams or 3.2 ounces of red meat processed in order to reduce their consumption to 70 grams per day.

2.Instant food
Many people who prefer to cook instant food after a day of work. Some of these food products rich in fat, sodium, calories, and other content that is not enough to satisfy hunger. Look at the nutrient content prior to purchase to provide a more accurate picture about the food. Do not get hung with pictures of food in containers.

3.Soda
Soda contains lots of calories and sugar but low in nutrients. Too much consumption of high calorie drinks causes weight gain that triggers a variety of other health problems such as increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

No-calorie diet soda has its own health risks. Artificial sweeteners still controversial because studies have found an association of artificial sweeteners with a variety of cancer types.

4.Food for diet
For low-calorie diet products normally contain artificial sweeteners such as sukralosa, sorbitol and aspartame. These materials are able to reduce your calorie intake, but some studies have shown that these materials have a negative impact on the central nervous system and can increase cancer risk.

If you want to lose weight, realize that health is not necessarily low in calories. Nuts are good for health if consumed in moderation, though can add calories quickly.