How to Reverse Bone Loss in Teeth

Dental bone loss, or teeth bone loss, can refer to the decay of the bone tissue in the teeth roots and jaw, and can be extremely problematic for dental health and cosmetic dentistry. Dentists may need to reverse bone loss in teeth to prevent further tooth decay and loss of teeth, to treat infections and gum disease or to better accommodate teeth implants or dentures. While there are a number of types of periodontal disease that can cause bone loss --- also referred to as resorption --- many causes of infection and decay are now both preventable and treatable.

Instructions

1

Maintain good dental health habits and a healthy diet in general. Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent periodontal disease and cavities, and thus tooth bone decay, while a healthy diet and lifestyle will boost your immune system and help the body resist infections in your teeth and gums. Some bone loss is also the result of osteoporosis, so a dietary supplement or prescription to treat osteoporosis may also prevent or reverse bone loss in teeth.

2

Keep teeth sockets healthy after extractions. It may be necessary for your dentist or periodontist to perform a socket preservation procedure after an extraction to reverse bone loss in teeth. This minor surgical procedure can remove any infected tissue that may have caused the need for the extraction, and reverse any resorption that has already taken place beneath and around the tooth.

3

Ask your dentist about a bone graft to reverse bone loss in teeth through surgical regeneration. Bone grafting adds bone and gum tissue to the affected area, allowing the bone tissue to attach to your existing jaw or teeth bone and generate new bone. Bone grafting may vary in recovery time and invasiveness of the procedure, depending on where the bone is grafted and how much tissue is added.

4

Get maxillary sinus augmentation, ridge augmentation or jaw reconstruction to reverse bone loss in teeth and create room for dentures or teeth implants. One of the major drawbacks of bone resorption is the fact that older people who have lost a lot of bone in the teeth and jaws also often need dentures, but the bone loss makes it difficult for the dentist to attach a bridge for dentures. Augmentation surgery by a periodontist can also accommodate new teeth implants.

5

Get dental or teeth implants from a periodontist to reverse the loss of one or two teeth, or the loss of root bone tissue. Teeth implants can not only replace a few lost teeth, but can also be used to hold dentures in place where other teeth are missing.

The Best Diabetic Diet - High Fat & High Protein

According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes is a disease which mandates effective methodologies for personal control of blood sugar, as a diabetic's body has become unable to effectively manage blood sugar on its own. This is most often accomplished through restriction on carbohydrates--both in quantity and quality--to provide the body with only slow-digesting sources of carbs. However, a potentially superior method of dieting for diabetes is a high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diet, removing blood sugar from the equation entirely.

Low Carb Diet

Consume a diet that contains no more than 20 to 30 grams of carbs per day to control your diabetes with a high fat, high protein diet. While carbs are restricted, fat and protein are not--the bulk of your diet should come from these two macronutrients, consumed in roughly equal proportion. When making your calculations, remember that one gram of fat contains twice as many calories as a gram of protein, so you will need to consume two grams of protein for every gram of fat in order to keep things relatively balanced. Regarding carbohydrate intake, all of your carbs should be split across your daily meals to avoid excess carb consumption at any one meal. Furthermore, aim to consume the vast majority (if not all) of your carbs from leafy green and fibrous vegetables, as these provide the most bang for your buck--maximal fiber content and nutritional value with minimal total carbs.

Low-Carb Research

A study published in the online journal Nutrition and Metabolism found that low-carb diets are quite effective at managing the symptoms of diabetes. In the study, individuals on the low-carb diet lost more weight and managed their disease better by following a dietary approach similar to the one listed above. A low carb diet provides a cascading "snowball" effect whereby blood sugar is initially lowered by subtraction of carbs, then is subsequently and continually lowered by the resultant weight loss. While adhering to a prolonged low-carb diet is hardly easy, the results shown thus far are quite encouraging as it seems to be a universal solution to diabetes management.

Nonmeat Protein Food Sources for Children

Raising a child on a vegetarian diet can help that child grow up slimmer, healthier and with a steadier growth rate than the child's meat-eating peers, according to the Physician's Council for Responsible Medicine. A meat-free diet for a child does not have to be protein-deficient. Nonmeat, plant-based protein sources not only provide protein for healthy muscles, but many other nutrients as well, including calcium, fiber, vitamin D and antioxidants.

Dairy

Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of protein; they also provide calcium and vitamin D for growing bones. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced that even lactose-intolerant children shouldn't entirely eliminate dairy from their diets, because the mix of nutrients in dairy products is "essential for growth in children." Three servings of dairy each day are recommended for growing children. One serving amounts to about 8 ounces of milk or yogurt.

Beans and Legumes

Beans and legumes, such as pinto beans, lentils, navy beans, chickpeas and black-eyed peas, are a good source of dietary protein and fiber. One serving of beans is about 1/2 cup cooked. Children ages five and six should consume 1/2 to 1 cup of beans daily, while seven to 12-year-olds can consume up to 2 cups daily.

Nuts

Nuts, including chopped nuts, nut butters like peanut and almond butter, and whole seeds like pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, contain both fiber and protein and are good for portable snacking. Because nuts are high in calories, one serving is relatively small at about 1 tablespoon.

Nutritional Shakes

If you have a finicky eater, nutritional shakes specially formulated for children can help fill in any nutritional gaps, especially with protein. Most nutritional shakes are designed as meal replacements, and contain a combination of milk and soy protein, as well as vitamins, fiber and minerals. Their kid-friendly flavors like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry make them easier for kids to take.

How to Lose Weight Fast With Exercise

Exercise and nutrition go hand in hand when trying to lose weight. The fastest way to lose weight with exercise is to do interval cardio training. Interval training will boost your metabolism so you burn calories 24/7 instead of just while you are exercising.

Instructions

How to Lose Weight Fast With Exercise

1

Determine your target heart rate zones by subtracting your age from 220 and then multiplying that number by 60 percent, 65 percent, 70 percent, 75 percent and 80 percent. Your first zone is 60 to 65 percent, your second zone is 66 to 75 percent, and your third zone is 76 to 80 percent.

2

Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes until you reach your zone 1 beats per minute. Keep exercising in zone 1 for 5 minutes.

3

Increase the intensity of your workout until you get to zone 2 beats per minute and stay there for 1 minute. Slow down until you are back in your zone 1 range and stay there for another 5 minutes.

4

Increase your intensity until you are in your zone 3 range and stay there for 1 minute. Drop back down into your zone 3 for 5 minutes. Keep alternating between reaching your zone 2 and zone 3 between 5 minutes in zone 1 until you have reached 20 minutes, not including your warm up period.

5

Cool down for 5 minutes until you are below your zone 1 heart rate beats per minute.

How to Eat Healthy at Chevy's

Chevy's Fresh Mex is a restaurant that serves Mexican food. While many of the ingredients are full of calories and fat, there are some changes you can make to eat healthy at this restaurant and still have a great meal.

Instructions

1

Order the Santa Fe Chopped Salad with a few healthy changes. When ordered as-is, the salad has 682 calories, 41 grams of fat and 25 grams of carbohydrates. No cheese drops it down to 480 calories and 6 grams of fat. No cheese or bacon lowers it to 338 calories and 2 grams of fat. No cheese, bacon or avocado gives you a salad with 258 calories, 1 gram of fat and 21 grams of carbohydrates.

2

Enjoy a Tostada Salad with Chicken from Chevy's. With all of the ingredients it has 1228 calories, 77 grams of fat and 63 grams of carbohydrates. Remove the tortilla strips for 1088 calories, 71 grams of fat and 42 grams of carbohydrates. Order the salad with no tortilla strips or cheese to have 663 calories, 35 grams of fat and 42 grams of carbohydrates. Another healthy change is to remove sour cream along with all the previous ingredients. This gives you 542 calories, 23 grams of fat and 40 grams of carbohydrates.

3

Ask for a custom Grilled Steak Tacos meal. With no changes it has 972 calories, 51 grams of fat and 87 grams of carbohydrates. Take away the tamalito and you're left with 888 calories, 47 grams of fat and 74 grams of carbohydrates. No tamalito or rice gives you 712 calories, 42 grams of fat and 45 grams of carbohydrates. Eat the meal without tamalito, rice or cheese to lower the calories to 656 and the fat grams to 37.

4

Eat Beans a la Charra from Chevy's. Regular has 230 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 33 grams of carbohydrates. Ask for no cheese to drop the calories to 202 and the grams of fat to 3. With no cheese or pico de gallo the beans have 198 calories, 3 grams of fat and 32 grams of carbohydrates.

5

Have refried beans. The usual order has 298 calories, 15 grams of fat and 29 grams of carbohydrates. A healthy change is requesting no cheese. This changes the calories to 270 and the fat grams to 13.

6

Get black beans at Chevy's. Eat them as listed in the menu and you'll have 207 calories, 3 grams of fat and 33 grams of carbohydrates. Ask for no cheese to change the calories to 179 and the fat grams to 1.

Diet for a Canine With Cancer

The specific nutritional requirements of dogs with cancer still are unknown. Caretakers of dogs with cancer should remember that there is no diet or remedy that will work for every dog. Because humans have to guess what a dog is experiencing when he refuses food, determining the best course of action is difficult.

Meeting Your Dog's Nutritional Needs

Veterinary oncologists at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting research about meeting nutritional needs of dogs with cancer. They offer these suggestions:

Try not to coax your dog to eat when she is showing signs of nausea or discomfort.

Pets that turn their heads away, spit out food or try to hide the food should be left alone.

If your dog seems nauseated or refuses to eat, talk to your vet about anti-nausea medication or even tube feeding.

Try to feed small meals throughout the day.

Beware of learned food aversions. A dog may associate foods with feelings of pain and discomfort. Try offering unfamiliar foods, feeding your dog in a different place or in a new bowl, or inviting your dog to eat during family mealtime. If possible, separate feeding time from medication time.

Finding Healthy Foods

Because malnutrition increases the risk of complications and decreases quality of life and survival rates, finding healthy foods your dog will eat is extremely important.

Dogs with kidney- or liver-related cancers cannot tolerate a high protein diet, whereas dogs with gastrointestinal cancers shouldn't eat high fat diets. Dogs with bone cancers need calcium-rich foods because the affected bone is demineralizing.

Natural supplements recommended by many holistic and allopathic veterinarians include: digestive enzymes, antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, green tea and coenzyme Q10. Certain herbs and spices (turmeric, garlic) may aid in slowing growth of cancerous tissues.

Diet Debates

What dogs eat plays a critical role in the development and progress of cancer. Many schools of thought exist about proper nutrition for dogs, especially those with special needs. Health practitioners at the holistic end of the spectrum say dogs should eat animal proteins and some vegetables, but no foods derived from grains. They believe plant-based grains or proteins promote, rather than restrict, the growth of cancer cells.

Cancer affects the way a body metabolizes food because the body uses nutrients to fight disease, thus focusing more on survival than growth. Over the years, holistic veterinarians have said that feeding raw meat (beef, chicken, fish) is the best option because uncooked meats have not lost natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins and fats that strengthen the immune system. Other veterinarians insist that "Raw meat is never recommended for animals undergoing chemotherapy or who are immune suppressed in any way."

In an article titled "Nutritional Approaches to Cancer Therapy", Dr. Ogilvie, DVM at Colorado State University, says "Some cancer cells thrive on carbohydrates (sugar) and, to some extent, proteins, but not on specific types of fats as a primary source of energy."
He believes a proper diet will aid cancer treatment, and suggests:
* Small amounts of complex carbohydrates
* Minimal quantities of rapidly absorbed simple sugars
* High quality but modest amounts of digestible proteins
* High amounts of unsaturated fats
* Omega-3 essential fatty acids, e.g., salmon oil and flaxseed oil (not recommended for dogs undergoing radiation therapy)

Consult Your Vet

Before you start your dog on any diet, you should consult with your veterinarian or a holistic vet to see if your dog will tolerate and benefit from a new food regimen. And remember, every dog is different and each dog requires individualized care.

How to Lose 20 pounds in 3-4 Weeks

Are you trying to lose weight for a special event or occasion? If you want to lose 20 pounds than follow these simple guidelines.

Instructions

1

Eat four times a day

Eating four smaller meals a day will increase your metabolism and help you lose weight faster. Eating 4 times throughout the day will help keep you from getting hungry. Make smart decisions in your meal choices. Eat more raw fruits and vegetables since they are lower in calories than cooked fruits and vegetables.

Check out here for additional information on losing 20 pounds in 3-4 weeks. http://lose20poundsin3-4weeks.blogspot.com/

2

Drink lots of water to flush out your system, curve hunger pains and keep your body hydrated. Take a fat burner in the morning with or before your first meal and than again in the evening. Supplement any lose in calories that you are cutting out each day to try and lose weight with a multi-vitamin to help with nutrients you may be loosing.

3

Exercise at least 30 minutes to an hour a day. And do a detox diet during the course of your diet to detoxify the body. A detox diet normally consists of water and unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Some examples of a few detox diets are:

(Raw Foodism) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_foodism
(Fasting) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting
(Master Cleanse) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Cleanse
(Herbal Detox) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_detox

What Is a GM Pontiac?

The Pontiac has been produced by the Detroit-based General Motors since 1926. In 2009 GM announced that it was ending the car line's production. For many decades, the Pontiac served as a dressed up Chevrolet. It shared the same design characteristics but with minor styling tweaks and more chrome. It allowed buyers to step up in status. By the 1990s all GM products shared many of the same options, making Pontiac superfluous.

Origins

Pontiac was the result of a merger between the Michigan-based Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works Company and Oakland Motor Car Company in 1908. GM purchased Oakland a year later and in 1926 launched Pontiac alongside its existing Oakland. When Pontiac sales outstripped Oakland, that line was dropped and Pontiac remained a GM offering.

GM family

Pontiac was a steady seller throughout the 1930s, complementing Chevrolet, GMC trucks, Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile. It sat between Oldsmobile and Chevrolet in the hierarchy as it was considered a steady, dependable car line with a few flourishes to distinguish it from its plainer brother, the Chevrolet .

The 1930s

In its first year of production, more than 76,000 Pontiacs were sold. By 1933, it was the cheapest car on the market equipped with a straight 8-cylinder engine. Up until the early 1950s it was either equipped with the straight-8 or a flathead V-8. Most of its components came from the Chevrolet to keep costs down.

Postwar Era

The primary characteristic of the Pontiac was its chrome streak that started at the grille, ran along the center of the hood to the windshield, and then continued down the trunk. Its hood ornament of an Indian chief was derived from Pontiac's namesake, Chief Pontiac, who battled the British in Michigan during the French and Indian War. Hence, models were named the Chieftain and Star Chief.

Makeover

In 1956, Pontiac GM Semon Knudsen brought in chief engineer John Z. De Lorean to give the Pontiac an image makeover. The traditional silver streaks and Chief Pontiac hood ornament disappeared in 1957. In that same year, the high-performance luxury Bonneville debuted, equipped with every option in GM's arsenal and a fuel-injected V-8. At a price of $5,800, it cost twice as much as the average Pontiac.

The GTO

De Lorean's next project was the GTO, which was based on the existing Pontiac Tempest. The GTO, powered by a 389-cubic-inch V-8 engine, was offered as a coupe, hardtop coupe or convertible. It featured chrome valve covers, a dual exhaust system, a floor-mounted Hurst shifter, hood scoops and special GTO badges. Thanks to De Lorean's Bonnevile and GTO, Pontiac gained a sporty image.

The 1970s

Pontiac solidified its credentials as a high-performance car line with the introduction of the 1967 Firebird, sibling of the Chevrolet Camaro. The main difference between the two was the Firebird's front bumper was integrated into the body and its taillamp design was taken from the GTO. The Firebird was Pontiac's lengthy swan song, remaining in production until 2002. But other than the long-running Firebird, Pontiac lost that 1960s-70s magic as GM focused on Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac.

How to Identify Processed Food With GMOs

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have become a controversial topic among health-conscious consumers. That's because the term usually means food products have been genetically altered, or a gene from another substance has been introduced to the food's structure. Processed foods commonly contain ingredients that include GMOs. Concerns with genetic modification of food include insufficient research and testing on long-term health and environmental effects, and few, if any, labeling requirements.

Instructions

1

Find out if the processed food is organic. Organic food products are not permitted to contain GMOs. The more organic food you incorporate into your diet, the less likelihood you will have of ingesting GMOs.

2

Check the packaging for a label that identifies the processed food as non-GMO, such as the "Non-GMO Project" seal. Many companies have taken part in such projects and label their processed food products to let you know they do not contain GMO ingredients.

3

Contact the company that produced the processed food. Ask where the ingredients came from and whether or not any of them could have contained GMOs. The company might refer you to a supplier because it might be unaware of the growing practices of its suppliers.

4

Unless the products display a non-GMO label, avoid processed foods that contain cottonseed, canola, soybeans or corn, as these are the ingredients that are most commonly genetically modified.

How to Raise Crawfish

Crawfish -- also known as crayfish and crawdads -- are freshwater crustaceans that are popular both as a meal and as a pet. They are relatively easy to take care of in an aquarium, but they are best kept in solitude -- large crawfish can attack small fish, small crawfish can be attacked by large fish, and crawfish kept with other crawfish will often result in fighting and cannibalism. A lone crawfish can be easily kept in a small tank as long as high-quality water is used.

Instructions

Preparing the Tank

1

Choose a tank that is at least 10 gallons in volume. Choose a tank cover that will seal most of the tank when in place, as the crawfish may attempt to climb out of the aquarium.

2

Fill the tank with tap water, leaving about 6 inches between the surface of the water and the tank rim. Allow the water to sit undisturbed for at least one day to allow trapped chlorine to dissipate. Install a strong filter with a high water change rate and set it high enough for the outflow to disturb the water surface and aerate the aquarium.

3

Cover the bottom of the tank with gravel or untreated sand. Provide several hiding places by placing rocks or artificial aquarium ornaments with gaps -- you can also cut a segment of sinking PVC pipe, smooth the edges with sandpaper and place it in a corner of the tank.

4

Install a thermometer in the tank to monitor the water temperature. Keep the crawfish in water between 41 and 68 degrees F. Lower water temperatures by floating a plastic bag filled with ice in the tank and allowing it to melt -- never pour ice or cold water directly into the aquarium.

5

Plant the tank with freshwater plants such as Elodea to provide additional food and shelter for the crawfish. Use several plastic plants to provide some inedible shelter and aesthetics to the tank.

General Crawfish Care

6

Place the crawfish in the aquarium by gripping it around the center, just behind the claws, and turning it upside down. Lower it into the water and hold it just beneath the surface for about a minute to ensure that no air bubbles are trapped in its gills, then release it.

7

Feed the crawfish shrimp pellets for its regular diet, providing only as many pellets as it can consume in one night. Provide finely chopped high-calcium vegetables such as spinach and zucchini every two to three days to promote healthy shell growth. Supplement its diet with occasional small slices of carrots, cucumbers and other vegetables. Clean any remaining vegetable fragments two hours after feeding. Check the crawfish's hiding places for hoarded food every several days and remove any food fragments.

8

Replace 25 to 50 percent of the tank water every two weeks. Store sufficient changes of tap water in buckets one or two days in advance -- this will allow the chlorine in the water to dissipate naturally. Use a siphon tube to vacuum debris from the gravel or sand during these changing periods.

9

Allow newly molted skin to remain in the aquarium, as the crawfish may eat it to replenish its calcium. Remove the skin if it has not been consumed within two days after molting. Avoid disturbing the crawfish, changing the water or vacuuming the substrate immediately after molting.

Good Diets to Lose Weight

If you want to lose weight, it can be helpful to turn to a diet plan to help you determine what to eat. While some people are successful by replacing the junk food in their diet with healthier fare, you may need more structure. There are many different diet plans, though, and it can be almost as difficult to choose the right one as it is to lose the weight. The following types of plans are good diets to lose weight.

Calorie-Counting Diets

In order to lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. Most diets focus on calorie reduction in some way or another, even though you may not be directly counting calories. Weight Watchers is a well-known diet plan that focuses on calorie counting through their Points system. You can also just keep a journal that tracks the amount of calories that you eat in a day. To find the most success with a calorie-counting diet, eat foods that are filling, yet low in calories. This helps to avoid hunger, which can lead to overeating. However, you can also plan to occasionally eat higher-calorie treats by reducing calories from another meal.

Low-Carb Diets

Low-carb diets, such as the Atkins or South Beach diet plans, attract people because they are allowed to eat high-fat foods, such as red meat, butter and cream, while still losing weight. These are foods that are usually forbidden or limited on other diets. When starting a low-carb diet, you must drastically reduce the carbohydrates you eat, including some healthy foods with carbohydrates such as whole wheat breads, brown rice and fruits. As you progress through the diet, you can reintroduce these foods into your diet. In order to maintain weight loss, you should continue to follow a low-carb eating plan. The Georgia Department of Community Health notes that it doesn't seem to be easier to maintain a low-carb diet than it is to maintain any other type of diet.

Vegetarian Diets

Switching to a vegetarian diet can also help you lose weight because it typically reduces your overall calorie consumption. Some vegetarians eat fish or dairy products, while others eat an entirely plant-based diet. Note that vegetarian diets are not necessarily healthy. Chips, cookies and candy are all vegetarian and are not appropriate foods when you are trying to lose weight. To be most successful on a vegetarian diet, you should focus your efforts on eating healthy vegetarian foods, such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

How Many Carbs Should You Have to Lose Weight?

Low-carb fish and vegetable kebabs

How Low You Can Go

Low-low carb chicken and vegetable soup

Many low-carb diet plans start with very few carbs: 20 g per day in the first or "induction" phase of the Atkins Diet or under 50 g per day in Michael R. Eades' MD's Protein Power plan. This range is considered to be the most effective for a typical low-carb diet program.

Very Low Carbs Can Seem Too Restrictive

Lower-carb roast chicken and vegetables

Weight loss relative to carbohydrate intake is highly individual. According to Primal Eating Plan proponent Mark Sisson, people can consume 100 to 150 g of carbs per day---one-third to one-half of the typical American's consumption---and still lose weight while allowing more food choices and decreasing the likelihood of giving up on the program.

Bottom Line

Ideal weight and good health go hand in hand.

A low-carb diet plan offers the flexibility of starting at 20 to 50 g per day and increasing carb intake until weight loss tapers off or stops. Or dieters can begin at 100 to 150 g per day and decrease the amount if necessary to find the optimum carb intake for sustained weight loss. Before changing your diet, contact your doctor.

How to Buy Diet Food Online

There is a variety of diet foods available for purchase online. Options include fully prepared fresh meals, frozen meals and nutritional snacks. Ordering diet food online is convenient and adds variety to your diet.

Dietary Options

A quick online search will reveal a plethora of company websites. Many companies allow you to choose the meal plan that fits your needs. Many companies list their weekly menu and offer low-fat traditional, vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, organic and gluten-free options.

Types

Each website should explain its method of preparation, locations to which the company will deliver and the frequency of delivery. Options range from daily delivery of fresh food to your doorstep to weekly delivery of frozen or prepackaged food. The price of your meals depends greatly on the type of food you choose to order. Daily fresh food deliveries are naturally more expensive than frozen meals.

Benefits

Getting proper nutrition while dieting can be difficult, especially for those with a busy schedule. Some companies, such as BistroMD, declare that all of their meals are approved by a professional dietitian. Ordering your diet food online is convenient and can take some of the guesswork out of your weight-loss endeavors.

What to Eat While Losing Weight

The concept behind losing weight is actually quite simple to understand. If you take in fewer calories than you burn each day, you will lose weight. But like so many things in life, putting weight loss concept into practice can be quite difficult. Even though everyone understands the mechanics of losing weight, most of us fail to lose weight and keep it off for the long term. Changing the way you eat and choosing foods that promote good nutrition and a healthy balance can increase the odds of success.

Choose High Fiber Foods

Eating foods that are high in fiber provides many important benefits. One of the most significant benefits of fiber rich foods is that such foods make you feel full faster. This means that you will eat less--and that will help you lose weight.

Many foods that are rich in fiber and pleasing to the palate. Popular foods like breads, pasta, rice and cereals can be excellent sources of fiber--as long as you make the right choices.

When you choose breads, look for whole grain varieties, including dark breads like whole wheat. Also look for fiber rich foods like whole wheat pasta, brown rice and cereals that are fortified with fiber. These fiber rich foods provide lots of nutrition for relatively few calories, and the feelings of fullness they trigger mean you will eat less.

Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables pack lots of nutrition into small packages. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that everyone eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and adding additional fruits and vegetables to your diet is also a great way to lose weight.

Eating a salad for lunch or dinner is one way to boost your intake of vegetables, as is inlcuding steamed broccoli, zucchini and other delicious vegetables at every mealtime. Simply adding two servings of vegetables to every meal can give you that daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables and help you enjoy a healthy and balanced diet.

Drink lots of water

Proper hydration is important when you are dieting, especially if your diet plan also includes an exercise regimen. Drinking plenty of fresh water is a direct way to keep yourself hydrated without adding empty calories. Sugary drinks like sodas or frozen coffee drinks can add hundreds of calories to your daily diet, so it is important to look at what you drink as well as what you eat. Drinking plenty of water can also help you feel full, and that will help you lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived.

What Is the Quickest Way to Lose Weight?

The fastest way to lose weight is by combining a sound diet and daily exercise that will allow you to diet and burn off at least 3,500 calories per week. While this may not seem like much, to make the weight loss permanent, a change in lifestyle has to occur. If you consult a doctor, the general guideline is to lose no more than a pound to a pound and a half per week. Exercising appropriately at least four to five times a week will greatly speed your lasting weight loss efforts.

Time Frame

Check with you doctor if you have been on diets before and they did not work. If you have any chronic diseases or take any prescription medications, also check with your physician.
If your goal is to lose 20 lbs., do the math. One pound is 3,500 calories. Trimming 500 calories from your daily intake should allow you to shed 1 lb. per week. That makes it 5 months to lose 20 lbs. You might bump that weight loss up to 1.5 lbs. if you are exercising daily or at least four to five times a week. Exercise will increase your metabolism and increase the energy needs of every cell, thereby burning more calories. That cuts the time down to 3.5 months.
Avoid fad diets that promise weight loss of more than 1.5 lbs. per week; that is water weight that will return once you are properly hydrated.

Features

Quick solutions are often unhealthy solutions when it comes to weight loss. If you simply starve yourself on very-low calorie diet, you are probably not getting all the protein and vitamin and minerals you need to remain healthy. Any diet below 1,200 calories a day for an adult is too low. A safe and lasting way to lose weight is to have your doctor or nutritionist determine how much weight you need to lose (along with your preference) and devise a diet to suit you.
Fad diets that eliminate entire groups of foods, such as carbohydrates or fruits, can be hard to sustain. It is easy to fall off the bandwagon if you do not eat any dairy, bread or fruit, for instance. Instead, select a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of whole foods: lean proteins, legumes, low-fat dairy, fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Hire a personal trainer to help you design a realistic exercise plan. Start by walking 30 minutes a day; you can divide that into walking for 10 minutes after each meal. This can be done even on very busy days at the office--give yourself that 10-minute walk before returning back to your desk.
Adding resistance training will build more lean muscle tissue to boost your metabolism to safely increase your weight loss over time. Any exercise that you enjoy and can perform consistently and safely is the one to do. Swimming, biking as well as climbing stairs, parking the car further away to walk an extra 5 minutes to your destination all counts as exercise.

Considerations

If you have any serious medical issues you must get medical clearance from your doctor. If you have lost and gained weight repeatedly or have not exercised for more than 2 weeks, also get a medical clearance.
For example, if you have hypertension, physicians will ask you work with a personal trainer to learn how to safely take your heart rate and to not go above a certain level of exertion.
If you are pregnant, it is not appropriate to be on a weight loss diet until the baby is delivered. You will already be receiving detailed nutritional advice from your doctor for pregnancy care.

Benefits

Losing weight permanently will require a permanent change in the way you eat and exercise. Once you reach your target weight, do not return to your days of being sedentary or binging; it is easy to regain the weight back.
By keeping within a few pounds of your doctor-approved healthy weight and maintaining a baseline of physical fitness, you are making your health and well-being a priority. Weight management and regular exercise greatly reduces the risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some types of cancer such as colon cancer.
Keeping your weight under control and exercising regularly also act as effective tools for stress management. Anything that will reduce stress levels will also reduce your risk for chronic disease.

Warning

Losing more than 1.5 lbs. per week is generally not recommended, so if your goal is to lose more than that, you must be under medical supervision.
There may be a life-threatening case of gross obesity when a person is more than 30 percent over the ideal weight. In such cases, hospitalization may be required.
If you have a history of eating disorders or "yo-yo dieting" where you lost and regained even more weight back, seek professional help. In each case, there are several factors to consider, and professional medical advice is the best avenue to take.
Avoid taking diet pills or anything that is sold as a way to increase your metabolism. The fastest way to lose weight is to make permanent lifestyle changes.

How to Workout to Lose Weight

There are many things that you can do to lose weight. Not all weight loss ideas are healthy. To lose weight in a healthy way, you need to eat small healthy meals every 2 to 3 hours. You also need to workout so that your body burns the calories that it takes in. The equation to lose weight is quite simple. Burn more calories then you consume during the course of a day. If it is so easy, why do more people lose weight? One of the hardest things for most people is to workout on a regular basis. They can change their eating habits to see weight loss, but in the end, they do not see the results that they would like without including a workout plan along with their diet. This is an easy workout plan to include in your weight loss plan. It is set up for anyone to do.

Instructions

1

Set aside an hour everyday to workout. This can be either in the morning or in the evening after dinner. Time is not important when it comes to getting your workout in to lose weight. The most important thing is to get your workout in everyday so that you are burning calories to lose weight.

2

Stretch at the beginning of every workout that you do to lose weight. This is important for a couple reasons. By stretching before you workout, you get the blood flowing to the muscles that you are about to use in your workout. When you stretch, you will also help to prevent any injuries from happening during your workout.

3

Do about 40 minutes of cardio. This can be done in a couple of ways. The important part of doing cardio to lose weight is to get your heartbeat up. You can ride around your town on your bicycle. Walking or jogging at a steady speed will also work for your 4 minutes of cardio in your daily workout. To lose weight, you will need to do this part of the workout everyday.

4

Part of working out to lose weight is to do some resistance training. You do not need to go to a gym to lift weights if you do not want to for this part of your workout. Day one you can do squats and lunges to work on the muscles of your lower have. Do three sets of twelve to lose weight. On day two, you can get 5 or 10 pound dumbbells and do some bicep curls and other arm lifts. Keep alternating days between arm and leg workouts. Doing this on a consistent basis will help you to lose weight.

How to Gain Weight for Sports

Contrary to popular belief, it is not always easy to gain weight for sports. That is, you can gain fat, but you really want to gain lean muscle mass. To do that consider tracking what you eat each day and round out any gaps: do you eat at least 3 cups of vegetables and the same of fruits? Do you eat too many refined carbohydrates or empty calories?To gain muscle mass by consuming extra calories, you must be keenly aware of selecting nutrient-dense calories. Eating a stack of pizzas and drinking pints of beer will add weight quickly but also increase your waistline and increase your Body Mass Index (BMI).

Instructions

1

Start by getting any medical clearances needed from your physician. An annual physical is a good starting point to raise any obvious red flags of high blood pressure, risk for diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders that could lead to colon cancer and other chronic diseases. Have your physician or a sports nutritionist determine what a good range of calories is for you to maintain in order to increase your muscle mass by body weight.

2

Take body fat measurements. This will ensure that as you are eating to gain mass, you are not increasing body fat and increasing your risk for certain cancers. The apple or pear rule applies: better to carry body fat on the hips (pear-shaped) than to carry excess body fat on the belly (apple-shaped). Use body fat calipers found in health clubs or order one online for less than $25.

3

Examine your current diet. If you have passed your medical clearance and have an idea of how many calories you need to consume, keep a food diary for 2 weeks. In the food diary record everything you eat and drink in every 24-hour period, the times consumed and whether it was directly before or after any physical training. For example, note the 5 Oreo cookies at work as well as the extra complex B vitamins that you consumed.

4

Consume an additional 2 to 3 snacks of quality protein daily. This may equal to only about 300 to 500 calories a day, depending on the amount of training you do. This does not mean you need to eat hamburgers every hour. Consider adding these high-protein snacks of 9 to 15 grams of protein. That could be 1 cup of nonfat yogurt with fruit, or half of a small tuna sandwich, no mayo. Or half a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich with sugar-free spreads. You might eat 1 cup of cooked pinto beans and peppers.

5

Record your new additions of low-fat, nutrient-dense protein. Do not obsess, but try to add these protein snacks between your meals and not in place of them. Eating smaller, high-protein snacks every 2 hours will generally help most people gain muscle mass.

6

Maintain your training schedule. Dont skip your resistance training or the biking or running or swimming that you do. Simply eating a lot of protein will not translate into visible muscle mass. The extra calories must be consumed or they will be storedlike all calories, as fat.

How to Prevent Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are not to be ignored. They are often the first sign of possible periodontal disease which if left unchecked can lead to permanent tooth loss. This guide will explain how to prevent bleeding gums.

Instructions

How To Prevent Bleeding Gums

1

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth twice daily using a quality American Dental Association approved toothbrush is your first step in the fight against gum disease. Brushing your teeth will remove much of the food particles and plaque that feed the bacteria that can cause swollen or bleeding gums.

2

Floss at least once a day. Flossing will remove food particles which have settled between the teeth. If left in place bacteria will feed on these small particles and infect the gums, which will lead to swelling, bleeding and the onset of periodontal disease. If you are unsure of how to floss properly consult your dentist or dental hygienist.

3

Use an oral rinse every time you brush your teeth. Using a quality oral rinse such as Listerine will kill bacteria in the hard to reach places where it may not be possible to floss or brush effectively. Often these anti bacterial rinses have a residual effect and continue to work for several hours after use.

4

Watch your diet. Eating more healthy foods, especially foods lower in sugar (the perfect food source for bacteria) will control bleeding and swelling of the gums. Additionally, eating well will strengthen your immune system and your body will be better able to fight off infection, oral and otherwise.

Ways to Become Taller Without Pills

Height can affect a person's personality and confidence because it can affect how others view him. Individuals who are shorter than average often seek solutions to their problem by turning to hormone supplements and pills. This, however, is not the only method available to increase height. Those looking to add a couple of inches can turn to more natural methods to become taller, or they can look to extreme measures that can effectively add height to the body.

Leg Lengthening Surgery

Leg lengthening surgery is a procedure in which doctors break the bottom bones of a patient's legs, known as the fibula and tibia. Once the bones have been broken, patients have what is known as a fixator screwed into each leg through the outside of the skin. These fixators, which include two metal rings that are attached to extending rods, are expanded by the doctor in increments of two millimeters for a period of 12 days. After 12 days the fixators are removed, allowing the gaps left between the bone to fill with new bone. Therapy is then given soon after to teach patients how to walk with their new height. Patients can have two to three inches added to their initial height upon completion.

Exercise

Exercise can add height if practiced regularly. In place of pills or supplements, individuals can perform a series of exercises that strengthen the spinal, abdominal and body muscles to support the body's weight. Exercises that require stretching and resistance, such as yoga and Pilates, help to stretch muscles and limbs, thus allowing cartilage around the bones to expand and add height. Stretching also enables the leg and arm muscles to lengthen and become relaxed. This helps to remove stress from the muscles and bones that may be compressed and prevent growth from occurring.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet can help improve the body's functions, as well as strengthen muscles and bones. Foods that are rich in calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A and protein can help increase height, if consumed regularly. Foods like broccoli, papaya, fish, chicken and legumes provide vitamins and minerals needed to restore bone density, as well as repair and grow new tissue. In turn, bones in the spine and legs can become stronger, enabling them to support more body mass. New and restored healthy tissue can grow and expand, adding height to the body.

How to Eat and Lose Weight

Most people think that in order to lose weight, you have to severely restrict your diet. This is false. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to make sure that you are eating the right foods and giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly. Simple changes to your habits can help you to eat and lose weight.

Instructions

1

Keep a diet journal. Write down everything that you eat and drink. This will help you to see places that you can make changes to help you lose weight.

2

Have your largest meal for breakfast. Lunch should be a medium sized meal and dinner should be your smallest meal. By doing this, you have all day to exercise to burn the majority of the calories that you eat.

3

Pick healthy foods. It is important to read nutrition labels to find out the calorie and fat content of the foods you pick. You should aim to eat low fat and low calorie foods so that you can lose weight. Keep in mind that your body needs some calories and fat to function properly. Talk to your health care professional to find out the proper amount for you.

4

Eat only when you are hungry. Dehydration is sometimes mistaken for hunger. When you feel the urge to eat between meals, try drinking a glass of water. If you still feel hungry ten minutes after your drink, go ahead and have a healthy snack such as an apple.

5

Consume foods in the right order. Your plate should be at least 2/3 vegetables. If you eat the vegetables first, you will be less likely to overeat the other foods.

6

Exercise to burn off calories and increase your metabolism. Simple exercises such as walking or swimming can rev up your metabolism. When you increase your metabolism, your body can burn calories more effectively.

7

Focus on measurements instead of weight. If you are losing inches but staying at the same weight, you are probably gaining muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat and burns more calories.

Diet Plans & Exercise for Bulimics

Normalizing eating habits for a recovering bulimic can be a difficult job, but you should not be too hard on yourself as far as diet and exercise are concerned. Bringing yourself back on track should be a gradual process, because that is the only way you can fully recover without relapsing. The transition to a normal lifestyle can be overwhelming, which is why you should devise an experimental diet and exercise plan and see if it works for you.

Structured Meal Plan

A structured eating plan for a recovering bulimic should consist of a full breakfast, a full lunch, a full dinner and snacks to be consumed between meals to keep you from getting hungry. In the early stage, you should avoid foods that can trigger a purging reaction. Meal spacing is very important--there should not be a gap of more than three or four hours between each meal. According to Bulimia Help, a recovering bulimic should follow structured meal timings for healthy recovery. For instance, a person who wakes up at 7:30 a.m. can have his breakfast at around 8:30 followed by a mid-morning snack at 10:30. Around 1 p.m. can be a good time for lunch, followed by mid-afternoon snack at 3:30. You can have another snack at 4:40 p.m. and have your dinner at around 6. If you sleep around 11 p.m., you can have an evening snack at 8:30. You can alter the timing according to your sleep routine.

Healthy Diet Program

Since the goal is to prevent overeating and normalize the diet pattern, you should be focusing on obtaining at least 2000 calories, the required amount for a healthy person, every day. For breakfast, you can eat a whole wheat English muffin along with 8 oz. non-fat milk, peanut butter and a banana. For between-meal snacks, you should eat something healthy such as an apple and string cheese. For lunch, you can have a turkey sandwich with mayonnaise, cheese, tomato and lettuce. Make sure the bread is whole-wheat. If you want, you can add 8 oz. light yogurt along with one serving of grapes. For the afternoon snack, eat a serving of whole-wheat crackers along with a healthy dip like salsa. Dinner should consist of a stir-fried chicken breast along with a cup of Chinese vegetables. This can be accompanied by one cup of brown or white rice. For the nighttime snack, you can consume one serving of ice cream, fruit salad, brownie or sorbet.

Exercise and Lifestyle Changes

It has been seen that excessive exercise is a major component of most eating disorders, including bulimia. Exercise as a part of treatment is not recommended for recovering bulimics, especially if the person has a history of excessive exercise along with purging strategy. But once you feel confident enough to start moderate exercise on regular basis, you can establish simple cardiovascular exercises to promote healthy lifestyle.

What Can I Feed My Dog That Is Low Protein?

Most dogs need a moderate to high level of protein, but certain health conditions such as renal failure may require a special diet. You can take your dog's diet into your own hands and prepare food yourself instead of relying on the many commercial brands of low-protein dog food available. A good number of foods, however, are both nutritious yet low in protein. Your vet can prescribe a low-protein diet when your dog needs it and can suggest dog food brands and recipes.

Home Recipes for a Low Protein Meal

Hill's Dog Food, a leading dog nutrition company, suggests a homemade recipe for dogs on a restricted protein diet. To make one daily portion for a 40-pound dog, mix a quarter pound of ground beef (not lean ground chuck) with two cups of cooked, unsalted white rice. Add a finely chopped hard-boiled egg and crumble three slices of white bread into the mix. Finally add one teaspoon of calcium carbonate or a crushed Tums tablet and mix all the ingredients well. The mixture will be dry, and you can add water to increase its palatability for your dog. Make sure all the ingredients are well cooked. The mixture will keep if you cover it in the fridge, and you can adjust the recipe or portion the food according to your dog's weight. A 20-pound dog, for example, should be fed half of this recipe for a daily meal, while a 10-pound dog would ideally be fed a quarter of it.

Another recipe that Hill's provides, called the Ultra Low Protein Diet, uses two and a half cups of cooked white rice, two tablespoons of vegetable oil, one finely chopped hard-boiled egg, plus one quarter teaspoon each of calcium carbonate and potassium chloride. This yields approximately one pound of food, or the daily portion of a 20-pound dog, and you can adjust it likewise to the weight of your dog.

Other Foods

Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and papayas are also very low in protein, and you can experiment with them and your dog's tastes. Since protein is such a vital part of a healthy dog's diet, a low protein diet requires careful monitoring so your dog doesn't become malnourished. If you choose to prepare home cooked meals, do your research and make sure that you're incorporating the proper nutrition. Most green vegetables are very low in protein and provide other essential vitamins and minerals that your dog needs. You can also experiment with unsalted vegetarian soups, condensed soups such as cream of mushroom, and carrot juice for additional moisture and nutrition in the food. Many other foods are also available, and the USDA publishes a list each year of healthy, low-protein foods that you can adapt to help create recipes for your dog.

Commercial Brands

Most major dog food brands provide a low protein kidney diet for owners who don't wish to cook homemade food for their dog. If you choose this route, your vet will likely outline a few options. The most common of these is Hill's Prescription Diet k/d, which is one of the most popular commercial brands for dogs requiring low protein. This is often a much more expensive route, and many owners find that they can purchase the dog food, or similar products produced by other manufacturers, through other vendors, successfully eliminating any markup they would otherwise pay by purchasing it through the vet.

Iams produces an Early Stage dry food formula for dogs with kidney problems. It focuses on retaining the optimum amount of protein in your dog to retain muscle mass and strength, while reducing other substances such as phosphorous. If your vet has prescribed your dog a low protein diet due to renal problems, you may wish to consider this brand.

How to Get Longer Nails

Your hands tell the world a story about you. Learning how to get longer nails can tell the world that you are a woman who knows how to take care of herself. Long fingernails are a sign that you are not a nervous person who bites her nails. They also indicate that you do invest some degree of time into your appearance---that you care about how others view you. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

How to Get Longer Nails

1

Eat the right kinds of foods and avoid starvation diets. Piling on the pizza and other junk food will not give you the long and strong nails you are looking for. For nails to grow long, they must first grow strong. A diet that is rich in B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium and essential fatty acids promotes nail health.

2

Take multivitamins. A multivitamin is critical if you aren't getting the proper nutrients from your diet. A multivitamin will also help fill any nutritional gaps even if you try to follow a healthy diet. An additional biotin supplement of at least 2.5 milligrams daily boosts nail thickness.

3

Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise gets the blood circulating, which in turn circulates critical nutrients throughout the body. This means that the necessary fuel is getting to your fingernails to keep them growing strong and long.

4

Give your fingers a solid workout. Regular typing, piano playing and finger tapping can actually get the blood flowing to your fingers. Blood flow is good when the goal is longer nails---it means that critical nutrients are being delivered to the nails.

5

Moisturize your nails often and well. Pay special attention to your fingernails whenever you apply moisturizer to your hands. Maximize moisturizing efforts by applying immediately after bathing and whenever removing nail polish.

6

Trim and file your nails frequently. It may seem self-defeating to trim nails when trying to grow them longer, but regular trimming and filing can eliminate many of the rips and tears that would otherwise damage the nail. Trimming and filing is best done immediately after bathing or soaking nails.

7

Polish nails. Keeping nails polished with a thin coat of nail polish helps nails retain moisture. Remove and reapply polish once a week for best results.

How to Calculate Calories From Fat Grams

A calorie is the most common unit used to measure the amount of energy your food provides to your body. Whether you want to gain, maintain or lose weight, counting your caloric intake can help you determine the amount of food you should be taking in. Protein, carbohydrates and fat all require a different amount of energy to be burned by your body, therefore learning how to calculate calories from fat grams can help you with your diet goals.

Instructions

1

Calculate calories from fat grams by multiplying each gram of fat by nine. The resulting number will be equal to the number of calories your body is taking in from fat grams. Calories in food are derived from protein and carbohydrates, which provide four calories each, and fat which provides more than double the calories of protein and carbohydrates with 9 calories.

2

Calculate the percentage of fat calories in food, as most labels only include fat grams. The 2005 U.S. Dietary guidelines state that 20 to 30 percent of your calories should be provided by fat. To determine the percentage of calories from fat grams in any given food, first calculate the number of fat calories by multiplying fat grams by nine. Divide that number by the total number of calories and multiply by 100 for your final percentage.

3

Decrease your intake of saturated and trans fats, as these modified products can increase your risk of heart disease. When calculating calories from fat grams, take into account how much of the fat is saturated and trans fat and how much is unsaturated fat. Try to take in no more than 10 percent of your fats from saturated or trans fats.

4

Eat fats in moderation; however, do not eliminate them from your diet completely as your body needs them to breakdown fat soluble vitamins and minerals.

How to Self Design a Low Carb Weight Loss Diet

It's time to lose some weight and you've decided a low-carb diet is the way to go. Going low-carb is all about limiting your carbohydrate intake to get rid of those unwanted pounds. According to the Mayo Clinic, certain kinds of carbohydratess heighten blood sugar, raise insulin levels and prevent fat breakdown. Starting a diet regimen is never easy, but with some careful research, planning and support, you can change your lifestyle and shed some weight.

Instructions

Developing a Low Carb Diet for a Busy Lifestyle

1

Research low-carb diets. Take a look at some of the more popular diets, including Atkins, South Beach, and the Zone, online. Check out what experts and dieters have to say about these diets. Gauging the low-carb diet options on the internet will not only give you insight into the low-carb lifestyle, but it will also give you a better idea of how many carbohydrates you can have a day. In no time, you'll find out what kinds of food you can eat and what kinds of food you'll need to limit.

2

Understand the basics. Research the thinking behind low-carb diets and why proponents believe they work. It's all about limiting certain kinds of simple carbohydrates (white bread, white pasta, rice) and replacing with more complex carbohydrates (high-fiber bread, nonstarchy fruits and vegetables). You'll increase your consumption of lean protein, along with some heart-healthy fats. As with most diets, increasing your exercise is key to maintaining a healthy weight.

3

Download a list of high- and low-carb food. Take a look at low- and high-carb starches, fruits and vegetables. Become familiar with what you can and cannot eat. Create a spreadsheet or buy a notebook so you can keep track of what you eat and your exercise regimen.

4

Go shopping and pick out low-carb options for each meal, along with snacks. Surround yourself with healthy options when you get cravings or are hungry. Read labels and become informed when it comes to serving size. You'll quickly discover it's time to break some old habits and create healthier ones.

5

Work out. Find an exercise that you enjoy and can keep up most days of the week. Increasing your metabolism helps shed pounds quickly and improves overall strength.

6

Get support from friends, family or online. To succeed in losing weight in the long term, surround yourself with positive influences. Check out the various online communities that offer support for people on low-carb diets.

Pros of Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically modified crops generate considerable controversy, especially in parts of the world like Europe, where some countries have banned GM foods. However, many US farmers grow GM food. As of 2010, Time Magazine reports that more than 90 percent of soybeans grown in the US are genetically modified and Wall Street Journal reports the percentage for US-grown corn is 80 percent GM. GM foods offer a variety of benefits, including cheaper, healthier food and reduced environmental impact.

Healthier Food

Scientists have genetically modified some foods to include more vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamin A deficiency causes blindness, and as many as 500,000 children go blind each year as a result. A type of genetically modified rice called "golden rice" includes much higher levels of vitamin A, which allows poor people in the developing world to consume appropriate levels of vitamin A and avoid the effects of vitamin A deficiency.

More Food

Scientists can modify foods to resist diseases and insects, grow closer together and grow in conditions that would kill non-modified plants, such as areas prone to droughts. All these modifications allow farmers to increase both where they can plant crops and how much they can harvest. According to Time Magazine, by 2050, the world population will reach 9 billion people, which will require farmers to provide 70 percent more food than they do currently. GM foods may allow farmers to meet this need.

Environmental Benefits

According the the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, a study by the National Research Council has shown that pest-resistant GM food crops require less pesticide, which in turn reduces the amount of pesticide runoff that can inadvertently kill insects such as honey bees. Herbicide-resistant crops conserve soil as farmers no longer need to till their fields as often or disturb soil to kill weeds.

Cheaper Food

Because GM foods increase yields, reduce the need for expensive and labor-intensive weed and insect controls and increase the amount of arable land, genetic modification ultimately increases the supply of food and therefore reduces its cost. According to Bloomberg, almost three dozen nations across the globe, including Haiti and Somalia, faced food riots in 2008 as a result of spikes in food prices. GM foods help alleviate problems caused by increasing food prices.

How Long Should it Take to See Results From Taking Vitamins?

Vitamins are designed to fill the nutritional gaps in people's diets; however, individual results may vary.

Results Vary from Person to Person

Most professionals agree that a person will start seeing results from vitamins in one to three months.

Vitamin consumers typically see results in one to three months. Individual results vary based on the health of the person consuming the vitamin. Most professionals agree that a person with a deficiency may see results faster than a healthy person, but a healthy person will still benefit from taking vitamins.

Results Will Not Be Seen at All

Some professionals believe vitamins are not needed because proper nutrition is provided through a healthful diet.

Some professionals argue that healthy vitamin consumers will not see any results. They claim a proper diet provides the required nutrients; therefore, excess nutrients are flushed from the system, making it pointless to take a vitamin. These professionals warn that overdosing on vitamins may even cause negative results.

Bottom Line

The best thing to do is consult a medical professional before starting a vitamin regimen.

Vitamins fill the nutritional gaps in people's diets, but individual results vary based on the health of the consumer. Generally, results are seen within three months; however there are instances where no results are seen. Vitamin consumers should seek the advice of a medical professional.

Skin Improvement Diet

When you want clear, glowing, healthy skin, there's only so much that topical products can do. Ultimately, you are what you eat---whatever you put inside your body is going to show up on the outside. Your diet can work for your skin or against it, so make sure every meal is full of skin-healthy foods, and your face will thank you.

Vitamin A Foods

Vitamin A is essential for the health of your skin cells. It helps promote skin repair while fighting off acne. The vitamin A found in dairy products is the most easily digestible by the body, so stock up on milk and yogurt. Yogurt is especially great for skin since the live bacteria in it are great for digestion, and healthy digestion promotes healthy skin.

Vegan? Beta carotene, found in veggies, is converted into vitamin A by your body. Carrots and dark leafy greens like spinach or kale are all great sources of beta carotene.

Antioxidant Foods

Free radicals---unbalanced molecules produced by our bodies due to sun, stress, and chemicals---target the health of your skin, especially collagen, which keeps skin looking plump and young. Antioxidants fight free radicals and protect skin from premature aging. The four highest antioxidant foods are plums, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Other great sources are tomatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, pecans, prunes, and artichokes.

Green tea is also an amazing source of antioxidants, and may help to protect you against skin cancer. It's anti-inflammatory, too, which boosts your overall skin health. Drink several cups a day to keep your skin hydrated and protected.

Omega-3 Foods

Foods rich in essential fatty acids keep your cell membranes healthy, which helps to protect cells against damaging outside forces, as well as retain water. When your cells retain water, skin is plumper, firmer and younger-looking. Most people get enough omega-6 essential fatty acid in their diet; it's omega-3 that you need to look out for.

Find it in oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), walnuts, canola oil, and flax seed. Eat your flaxseed ground or in oil form; whole flaxseeds will probably pass right through you, undigested.

How to Lose Stomach Weight Fast

Maybe you just had a baby or you've been trying to lose stomach weight for years. Whatever the case, it takes will power and determination to lose weight fast, especially in the stomach area. Here's how to lose stomach weight fast:

Instructions

1




Eliminate all white flour products from your diet and eat vegetables instead (preferably green leafy vegetables). Broccoli has protein and many health benefits so you can start with that, but don't forget the hundreds of other green leafy vegetables that are out on the market as well. Doing just the one step will help you lose stomach weight fast.

2




Eliminate sugar from your eating plan. Chocolate, candies, cookies, etc are super fun while you're eating them, but they completely sabotage any healthy diet and make your stomach fat. Sugar also makes you tired. If you eliminate all simple sugars from your diet, you'll soon be amazed at how much stomach weight you'll lose.

3




Be sure to eat five small meals a day. This takes some getting used to, but trust me, when you replace white flour products with vegetables and stop eating simple sugars, you will want that small healthy meal every 3-4 hours. Be sure to eat a source of protein at EVERY meal (eggs, meats, nuts, etc) since protein is the one thing that will keep you full until the next meal. If you think of your plate in thirds, one third will be protein, one third vegetables and one third complex carbohydrates (sweet potato, whole grain wild rice, etc). Eat things that look like they just came from the farm or field - the more natural it is, the healthier it is for you and the faster you will lose the stomach weight fast.

4




Drink a lot of water to help increase your stomach fat weight loss. You should drink at least 3 tall glasses of water a day. Those sugar drinks, coffees and sodas are going to get you NOWHERE - you will not lose weight fast while consuming those products. They sabotage your healthy diet just like cookies, cakes and candies. Eliminate the sugar drinks and drink water, milk and not from concentrate orange juice instead. V8's are great too if you can stand the salt.

5




Start exercising if you haven't already. Do cardio 4-5 times a week for 30-60 minute intervals. Do abdominal exercises too, but you need to realize that losing stomach weight fast has more to do with your diet than doing hundreds of crunches in the gym (and if you're doing hundreds of crunches, you're doing them wrong! - you should be exhausted at 12 reps per set). Weight training will help you burn fat fast too, so don't be afraid to pick up the weights.

6




Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. The more rested you are, the better your body performs.

The Best Dog Food Diets

The best dog food diet is the one that makes your pet look and feel fabulous. Manufacturers of commercial foods promote their brands with images of young, healthy and active dogs, but in many homes, the dog's main form of exercise is getting off the couch to bark at the postman. Your dog's diet must be tailored to its needs, its feeding schedule, your wallet and degree of convenience. Because dogs are omnivores, a balanced dog diet should include both protein and vegetables.

Dry Food

If you include kibble in your dog's diet, read the packaging and identify the ingredients before choosing a product. The most important ingredient is animal protein, which should be listed as meat, chicken or fish. Secondary sources of protein could be eggs and bone meal, and these will be lower down on the list. Select a product containing little or no grains; grain has no benefit for dogs and is foreign to their diet in the wild. You can supplement the kibble with some wet food at one of the dog's daily meals.

Wet Food

Wet foods include processed dog food sold in rolls in the pet store, tinned dog food, and cooked and frozen food mixes that usually contain rice, meat and vegetables. As with kibble, the product should first and foremost contain real meat, followed by other natural ingredients including vegetables. Look for a mention of human grade products, and avoid any dog foods that contain gluten, which is difficult for dogs to digest.

BARF Diet

Commonly referred to as the "Bones and Raw Food" diet, BARF also stands for Biologically Approved Raw Food. Introduced by veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst around 1985, this diet has grown in popularity since the spate of pet food recalls in the past few years. It consists of feeding whole foods that are similar to the evolutionary diets of animals in the wild, and which contain raw meat, bone, fruit and vegetables in balanced quantities. The diet is controversial in its use of raw, meaty bones, but Billinghurst suggests that if the bones present a risk to the dog, they can be finely ground into fresh bone meal.

Home-Cooked Foods

Some dog owners prefer to cook for their pets, and this is a good way of ensuring you give the right food. Use approximately 50 percent animal protein, including muscle meat, organs such as heart, liver and kidneys, eggs, dairy including yogurt and cottage cheese, and fish. Organ meats are very rich and should not make up more than 5 percent of the total. The other half should be a mix of complex carbohydrates such as pasta or vegetables, and some fruits. Grains should be kept to a minimum because they have been found to relate to a variety of health problems. Organic brown rice cooked with chicken is an ideal base for home-cooked food.

Free Ways to Lose Weight

Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you take in. You can achieve your weight-loss goals by making changes to your diet and exercise routine. Make the necessary lifestyle changes and take advantage of free weight-loss resources, and you will safely lose weight without spending money.

Free Online Resources

Websites like Livestrong.com and SparkPeople.com offer free food diaries, nutrition information, weight loss tips and calorie calculators. You can use these sites to find out how many calories you should consume to lose weight and to get support from others trying lose weight.

Dietary Changes

Get your daily calories from appropriate portions of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and lean sources of protein. Visit MyPyramid.gov for free nutrition tips and menu plans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Replace the unhealthy items on your shopping list with healthy foods, and skip the snack-food aisles of the grocery store. If you normally spend money on fast food, consider setting aside the same amount to spend on USDA-recommended foods.

Free Exercise

Adults should spend at least two and a half hours per week doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You do not have to have a gym membership to get enough exercise to meet your weight-loss goals. Get active by taking a brisk walk, dancing, walking up and down stairs or doing any other free exercise that you enjoy.

Monitor Progress

Using one of the online food diaries suggested above or carry a notepad in your purse or pocket, and jot down what you eat each day. Keeping track of your food intake will help you recognize problem areas in your diet. Write down how many minutes you exercise each day to make sure you are getting enough exercise each week. Regularly review your diet and exercise habits to see if you need to make any adjustments.

About Nutrition Consulting

Confusion over what to eat and when is the basis of the billion-dollar diet industry. Consumers are inundated with books, infomercials and so-called experts selling the latest ideas based on the latest research. The best source of proper, proven nutrition is often a nutrition counselor or dietitian. A few sessions with a nutrition counselor can lead to safe-and-sane dietary practices that last a lifetime.

What is Nutrition Counseling?

Nutrition counseling can be done by registered dietitians, nurses, doctors or even the layman armed with a good source of information. The best bet for consumers for proper information, however, is the registered dietitian. The registered dietitian's only focus for the client is the food the client consumes. Armed with the knowledge of what vitamins and nutrients foods are composed of, the dietitian is able to plan a nutrition program based on the client's needs according to his health, disease process and current needs.

What Can I Expect at a Counseling Session?

A nutrition counseling session may begin before the client actually sees the nutrition counselor. Frequently a 72-hour food diary is kept before the client's first appointment with the counselor. When the client arrives for their appointment, the nutrition counselor will then critique the client's diet, identify places where the client's diet falls short of the ideal, and then with the client set goals for the client to undertake based on nutritional needs and ability to follow a plan. The client's favorite foods, prepared in a nutritious way, will be included in the plan to have a greater chance of success that the plan is followed.

Where Do Nutrition Counselors Work?

You may find nutrition counselors in a variety of settings. Many work in hospitals as registered dietitians planning menus for patients with specific needs. These dietitians may visit with the patients to talk about their disease or illness and teach the patients how their needs have changed based on medications their doctor has prescribed. These dietitians also perform a vital role when a patient is under-consuming food and a calorie count may have to be undertaken to determine the patient's exact intake.

Nutrition counselors may also work independently or as part of a team of medical professionals in a private setting. Nutrition counselors are found at spas or gyms as part of a full-service the facilities offer for their members. Nutrition counselors are also very often hired by professional athletes as they train for the Olympics. Sports teams, more often than not, have a nutrition counselor on staff to monitor the weight and diet of the athletes.

Isn't Eating a Variety of Foods Enough?

Although eating a variety of foods is important, most of us consume our favorite foods, prepared the favorite way, again and again. The body becomes accustomed to getting the same nutrients all the time and any deficiency created only gets worse over time. If a consumer wants to see where his diet is lacking and understand more about how a nutrition counselor can help fill in the gaps, a free trial of diet tracking software may be found at: http://nutrigenie.biz/download.html. A consumer may download a free trial of many different nutrition trackers based on the diet the client needs or is following. After using the trial version, many consumers are shocked at how imbalanced their nutritional intake truly is and usually find their diet is severely lacking in one or more nutrients and too high in others.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

You should not expect to walk away from one session with a nutrition counselor and know all that you need to know about diet and nutrition. It may take several sessions of learning and relearning new habits and understanding what old habits do not work and why. After a few sessions, your counselor should suggest you try your newfound habits out for a few months and return for a follow-up appointment to check your progress. After a few months, clients will feel they have more energy, their face may appear to be brighter and younger looking and they probably will have either gained or lost a few pounds depending on their needs. Whatever the case may be, clients will have learned more about nutrition than they ever thought there was to know. The more knowledge they have, the better the food choices they can make for the rest of their lives.

Foods That Accelerate Estrogen

Estrogen is a natural hormone in both men and women, but it is dominant in women and is their sex hormone. Because certain foods contain hormones and can accelerate hormone buildup in the body, choosing your diet wisely, staying away from processed and fast foods, is of importance. This is especially true after a woman hits 30 years of age when the hormone balance begins to shift.

Beef

Six types of hormones are used in cattle production.

Hormone pellets implanted under the skin of cattle to make them grow fatter faster. Cornell University's program on breast cancer research states that there are six different hormones used in beef production including, estradiol (akin to estrogen) and progesterone, both natural female sex hormones. Two types of male sex hormones and two types of synthetic hormones are also among this group. Federal regulations allow for the use of these hormones in cattle and sheep, but not for poultry or pigs.

Many dairy products may be laced with hormones. In the body, all of these artificial hormones mimic true-estrogen. Some believe that this is part of the reason girls reach puberty at younger ages. In women, however, it is possible estrogen-accelerating foods can contribute to cancers including breast cancer.

Coffee

One estrogen-accelerating food might be coffee. Science Daily reported on a study by Texas AgriLife Research that discovered a compound in coffee, called trigonelline or "trig," was estrogenic. This can accelerate tumor growth in estrogen-dependent breast cancer. "Estrogen-dependent tumors in the presence of estradiol will grow faster," stated nutrition scientist Dr. Clinton Allred. Allred said: "If you use those cells in a laboratory setting, you can determine whether something is estrogenic because they will literally make a tumor grow faster." The estrogenic compound does not cause cancer, but accelerates growth in existing estrogenic tumors.

Pesticides in Vegetables and Fruits

The world of pesticides that reaches the dinner table, as well as other chemical pollutants, might also accelerate estrogen buildup from eating common vegetables and fruits. Many processed foods can also pose a danger. Some people choose to eat only organic fruits and vegetables as a result, and both the production and consumption of organic foods has been on the increase in the United States for decades.

Estrogen dominance is of concern to both men and women for other reasons, including fatigue and depression, mood swings and hot flashes, headaches and migraines, and a host of other ills.

The best advice from doctors is to eat a balanced diet, low in processed foods, eat meat sparingly, if at all, don't overindulge in coffee, go organic if you feel that there might be a chance of estrogen buildup in your body and get substantial rest and exercise.

How to Calculate Fat Grams

Fats are an important part of our diet; they can nourish our bodies or cause health issues when eaten too much. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an intake of more then 35 percent of calories in fat can cause health issues and may contribute to increase blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Understanding how to calculate fat grams and your daily fat percentage intake can positively impact your health.

Instructions

1

Find the number of calories from fat. If you look at a nutrition label, you'll see two numbers: the total calories and calories from fat. Write down the amount of calories from fat on a piece of paper.

2

Determine how much fat an item has by dividing the total fat calories by 9, as each gram of fat contains 9 calories. For example, if there are 100 calories from fat, then there are 11.11 grams of fat in each serving.

3

Determine the fat percentage. If you're trying to lose weight, you'll need to keep the daily percentage of fat intake to 30 percent or less of total caloric intake. For example, if you're eating an item that has 300 total calories and 100 calories from fat, you'll find that 33 percent of the product is fat. You can find this number by dividing 100 fat calories by 300 total calories.

How Many Calories to Lose Weight?

Weight loss often seems like a mystery. Obviously, it is related to the food you eat. Every 3,500 calories you subtract from your diet should subtract a pound from your weight, in theory. But not all calories are created equal, and dramatically reducing caloric intake changes the composition of your body. Here's what you need to know about cutting calories in order to lose weight.

Calculating Calories Required to Maintain Weight

To quickly calculate how many calories you need to eat in order to lose weight, take your weight and multiply it by 17. If you weigh 140 pounds, you should eat about 2,380 calories. This assumes you are moderately active. If you are very sedentary, multiply your weight by 14. If you are very active, multiply your weight by 20.

Reducing Calorie Intake

Once you know what it takes to maintain your body weight, you know that reducing the number of calories you take in below this amount should cause you to lose weight. Obviously, if you stopped eating altogether, you would lose weight very quickly, but not as quickly as you might expect. Your body kicks into starvation mode when you cut calories too dramatically. Try lowering your caloric intake by just 10% to 15% for 4 weeks. During this time, make sure you eat five or six times a day, and make sure you take in 30% to 40% of your calories in protein and 30% to 40% in complex carbohydrates like fruit and vegetables. Eating often keeps the body from falling into starvation mode. Eating protein helps retain muscle mass, which is important because muscles burn calories faster than other tissues in your body.

Exercise More

Even 30 minutes of exercise a day can really help your weight loss efforts. Exercise keeps muscles strong and burning calories. It is also good for your bones, your heart, your lungs and your overall appearance.