Forever Young Nutrition by Tony Matchem

Why Water is Part of You

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:41:06 +0000

Water is one of those things essential to our life and well-being that we sometimes take for granted. Water is our life source: it is necessary for the proper function of our heart, brain, digestive system, metabolism, kidneys, joints, etc. Our kidneys require water to filter out toxins, lung tissue must be moist in order for us to breathe in oxygen, and water helps distribute nutrients and oxygen to our cells throughout our body.
What happens if we don’t drink enough water? One may experience weak muscles, excess body fat, malfunctioning organs, and digestion problems.

The benefits of drinking water include preventing or improving arthritis, constipation, obesity, diabetes, kidney stones and many other diseases. Drinking water allows the body to be properly hydrated, to maintain a cool temperature and cleanses the body of waste. The benefits of drinking water leave improvements not only on your waistline, but throughout your entire system.

The quality of the water is important too. Most people assume tap water is safer than bottled water, as our tap water is disinfected, but this is not necessarily true. Public health agencies tend to overlook toxic contaminants; chlorine, which is used to disinfect water, can, itself, be toxic. Just be careful where you get your water from. If you do buy bottled water, it’s important that you buy a good product. Buy water that is contained in a clear glass or hard bottle, as opposed to soft plastic bottles.

The benefits of drinking water are plentiful and the taste is delicious to boot. Next time you feel that thirst builds up at the back of your throat, remember it’s not just a short term call for satisfaction, but a long term benefit.

Health Benefits of Resistance Exercises

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:29:42 +0000

A successful fitness program motivates you to stay in shape, be healthy and improve your lifestyle. Remember to design an exercise program that works for your body, your shape and your fitness goals.
Resistance exercises are meant for anyone who wishes to increase their energy, get in shape, look better, reduce body fat, boost confidence or take control of their own health. Resistance exercises involve, as the name implies, resisting as the muscle is pushed or pulling weights.

There are two types of exercises, both defined based on how your body is required to use oxygen. Aerobic (with air) exercise involves heavy breathing, but not so much that you can’t talk, while anaerobic (without air) exercise renders speaking difficult.

During aerobic exercising, you increase your oxygen levels, which strengthen your heart and lungs. During anaerobic exercises, your body conserves oxygen in order to enhance your metabolism. You experience a decrease in insulin levels and an increase in glucagon (fat-burning hormone) levels during aerobic exercising.
Anaerobic resistance exercises, on the other hand, release endorphins (“feel good,” pain-relieving hormones) and growth hormones, which are the most powerful fat-burning hormones; they help your body build new muscle. It is very important to remember that fat storage is the major source of energy used by the body to repair damaged muscle tissues after anaerobic resistant exercise.

You should aim to perform both aerobic and anaerobic exercises every week. Diet and exercise play major roles in being healthy and strengthening your body. You burn calories while performing aerobic exercise, and anaerobic exercise can help you lose weight, as increasing muscle mass can improve your metabolism. When you do resistance exercises, your brain releases endorphins that make you feel good, while also boosting your energy level, mood and sense of well-being and self-worth. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to exercise!

What You Need to Know About Whey Protein Supplements

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:56:42 +0000

Protein is on everyone’s watch list; it keeps hair, skin and nails healthy, not to mention the essential role it plays in building muscle. That’s probably why those looking to be healthy, lose weight or stay in shape keep such a close eye on protein.

Depending on whether or not you’re getting enough protein in your diet, you may choose to take a protein supplement, but beware—make sure you know all you need to know about protein supplements before you dive into them.

Ion-exchange whey protein

Ion-exchange whey protein is very popular, but you’re better off getting microfiltered whey protein if you seek a protein supplement. Ion-exchange whey protein is cheaper but because of the way it is produced, some of its amino acids are denatured. These include glycomacropeptides, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, alpha lactalbumin and immunoglobulins, the last of which protects the body from infection. Ion-exchange protein also has up to 89% more sodium, which retains water. This means that your muscles will appear to grow but really they are filling with water.

Microfiltered whey protein

The better choice for protein supplements is microfiltered whey protein, whose whey protein exists in the purest form. This is because microfiltration isolates the protein from fat and lactose without damaging it. Because no chemical degradation takes place during this process, the beneficial elements remain unharmed; rather, the whey protein isolate is rich in minerals like magnesium and potassium and contains all three of the antibacterial and antiviral whey proteins.

Now that you know which whey protein supplement to buy, be sure to use it properly; it’s best to consume microfiltered isolated whey protein before and after a workout, and especially when you need to digest quickly. If taking a whey protein concentrate, do so throughout the day and before bedtime, when your body doesn’t need to digest quickly. You’ll want to use whey protein supplements properly for maximum healthy effect!