Best Exercises for People with Arthritis

04/19/2018 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Inmagine.com – copyright free use

Arthritis can strike any joint in the body. Often the joints in the hands, knees and ankles are affected, which may limit your mobility and seriously impact your quality of life. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, it doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising. Regular exercise can help alleviate joint pain, increase flexibility and range of motion, and strengthen your bones and muscles. See your rheumatologist for a thorough check-up and personal direction. Your doctor can advise you about specific exercises that can help improve mobility and reduce pain while avoiding damage to your joints. Avoid high-impact activities like running, jogging and sports such as tennis and basketball. Walking, swimming and low-impact aerobics can help keep you fit and lessen joint pain. Pilates, tai chi, yoga and other stretching-type exercises can help increase your range of motion and strengthen muscles.

Range of Motion Exercises

Range-of-motion exercises stretch your muscles and lessen joint stiffness. Stiff fingers can be exercised by making a fist and then stretching the fingers as far apart as you can and then repeating the exercise. Make a fist and then rotate your wrists in to the right and then reverse and rotate your wrists to the left. Repeat the exercise with your fingers extended. Increase your elbow flexibility by raising and lowering your elbows. Sit at a table and place your elbows on the table with your palms turned up toward the ceiling. Turn your hands over palms down on the table while keeping your elbows in contact with the table surface. Turn your hands back over. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Try stretching your arms in front of your body and turning your palms up and back down. While you are sitting at the table, exercise your knees. Raise and lower your feet by bending your knees up and down to increase knee flexibility. Next, point your toes and then relax your foot several times. Rotate your ankles clockwise 10 times and the counter-clockwise 10 times.

Resistance Training

Resistance training exercise strengthens muscles, which can help relieve pressure on joints and reduce joint pain. Ask your doctor which strength training exercises are safe for you before beginning a weight lifting program. Perform some biceps curls with light weight hand-held dumbbells. Do some leg lifts while wearing ankle weights to help strengthen the leg muscles. Isometric exercises help strengthen muscles with little or no impact on the joints. Stand with your back straight against a wall and drop your shoulders slightly. Look straight ahead and slide down the wall until your knees are bent and your body is in a “seated” position. Slide back up the wall and then repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times. Strengthen your thighs and hips by sitting on a chair and squeezing a medium-size exercise ball between your knees. Squeeze and relax repeatedly for about 10 repetitions. Increase repetitions until you can do at least 20.

Low-Impact Aerobic Exercises

Low-impact aerobic exercise like swimming, biking and walking can strengthen all of your muscles, work all of your joints and improve your heart health. Try to walk, swim or ride a bicycle for at least 30 minutes every day. If you can’t set aside a full half-hour block of exercise time, get your 30 minutes of low-impact aerobics in 10 minute increments throughout the day. Swim 10 to 15 before breakfast or after work. Walk for 10 minutes in the afternoon and ride a bicycle for 10 minutes in the evening.

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The Plentiful Health Benefits of Goji Juice

05/24/2017 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Maukie (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The health benefits of goji juice are many, and its pleasant taste makes it one of the most popular drinks among health enthusiasts. The high concentration of Vitamin C in goji juice guarantees a stronger immune system that can fight infection and disease better and will also take away the need to consume additional vitamin supplements. This little red berry is packed with a number of essential vitamins and minerals, and there are even festivals in some parts of Asia that celebrate its existence and importance.

Weight Loss

The fact that a number of people who drink goji juice for health do it because it has weight loss benefits is an open secret. The health benefits of goji juice as an effective appetite suppressant and a valuable, vitamin-packed inclusion to a weight loss oriented diet has been promoted by celebrities and fitness gurus alike, and its other health benefits are a bonus.

Better Immunity

The health benefits of goji juice also include better immunity. Goji berries are packed with a number of vitamins, including Vitamins A and C. Goji is also one of the few fruits that contains Vitamin E, which contributes to its enhanced skin healing properties.

Senior citizens may get the most out of the many health benefits of goji juice with its ability to slow down the skin’s aging process. One can rest assured that a majority of consumers who consume goji juice for health will be slow to show the signs of aging on their skin and bodies.

Delicious and Healthy

Goji juice is one of the more delicious and healthy drinks, which also makes it one of the most popular. Goji juice is considered to be one of the best tasting healthy juices available, which adds to its popularity, unlike other healthy drinks that include ingredients such as prune, spirulina, spinach, and other things that most people think taste terrible. Goji juice is so delicious that one can drink it by itself or even mix it with a scoop of whey protein supplement for a vitamin-rich meal replacement drink.

Goji juice is healthy, delicious, and would make a valuable addition to any diet. In addition to goji juice, goji berries can be eaten alone and are safe for consumption by people of all ages. You can consume goji at least three times a week for a period of one month to reap the maximum health benefits.

 

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10 Concrete Ways to Achieve Your Goals in Health and Wellness

01/19/2017 Leave a comment

Most people make New Year’s resolutions.  Most of these New Year’s resolutions are wishes for health, wealth and happiness.  There is something about a brand new year that makes people want to start right and so they make resolutions.

The word “resolution” comes from the verb “resolve,” which means to come to a solution or a decision over some puzzle or question.  Frankly, most New Year’s resolutions are mere wishes and not really resolutions because precious few of them ever become reality.

In order for resolutions to become reality they must be more than just mere wishes, but actual action plans with action steps. Since health and fitness directly impact our personal well-being and the well-being of our families, we must resolve to be fit and healthy.

But how?

Here are some ideas:

Know the state of your health. Go and see your doctor before starting any exercise or diet regimen. Get yourself checked out thoroughly and tell your doctor about your goal of weight loss and health. People often go on crash diets out of desperation that never have a happy ending. Make sure that you choose a healthy eating plan that will allow for long term success, so you don’t set yourself up for failure right at the start.

Phrase your resolution as a principle. Let your resolution be the guiding principle that will define all the food and activity choices you will make for the whole year.  If you can, articulate it as a theme or a motivating phrase.  The catchier and shorter it is, the easier to remember and the easier to use to discipline yourself and to rally your forces against inactivity and surplus weight.For example, if you use “Thin is in in 2017” — it’s catchy, but it isn’t very precise. A spaghetti noodle is thin, but so is a flagpole. But if you phrase it as a command, “Lose 52 pounds in 2017.”  It is not a wish or a desire anymore, it’s both a goal and a command.

Break it down into small tasks. 52 pounds is a big figure. But, then again, you have 12 months or roughly 52 weeks lose those 52 pounds, which translates to about 4 and a quarter pounds each month of the year or 1 pound each week. So, there you go.  You can revise your resolution: “One pound a week in fifty-two weeks makes fifty-two pounds lost in 2017.” One pound a week is not only a healthy weight loss pace, it is also a very doable goal.

Think of particular plans of action. Answer the question: how do you intend to lose one pound each week? Here is where you have to do a lot of thinking.

  • You can’t starve yourself because starving will boomerang into binges.
  • You can’t deprive yourself because deprivation may mean malnutrition.
  • You can’t abstain from all your favorite food because you will be frustrated.

Think in terms of what you can do instead of what you can’t do.

  • Choose unsweetened plain tea instead of soda.
  • Replace your chips and fattening dip with vegetable sticks and a low-calorie dip. (You can find plenty of healthy dip recipes online.)
  • Eat fish and chicken instead of pork or beef.
  • Bake, boil or poach instead of fry.
  • Grill instead of sautee.
  • Squeeze lemon juice and a little olive oil over lettuce instead of using cream dressings.
  • Eat whole grain bread instead of white bread.
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
  • Walk or bike to the market instead of taking the car.
  • Begin a cardio and strength regimen or join a fitness class.

Find a workout buddy. It’s a lot easier to jog or walk when you are with a friend – the mile goes more quickly because of the companionship and conversation. Make sure your workout buddy is a person who knows you well enough to be a drill sergeant when you’re feeling lazy and need one; and a cheerleader when you’re feeling run-down and can use a helping hand.

Continuously challenge yourself. Take baby steps at first, but when you get stronger and more confident, lengthen your stride. If you tell yourself that at the start you will walk around the block before breakfast, do this until it becomes part of your routine (about a week or two) and when you are no longer panting when you circle the block, walk to the next block and back.Gradually increase the length of time that you walk or walk more times around the block or go farther and farther until you build up stamina and strength. Once you get bored with just walking, try jogging.  And then running. Up your game to keep things interesting.

Find ways to measure your progress. Keep a log on your refrigerator door and note down how many blocks you walked today. If you use a pedometer, note the number of steps you took every day. The feeling of accomplishment will fuel further resolve to stick to your workout or physical activity routine. Also monitor weight loss and inches, this is more positive reinforcement that will keep you going.

Designate a weigh–in day. If you weigh yourself every day, chances are, you will have an emotional roller-coaster experience as the reading on the bathroom scale is often impacted by your daily toilet habits, the outfit you’re wearing, how much fluid you took, etc. Instead of going on a roller-coaster experience, give yourself breathing space and weigh yourself once every week or once every two weeks.

Reward yourself. If you lose 5 pounds, treat yourself to a movie or a massage. Surely a 20 pound loss deserves your favorite bottle of perfume or a new gadget? Whatever the reward, remember to choose something with meaning. Rewards reinforce behavior, which can keep you going for the long term straight to your goal!

Be kind, loving and patient toward yourself. Be your own cheerleader and your own drill sergeant. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you feel disappointed at not having reached a milestone. Tomorrow is a new day. Give yourself good advice and talk yourself out of giving up.  Encourage yourself to get back on track.

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Enjoy an Active Holiday Season

12/16/2016 Leave a comment

Holiday Season Snowshoeing

Now that there is snow on the ground and you are in a holiday mood, it does not mean that it’s time for you to give up on your exercise routine or plan. You might find it hard to eat healthily and still get a chance to work out with all the family gatherings and parties. But, you can still do it. You need to prioritize your health more during this challenging time.

First, you have to change your mindset. You can use the additional family time to bond with relatives and also work out in group settings. Below are some ideas to assist you, and your family or relatives, stay active and healthy during the holiday season.

Make a plan earlier

If you plan on traveling to another state or city, be sure to do some research online. Find out if you can be an ‘add-on’ to any of your relative’s existing memberships, or if you can get a temporary gym membership.

If you happen to be traveling somewhere warm and you prefer to be outdoors, try to look up hiking trails and running routes in the area. You will get many resources online to help you make that big step.

Make family time

Usually, the holiday season is all about spending time with your loved ones. It’s the perfect time to drink, eat and be merry with everyone. Why not consider exercising together or playing fun games that will help everyone to exercise by the end of the day?

A game like hide-and-seek or tag is ideal to play with young nephews or nieces. There are many games you can find, even for adults, once you Google search. You can even inspire your loved ones to take a walk with you around the neighborhood. The walk will help all of you to burn calories and bond with the family. This is a perfect light workout for everyone and will take you away from that pumpkin pie, even for a while.

Take part in holiday-themed runs

Most towns and cities offer various runs during the holiday season. Preparing for a walk, run or obstacle course race helps you stay motivated to exercise. Ensure that you invite all your loved ones so that you can motivate each other and show up for the event.

Bring your own equipment

If you will be traveling and you are sure that you will not access a gym, consider bringing some portable fitness equipment like a TRX suspension trainer, tubing or Valslides. These simple solutions will fit in your carry-on bag or suitcase.

Go out in the snow

Most people who work out a lot consider snow to be ideal “fitness equipment.” So, if you will be surrounded by snow the entire holiday season, make sure that you take advantage of it. You can go snowboarding, ice-skating, skiing or snowshoeing. Maybe you can take part in a friendly snowball fight, too.

All these simple solutions will help you beat the weight-gain battle and stay healthy during the holiday season.

 

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5 Simple Strategies for Sticking to Your Fitness Goals

10/18/2016 Leave a comment

superphoto_160429115459-1

No matter what your fitness goals are, strength training is an important component to any exercise program.

Sticking to your fitness goals can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Learning to be healthy takes time and dedication to your fitness goals. Sticking with those goals also takes time and patience to perfect.

Don’t be discouraged if you stumble every now and then, the most important part is that you get back up and try again.

Here are some tips to help you stick with your fitness goals.

Commitment

Make fitness more than a goal, make it a lifestyle. The more committed you are to your fitness goals, the more likely you will be to stick with them.

  • Tell others about your decision to be healthy. When we make public our intent to be fit and healthy we also make that commitment more real in our minds. Every so often it is good to reaffirm your commitment to being healthy and fit.
  • Teach others what you have learned about fitness. By teaching others you will gain a unique perspective on how fitness works.
  • Write it down. Write down your commitment to yourself and the specific goals that you want to reach.

Switch It Up

Your exercise routine should not become boring. Once your workout becomes boring, it won’t be long before you stop doing it. Try new things, and keep it fresh and exciting.

  • Take A Class: Instead of doing your same old workout, try taking a class. There are so many different classes and teachers, each with their own unique approach to helping you meet your fitness goals. Classes can be really fun, especially when there is an energetic and highly motivating teacher.Also, classes are great places to meet other fitness conscious people, and when you have people with a fitness mindset in your life, you are more likely to stick with your fitness goals.Class choices are plentiful and include: aerobics, cycling, Kettlebell, CrossFit, ViPR, Bosu, ballet barre, boot camp, Pilates, Tai Chi, QiGong, Zumba, Doonya, and kickboxing, just to name a few.
  • Hire A Personal Trainer: They are experts at motivating people to workout. They will also give you fresh ideas for your workout and can guide you to take your fitness to the next level and that can be motivating in and of itself.The other critical benefit of getting a trainer is that it gives you someone to answer to, it’s much harder to skip a workout when you have an appointment with a trainer.

Start Small And Set Specific Goals

When choosing your fitness goals, you should pick a goal that is easy to stick with. Start with small goals and work your way up to the bigger and longer goals. Don’t set a goal that will be too hard to manage. Anything we make hard we will stop doing, make your goals fun and easy.

Goals should be categorized as short and long term, and specific action steps should be included as to how you will reach each of the goals.

Take each goal one step at a time. Break each goal up into steps that are easy to implement. Even a hard goal can be made easier if you break it up.

Starting with smaller goals will help you to build momentum. Each goal that you complete will empower you to start working on the more challenging ones.

Motivation

Motivation is the key element to sticking with your fitness goals, and it is the driving force that pushes you to succeed and to keep with it. Here are some tips to help you stay  motivated.

  • Remember why you made a fitness goal in the first place! Keep connected with the reasons you started in the first place. When you stumble, use those reasons to motivate yourself.
  • Reward yourself!! When you do good and push through a hard workout remember to reward yourself in a healthy way. If you workout all the time without noticing and acknowledging the payoffs and rewards, it will be much harder to stick with your goals. A reward will help you to remember how gratifying all the hard work can be.

Momentum

Motivation is the driving force, but momentum is what makes the whole process easier. When we have momentum on our side, nothing can stop us. It’s only when we lose that momentum that it becomes hard to stick to our goals.

  • Don’t take long breaks or to many breaks between your workouts, this will cause you to lose focus and momentum. When you feel that momentum, keep it going.
  • Don’t think about it, just do it. Many people tend to over think and wonder if they should workout or complete a step on their goals action list and this causes them to talk themselves out of doing those things.

Motivation and momentum are critical to sticking with your fitness goals. Use your commitment to strengthen your resolve and take each goal one step at a time. Make your workouts fun, exciting and different. Most of all, don’t forget to reward yourself!

 

 

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Staying Healthy On the Go is Easier than You Might Think

05/19/2016 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Velislav Panchev CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0

In this day and age, hectic personal and professional schedules often make staying healthy seem like a distant possibility. Going to the gym or indulging in a long exercise routine at home can be difficult to fit into a day, along with preparing the food you need to eat well.

Staying healthy on the go is much easier than you might think! Healthy living can easily be incorporated into your busy schedule, thus enabling you to be healthy and productive at the same time. Take a look at the following health tips for busy people and customize a plan that works for you.

The Importance of Routine

Staying healthy on the go involves advanced planning and a fixed routine in context with eating, sleeping, and exercise. A strict no-excuses plan of action will enable you to turn fitness and health into a habit rather than something which you indulge in occasionally.

Understanding your own health and fitness goals will be the first step to being healthy; this will be followed with a weekly meal plan. Pre-planning and preparing your meals will enable you to eat healthier while on the go, and will prevent you from giving in to unhealthy food cravings. Carrying a bottle of water is also a good idea, as you will need to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Exercise is Vital

There are little things you can do throughout your day that will enable you to get the exercise you need without having to resort to an expensive gym membership. From choosing to walk or bike to work to climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, there are a number of small changes you can make that will keep you fit and healthy even on the busiest days.

For those who travel frequently, you could consider packing a portable gym with you, such as a yoga mat, resistance bands, running shoes, or your favorite bodyweight workout DVD, all of which will facilitate an effective cardio and strength training routine on the go. Also, fitness trackers and pedometers like Fitbit are ideal for tracking your physical activity and providing a motivational tool for increasing the steps you take each day on the road or at home.

Staying healthy on the go involves just a few small lifestyle changes, which will enable you to eat healthy and stay physically active. These changes are important for your health and will also serve as a stress buster for the busiest people. Exercise gives you endorphins, which contribute towards making you feel happy and relaxed. You can also invest in a few portable exercise items such as a skipping rope or resistance bands, which are easy to carry around with you and will enable you to follow a no-excuses policy when it comes to staying healthy at all times.

 

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Waiting for the Sandman: Tips on How to Fall Asleep Faster

04/26/2016 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Emoji One [CC BY-SA 4.0]

To ensure optimum cerebral and physiological performance, the average human should get at least eight hours of sleep a day. A neglect of sleeping pattern or insufficient hours of productive sleep can be detrimental to the body in more than one way. A loss of sleep or insomnia can lead to weight gain, problems of high blood pressure, and a lowered immune system. Sometimes the solution to insufficient sleep can he attained by simply understanding how to fall asleep faster.

There are several advantages of getting a good night’s sleep. A proper sleep cycle ensures maximum productivity of the brain and keeps our emotional health in good order. The brain is one of the most overworked organs of the body. Although it is not at complete rest while we sleep, it gets enough time to reboot itself and get ready for the next day. Sleep deficiency does not only hinder learning, it also has adverse effects on our decision making faculty. Lack of sleep can result in making a person emotionally imbalanced and can lead to concomitant behavioral changes. More often than not, people with anger issues and irritability suffer from sleep deprivation.

Advantages of Sleep

There are several benefits of sleep. For instance, sleep controls the body’s regular flow of ghrelin and leptin – hormones to make us feel hungry and full respectively. A study has shown that the flow of ghrelin rises exponentially to the total reduction of the flow of leptin in case of sleep deprivation. That is why people with sleeping problems tend to feel hungrier than people who get well-rounded sleep.

If you need to know how to fall asleep faster, there are several ways of ensuring a restful night sleep that you follow. Taking a bath before going to bed is a good idea, because it helps to relax our body and calms our mind. Some people find drinking milk before going to sleep very beneficial. Then there are others who always sleep with mild incense burning on their bedside table.

How to Fall Asleep Faster

In case you feel you lack proper sleep, you could try to improve the ambience of your bedroom to maximize comfort. Design your bedroom to give it a calming effect. Keep the temperature of your room between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and do remember to turn out the lights. If you are one of those people who cannot sleep in total darkness, keep a light on in the other room or maybe keep a window open to let a crack of light enter from the streets. You could wear a night mask to block out light and listen to soothing music before going off to sleep.  The benefits of sleep are endless. Still wondering how to fall asleep faster? Simply lay on your bed with your eyes closed, relax, and count those sheep!

 

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Strengthen the Bond between You and Your Partner by Working out Together

02/24/2016 Leave a comment

Image: Robin Reichert

When love is in the air and you have the most beautiful person in the world as your partner, you definitely want to spend as much time together as possible. Eating together, sleeping together, and watching movies together are all activities that many couples enjoy, but one of the best activities of all to enjoy as a couple is working out.

Couple exercises are not just intimate, but also a whole lot more entertaining and inspiring than working out by yourself. A workout with your partner will motivate you and keep you going. Your partner will make it worth your while to exercise. And at the end of it all, you both emerge as a gorgeous couple who are the envy of everyone.

Benefits of Exercising as a Couple

A workout with your partner is very beneficial in a variety of ways. First and foremost, you will both act as great motivators for each other. Push each other when one of you feels like giving up.

You can also learn a host of other things from one another. Maybe one of you is good with high intensity workouts, while the other one prefers low intensity workouts. Synchronize with each other to form your own unique fitness routines. This will also help you bond and become more intimate over time.

Workout Ideas for Couples

There are so many things that a couple can do to keep fit. Here are some ideas for fun couple exercises that will make you want to workout with your partner right away:

  • Hiking: Weekend hiking tours will not only push you to burn calories, but it will also be a wonderful time spent with your beloved in the lap of nature.
  • Indulge in sports: Playing sports like basketball, tennis, and badminton will not only improve your hand-eye coordination but also help you shed extra fat. The competitive edge is even more exciting when your partner is involved.
  • Learn martial arts: While you both learn something new and useful, you also help each other to improve your skills through constant practice.
  • Dance: There are so many forms of dance to choose from that will not only help you to sizzle your personal chemistry but also help in a complete body toning. Salsa, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Quick Feet, and Beachbody’s CIZE dance workout; the couple in love will have a plethora of dance choices available.
  • Traditional workout routines: Run, jog, walk, do push ups, sit ups or pull ups. Compete with each other to see who has more strength and endurance. Competing as a couple will definitely help in achieving your ultimate fitness goals.

The good health of your partner is partly your responsibility. Motivating your loved one to workout and remain fit is your way of accomplishing that responsibility so you can live a longer and happier life together.

 

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The Benefits of Choosing Organic Foods

11/17/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Elina Mark (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0]

“Going organic” is a recent trend that has been gaining popularity at a rapid pace, and with good reason. At a time when the convenience of pre-packaged, nutrition-deficient food has taken precedence over healthy, wholesome eating, we have seen an increase in health risks, obesity, and sudden death. Organic products come as a breath of fresh air, and many people are beginning to focus more on the benefits of eating healthy. Read on to learn about the many advantages that come with going organic!

What Are Organic Products?

Organic products are unprocessed, and free of chemicals, growth hormones, and other unnatural additives, which are usually present in the food that is manufactured by big agri-food corporations and other large food manufacturers who produce fast food and packaged snacks. Organic products also have a limited shelf life since they are free from preservatives, and it is guaranteed that they will taste better as a result of this.

Respect Your Body’s Nutritional Needs

Consumers who buy organic food have stated that their bodies have changed noticeably thanks to the increase in the nutritional value of the food they eat. A cup of organically grown vegetables will provide you with optimum nutrition as compared with a cup of pre-cut, preservative-laden vegetables. Frozen, non-organic food will also provide you with less nutrition. Therefore, it’s a good idea to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables and to visit the local Farmer’s Market to see what other natural products are available.

Organic Food Tastes Great

A number of people prefer eating organic food since it is not only healthy, but also tasty. This is because it has been untouched by manmade chemicals, color, and preservatives, which tend to compromise the natural taste of food products. Chemicals never taste good, and will cause both short and long-term damage to the body; buy organic products in order to enjoy both taste and nutrition from your meals.

Organic Food is Affordable and Healthy

Contrary to claims that organic food is too expensive, it is actually becoming more affordable thanks to increasing demand for organic food options. Organic food prices are falling thanks to an increase in people who are growing and selling them.

Try eating organic for about a month to see if you notice a difference in your health or how the food tastes. If a month is too long, then try it for a week, a day, or even just for dinner. You may find that it tastes better and makes you feel healthier, more energetic, and you may even lose a few pounds. Consider excluding chemically enhanced condiments from your meal, and be sure to limit consumption of sugar and salt. Clean eating and regular exercise go hand in hand for those who are looking to lose weight, and organic products can boost results dramatically.

 

 

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4 Great Reasons Why You Should Be Using Coconut Oil

06/15/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Tom Woodward CC BY-SA 2.0

There is a widespread misconception that coconut oil is bad for you because it contains saturated fat. However, people all over the world are reaping the health benefits of coconut oil, and it’s truly one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are 4 reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other traditional cooking oils.

1.  Coconut oil boosts your metabolism.

Not only is coconut oil easily converted to energy by your body, it also increases your metabolism and promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT’s burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT’s.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman’s World magazine stated that coconut oil is the “underground high-metabolism secret.”

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

2.  Coconut oil can improve skin and hair health

Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair, as it helps to alleviate skin problems such as rashes, dry skin and eczema. You can also use this oil to help heal and restore skin to a younger appearance, or even use it as a makeup remover.

Not only does it soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil, too.

3.  Coconut oil vs. other oils

Coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as the fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K.

4.  Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.

Coconut oil has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega-3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don’t do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Therefore, coconut oil is really the best choice when cooking at higher temperatures.

It’s harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is stable for over a year at room temperature.

I’ve only mentioned four reasons why you should be using coconut oil, but there are many additional uses and health benefits. So, go ahead and blend a little coconut oil into your favorite smoothie, or add it to bitter greens like kale. It also makes a nutritious addition to oatmeal or your favorite baked veggie recipes. Be as creative as you want and enjoy the incredible health benefits of this tropical oil.

 

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