Doctors warned dangers of soy

Although soybeans have been consumed in Asian countries for thousands of years, they did not pique the interest of Europe until the 17th century, and at a snail’s pace, they made it to America during the early 20th century. Americans have the boll weevil to thank for the popularity of soybeans, because they destroyed the supply of cottonseeds that were used to make cooking oil. To the dismay of the cooking oil industry, processing cooking oil was halted until it was discovered that soybeans would be a good substitute.




Fast forward almost 100 years later and soybeans are used to replace every food imaginable; and moreover, they are held in high ranks as one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Many health conscious women consume it daily to replace their milk, cheese, meat and even to replace the breast milk for their babies. With all of the loud praises being doled out about soy products, it’s not surprising that soy lovers can’t hear the steadily rising murmurs of those who think soy is a lot of things- except healthy.

While American women have been told that soy protects against breast cancer, heart disease, colon cancer, memory loss, and weight gain, etc… There are critics on the other side of the fence that say soy actually promotes the medical conditions that it is supposed to reduce.


Dr. Mercola of Mercola.com, states that soy based infant formula have high levels of manganese, which can lead to brain damage in babies and altered behavior in adolescents. Dr. Ruchi Mathur, a medical doctor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Canada, says that when babies have hypothyroidism at birth and require replacement therapy, they have to increase the amount of replacement therapy if the infant is fed a soy based formula. This could be an indication that soy inhibits the function of the goiter.


Furthermore, Dr. Mercola says that soy products such as tofu wreaks havoc on your brain and actually causes memory loss, and also puts women at an increased risk of developing breast cancer, thyroid damage, and kidney stones. Dr. Brent Ridge, Martha Stewart’s Vice President of Healthy Living, says that he asks his patients who are at a high risk for breast cancer to eliminate soy products from their diets. This recommendation is based on the fact that soy has a high concentration of phytoestrogen, which mimics estrogen in the body, and increased estrogen levels are linked to breast cancer.


So what should women do about eating soy or feeding soy based formulas to their infants? Like everything else, eat it in moderation if you are healthy, avoid it if you are at a high risk of developing breast cancer, and avoid giving it to your infant. Healthier alternatives to soy milk are rice and almond milk, and goat milk might be a better choice for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk. However, please note that goat milk lacks vitamin B12 and folic acid; therefore, you must fortify it with these two supplements . . . . ♥







References ↓

► Mathur, Richi. Thyroid Q & A. Medicinenet.com Retrieved on September 1, 2009 from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=17011
► Mercola, Joseph. How Safe is Soy Infant Formula. Mercola.com. Retrieved on September 1, 2001 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/06/13/soy-formula-part-one.aspx
► Mercola, Joseph. (July 2008). Why Tofu Wrecks Your Brain. Mercola.com. Retrieved on September 1, 2009 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/24/why-tofu-wrecks-your-brain.aspx
► Ridge, Brent. (January 2009). Is Too Much Soy Bad for Your? Care2.com. Retrieved on September 1, 2001 from http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-too-much-soy-bad-for-you.html

Short Tips of Calories In to Lose Weight

if you always ask about, "so how many calories should i eat to lose weight?"
there is no easy answer to this question. Really does depend on the amount of calories you are currently consuming. It also has alot to do with the types of foods you are eating, when you are eating them and also what your body's needs are. This my post will show you how you can change your calorie intake so you will achieve weight loss results.

To see really good results and have effective weight loss you must do some sort of exercise as well as reducing calories.

Now the question, "how many calories should I eat to lose weight?" In this post I will give one example for you of how you can work the answer out to this question. If you are a normal eater → by normal I mean eat 3 regular meals a day and eat well → then to find out how many calories you should be eating to lose weight you should first start with calculating your current calorie intake.

For example average calorie intake is currently 2300 calories → this is the amount of calories you are eating to stay the same weight you are now.

Now keeping in mind that in order to lose weight you need to burn off more calories than you consume you would then work out daily meals plans that will contain fewer calories - so now you will be consuming less calories tailored to your specific needs, and don't forget as well as exercising you will definately see weight loss results.

What will happen is because you are eating less calories, your body will burn more fat because it has to use it's fat stores now, this is where you will lose weight → where as before it would just burn off the extra calories you were eating which is why your weight was staying the same.

This would only recommend a small decrease to start with say 100 calories, try this for a week and see what your results are → you should see results within a week If not then either increase your exercise, decrease your calorie intake once again or take a good hard look at your meal plans because you may have actaully exceeded your calorie limit and this is why you have seen no results.

So as you can see asking yourself that question how many calories should I eat to lose weight is not all that easy to answer. Calorie counting is a great way to kick start weight loss and also a great way to educate yourself on food and its contents (if done properly and sensibly) → however I would only recommend doing this kind of exercise for a short amount of time purely because long term weight loss involves much more than calorie counting....

Good Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle

The phrase "Health is Wealth" gets more significant with age. It`s what we preserve the most, especially after retirement. Most seniors would love to foresee a life of health, fitness and relaxation. Some active seniors would also want to travel and explore places, and realize a lifetime’s desire. A fit and healthy life is nothing but a result of a wholesome lifestyle. It stems from preventive care and making sure your body gets all it needs to remain in the pink of health. It really isn’t difficult to find important nutritional guidelines to follow. Internet for seniors is a readymade ocean of information. That’s where you go when you need reliable information or health tips.

The importance of good nutrition is the first thing that your doctor would have spoken to you about. Most diseases are a result of a person’s life pattern over the years that add to genetic factors.

Seniors should strive to educate themselves about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Kids should think of computer for seniors as a gift idea, so they can keep themselves abreast about the latest health and nutrition tips.


Important foods for health:

→ Leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, oranges and apricots for Vitamin A and beta-carotene.
→ Milk and other dairy products for calcium.
→ Nuts, egg, lean meat, tofu and other soy products for protein.
→ Whole grains for complex carbohydrates.
→ Fresh fruits for various kinds of Vitamins, fiber, and a minimum amount of sugar (check with your doctor if you’re a diabetic).


Keep Away From:

→ Sugar filled foods like ice creams, candies, sodas, etc (sugar cravings are strong with some seniors).
→ Hot dogs, bacons, deep fried foods, fat filled chicken wings are laden with bad cholesterol.
→ White breads, pastas, pizzas, have been wiped off nutrition during the polishing process.

Needless to say, smoking and excess consumption of alcohol will do your lungs and liver no good. They also serve as catalysts to cancerous cells. Seniors are also better off sticking to vegetarian foods as often as they can, since age slows down the digestive system as well. Apart from following these tips, put in a good bit of exercise and take your nutrition supplements according to prescription and you’ll be raring to go.

Note: Each person’s nutritional requirements differ. Please consult your physician before you start any kind of diet.



Article Source ↓

http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Understanding Your Current Health and Nutritional Needs

By: Dianne Duncan


No general screening test is more efficient, effective and affordable than a comprehensive blood chemistry panel. It allows the healthcare provider to establish a baseline of biomarkers to track the patient’s health and nutritional needs. Getting a blood test is essential to understanding your current health and your nutritional needs.

What is Blood Nutrition?

Blood Nutrition™ is an innovative, science-guided look at nutritional strengths and weaknesses through an individual’s blood test. This new scientific approach can offer a clear plan for your optimum health. As a result, a new generation of healthcare professionals is emerging with the tools and keys that can reveal the more subtle imbalances and assist in correcting them.

Blood Nutrition™ is a comprehensive approach to health. To address the true cause of symptoms, one should look for their origin from a science-generated perspective by considering:

→ Physiological distress or disease conditions
→ Nutritional distress or imbalances
→ Mental/emotional distress

Any of these factors may be the source or a contributing factor for the symptoms of imbalance. The cornerstone of an effective health strategy is a nutritional and lifestyle plan that is based on your biochemistry. Success here is dependent on the establishment of an accurate nutritional profile guided by scientific approaches such as a comprehensive blood test.

Blood Nutrition and Science

This advanced scientific approach identifies nutritionally significant information through the careful analysis of the various blood values. Certain indicators can reveal electrolyte, mineral and other nutritional imbalances. Once addressed, one can optimize the metabolic processes and help maintain the healthy performance of the body. A balanced nutritional state is essential for achieving and maintaining health.

Nutritional analysis of your Blood Test may indicate the need for:

→ Key nutrients such as vitamin A, B6, B12, D
→ Fluid and electrolyte balance
→ Minerals such as magnesium, calcium and iron
→ Tissue hydration
→ Antioxidants
→ Enzymes
→ Nutritional support of key organs
→ Nutritional support of metabolic pathways
→ The need for lifestyle changes


Nutritional Imbalances

If you have nutritional imbalances, you may be experiencing the following:

→ Mental/emotional symptoms including mood swings and anxiety
→ Structural/musculoskeletal symptoms such as pain or stiffness
→ Digestive issues such as bloating, indigestion and elimination problems
→ Optical symptoms such as difficulty in night vision or blurry vision
→ Symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, food cravings
→ Cardiovascular health issues
→ Dry skin, brittle nails, hair dryness or loss
→ Others

Are you suffering from the effects of nutritional deficiencies or imbalances? Nutrients such as amino acids, enzymes, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes are the building blocks of the body. They provide energy, support metabolism and are needed for many biochemical reactions to sustain health. Key nutrients may become deficient for various reasons. These may include:
→ Disease processes, which may block metabolism
→ Poor dietary habits
→ Physical, mental and emotional stress

One of the most scientific ways to identify nutritional imbalances is to have your blood test evaluated by a nutritionally trained doctor or healthcare practitioner who is experienced in Blood Nutrition™ assessment. A comprehensive blood test is affordable and results are normally received within a few days.

When key nutrients become deficient, many metabolic processes are affected. The body may initially try to compensate for such imbalances. However, if they are prolonged, they may contribute to hormonal issues, metabolic disorders, increase in toxic load, oxidative stress, organ weaknesses and many other health issues. Many symptoms such as tiredness, fatigue and irritability may be effectively addressed with proper nutritional considerations.

A blood test is one of the most efficient tests you can get to determine the quality of your overall health. Once you have received your test results, working with a specialist who is experienced in Blood Nutrition™ will enable you to achieve the optimum health that is essential to a long life full of vitality.



Source ↓

http://www.article-buzz.com/Article/Blood-Nutrition--Understanding-Your-Current-Health-and-Nutritional-Needs/335382

How to Incorporate Nutrition, Lifestyle and Health Into Your Schedule ?

By Lynn Burchard


Nutrition

Food fuels our bodies. A well-balanced diet is one that supports high energy levels, good mental focus and optimal performance. Fruits and vegetables provide the necessary vitamins, minerals and antioxidants required to protect our cells and promote immune system and normal bodily functions.

In order to maximize the nutrients consumed select fruits and vegetables in a wide range of colour. Low-fat, lean meats such as pork tenderloins and ground turkey help supply proteins for healthy bones, muscles and skin. Alternative protein choices such as tofu, nuts, whole grains and beans are also excellent.

Hydration is also a very important aspect nutrition. Water is the largest component of your body. Proper hydration is needed for digestion and body temperature regulation. Drink plenty of water.


Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle promotes well-being. Let's review your everyday life. What should you incorporate in your day as health-promoting habits?

These can include hobbies such as exercise... walking, jogging, biking, hiking, kick-boxing, swimming, water aerobics and even gardening. Physical activity for 30 minutes per day, 5 times per week can help with weight control, blood pressure and bone health. It is also an excellent way to decrease your stress level.

It is not always easy to fit all your plans in one day. For example, work, family, friends, diet and exercise. If you have a busy lifestyle, nutrition is sometimes not a priority due to time constraints. Therefore, it is important to include dietary supplements to support your health by filling in those nutritional gaps in your diet. Any intention to supplement should be discussed with your doctor first.

Take time for yourself. Meditation, yoga, and reading are important and can help reduce stress and promote positive thinking and positive mental attitude. Finding time for yourself is beneficial and helps your relationship with others.


Health

Nutrition, lifestyle and health go together in perfect harmony. Be proactive in the choices you make about you. Visit your doctor regularly so that you can keep track of your health goals and be aware of any changes. Remember, detection is key and is always a first step.

Keep in mind that your nutrition, lifestyle and health are #1 and should be treated as such in your day to day activities.

I am a wellness consultant living in Canada with my husband and 4 children. I dedicate a large percentage of my time making sure my family stays healthy. I am continuously studying and learning through education all aspects of nutrition, lifestyle and health that affect day to day living. My passion is helping others take better care of themselves by providing useful information to those individuals who have been misinformed and bombarded by all sorts of health claims.


Article Source ↓

http://www.nutritionlifestylehealth.com

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Burchard