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Weight Loss Exercise

What are Probiotics?



Jillian Michaels

Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be healthy for the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics; but certain yeasts and bacilli  may also be helpful. Probiotics are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods with specially added active live cultures; such as in yogurt, soy yogurt, or as dietary supplements.

Foods High in Probiotics

Yogurt is rich with probiotics and health experts recommend that it should be consumed 2-3 times a week. Milk, vitamin supplements and super-sugary food varieties also contains high amount of probiotics. Just check the label of these food products.

Probiotic-rich foods are often referred to as fermented or partially fermented foods. These foods often contain high probiotic counts thanks to the healthy bacteria and yeasts that develop during the fermentation process. Brine-cured pickles without vinegar and sauerkraut are fermented foods that contain probiotics. Sourdough bread made with true sourdough starter can be another source of probiotics

Benefits of Probiotic Foods

Probiotics in Yogurt

Probiotics in Yogurt

Experiments into the benefits of probiotic therapies suggest a range of potentially beneficial medicinal uses for probiotics. For many of the potential benefits, research is limited and only preliminary results are available. It should be noted that the effects described are not general effects of probiotics. Recent research on the molecular biology and genomics of Lactobacillus  has focused on the interaction with the immune system, anti-cancer potential, and potential as a biotherapeutic agent in cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, travellers diarrhea, pediatric diarrhoa, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

In doing a quick search on Wikipedia gave me the following info on probiotic health claims

Managing lactose intolerance
As lactic acid bacteria actively convert lactose into lactic acid, ingestion of certain active strains may help lactose intolerant individuals tolerate more lactose than what they would have otherwise

Prevention of colon cancer
In laboratory investigations, some strains of LAB (Lactobacillus bulgaricus) have demonstrated anti-mutagenic effects thought to be due to their ability to bind with heterocyclic amines, which are carcinogenic substances formed in cooked meat. Animal studies have demonstrated that some LAB can protect against colon cancer in rodents, though human data is limited and conflicting

Lowering cholesterol
Animal studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a range of LAB to be able to lower serum cholesterol levels, presumably by breaking down bile in the gut, thus inhibiting its reabsorption (which enters the blood as cholesterol). Some, but not all human trials have shown that dairy foods fermented with specific LAB can produce modest reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels in those with normal levels to begin with.

Lowering blood pressure
Several small clinical trials have indicated that consumption of milk fermented with various strains of LAB may result in modest reductions in blood pressure. It is thought that this is due to the ACE inhibitor-like peptides produced during fermentation.

Improving immune function and preventing infections
LAB are thought to have several presumably beneficial effects on immune function. They may protect against pathogens by means of competitive inhibition (i.e., by competing for growth) and there is evidence to suggest that they may improve immune function by increasing the number of IgA producing plasma cells, increasing or improving phagocytosis as well as increasing the proportion of lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells.

Whats next for Probiotics?

As we can see and as I have seen over the last couple of years more and more foods are claiming that they are high in “probiotics” and now the research is coming to let us know more and more about the goodness as of probiotics. I am seeing more and more journal research letting us know of new therapies and research that has proven the good of probiotics, so this is definitely something to watch for still in the future,

Recent Tags: probiotics, what are probiotics

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Weight Loss Exercise

Aloe Vera Juice Weight Loss


Aloe Vera And Its Benefits

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant known for its cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. Itâ??s widely cultivated and used as an alternative cure for different health conditions. Aloe vera is commonly used for the following purposes:

It is used as an additional ingredient in lotions and body creams because of its soothing and moisturizing effects.
Aloe vera is added to face creams and gels because it is rich in Vitamins C and E which are known as potent antioxidants that keep skin supple and young-looking.
Aloe vera sap and derivatives are used in making soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, and make-ups.
It has been found to have healing properties and have been incorporated in gels and creams used as topical treatments for wounds and burns.
It is use as an herbal form of treatment for health conditions like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Aloe Vera Juice And Weight Loss

Aside from the above stated benefits of aloe vera, studies have shown that drinking juice made from natural aloe vera gel extracts will help you on your weight loss journey. Here are some facts why aloe vera juice will make you lose unwanted pounds in a natural way.

Aloe vera juice contains natural and effective detoxifying properties that cleanse the colon and remove harmful toxins. This results in a more effective absorption of nutrients from the foods that you eat. Your body also becomes capable of absorbing most of its sources of energy like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. This fuels your body and prevents the release of hunger-inducing hormones that signal your body to consume more food.


Aloe vera juice also contains high concentration of natural collagen proteins. This type of protein is not easily absorbed in your digestive system. Your body will use and burn more fats in order to fuel the digestion and absorption processes of these collagen proteins.

Since the collagen proteins from aloe vera juice are not easily absorbed by your body, you feel fuller for longer periods of time. This decreases your food and calorie intake while your body turns burns fats to boost your energy and fuel your activities.

How To Make Aloe Vera Juice

Make your own aloe vera juice and enjoy its natural health benefits that also double as a weight loss beverage. It is important that you have prepared all the materials and equipments that you will use for the aloe vera juice extraction process. Natural aloe vera gel easily oxidizes and loses its potent ingredients that aid in losing weight once exposed to air.

You will need the following:

A paring knife
Basin of cold water
Blender

Ingredients:

Aloe vera leaves
Lemon or honey to taste

Preparation:

Harvest aloe vera leaves and trim the edges using the paring knife.
Rinse them in a basin of cold water and split the leaves into two halves.
Scoop out the translucent gel and put it inside the blender together with lemon or honey according to your preferred taste. Run for about 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture in a container. Refrigerate it immediately.
Scoop one to two tablespoons of aloe vera gel mixture in a glass or water. Stir and enjoy.

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General Weight Loss Tips

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the intestines which usually consists of diarrhea, constipation, intestinal gas, bloating, cramping and abdominal pain. The most common names for irritable bowel syndrome are known as bowel disease, spastic colon and mucous colitis.

An IBS diet is not that difficult to follow, and once it is put into place, those with IBS may quickly discover that some of their unpleasant feelings have been abated. Those with IBS may want to ask their doctors for specific guidelines; nevertheless, there are certain changes that can be safely and easily made to the IBS diet to provide excellent results.

Diets in whole grains, high in fiber, fruit, and low in fats provide some IBS sufferers ample IBS relief without the use of supplements or prescription medication. Foods that contain caffeine, like coffee and chocolate, should be avoided by IBS sufferers because they can over stimulate the lining of their colons and produce excess bloating, gas, and cramps. Those prone to diarrhea may find an increase in this symptom after caffeine consumption. Caffeine is a stimulate and not good for promoting IBS relief. Also sufferers with allergies to any food ” in particular wheat, egg, and dairy, should limit or avoid foods containing these ingredients. These foods hinder IBS relief by aggravating the lining of the colon just as caffeine does. Alcohol should be avoided, as well.

Below are a summary of some of the ingredients Bavolex contains.
Lemon Balms is a herb from the mint family. It is often taken after a meal to relive gas and indigestion. The German Commission E knows lemon balm is useful for treatment of sleep disorders and stomach upsets. 5-HPT is an animo acid that is extracted from seeds. It is extrated from the African plant Griffonia Simplicifolia. The body converts this to serotin a substance that regulates the speed food travels through intestines and regulates moods.

IBS symptoms are many and are often accompanied with or include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or a feeling of incomplete bowel movement. There are four different classifications of IBS, which have slightly different symptoms. IBS-D has diarrhea as its predominant symptom. IBS-C is characterized by constipation as its primary symptom. Thirdly IBS-A is named for the acute pain a patient feels as the most predominant of the IBS symptoms. Lastly IBS-PI is named for the fact that the onset of IBS symptoms closely follows an infectious disease the patient has had. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a positive stool culture often characterizes this last form of the disease.

Although IBS is very painful it does not cause any long lasting damage to the colon.

Learn more about Ibs Drug. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Diet That Works for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

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