Saturday, April 28, 2007

Wu Long Teas And Weight Loss

According to the American Obesity Association, obesity "is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese."



These numbers are disturbing and continue to rise every year. There are more than 30 medical conditions associated with obesity including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, hypertension, liver disease, and stroke.



Obesity is a world wide problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) concludes that more than 1.2 billion people around the world are classified as overweight.



Obesity is a complex disease involving environmental (social and cultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components. It is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.



Carrying excess body weight can increase your risk of developing or worsening an existing medical condition like diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.



Healthy weight, overweight and obese individuals can all benefit from using obesity prevention strategies.



Strategies to Prevent Weight Gain



To help prevent weight gain it is important to assess your behavior and environment and adopt healthy habits



The amount and types of foods you eat, and your physical activity habits are important factors in controlling weight. The environment in which you live may also contribute to the adoption of poor eating or exercise habits. This is especially true in today's society, which is dominated by speed and convenience.



For example, escalators, elevators and remote-control appliances make us less physically active and walking is less frequent than in prior years. Also, greater availability of foods that are high in calories, fat and added sugars, and larger portion sizes promote unhealthy eating behaviors.



In addition, reputable organizations, government agencies and independent researchers agree on the importance of adopting healthy habits to prevent weight gain.



Effective weight management involves behavior modification which is a lifelong commitment and includes at least two components:



Healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing a reduction in total calories, a lowered fat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, is an essential part of weight control.



Increased frequent and regular physical activity of at least moderate intensity is also required.



Health professionals also recommend a prescription for health and weight loss that includes:





  • Moderate physical activity on most days of the week of at least 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day for children.





  • Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and reasonable portion sizes at home, in schools, at worksites, and in communities.





  • Drinking at least eight glasses of pure water.



    In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, the use of Wu long tea (also spelled oolong tea or wu long tea) is growing in popularity as a wholesome and flavorful way to limit weight gain.



    Will drinking Wu long tea really help lose weight?



    For many, Wu long tea is a helpful addition to a comprehensive weight loss program. Wu long tea tastes good, contains health benefits that lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and a cup of Wu long tea in the morning can serve as a reminder of a healthy life style.





  • Wu Long tea has become a premium weight loss tea that many are discovering for the first time. If you have never enjoyed the great taste and slimming health benefits it is known for, you are truly missing an incredible opportunity. Originating in the Fujian Province of China, Wu Long tea has gradually been introduced into Western culture. Of all the tea, Wu Long represents the Chinese culture best.



    Those who enjoy the flavor and rich aroma unique to slimming Wu Long tea truly understand the art of drinking it – slowly and delicately. Using a tiny teapot and small teacup, they are inheriting a rich tradition, started by the Chinese generations ago. The health benefits of Wu long tea are many:






  • Rich in Theaflavin, Tea Polysaccharides and Tea Catechin, antioxidants that assist in the reduction of plaque in the arteries, in lowering cholesterol and in producing slimming effects.





  • Helps regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics.





  • Burns 2.5 times more calories than Green Tea, ideal for weight loss.





  • Promotes clear, youthful looking skin.



    Scientific studies have established that tea is high in health-promoting polyphenols that protect us against cancer and other diseases. Wu long tea is particularly high in "polymerized polyphenols" which according to recent studies helps to increase energy expenditure.



    One recent study found that energy expenditure increased by 10% for a period of 2 hours after drinking wu long tea. This was significantly higher than the energy expenditure observed after drinking other types of tea.



    Another study found that wu long tea can suppress lipid metabolism which has the effect of suppressing fatty accumulation and body weight increases. The study concludes that long-term consumption of wu long tea is beneficial for the suppression of diet induced obesity.



    Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins are present in all types of tea, but hand picked wu long tea is the best source because the pickers are selecting the best leaves from the tea plant. Machine harvesting is indiscriminate and should be avoided - older leaves and twigs are harvested along with the newer leaves.



    Wu long tea is not a miracle cure for weight problems. Weight loss involves following a sensible, healthy diet, and a change in lifestyle to include an adequate amount of exercise. Wu long tea however, can give you the extra boost to help in your weight loss plans, but it must be used as part of an overall strategy to improve your living habits.



    Weight loss should be part of a healthy lifestyle. Don't undertake crash weight loss programs and adopt a healthy lifestyle including Wu long tea!

    About The Author:

    Copyright © 2007 Marcus Stout






    Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

    Article Source: thePhantomWriters Article Submission Service






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    Sunday, April 22, 2007

    Improve Your Health And Wellbeing With Wu Long Tea: Benefits Of Drinking Wu Long Tea


    What is Wu long Tea?

    The Wu long (also referred to as oolong) family of teas ischaracterized by a partial oxidation process that is controllableby varying degrees of heat. Wu long tea has the benefits andtaste of both Green Tea and the fully oxidized Black Tea.

    Although a number of countries now produce Wu long tea, China isthe largest and best known producer.

    Since one of the characteristics of Wu long tea is partialoxidation, Wu long teas offer a wide variety of flavors dependingon the degree of oxidation. Oxidation is the key element in thedefinition of tea since all teas come from the Camellia Sinensisplant.

    Wu Long Tea is a semi-oxidized tea, occupying the middle groundbetween Green and Black teas. Combining the best qualities ofGreen tea and Black tea, Wu Long Tea is not only as clear andfragrant as Green Tea, but also as fresh and strong as Black Tea.If you drink Wu Long Tea, the natural aroma may linger in yourmouth and make your throat comfortable.

    Wu Long Tea is helpful in anti aging, bringing high bloodpressure down, improving the immune system, and controllingcholesterol. Wu Long Tea can help you digest food, refreshyourself and return to sobriety. It is also helpful in prolongingyour lifespan.

    Chinese Wu long Teas also differ somewhat from other teas asregards the Chinese manufacturing process. Whole leaf Wu longsare often partially manufactured in private homes before finalfinishing and blending in larger factories. Althoughconsolidation of the industry has resulted in concentration ofthe business in larger firms a cottage industry still exists inthe Chinese production of Wu long Tea.

    In China, high quality Wu long Tea came from three traditionaltea producing areas: Northern Guangdong (The Phoenix line),Southern Fujian (the Teguanyian line) and Western Fujian (theWuyi line). Taiwan and India are also producers of fine Wu longtea.

    Fine Wu long teas are very popular with tea drinkers andconnoisseurs all over the world for their broad spectrum of tasteofferings and for their ease of infusion. In the tea producerareas of China and in Hong Kong and Taiwan (all places where teadrinkers take the tea ceremony seriously) Wu long sets thestandard for a quality tea experience.

    Benefits of Drinking Wu Long tea

    * Benefit Good taste

    The bottom line for any tea drinker is the taste of the tea andthe feeling of wellness and serenity drinking the tea provides.Wu long Tea is provides a smooth subtle taste that encourages theserene feeling of wellness that quality tea provides.

    Wu long Tea has an additional advantage in that it has a broadspectrum of oxidation and this provides a variety of tastes thatthe tea drinker can enjoy. Some Wu longs fare lighter in flavorbased upon only slight oxidation and some are more robustdepending upon greater amounts of oxidation.

    When you combine the quality of Wu long Tea with taste varietythe benefit is a tea that appeals to a large number of teadrinkers.

    * Benefit of a Sense of Well Being

    Tea provides one benefit to drinkers that no other beverage canproduce.

    That feeling is a sense of well being and serenity that isnaturally produced. Compared to coffee or soft drinks thatcontain significant levels of caffeine, sugars and other chemicalsubstances, tea creates a drink that calms and soothes thedrinker. Tea is ideal to start and end a busy day.

    It is an interesting fact that most of the best spas in thecountry rely on tea as the chosen beverage.

    * Benefit of Weight Loss

    Due to a combination of light caffeine , anti-oxidants andpolyphenols, Wu long Tea Increases energy expenditure by 10% andit accelerates metabolism required to loose weight. Wu long Teaalso regulates blood sugar levels for diabetics. The tea burns2.5 times more calories than Green Tea and is ideal for weightloss.

    Drinking Wu long Tea reduces plaque in the arteries, lowerscholesterol and produces slimming effects. It also stimulates fatreduction because the polyphenols in Wu-Long tea is effective incontrolling body fat. It activates the enzyme that is responsiblefor dissolving triglyceride.

    Wu long tea eliminates the fattening effects of carbohydrates:Eating too many carbohydrates causes weight gain by increasinginsulin levels. Wu long Tea can suppress lipid metabolism whichhas the effect of suppressing fatty accumulation and body weightincreases.

    * Benefit of Improved Health

    Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins arepresent in all types of tea, but hand picked Wu long Tea is thebest source. This means that the tea drinker can maintain ahealthy lifestyle with every cup.

    Free radicals are damaging substances in your body. Wu Long Teacontains high amounts of anti-oxidants that reduce effect of freeradicals and helps reverse signs of aging.

    Wu long Tea also helps strengthen your Immune system. Wu-Long Teadrinkers were found to have a stronger immune system and asignificantly lower risk for infections such as the common cold.

    * Benefits of Quality

    High quality Wu long Teas generally contain only the highestquality pluckings from such tea growing areas like the highmountain grown tea leaves grown in the famous Wuyi mountain rangein China. The benefits to the tea drinker are good health and thefeeling of well being only quality tea affords.

    Loose leaf Wu long Tea is processed by the "orthodox" method – nofannings, dust, broken leaves or twigs often found in bagged teaare ever included in loose leaf Wu long Teas.

    Some quality tea suppliers cup every imported shipment. Teadrinkers benefit from these suppliers because they are guaranteedconsistency.

    * Benefit of Value

    Value is created by high quality at a good price. Understandingthe cost per cup of loose leaf tea is important because looseleaf tea competes favorably in price with bagged tea.

    When compared to tea bags the value of loose leaf tea is readilyapparent. Bags use broken tea leaves, fannings and dust becausethey infuse quicker but sacrifice quality. In terms of cost, asignificant portion of the tea bag product is involved in baggingthe tea and providing packaging for the bagged product.

    With loose leaf tea one gets the high quality of plucked leaveswithout the costs associated with bagging.

    Copyright © 2007 Jon M. Stout
    =====================================

    Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden MoonTea Company. For more information about tea,(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea)

    green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea

    go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com/ ========================================

    Read More Articles From Jon M. Stout:http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/d/index.

    shtml#Jon_M._Stout

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    Monday, April 16, 2007

    Hoodia Gordonii And Its Affect on Metabolism

    When most people talk about a metabolism increasing drug or supplement they are referring to a substance that stimulates the body to burn more calories. These metabolism stimulating supplements, such as caffeine, give us a boost of energy and a small increase in metabolic activity. On the other end of the weight loss and diet supplement spectrum is the appetite suppressant. Hoodia Gordonii, a cactus like plant from the South African Kalahari Desert, is the latest big thing in appetite suppressants. But the question remains is an appetite suppressant good for the body's metabolism?

    Up until recently Hoodia Gordonii was used almost exclusively by African Bushmen to help suppress their appetites during hunting trips that would last for several days. They had two reasons for doing this. One, they did not want to eat outside of the communal dining that is a staple of their culture and two, they wanted to make sure they didn't eat what they hunted before they returned to the village. These tribal Bushmen have been using Hoodia Gordonii for hundreds of centuries with no known side effects. Of course they have been eating it for centuries and may have evolved an immunity to any side effects.

    In studies that have been done to back up the anecdotal evidence supplied the Bushmen the appetite suppressing qualities of Hoodia Gordonii seem to be real. In one study obese individuals were given a set amount of Hoodia Gordonii everyday and were asked not to exercise. Over the course of the study the subjects taking the hoodia ate 1000 less calories per day then the control group that was taking placebos. This can be helpful for people who are obese or extremely overweight and have a hard time controlling their eating habits.

    A potential problem exists though. Because the body's metabolism requires a certain amount of calories to function per day anything that can result in fewer calories being ingested then are needed can cause the metabolism to actually slow down. For people who are trying to lose a few pounds taking Hoodia Gordonii could have the opposite effect of what they want. A slowing metabolism will actually cause the body to start hoarding its energy supplies and turning any excess calories directly into fat stores. The thing to remember is that cutting to many calories can be just as harmful as consuming to many calories.

    The body's metabolism will respond best to healthy nutrient dense foods. If one is taking Hoodia Gordonii it is wise to remember that just because you are not hungry doesn't mean your body doesn't need a steady supply of energy. Where it may work best for many people is to suppress the appetite enough to keep them from snacking all day on high sugar and empty calorie foods. This will require a conscious effort to eat healthy snacks and meals to actually increase the body's metabolism for optimum fat loss.

    Everything has its place and incorporating Hoodia Gordonii into a weight loss program can be beneficial if used correctly. The best way to lose weight is to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. This has the benefit of increasing the body's metabolism which in turn burns fat. Using an appetite suppressant to help curb cravings can be a valuable part of a good weight loss regimen. But long-term fasting and severe caloric restriction can cause more harm than good. The body needs high octane energy to function correctly and eating healthy is the first step to increasing your metabolism and losing weight.

    Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articles


    By: Andrew Bicknell
    To find out how to increase your metabolism and for more information about the metabolic process please click here.

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    Tuesday, April 10, 2007

    Keep Yourself Honest With a Food Diary



    A great tool for dieting is keeping a personal food diary. Whether you are just starting out on a diet, or struggling to stay on one, incorporating a food diary into your plan is a great way to keep yourself on track. There is something about looking at your food intake in indisputable writing that helps you curb your bad food habits. Keeping a food diary will show you exactly how much you are eating, as well as documenting the types of food that make up the majority of your diet. Some people find it helpful to keep a food diary for a week or so before starting a diet to enable them to more accurately target problem areas. Understanding your weaknesses and preparing yourself to combat diet issues is a great step in maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

    Starting a Food DiaryThere are no hard and fast rules about how to keep a food diary. The important thing to remember is to write down everything that you eat. Ostensibly, no one but you is going to see what is written in your food diary, so omitting snacks or other food items will mean that you are only lying to yourself. If you are serious about losing weight, it is critical that you understand exactly how your caloric intake measures up to the amount of calories you burn during exercise. Drinks and water should also be included. Simply knowing that you are committed to writing down every bit of food you eat is a great way to curb cravings and stick to your plan.

    Advanced Food Diary OptionsOnce you get into the hang of keeping a food journal, you might want to consider expanding the information that you track. Along with food intake, tracking daily exercise is a great way to compare how much you eat to how many calories you are burning. It is also helpful to note the number of calories and nutritional information for the food you write down. Developing a healthy diet has as much to do with what you eat as how much you consume. Once you have a good understanding of the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates you are eating, it will be easier to plan a more balanced diet that helps you to lose weight and stay in shape.

    Online Food DiaryAnother option for keeping a food diary is to keep track of it all online. There are many weight loss sites that offer free registration and many offer food diary options with a free account. This is also a great way to keep track of what your eating throughout the day if you are on your computer frequently.

    Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articles

    Wendy Wood is a full-time mom in the process of losing extra pounds and loves to show other moms how they can lose weight and be healthier as well. Sign up for your free healthy recipes at http://www.dietmamma.com/

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    Thursday, April 05, 2007

    Why Measuring Body Fat Is More Important Than Weighing Yourself On The Scale

    When people start down the road to a healthier lifestyle, their first concern is most often their weight. After all, popular health news is full of warnings for the additional risks overweight people face, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, along with numerous other diseases.

    While walking the path to greater health, the dieter will begin making smarter decisions for their overall health and fitness, but their primary concern always circles back to, "How much weight have I lost?" Weight loss is a vital part of ensuring a healthier life style, but it is not the only objective: maintaining a healthy ratio of body fat is just as important.

    We've been taught since we were children that people come in all shapes and sizes. A very true statement, and one that is most often forgotten when evaluating our own bodies. When people strive to lose weight, they are actually seeking to lose the extra fat their body is carrying so they can present a more attractive figure. The problem arises when people believe that they can lose that fat simply by limiting the quantity of food eaten on a daily basis. Your body needs that food so that when you work on the other half of your diet regular exercise there are calories available to burn.

    A person can be at a "normal" weight and still have excessive fat, or vice versa, they can be overweight without having an excessively high ratio of body fat. When you weigh yourself, you do not take into account what your bone structure may be like or what your muscle composition is compared to your body fat. You may think that you are overweight, but you may just need to work on reducing your body fat and replacing it with healthy muscle mass.

    Dieting alone will likely just remove weight through the purging of water from your muscles. Adding in regular exercise will target the fat that you really want to lose. If you lose water weight but not fat, you will not be able to maintain your smaller structure for a long period of time. Lose fat instead, and the pounds will stay off.

    Body fat is measured as a percentage of your total weight. For men, 18% and under is considered to be healthy. While for women, who biologically have a far different body structure, your body fat should be maintained at a level of 25% or less. For either gender, a body fat composition over 35% is considered obese.

    Athletes commonly have the lowest percentage of body fat, but low body fat can be just as dangerous as high body fat, besides needing some cushion to protect our fragile bones from injury, a body fat percentage of less than 5% for men and 12% for women can be indicative of an eating disorder and can lead to increased instances of illness.

    The smart dieter will either buy their own body fat analysis equipment or have a test performed by their trainer at the gym or by their family physician. There are Body Mass Index (BMI) calculators available on the internet that will estimate your body fat percentage based upon weight versus height, but because of differences in bone structure, this is not a reliable test.

    More reliable tests of body fat include comparing measurements of different parts of your body with your overall weight, health and age; using calipers to measure skinfold thickness; or using under water weighing techniques. You may use the Bio-electrical impedance test, which calculates body fat by measuring the length of time it takes a signal to pass between your hands or feet, though it tends to be fairly inaccurate.

    By combining a healthier diet with regular exercise you can reduce your body fat percentage to a healthier level while presenting a newer, slimmer you. Forget about your scale, it lies. Instead, maintain a chart of your body fat percentage taken at intervals during your diet, and you will find that as you make progress, you will feel better, look better and will enjoy a healthier future!

    Article Source: http://www.nulife-weightloss.com/articles

    Scott White is Online Fitness Trainer Personal Training. Personal Trainer Certification Online Hypnosis Certification

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