Nutrition

Inflammation is associated with most diseases that plague society including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and bowel disease. Consuming foods with an anti-inflammatory effect can alleviate symptoms of these diseases and may cure them. For this reason, anti-inflammatory foods can have a profound effect on overall health.

The human body is always attempting to maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis literally means equilibrium or balance. The human body needs to maintain reasonably strict physiological parameters to maximize health. For this reason, abnormal caloric or nutrient restriction or over consumption used by many fad diets to shock the body may have an adverse effect on metabolism. A desired weight or body fat and goals are used to determine daily caloric and nutrient intake as well as meal plans necessary to meet individual needs.

Frequently asked questions:

How do I choose the best program for me?

Amino acids all have a similar structure. They contain a central carbon with a carboxylic acid group, amino group, hydrogen and an R group which specifies the name of the amino acid. There are eleven non-essential and nine essential amino acids. Non-essential amino acids are produced at a sufficient rate by the body to meet its needs. Essential amino acids must be consumed in proper amounts to meet homeostatic needs. A complete protein contains all essential amino acids.

The percentages of macronutrients consumed by an individual determine how the body is sculpted. It is important to use a balanced diet to boost metabolism in a currently sedentary person. Cardiovascular exercise is very important for overall health, longevity, and burning body fat. The active weight loss program increases protein slightly to maintain muscle with a positive nitrogen balance. Bodybuilding and figure contestants increase protein even further for the dehydration effect. Bodybuilding preparation time should generally last between eight and twelve weeks.

Do you love spicy foods? I do. Capsaicin is an active component of chili peppers. It is generally an irritant to mammals including humans and causes a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact. Because of the burning sensation caused by capsaicin when it meets mucous membranes, it is commonly used in food products to promote taste and added spice or “heat” usually found spices such as chili powder and paprika.

One of the keys to healthy, effective nutrition programs is establishing an appropriate daily caloric intake. Not using an adequate daily caloric intake may hinder results or possibly permanently damage resting metabolic rate. Daily caloric intake that provides enough energy to burn body fat or produce lean body mass is very important. Daily caloric intake over time will determine the weight of the individual. Processed meals sent to the door and advertised by former football players and a singer use one calorie count for females and another for males.

The best way to develop nutritional programs for weight loss is by using body fat measurement. By using a body fat measurement, calculations dependent on body density can provide information to reach an exact body fat desired by a client. Body fat is also desirable to determine if a desired bodyweight for an individual is healthy or realistic. A body fat below seven for a male and twelve for a female is generally considered unhealthy and may compromise normal physiological or hormonal function.

There are foods available that are known to remove known carcinogens, reduce tumor swelling, and combat cancer. These foods contain isothiocyanates or ITCs that provide anti-cancer and carcinogenic effects. ITCs help battle cancer in three ways. They do not allow carcinogens to be activated, counteract previous effects of carcinogens that have been activated, and speed removal from the body.

Spices make foods taste great. Let’s face it sometimes the spice is what makes a dish work well or not. Spices contain phytonutrients, essential oils, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that promote overall health. Some spices that have beneficial effects include bay leaf, black pepper, capers, caraway, cardamom, cayenne pepper, chili peppers, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa beans, cumin, horseradish, jalapeno peppers, mace spice, nutmeg, saffron, turmeric, and wasabi.