People prefer consuming energy drinks to survive their afternoon crash. Students like them as well, because they believe that these drinks help them stay awake throughout the night.Unfortunately, not many of them are aware of the fact that a single can of Red Bull increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.What does Red Bull actually do to your body?

Energy drinks make blood sticky, and thus lead to stroke and cardiovascular issues. An hour after you have had Red Bull, your blood stream will be the same as that of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

However, the company states that their energy drink has the similar effect as a cup of coffee or soda.

You can get the same effect from caffeine, accompanied with an increased reaction speed and large amount of artificial sweeteners and sugar that will give you a short burst of energy.

The difference between energy drinks and coffee is that no one actually knows the exact effect of the ingredients in Red Bull on human body.

Energy drinks contain aspartame, a neurotoxin with metabolic, fetal, allergenic and carcinogenic properties.

Moreover, you will have to deal with lethargy and cravings for another can of the deadly energy drink. Yes, it is a vicious cycle.

Some countries have banned energy drinks

“No less than 3.5 billion cans of Red Bull were sold last year in 143 countries. Yet, quiestions regarding the safety of Red Bull, as well as other energy drinks, keep croppins up at regular intervals when yet another overzealous energy-addict keels over,” explains Dr Mercola.

Statistics shows that energy drinks are sold more often than water bottles.

Taking into consideration that energy drinks become more popular, in some countries these drinks are banned in order to prevent the damage they might cause.

Norway, Denmark and Uruguay have identified the possible heath problems Red Bull might cause and have banned it. In Kuwait, Red Bull is illegal for children under 16 after the death of 2 national squash team members was related to energy drinks. They both died of heart attack.

Who is at high risk?

Energy drinks affect blood vessel function and increase the risk of blood clotting. To prevent stroke, check if you have any of the following symptoms and avoid these drinks at any cost:

▪                Anxiety

▪                Hypertension

▪                Chronic fatigue syndrome

▪                Stress

▪                Caffeine sensitivity

▪                Cardiovascular disease

▪                Blood clotting disorder

Pregnant women and lactating mothers should also avoid Red Bull.

Boost your energy naturally

This is nothing complicated. All you have to do is eat the right foods and add more omega-3 fats to your diet. Eliminate grains and sugars for a long-lasting effect on your energy.

Exercise regularly and avoid stressful situations. This will also help you avoid another can of Red Bull.

http://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/how-your-body-reacts-to-drinking-red-bull-you-will-never-drink-this-again-after-reading-this/ 

How much physical activity do children need?

Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity each day.

This may sound like a lot, but don't worry! Your child may already be meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. And, you'll soon discover all the easy and enjoyable ways to help your child meet the recommendations. Encourage your child to participate in activities that are age-appropriate, enjoyable and offer variety! Just make sure your child or adolescent is doing three types of physical activity:

1. Aerobic activity 

Aerobic activity should make up most of your child's 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. This can include either moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or vigorous-intensity activity, such as running. Be sure to include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week.

2. Muscle Strengthening

Include muscle strengthening activities, such as gymnastics or push-ups, at least 3 days per week as part of your child's 60 or more minutes.

3. Bone Strengthening  

Include bone strengthening activities, such as jumping rope or running, at least 3 days per week as part of your child's 60 or more minutes.

How do I know if my child's aerobic activity is moderate- or vigorous-intensity?

Here are two ways to think about moderate- and vigorous-intensity:

Want examples?

Check out Aerobic, muscle- and bone-strengthening: what counts?

•               On a scale of 0 to 10, where sitting is a 0 and the highest level of activity is a 10, moderate-intensity activity is a 5 or 6. When your son does moderate-intensity activity, his heart will beat faster than normal and he will breathe harder than normal. Vigorous-intensity activity is a level 7 or 8. When your son does vigorous-intensity activity, his heart will beat much faster than normal and he will breathe much harder than normal.

•               Another way to judge intensity is to think about the activity your child is doing and compare it to the average child. What amount of intensity would the average child use? For example, when your daughter walks to school with friends each morning, she's probably doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity. But while she is at school, when she runs, or chases others by playing tag during recess, she's probably doing vigorous-intensity activity.

What do you mean by "age-appropriate" activities?

Some physical activity is better-suited for children than adolescents. For example, children do not usually need formal muscle-strengthening programs, such as lifting weights. Younger children usually strengthen their muscles when they do gymnastics, play on a jungle gym or climb trees. As children grow older and become adolescents, they may start structured weight programs. For example, they may do these types of programs along with their football or basketball team practice.

Tips on Getting Children Active

Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child's Life

How is it possible for you child to meet the Guidelines? What can you do to get your child active? Find out here!

Adult BMI Calculator

Click the link below to find your BMI

       http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html    

BMI Calculator for Children and Teens.

What is BMI?

BMI is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat obtained from skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, densitometry (underwater weighing), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and other methods. Furthermore, BMI appears to be as strongly correlated with various metabolic and disease outcome as are these more direct measures of body fatness. In general, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight category, for example underweight, normal or healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.

How is BMI used?

A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual.

To determine if a high BMI is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings10.

What are the BMI trends for adults in the United States?

The prevalence of adult BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (obese status) has greatly increased since the 1970s. Recently, however, this trend has leveled off, expect for older women. Obesity has continued to increase in adult women who are age 60 years and older.

To learn more about the trends of adult obesity, visit Adult Obesity Facts.

Why is BMI used to measure overweight and obesity?

BMI can be used for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. BMI can be used as a screening tool for body fatness but is not diagnostic.

How good is BMI as an indicator of body fatness?

The correlation between the BMI and body fatness is fairly strong, but even if 2 people have the same BMI, their level of body fatness may differ.

In general,

•               At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.

•               At the same BMI, Blacks have less body fat than do White, and Asians have more body fat than do Whites15

•               At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults.

•               At the same BMI, athletes have less body fat than do non-athletes.

The accuracy of BMI as an indicator of body fatness also appears to be higher in persons with higher levels of BMI and body fatness. While a person with a very high BMI (e.g., 35 kg/m2) is very likely to have high body fat, a relatively high BMI can be the results of either high body fat or high lean body mass (muscle and bone). A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual's health status and risks.

What are the health consequences of obesity for adults?

People who are obese are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following: 

•               All-causes of death (mortality)

•               High blood pressure (Hypertension)

•               High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)

•               Type 2 diabetes

•               Coronary heart disease

•               Stroke

•               Gallbladder disease

•               Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)

•               Sleep apnea and breathing problems

•               Chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress

•               Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)

•               Low quality of life

•               Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders

•               Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning

For more information about these and other health problems associated with obesity, visit Health Effects

Eating A Handful Of Nuts Every Day Could Help You Live Longer

A few nuts a day could keep the doctor away.

In a new study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, men and women who ate a minimum of 10 grams of peanuts and/or tree nuts daily were found to be at lower risk for dying from major causes of death including cancer, diabetes and diseases that effect the brain, heart and the lungs.

Researchers from Maastricht University looked at the Netherlands Cohort Study, a study that's been running for nearly 30 years, to reach their conclusions. They tracked the nut-eating habits of more than 120,000 Dutch people between the ages of 55 and 69, analyzing portion size and how often nuts were ingested. The participants self-reported their daily consumption of nuts, peanuts and peanut butter.

The study found that eating this small serving of nuts every day reduced mortality by as much as 23 percent.

Before you go overboard on the peanut butter and jellies, know that the study did not find the nutty spread to have the same effect as the nuts in their whole form (though peanut butter does offer some other health benefits, like adding nutritious fats, fiber and protein into your diet).

Previous studies have highlighted nuts' heart-healthy powers, but this is the first to link the food to lowering mortality related to other conditions. Ten grams seems to be the ideal portion size for reaping these newly unearthed benefits: The researchers did not find that eating more than 10 grams a day increased any of the health benefits.

For reference, this photo depicts the equivalent of about 10 grams of almonds, which amounts to around 7 pieces.

Isagenix Associates Share What Changed Their Lives Forever: Breakthrough 2015: Like thumbprints, no two breakthrough moments are the same. Breakthroughs happen when people discover what drives them; when people find their true purpose in life and exhibit a passion to turn that purpose into a better future for themselves, their family, and everyone they meet. Watch this inspirational video to see how Isagenix is changing lives. Find purpose in what matters most to you and experience your breakthrough moment

How to Use the Bedtime Belly Buster

How to Use the Bedtime Belly Buster

Customize the Bedtime Belly Buster to fit your goals.

In 2013, the Bedtime Belly Buster, or BBB, took the Isagenix world by storm. An Isagenix Associate-inspired creation, the BBB developed as a convenient way to enhance the release of that stubborn fat on your stomach.

Now, we’ve created an easy step-by-step guide for how it works and how to use it.

Officially, the BBB now consists of three core components: IsaPro®, the Sleep Support & Renewal™ spray, and IsaFruits®. Depending on your goals, popular additions such as IsaOmega Supreme®,FiberPro™, and Ageless Essentials™ Daily Pack are commonly taken with the BBB for an extra kick of nutrients before bed.

Together the different components of the BBB are able to support weight loss. Beyond being a great way to satisfy an after-dinner sweet tooth, the science behind why the combination works is pretty straightforward:

IsaPro: IsaPro comes in two delicious flavors, chocolate and vanilla, which give you that sweet sensation without the empty calories, fat, and sugar. Additionally, the high-quality whey protein that is found in IsaPro as part of the BBB has been shown to stimulate metabolism and energy expenditure (1, 2).  In short, that means the extra protein helps you burn more calories while you sleep.

Sleep Support & Renewal: Everyone knows quality sleep is a cornerstone of good health, but what might be surprising is that it also can help with weight loss. A study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that those who habitually lack quality sleep, whether it is a late bedtime or the inability to fall asleep once in bed are more susceptible to weight gain (3).

IsaFruits (or Greens): Having only a gram of sugar, IsaFruits adds flavor to the BBB without extra calories. In addition, it provides some valuable phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables. While traditionally the BBB is used with IsaFruits, the combination of the new IsaPro Chocolate and Greens is also becoming a favorite.

For a bedtime regimen, adding products such as the IsaOmega Supreme and FiberPro is an easy way to customize the BBB to fit your personal goals.

Complementing your diet with the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients found in the Ageless Essentials Daily Pack, or the omega-3 essential fatty acids found in IsaOmega Supreme, gives you nutritional insurance so you can feel confident knowing you are providing your body with the right amounts and kinds of nutrients to support overall health and wellness.

FiberPro adds prebiotic fiber, designed to support digestive health and promote regularity.

Instructions: 30 to 60 minutes before bed is the ideal time to prepare your BBB. Keep in mind it’s not recommended on a Cleanse Day, but can be the perfect Shake Day “nightcap.”

Step 1: With an IsaBlender® vessel, combine 4 or 5 oz. of water, the core components, and any of the popular additions. Because the mix foams so rapidly, shake the vessel vigorously before blending.

Step 2: Blend all of the ingredients for 30 to 60 seconds.

Step 3: If desired, add a few ice cubes or crushed ice cubes and re-blend. Then enjoy this nutrient- and protein-dense bedtime treat.

The bottom line of the Bedtime Belly Buster is that there are a variety of different ways to reach your goals. But by supplementing your nighttime regimen with Sleep Support & Renewal spray and the high-quality undenatured whey protein in IsaPro, your body and waistline can transform.

References

1. Madzima TA, Panton LB, Fretti SK, Kinsey AW, Ormsbee MJ. Night-time consumption of protein or carbohydrate results in increased morning resting energy expenditure in active college-aged men. British Journal of Nutrition 2014;111:71-7.
2. Kinsey AW, Eddy WR, Madzima TA et al. Influence of night-time protein and carbohydrate intake on appetite and cardiometabolic risk in sedentary overweight and obese women. British Journal of Nutrition 2014;112:320-7.
3. Spaeth AM, Dinges DF, Goel N. Effects of Experimental Sleep Restriction on Weight Gain, Caloric Intake, and Meal Timing in Healthy Adults. Sleep. 2013 Jul 1; 36(7): 981–990. Published online 2013 Jul 1. doi:  10.5665/sleep.2792

http://www.isagenixhealth.net/how-to-use-the-bedtime-belly-buster/

Scale Won’t Budge? New Study Sheds Light on Why.

Scale Won’t Budge? New Study Sheds Light on Why.

A new study offers an explanation for why some lose weight faster than others.

Have you or someone you know ever struggled to lose weight? You follow a system and all its instructions to a T, but the number on the scale is not to your liking. No doubt this is a frustrating occurrence and likely to get anyone down on their weight-loss efforts. A new study has shed some light on this conundrum, however, and it may simply be that different people respond differently to calorie restriction (1). That is, some will lose more quickly than others.

For the study, scientists from the National Institutes of Health conducted one of the most well-controlled interventions possible—a 77-day in-patient trial involving 12 obese subjects whose food intake was completely controlled, and calorie expenditure (aka how many calories they burned) and body weight and composition were meticulously measured.

Upon admission and throughout the trial, participants’ calorie needs based on energy expenditure was assessed. Moreover, energy expenditure was measured in response to both excessive calorie intake and fasting for 24-hour periods, and then for what the bulk of the trial involved, which was adhering to a liquid diet reduced by fifty percent of calorie needs. Also, exercise for fitness reasons was not allowed, and activity throughout the study was limited.

The researchers found at the end of the trial that despite the subjects following the same weight-loss protocol, there were some that lost significant weight, while others barely lost any.

Previous researchers have found similar results and this has led to what’s known as a thrifty phenotype, or a person whose response to calorie restriction does not lead to weight loss as quickly as aspendthrift phenotype. Basically, a spendthrift can lose weight easily while a thrifty person will not.

The scientists concluded that “we clearly determined that there is variation in the extent of weight loss in obese humans during a 50 percent caloric reduction that is not the result of a lack of adherence but is caused by real biologic inter-individual variation in energy expenditure responses to the same energy deficits, that is, thrifty and spendthrift phenotypes.”

Researchers point out how the reason for and identification of the two phenotypes has yet to be figured out. Possible influencers could be individual differences in nervous system activity, thyroid and appetite hormones, diet and weight-loss-and-regain history, and variable amounts of brown fat. Everyone has at least a little bit of brown fat, but it varies between individuals. Unlike white fat, which makes up the majority of fat in the body and stores calories, mitochondria-packed brown fat cells burn energy and produce heat.

If losing weight while following a system is a struggle, it may not be that anything is being done wrong, its more just a matter of time. One important factor to remember is that the number on the scale is not the only marker of health. Your energy levels and how you feel, how you’re able to perform daily and physical activities, how well you’re sleeping, and other health markers are all non-scale measurements that a healthy weight-loss regimen can improve. It’s also important to remember what the alternative is—even if you’re not seeing the scale budge as much as you’d like, is it better to give up and go back to old eating habits? Most likely not.

Weight loss is unfortunately not a fully-known and well-understood science yet. But always listen to your body and remember that the journey will be different for each individual. Stick with your balanced Isagenix weight-loss plan and sometimes the end goal may just require more time, patience, and persistence.

Reference: Reinhardt M, Thearle M, Ibrahim M et al. A human thrifty phenotype associated with less weight loss during calorie restriction. Diabetes. 2015.

http://www.isagenixhealth.net/scale-wont-budge-new-study-sheds-light-on-why/