What is L-Glutamine?

Glutamine is an amino acid (building blocks of protein) found in the muscles of the body. In fact, it is the most abundant free amino acid.

Technically, glutamine is classified as a semi-essential amino acid, which means that under normal circumstances the body can manufacture it on its own to meet the physiological demands.

However, there are times that glutamine becomes an essential amino acid due to metabolic stress situations like trauma (including surgical trauma), cancer, burns, and sepsis. Under such conditions, it is important that there is an adequate intake of glutamine to meet the increased demand created by these situations.

With that being said, let’s move to more l glutamine facts and L- glutamine benefits.

L Glutamine Facts: Health Benefits of L Glutamine

General Info

Serves as a source of fuel for cells lining the intestines It's involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Some experts point out that glutamine can pass through the protective blood-brain barrier and, because of this, it is known as brain fuel. Aids in protecting the body from ammonia toxicity. Appears to be necessary for normal brain function. Essential for maintaining amino acid balance in the body during times of severe stress. It's used by white blood cells and contributes to normal immune-system function. L Glutamine Facts: Health Benefits of L Glutamine General Health Benefits Promotes the maintenance of a healthy digestive tract. May promote mental alertness and improve mood and memory. May boost immune function and fight infection. May decrease sugar cravings and the desire for alcohol. Helps to prevent the kind of muscle loss (wasting) that can accompany prolonged bed rest or illnesses such as cancer and AIDS who may be incapable of manufacturing their own supply of glutamine. Side Note: It's important to note that stress an injury (including surgical trauma) cause the muscles to release glutamine into the bloodstream. In fact, some experts state that during the time of stress as much as one third of glutamine present in the muscles may be released. As a result, stress and/or illness can lead to the loss of skeletal muscle if not enough glutamine is available. Therefore, one of the benefits of L glutamine is to ensure enough of it is available in the body to help prevent muscle loss (wasting). Are there any side effects and precautions? The Benefits of L Glutamine Glutamine supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines. At the time of this writing, the most commonly experienced side effects while taking glutamine include: constipation and bloating. However, anyone with cirrhosis of the liver, kidney conditions, Reye’s syndrome, or any type of disorder that can result in an accumulation of ammonia in the blood are advised to avoid supplemental glutamine. In addition, because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications it is crucial that you always speak to a knowledgeable healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplements, including glutamine. This advice is also recommended for anyone suffering from a health condition http://www.nutritional-supplement-educational-centre.com/benefits-of-l-glutamine.html

New Recipe Blog

http://www.staylean.blogspot.com



Here is a new Blog my wife and I are putting together for the purpose of providing my clients with healthy recipe alternatives. They are particularly yummy (I am biased though). My wife will be posting a new one everyday until there are a good amount to choose from. Enjoy, and email me with any questions.

-Jared

Amanda's Before and After

Cost of Treating Obesity Soars

Here is an article I found that is very interesting. We need to take care of ourselves because whether or not we pay for health care by choice or universally, we all pay for each other in the end. Take care of yourself and we all benefit. The responsibility is ours alone and no one elses. Anyways, enjoy!
-Jared

"The medical costs of treating obesity-related diseases may have soared as high as $147 billion in 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday, as its new director set a fresh tone in favor of more aggressively attacking obesity.

The cost of treating obesity doubled over a decade, signaling the rising prevalence of excess weight and the toll it is taking on the health-care system. The medical costs of obesity were estimated to be $74 billion in 1998, according to a study by federal government researchers and RTI International, a nonprofit research institute in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

The findings were released at a conference on obesity held by the CDC in Washington, D.C. The prevalence of obesity rose 37% between 1998 and 2006, and medical costs climbed to about 9.1% of all U.S. medical costs, the researchers said.

Obese people spent 42% more than people of normal weight on medical costs in 2006, a difference of $1,429, the study found. Prescription drugs accounted for much of the increase.

The numbers underscore the urgent need for deeper interventions in society and the environment that will make it easier for people to maintain normal weight, Thomas Frieden, the CDC’s new director, told conference attendees. While obesity rates among some population groups have shown signs of leveling off, that is of little comfort, he said: The average American is about 23 pounds overweight. Obesity is causing disabilities and exacerbating health disparities, he said. The average American consumes about 250 calories more a day now than two or three decades ago.

“Obesity and with it diabetes are the only major health problems that are getting worse in this country, and they’re getting worse rapidly,” he said.

Change is needed on many fronts, he added. “Reversing obesity is not going to be done successfully with individual effort.”

While the CDC is not a regulatory agency and has only a $43 million budget this year for nutrition, physical activity and obesity programs, it is now stepping up its efforts to combat obesity. Last week, the agency released a set of recommendations to help communities prevent and combat obesity. They include discouraging the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, instituting smaller portion-size options in venues such as government facilities, and requiring physical education in schools.

As New York City’s health commissioner for more than seven years, Dr. Frieden was known for measures such as banning artificial trans fats in some foods and requiring certain chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus. In an article published in April in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Frieden and Kelly Brownell, a professor at Yale University, proposed a penny-an-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, arguing that those drinks “may be the single largest driver of the obesity epidemic.”

In his speech Monday, Dr. Frieden said measures that had worked to control tobacco, such as taxes and reducing exposure, could help control obesity, too. Those could include a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. A 10% price increase on sugared beverages could reduce consumption 7.8%, he said.

But he didn’t express the proposal as a policy of the Obama administration. The CDC doesn’t officially endorse an increase in taxes on soda, but cites price increases as a proven strategy for tobacco control and says they should be considered as a strategy for obesity control.

The beverage industry opposes soda-tax proposals. “It’s overreaching when government uses the tax code to tell people what they can eat or drink, said Kevin Keane, a spokesman for the American Beverage Association. “It’s hard to make the connection that there’s a unique tie between soft drinks and obesity.” "


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970204563304574314794089897258.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23065375@N05/2234743107/

'Superfoods' Everyone Needs

Experts say dozens of easy-to-find 'superfoods' can help ward off heart disease, cancer, cholesterol, and more.
By Susan Seliger
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD

Imagine a superfood -- not a drug -- powerful enough to help you lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and, for an added bonus, put you in a better mood. Did we mention that there are no side effects? You'd surely stock up on a lifetime supply. Guess what? These life-altering superfoods are available right now in your local supermarket.

"The effect that diet can have on how you feel today and in the future is astounding," says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, author of Nutrition for aHealthy Pregnancy, Food & Mood, and The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.

"Even people who are healthy can make a few tweaks and the impact will be amazing," Somer says. "I'd say that 50% to 70% of suffering could be eliminated by what people eat and how they move: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension can all be impacted."

You don't need specific foods for specific ailments. A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the following superfoods will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing they all have in common: "Every superfood is going to be a 'real' (unprocessed) food," Somer points out. "You don't find fortified potato chips in the superfood category."
Top Superfoods Offering Super Health Protection

* Beans
* Blueberries
* Broccoli
* Oats
* Oranges
* Pumpkin
* Salmon
* Soy
* Spinach
* Tea (green or black)
* Tomatoes
* Turkey
* Walnuts
* Yogurt

Blueberries -- Antioxidant Superfood

Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory.

"Inflammation is a key driver of all chronic diseases, so blueberries have a host of benefits," says Ann Kulze, MD, of Charleston, S.C., author of Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet, A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss & Lifelong Vitality. When selecting berries, note that the darker they are, the more anti-oxidants they have. "I tell everyone to have a serving (about 1/2 cup) every day," Dr. Kulze says. "Frozen are just as good as fresh." Be sure to include lots of other fruits and vegetables in your diet as well. Remember too that, in general, the more color they have, the more antioxidants.
Omega 3-Rich Fish -- Superfoods for the Heart, Joints, and Memory

"We know that the omega 3s you get in fish lower heart disease risk, help arthritis, and may possibly help with memory loss and Alzheimer's," Somer says. "There is some evidence to show that it reduces depression as well."

Omega-3s are most prevalent in fatty, cold-water fish: Look for wild (not farmed) salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel. Aim for two-to-three servings a week. Other forms of omega 3s are available in fortified eggs, flax seed, and walnuts. These superfoods have the added benefit of being high in monounsaturated fats, which can lower cholesterol.

Soy -- Superfood to Lower Cholesterol

A study reported in The Journal of the American Medical Association (2003) showed that a diet of soy fiber, protein from oats and barley, almonds, and margarine from plant sterols lowered cholesterol as much as statins, the most widely prescribed cholesterol medicine. "Look for tofu, soy milk, or edamame -- not soy powder," says Somer. In other words, soy sauce won't do the trick. One caveat: If you have a family history of breast cancer it is not recommended that you eat extra soy.
Fiber -- Superfood Aids Weight Loss and Checks Cholesterol

A diet high in fiber will help you maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. As a bonus, because fiber helps you feel full longer, it's a great tool in weight management. Whole grains, beans, fruit, and vegetables are all good sources. Try throwing some beans in your salad, recommends Kulze. "Fresh, frozen, or dried are the best. You can use canned, but they tend to be higher in sodium," Kulze warns.
Tea -- Superfood for Lowering Cholesterol and Inhibiting Cancer

"The overall antioxidant power of black tea is the same as green tea," says Kulze, "but green tea does have ECGC, a powerful antioxidant that we really do think is quite special." A recent Japanese study on green tea found that men who drank green tea regularly had lower cholesterol than those who didn't. Researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom have also shown that ECGC can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. For a double health whammy, replace sugary sodas with tea.

Calcium

OK, OK, you know the drill: Calcium helps build strong bones and prevents osteoporosis. Look for it in dairy products or supplements. Added bonus: Some studies show that calcium helps with weight loss. Here are the calcium levels recommended for adults by the USDA:

* Age 9 to 18 -- 1,300 mg
* Age 19 to 50 -- 1,000 mg
* Age 51 and over -- 1,200 mg

And Finally, the Yummiest Superfood Yet ... Dark Chocolate

New research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure. Kulze recommends that you look for chocolate with 60% or higher cocoa content; the darker, the better. In addition, the darker it is, the lower the fat and sugar content. Now that's our kind of health food!

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/superfoods-everyone-needs
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/superfoods-everyone-needs?page=2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3210346904/

Awesome 13 Week Results!

WAY TO GO LAURIE!!!

The Many Benefits of Fish Oil

Fish oil is known for reducing stress, helps regain brain alertness for the once young, and promotes well-being in general.

Omega 3 benefits a person in many ways related to both mental and body health. For instance, the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids have the power to curb heart disease and prevent mental related illness. It can also reduce diabetes, cancer, dementia, and pain.

What are the omega 3 benefits?

1. Mental health booster
The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are a brain booster because they contain DHA and EPA that are both vital for the proper functioning of the brain. As a result, brain power is increased, which can lead to increase concentration, increase creativity, and improved memory. The person will grow brighter.


2. Promotion of vibrant and youthful skin
Fish oils revitalize aging skin by enhancing the production of youthful-giving collagen and elastin. Anti-inflammatory eicosanoids are responsible for reducing skin inflammation, thus reducing wrinkles that are also produced in high quantity.

3. Decrease in the development of mental illnesses
Chemical imbalance–induced mental disorders result when the brain has low level of EPA and DHA. Mental disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementias, schizophrenia and mental illness in multiple sclerosis patients, can develop if the brain cannot regulate mood swings, extreme emotions, and depressions.


4. Reduced risk of breast cancer
Fatty acids from fish oils stop the mutation of healthy cells into cancerous cells, inhibit unwanted cell growth, and kill existing cancer cells. As a result, the formation of three common cancers—breast, colon, and prostate cancers—are prevented.

5. Improve cholesterol level and Prevent heart attack
Fatty acids found in fish oils like DHA, EPA, and DPA help lower bad cholesterol, LDLs, triglycerides, and blood pressure. They prevents heart attack by taking care of your heart, veins, and arteries. According to research, fish oil fatty acids increase good cholesterol, HDL, , and prevent blood clots from forming before they can inflict damage to the body.

6. Supplement for pregnant mothers
According to studies, mothers that take fish oil supplements have lower risk of premature delivery. They promote proper fetus development to avoid growth problems, behavioral disorder, and promote pro-brain development. The fetus develops into a smarter and healthier baby.

7. Reduction in the development of mental illnesses among children
Another example of the fish oil omega 3 benefits is its ability to treat ADD, ADHD, dyspraxia, and dyslexia. Children suffering from these disorders are given a renewed hope in life by the resulting improvement in their behavior with fish oil supplements.

8. Immune system booster
The enhancement of the immune system is due to the fish oil–induced serotonin production, a hormone that makes people happy. Happiness can deal with emotional issues effectively, thus promoting overall well-being.

9. Promote calmness and relief stress
Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce stress and the resulting high stress hormone that can do damage to the body, according to some research.

10. Reduced inflammatory pain
Pain from inflammatory arthritis, cystitis, and gastritis, to name a few, is reduced by taking fish oil as supplements or as natural food. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids help regulate the body’s inflammatory response, thus relieving inflammatory pain.

http://www.keyfishoilbenefits.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jalalspages/1139222760/

7 Benefits of Drinking Water

Most people don’t quite get the health benefits of drinking water yet. They usually think that water is only needed when you feel thirsty and there couldn’t be a bigger mistake than that. About 66% of our bodyweight is water. Our muscles contains about 75% water, our brain tissue contains about 85% water, 83% of our blood is water and even 22% of our bones is water. Because our body contains so much water, it’s vital to keep drinking plenty of water. Without water we would dehydrate. And dehydration can result in our organs not functioning properly which can end in death.

1. Keep your brain healthy As described in the introduction of this post, our brain tissue contains about 85% water. Drinking water regularly will keep the brain functioning properly. Studies have shown that not drinking enough water, dehydration, can be a key element in causing headaches, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.

2. Water regulates body temperature Water helps regulate body temperature, especially during exercise. When you exercise, you lose water through your breath and by sweating. As the sweat evaporates, your body cools. Replenishing water loss during exercise is crucial for physical performance and good health. Too much water loss will increase your risk of heat exhaustion. In addition to your normal six to eight glasses of water each day, drink a glass before you exercise. Then, for each 20 minutes of exercise, drink another cup or more. Be sure to drink a cup or two after you finish.

3. Flush out the toxins The function of our kidneys is to remove waste from our bodies. They help to lush toxins such as uric acid, urea and lactic acid the kidneys out of our blood stream. These are the toxins that make us feel sluggish and unwell. The toxins can also put a harmful burden on the other systems in the body. Drinking water regularly lessens the burden on your kidneys keeping us pollution free.

4. Decrease risk of heart attacks Researchers at the Loma Linda University in California studied more than 20,000 healthy men and women and found that people who drank more than 5 glasses of water a day are less likely to die from a heart attack than people who drink less than two.

5. Raise your metabolism As described in the post about metabolism, metabolism is the means by which the food we consume is turned into energy. The first chemical process that takes place is digestion. This process will prepare the nutrients in the food to be absorbed by the body and transformed into energy. Drinking plenty of water is essential to maintain a good digestion which in turn keep your metabolism going. The health benefit of water is better utilization of the nutrients you consume resulting in more energy.

6. Fresh and healthy skin Water primarily stimulates the circulation of blood, fluids, and the necessary elements inside our body. Additionally, it also controls and regulates the skin’s natural balance. When water is warm, it has the power to hydrate, revitalize, detoxify, and oxygenate the skin. Warm water also gets rid of blackheads and makes large pores smaller. Drinking water makes the body more relaxed and invigorated. It also replaces the moisture lost due to everyday activities. Simply put, these are all the benefits of drinking water for skin.

7. Lose weight by drinking water Drinking water is important if you’re trying to lose weight, some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and one may eat when the body is actually craving fluid. As most food contains some water, if one doesn’t drink much they may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply however, you also gain the undesired effects of increased calorie consumption. Drinking more water can help to prevent overeating and benefit weight loss.

http://sportsandcooking.com/health/7-health-benefits-of-drinking-water

Whats the truth about HCG?

The following is from Mike's Blog. I feel like it is worth noting to all of you who read my blog. Thanks Mike.




By now either you know someone who has done the HCG diet, or you have at least heard about it. Here are some links to some studies done on the HCG diet...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=2405506&dopt=AbstractPlus

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/9/940

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=792477

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/12/3/230

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1237915&blobtype=pdf

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/137/2/151

Interesting!

3 Rules to Burning Fat

Being in the profession of health in fitness, I meet people all the time who are currently experiencing a plateau. They have decided to change their lives, eat healthier, and start a regular exercise program. But somehow, they are no longer losing weight. 99% of the time, it comes down to the fact that they are not following these 3 rules.

1. Eat every 2-3 hours. The biggest misconception with fat loss, is that you have to starve yourself to lose weight. IT IS ABSOLUTELY OPPOSITE. Your body needs fuel and if you starve it, you do not lose fat. In fact, its quite opposite. You lose muscle. Keeping your body filled with healthy, low calorie foods all day is the fastest way to speed up your metabolism and your body's fat burning capability. When my clients miss meals during the day, their results slow dramatically.

2. Balance your protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Does this mean you need to count calories? No. Think of your metabolism as a car engine. A car needs several ingredients to run smoothly and properly, i.e., gasoline, motor oil, engine coolant, etc. If you leave any of these out, its only a matter of time before something WILL go wrong. The engine dies and you call you mechanic and he tells you that a service is way overdue and now the cost to get your car back to working order is tons of money and could have been prevented with simple maintenance. Our bodies work the same way. Our metabolism needs protein, carbohydrates and fats to burn excess body fat. These nutrients needs to be balanced at every meal. Not just day to day. An easy way to make sure you are doing this is, is to always remember the 3:2:1 rule. 3 parts carbs (1/2 grains, oats, rice, etc, and the other 1/2 veggies or fruit.) 2 Parts protein(lean meats, low-fat dairy, etc) 1 part healthy fats ( you do not necessarily need to add these to your diet. As long as you are choosing low fat meats, dairy and carbs, you will get enough in your day)

3. Plan for your activity level. If you are going to be more active, you need to have the fuel to do it. So think to yourself every time you eat, what am I going to be doing for the next 3 hours of my life. Morning time would be an obvious time to have a larger meal, and so would the meal just before a workout. As for eating before you go to bed, it does not need to be large, nor does it need to contain a large amount of carbs. (those are for energy)

It all comes down to these 3 rules. Nutrition can be your friend or your enemy when it comes to fat loss. No one should have to starve themselves, and unfortunately it wont get you the body you want anyways. When these rules are implemented, results are immediate.

Picture by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdicker/2355994776/