5 Best Herbal Teas For Weight Loss

The weight loss industry has become big business... even herbal tea manufacturers are jumping on the band wagon at this epidemic phenomenon. 5 best herbal teas for weight loss explores the nature and 'actions' of popular herbal tea blends that help with weight loss and weight control.

Having to consider losing weight and hearing that four lettered word... D-I-E-T... is something that makes the majority of us cringe with despair. Whether it's starving yourself on the latest fad diet, or spending ridiculous amounts of money on the newest weight loss program - that make big (yet mostly false) claims to radically reduce your weight in the quickest amount of time - most of us will succumb to this false ideology that looking slim is 'in'.

Herbal teas are a cheaper and healthier alternative in helping with weight loss. But don't be fooled for one second that just solely drinking herbal teas will achieve this. The truth is, there is no magic drink, or pill, or lotion or potion for that matter that can help you lose weight without much effort on your part. The keyword is 'helping' and herbal teas are considered an excellent tonic in aiding weight control and in maintaining a healthy body.

The mantra of regular exercise and a balanced diet maybe hard work to fight the bulge but at least it wouldn't compromise your health in the long run.

Dandelion

Known as the "little plant that roars", it has natural diuretic and laxative properties to remove water and food weight before digestion begins and help your body reduce the feeling of 'feeling bloated'. Many avid dieters believe that diarrhea keeps their bodies from absorbing calories or fat but this is not the case and could lead to dehydration and dependency on laxatives. Dandelion is also a beneficial aid for digestion and because of its mild laxative properties, it can help in bowel movements to become more regular.

Green Tea

Despite not being classed as a herbal tea (as its leaves come from the actual tea plant 'camellia sinensis'), Green Tea has had the most extensive research carried out that has been proven to be very effective in weight loss. This is due to the 'polyphenol' component which is responsible for its slimming effects. It also contains caffeine which gives the drink its stimulant effects and can increase metabolism which helps to burn fat and calories. It is these reasons why the ingredients in Green Tea are widely used in popular diet pills.

Those suffering from anemia should take caution when drinking Green Tea, as it could lead to a reduction in iron absorption in your body which could cause iron deficiency.

Guarana

Guarana's main ingredient is 'guaranine' which is identical to caffeine. It can act as a stimulant to accelerate body functions such as increasing the heart rate, digestion and respiration due to its caffeine content. It is also a diuretic and can stimulate the nervous system and help you fight depression and cope with stress, thus it may help you to avoid 'emotional eating' which is one of the main causes of weight gain. Due to its high caffeine content, those suffering from sleep disorders and anxiety problems should be wary when taking this in large doses.

Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia Gordonii is known as a 'natural appetite suppressor' and has been used for centuries by South African Khoisan herders to endure lengthy periods without food or water, whilst they were hunting and gathering. It contains the active ingredient, known as P57 which is responsible for appetite suppression that can "fool" the mind in thinking the stomach is full so you're not tempting to snack as much. Caution should be taken as long term use could lead to addiction and malnutrition.

Siberian Ginseng

Known as the "king of tonics", Siberian Ginseng is a popular herb to use for its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels thus reducing the desire to eat sugar and sweets. However, people who suffer from high blood pressure, narcolepsy (frequent and uncontrollable deep sleep) or taking blood thinning drugs should avoid it.

It can stimulate the nervous system and act on the pituitary and adrenal glands to give you stamina and help combat fatigue. An increase in stamina means you can work out for longer without feeling tired! Also used to treat nervous disorders, exhaustion, strengthen organs, increases mental ability and a powerful anti-dote to stress and problems with aging.

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Is There a Cure to the Common Cold?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is no. The common cold may be common, but that does not make it any more pleasant to suffer. Mild colds may make you feel a little under the weather for a few days, whereas a nasty cold can really take its toll; particularly on the young, elderly or infirm.

The common cold is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, and it is common because there are over 200 viruses that can cause it, although rhinoviruses are the main culprits. It is no surprise therefore, that an adult will suffer with a cold on average three times a year, whereas, a child can be infected between six and twelve times annually.

Cold symptoms usually last between seven and ten days, although it is not uncommon to feel unwell for up to three weeks. Symptoms include a runny nose, sinus pain, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, fever and headaches. General aches and pains and conjunctivitis can also occur during the common cold.

Because the common cold is caused by a virus, antibiotics are of no use in treating it, meaning that there is no real cold cure. Most cold treatments revolve around looking after yourself and treating the symptoms.

Treatment Options:

1. Rest and fluids

It is best to treat the common cold like any other viral infection and allow your body the time to recover. Getting plenty of rest and replenishing the fluids lost due to fever and sneezing, will help your body use its energy to fight the infection.

2. Steam inhalation

If a blocked nose is one of your main cold symptoms, a good cure is inhaling steam; either with or without menthol crystals dissolved it in.

3. Using a vapour rub on your chest and nose can also help a stuffy nose.

4. Gargling

Gargling with salt water or specialized antiseptic mouthwash can help reduce the inflammation associated with a sore throat.

5. Painkillers

There are a multitude of cold remedies available over the counter. Most will contain either paracetamol or ibuprofen, which are anti-inflammatory drugs and will help with the pain and pain-inducing inflammation.

Many a cold cure will also contain added ingredients aimed at boosting your immune system, providing energy or getting a good night's sleep. As with all medications, read the instructions carefully as some cold remedies do not mix well with other medications or are not suitable for young children. Specialised cold cures for children are available.

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Pregnancy Week 15 Development: What To Expect And One Beneficial Food

Your Baby's Development on its 15th Week

Week 15 is another milestone for your baby. Since conception, your baby has improved a lot and in the next couple of weeks, expect for more changes to take place.
This week, your baby is about the size of an orange or apple. His size from rump to crown is about 4 1/2 inches now. The baby's bones continue to lengthen and grow. The hairs begin to sprout on her scalp. The baby is now capable of wiggling her fingers and her toes. His eyebrows and eyelashes are now beginning to grow and the head is now resting on the neck. And lastly, your baby is now capable of making different facial expressions.

What Can You Expect

By this time, your pregnancy can cause you little breathlessness. This continues as the baby grows bigger because your uterus tends to push up to your diaphragm. This leaves a little room for your diaphragm to expand when you breathe. The surge of pregnancy hormones in your body can cause inflammation in your gums and teeth. This makes the teeth and gums susceptible to bacteria and plaque. The surge of progesterone can cause nosebleeds and chronic stuffy nose.

Since your baby is getting bigger now, you can expect weight gain to manifest. It is pretty normal to gain half pound this week, then a pound and a half next week. Make sure not to gain more than 4 pounds every week as this can create negative effects to you and to your baby later on.

Pregnancy symptoms such as occasional headaches, dizziness and faintness as well as bloating, constipation, indigestion, heartburn and flatulence continue to manifest this week. Varicose veins are likely to appear this week due to the increasing pressure on the veins of your legs. Lower abdominal pains are very likely to be experienced this week due to the expanding and stretching uterus.

Healthy Lifestyle for a Healthier Pregnancy

Pregnant women are facing a lot of uncertainties during their pregnancy. To reduce the risk associated with the mother as well as the baby's health, pregnant women are usually prescribed with supplements. Apart from this, doctors usually recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A fit lifestyle is comprised of a healthy diet, avoidance from alcohol and quitting smoking. These activities are said to be effective at reducing the baby's risk for certain conditions.

Fruits such as apples are one of the healthiest and safest foods to eat during this very crucial period. The fruit is exceptionally rich in fibre which makes it an effective aid in eliminating body wastes. Also, it is effective in preventing the onset of certain types of cancer including colon, liver and breast cancer. Through its pectin content, apple is effective in preventing the onset of diabetes.

Apples are also great sources of Vitamin C which is beneficial in developing the body'sresistance against diseases and in eliminating free radicals. Its antioxidantcontent makes an effective armour against cancer. Also, apples provides a high levels of B-vitamins including thiamine, pyridoxine and riboflavin which are scientifically proven to be effective in optimizing the functions of the organs and systems of the body. The fruit is also fortified with nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

Keeping a Healthy Pregnancy with an Apple a Day

A healthy diet for pregnant women is normally composed of fresh fruits and vegetables as they contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help in enhancing the baby's brain and development. According to research, apples are excellent foods to eat during pregnancy.

As the saying goes, "an apple a day, keeps sickness away". Not surprisingly, eating apples during pregnancy is an excellent way to reduce children's risks for asthma later on. In a study conducted at the University of Aberdeen, it was found out that mothers who eat at least four apples every week were almost 50% less likely to have asthmatic children later on.

Apples are said to contain high levels of phytochemicals known as flavonoids whose deficiency is associated with certain conditions such as bronchial hypersensitivity, lung malfunction and asthma. Apples are in fact excellent sources of Vitamins E and C which play vital roles in protecting the lungs. Also, this fruit is fortified with quercetin which acts as a natural anti-histamine that relieves allergies and asthma.

Apples are not just beneficial to your baby. In fact, it can also help in easing your morning sickness. Apples are also said to be effective at regulating the level of cholesterol in the body. It lowers cholesterol level and prevents the onset of high cholesterol.

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Is Rest Better Than Massage for Recovery?

Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts advocate massage for enhancing resistance exercise performance. Some people cite improved circulation and lymphatic drainage as factors in efficient recovery. A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2008; 22 [2], 575–82) suggests that rest may offer greater benefits than massage.

Researchers studied 30 experienced weight trainers, all of whom performed three workouts. The exercises were the same in each workout, but the intervention between sets was different each time. The three interventions were 1 minute of rest standing upright; 30 seconds of rest standing upright; and 30 seconds of massage with the exercised muscle group elevated.

Following warm-up, participants performed as many repetitions as possible of the following exercises: the 45-degree leg press, prone leg curl, seated shoulder press and standing barbell curl. After each set, the exercisers followed their assigned protocol for recovery. This process continued for several sets. At the end of the study, researchers determined that “rest period duration had the most impact on resistance exercise performance.” According to results, the 1-minute rest proved most effective for each of the exercises. The massage intervention appeared to be the next most useful intervention in every case.

Authors were uncertain why massage did not offer greater benefits but suggested blood flow diverted from muscle to skin and inadequate lactate removal as possible impediments. The researchers also found that massage “does not aid recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage, delayed-onset muscle soreness or strength retention after bouts of anaerobic or eccentric actions.” In conclusion, the authors suggested that those looking to improve muscular performance should use rest periods as the primary method of recovery. “Those who seek improved resistance exercise performance should pay particular attention to the duration of rest periods, as longer rests permit greater recovery and allow performance of more repetitions,” stated the authors.

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Inactive Kids More Likely to Face Heart Disease

The dangers of inactivity in children just became more grave. A study published in Dynamic Medicine (2008; 7 [5]) has found that sedentary kids, compared with their active counterparts, are five times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome by their teenage years. For kids with “low aerobic fitness,” the risk is six times as high.

The authors analyzed data collected from 389 North Carolina adolescents aged 7–10 years. Qualified professionals measured the subjects’ body mass index, percent body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. Levels of physical activity were either self-reported or estimated through use of a “multistage” submaximal cycle ergometry test. The researchers then followed up with participants 7 years after the initial results were gathered. Eighteen from the original group presented with at least three characteristics of metabolic syndrome; these teenagers reported higher body fat, body mass, cholesterol and systolic blood pressure levels than the other participants. Further, those with the disease characteristics had scored low physical activity ratings at the outset. “We found that adolescents with the [disease] were five times more likely to have low physical activity levels as children,” stated the authors. “Furthermore, our mean physical activity data suggest that in those youth who have the [disease], low physical activity levels can persist from childhood into adolescence.” The authors concluded that increasing physical activity among youth could reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome later in life.       

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