Canned Food and Bottled Water Increase Your Abdominal Fat Through Hidden Chemicals

One of the MOST problematic chemicals that you're being exposed to specifically from canned foods and bottled drinks is called Bisphenol A (BPA).

BPA can be found as a component of some types of plastic bottles, and also in the lining inside of canned foods.

Since BPA is a known "xenoestrogen", it's been linked in animal studies (at surprisingly small doses) to all sorts of various health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, metabolic disorders and fertility problems and birth defects or miscarriages... and of course, any xenoestrogens in large enough amounts can trigger your body to hold onto abdominal fat (stubborn belly fat).

The major offenders to look for are polycarbonate bottles (some plastics with the #7 symbol on the bottom are polycarbonate, but not all) and also canned foods, since the lining of most canned foods contains BPA, which can leach into food. The longer that a can of food sits on a shelf and the higher the temperature, the more BPA can leach into your food. The same can be said for polycarbonate bottles that contain food or drinks.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), BPA was detected in the bodies of 95% of Americans in one CDC study (this is a worldwide issue though, not just limited to the US). This is nothing to shrug off either... look at this scary finding...

The Environmental Working Group reports, "analysis of our tests reveals that for one of every five cans tested, and for one-third of all vegetables and pastas (ravioli and noodles with tomato sauce), a single serving would expose a pregnant woman to BPA at levels that fall within a factor of 5 of doses linked to birth defects — permanent damage of developing male reproductive organs".

If that didn't get your attention, how about this...

The EWG also reports evidence of... "An investigation demonstrating that low doses of BPA spur both the formation and growth of fat cells, the two factors that drive obesity in humans (Masumo et al. 2002)."

This is not surprising, since as mentioned at the beginning of this article, BPA is a known xenoestrogen, and any xenoestrogens can contribute to what's been referred to as "stubborn abdominal fat" as well as cancer and other health problems.

It's also important to note that any canned tomato products (canned ravioli, pastas, canned tomato pastes, tomato sauces, etc) are some of the biggest offenders with the highest BPA concentrations due to the acidic nature of tomatoes, which leaches more of the BPA.

So what steps can you take to minimize your exposure to BPA and it's negative effects on bodyfat and other health risks?

1. If you for some reason choose to use a microwave with your food (which by the way, microwaved food is thought to have negative health effects), then by all means, do not microwave the food in plastic containers as it can increase the leaching of chemicals including BPA.

2. If you do resort to using canned foods instead of fresh foods, try to find labels that say that the cans are free of BPA.

3. Avoid soda cans, as the EWG states analysis showed that 42% of soda cans contained BPA. Of course, if you care about your health and your body, I'm sure you never drink soda anyway -- it's pure evil for your body... and yes, that includes unhealthy diet soda too, with it's dangerous artificial sweeteners.

4. If you use plastic wrap, plastic ziplock bags, plastic containers for food storage, etc, try to investigate on the label if the product is BPA-free or not. Some brands packaging will label if their products are BPA-free.

5. Try to always avoid canned foods as much as possible and choose frozen or fresh foods instead. Buy the ingredients yourself and prepare the meal the old fashioned way instead of resorting to canned foods. Also, a better alternative to canned foods is products in glass containers.

6. If you drink bottled water, or water from reusable plastic bottles, make sure that it is not a polycarbonate bottle, or make sure that the label says BPA-free. Plastic that shows #7 on the bottom will sometimes contain BPA, but not always. If a bottle shows "PC" on the bottom, it is made from polycarbonate, so it will contain BPA. In addition, sometimes aluminum bottles will contain a lining that has BPA, so avoid these.

7. If you need tomato products, always avoid canned varieties and search for tomato sauces, pastes, etc in glass bottles instead (unless the can specifically states that it is BPA-free). Or just make your own tomato dishes from scratch with fresh tomatoes.

8. Never use plastic cups for hot liquids such as hot tea or coffee, as this can accelerate leaching of BPA and other chemicals, depending on the type of plastic.

9. As much as you can try to avoid BPA and other xenoestrogens, you will most likely still be exposed to some levels of xenoestrogens from various chemicals in your foods (from pesticide/herbicide residues, packaging chemicals, etc), chemicals in your water supply, chemicals from cosmetics, lotions, etc.

You can help to protect yourself and counteract these harmful xenoestrogen chemicals in your body with certain powerful phytonutrients in foods like onions, garlic, chamomile and green teas, and cruciferious vegetables.

How To Destroy Urinary Tract Infections Without Antibiotics or Cranberry Juice

The active ingredient in cranberry juice responsible for its benefit to your urinary system has been identified and isolated—and that is D-mannose.

Most cranberry juice is loaded with fructose, a monosaccharide (simple sugar) that can potentially lead to health problems like blood sugar instability, stress on your liver, and increased uric acid levels that can raise your blood pressure.

The active ingredient in cranberry juice responsible for its benefit to you has been identified and isolated—and that is D-mannose.

It can be derived from peaches, apples, berries and some other plants. Pure D-mannose is 10-50 times stronger than cranberry, non-toxic and completely safe, with NO adverse effects.

D-mannose can help cure more than 90 percent of all UTIs within one to 2 days and it does NOT produce the metabolic stresses that fructose does because it’s more like glucose, which every cell in your body is designed to use.

It also helps to nourish your healthy flora because it doesn’t affect “friendly” bacteria. It doesn’t kill any bacteria—it just renders them unable to stay in your urinary tract.

Studies show that frequent consumption of products containing probiotic bacteria can promote good urinary tract health—fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir and other fermented vegetables are great for your overall health—including your urinary system.

The Surprising Benefits of Drinking This...

...'Unhealthy' Everyday Beverage...

Protein torpedo' crushes your cravings...

We all know that sugar causes energy crashes and mood swings…

…and it can be a deathblow to any fat loss program!

So what can you do the next time the urge hits?

Grab a pickle in one hand

Wrap it with a couple slices of turkey

Then eat that baby!

You see, by eating a few bites of pickle (look for salty, not sweetened, versions that are all natural), you counteract sugar’s stranglehold.

The pickles are low calorie and since they ARE a vegetable, you are getting vitamins and minerals also.

The turkey wrapping is the final touch on the ‘protein torpedo’ that will ignite your flab melting even more!

World's Most Effortless Way to Slim Your Waistline

Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA is a very powerful fatty acid primarily found in beef and dairy products and has been linked to long-term weight management and health.

Animal studies show that as little as 0.5 percent CLA in your diet could reduce tumors by over 50%, including the following types of cancer:

• Breast
• Colorectal
• Lung
• Skin
• Stomach

And research with humans has shown that CLA has been beneficial in lowering body fat, with even greater improvement in those who combine exercise with dietary intake of CLA.

Other studies have shown that CLA cuts body fat while preserving muscle tissue, and may also increase your metabolic rate.

Because CLA cannot be manufactured in the human body, we must get it from our diet. And the best dietary source of CLA is grass-fed beef.

Exercise Mistake Proven to Damage Your Heart?

Research effectively shows that years of strenuous cardiovascular exercise can damage your heart.

The vast majority of those who exercise are choosing to do some form or aerobic or cardio activity. This research now supports the notion that this choice is likely not your best one over the long run.

Conventional cardio may actually be counterproductive... So, although most people who read this are not exercising nearly enough, it’s still important to understand that it is indeed possible to over-exercise—especially if your primary focus is on traditional cardio.

The point is, too much of something that is normally good for you can have the reverse effect.

Unless you’re engaged in high-level or elite endurance training, this information may be of little value—you certainly shouldn’t use it to further avoid exercising at all! Exercise is absolutely necessary for high-level wellness, but reducing your risk of heart disease is usually not the main reason you exercise.

You exercise because it makes you feel better, and for most, it helps keep your weight at an optimal level. It’s also one of the best treatments for insomnia and reducing insulin resistance, as well as being a wonderful aid in the treatment of depression. So the reasons to exercise are many.

If you start slow, and most importantly, listen to your body, you shouldn’t run into the problem of exerting yourself excessively.

If you’re a serious athlete, however, you may want to reconsider how you train.

The dangers of soda

Did you know that a 20-ounce glass of cola contains the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)? This is nearly 3 times the maximum daily sugar intake recommended by the American Heart Association!

HFCS typically contains a mixture of 45 percent glucose and 55 percent fructose (although recent investigations have found that some sodas contain 65% fructose!

Once you drink it, your pancreas quickly begins to create insulin in response to the sugar. The rise in blood sugar is very rapid. Here’s what happens in your body upon drinking a can of pop:

• In the first 20 minutes, your blood sugar spikes, and your liver responds to the resulting insulin burst by turning massive amounts of sugar into fat.
• And by the time 40 minutes has passed, caffeine absorption is complete; your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream.
• At about the 45 minute level, your body increases dopamine production, which stimulates the pleasure centers of your brain – a physically identical response to that of heroin, by the way.
• After one hour, you’ll start to have a blood sugar crash, and you may be tempted to reach for another sweet snack or beverage.

Here is something you may not have known: *Fructose Turns into Fat Far Faster than Other Sugars, and Fats!

*Fructose is processed in your liver, and unlike other sugars, most of it gets shuttled into fat storage.

This is why fructose is a primary culprit behind obesity—far more so than other sugars. Drinking two bottles of soda per day can make you gain a pound of fat per week!

And getting too much fructose is linked to increased triglyceride levels. In one study, eating fructose raised triglyceride levels by 32% in males. Triglycerides, the chemical form of fat found in foods and in your body, are not something you want in excess amounts.

One of the Easiest Ways to Radically Improve Your Health

By now you probably know what that is...

Quit drinking soda.

Cutting out soft drinks is one of the most crucial factors to address many of the health problems you or your children suffer. This is because normalizing your insulin levels is one of the most powerful physical actions you can take to improve your health and lower your risk of disease and long-term chronic health conditions.

Pure water is a much better choice, or if you must drink a carbonated beverage, try sparkling mineral water with some lime or lemon juice.

Surprising flatbelly foods list..

First, remember, if you don't have junk around the house, you're less likely to eat junk! If all you have is healthy nutritious foods around the house, you're forced to make smart choices. Basically, it all starts with making smart choices and avoiding temptations when you make your grocery store trip. Now these are just some of my personal preferences, but perhaps they will give you some good ideas that you'll enjoy.

Each week, make sure you're loaded up with lots of varieties of fresh vegetables. Have plenty of vegetables like onions, zucchini, spinach, fresh mushrooms, red peppers, broccoli, etc. to use in your morning eggs. Also, chop up some lean chicken or turkey sausage (make sure to look for nitrate & nitrite free) or grass-fed bison sausage into the eggs, along with some swiss, jack, or goat cheeses (preferably raw grass-fed cheeses when you can find them).

We are talking about whole eggs, NOT egg whites. Always remember that the yolk is the most nutritious and nutrient dense part of the egg, so only eating egg whites is like throwing away the best part... and no, it's NOT bad for you because of the cholesterol... whole eggs actually raise your GOOD cholesterol. Try to get free range organic eggs for the best quality.

Coconut milk is another staple to use to mix in with smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt for a rich, creamy taste. Not only does coconut milk add a rich, creamy taste to lots of dishes, but it's also full of healthy saturated fats. Yes, you heard us right... we said healthy saturated fats! ...Healthy saturated fats such as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), specifically an MCT called lauric acid, which is vitally important for your immune system.

• Walnuts, pecans, almonds - delicious and great sources of healthy fats. Try to get raw nuts if possible as the roasting process can oxidize some of the polyunsaturated fats in some types of nuts making those damaged fats slightly more inflammatory. Overall, nuts are still healthy even if they are roasted, but raw nuts are optimal.
• Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and yogurt (grass-fed and organic if possible) - You can mix cottage or ricotta cheese and yogurt together with chopped nuts and berries for a great mid-morning or mid-afternoon meal.
• Chia seeds and/or hemp seeds - add these highly nutritious seeds to yogurt, smoothies, or salads for a great nutty taste and loads of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals. Don't use pre-ground versions of these seeds as the omega-3 polyunsaturated fats are highly unstable and prone to oxidation, creating high levels of free radicals in pre-ground seeds. No grinding is necessary to properly digest these seeds.
• Whole eggs - one of natures richest sources of nutrients (and remember, they increase your GOOD cholesterol so stop fearing them).
• Salsa - get creative and try some of the exotic varieties of salsas.
• Avocados - love them...plus a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and other nutrients. Try adding them to wraps, salads, or sandwiches.
• Butter - don't believe the naysayers; butter adds great flavor to anything and CAN be part of a healthy diet... just keep the quantity small because it is calorie dense... and NEVER use margarine, unless you want to assure yourself a heart attack. Most important -- choose organic butter only, since pesticides and other harmful chemicals accumulate in the fat of the milk which is used for butter, so choosing organic helps avoid this problem. Also, choose grass-fed (pastured) butter if you can find it as it will contain higher levels of healthful omega-3 fats and the fat-burning conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).
• Nut butters - Plain old peanut butter has gotten a little old for me, so I get creative and mix together almond butter with pecan butter, or even cashew butter with macadamia butter...delicious and unbeatable nutrition! Using a variety of nut butters gives you a broader range of vitamins and minerals and other micronutrients, and gives you variety instead of boring old peanut butter all the time.
• Leaf lettuce and spinach along with shredded carrots - for salads with dinner.

When NOT to Take Your Multi-Vitamin

If you're currently taking or considering taking a multivitamin with a recommended serving size of only one pill a day, you're pretty much wasting your time.

Why?

It's very doubtful that any single pill can pack enough vitamins and minerals to truly make any real difference in complementing your healthy diet.

Producers of multivitamins have come up with some pretty amazing ways to compress natural nutrients, but not to this extreme… not down to where a single tablet provides you the vitamin and mineral levels you need.

And speaking of minerals, many producers of one-a-days don't even bother including essential minerals like potassium or magnesium, or even calcium in adequate enough amounts to really make a difference.

What about other nutrients from natural sources like vegetables, fruits, and herbs? Shouldn't they be blended into your multi as well? I certainly think so.

But it's also vitally important to know when to take your multivitamin.You should take a few multi tablets first thing in the morning and with lunch, or with an early dinner to help optimize your nutrient absorption, the better chance you'll have of truly fortifying your diet.

One thing you can always do to optimize your health and feel great is to maximize your immune system's capabilities.

Because face it – everybody wants to feel well all the time, don't they?

There's no better time to get started than right now then, is there? The beginning of 2010 – all those goals you set for a healthier new year…

Now is the time to start moving toward a healthier diet and lifestyle. Start today, by adding just one raw vegetable per day to your diet… a small, do-able step toward your better health.

Easy Way to Zap off Those Excess Pounds in Only 6 Weeks