3 Commonly Overlooked Dangers Of Crash Dieting

Millions of people resort to crash dieting every year with the same staggering effects: They feel worse after the crash dieting than before! Crash dieting can be dangerous for your overall health and fitness. Let's take a look at some of the dangers of crash dieting and you tell me if you've done some of these things before, ok?

Danger #1 - Trying to lose a lot of weight really fast.

You simply can't do this. The human body was not made to operate like this. When you try to lose weight fast, you run the risk of not only losing weight, but you may also be losing muscle. Losing muscle will affect your ability to lose fat and then you end up making your body basically work against itself to lose weight.

Danger #2 - Crash dieting screws up your metabolism.

When you try to lose weight fast, your body will react by slowing down your metabolism to reserve your energy that the body has stored in fat. When you skip meals or drastically reduce the amount of calories that you normally eat, your body will look to its fat stores as a way to supplement the calories that it's not receiving. This means that your metabolism will slow down a lot and if your metabolism is slow, then that means that you're not naturally burning fat quickly or efficiently.

Danger #3 - Crash dieting is not a long term solution.

Most people that crash diet rebound with a stronger appetite than they had previously simply because their body still wants the higher amount of calories that it was used to before the diet. This leads to quick weight gain because by this point your metabolism is so slow that it can't burn the calories as fast as before. You end up gaining the weight that you lost right back in record time, feeling miserable along the way.

The easiest and simplest way to avoid all of these dangers is to lose weight slowly. Your body was not made to lose 5 or 10 pounds a week. It was made to lose 1 to 2.5 pounds a week at most. Even better, simply try to focus on losing no more than 1% of your body weight each week. This is the healthiest approach that you can take to losing weight and you'll feel better and healthier every step of the way.

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Health Benefits of weight loss

Weight gain leads to obesity. Obese people are at an increased health risk than normal persons. The excess amount of fat which increase body weight has to be reduced in order to keep various obesity related diseases at bay. Here is a list of health benefits of weight reduction.

Obese or over weighted persons look older for their age and they get easily tiered. Lethargy and laziness makes them to keep away from their regular work and experience psychological problems like disturbed sleep, anxiety and depression. Weight reduction helps them to look and feel better. Their young look returns and they gain back their self confidence. The lethargy vanishes paving way to enthusiasm and increased energy levels. It becomes easier for them to walk long distances and climbing stairs without shortness of breath.

Obesity leads to chronic health problems like hypertension, diabetes, stroke and heart diseases. Both obese men and women are prone to these obesity related diseases. These can be prevented with dedicated weight loss programs and determination to lose weight. Even a loss of few pounds of weight help to keep these fatal health risks away.

Arthritis, menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovaries and gallstones are other health conditions which surface when a person gains weight. Knees are weight bearing joints of body. Increased body weight causes trauma to knees leading to osteoarthritis. Carefully designed weight loss programs help to overcome the above said health conditions.

Obesity or weight gain may cause erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low sperm count in men. It causes low libido in both men and women. The sexual activities tend to take a back seat in an obese persons daily routine. Weight loss exercises help to gain back sexual energy and virility.

Type I and Type II diabetes have been linked to being overweight. Regular exercise and balanced food help to reduce the effects of diabetes. Weight reduction in diabetic people help to reduce the dependency on diabetic medications.

Weight loss help to prevent development of many types of cancers. Recurrences of many types of cancers have been linked to obesity.

Psychological disturbances like sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression etc can be improved with weight loss programs. Increased physical activities help to get a good night’s sleep.

Exercises like brisk walking, jogging, running, swimming etc are good fat burners. Involving in sports, gardening, hiking etc in outdoor activities also keep men and women fit. These activities act as best stress busters and help to reduce stress related obesity too. Proper nutrition and balanced diet is equally needed along with these physical exercises to burn fat and reduce weight. So put on your shoes to reap the benefits of weight loss and regain the lost energy, stamina and health.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr. Krishna Rao.S is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda Health care for men. Read complete article at 7 benefits of weight loss

The Safed Musli Plant and Natural Bodybuilding Supplements

Safed Musli, also known as chlorophytum borivilianum is a rare plant found in India which has recently proven to be a very beneficial addition to natural bodybuilding supplements. Well known for its abilities as an aphrodisiac, Safed Musli has become increasingly popular and sought out worldwide. It is an herb which appears annually and is able to withstand major changes in climate. The plant belongs to the Liliaceae family and is typically grown in Andhra Pradesh. Safed Musli plants stand approximately one and a half feet high with long, skinny leaves which are deep green and white with tuberous roots.

Its outstanding medicinal properties have become an important staple in bodybuilding supplements.

Safed Musli is comprised of many steroidal glycosides. It contains compounds such as 8-hexadecenoic acid, palmitic acid, 3-heptadecanone, methyl pentacosanoate and stearic acid.

The ever-growing interest in natural products has boosted the demand for Safed Musli especially in Europe, the United States and countries in the Gulf. With increasing popularity around the world, the plant is continually being researched and tested in new herbal remedies and products.

Ancient Use of the Safed Musli Plant in India
The Safed Musli plant is traced back to India where it has been used for many years as a vital medicinal plant. The species first attracted attention in 1954 in India as it was incorporated into many Ayurvedic tonics and used as an aphrodisiac. From there it began to reach rare status as demand for the plant dramatically increased. The plant has been an integral part of Ayurdvedic medicine, treating conditions from diabetes to arthritis and even high cholesterol.

Ayurvedic literature celebrates Safed Musli as a miracle plant with amazing abilities. Some of this literature includes Rasendra Sarsangrah, Bhavaprakash nighantu and Raja Ballabh Nighantu where the plant is referred to as "Vajikaran" meaning aphrodisiac.

Saponins, A Key Ingredient

The underlying benefits of the Safed Musli plant are the saponins within in. Saponins are found in the roots and have tremendous therapeutic abilities. Their name is derived from the Latin word for "soap" which refers to the frothy nature of saponins when they are combined with water.

Saponins contain natural medicinal properties which promote optimum health. They are involved in hemolysis, stimulate the immune system, act as an expectorant and reduce inflammation. Saponins also contain properties that combat fungi, bacteria and protozoa.

Aside from the Safed Musli plant, saponins can be found in many other forms in nature. These include the following: fenugreek herb, ginseng, red onions, soy beans, agave plant, bacopa monierri, paprika, alfalfa herb and disogenin which comes from wild yam root.

Modern Use of Safed Musli in Bodybuilding Supplements
Recently, research on how the saponins contained in Safed Musli effect testosterone has shown traces of stigmasterol as well as hecogenin. Both of these components are ideal ingredients for natural bodybuilding supplements  Stigmasterol shares a similar structure to testosterone. It is believed to latch on to the same body receptors that testosterone attaches to which causes stigmasterol to act nearly the same as testosterone. In similar fashion, hecogenin has an ability to convert to specific compounds that resemble testosterone and yields the same results on the body.

Taking supplements containing Safed Musli benefit the body in many different ways. They can improve strength and physical endurance, buffer lactic acid, fight general body weakness, aid in recovering from the physical exhaustion of exercise and build muscle mass while lowering heart and respiration rates as well as systolic blood pressure. Other effects include an elevated libido, sperm count and helping to increase spermatosis.

Additional Uses of Safed Musli  

Besides its uses as a bodybuilding agent, the Safed Musli plant is frequently used for the following: an alternative to the popular drug Viagra, a cure for weakness and debilitating illnesses, a therapeutic practice in Ayurveda, Allopathy and Unani, remedies for arthritis and diabetes, a drug to help improve immune functions as well as a cure for natal and post-natal complications.

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A little weight loss may help obese men improve sexual health

Obese men who want to improve their sexual health might have another solution besides their erectile dysfunction drugs. A study finds that overweight men who lost just 5% of their weight over eight weeks saw improvements in erectile dysfunction, sexual desire and urinary tract symptoms.

The small study focused on 31 obese men with a body mass index of 30 or greater and who had Type 2 diabetes. Some were put on a low-calorie diet that included liquid meal replacements and others were assigned to a high-protein, low-fat diet that decreased their calorie intake by 600 calories a day. For 42 weeks afterward the participants stayed on the high-protein diet, or were switched to it.

Those on the low-calorie diet lost 10% of their body weight and 10% off their waist circumference, and those on the high-protein diet lost 5% of their weight and waist circumference. But participants in both groups improved their plasma glucose, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, erectile function, urinary symptoms, sexual desire and endothelial function. Endothelial cells form a thin layer and line the inside surface of blood vessels. Dysfunctional cells can be a marker for vascular disease and may signal early development of athersclerosis.

Weight loss and improvement of insulin sensitivity, the authors wrote, could increase the production of testicular testosterone, and in turn, enhance sexual function.

"Our findings are consistent with the evidence that not only erectile function, but also lower urinary tract symptoms are a marker of cardio-metabolic risk," said Dr. Gary Wittert of the University of Adelaide in Australia, in a news release. "The evidence that improvement can be achieved by modest weight loss, in particular when a diet is of high nutritional quality, is of public health significance in framing public health messages that resonate with men."

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The Benefits of Natural Bodybuilding Techniques

Natural bodybuilding techniques are those methods that enable one to build muscle without the use of artificial-and often illegal-injected or ingested substances. The most common class of artificial substances used for this purpose are anabolic steroids which, despite strong warnings from health officials, continues to be used by bodybuilders who want to see fast results from their workouts.

But there is a terrifying risk in choosing steroids over natural bodybuilding techniques.

Health Risk of Steroid Abuse

Anabolic steroids are artificially produced testosterone, a male hormone. Because it is a male hormone, this drug increases strength, energy, and muscle mass. Bodybuilders, and other athletes, are attracted to steroid use because of its purported-and often very apparent-muscle enhancement effects in a very short period of time and for a relatively small amount of effort. (In general, those who take steroids are able to build significantly more muscle mass as compared with those who follow strictly natural bodybuilding techniques).

But the health risks related to steroid abuse cannot be overstated. Some of these risks include:

Heart attack. Steroids have been shown to have at least three different effects on the heart: (a) they can lower the good type of cholesterol (HDL) and raise the bad type of cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. (b) they can raise the blood pressure and (c) they can literally damage the heart by enlarging the left ventricle.
Liver damage
Stroke
Prostate cancer due to steroid's tendency to enlarge the prostate gland
Sexual impotence
Infertility

These and many other health effects of steroid abuse (up to and including death) should give one pause before choosing this method over natural bodybuilding techniques. But there is one more aspect to consider.

Steroids-a Temporary Fix

Despite its much-vaunted ability to "pump up" an athlete quickly, steroids have another reputation that is not as well recognized-they are a temporary fix. Indeed, the muscle that steroids build so quickly will just as quickly diminish once one stops taking steroids, say experts.

This is why many athletes suffer from long-term steroid abuse-to maintain its muscle-enhancing effects, they must continue taking this synthetic hormone. Continued steroid abuse then leads to higher risks of adverse health effects.

It would appear, then, that the only benefit of steroid use is this temporary advantage, but this advantage is accompanied by serious (and often irreversible) effects upon the user's physical and sometimes emotional health.

Benefits of Natural Bodybuilding Techniques

In contrast to steroids, natural bodybuilding techniques offer a number of benefits to bodybuilders and other athletes. Some of these benefits include:

An absence of unhealthy side effects
Long-lasting results with respect to enhanced musculature, which do not dissipate as is the case with steroid use
Workouts are positive reinforcers, as compared to excessive testosterone use which interferes with the release of endorphins
In general, however, there is not much of a difference between natural and "unnatural" bodybuilding techniques. The types of exercises and training routines are the same in both cases. However, one's training schedule will likely change. Since steroids speed up the repair time of the muscles, those that use these synthetic hormones are able to have more intense, and more frequent, training sessions as compared with those who use natural bodybuilding techniques.

Nutrition Tips for Natural Bodybuilders

Experts consider proper nutrition to be one of the most significant factors in natural bodybuilding. Although opinions regarding what constitutes proper nutrition for bodybuilders varies, many experts recommend that, of all of the calories a bodybuilder consumes each day:

- 30 percent should be a form of protein
- 50 percent should be derived from carbohydrates
- 20 percent should be from healthy fats

In addition, one should minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the consumption of sugar and of processed foods. Of course, this is true for all individuals.

Bodybuilding Techniques

According to Iron Magazine, "[t]he trick with weight training is that you need to actually rest more than you need to train. When you train with weights, you are breaking down the fibers in the muscles of your body." In order to successfully build muscle, it is necessary to rest those same muscles the day after training. Thus, if you work the muscles of the upper body one day, do not work those same muscles the next day. A good training technique, therefore, is to work different muscle groups on alternate days.

In addition, Iron Magazine suggests a number of natural bodybuilding techniques that have been proven to increase muscle mass relatively quickly. These varied techniques prevent the body from becoming too comfortable with a particular training routine and will enable the muscles to be more responsive to training.

Stalled repetitions. Stop at the midway point of a repetition and hold it for a few seconds before completing the repetition. This can be modified by stopping the movement during different points in the range of motion.

Forced repetitions. Use as many repetitions of a particular weight as is necessary to force the muscles to fatigue or failure (a point at which another repetition cannot be performed).

Load Pyramiding. Add additional weight with each successive set of repetitions.

Repetition pyramiding. Use a consistent amount of weight, gradually increasing the number of repetitions for each successive set.

As always, consult a doctor before starting this, or any, exercise routine. Bodybuilding is particularly strenuous so this caution is particularly advisable before embarking on this path.

Natural bodybuilding techniques are becoming increasingly popular with athletes who desire a increased muscle mass without the side effects of muscle enhancing drugs. By choosing natural methods, including those rare supplements that have been proven through clinical studies to assist performance enhancement without unhealthy side effects, these athletes can take pride in the fact that any muscle they build is derived from hard work, discipline and healthy habits as opposed to use of dangerous drugs.

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Raising Your Testosterone Levels Naturally

As a bodybuilder, you are probably looking to raise your testosterone levels. Many men unfortunately choose to take steroids and controversial supplements. While these do have some medical uses, long-term use is not recommended and there are much healthier, natural ways to go about it.

Bodybuilders who want to increase their muscle mass need to eat foods that are natural estrogen suppressors. Since estrogen produces body fat, the less you have of it the more you will have of the lean muscle created by your higher testosterone levels.

The best way to boost any chemical in your body and promote the health we all want is diet. Exercise is important too but without a healthy diet, all the exercise in the world won't help. Learning what foods are better than others for production of this or that chemical can help you to achieve any results you want with your body.

There are plenty of foods that can help increase testosterone. Garlic is one but you must make sure to eat actual garlic rather than take supplements because the supplements have little to none of the compound allicin, which is what boosts the testosterone levels. Eggs, especially the yolks, are also good because they boost your cholesterol, which also produces testosterone.

Anything containing the mineral zinc will help produce muscle mass, which boosts testosterone. Oysters are one food that you should include because of the high levels of zinc they contain.

Monounsaturated fats like those found in nuts, olive oil, and peanut butter are also good for increasing testosterone in men. It's not known why but some scientists think the monounsaturated fats have an effect on the testes.

Once you've got your diet straightened out, focus on exercises. Things like walking aren't going to benefit you much but activities like weight lifting are great. Focus on exercises such as squats and deadlifts that work multiple sets of muscles to get the best effect.

Other ways to naturally raise your testosterone are having sex, especially in the morning, getting plenty of sleep, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink. Having sex boosts the testosterone production, as does sleep. At least seven to eight hours of sleep a night will help keep you in tip top shape. Alcohol reduces the amount of testosterone produced so drinking too much of it isn't a good idea if you're trying to bulk up.

A healthy lifestyle and activities combined with certain foods and a lot of exercise will help you to boost those testosterone levels naturally and build up that muscle mass before you know it.


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Garlic Will Improve Your Health, Heart And Erections

Belonging to the same family as the onion this amazing little herb packs an almighty wallop when it comes to the array of health benefits. The most notable compound found in garlic is Allicin which although does not naturally occur in garlic, helps to improve your immune system, acts as an antiviral along with a host of other benefits. Only once garlic is finely chopped or crushed is Allicin produced, and the finer the chopping the more that is produced. Allicin starts to degrade quickly so make sure to eat your chopped or crushed garlic (raw) as soon as possible so as to ensure you are getting the full benefit. It can either be eaten raw or sprinkled over (or into) your favourite foods.

Modern doctors will not usually prescribe garlic for a range of ailments due to their study backgrounds being predominantly in pharmaceuticals; however, herbal practitioners are consistently singing the praises of natures little wonder herb, garlic. And so should you.

Garlic and Impotence  "For most men erectile dysfunction is physiological and not psychological. In order to maintain an erection the arteries need to have an efficient blood flow. Erectile dysfunction indicates a hardening of the arteries, which means it could be an early biomarker of impending cardiovascular disease." Source: BBC

Amazingly, garlic has been proven by medical researchers to stimulate the production of an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and particularly in individuals who have less than healthy levels of this enzyme. NOS is the enzyme which is primarily responsible for the mechanism of an erection.

The Health Properties of Garlic  Take a look at the following health benefits that can be found in garlic:

  Used effectively for the treatment of high blood pressure
 Stimulates a healthy operation of the kidneys and is a natural diuretic in nature
 Effective blood purifier
 Used as an expectorant (i.e. swap your cough syrup for a clove of garlic)
 Helps to heal fractured bones
 Contains allicin which has antiviral, antioxidant and antifungal and germicidal effects
 Improves erectile dysfunction
 Reduces blood cholesterol
 Ability to dissolve blood clots       

Nutritional Information for Garlic  Per average size clove (0.1 oz)
 
 Total Fat = 0g
 Cholesterol = 0mg
 Sodium = 1mg
 Total Carbs = 1g
 Dietary Fiber = 0.1g
 Sugars = 0g
 Protein = 0.2g
 Calcium = 5.4mg
 Potassium = 12mg

Source: calorieking.com

Well there you have it, eating just a few cloves of raw garlic will significantly improve your health (and your love life), however consult your doctor before hand, as the intake of raw garlic may irritate those with stomach and / or throat conditions. Where possible try and have raw and fresh garlic over supplements, capsules or oils, as this ensures you are getting the full potency from garlic and can then enjoy the inherent benefits.

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8 Remarkable Facts About Cholesterol Levels

Most people, when they think of cholesterol levels, picture fatty foods, plaque coated artery walls and heart disease. But there are more than a few things about this waxy substance that might surprise you.

1. Sky high cholesterol may be partly due to genetics – for some families it’s inevitable that LDL (bad) cholesterol will be in the unhealthy zone. Known technically as familial hypercholesterolemia, it’s an issue for 1 in 500 of us and increase the risk for early heart attack. Some who inherit defective genes from each parent (much rarer, affecting 1 in 1,000,000) can have total cholesterol numbers over 1000 mg/dL. Numbers this high can signal early death, often before 20 years old.

2. Clogged arteries look like butter – LDL (bad) cholesterol slowly builds up on artery walls, leaving a thick plaque that narrows arteries, restricts blood flow and can lead to blood clots. Once arteries start to thicken and become rigid, they take on the yellow color of cholesterol, leaving them looking as though they are lined with a layer of frozen butter.

3. You can see high cholesterol on your skin – look for reddish-yellowish bumps on your skin surface, known to medicine as xanthomas, that vary in size and can show up all over the body including your eyelids, joints and hands. Often they appear in older folks or those with diabetes or other health issues.

4. Your total cholesterol number can be too low – and at these levels, just as unhealthy as high cholesterol. While your total cholesterol number should be under 200 mg/dL; numbers below 160 mg/dL are associated with health risks like cancer. Experts still cannot say if the health problems cause the low cholesterol or vice versa. Some work has also found that pregnant women with low total cholesterol are more apt to give birth prematurely. Low total cholesterol, as well as LDL levels have each been linked to anxiety and depression.

5. Our total cholesterol numbers are dropping – unlike the obesity epidemic, total cholesterol numbers have gone down over the last few years. And while elevated cholesterol wasn’t recognized as a serious health problem 50 years ago, the numbers are dropping now mostly because more of us are aware of the dangers – we’re screened more, there are healthier dietary options available and the widespread use of statin drugs all combine to keep those numbers in check.

6. Exercise boosts good cholesterol – just one of the many good things regular exercise can do, a recent study in the Journal of Lipid Research suggests that those workouts might affect cholesterol differently depending on the race and gender of the patient. In each of the groups the researchers studied, physical activity equal to an extra hour of mild exercise or a half hour of moderate exercise per week, was linked to an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol. The bad (LDL) cholesterol dropped only in women, and total cholesterol dropped only in African-American women.

7. Cholesterol free food can still raise cholesterol – only in animal based foods like milk, eggs and meat, even though you’ll see foods that can honestly say they are “cholesterol free”, that doesn’t mean they’re exactly good for your cholesterol levels. Fried foods and baked goods are loaded with trans fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) and these, along with saturated fats, are the biggest causes of getting high cholesterol from food – yet they aren’t listed as cholesterol on any package. Read labels with care, looking for fat as well as cholesterol content before deciding if a food is a healthy option.

8. High cholesterol can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) – high cholesterol numbers have been linked to a higher risk of erectile dysfunction, kidney failure and even Alzheimer’s disease. A 2009 study found that diets high in cholesterol brought an increased risk of developing cirrhosis of the live or liver cancer. A Swedish study from 2005 suggests that men with total cholesterol of around 270 mg/dL and over were 4.5 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than men with total cholesterol numbers of 220 mg/dL or below.

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Increased Blood Cholesterol and Erectile Dysfunction

The human arteries contain a thin delicate inner lining called endothelium. A healthy endothelium is necessary to get good erections. Endothelium uses nitric oxide to send signals to surrounding muscles. Upon receiving the signals from endothelium the muscles surrounding the arteries relax and blood rushes into arteries. The same process happens in arteries of penis to cause hard erections. Hence healthy arteries are required for healthy erections.

When the cholesterol level increases in blood, the excess cholesterol gets accumulated on the inner walls of arteries, as hard plaques. This narrows the lumen of arteries.(Diameter of the arteries reduces. ). Due to reduced diameter, the blood flow through arteries also gets reduced. Increased blood cholesterol also affects the release of nitric oxide. This prevents the relaxation of penile tissues and troubles the process of erection.

Erectile dysfunction may be an early symptom for increased blood cholesterol level. The risk of Erectile dysfunction is nearly two times greater in men with total cholesterol levels above 240 than in men with total cholesterol levels below 180 . In men erectile dysfunction may be an early symptom of high cholesterol. Adults should get their blood cholesterol level checked frequently.

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7 Cholesterol Facts That Might Surprise You

Do you think you already know everything you need to know about cholesterol? Think again. Here are some cholesterol facts, which you might find very surprising.

Cholesterol is widely talked about today. Not only because of the exponentially increasing numbers of heart conditions, but because more and more people today are changing their ways to lead healthier lifestyles. Here are some cholesterol facts that might just make a big difference to your journey back to health.

1. Cholesterol is not entirely bad.

Not all cholesterol is bad for the health. In fact, the body needs sufficient amounts of cholesterol as it serves as a building block of certain hormones and enzymes (the sex hormones testosterone being one of them).

The body is capable of producing its own cholesterol in the liver, but at amounts not adequate to supply the body's need. This explains why we need dietary sources of cholesterol.

However, most diets contain too much bad low density cholesterols (LDLs) - too much for the body to handle. High cholesterol levels in the blood stream can contribute to the build-up of plaque along arterial walls, which may lead to heart diseases.
   

2. Cholesterol levels that are too low can be bad for your health.

As explained previously, your body needs adequate amounts of cholesterol for proper functioning. Low total cholesterol (levels less than 160 milligram per deciliter) can lead to health problems, sometimes even including cancer.

3. Plant sources contain no cholesterol.

Cholesterol can only be found in animal sources, as cholesterol can be synthesized only in the liver. Plants are unable to produce cholesterol, so commercially available vegetable oils which claim "no cholesterol" is simply stating the obvious.

4. Cholesterol-free foods can still increase cholesterol levels.

If a food has no cholesterol that doesn't mean there are no unhealthy Trans and saturated fats, which can raise your cholesterol levels. Fats are the main culprits of increasing dietary cholesterol. Make sure to read the labels and look at fat content as well.

5. Exercise raises good cholesterol levels.

This may not be entirely surprising for some, as we all know how exercise is important for good health. Good cholesterols are those that prevent the build-up of plaque and fat deposits onto the arterial walls. High levels of good HDL cholesterols are ideal. Exercise and physical activity can increase levels of good cholesterol and can thus help counter heart disease.

6. High cholesterol may be inevitable for some.

For some unfortunate patients, high cholesterol levels are partly caused by genetics. Familial hypercholesterolemia, the condition where total cholesterol levels are high despite a healthy lifestyle, is believed to affect 1 in every 500 people. Such conditions can be fatal, and many patients can die at a young age. This is one reason it is important to have your cholesterol tested at an early age.

7. High cholesterol can affect you in other ways.

High cholesterol will not only cause heart disease, but can cause other health problems as well. High cholesterol can be linked to increased risk of kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, erectile dysfunction, even Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers.

By learning these cholesterol facts, you also realize that there is much to know about cholesterol. Gaining a greater understanding of cholesterol and how it affects the body is a big leap towards leading a healthier lifestyle.

Many people who are concerned about supporting the health of their veins and heart have turned to fish oil caplets as a daily health food supplement routine on the advice of their doctor or naturopath. Ask your health professional about how fish oil might be right for you.


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Weight Watching and Erectile Dysfunction

Can those love handles be a cause in your temporary erectile dysfunction? Are you eating the right foods and doing the correct exercises to prevent ED? Men who exercise 3-5 hours a week have 30% less risk of having erectile dysfunction according to The Harvard Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). This is good news men so if you aren't watching your weight or doing form of exercise now is the time to get yourself up and moving. The study of over 31,000 men who did not have prostate cancer, aged 53-90, is significant. Thirty-three percent of the men reported having erectile dysfunction in the previous three months. The study showed that regular exercise can mean 10 more years free of erectile dysfunction for the average man. Prior studies found exercise to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, treatment for which can also result in erectile dysfunction.

While exercise is important to keep fit, let start with the basics first...your diet. Is there an ideal diet for men concerned about preventing, improving or even reversing erectile dysfunction. Does such a diet exist? The answer is a categorical YES! Many studies show that a vegetarian regimen, accompanied by moderate exercise, can be the cure so many men are desperately seeking. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases: Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called 'impotence,' is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. There are many causes of erectile dysfunction and impotence. The physical causes include damage to nerves, arteries, muscles, and tissues responsible for an erection. However, 70% of ED is caused by diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurologic disease.

Erectile dysfunction occurs when blood flow into the penis is blocked or severely limited. This results in a failure to achieve an erection. The cause of this circulatory slowdown, or lack of blood flow, is atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries. Hardening of the arteries may occur when cholesterol originating from the foods we eat, "sticks" to the interior walls of the blood vessels, and creates a hard layer of plaque, thus obstructing normal healthy circulation. A lifestyle rich in a diet of meat and dairy foods, will very likely result in high cholesterol levels, thus causing blockage, and ultimately for men, erectile dysfunction.

Vegetarians, on the other hand, have an average cholesterol level 23 percent lower than non vegetarians. Vegans, who in addition to being vegetarians, eat neither dairy nor eggs, have an average cholesterol level 37 percent lower than the general population. A low-fat vegetarian diet is the best way to begin the cleanup of your arteries and thereby the ideal diet for erectile dysfunction.

According to the National Institutes of Health, erectile dysfunction is also a symptom in many disorders and diseases. Direct risk factors for erectile dysfunction may include the following: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate problems, depression, alcohol, high cholesterol, and smoking. Being overweight or even obese leads to diabetes, which can cause nerve and artery damage in the genital area, disrupting the blood flow necessary for an erection. You should also keep in mind that a diet rich in meat may expose a man to many of the synthetic hormones that are used in meat production. This could cause a man's testosterone levels to plummet. It is estimated that only about 2 percent of American vegans are clinically obese compared to 18 percent of meat eating Americans. Keep in mind that the benefits derived from shifting over to a vegetarian diet for erectile dysfunction are more even better realized when a person also adopts a program of moderate exercise at the same time.

Being vegetarian may not be easy for you, however, if you add more fruits, vegetables and fiber to your diet you will improve your overall health. Try incorporating the following into your everyday diet. Limit and meat or dairy products to low fat alternatives like skim milk or turkey, eliminate red meat. FRUIT - 3 or more servings a day LEGUMES - 2 or more servings a day WHOLE GRAINS - 5 or more servings a day VEGETABLES - 4 or more servings a day Besides inactivity, other risk factors that men can change include obesity and smoking. Men can greatly reduce their risk of erectile dysfunction by regular cardiovascular exercise, losing weight, and not smoking.

Despite your best diet and exercise efforts some men may require some assistance in treating ED before their new improved diet and lifestyle kicks in. Treating ED with a natural remedy is the best course of action. 

Article Source:  http://ayur-guru.blogspot.in/2012/06/weight-watching-and-erectile.html

Garlic Can Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a concern for everyone today. It is a leading factor in many diseases. High Cholesterol has been linked to Heart Disease. It is a major concern for anyone who has a family history of Heart problems. In addition to Heart Disease, high cholesterol is a problem for other ailments. Organ damage and other severe damage can be the result of high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can sometimes be associated with High Cholesterol even thought it is not always.

Most chemical treatments have possible side effects. This is a reason why many people decide to go with an alternative method. Garlic is one method. It has the ability to both lower blood pressure and cholesterol without the side effects commonly found in prescription drugs. The typical drug treatment is called a statin.

Studies have found garlic to be most effective in raising LDL cholesterol and lowering triglycerides. The studies have not found garlic to be as effective in lowering HLD. However, this is important in a good way, because HDL and triglycerides are the bad cholesterol. By raising the good cholesterol, you are improving your overall health. An added factor is garlic thins the blood.

Atherosclerosis is an effect of high levels of bad cholesterol. This causes terrible negative effects to the body. Long-term high cholesterol and high blood pressure that often go hand in hand can lead to not simply heart disease but organ problems. Stress upon the kidneys and liver

The chemical component in garlic that is beneficial and powerful is allicin. In order to get the benefit of garlic you should consume it weekly in food or in supplement form.

Supplemental garlic has developed a long way from its beginnings. There are deodorized garlic supplements that one can take which do not give you the typical garlic breath that many people are concerned with. There are de-odorized forms of the supplement that can be taken with no smell. One of the benefits of taking supplemental garlic is that you may consume the needed quantity at your leisure. You do not have to wait for the opportune time in order to take.

There are different opinions on how to take garlic. Some people suggest that you should eat raw crushed garlic. The studies have found that by crushing the garlic clove, the allicin becomes more available to the body. The reason to consume raw garlic as opposed to cooking it is that whenever you cook any food the nutrient content is somewhat lost. This is debatable and it is important to know that if you cannot eat raw garlic, or if you simply don’t enjoy the taste, you should be comfortable with eating cooked garlic or taking supplements.

With whatever method you choose you should realize that conventional medical treatments might not be the best choice for you. There is some worry among the health community about the possible side effects of taking statins. These concerns can be eliminated by looking into taking   garlic supplements as an alternative method of lowering cholesterol.

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Causes of increased LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol

Increased level of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein or bad cholesterol) cholesterol can lead to heart diseases and stroke. Here is the list of causes which increase the blood cholesterol level.

Foods which increase blood cholesterol
1. Processed meat like bacon, sausages, ham burgers
2. Red meat covered with layers of fat, liver ,
3. Egg yolk
4. Full fat milk, cheese,
5. Fast foods – pizzas, cake, pastries, doughnuts etc
6. Soft drinks, refined sugar,
7. Sweets,
8. Deep fried foods.
9. Oils and fats which contain saturated fats.

Lifestyles which increase the blood cholesterol level:
1. Sedentary lifestyle. (lack of exercise)
2. Smoking
3. Increased stress.

Health conditions which increase the risk of elevated blood cholesterol

1. Diabetes
2. Obesity
3. Hypothyroidism
4. Kidney diseases.

Other factors:

1. Age : Cholesterol naturally begins to raise after the age of 20
2. Gender: women who are approaching menopause
3. Hereditary: Elevated blood cholesterol may run in family.

Increased blood cholesterol is a “silent” condition which has no symptoms. Probable symptoms are chest pain, pain in calves and increased blood pressure. Studies have shown that erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for increased blood cholesterol.




Causes of Increased LDL cholesterol

Erectile Dysfunction and Low Testosterone Level

The principle male sex hormone is testosterone. This hormone is mainly secreted by testicles and a small amount is secreted by adrenal glands. Testosterone helps to build up muscles. It helps in development of male secondary sexual characteristics like beard, mustache, body hair etc.

Endocrinologists opine that there is a link between erectile dysfunction and testosterone level in blood.  They indicate that there is a delicate link between obesity, diabetes, increased blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and low testosterone level.

The level of testosterone in men, start declining after the age of 30. At this stage many men start experiencing low libido, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and dissatisfied sexual encounters. Low levels of testosterone can affect sexual interest and natural performance,

Solely low testosterone level does not cause erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more commonly related to changes in blood flow to the penis, changes in penis muscles, nerves, high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis, smoking ,elevated cholesterol, and medications

Low testosterone causes metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression, and loss of sensitivity of nerves (especially in male genital organ), atrophy of penile muscles, shrinkage of testicles, low energy level, loss of stamina and concentration. Metabolic syndrome caused due to low testosterone leads to type 2 diabetes, blood cholesterol level and heart and vascular diseases. All these factors lead to loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.

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About Cholesterol

Cholesterol is found in all cells of our body. It is waxy fat like substance used by body to build cell membranes, to synthesize hormones and vitamin D.  Our body uses cholesterol to produce sex hormones and corticosteroid hormones.  Cholesterol is used in production of male hormone testosterone.( But having high cholesterol doesn't mean your testosterone will be high) .Cholesterol needed by our body is produced in Liver. Some amount of cholesterol is added to our body through the food we eat (dietary cholesterol). The cholesterol so produced is carried to blood stream with the help of proteins.

The important types of Cholesterol are LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) cholesterol and HDL (High Density Lipoproteins) Cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is also referred to as bad cholesterol as this builds up in arteries causing damage to heart. HDL cholesterol is referred to as good cholesterol as it carries cholesterol from other parts of body to liver.

The liver produces around 1000 mg of cholesterol everyday. Out of this 80% of cholesterol is used in bile salts’ production and remaining part is utilized for body function. Excess amount of cholesterol is deposited in arteries.

Health risks due to increased cholesterol level:

Increased cholesterol leads to hardening and narrowing of arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can lead to high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.  In men high cholesterol in blood may cause erectile dysfunction.

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Steroid Effects on Sperm Count

Usages of steroids have become a fairly common phenomenon these days especially among the younger age group of men. Things can get scary when reports suggest that using anabolic steroids, the steroids effects on the fertility system of the men is to such an extent that many could get sterile. Men who have used steroids for a very long span of time such as body builders are more prone to these effects than others.

Anabolic steroids can make a person very addicted to them in a short span of time. There are two ways of using steroids.

>> Stacking

>> Cycling

In the first case, a person uses a large number of anabolic steroids which are analogous to testosterone in their effect on the body. This increases the amount of testosterone in the blood stream. High level of testosterone leads to excessive muscle augmentation. Due to increased levels of the male hormone, the testicles of a man get a signal from the brain to stop production of testosterone. As a result, the low level of testosterone in the blood can be taken as steroids effects. Even the spermatogonia which are the primary sperm producing entity also stop functioning temporarily. The problem starts when there is a profound dose of steroids stacking and the testicles never resume production of testosterone and as a result, there is no making of sperm.

In the phenomenon of cycling, men tend to take extremely high doses of steroids for a particular extent of time. Then they completely stop taking the product. After a while, they repeat the cycle of doses. Normally, the consumption of steroids goes on for about 6 to 12 weeks before a cool off period. This is more dangerous than stacking and has grievous steroids effects. This is primarily because in this case, the doses of steroids are ten to twelve times more potent than a basic dose of testosterone. Enduring such a heavy dose for a period of 6-12 weeks can damage the body in many ways than one can even think off.

Losing one's fertility is not a matter of joke and later on, one can do nothing but be repentant. What we can suggest here is that men should take care of their body. They should not use steroids or any other medicines without consulting a qualified doctor. Being aware of the steroids effects is important as one definitely does not want any life altering disease to set in.

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What are the Benefits and Risks of Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Aging men in search of the “fountain of youth” often turn to treatments such as testosterone replacement therapy to roll back the hands of time, whether it’s to restore a diminishing sex drive, reverse erectile dysfunction or to simply renew their sense of youthful vigor and vitality.

Testosterone is found primarily in the testes and is responsible for the appropriate development of male sexual characteristics as well as maintaining bone density, fat distribution, muscle bulk, proper red blood cell levels, sperm production and sex drive.

But what happens when this hormone dwindles?
Though a decrease in testosterone levels is part of the normal aging process (usually starting around age 30), unusually low levels of testosterone – hypogonadism – could contribute to noticeable physical and emotional changes such as reduced sexual desire, increased body fat and  a general lack of energy.

These symptoms – which are not experienced by all men with lower than normal testosterone levels – are all part of the normal aging process, but may still result from other underlying factors including medication side effects, excessive alcohol use, etc. That’s why a blood test is the only way to provide an adequate diagnosis of low testosterone.

Only when testosterone levels are below average is testosterone replacement therapy an appropriate and safe option.

Various therapies include intramuscular injections or testosterone gels and patches worn on the body or scrotum, which may help to restore muscle mass, boost libido, sharpen memory and concentration and improve energy levels among other things.

Each treatment has its advantages and disadvantages and a doctor can determine what approach is best for you. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether testosterone therapy would have any benefit for aging men who are otherwise healthy – in fact, the risks may outweigh the advantages.

Side effects of therapy include, but are not limited to: overproduction of red blood cells (polycythemia), which can increase the risk for heart disease; enlargement of breasts (gynecomastia); decrease in sperm count or even infertility; testicle shrinkage; and stimulation of prostate tissue or exacerbation of existing prostate cancer.

While testosterone replacement therapy might seem like the perfect anti-aging solution, the health-related benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related declines in testosterone are uncertain. Supplemental testosterone to treat an unusual decline in testosterone levels may be appropriate – considering the risks and benefits – but treating normal aging with testosterone therapy on the other hand remains controversial and may not produce the results you’re hoping to find.

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Testosterone and sperm production

Testosterone the principle male sex hormone is needed for normal production of sperm cells.  Testosterone is secreted in testicles. A small amount of this hormone is also secreted by adrenal glands.

The developing sperm cells are supported by Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells are situated within seminiferous tubules of testes. These cells provide nourishment to developing sperms and support them. 

The process of spermatogenesis (the process of production of sperms) is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in surrounding environment. The process very quickly varies to fluctuation of hormone concentration and temperature. High concentration of testosterone is required in surrounding area where sperms develop. The supportive sertoli cells maintain the environment needed for development of sperms. These cells produce a binding protein which concentrates testosterone in the surrounding environment where spermatogenesis takes place.

Low levels of testosterone slow down the process of spermatogenesis or sperm production. Hence all measures have to be taken to maintain the normal level of testosterone to increase sperm count and sperm motility.

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Impotence Cures - Can Exercise Really Cure ED, Increase Libido and Boost Circulation?

There has been a lot of talk about impotence cures lately. Millions of men are tossing their impotence medication because of severe side effects associated with them. Many men don't want to take the risk of losing their eyesight or hearing because of strokes caused by the colorful pills.

And these millions of men are switching to simple impotence cures which can boost circulation and increase libido. And one thing thousands of men are trying to do is exercise.

But is exercise really going to help you in the bedroom?

Exercise and Your Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction, also called impotence, is no longer taboo to talk about. You see advertisements everywhere for the male dysfunction that plagues millions of men. But what is the problem caused from? Is this dysfunction common to all men?

Erectile dysfunctions are typically a physical problem caused by poor circulation. To achieve an erection, the member needs both an adequate inflow of blood and a slowing of blood outflow. And you can do this with simple exercises, breathing tips and various ways to keep your arteries open. Many of the simplest habits you have formed over the years could be having a positive or negative effect on your impotence problem.

Exercise is obviously beneficial to your overall health. There are well over a thousand benefits of exercising and curing impotence is one of them.

Fact! Men who exercise 3-5 hours a week have a 30% less risk of having an erectile dysfunction (impotence) according to a Harvard Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

But what exercises are the most beneficial ones?

How to Cure Impotence Naturally
Men who wish to cure impotence naturally must take their cardiovascular system serious. Because the cardio system is responsible for adequate circulation and heart health, it is also responsible for proper erectile functioning.

Fact! Men who exercise regularly will be 10 more years free of having an erectile dysfunction than an average man.

Therefore, any exercise that generates a sweat and gets the heart pumping is beneficial for your sex life, circulation and reducing heart disease. And you can do this with exercises like walking, jogging, running, biking, rowing or an elliptical machine. Besides boosting circulation levels, these exercises also help reduce stress.

Be generating a sweat, you can naturally lower anxiety, fend off depression, and help improve your self-esteem. All quality relaxation programs involve exercise as a stress-reliever. Many programs recommend at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day.

One helpful tip is to always make sure you exercise for more than 20 minutes to establish a 'runner's high'. Most people exercise for 15 minutes and call it good. Though helpful, this only leaves the person tired and doesn't give enough time for the endorphins to kick in. (Endorphins are responsible for the 'good' or 'high' feelings after you exercise.)

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Tips to Increase Testosterone Naturally

Testosterone is the most important hormone in men. It not only controls sexual function and libido but is also responsible for giving you your definitive male characteristics.

Testosterone production peaks during puberty bit begins declining after the age of 30. This can lead to a whole lot of changes in your body.

Here are a few simple and easy tips to increase testosterone naturally:

1. Compound Exercises- While lack of physical activity can be one of the reasons behind plummeting testosterone levels, intense physical training is known to enhance testosterone production.

Compound exercises that work a group of muscles are best known to boost testosterone production. Some of such exercises include squats, bench press, chin ups, dead lifts etc.,

Though exercises is good for testosterone production what you need to keep in mind is that you should limit your workout to 45-60 minutes in a single session. This is because if you workout for more than an hour, your body starts producing cortisol which inhibits and diminishes testosterone production.

2. Diet- Your diet is extremely important in determining your overall health. It should be rich in proteins, moderate in fats and limited in carbohydrates for optimum testosterone production.

Most men tend to avoid fats but you need to be aware of the fact that you must include Essential Fatty Acids of EFA's in your diet. This is because all anabolic steroid hormones are produced in cholesterol and if your diet is deficient in EFA's you are most likely to have low levels of testosterone.

3. Avoid Too Much Soy- You must avoid eating foods that contain soy protein. This is because soy increases estrogen level which affects testosterone production negatively.

4. Avoid Alcohol- You must also avoid drinking too much alcohol. This is because alcohol not only affects testosterone production but can also lead to erectile problems.

5. Reduce Stress- Stress is a major deterrent to testosterone production. Among the psychological causes of low testosterone it is the most prominent one. Stress increases the level of hormone Cortisol in blood which affects testosterone production adversely. You should try to relax in order to reduce stress. Exercise is another great stress reliever.

6. Sleep for 8 hours- Not getting enough sleep also increases stress. Sleep is the most natural way to lower stress and lack of sleep not only affects testosterone levels but also lowers HGH secretion. People who are sleep deprived often look tired and older than their years and this is largely because it affects their HGH levels.

Over and above, there are some natural supplements that can help boost your testosterone levels. These natural supplements are packed with potent herbs and other natural ingredients that boost testosterone levels without any side effects.

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