Anyone searching for healthy, low carb foods should be aware of stevia, the all natural sweetener, as a replacement for sugar or artificial sweeteners. A vast majority of articles and research projects conducted on stevia have concluded that it may be the one sweetener that is actually good for people. It has been shown that stevia can help individuals maintain normal blood sugar levels, and it is a zero calorie sweetener. What is stevia and why is Coca Cola teaming up with Cargill to make it a replacement for sugar in many products? Also, why has the FDA rejected stevia as a food additive, but permitted it to be used as a dietary supplement?

First, let’s take a look at the origins of stevia and how it has gained attention with the rise in demand for low carb foods and low sugar substitutes. Stevia has been used for centuries by native South American tribes as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating heartburn and other ailments. It is a plant in the Chrysanthemum family, which grows wild in parts of Paraguay and Brazil. Wikipedia describes stevia as an herb or shrub “in the sunflower family, native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America”. The plant’s extracts have up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, but have a negligible impact on blood glucose. So it is easy to see why stevia is being noticed by people looking for low carb foods or who are trying to maintain normal blood sugar levels with a low carb diet.

Since the early 1970′s, Japan has led the way in cultivating and using stevia as a replacement for artificial sweeteners such as cyclamate and saccharin, which are alleged carcinogens. Commercially produced in Japan since 1977, stevia sweeteners are often used in that country for low carb foods and soft drinks. Japan currently accounts for about 40% of the world’s consumption of stevia, more than any other country. It is now widely used throughout the world, especially in East Asia, South America and Israel. Stevia has been available as a dietary supplement in the United States and Canada since the mid 1980′s. Many people in this country use it as a beneficial sweetener for health drink formulas not sold in retail stores.

In 1984, Dr. Tei-Fu Chen, an American herbalist from Taiwan, perfected a method to extract the sweetness from stevia without using chemicals. This method is accepted today as the most advantageous way to produce stevia products for consumption. Dr. Chen’s company, Sunrider, successfully petitioned the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) in 1995 to lift the import alert on the extract of stevia leaves. This paved the way for companies to use stevia as a “dietary supplement”, and in May of 2007, Coca Cola announced plans to seek approval for its use as a “food additive”. Coca Cola currently uses stevia in soft drinks made in Japan, and is hoping to market a new calorie free sweetener in the United States to use in low carb foods by 2009. In 1984, stevia was introduced as Sunectar by Sunrider and later a clear liquid version called Sunnydew accompanied the thicker, darker Sunectar in the market. Coca Cola is tentatively planning to call their product, Rebiana, which is derived from the plant’s botanical name stevia rebaudiana.

The only thing that might prevent the use of stevia based products for low carb foods and drinks in the U.S. is the FDA approval of stevia as a “food additive”. As of today in the U.S, stevia is not allowed to be sold as a food additive but is considered to be safe as a dietary supplement. You see, stevia grows naturally therefore it does not require a patent. This could be why some consumers and politicians believe the FDA has so far acted in response to industry pressure from sugar and artificial sweetener lobbyists. For example, Arizona congressman, Jon Kyl, called the FDA action against stevia “a restraint of trade to benefit the artificial sweetener industry”. Although, the growing popularity of stevia may force the FDA to take a closer look at the current food additive ban. Coca Cola has teamed up with the agricultural products company, Cargill to market rebiana-sweetened products in 12 countries that already allow stevia as a food additive.

As far as I can tell through research and through my own experience with stevia, the benefits of this herbal supplement far outweigh any possible negative consequences. Stevia is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, so only very small amounts are required to sweeten beverages and foods. Most stevia products contain zero calories, and some contain complex carbohydrates that are beneficial to anyone, especially those on a low carbohydrate diet. It has been said that stevia is food for the pancreas, which can help maintain normal blood sugar levels. Through my own daily use of stevia and my desire to maintain a diet of low carb foods for more than six years now, I can say that it has helped reduce cravings for sugary foods and has contributed to a decrease in mood swings caused by over consumption of sugar.

I encourage anyone who is searching for quality nutrition in low carb foods, to investigate stevia and make it a part of a healthy, balanced, low carbohydrate diet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/low-carb-food-news-about-stevia-the-0-calorie-sweetener-221343.html

About the Author:

Cliff Smith is an actor, a serious athlete, and owner of BestHealthFoodStore.net. He is always searching for low carb foods to help him stay in shape for the camera. He is an avid mountain biker who cycles 50-100 miles per week over rugged terrain in the Arizona Desert. Cliff offers free nutrition facts and further information on stevia sweetener at http://www.BestHealthFoodStore.net , where you can learn more about low carb foods.

Author: Dominick Ciccone

If you are working out on a consistent basis, you need to be consuming extra Protein; it’s as simple as that. Without the added protein intake your muscles will never recover to their full potential, and you won’t gain the strength you are striving for nearly as quickly. Protein is the building block for all of your muscles, hair and nails, and it is important to make sure you are getting enough of it.

Out of all the available Protein supplements on the market today, Whey Protein stands out as the clear winner. Whey Proteins are high quality and nutritious proteins derived from dairy products. They contain all of the essential amino acids required by the body each and every day, which promote muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth.

Whey Protein can do a number of amazing things. It increases lean muscle mass, aids in fat loss, enhances your immune function and it actually might help to prevent certain forms of cancer. Whey Protein also helps to stabilize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into your blood stream, which results in a reduced feeling of hunger. Insulin levels also begin to lower when Whey Protein is consumed on a consistent basis which makes it easier for the body to burn fat. Looking at these benefits it is easy to see why Whey Protein can play such an integral role in your diet.

Implementing Whey Protein into your workout routine will help prevent overtraining, because your muscles will be getting the fuel they need to rebuild themselves after a long and hard work out session. It is recommended that you try and get 1 gram of Whey Protein, per pound of body weight. This is most efficiently achieved by spreading your protein intake over 4-6 small meals, and by eating healthy, protein rich foods in conjunction with Whey Protein supplements. You can usually get 20-23 grams of Protein from a single serving of your Whey Protein supplement.

There are many quality Whey Protein supplements on the market today, and many great deals can be found online. It’s a common rule of thumb that the more expensive the Whey Protein costs, the better it is going to taste and help you recover. Searching online for special sales and discounts will help you find high quality Whey Proteins for an affordable price. After all, you don’t want to be drinking something that you hate the taste of 7 days a week, do you? I usually look for Whey Protein in the price range of 40-50 dollars. This price range is usually associated with quality protein that tastes surprisingly good, and is very good for you in terms of calories and Protein grams per serving amounts.

People of all ages can enjoy the benefits of Whey Protein. The number of benefits it provides is amazing. It helps in sports nutrition, weight management, immune system functioning, bone health and most importantly, your general health. Hopefully this information has helped you realize that Whey Protein is the right choice for you!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/whey-protein-and-its-benefits-604375.html

About the Author:

Dominick Ciccone is software developer and an avid weight trainer who enjoys researching nutrition. He also writes for the site:

Thats’s The Whey Protein .

(ARA) – By now you probably think you’ve heard all of the health reasons there are for eating your vegetables. But, just in time for summer, researchers from Harvard University have announced that lutein — a potent antioxidant found in such dark green, leafy vegetables as spinach and kale — may protect the skin from sun damage.

“Lutein has been widely recognized for its eye health benefits for several years. But, our data is the first of its kind to suggest that lutein may have the potential to act as a preventative agent against UVB-induced skin cancer,” said Salvador Gonzalez, M.D., Ph.D., leader of the Harvard research team. “In addition, these data suggest that lutein protects the skin against damage caused by exposure to UVB light, further validating our position that lutein is a critical component to overall skin health.”

Lutein (LOO-teen) is a yellow pigment (the yellow is covered up by chlorophyll in green leaves) found predominantly in vegetables. It is also present in the eyes and skin of the human body. In women, lutein is found in the breasts and cervix. As an antioxidant, lutein protects the eyes from the damaging effects of aging. Lutein also acts as a light filter, protecting against the sun’s harmful rays.

UVA and UVB rays are two types of harmful rays found in sunlight. UVA rays contribute to wrinkling the skin, as well as to the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are the ones that are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer.

Good sunscreens block both UVA and UVB rays and are critical to skin health. But, you can do even more to protect your skin and eyes when you’re outside this summer.

Safety tips to keep top of mind:

* Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet light can cause cataracts and increase your risk of macular degeneration, a disease that causes irreversible blindness.

* If you’re a parent, protect your children’s skin. Research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.

* Check the expiration date on your sunscreen. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than three years.

* Eat a healthy diet comprised of green leafy vegetables. Consumption of 6 milligrams of lutein per day (approximately one-third cup of cooked spinach) has been linked to a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Vitamins and dietary supplements formulated with purified lutein provide another option for adding this nutrient to a daily diet.

It’s important to note that when lutein is consumed in foods or vitamins, it deposits in various tissues in the body — the eyes, the skin, fat tissue and so on. Therefore, it may also be beneficial to apply lutein directly to the surface of your skin. Several skin care products containing lutein are now available and can be purchased online at www.sephora.com or at salons that carry California Tan Heliotherapy sun care products.

For more information about how lutein can help promote healthy eyes and skin, talk to your doctor and visit the Lutein Information Bureau at www.luteininfo.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content
 
EDITOR’S NOTE: Barbara Levine is associate clinical professor of nutrition in medicine at Cornell University Medical College and chairperson of the Lutein Information Bureau.

Scientists found that people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD, a leading cause of vision loss, lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc. In the same high risk group — which includes people with intermediate AMD, or advanced AMD in one eye but not the other eye — the nutrients reduced the risk of vision loss caused by advanced AMD by about 19 percent. For those study participants who had either no AMD or early AMD, the nutrients did not provide an apparent benefit. The clinical trial — called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) — was sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health.

“This is an exciting discovery because, for people at high risk for developing advanced AMD, these nutrients are the first effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease,” said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NEI. “AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans 65 years of age and older. Currently, treatment for advanced AMD is quite limited. These nutrients will delay the progression to advanced AMD in people who are at high risk — those with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or those with advanced AMD in one eye already.

“The nutrients are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore vision already lost from the disease,” Dr. Sieving said. “But they will play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep their vision.”

A common feature of AMD is the presence of drusen, yellow deposits under the retina. Often found in people over age 60, drusen can be seen by an eye care professional during an eye exam in which the pupils are dilated. Drusen by themselves do not usually cause vision loss, but an increase in their size or number increases a person’s risk of developing advanced AMD, which can cause serious vision loss.

Advanced AMD can cause serious vision loss. Scientists are unsure about how or why an increase in the size or number of drusen can sometimes lead to advanced AMD, which affects the sharp, central vision required for the “straight ahead” activities, such as reading, driving and recognizing faces of friends.

“Previous studies have suggested that people who have diets rich in green, leafy vegetables have a lower risk of developing AMD,” said Frederick Ferris, M.D., director of clinical research at the NEI and chairman of the AREDS. “However, the high levels of nutrients that were evaluated in the AREDS are very difficult to achieve from diet alone.

“Almost two-thirds of AREDS participants chose to take a daily multivitamin in addition to their assigned study treatment,” Dr. Ferris said. “The study also showed that, even with a daily multivitamin, people at high risk for developing advanced AMD can lower the risk of vision loss by adding a formulation with the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc used in the study.”

Dr. Ferris said some people with intermediate AMD may not wish to take large doses of antioxidant vitamins or zinc medical reasons. “For example, beta-carotene has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer among smokers,” he said. “These people may want to discuss with their primary care doctor the best combination of nutrients for them. With the use of the high levels of zinc, it is important to add appropriate amounts of copper to the diet to prevent copper deficiency.”

The AREDS participants reported few side effects from the treatments. About 7.5 percent of participants assigned to the zinc treatments — compared with five percent who did not have zinc in their assigned treatment — had urinary tract problems that required hospitalization. Participants in the two groups that took zinc also reported anemia at a slightly higher rate; however, testing of all patients for this disorder showed no difference among treatment groups. Yellowing of the skin, a well-known side effect of large doses of beta-carotene, was reported slightly more often by participants taking antioxidants.

“The AREDS formula is the first demonstrated treatment for people at high risk for developing advanced AMD,” Feris said. “Slowing the progression of AMD to its advanced stage will save the vision of many who would otherwise have had serious vision impairment.”

Courtesy of ARA Content
 
EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, contact Michael Coogan, NEI Information Office, (301) 496-5248, mjc@nei.nih.gov.

VNR and ANR available in English and Spanish by calling 301-496-5248. Photos and other materials available in downloadable, camera-ready format on the NEI website at http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd

The National Eye Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health and is the Federal government’s lead agency for vision research. NEI-supported research leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness. The NIH is an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Natural sources of antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E and beta carotene, are some of your best defenses against coronary-pulmonary aging. Choose from these foods when eating at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables, better yet 9 servings:

Vitamin C: red pepper, brussels sprouts, papaya, orange, chestnuts, butternut squash, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe, kale, pink grapefruit, sweet potato, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. {The latter 3 also help the liver detoxify poisons and “bad” estrogens (16-hydroxyestrone) that promote breast, colon, cervical and prostate cancer.}

Vitamin E: almonds, spinach, parsnips, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, asparagus, sweet potato, wheat germ, brussels sprouts, peanuts, pecans.

Beta carotene: carrot, butternut squash, cantaloupe, sweet potato, kale, watercress, apricot, red pepper, turnip greens, mango.

A good rule of thumb: eat from the fruit and vegetable “color palette” each day and include red, green, orange, and yellow.

By the way, eating lots of anti-oxidants keeps your lungs strong. The proof? According to a 3/14/98 article in the FASEB Journal, people who ate the most antioxidants were able to exhale almost 1/2 cup more air in 1 second than people who ate much less. The ability to inhale and exhale volumes of air is called “Vital Capacity” and is perhaps the best physical exam indicator of life expectancy!**

And need I remind you that lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer? AND 18% of VICTIMS NEVER SMOKED!

So eat your 9 servings of a rainbow variety of fruits, seeds, nuts and vegetables. Then take a professional quality multi-vitamin/mineral with at least 1000mg Vit C, 100 IU Vit E, and 15,000 units of mixed carotenoids (not just beta-carotene), and 200mcg of selenium. As iron is a pro-oxidant, it should not be included usually except in the anemic, childrens formulas and for menstrating or pregnant females*.

Pregnant females and those desiring or even “at risk” for pregnancy should limit Vit A supplementation to less than 5,000 units a day.

About the Author:

Dr John H Maher Ed., “Longevity News”
“Your Prescription for Wellness”
More Details at: http://www.RxforWellness.com

In a six-year study of more than 46,000 workers, depression and unmanaged stress emerged as the costliest risk factors in terms of medical expenditures. And, according to the American Institute of Stress, 75 to 90 percent of all doctor visits are stress-related.

When someone is under stress, adrenaline pours into the blood stream as part of our “fight or flight” response and muscles throughout the body tense in anticipation of a challenge. Immediate effects can range from a short temper to difficulty sleeping; long-term effects can be even more dangerous.

While impossible to eliminate stress from modern life, one can control the effect it has on the mind and body. People with increased levels of anxiety and nervous tension need to develop effective ways of coping with stress.

“Regular physical activity can help counter the potentially damaging effects of stress on the body and may help prevent stress-related illnesses,” says John McCarthy, executive director of the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). “These activities provide a natural way to release tension in the body and will often lead to an automatic state of relaxation that naturally follows a good workout.”

The link between mind and body was accepted in ancient India, the birthplace of yoga, thousands of years ago. It has taken a while for Western fitness experts to embrace the idea, however, the concept of holistic health and fitness is rapidly gaining popularity and acceptance. In a survey of health clubs belonging to IHRSA, twenty-three percent offer classes specifically geared to wellness and stress reduction.

In health clubs across the country, the trend is moving away from classes focusing simply on muscle and cardiovascular training to ones that include overall wellness and whole-body maintenance. Over the past few years, more and more people have discovered the benefits of workouts that stimulate the emotions as well as the muscles.

Classes such as yoga, Pilates and martial arts fill up as quickly as health clubs put them on the schedule. According to IHRSA, participation in yoga classes at U.S. health clubs increased by 200 percent between 1998 and 2000.

This mind-body approach appeals to individuals at all different fitness levels. Consumer research shows that an impressive number of American health club members cite holistic motivations for working out. Better-than-half (54%) said that when they exercised regularly, they feel like they have their overall act together, while 38 percent said that when they do not exercise regularly, they just don’t feel right.

Top 5 Non-Physique Related Reasons for Exercise

(Base: Americans who participate in physical activities at least occasionally; % say primary reason for exercise)

1. For fun/enjoyment (49%)

2. To prevent health problems (36%)

3. To reduce stress/tension (31%)

4. To relax (30%)

5. To help with current medical problems (27%)

“As more and more health clubs offer programs that benefit the mind as well as the body, it has become much easier to find a place to practice tai chi, yoga, Pilates and more,” notes McCarthy. “I think people who have not visited a health or fitness club lately will be surprised by the variety of classes available at their local gym.”

In many cases, clubs now offer classes to non-members for a small fee.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) – With the men of the “baby boomers” generation in the United States approaching target age for prostate cancer screening, the incidence of prostate cancer is expected to increase to 300,000 a year in the next decade. While treatable in earlier stages of the disease, prostate cancer can be much harder to treat in more advanced stages and can be fatal. In fact, prostate cancer is the number two cancer killer in men. This year, an estimated 30,000 will die from the disease.
Treatment options for prostate cancer are dictated largely by the stage of the disease, the patient’s age and health, whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred, and other factors. Of particular concern is the plight of advanced prostate cancer patients.

“This is an underserved patient population. We often don’t highlight the story of the advanced prostate cancer patient and we need to,” says Thomas Kirk, president and CEO of Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network. “These patients are faced with fewer treatment options.”

Every year, 70,000 men require additional treatment due to a recurrence of prostate cancer. If the cancerous cells are not detected during initial treatment or if tumors go undetected, the cancer may spread beyond the prostate. Over time, many patients no longer respond to hormone therapy, meaning they have hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Advanced prostate cancer patients face the development of painful bone metastases at which point they generally have two to three years to live. Quality of life during this stage of treatment can be greatly diminished. Recently though, a new class of compounds known as selective endothelin-A receptor antagonists (SERA) has emerged and clinical trials are underway to evaluate their potential in treating advanced prostate cancer.

With more than 230,000 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States, and an estimated 2 million American men currently living with prostate cancer, new treatment options are needed.

The American Cancer Society recommends men begin annual screening at age 50. African-American men or men with a family history of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 45 and in some cases, it may be advisable to begin screenings at age 40. Prostate cancer screening can involve a combination of two tests: the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. If the DRE or PSA tests are abnormal, a biopsy is typically recommended.

For more information on Us TOO, please visit www.ustoo.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

MS is a disease of the nervous system that affect mainly the brain and spinal cord.
Activities of daily living are sent as messages from the brain to other parts of the body by way of nerve fibers. Most of these nerve fibers are covered with a fatty covering called myelin. MS attacks the myelin causing scarring also known as sclerosis.
The cause of MS is still unknown, but is thought to be an autoimmune disease.

Common Symptoms of M.S.

• Loss of vision in one
• Dizziness
• Clumsiness, loss of balance
• Hand tremors
• Facial numbness or pain
• Speech problems
• Decreased use or paralysis on one side • Loss of hearing
• Loss of bladder control
• Pins and needles sensations/numbness
• Psychological changes: mood swings, decreased judgment, depression.

Living long term with M.S.

MS is very unpredictable. Some patients have symptoms that come and go, while others have symptoms that get progressively worse over years.
As you live with MS, periods of remission (symptom free times) are possible, but remissions tend to decrease in length and frequency. Disability is usually progressive and permanent.

How to take care of yourself if you have M.S.

If you have MS, you and your family will go through some difficult times.
The best thing for you is to take care of yourself.
• Attend support groups on and offline.
• General health maintenance is very important. This includes a well balanced diet and a few supplements as needed.

Extensive research since the 1930′s has shown that the clear gel has a dramatic ability to heal wounds, ulcers and burns by putting a protective coating on the affected areas and speeding up the healing rate.

The plant is about 96% water. The rest of it contains active ingredients including essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycoproteins. Modern healers have used it since the 1930′s. Many liquid health treatments are made, some combining aloe juice with other plants and herbs. The juice is soothing to digestive tract irritations, such as colitis and peptic ulcers.

As a food supplement, aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.

Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. It naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent overacidity – a common cause of indigestion. It helps cleanse the digestive tract by exerting a soothing, balancing effect.

A newly discovered compound in aloe, acemannan, is currently being studied for its ability to strengthen the bodies natural resistance. Studies have shown acemannan to boost T-lymphocyte cells that aid the immune system.

Those wise to the ways of aloe healing keep this plant in the kitchen. When the leaf is broken, its gel is placed on burns to relieve pain and prevent blisters. Aloe may reduce inflammation, decrease swelling and redness, and accelerate wound healing.

Aloe can aid in keeping the skin supple, and has been used in the control of acne and eczema. It can relieve itching due to insect bites and allergies. Aloe’s healing power come from increasing the availability of oxygen to the skin, and by increasing the synthesis and strength of tissue.

Part Used: Aloe vera “extract” is made by pulverizing the whole leaves of the plant. Aloe juice is made from the inner leaf.

Common Use: Aloe supplements can be used for peptic ulcers and for gastro-intestinal health. Aloe has a moisturizing effect on the skin and is a common remedy for sunburn and skin irritation. Often used direct form the flowerpot in the treatment of minor burns and wounds. To make a salve; remove the thin outer skin and process the leaves in a blender, add 500 units of vitamin C powder to each cup and store in refrigerator.

Shop for Aloe

But how can people easily add more protein to their diets without overdoing it? Whey protein is one great option to consider.

“Whey protein is a high quality, complete protein source with little to no fat that can help control hunger and weight,” says Dr. Julie Miller Jones, a professor of nutrition at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn.

Usually found in a powdered form, this concentrated dairy protein can easily be added to many foods and recipes. One form of whey protein, whey protein isolate, contains less than 1 percent lactose and is often recommended for vegetarians and for those who are lactose or gluten intolerant.

Let’s take a look at four ways that whey protein can help with weight loss.

1. Protein requires more energy to digest than other foods (called the thermic effect of food). This helps use more calories and hence may help with weight loss.

2. Also, high quality proteins such as whey protein help to preserve lean muscle tissue while you lose fat. If your body doesn’t get enough protein and the important essential amino acids on a daily basis it will “steal” them from existing muscle tissue.

3. Protein also helps to slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This in turn reduces hunger by reducing insulin levels and making it easier for the body to burn fat.

4. Protein has a greater ability to promote satiety than do fat and carbohydrates. Whey protein contains a special component called glycomacropeptide, or GMP. GMP helps promote the release of CCK, which is an appetite-suppressing hormone. This may help you feel full and hopefully stop eating sooner.

In addition to weight loss, another important side benefit of whey protein is its ability to support the immune system. It promotes the formation of glutathione, an anti-oxidant, which plays a key role in supporting the immune system. This is especially important during periods of stress and disease and for individuals who exercise aggressively or smoke.

Here are some ways to easily incorporate protein (using whey protein) into your diet.

• Turn your morning smoothie into a satisfying “fat burner” by combining whey protein, skim milk and fresh or frozen fruit. The dairy calcium provided by the milk makes it even more of a plus in regards to weight loss. Blend and enjoy!
• Make a healthy “home from school” snack by mixing together 1 box (4 serving size) of regular or sugar-free instant JELL-O(R) pudding with 2 servings of natural, vanilla, or chocolate whey protein powder. Add 2 1/2 cups skim milk and mix according to the directions on the box. Refrigerate for 15 minutes and serve.
• Prepare a delicious whipped topping for fruit and desserts. This recipe was created by Dr. Richard Ya Deau, a retired oncology surgeon.

40 grams of unflavored, unsweetened whey protein powder
16 ounces low fat milk
8 crushed ice cubes
1 tablespoon sugar or artificial sweetener, such as Splenda(R)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and mix until stiff peaks are formed. Use as a replacement for the higher fat version of whipped cream.

Whey protein is readily available in health food stores, natural food stores, and many fitness centers. For more recipes and information contact the Whey Protein Institute at www.wheyproteininstitute.org or call their toll-free number, (866) WHY-WHEY.

Courtesy of ARA Content

——————————————————-

Shop for Whey Protein

We recommend using Stevia, as an all natural sugar substitute
Shop for Stevia

———————————————————–