Why we cannot burn belly fat easily

There are certain chemicals in our food supply, our makeup and environment, such
as pesticides, herbicides, and petrochemicals that have an estrogenic effect inside our bodies. They all contain endocrine disruptors called xenoestrogens.

Endocrine disruptors are a category of chemicals that alter the normal function of hormones. And xenoestrogens are a sub-category of the endocrine disruptor group that specifically have estrogen-like effects.

Estrogen is a natural hormone in humans that is important for bone growth, blood clotting and reproduction in men and women. The body regulates the amount needed through intricate biochemical pathways. When xenoestrogens enter the body they increase the total amount of estrogen resulting in a phenomenon called, estrogen dominance.

Build up of xenoestrogens have been indicated in many conditions including  breast, prostate and testicular cancer, obesity, infertility, endometriosis, early onset puberty, miscarriages and diabetes. These toxins also cause chronic inflammation which abrades the inside of artery walls. And it is this process that is the real cause of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

And so our body needs to store these dangerous excess toxins. Otherwise, they can lead to serious damage in our blood vessels and vital organs. All these dangerous chemicals end up being stored in our fat cells, which act as storage lockers. That is why, no matter how much exercise we do, or however much we cut down on what we eat, there is always that extra layer of fat we can never shift. We cannot burn our belly fat.

Luckily, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage contain phytonutrients such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that can help to combat the effects of xenoestrogens in our body.

What Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

It can be devastating to the self-esteem of a man when afflicted by erectile dysfunction. And so it needs to find the causes for it. 

Older men
While arousal takes longer as a man ages, chronic erectile dysfunction needs attention. Today, urologists believe that physical factors underlie the majority of cases of persistent erectile dysfunction in men over age 50.

Because erections primarily involve the blood vessels, the most common causes in older men are conditions that block blood flow to the penis, such as atherosclerosis or diabetes.

Another vascular cause may be a faulty vein, which lets blood drain too quickly from the penis.

The vascular processes that produce an erection are controlled by the nervous system and so sometimes certain prescription medications may have the side effect of interfering with necessary nerve signals. Among the possible culprits are a variety of stimulants, sedatives, diuretics, antihistamines and drugs to treat high blood pressure, cancer or depression. Nevertheless you need to have medical treatment for these cases. In addition, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, such as marijuana, may also contribute to the dysfunction.  

Other physical disorders, as well as hormonal imbalances and certain operations, may also result in erectile dysfunction.

Younger men

Psychological problems are the likeliest reason for erectile dysfunction. Tension and anxiety may arise from poor communication with the sexual partner or a difference in sexual preferences. The sexual difficulties may also be linked to these factors:

•     Depression
•     Fatigue
•     Stress
•     Feelings of inadequacy
•     Personal sexual fears
•     Rejection by parents or peers
•     Sexual abuse in childhood

Oil pulling - Detoxification our body

Oil pulling, also known as "kavala" or "gundusha", is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique that has been around for thousands of years.

It involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. This action supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health. You can use a number of oils for this, but sesame, sunflower and coconut oil are the most commonly used.

This is one of the easiest ways to support your oral health naturally, especially if using coconut oil, which is a powerful destroyer of all kinds of microbes, from viruses to bacteria to protozoa, many of which can be harmful. 

This technique has significantly reduced the plaque buildup and improved gum health. This is because oil pulling reduced counts of Streptococcus mutans bacteria – a significant contributor to tooth decay – in the plaque and saliva of children. And so oil pulling is as effective as mouthwash at improving bad breath and reducing the microorganisms that may cause it.

In addition, it benefits our mouth via its mechanical cleaning action. There are clear indications of possible saponification and emulsification process, which enhances its mechanical cleaning action.

Overall benefits include:

• Whiter teeth

• Cavity and gingivitis prevention

• Better breath (halitosis suffers also reported greatly improved morning breath)

• Stronger teeth and gums

• Less jaw pain, sleep problems and sinus issues

• Alleviation of headaches, hangovers and skin issues (reports have shown improvement in acne, psoriasis and eczema)

Canola oil

Although olive oil comes from olive, corn oil from corn, canola oil is not from canola. There is no such thing as a canola in nature. Canola oil is actually a modified version of rapeseed oil, which Asian and Indian cultures used for centuries, but never consumed in large quantities.

The rape plant belongs to the mustard family and it contains cyanide-containing compounds. And so you can know its effect on our health would be.

In addition, the refining process of deodorizing and bleaching to become canola oil involves exposing rapeseed oil to high heat, which greatly reduces its omega 3 content.

Consumption of this "GMO oil" has been linked to muscular disorders and fatty degeneration of the heart, kidneys, adrenals and thyroid gland.

Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts are the seeds of a South American tree that grows in the Amazonian rain forest. Bolivia is the largest exporter of Brazil nuts, responsible for about half of the production in the world, followed by Brazil.

Brazil nuts have a delicate buttery taste and smooth texture. They are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, monounsaturated fats and protein.

Brazil nuts contain 2,500 times as much selenium as any other nut. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that can prevent damage to cells by free radicals, boost the immune system, and increase red blood cell concentration. A 2008 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming 2 Brazil nuts daily was an effective replacement for selenium supplements. In addition, selenium can also boost mental performance.

Moreover, a study from Harvard Medical School found that consuming as little as two ounces of nuts, such as Brazil nuts, per week as part of a healthy, balanced diet can help lower the risk for heart disease.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia Hispanica. They are among the healthiest foods in the world fully loaded with nutrients.

A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of chia seeds contains:

• Fiber: 11 grams.
• Protein: 4 grams.
• Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).
• Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
• Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
• Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
• Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.

In addition, they also contain a decent amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.

However, it supplies only 137 calories.

As it contains calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and protein and so it if good for bone health.  The calcium content is particularly impressive - 18% of the RDA in a single ounce. 

Another area where chia seeds shine is in their high amount of antioxidants, which can fight the production of free radicals that contribute to ageing and diseases like cancer.

Chia seeds can drastically reduce appetite and cravings, hence have weight loss effect. This is because:

1. By weight, chia seeds are 40% fiber. Because of fiber, chia seeds can absorb up to 10-12 times their weight in water, becoming gel-like and expanding in your stomach. This increases fullness, slow absorption of food and help automatically eat fewer calories.
2. They are about 14% protein, which is very high compared to most plants. A high protein intake reduces appetite and has been shown to reduce obsessive thoughts about food by 60% and the desire for night time snacking by 50%.§  Many health experts believe that chia seeds can help with weight loss.

Although chia seeds are rich Omega-3s, the Omega-3s in them are mostly ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid) and not DHA.

 

Nevertheless, given that chia seeds are high in fiber, protein and Omega-3s, they are able to improve our metabolic health. In accordance with EU Regulation, chia seeds can be used as  novel food ingredient in bread products.

 

Nuts for spices leads FSA to investigate food chain

The  Food  Standards Agency  (FSA) in UK has launched an investigation into the potentially deadly substitution of nuts for cumin in Britain's food chain. 

Multiple cases have emerged where products claiming to contain cumin have included almonds that were not declared on the packaging. The inclusion of almonds could prove fatal to those suffering from nut allergies.

Cumin is one of Britain's most popular ingredients and substituting it with peanuts or almonds can inflict a range of suffering from mild symptoms to abdominal pain and cardiac arrest.

The UK has joined forces with governments in the EU, US and Canada, along with food companies and trade associations, in a bid to determine the scale and source of the threat.