Top Diet Myths

Dr. Oz cleans up some common misconceptions

Myth 1: Potatoes and bread are fattening.

Actually: It's just the opposite. Starchy vegetables and bread (whole-grain bread, that is) are quality carbs needed to fuel every part of you, from your brain to your muscles. What gets you into trouble is how you eat them: Smear butter on a slice of whole-wheat bread or deep-fry potatoes and you can double, triple, or quadruple the calories.

Myth 2: Drinking a glass of water before a meal curbs appetite.

Actually: Yes and no.Water tames appetite if it's incorporated into food, such as soup, or a thick drink, like V8 100% Vegetable Juice. Apparently, when water is bound to food, digestion is slower, explains Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet. That's why women in one study found chicken-rice soup more satisfying than chicken-rice casserole and a glass of water -- even though the soup had 27% fewer calories! One exception to this rule: It's easy to confuse hunger and thirst, so if you find yourself craving something -- but what? -- drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes. You may find that's what your body really wanted.

Myth 3: Shellfish is high in cholesterol.

Actually: On the one hand, it's true: Just 3 ounces of shrimp delivers more than a third of your daily cholesterol. But there's a surprising flip side to this story: Shrimp is low in saturated fat -- the kind that becomes artery-clogging bad cholesterol -- and has a smidgen of heart-healthy omega-3s. In fact, University of Southern California researchers discovered that eating shellfish, such as shrimp, every week reduced heart attack risk by 59 percent!

Myth 4: The occasional burger and fries won't kill you.

Actually: It depends on your definition of "occasional."If occasional means every Friday night and then some, well, you may be pushing it. But if it means every few months, and you're fit, and you've got good numbers (i.e., weight, waist size, cholesterol, blood pressure), AND you're chowing down on vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and other nutritious fare most other days, hey, you'll live. But few of us are that perfect. If you do occasionally indulge, offset the effects of a fat fiesta with a brisk 90-minute walk afterward.

Myth 5: Women naturally gain weight after menopause

Actually: While you can blame a lot of things on hormones (everything from acne to PMS), in this case, slowing down physically is far more likely the cause. Study after study has found that older women who exercise regularly and vigorously can maintain their figures.

Myth 6: Diet soda is worse than the real thing.

Actually: Both types of soda -- diet and regular -- increase kidney and heart disease risk, plus both contain acids that erode tooth enamel, inviting cavities. But at least diet soda isn't also loaded with 150 empty calories of sugar. Still, we'd all be better off switching to water, diluted fruit juice, and green tea rather than drinking soda, diet or not.

By Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD
(Source: http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com/health-fitness/diet/hearst-article.aspx?cp-documentid=23386844)

Benefits of wheatgrass

Growing and juicing your own wheat sprouts is not only decorative and fun, but also highly nutritional. Wheatgrass is full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The juice has many health benefits due to the high concentration of chlorophyll, Vitamins B-12, B-6, K & C, and beta-carotene. Here are just a few:

• detoxifies the body

• improves digestion

• increases energy

• prevents illnesses such as cancer and diabetes

• boosts the immune system

Many wheatgrass fans grow it themselves. It takes about two weeks from planting to harvest time. People who grow wheatgrass usually blend the grass into a juice and add it to smoothies or other drinks. If you do not want to grow it yourself, you can find wheatgrass juice and dried wheatgrass powder or pills in almost any health food store.

Valentine's Make-up

Valentine day is just around the corner. Obviously, you would like to look your best on the special day. I have put some make up and hair tutorials. Hope you will enjoy them.

Valentine day's hair

Get rid of whiteheads and other skin problems

Whiteheads, blackheads, blemishes, pimples, or zits are skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Sometimes they are also caused by bacteria. There are various treatment methods you can use to get rid of these problems:

1. Use facial steamer

Steam opens up your pores and makes it easier to clean out. You can purchase a steamer that is designed for this purpose or you can just use a pot of water and heat it on the stove. When the water is hot enough to produce visible stream, remove from the burner. Lean over the pot with a towel over your head to hold the steam in. Continue for few minutes. Follow by cleaning your face with a mild cleanser and rinse thoroughly.

2. Exfoliate

Using an exfoliate is another way to get rid of whiteheads or blackheads and to help keep others from forming. When you exfoliate, dry skin cells are removed and the sebum in your follicles is not as likely to get trapped inside. Do not overdo it! You should only exfoliate once or twice weekly.

3. Use mask

Use a facial mask. You will need a mask that hardens as it dries. It is very important to find one that hardens because other masks will not draw the oil out of your face. My personal favorite is “Queen Helene Masque, Mint Julep” (good for pimples).

4. Use antibacterial products

Pick a cream that contains benzoyl peroxide, a solid ingredient for eliminating whiteheads quickly. Benzoyl peroxide both kills bacteria and absorbs oil, helping to get rid of those pimples fast.

5. Use water-based make-up

Do not use oil-based cosmetics. This will contribute to the build-up of oil that is already in the skin’s follicles. You should use a water-based makeup that is non-comedogenic so that it will not block your skin’s pores. Regardless of the type of cosmetics you wear, you should always remove them completely before you go to bed.

6. Get facial

The skin care professional can perform extractions that involve gently pressing on your whiteheads to release the pus from within them. Do not attempt to perform extractions on your own, as you can seriously damage your skin.

The secrets of looking young

Here are the secrets of looking young:

1.Consume the foods containing antioxidants because antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals

2.Walnuts can keep your hair shinier and more youthful looking

3.Quit smoking. People who smoke have older-looking skin because smoking reduces collagen production

4.Vitamin A has been proven to increase chemicals that reverse wrinkles

5.Foods that contain biotin, such as tomatoes and romaine lettuce, help strengthen your nails and hair

Homemade banana mask for your skin

A simple and cost-effective way to smooth out wrinkles. All the ingredients for this mask can be found in your kitchen (or local grocer) and will leave your skin replenished, glowing and smelling delicious.

Mash 1/4 banana and combine with a teaspoon of honey and 1/4 cup of yogurt. Spread over face and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water and gently pat dry.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are once again in the news and it is another positive story about these healthy fats. Researchers from the University of California in a recent study funded by the American Heart Association, found that omega-3 fats may help slow down the aging process. The researchers focused on telomeres, which are sequences of DNA that form a protective cap as cells divide. These telomeres get shorter every time a cell divides and this shortening is thought to be linked to some of the effects of aging.

The researchers in their study found that the people who had the highest blood levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), the two omega-3 fats found in fish and fish oils, had the slowest rate of telomere shortening over time, compared to those with the lowest levels. This slowing of the telomere length is associated with slowing of the biological aging. This means that omega-3 fats play an important role in protecting us against some of the aging processes including heart disease.

We already know that omega-3 plays a major role in heart health. One of the functions is to help reduce stickiness of your blood so it is less likely to clot, an important factor in lowering risk of strokes and heart attacks. It has been shown that people who regularly eat more fish have lower rates of heart disease. There is also an association with omega-3’s protecting against inflammation, another important risk factor.

The best sources of DHA and EPA are the fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, trout as well as fish oils. A 3-oz. (90 gram) serving of baked Atlantic salmon has about 1500 mg of DHA and EPA combined. When it comes to omega-3’s most people count on getting them from fish like salmon or trout. However, you can also get it from sardines. A 3-oz. serving of canned Atlantic sardines has about 850 mg of DHA and EPA combined.

Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are dietary substances including some nutrients such as beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium that can prevent the effects of free radical damage in the body. In other words, antioxidants can neutralize the process of oxidation and cellular damage, which contributes to aging and disease. Eating foods high in antioxidant on a regular basis help to reverse the signs of aging. It can also prevent or even reverse various disease processes such as cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Foods rich in antioxidants are:

• Vegetables: red cabbage, spinach, red beet, brussels sprouts

• Fruits: grapefruit, bilberry, pineapple, watermelons, grapes, orange, plum, pomegranate

• Nuts: walnuts, pecans, groundnuts, hazelnuts

• Legumes: soybeans, pinto beans, broad beans

• Dry Fruits: dates, prunes, apricots

• Spices: cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper

• Meat Food Sources: Chicken, lamb, salmon, turkey, crabmeat

Some of the most common and easily obtainable foods rich in antioxidants are:

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and help to boost immune function. The red color of tomato is due to lycopene, a powerful infection fighting antioxidant.

Broccoli: This green leafy vegetable is rich in phytonutrient antioxidants that give long-term protection against a number of diseases. Broccoli is indeed the best choice when it comes to selecting oxidant rich foods. Overcooking of broccoli should be avoided as it destroys the essential nutrients.

Garlic: Garlic, a rich source of antioxidants, has plenty of health benefits. The antioxidant properties of garlic can significantly decrease the risk of certain cancers. A diet containing garlic is essential for long healthy living.

Green Tea: Studies have revealed that concentration of antioxidants is highest in green tea. The antioxidants found in green tea decrease high blood pressure, lower high cholesterol levels and fight bacteria causing diseases.

Berries: Berries, especially blueberries and strawberries, are highly rated amongst antioxidant rich foods. These fruits, high in vitamin C, are probably the richest source of antioxidants.

Reduce your belly fat

Getting rid of belly fat takes a complete lifestyle change, including eating habits and workout habits. Here are some of the best stomach exercises that help to reduce belly fat:

Crunch
Lay on your back and knees bent, lift your shoulders off the floor. The emphasis is on moving the ribs towards the hips.

Reverse Curl

Lay on your back; bend your knees towards the chest. Keep the hips on the floor. Contract your abdominal muscles at the same time. Your lower abdominal exercise program must include reverse curls.

Leg raise

Single leg raise involves raising one leg from the floor. The double leg raise involves raising both legs from the floor at the same time and this works as an abdominal muscle exercise. Lying leg raises are ideal lower abdominal exercise

Abs exercise with the ball

The stability ball is an effective training device for the abs and lower back. Due to the curve of the exercise ball, the lower abdominal muscles get trained better on account of the greater range of motion.

Bicycle

It was ranked the best abdominal exercise by the American Council on Exercise. When performed with the abs muscles pulled, this exercise does great things for you.

Plank

For this exercise program, you need to position yourself for a pushup and hold the pose. Ensure that your body is in one long, straight line from head to toes.

Captains chair

This abs exercise involves standing on a gym chair and gripping the handholds. Press your back against the head pad and slowly lift your knees towards your chest. The back must remain straight.