PROTIME-FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

CARBS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL   Whether you’re in a grocery store, a restaurant or just watching the commercials on TV during your favorite show, you are bombarded with ads and special menus singing the praises of the virtues of the low carb diet. This low carb craze has virtually swept the western world and has dieters everywhere seeking out low carb this and low carb that with many reporting weight loss as a result.   This is great news, right? Finally, an easy diet plan makes you lose weight and you can eat lots of food as long as they have almost no carbs in them. Is the idea of eating a low carb diet for weight loss really a good idea or are there any side effects that may come with these diets that adversely affect our health?   Consider this, many people want something for nothing and this way of thinking also applies to those looking to lose weight but unfortunately there is no miracle substitute to good sound nutritional practices. Our society is one th...

A fasting diet could boost breast cancer therapy A USC-led team of scientists has found that a fasting-mimicking diet combined with hormone therapy has the potential to help treat breast cancer, according to newly published animal studies and small clinical trials in humans. In studies on mice and in two small breast cancer clinical trials, researchers at USC and the IFOM Cancer Institute in Milan -- in collaboration with the University of Genova -- found that the fasting-mimicking diet reduces blood insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and leptin. In mice, these effects appear to increase the power of the cancer hormone drugs tamoxifen and fulvestrant and delay any resistance to them. The results from 36 women treated with hormone therapy and a fasting-mimicking diet are promising, but researchers say it is still too early to determine whether the effects will be confirmed in large-scale clinical trials. The research was published in the journal  Nature . "Our new study ...

Increased blood sugar levels may decrease the benefits of aerobic exercise Date:  July 20, 2020 Source:  Joslin Diabetes Center Summary:  Some benefits of aerobic exercise may be dampened by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia. These diminished gains are seen in mouse models and humans with chronic hyperglycemia that is in the 'prediabetes' range.  Share: FULL STORY Every doctor recommends regular aerobic exercise since greater aerobic fitness is important for achieving better overall health. But Joslin Diabetes Center scientists now have discovered that some benefits of aerobic exercise may be dampened by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, a condition is known as hyperglycemia. These diminished gains are seen in mouse models and humans with chronic hyperglycemia that is in the "prediabetes" range, says Sarah Lessard, Ph.D., a Joslin assistant investigator in the section of Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research and senio...

Cinnamon may improve blood sugar control in people with prediabetes Date:  July 21, 2020 Source:  The Endocrine Society Summary:  Cinnamon improves blood sugar control in people with prediabetes and could slow the progression to type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. Cinnamon improves blood sugar control in people with prediabetes and could slow the progression to type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in the  Journal of the Endocrine Society . It is estimated that nearly 90 million people in the United States have prediabetes, which occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal and often leads to type 2 diabetes. Identifying strategies to prevent the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes is challenging, yet important for a large population. "Our 12-week study showed beneficial effects of adding cinnamon to the diet on keeping blood sugar levels stable in participants with prediabetes," said the study's corresponding author, Giulio ...

Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss – Yes There Is a Difference!   In order to lose weight, your body must burn more calories than it take in but keep in mind that your body needs calories for energy and when you exercise; your body needs even more calories. Before I talk about energy, the first thing you must understand is that losing weight and losing fat is not the same thing.  Just because you lose weight, does not mean you lose fat, and just because you lose fat, does not mean you lose weight. When people talk about losing weight, what they really want to do is lose the excess fat on their body and obtain an attractive figure.   When you eat, the body uses most of the calories for energy. If you eat more calories than the body uses, it will get stored as fat. If you do not consume enough calories per day you will lose weight, but you will also lose energy. When you do not consume enough energy (calories) for your body, it will start using up your energy stores to make u...

Probiotics alone or combined with prebiotics may help ease depression But the possible contribution to lessening anxiety not yet clear, evidence review suggests Probiotics either taken by themselves or when combined with prebiotics, may help to ease depression, suggests a review of the available evidence, published in  BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health . But as to whether they might help to lessen anxiety isn't yet clear, say the researchers. Foods that broaden the profile of helpful bacteria in the gut are collectively known as probiotics, while prebiotics is compounds that help these bacteria to flourish. In the UK in 2016-17, 1.4 million people were referred to mental health issues, over half of them (53%) had anxiety or stress-related disorders, while a third (33%) had depression. A two-way relationship exists between the brain and the digestive tract, known as the gut-brain axis. And the possibility that the microbiome -- the range and number of bacteria resident in the gu...

Water: Your Best Weight Loss Friend   Water is one of the key components of a healthy diet and a long-term weight-loss undertaking. It not only nourishes your body by keeping your cells hydrated, but it fills your stomach so that you are less hungry. Here are some quick tips for consuming a weight-loss-friendly amount of water without feeling like you are a human water drain.   A Gallon Of  Water Daily Just about everyone has heard that it is important to consume at least 8 glasses of water a day as part of a well-balanced diet. The actual recommendation of water intake is 2.7 liters daily for women and 3.7 liters of water daily for men.  If you are in very hot environments or are involved in intense physical activities, your need for water will increase. My suggestion is to get as close to  1 gallon or 3.78 liters daily, as possible. If you participate in long, intense workouts you should consume 1000ml of water each hour in addition to the recommenda...