Posts Tagged ‘blood sugar levels’

If you are currently trying to lose weight, you will certainly know that it is important for you to control your calorie intake. In fact, your sleep pattern can also affect the effect your weight loss plan.

As a matter of fact, if you are in lack of sleep, a hormone called cortisol will be secreted. Cortisol is in fact a hormone to control your appetite. It will also help to convert the excess calories in your body and store it in the form of fat. The lack of sleep may also affect your metabolism and it may lead to relatively higher blood sugar levels. In this case your body will produce more insulin than you need, which may in turn lead to obesity.

It is also very important to stress that sleep deprivation may also lead to weight gain because it will affect your daily behavior. If you are in lack of sleep, you may want to eat more sweet or food that is high in fat content. You will probably want to eat more chips, burgers, candies and cakes. This is because you will need more energy when you are in lack of sleep and eating them can help to raise the blood glucose level and this will give you energy. However, the excessive calorie intake will be stored as fat in your body and this will certainly lead to weight gain

You should probably know that exercising is very important in order to help you to burn the excessive calories. However, if you do not have enough sleep, you will feel very exhausted. Of course you will not want to do any exercise if you feel exhausted. You would like to go to sleep rather than go exercising. And as a result, this will make your body store more fat since the excessive calories cannot be burnt.

In fact, most experts will tell you that you will need to have eight hours of sleep every night in in order to give you enough energy for your daily activities. Of course it will also give you the energy you need for exercising. However, the point is that a lot of people will not sleep for eight hours every night. According to a survey, most people will sleep less than 6.5 hours a day. This is certainly not good for our health. As a result, you should try your best to get enough sleep every night.

The author has a website on Health, Fitness and Exercising. Be sure to check Healthy Weight Loss Plans and the article Weight Loss Pill Review.

A low carb diet such as the Atkins diet or the South Beach Diet (although some say this one is not a low carb diet but the right carb diet) can be very helpful for those who want to lose large amounts of weight. However, this diet needs to be followed how it was meant to be followed for it to work. One way to be able to refrain from gaining weight on this diet is to understand the purpose of each stage of this diet.

The first phase of a low carb diet is usually the strictest time of the diet in regards to the level of carbs eaten. This part of the diet lasts approximately two weeks. All fruits and starchy vegetables, refined breads, and other high carb foods are not eaten during this time. Instead, the person eats lean meats, creams, butters, cheese, and other foods that were originally forbidden. This first stage has a purpose.

The purpose of the first stage of most low carb diets is to help with the following three aspects:

To induce Benign Dietary Ketosis: This is when fat metabolites show up in the urine stream and can be detected with Ketosix. This is the sign that Atkins diet users are using fat as energy. Sometimes ketones are discharged from the lungs as well. Diet users reactions vary during this stage. For example, some peoples appetites diminish during this stage.

To Stabilize Blood Sugar: This stage helps keep bring the blood sugar to the level that it is supposed to be at. Not only that but it helps diminish symptoms (i.e. mood swings, brain fog, or fatigue) that come from erratic blood sugar levels.

To ignite rapid weight loss: This stage sometimes helps those who have trouble losing weight to feel good about themselves as pounds drop at a quick rate. This stage is when the most weight is loss during the Atkins diet.

The induction period of the Atkins diet is probably considered to be the most crucial part of the Atkins diet. It is also the shortest phase of the diet, so the amount of time that one has to endure this first stage is not long. Those that can make it through the first two weeks of this diet are most likely to see the best results while enrolled in this particular weight loss program.

The next phase of the Atkins diet is also important. This is the period of time when most people will find out what level of carbs is appropriate for them to eat and still lose weight. Although the weight loss progress slows down during this phase, as well as the phase that follows, it still is encouraging to those who follow this diet when they do lose 1-2 pounds a week (in some cases a little more).

During the second and third phases of the Atkins diet, users are able to increase their carb intake. However, they still need to be careful not to eat the wrong carbs, otherwise they may go back to their old weight. Those who stick to the overall plan of this diet are the ones who have the most success on this diet. The purpose of the second phase of the Atkins diet is as follows:

To find the carb level that is appropriate for each Atkins diet user. This is usually referred to as the Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing (CCLL).

To allow for more food choices and to help users of this diet to make wise ones.

To continue weight loss at a safe rate, and to keep carbs low enough to help hamper excess food cravings.

The third phase is very similar to the second phase but has an allowance for a higher level of carbs. The purpose of this phase is as follows:

To figure out how much carbs that can be eaten without gaining weight.

To reach weight loss goal. This is done at a steady slow pace during this phase.

Learn how to remain at the same weight.

The fourth phase of the Atkins diet is the one when the most carbs are allowed, and also is a maintenance stage. This phase of the diet is the one that lasts the longest, because this is the pattern that is set to be the persons ideal diet to maintain the new weight loss level achieved.

Those who follow through every phase of a low carb diet, as intended, will benefit the most from it. Also, those who find their carb level during the second and third phases of the diet will most likely be able to keep the weight off during the fourth phase of the diet.

Not only will those who follow this diet closely as planned be able to lose weight, but they will be able to prevent from gaining it back later on. This article is not a guarantee that this diet will work for everyone. However, those who follow a low carb diet closely and those who do not give up will have the best chance of success at it.

For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website dietandweightlossinfo.com

If you’ve been dieting, the terms, “protein” and “carbohydrate” are probably very familiar to you. A few short months ago many new diets such as Atkins and South Beach became popular. These diets are typically very high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Foods such as bread, cereal, pasta and fruit are usually eliminated. These diets may result in temporary weight loss, but are often not nutritionally sound. They are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and have the potential to cause other health problems. These “do it yourself ” diets have no medical monitoring to take care of problems if they arise, and offer nothing to change the eating habits that led to the weight problem in the first place.

If you don’t eat carbohydrates your body will not produce adequate levels of insulin. Likewise, if you eat a lot of protein your body will produce too much glucagon. Eating a balanced diet helps keep your body’s blood sugar levels constant and will increase the sue of stored fat as fuel. Eating too many carbohydrates may cause your insulin levels to increase and store excess carbohydrates as fat, instead of using them as fuel.

Let’s look at protein and carbohydrates more closely. Most Americans get more protein in their diets than necessary. The recommended Daily Allowance is 8 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight. This means that a woman with an ideal weight of 132 pounds would require 48 grams of protein per day. This could be supplied by eating the following foods in one day: four ounces of meat, one cup of milk, four slices of bread, and two servings of vegetables. A man with an ideal weight of 176 pounds requires 64 grams of protein per day. Five ounces of meat, two cups of milk, five slices of bread and two servings of vegetables would meet a mans daily needs. Many people greatly exceed their protein needs with intakes of over 100 grams per day. Since the body doesn’t store excess protein, this extra amount is converted to energy and may end up stored as fat.

Now we come to carbohydrates. If you’ve been avoiding these, it’s going to take you awhile to get used to the idea that they’re “OK”. They even play a crucial role in weight loss. What are the functions of carbohydrates? Besides being the body’s primary and preferred source of energy at only 4 calories per gram, carbohydrates also do the following:

* Protein sparing – When carbohydrates are provided, the body won’t break down muscle tissue for energy.

* Fat Metabolism – Carbohydrates assist in the chemical reactions that break down fat for energy. Biochemists have a saying, “fat burns in a flame of carbohydrate.”

Despite all the hype, research confirms that low-carb diets do not perform better in the long term when compared to diets that incorporate essential carbohydrates. Leading nutrition and medical groups caution against the use of low-carb diets because of the increased risk for such serious health problems such as kidney and liver disorders, gout, coronary heat disease, diabetes, stoke and several types of cancer. Although weight loss is an important goal, choosing a healthy way to lose the weight is what really matters.

Glenn Freiboth is a Certified Health Advisor lives in Illinois and has helped many overweight and obese people lose weight and keep it off.
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A research scientist by profession, Dr. Barry Spears is the person behind the widely popular zone diet program. Since his book on “The Zone” came out some time in 1995, people have started trying it out, and results were consistently successful. Even doctors recommend the zone dieting for people who want to keep themselves healthy.

Through the zone diet program, one can rightly balance hormonal levels in the body. An imbalance in one’s hormonal levels can lead to unhealthy weight gain or weight loss. Through proper dieting, hormones will be in check and will remain at healthy levels.

By adhering to a zone diet program, one can curb unhealthy cravings such as excessive carbohydrate cravings (pizza, pasta, bread, etc). Too much carbohydrate is certainly unhealthy. It’s the number one cause of weight problems in most people.

Through the zone diet, blood sugar levels will stabilize. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to medical problems like diabetes for one. Also, right sugar levels ensure lasting energy in a day, plus, your food intake will be just right since you are not fooled into thinking and craving for unneeded food servings.

If you are on a zone diet, you will need to observe a balanced meal each time. You must see to it that daily intake will have the right amounts of protein (low-fat), the right amounts of carbohydrates (get them more from fruits or vegetables, in stead of breads and potatoes), and the right amounts of healthy fat (like olive oil). The officially recommended ratio is 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein, and 30% fat.

It is best to begin your day with a zone diet meal within an hour after you’ve waken. Spread your meals into five servings in a day and try to space them no more than five hours in between. Keeping this time table will allow your blood sugar level to remain stable. Always maintain an abundance of body liquids while on a zone diet. Take in at least eight glasses of water daily. That would roughly be around half a gallon.

Complement your zone diet program with a healthy lifestyle. Do not make a habit of staying up too late. Have six to eight hours of body rest nightly. Maintain regular physical activity such as brisk walking, stair climbing, manual work or house chore, and others.

The zone diet program will not give you a license to indulge in harmful vices. In fact, everything may be in vain if you stay in your vices. Those which already have medical problems in their family history should seriously think about quitting smoking, drinking, and taking prohibited drugs.

Zone dieting definitely works, people testify to that fact. Many have felt increased body and mind energy levels after only a week with it. Even those with existing medical conditions have seen an improvement in their physical wellbeing. This program is not a weight loss strategy, it is a health strategy. Watch the food you eat and watch the lifestyle you live. Do that, and better yet, let zone diet help do that for you.

You can find mor info for zone diet on http://www.free-zone-diet.info

Low carb diets are mostly based on cutting the amount of carbs you eat and increasing the amount of proteins and fats. This diet helps your body to consume fat reserves that are already in your body. Low carb diets are still popular and while they may help the average individual lose weight, they aren’t for athletes.

Low carb diets are not only safe, but if followed properly, can be heart-healthy. Low carb diets have several good effects on cholesterol. Low carb diets are designed to prevent blood sugar levels from spiking and causing the overproduction of insulin a hormone that helps convert carbohydrates to body fat. The first carbohydrates you need to add back to your diet when you move beyond Induction are more vegetables, then seeds and nuts, then berries and then if you are still losing legumes and grains. Low carb diets are easy for people who enjoy meats and cheese, but it may be tough for a vegetarian to go on a low carb diet.

Low-carb dieters dropped an average of 26 pounds, compared to an average of 14 pounds shed by the low-fat group. The low-carb group had decreases in blood fat levels and increases in good cholesterol than their counterparts on a low-fat diet. Low-carb diets are very popular for their quick results.

Low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diets (such as the Atkins diet) have become very popular in recent years. These diets promise weight loss, weight maintenance, good health, and disease prevention. Low-carb dieters should also be aware that low-carbohydrate and low-calorie are not the same thing, just as low-fat and low-calorie are not synonymous. When something, like carbohydrates, is taken out of a product, (e.g., chips, ice cream or chocolate candy bars) other things are added to replace it.

Carbohydrates are not bad, only some of them are, and should be eaten in moderation. Finally, there is the personalized metabolic typing diet, which is using your body’s intuition to determine the best combination of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for your optimal health. Carbohydrates are found in almost any kind of food, even vegetables — not just bread and pasta. Carbohydrates including bread, pasta, rice, cereals, milk, most fruit and any sweets usually provide over half of people’s daily calories. On a low-carb diet, however, carbohydrates are limited or avoided, thus leading to a significant reduction in calorie intake.

Low-carbohydrate diets probably result in weight loss by forcing your body to burn fat for energy. The body would rather burn carbohydrates- either from blood sugar or stored carbohydrates in your liver and muscles. Low-carbohydrate diets are essentially very simple. By restricting carbohydrate intake, cravings for carbohydrates will over time subside, resulting in a lower food consumption and weight loss.

Lee Wharton is a freelance writer for http://www.low-carb-diet-fact.com/ for more information about low carb diets check out the huge selection of articles he has put together on his site.