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For the past decade,not much is known about whey protein.In fact some people has never even heard of whey protein.However in recent years, the subject of whey protein has come up often in health discussions. So what is whey protein and how can it benefit our health.

What is Whey Protein
Whey protein is actually a term used to describe a group of globular proteins that can be separated from whey. When cow’s milk is used to manufacture cheese, it also leads to the production of whey, which may or may not be discarded. It is a mixture of lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and serum albumin.

Similar to protein found in egg white, whey protein can also be irreversibly changed by heat. When made part of the pasteurization process, it becomes less bio-active. If not, whey protein naturally becomes bio-active which basically means it contains a high concentration of cysteine and consequently glutathione, an antioxidant that is essential to improved fitness and health.

Bio-active whey protein is an active source for protein but exposure to extreme heat can easily reduce the amount of cysteine in it without affecting its protein content and basic food value. Native whey protein

What Makes It Good for the Body
Because whey protein contains an inordinate amount of essential and non-essential acids, it frequently plays a prominent role in most low-carb and high-protein diets. Another reason for this is because of its low content of fats and of course, carbohydrates.

Why Pregnant Mothers Love Whey Protein
A number of OBs have advised their gravid patients to increase their intake of whey protein because it will provide the basic amount of amino acids needed by the growing infants inside their bodies. An increased intake of whey protein will naturally improve and speed up the development of the baby. Also, increased intake of whey protein will indirectly improve the immune system of the baby. In its growing stages, it is highly vulnerable to different types of illnesses. With the help of whey protein, it grow faster and better and more equipped to defend itself against any health complication.

Whey Protein for Bodybuilding Enthusiasts
For bodybuilders, muscle growth is everything and that’s why they love whey protein so much. Studies have satisfactorily proven that whey protein can lead to acceleration of muscle development. This is welcomed news especially for bodybuilders who are only a few weeks away from the date of competition but is still in high need of muscle growth.

How it Helps Athletes Busy Recovering from Old Injuries - In this case, whey protein saves the day once more because it can be used to supplement diets of individuals who are suffering from compromised immune systems. Basically, it helps athletes heal faster and feel better.

A Weapon against Degenerative Diseases -
Although you can’t truly say that any disease is less painful than the other if both have life-altering consequences, it is an inarguable fact however that degenerative diseases are one of the worst health complications to suffer from. These illnesses tend to subject people to a protracted form of suffering and with symptoms with increasing levels of severity. They commonly affect three systems in particular: the nervous system, the muscular system and the skeletal system.

Although rarely curable, degenerative diseases can be treated through chemotherapy, surgical operations and the proper diet. Whey protein is often a part of this diet because of its rehabilitative benefits especially when it comes to muscle growth. Cancer, diabetes and AIDS have symptoms that causes muscle strength and growth to deteriorate to an undesirable effect that can be combated with increased intake of whey protein.

Where to Buy Whey Protein
Are you sufficiently convinced of the benefits of whey protein then? If so, you should be happy to know that you can avail of commercial whey protein product in most supermarkets and specialty food stores specializing in healthy food.

Ending with a Warning
Whey protein is good for the body - no doubt about it but too much consumption of anything is never beneficial. Too much intake of whey protein can lead to unnecessary complications of your liver. And need we remind you that the liver is the next most important organ in the body? Lastly, lactose intolerant individuals must consume whey protein isolate rather than the normal variety as the former has less lactose content.

Paul Hata is active in various social and community programs aimed at providing equal access to education,health and jobs to all.Paul has over 10 years experience in managing a multi-million dollar advertising company.Paul can be reached at - EarlyPlanet.com

Soy protein is emerging as one of the great alternative protein sources for human consumption. Health experts are all excited about how soy protein can change the face of nutrition. What’s all the rage? Here are some great reasons to get with soy protein.

Soy Protein is Plant Protein - Soy beans contain complete protein and have one of the best protein digestibilities among all protein sources. Soy beans also contain little or no fat and have virtually no cholesterol. Lactose intolerant ones will be pleased to know that soy beans contain no lactose.

Being a plant protein, soy is free from steroids and antibiotics animal protein contains. It is also free from the parasites that contaminate some of these products. They also contain none of the diseases one can contract from mean sources such as Mad Cow Disease, and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Vegetarians love this bean as it provides a comparable if not better a source of protein as compared to its animal counterpart. It provides a protein that is better and easier to digest and is comparable to most protein supplements.

Soy Beans are Very Versatile - Soy beans are very versatile. Various cuisines, especially Asian ones recognize the value of the humble soy bean. A variety of naturally yummy delicacies are all soy based: tofu, soy pudding, Soya milk, and meat substitutes not to mention condiments such as soy sauce, and hoi sin sauce.

To counter the problem of world hunger, the growing of soybeans has been suggested. Not only are soybeans easy to grow and harvest, they will grow pretty much anywhere and produces much in a little time. There have been farmers reported to have replaced their entire crop line with soy bean plants. These hardy little plants produce much per harvest, and, as said earlier, can grow in even the most trying terrain.

The Great Substitute - As Soy is low in fat and can be used to substitute most protein sources. When cooking, you may use soy substitutes instead of flour for a low fat alternative. This makes it a great protein source for those that are looking to lose weight without compromising their protein requirements.

Protein Goodness - Bodybuilders are considering how this can make their jobs a lot easier. Without the fat and with all the protein goodness easily digestible at that, bodybuilding has just received a great blessing of a food. Although these bodybuilders are currently debating how soy can be a help to bodybuilders, it doesn’t take away anything from what soy can contribute to the overall health of a person.

Natural Protein - It is very advisable to stick to natural protein rather than processes protein if possible, as processed foods typically have some risk attached to them. The best use of this food can be attributed to how it perfectly fits into anyone’s low-fat, high-protein diet.

Lactose Free - Soy products can be incorporated into shakes and drinks. And being lactose-free, lactose intolerant people will still be able to get their milkshake fix without having to suffer so.

Nutrients - Soy products are also a great source of other nutrients such as saponins, isoflavones, and phytosterol. Saponins help support a healthy immune system. It also combines with cholesterol to avoid increased absorption of cholesterol in the body. Phytosterols also help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the body in the same way saponins do.

Antioxidants - Isoflavones are powerful antioxidants and prevent the effects of free radicals in the body. They prevent many of the signs of aging and have been known to help prevent cancer. This alone makes soy a miracle protein source in its own right.

Disease Protection - Isoflavones, along with vitamins A,C, and E are among the front liners in the fight against such disease,they also counter the effects of pollution, and stress.

How Much is Too Much - Unlike other protein sources, it is pretty safe to consume a wide amount of soy products. While allergies to soy products exist, cases are few and far between. When changing to a soy diet, however, it would be best to consult your physician or your nutritionist. Ask specifically if the soy interferes with any prescription drugs you are taking.

Soy can be great blessing for people who are looking for a great source of protein that does not entail the side effects of most of the other sources. It would be advisable for one to explore how it can improve one’s diet.

Paul Hata is active in various social and community programs aimed at providing equal access to education,health and jobs to all.Paul has over 10 years experience in managing a multi-million dollar advertising company.Paul can be reached at - EarlyPlanet.com

Lots of kids, when asked to eat fruits, shy away. A lot of kids like them, and some have vowed to not to eat fruits just because they don’t want to. However, if they are given the fruits in the form of juice, the opposition is much less as the juice is tastier.

Most juices in the market have such a sweet taste because they are nothing but a concentrate of the real thing, having water, preservatives, sugar, and flavorings added to them. As a result, these juices are high on calories and sugar content also, which leads to children putting on excess weight, making for more obese children.

Since fruits are an integral part of the human diet, not taking them, especially in case of kids, can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies which may hamper both the physical and mental growth of the child.
The solution to this problem lies in the usage of real fresh fruit juices with no added preservatives, flavorings or sugar. These might not taste as good as the sugared and flavored counterparts, but they are far healthier.

Recent research suggests that these juices don’t make the children overweight. On the contrary, kids consuming real fruit juices have a beneficial impact from the better nutritional intake.

As the studies suggest, drinking 100% juice gives the children a great amount of their daily dietary vitamins and minerals, which otherwise are neglected in a typical kid diet. Also, research has proved that there was no association between drinking real fruit juice and becoming overweight.

Children who drank juice had significantly higher intakes of calories, carbohydrates, vitamins C and B6, potassium, riboflavin, magnesium, and iron and foliate and significantly lower intakes of total fat, saturated fat, discretionary fat and added sugar. However, too much of a good thing can be bad - even the natural ones contain large amounts of sugar, and don’t make the child feel full. As a result, children end up taking in large amount of calories, far exceeding their daily requirement.

It’s always better to drink juice in moderation, and to pick the healthiest juices to drink. The following is a list of the juices which provide health benefits:

*Orange juice: Rich in vitamin C, OJ also helps in preventing kidney stones in the long run. Ideal to have it with breakfast or in evening after play.

*Cranberry juice: Helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Three glasses per day raises good cholesterol by 10%, which in turn decreases the risk of heart disease by 40%. The antioxidant benefits are noticeable with just one or two glasses a day.

Antioxidants are dietary substances that in small amounts will slow or prevent the oxidation process (they can help prevent or fix damage to your cells). It is believed by many that having a high intake of antioxidants will help you to live longer and healthier. This can help save kids from dietary diseases.

*Pomegranate juice: Pomegranate juice has received a great deal of attention in recent years for its reported benefits. It is a rich source of antioxidants and has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol - the bad, icky artery-clogging portion of one’s cholesterol.

*Apple juice: Apple juice, when the apples are juiced along with their skin, at least, has great amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C, both of which are extremely essential for a growing child. These vitamins are present in green leafy vegetables like spinach, which most kids don’t tend to like.

*Carrot juice: Although not a fruit juice, this is extremely beneficial for kids due to the large amounts of vitamin A that it contains. It can be made tastier by blending it with fruit juices like apple or pomegranate juice. High amounts of vitamin A in your diet is also known to help with your eyesight, especially your night vision.

Only 100% fruit juices should be made available in school cafeterias, so that children take up healthier options and avoid ending up obese later on.

Sara Jones was a fine student but science was a source of frustration she didn’t want her kids to suffer. She met Rick and Amanda Birmingham and realized their grasp of everyday science was the secret to making science fun. To learn more about the solution to science stress visit www.SuperFunScience.com

One of the biggest ways that most people fail in their weight loss efforts is while dining out. It’s no secret that most restaurants make it darn near impossible to eat healthy when eating out.

However, as a Certified Nutrition Specialist, I’ve come up with some easy substitutions that make it quite easy to eat healthier when eating out, and save hundreds of calories per meal, while still enjoying your favorite foods. The three things that you absolutely must avoid at every restaurant if you want to stand a chance of walking out of there without adding to your gut would be these:

1. the deep fried foods
2. the refined starchy foods
3. any sodas, juices, or other sugary foods (except whole fruits, which are great for you)

This eliminates the major food sources that do the most damage to your body - the trans fats, refined vegetable oils, refined starches, and processed sugars.

The best way to do this is to skip the fries or chips (or any deep fried foods) that come pretty much with every sandwich or burger on every menu known to man, and also skip the huge portions of rice, pasta, and breads that usually come with most dishes too. Instead, try to order just meat, side vegetables, and a salad, asking for the vegetables or salad as a substitute for the typical fries, rice, or pasta that the meal probably comes with.

Almost every restaurant I’ve ever been to will always allow me to substitute veggies or a side salad for the fries or chips that almost always come with sandwiches or burgers. I’m all for moderation with many things, but if there’s 2 things that should be totally removed from everyone’s diet because these foods are simply that evil… it’s fries and sodas!

Take a look at the typical difference this simple substitution makes between choosing healthy and doing what most people do… Most people will eat a meal out such as this:

*Sandwich or burger
*fries or chips
*soda or other sweetened drink

A MUCH smarter alternative for a leaner, healthier body is very simply this:

*Sandwich or burger
*veggies or salad
*unsweetened iced tea or water (no diet drinks — unless you like to drink poisonous chemicals that actually make you fatter).

These 2 simple substitutions save at least 400 - 900 calories EACH time you dine out (depending on how many drink refills you get and fries portion sizes)… AND you’re cutting out the most harmful foods to your body as well by avoiding the hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and high fructose corn syrup from the soft drinks.

Let’s say you eat out twice a week and by using these tips you save 500 calories each time you eat out. Well, that’s 1000 calories per week saved, or about 52,000 calories saved per year. At approximately 3500 calories per pound, that could equate to 15 lbs lost in a year (with too many other factors to consider, but still shows you the potential).

Side note: a little-known way to eat full portions of rice, pasta, and breads and actually get away with it without packing on the body fat is to make sure to schedule a high intensity full body resistance training workout (weights or bodyweight exercises done at high intensity) before your scheduled meal time.

Sometimes it may be hard to fit the workout into your schedule right before the meal event, but if you can, the meal can be your “post-workout meal”, in which case, your body can handle a higher amount of carbs than normal to help replenish the muscle glycogen depletion you had during the intense workout.

A cardio workout simply WON’T cut it for this… it must be high intensity resistance training to deplete enough muscle glycogen to handle restaurant portions of carbohydrates.

I hope these dining tips help you choose smarter and healthier next time you dine out. Cheers to a healthier you and better body!

For an interesting exercise article, go to Does the Muscle Pump Matter in Exercise?

Also, check out this enlightening article about Motivation to Lose Weight

Another interesting article can be found here How to Stop Sugar Cravings

Mangosteen has created a lot of noise recently as one of the most searched nutritional supplements. Many people believe that it can help to cure various diseases including zits, asthma, and even cancer. Mangosteen fruit is prized for its flavor and some even consider it as the most delicious fruit in the world and call the fruit “the Queen of Fruits”. This article will explore basic information on mangosteen and its health benefits.

A brief history of mangosteen

Mangosteen is a fruit that is originated from the Southeast Asia region and it is an ultra-tropical fruit, which means that it cannot tolerate cold weather. Mangosteen tree are tall, pyramid-shaped and it cannot survive below forty degrees Fahrenheit. It is difficult to cultivate mangosteen trees because they are choosy about the surrounding environment. They like humidity and a lot of rains, but they also do not like the soil to be too wet. They will not do well in cold, high elevation, salty air, and sandy or silt soil. They prefer to grow in Asia and Africa, below 200 latitude, but it should be distant from the coastal area. Rain forest conditions with rich and loamy soil are excellent for them.

The trees grow at a very slow rate and will reach maturity after ten years old when they will start producing fruits. The fruit is small, around two to four inches in diameter, and purple in color. There is a kind of small rosette-shaped blossom on the top of the fruit with four to eight triangular segments.

The mangosteen fruit can be divided into two parts, the white center fruit and the purple outer shell. The center fruit has several segments and basically there is one segment for every triangle in the blossom remnant on the top of the fruit. The thick and purple outer shell contains bitter latex and the purple juice is actually a kind of permanent dye, which makes some Asian hotels ban the guests to bring this fruit into the room. The outer shell of the mangosteen contains a lot of healthful xanthones and in fact this part is the main source of mangosteen’s health benefits.

Xanthones are powerful antioxidants and they can help to repair damaged cells and improve cell functions. Xanthones are also good for many parts of our body system, such as brain function, heart function, lung function, the work of immune and digestive system, as well as the health of muscle and joint. They can provide these various health benefits because they work at cellular level in all of our cells.

The benefits of mangosteen

Medical research has been conducted to investigate the powerful benefits of the mangosteen. Preliminary results have indicated that these benefits are more than hype and there is a scientific explanation behind them. Several individual anecdotal reports have reported that the fruit indeed has real and important health benefits.

It has been found that the mangosteen fruit contains a lot of antioxidants that can help to delay the aging process. Antioxidants will freshen the skin, make it wrinkle-free and glowing with health. The whole mangosteen fruit has various minerals and vitamins, such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, calcium, iron, and fiber.

The fruit is claimed to have a potential to support the immune system and combat various diseases because it will make the body stronger to fight any infection comes on its way. However, you never consider a mangosteen fruit as medicine for all diseases. What it can do is improving your immune system, which in the end will make your body stronger and healthier.

Other reports indicate that mangosteen can help to prevent or treat cancer because studies showed that people with cancer experience improvements after they consume the fruit regularly. Additionally, it seems to be able to improve respiratory health and allergies as well as asthma. Some people in Asia even use the ointment of the fruit for zits and other skin problems.

An important fact that you should remember is that all these claims are only based on preliminary results and thus they have not been sufficiently proven. However, since we really know that mangosteen contains a high concentration of antioxidants, it definitely can help you to feel better and healthier.

Buying a mangosteen fruit

The best way is to buy mangosteen fruit from its original location. Sometimes, the fruit is shipped to some stores, but unfortunately, mangosteen fruit is choosy about shipping condition. If you want to enjoy the benefits of this fruit, you should consider drinking its juice. You will obtain more benefits from this juice because it comes from the whole fruit, not only the central part.

You should check your local health food, whole food, or import food for this juice. Usually it is not easy to find it from a regular store. Another option is to find the juice online, where you will find that there are actually many independent distributors around the world. Mangosteen fruit is definitely worth to try so you can experience its essential health benefits.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit affordable mangosteen juice to learn more about mangosteen fruit and other benefits of the mangosteen fruit.

In the past, the mangosteen is still relatively unfamiliar, but recently it has become popular because people have discovered the benefits of mangosteen. People who have tried the fruit said that it has a distinct taste, which is both enjoyable and unforgettable. Western people have started recognizing the fruit and hailed it as the new miracle fruit. Preliminary studies have found that the benefits of mangosteen are plentiful and they are very helpful for your body. In fact, some people consider mangosteen as the queen of the fruits because of its qualities and benefits.

The mangosteen is a native fruit from the Southeast Asia and it only can grow in tropical and equatorial areas. It will not survive in temperatures below forty degrees Fahrenheit. The mangosteen tree grows very slowly and usually it will take around ten years to mature. The tree can reach eighty feet tall while the size of the fruit is between two to four inches. The fruit is odd looking and it has a curvy, dark exterior with a white fruit inside. When you open the fruit, it looks like that it has grown in slices, similar like an orange, but more clearly formed.

The fruit or the white flesh inside is not the main source of the benefits of mangosteen. The outer rind or the skin is the one that contains a lot of healthy substances and used to make mangosteen supplements. It contains a huge amount of antioxidants and this is one of the major benefits of mangosteen. An antioxidant is a compound that has an ability to slow down the aging process of cells and add more energy to your body. In fact, antioxidants are considered as a cure-all for whatever ails you.

Benefits of mangosteen fruit

Preliminary studies have indicated that benefits of mangosteen promoted by many people are in fact really helpful. These studies showed that mangosteen has both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and thus it can be used for these purposes when someone contracts an infection.

When you contract a virus like the common cold, you can treat it by simply waiting for your body to remove the virus. Usually we can treat the symptoms, but not the underlying virus itself. Therefore, it is essential to remember that mangosteen has anti-viral properties as well.

One major benefit of mangosteen is the antioxidants contained in the fruit, which is well-known for stopping the aging process. In addition, the fruit is also rich with natural supplements like fiber, potassium, calcium, Vitamin B1 and B2, Vitamin C, and iron to name a few.

One of the important benefits of the mangosteen fruit is that it improves the immune system of the body that can help your body to fight infections and other diseases. Another unique supply of the mangosteen fruit is xanthones. This is an important substance that can help boost the immune system and improve the general well being of the body and mind.

Still, according to the preliminary research, prevention can be another benefit of mangosteen fruit. The research indicates that it can protect against Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and many other diseases. Even some doctors have given mangosteen juice to patients who are suffering from infections, fever, diarrhea, eczema, and general body pain.

Long-term tests still need to be performed to study the benefits of mangosteen as a supplement that can benefit the sick. Some people who are pro-mangosteen said that the fruit can reduce or even prevent the effects of different types of cancer as well as other long-term diseases. However, this benefit has not been proven and long-term tests are still needed.

Only time and further research can prove whether mangosteen is indeed the miracle fruit supplement as believed by many or not. Although the fruit has been consumed for years in some Asian countries, but it will take some time for the benefits of mangosteen to be completely understood and accepted in the western world.

How to enjoy the benefits of mangosteen

If you are interested to buy mangosteen, the easiest way is to do it online. There are many online distributors of mangosteen juice and supplements, although you should understand that the price can be quite expensive because this fruit only can be grown in Southeast Asia region and it needs to be harvested and shipped across the globe. You can consume mangosteen fruit in fresh or dried form and it can be made into a good tasting juice as well. No matter which way that you choose, you will experience these benefits in no time.

Whether you believe the benefits or not, the fruit has showed several promising abilities for people who are sick or feeling unwell. It is unlikely to cause any side effect even if you consume it everyday. Therefore, it is worth for you to try it to find out these benefits of mangosteen.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit affordable mangosteen juice to learn more about drinking mangosteen juice for health benefits and organic mangosteen.