Saturday, January 29, 2011

Fat Burning Foods to Speed up Metabolism

There are several fat burning foods to speed up metabolism. Some such foods are ginger, turmeric, garlic, pepper and ginger. 

Speed at which the body motor is running is called metabolism. The rate at which the body burns up calories is the metabolic rate. About 60- 70% of the calories are burned, when you are resting or sleeping. The remaining calories are burned during the activities. There are are several fat burning foods that speed your metabolism.


People who are slim generally have a higher metabolic rate. They burn calories at a faster pace. People with slower metabolic rate tend to acquire more fat. As you age your metabolism slows down. Some of the reasons for a slow metabolic rate are

  • ·        Fasting
  • ·        Eating high calorie food frequently
  • ·        Drinking sugary drinks or eating sweets
  • ·        Lack of physical activity

Some foods burn fat faster and speed up metabolism. These foods help to lose weight. Some of the fat burning foods that speed metabolism are 

Pepper

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which not only increases the body temperature but also helps you to lose weight. It is said to speed up metabolism rate by at least 50% for three hours after ingestion. It may also decrease appetite. Black pepper aids digestion and also speeds up metabolism

Ginger

Ginger aids thermogenesis which increases the body temperature. It not only adds taste to the food but also speeds up metabolism.

Turmeric

Turmeric is very common ingredient of Indian food. It contains an active ingredient called curcumin which helps to burn fat and aid weight loss. Turmeric aids digestion and prevents the formation of gas.

Mustard

Mustard seed contains omega 3 fatty acids in abundance. A teaspoon full of hot mustard speeds up metabolism for hours after it is eaten.

Garlic

Garlic helps to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. It has a compound called allicin which has anti-bacterial properties. It is said to reduce unhealthy fats in the body and help weight loss.

One plan to reduce weight would be eat three cloves of garlic in the morning after breakfast.  Never eat garlic on an empty stomach. Eat a teaspoon full of roasted mustard seeds and a teaspoon of grated ginger along with the lunch.  Drink a glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of turmeric with two pinches of black pepper powder added to it after dinner. 


These are some of the fat burning foods that help to speed up metabolism and keep your weight down.   

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Lower Blood Pressure with Garlic and Other Herbs

It is possible to lower blood pressure with garlic and several other herbs. Regular intake of garlic for a month can lower blood pressure significantly.


High blood pressure (hypertension) is a very serious condition.  It can lead to a variety of health problems. More than 30% of the people in the USA and other parts of the world suffer from it. There are several natural ways to overcome the problem.

High blood pressure may not show any symptoms. But it can lead to the damage of heart, kidneys, blood vessels and other parts of the body. The normal blood pressure is 120/80.

Reasons

There are several causes for the increase in blood pressure. One of them is obesity. Consuming excess calories contributes to the increase in weight and blood pressure. Strict dieting is necessary. The best foods to bring down weight are vegetables, fruits, chicken, fish and egg whites. 

Excess sodium can also contribute to the increase in blood pressure. Chips, pickles, crisps and sauces should be avoided. Alcohol and smoking also contribute to the increase. It also tends to increase with age.

Water

One of the most important ways to reduce blood pressure is to drink sufficient quantities of water.  Drinking water before breakfast or dinner is recommended. As your stomach feels fuller you are likely to eat less food. Water also helps to digest food easily.

Exercise

Cardio exercises like jogging, walking, and cycling not only help in maintain normal weight but also aid in reducing hypertension.  

Herbs

Garlic has been used for ages to cure a variety of ailments. Raw garlic acts on the cell membranes and makes the muscles to relax. It helps to reduce blood pressure. It can reduce both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Three cloves of fresh raw garlic should be cut to pieces and swallowed like a tablet. Garlic is a blood thinner and helps to prevent blood clots. It also helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. 

Hawthorn is a herb which is known to expand arteries and help to improve coronary blood flow. It helps to reduce hypertension.

Ginger is known to improve blood circulation and helps to reduce blood pressure. It helps to relax muscles around the blood vessels and reduces cholesterol.

Aswagandha  is very popular herb prescribed by ayurveda. It is grown in India. It is also helpful in reducing blood pressure.

Cinnamon reduces the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body. It has anti-oxidant properties. It helps to keep the blood pressure in control.

Sleep

Good sleep is an absolute must for good health. Blood pressure comes down when we sleep. 8-9 hours of sleep is an absolute must for good health.


These are some of the methods to lower blood pressure