An ancient Chinese proverb says, “”Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one.”" The Chinese have had tremendous faith in the healing properties of green tea for over 4000 years, something the world is discovering today. Green tea is made from the plant called Camellia sinensis, which is steamed to make tea.

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate, which is a powerful antioxidant with DNA repairing properties. The tea helps in fighting cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus. It has been said to also cure rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, infections and even impaired immune function. New research is also proving it to lower high blood pressure by repressing angiotensin II. Rich in fluoride, it helps fight tooth decay. The action of the antioxidants in tea is more than that in over 21 fruits and vegetables, much more than garlic, spinach or even cabbage.

Many are turning to organic green teas to reduce the harmful side effects of pesticides and fertilizers. Many prefer green tea’s flavor and aroma.

When you buy tea claiming to be organic, ensure that it is certified from an internationally established institute, such as IMO. Some of these teas even have eco-friendly packaging, such as those made of natural jute fiber, handmade paper and recycled board.

To make green tea, put a kettle of water on to boil. Add one teaspoon of green tea just before it reaches the boiling point and turn off the stove. Just cover it and leave for a while. If you boil the water, the taste will be astringent. You could have it plain or add milk and sugar, or lime and milk. You could drink up to 8-10 cups of tea per day. This will help with good health and slowing the aging process. However, do be aware that for some, the caffeine in the tea could result in insomnia. Green tea can be enjoyed both hot and cold.

Tea provides detailed information on Tea, Green Tea, Herbal Tea, White Tea and more. Tea is affiliated with Benefits of Green Tea.

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There are a few different techniques weight loss supplements target. Some weight loss supplements techniques are stimulate metabolism, suppress appetite or a combination of these two key processes. Weight loss supplements can help achieve the primary objective; burn more calories than consumed.

There are several weight loss supplements on the market. Many use similar ingredients. Hoodia Gordonii, Green Tea, and Chromium are some common weight loss supplement ingredients. How can these weight loss supplement ingredients help?

Hoodia Gordonii popularity is growing. Hoodia Gordonii is a plant in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa resembling a cactus plant. Hoodia Gordonii is not a cactus plant however, it is a succulent. South African Bushmen have used Hoodia Gordonii to ward off hunger during long desert journeys. Hoodia Gordonii has finally migrated into weight loss supplements offering very effective appetite suppressing benefits. Appetite suppression without any stimulant effects is a great benefit of Hoodia Gordonii. Many weight loss supplements have been short lived because of harmful stimulant side effects. Individuals taking a weight loss supplement containing Hoodia Gordonii can expect to feel full more quickly while eating, become hunger less frequently after meals and feel generally less interesting in eating. Some do not feel the effects of Hoodia Gordonii for a few weeks of regular doses of the weight loss supplement. If appetite suppression is a quality you desire in a weight loss supplement, Hoodia Gordonii is an excellent ingredient to look for.

Green tea has many health benefits and has recently developed popularity in weight loss supplements. A green tea study was performed at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Green tea, caffeine and a placebo were given to different study subjects. Individuals taking green tea burned approximately 78 calories more per day than individuals taking caffeine or placebo weight loss supplements. Green tea also hosts several other health benefits. Most weight loss supplements do not intend to add antioxidants to your weight loss plan but green tea offers powerful antioxidant properties. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol and one of the key ingredients in green tea. EGCG offers many health benefits including powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer benefits, reduction in Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) levels among green tea users, and inhibits the abnormal formation of blood clots which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Green tea offers much more than just a metabolic increase of approximately 78 calories a day but is still a very effective weight loss supplement ingredient.

Chromium is a common ingredient in weight loss supplements. Chromium picolinate is the most common form in weight loss supplements. The trace element, chromium, has been given credit for fat burning and even offered as an alternative for steroid use to body builders. Unfortunately, most of these claims are not true. Chromium aids in the production of the vital complex, glucose tolerance factor (GTF). The organic complex, GTF, interacts with insulin to regulate the uptake of glucose by cells. If an individual is chromium deficient, the production of Glucose Tolerance Factor will be reduced and the uptake of glucose by cells would not be efficient. Inefficient glucose uptake by cells is a common symptom of type-2 diabetes patients. Chromium can aid in lowering blood sugar levels by contributing in the production of GTF. Chromium also is recognized as an appetite suppressant but is most effective at increasing the efficiency of insulin during cellular glucose intake.

Weight loss supplements can benefit many if used correctly. Remember to have a weight loss mentality and not to rely solely on the supplement for results. The staggering statistics in the United States suggest 2/3 of the population will probably be researching weight loss supplements this year. Before taking a weight loss supplement, make sure to understand all the side effects and benefits of the ingredients. Weight loss supplements can be the boost you need while building a thinner, healthier physique.

Copyright 2006 Daniel Weigum

Daniel Weigum is a webmaster working to inform the health consumer. Learn more about your health, weight loss supplements or receive a free 7-day green tea FREE TRIAL.

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Diet and Exercise are the inseparable twins that are seen and heard everywhere weight loss and fat loss are mentioned. This article will focus on techniques and tips that will help you to maximize the time you spend exercising.

According to a survey of 3,000 professionals certified by the American Council on Exercise, there are ten common mistakes that people are making as they are working out at the gym or at home.

1. Not stretching enough. Before we begin a workout, it is very important to stretch. According to the survey, you can help to prevent injury by stretching before and once again immediately following a workout.

2. Working out with too much weight. Lifting more weight than you can handle will almost guarantee an injury of some sort. Injuries cause setbacks, which create delays and can completely disrupt the establishing of a new workout habit. Go easy on yourself to begin with. Increase weight slowly over time.

3. Neglecting to warm up before a workout. Just like old, rusty parts on a machine, muscles that have not been used lose their flexibility and elasticity. Take time to allow your muscles to adjust to the workout by warming up. Start slowly and ease into your maximum workout intensity.

4. Forgetting to cool down after a workout. 98, 99, 100…. Okay you’re not quite done yet. Take some time to ease your heart-rate back to normal. Stretch your muscles again encouraging the blood to flow through the regions you have just worked. Doing so will help you feel better after your workout and will better prepare you for your next workout.

5. Working out too intensely. A slow and steady approach is better than racing out of the gate. Your exercise will be more effective and you’ll build a better foundation upon which more weight and/or more repetitions can be added.

6. Not drinking enough water. Water is the vehicle that your body uses to carry waste out of the body and to keep you cool. If you don’t properly hydrate, you’ll ache more and feel worse. Don’t let thirst be your guide. Drink water well before thirst sets in.

7. Leaning too heavily on a stairstepper. Doing so can be harmful to your back and wrists. Try decreasing the intensity of the session to the point where you can keep good posture and only lightly rest your hands on the rails. Once you’ve mastered this speed, you can increase from that point on.

8. Not exercising with enough intensity. Assuming you are properly hydrated, your exercise should be intense enough to cause you to lightly perspirate. Check your heartrate to see that you are getting it into the target zone. If you don’t know yours, first calculate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Your target zone should be sixty to ninety percent of that number.

9. Jerking while you are lifting weights. Jerking weights is a sign that you are using too much weight or too many reps. An exercise must be done correctly to be beneficial. Jerking weights is your body’s attempt to use your back (or some other stronger muscle group) to compensate for a lack of strength elsewhere.

10. Eating energy bars and drinking sugary sports drinks. These items are very helpful for extreme athletes who are working out more than two hours at a time. If you are like the average exerciser and you consume these items, you’re really only creating more work for yourself down the road.

I mentioned this in a previous article and want to mention it again. I really feared starting to workout again because of the soreness I had experienced in years past. I began to take R+ Alpha Lipoic Acid (http://www.ralapure.com) and my soreness was minimal. At age 43, it had been ten years since I had been to the gym and I expected the soreness to be worse than a decade before. The R+ ALA did an amazing job of preventing muscle stiffness and soreness.

Do what works for you, but if the fear of not being able to tie your own shoes the day after your first workout is keeping you from exercise (like it was for me), you may want to give it a shot!

Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter (ccwebgroup.com/tips) and the Chief Technology Officer for WellnessPartners.com, an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), r+ alpha lipoic acid (R+ ALA), and Green Tea Extract.

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