Carbohydrates are major sources of energy and have some specific roles in the human body. They are the primary sources of fuel for the human brain. Although ketone bodies can supply most of the energy to the brain during a starvation state, the axons cannot use anything but glucose. This makes carbohydrates vital to the function of every single neuron in the brain and in the rest of the nervous system. In addition, carbohydrates are the only sources of fuel that are acceptable to the kidneys and the red blood cells. Now most people will find the necessity of carbohydrates to the red blood cells to be surprising because the red blood cells carry oxygen. However, their job is to transport the oxygen and not to use it up for themselves so they have to derive their energy from anaerobic glycolysis. However, the brain is by far the largest consumer of carbohydrates. The combination of the brain, kidneys, and red blood cells consume an average of about 130 to 150 grams (~500 to 600 calories) of carbohydrates per day.

If the body is deprived of adequate carbohydrates, it will use the processes of gluconeogenesis (making of new glucose) and ketogenesis (making of ketones) to provide energy for vital functions. It is important to note that fats are not good fuels for making glucose because the glycerol group is the only part of a triglyceride that can be used to manufacture glucose. The fatty acids themselves can only be oxidized or converted to ketones.

The major source of raw materials for making new glucose will come from the amino acids in muscle protein. All amino acids have an amine group, a carboxyl (acid), and a side chain which determines the type and nature of the amino acid. The different amino acids are peptide bonded in various combinations to make the different proteins in our bodies.

Whenever the body breaks down protein, the various amino acids are released. Some of these amino acids are suitable for making glucose (glucogenic), some are suitable for making ketone bodies (ketogenic), and some can be used for either purpose. In either case, the body has to remove the amine group from them before it can use them. The removed amine group will join other ions to become ammonia. However, because ammonia is toxic, the body will use the uric acid cycle to convert the ammonia into uric acid. This process takes place in the liver at the same time that the gluconeogenesis and the ketosis are taking place in the liver. Although uric acid is less toxic than ammonia, uric acid can still cause problems such as gout. The kidneys will perform extra work to flush out this uric acid via the urine. Because the kidneys need carbohydrates, they will be low on fuel while performing extra work to eliminate this waste. Loss of lean tissue to supply the amino acids and loss of water due to urine production account for much of the weight loss on low carb diets. Also, fatty acids and amino acids are being converted into ketone bodies to make up for the energy shortage. In other words, of the fat loss that actually occurs, much of it happens because by cutting out carbohydrates, the person is basically cutting calories.

It is important to know that the type of gluconeogenesis due to low carb diets occurs for a different reason and uses different raw materials from the type that occurs between sets of intense exercise. The type resulting from exercise uses lactic acid as the raw material and aerobic lipolysis as the source of energy. The type that results from low carb diets uses deaminated and decarboxylated amino acids as the raw materials, and is a starvation process. In addition, it receives the energy from ketone bodies which result from ketogenesis which is another starvation process. As a result, low carb diets are starvation diets by definition, and they cause the body to cannibalize its own living tissue (muscle) when it is starved of a vital nutrient (carbohydrates). This is consistent with the definition of a starvation diet.

Another interesting fact is that the body will inhibit glycolysis when carbohydrate (glycogen) stores are low. Because carbohydrates (due to glycolysis) produce usable energy (ATP) faster than any other nutrient, this explains the degraded athletic performance and lack of energy experienced by subjects on low carbohydrate diets. It is no surprise that triathletes, marathoners, power lifters, or other high level strength or endurance athletes would perform poorly on low carb diets. Also, the potential risks of low carb diets include overworked kidneys, gout, dehydration, mineral depletion, and hypoglycemia.

If you have opened a magazine, turned on the radio, or glanced at the T.V. lately then you know there is an overabundance of weight loss supplements currently on the market. Some claim that you will lose 5 pounds in a week, others claim that you will lose 3 dress sizes in a month, and my personal favorite claims that you will lose 20 pounds in 10 days.

Do these pills really have the ability to melt away pounds or burn fat in your sleep? The correct answer is probably on the tip of your tongue& No! No matter how much we enjoy the fantasy of a magic pill turning us into a supermodel, deep down we know that this is simply not realistic.

A $30 billion dollar industry thrives on our false hope of miraculous weight loss supplements itching to effortlessly turn us into svelte hard bodies. It is time that we came face to face with the real facts about weight loss as we cast off all misconceptions.

In reality, research shows that 95% of weight loss induced by supplements will be gained back in no less than 3 years. The Food and Drug Administration has gone so far as to declare that a weight loss supplement with a proven record of long-term success DOESNT EXSIST!

And to think that billions of dollars are spend on products that are PROVEN to not work!

How is this possible? You ask. Isnt it against the law to make false claims about a pill?

This is where things get hairy& These so-called weight loss supplements are acknowledged as food by the FDA and are therefore not evaluated for their safety and effectiveness.

So you are telling me that weight loss supplements can make outrageous claims without backing them up? Yep. Sad, but true.

Here are the hard facts about magical weight loss pills: · Most weight loss supplements contain appetite suppressants that have been known to cause reactions in some people that lead to strokes, heart attacks, panic attacks, and even death.

· Quite often the few pounds that you do end up losing with weight loss supplements are due to the diuretics that they contain. A diuretic is a substance that flushes water out of your body, providing a quick and temporary dip on the scale.

· Weight loss supplements are expensive! It may be easy to justify the cost to yourself when you believe that your hard earned money is being spent on sculpting your figure, but dont be fooled! The useless pills cost the manufacturer only pennies to produce, while they charge you an arm and a leg.

· Next time you see a stunning before and after picture of the guy or gal that lost 200 pounds by taking a certain supplement, beware! There is a higher probability of you being struck by lightening tonight than that claim being true. Most spokespersons and testimonials for weight loss supplements are false, and are only there to entice an unsuspecting public.

· Weight loss supplement companies admit that their products will not work without the accompaniment of calorie restriction and an increase in physical activity. But wait! Before you kiss your weight loss dreams goodbye forever, sentencing yourself to life in the fat jeans, READ ON! There is a way to achieve long-term weight loss!

Here it is, brace yourself& The sure-fire, safe and effective way to achieve healthy weight loss is&to eat a balanced diet and to participate in regular exercise.

Thats it, folks. No fancy pill or tasty diet drink will get you the body of your dreams faster and more effectively than old fashion nutrition and exercise! So the next time that you are tempted to dish out big bucks on the latest weight loss craze, do yourself a favor. Put your wallet back into your pocket and find your way to a competent personal trainer instead who can help you permanently reach your fitness and weight loss goals.

Are weight loss success stories really true? Many of them are and then there are the ones which you know are outright lies. These stand out on the fly by night diet plans and pills. They show a picture of a gorgeous bikini clad blonde standing by a before picture of 350 pounds and tell you they did this in 10 days. Yeah, right!

However, a real weight loss story can save someone’s life. Frankly, that’s not an exaggeration; it is a statement of fact. Your on personal story about shedding all that extra weight and how you did it; can inspire someone to lose the weight that is killing them.

Weight loss success stories are everywhere. If you go on any weight loss forum, blog or web site you are bound to find stories of people who have successfully lost weight. Many of these people have made huge sacrifices and life changes to achieve their goal. Most also post progress photos of themselves which is extremely inspiring to you if you are just starting your weight loss journey.

When reading weight loss success stories it is simple to become inspired. The next step then is to take action! By starting your new diet plan today you are taking a step toward your ultimate goal of achieving your desired weight. It is vital to keep in mind that you won’t achieve your target weight tomorrow, next week or next month but everyday that you stick to your plan, you are one day closer to your target!

You’ll find many weight loss success stories if you join a program like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. These companies love to tell the world about their successful clients, no doubt to make themselves look great but also to inspire everyday people to reach their goals.

Even celebrities have weight loss success stories to tell. Just look at Oprah Winfrey, Dan Marino and Kirstie Alley. All of these people have lost considerable weight and (generally) kept it off. And they did it the healthy way, not with unsustainable crash diets. Kirstie Alley now even stars in commercials for Jenny Craig!

You might not think it is possible to become a weight loss success story yourself, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Absolutely anyone can achieve their weight loss goals, regardless of how much you weigh now. People have regained control of their life from all sorts of difficult circumstances, including weighing several hundred pounds! So there is no reason why you can’t follow on their footsteps.

Although every person achieves weight loss differently, they all have one thing in common; they had the will and motivation to continue their diet and exercise plan day after day. Sure there may have been a few days here and there that they let it lapse but overall they stuck to their guns and knew that it would be well worth the minor compromises.

Reading about weight loss success stories is fun and inspiring. Just remember that you’ll have to take action just like these people if you are to achieve your target weight. Now is the time for you to help save a life. Your own and others.

The cabbage soup diet is a 7 day meal plan, aimed at achieving fast weight loss. It is said to have originated Sacred Hearts Hospital to stimulate weight loss for surgery patients.

How the Cabbage Soup Diet Works

The cabbage soup diet is based on a fat-burning soup that contains negligible calories. The more soup you eat the more weight you should lose. The cabbage soup diet is a radical weight loss diet designed around heavy consumption of a low-calorie cabbage soup over the time of seven days. It is generally considered a fad diet, in that it is designed for short-term weight loss.

The typical claimed intent of the diet is to lose 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of weight in a week, though nutritional experts point out that it is impossible to lose that much fat within a week.

Cabbage Soup Diet Plan

* Day 1 – Cabbage soup plus as much fruit as you like, excluding bananas.

* Day 2 – Cabbage soup plus vegetables including 1 jacket potato with a little butter.

* Day 3 – Cabbage soup plus fruit and vegetables excluding potatoes and bananas.

* Day 4 – Cabbage soup plus up to eight bananas and as much skimmed milk as you like.

* Day 5 – Cabbage soup plus up to 20 ounces of beef and up to six tomatoes.

* Day 6 – Cabbage soup plus as much beef and vegetables (excluding potatoes) as you like.

* Day 7 – Cabbage soup plus brown rice, vegetables (excluding potatoes) and unsweetened fruit juice.

What Food is Allowed on the Cabbage Soup Diet

Dieters are allowed only water and cabbage soup they want, plus a very restricted set of other foods. The 7-day cabbage soup diet plan insists on sticking to the small list of allowed foods on alternate days, along with two daily bowls of fat-free cabbage soup. Other specific foods that can be eaten including fruit, vegetables, skim milk, and meat. Dieters are also advised to drink plenty of water.

What Food is Not Allowed on the Cabbage Soup Diet

You are allowed to eat all you want of brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices, and vegetables as specified in the diet. Be sure to eat your soup at least once everyday. No bread, alcohol, or carbonated beverages, not even diet soda. Beverages are limited to water, and unsweetened fruit juice on days when fruit is allowed.

Effectiveness  of the Cabbage Soup Diet

Weight loss will probably occur due to the low calorie intake. It allows people to eat as much cabbage soup as they want each day, which should sound appealing to dieters.  After all, dieters love to hear that they can eat unlimited amounts of food and still lose weight fast. It is not a long-term weight loss solution, but is known to be effective over the short term.
Known Benefits of the Cabbage Soup Diet

On some original documents mentioning the diet, it was claimed the diet is designed for obese heart-surgery patients, so they could lose weight quickly and therefore be at lower risk of complications during surgery. However, these claims remain unverified. Because no one has ever officially claimed to be the creator of the diet, there really isn’t any reputable organization that represents it.

Additional Suggested Health Benefits of the Cabbage Soup Diet

* Fast weight loss.

* The change from some of our normally junky eating habits can be  beneficial.

* Vegetables from the Brassica family (such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) have been found to aid in preventing cancer.

Potential Risks of the Cabbage Soup Diet

* This diet plan is not recommended for children and adolescents.

* Since the cabbage soup diet only last for seven days, this diet plan shouldn’t cause people in good health any long-term problems, but people who have special dietary needs, including diabetics, should definitely consult a doctor before starting the cabbage soup diet.

* After one week, dieters must stop for at least two weeks before attempting the diet once more.

* Do not do this diet more than four times a year or more than once every three months. It is not a long-term solution to weight loss.

* Due to the lack of energy that the cabbage soup diet will give you, your energy stores in both your muscles and liver will be greatly reduced, resulting in a lower body fluid content, which results in you headache and feeling tired throughout the day.

* You may get too much sodium from the combination of soup mix, bouillon and juice.

* It has also been noted that flatulence (the presence of a mixture of gases in the digestive system) is a common side effect of the diet.

* Dieters often report feeling nauseous whenever they smell the soup toward the end of the 7-day diet plan.

What the Experts Say About the Cabbage Soup Diet

Many individuals and medical professionals are critical of the diet. It is claimed that most of the weight lost is water and not fat, and therefore not permanent. In addition, the recipe for the soup as often given has an extremely high sodium content, usually to make it palatable, and the diet provides practically zero protein for several days at a time. Many people report feeling weak and light-headed during the course of the diet.

The blandness of the soup means that few manage the entire seven days, and often report feeling nauseous whenever they smell the soup toward the end of the week-long diet. However some diets such as the negative calorie diet basically look at the nutritional properties of the cabbage soup diet, and make it more interesting by combining other foods that have the same effect.

Bottom Line

Weight loss will occur due to the low calorie intake.

Consensus is  this is not a very nutritionally sound plan and certainly not one to live on.

Extensive use can damage your health and this diet is one that should not ne used as a primary long term method for weight loss.

Hoodia weight loss products are being frantically bought by desperate dieters worldwide. However, is weight loss with Hoodia really possible or is it a scam? This article will discuss the truth about the Hoodia weight loss diet frenzy

Before I go into my review of Hoodia weight loss products and diets it’s important to have some understanding about how Hoodia weight loss products came onto the market in the first place.

The incredible popularity of this product is a direct response of broadcasts on such highly regarded programs as Today Show, 60 Minutes and the BBC (not to mention Oprah). The powerful weight loss properties of the Hoodia Gordonii plant have been well-known and widely utilized by the bushmen of the Kalahari desert for centuries. They had the Hoodia weight loss secret all to themselves until in the mid 1990s when the Council For Scientific And Industrial Research undertook a detailed research study on the many native plants and bush foods eaten regularly by the “Sans Bushmen”.

What the CSIR soon found out was that the Hoodia Gordonii cactus plant is not only not poisonous but it also contains some incredibly powerful weight loss and appetite suppressing properties This detailed research was found as a result of watching how animals reacted when eating the Hoodia cactus plant. Incredibly enough, when rats took Hoodia Gordonii they lost all desire to eat and started to lose weight with Hoodia!

Following on from the substantial claims of fast weight loss numerous Hoodia Gordonii diet products have ascended the marketplace to become one of the fastest selling and fasting growing weight loss products in an marketplace where billions of dollars are spent annually on weight loss products. The truth is that people all over the world are bigger than ever. This is because we are less active in our lives and as a result of the food choices that we make.

Before deciding on a Hoodia product to aid with your weight loss it is critical to understand about more the Hoodia weight loss cactus plant. Once the CSIR had managed to isolate the potent in the Hoodia cactus plant that was responsible for appetite suppressing and increasing the body’s ability to burn fat they called it p57. The CSIR then onsold the licence to P57 to a British pharmaceutical organisation known as Phytopharm. Read my shocking Hoodia weight loss diet now at the website below before you buy any Hoodia weight loss product!

It is somewhat alarming that there are such a number of Hoodia weight loss and diet products available for consumers when Phytopharm holds the exclusive rights to the P57 molecule found in the Hoodia Gordonii plant. While Phytopharm actually is the patent holder P57 there are a number of patent laws that come into play.

The truth is that while only Phytopharm can legally extract the potent P57 molecule found in the Hoodia Gordonii plant the whole Hoodia Gordonni plant is never able to be patented itself. As a result of this other companies have the legal right to produce their own Hoodia weight loss supplements and products legally without holding the licence to P57, however, my understanding is that they are unable to put on their labels that their Hoodia product assists with weight loss in any way.

With such a number of products and Hoodia weight loss diet pills now available from the Hoodia cactus plant it is absolutely vital that consumers don’t fall for cheap, ineffective Hoodia weight loss imitations and that they ensure that they only use PURE South African cactus Hoodia Gordonii products for maximum weight loss results. Click on the link below now to learn the best Hoodia weight loss products for fast, safe weight loss.

With the weight loss industry growing in leaps and bounds, our markets are being flooded with so many different kinds of diet pills that claim to have magical powers  to facilitate weight loss. It is not unusual for some “smart Alec” who just woke up from the wrong side of the bed one morning and decide to manufacture his brand of weight loss pills,Unfortunately many of these so call weight loss pills are proliferated in an regulated environment; the internet. In such environment it is natural to hear of scams, and sometimes outright stealing, one after another. So I don’t blame you if you doubt the effectiveness of these diet pills. In the past few years there have been so many stories about diet pill scams that many of the pills were either banned or were permitted to be sold in the market only after a special warning label is attached to them!

That was then, but today things have changed and If you are trying to loss weight, I do not advise you to go on pills unless you are very sure of the pill and the source because many people have lost more money than weight, thanks to fake diet pills. The question now remains, what is the best way to embark on weight loss. Well first of all, I want you to understand that not all weight loss pills in the market are fake. In this article I will discuss a known and tested weight loss pill and one of the best and tested weight loss program around.

Fastin is a weight loss pill that have been around for more more than thirty years. It was originally manufactured by a renown pharmaceutical company called Smith-Kline-Beecham drug company? It is one of the most esteemed drug manufactures in the world. Now what if I tell you that THIS is the company which was the original manufacturer of Fastin? you may not know it but  Fastin has been helping people all over the world to  lose weight for many years? Yes, it is not a fly-by-night weight loss pill. It is a REAL diet pill with a proven success history. For many years, it was the best selling weight loss product!

In good old days, you couldn’t get hold of this drug without a prescription. And doctors, being certain of its effectiveness as a powerful weight loss pill, were only too happy to prescribe it to everyone who approached them for weight loss . Well the acceptance of this popular pill began to wane as an effective weight loss drug as time goes on, eventually Smith-Kline-Beecham sold the rights to another company who reintroduced Fastin  into the market with few minor modifications,however, this does not reduce it’s effectiveness.

If you are not the type that like to take pills to lose weight, there are weight loss programs or regimes in the market today that are even more effective that pills, one of the best currently is called strip that fat weight loss program, with this program you have no stress at all. One of the things you will learn is how to eat more and yet loss weight, sounds incredible! yes it is true, not only that you will learn the right exercise that will properly targeted certain muscle in your body.
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