The golden rule in weight loss is pretty simple: take in fewer calories than you expend in exercise. However, as any dieter will tell you, it’s far from easy. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on weight loss supplements, exercise programs and other diet aids—and still we can’t seem to win the battle of the bulge—even when we get desperate enough to try risky surgery or fad diets.

Recently a new product has come to light that may help people trying to lose weight stay on the healthy end of the spectrum: Resveratrol Select, which is unlike many diet supplements in that it uses a combination of natural and herbal ingredients designed to help the body stay healthy while losing weight. How? By mimicking certain aspects of the Mediterranean diet.

Studies have shown that part of America’s war with weight lies in the uniquely modern American combination of stressful lifestyle and fast-food consumption, and that the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle seem to be more conducive to healthier weight levels and longevity. In fact, much as been made on the news in recent months of the purported “French Paradox,” (how the French eat a high-fat diet, enjoy rich desserts, drink wine and still have better cardiovascular health than the rest of us). One of the biggest differences between the American and French diet seems to be the wine consumption, and red wine (a staple on most Mediterranean tables) contains one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, resveratrol, which is a key ingredient in Resveratrol Select.

In addition to wine, resveratrol is also found in grape skins, blueberries, cranberries and other plants, and recent animal and in vitro studies indicate that it can have a positive effect on helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, supporting insulin health and optimizing metabolic and immune pathways that protect cells and improve mitochondrial function.

• One capsule of Resveratrol Select includes as much resveratrol as 200 glasses of wine—without the added calories that alcohol can add to the waistline. But consuming resveratrol alone isn’t enough to help with weight loss—so the manufacturers of Resveratrol Select also added a different type of antioxidant, Green Tea Extract (EGCG), which could make a big difference. Over time, green tea consumption helps increase metabolism, burn fat and reduce fat storage due to its caffeine and L-theanin content, which can be pivotal in helping to maintain energy for exercise.
• Resveratrol Select combines these two powerful antioxidants with yet another energy boosting ingredient, Chromium, a niacin-based mineral that plays an important role in how the body uses insulin to burn sugars, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy.
• Although relatively new to the market, Resveratrol Select seems to be making a big splash, and many people are taking advantage of the free trial offer to see how well the product works for them. The trial offer also includes two bonus tools to help with weight loss: an e-book with over 70 weight loss tips, and a weight loss visualization audio.

Of course, consuming fewer calories while burning more is the most efficient form of weight loss, and it’s always a good idea to inform your doctor before taking a weight loss supplement, but this new combination herbal supplement is worth a look for those concerned about maintaining good health while losing weight.

CLICK HERE for more information on Resveratrol Select’s free trial offer and bonus materials, or visit their product site http://www.resveratrolselect.com

Are you trying to diet, but finding it harder and harder to make it through the day due to lack of energy? HoodiaMax may have the answer for you in an amazing product called Dayslim. Dayslim is a five-hour appetite suppressant that uses the natural, energy-boosting properties of Hoodia and Ginseng to provide you with the ability to say no to those tempting, diet-killing foods and an energy boost that will help get you through your day.

The diet-suppressant effects of Hoodia are well known by most people. In fact, Hoodia has been used by the San Bushmen as a way to suppress their appetites and provide energy during long treks and hunts in the Kalahari Desert for thousands of years. Dayslim uses the very same extract from the Hoodia Gordonii plant that this indigenous culture has used so successfully. Hoodia has no known side effects and unlike most diet pills or suppressants, it is not a stimulant. This simple fact makes Hoodia a great choice for anyone searching for a safe and effective way to suppress their diet without a loss of energy.

Hoodia was discovered by a Dutch anthropologist in 1937 and studies since then have shown that those who take the certified South African Hoodia that is found in Dayslim are less apt to show any signs of hunger, even if they reduce their dietary intake to 1,000 calories or less! All of this information has led to Hoodia becoming one of the most popular diet suppressants in the world. With Dayslim, HoodiaMax takes weight loss to the next level by combining 100 mg of energy-boosting Ginseng with the Hoodia extract.

Ginseng is well known for its memory enhancing and energy boosting effects on the human mind and body. In fact, Ginseng has become so popular that many athletes use it to enhance their performance in their respective sports. Many of today’s studies are showing that the depletion of our energy reserves causes stress on our body’s ability to produce new energy. Obviously, this can become a vicious cycle and without some way to help the body revitalize and rejuvenate, you could spend much of your time feeling tired and over-stressed. However, if you add Dayslim with Ginseng to your daily routine, you’ll notice increased energy and awareness and also benefit from Hoodia’s natural diet suppressing function.

Dayslim, by HoodiaMax, is an excellent choice for anyone who is having problems maintaining their diet due to an overwhelming sense of fatigue and stress. Stay on top of your game with Dayslim.

One of the things that people often neglect when undergoing a new weight-loss plan are weight loss vitamins. In fact, despite the fact that vitamins are so important to the way our bodies function, a lot of people really don?t know anything about the advantages that vitamins can provide. Weight loss is just one benefit that certain vitamins can provide. If you?d like to find out about the best weight loss vitamins, how to get them, and how they help you, read on.

Actually, there?s really no such thing as the ?best? weight loss vitamins. Your body is like a very complicated machine. Like most complicated pieces of machinery, it takes more than any one thing to keep it running well. Vitamins work together with each other to produce all kinds of great results for your body. Different vitamins can work together to raise your metabolism, control your appetite, and help you burn more calories, all of which can contribute to increased weight loss.
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is one of the most important weight loss vitamins. Sources for B2 include dairy products like milk, eggs, and hard cheeses, and it can also be found in leafy green vegetables and wheat germ. B2 helps keep your thyroid function intact. The thyroid is a gland in the body that can control metabolism and the way your body grows. B2 can help the thyroid function, keeping your metabolic rate up, which means you?ll burn fat faster.

Vitamin B5, also called panthothenic acid, is a vitamin that helps our body use fat. The body burns fat to create energy, and if you have a deficiency of B5, your body might have trouble doing this. You?ll retain more fat, and that?s not something anyone wants! You can find B5 in all kinds of meat and poultry, as well as nuts, wheat products, eggs, beans, bread and green vegetables.
Another important vitamin in the list of weight loss vitamins is choline, which is part of the vitamin B complex family. Choline is not technically a vitamin, it?s actually something your own body makes in the liver. However, without the proper foods, the liver can?t make choline. This can cause to get trapped in the liver. Choline comes from some types of beef, egg yolks, and vegetables such as cauliflower and cucumbers.

Although there are other important weight loss vitamins, the last once covered here is vitamin C. Vitamin C has a wide range of health benefits, but in terms of weight loss, it helps your body to convert glucose into energy. Most famously found in oranges, you can also get the vitamin C you need from broccoli, kiwi, lemons, and strawberries as well as some veggies like Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

Vitamins are a key factor in how our bodies work, and if you think you can lose weight without getting the right vitamins, you?re making a big mistake. As you prepare your diet, keep in mind these weight loss vitamins ? they?ll help you along the way.

What exactly is vitamin B12 and why do we need it? Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that is found in our food and we need it to keep our nerve cells healthy and to keep our red blood cells at optimum efficiency. It is also extremely important for proper digestion; in fact, our stomach acids grab the B12 from food and mix it with IF, which is then easily absorbed by the intestinal tract.

If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you are likely to feel tired, lightheaded, and weak. You may have a sore tongue or your gums may bleed. You will probably experience digestion problems – either diarrhea or constipation. You may feel tingling in your hands or feet, get out of breath easily, hear a ringing sound in your ears, have chest pain, and develop neurological symptoms such as forgetfulness, a lack of ability to focus, and becoming easily confused.

Most people do not suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, as it is readily available in a lot of different foods, but mostly meat, so sometimes vegetarians and vegans do not get enough B12 from their diets. If you do have a vitamin B12 deficiency, it is probably most likely due to some disorder of the digestive system. People with chronic diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and the like are likely to have B12 anemia because of their inability to absorb the B12 they ingest.

Vitamin B12 is a known energy booster, and as such many dieticians and physicians are recommending weight loss patients, whether or not they have a vitamin B12 deficiency, include a shot in their diet therapy. The reason for this is most people who diet; tend to complain about losing energy, perhaps because of their limited calorie intake. Since B12 is a big energy provider, many health care professionals and lay people alike swear that dieters should follow a regimen for vitamin B12 deficiency diet therapy. Most weight loss clinics include B12 injections as part of their overall healthy weight loss plans.

Neurologists, gastroenterologists, and family physicians also see the benefits of vitamin B12 deficiency diet therapy. As people get older, they may eat a lesser variety of foods, and combined with the decrease in cognitive functioning people tend to display in their older years, vitamin B12 diet therapy is often seen as necessary. Even most doctors who treat patients with Alzheimer’s recommend B12 as a general blood cell booster to help with cognitive abilities. Because a vitamin B12 deficiency can often result in an inability to focus and concentrate, students may also benefit from being tested for B12 levels.

Vitamin B12 deficiency diet therapy has also been shown to reduce cravings. If you can eliminate or greatly reduce your desire for those foods that you know are not good for you, you are well on your way to overcoming food and weight loss difficulties. Vitamin B12 is a great energy source and a valuable craving reduction tool.

Wouldn’t everyone love to stop worrying about dieting? Just take a pill once a day and forget about it. The pounds just melt off. Well, nutritional science isn’t quite there, yet. But it is making strides. However, anyone considering their use should be aware of both the risks and the potential benefits.

Pharmaceutical companies have taken two basic approaches to weight loss pills: those that stimulate and those that block. Stimulate what? Block what?

Appetite Suppression

In the first category are diet pills that work on the centers of the brain to stimulate the central nervous system. Several years ago these were variants of amphetamine, popularly known as ’speed’. The basic idea was to stimulate the dieter, which had the ’side effect’ of suppressing appetite.

The idea is sound. Eat less and your odds of losing weight are higher. The basic equation of dieting, no matter what method is chosen, remains the same: more calories consumed than used leads to weight gain. Consume fewer calories than you burn and the body will naturally shed pounds.

But, as with any drug, there are real side effects. Speed can produce heart palpitations, insomnia, diarrhea and lowered sexual function. In extreme cases, it may produce psychotic episodes. Over time, even the ability to depress appetite generally fades. Once the effects of amphetamine became more widely recognized, its use was discontinued.

A more contemporary prescription diet pill in this category is phentermine. It works by stimulating the hypothalamus, a gland that controls certain neurotransmitters associated with appetite. But it also plays a role in the sleep cycle, so sleeplessness can result. Still it is generally safe for short term use and the side effects are much less severe. Over a few weeks time, the desired appetite suppression is likely to fade.

Fat Blockage

The second category of weight loss pill uses an entirely different approach to eating and digestion. Here, there’s no attempt to regulate how much food is consumed, only how many calories are retained. Since every digested fat gram yields 9 calories, it is ‘energy dense’. So, removing fat from the system can help reduce the number of available calories.

Orlistat (marketed under the brand name Xenical) is a prescription diet pill that does just that. It operates by altering the body’s efficiency for absorbing fat, causing more of it to be eliminated in feces. The popular non-prescription drug, Alli, is the same drug at a lower dosage.

But, these too have side effects. Stools tend to be oily (a result of the added fat) and defecation is more likely to be spontaneous. That means it’s possible to lose control of the bowels and eliminate at undesired moments.

Summary

For many, the side effects of diet pills are well worth the benefits they give. Many users have tried a number of diet plans and find they don’t work well enough or require too much willpower. Others simply prefer to spend less time thinking about meal plans, carb to fat ratios or total calories consumed. A pill helps them diet with greater ease.

As with any approach to dieting, it’s wise to consult with your physician first before selecting a weight loss pill.

Diet and supplement fads come and go. But one compound that is recently much in the news is very likely to stay for the long haul: omega-3 fatty acids. The reasons are that ample research shows that these are essential to a wide range of functions, and also help reduce the odds and severity of an equally wide range of problems.

But, unlike cholesterol, the body doesn’t manufacture its own. It has to be gained from the diet.

What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

There are actually three main types, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The first is consumed in food, which is then broken down into the latter two. It’s the EPA and DHA that is so beneficial for so many functions.

Why Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids Important?

Numerous reliable studies show that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), arthritis and certain cancers. Developing fetuses who lack the needed amounts have been shown to be at increased risk for vision and nerve system problems. Omega-3 fatty acids are passed from mother to fetus during gestation.

Many studies strongly suggest they play a vital role in proper cognitive function (memory and thinking). Evidence of their lack shows up in poor memory, mood swings, excess fatigue and other problems.

On the positive side, those who do get appropriate amounts have improved blood sugar levels, better cholesterol levels and more. People who adopt a diet rich in omega-3 tend to have higher HDL levels (the good cholesterol). They tend also to have lower triglyceride levels, the most common form of fat in the body.

How To Get Them From Diet?

They’re actually very easy to get in the proper amounts. The American Heart Association and other official organizations recommend 2 servings of fish per week. Many different species can fulfill the need: mackerel, salmon, herring, tuna, halibut and others. Other marine life also contain this essential substance, including krill (a crustacean similar to shrimp).

The benefits of omega-3 are one major reason for the popularity of such diets as the Mediterranean Diet. It typically includes lower quantities of high-fat red meat and more omega-3-rich fish. It also supplies omega-3 in the form of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, garlic and other foods native to that region. Kiwifruit, for example, contains omega-3 fatty acids, as do lingonberries, walnuts and pecans, and flax (linseed).

Risks and Warnings

Like most things, it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. Some types of stroke have been associated with consuming more than 3 grams of omega-3 per day in supplement form. Also, like any dietary recommendation, how much is good will vary with individual circumstances. Like any aspect of diet, when beginning something new it’s always wise to consult your physician for guidance first.

There are a dozen or more vitamins that play an essential role in a wide variety of our bodies’ functions. Getting these from a healthy, balanced diet is theoretically possible. Many actually do. But it can be difficult, especially today when so many are on the go.

Supplements can help fill the gap. Unfortunately, there is a large amount of junk science, and much more that simply isn’t known for sure one way or the other, with respect to any weight loss supplement or nutritional aid. It pays to be cautious. It’s your health.

For example, Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, an important feature of many proteins that go to make blood vessels, tendons and more. It also plays a role in making norepinephrine, a key neurotransmitter. A large amount of research exists to show that Vitamin C helps reduce free radicals that can damage cells. This antioxidant role is a factor in reducing the odds of cancer and other diseases.

Children should get from 15-25 mg per day, while adolescents need 75 mg (males) or 65 mg (females). Adult males need about 125 mg daily, females 75 mg. Orange juice is an excellent source, since it contains 75 mg in only 6 ounces. A cup of strawberries has 82 mg. Even a medium tomato will have about 23 mg. It’s hard to ‘overdose’ on Vitamin C since any excess is excreted out in the urine.

The role of Vitamin A in vision has been well publicized. Every child knows he is ’supposed to eat his carrots’. But it also plays a part in maintaining the lining of the lungs, as well as that of the urinary and digestive tracts.

Adults need about 2300 IU (females) and 3000 IU (men). Good sources include carrots, of course. But a medium egg will supply about 280 IU. An ounce of Cheddar cheese has about 300 IU. Breakfast cereals may contain anywhere from 500-1000 IU.

But, unlike Vitamin C, it is possible to consume too much Vitamin A. A safe upper limit ranges between 8000-10,000 IU daily. Too much over a long period can produce vomiting or even liver damage. Still, many large surveys point to the conclusion that about 25% of adult Americans don’t get enough in their diet.

There are a number of other essential daily vitamins, including members of the B-complex, D, E and others. But these two examples alone are enough to show that it requires some care to get the right amounts. Whether attempting to get all the needed vitamins from diet alone or by taking supplements, it’s important to keep track of the amounts.

Those taking supplements as part of a weight loss program should find this easy. They’re already tuned to monitoring their intake. But the same advice applies to anyone seeking to optimize their nutrition.

Phytonutrients are the new hot item in diet and nutrition. But what are they and why are they believed to be so healthful?

Phytochemicals are a class of compounds found in the highly colored skins of some fruits and vegetables. Since their nutritional properties are still under investigation no FDA guidelines are available about their health benefits. As a result, some avoid labeling them phytonutrients.

Still, numerous studies suggest that these compounds are very likely to have beneficial effects. Further, no one doubts that the foods that contain them are good nutrition. They are recommended by all experts. The chief area needing clarification is the degree to which they aid in combating certain diseases, such as colon cancer, or how effectively they aid the immune system.

What Foods Contain Phytonutrients, and How Do They Help?

Any strongly colored fruit or vegetable will contain some phytochemicals.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene. While research is ongoing, many large scale studies have already shown a link between consumption and reduction of prostate cancer. In one, men who consumed more than 10 servings per week had a 35% lower risk, compared to those who only consumed 1.5 servings or fewer.

‘Eat your spinach’ is a familiar phrase from childhood. Phytochemicals called carotenoids may be the reason that it is good advice. Those who consumed it regularly had a 46% lower risk of macular degeneration, compared to study participants who only ate it once per month or less.

Another category called flavonoids are well-known to be beneficial, based on thousands of studies. That’s because they act as antioxidants. Roaming oxygen atoms called free radicals carry enough energy to damage cells. Antioxidants combine with them and render them harmless. Flavonoids are a rich source of antioxidants.

According to a European study published in Lancet, a leading British medical journal, Dutch men who consumed more than 30 mg of flavonoids daily had a 58% lower risk of heart disease than those who consumed only 19 mg or less per day.

Flavonoids are part of a larger class called polyphenols that have similar properties. They are in such foods as strawberries, blueberries, apples and more. Red wine, long known to be a boon to health in moderate quantities, contains polyphenols.

A study in the Journal of the AMA (American Medical Association) linked fruit and vegetable consumption to a decrease in the odds of stroke. For each additional consumption of three daily servings subjects had a 22% decrease in the chances for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke.

How Much Do We Get?

The average American gets 3.3 servings of vegetables per day. But those containing phytochemicals are consumed in much smaller quantities, only about 0.2 servings. About 10% of the population eats less than one serving per day of vegetables.

Less than a third of the population (29%) eats the minimum number of daily fruit servings. Nearly half eat less than one serving of fruit per day. Even for those on a restricted carb diet that is very low.

Summary

Like many areas of nutritional science, research on phytochemicals continues at a rapid pace. But even at the present level of knowledge it’s clear that certain fruits and vegetables should be part of a healthy, balanced diet.

The phrase ‘vitamins and minerals’ often occurs in nutrition articles. But they have distinct differences. Everyone is familiar with some of the essential vitamins (A, B, C, D and others). But what are the essential minerals and why are they essential?

What are labeled minerals are often elements from the Periodic Table, things like iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn) and potassium (K). They’re called minerals, though, because they readily combine with oxygen (O) and other elements or molecules in the body to produce what are technically minerals. Elements are simple atoms, minerals are always combinations of atoms.

They’re essential because they play an indispensable role in so many vital biochemical processes that contribute to health.

Iron

Iron, for example, is a key element in the hemoglobin molecule. This complex molecule is a necessary component of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the entire body. That oxygen is a major factor in a wide variety of biochemical reactions that take place within the cells making up living tissue.

Children should get about 10 mg per day, while adolescents need about 11 mg (for males) and 15 mg (for females). Adult males need about 8 mg, females around 18 mg though the number drops to 8 mg after age 51. Chicken liver is an excellent source of iron and can supply up to 70% of the daily requirement. Beef, turkey, oysters and clams are other good sources.

Calcium

Calcium is another common element that is vital to good nutrition. Its role in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth is well known. But it also plays a part in maintaining the heart and nerves. It performs a major function in muscle contraction, and participates in the secretion of hormones and enzymes.

While bone loss is slow, calcium is lost out of the body all the time through the hair and nails, in feces and sweat, and other means. Getting an adequate amount isn’t difficult, though. Milk is a well known source, but for the lactose intolerant orange juice is often fortified with calcium. Leafy green vegetables are another good source.

Younger children should get about 800 mg per day, while adolescents need approximately 1300 mg daily. Adults should be sure to get 1000 mg (1 gram) daily, with no more than 500 mg at one time. The number rises to 1200mg for those over 51. Avoid consuming more than 2,400 mg daily since this can lead to imbalance of other minerals and a type of toxicity.

Potassium

Key to good blood pressure is an element very similar to sodium: potassium. Both participate in the mechanism that keeps the heart pumping. But potassium has a much wider role in the human body. It’s found in almost every cell and the fluid surrounding them. It participates in good kidney function and digestion.

Getting potassium from the diet is easy. Adults need about 4700 mg daily, while the proper amount for children ranges from 3000-3800 mg, with adolescents at 4500 mg. Good sources include potatoes (610 mg), bananas (420 mg), milk (380 mg), orange juice (355 mg) and halibut (490 mg). Yogurt nearly tops the list at 580 mg for one cup of nonfat, plain.

Summary

There are a dozen or more minerals that play a vital role in any balanced diet, including magnesium, selenium, sodium and more. All these can be gained from a healthy diet, but that can be hard to achieve. For those who tend to eat on the run, supplements can play a valuable role.