Healthy Weight Loss

Garlic has often been referred to as a wonder food, and for good reason. It has been used both as a food and as a medicine for thousands of years in many cultures. Research has confirmed that garlic does, indeed, have many qualities that entitle it to the title of “wonder food”.
Garlic has been used to successfully treat many conditions, including abnormal blood pressure (high and low), intestinal worms and intestinal putrefaction, whooping cough, asthma, colds, gastrointestinal disorders, tuberculosis and diabetes. Research has demonstrated that garlic is an effective agent against cancerous tumour formation. It is known to be a natural antibiotic.
Garlic will lower blood cholesterol levels and will reduce deposits in blood vessels. Garlic can also help to rid the body of harmful metals. It has been used in the fight against acne, and as a blood purifier can be very effective.
Preventive Medicine has published a study which concludes that garlic inhibits the calcification of coronary arteries. A study published in Life Sciences has demonstrated that garlic is also effective as an agent against oxidants in the blood stream; in other words, it is an effective anti-oxidant.
Professor Güautnter Siegel, M.D., from the University of Medicine in Berlin, Germany, has done research which indicates that powdered garlic can reduce the formation of nanoplaque by amounts of up to forty percent, and of the nanoplaque which did form, its quantity was reduced by amounts of up to twenty percent. The experiment showed that garlic can reduce the formation and size of plaque within thirty minutes. Within fifteen minutes of garlic being introduced plaque was reduced by up to twenty five percent and where cholesterol had accumulated in the arteries, the calcification was reduced by up to fifty percent.
Further recent research by Swedish and United States scientists has thrown more light on the cardiovascular benefits of garlic. The compounds present within garlic which are responsible for its characteristic odour are also responsible for its cardio-vascular benefits. Allicin and diallyl disulphide activate perivascular sensory nerve endings, which causes a relaxation and enlargement of blood vessels, a reduction in blood pressure and improvement in the flow of blood through the blood vessels of the body.
Garlic is also a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese and selenium. Vitamin C helps to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Vitamin B6 helps to reduce the level of homocysteine which can cause damage to the walls of blood vessels. Selenium is helpful in the prevention of heart disease, and is also helpful with respect to the prevention of cancer and toxicity caused by heavy metals. It acts in conjunction with vitamin E in an anti-oxidant capacity in the fat-soluble parts of the body. Manganese also functions as an important factor in combination with various enzymes in an anti-oxidant capacity.
Garlic contains anti-inflammatory compounds, which make it a useful ally in the fight against rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and asthma. Studies have also shown that garlic may significantly reduce the chances of developing many different kinds of cancer, including, among many others, breast and prostate cancer.
In the light of all of this scientific evidence, it would seem that garlic has well and truly earned its label as a “wonder food”, and it is almost an afterthought that garlic contributes wonderfully to the flavour and character of many dishes.

If someone told you that you could produce a food that required no soil or sunshine, can be grown all year round, takes just three or four days to grow, and pound for pound, is one of the most nutritious foods available, would you believe them? On the face of it a reasonable answer would be “no”. But there does exist such a food, and it is on the shelf of most supermarkets and you can grow it yourself with little trouble. Of course, I am referring to sprouts.

Seeds from which sprouts grow are potential plants just waiting for the right circumstances in which they can burst forth and realise that potential. When the seed begins to sprout, there is a veritable explosion of nutrients inside the seed. Sprouting of seeds causes a dramatic increase in the amount of vitamins, minerals and protein available, and this increase corresponds to a decrease in the level of carbohydrates and calories. For example, just half a cup of most sprouts will provide as much vitamin C as six glasses of orange juice. Apart from being extremely nutritious, sprouts are very easy to digest because of the fact that the sprouting process converts the starches to simple sugars.

There are significant advantages to sprouts apart from the nutritional ones. They are so easy to grow in a very small space that anyone can do it in the most restricted of areas. They are cheap to grow and provide a harvest within three or four days, so you can have a continual supply on the go all year round. You can supply yourself with wonderful nutrition without the demands of a vegetable or fruit garden. There is no soil to tend, no compost to make and no bugs to repel.

Seeds from most common vegetables can be sprouted and will provide a nutritional bonanza, but tomato and potato seeds are poisonous and should never be eaten. Be very careful though, to only sprout seeds that are packaged for the purpose of consumption, as opposed to planting, because seeds for planting are often treated with toxic chemicals.

Sprouts vary in flavour and a mixture of sprouts can create delicious combinations. The more peppery flavours of mustard and radish sprouts combine well with the more subdued flavours of alfalfa, clover and rye. Lentils, peas and beans are ideal for sprouting, and provide their own distinctive tastes with their nutritional advantages. Seeds from the cabbage family, such as cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli are great to sprout, and in fact one ounce of broccoli sprouts will supply as much anti-oxidant as three pounds of the fully grown vegetable.

To grow sprouts, take a quarter of a cupful of seeds and rinse them thoroughly, drain well, and then place them in a bowl and cover with water and leave overnight to soak. In the morning drain the water and place the seeds in a mesh-covered jar which needs to be placed at an angle to allow for drainage. Rinse the seeds morning and night in clear water, drain and put back into the jar. Exceptions to this rule are soybeans and chickpeas, which need to be rinsed between four and six times per day. Sprouting generally is better in a relatively dark space, but the cereal and grain seeds could do with a few hours of light after initially sprouting to allow for the production of chlorophyll.

If you start a new rotation every day or two, you will have a continual supply of sprouts which will provide you and your family with a wonderful culinary and nutritional advantage with minimal work required.

Apple juice contains a variety of essential nutrients which are useful in aiding the body to combat certain ailments. It contains vitamins B and C, and a number of minerals, including phosphorus, iron, chlorine, silicon, potassium and calcium. Apple juice contains a good quantity of pectin, which has a soothing effect upon the intestines and is an aid to combating constipation. It has a beneficial effect upon the balance of good and bad bacteria in the colon. Drinking apple juice will help with the elimination of toxins inside the body and will help to improve digestion.

It is believed that apple juice can have a positive effect upon the level of cholesterol because of the high levels of anti-oxidants present. These anti-oxidants may be useful in the prevention of such diseases as cancer and heart disease, and they are thought by some to be helpful with weight loss as well. The cloudier the appearance of the apple juice, the more anti-oxidants are present. Several studies have demonstrated that cloudy apple juice is better for your cardio-vascular system than non-cloudy apple juice. There are compounds in apple juice called phyto-nutrients, and these have a positive effect upon the bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. The oxidation of LDL causes plaque to form on the walls of the coronary artery, leading to atherosclerosis. Researchers have said that apple juice can reduce the risk factors for heart disease.

It is best to juice the skin and pulp as well as the rest of the apple when juicing, and for this reason it is better to source organically grown apples so that you are not including the residue of toxic sprays which may have accumulated on the skin. Including the skin and pulp in your juice will also mean that it has a greater quantity of anti-oxidants and minerals.

Apple juice is said to have a beneficial effect upon gallstones and gouty arthritis. Allow a bit of time for your apples to ripen if they do not appear to be ripe enough. As the skin ripens, it is said to retain increasing amounts of nutrients, and the flavour will definitely improve. Apple juice is excellent for young children because it is a delicious and nutritious drink that they should be more than happy to have. It is also an energy booster because of its natural sugar content, so is good for young children who are always on the go.

The nutritional benefits of drinking apple juice can be enhanced further by mixing it with other nutrient rich juices such as carrot juice or celery juice. A daily portion of such a mixture will not only be a delicious pleasure, but will be of lasting nutritional value.

Yoga originated in ancient India. In its original meaning, it was allied with mental and physical disciplines, but in modern times in the west has come to be mainly associated with its physical aspect, known by the Sanskrit word as Asana. Asana is a body position which is associated with the restoration and maintenance of the wellbeing of the individual who practices the art. Asana is only one of a number of aspects of yoga, the majority of which are associated with the spiritual and mental aspects.

The advantage that yoga enjoys over many other popular physical disciplines is the fact that it does not involve the body in stressful high-impact exercise. It is also performed in a non-competitive context so that the individual ego doesn’t get much of a chance to intrude into proceedings.

There are a number of postures or poses involved in yoga that are designed to increase the practitioner’s strength and flexibility over time. No matter how inflexible you may be, there is always room for improvement, and your own individual progression is the only path that you need to be pursuing. Breath control and meditation may be included in yoga classes, depending on whether or not the individual teacher likes to involve some of the spiritual aspects of yoga with the physical aspects.

There are many different styles of yoga classes available. They are all involved with the same basic postures, but each style emphasizes different aspect of the exercise, such as Vinyasa, which involves the breath being in concert with the physical movements, or Ashtanga, which is a faster style and is also referred to as “Power Yoga”. Iyengar is concerned with the alignment of the body during the exercises. Another style with a strong emphasis on the breath is Kundalini, the purpose of which is the upper movement of energy within the body. Some of the other yoga styles are Sivananda, Kripalu, Anusara, and Jivamukti.

The basic postures include:
• Sukhasana or sit/easy position, which creates an awareness of breathing and strengthens the lower back and opens the hips and groin
• Dog and Cat, which makes the spine more flexible.
• Tadasana or Mountain position which is a standing position which is designed to improve balance and posture.
• Trikonasana or Triangle, which is a spine stretching exercise.
• Bhujangasana or the Cobra, which also stretches the spine, strengthening the back and the arms, and opening the chest and heart.
• Virabhadrasana or Warrior, which is an arm and leg strengthening exercise as well being an aide to improving balance.
• Uttanasana or Forward Bend and Extension which stretches the spine and legs, and gives the neck and the heart a rest and is relaxing for the body and mind.
• Savasana or The Corpse, which relieves stress and is relaxing for both mind and body.
• Sethu Bandhasa or The Bridge, which is designed to improve flexibility and to make the abdominal muscles and lower back stronger.
• Janu Shirshasana or Head to Knee, which increases flexibility while stretching the hamstrings and the back.
• Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog, which improves flexibility and strength while stretching the hamstrings and spine and resting the heart.
• Ardha Sarvangasana or Half Shoulder stand which is good for improving the circulation of the blood, while stretching the upper back region and strengthening the abdominal muscles. It also helps to promote improved function of the thyroid gland.

So if you feel that you wish to pursue some path to fitness and wellbeing, and the thought of pounding the pavements and putting up with sweaty gyms does not appeal to you, then the gentle art of yoga may be just what your inner doctor ordered.

One of the very best ways of obtaining a concentration of nutrients is to drink vegetable and fruit juices, and one of the most delicious and nutritious and versatile of these juices is carrot juice. Carrot juice contains a range of nutrients including vitamins B, C, D, E, K and beta carotene and the minerals magnesium, potassium, chlorine, sulphur, iron, calcium, chromium, phosphorus, sodium, silica and iodine.

Drinking carrot juice is beneficial in many ways. As may be expected, it has a beneficial effect on the health of the eyes and is very good for problems related to the skin. It is a liver cleanser and has an anti-inflammatory effect upon the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and in the intestines, and as such has a healing effect upon ulcers. Small quantities can be mixed with other juices to provide a benefit to diabetics and to people suffering from Syndrome X. This is because it contains an insulin-like compound. Carrot juice is a good juice to be taken during pregnancy and during breast feeding. It is also a very good drink to be given to children as they grow into adulthood.

The sweet juice of the carrot combines extremely well with many other vegetable and fruit juices to make a tasty and nutritious drink. In combination with various other juices, carrot juice is used as an effective treatment for countless medical conditions, ranging from acne to weight loss. Carrot juice is an extremely good source of pro-vitamin A, which is converted by the body to vitamin A. Calcium and magnesium in carrot juice helps in the strengthening of teeth and bones. The protein and minerals in carrot juice are very good for the hair, skin and nails. Fresh carrot juice will stimulate your digestive system and will have a gentle diuretic effect. If used over time, carrot juice will have a cleansing effect upon the liver, which has implications for the overall health of the body. Excess fat and bile is eliminated, having a beneficial effect upon the level of cholesterol in the body.

It has been said that you can overdose on vitamin A by drinking too much carrot juice, but carrot juice only contains pro-vitamin A which you cannot overdose on at all, and the body only converts pro-vitamin A to Vitamin A as it is required. If you drink very large quantities of carrot juice then you may develop carotenosis, or orange coloured skin, but this side effect is harmless and temporary. If an infant is given carrot juice with milk the absorption of carotene is significantly increased and gives the child an ideal and safe source of vitamin A. When looking for carrots to put through the juicer, look for ones that have a good colour, as they will contain more nutrients.

If used regularly, carrot juice will become a daily treat that not only tastes delicious, but has wonderful health benefits as well.

Drinking fresh vegetable and fruit juices is a wonderful avenue to good health. If you are suffering from digestive problems or simply have a poor appetite, then fresh vegetable and fruit juices are just what you need. Compare how easy it is to simply drink a glass of juice as opposed to eating a plateful of food if you are unwell and not feeling like eating.

Remember that fresh juices contain living enzymes which actually enable you to easily assimilate the nutrients in the juices, including vitamins, minerals, various anti-oxidants, organic sulphur compounds and phytochemicals.

It is certainly an approach strongly worth considering if a person is suffering from a serious disease and is suitable for people of all ages. Juices are the perfect medium in which to mix and dissolve nutritional powders, and will enhance their healing powers. This is a much easier way for the powders to be absorbed than in tablet form.

Drinking juices is easy on the digestive system, because the liver and pancreas are not over-worked when absorbing nutrients in this easy manner. Up to 99% of nutrients can be absorbed when drinking juices. Drinking juices enables you to get a highly concentrated quantity of nutrients which you could not normally get simply by eating normal quantities of food. If you find that you are unable to have too many fruit juices because you are diabetic or for any other reason, drink only vegetable juices instead.

Raw juices are very important in the detoxification of the digestive system. They stimulate bowel, liver and kidney function which in turn improves the elimination of toxic matter from the body. Introducing raw juices into your diet will enable you to improve your general health and to lose weight if you are overweight in the first place.

If you wish to detoxify, it may be beneficial to go on a juice and raw food fast for a few days. Do not do this if you are diabetic, but for most people this is an approach that should reap great rewards.

You will have no problem finding a good juicer as there are many products available in the market today. Look for a machine that looks sturdy, is easy to clean and which has a generous warranty, and you should be rewarded with many years of trouble free juicing.

To expound on the nutritional qualities and benefits of most vegetables and fruits is way beyond the scope of this article, but many good books are available for those who wish to learn more about the specific qualities of specific juices. Two of the more popular options are carrot juice and celery juice. Carrot juice is excellent for the skin and for the health of the eyes. It cleanses the liver and reduces inflammation of the intestines and respiratory tract. Celery juice is effective for the reduction of acidity and is therefore beneficial in the fight against arthritis, gout and acidity of the stomach. It is a diuretic and has a calming effect on the nervous system.

If you are considering becoming a juice regular, I urge you to do so. As the days and weeks go by you will feel so much better for it and you will feel as if you are taking control of your own health, which is the way you should feel.

I will be publishing articles on the benefits of specific juices in the coming days and weeks, so please stay in touch.

Spirulina is microscopic micro algae which grow in fresh water. They have existed for billions of years and are arguably nature’s most nutritious and complete food. They are believed to contain the whole range of nutrients which are required by people for the maintenance of health. Spirulina contains twelve times the amount of digestible protein as beef, with a much better balance of minerals than beef. There have been reports of people living off nothing but spirulina.

Spirulina contains complete protein, all of the B vitamins, including Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, a range of minerals, including trace minerals, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, and the omega 3 fatty acids, and a range of other nutrients, and is a very digestible food. Blue-green algae are so named because of the blue colour of the pigment, phycocyanin, and the green colour of chlorophyll. The intensity of these pigments hides the fact that other pigments in the form of carotenoids are present. These are red, orange and yellow and are said to be responsible for the fact that flamingos in East Africa are pink in colour, because they feed off naturally growing spirulina in lakes in Kenya. The main pigment of these carotenoids is beta-carotene, the ingestion of which enables people to produce vitamin A as the body requires.

Spirulina has been used by some people as an aid to weight loss. It has been found that many people experience a reduction in appetite if they take a few grams of spirulina thirty to sixty minutes before a meal. This probably stands to reason because of the highly nutritious nature of the food and the fact that the body realises that it does not require such an immediate intake of nutrients after all.

An unusual feature of blue-green algae is the fact that their cell walls are digestible, which enables the nutrients to be spread throughout the organism, as opposed to other plants which usually have their nutrients confined within a membrane making digestion more difficult. Anyone who is sick and living on a restricted diet can benefit from the consumption of spirulina, because they will be consuming a wide range of nutrients which they may otherwise not be receiving. Large quantities are not required to receive such benefits because of the fact that spirulina is so nutrient rich. Spirulina is also a useful aid to detoxification.

Spirulina is an excellent supplement for pregnant and lactating mothers, providing them with extra iron and protein without imposing fat and carbohydrates. Children who are fussy eaters would greatly benefit from it as well, and it is said that hyperactive children benefit from a calming effect. As a plant source of vitamin B12, spirulina is an excellent food for vegetarians, who also benefit from the quality protein available, which they would not be getting in the form of animal products. Blue-green algae, if taken before exercise, give an energy boost because of the concentration of protein and other nutrients.

Japanese experiments have shown that the use of blue-green algae has significant benefits for those suffering from anaemia, possibly because of the conversion of chlorophyll into haemoglobin. Chorophyll is an excellent purifier of the blood and is absorbed directly through the cell membranes of the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines. Blue-green algae contain thousands of enzymes which in concert with co-enzymes and vitamins and minerals enable the body to perform the functions that are required to survive.

Blue-green algae have the potential to alleviate much of the world’s problem of starvation. When you consider the fact that soy beans produce, acre for acre, ten times the amount of protein that beef cattle do, and that blue-green algae produce twenty times as much protein, acre for acre, as soy beans do, then you are drawn to the inescapable conclusion that blue-green algae offer tremendous opportunities for overcoming food shortages in third world countries.

In conclusion, the opportunities offered by the utilization of blue-green algae both in terms of our individual health, and in terms of the overall health of emerging nations, can no longer be ignored.

Far from being a totally unwanted substance in the body as many would probably believe, cholesterol is in fact an important constituent of certain bodily hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, and of cell membranes. In other words, cholesterol is actually something that is required and which performs vital functions within our bodies.

Why then, are we constantly told that we need to cut down our cholesterol levels? It is because our bodies actually manufacture all the cholesterol that they need. Cholesterol only becomes a problem for us when we consume it in excessive quantities. About three quarters of the cholesterol in our blood is manufactured by our bodies.

Your liver is extremely sensitive to your cholesterol requirement, so if you consume a somewhat greater quantity of it at some point, your body will manufacture a somewhat lesser quantity to keep the overall level in balance. A problem only arises when you consume so much that the ability of your body to properly balance the quantity is compromised.

The average individual requires something under about 14 grams of fat per day to enable them to acquire their requirement of essential fatty acids, but in the United States the average daily consumption is at least eight times that amount. That is, the average daily consumption is greater than 112 grams when only about 14 grams are required. This excess builds up in the arteries and sets in train a health time bomb in the bodies of the individuals concerned.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels increase in proportion to the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol consumed. This results in an increased risk of coronary heart disease, and in fact if you eat excessive quantities of saturated fat and cholesterol and your blood pressure and cholesterol levels still do not rise all that much, you are still at a greater risk of suffering from coronary heart disease.

Cholesterol is commonly divided into two groups: good and bad. The good cholesterol is high density lipoprotein (HDL) and the bad cholesterol is low density lipoprotein (LDL). The so called good cholesterol shifts cholesterol from the artery walls and back to the liver, whereas the bad cholesterol keeps the cholesterol in the bloodstream which results in the arteries becoming clogged up with deposits. To reduce your levels of LDL limit the quantity of saturated fat that you consume and increase the quantity of fibre that you consume by eating such things as oatmeal and other whole grains as well as peas and beans and fruits. Psyllium is considered to be a very good food for reducing LDL as well. To raise your HDL levels you need to lose excessive weight and get moderate amounts of exercise, and try to have a supplement of a gram or so of Omega 3 fatty acid per day.

Animal products and processed foods are the most risky foods to consume in excess in terms of saturated fat content. It has been demonstrated that those who consume a low fat vegetarian diet maintain low levels of blood pressure, low blood cholesterol levels and low rates of heart disease.

One of the inescapable facts of life is that to maintain optimum health, we need to not only eat a sensible and varied diet. We also need to get enough exercise. For those of you who immediately balk at the thought of sweaty bodies and heavy weights, never fear. It is not necessary to become a gym junkie to be healthy. There are many ways to get exercise that are good for you and are enjoyable as well.

The most obvious way is walking. If you think your lifestyle is too busy to fit in a regular walk, then perhaps you need to make a few adjustments. How about walking to work? If this is not an option because you live an hour’s drive or a two hour train ride from your place of work, then why not just leave a little earlier and park the car a few blocks from your place of employment, or get off the train one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way. A good brisk walk in the morning will get your blood flowing and you will not drag yourself into work feeling like you just got out of bed.

If you can’t abide the notion of getting up earlier to enable this strategy then perhaps you could spend part of your lunch break walking around the block, or better still, the nearest park. You could take your lunch with you, have an enjoyable brisk walk, and sit down on a park bench and eat lunch having really worked up an appetite.

Another pleasant and relaxing form of exercise is bicycle riding. You don’t need to feel that you are in training for the Tour de France. If you can access a bike track or if the roads near your home are not too dangerous, this can be a very meditative form of exercise. If you live in the countryside, then all the better. It is a joy to ride along a quiet country road on a nice day, with a cooling breeze in your face.

One of the very best low impact forms of exercise is swimming. Your body does not have to endure the pounding which it experiences when jogging. Professional swimmers do have their injuries, but I suspect that they are considerably less than in most comparable sports, so if you have access to a swimming pool or live near the beach, a regular swim would be a wonderful way to enhance your fitness and overall health.

You can combine your hobbies or pastimes with exercise. Why not take up dancing? This is certainly an activity which has become very popular in the last few years with the advent of reality TV dancing shows. It is the ideal activity for a couple to take up together. It is always more enjoyable to share an activity and dancing lends itself to this.

If you feel that you need more incentive than the prospect of improved health and wellbeing to keep going with whatever regime you undertake, it may an idea to keep regular notes on your progress. If you are walking one and a half miles a day, for example, keep a diary and add up the mileage at regular intervals. You will feel a sense of pride knowing that you have walked half a marathon in two weeks. That would be nearly 550 miles in a year. That would have a lot of health benefits and it is achieved in achievable portions. Do the same if you are swimming laps, and you will soon find them adding up to impressive figures.

Keep your goals in mind, and don’t make exercise too much of a chore. If you are doing enough to be enjoyable but not so much that it is something that you dread doing, then you are on the right path.

Being healthy is arguably the most important thing that a person can aspire to. This includes being healthy in the physical, emotional and spiritual senses. Emotional and spiritual health are fields which are mostly beyond the scope of this article except from the point of view of one being at peace with their lifestyle with respect to eating and exercise.

It is a sobering experience to look into the supermarket trolleys of other people in the queue and to see the array of junk that is consumed in vast quantities by so many people. Soft drinks full of sugar and other additives, packet foods which contain large amounts of fat and salt and preservatives, and junk foods such as crisps and sweets make up the average diet for so many. You do not need to be a rocket scientist or a nutritionist to know that this diet is not going to provide a person with a positive long-term health outcome. In fact, I wonder how many rocket scientists eat a healthy diet, but I digress.

People evolved in an environment which did not include chocolates, sweets and food processing factories, so it stands to reason that people should be consuming as natural a diet as possible to maintain optimum health. This is my rule of thumb. Our evolution occurred naturally within a natural environment, without the “improvements” that are imposed by a modern lifestyle.

A person doesn’t have to become a health-food fanatic to achieve a positive outcome with respect to their health, of course. It once again comes down to common sense. Reduce or eliminate the obvious problems in your diet that almost everyone must be aware of these days. That means reducing your fat and sugar and salt intake, and replacing junk foods with healthier options. Learn to savour the delights of fresh vegetables and delicious fruits. I am a vegetarian, but for those who eat meat, choose leaner options, or better still, replace red meat with fish. In terms of the environment, vegetarianism is the way to go. I have heard the quote that a vegetarian who drives a hummer has a smaller carbon footprint than a meat eater who rides a bicycle. But I digress again.

Lack of exercise is the other obvious cause of health issues with so many people in modern society. Once again, you do not need to take an extreme option with respect to exercise. We are told by the experts that we only need to take a brisk walk for thirty or so minutes several times a week to improve our health. Do you see a pattern emerging here? Once again it is the natural option; walking rather than riding in a car or some other form of mechanized transport. When contemplating the desirability, from the point of view of your health, of an aspect of your lifestyle, consider what happens in nature.

Is it natural to eat additive-laden food that is manufactured in a factory? Is it natural to ride in motor vehicles? As I see it, the answer to both questions is “no”. Now, I am not advocating that we never ride in a car or bus or plane again. Once again, it comes down to common sense. Remember what your body needs in nature, and provide it with what it needs. It is as simple as that.

You may have noticed that I have not actually mentioned weight loss specifically so far in this article. I consider that if you aim to become healthier, and you happen to be overweight, then in the process of becoming healthier your weight will naturally start approaching its optimum level. If you take the approach of making your goal the attainment of improved health, then you will not be so likely to obsess over your weight. Then when you do notice a reduction in that waistline, you can consider it a bonus which occurred as a result of your healthier lifestyle rather than considering it to be the be all and end all of the whole process.