Jun

23

What is Hoodia Gordonii

Filed Under Exercise and Weight Loss | Leave a Comment

What is Hoodia Gordonii?

Weight loss fads seem to come and go, and the entire industry seems to be filled with empty promises. Too many people seem to be obsessed with the “quick fix” and the marketing people involved with the weight loss industry couldn’t be happier.

One of the newest products in the diet pill business is Hoodia Gordonii, which comes from a plant that grows in the desert. Hoodia is said to reduce your appetite causing you to consume less food, but does it work? According to the news anchor for 60 minuets who did a story on hoodia, and also tried the supplement.. Yes it does help control cravings.

There is a mad rush on the part of pill manufactures to get hoodia in to their formula, but only a few contain enough real hoodia to be effective so do your homework before spending any money on hoodia diet pills.

A good place to get reviews on hoodia products is http://www.hoodia-gordonii-diet.com

Jun

21

Essential Fatty Acids

Filed Under Fish Oil Research | Leave a Comment

Human beings evolved on a diet that was lower in total fat and saturated fat, but contained equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids. Linoleic acid (LA) is the major omega-6 fatty acid, and alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) is the major omega-3 fatty acid. In the body, LA is metabolized to arachidonic acid (AA), and LNA is metabolized to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The ratio of omega-6 to 3 essential fatty acids was 1 to 2:1 with higher levels of the longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as EPA, DHA and AA, than today’s diet. Today this ratio is about 10-20:1, indicating that Western diets are deficient in 3 fatty acids compared with the diet on which humans evolved and their genetic patterns were established. The 3 and 6 essential fatty acids are not interconvertible in the human body and are important components of practically all cell membranes. 6 and 3 fatty acids influence eicosanoid metabolism, gene expression, and intercellular cell to cell communication. The PUFA composition of cell membranes is, to a great extent, dependent on dietary intake. Therefore, appropriate amounts of dietary 6 and 3 fatty acids need to be considered in making dietary recommendations. These two classes of PUFA should be distinguished because they are metabolically and functionally distinct and have opposing physiological functions; their balance is important for homeostasis and normal development. A balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio in the diet is essential for normal growth and development and should lead to decreases in cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, and improve mental health. Although a recommended dietary allowance for essential fatty acids does not exist, an adequate intake (AI) has been estimated for omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids by an international scientific working group. For Western societies, it will be necessary to decrease the intake of omega-6 fatty acids and increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids. The food industry is already taking steps to return omega-3 essential fatty acids to the food supply by enriching various foods with omega-3 fatty acids. To obtain the recommended AI, it will be necessary to consider the issues involved in enriching the food supply with omega-3 PUFA in terms of dosage, safety, and sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

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