More fat, less weight?

True or false? A diet that lets a person eat fat - even saturated - without calorie counting could lead to substantial weight loss, treatment of diabetes into remission, increased HDL levels, lower triglycerides and blood pressure? True, as research and many clinical trials report those beneficial effects for the ketogenic (keto or low carb high fat) diet.

Usually low-carb diets emphasize protein and limit fat. On the contrary, the goal of a properly maintained keto diet is to limit carbohydrates without restriction of fat or overall calories. Through starvation of carbohydrates the body begins to burn ketones as its primary energy source, which are produced from the breakdown of fats in liver.

According to an article published on the latest Journal of the American MedicalAssociation, there are hints that the ketogenic diet may help obese people and patients with type 2 diabetes.

People on ketogenic diets tend to:

• Lose more weight and keep more of it off than people on low-fat diets.
• Feel less hungry.
• Maintain their metabolic rate.
• Get control of their blood glucose.
• Experience improvements in triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, abdominal circumference, and blood pressure.

Starting a keto diet means you will have to keep your carbohydrates limited, coming mostly from vegetables, nuts, and dairy. Refined carbohydrates such as wheat (bread, pasta and cereals), starch (potatoes, beans, legumes) or fruit should be totally avoided. The small exceptions to this are avocado, star fruit, and berries which can be consumed in moderation. The more restrictive you are on your carbohydrates (less than 15g per day), the faster you will enter ketosis.

Generally speaking the keto diet is safe. A few adverse effects of the diet include lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty exercising, poor sleep, and constipation. But they tend to pass in a few days to a few weeks. However people taking insulin, oral hypoglycemic and blood pressure medications should consult with an experienced clinician when starting a keto dieting plan.

For a full list of ketogenic diet food see here or get your hands on the No 1 best seller cookbook “Ketogenic Diet Cookbook: 500 Ketogenic Diet Recipes to Cook atHome”. Learn everything you need to know about the ketogenic diet and start cooking in this new, exciting and healthy way!

Maca, the Peruvian super food

MACA, the Peruvian super-food:

• grows at altitudes of 3500 m and above,
• contains protein, fiber, 19 amino acids, 6 vitamins, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, several glucosinolates, 20 free fatty acids, and unique compounds called macaenes and macamides,
• is very beneficial for hormone balancing, endocrine and thyroid function enhancement and even immune system enhancement.
• when consumed regularly has several benefits including greater energy, stamina, clarity of mind and spirit, the ability to handle stress and healthier sexual life.

Try this tasty Maca Strawberry Banana Smoothie:

Ingredients:

6 fresh strawberries

1 banana

1 tsp maca powder

1/4 cup milk or almond milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 small ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Anticancer diet

David Khayat led France's war against cancer and has been in the medical trenches for thirty years. In this international bestseller, he shares his knowledge on the role of diet and lifestyle in getting different types of cancer and how to bolster the body against those risks. Bringing together his own cross-national studies with those of other top cancer experts, Khayat empowers readers with the latest nutritional knowledge. He displays the correct anticancer diet through a range of products and dietary habits to be avoided. A detailed list of dangerous or beneficial foods and tips for a healthy lifestyle are included.
Unlike books based on personal experience with cancer, this edition combines the wisdom of the rules set by the researcher for thirty years, both in the laboratory and with patients, in France and the USA.

The book has been published in Greek, "Η σωστή αντικαρκινική διατροφή", Νταβίντ Καγιάτ, 2013 and in English, "The Anticancer Diet", David Khayat, 2015.

Top ten of herbal teas

Dictamon

Herbal teas are pleasing and revitalizing beverages. They are prepared by immersing herbs, aromatic plants or roots in hot water (suggested temperature is 70oC) until their color and essential oils are released. Add some honey for divine taste.

My top ten of herbal teas:

1. Dictamon: antioxidant, antibacterial and soothing action.
2. Verbena: stimulative and soothing qualities. It relieves migraines, stomach conditions and digestive system diseases. In addition, it contributes to the detoxification of the human body and helps fight cellulite.
3. Melissa: great at combating stress, insomnia, nervous indigestion and melancholy.
4. Mint: refreshes the breath and relieves indigestion, inflammation of the intestinal tract, insomnia and headaches.
5. Salep: can stimulate and warm the whole body. At the same time, it soothes the nerves and combats stress and fatigue, offering a sense of well-being.
6. Dandelion: a digestive and diuretic stimulant that supports the well functioning of the liver and also helps body detoxification.
7. Tisane: known to combat kidney stones and to relieve from migraines, constipation, indigestion, fever and coughs.
8. Tettle: combats insomnia, diarrhoea and bronchitis. Moreover, it contributes to the proper functioning of the respiratory system, while it also has diuretic and anti-diabetic properties.
9. Sage: recommended for the treatment of colds. It also relieves inflamed throats and sore gums, while stimulating the body at the same time.
10. Chamomile: offers relaxation and stress relief. It helps fight insomnia, indigestion and mouth ulcers. It is also recommended for exterior use, on wounds.

Miracle weight loss?

New Year’s resolution: "This year, I’m going to lose some weight."

FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) warning: "Beware of products promising miracle weight loss."

The article at FDAs site is stating:
"Most recently, FDA has found a number of products marketed as dietary supplements containing fluoxetine, the active ingredient found in Prozac, a prescription drug marketed for the treatment of depression and other conditions. Another product contained triamterene, a powerful diuretic (sometimes known as “water pills”) that can have serious side-effects and should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional.

Many of these tainted products are imported, sold online, and heavily promoted on social media sites. Some can also be found on store shelves.

And if you’re about to take what you think of as “natural” dietary supplements, such as bee pollen or Garcinia cambogia, you should be aware that FDA has found some of these products also contain hidden active ingredients contained in prescription drugs."

For your health's sake read the full article here.

Your compass to fitness

• Are you wondering how to lose holiday pounds?
• Are you following various diets without having results?
• Are you spending endless hours in the gym but your abs are still hiding?
• Do you know which snack to choose for a perfect line without remorse?
• Are you a new mama and can not get rid of pregnancy belly fat?

At MyFitCompass you will find many useful tips on nutrition and exercise for a healthy and beautiful body at any stage of your life. Most importantly, you can make your individual fitness program (even if you are pregnant, have recently given birth or have a health problem such as osteoporosis) easily and at no cost by following 5 simple steps:

Alkaline diet: miracle or exaggeration?

The past three years - mainly during Spring time - I have been suffering from allergy, luckily with skin symptoms only. Trying to avoid the use of antihistamines and searching for alternative ways of treating it I came across the book "The pH Miracle: balance your diet, reclaim your health" by Robert Young.

Apple remedy

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." My mother used to tell me that proverb very often when I was a child.

Nowadays folk wisdom is confirmed by a number of scientific studies relative to the beneficial properties of apples. According to a research by the University of Florida, a decrease of the total cholesterol levels by 14% was achieved for the 160 women who participated in the program  and followed a diet including daily dried apple consumption for one year. It is estimated that eating raw apples would lead to even better results*. Other studies relate the systematic consumption of apples to the avoidance of heart disease, the loss of weight and the reduced risk of suffering from colon, prostate and lung cancer*. It is also believed that apples help liver detoxification, tone the gums and cure constipation. Apple cider regulates intestinal flora, lowers stomach acidity, reduces intestinal gas and promotes good kidney function*.

Garlic - Onion

Many times I confuse "left" and "right", especially when trying to give directions for a destination.

Does the same happen to you? Then you must have heard of the correlation "garlic - left", "onion - right". Two questions arise whenever I hear that advice:

Ginger

The first autumn showers are a fact and the sudden temperature drop reminds us that winter is around the corner. If you would like to avoid colds and strengthen yourself against flue this year start as soon as now drinking a very nourishing, healthy and heating beverage: in boiling water add one cinnamon stick and a small piece of ginger. After 2-3 minutes remove from fire, drain, add one teaspoon honey and enjoy!

I have referred to the properties of cinnamon at a previous post and any words about honey are superfluous. But what do we know about ginger?

Herbs in space!

Herbs have beneficial effects even in space! This is the conclusion of research conducted by doctors with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

Since 1997 China has begun research concerning the administration of special herbal remedies and soups to astronauts in order to combat health issues arising during space flights such as cardiovascular problems, immunity weakening, osteoporosis and insomnia.

Read the full article here.

Cinnamon

We all know that what is giving special taste to a delicious warm cream pie or a fresh aromatic rice pudding is cinnamon.

Cinnamon, "kinnamomon" in Greek, is referred in Chinese texts dating back in 2800 B.C. It was used by ancient Egyptians for embalming and in medieval Europe for religious rites and the production of antiseptics.

At the work of Herodotus "Histories", specifically the third book named "Thaleia", an ancient notion is reported about the "cinnamon birds". According to the myth those birds were flying to a far away land in order to bring back to Arabia cinnamon sticks by which they were building their nests on the top branches of very high trees. The natives were tempting the birds with big pieces of meat. However their nests could not bear the weight and were falling apart. That way the Arabs were collecting the cinnamon sticks from the ground. It is said that the price of cinnamon was periodically reaching that of gold. Aristotle referred to the cinnamon birds too, while Pliny the Elder thought that the myth was the Arab's trick to raise the price of cinnamon! Pliny also reports that 350 gramms of cinnamon had the same value as 5 kilos of silver.

Nowadays cinnamon is used widely for the preparation of sweets, salty dishes and beverages. Apart from the pleasures offered to our palate, traditional quackeries and recent scientific studies underpin the indications that cinnamon has many healing properties.

Pistachios for a healthy heart!

Aegina, the lovely island in the Saronic gulf, is a popular destination even for a short vacation since it is situated close to the city of Athens and the ferry connection to mainland is frequent. 
During this summer period, apart from the clear waters and clean beaches, the archaelogic sites and the natural charms there is one more reason to visit Aegina: the pistachios.