Stretching and Flexiblity

When done properly, stretching can do more than just increase flexibility. According to M. Alter, benefits of stretching include:

• enhanced physical fitness
• enhanced ability to learn and perform skilled movements
• increased mental and physical relaxation
• enhanced development of body awareness
• reduced risk of injury to joints, muscles, and tendons
• reduced muscular soreness
• reduced muscular tension
• increased suppleness due to stimulation of the production of chemicals which lubricate connective tissues
• reduced severity of painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) in females

Unfortunately, even those who stretch do not always stretch properly and hence do not reap some or all of these benefits. Some of the most common mistakes made when stretching are:

• improper warm-up
• inadequate rest between workouts
• overstretching
• performing the wrong exercises
• performing exercises in the wrong (or sub-optimal) sequence

Is drinking a regular protein shake before bed going to help heal your muscle or will it convert into fat?

Its good for bulking yes, especially if u have a hard time gaining weight. You build muscle while u sleep, but its best to take a casein protein shake before bed, its a slower digesting protein than normal whey. 
But u could just eat cottage cheese, it contain casein protein.

Dont listen to the people who say that it will just make u fat, theyre wrong and obviously know nothing about lifting weights and gaining muscle.

And yes after a work out is the best time for a protein shake, but before bed is prob 2nd best. And it certainly wont hurt to drink more of them through out the day ( if u can afford it) the more protein the better when ur trying to gain muscle

( this is all under the assumption that u lift weights..... if u dont all this excess protein would be pointless.)

The Powerful Health Benefits of the Pomegranate

Why is pomegranate good for you?

This handsome fruit is quite popular for its deep and purple-colored juice that is packed with lots of antioxidants that may help in maintaining a smooth and wrinkle free skin. But, aside from the possibility of helping people to maintain youthful and glowing skin by keeping the blood platelets together, there are so many health benefits of pomegranate to people of all ages. While no health claims are made regarding pomegranate whatsoever, here are some of the remedies and uses that some people hope pomegranate can help with.

1. It may help reduce the risk of having a heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Studies show that pomegranate juice daily may help support the normal blood flow to the heart. Because of its antioxidant properties, pomegranate keeps bad cholesterol from forming, and thus, may help keep the arteries clear of clots.

2. It may help support the body's normal defense in the prevention of certain cancers. Since pomegranates has very high levels of antioxidant called "flavenoids" that is thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer-causing radicals, more and more experts recommend this fruit as a possible part of a healthy diet. Because of flavenoids, many people are consuming pomegranate because it is believed to help support their good health.

3. It may help reduce the risks for illnesses such as atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Because of the properties of pomegranate, conditions that are known to cause the thickening and hardening of arterial walls and damage in cartilage and joints are hoped to be helped by this fruit. Studies are needed of course to get test results. No claims are made as to what the pomegranate may or may not help.

4. It is a rich source of various vitamins. Pomegranate is a good, natural source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid.

5.It is rumored to help reduce the possibility of having premature babies. Pomegranate juice and extract is thought by some people to help expectant mothers avoid having low birth weight babies.

6. Some users claim it is beneficial for relieving minor illnesses such as core throat.

7. Other users believe it might reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer's disease among older people.

8. It is prized in some countries for the belief that it might help in achieving and maintaining a clear skin with youthful glow, and it is believed to help soothe skin inflammation.

9. The antioxidants are thought to help support the immune system.

10. It may help support healthy blood flow because of its iron properties. Pomegranate supports the blood by supplying it with iron, thus may help prevent anemia symptoms that include exhaustion, dizziness, weakness, and hear loss.

11. Aside from having lots of anti-oxidants, pomegranate also might have some anti-viral properties.

12. Pomegranate juice and extract is thought by some women to help in overcoming the feeling of general malaise during menopause.

Do fat make you nuts ?

Nutella is DEFINITELY NOT GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!! They have a lot of added oils and sugars in it that will make you fat. However, I have to admit, putting it on a slice of whole wheat toast makes a good dessert every once in a while. 

DON'T GO OVERBOARD THOUGH!!!

Is it healthy to eat salad at every meal?

Sure, as long as you're also getting enough of all the macro nutrients (good proteins, carbs and fats) and not loading it up with junk like you might get from fast food places or salad bars. You almost can't have too many high fiber foods from veggies. Personally, I'd be bored after a while of having salad with every meal - for me, one healthy salad a day is plenty. Goes great with grilled fish or chicken and olive oil and vinegar.

Find the best shoes for your workout

Because athletic shoes today are sports-specific, you would be well advised to find a store that carries a wide variety of shoes for all sorts of activities and that employs sales personnel who are familiar with the merchandise and the needs of specific athletes. If you have a definite biomechanical problem in your lower limbs, you would be wise to consult first with a podiatrist who is an expert in sports medicine. Then you will know better exactly what type of shoe to look for.

You must also take into consideration the type of surface on which you will be exercising. Different terrains, court surfaces, or playing fields will call for different types of shoes. Avoid buying the best-looking or highest-priced athletic shoe without taking the above into consideration. If you have any doubts at all, keep shopping until you find a knowledgeable salesperson. Remember, although a certain shoe may feel okay when you try it on in the store, it may be totally inadequate for your needs when you are exercising.

The three major factors to consider when purchasing athletic shoes are, as for non-athletic shoes, cushioning (shock absorption), stability, and flexibility. Recent developments in designing and manufacturing these shoes have resulted in footwear that is far superior to that of 20 years ago, and their increased stability, flexibility, and shock absorption provide more comfort than any other type of shoe made today. That is why it is not unusual to see business executives, both male and female, wearing running shoes to work, switching to regular shoes only when they reach their offices. Let's take a closer look at a typical modern running shoe to find out exactly why it helps protect the feet and legs from injury.

What Are the Dangerous Effects of Diet Pills?

Increase in Blood Pressure

Some diet pills that contain caffeine or other stimulants may also increase blood pressure. This can be harmful to people who are taking blood pressure medicine or trying to follow a diet to decrease their blood pressure. Because many diet pills contain stimulants, the blood pressure may begin to rise by several points, especially during the peak effectiveness of the diet pill. Because blood pressure signs can go undetected, diet-pill takers may be unaware that the pill is causing this type of body change.

Tachycardia

Tachycardia is also referred to as rapid, or sometimes irregular, heart rate. While many things can cause this, a diet pill can cause the heart rate to rise significantly. The dieter may begin to feel a little jittery at first, and the heart rate can speed out of control quite quickly. Anything above 125 beats per minute can be considered tachycardia. Some people have reported having beats in the 200 range from taking one diet pill. If the heart is beating fast, it can also feel as if it is skipping beats or beating irregularly. This condition can be dangerous if not addressed promptly by a medical professional.

Diuretic

Some diet pills are natural diuretics. This means they cause the body to expel fluid via urination. While losing a small amount of water weight isn't harmful, repeated usage can cause an excessive loss of electrolytes and nutrients within the body, including potassium and sodium, and can be dangerous. In order to ensure that the body receives enough fluids throughout the dieting process, replace fluids by drinking eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day.

Medicinal Benefits of Lemon Tea

Cardiovascular Benefits

Tea provides a degree of protection against the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, according to an article in the February 2006 issue of "Molecular Nutrition & Food Research." There is evidence that the flavonoids found in tea reduce lipids, inflammation and the formation of blood clots in arteries, but there the results of clinical studies in humans have not been consistent. In spite of this, drinking tea is a considered a good way of combating cardiovascular disease.

Enhanced Insulin Activity

Your body requires insulin so that it can convert glucose, or sugar, to energy. Drinking teas that are made from leaves of Camellia sinensis -- such as black, green or oolong tea -- was found to increase insulin activity, according to an article in the November 20, 2002, issue of "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." The article adds that adding lemon to the tea does not reduce this benefit.