A Dangerous Disguise: Watch Out for These 4 Toxic Ingredients!

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Anything that you consume, even water which we all need to survive, can be toxic in excess amounts. However, as you’re surely aware, some foods are much healthier than others. In most cases, natural ingredients are safer than synthetic ones, but many times foods that may appear to be healthy contain toxic ingredients that could contribute, not just to weight gain, but life-threatening health conditions. Make sure you check the food label on any processed foods and find out where everything else is sourced from to avoid these four toxic ingredients!

Trans Fats

Several years ago, trans fats were linked to heart disease, so manufacturers rushed to remove trans fats from their products and display on their food labels that there were zero trans fats. However, there’s a catch: food manufacturers are required by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to list the amounts of trans fats their foods contain per serving, but if the product contains less than 0.5 grams per serving, the manufacturer can list it as containing zero trans fats. So you could be consuming trans fats without even realizing it! Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are the main culprits of trans fats, and they are found in processed foods such as peanut butter- giving it its rich, creamy taste but increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease at the same time. It’s important to carefully read food labels and look for all-natural products that don’t contain partially hydrogenated oils.

Heavy Metals

No, I’m not referring to Metallica or Iron Maiden here, but metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium which can be found in trace amounts in your found and are detrimental to your health. Lead, which can make its way into water supplies, is toxic even in the lowest concentrations. To safeguard against lead poisoning, it would be smart to invest in a water filter/filtration system. Mercury also poses a serious health risk and it is most commonly found in seafood such as tuna. In a high enough dose, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, and it is also toxic to the kidneys, liver, and heart. Pregnant women should be especially cautious about their seafood intake because mercury can pass from the mother to the fetus. Arsenic, which can be found in rice, is linked to a variety of health issues such as vascular disease, cancer, cardiovascular and central nervous system disturbances, and bone marrow depression. Cadmium, which is associated with bronchial and pulmonary irritation, kidney stones, and liver damage, can be found in a variety of foods including vegetable oils, potatoes, shellfish, baked goods, and chocolate.

Artificial Sweeteners

I’ve discussed before how bad artificial sweeteners are for your health! Some may claim to be a healthier alternative to sugar, but avoid these anything containing sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, and acesulfame-K like the plague because they contribute to gut dysbiosis, poor carbohydrate tolerance, weight gain, increased hunger, stress, accelerated aging, cognitive decline, and headaches.

Herbicides and Pesticides

Lastly, be careful about the produce you consume and avoid processed foods. It’s best to eat organic whenever possible, because genetically modified (GM) foods or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) raise a variety of safety concerns. Of all the GMOs grown worldwide, 80% are engineered to tolerate the toxic herbicide glyphosate, or “Roundup,” which is classified as a probable human carcinogen linked to Alzheimer’s disease, depression, autism, and Parkinson’s.

The point of this article is not to scare you away from all food, but rather to steer you away from processed foods. Consumed in moderation, none of these toxins will contribute to immediate health issues. What’s important is avoid your exposure to them as much as possible. It’s easy to reduce your exposure by eating natural, minimally-processed foods.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Another Carb-Cutting Solution

If you look online, you will find a variety of people preaching that you have to stay away from carbs at all costs if you want to shed belly fat. This simply is not the case. Researchers have searched for and discovered several things that can help you along the way.

Malt vinegarA variety of studies have examined how apple cider vinegar impacts insulin and blood sugar management. One of these studies demonstrated that 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar can bring about a 20% decrease in blood sugar levels if consumed after a carb-heavy meal.

Other research has found that participants of the study experienced nearly a 5% decrease in morning fasting blood sugar levels after consuming 2 tablespoons prior to sleeping the night before.

You may be wondering if apple cider vinegar has any effect on fat loss. Thus far there has been a single study conducted on the subject. Japanese researchers examined more than 150 participants who were split in to two groups. Some consumed apple cider vinegar while others simply consumed water every day for three months. After the conclusion of these three months, researchers discovered that apple cider vinegar group lost one to two pounds, on average, while the H20 group experienced zero weight loss. Additionally, it should be noted that the apple cider vinegar group gained this weight back after the study ended.

Josh Bezoni points out while it’s not necessarily ineffective, there are more effective ways to fight belly flat other than consuming two table spoons of apple cider vinegar each day for a 12 week period. If you are searching for a truly effective carb fighting behavior you are in luck. Josh Bezoni and Joel Marion have found a “ritual” that increases burning of fat, lesses fat storage, increases insulin sensitivity, and lowers one’s blood sugar. Perhaps the best part about this is that is a vinegar-free solution. Try it out and see if it works for you! 

Do Not Avoid White Food

According to Josh Bezoni, he once encountered a registered nutritionist who swore by the “no white foods rule.” While some white foods, especially those that are processed such as bread, crackers, and pasta, leave a lot to be desired from the perspective of a nutritionist, there a plenty of options that are quite healthy!

It is certifiably crazy to ban outright such items as bananas or potatoes merely because they are white. Each are fully natural, and are packed with important nutrients such as potassium. They could be a good food to begin the day with, or even refuel after an exhaustive workout. Knowledge is key here, folks, particularly if you want to achieve your health goals.

Bezoni mentions loads of other foods that are white that can help burn belly flab and fuel one’s metabolism. Turnips, parsnips, onions, cauliflower, mushrooms, and garlic are all vegetables that are very healthy. Each is packed with an array of minerals, vitamins, and minerals. You shouldn’t be avoiding these foods. In fact, you should be seeking them out!

soak-the-beans - bezoniWhite beans, which are very low glycemic and boast loads of protein, are also a great option.

Even certain organic dairy products are good for you. Cottage cheese and milk both bring a lot of protein to the table, and yogurt carries the benefits probiotics.

While you may not instantly think of seeds with the mention of white food, many are, in fact,white. Chia seeds and pumpkins sees are packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3s.

Last, but certainly not least, are fish. There is a wide variety of white fish, and by and large they represent some of the healthiest eating choices you can make. For the most part, they are packed with tons of protein and taste great.

It’s almost sad that so many people have this misconception regarding white food. As highlighted above, there is a plethora of white foods that are quite good for you.

Two Cellulite Solutions Exposed (Part one)

Men and women will sometimes do anything to get rid of their unwanted cellulite. Unfortunately, there are a number of scams that are all too common that simply don’t work. Before thoroughly examining this topic, we must first look at what cellulite actually is. You can simply think about Cellulite as a fat pocket that comes into existence when connect tissues that sit under your skin don’t hold in the fat. This causes the fat to poke out and appear like dimples you may find on a golf ball. it is no different than normal fat in composition, but simply has a different appearance. It generally can be found in places where skins is quite thin such as the legs, buttocks, and thighs, especially for women. Cellulite is found at a much higher rate than in their male counterparts due to the presence of estrogen, and the propensity to have thinner skin. Now, let’s dive in deep and take a look at a few products and items that fail to deliver real tangible results.

1. Liposuction: For whatever reason, millions of people whole-heartedly believe that liposuction is an end-all be-all cure to cellulite. However, this is far from the truth as liposuction can actually exacerbate the situation. Imagine that! Not only does is it ineffective, but it actually could work against you in achieving your goals. This is because liposuction removes the deep-down fat, while cellulite sits much closer to the surface. Furthermore, liposuction can take a bite out of your wallet and carries an inherent risk factor as it is a medical procedure.

2. Mesotherapy: First developed across the pond in Europe, this treatment for cellulite includes a series of injections that target tiny pockets of cellulite. The issue here is there simply isn’t any academic nor scientific evidence that supports the efficacy of this procedure. Another issues that these injections may cause some negative side effects. So be wary!

Why You Need More Yolk

For decades, “experts” have been warning  American consumers how whole eggs are detrimental to one’s health, and egg whites are some sort of superfood. This is simply false. Furthermore, far too many cafes and diners list egg white on the healthy portion of their menus. They are unknowingly wronging their customers in this manner. But let me be clear, there is nothing inherently “wrong” about these egg whites, it is simply the portrayal by many that they are healthier than the whole egg. It is important to note that the healthiest part of the egg is actually the yolk as this is where you can find the vast majority of the egg’s nutritional value.

Bezoni EggsThe yolk section accounts for more than 9/10 of the egg’s minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.  It actually contains 100% of the fat in the egg, and it is quite healthy and will help you balance your hormones. Furthermore, about fifty percent of the protein in the egg is actually found in the yolk, itself. The facts listed in this article are most likely news for most American consumers. Misinformation about nutrition and dieting is rampant across this nation.

The primary takeaway from this article is that, despite what most people say, you should not be avoiding egg yolks. In fact, you should be making a point to consume them as eggs are amongst the least costly forms of health-boosting & fat burning nutritional items you can find. Even the most expensive eggs in the country only cost no more than half a dollar for ten grams of proteins and countless vitamins, antioxidants, etc.

Many preach how the intake of eggs will engender an increase one’s cholesterol level. However, this is again not true as the human body is incredibly developed. If you consumer more cholesterol, you’re body will actually begin to produce less to account for this increase. Furthermore, there are a series of studies that demonstrate that eggs lead to an increase in “good” cholesterol.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician.

Food Giants, Unhealthy Meals

Supermarkets these days are packed with thousands of various packaged goods, most of which are provided by the giant four of five national food corporations. Nutritionists and health experts are concerned with having such a small amount of services available, the quality of the food is lowered. Rather than providing nutritious options, they are adding unhealthy amounts of sugar, MSG, and high levels of sodium which are all addictive ingredients. These plethora of ingredients cause consumers to buy in excess which leads to overeating and eventually cases of obesity.

843025-sugarThese so called ‘fake foods’ can sit on grocery shelves for months at a time due to the preservatives and additives they mix in. A great idea of these foods are the packed cupcakes and treats that are easily stuffed into children’s lunchboxes as a quick fix snack. These cupcakes are loaded with sugar and can cause an additivity to sugar and other preservatives.

It is not only colorful foods that can be dangerous, canned fruits and vegetables, meats and snack bars can be dangerous and addictive as well. Even though the giant four corporations attempt to downplay the concerns of nutritionists, researchers have concluded that the chemicals added to these foods are the same found in cigarettes, alcohol and other recreational drugs.

It is up to the public and consumers to push for these companies to begin producing foods without chemicals and additives. Although, it will take some time before changes are made, making sure things change is important for the future. Also, even though prices will increase due to the healthier snacks which will have a short shelf life, majority of people would rather live a healthy life without being addicted to snack bars and having cravings all day. What is worth it for you? A cheaper substitute food which you know is not healthy, or fresh products which you will pay a little extra for.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician.