Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle good morning, stomach.

You may have heard about the fat-burning benefits of rolling out of bed and jumping right into a workout, but is this recent workout trend all its cracked up to be? While fasted cardio does work for some lifestyles, read this before you try it for your own weight loss journey.

Fasted cardio is performed when your body is in a fasted state, which means it isnt digesting food. Basically, it means doing cardio on an empty stomach.

This would normally happen first thing in the morning, after sleeping overnight, but it can also happen later in the day if you practice intermittent fasting.

Compared to nonfasted cardio, fasted cardio is touted as a way to accelerate fat loss. And although that sounds great, its effectiveness has not been fully proven. Lets dive deeper.

Mostly, yes. If youre generally healthy, its probably just fine to incorporate short or moderate-length steady-state fasted cardio sessions into your routine.

However, if youll be exercising for any extended period of time or doing a high intensity workout, fasted cardio can be risky due to potential side effects of low blood sugar or dehydration, such as lightheadedness, dizziness, shaking, or even passing out.

The idea behind fasted cardio is that if you fast overnight and work out first thing, your body is depleted of glucose its main source of energy and will instead use stored fat for fuel.

Research is mixed on the effectiveness of this approach.

One review found that, in several studies, fasted exercise led to higher metabolic performance after the workout was complete. However, the same review noted that for prolonged aerobic activity, eating before the workout enhanced performance (1).

While more research is needed to make more concrete claims, fasted cardio has some other potential benefits:

The most important aspect of weight loss is burning more calories than you consume. Research is mixed on whether fasted cardio actually promotes fat loss.

In one study, 20 young females were split into two groups one group did 1 hour of fasted steady-state cardio, and the other did 1 hour of nonfasted steady-state cardio. Both groups exercised 3 days per week for 4 weeks and followed a diet with a calorie deficit (2).

Researchers found no difference in weight loss or body composition between groups (2).

However, some research does support fasted cardios increased fat-burning effects during a workout.

A review of 27 studies published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2016 concluded that aerobic exercise performed in the fasted state induces higher fat oxidation than exercise performed in the fed state (1).

This research illustrates that while fasted cardio may burn more calories than nonfasted cardio during the session itself, the difference it makes to total daily calorie expenditure in a span of 24 hours is trivial.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT for short, is energy expended on all daily activity that arent exercise, eating, or sleeping. This value has been shown to account for about 15% of calories burned in a day, depending on a persons activity level (3).

In general, if youre looking to lose weight, increasing your daily movement, whether fasted or not, is still the best plan.

Moving more every day walking, taking the stairs, getting up from your desk regularly, playing with your kids will have a larger impact on weight loss than a 30-minute session of fasted cardio.

Although fasted cardio does have some benefits, its important to be aware of potential risks.

If there are not enough carbohydrates in your system for energy, your body begins a process called gluconeogenesis, which converts protein into fuel (4).

This means theres less protein left to rebuild muscle. Low intensity steady-state cardio may be better than high intensity exercise in a fasted state that way, your body relies on free fatty acids for fuel rather than burning carbohydrates (5).

Especially if youre knocking out a moderate or high intensity workout like HIIT, boot camp, or weight training on an empty stomach, your energy levels will not be up to par without some fuel beforehand. Also, look out for signs of low blood sugar and dehydration.

Avoid fasted cardio if you have a medical condition thats affected by low blood sugar or blood pressure or if youre pregnant.

Its also best for complete beginners to shy away from fasted cardio understanding your body well should be the first step on your exercise journey.

If youre generally healthy, the decision to incorporate fasted cardio is a personal one. If youve never tried it before, start slowly.

First, make sure to hydrate before and during the session.

Try a low to moderate intensity steady-state session like walking, running, biking, or the elliptical for 10 minutes and see how you feel. If it goes well, work your way up to 30 minutes as time goes on.

Afterward, make sure to fuel up with a balanced meal or snack packed with protein and carbs.

Avoid high intensity work where your heart is pumping hard or any session more than an hour long during fasted cardio.

You can incorporate low intensity steady-state fasted cardio on multiple days throughout the week, but make sure youre taking 1 or 2 rest days too.

Cardio, fasted or not, is great for your body. And while nutrition is key for weight loss, cardio can help you reach a weight loss goal.

While research on its metabolic effects is still inconclusive, fasted cardio may work better for your lifestyle or preferences, so if youre generally healthy, feel free to give it a go.

Continue reading here:
Are There Benefits of Fasted Cardio? - Healthline

by Sandi Morse,

FITBIT INC: July 13, 2021 - See if this sounds familiar: 'I've been on a diet for most of my life. I've tried everything under the sun to lose weight and nothing ever works. Even if I do lose weight I always gain it back and I feel like a failure.' Do you feel like someone is reading your mind? Well, no one is actually reading your mind. This is just that common.

In fact, did you know that the average 45-year-old American female has been on 50 diets in her lifetime? Maybe this number seems high, but consider that most people donate their annual New Year's resolution towards the pursuit of weight loss and that number adds up really quickly. This is part of an oppressive system known as diet culture.

If you've been caught up in this you're certainly not alone. And many people (if not most) want to lose weight. The desire to be thinner is nothing to be ashamed of, it's what society tells us we should work towards achieving at any cost. The thing to know is that these messages aren't coming from a place of health. They are coming from a place of clever consumerism.

If you were to make a list, chances are you could come up with 30 different diets you've heard of over the years. They may have different methods, but each has two things in common. First, they are based on some form of restriction-whether it's restricting calories or restricting certain foods or food groups. And secondly, they don't work-at least, longterm. They may work for some temporarily. But one-third to two-thirds of weight loss is regained within a year and almost all weight is regained within 5 years. Furthemore, the majority of those will gain back more than they lost.

So why is it that despite diets only working for 5 percent of people, millions of people keep trying them? Well, the diet industry is a 72 billion dollar industry. That's right, billion. And if the diets worked they'd lose out on one of their primary sources of revenue-repeat customers.

A diet is any specific pattern of food intake for the purposes of weight loss. Still not sure? If it asks you to restrict anything (other than for allergies or medical diagnosis), it's a diet. If it has rules, it's a diet. If they call it a 'lifestyle' but it's still aimed at weight loss? You guessed it, still a diet.

This is an important question with a lot of science and research behind it. But essentially, there are both psychological and physiological reasons behind this. On an emotional level, restricting foods makes us feel deprived.

Consider if there are foods that you crave and perhaps won't even allow in your house. Chances are those are the foods that you've deemed 'bad' and are 'forbidden.' The trouble is, inevitably, you will give into the craving and feel a lack of control over it and likely overeat. This is known as the restrict-binge diet cycle as demonstrated below.

Labeling foods good, bad, clean, or junk is a fast track towards an unhealthy relationship with food-despite what some weight loss programs will tell you. Even the labels of healthy and unhealthy can have some risk. While it's true some food choices may have more nutritional value than others, the labels still encourage a black and white mentality around food.

This black and white thinking can take away from the joy and pleasure from food. Having a psychologically healthy relationship with food would be impossible if you're obsessing about food and feeling guilt and shame when you eat outside of the 'rules' of [fill in the blank] diet. That promotes anxiety, not health.

On the physiological side, when we restrict food, our bodies don't know we're doing this on purpose. All our body understands is that it's going into starvation mode, and it quickly gears up to protect itself by slowing down the metabolism and going into conservation mode. And so our weight goes up and down-sometimes over a period of weeks or even months-resulting in what is known as weight cycling. And weight cycling has significant health risks including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and depression.

The hard truth is that humans have different hair colors, different eye colors, different heights, and yes, different body shapes and sizes. Not everyone was meant to have what society has deemed the 'thin ideal.' Trying to force your body into a certain shape and size comes with emotional and physical consequences and rarely (if ever) works. Biology will always win.

'But I want to be healthy!' you say. That's an admirable goal and one that fortunately is a lot easier than you've been led to believe. Research has shown that even small improvements in your health behaviors can have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being, regardless of any changes in weight.

So what does that look like? The best news is that it can actually look like behaviors that you enjoy! Hate the gym? Stop going! Love yoga? Work on adding an extra in-person or virtual class in your week. Hate cauliflower? Don't eat it! Love salads? Challenge yourself to add a new veggie or different protein to it this week. Honoring your body's needs and cues about hunger and fullness, as well as moving in a joyful way, is the surest path towards sustainability.

What's next? So you've decided you've had enough of diet culture and you're ready to break the cycle. Give yourself a quick pat on the bat-this takes courage. Your next step might be to consider an intuitive eating approach. Registered dieticians designed intuitive eating with the goal of breaking the obsession with food and weight loss and moving towards nutrition for fuel and for pleasure. You may also want to look into HAES, or the Health At Every Size movement. Backed by 50 years of research, HAES celebrates body diversity and encourages weight inclusivity, respectful care, health enhancement, eating for wellbeing, and life enhancing movement.

'What if I gain weight?' you may wonder. This is an understandable question. Because even if a person can shift their mindset to a focus on health instead of weight loss, society hasn't shifted its mindset yet. There remains a high prevalence of weight stigma and fat phobia despite a rapidly growing anti-diet culture movement.

Perhaps the better question to ask would be 'What if I gainbetter mental health? An improved relationship with food and my body? Freedom from obsessive thoughts about food, calories, and macros? Enjoyment from moving my body? Satisfaction from foods I actually enjoy? Better health outcomes?' Then consider which of these is most in alignment with your values and your motivation.

There's no shame in having wanted to pursue weight loss. Many people do this because our society tells us that thin is better-or perhaps there has even been a push from well-meaning family, friends, or even medical professionals. However, science and research support that an individual can be healthy at any size and that weight cycling and intentional weight loss can have both physiological and psychological side effects. After all, if it was really about health, people would post before and after lab results, not before and after photos.

But ask yourself this: what could we each accomplish if our time, energy, and money was spent on other pursuits versus shrinking ourselves? You deserve more than an ideal body. You deserve an ideal life.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.

Sandi Morse

Sandi Morse is the Senior Clinical Specialist with Fitbit Health Solutions at Google. She is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience working in mental health. She has worked with individuals, groups, and families with a wide variety of medical and mental health conditions and has special expertise in the areas of eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image issues. She resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and their dog Tarzan.

See the rest here:
What You Need To Know About Diet CultureAnd How To Break Free - Boxscore

As sure as God made little green apples, America's most abundant fruit is loaded with health-promoting nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other good-for-you compounds. It's hard to go wrong when you start your day shining up a Mac, Red Delicious, or Honey Crisp on your sleeve. It's no wonder some clever Welsh bloke from Pembrokeshire had the wisdom to coin the adage that eventually shortened to, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away."

That pearl of wisdom still holds true. In the pantheon of snack foods, the apple reigns supreme as the largest source of antioxidants from fruits consumed in the United States. These plant-based compounds containing phenols can halt the reaction of free radicals with other molecules, preventing damage to your DNA, which in turn may slow aging and protect against chronic disease.

But that doesn't mean there are no negative side effects associated with eating apples. There are, but consider the alternatives before making apples a forbidden fruit. First, take a bite out of these good and not-so-good side effects of eating apples, according to science. And for more Eat More Fruit advice, check out our story about Ways Eating Fruit Can Help You Lose Weight.

Apples are a rich source of phytochemicals: powerful compounds that studies show have strong antioxidant activity, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and decreasing the oxidation of blood fats.And epidemiological observations suggest that eating apples may reduce the risk of certain cancers. A review of studies published in Planta Medicafound that people who ate one or more apples a day had less risk of multiple types of cancer than people who ate fewer apples.

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Don't ever peel an apple. Why? Two-thirds of the fiber and most of those free-radical-fighting antioxidants are found in the peel. Apples are a good source of pectin, which is a soluble fiber found in apple peels that can help support heart health by lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol and also improve blood sugar control, reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. By combing with water in the digestive system, pectin forms a gel that slows down digestion and prevents carbohydrates from being quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

"Apples are mostly made up of water and fiber and are relatively low in calories, making them a filling snack and perfect for weight loss," says Lisa R. Young PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim: 30 Days to Permanent Weight Loss One Portion at a Time.

Try eating a small apple as an appetizer before dinner instead of cheese and crackers or breadyou'll save calories and fill your belly. In a clinical trial published in Nutrition, researchers gave three groups of overweight women one of three foods with which to supplement their meals: apples, pears, or oat cookies, and instructed them to eat their supplement three times a day. At the end of 12 weeks, only the fruit eaters lost weight (an average of 2.7 pounds!).

If you're finding yourself having regular trouble staying regular, start crunching on this natural laxative. The insoluble type of fiber in apples will help prevent constipation by drawing water into your intestines and adding bulk to your stool, making it move through your bowels more quickly. Apples also contain sorbitol and fructose, which also draw water into the intestines and soften the stool.

Read more:The Best Supplements for Digestion, According to Dietitians

Eating apples can fertilize a healthier gut. In a study in Frontiers in Microbiology, researchers discovered that the typical apple delivers 100 million bacteria to your gut, 1,755 different kinds, that is if you eat the whole thing, including peel, fruit, stem, and seeds. But even if you skipped the seeds and stems, you'd still get an abundance of different strains of bacteria to grow a diverse garden of microbes, the hallmark of good gut health. A healthy, diverse gut microbiome has been linked to a stronger immune system and reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Apples have been called "nature's toothbrushes." The thinking has been that chewing the fibrous fruit scrubs away food particles and plaque. But while crunching on an apple after dinner will probably dislodge that annoying piece of spinach between your teeth, it doesn't take the place of a good brushing. A 2018 report in Plos One found that eating apples, which are highly acidic, is associated with tooth wear in the enamel and early exposure of the dentine beneath the enamel. Eating apples creates an acidic environment in the mouth, which provokes a lowering of the pH of plaque. Long periods of low pH allow cavity-causing bacteria to flourish, the research showed.

Read this next:

Read more:
Secret Side Effects of Eating Apples, Says Science - Eat This, Not That

I have chosen the best picture of mine (taken before marriage when I used to weigh around 70 kgs) and kept it as my wallpaper on my mobile screen. I look at it and think Ill definitely look like that again! Losing kilos and inches bring a boost automatically and drive you to go further for your betterment.

How do you ensure you dont lose focus?

Taking a look at those pictures when I started looking terrible gives me a feeling of fear. I tell myself that I dont want to be that again!

Whats the most difficult part of being overweight? Being unhealthy takes a toll on your overall daily activities, it makes you lazy and depressed. When you start feeling bad about your looks, you gradually slip into depression. Its such a bad thing to happen to anyone.

I started losing confidence, tried to escape family gatherings, weddings etc. Climbing stairs or walking a mile or two would leave me gasping for breath. This was my condition a few months back.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line?

I cant say anything about the shape I would like to be in 10 years down the line. But yes, I would be more than happy to reach my ideal body weight according to my age and height etc. If I think about it, I would like to weigh around 60-65 kilos and feel lighter with age.

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Weight loss story: "No-oil vegetable paranthas and cycling are the secret to this new mom's weight loss" | The Times of India - Times of...

Anabolism and catabolism may sound like superheroes from your kids favorite TV show, but these terms actually come from the health world. Doctors, dietitians, health coaches, and bodybuilders use their understanding of these two functions to create diet and exercise plans that can influence your metabolism (how your body uses energy) and ultimately, your overall health.

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But what exactly are anabolism and catabolism? Registered dietitian Anthony DiMarino explains how these processes work and gives some helpful tips for ensuring that your metabolism is running at full speed.

When you think catabolism, think digestion, says DiMarino. This process takes larger structures like proteins, fats or tissues and breaks them down into smaller units such as cells or fatty acids.

Catabolism occurs when youre digesting food. For example, its the process that dissolves a piece of bread into simple nutrients your body can use, like glucose (blood sugar). And if your body isnt getting the food and nutrients it needs to fuel daily living, catabolism is the mechanism that breaks down muscle and fat for energy.

Anabolism is the opposite of catabolism: Its the mechanism that takes smaller units like nutrients, cells, or amino acids and bonds them together to create bigger structures.

One example of anabolism in action is when your body is trying to heal a cut. It adds tissue and structures around that wound, DiMarino explains. Its also the process involved in a childs growth and in building stronger muscles.

Hormones act as messengers, telling your body what functions to perform. They trigger anabolism and catabolism.

Catabolic hormones are often activated under stress, such as when you have a fight-or-flight response. They include:

The anabolic hormones are responsible for growth and tissue repair. They include:

A lot of uncontrollable factors, including age, gender and genetics, direct your metabolism. But, says DiMarino, you can positively influence hormones that play a role in anabolism and catabolism with these healthy habits:

Catabolism functions no matter what you give your body, states DiMarino. It breaks down food, whether its junky or nutritious. Whatever it doesnt use for energy now, it stores for later (hello, extra pounds).

But anabolism is entirely different. It only functions properly when youre getting enough nutrients through foods like vegetables, fruits and lean meats. Your body needs high-quality building blocks to heal, repair and grow.

Different types of exercise are considered anabolic or catabolic, depending on whether they use energy to build or break down something.

Theres been a lot of research on the best type of exercise for weight loss. Cardiovascular workouts (catabolic) are great for burning a lot of calories quickly. But weight-bearing exercises (anabolic) produce an afterburn effect using more calories over a longer period to repair muscles, reports DiMarino. What weve found is that doing a combination of anabolic and catabolic workouts is most effective.

Anabolism and catabolism are both crucial parts of your metabolism. They fuel your everyday activities, from jogging to healing a paper cut. The best way to support those processes and boost your metabolism is to adopt healthy habits. That way, youll be in the best shape to deal with whatever life throws your way.

More:
Anabolism vs. Catabolism: The Role They Play in Your Metabolism - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Although coconut oil has some benefits, most of its purported uses are not backed by science.

Image Credit: klenova/iStock/GettyImages

Coconut oil exploded in popularity over the past decade, but some of its claims to fame have since been questioned or entirely debunked.

That said, coconut oil does provide some health benefits if you use it in moderation or under your doctor's guidance. Here's everything you need to know about coconut oil's benefits, unsupported claims and potential dangers.

Coconut Oil's Health Benefits

It's not ideal for every type of topical use and should be eaten in moderation but coconut oil may have some benefits as a remedy for certain health issues. Of course, always consult your doctor before trying to treat a condition at home.

Itchy ears are quite common and often caused by infection, psoriasis or dermatitis, per The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Some people make it worse by using things like bobby pins, coat hangers or toothpicks to scratch inside the ear. (Note: Never do this, as it can harm your ear canal and lead to infection.)

When there isn't evidence of trauma or infection, your itchy ear can be treated with a mild steroid ear drop. Your doctor may also recommend the use of 70 percent alcohol as an ear drop, per the University.

Coconut oil is also a common home remedy for itchy ears (and other causes of itching like boils, for that matter), but it's important to consult with your doctor first to determine the cause of the itching. Virgin coconut oil can reduce the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus that tends to colonize skin with atopic dermatitis (eczema), per a November 2008 study in Dermatitis. In other words, its antibacterial properties may be helpful in treating itchy skin caused by eczema.

Your doctor will determine if you should use coconut oil for ear itching and the cause of your itchiness, whether it's eczema, flaky skin in the ear canal, dry skin inside the ears or something else.

Itchy ears can also be caused by wax buildup. Coconut oil is often touted as a home remedy for ear wax, but the Mayo Clinic actually recommends something else:

You may need to repeat this procedure a few times to eliminate excess ear wax. Your doctor may need to remove larger amounts of wax buildup for you.

Can You Use Coconut Oil for an Ear Infection?

Some people recommend coconut oil as a natural treatment for an earache or fungal ear infection, especially when mixed with a few drops of essential oil. However, theres not enough research available to say with certainty that this remedy works. If you have recurrent ear infections, talk to your doctor before putting coconut oil in your ear.

Ear infections can be caused by a range of issues, including allergies, sinusitis, swimming, injuries, bacterial infections or following upper-respiratory illnesses, per Weill Cornell Medicine. Its important to get medical help quickly to avoid a ruptured eardrum, hearing loss, balance function or even facial inflammation and paralysis caused by ear infections, rather than relying on DIYs like coconut oil.

2. Can Be an Effective Lubricant

Coconut oil can last longer and create less of a mess than other types of cooking oils when used as a sexual lubricant, per UnityPoint Health. However, it can degrade latex and make it less protective, so you should select another lubricant if you are also using diaphragms or condoms.

Unfounded Claims About Coconut Oil

Unfortunately, coconut oil isn't a cure for wrinkles.

Image Credit: privetik/iStock/GettyImages

The internet is teeming with claims about coconut oil that simply aren't backed by science. Here's what to know about uses for coconut oil that are not proven based on current research.

1. Does Not Treat Constipation

If you're having recurrent constipation, it's best to see your doctor to determine the underlying cause. Depending on what's causing your constipation, your doctor may recommend diet and lifestyle changes or natural laxatives including those made with mineral oil to help stool move through your colon more easily, per the Mayo Clinic.

But does coconut oil help with constipation? Some bloggers may recommend it, but there isn't enough evidence to show that this is an effective home remedy for constipation, and it's not widely recommended by health organizations. In other words, it's not yet certain if coconut oil can really help you poop, relieve constipation or increase bowel movements.

If you want to make dietary changes to help with your constipation, your best bet is to increase your fiber intake, which increases the weight of stool and makes it move through your intestines more quickly, per the Mayo Clinic.

Try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day, and opt for whole-grain breads and cereals (just be careful to increase the amount of these foods in your diet slowly, because upping your fiber too quickly can actually cause constipation, too).

2. Should Not Be Used for Scabies

While coconut oil may help with general itching, it's certainly not enough to effectively treat scabies. Human scabies is caused when your skin is infested by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis), per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This microscopic mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin and lays its eggs, which can cause intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash.

Treatments called scabicides that kill scabies mites and sometimes mite eggs in humans are only available with a doctor's prescription, per the CDC. There are no over-the-counter products that have been tested and approved to treat scabies, and coconut oil for mites is not a recommended remedy.

Scabies infestations are very uncomfortable, due to the intense itching that results from the activation of the immune system in response to mites, mite eggs and mite waste. While coconut oil may help ease the itch in the short term while you wait to see your doctor or fill your prescription, it is not an effective treatment or cure for scabies.

What About Coconut Oil for Ringworm?

On the note of uncomfortable, itchy conditions: Talk to your doctor if youre curious about using coconut oil for ringworm and its symptoms, such as itchy and red skin. Although coconut oil is recommended by some people for ringworm, the treatment you use will depend on its location on your body and how serious it is, per the CDC. Some forms of ringworm need prescription antifungal medication.

There is no cure for herpes, per the CDC. Antiviral medications can prevent or shorten outbreaks, and daily suppressive therapy for herpes can reduce your likelihood of transmission to partners, but you certainly can't rely on coconut oil.

This purported use for coconut oil may stem from its potential antiviral properties, but there simply isn't enough evidence to back this up. Coconut oil is made up of about 50 percent 12-carbon lauric acid, and when that's digested, it produces monolaurin (both of which can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi), per SCL Health. However, scientists aren't sure the human body can produce monolaurin from coconut oil.

But what about coconut oil for cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus? Cold sores typically go away without treatment within two to four weeks, but there are several types of prescription antiviral medications to expedite the healing process, per the Mayo Clinic (which does not include coconut oil as a recommended home remedy for cold sores).

You can try over-the-counter cold sore remedies that contain a drying agent like alcohol or a cream combining rhubarb and sage. Propolis, or synthetic beeswax, is also available as a remedy and can shorten the duration of a breakout.

In short, there's no clear evidence that coconut oil helps herpes sores or blisters, even if it does have antiviral properties.

4. Has No Special Benefits for People With Type O Blood

In 1996, Peter D'Adamo published Eat Right for Your Type, a book based on the idea that people with different blood types thrive on different kinds of diets. If you ask D'Adamo, coconut oil is good for blood group O. However, there's no real scientific evidence to support his claims.

Researchers have looked into the Blood Type Diet and found that while many people do report benefits when following the diet, it's unrelated to their blood type and, instead, is a result of incorporating new healthy dietary and lifestyle changes.

Researchers concluded that no evidence currently exists to validate the purported health benefits of blood type diets in a May 2013 systematic review in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Following the Blood Type Diet could improve certain health markers like triglycerides, insulin levels and cholesterol, but it's unrelated to blood type, per a January 2014 review in PLOS One.

5. Does Not Improve Heart Health

The effects of coconut oil on heart health are widely debated. A February 2015 study in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism that was done on rodents found that coconut oil and exercise training combined helped improve blood pressure levels, but that's not enough to say that you should load up on the fatty stuff to improve your heart health.

Some people will tout how coconut oil is a miracle cure for heart health or weight loss because of its "special type" of saturated fat, but health organizations still don't recommend it.

Coconut oil is extremely high in saturated fat (50 percent higher than butter), per the Mayo Clinic. Even though saturated fat is known to raise cholesterol levels, which is linked to heart disease, champions of coconut oil believe that some of coconut's saturated fats called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are good for you and may raise levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol.

However, coconut oil has been found to increase both good and bad cholesterol levels more than other plant-based oils like olive or canola, per the Mayo Clinic. And those fancy MCTs you hear about are only a small part of the total fatty acids in coconut oil.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are linked, because clogged-up arteries mean the heart has to work harder to pump blood (which may raise blood pressure), per the Cleveland Clinic. Because of this, coconut oil could raise your blood pressure in the long run.

Based on the current research, it's best to opt for heart-healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil or the healthy omega-3s found in nuts and seafood. There is not enough evidence to say that coconut oil is good for high blood pressure or can lower your blood pressure, and it may in fact do the opposite.

What About Coconut Oil for Energy?

The MCT fats in coconut oil may help to boost thermogenesis and/or fat burning in the body. Because they can enter your cells without breaking down, MCTs can be used as a source of energy right away, per a June 2016 study in the Journal of Lipid Research.

Thats why when you look up how to use coconut oil or more generally what to do with coconut oil, some athletes will recommend you use coconut oil on toast, put coconut oil in protein shakes or have MCT oil before a workout.

However, there are not enough long-term studies that show theres a need for most people to use MCT oil.

If youre interested in feeling more energized naturally, talk to your doctor. There are several ways to do so, including controlling your stress, exercising, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol and drinking water, per Harvard Health Publishing.

6. Does Not Get Rid of Wrinkles

Coconut oil is often touted to help with wrinkles, smoker's lines and other signs of aging, but there isn't clear evidence to support that coconut oil is good for wrinkles on the face.

Instead, common ingredients that might result in some improvement in the appearance of your skin include retinoids, vitamin C, hydroxy acids, coenzyme Q10, peptides, tea extracts, grape seed extract and niacinamide but most over-the-counter wrinkle creams will only slightly improve the appearance of your skin, per the Mayo Clinic.

Some people say a coconut oil face massage can be beneficial. But while the oil may give the appearance of smoothing out lines, it doesn't penetrate the skin or produce collagen, per the skin care company Skin Resource.MD. It also has one of the highest comedogenic ratings, meaning it can clog your pores easily, which could be an issue for sensitive or blemish-prone skin. This is one of coconut oil's disadvantages for skin.

The best ways to reduce premature skin aging include protecting your skin with broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen every day, refraining from smoking, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, drinking less alcohol, exercising most days, cleansing your skin gently twice a day and applying moisturizer daily, per the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

7. Does Not Treat Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, causes red and swollen eyes (sometimes with discharge). It occurs when your conjunctiva the clear tissue covering the white part of your eyes is irritated by allergies or an infection, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Naturally, you may want to know how to fix pink eye fast.

Most pink eye will resolve itself in a week or two, but you need to see a doctor right away if you're in pain, having trouble seeing or becoming sensitive to light. You should also see a doctor if your symptoms have continued for a week or more, your eye is producing a lot of pus or mucus or if you have other infection symptoms like fever or aches, per the AAO.

Although coconut oil is sometimes touted as one of the home remedies for a pink-eye infection, there's not enough research to prove its effectiveness, and it could potentially make the eye condition worse, according to the AAO. Instead, the organization recommends the following:

8. Is Not an Effective Natural Deodorant

It probably doesn't hurt to try coconut oil on your armpits, but there isn't any clear evidence that coconut oil is effective against Staphylococcus hominis, the type of bacteria responsible for creating stinky underarm odor.

In other words, some people say coconut oil can be used as deodorant but just because it's been shown to be mildly antibacterial doesn't mean putting coconut oil on your underarms can protect against the specific type of bacteria that cause odors.

Coconut Oil's Risks and Drawbacks

Coconut oil could actually be a hazard in the bathroom.

Image Credit: Photo by Joel Sharpe/Moment/GettyImages

Home remedies can be fun to try, but coconut oil can come with its own dangers. Here's what to keep in mind when you try using coconut oil at home.

One tablespoon of coconut oil contains 11.2 grams of saturated fat, per the USDA, which is the primary drawback of eating this oil.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends getting no more than 5 to 6 percent of your calories from saturated fat, which equates to about 120 calories (or 13 grams) of saturated fat per day for a 2,000-calorie diet. The AHA does not make exceptions for the MCT fats found in coconut oil.

Replacing foods that are high in saturated fat with healthier options can help lower blood cholesterol levels, per the AHA. That means replacing tropical oils like coconut oil or palm oil with healthier sources like olive oil.

2. May Increase the Risk of Slips and Falls

Coconut oil is invisible on surfaces and very slippery. Because of this, it may be risky to use coconut oil in the shower. (What's more, coconut oil can harden in pipes when they cool and can cause blockages, per AMLI Residential.) Any spills should be cleaned promptly to prevent slips and falls.

3. Could Contribute to Gallstones

Coconut oil may not be part of a healthy diet that prevents gallstones, which are hard pieces of material typically made of cholesterol or bilirubin that form in your gallbladder, per the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They can cause sudden pain and serious complications if left untreated.

Chronic alcohol abuse, viral C cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are the underlying liver diseases most commonly associated with gallstones, per a June 2014 study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Foods high in saturated fat like coconut may not be good for your liver, either: Saturated fat can harm the human liver more than unsaturated fats or simple sugars, per an August 2018 study in Diabetes Care.

Note that gallstones are different from gallbladder sludge, a thick material that can't be absorbed by bile and builds up in the gallbladder often in pregnant people or those who have lost weight very quickly, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.

To prevent gallstones, the NIH recommends eating healthy fats like fish oil and olive oil, which will help your gallbladder contract and empty on a regular basis. (A fatty diet can lead to gallstones, and remember, coconut oil is very high in saturated fat). It's also a good idea to eat more fiber-rich foods and fewer refined carbohydrates and sugar.

If coconut oil is a regular part of your diet, consider healthier cooking options to manage your fat intake and weight and to prevent gallstones.

You should see a doctor right away if you have symptoms during or after a gallbladder attack, which may include pain in your abdomen lasting several hours, nausea and vomiting, fever or chills, yellowish color of you skin or whites of your eyes, tea-colored urine or light-colored stools, per the NIH.

4. Hydrogenated Coconut Oil Contains Trans Fat

If you see a jar of coconut oil labeled as "partially hydrogenated," it's best to avoid it. Although coconut oil mostly contains saturated fats, sometimes its small amount of unsaturated fats are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, per the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

This is done to extend shelf life and maintain a solid texture even in warm temperatures, but the process creates trans fats, which should always be avoided.

Trans fat is the worst fat for your health, per the National Library of Medicine. Too much trans fat increases your risk of heart disease and other health issues by raising your LDL (bad) cholesterol, lowering HDL (good) cholesterol and causing weight gain. Your body doesn't need trans fat, so eat as little as possible.

Saturated fat has long been a coconut oil health controversy (with many people recommending it despite a lack of evidence), but one thing is clear: Hydrogenated coconut oil and its trans fat are a danger for your health.

If you want to use coconut oil in your everyday cooking, do so in moderation. The AHA recommends opting instead for unsaturated oils such as canola, corn, olive, soybean and safflower.

A serving size of coconut oil is 1 tablespoon, but keep in mind that this equates to 56 percent of your daily value for saturated fat and 121 calories.

Talk to your doctor about dosage if you're using coconut oil topically as a home remedy or treatment.

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The Health Benefits and Risks of Coconut Oil - Livestrong

Celebrity chef Katie Lee Biegel welcomed daughter Iris 10 months ago, and the new mom just revealed that she's already back to her pre-pregnancy weight. However, the star admits that getting there wasn't as easy as she thought it would beand that the number on the scale isn't her main focus these days.

In a new Instagram post, Biegel reveals exactly how she shed the baby weight and how she's getting closer to her health and fitness goals every day. And for more celebrity health and fitness news, check out Brie Larson Shares Her Exact Arm and Butt Workout In New Video.

On July 9, Biegel opened up to her Instagram followers about how "bouncing back" after having her daughter hadn't exactly been as easy as she'd hoped.

"I recently hit my pre-baby weight, but it really isn't about the number on the scale. We spend 9 months growing, expanding, and having so many changesthen there's childbirthwhich for me, was the easier part. What I was not at all prepared for was the postpartum recovery. I was in quite a bit of pain for a solid 6 weeks and it took me a much longer time to heal physically than I ever expected," Biegel explained. The star noted that she was unable to exercise for the first few months after giving birth and found herself without either the time or energy to prepare healthy meals.

However, now that she's finding time to practice these healthy habits, Biegel says she's feeling more like herself again. "I started to get back to myself. Exercise, my big salads, blow drying my hair! Now, I power walk every day with Iris in her stroller, I do postnatal and Pilates workouts on @obefitness, and I use my @ww app. I finally feel like my body is backnot only because of the number on the scale, but I feel like I am back to feeling strong and healthy."

For more insight into how your favorite celebs shape up, check out Rita Ora Reveals Her On-the-Go Workout to Stay Fit.

Biegel, who is a WW partner, has long been an advocate of largely plant-based eating. In a March 2021 interview with EatingWell, Biegel credited fruits and vegetables with helping her lose weight after the birth of her daughter.

"I always look at my plate and try to make it 70 to 80% vegetables. I want a colorful diet. If you load up on the good stuff, you can crowd out the bad stuff," she explained.

Related: 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet

Biegel admits that it's easy to give in to temptation when she's on set, so she allows herself to have a tiny portion of the foods she's craving to avoid overindulging.

Prior to filming, Biegel makes sure to exercise so that she's kicked off the day with a positive choice for her health. Once on set, she allows herself just a few bites of less than healthy food before moving on. "I learned quickly that if you eat everything [on set], you will feel terrible at the end of the day. So I'll take a couple of bites, and then I walk away," she told Health in 2018.

Related: The Worst Guilty Pleasure Foods on the Planet

While Biegel has been working hard to slim down after giving birth, she's said in the past that she's not going to go to any extreme lengths to do so.

"I don't subscribe to that no-carb thing. I'm so sick of the Atkins diet and all that," the admitted pizza fanatic told Health. "First of all, if you're not eating carbs, all you do is think about them. It's one of those things that you take out and, initially, you lose weight, but you are miserable."

For more on how your favorite stars slim down, check out RHOBH Star Garcelle Beauvais Shares Her Exact Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner to Lose Weight, and for the latest celebrity health and fitness news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!

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Katie Lee Biegel Shares How She Got Back to Her Pre-Baby Weight | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Weight loss is a problem that continues to confuse many people. Despite all the many researches and studies that have been done on the subject, some people still feel like they are unable to attain the push they need to achieve their ideal body. This often has to do with internal issues in their body that are causing hindrances towards their body. However, with many natural supplements looking to solve this matter, there might yet be hope. This review will take a closer look into one such supplement: MetaZyne.

Click Here to Get MetaZyne From Its Official Website

MetaZyne Review

About MetaZyne

This is a supplement that features a potent formula that combines the essence of almost 22 carefully mixed together extracts, vitamins and minerals. The supplement ensures that the major issues that people have with their weight loss woes are addressed. And it does so in a manner that is both natural and safe for the long term. As a result of this, one can expect to receive a worthwhile and safe route to their ideal body when they begin using this product. This is one of the major reasons behind the major rise to popularity that MetaZyne has seen recently.

The product can easily be made to fit anyones lifestyle or daily routine. Users simply need to make sure that they are consistently using it. Only a table spoon or two of the formula is to be taken a day. And this will result in an accelerated amount of fat burning and weight loss. Furthermore, users will be able to see significant changes within a short time period of using this supplement.

Does MetaZyne Really Work? A Must Read Before Buying

How Does the Supplement Work?

At the base of this product is its potent formula that includes a variety of healthy ingredients. Each of these has been tried and tested to ensure that users are receiving the best possible results from them. Furthermore, the ingredients are all worthwhile considerations that have been used a multitude of times in the past. Some of the major additions that one will find in this formula includes Camu Camu fruit, Acacia Gum, Ginseng Root, Turmeric Root, Vitamin E and C, Selenium and more. As is clear from this list, each of these ingredients is a highlight tested option and one that will yield positive results for the user.

These ingredients all blend together well, and help in the creation of a revitalizing and strengthening formula that can assist one in a multitude of ways. As users begin to make use of this product, they will begin to notice the changes themselves. Buy The Most Effective Weight Loss Supplement of 2021 Here

Who Are the Creators of the MetaZyne?

The main person who made this supplement is a native of Denver City. 46 year old Ray Brown states that he isnt a health specialist on his website. But has a lot of personal history dealing with weight loss and similar issues. In addition to this, he is a medical librarian and has spent an ample amount of time in the countrys leading universities. Through this experience, he has succeeded in garnering a lot of knowledge and information about a variety of things relating to weight loss.

This supplement stands as the culmination of his efforts in helping others achieve weight loss more effectively. As users begin to notice its effects, they will too see that the product has been researched and well-developed prior to its creation.

Pros of Getting the MetaZyne Supplement

Concliusion on MetaZyne Review

Overall, this is one supplement that is quickly rising among the ranks to offer users one of the best options if they wish to lose weight. The product is a safe option and is currently available at a low and reduced pricing too. For this reason, anyone that wishes to learn more about this supplement should definitely consider visiting their official website. It has pricing details and more available.

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MetaZyne Reviews Real Weight Loss Benefits or Negative Side Effects? - Business Deccan

Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health, or physical fitness, refers to a reduction of the total body mass, by a mean loss of fluid, body fat, or lean mass. Weight loss can either occur unintentionally because of malnourishment or an underlying disease, or from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state. While losing weight for some is hard, and others just contemplate the efforts involved and push it away for another day.

You can lose weight or manage your weight without going on a crash diet or following rigorous exercise sessions every day. Although exercise can certainly help build fat-burning muscle, it may not shrink your waistline as much as changing your diet will. Making simple lifestyle changes can help you get leaner. Working out on a regular basis is helpful for weight loss, but may not be practical for some people due to health conditions, time restraints, or lack of interest. There are many ways that can help you achieve your weight loss without hitting the gym. Here are a few tips to implement into your daily routine.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is perceived as healthy, even more, important than other meals. One should not skip breakfast as it helps in breaking your overnight fast. No breakfast means no energy for your body and no nutrients going to your brain since dinner the night beforewhich could be in the neighborhood of 12 to 14 hours before. Breakfast eaters tend to be healthier and leaner than breakfast skippers.

When you skip breakfast, your immunity goes down. It can also cause increased bouts of acidity and people who skip breakfast are four times likely to be obese than people who eat something in the morning. Consuming a healthy breakfast restores the glucose levels in the body and lowers stress levels. It is claimed that breakfast helps us lose weight and that skipping it can raise our risk of obesity.

Eating a protein-rich diet can help people lose weight because it can help them avoid overeating. A high protein diet can help build lean muscle when combined with exercise. They also play an essential role in the production of hormones, enzymes, and red blood cells. Diets that are high in protein help to decrease hunger, increase satiety, boost metabolic rate, and preserve muscle mass.

Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body. During human digestion, proteins are broken down in the stomach into smaller polypeptide chains via hydrochloric acid and protease actions. This is crucial for the absorption of the essential amino acids that cannot be biosynthesized by the body. High protein foods include lean chicken, lean pork, fish, lean beef, tofu, beans, lentils, low-fat yogurt, milk, cheese, seeds, nuts, and eggs.

Sleep and health are strongly related poor sleep can increase the risk of having poor health, and poor health can make it harder to sleep. The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is at least seven hours. Most people dont need more than eight hours in bed to achieve this goal. Numerous studies have suggested that restricted sleep and poor sleep quality may lead to metabolic disorders, weight gain, and an increased risk of obesity and other chronic health conditions.

Adults ages 18 to 60 should aim to get 7 or more hours of sleep each night. This amount increases to 7 to 9 hours of sleep for those ages 61 to 64. When youre sleep-deprived, your body responds by making more ghrelin and less leptin. This may cause you to overeat. Stimulants like caffeine can make it harder to sleep, and a heavy or sugary meal close to bedtime can make sleep uncomfortable.

Aerated drinks and sodas are fast becoming the most consumed beverages. Fizzy drinks and fruit juices are acidic. The artificial sugar- aspartame used as a substitute for sugar in these drinks is even more harmful. So, if you want to slim down your waist quickly and avoid gaining unhealthy belly fat, you would want to stop drinking soda. On average, a can of non-diet cola contains about 135 calories. Kick out the sodas from your daily routine that offers nothing but empty calories.

Instead, drink:

When it comes to losing weight, the rules around food are pretty simple: Dont overeat, control your portion sizes and listen to your bodys fullness cues. The size of your plates and eating utensils affects how much you eat. If you did nothing else but reduce your portions by 10%-20%, you would lose weight. serving size is a standard set by a foods nutrition label, while portion size varies depending on whos dishing out the fare.

So, while you adjust to eating smaller portions, switch to smaller plates, which will make your portions appear larger while tricking your brain into thinking youre eating more. You wont feel deprived because the food will look plentiful on dainty dishware. Eating smaller portions can curb cravings and help reduce overall calorie intake.

ALSO READ: How To Lose Weight Fast: 5 Effective Ways That Will Help You

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How to lose weight without exercise: Tips and tricks - The Live Mirror