Chances are you have heard already about Hoodia Gordonii, a South African herb that is known for its appetite suppressing properties.

There is, however, some controversy around this herb. If you search for  ‘Hoodia Gordonii’ on the internet, you will find endless sites offering you to try their unique Hoodia extract.

First of all, genuine 100% Hoodia Gordonii does not come in an extract form. If you see the word ‘extract’ it actually means that just part of the Hoodia Gordonii plant has been used to make the supplement in question, which clearly reduces its value. All this information is actually telling you is that the capsule only contains 60% of the genuine Hoodia core. The rest are just fillers that will offer nothing beneficial to your weight loss attempts.

Thing is, Hoodia Gordonii is a rare plant. After years of overharvesting, the plant has been brought to the brink of extinction, and as a result the FDA has had to step in and control its exportation. As such, it costs a lot to collect and produce supplements from. The only real place Hoodia Gordonii naturally grows in is South Africa. Everywhere else, its quality is worse due to the soil. Hence, many companies are trying to save on the production costs by replacing the 100% genuine Hoodia with parts of plants, ‘extracts’ and so on and filling the rest with useless additives. In fact, according to research conducted by Alkemist Pharmaceuticals, over 80% of the Hoodia Gordonii capsules out of the tested samples were found to be not 100% pure Hoodia Gordonii.

If you consider all these facts, it will become clear that so called Hoodia extract supplements sold for a few dollars must be  not the real deal. I have done some research on the Internet, however, and here’s what I found out.

If you are looking for a real Hoodia product then your safe bet would be UniqueHoodia, one of the only pure Hoodia products online today. UniqueHoodia is 100% Hoodia Gordonii with nothing else included, no fillers, no additives and no lubricants.

Its capsules include 460mg of South African pure Hoodia Gordonii in each pill. These pills have been specially designed to allow for an extra 60mg of Hoodia . It also comes with 90 pills in each box, while most products online have 60 pills.

So if you want to try this supplement and experience its magical effect on your appetite that can surely help you slim down by suppressing your food cravings, head over to  UniqueHoodia - and hopefully this will become the start of your succeswsful journey to your perfect weight and shape!

Seeing what a success my coffee post was that I’ve done a while ago, I thought I’d do another post about tea, namely green tea which is my favorite.

A number of studies that have been conducted on green tea revealed the benefits of drinking green tea. These studies suggest that tea — especially green tea — provides healthy benefits.

The reason for it is that green tea leaves are the least processed and have lower levels of caffeine than other types of tea. These leaves contain high-level antioxidants thought to fight different types of cancer and also protect the heart by relaxing blood vessels, which prevents blood clots.

Other studies show thatgreen tea increases bone density, thus reducing the risk of fractures from osteoporosis.

OK but how about the main topic of this blog, weight loss? Aside from fighting heart disease, cancer, and other diseases, a new study shows that drinking green tea may also fight fat. This study has showed that people who drank a bottle of tea fortified with green tea extract every day for three months lost more body fat than those who drank a bottle of regular oolong tea.

Researchers say the results indicate that substances found in green tea known as catechins may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and this way decreasing body fat. Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. But unlike the other two varieties, green tea leaves are not fermented before steaming and drying. Most teas contain large amounts of polyphenols, which are plant-based substances that have been shown to have antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral properties. However, green tea is particularly rich in a type of polyphenols called catechins. These substances have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, but recent research in animals show that catechins may also affect body fat accumulation and cholesterol levels.

The study results suggest that catechins contribute to the prevention of and improvement in various lifestyle-related diseases, particularly obesity. The catechin content varies by amount of green tea used and steeping time. But general recommendations, based on previous studies on the benefits of green tea, are at least 4 cups a day.

Green tea extract supplements are also available. One weight product that I have recently reviewed, Avatrim, is based on green tea. By the way, for those who want to try it, currently there is a free 30-day trial offer available.

I haven’t written here for a while and things are moving slowly and I lost a few pounds in the last couple months. Recently I came across this interesting device for those trying to lose weight and thought I would post about it. This device is called Biotrainer and I have just ordered me one like that. Actually, it’s not just a device like a pedometer but a whole program for weight loss and controlling your daily activities. It measures your physical activity and how many calories you burn both through your activities and metabolically.  Since you move not only when you excercise but also while performing your regular daily activities like cleaning or shopping, it calculates how many calories you burn during these activities as well - all day long as long as you wear it, no matter what you do. It also takes into account how intensively you move which is something a simple traditional pedometer cannot do, nevermind calculating the calories burnt while at it. Moreover, the site that sells Biotrainer also has a special member program where you can keep track and get detailed analysis of your data. As a result, you can know what happens to your weight every day without waiting till it shows on your scales. This way you get so much more control over your weight loss, I am really excited about it. I have been often guilty of losing motivation for keeping up with my weight loss activities but I am sure Biotrainer will help me with it, showing my progress and encouraging me to achieve more.

I have looked around and read a few reviews by other people who have tried it already and they say it is very easy to use and convenient, and for a price they charge for it you just cannot go wrong trying it out.

I have just edited the reviews page  and added  to the  existing  Proactol  review two more product reviews - Avatrim and  Pro Shape RX.

Avatrim is a formula based on green tea known for its  antioxidant properties. The physiological effects of green tea are similar to ephedra when it comes to weight loss but green tea is much safer.

ProShape RX’s main component is Hoodia Gordonii which is a very effective appetite suppressant. The first positive results of this system can be seen within the first 2-3 weeks of use.

See the reviews page for more information or visit the sites where these weight loss systems are sold. I plan on adding more weight loss product reviews soon.

People around the world drink millions of cups of coffee every day. Some don’t imagine their mornings without it. What is the reason - is coffee really this good or is it so addictive? In my opinion, both. Not many things can compare to it except for maybe chocolate, but that’s a different story and a topic for another article. So, you love to drink coffee but is coffee good or bad for you? Well, it depends on who you ask.

Usually what happens is the scientists that do research about usefulness of harmful influence of coffee are paid by a company that wants to prove their point. As a result, the scientists are biased.

As in all things, it is best to drink coffee in moderation. A cup or two each day isn’t going to do you harm. If on the other hand you are drinking a pot every hour, you know that it will have a negative effect on you.

So first, what are some of the bad things about coffee?

• Coffee causes stains on your teeth. Sure this is not some unrepairable damage as you can whiten your teeth but why not cut down on coffee instead?
• Bad breath - yes did you ever think drinking a lot of coffee will cause it?
• It raises anxiety levels - this can be easily figured out if you look at somebody who just had too much coffee and notice how they shake.
• It can raise the risk of a heart attack - no wonder if it elevates the heart and blood pressure.
• It can lead to sterility. It actually lowers your sperm count. Sounds too weird to be true, but it is.
• It can cause stomach problems as the caffeine irrates the lining of the stomach.

This should be enough to warn you against consuming large volumes of coffee. Now, what about the benefits of coffee?

• It prevents prostate cancer - coffee contains boron, which is a chemical that helps curb prostate cancer.
• It is a perfect social drink - this is especially good for those who don’t drink alcohol.
• It helps wash down a meal - in many cultures, a cup of coffee before or after a meal is a must. No one is certain that coffee actually helps the digestion process, but it sure tastes good after a meal.

Like with everything else, you need to do things in moderation. If you feel that you are over doing it, you need to cut back on the coffee. However good it tastes, you can harm yourself in the long run. One or two cups per day is a sure way to get all the benefits while avoiding all the risks connected with coffee.

Here’s our next issue of weekly weight loss ideas from other weight loss blogs. There’s a lot of interesting posts everywhere this week, so we have collected the ones we liked most. Here we go:

Basil and Spice has a great article on how walking can help you lose weight. Did you know that walking up to 10,000 steps a day is even recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General?

Chef Tom posts a recipe of a low fat zucchini soup that is great for summer and won’t hurt your diet. It only takes 20 minutes to make it, too. Delicious!

Lose Weight Guru mentions the program where you get paid a dollar for losing every pound - hmm maybe it’s a good incentive for some - but shouldn’t you just want to lose weight to become healthier and happier with yourself? Quite controversial…

Tammy at Fitness and Weight Loss  has posted some great tips on how to last longer on the elliptical machine in order to burn fat effectively. I think it’s a must read for everyone who exercises!

And finally,  Celebrity Diet Doctor whom we quoted last week regarding the Western type diet and the breast cancer development reveals that the study mentioned in that post… appears to be flawed! So eat your fruits and vegetables!

Till the next week, stay healthy!

When eating your favorite food, you have to think not only of the calories but also how much cholesterol you’re getting. Until recently, not many people knew what cholesterol level is but with all the information everywhere people are becoming aware how their cholesterol levels affect their lives. So what is cholesterol and how will you know if you have a healthy cholesterol level?

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of lipid necessary for all the vital functions of the body. Every single one of our cells is surrounded by cholesterol and its job is to insulate our nerve fibers. In that manner, cholesterol ensures that the nerve signals are traveling properly which is extremely important. Cholesterol also produces hormones which are used to carry specific signals around the body.

Too much cholesterol in the body would increase the risks of heart disease. If you have a high cholesterol level, you should try to bring it down. Even though cholesterol is essential for our bodies to function properly, still it should be controlled properly.

What Is Your Cholesterol Level?

How can you tell  if your cholesterol levels are high? Ask your doctor about it. But knowing your levels is not enough to tell whether or not you have a risk of heart disease, you also need to find out what your Lipoprotein levels is.

Lipoproteins are molecules which are specifically designed to carry cholesterol around the body. They are important because they control exactly how much cholesterol is in your body. Two main types of Lipoproteins exist:

- High Density Lipoproteins
- Low Density Lipoproteins

Low Density Lipoproteins bring the cholesterol to the cells. High Density Lipoproteins  are used to carry cholesterol away from cells and to the liver. It is thus clear that the level of both should be balanced to achieve the right level of the cholesterol in your body. The average person usually should have around 4.0mmol/l of high density lipoproteins but if you have a low low density lipoprotein count, then you should have around 2.0mmol/l. As mentioned, however, each person is different so you need to get your levels checked to see exactly what you should be aiming for.

Your doctor will advise you as to the tests you need to have done to identify the proper level of cholesterol in your body. Knowing it can save you from the heart disease.

There are many ways to improve your cholesterol level. Eating healthy food can help lower your LDL cholesterol level. With a healthy diet, your body is protected from the damaging effect of cholesterol. To raise your HDL cholesterol level, you should quit smoking, lose weight and exercise.

Following a healthy low fat diet can lower cholesterol levels. But if healthy eating and exercising don’t work after about six months, you might need special medication to balance it - consult your doctor for advise.

One of the easy ways to lower your cholesterol or manage your weight is Proactol™.

Proactol™ can help you cut down your dietary fat intake by up to 28%. It is a clinically proven fat binder that also helps you reduce your blood cholesterol level by slowing down your glucose absorption.

Health experts recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a balanced diet. Proactol™ can help you achieve the healthy life you are dreaming of.

It has just been announced that Proactol is available as a free 5-day trial - great news! Proactol is a daily supplement that binds fat allowing you to lose weight without being really picky about what you eat. Normally it comes with a 180 day money back guarantee which by itself is good enough - if you do take the supplement daily you will surely notice if there is any effect within half a year. Now it’s even better and you get to try it for free to make sure this is the right thing for you!

Proactol has been clinically tested and they have clinical studies on their site so go take a look and see if you are happy with it. Hurry while it lasts - you can thank me later! Oh, and don’t forget to tell all your friends about it!

As I look around the web I see plenty of other interesting weight loss and diet blogs so I guess it’s only fair if I post interesting tips and thoughts found elsewhere every once in a while. So here’s this week’s collection of links.

The Diet Blog discusses whether obesity is people’s fault or companies who sell junk food are to blame - the arguments for each side are very interesting and worth giving them a thought. My opinion is we should clearly think and account for what we eat.

3 Fat Chicks on a Diet reminds us of a common-sense yet often forgotten fact that it is better to have someone else cook food while you’re on a diet and reviews a new diet meal delivery service Diet To Go - very tempting and very healthy!

Celebrity Diet Doctor has an interesting article on how our unhealthy Western diet “loaded with meats and sweets” actually… saves us from breast cancer!

Walking@About.com reminds us that in the summer heat we need to drink more water and carry it around with us everywhere we go and reviews different water carrying ways - some of them are very cute

HealthHackers blog teaches us how to cook a delicious and healthy meal in plain 15 minutes - just the kind of an idea everybody needs in our busy daily lives!

100 Unique Healthy Living Tips points out a connection between dieting and stress and how one causes another and so on - that’s where you really need to be careful!

Finally, A Hearty Life tells us how eating greens will save your heart and shares a nice green recipe.

Healthy reading to everyone and I’ll get you more next week!

Planning a diet is half way to succeeding with a diet. How do you plan a diet correctly so it is sure to work for you? It is very easy really. Here are a few tips on how you can plan your nutrition so that you know how to eat healthy.

1. Mini meals are great for you.

Has your doctor ever told you when you consulted him for some illness that you should eat several small meals each day? You can have a small meal every couple hours. Make sure you get all the elements you would normally get during your normal meal - protein and fiber. Have some veggies and some fruit to balance everything out. Don’t make your mini meal too nutritious. I know that since it is a mini meal, the temptation doesn’t seem as great.

In such a manner, you will avoid hunger and improper snacking throughout the day. But if you have decided to eat your mini meals every two hours, stick to it.

2. Reduce the amount of food you eat.

I know, sounds difficult. But you need to decide upon a certain amount - say reduce your food by 10% - and stick to that. No need for complicated calculations - but figure out the approximate amount of calories in your food and reduce that, not the visual amount of food.

3. Eat what you like.

From time to time let yourself eat your favorite food, even if you know you shouldn’t eat it.  If you do it once in a while, it will be easier to maintain your diet. Otherwise you will hurt yourself in the long run. You will be trying to nibble each day on those things instead of just eating them occasionally.

4. Calories should be eaten, not drunk.

A few sodas here and a few cups of hot chocolate there will quickly add up to your daily amount of calories. As a result, it will put on the pounds easily.

5. You need to exercise.

You need to do this to keep fit. Besides, it will keep you mentally sharp as well. That can go a long way in helping you stick to a diet. If you are depressed, chances are you will end up eating fatty foods that will make you fat. And consuming all of that fat will, in its turn,  make you more depressed. It is a bad cycle to start.

6. Make your meals last longer.

How many times have your parents told you as a kid to chew your food? It works well for your diet too. Instead of quickly swallowing your food, eat it slowly and enjoy the taste of it. If you do this, it will make you feel like you have actually ate something. If you just swallow it down, you won’t get the same benefit. You will continue to feel hunger.

7. Figure out your food triggers.

Everybody has them. When was the last time you went grocery shopping and you looked at a bag of cookies and realized that you had to have them? It happens to me all the time. You need to understand what foods trigger your response system. By doing this, you can avoid situations that will make you eat things that you shouldn’t eat.

Simple enough, isn’t it? Hopefully you will put these easy rules to work and they will help you succeed with your diet.