Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Is fat bad? - By Matthew Wagner

What are mono unsaturated fats?

These are commonly referred to as the healthy fats. These fats have been shown to have a benefit against heart disease and may assist in lowering cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats are also thought to ward off different types of cancers such as breast cancer and colon cancer. They are typically high in Vitamin E. A really good source would be olive oil, Canola (rapeseed) oil, avocados, almonds, and also peanuts. The best source, I believe, is cold pressed olive oil. It is best kept in a cool and dark place to ensure it doesn’t go rancid. You’ll notice that although a lot of margarines coming out state that they are not hydrogenated, although they maintain a certain solid consitency at room temperature. I think this is a good reason to avoid them because there certainly is a certain amount of chemical manipulation going on in order to ensure they remain solid.

You should also consider Omega -3 fatty acids!

Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of four basic types of fat that the body derives from food. (Cholesterol, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat are the others.) All polyunsaturated fats, including the omega-3s, are increasingly recognized as important to human health. According to the American Heart Association, research has shown that these fats can reduce the risk of Cardiovascular disease by decreased risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death; decrease triglyceride levels; decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque; lower blood pressure (slightly).

Scientists made one of the first associations between omega-3s and human health while studying the Inuit (Eskimo) people of Greenland in the 1970s. As a group, the Inuit suffered far less from certain diseases (coronary heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, psoriasis) than their European counterparts. Yet their diet was very high in fat from eating whale, seal, and salmon. Eventually researchers realized that these foods were all rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which provided real disease-countering benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids are also natural blood thinners, reducing the "stickiness" of blood cells (called platelet aggregation), which can lead to such complications as blood clots and stroke.

So with all that said, I'm sure you can appreciate that you can consume certain type of fat and fatty acids without feeling guilty. Now you know what type of fat to look for.

Whether you are looking for healthy fats or you are looking for more information about them you can clicking below.

Matthew Wagner
Matthew Wagner has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and has additionally studied Physics, Consciousness, and Wellness. Matthew’s passion involves researching and sharing with others information on how they can improve the quality of their life and the life of other people, by having Optimum Awareness.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Benefits of Essential Amino Acids

By: Dr John Anne

Methionine:
Methionine, cysteine, and cystine are the sulphur containing amino acids of the body. All are glycogenic. Methionine is essential amino acid, whereas the cysteine and cystine are not. Methionine is amino-methyl-thiobutyric acid. This is to be given in diet, or can be substituted with its corresponding keto acids, which cannot be synthesized in the body but on amination gives rise to methionine. The methionine can be synthesized in the micro-organism by methylating the homocysteine.

Three amino acids methionine, arginine, and glycine are directly involved in synthesis of cretine. First arginine and glycine help in formation of glycocyamine in kidney, which then is methylated by active methionine in the liver to complete the synthesis of creatine.

The catabolism of methionine leads to succinyl-CoA and CO2. The methionine takes part in the metabolic functions as methyl donor, in synthesis of cysteine and homoserine, and in formation of keto methyl thiobutyric acid.

It can make choline in aid of vitamin B-12. It acts as an antioxidant. It keeps liver healthy. It checks fat and cholesterol. It maintains nitrogen balance in the body.

Sources of methionine: It is found mainly in whole milk powder, cheese, curd, milk egg, pork, peaches, grapes, watermelon seeds, sunflower and sesame seeds, cauliflower, bitter gourd, sweet potato, carrot and celery leaves, barely, millet, ragi, rice, and wheat. The RDA for children is 22 mg, and for adults is 13 mg per kg. body weight.

Lysine: Lysine is an essential amino acid, as it cannot be synthesized in the body. It eliminates virus infections in combination with vitamin C, A and zinc. Its deficiency can cause poor appetite, weight loss, anaemia, and low concentration.

It is a daminocaproic acid and cannot be synthesized in the body. It is essential for growth. Lysine is synthesized in plants and micro-organism. In the yeast, it is synthesized from acetate and ketoglutarate. In the bacteria, it is synthesized from aspirate and pyruvate. Lysine is a ketogenic amino acid.

Lysine checks spreading of viruses. It eliminates virus infection in combination with zinc, and vitamin A & C. Vitamin C makes lysine more powerful in controlling virus effects. The deficiency can cause poor appetite, weight loss, anaemia, low concentration, and cold ailments. It promotes recovery in herpes.

Sources of Lysine: It is available is apple, mango, papaya, beef, pork, milk, curd, cheese, dry yeast, bottle gourd, cauliflower, jack fruit, cashew nut, pistachio, sunflower seeds, bathua, spinach, beetroot, potato, soyabean, redgram, rajmah, dry peas, lentil, green gram, cow pea, bengal gram, wheat, rice, and barley. The RDA for children is 44 mg, and for adults is 12 mg per kg. body weight.

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