In May, a new scare, one of many current health care issues in the news, erupted over soft drinks because of evidence that an ingredient known as sodium benzoate may cause serious cell damage. The controversy was based on research from a British university suggesting that this common preservative found in soft drinks like Fanta and Pepsi Max has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA.
Interestingly, this has been known for some time. According to Vision.org life and health writer, Alice Abler, in a current science article about the preservative much of the same information was published eight years ago in Free Radical Biology and Medicine (December 1999) by University of Sheffield professor Peter Piper.
Consumers who are worried by this health care issue should be reassured that sodium benzoate is quickly absorbed into the human gastrointestinal tract and metabolized, resulting in hip uric acid, which is soon excreted. Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are not considered carcinogenic and are often added to certain acidic foods to slow the growth of molds and fungi. However they can combine with ascorbic acid in beverages to turn sodium benzoate into a very toxic substance: benzene.
In mid-May 2007, beverage giant Coca-Cola settled a lawsuit alleging that sodium benzoate could combine with the ascorbic acid in the beverages to create carcinogenic benzene. After Coca-Cola and PepsiCo removed the ascorbic acid known as vitamin C from beverages, both companies maintain that their products are safe for human consumption.
Benzene is also often found in drinking water, although U.S. government standards allow no more than five parts per billion of benzene in drinking water, and the World Health Organization recommends no more than ten parts per billion.
Benzoate is naturally present in fruit and some other foods--perhaps in just the amount that is safe for the human body. Concerned consumers should pick foods and beverages as close to their original form as possible, avoiding any possible health care issues.
The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams, models, acronyms, and abbreviations; more than the average person can memorize. As such, one often comes across someone who has simply burnt out trying to keep track of how much to eat, when to eat it, how to find the calories from fat, the RDI, the DV, and so on. There is an overkill of useful information within the nutrition field, and it can ironically provoke one to grow weary and exhausted, tune out, and go grab a fast food burger.
Yet every once in a while, a concept within the nutrition field emerges that truly demands attention. Over a decade ago, the USDA’s “Food Pyramid” was one such concept because it helped eaters discover how many gaps existed in their typical daily diet. Now, as the Food Pyramid begins to take a new shape, and as the nutrition field works to establishes itself as the most important branch of health care in the 21st century, an invention called the Glycemic Index is taking center stage.
The Glycemic Index (GI) is not new; it has been around for more than 2 decades. Yet until recently, its exposure beyond the world of diabetes has been limited [i].
The Glycemic Index indicates how “high” or “low” blood sugar levels change in response to carbohydrate intake. A “high” Glycemic Index indicates carbohydrates with a swift breakdown, whereas a “low” Glycemic Index indicates carbohydrates with slow, gradual breakdown. Both terms are of equal importance to diabetics, because there are times with high Glycemic Index foods are required, and times where low Glycemic Index foods are required.
Indeed, the Glycemic Index itself is not new, but its application far beyond the borders of a diabetic dialogue is notable; especially for dieters.
People striving to lose weight often face a nemesis much tougher than establishing an exercise regimen or introducing healthier foods into their diet. The problem is one of energy. Many dieters are surprised – and disturbed – to learn that their diet program is causing them to lose more than inches and pounds: they are losing energy.
This is often expressed as a complaint, as in “I’m feeling weak”, or even “I can’t stay awake”. Many dieters and those advising them have erroneously chalked this up to a matter of attitude, or will power, or some non-biological cause.
The plain truth is that many dieters have been oblivious to the Glycemic Index, and hence, to the fact that many of the diet foods they have eaten – or are eating right now – score very high Glycemic Index levels. As such, these foods are providing a quick boost to blood sugar levels, and then setting up the dieter for the inevitable fall. This is because high GI foods typically increase blood sugar values, which in turn trigger the hormone insulin to clear sugar from the blood. Since blood sugar (a.k.a. glucose) largely dictates the body’s energy levels, it stands to reason that this process manifests as an initial boost in energy, and then as a depletion of energy. This rise and fall of blood sugar – and energy – is often described by dieters using a “roller-coaster” analogy: one minute they feel confident and strong, and the next, they are about to pass out and require some kind of stimulant in order to make it through the day.
Regrettably for many dieters, that stimulant is usually more high Glycemic Index foods, such as sugary snacks or soft drinks. It is easy to see how this experience can lead an individual to stop dieting. After all, before the diet, the individual was merely gaining weight. On the diet, the individual is gaining weight and is exhausted for most of the day. It is better to quit the diet.
The above scenario only takes place, however, when a dieter unwittingly eats high Glycemic Index foods. Research has shown that low Glycemic Index foods, which raise blood sugar levels much more gradually than high Glycemic Index foods, are very helpful for dieters [ii]. This is because a dieter will experience less of a “roller-coaster” ride while on the diet, and furthermore, will be less inclined to snack because energy in the form of blood glucose is being released slowly and gradually. Low Glycemic Index foods are much more efficient sources of energy than high Glycemic Index foods, because the body needs less insulin to convert food into energy [iii].
Despite the growing awareness that low Glycemic Index foods are beneficial, the world of diet foods has not kept pace. This is because many manufacturers are searching frantically to find low Glycemic Index carbohydrates sources for their products, and overlooking a basic, simple fact: the lowest possibly Glycemic Index is no carbohydrates at all.
These zero-carbohydrate/zero sugar nutritional supplements – which are quite rare in the market – do not deliver any sugar to the bloodstream. As a result, dieters do not have to worry about riding the “roller coaster” of energy spikes and pitfalls.
Yet there is an even greater benefit for dieters who choose a ‘zero sugar’ nutritional supplement. If that low Glycemic Index nutritional supplement is rich in complete protein, then it will act as a sort of antidote to high GI foods by helping to combat their adverse consequences.
For example, a dieter who eats a high Glycemic Index candy car can mitigate the roller-coaster spike in blood sugar levels by eating a nutritional supplement that has very low Glycemic Index and has a rich source of complete protein. This is because the protein in the nutritional supplement mixes with the high Glycemic Index of the candy bar, and effectively lowers the overall Glycemic Index. This is welcome news to dieters who would otherwise be seeing those extra carbohydrates transformed by insulin into triglycerides, and stored in adipose tissue; also known as body fat.
Currently, only a handful of nutritional supplements are designed to offer zero carbohydrates and thus score as low as possible on the Glycemic Index. And of these zero-carbohydrate products, even fewer offer a rich source of complete protein that effectively helps counter the blood sugar spike impact of high Glycemic Index foods.
It is inspiring to note that Glycemic Index is getting some well-deserved attention from outside the diabetic community, where it has helped millions of people eat wisely. Now, dieters and obese people can enjoy the wisdom that this index promotes.
It is easy to develop prosperity prayers if you know how to do it. There are simple steps that you can follow which will help you focus your thinking and allow you to have faith that your prosperity prayer will bring you positive results.
Here are seven simple steps that you can follow which have been proven to work for many people just like you.
Step One – Understand the Truth of Life
You want to recognize that Life is abundant. There is so much abundance and good in nature that we could not possibly use it all.
Sample Statement – There is only one Life. That Life is infinitely abundant. There is more than enough good for everyone.
Step Two – Identify with this Life
You want to claim your unity or oneness with this Life, with this abundance.
Sample Statement – Since there is only one Life, that Life is my life now. The Infinite Abundance that is the Truth of Life is the truth of me.
Step Three – Accept Your Good
You want to state the good that you are now claiming. You claim this good in the present.
Sample Statement – I now accept an abundance of money and prosperity in my life. This money comes to me in ways of ease, joy, peace, harmony, and good.
Step Four – Challenge Negative Thoughts
If any negative thoughts come up when you are stating your acceptance of more prosperity, you want to challenge them.
Sample Statement – Any thought that I cannot experience more abundance and more good in my life is not the Truth of Life. Since I am one with Life, it cannot be true of me.
Step Five – Reaffirm the Good You are Claiming
You always want to follow a negative thought with a positive one. You reclaim the good that you are accepting.
Sample Statement – I have faith that I am now receiving more abundance in my life than ever before. It flows into my life easily, effortlessly, and joyously.
Step Six – Give Thanks
You want to express thanks for the good that you know is now on its way to you.
Sample Statement – I am grateful to Life for my increased abundance. I am grateful that I now have more prosperity than ever before.
Step Seven – Release Your Prayer for Prosperity
You release your prosperity prayer to the Universe so it can bring it to you in the right and perfect way.
Sample Statement – I now release my prayer for money. I know that it is coming into my life at the right and perfect time and in the right and perfect way. And so it is.
That’s it. These are seven simple steps that you can use to allow more money and prosperity to show up in your life. Prosperity prayers are very powerful. Say them every day. Keep an attitude of faith and positive expectancy and watch the good that can happen.
The health insurance crisis is growing in severity. With current estimates that 15.2 percent of the population, or 43.6 million people are without health insurance coverage, companies and individuals are starting to look at cost effective, innovative solutions to alleviate the problem.
“Discount health coverage is becoming increasingly popular because it provides uninsured individuals with a way to receive health care services at a substantial discount,” says David Major, a spokesman for Medprime, an online provider. “This type of plan is definitely fulfilling a big need.”
Medprime’s site, at http://www.medprime.com, is actually one of the first online providers of discount health services to preschedule appointments for its subscribers.
“In effect, we are providing the convenience of qualifying the medical providers for the subscriber and securing the actual appointment at the same time,” says Major. The Medprime plan also offers discount services for dental, vision and provides discount coverage for a wide variety of traditional health care needs.
Discount health plans can actually work out better in the long run for many Americans, the spokesman noted, because spiraling health insurance costs are hard to justify when an individual enjoys good health. Discount health service plans like Medprime offer a viable alternative with reasonable rates and the security of knowing that high medical costs can be controlled.
Finally, at long last, a blueprint for internet business success. There are five secrets to creating wealth online. If you will follow these simple rules you can not only succeed where others have failed but you can create generational wealth from your online business which will benefit your family in years to come.
Rule 1: Select a product or service that has broad market appeal! It will do you no good to have a monopoly in a certain market niche if you don’t have enough customers to stay in business. In other words, your product or service must be attractive to a vast number of customers. You are aiming for a wide customer base not a select few. Notice also that the above rule says “product or service”. You can have one or the other or preferably both.
Rule 2: Make sure you have a website! The advent of the internet has resulted in many online businesses to replace bricks and mortar. You’ve got to have an appealing website and lead capture page. There are several ways to go about creating your website. You can build your own website by utilizing some sites offering templates and customizable solutions. Alternatively you could choose to outsource the creation of your website. There are a number of sites out there offering both solutions which are not expensive. You can also check out different hosting companies. You might be able to skip this step if you join a business which already has its own website. The best option is to join a business which provides you with a replicated website and your own autoresponder service so you can capture and store all of your visitors’ data to build your customer list.
Rule 3: Limit your expenses! Hey, wait a minute. Didn’t I just tell you in the last paragraph that you had to have a website and that costs money? Correct, but it need not be expensive. Too many people dive into their own new business and don’t watch over their expenses. They soon find themselves drowning in debt and wonder why their business is not profitable. You must have a handle on all expenses in your new business. An internet business will provide opportunities to save money in many areas that a traditional brick and mortar business can’t. Just think about salaries for salespeople, rent, workers compensation insurance premiums, and marketing in an online business as opposed to a traditional business. And, speaking of marketing, that brings us to the next secret.
Rule 4: Develop a good marketing plan! The internet offers many opportunities to develop a good marketing plan while saving money as you do so. Traffic generation is the key here. It is true that a lot of successful internet marketers do spend money on such things as pay per click advertising but it is not necessary in order to be successful. Especially when starting a new business you want to take advantage of the many methods of marketing online which are free or very inexpensive. You may want to look at blogging, writing articles, or coming up with your own e-book or newsletter. It is a trial and error process and you have to find what works for you. Once your business starts bringing in the big bucks, then you can afford to spend a little money on paid advertising. Now, finally we come to the last secret.
Rule 5: Increase revenues with affiliate marketing! Any good investment advisor will preach to you about the wisdom of diversifying your holdings among different asset classes. The same principle holds true about the revenues for your internet business. Why limit yourself to just one income stream in your business? If you choose really good affiliate partners you can successfully market other site’s products and services in addition to your own and make a lot of money in affiliate commissions. And the best part is there is no limit to the number of sites with which you can practice affiliate marketing. This is the greatest secret to creating wealth online.
In sum, if you are considering the plunge into becoming an online entrepreneur adhere to the five secrets above. Creating your own website or having your own replicated site is a must, as is offering a product or service which has very broad market appeal. Do not forget to limit your expenses. It is critical in any business endeavor to pinch pennies in the beginning. What about the marketing plan? This is one of the most important aspects of your business. Any internet marketer worth his salt will ell you that you must develop a good marketing plan. Remember you may have to try a number of different internet marketing methods before you find what works best for you. The most savvy gurus use a combination of different methods. And, I saved the best for last: increase revenues with affiliate marketing. I cannot overstress this point enough. So, follow the secrets and you’ll be on your way to creating your own wealth online.
It's true. After a lifetime of hard work and having earned literally hundreds of thousands of dollars, they end up with nothing.
So where did all their hard-earned cash go? The answer is, it passed right through their fingers.
While schools are great at teaching algebra, calculus, and geometry... how many of us learned about the basics of personal finance and creating financial security for ourselves?
The truth is, the earlier you learn to handle money, the more likely you are to manage it properly and live a prosperous life.
So why not provide a little home schooling for your family and teach them the basics? Here are 7 important lessons to instill in your kids about money:
1. Save something of what you earn
Acquiring the savings habit is one of the smartest things you can ever do.
If you're reading this now as a middle-aged parent, imagine how much you'd have in the bank today if you'd saved 10% of everything you'd ever earned.
(It's almost scary to think about, isn't it?)
Teach your kids to save a little of everything they earn.
2. Don't borrow what you can't pay back
Debt is one of the greatest social diseases of our time. The price to pay for the "have now, pay later" philosophy is that you certainly will pay later.
Debt imprisons you in a job you don't like, creates stress and anxiety in your life, and erodes your wealth creation program.
You will never become rich while you're in debt. Period.
Teach your kids the value of delayed gratification. "If in doubt, go without".
3. To give is to get
Managing money doesn't mean hoarding it and locking it away in its own purpose-built high security jail. It simply means being careful, spending wisely, and acquiring a regular savings habit.
Teach your kids that donating money to worthwhile causes is a noble thing to do, and that the money returns to you in more ways than you can imagine.
4. Money isn't evil
"Money is the root of all evil" and "filthy lucre" are phrases you'll hear banded around.
Ignore them.
Money actually brings enormous good into the world. For example:
- Creating wealth helps create jobs for others
- Investing in business helps to bring solutions into people's lives by way of innovative products and services
- Acquiring a great fortune allows you to donate more money to charity - or even start your own trust fund
Teach your kids that money is neither good nor bad - it's what you do with it that makes the difference.
5. If you don't spend much, you can't lose much!
One of the oldest wealth-creation maxims is, "It takes money to make money".
Unfortunately, it also takes money to lose money.
Teach your kids the value of caution when entering into financial affairs. And let them know that many self-made millionaires started with literally nothing.
6. Get the best price for everything you can
Your financial health is really the difference between how much you earn and how much you spend. It therefore makes sense not to pay any more money for something than you have to.
Teach your kids that bargain-hunting doesn't make you a "miser" - just a sensible individual.
7. The fast buck is your last buck
Sooner or later everyone gets offered a "surefire" method of making a fortune, whether it's the three-card trick, a once-in-a-lifetime investment plan, or some time-limited business opportunity only available to a select few...
Don't fall for too-good-to-be-true scams.
Teach your kids that wealth creation is a simple and timeless process based on common sense.
If you had learned the above principles when you were 10 years old, and had applied them every day of your life, would you be financially healthier today?
You betcha!
Teach your kids the timeless truths of acquiring and keeping wealth.
Knowledge truly is the most precious gift you can give.
(NC)-With all the different types of vitamin and mineral supplements available on the local pharmacy shelf, it can be confusing to determine what you really need. Sometimes a doctor or registered dietitian will make the decision easier by recommending what supplement to take, how much and how often. Often, you hear through friends or read about the benefits of certain vitamins or minerals and wonder if you could benefit from one, two, or possibly more types of supplements.
However, choosing supplements is not as simple or as safe as choosing other pharmacy products, such as toothpaste or deodorant. Consuming large amounts of any supplement, without medical advice, may be harmful.
If you are considering purchasing individual supplements, you should be aware that high doses of vitamins and minerals can interfere with both the action of medication and the absorption of other nutrients. In fact, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D and E) are stored in the body and have the potential to accumulate to harmful levels if consumed in excessive doses. It is important to read supplement labels carefully and only take them as directed on the label. In addition, you should be aware of your total nutrient intake if you are taking more than one supplement product a day. But tracking nutrient intake can become difficult when taking a number of single supplements.
Taking a daily multivitamin is a sensible and convenient choice if you are concerned about supplement safety issues. Multivitamins offer a balance of nutrients which maximizes the effectiveness of each ingredient. They provide responsible levels of all vitamins and minerals, which fall below recognized upper limits. Multivitamins are formulated to complement diet and maintain a consistent level of nutrients required by the body. Their careful combination of ingredients provides optimal absorption and maximum benefits. A well-balanced, daily multivitamin such as Centrum® that doesn't contain too much of any single nutrient is a safe and convenient choice.
I have over 30 years of experience starting, operating and reading about businesses. I have over 20 years of experience using and studing supplements, herbs and vitamins.
Disclaimer: I am not a attorney therefore I can't give legal advice. I am not a finanical expert so you sould check with your accountant. I am not a physician therefore I can't give medical advice. The FDA hasn't reviewed this blog or web site. it is not meant to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure a disease. I believe in teaching instead of medicating. When it concerns legal, finanical or medical, decisions about you, you have the final, ultimate authority.
