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November 30, 2008
Did cavemen have vitamins?
"How did cavemen survive without vitamins and prescription drugs?" This is often an argument presented in support of a raw food diet.
Many people take vitamins C and E in hopes of reducing their risk for heart disease, and some research supports those hopes. But a large long-term trial has found that the supplements work no better than placebos.
This article reminded me of this simple, yet eye-opening argument. Seriously, think about it! Hundreds of thousands of years ago(when Neanderthals are thought to have existed), there were no factories that produced vitamins or drugs; even a few hundred years ago, this is the case. Why?
We (as a human race) are collectively taking part in a vicious cycle whose main objective the generation of profits. By eating unhealthy foods that have been stripped away from their naturally beneficial states, we are developing diseases that have never existed in the past. We then must find cures for these sicknesses by concocting drugs, and use those drugs, only to suffer from their side-effects. And the cycle continues. Although we are already involved in this cycle, I think that stopping it as soon as possible is better than letting it run its course. If we eat whole foods and use natural remedies to alleviate the our current ailments, I think the human race would be completely different in a few generations.
I wholeheartedly believe that we can sustain ourselves given what is provided to us on this earth. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and animals are all natural sources of nutrition. Why do we have to alter them into disease-causing products?
Let's be realistic, however. Do I really think that the current human race will discontinue all forms of resource alteration and "settle" for raw fruits and vegetables? No. When approaching this issue, the variables that must be taken into consideration are innumerable. From traditions, to psychological attachment, we have developed a relationship with the food that we eat that is difficult to give up. If everyone ate the same thing, there would be no differentiation...something that we seek so much in our society. I think that an effort to incorporate more whole foods into our diets is much more feasible. In addition, cutting out highly refined products is not as difficult as it may seem!
Posted by khalidr at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2008
Pomegranates!
As I was browsing through my Google Reader RSS feeds, I came across this article. NaturalNews.com is a daily-updated website with tons of informative articles relating to health and nutrition. I regularly find very interesting articles with tips that I can incorporate into my daily diet. I highly recommend checking in every once in a while and browsing through the archives; I am sure you will be surprised.
Before learning of their magnificent health benefits, I ate tons of pomegranates just because they taste great. Eaten alone or in a fruit salad, these fruits pack a unique, sweet and slightly sour flavor in the form of small, juice-filled packets. Pomegranates are more obviously seasonally-priced relative to other fruits. They tend to be cheapest in the spring and get more expensive in the winter. At around $2-3 each in the winter they are somewhat pricey, but I think their benefits definitely offset the increase in price.
Pomegranate is known to be high in antioxidants, including punicalagins and punicalins, and antioxidants are known to help reduce inflammation in the body.
The most basic method of eating a pomegranate is cutting off the crown (the part that is sticking out from the top) with a knife, cutting a very small slice on the top of the pomegranate, and then using your hands to separate it into halves, then into quarters. I like to empty all of the seeds into a bowl, add a little bit of lemon, and eat them with a spoon. This process is somewhat time consuming, so if you're on the go, the best option is pomegranate juice.
Make sure to read the ingredients label of any pomegranate juice you are considering buying. Most are blends of grape juice and water. Companies market the blend as "pomegranate juice" since pomegranates make up slightly more than 50% of the volume. POM juice is one of the only solely pomegranate juices.
Posted by khalidr at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2008
Starting a Workout Routine
I found this article as a great outline of one of the benefits of boxing, stress relief.
I have found boxing training to be one of the most beneficial cardio set of exercises. I have tried everything from running, to rowing, to ellipticals and nothing is anywhere as efficient as boxing training. Within 20 minutes of intense sets on the heavy bag, you won't be able to lift your arms! With the weather starting to be less conducive to outdoor activities, boxing is a great alternative to those who usually run.
The article mentions that:
In addition to stress relief, working the heavy bag activates all the major muscle groups in your body. The arms, shoulders, back, gluteals, hips and legs all work together as you punch the bag. It is a fantastic total body workout that builds functional speed, power, balance, timing and coordination
This is an excellent point. After a heavy bag session, I feel completely exhausted; this is the feeling that I strive to achieve in my workouts. Many people I see in the gym on a regular basis never push themselves. Unfortunately, these people are wasting their time; I see them month after the month with no visible change in muscle tone. The way I see it is if you are going to spend an hour in the gym, maximize your benefits! This is why I recommend heavy bag training to anyone who is interested in developing a workout routine. It quickly provides this feeling of exhaustion that eventually leads to results. The article interestingly illustrates the feeling I get in great detail:
Heavy bag drills also make you push through your lactate threshold. They temporarily wipe you out. You feel spent.As you recover your oxygen debt, you feel the tension in your muscles ease. You feel rejuvenated. The intense pace can also cause positive changes in your brain by releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of relaxation and satisfaction.
As great as this description is, you really have to feel it for yourself to realize the benefits of heavy bag training. I recommend picking up a medium-weight set of "sparring" gloves from the local Dunham's(Everlast gloves are great) and just giving it a try. I promise you'll become and addict!
In addition to heavy bag training, jump roping is also a great cardio exercise. There are often a few jump ropes lying next to the heavy bag in the CCRB, NCRB, and the IMSB. Pick up a rope and practice developing a rhythm. This is a great warm-up to any exercise or sport.
The following is a video outlining the basic "jab" in heavy bag training. Look in the "Related Video" section on the right side of the page to watch some other informative videos.
Posted by khalidr at 09:32 PM | Comments (0)
November 26, 2008
One of the benefits of healthy eating
Being a diabetic, this article caught my attention as I was browsing through a health news website. I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 12. At the time, my diet primarily consisted of Mediterranean food and a bit of American snacks and my health was relatively normal. Since my weight was average, it was a surprise when I was diagnosed with the disease. It has been seven years since that time, and it has become second nature for me. Unfortunately, this was not the case in the early years after my diagnosis. My blood glucose levels were out of control and my health was slowly deteriorating. It was an experience that I hope no one has to go through, which is why I constantly try to alert people who have a high risk of developing diabetes to take care of themselves.
As in my case, Type I diabetes diagnosis can be completely random, so it is hard to predict whether one has an increased risk of developing it. However, Type II diabetes(to which this article pertains) can be more easily predicted. Obesity, malnutrition, and heredity all contribute to one's chances developing Type II. This allows one to minimize the chances of developing the disease by eating healthy, working out, and maintaining a healthy weight.
One point is especially interesting in this article:
Surprisingly, the researchers found that it was only whole fruits that decreased the risk of diabetes; fruit juices actually increased it. Just one more serving of fruit juice per day led to an 18 percent increase in the risk of diabetes.
Often times, people with whom I speak about healthy eating regard drinking fruit juices as a healthy action. While this is relatively healthy compared to soda or coffee, it is worse than eating the actual fruit. This is due to the fact that, when a fruit is juiced, the fibers found in the non-liquid parts of the fruit are removed. The fibers play an important role in preventing the spike in blood glucose levels that can be caused by the sugars in the fruits; the juices take longer to digest when the fiber is present, thereby preventing an increase in sugar levels.
I have experienced this first hand. Whenever I eat an orange and check my blood glucose level 30 minutes after, my blood sugar only rises by a few points relative to before eating it. However, when I drink 4oz. of orange juice(the equivalent of 1 orange), the increase in blood glucose is much higher. For non-diabetics, this spike can lead to an increased risk of developing the disease. For diabetics, constant spikes in blood glucose can increase one's chances of developing blindness, loss of sense in limbs, and kidney failure.
If you have the option, always opt for a whole fruit as opposed to a fruit juice; and for fruit juice instead of soda. Taking smalls steps such as this will lead to better health in the long-term and decreased chances of developing chronic diseases.
Posted by khalidr at 08:07 PM | Comments (0)
November 21, 2008
First Post- "Khalid's Health and Fitness Blog"
I would like to welcome you to my Health and Fitness Blog. Here I will respond to articles, forum posts, or any other form of online materials; my primary focus will be to offer my insight on topics which I have had some experience with. I chose to write on this topic as it covers topics that affect me on a daily basis. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious foods and diligently maintaining an active workout routine. I believe that being healthy not only promotes physical and emotional well-being, but also keeps one's mind sharp.
Up until my junior year in high school, I was not aware of the effects that my unhealthy habits were having on my life. From sleepless nights to junk food, I constantly put my body through harmful actions. I came across the following site one day:
http://www.rawfoodhowto.com/ten-advantages-to-eating-raw.cfm
It completely changed the way I thought about my health. I realized that my lifestyle was wrong and its effects, which were not very obvious at the time, would show in the long-term. Although I did not transition into a raw diet overnight, I adopted a much healthier lifestyle relatively quickly. I started doing my work more efficiently in order to maximize the number of hours I slept. Also, I started packing a lunch, as opposed with friends to nearby junk food restaurants during our break period. In addition, I began researching and implementing workout programs that incorporated everything from cardio exercises to heavy-bag training. I started feeling better than ever. I developed a cycle whose benefits were compounded over and over again. When I was more efficient during the day, I would be able to sleep more at night; in turn, I would be even more efficient the next day. By the end of the summer between my junior and senior years, I was in the best physical condition of my life. I maintained this lifestyle through my senior year and my freshman year of college.
During the summer between my freshman year and the current academic year, I decided to increase the percentage that raw foods made up of my diet. This was partially due to the fact that I became more aware of the added benefits of eating a vegetable in its natural state as opposed to a cooked one. I've spent countless hours in the past few months researching ideal food combinations; thus, my intention in creating this blog is to share some of my experiences with raw foods and exercise in order to promote understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I hope you enjoy it and employ the advice I will share!
Posted by khalidr at 11:53 PM | Comments (0)