Saturday, November 22, 2008

Rejuvena Long-term Weight Management System: combination hCG and Food Sensitivity Testing

What is hCG?
hCG stands for human chorionic gondadotropin, which is a substance that occurs naturally in human tissue, most notably in the bodies of pregnant women. When used to help combat obesity, hCG is generally in synthetic form. Do not confuse hCG with hGH, which his human growth hormone.

Is hCG approved by the FDA?
Although the FDA has not yet specifically approved hCG for the purpose of weight loss, it is approved for a variety of conditions. Several well-known studies have shown the effectiveness of hCG for the treatment of obesity, and as it is proven by similar studies and its success becomes more widely recognized, it may someday be FDA-approved for weight loss. However, based upon a single poorly controlled study, the FDA currently states that hCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, or that it causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.

History behind the diet

Unlike many flash-in-the-pan, “miracle diet” schemes, the hCG diet is time-tested; in fact, the first published study on the use of hCG for weight loss came out in 1954. The person responsible for discovering this phenomenon was A.T.W. Simeons, M.D., a brilliant and accomplished British physician. While practicing medicine in Rome, he devoted years to the study of obesity. Dr. Simeons was one of the first to examine obesity as a physical disorder, not a mental or emotional disorder as had been previously suggested. He observed that, when given hCG injections, his patients not only lost weight but experienced a reshaping of their bodies as well.

Though Dr. Simeons’ initial report garnered quite a bit of attention at the time of its publication, the concept of the hCG diet didn’t really “catch on” until a bestselling book extolling its virtues was published by Kevin Trudeau in 2007. Since then, it has enjoyed renewed awareness, which seems to increase as more and more success stories surface.

How the diet works?
Excess fat is stored so that it can be used for fuel in case we find ourselves facing starvation; it’s the body’s way of ensuring its survival. That might have been an asset in the days of our prehistoric ancestors, but today we’re lucky to have an abundance of food available – which means that our excess fat stores just keep piling up.

hCG is designed to be a sort of protective mechanism. If a pregnant woman doesn’t take in enough calories to support the growth and nourishment of her baby, hCG mobilizes stored fat, breaking it down to make sure that the body has an adequate amount of calories at its disposal. During the hCG diet, your calorie intake will be very low, around 500 calories per day – so the body is prompted to use hCG to metabolize its stored fat as an energy source, just as it would during pregnancy.

On the hCG diet, your stored fat will be continually released into the body. That means you’ll never lack energy; despite taking in very few calories, your body is actually operating on thousands of calories’ worth of burned fat stores. That’s why it’s possible for hCG dieters to lose multiple pounds of fat per day.

Since hCG appears to work primarily on areas where extra adipose tissue, or fat, has accumulated, it tends to work on bulkier parts first: the lower abdomen, hips, thighs, and double chins. This leads to a reshaping of the body, even without exercise (we ALWAYS encourage exercise)). hCG doesn’t diminish necessary “structural” fat – such as the subcutaneous fat that gives the face a smooth look – only the places where fat is found in excess.

Why we test for hidden food sensitivities?

The last part of our weight loss program is designed to help you decide what foods to eat and which ones to avoid going forward. A healthy, organic whole food diet can still contain foods that are problematic for you. From a simple blood test, a detailed report is provided to you as a recommended guide for future eating. The test identifies your food sensitivities. Food sensitivities cause symptoms that are not always immediately seen upon eating. They can occur hours or even days after ingestion. Gas, bloating, fluid retention (ruling out cardiovascular origin), fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, and joint pain are common symptoms that can be related to food sensitivities. Eating a diet free of these foods can ensure even longer results, at the same time, decrease your chances of developing chronic disease.

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Importance of Detoxification

If you're breathing – which we sincerely hope you are – you're taking in toxins. You're also ingesting them and drinking them and bathing with them and ... the list goes on. Toxins are associated with many conditions, ranging from acne and headaches to neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's, and cancer. In order to help prevent these ailments, it's necessary to detoxify your system; things just work better when they're clean, and that goes for your body.

If you're looking to more effectively ward off toxin-related diseases, a good place to start is with the addition of more fruits and vegetables to your diet (organic, please!). They're a great source of phytochemicals and antioxidants, which bolster the body's ability to rid itself of toxic substances. Some of the best sources include cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower; leafy greens like spinach, kale, and watercress; and tomatoes, red grapes, and berries. Adding more of these foods to your diet is a good way to help immediately, and for a more complete detoxification there are holistic methods (IV therapy, colon hydrotherapy, coffee enemas) that work wonders.

When your system is free from years worth of built-up toxins, it's able to function much more efficiently. You'll be amazed at the difference.

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

Heavy Metals in Tattoo Ink

Tattoos have a colorful history (no pun intended!), and viewpoints vary just as much now as they ever have. They've been called trendy, tacky, and now ... toxic?

If you're thinking about getting inked, it pays to do your research first. The dyes injected into your skin get their bright hues and permanent staying power from heavy metals, which can include arsenic and lead, just to name a few. In this respect, some colors are worse than others; reds, for example – most of which contain mercury – have been known to cause allergic reactions and make people extra-sensitive to other sources of mercury (such as dental fillings). Several major lawsuits have brought the high metal content of tattoo pigments to light recently, and though the FDA has the power to regulate those pigments, they haven't officially deemed them safe for injection.

Before you commit to a tattoo, find out what's in the ink. Manufacturers are not required to reveal their proprietary ingredient lists, so it may require a bit of intensive searching. Generally, though, the more professional and reputable the tattoo artist, the more knowledgeable (and trustworthy!) he or she will be. And if the studio staff mixes its own pigments, they'll be able to give you the information you require in order to make a smart decision. When it comes to ink, stop and think.

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