PEPPERY WAY TO SHED WEIGHT

Love to have your food with extra pepper? Well, other than spicing up your taste buds, it will also help you lose those extra inches around the waist.

Food scientists have said that hot peppers contain a substance called capsaicin that can actually cause your body to heat up.

However, now researchers have found growing evidence that the body-heat-generating power of peppers might even lend a hand in our quest to lose those extra inches accumulating around the waistline.

And fortunately for those who do not appreciate the "burn" of hot peppers, there are plants that make a non-burning version of capsaicin called dihydrocapsiate (DCT) that could have the benefits of peppers without the pungency.

In a study aimed to test the weight-loss potential of this DCT containing, non-spicy cousin of hot peppers, researchers at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition set out to document its ability to increase heat production in human subjects consuming a weight-loss diet.

Led by David Heber, the researchers recruited 34 men and women who were willing to consume a very low-calorie liquid meal replacement product for 28 days.

The researchers then randomised the subjects to take either placebo pills or supplements containing the non-burning DCT pepper analog.

Two dosage levels of DCT were tested. At the beginning and end of the study, body weight and body fat were assessed, and the researchers determined energy expenditure (heat production) in each subject after he or she consumed one serving of the test meal.
Their data provided convincing evidence that, at least for several hours after the test meal was consumed, energy expenditure was significantly increased in the group consuming the highest amount of DCT.

In fact, it was almost double that of the placebo group, which indicated that eating this pepper-derived substance that does not burn, can have the same potential benefit as hot peppers at least in part by increasing food-induced heat production.

They also showed that DCT significantly increased fat oxidation, pushing the body to use more fat as fuel.

This may help people lose weight when they consume a low-calorie diet by increasing metabolism.

However, the study has a limitation-researchers only tested the effect of DCT on the thermic response to a single meal.

The study was presented at the Experimental Biology 2010 meeting in Anaheim, CA.

DIETERS REGAIN WEIGHT AFTER A YEAR

More than 80 per cent of obese dieters fail to maintain their reduced weight after one year of initial weight loss due to hormonal changes, a new study has revealed.

The study involved 50 overweight or obese adults, with a BMI of between 27 and 40, and an average weight of 95kg, who enrolled in a 10-week weight loss program using a very low energy diet.

Levels of appetite-regulating hormones were measured at baseline, at the end of the program and one year after initial weight loss.

Results showed that following initial weight loss of about 13 kgs, the levels of hormones that influence hunger changed in a way, which would be expected to increase appetite.

These changes were sustained for at least one year. Participants regained around 5kgs during the one-year period of study.

The study revealed the important roles that hormones play in regulating body weight, making dietary and behavioural change less likely to work in the long-term, said Professor Joseph Proietto from the University of Melbourne and Austin Health.

"Our study has provided clues as to why obese people who have lost weight often relapse. The relapse has a strong physiological basis and is not simply the result of the voluntary resumption of old habits," he said.

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

PERFECT DIET TO PREVENT HAIR LOSS

  If your receding hairline and bald spot are giving you sleepless nights, here are a few dietary modifications to help keep your mane and its sheen

Men are as touchy about hair as women are about their backsides. It's a sensitive subject, one that raises many concerns and results in paranoid treatments and extreme measures. However, until the problem begins, there is little thought put into nourishing hair other than the lather and rinse routine. Before you start losing sleep over hair loss and book appointments with trichologists, take a closer look at what you're eating. Chances are that even slight modifications made to what you eat by incorporating ingredients that aid hair growth and health will have a drastic impact. While genes and lifestyle will always have the upper hand, here's what you could eat to help curb that receding hairline.

Carrots                                                                                                             
It's not just the eyes, Vitamin A-rich carrots provide excellent nourishment for the scalp. A healthy scalp ensures shiny, well-conditioned hair that is strengthened and moisturised. An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like the Indian salmon and low-fat dairy are great boosters for healthy hair.

Prunes                                                                                                
If your hair suffers from dryness, thinning, stiffness, discolouration or hair fall, depleting reserves of iron might be the culprit. Prunes are known to be great sources of iron and greatly help improve the quality of hair. Also ensure you get plenty of green vegetables and beetroots in your diet in  
addition to prunes.

Green peas                                                                       

Although green peas are not rich in antioxidants or any specific vitamin or mineral, they contain a well-balanced amount of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and B group vitamins. These are essential for maintaining healthy hair.

Oats                                                                                



Not only are oats loaded with fiber that helps maintain a healthy heart and bowels, they also contain a high concentration of other essential nutrients such as zinc, iron and omega-6 fatty acids. Together, these are also knows as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Omega-6 fatty acids in particular are essential to maintain normal skin, hair growth and development. Since this essential ingredient is only obtained through the diet, make sure your breakfast includes a bowl of oatmeal every few days in the week.

Shrimp                                                                          
 
While red meats are best avoided in excess, finding an appropriate substitute for proteins might be a little difficult for those looking to build muscle etc. Alternatively, of the wide variety of sea food available, shrimps are a great substitute. They not only go excellently well in a number of curries and pastas, their potent concentration of Vitamin B12, iron, zinc contain all the necessary nourishment to prevent hair loss.

Walnuts                                                                            

Not to be outdone by the oats, walnuts are one of the most hairfriendly nuts in the category. Not only do walnuts have more omega-6 fatty acids than any other food, but they're also full of zinc, iron, B vitamins (B1, B6 and B9), and plenty of protein. However, a word of caution, walnuts also contain a small trace of selenium, a mineral known to cause hair loss in people who are selenium-deficient or have way too much in their system. So a handful of nuts over the week should tide you over without much trouble.

Eggs                                                                                 
For a head full of healthy hair, the egg is probably one of your best friends. It's loaded with essential nutrients such as proteins, Vitamin B12, iron, zinc and Omega 6 fatty acids in large amounts. Being deficient in any of these vitamins and minerals is known to result in poor quality of hair. In addition it's also a good source for biotin (Vitamin B7) which is a great aid to fight hair loss.

Low fat dairy products                                                   
Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources. Add a cup of yogurt or cottage cheese to your snack list and to help prevent hair loss, stir in a few tablespoons of flaxseed or walnuts for your required dose of omega 3 fatty acids and zinc.

Hairy mistakes                                                                  
Here are a few common mistakes that severely damage hair
- Excessive stress and some medication are conclusively known to retard hair growth and promote hair loss.
- Cut down on the use of hair spray, hair gels, and styling creams that contain harsh chemical ingredients, which can dry out the scalp and cause the formation of flakes. Also harsh treatments such as perms, colours, relaxers etc take a toll on the health of your hair.
- Avoid changing your shampoo and conditioner constantly. Stick to one good mild cleansing shampoo for six months before changing.
- Excessive exposure to the sun, pollution, rain water and dust without proper protection makes the hair dry, brittle and limp. Use a live in conditioner during the rains to protect it from the humidity and wash and oil it regularly to maintain a healthy scalp. 


Courtesy; Mumbai Mirror

RELATED SITES: 

 1.  http://kesh-kathaa.blogspot.in/2012/03/hair-glasses.html

EAT ACCORDING TO YOUR BLOOD TYPE

What's the secret to a fit body? Experts say it may be hidden in the blood type. The blood group diet is based on the premise that your blood type - A, B, AB or O - should determine your diet and exercise regimen.

Proponents of this type of diet say that food proteins called lectins are digested differently, based on your blood type. If you eat food that's not compatible with your blood type, you may experience many health complications. Hence, follow a diet that's tailored to your blood type, which will help you lose weight, improve chronic health conditions and prevent certain diseases. For instance, this diet suggests if you are blood type A, you should have a vegetarian diet with fresh, organic foods and do yoga to help avoid the conditions you're more susceptible to.

The blood group diet originated from American naturopath, Dr Peter D'Adamo, author of Eat Right for Your Type. According to him, a chemical reaction occurs between your blood and the foods you eat. His nutrition plan is based on the premise that our blood type reflects our internal chemistry. Instead of counting calories and fat grams, this diet provides a list of foods to be avoided or included.

Ekta Tandon, Delhi-based nutritionist says, "Your blood type diet is the restoration of your natural genetic rhythm. It works because you are able to follow a clear, logical, scientifically researched plan based on your cellular profile." She explains, "Each food group is should eat high proteins; Type A should avoid heavy proteins and have carbohydrates; Type B people should drink more milk and avoid fruits like corns, lentils and peanuts. Type AB blood group can have a combination of diet chart of both Type A and Type B.

Naini Setalvad, Mumbai-based nutritionist says, "This diet plan doesn't count calories and fat and is not as restricted as other fad diets such as Atkins and juice diets."

Dr Dilip Nadkarni, Mumbai-based orthopedic surgeon, says, "The blood group diet theory needs more scientific divided into three categories: Highly beneficial (food that acts like medicine), foods allowed (foods that do no harm to the blood type) and foods not allowed (foods that act like a poison)."

D'Adamo, in his website says, "People with blood type A have a different set of characteristics from people who are Type O - they should eat different foods." The blood group diet chart suggests that Type O people study to be accepted universally. D'Adamo prescribes exercises to go hand in hand with his diet, which is better than most diet books that don't emphasise this aspect. He advises different exercises for different blood groups - O groupers to run, B groupers to hike and golfing for blood group A."

But avoid getting into the deficiency trap, cautions Dr Nadkarni. Moderation is the key, excess of everything is bad. Consult a professional before following the plan.