Free Teen Weight Loss Programs

According to Palo Alto Medical Foundation, the percent of overweight teens in the United States has been steadily increasing. Approximately 15 percent are already overweight with an additional 15 percent at risk of becoming overweight. Teens who are overweight or obese are at high risk to become overweight and obese adults, which increases the chances of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and certain cancers. Some free programs are available to help teens manage their weight.

Slim Kids

Slim Kids provides teens and children with diet and exercise programs for free online to help them manage their weight. This thorough program takes an educational approach, explaining to teens why they have become overweight and how they can take off the pounds. Slim Kids encourages healthy eating in moderation--providing guides for foods that help you lose weight and gain weight--as well as regular exercise. A sample meal plan is provided for guidance. Their mantra is "I have to move it to lose it!" The Slim Kids program is free online, but it offers a more in-depth component that costs $22.95.

SparkTeens

SparkTeens, another free program for teens, is affiliated with the successful adult weight loss program SparkPeople. As such, the interactive interface and encouraging atmosphere make it a successful program that keeps teens motivated to lose the weight. At SparkTeens, participants can record their weights, food intake and exercise each day. Charting and tracking progress are highly encouraged, and weight loss is rewarded with praise and "stickers." Community forums and teams are also available to help teens connect with their peers and keep on track, cheering each other on to to their weight loss goals.

Online Tips and Guidance

Using the guidance and tips from many online sites, it's also possible to develop your own program. Sites like Exercise Goals, Overweight Teen and Personal Diets offer plenty of healthy weight loss recommendations, guidelines, nutrition information and exercise plans that can assist teens in achieving their weight loss goals. These sites are also free for teens and adults. Customize your own program with these tips and a consultation with your teen's physician.

Three Day Diet Substitutions

The 3 Day Diet is a fad diet promising rapid weight loss of 10 pounds. It achieves this mostly by loss of water weight through a calorie-restricted diet of 600 to 1,100 calories per day. Proponents of this diet claim that the combination of foods included in this plan will increase metabolism and fat burning. While the diet has a set menu, certain foods can be substituted for with a similar effect.

3 Day Diet Menu

People following the 3 Day Dieters are required to follow an exact menu in order to achieve the promised result. They are warned to neither overeat nor undereat during the three days, then return to normal eating for at least four to five days before performing the 3 Day Diet again.

Day 1:

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets artificial sweetener
1/2 grapefruit or juice
1 piece toast with 1 tbsp. peanut butter

Lunch

1/2 cup tuna
1 piece toast
Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets artificial sweetener

Dinner

3 oz. any lean meat or chicken
1 cup green beans
1 cup carrots
1 apple
1 cup regular vanilla ice cream

Day 2:

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets artificial sweetener
1 egg
1/2 banana
1 piece toast

Lunch

1 cup cottage cheese
8 regular Saltine crackers

Dinner

2 beef franks
1 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 banana
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

Day 3:

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets artificial sweetener
5 regular Saltine crackers
1 oz. cheddar cheese
1 apple

Lunch

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets artificial sweetener
1 boiled egg
1 piece toast

Dinner

1 cup tuna
1 cup carrots
1 cup cauliflower
1 cup melon
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

In addition, dieters should have at least four cups of water or calorie-free drinks daily.

Menu Substitutions

Some food on the 3 Day Diet menu may not appeal to all. In these instances, substitutions may be made. For instance, the one cup of tuna may be replaced with one cup of cottage cheese. An orange can be substituted for the half a grapefruit. Frozen yogurt is an obvious substitution for the nightly scoop of ice cream. Cauliflower, broccoli, green beans and cabbage are interchangeable, as are carrots and beets; likewise one piece of toast may be subbed for the Saltines.

Weight Training Program for Women

Women benefit greatly from weight training routines. Increased strength, muscle mass and bone density are achievable through progressive weight training. Regular strength training can also increase a woman's metabolic rate, which helps to burn excess fat.

Basic Exercises

Multi-joint or "compound" barbell exercises are the most efficient way to improve strength and muscle mass for men and women. The best multi-joint exercises are the squat, dead lift, bench press and military press.

More Exercises

Many other exercises can be incorporated into a weight training program to improve overall strength and development. Exercises using dumbbells as well as body weight exercises such as pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, lunges and dips are all good choices. Resistance machines can also be used.

Dietary Notes

Eating a balanced diet with enough protein to aid muscle recovery and growth (around 1 g per pound of body weight per day) is important. Sticking to whole foods, drinking plenty of water and avoiding excessive salt, refined and process foods is also beneficial.

No Carb Diet for Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a term for low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include difficulty speaking, anxiety, hunger, shakiness, nervousness, sweating, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion and weakness. Glucose or sugar is a source of energy and comes from carbohydrates such as bread, rice, potatoes, tortillas, cereal, milk, fruit and sweets. Changing your diet or medications are a few things that can done to treat hypoglycemia. Carbohydrates are essential for sustaining energy and leveling blood glucose levels, and diets that do not contain carbohydrates are not recommended.

Causes

Some factors that can bring on hypoglycemia are meals or snacks that are skipped, too small or delayed; vigorous exercise; and alcoholic drinks. While exercise has wonderful benefits for the body it can also lower blood sugar levels and can cause hypoglycemia for diabetics who do not make their own insulin. Hypoglycemia can even occur 24 hours after exercise has been completed. It is important to discuss your hypoglycemia symptoms with family and friends so they know when you are experiencing it and they can get you help immediately.

Diet

There are many different conflicting reports on the proper hypoglycemic diet but the truth is that each individual metabolism is different and each individual diet should be discussed with your doctor or dietitian prior to changing it. Since food and hypoglycemia can go hand in hand it is very important not to take chances on your food choices. Most dietitians and doctors recommend eliminating sugar, white flour, alcohol, caffeine and tobacco because they can wreak the most havoc on blood glucose levels. Sugar, candy and soft drinks should be replaced with water, diet soda, sugar-free candy and artificial sweeteners. However, you should be careful how you eliminate caffeine. For example f you drink several cups a day you should gradually cut back as opposed to quitting cold turkey, as you could experience caffeine withdrawal side effects. You should then replace the bad foods with healthy nutritious foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Foods that are acceptable are lean meats without their skin, whole grains, vegetables and certain fruits. While it is nearly impossible to eliminate all carbohydrates from your diet, it is possible to cut back safely as long as it is done under a doctor's supervision and guidance.

Science Fair Project Topics About Eggs

You eat eggs for breakfast and mix them in your favorite cookie mix without much thought, never considering the many branches of science contained in the small ovoid shell. When it is time to choose a science fair project topic, consider the assorted possibilities in oology, or the study of eggs. A science project about eggs can explore bouncing eggs and cooking eggs, or compare a hen's diet with egg size, weight and strength.

Chemistry

Cleaning up the mess of an accidentally dropped egg teaches you not to expect an egg to bounce. But ask yourself if chemistry can change the egg's bounce properties. Predict the results. Soak a hard-boiled egg in vinegar for three days or until the shell dissolves, and then let it sit in cold water overnight. Drop it from a height of 24 to 36 inches to test its bounce factor.

Food Science

How do you like your eggs? Science Buddies recommends comparing three techniques for soft-boiled eggs: cooking or steeping in boiling water or boiling the egg and water at the same time. Boil a pot of water and lower an egg into the boiling water, leaving the pot on the heat. Boil a second pot of water and remove the pot from the heat after the water boils. Place an egg into the hot water. Put a third egg into a pot of cold water and boil the egg and the water together. Boil the three eggs for two minutes each, and then immerse them in cold water for one minute and peel them. Cut open each egg and compare the runniness of the yolk. Taste test each one and determine your preference.

Zoology

Experiment with different feed combinations to learn what type of diet causes your hens to lay the best eggs. Chickens will eat whole grains, sprouted grains, grit, seeds, unsalted peanuts, green leafy vegetables and peels, grass, weeds, fruit, milk and meat products, worms and bugs, as well as several varieties of commercial poultry feed that comes as scratch, mash, pellets or crumble. Separate your hens into two or more groups in different pens. Weigh and measure the width of each hen's eggs to start. Select a different diet for each group to follow for the duration of your experiment. After two to four weeks, weigh and measure the eggs again to compare the effect the feed has on egg quality.

Engineering

Chickens need calcium in their diets to strengthen their eggshells. Adding oyster shell to the feed is a common way to ensure that your birds are getting enough of this important nutrient. Determine just how much effect calcium has on egg strength by measuring your chickens' current eggs and comparing them with the eggs laid after you add oyster shells to their diet for 10 to 30 days. Test egg strength by building an egg crusher, suggests Kasi Zoldoske of the 2010 California State Science Fair. Drill holes in the four corners of two small square boards. Place one board on a flat surface and insert dowels in the holes. Set an egg on the base and slide the second board onto the posts to rest lightly on the egg. Slowly add weights to the top until the egg cracks. Use a gram scale to measure the weight needed to break the shell.

How to Lose Weight Eating Low Carb

Low carb diets are helpful in losing weight but shouldn't be used indefinitely. If you are on a low carb diet, the carbs you are leaving out are simple carbs like wheat, rice and corn. While these foods are healthy in moderation, many people develop habitual patterns of eating -- which include a lot of these types of carbs. Complex carbs are very good for you and can be found in fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Instructions

1

Divide your food into fruits, vegetables and proteins such as meats, nuts and legumes, dairy, and meat substitutes.

2

Make each meal a combination of two of the food categories. For example, combine one serving of salmon with one pear, or a serving of beans with one serving of cheese -- or one serving of carrots with an apple.

3

Eat five to six small meals per day, using different combinations of food categories. An example of a full day's menu might include scrambled eggs and cheese in the early part of the morning, apple and orange later in the morning, chicken breast and asparagus for lunch, yogurt and blueberries as an afternoon snack, salmon and salad for dinner -- and cucumber and melon for dessert.

4

Drink lots of water throughout the day.

5

Avoid beverages that have more than 10 calories.

6

Begin an exercise routine if you don't have one. Start by walking at a fast pace for 30 minutes three times per week. If you already have an exercise routine, add something new to keep it interesting.

How to Mix Fish Oil With Juice

Omega 3 fatty acids play an important role in brain health and cardiovascular function. It is considered an essential amino acid which means it is necessary for life, but it is not produced by the body. When a sufficient amount of this acid is not available through proper diet, Omega 3 acids can be supplemented by taking fish oil. Fish oil is also beneficial in treating cardiovascular and joint issues. Fish oil can have a strong, unpleasant fishy taste. To mask this taste and make the supplement more palatable, you can add the fish oil to juice.

Instructions

1

Pour an 8 oz. glass of juice. Any juice is suitable with the exception of grapefruit juice. Research done at Harvard has shown that an enzyme in grapefruit juice may block the absorption of some medications or supplements.

2

Add the appropriate dose to the juice. Read the label on the brand of fish oil you have for the recommended dosage. If the fish oil is in a capsule, break the capsule in half and pour the contents into the glass. Doses vary between 1 and 10 mg based upon the reason you are taking the fish oil supplement. The proper dose for someone with high cholesterol or hypertension is 1 to 4 milligrams daily. The proper dose for someone wishing to lose weight is 1 to 6 mg. The proper dose for someone with joint pain is 4 to 6 mg daily.

3

Stir the juice thoroughly. Mixing the juice well will distribute the oil evenly in the juice, reducing the taste of fish.

4

Drink the entire glass of juice to get the full dose of fish oil. The oil will separate from the juice if you allow the glass to sit for several minutes. Remix the juice to redistribute the oil if this happens.

Fastest Way to Lose Weight Naturally

When you have a few extra pounds to lose, most of us want to shed it fast. But it's important to lose weight healthily and naturally. Not doing so will simply provide you with short-term weight loss. Most of the crash and fad diets people turn to may help you drop the pounds quite quickly, but rarely allow them to keep them off. So what is the fastest way to lose weight and lose it naturally? It comes down to a few simple rules.

Start Counting

It may seem rather tedious, but the most natural and effective way to lose weight will be to start counting those calories. People have been doing this for years, and it does work. The idea behind counting calories is essentially keeping tabs on what you're putting into your body. If you don't expend the same amount of calories that you eat, you're going to gain weight. By counting them, you know exactly how much you're eating in a day. From there, you can adjust to either maintain or lose weight.

The Numbers

Though each person is different and will have varying caloric demands based on height, weight, age and activity level, there are a few numbers to keep in mind that are basically "rules of thumb" when it comes to calories. For an average woman to drop weight, she should reduce her calories to around 1,500 to 1,600. For an average man to drop weight, he should reduce his calories to between 1,800 and 2,000. These are rough estimates. As mentioned before, each person is different and will vary on personal factors.

Calculate

If you want to dig deeper into your caloric intake and not use the rough numbers to lose weight, you can start off by calculating your base metabolic rate. This will help you understand how many calories you would expend in a given day. All you'll need to know is your height, weight, age and activity level to do this.

Base Metabolic Rate for Women

For a woman, take your weight (in pounds) and multiply it by 4.3. Take your height (in inches) and multiply it by 4.7. Take your age (in years) and multiply it by 4.7. Now, add the first two numbers (from weight and height) together with 655, and then subtract the last number (from age) to calculate your BMR. The calculation would look something like this for a 40-year-old woman who is 5 feet tall and 140 pounds: (4.3 x 140 pounds) + (4.7 x 60 inches) + 655 -- (4.7 x 40) = 1351.

Base Metabolic Rate for Men

For a man, take your weight (in pounds) and multiply it by 6.23. Take your height (in inches) and multiply it by 12.7. Take your age (in years) and multiply it by 6.8. Now, add the first two numbers (from weight and height) together with 66 and then subtract the last number (from age) to calculate your BMR. The calculation would look something like this for a 40-year-old man who is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds: (6.23 x 200 pounds) + (12.7 x 72 inches) + 66 -- (6.8 x 40) = 1954.

Lifestyle

Now that you've arrived at the base metabolic rate, it's time to apply your activity level. This will give you a better idea of exactly how many calories you need to maintain your current weight. People who are basically sedentary should take their BMR number and multiply it by .2. Those who exercise 1 to 3 times a week will multiply it by .3. Those who exercise 4 to 6 times a week will multiply it by .4. Those who do vigorous exercise each day will multiply it by .5. This number is added back into the BMR. Let's take one of our two people from above to better understand how lifestyle will play a roll. If our 40-year-old woman exercises twice a week, she would need to take in around 1,750 calories to maintain her weight: 1,351 x .3 = 405; 405 + 1,351 = 1,756.

Adjust

Now that you know how many calories you need to maintain your weight, you can adjust in two different ways: reducing calories or increasing exercise. To lose around a pound a week, cut out 500 calories a day (no more than that). The same woman, if she started exercising four times a week, would need around 1,890 calories to maintain her weight. That's already 134 calories right there. This demonstrates how exercise can impact weight loss, just by adding a couple extra days in a week.

Free Weight Loss Exercise Programs and Workout Routines

Losing weight doesn't have to be expensive; you can lose weight and get fit with free programs available online, at your library or on television, or just by going outside for a brisk walk. Before you select a free weight loss and exercise program, you'll need to evaluate your current physical shape, learn the safety precautions and review your workout options. Once you've picked the perfect workout routine for your needs, all you need to add is discipline and dedication to achieve a healthier, slimmer body.

Physical Capability

When you're starting any weight loss program, always consult with your doctor first; you may need special guidelines for your workouts or have medication adjusted once you start losing weight. After a medical consultation, evaluate yourself and be honest: Are you a complete beginner or do you practice moderate physical activity? Most free programs and fitness routines have beginning levels and modifications for the inexperienced. If you're not sure, always start with the beginning level to avoid injury, and slowly work up from there. The type of workouts you choose may also depend on your overall strength. For example, if you have weak knees or a bad back, avoid a workout with a lot of lunges, which may stress your joints, and seek out a low-impact fitness routine.

Safety

Although everyone wants to lose weight fast, the important thing to remember when working out is patience. Don't push yourself too hard; once a routine is comfortable and you can breeze through it, tackle the next level. Contrary to popular belief, a workout should never hurt. If you feel sharp pains, stop immediately and rest. To ensure that you don't hurt yourself or get frustrated during a workout, sit down and watch it all the way through before you try it. Most reputable workouts will give you a basic move to do if you can't achieve a certain position or movement. If you spot something during the session that you know is beyond your ability, mentally note that basic movement and perform that during the difficult parts of the routine. For safety's sake, always wear the appropriate gear during a workout, including soft, flexible clothing such as sportswear or sweats that won't chafe you as you sweat, and correctly fitting athletic shoes so your feet won't slide. Part of effective exercise is being safe, because if you injure yourself, you'll have to sit out a few days' worth of workouts to heal, delaying your weight loss goal.

Availability

Free weight loss exercise programs are everywhere, from the Internet to the VHS and DVD collections at your local library. The best option is to check with your local community center and see if they offer any free workout classes. If not, try your library; most have several workouts to choose from, including yoga, aerobics and weight training. When using a library DVD, ask about long-term checkouts or automatic renewal of the program until you're ready for the next one. If you can't find a DVD that meets your workout requirements, check your local television listings; special channels such as FitTV offer over-the-air workouts most hours of the day, and even regular channels such as public television will often carry exercise programs in the morning.

Another option is the online workout; these workouts are often broken up into sections, such as warm-up, main program and cool-down, to accommodate varying bandwidth. SparkPeople is an excellent resource for online workouts, and everything is free, so you're never pressured for an upsell to a different program. You can also supplement your fitness program with the best free workout available to anyone: walking. A moderately paced walk is an excellent way to burn fat and tone muscle, plus you don't need any DVDs or equipment other than a water bottle and a good pair of shoes.

Fastest Way to Lose Weight Safely

The most exasperating aspect of weight is that it seems to come on faster than it comes off. For some people, it doesn't matter how hard you try, those pounds are intent on sticking around forever. Although there are some companies that produce products that can help you lose weight rapidly, they are not always safe. There is a natural way to lose weight safely and somewhat quickly, but it takes a bit of work and commitment on your part to achieve it.

Add Green Tea

Green tea can be beneficial to those trying to lose weight quickly and safely. It may help raise your metabolic rate, which not only helps burn calories, but also is effective at burning fat. Green tea also helps balance the glucose levels that causes extreme spikes and drops in blood sugar. These imbalances result in low energy levels and sugar cravings--every dieters nightmare. In addition, green tea may inhibit glucose from moving into fat cells. This means it can lead to a reduction in body fat. Though many people drink 10 cups a day, four to five cups a day will give you the benefits you are looking for.

Increase Your Water Intake

Water is the single most important component when it comes to losing unwanted weight and losing it quickly. Not only does it act as an effective appetite suppressant, filling you up between meals, it also cleanses the kidneys of waste that assists the body in metabolizing stored fat. It also keeps you hydrated, preventing false cravings from occurring.

Eat Frequent Meals

Eating five to six small meals a day is more beneficial than eating three large meals a day. Always begin your day with a healthy breakfast, this jump starts your metabolism and helps ward off cravings. The remainder of your snacks and meals should be eaten every two to three hours and should be kept small enough to stay within your calorie range, but large enough to keep you satisfied. A good lunch might be a spinach salad topped with chicken and light dressing, while a healthy snack would be yogurt topped with almonds. Eating in this manner not only keeps you full throughout the day, preventing overeating, but it also keeps your metabolism high so you burn fat 24 hours a day.

Eat More Protein

Protein is the key to building and maintaining muscle. And the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn. On average, you should consume 50 to 65 grams of protein per day. Good sources of protein include egg whites, skinless chicken breast, fish, lean red meat, and low-fat yogurt.

Exercise

Eating right is only part of the process. If you want to lose weight quickly and keep it off, you need to exercise. Strength training, while good for building muscle, will not help you lose weight. Ultimately the more muscle you have the more fat you will burn, but aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling is what helps burn calories and shed pounds. Thirty to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise, four to five days a week will help you achieve your goals, while three days a week with strength training is sufficient.

The Chemical Diet

The Chemical Diet, Chemical Breakdown Diet, Chemical Reaction Diet and Three-Day Chemical Diet all go by the principle of pairing foods that work together to cause a chemical reaction to increase metabolism and create a fat burning effect. All of the above-mentioned chemical diets are fad diets and can cause serious health problems if used for long periods of time.

Do These Chemical Diets Work?

Food combining diets have little or no scientific evidence to offer to a dieter. A notable exception can be grapefruit. According to a study at the Scripps Clinic, participants who ate grapefruit before meals had considerably lower levels of insulin in their blood. Insulin promotes hunger, so lowering levels of insulin can help dieters control their hunger. The study further notes that a natural compound found in grapefruit may also be responsible for the weight loss.

Cautionary Details

All of the chemical diets are very similar in what an individual can eat on the diet plan. Since they are based theoretically on chemical balancing of food there is no substituting on these diets. If one does not like a particular food it is best to avoid these types of diets. If certain foods are to be consumed on these very strict menus then it must be eaten, like it or not, or you can do without. Due to the restrictions of the menus and low calorie count, chemical diets are very hard for most people to follow. If one can follow the diet, weight will undoubtedly be lost, not due to the combining of food but the low calorie intake.

On the various above-mentioned chemical diets the calorie count per day is very low, usually ranging from 850 to 1,000 calories per day. Low-calorie diets are only used by physicians when a patient is severely obese. Chemical diets will tell the dieter to follow the diet for three to four days then eat a normal healthy diet for three to four days, then go back to the diet menu and keep repeating the cycle until the ideal weight loss is achieved.

A healthy adult could follow a chemical diet and probably not have any serious health complications if the diet is just followed very short term, but this is not recommended. Consult with a physician and discuss diet goals with him before starting any diet.

One Day Sample Menu

Breakfast:
1 cup black coffee or tea
One half grapefruit
1 slice toast
1 tbs. peanut butter

Lunch:
3 oz. tuna in water
1 slice toast
1 cup black coffee or tea

Dinner:
3 oz. lean meat of your choice
1 cup of green beans
1 cup of carrots
1 apple
1 cup of vanilla ice cream

This is day one of the Three-Day Chemical Diet, but many different variations of the diet plan can be found. All of the chemical diets are very closely related with minor differences. What they all have in common is lack of nutritional value and not enough calories to sustain good health in most adults.

How to Activate a Weight Loss Program

Many people want to shed unwanted pounds quickly. There are countless diets and exercise programs to choose from and implementing them can be close to impossible. There are many obstacles to overcome such as time restraints, expense of gyms or exercise equipment, and lack of preparation and knowledge about nutrition and exercising. The key to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume.

Instructions

1

Prepare for your weight loss program. Research nutrition and exercise information to assist in designing an eating plan and an exercise program. Set a specific weight loss goal in mind. This will help you to stay on track rather than if you just want to "lose weight." You can use a prefab meal program like Weight Watchers or you can design it yourself. Eating plans need to include a balanced diet. For exercise, you can join a gym, buy a piece of equipment for your home or use DVDs. Beware of any medical conditions that you have. You need to pick the meal program and exercise program that work for you.

2

Journal your eating and exercise habits for a week or two. This will help you to identify any bad habits that you may have. Late night eating, unhealthy snacking, exercise that doesn't raise your heart rate, and eating when you're stressed are all examples of bad habits that you should be looking for. After you identify these bad habits, you can avoid them and create solutions. An example solution for late night snacking would be to have vegetables ready to eat instead of a high-calorie junk food snack.

3

Shop for your eating plan. Have healthy meals and snacks available for you. Eliminate high-calorie junk food pitfalls that can lure you. If the junk food isn't readily available to you, you're less likely to eat it. Prepare for your exercise program. Have all the materials --- including workout clothes, weights and membership --- ready for you to begin.

4

Start your weight loss plan. Pick a day and begin your weight loss. Track your progress throughout by weighing yourself and measuring your waist, hips or thighs. If you get off track, just get back on as soon as possible. Everyone gets off track now and again. Be aware of your pitfalls and implement your solutions if you find yourself falling back into them.

What Are the Benefits of Grapefruit Pectin Fiber?

Grapefruits are known for their vitamins and minerals, but they're also a great source of fiber. Grapefruit pectin, a unique form of soluble fiber, has a number of health benefits.

Cholesterol

Grapefruit pectin fiber binds to cholesterol and prevents it from forming deposits along artery walls.

Blood Sugar

Grapefruit pectin fiber slows carbohydrates from entering the bloodstream, which reduces the rate at which sugars are absorbed. This helps maintain blood sugar levels.

Colon Health

Like all fiber, grapefruit pectin fiber is beneficial to colon health, adding bulk to stool and helping it pass more easily through the intestinal tract. Grapefruit pectin fiber can also prevent diverticulitis and hemorrhoids, while easing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other bowel complaints.

Antibacterial

A powerful antibacterial, grapefruit pectin fiber will fight bacterial infections, internal fungi, and other harmful parasites.

Warning

Grapefruit pectin fiber can interfere with the enzyme responsible for metabolizing certain prescription drugs, leading to possible toxicity. Some of the medications at risk include cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, blood pressure medicines, the antidepressant Sertraline, Valium, and Viagra.

How to Run in a Weight Loss Program

Most weight loss programs suggest that you exercise as well as diet. Running is especially good because it burns more calories than most other exercises. Exercise is even more important for keeping the weight off after you have lost it. Running may not be the best choice if you are on a very low-calorie diet, because the diet may not give you enough energy to run. Check with your doctor before you start running.

Instructions

1

If you are already running, keep on with it. If you are a beginning runner, start by walking or use a walk-run program. For a walk-run program, run for, say, five minutes and walk for three minutes. Repeat for the duration of your workout. If you have a lot of weight to lose, walk-run may be best because it is easier on your knees than running straight through.

2

Plan the days you will run. Run three or four days a week, and do a longer workout one day on the weekend.

3

Increase your time or distance no more than 10 percent per week. If you reach 20 miles a week, you can stick with that. There is no need to go farther at this point, although you may want to train for a long race some time in the future, after you have lost weight.

4

If you are doing a walk-run program, adjust it gradually so you do more running and less walking. You do not have to go to all running if you prefer walk-run.

5

As you lose weight, your body has to use fewer calories when you run, so you will lose weight slower. Keep up with your program and be patient.

Free Low-Carb Meal Plan

Dieters gravitate to a low-carb program because cutting carbs found in processed foods significantly boosts weight loss. The best way to begin your low-carb meal plan is to toss all sugar- and starch-laden foods--including cookies, baked goods, white rice and pasta. Replace those items with low-carb options that you can eat throughout the day, such as fresh vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy. For best results, aim to eat 1,200 to 1,500 low-carb calories per day for maximum weight loss.

Eat Breakfast Every Day

Don't think that skipping breakfast will help reduce your overall daily caloric intake. This couldn't be further from the truth, especially when counting carbs. You must jump-start your metabolism every morning to begin burning calories.

Select a low-carb breakfast such as two eggs, scrambled or over easy, two slices of turkey bacon and a glass of tomato juice, coffee or water. Or make an omelet with one piece of low-fat cheese, diced vegetables and ham. Another low-carb egg dish is a breadless eggwich. Pile your egg combination on a large piece of lettuce, top it with salsa, wrap it and close it with a toothpick.

Another low-carb option is a cup of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt mixed with 1 tsp. ground flax seeds and a packet of artificial sweetener.

Low-Carb Lunch and Dinner

Cut the carbs in your mid-afternoon and evening meal by integrating a piece of lean meat during every meal. Choose 3 oz. grilled or baked pork, chicken or fish. Every now and then have steak, but stick to white meat to be on the healthier side.

You should also eat 1 or 2 cups of vegetables with every afternoon and evening meal to fill up and reduce cravings. An easy way to get your servings is to buy bags of frozen vegetables and measure 1 or 2 cups. Steam them in the microwave and top them with non-fat butter spray and seasonings.

You can also roast vegetables to create an entire meal. Wash and cut non-starchy, sugary vegetables such as broccoli, squash or cauliflower. Toss them in an oven-safe pan with 1 tsp. olive oil and sea salt. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes and top it with shredded, non-fat mozzarella cheese.

Snacking, Low-Carb Style

Snacks are an important way to keep your cravings at bay and on track with your low-carb lifestyle. Select foods such as low-fat cottage cheese, string cheese, sugar-free plain yogurt, sugar-free gum and sugar-free hard candy to satisfy afternoon or late-night cravings.

Raw, cut vegetables partnered with sugar-free dressing is another way to snack without guilt. Eating nuts and seeds are also considered low-carb, but be mindful how many you eat in one sitting. Nuts are loaded with calories and fat.

Diets for Clean Livers

The liver is the largest organ in the human body and it is located across the right-upper quadrant of the abdomen. It is a cleansing powerhouse, removing toxins that are inhaled and ingested, cleaning 1 quart of blood a minute of impurities and keeping our immune systems healthy. Periodic cleansings of the liver through changes in a person's long-term diet or by using short-term intensive cleansing diets and fasts help the liver keep us healthy, because a clean liver aids your body in its ability to heal itself.

Lifestyle Changes

Changing how you eat can help keep the liver healthy. One way to do this is by eating foods in their natural state, without preservatives and additives, and, better yet, raw. Try to eat something "crunchy" at every meal. Raw fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, should make up 30 to 40 percent of your daily diet and provide the bowel with all-important, toxin-removing fiber. A healthy liver also needs protein in the form of nuts, seeds, beans, fish and limited amounts of beef and chicken. Fruits and vegetables that are particularly good for the liver are mango, papaya, grapefruit, lemons, artichokes, beets, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, kale, cauliflower and cabbage.

Five-Day Liver Cleanse

Ronald Steriti, PhD, suggests the Liver and Gallbaldder Flush and Cleansing Diet on his website. Beginning on Day 1 and continuing for five days, drink each morning 4 tbsp. of virgin oilve oil, two medium cloves garlic and the juice of one lemon blended together. Add the juice of half an orange if desired. Wait 30 minutes and drink two cups of herbal tea. Eat fresh fruit for breakfast, followed by steamed or raw vegetables separately or in a salad, dressed with olive oil, lemon juice and herbs. Do not eat meat, seafood, dairy or processed foods. Drink as much as you like of purified water, herb teas and fresh juices.

Liver-Cleansing Fast

The Arden's Garden 2-Day Detox juice fast for cleansing the liver requires dieters to drink just juice, no solid food, for two days. For this liver detox, dieters need 48 oz. of fresh grapefruit juice, 32 oz of fresh orange juice, 16 oz. of fresh lemon juice, 160 oz. of distilled water, and an empty 1-gallon jug to hold the juice mixture. For each of the two days of the cleanse, pour 24 oz. of grapefruit juice, 16 oz. of orange juice, 8 oz.. of lemon juice and 80 oz. of distilled water into the gallon jug. Drink 8 oz. of this mixture each hour until you have consumed the contents of the jug. This kind of liver flush allows your system to take a rest and repair itself.

Liver-Cleansing Supplements

Herbs and spices like ginger, parsley, turmeric and cilantro have been cited as aiding liver functions. Additional supplementation with iron, vtamin B-12 and amino acids also have been suggested as beneficial. According to the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, there is insufficient proof that any of these actually benefit liver functions or health. The newsletter has stated that milk thistle contains a substance called silymarin that "may help block or remove harmful substances from the liver and repair damaged liver cells."

Drink, Drink, Drink

Keeping hydrated helps the liver to successfully flush toxins from the bloodstream. Try to substitute almond, rice, soy and oat milks for cow's milk. Drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices, lemon water, green and herbal teas and all the purified water you want. You should drink a minimum of six glasses of fluids a day.

Diet for Canine Bladder Stones

Our canine pets suffer from bladder stones just as we humans do. Also known as urinary calculi or urinary stones, bladder stones can form anywhere in the dogs urinary tract. Dr Race Foster at PetEducation.com states that over 85 percent of canine urinary stones form in the bladder. Unlike in the past, current medical advances provide several treatment options, including curative diets that treat canine bladder stones and prevent their recurrence.

Causes and Types

Composed of minerals, canine bladder stones appear when a urinary tract bacterial infection alters the urine pH levels. These stones initially form crystals in the urine, which gradually become stones of around four inches in width. While dogs experience different types of bladder stones, struvite and calcium oxalate stones are the most common. Struvite stones generally affect female dogs as a result of a urinary tract infection. Calcium oxalate stones are experienced by older male dogs, and are linked to heredity and hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms

Telltale signs that your dog is experiencing a bladder stone disorder include frequent and painful urination in small quantities with occasional blood, and abnormal licking of the genitals. While dogs may experience all or some of the symptoms, sometimes they may display none, and the stone is detected during an examination of the abdominal area.

Treatment

Bladder stones are treated with medication, diet and/or surgery, depending on the stone size, type and location. Generally, the vet treats the urinary tract infection and dissolves struvite stones with antibiotics and dietary management. However, stones lodged in the dogs ureter or urethra obstruct the urinary tract and can be life-threatening, necessitating surgery or catheterization. Often, calcium oxalate stones in canines require surgical intervention.

Diet

Foods that are high in mineral and protein predispose dogs to bladder stones. Therefore, dogs should be fed a special diet that dissolves bladder stones and prevents their recurrence. Specially-prepared diets are available off the shelf from pet food manufacturers like Purina, Hills and Royal Canin. These special diets are high in fiber and low in minerals--like calcium and magnesium--and in proteins. GoPetsAmerica recommends home-cooked bladder-stone-control meals for canines. Dogs with struvite stones have alkaline urine, while oxalate stones form in acidic urine. Therefore feed your dog foods that balance pH levels, based on the stone type.

Supplements

Though urinary acidifiers like vitamin C and dl-methionine acidify the dogs urine, a natural supplement like cranberry extract is advised, as it also prevents bacterial proliferation. Avoid giving dogs urinary acidifiers in conjunction with the special diet, as special diets also acidify the urine. Increase your dogs water intake to minimize urine concentration and flush out bladder stones. Ensure that she urinates every six hours, as concentrated urine becomes acidic and leads to bacterial infection. Enrich your dogs diet with natural multivitamins derived from whole foods that are not contraindicated with his stone type.

Considerations

A correct diagnosis of your dogs bladder stone type will ensure that you are feeding her an appropriate diet. Therefore, consult your vet before placing your dog on a bladder-stone-prevention diet.

How to Select Foods Without Carbohydrates

Eating foods without carbohydrates is important for someone on a low carb or carb restricted diet. With the multitude of products available in supermarkets it can be difficult find to foods without carbohydrates. Follow these steps to find foods containing little to no carbohydrates.

Instructions

1

Make a stop in the meat department. As long as you don't mind eating meat it is an excellent source of protein and generally has no carbohydrate content. Try to avoid meat that has been heavily marinated or prepared because some marinades tend to have a lot of sugar in them which will contribute to the carbs.

2

Pick up some soy if you're vegetarian or vegan. Soy is one of many foods with very few carbohydrates that most people enjoy eating and is relatively inexpensive. It comes in many forms such as raw beans, milk, and even protein powder.

3

Look for raw, non-starch vegetables. Most vegetables have very little carbohydrate content with the exception of starchy vegetables like potatoes. Examples of good low carb vegetables are broccoli, green beans, and celery.

4

Buy lettuce to make salads, but keep the dressing to a minimum. Salads are wonderful for people on low carb diets, but you have to avoid the dressing as much as possible or select a reduced carb dressing and use it sparingly.

5

Put some cheese in your cart. If you can tolerate lactose and eat animal products, cheese is a great food that contains little to no carbohydrates. Make sure to choose real cheese and not processed cheese which can contain more carbs and unhealthy preservatives.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Days

Let's face it. Everyone would like to know the fastest way to lose weight or how to lose weight quickly without effort.
Many are even wondering how Jessica Simpson lost weight so fast. Maybe she used the lose 10 pounds in 10 days diet. Follow the steps here to lose weight.

Instructions

1

This weight loss plan is a low calorie vegetarian diet. Basically you will eat fruits and vegetables for the 10 day period. Break the plan into four meals per day. for example, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack.

2

Eat 4 servings of vegetables each day. Each serving should be about 1 cup. For example, 1 cup serving breakfast, 1 cup serving at lunch, 1 cup serving at dinner, 1 cup serving at snack time. Eat as much lettuce
and tomato as you desire.

3

And add 4 servings a day of any of the following fruits. Plums, peaches, tangerines, grapefruit, cantaloupe, apples, orange, banana, one cup of strawberries, 1 cup of raspberries. For example, 1 fruit serving at breakfast, 1 fruit serving at lunch, 1 fruit serving at dinner, 1 fruit serving at snack time

4

Add about 1/2 cup plain yogurt a day to the fruit servings.

5

Drink plenty of water, tea, coffee. No sugar. Use artificial sweeteners in moderation.

6

Add 1 cup of soup per day, this includes onion, tomato, vegetable only.

7

Here's an example of a daily meal plan on the 10 pounds in 10 days weight loss plan.

Breakfast
1 cup strawberries
cup serving plain yogurt
1 cup tomato juice.

Lunch
1 banana
Lettuce/tomato salad with lemon juice
1 cup vegetable soup

Dinner
1 orange
1 cup Steamed Brussels sprouts
1 cup onion soup

Snack 1 Fruit serving 1 Vegetable serving

The Mayo Clinic Diet for Weight Loss

The Mayo Clinic diet for weight loss is a weight loss program designed to be a series of lifestyle changes. These changes will enable a person to take control of his weight and maintain a healthy body weight for the rest of his life. Proper diet and exercise are both key components of the Mayo Clinic diet for weight loss.

Healthy Weight Pyramid

The Mayo Clinic diet follows a food pyramid that outlines what foods people should be eating the most on a daily basis and which foods should be eaten sparingly. Fruits and vegetables make up the base of the healthy weight pyramid and consumption of these foods is unlimited. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating at least three servings of fruit and four servings of vegetables each day. The next level of the pyramid consists of carbohydrates and dieters are urged to keep their intake of these nutrients between four and eight servings a day. The most desirable carbohydrate sources are those from whole grains. Protein and dairy come next with a recommendation of three to seven servings daily with an emphasis on lean sources of protein such as chicken, fish, low fat dairy products and legumes. Fats are near the top of the healthy weight pyramid but because fat is essential for good health, dieters should consume between three to five daily servings of fats from healthy sources such as nuts and olive oil. The tip of the pyramid is dedicated to sweets, and dieters are advised to keep sugary treats below 75 calories per day.

Physical Activity

The Mayo Clinic diet recommends increasing physical activity either through structured exercise or daily activities. Duties such as house cleaning, shopping, lawn maintenance and gardening may not seem like exercise but as long as your body is moving, calories are being burned. When following the Mayo Clinic diet for weight loss, one should try to perform 30 to 60 minute of moderate intensity exercise each day. This level of exercise will cause increased heart rate and breathing and light sweating.

Consistency

Setting goals and finding ways to stay motivated will help dieters achieve their desired weight while using this program. The Mayo Clinic recommends setting goals related to specific accomplishments rather than pounds. For instance, a goal may be jogging five miles per week. Write these goals down and refer to them often to stay on track. Remember that this diet is not a quick fix but rather a new way of eating and living designed to improve your health as well as your appearance. Reach out to family and friends for encouragement to help stay motivated while making these changes.

How to Lose Weight With Isagenix

Isagenix is a weight-loss program that primarily consists of a nine-day program, a 30-day program and a lifetime maintenance program. The plan calls for one low-fat, high-fiber meal consisting of about 500 calories per day. The Isagenix system also includes nutritional supplement, specialty food products and exercise. The following steps will show how to lose weight with Isagenix.

Instructions

1

Examine the basic Isagenix weight-loss package that consists of Cleanse for Life, IsaLean Shake and Isagenix Snacks. The active ingredients in the Cleanse for Life supplement are primarily aloe vera juice with vitamin and mineral supplements. The IsaLean Shake is the meal supplement, which is basically whey protein with flavoring, vitamins and minerals added. The Isagenix Snacks are a powdered blend of protein, carbohydrates and fat with flavoring.

2

Follow the nine-day Isagenix program. It includes a nine-day supply of the basic package and adds a bottle of Natural Accelerator Capsules. A program guide, measuring tape and instructional CD also are included.

3

Use the 30-day Isagenix program for more weight loss. It consists of the same components as the nine-day package and adds a bottle of Ionix Supreme, one bottle of IsaFlush and four Want More Energy packets.

4

Maintain your weight loss once the desired results have been achieved by using the maintenance program, called the Total Health and Wellness System. This contains a two-week supply of the basic package and adds a bottle of antioxidants and a bottle of Essentials vitamins.

5

Add variety to your Isogenix program to keep from getting bored by adding the supplements and food products that are included.

3-Day Weight Loss Diet

The 3 Day Diet is a fad diet that has been around since the '80s. Some of the benefits its proponents claim include an accelerated weight loss (up to 10 pounds in three days), a reduction in cholesterol levels, and an increase in energy. It is particularly attractive to many because it is only three days long. However, there are pros and cons to this weight-loss approach.

Warnings

This is a fad diet, not exactly a healthy eating plan. So as easy as it is to lose those pounds, you might gain them right back as soon as you begin to eat normally. No scientific evidence has been shown for how it works. This diet allows you to consume between just under 500 and 600 calories per day. This low consumption of calories is known to cause a slowdown in your metabolism as the body conserves energy when you enter starvation mode.

Please note: It is commonly emphasized that for this diet to work, it must be strictly followed. No adding, no subtracting. The vanilla ice cream you have every day for dessert at dinnertime must be regular, full-fat ice cream, not frozen yogurt or any other type of reduced fat variations. The vegetables you eat must be exactly what is prescribed and cannot be replaced with other vegetables of your choosing and so forth.

Best Use of the 3-Day Diet

This diet can be useful if you have an event coming up and need to fit into certain clothing. If your weight-loss efforts have reached a plateau, this diet may also help you jumpstart your weight loss. After the three days of this diet though, you should be prepared to embark on a truly healthy diet and exercise plan if you really want to keep the weight off.

Menu---Day 1

Breakfast on the first day is 1/3 of a grapefruit and a piece of toast spread with a tbsp. of peanut butter with a cup of coffee or tea without milk or sugar (or with a sugar substitute).

Lunch on the first day is 1/2 cup of tuna in spring water and a piece of plain toast with coffee or tea and sugar substitute or no sugar at all (with no milk).

Dinner on the first day is 3 oz. of lean meat with a cup of green beans and a cup of carrots. Then for dessert, an apple and a cup of vanilla ice cream. Drink at least four glasses of water through the day.

Menu---Day 2

Breakfast on the second day is an egg (preferably boiled) along with a slice of dry toast and 1/2 banana, accompanied by a cup of coffee or tea without milk or sugar, or with a sugar substitute.

Lunch on this day is a cup of cottage cheese, or tuna in spring water, with eight saltine crackers. You can wash this down with water.

Dinner on the second day of the diet consists of two franks with a cup of cabbage and 1/2 cup of carrots. Dessert on this day is 1/2 banana along with 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream. Feel free to drink water throughout the day.

Menu---Day 3

Breakfast on the third day is five saltine crackers, an ounce of cheese, and an apple with a cup of coffee or tea without sugar or milk (or with a sugar substitute).

Lunch is a boiled egg with a slice of dry toast and coffee or tea without milk or sugar (or with just a sugar substitute).

Dinner on the last day of the diet is a cup of tuna in spring water, a cup of carrots, and a cup of cauliflower. Dessert on this day is a cup of melon and 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream. You can drink water throughout the day.

Carb-Free and Sugar-Free Food List

Typical Carb Free Diet

Carb-free diets are somewhat of a misnomer, as any extremely low-carb diet falls under the auspices of this definition. You should realize that not all low-carb diets are created equal. There are three general categories of low-carb diets: extremely low-carb "carb-free" diets, ketogenic low-carb diets and non-ketogenic low-carb diets. All can help you achieve your weight loss goals. The only trick is picking the one that is most suitable for your needs. What follows are some commonalities and information about a typical carb-free diet plan.

Defining Carb Free

Keeping your daily carb count consistently at zero is quite a challenge. A number of foods contain "trace," or minimal, amounts of carbs. Thus, any diet where daily carb intake is kept under 20 or 30 g could safely be considered a carb-free diet. By virtue of their incredibly low carb-counts, carb-free diets are universally ketogenic--they force the body to use fat as the primary fuel source.

Carb-Free Diets, Fruits and Vegetables

Due to their low-carb count, carb-free diets will almost universally restrict fruit consumption, along with most vegetables. A typical carb free diet will only permit consumption of fibrous, green vegetables such as broccoli, cucumber, lettuce and spinach. Consumption of these foods is critical to ensure regularity due to their fiber content.

Are Carb-Free Diets Safe?

As you will be naturally limiting your consumption of vitamin-containing foods, some might consider carb-free diets to be inherently unsafe. However, consider that many of the remaining hunter-gatherer tribes on Earth (e.g., Eskimos and Inuits) have been eating this way for centuries, and they are some of the most physically fit people on the planet. In living with the Inuit tribe for a year, Dr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson ate as they did while under constant medical supervision and was found to have a clean bill of health.

Typical Carb-Free Foods

While some carb-free diets encourage "open season" on any form of meat, consider long-term heart health before succumbing to the temptation of endless plates of bacon and other fatty meats. A typical carb-free diet should encourage consumption of some saturated fats, but not an excessive amount. Choose leaner cuts of meat (at least 90 percent lean), and buttress your diet with other heart-healthy fats, like the omega-3 fats found in wild salmon.

Considerations

When adhered to rigorously, a carb-free diet can certainly deliver the fat loss results you crave. However, do not choose a diet plan simply because it is fashionable at the time. Weigh the pros and cons in order to reach a reasoned decision, arriving at a diet that suits you and your lifestyle. Needless to say, carb-free diets are not for everyone. But if you have decided to adopt a carb-free lifestyle, following these tips can ensure your time on the diet is well-spent.

How to Detox from Carbs

Though it has been given quite a bad rap as a fad diet and a dangerous way to purge, detoxing can be a useful way to give your body a break from all the toxic and unhealthy substances and foods that one normally takes in. Detoxing has been known to fix digestive disorders, improve the skin and boost one's energy. One of the most popular of these detoxes is the 5-day carb detox.

Instructions

1

Go shopping for groceries for 5 days. Only purchase organic foods. No other types of foods will do. Look for low-carb foods and high-protein foods, such as apples, oranges, grapes, carrots, peas, nuts and lean meats. You'll also need organic juices. All natural vegetable and fruit juices are best. No processed sugars.

2

Avoid foods with carbs, fried foods and unhealthy foods. These foods are what you're trying to rid your body and digestive system of. Foods high in carbs include potatoes, pasta, bread, wheat and bran products.

3

Pick one of your healthy foods for breakfast. Eat all you want of that food, until you feel full, but do not binge. One food does not mean fruit in general. It needs to be one fruit. Drink at least 8 ounces of water with it.

4

Pick a juice for a snack. Drink 16 to 24 ounces of juice as a snack between meals. The healthy foods are to replace the toxins in your body. The juice is to flush those toxins out. Drink only one type, and do not drink more than 24 ounces.

5

Eat one other healthy food for lunch. Try some melon or carrots. Again, eat as much of the food as you need to to feel full, and drink at least 8 ounces of water.

6

Pick one of your healthy, organic foods for dinner. Try one of your lean meats. Make sure the meat was fresh to avoid any preservatives that might be in there. The same rules apply: Eat until you're full, and drink plenty of water.

7

Repeat Steps 3 through 7 every day for 4 more days. Switch up the snacks (juice for solids) and meals to keep from getting bored. Variety is key.

The Link Between Grapefruits & Stomach Problems

The grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) derives from a natural crossbreeding between orange and pomelo--the largest of the citrus fruits--according to the website Juicing For Health. In 2005, researchers at Jagiellonian University, in Poland, used the extract of grapefruit seed in stomach ulcers of rats. They concluded that the substance helped the healing process, due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, according to BBC News website.

History

In 1693, an English captain brought pomelo seeds from the East Indies to the Caribbean, where they were planted close to oranges. According to BNET, the pollination between the two species happened naturally, resulting in a new fruit, which was later named "forbidden fruit." In 1814, naturalist John Lunan named it "grapefruit," after observing that the fruit grows in grape-like clusters. In the U.S., the first records of grapefruit trees date back to 1823.

The 1930s saw the first wave of grapefruit consumption for health reasons, known as the Hollywood Diet, or the "Grapefruit Diet," to lose weight, according to BNET. Meanwhile, the government was helping families to survive the Great Depression through the distribution of food stamps, which entitled people to free grapefruit. This introduced the fruit to many Americans.

Nutritional Composition

Grapefruit is rich in citric acid and vitamin C, natural sugars and the essential oils limonene, pinene and citral. It also contains small amounts of vitamins A, B complex, E, K and the minerals calcium, folic acid, phosphorus and potassium, according to Juicing For Health.

The fruit contains the flavonoids naringenin and apigenin-7-b-rutinoside, according to the New Crop Resource Online Program.

Uses and Benefits

Grapefruit seed extract can help cure ulcers through a rise in blood flow at the ulcer sites, according to BBC News. Researcher Dr. Thomas Brzozowski reports in the BBC News website that grapefruit is often considered as part of an inadequate diet during ulcers and other stomach problems, due to its acidic nature. However, the research suggests the exact opposite.

Although grapefruit has a sub-acid taste, its juice has an alkaline reaction after digestion, according to Juicing For Health. Flavonoids are widely known for their antioxidants and antibacterial properties.

Drug Interactions

Grapefruit juice can interact with many medicines. Although most interactions are not harmful, patients taking drugs to lower cholesterol (Lipitor, Mevacor and Zocor) have reported an increase in drug potency when taken with grapefruit juice, according to the "New York Times." High levels of these drugs can cause a serious muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis.

Warning

People under medication should contact a doctor before consuming grapefruit juice or seed extract, to avoid harmful reactions. People with high cholesterol and heart problems should pay particular attention to this warning, according to BBC News.

Grapefruit Seed Extract Cures for Candida

The broad spectrum anti-fungal properties of grapefruit seed extract have made it a potent remedy for those suffering from candida albicans. If you are planning a candida cleanse or are trying to avoid foods that cause this fungal overgrowth to come back, you should add grapefruit seed to your repertoire. According to Allhealthtrends.com grapefruit seed extract kills both candida and fungals related to candida, potentially doubling its potency.

Grapefruit Seed Candida Cleanse

Ideally grapefruit seed extract should be consumed as part of a larger candida cleansing program, which includes avoiding yeast, refined flours and refined sugars for a time. According to Dr. Allan Sachs you should undergo a candida cleansing diet for one week before you begin taking grapefruit seed extract. Avoid processed sugars, flours and any nonorganic meats during this time. Cut out the trans fats found in margarine, baked goods, popcorn and peanut butter during the seven day diet, and try to make every meal at home, where you know what goes into them. Also avoid alcohol and caffeine and take a probiotic supplement, which will help repopulate your digestive tract with healthy bacteria.

According to Dr. Leo Galland grapefruit seed extract is superior to other antifungal remedies such as nystatin because it works as well against candida but has no side effects. Galland said that he only knew of 2 reported failures out of 297 patients who used grapefruit seed extract to rid themselves of candida. It is almost completely nontoxic so it is impossible to overdose on grapefruit seed extract during your candida cleanse--and the taste of the product is so bitter that it would be impossible even if your tried.

Continue with the candida cleansing diet but add in the grapefruit seed extract after 1 week. Because it is so bitter to the taste, you may want to buy the slightly easier to swallow pill form of the supplement. Drink 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract mixed with fruit juice (or take a 125 mg pill) twice a day in between meals for 3 days. Increase the dosage to 15 drops twice daily or 3 pills daily for days 4 through 10. On days 11 through 28 of the cleanse increase the grapefruit seed extract to 15 drops 3 times daily or 5 capsules.

Unless you notice continued symptoms of candida (including skin problems, irritability, menstrual difficulties and frequent colds) you should be free of the overgrowth after 28 days. If you still notice symptoms you may have to increase your dosage of grapefruit seed extract up to 5 or even 6 months--there are no long term side effects. Practice continued healthy eating habits following the cleanse to keep the overgrowth from coming back in the future.