Visceral Fat Loss

Thermogenesis for Visceral Fat Loss 

June 18, 2013

Take a lesson on fat loss from bears that activate their brown adipose tissue during winter months.

 

By Michael Colgan, Ph.D. 
Thermogenesis is the creation of heat in the body. It occurs when you eat and when you exercise, but also through an extraordinary mechanism involving brown adipose tissue (BAT), which permits the production of heat directly from body fat by bypassing the steps of the energy cycle (1).

A hibernating bear, for example, can lose 300 pounds of fat while it sleeps through the winter. Its body converts body fat to BAT, then creates the heat required to prevent freezing to death in the winter. And the bear does not have to move a muscle!

We are not as efficient as bears at burning fat with BAT. Nevertheless, the amount of BAT in the body of a 40-year-old man or woman is still sufficient to use 10 to 15 percent of their total energy.
But you have to get your BAT moving. Turn up the inner heat. Exposure to cold is very effective. It’s a bit extreme, but it works.

I am busy at my annual task of convincing clients to sit and meditate under a freezing waterfall, or lie in the snow in swimmers by the pool (frozen). These are popular methods for fat loss. I wear a 30-below suit with hood and balaclava so they don’t notice my hysterics.

Usual weight loss programs don’t activate BAT at all. Quite the opposite! If you go on a sudden food restriction diet, the body automatically turns down its heat production and its energy production as a defense mechanism to conserve its fat. That’s why dieters generally feel cold and tired.

You Can Increase BAT Activity

If you can’t face the freeze, there are several things in natural foods that raise BAT activity nicely. The best known is caffeine from coffee. Controlled studies show that a cup of ground arabica coffee on an empty stomach in the morning increases thermogenesis and burns body fat for up to four hours afterwards (2,3).

Green tea also has a separate thermogenic effect, originally thought to be because of its caffeine content. Recent studies, however, show that a group of chemicals called catechins in green tea are mostly responsible. The main catechin in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), induces thermogenesis by itself (2-3).

In a placebo-controlled study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, two groups of 19 healthy, middle-aged men used a moderately reduced-calorie diet, plus tea for 12 weeks. Green tea extract was added to the tea of 19 subjects to yield high levels of catechins. Tea without the extract, containing only low levels of catechins, was used by the 19 controls. The group consuming tea with high catechins lost an average of 5.4 pounds of body fat, approximately twice the body fat loss of the control group. Much of the loss was visceral fat from the belly and fat from the thighs.

The researchers concluded: “Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass, and subcutaneous fat area were significantly lower in the green tea extract group than in the control group” (4).

You don’t have to freeze off the flab. Lose that belly fat nice and easy with Isagenix. Brain Boost & Renewal contains high levels of EGCG from green tea, and e+ shot contains both green tea caffeine and catechins. Take both before your workout and green tea with every 400- to 600-calorie meal or an IsaLean Shake to support improved weight loss. It’s a great way to fine-tune abs and buns for the summer, with the bonus of a better brain.

References:
1. Stock MJ. Thermogenesis and brown fat: relevance to human obesity. Infusionstherapie, 1989;16(6):282-284.

2. Wolfram S, Wang Y, Thielecke F. Anti-obesity effects of green tea: from bedside to bench. Mol Nutr Food Res, 2006;50(2):176-187.

3. Nagao T, Komine Y, Soga S, Meguro S, Hase T, Tanaka Y, Tokimitsu I. Ingestion of a tea rich in catechins leads to a reduction in body fat and malondialdehyde-modified LDL in men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;81(1):122-129.

4. Nagao T, Hase T, Tokimitsu I. A green tea extract high in catechins reduces body fat and cardiovascular risks in humans. Obesity, 2007;15(6):1473-1483.

Cathy Savage Fitness

It's great to work with people who have a passion for health and fitness like Cathy Savage. Her success in the fitness industry is phenominal!  To have her endorse, use and promote Isagenix products speaks volumes.  The wealth building aspect of simply sharing these amazing products with people is awesome.  If not already, Cathy soon will be one of the newest Isagenix MILLIONAIRES! That's right, she will have made over a Million dollars from Isagenix by simply helping others get fabulously fit and financially free! 

The company growing rapidly and NOW is the time to join our team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV8XkLQcBOs

Does eating fat make you fat?

If Olive Oil is Fat, Why is it Healthy?

Healthy fats, especially olive oil, are essential to a healthy diet.

 

Fats often get a bad rap. Although there are some types of fat you want to avoid or consume sparingly, such as trans fats, our bodies do require fat for survival. Fats are necessary for providing an important cushion around organs, they are essential for building hormones and cell membranes, and they supply the body with an efficient source of energy. In addition, fats assist in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins K, E, A, and D). For these reasons, it’s important to have a healthy amount of fat with every meal.

The key is to choose moderate amounts of healthy fats. Extra virgin olive oil is the star of the Mediterranean diet and one of the main sources of fat in Isagenix IsaLean Shakes (other sources of healthy fats include sunflower oil, flax seed, and medium-chain triglycerides from coconut oil). Olive oil is associated with several health benefits; in fact, observational studies have found that those who live in the Mediterranean region and follow the native diet that includes high amounts of olive oil live longer and healthier lives.

Undeniably Good For Your Heart
Olive oil has long been lauded for its fatty acid profile rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which have shown considerable benefit to heart health. Recently, a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that compared to a standard low-fat diet, a Mediterranean diet rich in extra-virgin olive oil conferred long-term support for heart health (1).

Some may argue that the overall polyphenol (antioxidant) content that comes from eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is why those following a Mediterranean diet have better heart health. But a new study (2) suggests that the polyphenols found in olives and olive oil may play a large role in the diet’s protective effects.

Oleocanthanal On The Brain
Apart from the better heart health enjoyed by those in the Mediterranean region, epidemiology studies suggest that those eating olive oil-rich diets have improved cognitive health throughout their lives. The compound oleocanthanal, found in extra-virgin olive oil, may be an important factor for promoting brain health.

The most recent study to find that oleocanthal demonstrated brain health benefits was published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience. In the study, oleocanthal protected nerve cells in the brain from oxidative insult that is associated with neurodegenerative conditions (3). Oleocanthal showed a regular pattern of boosting production of two proteins that are critical in removing abnormal proteins in the brain, preserving brain function.

More Olive Oil May Equal Longer Life
When enjoyed regularly, especially when combined with co-enzyme Q10, olive oil may also lead to a healthier and longer life. In a study (4) published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that evaluated the Mediterranean diet in more than 40 thousand people from Spain, researchers found that the highest consumption of olive oil led to the lowest rates of mortality.

How can you reap the benefits of cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil? Look no further than IsaLean Shakes—yet another reason to enjoy the great taste of quality nutrition daily.

References

1. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvado J et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med 2013;368:1279-90.
2. Tresserra-Rimbau A, Medina-Remon A, Perez-Jimenez J et al. Dietary intake and major food sources of polyphenols in a Spanish population at high cardiovascular risk: The PREDIMED study. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2013.
3. Abuznait AH, Qosa H, Busnena BA, El Sayed KA, Kaddoumi A. Olive-Oil-Derived Oleocanthal Enhances beta-Amyloid Clearance as a Potential Neuroprotective Mechanism against Alzheimer’s Disease: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies. ACS Chem Neurosci 2013.
4. Buckland G, Mayen AL, Agudo A et al. Olive oil intake and mortality within the Spanish population (EPIC-Spain). Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96:142-9.

What's a Complete Meal Replacement?

 

A healthy meal replacement should supply a range of essential nutrients within its fewer calories.

Because they’re so convenient and easy to use, meal replacements are perfect tools for achieving weight-loss goals. Unfortunately, some products that claim to be meal replacements are lacking components of a healthy, balanced meal and can actually be detrimental to your health.
Even when you are decreasing your overall calorie intake as a means to lose weight, your body still requires a broad spectrum of nutrients to properly function. Whether your meal replacement is in the form of shakes or bars, you should be sure that it offers a range of essential nutrients within its fewer calories to properly replace normal food.

What to look for
Another way to look at this concept of “complete meal replacement” is to think about what it actually does. Although there is no black and white definition of a complete meal replacement, it should supply your body with adequate amounts of essential amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to nourish your body. You also want to feel satisfied after consuming your meal replacement, because what’s the point if you’re ready to eat your arm off an hour later?

The content of a meal replacement is so important. Your body needs the right dose of each of the macronutrients (carbs, protein, fat) along with dietary fiber to fill you up. Research has shown that a higher proportion of protein (1), as well as fiber and low-glycemic carbohydrates (2) help sustain satiety. In addition to the macronutrient content, it’s equally important to have a full range of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in a meal replacement option. When replacing one or more meals per day, it’s essential to choose an option that has at least 30 percent of the daily value of most vitamins and minerals.

What to avoid
Though other products in the market may claim themselves to be “complete meal replacements”, their nutritional profiles can suggest otherwise. It’s all too common to see a product with only 100 calories, around 12 grams of protein, as little as 10 grams of carbohydrate, a measly 2 grams of fat, and maybe 5 grams of dietary fiber. On top of that, they use artificial sweeteners and flavors to make up the difference for taste and satisfaction. Will these products help you lose weight? Maybe. But are they appropriate for healthy weight loss? Surely not.

IsaLean Shake
On the other hand, consider IsaLean Shakes Bars, and Soups. These complete meal replacements provide the optimal nutritional profile and more – in the form of highest-quality protein, prebiotics for gut health, olive and flax oil for heart health, and enzymes for easy digestion. Their macronutrient/micronutrient makeup is also backed by clinical research showing better results than typical dieting for healthy weight loss, healthy fat loss, and maintenance of muscle.

For a truly nutritious, delicious healthy meal, you’ve got a winner in IsaLean Shake.

References

1. Perala MM, Kajantie E, Valsta LM, Holst JJ, Leiviska J, Eriksson JG. Early growth and postprandial appetite regulatory hormone responses. Br J Nutr 2013;1-10.
2. Chang KT, Lampe JW, Schwarz Y et al. Low glycemic load experimental diet more satiating than high glycemic load diet. Nutr Cancer 2012;64:666-73.

Are You Toxic?

Are you Toxic?

It seems we can't escape it. No matter what we drink, eat or breathe, we are steadily introducing toxins into our bodies.  Our bodies are a miracle created by God to do marvelous things.  Our liver is under constant stress trying to do it's job of detoxifying our bodies.  Without proper nutritional cleansing on a regular basis even the vitamins and good nutrition we give it can't work effectively.  When given the chance to work optimally, our bodies can do amazing things to repair itself.