Eat Healthy Without Meat
As concerns about healthy eating have grown, so has the interest in vegetarianism. Numerous nutrition experts recommend eating low on the food chain. In plain language this means eating more grains, vegetables and fruits, and fewer meats, cheeses and other animal based products.
There are various levels of vegetarianism, and each type has its own unique health benefits and some health challenges as well. Of course vegetarians, like meat eaters, must still make healthy food choices. Simply pigging out on French fries while avoiding the burger will not make you a healthy vegetarian.
Some people who consider themselves vegetarians still eat poultry and seafood, while others avoid all animal flesh, even fish and chicken. Most vegetarians still eat milk, dairy products and eggs. In nutritional circles these people are referred to as lacto-ovo vegetarians.
Vegans, on the other hand, avoid all animal products, including eggs, milk and dairy products, and even fabrics like silk, leather and wool. It is vegans who face the largest challenges and risks when trying to follow a healthy diet. Most vegetarian diets provide more than enough nutrition, as long as smart dietary choices are made.
The key to eating a healthy vegetarian diet is much the same as eating a healthy diet that includes meat. It all boils down to making smart food choices, understanding nutritional labels, and cooking your vegetables to maximize their nutritional value.
Choosing the foods that make up the bulk of a vegetarian diet is very important. For most vegetarians, vegetables, grains, lentils and soy products will make up the bulk of their diet, and these staples are included in many vegetarian recipes.
When cooking with soy, however, it is important to remember that tofu is relatively high in fat. The fat content of tofu dishes is often comparable to that of dishes that are made with lean cuts of meat. Those vegetarians following a low fat diet may want to limit the amount of tofu based products they eat.
The same caution applies to the nuts and seeds that can make up a large part of a vegetarian diet. Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of dietary protein, but they can be high in fat as well.
Many newly minted vegetarians worry that they will not be able to get enough protein and iron without eating meat, but for most vegetarians this is not a problem. Most diets today actually contain too much protein, and there are many non animal derived sources of protein for vegetarians to enjoy.
Proper cooking techniques are of course very important to any healthy diet. Avoiding high fat cooking methods is important, as is avoiding the use of high fat creams, butters and sauces. A vegetable stir fry cooked in healthy olive oil can be a great addition to any vegetarian menu. And a great fruit salad is both easy to make and delicious as a snack or a meal.
The only real area of concern when it comes to vegetarianism and health is the B-complex vitamins, particularly vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is almost exclusively derived from animal based sources, so vegans, who avoid all animal products, should take a high quality vitamin B12 or B-complex vitamin supplement. It is also important for vegans to discuss their diet and lifestyle with their family physicians. As vegetarianism becomes more widespread, the amount of information on the nutritional needs of these two groups continues to grow.
The bottom line is that vegetarians can enjoy a very healthy lifestyle. Making vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans the centerpiece of the diet is a smart move for many people, and a good low fat vegetarian diet can be a great way to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. As with a meat based diet, however, it is important for vegetarians to follow common sense eating guidelines and make smart choices when creating meat free meals.
A lot of people eat foods that are generally deficient in the vitamins and minerals. Visit
Nutritional Supplements Center to learn why it is vital that you take nutritional health supplements. You will also discover best nutritional supplements.
Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer
For prostate cancer treatment we give the patient hormones that will suppress the
male hormones (andrones) in their body. Androgens (male hormones) are produced
mainly in the testicles. Sometimes androgens will stimulate the growth of prostate
cancer and speed up the growth of the cancer cells. If the levels of the androgens is
lowered then the cancer will grow much slower and possibly shrink. Hormone
therapy is not meant to cure the cancer in the prostate but if used in conjunction
with other therapy such as radiation or surgery if their is a risk of recurrence.
There are numerous ways that the androgen levels can be lowered in the
bloodstream:
Orchiectomy – is the surgical removal of one or both of the testicles which are the
main source of androgen production in the male body. By removing the testicle or
testicles the levels of male hormones will drop enough to slow the growth of the
cancer
Luteinizin hormone-release hormone analogs (LHRH) – often chosen instead of
having an orchiectomy, LHRH analogs are injected or inserted as small implants
underneath the skin. These injections are usually given every month or ever 3, 4, 6
or 12 months. The LHRH analogs that are used most of the time are Lupron, Viadur,
Eligard, Zoladex or Trelstar.
Antiandrogens – are given to block the action of the androgens (production of male
sex characteristics). Antiandrogens are given in daily pill form and the drugs used
are Eulexin, Casodex, and Niandron. Antiandrogen treatments is often used in
conjunction with an Orchiectomy because even after the orchiectomy there are sill
androgens that will be produced by the adrenal glands.
Estrogens – largely replaced by LHRH therapy because of severe side effects, the use
of estrogens (hormones that produce female sex characteristics) was often used in
the past as a substitute for Orchiectomy
Side Effects of Hormone Therapy
The side effects for Orchiectomy and LHRH treatment are basically the same:
-reduced or no libido (sexual desire)
-impotence
-hot flashes (these may go away with time)
-breast tenderness and growth of breast tissue
-osteoporosis (weakening of bones) leading to bone fractures
-anemia (low red blood cell counts)
-decreased mental acuity
-loss of muscle mass
-weight gain
-fatigue
-decrease in HDL (”good”) cholesterol
-depression
The Side Effects of Antiandrogen Treatment
-diarrhea
-nausea
-liver problems
-tiredness
*Note that the biggest difference between the side effects of LHRH treatment and
Antiandrogen treatment is when Antiandrogens treatment is given alone their are
less sexual side effects. The patients libido and potency can still be maintained.
Many of the side effects noted above can be treated so if they do arise consult with
you doctor about what can be done to reduce them.
Steven Wallace provides information about Prostate Diseases and Prostate Cancer
screening, diagnosis and treatment options at http://prostate-answers.com
Nutritional Benefits of Whey Protein
Adequate nutrition for your body before and after strenuous
work-outs is important in order for you to reap the maximum
benefits from your efforts. An increasingly popular way of
achieving this is through the use of natural Whey Protein
supplements.
Nowadays many athletes, especially Body Builders, are
utilizing natural Whey Protein supplements to replenish
protein levels that are burned off through hard-core
exercise routines. Amino Acids prevent deterioration in
muscle tissue as well as provide endurance and assist in
building mass. Proteins help supply these amino acids.
- So what exactly is Whey Protein?
Whey Protein is derived from cow’s milk and is also a
by-product of making cheese, which in the past was
typically thrown out as a waste product. We now know that
Whey Protein is rich in amino acids essential for building
muscle and overall good health.
Whey Protein is also naturally found in breast milk as well
as some types of baby formula. Although protein is also
found in other foods such as meats and vegetables, Whey
Protein is known to have the highest digestible levels of
protein that the body can use.
Whey Protein offers several other health benefits like a
healthier immune system, stronger bones, weight loss, and
just plain overall better well being. Whey Protein is also
sometimes used to help speed the healing of wounds or
burns.
- Are there risks or side affects?
Since Whey Protein is derived from food it doesn’t have
any of the risks associated with man-made supplements.
However, you can even have too much of a good thing if
you’re not careful. Extreme high use can be more than your
liver can handle. Moderation is always best.
For those who are lactose intolerant, there is Whey
Protein Isolate which has less than 1% lactose.
About the Author:
Paul Wolbers is a Personal Trainer dedicated to helping
others achieve physical fitness. You can visit his website
and learn more about nutrition at:
Click Here —> http://www.MagnumNutrition.com
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