How Many Carbs Should I Eat, a Day?

Everyone eats carbohydrates. You pretty much can not get around it. We need carbs for energy after all. But the question still remains: how many carbs should I eat in a day? Are there drawbacks from eat too little or too many carbs? What are the side effects of eating carbs or abstaining from eating carbs? Well once again, as with protein, it depends on what you do on a daily basis. Furthermore, ingestion of carbs should be focused more around the question: WHEN should I eat carbs during the day?

As with how much fat to eat in a day and how much protein to eat in a day, it all depends on a couple factors:

* job

* insulin resistance

* activity level

* target body weight

* exercise goals

* lifestyle

The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as stated by the Department of Health and Human Services, suggest that roughly 50% of your daily calories come from carbs. Thus, a person who eats approximately 2,500 calories per day should take in about about 300 grams of carbs. This number is not altogether bad for the average American, but we have to take into consideration the sources of those carbs.

These are the kinds of carbs to avoid at all costs:

* sugary snacks and pastries

* sugar-sweetened soft drinks or fruit juice

* candy

* cookies

* regular fried greasy chips

* processed, packaged snack foods

* high sugar kids cereals

* processed white flour products such as white bread and pasta

These foods offer virtually no nutritional value, and they contain far too many calories. Some of these foods also contain saturated and trans-fats that are bad for your heart, and sugary foods can lead to such maladies as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Specifically if you are already insulin resistant, you should avoid these bad carbs as they will just ruin your day by making you tired, slow, dumb, and hungry.

Instead choose these kinds of carbs:

* fresh fruit

* vegetables

* whole wheat and whole grain products

* beans, nuts, and other legumes

When Do I Need More Carbs?

People that exercise with high intensity or with prolonged endurance, can benefit from a high carbohydrate intake before exercise. It is feasible to consume a high carbohydrate meal before a marathon, or a moderately high carbohydrate meal before lifting weights or martial arts training. It is not a good idea to consume too many carbs in one sitting, but 50 grams is not out of the question if you are preparing for a physically draining event.

During and after exercise is also a key time to consume carbs. In fact this is the only time it is recommended to consume sugary carbs. I tend to sip on Gatorade during a workout and my post-workout drink contains about 40 grams of carbs in the form of dextrose. If allowed to choose, I would choose Biotest Surge as my post-workout drink of choice. This is a product that is specially formulated to replenish lost glycogen stores and restart protein synthesis after a demanding workout.

When Do I Need Fewer Carbs?

There is no need to eat carbohydrates at night. Ever. Some folks believe in consuming a high-carb meal the night before an event like a marathon, but I just don't see it. I would say eat that meal in the morning if the event is in the late morning or early afternoon. The best time for a high carbohydrate meal is in the morning, when your body is prepared to uptake glycogen for energy for the day. Lunch should be a moderate carb meal as you don't want to get that 'bonk' feeling in the middle of the afternoon. Also consider that if you don't plan to exercise during the day then there is really no need to gulp down many carbs at any point in the day.

Carbs and Fat Loss

If you are on a fat loss diet, then there is definitely no need to eat more than 100 grams of carbs in any one day. I don't necessarily support Atkins, but there are valid points to that diet. When I am in the middle of a hardcore cutting phase, trying to get as lean as possible in a given time frame, I will only consume 20-30 grams of low glycemic index carbs for breakfast.

For lunch I will try to avoid most carbs, opting for whole grain bread or a salad if necessary. My pre-workout drink is typically 1/2 a serving of Biotest Surge, I sip on Gatorade during the workout, then finish off with 1 serving of Biotest Surge after the workout. On non-workout days, I skip all of that and choose a protein bar, cheese, or a meat snack instead.

Dinner is always low carb during a diet. Soup, meat and vegetables, and salad are all great choices for low carb dinners. Appropriate snacks are meats, cheeses, protein bars or shakes, veggies, and other super-low carb foods. Typically in the midst of a diet phase, I eat around 75 grams of carbs on a non-workout day, and maybe 120-140 grams of carbs on a workout day.

In conclusion, I recommend that if you are moderately active, you should derive maybe 30% of your daily calories from carbs. Sure, my opinion differs from specialist government agencies, but that is only because I have seen low carb diets work. I have also seen Americans grow obese and suffer from a long list of carbohydrate induced diseases.

A 200 lb man on a 2500 calorie diet would probably eat maybe 180 grams of carbs in a day, all from unprocessed whole food sources. A 140 lb woman on a 1500 calorie diet might only eat 100 grams of carbs in a day.

Someone on a strict diet might limit themselves to 50 grams of carbohydrates a day regardless of sex or weight. Just remember to avoid those nasty sugary processed carbs so that you can stay healthy, avoiding energy crashes and adult-onset type II diabetes.

Is Cosmetic Surgery For Adolescents Advisable?

While ten or fifteen years ago cosmetic surgery was only available to the rich and famous, it is rapidly becoming the norm for many members of the general public. Also it seems as if the age of people willing to go under the knife is getting lower. A few years ago a girl who wanted cosmetic surgery, more precisely breast implants at the age of sixteen, made headline news, now it is rapidly becoming the normal. Seemingly the adolescent issues many youngsters have can be quickly remedied by a trip to the surgeon.

The reason so many youngsters are deciding to undertake cosmetic surgery is complex and hard to define. One surgeon has claimed that there is simply an increased visibility with so many people now having cosmetic surgery. While before it was just the famous, now teenager's parents are regularly heading to the surgeon to adjust their appearance. The media has also made cosmetic surgery a far more viable option by publicising the different operations available; blaming the media however can be seen as a knee-jerk reaction.

The common question of 'what would you have done?' is often bandied around the dinner table and as such has entered the consciousness of not only teenagers, but adults as well. It is important to be objective however; cosmetic surgery is a relatively common phenomenon and as long as procedures are carried out safely there is no real problem with people improving the way they look. Whether or not they need it is down to their own body image.

Teenagers however are notorious for having a poor body image and seemingly cosmetic surgery is the quick and easy answer. While it may be a quick fix, surely there are ways to improve self esteem without going under the knife? But a teenager should not be able to possess the thousands of pounds it costs to have cosmetic surgery. In this respect, surely it is the parents who have a responsibility to educate their children if their self esteem is low. This however is not always possible, and can be seen as hypocritical, especially when the parent has undergone surgery themselves.

The benefits of cosmetic surgery are clearly there, if problems of self esteem focus on a particular part of the body it may be worth altering this body part. This can be essential for some who have serious problems with their facial features. If someone has large problems the benefits of cosmetic surgery can be truly life changing, completely boosting confidence and the way in which they carry out there day to day life. Such processes can be breast asymmetry and the readjustment of jaw lines.

Responsible cosmetic surgeons take into account the psychological effects of any surgery and will evaluate patients on how they may react to these effects. The key principle is to make an assessment based upon a patient's physical, emotional and psychological maturity. By the assessment of these factors it is possible to evaluate the viability of surgery of any particular patient. Of course if the patient fails to impress on the surgeon a sense of maturity it should be unlikely that surgery may go ahead. There are of course unscrupulous operators that may ignore these principles in favour of massive earnings, thankfully these are few and far between.

So for those who may want to undergo cosmetic surgery it is worth considering the reasons behind your decision and whether these will be acceptable to a surgeon. Responsible surgeons will take on those who have the maturity to deal with surgery and who have good reasons for going under the knife.

Careful deliberation is essential, especially in younger patients. If it is possible for the patient to see past the adolescent period, and the social pressures to conform, surgery may not be the answer. That said if it is a severe deformity or an operation that will be truly life changing cosmetic surgery may bring great benefits.

Overview About Human Tissue Scandal that Rocks Medical World!

Human body tissue is harvested and used in a variety of medical procedures, including, but not limited to bone and skin grafts, dental implants and organ transplants. These tissues are acquired by so-called "tissue banks" from universities, morgues, hospitals, and funeral homes. The tissue banks are regulated by federal and state laws, which require them to report these acquisitions to the family members of the deceased and perform industry-standard tests to determine whether the tissues are free of disease and fit for donation. The FDA has submitted detailed rules that regulate every aspect of the human tissue industry's acquisition and distribution process in an effort to prevent dangerous infected tissues from getting onto the market.


However, the human body tissue industry is largely unregulated. There are hundreds of tissue banks throughout the United States, but less than eighty of these belong to the American Association of Tissue Banks, a peer organization that accredits and inspects tissue banks. In addition, only a few states perform monitoring and licensing on these tissue banks. In addition, critics of the tissue donation system cite often-inadequate training and oversight at tissue bank facilities.


The consequence of this negligence in the human tissue bank industry is often severe: donated human tissue is often infected with diseases that then are passed on to transplant recipients. Tissue transplant infections can be due to pre-existing disease (not caught through proper screening), contamination because of unsterile conditions, or cross-contamination when the tissue is exposed to other infected tissue. The illegal sale of human body tissue puts patients at risk for the contraction of serious health conditions, including but not limited to HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.


Biomedical Tissue Services Under Fire

The FDA order regarding Biomedical Tissue Services exposes the severe flaws of the unregulated human body tissue industry in this country. The FDA's investigation revealed significant breaches in ethical and health codes at the company's facilities, where industry-standard practices were not followed and donors were inadequately screened for infectious diseases and donation suitability. In addition, the company has been implicated in the illegal acquisition of human body tissue from cadavers whose families did not give consent.


Biomedical Tissue Services also kept inadequate records of tissue origins and sales and was implicated in falsifying death certificates. The FDA specifically named Michael Mastromarino, D.D.S., CEO and Executive Director of Operations for Biomedical Tissue Services, in its order.


If You've Been Affected

If you or a family member has been affected with ill-health side effects from contaminated tissue transplants, contact a medical malpractice attorney immediately. It may be possible to recover financial damages and compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other causes of action.

The Real and Present Danger About Wireless!

Cellular phones have quickly become the essential part of our everyday lives. It is not surprise that last couple of years we see more reports that medicalequipment doesn’t work properly because of Cellular phones. Cellular phones cause harmful interference for medical equipment. This is serious problem that can cause anything from minor inconveniences to serious injuries or even death.

There are number of studies that show if cellular phone is being used near a cardiac pacemaker, it causes interference. It was proven that little more than a quarter of all patients with implanted pacemakers could have problems if they are using digital wireless phones. Good news is that distance of only 8 inches from the phone is needed to make sure that digital wireless phone doesn’t cause any problems. Another interesting fact is that only those phones that operate in 900 MHz frequency can cause problems. Phones that operate in 1800 MHz frequency don’t cause any problems.

All patients with pacemakers need to make sure they don’t carry phone close to the pacemaker. Another good news is that mostly all new pacemakers that are currently manufactured are guaranteed to be safe to use near cellular phones.

Also, there were other tests done with implanted medical equipment that helps patients to inhale. Forty-one patients were tested using digital 900MHz phones. Those tests prove that none of the patients had any problems. The tests were double checked by testing same medical equipment close to a field of cellular-phone antennas. Second test however indicates that strong magnetic field caused by lots of cellular phone power can cause temporary shutdown of implanted medical equipment. Therefore it is recommended for patients with implanted inhalation medical equipment to keep at least small distance between them and digital cellular phone.
Nine of external pacemakers from four different manufacturers were also tested. They showed lots of different problems, which were caused by digital cellular phones and by other personal-communication devices. Therefore, using any type of cellular phone next to a patient with breathing problems, who is treated with temporary cardiac pacemaker, can be very dangerous.

In March of 1998 Texas TV station started testing its new digital TV system. This caused major problems at Baylor University Medical Center and Methodist Hospital. Interference from digital TV signal severely disrupted the operation of low-power wireless heart monitors. They use the same frequency band as new digital TV system. This interference prohibited nurses from monitoring their heart patients. Fortunately, no patient was injured.

However, this served as a wake-up call for healthcare providers, equipment manufacturers, and for government agencies.

In July of 1999, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates radio-frequency spectrum, met with representatives from various parties that were affected by this problem. This was an excellent example of cooperation between industry and government. The FCC proposed to establish a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service. This proposal would allocate certain frequencies, which would primarily be used to make sure that potentially life-critical medical equipment could operate without interference from other sources.
When the new FCC rule becomes a reality, it will be the first time in the history of the US that wireless medical telemetry will be primary user of the radio-frequency spectrum.

(Wireless medical telemetry is defined as the measurement and recording of physiological parameters and other patient-related information via radiated bi- or uni-directional electromagnetic signals.)
Although the above-mentioned scenario is unique to the introduction of digital TV, wireless systems-including cellular phones, handheld transmitters-receivers, and vehicle transceivers-receivers are one of the largest sources of radio-frequency interference. Some of the medical devices are especially sensitive to the circuitry used in some of the cellular phones.

In addition electromagnetic compatibility of medical equipment in hospitals has been a matter of concern, since interference from radio-frequency sources can cause medical device or equipment to fail.

The major international standard from the radio-frequency immunity of medical equipment was set in 1993. This standard sets a minimum immunity level of 3 volts per meter. However, other techniques exist that are easily incorporated into the design of electronic systems. This will help to “harden” most medical devices from radio-frequency fields that are much stronger than usual voltage level.

Furthermore, another proposition was made. This proposition calls for minimizing electro-magnetic interference in hospitals. Using only those radio-frequency devices that are sufficiently separated from medical equipment, provided that medical equipment can withstand this type of interference, can do this. Typically, this is calculated using method called free-space propagation, which is only valid in ideal case, and doesn’t always work in real life.

Recently, a study was made using an 800-MHz cellular phone in different rooms and corridors of a hospital. That hospital had both gyprock and clay-block wings. Results were compared to calculations made using free-space propagation method. Results showed that free-space overestimated measured fields of interference in gyprock rooms, and along corridors of both gyprock and clay-block construction. However, the free-space model underestimated field of interference in clay-block rooms, and in below-ground corridors. Therefore administration of hospitals should pay a lot of attention to how hospital buildings were build, and what type of medical equipment is being used in those hospitals.

Pranayama Yoga for living longer

Pranayama is Sanskrit word and is derived from the combination of words "Prana - air or life force" and "Ayama- control mechanism".Pranayama,in its literal sense means control mechanism of the flow of the life force in and out of human body.Old Indian author Patanjali considered father of Yoga has placed lots of relevance of Pranayama in our living.The basic principle employed by Pranayama is that all living beings are given certain number of life breaths during his life cycle.Hence it is important that each and every being utilises his share of life breaths in the most sensible manner to live life longer.


To give real life example one can see that the life span of a tortoise averages 200 years as compared to Dog which averages 10-15 years.One can easily see the reason is the duration of the each breath in case of tortoise and dog.Hindus also believed in doctrine of "Food for Thought". Foods were classified as a) Sat''vik b) Rajo''tamik c) Tamasik.


The classification was purely on the grounds of the thoughts effected by intake of such food.While Satvik Food consisting mostly of Fruits, herbds and certain vegetables, Rajo''tamik consisted of Brinjal, Drumstick,etc which leads to carnal pleasures and Tamasik included meat and other varities.The Brahmin and others even today practice Pranayama on their daily routine.The 5 major challenges which are faced by human beings today are 1) Lack of good food due to side effects of of food cultivation techniques employed such as insecticides, pesticides etc and non availabilitu of natual food supplmenet 2) Lack of sufficient Sleep 3) Pollution and other hazardous External environment 4) Lack of Positive thoughts leading to low productivity 5)Lack of physical exercising.


Pranayama is supposed to relieve stres related disorders, breathing relaed disorders such as asthma,and reducing signs of oxidative stress.It also improves life expectancy provided proper amends are made into food intake.Yoga teachers recommend that pranayama techniques shoule be practiced under the guidance of a trained teacher. This article is only meant to educate the belief behind Pranayama techniques and certain benefits which can be derived from there.

Stress Will Make You Fat!

It’s true, stress can make you fat. It’s because of a hormone called cortisol. This hormone is always present in your body, but your body secretes it at higher levels when it’s under stress. Cortisol has positive effects on when it’s secreted in small amounts – it gives you bursts of energy, increases memory function and lowers pain sensitivity.


However, when secreted I larger amounts, Cortisol can have negative effects on your body and your health. It is necessary for us to reduce our stress level to keep cortisol levels under control. The thing is, we live in such a high-stress culture that some people’s secretion of cortisol doesn’t slow down and they live in a state of what is called chronic stress. Chronic stress sufferers end up having many negative effects because of the high levels of cortisol in their systems. The effects include blood sugar imbalances, high blood pressure and increased abdominal fat. This is caused partially by the fact the people who secrete high levels of cortisol tend to eat more in general, and more specifically carbohydrates, than their counterparts who secrete less cortisol during stressful situations. This excess abdominal fat alone can be detrimental to your health because it increases your risks of heart attacks, strokes, and bad cholesterol. The best way to combat the negative effects of high levels of cortisolis to give yourself opportunities to reduce your stress and “kick-in“ your body’s relaxation mechanisms.


Most people do know that physical exercise is a great stress reliever. But what they don’t know is that most traditional forms of exercise such as running, walking and jogging and aerobics classes only serve to help reduce the body’s physical effects of stress. To get the full benefits of physical and mental stress reduction, people need to find activities that work their bodies and minds. Training martial arts does this. It’s impossible to train martial arts without fully concentrating on what you are doing. This concentration helps your mind relieve its stress as well. Activities like martial arts that require you to concentrate on your movements and core strength give you a well-rounded stress relief; not just on your body, but on your mind as well.


At the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts we use Shoalin breathing methods effectively accomplishing this goal of combating everyday stress. These kung fu breathing methods (which have been refined over 1500 years) include physical movements which relieve the physical symptoms of stress, and breathing patterns which clear the mind and relieve mental stress. Training these methods will help to bring down your levels of cortisol, which can help relieve another stressor in your life…, needing to lose those few extra pounds. So if your diet isn’t working it might be stress. Combat stress and get in better shape by training the mind and the body with martial arts. Combined with a healthy diet and a positive life style you can’t beat it!