What the research says about ginger's weight-loss benefits, and why you should be skeptical

•  Ginger may benefit weight loss, but more research is needed on its use for obesity management.
• A few studies on ginger indicate there may be a small impact on satiety and weight management.

• Consuming ginger may help to support a regular exercise routine which may aid in weight loss.

Worldwide, ginger has been used both as a spice and a component of traditional medicine for thousands of years. It has been shown to possess a variety of health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-nausea properties, and some research indicates ginger may also help with weight loss.

Ginger's medicinal benefits come from two major types of bioactive compounds:

Gingerols, which are found in fresh ginger are known as gingerols.

Shogaol, which is in ginger that's been dried or heat-treated.

Important: While a handful of clinical trials show that ginger may have a small impact on body weight, it will not cause "miracle weight loss," says Karli Burridge, PA-C, the director of medical weight management at LifeWeigh Bariatrics and Wellness Centers. 

Most research around the weight loss benefits of ginger is in animal models. The limited research conducted on humans is mostly small studies that may not be relevant to the general public.  

Here's what the research says about how effective ginger may be for weight loss, weight maintenance, and other metabolic and cardiovascular-related processes. 

Helps with satiety 

In a small 2012 study, 10 men consumed 2 grams of dried ginger powder dissolved in hot water after eating breakfast. The results showed the subjects felt fuller longer after they drank the ginger beverage.

In addition, when the subjects ingested the ginger drink, they experienced an increased caloric burn of 43 kcal after the meal compared to the control water-only beverage. However, this research is limited because it was an acute experiment, with measurements occurring after having only one ginger drink, as opposed to a long-term study. 

Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, a nutrition researcher at Columbia University and co-author of this study says these results indicate ginger may have an impact on a person's ability to lose weight, for instance, if they drink a sugar-free ginger beverage in place of a sugary one.

May help fat burn

A small 2019 study in South Korea gave 80 obese people steamed ginger ethanolic extract - which is more potent in shogaol than regular ginger - or a placebo to see if ginger helped to reduce body fat.

Although both groups were told to follow their typical diets, the study found the group that ingested the ginger extract lost more body fat than the control group. This suggests a ginger supplement may facilitate weight loss even without other dietary changes.

Might decrease insulin secretion

A 2018 review showed ginger had no impact on insulin levels but did decrease insulin resistance, which can be a factor in mitigating symptoms of type 2 diabetes. There is also evidence that maintaining weight loss is linked to improved insulin sensitivity.

May help with weight management

The same 2018 review also showed that ginger consumption is associated with decreased bodyweight, waist-to-hip ratio, and fasting glucose, although there was no change to BMI. 

Could help with inflammation

In animal experiments, ginger has exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. In human clinical trials, more research is needed, but one small study shows those who consumed ginger experienced less inflammatory pain after exercise than a placebo group.

Because obesity is a chronic state of inflammation, Burridge says consuming ginger may help to support a regular exercise routine which may aid in weight loss.  

Drawbacks of ginger

There are few drawbacks to consuming ginger, as long as you are not allergic to it. That said, there is no research on which form of ginger, such as pickled, powdered, or raw, is optimal for weight loss in humans. 

Burridge warns that in most studies, the quantities tested are only a few grams, so people should use caution with dosage and consult a healthcare professional when adding it to their vitamin and supplementation routine.

"I am concerned that people spend so much money on supplements that they think are going to really help them,"  says Burridge, "but they may only have a minimal effect."

Insider's takeaway

While a small body of limited research suggests that ginger may benefit weight loss, more research is needed on how effective it is for weight loss and obesity management.  

The limited clinical studies indicate there may be a small impact on satiety, body fat, and weight management.

"I would say it's unlikely to have a major effect, but I'm also one who thinks every little bit helps," says St-Once.

75,200 Cancer Cases in the U.S. Have Been Linked to Drinking Alcohol

                                           

According to research published in an upcoming edition of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, a percentage of cancer occurrences and mortalities are directly linked to alcohol intake in adults living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

While the types of cancer varied and the estimated number of cases differed across the country, the study authors from the American Cancer Society and University of Illinois at Chicago recommend health programs designed to educate the public about this connection.

It's no secret that drinking alcohol can increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer. After collecting scientific information from around the globe, the American Institute for Cancer Research concluded that the consumption of wine, beer and spirits can raise the risk of six cancers (including colorectal, breast, esophageal, liver, stomach, and oral).

Yet, the latest study took figures from the U.S. Cancer Statistics database over a three-year period (2013 through 2016) in order to obtain a breakdown of patient cases and deaths among regions and states.

On a national level, alcohol was responsible for approximately 75,200 cancer incidences (4.8%), along with 18,950 (3.2%) fatalities each year. More cases were recorded in New England and Western states (minus Utah) while the statistics were lower in Midwestern and Southern states.

Delaware ranked among the highest in occurrences (6.7%) and, along with Nevada, reported the highest number of deaths (4.5%). Utah was found to have the lowest percentage of cases (2.9%), as well as mortalities (1.9%).

Another big takeaway from this research was that men had higher rates of alcohol-related cancers and deaths, and the study authors believe this is partly due to their higher levels of alcohol consumption.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends drinking alcohol in moderation, which is defined by two drinks or less in a day for men and one drink or less in a day for women. The agency reports that two in three adults who consume alcoholic beverages will drink more than a moderate amount at least once a month.

The American Cancer Society agrees with these guidelines and adds that it's best to skip alcohol altogether. Their goal is to encourage states to prioritize cancer prevention campaigns.

"Healthcare providers and public health practitioners can educate the community to expand the currently limited awareness of the cancer-related risks of alcohol consumption," stated the study authors in a press release.

For more, don't miss One Alcoholic Drink a Day Can Lead To This Serious Condition and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest restaurant news delivered straight to your inbox.

17 Herbs And Spices That Fight Diabetes

 17 Herbs And Spices That Fight Diabetes

You can make your meals even healthier (and tastier, too!) while strengthening your fight against the diabetes-inducing inflammation in your body. How? You can look to nature and whole plant foods.

All of the herbs and spices listed here have anti-diabetic and/or anti-inflammatory properties and can be sprinkled on any meal to help reduce the chronic inflammation in your body. So when you're cooking your next meal, toss in some of the herbs and spices listed below. And don't be afraid to experiment in order to get it just right: By trying new combinations, you'll learn which herbs and spices offer the best flavors for your dishes and how much you prefer to use.

1. Basil

Ocimum basilicum is that aromatic kitchen herb that reminds us of summer, Italy, and good eating times. It's fragrant in salads, soups, and pesto. In a study of herbal infusions of kitchen herbs, turmeric, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, and basil were the five front-runners in flavonoid content. And basil, specifically, lowers blood sugar.

2. Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillum is the European form of blueberries. Bilberries are superior to blueberries because they are blue throughout, whereas our form is blue only on the outside. And the blue color carries anthocyanins—the wholesome antioxidants that fight diabetes, strengthen your heart, and lower inflammation and blood fats.

A study conducted at the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition found that regular consumption of fresh bilberries (400 grams daily) reduced inflammation markers and improved glucose tolerance in people with features of metabolic syndrome. When compared with the control group (who maintained their habitual diets), researchers found that the levels of inflammation marker interleukin-6 were 20% lower in those who increased their consumption of bilberries.

3. Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla lowers blood sugar and prevents diabetic complications by taking the sugar out of your blood and putting it into storage in your liver. And after a day of hard work, there is hardly anything more calming and soothing than a cup of chamomile tea!

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum lowers blood sugar, according to several studies. But a recent Cochrane meta-analysis did not find significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin resistance, or hemoglobin A1c. Then again, another meta-analysis found that cinnamon did lower hemoglobin A1c. Either way, cinnamon is loaded with phytonutrients that decrease inflammation and may aid in weight loss by lowering cholesterol and speeding up your metabolism. Of course, when you eat cinnamon on a hot bun, you negate its good effects. So try it on beans, lentils, and brown rice, or in meat stews—always without sugar!

5. Cumin

Cuminum cyminum is a spice in the parsley family that goes well with red lentils or brown rice. Use it generously, as cumin lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. Cumin also has a good effect on the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that are so damaging in diabetes.

6. Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale is a wonderful all-around herb, so you should never try to eradicate this "weed" from your garden. A dark, leafy green, it restocks your body with necessary bitter agents, lowers your blood pressure, and heals your liver. Like nettles, dandelions increase urinary flow and, thereby, support a mild cleansing action. And dandelion is said to help with weight loss, which is paramount for most people with diabetes.

7. Dill

Anethum graveolens goes well with fish, eggs, or mushrooms. Dill originated in the Middle East and southwestern Russia, but had already found its way into European kitchens and apothecaries by the Middle Ages. At that time, it was mainly used to increase milk production in women. Now it is being investigated as an agent against diabetes. James Duke's Ethnobotanical Database lists 70 different chemicals in dill that help fight diabetes.

8. Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare, when eaten as vegetable, has a taste like no other—elegant, with a lingering hint of anise. The plant's seeds, on the other hand, have a stronger aroma; they make the famous fennel tea for colicky babies. Both the vegetable and the seeds contain chemicals that work against diabetes. Anethole, one of the phytochemicals found in fennel, blocks several inflammatory agents in the body and fights cancer. It's traditional in India to chew on fennel seeds after a meal to clean your teeth and freshen your breath. If you like the flavor of strong cough drops, fennel is a good cough suppressant (in addition to helping with diabetes and gastrointestinal ailments), and the essential oil is available in capsules.

9. Garlic

Allium sativum gives Italian and Mediterranean cuisines their specific flavors, together with basil, oregano, and olive oil. Garlic is good for your heart and protects you from cancer, as do onions, shallots, and chives, which are in the same plant family. Garlic exhibits the strongest anti-inflammatory force among them, suppressing exactly those cytokines acting up in diabetes.

But garlic can do more: It lowers blood sugars and lipids, as well as C-reactive protein—a marker of inflammation. Pretty much any vegetable becomes palatable when dressed with garlic and olive oil. In a pinch, I use dried garlic in my kitchen, well aware that it does not have the same good effects as fresh; raw, freshly sliced garlic seems to have the maximal potency.

10. Ginger

Zingiber officinale is the perfect herb to fight diabetes and high blood lipids because it attacks diabetes from several sides, and even helps with weight loss. In fact, a 2012 study conducted by nutritionists at Columbia University found that subjects burned an extra 43 calories after consuming a breakfast that contained a hot ginger beverage. In addition, those who drank the beverage, which contained 2 grams of dry ginger powder, reported greater satiety three hours later than those who didn't consume the ginger.

In a separate study, published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, diabetic patients who consumed 3 grams of dry ginger powder in divided doses for 30 days experienced a significant reduction in blood glucose (17%), triglyceride (9%), total cholesterol (8%), LDL (12%), and VLDL cholesterol (9%). Most of the time, I have fresh ginger at home and cut a few thin slices into my hot tea. Use this Asian spice in as many dishes as you can. It goes well with meat and poultry dishes, and vegetarian fare, too.

11. Peppermint

Mentha x piperita contains natural antioxidants that fight diabetes, heart disease, aging, and cancer. And it adds great flavor to teas. Try to get it loose and fresh instead of in tea bags. Peppermint relaxes the muscles that close the stomach from the esophagus; people with reflux should, therefore, avoid peppermint. For all others it is a tasty tea that aids digestion.

12. Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis is a heart tonic, important in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Rosemary's most active phytochemical, carnosol, lowers oxidative stress, and so is effective in fighting inflammation and cancer. You can harvest these properties by using rosemary in your cooking, especially when you're preparing meats, stews, and stir-fries. Or try brewing a relaxing rosemary tea.

13. Sage

Salvia officinalis contains antioxidants that have been shown to fight diabetes. Its strong taste works well in stews, while the tea is soothing and calming. Like all aromatic kitchen herbs, sage is high in polyphenols; its rosmarinic acid content is higher than that of rosemary itself. That phenolic compound shows promise in the battle against Alzheimer's. Sage and honey tea works against viral and bacterial colds because when sage and honey are combined, they have enhanced anti-germ power.

14. Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana is the only sweetener that is not detrimental to those with diabetes—even though it's many times sweeter than table sugar. While using stevia won't help to eliminate your sweet tooth, stevia does have positive effects on postprandial blood sugar and insulin levels. You can grow the plant in a pot on your windowsill. One little leaf goes a long way.

15. Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus is a fine herb that has been shown to lower insulin resistance and decrease overeating in diabetics. The French kind of tarragon (var. sativa) does not easily propagate, but the Russian and American kinds (A. dracunculus) have spread invariably over most of the temperate world. Unfortunately, the American species does not have the same hypoglycemic effect, so you might have to shell out a bit more for the French type.

16. Thyme

Thymus spp. contains 75 active phytochemicals that work against diabetes, and its delicious aroma enhances any dish. Thyme supports inflammation-fighting cytokines and helps certain immune cells (macrophages) secrete agents that douse inflammation.

17. Turmeric

Curcuma longa, the yellow root popular in Indian cuisine and always present in curries, is probably the best herb or spice for preventing cancer. Turmeric is an ideal spice for those with diabetes, as research has proven it has anti-inflammatory, antiaging, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, heart-protecting, weight-reducing, and anti-infectious actions. All of these benefits have been attributed to its main ingredient, curcumin.

Eating a bit of chocolate once a week could be good for your heart, study finds

                              

• Eating chocolate once a week may be linked to a healthier heart and lower risk of coronary artery disease, according to a new meta-analysis. 

• Chocolate contains micronutrients like flavanols and polyphenols that can protect your heart by keeping veins and arteries healthy, research suggests.

• The study did not say what kind of chocolate is best, how much or little to eat, and whether other lifestyle factors may have influenced this data. 

The study found that people who reported eating chocolate at least once a week had a lower risk of coronary artery disease, compared to people who rarely ate chocolate or didn't at all.

They did not measure how much chocolate to eat to harness the apparent benefits, but the authors said "it's likely that large quantities do not" have the desired effect on health health.

Researchers theorize that compounds in chocolate like polyphenols and flavanols can improve some measures of heart health by reducing inflammation and increasing the level of HDL or "good" cholesterol in our blood. 

Will any chocolate do?

The studies did not differentiate between types of chocolate (white, dark, and milk). Currently, evidence suggests that dark chocolate, with its high levels of polyphenols and lower sugar and fat content, may be best for health. 

The current study also didn't measure amount of chocolate participants ate, the fat, calories, and sugar that many commercial chocolate bars and candies are packed with. Too much sugar, some types of fats, and excess calorie consumption are all linked to higher risk of heart disease and other chronic illness, so whatever the benefits of chocolate, moderation is likely to be key.

Chocolate probably isn't a silver bullet for heart health

The research isn't clear about whether chocolate alone can boost heart health, and what other variables are involved.

The study didn't account for differences in exercise habits, which could have influenced people's health more than their snacks.

Geographic location could also be a factor. Some of the most chocolate-loving people in the world live in European nations like Switzerland, which have very different health and fitness habits to the US. 

Cinnamon could help control blood sugar levels for people with prediabetes, according to a new study

                             

• A small new study found that cinnamon helped to stabilize blood sugar levels compared to a placebo in patients with prediabetes.
• Researchers theorize that compounds in cinnamon have both metabolic and antioxidant benefits. 
• That suggests the spice could be a safe, affordable treatment to help prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes, although more long-term research is needed. 

For people struggling to manage their blood sugar, a solution could found in your spice rack, according to a new study published July 21 in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. Cinnamon, in large doses over time, could help improve measures of blood sugar control, according to new evidence. 

Researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and the Korean Medicine Clinical Trial Center in Seoul studied 51 participants from Korea and the US, half of whom received a supplement containing 500 milligrams of cinnamon three times a day for 12 weeks. The other half received a placebo. 

At the 6-week check-in, there was not a significant difference between the two groups.

However, at 12 weeks, the patients that took cinnamon supplements showed significant improvements in measures of blood sugar control. 

Ugly Side Effects of Eating Pizza, According to Science

                              

Ugly Side Effects of Eating Pizza, According to Science

While pizza presents a mixed bag when it comes to delivering nutrition (especially because there are so many ways to eat healthy pizza and lose weight), you definitely don't want to overindulge in this treat. Pizza can present some decent nutrition when served up in the right form, but like most other foods, you can easily overdo this junk food. If you enjoy pizza but eat too much of it, you can face some ugly side effects of pizza that could lead to serious damage to your health.

When you want to take it easy on your body, avoid that extra slice of pizza to dodge these 6 terrible ugly side effects of eating pizza. And for even more healthy tips, be sure to check out this list of the 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.

Why You Should Stop Worrying About Carbs

Many diets from the past two decades cast carbohydrates as hell spawn sent to fatten you up and destroy you with diabetes. These diets demonized all carbs, from whole grains to fruit, and urged you to exorcise them from your life.

Some forms of this nutrient deserve that evil reputation, but many don’t. By avoiding bad carbs you can speed weight loss and dodge disease. But beware: Shunning the good carbs may hurt your health and fitness goals.

What Carbohydrates Really Are

Like proteins and fats, carbohydrates are macronutrients—in other words, substances that stoke your metabolism and keep you alert and active.

As an analogy, think of carbs as your body’s primary source of crude oil. Through digestion, carbs are transformed into glucose—kind of like high-octane unleaded gas.

“Carbohydrates are the only nutrients that exist solely to fuel the body,” says Donald Layman, Ph.D., a professor of human nutrition at the University of Illinois. Without glucose, your blood oxygen levels suffer, your energy levels tank, and your risk of a brain fart rises.

You should consume 45 to 65 percent of your daily calories from carbohydrates, according to the USDA’s most recent recommendation. So if you’re a moderately active guy consuming 2,600 calories a day, that means 1,170 to 1,690 calories of that total should come from carbs.

And since carbohydrates—whether from sugar, starch, or fiber—contain four calories per gram, you should shoot for 295 to 425 grams a day. This amount, says Layman, will help your brain, blood, and nervous systems function at their best.

If you keep your intake under 80 grams of carbs a day, as some diet plans suggest, your body will begin breaking down its fat stores to produce ketones, a poor man’s “glucose,” which can lead to that low-carb “cloudy” feeling.

Excess dietary carbs become excess body fat. So losing weight and helping your heart is as simple as cutting back on the white bread, right?

Why You Should Strive for Carb Complexity

The quality of your carbs is as important as the quantity, says Frank Sacks, M.D., a nutrition professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Complex carbs, found in starchy vegetables and whole grains, are linked to healthier weight and lower risks of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

“Complex carbohydrates are difficult for the body to break down, and that’s a good thing,” says Gail Cresci, Ph.D., R.D., a researcher in gastroenterology and nutrition at Cleveland Clinic. These carbs digest slowly, and the absorption of sugars into your bloodstream is also slower as a result.

The increases in your blood sugar and insulin levels are moderate enough that they don’t reach levels associated with body-fat storage, Cresci says. Plus, they make your good gut bacteria happy. “The gut microbiota prefer complex carbs over any other food source,” says Cresci.

After these buggers feast on the carbs, they send beneficial compounds into your bloodstream. These compounds, called short-chain fatty acids, may help lower inflammation and strengthen your immune system, says Cresci.

Most foods that contain complex carbs are also high in fiber (another form of carb), which regulates blood sugar and helps you feel full. In a 2015 study, people who were asked to eat 30 grams of fiber a day on top of their normal diet lost about as much weight as folks on a strict diet.

How the Wrong Kinds of Carbs Can Hurt You

Refined carbs, such as those in white bread, cookies, and chips, have the opposite effect that complex, unrefined carbs have. After you eat, say, a Boston cream doughnut, your blood sugar rises; in response, your insulin levels skyrocket. Plus, your gut bacteria spit out inflammatory compounds, says Cresci.

So a daily Boston cream sets you up for metabolic malfunction, elevated triglycerides, obesity, and the chronic diseases that accompany them.

Cutting out those breakfast doughnuts may help you erase the one encircling your waistline. And yes, if you eliminate almost all carbs from your diet, you’ll drop even more weight—but not for the reason you might think.

On a low-carb diet, your body churns through its stores of muscle glycogen. And for every bit of muscle glycogen you burn, your body releases twice as much H2O, Cresci says. So initially you’ll lose weight, but it will be more from water than from body fat.

To effectively reverse the weight gain associated with the intake of simple carbs, you have to shop smart. Beware of products that market themselves as low-fat. When food producers remove fat from cookies, ice cream, yogurt, or salad dressings, they often replace the lost flavor with processed sugar (yes, sugar is a carb), which is more easily converted into body fat than unprocessed carbs, Cresci says.

And don’t let the “gluten free” trend hook you in: Many gluten-free pastas, breads, and baked goods contain more sugar and calories than their conventional counterparts. In fact, a 2014 review published in the Journal of Medicinal Food concluded that people who followed a gluten-free diet had a greater risk of obesity later in life than those who didn’t.

So unless you’re among the very small minority of Americans who have celiac disease or known sensitivity, there’s probably no health reason for you to cut out gluten-containing whole grains like wheat, barley, and rye. And don’t forget: Gluten is a form of protein, your muscles’ friend.

A general rule: The fewer ingredients in the food you’re buying, the better. Choose apples, not low-fat, gluten-free, cinnamon-sugar apple chips. While fruit does contain simple carbs, those carbs come with plenty of fiber.

In fact, a 2013 BMJ study found that fiber from fruit may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. “Anyone who cuts down on fruit to reduce their sugar intake is making a big mistake,” says Dr. Sacks.

How Carbs Fuel Your Fitness

Carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in your muscles and liver and also serve as fuel for high-intensity and endurance exercise. If your fitness regimen is intense—say, you’re training for a marathon—you need 40 to 60 additional grams of carbs per hour of exercise to help your performance, says Stuart Galloway, Ph.D., who studies exercise metabolism at the University of Stirling, Scotland.

Another way to think about this is 1 extra gram of carbs per minute you work out. According to 2013 research in the journal Sports Medicine, carbs boost performance during endurance and high-intensity workouts. Better performances burn more calories.

And while carb loading before a race is a must, no evidence suggests that switching between high- and low-carb days (or “carb cycling”) helps performance. Some experts say it may even hurt your health. Shifting between low and high insulin levels can cause low-grade inflammation, says Cresci.

After your workout, you need to consume just as much carbs as protein—ideally more. That’s because insulin may help with protein synthesis and muscle building, a 2015 study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggests. Aim for a 1:1 or 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio after you hit the gym. Lift some chocolate milk, apple slices with almond butter, or pita and hummus.

So here’s your prescription: Eat a consistent amount of complex carbs every day (unless you’re running a marathon or doing some similar activity the next day) from the greatest variety of whole sources possible. Then enjoy all the disease-fighting, gut-filling benefits.

29 Most Popular Diet Sodas—Ranked!

 

29 Most Popular Diet Sodas—Ranked!

Although we're familiar with the ill effects of artificial sweeteners, one study went ahead and shed light on the frightening link between zero-calorie artificial sweeteners to diabetes and obesity. And to make matters worse, another study revealed that daily diet soda drinkers grow about two-and-a-half more inches of belly fat each decade than those who don't drink the stuff.

"Diet drinks cause insulin to be released in your gut because their artificial sweeteners are sweet like sugar, and that actually prevents weight loss," Miriam Jacobson, RD, CDN, told us. "Insulin is your body's primary fat-storage hormone, so it will have the body hold onto any extra fat."

Diet sodas also harm the immune system because their acidity causes havoc with our gut bacteria. And the phosphoric acid that's present in many cans has been shown to leach calcium from our bones.

While every diet soda is bad for you, some are clearly worse than others. We looked at various brands and closely imagined the ingredients of popular diet sodas in America. Read on to discover where your favorite cola landed—and discover our No. 1 pick, which might become your new go-to.

When my neighbor got a heart attack everyone fussed over him. How can I have that?

We go through life encountering all sorts of obstacles, challenges, and endless attempts at recognition.

We have relatives, be it siblings or whatever, that get recognition and attention but for some reason it never comes our way.

So, because of our quest for attention, sympathy, or gossip about us, we strive for something that many people get and what many people do not get.

The one thing that comes up that we know for sure people will talk about is getting a heart attack.

What comes to mind in getting this ball rolling is to embark upon a train to Hell until our goal has been reached.

First and foremost we have to become fat or obese and if our metabolism will not permit that we have to do our best to restrict blood flow in our arteries to our heart.

Starting with day one we must consume flesh at every meal. We must eat it every day for breakfast lunch and dinner and keep a bowl full by the couch, recliner and bed for snacks.

Under no circumstances should you eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts and pure water.

Yes, there are idiot vegetarians or totally insane vegans out there that will try to lay the “compassion” card on us. But those creatures are fair game and that’s why they are there.

We hear from the meat industry that factory-farmed meat is the best, especially for our intestines, our heart, and the planet, whereas range-fed animals are too anemic to provide any benefits whatsoever.

We know the planet is getting over-crowed so why not do our best to make room for others? After all, living until fifty or sixty will extend social security and make it available for those sickos that think living to a ripe old age has merit. All it’s gonna do is put us in old age homes around horny wannabees that couldn’t do anything with what they’ve got anyway.

If after consuming all the flesh we can handle we find that our cholesterol levels are still too low, we gleefully add GMO dairy products and eggs from factory-farmed animals.

Jeez, the GMO dairy is loaded with growth hormones that will make us bigger and fatter and because one egg supplies more protein that our body actually needs or can process in one day and puts an enormous burden on our organs and digestive system, we will knowingly be speeding up our desired goal.

We also have to add, eat and absorb as much processed foods as possible. Where else can be find these essential synthetic chemicals and artificial flavors and additives to help break our system down faster?

The good news is that any vitamins, minerals or nutrients that may have been in the animals are long gone by the time we get to them due to the processing and whatever has been added is useless so there’s no need to be concerned about eating them.

And, with the dairy, it’s a blessing that raw, unpasteurized and unhomogonized dairy has been outlawed because despite ingesting stuff loaded with parasites, we’ll get plenty of antibiotics passed to us from the animals that need them badly.

No matter what else we eat it must be fried in margarine, lard or canola oil because when refined oils are heated to really high temperatures it will not clog your arteries despite what the vegan and vegetarian fanatics tell you. And don’t worry about the trans fats like hydrogenated oils. The tranies are the good guys because they will help you achieve you desired goal so much quicker.

We know that advertising, for the most part, is a scam. Things have to be told to you because it’s forced upon us by a corrupt government that wants you to believe they care about you even if you don’t pay taxes.

That being said, it is to your advantage to begin drinking alcohol as if it were water and to begin smoking. These two wonderful substances provide a genuine warmth for your heart and your organs and will help to reduce the blood supply to your heart so your goal can be achieved quicker and compassion and concern for you will be abundant so much faster.

When you shop in the supermarket let your eyes be in control. Reading ingredients is a waste of time. Just buy what’s in the most colorful package. And if you do read ingredients, buy what has the most because you’ll get more of the good stuff. Who in his or her right mind would buy a bag of potato chips that only listed potatoes, coconut oil, and sea salt as ingredients? For it to be good there should be at least as many ingredients as you have fingers and toes.

Exercise sucks. You sweat, you gasp for breath, you have to drink lots of water, and your upped heart rate can give you a headache. Be smart. Buy a bigger TV.

When you start feeling achy, take a pill. Look at what sacrifices the doctors have made for you. The go to college for four years, then medical school for four years, then do internship for at least two years, and finally open up their own practice. And if you reject what they have learned in those ten plus years of dispensing synthetic chemicals or wielding a sophisticated pocket knife, you are creating a grave insult to them and making the grave coming to you later than sooner, which defeats the purpose

Last but not least, hate as best you can. Don’t waste you time on friends. Think of the people that have achieved what you are striving for and hate them for it every minute of every day. Instead of meditation and solace, become envious and angry.

You’ll be amazed how that emotional turmoil will play into your physical upheaval and how your heart attack will be right around the corner.

But, first and foremost, you must start with a goal. Say for your height you should weigh 150 pounds. That is pure crappola. Shoot for 250 pounds as fast as you can. When you reach that goal, you should walk up a steep hill once a weak. It will, tax your heart so heavily that your desired heart attack will right around the corner and so many people will be concerned about you that you will now be able to live in complete bliss.

Under no circumstances should you even consider taking organic sulfur crystals, bee pollen or superfoods. They will only hinder the completion of your desired goal of bodily and mental destruction and reverse anything and everything that is wrong with you right now.

Aloha!

Sources:
www.elephantjournal.com
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New study reveals that exercise is socially contagious

When it comes to exercise, you may want to keep your friends close. A new study published in Nature Communications revealed that exercise is socially contagious, observing that exercise data shared on social networks influenced the exercise habits of people who saw them.

For the study, researchers Sinan Aral and Christos Nicolaides of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology analyzed data from an unnamed global social media network. The data came from 1.1 million users who shared their running information on the network over four years, via a variety of fitness tracking devices and apps. These devices tracked their running time, speed, duration, and other stats, and posted the information automatically when connected to the social media platform.

The researchers observed that people ran further and faster when their friends did so. More specifically, they found that an extra kilometer run by a person resulted in an additional 0.3 kilometer for his or her friends. In the same way, an additional 10 minutes run by a person resulted in three minutes added running time among that person’s social circle. They also found that an extra 10 calories burned by a friend leads to 3.5 extra calories off for friends. This contagion, however, lessened over time.

The level of influence a person has changed depending on their gender and how active they are, the researchers said. Less active runners were found to be more influential than their more active counterparts. At the same time, men are influenced by both men and women, while women are only influenced by other women.

“This may be due to gender differences in the motivations for exercise and competition. For example, men report receiving and being more influenced by social support in their decision to adopt exercise behaviors, while women report being more motivated by self-regulation and individual planning. Moreover, men may be more competitive and specifically more competitive with each other,” Aral and Nicolaides said.

The benefits of going social

Whether it’s through seeing their exercise habits on social media, or working out with them in real life, friends can be the most powerful motivators when it comes to exercise. An article in Shape.com cited a study that compared people who joined a weight loss program with friends, and those who did it alone. The study found that 95 percent of those who did the program with friends completed it, a much higher rate compared to the 76 percent for those who went through the program alone. Furthermore, those who did the program with friends were 42 percent more likely to maintain their weight, the study said.

Another study by researchers from Oxford’s Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology observed members of the Oxford rowing team, comparing those who trained with a group with those who trained alone. The athletes who trained in a group were found to have a higher pain threshold post-workout than those who exercised solo. A higher pain threshold indicates a higher level of endorphins, the hormones that are released during physical activity and are responsible for what is called “runner’s high”. The researchers found that “synchronized physical activity elevates mood and enhances a sense of social bonding”, taking note of other social activities such as laughter, music, and shared religious rituals that produce the same euphoric effect.

Evidently, no man is an island — especially when it comes to working out. Social workouts such as CrossFit, Acroyoga, dance classes, competitive sports, and group running or biking are open to anyone who needs to give their workout a friendly boost. But even those who prefer working out alone can socially supercharge their exercise – all they have to do is go online.

Get more fitness and weight loss tips and news on Slender.news.

Sources include:

Nature.com
Shape.com
RSBL.RoyalSocietyPublishing.org