— 3 Comments

Omega-3 Fish Oil: Nature’s Secret – let it flow

Lack of Omega-3 fatty acids is responsible for 84,000 preventable deaths in the U.S.

Pause for a moment and think about the last time you ate wild fish. Now, notice how long ago it’s been. If you haven’t consumed it within the last week, you’re already missing out on the NECESSARY, VITAL-TO-LIFE, YOU-REALLY-OUGHT-TO-HAVE-IT potential benefits.

Why don’t I get enough Omega-3 in my diet?

Well, first of all, that’s a personal question. More importantly, the primary issue relates to the Standard American Food System — and how it may be stripping you of life.

Your Beef is fed off of grains and corn instead of grass — no omega-3s.

Your Salmon is harvested in factory conditions — no omega-3s.

And you’re still reading this blog — you definitely need omega-3s.

Omega-3s come in many shapes and sizes, even though Wild Fish is superior

Omega-3s come in many shapes and sizes, even though Wild Fish is superior

Balance, balance, balance

Omega-3’s are essential fatty acids, meaning that your body REQUIRES this type of fat to LIVE. Students who eat more wild fish perform better in every academic arena — INCLUDING Physical Education.

Most Americans are getting enough QUANTITY of Fat, but not enough QUALITY of Fat. In fact, the key to improved health has less to do about total fat consumption as it does with balancing the ratios of Omega-3 to Omega-6 in your diet.

And whats bad about Omega-6 fatty acids?

I can almost guarantee that you are getting way too much Omega-6 for your own good. It can be found in vegetable oils, and nearly all commercial meat. Peanut butter is also primarily Omega-6. On the other hand, Walnuts contain Omega-3s.

There’s nothing inherently bad about Omega-6, because you also need this type of fat to survive. Aside from some health benefits, excess Omega-6’s typically promote inflammation (leading to pain and disease), whereas optimal Omega-3’s are anti-inflammatory (leading to pain relief and healing). Balance is key, 1:1 ratio is preferable.

What is the solution?

Unless you live on the ocean or river where fresh fish flows year round, you still have another solution:

Supplement with pure Fish Oil or in Capsule form, buy at any supplement store.

Fish oil is extremely high in Omega-3 fatty acids and can promote:

Healthy Cholesterol
Regulate blood pressure
Prevent heart disease
Preventing and managing Diabetes
Aids in weight loss (especially with exercise program)
Effective treatment for arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dysmenorrhea
Improves bone health
Aids in neurotransmitter process, making you smarter and reducing risk of becoming depressed.
Protects the skin
Reduces risk of macular degeneration, for keeping eyes healthy and lubricated.
In sum, Omega-3’s are essential in healthy arteries, strong brainpower, organ protection, and overall vitality.
There’s really no excuse for not STARTING TODAY!
  1. Healthy Cholesterol
  2. Regulate blood pressure
  3. Prevent heart disease
  4. Preventing and managing Diabetes
  5. Aids in weight loss (especially with exercise program)
  6. Effective treatment for arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dysmenorrhea
  7. Improves bone health
  8. Aids in neurotransmitter process, making you smarter and reducing risk of depression or ADHD.
  9. Protects the skin
  10. Reduces risk of macular degeneration, for keeping eyes healthy and lubricated.

In sum, Omega-3’s are essential in healthy arteries, strong brainpower, organ protection, and overall vitality.

There’s really no excuse for not STARTING TODAY!

Fish oil has given me strength, quick wit, and quality of life. I appreciate the fish for their existence, as it improves my own. Joy to the oceans below.

Physical Fitness by Dre
— 1 Comment

The Costly Pursuit of Muscle

What is it that drives so many into the pursuit of physique ideals?

You’ve been there — walking on the street as someone catches your eye. Maybe it’s their style, but you notice something so dynamic about the way that physique glides through the air. Your body rewards you with a certain feeling inside, and you consider whether or not you stack up to that person.

No matter what, some people of particular sizes and shapes will consistently attract more attention and status.

The ideal male body image: Symmetrical and athletic, with legs sculpted by Michelangelo.

A piece of art

A piece of art

Let’s face it, Most guys would prefer to have a toned physique — not too much muscle — just with the right proportions. So WHY aren’t most guys Fit like David?

Increased muscle is an evolutionary signal for good genetics, resourcefulness, and high Testosterone levels.

For men, the really attractive traits are the most costly to develop. But the attainment of muscle is much different than Gucci clothes and a legit Rolex.

Muscle is costly from a resource, genetic and metabolic perspective:

  • The ultimate limit of muscle is largely determined by good Genetics.
  • Heavy body weight, comprised mostly of lean muscle, requires significantly greater calories and nutrients Every Single Day.
  • Spending time in the gym relates to opportunity costs.
  • MOVING HEAVY WEIGHTS HAS POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY

Yet, every day I see a new kid in the weight room. He’s well intentioned, but for the most part clueless about how much effort it takes to gain 20 pounds of muscle.

Does the media create unrealistic expectations of men?

Probably. But lets get one thing clear: Muscle is possible for nearly every healthy guy — the ONLY people who fail to gain muscle are those who stop trying.

Muscle is costly, and therefore it is valuable. Increased status and attractiveness also benefit muscular guys through career, personal life, and overall wellbeing. Becoming fit is an investment that increases your ultimate winnings.

Why people seek muscle:

  • Improved athletic performance for sport
  • Some professions require a larger build
  • Confidence booster
  • Feeling comfortable in own body
  • Status boost in interpersonal communication
  • Because it’s manly

Type of people that actually reach their ideal physique:

  1. Are you able to push past your comfort zone to find more efficient ways to reach goals?
  2. Do you take an interest in researching healthy nutrition & lifestyle habits?
  3. Have you dropped expectations of transforming your body overnight?
  4. Eating healthy 90% of the time — is this possible for you?
  5. Will you continue reading this Blog?

If you answered yes to all of the above questions, you are well on your way to developing a respectable physique.

Blog & Personality
— 2 Comments

Corn and Healthcare Crisis go hand-in-hand

Entire food system based off faulty food?

Americans are innovative and dedicated. We often manage to find simple answers to complex problems.

Following World War II and facing BOOMING population growth from returning soldiers, US lawmakers and interest groups combined forces for a noble cause: Produce More Food for the baby boomer generation.

Since a growing population will consume more food, the government prioritized certain crops to be the backbone of a nation. In particular, the yellow, starchy kernels we know and love as Corn. The crop is officially subsidized — with farmer’s being paid BILLIONS per year on government payroll.

With THAT kind of incentive, why wouldn’t they produce corn?

The corn of the issue

The corn of the issue

Since corn can be produced for so “cheap” (actual cost is covered by you, the taxpayer), the abundance of corn has corporations researching every, possible, function of corn. In fact, nearly every processed food in the grocery store will contain “cheap” corn products.

Corn alone is greatly responsible for our obesity

Imagine putting low grade gasoline in your car every week for ten years — what do you think would happen to the engine?

Yet, thats what Americans are doing every single day. Each time we take a sip of Coca-Cola, the low grade fuel degrades us.

What common products contain / are derived from corn?

  • Frozen dinners
  • Soft drinks
  • Shake N’ Bake – Tangy Honey Glaze
  • Capri Sun
  • Kellog’s (nearly all)
  • Heinz Ketchup
  • Yoplait Yogurt
  • Smuckers
  • Some processed lunch meats
  • BBQ sauce
  • Oscar Meyer Lunchables

Take a second to think about which products contain High Fructose Corn Syrup.

For one moment, really think about which items contain HFCS.

This is your body on Capri-Sun

This is your body on Capri-Sun

Of these products, ALL OF THE PROCESSED FOODS above contain corn in the form of High Fructose Corn Syrup.

That is essentially refined, unnatural sugar that your body has no clue what to do with. What is a body to do when bombarded with simple carbs? High Fructose Corn Syrup is almost always stored as body fat.

MERCURY in your snackfood?????

Aside from spiking blood sugar levels so that your body struggles with the calories, there are more risks involved.

Mercury turned up in many foods not previously known to be sources of mercury, including many preferred by children, the group said. It includes Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars, Quaker Oatmeal to go bars, Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup, Yoplait Strawberry yogurt, Market Pantry Grape Jelly and Coca-Cola: All contain mercury.

  • Mercury leaks into corn, and is in many High Fructose Corn Syrup containing products.
WARNING: Contains Mercury (from high fructose corn syrup)

WARNING: Contains Mercury (from high fructose corn syrup)

Poisoning rational adults is one thing, but children are the real victims here. High fructose corn syrup wasn’t around 100 years ago, and it might not be around in 100 more years. Your life is in your hands, do you really want to give that away to corporations who abuse political clout through dangerous subsidies?

Stay natural, stay safe.

A diet high in corn products will result in obesity and diabetes — if not heart disease and cancer. Corn, itself, is not a toxin, but it has overgrown worse than a yeast infection. We need to gain control over the balance — the food source of our country — the core of what it means to be American.

Food Reform is the only sustainable health care system.

  1. End obesity by reducing corn production.
  2. Prevent disease by offering a bounty of healthy foods
  3. Live healthier, smarter, and happier with beautiful vitality.

Friends, I urge you to diligently read product labels — EMPOWER yourselves, Today!

Weightloss Now
— 6 Comments

Good Carbs, Bad Carbs: Glycemic Index for Belly Fat Loss

FOOD choices for belly fat loss, reader Q&A #1.

Andre! I have a health question that perhaps you can answer, and can benefit other readers of your blog as well!

Currently, I am at 192 pounds. I feel like I am in the best “physical” shape of my life. My muscles and veins are popping, I can go all day without naps or coffee, and I am drinking lots of water every day.

Right now, my diet is a mix between taco time (mahi mahi burritos are my kryptonite), and cereal. Basically, VERY LITTLE home cooked meals. I am trying to correct this by preparing meals in advance. (I packed my own lunch today).

My question is this: I want to lose weight, without losing too much muscle mass. I know I am naturally a muscular guy, but I also know my BMI could be lowered down a few points. I want to get back to my old 178 and fit into my old tee-shirts again. Any suggestions?

Your faithful reader and friend,

~Drew

Thank you for the question Drew, I too have smelled the seductive scent of Taco Time. Resistance may be difficult, but the end result is so. worth. it.

At work today, I assisted two gentlemen who had similar goals. To be as valuable as possible, I uncovered their eating habits — which included rice every single day!

Most people know that carbs generally make weight loss more difficult, but in reality it’s not about how many carbs as it is the type of carbs. Unfortunately, some of the most delicious carbs — like starches (potato, tortillas) and cereals (even “healthy” ones) — will raise blood sugar levels faster than Usain Bolt’s 100 meter dash. Let’s face it, the most popular carbs from Fast Food Restaurants do the OPPOSITE of weight loss.

All excess energy from high blood sugar will be stored as body FAT

The key is choosing the slow-burning carbs, so that you maintain high energy levels while regulating blood sugar at a healthy level.

Just me hangin on the beach, I had oatmeal for breakfeast.

Just me hangin' on the beach, I had oatmeal for breakfeast.

Therefore, we put a premium on carbs that have LOW effect on blood glucose levels, such as oatmeal, beans, and yogurt. One tool we use is the Glycemic Index.

  • The Glycemic Index (GI) is a system of ranking carbohydrate-containing foods based on their immediate effect on blood sugar levels.
  • The GI ranks the quality of carbohydrates, on a scale from 0 to 100, with pure glucose having the highest GI value of 100.

In terms of cost/benefit, the best carbs will contain some or all of the following:

  1. Dietary Fiber (Green veggies, Lentils, Split peas)
  2. Protein (oatmeal, beans)
  3. Antioxidants (fruits, berries)
  4. Vitamins, Minerals (Yams, Spinach)
  5. Additional Nutrients (Onions, Broccoli: anti-cancer)
  6. Low to Medium Glycemic Index

Ensure that all of your carbs are nutrient dense, and you will already notice benefits in body composition.

Aside from simply reducing calories (which is also VERY important for fat loss), the TYPE of carbs will make or break any six-pack abs diet.

Final Tips for Belly Fat Loss

  • Aim for at least 100 grams protein per day (includes protein from non-meat sources)
  • Use Branched Chain Amino Acids upon waking and/or with foods lacking in protein (e.g. take BCAA’s while eating fruit)
  • Consume less than 2,200 calories per day. (Less than 1,800 calories/day for women)
  • Your last meal of the day should be ~2 hours before bed, and it should be a high-protein / low carb meal.
  • Whey Protein is your Friend.
  • Prepare meals at home. Only go to restaurants ONCE per week OR Special order all of your food to your specifications. They must oblige (feel free to tip more if they do well).
  • Fiber, Fiber, Fiber — it helps regulate blood sugar levels.
  • A little green tea speeds up the metabolism and fat burning process.
  • EAT AS MANY LEAFY, GREEN VEGGIES AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN – you can stuff your face all day long with spinach and broccoli and you’ll see results within DAYS!

Drew, my good friend, I hope this benefits you as it has me.

Be sure that I will write many more articles promoting healthy fat loss in the upcoming episodes.

Best to all who wish to GET LEAN,

André

EllisonFitness

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now
— 2 Comments

Daily Food Shopping: Food Be My Ally!

Making good choices starts here: stores and markets.

Walking into Fred Meyer, I realize that 85% of the store is simply irrelevant to my life — because highly processed food is NOT nutrition. But, the other 15% of the store holds many of the answers to health, healing, and weight loss.

The produce section is vibrant, with the colors of fruits and vegetables glistening from the light above. My eye for deals seeks out quality and fair-priced products.

I ask myself….What fruits/vegetables have I NOT had recently? These are the ones that need to be cycled back into my diet.

I pick up some fresh apples, a couple pears, avocados and two English cucumbers (I only have one left now). Next, it’s off to the bulk food section…

Careful to avoid any internal conflict, I simply avert my eyes from any of the chocolate, sugary treats. Instead, I see that oatmeal is on sale for a mere 76 cents per pound. I filled up my bag with six large scoops of oatmeal, which rang up at $1.75. In terms of nutrition, that gives me hundreds of grams of fiber, slow carbs, protein, and weeks of hot breakfeasts.

Next, I had a desire for lentils, but I already ate many lentils last week. Instead, I opt for the green split peas, which brings back happy childhood memories. Maybe I’ll make a soup with this green, slow carb, high fiber, high protein food.

Very low glycemic index

Very low glycemic index

Now it’s on to the refrigerated section of the health aisle. I pick up two bulk Nancy’s low-fat yogurt at about $10 total, which should last me two weeks. Actually, Yogurt is a fantastic addition to smoothies and protein shakes. The amount of sugars listed on the label does not reflect how it works in your body. In fact, since yogurt is a fermented food, much of the sugar has been altered by the living cultures — meaning that there is actually LESS real sugar than what you see on the label. Eat up, my friends.

As I returned home tonight, I ate an entire cucumber — if not for the nutrition, then for the fact that it fills me up due to high water content. Before I go to bed, I will drink more Kefir to get the healthy probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and protein so that when I wake up in the morning, I will be my balanced, optimistic, and handsome self.

Food is my friend

…and I intend to keep it that way. Be a part of the movement, and find yourself in the OUTER aisles of the grocery store — that is where the TRUE nutrition resides.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now