Your Tummy Fat Could Be Killing You!

Tummy fat. Some of us have it, others don't. Is there anything special about a big belly compared to a large bottom? Well, surprisingly, not all body fat is created equal! According to a study carried out by researchers from MacMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario it seems that gauging your heart attack risk depends on where your fat is, rather that how much fat you have.

These types of findings are not unique to MacMasters. Dr David Heber, Ph.D., from UCLA’s Centre for Human Nutrition reports that distribution of body fat is a more important predictor of heart attack risk than the traditional measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measurement based on the ratio between your height and weight.

It appears that a more accurate predictor of the impact body fat has on your health, is your overall body shape. You may be more like an apple or a pear, or evenly shaped top and bottom. You may have large thighs, fat hips and a huge bum and have a lower heart attack risk than someone with skinny legs and a big belly.

A more accurate and telling predictor of heart attack risk, is the waist-to-hip ratio.

What is your waist-to-hip ratio?

Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. For example, if your hips measurement is 40 inches and your waist is 34 inches your hip-to-waist ratio is 0.85. If you are a man, that's great, if you are a woman, that's OK (but you are right on the limit of healthy).

- A man's ratio should not be over 0.90

- A woman's ratio should not be over 0.85

Don’t fight nature

If you were born an apple you will stay an apple and if you were born a pear you will continue to be appear. Accepting your natural body shape is the first step in losing weight. In a study led by Glasgow, Scotland, psychologist Dorothy Hefferman, Ph.D., researchers concluded that women whose actual body shape differs from their desired one may find losing weight frustrating and have more trouble sticking to a weight-loss program as a result.

If this sounds like you, accept your overall shape as nature intended, but pay attention to reducing fat around your middle and tummy areas. Circumference is much more important to your health than how you look in relation to your bust and bottom.

Why are zucchini healthy ?

Zucchini are  delicious vegetables, very popular during the summer. Besides wonderful flavor, they have are very healthy.  Below is some useful information about zucchini. 

The main feature of the zucchini  is bland taste, low calorific value and money affordability. They can use use as  an aid in the treatment of certain diseases. 

A large number of people love the taste of zucchini, especially when they are  baked on the grill. There are several types of plants differ in shape, pain, size and taste. Belonging to the same family as watermelon and cucumbers. 
The zucchini  is entirely edible, bark, meat and flowers. In the  kitchen they are  usually prepared as a stew, in soups , stuffed, grilled, steamed, in salads, and are used even in the preparation of pies and cakes. 

Nutrients from the flasks have numerous positive effects on the health. They are containing magnesium which helps to regulate blood pressure, vitamins C and A. The zucchini are used to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis in blood vessels. Dietary fiber influence on lowering cholesterol and detoxify the bowels. The flask is an excellent source of vitamins C, A, potassium, manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, folate, riboflavin and nutritious fiber. 

The flasks are used as a cure for a particular disease. Help in the treatment of asthma, they have a strong anti-inflammatory properties, and assist in the treatment of periodontal disease. The seeds from the flask with a positive effect on blod vessels and blood pressure. 

Zucchini are reducing the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Laboratory studies have found that the phytonutrients in juice of  zucchini have anti-cancer properties as it prevents cancer cell mutations. Its extracts reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy, and this effect increases in combination with other vegetables. Recent research shows that the juice made of zucchini, as well as the juice of pumpkin, radish, and leeks, prevents mutation of cells and the occurrence of cancer. 

Energy value zucchini 

Energy value of 100 g of raw zucchini with peel kcal/69 is 16 kJ. Than that of the flask with 3.4 percent of carbohydrates, 1.2 percent protein and 0.2 percent fat. Minerals containing small quantities of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc and calcium. When it comes to vitamins, in addition to vitamin C, contains vitamin B complex in smaller quantities, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, pyridoxine, and also vitamin K.  Fresh zucchini 100 g containing 1.1 g of dietary 2.2 g of fibers and lutein. 

Take advantage of the summer and enjoy the magical flask. Let your imagination run wild and create a meal that you love.

Ways To Get More Antioxidants Into Your Diet

There are 10 steps to getting more antioxidants into your diet.

1.Breakfast

Breakfast doesn't have to be a hurried toaster tart on the way out the door. Throw some strawberries, 100% juice and yogurt into a blender; pour your delicious mixture into a cup and head out the door. You've just added one to three servings of fruits to your daily intake. Or throw some berries onto your cold or hot cereal.

Say you truly have no time in the morning and usually grab something on the run. Even the Golden Arches can be some help here. Order a fruit and yogurt parfait and some apple slices. For about $2, you have a breakfast providing one to two servings of fruit.

2.Snacks

Here's an easy way to get more antioxidants in your diet. How about a handful of raisins for a snack, or some fresh red grapes? Dip some strawberries in yogurt. You'll feel decadent, but the berries provide the color you're looking for. Need crunch? How about some baby carrots dipped in hummus? Consider a handful of pecans for crunch and a nice antioxidant boost.

3.Lunch and dinner

It might sound trite, but adding a salad to each of your main daily meals can add loads to your overall health and well-being. They don't have to be boring, and they don't have to be just salad greens. If you're going classic, add some red pepper slices to your green salad, some tomatoes to the Greek salad, or tart cranberries to your field greens. Whip up a broccoli salad for lunch, or be adventurous and mix up a rice salad with a melange of fresh vegetables like string beans, tomatoes, peppers and red onions.

4.Dessert

Berries, with or without whipped cream or chocolate are a wonderful way to end your day of healthy, antioxidant-rich eating.

5.Beverages

Replace your soda with tea or coffee, both of which boast antioxidant compounds. Have a glass of wine with dinner, or for a real change of pace, pour a glass of chai tea.

6.Think outside the box

We know we can get our antioxidant fix from berries, salads and the like, but researchers say powerful antioxidants can also be found in a variety of unexpected foods, like russet potatoes, artichokes, and small red beans. The beans, in fact, may have more antioxidant power than blueberries, experts say. So to your rice salad full of vegetables, add some beans for even more antioxidants.

7.Cook lightly

You think you're being good, preparing vegetables each night for your family's dinner. But if you're overcooking the vegetables, you're cooking out a lot of the beneficial properties of the antioxidants. Steam (don't boil) vegetables, and stop cooking them when they will have all of their bright color and most of their bite.

8.Plant a garden

Experts believe that people who plant and harvest vegetables from their own yards are far more likely to eat more vegetables and fruits than people who buy their produce from the store. So plant a garden, watch it grow and eat the fruits (literally) of your labor.

9.Take your healthy diet on vacation

Too many of us consider going on vacation an opportunity to take a vacation from everything, including healthy eating. Think of vacation as a way to be introduced to new foods. Order an interesting vegetable dish in a restaurant and then pay attention to how the chef prepared the dish.

10.Learn to cook

If you're cooking, you're not opening bags and boxes. Cooking involves scrubbing and peeling vegetables, preparing whole foods and paying attention to how things are cooked. If you're ordering out every night, you're far less likely to be eating the whole foods and natural fruits and vegetables that provide the base for our antioxidant intake.