Medical Health Information

A diet? And if your cycle could talk?

Summer is finally here! As every year, magazines and other media assail us the latest diet promising to lose several pounds in a short time. You are tempted?

The machine cult of thinness is launched. We suffer the attention of others on our bodies and remain critical of our forms. This hunt grease is really legitimate? Fat is it not important for our health?

The role of fat
The grease used to support deep organs, protection against cold and energy reserve in case of insufficient supply, but not only that. Body fat influences the fertility of women. Fatty tissue converts androgens in the blood estrogen, the female sex hormones involved in the control of the menstrual cycle. One third of total estrogen produced during the woman's fertile life comes from fat.

A fat enough
Women have less body fat produce estrogen less powerful are less able to control the cycle. In addition, they have more globulins in the blood that capture estrogen. They have less free estrogen can play their role.

Very thin women, the hypothalamus does not stimulate FSH and LH hormones that control the ovarian cycle. This explains why anorexic women often have a lack of menstruation.

A too abundant fat
By cons, overweight women have high levels of estrogen that interferes with the functioning of the corpus luteum (follicle burst left in the ovary after expulsion of the ovum) and progesterone decreases. Excess estrogen can also interfere with thyroid function by blocking cell receptors that respond to thyroid hormone. The decrease in thyroid function promotes the storage of body fat increases estrogen levels even more.

Knowing your healthy weight
The first instinct is to calculate the body mass index (BMI). But it does not take into consideration the age, the frame or the source weight (muscle or fat).

According to a Harvard study conducted by Rose E. Frisch, the fat must be 22% of the total weight having a regular menstrual cycle. The proper functioning of our body is it not the best indicator of our health?

Knowledge cycle can confirm a healthy weight may be different from the idealized weight in your head. The sympto-thermal method is a natural method that allows women to embrace their cycle. It can detect the fertile period and the period infertile cycle by taking daily temperature and record the characteristics of the cervical mucus and cervix. With this method, women can discover the cycle irregularities. Women underweight and overweight often have long cycles, poor cervical mucus, insufficient progesterone and irregular cycles.

It should be noted that infertility problems are due to lack of more fat than overweight. So, ladies, let us more influenced by the hype around the thinness, but let's listen to our bodies and our fertility.

Dissociated diet: What is it?

The dissociated diet is a diet that consists slimming referred to only eat one type of food in large quantities during each meal of the day or eat one food every day for a week.

The dissociated diet, developed in the United States by Dr. Hay, can eat all the desired quantities, provided they do not mix certain foods in one meal or one day.

The principle of combining diet is the consumption of each food alone, even in large quantities, is not fattening.

What are the risks of dissociated diet?

The dissociated diet is nutritionally imbalanced, precisely because it does not consume the same meal several different kinds of food.

A balanced diet based on the joint consumption of different food groups (meat, vegetables, fruits, cereals ...) whose metabolism is intimately linked, which allows the body to assimilate the various components of food (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals ...).

The main rules of dissociated diet
• The main caloric intake should be made with vegetables, salad and fruit.
• The acidifying foods (carbohydrates, proteins) and alkalizing (vegetables and fruits) should not be consumed during the same meal under penalty of not being digested properly.
• It should minimize the consumption of milk and do not eat at the same time as other foods.
• Refined foods (such as sweets, pastries, white bread, white rice, foods made with white flour ...) should be excluded from the benefit of whole grains and unrefined products.

The advantages of combining diet
• The dissociated diet has the main advantage to cause rapid weight loss without feeling deprived or frustration.
• It is a simple diet to follow and allows you to eat from each food group at will: meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs, cereals.

The disadvantages of dissociated diet
• One drawback (which can be turned into an advantage) is that the system eventually cause a loathing of food. Which may lead to reduce food rations and facilitate weight loss.
• The dissociated diet is an unbalanced diet causes nutritional deficiencies after several weeks of diet, with manifestations of fatigue, decreased muscle mass and even malnutrition.
• It is a diet monotonous and boring for its lack of variety and can be difficult to follow for a long time.
• The plan does not include the stabilization phase, this is the kind of plan that outlines a rapid recovery of weight during the resumption of a normal diet.

Dissociated diet - practical information

The dissociated diet in practice

A day

• The same type of food can be consumed at will in the morning for breakfast, another type of food will lunch and another type of food will dinner.

• For example:

- Breakfast: eat only fruits;
- Breakfast: eat only fish;
- Dinner: eat only vegetables.
A week

• The same type of food can be eaten on the same day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and will.

• For example:

- Monday: eat only meat;
- Tuesday: eat only vegetables
- Wednesday: eat only fruits;
- Thursday: eat only dairy products;
- Friday only eat fish;
- Saturday: eat only cheese;
- Sunday: eat only eggs.

What should be wary in dissociated diet?

Despite losing a few pounds easy, do not go overboard or adopt this plan as usual diet or for the whole family.

What is a diet for diabetes type 2?

The diet for diabetes type 2 (non-insulin dependent or) concerns an insidious onset diabetes, which occurs most often after the age of 50, in case of overweight and obesity.

This is why it is also called "diabetes fat mature subject."

Regime where type 2 diabetes based on specific dietary measures aimed at:

- Better control sugar levels in the blood;
- Possible to lose overweight;
- To lower cholesterol if applicable;
- While providing a varied and balanced diet.

Regime where type 2 diabetes should always be associated with a physical activity that promotes weight loss and helps control blood sugar in the blood (blood sugar).

Type 2 Diabetes: Why a plan?

In diabetes type 2 (non-insulin dependent), the pancreas is no longer able to provide proper secretion of insulin (hormone that regulates the level of sugar in the blood), or the body's cells lose their sensitivity to the action of insulin. But there is no total lack of insulin.

In this type of diabetes, dietary measures have shown their interest in better glycemic control and are at the forefront of the prevention of type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Foods to avoid in case of type 2 diabetes

These are high-GI carbs (between 70 and 100): sugar, confectionery, sugary cereals and mixed biscuits, pastries, potato flakes, high GI fruits (like banana, mango ...), sodas, cakes and pastries , ice ...
Attention to some low GI foods but high in fat (like chocolate) if overweight.

Type 2 diabetes diet - practical information

What are the main rules?

• Fight against overweight by not consuming more than 1800 kilocalories (kcal) per day and practicing regular physical activity.

• Know carbohydrates and distinguish between:

- Simple carbohydrates (sugars and sugar products) that cause a sudden increase in the rate of blood sugar (glucose);
- And complex carbohydrates (bread, pasta, rice, cereals, legumes ...) that raise blood sugar more gradually.

• Know the "glycemic index" (GI) of a food, which reflects the rate of absorption of sugar in the blood.
The concept of GI has to review the plan and rehabilitate diabetic foods, such as fruits (GI less than 40), the absorption of sugars is slow and gradual.
• Focus on fiber at every meal (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, oats, wheat germ ...) that promote a decrease in blood glucose and reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

• Make sure to consume a moderate amount of fat that are fattening and their quality oils (olive, canola, walnuts, wheat germ ... rich in good fatty acids).

• Ensure adequate intake of protein (lean meats, low fat dairy products, fish), but avoid fatty meats and cheeses.

• Eat fruit for their micronutrients (vitamins, trace elements, antioxidants) after meals and avoid eating between meals.

• Make three meals a day with possibly a snack and another 10 hours to 16 hours. The rule is to eat more often without eating more.

What should I be wary?

Be wary of alcohol is a source of calories, and some alcoholic beverages high in sugar (champagne, appetizers).

Under what circumstances should you consult an expert?

It is necessary to consult an expert if dietary measures are not enough to control your diabetes and complications related to diabetes.

Cretan diet

Mediterranean diet: What do we talk about?

The Cretan diet is derived from the model of traditional Cretan diet, the inhabitants of the Mediterranean island living longer and in better health than Westerners.

The exceptional longevity of the inhabitants of the island of Crete, many of which are centuries old, is related to their frugal diet rich in antioxidants and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3), which allows a low rate of cardiovascular disease Disease and fewer cancers.

Is there a difference between the Mediterranean diet and the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet is a Mediterranean-style diet, that is to say, emphasizing vegetables, fruits and olive oil.

The particularity of the Cretan diet is to be based on consumption
- Mainly vegetables, including salads with wild purslane that grows on the island (linolenic acid rich, precursor of omega-3) and herbs rich in antioxidants;
- Food in its raw state (grain);
- Small snails Crete (rich in omega-3 because they consume themselves purslane);
- Fish, eggs and dairy products made ​​from goat's milk or sheep;
- Very little red meat (3-4 times per month);
- A little red wine.

What are the main principles of the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet is based on a simple diet, cooking methods that do not require fat and regular consumption:

- Olive oil, olives and oilseeds;
- Bread and whole grains and plenty of raw foods, including cereals old as buckwheat, barley, millet, rye ...;
- Fresh vegetables and legumes;
- Fresh fruit, dried fruit;
- Cheese and yogurt made from milk of goat or sheep;
- Wild salads rich in omega-3, including purslane (the Cretans consume raw) or salad, seedlings mixed salad ...
Cretan diet - practical information

What are the effects of the Mediterranean diet on health?

Whole grains and legumes are an important source of carbohydrates and fiber. Legumes (lentils, split peas, corn, chickpeas ...) are also rich in minerals (iron, magnesium, phosphorus).

They calm the hunger, provide energy and are involved in the prevention of colon cancer, gallstones, blood levels high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes.
In addition, ancient grains are a good source of vegetable protein and vitamin B.
Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins C and E (antioxidants) and minerals (particularly potassium) and fiber.

They promote satiety, ensure good bowel and play an important role in the prevention of certain cancers.
Fish are rich in high quality protein and good fats.
Eggs are a nutritional model because of their richness in many micronutrients.
Dairy milk of goat or sheep are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and good rich in calcium and protein.
Wine consumed in small doses plays a role in preventing cardiovascular diseases and contains tannins rich antioxidants (flavonoids) protective cells.
This type of diet based on these foods has shown interest in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, arteritis, hypertension, stroke ...) and certain cancers.
What should be wary in the Cretan diet?

Cretans consume wine, but in moderation, and that is not a reason to wine as the first criterion of the Cretan diet.

Cholesterol-lowering diet: definition

An anti-cholesterol is:

- That the intake of fat does not exceed 30 to 35% of the total calorie intake
- Adopt and dietary measures to lower the blood cholesterol, and especially work on the good (HDL) cholesterol in the arteries beneficial and bad cholesterol (LDL) which is deposited on the arteries with the risk of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Issues of anti-cholesterol diet regime

The anti-cholesterol diet stems from the fact that:
- Excess animal fats and certain vegetable fats promotes increases bad cholesterol and exposed to the risk of cardiovascular disease
- While fatty acids "unsaturated" with monounsaturated fatty acids (omega 9) and polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 and 6) have a beneficial effect on increasing the good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol
- And that the fibers and certain plant products (plant sterols or stanols) reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestine.

The anti-cholesterol diet is therefore a balanced diet that emphasizes foods and away from others.

Anti-cholesterol diet Practical information

What are the basics of a system in case of cholesterol?
The basis of an anti-cholesterol include:
- To prefer lean meats (skinless chicken, rabbit, veal ...), ham, low fat, lean fish (hake, whiting, saithe, sole ...)
- Use oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (olive, canola) and polyunsaturated oils (canola, walnut, hazelnut, corn, wheat germ, grape seed ...). (Olive oil for cooking and / or seasoning oils other, less resistant to heat, to book for seasoning)
- To consume foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids: nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios) and fatty fish from cold seas, rich in omega 3 (tuna, mackerel, sardines, salmon ...)
- Promoting high fiber foods that reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption: five fruits and vegetables a day (especially apples), whole grains, legumes (bulgur, lentils, chickpeas ...), unsweetened cereal (type oats, muesli ...)
- To use low-fat dairy products with 0% fat cheese and low-fat
- Use of margarines enriched dietary phytosterols and omega 3
- To remove the visible fat from meats and implement methods of cooking without fat

What foods are banned?
These are the fatty foods of animal origin (purveyors of saturated fatty acids and dietary cholesterol) such as:
- Fatty meats (beef, lamb, mutton, chicken, goose ...)
- Meat, bacon, lard
- Butter, cream, whole milk products, fatty cheeses
- Eggs (no more than twice a week)
- Pastries with butter or cream, pastries, ice cream ...
and other foods carrying harmful fatty acids (saturated and "trans") such as:
- Hydrogenated vegetable oils, palm oil, coconut oil, margarines
- Fries, chips and fried foods, breaded
- Biscuits industrial sweet and savory ...

What should I be wary?
Be wary of hidden fats (ready meals), fatty acids "trans" (including cookies industrial) and cheese rich in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol.

Under what circumstances should you consult an expert?
Consult a doctor or nutritionist if you find a high cholesterol at a self-measurement, if you are overweight or if there are high levels of cholesterol in your family.

Acid-base diet: What is it?

The scheme aims to acid-base balance supply current too high in acidifying foods causing acid-base imbalance harmful to the body. Stress and physical inactivity aggravate this imbalance acid base.
The acid-alkaline diet is based on specific food combinations to reconsider the proportion of acid and alkaline foods on the plate.

Why an acid-base system?

Digestion of food causes the formation of ions "hydrogen" that have acidifying potential (promotes lower blood pH becomes acid) and ion formation "hydroxides" that have the potential alkalizing (promotes increased blood pH becomes alkaline).

The acid-alkaline diet stems from the fact that the current supply is rather acidifying. Which ends in the long run by disrupting the functioning of the organs of elimination and degradation acids, tired body, accelerate aging and increase the risk of diseases.

What happens there in the body?

The body neutralizes excess acid compounds with buffer systems. When these capabilities are exceeded, it follows retention of acidic wastes, which forces the body to dip into its reserves alkalizing minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium).

Eventually forcing the exhausted body, cause demineralization and promote degradation and tissue inflammation (joint pain), the onset of fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, insomnia, hair loss, overweight ...
What are the objectives of the scheme acid-base?

This plan aims to:
- To reduce the consumption of foods acid potential (without deleting them) especially animal protein (meat, fish, eggs, cheese) and carbohydrates (bread, flour, cereals);
- And increase food consumption potential basic: mostly fruits and vegetables.

An index (called PRAL) will give the potential acid or base food. More SARP, the higher the food is acid: above zero are acidifying foods; below zero, foods are alkalizing.

Acid-base regime Practical information

Some potential acid foods

• Cheese: cheese, parmesan, cheddar, cheese, camembert, cottage cheese.
• Egg yolk.
• Products of the sea
• Meat.
• Cereals and starchy foods: oatmeal, rice, pasta, cornflakes, bread, white flour ...
• Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts.
• Cookies, cakes.
• Legumes.
• Yogurt.
Some basic food potential

• Dried fruits: dried figs, raisins, hazelnuts.
• Vegetables: carrot, celery, zucchini, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, arugula, potatoes ...
• Lemon juice, orange.
• Juice of carrot, tomato, beet.
• Fruits: grapes, citrus, blackcurrant, banana, apricot, mango, kiwi ...
• Jams.
• Green tea and black tea.
• Red wine, dry white wine.
In practice

Respect to each meal Rule of 70% to 30% food basic food acids by performing specific combinations of foods.
For example
• At breakfast:
- Tea (basic)
- Slices of bread (acid) + butter (acid) + jam (Basic)
- Carrot Juice (Basic)
• At lunch:
- Steak (acid) with potatoes (basic) + vegetables like zucchini (Basic)
- Fruit salad (basic)
• At dinner:
- Grated carrot salad (basic)
- Hard-boiled egg (acid) and roasted potatoes (basic)
- Fruit (Basic)

What should I be wary?

Be wary of the misconception that the acidity of food is related to its acidic taste, which is not necessarily the case.