Eat More Vegetables with the No-Grain Diet

Dr. Joseph Mercola’s no-grain diet, in a way, is similar to a protein diet, but the no-grain diet is different due to its strong emphasis on vegetables. You’ll be making a big mistake if you focus solely on carbohydrate content as the measurement of a food, without considering the type of carbohydrate and its effect to your body.

Avoiding grains means avoiding simple carbohydrates to normalize your insulin levels. However, you don’t need to avoid complex carbohydrate foods that don’t trigger an insulin reaction because you’ll be missing out on vital nutrients. These complex carbohydrates come in the form of vegetables.

For Dr. Mercola, eating more vegetables is as important to a healthy nutrition plan as reducing/eliminating the consumption of grains and sugars, drinking more water, or consuming vitamins and omega-3 fats.

Studies show that eating vegetables help prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, and lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, among other health benefits.

But in the same way that not all carbohydrates are the same, vegetables are not created equal. While almost all vegetables are good, some are clearly far better, from a nutritional standpoint, than others, Dr. Mercola explains.

The rule of thumb for vegetables is the greener the better, though there are a few vegetables that are not green but are also very nutritious.

Here’s a list of Mercola’s highly recommended vegetables

Asparagus	Endive
Avocado (actually a fruit)	Escarole
Beet greens	Fennel
Bok Choy	Kale
Broccoli	Kohlrabi
Brussel sprouts	Lettuce (romaine, red leaf, green leaf)
Cabbage (green and red)	Mustard greens
Cauliflower	Onions
Celery	Parsley
Chicory	Peppers (green, red, yellow and hot)
Chinese cabbage	Spinach
Chives	Tomatoes (also a fruit)
Collard greens	Turnips
Dandelion greens	Zucchini

Avoid starchy vegetables like beets, carrots, eggplants, jicima, parsnips, peas, potatoes and winter squashes because they are high in carbohydrates.

It’s best to eat organic, locally-grown vegetables that are in season raw (as you should eat at least one-third of your food consumption raw). If you can’t find an organic farmer, make sure to carefully wash your vegetables and remove peels and cores to minimize your exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.

Juicing is an important component of the no-grain diet because it’s the easy, convenient and delicious way to regularly consume large amounts of nutrients – vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants – in a form that is easily digested, absorbed and assimilated by your body.

Whether you eat a salad or drink vegetable juice, there’s no doubt that vegetables are good for you. The no-grain diet puts a premium on vegetable consumption to help you get as healthy as you can possibly be.

Source: http://www.nograindiets.com/2009/08/eat-more-vegetables-with-no-grain-diet.html

Lose Weight with L-Carnitine and the No-Grain Diet

L-carnitine is an amino acid synthesized from the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. Studies show that l-carnitine, which was discovered in 1905, is important in burning fat and providing energy to the body as it transports fatty acids to the mitochondria, your cells’ powerhouses, where they serve as fuel for energy.

L-carnitine is found in asparagus, avocado, beef, breast milk, chicken, dairy products, fish, lamb and tempeh (a fermented soy product).

Due to its fat burning effect, l-carnitine is a popular ingredient in many diet pills and weight loss supplements. Because your heart derives about 70 percent of its energy from fat, l-carnitine may help protect against some cardiovascular diseases like angina, cardiomyopathy and high blood pressure.

L-carnitine may also help:

• Improve insulin sensitivity for people with type 2 diabetes
• Promote muscle growth and bone health
• Protect against kidney and liver disease
• Improve the antioxidant effect of vitamin C and vitamin E
• Improve the overall feeling of wellness
• Alleviate chronic fatigue syndrome
• Support erectile function and improve sperm count

Pregnant women may also benefit from an l-carnitine supplement because carnitine levels are depleted due to the high carnitine requirements of the fetus.

Because it facilitates fat burning and boosts energy levels, l-carnitine can help reduce food cravings and help you exercise longer to increase your chances of losing weight, Dr. Joseph Mercola explains. Dr. Mercola’s no-grain diet enhances l-carnitine’s effectiveness because it helps normalize your insulin levels. Eating a lot of grains hinders the effects of l-carnitine because high insulin levels disrupt carnitine enzymes.

L-carnitine tartrate is a highly active and stable form of carnitine. Exercise, follow the no-grain diet and take as much as 1,000 mg of l-carnitine tartrate daily for faster weight loss results. Take it early in the morning to help jumpstart your day.

Why Use Whey Protein?

Whey protein is one of the most popular dietary supplements for athletes and bodybuilders. Why? Because whey protein is considered as the richest source of biologically active protein, and proteins are important in maximizing muscle growth.

Whey is a byproduct of the production of cheese. When the milk curdles, and later on, coagulates, the hard portion (casein) and the liquid part, which is whey, are separated.

The liquid turns into a transparent, yellowish-green liquid and is slightly tart in flavor. When the liquid whey dries, it turns into powder, where the nutrients are concentrated.

But whey protein isn’t just for jocks and fitness buffs; it’s a highly-nutritious food that everyone can enjoy. Whey proteins are complex and can provide you with distinct health benefits.

In fact, whey protein is one of the world’s first health foods, as Hippocrates, the Greek recognized as the father of medicine, recommended whey to his patients as early as 420 B.C.

Here are the top reasons why you should include whey protein in your diet:

• Provides more energy by helping you digest and use protein more efficiently – The measure of the efficiency that proteins can be absorbed and utilized by your body is called the Biological Value (BV); the higher the BV, the greater the efficiency. Concentrated whey protein supplements have a BV of around 104 while whey protein in isolated form can reach 170, compared to beef protein (75), milk protein (85) and egg protein (100).
• Contains all the essential amino acids – including glutathione and its precursor, cysteine. Dr. Mercola explains that glutathione is your body’s chief antioxidant and detoxifier. It helps support your immune system, decrease signs of aging, cleanse your liver and support athletic performance. In general, amino acids are important in developing and sustaining new muscle mass.
• Contains immunoglobins, substances that help boost your immune system
• Helps enhance insulin secretion and helps insulin work more efficiently to maintain your blood sugar level after eating.
• Helps promote optimal intake of carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals for your overall wellness.
• May promote weight loss by providing satiety or fullness signals to help you regulate food intake, both short term and long term.
• Helps maintain normal blood pressure levels

A little known fact about whey is that 60 to 80 percent of the protein in breast milk is whey protein, meaning you start experiencing its health benefits as a baby.

A whey protein supplement is an excellent addition to a well-balanced diet – whether you’re a serious athlete or bodybuilder or just want to get fit and healthy.

Whey Protein Powder with Aminogen is an instant, convenient and quality source of protein that gives you that much-needed energy boost to start the day right, sustain you anytime during the day, or help revitalize your muscles after a dynamic workout. It contains an extraordinary, plant-derived enzyme called Aminogen, which helps you absorb amino acids and digest protein more efficiently, promote lean body mass, increase your strength and help your muscles recover after physical activity.

How does it taste? Whey Protein Powder with Aminogen comes in 3 of your favorite flavors – vanilla, chocolate and strawberry – to give you a delicious experience while enjoying the benefits of a “whey” better life.

Make Whey Protein Powder with Aminogen a part of your mornings, workouts or snacks and stay active longer!

Source:  http://www.nograindiets.com/2009/04/why-use-whey-protein.html