According to Dr. Oz there are several health scams that the public should be aware of so the following top 7 scams were exposed on a recent episode:

1 – African Mango – they apparently have been using Dr. Oz on their web sites and making it appear as if he endorses this product.  He states firmly that he does not nor ever has endorsed this product and has informed the public that they should beware of products that try to scam people in this fashion!

2 – Omega 3′s – 30% of products tested failed because they either had too little Omega 3′s to be effective or they were spoiled.  Such products stated that they were pharmaceutical grade and there is no such thing.  They also claim they tested their fish oil ingredient in FDA approved labs when in actuality, there is no such testing of fish oil in labs.

3 – St. John’s Wort – 40% of products tested either didn’t contain the active ingredient that really helped one’s mood or were contaminated with a kidney toxin or carcinogen…basically injecting people with poison!  Two products that did pass consumer labs rigorous standards were:  Nature’s Way Perika St. John’s Wort and Nature’s Bounty Double Strength St. John’s Wort 300 mg.

4 – Ginseng – 45% of the products tested failed to meet ingredients stated on label.  This was basically the same issue as with St. John’s Wort.  Products which passed testing were Spring Valley Korean Ginseng Standardized Extract and Nature Made Ginseng.

5 – Probiotics – with this product, consumers should look for 1 billion live organisms.  However, most products that were tested do not have the amount claimed.  A warning sign is the * found on the label, especially if it states “as date of manufactured” because with this product, the organisms need to be live for it to be effective.

6 – Coconut Water – Zico was the only brand that contains all of the electrolytes stated.  Most were not accurate in the least.

7 – Valerian Root – 70% failed the test and did not meet ingredient amounts stated!  This was astonishing!

Basically, it’s buyer beware!  Most products sold from the above do not contain the amounts stated on their labels.  They were very low amounts and did not meet amounts required to be beneficial.  Essentially, they are scams making them bad or useless.

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The following 3 supplements are a definite must if you want to live longer, live healthier, and slow down the aging process.  It certainly doesn’t hurt to try these as they can only have a positive effect on your body:

1 – Alpha Lipoic Acid – 400 mgs/day is what is suggested and is sold in drug stores for approximately $10.  Alpha lipoic acid slows down the aging process and increases energy.  Who wouldn’t want to do both?  It helps with a whole host of diseases such as diabetes.  Sounds like a winner!

2 – Melatonin – take 3 mgs two hours before bedtime.  You will see definite results within 1-2 weeks if you have trouble sleeping and are not getting enough rest.  Rest is so important to the body and the brain.  Without it, we cannot function properly and it can have a negative long term impact.  To look and feel your best and for your brain to function properly, you need adequate rest.  Most people don’t get this and suffer in many ways because of lack of sleep.  Melatonin can definitely make a positive difference so why not give it a try.

3 – Vitamin D – take 1000 IU a day.  It sells in drugstores for approximately $6.  This is the only nutrient that is also a hormone.  60% of Americans are deficient in this.  Higher levels of Vitamin D in the body fend against cancer, specifically colon cancer.

The above are fairly cheap over the counter supplements that can make an incredible difference in your life and Dr. Oz swears by them.  I’m sold and will definitely be taking these supplements as they can only have positive results!

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It seems that coconut water is the next big craze in the fitness industry with millions of people choosing this over sports drinks.  There are many celebs such as Rihanna, Madonna, Courtney Cox and Mischa Barton who are public supporters of the drink.  Coconut water  is low in calories, fat-free, and most of all – natural.  It is soon becoming the hottest sports drink out there with it being an excellent source of hydration.  Manufacturers of the product claim that it is a healthy alternative to sports drinks because it not only hydrates, but also helps replenish electrolytes like potassium, sodium and magnesium.  People are calling it Mother Nature’s drink of life!  Moreover, most consumers are choosing this drink over sports drinks because it is not loaded with sugar.

Currently, coconut water is mainly sold at places like Whole Foods and other all natural/organic/high-end outlets, but will more than likely begin to be sold all across the country since its recent popularity.  One thing to watch out for however is the calorie count if you are watching your weight because if consumed in mass quantities, you can certainly pack on the calories!  An average box drink of coconut water contains approximately 150 calories.

So if you are tired of all of those sugary sports drinks and are looking for a healthier alternative, try out this new craze.  Many are on board already. You may be pleasantly surprised with this all natural, delicious drink that is sure to hydrate you during your workouts!

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Weight loss is very essential for your physical, emotional and psychological heath. This process is usually slow and as a result, majority of people opt to use weight loss supplements because these products enhance weight loss through blocking the absorption of fat, decreasing appetite, or increasing the metabolism rate. Nevertheless, according to weight loss experts, some of the products in the market that are being sold as weight loss supplements are substandard and therefore not recommended. Some of the supplements such as ephedra are known to cause stroke and heart attack and this is the reason why this particular supplement was banned in some countries like the United States. Due to the increased number of people suffering from the problems associated with weight loss, many people continue to suffer as a result of buying products that are not as effective as they claim to be and some of the products may have negative impacts on their health too.

One may wonder that if some of the weight loss supplements are unsafe, why should the companies that selling them do it? One thing that you should note is that weight loss aids and dietary supplements usually do not undergo the normal meticulous standards that prescription drugs go through. In this regard, these products can be sold based on some inadequate proof that they are actually safe to use and effectual in enhancing weight loss. The good thing is that once a product is released to the market, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) scrutinizes its safety and can always effect a ban on the product or recall any product that is risky for human consumption. This is the reason why you should ensure that you are well informed on weight loss supplements before trying out any brand. You should read the labels, health warnings and instructions that come with these products carefully and then consult a pharmacist or a renowned doctor before deciding on embarking on the use of any weight loss supplements. It is also very important to check the FDA website regularly to receive the latest news on safety and on any product that may have been recalled. This way you will be well informed when you go to purchase the weight loss supplements and hence you will avoid making a hasty decision that might be too costly.

However, some of the weight loss supplements are safe and you can actually find them in the market. When going to buy any weight loss supplement, it is important to know that there are specific products which have been proved to effect weight loss and they can be found in the well established drug stores or heath food centers. These products include; fiber, calcium, conjugated linolenic acid (CLA), meal replacements, green tea extract, and Orlistat. One very important thing that you should always keep in mind is that, before you take any kind of weight loss supplement, you should ensure that you consult your doctor. Depending on the individual, weight loss supplements can also have some side effects or interfere with personal medications and hence the advice of a personal doctor is very important.

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When deciding to take diet supplements, there are literally thousands.  That is why it is so important to do your research and choose ones that are right for you.  There are ones that work for some people, but not for others.  Everyone is different and not all people will have the same results when taking diet supplements.  I recently decided that I needed to lose 10 lbs, but cannot take anything that makes me jittery and makes me feel like my heart is pounding so I stay away from those types of supplements.  I did a ton of research and went through a lot of trial and error before finding one that worked for me and I’m happy to say that I did lose those 10 lbs.  It took me a month, but I did it the right way.  I cut back my carbs and cut out sugar completely and then took a supplement to help boost my metabolism.  I also worked out 1 hour every day doing a mixture of cardio, weights, and toning type workouts.  I found that mixing it up worked much better for me because doing the same type of workout every day does not allow you to achieve any results.  This worked very well for me and the weight just kept coming off.  It is truly remarkable what you can do when you set your mind to it and stay focused on the goal.  Supplements can help a great deal, but it’s important to choose wisely.

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I just want to explain briefly how diuretics work so everybody is on the same page.  I know that many know they “get rid of water” but it’s important to know how they do this as well!  Diuretics work by making your kidneys excrete more sodium in the urine. The body then tries to balance out this increased amount of sodium concentration, by adding more water to the urine from the blood stream during the process of urine formation.  By expelling the excess water in the urine there is now a decreased amount of fluid flowing through the blood vessels and pressure on the walls of the arteries is reduced.

There are prescription, non-prescription (over the counter water pills) and then there are also natural diuretics through foods, liquids or herbs.  Most people are aware that asparagus is a natural diuretic and most know this through competition diets or prepping for a shoot.  I get asked a lot though what are other natural diuretics or alternatives to asparagus.  I have prepared a list of several that I know of and the reasons behind why they work.

I also want to say  that diuretics, even natural ones, should not be used without consulting a medical professional. Due to the reduction in fluids this may influence the body’s balance of minerals and electrolytes as well as its basic hydration.  Always be very, very careful when deciding to do anything that changes the natural homeostasis of your body!

The following are some natural foods and herbs that exhibit diuretic qualities and promote the process:

• Asparagus: It contains a chemical alkaloid called asparigine that promotes effective removal of wastes from the body by improving the functioning of the kidney.
• Tomatoes: It’s a very rich source of Vitamin C that helps release excessive body fluids and improves metabolism.
• Melon: Melons like watermelon ans muskmelon contains high levels of water, potassium and sodium that help eliminate toxins and stimulates urine production.
• Carrots: Carrots are a rich source of carotene that increases metabolism and removal of waste and fat deposits. As a diuretic, carrots are good for people who suffer from gout, aiding in the disposal of uric acid which would otherwise crystallise, causing the pain of gout.
• Lettuce: It helps flush out toxins and increases metabolism rate.
• Brussels Sprouts: It helps in the cleansing of the body tissues and cells by stimulating the kidneys and pancreas.
• Oats: It contains Silica which is a natural diuretic substance.
• Dandelion leaf: It is high in potassium and mineral contents that aid the process of diuresis. It also helps in potassium retention.
• Garlic: It contains mustard oils that have cleansing properties. They break down and flush out fats.
• Cranberry Juice: It helps maintain the pH level of the urine, dilutes the urine and aids in increasing the frequency of urination. Its also helpful in improving and maintaining kidney functioning.
• Parsley: It stimulates urination by flushing out toxins from the kidneys. Although adding fresh parsley to recipes may have some benefits, the most effective way to get the natural diuretic effects of parsley is to enjoy it as a tea.
• Celery: Both the seed and the plant contain high levels of potassium and sodium that together stimulate urine production.
• Green tea: It is being used in China, as a natural diuretic, since centuries.
• Fennel: It exhibits diuretic and carminative properties.

• Other natural diuretic foods and herbs include beets, cabbage, artichokes, watercress, Gingko Biloba, Buchu Extract, coffee and tea.

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There could be many side-effects to taking fat burners, appetite suppressants and other types of vitamins and supplements. I have tried many of these new products looking to get an edge on losing the buldge, but never have found a supplement that has either proven its purpose or hasn’t given me the jitters. It’s been many years since I have been activley involved in professional routines or had the time to dedicate going to the gym because of work and family life.  A very close friend of mine recommended PhenTabz to me to see how they would work for me and my wife. We’re trying to look our best and stay in the best possible shape as we age, so I decided it was something I was very interested in.

My wife and I each purchased a bottle, which one bottle is a thirty day supply, and we have been using them for the last twelve days. The biggest fear I had with PhenTabz was that it was going to be more wasted money. I am so over the hype of such supplements that it is a total turn off by these other company’s false claims. Everyone has different results and I am seeing it with this newer product called Phentabz. I have lost 8 pounds and my wife has lost 13 pounds but that’s not the only impressive thing about this product. We do not experience any hunger pains, and we do not have to starve ourselves.  Moreover, there is absolutely no jitterness to them at all.

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Diet fads come and go, but the questions you really have to ask yourself are, do they really work, and most importantly, are they safe and healthy for your body?  Every month they seem to come up with the next best way you can lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks or lose 5 inches off your waist overnight. You might have read about the craze about the hcg diet in your latest tabloid magazines, but professionals are not recommending the diet. Last year in 2010, the American Society of Bariatrics stated, “the HCG diet is not recommended for weight loss”.  One recommendation would be to consult with your physician and get their opinion on whether or not this would be helpful to you and safe for you.

HCG is a hormone that is naturally produced by the placenta in pregnant females. During the pregnancy, the hormone helps bring nutrients to the placenta, giving the fetus the energy it needs to grow.  This hormone controls the metabolic function through the hypothalamus throughout the entire pregnancy. During the pregnancy, HCG signals the area of the brain that affects the metabolism to mobilize fat stores. The claims to the HCG diet have been made by using daily injections, losing between 1-3 pounds per day. This hormone can be injected or drops can be put under the tongue. Even though the HCG diet has been studied over the years, there are no quality studies that this hormone helps weight loss. Anytime you follow an extremely low calorie diet, its going to result in weight loss, regardless of taking HCG.

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Gluten free diets are very popular amongst people whose children have Autism and or seizures. There have been thousands of cases where doctors have been pushed to suggest a last resort of hope when all medicines have failed. A very good friend of mine has a 4 year old who started having up to 60 seizures a day and none of the medicines were controlling the seizures. They were recommended to begin a Gluten free diet based on media outlets and speaking with other parents that have children who have had the same experiences.  They flew to New York and saw several specialists, but were very discouraged.  
 
On a positive note, after trying the Gluten free diet, he is down to only having 2-4 seizures a day. This is incredible because if he continued to have 60 seizures a day, it could have had an effect on the child’s life. He is still currently taking some medicines to help control his seizures but his parents definitely recommend using this diet.
 
Gluten free products are very pricey, but if you do research online you can find certain websites that  are cheaper than others. To follow a complete Gluten free diet, pay attention because gluten is not just in foods that we consume, its in medications, vitamins, lip balm, cosmetics, glues on envelopes and also in condiments such as ketchup.

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Let’s face it….we, as women, are always looking for the next best thing to lose weight. Not only do we want to lose our fat NOW, we want it to be simple and easy. Right?

For women, fat burners more often than not, turn out to be a gigantic failure to the typical woman who tries them.

There is always lots of different so called research papers and studies that come out every year that make some new natural fat burners appear like the greatest phenomenon for weight loss that’s ever been invented. Most of us tend to be suckered into trying them.

There’s so much information on the subject of natural fat burners, which are the best fat burners, abdominal fat burners, and the top fat burners etc, on the Internet, magazines and books, but the amount of accurate and unbiased information is almost non-existent.

We can all remember Ephedra. Ephedra was permanently taken off the market after there were many cases of women having horrific side effects, even death. Many turned to the exotic fat burning qualities of green tea extract, which is found in natural fat burners. Originating from China this natural fat burner has been used for thousands of years. Green tea extract doesn’t just have fat burner qualities, but it has shown to do wonders for your body and helps improve your health. It has anti inflammatory properties and is perfect if you need an all natural energy boost.

Being fitness, weight loss and health researchers, and in particular, researchers of health for women of every age and size, for the past couple of decades has put us in a very unique position that allows us to see what fat burners for women work and what fat burners for women are completely useless.

These particular natural fat burners, shown through many scientific tests, including our own, do indeed burn fat.

Nothing is ever that easy, so as much as some of you may not like to hear this, you do need to cut calories and exercise to get the full effect of any weight loss supplement. Drinking water is also a crucial when trying to shed those pounds. Try to drink 50% of your body weight. (Ex: if you weight 140lbs….drink 70 ounces of water per day).

When we researched fat burners that worked best for women, we found three that stood out amongst the other. Please keep in mind that every person’s body is different, so please be sure that anything you consume does not interfere with your medications or any health conditions you may have.

Top 3 Choices:

Phentabz

• Lose 5-10+ Pounds per week
• Prescription strength, pharmaceutically produced
• Use a maximum strength pharmaceutical grade product that stimulates and boosts your metabolism
• Feel, Faster, Quicker and Stronger

Lipofuze

• Lose weight and keep it off
• Users on average have experienced 10.7 pounds of weight loss
• 100% lifetime money back guarantee

Boda Extract No. 3

• lose body fat and build lean muscle mass.
• FDA approved
• BODA Extract No. 3 is derived from safflower oil, which is a natural 100% lipid product.

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