A nutrient is any element or compound necessary for or contributing to an organism's metabolism, growth, or other functioning. Six nutrient groups exist, classifiable as those that provide energy, and as those that otherwise support metabolic processes in the body: Some of them are essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from a food source.

Substances that provide energy

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• Carbohydrates are compounds made up of sugars. Carbohydrates are classified by their number of sugar units: monosaccharides (such as glucose and fructose), disaccharides (such as sucrose and lactose), oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides (such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose).

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NYT > Fitness & Nutrition

Patient Money: For a Frugal Dieter, Weight Loss on a Sliding Scale
By LESLEY ALDERMAN Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:42:07 -0000
A dieter’s commitment to weight loss can sometimes be linked to how much money he or she is willing to spend.
Well: A 3,000-Mile Triumph, Spurred on by Diabetes
By TARA PARKER-POPE Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:35:29 -0000
Eight cyclists show what vigilance about health can accomplish.
Personal Best: That Little Voice Inside Your Twinge
By GINA KOLATA Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:26:59 -0000
Everyone tells you to listen to your body, but what are you supposed to listen to? Turns out it’s not so obvious.
Vital Signs: Fitness: Making Stairs a Lure for Exercise
By ERIC NAGOURNEY Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:11:15 -0000
Researchers are urging building designers to rethink their approach to stairs to encourage people to use them more.
Adding a Big Dash of ‘Health’ to Low-Carbohydrate Diets
By RONI CARYN RABIN Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:48:15 -0000
Overweight adults who ate a low-carbohydrate vegan diet lost weight and showed large drops in “bad” cholesterol.
Vital Signs: Nutrition: Parents’ Healthy Diet Has Little Influence
By NICHOLAS BAKALAR Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:30:28 -0000
Children aren’t paying attention to their parent’s healthy diets, a new study suggests.

Praxis Healthy Lifestyle

Blog is MOVING
Mon, 27 Jun 2005 06:24:27 -0000
http://debunkbigpharma.blognation.us/blog is my new address.  Come and check my site out!  It blows the Praxis site out of the water.  I'm paying $ 5.00 a month for 1 GB storage and 1 GB of bandwidth per month.  The site uses Blogware interface and is keyword searchable and uses OPML folders with RSS subscription for each folder.  I've uploaded over 120 articles from the Praxis site and life is good. The biggest suprise is how many hits I've already gotten.  The Praxis blog has been in operation since April 28th and had 3652 page views.  The Debunk has been up since Jun 21st and already has 1096 page views fom 823 Distinct hosts served. Peace Out! Dan http://debunkbigpharma.blognation.us/blog/index.xml
AMA Weighs In On Morning After Pill
Thu, 23 Jun 2005 16:04:00 -0000
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The largest U.S. physicians group on Monday objected to some pharmacists' conscience-driven refusal to sell the morning-after pill, and suggested doctors may fill the void by dispensing medications themselves. Any pharmacist who objects on the basis of conscience to filling any prescription must make an "immediate referral to an appropriate alternative dispensing pharmacy without interference," the resolution passed by delegates to the American Medical Association's annual convention said. Some pharmacists have filed lawsuits objecting to requirements that they fill all prescriptions. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich issued such a directive earlier this year specifically about the morning-after pill, called Plan B. Quote Health News Article | Reuters.co.uk
Grapefruit Seed Extract Ulsers www.drweil.com
Thu, 23 Jun 2005 15:40:52 -0000
Science and Supplement News: Grapefruit Seed Extract May Heal UlcersNew research from Poland suggests that grapefruit seed extract may shrink and heal stomach ulcers. Although the studies have been performed only in rats, the findings were reported to physicians who treat ulcers and other stomach disorders during the 2005 Digestive Disease Week conference held in Chicago, Ill. The investigators found that treating the rat ulcers with grapefruit seed extract supplements led to a drop in gastric acid, which at higher levels contributes to ulcer formation by irritating stomach tissue. In addition, the ulcers shrank and blood flow to the sites of ulcers increased, a change that may promote healing. The animals were treated with doses of 10 milligrams per kilogram; their ulcers were completely healed after 16 days of treatment. Grapefruit seed extract has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties that may be responsible for the effects seen in the Polish study. Source: WebMDHealth.com, May 17, 2005 http://www.drweil.com/u/Page/Archive139/#1 Quote http://www.drweil.com/u/Page/Archive139/ http://debunkbigpharma.blognation.us/blog

Diet & Fitness Blog

Ask Raphael: Overcoming a Plateau
Geoffrey Anderson Jr Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:12:00 -0000
Have a question about your routine or anything fitness-related? Send it Raphael's way at askraphael@ediets.com.Hi Raphael,Thanks so much for all your articles and tips! I've been dieting and exercising, and I've lost about 16 pounds! I seem to have hit a brick wall, though. I've been using an elliptical trainer to do interval training about 3 days a week. I've also been using a popular bootcamp type workout where you alternate between a minute of cardio and a minute of strength training (things like lunges and squats and using the resistance band.)I'm just really discouraged because I've been doing that program 6 days a week for 3 weeks, and my weight won't seem to budge. I've exercised more the last 3 weeks than the previous months that I lost so much weight! I'm wondering if perhaps there is something wrong with my strength-training routine.Following the video, I seem to be doing all the moves pretty quickly to get a lot in within the one minute time frame. I'm wondering if doing the movements more slowly would help. I always think I'm going to be sore the next day but I'm really not. Does that mean I'm not building muscle? The other question I have is in reference to something I read in one of your articles. You said that a person that gets 40% of their calories from carbs rather than 60% would be leaner and would more easily develop muscle.Well, I've been tracking all my calories and I consistently get about 60% of my calories from carbs, but that's because I'm a vegan vegetarian. There isn't anything I can eat that's just pure protein without any carbs because it's all plant based. I'm concerned that I'm not going to be able to build muscle as well as someone that eats animal based protein. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much for your help! -- CarrieCarrie,Thanks for reading my articles and tips and congratulations on your 16-pound loss. Well done!In reference to your question, I don’t think you’ve hit a plateau because of your strength-training program. It sounds as if your calorie intake needs to be adjusted.Although you mentioned your ratios of protein, carbs and fats, you didn’t mention your height and total calories. This would have helped me analyze if you’re taking in too few calories. Sometimes when we increase activity, it’s important to slightly increase calories to keep the metabolism revved. If you take in too few calories, then it’s possible to reach a plateau.You’ve been working out hard 6 days a week and it sounds like your intensity is quite good based on the interval training and boot camp workout, so it might not be the workout parameters that are holding up progress.However, with respect to strength training, I recommend that you use a slightly heavier weight to make it more challenging. You aren’t getting sore because the weights are too light or there aren’t enough overall sets. Soreness is not the only indication of an effective workout and it doesn’t mean you’re not building muscle -- but it does sound as if you can increase the poundage to make the entire session more challenging. This will also help you to build muscle.Also, there's no need to perform the movements super slow. In fact, that style is very overrated. Just make sure your form is perfect and the weights are under control at all times during the lifting, pushing, pulling, etc.The article I wrote that mentioned a person might be leaner at 40% carbs versus 60% took into consideration that muscle is best built when calories are in a range of approximately 25%-30% protein. Also, at 60% carbs you’re most likely holding more water than even a slightly lower carb amount.I would like for you to write to our Director of Nutrition Services Pam Ofstein at askpam@ediets.com and mention that I referred you. Explain your issue related to being a vegan and get her professional advice concerning how to slightly lower your carbs in the most effective manner. Even if you slightly reduce to 50% or so, it could make a difference.As far as a recommendation concerning your weight stall, here’s what I want you to do:- For two weeks, increase your daily calories by 200. At the end of the first week, check your scale weight. If it has not increased, then continue into the second week with the same plan. I would bet by the end of the second week, you’ll be losing again.- If your scale weight increases after one week, then drop the 200 calories and add one more elliptical workout to your program (30-minute session). Do not perform this as an interval session. Just make it a more intense steady-state workout. Also, increase one of your current interval workouts by 10 minutes.Hang in there, Carrie. There is a solution and sometimes it takes just a slight shift of calories or slight change in activity to get the progress rolling again.If you join eDiets, please stop into my Exercise and Fitness support board and I’ll personally help you!Have a fitness question you want answered? Email Raphael at askraphael@ediets.com and you could have your question picked! And if you missed a previous column, see the archive here.Make NOW your time to do something about your weight. eDiets can help make weight loss a little easier. Let our nutritionists and fitness pros guide you! Click here to find out more and save big!
Ask Pam: Cleaning Out Your Cupboards
Geoffrey Anderson Jr Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:12:00 -0000
Have a question about your diet? Send an email to askpam@ediets.com and check back often to see if your question is picked. What foods should I have in my pantry? This is a great question! I usually think of this as spring cleaning, but summertime is perfect, too! The best way to start is to clean out the pantry and remove it all. I know, I know – this part isn’t much fun. But believe me that when you find stuff you never knew existed in there, it's quite exciting!It’s time to go to town and start fresh. Out with the old and in with the new! Take a look at what you have in your pantry. If you can’t remember when you bought the items and it doesn’t have an expiration date on it, get rid of it. The majority of items have a shelf-life; most non-acid canned foods (beans, potatoes, etc.) can last up to two years while high-acid foods (tomatoes, fruit juices) have a shelf life of about 12-18 months.Rid your pantry of the items that are high in sodium, sugar and trans fats (hydrogenated oils). One or two snack/treat items are perfectly fine, but try to limit them. I know the thought of throwing away perfectly good food is a waste of money, so for those unopened, nonperishable food items, give them to family, friends or donate to a local food bank. It is better to rid yourself of these items than to have them find a home on your hips.Now, it's time to restock. Here are some items that are general pantry stuffers for meals, snacking and food preparation:• Vegetables – canned, low sodium• Beans – dried or canned• Canned tomatoes/sauce – low-sodium versions• Tuna fish, salmon, chicken packed in water• Old-fashioned oats or quick, packets of oatmeal• Whole grain cereals (look for >5 grams of fiber per serving and whole grain as first ingredient)• Whole grain pastas (avoid the mixes with sauces)• Whole grain breads• Brown rice, couscous, quinoa• Fruit cups packed in own juice; applesauce• Soups – low fat and low sodium• Fat-free popcorn; individual serving bags (100 calories)• Whole grain crackers; reduced-fat crackers• Low-fat chips (baked varieties), pretzels, rice cakes• Sugar-free jello• Low fat pudding• Cereal or granola bars (no hydrogenated oils; avoid candy coated)• Raisins, dried cranberries (great for salads)• Oils– canola, olive oil, nonstick cooking spray• Flour (whole-wheat pastry flour)• Fat-free salad dressings (vinaigrette, Italian blends) – great for marinades• Salt-free seasonings• Herbs and Spices• Vinegar• Fat-free mayonnaise• Peanut butter – natural, trans fat free• Evaporated skim milk• Organic or low fat regular or chocolate milk (individual boxes)• Bottled waterBy having some of these staple items, you can keep your body and kitchen clean and full of healthier food selections.Enjoy summertime and keep it healthy and safe. Don’t forget the sunscreen!Have a diet question for Pam? Email askpam@ediets.com and check back to see if your question is picked! And if you missed a previous column, click here to see the archive.Looking for a way to make weight loss easier? With personalized meal plans and fitness routines, eDiets can help! Join now and save 25%!
Tweak of the Week: Cut 100 Calories Daily
shawnanigans Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:50:00 -0000
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