Metabolism Boosting Foods

Some foods have a strong metabolism-boosting impact when eaten. Some of the calories are burned off just being digested, so the net amount of calories is less than the amount contained in the food. This process is called dietary induced thermogenesis. Here are some foods that speed up the rate at which your body burns calories.

Dairy products can boost weight loss efforts, according to a recent study in obesity research. People on a reduced-calorie diet who included three to four servings of dairy foods lost significantly more weight than those who ate a low-dairy diet containing the same number of calories. Low-fat yogurt is a rich source of weight-loss-friendly calcium, as well as protein. Studies show that not getting enough calcium may trigger a hormone that causes us to store fat.

Strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are all high-fiber berries. Fiber acts like a sponge and absorbs and moves fat through our digestive system faster so that less of it is absorbed. Fiber keeps you full and satisfied all day on little calories. A one cup serving of raspberries contains 8 grams of fiber and only 60 calories! FitFlax with flax seed and chia seeds is also a great source of fiber. For flax seed weight loss and chia seeds weight loss, check out FitFlax.

Green tea contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant that can help your body burn more calories while at rest. Caffeine speeds up the heart rate and also frees fatty acids stored in the body, making them more readily available for energy use. Also, green tea contains a compound called ECGC that may help to boost your metabolism as well by speeding up the brain and nervous system.

Water helps to rid the body of toxins and chemicals that may be slowing down your overall metabolism. A new study seems to indicate that drinking water actually speeds up weight loss. Researchers found that subjects of a study increased their metabolic rates by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water. Water is also a natural appetite suppressant that banishes bloat as it flushes out sodium and toxins. FlaxVibrance with flax hull lignans and milled chia seeds is another great source of antioxidants.

Eat Something

Conventional wisdom has been that exercising on an empty stomach forces the body to dip into existing fat stores for fuel, instead of the carbohydrates readily available from a pre-workout meal or snack. However, recent research indicates that this strategy doesn’t offer any benefit... and may even work against you.

A report published in Strength and Conditioning Journal concluded that the body burns roughly the same amount of fat whether you eat before a workout or not. Also, you’re likely to lose muscle by exercising in a depleted state without fuel to aid the workout. One of the studies reviewed in that report looked at cyclists. When they trained with nothing in their stomachs, about 10 percent of the calories they burned came from protein, including lost muscle.

In a separate study published in 2002, scientists found an additional benefit from a pre-workout meal: Healthy women who consumed 45 grams of carbohydrates before their workouts ended up eating less throughout the remainder of the day. Check out FitFlax for a delicious source of protein with golden roasted flax seed and chia seeds.

Doing Zumba Right

Zumba is a high-energy aerobic workout based on dance steps borrowed from merengue, salsa and other dances. An estimated 12 million people worldwide are taking Zumba classes at over 100,000 locations. The classes are fast-paced and can be quite strenuous. Ankle sprains, hamstring injuries, muscle spasms and calf injuries are the most common Zumba-related injuries. If your class doesn’t offer warm-up stretches, be sure to do some calf, hamstring and abdominal stretches on your own before you begin

You should always consult a doctor before starting a new exercise regime. If you are pregnant or have a major cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic condition, traditional Zumba is probably not appropriate for you. People with knee, hip or ankle problems should also consult a doctor, as they may need to modify the routine — avoiding jumps, for instance, or fast hip movements.

Any thinly soled sneakers or comfortable workout shoes will do. Running shoes, which tend to have thick treads, are inappropriate, because they are designed for forward movement only. The treads get in the way when doing Zumba’s many side-to-side and pivot moves. The optimal class size is no more than 25 participants with two instructors, one teaching and one walking around the room offering individualized help. For tired and stressed out feet, post-workout, check out SmartToes Toe Stretchers for hammer toe treatment, bunion treatment, and plantar fasciitis relief.

Before joining a Zumba class, ask how long the instructor has been teaching and their background, including fitness certifications. The best instructors have a dance background and an understanding of Latin steps, as well as a strong background in fitness. To find a licensed Zumba instructor in your area, go to Zumba.com.

Good For You

Try including these in your diet to improve your health, as well as, your hair and skin.

Dark leafy vegetables, such as collard greens, kale, parsley, spinach and Swiss chard, offer more nutrients with fewer calories than any other food. Green veggies are packed with carotenoid antioxidants, and are also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which the body needs to produce and regulate the sebum in our skin and hair follicles for healthy, well-conditioned skin and complexion.

Green tea is infused with a potent mix of age-defying antioxidants. Because green tea is minimally processed, it offers the most antioxidant polyphenols of all the teas, including a specific catechin, believed to inhibit cancer and also beautify the skin. FlaxVibrance with flax hull lignans and milled chia seeds is another great source of antioxidants.

Micro and Macro-Algae, including blue-green algae, chlorella and spirulina--are among the most concentrated sources of a full spectrum of beautifying vitamins and minerals for skin and hair and are easy for the body to absorb. These single-celled plants contain one of the highest sources by weight of protein, beta-carotene, nucleic acids (RNA/DNA) and chlorophyll of any food on the planet according to studies published by the American Society for Microbiology. FitFlax with golden roasted flax seed and chia seeds is another great source of both protein and soluble and insoluble fiber. Micro-algae are available in capsules or tablets, as well as in powder form for powerhouse smoothies.

Cruel Shoes: Part Four

It's finally here...not the final chapter in the Harry Potter series, but the conclusion of our equally thrilling series on how to heal your feet after an unfortunate encounter with uncomfortable shoes.

It's important to keep the skin on your foot moisturized, as rough areas develop on pressure points and can be painful. Even after a few hours of wearing high heels and cramped shoes, dry patches of skin may occur. The ball of the foot takes the most impact with high heels, and the foot can become quite callused in this area. Thicker calluses may become painful, especially if they are cracked and fissured. The top of the toes may develop corns that can also be painful in a closed toe shoe. The back of the heel is notorious for becoming irritated and one can develop blisters and soars with dry skin. SmartToes Toe Stretchers provide for hammer toe and bunions relief and aid plantar fasciitis treatment.

Moisturizers dedicated to the feet are often best, as the skin of the bottom of the foot is thicker and actually has an additional layer of skin compared to skin elsewhere. Try moisturizers that are made with Jojoba oil, a liquid wax from a seed extract. Jojoba oil has anti-fungal properties and has been studied for anti-inflammatory properties as well. Moisturizing creams should be applied after a foot bath for maximal penetration.

It's also important to allow your feet to 'rest' after wearing high heels. The ball of the foot takes the most pressure from high heels and you could develop tears in the ligaments that support the toes on the bottom of your foot, and/or develop stress fractures. Well-cushioned sneakers work the best and you can wear padded socks for extra cushion. Try the Smartsole Exercise insole for extra comfort and added fitness. If you can't wear sneakers, try to limit the amount of time your foot is exposed to a high heel, and wear flip-flops or sneakers to and from your destination.

Both SmartSole Exercise Insole and SmartToes are now available at Duane Reade.

Just So You Know: Diet Soda Edition

A University of Minnesota study of nearly 10,000 adults ages 45 to 64 found that drinking a single can of diet soda a day led to a 34 percent higher risk of developing a collection of health problems that includes high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high levels of belly fat. Diet soft drinks have also been linked to an increase in diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. One study of more than 2,500 people found that those who drank diet soda daily had a 61 percent increased risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who drank no soda, even when accounting for smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption and calories consumed per day.

Another study found that women who drank water sweetened with sugar and water sweetened with Splenda couldn't taste a difference, but MRI scans showed that their brains reward center responded to real sugar "more completely" than it did to the artificial sweetener. Your senses tell you there's something sweet that you're tasting, but your brain tells you it's not as much of a reward as you expected. So you chase that no-calorie soda with something more caloric, like a salty snack. The sweet taste could also trigger your body to produce insulin, which blocks your ability to burn fat.

So, moderation. Any more than three cans a week, and you're looking for trouble. Why don't you go out and get some exercise. How about a nice walk. Try SmartSole Exercise Insoles to help you burn more calories with every step and turn your everyday footwear into toning shoes...Now Available At Duane Reade.

Chocolate And Broccoli

Together again for the first time in our continuing series of good food that's also good for your skin.

Chocolate offers a wealth of antioxidants, that according to the National Academy of Sciences and the European Journal of Nutrition, works to improve hydration, skin density and circulation of blood to skin tissues, for a more youthful and glowing complexion. Scientific American and the Journal of Investigative Dermatology report that chocolate is also a supreme source of procyanidins, which counter skin damage and help protect it while stimulating cellular growth and renewal. Dark chocolate offers the most beautifying benefits per bite. Look for 65 percent or higher cocoa content, and of course keep the portions small to manage calorie and fat intake. FlaxVibrance with flax hull lignans and milled chia seeds is another great source of antioxidants.


Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, like, kale, Swiss chard and radishes -- are loaded with skin-beautifying compounds. According to the National Academy of Sciences, its sulfur-containing phytonutrients boost the body's natural detoxification enzymes to combat and repair damage to skin. Low in calories, these mineral-dense and antioxidant-rich veggies are packed with carotenoid antioxidants, which help neutralize carcinogens and oxidative stress on skin, reduce inflammation, and bolster immune response. They also contain isothiacynates, which research published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows, specifically guard against breast cancer. FitFlax with golden roasted flax seed and chia seeds is a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber and a better topping for broccoli than chocolate.

Cruel Shoes: Part Three

Welcome to part three in our exciting series on foot relief after a bad shoe experience. Here are two more tips:

Soak your feet in a Mineral Foot Bath. Aside from being relaxing, Epsom salt soaks have long been used to soothe sore body parts, especially the feet. Epsom salt is actually not a salt, but rather a natural mineral of magnesium and sulfate, and can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is important for the body to build and repair tissues as its used in more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Warm water allows for the dilation of the body blood vessels and opens the skins pores.

Get a pedicure. The presence of improperly cut toe nails or ingrown nails may cause pain after wearing high heels and pointy toed shoes. And thick focal calluses themselves may be painful. Having a pedicure may directly alleviate these painful areas. SmartToes Toe Stretchers also provide for hammer toe and bunion relief and aid plantar fasciitis treatment.