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The Atkins Diet



The Atkins diet hit the diet scene in 1972 when Dr. Atkins published his book, “Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution”. And the Atkins diet was really revolutionary. Most diets of the day focused on counting calories and maintaining a low fat diet. Calories were felt to be the enemy and the fewer you ate, the better off you were. Dr. Atkins paid less attention to calories in his diet and more to reducing the number of carbohydrates in the diet. To followers of his diet, the carbohydrates were the problem. The diet promoted the use of lots of protein and a moderate amount of fat with the idea that your metabolism will cause you to lose weight on this diet.

The Atkins diet was not taken very well by many nutritionists who were promoting diets low in fat and protein. This was about the time that the four food groups turned into the food pyramid. Fruits, vegetables and grains were near the bottom and should be consumed the most. Unfortunately for the Atkins diet, these were things that were to be avoided on the diet. Near the top of the food pyramid are fats and meat proteins. We weren’t supposed to eat many of these types of foods on a healthy diet and yet they were prominent in the Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet included menu plans high in bacon, fried meat and even fried pork rinds. While there were some salad greens on the diet plan, you were allowed to add fatty dressing to the diet plan. The Atkins diet plan really promoted eggs, cheese, meats at every meal and, in some cases, protein bars or protein drinks. This was a time when cholesterol and triglycerides were being better understood and their role in heart disease was made more clear. Experts felt that the Atkins diet plan was too high in cholesterol and other fats, making one’s risk for heart disease greater. Dr. Atkins continued to promote his diet plan, amid a great deal of controversy.

The Atkins diet also included some Atkins products, like Atkins hot cereal, Atkins protein shakes and Atkins protein bars. Instead of having regular hot cereal, you would choose the Atkins variety of hot cereal. The company made money off of these specialized products and still does, but to a lesser degree. As long as carbohydrates were counted and Atkins products used, the diet was expected to help you lose weight.

It’s unclear how successful people were in losing weight on the Atkins diet. If dieting is truly based on calories, the Atkins diet certainly weren’t lacking in them. Since the origin of the Atkins diet, more is known about the effects of cholesterol (from meat protein) and triglycerides (from other fats) on things like stroke, peripheral artery disease and heart disease (coronary artery disease). Doctors are more likely to check cholesterol and triglycerides in patients and doctors are active in putting people on medications to lower these fats in the blood. Few doctors would recommend such a high content of cholesterol and fat for patients at risk for heart disease. Few would recommend this kind of diet for even normal people. Still, there are those who still go on the Atkins diet in the hopes of losing weight.

Choosing The Right Size Fish Tank



Have you recently decided that you would like to take up fish keeping as a hobby? If so, have you already developed of collection of fish to display in your home or in your office? Regardless of which type of fish you would like to purchase, you will need to buy an aquarium, if you haven’t already done so. Unfortunately, when it comes to purchasing a fish tank, there are many individuals who make a costly mistake. That mistake is purchasing a fish tank that it is too small. In addition to wasting money, by purchasing a fish tank that isn’t want you need, you may also be endangering the lives of your fish. That is why it is extremely important that you choose the right fish tank for your fish and their needs.

When it comes to choosing the right size fish tank, you may find it a little bit difficult to do your own research. Despite being difficult, it is possible to do. For example, you can examine the type of fish that you would like to purchase, namely their overall size and their swimming habits. If you purchase a type of fish that is expected to grow in size or one that likes to swim all over the tank, you are advised to purchase a large fish tank. A large fish tank, such as a large acrylic aquarium, will give your fish the room that they need to swim, socialize, and grow. If you are unsure as to what size aquarium you should purchase, it may be best to seek professional assistance.

When it comes to obtaining professional assistance, when choosing the right size fish tank, you have a number of different options. One of those options involves speaking to the individual who you are purchasing your fish from. Most fish store employees are educated on the fish that they have available for sale, as well as their needs. It is also possible for you to acquire the same type of information by speaking to a fish tank supplier or a fish tank manufacturer. This is because there are some manufacturers who develop fish tanks specifically for a certain type of fish. That is why most fish tank manufacturers, as well as their suppliers, are more than familiar with most fish and the tank sizes that they need.

Although it is advised that you keep your fish in mind, when choosing which size fish tank you need to purchase, you may also want to think big. If you are unable to find the answers to your questions, as to what size aquarium you need to purchase, you may have better luck going with a large, oversized aquarium. When many fish keepers think of oversized a 1000 gallon fish tank comes to mind. In reality, a 1000 gallon fish tank is huge. In fact, these 1000 gallon fish tanks, which are often referred to as ultaquariums, are sometimes only sold as custom built aquariums.

For those are just starting to experiment with the fish keeping hobby, 50 to 100 gallon fish tanks are often considered the most sought after or most purchased sized aquariums. This is because smaller fish tanks are more affordable than larger fish tanks, such as a 150 gallon fish tank or a 300 gallon fish tank. However, as previously mentioned, you are advised to keep your fish in mind. If you have your heart set on purchasing large tropical fish, a 50 to 100 gallon fish tank may not be enough room. What is nice about aquariums is that they come in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. There are so many different sizes, including 50 gallon fish tanks, 90 gallon fish tanks, 100 gallon fish tanks, and 300 gallon fish tanks, that you are sure to find exactly what you need.

To ensure that your fish are living as comfortably as they possibly can, you need to make sure that you are about to purchase or did purchase the correct size aquarium. The wrong size aquarium, especially if it is too small, can have dangerous and deadly consequences for your new pets.

The Maqui Berry: From Traditional Indigenous Remedy to Modern Antioxidant Superpower



Among the vast landscape of towering glaciers, snow-capped mountains and sun-sprinkled islands that make up the Patagonia region, live a tribe of indigenous Indians called the Mapuche. The Mapuche represent ten percent of Chile’s population and remain the only unconquered group of Native American Indians. Their unmatched strength and stamina in battle has been legendary for generations and has been said to be responsible for their historic victories over the Inca and Spaniards. What is the source of the Mapuche brawn?  Legend has it that they owe their celebrated strength and energy to a small, native berry called Maqui.

 Regarded as sacred by the Mapuche, Maqui is a deep purple fruit that grows exclusively in Patagonia. An essential part of the tribe’s ancient medical practices, it is used both for its nourishment and healing ability. 

The Maqui berry was recently found in clinical testing to hold the highest levels of antioxidants of any known natural food in the world. Antioxidants including anthocyanins and polyphenols are essential in fighting free radicals in the body known to cause cancer and other ailments. Now aided by the Novelle Corporation, which exclusively employs Mapuches to harvest Maqui, the Mapuche will be able to share their precious berry with the world.

While the trend of antioxidant supplements is not new, the industry thus far has been tainted by the poor business practices of Acai – a company currently in litigation for a misleading ad campaign.  The spamming and misinformation spouted by Acai has understandably created a cloud of mistrust concerning this type of supplement.  However, with Maqui the message is clean from ethical indiscrepancies and the fruit in fact features a far greater health infusion.  With two to three times the antioxidant levels than that of Acai the proof is in the putting, or in this case a capsule.  Also available in powder and liquid form, Maqui Superberry retails for $39.95.

A recent social media buzz about Maqui has begun to build on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.  People are reporting benefits ranging from an increase in energy to healing injuries and improving health deficiencies such as autism.  Though a widespread groundswell of popularity may only now be growing, the Mapuche Indians have needed no tweets of encouragement to stick to what they know: Maqui is one powerful berry.  Form more information, visit www.maquisuperberry.com.