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Posts Tagged ‘obesity’

The health care system in African countries is widely based on the natural world of herbs and medicinal plants. A vast traditional knowledge that has been accumulated for centuries are transmitted through generations. Southern Africa is reputed to be the store house of 10 percent of the world’s plant species. But knowledge about them unearthed or substantiated with scientific research has been few. Fewer have been commercialized. But initiatives in research, publication of their results and application for patents have seen an increase in recent years.

The local markets sell these medicinal plants to the local inhabitants for their use in health care. These markets are part of the informal economy. However, with increasing demand from industries locally and for exports, the plants are getting commercialized becoming part of the formal economy. The products too are marketed professionally. There is an increase in their demand. Exports of select medicinal plants are increasing along with the popularity that natural remedies are attaining worldwide. Some of these medicinal plants are the main raw materials for production of various products in the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical industries. Quite often the products are based on the use or application of the traditional folk knowledge from the African countries. This knowledge are increasingly getting documented and subjected to scientific research. The tribes of Africa are considered to be the main repository of the knowledge which is referred to as traditional knowledge or indigenous knowledge or folklore medicines.

The traditional plant knowledge of southern African people is a source for the development of products. There is a rise in research activities. The recent trend indicates that there is a rush for documenting such knowledge. These ethno-medicinals are marketed globally. Hoodia gordonii is a tender plant from the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa that has grabbed global attention. This has become popular as an appetite suppressant. It is marketed in many forms such as pills, capsules, and shakes. The pure Hoodia gordonii liquid is said to be more powerful than the pills and capsules.

The increasing global market for these products based on medicinal plants from African countries also improves the prospects of export earnings. This could contribute to rise of income levels of the poor in these countries. But the increased collection of these medicinal plants also could lead to the risk of overexploitation of these plants in their natural habitats. To make it sustainable, scientific extraction methods and conservation management practices are to be adopted.

Metabolism is a reaction in our body through which the food transforms into energy. It includes two processes. The physical process is called Anabolism and the chemical process is called catabolism. These processes produce energy after the digestion and absorption of food in the blood. The metabolic process varies according to the rate at which the food burns every day. It also depends on the metabolic rate at resting position and on the used up energy.

The metabolic rate varies from person to person. In some people reduction of fat is faster whereas in others it is slower. The people having more metabolisms absorb all food they eat. Others having fewer metabolisms gain extra energy. It is not an easy task to speed up your metabolism as quickly as you want. You have to go through healthy diet and lot of exercise. You have to set up a routine for exercise. Walking, swimming, cycling is the best exercise to change your metabolism. It helps you to devote more time for work.

You can not just increase your metabolism by following some diet and doing some exercise in Gym. You have to live a life with full of activity. You have to take a small amount of food at short intervals. You have to eat protein rich food like fat free dairy products, skinless chicken and fleshless meat. It will help you to burn your fat easily. A daily cup of tea and food with spices help to increase your metabolism. Keeping yourself hot and cool in specified condition increases your metabolism.

You have to select your diet carefully. You need to eat processed food under required heat. You have to eat the white of an egg, fruits, vegetables and dietary fibre. It is very unhygienic to eat prepackaged and preprocessed food. Liquid Hoodia extract may increase your metabolism.

Metabolism depends upon positive and negative factors. You should always choose a diet that has a positive effect.

It became known that the San Bushmen have been using Hoodia Gordonii for centuries. They found a number of uses of the plant of which one was that its consumption suppressed hunger. They used to go hunting into the Kalahari Desert lasting several days. Hoodia helped them to suppress hunger during the period. It was the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that successfully isolated P57, the active ingredient that suppresses hunger. P57 was patented by CSIR in 1996. They also recognized the San people as the originators of this knowledge. This makes the San Bushmen eligible for a share in the profit from commercialization of their traditional knowledge.

Obesity is indeed a modern phenomenon. It was unheard of in ancient times. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 400 million are afflicted by obesity. The number is so huge that WHO officially declared it to be a global epidemic. Obesity, it is well recognized, is a preventable ill health condition caused due to wrong food habits and a sedentary lifestyle. In some cases genetic cause and mental illness can also lead to obesity. There are many ways that obesity can be addressed. There are a variety of weight loss programs in the market. There are also drugs and dietary supplement in the market. There is surgical intervention for obesity.

Hoodia Gordonii grows 1 meter high. It is a flowering plant. Khoba, Xhooba and Ghaap are the local names given to it. Hoodia is found to grow naturally in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. Hoodia is available in the form of capsules, tablets, syrup and drinks. There are a number of hoodia shakes such as the Hoodia Gordonii Shake Mix which contains 16 vitamins and minerals besides protein and fat. This is to be taken with milk or water.

The increasing market for Hoodia Gordonii led to its being indiscriminately collected and traded. This led to a situation where the plant might have to be listed as an endangered species if its collection and trade are not strictly regulated and controlled. As required under such a situation, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed the plant in its list. All export of Hoodia Gordonii from Africa requires CITES certification. It also means that all certified exports are genuine Hoodia Gordonii.

You are careful about your diet. You skip the sweet treats, use portion control, and exercise more. But you find it difficult or impossible to lose the excess weight.

Well, you’re not alone. This is a very common problem. Many dieters try, over and over again, to lose weight, but eventually become so discouraged that they simply give up. Don’t let this happen to you. By understanding some of the common causes of diet failures, you can successfully lose weight, and keep it off.

1) Dieters are often discouraged by a lack of support from family or friends. There always seems to be someone you know who remains slender, no matter how much food they eat. People eat junk food in front of you, at work and at home. They don’t understand your struggle. If you talk to them, they may be willing to help by removing those tempting snack.

Your environment works against your diet success. It’s hard to resist fast food and coffee shops, huge restaurant portions, unhealthy snacks and all of the advertisements. As much as possible, you must take charge of your environment. Avoid places where you are tempted. The nutrition labels are important - read them before you eat, to learn the correct food portion sizes. Always carry a healthy snack (an apple or raisins, a few nuts, etc. And try using one of the new portion plates for your meals.

2) Most diets have rigid rules and requirements, and are hard to adapt to your lifestyle, habits and body’s specific needs. It’s a ‘one-size-fits-all’ method, applied to everyone. You can improve your chance of success by using a program personalized specifically for you. A doctor or dietician can help. You can find one locally, or through the Internet. A dietician can act as your coach or trainer, helping you stay on track. They can set up a specific, individualized diet plan.

3) There are hidden calories in many everyday foods. Be sure to check labels, because even foods that appear healthy can contain a lot of calories, for example fruit juices and low fat products. Most people don’t realize that a frappuccino coffee might have up to 600 calories! Look for the hidden sources of calories that make it hard to succeed in your diet.

4) You must be persistent to achieve diet success. If you want to make progress in your diet, limit your ‘cheating’ and try not to become discouraged when you hit a temporary plateau. Don’t look for quick weight loss. It is much healthier to lose weight gradually. And it takes time. Don’t get discouraged and stop your diet too soon.

5) Too many people lose weight and then gain it all back again when they return to their former eating habits. Don’t let that happen to you. Being successful at losing weight and keeping it off requires that you change your lifestyle and attitude. You will have to adjust your attitudes on food and eating. Find a diet and meal plan you can be comfortable with. A portion control plate can not only help you loose weight, but can be used to help keep the weight off.

It is easier to succeed if you find the right diet plan, since everyone’s needs are different. Doctors and nutritionists agree that there are several key elements in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. You CAN be successful, if you pick healthy foods, use portion control to limit consumption, exercise regularly and never give up.