Different physical activities have differing energy requirements, as one might expect. However, these energy requirements rely on a variety of sources of fuel as well as bodily energy systems to supply their needs. Understanding your body’s needs and responses according to the type of physical activity you’re involved in largely determines your overall [...]

In the rush to the gym to achieve a perfect physique, build muscle mass and/or lose weight it’s easy to forget that the real reasons we’re in such bad shape lie closer to home. Most commonly the problem is lifestyle: eating the wrong foods, not getting enough sleep, basic exercise or fresh air [...]

What rice is to East and South-East Asia wheat is to cooler more northerly climes. However, one grain that doesn’t get much attention these days as a food, and that also is native to cooler climates, is barley. The main reason for barley’s low profile as a food is probably connected to most [...]

For those on a low calorie weight-loss diet it’s important to know what foods to avoid – especially those with hidden sugar content. Some high calorie, sugar laden foods, however, are just so taken for granted, and/or embedded in our eating culture and habits that they’re overlooked and thus slow down any weight loss [...]

As people become more educated about and more aware of health issues specifically in relation to food we become more conscious of what we buy and what we eat in restaurants. This trend has not gone unnoticed by the food industry. Increasingly supermarkets include at least a token of organic options and even [...]

Dieting doesn’t mean starving. If you’re not eating enough your body goes into ‘starvation’ mode and begins to consume muscle, not fat. You need to eat enough to maintain healthy levels of blood glucose to sustain your energy throughout the day. Three meals a day will burn stored fat – if you’re [...]

We all get older and hopefully wiser too; however, maintaining a healthy body and mind can reduce the negative effects of the ageing process as well as keeping us fit and active mentally and physically as time goes by.
Resistance training keeps your metabolism high even as you age. If muscles are not used and [...]

Like a lot of things in life, a little bit of cholesterol goes a long way. It’s necessary for the manufacture of vitamin D, certain hormones and cell membranes. It originates in animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs. Other related factors also play a role in how the body uses [...]

Fat never goes out of fashion – at least not the numerous approaches to getting rid of it. How it gets there is generally well documented usually under the headings of an unbalanced diet and lifestyle. Of course, getting rid of just about anything is always going to be harder than if we’d [...]

With various protein supplements available it is important to research the options as some are more applicable than others depending on your needs as well as your general physiology. Casein, a milk protein – is a case in point. Widely used for various purposes including the manufacture of paint and glue as well [...]