Showing posts with label Fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fitness. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Eating Disorders Can Be Fatal

Anorexia nervosa or simply anorexia is a mental disorder of constantly feeling overweight even though one is underweight. It is addressed as a fear of gaining weight. This is very dangerous psychological disorder if not treated in time. The word Anorexia is derived from a Greek compound word that means lack of desire to eat. This word actually combines Anorexia nervosa, commonly referred to simply as anorexia, is one type of eating disorder. More importantly, it is also a psychological disorder. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. A person with anorexia often initially begins with dieting to lose weight. Over period of time weight loss becomes a sign of mastered art and controlled behavior. A desire to lose weight is basically a secondary act to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one’s body. The individual continuously engage in endless cycle of restrictive eating, often accompanied by other behaviors such as excessive exercising or the overuse of diet pills, diuretics, laxatives, and/or enemas in order to reduce body weight and get rid of eaten calories, they often go to a point which is closer to starvation in order to feel a sense of control over his or her body.


This psychological disorder needs to be treated at earliest, unless done so; it may drive the person to kill oneself by over starving or eating much below intake level. There is an obsessive fear of gaining weight due to the distorted self image. This is a very serious mental illness accompanied by high incidents of co morbidity also this is an illness with highest mortality rates due to malnutrition in body. This term was first coined and recognized by Sir William Gull, personal physician of Queen Victoria, in the year 1873. This illness does not only affect women predominantly but also men to large extent. There are various symptoms like any other illness. The anorexic person displays lack of hunger, he/she may cook elaborated meals for others but will not eat self. Despite being underweight, they will follow strict diet regime or will indulge in excessive exercising. They will cut food into small pieces and hide it or discard it. They will immediately throw out if taken any food inside or practice self induced vomiting. The above mentioned are commonly found symptoms. There are various treatment centers for anorexia. These centers target on getting rid of this illness by planning a recovery program centered on the client. There are various types of treatment for anorexia nervosa like medication, anti-depressant, and therapies for improving the behavioral patterns or activities.?

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Wine, Milk in Tea, Dinner Salads

Q: How do the new, large wine glasses compare to a standard serving of wine?
Q: Is it true that a new study shows we shouldn’t drink milk in our tea?
Q: To make a salad that is the main dish, what and how much should I put in for protein?

Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN
American Institute for Cancer Research


Q: How do the new, large wine glasses compare to a standard serving of wine?

A: Wine glasses are becoming larger. A standard all-purpose wine glass has been about eight ounces for many years. Since wine glasses are not meant to be poured full, this eight-ounce glass fit a standard five-ounce serving of wine. Wine experts recommend filling a glass no more than one-third to one-half full, both to give air space to hold the wine’s aroma (bouquet) and to provide enough room to swirl wine in the glass. However, 12- to 16-ounce wine glasses have now become standard at many restaurants, hotels and homes. The problem is that if people fill these glasses beyond that one-third to one-half mark, “one glass” of wine can be two or more standard servings of alcohol. Some connoisseurs prefer glasses of 20 to more than 30 ounces, which can magnify the problem further. The best solution is to practice measuring water into wine glasses at home to train your eye to recognize a standard portion size. Then, regardless of your glass size, you will know when you’ve reached the recommended maximum that defines moderation, which is no more than one five-ounce serving of wine a day for women or two for men.

Q: Is it true that a new study shows we shouldn’t drink milk in our tea?

A: One new study does suggest that milk may decrease the ability of black tea to relax blood vessels, which improves blood flow and perhaps protects against heart disease. However, this study involved only 16 women in one tea-drinking episode along with follow-up laboratory analysis. Previous research has suggested that a group of antioxidants in tea, called catechins, causes blood vessels to relax. Several earlier studies found that milk added to green or black tea caused little or no difference in the blood levels of catechins. Milk did not seem to cause any differences in antioxidant activity in the blood following tea consumption either. Further study is needed to see if the recent study’s findings are repeated. But regarding antioxidant and other possible cancer-protective effects of tea compounds, if you’ve been adding milk to tea, there’s no reason to stop doing so at this time. Experts remind us to create a health-promoting diet based on what overall research finds, rather than on any individual study.

Q: To make a salad that is the main dish, what and how much should I put in for protein?

A: Salads are a great place to work dried beans into your diet. Choose about a half-cup (one or two large spoonfuls) of kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo beans or cubed tofu. You could also add one tablespoon to one-third cup of nuts, depending upon whether the nuts are the main protein source. Another option is to add lean animal protein, such as a half-cup of grilled chicken or chunks of seafood. Tuna is a good choice, but not if it’s mixed with lots of mayonnaise. If you want to include some cheese, use a little for flavor in combination with one of these other leaner sources of protein. If you used a half-cup of shredded regular cheese to supply all your protein, that addition alone would supply over 200 calories and at least half a day’s worth of saturated fat. Instead, use cheese for flavor and a minor part of your protein. Try Parmesan or feta to get plenty of flavor in a smaller amount.

Friday, April 27, 2018

Fitness Equipment Precor

If you need a large piece of home exercise equipment, elliptical machine is an excellent choice. It combines the same principles that uses a treadmill and bicycle fixed, it helps you get a great workout. The good news is that you get a workout without impact on your joints ache Nice because they are very soft. Of course it is a good idea to buy one of the best machines for excellent training. Here is a summary of three elliptical machines there to choose from.

A highly elliptical trainer comes to consider the Precor EFX 5.17i. If you are beginning to use an elliptical trainer is an ideal model to start. There are a variety of different options that come with the machine and four different preset programs are available. It also includes a heart rate monitor that integrates "To help you work to improve their condition physics, there are 20 levels of resistance and can be adjusted to fit your personal training. The slope of this machine is also adjustable.


Other machines Elliptical up there becomes Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR / A. This a great piece of equipment to choose from if you're in a pretty tight budget when choosing his team. The price is very reasonable, and a machine is cheaper than many others on the market today. For the price you pay, of course, has little to offer. There are 10 different programs they are integrated, and control programs are also heart rate. This elliptical also comes with a warranty for parts and the hand is good for one year.

The NordicTrack CX 990 is one of the first three elliptical exercise machines you'll want to consider when you looking for a good gym for your home. We not only offer high quality but reasonably priced too. Includes a function of the slope that allows you to adjust from 10-30%, allowing you to add more intensity training if desired. Also 10 levels of resistance that can be changed on the computer too. It has a one year warranty and is well known as a machine safely.

These are just three of the best options that are available today, if you plan to buy an elliptical trainer of your choice. Well Naturally one thing that can help you make your final decision is to try the machine yourself. Get a feel for him and that makes you feel more comfortable, while you gives a great job and be in your budget range.

Thomas Johnsen is a popular Author and the Leading Expert on Elliptical Exercise Machines. For more information about Mr. Johnsen and to find his Elliptical Exercise Machines Guide, click the links for instant access.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

alternatives to excercise, lycopene in ketchup, and brown versus white eggs.

Q: Is it true that ketchup supplies lycopene, just like tomatoes?
Q: Are brown eggs more nutritious than white eggs?

Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN
American Institute for Cancer Research


Q: I hate exercise! Do other ways of being physically active protect health?

A: Certainly. United States Department of Agriculture recommendations to reduce risk of cancer and heart disease and promote overall health call for at least 30 minutes a day (preferably 60 minutes) of physical activity classified as “moderate.” Moderate activity is described as activity during which you can talk but not sing, or activity that leaves you energized but not exhausted. Moderate activity can include household activity such as mopping, vacuuming, window washing, raking and lawn mowing. If you walk at a brisk pace to work or to do errands, that can be a moderate activity. Recreational activities and sports, such as leisurely cycling, lawn or indoor bowling and golf (without a cart) also fall in this category. More vigorous activities are great, too. Studies show that people have a wide range of energy they put into household and recreational activities. Some people move with enough zest that an activity is properly classified as moderate or vigorous while others take a leisurely approach that expends so little energy the activity would be classified as light. A light activity would not count toward the 30 minutes or more recommended daily activity.

Q: Is it true that ketchup supplies lycopene, just like tomatoes?

A: Lycopene is a natural antioxidant found in tomatoes that seems to help lower risk of cancer (as do many other compounds from vegetables, fruits and whole grains).But usually our ketchup portions are not large enough to provide the amount that we would get from tomato sauce, tomato soup or tomato juice. One tablespoon of ketchup provides 2.9 milligrams (mg) of lycopene. That’s helpful, but foods we eat in larger portions can provide much more: a half cup of tomato sauce provides about 19 mg and one cup of tomato juice provides about 23 mg, for example. If you had 7 tablespoons (almost half a cup) of ketchup, you would get as much lycopene as in a half cup of tomato sauce and cup of juice, but you’d also be getting half a day’s worth of sodium and about 6 teaspoons of sugar. Tomato juice and sauce can also provide quite a bit of sodium (if you don’t get the reduced-sodium varieties), but even they wouldn’t provide that much.

Q: Are brown eggs more nutritious than white eggs?

A: The breed of hen that lays an egg determines the color of its shell. 

How Your Fitness Routine Can Boost Your Metabolic Rate And Help You Lose Weight More Quickly

If you want to lose weight then you need to consider your calorie balance. In simple terms, if you consume less calories by eating and drinking than you use up by performing physical activity, you will lose weight. Physical activity includes just about anything you do. You use up calories all the time during the day. Sitting watching the TV, typing on your computer, reading a book – all of these activities use up calories.

Your metabolic rate sounds very scientific – but it’s just the rate at which you burn calories. Of course, not everybody has the same metabolic rate. We all know some lucky people who seem able to eat whatever they like without piling on the pounds. They probably have a metabolic rate which is higher than normal.


That’s one of the reasons why you should include some element of regular exercise in your weight loss program. Obviously when you perform exercise you will burn off some calories, which is great of course. However, what’s even better is that, as long as your exercise is conducted on a regular basis it will actually cause your metabolic rate to rise. You will burn off more calories than before – even when you’re not exercising – and that could help you see better results, and a lot faster, than if you rely solely on dieting to lose weight.

The important thing is consistency. You don’t need to visit the gym or get all hot and sweaty, a low intensity workout will do the trick – as long as it is performed frequently. Walking is one of the best and most popular ways to take regular exercise. There are no monthly membership fees, it’s easy to do, you can slot it into your daily schedule whenever you like and you don’t need any special equipment or training. It has very many health benefits in addition to helping you to lose weight and, as it’s a low impact workout, it has a very low risk of injury.

If you want, you can increase the efficiency of your walking workout using the latest design of fitness footwear. You can now purchase specially designed shoes like Skechers Shape Ups, Reebok Easy Tones, MBT’s and Fit flops sandals – all of which use specially designed soles to increase the amount of work done by your lower body muscles and to help tone your legs and trim your butt. However, even if you don’t feel the need to try any of these, then do be absolutely certain to get yourself a pair of shoes that are a good fit and are comfortable. You’ll find it very difficult to maintain your walking schedule if you have blisters or if your shoes are uncomfortable in any way.

Lots of people want to know just how many calories they will use by walking. One of the main influencing factors is your weight. Someone who is heavier will use more calories per mile than a lighter person – simply because they are carrying more weight over the same distance. An approximate rule of thumb is that a 180 pound person will use up about 100 calories per mile walked. A 130 pound individual will burn about 84 calories when walking the same distance. If you would like to know more accurately how many calories you are using up then an Omron pedometer is accurate to a tolerance of 5% and can store and display your results in terms of calories burned, distance covered or the total number of steps taken.

Health and fitness professionals seem to be in general agreement that if you can walk for 10,000 steps on a daily basis, you will unlock a number of different significant health benefits – including, but certainly not limited to, weight loss. However, you don’t need to go out and do this tomorrow. Take your time and build up slowly. If it’s been a while since you took any regular exercise, if you have any medical conditions, or if you are over forty, then you should definitely seek your doctor’s advice before you commence any new exercise routine. Don’t forget, the important thing is consistency and exercising on a regular basis. Short bursts of high intensity physical activity are nowhere near as beneficial as repeated low level exercise. That’s why walking is such a great option.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Can Your Weight Increase Chances of Heart Failure?

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient amounts of blood to the body. Because heart disease is a health concern for many individuals, specifically overweight individuals, smokers and those with other health complications, people often wonder whether their weight can increase the risk of heart failure. The simple answer to this would be: Yes, it can.


Causes of Heart Failure

Generally speaking, heart failure doesn’t instantaneously appear. It is usually the result of various lifestyle factors and diseases that weaken the heart over time. Any type of activity that damages or overworks the heart muscle can be considered a risk factor for the development of heart failure. Some factors that cause heart failure include:

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Poor nutritional choices (high fat and high cholesterol)
  • Limited physical activity
  • Heart muscle diseases (cardiomyopaty and myocarditis)
  • Diabetes

Individuals that have had previous heart attacks, coronary artery disease, abnormal heart valves, lung disease or experience sleep apnea are at an increased risk of developing heart failure.

Weight Involvement

A direct association has been found between overweight or obese patients and heart complications. Statistics reveal that 1 out of every 3 Americans is classified as obese, thus putting 1 out of every 3 people at an increased risk for heart complications. High fat levels prevent the body’s major organs from functioning properly. Therefore, a person with high levels of fat is more likely to be diagnosed with a heart complication.

Healthy Choices to Lessen the Risk

Equipped with the knowledge that weight plays a significant factor in the development of heart failure is often what it takes for some individuals to begin making healthier choices, leading to a healthier lifestyle and decreasing the chance of experiencing heart failure. In an effort to prevent heart complications, it is important to carefully examine your lifestyle and begin making necessary changes. Some questions to ask yourself when critiquing your lifestyle include:

What does my diet consist of? Replace unhealthy items with healthy food choices, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, whole grains and nuts. Limit the amount of salt and sugar you consume and strive to drink at least 64 oz. of water each day.

How active am I? With your physician’s approval, begin a daily exercise regimen to include cardio exercises that will allow you to lose weight and help strengthen your heart.

What other health complications do I suffer from? Being more conscientious about your food choices and physical activity levels will drastically help improve other health complications, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Set your goal, make a plan and stick with it. Not only will making wiser lifestyle choices help with weight loss, it will make you feel better as a whole. Remember that what you put into your body, your body will put out. Even losing small amounts of weight can provide cardiovascular benefits, and small losses will eventually turn into larger losses with continued efforts.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

How to Prevent Sleep Apnea after Weight Gain

Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that could affect you after weight gain. Although you may not even realize that it’s happening, it can cause fatigue during the day, and eventually contribute to sleep deprivation, heart disease and diabetes.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing for short periods of time while sleeping. You might stop breathing for as little as 10 seconds or as long as a minute or more. This can occur up to 30 times per hour. Obesity-related sleep apnea is usually caused by obstruction, which is when the soft areas of the throat collapse and temporarily block air flow. Some sufferers of sleep apnea might also snore, because of this obstruction. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include fatigue and restlessness at night.


Chronic sleep apnea will reduce the supply of oxygen reaching the brain and other body systems, and is associated with serious long term complications as well as making you feel tired during the day. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and memory loss.

Preventing Sleep Apnea at Home

Sleep apnea is common among people with a BMI of 30 or more, so losing weight is one of the best things you can do to reduce or prevent sleep apnea. Smoking is another contributing factor, so quitting cigarettes will help. However, these are both be difficult and long term lifestyle changes and can be assisted with other ways of reducing sleep apnea.

Don’t drink alcohol or take any other muscle relaxants or sleep medications before bed. These may further relax your throat muscles during sleep and exacerbate the problem. The position of your body during sleep may also help to affect your sleep apnea. Lying on your side is better than on your back, as it can help prevent the throat muscle from collapsing. It might also help to elevate your upper body with pillows by 30 degrees or so.

Another method of preventing sleep apnea is through strengthening the muscles of the throat through singing or learning the didgeridoo (an Australian instrument that works through a complicated breathing technique). Generally, these methods are aimed toward snorers rather than those with sleep apnea, but studies have shown them to be effective for both conditions.

Treating Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be treated with medical devices, such as ones which prop open the air passages, allowing you to breath normally during sleep. However, many people find these difficult to sleep with and use consistently. For persistent and severe sleep apnea that does not respond to other treatments, there are surgical options available. These may involve removing or adjusting various parts of the nose and throat, and will be tailored to individual needs.

Sleep apnea may not seem to make a difference to daily life, but it can become deadly. Avoiding sleep apnea through natural means, such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol and toning the throat muscles can help to prevent tiredness during the day, as well as eventual long term consequences to your health.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

A Nutrition Guide For Metabolic Disorders

It is hard to deny the major role played by nutrition in metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Since there is hard evidence that these metabolic disorders promote a faster cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, it is best to prevent all of them with a healthy diet. However, Alzheimer’s disease represents only one possible possible complication. Cardiovascular diseases and stroke are also common in people with metabolic disorders. Finding a proper diet based on healthy foods is, hence, imperative.


Recommended Diet

In order to reduce the effects of the metabolic disorders, you are recommended to follow a diet that includes:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Fiber

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats

In addition, you need to reduce the intake of:

  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Saturated fat

Overall, you need to focus on plant-based foods, while reducing the intake of processed foods or foods of animal origin.

Blood Sugar Levels Regulation

Maintaining the blood sugar levels within normal limits is recommended if you suffer from diabetes. In order to avoid peaks in the blood sugar levels, you need to rely on foods that have a low glycaemic load. In other words, this means that the consumption of complex carbohydrates needs to be controlled carefully. Instead, you need to focus on whole grains, such as:

  • Quinoa
  • Millet
  • Buckwheat
  • Brown rice

These will regulate blood sugar levels smoothly. On the other hand, the following foods lead to either too low or too high blood sugar levels:

  • White bread
  • White rice
  • White pasta
  • Table sugar

Such foods abound in highly refined carbohydrates. Consuming them with regularity will cause insulin resistance and in the end, diabetes.

Fruits and Vegetables

Consuming fruits and vegetables is recommended, no matter what type of diet you follow or what health condition you have. However, in people with metabolic disorders, the accent is put on vegetables, rather than on fruits. The latter tend to be high in fructose, which is a type of sugar. However, totally excluding fruits from your diet is not a good thing, since these are rich in dietary fiber, which plays a major role in digestion and body detoxification. You need to make sure that at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables are consumed each day.

Fats and Metabolic Disorders

Since metabolism is regulated by several hormones, and certain fats have a direct impact on hormone production, you need to learn which fats are safe and which need to be avoided. Unsaturated fats are recommended in the prevention of heart coronary diseases. Monounsaturated and  polyunsaturated fats are found in:

  • Nuts
  • Fish oil
  • Seeds
  • Olive oil
  • Canola oil
  • Avocado oil

Instead of butter, which contains saturated fats and dietary cholesterol, you can opt for butters made from:

  • Pumpkin
  • Almond
  • Hummus
  • Sunflower nut
  • Tahini

In addition, other foods that are rich in healthy fats include:

  • Guacamole pate
  • Vegetable pate

Trans fats and saturated fat are considered more dangerous than dietary cholesterol. Many studies revealed that these two types of fats influence blood cholesterol levels directly after entering the digestive system. Since this waxy substance is produced by your liver and plays a major role in the development of heart coronary diseases, its metabolism is very important. Besides a balanced diet, a meal replacement can also help you to maintain cholesterol levels low, while providing the necessary nutrients.

3 Best Ways Chronic Pain Sufferers Can Lose Weight with Low Impact Fitness

If you are suffering from chronic pain then you probably find it difficult to exercise, and therefore lose weight. Chronic pain refers to body pains that last for a long period of time, usually more than six months. Joint pains, headaches, muscle pain, sinus pain and backaches are all examples of chronic pain. If you wish to lose weight and get in shape but you are not able to physically withstand high-intensity workouts then you might want to try these low-impact exercises to help you shed off pounds.


1. Walking

Walking is not only the most commonly known low-impact exercise, but it is also the easiest. Not only will it help you burn fat and calories, but it can also help you relieve stress. This is a great benefit since chronic pain can also take a toll on your emotional and mental health. If you wish to get the most weight loss benefits from this low-impact exercise then you’re going to have to upgrade your walking routine. For instance, you might want to try including your upper body in the exercise by pumping your arms while you walk. This will also boost your energy so you are able to cover more distance. If you wish to burn more calories while walking, you might also increase your workout intensity from time to time. You can do this by including an uphill path in your walking route or stopping every now and then to do some lunges or squats. Another way to lose more weight while walking is by increasing your pace.

2. Yoga

If you suffer from chronic pain then yoga is also a good workout routine that can help you lose the extra pounds and tone your body. Since yoga mostly involves slow and gentle moves, you can build flexibility and endurance without putting much strain on your joints and muscles. Aside from helping you achieve fitness, yoga also focuses on promoting relaxation and inner peace. If you’ve never tried yoga, then enrolling in a beginner’s class might be a good idea. You might also want to let your instructor know about your chronic pain so she can adjust the movements for you as necessary.

3. Swimming

Swimming is a refreshing low-impact exercise that can help you lose weight despite your chronic pain. If you’re a beginning swimmer, it’s important not to overdo this workout. Keep your swimming sessions below 20 minutes. Try to swim three to four times a week if you wish to lose weight. It’s also a good idea to keep track of your heart rate while you are swimming. This will allow you to avoid excessively stressing yourself. To get the most benefits out of swimming, make it a point to stretch your body well with each swimming stroke. Since you are in the water, you will be able to stretch without hurting your joints or muscles. Even as your strength and endurance improves, remember to take a break whenever you start feeling fatigued.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Holiday Weight Gain, Alcohol and Sleep, Mangosteen

Q: Does alcohol affect sleep?

Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN
American Institute for Cancer Research


Q: How much weight do most people gain during the holiday season?

A: The holidays can spell trouble for anyone trying to lose or maintain weight. While many people begin the New Year feeling 5 to 10 pounds heavier, such large gains are not the norm. A study of nearly 200 adults published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported an average weight gain of about one pound per person from mid-November to early or mid-January. Another study, published by the University of Oklahoma, found that, on average, college students gained one pound within the two weeks preceding and following Thanksgiving break. But it is important to note that these averages obscure individual differences among study participants. In the former study, those who were less active than usual gained more over the holiday season, while those who reported increased activity levels stayed about the same weight or even lost a pound or so. In both studies, people who were already overweight gained more than participants who began the study at a healthy weight. Also, although fewer than 10 percent of the adults studied gained more than five pounds over the holiday season, overweight and obese subjects were much more likely to be in this high-weight-gain group. While gaining one or two pounds doesn’t seem like much, many people retain the excess weight from year to year, contributing to the gradual increase in body weight that frequently occurs during adulthood. To help combat holiday heft, be sure to keep physically active. Also, don’t let an extra treat or two derail your efforts. The “I’ve blown it” outlook usually leads people to really overdo it, which could end up affecting your weight.

Q: Does alcohol affect sleep?

A: Yes. Alcohol consumption can lead to lower quality, less restorative sleep. Although alcoholic beverages act as a temporary sedative and may help you to fall asleep initially, overall sleep patterns are disrupted. Alcohol induces a lighter stage of sleep from which we are more easily awakened. It also lessens the amount of time spent in REM sleep, the state in which dreams occur; this sleep state is considered important for learning and overall mental health. Also, while alcohol can reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, its effectiveness gradually wears off in people who drink alcohol frequently.

Q: Is it true that mangosteen helps lower cancer risk?

A: Mangosteen is a tropical fruit about the size of a tangerine with a sweet-tart flavor; it is not related to mango fruit. It is processed as a juice and also sold in capsule form as a dietary supplement. Although mangosteen is advertised as a vital source of antioxidants that help prevent cancer and a variety of other health conditions, no reliable studies have established its effect on lowering cancer risk. Xanthones, a phytochemical found in the fruit, have received attention for their possible antioxidant activity, but much more research is needed to prove efficacy and to verify their availability from these products. Moreover, the long list of reported benefits of mangosteen is based on anecdotal evidence, not well-controlled research. So far no dangerous side effects have been tied to mangosteen fruit or products. However, it is cheaper – and probably more effective – to get a broad range of antioxidants and other protective phytochemicals from an array of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. Studies now suggest that the interaction of a variety of phytochemicals and nutrients from food may provide more protection than any single source.