In today’s hustle and bustle lifestyle we have to deal with many stress related conditions, increasingly, people are turning to meditation to improve health and general well-being.

People are now becoming aware that meditation is a great way to reduce high blood pressure and that it is also a great way to improve one’s metabolism. According to one definition, Meditation is a state of “thoughtless awareness”. Most importantly, this state of restful awareness is a great way to release stress from the body and just feel happy.

The state of peace that one achieves as a result of meditating cannot be achieved in any other manner.  However, there are certain misconceptions about meditation that prevent people from making the best use of it.

One of the biggest misconceptions about meditation is that it is a religious act. Most meditation is undoubtedly religious, considering its origins, but there are many forms of non-religious meditation you can adopt if you feel uncomfortable chanting religious verses.

Natural meditation methods are extremely popular with people who are deeply committed to their own religion and do not want even a single suggestion that they are flirting with another religion. In fact, you do not even have to think pious thoughts when you meditate because they are simply not necessary.

Another common misconception is that one has to stop thinking completely in order to meditate. Nothing could be further from the truth because this is simply not possible. However, what you can do with your thoughts is control them so that they do not move around in your head in a chaotic manner. If you keep repeating the thought ‘I have to stop thinking’ in your head you will never be able to progress with your meditation.

Many people also believe that meditation is always done along with certain exercises such as yoga. Certain types of yoga classes do include some meditation but not all of them. In any case, you do not need to exercise in order to meditate correctly. Yoga by itself does not constitute meditation even though it does help you feel more relaxed and it also helps to improve your metabolism.

Another thing for you to remember is that you will not always have an unusual feeling or sensation after you finish meditating.  Some people give up meditating too soon, because they may not perfect it the first time around.  Be patient, practice and you will eventually feel a sense of happiness after each session.

The fact is most people do not look after their health sufficiently and suffer from low immunity as a result. They are therefore susceptible to every flu bug that is in the air during winter, and these nasty little bugs multiply and spread when the weather gets cold. You should work towards protecting yourself from illness this winter by boosting your Immune system first.

One of the first things you have to do is improve your diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain large numbers of vitamins and enzymes that are essential to build immunity.

You should also consider increasing the amount of lean protein you eat every day. Apart from the fact that protein contains essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins which are essential for the immune system, it also replaces carbohydrates in your diet. Look for high protein – low fat combinations of foods so that you do not put on too much weight.

You do need to eat carbohydrates but should keep them within reasonable limits and should also avoid refined ones that add no nutritional value. Sugars have a very bad effect on immunity so should be limited but a treat now and again is fine.
Your diet should also include low fat dairy products because of the calcium and protein they contain. Beans and whole grains are also great sources of fiber and proteins and should therefore be eaten in adequate quantities.
Removing toxins from your body also helps build your immunity so make sure you drink plenty of water.  Choose water over carbonated (fizzy) drinks or ones high in caffeine.  Keep in mind caffeine is terrible for your immune system because it dehydrates your body.  Here’s a handy tip, try and keep water handy when you are doing any work and so that you can drink it regularly.
Exercising often is another important way of building immunity and keeping cold and flus away. It increases your metabolic rate and also improves your blood circulation. This helps distribute nutrients throughout the body and also helps remove toxins. So try and do at least 20 minutes of exercise everyday to keep your body healthy and free of common ailments.

While on the subject of exercise, it is important to say that you should also get plenty of rest. Do not deprive yourself of a minimum 7 to 7 1/2 hours of sleep every night because this helps your body repair itself so it functions properly.
These lifestyle changes will go a long way towards keeping you free from the weather related illnesses that you normally suffer from every winter. Coincidentally, you will also look better because you feel better and your skin will also look radiant and young if you take good care of your health.

Is the lack of sleep making you fat?

When in the midst of a weight loss journey, there are many people who may put their focus on diet and exercise.  While this is not wrong, it is also not balanced.  You see, there are several aspects to effectively and safely losing weight; and if you miss one of the important points, you may severely impact your overall success.  In the same way you can’t have a decent cake without all of the necessary ingredients; you can’t have the weight loss success you want without a balanced approach.

The aspect of weight loss that we are discussing in this article is sleep.  Ah… sleep, the first thing to go when life gets hectic and there is more to do than hours in the day.  Sleep:  that thing that “you get plenty of when you’re dead”.  Thinking that staying up all night studying or playing has no relevance to your weight is a mistake that millions of people make on a regular basis.

Does it Really Matter?

Diet books, magazines and news stories are replete with advice on getting plenty of Z’s each night; but do we really need all that is touted?  There is no need to jump to the other end of the spectrum and insist on sleeping 10 hours each night!  Getting more sleep, if you already get 7 ½ or more hours per night, isn’t going to begin a weight loss phenomenon.  However, if you are one of the many who sleep less than 7-7 ½ hours a night, a little more sleep could prove to be THE factor that helps you break out of a weight loss rut.

A Closer Look

The obvious need for sleep is the direct impact on energy.  Clearly, when you are tired from lack of sleep, you have less energy and motivation to head outside for that run, or hit the gym for some intense training.  We tend to stick with the obvious and see this impact only, missing the hidden dangers of sleep deprivation.

When there is a lack of energy, the natural physiologic response is to reach for foods that will provide the energy the body needs to operate.  Thus, those who are sleep deprived run more of a risk of ingesting high carbohydrate foods; especially unhealthy ones, such as potato chips or sugary drinks.  While it might seem harmless to take these foods in (they’re providing energy to get to the gym, right?), the reality is that their impact on the body lingers long after the workout is finished.  In the end, this habit of ingesting high carbohydrate foods to gain energy for exercise turns out to be a vicious cycle.

Sleep is not only a necessary part of rejuvenating the body; but is also highly important to the metabolism.  We eat because our bodies are given signals to eat.  Those signals come from hormones – two in particular.  The hormones ghrelin and leptin are directly affected by sleep; and directly affect our eating patterns.  Ghrelin is a hormone that tells the body “Hey!  You’re hungry!”  Leptin, on the other hand, tells the body when to stop eating.  When a person is sleep deprived, the result is an increase in the amount of ghrelin and a decrease in the amount of leptin in action.  Bottom line:  there is a higher craving for food and a lowered resistance to overeating.  Double that with the body’s need for energy and you’ve got a recipe for disaster!

Understanding the importance between sleep and weight loss is one thing.  Doing something about it is another matter entirely.  Lack of sleep may arise from simple reasons, such as not understanding how important sleep really is; or it may come from an underlying issue, such as a sleep disorder or even stress.

In order to facilitate weight loss, take the time to investigate your sleeping patterns and issues.

This list may offer a good place to start:

• Pets are wonderful for adding joy and companionship to a home.  However, allowing pets to sleep in your bed may cause enough disturbances to inhibit a good night’s sleep.

• Diet affects sleep and sleep affects diet.  This is a two way street that definitely impacts weight loss success.  First and foremost, it is important to eat well before bed time.  While you don’t want to go to bed hungry, you also don’t want to hit the sheets on a full stomach.  It is advisable to eat your last meal several hours before bedtime and have a small snack an hour or so before sleep.
  

• Keep sleeping space quiet and comfortable.   A room that is too warm can impact sleep.  The ideal temperature for sleep is 20-22 degrees Celsius.

Sleep can be impacted by many different factors, and has an immense impact on a person’s overall health; particularly when it comes to hormones and weight loss.  Investigating causes of sleeplessness pays huge dividends on many levels, and may be the key to improving your weight loss efforts.

Coeliac Disease (pronounced Cee-Lee- Ack) is being coined the Hidden Epidemic by professionals.

Why?

I thought I would help explain what Coeliac Disease is. Here in Australia we have just completed a national Coeliac Awareness Week. From the 13th to the 20th March each year The Coeliac Society holds the Coeliac Awareness Week to bring light onto this often confusing dis-ease. Symptoms have previously been ignored or tolerated and with what is estimated to be 1 in 100 Australians affected by this, awareness is essential for a high quality of life.

Coeliac Disease:

An hereditary condition, coeliac disease is a permanent, autoimmune disorder where gluten, found in wheat, rye, barley and oats, causes the body to produce antibodies which damage the lining of the small bowel. Inflammation of the bowel occurs which in turn makes it hard for people to absorb nutrients from the food they eat. As a result, one of the first signs can be unexplained tiredness and a general lack of energy or get-up-and-go. The body is essentially producing antibodies that attack its own tissues.

Tiny, finger like projections in the bowel (the villi) which absorb nutrients, become inflamed and flattened in people with untreated coeliac disease. So imagine a shag pile carpet versus a threadbare carpet and you have a good idea of what happens to the villi in untreated coeliac disease. Damaged in this way, the villi are unable to absorb the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients we all need for healthy growth and bodily function.
Children as well as adults can have coeliac disease.
Sufferers become ‘starved’ and as a result, their bodies can’t function properly.

Undiagnosed coeliac disease may result in:

• Unexplained anemia

• Nutritional deficiencies such as iron, folate or B12

• Fatigue

• Gastrointestinal disturbance such as flatulence, abdominal distention, diarrhea and/or constipation

• Nausea and vomiting

• Unintentional weight loss/gain

• Delayed growth or delayed general development in children

• Headaches

• Liver problems

• Multiple unexplained fractures

• Irritability or failure to concentrate

• Education outcomes that are not as good as they might be

There could be a higher risk of having coeliac disease if you have:

• A family history of coeliac disease

• Type 1 diabetes

• Unexplained osteoporosis

• Infertility or multiple miscarriages

Coeliac disease may affect at least 1 in 100 people, or nearly a quarter of a million of the population. Currently fewer than one in five has been diagnosed. Many people may have a GLUTEN INTOLERANCE, which is NOT an allergy. Coeliac disease is. They can both exhibit similar symptoms so it is important, easy, fast and painless to get the facts right by making a quick visit to your chosen health professional.

All Designer Physique products are currently Gluten Free. I personally live a gluten free lifestyle as I have gluten intolerance myself. I find bread, pastas, wheats etc act like glue in my body resulting in gas, bloating and difficulty digesting. Choosing Gluten Free foods wherever possible makes life so much easier for someone like me who has gluten intolerance.

To those with Coeliac Disease however, it is essential to avoid gluten entirely. The body reacts negatively and if undiagnosed, this disease does not go away. It gets worse as you get older.

Many people who are Coeliac or gluten intolerant should avoid dairy due to the lactose found in all dairy produce. The Designer Physique Pea Protein Isolate is the best protein of choice for such people. It is gluten free, dairy and lactose free, soy free, and contains a pH level of 7.5 which means it is an alkalising protein. The chocolate and vanilla taste amazing just in water as well.

We serve a number of clients who have Coeliac Disease and gluten intolerance. From their testimonies we hear that the Designer Physique range is digested with ease. We take care to produce the highest grade for our entire range and will continue to do so. A couple of testimonies, (more under ‘testimonies’ on this page):

“Fantastic feedback from another person with autoimmune disease. They started on Tony Sfeir Designer Physique protein based upon my recommendation (no nasty artificial sweeteners and gluten-free!) She says: “Well, I finally purchased some of the Designer Physique Whey Protein Concentrate in Swiss Chocolate and whoa! Yummo. Even made with water, it was thick and tasted like…wait for it….chocolate. No artificial aftertaste. Nothing….I am now converted. Thank you soooo much for recommending them.”

“If we even get the smallest amount of gluten, it causes so many problems. I’m trying to teach my children to eat well and build stronger bodies (since being unable to eat gluten also). Without Tony Sfeir’s products; I start to get run-down and have flares. I found his Digestive Boost to be SO valuable. We had a nasty stomach bug and it helped to neutralise it. My little girl was so happy to have it and felt relief almost immediately.

Coles and Woolworths also sell a great range of Gluten Free produce these days. So if you have any doubt, go and have the test done. If you have been unexplainably tired, bloated, lethargic, sleepy, or getting diarrhea/constipation particularly after eating carbs – it is worth getting checked.

LOVE YOUR LIFE, LOVE YOUR BODY.

TONY SFEIR, DESIGNER PHYSIQUE

Saccharomyces Boulardii is lactic acid yeast; a non-pathogenic, non-colonizing baker’s yeast species closely related to brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae). It is unrelated to Candida albicans, the Candida yeast species which cause infections in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. In fact, studies have shown that Saccharomyces Boulardii inhibits the spread of Candida Albicans.

Saccharomyces Boulardii:

• is among those Probiotics that can survive gastric acidity,
• is not inhibited by antibiotics (a unique property)
• does not adversely affect the normal flora in the gastrointestinal tract
• helps ulcerative colitis (European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2003)
• protects the gut from amoebas and cholera
• alleviates diarrhea caused by Crohn’s disease and Clostridium difficile
• secretes a type of protease which is able to digest two protein exotoxins, that appear to be mediators for diarrhea and colitis caused by Clostridium
• is effective against diarrhea and dysentery according to the W.H.O.

This beneficial yeast can be found in Designer Physique’s Digestive Boost.

In general, Bifidus provides:

• energy production through fermentation,
• synthesis of B vitamins,
• mineral absorption, and
• anti-microbial activities.

As one of the most powerful and broadly active intestinal flora it demonstrates the ability to:

• digest lactose
• ferment indigestible fibers, thereby producing more energy
• synthesize some vitamins, especially several of the B vitamins
• assist in mineral absorption, especially iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc
• inhibit the growth of Salmonella, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Campylobacter ejuni, Listeria, Shigella, E. coli and Clostridium by crowding them out and eating the nutrients they need
• fight bad bacteria by lowering the intestinal pH through its production of fatty acids, lactic acid, and acetic acid
  absorb large quantities of ferrous ions, thereby inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria that use it for food
• help decompose nitrosamines (cancer-causing substances) and suppress the production of nitrosamines in the intestines
• help lower serum cholesterol

Bifidus can be found as one of the ingredients in Designer Physique’s Digestive Boost

Glutamine is one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the standard genetic cipher. Glutamine is called a non essential amino acid because it is the most prolific of all amino acids. It naturally occurs within our bodies and is one of the few amino acids that crosses the blood-brain barrier. It runs freely in our blood and is stored in the skeletal muscles. As it is one of the most abundant amino acids in the human body, you may then wonder why people would bother taking glutamine as a supplement.

As much as glutamine is available in the body it is also very much in demand by cells in the intestines, kidney cells, immune cells, cancer cells, etc. Glutamine is heavily marketed as a supplement for muscle growth because muscle mass is the biggest producer of glutamine and at times of hard training glutamine is highly depleted. During times of injury or illness glutamine becomes more in demand by cells trying to repair the damage. These are the times when additional intake from food or supplements is required.

Over the past 18 years Glutamine has been successfully used in studies for the treatment of illnesses, injury, burns, wound healing, etc.

A recent study by Morlion, Bart J. M.D.; Stehle, Peter Ph.D.; Wachtler, Paul M.D.; Siedhoff, Hans-P. M.D.; Köller, Manfred Ph.D.; König, Wolfgang M.D.; Fürst, Peter M.D., Ph.D.; Puchstein, Christoph M.D.
“Total Parenteral Nutrition With Glutamine Dipeptide After Major Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study” concluded that L-glutamine shortened the patients stay by 6.2 days.

There are many other claims on the benefits of taking glutamine; however some of these claims are yet to be scientifically proven.

From the current research and studies to date it appears a good idea to supplement l-glutamine.

Beef, fish, chicken, eggs, milk, dairy products, beans, spinach are all great sources of L-glutamine. And you can supplement L-glutamine with Tony Sfeir’s Designer Physique Immuno Boost.

Sporogenes produces only L(+) lactic acid and proliferates within the gastrointestinal tract in an non-invasive way characteristic of beneficial gastro-intestinal residents such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Bifidum.

A summary of the potential health benefits of Sporogenes includes:

• 

  improved digestion and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, easing constipation

• improved quality of life for those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• improvement in abnormalities of intestinal flora and various forms of dysbiosis
• treatment of diarrhea due to acute or chronic gastroenteritis, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• alleviation of symptoms associated with lactose intolerance, including pain and bloating
• treatment of type II hyperlipidemia
• complete relief in cases of non-specific vaginitis
• reduction in total cholesterol levels
• improvement in the body’s defence system by inhibiting growth of harmful bacteria

Lactobacillus Sporogenes is one of the many beneficial bacteria in Designer Physiques Digestive Boost.

Research shows that Lactobacillus Brevis also:

• Decreases intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome)
• Improves intestinal micro flora
• Has a positive effect on the intestinal immune system
• Helps eliminate ulcer-causing bacterium Heliobacter pylori

Benefits of Lactobacillus Helveticus include:

Aiding hypertension by reducing blood pressure
Facilitated recovery from fatigue
Stress-reducing effects
Stimulation of antitumor immune response, particularly with estrogen-dependent tumors
Immunostimulating effects
Help modulating the relationship between immune and endocrine systems
Potential for improving learning ability and memory
Help in prevention of osteoporosis
Possible assistance for life extension

Lactobacillus Helveticus is often used in making Swiss-type cheeses and added specifically to certain fermented milks, and can be found in Tony Sfeir’s Digestive Boost full of Probiotics.