I want to talk to you about cows and what they can teach us about weight loss, or more specifically, fat loss. While it may not be obvious, we can learn a very important lesson from cows.
Not so many years ago, cattle were herded across the central plains. North in the summer and south in the winter, following the good weather. While moving several thousand head of cattle on horseback, it was impossible to bring food for the animals, so the route taken had to include grasslands or prairies where the cattle could graze.
With the advent of cattle ranches and barbed wire, it became increasingly more difficult to run cattle across the open range. Instead of moving the cattle to the food, ranchers began to bring the food to the cattle. With a change in diet came a change in the meat and dairy products as well.
You know the old saying "you are what you eat"... well, the same is true for cattle. Cows that consume a diet of fresh grasses instead of dry cattle "feed" end up consuming a higher concentration of many nutrients as well. One in particular that I'd like to discuss with you is a fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid, or cla.
Throughout time, people who ate beef and drank milk from cows that were "range fed" ended up consuming a healthy amount of CLA. Since then, the amount of CLA that cattle consume has decreased dramatically, and so they are passing less along to those of us further down the food-chain.
So, what does that mean for us? Well, once upon a time, people were able to make meat and dairy a part of a healthy diet, and that beef and milk actually helped them to stay lean.
The actual way in which CLA keeps animals (like us) lean is still somewhat of a mystery, but through observation, scientists are able to see that it works... and it works very well. A double blind study of obese humans in Norway showed that after 12 weeks, the group that took a little over 3 grams of CLA per day had a statistically significant decrease in body fat mass (BFM) and a statistically significant increase in lean body mass (LBM). These results were acheived without a significant lifestyle change.
Now I'm not going to suggest that anyone tries to lose weight without making significant lifestyle changes. Changes should include (but not be limited to) a decrease in calories per day and an increase in exercise per week. If people can get significant results without making a lifestyle change, what can they do when the two are working together?
I've been hearing about CLA for years now from friends who have lost pounds, fat and inches, and I've begun to take it myself as well, finally. I'm walking thirty minutes a day, five days per week, reducing my caloric intake, and taking CLA three times per day. I'm looking forward to updating you on my progress, and I hope you'll join me as well.
Before you decide, let's look at what we know about CLA and its effects. Studies show that CLA reduces body fat and weight in four ways:
* By decreasing the amount of fat that is stored after eating
* By increasing the rate of fat breakdown in fat cells
* By increasing the rate of fat metabolism
* By decreasing the number of fat cells
In addition to decreasing fat, CLA also helps to increase lean muscle mass. This helps in two ways, first of all, muscle looks better and more natural than fat, and secondly lean muscle burns calories. It's a synergistic effect that compounds as you lose more fat and increase muscle.
Give CLA a try, you've got nothing to lose but fat!
Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter (conjugated linoleic acid, or cla) and the Chief Technology Officer for WellnessPartners.com (conjugated linoleic acid, or cla), an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), r+ alpha lipoic acid (R+ ALA), and green tea extract.
whole house cleaning Deerfield ..I'm sure you have heard it before, but one of... Read More
To begin this article I must start with it's conclusion.The... Read More
Cellulite is a recent addition to the English language. In... Read More
It is very tempting to try that fad diet that... Read More
Families who dine out with their loved ones who've had... Read More
Natural therapies uphold the importance of minerals, vitamins and herbs... Read More
You've decided it's time to lose some weight. A lot... Read More
Dieting Dilemma No 1: When Life Gets in the WayThat... Read More
Visualizing and Declarations are today's topics.Visualize what you want as... Read More
Staying Toned After Weight Loss ---------------------------------------- Following significant weight loss,... Read More
The heated debate, within diet circles, that began a few... Read More
In life, various factors contribute to weight gain. Be it... Read More
There is no need to worry too much if your... Read More
Liposuction works best with people who are a normal weight... Read More
The low carb diet craze has become extremely popular amongst... Read More
Recently, I was reading about a diet plan where you... Read More
Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More
"I eat like a bird, why do I gain weight?"... Read More
Are you sick of the hype? Wondering what diet products... Read More
Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
Weight loss plans come in all shapes and sizes. Some... Read More
Are you one of those who hate dieting? Well, you... Read More
America is a nation of self-disclosers, amiably acceptant of our... Read More
When people hear the term Unified Theory, some times called... Read More
Each month I receive hundreds of e-mails from consumers who... Read More
home cleaning services Des Plaines ..If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on... Read More
In a gastric bypass the connection between he stomach pouch... Read More
More than 70% of US adults are overweight and that... Read More
What is the relationship between intake of nutrition and metabolism... Read More
When you begin the decision making process to have Weight... Read More
We've entered the Twilight Zone when it comes to the... Read More
The term 'thermogenic' refers to a group of drugs or... Read More
I just finished working my quads on a weight machine.... Read More
The 8-Week Campaign to Survive the HolidaysEating preparations in the... Read More
Lose Weight - Get A Break ---------------------------------------- The American Obesity... Read More
Obesity, especially in children, is a matter of rapidly growing... Read More
For the person who wants to shed a few pounds... Read More
Adherence to diet for one year, not the specific diet... Read More
Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More
Fat does Not Make You Fat. One of the other... Read More
When was the last time you focused so much on... Read More
If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
Let me tell you something - if you are doing... Read More
Using healthy low carb recipes are an important part of... Read More
Success stories on the gastric bypass are everywhere, but how... Read More
I received a telephone call from a lady last week.... Read More
Losing weight on hips and thighs has always been a... Read More
We all know that losing weight and improving your overall... Read More
Hold the onions! Let's talk "liver". No, not beef liver,... Read More
Weight Loss |