GenF20 Plus

It’s pretty obvious that more and more people are starting to take their health into their own hands, opting to buy natural, less-expensive alternatives to prescription meds. As a result, the health supplement industry is booming, and anti-aging products like HGH releasers are certainly no exception.

You may have heard of quite a few of these supplements, some of which actually provide good results, like Somatropinne HGH, GH Advanced+, and HyperGH 14x. But there’s one brand in particular that’s become enormously popular, known as GenF20 Plus (GenF20.com) made by Leading Edge Health.

What is it?

Simply put, GenF20 Plus is a supplement stack designed to naturally raise your body’s own production of human growth hormone, or HGH. It’s a two-part system consisting of both tablets and an oral spray which, when combined, work to form a secretagogue that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more of it’s own HGH.

Ingredients

It’s hard to argue that the list of GenF20 Plus ingredients is impressive. The tablets alone contain 16 different components, and have enteric coating for maximum absorption. Each full dose of GenF20 Plus pills contains the following:

L-Arginine  Studies show that arginine supplementation can potentially triple your HGH levels, and help improve exercise performance. Also accelerates fat loss, builds muscle, improves immunity, protects against cancer, promotes healing, boosts male fertility, and more.

L-Glutamine  Important for metabolism, maintaining muscle and cell growth, and increases energy and alertness. Also boosts immunity, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, protects against arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and more!

L-Tyrosine  Used by the thyroid gland to product Thyroxine, an important hormone shown to help reduce fatigue and depression, and also to regulate growth and metabolism.

L-Glycine  Encourages the pituitary gland to secrete HGH. Also reduces stress and promotes prostate health.

L-Lysine  Boosts immunity and sexual function. It’s been shown to increase arginine’s effectiveness by ten times compared to just taking arginine alone.

Phosphatidyl Choline  Works as an excellent emulsifier, aiding with the absorption of the other ingredients. Also emulsifies and breaks down fat deposits in the body, helping prevent gallstones, atherosclerosis, heart disease, liver problems, depression, memory loss, and neurological disorders.

Astragalus Root Extract  Long used to strengthen immunity and help heal wounds, it also enhances metabolism and digestion, improves lung function, supports the adrenal glands and gastrointestinal tract, and reduces fatigue.

Deer Antler Velvet  A natural source of chondroitin, collagen, and glucosamine, which strengthens cartilage tissue. Also contains hormones, including IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor I) – a hormone that’s produced in the liver in response to growth hormone stimulation.

GABA   Gamma-Aminobutryic Acid is a potent neurotransmitter amino acid, providing a number of beneficial effects to the nervous system. GABA also stimulates the secretion of HGH.

Bovine Colostrum  A type of milk nearly identical to human colostrum that boosts immunity, accelerates healing, increases bone and lean muscle mass, and slows aging. Also contains IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor), which is a precursor to HGH, and thought to be responsible for HGH’s anti-aging benefits.

L-Valine  A branched-chain amino acid needed for the growth and repair of tissue, muscle metabolism, and maintaining the body’s nitrogen balance.

Anterior Pituitary Powder  Stimulates more effective functioning of the pituitary gland leading to an increase in the production of HGH. Also thought to help improve many age-related conditions, such as decreased muscle tone.

GTF Chromium  (0.1 mg)  Aids with maintaining glucose levels by enhancing insulin activity, and lower blood glucose levels can help increase the production of HGH. Also helps to boost metabolism, increase energy, and increase fat loss.

L-Ornithine (25mg)  Research indicate that Ornithine is nearly twice as powerful as arginine (which you’ll recall can as much as triple HGH levels), even more so when combined with the glutamine, arginine, and lysine already added.

The GenF20 Plus oral spray contains many of the same ingredients that the pills do, plus a few more, but in a more easily absorbed form. However, the primary difference between the oral spray vs. the tablets is the ingredient Alpha GPC.

Alpha GPC not only helps increase the production of HGH, it improves the effects of other hormones produced by the pituitary gland. It also boosts workout performance, decreases fat in the liver, and increases the cognitive benefits of phosphatidyl choline.

Other ingredients found in the GenF20 Plus liquid spray are:

• GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid)
• Mucuna Pruriens Seed
• L-Lysine
• L-Glutamine
• L-Aginine
• L-Trysince
• L-Valine
• L-Isoeucine
• Ornithine Alpha Ketoglutarate
• Glycine
• Moomiyo Extract

How to Use

Directions for taking GenF20 Plus are pretty much straight-forward: take two tablets one hour before lunch and two tablets one hour before dinner, for a total of four tablets daily. Therefore, a one-month supply will contain 120 tablets.

You should also be taking 3 sprays orally twice a day, one hour before meals, and holding it under the tongue for 30 seconds before swallowing. The result of combing these two delivery methods is a more balanced and effective overall treatment for elevating your HGH levels.

Side Effects

To date, there are no known side effects from using either the GenF20 Plus tablets or the spray. There are also no known drug interactions associated with taking GenF20 Plus, but to be on the safe side you should always talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

GenF20 Plus User Reviews

Here are a few handwritten reviews culled from customer survey questionnaires taken directly from the GenF20 website:

Additional customer reviews can be found here.

Of course, there could be plenty of negative questionnaire comments that aren’t made public, but as far as I can tell there doesn’t seem to be a lot of unsatisfied users out there – just the opposite, in fact.

Manufacturer Video

Who Should Use GenF20 Plus?

If you’re a man or woman approaching your 40’s or beyond, you are an ideal candidate for using GenF20 Plus. Most people will find that it can produce noticeable results in any number of areas, including mood, sex drive, energy levels, sleep quality, and skin rejuvenation.

However, for some people this product may not be ideal. If you’re a bodybuilder or athlete, or otherwise feel that your HGH levels might be unusually low for your age-range, I would recommend HyperGH 14x (also made by Leading Edge Health), which is a much stronger formula compared to GenF20.

Where to Buy

GenF20 Plus is available directly from the manufacturer’s website at GenF20.com. One tip though: be careful that you don’t end up buying the pills and the spray separately – you’ll save a lot more money by purchasing one of the package deals instead (look for them listed beneath the individual pill and spray drop-down menus on the order page).

There’s also options there for ordering by phone, mail, or fax if you’d prefer.

They also offer a two-month money-back guarantee, so if you try it for 60 days and decide you don’t like it, you only have to send in your empty containers and they’ll refund your money. Some people don’t put a lot of faith in these so-called guarantees, and too many companies aren’t trustworthy, but as far as I know Leading Edge Health does honor all product refunds submitted to them.

Conclusion – Does GenF2o Plus Work?

Customer reviews and anecdotal evidence are great, but I’m always more impressed whenever there’s hard scientific data to look at. One such study, conducted by Vedic Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, revealed some pretty interesting results.

The study (documented in a 63-page report which I’ve uploaded here) was conducted on normal to overweight subjects between the ages of 35-65 over a three-month period. The goal of the study was to  evaluate  what effect  GenF20 Plus had on improving  IGF-1 levels (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, the primary mediator of HGH’s effects), since stimulating the  pituitary  gland  to  secrete HGH should also stimulate the liver to produce IGF-1.

The results showed that the “active” group (those not receiving a placebo) had significantly raised levels of IGF-1. The researchers concluded that “the significant increase in serum IGF-1 levels in the subgroup age 40 in the active group is attributable to consumption of GenF20 Plus.”

They also concluded that the benefits they observed would likely improve over time the longer that GenF20 Plus is used.

So does it work? In my opinion, GenF20 Plus has been demonstrated to be both an effective and safe way to increase the body’s production of HGH, and I think a lot of people could drastically improve their quality of life by supplementing with it.

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Can Vitamin D Boost Your Testosterone Levels?

There’s been a lot of research analyzing the link between vitamin D and testosterone production, and the findings are really interesting. But since tracking down all this research can be time-consuming, I thought I’d put together a brief article highlighting what we know so far.

So what exactly does vitamin D have to do with testosterone, and is it really a testosterone booster? Mainly, vitamin D inhibits a process known as aromatization, where testosterone is changed into estrogen.

There’s also data showing that vitamin D may enhance cell receptor sensitivity in the testicles where testosterone is produced.

Evidence

One study in 2008 showed that the risk of falls in the elderly was reduced more in individuals with increased testosterone, vitamin D, and calcium, compared to only elevated testosterone levels. This suggests that a synergistic relationship exists between testosterone and vitamin D.

A study in 2010 indicated that men with sufficient vitamin D levels had significantly higher levels of free testosterone and free androgen index (FAI), and lower levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) when compared to men with insufficient or deficient vitamin D.

Interestingly, this study also showed that testosterone levels follow a seasonal pattern, peaking in August and being at lowest levels in March.

Another study conducted in 2011 demonstrated that men who supplemented vitamin D had significant increases in total testosterone, bioactive testosterone, and free testosterone when compared to baseline. However, those who did not supplement with vitamin D did not show significant increases in any of those levels.

Many of the studies conducted were looking at people who already had a vitamin D deficiency for one reason or another. Like most vitamins and health supplements, there is almost certainly a point of diminishing returns at which the benefits subside.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

According to the National Institute of Health, 600 IU’s per day is recommended for those over the age of 18, and for those over the age of 70, 800 IU’s per day. If you are in a high-risk deficiency group you may need to take more – one of the studies mentioned above had the participants taking 3,000 IU’s per day.

Those who may be at risk of being vitamin D deficient include those suffering from chronic disease (such as kidney disease) and those who live in colder climates. Basically, the farther you live from the equator, the greater your risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Sources of Vitamin D

The best (and cheapest) source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. 30 minutes a day between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM is enough for most.

Besides sunlight, there’s plenty of dietary sources to choose from, including fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel), liver, eggs, cheese, and foods that have vitamin D added, such as milk, orange juice, and breakfast cereals.

Supplements are probably the easiest way to ensure you’re getting plenty of vitamin D. Fish oil is not only packed with vitamin D, but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. And many good men’s vitamins and workout supplements will also contain plenty of vitamin D.

Conclusion

As far as vitamin D’s impact on testosterone, it’s pretty clear that men who are deficient in vitamin D show an increase in testosterone after they begin supplementation. Whether or not the same results occur in men with already normal levels of vitamin D is unclear at this point.

Fortunately, taking vitamin D supplements causes very few, if any, side effects, especially if taking the recommended daily allowance. Because of the important benefits, all men should include adequate amounts of vitamin D as part of their health supplement regimen.

References

Additive benefit of higher testosterone levels and vitamin D plus calcium supplementation in regard to fall risk reduction among older men and women. Osteoporosis International (2008), Bischoff-Ferrari et al.

Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men. Clinical Endocrinology (2010), Wehr et al.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Hormone and Metabolic Research (2011). Pilz et al.

Association Between Plasma 25-OH Vitamin D and Testosterone Levels in Men. Clinical Endocrinology (2012). Nimptsch et al.

Supplementation with vitamin D does not increase serum testosterone levels in healthy males. Hormone and Metabolic Research (2013). Jorde et al.

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Thermakor

Thermakor is a weight loss supplement designed to not only burn fat but suppress the appetite as well. Made by Kor Nutrition, it contains all-natural ingredients and is manufactured in the USA.

Thermakor is classified as a thermogenic, since it works by raising the metabolic rate, and promotes an increase in caloric expenditure and the burning up of stored fat. This mimics the natural increase in body temperature and metabolism that occurs from working out.

Ingredients

One thing’s for sure, Thermakor has a great blend of ingredients. Here’s the breakdown of the formula:

• Green Tea Extract (300 mg) – As I’ve discussed before, green tea has many great benefits, and contains catechins which are naturally powerful fat burners.
• Garcinia Cambogia (100 mg) – A popular diet supplement, Garcinia helps suppress the appetite and block the body’s effectiveness at storing fat.
• Razberi-K (200 mg) – A ketone found only in raspberries, it helps reduce dietary absorption of fat and carbs, and breaks down stored fat in the body.
• Green Coffee Bean Extract (300) – Boosts metabolic activity, helps balance blood sugar, reduces visceral fat, and even prevents sugar cravings.
• Forslean (50 mg) – Has been shown to help decrease body fat and increase lean muscle mass.
• Hordenine (25 mg) – A natural stimulant that reduces appetite and speeds up metabolism; also used for improving mood and cognitive enhancement.
• Caffeine Anhydrous (150) – Everyone knows about caffeine, right?
• Salicin (125 mg) – Helps to boost the metabolic-increasing effects of other ingredients, such as synephrine.
• Synephrine (50 mg) – Increases metabolism and lipolysis, prevents fat storage, and increases the amount of energy used in metabolizing food.

Some of these ingredients have special synergistic relationships. Salicin, listed above, is one example. Also, when synephrine is combined with caffeine the metabolism-boosting effects are increased in both ingredients.

Another great thing about Thermakor is that it’s delivered in gel caps. This allows for quick and efficient absorption into the body.

How to Take

The initial dosage for Thermakor should be 1 capsule twice a day between meals, starting first thing in the morning. After assessing your tolerance you can increase to 2 capsules, twice daily. If you have a sensitivity to caffeine, you probably won’t want to take it within 6 hours of your bedtime.

Side Effects

This product contains caffeine, although not a particularly large amount. Even if you take the full dosage (2 capsules, twice daily), it’s only the equivalent to the caffeine in three cups of coffee.

However, caffeine is not the only stimulant in Thermakor. There’s also synephrine, hordenine, and the green tea extract, all of which have stimulating properties of varying degrees.

Because of this, you might experience an increased heart rate, jittery sensations, and/or elevated blood pressure, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants. If you have any health concerns before taking this supplement, do the smart thing and talk to your doctor first.

Where to Buy

Currently, Thermakor is only available through the official website. Shipping is free and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not happy with the results.

As far as the price goes, it’s not exactly cheap (at least not if you buy the single bottles), but if you buy the Thermakor three-packs your price per bottle becomes a lot more reasonable.

Conclusion – Does Thermakor Work?

Thermakor is definitely an effective weight loss supplement. It increases the body’s ability to burn fat while decreasing fat storage, helps suppress the appetite, boosts energy and metabolism, and can even improve your mood.

And when combined with exercise, it’s even better. Not only does the added energy help boost workout performance, it’s fat-burning abilities are enhanced even more, as well.

While there’s no such thing as a fat-burning magic bullet, if you’re looking for an effective tool to accelerate your weight loss progress I think you’ll find that Thermakor is hard to beat.

Price and more info can be found at the Thermakor website.

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Oral Testibol by Primal Muscle

More and more, testosterone boosters are becoming a staple in men’s supplement aresenals, whether your goal is getting a ripped physique, improving mood and energy levels, increasing sex drive, or all three.

One product that you may or may not have heard of is called Oral Testibol, by Primal Muscle (PrimalMuscle.com). Although not as widely known as other similar supplements, it’s been gaining in popularity, mostly by word of mouth.

Ingredients

While Oral Testibol contains a good mix of well-known androgen acclerants, I can hear you asking, “what makes this product so special compared to others?” The answer lies in not just the ingredients, but the specific amounts of the ingredients in relation to one another.

First, a quick overview of the list of components in the Oral Testibol formula:

• Tribulus Terrestris – Widely used for increasing testosterone, boosting libido, and increasing strength and lean muscle mass.
• Fenugreek – Another potent testosterone booster. Long used in Ayurvedic medicine, at least one study has shown that it also increases levels of HGH.
• Saw Palmetto – Well known for it’s role in prostate support, as well as a hair loss supplement, Saw Palmetto also supports healthy testosterone levels.
• Coleus Forskohlii – Also called forskolin, it’s become increasingly popular among bodybuilders for it’s ability to burn fat while retaining muscle mass.
• Milk Thistle – It’s no secret that this plant is a miracle drug for the liver, but it may also support prostate health and reduce negative side effects of elevated testosterone, such as acne.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid – A unique and powerful anti-oxidant, with almost too many benefits to list, including liver protection, increasing brain and nerve function, and normalizing glucose levels.
• Eurycoma Longfolia – Commonly known as Longjack, or Tongkat Ali, Longfolia is an effective and well-documented testosterone booster that’s been used for centuries to increase sex-drive.
• Epimedium – You may know it as the aphrodisiac Horny Goat Weed, but evidence shows that one of it’s components (called icariin) may mimic the effects of testosterone without actually effecting testosterone levels.
• Black Pepper Extract – Contains the compound piperine, which boosts the bioavailability of nutrients, thereby increasing the effectiveness of an already powerful list of ingredients.

All of these ingredients have a proven track record, and many (such as Tribulus, Fenugreek, Longjack, and Horny Goatweed) have long been used to increase strength, stamina, sex drive, and muscle mass, among other things.

While we don’t know the exact break-down of how much of each ingredient is used, whatever the ratio is, it’s pretty effective. I’ve tried many of these ingredients independently with great effect, but this particular blend seems to really hit the mark when it comes to results.

How to Take

The standard dosage is three capsules, taken once daily. You might experiment with the timing, though – some report better results when taken at bedtime, for others first thing in the morning.

Side Effects

In general, all of the ingredients included in the Oral Testibol formula are considered naturally safe and free from side effects. As always, though, if you are unsure about taking this product while having any existing medical condition, do the smart thing and talk to your doctor first.

Where to Buy

At one point Oral Testibol was available on Amazon.com, but as of right now, you can only get Primal Muscle products from the their official website, although they do accept Amazon payments. They also offer worldwide shipping and a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.

Keep in mind that it is an expensive product, and you’ll have determine for yourself if the results justify the cost, but apparently a lot of guys feel that it’s worth the money.

Conclusion – Does Oral Testibol Work?

I had my doubts at first due to the lukewarm reviews I’d seen based on the previous formula. This new version, however, is a really solid performer.

The quality and combination of ingredients give you results you can see and feel. Increased strength, muscle mass, stamina, mood, and sex drive are all some of the most common results from using this supplement, with no negative side effects.

At the end of the day, I would have no problem recommending this to someone wanting to take a quality test-booster, although the price may be too steep for some buyers. The ingredients are already known to produce results, and their proprietary combination is just spot on.

Bottom line: Oral Testibol is an effective product that’s definitely worth a try.

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Phen375 Fatburner Reviewed

There’s no shortage of weight loss supplements out there designed to help you lose the extra pounds. A lot of them do work well (some better than others) but some are complete crap. Having worked with many clients over the years and being in the fitness business, I’ve seen my fair share of diet pills come and go on the market. And with all the options and conflicting information floating around it can be very confusing trying to make the best decision.

I’ve talked about why I recommend thermogenic fat burners for men, especially if you engage in any type of physical exercise since the increase in energy boosts the amount of calories you’ll burn. There are a few of these products that I personally endorse, whether they be particularly geared towards the average guy, bodybuilders or those who prefer non-thermogeneic pills. But for a great all-around fat burning supplement for men, I  see Phen375 as a smart choice.

Phen375 Ingredients

Phen375 (Phen375.com), a.k.a. Phentemine 375, is a powerful fat burner and appetite suppressant containing a thermogenic blend of five core ingredients: Forskolin, Citrus Aurantium, 1, 3, 7-Trimethylxanthine, L-Carnitine and Capsaicin-1.12.

These components each have specific weight loss properties, especially for men, but by combining them together a synergistic effect is created making the final product greater than the sum of it’s parts.

Let’s break down each of these ingredients one by one:

• Coleus Forskolii Root PE (10% Forskolin): An herb used in traditional medicine that may boost testosterone levels and induce fat loss, particularly in men. It activates adenylyl cyclase and raises cyclic AMP levels in a wide variety of cell types. Elevated cAMP levels are associated with increased rates of fat loss, and can improve the effects of other fat burning compounds. [1]
• Citrus Aurantium (Hydroxycitric Acid) – This extract, also called Bitter Orange, is classified as a sympathomimetic amine and is closely related to the FDA banned substance ephedra, only much safer and just as effective. Numerous studies have demonstrated the metabolism-boosting and thermogenic properties of this ingredient. [2]
• 1, 3, 7-Trimethylxanthine – Although the name of this ingredient might bring up bad memories of chemistry exams, you probably know it better as plain old caffeine. Not only has caffeine been proven to improve metabolic and energy levels, it has also been shown to ease depression, improve memory, help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, detox the liver, improve male sexual health and replenish muscle glycogen after workouts which aids in muscle recovery and reduces soreness. [3]
• L-Cartinine – A very important amino acid that studies show reduces fat and increases muscle mass, prevents fatigue and suppresses the appetite, all of which contribute to weight loss.
• Capsaicin-1.12 – Capsaicin is extracted from chili peppers and once entering the digestive system has been shown to have effective thermogenic properties, such as increasing the metabolism, curbing appetite and burning fat. [4]
• Dendrobium Nobile Extract (from orchids): Commonly used as a mild stimulant, for improving athletic performance, and to improve digestion.
• Chromium (Picolinate 12%): benefits include weight loss, increased muscle, and decreased body fat. Chromium is also used to improve athletic performance, increase energy, and prevent age-related mental decline.
• Calcium Carbonate 36% Grain: Prevents excess build-up of stomach acid content.

Clearly, Phen375 contains a mixture of powerful ingredients that, once combined, turns your body into a lean, mean, fat-melting machine.

Reviews and Testimonials

Even if you’re more than a little overweight a product like this will give you a dramatic head start to your overall fitness plan. Normally when you lose weight you end up burning fat AND muscle tissue, but because of the testosterone enhancing aspect of Forskolin with the muscle supporting l-cartinine, this becomes mostly a non-issue. Not only will you preserve muscle while shedding fat, any extra muscle you gain if you do choose to work out will only help to consume more calories. Win-win.

I’ve personally seen the positive results that Phen375 can produce, not only for myself, but also my friends and clients. I did a search and found the following customer before and after photos which demonstrate the type results that I have witnessed:

    

Side Effects and Dosage

Because of the nature of how they work, virtually no thermogenic weight loss supplement will be completely free from side effects, but these will vary from individual to individual. Some possible reactions to caffeine and bitter orange extract could include elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, insomnia and upset stomach. Needless to say, if you already have high blood pressure or any heart problems you should talk to a doctor before using this product.

The recommended dosage is one tablet before breakfast and one before lunch, both taken with a full glass of water. If you happen to experience any unpleasant side effects, try cutting back to just the one pill before breakfast. Only you can gauge how your body will handle this type of supplement but there should be no reason to exceed the two pill per day dosage.

Does Phen375 Contain Phentermine (Fen-Phen)?

One question people ask about a lot is if Phen375 contains phentermine, like the diet pill Fen-Phen which was pulled from the market a few years ago. First of all, phentermine is a very effective weight loss drug. The problem with Fen-Phen was not the phentermine it contained but it’s other component, fenfluramine. Fenfluramine helps improve mood and suppress the appetite but was eventually shown to cause pulmonary hypertension and heart valve damage. Phentermine is still available in the U.S. but only with a doctor’s prescription.

Other than sharing thermogenic attributes, Phen375 and phentermine are in no way related. The fact that the names are so similar is no doubt a marketing tactic to gain more exposure to the product. In my opinion this was completely unnecessary because the positive results speak for themselves.

Conclusion – Does Phen375 Work?

Even though I consider myself a pretty fit guy and exercise regularly, I still encounter the same stubborn areas with body fat that most men typically experience – specifically, the problematic “spare tire” zone. That’s when a supplement like Phen375 really shines. It’s extremely effective at getting rid of those hard-to-shrink spots that normally refuse to go away, and does it in a short period of time.

By adding the testosterone boosting benefits of forskolin and the amino acid l-cartinine to ensure muscle preservation and combining them both with the thermogenic metabolism increasing properties of caffeine, bitter orange extract and capsaicin, Phen 375 is one fat burner that delivers for men. Whether you’re a little overweight (or a lot), a couch potato, or a bodybuilder wanting to cut, just about any guy can benefit .

For price and more info visit the Phen375 website.

Have you tried out Phen375? I’d love to hear about your own personal experiences. Feel free to email me or leave a review or comment below.

References

1. Litosch I, et al Forskolin as an activator of cyclic AMP accumulation and lipolysis in rat adipocytes . Mol Pharmacol. (1982)

2.Citrus aurantium as a thermogenic, weight-reduction replacement for ephedra: an overview, Preuss HG, DiFerdinando D, Bagchi M, Bagchi D.

3. Top 17 Caffeine Health Benefits, caffeineinformer.com

4. Can Capsaicin Help to Promote Weight Loss?, Cathy Wong, ND

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20 Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom and Baby

1. A healthier baby
“The incidences of pneumonia, colds and viruses are reduced among breastfed babies,” says infant-nutrition expert Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and OB-GYN at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, N.Y., and the author of  (Elsevier-Mosby). Gastrointestinal infections like diarrhea—which can be devastating, especially in developing countries—are also less common.

2. Long-term protection, too
Breastfeed your baby and you reduce his risk of developing chronic conditions, such as type I diabetes, celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.

3. Stronger bones
According to Lawrence, women who breastfeed have a lower risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis. “When a woman is pregnant and lactating, her body absorbs calcium much more efficiently,” she explains. “So while some bones, particularly those in the spine and hips, may be a bit less dense at weaning, six months later, they are more dense than before pregnancy.”

4. Lower SIDS risk
Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome by about half.

5. Fewer problems with weight
It’s more likely that neither of you will become obese if you breastfeed him.

6. A calorie incinerator
You may have heard that nursing burns up to 500 calories a day. And that’s almost right. “Breast milk contains 20 calories per ounce,” Lawrence explains. “If you feed your baby 20 ounces a day, that’s 400 calories you’ve swept out of your body.”

7. It’s good for the earth
Dairy cows, which are raised in part to make infant formula, are a significant contributor to global warming: Their belching, manure and flatulence (really!) spew enormous amounts of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.

8. Better healing postdelivery
The oxytocin released when your baby nurses helps your uterus contract, reducing postdelivery blood loss. Plus, breastfeeding will help your uterus return to its normal size more quickly—at about six weeks postpartum, compared with 10 weeks if you don’t breastfeed.

9. Less risk of cancer
Breastfeeding can decrease your baby’s risk of some childhood cancers. And you’ll have a lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer, an often deadly disease that’s on the rise.

10. An unmatched feeling of power
“It’s empowering as a new mother to see your baby grow and thrive on your breast milk alone,” Lawrence says.

11. A custom-made supply
Formula isn’t able to change its constitution, but your breast milk morphs to meet your baby’s changing needs. Colostrum—the “premilk” that comes in after you deliver—is chock-full of antibodies to protect your newborn baby. “It’s also higher in protein and lower in sugar than ‘full’ milk, so even a small amount can hold off your baby’s hunger,” says Heather Kelly, an international board-certified lactation consultant in New York City and a member of the Bravado Breastfeeding Information Council’s advisory board.

When your full milk comes in (usually three to four days after delivery), it is higher in both sugar and volume than colostrum—again, just what your baby requires. “He needs a lot of calories and frequent feedings to fuel his rapid growth,” Kelly explains. “Your mature milk is designed to be digested quickly so he’ll eat often.”

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Constipation in Children

Constipation is a condition of improper bowel movement. Usually the child experiences pain and has a hard time passing dry and hard stool. In normal condition there is no pain while passing the stool and it has a soft texture. The bowel movement is also regular. A child having constipation not only finds it difficult to pass stool, but at times will feel the urge to pass and when he goes to the toilet, he cannot relive himself.

The digestive system is responsible from the intake of the food to the smooth passage of waste. The food or fluids are consumed from the mouth, which heads towards the stomach via the food pipe. After the stomach treats the food with acid, it passes on to the small intestines and then to the large intestines, also known as bowels. The final stage of food digestion is the outlet through of the waste through the anus and rectum. During the whole processing, the body parts absorb nutrients and water from the food supplied to them. The left over matter comes out as waste.

It is a myth among some people who say that an individual is constipated if he or she doesn’t pass stool on a daily basis. But the truth is that the bathroom habit differs from one individual to other. So if constipation is to be checked the regular pattern of bathroom habit of that particular individual must be checked and the comparisons must not be made with the other.

Other than not passing stool regularly, the child feels full most of the times and is a little uncomfortable. The belly can also feel stretched because of the full feeling. The child makes great effort to pass and the experience is very painful. Even after passing, the child may feel the urge of passing more stools. Because of the hard stool, it cause small tears in the anus skin and there will be little blood on the toilet paper. The child should immediately tell this to his parents, who can take care of the situation immediately.  Some kids who have a worse condition will pass watery stool, something similar to diarrhea, and mucus along with the hard stool.

Constipation is becoming more and more widespread because of the unhealthy diet pattern followed by most of us today. With the trend of fast food, other fatty, starchy and sugary foods, children aren’t getting the required amount of fiber, which in turn slows down the bowels. It is the responsibility of the parents to make their children eat fiber enriched foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Along with eating food rich with fiber, it is also a must to drink enough fluids. Water is the best fluid for this condition. Fluids help to soften the stool and allow smooth passage within the intestine. Insufficient intake of fluids makes the stool dry and hard. Children are becoming more stagnant because of video games, internet and television, which are leaving them with little or no time for physical exercise. Exercise helps the food to move through the digestive system. Lesser active play time and physical activity is also a major cause of constipation. Medicines should be avoided and should be taken only when doctor recommends them.

Stress and anxiety can play havoc over the digestive system. School going kids are usually stressed out because of the homework, assignments, and exams. An adult can talk the kid out of the stress. Children, who have the irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, worsen their condition because of stress. Spicy and fatty foods can also act as triggers, along with the stress. Kids having this syndrome might even experience gas and belly pain.  Sometimes children avoid going to the bathroom when they feel the need for. Usually unclean restrooms keep children away. But when the nature’s call is neglected, it becomes harder to go at a later time. In very rare cases, medical conditions such as lupus, diabetes and thyroid gland malfunctioning can also lead to constipation.

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