Yoga improves mood

Researchers at Boston University found that practicing yoga is an effective way to improve mood and reduce anxiety. They analyzed the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is synthesized in the brain and improves its recovery function.

Low levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid are associated with the occurrence of depression and anxiety, explain specialists.

In a study involving two randomized groups of volunteers, the research team is trying to determine the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid and how they affect the mental health of the participants.

For 12 weeks the first group practiced yoga three times a week with a duration of one hour. The second is checksum.

 

Researchers monitored the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid using the magnetic resonance imaging before and after the start of the study.

The results show that levels gamma-aminobutyric acid volunteers practicing yoga, are higher than those of the control group. After an interview with a specialist to determine the mental health of volunteers, it was found that the first group with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression as opposed to the second.

The results and conclusions of the study are published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

 

 

For a healthy and strong heart - purify your arteries through these natural foods

Avocado
During the study of Mexico in 1996 was found that people who eat avocado every day for one week, the signed 17 per cent drop in the levels of their total cholesterol. Simultaneously, in the blood of lovers avocado was noticed a rise in the quantities of good HDL cholesterol.

 Whole Grains
Soluble fiber, found in whole-grain content of bread, brown rice and oatmeal are associated with cholesterol and help his removal out of the body. That is why this kind of food is considered one of the best friends of a healthy heart.

 Sterols 
Sterols are compounds that are figuratively "compete" with cholesterol for absorption of nutrients are trapped in the gastrointestinal tract. Sterols have the ability to reduce high levels of bad LDL cholesterol, and most often they can be acquired through consumption of quality fresh milk, margarine and orange juice or juices.

 Pomegranate
Pomegranate is rich in phytochemicals that act as antioxidants, protecting the lining of the artery damage. Study in 2005, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that regular consumption of pomegranate stimulates the natural production of more nitric oxide, which in turn facilitates blood flow and keep arteries open to nutrients passing through them.

 Broccoli
Broccoli is an excellent source of valuable vitamin K, which interferes with calcium damaging arteries. Because of its vast fiber, broccoli also contribute to the efficient and lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol.

 Turmeric
Spice turmeric and its active substances - curcumin have potent anti-inflammatory properties help reduce internal inflammation, which are among the main culprits for the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Moreover, curcumin and helps to reduce the fat depositions in the arteries up to 26%.

 Watermelon
Regular eating of watermelon has a positive effect not only on yourself slim the figure, but also the successful regulation of blood pressure. This delicious summer fruit contains within itself robust amounts of the amino acid citrulline, which stimulates the production of nitric oxide and helps in dilation of arterial blood vessels.

Olive oil loses its valuable antioxidant when you cooke

Cooking with expensive extra virgin olive oil is pointless waste of resources, warn researchers from the University of Porto. During a series of experiments, Portuguese researchers found that during thermal treatment the beneficial phenolic compounds in olive oil lose their properties. Precisely these phenolic compounds are mostly linked with the main antioxidative active substances that protect the cells in the human body against oxidative stress and the development of cancer.

Olive oil has long been considered one of the healthiest additions to any diet. Many nutritionists are even of the opinion that it should be widely used in the preparation of various foods. However, experts from the University of Porto strongly defend their thesis that there is absolutely no sense to cook with it - "Whether frying, boiling soup or cook meals in the microwave for heating the concentration of phenolic compounds in olive oil drastically reduced. Furthermore - in terms of the end result, in the heat treatment extra virgin olive oil inevitably becomes simple oil or even cooking oil in the standard. But you talk to flavor salads and fresh products - olive oil really is the perfect healthy choice. "

Muscle Hypertrophy

Muscle hypertrophy is a term which means the increase in volume of the muscles due to the growth of muscle cells, especially muscle fibers.

  The amount of muscle in the human body depends precisely on the number of muscle fibers and their density - two indicators that can be successfully increased by compensatory effects caused by heavy weight training.

 How it works - every muscle (or muscle group) is made up of bundles of muscle fibers. Loads and physical stress which arises during exercises with weights, making the structure of each muscle fiber thicker and dense. This physiological process gives inflated appearance of the muscles, which are dreaming all cross the threshold of finesse gym.

 To achieve quality muscle hypertrophy and increased muscle growth the most important condition is to maintain a good protein synthesis. He for its part depends on the proper nutrients that enters the body and allow it to meet the needs of the internal processes that have the greatest impact on the accumulation of lean muscle mass.

25 basic fitness facts that you should be aware to be able to achieve progress in the gym

1. Losing weight is not so much physical as mental challenge - it's all in your head and the biggest change has to start right there.

2. Dehydration of the muscles with only 3% can cause a 10 percent loss of their physical strength.

3. Proteins have the highest thermic effect of food (TEF)

4. Just because you're weak, does not automatically mean you have a low body fat percentage

5. Squats are an exercise that should be compulsory in any exercise program

 6. Body burns at times more calories over 23 hours, during which do not training than in one hour, during which it is subjected to intense physical activity.

7. 1 gram of carbohydrates contains 4 calories. 1 gram fat contains 9 calories. 1 gram of protein contains 4 calories. 1 gram of alcohol contains 7 calories.

8. To remove 0,5 kg of body weight you have to burn 3500 calories

9. An average person can store up to 500 grams of glycogen in its body

10. Muscle glycogen is composed of about 3 parts water and 1 part glucose.

 11. Can not cause fat loss in only one part of the body such as the abdomen. The truth is that belly will start decrease, even when the total percentage of fat in the body decline.

12. Muscle weighs as much as fat, but unlike them, they are denser and therefore muscular body always looks visually weaker though weight loss is the same as the limp.
  
13. Formulas for calculating body fat and ideal weight based on the ratio between height and weight can not be accurate because they do not take into account the individual physiological characteristics of each individual.

14. The more intense it is a workout, the greater effect it has on the burning calorie of the end of the physical activity.

15. By itself not eating late at night leads to weight gain - overeating, however in the TV during your favorite show or series night surely will make the scales jump up.

16. That in its content a product is listed as "whole grain" does not make it healthy.

17. There is a direct correlation between high fitness level of the people close to you, and your own physical form.

18. Much more difficult to gain 5 kg pure muscle mass than to download 5 kg body fat

19. In people over age 18, mast cells can be created but not lost - only shrunken.

20. 90% of the healthiest foods in the big chain stores are located in the perimeter around the shelves of fruit and vegetables

 

21. There are 3 types of skeletal muscle fibers - slow oxidative fibers, fast oxidative fibers, white muscle fibers.

22. The increase in physical strength is achieved by the hypertrophy of the muscles.

23. The more muscle a person has, the more calories can burn his body when at rest.

24. Healthy levels of testosterone in the body are equally important for both men and women.

25. 80% of people who start training fitness regime quit after the first or second week

8 easy ways to avoid weight gain during holidays

1. Rent a room with kitchen

Get an apartment or room with kitchen, kitchenette or at least a refrigerator, so you can load your favorite healthy foods. This way the healthy diet will not stay home and you will avoid large or too fat and calorie dishes in restaurants. As dinner resort's always a thrill, go out to eat out at night, and for breakfast and lunch prepare something delicious on your own.


2. Active therapy with something new to listen to

Motivation to stay active during the holidays, instead of lying in bed until early afternoon, sometimes the biggest challenge. Something that can help is the new music and audiobooks that you create the right mood when you come to stir into action. This way you won't torture with the dilemma cardio or book - you can have them 2 in 1!

3. Lark, early trains

Studies have shown that the people who train in the morning  follow fitness regime easier. Simply exercises at morning the minimum impediment to a busy schedule during the day and are less likely to forget them. The same goes for the holidays, especially if you are sleepyhead. And do not ruin when you exit to run on the beach, for example - 10-20 minutes of physical activity sufficient, especially given that the only problem is your metabolism to stay awake during the holidays.

4. Pack the training Bands

Dumbbells can weigh heavily your luggage, but with training elastics there is no such danger. With them you'll make easy, and fun exercises for the whole body without even having to leave the room. You do not know training programs with elastics? YouTube is always there! 

5. Attractions here attraction there!

Even if you do not do your typical workout, you can always burn calories by walking around the local sights and mini-tours. If you get a mountain trail with a backpack you were moving 490 calories per hour, cycling will burn 420, and rock climbing - up to about 563 calories. If going to the resort, as well choose one that offers a wide selection of such activities - yoga, kayaking, beach volleyball, there are ways to have fun while taking care of your body!
  
6. Stairs and hills

Book your room on high - whether in house / hotel on a hill or on the higher floors of the hotel and use the stairs instead of the elevator. If there are sights that require boarding or disembarking not delay a little and visit them! And do not go in the first directional restaurant, walk a little further.

7. If the hotel probably has a fitness 

In order to not worry about exercise equipment, you can always head to the hotel gym. Or at least with yoga classes or pilates. If you have not tried it yet, do not worry - you vacation is the time to try something new?

 8. Travel with running shoes or sneakers

The most common justification for rounded tummy after a holiday is likely: "I forgot to put my running shoes in the luggage." As not likely to wear costumes during the vacation, travel with sports shoes. And this way will be easier to run if you miss the bus, train or plane.

The workout of Brazilian fitness icon Andreia Breyziar

For 16 years Andreia Breyziar is walking on the world's catwalks its phenomenal body, which in 2012 managed to bring her the prestigious title of WBFF Pro & International Fitness Model World Champion.

1. Side V-Oblique - 5 series x 20 

2. One-Arm Dumbbell Row - 3 series x 20

3. Barbell Bench Press - 3 series x 20 

4. Triceps Dip - 3 series x 20 

5. Barbell Curl - 3 series x 25 

6. Helicopter (dumbell or kettlebel) - 4 series x 15 

7. Bent Over Barbell Row - 5 series x 20