Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Benefits of Whey Protein

Recently, the subject of whey protein has often come up in health discussions.  To know what whey protein is its possible benefits, its side effects, and other valuable information, please read on. 

What is Whey Protein?

Whey protein is actually a group of globular proteins that can be extracted from whey.  When cow’s milk is used to manufacture cheese, it also leads to the production of whey, which may or may not be
discarded.  It is a mixture of lacto globulin, alpha-lactalbumin, and serum albumin.  Similar to protein found in egg white, whey protein can also be irreversibly changed by heat.  When part of the pasteurization process, it becomes less bio-active; otherwise, whey protein naturally becomes bio-active which basically means it contains a high concentration of cytokine and consequently glutathione, an antioxidant that is essential to improved fitness and health.

Bio-active whey protein is an active source of protein, but exposure to extreme heat can easily reduce the amount of cysteine in it without affecting its protein content and basic food value.

Native Whey Protein -- What Makes It Good for the Body

Because whey protein contains an inordinate amount of essential and non-essential acids, it frequently plays a prominent role in most low-crab and high-protein diets.  Another reason for this is because of its low content of fats and of course, carbohydrates.

Why Expectant Mothers Love Whey Protein

A number of OBs have advised their gravid patients to increase their intake of whey protein because it will provide the basic amount of amino acids needed by the growing fetuses inside their bodies.  An increased intake of whey protein will naturally improve and speed up the development of the baby.  Also, increased intake of whey protein will indirectly improve the immune system of the baby.  In its growing stages, it is highly vulnerable to different types of illness.  With the help of whey protein, the baby grows faster and better and more equipped to defend itself against any health complication.

Whey Protein for Bodybuilding Enthusiasts

For bodybuilders, muscle growth is everything and that’s why they love whey protein so much.  Studies have satisfactorily proven that whey protein can lead to acceleration of muscle development.  This is welcome news especially for bodybuilders who are only a few weeks away from the date of competition, but is still in high need for muscle growth.

How it Helps Athletes Busy Recovering from Old Injuries

In this case, whey protein saves the day once more because it can be used to supplement diets of individuals who are suffering from compromised immune systems.  Basically, it helps athletes heal faster and feel better.

A Weapon against Degenerative Diseases

Although you can’t truly say that any disease is less painful than the other if both have life-altering
consequences, it is an inarguable fact however that degenerative diseases are one of the worst health complications to suffer from.  These illnesses tend to subject people to a protracted form of suffering and symptoms with increased levels of severity.  They commonly affect three systems in particular: the nervous system, the muscular system, and the skeletal system.

Although rarely curable, degenerative diseases can be treated through chemotherapy, surgical operations, and the proper diet.  Whey protein is often a part of this diet because of its rehabilitative benefits especially when it comes to muscle growth.  Cancer, diabetes, and AIDS have symptoms that cause muscle strength and growth to deteriorate – an undesirable effect that can be combated with increased intake of whey protein.

Where to Buy Whey Protein

Are you sufficiently convinced of the benefits of whey protein?  If so, you should be happy to know that you can find whey protein products in most supermarkets and specialty food stores such as health food stores. 

Ending with a Warning

Whey protein is good for the body – no doubt about it – but too much consumption of anything is never beneficial.  Too much intake of whey protein can lead to unnecessary complications of your liver.  Also, do you remember and understand that the liver is the next most important organ in the body?  

Lastly, lactose intolerant individuals must consume whey protein separate rather than the normal variety as the former has less lactose content.

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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Purchasing Pet Insurance

When our pets get sick, we want to provide the best health care possible. But how do we know if hospitalization, treatment, and medication would cost about $3000.00, possibly more? Pet insurance allows pet owners to have options on how they could provide better for their pets. After all, our pets are not just animals around the house; they are our companions.

In the United States, only 3% of Americans have insurance for their pets. This is low compared to other countries such as Canada which has 19% of pets insured and with Sweden with an outstanding 49%.

A lot of pet owners are undecided as to whether getting pet insurance would be able to benefit them and their animal companions. Let’s understand the advantages and disadvantages of getting pet insurance so we will be able to guide ourselves in making the best decisions.

Advantages

The gist of having a pet insurance policy is to make sure in case of medical emergencies and accidents, your pets are well provided for. When unforeseen circumstances happen, it would be difficult for the pet owner to immediately come up with a large amount of money. How many pet owners were forced to touch their personal funds for the sake of their pets?

Depending on the kind of insurance plan, coverage could also include vaccinations, spray, neuter, and even flea medications. Veterinary costs are increasing rapidly. There are already sophisticated medications that could deal with your pet’s sickness. Therefore, having pet insurance could actually save your beloved animal from euthanasia.

Aside from medical reasons, there are also insurance policies that could cover rewards, posters, advertising, and financial assistance for pet owners whose pets have been stolen. In these cases, insurance companies could even provide assistance in acquiring a new pet.

Another kind of insurance will be for kennels and boarding, which will answer the question of when something bad happens to the owner and nobody could take the pets in. This is a pet insurance policy that could help with the costs of kennels and boarding.

Disadvantages

Some pet insurance policies tend to be overly expensive. However, there are pet insurance companies offering lower plans. You would just have to know what kind of coverage you would like in your plan so you can choose the appropriate insurance policy for your pet. Prices also tend to be different based on the animal and its breed. There are some animal breeds that would require expensive medical treatments; for example, when a big dog such as a German Shepherd has an injured hip, the treatment tends to be expensive.

Pet insurance policies are also very particular with pre-existing conditions. If your dog is sick and old, then you would probably have problems getting them on an insurance plan. Most insurance companies do not pay the bill upfront. What happens is that the pet owner would have to pay for it and then will get reimbursed after the fact.

There are times when the pet owner is not able to pay the entire costs for treatments. For this, there are vet clinics who would allow the pet owner to pay the bill in installments and the insurance company will fix the balance directly. Before a pet owner could take advantage of or use the insurance, there may need to be a wait period of a few days to two weeks before the coverage would start.

Thinking about it, purchasing a pet insurance policy definitely would have its pros and cons. It would definitely be your call as a pet owner if you would like to get an insurance policy for your pet, but it is important to always keep in mind our responsibility as pet owners as well as our pets’ welfare.

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Friday, March 4, 2011

A Rant

Right now there seems to be confusion in my life. Where am I going, what's going on, etc, etc. etc.

The computer's been going slow, and I don't know what to do
What is the method I should pursue?
Shall I get angry which will get me nothing?
Or should I just shut up and do something?
It seems the only way to explain
Is that nothing will be done if I only complain.

Now that I've decided the way
I should just do what I say
Therefore there is something I must do
If only I knew
What the solution must be
To do what is best for me.

This is the rant I right now hold
But if only I should be so bold
As to take what I had
And see if I really want it that bad
For I can see it as the way
To try and live for a better day!

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