The Benefits of Natural Protein Powder for Your Health And Fitness Goals

Protein shakes: Natural or not?

The addition of a protein supplement is an excellent idea for anyone wishing to build muscle, lose body fat, and increase overall health. However, not all protein powders are created equal. It is important to find a natural protein powder that provides you with the protein your body demands without the health risks from artificial additives.

There are a few marketing pitfalls you should be aware of before purchasing a natural protein powder. We shall look at some of these in this article.

Truly Natural Protein Powder

Unfortunately, a lot of companies are misleading when they market their protein powders. They may use words like “natural” and “nature” even if they do not meet the standards of true naturalness. Such companies intend to draw you in, rather than give you a product that truly fulfills your wishes. A genuinely natural protein powder should always meet the following criteria.

• Specifically says “100% All Natural”. Beware of so-called protein powders that say something along the lines of “Made with Natural Ingredients.” When a product is simply made with natural ingredients, and does not specify percentages, it may still contain synthetic or unnatural components.
• Hormone-free. Farmers often use growth hormones as a cost-effective means to increase their yield, but these hormones may have harmful side effects.
• No artificial colors. Coloring is often added to make the powder’s color match the flavor. For example, chocolate-flavored powders may be artificially colored to look brown. While this is aesthetically appealing, it is not natural.
• No artificial sweeteners or flavors. Often, companies market “light” or “low carb” protein powders without stipulating whether artificial sweeteners were added in place of sugars. Natural protein powders may have natural sweeteners, but should never have artificial sweeteners or flavors.

A truly natural protein powder will fulfill each of the above conditions. Always read the label including ingredient list on protein supplements before purchasing.

Beware of some "low calorie" artificial sweeteners. Natural sweeteners are fine for adding flavor. Also be on the lookout for ingredients with FCF (For Coloring Food) in the name, as these are artificial colorings.

Harmful Side Effects of Unnatural Protein Powder

While you may know that natural protein powder is best, you may be questioning why unnatural ingredients are shunned.

First, growth hormones known as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) are typically commonly found in popular milk-based protein powders such as whey and casein. , is strongly linked to cancer. Even though the link has been well-established, many protein powders still contain bovine growth hormone.

Artificial sweeteners are linked to cancer and atherosclerosis. Some are also correlated with fatigue and memory loss. Artificial sweeteners are not readily absorbed by the body, which is the reason behind their low calorie content. Therefore, high intake of artificial sweeteners may result in abdominal discomfort, gas, and diarrhea.

Other Important Qualities of Protein Powder

The proper ratio of macronutrients will increase muscle mass and decrease body fat. A high-grade protein powder should contain at least 20 grams of protein and a few grams of fiber per serving. It should also be low in carbohydrates and sugar. Avoid protein powders with excessive calories (more than 200 calories per serving).

A lot of protein powders boast a very high number of protein grams, even though the human body can only absorb a certain amount at a time. A time-released protein blend of fast-acting and slow-acting proteins maximizes the efficiency of your protein powder. It works by slowly releasing the protein into your system overtime while giving you the dose you need right away.

Another very helpful component found in select protein powders is the addition of an enzyme blend that enhances protein absorption and digestion. You do not want to buy a protein supplement, only to have your kidneys working overtime to filter out most of the protein. An enzymatic addition, along with a time-released blend, combats this concern.

Protein powders are not created equal. Finding one with all the right ingredients can work by itself. But we have done the work for you. Check out this premium protein blend now.

References for this article:

Wikipedia: Bovine somatotropin
Harvard Health Publications: Artificial sweeteners: sugar-free, but at what cost?

Statements made on this page have not been evaluated by Food and Drug Administration. The product(s) featured or linked is/are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, on medication, or have a medical condition, consult a licensed medical practitioner before starting on a new supplement.

The Truth About Xtend Life Total Balance

Best Natural Multivitamin or Second Best?

One of the biggest challenges that most people face is not getting enough proper nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals within their diet. Even if you are a health nut and you have a well balanced diet filed with nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables and meats; there is still a strong likelihood that you are missing vital nutrients.

Consequently, many people as a result go out and buy a whole range of supplements, multivitamins and other herbal remedies to make up for the lack essential nutrients.

With that being said, not all multivitamin supplements are created equal. Some are made with synthetic ingredients and even petrochemicals that can actually do harm while really trying to improve your health.

You want a multivitamin made with natural ingredients. A very popular and highly recommended supplement on the market right now is Xtend-Life Total Balance.

This popular supplement is an enhanced multivitamin that contains properties that may facilitate hormonal balancing, speedy healing and recovery, brain health, and even fat loss.

What Are The Active Ingredients?

There is a variety of formulas of Xtend-Life Total Balance. And unlike some of the multivitamins out there that are made from petrochemicals and other synthetic ingredients, Xtend-Life Total Balance formulas are all are made from natural sources.

There are seven varieties that are suited for different populations of people such as men, women, children, older adults, etc. The ingredients will range depending on which version of the supplement you purchase.

Nonetheless, the ingredients facilitate optimization of healthy hormones, regenerative processes and most importantly - anti-aging properties. Xtend-Life Total Balance contains green tea extra which is a natural energy enhancing and fat burning ingredient that is perfect for all individuals regardless of sex and age. This popular supplement also contains a blend of amino acids which is key to muscle recovery, growth and fat loss.

Are There Any Side Effects?

There have been no reports of side effects from taking Xtend-Life Total Balance. Of course, individuals differ and you never really know about all the allergies you have or may develop. However, this product is simply a very well-formulated multivitamin made from the finest natural ingredients.

Obviously, before taking any new supplement, if you have any allergies, are pregnant or nursing, consult with a physician.

Why Should I Choose This Over Other Multivitamins?

For starters, many supplement companies often do not disclose the full list of active ingredients and other compounds on the labels of their popular lines of vitamins and supplements. However, Xtend-Life Total Balance gives a complete list of active ingredients, co-factors and amino acids along with the role they play in helping the body.

Secondly, if you frequently exercise, understand that your body is being constantly depleted of amino acids (the building blocks of protein), electrolytes and other minerals necessary for growth and recovery.

While no multivitamin can offer everything in a single pill, Xtend-Life Total Balance is a complete multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains top quality ingredients from natural sources. The nutrients in these product may help in preventing skeletal and muscular degeneration, oxidative stress and other cellular breakdowns associated with aging.

And if you are not 100% satisfied with the product, you are covered with a 6 months guarantee. Just return the unused portion for a full refund.

Check Out Xtend-Life Total Balance Now

Leptin Supplements and Fat Loss

Why  It Is So Hard To Lose Weight When Dieting

When it comes to weight loss and transforming one's body - dieting at times can become very frustrating. Initially, many people who begin a dieting and exercise regimen experience great results until eventually they experience the dreadful "plateau".

Many individuals employ different dieting strategies, try different workout routines, and unfortunately waste money on fat loss supplements to break out of their plateau. However, what most people fail to realize is that the hormone leptin regulates fat loss and understanding its role in fat loss is key to shedding unwanted body fat.

What is Leptin?

Leptin is one of the most important hormones produced by your body's endocrine system. It is classified as an "adipose-derived" hormone and regulates important human bodily functions such as appetite, hunger and most importantly fat loss. Leptin is found primarily in the fat cells of white adipose tissue. Leptin is also found circulating in brown fat tissue, the placenta, ovaries, muscle, stomach, bone marrow, liver and pituitary gland.

Leptin and Fat Loss

When individuals begin dieting and exercising, leptin directs the body to use body fat reserves as a fuel source in place of calories derived from food consumption. Once leptin becomes depleted, usually after seven consecutive days of calorie-restricted dieting - individuals will begin to see a plateau in fat loss. Depletion of leptin signals the brain to hinder the utilization of body fat for energy. This is dominant reason why individuals experience a plateau in their weight loss efforts.

Supplements to decrease Leptin Resistance

When individuals begin to experience a plateau in their weight loss efforts, many are often told to : increase the intensity of their exercise routines, start taking various fat burners, and or change dieting strategies. However, what most personal trainers, fitness coaches, nutritionists and others fail to recognize is that leptin plays a powerful role in fat loss. If an individual has been consistently dieting for some time, their body will become increasingly insensitive to leptin. The body will learn how to adapt to a calorie-restricted diet and will make the necessary metabolic adjustments in order to prevent further fat loss. It will become an utmost necessity to begin researching various leptin supplements and begin incorporating them into one's diet in order to improve leptin sensitivity and break out of a frustrating fat loss plateau.

Ingredients within Leptin Supplements

There are a variety of leptin supplements on the market, however BioTrust Nutrition's Leptiburn supplement contains the right combination of ingredients in order to improve the body's ability to process leptin, delivering excellent fat loss results. This product contains

• Irvingia Gabonensis: a key ingredient that helps improve leptin sensitive by inhibiting the production of C-reactive protein (CRP).
• Oleanolic Acid: a compound derived from olive tree leaves that aids in the healthy production of leptin.
• Modifilan: a powerful ingredient found in seaweed that stimulates the adrenals to increase the production of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Increased stimulation and production of TSH leads to greater production of leptin in adipose tissue.

Click Here to Check Out Leptiburn

Agel PRO - Agel Products, Nutritional Supplements, Diet Products

agel PRO Nutritional Supplements

Agel PRO packs a protein punch in a convenient, single-serve package. PRO is perfect for a between-meal pick-me-up, without the hassle of mixing powders, swallowing a pill, or consuming a pasty, tasteless bar. And the protein in PRO is absorbed quickly—which means faster impact on your body.

Hunger doesn't always coincide with proper mealtime.
For those times when you need a healthy, quick snack solution or extra protein for your training regimen, PRO is ideal. Its 10 grams of protein help build muscle and maintain overall body conditioning, all from an inexpensive and easily carried package.

Our bodies use protein every day to support our health and well-being.
Protein increases metabolism and helps produce healthy muscle, organ tissue, and bones. It also plays a vital role in strengthening the immune system.

Agel PRO is a balanced protein gel that serves a wide variety of nutrition needs for a large number of people. Most people associate protein products with body builders or severe athletes. But, on the contrary, this balanced protein gel can be beneficial to practically everybody. In effect, it is useful for athletes who want to engage in severe muscle building, for individuals concerned with weight management, or simply for anybody who wants a mini-meal replacement or in-between meal snack.

Our protein is a complete source for all nine essential amino acids.
It's an easy-to-digest, incredibly rich source of the critical amino acids that give athletes an edge by metabolizing directly into muscle tissue. It also is an excellent source of leucine, an essential amino acid that helps build lean muscle mass while promoting fat loss.

What can PRO do for you?
Here are just a few of the many potential benefits:
Provides convenient access to protein then you need it
Gives you a healthy snack option
Helps build muscle
Can assist in weight loss

Agel HRT - Agel Products, Nutritional Supplements, Diet Products

agel HRT Nutritional Supplements

Agel HRT puts your heart in the right place.
A well-functioning heart is essential for good health, and the unique blend of nutrients in HRT can help you achieve the best heart possible. This scientifically formulated and technologically advanced gel is designed specifically to help protect your heart, fuel your myocardial system, and maintain healthy levels of cholesterol.

HRT can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Bad news is that elevated levels of certain kinds of cholesterol can lead to heart attack or stroke. Good news is that, in conjunction with diet and exercise, HRT can help you keep your cholesterol in check.

HRT can fuel and protect your heart.
With its blend of antioxidants and other nutrients, HRT offers the heart energy and protection. Taurine, for example, can reduce damage done to the heart, while carnitine helps increase myocardial energy production—and these are just two examples of all the heart-oriented components found in HRT.

Get to the heart of the matter.
The condition of your heart can have a big impact on your life. So eat right and exercise. And to augment your healthy heart lifestyle, consider the unique blend of nutrients found in HRT.

Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Oyster Mushroom Powder, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, Policosanol

What can HRT do for you?
Here are just a few of the many potential benefits:
Helps to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol
Gives your heart energy
Helps to reduce damage to the heart
Supplements a heart-healthy life

Agel UMI - Agel Products, Nutritional Supplements, Diet Products

agel UMI Nutritional Supplements
Fucoidan is one of the most exciting nutritional discoveries of the last decade, so it's important that millions discover it for themselves. UMI is rich in this amazing ingredient derived from brown seaweed, which for centuries has been heralded by cultures with famously long life spans.

Find out what many have known for centuries.
In coastal and island cultures around the world, fucoidan-rich brown seaweed has been considered a staple of healthy nutrition for centuries. It looks like they were on to something. Their choice to include seaweed in their diet is now supported by science. There are hundreds of studies already published about the potential health benefits of fucoidan, and many other health experts and scientists are now exploring the possibilities of this incredible nutrient.

Ingredients
The active ingredient in UMI is Fucoidan, which is a component of brown seaweed. For centuries, brown seaweed has been considered a natural source of healthy food and nutrition. But, it has only been recently that further research has identified Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, as the true source of the health and wellness benefits of this oceanic wonder. As an antioxidant, fucoidan has piqued the interest of many scientists and researchers as one of the ocean’s greatest treasures. However, as scientists have continued to explore this complex molecule, more and more of its health benefits have been identified. Fucoidan is like a closely guarded secret kept by those coastal societies that have enjoyed the wonderful health benefits of the Fucoidan polysaccharide for centuries. Epidemiological studies conducted in those societies where brown seaweed is consumed on a regular basis have identified lower rates of many diseases plaguing our society. Scientific research suggests that many health conditions could be impacted in a positive way by the regular consumption of Fucoidan. Among them are: cancer, heart disease, rheumatism and arthritis (inflammation), high blood pressure, infectious disease, gastrointestinal function, and immune modulation.

Improve your immune system.
Fucoidan has been shown to sustain and promote better health. It also helps promote the health of white blood cells, and supports their production in the body. Healthy white blood cells are a critical part of your body's imuno-response.

What can UMI do for you?
Here are just a few of the many potential benefits:
Helps replace dead cells enabling tissue and organ regeneration
Supports the immune system by increasing healthy white blood cells
Provides assistance to the circulatory and cardiac system in maintaining normal blood flow and cardiac function
Assists in inducing apoptosis – the natural means by which organisms eliminate harmful cells Supports proper liver and kidney function

Agel FIT - Agel Products, Nutritional Supplements, Diet Products

agel FIT Nutritional Supplements
Losing weight can be a huge struggle. But FIT can help you finally win the battle of the bulge. Being overweight increases your chances for health problems and decreases your ability to do things. Overcoming it isn't easy, but using FIT as part of your weight control program can help.

FIT fits perfectly with your weight control program. 
To reduce your weight, you have to eat less and move more. But FIT can also help. If you take FIT gels before two meals, you may increase the effectiveness of your weight control program. That's because it contains an active ingredient called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) that comes from the fruit and rind of garcinia cambogia.

Prevent your body from storing unused carbohydrates.
Clinical studies have shown that HCA prevents your body from storing unused carbohydrates and inhibits fat production. In other words, it helps you win the battle between how many calories you consume and how many calories you burn. Whenever you win this battle, you lose weight.

Eat less, move more, and lose weight.
Another benefit of HCA is that it is a mild appetite suppressant. If taken 30-60 minutes before a meal, it can help you eat less. If you eat less and move more, you can win the battle of the bulge. And few things benefit your health more than losing those extra pounds. Studies show that weight loss helps maintain healthy blood pressure, improves sleep, and can add years to a person's life.

Ingredients
FIT contains the extract of Garcinia cambogia, a small yellow-orange tree fruit from Southern India. Garcinia cambogia contains high concentrations of hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Agel uses the natural, active patent pending 
Super Citrimax (-)hydroxycitric acid, a concentrated water-soluble extract from Garcinia cambogia.

What can FIT do for you?
Here are just a few of the many potential benefits:
Now with Hoodia
May help suppress the appetite
May inhibit fat synthesis
May increase the burning of fat
Supports healthy reduction in your body weight
Helps the body's normal production of serotoninCan increase the effectiveness of a weight loss program over diet and exercise alone