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With all the weight loss products available, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. That is why we need to compare weight loss supplement products carefully before buying them. Its not enough to just compare weight loss supplement products by brand. compare them based on how they work, their side effects (if any), how fast they work, and their prices. Here is a simple guide to help you out.

Prescription weight loss supplements
You can compare weight loss supplement products based on whether you can buy them with or without a prescription. Prescription weight loss supplements are usually given to obese patients who need more potent medications. Obese patients are those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, although a BMI of 27 may require the same medication if the patient has a high risk of heart disease or other complications. Prescription drugs are also given to those who are having a hard time losing weight, even with proper diet and regular exercise. These drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Effectiveness may vary from person to person, but most users lose around 5% to 10% of their original weight.

Another way to compare weight loss supplement products is by the way they work. The two most common types are appetite suppressants and fat blockers. Almost all prescription weight loss supplements work as appetite suppressants, except for Orlistat (Xenical). Approved by the FDA in 1999 as an anti-obesity drug, it works by inhibiting the lipase enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary fat in the body. Xenical can decrease the body's fat absorption by up to 30%. However, it comes with minor side effects, such as cramping, flatulence, intestinal discomfort, oily stools, and diarrhea.

Meridia
Another popular weight loss supplement is Meridia. Unlike Xenical, it is an appetite suppressant, so it works in a completely different manner. It received approval from the FDA in 1997 and works by increasing brain chemicals believed to help reduce one's appetite.

Despite its FDA approval, however, Meridia has been linked to increased heart rate and blood pressure. It should not be used by those with hypertension , heart disease, irregular heartbeat, and congenital heart problems. Other side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, and headaches.

Short-term supplements
You can also compare weight loss supplement products based on how long you can use them. Some anti-obesity drugs are prescribed by doctors, but approved by the FDA only for limited and short-term use. Examples are Desoxyn (methamphetamine), Bontril (phendimetrazine tartrate), Adipex-P (phentermine), and Ionamin. These drugs are restricted because of their potential side effects. They should not be used by people who have high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, or an over-active thyroid gland. Since they are speedy, they are only approved for a maximum of three weeks.

Over-the-counter weight loss supplements
Some products are available over the counter, with no prescription needed. When you compare weight loss supplement products of this type, be sure to look at their ingredients, supposed benefits, and potential side effects. Most OTC weight loss supplements contain phenylpropanolamine as their main active ingredient.

The phenylpropanolamine scare
Phenylpropanolamine is also used as a nasal decongestant. However, studies have found evidence that it increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding in the brain. Because of this, the FDA has requested the drugs manufacturers to stop selling products containing the ingredient. The FDA has also warned consumers through a public health advisory in November 2000 to stop buying and using such products.

Unproven claims
Since the FDA does not strictly regulate supplements, many weight loss product manufacturers make false claims about their products. You never know when a promising product will turn out to be a fake or contain something harmful to your health.

Be especially careful of products with the labels natural or herbal. These terms do not necessarily guarantee safety. Not all herbal ingredients are safe; in fact, some may even be dangerous for people with existing medical conditions. If you are unsure about a product, check with your doctor first and do a little research on your own. Learn which ingredients to look out for and which ones to avoid. Remember, labels dont tell you everything, so always get a second opinion.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

Relaxing in Style: Florida Investment Properties

In Florida, relaxing in the sun and sand is a way of life. Theres no better way to experience a slice of Florida living than buying your own space. Florida Investment Property provide just thata place that you can return to year after year for the perfect vacation. One of the pleasures of living and vacationing in this peninsula state is that no matter where you go, the warm, inviting beach is nearby. Floridas attractions can also be in your neighborhood when you decide on a Florida Investment Property.

Inland, youll find Florida Investment Properties in every city and vacation destination. From tiny beachfront flats to grand sky-scraping apartment homes, youll find a range of choices and prices to consider. Florida Investment Properties can be just about any property with a Florida style that becomes your home away from home.

A condominium gives you and your family easy access to Floridas unparalleled beaches and attractions. A comfortable space where you can come and go as you please, Florida Investment Properties offer a way for visitors to get a taste of Florida living. Many of the most affordable condos lie near attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Florida Investment Properties allow families to split their time between the excitement of theme parks and the relaxing calm of the waves.

Finding Florida Investment Property

There are plenty of perfect locations for Florida Investment Properties. From the historic sands of St. Augustine to the urban shores of Miami Beach, the beautiful Gulf of Mexico to the roaring surf of the Atlantic in Daytona. At any of these spots you can find a wealth of properties for sale in central Florida. Below are the hot spots for Florida investment property. In these locations, Florida Investment Properties describe a certain way of living and can be right beside the waves or a few miles inland. In Orlando Florida, a condo near the attractions is still a short car ride away from the beach. As the saying goes, what matters is location, location, location.

Properties for sale in Central Florida

Orlandos central location makes it a perfect fit for vacationers who want it all. In the midst of attractions, beaches and the arts, Orlando is more of an area than just a city. Youll find luxury Caribbean inspired condos central to Disney and the renewed Cypress Gardens. These villas offer families a place to settle near exciting theme parks with a relaxing residence to call home.

Families can find a diverse spread of activities to suit teens and toddlers. Apart from the theme parks, Orlando is home to upscale malls and outlets, museums and clubs. Because Orlando is smack in the middle of Florida, it is an easy place to launch a day or weekend trip. Kennedy Space Center is only an hour away, as well as Tampa Florida and Daytona Beach. When you decide to make Orlando your spot for a Florida Investment Property purchase, there are plenty of choices for your home away from home. Properties located close to the theme parks are a great choice because of their centralized location. One property close to Walt Disney World in Davenport Florida, called the Bimini Bay Resort, gives owners a cool, Caribbean style bungalow complete with all the comforts of home.

Florida Investment Properties like the Bimini Bay Resort are unique in the quiet retreat they offer. Unlike hotels near the theme parks that are often crowded with other visitors, your own Florida Investment Property lets your family relax in a comfortable place thats all your own. Davenport is also minutes from Cypress Gardens, a newly constructed adventure park.

Kissimmee, another Central Florida town close to the theme parks is home to family resorts at discount rates. Kids and parents can both find fun in the Kissimmee area. In the middle of outlet malls, amusement parks and exciting dining experiences like Medieval Times, this is one of Central Floridas best vacation deals.

If you decide on a beachside condominium, New Smyrna, Daytona and Cocoa Beach are Orlandos hotspots. These Florida Investment Properties will still keep you close to Orlandos attractions. A home beside the Atlantic Ocean gives families a true taste of the Florida lifestyle.

4. South Florida Investment Property Purchases

Apart from Orlando, there are plenty of beachside towns to house your perfect Florida Investment Property. Below youll find a snapshot of beautiful beachside cities spread throughout the state. Consider what your family needs in a Florida Investment Property ;a place to get away in a quiet corner of the state or a thriving town with plenty of activities for everyone.

One beach destination in Florida is Sarasota. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota is an artsy town home to a lot of condominiums owned by retired men and women. These Florida Investment Properies tend to be in high price ranges though they are beautiful. Sarasota is home to quaint shopping areas by the beach as well as cozy marinas and restaurants. Along the Gulf of Mexico is a saint of a beach perfect for a condominium purchase. St. Petersburg, just below Tampa is another quiet place to own a Florida Investment Property. St. Pete is a relaxed beach town dotted with bed and breakfasts, family owned restaurants and ritzy hotels.

If a spicier place is where you want your Florida Investment Property, then cruise on down to Miami. This non-stop town is the place for a jet set young couple ready to party. Just on the tip of the sunshine state, Miami is a Latin hub filled with nightlife and hot beaches.

5. North Florida Investment Property Purchases

On the opposite tip of the state than Miami is Destin beach. Located in what Floridians call the panhandle, Destin is known for snow-white beaches and quiet vacation destinations near the capital of Tallahassee. Here, Florida Investment Properties are close to the border states of Alabama and Georgia; perfect for border hopping if you so choose. Destin also offers places where you can camp right on the Gulf (that is, if you want to leave your comfy condominium for a night).

St. Augustine is also an exciting place to vacation in a Florida Investment Property. For history buffs, this is the place to find the oldest settlements in Florida. From the Spanish fort made of shells to the oldest schoolhouse, St. Augustine surrounds visitors with nostalgia. There are also plenty of opportunities for golf and tennis at the nearby resort town of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Where to Start Shopping for Florida Investment Property

According to Floridas official website for visitors, www.flausa.com, Florida welcomed 74.5 million visitors from around the world in 2003. Once you decide on Florida as the place for your vacation, the daunting task of finding the right condominium purchase lies before you. Flausa.com is a good starting ground for learning more about everything Florida has to offer. The official website for visiting the state, you can contact the Florida tourism bureau directly with questions. From the site you can also access booking calendars and even keep a list of your familys reservations. Here, industry leaders also keep up with the latest vacation specials. There are many sites which provide a detailed list of Florida Investment Properties with lists of virtually every city available. There are other sites to check out for lists of Florida Investment Properties or you can contact your realtor.

Florida Investment Properties are a unique and relaxing way to spend your vacations. Florida Investment Properties are unlike any other homes in their embrace of carefree Florida living. Whether you breathe in the ocean from your balcony or take in the sun on an inland patio, a condominium gives you a chance to make Florida your home for as long as you and your family can. Florida investment properties are one way to participate in the growing tourism and real estate prices.

All Rights Reserved 2005

Lisa Carson
Florida investment Properties expert
www.biminibayresortinvestment.com
Lcarson@biminibayresortinvestment.com

If you spend an hour examining the packed shelves of a supplement store, you are more likely to walk away with a headache and empty pockets than a useful supplement. It is impossible to distinguish between supplements that build mass and those that build only debt without reliable nutrition and supplement information. Some supplements are useful but must be taken in appropriate quantities at the proper times.

Research supports the notion that meal timing around exercise increases the amount of lean mass gained. In one study, researchers supplemented two groups of men with the same supplement, except one group got the supplement immediately before and after resistance training; the other group received the supplement several hours before and after working out(1). The group that received the supplement immediately before and after the workout gained significantly more lean mass than the group that did not practice good nutrient timing.

The most important part of building lean mass is eating extra calories. The extra calories should come from high quality protein, carbohydrates and fat, primarily before and after workouts.

Before a Workout-

Protein:

Generally, protein supplementation enhances lean mass gain during periods of resistance training-- thousands of studies support this conclusion. A study conducted at Baylor University in young men showed a significant increase in muscle mass with about 40 grams of protein supplementation per day (2). Before a work-out, whey protein, casein protein or mixed protein sources (like whey and casein/egg and whey).

Supplement with 0.5 grams/kg of protein before your workout.

BCAA:

The branched chain amino acids include leucine, isoleucine, and valine. All of these amino acids (the smallest units of protein), and leucine especially, increase the rate of muscle building and decrease the rate of muscle break down (3,4). Hence, BCAA supplementation before and after weight-lifting allows for an anabolic effect on protein metabolism.

Experts recommend 3-6 grams of BCAAs before and after workouts; take about 3 grams for each 50 kg of body mass. A pure BCAA powder is the most ecomical way to take this supplement; one rounded teaspoon is about 5 grams. A container containing 500g should cost you about $22-30 and should last about 2 months, depending on your weight.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are an important fuel source; lower glycemic or "slower" carbohydrates should be consumed before a workout. Good examples are oats and berries.

Consume about 0.5 grams/kg of carbohydrates before your workout.

Creatine:

Numerous studies have been published showing the benefits of creatine supplementation for increased lean mass and strength. One study showed about twice as much lean mass gain for men taking creatine over the placebo group when completing the same resistance training program (5). In this study the men supplemented with 20 grams/day during a one week loading phase and 5 grams/day for the rest of the twelve week study for maintainance. If you choose to do a loading phase, be sure to split the creatine up into 4 or 5 doses throughout the day to minimize stomach upset.

Creatine monohydrate is the form of creatine that has been studied the most and has been proven effective in research; 500g should not cost more than $15. Furthermore, there is evidence that creatine is absorbed better with high-glycemic carbohydrates; bananas and juice are good natural sources of sugar.

Example of a Good Pre-Work Out Shake for a 170 lb Man (taken 30-45 minutes before the workout begins): 1- 1.5 oz (scoops) casein protein, 2 Tbsp oats, 1 medium banana (in chunks, frozen for a thicker shake), 5 grams BCAAs, 7 g Creatine Monohydrate, ice or water as desired

Immediately After a Workout-

Carbohydrates:

Quick-absorbing carbohydrates are important after a workout for a number of reasons. First of all, the enzymes responsible for glycogen synthesis are upregulated immediately after resistance training. Glycogen, which is made in the body from sugar, is a major carbohydrate fuel for weight-training. As such, it is important to get your post-work out shake into your body as quickly as possible after a workout. Additionally, the high-glycemic carbohydrates stimulate the release of the anabolic hormone insulin, which aids in muscle recovery and growth.

Comsume at least 0.5 grams/kg of high-glycemic carbohydrate after a workout when you are trying to gain lean mass. Bananas and honey are both good choices after a work-out.

Protein:

Whey protein is quickly absorbed and has an overall anabolic effect on muscle, as demonstrated in a study of young males (6). In this study the men who supplemented with whey protein and creatine increased their strength to the greatest degree; those who supplemented only with whey (1.2 g/kg/day) also improved significantly more than the placebo group.

Supplement with 0.5 grams/kg of whey protein after your workout.

BCAA:

The rationale is the same as the above; take 3-6 grams in a post-work out shake.

Example of a Good Pre-Work Out Shake for a 170 lb Man: 1.5 oz (scoops) whey protein, 1.5 medium bananas (in chunks, frozen for a thicker shake), 5 grams BCAAs, ice or water as desired

*Do not add a fat source to your post-workout shake. Fat delays the emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine; you want the nutrients to reach your small intestine as quickly as possible*

You gain improve your gains with smart and consistent use of sports supplements. Though the supplements above are by no means an exhaustive list of all useful supplements, the most important and useful and effective ergogenic aids were included. When you are training to add lean mass, be sure to fuel your workouts 1) Take your pre-workout supplements 30-45 minutes before you begin training; and 2) Take your post-workout supplements within 30 minutes of completing your resistance training.

1. Cribb PJ, Hayes A. Effects of supplement timing and resistance exercise on skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006 Nov;38(11):1918-25.

2. Kerksick CM, Rasmussen CJ, Lancaster SL, Magu B, Smith P, Melton C, Greenwood M, Almada AL, Earnest CP, Kreider RB. The effects of protein and amino acid supplementation on performance and training adaptations during ten weeks of resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2006 Aug;20(3):643-53.

3. Blomstrand E, Eliasson J, Karlsson HK, Kohnke R. Branched-chain amino acids activate key enzymes in protein synthesis after physical exercise. J Nutr. 2006 Jan;136(1 Suppl):269S-73S.

4. Escobar J, Frank JW, Suryawan A, Nguyen HV, Kimball SR, Jefferson LS, Davis TA. Regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle protein synthesis by individual branched-chain amino acids in neonatal pigs. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Apr;290(4):E612-21.

5. Volek JS, Duncan ND, Mazzetti SA, Staron RS, Putukian M, Gomez AL, Pearson DR, Fink WJ, Kraemer WJ. Performance and muscle fiber adaptations to creatine supplementation and heavy resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999 Aug;31(8):1147-56.

6. Burke DG, Chilibeck PD, Davidson KS, Candow DG, Farthing J, Smith-Palmer T. The effect of whey protein supplementation with and without creatine monohydrate combined with resistance training on lean tissue mass and muscle strength. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2001 Sep;11(3):349-64.

Jean Jitomir is a Registered Dietitian, light weight bodybuilder and Exercise Nutrition PhD student. her department specializes in sports ergogenic aid and muscle hypertrophy research. Read more about her at:

http://www.jeanjitomir.com