If it’s eating that’s caused you to gain weight, perhaps it’s only fair for eating to help you lose weight too!

Presenting, the top five foods for weight-loss:

1. Grapefruit

We’ve probably all heard this one recommended some time or other. Is there any truth to the claims, though?

Grapefruit contains a magical form of fibre called pectin, which as well as conferring the usual health benefits of fibre, seems to be especially good at curbing your brain’s hunger impulses.

Grapefruits’ unique phytochemical cocktail have also been shown to reduce insulin levels, in a way that encourages your body to convert calories into energy rather than fat. In fact, 2006 research conducted by Scripps Clinic’s Nutrition and Metabolic Research Centre on 91 overweight persons, found those who drank grapefruit juice thrice-daily with meals lost over two kilos.

Not a bad result for weight-loss from just consuming a little extra each day!

If the tart taste is too much for you, try them grilled or with a little honey and cardamom to take the edge off!

2. Pears

An apple a day supposedly keeps the doctor away—so how about their tasty cousin, the pear? Size-for-size, each pear contains twice the fibre of an apple; including some pectin, as a bonus!

Recent Brazilian research conducted with overweight women, found that over a period of 12 weeks women eating three small pears per day lost significantly more weight than those not eating pears in the control group.

Try them grilled or poached as a tasty dessert, or raw matched with your favourite cheeses!

3. Artichokes?

Believe it or not, Artichokes are another great source of fibre, a tasty alternative for anyone bored by leafy greens.

Plus, some sources claim artichokes are excellent aphrodisiacs. Now there’s a nice little bonus!

Delicious steamed fresh or pickled, try them with a little salt and pepper, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice and rosemary (in fact monounsaturates-rich olive oil itself is a great natural weight-loss aid).

4. Beans!

Ever heard of Cholecystokinin? No? Well, you’re probably not alone there. But you should definitely get acquainted. Closely acquainted.

A natural digestive hormone, Cholecystokinin both slows the speed your stomach empties (keeping food in it longer) and suppresses energy intake. Research at the University of California showed that men eating beans had Cholecystokinin levels twice as high after meals than men in the control group.

Even better, beans are a great source of fibre, low-fat protein, and there’s even evidence that beans help regulate blood-sugar levels. All this adds up to a highly nutritious way to keep hunger at bay longer.

Similarly, nuts are a great option too.

5. Tomatoes

Another entry that may surprise you, tomatoes are actually crammed with nutritious juice and fibre and will help to quickly trigger that ‘full’ response.

Tomatoes are also chock full of the magical pigment Lycopene, shown to reduce the risk conditions as broad as prostate health, blindness, heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke and cancer.

The nutritional benefits of tomato increase when cooked in a little oil, so use them in a pasta sauce, roast or grill them, maybe consider a nice hearty tomato soup.

It’s been long established that Tomatoes are great for prostate health—thanks to that magic red antioxidant, lycopene. And it’s not just prostates. It seems the pigment helps with a host of things, including heart disease, blindness, reducing stroke risk, Atherosclerosis, and even cancer.

As such it should come as no surprise that a variety of male health supplements containing lycopene have become available.

What may come as a surprise though, are findings of a new health application for lycopene: Osteoporosis.

Tomatoes Beat Bone Breakdown

New University of Toronto research with post-menopausal women looked at how levels of N-telepeptide, a chemical linked to bone breakage, were affected by high-tomato and no-tomato diets.

We like to imagine the former involved lots of compulsory Caprese Salad

The results? After four months on these respective diets, while the no-tomato group saw an increase in N-teleptide, the high-tomato group’s levels plummeted. The researchers concluded that the equivalent of two glasses of tomato juice per day can be enough to keep osteoporosis at bay.

Osteoporosis in Men

Despite common perception, it’s not just women who are affected by Osteoporosis. The potentially crippling disease affects millions of men worldwide.  In most cases, men become susceptible to the disease due to low Testosterone. And so fittingly Testosterone is commonly used in both the prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis in men.

It’s normal for Testosterone levels to decline with age. A great natural way to counter this process is Herbal Ignite. Herbal Ignite works naturally to stimulate your body’s own Testosterone production, thanks to powerful herbal ingredient, Tribulus Terrestris. Having been on the market for fourteen years, Herbal Ignite has helped thousands of men experience new energy and vitality – not to mention a renewed love life!

Why not try Herbal Ignite side by side with perennially popular ProstatePowerFlow, and get the benefits of a lycopene boost at the same time? Your Prostate (and significant other) will thank you!

That’s not just because of potential carcinogens in the charred meat, but also because reducing intake of saturated fat and red meat , dairy and calcium, and increasing fruit and vegetables is most beneficial in preventing and treating prostate cancer.

Researchers Robert W.-L. Ma and K. Chapman recommend eating lots of tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, drinking green tea, and supplementing with vitamins including Vitamin E and selenium, which they say seemed to decrease risk of prostate cancer.

Japanese or Mediterranean Best

Two ethnic cuisines – traditional Japanese diet high in green tea, soy, vegetables, and fish, and the Mediterranean – high in fresh fruits and vegetables, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, olive oil, and fish – have long been credited with longevity and reduced risks of prostate cancer.

Combine those nutrition guidelines with exercise – research shows 30 minutes daily can slow prostate cell growth by 30 per cent – and you are making all the best choices for a long and healthy life.

Recommended Supplements

Vary diet as much as possible, and in addition:

• Take a multivitamin with B complex and folic acid daily.
• Avoid high-dose zinc supplements.
• Avoid flax seed oil. This can stimulate prostate cancer to grow. You can obtain the very healthy alpha omega-3 fatty acids you need through fresh fish and nuts.
• Use olive oil, which is very healthy and rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. Avocado oil is also good. Avoid oils high in polyunsaturated fats such as corn, canola, or soybean.
• Take vitamin E, 50 to 100 IU of gamma and d-alpha, only with the approval of your doctor. Some recent studies have raised concerns over serious risks with vitamin E intake. Natural sources include nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado oil, wheat germ, peas, and nonfat milk.
• Selenium is a very powerful antioxidant and the backbone molecule of your body’s immune system. Most studies support a daily selenium supplement of 200 micrograms a day. The benefits appear to be only for those who have low selenium levels, which is difficult and expensive to measure. Since it only costs about 7 cents a day and is not toxic at these levels, it is reasonable for all men to take selenium. Natural sources include Brazil nuts, fresh fish, grains, mushrooms, wheat germ, bran, whole-wheat bread, oats, and brown rice.

Saw Palmetto and Lycopene

Prostate health can be enhanced with the herb saw palmetto and tomato extract lycopene found in herbal supplements like Prostate Power Flow. See What is Prostate Power Flow for more details and ordering options.