1. Muscle Building & Repair: this is the main benefit. These proteins are a fantastic source of leucine, which is the main ingredient in improving the muscle growth process and increasing the muscle protein synthesis.

2.  Improves your Immune System: whey proteins are very rich is vitamins and minerals, which is vital for a healthy Immune System. Additionally, they contain a special antioxidant, called glutathione, which is responsible for the good functioning of your immune system.

3. Weight Loss: the protein powder usually helps the blood glucose levels to stabilize by slowing down the process of glucose absorption into your bloodstream. The immediate benefit is a reduced hunger and a weight loss in time.

4. Heal the Wounds: proteins are extremely useful in building the new skin in the healing process of serious wounds.

If you are in the bodybuilding or weight training industry and you are searching for the perfect product to maximize your performance, Predator Nutrition has created a sports supplement. Sports supplements by Predator Nutrition contain a product called Beta-Alanine which helps to feed your muscles and increase your body’s endurance as well as increase your alertness and energy for the best workout possible. This particular product is made to release rapidly which speeds up absorption.

Predator Nutrition combines Thiamine HCL, Niacin and Vitamin B6 with Beta Alanine, vanadium Citrate, Citrulline Malate and Di-Arginine Malate for building mass muscle density. Caffeine Anhydrous, Mucuna Pruriens seeds and Ginko Biloba leaf work together to promote focus and clarity. Predator works best when taken right before your workout. People who have used this product say that it is a great product as well as a good bargain, works quickly and has no negative side effects.

The ex-glamorous model, Jodie Marsh famous for her curvy figure, is again in news as a model turns to a celebrity bodybuilder. Her latest pictures display her muscular body which is the result of 2 months of vigorous training and exercise and strict diet regime. Her immense transformation can well be seen in her before and after pictures. She participated in a bodybuilding competition and strived hard to make her body a perfect muscular machine for the competition. Her dedication and diligence was well exhibited through her muscular physic which won her the 5th position in the competition.

Celebrity bodybuilder Jodie Marsh has set an example for other women bodybuilders by undergoing such a transformation from a flamboyant curvy figure to a beefy muscular body in such a small lapse of time. She has a flat belly and strong muscles with a low body fat. She achieved her dream in 2 months which is a general outcome of 6 to 9 months. She is highly praised for her dedication and sets an example for others.

Many clinics do offer treatment packages, rather like package holidays, and you should carefully read the small print to find out exactly what these deals include before signing any contracts. In most cases, the price will include all treatment costs, accommodation for you and your partner and expenses in the unlikely event that there are complications, including any hospital stays. No-one likes to expect the worst but if you are planning on travelling far from home for any medical treatment, including teeth implants, then it is best to be prepared.

The most common concern that people have about health tourism is that the dentists and doctors abroad are not as well-trained or as professional as those working in the UK. Although this may be true in some third world countries, most areas that offer dental treatments for health tourists demand that their medical professionals have attained and continue to maintain certain standards. Most clinics that offer treatments will often include testimonials from previous patients on their websites, while they will also provide proof that their staff belong to professional organisations. Some may even have trained in the UK, which is an excellent measure of their abilities and level of training.

There may be other specific questions that you have for your doctor or their clinic once you have made your choice. You should be able to email or call with questions in advance and if you are unhappy with any of the answers, do not feel pressured to go ahead with the procedure. Most clinics and dentists working with health tourists are professionals who would soon lose business if they got a reputation for carrying out shoddy work or running a dirty and unhealthy clinic, so an established clinic is probably a safer choice for your same day implants.

Low Carbohydrate plan: This diet plan involves low levels of carbohydrates and high levels of protein, which reduces weight, but will cause many health conditions like dehydration, constipation, kidney conditions and damage of free radical cells. Also when the body becomes accustomed to receiving energy from protein instead of carbohydrates, it will become very difficult to eat bread or pasta again without putting on weight.

Elimination of food group diet: Diet plans that require avoiding any specific food group like fruits, dairy, meat, starches etc will certainly deny you of important nutrition that your body needs. It is not elimination that helps, but moderation. To be healthy, nutrition should be received from all main food groups.

Single food diets: The diet plans that requires sticking to just a single type of food are worse than those that require eliminating specific food groups. This diet plan will certainly deprive the body from receiving important nutrients required by the body, which can never be fully addressed with the help of diet supplements. It is also impossible to stick to a single food diet for a lifetime and the moment you move back to your previous regular diet, you will gain all the weight that you lost and some more.

Packaged food diet: This diet plan involves purchasing packaged foods that have reduced calories. The packaged foods are often more expensive and do not have the same nutritional value as fresh food. In the long run it is impossible to follow packaged food diet and when you move back to your regular eating patterns you will regain all the weight that you may have lost.

When choosing a plan to lose weight, always consider the long-term effects upon your overall health, not just the amount of weight it will help you to lose. There are many fast weight loss methods that can give you the desired results momentarily, but these can also cause serious health problems in the future. However, if you are finding it extremely difficult to lose weight and have tried a balanced diet and exercise to no avail, you may want to ask your doctor about weight loss surgery, to see if you are applicable.

Why do people take drugs?

There are many reasons why people may take drugs. Most people with drug addictions start by experimenting with drugs; for example, they may try a drug because their friends are taking it or they have seen an article about it in a newspaper or magazine. Some people take drugs as a means for escaping from their daily life; for a while they forget about their normal life and are allowed to live in a kind of parallel world where their problems don’t exist. Many people also use drugs to get ‘high’; this is common with ‘party drugs’ and people take them to have a good time and last the night. Many people also use drugs as a coping mechanism; this is common if somebody is experiencing difficulties in their personal life, they have lost their job or lost a loved one, for example.

How does taking drugs affect the body?

Drugs have an unpredictable effect on the body. Some people may experience no symptoms after they take drugs, while others may become seriously ill. In some cases, taking drugs can cause death. Drugs have been linked to several mental and physical conditions, including:

• Increased risk of heart attacks
• Heart palpitations
• High blood pressure
• Breathing difficulties
• Liver and kidney problems
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Schizophrenia
• Paranoia

What effect does alcohol have on the body?

In the short-term, drinking alcohol causes people to become chatty, confident and giggly but as you drink more, you may become confused and dizzy and you may start to lose your balance. If you drink a lot in a short space of time, you will probably struggle to walk, you may vomit and you may pass out. If somebody passes out after drinking a lot, there is a chance that they could choke on their vomit, which can cause death.

When you wake up after a night of heavy drinking, you will probably have a hangover. This is because your body is dehydrated and your liver is struggling to process the alcohol in your system.

In the long-term, heavy drinking can contribute to a number of serious conditions, including:

• Liver cirrhosis
• Hepatitis and damage to the liver
• Heart disease
• Increased risk of certain forms of cancer, including stomach and oral cancer

How does smoking affect the body?

Smoking is very damaging to the body; smoking can contribute to illnesses and conditions, including:

• Several forms of cancer, including lung, cervical, stomach, bladder, oral and liver cancer
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Respiratory illnesses, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia
• Asthma
• osteoporosis

What help is available for people with addictions?

There is a great deal of help available to people with addictions, both through the NHS and charities; there are also many private clinics who offer help for people with addictions. If you want help, your first point of contact should be your GP. They can refer you to the right people and ensure that you get the relevant help.

If you are worried about a loved one, try to talk to them about it and if they won’t admit that they have a problem, seek help from somebody else. You can arrange to see your GP or contact charities, such as FRANK and Adfam, which is designed especially for family members, for advice and support.

Which types of drug are used most commonly?

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug. Other commonly used illegal drugs include cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, LSD, ecstasy (also known as MDMA). Drugs are generally classified into three categories, according to the effect they have on the body; these are:

• Hallucinogens: these drugs make people hear, see and feel things that are not actually real. The most well-known example of a hallucinogen is LSD.
• Stimulants: these drugs make people feel energised, hyperactive and ‘high’. Examples include cocaine.
• Depressants: these drugs make people feel drowsy and relaxed; heroin is an example of a depressant.

Drugs and the law

Most drugs are illegal in the UK under the Misuse of Drugs Act; drugs are classified according to the risks they present to the individual. Drugs are classified as Class A, Class B and Class C; Class A is the most dangerous. Examples of Class A drugs include heroin, ecstasy and cocaine, examples of Class B drugs include cannabis, barbiturates and amphetamines and examples of Class C drugs include tranquilisers and ketamine.

The Misuse of Drugs Act states that it is illegal to be in the possession of controlled substances; it is also illegal to sell drugs or intend to sell drugs. The penalties for the possession of drugs are severe; possession of Class A substances carries a 7 year jail sentence, an unlimited fine or both, while dealing Class A substances may carry a life sentence, an unlimited fine, or both.

Why do people take illegal drugs?

There are many reasons why an individual may take illegal drugs; these include:

• Getting ‘high’: many people take drugs if they are going out for the night, for example, to give them the energy and buzz they need to last the night.
• Peer pressure: many people, especially young people, take drugs because their friends take drugs and they feel they need to fit in with the crowd.
• Escape: some people take drugs as a form of escape or a distraction from their everyday life.
• Coping mechanism: some people take drugs as a form of coping mechanism; if they experience a loss, or they lose their job or are under financial pressure, they turn to drugs rather than facing the situation.
• Habit: once people start taking illegal drugs, they may become addicted very quickly. Once somebody has an addiction, they will continue to take drugs on a regular basis and this will become the ‘norm’ for them.

What is prescription drug addiction?

An addiction is consuming and changes the way an individual behaves. If somebody has an addiction to prescription drugs, this will change the way they take the drugs and the reason why they take the drugs. Initially, the doctor will prescribe a drug to treat a condition or ease the symptoms associated with an illness or condition. The patient will take the drug in order to make them feel better and their condition will hopefully be cured or their symptoms will improve. In the case of an addict, they will continue to take the drug, despite the absence of illness, because they like the way it makes them feel. As they become increasingly dependent on the drug, they will start to experience cravings for the drug and they may experience withdrawal symptoms between doses.

Which kinds of drugs do people become addicted to?

People can become addicted to a variety of different drugs but the most common addictions are opioids, which are used for pain relief, depressants (commonly known as tranquilisers or sedatives), which are prescribed to reduce anxiety and pain and provide a sense of wellbeing, and stimulants, which are prescribed to increase mental alertness, increase heart rate and blood pressure and increase energy levels.

Spotting the signs of prescription drug addiction

Prescription drug addiction can be more difficult to spot than other types of drug addiction because the drug is legal and comes from a doctor. This means that the addiction is easier to cover up. Here are some signs of prescription drug addiction to look out for:

• Do you exaggerate your symptoms or make up symptoms in order to get another prescription?
• Do you experience mood swings?
• Do you feel guilty when you take drugs?
• Do you turn down alternative treatments so that you can stay on medication?
• Do you try and see other doctors to get more medication?
• Have you tried to look for other pills in the house or taken somebody else’s tablets?
• Do you exceed the recommended dose of your medication?
• Do you make up excuses to get more drugs?
• Do you become irritable or aggressive if you do not take drugs or you are running out of pills?
• Has your addiction started to cause problems with family members and loved ones?

Help for prescription drug addiction

There are various treatment methods available for people with prescription drug addictions, including rehabilitation centres and programmes, outpatient treatment and one to one counselling and therapy sessions. Drug prevention is important in the treatment of prescription drug addiction. However, it is important to gradually come off the drugs under medical supervision, as suddenly stopping taking drugs will cause very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

If you think you have a problem with prescription drugs, or you are worried that somebody you know has a problem, arrange to see your GP. Your GP will discuss the situation with you and suggest an appropriate course of action with you. They will be able to explain treatment options to you and explain what is going to happen. If you do not want to talk to your GP, you can contact FRANK or get in touch with the Samaritans or Narcotics Anonymous.

What is nicotine?

Nicotine, a substance from the tobacco plant, is the addictive component of a cigarette or cigar. Each cigarette contains approximately 10 milligrams of nicotine but the smoker only inhales around 1 or 2 milligrams; even this small amount is enough to get somebody hooked on smoking. Cigarettes are filled with thousands of harmful chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide, as well as nicotine.

Inhaling nicotine causes changes in the brain and the rest of the body – nicotine increases blood pressure, raises the heart rate and affects breathing.

How does smoking affect health?

Smoking is extremely damaging to the body and prolonged smoking poses serious risks to health. Smoking has been directly linked to the following illnesses and conditions:

• Several forms of cancer, including liver, lung, stomach, cervical, bladder and oral cancer and leukaemia
• Respiratory illnesses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis and asthma
• Pneumonia
• Cataracts
• Gum disease and poor oral health
• Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
• Poor circulation
• Brittle bones
• Decreased fertility

Why should I give up smoking?

Giving up smoking will have instantaneous positive effects on your body. Your lungs will start to clear after a very short period of time and your breathing and circulation will improve. Your chance of having a heart attack will also be halved after a year of going smoke-free.

Giving up smoking will not only benefit your health, but it will also make a difference to your physical appearance. Your skin will look brighter and more youthful and your teeth and nails will look lighter. Giving up will save you a lot of money; if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you could save more than £2000 per year.

Support for giving up smoking and dealing with nicotine addiction

If you have a nicotine addiction you may suffer withdrawal symptoms which are hard to deal with if you give up very quickly. As a consequence you will probably be advised to give up gradually and use nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches, sprays and chewing gum. These products allow the patient to get nicotine without having to take in all the other harmful substances contained in cigarettes and cigars.

If you want to give up smoking and deal with your addiction, arrange to see your GP. They will assess your condition and the nature of your addiction by asking you a series of questions about your smoking habits and then suggest a suitable course of treatment. The NHS holds local support groups to help people give up smoking and nicotine therapy, which includes patches and gum, is also available on the NHS; you can also buy lozenges and chewing gum over the counter.

If you have a serious addiction you may be advised to undergo a course of counselling or behavioural therapy. This will help to determine the reasons behind your addiction and find ways to help you cope in the future without smoking.

Why is drug prevention important?

Drugs affect the body and the mind and can have very serious implications for psychological and physical health. Drugs also have consequences for other areas of an individual’s life.

Physiological effects of taking drugs:

• Increased heart rate
• Breathing difficulties
• Increased blood pressure
• Risk of hepatitis and HIV (from injecting drugs)
• Risk of heart palpitations and heart attacks
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Loss of coordination
• Slurred speech
• Cramps
• Increased body temperature

Psychological effects of taking drugs:

• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Depression
• Anxiety

Drug use is also linked to antisocial behaviour, crime, low educational achievement, high rates of unemployment, debt and financial problems and breakdown in personal relationships.

Forms of drug prevention

The effects of drug use differ according to individual cases, so a multi-faceted approach to drug prevention is required. There are many different ways of preventing people from taking drugs and helping people with existing drug problems, ranging from small-scale operations to national policies.

Local projects

Many drug charities and local authorities run local projects to help prevent people from taking drugs and helping people who are already taking drugs. Local projects often target areas of the community where drug problems are prevalent and introduce ways to keep people busy and off the streets, provide training and advice about getting a job and inform people about the effects and consequences of taking drugs.

Targeting young children

Children are vulnerable when it comes to taking drugs; they can be easily persuaded by others and are highly impressionable. Figures suggest that children are taking drugs at an earlier age than ever before, with some children as young as 10 or 11 trying illegal drugs. Many schools run classes and sessions about the effects of taking drugs. They use educational DVDs and real-life stories to highlight the dangers of taking drugs and try to give children the knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions in the future.

National policies

A number of policies and projects are in place across the UK to try and prevent drug use. Last month, the 2010 drug strategy was launched. The 2010 drug strategy, which is entitled, ‘Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life’ is focused on preventing drug use in the community and helping those who already have drug problems.

Spotting the signs

Sometimes it is very difficult to notice a drug addiction, as addicts tend to be very secretive and will go to great lengths to justify their behaviour and hide any evidence of an addiction. Here are some signs to look out for if you are worried that your loved one may have a drug addiction:

• Has your loved one become secretive?
• Do they become defensive when you ask them about taking drugs?
• Do they suffer from mood swings?
• Do they have physical symptoms, such as bloodshot eyes, shivers, sweating, flushed skin, rashes or heart palpitations?
• Do they have slurred speech and do they seem distant and dazed?
• Have they stopped caring about other things in their life; do they cancel engagements, stop seeing friends and make excuses to get out of going out?
• Does your loved one spend time away from home on a regular basis?
• Are they secretive about money?
• Have you discovered that money has been spent without you knowing or has money gone missing from your bank account or around the house?
• Have they stopped caring about their appearance?
• Are they emotional and irrational?

What to do if you think your loved one has a drug addiction

If you are worried about a loved one, try to talk to them about their problem. Be cautious and careful and don’t go steaming in. If they become very defensive, angry or irritated and do not want to talk to you, you should consider talking to somebody about your situation. You can contact charities such as FRANK and Adfam and you should consider going to your GP; if possible, try and persuade your loved one to go to the GP with you. GPs have experience of dealing with patients with addictions and they understand the nature of an addiction. They will be able to suggest an appropriate course of action for the individual and ensure that the individual and their relatives get the help and support they need.

Rehab is also an option – rehabilitation centres are specially designed to cater for people with serious addictions and will completely remove the individual from their old life. This can make it easier for them to give up, although giving up is a very challenging and long process.

Understanding addiction

It can be very difficult for people to understand addictions. In many cases, if you find out that a loved one has an addiction, you may just encourage them to give up, but an addiction is a serious illness which does not have a miracle cure. Addictions are all-consuming and it is very difficult for people who have not had an addiction to understand why people cannot give something up which is clearly causing them both physical and mental harm. It may also be difficult for relatives to understand the treatment pathway, as a quick fix is simply not possible. Relatives may be in favour of instant drug prevention, as a means of treatment, but this is not an advisable pathway as the individual will suffer from very strong withdrawal symptoms.

There are a number of different treatment pathways for alcoholism, as people experience different symptoms and some people respond to treatments in different ways.

Admitting that you have an alcohol addiction

It’s a cliché but the first step of getting over an addiction is admitting that you have a problem. You may have a serious problem with alcohol if you think about drinking all the time, you prioritise drinking over other activities, you continue drinking even though you can’t afford it and you are aware of the negative consequences associated with drinking.

Many people may not realise that they have an alcohol addiction. They may assume that the amount they drink is normal and it may take them by surprise when somebody suggests that they are alcohol dependent.

In many cases, admitting that you have a problem is a massive wake-up call and compels people to go and get help as quickly as possible, but for some, it is almost impossible to admit to having a drink problem and they will continue to deny that they are dependent on alcohol.

Types of treatment

If you think you have a problem with alcohol, your first port of call should be your GP. Your GP will ask you questions about your alcohol consumption, as well as questions relating to the reasons why you drink. They may refer you for tests if they suspect that you have health problems associated with drinking and will start to sort out your treatment plan.

Counselling and behavioural therapy

Your GP may refer you for counselling or therapy. This will help you to determine why you drink and enable you to develop new ways of dealing with stress and negative situations.

Medication

You may be prescribed medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms, which may include sweating, tremors, anxiety, vomiting, hallucinations and seizures.

Support groups

Support groups have proven to be very effective in helping people get over alcohol addictions. Many people find it easier to give up when they are doing it alongside others in a similar situation. Your GP can refer you to a local alcohol support group.

Detoxification and rehabilitation

Detoxification is stopping drinking and cleansing the body. Detox involves stopping drinking and using medication to prevent withdrawal symptoms, which can be very intense. Residential rehabilitation involves individuals undertaking a programme, which usually involves one to one counselling sessions, group therapy, activities and therapy for loved ones. During rehabilitation, drug prevention is key; no alcohol is consumed and the individual is completely removed from their usual surroundings. Most rehabilitation programmes last for at least 12 weeks, though rehabilitation is usually recommended for people with serious addictions.