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Hurray! Finally, I am able to lose 29 lbs of weight in just 7 days. (WITHOUT DOING ANY HEAVY EXERCISE & HEAVY FASTING). Hey Friends, How are you? Are you ready to lose weight? Just Checkout my own easy 2 step formulae which works like charm for me & my friends as well. (More Than 50 people). Base Upon My Experience, I can assure you that you won’t disappoint if you seriously follow my 2 step formulae. ( I know Free Advice Doesn't Have Much Value. But, This formula is only for those who are really serious about weight loss. It's Your Choice What You Want To Do) I Hope It Helps You. Thank You Very Much.How ketogenic diets can improve your healthEvery once in a while, a diet trend develops and takes off — a few years back, it was the Atkins diet, and these days, you’re likely to hear about Whole30 or the paleo diet.The ketogenic, or keto, diet is one such trendy diet, which became popular due to its many health benefits. In fact, a lot of medical research has been conducted to show how ketogenic diets can improve everything from heart health to brain function.What is the keto diet?In a nutshell, the keto diet is a low-carbohydrate nutritional regime. It aims to reduce carbohydrate intake so that your body stops processing sugar for energy and begins processing fat instead. Usually the body breaks down glucose from carbohydrates to fuel itself. When the body doesn’t have glucose to burn, it turns to fat for energy instead. When the fat is broken down, it releases ketones which the body then processes for energy.This metabolic state is known as "ketosis" (hence calling this a "keto" diet). To reach this goal, you must limit your carbohydrate intake to less than 50g per day.Moving out of ketosis can happen easily if you're careful with your carb intake, but a ketone scanner can help you stay on track.Health benefits of the keto dietWeight lossThe desire to lose weight is a common reason to take up a new diet. Being slightly overweight, even just seeing a few extra pounds on the scale, can significantly increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes amongst other health issues.The keto diet has proven to be an effective method of weight loss for people in the "obese" BMI category. According to the Mayo clinic, low-carb diets like keto achieve weight loss due to:Reduced calorie intakeReduced appetite (lots of protein and fat makes you feel full for longer)Reduces epileptic seizuresOriginally, the keto diet was developed by doctors who were trying to reduce the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures in children. They found that a very low-carb, high-fat diet achieved this result.Doctors and other medical practitioners have been recommending ketogenic diets for epileptic patients ever since, although it can be less effective in adults.Reduces effects of type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes causes an unhealthy rise in your blood sugar level. Obesity can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but medical research has shown that the keto diet can help.In one study published by the National Institutes of Health, researchers compared the effects of a standard low-calorie diet with the keto diet on patients with type 2 diabetes. The ketogenic diet was found to be more effective in maintaining consistent blood sugar levels.Improves memory functionAlthough doctors are unsure of the exact relationship, there is evidence to suggest that the keto diet can improve brain and memory function. Some studies have found that ketogenic diets reduce the risk and symptoms of conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as reducing the effects of mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder.Higher “good” cholesterol levelsFor years, the perception was that high cholesterol was bad for your health. Now we know that there are good and bad types of cholesterol; "bad" cholesterol, or "LDL," should be kept at low levels.The good kind of cholesterol is known as “HDL” cholesterol. Consuming a ketogenic diet full of healthy fats can improve the body’s levels of HDL cholesterol, which is good for your cardiovascular system.What can you eat on the keto diet?Since the premise of ketogenic diets is low carbohydrate, moderate protein and high fat intake, you need to pay close attention to the types of foods you eat.Keto-friendly foodsAn effective ketogenic diet consists of lots of high fat foods and a moderate amount of protein. So, your meal plan will contain lots of:Meat and poultryFishCheeseMilkEggsYogurtNuts and seedsOils (e.g. coconut oil)Low-carb vegetablesThere's lots of meat and dairy here, but that doesn't mean the keto diet is unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans. It's entirely possible to follow a vegan keto diet plan and achieve the same results.As the diet has become so popular, lots of retailers are now offering packaged snacks and meals specifically designed for a keto diet. For example, you can fill the pantry with staples for keto recipes and keto-friendly snacks, like Quest nutrition bars, to keep your diet on track.Foods to avoidThe keto diet isn’t completely carb-free, but it’s surprisingly easy to accidentally exceed your daily allowance of carbs. That’s because there are lots of foods that contain more carbohydrates than you would think. Fruits, vegetables and nuts are common sources of “hidden” carbohydrates.So it’s important to limit foods such as:AsparagusAvocadoBroccoliBerriesKiwisPeachesWalnutsAlmondsBrazil nutsBut curbing your vegetables can lead to mineral deficiencies if you're not careful. If you start a ketogenic diet, try including some vitamin supplements to make sure that doesn't happen.Another common keto mistake is eating highly processed and refined fats. As tempting as it might be to eat tons of bacon to increase your fat intake, a well-balanced ketogenic diet means avoiding the consumption of too many unhealthy fats.Best books for further reading on ketoLauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.02What happens to your body when you go on the keto diet?a plate of food on a table: Ketogenic diet© Provided by Fit&Well Ketogenic dietThe keto diet, or "ketogenic diet", is a meal plan that's low in carbohydrates, high and fats and high in protein. A very popular restrictive diet, it's said to be great for weight loss and building muscle. But what exactly is the ketogenic diet supposed to be doing to our body, in order to make this happen?In a high-fat nutshell, the ketogenic diet relies on the idea that if we eat less carbohydrates, our body will end up burning fat for fuel instead. The state our body enters when this occurs is called "ketosis". The keto diet aims to induce ketosis by consuming as few sources of carbohydrates as possible, which means no bread, potatoes, rice, starchy products, beer or refined sugar.Does it work? Potentially. Some studies have found ketogenic diets "can help patients lose about two kilos more than low-fat diets do" after one year of weight loss. However, it also says the weight loss peaks at about five months and is often not sustained in the long term once the studies have finished.This is, in part, due to the strict nature of the diet. Restrictive diets that prohibit whole food groups often prove unsustainable from a lifestyle point of view. A lack of carbohydrates can often lead to lethargy, although anecdotal evidence often says your body "adapts" to living off fewer carbohydrates every day. In addition, really cutting out all carbs means ditching beneficial stuff including some fruit and vegetables, potentially depriving yourself of vital vitamins and minerals.One review of studies reported by Harvard University looked at 22,000 overweight individuals on a variety of restrictive diets. It found "while low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets both resulted in weight loss of about 10 pounds at six months, most of the lost weight was regained within one year."The lost weight and other health benefits (such as improved cholesterol and reduced blood pressure) tend to disappear soon after the study ends."So the ketogenic diet does work for weight loss due to the low-carb diet encouraging your body to enter a state of "ketosis". However, you have to do it sustainably and plan your meals carefully to ensure you don't miss out on any key nutrients.For example, make sure you're taking the right supplements and vitamins to maintain a complete picture of health, whether it's the best supplements for joints, the best vitamins for women over 50 or the best protein powder for weight loss, which are low in carbohydrates compared to the other carb-heavy protein products.You can have your favourite proteins and veggies cooked healthier instead of pan-frying by opting for one of our best air fryers. Air fryers use a small amount of fat and superheated air currents to coat its contents evenly, ensuring all the great taste of your favourites with minimal added calories.03150+ Approved Foods for the Keto DietThinking about making the keto diet your new solution to shedding some pounds? Then it’s time to find out what foods you can eat on keto—and we’ve got you covered!According to the Cleveland Clinic, a keto high-fat eating plan aims to change your metabolism from carbohydrate to fat; the theory is that you’ll then burn fat using ketones as energy as opposed to glucose. A fat-based diet like keto will stop your insulin levels from spiking when you eat, so you don’t store fat.Then, your liver will make ketones, so your energy is compensated for. Within a couple of days on a keto plan (eating between 70-80% fat, 15-25% protein, and around 5-10% carbohydrate), your metabolism will most likely get faster and you’ll start losing weight. You want to focus on eating “good” fats on keto, which are unsaturated and monounsaturated.Related: What Is the Keto Diet and How Does It Work?So what foods can you eat exactly on keto? Focus on your favorites, but don’t be afraid to try new things, too—being on keto can truly open up your taste buds, in addition to shrinking your waistline. We came up with a food list for the keto diet to help you stay on track.Keto diet foods Keto dairy foods1. Butter. Cooking with it on Keto is OK.2. Heavy cream. Add it to recipes rather than the low-fat variety.3. Plain yogurt. Make it high-fat, but avoid any sugary varieties.4. Mayonnaise. Top a cheeseburger with it instead of ketchup.5. Sour cream. Use as a dip with veggies, avoid reduced-fat.6. Cottage cheese. High in protein and calcium, cottage cheese can be a great mid-day snack.7. Cream cheese. Surprisingly delicious with berries! Give it a try.8. Parmesan cheese. Tasty with veggies for a quick lunch.9. Swiss cheese. Packs a protein punch, with 27 grams per serving.10. Feta cheese. Make a Greek salad with feta, bell peppers, olives and onion—so good!11. Cheddar cheese. The ideal addition to a Chef’s salad with egg, ham, chicken, lettuce, onion and dressing.12. Brie cheese. Protein-rich and rich-tasting, too.13. Monterey jack cheese. Mix with scrambled eggs for a different spin on breakfast.14. Mozzarella cheese. Go Caprese by adding tomato and dressing, and season to taste.15. Bleu cheese. Add to ground beef burgers with fresh onion and lettuce.16. Plain Greek yogurt. No need to give up your favorite breakfast on keto!Related: 35 Low-Carb High-Protein Breakfast RecipesKeto protein sources17. Eggs. The perfect solution for breakfast, lunch or dinner? A cheesy, veggie-filled omelet.18. Salmon. Heart-healthy and packed with Vitamin D.19. Tuna. Tuna salad for lunch on the go is perfectly keto.20. Mackerel. Try this tasty fish if you haven’t—it may become a go-to.21. Clams. Steamers with drawn butter seem like a luxury, not diet food.22. Mussels. Another real treat when you serve them steamed.23. Squid. Sautée with butter, garlic, onion, parmesan and lime juice.24. Chicken. Avoid breaded varieties, but baked or stir-fry chicken with a big salad is perfect for dinner.25. Turkey. From roast turkey to deep-fried to deli meat, turkey is a great keto option.26. Bacon. Have it with eggs to get your day off to a substantial start.27. Sausage. Any kind is fine—delicious with bell pepper and onion.28. Goat. If you’re a meat eater, you can give it a try if you’re curious.29 Liver. If you think you don’t like liver, reconsider—this iron-rich organ meat is great with onions.30. Trout. Rich in Vitamin B12.31. Halibut. An excellent source of Vitamin V12, too, as well as Vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium.33. Cod. Delicious when sautéed with olive oil and pepper.34. Catfish. Try baking it with oil, cayenne pepper and lemon juice.35. Mahi-mahi. Delicious when prepared with lemon juice, basil and pepper.36. Quail. It can be roasted like chicken.37. Duck. Duck can be as well.38. Heart. If you’re up for the challenge … organ meats are A-OK on keto!39. Tongue. Again … if you’re up for it …40. Kidney. Don’t let us stop you!41. Hen. Can be roasted like chicken as well, as can …42. Goose. As can …43. Pheasant. A good source of phosphorus and selenium.44. Venison. Low in saturated fat.45. Steak. Enjoy your favorite cut along with a salad and/or sautéed veggies.46. Veal. Make a keto-friendly veal parm by baking with fresh tomato and cheese.47. Roast beef. Enjoy with cheddar cheese and salad.48. Ground beef. A burger on keto can be topped with any number of cheeses or veggies, plus condiments.49. Oysters. Try baking them with cream and cheddar cheeses, plus bacon … a new taste sensation.50. Shrimp. Mix with mayo and celery for a simple but delicious shrimp salad.51. Crab. High in folate.52. Snapper. A good source of niacin.53. Lobster. Enjoy it with butter—a great benefit of keto!54. Roast pork. Serve it with seasoned sautéed veggies for a weekend meal.55. Pork tenderloin. Makes delicious leftovers for lunch when you pair it with high-fat cheese.56. Pork chops. Sauté in olive oil and season to taste.57. Beef ribs. Skip the high-sugar barbecue sauce—you may find the taste of the meat itself is much more satisfying.58. Lamb. Roast it with garlic, olive oil and rosemary.59. Flounder. A great source of Vitamin D.60. Scallops. Sautéed in butter—simple and delicious.61. Ham. Fry up ham slices for a quick and easy dinner, served with seasoned summer squash—a great combo.62. Ground pork. You can use it to make burgers in a fresh way.63. Sardines. You can take them on the go and snack from the can—convenient if you like the taste.Frozen may be healthier than fresh. Frozen fruits and veggies are picked at the peak of their season, so their quality is less likely to degrade and their nutrient levels are higher. Another plus: Frozen fruits and veggies are sometimes cheaper than their fresh counterparts.Keto diet oilsIn addition to butter, you can cook with any of these on keto:64. Extra virgin olive oil65. Coconut oil66. Avocado oil67. Palm oil68. Cocoa butter69. Lard70. Poultry fatRelated: Here’s What You Should Know About Keto SupplementsKeto diet veggiesAny of the vegetables below can be used in any combination to make a keto salad with high-fat dressing. Keep in mind that avocado is especially useful on keto because it’s rich in good fat, so enjoy it often.71. Avocado72. Tomatoes73. Onions74. Peppers75. Cauliflower76. Mushrooms77. Kale78. Swiss chard79. Collards80. Spinach81. Bok choy82. Lettuce83. Arugula84. Broccoli85. Brussels sprouts86. Asparagus87. Bell peppers88. Cucumber89. Celery90. Summer squash91. Zucchini92. Black olives93. Green olives94. Red olivesRelated: Keto Diet Tips for BeginnersKeto diet fruitsBecause you want to limit sugar on the keto diet, most fruits are off-limits. However, the fruits below, especially berries, are OK to consume in moderation. Mix a fruit salad of three of the fruits below to eat as a yummy breakfast, snack or keto dessert. Top with heavy whipped cream if you want as well.95. Raspberries96. Blueberries97. Blackberries98. Strawberries99. Cherries100. Cranberries101. MulberriesKeto diet nuts and seedsThe perfect snack to carry with you at all times? A bag of nuts and seeds mixed from the list below. Choose any of the listed ones you love, and mix with a few berries, such as cranberries, for a keto-friendly trail mix.102. Almonds103. Walnuts104. Hazelnuts105. Pecans106. Chia seeds107. Sesame seeds108. Pumpkin seeds109. Hemp seeds110. Flax seeds111. Macadamia nuts112. Pecans113. Brazil nuts114. Cashews115. PistachiosRelated: 24 Low-Key Keto Dinner RecipesKeto diet herbs and spicesFeel free to add any of the following to recipes on keto, or use them to season meals.116. Basil117. Oregano118. Parsley119. Rosemary120. Thyme121. Cilantro122. Cayenne pepper123. Chili powder124. Cumin125. Cinnamon126. Nutmeg127. Lemon juice128. Lime juice129. Salt130. PepperMore keto diet foods131. Dark chocolate. A piece after dinner can feel like a decadent treat—but it’s allowed.132. Cocoa. Drink the unsweetened kind.133. Coffee. Don’t add sugar and you’re good to go.134. Tea. You also want to skip sugar here as well.135. Yellow mustard. Use as sauce to compliment fish dishes; it’s a surprisingly tasty combination.136. Red wine vinegar. Feel free to add it to recipes as you cook.137. Ketchup. Read the label to make sure you’re choosing the reduced-sugar variety.138. Mayonnaise-based salad dressing. Mix with raw veggies and season to taste for a side dish.139. Horseradish. If you love the taste, go for it!140. Hot sauce. You can enjoy it as hot as you can stand!141. Worcestershire sauce. Can add flair to almost any meat dish.142. Sauerkraut. Make sure the one you pick has no added sugars.143. High-fat Thousand Island salad dressing144. High-fat ranch salad dressing145. High-fat French salad dressing146. High-fat Russian salad dressing147. High-fat Bleu Cheese salad dressing148. High-fat creamy Italian salad dressing149. Stevia sweetener. A natural choice.150. Erythritol sweetener. Another way to indulge your sweet tooth naturally.151. Monk fruit sweetener. Another healthy natural sweetener.152. Xylitol sweetener. Yet another great non-sugar option.153. Shirataki noodles. They’re water-based and can powerfully curb hunger—give them a try!Follow these tips to avoid the dreaded keto flu.Whey protein is a powdered supplement that can be added to shakes or smoothies. stevecoleimages/Getty ImagesWhey protein has many benefits like assisting with weight loss and muscle gain.Common side effects of whey protein include nausea, cramps, fatigue, and bloating.Do not take whey protein if you are lactose intolerant, pregnant, or breastfeeding.Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.Whey protein is one of the most popular and widespread protein supplements. It is often sold in powder form which can be added to smoothies, protein bars, and other foods or beverages.Whey protein is derived from cow's milk, so it's not suitable for vegans or people with lactose intolerance. However, it's gluten-free, making it a safe option for lactose-tolerant vegetarians and those following gluten-free diets."Whey protein is used by elite athletes and weekend warriors alike as a means to build muscle mass," says Olivia Brant, RD, founder of Olivia Ashton Nutrition.Besides building muscle, whey has many other benefits.1. Whey is a complete proteinWe need protein to build and maintain bones, muscles, and skin, but not all proteins are created equal. Whey is a notably high-quality protein because it's a complete protein.Medical term: A complete protein is a protein source that contains all nine essential amino acids our body cannot produce on its own, says Brant. Amino acids are crucial for growing muscle growth and maintenance.Whey protein is also a "fast-acting" protein, absorbed by the body at a rate of about 10 grams per hour. In contrast, a cooked egg has an absorption rate of about three grams per hour."That's why it's best [to consume whey protein] immediately after a workout when your body is ready to use it," Brant says.2. Whey protein builds muscle massProtein, including whey, can build muscle when combined with strength training. That's because muscle growth can increase if excess amino acids are in the bloodstream - particularly the amino acid leucine.Story continues"Whey protein is high in amino acids like leucine, which help promote the repair and building of muscle mass," says Annamaria Louloudis, RDN, Founder of Louloudi Nutrition.What the research says: A 2018 systematic review found whey protein supplements significantly improved muscle strength and size when taken by healthy adults who lift weights."If you're increasing calories by adding whey protein without putting in the work at the gym you will simply gain body fat," Brant says.3. Whey protein assists with weight gainProtein shakes are a popular choice for people trying to gain weight due to their high-caloric profile. They are also easy to add to, or replace, a meal if you're struggling to get enough protein and calories from your diet, says Louloudis.Protein shakes are also used for weight maintenance by older adults and people experiencing involuntary weight loss."The elderly population typically has trouble with consuming enough protein due to trouble chewing and swallowing and decreased activity and appetite," Louloudis says. "In these cases, incorporating protein powder into a high-calorie liquid shake is a great way to get in calories and protein to help maintain weight."4. Whey protein can help you lose weightWhile whey protein won't magically burn away belly fat, it can keep you feeling fuller for longer and possibly increase the number of calories your body burns on a daily basis.What the research says: A 2017 meta-analysis found people who ate higher amounts of protein experienced increased feelings of fullness compared to people who ate lower-protein loads. This may be because protein activates the release of hormones that make you feel full, which could prevent you from overeating and help you lose weight.High-protein diets are also associated with an increased metabolic rate, or the number of calories your body burns each day to function normally."Protein has the highest Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) of all the macronutrients - meaning you burn more calories digesting and metabolizing protein than you do when you eat carbs or fat," Brant says. "This metabolic boost along with the satiating benefits of eating protein may help an individual more easily stay in a calorie deficit and lose weight."5. Whey protein may help manage type 2 diabetesWhey protein could help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes that are non-obese. However, more studies are needed.What the research says: A small 2017 study of people with type 2 diabetes found whey powder stimulated the release of insulin and lowered blood sugar levels when consumed before meals. However, this was only true in people with lower body weight and normal triglyceride levels. People with obesity and high triglyceride levels experienced an increase in blood sugar levels when given whey protein.You should avoid whey protein if you are:Whey protein side effectsAlthough considered generally safe, there are some side effects of whey protein, and certain individuals should not supplement with it.Additionally, you should talk to your doctor before consuming whey protein if you're taking antibiotics, as it can affect how well they work.Important: Some small studies indicate whey protein can cause acne. However, this is because dairy products, in general, have been linked to acne, says Louloudis.Insider's takeawayWhey is an accessible, high-quality protein option touting all nine essential amino acids, and is a safe option for most people trying to build muscle or gain weight."You just want to make sure you are getting a supplement that is 100% whey and doesn't have added sugars or fillers to get the most benefit," Louloudis says.5 key steps to build muscle and its many science-backed health benefitsAre you eating enough protein? How to recognize the signs and symptoms of protein deficiencyHow much protein you need in order to lose weight and gain muscle, according to dietitians8 of the best plant-based sources of protein, according to dietitiansRead the original article on Insider02What Happens To Your Body When You Drink Protein SmoothiesEat This, Not That! LogoBy Samantha Leffler of Eat This, Not That! |Slide 1 of 6: Protein smoothies have been popular for years, and they certainly aren't going away anytime soon. You can make your own protein smoothie at home, or for those of us who are always on the run, can buy pre-bottled varieties. What's behind their popularity? It's simple: the pairing of satiating, muscle-supporting protein combined with the benefits of fiber- and antioxidant-rich fruit makes for an unbeatable combination."Protein is essential to a person's health for a multitude of reasons including growth and development in children. It is key for healthy cartilage, skin, and bones, helps with muscle repair after exercise, increases satiety and thermogenesis: the process of heating your body," explains Aimee Plauche, RD, LDN with Nutritional Wellness Consulting and an advisor for ICONIC Protein. "Your body actually heats up more during digestion of protein than it does when digesting carbohydrate and fat, thus burning more calories."While protein smoothies are generally healthy (as long as they aren't packed with tons of sugar), what you may not know is what's actually happening to your body as soon as you take that first protein-packed sip. And even though your body may react differently to varying protein sources (there are countless ways to add protein to smoothies, from yogurt to protein powder), there are several things that are bound to occur regardless of the protein source.Want to know exactly how a protein smoothie impacts your body? Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, make sure you avoid these 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.Read the original article on Eat This, Not That!Protein smoothies have been popular for years, and they certainly aren't going away anytime soon. You can make your own protein smoothie at home, or for those of us who are always on the run, can buy pre-bottled varieties. What's behind their popularity? It's simple: the pairing of satiating, muscle-supporting protein combined with the benefits of fiber- and antioxidant-rich fruit makes for an unbeatable combination."Protein is essential to a person's health for a multitude of reasons including growth and development in children. It is key for healthy cartilage, skin, and bones, helps with muscle repair after exercise, increases satiety and thermogenesis: the process of heating your body," explains Aimee Plauche, RD, LDN with Nutritional Wellness Consulting and an advisor for ICONIC Protein. "Your body actually heats up more during digestion of protein than it does when digesting carbohydrate and fat, thus burning more calories."While protein smoothies are generally healthy (as long as they aren't packed with tons of sugar), what you may not know is what's actually happening to your body as soon as you take that first protein-packed sip. And even though your body may react differently to varying protein sources (there are countless ways to add protein to smoothies, from yogurt to protein powder), there are several things that are bound to occur regardless of the protein source.Want to know exactly how a protein smoothie impacts your body? Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, make sure you avoid these 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.Read the original article on Eat This, Not That!© Provided by Eat This, Not That!03Faster spread of some Covid variants could be due to sturdier protein: ScientistsBOSTON : The spike protein of the novel coronavirus, which enables it to infect human cells, is more stable in faster spreading versions of the virus, such as the ones first reported in the UK and South Africa, compared to the original form of the pathogen from Wuhan, China, says a new study.Researchers, including those from the Boston Children's Hospital in the US assessed the structure of the coronavirus spike protein down to the atomic level, and found how it changed with the D614G mutation which is carried by the Brazil, South Africa and UK variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.The results, published in the journal Science, showed that the mutation makes the spike more stable as compared with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus from Wuhan, enabling the variants to spread more quickly.According to the scientists, the spike proteins in the original virus would bind to the ACE2 receptor on human cells, and then dramatically change shape, folding in on themselves and enabling the virus to fuse its membrane with host cells.However, they said the spikes would sometimes prematurely change shape and fall apart before the virus could bind to cells.While this slowed the virus down, the researchers said this shape change also made it harder for the human immune system to contain the virus."Because the original spike protein would dissociate, it was not good enough to induce a strong neutralizing antibody response," said study co-author Bing Chen from the Boston Children's Hospital.In the variant forms, the scientists said the mutation stabilises the spike by blocking the premature shape change and making the spikes bind more weakly to the ACE2 receptor.According to the researchers, since these spikes are less apt to fall apart prematurely, the virus overall is rendered more infectious."Say the original virus has 100 spikes. Because of the shape instability, you may have just 50% of them functional. In the G614 variants, you may have 90% that are functional, so even though they don't bind as well, the chances are greater that you will have an infection," Chen explained.Based on the findings, the scientists suggested that redesigned vaccines incorporate the code for this mutant spike protein.They believe more stable spike shapes could make vaccines based on these virus proteins more likely to elicit protective neutralising antibodies.A Tesla Inc. vehicle charges at a charging station in San Mateo, California, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020.David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe U.S. government is working to help American miners and battery makers expand into Canada, part of a strategy to boost regional production of minerals used to make electric vehicles and counter Chinese dominance.On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Commerce is hosting a closed-door virtual meeting with miners and battery manufacturers to discuss ways to boost Canadian production of EV materials, according to documents seen by Reuters.The move comes as demand for electrified transportation is set to surge over the next decade.Conservationists have strongly opposed several large U.S. mining projects, leading officials to look north of the border to Canada and its supply of 13 of the 35 minerals deemed critical for national defense by Washington.Tesla, Albemarle, Talon Metals and Livent are among the more-than 30 attendees at Thursday's meeting who will discuss ways Washington can assist U.S. companies expand in Canada and overcome logistical challenges, according to the documents.The U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The event comes after U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed last month to building an EV supply chain between the two countries.Since Biden's election, three U.S. mining companies have invested in Canada, where mining accounts for 5% of the country's gross domestic product, versus roughly 0.9% in the United States.Canada's Fortune Minerals, which is developing a cobalt mine in the Northwest Territories, has also held funding talks with the U.S. Export/Import Bank, its chief executive told Reuters."The United States is really taking this seriously," CEO Robin Goad said.Lithium-ion batteries are dangerous to transport over long distances, so automakers prefer to have them built near assembly plants. That should aid efforts by Ontario and Quebec to develop their own battery cell plants with both provinces close to U.S. automakers in Michigan and Ohio, industry executives said."The border between Canada and the U.S. is inconsequential with respect to EVs and EV minerals," said Arne Frandsen, CEO of mining investment group Pallinghurst, which is the largest shareholder in Nouveau Monde Graphite, which is building a graphite mine and anode plant in Quebec.Pallinghurst joined Livent last November to buy the Nemaska lithium project in Quebec, in what will be North America's largest lithium mine. Both projects are slated to open by 2024 just as automakers launch dozens of new EV models."We do see Canada as a natural fit for expansion as the whole battery supply chain is going through a huge self-reckoning about sourcing," said Livent CEO Paul Graves.Livent has supply deals with BMW and Tesla.To be sure, the United States is also trying to boost domestic production of EV metals, which the Biden administration has said is critical.But Washington is increasingly viewing Canada as a kind of "51st State" for mineral supply purposes and plans to deepen financial and logistical partnerships with the country's mining sector over time, according to a U.S. government source.Both countries are members of the Energy Resource Governance Initiative, a pact to share mining experience and resources.Canadian firms are also able to apply for U.S. government grants under the U.S. Defense Production Act and other U.S. funding programs. There are no U.S. tariffs on Canadian EV battery metals or EV parts."You're beginning to see Canada become an important part of the North American EV supply chain," said Keith Phillips, CEO of Piedmont Lithium, which in January bought 20% of Sayona Mining, a developer of a Quebec lithium project.Canada's First Cobalt is building the continent's only cobalt refinery, part of an effort to wean the EV industry off supplies from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where child labor has been used. Cobalt is used to make battery cathodes.Adding to the appeal of Canada, some of the country's mines bill themselves as environmentally friendly and promise to use hydroelectric power to reduce their carbon emissions.The United States knows "that we are the most-secure and most-resilient source of metal imports for them," Canadian Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan told Reuters.Last week, privately-held USA Rare Earth invested in Search Minerals' rare earths project in Newfoundland in eastern Canada.While USA Rare Earth already controls a rare earths deposit in Texas, executives said they wanted access to more of the minerals used to make electronics and weapons."You can't just rely on projects in the U.S. for supply," said Pini Althaus, USA Rare Earth's CEO. "You have to collaborate with Canada."02Mars’ Missing Water Might Be Hiding in Its MineralsThe Martian landscape is an arid expanse of craters and sandstorms, but scientists have spotted several signs that at one point in its life, the Red Planet was awash with blue waters. Scientists have theorized that much of the planet’s water was lost to outer space as the atmosphere dissipated.But the planet’s vast oceans couldn’t have been lost to space fast enough to account for other milestones in Mars’ existence. The water must have gone somewhere else. A new study presents a solution: the water became incorporated into the chemical makeup of the ground itself. The research uses new computer models and found that if Mars once had a global ocean between 328 and 4,900 feet deep, then a significant amount of that water might now be stored in the planet’s crust.The study, published on March 16 in the journal Science and presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, incorporated data collected from Martian meteorites and by NASA’s Curiosity rover.“The fact that we can tell that there used to be a lot of water on Mars has really big implications for the potential for Mars to have had life in the past,” says planetary scientist Tanya Harrison, director of science strategy of Planet Labs, to Inverse’s Passant Rabie.Previous attempts to solve the puzzle did not take into account the fact that the crust can suck up water and lock it into hydrated minerals like clay and mudstone, Robin George Andrews reports for National Geographic. So the study’s lead author Eva Scheller, a planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology, and the research team set out to design a more complete computer model of Mars’ 4.5-billion-year lifetime.The new model uses constraints based on previous research about Mars’ water. For instance, the hydrated minerals found on Mars so far are all 3 billion years old or older. In the computer model, the process of incorporating water into the crust has to be done by that time. Scientists also know how quickly standard hydrogen is escaping Mars’ atmosphere today, while a heavier form of it called deuterium stays behind. So the model can use that information to estimate how much of Mars’ water escaped into space.According to the study, up to 99 percent of a shallow Martian ocean would have been absorbed into the planet’s crust. If the oceans were on the deeper end of what’s considered possible—up to 4,900 feet deep—then about 30 percent of the water would have been absorbed into the crust.The conclusion “helps bring focus to a really important mechanism for water loss on Mars,” says Rice University planetary geologist Kirsten Siebach, who wasn’t involved in the work, to Maria Temming at Science News. “Water getting locked up in crustal minerals may be equally important as water loss to space and could potentially be more important.”A key finding of the paper is that much of the planet’s water was lost between 3.7 and 4.1 billion years ago, when Mars’ crust formed.“That's really important because that means Mars already becomes pretty arid 3 billion years ago,” says Scheller to Inverse. “That kind of constraints when we think that Mars would have had this water, which ultimately has implications for habitability.”Life on Earth began to appear at least 3.5 billion years ago; by then, Mars had already lost much of its water into the crust or outer space. The study also offers some explanation of why Mars transitioned from an ocean planet to a complete desert. Water on Earth also gets incorporated into minerals, too, but then geological activity releases that water back into the environment. Mars doesn’t have the same activity as Earth, so the water got trapped.If future astronauts wanted to extract water from the minerals, they would have to bake it out, which isn’t energy efficient, says Purdue University planetary scientist Briony Horgan to National Geographic.So while the study may not impact the future of Mars exploration, it offers a step forward in solving a mystery in the planet’s past.“What this study does is that it says you have more water to play with early in Mars’s history,” says Siebach to National Geographic. “And that’s when Mars was most habitable.”035 Canadian Mining Companies To Watch As US Looks North For EV Battery MineralsThe electric vehicle sector is set to explode over the next 10 years and the U.S. is looking to create a supply chain with Canada.What Happened: Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), Talon Metals Corp. (OTC:TLOFF) and Livent Corp (NYSE:LTHM) were among 30 EV and battery manufacturers, in addition to mining companies, who met virtually with the U.S. Department of Commerce on Thursday, according to a report by Reuters. The group discussed how to boost the production of Canadian battery materials. Canada currently mines 13 of the 35 minerals needed to produce EV batteries.Why It Matters: Acquisitions have already begun. On Nov. 5, 2020, Livent, a lithium hydroxide supplier to Tesla, announced it had acquired the business and certain assets of Nemaska Lithium Inc., located in Quebec.There are a number of other Canadian companies mining scarce battery minerals that U.S. companies could be looking to buy.See also: Best Gold Stocks Right NowGratomic Inc (OTC:CBULF), a Toronto-based graphite mining company, mines rare lump graphite at its Aukam Graphite Project, located in Namibia. The company plans to become the largest vein graphite producer in the world and to enter the EV battery supply chain.Gratomic has a market cap of $69.82 million and trades at $1.15 a share.Canada Silver Cobalt Works Inc (OTC:CCWOF), based in Quebec, mines cobalt, silver, nickel and copper. The company announced on Feb. 16 it acquired 39,200 hectares, approximately 151 square miles, of property with deposits of minerals for EVs.Canada Silver Cobalt has a market cap of $42.32 million and trades at 35 cents per share.Neo Lithium Corp (OTC:NTTHF), based in Quebec, owns a 3Q project in Argentina, which is one of the five largest lithium brine deposits in the world. On Jan. 19, Neo Lithium announced it had increased its lithium carbonate to a purity of 99.797%.Neo Lithium has a market cap of $304.5 million and trades at $2.37 a share.MegaWatt Lithium and Battery Metals Corp (OTC:WALRF), a British Columbia-based company mines a number of battery minerals including lithium and cobalt. Its largest lithium project, Route 381 Lithium, is located near the Nemaska Lithium Inc. mine and has produced promising lithium samples.MegaWatt has a market cap of $3 million and trades at 35 cents a share.Canadian Nickel Company Inc (OTC:CNIKF), an Ontario mining company owns 100% of its Crawford mine. It is currently working to advance nickel-cobalt projects to the EV market.Canadian Nickel has a market cap of $219.12 million and trades at $2.73 a share.(Photo by Albert Hyseni on Unsplash)