Discount Vitamins Online And Buying Precautions

Discount vitamins online ordering can be easy, efficient and cost-effective. However, there are certain precautions to take. In fact, whether you order discount vitamins online or buy in a store, cheaper is likely not better! Here are some considerations when buying discount vitamins on the internet:

• Does the online store value your privacy and confidentiality? Is their privacy policy available to read if you'd like to see it? Be sure your email address won’t be sold and they will maintain your personal details in the strictest privacy.

• How long have they been in business? You may feel more comfortable with an online store that has been in business for some years.

• Does the discount vitamins online store have a way to contact them? Legitimate companies will make it easy to contact them in several ways.

• What if you’re unhappy with your purchase -- do they have a refund policy? A refund policy of at least 30 days is great and even longer is better. If there’s no refund policy, stay away.

As for the products, keep in mind that vitamin manufacturers are not regulated. Since buying discount vitamins online is about your health, pay attention to finding the best value, not just the cheapest price. Buying discount vitamins online presents many possibilities, but in general, you'll get what you pay for.

Discount vitamins are a poor value when they consist of cheaper, lower quality ingredients and will not include other beneficial nutrients known to provide major health benefits. These kinds of discount vitamins tend to use high quantities of cheaper ingredients, which can even lead to an unhealthy imbalance of nutrients. In the case of nutrients, more is not always better. And the cheapest part of nutritional supplements are the vitamin and minerals.

When buying discount vitamins online, try to feel comfortable with answers to these questions:

1. Is the price low because cheap, inferior ingredients are used? There can be huge differences in the quality and costs of individual ingredients. Since your health is the issue, priority should be given to quality since the final product is only as good as the raw ingredients used. For example, most beta carotene used in supplements is synthetic and contains only about 3% beta carotene that costs about $60 per kg. However, a much more effective higher potency 98% natural beta carotene costs about $2,800 per kg. The more effective natural form of Vitamin E d-alpha tocopheryl succinate costs more than the synthetic version called dl-alpha tocopheryl.

2. Does the manufacturer conform to pharmaceutical standards in their manufacturing processes? Very few manufacturers do so. High-volume discount manufacturers can cut costs by shortening the mixing time and by mixing at higher speeds. This can mean that the product must be tableted harder, which can result in a vitamin that will be more difficult to dissolve and may pass right through your system unused.

3. Besides basic vitamins and minerals, does the discount vitamins online product contain other essential nutrients that your body needs? Your body requires and will use a wide array of anti-aging nutrients - amino acids such as L-Carnosine, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-Carnitine plus antioxidants, bioflavanoids, neuronutrients, certain herbal extracts, enzymes and so on. And these nutrients have to be in the correct proportions to each other.

There ARE manufacturers designing and making supplements available online that provide high quality at very reasonable prices. There is one in particular that uses pharmaceutical grade ingredients, many supported by clinical studies. Ingredients are linked to the related clinical studies on their website. Their multivitamin/nutrients supplement is so complete, you can eliminate having to take numerous supplements individually.

Buying quality discount vitamins online is about improved health and energy, freedom from disease, improved sexual vigor and slowing the aging process. Learn as much as you can about what finding the best discount vitamins online really means. Before you spend your money, be informed about the nutrients and substances you'll be putting into your body every day.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

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Herbal Remedies To Prevent Travelers Diarrhea

Travelers visiting many tropical, sub-tropical and developing countries run an increased risk of suffering a gastrointestinal illness. These are usually caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. The microscopic bugs at the top of these rather gut wrenching (for all the wrong reasons...) charts are E Coli, the staphylococci, shigella and salmonella species, campylobacter jejuni, cryptosporidiosis, and hepatitis A.

Infected food is the biggest culprit, with water coming in second. Ice cream, cocktails served in re-used coconut shells, raw seafood, ice, and food from street vendors are potential risks that can interrupt your adventure with less salacious memories to pass on to family and friends.

The nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea from such acute infections usually sorts itself out after a few days (unless of course you have contracted hepatitis A, or something like giardia). Certainly, if you are unlucky enough to be sick after a few days, you should see a doctor.

Fortunately, there are remedies you can take that will strengthen your immune and digestive system and hopefully give your body a better chance at dealing with its new environment. The herbs I describe below would make an excellent travelers mix. The best form to take them in would be as a tincture, which can be made up by going to a local herbal dispensary if you have one in your area, or alternatively, a local herbalist.


Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus is a good anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial. The polysaccharides in it support the immune system. Astragalus increases the activity of phagocytes, natural killer cells, and the levels of antibodies in the blood.


Picrorrhiza (Picrorrhiza kurroa)

This is an Ayurvedic herb that is best given in low doses, as higher doses can cause diarrhea and flatulence in more sensitive people. Its a bitter herb, so it stimulates the digestive system. It is also anti-malarial, supports the immune system, and protects the liver. Picrorrhiza encourages all aspects of the immune system, such as B and T cell activity, and the activity of phagocytes. This herb is used in Ayurvedic medicine for liver related problems and immune problems.


Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis)

Goldenseal is a gut antibiotic, which for example helps reduce adhesive e coli, and encourages some immune functions of the body. For example, berberine, which is one of its active constituents, has been shown to increase the activity of macrophages, which digest bacteria and viruses. Barberry also contains berberine, so more information on this very valuable constituent is below. Goldenseal, being a bitter herb, it is also good for the digestive system. If you are pregnant or suffer from hypertension, however, you should not take goldenseal.


Barberry (Berberis Vulgaris)

Berberine, one of the active constituents in this herb is an anti protozoic, which helps protect travelers against giardia, leishmania, and treponema pallidum. Other notable effects of berberine are its activity against giardia, dysentery, and candida, as well as the cholera vibrio. The active constituents berberine and palmatine are also anti-bacterial. And berbamine, which like berberine is an alkaloid, is a strong anti-bacterial which seems to work by increasing white blood cells and platelets. The constituent palamtine is a uterine stimulant, however, and as such pregnant women shouldn't take this herb. Barberry is another gut antibiotic, but it is also anti-malarial (though no self-respecting herbalist would recommend anything other than doctor's treatment if you do contract malaria).


Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or augustifolia)

Echinacea is an immune stimulant. Its main active constituents are the polysaccharides and the alkamides (especially the isobutylamides), which are both immune stimulating, and the polyaceytlenes, which are antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Echinacea supports the activity of phagocytes, which are part of the immune system, and is also considered anti-viral and anti-microbial. One of the ways echinacea appears to work is by inhibiting the action of the enzyme hyaluronidase. This enzyme is used by micro-organisms to break down the connective tissue that prevents them from entering and spreading through the body. For these reasons, it is excellent as part of a travelers remedy mix.



These remedies are not designed as a prophylactic, like a vaccine. They work on the principle of giving your body an increased chance at staying healthy. But nothing replaces common sense. Wash your hands before eating. Don't drink ice or from water bottles where the seal has been broken. Drink cocktails in glasses, not cute but probably old coconut shells. Don't eat anything fresh that you can't peel. Don't eat ice cream or drink unpasteurized milk. Be wary of eating from street vendors. Some people do, and are fine. But they are a risk factor with gastrointestinal upsets. Its a good idea to pack some oral hydration salts as a precaution.

But above all, enjoy your holiday!

References: C Fisher & G Painter, Materia Medica of Western Herbs for the Southern Hemisphere

Class notes from Ses Salmond, certified Natural Therapist and Herbal Medicine teacher

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Hair growth vitamins and minerals

There is some evidence from a few small studies that the western diet has changed significantly in the last 20 years and there are certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies likely to be found in a typical American diet.

There are nutrients and herbs that have the potential to affect hair growth in a positive or negative way.
There are three basic ways that nutritional diet vitamin supplements and amino acid supplements may act influence the hair follicles. The mineral rich and vitamin supplements may act directly on hair stimulating or inhibiting growth activity or they may act indirectly through other intermediaries. For example, a vitamin supplement or herb may influence the production of a hormone to which hair follicles are sensitive. This change in hormone activity in turn may change the activity of the hair follicles.

Some minerals and vitamins can influence the activity levels of another vitamin and minerals. For example, intake of lysine, vitamin B12 and vitamin C help in absorption of other factors like iron. It is worth bearing in mind that the complexity of the body means there are many potential interactions for even the simplest nutrient.

Vitamins for hair & hair growth
Since Vitamin C, helps the absorption of other factors, it is of some significance. Others are of secondary importance to hair growth like vitamin E. Vitamin E is necessary to provide good blood circulation to the scalp by increasing the uptake of oxygen. Not fundamentally required in a hair growth supplement, vitamin E is often present largely because people expect to see it in the ingredients - and the customer is always right!

Other common ingredients like the amino acids - L-Cysteine and L-methioine are of questionable value. Although they are fundamentally required for good hair growth, even a rather unhealthy diet should provide enough of these amino acids and supplementation is rarely required.

Vitamin supplements’ vitamins
The supplement industry is worth several billion dollars a year and it is still growing rapidly. Vitamin supplements, mineral supplements and herbal supplements available on net come in all shapes and forms, many of which are specifically advertised to promote healthy hair growth.

These ‘vitamin supplements’ vitamins are marketed by different names such as liquid vitamin supplements, natural vitamin supplements, daily vitamin supplements, nutritional vitamin supplements and also by such names as mail order vitamin supplements or best vitamins supplements.

But the for the most part, with a few notable exceptions like vitamin A & Folic acid, taking these supplements probably does not harm hair growth. But whether they can really help promote hair growth depends on what the actual cause of the hair loss is and how the supplements or active ingredients in herbs interact with the hair follicles.

Vitamin and herbal supplements
To buy online health supplements or herbal treatment requires you to go for quality. Unfortunately there is no universal method by which quality supplements can be identified. So it is best to depend upon the natural vitamins supplements or fresh foods.

Typically, vitamins and minerals are most concentrated in fresh foods, the older the food is, and the more processed it is, the less nutritious it is. So in principle, the average diet of the early twenty first century may be more deficient in certain nutrients required for healthy hair growth compared to the average diet of the mid to late twentieth century, but it should be emphasized that vitamin and mineral deficiency is still rarely a cause of hair loss.

Hair loss vitamins & minerals
In other words, do not waste your time on searching for vitamin supplements on net unless you have a deficiency detected by a blood test. A comprehensive test for vitamin and mineral levels when one or more is suspected as a cause of hair loss would include; serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron binding capacity, serum zinc. The deficiency which directly affects hair growth can be related to vitamin (H) biotin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. You can go for testing for others if they are on offer, but biotin and B6 testing is enough to cover 95% of vitamin deficiencies related to hair loss. And only when such a deficiency is detected by the tests that you need to buy and eat the ‘vitamin supplements’ vitamins. So the bottom line is that it is better to have the natural supplements through a balanced diet.

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Ginseng; Is It Really Beneficial or an Asian Myth?

For thousands of years, ginseng has been revered in the Orient as an almost magical natural supplement with amazing benefits for those who use it regularly. It is said that ginseng will boost the immune system, enhance vitality, increase physical endurance, increase mental alertness, and treat illnesses like colds, fevers, headaches, and vomiting. It is even believed to be an aphrodisiac.

Let’s face it, if ginseng actually had the properties to give all the benefits it is believed to give, people would be taking it with every meal. The fact is however, the benefits of ginseng fall a far sight short of its claims.

Commercially, ginseng is taken as tea, in capsules, in liquid form from viles, or even by eating the root itself. Usually it is taken in doses of around 5 grams at a time. Ginseng is most commonly grown in Asia, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan, although it can also be found in wooded areas from Quebec to Missouri.

Ginsenosides, which is the active substance in the root, has been shown to increase endurance and decrease fatigue in mice when given to them in large amounts. One study where large amounts were given to humans noted a small improvement in the endurance levels of those who took it. Also, “Chinese herbal medicine”, published by the US National Institute of Health, claims the use of ginseng can raise unusually low blood pressure and can help prevent shock after heart attacks.

However, there is no good scientific evidence to support any of the claims made of these alleged benefits of consuming this root. It is also very likely that when you buy ginseng at the store, it will have a low concentration of ginsenosides in it. This means that even if ginseng does have some marginal benefit to offer, you will probably not receive any of them.

The lancet, a British medical journal, published a study done in Sweden which showed that most commercially sold ginseng products contained only trace amounts of ginsenosides. These findings concluded that the amount of ginsenosides found in these products was too insignificant to be of any benefit. Some of the products, including two sold in the US (“Siberian Ginseng” and “Up Your Gas”), had almost none of this substance at all.

For the most part, taking small to moderate amounts of ginseng will not be harmful to you, but you have to ask yourself if dollar for dollar it is worth taking something which is of no real value or benefit to you. We all can fall victim to hype made about a product, especially one that has been around for thousands of years, but when there is no good, proven science to support that products claims, save your money for a more useful purpose.

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Heart supplements that will energize your body and reduce the side effects of statin drugs.

If your “get up and go got up and went” these heart supplements are just what you’ve been looking for. If you are taking any of the statin family of drugs such as Lipitor, Zocor or Crestor to lower your cholesterol you should not be without CoQ10. These drugs can literally “kill” synthesis of CoQ10.

New clinical research
You might say this study included a little monkey business. The subjects were thirteen male and eight female baboons. These primates were fed a variety of diets that were supplemented with different amounts of vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

The purpose of the research was to measure the effectiveness of CoQ10 and vitamin E in reducing inflammation in the body. The inflammation was measured by conducting a simple blood test of C-reactive protein (CRP).

A New England Journal of Medicine studies showed that people with high levels of C-reactive protein were almost three times as likely to die from a heart attack.

When CRP levels were analyzed, vitamin E was found to lower levels of inflammation to an average of less than half of pre-supplementation levels. When coenzyme Q10 was added to vitamin E, CRP levels revealed a whopping seventy percent reduction in inflammation.

In the discussion of their findings, the researchers called the results “remarkable.” They concluded that “co-supplementation with vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 significantly enhanced both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection.”

Important heart attack risks
Why is this so important? Inflammation and oxidation are two of the most important risks leading to a heart attack or stroke. The latest research indicates that these risks are far more dangerous than high cholesterol.

Big words for a big problem
A high level of CRP in your blood indicates an increased risk for what your cardiologist describes as “destabilized atherosclerotic plaque.” These are big words for a big problem.

Interpreted in laymen’s language, when arterial plaque becomes destabilized, it can burst open and block the flow of blood through a coronary artery, resulting in an acute heart attack. And a heart attack isn’t as much fun as you might think.


"CoQ10, is energy on call," says, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, a board certified cardiologist at the New England Heart and Longevity Center. “I have long considered CoQ10 a wonder nutrient because of its ability to support heart health.”

In addition to energizing your heart, these heart supplements have also been shown to support the immune system, blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels.

More than 100 clinical studies at major universities and hospitals have documented the actions of Coenzyme Q10 and now new studies have researchers heaping more praise on this heart vitamin.

Women with breast cancer and non-cancerous breast lesions commonly have low blood levels of CoQ10. Although more studies are needed, Danish researcher Knud Lockwood, M.D. has had good results using high doses of CoQ10 to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer in women.

Chronic inflammation is also an underlying cause of many age-related diseases. A fact that until recently has been given very little attention by the medical establishment.

CoQ10 is a notoriously bulky nutrient that's quite hard for your body to absorb. When shopping for these heart supplements look for a product that has been tested for maximum bioavailability and also has the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) seal on the bottle. There are a few good brands on the web and a lot that are not what they seem to be.You can find my favorite at VitalHeart.info

Do your heart…and the rest of your body a favor by getting acquainted with these multi talented heart supplements. Be careful though…a burst of energy might have your friends wondering what’s going on in your life.

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Glyconutrients - The Mystery Revealed

I recently read a lengthy article on Glyconutrients. The author of the article (who shall remain nameless), incorrectly and falsely made statements about glyconutrients and cures.

The reality is that glyconutrients are GREAT; and they seriously help people that have compromised immune systems. Glyconutrients have the ability to feed our body at the cellular level. The end result of this is that your body acts and responds more efficiently. This means your body will naturally fight off and address current illnesses and ailments BETTER than if you did not take glyconutrients.

At this point in the research with glyconutrients, it is INCORRECT to make statements that glyconutrients heal. However, the research is far enough along that people who are battling auto immune disorders should SERIOUSLY consider taking glyconutrients.

My other beef with glyconutrient advertising is that it is NOT a silver bullet. There are many good things everybody should be doing for their bodies on a daily basis. These things are even more important when you are fighting a major autoimmune disorder.

For example, everybody should be doing the following:

Taking a good multivitamin
Drinking eight classes of water a day, preferably distilled.
Taking Co-enzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid
Taking Priobiotics
Taking a high quality Vitamin C

Think about this. When your body is under stress; and it is failing to fight off a disease properly, wouldn't you want to give your body all the raw materials it needs to assist in the healing process? Glyconutrients are one MAJOR step in this process; but they are not the entire process.

My advice to people who are looking for ways to improve their health is TO DO THEIR homework first. Secondly, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Not all products and companies are the same. For example, there is only one glyconutrient on the market today that has 20 world wide patents and manufactures a complete glyconutrient supplement that contains all EIGHT sugars.

You can locate information about this glyconutrient at

Glyconutrients
www.glyconutritionforlife.org

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General Information About Vitamins

Where does the word "vitamin" come from?

The words is derived from the Latin word vita (life) and the biochemical term amine (nitrogen-containing) because vitamins are required for life and were originally thought to be amines. Vitamins are organic compounds required by humans in small amounts from the diet.

What are vitamins?

A vitamin is an organic (carbon-containing) substances derived from plants and animals that human body must have in very small amounts. Without vitamins the human body would not survive, vitamins are required for normal growth, metabolism (creating energy in your cells), and health. Vitamins are needed to make enzymes and hormones, which are important substances human body uses to make all the chemical reactions needed to live. Most of us get enough of vitamins from our food, but it may be necessary for some people to take a vitamin supplement, because an ongoing shortage of vitamins will lead to failed health, weakness, susceptibility to disease.

The body needs at least 13 different vitamins to function properly: Vitamin A - Retinol; Vitamin B complex (B1 - Thiamine; B2 - Riboflavin; B3 - Niacin; B6 - Pyridoxine; B12 - Cyanocobalamin; B9 - Folic acid; B5 - Pantothenic acid; H - Biotin); Vitamin C - Ascorbic acid; Vitamin D - Calciferol (can be obtained through sunlight); Vitamin E - Tocopherol; Vitamin K - Menaquinone.

There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water-soluble.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble, they dissolve in fat but not water. Once these vitamins are absorbed by the body, they are stored mostly in the fatty tissues and in the liver. The liver provides the primary storage tissue for vitamins A and D. Vitamin E is stored mainly in body fat and to a lesser extent in reproductive organs. Relatively little vitamin K is stored.

Because you can store these vitamins, you don't have to get a supply of them every day. However, eating fats or oils that are not digested can cause shortages of fat-soluble vitamins. On the other hand, getting too much of these vitamins, particularly vitamins A and D, can lead to toxic levels in the body and cause problems.

Water-soluble vitamins

The water-soluble vitamins - vitamin C and all the B vitamins - need to dissolve in water before your body can absorb them. Because of this, your body can't store these vitamins in any significant amounts. The water-soluble vitamins your body doesn't use are removed by your kidneys and come out in your urine, so you need a fresh supply of these vitamins every day. You can't really overdose on water-soluble vitamins, unless you take truly massive doses.

Water-soluble vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage or preparation. Proper storage and preparation of food can minimize vitamin loss. To reduce vitamin loss, refrigerate fresh produce, keep milk and grains away from strong light, and use the cooking water from vegetables to prepare soups.

How to get vitamins?

It is best to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs through the food you eat. A daily diet of varied foods can provide you with needed vitamins and minerals for maintaining a healthy body. To get the most vitamins possible from your food, refrigerate fresh produce and keep milk and grains away from strong light. Vitamins are easily destroyed and washed out during food preparation and storage.

There are also a number of other factors that deplete our bodies of important vitamins:

* Smoking - strips 25mg of vitamin C for each cigarette smoked.
* Stress - utilizes a lot of B-complex vitamins and minerals.
* Eating sugar and other refined products - will strip chromium, zinc, vitamin B3 and other minerals from the body.

Too little of just one vitamin may disturb the body's balance and lead vitamin deficiency. Some deficiencies can be cured simply by eating foods that contains the vitamin that you need. Other deficiencies lead to diseases and conditions that are more difficult to treat.

However, taking too many vitamins can also be dangerous. This is especially true of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K: it is harder to get rid of excess of these vitamins in the body. You should never take extra vitamins and minerals without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor may also suggest taking extra vitamins or minerals if you have certain health problems.

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Exciting New Clinical Research on Arthritis Supplement

For the millions of Americans who suffer from arthritis, the search for relief is often long and confusing.

For many, the recall of the arthritis medication Vioxx served as a wake-up call. To avoid side effects, many people looked for an alternative source of relief in supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin.

However, a recent study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that these supplements used alone have not delivered hoped-for results in alleviating arthritis. Fortunately, recent studies have shown that people who are taking a supplement known as SierraSil have shown significant improvement.

A recent clinical trial found that 85 percent of those taking SierraSil, a mineral complex from the Sierra Mountains, experienced relief from arthritis symptoms within two weeks or less.

The complex is comprised of numerous, naturally occurring macro and trace minerals.

"SierraSil is one of the few natural products to have passed rigorous scientific research with flying colors," said Dr. Alan Xenakis, M.D., author of numerous books on health and nutrition. "What is most impressive are the results from this recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrating that it is safe and effective for significantly reducing pain and inflammation in patients with arthritis."

If you turn off the inflammation, then the joints can start to rebuild naturally.

Unlike other nutraceuticals, this complex works by suppressing gene expression associated with inflammatory responses. The combination of these minerals works as an anti-inflammatory agent.

While the human body can make many vitamins, it cannot produce a single mineral. Due to mineral depletions in the soil, you can no longer rely on getting all the necessary minerals your body needs from the food you eat.

Studies have shown that this mineral complex promotes joint mobility and protects cartilage. Many people who have tried it also report increased energy, enhanced athletic performance and a renewed sense of well-being. Vancouver native Elsbeth Turner said, "I have been taking SierraSil regularly since the summer of '05 and find that I am free of all my joint discomfort. It is a great product; I am feeling so much better overall."

A recent study, published in the international Journal of Inflammation, found that taking SierraSil helps to reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis.

Many people who use the supplement would agree. One of its biggest fans is golf legend and former CBS-TV analyst Ken Venturi. "It's been amazing! After using SierraSil for a short period of time, the strength has come back to my hands, and I have more flexibility than before," said Venturi. "I'm back to hitting golf balls almost every day, and I've picked up distance again. And what it's done for me most of all, it's given me back the game of golf, which I love so much."

Thousands of people, including athletes and doctors, are using the complex for daily relief.

According to Mark Miller, Ph.D. and professor of cardiovascular sciences and pediatrics at Albany Medical College, NY, the complex may "offer exciting new approaches to limiting the joint destruction and lack of mobility associated with arthritis."

This can be good news for anyone who is restricted by arthritis pain and seeks a safe, natural method of relief.

"An effective, new mineral supplement offers a natural solution-without any side effects-to people who suffer from arthritis"-Dr. Alan Xenakis, M.D., co-author of "Mineral Miracle."

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Five Things Anyone Can Do To Stay Healthy

While there are many lifestyle choices a person can make to stay healthy, most experts agree that there are five main behaviors we can initiate in order to increase our chances of staying in optimum physical health. The beneficial tips presented in this article are by far not an all-inclusive list. In research studies all over the world, health experts have shown that our participation in the following five healthy functions is essential towards maintaining a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

Let’s Eat

We hear it all the time, eat healthy! Nourishment of the physical body is very important but the general term “eat healthy” doesn’t really explain how we can get the best food into our bodies and stay healthy. Since this topic alone could take up pages of explanation on what "eating healthy" means, let’s look at some valuable tips you can use in order to make the best choices starting today.

* Don’t stuff yourself. It has long been known that overeating can cause weight gain, take our stores of body energy down to a very low level, as well as create dangerous imbalances and havoc on our metabolism or metabolic rate. The best advice here is to eat in moderation and only till you feel satisfied. Eat smaller meals throughout the day.

* Eat a majority of healthy foods. Fresh raw vegetables and fruits, lean meats, less fat and whole grains. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike should research and find the best foods for their bodies. Whatever your choice of dietary and nutrition lifestyle, make sure you stay away from sugar and processed foods (anything in a box).

* Lastly, make mealtime one you look forward to. If you look at food as something to be enjoyed and savored, you are less likely to make meal time something you are resigned to "have to do". Stop the trips to fast food restaurants or popping a frozen meal into the microwave. Take time for meal planning. Learn how to cook or find recipes that are healthy. Cook ahead several meals and have them ready to heat.

Overall, eating healthy means making wise choices for your body. Wise choices come from researching the healthy foods. There are many foods considered "superfoods" and they need to be part of your nutritional routine. Almonds, avocados, skim milk, green tea, blueberries, and raw or fresh vegetables and fruits, salmon, oatmeal, and cantaloupe are just some of the superfoods you could be enjoying right now. Along with eating healthy from food sources, we must be sure to include vitamin and supplements into our daily routine.

It’s Time to Take Your Vitamins

Along with the suggestions on finding healthy foods to eat, intake of the proper amounts of vitamins and nutrients are equally as important. Your body is going to require some very important vitamins and nutrients necessary to not only stay healthy but to survive. Here’s some tips to get you on the right track.

* Research and learn about vitamins and supplements.

* As mentioned above, researching "healthy" food and nutrition habits are essential. While you’re looking in that area, start exploring your vitamin requirements.

* Take a multi-vitamin everyday. If nothing else, get started with taking a multi-vitamin every day.

Read the label and be sure that:

* If you are pregnant you are either taking a pre-natal vitamin or one with folic acid.

* As a female you are getting the proper amounts of calcium for your age category and watch the iron intake. Women that are post-menopausal don’t need the extra iron.

* If you’re a male, make sure that you get the proper amounts of lycopene which has been shown to protect and maintain prostate health.

Now that we have discussed eating healthy and the proper vitamin intakes and supplementation, your body needs just a few more things to maintain good health.

Let’s Get Moving

Exercise is as essential to the body’s good health as proper nutrition. Many of us seem to think that we have to run 10 miles a day or work out in the gym for hours to get the right amount of exercise. Experts have stated that we do need exercise in the form of those that increase our heart rate (cardiovascular) and those exercises that tone the body (stretching types). Exercise also needs to be of the FUN type. Here are some ideas for you to consider when adding exercise to your daily routine.

* Any amount of exercise is better than no exercise at all. If you just cant stand the idea of going to a gym and working out several hours a day then try these:

* Put the remote control next to the television and leave it there. Get up to change your channels.

* Park in the furthest parking spot you can whenever you go somewhere.

* Use the stairs and not the elevators.

* If an exercise routine does appeal to you then think about these suggestions:

* Choose something you are passionate about. Did you take dance lessons as a child and just loved it? Find a dance teacher that will instruct adults after work.

* Find a gym that offers a good rate and has a personal trainer included with your membership.

* Start using that pool in your backyard or neighborhood.

Most physical fitness experts agree that a minimum of 30 minutes a day would be better than nothing at all. Finally, two of the most important health tips that can be offered besides proper nutrition, vitamin intake and exercise are a good night’s sleep and drinking lots of water.

Time to Say Goodnight

It is astounding the research that has come out in the early 21st century about sleep. We simply don’t get enough. Our busy hectic lifestyles seem to have placed sleep or even rest periods at an all time low on our priority lists. There is only one major suggestion to offer here. Get some sleep. Studies have found that children today in 2006 are falling asleep in classrooms. They are continually late or tardy to class. They have little energy to make it through the day. Wonder where they could be picking up this habit?

Adults are also tired. Studies of production rates at some major corporations say the culprit of over tired adults is working too much, stress (or the inability to relax and reduce stress levels) or they simply are staying up too late at night.

Our bodies require rest and sleep. Sleep is the time our bodies repair themselves. These repairs can range from healing and thwarting off potential illness, rejuvenating our energy systems, maintaining our emotions and keeping them in balance, to name a few. Find out what you require in sleep hours. Whether you need 6, 7 or 8 hours asleep, go to bed at a time where this can be done.

Hydration! Hydration! Hydration!

Add to your list of "things I need to do to stay healthy", WATER. Drink as much water as you can tolerate. There is an endless list of the benefits of hydrating your body with water. Some are:

* Hydration means elimination. Naturally, what goes in must come out. Staying hydrated means healthy and less painful waste elimination.

* As a feel good benefit, hydrated skin is less dry, itchy and flaky. It also appears more vibrant and healthy looking.

Do some research into the new healthy drinking waters. Many of these have extra vitamins, no sugar and no artificial colors or flavors. They are a great source for healthy fluid intake. Some are geared especially for women’s needs as well as the special requirements of the more athletic. Take a bottle with you on your new exercise routine.

For many of us, implementing any of these five suggestions for healthy living may be very difficult. Taking the time to research what to eat, the proper vitamin intakes, being sure to drink enough water and finding the exercise routine that will get us moving may seem daunting at first. Adding to that, we must find the time to get enough sleep. In order to live a long and healthy life these behaviors must become a part of our lives. The most important investment we will ever make in our lives will be the commitment to start healthy habits as a daily routine.

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Herbal Dietary Supplements and Their Benefits

Herbal dietary supplements often contain more than one herbal ingredient meant to enhance your everyday diet. Some ingredients are vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other dietary substances. There herbal dietary supplements are not intended to treat or cure various diseases, or conditions, but to help prevent certain ailments, and to also add nutrients to the body. But, undeniably, herbal dietary supplements have healing properties for several body conditions.

There are many supplements that help treat a wide variety of conditions. Some of these are:

" Ephedra is a dietary supplement that helps prevent colds, treat asthma and other upper respiratory ailments.
" Magnesium is herbal dietary supplements that aids in preventing kidney, thyroid or heart disease.
" St. Jonh's wort is effective herbal dietary supplements for depression
" Vitamin E is herbal dietary supplements that are potent antioxidants.
" Copper is herbal dietary supplements that aids in the absorption of zinc in the body and maximizes its beneficial effects effect. It helps the body function normally, prevent heart disease, promotes healthy skin and hair color and other benefits.
" Folate is herbal dietary supplements that contribute to the production of red blood cells, manufacture of DNA for cell replication and aids in metabolism of amino aids.
" Iron is herbal dietary supplements that supplies energy to every cell in the body and a vital component of hemoglobin which supplies oxygen to muscles.
" Vitamin B6 and B12 belong to Vitamin B complexes which treat a host of ailments such as alcoholism, depression, diabetes, hair problems, lupus, multiple sclerosis and stress.
" Tea is herbal dietary supplements that contain antioxidant effective in preventing cancer, heart disease and reduce blood pressure among numerous other benefits.
" Vitamin D is essential herbal dietary supplements in preventing osteoporosis.
" Selenium contains antioxidant that could counter various ailments including cancer.
" Vitamin A and carotenoids are herbal dietary supplements that promote good eyesight.

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Heart Health with Herbal Cholesterol Supplements

The body needs cholesterol for digesting dietary fats, making hormones, building cell walls, and other important processes. The bloodstream carries cholesterol in particles called lipoproteins that are like blood-borne cargo trucks delivering cholesterol to various body tissues to be used, stored or excreted. But too much of this circulating cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the coronary ones that supply the heart. This leads to accumulation of cholesterol-laden "plaque" in vessel linings, a condition called atherosclerosis.

When blood flow to the heart is impeded, the heart muscle becomes starved for oxygen, causing chest pain (angina). If a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery affected by atherosclerosis, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or death can occur.

Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. More than 90 million American adults, or about 50 percent, have elevated blood cholesterol levels, one of the key risk factors for heart disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's National Cholesterol Education Program.

Cholesterol lowering supplements containing Policosanol or Red Yeast Rice are known to assist in lowering cholesterol levels.

Policosanol
Policosanol is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane. It is a mixture of eight higher primary aliphatic alcohols isolated and purified from sugar cane wax. One of the newest and more successful substances that benefits those suffering from high cholesterol is Policosanol, which is a safe and natural extract from sugar cane wax. It works by helping the liver control production and breakdown of cholesterol. Policosanol promotes healthy platelet function and helps to maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.

Red Yeast Rice
Red Yeast Rice is the product of yeast ( Monascus purpureus ) grown on rice, and is served as a dietary staple in some Asian countries. It contains several compounds collectively known as Monacolins, substances known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. Red Yeast Rice is proposed to be a mild aid for gastric problems (indigestion, diarrhea), blood circulation and spleen and stomach health.

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Don't Fear Heart Disease. Take Your Vitamins!

Heart disease kills many people every year. One of the risk factors for heart disease is high cholesterol. If you are diagnosed with heart disease, your doctor will undoubtedly prescribe a cholesterol-lowering drug and request that you follow a diet low in cholesterol. Vitamin E naturally keeps cholesterol at a healthy level by limiting the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that enters the bloodstream. While there are discrepancies in the reports, many studies indicate that it takes as much as 100 milligrams or more of vitamin E for people to experience the benefits. Eating foods, such as eggs, fish, and whole-grain cereals can contribute to the recommended amount. However, you will still need to supplement your diet with vitamins to reach the benefit amount. The good news about vitamin E and heart disease is that vitamin E is not only a preventive measure, but it also can benefit individuals who already have heart disease or who have had bypass surgery.

Including plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet is a good plan for good health. When you do this, you obtain a steady source of antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C. If you are concerned about heart disease, you may want to increase the amount you consume. Vitamin C is present in many foods; however, to obtain benefits related to heart disease, it is recommended that an individual take 500 milligrams each day. This is an extreme amount and is generally recommended for individuals who already have heart-related illnesses or who use cigarettes or other tobacco products on a regular basis.

Niacin (B3) has a twofold benefit when taken on a regular basis. It can lower your triglycerides, a risk factor for both diabetes and heart disease. Niacin also reduces the amount of LDL and increases the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the bloodstream. While consuming just 2 milligrams of niacin each day can provide protection for heart disease, it is very minute protection. Studies indicate that the best improvement in cardiovascular health by taking niacin is in at least 1000 milligrams. Consuming niacin in this amount can result in your face feeling flushed. This side effect can take place from a few minutes to an hour after taking niacin.

While vitamin supplementation in most cases is harmless, it is a good idea to check with your health care professional before starting to take any vitamins. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with heart disease or any other health condition.


To check out the supplement we take daily and highly recommend, be sure to check out http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/what-we-use.html

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Health Supplements, Antioxidants and the FDA

The Food and Drug Administration understands that people may not eat properly. That is why they have listed recommendations for consumers about health supplements – and specifically those with antioxidant properties. The simple fact is the human body cannot work properly without antioxidants. The FDA acknowledges that a lack of antioxidants in a person’s diet is detrimental to their health. They also recognize that health supplements are coming to the aid of many people.

Most people -- even those who eat healthy -- do not consume the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals they need on a daily basis. When the human body lacks the proper nutrients that include antioxidants (foods that contain vitamins C and E, along with beta-carotene and selenium) the immune system is not as strong as it should be. This means that common illnesses and even serious diseases can arise.

Antioxidants are a protection from free radicals. Free radicals should be thought of as dangerous, deformed enemies who are out to hurt us. Actually, free radicals are mutated oxygen molecules. They are “mutated” by pollution, sun and other hazards. When free radicals are allowed to run free inside the human body, they will attach to cell walls and start to change the cell. Changes in the cells can bring on early aging and even cancer.

Health supplements, such as Resveracine, are the soldiers that guard us against the outside, enemy forces. Resveracine is a combination of super nutrients. This “super hero” is specially formulated to provide the human body with the highest level of free radical scavenger hunters in the world today.

It should be noted that nothing will ever take the place of whole foods. However, the simple fact remains that in today’s world of processed foods, adding a health supplement such as Resveracine to your diet is the only sure way to ensure that you have a ready supply of antioxidants available to fight off disease and signs of early aging.

Only in recent years has the importance of antioxidants been relayed to the general lay person. Education by cancer and disease organizations has prompted many to purchase health supplements for themselves and their families. People are coming to understand that if they take in enough antioxidant though healthy eating and health supplements, their bodies will have a strong defense system in place.

The fact that antioxidants slow down the aging process is the added benefit. Doesn’t it just make sense to make sure you are getting all of the nutrients you need?

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Get Your Daily Dose of Calcium in a Candy

Calcium: Everyone needs it.

Calcium is an important nutrient that builds strong teeth and bones and protects against osteoporosis. Research shows that calcium also helps control blood pressure and may help reduce the risk of colon cancer, according to the American Dietetic Association. It also could help you keep off excess weight.

Key organs and bodily functions depend on calcium to operate at their best. That's why health experts recommend a calcium supplement if you don't get enough calcium in your average diet. But with so many options out there - with or without additional nutrients- it's easy to become overwhelmed.

One thing to consider when choosing how to get your calcium is that pills are often very large and uncomfortable to swallow. The good news is that pills aren't your only alternative to the recommended low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt.

A novel approach to satisfying your body's need for calcium is now being provided by Mosaic Nutraceuticals, a Dallas- based natural supplement company. Mosaic has developed a premium calcium supplement that is easier to take - in the form of soft, caramel-flavored candies. Containing vitamin D and vitamin K, also vital nutrients in the absorption of calcium, these soft candy chews are not only good for you, but fun to take and great-tasting, too, according to the company.

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Do You Need to Supplement Your Cat's Diet with Vitamins and Minerals?

Despite obvious physiology differences, your cat is not that different from you. Just as humans, cats require vitamins and minerals to survive. Whether or not you need to supplement your cat's diets with vitamins depends largely on their diet and current health status.

The vitamins that cats need include both fat soluble and water-soluble vitamins. These vitamins are essential to a cat's growth and for the efficient processing of fats in the body. These vitamins ensure that a cat's bones are healthy and that they have sufficient protection from disease. Cats are prone to cuts and vitamins can help to repair wounds quickly. Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins E, D, A, and K. The water-soluble vitamins include the B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and B12) and vitamin C.

Vitamins are easily absorbed in a cat's system. Minerals, on the other hand, require that the cat's system is healthy for proper absorption. Any slight infection can affect a cat's ability to absorb minerals. The minerals that cats require the most include calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium chloride.

The good news about foods for animals is that they are formulated to meet all the nutritional needs of the animal. Feeding your cat food is typically all that is necessary for them to obtain all the nutrients they need. However, there are some things that can affect the amount of nutrients in cat food. For starters, cat food can lose some of its nutritional value. This often happens if the food is kept on a store shelf for a significant amount of time.

If a stray cat has made its way to your doorstep, the condition of the cat may warrant the need for vitamin and mineral supplementation. Stray cats, especially abandoned kittens are susceptible to infections and diseases. The first step you should make when attempting to care for a stray cat is to have a veterinarian inspect the cat for diseases. The veterinarian will give you instructions for caring for the stray cat, including vitamin and mineral supplementation. You should follow the instructions given to you. An excessive amount of a particular vitamin or mineral can cause a toxic reaction in a cat that could be fatal.


Why not check out our nutrition guide at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/nut-ebook.html

and also what supplement we personally use for our nutrition needs at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/what-we-use.html

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Ephedra Supplements May Not Be Worth The Risk

Ephedra supplements are hard to find in stores because of the dangers linked to them, but they are still legal and available to anyone determined to take them.

I see them now and then in gas station markets or 7-11s, usually sold at the counter in colorful little packets labeled something ridiculous like ‘Super Boost’ or ‘Ultimate Energy Pills’. If you’re thinking about taking some of these, just be careful not to over do it, and to avoid other stimulants.

Even ephedra by itself boosts your chances of having heart attacks, especially in people who already have heart trouble or blood pressure issues. The irony is that most people that would want to take ephedra supplements to lose weight are the exact same people who are at the most risk by taking them.

Ephedra supplements used to be a very popular way to promote weight lose in the obese. Like most stimulants, ephedra supplements significantly boost metabolism and lower appetite, so they make an effective and tempting alternative to diet and exercise.

Because of the risks associated with it, ephedra supplements have waned in popularity as diet pills. They’ve been replaced by a host of other ‘natural’ and ‘herbal’ supplements that are every bit as dangerous but just haven’t gotten a bad reputation yet.

Don’t be fooled by the term ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’; these two words are by no means synonymous with ‘healthy’ or ‘safe’. After all, ephedra comes from a 100 percent natural herb, and so do hemlock and nicotine.

Most of the ephedra supplement overdose cases I hear about these days have been in college aged kids taking ‘herbal ecstasy’ concoctions. Herbal ecstasy is basically a combination of epehdra, caffeine, and pseudephedrine, all of which together act synergistically to really put your heart into overdrive.

For many the result is just a lot of sweating and teeth clenching as they go dancing from club to club, but every now and then the cocktail proves too much and causes heart failure.

Ephedra supplements are definitely a risky and unhealthy way to lose weight. While not an especially dangerous drug in itself, mixed with caffeine or other stimulants ephedra can become a serious risk to your health.

Every year there are some reported cases of people who unknowingly overdosed by taking some kind of ephedra supplement and then going on to have coffee, Sudafed, or some combination of other stimulants that put them over the top.

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Glyconutrients - Can I get them in my food?

Glyconutrients are broken down into EIGHT simple sugars. These simple sugars are found in our diets. If you eat the correct fruits and vegetables you can avoid taking a glyconutrient supplement. However, you may find sticking to a diet that contains the correct types of fruits and vegetables to receive the proper amount of all EIGHT glyconutrients (sugars) may be difficult.

If this is the case (as it is for most people), please choose a high quality glyconutrient supplement. There is only one company that markets a patented glyconutrient supplement that contains all eight glyconutrients. You can find this product here.

Glyconutrients

KEYS FOOD(s) THAT CONTAIN GLYCONUTRIENTS:

1) Fucose is prevanlent in medicinal mushrooms, seaweeds (kelp and wakame) and beer yeast.

2) Galactose is very common in our diets. Dairy Products, Fruits (Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Currants, Dates, Grapes, Kiwi, Mangos, Oranges, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Passionfruit, Echinacea, Boswellia, Fenugreek, Chestnuts, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Avocado, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Potatoes, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Leeks, Asparagus, Lettuce, Green Beans, Mushrooms (not buttons), Beetroot, Onions, Parsnips, Green Peas, Pumpkins, Spinach.

3) Glucose is also very common; but it is more concentrated in the following fruits and vegetables. Honey, Grapes, Bananas, Cherries, Strawberries, Mangoes, Aloe Vera Gel, Licorice Herb, Sarsaparilla, Hawthorn, Garlic, Kelp, and Echinacea.

4) Mannose is not easily found in food source. One of the main sources is Aloe Vera Gel. Other sources include Fenugreek, Black or Red Currants, Gooseberries, Green Beans, Cabbage, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Turnips, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Kelp.

5) N-acetylgalactosamine is NOT consumed in the average diet. It is found in Bovine and Shark cartilages and red algae

6) N-acetylglucosamine is most often found as Glucosamine Sulfate, a dietary supplement used to treat arthritis.

7) N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) is found in whey protein isolate or concentrate – not the powder (the concentrate has a higher amount than the isolate).

8) Xylose is located in Guava, Pears, Blackberries, Loganberries, Raspberries, Aloe Vera Gel, Kelp, Echinacea, Boswellia, Psyllium, Broccoli, Spinach, Eggplant, Peas, Green Beans, Okra, Cabbage, and Corn.

As you can see from the description above it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to ingest the correct types of fruits and vegetables to provide your body with sufficient quantities of all EIGHT glyconutrients. Instead of buying separate supplements that contain only ONE of the eight essential glyconutrients, you can simply purchase a comprehensive glyconutrient product that contains all eight glyconutrients.

Currently, there is only one company in the world that manufactures a 100% pure patented glyconutrients product. Others sell glyconutrients; but none meet the rigourous standards of this patented product. You can view more information about this product at

Glyconutrients

Before you take any supplemnts, DO YOUR RESEARCH. Make sure you understand what you are taking and why you are taking it. Lastly, after you make the decision to take a specific supplement, please make sure you research the manufacturer thoroughly. Not all supplements are created equally.

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Health Food Supplements - Consumer Guide

Health food supplements are one of the hottest selling products in the market these days. Their total consumption values billions of dollars in the U.S. alone. Recent surveys show that more than half of the adults in the U.S. consume health food supplements in different forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, soft gels, gel caps and liquids.

The increased consumption of health food supplements can be attributed to public awareness of health issues and improved standard of living in our society. Many studies have shown that there is a close correlation between health and nutrition. Insufficient supply of nutrients can weaken our body defense mechanism, causing medical problems from common ailments to more severe illnesses in the long term.

There are different types of health food supplements, including macronutrients (amino acids, proteins, essential fatty acids), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), enzymes (digestive enzymes and antioxidant enzymes), probiotics (beneficial bacteria in the gut), and herbal supplements. These supplements have unique functions in our body. They are either essential for life and good health, modulate our immune system or help with liver detoxification, digestion, mental clarity, etc.

Many people argue that there is no need to consume health food supplements as long as you have a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet. While this may be true, the fact is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and proper diet is difficult to achieve by many people.

Over the past few decades, the green revolution has changed the farming practices over the world. We use more chemical fertilizers, more pesticides to grow the food produce in order to increase harvest and shorten the growth period. As a result, soil nutrients and the population of beneficial soil bacteria are depleted rapidly, and the produce we grow today contain less micronutrient than before.

A stressful lifestyle, improper eating habits, imbalanced diet and increased exposure to chemicals such as environmental pollutants (air, water) and pesticides, drugs, hormones, heavy metals in foods also weaken our body gradually.

Although health food supplements can be beneficial to our health, consumers should still choose the products carefully. Currently, there is little regulation on the quality of health food supplements. Composition of some health food products may not match the label claims and the quality of raw materials and finished products is not guaranteed. Therefore, consumers should only buy from reputable health food manufacturers, read the labels carefully and read more related literatures.

Here are some general rules for buying health food supplements:

1) Supplements made from whole foods, natural sources are better than the synthetic ones. They are more bioactive, can be absorbed readily, and less likely to be contaminated by chemicals such as coal tars used in chemical synthesis.

2) Protein-bonded vitamins and minerals (vitamins and minerals in organic form, binding to amino acids) are more bioactive than the inorganic forms.

3) Buy supplements using safe extraction methods, such as cold pressed extraction or supercritical extraction. This can avoid the harmful residue from chemical extraction.

4) Herbal concentrate and extract are usually more effective than the raw herbs.

5) Organically grown or wild crafted herbs are less likely to be contaminated by heavy metals, pesticides and other chemicals.

6) Read the labels, do not consume more than the recommended dose.

7) Be careful when consuming certain herbal supplements, such as Ma Huang / ephedra, Kava Kava, comfrey, etc. Some studies have shown that these herbs may cause severe side effects to some people. Stop use if unusual signs appear after consumption.

8) Some health food supplements may interact with drugs, either by decreasing or increasing their effects. Consult your doctor if you are currently taking medications.

9) Pregnant and nursing women, people with specific medical conditions such consult the doctors when consuming health food supplements.

10) If in doubt, contact the supplement manufacturers or distributors for more information of their products.

11) Health food supplements are available in many places, such as grocery stores, health food stores, drug stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, department stores, online stores, etc. Be a smart consumer, compare the price and service before purchase.

To learn more about health food supplements, please visit http://vitaminstores.4reviews.net.

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Healthy Diet For Your Child

It is the belief of most parents that children are eating a relatively healthy diet, but if not, they throw up their hands and give up. Children are then plied with multivitamins. Though this is not a bad thing to do, many children think they are candy especially now that they come in gummi candy, gumballs, and cute animal and cartoon characters.

This is extremely serious because if they are with a kids reach, they could be taking more than you know about. If there is the remotest chance your child has ingested too many, immediately call Poison Control and get them to the emergency room.

If your child overdoses with multivitamins with iron your child could become seriously ill or die. All manner of medications must absolutely be kept out of the reach children. If you think your child needs them generic multivitamins are fine but for the most part, children get a lot of their vitamins in their diets.

If your child is either allergic to dairy products or won’t eat them, calcium will need to come from other sources. A consultation with your child’s pediatrician is important. One vitamin daily is all a child needs even if his diet has been questionable for that week.

The absorption of other vitamins could be blocked if there is too much of any one vitamin. For example, too much calcium can prevent the absorption of other vitamins such as iron. Healthy food choices are not a child’s priority you can expect to be giving your child vitamins well into their teens.

Before buying vitamins you should know that opinions about vitamins with iron for children vary greatly. One belief is that you should, in fact, be giving vitamins with iron. Another philosophy is that never should a child be given vitamins with iron in them.

In infancy my own child showed signs of iron deficiency as an infant. Always check with your child’s doctor; my child’s doctor put him on iron fortified vitamins and he is healthy now. A disease called Hemochromatosis is caused by too much iron in the blood.

The iron becomes unusable by the body and it is not washed out of the body easily. It is almost always a fatal disease and can cause serious health issues. Calcium helps build strong bones and muscles and is a very important part of your child’s diet.

Calcium is a mineral. Kids who eat ice cream, yogurt, and cheese or who drink milk usually get enough calcium from their diets. Some do not like dairy products, still others are allergic to them. Children can be assisted in getting what they need by consuming calcium fortified juices, cereals and vitamins.

Drinking fluoride treated tap water and bottled water and/or using fluoridated toothpaste is enough for most children. Your child should not be given fluoride supplements without checking with your pediatrician. Your child’s teeth could be permanently stained if they get too much fluoride.

This defeats entirely, the purpose of the treatment of water and the use of toothpaste meant to protect your child’s teeth. Infant multivitamins in liquid form is available and usually administered with an eye dropper.

The drops contain vitamins A, C, and D and may have added iron. Also they may have other vitamins and minerals such as thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and vitamin B-12. Chewable children’s vitamins are available in the forms of cartoon characters and/or animals. Now vitamins are available in gummi candy and gumballs.

Try buying gum ball vitamins or cartoon characters if your child is difficult about taking vitamins. Your child should always be supervised while he’s taking his vitamins. My son never gets to take his vitamins on his own, I give them to him.

He may or may not take it or he could take too many. Children’s vitamins could be a very good thing but too much of a good thing could be fatal. They should not be left in the reach of children. Eating what is right is not your child’s top priority so giving him vitamins may offset some of that.

Adjustments to child’s diet should always be discussed with your child’s pediatrician, it’s better to err on the side of caution. It’s fine to have fun shapes but your child could think they are candy and they should be kept out of reach of children or locked in a cabinet.

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Glyconutrients Are Only One Piece Of The Puzzle...

I recently read a lengthy article on Glyconutrients. The author of the article (who shall remain nameless), incorrectly and falsely made statements about glyconutrients and cures. If you or a loved one are suffering from an auto-immune disorder, please read this article before randomly buying a product off the internet.

Don't get me wrong. I am a huge proponent of glyconutrients. However, people need to be informed and educated before they start buying nutritional products.

The reality is that glyconutrients are GREAT; and they seriously help people that have compromised immune systems. Glyconutrients have the ability to feed our body at the cellular level. The end result of this is that your body acts and responds more efficiently. This means your body will naturally fight off and address current illnesses and ailments BETTER than if you did not take glyconutrients.

At this point in the research with glyconutrients, it is INCORRECT to make statements that glyconutrients heal. However, the research is far enough along that people who are battling auto immune disorders should SERIOUSLY consider taking glyconutrients.

My other beef with glyconutrient advertising is that it is NOT a silver bullet. There are many good things everybody should be doing for their bodies on a daily basis. These things are even more important when you are fighting a major autoimmune disorder.

For example, everybody should be doing the following:

Taking a good multivitamin

Drinking eight classes of water a day, preferably distilled.

Taking Co-enzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid

Taking Priobiotics

Taking a high quality Vitamin C

Think about this. When your body is under stress; and it is failing to fight off a disease properly, wouldn't you want to give your body all the raw materials it needs to assist in the healing process? Glyconutrients are one MAJOR step in this process; but they are not the entire process.

There are two very good websites on the internet that discuss and sell multi-vitamins and glyconutrients.

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Give Your Body Its Vitamin Supplements!

What are vitamins? The term 'vitamin' was first given to a group of substances that were thought to be vital for life, each containing a nitrogen-containing component known as an amine. Vitamins are essential for the proper functioning of our body. They help to strengthen the immune system, to ward off disease, and even to improve the overall mood of a person. If a particular vitamin is missing from your diet, it may lead to a deficiency disease.

Vitamins can help prevent diseases mainly in two ways. First, they prevent the deficiency syndromes characteristic of the respective vitamin. Second, they increase the health benefits of the specific vitamin.

Vitamins mainly belong to two categories - fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are those that can be stored in the body fat and hence need not be replenished daily. Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body and need to be taken daily.

The debate has always been whether you need vitamin supplements to meet the body's daily needs or whether you can get it from a balanced diet. Theoretically, you do not need vitamin supplements. However, in reality, you cannot get enough of the vitamins that the body needs from your diet. Blame it on pollution, blame it on declining soil quality due to intensive agricultural practices, blame it on your eating habits, it's getting more and more difficult to get your daily dose of vitamins from your food.

Taking vitamin supplements are, therefore, unavoidable. You need to take them regularly if you need to get all the vitamins into the body. Trying to compromise on that could lead to the breakdown of your immune system, and deficiency diseases.

But there are plenty of vitamin supplements out there. How do you choose the best one? For one, you cannot hope to take a vitamin pill and end the story. Because your body needs multivitamins, and pills containing all of them in the required quantities will be real big pills. They will be a pain to carry and eat regularly, to say the least. Again multivitamin supplements should have the correct mix. If you end up taking too much of one vitamin, that again is can cause health problems.

Talking of multivitamin supplements, one cannot ignore glyconutrients, a recent discovery. Glyconutrients are the plant carbohydrates. Though there are more than 200 of these, eight of them are most essential for our body. These eight essential sugars are responsible for some of the most fundamental biochemical processes in the body. Glyconutrients help in cell-to-cell communication. When the 600 trillion cells in your body talk well, they build well too. That means the body's systems and processes stay fighting fit!

What are the benefits of glyconutrients? Glyconutrients are known for their anti-aging properties. They help athletes in improving their performance and to reduce the recovery time in case of injury. Glyconutrients have also produced positive effects in children suffering from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Whether you are suffering from a medical condition or not, glyconutrients are essential for your body. They help your body heal, repair, regenerate, regulate and protect itself.

So when you select your multivitamin supplement, make sure it contains glyconutrients. They are absolutely necessary for maintaining optimum wellness of the body.

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Does Your Body Need Vitamins?

Why bother taking vitamins at all? Our forefathers survived just fine without multi vitamin packs, why can't we? The answer to that question is easy, go look in your cupboards. Our forefathers ate a lot better than we do. High processed, homogenized, pasteurized, canned and prepackaged fast food means less chance of natural occurring vitamins surviving for any length of time.

While some of us pick our own fruit and grow our own vegetables, most of the country chooses to rely on packaged, store bought fruits and veggies. These aren't as healthy as they look, either. The longer the apples and tomatoes are off the vine, the faster they begin to lose their nutritional value, losing vitamins during processing and shipping.

Your body needs vitamins to boost your immune system, ward off colds and other viruses, and even keep you even tempered, so to speak. Did you know with a vitamin deficiency that you are less likely to clot when you cut yourself? Vitamins play a much bigger part then we think, and the average diet does not include all the vitamins necessary to keep the body in top shape.

A good multi-vitamin is your best choice, but here again you can be misled into believing that 100% of the USDA recommended dosage is good enough. They mean 100% total, not 100% of each vitamin necessary. Think about it, they can't possibly pack the right amount of every kind of vitamin that you need into one pill a day, and most multi vitamins sold in your local grocery store are cut with fillers and preservatives. Nope, you'll have to visit your local food co op and get some natural, all inclusive vitamin supplements. Along with eating well, these supplements contain everything you need for balanced vitamin intake, with none of the fillers and preservatives that I, for one, resent paying for.

So let's talk B vitamins as an example. You need several different kinds of B vitamins alone. B6 and B12 are just two, but the most commonly talked about. Vitamin B6 promotes the development of red blood cells, and 12 helps promote energy and fights Alzheimer's disease. You need these and other vitamins to be in the purest form possible in order to be the most beneficial. Let's skip back for a moment, the history of vitamins, if you will. Vitamins began being "discovered" by scientists and surgeons around 1914, and the word "vitamin " comes from the word "vital" as in vital energy for life, but as far back as the 1600's sailors knew to eat citrus fruits to prevent scurvy. It wasn't until later that they knew it as vitamin C.

Now we will skip forward to the future. Many vitamins are now available as liquids. Remember cod liver oil? Well now most vitamins can be taken from a spoon rather than choked down (although if you were one of the kids forced to down cod liver oil, you were choking anyway), what's more, they taste good now as well.

Now before you get all excited and run out to stock up on each vitamin that you are deficient in, let me remind you that you can, in fact, 'overdose' on vitamins, kind of. The water soluble vitamins such as B's and C's will simply be expressed through your urine if you've taken in more than your body needs, but fat soluble vitamins such as D and E can accumulate and cause problems such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rash.

I recommend contacting a homeopath to test for vitamin deficiencies before you run out and spend a lot on vitamins. Knowing exactly what you need the most and in what daily dosage will save you some money, because again, you really need to purchase each vitamin separately, rather than in a multi-vitamin pill.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read. Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

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Making Vitamins Plain And Simple

It's no wonder we are pretty confused when shopping for vitamins. We've been told, for example, that a good vitamin supplement would boost our energy level. In fact, we're told this constantly: in magazine arti- cles, television media, the plethora of vitamin- promoting infomercials, web sites, and pop-up ads on the Internet.

So when you arrive at the vitamin shop, you're already at a complete loss (and may have forgotten altogether) why you're even there, and end up like many of us, just not taking any vitamins at all because it's all so...so...confusing!

Vitamin World, Vitamin Gallery, The Vitamin Patch, Vitamins for Vegeterians -- the vast array of shops, whether online or in your neighborhood, all beckon, promising renewed everything. If you have any health problem or complaint known to man, you'll find a good vitamin supplement (or 12 to 15 of them) to straight- en out your suffering right away.

The good thing about vitamins (just one of many) is that they're really largely "natural," with very few containing harmful or otherwise irritating, toxic chemicals.

To put it plainly, vitamins are good for us because they are derived largely from natural plants and min- erals. That's the basic fact. And the benfits are many; it's difficult to take the "wrong" vitamin, and it certainly can't hurt you, so why not give it a swing? But remember: Take everything in moderation.

Beta-carotene, for example, is thought to protect against cancer and heart disease. It can dramatically boost the immune system and is a powerful antioxidant, which controls those "free radicals" we've all heard about and prevents them from causing damage to cells that lead to premature disease and aging.

Biotin metabolizes protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It also helps in energy production, and there is some proof that it can help people with diabetes by keeping glucose levels reduced. Other benefits include healthy hair, skin and nails, and reducing fatigue, heartburn and some allergies.

Folic acid is famous among women who are trying to conceive and those already pregnant. Other benefits include keeping your heart strong, increasing energy and helping ward off Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamins and minerals are now seroiusly recognized in playing a role in the health and vitality of every organ in the body, from skin and bones to the nervous and immune systems, right up to the brain. Vitamins can lower cholesterol levels, help wounds heal more, raise your sperm count and make you more resistant to colds and flu, asthma, cataracts, and even gum dis-ease.

Again, you really can't go wrong with vitamins. Look beyond the fancy marketing and packaging. The key is to focus on your particular ailment and go straight to the natural remedy. Don't let all the hype distract or confuse you; all you really need to do is keep it plain and simple.

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HGH The Human Growth Hormone Supplement For 50 And Over

Baby boomers are known for their purchasing prowess and for their aches and pains. If you are gasping as you rise from the chair or groaning as you set down you might be 50 and over!

When I was 21 my eyesight was keener, I was stronger, my skin looked smooth, my sex drive was in overdrive and I felt like I could pick up the world, place it on my shoulder and walk off with it. Well now I am 56 and it feels like I did pick up the World on my shoulder and now I have no place to put it down!

Welcome to 50 and over! As you age your pituitary gland produces less human growth hormone than it did at your peak, which was 21. The ideal condition would be to stimulate the pituitary to produce more HGH to prevent aging.

Human growth hormone has been collected by harvesting HGH from other humans and injecting the foreign HGH into the body at a cost of $3000.00 to $4000.00 a month. This application requires a prescription. There is another method called precursors that can allow the level of HGH to go below the level that you are currently manufacturing in your body, which is dangerous as it may cause the pituitary to shut down. The Homeopathic version includes small amounts of human growth hormone that is “activated” by transferring energy from the homeopathic’s hand into the bottle of formulation. No clinical evidence supports this method of production at this time. And then there is the natural way. A “releaser” is natural herbs and minerals that stimulate your pituitary gland to produce more HGH, which gives you a more youthful life and body with no side effects. The releaser should only be chosen that has a clinical history; doctor formulated and be taken orally.

I was beginning to see age spots on my skin, hair thinning, loss of libido, memory playing tricks on me, having trouble sleeping, vision dimming, and the lack of energy. I began to see the benefits of using an HGH supplement that would stimulate the pituitary gland. My cholesterol level has become like the thermometer, up and down like the temperature and wrinkles where I never had them before. Some people want to roll back the aging clock back; I just want to stop it! If an HGH supplement will arrest my aging process and take some time off this body that I have accumulated, I’ll consider it a bonus!

When you are 50 and over you soon grow to realize quality of life far exceeds quantity of years. I watch folks my age and younger now struggle to get up from a couch, groan as they stand after sitting, ache for no apparent reason and I am happy for the discovery of HGH supplements and the myth busting of the fountain of youth.

There are vendors who sell HGH plus other natural vitamins, supplements and minerals. Most are without clinical trials to back their product. I tried to find a product that had a 10-year history and a doctor formulated product that would have no side effects on ME other than natural youth changes. I also looked for a reputable company to buy from that had a money back guarantee and a professional web presentation.

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HGH Supplementation - What Really Works? An HGH Review

If you are at all interested in anti-aging news or nutritional supplements, you’ve probably heard about hGH or Human Growth Hormone. Although it is important to discuss what HGH is and how it works, the main focus of this article is to review the various types of HGH supplementation. Let’s briefly cover the basics.

What Is Growth Hormone?

GH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland. It generally releases the hormone in bursts. GH levels are high during puberty and then fall off. They remain stable during mid-adulthood (the 30s) but then decline progressively through old age. By the time many people reach 60, GH levels are very small. One third of the 60+ adults produce NO GH at all!

What Does It Do?

Why should we care about our GH levels? GH is important in repairing damaged tissue, promoting cell regeneration, enhancing muscle growth, burning fat, and supports healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Low GH levels could very well be the reason some of us age faster than others. Of course, heredity and life style choices factor into that.

Is There a Natural Way to Increase My GH Level?

That depends upon your age and present GH level. Factors that help with GH production are a low-fat, high protein diet, exercise, plenty of sleep and avoiding stress. If you are over 40 and feeling sluggish, chances are you may benefit from a GH supplement.

What Types of GH Supplements Are Available?

The ONLY type of HGH that has proven results is pure Growth Hormone given by injections. However, they require a doctor’s prescription, are expensive, and can have some side effects. Unless you’ve had your hormone levels tested and are suffering from a growth hormone deficiency, you may be able to see some benefit from less invasive supplementation.

Homeopathic HGH - Secretagogues

These are supplements that contain a small amount of actual synthetic growth hormone. They usually come in spray form and are have to meet FDA guidelines on how much HGH to include. The idea is to stimulate production of your own HGH by using a small amount of synthetic HGH.

HGH Releasers

These also come in spray form as well as pills and here’s where the confusion starts. The releasers contain amino acids which can stimulate HGH production but in fact, do not actually contain synthetic HGH. If you don’t know the difference between these two products, it’s easy to assume you are buying an actual HGH product when you aren’t. Read the ads carefully.

Which one works better? It’s probably a case of experimentation to see how your body responds. There are many doctors that claim none of the oral sprays work. There are also plenty of people using them that claim to see results. There are factors to consider when choosing a homeopathic spray – For more discussion and my recommendation, see the website below.

Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements have been used by athletes and body builders for some time but only recently have started to catch on with the mainstream public as part of an anti-aging program. I’m not talking about the vitamin and mineral supplements, but specific amino acids that stimulate GH production.

The amino acids that stimulate the release the GH are arginine, lysine, ornithine, tyrosine and tryptophan. However, it has been discovered that only a specific type of arginine (arginine pyroglutamate) combined with L-lysine makes the best GH releaser. There are places that carry the right APG Lysine combination. For an inexpensive option, see the website below.

Important Factors to Know – Please read this

You may get better results if you DON’T take your GH releaser every day. It turns out that the body can develop a tolerance to GH supplementation. It depends upon your age and GH levels but every other day to only 2 or 3 times a week should be sufficient. It might also be helpful to change supplementations. Use the oral spray for a month or two, change to the nutritional supplements and then take a break from both for a month. Again, this would be part of your own personal experimentation.

Another important consideration is the use of aspirin or antihistamines. They have been shown to block the GH release and should not be taken within 8 hours before or after you take your GH supplement.

Fat or a fatty meal will also severely decrease the release of GH. Be careful what you eat before and after your supplementation.

In conclusion, HGH supplementation for people over 40 can prove to be part of an anti-aging regime. It’s important to do your research to avoid wasting your money. Do your own experimentation to see what works for you but be smart about it.

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Improve Your Mood with 5-HTP Supplements

What is 5-HTP?
The Griffonia Extract is rich in 5-HydroxyTryptophan (5-HTP), which comes from an African vegetable, the Griffonia simplicifolia seed, and contains 30% 5–HTP. 5-HTP is an amino acid that is a direct precursor of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter having pain soothing and relaxing effects. 5-HTP is not present in significant amounts in a typical diet. The human body manufactures 5-HTP from L-tryptophan, a natural amino acid found in most dietary proteins. However, eating food that contains L-tryptophan does not significantly increase 5-HTP levels.

5-HTP and Serotonin
5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin. It improves mood, anxiety and is beneficial in weight loss. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin. There is a massive amount of evidence that suggests that low serotonin levels are a common consequence of modern living. The lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin within the brain.

5-HTP and Carb Cravings
Researchers believe that inadequate serotonin levels are in part responsible for the desire to overeat. Not surprisingly, obese individuals who crave carbohydrates usually show abnormally low levels of serotonin. Taking a 5-HTP supplement half an hour before a meal can " turn off" cravings and hunger pangs by feeding the brains carbohydrate satiety center. In this way 5-HTP can be a great asset as part of a weight-loss regime.

5-HTP and Addiction
The use of many addictive substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and certain narcotics, elevates serotonin levels. When these substances are eliminated, serotonin levels drop drastically, causing anxiety and cravings. Taking 5-HTP can stabilize serotonin levels and help minimize the symptoms of withdrawal.

5-HTP and PMS
PMS sufferers report pain relief, as well as decreased irritability and mood swings from using 5-HTP. The supplement works by countering the hormone-induced decrease in serotonin levels that occur naturally during menstruation.

5-HTP and Sleep
Because of its calming effect, many rely on 5-HTP to alleviate stress-attacks, as well as to encourage restful sleep. Unlike sedative drugs, 5-HTP is not associated with unwanted side effects, such as disturbed sleep patterns or grogginess. It can be taken regularly one hour before retiring as a remedy for insomnia.

Side Effects
Very high intakes of 5-HTP have caused muscle jerks in guinea pigs and both muscle jerks and diarrhea in mice. Injected 5-HTP has also caused kidney damage in rats. To date, these problems have not been reported in humans. “Serotonin syndrome,” a serious but uncommon condition caused by excessive amounts of serotonin, has not been reported to result from supplementation with 5-HTP; in theory it could be triggered by the supplement. However, the level of intake at which this toxic effect might potentially occur remains unknown.

Warnings
5-HTP should not be taken with antidepressants, weight-control drugs, other serotonin-modifying agents, or substances known to cause liver damage, because in these cases 5-HTP may have excessive effects. People with liver disease may not be able to regulate 5-HTP adequately and those suffering from autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma may be more sensitive than others, to 5-HTP. These people should not take 5-HTP without consulting a knowledgeable healthcare professional. The safety of taking 5-HTP during pregnancy and breast-feeding is not known at this time.
Conditions with low serotonin levels helped by 5-HTP:
• Depression
• Obesity
• Carbohydrate craving
• Bulimia
• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Sleep apnea
• Migraine headaches
• Tension headaches
• Chronic daily headaches
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

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Information About Chromium Supplments

Chromium supplements

An essential trace mineral, chromium is needed for the growth and health of the body. Among other things, it is needed for the breakdown of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Chromium has become the most popular mineral supplement in America, after calcium. It is also one of the most controversial.

Chromium offers a mixed bag of good and bad effects. In the positive light, it was reported that chromium supplements would help burn fat and lower blood sugar levels. Chromium supplements are also supposed to build muscle mass, lower cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart disease. A recent study shows that chromium seems to have a mild cholesterol-lowering effect. Further research may prove that chromium is helpful in lowering triglyceride levels, while raising the HDL (good) levels. However over-dosage may lead to complications and chromium supplements are best used under medical supervision.

Chromium may help to:
Control diabetes: In people with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas tries to regulate blood sugar levels by secreting insulin. A molecule called “Glucose Tolerance Factor” (GTF) increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin. The GTF molecule contains chromium. Therefore, chromium supplements may help normalize blood sugar levels. Several clinical tests have proven that diabetics who were on chromium supplements were able to reduce their dosage of medication. The effects of chromium are enhanced when taken with niacin (vitamin B3). Studies have also revealed that chromium may have a stabilizing effect on people with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), thus doing away with symptoms like headache, nausea, fatigue, and irritability.

Assist weight loss:
Chromium picolinate assists people with obesity to lose weight. It helps to improve body composition by increasing muscle mass and reducing fat. But studies reveal mixed results because people using chromium supplements lose just about the same amount of weight as people using placebos. It is possible that when combined with a healthy diet and a rigorous exercise program, chromium supplements may aid weight loss.

Prevent heart disease:
Chromium may help raise the HDL (‘good’) cholesterol and lower the LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol levels. There is no proof regarding this and a good diet program combined with exercise can accomplish the same thing.

Chromium is naturally available in the food we eat, and most people who eat a healthy diet do not need chromium supplements. But supplements (not just of chromium) become indispensable in a high-fat diet that depends on over-refined ingredients. Therefore some people develop a chromium deficiency, and in such cases, chromium supplements are necessary. Chromium comes in the form of a capsule, softgel or tablet. While there is no recommended dosage for chromium, 50 to 200 mcg taken on a daily basis is adequate for adults. Most basic vitamin-mineral combinations have enough chromium to prevent a deficiency. The body seems capable of absorbing all forms of chromium equally well. For optimal absorption, it is better to combine chromium with vitamin C. Taking antacids may impair absorption of this mineral. Excessive amounts of chromium may lead to a deficiency in zinc.

While there have been no indications regarding side effects, over-dosage may lead to kidney failure. A woman who was on a 1,000 mcg daily dosage developed kidney failure after a few months. Long-term and high-dose chromium supplements may damage the body. Chromium picolinate may cause a chromosomal damage that leads to cancer. Diabetics must consult with a doctor before taking chromium supplements. Chromium picolinate also alters certain brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Therefore people with any behavioral disorder should consult a doctor before taking chromium supplements. Chromium may have unknown effects on pregnant or lactating women.

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Importance of Vitamins in your Life

Vitamins

Natural vitamins are those organic food substances which are found only in plants and animals, i.e., living things. The body is not able to synthesize or manufacture vitamins (although there are a few exceptions to this). Because of this, they must be supplied either directly in the diet, or by way of dietary supplements. Vitamins are vital if our body is to function normally. They are absolutely necessary for our growth, general-well being and vitality.
Vitamins cannot be assimilated without ingesting food. This is why it is suggested that vitamins must be taken with a meal. They help to regulate the body’s metabolism, assist in forming the bone and tissue, and help convert fat and carbohydrates. However, one must remember that vitamins cannot replace food.

We shall now look at the importance of each of the vitamins by turn.

Vitamin A
• Repair & growth of body tissues
• Protects mucous membrane of mouth, throat, lungs and nose
• Helps maintain smooth, disease-free skin
• Counteracts night blindness.
• Reduces risk of lung and certain types of oral cancers

Vitamin B1
• Aids in digestion of carbohydrates
• Essential to the normal working of the nervous system, heart and muscles
• Stabilizes appetite
• Promotes growth
• Generates energy

Vitamin B2
• Aids in formation of red blood cells and antibodies
• Essential for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
• Promotes general health
• Necessary for the maintenance of good skin, nails, hair and good vision
• Maintains cells respiration

Vitamin B6
• Building blocks of protein
• Necessary for synthesis and breakdown of amino acids
• Promotes healthy skin
• Aids in production of antibodies
• Reduces muscle spasms and leg cramps
• Helps maintain a proper balance of phosphorous and sodium

Vitamin B12
• Prevents anaemia by helping in formation and regeneration of red blood cells
• Necessary for fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism
• Increases energy
• Promotes growth in children
• Maintains healthy nervous system

Niacinamide
• Helps metabolize sugar, fat and protein
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Improves circulation
• Reduces cholesterol level
• Increases energy
• Helps maintain healthy digestive system

Panthothenic Acid
• Aids in the utilization of vitamins
• Helps in cell building
• Aids in development of the central nervous system
• Fights infections
• Participates in release of energy from carbohydrates

Biotin
• Promotes healthy
• Aids in the utilization of folic acid, protein, Vitamin B12 and Panthothenic Acid

Folic Acid
• Essential for the formation of red blood cells
• Aids in the metabolism of amino acids
• Necessary for the synthesis of DNA and RNA

Inositol
• Aids in breakdown of fats
• Helps prevent thinning hair
• Helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels
• Necessary for the formation of lecithin


Choline
• Prevents fat from accumulating in the liver
• Helps improve memory
• Important in controlling cholesterol and fat build up
• Facilitates movement of fats in cells
• Important in nerve transmission

Para Amino Benzoic Acid
• Aids in formation of red blood cells
• Contains sunscreen properties
• Returns hair to its natural colour
• Aids in the assimilation of Panthothenic Acid
• Produces folic acid, this aiding healthy bacteria

Vitamin C
• Helps heal wounds, scar tissue and fractures
• Essential for healthy bones, teeth and gums
• Builds resistance to infection
• Prevents scurvy
• Gives strength to blood vessels
• Aids in absorption of iron
• Is essential for the synthesis of collagen

Vitamin D
• Required for bone and teeth formation
• Improves absorption and utilization of Phosphorous and Calcium
• Maintains stable nervous system

Vitamin E
• Retards cellular aging because of oxygen
• Alleviates fatigue by supplying oxygen
• Prevents and dissolves blood clots
• Helps in preventing sterility
• Aids in bringing nourishment to cells

For more information on vitamins, visit: http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/vitamins.htm

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