Health Secret for a Healthy Life

How useful are Vitamins?

2009-08-12T23:03:00.001-07:00

Let me tell you what a vitamin is and how useful they can be. A vitamin is an organic compound and these are essential to help your body grow and remain healthy. What this means, in simple terms, is that a vitamin is a natural chemical. Of the essential vitamins, there are thirteen major ones, the lack of any one of them can mean you are deficient in a certain vitamin.

Vitamins come in two distinct types, those soluble in fats and those soluble in water. Of the major vitamins, A, D, E and K are the ones soluble in fats and Vitamins B and Care water soluble. The water soluble vitamins are not stored by the body and so these need to be topped up regularly.

On the whole, if you have a normal well balanced diet this should provide your body with the vitamins it needs, but if your diet is not fully balanced then you may need to supplement the vitamins you receive in your diet. This shows that vitamin supplements can be useful. Some of the following may suggest if you may need help with your vitamin intake.

Vitamin B12 is found in meats so this is something vegetarians need to look out for. Vitamin C and B can be lacking in elderly people. People working on night shifts could have a lack of vitamin D as your body produces this during sunlight hours. Overworked people, people under pressure and people suffering from stress could be lacking in vitamin B and C. People on diets can also have a lack of these 2 vitamins. Vitamin B can be lacking in heavy drinkers and vitamin C deficiency can be a problem area for heavy smokers as well as heavy drinkers.

The usual way to get vitamins into your body is orally. Some vitamins can be taken by injection such as vitamin B12 but it is important that this is only carried out by a fully qualified medical practitioner. By taking vitamins orally they have to pass through your digestive system and the strong acids in your stomach can destroy much of the usefulness of the vitamins so you have to ensure you take the recommended dose, not more or less, but the recommended dose.

I hope I haven’t spoilt your views on vitamins but you must remember that even though you may have a healthy and well balanced diet, the natural processes of your body can destroy some of the value of the vitamins you absorb. If you want to help preserve their effectiveness than eating fresh foods and only cooking foods lightly will help increase the usefulness of the vitamins.

Vitamin supplements can be used to help boost any vitamin deficiencies you may have and extra vitamins are most easily obtained, (and used), in tablet form. Vitamin tablets can either be multi vitamins or single vitamin types. The decision as to what you take is up to you, unless of course you have been advised to take a vitamin supplement by your doctor. Vitamin C is often taken in the winter and the time leading up to it. This has been shown to help keep the common cold at bay.

You must only take vitamins to help supplement a well balanced diet and do not go overboard, so take vitamin supplements in moderation. Take only as much as you need and no more, and if your diet is as good as it should be, then you may not need any vitamin supplements. You must remember that they are, as the name suggests, supplements and they are not designed to replace a well balanced diet. Be sensible and use vitamin supplements carefully.

Five Steps to Choosing a Great Vitamin

2009-08-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever waltzed into your friendly neighborhood Nutrition Store or frantically surfed the worldwide web searching for that elusive miracle pill, deluding yourself into believing that maybe, just maybe, it would somehow magically transform your so-called body into the next Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie? Or perhaps you want pecks like Arnold. Or the energy to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Or heck, maybe you’d simply settle for enough energy to pry your sleepy little self out of that comfy bed as your annoying alarm clock goes berserk Monday morning, like a runaway freight train on steroids. If so, then you’ve probably encountered a severe mega-dose of chronic overwhelm. Yikes! We are continually bombarded with a never-ending avalanche of pills and potions. Plus, you’d almost need the bank account of Bill Gates or Donald Trump to afford the buffed-up body you’d “really” like to have. Meanwhile, Madison Avenue persistently insists that you won’t be able to live with yourself until you finally succumb to today’s latest nutritional fad.

So what’s the solution?

If you’ve read this far, you are probably convinced that supplementing your diet with vitamins is critically important. You probably already know how depleted our topsoil is. Chances are, you’re also cognoscente of the highly processed state of the foodless foods we consume on a regular basis. Taber's Medical Dictionary concludes that vitamins are indispensable for the maintenance of good health. Likewise, The Journal of American Medical Association concluded that everyone should take a multi-vitamin everyday.

So it’s not a question of whether or not we should take vitamins. Rather, the question we ought to be asking is, “With so many brands of vitamins on the market, which one is the smartest choice?”

Great question.

However, before we can even begin to answer that question, we have to answer a series of other sub-questions, such as:

1. Are cheap, synthetic vitamins just as good as all-natural vitamins?

2. Which vitamins and minerals do my body need?

3. What dosage should I take?

Let’s narrow the playing field by addressing those questions one at a time.

Are cheap, synthetic vitamins just as good as all-natural vitamins?

First, let’s compare synthetic vitamins with all-natural vitamins. I just completed an article entitled “Vitamin Wars: Natural VS Synthetic.” Putting everything into a nutshell, synthetic vitamins simply cannot measure up to nature’s finest. Over 3,800 different compounds have been identified in foods as having nutritional significance. However, in a laboratory, twenty nutrients are about all that modern science can reproduce and put into a vitamin product.

But even more of a concern than the ineffectiveness of these synthetic vitamins is the harm that they can cause. One of many examples is a recent study on Vitamin C as synthetic ascorbic acid. It was found to thicken the walls of the arteries.

On the other hand, all-natural vitamins made from whole-food sources have many positive benefits that synthetic vitamins just can’t duplicate in a lab. Whole-food vitamins derive their nutrients directly from fruits and vegetables. Unlike synthetic vitamins, whole-food vitamins do not rob precious nutrients from the body. Rather, they supply the individual cells with the nutrients they need to flourish. For greatest gains in terms of health, take only whole food vitamins. When evaluating a vitamin supplement, simply read the label. Rather than multi-syllable, unpronounceable chemical names, you should find the names of foods listed as the vitamin sources. What a concept! This is your way of knowing that you are getting the best possible absorption and retention of your vitamins.

Which vitamins and minerals do my body need?

The short answer is, there are many benefits to all vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin A is important for our vision, while preventing cancer and promoting wellness of bones, eyes, hair, mucous linings, membranes, nails, skin and teeth.

Vitamin B2 promotes healthy skin, nails, and hair.

Vitamin C extends life by enabling protein cells to hold together.

And we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface.

Minerals are critical

Minerals are also critical to maintaining good health. Approximately 75% of the people living in the Western World are not ingesting the right amount of Magnesium, approximately 68% are not ingesting enough Calcium, approximately 58% are not ingesting enough Iron, and approximately 40% are not ingesting enough Zinc.

Make sure your minerals are chelated – here’s why:

Most minerals found in synthetic supplements are cheap and not what we would recommend for the body. They are not chelated minerals and therefore it is extremely difficult for the body to absorb and utilize these minerals after ingesting them. Many times they cause problems with the digestive tract and other systems of the body.

What you might not know is that a chelated mineral acts differently within the body. A chelated mineral is a mineral that is bonded with amino acids or malates naturally found within the food in a stable form. Since 95% of amino acids are absorbed through the intestinal tract, it makes it very easy for high quality chelated minerals to be absorbed and utilized by the body.

Don’t forget to take your Probiotics!

You may be asking, “Probi – what – ics”?

The term “probiotics” simply means “pro life.” Their role in maintaining good health is tremendous. In the scientific community, they are known as “friendly bacteria.” Probiotics aid the digestive system and strengthen the immune system. Bottom line, probiotics have such a wide range of positive roles that nearly everybody could improve their health by supplementing their diet with probiotics.

The importance of Enzymes

Like probiotics, enzymes also aid digestion. Proper digestion of food should be your body’s top priority. Why? Because all other bodily functions, including the immune system, energy production and even brain functions, are all put on pause until the body digests its food. When digestion is functioning properly, food is broken down and nutrients are made available by the body itself for repair, metabolism, and healing without undue stress. Many negative factors wreck havoc on our digestive systems: the way our foods are grown and processed, toxins in the environment - even undue stress and anger. As a result, up to 70 million Americans experience a whole range of digestive disorders such as bloating, gas, and stomach cramps.

What dosage should I take?
Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)

RDA's are based on scientific research and are set at levels to provide for 98% of all healthy persons living in the US. There is a cushion built in so that if you get 67% of the RDA for a nutrient, you should be getting a minimum amount as an average person. Remember that the RDA's are based on preventing deficiency symptoms specific to each vitamin and mineral. So when choosing a multi-vitamin, check to see if a daily serving contains 100% of the RDA, providing, of course, that a daily value has been established.

So in summary, there are five Steps to Choosing a Great Vitamin:

1. Choose a multi-vitamin made from the highest grade of Whole-Food sources. Do NOT choose a multi-vitamin that contains a concoction of synthetic ingredients that you can’t even pronounce.

2. Choose minerals that are chelated.

3. Choose a multi-vitamin containing Probiotics.

4. Choose a multi-vitamin containing Enzymes derived from vegetables.

5. Choose a multi-vitamin containing 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowances whenever established.

Keeping the above criteria in mind dramatically narrows the playing field.

It’s also a good idea to select a product that gives you a money-back guarantee. Quality multi-vitamins are not as cheap as synthetics, but they are affordable.

I hope this information has educated you and will help you make smart choices. Remember - you only get one body in this life.

Benefits Of Vitamin B12

2009-08-12T23:00:00.001-07:00

Vitamin B12 is a safe, reliable and inexpensive vitamin. For health-conscious individuals, a regular intake of a prescribed amount of vitamin B12 is a key element for preserving a balance in the human body. B12 could be obtained from food sources or could be taken in the form of supplements orally or via injections.

In combination with other B-group vitamins, vitamin B12 ensures the smooth functioning of vital life processes of the human body. It is important for maintaining a healthy nervous system and DNA production. Vitamin B12 helps to regulate the formation of red blood cells in the body. Other benefits of vitamin B12 include its role in maintaining and increasing energy levels in the human body.

Vitamin B12 is highly beneficial in various forms. Methylcobalamin, the coenzyme form of vitamin B12 is a body-friendly version, which means that no metabolic steps are required for its ingestion and it can be used it in its normal form. It is available as a sublingual tablet that dissolves under the tongue (because the digestive system might modify this molecule). Through this method, vitamin B12 can directly penetrate the bloodstream and yield numerous benefits. Hydroxocobalamin is another form of vitamin B12 that has been recognized as an effective cure for cyanide poisoning.

Research studies reveal a clear, inverse correlation between homocysteine (an amino acid found in the human body) levels and vitamin B12 levels. Blocking the formation of homocysteine leads to endothelial dysfunction (a narrowing of the arteries) and is a precursor of atherosclerosis; vitamin B12 helps to curb atherosclerosis. A supplement of vitamin B12 also augments the efficiency of folic acid’s capacity to lower homocysteine levels. Researchers are of the opinion that in conjunction with folic acid, an adequate dose of vitamin B12 helps to counter heart diseases and thrombosis. The synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound involved in immune function and mood, depends on the association of folate and vitamin B12.

Studies indicate that absorption of Vitamin B12 decreases with an increase in age. Hence, an increased intake of vitamin B12 is extremely useful for adults above fifty. The recommended form of intake is in supplement form, since elderly people absorb this form better than food forms of vitamin B12. A supplementation of vitamin B12 aids in the cognitive function and heals neurological impairment within this group.

In most cases, vitamin B12 should be taken in conjunction with a folic acid supplement and a B-Complex vitamin. The good news is that while an intake of vitamin B12 facilitates functions necessary for everyday existence, an extra dose causes no harm but instead could be stored for future use.

About Vitamins - Everything you need to know!

2009-08-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

Learning about vitamins can be confusing, especially when you are trying to figure out just what type of supplements you should be taking. We’ve all been told at one time or another, that if we ate a nutritionally balanced meal three times a day we wouldn’t need dietary supplements or need to know about vitamins, but of course, this just isn’t realistic in our society.

A huge number of us are stressed out on a routine basis, and don’t always have time to eat at all let alone a nutritionally balanced meal (and three of them?!). Vitamins should never be substituted for good nutritional intake. Your body needs fuel to accomplish all the tasks you have to attend to in a day. A good diet is one with plenty of calcium, protein, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber supplemented by vitamins as needed for specific health concerns.

Many food items are enriched with vitamins and minerals, like breads, pastas, and cereals. Information about vitamins listed on packaging includes the percentage of the daily recommended allowance of each, which will give you a pretty good idea how much you are getting of a certain vitamin or mineral. Calcium is an important mineral for women, and most sources about vitamins state that women should consume at least 1200-1500 mg of calcium daily. Most calcium supplements only contain 30-50% of the recommended daily amounts and must be supplemented by diet intake of other sources, such as cheese, yogurt, milk, and ice cream. About vitamin D, this is an important vitamin and is essential to bone health, and is included in some calcium supplements as well. Vitamin D can be absorbed through the skin via sunlight as well, but for people living in northern states, or for the elderly, this is not always an option, therefore a vitamin supplement is the answer.

Part of taking care of yourself is learning about vitamins and minerals that our bodies require for optimal health. Many sources are available to you to learn more about vitamins and how certain vitamin deficiencies as well as excess intake can be detrimental to your health. It’s important to take an active role in your health, and be knowledgeable about vitamins in your cabinet and which are right for you. In addition to searching on the web, you can find an abundance of information about vitamins in various health publications, or you can even consult a nutritionist or naturopathic physician for advice about vitamins and supplements, and how you can implement them into your diet. Here’s to your good health!

Antioxidant Vitamins

2009-08-12T22:56:00.000-07:00

The antioxidant vitamins found in fruits, vegetables, teas and supplements are proving to be powerful agents in the fight against disease causing free radicals.

The original concept was to take recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamins to a level that would prevent acute deficiency diseases like the Sailor’s disease scurvy. These are the standards by which RDA’s were created.

However, in recent years, research has shown that Vitamins taken in higher doses can prevent sever chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. A debate still rages, but there is a plethora of research being done on Vitamin A, C, E, the antioxidant vitamins.

A National Institute of Health clinical trial involving people at high risk of developing advanced stages of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), showed that patients’ risk decreased by 25 percent when treated with high doses of antioxidant vitamins and zinc.

Another study at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta showed that taking Vitamin E along with multivitamins reduced risk from stroke and heart illness. Among patients who took the combination, mortality risk decreased by 15 percent for these two diseases.

This September, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded a study investigating the relationship between Vitamin C and cancer, suggesting that Vitamin C may fight cancer. They found, in a laboratory setting, that high doses of Vitamin C injected directly into the bloodstream killed cancer cells.

Though the current RDA for Vitamin C is stuck at 60 mg, many researchers suggest that raising the RDA to between 100 and 200 mg would be a great way for people to get the antioxidants that they need to maintain overall well being.

Be careful when purchasing vitamins and supplements though. Research has shown that whole food vitamins, or vitamins with their co-factors, are much more effective than isolated nutrients. Nutrition is a complex process of thousands of chemical reactions within our bodies. Vitamins are always better in their natural state - in the foods we eat. Supplements should never be used in place of a poor diet.

The smart choice is to look for whole food vitamins to supplement an already good diet for the times you can't get everything you need at meal time.

Fostering Healthy Eating Habits In Your Baby

2009-08-11T00:30:00.001-07:00

If you’re concerned about your baby’s health, you want to be certain to start healthy eating habits early. The first year of solid foods is a very important time for establishing your child’s eating habits. What your child eats, and more importantly, does not eat, during this time can impact their habits for life. Here are some tips for starting out right with your child’s first menu.

Watch the sugar
This is a biggie. Eliminating refined sugar from your child’s diet in the early days can help the child develop a taste for savory flavors, which in the long run, can help them enjoy a wider variety of foods, without having such a sweet tooth. In addition, a low sugar diet can help ensure that your child maintains a proper weight. So, keep the cookies and candies away. Use fruit and yogurt as dessert. Remember, if your child has not been exposed to sugar, she won’t miss it.

Feed whole grains
Stay away from white flour. Most American diets are painfully low in whole grains, because we are a “white bread” society. Try using wheat breads, oats and other whole grains instead.

Keep the beverages simple
Milk, water and juice are enough. Soda and sweetened drinks will work their way in eventually, but put it off as long as you can. In addition, watering the juice down a bit can help reduce the calories and sugar content. Plus, it minimizes the risk of your child having a stomach ache from too much juice.

If at first you don’t succeed, try again
Keep reintroducing healthy foods, even if they are not met with applause the first time around. The rule in our house is that you have to try any food you don’t like every six months. Children’s tastes change, and what they didn’t like a few months ago might just taste better, so keep trying.

Evaluate the family eating habits
As your child grows, she will be spending more time eating what the rest of the family eats, so it’s important that your eating habits be good, too. Are you serving a wide variety of foods? Think color – too much white food has a lot of calories, and not a lot of nutrition. Green, yellow, red and orange foods should be on your table on a regular basis.

Establishing good eating habits for your child is one of the best gifts you can give her. It will set her off on a lifetime of health and well being. Remember, the best way to get your children to eat well is to be a role model. They will eat the way you eat, so set a good example.

Dining Out Guide for the Health Conscious Eater

2009-08-11T00:29:00.000-07:00

Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant meal has over 1,000 calories? That's enough to blow any healthy eating plan. Fortunately, by following a few simple guidelines, you can dine out without having to sacrifice good taste and nutrition.

1. Avoid ordering an appetizer. It's a little known fact that some appetizers have more calories and fat than the main course. Plus, many appetizers are fried and served with heavy sauces which will add to your intake of saturated fat as well as trans fats and calories. It's not a healthy way to start your meal.

2. Say "yes" to salad. Salad is a healthy eater's best friend. Not only will it fill you up so you'll consume fewer calories overall, but it will also give you a hefty dose of antioxidants which are heart healthy. Be sure to ask your waitress to hold the croutons and cheese which will further reduce your caloric load. Also, choose your dressing wisely. Avoid cream based dressings and go for the vinegar based ones. You also have the option of using vinegar and olive oil which is heart healthy.

3. Make the right entree selection. Go for broiled and grilled rather than fried. Not only will you save calories and fat grams, you'll also avoid trans fats which are so prevalent in fried foods. Instead, consider asking for a doubles order of vegetables with your entree. Very few Americans are getting the 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables recommended for optimal health. Plus, by avoiding the starch, you'll be reducing your caloric and carbohydrate load. Also, stick to tomato based sauces rather than cream based and you'll enjoy a considerable calorie savings. Lastly, ask for the sauce to be served in a separate dish on the side so you can control the amount you eat.

4. Think about what you're drinking with your meal. By not ordering an alcoholic beverage, you've saved yourself a considerable number of calories. Try sipping iced tea sweetened with a noncaloric sweetener, a diet soft drink, or water with lemon. You'll be glad you did when you consider the calorie savings.

5. Indulge your sweet tooth wisely. Many of the chain restaurants now offer a low fat or low carbohydrate dessert selection such as a low carb cheesecake. These are wise choices for the health conscious eater and still allow you to end the meal on a sweet note. If a healthy dessert option isn't available, try a cup of coffee with skim milk to help satiate your desire for something sweet.

6. Learn to control your portions. Many restaurants are serving larger quantities of food than in the past. If this is the case, put aside a portion of your entree at the beginning of the meal to take home with you. If you remove it from your plate before you start eating, you'll be less tempted to overindulge.

By following these steps, you can make your dining experiences not only healthy, but enjoyable. Your heart will thank you!

Crack Open a Miracle

2009-08-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

Crack open an egg and you find a wealth of nutrients. Because eggs contain a wide variety of nutrients compared to their calorie count (75 per Large egg), they're called nutrient dense. Eating nutrient-dense foods helps us satisfy our nutrient needs without excess calories. The nutrient density benefit of eggs is especially important for older adults and anyone who is overweight.

Eggs are best known as a high-quality protein source. The protein in eggs contains all the essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Eggs are also a good source of the B vitamin riboflavin and contain varying amounts of a number of other nutrients, including vitamins A, B12 , D and E and folate and the mineral iron. Scientists have only just begun to learn about the importance of some egg nutrients, such as choline, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Choline is now thought to be vital in the development of fetal brain and memory functions. A lack of sufficient choline during pregnancy can cause defective memory or lower memory capabilities that last throughout life. Choline is essential for normal functioning of all cells and assures the structural development and signaling functions of cell membranes. Some studies suggest that choline may also improve both verbal and visual memory capacity later in life. Research shows that choline may help prevent heart disease, fatty liver and neural tube defects, too. A single Large egg yolk is a significant source of choline, providing 125 mg, at least 25% of our daily needs.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two yellow-orange plant pigments called carotenoids that have been shown to help prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people 65 and older. Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the eye lens and macular region of the retina. Scientists believe these carotenoids may protect the eye from damage due to oxidation. Studies have shown that generous intakes of these antioxidants are associated with up to 20% less cataract risk and up to 40% less AMD risk. One study also suggests that lutein may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Some foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables, contain more lutein and zeaxanthin than egg yolks (150 to 250 mcg lutein and about 213 mcg zeaxanthin per Large egg yolk, depending on the hen's diet). But, because egg yolks contain fat, research indicates that the human body absorbs the lutein and zeaxanthin from egg yolks more easily than it absorbs the lutein and zeaxanthin from other sources.

Altogether, when you choose eggs as a high-quality protein source, you get a bonus of many other needed nutrients, from vitamin A through choline, lutein and zeaxanthin. But, beyond their good nutrition, eggs are also economical and quick and easy to prepare in a host of different ways. That's pretty much a miracle!

7 Reasons to grow your own organic vegetable garden

2009-08-11T00:26:00.000-07:00

During the last decades there has been a change towards mechanization and homogenization of farming, which uses pesticides, additives, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and mass-production techniques. All this is clearly affecting mankind's health, and new diseases are spreading rapidly amongst humans and animals (bird's flu being the most recent one).

The World Health Organization produces reports to show how the use of chemicals and other products on food, coupled with the manufacturing processes involved, are actually a threat for our health.

If you have space for a few pots or even a small piece of land, it is a wise decision to grow your own organic vegetable garden. Today I'm presenting you with seven reasons for doing this:

1. You will have no additives in your vegetables. Research by organic food associations has shown that additives in our food can cause heart diseases, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity.

2. There will be no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers used. These chemical products are applied to obtain crops all the time regardless plagues or weather conditions, and affect the quality of the vegetables. Besides, pesticides are usually poisonous to humans.

3. Your vegetables will not be genetically modified (GM). Antibiotics, drugs and hormones are used on vegetables to grow more and larger ones. One of the consequences of this practice are vegetables which look all the same and are usually tasteless. Besides, we end up consuming the hormones that have been used on the vegetables, with the potential risks for our health.

4. Eating your own organic vegetables will be much more healthy for you. They will not contain any of the products or chemicals named above, and they will be much more natural than any ones you would find at the supermarket. Your health will not be at risk because you will then know that nothing has been added to your vegetables.

5. Your own organic vegetables will be much more tasty. The use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics make vegetables grow unnaturally and take the taste away from them. With organic vegetables, your cooking will be enhanced as their flavour will show fully.

6. Organic farming is friendly to the environment. Because you won't use pesticides or other equally harming products on your vegetables, you will not damage the soil or the air with the chemical components.

7. When you grow your own organic vegetables you are contributing to your own self-sustainability and the sustainability of the planet. Small communities have been founded where members exchange products that they grow naturally, thus contributing to create a friendly and better place for us all.

In the end, eating organic products only means that we do not add anything else to them than they would naturally have. As you can guess, additives, fertilizers, pesticides or hormones are not components of naturally grown food. To better care for your health, grown your own organic vegetables -and a few pots is all you need.

7 Ways to Make Alkaline Diet Benefit You

2009-08-07T03:09:00.001-07:00

The premise of an alkaline diet is that the nutrients found in supplements, alkalizing foods, and water can bring the body back to balance. These vitamins, minerals, and herbs infuse the body with new energy, vitality, and better health.

Alkaline foods and water must be consumed in order to provide nutrients the body needs to neutralize acids and toxins in the blood, lymph, tissues, and cells.

When pH balance inside the body is ‘out of balance’ the body tries to correct that sensitive pH balance. That process shows up as uncomfortable symptoms, including colds, flues, allergies, diseases, viruses, and bacteria.

When the pH level in our body is unbalanced, almost any area of the body can be affected. For example when the nervous system is effected as the result of unbalanced pH balance it shows up in the form of the depression. When cardiovascular system is effected we could have heart disease or experience other heart-related problems, including thickening and hardening of the arteries, coronary heard disease, pain or discomfort in the chest, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart failure. When muscles are effected we often feel fatigue and lack of energy. When skin is effected by improper pH balance we age quicker than normal.

When the body’s pH level is in balance, the body reaches ideal weight and corrects negative health challenges naturally.

Transition to a more alkaline healthy diet requires a shift in attitude towards food. The important point to remember is that small changes go a long way. Add more alkaline foods to your diet gradually.

7 Sure-fire ways to make alkaline diet benefit you:

1) Reduce the consumption of sugar and products made from sugar, including soda pop, pies, ice cream, jello, jams & jellies, artificial juices, puddings, doughnuts, corn syrups, chewing gum, sweetened drinks, cookies, breakfast cereals, liqueurs, mixed drinks.

2) Avoid processed foods and condiments including ketchup, salad dressings, pickles, luncheon meats, canned fruits, breads, relish, cheese dips, peanut butter, prepared seafood, frozen vegetables, crackers, canned soups, hot dogs, sausages, sweetened yogurt.

3) Avoid cooking and heating foods and drinks in microwave.

4) Avoid dairy, meats, fried foods and fast foods.

5) Increase your consumption of raw vegetables and raw fresh fruits (without sugar). You should include raw vegetables in every meal. If your breakfast is so small that you only eat toast or cereal, stop eating toast and take fresh fruits or vegetable juices instead. If your lunches are usually consist of sandwiches try to substitute it with a raw salad or a vegetable juice. Have a large salad before you eat a heavy entree at dinner. This way, you will be sure to eat all of the salad instead of finding yourself too full to finish it.

6) Grains form the base of a balanced diet and are important in maintaining the alkaline balance in the body. Grains are great source of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients, including folic acid, fiber, carbohydrates antioxidants and phytoestrogens. The Department of Food and Science and Nutrition at University of MInnesota determined that consumption of whole grains reduces the risk of chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. By eating grains you can eat less but feel full. Grains should comprise about 20% of your diet.

7) Don't forget to hydrate. Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of good quality of water each day. Add liquid minerals to increase the quality of water.

If you follow these easy 7 steps it will allow you to create the proper alkaline balance within your body.

Creating the proper alkaline balance within your body will bring you increased quality of life. You'll start seeing immediate improvements in your health. Your energy will increase, your concentration will be stronger. You'll build strength, stamina, and resistance to diseases. Your entire body will function more efficiently just like it was meant to do.

7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Coconut Oil

2009-08-07T03:07:00.000-07:00

It is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you. People all over the world are experiencing the healthy benefits of using coconut oil. It is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are the top seven reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other common cooking oils.

1. Coconut oil doesn't turn to fat in your body.

Unlike many other common oils, like soy (vegetable) and corn, coconut oil won't make you fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are an easy fuel for the body to burn, without turning to fat. Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT's are usually stored as fat. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.

People in the tropics have relied on coconuts as a traditional staple in their diet for centuries. They consume large amounts of coconut oil every day. Instead of getting fatter, it helps them stay healthy, lean and trim. When they switch from coconut oil to our modern oils, they develop obesity and the health problems that our modern society faces.

Some other people who have known this truth for a long time are people who are in the animal feed business. When livestock are fed vegetable oils, they put on weight and produce more fatty meat. When they are fed coconut oil, they become very lean.

2. Coconut oil increases your metabolism.

Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body, it increases your metabolism, which promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT's burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT's.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman's World magazine stated that coconut oil is the "underground high-metabolism secret."

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

3. Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.

Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids, something we get way too much of in the United States. Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1. We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more omega 3 oils to be healthy. And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

4. Coconut oil gives you energy.

Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the metabolism, most people that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in their daily life.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis, which increases the body's metabolism, producing energy.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT's), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT's promote thermogenesis, which increases the body's metabolism, producing energy. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding coconut and coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them.

5. One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil.

Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair. It gives temporary relief to skin problems like rashes. It aids in healing and restoring skin to a younger appearance. It has also been known to help with people who suffer from yeast infections in the skin, as well as many other skin problems.

Not only does is soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil too.

6. Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.

Evidence is mounting that coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as Vitamin E.

7. Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.

It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don't do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.

It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Rancid oils cause free radical damage in the body, which is a leading cause of cancer. Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature.

Because of the misinformation we have been given for years, we have lost out on the healthy benefits that coconut oil has given the people of the tropics for centuries. But now it has been rediscovered! Coconut oil is so effective, it won't be long before we see coconut oil supplements promoted, but you can get the jump on the popular crowd and start consuming and cooking with coconut oil today!

"Drinking Water Scams Revealed"

2009-08-07T03:06:00.000-07:00

Read this article before you consider paying for your drinking water.

Wouldn't it be nice to stop poisoning ourselves with polluted or unhealthy drinking water? I, for one, felt that I would love to find a source of safe inexpensive drinking water. (Ideally, I'd love to turn on the tap, and out it would flow!)

Whether it's curing cancer with magnets or herbal wonder-remedies or Vioxx, we've all seen the fantastic claims people make about their health products AND about how your whole life will be changed! I can tell you right now that 90% are frauds. You may even have fallen prey to some of these scams, selling you the latest fad. Me too. I've bought so many kinds of drinking
water, I can't recall. (If a lie is repeated often enough, it becomes "the truth").

Finally, after many disappointments I got FED UP. I decided to get to the bottom of this desire we all have to make sure that our most basic nutrient -- water -- will keep us healthy, not make us sick.

I checked out endless commercial websites and a number of university and government sites; and I was dismayed at what I repeatedly found:

--Outdated information or info repeated from other websites
--Wild and sensational claims
--No research
--No refunds, etc.

I already knew that we can't trust our tap water because of the presence of up to 2000 contaminants.

Specifically, I found:

a) Bottled Water: a real mish-mash of quality, often no more than filtered tap water sold at outrageous mark-ups and at quite an environmental cost.

b) Reverse-osmosis and distilled water: completely ignored the medical evidence of the dangers in the ongoing drinking of water that is void of minerals, acid in nature and oxidizing.

I quickly realized that these products were either useless, overpriced or potentially harmful long-term. And the companies were smiling all the way to the bank.

Nevertheless I was able to find products that were well-researched and legitimate: water ionizers and certain filters. I found two websites providing comparisons of reliable water purifiers: www.waterfiltercomparisons.net and
www.waterpurifier101.com. (While the first of these sites does not address the problem of acidity in drinking water, it is straightforward in its assessment of what various water filters do.)

I hope that you're not misled by false claims, and take a look at these resources, for the sake of your health.

Correct Your Acid / Alkaline Balance with the Water You Drink: What the Experts Say

2009-08-07T03:04:00.000-07:00

In health circles there has been much recent talk about acid /alkaline imbalance. Let's see if we can clarify how experts recommend we correct this imbalance.

The problem
Your body functions best when neither too acid nor too alkaline. Unfortunately almost all of us have become acidic due to diet, drinks and stress -- both psychological and from pollution. Acids can build up in our body, causing systems to be out of balance.

The effects
According to Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky, "Acid wastes build up in the body in the form of cholesterol, gallstones, kidney stones, arterial plaque, urates, phosphates and sulfates. These acidic waste products are the direct cause of premature aging and the onset of chronic disease."

When this occurs, the body will restore its optimal pH by depleting certain minerals, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, from organs and bones. In addition, your immune system may become fatigued from dealing with an excess of acid. Your body then stores acidic wastes in 'hiding places' such as muscles etc. rather than releasing the acids into the bloodstream.

As Dr.Robert Atkins, the well-known author, health and diet expert, notes: "Just about every condition I can think of, from arthritis to diabetes to cancer, is associated with acidity."

"The countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause...too much tissue acid waste in the body!" Theodore A. Baroody, ND, Ph.D.

What can be done?
A vast body of research reveals that you can help neutralize acid build-up in the blood and maintain a balanced pH, by taking some simple steps, such as:
-- Exercise
-- Avoiding highly acid-forming food and drink
-- Drinking the right water

What is the "right" water?
"International studies show that populations with little or no history of illness, such as cancer, drink higher pH (alkaline) waters. After all potential risk factors were considered and factored out, it became evident that they had been drinking waters with a pH of 9.0 to 10.0." Dr. Leonard Horowitz in "Aids and Ebola"

Alkaline ionized water "first came to notice in Japan, where researchers noted that people drinking water that came from certain fast- moving rocky mountain streams enjoyed extraordinarily good health. It turned out that this naturally occurring water was alkaline and had a different structure and electrical properties." Larry Clapp, PhD. in "Prostate Health in 90 days"

Alkaline water is produced at home with a small kitchen appliance called a water ionizer (long in use in Japan and Korea). As water ionizers have become popular in North America, more health professionals have had the opportunity to evaluate their effects on clients:

Sue Pollock, N.D. writes, we can "assist the body in being more alkaline with ...drinking alkaline water."

"I believe that the best water is water that is alkaline (reduced) and purified using a small device known as a water ionizer." (Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky)

"It is my opinion that ionized water will change the way in which all health practitioners and the public approach their health in the coming years." Dr. T. Baroody in "Alkalize or Die."

Why not just rely on a change of diet?
According to Sang Whang, researcher and author of "Reverse Aging", the danger is that we might omit important foods:

"Since the waste products that we are trying to discharge are acidic, the right kind of water is alkaline water...My personal recommendation is to enjoy the foods that we like, but do not over-eat or exclude any food. Eat in moderation following the professional dieticians' "balanced diet" concept, and let alkaline water do the job of cleansing acidic wastes."

Natural Healing Method Using Alternative Herbal Medicine

2009-08-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

Medical practitioners of the Orient are know to incorporate natural healing methods with alternative herbal medicines. Instead of undergoing expensive medical treatment using synthetic and modern technologies, many find the natural method along with alternative herbal medicine a cost-effective solution to achieve the perfect health.

The belief of natural healing involves the use of 100% natural techniques and ingredients to promote better health. Synthetic medicines and modern medical technology are known to have side-effects that may prove to be fatal if not properly administered or performed.

The Benefits Of The Natural Healing Method

The natural healing method delves into the capability of the human body to adapt and recover without any outside help. Our bodies are equipped with its own defense mechanism towards illnesses and diseases. The method aims to strengthen this ability to boost the immune system to fight off health-related problems without any side-effects or complications.

Natural healing doesn’t only deal with physical health problems. In fact, it has been documented and proven that this method can also be used for mental and emotional ailments. Certain herbal compounds are known to induce relaxation to help a person deal with stress without having to take in synthetic products that can cause side-effects to crop up during use.

Certain plant extracts and aroma can directly affect the mind when inhaled and is most often used on patients suffering from behavioral problems. There are also some plants that can help the body relax when applied directly on the skin -- like peppermint extract that can relax tight muscles that is usually attributed to stress. Natural healing method with herbal medicines can also help in weight loss programs for a slimmer and healthier body.

Acupuncture

The art of acupuncture originated from the Chinese. It delves into the energy pathways in the human body called meridians. The oriental health experts believe that ailments and diseases are caused by blocked meridians that disrupt the flow of positive healing energy from circulating throughout the body.

Needles charged with positive energy are inserted into these meridian points to clear up the blockage, as well as to stimulate the flow of healthy energy deep within the body. Certain herbal medicines and concoctions are administered to their patients to increase the volume of healing energy for a full-body recovery.

Reiki and Qi Gong

Reiki and Qi Gong involve the healing of an individual using the positive energies of both the practitioner and those that stem from the universe. The practitioner of the art inscribes symbols upon the afflicted area on the human body and directs their energies into it for healing. Herbal medicines are given to their patients to amplify these positive energies for the treatment to yield beneficial results.

Proper Use Of Herbal Medicines

Despite the safe and beneficial results of using natural healing methods with alternative herbal medicine, there is a possibility that some adverse reactions might take place that might become a problem when left unchecked.

Despite the natural ingredients used in herbal products, we can never deny the fact that our body's chemistry might react to it. There are even some natural healing methods that might cause problems instead of getting rid of it.

Such is the case; it is very important to consult an expert first before undertaking this solution. Have a full body check-up with your doctor and subject yourself to a complete laboratory exam to determine whether your body can use the treatment method safely or not.

History Of Alternative Herbal Medicine

2009-08-06T08:33:00.001-07:00

The use of alternative herbal medicine can be traced back to ancient times. The lack of modern medical technology has made our ancestors improve their healing arts by making use of nature's gifts. Even today, current medical discoveries are mostly based on the findings and usage of natural herbal components by early civilization, improving it to become useful in today's health-related concerns.

Where It All Began

The use of alternative herbal medicine started out as trial and error. Application looms large in the practice than actual research; though the latter came sometime later when medical practices started its evolution.

The basic application of herbal medicine involves disinfecting wounds or used as a poultice. Later discovery on the method involves pounding leaves and roots to paste for directly administering it to patients. It later evolved into combination with other potent medicine to improve its effects, and was even later introduced to meals and normal human diet to promote better health and improve physical, emotional, and mental recovery.

Variation Of Use

The use of herbal medicine varies according to the customs, traditions, and beliefs of the different races. Medical practitioners of the Orient tends to use herbal components in all aspect of their daily lifestyle -- integrating them into a person's daily diet to promote healing and longevity, as well as improving their normal rejuvenation capabilities.

Oriental medical practitioners are also known to use herbal products alongside energy therapy, like Qi Gong and Reiki. Energies provided by an experienced practitioner of the arts stimulate the healing process from the outside, while nutrients and extract from herbal components works its function on the inside to achieve total body rejuvenation.

North American's use of herbal medicine varies; aside from its basic use to treat wounds and cure minor ailments, these natural components are also utilized in tribal ceremonies and customs - to drive away evil spirits, blessing during weddings and celebrations, and so on. Some of these healing traditions involving herbal components are carried on even today.

Uses Of Herbal Medicine

Alternative herbal medicine has many uses today. Aside from being utilized for physical ailments -- like sore throat, fever, flu, diarrhea -- herbal concoction are now being used to address emotional and mental problems.

Certain plants have the capability to help a person relax to cope with their emotional and mental problems. Peppermint, for example, is known to have a minty quality that can cool a person's temper or help a person relax during stressful times.

Also, herbal products today are also utilized to improve the body's overall performance -- boosting a person's stamina, improving the body's defense against infection, and so on.

Safety In Usage

It's true that alternative herbal medicine is safe to use as compared to its synthetic counterpart, but it is essential to take some necessary precaution to ensure that there will be no side-effects or allergic reactions to its ingredients to promote body wellness.

Consultation of a medical expert is necessary to determine whether it is safe for you to use herbal products or not. Even if the medicine worked on others, there is a possibility that it will have a reverse effect depending on your body's chemistry. Such is the case; it is essential to have doctor look at your present medical condition to determine if you are compatible with the alternative herbal medicine or not.

Famous Alternative Herbal Medicines Used Today

2009-08-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Alternative herbal medicines are being used by many in today's societies to promote a healthy lifestyle. Despite the availability of modern medical treatment methods, many are still opting for the natural healing method to avoid side-effects and getting as much savings as possible from the treatment.

In most cases, herbal products today vary according to their formulation and functions. Most of the ones you see today are carefully formulated for weight loss. Some comes in the form of diet supplements to give the body enough energy to last the day, as well as to build up the immune system to ward of any signs of ailments easily.

Why Go For Herbal Medicines?

Herbal medicines are proven to be safe by many doctors and medical experts today. It is formulated with 100% natural ingredients that have no side-effects in the body unless taken in large doses outside the boundaries of the prescription. Since the ingredients are mostly from plant and animal extracts, they are cheaper compared to synthetic medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies today.

One of the advantages of using herbal medicine is that it promotes the natural healing method. Unlike synthetic drugs that only affect a specific part of our body or only address one type of health problem, herbal medicines are formulated to boost every single function in the human anatomy.

If you see that one herbal product is for weight loss, then you can be sure that it has some extra ingredients that has other functions that is related to weight loss -- like hunger suppressant, added nutrients, and so on. To add to your knowledge about herbal medicines, here are some examples of the famous ones being used today.

The Ever-Popular Garlic

Garlic is one of the most potent herbal medicines used as home remedies today. It has the most number of uses compared to other plants used in herbal products. Aside from being a useful kitchen spice for a great recipe, garlic can also be used to keep you heart and liver healthy. They are great for the common cold and offer a tasty brew when used as a health drink.

One of the medicinal qualities of Garlic is its ability to treat heart problems. It is a common remedy for people with high-blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and reduces the risk of heart attacks. Many also use garlic as an anti-bacterial agent for many skin conditions.

Green Tea Leaves

The Green Tea Leaves you see in the market today is actually a potent herbal medicine if used correctly. Drinking it at least twice a day can help oxidize your fat to make it easier for your body to burn. This a great dietary supplement for people who are suffering from overweight or obesity with high cholesterol levels.

Many say that Green Tea Leaves also has a calming effect that is perfect for those who are always under the mercy of stress. Its extracts has the ability to get rid of nasty toxins in our body that usually cause signs of aging to appear on our face or in other parts of the body. You can either take them as tea or buy them as pills.

There are other alternative herbal medicines used to promote a healthy body. Keep in mind that you have to be specific with what you want for your treatment before using them to avoid complications. Just make sure that it is from a credible medical or pharmaceutical company, as well as follow the exact prescription or dosage to ensure that you won't be having any problems with it during and after use.

Eastern Alternative Herbal Medicine for Western Children

2009-08-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

The pharmacologic industry is one of the most promising and progressing business of the present. An increase in the awareness and focus of research and development on medicine has triggered a big push to drug manufacturing.

With the main driving force of improving the lives and promoting human longevity; researchers, scientists, and businessmen have jumped into the business of creating medications for the sick, as well as for those who want to prevent further illness.

The western civilization brought industrially prepared medicine, and sold at commercial markets while the eastern part of the globe saw the need for intervention of natural means of preparation through alternative herbal medicine.

East Meets West

It may very well be said that Western medicine is technologically advanced and came about with the notion of curing an existing illness. It is on the forefront of stopping and getting rid of a susceptible disease or complications.

As for Eastern medication, it is historically rooted and is based on centuries' worth of human existence, with the idea of preventing illnesses from happening in the first place. It is in the background of keeping our bodies healthy and sickness free.

As for the fusion of the old and the new, past and present, technology and tradition, and western and eastern ideologies, alternative herbal medicine was produced. Pharmacological firms embraced the idea of herbal and natural medication in line with their own synthetically made variants to provide an option for everyone in need of medicine.

Sensitive and Fragile

Those who are in need of medication take prescribed drugs, some of which are quite harmful to other cells, and organs. The liver is one of the body's organs hit hard by drug intervention when it synthesizes and tries to bind the specific components to our body's cells. The more unnaturally existing and synthetic the drug is, the more it is at risk for our body to react against. This is even more risky for fragile bodies such as our kids.

Our kids' bodies are still growing, their minds and way of thinking still developing. They are also prone to infection and sickness because of their increased activity without much conscious protective measures. Giving them industrially created drugs expose their bodies to harmful chemicals even if these drugs cure them of their sickness.

They too have their own immune system to provide immediate and automatic protection from harmful elements both in and out of their bodies. However, bacteria and other environmental factors overpower them much like with adults. The only difference is that young children are still building up their body's defenses.

Prevention and Herbal Medication

With the application of research and development on naturally occurring plants in our environment, it is now possible to give alternative herbal medicine to our children. Certain drug companies adhere to the idea of natural medication since it is beneficial not only to children, but to anyone in terms of less adverse reaction of the body. This is because the components of alternative herbal medicine are naturally occurring, organic, and supports life processes.

Administering alternative herbal medicine to children does not stress their livers because organic compounds from the plant source can be easily synthesized as compared to synthetic ones. Herbal supplements also are safe to take on a daily basis as prescribed to prevent sickness and illnesses from occurring.

Alternative Herbal Medicine For A Healthier You

2009-08-06T08:27:00.001-07:00

Alternative herbal medicine offers a healthy solution for a total body makeover. You don’t have to dish out thousands of dollars a month just to keep your body in top shape. It's true that there are plenty of high-end medical equipments and synthetic drugs made by pharmaceutical companies to help you fight health-related problems, but the cost of the treatment and side-effects might prove to be a hindrance to you rather than a benefit.

Healthy Facts About Herbal Medicines

As the name suggest, herbal medicines are made from plants. There are certain plants that contain chemicals and extracts that is highly beneficial to the human body. Herbal products sold in health and fitness shops today uses only 100% natural ingredients to fight certain health conditions. The aim of this natural healing method is to boost the body's immune system to fight off ailments naturally, rather than subject your body to synthetic chemicals that might prove harmful to your health.

Herbal Medicine And Weight Loss

One of the most common uses of herbal medicines is for weight loss. There are certain plants that are used as dietary supplements to reduce your waistline without having to drink fat-burning pills using synthetic compounds. Weight loss herbal products contain certain ingredients to help you get rid of unwanted fat. you can go for hunger suppressant if you are prone to excessive eating or look for ingredients that will help your body burn more cholesterol or fat easily.

Also, weight loss herbal products are partnered with physical exercise for better results. You can take them along with your daily meals and wait for the effects to appear on your body. If you want a speedy weight loss then you might want to undergo a physical weight loss program so you can help your body get rid of fats and calories faster.

Herbal Medicines To Promote Proper Health

Our body needs a specific amount of nutrients for it to function normally. Vitamins you can buy in the local pharmacy can provide you with enough energy to help you last for a day, but it can only do so much if your body itself is deteriorating rapidly.

Herbal medicines are formulated to address all the body's basic functions. Instead of just providing you with the vitamins and nutrients you need to keep it functioning, these natural products were designed to enhance each and every area of your body for it to perform better -- and taking vitamins on top of your herbal supplement will only boost the effects.

Safety Precautions In Using Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicines are not without its danger when used. The problem is not with the ingredients that the product is made of, but in the actual use of the product the certain medical conditions may arise.

One of the common problems attributed to the use of alternative herbal medicine is self-medication. There might be certain instances wherein the proper dosage indicated on the label is not the prescribed measurement for our use. It is essential that you consult an expert first so that they can determine the exact content of the herbal product and come up with a safe way to use it to avoid complications.

Also, consumers are urged to avoid taking in more of the product to avoid having problems with it. Many would think that alternative herbal medicines are safe to use and drinking more of it in one sitting would hasten the process -- this is wrong. Instead of being beneficial to the body, over-dosage would only result to more health concern cropping up in your system.

Alternative Herbal Medicine And Weight-Loss

2009-08-06T08:26:00.001-07:00

Herbal products are not only being used for treating diseases or common health-related problems. Alternative herbal medicine is now being integrated into weight loss programs to promote proper body functions while shedding excess fat to achieve a trim and lean body.

Herbal Weight Loss Program

Weight loss programs today are making use of herbal medicines considering that it is safe to use and without any side-effects. Synthetic weight loss pills are often laced with restrictions that may prove to be a problem for individuals who have a fixed dietary preference or lifestyle. In most cases, this weight loss solution may limit a person's meals, physical movement, and can be very expensive to purchase.

Herbal weight loss medicines use 100% natural ingredients from plants and animals. The concept behind this method includes the right nutrients integrated into the body in order to promote normal body functions, and to activate certain hormones for breaking down cholesterol, burning calories, improved metabolic function, and so on.

Usage Of Herbal Products For Weight Loss

The use of herbal products depends upon the potency and nature of the medicine. Most are taken before or after meals, while some are termed as supplements to boost a body's performance during physical workout. However, it is very important for an individual to consult an expert first before taking in herbal medicine for weight loss. There are possibilities that usage might result to allergic reactions with your normal body chemistry that could lead to health complications.

It would be best to check out the labels of these herbal products to determine their exact ingredients that would be useful for your weight loss program. If you have no idea what an ingredient does, then you can either consult an expert or do some research on the Internet to tell you what it is all about.

Such is the case; it is essential for an individual to utilize herbal products effectively for their weight loss program by taking in measured doses according to the prescription of your medical expert, as well as avoiding self-medication that would lead to complications.

Some Herbal Ingredients Useful For Weight Loss

There are different types of weight loss herbal medicines being used today and each varies according to the ingredients used in it. Keep in mind, however, that no herbal product can address the entirety of your weight problem. They work only to promote a specific function that will help you get rid of excess weight.

For example, Guggul is a well-known ingredient used in herbal weight loss products today. The extract from this plant is known to regulate the cholesterol levels in the human body. This is a very effective medicine for obese or overweight individuals.

Hoodia Gordoni is also one of the well-celebrated ingredients in weight loss herbal product. The flower of this desert plant has the ability to intercept the stimulus of hunger from the brain and lessen a person's food intake. Aptly termed as a hunger suppressant, Hoodia is perfect for those who have eating problems.

There are also other herbal products that utilize some ingredients that would help in your weight loss program, but is considered to be dangerous due to its adverse effect when the dosage is not properly controlled. Senna is a well-known laxative that is mainly used for removing waste materials in our digestive tract. Possible reaction to this herbal component may include diarrhea, dehydration, and constipation.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Alternative Herbal Medicines

2009-08-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Alternative herbal medicines are considered to be the best solution to address the growing number of health-related concerns today. Rather than making use of synthetic medications commonly prescribed by their doctors, smart consumers today are looking for an alternative solution to address their health problems without having to dish out hundreds of dollars for treatment, as well as potential allergic reactions to the chemicals used on synthetic products.

Before starting out on your journey towards alternative healing, it would be best to know the advantages and disadvantages of herbal medicines to ensure that you are getting your money's worth in addressing your health-related concerns.

Advantage 1 - Natural Ingredients

Medical and pharmaceutical companies that bring you herbal medicines only make use of natural ingredients for their products. Extracting the natural compounds found in plants is carefully formulated to ensure that every pill or tablet is filled with the essential nutrients to address your health concerns improve your body's natural recovery process.

If you check out the labels of herbal products, you will see that they are mostly from the extracts of plants. No synthetic chemicals and formulas are needed to complete the medicine. There might be a few others that are integrated into the mix to improve its effects, but government health agencies ensure that it will not get in the way of your treatment.

Advantage 2 - Cost-Effective Solution

One of the advantages of herbal products is their price. They are a lot cheaper compared to synthetic medicines commonly prescribed by doctors today. In fact, low-budget consumers are opting for this solution to their health problems in order to get as much savings they can get to address their health-related concerns.

The reason why alternative herbal medicines are cheaper is because of the ingredients used in it. No expensive chemicals are used in the formulation of the medicine and the ingredients can be grown almost anywhere under the right conditions.

Advantage 3 - No Allergic Reactions

You don’t have to worry about what you eat when you take in herbal products for your health problems. Since the ingredients are 100% natural, you don’t have to be careful about your meals causing allergic reactions that will compromise your health.

But it would be best to have a doctor look at the herbal medicine you plan to use and undergo a serious of laboratory exams to determine that your system is compatible with it. Even if the product worked for some, there are no guarantees that it will have the same effect when you take it in yourself.

The Disadvantage Of Using Herbal Medicines

With all the advantages stated above in the use of herbal medicines as a treatment method, many would think that there are no complications when using it whenever they feel like it. This is a common misconception that often leads to more health-related problems.

We can never deny the fact that herbal products are classified as medicines and should be treated as such. Proper formulation and dosage is necessary for a safe use. Consumers are urged to follow the dosage indicated on the label of the herbal medicine or to consult a health expert or your family doctor to safely determine the proper usage of the product. It is also advisable to undergo a consultation and physical or laboratory examination to ensure that your body will not react with alternative herbal medicine for your health problems.

Alternative Herbal Medicine: 100% Natural Home-Made Remedies

2009-08-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

A fever, flu, or a sore throat doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be going to the hospital to have a doctor look at it. It would be safe to say that you will only be wasting your money for being diagnosed with a mild fever and prescribed with expensive medicines just to get it out of your system. A solution to common health-related problems can be easily found in your family kitchen -- alternative herbal medicines that you can easily make in the comforts of your own home.

Alternative Herbal Medicine Facts

It is a proven fact that herbal medicines are very safe to use. Doctor approves them for their patients to assist in recovery. You can either purchase herbal diet supplements from health shops in your area or you can make some for yourself in your family kitchen.

Keep in mind, however, that not all herbal supplements sold in the market today are safe to use. Due to its popularity, there might be scammers out there that replicate a product with no health value in it whatsoever. Consumers need to check the labels carefully to ensure that it came from a credible pharmaceutical company or better make your own herbal concoction at home using 100% natural ingredients.

Preparation Is Important

Preparation is very important if you plan to make your own herbal remedies at home. Make sure that your ingredients are clean and fresh. Ladles and pans should not be made of metal or stainless steel materials to avoid chemicals being included in the mix. You might also want to check out some tips and tricks on how to properly prepare and process your herbal remedy for better results.

Anti-Oxidants - Garlic, Onion, And Pepper

Most of the spices found in our kitchen are anti-oxidants. You can practically see a lot of diet supplements that offers to get rid of nasty toxins out of your system -- they are expensive yes, but they do work. You can get the same out of your kitchen ingredients without having to dish out your savings for it. The good part about it is that you don’t have to worry about side-effects -- what you take in is 100% natural.

Kitchen spices like garlic, onions, and pepper seeds are great anti-oxidants. You can include them in your daily meals or you can concoct a health drink out of it. Clean them thoroughly and chop them up. Cook them up in boiling water and let it stew for a few minutes. Drain it with a strainer and you have an anti-oxidant drink ready for you use.

The Best Medicine - Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the widely celebrated herbal medicines used today. Asians and North Americans use it extensively for their healing arts -- from ancient time to the present. This is mainly used to help a person relax and adapt to any forms of stress. The root is a known panacea that can help the body recover from any types of disease.

It has been known to be used for enhancing physical and mental performance -- usually for added stamina without any side-effects. Ginseng can also lower cholesterol level of patients with high-blood pressure and can improve the body's natural resistance to common health problems. You can use it as a tea or stuff it in a bottle with water to age for a more potent brew.

Leukimia

2009-07-28T02:49:00.000-07:00

Leukemia (British English: leukaemia) (Greek leukos λευκός, "white"; aima αίμα, "blood") is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal proliferation (production by multiplication) of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes). Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases. In turn, it is part of the even broader group of diseases called haematological neoplasms.

Classification

Leukemia is clinically and pathologically subdivided into several large groups. The first division is between its acute and chronic forms:

Acute leukemia is characterized by the rapid increase of immature blood cells. This crowding makes the bone marrow unable to produce healthy blood cells. Immediate treatment is required in acute leukemia due to the rapid progression and accumulation of the malignant cells, which then spill over into the bloodstream and spread to other organs of the body. Acute forms of leukemia are the most common forms of leukemia in children.
Chronic leukemia is distinguished by the excessive build up of relatively mature, but still abnormal, white blood cells. Typically taking months or years to progress, the cells are produced at a much higher rate than normal cells, resulting in many abnormal white blood cells in the blood. Whereas acute leukemia must be treated immediately, chronic forms are sometimes monitored for some time before treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness of therapy. Chronic leukemia mostly occurs in older people, but can theoretically occur in any age group.

Additionally, the diseases are subdivided according to which kind of blood cell is affected. This split divides leukemias into lymphoblastic or lymphocytic leukemias and myeloid or myelogenous leukemias:

In lymphoblastic or lymphocytic leukemias, the cancerous change takes place in a type of marrow cell that normally goes on to form lymphocytes, which are infection-fighting immune system cells. Most lymphocytic leukemias involve a specific subtype of lymphocyte, the B cell.
In myeloid or myelogenous leukemias, the cancerous change takes place in a type of marrow cell that normally goes on to form red blood cells, some other types of white cells, and platelets.

Combining these two classifications provides a total of four main categories:

Four major kinds of leukemia
Cell type	Acute	Chronic
Lymphocytic leukemia (or "lymphoblastic")	Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Myelogenous leukemia (also "myeloid" or "nonlymphocytic")	Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)	Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Within these main categories, there are typically several subcategories. Finally, hairy cell leukemia and T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia are usually considered to be outside of this classification scheme.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in young children. This disease also affects adults, especially those age 65 and older. Standard treatments involve chemotherapy and radiation. The survival rates vary by age: 85% in children and 50% in adults. Subtypes include precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, precursor T acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Burkitt's leukemia, and acute biphenotypic leukemia.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) most often affects adults over the age of 55. It sometimes occurs in younger adults, but it almost never affects children. Two-thirds of affected people are men. The five-year survival rate is 75%. It is incurable, but there are many effective treatments. One subtype is B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, a more aggressive disease.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurs more commonly in adults than in children, and more commonly in men than women. AML is treated with chemotherapy. The five-year survival rate is 40%. Subtypes of AML include acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) occurs mainly in adults. A very small number of children also develop this disease. Treatment is with imatinib (Gleevec) or other drugs. The five-year survival rate is 90%. One subtype is chronic monocytic leukemia.
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is sometimes considered a subset of CLL, but does not fit neatly into this pattern. About 80% of affected people are adult men. There are no reported cases in young children. HCL is incurable, but easily treatable. Survival is 96% to 100% at ten years.^[6]
T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a very rare and aggressive leukemia affecting adults; somewhat more men than women are diagnosed with this disease. Despite its overall rarity, it is also the most common type of mature T cell leukemia; nearly all other leukemias involve B cells. It is difficult to treat, and the median survival is measured in months.
Large granular lymphocytic leukemia may involve either T cell or NK cells; like hairy cell leukemia, which involves solely B cells, it is a rare and indolent (not aggressive) leukemia.

Cancer

2009-07-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology.

Cancer may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but the risk for most varieties increases with age. Cancer causes about 13% of all human deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people died from cancer in the world during 2007. Cancers can affect all animals.

Nearly all cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells. These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may be randomly acquired through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. The heritability of cancers are usually affected by complex interactions between carcinogens and the host's genome. New aspects of the genetics of cancer pathogenesis, such as DNA methylation, and microRNAs are increasingly recognized as important.

Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system.

Diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of a tissue biopsy specimen by a pathologist, although the initial indication of malignancy can be symptoms or radiographic imaging abnormalities. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for different varieties of cancer. There has been significant progress in the development of targeted therapy drugs that act specifically on detectable molecular abnormalities in certain tumors, and which minimize damage to normal cells. The prognosis of cancer patients is most influenced by the type of cancer, as well as the stage, or extent of the disease. In addition, histologic grading and the presence of specific molecular markers can also be useful in establishing prognosis, as well as in determining individual treatments.

Classification

Cancers are classified by the type of cell that resembles the tumor and, therefore, the tissue presumed to be the origin of the tumor. These are the histology and the location, respectively. Examples of general categories include:

Carcinoma: Malignant tumors derived from epithelial cells. This group represents the most common cancers, including the common forms of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer.
Sarcoma: Malignant tumors derived from connective tissue, or mesenchymal cells.
Lymphoma and leukemia: Malignancies derived from hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells
Germ cell tumor: Tumors derived from totipotent cells. In adults most often found in the testicle and ovary; in fetuses, babies, and young children most often found on the body midline, particularly at the tip of the tailbone; in horses most often found at the poll (base of the skull).
Blastic tumor or blastoma: A tumor (usually malignant) which resembles an immature or embryonic tissue. Many of these tumors are most common in children.

Malignant tumors (cancers) are usually named using -carcinoma, -sarcoma or -blastoma as a suffix, with the Latin or Greek word for the organ of origin as the root. For instance, a cancer of the liver is called hepatocarcinoma; a cancer of the fat cells is called liposarcoma. For common cancers, the English organ name is used. For instance, the most common type of breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma of the breast or mammary ductal carcinoma. Here, the adjective ductal refers to the appearance of the cancer under the microscope, resembling normal breast ducts.

Benign tumors (which are not cancers) are named using -oma as a suffix with the organ name as the root. For instance, a benign tumor of the smooth muscle of the uterus is called leiomyoma (the common name of this frequent tumor is fibroid). Unfortunately, some cancers also use the -oma suffix, examples being melanoma and seminoma.

Diabetes mellitus

2009-07-16T23:56:00.000-07:00

Diabetes mellitus (pronounced)—often referred to simply as diabetes—is a disease in which the body does not produce enough, or properly respond to, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin is needed to turn sugar and other food into energy. In diabetes, the body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should, or both. This causes sugar to accumulate in the blood, often leading to various complications. The American Diabetes Association reported in 2009 that there are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States—7.8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million in the US alone have been diagnosed with diabetes, nearly one in four (5.7 million) diabetics are unaware that they have the disease.

Many types of diabetes are recognized: The principal three are:

Type 1: Results from the body's failure to produce insulin. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Presently almost all persons with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections.
Type 2: Results from a condition in which the body fails to use insulin properly, combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Many people destined to develop type 2 diabetes spend many years in a state of Pre-diabetes: Termed "America's largest healthcare epidemic,", a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. As of 2009 there are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes.

Gestational diabetes: Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women. It may precede development of type 2 (or rarely type 1).

Many other forms of diabetes mellitus are categorized separately from these. Examples include congenital diabetes due to genetic defects of insulin secretion, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, steroid diabetes induced by high doses of glucocorticoids, and several forms of monogenic diabetes.

All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, but there is no cure for the common types except a pancreas transplant, although gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery. Diabetes and its treatments can cause many complications. Acute complications including hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage, which can lead to blindness, several types of nerve damage, and microvascular damage, which may cause erectile dysfunction and poor wound healing.

Poor healing of wounds, particularly of the feet, can lead to gangrene, and possibly to amputation. Adequate treatment of diabetes, as well as increased emphasis on blood pressure control and lifestyle factors such as not smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight, may improve the risk profile of most of the chronic complications. In the developed world, diabetes is the most significant cause of adult blindness in the non-elderly and the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in adults, and diabetic nephropathy is the main illness requiring renal dialysis in the United States.

Calcium

2009-07-16T05:07:00.000-07:00

Calcium (pronounced /kælsiəm/) is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft grey alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth most abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust. Calcium is also the fifth most abundant dissolved ion in seawater by both molarity and mass, after sodium, chloride, magnesium, and sulfate.

Calcium is essential for living organisms, particularly in cell physiology, where movement of the calcium ion Ca²⁺ into and out of the cytoplasm functions as a signal for many cellular processes. As a major material used in mineralization of bones and shells, calcium is the most abundant metal by mass in many animals.

Calcium is an important component of a healthy diet and a mineral necessary for life. The National Osteoporosis Foundation says, "Calcium plays an important role in building stronger, denser bones early in life and keeping bones strong and healthy later in life." Approximately ninety-nine percent of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. The rest of the calcium in the body has other important uses, such as some exocytosis, especially neurotransmitter release, and muscle contraction.

In the electrical conduction system of the heart, calcium replaces sodium as the mineral that depolarizes the cell, proliferating the action potential. In cardiac muscle, sodium influx commences an action potential, but during potassium efflux, the cardiac myocyte experiences calcium influx, prolonging the action potential and creating a plateau phase of dynamic equilibrium. Long-term calcium deficiency can lead to rickets and poor blood clotting and in case of a menopausal woman, it can lead to osteoporosis, in which the bone deteriorates and there is an increased risk of fractures. While a lifelong deficit can affect bone and tooth formation, over-retention can cause hypercalcemia (elevated levels of calcium in the blood), impaired kidney function and decreased absorption of other minerals. High calcium intakes or high calcium absorption were previously thought to contribute to the development of kidney stones. However, a high calcium intake has been associated with a lower risk for kidney stones in more recent research. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium.

Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, are a well-known source of calcium. However, some individuals are allergic to dairy products and even more people, particularly those of non Indo-European descent, are lactose-intolerant, leaving them unable to consume non-fermented dairy products in quantities larger than about half a liter per serving. Others, such as vegans, avoid dairy products for ethical and health reasons.

Fortunately, many good sources of calcium exist. These include seaweeds such as kelp, wakame and hijiki; nuts and seeds (like almonds and sesame); blackstrap molasses; beans; oranges; figs; quinoa; amaranth; collard greens; okra; rutabaga; broccoli; dandelion leaves; kale; and fortified products such as orange juice and soy milk. (However, calcium fortified orange juice often contains vitamin D3 derived from lanolin, and is thus unacceptable for vegans. ) An overlooked source of calcium is eggshell, which can be ground into a powder and mixed into food or a glass of water.Cultivated vegetables generally have less calcium than wild plants.

The calcium content of most foods can be found in the USDA National Nutrient Database.

Pay Per Click (PTC) recommended sites

2009-07-16T05:04:00.000-07:00

Vitamin E

2009-07-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

Vitamin E is the collective name for a set of 8 related α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and the corresponding four tocotrienols, which are fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant properties. Of these, α-tocopherol (also written as alpha-tocopherol) has been most studied as it has the highest bioavailability.

It has been claimed that α-tocopherol is the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant, and that it protects cell membranes from oxidation by reacting with lipid radicals produced in the lipid peroxidation chain reaction. This would remove the free radical intermediates and prevent the oxidation reaction from continuing.

The oxidised α-tocopheroxyl radicals produced in this process may be recycled back to the active reduced form through reduction by other antioxidants, such as ascorbate, retinol or ubiquinol. However, the importance of the antioxidant properties of this molecule at the concentrations present in the body are not clear and it is possible that the reason why vitamin E is required in the diet is unrelated to its ability to act as an antioxidant.. Other forms of vitamin E have their own unique properties.

For example, γ-tocopherol (also written as gamma-tocopherol) is a nucleophile that may react with electrophilic mutagens; and the tocotrienols having specialized roles in protecting neurons from damage, cancer prevention and cholesterol reduction by inhibiting the activity of HMG-CoA reductase;δ-tocotrienol blocks processing of sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins (SREBPs).However, the roles and importance of all of the various forms of vitamin E are presently unclear, and it has even been suggested that the most important function of vitamin E is as a signaling molecule, and that it has no significant role in antioxidant metabolism.

Vitamin E to prevent prostate cancer study discontinued

There have been some theories that Vitamin E, especially when coupled with selenium, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 30 percent. However, the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, ("SELECT"), run from 2004 to 2008, found that vitamin E, whether taken alone or in combination with selenium, did not prevent prostate cancer. The SELECT study was discontinued after independent reviewers determined that there was no benefit to the 35,000 men who were the subject of the study.

Particularly high levels of vitamin E can be found in the following foods:

Asparagus
Avocado
Egg
Milk
Nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts
Red Palm Oil
Seeds
Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
Vegetable oils -- Canola, corn, sunflower, soybean, cottonseed, olive oil, rice
Wheat germ
Wholegrain foods

Vitamin A

2009-07-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

Vitamin A, a bi-polar molecule formed with bi-polar covalent bonds between carbon and hydrogen, is linked to a family of similarly shaped molecules, the retinoids, which complete the remainder of the vitamin sequence. Its important part is the retinyl group, which can be found in several forms. In foods of animal origin, the major form of vitamin A is an ester, primarily retinyl palmitate, which is converted to an alcohol (retinol) in the small intestine. Vitamin A can also exist as an aldehyde (retinal), or as an acid (retinoic acid). Precursors to the vitamin (provitamins) are present in foods of plant origin as some of the members of the carotenoid family of compounds.

All forms of vitamin A have a beta-ionone ring to which an isoprenoid chain is attached. This structure is essential for vitamin activity. The orange pigment of carrots - beta-carotene - can be represented as two connected retinyl groups, which are used in the body to contribute to Vitamin A levels. The retinyl group, when attached to a specific protein, is the only primary light absorber in visual perception, and the compound name is related to the retina of the eye.

Vitamin A can be found in various forms:

retinol, the form of vitamin A absorbed when eating animal food sources, is a yellow, fat-soluble, vitamin with importance in vision and bone growth. Since the alcohol form is unstable, the vitamin is usually produced and administered in a form of retinyl acetate or palmitate.

other retinoids, a class of chemical compounds that are related chemically to vitamin A, are used in medicine.

Recommended daily intake

Life Stage Group	RDA/AI* μg/day	UL μg/day
Infants 0–6 months 7–12 months	400* 500*	600 600
Children 1–3 years 4–8 years	300 400	600 900
Males 9–13 years 14–18 years 19 - >70 years	600 900 900	1700 2800 3000
Females 9–13 years 14–18 years 19 - >70 years	600 700 700	1700 2800 3000
Pregnancy <19 years 19 - >50 years	750 770	2800 3000
Lactation <19 years 19 - >50 years	1200 1300	2800 3000

RDA = Recommended Dietary Allowances
AI* = Adequate Intakes
UL = Upper Limit

(Note that the limit refers to synthetic and natural retinoid forms of vitamin A. Carotene forms from dietary sources are not toxic.)

According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, "RDAs are set to meet the needs of almost all (97 to 98 percent) individuals in a group. For healthy breastfed infants, the AI is the mean intake. The AI for other life stage and gender groups is believed to cover the needs of all individuals in the group, but lack of data prevent being able to specify with confidence the percentage of individuals covered by this intake."

Vitamin C

2009-07-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient for humans, a large number of higher primate species, a small number of other mammalian species (notably guinea pigs and bats), a few species of birds, and some fish.

Ascorbate (an ion of ascorbic acid) is required for a range of essential metabolic reactions in all animals and plants. It is made internally by almost all organisms, humans being a notable exception. Deficiency in this vitamin causes scurvy in humans. It is also widely used as a food additive.

The pharmacophore of vitamin C is the ascorbate ion. In living organisms, ascorbate is an anti-oxidant, since it protects the body against oxidative stress, and is a cofactor in several vital enzymatic reactions.

In humans, vitamin C is essential to a healthy diet as well as being a highly effective antioxidant, acting to lessen oxidative stress; a substrate for ascorbate peroxidase^[4]; and an enzyme cofactor for the biosynthesis of many important biochemicals. Vitamin C acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes : Collagen, Carnitine, and Tyrosine synthesis, and Microsomal Metabolism.

Antioxidant

Ascorbic acid is well known for its antioxidant activity. Ascorbate acts as a reducing agent to reverse oxidation in aqueous solution. When there are more free radicals (Reactive oxygen species) in the body versus antioxidant, a human is under the condition called Oxidative stress. Oxidative stress induced diseases encompass cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, chronic inflammatory diseases and diabetes The plasma Ascorbate concentration in oxidative stress patient (less than 45umol/L) measured is lower than healthy individual (61.4-80umol/L) . According to McGregor and Biesalski (2006) increasing plasma ascorbate level may have therapeutic effects in oxidative stress individual. Individuals with oxidative stress and healthy individuals have different pharmacokinetics of ascorbate.

Pro-oxidant

Ascorbic acid behaves not only as antioxidant but also as pro-oxidant. Ascorbic acid reduced transition metals, such as Cupric ions (Cu2+) to cuprous (Cu1+) and Ferric ions (Fe3+) to ferrous (Fe2+) during conversion from ascorbate to dehydroxyascorbate In Vitro. This reaction can generate superoxide and other ROS. However, in the body, free transition elements are unlikely to be present while iron and copper is bound to diverse proteins. Recent studies show that intravenous injection of 7.5g of ascorbate daily for six days did not increase pro-oxidant markers; thus, ascorbate as a pro-oxidant is unlikely to convert metals to create ROS in vivo.

Vitamin B12

2009-07-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production.

Vitamin B12 is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting the DNA synthesis and regulation but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. However, many (though not all) of the effects of functions of B12 can be replaced by sufficient quantities of folic acid (another B vitamin), since B12 is used to regenerate folate in the body. Most "B12 deficient symptoms" are actually folate deficient symptoms, since they include all the effects of pernicious anemia and megaloblastosis, which are due to poor synthesis of DNA when the body does not have a proper supply of folic acid for the production of thymine.

When sufficient folic acid is available, all known B12 related deficiency syndromes normalize, save those narrowly connected with the B12 dependent enzymes Methylmalonyl Coenzyme A mutase (MUT), and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR), also known as methionine synthase; and the buildup of their respective substrates (methylmalonic acid, MMA) and homocysteine.

omega 3 fatty acids

2009-07-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

n−3 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that have in common a final carbon–carbon double bond in the n−3 position; that is, the third bond from the methyl end of the fatty acid.

Important nutritionally-essential n−3 fatty acids are: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), all of which are polyunsaturated. The human body cannot synthesize n−3 fatty acids de novo, but it can form 20-carbon unsaturated n−3 fatty acids (like EPA) and 22-carbon unsaturated n−3 fatty acids (like DHA) from the eighteen-carbon n−3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid.

These conversions occur competitively with n−6 fatty acids, which are essential closely related chemical analogues that are derived from linoleic acid. Both the n−3 α-linolenic acid and n−6 linoleic acid are essential nutrients which must be obtained from food. Synthesis of the longer n−3 fatty acids from linolenic acid within the body is competitively slowed by the n−6 analogues. Thus accumulation of long-chain n−3 fatty acids in tissues is more effective when they are obtained directly from food or when competing amounts of n−6 analogs do not greatly exceed the amounts of n−3.

Omega 6 fatty acid

2009-07-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

n−6 fatty acids (popularly referred to as ω−6 fatty acids or omega-6 fatty acids) are a family of unsaturated fatty acids which have in common a final carbon–carbon double bond in the n−6 position; that is, the sixth bond from the end of the fatty acid.

The biological effects of the n−6 fatty acids are largely mediated by their conversion to n-6 eicosanoids that bind to diverse receptors found in every tissue of the body. The conversion of tissue arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) to n-6 prostaglandin and n-6 leukotriene hormones provides many targets for pharmaceutical drug development and treatment to diminish excessive n-6 actions in atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, vascular disease, thrombosis, immune-inflammatory processes and tumor proliferation. Competitive interactions with the n−3 fatty acids affect the relative storage, mobilization, conversion and action of the n-3 and n-6 eicosanoid precursors

Pure Omega3 Supplement

2009-07-09T23:24:00.001-07:00

Taking pure omega3 supplement is important if you want to avoid being contaminated with toxins such as lead, PCBs, mercury and other heavy metals. The question is, how do you know which one is pure? Lack of proper regulation in the nutritional supplement market has led to the proliferation of products that are not fit for human consumption. That is why you need to be very careful when buying supplements.

The first rule is, do not take any product claim on the face value; do your research to make sure that the product is/does what it claims to be/do. This is necessary because there are many products out there on the market and the competition is very stiff; so the manufacturers employ every available strategy in order to lure customers into buying their products.

The importance of purity with regards to supplements can not be over-emphasized; people are advised to take fish oil supplements instead of eating fish because of the contaminants in fish. However some fish oil supplements still contain as much contaminants as fish.

The best pure omega3 supplements are made with fish oil gotten from cleans waters of Alaska, Norway and New Zealand. The oceans in these places are still unpolluted, hence the fish from them are not contaminated with pollutants or insecticides.

The fish oil is also purified using the method of molecular distillation, this method makes it possible for the oil to be separated from the toxins making it safe enough for human consumption.

So when shopping for pure omega3 supplement, read the label very well and make sure that it is molecularly distilled. You should also check the company's Certificate of Analysis (COA); make sure that the results on heavy metals, pollutants and pesticides states 'undetected'. You should also make sure that the tests on this certificate of analysis were carried out by a third party laboratory (you can get all these information from the website of any genuine company).

Now that you know how to identify pure omega3 supplement. visit my website for information on the omega-3 supplement every one in my family takes.

Recommende Omega 3

2009-07-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

After all of the publicity concerning pure Omega3 fatty acids, most people these days know that these fatty acids are good for their health. And many of them want to know what is the recommended daily allowance.

The US National Institute of Health recently put out a paper concerning the recommended dosage of fatty acids per day. They recommend a total daily intake of 650 mg of DHA and EPA per day which you can obtain from pure Omega3 fish oil supplements. They also recommend that you take 2.2grams of ALA per day, these fatty acids you can get from flaxseed, leafy greens, nuts and seeds.

That is all very well for a healthy thirty five year old, however the amounts vary in relation to your age and what problems you have. Older people need more fatty acids, especially DHA to prevent memory loss. They also need it for their cardiovascular health.

Younger children need to take more Omega3s than the norm, because their brain is still developing.

One thing you need to watch out for if you are on a anticoagulant like aspirin or prescription drugs to thin your blood. Fish oil is a natural blood thinner, so if you are on any of the above it would pay you to consult your doctor before starting a course of fish oil supplements.

Most health care professionals recommend that you take at least 1,000 mg per day to 4,000 mg per day of Omega3 fatty acidsfor optimum health.

All fish are not the same when it comes to DHA and EPA fatty acids. the best fish for these fatty acids are fish that come from the coldest, deepest waters, where they feed on the plankton that gives them the rich Omega3 fatty acids.

Some of the fish you buy these days is farmed and they are fed pellets, these fish are low in pure Omega3. For fish to be rich in Omega3 they need to be eating their natural diet of algae, shrimp or plankton. Farmed salmon these days has a dye injected into their flesh to give it the pink color.

You also need to buy an Omega3 fish oil supplement that has been molecularly distilled to remove all of the contaminants. These contaminants are found in almost every ocean on earth. They consist of lead, mercury and PCBs etc. once the oils have been through this process they are the purest you can buy.

To summarize, look for a pure Omega3 fish oil supplement that has been purified, ie molecularly distilled. And one that has been put into soft gel capsules of 1,000 mg. If you can, look for a species of fish that are high in Omega3 fatty acids. If you follow these suggestions, then you will get a safe high quality Omega3 supplement.

Supplement for building muscle

2009-07-09T23:21:00.002-07:00

There are literally thousands of supplements out there, and it can get a little confusing when deciding what supplements to buy. Here, I will make a list of some of the best supplements for building muscle and that can help you put on size and mass that I've used over the years. Keep in mind, however, that supplements are still just supplements. They will never replace a good diet and nutrition program, and no amount of supplements in the world will help you build muscle if you do not have a good workout program.

Protein Powders - If I had to pick just one supplement, then protein powders would be my choice. When it comes to bodybuilding, protein is the building block of muscles, and powders (such as whey, casein, egg) are great ways to get supplemental protein in your diet. Different proteins have different absorption rates, and different uses.

My top three picks for whey protein supplements would be:

1) Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey,
2) Syntrax Nectar, and
3) AST VP2.

My top three choices for protein blends are
1) BSN Syntha 6,
2) Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex, and
3) Met Rx Protein Plus.

Of course, there are many other protein supplements that are excellent choices that should fit in this list. What I list here are what I find myself using the most.

Meal Replacements - meal replacements are similar to protein powders, except they also contain a host of other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. These are great for their convenience, but also cost more because of this. Some of the top MRPs that come to mind include Met-Rx, EAS Myoplex, and Isopure.

Creatine and NO2 supplements - Supplements such as BSN NO-Xplode, Universal Animal Pump, san V12 and Xyience NOX-CG3 are among the dozens of creatine supplements that contain a mixture of creatine and arginine alpha ketoglutarate as the base ingredients, and different products will contain a mixture of different ingredients.

Energy Supplements - There's also an entire supplement industry based on energy drinks and energy supplements. Mass marketed energy drinks such as Red Bull really don't do much as an energizer, especially for hardcore training. Energy supplements for building muscles that I've really liked include BSN Endorush and Ultimate Orange. These energy supplements will give you massive boost during your workout sessions, helping you build muscle and strength.

There's a long list of bodybuilding supplements for building muscle, and the above listed are just a small list of them. To build muscle and achieve real gains, you cannot just rely on your supplements to do your work for you. You need to have a good nutrition program in place, and a good workout plan that will stimulate your muscles for growth and development.

Learn the secrets of bodybuilding, and discover how you can gain serious muscle and strength.

Functions of Omega 3

2009-07-09T23:21:00.001-07:00

The relationship between omega 3 and brain is very fascinating. Did you know that deficiency in this essential fatty acid can lead to conditions such as alzheimer's, depression, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

It is important to note that 60% of your brain is made up of fats and half of that fat is DHA? For starters, the most important components of omega3 (n-3) are DHA and EPA; it is from these two fatty acids that the benefits of n-3 are basically derived. Although DPA has some health benefits there hasn't been much studies done to ascertain its importance.

Results of studies done on omega 3 and brain functions suggest that DHA might be a powerful neuroprotector. Studies also show that omega-3 helps to improve brain functions such as memory, concentration and learning. Hence, regular consumption of fish oil which is the best source of n-3 reduces the risk of developing alzheimer's because its DHA content helps to protect the nervous system from degeneration.

The ability of n-3 to improve neurological functions is what makes it helpful to those with ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Regular intake of omega3 has been linked to improved efficiency of nerve impulses and neurotransmitters involved in brain functions.

N-3 fatty acids in fish oil has been shown to be very important in the formation and repair of neuro- cell membranes; it also plays a major role in the development of the central nervous system in children. Hence deficiency in n-3 has been linked to disorders such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

Studies on omega 3 and brain functions have linked its deficiency to depression; this important fatty acid (especially its DHA content) helps in the formation of brain's nerve cell membranes and the fluidity of the membranes. Changes in the membrane fluidity affects a person's behaviour and moods negatively, deficiency in n-3 fatty acids reduces membrane fluidity thereby causing mood swings and depression.

Women suffer from post partum depression because the developing fetus draws from the mother's DHA thereby depleting it; however studies show that a woman who gets enough this essential fatty acid through diet or supplementation has reduced risk of post partum depression.

Studies on omega 3 and brain also show that teenagers who take n-3 supplements on a regular basis tend to have lower rates of aggression and hostility.

Research has shown that regular consumption of n-3 supplementation by a mother during pregnancy and lactation helps to increase the IQ of the baby. This is possible because the fatty acid has been proven to stimulate memory and learning abilities.

Now that you have seen the important connection between omega 3 and brain functions, ensure that you buy a supplement that is high in DHA ( at least 250mg per capsule). You should also make sure that the supplement is purified using the process of molecular distillation; this is important in order to prevent being contaminated with toxins such as mercury, lead, PCBs, insecticides or other heavy metals.

Resveratrol

2009-07-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months there has been a lot of talk about resveratrol. Much of it has been about its potential to aid in weight loss, but researchers hope for a lot more from resveratrol than that, and so far things look very promising for the potential medical use of this naturally occurring substance.

Much of resveratrol's medical potential relates to diseases and conditions that occur later in life. The Harvard study that first brought resveratrol to the media's attention was focused for the most part on the fact that the lives of lab mice given doses of resveratrol extract in high quantities was prolonged, and some who were exposed to high levels of UV rays did not develop skin cancer as readily and their skin showerd far less damage than counterparts who were not given the substance. It is that study that began all the hope for resveratrol as an "anti aging" supplement.

Researchers are excited by the potential seen in studies related to all kinds of cancers, heart disease and one Chinese study found that it helped those recovering from both strokes and spinal injuries. One of the areas where the most promising research is emerging is the use of resveratrol for diabetics. Drug companies are actually trying to replicate the makeup of resveratrol to make a diabetes drug of their own. Human trials of various uses of resveratrol to combat disease are well under way all over the world and no adverse effects have been reported yet.

For all these reasons the sales of resveratrol supplements has skyrocketed. The weight loss aspect is appealing to many, as are skincare products formulated with the substance. But the health benefits of taking a regular dose of resveratrol might be even more important than such cosmetic concerns.

how to increase size of your manhood...

2009-07-09T23:11:00.001-07:00

A good method of penis enlargement is one that makes your at least 3 inches bigger in both length and width. Sadly very few of the methods available come anywhere close to this benchmark, with virtually all actually providing no growth whatsoever. When I tried to enlarge my member it was this same old story over and over until finally I came to natural enlargement and suddenly began growing and didn't stop until I was 4 inches bigger! I'd like to share with you exactly what I did so you make the changes you want too. Wouldn't you like to be bigger?

How and why does the natural method of penis enlargement work?

It works by harnessing your body's ability to act as a natural enlargement method all of its own by recreating the process that made your penis grow through puberty. You probably remember that your penis grew greatly at that time with no need for outside assistance. What you may not know is that this was down to the presence of biochemicals in your bloodstream which reacted with receptor cells in your penis to produce growth. I bet you assume those days are well behind you now. But with the natural approach you can turn back time and grow in just the same way again.

Are the biochemicals still in the body?

No and this is why you are not growing right now. Without them growth just is not possible but the moment you have enough inside you it will start up again automatically. So, you see, the biochemicals are simply the most VITAL ingredient for penile growth there is.

Boost Your Immune System With Fruits and Vegetables

2009-07-07T00:13:00.000-07:00

Having a heatlhy and nutritious diet is the most important thing we can do to prevent disease. A healthy and nutritious diet should include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains. These foods are great sources of antioxidants, which benefit our health by neutralizing harmful molecules known as free radicals. Heart disease, cancer, stroke and other diseases that are common with aging result from damage to cells from these free radicals.

In small amounts, free radicals help fight infection, but in large amounts, they may cause damage to tissue and DNA, a process known as oxidative stress. A way to prevent or minimize the oxidative stress in your body is by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables.

Our immune system needs to be well nourished to accomplish its mission: Defend our body against infection and other diseases.

So which fruits and vegetables do you need to include in your daily diet? Here are some fruits and vegetables that should be top on your shopping list. Additionally it may be of interest to you to read a Health Tip that I posted last December “Are We Aware of the Pesticides in our Foods?"

Broccoli
Broccoli is considered as the number one anti-cancer food by the National Cancer Institute. It contains sulforaphane which stimulates the body's production of substances known as Phase II detoxification enzymes. The Phase II detoxification enzymes destroy carcinogens and free radicals before they attack healthy cells. Other sources of sulforaphane are kale, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, brussels sprouts and mustard or turnip greens.

Blueberries

Among all fruits and vegetables, blueberries have one of the highest content of antioxidants. They get their beautiful deep color from pigments called anthocyanin, which have some very powerful immune stimulating properties. These anthocyanins are antioxidants that protect capillaries from oxidative harm. Blueberries have been found to help with mental health and memory and with urinary tract infections.

Apples
Apples are rich in magnesium, iron, silicon and potassium. Raw apples are a valuable aid to digestion, cleansing of the intestines and are excellent for fevers and inflammations. If you are having trouble with constipation, try having an apple (or apple juice) on an empty stomach, as they have a diuretic and laxative effect on the lower intestine.

Garlic
Called the “poor man's antibiotic”, garlic is a powerful aid against infections. It is also a powerful blood cleanser, a digestive stimulant, a diuretic and a systemic cleanser. It is also a powerful cleanser of the mucous membranes, especially those of the lungs, sinuses, nose and the throat. Due to its blood cleansing properties, garlic is beneficial for conditions such as high blood pressure. Garlic also appear to help block cancer by preventing the formation of some carcinogens that damage DNA.

Lemons
Rich in organic citric acid, it quickly changes an acid condition into an alkaline one; they help maintain the proper acid-alkaline balance of the body and relieve many other irritating conditions. Lemons are excellent for colds, sore throat and upset stomach.

Tomatoes
Rich in vitamin C, fiber and potassium, tomatoes have a high content of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body against cancer. They also contain beta-carotene and flavonoids that inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Carrots
Carrots are great for cleansing the bile and dying substances impacted in the liver. When eaten raw, carrots supply many of the components and vitamins needed by our bodies. Carrots are one of the best sources of Vitamin A and are also high in potassium, calcium. magnesium, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus and protein.

Spinach
Raw spinach is just about one of the most nourishing vegetables for the digestive and eliminative system and for all muscles, cells, tissues and nerves. It stimulates the muscular contractions of the intestines and is rich in iron, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Nutrition for a healthy teenager

2009-07-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

It could be a challenge to keep your teens healthy but it is very important. They are completing a cycle of growth and change and their bodies are going through rapid changes.

For this reason, every effort should be made to educate your teenager about the impact and importance that a good nutrition habit will have in their lives. Provide them with the right resources so they can be guided in wanting the proper types of food everyday with the proper amount of nutrients and healthysupplements.

When considering your teens health, it is important to think about how strong they are influenced by their friends. Many teens worry about how they look. And because their bodies are changing quickly, they may feel awkward or uncomfortable and may not feel very confident in their appearance. It is important to monitor these behaviors as things such as anorexia and bulimia are growing problems among teens in relation to changing bodies and self-esteem. Making sure that they are eating the proper food everyday is one way to ensure this.

By guiding your teen in nutritional value, you will be providing them the knowledge that they need in order to have a more nutritious lifestyle later on in their life.

Teenage nutrition should consist of essential nutrients and vitamins everyday. This includes making sure that they are eating from the five food groups. It also means ensuring that they are receiving any extra nutrients that are not in their daily diets. Because of the age of teens, they will partly be in charge of their eating habits, meaning that they will want to eat out more as well as get food from vending machines and school. If you are giving your teen these choices, make sure you educate them on what nutrients they need every day. This will give them more options in deciding what they want to eat.

From here, it is important to make sure that your teen is getting the required amounts of physical activity. This may mean allowing them to go to a gym or health club. It may also mean encouraging them to join a team sport or physical education activity at school. While they may decide that these are not the best options for them, make sure that it is encouraged and something that you would like to see them do.

The one thing that you can monitor with your teen is whether they are eating breakfast, and possibly dinner. Giving them nutritious options during the times where they are at home will encourage them to eat healthier. You can also make sure that what you have provided at home allows for more nutritious habits. Supplying food as well as an example towards your teen of healthy eating will allow for them to make the right decisions. There are always ways to improve the way we cook and prepare our meals to get the maximum benefit from the foods we eat.

The essential principles of good health can be simplified into a simple sentence. Eat properly, exercise, be happy and keep a life of balance and moderation.

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Nutrition as we age

2009-07-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

As we age, our nutrition begins to change. In other words the utilization of food is oftentimes changed. A deficient nutrition could happen from an insufficient intake due to a lack of sufficient appetite resulting in a small food intake. Also, the lack of good healthy teeth or proper dentures may affect the type of food that are being selected, leading to a habit of avoiding foods that require chewing, such as meats and vegetables, thus a deficiency in proteins, vitamins and minerals.

The amount of hydrochloric acid in our stomach, which helps in the digestion of protein, and the enzymes of the pancreas are frequently decreased as we age. Therefore, the food that is ingested is not properly digested to make the absorption possible.

Our body reacts to age by re-balancing different areas in our body. Being aware of what our body needs are in order to perform the right maintenance is important. By doing this, you can continuously look and feel younger, despite your age.

Premature aging is preventable by adopting a healthy lifestyle. The degenerative diseases typical of people of advanced age can often be treated, but are much more easily prevented by living a healthy lifestyle.

The first thing that needs to be consistent is maintaining the right dietary needs. As your body ages, it is in more of a need for balanced and healthy meals. If it doesn’t have the right nutrients moving through the body, it can cause more severe problems at a faster rate. As you age, your body stops growing and instead needs to keep a consistent level of nutrients. Make sure that your body is getting the right supply of vitamins and supplements for maintenance work.

Some of the major supplements that older and aging people need are calcium, fiber, iron, vitamin C, protein, vitamin A and folacin. These specific vitamins help with adding strength and extra energies that your body needs in order to continue moving things consistently through its body. Knowing which supplements you will need to re-balance your body can help with you feeling healthier and having more energy.

Physical activity also needs to remain as one of the important parts of aging. It is easy for your body to lose bone density, muscle mass and have pains that are more consistent throughout different places in your body. By staying active and exercising on a consistent basis, it will help your body to not lose the muscle, tissue and bone that it needs in order to stay healthy with energy. There are several places where one can go in order to find how to stay at the best health while aging. Each of these places can offer specific exercises in order to help relieve pain and keep the bone density and muscle mass at a consistent level.

A good diet becomes even more important as our immune system tends to weaken naturally as we age. The immnune system defends the body against bacteria, viruses, infections and other invaders. Fruits and vegetables are among the best sources of nutrients needed for a strong immnune system. If you eat right, your immunity stays strong regardless of your age.

Another thing to keep in mind is that senses will begin to change. Smell and taste begin to weaken. There are several specialists that can help you to feel comfortable and give you the right tools if this starts to happen. You can always change food flavors that you eat in order to help with smell and taste. It is important to make sure that the change in your senses doesn’t get in the way of your normal and comfortable living.

www.forhealthtips.com

8 Useful Health Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

2009-07-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some simple tips to help you keep a healthy lifestyle. They will help you boost your energy and feel balanced and healthier. It is important to know what you can do to improve your health.

1. Watch what you eat. Your daily meals should consist of a healthy diet with a good balance of nutritious foods. Knowing what your body needs, and not going overboard, or eating too little can help in determining a more balanced lifestyle. There are several resources to turn to in order to find what your body needs. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it is important to incorporate a healthy menu to your breakfast everyday!

2. Fight addictions. This is in relation to eating or not eating foods, as well as over consumption of different things. This can imbalance your body easily and cause problems.

3. Exercise. This should be done at least four or five times a week. This helps your body to build muscle in several different areas, helps you to lose weight and can prevent illnesses and disease. A good walk is relaxing and rejuvenating.

4. Sleep. If you are sleep deprived, it causes your body to begin to shut down. Make sure that you feel rested and are getting the right amount of sleep. This will allow your body to work at a consistent and full speed every day. It is believed that the body goes thru a healing process during your sleep. So, it is extremely important for your health to always get

5. Take vitamins and supplements as needed. Paying attention to where your body doesn’t feel balanced is important as well. Once you have determined this, you can balance it out through vitamins and supplements.

6. Stay motivated. Often times, it is easy to work on improving our health for two weeks, then to stop once we don’t immediately see results. The major part of improving your health is remaining consistent and motivated in doing activities. Do what you have to do to make sure your health is an everyday concern.

7. Never stop learning. There are several different approaches to what improving health means. This doesn’t stop with diets, but also moves into holistic approaches that can be a part of your diet. Research and keeping up with studies about what works and what doesn’t, can help you in improving and maintaining your health.

8. Consult. There are several health care providers and nutritionists that can help you. If you are uncertain about the steps that you need to take, get in touch with the right person to see what you need to do.

Always be aware that if you work towards a healthier lifestyle you will start to feel the changes at a physical and emotional level. You will have a more fulfilled and balanced lifestyle. By knowing what you need to do and taking action, you can be assured that you will be able to have a more energetic lifestyle.

How much do you sleep??? Do you sleep sufficiently...???

2009-07-06T23:44:00.000-07:00

Sleep specialist Michael Stevenson, Ph.D. says that if you sleep half the time you are in bed, then your sleep efficiency is only 50%. The idea is to attain a rate of 90%.
If you go to bed at 10:00 pm with the idea of getting up at 6:00am, but you just can fall asleep until 2:00am,then Dr. Stevenson says don't go to bed until 2:00am. Rather than laying awake and sleepless for 4 hours, you will feel better if you don't go to bed till then.
After 7 days of sleeping well for those 4 hours, go to bed 15 minutes earlier the following week. And after successfully achieving this, keep adding another 15 minutes each week,but cut back whenever you are having trouble again.
"You sneak up on it a bit at a time" Dr. Stevenson says. "Almost immediately, people begin to feel better. Ironically, you are using sleep restriction as a weapon against insomnia."