Multivitamins For Women – All About Vitamins

2011-08-23 / Vitamins / 0 Comments

There is a range of vitamins that are essential for every part of a person’s health.

  • Vitamin A promotes healthy eyesight and also helps in the formation and growth of body tissues, and bones formation. Vitamin A helps the body to defend itself from infections too. The sources of vitamin A come from liver, eggs, and orange-colored fruits and vegetables like carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, mangoes, papayas, persimmons and tomatoes. This vitamin can also be found in dry and leafy vegetables like spinach.

Without vitamin A, a person will experience appetite loss, changes in the skin and teeth color, and also night blindness.

Vitamin B consists of vitamin B1, B2, B6, B-12.

  • Vitamin B1 promotes the normal functioning of all body cells and nerves. It also helps the body to break down carbohydrates, protein and fat for the body. Vitamin B1 comes from oysters, organ meats, dried beans, green peas, oranges, whole grains and peanuts.

Without vitamin B1, a person will experience fatigue, weight loss, mental confusion, muscular weakness, and heart problems.

  • Vitamin B2 promotes normal energy release from carbohydrates, proteins and fats in food. It also helps in the development and growth, and the production and regulation of certain hormones. It promotes the formation of red blood cells too. Vitamin B2 comes from dairy products like milk, fish, poultry, cereals and bakery products, and green vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, and spinach.

A lack of vitamin B2 causes soreness of the mouth, lips and tongue, loss of vision, and may develop depression or hysteria.

  • Vitamin B3 is necessary for aiding the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin B3 can be extracted from Meat, poultry, fish, enriched cereals and grains, and nuts, as well as Milk and eggs.

Without this vitamin, it can cause tremors and damage to the central nervous system as well as scaly skin or swollen tongue.

  • Vitamin B6 helps the body to process amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. It also aids in the formation and maintenance of the body’s nervous system. Vitamin B6 comes from chickens, fishes, eggs, and whole wheat products.

Without this vitamin, it can lead to depression, vomiting, anemia, and skin and nerves inflammation.

  • Vitamin B-12 is necessary for the normal production of amino acids and fats, as well as maintaining the nervous system. Vitamin B-12 comes from meat, poultry, fish, milk, dairy products and eggs.

Without this vitamin, it can lead to anemia, and neurological problems.

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Green Lipped Mussel Oil Vs Fish Oil: Compared

2011-08-21 / Oils / 0 Comments

If you suffer from an inflammatory condition such as arthritis and are keen to try a natural solution, you may be wondering about the benefits of green lipped mussel oil vs fish oil. Which one is more effective in treating inflammation? The key is actually in their composition.

Both fish oil and mussel oil are both rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. These are essential fatty acids that widely recognized for helping prevent a wide range of health issues including cardiovascular disease, depression, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, unfortunately, the body can’t make them. The need to be obtained from other sources.

Two of the most important omega-3s are Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). These are both found in high quantities in the oil of fish such as salmon and tuna.

Green lipped mussels also contain omega-3 fatty acids. However, unlike fish oil, the raw mussels are high in a rare omega-3 called Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA).

What’s the difference?

All omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation. They achieve this by inhibiting the production of inflammatory compounds (leukotrienes and prostaglandins) in the body. This occurs by naturally binding the enzymes (lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase) that make the inflammatory compounds.

The ETA in mussel oil has additional capabilities. It actually decreases the production of cyclooxygenase at the gene level in the body. In addition, it reduces the formation of Arachidonic Acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid that the body uses to produce the inflammatory compounds.

This makes ETA more effective than any other type of omega-3s in treating the cause of inflammation.

But how does mussel oil shape up in real life? Does it really produce better benefits than fish oil?

According to scientific studies, yes! Findings concluded that green lipped mussel oil had a much more noticeable impact on inflammation than salmon, cod liver, flaxseed, and two mixed fish oils when given to animals. Indicators included amount of swelling, how sensitive the animals’ feet were, how much they groomed their inflamed paws, and how mobile the animals were.

What’s more, the dose of mussel oil given was significantly less than that of the standard omega-3 supplements.

If you’re interested in taking mussel oil to treat arthritis, it’s also important to note that green lipped mussels are high in glycosaminoglycans (which fish oil is not). These amino sugars are raw materials, or building blocks, that are used by cells to ensure healthy joints.

Don’t rule out taking fish oil completely though. Fish oil is an excellent health supplement and shouldn’t be overlooked. Many people with severe inflammation have reported great success in by combining green mussel oil with fish oil for faster relief.

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Antioxidant Supplements

2011-08-12 / Supplements / 0 Comments

Antioxidants have been a topic of research since long ago due to the various health benefits that it provides. The fact that human beings cannot produce antioxidants naturally creates the need for us to consume products having antioxidants in them. Studies indicate that antioxidants have the potential to cure numerous diseases like some types of cancer, heart illness, skin conditions, diabetes and poor cholesterol.

Antioxidant supplements are known to be a potent prevention cure for some types of cancer such as prostate cancer and lung cancer. However, depending on the condition that you are suffering from, you might have to decide on what supplements to take. This is because studies about the assistance that antioxidant supplements can provide is still in process, and you will have to check the overall conclusive effects that they can provide before deciding on which to take.

Antioxidant supplements usually contains a mixture of vitamins and minerals which include vitamin A, B2, C and E. The minerals that can be found are Selenium and Carotenoids that consist of beta carotene, lutein and lycopene. Apart from vitamins and minerals, we can also find enzymes such as cysteine and co-enzyme Q10 in these antioxidant supplements. Since we don’t consume healthy foods that are rich in antioxidants, these supplements will try overcoming the problem by providing all the nutrients that are required for our well being.
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Antioxidants play a protective role in our general health such as well being of our hair. They are known to slow down the oxidation process by eradicating free radicals that can harm the body. These free radicals usually cause a lot of damage to the cells, thus leading to numerous diseases and ageing. Moreover, they can harm the DNA as well as other cellular structures like the cell organelles and the cell membrane. The toxins that are be released by the free radicals are due to stress producing activities, or when oxygen is metabolized. All these processes can disrupt the structure of the molecules causing immense harm to our body cells. To aid in the removal of these free radicals and help the body tissues grow under regular physiological conditions, antioxidants have to be taken on a regular basis.

The benefits of antioxidants have been known from quite a long time and people have started getting more and more health conscious, which makes these antioxidants a health product that everyone wants. They play a vital role in your diet so that overall well being and resilience can be reinforced on your body. Besides, there are many types of antioxidants available, and you will have to plan your diet in such a way that you get a dose of all of them, only then the purpose will be served! Numerous antioxidants function synergistically and when they are all taken together, they are more successful.

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Brain Nutritional Supplements

2011-08-09 / Supplements / 0 Comments

Our brain is responsible for memories, emotions, thinking and learning.

But brain function can diminish because of such things as injury or the aging process. (According to doctors, brain development occurs rapidly from 0 – 6 years and then slows as we age.)

That’s why it’s important to consider taking brain nutritional supplements, to keep your brain functioning effectively.

There are several exotic sounding brain nutritional supplements available in the market. I’m sure you’ve seen them. They claim to perform wonders by improving memory, concentration and other aspects of brain health.

However, if the claims seem to be too good to be true, they probably are.

But there are brain nutritional supplements whose benefits have been established by research.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Effective Brain Nutritional Supplements

Research studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids are an effective brain nutritional supplement.

Here’s why.

The gray matter in the brain is composed largely of fats (giving new meaning to the term “fat head”). Almost 30 % of this fat is DHA, a type of omega 3 fatty acid. DHA is a “building block” in the sense that it is an integral component of all cell membranes. However, the highest concentrations of DHA in the body are in the brain (as well as the retina).

In addition, Omega 3 fatty acids provide fluidity to cell membranes and improve communication between brain cells.. Omega 3s are believed to benefit the neuro-transmitters that carry messages from one part of the brain to another and to other parts of the body. Low levels of Omega 3 impede these transmissions.

On a regular basis, brain cells degenerate. We do not feel the effects because brains cells are also continuously regenerated.

Here’s the key point: This process of regeneration is aided by DHA. So a deficiency in omega 3 fatty acids can lead to problems with brain cell regeneration and, in turn, problems like memory loss and dementia.

EPA is another omega 3 fatty acid that is an effective brain nutritional supplement. People suffering from suicidal tendencies and depression have been found to have low EPA blood levels.

Though omega 3 fatty acids are essential for brain development and functioning, they are not naturally produced in the body. We must ingest Omega 3s in our food or take a supplement (or both).

Benefits of Omega 3 Brain Nutritional Supplements

Omega 3 Brain nutritional supplements can serve two purposes.

They can be used to treat or manage specific brain related disorder or they may be consumed on a regular basis for prevention.

Brain nutritional supplements such as fish oil with Omega 3 taken regularly optimize brain functions, improving your quality of life. They also help you resist conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

So here’s my rule – a fish oil capsule a day keeps your brain healthy and ticking away.

Take a pledge to be brain healthy. Do not forget your daily dose of brain nutritional supplement.

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Avoiding Taking Too Many Supplements

2011-08-02 / Supplements / 0 Comments

Dietary supplements in general, and protein supplements in particular, are a great way to make up the gap between the nutrients you get from dietary sources and the nutrients you need to accomplish your goals. For the great majority of people, dietary supplements will be limited to a single multi-vitamin a day; studies show that most people simply take supplements to feel better about themselves, rather than for any specific need. But those using protein supplements are generally power-users, who have very clear and defined goals as to what they need, and what they need to do to get there. The temptation to over-supplement is great; the immutable wall of diminishing returns, however, is soon reached when dealing with protein supplements.

The amount of protein supplementation you need will depend greatly on your level of activity and intensity of training as well as your ultimate goals. Endurance athletes, such as swimmers, cyclists and runners will need 1.2 to 1.4 grams of proteins per kilogram of weight per day, while bodybuilders will need 1.4 to 1.8 grams of proteins per kilogram per day. Bodybuilders who are training to increase their mass and bulk rather than maintaining what they already have will need up to twice that – up to 3.6 grams. The body, however, has a limited absorption capacity for protein, and anything over that will not be used and will be literally wasted.

It is thought that excess protein consumption can lead to kidney damage, as well as complications with the liver; these two organs act as filters for our body and need to break down and eliminate any excess, unused nutrients we consume. It is also surmised that over-consumption of protein supplements can lead, in the long term, to osteoporosis, although this has not been proven. Athletes and bodybuilders who need protein supplementation to avoid unbalanced and unhealthy diets should closely keep track of their protein intake so that it is in the ‘sweet spot’, so to speak; not too much, and not too little.

Bodybuilders and athletes should consider getting about half their protein from their diet, and half from supplements; the dietary protein constitutes the baseline, while the supplement is taken as closely as possible in time to the actual workout, in order to promote cell growth and avoid protein catabolism. Keeping track of your protein intake will allow you to know exactly how much protein you need, and when you should take it to maximize your results. In general, follow the instructions that come with your protein supplements, and always use common sense.

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