Showing posts with label nutritional supplements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutritional supplements. Show all posts

Five Steps to Choosing a Great Vitamin

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

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. Treat it well and stay healthy!

For additional information
visit:

http://www.TomsVitamins.com.
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Choosing The Right Vitamin Supplement

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

Millions of people take daily vitamin supplements to encourage good health. With all the different kinds of vitamins
minerals and herbs flooding the market these days
it's sometimes difficult to know what to choose.

The first thing you need to know is that vitamin supplements are not a replacement for eating healthy
vitamin rich whole foods. Food contains the nutrients your body needs in their very purest form
and interact with each other and your body in a way supplements cannot. However
taking vitamin supplements in addition to eating a vitamin-rich diet can be a great way to stay healthy and protect against damage from harmful free radicals.

When shopping for vitamin supplements
there are a few things you should keep in mind:

Always read the label

Reading labels is a wise practice you should do every time you shop for supplements. Labels can tell you more about dosages
ingredients
safety precautions
and other important information.

Choose a reputable manufacturer

Always choose products with “USP” on the label. “USP” is the abbreviation for the U.S. Pharmacopeia and the inclusion on the label means the product has been tested and checked for quality and safety.

Check the Date

Expired vitamins can lose their potency. Always make sure there is an expiration date printed on the bottle
and never purchase or use expired supplements.

Avoid Giant Doses

Do not choose supplements that offer extremely high doses of a particular vitamin or vitamins. Too much of anything can be harmful
sometimes even fatal.

Store Safely

Always keep your vitamins out of the reach of children. Store in a cool
dark
dry place as heat and humidity can affect the integrity of the vitamins.

Always Do Your Homework

Research is always a good idea before deciding to take vitamin supplements. Consult with your doctor. Perform some Internet searches or visit your local library. There is a wealth of resources available for you on the topic of vitamin supplements and the benefits they offer.
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Are the health supplements safe

Friday, 7 August 2009

Health supplements are now a common addition to our diet and in many situations they are the only solution to our health problems. However the Internet is simply flooded by SPAM and pop-up advertisements promising a quick relief from various illnesses if only we take (put a name here) health diet supplement and they are treated more and more like some kind of wonder pills. On the other hand
the benefits and dangers of using them are more and more discussed among physicians. The use of various supplements in bodybuilding process and the dangers of abusing them do not help.

The point is that health supplement really do work
but not for everybody and certainly they're not for every occasion.

Nutritional deficiencies
Basically dietary health supplements were originally developed to help people overcome their nutritional deficiencies. If
for any reason
an individual is unable to follow a balanced diet
health supplements help them to keep your organism intact. However in most cases when an individual eats healthy food (a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. For example)
health supplements are no longer needed and taking them will have only little effect (and not always a positive one).

Bodybuilding/fitness
Another common reason of taking health supplements is bodybuilding. When we want more than to be fit
the normal diet is not enough and we need to take something more serious if we hope to keep up the unhealthily quick pace of the muscles grow. That's where the health supplements come. However as they are often taken without any medical knowledge (and they need to be taken in large quantities if they are to have a visible effect)
their final effects may no longer be positive.

Conclusion
In short
health supplements are OK
but only as long as people use them for the reasons they were made for - to fight nutritional deficiencies. Bodybuilding or the general need of feeling healthy are not good reasons for taking those pills (even herbal ones). Our body is a delicate mechanism and we shouldn't tinker in it too much without a serious reason.
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Advanced Nutritional Products - What Are They

Advanced nutritional products are substances that have been shown by clinical studies to provide important health benefits. Advanced nutritional products that support the health of the heart
eyes
brain
immune system
joints and so on are being proven by studies on an ongoing basis. We are living longer
and we want those extra years to be active ones full of optimism
energy and health.

The foundation for good health is a lifestyle that includes a sensible diet with nutritional supplements
sufficient quality sleep
reasonable exercise and weight management. Taking high-quality
anti-aging advanced nutritional products helps fill in the dietary gaps that everyone will have. The essential nutrients that your body needs are extensive and complex. Vitamins and minerals are just the beginning. Other nutrients that provide significant anti-aging benefits are the key to improved energy
better health and freedom from disease.

Here are examples of advanced nutritional products:

• Resveratrol - this phytonutrient is an antioxidant found in the skins of red grapes
in red wine
red grape juice and mulberries. Studies suggest that it is an effective antioxidant that reduces mortality in cardiovascular diseases and cancer
that it inhibits the replication of herpes simplex virus
may be beneficial in atherosclerosis
may be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels
increasing HDL cholesterol levels
preventing damage to blood vessels and as alleviation of menopausal symptoms.

• Quercetin - is a bioflavanoid and one of the advanced nutritional products that supports the immune system
connective tissue and blood vessels.

• Alpha Lipoic Acid - this antioxidant (ALA) enhances effects of other antioxidants to fight free radicals in the body and enhance recovery. May enhance insulin sensitivity
improving the body's ability to add lean mass and reduce fat. May be beneficial in persons suffering from type II diabetes and hyperglycemia.

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine - occurs naturally in the body and is one of the advanced nutritional products. It is used for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease
age-related memory deficits
senile depression
Down syndrome
alcoholism-related cognitive deficits and after-stroke treatment as it increases cerebral blood flow.

• L-Carnosine - may play a role in preventing atherosclerosis
joint inflammation
formation of cataracts
Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

• Policosanol - comes from sugar cane and has been studied and published in over 80 clinical studies
more studies than for most prescription drugs. Policosanol significantly lowers total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol without the side affects associated with the statin drugs.

• Lutein - is found in leafy dark green vegetables. Studies suggest it may offer protection against cancer and degeneration of the eyes and skin by sunlight.

• Zeaxanthin - increasing dietary intake of the advanced nutritional products lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

• DIM 3
3
- diindolylmethane is found in the cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage
Brussels sprouts
cauliflower and broccoli. Diindolylmethane may be used for preventing breast and uterine cancer
preventing benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and for premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

• Turmeric - is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herb used for bronchitis
colds
chest infections
leprosy
fever
kidney inflammation and cystitis.

And there are more! Is it possible that advanced nutritional products can slow the aging process? Absolutely! Numerous clinical studies have shown and are still discovering the health benefits of many of these nutrients. Slowing the aging process includes providing your body ALL the nutrients it requires. You can try to design your own supplement plan and take many different supplements individually. However
designing your own supplement program is not the best way since this means taking many different substances and will not provide the best results.

When trying to design your own supplement plan
it's easy to end up with a dozen or more individual substances to take daily
which is both a hassle and expensive. Besides
if certain substances are out of balance
it's possible they can combine to produce other unwanted compounds that can be harmful. There is one manufacturer that combines the advanced nutritional products in one broad high-quality supplement. Nutrient quantities are combined according to the latest research and the individual ingredients are even linked to the relevant clinical studies.

Learn as much as you can about what finding the best advanced nutritional products really means. Your health
energy and wellness is the issue. Before spending your money
be informed about the anti-aging products you'll be taking every day.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
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