best supplements

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Introduction:

Bodybuilding supplements consists of various substances including proteins and amino acids
metal replacement products
prohormones
testosterone boosters and are taken by boy builders and sports persons to help building muscle or supplement fat loss. These bodybuilding supplements are also suitable for improving sports performance.

Amino acids
Branched chain amino acids
glutamine and protein:

Protein consumed by our body metabolizes into amino acids. The bodybuilders prefer most commonly three branched chain amino acids leucine
isoleucine and valine. Muscles metabolize these branched chain amino acids. Additionally these branched chain amino acids are assumed to have resistance towards muscle breakdown.

Although soy protein
a naturally occurring complete protein may sometime exhibit estrogenic activity and is therefore avoided by many of the bodybuilders
however egg protein is preferred as it is also a complete protein. Casein
another richest protein source of amino acid glutamine is preferred as it contains casomorphine additionally
which releases amino acids at regular intervals.

Bodybuilders prefer to take protein just after exercise or as a replacement of meal. Protein powders are available in the market and right quantity of these at recommended helps in making muscles
as muscles are primarily made of protein and protein also helps us in repairing and growth of muscles.

Whenever you purchase a protein packet
you must look for total serving in the pocket and gram protein
gram carbs
gram sugar and gram fat per servings. If you are lactose intolerant
you should select a protein packet
which does not contain lactose. On the basis of all these information you must select the right product suitable for you.

Metal Replacement Products:

The metal replacement products are either available in powder form or in bar form. Powder form can be mixed with water
milk or juice and can be taken thereafter
however bars can be consumed straight away.

These are made available for complete meal replacement and contains high amount of proteins
moderate amount of carbohydrates and also contains various vitamins and minerals.

Various manufacturers of metal replacement products claim to have added soy protein
egg albumin
whey protein or micellar casein as source of protein. For replacement of carbohydrates ingredients derived from oat fiber
wheat flour or maltodextrin have been added. Some may contain essential fatty acids substitute and other mineral substitutes. Some other products such as glutamine peptide and additional amino acids are also added by some of the manufacturers.

Creatine Monohydrate:

Creatine monohydrate is one of the essential organic acids. It is one of the few products suitable for making healthy muscles. Creatine monohydrate is useful for sports persons engaged in weight lifting and short-range sprinters. Creatine monohydrate works in our body and plays a vital role in making and replenishing of ATP. It is also occurs naturally in beef
pork
and salmon.

If you are on creatine
you may notice a weight gain as creatine has a volumizing effect and draws water and various other nutrients to muscle cells.

Some of the common and minor side effects associated with intake of creatine include stomach upset and gastrointestinal distress. Although
some of the recent studies on creatine shows that it has a positive influence on our heart health and it lowers our lipid profile.

Prohormone Supplements:

Prohormones are precursors to both male and female hormones. Body builders are only interested in the supplements capable to increase male hormone testosterone as at elevated level testosterone will lead to improved muscle growth. Studies carried out on various prohormone have not given the desired results. Some of the horhormone are not significant and effective and may have side effects.

Most people want to improve their health
particularly if they can do it easily. Since the way modern food is processed can destroy nutrients
many people choose to supplement their diets by taking vitamin pills. What are the best vitamin supplements to maximize health? Here is a suggested list.

Always consult your physician before you start taking vitamins. Your medical advisor is the only person who can determine what the best vitamin supplements and dosages are for you.

The basics

A multivitamin tablet is a great foundation when looking for the best vitamin supplements. It will contain some of all the basic vitamins and minerals you need and in some cases
a full dose. For example
the amount of Vitamin A in multivitamins is plenty and a separate Vitamin A tablet won't be needed.

Vitamin B complex
which includes 11 different B vitamins
contributes to the health of the nervous system. It is beneficial for medication overuse
alcoholism or recovery from a serious illness. B vitamins assist in reducing the effects of stress and support the adrenal glands. They aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates
fats and proteins and are essential for the health of your skin
hair
eyes
mouth and liver.

Vitamin B-3 is also known as niacin or niacinamide. It helps maintain healthy functioning of the nervous system
digestive system and skin.

Vitamin B-6 combats carpal tunnel syndrome
joint pain
trigger finger
sensitivity to bright light
burning or tingling in the extremities and inability to recall dreams. It works in combination with magnesium and zinc.

Vitamin B-12 is used as a tonic. It assists in the conversion of iron to hemoglobin in the blood
helps normalize hormone production and increases short-term memory in the elderly. It also contributes to nervous system health.

Folic acid is an essential B vitamin that promotes heart health. Pregnant women need ample supplies of folic acid to reduce the risk of serious birth defects in their babies.

Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant. It reacts with free radicals in the bloodstream to combat cell damage
so it can be considered a cancer fighter. It is important in immune system health and collagen formation. Some people believe high doses of vitamin C can help fight colds
but research to support this is mixed. It is present in citrus fruit and prevents scurvy
a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin D helps promote healthy bones
largely by helping the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D can reduce the risk of diabetes
heart attack
muscle and bone pain
rheumatoid arthritis
multiple sclerosis
and cancers of the breast
colon
prostate
ovaries
esophagus and lymphatic system. It may also help lower blood pressure. It stimulates the pancreas to make insulin and regulates the immune system.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that fights free radicals whose accumulation can lead to premature cell aging. In addition
vitamin E enhances immune response
which is beneficial in preventing and fighting cancer. Studies suggest it may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. It was formerly believed that Vitamin E helped reduce the risk of heart attack
but recent studies suggest it may increase that risk.

Calcium is necessary for bone maintenance and assists in muscle contraction and nerve function. It may also help prevent colon cancer.

Magnesium works with calcium to build bones. It helps keep muscles strong and nerves alert
as well as helping protect the heart from the stress of exercise. It may also protect against type two diabetes.

Optional extras

Beta carotene supplements the activity of vitamin A. It is a powerful antioxidant and immune system enhancer.

Chromium picolinate stabilizes blood sugar and may promote weight loss as part of a balanced diet and exercise regimen. It can also be used for body building
decreased and increased blood sugar levels and morning sickness.

Coenzyme Q10 is a major antioxidant used in the transfer of cellular respiration inside the inner mitochondrial membranes of the body's cells. It supports heart health.

Lutein promotes eye health. It may protect against aging related eye diseases
including macular degeneration and cataracts.

Selenium binds with heavy metals and helps the body get rid of them. It supports the immune system and may protect against some forms of cancer.

Zinc is another antioxidant supplement believed to be helpful in shortening the duration of colds. People with zinc deficiency may have significantly higher glucose levels and lower insulin levels than similar patients without normal zinc levels.

If you are experiencing health problems
do some research on the Internet to find what the best vitamin supplements are for your condition. People who prefer to avoid taking prescription drugs may be able to find solutions by selecting the best vitamin supplements supported by research studies.

One of the most overlooked supplements on the market is Vitamin B12.Your body needs this vitamin
in combination with other B vitamins
to maintain a healthy nervous system
maintain energy levels and production of good DNA. All very important processes to your everyday existence.

The number one symptom for Vitamin B12 deficiency is feeling tired and lethargic. The B-Complex vitamins play an important role in carbohydrate digestion and energy production. Without all of the proper components this system can breakdown and cause a these symptoms. If left without diagnosis or treatment
B12 deficiency can lead to a serious medical condition
Pernicious Anemia. The symptoms of B12 deficiency include; shortness of breath
fatigue
rapid heart rate
loss of appetite
diarrhea
tingling and numbness of hands and feet
sore mouth
unsteady gait
especially in the dark
tongue problems
impaired smell and bleeding gums. A high intake of Folic Acid can hide B12 deficiency. This condition is easily fixed by adding B12 rich foods to your diet or taking supplements. In most cases
Vitamin B12 should be taken in conjunction with a Folic Acid supplement and a B-Complex vitamin.

Because of changing diets
and highly processed food
there has been a significant increase in Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is found in red meat
eggs
dairy and fish. There are no know sources of Vitamin B12 in vegetables. At one time it was quite common to feast on organ meat
but you would be hard press to find a fast food restaurant serving steak and kidney pie or liver and onions! The modern diets has led to a decline in nutritionally balanced diets. The highest sources of B12 can be found in mollusks/clams (85 micrograms per 3oz portion) and beef liver (47 micrograms per 3oz portion). Over cooking can lead to the breakdown of the vitamins. If those are not to you your liking then salmon
trout and beef are moderate sources with about 5 micrograms per 3 oz portion. Over cooking these foods can significantly reduce the quantity and quality of nutrients.

If oysters and organ meat are not to your liking then Vitamin B12 supplements will work perfectly well. There are a number of forms of B12
and this list will help you pick the proper supplement for your conditions. When in doubt
contact your doctor or use Methylcobalamin.

Methylcobalamin is a coenzyme form of Vitamin B12 which is biologically active. This means that your body can use it as is
and does not require any metabolic steps to make it body friendly. The product comes in a sublingual tablet(dissolves under your tongue) because your digestive system modifies the molecule. The sublingual method allows the vitamin to directly enter your bloodstream
providing rapid benefits.

Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic
and inactive
form of Vitamin B12 that requires a number of metabolic processes to gain any benefit. This can be problematic in people with certain deficiencies and health issues. Unfortunately
this is the most common form of Vitamin B12 on the market and is found in most Vitamin B-Complex’s.

Hydroxycobalamin is a non-active form of Vitamin B12 and is used commonly as an injectable form. It has a number of benefits depending on your condition. It is recommended for those who have cyanide sensitivity. Hydroxycobalamin helps the body bind free cyanide
by reacting with the molecule to form cyanocobalamin
which can then be excreted from the body. Most people are aware that cyanide is highly toxic
but the body regularly uses it in very small quantities for metabolic processes.

Adenosylcobalamin is the other coenzyme form of Vitamin B12 and is biologically active. This form is usually sold as an injectable form and only available by prescription.

Common Reasons for Vitamin B12 Deficiency

There are a number of reasons why a person may have Vitamin B12 deficiency. Some people lack the proper intrinsic factor to properly digest this molecule. Many times this will show up at a young age but may occur as you age
however many times it is not diagnosed properly.

Vegan’s also may be deficient because their diet does not allow them to eat sources of food derived from animals. Unfortunately
Vitamin B12 is only found in animal sources. Taking supplements of B12 will ensure that there are no issues.

It is also recommended that elderly people take Vitamin B12 supplements. It has been shown in studies that 15% of people over 65 have Vitamin B12 deficiency. This is partially caused by a decline in the gastric system
which results in poor absorption of nutrients. The preferred source of B12 for the elderly is sublingual or injectable forms
since they bypass the digestive systems.

Another culprits for B12 deficiency is gastric acid-blocking products and medication
which can lead to decreased vitamin B12 levels. This is also related to people with malabsorption conditions such as Celiac disease
low stomach acid or those who have had stomach or intestinal surgery. Any stomach condition may result in poor absorption of nutrients.

Vitamin B12 is a very safe
and affordable
supplement with real benefits. For anyone that is concerned about their health
proper supplementation can play a very important role. If you have any of the symptoms or conditions associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency try taking a coenzyme form of B12
usually Methylcobalamin
and a B-Complex Vitamin with Folic Acid for a two week period. If you notice any benefits
great
and if not there was no harm done. You should always check with your doctor if your symptoms continue.

One interesting thought about Vitamin B12 is that oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century. Could it have been that many Romans were deficient in B12
and when they ate the oysters
which are high in B12
they were no longer deficient resulting in an increase in energy and youthfulness? It’s possible.

Copyright 2006 Donovan Baldwin

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) may possibly be a "wonder vitamin" in some people's books. A lot of claims have been made for it in the past few years
not the least of which was Dr. Linus Pauling's claims for its ability to prevent and lessen the duration and intensity of the common cold when taken in large doses.

Unfortunately
although vitamin C is anti-viral and does support the immune system
it is not necessarily a magic bullet that will defeat the common cold or even cancer! In fact
some recent studies seem to be indicating that Dr. Pauling's claims might be a little overstated.

Vitamin C
like most other vitamins and mineral supplements primarily helps the body do its job effectively. Deficiencies of vitamin C CAN predispose the body to certain ills
and proper intake either through daily diet or vitamin supplementation can HELP prevent certain conditions and illnesses. Vitamins and mineral supplements should never be used as the only path to health
but should be part of a lifestyle that includes overall attention to nutrition
activity (okay
exercise)
proper rest and sleep
and enjoyable forms of recreation and relaxation. I personally would throw in yoga and meditation
but those are MY enjoyable forms of recreation
relaxation
and exercise
I guess. You will have to find what works best for you.

SOURCES

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin
and
as such
is not stored in the body. This means it must be regularly replaced by diet and/or supplementation. The most commonly recognized sources of vitamin C are citrus and other fruits - oranges
tangerines
limes
guava
lemons
papayas
strawberries
black currants
grapefruit and mangoes - as well as a wide range of vegetables. Some vegetables which contain Vitamin C include collard greens
sweet and hot peppers
broccoli
tomatoes
brussel sprouts
cabbage
potatoes
kale
spinach
and watercress.

AFFECTS

Vitamin C is a nutrient valuable for tissue growth
protection of cell membranes from toxic wastes
wound healing
and
as mentioned
support of the immune system. It supports the growth of collagen and cartilage
protecting in this way against many of the effects of aging.

As an antioxidant
vitamin C helps combat free radicals
and it may help with cancer
high cholesterol
cataracts
diabetes
allergies
asthma
and periodontal disease.

The effectiveness of vitamin C is believed to be increased when taken with vitamin E.

DOSES

The recommended daily intake of Vitamin C is 60 mg per day for adults
although many people
following Dr. Pauling's lead
take much higher doses in hopes of preventing colds and warding off the effects of aging. However
in higher doses there may be some toxicity with one of the side effects being diarrhea. In some cases
higher doses of vitamin C may cause kidney stones or anemia
due to an interference with the absorption of vitamin B12.

A reminder: vitamin C is water soluble
and unused portions will be flushed from the body
so daily intake of foods rich in vitamin C or supplementation with a multivitamin may be of value.

While there do not seem to be major problems associated with an high doses of Vitamin C
it might a good idea to stick within recommended daily allowances since the jury is still out on side effects.

DEFICIENCIES

The most well-known result of a vitamin C deficiency is scurvy
a condition characterized by weakness
anemia
gum disease
and skin lesions. Fortunately
scurvy is very rare in our modern society although still found to a greater degree in areas of poor nutrition.

Frequent infections
severe colds
nose bleeds
tiredness
and painful joints may also indicate a deficiency.

When you get sick
you go to the doctor. And the doctor will
of course
prescribe medicines. You will go and buy medicines. You take them
and hopefully
you get well.

This is how the health profession goes on nowadays – a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.

If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine
you would probably say that that person was a quack.

But nowadays
studies are being conducted to see if there are really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of natural methods
herbal medicines
and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures
village medicine men served as the doctors of the community
passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.

Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine
complementary medicine
and alternative medicine.

Usually
natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine.

This includes herbal medicine
or phytotherapy
which is prevalent in Chinese
Ayurvedic(or Indian)
and Greek medicine.

Upon the advent of modern medicine
many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.

For example
opium
digitalis
quinine
and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine.

Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases
natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine

Before we continue
it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.

Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However
only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough
colds
fever
skin rashes
and its ilk are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects.

Currently there are numerous organizations that study the effects and advocacy of natural medicine – among which is herbal medicine. Some governments and health agencies openly advocate the use of natural methods since they are inexpensive and relatively risk-free.

As their studies compile
more herbs and treatments are added to the list of accepted medicines. However
many herbs and treatments have been proven to be bogus medicine. This represents a challenge for both the user and the agencies because they have to ascertain that the treatments they either use or advocate are legitimate.

There exist today many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However
not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy
aromatherapy
acupuncture
and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.

Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now
the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In that case of minor ailments your expert we actually advise you to take natural therapies instead.

The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet
healthy living
and the regular natural treatment.

It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. Yes
a healthy lifestyle and will do no harm to our well-being. And this is the foundation of natural medicine – may it be massage
herbal medicine
aromatherapy or others.

It is funny but true that science
in its quest for excellence
is studying the knowledge of sages past. This
surprisingly
leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging. So staying tuned to studying these remedies is worthwhile until we can verify that these therapies are truly helpful to our health and our society.