Nutrition and Nutritional Supplements for Your Health

By Diane Rose

Nutritional supplements help to maintain health of your body and to protect your body from diseases. But to know what nutrition supplements we need to take, we should have knowledge about nutrition and how it works.

Understanding nutrition is very important for your health, because if your body doesn’t get enough nutrition, it becomes weak and more disposed to obtaining diseases. We need to understand it so that we can take care of our bodies to help it to function well.

Nutrition is the study of nutrients and how it interacts with the human body. It is a study on how the body uses food as energy for its growth and activities. This leads to understanding how nutritional supplements is useful for the body.

Macronutrients and the micronutrients are the two kinds of nutrients. Macronutrients, also called the “big” nutrients, are made up of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Micronutrients, also called the “little” nutrients, are vitamins and minerals. Both of these two types of nutrients are what our body needs to be healthy.

Knowing about these two will give us a good understanding about what nutritional supplements we need to help our bodies to function well.

Macronutrients - Proteins

One of the major structural part of the body are proteins. The organs and muscles consist of proteins. So is the blood, cell membrane and immune system. The elements in proteins are called “amino acids”, which is found mainly in meats, dairy products, eggs, soy, fish and poultry.

Macronutrients - Carbohydrates

The main source of energy for the each cell in the body and fuel for the body is carbohydrate. Carbohydrates is made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are sugar, starches and fibers which are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, syrups, honey and table sugar.

Macronutrients - Fats

Fats is necessary for our bodies to be in good health, but as noted in the public eye, too much of it isn’t good for us. Fat provides linoleic acid to our body. Linoleic acid is a fatty acid necessary for our bodies growth, metabolism and healthy skin.

Fats, also, help absorb fat soluble vitamins.

The different types of fats are saturated fats, unsaturated fats, trans fats. also called hydrogenated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Saturated fats is found mostly in animal products like meat, dairy and egg. Also, some are found in some plant based sources like coconut oil.

Unsaturated fats are commonly liquid at room temperature. They are found in most vegetable products and oils. Unsaturated fats are found mainly in fish, nuts, seeds and oils from plants.

Trans fats are fats that are chemically processed that changes liquid oil into solid fats. It’s formed during the process of hydrogenation.

Omega-3 fatty acids are called essential fatty acids and are important for our health but can’t be produced by our body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and certain plant oils.

Micronutrients - Vitamins

Vitamins are organic molecules that are vital in every living organism. Vitamins are classified as water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins are vitamins that are easily dissolved in water while fat soluble vitamins are vitamins that are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the aid of lipids. Vitamins are important for normal growth and development and in various chemical reactions in the body. There are different types of vitamins. Each has its own function in our body that is why vitamins are essential in the body’s nutrition.

Micronutrients - Minerals

Minerals are inorganic elements, “non living” elements, that are relevant nutrition for humans, animals and plants. The human body contains lots of minerals. They are the main structural part of the body. Just like vitamins, minerals have significant function in the human body.

I would like to mention that too much or too little of these nutrients are not a good thing for our health, but adequate amounts are necessary for our health.

In future articles, we will get more detailed about the nutrients to get a further understanding of how it effects our bodies and to give us better understanding of how nutritional supplements will help our bodies for health.

This article is brought to you by our blog Nutritional Supplements Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Rose

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Do You Know These Secrets of Vitamin C?

By Dr. John Anne

Vitamin C also known as Ascorbic Acid is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin. It is important for the development of collagen. Collagen is a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Collagen has many benefits, supports a range of the body's structures and is necessary to the formation of bones and teeth

Humans, unlike most other animals, do not generate their own vitamin C, and they need to take it through foods sources which are rich in Vitamin C. This vitamin is measured a cure-all for a lot of diseases and problems - from cancer to common cold.

Benefits of Vitamin C
1) Vitamin C in addition to avoiding Scurvy, it has been shown to diminish the length of colds and to lighten their severity. It does not, however, avoids colds or modifies their frequency. Vitamin C may help prevent lead poisoning, and some scientists suppose it can be used in the treatment of cancer.
2) Vitamin C serves a predominantly defensive position in the body.
3) It is a great antioxidant and helps defend the body against pollutants
4) It helps in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising, and strengthening the walls of the capillaries
5) Vitamin C helps in the prevention of degenerative diseases - such as cataracts, certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
6) Ascorbic acid promotes healthy cell growth, proper calcium absorption, normal tissue growth and restore - like healing of wounds and burns.
7) Vitamin C is required for healthy gums, to help defend against infection, helps decrease cholesterol level, high blood pressure and avoids arteriosclerosis.

What can happen with the Vitamin C Deficiency?
Vitamin C Deficiency result in hemorrhages under the skin and a tendency to bruise effortlessly, poor wound healing, weakness, poor digestion, bleeding gums and loose teeth.

Low levels of vitamin C have been related with a number of conditions including hypertension, gallbladder disease, stroke and some cancers.

Edema (also called water retention) also takes place due to a Vitamin C deficiency, along with aching joints, bronchial infection and colds.

Vitamin C Dosage
The average (recommended dietary allowance) RDA is 60-80mg, per day.

For young people it is 80 mg, 75 mg for adults, 100 mg during pregnancy and 150 mg during lactation. Men should take more vitamin C than women and persons who smoke cigarettes are encouraged to consume 35-40 mg more vitamin C than average adults. This is because smoking reduces vitamin C levels in the body and is a catalyst for organic processes, which damage cells.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin C
Symptoms of scurvy, the vitamin C deficiency disease include –

1) Bleeding gums (also called gingivitis) and skin discoloration
2) Poor healing of wound.
3) Poor immune function, including susceptibility to cold and other infections.

Vitamin C Sources
Consuming the number of foods that contain vitamin C is the most excellent mode to get the required amount of Vitamin C each day. Healthy persons who eat a balanced diet do not need any Vitamin C supplements.

Amla (Indian gooseberry) is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, whether fresh or the dried or in powdered form.

Some of the good sources of vitamin C are oranges, kiwi fruit, mango, broccoli olives, guava, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, strawberry, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and citrus juices or juices equipped with Vitamin C.

Raw and cooked green leafy vegetables, peppers, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple are also rich sources of Vitamin C.

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mangetout, red peppers, chilies, watercress, parsley, blackcurrants are also rich sources of Vitamin C.

How to retain vitamin C
To avoid loss of vitamin C:

• Serve fruits and vegetables raw as far as possible.
• Steam, boil, or cook foods in a very minute amount of water
• Store prepared juices in Refrigerator, but no more than two to three days.
• Store cut and raw fruits, vegetables in an airtight container and refrigerate - do not store in water because Vitamin C is water soluble and gets dissolved in the water.

Eating foods rich in Vitamin C in their fresh, raw form is the finest way to maximize intake of vitamin C.

Vitamin C Overdose
Vitamin C overdose of may result in diarrhea, lip swelling, and in very severe cases difficulty in breathing.

Vitamin C overdose causes stomachaches with a lot of side effects such as stomach pain and nausea. Vitamin C Overdoes can also result in stomach cramps, skin rashes, and too much urination.

Vitamin C overdose should be avoided and must be avoided particularly by people with iron excess diseases such as Hemochromatosis.

For Complete Information on Vitamin C Deficiency and Vitamin C Overdose Visit http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com/ - Information on Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._John_Anne

Less Stress Leads To A Better Rest

by: Vincent Platania

In the modern world of today we are constantly being bombarded with high levels of stress and anxiety. These stresses can be physical, mental or environmental. They place an enormous strain on our physical and mental health.

Most of us are aware that excessive stress can affect our ability to think straight, our digestive system, adrenal glands and heart. Research has however shown that whenever a stressful situation arises, there is a knock on effect. Firstly stress limits the blood supply going to the stomach, this hampers the digestive system and a temporary shut down of our immune system may follow. If we are overwhelmed with stress for an extended period we are likely to experience fatigue and exhaustion.

Although it may not be possible to avoid these stress factors in our lives there is help available. There are many natural herbal supplements, known for they’re relaxing properties which assist in combating the harmful effects of anxiety and stress. Several herbs are usually incorporated together to make a powerful formula.

We will take a look at some of the individual herbs, which go to make up some of these potent anti- anxiety supplements: -

* Jujube Seeds: - hypnotic and anti-anxiety effect used for hysteria, fatigue, sleeplessness, debility and restlessness.

* Magnolia Bark: - has anti anxiety, anti stress properties, lowers the cortisol, promotes relaxation and improves the mood.

* Potassium: -sustains the fluid and electrolyte balance, discharges energy from carbohydrate, protein and fat, assists in conveying nerve impulses.

* Magnesium: -is a trace mineral and its chief role is manufacturing and transporting energy, relaxing and contracting the muscles, assisting some enzymes with their task in the body and mixing proteins.

* Valerian Root: - It supports a feeling of calmness, improves sleep, reduces anxiety levels and facilitates relaxation of the central nervous system. Valerian root is non addictive and does not cause morning tiredness. It also is useful in slowing the heart in those who have the condition known as tachycardia.

* Melatonin: -is one of the most dominant antioxidants in the brain. It restores metabolism, improves the quality of sleep and slows down degenerative diseases of the brain such as Parkinson’s. Melatonin can control extreme cortical production and is therefore effectual in reducing stress levels and regulating sleep cycles.

* Vitamin B complex contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5,

B6 and B12 are all essential vitamins for the nervous system

Visit http://www.rawleigh-products.com


About The Author
Vincent Platania represents the Rawleigh Products. W.T. Rawleigh founded Rawleigh Products in the late 1800s to create a line of products that possessed both strength and quality. Visit http://www.rawleigh-products.com

Natural Weight Loss for Good Health and Well Being

by: Jennifer Kays

Weight loss is becoming an unhealthy obsession dealing with body images, but in some cases can improve health and fitness. When weight loss is a result of eating healthy, exercising and/or taking natural weight loss supplements in contrast to synthetic prescription drugs with the risk of harmful side effects, weight loss can be effective, rewarding, and greatly improve overall health.

Extra weight, especially extra fat on a person's body, applies significantly increased stresses on the heart, joints and back. These stresses can be extremely detrimental to one's health. Healthy weight loss can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arthritis and other health problems, as well as generally extending an otherwise average life span. Recently, the scientific root cause or explanation of obesity has been revealed as being part of one's physiology. The internal functions of an obese person are different than those of a healthy person, and cause intense hunger pains and food cravings.

Natural weight loss supplements can help counteract this constant hunger and lead to healthy weight loss. Unbalanced hormones are a common cause of weight gain, therefore taking natural hormone balancers and herbal supplements would help to create a healthy weight loss regimen. Restoring your health allows you to lose weight naturally, without excess frustration and effort. It's all about losing weight from the inside out.

Emotional issues always accompany change, especially changes in our bodies e.g. natural weight loss. Weight loss affects our perception body image, our sense of identity i.e. who am I?, and how we feel about ourselves in general. Weight loss also effects our social relationships in that there may be people in our family or social contacts that are emotionally invested in our remaining the same i.e. overweight with all that it symbolizes e.g. friendliness, non-threatening, protective, jovial, helpful, etc. Beyond our physical health, it can be said that "size matters" cognitively and emotionally to ourselves and others. Eating and food have come to symbolize being accepted, being cared for and comfort. Having the support of others in our efforts to naturally lose weight and regain our health is a huge advantage.

We have been "conditioned" to fear any kind of loss, including weight loss. Especially if what we may lose is something with which we identify i.e. use to tell us who we are.

The emotions of fear, anger, anxiety and depression effect our weight. We often tend to "stuff our feelings" or numb these emotional feelings or stress by overeating. We may even overeat, thinking that will ease the physical discomfort caused by excess weight e.g. physical pain, lack of sleep, and lack of energy caused by moderate depression. To improve our overall health and support us through the process of natural weight loss and the emotional dynamics around it, we can take advantage of natural sleep aids, natural depression relief and natural pain relief health care products.

Our weight and health is greatly dependent upon our having a healthy digestive system or metabolism. Our digestive system converts, on a cellular and muscular level, the foods we eat, eliminates toxins, and uses and stores glucose for energy. Natural enzymes trigger hunger signals and facilitate absorption of nutrition. Good digestion with the help of natural enzymes aids in the conversion of fat to muscle.

Allergy and sensitivity to food, parasites, yeast overgrowth and emotional stress are signals of digestive disruption and inflammation. Natural essential fatty acids work to reduce intestinal inflammation, decrease harmful acids, help the liver process proteins that grow muscle, balance hormones and facilitate the elimination of toxins. Natural essential fatty acids help clear our digestive system of heavy metals, harmful bacteria, pesticides that we are increasingly encountering in our environment. Essential fatty acids along with natural fiber help us clean out the intestinal debris that harm our health and often lead to weight gain. Essential fatty acids also help our brain's neurotransmitters to function properly in order to deal with stress, emotions, and cravings that can lead to overeating and weight gain.

Natural amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins. Next to water, protein makes up the greatest part of our body weight. Amino acids help increase metabolism, build muscle, ease moderate depression, and help burn fat. Natural antioxidants help carry more oxygen to cells and muscles to help increase energy, burn fat, build muscle and process the foods we eat.

Hormone balance is essential for natural weight loss. Our metabolism slows as we get older because of the decrease or imbalance of hormones. This contributes to weight gain. Hormone balance also helps us deal with stress that leads to weight gain. Proper hormone balance helps to decrease cravings and binge eating. There are many natural hormone balancing products available, e.g. natural progesterone, promensil, soy isoflavones, essential fatty acids and hormone balancing formulas.

Our metabolism's primary task is to nourish our brains. We need healthy neurotransmitters to help us curb craving, ease depression, and deal with stress that lead to weight gain. Balancing our natural brain chemistry has a calming effect and allows us to feel a sens of well being and safety. There are many natural health care products to help balance brain chemistry, e.g. essential fatty acids, natural depression relief products, natural products to increase serotonin, and more. When our brain feels well and safe, it is prone to change our metabolism from calorie saving to calorie burning.

Our bodies were designed to move and be active. Movement requires muscle activity. Muscle activity uses the glycogen supply found in our muscles. When this glycogen supply stored in our muscles is used, our body is forced to use stored fat as an energy source. Using this stored fat through movement and exercise, results in natural weight loss. There is no reason for us to become athletes to accomplish natural weight loss. Low impact exercise like swimming, walking, etc, can be done slowly and without strain. In order to lose real weight rather than "water weight", it is important to drink extra amounts of water when exercising. Drinking more water will also help our digestive system and metabolism to use and eliminate extra weight.

Remember, the first objective, accomplished through natural weight loss, is to improve our physical and emotional health. This involves having a healthy digestive system, a healthy emotional system and a healthy nutritional system. We can build these healthy systems with natural vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, natural digestive aid, pain relief aid, natural sleep aids, natural emotional and mood aids, essential fatty acids and many more helpful natural health care products. We need to concentrate on improving our general health, feeling good, and living well through natural weight loss, rather than constantly comparing ourselves to someone else's idea about appearance from some magazine. Physical and emotional health is primary. Appearance may be important to us, but it is secondary. Through natural weight loss, we can live well and live long.


About The Author
Jennifer Kays has over twenty years experience with all natural health care products.

The provides natural weight loss products through http://sweetmedicineessentials.com/natural-weight-loss-c-3.html

Vitamin D – Eight Important Reasons To Ensure Sufficient Intake

by: Harry Monell


Until most recently, the general consensus among health researchers and practitioners held that the primary function of vitamin D was in helping the body to maintain a healthy level of calcium in the blood, primarily for proper bone health throughout an individual's lifetime. But, more and more, research is showing that this important vitamin is playing a much larger role in the overall health of the body. The following issues are eight of the top reasons to ensure adequate bodily concentrations.

1. Increase bone density - It defends against osteoporosis by triggering the absorption of calcium into bone cells.

2. Lower risk of all forms of cancer - A large number of studies have shown positive results indicating that with adequate vitamin D, risks for most forms of cancer can be reduced. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that vitamin D supplements may lower risk by 77 percent. In fact, in many of the clinical studies, indications are that the disease may be prevented entirely. Benefits have been especially promising in clinical studies on cancers related to: Breast, Colon/Rectal, Pancreas, Prostate, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the Lungs.

3. Preserves Muscle strength - A common symptom of severe vitamin D deficiency is leg weakness. Senior citizens typically suffer from an inexorable muscle wasting that begins by age 40. In recent group studies Vitamin D blood levels were measured in elderly men and women and found that individuals who had higher readings also had greater thigh strength, concluding that blood concentration of vitamin D directly correlated with leg strength and function in these people. Another important result of the study showed that with a daily vitamin D intake of 800 units or more, falls were reduced to half of their pre-study level.

4. Energy metabolism - One of the newest identified functions of the hormonal form of vitamin D, known as 1,25-D, is its role in determining how the body manages energy. In other words, it means that without sufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium, cells burn fewer calories and store more of them as fat. And, it turns out that dairy products are more effective than plain calcium at inhibiting fat synthesis and actually augmenting fat breakdown.

5. Strengthen Immune System - Vitamin D appears to send a signal the cells triggering production of specific proteins needed to fight off disease and other conditions in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy tissue.

6. Reduced risk of MS – Incidences of Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases tend to be rare near the equator, where ultraviolet light from the sun is intense and people produce an abundance vitamin D. In a recent study, women getting at least 400 IU of vitamin D per day showed only a 60 percent risk of developing MS compared to women getting less of the vitamin.

7. Tooth and gum health - Low blood concentrations of vitamin D were linked to gum disease in a study involving both men and women taking part in the federally sponsored National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The rate of loss in tooth-gum attachment was 25 percent higher among those participants with the least vitamin D.

8. Prevention of Diabetes - University of Pittsburgh researchers reported that a vitamin D deficiency affects the pancreas's release of insulin and found the risk of diabetes to be one-third lower in people with the highest concentrations of the vitamin.

So, how much of the vitamin do we really need?

The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies in Washington, D.C., currently recommends that people from infancy through age 50 get 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day, that those ages 51 through 70 receive 400 IU daily, and that anyone over 70 get a net of 600 IU. Sources include exposure to the sun, foods, especially dairy products and the meat of oily fish, such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, as well as, a variety of supplements.

But, no matter what the source, we now understand the importance of maintaining sufficient concentrations of vitamin D, as it contributes to the overall health and quality of life for each of us.

For additional information and important resources, please visit http://www.newdaynutrients.com/

Copyright 2007 Harry Monell. All rights reserved. Please feel free to share the entire contents of this article with your friends or post it on your site as long as it is left intact with all links unchanged, including this notice.


About The Author
Harry Monell is writing articles encouraging consumer awareness about a wide range of health and nutritional topics. For additional information and important resources, please copy into your web browser http://www.newdaynutrients.com

Lose Those Last 10 Pounds with L-Carnitine

by: Karen Sessions

How many times have you said to yourself "I just can't lose those last 10 pounds"?

If losing those last 10 pounds is your passion, then you will appreciate the benefits of L-Carnitine supplementation!

It's no doubt that weight loss and supplements are controversial issues in the fitness industry. The basis for true weight loss is proper eating and regular exercise. Supplements are beneficial for an added kick to super charge your weight-loss program. While supplements do serve their place in a fitness program, don't rely on them as the bulk of your regimen, they are a tool.

Of the many fat-loss supplements bombarding the fitness and weight-loss industry, L-Carnitine is one that I always found useful when trying to drop extra pounds. It can help mobilize fat so it can be burned more efficiently when your rotate your calories on the lower end.

L-Carnitine is an amino acid and may aid in fat-loss endeavors. Its main function is to transfer long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria where they can be used to produce energy and burn fat. L-Carnitine can also aid in preventing fatty build up in the liver and heart.

Other benefits of the wonderful supplement are reducing triglyceride levels and improving muscular strength. L-Carnitine can also help lessen the nervousness and irritability associated with low carbohydrate eating plans. Additional advantages are suppressed appetite, increased energy, and reduced muscle fatigue. L-Carnitine can also protect against liver disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

Your body can make L-Carnitine if you receive proper amounts of the amino acids lysine and methionine. You also need suitable amounts of vitamin B and C, as well as iron. This can also be received through nutrition, from such foods as animal protein.

Those who exercise a great deal use a lot of L-Carnitine. Therefore, it needs to be replenished to prevent a deficiency. If you are not receiving enough of these vitamins, minerals, amino's through your diet you could possibly have an L-Carnitine deficiency, making those last few pounds stubborn to remove.

A lack of L-Carnitine can result in muscular weakness and low energy levels, as well as weight gain, and cramps. Long-term deficiencies can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and Alzheimer's.

Vegetarians are more likely to have an inadequate amount of L-Carnitine due to the lack of animal protein in their nutrition. Therefore, L-Carnitine is an excellent supplement for vegetarians.

Recommended Dosage

Liquid L-Carnitine is an easy way to receive the recommended dosage of L-Carnitine quickly. Supplement with 3 to 5 grams of L-Carnitine 20 to 30 minutes before cardio. Use L-Carnitine consistently for 6 weeks and then take 4 weeks off of L-Carnitine.

This product is absolutely safe. However, if you have a weak stomach, take it with a meal.

Since L-Carnitine helps to release fat more efficiently during cardio, provided your carbohydrates are not in excess, it is important that you eat foods of quality and exercise consistently. These factors are what make the fat burning process possible. L-Carnitine is the spark plug to get the fire burning!

About The Author
Karen Sessions has been in the fitness industry since 1988. She is a nationally qualified bodybuilder and holds two personal training certifications. She has written 6 ebooks on fitness and has helped hundreds of clients transform their bodies. http://www.lose-weight-forever.com/

"Use of this article is authorized provided it is reproduced in full, and all web URLS are active hyperlinks directed to the author"

Quick Tips for Permanent Weightloss

by: Tracy Cohen


Many think that the battle to lose weight is always an up-hill struggle, but in reality it doesn’t have to be. There are several small yet effective changes you can make in your diet and daily activities that are very easy to incorporate into your lifestyle. By just using a few of the following tips, you can be well on your way to taking it off ad keeping it off.

The first step is to target your eating habits. Here are a few things you can do to jump-start your permanent weight loss.

* Eat 6 smaller meals a day as opposed to 3 larger meals. This keeps your metabolism up and your belly full

* Substitute mayonnaise and mayonnaise-based dressings with condiments like mustard or extra virgin olive oil. EVOO tastes great in tuna fish and has a fraction of the saturated fat.

* Eliminate fried foods/fast food from your diet or eat very sparingly

* Keep junk food out of the house. Substitute fresh fruit and vegetables. If you don’t keep junk in the house, you’re less likely to cheat.

* Pay attention to portion sizes. Dividing your plate into 4 visual quarters and only eating 3 of those quarters is a good way to start. Another helpful tool is an all-natural supplement called Hoodia Gordonii. It’s very easy to find Hoodia in patches and pill form.

The next step is to start incorporating an exercise routine you’ll stick with on a regular basis. It only takes 3 weeks (21 days) to form a habit, so if you can make the commitment to at least 3 weeks, it’s all down hill from there! Losing weight and exercise don’t have to be boring.

* If you can’t do one 30-minute sitting of cardio a day, try doing three 10 minute sessions instead (a short walk, or going up and down stairs would work)

* Get the whole family involved and take family walks after dinner. You’ll be spending quality time with the ones you love and getting the health benefits of walking all at the same time.

* Doing simple chores around the home also burn calories. Washing your car, pulling weeds, and even vacuuming all count as calorie-burning activities

* Participate in physical activities with friends or children. Kicking a ball around, riding a bike, or roller-blading are all good examples. This will also give you a chance to get outside and enjoy fresh air.

Some planning also needs to be done in order for the weight to stay off. There are also some all-natural products you can use to help expedite your weight loss.

* Plan meals for the week in advance. This prevents you from making impulse buys or heading to the drive through, which 9 times out of ten is not good for you

* Hoodia Gordonii is an all-natural weight loss supplement made from a cactus plant that has been shown to help people watch their portion sizes. You should plan on taking this twice a day.

* Drinking green tea can also help. This contains EGCG, an antioxidant which has been proven to increase metabolism. Who knew it could be so easy!

* Plan to REWARD yourself with non-food items. Buying some new clothes or planning an outing with friends are just a couple of ways you can do this.

You can see from the above tips that permanent weight loss is not out of reach. By making and sticking with these small changes for at least 3 weeks, you will start to shed pounds and feel sexier in no time. Whether it’s cutting out fried foods, starting to take daily walks, or starting an all-natural supplement like Hoodia Gordonii to decrease cravings, taking the first steps to losing your excess weight will be a cinch, and it won’t be long before you start to reveal a healthier, sexier, happier new you.


About The Author
Tracy Cohen has been studying health and fitness trends for over 7 years and is a huge advocate of all-natural products and healing techniques. She is dedicated to helping people win the fight against obesity. Read more about hoodia gordonii and how it can help you lose weight at http://www.thehoodiaoutlet.com.

Health Food and Vitamins: Getting The Skinny On Fats

by: Deborah Prosser


Nearly everyone is concerned about too much fat in his or her diet. We are constantly hearing about the link between fat and heart disease and other life threatening diseases such as diabetes. But how much do we really know about fats and the effects of fat on our health. Did you know that you actually need fat to metabolize fat? This is why low-fat diets do not always result in weight loss. Therefore, should we add fat when we are preparing healthy meals or leave fat out? It all depends on the type of fat and how we use it. We need our meals to be a good source of health food and vitamins. Here is the skinny on fats and what you need to know when preparing healthy dinner recipes.

There are three basic types of fat: saturated, unsaturated and trans fats. Generally, we should get about 20-30% of our daily calories from fat and only 10% of that should come from saturated fats.

Saturated fats come from animal or diary products and are the least healthy choices to include in your diet. The reason for this is they increase the levels of triglycerides in your bloodstream, which is what causes blockage in the arteries over time. The general rule to remember is the redder the meat the higher the saturated fat content will be, hence the higher the triglycerides in the bloodstream. When eating beef or pork be sure to choose the leanest cuts and remove any visible fat before cooking. It’s always best to include more chicken, with the skin removed and fish in your diet because these are lower in fat. When buying yogurt, or other dairy products choose 1% or 2% fat or those made with skim milk.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats come from certain nuts, fish and oils such as olive, canola and flaxseed oil. These fats are known to actually reduce triglycerides by producing good cholesterol referred to as HDL. Polyunsaturated oils are also found in beans and soy products. These are important health foods for vitamins and nutrients because they contain omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These oils are important for maintaining healthy blood and helping to prevent the development of plaque. The best oil products to use when serving salads is a first cold pressed virgin olive oil because it contains the freshest of nutrients. Regular olive oil (not cold pressed) can be used when cooking at heats less than 600 degree F. Other alternative choices when baking or frying are shortening or vegetable oils.

Trans fats (or hydrogenated) are the worst fats of all because they increase triglyceride levels and hence bad cholesterol (LDL). Trans fats are commonly found in commercially produced foods and vegetable oils, hydrogenated margarines and spreads. Products are now being developed and easier to find with No Trans Fats written on the packaging. Try and reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet and you’ll avoid most of this type of harmful fat.

A health food diet will always include the essential vitamins and nutrients. At your next dinner start out with a fresh salad using an olive oil based dressing. Then a serving of fish, chicken or lean red meat along with some whole grain breads or pastas and steamed vegetables. Finish up your meal with a light dairy product or low-fat ice cream or yogurt topped with fresh fruit. Remember, we need fat to metabolize fat and by choosing the good fats in olive oils, fish, chicken and nuts we can help our bodies slim down and prevent diseases all at the same time.


About The Author
Deborah Prosser is a partner in Ipcor Publishing and Personal Logs.com www.personallogs.com. She is publisher of the website Get In Shape. You can find information about fitness for women and healthy food choices on her webpage http://www.getinshape.ipcor.com/Health-Food-Vitamins.

The Pillars of Mind Body Wellness

by: Melissa Levine


Wellness is not merely the opposite of being sick. However, when you say “I’m not feeling well,” you probably don’t mean that you’re lacking in your personal relationships, concern for the environment, or passion for your vocation. Instead, for the most part, people conceptualize “not feeling well” as a physical ailment.

By contrast, the term wellness as used in the field of alternative medicine encompasses much more than physical health. Certainly, physical health is part of achieving wellness, but it’s one of only several components that we’ll touch on below.

In essence, wellness means reaching your full potential as a person. Wellness is an all-encompassing term that refers to optimal states of emotional, physical, and mental well-being. You are striving for oneness of your mind and body.

In many ways, you are probably already participating in activities that contribute to wellness. You might exercise, recycle, or read on a regular basis. Each of these activities is encouraged in the pursuit of wellness. The difference, though, is that you’re not performing these activities as part of a conscious plan to be your optimal self.

Conscious awareness is the cornerstone of wellness. Wellness is a decision we make, and we take personal responsibility for achieving it. The aspect of personal responsibility is apparent in the National Wellness Institute’s definition of wellness: wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices towards, a more successful existence.

No one hands us wellness on a silver platter. Besides, you wouldn’t want them to. The journey is just as important, and enjoyable, as the destination.

One reason to seek wellness in your life is that it reduces, or even eliminates, the need to rely on drugs, prescriptions, or alcohol to find physical well-being or what we might believe to be “happiness.” When we seek wellness, we also find that we are less likely to blame others or make excuses for our problems. You come to learn that health and happiness are solely your responsibility. Taking on personal responsibility is actually quite empowering.

As mentioned above, wellness is achieved by balancing each of these six types of wellness:
Intellectual Emotional Spiritual Environmental Social Physical Others feel that wellness is actually made of 8 parts. In addition to the 6 components listed above, they add vocational and cultural wellness. When you focus on improving on each of these areas, you'll find that you're developing personal qualities that you've probably been seeking your whole life: Good sense of humor Loving and nurturing nature Concern for the environment Ability to communicate effectively Purpose-driven Strong ability to cope with the ups and downs of life Excellent physical health Fun-loving Free of addictive behaviors and dependence on substances

Remember, wellness is a choice. The first step towards wellness is simple and you can take it right. Say to yourself, “I choose to be well.” Base your daily and long-term decisions on this goal and watch yourself reaping the rewards of balance, happiness, and good health.


About The Author
Melissa Levine of Wild Divine is an expert in meditation, biofeedback, wellness, alternative medicine and the mind body connection. Visit Wild Divine, http://www.wilddivine.com to read Melissa’s blog posts and learn more about Healing Rhythms, the award winning biofeedback guided meditation program featuring practices from Deepak Chopra, Dr. Andrew Weil and other leading experts.

A Diet Primer For Health Food And Vitamins

by: Deborah Prosser

Quite often, we want to eat healthier but don’t know exactly how to start. Sometimes food you think might be good may in fact not be right for you, and vice-versa. This article looks at some simple diet changes you can start to make right away that will improve your overall health.

Whole Wheat Products

One of the simplest changes you can make is to start eating more whole grain foods instead of those made with white processed flour. Why is this? The whole grain variety has retained more of the nutrients and it breaks down much more slowly in you body. This avoids sudden spikes in your blood sugar level, which can lead to diabetes in the long run.

Heart Healthy Foods

Heart disease is one of the biggest health problems we face. Frequently caused by blood clots in you arteries, this can be alleviated by eating some of the right foods. Try eating things like oatmeal, blueberries, and soy products like tofu. Even a daily glass of red wine or some dark chocolate has been found to be good for your heart.

Drink More Water

We’ve often been told we should drink 8 glasses of water each day, but how many of us actually do? Drinking water is a great way to help you lose weight. Water helps the body metabolize stored fat. Water is also great for your skin – it helps to keep it clear and healthy-looking. Start drinking more water today!

Eat More Vegetables

Common vegetables like carrots, broccoli and spinach contain carotenoids, which are thought to protect against cancer. Vegetables generally provide excellent health food and vitamins essential to your well-being. A simple way to increase your intake is to serve more than one vegetable with your meals.

Fruits Are Fine!

Like vegetables, fruit is an excellent source of vitamins and other nutrients. Eating fruit can help you lose weight and also prevent illness. Apples, bananas and melons are particularly good for you. Try introducing some of these fruits at meal times. Bananas go well with your cereal in the morning, and fruit in general can make a great dessert at the end of your meals.

Fish Is Good For You

Cold water fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines contain omega-3 fats. These fats are essential but they cannot be produced by the body, and must be obtained from foods. Fish is also a good source of protein low in calories and saturated fat. Try a tuna sandwich next time you have lunch!

Spare the Meat

Red meat like beef is very popular in many of our diets, and it is high in protein and essential amino acids. However it can contain a lot of saturated fat. This doesn’t mean we have to give up this summertime BBQ favorite. Simply look for the lean cuts and stay away from the fatty ones like rib-eye.

There is much more we could say on the topic of health food and vitamins. But just by following these simple suggestions you will be well on you way to a healthier diet. The many benefits you will see from increasing your intake of health food and vitamins include weight control, more energy and a reduced risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.


About The Author
Deborah Prosser is a partner in Ipcor Publishing and Personal Logs.com www.personallogs.com. She is publisher of the website Get In Shape www.getinshape.ipcor.com. You can find more information about healthy food choices on her webpage http://www.getinshape.ipcor.com/Health-Food-Vitamins.

How Do You Boost Your Immunity?

by: Ann Stewart

Some people, it seems, are endowed with a healthy immune system. They never seem to get sick and, if they do get the odd cold, they continue their daily routine and snap out of it in no time flat. Then you see others who barely have to hear the word 'flu or see someone blowing their nose and bam, they've got it!

Is it all in the head? Are you born with a strong immune system to fight off disease? Can you do something about it, if you're not? Anyway, what does it mean to have immunity? Well, a very simple explanation is that there are basically two types: active and passive immunity.

The definition of 'immune' is that your body is so strong and resistant to any disease that you will not succumb to it.

Active immunity is considered to be long-lasting and tends to be life-long. If you're in this category then, whenever you're exposed to a disease organism, your immune system will instantly start to produce antibodies to that disease. Furthermore, if you should come into contact with that disease in the future, your immune system will identify it and immediately fight it off with the stored antibodies.

Passive immunity is not inherent in your system. It is when you cannot produce enough antibodies to fight off disease, and get an external boost by injection, medication or nutritional supplements.

Healthy people with an active, innate immunity are usually referred to as being resistant to disease in general. The term immunity is usually applied to general protection against a specific organism. Even if you are generally healthy, you may from time to time need a boost in order to help fight off a virulent strain of a specific infection or virus. The more severe the disease producing organism, the more the passive immunity is applied.

The medical profession recommends boosting your inherent immunity with specific antibodies to fight off a potentially dangerous infection or virus.

A good digestion and healthy appetite are indicators of a strong immunity. "Getting better quickly is a better indicator of immune health,'' says Dr Dennis Alexander, head of molecular immunology at the Babraham institute in Cambridge.

Immune globulin can be administered to provide immediate protection from specific health threats to those who have a severely impaired or suppressed immune system. For instance, some who may normally have fairly good resistance to disease suddenly realize that their system cannot handle the sudden onslaught of germs in the hospital.

Likewise, the body under stress, i.e. disease or sudden accident, is often not capable to fight off multiple vaccines in one shot.

Judging by the large numbers of people coping with disease, the human system is inherently fragile and cannot handle multiple onslaughts, like the ones discussed above.

Many believe that if you are generally healthy and look after your health, you will only have a mild version of what's going around. "In truth, there's no such thing as a normal immune system,'' says Angus Dalgleish, professor of oncology at St George's Hospital, London, who researches cancer vaccines. He says the system is naturally very variable.

The rise of allergies, auto-immune diseases (where the body attacks itself) and inflammatory bowel disease are all indicators of immune resistance performing under par.

Both types of acquired immunity respond to peptide sequences called antigens. Antigens help the acquired immune system recognize invading bacteria, viruses and other harmful organisms (pathogens).

Leftovers, non-organic foods, and foods laced with preservatives can severely tax the digestive system. This can, in turn, clog your circulation, and create a sluggish, compromised immune system.

Going to be late, working at night, irregular eating habits, sleeping during the day, and exposing the body to stress and fatigue can all affect the digestion and body rhythms and thus compromise your resistance.

Therefore, be good to yourself. Eating nutritiously and keeping an active, happy lifestyle will go a long way to boosting your immune system. Don't worry; be happy because "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Prov. 17: 22)


About The Author
Ann Stewart, author, inspirational writer and wellness coach, shares tips on how to fight off disease and feel your best in her weekly newsletter, Youth Makeover: http://youthmakeover.com

The Magic Of High Fiber For Your Digestive System

by: Brandon H. Masters

If you are trying to be healthier, a habit of diet and exercise may not be enough. If you have been trying to be healthy but still notice that you feel a bit lethargic and that the weight is not coming off as soom as you would like, a colon cleaning may be the solution you need. The problem may not be what you are eating, but the toxins that may still be stuck in your system and need to be removed. There is a natural way to do this.

While many people like to overlook the colon, a meeting between 57 doctors at the Royal Society of Medicine in Great Britain agreed that the majority of diseases come from poisonous bacteria that are all absorbed into the body through the intestines and colon. This is more prevalent if you suffer from constipation, because the toxins sit in the colon longer.

While often when you have a medical problem such as a headache or a heart problem you won’t necessarily think to blame your colon for the ailment, these medical officials say you should.

If you are unsure of what the colon is or how it works, it’s your large intestine. Picture a tube that is five feet long that all the chewed up and digested food goes into. After your body has pulled all the things it needs from your food, it moves onto the colon to prepare to be eliminated from the body. The way to keep that waste from sitting there and starting to push more toxins into your system is to make sure waste is eliminated in a timely manner. The best way to do that is to make sure you have enough fiber in your diet (the recommended amount is 20-35 grams of fiber every day), but few people do.

When it comes to a job title, the colon is essentially the body’s garbage truck. Its job is to take the waste that is in the system and move it out of the body. And in fine working condition, it is a busy system. The majority of naturopathic physicians believe that people should be having bowel movements 2-3 times a day. They also say that when someone has fewer than 2 movements a day, they are constipated. That means the waste is sitting longer than it should be in the system, and that can lead to more bacteria creation and more toxins being absorbed into the body.

Once those toxins are absorbed through the colon walls they can get into the blood stream and travel the blood-rivers of the body until they decide to stick to tissue and other portions of the body. This is when you will notice various ailments as the bacteria take hold.

And it’s not just the traveling toxins that are a problem. The toxic material that will begin to coat the wall of your intestines will also block the good nutrients your body needs from being able to be absorbed.

Luckily this is something that can be changed by making a few changes to your daily habits. Simply adding more fiber to your diet to get up to the recommended amount of 20-35 grams per day will help your colon keep moving things through and working well.

What to eat to cleanse your colon? The kind of fiber you want is soluble fiber that will absorb that various toxins and other materials in your system and move them through with it. This kind of fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, bran and other simliar items.

Most people don’t eat enough fiber every day, but they can still get enough to promote digestive health. While everyone should try to add more fiber into their meals, if that is not going to happen for you, there are a number of supplements you can look into and take to make sure your body is still getting the fiber it needs.


About The Author
Brandon H. Masters is a Health Enthusiast, Researcher and Veteran of the Natural Products Industry. He is passionate about educating others on the benefits of wellness solutions through better nutrition and detoxification. http://www.fiber35diet.com

Nutritional Vitamin Supplements

by: Mario Churchill

Not Just Pills

It's about time you placed your life at a premium. A good life isn't just about the quantity of life, it's also about the quality of life. Think about it: you don't want to be bedridden or a vegetable for the remaining years of your life. You want to be able to live long enough so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and your life up close and not on the bed. Of course there are several ways to keep you healthy, the two main things being a healthy diet, and of course, exercise. But there's nothing wrong with going the extra mile for your health. That can be achieved with the right nutritional and dietary supplements that helps keep your body fit. Supplements make sure that your body has enough of the vitamins it needs to keep functioning at the optimum. Vitamins are natural organic compounds so there's no danger of consuming supplements that are synthesized and artificial. Everything is pulled from mother nature -- plants, specifically, which are basically the only living creatures with the ability to manufacture their own food. We cannot, so we must rely on outside sources to keep ourselves healthy. Of course, we must exercise caution and exercise awareness of what we are taking in and how our intake affects our body.

For vitamins there's a recommended dietary allowance which differs according to age and state of health. For example, a pregnant woman might be asked to take in specific vitamins to make sure that the fetus develops as healthy as possible with the least possible complications. Also, vitamin deficiencies occur from a nutritionally imbalanced diet. Let's face it, in a world of processed foods, it's hard to keep healthy. Vitamin supplements help curb the nutritional imbalance. To know if you are eating well enough, and to pinpoint the specific vitamins your body lacks, the best way is through a blood test. For most people, nutritional supplements that you take everyday and that come with all the basic vitamins and minerals is good enough. There's no need for a blood test to do this. For others, however, there may already be bodily symptoms that express a certain deficiency. It's always good to be reminded that an ounce of prevention is definitely worth more than a pound of cure. And prevention can be as simple as swallowing pills packed with vitamins. There have been millions of cases of heart disease and cancer that could've been prevented by a simple vitamin.

There is really nothing that can replace a healthy diet as good as -- well, a healthy diet. Healthy meals of organic fruits and vegetables will definitely cost less in the long run, besides. However, nutritional supplements still play an important role aside from giving you "very expensive urine." The human body requires at least 40 essential micronutrients which a healthy diet alone cannot supply.

Of course, too much of a good thing is -- bad. You actually might just end up producing "really expensive urine." It can help prevent cancer and heart disease, but too much of it will not only turn you a shade of yellow or orange, but in some cases can give you liver disease. So make sure to consult a physician to get the best combination of nutritional supplements that will best augment your body.


About The Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information about natural vitamin supplements checkout http://www.myvitaminguide.com

Reduce Your Cholesterol With Natural Vitamins

by: Darrell Miller

Because of the great efforts of the American Heart Association and other similar organizations, we have gained a lot of knowledge on cholesterol and its effects on our health. We know that high cholesterol levels increase our risk for heart attacks and strokes. We also know that lowering our cholesterol levels will reduce this risk and keep our hearts and blood vessels healthy. Additionally, we know that diet, weight loss, and exercise can help us lower our cholesterol levels. Prescription drugs that lower cholesterol have recently become available and advertised by pharmaceutical companies. However, these medications have some serious side effects including myopathy, reduction in CoQ10 levels, which can lead to heart disease, and rhabdomyaolysis, a rare, but fatal condition. Fortunately, there is a safe alternative to these prescription medications, pantethine and plant sterols, which are also known as phytosterols, are nature’s solution to high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol, a soft, waxy, fat-like substance, is found in every cell of the body. It is needed to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes, insulate nerves, and make hormones. Made primarily by the liver, our body makes all the cholesterol that we actually need, but we also get additional cholesterol from the foods that we eat. The highest sources of cholesterol are egg yolks and organ meats including liver and kidney. Peanut butter, avocado, and all other plant-derived foods contain no cholesterol. However, all foods from animal sources do contain cholesterol. Even though cholesterol is responsible for many important functions in the body, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can be very dangerous. Once blood cholesterol has reached high levels, it builds up on artery walls, and therefore increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Because the heart is a muscle, it needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. The bloodstream, which transports these nutrients to the heart through coronary arteries, cannot transport the oxygen if the arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits. Depending on the severity, this can result in coronary heart disease, angina, or heart attack.

Because cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood, they can’t travel on their own. Instead, they are transported to and from cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are two major lipoproteins: low density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, and high density lipoproteins (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. LDLs cause atherosclerosis because they clog up our arteries with the continual buildup of fat. On the other hand, HDL prevents fat buildup by carrying it away from the arteries to the liver, where it can be processed and eliminated.

Triglycerides, which are fats used as fuel by the body, can make the blood more sluggish and less capable of transporting oxygen when in high amounts. There are many medications prescribed by physicians for people with elevated triglyceride levels. Some of the most effective, and most harmful, are the statins. The all-natural combination of pantethine and plant sterols can safely lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL cholesterol.

Pantethine, which is a form of pantothenic acid that is found in liver, salmon, and yeast, is known for its ability to lower cholesterol by blocking its production. The production of cholesterol in the human body is a very complex process, involving many biochemical reactions and enzyme activity. Pantethine inhibits several of these enzymes, blocking the activity of those coenzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis by about 50%. To compensate for the lowered cholesterol production, the liver pulls LDL out of the bloodstream, resulting in a lower total cholesterol level.

Plant sterols, which are the fats of plants, are found in nuts, vegetable oils, corn, and rice. They are structurally very similar to cholesterol and are therefore able to act as a stand in for cholesterol and block its absorption, causing it to be eventually excreted. If we eat enough plant sterols, the amount of cholesterol transported from the intestinal tract to the liver is greatly reduced. And, just like pantethine’s effect on the liver, this cholesterol reduction causes the liver to pull LDL cholesterol out of the blood, which reduces both total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Because the plant sterol and pantethine found in food just aren’t enough to have much of an effect on our health, we need to take a concentrated combination of pantethine and plant sterols in just the right ratio. Plant sterols, which are bound in fibers in the plants, can not be adequately consumed even if we ate lots of raw fruits and vegetables. There are also several forms of plant sterols, with some ratios of these plant sterols being more beneficial than others. While pantethine is found in several food sources, it is hard to get beneficial amounts from our food. Manufacturers of high quality nutritional supplements offer pantethine and plant sterols in the most beneficial ratio, proven by research. The best results are found when taking a combination of 400 mg of plant sterols and 200 mg of pantethine three times a day. Recent studies have shown that lowering cholesterol in people without heart disease can greatly reduce their risk for ever developing CHD, along with heart attacks and atherosclerosis. This is also true for those with high cholesterol levels and for those with average cholesterol levels. Most physicians would never consider prescribing statin drugs to people without actual heart disease or high cholesterol levels because of the many health risks of the drugs. However, the combination of pantethine and plant sterols are very effective in helping those people with heart disease, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, as well as those just wanting the extra health insurance for their hearts. Pantethine and plant sterols are both very safe. Although some people may experience a mild upset stomach when first taking pantethine, taking the combination of pantethine and plant sterols with meals can usually solve this problem. Pantethine and plant sterols are available at your local or internet vitamin store.


About The Author
Darrell Miller

Please visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/ VitaNet sells vitamins and herbs to lower cholesterol with out side effects. Please link to this site when using this article.

Omega 3 Microencapsulation – Not In My Orange Juice - The Newest Development To Cash In

by: Lois Smithers

In an effort to add Omega 3 from the right source (fatty fish) to our grocery store products, the latest attempt to cash in on the Omega 3 band wagon is microencapsulated Omega 3 fish oil in of all things, orange juice (Tropicana), butter (I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter) and yogurt. Suffice it to say, microencapsulation is a complicated process that requires a scientific background to explain.

What I do know is, I never wish to add fish of any kind, in any form, encapsulated, freeze dried, flaked or otherwise to orange juice, butter, yogurt, or any food for that matter. It’s not only tremendously unappealing, many people are deathly allergic to fish. Will they have to read labels of orange juice, butter and yogurt to make sure dried or encapsulated Omega 3 fish oil is not lurking within?

We are inundated by commercialism, clever advertisers, hype, powerful food and drug companies complicated by our own time limitations to dig deep for answers. So we do our best to keep up, read a bit here, listen a bit there and assimilate information often on the run. When we walk into our grocery stores and see Omega 3 on products, our first reaction is to buy knowing we need to add Omega 3 yet so few know they just added more seed oils to their bodies. And with today’s textbook science clearly showing seed oils are the culprit behind chronic inflammation affecting Americans’ health today, it is not a stretch to call the behavior of food manufacturers unscrupulous in their duping of the American consumer in the most dreadful way – not the cash in their hand but the very health they are trying to either keep or restore.

Research once showed ALA from seed oils was beneficial to heart health and other diet-related diseases, yet those conditions continued to climb and studies began emerging linking an over-abundance of ALA and other seed oils to chronic inflammation (arachidonic acid) being at the core of those diseases. And unless you’ve stayed clear of fast food restaurants, prepackaged foods, treats, and your favorite sit down restaurant, you’ve unknowingly been consuming huge quantities beyond any healthy recommendation that was suggested just a few years ago.

The first attempt at misleading labeling was conscienceless but the newest of dropping tiny caplets of microencapsulated Omega 3 fish oil into juice and dairy products defies logic. My mind, nor my palate, can tolerate the thought of the taste or texture. At first glance it might appear as a step in the right direction by at least adding fish oil that we need but do you want fish oil delivered to you in those products? And if we throw Omega 3 microencapsulated fish oil into a wide array of grocery store products, how will we know if we’ve consumed a gram a day as suggested by the AHA or ten grams a day? It is estimated that by 2011, sales of Omega 3 enriched products will soars to $7 Billion Dollars.

A simpler solution is educating the American public as to the difference between food grade Omega 3 fish oils that offer no benefit and pure pharmaceutical grade fish oil from the right fatty fish that do. Purifying fish oil requires years of skill utilizing molecular processes. Suppliers who purchase 50 gallon drums of fish oil to turn into capsules for resale can afford to buy one, get one free and offer a two month supply for $25.00. Your health is precious and finding a quality source of fish oil only requires a little looking beyond the labeling.

Find a fish oil manufacturer (not a fish oil reseller, retailer or supplier) who began the process of producing fish oil by contracting with deep sea fisherman to deliver it to their lab. Make sure they either own the pharmaceutically lab purifying the oil or are aware of the lab’s standards. If not, your supplement passed through so many hands, it’s amazing it made it to the shelf in tact. Check for testimonies from real, satisfied customers who have experienced significant health changes. There are great fish oil products out there.


About The Author
Lois Smithers, former avid equestrian who fractured two vertebra, spent years researching Omega 3 she credits with ending debilitating chronic inflammation. With Debra Morgan, they own Sea-Based Health, LLC. Sign up for their newsletter and product recommendations, visit http://seabasedhealth.com

What is Purified Water?

by: Jon M. Stout


The majority of the human body is comprised of water and human beings can live only a very short time without water.

Water is a chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life. It covers 71% of Earth's surface. It is found in the oceans (saltwater) and polar ice caps, but it is also present as clouds, rain water, rivers, freshwater aquifers, lakes, airborne vapor and sea ice.

Water in these bodies perpetually moves through a cycle of evaporation, precipitation, and runoff to the sea. Clean water is essential to human life. In many parts of the world, it is in short supply. (Source: Wikipedia)

Of all the water in the world, only about 3% is drinkable by human beings. Of this small percentage, the majority is either wholly or partially polluted by natural or man made contaminants. The body requires H2O to survive but not the contaminants found in most drinking water.

What Are Your Choices For Drinking Water?

Most people in the United States face limited choices of drinking water. They can either drink tap water provided by the municipalities they live in or well water on their own land. Neither of these choices provides pure drinking water.

What Are the Different Types of Drinking Water?

Generally speaking there are three choices for drinking water available to the consumer:

* Tap Water (provided by local municipal water suppliers)
* Well Water (found in more rural areas of the country)
* Bottled Water (sold commercially throughout the country)

Tap Water:

Tap water comes from local rivers and streams and very often plants that recycle raw sewerage and other waste water. Because many rivers, streams and other groundwater sources are polluted by natural runoff and man made contaminants, and all waste water and raw sewerage contain high levels of bacteria, increasing levels of chlorine are required to kill bacterial and other harmful organisms.

Tap water is regulated by The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an agency of the Federal Government but EPA regulations in no way require the elimination of contaminants. The EPA only sets minimum levels of contaminants (including chlorine) and the long term effects of these poisons on the human body are largely unknown. In addition chlorine adds unpleasant odors and taste to tap water.

Well Water:

Well water is subject to the same types of natural and man made pollution as tap water but it is unregulated. The Commonwealth of Virginia, for example, strongly recommends chlorination and dechlorination of owner’s individual wells but mandatory compliance is not required. Well water is particularly subject to ground bacteria pollution through the wellhead itself. The use of chlorine adds unpleasant odors and taste to the well supplied drinking water.

Bottled Water:

Repackaged bottled water:

There are many types of bottled drinking water on the market today with the result that some are good, some are bad and some are useless when it comes to providing pure drinking water.

Some unethical suppliers merely take tap water and bottle the water in small packages. These bottlers are able to charge a premium for tap water but the levels of contaminants are the same as in tap water.

Spring water:

The source of some bottled water is spring water and this term implies a fresh mountain spring of wholesome drinking water. Springs however, are subject to the same types and levels of natural and man made contaminants as tap and well water and the consumer does not get the benefit of pure water.

Purified water:

Purified water is the only water that that one should drink for their health and the health of their family. There are two processes used in order to purify water: distillation and reverse osmosis.

Distillation is a process whereby water is turned to steam and condensed leaving behind all contaminants and bacteria. Many countries without natural source water and the Department of Defense use distillation to provide pure drinking water.

Reverse osmosis is a process where by water is filtered through a very small filter and contaminants are removed but bacteria and trace elements are left in the water.

Distillation removes the water from the contaminants while reverse osmosis merely filters the water without removing all bacteria and other material.

Many experts believe that distillation is the best way to create pure water.

Conclusion:

If you are an individual interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle or a parent that is concerned about the health of your family, you should consider adding purified water to your diet.

No other water source provides the purity your body needs.


About The Author
Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Board of Element H2O. For more information about bottled water, private label bottled water and bottled water delivery go to http://www.elementh2o.com

Vitamin D – A Closer Look At Cancer Prevention

by: Harry Monell


Vitamin D is the nutrient long known for it's critical role in the body's processing of calcium and subsequent maintenance of the bones and teeth. However, studies are revealing more and more evidence supporting the role of vitamin D in protecting the body by significantly cutting the risk for most forms of cancer. In fact, new research published most recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that vitamin D supplements may lower the risk factor by as much as 77 percent.

The following reveal exciting evidence of the exceptionally strong cancer-protective effects of vitamin D.

Breast Cancer – most recently the results of a study were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggesting that pre-menopausal women who maintain high levels of vitamin D and calcium in their diets have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. More importantly, high levels of calcium and vitamin D among this group seemed to reduce the most aggressive breast tumors, including those that are likely to spread to the lymph nodes, which contain the most dangerous types of cancer cells. The two nutrients function together to block or interfere with the effects of the IGF (insulin-like growth factor) hormone, which is known to stimulate breast and other cancer cells.

Colon/Rectal Cancer - More than fifty years ago, while realizing the correlation between sunlight and vitamin D blood concentrations, curious scientists began studying weather data around the country, along with health statistics anticipating a relationship between areas with the highest amount of sunshine and lower rates of colon cancer death. New research conducted at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Nebraska has revealed that supplementing with vitamin D and calcium can reduce your risk of colon cancer by nearly 80 percent.

Pancreatic Cancer – known for having one of the highest mortality rates, pancreatic cancer is frequently called the "silent killer" typically because its presence is seldom diagnosed prior to reaching the advanced stages generally considered incurable. Results of two studies that began over thirty years ago, with a combined 170,000 male and female participants revealed evidence that at higher intake levels of vitamin D (at least 600 IU per day) there was a significant reduction in the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Prostate Cancer - Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States. However, an abundance of clinical research is providing evidence that vitamin D may be a key factor in reducing or eliminating the risk of contracting the disease. Most recent results include a new study indicating that vitamin D generated from about 15 minutes of sunshine per day may help lower the risk of prostate cancer. Other epidemiological studies also show correlations between the risk factors for prostate cancer and conditions that can result in decreased vitamin D levels. And, additional clinical research has shown that the presence of vitamin D inhibits the growth of human prostate cancer cells.

Lung Cancer – is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in America, so it is with great promise that a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention revealed that Vitamin D from a combination of dietary sources and sun exposure appears to improve the survival of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for 75% to 80% of all lung cancers. It's interesting to note that group participants who had surgery during the summer months gained a 13% survival advantage over those receiving surgery during the winter.

Recent research indicates that anyone totally avoiding the sun will need an intake of about 4,000 IUs of vitamin D a day! Now, if you do the math this means that it will be impossible from a practical means, to get enough vitamin D from either natural foods or nutritional supplements. Consider the requirement of 40 glasses of milk or 10 multi-vitamin tablets a day. Such an alternative would be an unrealistic and physically dangerous undertaking, to say the least.

Most of us make about 20,000 units of vitamin D after about 20 minutes of summer sun, but if for some reason you're not getting vitamin D from sunshine, you need to take supplemental vitamin D3 cholecalciferol. Since most of us do in fact receive much more vitamin D from the sun than we actually realize, it's reasonable to assume then that the majority of us need to supplement our intake with an additional 2,000 IUs per day, to ensure the risk reduction benefits against all cancer related illness.

For additional information and important resources, please visit http://www.newdaynutrients.com/

Copyright 2007 Harry Monell. All rights reserved. Please feel free to share the entire contents of this article with your friends or post it on your site as long as it is left intact with all links unchanged, including this notice.

Because Vitamin is Prevention...

I'm not a doctor. I am just an avid vitamin user since my mother has taught me to chew one when I was just a child. I guess, even when we are still at the womb lying unconscious we may have ingested some nutrients from vitamins taken by our caring mothers.

Everybody has its fair share of vitamin use. From multivitamins to amino-acids I have somehow tried them all. They do vary in effects as some can make you dizzy while others can make your heart palpitate. Others can change your mood and yes some can change your urine yellow.

And so I'm having this blog to share some information about vitamins and minerals that are readily available at our drugstore today. Vitamins and minerals that have played an important role in our growth not only physically but mentally as well.

Because a healthy mind needs a healthy body. And a healthy mind and healthy body is more than what a successful rich or a famous person can ask for.